Surely some revelation is at hand;
May 29, 2019 10:28 AM Subscribe
In a surprise public statement, Special Counsel Robert Mueller resigned from the DOJ and announced (NBC) that he does not believe it is appropriate to provide information beyond what is already public in any appearance before Congress, emphasizing, “If we had had confidence that the president clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so.” (Vox, full transcript).
Meanwhile, Trump has turned the full force of the government on perceived political enemies (NBC), wielding power in ways not seen in the United States in generations—if ever, House Democrats are ‘moving toward’ impeachment (Politico), and Trump's stonewalling of congressional investigations (Renato Mariotti, Politico) continue to fail at remarkable speed in the courts.
• Congressional Investigations Round-up:
• Trump Administration Hardens Its Attack on Climate Science (NYT): "parts of the federal government will no longer fulfill what scientists say is one of the most urgent jobs of climate science studies: reporting on the future effects of a rapidly warming planet and presenting a picture of what the earth could look like by the end of the century if the global economy continues to emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels."
• Iran Sees No Prospect of Negotiations With U.S.: Foreign Ministry (Reuters) Trump said on Monday: “I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal, and I think that’s very smart of them, and I think that’s a possibility to happen.”
• Another Top Trump Aide to Exit as Legislative Activity Dries Up (CNN) The departures of National Economic Council Deputy Director Shahira Knight and Office of Presidential Personnel aide DeStefano suggest that Team Trump's agenda will be focused more on resisting Congress than legislation or nominations (with Kushner and Mulvaney trying to grab all the portfolios they can) • Inside Trump’s hunt to fill one of the worst jobs in Washington (Politico) "The eventual pick will take on the hefty job of maintaining relationships with lawmakers even as Trump alienates them."
• Abortion: Democrats and Republicans whip up voters on extreme state laws (Guardian) "Republicans lost the women’s vote by 19% in November’s midterm elections, enabling Democrats to take the House and flip several state legislatures. Two-thirds of women younger than 30 cast their ballots for Democrats. Independent women voted for Democratic House candidates by 56% to 39%."
• Democrats Up Requirements For 2nd Round of Primary Debates (AP) The DNC is doubling its polling requirements to 2% in four approved polls and grassroots fundraising requirements to a minimum of 130,000 unique donors before Aug. 28. Today is the 860th day of the Trump administration. There are 29 days until the first Democratic primary debate and 525 days until the 2020 elections.
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Elsewhere on MetaFilter: Fox News->Breitbart->Stormfront • That’s gonna cut into Gillibrand’s 0 percent ''(DeBlasio announces)'' • The rise of conspiracy entrepreneurs and their followers • Human society under urgent threat from loss of Earth's natural life • Georgia Just Criminalized Abortion • OnceUponATime's Active Measures site
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Meanwhile, Trump has turned the full force of the government on perceived political enemies (NBC), wielding power in ways not seen in the United States in generations—if ever, House Democrats are ‘moving toward’ impeachment (Politico), and Trump's stonewalling of congressional investigations (Renato Mariotti, Politico) continue to fail at remarkable speed in the courts.
• Congressional Investigations Round-up:
White House Blasted By Legal Experts For Blocking Don McGahn Testimony: 'This Is What Mob Bosses Do' (Newsweek) ""It is absurd for President Trump to claim privilege as to this witness’s testimony when that testimony was already described publicly in the Mueller Report," [House Judiciary Chairman Nadler] said. "Even more ridiculous is the extension of the privilege to cover events before and after Mr. McGahn’s service in the White House.""• Impeachment Round-up:
Nadler subpoenas former Trump White House aides Hope Hicks, Annie Donaldson (NBC News) "The subpoenas, which the committee had authorized last month, call on Hicks and Donaldson to produce requested documents early next month and for Hicks to testify June 19 and for Donaldson to appear for a deposition on June 24."
Judges fast-track court fight over Trump financial records (Politico) "Democrats have said they will suspend the deadlines in their subpoena for production of the Trump financial documents while the president’s appeal works its way through the courts."
The Perils and Opportunities of Mueller’s Testimony (Bob Bauer, Lawfare) "Mueller should testify, but expectations should be set realistically, and Congress should not suggest that it is overly dependent on that testimony in its assessment of the import of his findings or the next steps in responding to them."
Amash accuses Barr of selling Trump's 'false narrative' (Politico) Rep. Justin Amash continues speaking out (Threadreader, h/t) on the Mueller report, with a focus on AG Barr's efforts to deliberately misrepresent the investigation.
PSA: The Digital Public Library has converted the redacted Mueller Report PDF into a text-based EPUB version
Justin Amash (@justinamash) The ball is in our court, Congress. https://t.co/idpQo1xItH May 29, 2019• Disinformation Round-up:
Impeach Trump? Most 2020 Democrats tiptoe past the question (AP) "The most vocal pro-impeachment candidates are Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke and former Obama housing chief Julian Castro." Following Mueller's announcement, the Guardian rounds up 2020 candidate reactions.
The Case to Impeach Trump for Bigotry (Osita Nwanevu, New Yorker) "“I think the strongest case is his bigotry and policy,” [Rep. Al] Green told me in a recent conversation. “We shouldn’t allow a bigot to continue to hold the highest office in the land."
Former GOP Rep. Tom Coleman: Trump, Pence are illegitimate. Impeach them (Kansas City Star)
The Next Maria Butina? 2020 Campaigns to Be Briefed On Counterintelligence Threat (CNN) • A doctored video of Nancy Pelosi shows social media giants ill-prepared for 2020 (LAT) • 2020 Candidates Aren’t Sure What To Do About Misinformation (Mother Jones) "Even armed with the truth, trying to dismantle a conspiracy can be a losing battle." • The Kremlin’s Strategy for the 2020 U.S. Election: Secure the Base, Split the Opposition (Daily Beast) "Americans may be on to the Kremlin’s tricks now, but Putin is getting a helping hand this time around: Conservative media and even the White House are spreading disinfo for him."• Trade War Round-up:
Donald Trump Warns China Tariffs Could Rise ‘Very Substantially’ as US Isn’t Ready for Deal to End Trade War (South China Morning Post) US President uses press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to say he believes Chinese side is more eager to reach a deal; Spokesman for Beijing government complains US has been sending conflicting messages. • Trump's China Trade War Risks Damaging US Economy, Says OECD (Guardian) Intensification of tariff dispute also likely to knock almost $600bn off world economy • U.S. Beer Industry Blames Trump Tariffs for 40,000 Job Losses (Bloomberg)IN OTHER HEADLINES:
• Trump Administration Hardens Its Attack on Climate Science (NYT): "parts of the federal government will no longer fulfill what scientists say is one of the most urgent jobs of climate science studies: reporting on the future effects of a rapidly warming planet and presenting a picture of what the earth could look like by the end of the century if the global economy continues to emit heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels."
• Iran Sees No Prospect of Negotiations With U.S.: Foreign Ministry (Reuters) Trump said on Monday: “I really believe that Iran would like to make a deal, and I think that’s very smart of them, and I think that’s a possibility to happen.”
• Another Top Trump Aide to Exit as Legislative Activity Dries Up (CNN) The departures of National Economic Council Deputy Director Shahira Knight and Office of Presidential Personnel aide DeStefano suggest that Team Trump's agenda will be focused more on resisting Congress than legislation or nominations (with Kushner and Mulvaney trying to grab all the portfolios they can) • Inside Trump’s hunt to fill one of the worst jobs in Washington (Politico) "The eventual pick will take on the hefty job of maintaining relationships with lawmakers even as Trump alienates them."
• Abortion: Democrats and Republicans whip up voters on extreme state laws (Guardian) "Republicans lost the women’s vote by 19% in November’s midterm elections, enabling Democrats to take the House and flip several state legislatures. Two-thirds of women younger than 30 cast their ballots for Democrats. Independent women voted for Democratic House candidates by 56% to 39%."
• Democrats Up Requirements For 2nd Round of Primary Debates (AP) The DNC is doubling its polling requirements to 2% in four approved polls and grassroots fundraising requirements to a minimum of 130,000 unique donors before Aug. 28. Today is the 860th day of the Trump administration. There are 29 days until the first Democratic primary debate and 525 days until the 2020 elections.
Need to vent? The Fucking Fuck Thread is there for you, both for catharsis and sympathizing
Need some comic relief? The Hyucking Hyuck Thread is your place for jokes and one-liners
Previously in U.S. Politics Megathreads: "To be or not to be, ay, there's the point"
Elsewhere on MetaFilter: Fox News->Breitbart->Stormfront • That’s gonna cut into Gillibrand’s 0 percent ''(DeBlasio announces)'' • The rise of conspiracy entrepreneurs and their followers • Human society under urgent threat from loss of Earth's natural life • Georgia Just Criminalized Abortion • OnceUponATime's Active Measures site
MeFi Chat for live-blogging breaking news & events • Unofficial PoliticsFilter Slack • Help fund the site • Next FPP draft • Many thanks to Doktor Zed, zachlipton, and ZeusHumms for helping to create this thread.
Ideas: The Abortion Debate Is No Longer About Policy (Michael Wear, The Atlantic)
"This is what happens when the side with all the political power feels culturally embattled."posted by ZeusHumms at 10:41 AM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
Abortion politics in 2019 is a morality play about what happens when one side has all the political power, yet feels culturally embattled. In this atmosphere, victories are not satisfying if they leave the other side with a foothold, a vestige of respectability. Cataclysmic discord lies ahead.
Abortion politics is no longer about policy wins, but about establishing dominance.
Marcy Wheeler/emptywheel.net on Mueller's public statement today: Mueller’s Emphasis: Russia’s Greater Than Two Efforts to Interfere In the Election
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [16 favorites]
[Mueller] departed from the language of the report — which said the investigation “did not establish” a conspiracy — and said “there was insufficient evidence to charge a broader conspiracy.” The meaning is the same, but the emphasis is different. There was, obviously, a good deal of evidence that there was a conspiracy between Russia and people in Trump’s camp. Just not enough to charge.[…]WSJ's Dustin Volz puts it more figuratively: "Mueller has turned into a jaded recording artist who is tired all his bandwagon fans want him to play only his latest Vol. 2 hits but refuse to appreciate the deep cuts on his more sophisticated Vol. 1 album"
Now consider how he described Volume One, with that “insufficient evidence” language: “The first volume details numerous efforts emanating from Russia to influence the election. This volume includes a discussion of the trump campaign’s response to this activity, as well as our conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to charge a broader conspiracy.”[…]
Everything in Volume One is, by this description, an effort by Russia to influence the election. That means Mueller is treating the third part of the volume, describing the links between Russian-linked individuals and the Trump campaign, as “an effort emanating from Russia to influence the election.”[…]
He’s not saying Trump’s people conspired in that effort (though especially with Page and Manafort, the report is inconclusive on their willingness to participate). But he is suggesting that that outreach constitutes further “systematic efforts to interfere in our election.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [16 favorites]
Mueller: “We chose those words carefully and the work speaks for itself. The report is my testimony. I would not provide information beyond that which is already public in any appearance before Congress.”
That's fine. You don't need to provide additional information. You spent a few minutes on TV repeating what you said in the report, and suddenly everybody is talking about it like it's brand new. Imagine the power of spending hours repeating what you said in your report and answering questions about it.
posted by diogenes at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [114 favorites]
That's fine. You don't need to provide additional information. You spent a few minutes on TV repeating what you said in the report, and suddenly everybody is talking about it like it's brand new. Imagine the power of spending hours repeating what you said in your report and answering questions about it.
posted by diogenes at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [114 favorites]
Subpoena him, he's not under control of Barr now.
posted by Meatbomb at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [73 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 10:44 AM on May 29, 2019 [73 favorites]
Mueller in brief:
* I could not charge him.
* If I had definitive proof he was innocent, I would have said so.
* If there was a clear lack of evidence of something, I would have said so, and DID - there was a lack of evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia
* Please note me not saying anything about Chapter II of my report and how I am not saying there is a lack of evidence of obstruction.
* Again, I am not allowed to charge him. No one in the Justice department could, and there are no sealed indictments.
Your move, Speaker Pelosi.
posted by andreaazure at 10:45 AM on May 29, 2019 [71 favorites]
* I could not charge him.
* If I had definitive proof he was innocent, I would have said so.
* If there was a clear lack of evidence of something, I would have said so, and DID - there was a lack of evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia
* Please note me not saying anything about Chapter II of my report and how I am not saying there is a lack of evidence of obstruction.
* Again, I am not allowed to charge him. No one in the Justice department could, and there are no sealed indictments.
Your move, Speaker Pelosi.
posted by andreaazure at 10:45 AM on May 29, 2019 [71 favorites]
The amount of ink/pixels dedicated to whether Mueller wants to be subpoeneaed, as if that matters as much as a fly fart in a hurricane, is making me twitch.
posted by phearlez at 10:48 AM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 10:48 AM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
I'm just a dog on the Internet, but my read of Muller's statement, taken alongside his resignation from the DoJ, is that he's trying to manage expectations if he is subpoenaed and asked to testify. He's saying that there's not going to be any revelations beyond what is already in the report. Which is tantamount to saying "the decision to impeach shouldn't need to wait on my testimony".
There is certainly an argument to be made for him testifying in public just as a matter of spectacle and political theater; it's clear that very few people, in Congress or anywhere else, have actually read the report, and few are likely to. So to have him stand up and answer questions, even if all he does is cite chapter and verse from the report, is still useful. And it will keep public opinion focused on the report and on Trump's misdeeds that much longer into the election cycle.
But he seems to want to make it very clear that he has nothing held back, good or bad for Trump.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2019 [33 favorites]
There is certainly an argument to be made for him testifying in public just as a matter of spectacle and political theater; it's clear that very few people, in Congress or anywhere else, have actually read the report, and few are likely to. So to have him stand up and answer questions, even if all he does is cite chapter and verse from the report, is still useful. And it will keep public opinion focused on the report and on Trump's misdeeds that much longer into the election cycle.
But he seems to want to make it very clear that he has nothing held back, good or bad for Trump.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2019 [33 favorites]
The Michael Wear piece in the Atlantic is not entirely terrible, but way too sympathetic to the anti-choice side of things by playing it right down the middle for "balance". A comparison is drawn between Governor Cuomo lighting the Empire State Building up pink and the Alamaba legislature running roughshod over their own procedures to silence opposition and pass a bill that itself deeply unserious as a piece of legislation. Yes, both of these things tie into narratives of cultural dominance and submission, but only one of them breaks past symbolism into the concrete nature of the actual laws.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:49 AM on May 29, 2019 [18 favorites]
Mueller gave the summary that he wrote but which was held back. There's a lot to unpack in it, and what it says is clear to any open-minded person who can read. There is nothing new in it to those who have been paying attention, but having the mystery figure of the actual Mueller say it gives it a new power and immediacy.
I hope it moves the needle on action, but I have my doubts. For years now, we've been at this point where everyone knows what went on, but either a) cannot do anything about it, or b) is cool with it for whatever reason. And both those answers are bad news for the republic.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:56 AM on May 29, 2019 [18 favorites]
I hope it moves the needle on action, but I have my doubts. For years now, we've been at this point where everyone knows what went on, but either a) cannot do anything about it, or b) is cool with it for whatever reason. And both those answers are bad news for the republic.
posted by Capt. Renault at 10:56 AM on May 29, 2019 [18 favorites]
@emptywheel
I've been informed that Maggie Haberman says my tweet thread includes only one true criticism (that Rosenstein, not Sessions, appointed Mueller).
That means she thinks it is NOT true that she left out that the Mueller Report said Hope had said no one would find the email.
She thinks it is NOT true that she left out several of Hope's lies about Carter Page and other Russian ties.
She thinks it is NOT true that by "cooperation" Trump meant for them to give false testimony edited by his personal lawyer.
She thinks it is NOT true that Hope didn't testify fully to HPSCI.
I did at least get a correction note!!
*Correction: May 28, 2019posted by scalefree at 11:02 AM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
An earlier version of this article misstated the individual who appointed Robert S Mueller III as special counsel. It was Rod Rosenstein, not Jeff Sessions, the former attorney general.
Politico: Mueller Statement Emboldens Some Dems On Impeachment
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:05 AM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
“The next step is for the House Judiciary Committee to open an impeachment inquiry to formally begin consideration of whether or not articles of impeachment should be filed,” said Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), a member of the Judiciary panel and Democratic leadership, who has previously backed impeachment proceedings. “The opening of this inquiry will allow the committee to collect evidence, compel the attendance of witnesses, and decide how to proceed.”And Senate Intel Vice Chair Mark Warner said only: "As the Special Counsel made clear today, it’s up to Congress to uphold the rule of law, and ensure this never happens again. Going forward, we must take steps to protect our democracy by passing legislation that enhances election security." (full statement)
Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), who sits on the Judiciary and Intelligence committees, said on Twitter that Mueller’s statement “adds new urgency, putting it front & center before Congress & the American people. He's asking us to do what he wasn't allowed to — hold the president accountable.”[…]
In a statement Wednesday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) reiterated his vow to investigate the obstruction of justice allegations against Trump but stopped short of calling for impeachment proceedings.
“Given that Special Counsel Mueller was unable to pursue criminal charges against the president, it falls to Congress to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump — and we will do so,” Nadler said. “No one, not even the president of the United States, is above the law.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:05 AM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
MSNBC has been talking for the past half hour about a document they received from the Special Counsel's Office after Mueller's statement.
The weird document has no date, no header, and is not a response to a specific question. It has the following format:
The weird document has no date, no header, and is not a response to a specific question. It has the following format:
Reporter: [question for Barr at the April press conference regarding Mueller's "articulated reason for not reaching a decision on obstruction of justice"]posted by pjenks at 11:06 AM on May 29, 2019 [22 favorites]
Barr: [response to said question, including "He was not saying that but for the OLC opinion, he would have found a crime. He made it clear that he had not made the determination that there was a crime."]
Mueller: So that was the Justice Department policy and those were the principles under which we operated. From them we concluded that we would not reach a determination --- one way or the other --- about whether the President committed a crime. That is the office's final position and we will not ocmmet on any other conclusions or hypotheticals about the President.
Report: [relevant section of Mueller Report]
I'm actually impressed with Barr's work here.
He previewed the report falsely, but without making any precise lies. He managed to spin the Mueller Report into a non-story for many Americans. And, most importantly, he formally exonerated the President (because while there is a policy that you can't indict a President, there is no policy saying you can't exonerate him).
And now, we see that he wasn't lying to the reporters about Mueller's intent. It is completely true that Mueller would not "have indicted if not for the OLC opinion." Because Mueller was following the OLC opinion not to make a formal determination.
posted by pjenks at 11:15 AM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
He previewed the report falsely, but without making any precise lies. He managed to spin the Mueller Report into a non-story for many Americans. And, most importantly, he formally exonerated the President (because while there is a policy that you can't indict a President, there is no policy saying you can't exonerate him).
And now, we see that he wasn't lying to the reporters about Mueller's intent. It is completely true that Mueller would not "have indicted if not for the OLC opinion." Because Mueller was following the OLC opinion not to make a formal determination.
posted by pjenks at 11:15 AM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
The weird document has no date, no header, and is not a response to a specific question.
That is incredibly odd. Curious to hear more details about how formally this was handed out.
posted by sallybrown at 11:17 AM on May 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
That is incredibly odd. Curious to hear more details about how formally this was handed out.
posted by sallybrown at 11:17 AM on May 29, 2019 [7 favorites]
both of these things tie into narratives of cultural dominance and submission, but only one of them breaks past symbolism into the concrete nature of the actual laws.
To be honest I think you're being generous: I think the piece is entirely in thrall to the idea that it is in some way proportionate to respond to hurt feelings by violating the bodily autonomy of a millions of human beings.
"they are already moving even further left on abortion—almost all of them are promising to pursue federal legislation that would codify Roe and override state-level restrictions" - seriously what the fuck are you talking about? Codifying a constitutional right that was established by a 7-2 majority of the US Supreme Court over 40 years ago, to prevent unlawful interference with that right? Left wing madness!
The piece seems like hypocritical tripe to me.
posted by howfar at 11:20 AM on May 29, 2019 [36 favorites]
To be honest I think you're being generous: I think the piece is entirely in thrall to the idea that it is in some way proportionate to respond to hurt feelings by violating the bodily autonomy of a millions of human beings.
"they are already moving even further left on abortion—almost all of them are promising to pursue federal legislation that would codify Roe and override state-level restrictions" - seriously what the fuck are you talking about? Codifying a constitutional right that was established by a 7-2 majority of the US Supreme Court over 40 years ago, to prevent unlawful interference with that right? Left wing madness!
The piece seems like hypocritical tripe to me.
posted by howfar at 11:20 AM on May 29, 2019 [36 favorites]
Impeachment or censure. We've got to start the process in the House. It does NOT look good that Dems were elected and now they're saying that a crime was committed, but they won't move forward for political reasons. The president said he's not working anymore. The time for measured responses is way past done.
posted by es_de_bah at 11:24 AM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by es_de_bah at 11:24 AM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
Here are the reactions to Mueller's statement from the top Dem primary candidates:
Bernie Sanders: Given the reality that we have a president who believes he is above the law, Congress must continue its investigations. If the House Judiciary Committee deems it necessary, I will support their decision to open an impeachment inquiry.
Elizabeth Warren: Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it’s up to Congress to act. They should.
Kamala Harris: What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable. We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.
Pete Buttigieg: This is as close to an impeachment referral as it gets. Robert Mueller could not clear the president, nor could he charge him — so he has handed the matter to Congress, which alone can act to deliver due process and accountability.
Cory Booker: Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.
Joe Biden: {crickets}
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:25 AM on May 29, 2019 [134 favorites]
Bernie Sanders: Given the reality that we have a president who believes he is above the law, Congress must continue its investigations. If the House Judiciary Committee deems it necessary, I will support their decision to open an impeachment inquiry.
Elizabeth Warren: Mueller’s statement makes clear what those who have read his report know: It is an impeachment referral, and it’s up to Congress to act. They should.
Kamala Harris: What Robert Mueller basically did was return an impeachment referral. Now it is up to Congress to hold this president accountable. We need to start impeachment proceedings. It's our constitutional obligation.
Pete Buttigieg: This is as close to an impeachment referral as it gets. Robert Mueller could not clear the president, nor could he charge him — so he has handed the matter to Congress, which alone can act to deliver due process and accountability.
Cory Booker: Robert Mueller’s statement makes it clear: Congress has a legal and moral obligation to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.
Joe Biden: {crickets}
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:25 AM on May 29, 2019 [134 favorites]
Mostly I think this is overdone, but Metafilter: The piece seems like hypocritical tripe to me is possibly the most evergreen version of that trope ever. I think the last decade has done a fantastic job of hammering home that there are things we should not in any way shape or form entertain as discussions. Bodily autonomy, the okay-ness of celebrating confederate traitors, being black in public: yes or no? Fuck all of it. If the media wants to both-sider it to death they need to do it without us.
posted by phearlez at 11:26 AM on May 29, 2019 [30 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 11:26 AM on May 29, 2019 [30 favorites]
Trump warns Roy Moore to back off Alabama Senate bid (By Caitlin Oprysko, Politico)
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:27 AM on May 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:27 AM on May 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
The piece in the NYTimes on climate change is sobering, but not in the way one might think:
America is very ill.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:29 AM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
However, the goal of political appointees in the Trump administration is not just to change the climate assessment’s methodology, which has broad scientific consensus, but also to question its conclusions by creating a new climate review panel. That effort is led by a 79-year-old physicist who had a respected career at Princeton but has become better known in recent years for attacking the science of man-made climate change and for defending the virtues of carbon dioxide — sometimes to an awkward degree.The only people who are in a position to put an end to this grotesque parade of ignorance and bigotry are sitting on their hands, doing nothing.
“The demonization of carbon dioxide is just like the demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler,” the physicist, William Happer, who serves on the National Security Council as the president’s deputy assistant for emerging technologies, said in 2014 in an interview with CNBC.
America is very ill.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:29 AM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
To papaphrase Douglas Adams, this is clearly some new meaning of the word 'exonerated', which I've not previously encountered.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 11:35 AM on May 29, 2019 [37 favorites]
posted by Sing Or Swim at 11:35 AM on May 29, 2019 [37 favorites]
Trump Administration Separates Some Migrant Mothers From Their Newborns Before Returning Them to Detention:
posted by joyceanmachine at 11:45 AM on May 29, 2019 [181 favorites]
Around Thanksgiving, Dr. Shelly said, Texas DFPS attempted to place a detained [migrant] woman’s newborn in foster care. The woman “cried for 72 hours straight,” Dr. Shelly told Rewire.News. The OB-GYN held the woman at the hospital for five days so that she could see a psychologist. (USMS standards usually allow for 48 hours in the hospital following vaginal delivery or 72 hours following a cesarean section.)Fuck every single human being who defends this Administration, or the American immigration system.
“I was worried she was going to hurt herself when they took her back to the detention center,” the doctor said. “Luckily in her case, they were eventually able to locate an aunt-in-law, her uncle’s wife, who lived in Chicago. But this wasn’t a blood relative, and it wasn’t someone she’d ever met before.”
USMS didn’t allow the woman to have visitors, not even the aunt-in-law who was going to take custody of her newborn, according to Dr. Shelly. The doctor said her colleague dashed back and forth between the waiting room and the patient’s room, taking photos of the aunt-in-law and the patient so they would have some idea of what each other looked like.
“When the nurses still thought the baby was going into foster care, they tried to help [the patient] memorize the name of the hospital,” Dr. Shelly said. “They were saying, ‘We have your fingerprints, we have your baby’s footprints. You have a legal right to your baby.’ In case she got deported without her baby, the nurses wanted her to know the hospital where she gave birth and understand that we had the records to prove this was her baby.”
posted by joyceanmachine at 11:45 AM on May 29, 2019 [181 favorites]
Joe Biden: {crickets}
@ericbradner: Joe Biden campaign spokesperson with a new statement: “Vice President Biden agrees with Speaker Pelosi that no one would relish what would certainly be a divisive impeachment process, but that it may be unavoidable if this Administration continues on its path.”
So not much of anything then. Nadler twisted himself up in knots trying not to say much while not getting ahead of Pelosi. Pelosi is set to give a pre-scheduled talk in about 15 minutes, so we’ll see if she can say nothing for a hour.
posted by zachlipton at 11:46 AM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
@ericbradner: Joe Biden campaign spokesperson with a new statement: “Vice President Biden agrees with Speaker Pelosi that no one would relish what would certainly be a divisive impeachment process, but that it may be unavoidable if this Administration continues on its path.”
So not much of anything then. Nadler twisted himself up in knots trying not to say much while not getting ahead of Pelosi. Pelosi is set to give a pre-scheduled talk in about 15 minutes, so we’ll see if she can say nothing for a hour.
posted by zachlipton at 11:46 AM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
The WaPo has their annotated transcript up of Mueller's statement. The most interesting take in there was about this paragraph:
posted by peeedro at 11:57 AM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
At one point in time, I requested that certain portions of the report be released. The attorney general preferred to make that — preferred to make the entire report public all at once. And we appreciate that the attorney general made the report largely public. And I certainly do not question the attorney general’s good faith in that decision.The annotations point out that it is a rebuke of what Barr said during his congressional hearing, Barr characterized Mueller's letter to him as "snitty" and that "I think it was written by one of his staff people." Mueller is clarifying for the record, I requested the introduction and executive summaries to be released to the public. The implication of the last sentence in the paragraph is that you can conclude that Mueller does question Barr's good faith in other respects.
posted by peeedro at 11:57 AM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
Mueller's resignation also makes it clear that he is doing this for the country, that he will gain nothing by it either way, but the moral impetus is clear for Congress to act. I both appreciate and admire him for it, and just hope that Congress will grow their collective spines enough to do so.
posted by corb at 11:58 AM on May 29, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by corb at 11:58 AM on May 29, 2019 [21 favorites]
Nancy Pelosi accuses Facebook of 'lying to the public' after it refuses to remove fake video (Jack Morse, Mashable)
See also: Nancy Pelosi: Doctored Videos Show Facebook 'Willing Enablers' of Russians in 2016 (Marissa Lagos, KQED Radio)
posted by ZeusHumms at 12:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
See also: Nancy Pelosi: Doctored Videos Show Facebook 'Willing Enablers' of Russians in 2016 (Marissa Lagos, KQED Radio)
posted by ZeusHumms at 12:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
From HuffPo: Twitter Users Refuse To Let Trump Distort Robert Mueller’s Comments
@BamaVoter:
@BamaVoter:
I think "innocent on a technicality" will make a great 2020 campaign slogan 😂😂posted by ZeusHumms at 12:10 PM on May 29, 2019 [31 favorites]
>no one would relish what would certainly be a divisive impeachment process,
I'm pretty sure whatever we were gonna do to nip divisiveness in the bud would ideally have started before the advent of Fox News, perhaps with the pre-emptive tarring and feathering of Rush Limbaugh about, what, thirty-five years ago? Anybody who wants to be President at this point better look like they have their ass-kickin' boots on, for my money.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:13 PM on May 29, 2019 [46 favorites]
I'm pretty sure whatever we were gonna do to nip divisiveness in the bud would ideally have started before the advent of Fox News, perhaps with the pre-emptive tarring and feathering of Rush Limbaugh about, what, thirty-five years ago? Anybody who wants to be President at this point better look like they have their ass-kickin' boots on, for my money.
posted by Sing Or Swim at 12:13 PM on May 29, 2019 [46 favorites]
The best case for Pelosi’s slow-walk has always been that her endgame is “look, we didn’t want to impeach, we wanted to get things done that help the American people, but they’ve closed off every other option but impeachment.” Biden’s statement in particular seems tailor-made as a step down that path. So I’m marginally more hopeful today than I was when I woke up this morning.
Also, I’m not sure if it got linked in the last thread but yesterday there was a statement/leak from McConnell’s camp that if the House does pass articles of impeachment the Senate will treat them only slightly more seriously than it treated Merrick Garland’s nomination – the plan is that there will be no TV-captivating trial, just a pro forma procedure capped off with a quick acquittal vote. I think that’s a mistake, and maybe a serious one. Part of reason there’s such a push for impeachment now is because of the impression that it will take a long time for the process to complete once the House weighs in. If the Senate is going on record that no, actually it’s going to be done in a week, then fuck it, let’s take as much time as we take. Lots of hearings. Lots of opportunities for contempt. Months upon months of new investigation. If the actual impeachment resolution doesn’t go to the floor until September 2020, that’s still plenty of time for the Senate to do its thing! McConnell already said they really only need a day anyway. Keep that ball in the House’s court for as long as possible.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:13 PM on May 29, 2019 [42 favorites]
Some idiot at DOE thinks he's much wittier than he is. Idiocracy was not a training manual.
@bjlefebvre
posted by scalefree at 12:15 PM on May 29, 2019 [15 favorites]
@bjlefebvre
DOE now calling natural gas “freedom gas.” Not a joke. H/t @SStapczynski[image, wall of text including the phrases "Increasing export capacity from the Freeport LNG project is critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world by giving America's allies a diverse and affordable source of clean energy" & "I am pleased to announce that the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for molecules of US freedom to be exported to the world".]
posted by scalefree at 12:15 PM on May 29, 2019 [15 favorites]
I am on record as saying impeaching Trump for obstruction of justice is a lost cause, because Barr successfully misrepresented the contents of the Mueller Report and gave GOP Congress members the cover they needed to continue with their obsequious toadying.
Maybe it is a lost cause but I do think the House needs to haul every witness listed in the report into the Capitol and get them to publicly repeat their testimony for the American public to hear. Every bit of testimony and vacillation and sweating and stammering those witnesses display is another nail in the Trump’s coffin. Force the GOP obstructionists to listen to every fact and face their constituents and explain how Trump’s behavior doesn’t constitute high crimes and misdemeanors.
As long as the facts are just words on a page, Trump wins. Barr successfully cut out the heart of the report back in April. Mueller’s statement today shows that the key is getting the witnesses in front of Congress.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 12:16 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
Maybe it is a lost cause but I do think the House needs to haul every witness listed in the report into the Capitol and get them to publicly repeat their testimony for the American public to hear. Every bit of testimony and vacillation and sweating and stammering those witnesses display is another nail in the Trump’s coffin. Force the GOP obstructionists to listen to every fact and face their constituents and explain how Trump’s behavior doesn’t constitute high crimes and misdemeanors.
As long as the facts are just words on a page, Trump wins. Barr successfully cut out the heart of the report back in April. Mueller’s statement today shows that the key is getting the witnesses in front of Congress.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 12:16 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
Biden’s statement in particular seems tailor-made as a step down that path.
I read Biden's statement as a nothing more than an excellent example of responding without actually saying anything. It allows you to assign any meaning you want to it.
posted by diogenes at 12:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [17 favorites]
I read Biden's statement as a nothing more than an excellent example of responding without actually saying anything. It allows you to assign any meaning you want to it.
posted by diogenes at 12:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [17 favorites]
Big Al 8000: I am on record as saying impeaching Trump for obstruction of justice is a lost cause, because Barr successfully misrepresented the contents of the Mueller Report and gave GOP Congress members the cover they needed to continue with their obsequious toadying.
Barr helped provide cover, yes, but cover is something only a few Republican senators actually desire at all, and you can count them on one hand. The minimum number of senators any president needs in the tank to avoid conviction is 36, and well over that many are in the Rudy Giuliani / Lynne Patton "Since when is it illegal to break the law? Riddle me that one libs!" mold now.
I think McConnell's glass-sipping "We'd fill it" routine captures the reality perfectly. He shortly afterward called that a "joke" but failed to explain if it was more in the domain of sarcasm (as in of course we'd never fill it, it's our solemn duty to leave seats open in election years) or hyperbole (we wouldn't just fill it right away, we'd have a hearing for a nominee first, it might take months, but yeah, we would fill it).
Anyway, in my view, the total impossibility of convicting Trump actually changes the whole definition of success and failure. So when someone says "impeachment is a lost cause" I read that as it being a political loser, which I certainly think is false. Otherwise it's like calling a pedal-based exercise machine "defective" because it will never transport you anywhere; maybe this particular machine was modified from an actual bicycle, but now that it's changed, the parameters have changed too, and the question "Should I buy/use this thing?" becomes one about health risks like injury versus health benefits like aerobics.
(And just to drive the simile into the ground, the correct answer is to buy and use it, but to pedal at a strong, steady pace, rather than as though you were running late to work and the machine could actually get you there on time.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [9 favorites]
Barr helped provide cover, yes, but cover is something only a few Republican senators actually desire at all, and you can count them on one hand. The minimum number of senators any president needs in the tank to avoid conviction is 36, and well over that many are in the Rudy Giuliani / Lynne Patton "Since when is it illegal to break the law? Riddle me that one libs!" mold now.
I think McConnell's glass-sipping "We'd fill it" routine captures the reality perfectly. He shortly afterward called that a "joke" but failed to explain if it was more in the domain of sarcasm (as in of course we'd never fill it, it's our solemn duty to leave seats open in election years) or hyperbole (we wouldn't just fill it right away, we'd have a hearing for a nominee first, it might take months, but yeah, we would fill it).
Anyway, in my view, the total impossibility of convicting Trump actually changes the whole definition of success and failure. So when someone says "impeachment is a lost cause" I read that as it being a political loser, which I certainly think is false. Otherwise it's like calling a pedal-based exercise machine "defective" because it will never transport you anywhere; maybe this particular machine was modified from an actual bicycle, but now that it's changed, the parameters have changed too, and the question "Should I buy/use this thing?" becomes one about health risks like injury versus health benefits like aerobics.
(And just to drive the simile into the ground, the correct answer is to buy and use it, but to pedal at a strong, steady pace, rather than as though you were running late to work and the machine could actually get you there on time.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [9 favorites]
@ericbradner: Joe Biden campaign spokesperson with a new statement: “Vice President Biden agrees with Speaker Pelosi that no one would relish what would certainly be a divisive impeachment process, but that it may be unavoidable if this Administration continues on its path.”
Aaaaag.
Don't send "divisive impeachment process" out as a frame.
Also... "if this Administration continues on its path"? That's not how accountability works. The past deeds are set, and they are more than enough to justify impeachment for anyone who actually cares to be a leader worthy of the name.
Anyone who wants to project caution, stability, and statesmanship, that's fine with me. Good timing is fine with me. Checking all the boxes is fine with me.
Laying conceptual groundwork for the opposition is not fine with me. Looking forward and not back and thus letting the moral hazard ride is a kind of complicity.
posted by wildblueyonder at 1:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [40 favorites]
Aaaaag.
Don't send "divisive impeachment process" out as a frame.
Also... "if this Administration continues on its path"? That's not how accountability works. The past deeds are set, and they are more than enough to justify impeachment for anyone who actually cares to be a leader worthy of the name.
Anyone who wants to project caution, stability, and statesmanship, that's fine with me. Good timing is fine with me. Checking all the boxes is fine with me.
Laying conceptual groundwork for the opposition is not fine with me. Looking forward and not back and thus letting the moral hazard ride is a kind of complicity.
posted by wildblueyonder at 1:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [40 favorites]
Barr characterized Mueller's letter to him as "snitty" and that "I think it was written by one of his staff people." Mueller is clarifying for the record, I requested the introduction and executive summaries to be released to the public.
Mueller's clarification that he wrote the letter himself and it wasn't one of his staff is a classy move, IMO, as well as a nice-yet-subtle dig at Barr.
So when someone says "impeachment is a lost cause" I read that as it being a political loser, which I certainly think is false. Otherwise it's like calling a pedal-based exercise machine "defective" because it will never transport you anywhere
I like this analogy a lot, although I am not sure I agree with the underlying conclusion, at least to a degree where I'd be comfortable saying that the Democrats (and whatever remains of the Never Trumpers on the R side) are wrong to not go forward with impeachment. They are doing the political calculus and have apparently found the results lacking, at least at the moment. I suspect they have people who know better than I how the public would react to an (unsuccessful) impeachment proceeding.
The only parallel we have in recent history is the Republican impeachment of (W.J.) Clinton, and it's widely believed to have hurt them in the subsequent election. I believe that 2020 is currently the Democrats' to lose—there's no way Trump can pull off what he did in 2016 again, absent something like a no-shit war that totally changes the game, or a candidate substantially weaker even than (H.R.) Clinton was—so taking a big gamble on impeachment, when it's pretty clear there's not enough votes to actually carry it through and have Trump basically frog-marched out of the WH, doesn't seem wise. Anything that carries with it the chance of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by substantially legitimizing him, and I think an unsuccessful impeachment would definitely do that—it'd look like the total exoneration that the Muller Report wasn't—should probably be avoided at this point.
posted by Kadin2048 at 1:07 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
Mueller's clarification that he wrote the letter himself and it wasn't one of his staff is a classy move, IMO, as well as a nice-yet-subtle dig at Barr.
So when someone says "impeachment is a lost cause" I read that as it being a political loser, which I certainly think is false. Otherwise it's like calling a pedal-based exercise machine "defective" because it will never transport you anywhere
I like this analogy a lot, although I am not sure I agree with the underlying conclusion, at least to a degree where I'd be comfortable saying that the Democrats (and whatever remains of the Never Trumpers on the R side) are wrong to not go forward with impeachment. They are doing the political calculus and have apparently found the results lacking, at least at the moment. I suspect they have people who know better than I how the public would react to an (unsuccessful) impeachment proceeding.
The only parallel we have in recent history is the Republican impeachment of (W.J.) Clinton, and it's widely believed to have hurt them in the subsequent election. I believe that 2020 is currently the Democrats' to lose—there's no way Trump can pull off what he did in 2016 again, absent something like a no-shit war that totally changes the game, or a candidate substantially weaker even than (H.R.) Clinton was—so taking a big gamble on impeachment, when it's pretty clear there's not enough votes to actually carry it through and have Trump basically frog-marched out of the WH, doesn't seem wise. Anything that carries with it the chance of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by substantially legitimizing him, and I think an unsuccessful impeachment would definitely do that—it'd look like the total exoneration that the Muller Report wasn't—should probably be avoided at this point.
posted by Kadin2048 at 1:07 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
I am on record as saying impeaching Trump for obstruction of justice is a lost cause, because Barr successfully misrepresented the contents of the Mueller Report and gave GOP Congress members the cover they needed to continue with their obsequious toadying.
And just to be ridiculously clear: the cover they need is not to the American People as a whole, but to the sliver of voters who need that fig leaf. The vast majority of MAGA folks either don't believe the Mueller report, or believe that even if true, it doesn't matter, for it served the Greater Good of getting Trump in and/or keeping Clinton out. This fig leaf is merely to enable folks who pay lip service to law and order to be able to say Trump didn't break the law.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
And just to be ridiculously clear: the cover they need is not to the American People as a whole, but to the sliver of voters who need that fig leaf. The vast majority of MAGA folks either don't believe the Mueller report, or believe that even if true, it doesn't matter, for it served the Greater Good of getting Trump in and/or keeping Clinton out. This fig leaf is merely to enable folks who pay lip service to law and order to be able to say Trump didn't break the law.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
Some international headlines that showed up on my Google feed:
"Mueller just told the world Trump is a criminal. Now congress must impeach him" The Independent (UK online newpaper)
"Robert Mueller speaks: I did my job - go do yours." Maclean's (Canadian magazine)
"Charging Donald Trump with crime wasn't an option for Mueller, nor was clearing him" CBC (Canadian Crown corporation national public broadcaster)
posted by porpoise at 1:12 PM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
"Mueller just told the world Trump is a criminal. Now congress must impeach him" The Independent (UK online newpaper)
"Robert Mueller speaks: I did my job - go do yours." Maclean's (Canadian magazine)
"Charging Donald Trump with crime wasn't an option for Mueller, nor was clearing him" CBC (Canadian Crown corporation national public broadcaster)
posted by porpoise at 1:12 PM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
Fuck every single human being who defends this Administration, or the American immigration system.
I'm tired of being polite.
If you support Trump, you are a racist, even if only by walking by it.
If you support Trump, you cannot claim to be Christian, even if you go to church every week.
If you support Trump, you cannot claim to support democracy, because you tolerate Russia meddling.
I will be polite to you at the office or in social settings, but I feel no need to think of you as a decent human being.
Unfortunately, this extends to my family.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:15 PM on May 29, 2019 [114 favorites]
I'm tired of being polite.
If you support Trump, you are a racist, even if only by walking by it.
If you support Trump, you cannot claim to be Christian, even if you go to church every week.
If you support Trump, you cannot claim to support democracy, because you tolerate Russia meddling.
I will be polite to you at the office or in social settings, but I feel no need to think of you as a decent human being.
Unfortunately, this extends to my family.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:15 PM on May 29, 2019 [114 favorites]
Impeachment or censure. We've got to start the process in the House. It does NOT look good that Dems were elected and now they're saying that a crime was committed, but they won't move forward for political reasons. The president said he's not working anymore. The time for measured responses is way past done.
Right now I've seen a CNN poll and a Morning Consult poll on impeachment. Morning Consult has support at 34% and CNN at 37%.
Folks do not want this yet. Let's game it out. First, given what we have now, the Senate will NOT vote to convict, so Trump will win. What will the "lesson" for the Republic be? That if you have control of the Senate, you can get away with anything. Furthermore, Trump is itching for this fight. He is at 41% or so nationally and he figures that if the Democrats go after him with an impeachment inquiry, he will bring that chunk of disaffected GOPers home. He is probably right--the Kavanaugh hearings were used for just that. Republicans turned out in big numbers last year. Dems turned out in even bigger numbers and won huge--without a single mention of impeachment. They ran on healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. Who ran the overall strategy? Pelosi.
She made some remarks at the Commonwealth Club in California after Mueller today. Her point was that we need a very convincing case to bring impeachment to the House.
What is the risk? Trump rallying his base and making his re-election about a woman who has been demonized for years by a media machine. The very strategy that worked in 2016.
We need to be careful. If we impeach and Trump is not convicted and wins, the message to wrongdoers and foreign governments will be interfere to your heart's content. If Trump loses an election, they will think twice.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
Right now I've seen a CNN poll and a Morning Consult poll on impeachment. Morning Consult has support at 34% and CNN at 37%.
Folks do not want this yet. Let's game it out. First, given what we have now, the Senate will NOT vote to convict, so Trump will win. What will the "lesson" for the Republic be? That if you have control of the Senate, you can get away with anything. Furthermore, Trump is itching for this fight. He is at 41% or so nationally and he figures that if the Democrats go after him with an impeachment inquiry, he will bring that chunk of disaffected GOPers home. He is probably right--the Kavanaugh hearings were used for just that. Republicans turned out in big numbers last year. Dems turned out in even bigger numbers and won huge--without a single mention of impeachment. They ran on healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. Who ran the overall strategy? Pelosi.
She made some remarks at the Commonwealth Club in California after Mueller today. Her point was that we need a very convincing case to bring impeachment to the House.
What is the risk? Trump rallying his base and making his re-election about a woman who has been demonized for years by a media machine. The very strategy that worked in 2016.
We need to be careful. If we impeach and Trump is not convicted and wins, the message to wrongdoers and foreign governments will be interfere to your heart's content. If Trump loses an election, they will think twice.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
I believe the attempted impeachment of Trump should proceed immediately for one simple reason. Ruth Bader Ginsberg is still alive and all the other democratic supreme court justices too. That could change in a missed heartbeat.
And having a president under impeachment investigations would be a damn good reason for blocking a president's supreme court justice appointments and making anyone pushing them through look completely nakedly corrupt in the eyes of the entire world.
The problem is that this is party level action and we have a loose collection of self-interested politicians who may or may not a give much of a fuck about the party (or country).
posted by srboisvert at 1:27 PM on May 29, 2019 [45 favorites]
And having a president under impeachment investigations would be a damn good reason for blocking a president's supreme court justice appointments and making anyone pushing them through look completely nakedly corrupt in the eyes of the entire world.
The problem is that this is party level action and we have a loose collection of self-interested politicians who may or may not a give much of a fuck about the party (or country).
posted by srboisvert at 1:27 PM on May 29, 2019 [45 favorites]
If we impeach and Trump is not convicted and wins, the message to wrongdoers and foreign governments will be interfere to your heart's content.
How is that different than the current message? In what way are we currently conveying the message that there is a cost to interfering?
posted by diogenes at 1:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [74 favorites]
How is that different than the current message? In what way are we currently conveying the message that there is a cost to interfering?
posted by diogenes at 1:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [74 favorites]
Somebody should write an impeach y/n wiki, so we don’t have to keep having the same argument.
I’m pro impeachment, because those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion; maybe not of senators, but of the public. And because I think the long term loss to the union of not pursuing such obvious crimes is unacceptable.
Others are anti impeachment because they think the political cost of the senate voting against conviction is too great.
But none of this calculus has changed based on Mueller’s statement, so we are simply spinning wheels here.
posted by nat at 1:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
I’m pro impeachment, because those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion; maybe not of senators, but of the public. And because I think the long term loss to the union of not pursuing such obvious crimes is unacceptable.
Others are anti impeachment because they think the political cost of the senate voting against conviction is too great.
But none of this calculus has changed based on Mueller’s statement, so we are simply spinning wheels here.
posted by nat at 1:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [26 favorites]
the Senate will NOT vote to convict, so Trump will win. What will the "lesson" for the Republic be? That if you have control of the Senate, you can get away with anything.
This is already the lesson, right now, and as others have said, among people who will take a Senate's refusal to convict at face value, what lesson must they take away from a refusal from the House to even start?
Body language matters in real conversations. Metaphorical posture matters in political conversations. The House's current posture is one of a body that is unsure that Trump has committed impeachable offenses, even though he has.
If the House sends articles of impeachment over, that changes. Assuming there aren't a dozen GOP Senators with enough of a moral/patriotic compass to seal the deal -- and that's the safe bet -- then the conversation is a fight over whether the Republican Senate is complicit with a corrupt executive (which is the truth) or whether the Democratic House overreached.
But the thing is, we're already having that conversation right now. We will have to have this conversation if Democrats are going to do anything at all to hold Trump accountable, are going to investigate.
There just aren't that many moves in the impeachment process that take us to a problem we aren't already dealing with.
posted by wildblueyonder at 1:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [23 favorites]
This is already the lesson, right now, and as others have said, among people who will take a Senate's refusal to convict at face value, what lesson must they take away from a refusal from the House to even start?
Body language matters in real conversations. Metaphorical posture matters in political conversations. The House's current posture is one of a body that is unsure that Trump has committed impeachable offenses, even though he has.
If the House sends articles of impeachment over, that changes. Assuming there aren't a dozen GOP Senators with enough of a moral/patriotic compass to seal the deal -- and that's the safe bet -- then the conversation is a fight over whether the Republican Senate is complicit with a corrupt executive (which is the truth) or whether the Democratic House overreached.
But the thing is, we're already having that conversation right now. We will have to have this conversation if Democrats are going to do anything at all to hold Trump accountable, are going to investigate.
There just aren't that many moves in the impeachment process that take us to a problem we aren't already dealing with.
posted by wildblueyonder at 1:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [23 favorites]
Politico on Scott Lloyd's* exit from the Trump administration: Former Trump Refugee Director to Depart HHS
Splinter, more bluntly: Good Riddance to One of the Worst Members of the Trump Administration
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:34 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
Scott Lloyd, whose nearly two-year tenure leading the Department of Health and Human Services refugee office sparked lawsuits and congressional inquiries, will leave the Trump administration next week, HHS announced Wednesday.* previously and previously, etc.
Lloyd ran the refugee office for most of 2017 and 2018 as HHS was taking custody of thousands of migrant children separated from their families under the administration's zero-tolerance border enforcement policy. The administration struggled to reunite those families after a federal court order, and House Democrats this year have probed Lloyd’s role in the separations and whether his testimony before Congress was truthful.
Splinter, more bluntly: Good Riddance to One of the Worst Members of the Trump Administration
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:34 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
This is already the lesson, right now, and as others have said, among people who will take a Senate's refusal to convict at face value, what lesson must they take away from a refusal from the House to even start?
I'll never understand why the strength of this logic isn't compelling to so many.
posted by diogenes at 1:36 PM on May 29, 2019 [38 favorites]
I'll never understand why the strength of this logic isn't compelling to so many.
posted by diogenes at 1:36 PM on May 29, 2019 [38 favorites]
And having a president under impeachment investigations would be a damn good reason for blocking a president's supreme court justice appointments and making anyone pushing them through look completely nakedly corrupt in the eyes of the entire world.
Do you really think McConnell cares? He straight up says he is playing partisan games. He would just describe the impeachment as a partisan ploy to weaken the president, and press forward.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:37 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
Do you really think McConnell cares? He straight up says he is playing partisan games. He would just describe the impeachment as a partisan ploy to weaken the president, and press forward.
posted by MrGuilt at 1:37 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
Right, I don't understand the statement that it would be a good reason for blocking an appointment. The Democrats have no power to block such an appointment so whether they have a good predicate to do so is basically irrelevant? The appointment would go through, impeachment investigation or not.
posted by Justinian at 1:40 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:40 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
As long as McConnell is majority leader, nothing will change his patterns of behavior. Not norms, not ethical rules, not polls, not public pressure. Nothing. We're fooling ourselves if we expect an impeachment hearing to make any difference.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:41 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:41 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
The choice:
"We in the House did our constitutional duty, had an impeachment hearing, and impeached the President for his high crimes and misdemeanors. The Republicans in the Senate have chosen to ignore all the crimes we and Special Counsel's office have uncovered. They prefer a lawless Republican dictatorship to a functioning democracy like the Founding Fathers wanted. That's why you must give us, the Democratic Party, control of the Senate."
or
"Those cowardly Democrats said I committed crimes, but they didn't even have the guts to impeach me! We will arrest them for Treason!"
posted by vibrotronica at 1:44 PM on May 29, 2019 [65 favorites]
"We in the House did our constitutional duty, had an impeachment hearing, and impeached the President for his high crimes and misdemeanors. The Republicans in the Senate have chosen to ignore all the crimes we and Special Counsel's office have uncovered. They prefer a lawless Republican dictatorship to a functioning democracy like the Founding Fathers wanted. That's why you must give us, the Democratic Party, control of the Senate."
or
"Those cowardly Democrats said I committed crimes, but they didn't even have the guts to impeach me! We will arrest them for Treason!"
posted by vibrotronica at 1:44 PM on May 29, 2019 [65 favorites]
Nate Silver on what he sees as Pelosi's strategy here: By slowplaying, she's gradually making Trump look worse without it seeming terribly partisan. His approval rating is down, and Democrats still have plenty of optionality for how to proceed later.
Of course the underlying assumption is that his approval rating is actually down meaningfully and I'm not sure what Silver's basis for that is. His own model shows Trump's disapproval up about 1 point and his approval down about 1 point from the medium term average. Perhaps Silver sees this as a lasting change? Pelosi usually has good political instincts so I'd like to believe this is true but I'd want to see more data before buying this theory and it surprises me a little that Silver sees a pattern in such little movement.
posted by Justinian at 1:45 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
Of course the underlying assumption is that his approval rating is actually down meaningfully and I'm not sure what Silver's basis for that is. His own model shows Trump's disapproval up about 1 point and his approval down about 1 point from the medium term average. Perhaps Silver sees this as a lasting change? Pelosi usually has good political instincts so I'd like to believe this is true but I'd want to see more data before buying this theory and it surprises me a little that Silver sees a pattern in such little movement.
posted by Justinian at 1:45 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion
would those proceedings be thoroughly televised, though?
would those who have, up to now, made no effort to become informed about the investigations tune in? understand? care?
ironmouth's point about the propaganda value of all the pelosi-hating groundwork already accomplished in the conservopropagandasphere is well taken: all that pelosi seems frail/sick/old stuff has been running in parallel with clinton blinks/coughs/stumbles stories for years & the target audience has internalized it, judging from the energized contemptuous disgust with which certain co-workers respond to the mere mention of her name (or image).
posted by 20 year lurk at 1:46 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
would those proceedings be thoroughly televised, though?
would those who have, up to now, made no effort to become informed about the investigations tune in? understand? care?
ironmouth's point about the propaganda value of all the pelosi-hating groundwork already accomplished in the conservopropagandasphere is well taken: all that pelosi seems frail/sick/old stuff has been running in parallel with clinton blinks/coughs/stumbles stories for years & the target audience has internalized it, judging from the energized contemptuous disgust with which certain co-workers respond to the mere mention of her name (or image).
posted by 20 year lurk at 1:46 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
:How is that different than the current message? In what way are we currently conveying the message that there is a cost to interfering?
If Trump loses in 2020 the message is the voters will pummel you if you cheat. If the Dems do not get a conviction, his chances of re-election go up. He gets something to rally his base. Why not leave the question open until the support climbs to the point where 16 GOP members of the Senate agree he has to go? A charge of the light brigade has a huge downside for us and very little upside. Months of him hiding things helps. Note also that Dems never voted for impeachment for Nixon. The matter only got to a House Judiciary Committee vote. Why must we immediately go whole hog? If Mueller was not able to find a conspiracy, how will House managers prove it on the Senate floor to the point of convincing the American people?
posted by Ironmouth at 1:48 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
If Trump loses in 2020 the message is the voters will pummel you if you cheat. If the Dems do not get a conviction, his chances of re-election go up. He gets something to rally his base. Why not leave the question open until the support climbs to the point where 16 GOP members of the Senate agree he has to go? A charge of the light brigade has a huge downside for us and very little upside. Months of him hiding things helps. Note also that Dems never voted for impeachment for Nixon. The matter only got to a House Judiciary Committee vote. Why must we immediately go whole hog? If Mueller was not able to find a conspiracy, how will House managers prove it on the Senate floor to the point of convincing the American people?
posted by Ironmouth at 1:48 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
wildblueyonder: This is already the lesson, right now, and as others have said, among people who will take a Senate's refusal to convict at face value, what lesson must they take away from a refusal from the House to even start?
Exactly when does a House decide to not impeach? If that point has already passed, then it's too late to start now, right?
That's the grand difference: a refusal to start is a black box more than it is a determination of non-guilt. To return to Schroedinger's cat, it's an unresolved quantum state. Yes, all sensible people know the thing resolves to a Senate acquittal, but the larger public doesn't. So the presumption (which I dispute) is that it's better to enter November 2020 with a set of voters who figure the president might be guilty than one that "knows" he's innocent because the Official Deciders said so.
Low-info people also probably don't know how easy or difficult it is for impeachment to even begin; how many are aware that a mere majority of the House impeaches, but two-thirds of the Senate is the conviction threshold? I've had to refresh the memories of some very politically-attentive people about those facts. So a nontrivial number of people may figure that the Democrats would all like to impeach but don't have whatever power is needed to do so (though unfortunately, a similar number also probably figure that conviction would be a sure thing if 100% of Democrats pushed for that, too).
All that said: My support for impeachment stems from pessimism. Trump is the incumbent, he has foreign interference, home-grown vote suppression, and currently adequate economic numbers on his side. It's the Democrats that need to gamble more than he does (and more than he will, because his sole move is to double down on the base).
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:55 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
Exactly when does a House decide to not impeach? If that point has already passed, then it's too late to start now, right?
That's the grand difference: a refusal to start is a black box more than it is a determination of non-guilt. To return to Schroedinger's cat, it's an unresolved quantum state. Yes, all sensible people know the thing resolves to a Senate acquittal, but the larger public doesn't. So the presumption (which I dispute) is that it's better to enter November 2020 with a set of voters who figure the president might be guilty than one that "knows" he's innocent because the Official Deciders said so.
Low-info people also probably don't know how easy or difficult it is for impeachment to even begin; how many are aware that a mere majority of the House impeaches, but two-thirds of the Senate is the conviction threshold? I've had to refresh the memories of some very politically-attentive people about those facts. So a nontrivial number of people may figure that the Democrats would all like to impeach but don't have whatever power is needed to do so (though unfortunately, a similar number also probably figure that conviction would be a sure thing if 100% of Democrats pushed for that, too).
All that said: My support for impeachment stems from pessimism. Trump is the incumbent, he has foreign interference, home-grown vote suppression, and currently adequate economic numbers on his side. It's the Democrats that need to gamble more than he does (and more than he will, because his sole move is to double down on the base).
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:55 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
And having a president under impeachment investigations would be a damn good reason for blocking a president's supreme court justice appointments and making anyone pushing them through look completely nakedly corrupt in the eyes of the entire world.
Do you really think McConnell cares? He straight up says he is playing partisan games. He would just describe the impeachment as a partisan ploy to weaken the president, and press forward.
No I don't think McConnell will care. Other people will though and there is the possibility that it makes McConnell's actions, current and past which until now have really only visible to people really interested in politics, very very visible.
Unlike most turtles I don't think McConnell will fare very well under a national spotlight.
posted by srboisvert at 1:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Do you really think McConnell cares? He straight up says he is playing partisan games. He would just describe the impeachment as a partisan ploy to weaken the president, and press forward.
No I don't think McConnell will care. Other people will though and there is the possibility that it makes McConnell's actions, current and past which until now have really only visible to people really interested in politics, very very visible.
Unlike most turtles I don't think McConnell will fare very well under a national spotlight.
posted by srboisvert at 1:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Why not leave the question open until the support climbs to the point where 16 GOP members of the Senate agree he has to go?
Because that will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happen.
Look at the situation we have now, where all of the evidence that is likely to surface has come out, either via Mueller or via what we, the public have seen with our own lying eyes. McConnell has made it quite clear that any trial in the Senate will be as perfunctory as he is capable of making it; he can't just gavel in, declare "roll call vote, right now" and gavel out triumphantly, but it won't be much more than that. Mueller is not going to testify, let alone drop some super-secret atomic bomb evidence that will make everything crystal clear for everybody.
Can you name one Republican Senator who is likely to flip on this?
Let alone sixteen?
If we ever reach a point where unquestionable evidence will flip that many Rs, we'll know it, because we'll read in the morning paper that Trump hopped on a private jet and flew to Brazil in the dead of night. But we are not there now. We are also not going to get anything new that would convince even reluctant Senators to face the wrath of their state's Trumpoids.
posted by delfin at 1:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [16 favorites]
Because that will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happen.
Look at the situation we have now, where all of the evidence that is likely to surface has come out, either via Mueller or via what we, the public have seen with our own lying eyes. McConnell has made it quite clear that any trial in the Senate will be as perfunctory as he is capable of making it; he can't just gavel in, declare "roll call vote, right now" and gavel out triumphantly, but it won't be much more than that. Mueller is not going to testify, let alone drop some super-secret atomic bomb evidence that will make everything crystal clear for everybody.
Can you name one Republican Senator who is likely to flip on this?
Let alone sixteen?
If we ever reach a point where unquestionable evidence will flip that many Rs, we'll know it, because we'll read in the morning paper that Trump hopped on a private jet and flew to Brazil in the dead of night. But we are not there now. We are also not going to get anything new that would convince even reluctant Senators to face the wrath of their state's Trumpoids.
posted by delfin at 1:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [16 favorites]
those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion
How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
posted by Ironmouth at 1:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
posted by Ironmouth at 1:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
Something that didn't get a lot of play from what I saw yesterday: Treasury bonds hit an inverted yield curve, which historically is a super consistent warning sign of a recession. (Explanation in the link.) I've heard a lot of other talk about an expected downturn for months--so much so that I've kinda stopped listening, 'cause it hasn't happened--but this seems like a real thing.
I wanted to share that here mostly for its own significance. As I'm not exactly well-versed on economics, I'd be interested if there's anything to debunk it.
I will add, though, since we're all speculating about what's keeping Pelosi...I feel like this is a stretch, but it's worth noting that an economic downturn is probably a game-changer. The question, of course, is when, because again I feel like it's been a long time coming and still isn't here, and even historically that treasury yield signal is a many-months-out sort of thing.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:58 PM on May 29, 2019 [17 favorites]
I wanted to share that here mostly for its own significance. As I'm not exactly well-versed on economics, I'd be interested if there's anything to debunk it.
I will add, though, since we're all speculating about what's keeping Pelosi...I feel like this is a stretch, but it's worth noting that an economic downturn is probably a game-changer. The question, of course, is when, because again I feel like it's been a long time coming and still isn't here, and even historically that treasury yield signal is a many-months-out sort of thing.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:58 PM on May 29, 2019 [17 favorites]
Oh, and we should also not forget the wins-no-matter-what mindset here for Trump: it's either "They never impeached, 'cause they're weak and they knew it would fail," or it's "They impeached and I was Totally Officially Forever Exonerated," because that's how he rolls. I feel like at some point people still have a responsibility to do what's right regardless of what the crazy blowhard spews from his propaganda mouth.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [31 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [31 favorites]
If Trump isn't removed from office by the election, I have no faith we're not going to have widespread election tampering and Trump "winning" by a wide margin come election day. The next two years are so are for all the marbles, and if we don't start acting like it, the past few years are going to look sunny and peachy by comparison. We need to remove Trump and beat the GOP so badly that they are broken. And then we need to move swiftly to fix gerrymandering, secure our elections, and pursue real criminal prosecution of the compromised GOP that took Russian money to put Trump in power.
I hope I'm being needlessly alarmist and wrong, but I don't think I am. As a child I used to read about WWII and think "how the hell did this ever happen to a country, taken over by a madman?" Now I get it. Really, it was a rhetorical question that did not need an illustration...
posted by jzb at 2:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [79 favorites]
I hope I'm being needlessly alarmist and wrong, but I don't think I am. As a child I used to read about WWII and think "how the hell did this ever happen to a country, taken over by a madman?" Now I get it. Really, it was a rhetorical question that did not need an illustration...
posted by jzb at 2:01 PM on May 29, 2019 [79 favorites]
Pelosi is set to give a pre-scheduled talk in about 15 minutes, so we’ll see if she can say nothing for a hour.
That is indeed what happened, yep. She was wearing her House Mace pin, and the moderator made a point to ask her about it. The Speaker spoke about its role as a symbol of power of the Speaker of the House. But then she didn't back it up.
On investigations and impeachment: "Where it will lead us, we shall see; nothing is off the table. But we do want to make such a compelling case, such an ironclad case, that even Republican Senate, which at the time seems to be not an objective jury." She talked about how "35, maybe it's 38" out of 238 Democrats have come out for impeachment (that number has grown since she said this, and the event only started two hours ago), and the press fuses over them, and many constituents want it, but she wants to do what gets results. Which says to me that she's doing what she does really well, keeping careful count of votes, and that pressure on our Democratic reps to increase that number is one of the most effective tools we have, especially on days like today.
But there's a marked contrast here between how she talks about the power of the mace she wears and the way she talks about holding the President accountable. She spoke of unity and e pluribus unum and making progress on the issues where they have the most unity. But, as McConnell has shown, this is all about naked power, not unity, and it's her job to use the mace to lead us, not to seek unity.
She described how they're proceeding on three fronts: legislative, investigative, and litigation, and crowed a little about victories in the courts last week. But the image I took away was a sort of Potemkin Speakership: they are legitimately doing some of each of those things, but it never actually amounts to anything. This comes across in her language with statements like "we passed HR1." Well, yes, you did, great, but you know it's not actually law, right? Nobody, outside of the House, actually thinks its any real victory to pass bills in the House that aren't even considered in the Senate.
She does have an agenda, and took the time to talk about her three imperatives for our time: the "existential threat to our planet that the climate crisis poses," "the obscenity of income disparity," and good government ("which makes the other two possible"). And those are, indeed, huge imperatives we need to address, but when it feels like we have a daily emergency in the form of the President, it feels worse than useless to sit there and talk about legislation that's going nowhere.
One newsworthy bit from today is that Pelosi went much farther than I expected in talking about the doctored video of her, which she was clearly mad about:
Toward the end, she was asked about abortion, and as part of that, offered a bit of a prayer for certain Supreme Court Justices: "This next year and a half may go by quickly, and everybody be in good health." A good sentiment, yes, but it also serves as a symbol for the House's lack of action right now. The country isn't in good health, and perhaps America, especially those most vulnerable to Trump right now, can't take another year and a half of this.
posted by zachlipton at 2:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [31 favorites]
That is indeed what happened, yep. She was wearing her House Mace pin, and the moderator made a point to ask her about it. The Speaker spoke about its role as a symbol of power of the Speaker of the House. But then she didn't back it up.
On investigations and impeachment: "Where it will lead us, we shall see; nothing is off the table. But we do want to make such a compelling case, such an ironclad case, that even Republican Senate, which at the time seems to be not an objective jury." She talked about how "35, maybe it's 38" out of 238 Democrats have come out for impeachment (that number has grown since she said this, and the event only started two hours ago), and the press fuses over them, and many constituents want it, but she wants to do what gets results. Which says to me that she's doing what she does really well, keeping careful count of votes, and that pressure on our Democratic reps to increase that number is one of the most effective tools we have, especially on days like today.
But there's a marked contrast here between how she talks about the power of the mace she wears and the way she talks about holding the President accountable. She spoke of unity and e pluribus unum and making progress on the issues where they have the most unity. But, as McConnell has shown, this is all about naked power, not unity, and it's her job to use the mace to lead us, not to seek unity.
She described how they're proceeding on three fronts: legislative, investigative, and litigation, and crowed a little about victories in the courts last week. But the image I took away was a sort of Potemkin Speakership: they are legitimately doing some of each of those things, but it never actually amounts to anything. This comes across in her language with statements like "we passed HR1." Well, yes, you did, great, but you know it's not actually law, right? Nobody, outside of the House, actually thinks its any real victory to pass bills in the House that aren't even considered in the Senate.
She does have an agenda, and took the time to talk about her three imperatives for our time: the "existential threat to our planet that the climate crisis poses," "the obscenity of income disparity," and good government ("which makes the other two possible"). And those are, indeed, huge imperatives we need to address, but when it feels like we have a daily emergency in the form of the President, it feels worse than useless to sit there and talk about legislation that's going nowhere.
One newsworthy bit from today is that Pelosi went much farther than I expected in talking about the doctored video of her, which she was clearly mad about:
“We have said all along, ‘Poor Facebook, they were unwittingly exploited by the Russians.’ I think wittingly, because right now they are putting up something that they know is false. I think it’s wrong,” she said, according to a transcript of the conversation provided by Pelosi’s office. “They’re lying to the public. ... I think they have proven — by not taking down something they know is false — that they were willing enablers of the Russian interference in our election."But as Farhad Manjoo writes today, regardless of what happens on Facebook, it was Fox that created the other misleading video that Trump tweeted and led an entire cross-platform propaganda campaign about her: Worry About Facebook. Rip Your Hair Out in Screaming Terror About Fox News
“For me, I’m in the arena, I’ve been the target all along,” Pelosi added. But “I wonder what they would do if (Facebook chief) Mark Zuckerberg wasn’t portrayed, you know, slowed down, made to look” drunk, she said. If it was “one of their own, would this be – is this their policy? Or is it just a woman?”
Toward the end, she was asked about abortion, and as part of that, offered a bit of a prayer for certain Supreme Court Justices: "This next year and a half may go by quickly, and everybody be in good health." A good sentiment, yes, but it also serves as a symbol for the House's lack of action right now. The country isn't in good health, and perhaps America, especially those most vulnerable to Trump right now, can't take another year and a half of this.
posted by zachlipton at 2:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [31 favorites]
those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion
—How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
Well, for one thing, they re-took the White House two years later.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [29 favorites]
—How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
Well, for one thing, they re-took the White House two years later.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [29 favorites]
If we end up both with an impeachment and a SCOTUS resignation in close proximity to one another, I can see the beautiful rationalization now: "When it's an election year, it's best to leave court vacancies open and let the American people decide. However, if the president is under the cloud of impeachment, then a refusal to consider his nominations is tantamount to an acceptance that the charges against him are legitimate and perhaps true. Because all people, including the president, have the right to presumed innocence, we are therefore obligated to consider, and then to confirm, his nominee"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
> Alabama legislature running roughshod over their own procedures to silence opposition and pass a bill that itself deeply unserious as a piece of legislation.
Has anyone read the Missouri abortion bill, recently passed and signed? I've been reading Missouri General Assembly bills for almost 20 years, and I have never, ever seen anything even close to like it introduced, let alone passed.
Pages and pages of it read more like a half-baked sixth grade persuasive essay than anything even vaguely resembling a bill:
posted by flug at 2:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
Has anyone read the Missouri abortion bill, recently passed and signed? I've been reading Missouri General Assembly bills for almost 20 years, and I have never, ever seen anything even close to like it introduced, let alone passed.
Pages and pages of it read more like a half-baked sixth grade persuasive essay than anything even vaguely resembling a bill:
(6) In medicine, a special emphasis is placed on the heartbeat. The heartbeat is a discernible sign of life at every stage of human existence. During the fifth week of gestational age, an unborn child's heart begins to beat and blood flow begins during the sixth week;Missouri HB 126 bill page - full text as finally passed and signed.
(7) Depending on the ultrasound equipment being used, the unborn child's heartbeat can be visually detected as early as six to eight weeks gestational age. By about twelve weeks gestational age, the unborn child's heartbeat can consistently be made audible through the use of a handheld Doppler fetal heart rate device;
posted by flug at 2:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]
> those televised proceedings themselves will help change opinion
How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
Ah, this old chestnut.
Did We Learn the Wrong Lesson From the Clinton Impeachment?
How did that work for the GOP during the Clinton impeachment?
Ah, this old chestnut.
Did We Learn the Wrong Lesson From the Clinton Impeachment?
But one argument against going down this path is a purely political one: Voters will punish the Democrats if they seek to remove Donald Trump but fall short, thus making a second Trump term much more likely. This rests, largely, upon a belief that by failing to secure Bill Clinton’s conviction and removal by the Senate after impeaching him in December 1998, Republicans hurt themselves badly.Impeach Donald Trump
That belief, it turns out, is overblown—which should make Democrats think twice before relying on it to stonewall calls for impeachment.
Consider, first, the 2000 congressional elections. The president’s popularity remained high, Republicans had taken a beating in the press over the “failed” impeachment, and surely the American people would slap the GOP down for its overzealous impeachment effort, right?
Not so much. True, Democrats did grab four additional seats in the Senate. But the Republicans lost only one seat in the House, the body that had impeached Clinton. Among the twelve impeachment managers–the members tasked with taking the impeachment articles to the Senate and arguing for the president’s conviction–only James Rogan (R-California) lost his House re-election bid.
The damage to Republicans could have emerged elsewhere. But it didn’t. George W. Bush beat Clinton’s own vice president for the White House in 2000 and won re-election four years later. Republicans in 2002 picked up more House seats than they’d lost in 1998 and 2000. Most of the managers from the 1998 impeachment remained in the House; Lindsey Graham won election to the Senate.
That’s far less of a smackdown than conventional wisdom would have us believe.
Democrats’ fear—that impeachment will backfire on them—is likewise unfounded. The mistake Republicans made in impeaching Bill Clinton wasn’t a matter of timing. They identified real and troubling misconduct—then applied the wrong remedy to fix it. Clinton’s acts disgraced the presidency, and his lies under oath and efforts to obstruct the investigation may well have been crimes. The question that determines whether an act is impeachable, though, is whether it endangers American democracy. As a House Judiciary Committee staff report put it in 1974, in the midst of the Watergate investigation: “The purpose of impeachment is not personal punishment; its function is primarily to maintain constitutional government.” Impeachable offenses, it found, included “undermining the integrity of office, disregard of constitutional duties and oath of office, arrogation of power, abuse of the governmental process, adverse impact on the system of government.”Why Democrats — and pundits — shouldn’t assume impeachment will backfire
Trump’s bipartisan critics are not merely arguing that he has lied or dishonored the presidency. The most serious allegations against him ultimately rest on the charge that he is attacking the bedrock of American democracy. That is the situation impeachment was devised to address.
But the parallels only go so far. As I wrote a while back, the timeline of Clinton’s impeachment seemed to work against Republicans. Having begun impeachment proceedings on the eve of the 1998 election, the initial backlash was instantly able to register at the ballot box and help Democrats score unexpected success in the midterm elections. Republicans then officially impeached Clinton on Dec. 19, 1998, and Clinton’s approval rating hit its highest mark ever — 73 percent — in a Gallup poll that was conducted starting that day.posted by tonycpsu at 2:05 PM on May 29, 2019 [22 favorites]
But that timeline is not today’s timeline. Today, there is actually time for the impeachment proceedings to register with the American people. The process can take as little as a few months, meaning Democrats need not even let it linger into the 2020 calendar year.
And witness what happened to Clinton and his party as time moved on. While that 73 percent approval rating was his highest ever, it was really just a blip on the screen. Clinton’s approval had hovered in the 60s before impeachment began, and after it was completed, he spent the remainder of his presidency in the high 50s and low 60s.
It's the Democrats that need to gamble more than he does (and more than he will, because his sole move is to double down on the base).
I think this is where folks differ regarding rational analysis of these issues. Trump is polling super low right now. I agree with the poster above--This is the Dems election to lose. Why risk the worst outcome of all--Trump is acquitted in the Senate and then uses that to win re-election? Polling shows that fewer people want impeachment than support Trump. Those numbers ought to be sobering.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
I think this is where folks differ regarding rational analysis of these issues. Trump is polling super low right now. I agree with the poster above--This is the Dems election to lose. Why risk the worst outcome of all--Trump is acquitted in the Senate and then uses that to win re-election? Polling shows that fewer people want impeachment than support Trump. Those numbers ought to be sobering.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
We need to be careful. If we impeach and Trump is not convicted and wins, the message to wrongdoers and foreign governments will be interfere to your heart's content. If Trump loses an election, they will think twice.
I don't think there is any message to be sent to foreign governments in whatever political outcome Trump faces. Russia has already gotten what they wanted -- and probably more than they ever hoped for. Deterrence comes from the U.S. foreign policy and national security apparatus actually responding to Russian attacks in real time (as they reportedly did better at during the 2018 elections), not from cleaning up the blast damage 4 years later.
posted by AndrewInDC at 2:07 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
I don't think there is any message to be sent to foreign governments in whatever political outcome Trump faces. Russia has already gotten what they wanted -- and probably more than they ever hoped for. Deterrence comes from the U.S. foreign policy and national security apparatus actually responding to Russian attacks in real time (as they reportedly did better at during the 2018 elections), not from cleaning up the blast damage 4 years later.
posted by AndrewInDC at 2:07 PM on May 29, 2019 [11 favorites]
Consider, first, the 2000 congressional elections.
Why not consider the 1998 elections? Those are the ones to use. The parallel House of Representatives elections saw a significant disruption of the historic six-year itch trend, where the President's party loses seats in the second-term midterm elections, as the Democrats picked up 5 seats in the House. Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory found that the 1998 election win for the Dems was directly related to the impeachment of Clinton. The House impeachment managers were specifically routed in that election.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:12 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
Why not consider the 1998 elections? Those are the ones to use. The parallel House of Representatives elections saw a significant disruption of the historic six-year itch trend, where the President's party loses seats in the second-term midterm elections, as the Democrats picked up 5 seats in the House. Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory found that the 1998 election win for the Dems was directly related to the impeachment of Clinton. The House impeachment managers were specifically routed in that election.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:12 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
Something that didn't get a lot of play from what I saw yesterday: Treasury bonds hit an inverted yield curve, which historically is a super consistent warning sign of a recession.
Yes, this happened the last time Trump's trade-warmongering made the markets anxious. It's not an infallible indication, of course, but many economists currently think that Trump is risking a recession by escalating US-China trade tensions. And right now, the positive economy looks like the main factor protecting Trump from a backlash.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:14 PM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
Yes, this happened the last time Trump's trade-warmongering made the markets anxious. It's not an infallible indication, of course, but many economists currently think that Trump is risking a recession by escalating US-China trade tensions. And right now, the positive economy looks like the main factor protecting Trump from a backlash.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:14 PM on May 29, 2019 [13 favorites]
The next two years are so are for all the marbles, and if we don't start acting like it, the past few years are going to look sunny and peachy by comparison.
The 2020 election is in less than 18 months.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
The 2020 election is in less than 18 months.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
> Why not consider the 1998 elections? Those are the ones to use.
We're less than 4 years into Trump's Presidency, so the "six year itch" pattern doesn't apply. You just can't compare a lower turnout mid-term election to what will happen when Trump's name is on the ballot in 2020. The dynamics are much different when the target of the impeachment proceedings is bringing his opponents to the polls. Any downside risk you imagine has to be weighed against the rewards of giving the Democratic base something they're demanding.
posted by tonycpsu at 2:31 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
We're less than 4 years into Trump's Presidency, so the "six year itch" pattern doesn't apply. You just can't compare a lower turnout mid-term election to what will happen when Trump's name is on the ballot in 2020. The dynamics are much different when the target of the impeachment proceedings is bringing his opponents to the polls. Any downside risk you imagine has to be weighed against the rewards of giving the Democratic base something they're demanding.
posted by tonycpsu at 2:31 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
It's really striking to compare Congressional Democrats and their stance on Trump/impeachment to how they reacted to the Republican-led charge to defund ACORN in the wake of videos that were obviously doctored and edited.
ACORN, you will recall, was a community-based organization that was heavily involved in voter registration for low and moderate income families. In 2009, Breitbart operative James O'Keefe shot undercover footage of himself and an accomplice visiting several different ACORN offices and soliciting advice from low-level employees for how to get funds to engage in human-trafficking with underage girls, buy houses illegally and cheat on their taxes.
O'Keefe released heavily edited videos with all kinds of misleading lead-ins and segments, and, almost like it was planned from the get go, Republicans began calling for ACORN to be de-funded. Democrats who had previously worked with the org began distancing themselves from it. I recall a discussion here on MeFi about how the videos were pretty obviously doctored, but nevertheless, a bunch of Dems in the House and Senate "reached across the aisle" to vote with the Republicans in effectively destroying the organization in America.
Pelosi was Speaker at the time, and while she abstained from voting on the de-funding bill, she characterized ACORN's actions as horrible and declared that "any group that receives any funds from the federal government needs to have tough scrutiny applied to it."
Note that various ACORN employees were fired for what the videos "depicted" them doing or saying (or, in most cases not doing and not saying), and several independent actions found that no wrongdoing had taken place.
As usual though, the Republicans got what they wanted and got the Democrats to participate in an action that hurt the Dem base.
Now we see all this obvious evidence of wrongdoing by Republicans and far too many Democrats are all, "Crime, boy, I don't know."
Something's very wrong here, in my opinion. Then again, I'm a black man in America, which means I've had to make peace with the fact that most of my fellow Americans are pretty cool with me being summarily executed by the police on the mere suspicion of a crime, so my opinions on crimes and justice are probably a little off compared to those of the movers and shakers in this country.
posted by lord_wolf at 2:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [119 favorites]
ACORN, you will recall, was a community-based organization that was heavily involved in voter registration for low and moderate income families. In 2009, Breitbart operative James O'Keefe shot undercover footage of himself and an accomplice visiting several different ACORN offices and soliciting advice from low-level employees for how to get funds to engage in human-trafficking with underage girls, buy houses illegally and cheat on their taxes.
O'Keefe released heavily edited videos with all kinds of misleading lead-ins and segments, and, almost like it was planned from the get go, Republicans began calling for ACORN to be de-funded. Democrats who had previously worked with the org began distancing themselves from it. I recall a discussion here on MeFi about how the videos were pretty obviously doctored, but nevertheless, a bunch of Dems in the House and Senate "reached across the aisle" to vote with the Republicans in effectively destroying the organization in America.
Pelosi was Speaker at the time, and while she abstained from voting on the de-funding bill, she characterized ACORN's actions as horrible and declared that "any group that receives any funds from the federal government needs to have tough scrutiny applied to it."
Note that various ACORN employees were fired for what the videos "depicted" them doing or saying (or, in most cases not doing and not saying), and several independent actions found that no wrongdoing had taken place.
As usual though, the Republicans got what they wanted and got the Democrats to participate in an action that hurt the Dem base.
Now we see all this obvious evidence of wrongdoing by Republicans and far too many Democrats are all, "Crime, boy, I don't know."
Something's very wrong here, in my opinion. Then again, I'm a black man in America, which means I've had to make peace with the fact that most of my fellow Americans are pretty cool with me being summarily executed by the police on the mere suspicion of a crime, so my opinions on crimes and justice are probably a little off compared to those of the movers and shakers in this country.
posted by lord_wolf at 2:33 PM on May 29, 2019 [119 favorites]
One of Pelosi's kids tweeted an Onion article with the headline, "Pelosi says 'When I'm drunk, you'll fucking know it'" which for some reason really made me want to have a holiday dinner with their family
posted by angrycat at 2:36 PM on May 29, 2019 [52 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 2:36 PM on May 29, 2019 [52 favorites]
One of Pelosi's kids tweeted an Onion article with the headline, "Pelosi says 'When I'm drunk, you'll fucking know it'" which for some reason really made me want to have a holiday dinner with their family
The best (re)revelation of Kellyanne Conways attempt to slander Pelosi by suggesting she was dressed by stylists . . . was that her husband picks all her outfits. They do sound like a fun family ( i guess being super rich definitely helps but its by no means enough on its own).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:44 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
The best (re)revelation of Kellyanne Conways attempt to slander Pelosi by suggesting she was dressed by stylists . . . was that her husband picks all her outfits. They do sound like a fun family ( i guess being super rich definitely helps but its by no means enough on its own).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:44 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Roger Stone Associate Andrew Miller Agrees to Testify Before Mueller Grand Jury (CNN). (This is definitely a big factor in the timing of Mueller stepping down from the DoJ.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:45 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
An associate of Roger Stone has agreed to testify to special counsel Robert Mueller's grand jury on Friday morning, his attorney and a Mueller prosecutor said in a court hearing before a federal judge.Politico's Natasha Bertrand adds, “Miller's lawyer tells me that the only guidance they've gotten from Mueller's team on this is that they want to interview Miller "about his work with Roger Stone from 2016 to the present." & it is separate from the investigation that already occurred into Stone's WikiLeaks ties.”
The development shows parts of the Mueller investigation related to interference in the 2016 presidential election -- and the grand jury's work -- may still be alive.
Andrew Miller, Stone's associate, has fought testifying as he has challenged Mueller's authority since last summer after Mueller's team requested information from him about Roger Stone and WikiLeaks. Miller was held in contempt by Chief Judge Beryl Howell in Washington but will not be sent to jail at this time, the judge said. He lost his attempts at appeal.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:45 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Any downside risk you imagine has to be weighed against the rewards of giving the Democratic base something they're demanding.
Show me the polling on that. Because the polling on impeachment shows 48% of people oppose impeachment and only 34-37% approve. That says voters don't like it and it will cost us.
As for the "base" wanting impeachment, again, I'd love to see some polling on that too. And who is going to not vote against Trump because the Democrats did not impeach him? It would seem irrational and insane.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:49 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
Show me the polling on that. Because the polling on impeachment shows 48% of people oppose impeachment and only 34-37% approve. That says voters don't like it and it will cost us.
As for the "base" wanting impeachment, again, I'd love to see some polling on that too. And who is going to not vote against Trump because the Democrats did not impeach him? It would seem irrational and insane.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:49 PM on May 29, 2019 [5 favorites]
It is increasingly clear that none of you read my report (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
Everyone who said things about the report said things like, “I liked the big page that was just black” and “It was very good how the redactions were color-coded” and “I liked that it said ‘The Mueller Report’ on every page” and nobody talked at all about the actual contents. The sheer lack of discussion of the election interference, which, again, we did find had majorly happened — there is no hope for you.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:50 PM on May 29, 2019 [38 favorites]
Someone spoke to me at length about how they loved the report and the green things that were cut out and the red things and the yellow things, and it slowly dawned on me that he had mixed up my report and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
Anyway, this press conference is for those of you who did not read the book, which, I assume, is all of you. Please put on your listening ears.
When there's a big news day like today I occasionally read outlets on the other side of the aisle, just to test my own progressive views and stay true to the values of open inquiry. And then in an outlet that is considered at least semi-rational by those folks on the other side, I stumble on something batshit insane like this - "Mueller Just Proved His Entire Operation Was A Political Hit Job That Trampled The Rule Of Law" - for which the word "tendentious" is utterly inadequate.
posted by PhineasGage at 2:54 PM on May 29, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 2:54 PM on May 29, 2019 [9 favorites]
I think all this talk of supporting impeachment and the polls missed an important distinction: impeachment investigations (the House doing their job) vs. impeachment proceedings (the Senate holding a trial).
I don’t support impeachment proceedings because if that were to happen right now, the Democrats would likely swing and miss the mark. We need formal impeachment investigations. The House needs to show their cards on this, because once they formally say “We are considering charges against Trump” a lot of his current stonewalling tactics will lose support from the judiciary. As long as the House is being coy, the judiciary can always defer to the executive branch. But once Congress formally acts, any potential Trump allies in the judiciary will be constrained by the constitution. They’ll have to defer to Congress’ power to impeach.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 2:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
I don’t support impeachment proceedings because if that were to happen right now, the Democrats would likely swing and miss the mark. We need formal impeachment investigations. The House needs to show their cards on this, because once they formally say “We are considering charges against Trump” a lot of his current stonewalling tactics will lose support from the judiciary. As long as the House is being coy, the judiciary can always defer to the executive branch. But once Congress formally acts, any potential Trump allies in the judiciary will be constrained by the constitution. They’ll have to defer to Congress’ power to impeach.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 2:57 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
"We can't do the obviously right thing because it might damage our electability" is how the Republicans turned into slime mold dripping down 45's arse crack.
You have to draw the line somewhere. The President commiing a shit-load of crimes that an independent investigation says there is evidence for is a pretty thick line.
posted by Devonian at 3:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [22 favorites]
You have to draw the line somewhere. The President commiing a shit-load of crimes that an independent investigation says there is evidence for is a pretty thick line.
posted by Devonian at 3:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [22 favorites]
Posted by lord wolf: Something's very wrong here, in my opinion. Then again, I'm a black man in America, which means I've had to make peace with the fact that most of my fellow Americans are pretty cool with me being summarily executed by the police on the mere suspicion of a crime, so my opinions on crimes and justice are probably a little off compared to those of the movers and shakers in this country. posted by lord_wolf
That’s what I’ve been saying! It keeps getting deleted, so hopefully yours stays, but for a while now I’ve been saying Pelosi is starting to look complicit. We fought like hell to get the Dem wave elected, and she is flat out refusing to do her duty to investigate the executive. And she has never been a friend to the far left, or even the mostly leftist left. She’s not been a friend to women of color, or women of different faiths. I mean, imagine thinking you have the right to silence Her Majesty, our queen Maxine Waters. Or taking the side of hypocrites on the right going after Rep. Omar. She’s not willing to fight for abortion rights, or babies in cages, or rounding up brown folks just living their lives, or stopping cops from murdering black children and men, and I have to ask, what exactly does she think she’s accomplishing.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:10 PM on May 29, 2019 [36 favorites]
That’s what I’ve been saying! It keeps getting deleted, so hopefully yours stays, but for a while now I’ve been saying Pelosi is starting to look complicit. We fought like hell to get the Dem wave elected, and she is flat out refusing to do her duty to investigate the executive. And she has never been a friend to the far left, or even the mostly leftist left. She’s not been a friend to women of color, or women of different faiths. I mean, imagine thinking you have the right to silence Her Majesty, our queen Maxine Waters. Or taking the side of hypocrites on the right going after Rep. Omar. She’s not willing to fight for abortion rights, or babies in cages, or rounding up brown folks just living their lives, or stopping cops from murdering black children and men, and I have to ask, what exactly does she think she’s accomplishing.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 3:10 PM on May 29, 2019 [36 favorites]
lord_wolf: It's really striking to compare Congressional Democrats and their stance on Trump/impeachment to how they reacted to the Republican-led charge to defund ACORN in the wake of videos that were obviously doctored and edited.
ACORN, you will recall, was a community-based organization that was heavily involved in voter registration for low and moderate income families. In 2009, Breitbart operative James O'Keefe shot undercover footage of himself and an accomplice visiting several different ACORN offices and soliciting advice from low-level employees for how to get funds to engage in human-trafficking with underage girls, buy houses illegally and cheat on their taxes.
O'Keefe released heavily edited videos with all kinds of misleading lead-ins and segments, and, almost like it was planned from the get go, Republicans began calling for ACORN to be de-funded. Democrats who had previously worked with the org began distancing themselves from it. I recall a discussion here on MeFi about how the videos were pretty obviously doctored, but nevertheless, a bunch of Dems in the House and Senate "reached across the aisle" to vote with the Republicans in effectively destroying the organization in America.
I honestly think that what is going on is not complicity but a kind of learned helplessness which is a hangover from the 80's, the Democrats in Disarray decade, and even before that, to McGovern in 1972. Think of the age of many Democrats in Congress, and all the Dem leadership, and then think back to the shellackings they took post-Carter because of all the (white) former Democrats stampeding to the Republicans. Add in 9/11 and two terms of Bush...I truly think that Congressional Democrats were terrified that if they didn't throw ACORN under the bus, Obama would be a one-term President and all the nascent Democratic gains would be clawed back once again. Because CUH-RUP-SHUN! CROOKED! THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Basically I think there is a feeling among a lot of the "old guard" that if Dems put a toe out of line and take any risk, the Republicans will come roaring back. I don't think it's true, but I think that old-guard Democrats have PTSD from the Reagan and Bush years.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [24 favorites]
ACORN, you will recall, was a community-based organization that was heavily involved in voter registration for low and moderate income families. In 2009, Breitbart operative James O'Keefe shot undercover footage of himself and an accomplice visiting several different ACORN offices and soliciting advice from low-level employees for how to get funds to engage in human-trafficking with underage girls, buy houses illegally and cheat on their taxes.
O'Keefe released heavily edited videos with all kinds of misleading lead-ins and segments, and, almost like it was planned from the get go, Republicans began calling for ACORN to be de-funded. Democrats who had previously worked with the org began distancing themselves from it. I recall a discussion here on MeFi about how the videos were pretty obviously doctored, but nevertheless, a bunch of Dems in the House and Senate "reached across the aisle" to vote with the Republicans in effectively destroying the organization in America.
I honestly think that what is going on is not complicity but a kind of learned helplessness which is a hangover from the 80's, the Democrats in Disarray decade, and even before that, to McGovern in 1972. Think of the age of many Democrats in Congress, and all the Dem leadership, and then think back to the shellackings they took post-Carter because of all the (white) former Democrats stampeding to the Republicans. Add in 9/11 and two terms of Bush...I truly think that Congressional Democrats were terrified that if they didn't throw ACORN under the bus, Obama would be a one-term President and all the nascent Democratic gains would be clawed back once again. Because CUH-RUP-SHUN! CROOKED! THROW THE BUMS OUT!
Basically I think there is a feeling among a lot of the "old guard" that if Dems put a toe out of line and take any risk, the Republicans will come roaring back. I don't think it's true, but I think that old-guard Democrats have PTSD from the Reagan and Bush years.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:22 PM on May 29, 2019 [24 favorites]
Basically I think there is a feeling among a lot of the "old guard" that if Dems put a toe out of line and take any risk, the Republicans will come roaring back
I don't want to know what roaring back looks like if 2016 wasn't it.
posted by diogenes at 3:26 PM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
I don't want to know what roaring back looks like if 2016 wasn't it.
posted by diogenes at 3:26 PM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
> Show me the polling on that. Because the polling on impeachment shows 48% of people oppose impeachment and only 34-37% approve. That says voters don't like it and it will cost us.
As for the "base" wanting impeachment, again, I'd love to see some polling on that too.
Ask and you shall receive.
That poll is (a) a couple of weeks more recent than the two polls you cite, and (b) asks the question about impeachment in a much more neutral way, without language about removing Trump from office, which will naturally skew things more toward inaction given that beginning impeachment proceedings isn't in and of itself removing Trump from office.
That poll finds the split on to begin impeachment proceedings at 38% for, 42% against among all registered voters, with 70% of Democrats supporting.
And who is going to not vote against Trump because the Democrats did not impeach him? It would seem irrational and insane.
People stay home for a wide variety of reasons -- some rational, some not. We don't need to look any further than 2016 to know that. It was unreasonable for Democrats who were lukewarm on Hillary to stay home and let Trump win, yet here we are.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:28 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
As for the "base" wanting impeachment, again, I'd love to see some polling on that too.
Ask and you shall receive.
That poll is (a) a couple of weeks more recent than the two polls you cite, and (b) asks the question about impeachment in a much more neutral way, without language about removing Trump from office, which will naturally skew things more toward inaction given that beginning impeachment proceedings isn't in and of itself removing Trump from office.
That poll finds the split on to begin impeachment proceedings at 38% for, 42% against among all registered voters, with 70% of Democrats supporting.
And who is going to not vote against Trump because the Democrats did not impeach him? It would seem irrational and insane.
People stay home for a wide variety of reasons -- some rational, some not. We don't need to look any further than 2016 to know that. It was unreasonable for Democrats who were lukewarm on Hillary to stay home and let Trump win, yet here we are.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:28 PM on May 29, 2019 [12 favorites]
What about what Russia did?
posted by banshee at 3:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by banshee at 3:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
It was unreasonable for Democrats who were lukewarm on Hillary to stay home and let Trump win, yet here we are.
Good thing we've learned our lesson about the downsides of constantly trashing female Democratic politicians for every real or imagined failings we can come up with!
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
Good thing we've learned our lesson about the downsides of constantly trashing female Democratic politicians for every real or imagined failings we can come up with!
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
Yes, that bill of particulars against Nancy Pelosi upthread seems not to understand her role as a party leader...
posted by PhineasGage at 3:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 3:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [3 favorites]
> Good thing we've learned our lesson about the downsides of constantly trashing female Democratic politicians for every real or imagined failings we can come up with!
Well, "we" certainly haven't, but this is way bigger than Nancy Pelosi, and speaks to the Democratic party strategy as a whole. She's the most visible anti-impeachment voice right now, but that doesn't mean that anyone taking a position for starting impeachment proceedings now is trashing Pelosi in particular.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:38 PM on May 29, 2019
Well, "we" certainly haven't, but this is way bigger than Nancy Pelosi, and speaks to the Democratic party strategy as a whole. She's the most visible anti-impeachment voice right now, but that doesn't mean that anyone taking a position for starting impeachment proceedings now is trashing Pelosi in particular.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:38 PM on May 29, 2019
The issue at hand is definitely bigger than the handful of people who purposefully halt progress on its resolution.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:57 PM on May 29, 2019
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:57 PM on May 29, 2019
It's a running joke on politics/polling twitter that the response of every partisan to pretty much any event is "this shows that in order to be successful the Democratic party must adopt my preferred policy positions!". Regardless of event.
It'ssad funny because it's true.
The point being that I'm not sure we've learned anything from 2016. Because the lessons learned depend on who you ask and strongly correlate with their prior beliefs. Leftists will tell you the lesson is we have to move left. Centrists will tell you the lesson is we have to move to the center. Pro-Clinton people will tell you the lesson is that primary candidates like Sanders need to be more careful about their attacks during the primary. Pro-Sanders people will tell you that the establishment needs to stop screwing progressives and putting their thumbs on the scales. Pragmatic incrementalists will tell you the lesson is that we should look towards someone like Biden as the best chance to beat Trump. The system is broken and needs major changes quickly types will tell you that the lesson is we need to look towards someone like Sanders/Warren to excite the base.
That the lesson we should all have learned comports so closely to most people's priors is surely a coincidence. Surely.
posted by Justinian at 3:58 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
It's
The point being that I'm not sure we've learned anything from 2016. Because the lessons learned depend on who you ask and strongly correlate with their prior beliefs. Leftists will tell you the lesson is we have to move left. Centrists will tell you the lesson is we have to move to the center. Pro-Clinton people will tell you the lesson is that primary candidates like Sanders need to be more careful about their attacks during the primary. Pro-Sanders people will tell you that the establishment needs to stop screwing progressives and putting their thumbs on the scales. Pragmatic incrementalists will tell you the lesson is that we should look towards someone like Biden as the best chance to beat Trump. The system is broken and needs major changes quickly types will tell you that the lesson is we need to look towards someone like Sanders/Warren to excite the base.
That the lesson we should all have learned comports so closely to most people's priors is surely a coincidence. Surely.
posted by Justinian at 3:58 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
Paraphrasing Glenn Kirschner on MSNBC:
We need Mueller's testimony before a Congress attempting to investigate high crimes and misdemeanors. And no matter his reluctance, we need Mueller's testimony to be broader than the Special Counsel's former mandate. We need it to be as broad as Congress's mandate, which is as broad as necessary to do the job of Congress: investigating Presidential wrongdoing of any kind, whether prohibited by legislation or merely by the human conscience.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:00 PM on May 29, 2019 [30 favorites]
I'm going to make the controversial assertion that Mueller does not have to testify to Congress. For one, prosecutors do not testify. Judges inform juries around the country that the word of a prosecutor or a defense witness is not evidence. It's the testimony of the witnesses that counts. We don't need Mueller to testify what Don McGahn told him: it's in the report.No. No no no. Mueller is not just a prosecutor. If the crime is obstruction of justice, Mueller is a victim. If the crime is obstruction of justice, Mueller is a crucial eyewitness.
We need Mueller's testimony before a Congress attempting to investigate high crimes and misdemeanors. And no matter his reluctance, we need Mueller's testimony to be broader than the Special Counsel's former mandate. We need it to be as broad as Congress's mandate, which is as broad as necessary to do the job of Congress: investigating Presidential wrongdoing of any kind, whether prohibited by legislation or merely by the human conscience.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:00 PM on May 29, 2019 [30 favorites]
What would Mueller testify to as a witness? All the obstruction WAS IN PLAIN SIGHT. The issue is the decision - which only the House can make whilst Trump is a sitting President - to try him for obstruction.
posted by PhineasGage at 4:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by PhineasGage at 4:03 PM on May 29, 2019 [1 favorite]
All the obstruction WAS IN PLAIN SIGHT.
All the obstruction that was in plain sight was in plain sight.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [33 favorites]
All the obstruction that was in plain sight was in plain sight.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [33 favorites]
The question about whether Mueller should testify or not is sort of irrelevant. People still think Mueller will save us. He has now done all that is possible for him to do.
Sure, call him to testify... as one witness of many in an exhastive impeachment investigation/hearing.
posted by pjenks at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
Sure, call him to testify... as one witness of many in an exhastive impeachment investigation/hearing.
posted by pjenks at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
It's a political game. The point of Mueller testifying would be getting the seriously bad stuff in the report stated succinctly for news soundbites to help sway opinion rather than buried in pages and pages of a document few people have time to read.
posted by Zalzidrax at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Zalzidrax at 4:06 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
And from Trump's corner, here come The Newt:
Muller tried today to have iut boith ways. If he thought President Trumpo was guilty of something he should have said he was guilty of something. Ken Starr used the word guilty 11 times on 11 different counts in his report on President Clinton. If not guilty Trump is innocent.
Spellcheck button still broken
posted by growabrain at 4:14 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
Muller tried today to have iut boith ways. If he thought President Trumpo was guilty of something he should have said he was guilty of something. Ken Starr used the word guilty 11 times on 11 different counts in his report on President Clinton. If not guilty Trump is innocent.
Spellcheck button still broken
posted by growabrain at 4:14 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
It seems clear to me, given the fact that even Fox talking heads seemed to pay attention to the content of Mueller's report once he himself uttered those exact same words with his voice, that there is a very real benefit to having him testify.
The spectacle of Robert Mueller answering simple questions with scripted responses pulled from the language of the report itself is what we, as a nation, appear to require.
I hate that I'm advocating theater when the report is there for any & all to see, but our journalists, our congresspeople, and our citizenry (with notable exceptions) evidently need this in order to take the matter seriously.
I agree with Mueller. His report is his testimony. It should be sufficient. In reality, however- in this reality, it isn't.
Nadler said today: “Given that Special Counsel Mueller was unable to pursue criminal charges against the President, it falls to Congress to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump — and we will do so”
This was manifestly true the day the report was released. Nothing has changed between then and now except that Mueller read a book report of his own book to us from a lectern.
So be it. We must adjust what we do to meet what is needed and not wish it were otherwise.
Subpoena Mueller, even though he will surely die a little more inside as he is forced to participate yet further in this stupid, stupid, stupid crisis we're enduring.
posted by narwhal at 4:27 PM on May 29, 2019 [35 favorites]
The spectacle of Robert Mueller answering simple questions with scripted responses pulled from the language of the report itself is what we, as a nation, appear to require.
I hate that I'm advocating theater when the report is there for any & all to see, but our journalists, our congresspeople, and our citizenry (with notable exceptions) evidently need this in order to take the matter seriously.
I agree with Mueller. His report is his testimony. It should be sufficient. In reality, however- in this reality, it isn't.
Nadler said today: “Given that Special Counsel Mueller was unable to pursue criminal charges against the President, it falls to Congress to respond to the crimes, lies and other wrongdoing of President Trump — and we will do so”
This was manifestly true the day the report was released. Nothing has changed between then and now except that Mueller read a book report of his own book to us from a lectern.
So be it. We must adjust what we do to meet what is needed and not wish it were otherwise.
Subpoena Mueller, even though he will surely die a little more inside as he is forced to participate yet further in this stupid, stupid, stupid crisis we're enduring.
posted by narwhal at 4:27 PM on May 29, 2019 [35 favorites]
Big Al 8000: The House needs to show their cards on this, because once they formally say “We are considering charges against Trump” a lot of his current stonewalling tactics will lose support from the judiciary.
Is there evidence those tactics have any judicial support now? And moreover that judges exist who are currently swayed but would change their mind under the circumstances of formal impeachment? I'm actually curious because my sense is this might not be the case.
Devonian: "We can't do the obviously right thing because it might damage our electability" is how the Republicans turned into slime mold dripping down 45's arse crack.
That is generous to Republicans, who in fact developed that relationship mainly because Trump is everything they've ever dreamed of (and to a lesser degree because he's good at dignity-wraithing). Some of them do pretend it's some agonizing tradeoff between electability and their true preferences, but only because they want to keep getting invited to the various cool kids' tables. In fact it's a win-win for them and thus it's not entirely comparable to the Democrats' present dilemma. (I'll grant it may have applied a few generations ago, back when Republicans were negotiating the degree to which they wanted to play footsie with white supremacists.)
That dilemma, in any case, is totally false. If this were a country that hungered for Joe Biden and despised the I-word as much as Individual-1 fears it, then the maximally correct action for Democrats would be to nominate Biden and forego impeachment. Otherwise you're saying "In order to fulfill our obligation to the principles of justice and decency, Donald Trump must get a second term." But in reality, refusing to have this cake is likelier to prevent the party from also eating it. (That metaphor always bugged me because of the inherent confusion with "have"...)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
Is there evidence those tactics have any judicial support now? And moreover that judges exist who are currently swayed but would change their mind under the circumstances of formal impeachment? I'm actually curious because my sense is this might not be the case.
Devonian: "We can't do the obviously right thing because it might damage our electability" is how the Republicans turned into slime mold dripping down 45's arse crack.
That is generous to Republicans, who in fact developed that relationship mainly because Trump is everything they've ever dreamed of (and to a lesser degree because he's good at dignity-wraithing). Some of them do pretend it's some agonizing tradeoff between electability and their true preferences, but only because they want to keep getting invited to the various cool kids' tables. In fact it's a win-win for them and thus it's not entirely comparable to the Democrats' present dilemma. (I'll grant it may have applied a few generations ago, back when Republicans were negotiating the degree to which they wanted to play footsie with white supremacists.)
That dilemma, in any case, is totally false. If this were a country that hungered for Joe Biden and despised the I-word as much as Individual-1 fears it, then the maximally correct action for Democrats would be to nominate Biden and forego impeachment. Otherwise you're saying "In order to fulfill our obligation to the principles of justice and decency, Donald Trump must get a second term." But in reality, refusing to have this cake is likelier to prevent the party from also eating it. (That metaphor always bugged me because of the inherent confusion with "have"...)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
Why not leave the question open until the support climbs to the point where 16 GOP members of the Senate agree he has to go? A charge of the light brigade has a huge downside for us and very little upside. Months of him hiding things helps. Note also that Dems never voted for impeachment for Nixon. The matter only got to a House Judiciary Committee vote. Why must we immediately go whole hog? If Mueller was not able to find a conspiracy, how will House managers prove it on the Senate floor to the point of convincing the American people?
How do you suppose support for impeachment climbs while Democrats refuse to make the public case? Have you looked at polls prior to the impeachment inquiry into Nixon, vs just before he resigned? How do you suppose those numbers changed? Did people just change their mind on their own because reasons, or did seeing Nixon's crimes paraded on TV for 16 months have something to do with it? And who is talking about taking an immediate vote on impeachment?
For that matter, who is saying impeachment should be limited to only the issue of collusion in part I of the Mueller report?
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [39 favorites]
How do you suppose support for impeachment climbs while Democrats refuse to make the public case? Have you looked at polls prior to the impeachment inquiry into Nixon, vs just before he resigned? How do you suppose those numbers changed? Did people just change their mind on their own because reasons, or did seeing Nixon's crimes paraded on TV for 16 months have something to do with it? And who is talking about taking an immediate vote on impeachment?
For that matter, who is saying impeachment should be limited to only the issue of collusion in part I of the Mueller report?
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:32 PM on May 29, 2019 [39 favorites]
If Trump loses in 2020 the message is the voters will pummel you if you cheat.
If they don’t impeach him... like... the incentive structure right now is that he’ll be prosecuted when he leaves office, he won’t be prosecuted while holding office, and his approval ratings are in the tank and he’s on track to lose reelection.
He’s extremely incentivized to lie, cheat, steal, do anything to win 2020. Maybe jail his opponent. Maybe do something less extreme and bring a recount lawsuit to the Supreme Court. If he uses violence to win the election, there will be no consequences, no one will stop him because a piece of paper in a desk drawer in the OLC says the president can’t be indicted. Impeachment is currently the only thing that can change this situation and bring hard accountability.
I think we’re severely downplaying the power of impeachment and overemphasizing the power of senate conviction.
No president in history has ever been convicted but every president that was impeached has, at least had a permanent asterisk on their legacy and, at most, been considered an outright illegitimate president.
posted by cricketcello at 4:38 PM on May 29, 2019 [45 favorites]
If they don’t impeach him... like... the incentive structure right now is that he’ll be prosecuted when he leaves office, he won’t be prosecuted while holding office, and his approval ratings are in the tank and he’s on track to lose reelection.
He’s extremely incentivized to lie, cheat, steal, do anything to win 2020. Maybe jail his opponent. Maybe do something less extreme and bring a recount lawsuit to the Supreme Court. If he uses violence to win the election, there will be no consequences, no one will stop him because a piece of paper in a desk drawer in the OLC says the president can’t be indicted. Impeachment is currently the only thing that can change this situation and bring hard accountability.
I think we’re severely downplaying the power of impeachment and overemphasizing the power of senate conviction.
No president in history has ever been convicted but every president that was impeached has, at least had a permanent asterisk on their legacy and, at most, been considered an outright illegitimate president.
posted by cricketcello at 4:38 PM on May 29, 2019 [45 favorites]
Rebecca Ballhaus, WSJ:
NEW: The White House wanted the USS John McCain “out of sight” for Trump’s visit to Japan. A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the trip, and sailors—who wear caps bearing the ship’s name—were given the day off for Trump’s visit.
posted by bluecore at 5:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [68 favorites]
NEW: The White House wanted the USS John McCain “out of sight” for Trump’s visit to Japan. A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the trip, and sailors—who wear caps bearing the ship’s name—were given the day off for Trump’s visit.
posted by bluecore at 5:04 PM on May 29, 2019 [68 favorites]
Rick Santorum is on CNN saying that Mueller was unfair because he refused to say Trump was innocent, but was willing to say that he presumed the Russians were innocent.
(... until proven guilty in a court of law.)
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:34 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
(... until proven guilty in a court of law.)
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:34 PM on May 29, 2019 [2 favorites]
The Miami Herald is staying on top of the Mar-a-Lago access scandal: Federal Prosecutors Demand Cindy Yang Records From Mar-A-Lago, Trump Campaign
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
Federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., this week sent subpoenas to Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s private club in Palm Beach, and Trump Victory, a political fundraising committee, demanding they turn over all records relating to Republican Party donor Li “Cindy” Yang and several of her associates and companies, the Miami Herald has learned.[…]At least eight individuals and four companies associated with Yang have been named in the subpoenas.
One subpoena, issued by a federal grand jury in West Palm Beach, compels Mar-a-Lago to turn over all documents, records and communications relating to Yang, as well as 11 other people, one charity and seven companies affiliated with her, according to a person familiar with the investigation who asked for anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe. The people named in that subpoena include Yang’s family members, former employees at her massage parlors and several donors to Trump Victory. Prosecutors were trying to serve the subpoena to Mar-a-Lago through a South Florida law firm, the source said.
The second subpoena, for Trump Victory, was served to attorneys at a Washington, D.C., law firm. It seeks campaign-finance records relating to Yang and her associates.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
To quickly recap some previous discussions of this:
• Nixon's approval plummeted during the impeachment process, and his successor lost the next election.
• Reagan's approval sank during the non-impeachment Iran-Contra investigation, but his successor did win the next election.
• Clinton's approval remained on the same rising trajectory it had before impeachment began, but his successor "lost" the next election.
That's the entirety of the comparable historical evidence we have. Maybe one concludes this is evidence that impeachment-scale hearings do hurt their target a bit, maybe one concludes it doesn't make much of a difference, but it certainly doesn't amount to any general evidence of backfiring. Basically, we don't really know what the public opinion effects would be in either direction, and anyone who believes otherwise is yet again making a type 1 error. So (IMHO) we might as well leave behind the evidence-less pragmatism and do the right thing.
posted by chortly at 6:20 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
• Nixon's approval plummeted during the impeachment process, and his successor lost the next election.
• Reagan's approval sank during the non-impeachment Iran-Contra investigation, but his successor did win the next election.
• Clinton's approval remained on the same rising trajectory it had before impeachment began, but his successor "lost" the next election.
That's the entirety of the comparable historical evidence we have. Maybe one concludes this is evidence that impeachment-scale hearings do hurt their target a bit, maybe one concludes it doesn't make much of a difference, but it certainly doesn't amount to any general evidence of backfiring. Basically, we don't really know what the public opinion effects would be in either direction, and anyone who believes otherwise is yet again making a type 1 error. So (IMHO) we might as well leave behind the evidence-less pragmatism and do the right thing.
posted by chortly at 6:20 PM on May 29, 2019 [34 favorites]
@Taniel:
Is everyone properly celebrating that ≈80,000 people across 2 states regained the right to vote this week? And that in the future thousands more will regain the vote years earlier than they would have otherwise (IF they ever would have)?posted by zachlipton at 7:23 PM on May 29, 2019 [39 favorites]
[...]
To spell something out: This is far beyond what FL did. Amendment 4 was SUPER-important, but it enfranchised *most* people post-sentence (& then the legislature narrowed initiative)
Here, CO & NV legislatures enfranchised *all* people ppl-sentence, AND ppl on probation & parole.
The White House wanted the USS John McCain “out of sight” for Trump’s visit to Japan.
I had no idea that it is named after three generations of McCains with the same first name. If you're going to give someone the button to nuclear weapons, you may as well give it to a mentally stable genius who doesn't hold grudges.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:28 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
I had no idea that it is named after three generations of McCains with the same first name. If you're going to give someone the button to nuclear weapons, you may as well give it to a mentally stable genius who doesn't hold grudges.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:28 PM on May 29, 2019 [19 favorites]
The point of Mueller testifying would be getting the seriously bad stuff in the report stated succinctly for news soundbites to help sway opinion rather than buried in pages and pages of a document few people have time to read.
And that's the crux - we're in Reality TV America, and we have our reality TV president. Evidence of his many, many crimes is voluminous and easy to find. But we don't want to bother.
I totally disagree with whatever plan Pelosi may be running, but one of the reasons is that in a very real, very tangible sense, the only thing that matters is the headline. The ONLY thing that matters. Is the Headline. One of the two party leaders is aware of this.
That's the goal, that's the touchdown, that's the win. Get the Headline. How many corporate news orgs do you have to have to beat Fox? A lot of them. A whole hell of a lot of them. Impeachment proceedings now, get it done.
posted by petebest at 8:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
And that's the crux - we're in Reality TV America, and we have our reality TV president. Evidence of his many, many crimes is voluminous and easy to find. But we don't want to bother.
I totally disagree with whatever plan Pelosi may be running, but one of the reasons is that in a very real, very tangible sense, the only thing that matters is the headline. The ONLY thing that matters. Is the Headline. One of the two party leaders is aware of this.
That's the goal, that's the touchdown, that's the win. Get the Headline. How many corporate news orgs do you have to have to beat Fox? A lot of them. A whole hell of a lot of them. Impeachment proceedings now, get it done.
posted by petebest at 8:02 PM on May 29, 2019 [14 favorites]
Mueller Bows Out: What Does Congress Do Now? (Ben Wittes, Lawfare)
Congress’s current strategy is an incoherent muddle. While individual Democratic leaders may well have their eye on the ball, the aggregate output of disparate committee chairs has reflected no discernable strategy. [...] In other words, fighting over the redactions in the Mueller report is a legal slog; it risks doing institutional damage; and it’s not likely to produce much that’s useful—especially because much of the redacted information is, in any event, available already to congressional leadership.posted by Little Dawn at 8:20 PM on May 29, 2019 [16 favorites]
The better approach, in my view, is to focus on live testimony from witnesses who supplied the material about President Trump’s conduct that Mueller made public in the report—mostly but not exclusively in Volume II. There are a lot of these witnesses. Congress could easily hold weekly hearings that would be riveting television. Who knows? They might even get what the president most values in the world: good ratings. The goal would be to focus public attention on the president’s abuse of the intelligence and law enforcement communities and his individual conduct with respect to Russia. Such hearings could develop new information. They could also enrich our understanding of the existing factual record. They would serve to publicly validate and elucidate Mueller’s findings and, critically, to shift those findings from the voice of Mueller himself to the voice of the president’s closest aides. Perhaps most importantly, they would create a sustained vehicle for focusing on Trump’s conduct—which is, and needs to be, the central issue.
[...] Boiling all of this down, what emerges are a few simple guidepost principles for effective post-Mueller congressional oversight:
* First, don’t focus on piercing the redactions in the report. Take the deal the Justice Department is offering and check out the almost wholly unredacted version on offer.
* Second, focus instead on highlighting the presidential conduct described in the unredacted sections. Congress’s specific role right now is in holding live hearings that put flesh on the dry narrative bones of the Mueller report.
* Third, focus litigation efforts—as the House is already doing—on obliterating the president’s claims that he gets to second-guess the legitimacy of Congress’s legislative purpose and then on establishing that there is no principle of testimonial immunity for White House aides.
* Fourth, defer executive privilege litigation to the extent necessary by agreeing to limit questioning of White House aides to matters specifically covered by the Mueller report. Litigate later, if need be, over additional testimony from these witnesses.
Proceeding in accordance with these principles would give coherence to congressional investigative efforts. It would avoid getting bogged down in the quicksand in which Trump has sought to mire these efforts.
Clinton's approval remained on the same rising trajectory it had before impeachment began, but his successor "lost" the next election.
Everyone knew Clinton was impeached for bullshit reasons and he was 20 points more popular than Trump.
Gore should've tied himself closely to the Clinton administration's accomplishments while making a distinction between them and Clinton's personal conduct. Choosing Clinton scold Joe Lieberman was buying into a narrative he did not have to and should not have. And he still won the popular vote.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
Everyone knew Clinton was impeached for bullshit reasons and he was 20 points more popular than Trump.
Gore should've tied himself closely to the Clinton administration's accomplishments while making a distinction between them and Clinton's personal conduct. Choosing Clinton scold Joe Lieberman was buying into a narrative he did not have to and should not have. And he still won the popular vote.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:35 PM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
Couple of points:
1) These things have to be boiled down to single issue sound-bites. We live in a Twitter/Slack world and if you have more than one point in a message it's all just a buncha blah blah blah. Hearings generate sound-bites, so do that.
2) Concentrating on the Mueller Report and its very circumscribed findings really constrains the discussion. For instance, how about the fact that Trump is all mobbed up? There is kompromat on that guy from a dozen differnt different directions. Any and all of them are impeachable. Election interference is just the tip of the iceberg.
Whether to impeach now, well, eh, I dunno. But to start impeachment inquiries is a no-brainer.
posted by sjswitzer at 8:39 PM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
1) These things have to be boiled down to single issue sound-bites. We live in a Twitter/Slack world and if you have more than one point in a message it's all just a buncha blah blah blah. Hearings generate sound-bites, so do that.
2) Concentrating on the Mueller Report and its very circumscribed findings really constrains the discussion. For instance, how about the fact that Trump is all mobbed up? There is kompromat on that guy from a dozen differnt different directions. Any and all of them are impeachable. Election interference is just the tip of the iceberg.
Whether to impeach now, well, eh, I dunno. But to start impeachment inquiries is a no-brainer.
posted by sjswitzer at 8:39 PM on May 29, 2019 [10 favorites]
I found it concerning that Mueller apparently believes it is unconstitutional to indict the president. No one, outside of Barr and Giuliani, believes that to be true. DOJ policy? Fine. Unconstitutional? No way.
Also, his plea that he not be publicly questioned. Are you kidding me? You just finished an investigation into whether or not the president committed crimes. You don't think people have questions or want clarification? You didn't think this was going to be a part of the job?
Unfortunately, Mueller must be brought to the stand, because he must be made to spell out what he has decided he cannot openly say. Did you define obstruction in your report? Yes. Did you say Trump did x? Yes. Does that meet your definition of obstruction? Yes. Great! Thank you!
And his press briefing has had an impact. Conservative headlines have moved from "No collusion! Trump exonerated!" to "Not innocent?!" which is surely an improvement.
posted by xammerboy at 8:53 PM on May 29, 2019 [37 favorites]
Also, his plea that he not be publicly questioned. Are you kidding me? You just finished an investigation into whether or not the president committed crimes. You don't think people have questions or want clarification? You didn't think this was going to be a part of the job?
Unfortunately, Mueller must be brought to the stand, because he must be made to spell out what he has decided he cannot openly say. Did you define obstruction in your report? Yes. Did you say Trump did x? Yes. Does that meet your definition of obstruction? Yes. Great! Thank you!
And his press briefing has had an impact. Conservative headlines have moved from "No collusion! Trump exonerated!" to "Not innocent?!" which is surely an improvement.
posted by xammerboy at 8:53 PM on May 29, 2019 [37 favorites]
I know that people are highly anxious, desperate, in fact, to predict the future, but can we stop trying to extrapolate the outcome of impeachment from a single-digit data set of highly dissimilar previous examples? It's madness. And it's maddening.
posted by Nerd of the North at 9:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 9:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [25 favorites]
If Mueller's report was a cry for Congress to take up obstruction charges without being able to say as much, then surely his speech today was a cry for Congress to subpoena and put him on the stand. Make him reluctantly and with heavy heart articulate the evidence of obstruction and explain in great detail what standard practice would be were the subject not the President. If he believes his reputation requires him to play the reluctant martyr, so be it: drag him out and "force" him to do what he so clearly wants to be forced to do.
posted by chortly at 9:17 PM on May 29, 2019 [56 favorites]
posted by chortly at 9:17 PM on May 29, 2019 [56 favorites]
can we stop trying to extrapolate the outcome of impeachment from a single-digit data set of highly dissimilar previous examples? It's madness. And it's maddening.
...Agreed, and can we do the same with Presidential elections in general? We've only had 58 total Presidential elections so far and only 45 Presidents. A third of them were elected before slavery was outlawed. Three quarters of them presided over less than 50 states. We've only had five Presidencies in which the World-wide Web existed and only three with social media.
And we're certainly in uncharted territory now. Let's do what's right instead of doing what worked in 1976.
posted by mmoncur at 9:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [43 favorites]
...Agreed, and can we do the same with Presidential elections in general? We've only had 58 total Presidential elections so far and only 45 Presidents. A third of them were elected before slavery was outlawed. Three quarters of them presided over less than 50 states. We've only had five Presidencies in which the World-wide Web existed and only three with social media.
And we're certainly in uncharted territory now. Let's do what's right instead of doing what worked in 1976.
posted by mmoncur at 9:30 PM on May 29, 2019 [43 favorites]
I was hoping to read a comment along the lines of chortly’s. Seems like Mueller is begging Congress to act, including bringing him and colleagues in for testimony. He knows it will have more weight than the written report. That’s why he spoke today.
posted by pmburns222 at 9:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by pmburns222 at 9:56 PM on May 29, 2019 [6 favorites]
I think you're likely constructing a narrative which you want to be true in much the same was as the people who come up with stories about how Speaker Pelosi is actually running a super secret plan to impeach Trump. Mueller is reported to strongly believe he should testify privately. His public words today are that any public testimony will not go beyond what is in his report and that the report is his public testimony. The most straightforward and clear interpretation is to believe what the guy is saying that he wants to testify in private.
The only way to get from "multiple sources report that Mueller wants to testify privately" and "this is my report and I will not go further if made to testify publicly" to "PLEASE MAKE ME TESTIFY PUBLICLY I WANT TO SPILL THE BEANS" is, I think, motivated reasoning.
posted by Justinian at 10:41 PM on May 29, 2019 [20 favorites]
The only way to get from "multiple sources report that Mueller wants to testify privately" and "this is my report and I will not go further if made to testify publicly" to "PLEASE MAKE ME TESTIFY PUBLICLY I WANT TO SPILL THE BEANS" is, I think, motivated reasoning.
posted by Justinian at 10:41 PM on May 29, 2019 [20 favorites]
It’s decorative impeachment season, motherfuckers. As per usual, McSweeney’s is pretty on the money with their appeal to congress.
posted by misterpatrick at 10:43 PM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by misterpatrick at 10:43 PM on May 29, 2019 [27 favorites]
Please, Br'er Pelosi, don't fling me in that brier-patch.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 11:08 PM on May 29, 2019 [4 favorites]
The Mueller Syllogism:
1. If Trump were innocent, we would say so.
2. If Trump is guilty, we will say nothing.
3.
posted by Brachinus at 4:08 AM on May 30, 2019 [36 favorites]
1. If Trump were innocent, we would say so.
2. If Trump is guilty, we will say nothing.
3.
posted by Brachinus at 4:08 AM on May 30, 2019 [36 favorites]
Even though I have been very disappointed by NPR in recent years, I still have them on as background noise in the morning. I have, as of late, noticed that they are being much more likely to push back against the GOP/Trump cabinet people they have on the air. Someone was just interviewing one of Trump's staffers about the Mueller report and ended up making about five re-directs and "well, actually"'s on his statements during the interview, even talking over him at one point to do so ("well, actually not being charged is not the same as being exonerated for something but going on...") It's almost a hopeful sign.
Spotted elsewhere on the Internet - a Facebook acquaintance equated the Mueller report to the mirror of Erised.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:18 AM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Spotted elsewhere on the Internet - a Facebook acquaintance equated the Mueller report to the mirror of Erised.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:18 AM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
It’s decorative impeachment season, motherfuckers. As per usual, McSweeney’s is pretty on the money with their appeal to congress.
This is also good: If Conservatives Talked About Other Issues the Way They Talk About Climate Change
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [14 favorites]
This is also good: If Conservatives Talked About Other Issues the Way They Talk About Climate Change
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [14 favorites]
Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X outvoted older generations in 2018 midterms < Pew Research Center
"Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers all set records for turnout in a midterm election in 2018. Turnout rates increased the most for the Millennial generation, roughly doubling between 2014 and 2018 – from 22% to 42%. Among Generation Z, 30% of those eligible to vote (those ages 18 to 21 in this analysis) turned out in the first midterm election of their adult lives. And for the first time in a midterm election, more than half of Gen Xers reported turning out to vote. While turnout tends to increase with age, every age group also voted at higher rates than in 2014, and the increase was more pronounced among younger adults."
posted by Harry Caul at 4:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [37 favorites]
"Millennials, Gen Xers and Boomers all set records for turnout in a midterm election in 2018. Turnout rates increased the most for the Millennial generation, roughly doubling between 2014 and 2018 – from 22% to 42%. Among Generation Z, 30% of those eligible to vote (those ages 18 to 21 in this analysis) turned out in the first midterm election of their adult lives. And for the first time in a midterm election, more than half of Gen Xers reported turning out to vote. While turnout tends to increase with age, every age group also voted at higher rates than in 2014, and the increase was more pronounced among younger adults."
posted by Harry Caul at 4:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [37 favorites]
Yesterday everyone in the media and politics were talking somberly about the merits and appearance of oversight and impeachment.
Right now the President is throwing a whiny-baby-tantrum on the White House lawn.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:46 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
Right now the President is throwing a whiny-baby-tantrum on the White House lawn.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:46 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
I think you're likely constructing a narrative which you want to be true in much the same was as the people who come up with stories about how Speaker Pelosi is actually running a super secret plan to impeach Trump. Mueller is reported to strongly believe he should testify privately. His public words today are that any public testimony will not go beyond what is in his report and that the report is his public testimony. The most straightforward and clear interpretation is to believe what the guy is saying that he wants to testify in private.
Also a reminder is in order once again that Mueller is both a lifelong Republican and a career law enforcement guy. He will have to be subpoenaed to testify publicly because everything indicates he does not want voluntarily to go against either of his lifelong teams.
SO MAKE IT INVOLUNTARY.
Stop letting people without actual power dictate the terms of their participation in an investigation regarding national security and a possible treasonous attack on the fabric of democracy.
I couldn't care less what Robert Mueller wants. I care 100% about what Robert Mueller knows. Crack that head open in public.
posted by srboisvert at 5:53 AM on May 30, 2019 [42 favorites]
Also a reminder is in order once again that Mueller is both a lifelong Republican and a career law enforcement guy. He will have to be subpoenaed to testify publicly because everything indicates he does not want voluntarily to go against either of his lifelong teams.
SO MAKE IT INVOLUNTARY.
Stop letting people without actual power dictate the terms of their participation in an investigation regarding national security and a possible treasonous attack on the fabric of democracy.
I couldn't care less what Robert Mueller wants. I care 100% about what Robert Mueller knows. Crack that head open in public.
posted by srboisvert at 5:53 AM on May 30, 2019 [42 favorites]
The weird logic here is that if more Americans were, um, readers, as opposed to Fox News viewers -- or even NYT readers! -- then we wouldn't be in a position where the lead author of a long report has to stand in front of a lectern and read verbatim from the assigned text. It's an extended demonstration of "if it's not on television, it didn't happen" and whatever Mueller himself prefers, he's going to have to do some more verbatim reading in front of the cameras.
posted by holgate at 5:54 AM on May 30, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by holgate at 5:54 AM on May 30, 2019 [25 favorites]
Morning tweets:
posted by box at 5:58 AM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
The Greatest Presidential Harassment in history. After spending $40,000,000 over two dark years, with unlimited access, people, resources and cooperation, highly conflicted Robert Mueller would have brought charges, if he had ANYTHING, but there were no charges to bring!Of note: Mueller said explicitly yesterday that he would not have brought charges, Trump admits that Russia helped him to get elected, and 'fighting back,' in this context, means supporting Russian election interference and obstructing justice.
Russia, Russia, Russia! That’s all you heard at the beginning of this Witch Hunt Hoax...And now Russia has disappeared because I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected. It was a crime that didn’t exist. So now the Dems and their partner, the Fake News Media,.....
....say he fought back against this phony crime that didn’t exist, this horrendous false acquisition, and he shouldn’t fight back, he should just sit back and take it. Could this be Obstruction? No, Mueller didn’t find Obstruction either. Presidential Harassment!
posted by box at 5:58 AM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
I had nothing to do with
Russia helping me to get elected.
And as per usual, Trump own-goals in his own defense. He (unintentionally?) acknowledges that Russia did, in fact, help him get elected, whether he had a part in it or not. Which runs counter to his "I was elected because everybody loves me" or "Crooked Hillary was the beneficiary of Russia's meddling, not me" statements.
Not that it matters a whit to his base, but.
false acquisition
I got nothing here. Maybe he means to say false accusation?
posted by Rykey at 6:10 AM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
Russia helping me to get elected.
And as per usual, Trump own-goals in his own defense. He (unintentionally?) acknowledges that Russia did, in fact, help him get elected, whether he had a part in it or not. Which runs counter to his "I was elected because everybody loves me" or "Crooked Hillary was the beneficiary of Russia's meddling, not me" statements.
Not that it matters a whit to his base, but.
false acquisition
I got nothing here. Maybe he means to say false accusation?
posted by Rykey at 6:10 AM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
I'm reluctant about Mueller testifying -- or to be precise, I'm ambivalent on the notion that it matters. And that's precisely because I think impeachment need to happen, and I can foresee multiple ways that his testimony just adds to excuses not to do so, where plowing ahead sans Mueller leaves multiple avenues open.
I can already picture the SNL skit about any public testimony... Their Robert de Niro take on Mueller reads a relatively damning excerpt. House Democrats say "Yes, and? Does that mean we should impeach? It can't look like it comes from us!" He gives an equivocal, "non-political" response. Democrats whisper-yell "Just tell us what to doooo!"
By contrast, the larger organized-crime connections that sjswitzer brought up are right there. Plus, the Epstein and Yang threads really need to be pulled at more, even if high-profile Democrats are caught up in it, as may be the case. And there's always emoluments! Framing the Kremlin stuff as the beginning and end of the president's unfitness is a tactic lending itself to the defenses we see now, that if there was no criminal conspiracy then any obstruction was just "fighting back".
(That said, I do respect the logic of picking one thing and sticking to it -- as it turns out, having every possible flaw has been a small advantage for Individual-1 because it means his opponents lose focus, and meanwhile the public is conditioned to categorize famous people into simple boxes -- "He can't be the corrupt one and the racist one, make up your minds!".)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:14 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
I can already picture the SNL skit about any public testimony... Their Robert de Niro take on Mueller reads a relatively damning excerpt. House Democrats say "Yes, and? Does that mean we should impeach? It can't look like it comes from us!" He gives an equivocal, "non-political" response. Democrats whisper-yell "Just tell us what to doooo!"
By contrast, the larger organized-crime connections that sjswitzer brought up are right there. Plus, the Epstein and Yang threads really need to be pulled at more, even if high-profile Democrats are caught up in it, as may be the case. And there's always emoluments! Framing the Kremlin stuff as the beginning and end of the president's unfitness is a tactic lending itself to the defenses we see now, that if there was no criminal conspiracy then any obstruction was just "fighting back".
(That said, I do respect the logic of picking one thing and sticking to it -- as it turns out, having every possible flaw has been a small advantage for Individual-1 because it means his opponents lose focus, and meanwhile the public is conditioned to categorize famous people into simple boxes -- "He can't be the corrupt one and the racist one, make up your minds!".)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:14 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
"I mean, there was the time I openly asked Russia to hack my electoral opponent on live television, but that was just locker room talk."
posted by delfin at 6:15 AM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by delfin at 6:15 AM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected.
This is notable as the first time Trump has conceded that Russia interfered in the election on his behalf. The media immediately picked up on this, hence his follow-up performance for reporters outside the White House. He's realized he screwed up and is now throwing as much dust into the air to obscure it.
Vox's Aaron Rupar has a thread with video clip highlights:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:24 AM on May 30, 2019 [31 favorites]
This is notable as the first time Trump has conceded that Russia interfered in the election on his behalf. The media immediately picked up on this, hence his follow-up performance for reporters outside the White House. He's realized he screwed up and is now throwing as much dust into the air to obscure it.
Vox's Aaron Rupar has a thread with video clip highlights:
—Trump calls members of Robert Mueller's team "some of the worst human beings on Earth."It's instructive to watch Trump in action here. Although he's clearly angry and scared, he still tries to work the crowd of reporters (shaking the hand of one of them, thanking him for being fair). He even concluded with a long rant about immigration as something to distract the media and his base from Mueller's public statement yesterday.
—Trump flatly denies a tweet he posted just an hour earlier, now claims "Russia did not help me get elected."
—Asked about report that Navy was asked to move a ship named after John McCain during his recent trip to Japan, Trump denies involvement, but goes on to trash John McCain
—TRUMP: "There is nobody -- ever -- been more tough or difficult for Russia than Donald Trump."
—TRUMP: "Some day you ought to read a thing called Article 2. Read Article 2. Which gives the president powers that you wouldn't believe. But I don't even have to rely on Article 2. There was no crime."
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:24 AM on May 30, 2019 [31 favorites]
Yesterday I stayed at my brother's house, and we were home alone. Normally when we are together, our siblings, spouses and children are there, and though it's over several days, we do stuff, eat a lot, and generally have fun. This is the first time for ages I saw my everyday brother. He even worked.
He's a smart person, he thinks about stuff, he earns money, he loves his family. He rides his bike and has fun with his friends. He follows the news very, very superficially. He does not read long form articles in the paper, even as he subscribes to a progressive paper. He sees the news, but then he shifts to sports or movies. In his own words: his vote goes to people who want to tax the rich, but that's where it ends. Policy details are beyond his interests.
This was a long introduction to a short point: Mueller needs to be on the news, not in a report. Normal hard-working good people do not spend time thinking about politics. They are interested, but they prioritize differently.
posted by mumimor at 6:39 AM on May 30, 2019 [57 favorites]
He's a smart person, he thinks about stuff, he earns money, he loves his family. He rides his bike and has fun with his friends. He follows the news very, very superficially. He does not read long form articles in the paper, even as he subscribes to a progressive paper. He sees the news, but then he shifts to sports or movies. In his own words: his vote goes to people who want to tax the rich, but that's where it ends. Policy details are beyond his interests.
This was a long introduction to a short point: Mueller needs to be on the news, not in a report. Normal hard-working good people do not spend time thinking about politics. They are interested, but they prioritize differently.
posted by mumimor at 6:39 AM on May 30, 2019 [57 favorites]
Cool, cool.
Key allies who share intelligence with the United States could soon be dragged into the middle of Attorney General Bill Barr's politically-charged Justice Department review of how the Russia investigation began.posted by chris24 at 6:48 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
President Donald Trump has said he wants Barr to look into the role key intelligence partners, including the United Kingdom and Australia, played in the origins of Russia probe. He has said he could raise the issue with the British Prime Minister Theresa May during his state visit next week and suggested he may ask her about his accusation that Britain spied on his 2016 presidential campaign.
In describing the scope of Barr's mission to declassify and study the pre-election Obama-era intelligence, among several other topics, Trump told reporters, "I hope he looks at the UK and I hope he looks at Australia and I hope he looks at Ukraine."
This is notable as the first time Trump has conceded that Russia interfered in the election on his behalf.
Honestly, I think this is reading a bit more into this than is warranted. It's definitely sloppy syntax from an ignorant, deteriorating mind, but I think idiomatically this isn't the first time I've heard people say "I had nothing to do with Presumedly Counterfactual Thing X" (whether or not Presumedly Counterfactual Thing X was actually a real thing that they may or may not have been involved in).
I loathe speaking in even the mildest defense of this raging asshole, in any way, but I think this may be being interpreted as a psychological slip-up leading to a Gotcha! because we want it to be, when it's really just more verbal diarrhea from someone who couldn't rhetoric his way out of a wet paper sack.
Or maybe I'm just overly cynical and skeptical this morning. We still need to ITMFA.
posted by jammer at 6:51 AM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
Honestly, I think this is reading a bit more into this than is warranted. It's definitely sloppy syntax from an ignorant, deteriorating mind, but I think idiomatically this isn't the first time I've heard people say "I had nothing to do with Presumedly Counterfactual Thing X" (whether or not Presumedly Counterfactual Thing X was actually a real thing that they may or may not have been involved in).
I loathe speaking in even the mildest defense of this raging asshole, in any way, but I think this may be being interpreted as a psychological slip-up leading to a Gotcha! because we want it to be, when it's really just more verbal diarrhea from someone who couldn't rhetoric his way out of a wet paper sack.
Or maybe I'm just overly cynical and skeptical this morning. We still need to ITMFA.
posted by jammer at 6:51 AM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
I think that people in general and perhaps Republicans in particular would believe Mueller saying something happened (even if he were only reading from the report) more than they would if a Congressperson were saying it. I don't think Mueller has the taint of partisanship as much as politicians, and even with Trump's trashing of him I think he would have more influence with the general public. The Democrats read the report out loud, that didn't seem to make any waves in the media at all.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 7:09 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 7:09 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
In addition to his bizarre blustering about Mueller and Russian interference, Trump ranted incoherently about impeachment at length:
The Atlantic's Yoni Applebaum (Impeach Donald Trump) appreciates the dire implications of Trump's ignorance: "I am genuinely alarmed that no one seems to have explained to the president of the United States the basic principles of impeachment as a constitutional mechanism. So here’s a small refresher."
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [34 favorites]
Aaron Rupar: Trump reveals he has absolutely no clue how impeachment works, says, "I can't imagine the courts allowing it." (The courts have nothing to do with impeachment, which is the domain of Congress.)* Note that psychologically, people with a conservative mindset react more strongly than the liberal-minded to terms connoting sickness and disgust. Trump is also implying that anyone who uses this shibboleth is dirty, filthy, and disgusting, too.
ABC News Politics (w/video): "I don't see how. They can because they're possibly allowed ... I can't imagine the courts allowing it," Trump says when asked if he will be impeached.
"To me, it's a dirty word, the word 'impeach.' It's a dirty, filthy, disgusting word*," he adds
The Atlantic's Yoni Applebaum (Impeach Donald Trump) appreciates the dire implications of Trump's ignorance: "I am genuinely alarmed that no one seems to have explained to the president of the United States the basic principles of impeachment as a constitutional mechanism. So here’s a small refresher."
—The president “can’t imagine the courts allowing it.” But the Framers quite deliberately vested the power of impeachment in the House, and of trial in the Senate. “The courts” have no role to play here whatsoever.As a legal strategy, Trump might as well be citing Moon Law. As propaganda to confuse and demoralize the American public, this bafflegab might be his only recourse.
—The president says, "It's high crimes AND misdemeanors, not high crimes OR misdemeanors.” Which is true! But it’s not a dual requirement, it’s an eighteenth-century legal term of art.
—He insists “there was no high crime, and there was no misdemeanor.” But not all impeachable offenses are statutory crimes; not all statutory crimes are impeachable offenses. The president is making a basic category error here.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [34 favorites]
I loathe speaking in even the mildest defense of this raging asshole, in any way, but I think this may be being interpreted as a psychological slip-up leading to a Gotcha! because we want it to be, when it's really just more verbal diarrhea from someone who couldn't rhetoric his way out of a wet paper sack.
Why did he delete it, then?
posted by Etrigan at 7:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Why did he delete it, then?
posted by Etrigan at 7:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
This all makes me think about the Pelosi 'self-impeachment' line, which is that he's losing his shit / decompensating in this middle state of being obviously impeachable but not-yet-facing-impeachment, and that it's actually more reassuring for a narcissist to be confronted than to have a confrontation left hanging. But that's a big fucking gamble.
posted by holgate at 7:25 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by holgate at 7:25 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Why did he delete it, then?
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
posted by Harry Caul at 7:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
posted by Harry Caul at 7:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Why did he delete it, then?
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
Looks like he did delete it (all the coverage I saw on Twitter was "He deleted it, but here's a screenshot"), but then reposted it, perhaps to thread?
posted by Etrigan at 7:29 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
Looks like he did delete it (all the coverage I saw on Twitter was "He deleted it, but here's a screenshot"), but then reposted it, perhaps to thread?
posted by Etrigan at 7:29 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Rufous-headed Towhee heehee: I don't think Mueller has the taint of partisanship as much as politicians, and even with Trump's trashing of him I think he would have more influence with the general public.
The problem is that Mueller is like the somewhat-in-denial family member of an alcoholic. His preferred outcome is that the person get treatment, but the last thing he wants is to confront that person, or anyone else. Instead, he figures, it simply can't go on like this. They'll hit rock bottom on their own and that will make them see reason. I don't have to make any waves.
Lots of people envisioned him as stepping in and saving the republic; he envisions the same thing, with a disembodied Someone Else instead of himself. There was a surprising shakiness in his voice yesterday. So I don't know what happens if he's asked to read from the report on television and what the impact is, because he's going to be scared of the idea that he is the one who makes the impact.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
The problem is that Mueller is like the somewhat-in-denial family member of an alcoholic. His preferred outcome is that the person get treatment, but the last thing he wants is to confront that person, or anyone else. Instead, he figures, it simply can't go on like this. They'll hit rock bottom on their own and that will make them see reason. I don't have to make any waves.
Lots of people envisioned him as stepping in and saving the republic; he envisions the same thing, with a disembodied Someone Else instead of himself. There was a surprising shakiness in his voice yesterday. So I don't know what happens if he's asked to read from the report on television and what the impact is, because he's going to be scared of the idea that he is the one who makes the impact.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
Potential answers to to burning questions:
1. Why does Pelosi not want to start Impeachment hearings?
She may fear that it will be difficult to sustain for a year and a half, and wants to wait to start until there are exactly as many months left to the election as it will take to complete the hearings. What that time frame might be is open to question, of course. This strategy would not work if she openly admitted it.
2. Why does Mueller want to testify on private?
He might feel free to speculate, to advise on how to dig for more dirt than his constraints allowed, and to give details that he distrusts giving publicly for perception reasons. The House could invite him to testify in private, and if unsatisfied with his testimony, subpoena him to testify publicly.
posted by Mental Wimp at 7:43 AM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
1. Why does Pelosi not want to start Impeachment hearings?
She may fear that it will be difficult to sustain for a year and a half, and wants to wait to start until there are exactly as many months left to the election as it will take to complete the hearings. What that time frame might be is open to question, of course. This strategy would not work if she openly admitted it.
2. Why does Mueller want to testify on private?
He might feel free to speculate, to advise on how to dig for more dirt than his constraints allowed, and to give details that he distrusts giving publicly for perception reasons. The House could invite him to testify in private, and if unsatisfied with his testimony, subpoena him to testify publicly.
posted by Mental Wimp at 7:43 AM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
Why did he delete it, then?
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
Looks like he did delete it (all the coverage I saw on Twitter was "He deleted it, but here's a screenshot"), but then reposted it, perhaps to thread?
The deletion/republishing has been attributed to removing the typo/brain shart that was "false acquisition" and replacing it with "false accusation"
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
That tweet doesn't seem to have been deleted, it's still up for 2 hrs now. Unless there's something else about how Twitter works I don't understand.
Looks like he did delete it (all the coverage I saw on Twitter was "He deleted it, but here's a screenshot"), but then reposted it, perhaps to thread?
The deletion/republishing has been attributed to removing the typo/brain shart that was "false acquisition" and replacing it with "false accusation"
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
Trump thinks the courts might save him from impeachment. It doesn’t work like that. (Aaron Rupar, Vox)
The president is profoundly confused about the Constitution.posted by ZeusHumms at 7:49 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
I'm surprised how many smart people on Twitter think Trump's "I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected" is a game changer. It's going to be out of the news tomorrow. His spokespeople will explain "what he really meant," and we'll be talking about whatever crazy thing he's saying or doing as I'm typing this.
posted by diogenes at 8:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 8:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
scalefree: DOE now calling natural gas “freedom gas.” Not a joke.
US energy department rebrands fossil fuels as 'molecules of freedom' -- Press release from department said increasing export capacity is ‘critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world’ ( Luke O'Neil for The Guardian, 29 May 2019)
Anyway, while everyone focuses on the "freedom gas" and "molecules of freedom" bits, no one seems to be covering the fact that the company said it would be the fifth-largest producer of LNG globally, and DOE recently approved the new plant for exports (Marissa Luck for Houston Chronicle, May 29, 2019). This does nothing for US energy security, so it's like the DOE is issuing a press release for a US company exporting coal overseas. Except this is "clean energy." Except it's not all that clean, if you look at the lifecycle costs (Reuters, 2011):
posted by filthy light thief at 8:17 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
US energy department rebrands fossil fuels as 'molecules of freedom' -- Press release from department said increasing export capacity is ‘critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world’ ( Luke O'Neil for The Guardian, 29 May 2019)
Mark W Menezes, the US undersecretary of energy, bestowed a peculiar honorific on our continent’s natural resources, dubbing it “freedom gas” in a release touting the DoE’s approval of increased exports of natural gas produced by a Freeport LNG terminal off the coast of Texas.Tastes great with a side of Freedom Fries (Wikipedia). Trolling the libs, or just a super patriot (pic of Mad Magazine page from 1968, which reminds us that self-proclaimed PATRIOTS are still as scared of Those Others as they are today).
“Increasing export capacity from the Freeport LNG project is critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world by giving America’s allies a diverse and affordable source of clean energy,” he said.
Anyway, while everyone focuses on the "freedom gas" and "molecules of freedom" bits, no one seems to be covering the fact that the company said it would be the fifth-largest producer of LNG globally, and DOE recently approved the new plant for exports (Marissa Luck for Houston Chronicle, May 29, 2019). This does nothing for US energy security, so it's like the DOE is issuing a press release for a US company exporting coal overseas. Except this is "clean energy." Except it's not all that clean, if you look at the lifecycle costs (Reuters, 2011):
Burning LNG in power plants produces roughly 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared with black coal. This is based on a series of studies that compared the total lifecycle emissions of both fuels based on extraction, production, shipping and burning in power plants overseas.So yeah, DOE press release for US product shipping overseas, supporting increased global emissions. Can you smell that freedom?
posted by filthy light thief at 8:17 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
The president is profoundly confused about the Constitution.
Trump was in full-on sales mode this morning. What he was selling is the idea that the impeachment process depends on an imaginary checklist that is impossible to satisfy. He was making the process, if and when it happens, feel arbitrary, illegitimate, and repulsive to the people who pay attention to what he says. Aaron Rupar isn't new at this, he should know that Trump wasn't expressing confusion, he was creating confusion.
posted by peeedro at 8:21 AM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
Trump was in full-on sales mode this morning. What he was selling is the idea that the impeachment process depends on an imaginary checklist that is impossible to satisfy. He was making the process, if and when it happens, feel arbitrary, illegitimate, and repulsive to the people who pay attention to what he says. Aaron Rupar isn't new at this, he should know that Trump wasn't expressing confusion, he was creating confusion.
posted by peeedro at 8:21 AM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
We now have conclusive proof regarding why the administration sought to put the citizenship question on the census: (nyt)
Holy shit. It's not often you see an actual smoking gun memo. I think this might make the citizenship question a bridge too far for Roberts, who generally prefers that conservative policies have a veneer of respectability or at least the fig leaf of proper procedure.
Also, please let this be the first of many family members of Republican operatives going public with the ugly truth behind their policy goals.
posted by jedicus at 8:25 AM on May 30, 2019 [55 favorites]
Holy shit. It's not often you see an actual smoking gun memo. I think this might make the citizenship question a bridge too far for Roberts, who generally prefers that conservative policies have a veneer of respectability or at least the fig leaf of proper procedure.
Also, please let this be the first of many family members of Republican operatives going public with the ugly truth behind their policy goals.
posted by jedicus at 8:25 AM on May 30, 2019 [55 favorites]
> The president is profoundly confused about the Constitution.
> TRUMP: "Some day you ought to read a thing called Article 2. Read Article 2. Which gives the president powers that you wouldn't believe.
I wonder if he has any idea at all about what's in Article 1, and how he would feel if someone told him what was in there.
> TRUMP: "Some day you ought to read a thing called Article 2. Read Article 2. Which gives the president powers that you wouldn't believe.
I wonder if he has any idea at all about what's in Article 1, and how he would feel if someone told him what was in there.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.posted by RedOrGreen at 8:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
I'm surprised how many smart people on Twitter think Trump's "I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected" is a game changer. It's going to be out of the news tomorrow. His spokespeople will explain "what he really meant," and we'll be talking about whatever crazy thing he's saying or doing as I'm typing this.
A lot of people have been saying all along that the argument was going to "evolve" something like: "There was no communication with Russia!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia, but not by important people!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people, but it wasn't about interference in the election!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people about interference in the election, but not by Trump himself!" --> "Okay, Trump did it, but he didn't know it was a crime" --> "Okay, he knew it was a crime, but...", ad infinitum. This is another thing that changes the game. It doesn't end the game, but it means the Overton Window is moving, just a little.
posted by Etrigan at 8:29 AM on May 30, 2019 [19 favorites]
A lot of people have been saying all along that the argument was going to "evolve" something like: "There was no communication with Russia!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia, but not by important people!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people, but it wasn't about interference in the election!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people about interference in the election, but not by Trump himself!" --> "Okay, Trump did it, but he didn't know it was a crime" --> "Okay, he knew it was a crime, but...", ad infinitum. This is another thing that changes the game. It doesn't end the game, but it means the Overton Window is moving, just a little.
posted by Etrigan at 8:29 AM on May 30, 2019 [19 favorites]
Holy shit. It's not often you see an actual smoking gun memo. I think this might make the citizenship question a bridge too far for Roberts, who generally prefers that conservative policies have a veneer of respectability or at least the fig leaf of proper procedure.
Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. In Shelby, there was evidence that lawmakers from at least one state used explicitly racist language when discussing voter suppression laws, and he still ended up leading the charge in gutting the VRA.
Don't count on Roberts to make the right decision, especially when it can be used to disenfranchise voters, and doubly so when those voters are PoC.
posted by zombieflanders at 8:33 AM on May 30, 2019 [19 favorites]
Eh, I wouldn't be so sure. In Shelby, there was evidence that lawmakers from at least one state used explicitly racist language when discussing voter suppression laws, and he still ended up leading the charge in gutting the VRA.
Don't count on Roberts to make the right decision, especially when it can be used to disenfranchise voters, and doubly so when those voters are PoC.
posted by zombieflanders at 8:33 AM on May 30, 2019 [19 favorites]
Let's do the time warp, but this time with Barr lying to, or at least misleading, Congress:
In Mueller’s telling, a Justice Department policy that a sitting president cannot be indicted guided his investigation and informed his decision not to reach a conclusion about whether Trump obstructed justice.posted by Little Dawn at 8:34 AM on May 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
[...] “Special counsel Mueller stated three times to us … that he emphatically was not saying that but for the OLC opinion he would have found obstruction,” Barr told a Senate panel in early May.
Concentrating on the Mueller Report and its very circumscribed findings really constrains the discussion. For instance, how about the fact that Trump is all mobbed up? [...] Election interference is just the tip of the iceberg.
Agreed and this is the strategy I would like to see the Democrats pursue in the near term, not rushing for an impeachment hearing based on the election interference / Russia angle alone. Sure, I think that's more than enough for impeachment, but the American public doesn't seem to agree, and there's no way it'll generate enough public pressure to get the required number of Republicans to cave.
But broadening the scope of the Congressional inquiries from pure election interference to more general questions about the President's vulnerability to influence, via the Trump Organization and other business dealings, compromising personal conduct, etc., could be an amazing shitshow, in the best possible way. Trump will claim it's a witch hunt, but of course he already does that to literally everything; he doesn't have much dry powder there.
In particular I think there is a key voting demographic who are supportive of Trump but likely to be disgusted by his personal conduct, and the more airtime that's focused on the depths of his debauchery and immorality, the more you can peel off those voters. Not in the sense of actually flipping them to Ds, but if you keep beating the drum that Trump is pretty much literally the Antichrist, they might just decide to stay home in November '20. And that's a win: every pro-life Evangelical who just gets disgusted with politics and keeps their god-bothering ass indoors is a victory for the forces of secular civilization. So let's get cracking on those pee tapes and condomless porn-star sex; the media—even Fox—will never be able to resist giving that saturation (snicker) coverage.
And to anticipate a likely response: no, I don't think that this is just more of the same, and no, I don't think that every potential Trump voter already knows this and has decided to go Trump uber alles. Again, we're not trying to convince anyone to go pull the other lever come Election Day; it's just about instilling fatigue in Trumpistan, of producing enough sex/lies/tape to keep the media 100% focused on how much of a shitbag he is, of making that the entire public narrative about him, and getting as many of his supporters to just stay the fuck home.
It might also drive him totally insane, too.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:39 AM on May 30, 2019 [20 favorites]
Agreed and this is the strategy I would like to see the Democrats pursue in the near term, not rushing for an impeachment hearing based on the election interference / Russia angle alone. Sure, I think that's more than enough for impeachment, but the American public doesn't seem to agree, and there's no way it'll generate enough public pressure to get the required number of Republicans to cave.
But broadening the scope of the Congressional inquiries from pure election interference to more general questions about the President's vulnerability to influence, via the Trump Organization and other business dealings, compromising personal conduct, etc., could be an amazing shitshow, in the best possible way. Trump will claim it's a witch hunt, but of course he already does that to literally everything; he doesn't have much dry powder there.
In particular I think there is a key voting demographic who are supportive of Trump but likely to be disgusted by his personal conduct, and the more airtime that's focused on the depths of his debauchery and immorality, the more you can peel off those voters. Not in the sense of actually flipping them to Ds, but if you keep beating the drum that Trump is pretty much literally the Antichrist, they might just decide to stay home in November '20. And that's a win: every pro-life Evangelical who just gets disgusted with politics and keeps their god-bothering ass indoors is a victory for the forces of secular civilization. So let's get cracking on those pee tapes and condomless porn-star sex; the media—even Fox—will never be able to resist giving that saturation (snicker) coverage.
And to anticipate a likely response: no, I don't think that this is just more of the same, and no, I don't think that every potential Trump voter already knows this and has decided to go Trump uber alles. Again, we're not trying to convince anyone to go pull the other lever come Election Day; it's just about instilling fatigue in Trumpistan, of producing enough sex/lies/tape to keep the media 100% focused on how much of a shitbag he is, of making that the entire public narrative about him, and getting as many of his supporters to just stay the fuck home.
It might also drive him totally insane, too.
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:39 AM on May 30, 2019 [20 favorites]
Conservatives Stunned by Mueller Suggesting Trump Is Not Innocent (NYTMag)
What so vexed the right about Mueller’s curt affirmation of his previous conclusions? The answer, as we’ll see, seems to be that they believed their own propaganda about what Mueller had (and had not) found. Presented even briefly with reality, their minds have reeled in shock.
The preface is what Mueller believes; that he was never going to charge Trump with a crime. Further, that the role of SCO was to provide all the evidence for Congresss to decide that. To be fair - I don't think any of us were aware that Mueller was never going to charge Trump (and: *bonus opinion unlocked!* that's bullshit, yo. But he gave his bullshit reasons so whatevs).
By all indications, the conservative intelligentsia has failed to read the report and believes the misleading spin emanating from the president and his loyal attorney general. Shortly after Mueller finished speaking, National Review’s Charles C.W. Cooke complained, “Investigators are supposed to look for evidence that a crime was committed, and, if they don’t find enough to contend that a crime was committed, they are supposed to say ‘We didn’t find enough to contend that a crime was committed’ … If a person doesn’t have enough evidence that someone committed a crime to contend that a crime was committed, he is obliged to presume his innocence.”
Of course. But the explanation for this apparent paradox, which apparently hasn’t crossed Cooke’s mind, is that Mueller does have evidence that Trump committed crimes. Pages and pages and pages of evidence, in fact.
Following are several examples of the leading conservative lights of Turmplandia and their apparent befuddled amazeballment. Next up: Everyone's favorite Dersh!
Dershowitz proceeds from his confusion to complain that Mueller’s insinuation that Trump committed high crimes could only be resolved through “a full adversarial trial with a zealous defense attorney, vigorous cross-examination, exclusionary rules of evidence, and other due process safeguards.” That process is called impeachment.
Dershowitz is describing the reason why Mueller is leaving the decision to prosecute the crimes he discovered to Congress. Because Dershowitz cannot surrender his belief in Trump’s innocence, he sees Mueller as carrying out an unfathomable Kafkaesque travesty, rather than a straightforward application of the system of processing presidential crimes.
All-in-all a good article to a) Get outside the MeFi bubble and virtually visit the vipers' dens of DeepTrump srs people who are srsly thinking Trump's great, b) a breakdown of why these supposedly intelligent people would get to this point three years in and not have a clue as to what Trump-Russia is about, and c) a preview of the many, many, many people who will appear after one of several things happen to state, apparently truthfully, that they had no idea Trump was so bad.
All of them are stinging indictments of America, but hey. We yam who we yam.
posted by petebest at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [25 favorites]
What so vexed the right about Mueller’s curt affirmation of his previous conclusions? The answer, as we’ll see, seems to be that they believed their own propaganda about what Mueller had (and had not) found. Presented even briefly with reality, their minds have reeled in shock.
The preface is what Mueller believes; that he was never going to charge Trump with a crime. Further, that the role of SCO was to provide all the evidence for Congresss to decide that. To be fair - I don't think any of us were aware that Mueller was never going to charge Trump (and: *bonus opinion unlocked!* that's bullshit, yo. But he gave his bullshit reasons so whatevs).
By all indications, the conservative intelligentsia has failed to read the report and believes the misleading spin emanating from the president and his loyal attorney general. Shortly after Mueller finished speaking, National Review’s Charles C.W. Cooke complained, “Investigators are supposed to look for evidence that a crime was committed, and, if they don’t find enough to contend that a crime was committed, they are supposed to say ‘We didn’t find enough to contend that a crime was committed’ … If a person doesn’t have enough evidence that someone committed a crime to contend that a crime was committed, he is obliged to presume his innocence.”
Of course. But the explanation for this apparent paradox, which apparently hasn’t crossed Cooke’s mind, is that Mueller does have evidence that Trump committed crimes. Pages and pages and pages of evidence, in fact.
Following are several examples of the leading conservative lights of Turmplandia and their apparent befuddled amazeballment. Next up: Everyone's favorite Dersh!
Dershowitz proceeds from his confusion to complain that Mueller’s insinuation that Trump committed high crimes could only be resolved through “a full adversarial trial with a zealous defense attorney, vigorous cross-examination, exclusionary rules of evidence, and other due process safeguards.” That process is called impeachment.
Dershowitz is describing the reason why Mueller is leaving the decision to prosecute the crimes he discovered to Congress. Because Dershowitz cannot surrender his belief in Trump’s innocence, he sees Mueller as carrying out an unfathomable Kafkaesque travesty, rather than a straightforward application of the system of processing presidential crimes.
All-in-all a good article to a) Get outside the MeFi bubble and virtually visit the vipers' dens of DeepTrump srs people who are srsly thinking Trump's great, b) a breakdown of why these supposedly intelligent people would get to this point three years in and not have a clue as to what Trump-Russia is about, and c) a preview of the many, many, many people who will appear after one of several things happen to state, apparently truthfully, that they had no idea Trump was so bad.
All of them are stinging indictments of America, but hey. We yam who we yam.
posted by petebest at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [25 favorites]
Mueller simply must testify - as of about 10 minutes ago i would have been happy to have him literally read from his report but now i think even he would have to admit that the report alone is insufficient to satisfy congressional oversight:
@realdonaldtrump: Robert Mueller came to the Oval Office (along with other potential candidates) seeking to be named the Director of the FBI. He had already been in that position for 12 years, I told him NO. The next day he was named Special Counsel - A total Conflict of Interest. NICE!
That part wasnt addressed in the report, right?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
@realdonaldtrump: Robert Mueller came to the Oval Office (along with other potential candidates) seeking to be named the Director of the FBI. He had already been in that position for 12 years, I told him NO. The next day he was named Special Counsel - A total Conflict of Interest. NICE!
That part wasnt addressed in the report, right?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
Yeah Bannon told Trump to tell him "no" because he knew Meuller was a no nonsense guy who would not bend to Trump's corruption and would probably crack open the Russia thing to boot.
Remember back when competent evil versus demented asshole was a talking point? Man, it seems like it was 50 years ago.
posted by petebest at 8:52 AM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
Remember back when competent evil versus demented asshole was a talking point? Man, it seems like it was 50 years ago.
posted by petebest at 8:52 AM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
it's just about instilling fatigue in Trumpistan, of producing enough sex/lies/tape to keep the media 100% focused on how much of a shitbag he is
Honestly I don't have any idea why this hasn't been the ongoing narrative already. It isn't even like there was any need for new info to do this, Trump's been a scumbag his whole life and there've been reports showing this since at least the 80's. Keep bringing up every scummy thing he's done loudly and repeatedly and make him deny it, since you know he'll take the bait. Just go after him non-stop until people are sick of hearing his name. That's what the Republicans did to Hillary when there wasn't much other than her being a woman and a Clinton to go on while Trump has a full history of scandal and corruption. I mean Biden ain't gonna do that since he's busy chasing centrist unicorns, but that shouldn't stop others from doing it.
posted by gusottertrout at 8:54 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
Honestly I don't have any idea why this hasn't been the ongoing narrative already. It isn't even like there was any need for new info to do this, Trump's been a scumbag his whole life and there've been reports showing this since at least the 80's. Keep bringing up every scummy thing he's done loudly and repeatedly and make him deny it, since you know he'll take the bait. Just go after him non-stop until people are sick of hearing his name. That's what the Republicans did to Hillary when there wasn't much other than her being a woman and a Clinton to go on while Trump has a full history of scandal and corruption. I mean Biden ain't gonna do that since he's busy chasing centrist unicorns, but that shouldn't stop others from doing it.
posted by gusottertrout at 8:54 AM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
we'll be talking about whatever crazy thing he's saying or doing as I'm typing this.
Trump will be delivering graduation remarks later today to the US Airforce Academy. It's a safe bet they'll be nuttier than a squirrel's breakfast.
As for how Trump takes advantage of the 24-hour newsvortex, the New Republic interviewed veteran Washington Post editor Barry Sussman about this: The Watergate Editor on How Trump “Leads the Press Around by the Nose” (TNR)
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:55 AM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
Trump will be delivering graduation remarks later today to the US Airforce Academy. It's a safe bet they'll be nuttier than a squirrel's breakfast.
As for how Trump takes advantage of the 24-hour newsvortex, the New Republic interviewed veteran Washington Post editor Barry Sussman about this: The Watergate Editor on How Trump “Leads the Press Around by the Nose” (TNR)
The problem is the media have allowed Trump to set the agenda. When he changes the subject, they change the subject. They follow him wherever he goes. He leads the press around by the nose. That was even true on the Russia investigation. How many weeks did we go, months, where there were front-page stories questioning whether Trump would even testify? Imbeciles like Giuliani were getting press attention as though they had something to say, when all they were doing was trying to stretch things out and humiliate the press. That’s my main difficulty, not only with the Russia investigation but with everything else.[…]In addition, Sussman is naturally a first-rate expert on Nixon's downfall and perceptively contrasts his case with Trump's as far as how impeachment really played out.
[T]he press doesn’t stay with the story long enough. It’s again a case of them being led around by the nose by Trump. If his taxes show the kind of fraud that some people think could be there, and the press writes about it, that’s not a one-day story. That’s not a two-day story. It’s a story that they have to get into, dig deep, and actually it’s dealt with properly, incrementally.
If they write what they find and keep finding more, then Trump won’t be able to change the subject and it will take effect.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:55 AM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
New Hampshire has just abolished the death penalty, 21st state to do so.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [69 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:57 AM on May 30, 2019 [69 favorites]
A lot of people have been saying all along that the argument was going to "evolve" something like: "There was no communication with Russia!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia, but not by important people!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people, but it wasn't about interference in the election!" --> "Okay, there was communication with Russia by important people about interference in the election, but not by Trump himself!" --> "Okay, Trump did it, but he didn't know it was a crime" --> "Okay, he knew it was a crime, but...", ad infinitum. This is another thing that changes the game. It doesn't end the game, but it means the Overton Window is moving, just a little.
We are about two and a half weeks away from Trump patiently explaining "Crazy Nancy and her Angry Democrats are not legally allowed to impeach me, because the gold fringe on the flag in the House of Representatives indicates that their only jurisdiction is over ADMIRALTY law" to a gaggle of bemused reporters.
posted by delfin at 9:00 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
We are about two and a half weeks away from Trump patiently explaining "Crazy Nancy and her Angry Democrats are not legally allowed to impeach me, because the gold fringe on the flag in the House of Representatives indicates that their only jurisdiction is over ADMIRALTY law" to a gaggle of bemused reporters.
posted by delfin at 9:00 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
Julian Assange is not doing well in prison ("WikiLeaks' Assange too ill to appear via video link in U.S. extradition hearing", Reuters)
“He’s in fact far from well,” Assange’s lawyer, Gareth Peirce told Westminster Magistrates’ Court. She earlier told Reuters he was too ill to attend the hearing by videolink.
Judge Emma Arbuthnot, who was presiding over the case, added: “He’s not very well.”
... Britain’s Ministry of Justice said it could not comment on individual prisoners. However, a government source said that although Assange was on the prison’s health wing, he was eating normally and was receiving the same diet as other inmates.
And in related news, Federal judge Emmet Sullivan who is trying the Michael Flynn case has given a deadline of tomorrow for the DoJ to hand over redacted parts of the Mueller report relating to Flynn. Wheeeee.
posted by petebest at 9:08 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
“He’s in fact far from well,” Assange’s lawyer, Gareth Peirce told Westminster Magistrates’ Court. She earlier told Reuters he was too ill to attend the hearing by videolink.
Judge Emma Arbuthnot, who was presiding over the case, added: “He’s not very well.”
... Britain’s Ministry of Justice said it could not comment on individual prisoners. However, a government source said that although Assange was on the prison’s health wing, he was eating normally and was receiving the same diet as other inmates.
And in related news, Federal judge Emmet Sullivan who is trying the Michael Flynn case has given a deadline of tomorrow for the DoJ to hand over redacted parts of the Mueller report relating to Flynn. Wheeeee.
posted by petebest at 9:08 AM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
Tom Scocca: Nobody Knows What’s Going to Happen
It’s true, and important to remember, that individual pieces of the Trump situation have happened before. The George W. Bush administration’s effort to bring about the invasion of Iraq was as thorough a set of lies as anything Trump has said, and the death toll from it was considerably higher; Iran-Contra was an unambiguous conspiracy with foreign powers to flagrantly break the law; Ronald Reagan occupied the office in a state of mental decline that left him unable to separate fact from fiction; John F. Kennedy appointed his own brother as Attorney General; Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon was a more blatant and destructive abuse of presidential power than any of the obstructions Trump has come up with so far.posted by tonycpsu at 9:29 AM on May 30, 2019 [46 favorites]
But false cynicism is just another form of false innocence now. No other president has ever combined this full suite of features—endless partisan antagonism, an anti-majoritarian base, mental decline, functional incompetence, financial corruption, personal corruption, misuse of authority, nepotism, constant lying—with the powers of the modern imperial presidency, a disciplined and purely factional party, and committed mass-media propaganda operations to back them up. Even Nixon tried to do his scheming behind closed doors, with a sense that the system would turn against him if it witnessed his worst. Trump assumes his own impunity, and defies the system to do anything about it.
And the system, as written and ratified, says that the thing to do is impeachment. This is why impeachment exists. If you believe impeachment can’t work, why would you believe anything else could?
Thursday morning blackmail edition. Hartford Courant, Lembo says threat by Cigna CEO to leave Connecticut kills public option health legislation, though insurer denies ‘anything like that’, in which Connecticut's public option bill is dead and the state's Comptroller says Cigna threatened to move their headquarters out of the state if the legislature passed it.
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on May 30, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on May 30, 2019 [12 favorites]
Here are the reactions to Mueller's statement from the top Dem primary candidates:
Fortune has published an up-to-date guide—Trump Impeachment: Where 2020 Democratic Candidates Stand
Here are some more responses from the second-tier candidates:
CNN, this morning (w/video): Presidential candidate John Hickenlooper: “I think we have to begin an impeachment inquiry ... I think it’d be crazy not to do it, to be quite honest. We have to go out and try to get the facts”
Julián Castro, with video of his MSNBC appearance yesterday: Congress has a constitutional duty to hold Donald Trump accountable if he broke the law. Robert Mueller's report made it abundantly clear: the ball is now in Congress's court—it's time to begin impeachment proceedings.
Beto O'Rourke, also with video of his MSNBC appearance yesterday: For more than a year, I have said I would vote to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. Today's statement by Special Counsel Robert Mueller only added to the urgency. Congress must act.
Kirsten Galliband started a petition: Robert Mueller made himself clear: He expects Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to finish what he couldn't. We need to begin impeachment hearings. Add your name if you agree
Joe Biden: {crickets}
Still—his spox's wishwashy statement doesn't count. Maybe he genuinely believes in running a national unity campaign that can't afford to support impeachment hearings. If so, he's listening to readers of The Federalist, not Democrats (70% of whom favor impeachment according to a May 1st NPR/PBS/Marist poll).
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
Fortune has published an up-to-date guide—Trump Impeachment: Where 2020 Democratic Candidates Stand
Here are some more responses from the second-tier candidates:
CNN, this morning (w/video): Presidential candidate John Hickenlooper: “I think we have to begin an impeachment inquiry ... I think it’d be crazy not to do it, to be quite honest. We have to go out and try to get the facts”
Julián Castro, with video of his MSNBC appearance yesterday: Congress has a constitutional duty to hold Donald Trump accountable if he broke the law. Robert Mueller's report made it abundantly clear: the ball is now in Congress's court—it's time to begin impeachment proceedings.
Beto O'Rourke, also with video of his MSNBC appearance yesterday: For more than a year, I have said I would vote to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump. Today's statement by Special Counsel Robert Mueller only added to the urgency. Congress must act.
Kirsten Galliband started a petition: Robert Mueller made himself clear: He expects Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to finish what he couldn't. We need to begin impeachment hearings. Add your name if you agree
Joe Biden: {crickets}
Still—his spox's wishwashy statement doesn't count. Maybe he genuinely believes in running a national unity campaign that can't afford to support impeachment hearings. If so, he's listening to readers of The Federalist, not Democrats (70% of whom favor impeachment according to a May 1st NPR/PBS/Marist poll).
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:16 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
How about the fact that Trump is named as an un-indicted co-conspirator in the extensive factual exposition of the Cohen guilty plea
Trump was not named as an uninfected co-conspirator by the Grand Jury in the Cohen matter. The Watergate Grand Jury voted on and found Nixon to personally be a co-conspirator whom they did not indict.
The political fact is that Trump is helped, not hurt by the inevitable failure of the Senate to remove him.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:18 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Trump was not named as an uninfected co-conspirator by the Grand Jury in the Cohen matter. The Watergate Grand Jury voted on and found Nixon to personally be a co-conspirator whom they did not indict.
The political fact is that Trump is helped, not hurt by the inevitable failure of the Senate to remove him.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:18 AM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
The Vox article on Trump's understanding of impeachment (or lack thereof) lays out a scenario that, on one hand, seems implausible, but at the same time scares the living shit out of me.
The article suggests Trumps "appeal to the Supreme Court" notion comes from a book, which suggests a President could wait until the SC affirms the Senate's decision. Setting aside, for a moment, that's not how this works, it plays out two different ways for me.
Good: If a Senate conviction/removal from office occurs, then the majority of the Senate, including GOP members, voted him out. The notion that he could count on The People to rise up is a bit diminished. It's clear that for the GOP in the Senate to show any moral strength, it would be when they are convinced they are more likely than not to be voted out by their constituents should they do otherwise. In that sense, the Senate would be a proxy for the people.
Further, I have a hard time believing the SC is so partisan at this point that it would effectively invent a step to the impeachment process out of whole cloth.
Bad: It's still a constitutional crisis. It could go either way. It removes a barrier to other checks on him. He may say "I'm postponing elections for two years because of all of this nonsense--the investigation 'paused' my time in office," and there is a chance the court would go along with it.
It also further entrenches in the minds of Trump supports the illegitimacy of anyone who isn't Trump. They can shop for an answer. I'll go so far as to say they might really do the rioting in the streets.
posted by MrGuilt at 10:19 AM on May 30, 2019
The article suggests Trumps "appeal to the Supreme Court" notion comes from a book, which suggests a President could wait until the SC affirms the Senate's decision. Setting aside, for a moment, that's not how this works, it plays out two different ways for me.
Good: If a Senate conviction/removal from office occurs, then the majority of the Senate, including GOP members, voted him out. The notion that he could count on The People to rise up is a bit diminished. It's clear that for the GOP in the Senate to show any moral strength, it would be when they are convinced they are more likely than not to be voted out by their constituents should they do otherwise. In that sense, the Senate would be a proxy for the people.
Further, I have a hard time believing the SC is so partisan at this point that it would effectively invent a step to the impeachment process out of whole cloth.
Bad: It's still a constitutional crisis. It could go either way. It removes a barrier to other checks on him. He may say "I'm postponing elections for two years because of all of this nonsense--the investigation 'paused' my time in office," and there is a chance the court would go along with it.
It also further entrenches in the minds of Trump supports the illegitimacy of anyone who isn't Trump. They can shop for an answer. I'll go so far as to say they might really do the rioting in the streets.
posted by MrGuilt at 10:19 AM on May 30, 2019
@BarakRavid [click to see photo]: Bibi with the map signed by Trump. Check out what Trump wrote next to the Golan Heights
He's drawn an arrow and written the word "Nice."
posted by zachlipton at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
He's drawn an arrow and written the word "Nice."
posted by zachlipton at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides in person over a presidential impeachment trial. There is nothing else for the courts would do. If 2/3 of the Senate votes to convict, they swear in the VP immediately, then go through the other charges and also decide whether to permanently bar the convicted person from government service.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 10:26 AM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
BuzzFeed, Hamed Aleaziz, Trump Is Considering Denying Asylum To Migrants Who Travel Through A Third Country
The Trump administration is considering a proposal that would bar asylum for those who transit through a third country, a potential major escalation in the administration’s attempts to deter asylum seekers, according to sources close to the administration.posted by zachlipton at 10:36 AM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
...
Language in the proposal, which was described to BuzzFeed News, claims that migrants coming to the US transit through not just one country but through multiple countries in which they can seek some protection but do not make themselves available to that option despite their fears.
It includes an additional limitation on eligibility: those seeking asylum will be found ineligible if they have entered or attempted to enter the US after failing to apply for asylum or other protections in any country that is not the country of origin for the migrant and that they went through to get to the US.
...
DHS officials have raised concerns about the policy, which has been described as overly broad, including whether it would cover people who traveled through airports in other countries and pointing out that other countries do not offer full asylum protections.
Tech giant brings software to a gun fight (WaPo):
On its website, Salesforce.com touts retailer Camping World as a leading customer of its business software, highlighting its use of products to help sales staff move product. A Camping World executive is even quoted calling Salesforce’s software “magic.”posted by kingless at 10:37 AM on May 30, 2019 [32 favorites]
But behind the scenes in recent weeks, the Silicon Valley tech giant has delivered a different message to gun-selling retailers such as Camping World: Stop selling military-style rifles, or stop using our software.
My fervent hope is that, if Pelosi never pulls the impeachment trigger, then after Trump is booted from office in 2020 and a Dem is President, some of these prosecutions can actually move forward when he’s a civilian again.
Obstruction of Justice? Here’s the Mueller files, and you’re not President any more, chump, so you can be indicted.
Income tax evasion. Fraud. Money laundering. Suborning perjury. Witness tampering.
I have to believe there will be some measure of justice, in the end.
(Please don’t point out that the criminals of the Bush Jr. era — the war profiteers, the torturers, the wiretappers, the records-destroyers, the banksters — were never brought to justice. Let me have my hopes.)
posted by darkstar at 10:59 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
Obstruction of Justice? Here’s the Mueller files, and you’re not President any more, chump, so you can be indicted.
Income tax evasion. Fraud. Money laundering. Suborning perjury. Witness tampering.
I have to believe there will be some measure of justice, in the end.
(Please don’t point out that the criminals of the Bush Jr. era — the war profiteers, the torturers, the wiretappers, the records-destroyers, the banksters — were never brought to justice. Let me have my hopes.)
posted by darkstar at 10:59 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
Marcy Wheeler/emptywheel.net plays Devil's/Pelosi's advocate to explore potential reasons to hold off on impeaching Trump:
Two Factors That May Change the Impeachment Calculus, Part One: To Enforce a GOP Subpoena Covering a Trump Lie to Mueller
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:00 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
Two Factors That May Change the Impeachment Calculus, Part One: To Enforce a GOP Subpoena Covering a Trump Lie to Mueller
[W]ith Cohen, it will be very easy to show that Trump’s pardon offers led to a witness providing false testimony in response to a Congressional subpoena (false testimony made possibly only through parallel obstruction on the part of Trump’s business).Two Factors That May Change the Impeachment Calculus, Part Two: Criminalizing a Roger Stone Pardon
In other words, Cohen is a fairly strong case proving Trump successfully suborned perjury.
So with Cohen, there is all new evidence of Trump-related crimes: Trump’s sworn lies about Trump Tower Moscow to Mueller mirrored by Trump Organization’s defiance of a Republican issued Congressional subpoena on precisely that topic.
All of which is to say, even assuming Friday’s testimony [from Andrew Miller] doesn’t lead to new charges, unless Trump finds a way to pre-empt Stone’s trial, it will mean some of the most damning information about Trump’s involvement in what Mueller didn’t charge as conspiracy but which by most definitions would count as “collusion” will get aired less than a year before the 2020 election.This isn't to say Wheeler's convinced herself about holding off on impeachment: "In my opinion, Democrats have to start that process, in part to have a ready response as Trump’s increasingly authoritarian approach to governing violates more and more foundational norms."
Given how rock solid that Stone indictment is, there are just two ways to avoid that: for Stone to flip on Trump or others (though prosecutors are unlikely to give Stone a deal without vetting his claims after the way Paul Manafort abused the process, and it would be too late to flip on Assange). Or for Trump to pardon Stone.[…]
The political hit from a Stone trial — and the kind of pardon-related obstruction that Barr himself conducted to kill the Iran-Contra investigation — might well be enough for Trump to prefer the political hit of pardoning Stone. Democrats have one way of altering that calculus to ensure the Stone trial — with all the damning details of Trump’s actions it’ll reveal — happens as scheduled.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:00 AM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
"Folks do not want this yet."
Bluntly, "folks" will want whatever they're told to want, and rationalize it to themselves afterwards, just like they have always done. Right now they're being told not to want impeachment yet, nor indeed to want any direct action whatsoever, by Democrats who I can only assume do not want impeachment, nor any direct action whatsoever. If impeachment were a process that was already beginning, or certain to begin, suddenly many "folks" would claim to support it. "Folks" are flexible in that way.
posted by hyperbolic at 11:10 AM on May 30, 2019 [41 favorites]
Bluntly, "folks" will want whatever they're told to want, and rationalize it to themselves afterwards, just like they have always done. Right now they're being told not to want impeachment yet, nor indeed to want any direct action whatsoever, by Democrats who I can only assume do not want impeachment, nor any direct action whatsoever. If impeachment were a process that was already beginning, or certain to begin, suddenly many "folks" would claim to support it. "Folks" are flexible in that way.
posted by hyperbolic at 11:10 AM on May 30, 2019 [41 favorites]
CBS This Morning (w/video) has begun a rollout of Barr's campaign to publicly undercut Mueller:
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:20 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
NEW: Attorney General Barr tells @JanCBS he “personally felt” Special Counsel Robert Mueller “could've reached a decision” on obstruction of justice by President Trump.(Incidentally, I find it interesting that Barr has figured out that CBS is the most Trump-leaning of the three major networks and has gone to them rather than a Murdoch outlet.)
More on @CBSEveningNews tonight and @CBSThisMorning Friday. #CTM
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:20 AM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
Tinfoil hat department:
I decided to go ahead and follow Trump's exhortation to read Article II, since it's been a while. In general there is nothing particularly surprising there. It is hard for me to understand where he was coming up with the stuff about "gives the president powers that you wouldn't believe." It's mostly stuff about how he can't get a raise while in office, how electors are chosen, the oath of office, and of course the stuff we regularly hear about in terms of commander-in-chief and making treaties and appointing people (with Senate confirmation) and of course removal via impeachment.
The one piece that surprised me was the follow-on stuff after the State of the Union bit in Section 3: "he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper"
The alarmist in me gets very nervous with the idea of Trump being aware of having the power to adjourn Congress until he feels different, and worried that this might be what he had in mind this morning. I would not at all mind being talked down from this.
posted by nickmark at 11:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [39 favorites]
I decided to go ahead and follow Trump's exhortation to read Article II, since it's been a while. In general there is nothing particularly surprising there. It is hard for me to understand where he was coming up with the stuff about "gives the president powers that you wouldn't believe." It's mostly stuff about how he can't get a raise while in office, how electors are chosen, the oath of office, and of course the stuff we regularly hear about in terms of commander-in-chief and making treaties and appointing people (with Senate confirmation) and of course removal via impeachment.
The one piece that surprised me was the follow-on stuff after the State of the Union bit in Section 3: "he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper"
The alarmist in me gets very nervous with the idea of Trump being aware of having the power to adjourn Congress until he feels different, and worried that this might be what he had in mind this morning. I would not at all mind being talked down from this.
posted by nickmark at 11:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [39 favorites]
Nevada Democratic Governor Sisolak vetoes bill that would pledge Nevada's support to winner of national popular vote, reject Electoral College
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:28 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Thanks, Doktor Zed, for the links to the Marcy Wheeler pieces. My problem with all of this is the complexity of all this. Is there a simple set of short bullet points anywhere, laying out the exact crimes Trump has clearly committed? Without that, there's no hope of explaining to and persuading the generally inattentive public...
posted by PhineasGage at 11:41 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 11:41 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
PSA for megathread-only MeFites: What I Learned Trying To Secure Congressional Campaigns is an article by Maciej Ceglowski (MeFi's own) that sits right at the intersection of tech, politics, and frustration. There's also a MeFi thread discussing it. It may cause you to tear your hair out, or inspire you to adopt a local campaign yourself ... who knows?
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:44 AM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
In a messaging war, does Mueller's quiet honesty stand a chance against Trump's lies? (Eric Boehlert, Daily Kos)
The grim media reality is that in a messaging duel between a quiet, honorable professional like Mueller who strives to be fair, versus a loud propaganda machine that feeds off lies like the Trump White House, the loud liars often enjoy the upper hand.posted by ZeusHumms at 11:47 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
nickmark: I went ahead and googled "president ajourn congress example" (the last word was suggested to me. The first hit was a Quora discussion, pointing out that the ability to call congress into session is moot since the congress meets year-around, last time was under Truman. No president has ever adjourned congress. I found another explanation.
The search also called up the notion someone had of Obama adjourning congress so he could make some recess appointments (to get out of some deadlock), but it seemed like a fringe notion.
The general tone is that POTUS only has that power if first, congress is in an extraordinary session, and second, there is dispute between the houses as to whether they need to adjourn. I'm sure it could be finagled somehow. However, it doesn't seem like it would prevent Trump from impacting regularly scheduled sessions. I don't think he can effectively dissolve congress.
But, we've seen all sorts of in-case-of-emergency powers used to bypass checks and balances, so who knows?
posted by MrGuilt at 11:49 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
The search also called up the notion someone had of Obama adjourning congress so he could make some recess appointments (to get out of some deadlock), but it seemed like a fringe notion.
The general tone is that POTUS only has that power if first, congress is in an extraordinary session, and second, there is dispute between the houses as to whether they need to adjourn. I'm sure it could be finagled somehow. However, it doesn't seem like it would prevent Trump from impacting regularly scheduled sessions. I don't think he can effectively dissolve congress.
But, we've seen all sorts of in-case-of-emergency powers used to bypass checks and balances, so who knows?
posted by MrGuilt at 11:49 AM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
The general tone is that POTUS only has that power if
Yeah, if there's anything this timeline has taught us, it's that "general tones" and "norms" and "interpretations" are completely irrelevant now.
posted by Rykey at 11:59 AM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
Yeah, if there's anything this timeline has taught us, it's that "general tones" and "norms" and "interpretations" are completely irrelevant now.
posted by Rykey at 11:59 AM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
Is there a simple set of short bullet points anywhere, laying out the exact crimes Trump has clearly committed? Without that, there's no hope of explaining to and persuading the generally inattentive public...
The answer to this question is inherently complicated. Because 1) Do you want people to cite criminal code and lost individual counts like a prosecutor would, or something less formal/more arguable? 2) Do you want info only about Trump himself, or about others who may have crimes on his behalf as well? 3) Do you include non-criminal but impeachable offenses?
I've personally made two attempts to answer this question, with different sets of assumptions. One is my every updating list of impeachable offenses...
- He's obstructed justice by firing and trying to intimidate the head of the FBI, trying to fire the special counsel, and by dangling pardons to prevent testimony against him. (Proved by Mueller)
- His campaign helped spread false propaganda originating in Russia, and failed to report what they knew about Russia's efforts to help elect Trump, including the fact that they were sabotaging his political opponents by stealing and publishing their private communications. (Mueller found insufficient evidence that any of this violated the law, but he proved it did happen.)
-He is violating the emoluments clause, and as a result is receiving bribes from foreign powers. (This is being litigated in civil suits.)
- He has politicized the Justice Dept by demanding investigations of rivals and castigating the attorney general for prosecuting members of his party. (Probably not illegal since it would be a crime only the president could commit, but definitely an abuse of office)
- He conspired to violate campaign finance laws with Michael Cohen. (Documented by SDNY)
-He has implemented cruel and illegal policies against asylum seekers and refugees (many of these policies are being stopped by the courts)
- He has undermined our national security by leaking intelligence to Russian agents, refusing to take responsibility for military engagements, and neglecting diplomacy. (Again probably not illegal) but definitely an abuse.
This is in addition the the general "unfit for office" arguments about his lying and indifference to the law.
My more detailed attempt to answer is here.
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [72 favorites]
The answer to this question is inherently complicated. Because 1) Do you want people to cite criminal code and lost individual counts like a prosecutor would, or something less formal/more arguable? 2) Do you want info only about Trump himself, or about others who may have crimes on his behalf as well? 3) Do you include non-criminal but impeachable offenses?
I've personally made two attempts to answer this question, with different sets of assumptions. One is my every updating list of impeachable offenses...
- He's obstructed justice by firing and trying to intimidate the head of the FBI, trying to fire the special counsel, and by dangling pardons to prevent testimony against him. (Proved by Mueller)
- His campaign helped spread false propaganda originating in Russia, and failed to report what they knew about Russia's efforts to help elect Trump, including the fact that they were sabotaging his political opponents by stealing and publishing their private communications. (Mueller found insufficient evidence that any of this violated the law, but he proved it did happen.)
-He is violating the emoluments clause, and as a result is receiving bribes from foreign powers. (This is being litigated in civil suits.)
- He has politicized the Justice Dept by demanding investigations of rivals and castigating the attorney general for prosecuting members of his party. (Probably not illegal since it would be a crime only the president could commit, but definitely an abuse of office)
- He conspired to violate campaign finance laws with Michael Cohen. (Documented by SDNY)
-He has implemented cruel and illegal policies against asylum seekers and refugees (many of these policies are being stopped by the courts)
- He has undermined our national security by leaking intelligence to Russian agents, refusing to take responsibility for military engagements, and neglecting diplomacy. (Again probably not illegal) but definitely an abuse.
This is in addition the the general "unfit for office" arguments about his lying and indifference to the law.
My more detailed attempt to answer is here.
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [72 favorites]
Barr's CBS exclusive makes perfect sense; the company's slant has been clear for a while: On CBS During Election Season, Viewers Watched Trump’s America in Prime Time (Slate, Nov. 29, 2016)
Newscasts and news programs have to do a better job of informing and educating the public, because they provide the main source of news for the average person. We're always linking to newspapers and magazines, and political-news websites, and real-time Twitter outrageousness, but that stuff is not breaking through to most people. It's live TV, and Facebook nonsense: Elderly, conservatives shared more Facebook fakery in 2016 (AP News, Jan. 9, 2019)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:10 PM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
It was March, in the heat of the presidential primary season, when CBS debuted Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders—the network’s newest serving of paranoid procedural comfort food, this time with a globetrotting twist. Its storylines and scenes were xenophobic in conception and fearmongering in execution: American women kidnapped in rural Thailand; a young man’s kidney mysteriously stolen in an Indian slum; a dark-skinned man intimidating an American child on vacation. They fit neatly with campaign rhetoric that exaggerated the dangers lurking outside America’s borders, and for the escapism-seeking viewer compelled by such nativism, the series likely struck a chord. [...]What's more: Those ages 55 to 64 averaged 3 hours 14 minutes of TV time per day, and those ages 65 and older averaged an hour more (4 hours 14 minutes) per day. People who were not employed, which includes people of all ages who did not work for pay, watched TV for an average of 3 hours 49 minutes per day. The majority (80.2 percent) of people ages 65 and older were not employed; this group watched TV for an average of 4 and a half hours per day. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sept. 2018)
Relative to its competitors, CBS’s audience skews older and whiter; the mandates for inclusivity at the likes of ABC, Fox, and the CW simply don’t apply to the channel where variety means coming up with a new version of NCIS.
Newscasts and news programs have to do a better job of informing and educating the public, because they provide the main source of news for the average person. We're always linking to newspapers and magazines, and political-news websites, and real-time Twitter outrageousness, but that stuff is not breaking through to most people. It's live TV, and Facebook nonsense: Elderly, conservatives shared more Facebook fakery in 2016 (AP News, Jan. 9, 2019)
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:10 PM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
Associated Press has updated its Stylebook (which many other news organizations also use) to urge reporters to stop being quite so vague about racist actions:
Do not use racially charged or similar terms as euphemisms for racist or racism when the latter terms are truly applicable.posted by adamg at 12:13 PM on May 30, 2019 [99 favorites]
Examples: Mississippi has a history of racist lynchings, not a history of racially motivated lynchings. He is charged in the racist massacre of nine people at a black church, not the racially motivated massacre of nine people at a black church.
nickmark, that notion alarmed me, too -- especially since recess appointments would mean it would aid, not hinder, McConnell's goal of packing the courts. But thinking on it some more, wouldn't any attempt at this require a Senate vote to adjourn early, which would in turn need to overcome a Democratic filibuster? And I would hope that the few remaining GOP moderates would have no truck with essentially dissolving congress for up to 18+ months. (Relatedly, if this were to happen somehow, would there be any mechanism for either house to reconvene on their own?)
posted by Rhaomi at 12:21 PM on May 30, 2019
posted by Rhaomi at 12:21 PM on May 30, 2019
Also, recess appointments would expire with the next Congress per the SCOTUS decision from Obama's term that limited the practice, so it would actually be counterproductive to the goal of a permanent conservative judiciary (although I suspect it would be extremely appealing to Donald Trump, who surely has no qualms about letting the entire country burn to ash the second he’s out of office).
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:30 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:30 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
OUAT, just for the record, your site is one of the awesomer things to come from these MegaThreads, so thank you.
posted by petebest at 12:32 PM on May 30, 2019 [42 favorites]
posted by petebest at 12:32 PM on May 30, 2019 [42 favorites]
Noted Reasonable Person Trey Gowdy: "Trump Should Let Himself Be Indicted" (source is FoxNews, but linked via politicalwire because FoxNews)
Former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) told Fox News that President Trump should consider opening himself up to being indicted for obstruction of justice.
Said Gowdy: “I’d take my chances with 12 reasonable minded fellow citizens than I would the House Democrats.”
He added: “You can waive any right you have. You have the right to remain silent, but you can talk to the police if you want to. You have a right to a jury trial, but you can plead guilty if you want to. I’ll bet the president has a right to say, go ahead, indict me. If you have enough — the Supreme Court’s never said that I can’t be indicted. This is DOJ. I’m the head of DOJ. I run the executive branch. If you have enough to indict me, go ahead and do it. At least you’ll have some clarity.”
So there's some more point-of-view from the Magaverse. Sure, just plead guilty to obstruction, what could they possibly do to such an innocent man. Blab all about your crimes because justice?
posted by petebest at 12:45 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Former Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) told Fox News that President Trump should consider opening himself up to being indicted for obstruction of justice.
Said Gowdy: “I’d take my chances with 12 reasonable minded fellow citizens than I would the House Democrats.”
He added: “You can waive any right you have. You have the right to remain silent, but you can talk to the police if you want to. You have a right to a jury trial, but you can plead guilty if you want to. I’ll bet the president has a right to say, go ahead, indict me. If you have enough — the Supreme Court’s never said that I can’t be indicted. This is DOJ. I’m the head of DOJ. I run the executive branch. If you have enough to indict me, go ahead and do it. At least you’ll have some clarity.”
So there's some more point-of-view from the Magaverse. Sure, just plead guilty to obstruction, what could they possibly do to such an innocent man. Blab all about your crimes because justice?
posted by petebest at 12:45 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
In addition to OUAT's list, Jon Cryer laid it out well on the Tweet machine the other day.
posted by Dashy at 12:46 PM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by Dashy at 12:46 PM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
Hiring your relatives and forcing the issue of security clearances to them is another thing that I'd think fits in the probably not illegal but an abuse of office column.
posted by XMLicious at 1:20 PM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 1:20 PM on May 30, 2019 [15 favorites]
We now have conclusive proof regarding why the administration sought to put the citizenship question on the census:
The ACLU has now filed this with both the district court, which will take it up next week, and the Supreme Court, which is currently considering the case. Rick Hassen goes into detail on the strange procedural situation of essentially handing new evidence to the Supreme Court in a case where there isn't time to send it back down for further proceedings.
I want to quote one more bit from the Times story that wasn't in the pullquote:
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on May 30, 2019 [61 favorites]
The ACLU has now filed this with both the district court, which will take it up next week, and the Supreme Court, which is currently considering the case. Rick Hassen goes into detail on the strange procedural situation of essentially handing new evidence to the Supreme Court in a case where there isn't time to send it back down for further proceedings.
I want to quote one more bit from the Times story that wasn't in the pullquote:
At the time, the study’s sponsor was considering whether to finance a lawsuit by conservative legal advocates that argued that counting voting-age citizens was not merely acceptable, but required by the Constitution.We talk about racial demographics and polls so much, and Trump does it all the time, that statements like this don't immediately register as how shocking they really are. We often reduce white supremacy down to Nazis committing attacks and using slurs, but this is white supremacy on an institutional scale: the power of the state being used to reduce the political power of non-white people, and the person working to make that happen wrote that down as the explicitly intended result of the policy, and then everyone went to make it happen.
Mr. Hofeller’s exhaustive analysis of Texas state legislative districts concluded that such maps “would be advantageous to Republicans and non-Hispanic whites,” and would dilute the political power of the state’s Hispanics.
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on May 30, 2019 [61 favorites]
Nevada Democratic Governor Sisolak vetoes bill that would pledge Nevada's support to winner of national popular vote, reject Electoral College
For fuck's sake. I saw a National Popular Vote project post on Facebook this week suggesting readers write the governor to urge him to sign the bill. There were hundreds of comments on the post, all haranguing him to veto it. Now, I may not have paid close enough attention in the past, but I have never seen that many reactions to NPV posts on Facebook, and what comments there are typically are pretty supportive of the mission and goal. Frankly, my spidey-sense kicked in and I wondered about whether the comments might be from bots or some other concerted and nefarious effort. Very disappointing outcome.
posted by AwkwardPause at 1:33 PM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
For fuck's sake. I saw a National Popular Vote project post on Facebook this week suggesting readers write the governor to urge him to sign the bill. There were hundreds of comments on the post, all haranguing him to veto it. Now, I may not have paid close enough attention in the past, but I have never seen that many reactions to NPV posts on Facebook, and what comments there are typically are pretty supportive of the mission and goal. Frankly, my spidey-sense kicked in and I wondered about whether the comments might be from bots or some other concerted and nefarious effort. Very disappointing outcome.
posted by AwkwardPause at 1:33 PM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
God this quote:
Or on a related note, let's ask a TV critic: James Poniewozik, Why Robert Mueller Should Testify on TV:
Cathy Garnaat, a Republican who supported Amash and the president said she was upset about Amash’s position but wanted to hear his reasoning. She said that she will definitely support Trump in 2020 but that Tuesday night was the first time she had heard that the Mueller report didn’t completely exonerate the president.And as much as this is a Fox News problem, it also proves the point that if Democrats don't act like the president has done something wrong, people will listen to his tweets and reasonably conclude that he hasn't. There has been a massive failure of all of our institutions to truly communicate what the Mueller report said, in a way that people will actually notice and pay attention to. There weren't catchy viral videos with 50 million views or tumblr memes or whatever we do now to disseminate information.
“I was surprised to hear there was anything negative in the Mueller report at all about President Trump. I hadn’t heard that before," she said. "I’ve mainly listened to conservative news and I hadn’t heard anything negative about that report and President Trump has been exonerated."
Or on a related note, let's ask a TV critic: James Poniewozik, Why Robert Mueller Should Testify on TV:
But if [Mueller] honestly believes there was nonpartisan value in investigating the integrity of our elections and of the presidency, then there are good reasons for him to detail out the findings where people will notice them:posted by zachlipton at 1:41 PM on May 30, 2019 [61 favorites]
Because People Don’t Read
God bless Mr. Mueller for his quaint faith in his fellow citizens, but let’s be honest. This is America. We wait for the movie, or the TV adaptation.
...
You can choose not to tell your story in the format people actually pay attention to. You do not get to choose whether it will be told. If there’s interest enough, as Mr. Mueller has now seen, it will be told for you, incompletely, selectively and to someone else’s tastes.
WaPo, Trump prepares to threaten Mexico with new tariffs in attempt to force migrant crackdown
@byrdinator: Three people familiar tell @Phil_Mattingly and me that USTR is sending its statement of administrative action for Trump's renegotiated NAFTA to Congress this afternoon, giving House Democrats just 30 days to negotiate with the administration over text of the implementing bill.
@byrdinator: PELOSI is not happy: She says in a statement that Trump starting the clock on USMCA with draft statement of administrative action "is not a positive step. It indicates a lack of knowledge on the part of the admin on the policy & process to pass a trade agreement."
So it seems Trump is threatening Mexico with new tariffs at the same time his administration is demanding that Congress immediately pass a deal that would limit tariffs on Mexican goods.
posted by zachlipton at 2:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
President Trump is preparing to threaten Mexico with new tariffs as part of an attempt to force the country to crack down on a surge of Central American migrants seeking asylum in the United States, according to three administration officials who described the “big league” statement Trump teased to reporters Thursday morning.Emphasis on that USMCA detail. Because this is happening at the same time:
Trump is planning to make the announcement Friday but some White House aides are trying to talk him out of it, arguing that such a threat would rattle financial markets and potentially imperil passage of the USMCA trade agreement, according to these officials, who requested anonymity in order to discuss internal administration plans.
@byrdinator: Three people familiar tell @Phil_Mattingly and me that USTR is sending its statement of administrative action for Trump's renegotiated NAFTA to Congress this afternoon, giving House Democrats just 30 days to negotiate with the administration over text of the implementing bill.
@byrdinator: PELOSI is not happy: She says in a statement that Trump starting the clock on USMCA with draft statement of administrative action "is not a positive step. It indicates a lack of knowledge on the part of the admin on the policy & process to pass a trade agreement."
So it seems Trump is threatening Mexico with new tariffs at the same time his administration is demanding that Congress immediately pass a deal that would limit tariffs on Mexican goods.
posted by zachlipton at 2:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [11 favorites]
Mr. Hofeller’s exhaustive analysis of Texas state legislative districts concluded that such maps “would be advantageous to Republicans and non-Hispanic whites,” and would dilute the political power of the state’s Hispanics.
If they had stuck to "be advantageous to Republicans", then SCOTUS could do their all-is-fair-in-love-and-partisan-gerrymandering thing. But explicitly mentioning race may make it harder for SCOTUS to look the other way.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
If they had stuck to "be advantageous to Republicans", then SCOTUS could do their all-is-fair-in-love-and-partisan-gerrymandering thing. But explicitly mentioning race may make it harder for SCOTUS to look the other way.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
It would also help if Mueller were about 30% less obfuscatory in his verbiage. Yes, if you unravel the double-negatives and read between the lines, he is clearly implying Trump obstructed justice but that he’s untouchable because of DoJ policy. But he surely could have said so far more clearly than he did, such as:
“This investigation found numerous instances of the President engaging in behavior that would have led this office to file a criminal indictment for Obstruction of Justice, were it not for the DoJ interpretation of the Constitution that prevents us from doing so.
Because an impeachment process in Congress is the sole Constitutional venue where consequences for a President engaging in such behavior may be considered, our investigation is barred from further action, so now brings these facts to Congress for their review.”
A statement like that is crystal clear, doesn’t require parsing, can’t be spun, but still maintains the professionalism of the Special Prosecutor.
If requiring Mueller to testify before Congress can get us closer to that kind of statement on TV, or even an unobfuscated “Yes” in response to a Dem Congressperson asking a question framed that way, then it would be worth it.
posted by darkstar at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [37 favorites]
“This investigation found numerous instances of the President engaging in behavior that would have led this office to file a criminal indictment for Obstruction of Justice, were it not for the DoJ interpretation of the Constitution that prevents us from doing so.
Because an impeachment process in Congress is the sole Constitutional venue where consequences for a President engaging in such behavior may be considered, our investigation is barred from further action, so now brings these facts to Congress for their review.”
A statement like that is crystal clear, doesn’t require parsing, can’t be spun, but still maintains the professionalism of the Special Prosecutor.
If requiring Mueller to testify before Congress can get us closer to that kind of statement on TV, or even an unobfuscated “Yes” in response to a Dem Congressperson asking a question framed that way, then it would be worth it.
posted by darkstar at 2:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [37 favorites]
With my community college students, I could get a lively discussion going by just mentioning the change in Cardi B and Offset's status. The maybe third of the class who knew REALLY knew made sure to explain to their perplexed neighbor who Cardi B and Offset were and whether they were together and whatever. So then the neighbor who maybe doesn't give a shit knows all about Cardi B and Offset and whatever and maybe has an opinion.
But Trump and Russia? These are students who are not in the pro Trump demographic, but I could never get anything going, ever. No one student was like OH YEAH DID YOU HEAR when I would drop a reference or two and while I'm sure other teachers have different experiences, I've had two years now I guess of no student excitedly frothing at the mouth about the latest evidence of blah blah Trump blah. Just a wall of silence.
I mean, I remember marching around in 1989 in Portland with people who had Barbara Bush's decapitated head in paper mache on a stick. I'm not trying to say, 'kids these days' but more like society WTF have we lost our ability to be outraged.
There weren't catchy viral videos with 50 million views or tumblr memes or whatever we do now to disseminate information.
My students get a lot of their information from The Shade Room on Instagram
posted by angrycat at 2:24 PM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
But Trump and Russia? These are students who are not in the pro Trump demographic, but I could never get anything going, ever. No one student was like OH YEAH DID YOU HEAR when I would drop a reference or two and while I'm sure other teachers have different experiences, I've had two years now I guess of no student excitedly frothing at the mouth about the latest evidence of blah blah Trump blah. Just a wall of silence.
I mean, I remember marching around in 1989 in Portland with people who had Barbara Bush's decapitated head in paper mache on a stick. I'm not trying to say, 'kids these days' but more like society WTF have we lost our ability to be outraged.
There weren't catchy viral videos with 50 million views or tumblr memes or whatever we do now to disseminate information.
My students get a lot of their information from The Shade Room on Instagram
posted by angrycat at 2:24 PM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
Who's ready for some Thursday Good News? (It is Impeachment Thursday, after all.)
Well. It's NRA-related. And the good news is that the news is bad for the NRA, or perhaps their money-scrubbing "advertising agency" that's suing, and being-sued-by them. Wonkette picks up the story:
Well, of course, it all starts with money. Specifically, the NRA's sudden realization, first revealed by the New Yorker, that the New York Attorney General was not joking about forcing the NRA and its charitable foundation to tell the truth about how it was spending its hundred of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
Why it never occurred to the NRA that they needed to comply with federal and state law by disclosing the millions of dollars in business with board members is a mystery for another day. The fact of the matter is last summer the leadership had a come to White Jesus moment -- after which, they set about righting their books.
The largest single recipient of NRA largesse was advertising firm Ackerman McQueen (AMc), which netted $40 million in gunbux last year alone. AMc produces NRATV and cuts checks to its on-air "talent" including Loesch and Oliver North. ... when the NRA came asking for details of North's contract with the advertising company, ... AMc refused, sparking an avalanche of litigation and recrimination that threatens to bring down the entire enterprise.
Briefly, the NRA sued AMc for North's contract details and North responded by calling up the NRA and telling them to ditch Wayne and drop the lawsuit or else he'd spill the beans about all the gun organization's financial shenanigans. Allegedly.
The NRA responded by dumping North for Your Confederate Granny, only to have all North's documents mysteriously wind up published online. So now the world knows about Wayne's extravagant clothing and travel spending, which they managed to keep off the NRA's books by charging it to an AMc credit card. We also know that the NRA spent more than $97,000 on lawyers every single day in 2019. Last week the NRA sued AMc again, this time for breach of contract and fiduciary duty for dumping the internal NRA docs online
... AMc responded in a heavily redacted countersuit ... the media company would like $100 million please -- $50 million for the NRA's breach of contract, plus $50 million for punitive damages.
No mention of the Russian money funneled into the NRA for Trump advertising. Yet.
posted by petebest at 3:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [33 favorites]
Well. It's NRA-related. And the good news is that the news is bad for the NRA, or perhaps their money-scrubbing "advertising agency" that's suing, and being-sued-by them. Wonkette picks up the story:
Well, of course, it all starts with money. Specifically, the NRA's sudden realization, first revealed by the New Yorker, that the New York Attorney General was not joking about forcing the NRA and its charitable foundation to tell the truth about how it was spending its hundred of millions of dollars in annual revenue.
Why it never occurred to the NRA that they needed to comply with federal and state law by disclosing the millions of dollars in business with board members is a mystery for another day. The fact of the matter is last summer the leadership had a come to White Jesus moment -- after which, they set about righting their books.
The largest single recipient of NRA largesse was advertising firm Ackerman McQueen (AMc), which netted $40 million in gunbux last year alone. AMc produces NRATV and cuts checks to its on-air "talent" including Loesch and Oliver North. ... when the NRA came asking for details of North's contract with the advertising company, ... AMc refused, sparking an avalanche of litigation and recrimination that threatens to bring down the entire enterprise.
Briefly, the NRA sued AMc for North's contract details and North responded by calling up the NRA and telling them to ditch Wayne and drop the lawsuit or else he'd spill the beans about all the gun organization's financial shenanigans. Allegedly.
The NRA responded by dumping North for Your Confederate Granny, only to have all North's documents mysteriously wind up published online. So now the world knows about Wayne's extravagant clothing and travel spending, which they managed to keep off the NRA's books by charging it to an AMc credit card. We also know that the NRA spent more than $97,000 on lawyers every single day in 2019. Last week the NRA sued AMc again, this time for breach of contract and fiduciary duty for dumping the internal NRA docs online
... AMc responded in a heavily redacted countersuit ... the media company would like $100 million please -- $50 million for the NRA's breach of contract, plus $50 million for punitive damages.
No mention of the Russian money funneled into the NRA for Trump advertising. Yet.
posted by petebest at 3:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [33 favorites]
Because People Don’t Read
Robert Mueller’s Sense of Duty Illuminates His Tough Choices (David Priess, Lawfare)
Robert Mueller’s Sense of Duty Illuminates His Tough Choices (David Priess, Lawfare)
Even though he drew the line short of opining about the president’s actions, he found a way to fulfill a greater duty to the country while not violating his more direct duty as special counsel. [...] So why not lean forward here, too, and give a wink or a nod to testifying?posted by Little Dawn at 3:12 PM on May 30, 2019 [14 favorites]
I suspect that here, as with the choice to write a detailed report, Mueller may have in mind a sense of greater duty to the country: accepting legitimate legislative branch oversight of the executive branch, which can come in the form of a subpoena. Mueller may prefer not to testify, but he would probably not refuse to show up if Congress demanded his presence. [...] He didn’t say that he would refuse to provide information to the elected representatives of the American people—just that, in doing so, he’d stay within the four corners of the report itself.
Although Robert Mueller is not a political actor, he’s been around the game long enough to understand Washington better than most, to anticipate others’ moves and to prepare for contingencies. Imagine if he had appeared eager to testify, or if he had simply left it as an open question. For the first time in more than two years, he would have opened himself up to understandable claims of being political, by seeking to do something outside his core duty, and to a barrage of hypercharged presidential tweets. At a minimum, any apparent desire to appear before Congress would risk shrinking the American people’s healthy confidence in his work.
The situation would be quite different if he were compelled to testify—even if only to read aloud, in heavily watched televised hearings, the many damning pieces of evidence and disturbing conclusions in the text of the report. Mueller would be seen as a reluctant witness, having made clear he’d rather remain in private life than spend another minute in the spotlight.
What better way would there be to fulfill a wider sense of duty than to see to it that American voters and their representatives hear the report’s words about what the president has done without pushing to do so?
It's an extended demonstration of "if it's not on television, it didn't happen" and whatever Mueller himself prefers, he's going to have to do some more verbatim reading in front of the cameras.
I may be piling on a bit, but... This.
One of Metafilter's inherent biases is that this is a highly text-based community. We make, parse and accept arguments like it's 1935. We think in paragraphs here.
Most Americans -- most humans -- don't analyze things like that. It's not that they are dumb or uneducated or whatever, it's just that textual criticism is a relatively new and acquired mode of decision-making. And if we want to get the Current Constitutional Crisis taken seriously, the medium has to be appropriate to the audience.
I think Dem leadership also fails to recognize this problem and that's a big part of why they're pathetically, dangerously failing to connect with the people.
Make Mueller testify. Make sound bites happen. He obviously is longing to be dragged before the committees. Do it, now.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [86 favorites]
I may be piling on a bit, but... This.
One of Metafilter's inherent biases is that this is a highly text-based community. We make, parse and accept arguments like it's 1935. We think in paragraphs here.
Most Americans -- most humans -- don't analyze things like that. It's not that they are dumb or uneducated or whatever, it's just that textual criticism is a relatively new and acquired mode of decision-making. And if we want to get the Current Constitutional Crisis taken seriously, the medium has to be appropriate to the audience.
I think Dem leadership also fails to recognize this problem and that's a big part of why they're pathetically, dangerously failing to connect with the people.
Make Mueller testify. Make sound bites happen. He obviously is longing to be dragged before the committees. Do it, now.
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [86 favorites]
Dan Pfeiffer: A Plan to Win the Impeachment Fight
First, Democrats need a message. They need a concise and compelling argument for what Trump did wrong, how his misdeeds connect to the lives and concerns of voters, and why this merits the extraordinary response of impeachment.posted by T.D. Strange at 3:33 PM on May 30, 2019 [32 favorites]
My suggestion for that message is:Donald Trump has abused his power to hide multiple crimes and massive corruption. He has used the Presidency to punish his enemies, reward his friends, and enrich himself at the expense of the American people. No one is above the law, not even a rich politician.This narrative (or one like it) needs to be repeated over and over again by every Democratic Member of Congress and talking head. The Democratic SuperPACs should run ads. The grassroots organizations should be delivering this message at the door, on the phone, and in townhalls. The Democratic presidential candidates should make it part of their message. No voter should be confused about why this is happening and what is at stake.
John Hickenlooper is on MSNBC responding to archive footage of Kurt Vonnegut claiming to be his real father
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 4:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
It would also help if Mueller were about 30% less obfuscatory in his verbiage. Yes, if you unravel the double-negatives and read between the lines, he is clearly implying Trump obstructed justice but that he’s untouchable because of DoJ policy. But he surely could have said so far more clearly than he did
"Unindicted co-conspirator" would've been nice.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
"Unindicted co-conspirator" would've been nice.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Angrycat is this where you mean your students get a lot of their news from? How should we feel about this?
posted by PhineasGage at 4:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 4:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
darkstar: “This investigation found numerous instances of the President engaging in behavior that would have led this office to file a criminal indictment for Obstruction of Justice, were it not for the DoJ interpretation of the Constitution that prevents us from doing so...."
A statement like that is crystal clear, doesn’t require parsing, can’t be spun, but still maintains the professionalism of the Special Prosecutor.
His opinion is that it would not because it would not be professional to use the authority of law to actually, literally accuse a person who cannot be prosecuted and hence no right to a trial to clear his name. I don't think I agree, but that's his reasoning.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
A statement like that is crystal clear, doesn’t require parsing, can’t be spun, but still maintains the professionalism of the Special Prosecutor.
His opinion is that it would not because it would not be professional to use the authority of law to actually, literally accuse a person who cannot be prosecuted and hence no right to a trial to clear his name. I don't think I agree, but that's his reasoning.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [4 favorites]
Fox News legal analyst Andrew Napolitano: Robert Mueller believes Donald Trump "committed a crime" (Salon)
posted by Little Dawn at 4:28 PM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
"Effectively, what Bob Mueller said is: 'We had evidence that [Trump] committed a crime, but we couldn't charge him because he's the president of the United States,'" Napolitano said Wednesday on Fox Business following the news conference. "That opens the door for the Democrats to pounce."I need to channel Bill Hicks for a moment and ask everyone to strap in:
[...] Napolitano on Wednesday said Mueller's remarks were "180 degrees" from those made by Attorney General William Barr, who stated in a March 24 letter to Congress that the special counsel's findings were "not sufficient to establish that the president had committed an obstruction of justice office."
In response, Fox Business host Stuart Varney asked Napolitano, "Is it that bad?"And there's more in the video, with Napolitano also talking about 'fodder for the conspiracy side.' Sure, someone pops in and tries to reframe with, 'but Mueller also said he did not make a determination, as to whether the President did commit a crime, so that indicates they couldn't prosecute anything, because they didn't have the evidence of it, that it wasn't there, I know there were 11 instances, but that's a political decision to impeach' (somewhat paraphrased) but Napolitano rallies back with how the evidence is 'remarkably similar to Nixon and Clinton,' and then lays out a few similarities between Trump and Nixon and Clinton.
"I think so," Napolitano said. "I think basically [Mueller is] saying the president can't be indicted, otherwise we would have indicted him. And we're not going to charge him with a crime, because there's no forum for him to refute the charges. But we could not say that he didn't commit a crime. Fill in the blank, because we believe he did."
The special counsel's news conference was "hurtful to the president," Napolitano added.
posted by Little Dawn at 4:28 PM on May 30, 2019 [10 favorites]
Trump is planning to make the announcement Friday but some White House aides are trying to talk him out of it
Update: trying to talk him out of things just means he does it on his own schedule
@realDonaldTrump: On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied,......at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.
The migrants he is describing are asylum applicants, who are entitled to protection under US and international law.
posted by zachlipton at 4:36 PM on May 30, 2019 [40 favorites]
Update: trying to talk him out of things just means he does it on his own schedule
@realDonaldTrump: On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied,......at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.
The migrants he is describing are asylum applicants, who are entitled to protection under US and international law.
posted by zachlipton at 4:36 PM on May 30, 2019 [40 favorites]
Are tariffs on Mexico legal under NAFTA?
posted by reductiondesign at 4:41 PM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by reductiondesign at 4:41 PM on May 30, 2019 [6 favorites]
North Korea's Kim Jong Un carrying out purge after Hanoi summit collapse.
posted by Justinian at 4:59 PM on May 30, 2019 [36 favorites]
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea executed Kim Hyok Chol, its special envoy to the United States, and foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse, a South Korean newspaper reported on Friday.While one can't reasonably say their deaths are as much Trump's doing as Kim's, this is the kind of thing that certainly can happen in foreign affairs when when you simply don't care about the effects your actions may have.
posted by Justinian at 4:59 PM on May 30, 2019 [36 favorites]
Just a reminder that Mexico is our number two source of imported goods, after China, and those goods span the gamut of industries. A 5% tariff is a direct 5% tax hike on US consumers of these goods, and will drive countless businesses into the ground.
posted by darkstar at 5:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 5:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [27 favorites]
Trump is slapping (likely illegal) tariffs on Mexican goods in another blow to an increasingly fragile expansion and a bunch of diplomats from NK were brutally murdered because of our cavalier foreign relations under Trump and... it's just another Thursday. Sometimes it's worth taking a step back and realizing what has become commonplace.
posted by Justinian at 5:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [33 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 5:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [33 favorites]
Take a big, deep whiff of those molecules of freedom (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
Do you smell that? That aroma, like many spoiled eggs congregating in a hot locker room? That is the wonderful, pleasing scent of American freedom!posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:01 PM on May 30, 2019 [17 favorites]
A statement from the Energy Department, which I am not making up because satire has been overfished and is now extinct, described natural gas as “molecules of freedom.” In the statement, Undersecretary of Energy Mark Menezes noted that “increasing export capacity . . . is critical to spreading freedom gas throughout the world by giving America’s allies a diverse and affordable source of clean energy."
The statement also included the profound remark from Steven Winberg, the assistant secretary for fossil energy, that he was happy "the Department of Energy is doing what it can to promote an efficient regulatory system that allows for molecules of U.S. freedom to be exported to the world.”
So inhale fearlessly! Feel free, too, to light some of that freedom on fire, if you want. Nothing says freedom like setting something dangerously ablaze. Four cheers for CH4! Whenever methane gas is released, that smell, that aroma, is — freedom. Specifically, American freedom, the best kind that there is. That is why people love to sit with me in enclosed spaces that I swiftly perfume with nothing short of Truth, Justice and the American Way, especially if my lunch has been rich in beans. It has never been so critical, as Benjamin Franklin entreated, to “fart proudly.”
I could swear he declared a victory in negotiations for "new NAFTA but we're not calling it NAFTA" like two weeks ago. How does this intersect? Does he even remember that whole thing?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:04 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:04 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
The Guardian has a preview of Siege: Trump Under Fire: Bannon Described Trump Organization As 'Criminal Enterprise', Michael Wolff Book Claims—Former White House adviser says financial investigations will take down president in sequel to Fire and Fury
North Korea's Kim Jong Un carrying out purge after Hanoi summit collapse.
"Everything Trump touches dies."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:14 PM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
In a key passage, Bannon is reported as saying he believes investigations of Donald Trump’s financial history will provide proof of the underlying criminality of his eponymous company.Bannon is probably Wolff's only reliable source, but this quote will only infuriate his former boss.
Assessing the president’s exposure to various investigations, many seeded by the special counsel Robert Mueller during his investigation of Russian election interference, Wolff writes: “Trump was vulnerable because for 40 years he had run what increasingly seemed to resemble a semi-criminal enterprise.”
He then quotes Bannon as saying: “I think we can drop the ‘semi’ part.”[…]
In Siege, Wolff quotes Bannon saying investigations into Trump’s finances will cut adrift even his most ardent supporters: “This is where it isn’t a witch hunt – even for the hard core, this is where he turns into just a crooked business guy, and one worth $50m instead of $10bn. Not the billionaire he said he was, just another scumbag.”
North Korea's Kim Jong Un carrying out purge after Hanoi summit collapse.
"Everything Trump touches dies."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:14 PM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
These new taxes on products from Mexico will mean food prices will go up. Food security will go down. The wellbeing of American workers and their families — and their children, especially — is being put at risk, because Trump can't cope with the existence of non-white people. When will Dems act to stop this tyrant?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 5:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 5:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [16 favorites]
It has been a while since I studied this, but the Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power to impose import tariffs. Congress has delegated that power to the President to a limited extent (although expansively interpreted by Trump), which is why Trump is able to pull this malarkey. But Congress can withdraw or restrict its delegation of this authority (if it can pull itself together and function, which...who knows).
posted by sallybrown at 5:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 5:19 PM on May 30, 2019 [8 favorites]
These new taxes on products from Mexico will mean food prices will go up.
Combine that with the nation's breadbasket looking to fail spectacularly this year.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:23 PM on May 30, 2019 [26 favorites]
Combine that with the nation's breadbasket looking to fail spectacularly this year.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:23 PM on May 30, 2019 [26 favorites]
When will Dems act to stop this tyrant?
I honestly do kinda wonder if Pelosi isn't waiting for exactly this sort of thing. Not the threat, but the reality, when it starts hurting the economy as a whole. But I also wonder how much of this is bluster.
He's thrown these firebombs and walked them back before, and there's been a correlating drop and recovery in the stock market. This time he waited until the markets were closed for the day. Maybe he/his goons walk it back before they open tomorrow?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:24 PM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I honestly do kinda wonder if Pelosi isn't waiting for exactly this sort of thing. Not the threat, but the reality, when it starts hurting the economy as a whole. But I also wonder how much of this is bluster.
He's thrown these firebombs and walked them back before, and there's been a correlating drop and recovery in the stock market. This time he waited until the markets were closed for the day. Maybe he/his goons walk it back before they open tomorrow?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:24 PM on May 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
WaPo, Louisiana’s Democratic governor just defied his party and signed an abortion ban into law: "State lawmakers voted 79 to 23 on Wednesday to pass the bill, with the support of more than a dozen Democrats. They rejected amendments that sought to make the law more lenient, including one that would have added an exception to the ban for cases of rape and incest."
WaPo, Hundreds of minors held at U.S. border facilities are there beyond legal time limits
Meditaite, Bill O’Reilly: Trump Told Me Mueller Hates Him Because He Refused to Refund $15k Country Club Deposit, in which Bill O'Reilly claims that Trump called him up last night to whine that Mueller has a vendetta against him because Trump turned Mueller down for the FBI Director job and because he still holds a grudge over the country club deposit Trump wouldn't refund. So that's all very stable and normal.
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
WaPo, Hundreds of minors held at U.S. border facilities are there beyond legal time limits
Many of the nearly 2,000 unaccompanied migrant children being held in overcrowded U.S. Border Patrol facilities have been there beyond legally allowed time limits, including some who are 12 or younger, according to new government data obtained by The Washington Post.NYT, New Democratic Debate Rules Will Distort Priorities, Some Campaigns Say. This is mostly lower-tier candidates upset that they may not be able to satisfy the 2%+130K donor threshold for the September debate, and I can't say I care a lot if Michael Bennett is unhappy (some mid-tier candidates may be a little more right to complain), but there's a really interesting lesson here about unintended consequences: the rules mean a lot of money ends up going directly to Facebook in the form of ad buys.
Federal law and court orders require that children in Border Patrol custody be transferred to more-hospitable shelters no longer than 72 hours after they are apprehended. But some unaccompanied children are spending longer than a week in Border Patrol stations and processing centers, according to two Customs and Border Protection officials and two other government officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the unreleased data. One government official said about half of the children in custody — 1,000 — have been with the Border Patrol for longer than 72 hours, and another official said that more than 250 children 12 or younger have been in custody for an average of six days.
But campaign after campaign said the party’s donor requirements are skewing the way they allocate resources, forcing them to choose between investing in staff or pouring more money into ads on sites like Facebook, where prices are soaring to dizzying new heights. Two campaigns said digital vendors are currently quoting them prices of $40 and up to acquire a new $1 donor.NYT, Unhappy With Findings, Agriculture Department Plans to Move Its Economists Out of Town, in which the Department of Agriculture wants to ship the Economic Research Service out of Washington as political appointees express frustration that the service's research conclusions contradict administration policy.
Democratic digital strategists said the unprecedented chase for small donors was encouraging poor habits aimed at simply stirring up internet interest or spamming existing email lists unsustainably, while also driving up the price of finding donors for down-ballot Democrats.
Meditaite, Bill O’Reilly: Trump Told Me Mueller Hates Him Because He Refused to Refund $15k Country Club Deposit, in which Bill O'Reilly claims that Trump called him up last night to whine that Mueller has a vendetta against him because Trump turned Mueller down for the FBI Director job and because he still holds a grudge over the country club deposit Trump wouldn't refund. So that's all very stable and normal.
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
I put together an Excel sheet with the vote counts for the winners and losers in the elections of each of the United State Senators.
First question: How many votes did the Democrat candidates receive (as winners or losers) and what were the corresponding numbers for the Republicans and Independents?
Of the 99 elected members of the Senate [McSally not being elected], the cumulative votes that the Democrats received in their last election (2014-2018) is 111,902,239 (54.0%). The two Independents (both of whom caucus with the Democrats) received an additional 528,098 votes (0.3%).
The corresponding number for the Republicans is 94,686,683. (45.7%)
The discrepancy is due to the fact that in populous states Dems either win large (California, New York), or lose small (Texas, Florida). Republicans win big in many of the low population states.
For this analysis, I counted only the top two candidates. I did not count (and maybe should have) the losing Democrats in California which had two Democrats on their final ballots and I didn't include totals for the losing candidates if they were not in the top two vote-getters (e.g., Democrats in Maine).
A slightly different question is: How many votes did the winners get among those who currently occupy the Senate. The percentages are roughly the same. The Republicans received 57,432,949 (45.5%) and the Democrats 68,240,158 (54.1%). The Independents, who caucus with the Democrats received 528,098.
tldr: the Senate is gerrymandered by its nature.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:48 PM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
First question: How many votes did the Democrat candidates receive (as winners or losers) and what were the corresponding numbers for the Republicans and Independents?
Of the 99 elected members of the Senate [McSally not being elected], the cumulative votes that the Democrats received in their last election (2014-2018) is 111,902,239 (54.0%). The two Independents (both of whom caucus with the Democrats) received an additional 528,098 votes (0.3%).
The corresponding number for the Republicans is 94,686,683. (45.7%)
The discrepancy is due to the fact that in populous states Dems either win large (California, New York), or lose small (Texas, Florida). Republicans win big in many of the low population states.
For this analysis, I counted only the top two candidates. I did not count (and maybe should have) the losing Democrats in California which had two Democrats on their final ballots and I didn't include totals for the losing candidates if they were not in the top two vote-getters (e.g., Democrats in Maine).
A slightly different question is: How many votes did the winners get among those who currently occupy the Senate. The percentages are roughly the same. The Republicans received 57,432,949 (45.5%) and the Democrats 68,240,158 (54.1%). The Independents, who caucus with the Democrats received 528,098.
tldr: the Senate is gerrymandered by its nature.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:48 PM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
From the Daily Beast, "Team Trump Now Wants Mueller to Testify Before Congress in Hopes of a Grilling."
From the article:
“If they allow [GOP Reps.] Meadows and Jordan and few of the others there, they’ll eviscerate him more than they did Michael Cohen,” said Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal attorney during and after the Mueller probe. Giuliani said it would be “emotionally satisfying to have” Mueller testify and that “in terms of the politics of it, I would love to have him testify. I think he’s afraid to.”
"Joseph diGenova, an informal legal adviser to the president, echoed those sentiments. “I think it would be really wonderful if Bob Mueller were to testify. I hope he does. I hope he has a respirator with him when he does it,” he said in a brief interview."
Uh, really guys? Are ya'll sure about that?
posted by cosimoilvecchio at 5:49 PM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
From the article:
“If they allow [GOP Reps.] Meadows and Jordan and few of the others there, they’ll eviscerate him more than they did Michael Cohen,” said Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal attorney during and after the Mueller probe. Giuliani said it would be “emotionally satisfying to have” Mueller testify and that “in terms of the politics of it, I would love to have him testify. I think he’s afraid to.”
"Joseph diGenova, an informal legal adviser to the president, echoed those sentiments. “I think it would be really wonderful if Bob Mueller were to testify. I hope he does. I hope he has a respirator with him when he does it,” he said in a brief interview."
Uh, really guys? Are ya'll sure about that?
posted by cosimoilvecchio at 5:49 PM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
A remarkable Twitter conversation:
AOC: If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a lobbyist check. I don’t think it should be legal at ALL to become a corporate lobbyist if you’ve served in Congress. At minimum there should be a long wait period.
Ted Cruz: Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC. Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?
AOC: @tedcruz if you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down. Let’s make a deal. If we can agree on a bill with no partisan snuck-in clauses, no poison pills, etc - just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists - then I’ll co-lead the bill with you.
Ted Cruz: You're on.
We'll see if actions follow words.
posted by galaxy rise at 5:55 PM on May 30, 2019 [104 favorites]
AOC: If you are a member of Congress + leave, you shouldn’t be allowed to turn right around&leverage your service for a lobbyist check. I don’t think it should be legal at ALL to become a corporate lobbyist if you’ve served in Congress. At minimum there should be a long wait period.
Ted Cruz: Here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with @AOC. Indeed, I have long called for a LIFETIME BAN on former Members of Congress becoming lobbyists. The Swamp would hate it, but perhaps a chance for some bipartisan cooperation?
AOC: @tedcruz if you’re serious about a clean bill, then I’m down. Let’s make a deal. If we can agree on a bill with no partisan snuck-in clauses, no poison pills, etc - just a straight, clean ban on members of Congress becoming paid lobbyists - then I’ll co-lead the bill with you.
Ted Cruz: You're on.
We'll see if actions follow words.
posted by galaxy rise at 5:55 PM on May 30, 2019 [104 favorites]
And here’s something I don’t say often: on this point, I AGREE with Ted Cruz.
posted by reductiondesign at 6:12 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by reductiondesign at 6:12 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
Wolff quotes Bannon saying
I just feel the need to point out, again, that the words "Cambridge Analytica" did not occur in Mueller's report. Even though Cambridge Analytica did all the digital media for the Trump campaign, and reached out to Julian Assange offering to help organize the email dumps. Even though Bannon used to run Cambridge Analytica. Even though Cambridge Analytica stole Facebook information from 87 million users while Bannon ran it. And also did popularity polling on Vladimir Putin, in the US, in 2014. When the IRA started operatng, and when Cambridge Analytica was also doing testing on slogans like "drain the swamp." Even though they worked with Russian researchers and briefed Russian executives about the American election. Even though Flynn worked for them. Ecen though they were also echoing Russian activities around the Brexit vote. Even though their post-Bannon CEO was caught on tape offering to help manipulate an election by using Ukrainian models to get kompromat.
Mueller said not one word. Which means Mueller did not clear Steve Bannon of jack shit. Mueller DID refer out a bunch of unspecified cases to other prosecutors, though.
Do not believe one word Bannon says, especially if he says it to Michael Wolff. Even if it is what you want to hear.
posted by OnceUponATime at 6:27 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
I just feel the need to point out, again, that the words "Cambridge Analytica" did not occur in Mueller's report. Even though Cambridge Analytica did all the digital media for the Trump campaign, and reached out to Julian Assange offering to help organize the email dumps. Even though Bannon used to run Cambridge Analytica. Even though Cambridge Analytica stole Facebook information from 87 million users while Bannon ran it. And also did popularity polling on Vladimir Putin, in the US, in 2014. When the IRA started operatng, and when Cambridge Analytica was also doing testing on slogans like "drain the swamp." Even though they worked with Russian researchers and briefed Russian executives about the American election. Even though Flynn worked for them. Ecen though they were also echoing Russian activities around the Brexit vote. Even though their post-Bannon CEO was caught on tape offering to help manipulate an election by using Ukrainian models to get kompromat.
Mueller said not one word. Which means Mueller did not clear Steve Bannon of jack shit. Mueller DID refer out a bunch of unspecified cases to other prosecutors, though.
Do not believe one word Bannon says, especially if he says it to Michael Wolff. Even if it is what you want to hear.
posted by OnceUponATime at 6:27 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
> Ted Cruz: You're on.
If that were to somehow, magically, actually happen, it would be the greatest thing Twitter has done for the world.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:34 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
If that were to somehow, magically, actually happen, it would be the greatest thing Twitter has done for the world.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:34 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
“If they allow [GOP Reps.] Meadows and Jordan and few of the others there
Meadows isn't on House Judiciary. Sorry, Rudy.
posted by holgate at 6:59 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Meadows isn't on House Judiciary. Sorry, Rudy.
posted by holgate at 6:59 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Uh, really guys? Are ya'll sure about that?
Schiff: 'There’s been an epidemic of cowardice in the GOP' (Politico)
Schiff: 'There’s been an epidemic of cowardice in the GOP' (Politico)
The California Democrat told Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer in a question-and-answer session that GOP lawmakers had come up to him privately to “express their deep concerns and worries” about the Trump administration and offer bits of encouragement as Schiff’s committee forges ahead with its investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. “But I’m, frankly, exhausted by the private misgivings,” Schiff said. “People need to speak out.”posted by Little Dawn at 7:00 PM on May 30, 2019 [19 favorites]
ted cruz is free to be conciliatory on this point because he knows that there isn’t the tiniest sliver of possibility that mitch mconnell would let such a bill come to a vote in the senate
posted by murphy slaw at 7:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [21 favorites]
Whenever methane gas is released, that smell, that aroma, is — freedom. Specifically, American freedom, the best kind that there is. That is why people love to sit with me in enclosed spaces that I swiftly perfume with nothing short of Truth, Justice and the American Way, especially if my lunch has been rich in beans. It has never been so critical, as Benjamin Franklin entreated, to “fart proudly.”
I love fart jokes as much as anyone and I literally have a bumper sticker on my car that says “I F❤️ BIOGAS”. I am delighted (in a horrified way) to discover that I work for a freedom utility. But I am duty bound to pedantically remind everyone that methane is odorless. And that smell is not added until the gas is received by the local utility (freedom companies like mine); CH4 in the interstate pipeline is not odorized.
posted by nickmark at 7:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
I love fart jokes as much as anyone and I literally have a bumper sticker on my car that says “I F❤️ BIOGAS”. I am delighted (in a horrified way) to discover that I work for a freedom utility. But I am duty bound to pedantically remind everyone that methane is odorless. And that smell is not added until the gas is received by the local utility (freedom companies like mine); CH4 in the interstate pipeline is not odorized.
posted by nickmark at 7:05 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
Do not believe one word Bannon says, especially if he says it to Michael Wolff.
Unquestionably. The issue is why Bannon dropping such an inflammatory quote like this to Woolf. Suggesting Trump's not as rich as he claims is verbotten in Trumpland. Does he think he has no more bridges there left to burn, or did he decide that his new quasi-fascist nationalist program in Europe is his meal ticket (spoiler: that's not working out so well either)? Or is he just an inveterate trash-talker who thinks chaos is a ladder? In any case, he needs watching.
Ted Cruz: You're on.
Why does AOC think she can politically survive making common cause with Ted Cruz, one of the most devious men on Capitol Hill? Cruz, already universally despised in the Senate, has little to lose with this DOA legislative team-up. AOC, on the other hand, simultaneously risks pissing off the entrenched Dem establishment (who were expecting a lobbying paycheck) and alienating her constituents for trying to strike a deal with a cockroach collective wearing a human suit.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:06 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Unquestionably. The issue is why Bannon dropping such an inflammatory quote like this to Woolf. Suggesting Trump's not as rich as he claims is verbotten in Trumpland. Does he think he has no more bridges there left to burn, or did he decide that his new quasi-fascist nationalist program in Europe is his meal ticket (spoiler: that's not working out so well either)? Or is he just an inveterate trash-talker who thinks chaos is a ladder? In any case, he needs watching.
Ted Cruz: You're on.
Why does AOC think she can politically survive making common cause with Ted Cruz, one of the most devious men on Capitol Hill? Cruz, already universally despised in the Senate, has little to lose with this DOA legislative team-up. AOC, on the other hand, simultaneously risks pissing off the entrenched Dem establishment (who were expecting a lobbying paycheck) and alienating her constituents for trying to strike a deal with a cockroach collective wearing a human suit.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:06 PM on May 30, 2019 [3 favorites]
Plus, these strange bedfellow things happen from time to time. Ted Kennedy did it a lot, I seem to recall Russ Feingold, too.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:18 PM on May 30, 2019 [13 favorites]
If she can *either* make a clean bill somehow magically happen and show it die, OR show Cruz out to be a lying piece of shit, those are favorable outcomes.
There is virtually no chance of the first possibility. The Senate wouldn’t piss on Ted Cruz even if he were on fire. AOC will only be diminished by association. As for the second, everybody knows that fact, and it hasn’t helped Dems dislodge him or convinced Repubs to drop him. The best realistic outcome is that this team-up will annoy Trump and Breitbart.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
There is virtually no chance of the first possibility. The Senate wouldn’t piss on Ted Cruz even if he were on fire. AOC will only be diminished by association. As for the second, everybody knows that fact, and it hasn’t helped Dems dislodge him or convinced Repubs to drop him. The best realistic outcome is that this team-up will annoy Trump and Breitbart.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Why does AOC think she can politically survive making common cause with Ted Cruz
She doesn't risk anything, she's in an ultra safe district, one of the safest in either party. Her only fear of losing her seat is whether Pelosi and Hoyer try to primary her out with a blank establishment white guy or revive Joe Crowley's career. Otherwise she can more or less hold that district the rest of her life.
It's a little twitter moment both of them can point to and say "see I can even find something with him/her!", knowing that nothing would ever come of it. It'd never pass either house, if it ever even got a vote in either. Hell, they can't even introduce it together, they're not even in the same house of Congress. Not every tweet is life and death.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:29 PM on May 30, 2019 [20 favorites]
She doesn't risk anything, she's in an ultra safe district, one of the safest in either party. Her only fear of losing her seat is whether Pelosi and Hoyer try to primary her out with a blank establishment white guy or revive Joe Crowley's career. Otherwise she can more or less hold that district the rest of her life.
It's a little twitter moment both of them can point to and say "see I can even find something with him/her!", knowing that nothing would ever come of it. It'd never pass either house, if it ever even got a vote in either. Hell, they can't even introduce it together, they're not even in the same house of Congress. Not every tweet is life and death.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:29 PM on May 30, 2019 [20 favorites]
She's doing things a different way because what we've done to-date hasn't worked.
The problem is, when you're being all different, some of what you learn is that people did a large proportion of things the way they did for good reasons. Maybe you will have a breakthrough, but you're counting on doing the right things different and not the wrong things.
posted by ctmf at 7:36 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
The problem is, when you're being all different, some of what you learn is that people did a large proportion of things the way they did for good reasons. Maybe you will have a breakthrough, but you're counting on doing the right things different and not the wrong things.
posted by ctmf at 7:36 PM on May 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
Her only fear of losing her seat is whether Pelosi and Hoyer try to primary her out with a blank establishment white guy or revive Joe Crowley's career.
That’s a real threat. The Hill, earlier this year: Some Dems float idea of primary challenge for Ocasio-Cortez
“What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson,” the Democratic lawmaker, who requested anonymity, told The Hill. “You’ve got numerous council people and state legislators who’ve been waiting 20 years for that seat. I’m sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:38 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
That’s a real threat. The Hill, earlier this year: Some Dems float idea of primary challenge for Ocasio-Cortez
“What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson,” the Democratic lawmaker, who requested anonymity, told The Hill. “You’ve got numerous council people and state legislators who’ve been waiting 20 years for that seat. I’m sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:38 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Threatening to primary her is a “real threat”, I guess, but actually doing it, in her district? I can’t imagine how they think that might work.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 7:50 PM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 7:50 PM on May 30, 2019 [9 favorites]
It's good to want things.
Meanwhile, the Congresswoman is tending bar somewhere in Queens tomorrow: AOC returning to her bartending roots to advocate for raising minimum wage for restaurant employees and other tipped workers (The NY Daily News)
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:50 PM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
Meanwhile, the Congresswoman is tending bar somewhere in Queens tomorrow: AOC returning to her bartending roots to advocate for raising minimum wage for restaurant employees and other tipped workers (The NY Daily News)
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:50 PM on May 30, 2019 [22 favorites]
North Korea executed Kim Hyok Chol, its special envoy to the United States, and foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse, a South Korean newspaper reported on Friday.
3 weeks ago: Secretary Pompeo (grinning): "Just as President Trump gets to decide who his negotiators will be, Chairman Kim will get to make his own decisions about who he asks to have these conversations"
He knew weeks ago and thought it was hilarious.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:51 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
3 weeks ago: Secretary Pompeo (grinning): "Just as President Trump gets to decide who his negotiators will be, Chairman Kim will get to make his own decisions about who he asks to have these conversations"
He knew weeks ago and thought it was hilarious.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:51 PM on May 30, 2019 [29 favorites]
AOC - Cruz is congressional kayfabe.
posted by fluttering hellfire at 7:54 PM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by fluttering hellfire at 7:54 PM on May 30, 2019 [7 favorites]
Trump just announced his own Brexit with Mexico:
posted by xammerboy at 8:16 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
Business leaders reacted with dismay to Trump’s statement Thursday that he would impose a new 5 percent tariff on all goods from Mexico beginning June 10 to force the Mexican government to take more aggressive actions to prevent Central American migrants from crossing its territory en route to the United States.This is an insane plan that will cause economic havoc for both the U.S. and Mexico. It may also be the wake up call conservatives need that Trump is unhinged.
If the administration determines that Mexican authorities have not done enough in response, the tariff would automatically jump to 10 percent on July 1 and then continue rising in 5 point increments at the start of each subsequent month until it reaches 25 percent on Oct. 1, according to a White House statement.
posted by xammerboy at 8:16 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
This proposal between AOC and Cruz is the dumbest thing to freak out about all year. AOC won't give away the store. She's not gonna give away anything. Either she gets what she wants or she walks and makes Cruz look like the dipshit he is. Yes, obviously McConnell will never let it get to the floor; that's no reason to give up legislating. And in either case, she gets the credibility of having tried to work with the other side to get shit done.
If AOC goes down in a primary for working with Ted Cruz on a law that should already be on the fucking books while we've got a Democratic governor in Louisiana signing an abortion ban, the Democratic party is already dead and deserves to be treated as such.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:20 PM on May 30, 2019 [53 favorites]
If AOC goes down in a primary for working with Ted Cruz on a law that should already be on the fucking books while we've got a Democratic governor in Louisiana signing an abortion ban, the Democratic party is already dead and deserves to be treated as such.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:20 PM on May 30, 2019 [53 favorites]
I’ve underestimated AOC too many times at this point to sit here and think I know better about how this will turn out with Cruz. I’m sure she’s gamed this out in every direction. As has Cruz. Thing is, Cruz has grossly miscalculated his odds of success before and I haven’t seen AOC do that yet.
posted by sallybrown at 8:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 8:25 PM on May 30, 2019 [18 favorites]
I don't understand this discussion at all. I thought it was a cute Twitter moment - see, even a legislator on the "far left" and a skin suit full of cockroaches can agree that the congressperson-lobbyist revolving door is bad.
If they each introduce a bill in the House and Senate respectively, it will die in committee or markup, never get a vote, but they will each get to point to it as (further) evidence that they are opposed to lobbying. If not, whatever, maybe they blame each other for poison pills in the draft text. It's a nice moment, but not in the top 100 burning issues - it falls well below "Freedom Gas" on the seriousness scale.
I thought it was just more evidence for AOC's social media savvy, that she made a moment out of potential agreement across the political divide that Bad Thing is Very Bad.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:41 PM on May 30, 2019 [40 favorites]
If they each introduce a bill in the House and Senate respectively, it will die in committee or markup, never get a vote, but they will each get to point to it as (further) evidence that they are opposed to lobbying. If not, whatever, maybe they blame each other for poison pills in the draft text. It's a nice moment, but not in the top 100 burning issues - it falls well below "Freedom Gas" on the seriousness scale.
I thought it was just more evidence for AOC's social media savvy, that she made a moment out of potential agreement across the political divide that Bad Thing is Very Bad.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:41 PM on May 30, 2019 [40 favorites]
Haven’t seen this posted yet:
Via dKos, Republicans for the Rule of Law are airing this ad next week during Fox and Friends, outlining the case for Obstruction, and calling on Republicans to stand up to Trump.
Should make for interesting Executive Time tweeting!
posted by darkstar at 8:47 PM on May 30, 2019 [45 favorites]
Via dKos, Republicans for the Rule of Law are airing this ad next week during Fox and Friends, outlining the case for Obstruction, and calling on Republicans to stand up to Trump.
Should make for interesting Executive Time tweeting!
posted by darkstar at 8:47 PM on May 30, 2019 [45 favorites]
It may also be the wake up call conservatives need that Trump is unhinged.
We used to wait for Trump to pivot to statesmanship. We surely this’d. And waited some more and again to this’d until finally we figured out there would be no pivot.
We should go now to the place where we have figured out that there’s no call coming that will wake up conservatives to the predicament they’ve landed us in.
posted by notyou at 9:53 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
We used to wait for Trump to pivot to statesmanship. We surely this’d. And waited some more and again to this’d until finally we figured out there would be no pivot.
We should go now to the place where we have figured out that there’s no call coming that will wake up conservatives to the predicament they’ve landed us in.
posted by notyou at 9:53 PM on May 30, 2019 [23 favorites]
It's not that they don't know that he's unhinged; they know he's unhinged, they just don't care so long as they got their tax cuts and keep getting their judicial appointments.
posted by Justinian at 9:56 PM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 9:56 PM on May 30, 2019 [28 favorites]
North Korea’s special envoy to the US, who was credited with paving the way for nuclear talks with Washington, has reportedly been executed over the failure of the recent summit between North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, and Donald Trump.
The South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying that Kim Hyok-chol and foreign ministry officials who conducted working-level preparations for February’s doomed Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi, were executed in March.
The paper said Kim Yong-chol, a senior official who had been US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s counterpart in the run-up to the summit,had been subjected to forced labour and “ideological education”.
posted by xammerboy at 10:17 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
The South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying that Kim Hyok-chol and foreign ministry officials who conducted working-level preparations for February’s doomed Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi, were executed in March.
The paper said Kim Yong-chol, a senior official who had been US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s counterpart in the run-up to the summit,had been subjected to forced labour and “ideological education”.
posted by xammerboy at 10:17 PM on May 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Via dKos, Republicans for the Rule of Law are airing this ad next week during Fox and Friends, outlining the case for Obstruction, and calling on Republicans to stand up to Trump.
This is good.
posted by mumimor at 3:16 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is good.
posted by mumimor at 3:16 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
they’ll eviscerate him more than they did Michael Cohen...
You mean the grilling where serious idiot and lifelong criminal Michael Cohen somehow came out looking smarter and more honorable than any of the Rs who “eviscerated” him? Yes, please try that with Mueller.
posted by chris24 at 3:52 AM on May 31, 2019 [49 favorites]
You mean the grilling where serious idiot and lifelong criminal Michael Cohen somehow came out looking smarter and more honorable than any of the Rs who “eviscerated” him? Yes, please try that with Mueller.
posted by chris24 at 3:52 AM on May 31, 2019 [49 favorites]
It is good. And I'd wager that Speaker Pelosi knows a whole lot more than we do about the strategy of actual American Republicans to make this case.
posted by Sublimity at 4:00 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 4:00 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I'd wager that Speaker Pelosi knows a whole lot more than we do about the strategy of actual American Republicans to make this case.
Expand on your theory here.
posted by diogenes at 4:36 AM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
Expand on your theory here.
posted by diogenes at 4:36 AM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
Meanwhile, the Congresswoman is tending bar somewhere in Queens tomorrow: AOC returning to her bartending roots to advocate for raising minimum wage for restaurant employees and other tipped workers
If I was in New York I'd take the day off and visit every bar in Queens. I'd probably do that anyway but today I'd have a reason.
posted by srboisvert at 5:24 AM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
If I was in New York I'd take the day off and visit every bar in Queens. I'd probably do that anyway but today I'd have a reason.
posted by srboisvert at 5:24 AM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
Threatening to primary her is a “real threat”, I guess, but actually doing it, in her district? I can’t imagine how they think that might work.
Admittedly I am a fanboi, but based on her charisma and momentum, I imagine this would be meaningless... it would fire up her supporters, prove the mendacity and complicity of the dem machine, and she could run as a Socialist or independent and still keep the seat forever.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:28 AM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
This morning NPR aired a story on Trump's Mexican tarriffs that was notable for wholly accepting the Republican framing that it was about "illegal immigration," when many of the migrants are seeking to claim asylum. Although asylum got mentioned, alleged journalist Steve Inskeep never mentioned that same is legal under US law, regardless of whether the claimant entered the US legally.
Nor did he seem to remember NPR's own reporting that the Border Patrol has deliberately stifled legal channels for claiming asylum at ports of entry and is locking up those who attempt to do so. Instead, he allowed his intervewee to use the word "crisis" without noting that the Administration created said crisis. Feh.
posted by Gelatin at 5:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [38 favorites]
Nor did he seem to remember NPR's own reporting that the Border Patrol has deliberately stifled legal channels for claiming asylum at ports of entry and is locking up those who attempt to do so. Instead, he allowed his intervewee to use the word "crisis" without noting that the Administration created said crisis. Feh.
posted by Gelatin at 5:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [38 favorites]
Pelosi on Kimmel:
posted by xammerboy at 6:00 AM on May 31, 2019 [31 favorites]
“[Here’s] why I think the president wants us to impeach him,” Pelosi explained. “He knows it’s not a good idea to be impeached, but the silver lining for him is, then he believes that he would be exonerated by the United States Senate, and there’s a school of thought that says, if the Senate acquits you, why bring up charges against him in the private sector when he’s no longer president? So when we go through with our case, it’s got to be ironclad.”So impeach for the impeachable crimes that are not crimes that can be prosecuted. Impeach him for lying to the public about his business deals with Russia and his caging kids without a plan for reuniting the families. Then make explicitly public plans to have him arrested and jailed after his presidency ends for obstruction. Censure him at least.
posted by xammerboy at 6:00 AM on May 31, 2019 [31 favorites]
I get the sense when I listen to NPR that they've been so beaten down with charges of being a liberal organization that they're terrified to do their job.
posted by xammerboy at 6:05 AM on May 31, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 6:05 AM on May 31, 2019 [19 favorites]
I get the sense when I listen to NPR that they've been so beaten down with charges of being a liberal organization that they're terrified to do their job.
Which means the Republicans' decades-long propaganda campaign on the "liberal media" myth worked. And that means the Democrats are failing badly in presuming -- somehow, after the media's awful performance in the 2016 election alone -- that the media is even interested in being fair, let alone "balanced" (which itself is slanted and favors lies by treating them the same as the truth).
Democrats and liberals need to insist loudly that the media do its job, and not let them get away with their usual "if both sides criticize us we must be doing something right" sophistry.
posted by Gelatin at 6:16 AM on May 31, 2019 [32 favorites]
Which means the Republicans' decades-long propaganda campaign on the "liberal media" myth worked. And that means the Democrats are failing badly in presuming -- somehow, after the media's awful performance in the 2016 election alone -- that the media is even interested in being fair, let alone "balanced" (which itself is slanted and favors lies by treating them the same as the truth).
Democrats and liberals need to insist loudly that the media do its job, and not let them get away with their usual "if both sides criticize us we must be doing something right" sophistry.
posted by Gelatin at 6:16 AM on May 31, 2019 [32 favorites]
Breaking news from the Qatari-backed Middle East Eye: EXCLUSIVE: Trump Approves Turkish Offer for Joint S-400 Study Group—In call with Turkish president, Trump agrees to body to find ways to cohabit Ankara's purchase of F-35s and Russian missile system
Last month, the chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees warned Turkey that it risked tough sanctions if it pursued plans to purchase Russian S-400 missile defense systems (Reuters). Yet another sudden turnaround of US policy by Trump that benefits Putin after a phone call with Erdogan.
I get the sense when I listen to NPR that they've been so beaten down with charges of being a liberal organization that they're terrified to do their job.
"Captured media", akin to regulatory capture, is the operative term. c.f. The current hamstrung state of the BBC, the product of the Blair government's crackdown on editorial independence following their coverage of the Iraq war.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:34 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
US President Donald Trump has accepted an offer to form a joint technical study group with Turkey to investigate Washington's concerns over Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile system, Middle East Eye has learned.Bloomberg backs up their reporting: Trump and Erdogan Agree on Forming Study Group on Russian S-400s
According to several Turkish officials, Trump, in a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, overruled the Pentagon and the State Department who had been against the study group.
US officials were concerned that Ankara's purchase of the missile system would put advanced stealth F-35 fighter jets, which Turkey has also ordered, at risk because Moscow could steal sensitive information through the system's radar.
Confident of their assessment on the dangers posed by the missile system, US defence officials had refused to participate in the study group multiple times over the course of the past two months.
In a single phone call, that policy changed.
Last month, the chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees warned Turkey that it risked tough sanctions if it pursued plans to purchase Russian S-400 missile defense systems (Reuters). Yet another sudden turnaround of US policy by Trump that benefits Putin after a phone call with Erdogan.
I get the sense when I listen to NPR that they've been so beaten down with charges of being a liberal organization that they're terrified to do their job.
"Captured media", akin to regulatory capture, is the operative term. c.f. The current hamstrung state of the BBC, the product of the Blair government's crackdown on editorial independence following their coverage of the Iraq war.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:34 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
Meanwhile, on FOX, Karl Rove praises Nancy Pelosi for resisting calls to impeach Trump and predicts that any effort to impeach Trump would result in benefit for the Republican Party.
posted by sotonohito at 7:02 AM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 7:02 AM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
MSNBC’s Donny Deutsch sets off firestorm with suggestion to rebrand Trump ‘impeachment’ (Travis Gettys / Raw Story via AlterNet.org)
MSNBC’s Donny Deutsch suggested an idea to change the conversation about impeachment, and force President Donald Trump to prove he’s not a criminal.posted by ZeusHumms at 7:02 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
The “Morning Joe” contributor and former advertising executive suggested Democrats should stop talking about impeachment, which is a loaded term that carries political risks, and tell the public they’re investigating Trump’s criminal activity.
I feel like I hear "you come at the king, you'd best not miss" repeated all the time in contexts where it really doesn't apply at all, to the point where I worry it's distorting people's strategic thinking. That's about situations where the entity you oppose doesn't know you're out to get them and will take swift, devastating retaliatory action when they find out.
Elected officials are not kings, they already know who their opposition is, and attacks that don't knock them out of power usually still help by damaging their credibility and building oppositional support.
posted by contraption at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2019 [48 favorites]
Elected officials are not kings, they already know who their opposition is, and attacks that don't knock them out of power usually still help by damaging their credibility and building oppositional support.
posted by contraption at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2019 [48 favorites]
Democrats should stop talking about impeachment, which is a loaded term that carries political risks, and tell the public they’re investigating Trump’s criminal activity.
Which he has either been carrying out right in the open, as with his bogus foundation, or trying desperately (and equally obviously) to cover up, as with his tax returns.
Democrats need to say, explicitly and for the cameras, that Trump's hiding his tax returns means he's obviously covering something up. Because, as discussed above with Mueller, it's important for someone to go on TV and actually say it, not leave it to the media -- or its viewers -- to connect the dots.
posted by Gelatin at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
Which he has either been carrying out right in the open, as with his bogus foundation, or trying desperately (and equally obviously) to cover up, as with his tax returns.
Democrats need to say, explicitly and for the cameras, that Trump's hiding his tax returns means he's obviously covering something up. Because, as discussed above with Mueller, it's important for someone to go on TV and actually say it, not leave it to the media -- or its viewers -- to connect the dots.
posted by Gelatin at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
> Democrats should stop talking about impeachment, [...] and tell the public they’re investigating Trump’s criminal activity.
Why yes, "Is the President a criminal?" is something I would like a definitive answer to. But isn't this the exact Catch-22 that Mueller was threading in his report, where he couldn't accuse the President of being a criminal because the President couldn't be indicted (according to his employer's guidelines) and get his day in court? Obstruction of justice is, like, a proper crime and everything!
OTOH, if this is a call to investigate Trump for tax evasion and fraud and illegal campaign contributions, sure, go ahead, why not. I can't believe the guy is still frantically hiding his tax returns.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:09 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Why yes, "Is the President a criminal?" is something I would like a definitive answer to. But isn't this the exact Catch-22 that Mueller was threading in his report, where he couldn't accuse the President of being a criminal because the President couldn't be indicted (according to his employer's guidelines) and get his day in court? Obstruction of justice is, like, a proper crime and everything!
OTOH, if this is a call to investigate Trump for tax evasion and fraud and illegal campaign contributions, sure, go ahead, why not. I can't believe the guy is still frantically hiding his tax returns.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:09 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
“He knows it’s not a good idea to be impeached, but the silver lining for him is, then he believes that he would be exonerated by the United States Senate, and there’s a school of thought that says, if the Senate acquits you, why bring up charges against him in the private sector when he’s no longer president?"
Some thoughts on this comment from an impeachment law professor:
Pelosi told @jimmykimmel that if the House impeaches and the Senate doesn't convict, it could impair a future criminal case against Trump. Actually no. But Pelosi has said other odd things about impeachment.
posted by diogenes at 7:20 AM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
Some thoughts on this comment from an impeachment law professor:
Pelosi told @jimmykimmel that if the House impeaches and the Senate doesn't convict, it could impair a future criminal case against Trump. Actually no. But Pelosi has said other odd things about impeachment.
posted by diogenes at 7:20 AM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
This is a good idea: Warren says end the policy (based on a Nixon era memo) not to indict presidents.
Twitter, Medium
posted by mark k at 7:26 AM on May 31, 2019 [36 favorites]
Yes, Congress has a constitutional obligation to impeach the President when he violates the law. But lawyers for previous presidents have used this constitutional duty to argue that the only way the President can be held accountable for criminal behavior is through impeachment.To be clear, she's still pro-impeachment and is talking about this as something that is going to be done after Trump is gone.
[ . . . ]
Pass a law clarifying Congress’s intent that the Department of Justice can indict the President of the United States.
Congress should make it clear that it wants the President to be held accountable for violating the law, just like everyone else.
Title 18 of the United States Code, which contains most provisions of federal criminal law, applies to “[w]hoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission[.]” Congress should clarify that it intends for this provision to apply to all persons — including the President of the United States.
If Congress does so, one of the strongest arguments against indictment disappears: that
the Constitution gives Congress the sole authority to decide when to interfere with the President’s duties, and that a criminal indictment would forcibly take that power away from Congress. It’ll also remove any statutory ambiguity that remains.
Twitter, Medium
posted by mark k at 7:26 AM on May 31, 2019 [36 favorites]
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea executed Kim Hyok Chol, its special envoy to the United States, and foreign ministry officials who carried out working-level negotiations for the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February, holding them responsible for its collapse, a South Korean newspaper reported on Friday.
Maybe yes, maybe no. The newspaper in question, Chosun Ilbo, has a tendency for credulity when it comes to sensationalistic NK stories. There's a lot of "unable to verify" by other media & I saw but can't currently find photos on Twitter of the supposedly dead apparently taken after their deaths, still alive. I'm reserving judgement.
posted by scalefree at 7:28 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Maybe yes, maybe no. The newspaper in question, Chosun Ilbo, has a tendency for credulity when it comes to sensationalistic NK stories. There's a lot of "unable to verify" by other media & I saw but can't currently find photos on Twitter of the supposedly dead apparently taken after their deaths, still alive. I'm reserving judgement.
posted by scalefree at 7:28 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Meanwhile, on FOX, Karl Rove praises Nancy Pelosi for resisting calls to impeach Trump and predicts that any effort to impeach Trump would result in benefit for the Republican Party.
posted by sotonohito 27 minutes ago [2 favorites +] [!]
My knee-jerk response to this is Karl Rove believes impeachment proceedings would sink Trump.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:35 AM on May 31, 2019 [39 favorites]
posted by sotonohito 27 minutes ago [2 favorites +] [!]
My knee-jerk response to this is Karl Rove believes impeachment proceedings would sink Trump.
posted by From Bklyn at 7:35 AM on May 31, 2019 [39 favorites]
Quinta Jurecic: Part of the responsibility of serving as an elected representative of the people is not only acting based on what people do care about, but also taking the time to communicate what people SHOULD care about. Not acting sends the message that Trump didn't do anything that bad.
NBC: Republican Justin Amash stands by position to start impeachment proceedings despite criticism
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:41 AM on May 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
NBC: Republican Justin Amash stands by position to start impeachment proceedings despite criticism
Cathy Garnaat, a Republican who supported Amash and the president said she was upset about Amash’s position but wanted to hear his reasoning. She said that she will definitely support Trump in 2020 but that Tuesday night was the first time she had heard that the Mueller report didn’t completely exonerate the president.Pelosi is so convinced talking about impeachment will make white guys in Ohio mad that she won't even try. When we don't actually have any evidence.
“I was surprised to hear there was anything negative in the Mueller report at all about President Trump. I hadn’t heard that before," she said. "I’ve mainly listened to conservative news and I hadn’t heard anything negative about that report and President Trump has been exonerated."
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:41 AM on May 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
hah! Karl's trying to outpelosi Pelosi. Good luck with that, Karl.
posted by Don Pepino at 7:43 AM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Don Pepino at 7:43 AM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
prove he’s not a criminal
Not how things work in America.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Not how things work in America.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
So when we go through with our case, it’s got to be ironclad.
wtf does that even mean? Impeachment is not a legal process - we're not going to cite precedent or rely on motions to advance the case. WE SAW HIM fire Comey to obstruct the Flynn investigation and ADMIT IT on television, and in reporting, and in contemporaneous accounts. That's all you need, that's your "ironclad". GO. DO. Quit jerking around and put some pen to paper already. G-D.
An ironclad media strategy? Sure, I'll give her that, but that's not the context of her quote. She's talking about it like it's a legal case which it isn't and the only reason I know that is the 10,000 hours of organically hand-moderated comments here on Le Bleu that Pelosi should already know back and forth and sideways.
"The case has to be ironclad" is just smoke. If she doesn't know it, we're even more f*d than we were already. If she does know it (and I think she absolutely does) then she's f*ing around and wasting time and I'm sick of it. Get on with it already - if you don't have a media strategy ready and you don't have it all gamed out wtf are you even doing? Infrastructure?
posted by petebest at 7:51 AM on May 31, 2019 [30 favorites]
wtf does that even mean? Impeachment is not a legal process - we're not going to cite precedent or rely on motions to advance the case. WE SAW HIM fire Comey to obstruct the Flynn investigation and ADMIT IT on television, and in reporting, and in contemporaneous accounts. That's all you need, that's your "ironclad". GO. DO. Quit jerking around and put some pen to paper already. G-D.
An ironclad media strategy? Sure, I'll give her that, but that's not the context of her quote. She's talking about it like it's a legal case which it isn't and the only reason I know that is the 10,000 hours of organically hand-moderated comments here on Le Bleu that Pelosi should already know back and forth and sideways.
"The case has to be ironclad" is just smoke. If she doesn't know it, we're even more f*d than we were already. If she does know it (and I think she absolutely does) then she's f*ing around and wasting time and I'm sick of it. Get on with it already - if you don't have a media strategy ready and you don't have it all gamed out wtf are you even doing? Infrastructure?
posted by petebest at 7:51 AM on May 31, 2019 [30 favorites]
You can’t charge the President with crimes through the regular judicial system while in office, because you fundamentally can’t have a fair trial when the prosecutors all work for the defendant.
Meanwhile, Congress is explicitly prohibited from directly applying criminal punishments to people. Impeachment can only remove from office and disqualify from holding future office.
So you have to have a two-part prosecution if there are crimes. And the Constitution explicitly says this. First remove from office, politically, with impeachment or resignation. Then use regular legal processes (DA’s, grand jury, courts) to prosecute crimes. It works as long as Gerald Ford doesn’t get in the way.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:51 AM on May 31, 2019 [17 favorites]
Meanwhile, Congress is explicitly prohibited from directly applying criminal punishments to people. Impeachment can only remove from office and disqualify from holding future office.
So you have to have a two-part prosecution if there are crimes. And the Constitution explicitly says this. First remove from office, politically, with impeachment or resignation. Then use regular legal processes (DA’s, grand jury, courts) to prosecute crimes. It works as long as Gerald Ford doesn’t get in the way.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:51 AM on May 31, 2019 [17 favorites]
Ryan Cooper: How far gone is the Roberts court? (emphasis in original)
In reality, after closely studying Texas district maps, Hofeller had concluded that drawing districts based on voting-age citizens — instead of total population, as has been the practice for the entirety of American history — "would be advantageous to Republicans and non-Hispanic whites" and "would clearly be a disadvantage for the Democrats." The reason, he explained, was because if (disproportionately non-citizen) left-leaning Latinos and their children would not be counted, their districts would have to expand and thus dilute Democratic electoral strength.posted by zombieflanders at 7:51 AM on May 31, 2019 [38 favorites]
But without detailed knowledge of citizen distribution, it wouldn't be possible. Hofeller wrote: "Without a question on citizenship being included on the 2020 Decennial Census questionnaire ... the use of citizen voting age population is functionally unworkable."
So the motivation for the question was explicitly partisan and racist, and part of an unequivocal Republican strategy to undermine fair elections by rigging electoral procedures. What's more, this evidence proves the administration lied in its earlier testimony, when they claimed Hofeller had little to do with the census question idea.
Of course, all this was obvious from the start. How much Republicans care about the VRA is demonstrated by Roberts himself, who largely gutted that very law in 2013 in an opinion that didn't even cite which part of the Constitution it supposedly violated. And after Roberts argued that the "'pervasive,' 'flagrant,' 'widespread,' and 'rampant' discrimination that faced Congress in 1965" was a thing of the past, southern jurisdictions that escaped from VRA protections instantly started rigging their electoral procedures to disenfranchise black people. Roberts has been on a crusade to destroy the VRA for his entire career; as Slate's Richard Hasen argues, we should expect nothing less than tendentious constitutional Calvinball as part of that effort.
Warren Would Allow Indictment of Presidents (politicalwire)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said in a post [Medium] that if elected president, she’ll push legislation to reverse the policy that a sitting president may not be charged with a crime.
Said Warren: “Congress should make it clear that presidents can be indicted for criminal activity, including obstruction of justice. And when I’m president, I’ll appoint justice department officials who will reverse flawed policies so no president is shielded from criminal accountability.”
Point of order though, won't Trump II just re-reverse them and continue criming?
posted by petebest at 7:56 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said in a post [Medium] that if elected president, she’ll push legislation to reverse the policy that a sitting president may not be charged with a crime.
Said Warren: “Congress should make it clear that presidents can be indicted for criminal activity, including obstruction of justice. And when I’m president, I’ll appoint justice department officials who will reverse flawed policies so no president is shielded from criminal accountability.”
Point of order though, won't Trump II just re-reverse them and continue criming?
posted by petebest at 7:56 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's worth repeating that impeachment is not a legal process. The term "high crimes and misdemeanors" is not a legal term. A high crime is anything that gets the votes. The process is much closer to deciding to fire an executive. If, for instance, Trump decided to stop working altogether and just watch t.v. it wouldn't be illegal, but you could impeach him for it.
So yes, Trump can be impeached for his obstruction of justice, which there's plenty of evidence for, and is also illegal. However, there's arguably a stronger case he should be impeached for the way he's mishandled immigration and lying to the public. Neither are illegal, but both are impeachable.
posted by xammerboy at 8:10 AM on May 31, 2019 [18 favorites]
So yes, Trump can be impeached for his obstruction of justice, which there's plenty of evidence for, and is also illegal. However, there's arguably a stronger case he should be impeached for the way he's mishandled immigration and lying to the public. Neither are illegal, but both are impeachable.
posted by xammerboy at 8:10 AM on May 31, 2019 [18 favorites]
Gelatin: Democrats need to say, explicitly and for the cameras, that Trump's hiding his tax returns means he's obviously covering something up.
It would be splendid if Nancy Pelosi said aloud that the president is engaged in a cover-up -- ideally using that exact phrase -- but she just doesn't have that kind of chutzpah.
mark k: This is a good idea: Warren says end the policy (based on a Nixon era memo) not to indict presidents.
It's like she reads MeFi! From back at the beginning of March:
T.D. Strange: This bullshit unconstitutional policy should be #1 on the list of shit to add in the omnibus "passing norms into law" bill should be we so lucky to ever see another Democratic president who has any hope of getting another law passed.
Me (InTheYear2017): And it would probably make a great campaign for any 2020 nominee! "I don't plan to commit any crimes or corruption while in office, so I fully endorse the More Oversight And Less Power For Me (Your New President) Act."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
It would be splendid if Nancy Pelosi said aloud that the president is engaged in a cover-up -- ideally using that exact phrase -- but she just doesn't have that kind of chutzpah.
mark k: This is a good idea: Warren says end the policy (based on a Nixon era memo) not to indict presidents.
It's like she reads MeFi! From back at the beginning of March:
T.D. Strange: This bullshit unconstitutional policy should be #1 on the list of shit to add in the omnibus "passing norms into law" bill should be we so lucky to ever see another Democratic president who has any hope of getting another law passed.
Me (InTheYear2017): And it would probably make a great campaign for any 2020 nominee! "I don't plan to commit any crimes or corruption while in office, so I fully endorse the More Oversight And Less Power For Me (Your New President) Act."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
BBC got my back. Their reporter Laura Bicker has been tasked with tracking this story down.
@BBCLBicker
@BBCLBicker
The report that Kim Hyok Chol and other officials in North Korea have been executed following the Hanoi summit is based on one source.
In my view, this news is best treated with caution until other sources confirm or deny it.posted by scalefree at 9:00 AM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
It would be splendid if Nancy Pelosi said aloud that the president is engaged in a cover-up -- ideally using that exact phrase -- but she just doesn't have that kind of chutzpah.I have good news for you!
Pelosi says Trump is engaged in a "cover-up" (CNN)
She's actually doing a lot of things well. I really wish people in this thready would do a little less reflexive hating-on-democratic-leadership.
posted by dbx at 9:05 AM on May 31, 2019 [52 favorites]
Point of order though, won't Trump II just re-reverse them and continue criming?
It may get to the point where Superfund-like laws will have to be enacted to undo the damage Trump has caused and will cause, and to try to limit power or at least more clearly outline the limits on powers of a future executive. My interpretation of Sen. Warren's proposal is that, as President, she would likely work with Congress towards those kinds of accountability and enforcement measures.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
It may get to the point where Superfund-like laws will have to be enacted to undo the damage Trump has caused and will cause, and to try to limit power or at least more clearly outline the limits on powers of a future executive. My interpretation of Sen. Warren's proposal is that, as President, she would likely work with Congress towards those kinds of accountability and enforcement measures.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
USA Today opinion by psychiatrists John D. Gartner, David Reiss and Steven Buser: President Donald Trump's Poor Mental Health Is Grounds For Impeachment—Donald Trump should be removed from the office of the president because he is psychologically unfit to uphold his constitutional duties. Since Trump's loyalist cabinet will never invoke the 25th Amendment, they argue that impeachment is the only remedy to remove a president, citing James Madison on impeachment for "incapacity" during the 1787 Constitutional Convention.
On that note, the NYT reviews Michael Wolff's new book In ‘Siege: Trump Under Fire,’ Michael Wolff Chats With Steve Bannon While the Establishment Burns:
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:11 AM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
On that note, the NYT reviews Michael Wolff's new book In ‘Siege: Trump Under Fire,’ Michael Wolff Chats With Steve Bannon While the Establishment Burns:
“Siege” is ostensibly about Trump — portrayed here as a very unstable non-genius cracking under the pressure of being thrust into the highest office — but its guiding worldview looks remarkably like Bannon’s. It’s a mordant, readable tell-all designed to show how Trump, simply by being Trump, has made himself the perfect wrecking ball, blasting holes through an array of institutions.[…]The caveat lector is of course even greater this time around. Wolff continues to make profligate use of anonymous sources, including those who left the Trump White House after Fire and Fury but are still part of its gossip loop.
The political analysis in this book is close to nil, but that’s by design. “The heart of this book,” Wolff says, is the experience of the Trump presidency: “an emotional state rather than a political state.” Policies, decision-making, anything that requires even a minimal amount of attention to detail — that happens, as much as possible, without Trump, Wolff says. The president’s staff sees it as their job to keep him in his “bubble,” munching candy bars at night and getting his ego stroked in marathon phone calls with the Fox News host Sean Hannity. On good days, Wolff writes, the president arrives late to the office and is whisked through a series of staged, anodyne meetings to keep him busy: “A distracted Trump was a happy Trump.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:11 AM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
This is kind of interesting. Resistbot recently added a prompt to a straw poll after you send a letter or make a call. Here are the results with 5,800 votes:
Warren 41%
Yang 22
Harris 11
Sanders 9
Buttigieg 7
Biden 5
Williamson 2
O'Rourke 1
Gravel 1
Gabbard 0
posted by diogenes at 9:14 AM on May 31, 2019 [28 favorites]
Warren 41%
Yang 22
Harris 11
Sanders 9
Buttigieg 7
Biden 5
Williamson 2
O'Rourke 1
Gravel 1
Gabbard 0
posted by diogenes at 9:14 AM on May 31, 2019 [28 favorites]
Expand on your theory here.
Pelosi knows that there is a rebellion brewing on the Republican side, and that those people are the ones who need to make the case to persuade citizens in the Republican media bubble. She knows that there were ultimately over a thousand signatories to the letter from former prosecutors that any person who was not the President would be indicted for obstruction of justice. Those people are not going to pick up their ball and go home quietly. There are Republican voices like Amash and Tom Coleman, taking stands that would have been unthinkable a month ago. The calculus about the Senate that everybody is obsessing about here is well known to all of the above people. The Republicans for Rule of Law advert goes directly at McConnell, Graham, Rubio as complicit.
I'm reminded at this moment of all the agonizing about Elizabeth Warren's DNA test, the certainty that that issue would tank her Presidential campaign. In hindsight, she did what she needed to do to address the issue as thoroughly and respectfully as possible, well before she formally declared, and now that she's out there on the trail being a goddamn rock star, that issue is handled, done, and way in the rear view mirror.
How little faith we have in female politicians--even ones who've proven their success at the highest levels.
posted by Sublimity at 9:27 AM on May 31, 2019 [45 favorites]
Pelosi knows that there is a rebellion brewing on the Republican side, and that those people are the ones who need to make the case to persuade citizens in the Republican media bubble. She knows that there were ultimately over a thousand signatories to the letter from former prosecutors that any person who was not the President would be indicted for obstruction of justice. Those people are not going to pick up their ball and go home quietly. There are Republican voices like Amash and Tom Coleman, taking stands that would have been unthinkable a month ago. The calculus about the Senate that everybody is obsessing about here is well known to all of the above people. The Republicans for Rule of Law advert goes directly at McConnell, Graham, Rubio as complicit.
I'm reminded at this moment of all the agonizing about Elizabeth Warren's DNA test, the certainty that that issue would tank her Presidential campaign. In hindsight, she did what she needed to do to address the issue as thoroughly and respectfully as possible, well before she formally declared, and now that she's out there on the trail being a goddamn rock star, that issue is handled, done, and way in the rear view mirror.
How little faith we have in female politicians--even ones who've proven their success at the highest levels.
posted by Sublimity at 9:27 AM on May 31, 2019 [45 favorites]
I know this isn't a global warming thread, but this is the reality Trump won't acknowledge:
Publicly anyway. There's always a way to benefit from this (insurance fraud), and his properties aren't immune from the effects of global warning.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Publicly anyway. There's always a way to benefit from this (insurance fraud), and his properties aren't immune from the effects of global warning.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
that issue is handled, done, and way in the rear view mirror
I'm not sure you can say it's in the rear view mirror while Trump is still calling her Pocahontas.
(Warren is my candidate.)
posted by diogenes at 9:38 AM on May 31, 2019 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure you can say it's in the rear view mirror while Trump is still calling her Pocahontas.
(Warren is my candidate.)
posted by diogenes at 9:38 AM on May 31, 2019 [7 favorites]
Since Trump's loyalist cabinet will never invoke the 25th Amendment
It's a bit of a moot point, but ISTR that since most (if not still all) of the cabinet heads are "acting" rather than official then they wouldn't be able to perform the necessary ratification at the end of the initial four day period for the 25th to be fully implemented anyway.
Guessing that's probably just accidental on Trump's behalf, rather than a deliberate preparation of a loophole to ensure the 25th can't be used against him.
posted by Buntix at 9:43 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
It's a bit of a moot point, but ISTR that since most (if not still all) of the cabinet heads are "acting" rather than official then they wouldn't be able to perform the necessary ratification at the end of the initial four day period for the 25th to be fully implemented anyway.
Guessing that's probably just accidental on Trump's behalf, rather than a deliberate preparation of a loophole to ensure the 25th can't be used against him.
posted by Buntix at 9:43 AM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Pelosi knows that there is a rebellion brewing on the Republican side
90% Republican approval. He's the most popular politician among Republicans in American history. There will be no rebellion, ever.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2019 [33 favorites]
90% Republican approval. He's the most popular politician among Republicans in American history. There will be no rebellion, ever.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2019 [33 favorites]
I am getting a little more than tired of Pelosi's supposed secret plans being trotted out as accepted fact. You can't come up with your own plan and shoehorn it into an explanation of another person's actions.
Just let a person's actions and words speak for them. If someone says they will defend against calls for impeachment and attack a progressive surge in Congress, maybe take them at their word.
posted by FakeFreyja at 9:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
Just let a person's actions and words speak for them. If someone says they will defend against calls for impeachment and attack a progressive surge in Congress, maybe take them at their word.
posted by FakeFreyja at 9:50 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
I really wish people in this thready would do a little less reflexive hating-on-democratic-leadership.
I appreciate the sentiment, but it's been seven months since the Democrats retook the House and it's well-considered, and not reflexive, pique. Additionally, much of the Democratic leadership has been Democratic leadership under past legalizing-torture and illegal-warring presidents where they pursued a similarly ineffective strategy of calling for bipartisanship and waiting. The strategy is well-known, and likewise well-known to be ineffective.
This isn't a knee-jerk call for action - prior to the 2018 victories that gave Dems the control of the House there was tacit acknowledgement if not agreement and outright statements by the same leadership that Trump needs to be reined in, held at bay, blocked, removed. None of that is happening, in part because the administration is feeling completely unfettered - reasonably or not - and we only have definitive statements from the leadership against the one action they have.
posted by petebest at 9:53 AM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
I appreciate the sentiment, but it's been seven months since the Democrats retook the House and it's well-considered, and not reflexive, pique. Additionally, much of the Democratic leadership has been Democratic leadership under past legalizing-torture and illegal-warring presidents where they pursued a similarly ineffective strategy of calling for bipartisanship and waiting. The strategy is well-known, and likewise well-known to be ineffective.
This isn't a knee-jerk call for action - prior to the 2018 victories that gave Dems the control of the House there was tacit acknowledgement if not agreement and outright statements by the same leadership that Trump needs to be reined in, held at bay, blocked, removed. None of that is happening, in part because the administration is feeling completely unfettered - reasonably or not - and we only have definitive statements from the leadership against the one action they have.
posted by petebest at 9:53 AM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
Pelosi knows that there is a rebellion brewing on the Republican side
Politico on Democratic frustrations with this always-brewing/never-boiling Repub rebellion: Schiff: 'There’s Been an Epidemic of Cowardice in the GOP'—Rep. Adam Schiff said he's "exhausted by the private misgivings" among Republicans.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
Politico on Democratic frustrations with this always-brewing/never-boiling Repub rebellion: Schiff: 'There’s Been an Epidemic of Cowardice in the GOP'—Rep. Adam Schiff said he's "exhausted by the private misgivings" among Republicans.
The California Democrat told Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer in a question-and-answer session that GOP lawmakers had come up to him privately to “express their deep concerns and worries” about the Trump administration and offer bits of encouragement as Schiff’s committee forges ahead with its investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.Incidentally, Schiff won't advocate impeachment right now: “I’m not there yet, although the president seems to be doing everything in his power to get me there.” (His line in the sand is ignoring a court order.)
“But I’m, frankly, exhausted by the private misgivings,” Schiff said. “People need to speak out.”
The lawmaker said he respected Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, who became the first Republican lawmaker to accuse Trump of committing impeachable offenses with a series of tweets earlier this month.[…]
“I think what we knew, implicitly, was that courage is contagious,” he said. “But what we didn’t realize is that cowardice is also contagious. I think there’s been an epidemic of cowardice in the GOP. This president doesn’t stand for anything that the Republican Party said it stood for.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
More in-depth analysis on the reported NK executions. BBC is at the head of the pack on this.
North Korea execution reports - why we should be cautious
North Korea execution reports - why we should be cautious
It is being reported across international media that North Korea's nuclear envoy has been executed as part of a purge of officials involved in a failed summit between the US and North Korea.
But there is a reason we treat reports about North Korean officials being executed with extreme caution. The claims are incredibly difficult to verify and they are very often wrong.
Both the South Korean media and the government in Seoul have reported on purges in the past - only for the "executed" officials to turn up a few weeks later looking alive and well next to the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
On this occasion, a single anonymous source has told a newspaper in Seoul that Kim Hyok-chol, the former North Korean envoy to the US and a key figure in talks ahead of the summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump in Hanoi, was executed at an airport in Pyongyang.posted by scalefree at 10:14 AM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
DBX: I have good news for you! Pelosi says Trump is engaged in a "cover-up" (CNN)
Garggh, my intention was dry sarcasm but I should have linked to a source to make that clear.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Garggh, my intention was dry sarcasm but I should have linked to a source to make that clear.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Clarence Thomas Just Voted With the Liberals in a Big Consumer Rights Case. Why? (Mark Joseph Stern, Slate)
Looks like a laser focus on original intent; in this case, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, and who may get cases moved to federal court (where they're easier to get dismissed).
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:20 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Looks like a laser focus on original intent; in this case, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, and who may get cases moved to federal court (where they're easier to get dismissed).
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:20 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Good News ™️
The Sanders campaign has been putting out policy proposals all week
Midterm voter turnout reached a modern high in 2018, and Generation Z, Millennials and Generation X accounted for a narrow majority of those voters.
The Tiffany Caban for Queens DA race heats up with endorsements from AOC, the Working Families Party, and The Liberty Fund “As a queer Latina, I grew up with few elected officials that looked or sounded like me.
@VictoryFund is working to change that by electing members of the LGBTQ community to office—creating a new generation of diverse and representative leadership. Proud to have their support.” @CabanForQueens
“ The leadership of the Democratic party is ignoring—and actively antagonizing—the multiracial coalition of voters who have delivered blue victories time and time again“ Winning is easy, just stop fighting your own base. (GQ)
Voter rights restored in Nevada even if Nevada’s governor refused to sign the Electoral College Popular Vote Compact..
posted by The Whelk at 10:24 AM on May 31, 2019 [19 favorites]
The Sanders campaign has been putting out policy proposals all week
Midterm voter turnout reached a modern high in 2018, and Generation Z, Millennials and Generation X accounted for a narrow majority of those voters.
The Tiffany Caban for Queens DA race heats up with endorsements from AOC, the Working Families Party, and The Liberty Fund “As a queer Latina, I grew up with few elected officials that looked or sounded like me.
@VictoryFund is working to change that by electing members of the LGBTQ community to office—creating a new generation of diverse and representative leadership. Proud to have their support.” @CabanForQueens
“ The leadership of the Democratic party is ignoring—and actively antagonizing—the multiracial coalition of voters who have delivered blue victories time and time again“ Winning is easy, just stop fighting your own base. (GQ)
Voter rights restored in Nevada even if Nevada’s governor refused to sign the Electoral College Popular Vote Compact..
posted by The Whelk at 10:24 AM on May 31, 2019 [19 favorites]
This tweet sums up my feelings re: Pelosi:
I honestly don't know what Nancy Pelosi is planning, or if she has a plan at all, but people keep asking me to have faith that Jeet Heer and Chris Hayes know more about political maneuvering than she does, and that just ain't happening.posted by NoxAeternum at 10:24 AM on May 31, 2019 [16 favorites]
Incidentally, Schiff won't advocate impeachment right now: “I’m not there yet, although the president seems to be doing everything in his power to get me there.” (His line in the sand is ignoring a court order.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:56 AM on May 31 [2 favorites +] [!]
Ahem: The Trump Administration Is Apparently Ignoring Court Orders
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:40 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:56 AM on May 31 [2 favorites +] [!]
Ahem: The Trump Administration Is Apparently Ignoring Court Orders
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:40 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
Sublimity: I'm reminded at this moment of all the agonizing about Elizabeth Warren's DNA test, the certainty that that issue would tank her Presidential campaign. In hindsight, she did what she needed to do to address the issue as thoroughly and respectfully as possible, well before she formally declared, and now that she's out there on the trail being a goddamn rock star, that issue is handled, done, and way in the rear view mirror.
How little faith we have in female politicians--even ones who've proven their success at the highest levels.
Haha, I remember that, and all the righteous pecksniffery about how she was toast. And now she's doing better than just about everyone except Joe Biden. Just for heart-warmsies, here is a Daily Kos thread with Warren being awesome (helping a woman clear up a spilled drink, and her husband helping to stack chairs at a rally).
And continuing on the Let's Have Faith In Women theme, a shout out to New York AG Tish James, who just might be the one to bring the NRA down: How The New York Attorney General’s Probe Threatens The NRA’s Future (Josh Kovensky, Talking Points Memo); also see PeteBest's comment. It would be sweet indeed if James could be the one to slay the NRA dragon.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:48 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
How little faith we have in female politicians--even ones who've proven their success at the highest levels.
Haha, I remember that, and all the righteous pecksniffery about how she was toast. And now she's doing better than just about everyone except Joe Biden. Just for heart-warmsies, here is a Daily Kos thread with Warren being awesome (helping a woman clear up a spilled drink, and her husband helping to stack chairs at a rally).
And continuing on the Let's Have Faith In Women theme, a shout out to New York AG Tish James, who just might be the one to bring the NRA down: How The New York Attorney General’s Probe Threatens The NRA’s Future (Josh Kovensky, Talking Points Memo); also see PeteBest's comment. It would be sweet indeed if James could be the one to slay the NRA dragon.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:48 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
"And now she's doing better than just about everyone except Joe Biden."
Isn't Sanders still in 2nd place?
posted by Selena777 at 10:54 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
Isn't Sanders still in 2nd place?
posted by Selena777 at 10:54 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
One lens through which political ideology can be viewed might be termed the Poll Leading/Poll Following lens.
Pelosi has told us many times that she views the outer limits of what she, or really any politician, should consider doing is things that poll at or above 51%. That's the heart of the Following approach to politics. This is not to say taht people who approach politics from a Following point of view are robots who simply vote for whatever polls at or above 51%, its simply that before any other political considerations are taken into account they evaluate proposals on how well they poll. If a given proposal doesn't poll at or above 51% it's simply not considered at all.
If a given Democratic proposal polls at or above 51%, then Pelosi and others who use the Following method will use other metrics to determine if they should support or oppose the proposal, the Following method is a sort of pre-clearance approach, not the be all and end all of how they evaluate.
The other approach to politics is the Leading approach, which views polls as something to be moved via action of some sort (speeches, votes, investigations, interviews and rhetoric, etc). We saw an example of this when then President Obama gave a speech in which he said he'd changed his position and that he now supported same sex marriage. Polling on same sex marriage shifted measurably towards favoring it following Obama's speech.
The frustration you see with Pelosi is coming from fundamentally conflicting political ideologies. Pelosi is a true believer in Following, to her the polls are the absolute outer limit on what can be even considered, much less acted on. Those who express frustration with Pelosi are believers in the Leading ideology, and are frustrated because she simply does not believe in trying to move the polls.
Once I started seeing it through this lens, I find that I'm a lot less frustrated or angry with Pelosi. I disagree with her position, but it no longer seems like incompetence or malice to me, merely a fundamentally wrong axiom on which to operate. It's also made me much more willing to endorse the idea of replacing her as Speaker in 2020. We need a Leading strategy believer right now.
posted by sotonohito at 10:57 AM on May 31, 2019 [20 favorites]
Pelosi has told us many times that she views the outer limits of what she, or really any politician, should consider doing is things that poll at or above 51%. That's the heart of the Following approach to politics. This is not to say taht people who approach politics from a Following point of view are robots who simply vote for whatever polls at or above 51%, its simply that before any other political considerations are taken into account they evaluate proposals on how well they poll. If a given proposal doesn't poll at or above 51% it's simply not considered at all.
If a given Democratic proposal polls at or above 51%, then Pelosi and others who use the Following method will use other metrics to determine if they should support or oppose the proposal, the Following method is a sort of pre-clearance approach, not the be all and end all of how they evaluate.
The other approach to politics is the Leading approach, which views polls as something to be moved via action of some sort (speeches, votes, investigations, interviews and rhetoric, etc). We saw an example of this when then President Obama gave a speech in which he said he'd changed his position and that he now supported same sex marriage. Polling on same sex marriage shifted measurably towards favoring it following Obama's speech.
The frustration you see with Pelosi is coming from fundamentally conflicting political ideologies. Pelosi is a true believer in Following, to her the polls are the absolute outer limit on what can be even considered, much less acted on. Those who express frustration with Pelosi are believers in the Leading ideology, and are frustrated because she simply does not believe in trying to move the polls.
Once I started seeing it through this lens, I find that I'm a lot less frustrated or angry with Pelosi. I disagree with her position, but it no longer seems like incompetence or malice to me, merely a fundamentally wrong axiom on which to operate. It's also made me much more willing to endorse the idea of replacing her as Speaker in 2020. We need a Leading strategy believer right now.
posted by sotonohito at 10:57 AM on May 31, 2019 [20 favorites]
As I’ve said before, I doubt there’s been someone more defensive of Pelosi over the years of this thread. She’s an amazing legislator and politician in a world of normal politics. We are passed that time. This is the fight for the survival of democracy, not the passing of a bill. We need a Grant, not a McClellan, and it looks like she’s not it. Pointing that out isn’t a betrayal of her, it’s a rationale assessment of the facts post-November 2018.
posted by chris24 at 10:58 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 10:58 AM on May 31, 2019 [24 favorites]
I was hoping Nadler or Schiff could be Sherman to Pelosi’s Grant but I guess I’m just destined to be disappointed.
posted by chris24 at 11:03 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 11:03 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
The first battle after they replaced McClellan was a pointless doomed frontal assault at Fredericksburg, followed by a march through mud that didn’t go anywhere and some scapegoating. Second battle under a new new leader named Fighting Joe they started to do something smart, then stopped in the Wilderness for no particular reason and got taken utterly by surprise and snatched defeat from victory.
It’s easy to say you need a Grant. It’s harder to find one.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:07 AM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
It’s easy to say you need a Grant. It’s harder to find one.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:07 AM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
Mod note: Ok, folks, let's drop the bickering about Pelosi. It's not any different than it was the last thirty or so go-rounds.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:32 AM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:32 AM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
WSJ breaks the first leaks against Trump's Mexico tariffs from within the administration: Trump’s Top Trade Adviser Opposed Mexican Tariffs—U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer argued plan could jeopardize North American trade accord "President Trump’s top trade adviser opposed the White House’s threat to impose escalating tariffs on Mexico, arguing that the plan could jeopardize a pending North American trade accord, people familiar with the situation said."
CNBC confirms: Mnuchin and Lighthizer Opposed Trump Tariffs On Mexico, Source Says
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:38 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
CNBC confirms: Mnuchin and Lighthizer Opposed Trump Tariffs On Mexico, Source Says
President Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary and top trade advisor opposed his surprise plan to impose new tariffs on Mexican imports, according to a source close to the White House who said the idea was pushed by immigration hawk Stephen Miller.CNBC: The New Front In Trump’s Trade War Could Cost Consumers at Least $93 Billion "Using 2018 trade figures as a baseline, the tariffs would tax U.S. consumers starting at $18.6 billion and escalating to nearly $93 billion. But the figures don’t take into account all the impact: That’s because in the critical auto industry, many parts crisscross borders multiple times."
The announcement came as Trump was “riled up” by conservative radio commentary about the recent surge in border crossings, according to the source.[…]
Miller’s role was confirmed by the source close to the White House and a person briefed on the matter.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:38 AM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
Are we sure that Stephen Miller isn’t a Russian asset?
Because at this point, between Bolton on foreign policy and Miller on domestic, it’s hard to think of two advisers who are more actively working for the destruction of the country.
posted by darkstar at 11:46 AM on May 31, 2019 [20 favorites]
Because at this point, between Bolton on foreign policy and Miller on domestic, it’s hard to think of two advisers who are more actively working for the destruction of the country.
posted by darkstar at 11:46 AM on May 31, 2019 [20 favorites]
Isn't Navarro the president's actual top trade adviser? This bizarre protectionism trend is coming from him, and it's averse to what the mainstream Republican policy has been for the last half century at least.
posted by Selena777 at 11:47 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Selena777 at 11:47 AM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I'm not sure you can say it's in the rear view mirror while Trump is still calling her Pocahontas.
Apparently she went on the Breakfast Club podcast and straight up got compared to Rachel Dolezal.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:48 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Apparently she went on the Breakfast Club podcast and straight up got compared to Rachel Dolezal.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:48 AM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Catherine Rampell, WaPo: Just a few of the reasons that Trump’s Mexico tariffs are deeply stupid.
Dear NPR, this is how you do it: "5. Mexico does not have power to do the thing Trump seems to be asking the country to do. He’s asking Mexico to block people from Central America from crossing into the United States to exercise their internationally recognized legal right to seek asylum."
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:57 AM on May 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
Dear NPR, this is how you do it: "5. Mexico does not have power to do the thing Trump seems to be asking the country to do. He’s asking Mexico to block people from Central America from crossing into the United States to exercise their internationally recognized legal right to seek asylum."
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:57 AM on May 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
Re: Navarro - here his is on cnbc this morning refusing to acknowledge the plainly obvious truth that US consumers foot the bill for tariffs.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:59 AM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:59 AM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Isn't Navarro the president's actual top trade adviser? This bizarre protectionism trend is coming from him
Peter Navarro, whose formal title is "Assistant to the President, Director of Trade and Industrial Policy", is firmly behind this nonsense. "I would suggest to investors to look at this calmly. Look at what we’re trying to do. This is actually a brilliant move by the president to get Mexico’s attention to get them to help us, because so far they’ve just been standing by, and they really have the power to help us." (MarketWatch)
Robert Lighthizer, as the US Trade Representative, is the person who has to deal with the fallout from it.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:05 PM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Peter Navarro, whose formal title is "Assistant to the President, Director of Trade and Industrial Policy", is firmly behind this nonsense. "I would suggest to investors to look at this calmly. Look at what we’re trying to do. This is actually a brilliant move by the president to get Mexico’s attention to get them to help us, because so far they’ve just been standing by, and they really have the power to help us." (MarketWatch)
Robert Lighthizer, as the US Trade Representative, is the person who has to deal with the fallout from it.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:05 PM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have to picture people who believe that they support Trump, and have all along, and then open the news and say, "You stupid mother fucker!" These are folks who farm, or import, or export, or run factories and such, and are suddenly affected by a poorly thought out initiatives like the Mexico thing. Suddenly they are in a more uncertain spot that the prior day, and can only wonder how it came to this.
posted by Midnight Skulker at 12:26 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Midnight Skulker at 12:26 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Those people will come to the same answers they always come to: brown people.
They will blame brown people for existing long before they blame Trump for literally setting their homes on fire right in front of them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
They will blame brown people for existing long before they blame Trump for literally setting their homes on fire right in front of them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [12 favorites]
Those people will come to the same answers they always come to: brown people.
They will blame brown people for existing long before they blame Trump for literally setting their homes on fire right in front of them.
Because Trump and his people -- like the Border Patrol toad did on this morning's NPR interview -- will use the language abusers most always use, "you're making me do this terrible thing."
posted by Gelatin at 12:33 PM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
They will blame brown people for existing long before they blame Trump for literally setting their homes on fire right in front of them.
Because Trump and his people -- like the Border Patrol toad did on this morning's NPR interview -- will use the language abusers most always use, "you're making me do this terrible thing."
posted by Gelatin at 12:33 PM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
It sounds as if the host on Breakfast Club (who, allegedly, is a rapist) came across as a bully, and, while I'm not on Twitter, I see considerable skepticism in political spaces.
I might note that Warren appeared on She the People (its mission statement reads that it is "a national network for women of color to transform our democracy) and got a standing ovation. I am optimistic that Warren can overcome this, especially since she lacks some twenty-five-odd years of right-wing smear campaigns against her.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
I might note that Warren appeared on She the People (its mission statement reads that it is "a national network for women of color to transform our democracy) and got a standing ovation. I am optimistic that Warren can overcome this, especially since she lacks some twenty-five-odd years of right-wing smear campaigns against her.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
And also too, Charlamagne Tha God apparently just loves loathsome right-wing Cool Girl Tomi Lahren, so - time to take his opinions with a small Siberian salt mine.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:38 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 12:38 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
especially since she lacks some twenty-five-odd years of right-wing smear campaigns against her.
Maybe not 25 years, but she has experience: The entire Republican campaign against her in her first senate race was one long smear campaign - Republicans, spurred on by a local tabloid columnist, even went around in public doing "tomahawk chops". Nevertheless, she persisted (and then her opponent went on to lose another senate race, in New Hampshire).
posted by adamg at 12:40 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Maybe not 25 years, but she has experience: The entire Republican campaign against her in her first senate race was one long smear campaign - Republicans, spurred on by a local tabloid columnist, even went around in public doing "tomahawk chops". Nevertheless, she persisted (and then her opponent went on to lose another senate race, in New Hampshire).
posted by adamg at 12:40 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Are we sure that Stephen Miller isn’t a Russian asset?
Even his own family thinks he's been waiting to be Himmler 2.0 since at least his teenage years, it's far more likely that he's just in it for the cruelty.
posted by zombieflanders at 12:48 PM on May 31, 2019 [22 favorites]
Even his own family thinks he's been waiting to be Himmler 2.0 since at least his teenage years, it's far more likely that he's just in it for the cruelty.
posted by zombieflanders at 12:48 PM on May 31, 2019 [22 favorites]
CNN, Watchdog finds detainees 'standing on toilets' for breathing room at border facility holding 900 people in space meant for 125
BuzzFeed, Aleaziz, Trump Plans To Make It Harder For Many Unaccompanied Migrant Children To Apply For Asylum
The Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General has found "dangerous overcrowding" and unsanitary conditions at an El Paso, Texas, Border Patrol processing facility following an unannounced inspection, according to a new report.You can read the IG report here.
The IG found "standing room only conditions" at the El Paso Del Norte Processing Center, which has a maximum capacity of 125 migrants. On May 7 and 8, logs indicated that there were "approximately 750 and 900 detainees, respectively."
"We also observed detainees standing on toilets in the cells to make room and gain breathing space, thus limiting access to the toilets," the report states. The report was first obtained by CNN.
BuzzFeed, Aleaziz, Trump Plans To Make It Harder For Many Unaccompanied Migrant Children To Apply For Asylum
The memorandum, issued by officials with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), appears to represent the latest attempt by the Trump administration to try to deter unaccompanied children from coming to the country and applying for asylum. Earlier this year, officials said they were on track to house a record number of unaccompanied children in shelters scattered across the country.posted by zachlipton at 12:50 PM on May 31, 2019 [29 favorites]
The new procedures could make it less likely for unaccompanied migrant children to have their asylum claims initially heard and processed by USCIS, a policy that will anger immigrant advocates and likely lead to legal challenges. Unaccompanied children in removal proceedings get an opportunity to present their claims to USCIS first and, if denied, get another opportunity in immigration court.
Unlike people on the left raising the heritage concern about Warren, people on the right have to thread a tricky needle because the compulsion to slip into pure racism is much too strong; they keep doing it over and over. Trump could say "Your emails!" to Hillary without brushing any feathers insofar as email, as a technology, is not some kind of hot-button issue. But he absolutely lacks the self-control to pull this against Elizabeth without adding some slurs or stereotypes to the mix.
My only fear about it is one I've expressed before, which is that negativity can drive down turnout all around even if a voter's negative emotions are pointed much more strongly against the worse candidate than against the better one, because it just adds to the emotional load of voting: "If you go to the polls then you have to Deal With The Country's Race Thing".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:54 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
My only fear about it is one I've expressed before, which is that negativity can drive down turnout all around even if a voter's negative emotions are pointed much more strongly against the worse candidate than against the better one, because it just adds to the emotional load of voting: "If you go to the polls then you have to Deal With The Country's Race Thing".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:54 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
That’s absolutely true about Warren criticism slipping into outright anti-Native racism, the problem is it’s far from clear that outright racism will be punished at the ballot box.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
@christinawilkie [statement attached]: White House: On June 19, Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Arthur Laffer, the 'father of supply-side economics."
Nothing matters.
posted by zachlipton at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [26 favorites]
Nothing matters.
posted by zachlipton at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [26 favorites]
'father of supply-side economics." and also, unsurprisingly, the author of:
Trumpenomics, Inside the America-First Plan to Revive [ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME] our Economy.
Editorialized title is mine, not his.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trumpenomics, Inside the America-First Plan to Revive [ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME] our Economy.
Editorialized title is mine, not his.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Concentration camps. Start saying it. It's not even slightly hyperbolic at this point.
I'm of the opinion it's time to get the people out of these places John Connor style
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [32 favorites]
I'm of the opinion it's time to get the people out of these places John Connor style
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:28 PM on May 31, 2019 [32 favorites]
Just for heart-warmsies, here is a Daily Kos thread with Warren being awesome (helping a woman clear up a spilled drink, and her husband helping to stack chairs at a rally).
For contrast, I was reminded of Trump's story about seeing an old man fall off the stage during a ball at Mar-a-Lago and seriously injuring his head.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:36 PM on May 31, 2019 [18 favorites]
For contrast, I was reminded of Trump's story about seeing an old man fall off the stage during a ball at Mar-a-Lago and seriously injuring his head.
I couldn’t, you know, he was right in front of me and I turned away. I didn’t want to touch him… he’s bleeding all over the place, I felt terrible. You know, beautiful marble floor, didn’t look like it. It changed color. Became very red. And you have this poor guy, 80 years old, laying on the floor unconscious, and all the rich people are turning away. ‘Oh my God! This is terrible! This is disgusting!’ and you know, they’re turning away. Nobody wants to help the guy.Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
...
“I was saying, ‘Get that blood cleaned up! It’s disgusting!’ The next day, I forgot to call [the man] to say he’s OK,” said Trump, adding of the blood, “It’s just not my thing.”
posted by kirkaracha at 1:36 PM on May 31, 2019 [18 favorites]
BuzzFeed, David Mack, Trump Is The First Republican President To Acknowledge LGBT Pride Month, And Yet...: Trump made history on Friday, but his administration has attacked the rights of the LGBT community.
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [17 favorites]
President Donald Trump became the first Republican president to acknowledge the LGBT celebration of Pride Month on Friday, even as his administration works to undo and attack the civil rights of the LGBT community.On a related note, Politico, State Department to launch new human rights panel stressing 'natural law'
"As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation," he wrote in a series of tweets. "My Administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality and invite all nations to join us in this effort!"
The tweet came exactly one week after Trump's administration unveiled a proposal to rescind non-discrimination protections for transgender people under the Affordable Care Act. Also last week, the administration finalized one rule allowing medical workers to refuse to treat trans people based on religious objections, while drafting another that would allow homeless shelters to turn away transgender individuals.
The Trump administration plans to launch a new panel to offer "fresh thinking” on international human rights, a move some activists fear is aimed at narrowing protections for women and members of the LGBT community.Because nothing says human rights like the nation's founders; those guys really lived and breathed equality for all.
The new body, to be called the Commission on Unalienable Rights, will advise Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to a notice the State Department quietly published Thursday on the Federal Register. “The Commission will provide fresh thinking about human rights discourse where such discourse has departed from our nation's founding principles of natural law and natural rights,” states the notice, which is dated May 22.
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [17 favorites]
Buzzfeed's Zoe Tillman on the government's court-ordered new release of Flynn documents:
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [22 favorites]
Per court order, the govt has filed a transcript of a voicemail that Michael Flynn's lawyer got from one of Trump's lawyers after Flynn withdrew from the joint defense agreement. Much of this was excerpted in Vol. II of Mueller's report. The judge had ordered the govt to file this transcript because in their sentencing memo they'd referenced the fact that Flynn contributed to the obstruction investigation by turning over a "voicemail recording"While we wait for Judge Emmet Sullivan's response to the government's withholding transcripts of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials, here's the full transcript of John Dowd's 11/22/17 voicemail that he left with Flynn's lawyer when he learned General Misha was dropping out of the Joint Defense Agreement:
The judge also ordered the govt to produce "any other audio recordings of Mr. Flynn, including, but not limited to, audio recordings of Mr. Flynn's conversations with Russian officials." Govt said today it isn't relying on any other recordings, nor are any part of the record.
Here's the govt's full response to the judge's orders: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6111483/5-31-19-Govt-Response-Flynn.pdf
Hey, Rob, uhm, this is John again. Uh, maybe, I-I-I’m-I’m sympathetic; I understand your situation, but let me see if I can’t…state it in…starker terms. If you have… and it wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve gone on to make a deal with, and, uh, work with the government, uh… I understand that you can’t join the joint defense; so that’s one thing. If, on the other hand, we have, there’s information that… implicates the President, then we’ve got a national security issue, or maybe a national security issue, I don’t know… some issue, we got to-we got to deal with, not only for the President, but for the country. So… uh… you know, then-then, you know, we need some kind of heads up. Um, just for the sake of… protecting all our interests, if we can, without you having to give up any… confidential information. So, uhm, and if it’s the former, then, you know, remember what we’ve always said about the President and his feelings toward Flynn and, that still remains, but—Well, in any event, uhm, let me know, and, uh, I appreciate your listening and taking the time. Thanks, Pal.Emphasis added, 'cos that sure sounds like witness tampering by dangling the promise of a pardon.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [22 favorites]
Emphasis added, 'cos that sure sounds like witness tampering by dangling the promise of a pardon.
That sounds like legal adviser to Donald Trump, John Dowd, is pretty damned concerned that Flynn's going to roll on Trump with ... y'know. Information*.
* ?
posted by petebest at 2:33 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
That sounds like legal adviser to Donald Trump, John Dowd, is pretty damned concerned that Flynn's going to roll on Trump with ... y'know. Information*.
* ?
posted by petebest at 2:33 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
If Trump is impeached it's going to be fun to watch Mike Pence pretend he doesn't want to be President
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:39 PM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:39 PM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
In other polling news, Maine’s perpetually “concerned” Republican Senator Susan Collins has seen her approval rate drop 10 points since Fall ‘18, and is down 17 points since Fall ‘17 (see page 15 of the report). She is now well underwater at 41% approval.
Meanwhile, the effort to raise funds for Collins’ eventual Democratic opponent in the 2020 race has raised $3.8 million so far. The main impetus being showcased is Collins’ vote to confirm Trump’s choice of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
posted by darkstar at 2:50 PM on May 31, 2019 [40 favorites]
Meanwhile, the effort to raise funds for Collins’ eventual Democratic opponent in the 2020 race has raised $3.8 million so far. The main impetus being showcased is Collins’ vote to confirm Trump’s choice of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
posted by darkstar at 2:50 PM on May 31, 2019 [40 favorites]
Isn't Navarro the president's actual top trade adviser? This bizarre protectionism trend is coming from him, and it's averse to what the mainstream Republican policy has been for the last half century at least.
He may be point man for selling & implementing it but the idea for it is pure Trump. It's one of his fixated ideas he just can't let go of, combining his zero-sum international politics with his wanting to punish brown people for trying to infest his beautiful white America. If Navarro wants to keep his job he'll get on board with it & pretend it makes sense as hard as he can. The emperor's clothes are beautiful beyond description.
posted by scalefree at 2:56 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
He may be point man for selling & implementing it but the idea for it is pure Trump. It's one of his fixated ideas he just can't let go of, combining his zero-sum international politics with his wanting to punish brown people for trying to infest his beautiful white America. If Navarro wants to keep his job he'll get on board with it & pretend it makes sense as hard as he can. The emperor's clothes are beautiful beyond description.
posted by scalefree at 2:56 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Voting rights advocates now possess 18 thumb drives and 4 hard drives used by Republicans' gerrymandering mastermind. The files contain "work from many, many states over years and years."
The census bombshell was just the beginning. (Slate)
posted by The Whelk at 2:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [63 favorites]
The census bombshell was just the beginning. (Slate)
posted by The Whelk at 2:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [63 favorites]
Collins is getting a lot of out-of-state GOP money, roughly equal to what has been raised for her opponent:
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:00 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
The research firm also found that her 46-percentage-point drop in approval among Democrats between the third and fourth quarters of 2019 was matched by an increase among Republicans, explaining why her overall standing hasn’t changed much despite becoming a lightning rod.She probably traded her support for Kavanaugh for a guarantee that she'd financially benefit. Still, every dollar raised for her opponent is a dollar that the GOP/Mercer/Koch axis is more likely to have to match, which makes it less likely spent on Republican campaigns elsewhere in the country.
That’s also evidenced by the fact that Collins raised more money during the quarter after the Kavanaugh vote than she had in any previous quarter of her career. She’d raised $4.4 million for her race through March’s end, with virtually all of it coming from out of state. That haul matches two national progressive crowdfunds aimed at her since the Kavanaugh vote.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:00 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump’s two-front trade war triggers alarms (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 3:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
President Donald Trump’s decision to open a second front in his trade war sent tremors through global markets, unnerved corporate America and spurred economists to raise new warnings about the potential for a sharp economic slowdown just as the 2020 presidential contest heats up. [...]Surely some revelation is at hand...
Business groups in Washington quickly slammed Trump’s decision, which White House officials indicated came after a haphazard internal process and against the advice of some of the president’s more free trade-oriented advisers. [...] Business groups on Friday also once again rejected claims made by Trump that other countries pay the cost of tariffs he imposes. “A 5 percent increase is noticeable and will hit people’s pocketbooks,” said the U.S. Chamber's Bradley. “There’s no money coming from Mexico,” he said. “Every dime of the tariff is going to be paid by an American consumer and an American business.”
posted by Little Dawn at 3:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
I suspect there will be a meeting between the American and Mexican delegations, Trump will declare victory despite nothing in particular new being done, the markets will rally a bit, and Trump will claim credit for the rally and for "fixing" a problem he created not two days prior.
posted by Justinian at 3:20 PM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:20 PM on May 31, 2019 [10 favorites]
Illinois House approves marijuana legalization bill backed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker
posted by The Whelk at 3:38 PM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 3:38 PM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
Fuck yeah, Illinois. The dominos falling for pot legalization need to go faster, and they ALL need to include mandatory pardons for non-violent pot possession charges.
posted by lazaruslong at 4:01 PM on May 31, 2019 [35 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 4:01 PM on May 31, 2019 [35 favorites]
[note: @AltScalesOfJust is on a list compiled by Snopes of "trusted Alt Government Twitter accounts"]
@AltScalesOfJust
posted by scalefree at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
@AltScalesOfJust
[THREAD] I would like to offer my take on Mueller's statement today. I spent MANY hours w/ Mueller debating messages & wording before briefings to Congress & others. I joined him in giving many of the briefings. So I feel qualified to offer some opinions about his wording choices[not going to try to summarize, it's 25 tweets long]
posted by scalefree at 4:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
Forcing Collins to vote to exonerate Trump is reason enough to bring articles of impeachment all by itself.
posted by contraption at 4:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by contraption at 4:18 PM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
UK accused of ‘sweetheart deal’ with Donald Trump over Turnberry lighthouse
Donald Trump’s flagship Scottish business is paying just £100 a month to a UK government public body to lease buildings at the world-famous Turnberrry lighthouse, The Scotsman can reveal.
The 19th century lighthouse, the centrepiece of the US president’s loss making Trump Turnberry hotel and golf resort, houses what is billed as “one of the world’s finest suites,” the interiors of which are bedecked in marble, gold, and mahogany.posted by scalefree at 4:33 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
[...]
Trump Turnberry charges £1,400 for an overnight stay at the suite - housed in an accommodation block owned by Mr Trump - with a three-course dinner and breakfast available for a further £50, meaning its annual outlay on the lease can be footed by just a single paying guest.
I would like to offer my take on Mueller's statement today.
This is helpful, but probably nothing too surprising for us obsessives. What it does make clear is that Congress needs to compel Mueller to testify publicly. He needs to be forced to state the conclusions we are supposed to infer from his coded statements.
This shit is infuriating:
Mueller is a Marine to the core and would not publicly counter his commanding officer. He WOULD defend his commanding officer if he felt it justified. The fact that he did not defend AG Barr against the criticism, but praised the fact Barr released the report, is telling.
There are far to many instances of this in the report and his public statements. "I'm not saying I disagree with Barr. But you should infer that I'd tell you if I agreed with him, and I'm not telling you that, but I will praise him about this other thing." That isn't helpful! Make him tell us if he agrees or disagrees with Barr. Don't make us parse a logic puzzle that forces us to know what he "would" do.
posted by diogenes at 4:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
This is helpful, but probably nothing too surprising for us obsessives. What it does make clear is that Congress needs to compel Mueller to testify publicly. He needs to be forced to state the conclusions we are supposed to infer from his coded statements.
This shit is infuriating:
Mueller is a Marine to the core and would not publicly counter his commanding officer. He WOULD defend his commanding officer if he felt it justified. The fact that he did not defend AG Barr against the criticism, but praised the fact Barr released the report, is telling.
There are far to many instances of this in the report and his public statements. "I'm not saying I disagree with Barr. But you should infer that I'd tell you if I agreed with him, and I'm not telling you that, but I will praise him about this other thing." That isn't helpful! Make him tell us if he agrees or disagrees with Barr. Don't make us parse a logic puzzle that forces us to know what he "would" do.
posted by diogenes at 4:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
he’d raised $4.4 million for her race through March’s end, with virtually all of it coming from out of state.
Just for a comparison, King spent $4.9M for his reelection in 2018, and he ran without a serious opponent.
I'm frankly very concerned that there really aren't any good hints at all here as to who might be running against her. I'd like to see some candidates come forward soon. Traditionally, the D candidates against her have been awful. Hopefully we'll find someone who will both be thoughtful and put up a good fight.
posted by anastasiav at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Just for a comparison, King spent $4.9M for his reelection in 2018, and he ran without a serious opponent.
I'm frankly very concerned that there really aren't any good hints at all here as to who might be running against her. I'd like to see some candidates come forward soon. Traditionally, the D candidates against her have been awful. Hopefully we'll find someone who will both be thoughtful and put up a good fight.
posted by anastasiav at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Mod note: I would like to offer my take on Mueller's statement today.
"[Mueller] specifically said it would be 'unconstitutional' to charge a sitting president."
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. spoiler: it doesn't
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 4:42 PM on May 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
"[Mueller] specifically said it would be 'unconstitutional' to charge a sitting president."
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. spoiler: it doesn't
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 4:42 PM on May 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
I think, on balance, DOJ is wrong about the Constitutionality of charging a sitting president (and leaving it up to the executive branch to determine whether the executive branch can be charged is dubious anyway) but that there is no direct statement about charging the President in the Constitution isn't completely authoritative as to its Constitutionality. Note for example that the words "privacy", "body", or "abortion" also do not appear in the Constitution but most of us here have pretty strong feelings about the Constitutionality of that issue.
(note to pedants: yes, the word "body" appears twice in a completely different meaning and context)
posted by Justinian at 4:50 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
(note to pedants: yes, the word "body" appears twice in a completely different meaning and context)
posted by Justinian at 4:50 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Making Collins' re-election an expensive and resource-heavy win for the GOP could yield benefits in other tight elections. Either way, win or lose, she and her party must be made to understand that there will be a price to pay to forcing their extremism on the public.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 4:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 4:58 PM on May 31, 2019 [13 favorites]
Honestly, I'd like to see a full-on conservachud primary Collins and beat her there. Give the people of Maine an actual choice in the general. Paul LePage isn't busy these days, is he?
If Maine's going to consistently elect conservative rubber stamps, let them own their decision.
posted by delfin at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2019
If Maine's going to consistently elect conservative rubber stamps, let them own their decision.
posted by delfin at 5:00 PM on May 31, 2019
Doktor Zed: While we wait for Judge Emmet Sullivan's response to the government's withholding transcripts of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials...
What was that again about ignoring court orders being a line in the sand?
posted by Dr. Send at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
What was that again about ignoring court orders being a line in the sand?
posted by Dr. Send at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
Because Trump needs to stir things up ahead of his UK trip next Monday, he's given another provocative interview to Murdoch's Sun:
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
—On the Tory leadership contest: “I actually have studied it very hard. I know the different players. But I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent. […] I like him. I have always liked him. I don’t know that he is going to be chosen, but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person. He has been very positive about me and our country.”As for protests, WaPo UK correspondent Karla Adam reports, "‘Trump Baby’ balloon just got permission to fly over Parliament during Trump's state visit."
—Trump claimed that several other contenders had also approached him for his public help. He said: “Other people have asked me for an endorsement too. I have been asked for endorsements”. Quizzed on who, Mr Trump replied: “Well, I don’t want to say who but other people have asked me for endorsements, yes”. He added: “I could help anybody if I endorse them. I mean, we’ve had endorsement where they have gone up for forty, fifty points at a shot. Now that is here, but I understand over there would be a great endorsement.”
—Trump said Theresa May messed up Brexit by handing EU all the cards
—Trump said he was surprised Meghan Markle was 'nasty' about him but it's great to have an 'American princess'
—Trump on US-UK relations: “I don’t imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land.” He said: “You know, there was a time quite a while ago, six or seven years ago, when a group of people came out against me in some form. They were totally over-ridden by another group of people that was far larger and everybody said, ‘Let’s take a pass’. Now I think I am really — I hope — I am really loved in the UK. I certainly love the UK.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2019 [14 favorites]
Mueller is a Marine to the core and would not publicly counter his commanding officer.
He's not in the goddamn Marines any more, and he does not have a "commanding officer".
posted by thelonius at 5:19 PM on May 31, 2019 [53 favorites]
He's not in the goddamn Marines any more, and he does not have a "commanding officer".
posted by thelonius at 5:19 PM on May 31, 2019 [53 favorites]
While we wait for Judge Emmet Sullivan's response to the government's withholding transcripts of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials...
What was that again about ignoring court orders being a line in the sand?
Reading through all of the legal wrangling, I'm not sure it's entirely clear. The judge said "give me all the recordings that you have of Flynn." And then (per Zoe Tillerman) the government said "it isn't relying on any other recordings, nor are any part of the record."
I'm guessing that the government is saying "We don't have any other recordings... related to this particular issue," but the judge wasn't asking just for related recordings. Do I have that right?
posted by diogenes at 5:23 PM on May 31, 2019
What was that again about ignoring court orders being a line in the sand?
Reading through all of the legal wrangling, I'm not sure it's entirely clear. The judge said "give me all the recordings that you have of Flynn." And then (per Zoe Tillerman) the government said "it isn't relying on any other recordings, nor are any part of the record."
I'm guessing that the government is saying "We don't have any other recordings... related to this particular issue," but the judge wasn't asking just for related recordings. Do I have that right?
posted by diogenes at 5:23 PM on May 31, 2019
scalefree: DOE now calling natural gas “freedom gas.” Not a joke.
filthy light thief: This does nothing for US energy security, so it's like the DOE is issuing a press release for a US company exporting coal overseas. Except this is "clean energy." Except it's not all that clean, if you look at the lifecycle costs
One more hit on this, and it's both a good thing, and a bit depressing:
UPS Makes Large Commitment to Renewable Natural Gas Through 2026 (Trucking Info, May 22, 2019)
The sad: this could be the "freedom gas" that is getting promoted, instead of LNG exports. And maybe it will be, in the next administration, or by a savvy New Green Deal lobbyist. But until then, we get this shitty "trolling the libs" / super patriot bullshit.
posted by filthy light thief at 5:45 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
filthy light thief: This does nothing for US energy security, so it's like the DOE is issuing a press release for a US company exporting coal overseas. Except this is "clean energy." Except it's not all that clean, if you look at the lifecycle costs
One more hit on this, and it's both a good thing, and a bit depressing:
UPS Makes Large Commitment to Renewable Natural Gas Through 2026 (Trucking Info, May 22, 2019)
Clean Energy Fuels, which produces renewable natural gas and natural gas fuel systems and products for commercial vehicles, says it is the largest commitment to RNG of any U.S. company. The seven-year commitment would average 22.5 to 25 million gallon equivalents per year for the delivery service giant.The good: "tapping" existing sources of RNG seems like it should be a no-brainer (it's a pipeline-quality gas that is fully interchangeable with conventional natural gas and thus can be used in natural gas vehicles [U.S. Department of Energy] ), but I'm sure there are differences in the cost to produce the product. Yet UPS is seeing this as something to pursue and promote, though I haven't seen much coverage outside of alternative energy websites and a few trucking websites (like the one I linked).
Since 2014, UPS has used more than 28 million gallon equivalents of RNG in its ground fleet. The move supports UPS’s goal of reducing the absolute greenhouse gas emissions of its ground fleet 12% by the 2025. Clean energy estimates that by replacing diesel fuel with RNG, UPS could reduce emissions by as much as 1,074,000 metric tons over the life of the agreement, the equivalent to removing 228,000 cars off the road.
“Since RNG is supported by existing national infrastructure used to transport natural gas, it’s a winning solution that will help UPS to reach our ambitious sustainability goals,” said Mike Casteel, UPS director of fleet procurement. “At the same time, we hope our unprecedented seven-year commitment serves as a catalyst for wider adoption of RNG by other companies.”
RNG, also known as biomethane, differs from traditional sources of natural gas because it is derived from renewable sources such as decomposing organic waste in landfills, wastewater treatment and agriculture. It is then distributed through the natural gas pipeline and made available as either liquefied natural gas or compressed natural gas.
The sad: this could be the "freedom gas" that is getting promoted, instead of LNG exports. And maybe it will be, in the next administration, or by a savvy New Green Deal lobbyist. But until then, we get this shitty "trolling the libs" / super patriot bullshit.
posted by filthy light thief at 5:45 PM on May 31, 2019 [9 favorites]
"[Mueller] specifically said it would be 'unconstitutional' to charge a sitting president."
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. [spoiler: it doesn't]
I'm wondering if this is a troll against the administration, and Republicans in general. At some point, if it becomes a dispute, Trump's protectors just might have to say, "Well I mean...it's not un-Constitutional..." thus creating an opening.
He's not in the goddamn Marines any more, and he does not have a "commanding officer".
I know you mean legally and whatnot, but try telling what you say above to a former Marine. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." There are no "ex-Marines" except those who were kicked out.
posted by rhizome at 5:48 PM on May 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. [spoiler: it doesn't]
I'm wondering if this is a troll against the administration, and Republicans in general. At some point, if it becomes a dispute, Trump's protectors just might have to say, "Well I mean...it's not un-Constitutional..." thus creating an opening.
He's not in the goddamn Marines any more, and he does not have a "commanding officer".
I know you mean legally and whatnot, but try telling what you say above to a former Marine. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." There are no "ex-Marines" except those who were kicked out.
posted by rhizome at 5:48 PM on May 31, 2019 [8 favorites]
I'm Canadian. Last night I got a phone survey obviously commissioned by the Liberal government, wanting to know my feelings about NAFTA/USMCA (both terms were avoided). I said something to the effect that "you think this deal is done but Trump may do something crazy tomorrow". The surveyor and myself both cracked up laughing. And then this morning...
posted by CCBC at 5:53 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by CCBC at 5:53 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
I was listening to NPR a bit today and...has anybody been describing the tariffs as a federal sales tax?
posted by rhizome at 5:56 PM on May 31, 2019
posted by rhizome at 5:56 PM on May 31, 2019
But I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent. […] I like him. I have always liked him. I don’t know that he is going to be chosen, but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person. He has been very positive about me and our country.”
Isn't there video of Boris insulting Trump & calling him a bunch of names? But that was before he got elected I guess so it doesn't count or something.
posted by scalefree at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2019
Isn't there video of Boris insulting Trump & calling him a bunch of names? But that was before he got elected I guess so it doesn't count or something.
posted by scalefree at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2019
I'm guessing that the government is saying "We don't have any other recordings... related to this particular issue," but the judge wasn't asking just for related recordings. Do I have that right?
Found the answer to my own question:
@CarolLeonnig (WaPo):
Judge Sullivan gave an order: make Flynn call to Russian ambassador public. DOJ said what he demanded wasn't relevant to his job.
I have never before seen the government tell the judge his order for materials is not relevant.
That's defying a court order right? It isn't like they would just say "I defy you!" They would say no and then provide some BS rational.
I guess Schiff supports impeachment now.
posted by diogenes at 6:03 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
Found the answer to my own question:
@CarolLeonnig (WaPo):
Judge Sullivan gave an order: make Flynn call to Russian ambassador public. DOJ said what he demanded wasn't relevant to his job.
I have never before seen the government tell the judge his order for materials is not relevant.
That's defying a court order right? It isn't like they would just say "I defy you!" They would say no and then provide some BS rational.
I guess Schiff supports impeachment now.
posted by diogenes at 6:03 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
Judge Sullivan should direct the DOJ lawyers assigned to the case to appear before him and show cause they they should not be sanctioned and referred to the state bar. And if they say anything other that "yes your Honor, and here are the recordings you asked for", he should hold them in immediate contempt and direct them remanded to custody.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:07 PM on May 31, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:07 PM on May 31, 2019 [26 favorites]
"[Mueller] specifically said it would be 'unconstitutional' to charge a sitting president."
i think this is an erroneous reading of the statement. a sentence in that statement by mr. mueller does indeed say "That is unconstitutional," but it is not mueller's judgment, it is mueller's explanation of his constraint by the doj guidance:
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
i think this is an erroneous reading of the statement. a sentence in that statement by mr. mueller does indeed say "That is unconstitutional," but it is not mueller's judgment, it is mueller's explanation of his constraint by the doj guidance:
Volume 2 of our report explains that decision. It explains that under long-standing department policy, a president cannot be charged with a federal crime while he is in office. That is unconstitutional. Even if the charge is kept under seal and hidden from public view, that, too, is prohibited.i haven't previously looked for or into that policy, but a quick gander reveals an october 2000 memorandum re "a sitting president's amenability to indictment and criminal prosecution," examining and affirming the 1973 memorandum re "amenability of the president, vice president and other civil officers to federal criminal prosecution while in office." i haven't read them; nor do i enjoy significant power to influence the legal determinations and policies of the department of justice. the little i have read so far, though, suggests that the same analysis in 1973 found -- likely on facts differently implicating the same principles that shield the president -- that the vice president is not similarly insulated. note to self: read these before reading president warren's (to be) proposed legislation on the topic.
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Line employees choosing to carry out this administration's illegal orders must start facing personal consequences.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:10 PM on May 31, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:10 PM on May 31, 2019 [28 favorites]
From CNN: House not expected to take up contempt resolutions against Barr, McGahn next week.
posted by Justinian at 6:19 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
The House is not expected to take up contempt citations on the floor next week for Attorney General William Barr or former White House Counsel Don McGahn, according to two Democratic aides, amid fights over testimony and access to the full Mueller report. Democratic leaders said earlier this month that they were originally eyeing next week for bringing up a contempt package that could include both Barr and McGahn.Apparently the wheels of justice grind slowly. So slowly one might call it imperceptible.
The aides did not say why the vote wouldn't occur then, though it is a short week for Congress as lawmakers are in Washington for only three days before many will travel to Europe for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
posted by Justinian at 6:19 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
"[Mueller] specifically said it would be 'unconstitutional' to charge a sitting president."
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. [spoiler: it doesn't]
What it says is that the Judicial and the Executive Branches are co-equal, with neither subordinate to the other.
Imagine a president convicted of a crime and up for sentencing. He would be completely subject to the whims of the courts. Could he meet with so and so? Could he travel to such and such a place? It would all be completely up the judge responsible for his sentencing. This would be a violation of the separation of powers. The executive branch would be subordinated to the judicial.
But, of course this scenario is nonsense, because as Huffy Puffy says upthread "you fundamentally can’t have a fair trial when the prosecutors all work for the defendant."
It's just nonsense from top to bottom, the idea of indicting a sitting president. It's so unworkable that I can't even imagine getting to the unconstitutional part.
The president is not above the law. But the first step in applying the law to the president is, necessarily, removal from office.
I don't like it either, but it's a bit late to switch to a parliamentary system.
posted by OnceUponATime at 6:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [21 favorites]
Please tell me exactly where it says that in the Constitution. [spoiler: it doesn't]
What it says is that the Judicial and the Executive Branches are co-equal, with neither subordinate to the other.
Imagine a president convicted of a crime and up for sentencing. He would be completely subject to the whims of the courts. Could he meet with so and so? Could he travel to such and such a place? It would all be completely up the judge responsible for his sentencing. This would be a violation of the separation of powers. The executive branch would be subordinated to the judicial.
But, of course this scenario is nonsense, because as Huffy Puffy says upthread "you fundamentally can’t have a fair trial when the prosecutors all work for the defendant."
It's just nonsense from top to bottom, the idea of indicting a sitting president. It's so unworkable that I can't even imagine getting to the unconstitutional part.
The president is not above the law. But the first step in applying the law to the president is, necessarily, removal from office.
I don't like it either, but it's a bit late to switch to a parliamentary system.
posted by OnceUponATime at 6:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [21 favorites]
Politico, Flynn’s Turkish lobbying client complained about Trump’s stance during campaign
emptywheel reminds us of just some of Flynn's crimes and conflicts of interest. There's a decent argument that what Flynn did, selling out US foreign and military policy to Turkey, is a scandal that at least approaches if not exceeds the size of Trump/Russia, and it's gotten strikingly little attention.
posted by zachlipton at 7:11 PM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
A foreign client paying retired Gen. Michael Flynn more than $500,000 to mount a campaign to advance Turkish government interests during the 2016 presidential campaign explicitly complained to a Flynn aide that then-candidate Donald Trump was not being supportive enough, newly released documents show.Subtle.
A set of talking points prepared in October 2016 by Mike Boston, a former U.S. intelligence officer working with Flynn, indicate that “the client” backing the lobbying project complained that the GOP nominee had not gone to bat for Turkey. At the time, Flynn was also serving as a top foreign policy adviser to Trump.
“Republican Presidential candidate has not defended subject’s home country publicly. He should specifically ask questions about subject’s operations and funding,” Boston wrote under the heading “CLIENT FEEDBACK.”
emptywheel reminds us of just some of Flynn's crimes and conflicts of interest. There's a decent argument that what Flynn did, selling out US foreign and military policy to Turkey, is a scandal that at least approaches if not exceeds the size of Trump/Russia, and it's gotten strikingly little attention.
posted by zachlipton at 7:11 PM on May 31, 2019 [25 favorites]
has anybody been describing the tariffs as a federal sales tax?
Trump’s Tariff Threat Sends Mexico, Lawmakers and Businesses Scrambling (NYT)
Trump’s Tariff Threat Sends Mexico, Lawmakers and Businesses Scrambling (NYT)
The United States imported about $347 billion of goods from Mexico last year, covering items like cars, dishwashers, avocados and mangoes. If tariffs are fully put in place at 25 percent, it would be the equivalent of an $87 billion annual tax increase.Also:
On Friday night, the Trump administration announced that on June 5, it would strip India of a special status that exempts billions of dollars of its products from American tariffs, raising new trade tensions with the world’s second-most populous country. The move was taken as retaliation for what Mr. Trump said was India’s failure to provide “equitable and reasonable access to its markets.”posted by Little Dawn at 7:38 PM on May 31, 2019 [7 favorites]
Line employees choosing to carry out this administration's illegal orders must start facing personal consequences.
They do face personal consequences through being held in contempt of court. A government lawyer’s position doesn’t protect them from that or things like Rule 11 sanctions. Doesn’t matter whether they were ordered to do something by a superior or not.
posted by sallybrown at 8:00 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
They do face personal consequences through being held in contempt of court. A government lawyer’s position doesn’t protect them from that or things like Rule 11 sanctions. Doesn’t matter whether they were ordered to do something by a superior or not.
posted by sallybrown at 8:00 PM on May 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
On Friday night, the Trump administration announced that on June 5, it would strip India of a special status that exempts billions of dollars of its products from American tariffs,
Wait what?
Jesus Christ.
posted by notyou at 8:14 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
Wait what?
Jesus Christ.
posted by notyou at 8:14 PM on May 31, 2019 [15 favorites]
Mueller intended to break Democrats' impeachment stalemate (Walter Shapiro, Guardian Opinion)
In an extreme example of narrowcasting, masked by the careful legalistic language, Mueller was speaking directly to Pelosi in his recent public comments
In an extreme example of narrowcasting, masked by the careful legalistic language, Mueller was speaking directly to Pelosi in his recent public comments
Much of Mueller’s statement served as an explanation of the constraints that he felt because of a justice department legal interpretation that he cannot indict a sitting president. As Mueller bluntly put it: “A special counsel’s office is part of the Department of Justice, and by regulation, it was bound by that department policy.”posted by Little Dawn at 8:22 PM on May 31, 2019 [11 favorites]
Then Mueller, in the same procedural step-by-step tone of a legal indictment, went on to deliver one of the most important sentences of his tenure as special counsel: “The constitution requires a process other than the criminal justice system to formally accuse a sitting president of wrongdoing.”
[...] Mueller, in his subtle, understated fashion, tried to break this Democratic stalemate. He offered a new argument and perhaps the only one that could possibly trump Pelosi’s hard-won political caution. What Mueller was saying, in effect, was that the constitution and the institutional legitimacy of Congress as an independent body require commencing impeachment hearings.
[...] impeachment hearings can and should be as deliberate as the Mueller inquiry itself. Unlike 1974, when the Richard Nixon impeachment hearings built on the earlier dramatic public testimony of the Senate Watergate committee, this time around the House judiciary committee’s efforts would need to be both investigative and prosecutorial. Witnesses such as the former White House counsel Don McGahn and Hope Hicks, the former communications director, would have a hard time dodging congressional subpoenas for a constitutionally sanctioned impeachment hearing no matter how ardently Trump claimed executive privilege.
Mueller had a narrow mandate, but there are no such limitations on impeachment hearings. [...] Mueller may be faulted for being too punctilious in his fidelity to justice department rules and precedents. But he followed what he saw as the path dictated by integrity to the end. Now it is up to Pelosi also to transcend politics – and do what the constitution demands.
So, it effects $5B of $85B in trade with India so not another trade grenade, but here we are.
NY Times
posted by notyou at 8:23 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
NY Times
posted by notyou at 8:23 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
“Italy is revoking a lease granted to Bannon to a medieval monastery which he planned to turn into a far-right training academy
Why?
The letter used to guarantee the lease was forged
The bank said the signator hadn’t worked there for years, called it fraud”
posted by The Whelk at 8:42 PM on May 31, 2019 [55 favorites]
Why?
The letter used to guarantee the lease was forged
The bank said the signator hadn’t worked there for years, called it fraud”
posted by The Whelk at 8:42 PM on May 31, 2019 [55 favorites]
I know you mean legally and whatnot, but try telling what you say above to a former Marine. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." There are no "ex-Marines" except those who were kicked out.
The civil service is not the Armed Forces. People with that attitude should not be government employees. This is not a military dictatorship.
posted by tivalasvegas at 8:47 PM on May 31, 2019 [41 favorites]
The civil service is not the Armed Forces. People with that attitude should not be government employees. This is not a military dictatorship.
posted by tivalasvegas at 8:47 PM on May 31, 2019 [41 favorites]
In an extreme example of narrowcasting, masked by the careful legalistic language, Mueller was speaking directly to Pelosi in his recent public comments
If this was his intent, why was he so adamant about not testifying? Seems somewhat at odds.
posted by AwkwardPause at 8:49 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
If this was his intent, why was he so adamant about not testifying? Seems somewhat at odds.
posted by AwkwardPause at 8:49 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
...newly released documents show...
those guys are artless dumb & a significant number of their redactions are insistently, obtrusively transparent. the C[redacted] Foundation and C[redacted] Campaign, fer crissake, or, wait: "Sebastian G[redacted], Philip H[redacted] Steve E[redacted] and other credible witnesses who are authorities on the subject of political Islam, lslamism and Jihadism." lol: i can fill in two of those with the names of not-very-credentialed bigots spreading islamophobic messages for years now without even noticing they're redacted! how much did the "intel group" get paid for doing all that not much and having that not much be done so poorly? like, how much does a writer commend themself to their [lowbrow american] audience by saying things like
posted by 20 year lurk at 9:02 PM on May 31, 2019
those guys are artless dumb & a significant number of their redactions are insistently, obtrusively transparent. the C[redacted] Foundation and C[redacted] Campaign, fer crissake, or, wait: "Sebastian G[redacted], Philip H[redacted] Steve E[redacted] and other credible witnesses who are authorities on the subject of political Islam, lslamism and Jihadism." lol: i can fill in two of those with the names of not-very-credentialed bigots spreading islamophobic messages for years now without even noticing they're redacted! how much did the "intel group" get paid for doing all that not much and having that not much be done so poorly? like, how much does a writer commend themself to their [lowbrow american] audience by saying things like
When the subject's methods are compared to theoretical and historical teachings of Islamic Political activists of Hasan Al Banna, founder of Muslim Brotherhood (1928), Sayed Qutb (1950s-1960s), and deeper in the history, Hasan Sabbah (late 11th century), there are strong indications that the subject is very likely conducting the first phase of Jihad by slowly building a global loyal force to be activated at the right time....or even
For those of us who have closely studied the careers of Seyed Qutb and Hasan Al Bana, the founders of the Muslim Brotherhood....as i guess it was edited (term used loosely) to appear under michael flynn's byline? insofar as i must have generals, i guess i expect them to know the enemy's stuff, but that sudden hyperspecificity with no foundation was a little creepy, and here, pretty sure flynn & associated grifters are not my necessary general, unconvinced that gulen is enemy (or less of a criminal than you are), unpersuaded qutb and bana are relevant authorities, discouraged by other cited authorities. enjoyed the ayatollah story, tho. thx.
posted by 20 year lurk at 9:02 PM on May 31, 2019
If this was his intent, why was he so adamant about not testifying? Seems somewhat at odds.
One reason could be that he's not really a witness, at least not like Don McGahn and Hope Hicks are witnesses who can actually present evidence. The Mueller report seems more like a large blinking sign, saying HERE LOOK HERE, and pointing at actual witnesses, so it's on Congress to bring them forward to testify.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
One reason could be that he's not really a witness, at least not like Don McGahn and Hope Hicks are witnesses who can actually present evidence. The Mueller report seems more like a large blinking sign, saying HERE LOOK HERE, and pointing at actual witnesses, so it's on Congress to bring them forward to testify.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:09 PM on May 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
If this was his intent, why was he so adamant about not testifying? Seems somewhat at odds.
I've also seen it argued, maybe even in this thread, that by refusing to come to congress until he gets subpoenaed, he manages to maintain the appearance of impartiality, and he would sacrifice that if he appeared too eager to testify. That seems to jibe with Shapiro's suggestion that he desires "integrity to the end," but who the heck knows what's going on inside that guy's head.
posted by Dr. Send at 9:13 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've also seen it argued, maybe even in this thread, that by refusing to come to congress until he gets subpoenaed, he manages to maintain the appearance of impartiality, and he would sacrifice that if he appeared too eager to testify. That seems to jibe with Shapiro's suggestion that he desires "integrity to the end," but who the heck knows what's going on inside that guy's head.
posted by Dr. Send at 9:13 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've also seen it argued, maybe even in this thread, that by refusing to come to congress until he gets subpoenaed, he manages to maintain the appearance of impartiality, and he would sacrifice that if he appeared too eager to testify.
Earlier in the thread, I posted an opinion by David Priess at Lawfare that said something like that, but I also posted an opinion by Ben Wittes at Lawfare that is more like what I'm saying now. From the Shapiro opinion at the Guardian, this image got me thinking more about what Mueller has to offer:
posted by Little Dawn at 9:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
Earlier in the thread, I posted an opinion by David Priess at Lawfare that said something like that, but I also posted an opinion by Ben Wittes at Lawfare that is more like what I'm saying now. From the Shapiro opinion at the Guardian, this image got me thinking more about what Mueller has to offer:
Mueller’s other message to Pelosi on Wednesday was to try to convince her not to compel his congressional testimony. He broadly hinted that he would answer all questions with boring-for-television lines such as: “You will find my answer on page 84 of the second section of my report.”He's a witness, but he's not the same kind of witness in the way that people actually involved in the impeachable offenses are witnesses. He rounded up the players, and if it's true that the House needs to open an impeachment proceeding to hear the actual witness testimony under penalties of perjury, then so be it.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:34 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
So let's say Don Jr., Ivanka, Hope Hicks, and McGahn all testify before Congress and lie through their teeth. Under Barr's DOJ/FBI who will press perjury charges against them?
posted by benzenedream at 9:57 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 9:57 PM on May 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
It seems noteworthy that Dan "The Hacky One" Pfieffer of Pod Save America has recently shifted his position and come out in favor of impeachment.
posted by contraption at 10:40 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by contraption at 10:40 PM on May 31, 2019 [5 favorites]
So let's say Don Jr., Ivanka, Hope Hicks, and McGahn all testify before Congress and lie through their teeth. Under Barr's DOJ/FBI who will press perjury charges against them?
There's always contempt of Congress if an actual witness tries to lie, but the ultimate goal is to move an impeachment inquiry forward. 'Under penalty of perjury' is more of a shorthand for live testimony, but it's still a good point about how corrupt the DOJ appears to be under Barr's leadership.
posted by Little Dawn at 11:04 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
There's always contempt of Congress if an actual witness tries to lie, but the ultimate goal is to move an impeachment inquiry forward. 'Under penalty of perjury' is more of a shorthand for live testimony, but it's still a good point about how corrupt the DOJ appears to be under Barr's leadership.
posted by Little Dawn at 11:04 PM on May 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
From contraption's Dan Pfeiffer link above: Democrats need a message. They need a concise and compelling argument for what Trump did wrong, how his misdeeds connect to the lives and concerns of voters, and why this merits the extraordinary response of impeachment. My suggestion for that message is:
Donald Trump has abused his power to hide multiple crimes and massive corruption. He has used the Presidency to punish his enemies, reward his friends, and enrich himself at the expense of the American people. No one is above the law, not even a rich politician.
... No matter what Democrats do, Trump and Bill Barr will be falsely accusing Democrats of treason and spinning absurd conspiracy theories about the origins of the Mueller investigation. A well-planned and well-executed impeachment inquiry may be the only way to wrest the microphone from Trump and tell a story on our terms about who Trump is and the damage he has wrought on our country.
As Pfeiffer notes, no one knows exactly how impeachment (or the future) will play out. But we do know that people are being held in concentration-camp conditions at this moment. We know that some asylum seekers in Texas have given birth in custody and forcibly separated from their newborns. We know that trans people and others are being attacked by the Trump administration.
On the state level, we know that reproductive justice and healthcare for women has been losing ground and is under attack like never before. (Note: While Netflix has threatened to stop filming in Georgia if its new abortion ban is upheld, "over the last 10 months, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings donated $143,000 to 73 Republican members of the Missouri legislature," which just passed an abortion ban nearly as restrictive as Georgia's.)
In short, citizens, residents, and asylum seekers have died and are dying. They have been and are murdered, unjustly jailed, wrongly denied health care, had their children ripped from their arms, or simply had the misfortune to be black, female, and giving birth in the United States.
No wonder people are angry and exhausted, terrified, stressed, and traumatised. This isn't new, of course; everything was not fabulous, equitable, and democratic until 2016. But today, in many cases, things have gotten worse for a variety of Americans and significantly worse for immigrants and asylum seekers. We need impeachment proceedings to begin; we need carefully crafted civil disobedience that highlights the administration's worst sins; we need to build a progressive digital presence that can effectively route around the lame stream media.
I don't have a magic wand but I have a laptop and a phone. I am going to keep pushing my elected federal officials to pursue impeachment while supporting state and local officials who appear to be working for the good of all, not exclusively the 1 fucking percent and their lackeys.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [52 favorites]
Donald Trump has abused his power to hide multiple crimes and massive corruption. He has used the Presidency to punish his enemies, reward his friends, and enrich himself at the expense of the American people. No one is above the law, not even a rich politician.
... No matter what Democrats do, Trump and Bill Barr will be falsely accusing Democrats of treason and spinning absurd conspiracy theories about the origins of the Mueller investigation. A well-planned and well-executed impeachment inquiry may be the only way to wrest the microphone from Trump and tell a story on our terms about who Trump is and the damage he has wrought on our country.
As Pfeiffer notes, no one knows exactly how impeachment (or the future) will play out. But we do know that people are being held in concentration-camp conditions at this moment. We know that some asylum seekers in Texas have given birth in custody and forcibly separated from their newborns. We know that trans people and others are being attacked by the Trump administration.
On the state level, we know that reproductive justice and healthcare for women has been losing ground and is under attack like never before. (Note: While Netflix has threatened to stop filming in Georgia if its new abortion ban is upheld, "over the last 10 months, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings donated $143,000 to 73 Republican members of the Missouri legislature," which just passed an abortion ban nearly as restrictive as Georgia's.)
In short, citizens, residents, and asylum seekers have died and are dying. They have been and are murdered, unjustly jailed, wrongly denied health care, had their children ripped from their arms, or simply had the misfortune to be black, female, and giving birth in the United States.
No wonder people are angry and exhausted, terrified, stressed, and traumatised. This isn't new, of course; everything was not fabulous, equitable, and democratic until 2016. But today, in many cases, things have gotten worse for a variety of Americans and significantly worse for immigrants and asylum seekers. We need impeachment proceedings to begin; we need carefully crafted civil disobedience that highlights the administration's worst sins; we need to build a progressive digital presence that can effectively route around the lame stream media.
I don't have a magic wand but I have a laptop and a phone. I am going to keep pushing my elected federal officials to pursue impeachment while supporting state and local officials who appear to be working for the good of all, not exclusively the 1 fucking percent and their lackeys.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [52 favorites]
Trump and Bill Barr will be falsely accusing Democrats of treason
It has stood out to me that treason isn't a
dirty, filthy, disgusting word... or money laundering, or tax fraud, or perjury, or witness tampering, or emoluments, it's just, y'know, the consequence Trump might experience for having committed that stuff that turns out to be a supposedly repellent word.
posted by XMLicious at 2:23 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Isn't there video of Boris insulting Trump & calling him a bunch of names?
Found it (nb: account is not really Boris. Video is.)
@BorisJohnson_MP
Found it (nb: account is not really Boris. Video is.)
@BorisJohnson_MP
I’m hoping Donald Trump doesn’t see this before his visit. Still, I know you guys won’t retweet it and I’m pretty sure he isn’t even on Twitter.posted by scalefree at 6:05 AM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
[video]
Mueller speaking for 8 minutes and saying nothing provoked more of a response and more movement than we've seen from anyone other than Justin Amash, including Democratic leadership, since Day 1 when the report hit.
Just calling Mueller and having him read the report word for word out loud on live TV would be incalculably damaging. No one has read the report. No one watches CSPAN to see Democrats reading it into the record. Just telling people on actual live TV on a channel they watch what it says would move public opinion.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:08 AM on June 1, 2019 [55 favorites]
Just calling Mueller and having him read the report word for word out loud on live TV would be incalculably damaging. No one has read the report. No one watches CSPAN to see Democrats reading it into the record. Just telling people on actual live TV on a channel they watch what it says would move public opinion.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:08 AM on June 1, 2019 [55 favorites]
Just telling people on actual live TV on a channel they watch what it says would move public opinion.
It would also force Trump to directly confront a lot of the evidence against him instead of getting away with ignoring or mischaracterizing it like he does now since press conferences are no longer a thing the White House feels obligated to do, ever.
posted by scalefree at 6:31 AM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
It would also force Trump to directly confront a lot of the evidence against him instead of getting away with ignoring or mischaracterizing it like he does now since press conferences are no longer a thing the White House feels obligated to do, ever.
posted by scalefree at 6:31 AM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
Just telling people on actual live TV on a channel they watch what it says would move public opinion.
Instead we get the Speaker telling a different story on live tv each week.
posted by Harry Caul at 6:34 AM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
Instead we get the Speaker telling a different story on live tv each week.
posted by Harry Caul at 6:34 AM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
Full List: Who Supports an Impeachment Inquiry Against Trump? (NYT)
54 Democrats support an impeachment inquiryposted by Little Dawn at 6:46 AM on June 1, 2019 [8 favorites]
56 Do not support now or undecided
125 Awaiting response
Representative Justin Amash of Michigan is the lone House Republican to publicly conclude that Mr. Trump has “engaged in impeachable conduct.”
Vanity Fair: “Disastrous”: Dow Sinks as Markets Realize Trump Really Is This Stupid The Dow lost 354 points yesterday, dropping 3% this week for its sixth straight week down.
And now Trump's planning to nominate a goldbug to the Fed, the FT reports: Fed Candidate Slams Bank’s ‘Soviet’ Power Over Markets—Trump pick Judy Shelton questions if Fed should set interest rates
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 AM on June 1, 2019 [23 favorites]
And now Trump's planning to nominate a goldbug to the Fed, the FT reports: Fed Candidate Slams Bank’s ‘Soviet’ Power Over Markets—Trump pick Judy Shelton questions if Fed should set interest rates
Judy Shelton, a senior US official who is being vetted for a job on the board of the Federal Reserve, has attacked the central bank for wielding undemocratic, Soviet-style powers over markets and suggested it should not even be in the business of setting interest rates.[…]Cherry-picking this lengthy interview for Shelton's worst economic theories is frankly difficult. She's a depthless font of bad ideas masquerading as unconventional thinking. Her support of Trump's tax cuts, regulation repeal, and China tariffs are practically her mainstream opinions. (She's also tied to Trumpist economic cheerleaders Larry Kudlow and David Malpass.)
Ms Shelton has long been sympathetic to the gold standard, which the US fully abandoned in the early 1970s in favour of a flexible exchange rate for the dollar. “People call me a goldbug, and I think, well, what does that make them? A Fed bug,” she says. Her big dream is a new Bretton Woods-style conference — “if it takes place at Mar-a-Lago that would be great” — to reset the international monetary system, replacing the current regime, mostly based on floating currencies. Ms Shelton said countries should agree to tie their currencies to a “neutral reference point, a benchmark” — which she envisages to be a “convertible gold-backed bond”.
“Now is the pivotal moment to question whether central banking is really delivering what the central bankers themselves aspire to. They are going through self-examination so I think it’s reasonable to say there are alternatives,” she said.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 AM on June 1, 2019 [23 favorites]
Can't wait any longer. Over an hour ago mumimor added this comment to the current Brexit thread. Turns out that more than one Trump will be visiting the UK soon.
posted by kingless at 7:14 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by kingless at 7:14 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
The guy who was forced to resign as interim Texas secretary of state after botching that voter-purge thing won't have to worry about signing up for unemployment: Gov. Greg Abbott has hired him as a "special advisor" - and with a raise over what he was making at his last permanent job in state government.
posted by adamg at 7:39 AM on June 1, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by adamg at 7:39 AM on June 1, 2019 [11 favorites]
Turns out that more than one Trump will be visiting the UK soon.
Seriously, the Guardian reported a week ago (per a tip by Maggie Haberman): Donald Trump to Bring Adult Children On Uk State Visit, Reports Say—President will be accompanied by wife, four adult children and their partners in June i.e. Ivanka and Jared Kushner, Donald Jr (and Kimberly Guilfoyle?) Eric and Eric’s wife, Lara, and Tiffany (unique in that she has no role in the Trump White House or the Trump 2020 campaign). On one hand, maybe this is Team Trump's idea of a charm offensive. On the other, maybe Trump's current state is so volatile that the entire horrid brood has been assembled so there won't be a repeat of last year.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:41 AM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
Seriously, the Guardian reported a week ago (per a tip by Maggie Haberman): Donald Trump to Bring Adult Children On Uk State Visit, Reports Say—President will be accompanied by wife, four adult children and their partners in June i.e. Ivanka and Jared Kushner, Donald Jr (and Kimberly Guilfoyle?) Eric and Eric’s wife, Lara, and Tiffany (unique in that she has no role in the Trump White House or the Trump 2020 campaign). On one hand, maybe this is Team Trump's idea of a charm offensive. On the other, maybe Trump's current state is so volatile that the entire horrid brood has been assembled so there won't be a repeat of last year.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:41 AM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
Seriously, the Guardian reported...
Should've mentioned that the post on the Brexit thread has a link to a satirical piece by Hadley Freeman in the Guardian.
posted by kingless at 7:46 AM on June 1, 2019
Should've mentioned that the post on the Brexit thread has a link to a satirical piece by Hadley Freeman in the Guardian.
posted by kingless at 7:46 AM on June 1, 2019
On the state level, we know that reproductive justice and healthcare for women has been losing ground and is under attack like never before.
Even if Roe is upheld, abortion opponents are winning (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 7:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [14 favorites]
Even if Roe is upheld, abortion opponents are winning (Politico)
Abortion is still legal in the United States, but for women in vast swaths of the country it’s a right in name only.The NYT has maps showing women within 1-hour drive of nearest abortion facility and women more than a 1-hour drive to nearest abortion facility, as well as the locations of clinics and clinic closures in an article that also unfortunately talks about 'bans on abortion' without noting that these bans are only attempts and have been consistently struck down in courts: For Millions of American Women, Abortion Access Is Out of Reach
Six states are down to only one abortion clinic; by the end of this week, Missouri could have zero. Some women seeking abortions have to travel long distances, and face mandatory waiting periods or examinations. [...] Doctors and clinic staff have to face protesters, threats, proliferating regulations and draining legal challenges; clinics have closed. In remote parts of the midwest and south, women may have to travel more than 300 miles to end a pregnancy. [...]
The ramifications of the anti-abortion movement’s sustained assault against Planned Parenthood are perhaps no clearer than in Texas, where lawmakers have passed dozens of restrictive laws, including mandatory ultrasounds, waiting periods and state funding restrictions. The Supreme Court overturned another set of Texas restrictions in 2016 — but not before about 20 clinics shut down, many of which were never able to reopen. Providers retired, staff found other jobs and clinics had to start from scratch to get licensed and staff up. “All of those things take time and a significant amount of money,” said Kari White, an associate professor in Health Care Organization and Policy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an investigator with the Texas Policy Evaluation Project. [...]
The evaluation project found that while the number of abortions overall declined after the Texas law went into effect, the number of second-trimester abortions rose as women were forced to wait and travel longer distances. Currently only about 22 abortion providers, mostly in urban areas, are operating in Texas, a state with roughly 6.3 million women of reproductive age.
Low-income women are disproportionately affected by abortion restrictions, said Kamyon Conner, executive director of the Texas Equal Access Fund, which helps women who can’t afford an abortion, which costs between $500 and $10,000 dollars depending on the point in pregnancy. The nonprofit was part of a group that challenged dozens of Texas abortion restrictions in court.
Calls to the group’s hotline have tripled over the past few years to 6,000 in 2018, but it only funded about 1,000 women last year, she said.
The last remaining abortion provider in Missouri was set to see its license expire Friday amid a standoff with state officials, but a judge gave the parties more time to resolve the dispute. If the clinic were to stop providing abortion services, about 25,000 more women would be pushed outside the range that experts consider to be accessible for care.It's great that Style Guides have updated to more realistically discuss the "climate crisis" instead of "global warming," but we are well past time for misreporting on attempts to change abortion laws as 'abortion bans.' Real people get hurt when news outlets report 'abortion is banned' when it absolutely is not. The restrictions that currently exist in many places are horrific and shouldn't get lost when we talk about how to protect reproductive choice.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [14 favorites]
attempts to change abortion laws as 'abortion bans.'
But... they *are* attempting to ban abortion? Several of the laws *are* abortion bans? They're held up in the courts at the moment, but they *are* abortion bans. Sometimes you have to call a shovel a shovel you know?
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:03 AM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
But... they *are* attempting to ban abortion? Several of the laws *are* abortion bans? They're held up in the courts at the moment, but they *are* abortion bans. Sometimes you have to call a shovel a shovel you know?
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:03 AM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
I made a FanFare for the Mueller Report in case anyone else is reading it.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:05 AM on June 1, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 8:05 AM on June 1, 2019 [15 favorites]
Mod note: The issue over the phrasing "abortion ban" was aired in the Georgia abortion law thread so if folks want to have more discussion over that issue please take it over there. Thanks.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:05 AM on June 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:05 AM on June 1, 2019 [3 favorites]
> Over an hour ago mumimor added this comment to the current Brexit thread.
...includes the phrase "visiting indignitary Donald Trump", quoted from Marina Hyde's article in the Guardian which had been linked to earlier in that thread, and is a thing of beauty.
posted by nangar at 8:12 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
...includes the phrase "visiting indignitary Donald Trump", quoted from Marina Hyde's article in the Guardian which had been linked to earlier in that thread, and is a thing of beauty.
posted by nangar at 8:12 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
I know you mean legally and whatnot, but try telling what you say above to a former Marine. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." There are no "ex-Marines" except those who were kicked out.
The civil service is not the Armed Forces. People with that attitude should not be government employees. This is not a military dictatorship.
There are tons of different types of government employees and different sets of obligations, responsibilities, and strengths of loyalties that go with them. Mueller probably has a strong cultural identity as a Marine because of the way Marine culture is, but that doesn’t in any way mean he would consider his current civilian employer/supervisory structure as some kind of military commanding officer. Because he’s a lawyer, he has strong professional obligations in the way he behaves and what he asserts to a court. Because he’s a DOJ lawyer, he has certain additional responsibilities he swears to as part of his oath. And DOJ employees and lawyers have their own cultural attitudes about how to conduct themselves at work that are different than you’d find in a private firm (down to the writing style they’d use in a brief). He is also a human individual who carries his own individual beliefs about how he wants to be in the world. We can use all of these things to try and read into his public actions (and given the stress our country and world is going through, a lot of people are understandably trying to read those tea leaves and get a sense of what the future holds) but he’s also a man, not a computer, so analyzing his cultural programming isn’t like cracking a code.
posted by sallybrown at 8:24 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
The civil service is not the Armed Forces. People with that attitude should not be government employees. This is not a military dictatorship.
There are tons of different types of government employees and different sets of obligations, responsibilities, and strengths of loyalties that go with them. Mueller probably has a strong cultural identity as a Marine because of the way Marine culture is, but that doesn’t in any way mean he would consider his current civilian employer/supervisory structure as some kind of military commanding officer. Because he’s a lawyer, he has strong professional obligations in the way he behaves and what he asserts to a court. Because he’s a DOJ lawyer, he has certain additional responsibilities he swears to as part of his oath. And DOJ employees and lawyers have their own cultural attitudes about how to conduct themselves at work that are different than you’d find in a private firm (down to the writing style they’d use in a brief). He is also a human individual who carries his own individual beliefs about how he wants to be in the world. We can use all of these things to try and read into his public actions (and given the stress our country and world is going through, a lot of people are understandably trying to read those tea leaves and get a sense of what the future holds) but he’s also a man, not a computer, so analyzing his cultural programming isn’t like cracking a code.
posted by sallybrown at 8:24 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
Marina Hyde's article in the Guardian which had been linked to earlier in that thread, and is a thing of beauty.
Marina Hyde's Brexit columns are the only bright spot in all of Brexit. It's kind of like the music of the Thatcher years.
posted by srboisvert at 8:43 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Marina Hyde's Brexit columns are the only bright spot in all of Brexit. It's kind of like the music of the Thatcher years.
posted by srboisvert at 8:43 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
A true Empire needs an Emperor & some royal heirs. That's Trump's vision, the Royal House of Trump. Barron, first of his name.
posted by scalefree at 8:53 AM on June 1, 2019
posted by scalefree at 8:53 AM on June 1, 2019
The article's satire but I believe the list of who's going is real
So far, it looks like the chief US source of this news has been Maggie Habberman's anonymously-sourced tweet mentioned above. People magazine has tried to confirm it but the Trump White House has not responded: "Speaking with reporters on Thursday, ahead of the state visit, administration officials declined to confirm who from Trump’s family might join him in the U.K. or why they might travel with him. The White House did not respond to PEOPLE’s questions on the matter."
The British press, especially the tabloids, is much freer with publishing leeks about this. The Daily Telegraph claimed last week this is happening: Four of Donald Trump's Children to Join for UK State Visit, Meeting British Royals
The Daily Mail also claims to have received an anonymous tipoff about this:
Behind the scenes, though, we know that Melania and Ivanka regularly perform the emotional labor of keeping Trump's volatility in check. Since there are going to be plenty of protests, we can expect Trump to be in constant need of reassurance.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:26 AM on June 1, 2019 [5 favorites]
So far, it looks like the chief US source of this news has been Maggie Habberman's anonymously-sourced tweet mentioned above. People magazine has tried to confirm it but the Trump White House has not responded: "Speaking with reporters on Thursday, ahead of the state visit, administration officials declined to confirm who from Trump’s family might join him in the U.K. or why they might travel with him. The White House did not respond to PEOPLE’s questions on the matter."
The British press, especially the tabloids, is much freer with publishing leeks about this. The Daily Telegraph claimed last week this is happening: Four of Donald Trump's Children to Join for UK State Visit, Meeting British Royals
The Daily Mail also claims to have received an anonymous tipoff about this:
Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Don Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Tiffany Trump will all participate in what a source close to the administration is calling the 'family events' during the trip. Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Don Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Tiffany Trump will all participate in what a source close to the administration is calling the 'family events' during the trip. That will include a lavish State Banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and a dinner at the U.S. ambassador's home hosted by the president and first lady where Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will represent the queen.In short, Trump's UK visit is turning into gossip fare for the tabloids.
The source described much of the trip as a 'family thing' and said 'the whole [Trump] family is going over.'[…] The first daughter 'will be participating in official and ceremonial events in London,' a White House official told DailyMail.com.[…] The source close to the administration said the Trump children will also join the president and first lady Melania in France on the D-Day landing anniversary on June 6.
Behind the scenes, though, we know that Melania and Ivanka regularly perform the emotional labor of keeping Trump's volatility in check. Since there are going to be plenty of protests, we can expect Trump to be in constant need of reassurance.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:26 AM on June 1, 2019 [5 favorites]
Trending on Lawfare today: Yes, the Constitution Allows Indictment of the President (Laurence H. Tribe, Dec. 20, 2018)
posted by Little Dawn at 9:32 AM on June 1, 2019 [28 favorites]
My op-ed argued against the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memos opining that the Constitution prevents the indictment of a sitting president. Nearly everyone concedes that any such policy would have to permit exceptions. The familiar hypothetical of a president who shoots and kills someone in plain view clinches the point. Surely, there must be an exception for that kind of case: Having to wait until the House of Representatives impeaches the alleged murderer and the Senate removes him from office before prosecuting and sentencing him would be crazy. Nobody seriously advocates applying the OLC mantra of “no indictment of a sitting president” to that kind of case.Related: Tracking 29 Investigations Related to Trump (NYT, last updated May 23, 2019)
The same is true for any number of other cases that come readily to mind. Among those, in my view, must be the not-so-hypothetical case of a president who turns out to have committed serious crimes as a private citizen in order to win the presidency. Whether the president committed such crimes in collusion with a shady group of private collaborators or did so in conspiracy with one or more foreign adversaries, it should not be necessary for the House to decide that such pre-inaugural felonies were impeachable offenses and for the Senate to convict and remove the officeholder before putting him in the dock as an alleged felon and meting out justice.
The onrush of daily, even hourly, news in the world today sadly furnishes plenty of other real-life examples. As those examples mount, the time may soon come when the Justice Department cannot avoid addressing the question: When does the anti-indictment policy have to give way to an emerging reality?
posted by Little Dawn at 9:32 AM on June 1, 2019 [28 favorites]
The whole horrible brood is going because Trump thinks of himself as a King and wants to show off his own princesses and princes and for whatever reason, Eric too.
posted by fluttering hellfire at 10:36 AM on June 1, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by fluttering hellfire at 10:36 AM on June 1, 2019 [17 favorites]
‘Everyone dies’: Barr says he’s unconcerned about the toll his job is taking on his reputation
“I am at the end of my career,” Attorney General William Barr said. “Everyone dies, and I am not, you know, I don’t believe in the Homeric idea that you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries.”
"Who cares, we'll be dead soon anyway" might as well be the national motto.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:47 AM on June 1, 2019 [66 favorites]
“I am at the end of my career,” Attorney General William Barr said. “Everyone dies, and I am not, you know, I don’t believe in the Homeric idea that you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries.”
"Who cares, we'll be dead soon anyway" might as well be the national motto.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:47 AM on June 1, 2019 [66 favorites]
and I am not, you know, I don’t believe in the Homeric idea that you know, immortality comes by, you know, having odes sung about you over the centuries
...what kind of person doesn’t believe in that ??
posted by sallybrown at 11:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
...what kind of person doesn’t believe in that ??
posted by sallybrown at 11:52 AM on June 1, 2019 [12 favorites]
Mod note: A few deleted; please take zingers etc over to the jokes, riffing, creative responses metatalk thread.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:58 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:58 AM on June 1, 2019 [4 favorites]
Messaging-wise it feels like a direct response to the news being passed around that kids can effectively change their parents' minds about climate change. What's left but to aggressively push "who cares if your memory is cursed by your children's children's children? You'll be dead!"
posted by contraption at 12:02 PM on June 1, 2019 [24 favorites]
posted by contraption at 12:02 PM on June 1, 2019 [24 favorites]
Republicans have embraced the idea that their heroes are people that thumb their noses at the law and openly lie. Barr is a hero. McConnell is a hero. Trump is hero. It's like watching a World Wrestling Federation match where the audience cheers for the villain. The point is to "own libs" by getting away with as much as you can while flipping off the audience.
posted by xammerboy at 12:05 PM on June 1, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 12:05 PM on June 1, 2019 [26 favorites]
Behind the scenes, though, we know that Melania and Ivanka regularly perform the emotional labor of keeping Trump's volatility in check.
It's a desperate effort to keep Trump on point. The last time he visited he told May he wouldn't hesitate to use Brexit to squeeze Britain dry. The whole situation there is a powder keg at the moment and Trump could prove to be a lit match.
posted by xammerboy at 12:16 PM on June 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
It's a desperate effort to keep Trump on point. The last time he visited he told May he wouldn't hesitate to use Brexit to squeeze Britain dry. The whole situation there is a powder keg at the moment and Trump could prove to be a lit match.
posted by xammerboy at 12:16 PM on June 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
Trump said he was surprised Meghan Markle was 'nasty' about him but it's great to have an 'American princess'
Before Trump has so much set foot on British soil, he's embroiled in "Nasty-gate" by insulting a member of the Royal Family. Bloomberg, CNN, ABC's Today Show, and many others are all running headlines that Trump called Meghan Markle "nasty" in his Sun interview (because she called him "divisive" and "misogynistic" during the 2016 campaign).
Now Team Trump's attempting to strike back by splitting hairs, since Trump said, technically, "No, I didn’t know that she was nasty." when the Sun's reporter was egging him on. The 2020 campaign's Official Trump War Room Twitter reaction force has gone full "ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!": "Fake News CNN is at it again, falsely claiming President Trump called Meghan Markle "nasty." Here is what he actually said. Listen for yourself!") Of course, it's about as subtle a rhetorical move as Trump's "many people are saying" tactic, but only the MAGA crowd is buying it.
Once again, it's the Iron Law of Trump's Misogyny: When Trump feels angry and insecure, he attacks women personally. This time, it's playing out on the diplomatic stage. (And imagine how he's going to treat the lame duck Theresa May.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:42 PM on June 1, 2019 [15 favorites]
Before Trump has so much set foot on British soil, he's embroiled in "Nasty-gate" by insulting a member of the Royal Family. Bloomberg, CNN, ABC's Today Show, and many others are all running headlines that Trump called Meghan Markle "nasty" in his Sun interview (because she called him "divisive" and "misogynistic" during the 2016 campaign).
Now Team Trump's attempting to strike back by splitting hairs, since Trump said, technically, "No, I didn’t know that she was nasty." when the Sun's reporter was egging him on. The 2020 campaign's Official Trump War Room Twitter reaction force has gone full "ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!": "Fake News CNN is at it again, falsely claiming President Trump called Meghan Markle "nasty." Here is what he actually said. Listen for yourself!") Of course, it's about as subtle a rhetorical move as Trump's "many people are saying" tactic, but only the MAGA crowd is buying it.
Once again, it's the Iron Law of Trump's Misogyny: When Trump feels angry and insecure, he attacks women personally. This time, it's playing out on the diplomatic stage. (And imagine how he's going to treat the lame duck Theresa May.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:42 PM on June 1, 2019 [15 favorites]
Good News™️
More then half of Americans support Warren’s Student Debt abolition
Sanders calls for a minimum teacher wage of 60,000
posted by The Whelk at 2:28 PM on June 1, 2019 [39 favorites]
More then half of Americans support Warren’s Student Debt abolition
Sanders calls for a minimum teacher wage of 60,000
posted by The Whelk at 2:28 PM on June 1, 2019 [39 favorites]
Trump says lawyer Emmet Flood leaving in June (Reuters).
As the article notes, "Flood and Pat Cipollone, who holds the post of White House counsel, represent the presidency as an institution, not Trump as an individual."
posted by jedicus at 2:41 PM on June 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
As the article notes, "Flood and Pat Cipollone, who holds the post of White House counsel, represent the presidency as an institution, not Trump as an individual."
posted by jedicus at 2:41 PM on June 1, 2019 [2 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump:
Washington Post got it wrong, as usual. The U.S. is charging 25% against 250 Billion Dollars of goods shipped from China, not 200 BD. Also, China is paying a heavy cost in that they will subsidize goods to keep them coming, devalue their currency, yet companies are moving to.....
....U.S. in order to avoid paying the 25% Tariff. Like Mexican companies will move back to the United States once the Tariff reaches the higher levels. They took many of our companies & jobs, the foolish Pols let it happen, and now they will come back unless Mexico stops the.....
...travesty that is taking place in allowing millions of people to easily meander through their country and INVADE the U.S., not to mention the Drugs & Human Trafficking pouring in through Mexico. Are the Drug Lords, Cartels & Coyotes really running Mexico? We will soon find out!
posted by xammerboy at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Washington Post got it wrong, as usual. The U.S. is charging 25% against 250 Billion Dollars of goods shipped from China, not 200 BD. Also, China is paying a heavy cost in that they will subsidize goods to keep them coming, devalue their currency, yet companies are moving to.....
....U.S. in order to avoid paying the 25% Tariff. Like Mexican companies will move back to the United States once the Tariff reaches the higher levels. They took many of our companies & jobs, the foolish Pols let it happen, and now they will come back unless Mexico stops the.....
...travesty that is taking place in allowing millions of people to easily meander through their country and INVADE the U.S., not to mention the Drugs & Human Trafficking pouring in through Mexico. Are the Drug Lords, Cartels & Coyotes really running Mexico? We will soon find out!
posted by xammerboy at 3:45 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Donald Trump is like a 20th-century fascist, says Sadiq Khan (Guardian)
London mayor hits out at US president before his state visit to Britain
London mayor hits out at US president before his state visit to Britain
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has compared the language used by Donald Trump to rally his supporters to that of “the fascists of the 20th century” in an explosive intervention before the US president’s state visit to London that begins on Monday.posted by Little Dawn at 3:50 PM on June 1, 2019 [28 favorites]
Writing in the Observer, Khan condemned the red-carpet treatment being afforded to Trump, who, with his wife Melania, will be a guest of the Queen during his three-day stay, which is expected to provoke massive protests in the capital on Tuesday.
Khan said: “President Donald Trump is just one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat. The far right is on the rise around the world, threatening our hard-won rights and freedoms and the values that have defined our liberal, democratic societies for more than 70 years.
“Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Matteo Salvini in Italy, Marine Le Pen in France and Nigel Farage here in the UK are using the same divisive tropes of the fascists of the 20th century to garner support, but with new, sinister methods to deliver their message. And they are gaining ground and winning power and influence in places that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.”
[...] Organisers of the protests on Tuesday say they will register their anger both against Trump and his wider views, including those on Brexit, which the US president has made clear he supports. Alena Ivanova, a campaign organiser for Another Europe is Possible, said: “Tuesday’s protests aren’t just about Trump, they’re about Trumpism – a politics of racism and bigotry. Trump is part of a global nationalist surge, and Brexit and its cheerleaders are the British franchise of it. Like Trump, Brexit is a threat to our basic rights and freedoms, and promises a future of division, despair and rightwing economics.”
At least 250,000 people are expected to turn out in central London at 11am, on a route between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square, when Trump meets Theresa May in Downing Street.
Do we yet know who writes the tweets which, while obviously unhinged fascist rantings, are nevertheless far too cohesive (and mildly grammatical) to be the work of the demented President of the United States? Stephen Miller? Dan Scavino?
Asking on behalf of a truth and reconciliation commission from the future
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:51 PM on June 1, 2019 [17 favorites]
Asking on behalf of a truth and reconciliation commission from the future
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:51 PM on June 1, 2019 [17 favorites]
That’s a total Scavino tweet.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 4:30 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 4:30 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
tivalasvegas, I use the Trump or Not Bot, a Twitter account that parses @realDonaldTrump’s tweets through a natural language processor to rate the probability of an authentic tweet. The Twitter account is a collaborative effort, though, between Trump, his comms team, and miscellaneous aides, who brainstorm these tweets off Trump’s input. 76%/87%/97% for that last batch, btw, and now the account is in a frenzy of retweeting the most sycophantic messages about Trump, who obviously is feeling very anxious about everything.
And here’s the WaPo article that set him off: U.S. and Mexico plan summit in Washington on Wednesday in bid to head off trade dispute
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:50 PM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
And here’s the WaPo article that set him off: U.S. and Mexico plan summit in Washington on Wednesday in bid to head off trade dispute
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:50 PM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
I mean, I hope there'll be court-admissible evidence of specifically who wrote each of the tweets. There will be an After-time and the fascists need to be held personally responsible for their actions.
I think "The Charlottesville Trials" has a nice ring to it.
posted by tivalasvegas at 5:07 PM on June 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
I think "The Charlottesville Trials" has a nice ring to it.
posted by tivalasvegas at 5:07 PM on June 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
I mean, I hope there'll be court-admissible evidence of specifically who wrote each of the tweets. There will be an After-time and the fascists need to be held personally responsible for their actions.
Based on prior experiences with a Democratic administration taking over from a criminal Republican one, this is very much an open question and should be a live issue in the primary. There's a choice between "look forward, not backwards" again, or something else. It's being made right now.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:03 PM on June 1, 2019 [20 favorites]
Based on prior experiences with a Democratic administration taking over from a criminal Republican one, this is very much an open question and should be a live issue in the primary. There's a choice between "look forward, not backwards" again, or something else. It's being made right now.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:03 PM on June 1, 2019 [20 favorites]
From the Wapo article:
The U.S. economy relies heavily on imports from China, but it is much more interconnected with suppliers in Mexico, making the impact of tariffs hard to absorb. Matthew Slaughter, dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, said the tariffs against Mexico could quickly lead to the loss of “hundreds of thousands of jobs” in the United States because of how interwoven the two economies have become.
posted by xammerboy at 6:33 PM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
The U.S. economy relies heavily on imports from China, but it is much more interconnected with suppliers in Mexico, making the impact of tariffs hard to absorb. Matthew Slaughter, dean of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, said the tariffs against Mexico could quickly lead to the loss of “hundreds of thousands of jobs” in the United States because of how interwoven the two economies have become.
posted by xammerboy at 6:33 PM on June 1, 2019 [7 favorites]
Hickenlooper attacks Socialism in a speech, gets boo’ed
posted by The Whelk at 6:35 PM on June 1, 2019 [34 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:35 PM on June 1, 2019 [34 favorites]
Arizona’s #1 trade partner is Mexico. Some 90,000 jobs here are wrapped up in trade with Mexico. Even staunchly conservative players here like the AZ Chamber of Commerce are calling this nuts.
posted by darkstar at 7:08 PM on June 1, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 7:08 PM on June 1, 2019 [8 favorites]
Protester grabs mic from Kamala Harris during MoveOn forum (CBS News)
posted by Little Dawn at 7:29 PM on June 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
As she was discussing student loans for black students, the protester walked up and interrupted her, causing her to leave the stage as staffers and even her husband, Doug Emhoff, tried to remove the man.No word yet on what MoveOn will be doing to improve security for candidates at future forums.
After he was escorted off the stage, Harris returned to chants of "Kamala, Kamala." Harris quickly picked up where the panel left off, saying "you have a question and I want to answer it" to the moderators, who asked her about crime statistics. [...]
MoveOn, meawhile, tweeted an apology to Harris. "We sincerely regret that a protestor was able to gain access to the stage at our forum today," MoveOn wrote.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:29 PM on June 1, 2019 [13 favorites]
Wow. How insanely tone deaf can someone get? White dude thinks it's OK to go grab a microphone from a black woman to push his unrelated agenda.
posted by rdr at 7:34 PM on June 1, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by rdr at 7:34 PM on June 1, 2019 [19 favorites]
I would have editorialized, Harris returned to chants of "Kamala, Kamala," like a boss, but I was a little too livid at MoveOn for having such poor security, and at this incident being reported as a protest. Rushing at someone and grabbing things out of their hand are violent actions that assert power and stoke fear, so I'm sorry to see the media lending legitimacy to these aggressive and criminal actions by referring to them as a 'protest.' This wasn't civil disobedience.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:58 PM on June 1, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Little Dawn at 7:58 PM on June 1, 2019 [19 favorites]
Matt Gaetz has the honor of receiving the first US milkshaking
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:32 PM on June 1, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:32 PM on June 1, 2019 [28 favorites]
Took me a minute to remember the Secret Service only gets deployed after each party selects its candidate.
posted by scalefree at 8:34 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 8:34 PM on June 1, 2019 [1 favorite]
Duncan Hunter Says He Probably Killed ‘Hundreds’ Of Civilians While In Combat
“I was an artillery officer, and we fired hundreds of rounds into Fallujah, killed probably hundreds of civilians,” he said. “Probably killed women and children if there were any left in the city when we invaded. So, do I get judged too?”
Someday, one hopes.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:57 PM on June 1, 2019 [75 favorites]
“I was an artillery officer, and we fired hundreds of rounds into Fallujah, killed probably hundreds of civilians,” he said. “Probably killed women and children if there were any left in the city when we invaded. So, do I get judged too?”
Someday, one hopes.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:57 PM on June 1, 2019 [75 favorites]
Man, with...
(a) McConnell gleefully admitting he’d eagerly apply a different set of principles to confirming any SCOTUS nominee in a Republican President’s last year in office,
(b) Barr admitting he doesn’t care what history thinks of him because, eh, he’ll be dead anyway, and
(c) Hunter admitting he’s rather blasé about killing women and children,
...the GOP is really letting their freak flag fly with the whole “say the quiet parts out loud” thing.
Overt admissions of rank hypocrisy and sociopathy. Say what you will about Trump, but he seems to have really inspired next-level DGAF-ism in his tribe.
posted by darkstar at 9:06 PM on June 1, 2019 [53 favorites]
(a) McConnell gleefully admitting he’d eagerly apply a different set of principles to confirming any SCOTUS nominee in a Republican President’s last year in office,
(b) Barr admitting he doesn’t care what history thinks of him because, eh, he’ll be dead anyway, and
(c) Hunter admitting he’s rather blasé about killing women and children,
...the GOP is really letting their freak flag fly with the whole “say the quiet parts out loud” thing.
Overt admissions of rank hypocrisy and sociopathy. Say what you will about Trump, but he seems to have really inspired next-level DGAF-ism in his tribe.
posted by darkstar at 9:06 PM on June 1, 2019 [53 favorites]
I saw a tweet from some pol or pundit (can't remember the source) that went something like: Donald Trump's amorality is based on his belief that everyone else is just as selfish and amoral as he is, and any words they speak to the contrary are nothing more than showmanship to fool the rubes.
And that the longer he is in office the more explicitly the Republican party shows, at least as far as Republicans go, he is right.
posted by Justinian at 10:20 PM on June 1, 2019 [39 favorites]
And that the longer he is in office the more explicitly the Republican party shows, at least as far as Republicans go, he is right.
posted by Justinian at 10:20 PM on June 1, 2019 [39 favorites]
Sigh, this is going to be a long primary season, and I can tell I'm going to have to do THIS a lot. So, for the first of what'll surely be many, many, many times, here goes:
Wow. How insanely tone deaf can someone get? White dude thinks it's OK to go grab a microphone from a black woman to push his unrelated agenda.
She's. Indian. Too.
posted by CommonSense at 11:27 PM on June 1, 2019 [9 favorites]
Wow. How insanely tone deaf can someone get? White dude thinks it's OK to go grab a microphone from a black woman to push his unrelated agenda.
She's. Indian. Too.
posted by CommonSense at 11:27 PM on June 1, 2019 [9 favorites]
There are so many horrible people, it’s hard to keep track of them. It took me a while to remember that Matt Gaetz is the obstruct justice by threatening Cohen on Twitter before he testifies to Congress guy. And Duncan Hunter is the admitted war criminal who takes pictures with dead enemy combatants guy. Winners all around.
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:44 PM on June 1, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:44 PM on June 1, 2019 [8 favorites]
I'm not sure that the caveat about Harris is so emphatically necessary. Saying she's black is a complex, socially-constructed categorization, but it doesn't imply that she's not Indian; any more than, for example, saying Giancarlo Esposito is black or that Nancy Pelosi is white implies that they aren't Italian.
posted by XMLicious at 11:47 PM on June 1, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 11:47 PM on June 1, 2019 [21 favorites]
I'm not sure that the caveat about Harris is so emphatically necessary. Saying she's black is a complex, socially-constructed categorization, but it doesn't imply that she's not Indian; any more than, for example, saying Giancarlo Esposito is black or that Nancy Pelosi is white implies that they aren't Italian.
I dunno, perhaps. I have a dog in this fight, being Indian myself, so maybe I'm too close to this. And so often it's the media doing it; other times it's the Black community doing it (while simultaneously I feel the Indian community is just ignoring her); other times, I feel like Harris is doing nothing to fight the erasure of her Indian-ness. And I'm simultaneously hyper-aware of the Bill Mahers of the world, supposedly our allies but also whining about "identity politics" again like any random Republican.
Also, Italians haven't really had to worry about being seen as "the other" for about a century now (though I'll readily admit there was rampant other-ization of Italians and other so-called "white ethnics" through the early 1900s), so I'm not sure how well that example translates today.
Ah, hell, half the time I kind of wish we could go back 20+ years to when we Indians weren't even on the radar. In some ways, I kind of preferred fading into the background.
(Oh, and don't get me started about how nobody can say "Kamala" correctly--and it's not as if she bothers to correct them, either.)
(shrug) Whatever, I'm voting Warren. Sorry for the derail, by the way.
posted by CommonSense at 11:58 PM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
I dunno, perhaps. I have a dog in this fight, being Indian myself, so maybe I'm too close to this. And so often it's the media doing it; other times it's the Black community doing it (while simultaneously I feel the Indian community is just ignoring her); other times, I feel like Harris is doing nothing to fight the erasure of her Indian-ness. And I'm simultaneously hyper-aware of the Bill Mahers of the world, supposedly our allies but also whining about "identity politics" again like any random Republican.
Also, Italians haven't really had to worry about being seen as "the other" for about a century now (though I'll readily admit there was rampant other-ization of Italians and other so-called "white ethnics" through the early 1900s), so I'm not sure how well that example translates today.
Ah, hell, half the time I kind of wish we could go back 20+ years to when we Indians weren't even on the radar. In some ways, I kind of preferred fading into the background.
(Oh, and don't get me started about how nobody can say "Kamala" correctly--and it's not as if she bothers to correct them, either.)
(shrug) Whatever, I'm voting Warren. Sorry for the derail, by the way.
posted by CommonSense at 11:58 PM on June 1, 2019 [6 favorites]
Do you have a link to an audio file, or some other guidance on how to pronouce "Kamala" correctly? I'd certainly be interested to know.
posted by XMLicious at 12:12 AM on June 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 12:12 AM on June 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
She's. Indian. Too
Yes. But still what the white dude did is wrong.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 12:15 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Yes. But still what the white dude did is wrong.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 12:15 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
It's Caw-muh-luh. Like the sound a crow makes and then the last two syllables rhyme both with each other and with huh. I didn't realize it was commonly mispronounced but I'm in California so maybe we're just more familiar with her.
I've seen it described as "Comma-luh" which is really close but at least how I say "comma" would sort of elide the second syllable too much I think.
posted by Justinian at 12:16 AM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've seen it described as "Comma-luh" which is really close but at least how I say "comma" would sort of elide the second syllable too much I think.
posted by Justinian at 12:16 AM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
On second thought if I say "Comma-luh" really fast repeatedly it basically sounds right. Also is fun.
posted by Justinian at 12:17 AM on June 2, 2019
posted by Justinian at 12:17 AM on June 2, 2019
Her Senate campaign in 2016 got some kids to do a pronunciation lesson, if nailing it is how you want to spend your Saturday night.
posted by zachlipton at 12:20 AM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:20 AM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
Damn. Wrestling fucked up my pronunciation of Kamala, among other things.
posted by bootlegpop at 1:49 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by bootlegpop at 1:49 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Betsy Woodruff (Daily Beast) on MSNBC shortly after 8am this morning revealing from sources in Congress, that nearly all Dems are on board for going to war on Trump. The problem is figuring out how and who are ready to go to war with Pelosi first.
posted by Harry Caul at 5:11 AM on June 2, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 5:11 AM on June 2, 2019 [15 favorites]
Re America's new Concentration Camp.
Smells like money.
Customs and Border Protection is buying 2.2 million baby diapers for its new migrant tent
posted by adamvasco at 5:43 AM on June 2, 2019 [11 favorites]
Smells like money.
Customs and Border Protection is buying 2.2 million baby diapers for its new migrant tent
posted by adamvasco at 5:43 AM on June 2, 2019 [11 favorites]
Insurgent Democrats, Many of Them Women, Worry a New Party Policy Will Block Them (NYT)
A move by House Democratic leaders to thwart party members from mounting primary challenges to incumbents, even in safe Democratic districts, could have the unintended consequence of arresting the party’s shift toward a more female and racially diverse caucus, one of its most striking achievements of the last election.posted by Little Dawn at 6:20 AM on June 2, 2019 [38 favorites]
This past week, a Democratic political consultant with longstanding ties to the party’s campaign committees quit a senior-partner position at the firm Deliver Strategies after it, like most dominant campaign outfits, agreed to comply with a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee policy barring it from conducting business with a primary opponent of a sitting Democrat.
Her reason: She feared the policy’s impact on female challengers. [...] most insurgent Democrats set their sights on incumbents in safe Democratic seats, making the case that they are fresh faces who represent change. The new policy will most likely block candidates seeking to follow in the footsteps of Ms. Pressley, who is black, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who is of Puerto Rican descent, both of whom defeated veteran white male Democrats last year, Michael Capuano and Joseph Crowley. [...]
“A lot of Democrats are terrified that what happened to Capuano and Crowley will happen to them and are looking for backup,” [Ms. Pritchard, formerly at Deliver Strategies,] said. “I actually thought this policy was a joke until I saw it written up, but they are enforcing it aggressively.”
Marie Newman came within two percentage points last year of defeating Representative Daniel Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat who is now in his eighth term and is one of the few in the caucus to oppose abortion rights. She is running again, but two consultants have backed out of her campaign, “both citing the D.C.C.C. blacklist issue as the reason,” said Ben Hardin, Ms. Newman’s campaign manager.
[...] in a year when women are once again expected to drive many races, an expanding group of Democrats outside Congress is critical of the D.C.C.C.’s decision. “I’m disappointed in the policy and don’t agree with it,” said Stephanie Schriock, the president of Emily’s List, which supports Democrats who favor abortion rights.
[...] Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has encouraged donors to put their money elsewhere, and she has done her own online fund-raising for numerous candidates. “My recommendation, if you’re a small-dollar donor: pause your donations to DCCC & give directly to swing candidates instead,” she tweeted.
Re America's new Concentration Camp.
“These facilities will provide temporary housing, meals, showers, clean clothing, and medical area for the family units and UACs,” CBP said in a related contracting document, which described allowing “35 square feet per detainee of open space plus 12 square feet to account for sleeping mat space.”
Less than 6 by 6 feet per detainee is the intended space. Precedent says to expect eight times as many people to be crammed into that area.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:23 AM on June 2, 2019 [17 favorites]
“These facilities will provide temporary housing, meals, showers, clean clothing, and medical area for the family units and UACs,” CBP said in a related contracting document, which described allowing “35 square feet per detainee of open space plus 12 square feet to account for sleeping mat space.”
Less than 6 by 6 feet per detainee is the intended space. Precedent says to expect eight times as many people to be crammed into that area.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:23 AM on June 2, 2019 [17 favorites]
The problem is figuring out how and who are ready to go to war with Pelosi first.
I would not assume this is not at least partly crafted by Pelosi. It’s an old and effective trick to have your rowdier faction force your moderate hand.
posted by sallybrown at 6:53 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
I would not assume this is not at least partly crafted by Pelosi. It’s an old and effective trick to have your rowdier faction force your moderate hand.
posted by sallybrown at 6:53 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
(And frankly it goes both ways. Any Dem House member in a liberal district who is uncertain what to do about impeachment is safe to scream for it as long as Pelosi is there to take the blame for slow walking things.)
posted by sallybrown at 6:58 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 6:58 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
Letter From Mexican President Goes Way Over Trump’s Head (David Boddiger, Splinter)
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) responded to a threat by Donald Trump over new tariffs on Mexican goods with a letter focused on concepts Trump can’t possibly understand: dignity, fairness, compassion, and principles.posted by ZeusHumms at 7:33 AM on June 2, 2019 [11 favorites]
I saw a tweet from some pol or pundit (can't remember the source) that went something like: Donald Trump's amorality is based on his belief that everyone else is just as selfish and amoral as he is, and any words they speak to the contrary are nothing more than showmanship to fool the rubes...
posted by Justinian at 10:20 PM on June 1 [17 favorites +] [!]
I think this analysis of Trump's worldview is exactly right. This Atlantic article basically says the same thing. The frightening thing to me is that most of his supporters must believe this, too. They see the accusations against Trump as mere virtue-signaling meant to fool others, and thus easily dismissed. They also assume, as he does, that everyone else is just grifting, too, so keep on grifting harder.
posted by Mental Wimp at 7:35 AM on June 2, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:20 PM on June 1 [17 favorites +] [!]
I think this analysis of Trump's worldview is exactly right. This Atlantic article basically says the same thing. The frightening thing to me is that most of his supporters must believe this, too. They see the accusations against Trump as mere virtue-signaling meant to fool others, and thus easily dismissed. They also assume, as he does, that everyone else is just grifting, too, so keep on grifting harder.
posted by Mental Wimp at 7:35 AM on June 2, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump's amorality is based on his belief that everyone else is just as selfish and amoral as he is
This isn't just Trump; this is American conservatives, generally. These are people who argue against atheism by saying you need the fear of hell to keep people from stealing, raping and murdering.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 7:59 AM on June 2, 2019 [42 favorites]
This isn't just Trump; this is American conservatives, generally. These are people who argue against atheism by saying you need the fear of hell to keep people from stealing, raping and murdering.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 7:59 AM on June 2, 2019 [42 favorites]
“My recommendation, if you’re a small-dollar donor: pause your donations to DCCC & give directly to swing candidates instead,” she tweeted.
Someone asked what realistically, Democrats would do if Pelosi doesn't impeach, not vote? Realistically, they will start to give their money, time, and resources to more left candidates. I'm likely voting for Warren, but the rest of my time and resources may go to socialists or green candidates I would normally dismiss as not having a chance or being pragmatic enough. The DCC candidates in general don't seem willing to have honest conversations about problems and their solutions.
posted by xammerboy at 8:06 AM on June 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
Someone asked what realistically, Democrats would do if Pelosi doesn't impeach, not vote? Realistically, they will start to give their money, time, and resources to more left candidates. I'm likely voting for Warren, but the rest of my time and resources may go to socialists or green candidates I would normally dismiss as not having a chance or being pragmatic enough. The DCC candidates in general don't seem willing to have honest conversations about problems and their solutions.
posted by xammerboy at 8:06 AM on June 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
his belief that everyone else is just as selfish and amoral as he is, and any words they speak to the contrary are nothing more than showmanship to fool the rubes...
That's a level of abstraction too far, I think, because it presumes he thinks other people have agency. Even "fuck your feelings" requires a tiny capacity to imagine the feelings of others that can be fucked over. I don't think that capacity exists within I-1, other than to see morality as weakness. Psychopathy is vampiric on other people's emotions and social impulses.
I was talking recently to a mental health professional who worked in prisons who said that white-collar fraudsters, the kind who take advantage of old people and steal their live savings, are less treatable than murderers.
posted by holgate at 8:11 AM on June 2, 2019 [29 favorites]
That's a level of abstraction too far, I think, because it presumes he thinks other people have agency. Even "fuck your feelings" requires a tiny capacity to imagine the feelings of others that can be fucked over. I don't think that capacity exists within I-1, other than to see morality as weakness. Psychopathy is vampiric on other people's emotions and social impulses.
I was talking recently to a mental health professional who worked in prisons who said that white-collar fraudsters, the kind who take advantage of old people and steal their live savings, are less treatable than murderers.
posted by holgate at 8:11 AM on June 2, 2019 [29 favorites]
Trump basically ran on being a criminal.
posted by xammerboy at 8:56 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 8:56 AM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
USS McCainGate update: The Navy is now admitting uh, yeah, that shit happened, and Mick Mulvaney on Meet the Press is trying to simultaneously throw a theoretical twentysomething staffer under the bus for it while also saying it's "not unreasonable" and people should be chill about it.
This is the dumbest, most harmless thing to waste any airtime on, particularly in light of the horrific treatment of asylum-seekers and stupid-ass destructive tariffs and whatnot... but it is also a perfect window into just how utterly petty this White House is and where their priorities are.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2019 [19 favorites]
This is the dumbest, most harmless thing to waste any airtime on, particularly in light of the horrific treatment of asylum-seekers and stupid-ass destructive tariffs and whatnot... but it is also a perfect window into just how utterly petty this White House is and where their priorities are.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:07 AM on June 2, 2019 [19 favorites]
"And Duncan Hunter is the admitted war criminal who takes pictures with dead enemy combatants guy."
Before admitting that, he was the "My wife spent my campaign funds on clothing and vacations for me!" guy. Can a respectable journalist ask the type of snide "why are you not embarrassed to show your face in public after ____" questions that actresses at LAX have to deal with of one of these guys, for once?
posted by Selena777 at 9:12 AM on June 2, 2019 [24 favorites]
Before admitting that, he was the "My wife spent my campaign funds on clothing and vacations for me!" guy. Can a respectable journalist ask the type of snide "why are you not embarrassed to show your face in public after ____" questions that actresses at LAX have to deal with of one of these guys, for once?
posted by Selena777 at 9:12 AM on June 2, 2019 [24 favorites]
The USS McCain thing isn't the dumbest thing because it's more than the pretty president being petty. It's a symptom of a politicization of the military and a breakdown of the chain of command. It's a big deal when a Navy officer takes orders from a White House staffer not constitutionally empowered to give military commands.
posted by peeedro at 9:22 AM on June 2, 2019 [73 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 9:22 AM on June 2, 2019 [73 favorites]
Navy probing patches worn during Trump’s Wasp visit
posted by scalefree at 9:47 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
WASHINGTON — The Navy says it is reviewing whether service members violated Defense Department policy or regulations by wearing a uniform patch with the words “Make Aircrews Great Again” during President Donald Trump’s visit to their ship in Japan.
The phrase emblazoned on the patch, along with what appeared to be a likeness of Trump, is a play on his campaign slogan.
The military has dress codes and regulations against partisan political acts while in uniform.
In a brief statement Tuesday, the Navy said only that the matter was under review by Navy leadership to ensure that the wearing of the patches did not violate policy or regulations.
Trump visited the amphibious assault ship Wasp on Tuesday before returning to Washington from four days in Japan.Visit the link, at the bottom there's a photo of Trump on the Wasp wearing a particularly shit-eating grin.
posted by scalefree at 9:47 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
No. 3 House Democrat says he believes Trump will eventually be impeached (Politico)
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said Sunday he believes President Donald Trump will eventually be impeached, but cautioned that Democrats need to first lay the groundwork and educate the public on the process.::Checks on public education (Nature) about the Green New Deal:: Labor anger over Green New Deal greets 2020 contenders in California (Politico)
"I have never said he should not be impeached. What I have said time and time again is, [special counsel Robert] Mueller has developed the grounds for impeachment. The House has to determine the timing for impeachment. There's a big difference," he said. [...] Clyburn added Sunday it was important for the public to first understand the need for impeachment and that House Democrats are working to "bring the public along."
"We do believe that, if we sufficiently, effectively educate the public, then we will have done our job, and we can move on an impeachment vote, and it will stand, and maybe it will be what needs to be done to incent the Senate to act," he said.
Lifelong union members “don’t necessarily want to be retrained’’ for other, greener work spots — “nor is it even possible,’’ says Levinson. She predicts with the 2020 election looming, Democratic leaders will have to wrestle with the fact that “unlike the Mueller report and impeachment and indictment — people vote on whether or not they’re going to lose their job.”But where is the anger over the impact of tariffs (Forbes)? Seriously (Chamber of Commerce)
Millions of U.S. jobs depend on America’s ability to trade with other countries. Half of all U.S. manufacturing jobs depend on exports, and one in three acres of American farmland is planted for international sales. But recent and proposed trade actions by the Trump administration threaten as many as 2.6 million American jobs and will stymie our economic progress.posted by Little Dawn at 10:07 AM on June 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
TPM: Schiff To Push For Subpoenaing Mueller To Testify If He Won’t Do So Voluntarily
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:54 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:54 AM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
SS McCainGate update: The Navy is now admitting uh, yeah, that shit happened, and Mick Mulvaney on Meet the Press is trying to simultaneously throw a theoretical twentysomething staffer under the bus for it while also saying it's "not unreasonable" and people should be chill about it.
This is the dumbest, most harmless thing to waste any airtime on, particularly in light of the horrific treatment of asylum-seekers and stupid-ass destructive tariffs and whatnot... but it is also a perfect window into just how utterly petty this White House is and where their priorities are.
I could not disagree more that this is the most harmless thing. The white house and the military doing this, initially covering it up and then throwing juniors under the bus points to a really disturbing lack of professionalism and honor in both houses.
Remember when the Republican mediasphere freaking exploded because a marine held an umbrella for Obama?
posted by srboisvert at 11:10 AM on June 2, 2019 [38 favorites]
This is the dumbest, most harmless thing to waste any airtime on, particularly in light of the horrific treatment of asylum-seekers and stupid-ass destructive tariffs and whatnot... but it is also a perfect window into just how utterly petty this White House is and where their priorities are.
I could not disagree more that this is the most harmless thing. The white house and the military doing this, initially covering it up and then throwing juniors under the bus points to a really disturbing lack of professionalism and honor in both houses.
Remember when the Republican mediasphere freaking exploded because a marine held an umbrella for Obama?
posted by srboisvert at 11:10 AM on June 2, 2019 [38 favorites]
We Found The Guy Behind the Viral ‘Drunk Pelosi’ Video
On May 22, a Donald Trump superfan and occasional sports blogger from the Bronx named Shawn Brooks posted a video clip of Nancy Pelosi on his personal Facebook page. The clip showed Pelosi at her most excitable, stammering during a press conference as she voiced frustration over an abortive infrastructure meeting with the president. Brooks’ commentary on the video was succinct: “Is Pelosi drunk?”
Thirteen minutes later, a Facebook official told The Daily Beast, Brooks posted a very different Pelosi video to a Facebook page called Politics WatchDog—one of a series of hyperpartisan news operations Brooks runs (with help, he claims). This clip had been altered to slow Pelosi down without lowering the pitch of her voice. The effect was to make it sound as though the Speaker of the House was slurring her words drunkenly while criticizing Donald Trump.
Fifteen minutes after that, the same doctored video appeared on a second Facebook page Brooks manages, AllNews 24/7. This clip was identical to the Politics WatchDog video on every way, except that it didn’t carry the Politics WatchDog branding that was superimposed over the earlier video. Whoever posted it had access to the director’s cut. On both pages the clip was accompanied by the exact same dispassionate, newsy prose: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on President Trump walking out infrastructure meeting: ‘It was very, very, very strange.’”
The video was an instant social media smash, surging through the internet’s well-worn ley lines of credulity and venom. It was shared more than 60,000 times on Facebook and accumulated 4 million page views from links. “Drunk as a skunk,” mused actor turned alt-right curmudgeon James Woods, whose tweet of the video scored 17,000 retweets and 55,000 likes. “What is wrong with Nancy Pelosi?”, wrote Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer, in a tweet linking to the AllNews 24/7 post. “Her speech pattern is bizarre.”
Brooks, a 34-year-old day laborer currently on probation after pleading guilty to domestic battery, claims that his “drunk” commentary on an unaltered Pelosi video had no connection to the now-infamous fake clip that premiered less than 15 minutes later. “I wasn't the individual who created that Pelosi video,” he insisted in a telephone interview.
It’s conceivable that someone else actually edited the clip. But a Facebook official, confirming a Daily Beast investigation, said the video was first posted on Politics WatchDog directly from Brooks’ personal Facebook account.posted by scalefree at 11:52 AM on June 2, 2019 [19 favorites]
But where is the anger over the impact of tariffs?
The tariffs are a huge gas tax, food tax, car tax, home appliance tax, electronics tax. It may destabilize the very industries Trump said he'd save. Meanwhile, if you look at conservative sites they're lolling it up about libs worried they'll lose their guacamole toast.
Mick Mulvaney ... saying it's "not unreasonable" and people should be chill about it.
They think Trump is so unstable that he'll see a Navy boat with the name McCain on it in a different country, and... what? Throw up his hands and leave? Bomb Japan?
Remember when the Republican mediasphere freaking exploded because a marine held an umbrella for Obama?
The angriest I've ever seen any reporter was Fox News reporting on Obama putting mustard on his burger instead of freedom ketchup. It's why there's no reason to compromise. If they can't find a reason to be outraged they'll just make something up.
posted by xammerboy at 11:59 AM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
The tariffs are a huge gas tax, food tax, car tax, home appliance tax, electronics tax. It may destabilize the very industries Trump said he'd save. Meanwhile, if you look at conservative sites they're lolling it up about libs worried they'll lose their guacamole toast.
Mick Mulvaney ... saying it's "not unreasonable" and people should be chill about it.
They think Trump is so unstable that he'll see a Navy boat with the name McCain on it in a different country, and... what? Throw up his hands and leave? Bomb Japan?
Remember when the Republican mediasphere freaking exploded because a marine held an umbrella for Obama?
The angriest I've ever seen any reporter was Fox News reporting on Obama putting mustard on his burger instead of freedom ketchup. It's why there's no reason to compromise. If they can't find a reason to be outraged they'll just make something up.
posted by xammerboy at 11:59 AM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
"Labor anger over Green New Deal greets 2020 contenders in California (Politico)"Well how do they feel about being flooded or burned or starved out of their homes by increasingly-frequent extreme climate events? Because I think they might be missing the point here..
Lifelong union members “don’t necessarily want to be retrained’’ for other, greener work spots — “nor is it even possible,’’ says Levinson.
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:00 PM on June 2, 2019 [17 favorites]
It's a big deal when a Navy officer takes orders from a White House staffer
IMO, that's not a big deal, it's a dumb technicality. If the WH was trying to remotely direct military operations or contradict direction of military chain of command, that would be a big deal. "Asking for" something (even if they arrogantly word it as a command, and I mentally reframe it as a request to avoid unnecessary conflict) from a local command who has been told to cooperate to the maximum extent by legitimate authority, implicitly or explicitly, isn't that.
I mean, sometimes we'd do weird things we wouldn't normally do for public relations outreach events, give certain CEOs rides on ships, etc. and we'd try to make them feel like big shots. We put away the Seattle's Best coffee when the Starbucks honcho was around. That's not "taking orders" from Starbucks.
posted by ctmf at 12:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
IMO, that's not a big deal, it's a dumb technicality. If the WH was trying to remotely direct military operations or contradict direction of military chain of command, that would be a big deal. "Asking for" something (even if they arrogantly word it as a command, and I mentally reframe it as a request to avoid unnecessary conflict) from a local command who has been told to cooperate to the maximum extent by legitimate authority, implicitly or explicitly, isn't that.
I mean, sometimes we'd do weird things we wouldn't normally do for public relations outreach events, give certain CEOs rides on ships, etc. and we'd try to make them feel like big shots. We put away the Seattle's Best coffee when the Starbucks honcho was around. That's not "taking orders" from Starbucks.
posted by ctmf at 12:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'd also like to chime in and agree with those who are pointing out that politicization of the military needs to be carefully watched and that the USS McCain incident is just the latest and most media-friendly example of people working to please Trump in ways that would not have been considered or excused previously. As an expansion of "working towards the Fuhrer" it's worth noting.
(Also, I suppose the "go home writers, you're drunk.." observations probably belong in the quips thread, but the address he gave was delivered on the USS WASP? Seriously? The only reason I'm willing to believe that's accidental is that nobody in the Trump White House event planning staff has ever shown even the slightest capacity for subtlety or advance planning.)
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:12 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
(Also, I suppose the "go home writers, you're drunk.." observations probably belong in the quips thread, but the address he gave was delivered on the USS WASP? Seriously? The only reason I'm willing to believe that's accidental is that nobody in the Trump White House event planning staff has ever shown even the slightest capacity for subtlety or advance planning.)
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:12 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
That is, if I'm the commander, the White House order isn't an order from the White House, if that makes any sense. I'm interpreting that as an order from my boss (and my boss's boss, etc) if I think that the White House could likely get someone to smash me if I refused. It's just saving time to not make them involve ridiculous high staff levels in trivial party plans.
posted by ctmf at 12:13 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ctmf at 12:13 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not been following closely, but his "visit to the Wasp" was kind of staged. They made Wasp leave its own home port and go to Yoko specifically so that he would have a cool-looking ship to visit after Reagan left (as scheduled, although I was predicting they'd make Reagan wait for him instead). Moving a ship for the weekend isn't inexpensive. That's more outrageous to me than the McCain thing.
posted by ctmf at 12:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by ctmf at 12:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Gaetz milkshaker charged with battery
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:20 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:20 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Remember when W. landed a fighter jet for no damn reason and jumped out with a comically large codpiece? And then got up on the flight deck with a giant "mission accomplished" banner? Republicans have been politicizing the military for a long time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [10 favorites]
Nerd of the North, they're going to be one of the earliest among many different groups of regular people, regular Democrats who will miss the point of this.
posted by Selena777 at 12:54 PM on June 2, 2019
posted by Selena777 at 12:54 PM on June 2, 2019
They made Wasp leave its own home port and go to Yoko specifically so that he would have a cool-looking ship to visit after Reagan left (as scheduled, although I was predicting they'd make Reagan wait for him instead).Choosing it because it is "cool-looking" is within the normal parameters of presidential visit puffery. If there were any evidence (I am not aware of any) that it was chosen for its name and that name's indirect connection to a term signalling a specific race and religion that would be much more outrageous, but as I said I think that part was merely bizarre coincidence because although they engage in dog-whistling all the freaking time, typically it has not been subtle.
posted by Nerd of the North at 12:56 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've come around to the view that the House Democrats should form a special select committee on impeachment, and hold regular hearings starting with all the stuff that's not in the Mueller report. It's the right thing to do, from a "rule of law" standpoint, and I believe the politics could be managed to the Democrats' advantage.
The public needs to hear relevant testimony about many topics, including but not limited to:
- the ongoing violations of the emoluments clause;
- the administration's lax security practices, including the use of unsecured phones and non-government email accounts, the White House overruling career staff to grant clearances to people who shouldn't have them, and foreign spies attempting who-knows-what at Mar-A-Lago;
- foreign donations to and money stolen or grifted from the inaugural committee;
- abuses of emergency powers regarding immigration, the border wall, and tariffs;
- failure to adequately staff the executive branch and to confirm permanent cabinet-level employees;
- and anything else they can throw at him.
Heck, I'd like to see a day of testimony from the reporters like Daniel Dale who have been documenting Trump's 10,000+ lies while in office, thereby making the argument that lying so often to the American people constitutes an impeachable offense in and of itself.
While they're at it, they could have a few days of testimony from the (15? 16?) women who have made credible accusations of sexual assault or harassment against Individual 1 (if those women who were victimized agree.)
All of this can be done while Mueller report-related issues & testimony are being fought over in court, and if/when that testimony and those documents are secured, they can be folded into the more general impeachment inquiry.
No, the Senate still will not vote to convict, but the point is to air at length every bit of dirt about Individual 1, dragging it out for as long as possible before voting to impeach, and then making the most vulnerable GOP senators (Gardner, McSally, etc) publicly own their subsequent votes not to convict.
The end result of this process will not sway I-1's most fanatical supporters, but it should depress turnout from the slightly less fanatical, and perhaps change a few minds on the margins, and every little bit is going to count in 2020.
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 12:59 PM on June 2, 2019 [41 favorites]
The public needs to hear relevant testimony about many topics, including but not limited to:
- the ongoing violations of the emoluments clause;
- the administration's lax security practices, including the use of unsecured phones and non-government email accounts, the White House overruling career staff to grant clearances to people who shouldn't have them, and foreign spies attempting who-knows-what at Mar-A-Lago;
- foreign donations to and money stolen or grifted from the inaugural committee;
- abuses of emergency powers regarding immigration, the border wall, and tariffs;
- failure to adequately staff the executive branch and to confirm permanent cabinet-level employees;
- and anything else they can throw at him.
Heck, I'd like to see a day of testimony from the reporters like Daniel Dale who have been documenting Trump's 10,000+ lies while in office, thereby making the argument that lying so often to the American people constitutes an impeachable offense in and of itself.
While they're at it, they could have a few days of testimony from the (15? 16?) women who have made credible accusations of sexual assault or harassment against Individual 1 (if those women who were victimized agree.)
All of this can be done while Mueller report-related issues & testimony are being fought over in court, and if/when that testimony and those documents are secured, they can be folded into the more general impeachment inquiry.
No, the Senate still will not vote to convict, but the point is to air at length every bit of dirt about Individual 1, dragging it out for as long as possible before voting to impeach, and then making the most vulnerable GOP senators (Gardner, McSally, etc) publicly own their subsequent votes not to convict.
The end result of this process will not sway I-1's most fanatical supporters, but it should depress turnout from the slightly less fanatical, and perhaps change a few minds on the margins, and every little bit is going to count in 2020.
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 12:59 PM on June 2, 2019 [41 favorites]
Brooks, a 34-year-old day laborer currently on probation after pleading guilty to domestic battery, claims that his “drunk” commentary on an unaltered Pelosi video had no connection to the now-infamous fake clip that premiered less than 15 minutes later.
and his being a domestic batterer has nothing to do with him being a misogynist jerk online, right?
posted by pyramid termite at 1:05 PM on June 2, 2019 [19 favorites]
and his being a domestic batterer has nothing to do with him being a misogynist jerk online, right?
posted by pyramid termite at 1:05 PM on June 2, 2019 [19 favorites]
I could not disagree more that this is the most harmless thing.
FWIW I agree with this point. My feelings on it being "harmless" are in relation to the pain-in-the-ass-stupid-chores people in uniform are already used to in contrast to the very real harm being done to refugees and asylum seekers on an ongoing, systematic basis.
Politicizing the military is absolutely a problem. If we devote more airtime and rage to this specific instance of it than to the dozens of people crammed into a room meant for eight and then left there for God knows how long, I feel like we've lost perspective.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:16 PM on June 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
FWIW I agree with this point. My feelings on it being "harmless" are in relation to the pain-in-the-ass-stupid-chores people in uniform are already used to in contrast to the very real harm being done to refugees and asylum seekers on an ongoing, systematic basis.
Politicizing the military is absolutely a problem. If we devote more airtime and rage to this specific instance of it than to the dozens of people crammed into a room meant for eight and then left there for God knows how long, I feel like we've lost perspective.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:16 PM on June 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
Rusty Hicks elected chair of California Democratic Party:
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:55 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Labor union leader and grassroots organizer Rusty Hicks was elected California Democratic Party chair Saturday evening, the party announced...The former chair, Eric Bauman, was ousted for sexual harassment. Interim chair Alex Gallardo-Rooker was the first Latinx and woman of color to hold the CA Democratic chair position. Now Hicks has the job; may he do it well.
Hicks leads the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. He previously served as the union organization’s political director and worked on former President Obama’s 2008 campaign.
The party’s new leader is also an Afghanistan war veteran and ran his campaign on a “Medicare for All” and environmental justice platform. He also promoted plans to help formerly incarcerated people get union jobs.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:55 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
I've been doing a thought experiment as I think about 2020 and the Democratic primary.
Imagine that a time traveler comes back from 2025 and says that one of the Democratic candidates currently polling over 2% won the 2020 election and replaced Trump. The time traveler doesn't tell you which candidate but does give you a complete list of judicial appointments seated, international treaties signed, and major pieces of legislation successfully enacted into law. The time traveler then asks you which Democrat was elected and says he'll donate fifty million dollars to a charity of your choice if you guess correctly.
My feeling is that it would very likely be difficult if not impossible to guess through anything but random chance. Even given the major differences between someone like Warren and Biden. Am I wrong? Because from the arguments I see online I feel like I'm so much less invested in precisely who wins the primary than other people. Yeah I have preferences but I'm mostly focused on the general and I think this is why.
posted by Justinian at 2:08 PM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
Imagine that a time traveler comes back from 2025 and says that one of the Democratic candidates currently polling over 2% won the 2020 election and replaced Trump. The time traveler doesn't tell you which candidate but does give you a complete list of judicial appointments seated, international treaties signed, and major pieces of legislation successfully enacted into law. The time traveler then asks you which Democrat was elected and says he'll donate fifty million dollars to a charity of your choice if you guess correctly.
My feeling is that it would very likely be difficult if not impossible to guess through anything but random chance. Even given the major differences between someone like Warren and Biden. Am I wrong? Because from the arguments I see online I feel like I'm so much less invested in precisely who wins the primary than other people. Yeah I have preferences but I'm mostly focused on the general and I think this is why.
posted by Justinian at 2:08 PM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
Do you have a link to an audio file, or some other guidance on how to pronouce "Kamala" correctly? I'd certainly be interested to know.
Actually, both replies to this were wrong, at least in the context of the typical Indian pronunciation (and it's a rather common female name in India, with a pretty universally agreed-upon pronunciation). The easiest way I can describe it is that it's actually two syllables, not three. Pretend the middle A is silent. "Kum - la."
That said, I made the decision to let people mispronounce my name for much of my youth, just because it was easier all around and I decided it wasn't offensive or bothersome to me. Later in life, however, I changed my mind, and became more insistent on it being pronounced correctly. But the point is, it was my decision each time.
Kamala Harris may have decided to allow the "non-standard" pronunciation -- I don't know if it was her decision or not -- but in any event, perhaps I should just drop it. I'm already a bit embarrassed that I created the derail in the first place.
posted by CommonSense at 2:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
Actually, both replies to this were wrong, at least in the context of the typical Indian pronunciation (and it's a rather common female name in India, with a pretty universally agreed-upon pronunciation). The easiest way I can describe it is that it's actually two syllables, not three. Pretend the middle A is silent. "Kum - la."
That said, I made the decision to let people mispronounce my name for much of my youth, just because it was easier all around and I decided it wasn't offensive or bothersome to me. Later in life, however, I changed my mind, and became more insistent on it being pronounced correctly. But the point is, it was my decision each time.
Kamala Harris may have decided to allow the "non-standard" pronunciation -- I don't know if it was her decision or not -- but in any event, perhaps I should just drop it. I'm already a bit embarrassed that I created the derail in the first place.
posted by CommonSense at 2:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
Actually, both replies to this were wrong, at least in the context of the "typical" Indian pronunciation.
Which, of course, is irrelevant as to how my Senator pronounces her own name which was the question. So... not wrong. We should let people say their names how they want to say their names. She didn't "allow" it, it's how she says it.
posted by Justinian at 2:11 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
Which, of course, is irrelevant as to how my Senator pronounces her own name which was the question. So... not wrong. We should let people say their names how they want to say their names. She didn't "allow" it, it's how she says it.
posted by Justinian at 2:11 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
Which, of course, is irrelevant as to how my Senator pronounces her own name which was the question. So... not wrong. We should let people say their names how they want to say their names.
Wow, it's almost as if you didn't read the part later in my comment, where I said:
Kamala Harris may have decided to allow the "non-standard" pronunciation -- I don't know if it was her decision or not -- but in any event, perhaps I should just drop it. I'm already a bit embarrassed that I created the derail in the first place.
But that's OK, she's "your" senator, so I therefore must defer to you.
posted by CommonSense at 2:12 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Wow, it's almost as if you didn't read the part later in my comment, where I said:
Kamala Harris may have decided to allow the "non-standard" pronunciation -- I don't know if it was her decision or not -- but in any event, perhaps I should just drop it. I'm already a bit embarrassed that I created the derail in the first place.
But that's OK, she's "your" senator, so I therefore must defer to you.
posted by CommonSense at 2:12 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
You don't have to defer to me, but you should defer to Senator Harris.
Here she is personally telling folks how to pronounce her name.
posted by Justinian at 2:14 PM on June 2, 2019 [23 favorites]
Here she is personally telling folks how to pronounce her name.
posted by Justinian at 2:14 PM on June 2, 2019 [23 favorites]
As important as it is to turn Tr*mp out of office - whether via impeachment or in the 2020 election, it seems increasingly clear that it's even more important (and probably harder) to take back the U.S. Senate. As put so clearly by Will Bunch in the Philadelphia Inquirer, referring to Mitch McConnell's smirking comment this week about his magically changed views on appointing a Supreme Court Justice in the last year of a Presidential term:
May 28, 2019 should be marked on the calendar of American history as the day that democracy was taken off life support and officially declared dead — because there’s no longer even the slightest pretense of pretending that the ancient words of the U.S. Constitution, fealty to the rule of law, and 243 years of imperfectly upheld democratic norms matter anymore.posted by PhineasGage at 2:14 PM on June 2, 2019 [14 favorites]
New CNN Poll: Democratic Support For Impeachment Rises, Trump Approval Steady
Democrats are increasingly in support of impeaching President Donald Trump and removing him from office but the majority of Americans remain opposed to the prospect, a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS shows.posted by Doktor Zed at 2:26 PM on June 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trump's approval rating, meanwhile, holds exactly even with where it was in late April -- 43% approve and 52% disapprove of the President, according to the poll. That's the case even as support for impeachment rose slightly from 37% last month to 41% now.
The shift on impeachment stems mostly from a rebound in support for it among Democrats -- 76% favor it currently, up from 69% in April.[…]
About two-thirds of all Americans (67%) say that Mueller ought to publicly testify before Congress, including majorities of Democrats (88%) and independents (62%) and about half of Republicans (49%).
US wants access to NHS in post-Brexit deal, says Trump ally (Jessica Elgot, The Guardian)
Before president’s visit, [US ambassador] Woody Johnson says every area of UK economy up for discussionposted by ZeusHumms at 2:39 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
Choosing it because it is "cool-looking" is within the normal parameters of presidential visit puffery.
Sure, but I would hope a VIP visit would attempt to minimize the disruption. He could have picked any number of cool-looking ships in Yokosuka, or flown to Sasebo. It's irritating to me that he instead treated the military as his personal PR prop*, as if being his photo op backdrop was more important than what Wasp already had planned. Hell, for all I know, that was nothing and that's why he picked them, although my Navy experience tells me ships aren't just sitting around in port waiting for something to do. When they're not doing missions, they're doing desperately-needed training, and when they're not doing either one of those, they're doing important maintenance. "We're dropping by for the afternoon, sorry, we'll try to be quick" is a bit different from "move your ship for me".
* as pointed out, he's not the first and he won't be the last, but it's still irritating. I bet the Wasp crew itself is pretty jazzed about it, if you ask them.
posted by ctmf at 2:40 PM on June 2, 2019
Sure, but I would hope a VIP visit would attempt to minimize the disruption. He could have picked any number of cool-looking ships in Yokosuka, or flown to Sasebo. It's irritating to me that he instead treated the military as his personal PR prop*, as if being his photo op backdrop was more important than what Wasp already had planned. Hell, for all I know, that was nothing and that's why he picked them, although my Navy experience tells me ships aren't just sitting around in port waiting for something to do. When they're not doing missions, they're doing desperately-needed training, and when they're not doing either one of those, they're doing important maintenance. "We're dropping by for the afternoon, sorry, we'll try to be quick" is a bit different from "move your ship for me".
* as pointed out, he's not the first and he won't be the last, but it's still irritating. I bet the Wasp crew itself is pretty jazzed about it, if you ask them.
posted by ctmf at 2:40 PM on June 2, 2019
Why are extreme abortion laws taking over America? Blame gerrymandering
Republicans recognized the opportunity. Democrats snoozed. Nine years later, they’re still paying the price, particularly in swing state legislatures.posted by mumimor at 2:45 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
No. 3 House Democrat says "What I have said time and time again is, [special counsel Robert] Mueller has developed the grounds for impeachment. The House has to determine the timing for impeachment."
No. 3 House Democrat and No. 1 House Democrat should get their message straight.
posted by diogenes at 2:47 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
No. 3 House Democrat and No. 1 House Democrat should get their message straight.
posted by diogenes at 2:47 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
WaPo, Exclusive: Pompeo delivers unfiltered view of Trump’s Middle East peace plan in off-the-record meeting
posted by zachlipton at 2:56 PM on June 2, 2019 [11 favorites]
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a sobering assessment of the prospects of the Trump administration’s long-awaited Middle East peace plan in a closed-door meeting with Jewish leaders, saying “one might argue” that the plan is “unexecutable” and it might not “gain traction.” He expressed his hope that the deal isn't simply dismissed out of hand.I am beginning to doubt that Jared Kushner is going to bring peace to the middle east.
“It may be rejected. Could be in the end, folks will say, ‘It’s not particularly original, it doesn’t particularly work for me,’ that is, ‘it’s got two good things and nine bad things, I’m out,’ ” Pompeo said in an audio recording of the private meeting obtained by The Washington Post.
“The big question is can we get enough space that we can have a real conversation about how to build this out,” he said.
...
He also recognized the popular notion that the agreement will be one-sided in favor of the Israeli government. “I get why people think this is going to be a deal that only the Israelis could love,” he said. “I understand the perception of that. I hope everyone will just give the space to listen and let it settle in a little bit.”
posted by zachlipton at 2:56 PM on June 2, 2019 [11 favorites]
Here's my thoughts on impeachment. We (they) drop Russia for now & pick up all the other impeachable things - money laundering, emoluments, a vast array of scandals in the executive branch. Have hearing after hearing, drive them into the public consciousness. Then when his marginal popularity starts cratering, then they bring up Russia again now that the public is ready to hear it.
posted by scalefree at 3:13 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 3:13 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
Marcy Wheeler strikes again. Seriously, Congress should hire her to lead them through it all.
IF FBI HAD SPIED ON TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN AS ALLEGED, THEY’D HAVE KNOWN WHY MANAFORT TRADED MICHIGAN FOR UKRAINE
posted by scalefree at 3:39 PM on June 2, 2019 [36 favorites]
IF FBI HAD SPIED ON TRUMP’S CAMPAIGN AS ALLEGED, THEY’D HAVE KNOWN WHY MANAFORT TRADED MICHIGAN FOR UKRAINE
If the FBI had spied on Trump’s campaign as aggressively as alleged by Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan, then Robert Mueller would have been able to determine why Trump’s campaign manager had a meeting on August 2, 2016 to discuss how to get paid (or have debt forgiven) by Ukrainian and Russian oligarchs while discussing how to win Midwestern swing states and how to carve up Ukraine. In fact, the public record suggests that the FBI did not start obtaining criminal warrants on Manafort’s election year activities until the July 25, 2017 warrant authorizing the search of Manafort’s condo, which was the first known warrant obtained on Manafort that mentioned the June 9 meeting. A mid-August warrant authorizing a search of the business email via which Manafort often communicated with Konstantin Kilimnik is probably the first one investigating that August 2 meeting (as distinct from his years of undisclosed Ukrainian foreign influence peddling).
In other words, it took a full year after the Steele dossier first alleged that Paul Manafort was coordinating on the Russian election interference operation, and over a year after he offered Oleg Deripaska private briefings on the Trump campaign, before the FBI obtained a criminal warrant investigating the several known instances where Trump’s campaign manager did discuss campaign details with Russians.
While there are definitely signs that the government has parallel constructed the communications between Kilimnik and Manafort that covered the period during which he was on the campaign (meaning, they’ve obtained communications via both SIGINT collection and criminal process to hide the collection of the former), it seems highly unlikely they would have obtained campaign period communications in real time, given the FBI’s slow discovery and still incomplete understanding of Manafort’s campaign period activities. And the public record offers little certainty about when if ever Manafort — as opposed to Kilimnik who, as a foreigner overseas, was a legitimate target for EO 12333 collection, and would have been first targeted in the existing Ukraine-related investigation — was targeted under FISA directly.
All the while Manafort was on a crime spree, engaging in a quid pro quo with banker Steve Calk to get million dollar loans to ride out his debt crisis and lying to the government in an attempt to hide the extent of his ties with Viktor Yanukovych’s party.It goes on & on & on, digging up weeds I don't think even most of us are are aware of then switches to a timeline that goes day by day in some parts. It's the definitive goods on the many crimes of Paul Manafort. Marcy leaves no stone unturned.
posted by scalefree at 3:39 PM on June 2, 2019 [36 favorites]
Buttigieg's campaign sells T-shirt that say "BOOT EDGE EDGE". That's not how the candidate actually says his name. The way he says it, the first syllable rhymes with "put" and the last syllable rhymes with "itch". That's how it's pronounced in Maltese, his dad's native language. But the campaign's endorsed an official 'close enough' pronunciation.
The only person in the media I've heard pronounce his name the way he does is Claire Malone on 538. Almost everyone else uses the T-shirt pronunciation.
posted by nangar at 3:41 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
The only person in the media I've heard pronounce his name the way he does is Claire Malone on 538. Almost everyone else uses the T-shirt pronunciation.
posted by nangar at 3:41 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
So, earlier this evening I did a sift through the headlines coming up for the keyword 'tariff' and here's my big picture takeaway.
Everyone's pissed off. The Americans cannot be relied upon to uphold their side of the bargain. The rando tweeted Mexican tariffs are evidence of that - y'all crazy. You literally cannot disrupt trade over migrants. The word rogue has begun popping up adjacent to the word president. China has released a white paper on the topic. Whilst they have a bunch of tools up their sleeve, they intend to preserve their reputation on the world stage because they're taking the long view of how reputation will matter once this buffoon is off the world stage. India's 'developing country' status has been taken away and tariffs slapped on in a bid to arm twist Modi into opening the market to US goods aka chlorinated crap. The EU has been warned to expect expensive tariffs, and the ECB has more or less said the shit has hit the fan faster than expected, duck now. Morgan Stanley expects a recession within 9 months.
Who will bother investing resources in negotiating deals and treaties with a America that can upturn the table with a tweet? Reading between the lines of the news sources outside of the USA (rah rah rah apple pie mom) the damage done will outlast Trump.
Me, I'm cashing my pension out early and pulling out of the dollar.
posted by hugbucket at 4:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [42 favorites]
Everyone's pissed off. The Americans cannot be relied upon to uphold their side of the bargain. The rando tweeted Mexican tariffs are evidence of that - y'all crazy. You literally cannot disrupt trade over migrants. The word rogue has begun popping up adjacent to the word president. China has released a white paper on the topic. Whilst they have a bunch of tools up their sleeve, they intend to preserve their reputation on the world stage because they're taking the long view of how reputation will matter once this buffoon is off the world stage. India's 'developing country' status has been taken away and tariffs slapped on in a bid to arm twist Modi into opening the market to US goods aka chlorinated crap. The EU has been warned to expect expensive tariffs, and the ECB has more or less said the shit has hit the fan faster than expected, duck now. Morgan Stanley expects a recession within 9 months.
Who will bother investing resources in negotiating deals and treaties with a America that can upturn the table with a tweet? Reading between the lines of the news sources outside of the USA (rah rah rah apple pie mom) the damage done will outlast Trump.
Me, I'm cashing my pension out early and pulling out of the dollar.
posted by hugbucket at 4:09 PM on June 2, 2019 [42 favorites]
US wants access to NHS in post-Brexit deal, says Trump ally
This is Trump's plan. He sees a mark he can target. Split UK away, turn NHS into a profit-based America-style healthcare profit center hellhole. It's all about the Benjamins.
posted by scalefree at 4:43 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is Trump's plan. He sees a mark he can target. Split UK away, turn NHS into a profit-based America-style healthcare profit center hellhole. It's all about the Benjamins.
posted by scalefree at 4:43 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Let's spin the ol' mad libs generator that is the news, shall we? NYT, Trump Administration Considered Tariffs on Australia
posted by zachlipton at 5:07 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
The Trump administration considered imposing tariffs on imports from Australia last week, but decided against the move amid fierce opposition from military officials and the State Department, according to several people familiar with the discussions.Sure, why not start another trade war? Not like we don't have enough of those at the moment.
Some of President Trump’s top trade advisers had urged the tariffs as a response to a surge of Australian aluminum flowing onto the American market over the past year. But officials at the Defense and State Departments told Mr. Trump the move would alienate a top ally and could come at significant cost to the United States.
The administration ultimately agreed not to take any action, at least temporarily.
posted by zachlipton at 5:07 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm not sure I understand why Trump is talking about renegotiating Britain's National Healthcare Service, but that's exactly the kind of thing that could blow up Brexit, which was originally sold as a means of saving money that would then go to the NHS. It's a good thing Ivanka did not get to the mic in time.
posted by xammerboy at 5:08 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 5:08 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Amid purge reports, Kim Yong Chol reappears alongside North Korean leader
Longtime DPRK-U.S. interlocuter was last week reported to have been sent to labor, re-education camp
posted by scalefree at 5:19 PM on June 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
Longtime DPRK-U.S. interlocuter was last week reported to have been sent to labor, re-education camp
Top North Korean official Kim Yong Chol appeared in public alongside DPRK leader Kim Jong Un at a musical performance on Sunday, the country’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, potentially defying reports last week that he had been the victim of a high-profile purge earlier in the year.
In a report on an art performance given by wives of officers of units of the Korean People’s Army (KPA), the North Korean leader was accompanied by several top officials, including Kim Yong Chol, who serves as a vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the country’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
Reports on Friday in South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper had claimed, citing unnamed sources, that Kim had been sent to a labor and reeducation camp in the country’s remote Jagang province.preen
posted by scalefree at 5:19 PM on June 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
My feeling is that it would very likely be difficult if not impossible to guess [what Democratic candidates will pass what legislation] through anything but random chance.
Not every candidate is for getting rid of the filibuster, and many people think without that the future president won't be able to pass anything. Only a handful of candidates have committed to the idea.
My other big thought about this is that personally I'm not sure Obama would have attempted to pass Obamacare had it not been his signature issue. Keeping that in mind, I want a candidate that is totally committed to climate change.
posted by xammerboy at 5:25 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not every candidate is for getting rid of the filibuster, and many people think without that the future president won't be able to pass anything. Only a handful of candidates have committed to the idea.
My other big thought about this is that personally I'm not sure Obama would have attempted to pass Obamacare had it not been his signature issue. Keeping that in mind, I want a candidate that is totally committed to climate change.
posted by xammerboy at 5:25 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
So much of the dropping of the ball of the historic moment of 08, back when people where seriously thinking the Republican Party would cease to exist, can be laid on Rahm “the rightest wing democratic candidate is always correct even when they loose over and over” Emmanuel.
When Harry Reid, a somewhat spacey Mormon ex-boxer who got further left as he got older but still believes in UFOs and basic goodness thinks you’re an ineffective asshole and tries to get you fired, then you’re bad at your job
posted by The Whelk at 5:48 PM on June 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
When Harry Reid, a somewhat spacey Mormon ex-boxer who got further left as he got older but still believes in UFOs and basic goodness thinks you’re an ineffective asshole and tries to get you fired, then you’re bad at your job
posted by The Whelk at 5:48 PM on June 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
This is Trump's plan. He sees a mark he can target. Split UK away, turn NHS into a profit-based America-style healthcare profit center hellhole. It's all about the Benjamins.
Looks like everything is up for grabs. Reminds me of the Iraq war.
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:56 PM on June 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Looks like everything is up for grabs. Reminds me of the Iraq war.
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:56 PM on June 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
The war and tactics at empire’s edge always comes home to the capital - just like WW1
posted by The Whelk at 5:59 PM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 5:59 PM on June 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
US wants access to NHS in post-Brexit deal, says Trump ally
How this doesn't fill every self respecting Brit with a white hot rage I do not know
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:03 PM on June 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
How this doesn't fill every self respecting Brit with a white hot rage I do not know
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:03 PM on June 2, 2019 [21 favorites]
This is Trump's plan. He sees a mark he can target. Split UK away, turn NHS into a profit-based America-style healthcare profit center hellhole. It's all about the Benjamins.
This is most assuredly not Trump's plan as US companies have been sniffing around the NHS since back in the Tony Blair days. This is US corporate healthcare's long term agenda. Trump is merely allowing his admin to carry their water. Also I suspect Brexit has nothing to do with the possible success of this agenda except as being the chaos and destruction that will provide the political cover for unpopular politicians to try and do an underhanded unpopular thing. Even then I rate the odds of it happening as very low.
posted by srboisvert at 6:20 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is most assuredly not Trump's plan as US companies have been sniffing around the NHS since back in the Tony Blair days. This is US corporate healthcare's long term agenda. Trump is merely allowing his admin to carry their water. Also I suspect Brexit has nothing to do with the possible success of this agenda except as being the chaos and destruction that will provide the political cover for unpopular politicians to try and do an underhanded unpopular thing. Even then I rate the odds of it happening as very low.
posted by srboisvert at 6:20 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is most assuredly not Trump's plan
Oh I'm sure he didn't originate it, too many moving parts & relationships with the healthcare industry that doesn't trust him. But he's on board with it, ready to try to move the ball on it. I'm sure it has a place in his visit to the UK.
posted by scalefree at 6:25 PM on June 2, 2019
Oh I'm sure he didn't originate it, too many moving parts & relationships with the healthcare industry that doesn't trust him. But he's on board with it, ready to try to move the ball on it. I'm sure it has a place in his visit to the UK.
posted by scalefree at 6:25 PM on June 2, 2019
Young Jared may find himself without a seat on AF1 when it takes off for Merrie Olde England.
@yashar
Just watch the clip. He covers himself in something other than glory, repeatedly. If this is the damage he can do in less than a minute & a half, I am eagerly waiting for the full interview.
posted by scalefree at 6:31 PM on June 2, 2019 [24 favorites]
@yashar
Here's a clip from @jonathanvswan's interview with Jared Kushner.
Jonathan mentions that @AOC calls the President a racist and then asks Kushner about Birtherism and the Muslim ban.
The entire interview is really good and I hope @HBOPR posts the entire interview on YouTube[video]
Just watch the clip. He covers himself in something other than glory, repeatedly. If this is the damage he can do in less than a minute & a half, I am eagerly waiting for the full interview.
posted by scalefree at 6:31 PM on June 2, 2019 [24 favorites]
John Delaney booed at CA Dem convention for saying: "Medicare for all may sound good but it's actually not good policy nor is it good politics."
posted by The Whelk at 6:39 PM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:39 PM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
Am I wrong to think that Hickenlooper and Delaney are being utterly selfish by using their quixotic and futile candidacies as essentially free airtime for future Senate campaigns? They must know bashing democratic socialist policies and medicare for all play terribly with the people in those rooms (and M4A at least with the entire Democratic base) but I bet they play a lot better among swing voters in Colorado and New Jersey.
Now they can run ads in the future showing them getting booed by those west coast liberal elites when they stand up for the working man! So what if it hurts the country as a whole by giving Republicans elsewhere talking points, it's good for Hickenlooper and Delaney's careers and that's what really matters.
posted by Justinian at 6:43 PM on June 2, 2019 [7 favorites]
Now they can run ads in the future showing them getting booed by those west coast liberal elites when they stand up for the working man! So what if it hurts the country as a whole by giving Republicans elsewhere talking points, it's good for Hickenlooper and Delaney's careers and that's what really matters.
posted by Justinian at 6:43 PM on June 2, 2019 [7 favorites]
Yeah that’s pretty wrong since NJ and CoL are tending left in both polls and policy.
posted by The Whelk at 6:50 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:50 PM on June 2, 2019 [5 favorites]
Here's a clip from @jonathanvswan's interview with Jared Kushner.
It literally looks like something from Armando Iannucci, right down to the shaky-cam.
Here’s more from the Axios interview: Exclusive: Jared Kushner on MBS, refugees, racism and Trump's legacy
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
It literally looks like something from Armando Iannucci, right down to the shaky-cam.
Here’s more from the Axios interview: Exclusive: Jared Kushner on MBS, refugees, racism and Trump's legacy
Discussing the horrific death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in an interview with "Axios on HBO," White House adviser Jared Kushner was noncommittal on whether Saudi Crown Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) must account for Khashoggi's body.[…]All the arrogance of the stereotypical Harvard Man without an iota of the reputed intelligence.
Asked whether he would join Khashoggi's fiancée in calling on the Saudi government to release his body (or identify where they put the body parts) so that his family might bury him, Kushner said: "Look, it's a horrific thing that happened. … Once we have all the facts, then we'll make a policy determination, but that would be up to the Secretary of State to push on our policy."
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [13 favorites]
They just can't help themselves.
Ex-GOP Rep. Diane Black: The idea ‘everyone is equal’ is ‘not what this country is founded on’
posted by scalefree at 6:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
Ex-GOP Rep. Diane Black: The idea ‘everyone is equal’ is ‘not what this country is founded on’
Former Tennessee Rep. Diane Black (R) on Sunday put forward a false choice between embracing “socialism” and having a job that “brings character.”
During a panel discussion on CNN, Democratic strategist Andrew Gillum noted that presidential candidate John Hickenlooper (D) had been booed by his own party for repeating Republican “tropes” about socialism.
Black argued that socialism would have deprived her of life lessons that she learned through working.
“You know, younger people, when they hear, ‘Well, let’s have everybody totally even — everybody should get their part and you should take from this person and give to that person to make sure everyone is equal,'” Black said. “That is not what this country was founded upon.”
“Look, I come from a background where I had to work my way up — and good, hard work brings character,” she added. “So, this whole thing about sharing and making sure everybody has the same thing. It’s not what we were founded upon.”
According to financial disclosure forms, Black and her husband said in 2013 that they owned between $32 million and $146.9 million in assets.
Watch the video below from CNN.“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created [something something]"
posted by scalefree at 6:52 PM on June 2, 2019 [18 favorites]
Axios’s Kushner interview is a gift that keeps on giving:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:57 PM on June 2, 2019 [56 favorites]
Axios: “Does it not set off some alarm bells when you see an email that the Russian government wants to help the campaign?”In the Loop was less farcical.
Kushner: “The email that I got on my iPhone said ‘Show up at 4’ I didn’t scroll down...”
Axios: “It had Russia in the subject line.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:57 PM on June 2, 2019 [56 favorites]
In the Loop was less farcical.
Yes, Minister was less farcical.
posted by scalefree at 7:02 PM on June 2, 2019 [22 favorites]
Yes, Minister was less farcical.
posted by scalefree at 7:02 PM on June 2, 2019 [22 favorites]
So I was at CNN's town hall tonight with Moulton, Ryan, and Swalwell. Kind of like going to a AAA baseball game. Anyway, Moulton comes across to me as overly slick and "politician-y" though he did loosen up a bit as the hour went on.
Ryan made some news by stating he is now in favor of impeachment proceedings. He had some really passionate moments but he's not really the candidate I want for a variety of reasons. There were a couple of times when I think he was trying to have a funny interaction with the host or questioners that came across a little "off."
Swalwell seemed the most relaxed and real, although some of his anecdotes were clearly well-rehearsed. His story about his police chief dad getting fired for refusing to allow corruption went over really well in the room.
IIRC, none of them were for a true single-payer system, they all wanted to keep private insurance companies (for-profit, I assume) in the system, and this is one major beef I have with them. But if any of them actually win the primary I'd vote for him. There are quite a few I'd choose before them in the primary, though.
posted by litlnemo at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
Ryan made some news by stating he is now in favor of impeachment proceedings. He had some really passionate moments but he's not really the candidate I want for a variety of reasons. There were a couple of times when I think he was trying to have a funny interaction with the host or questioners that came across a little "off."
Swalwell seemed the most relaxed and real, although some of his anecdotes were clearly well-rehearsed. His story about his police chief dad getting fired for refusing to allow corruption went over really well in the room.
IIRC, none of them were for a true single-payer system, they all wanted to keep private insurance companies (for-profit, I assume) in the system, and this is one major beef I have with them. But if any of them actually win the primary I'd vote for him. There are quite a few I'd choose before them in the primary, though.
posted by litlnemo at 7:47 PM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
Kevin Hassett, President Trump’s top economist, to leave White House (WaPo)
Hassett served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers since September 2017 and helped shape the 2017 Republican tax law. Although "[h]istorically, he has been an advocate of open trade policies ... Hassett said in an interview Sunday night that his departure was unrelated to the trade conflict."
posted by jedicus at 8:22 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Hassett served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers since September 2017 and helped shape the 2017 Republican tax law. Although "[h]istorically, he has been an advocate of open trade policies ... Hassett said in an interview Sunday night that his departure was unrelated to the trade conflict."
posted by jedicus at 8:22 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Elaine Chao's potential problems with links to the Chinese government got some pushback here last time somebody posted about them but the NYT has a big story on it now:
A ‘Bridge’ to China, and Her Family’s Business, in the Trump Cabinet. Elaine Chao has boosted the profile of her family’s shipping company, which benefits from industrial policies in China that are roiling the Trump administration.posted by Justinian at 8:30 PM on June 2, 2019 [14 favorites]
A centrist Democrat would be a losing candidate
Thomas Piketty wrote a paper about this in 2018, though the Democrats paid no attention
posted by growabrain at 8:31 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
Thomas Piketty wrote a paper about this in 2018, though the Democrats paid no attention
posted by growabrain at 8:31 PM on June 2, 2019 [8 favorites]
If my understanding of Piketty is correct, Piketty is arguing that the data shows the electorate is becoming increasingly bifurcated and rather than some sort of normal distribution around the mythical "center", when looking at economic issues specifically you get something more like a bimodal distribution with one set of voters a bunch to the right who focus on nativist issues (ie racists who blame immigrants for economic problems) and another set of voters a bunch to the left who focus on income inequality as a result of policies benefiting the wealthiest (ie the Sanders/Warren position).
But that a centrist candidate is a losing candidate is Spencer's interpretation of that. Which is an understandable conclusion that many people hold but it is not itself a position reached or addressed by the paper.
Secondly I'm not sure if you can focus only on wealth inequality without regard to the social wedge issues to prevalent in America today but since those are more and more tracking the economic issues perhaps you can.
posted by Justinian at 9:02 PM on June 2, 2019 [12 favorites]
But that a centrist candidate is a losing candidate is Spencer's interpretation of that. Which is an understandable conclusion that many people hold but it is not itself a position reached or addressed by the paper.
Secondly I'm not sure if you can focus only on wealth inequality without regard to the social wedge issues to prevalent in America today but since those are more and more tracking the economic issues perhaps you can.
posted by Justinian at 9:02 PM on June 2, 2019 [12 favorites]
I’m a little behind but, how exactly would the US and the U.K. negotiate the NHS? How do you trade a health service? I don’t understand how/what that would work/do and why Trump would want it.
posted by Weeping_angel at 9:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 9:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Trump wants it because it's a win in the War on Socialism. How? Fuck if I know so probably the same for him.
posted by scalefree at 9:23 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 9:23 PM on June 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
"Here's a shiny thing. I want it. Somebody work out the details & if it can't be done the normal way, see if there's an emergency power way where I can just declare it & make it so & nobody can object. The Generals all call me Sir, did you know that?"
posted by scalefree at 9:26 PM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 9:26 PM on June 2, 2019 [9 favorites]
Elaine Chao's potential problems with links to the Chinese government got some pushback here last time somebody posted about them but the NYT has a big story on it now:
This is really, really worth reading. Also, here’s a twitter thread by Mike Forsythe, one of the main investigative reporters of the NYT story, with a chronology of the Chao family’s rise to success that both summarises and adds detail.
The TL;DR version is that Mitch McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, is the US transport secretary (formerly also the US labor secretary and deputy transport secretary during the Bush administrations).
Her father is a shipping magnate with astonishingly close ties to the Chinese regime - he is a former schoolmate of Jiang Zemin, China’s leader from 1989-2002, who officially received him multiple times, in part because he was willing to do business with China after the Tiananmen massacre in ‘89 - and Chao’s sister sits on the board of the Bank of China.
There are significant overlaps between the family business and Chao’s work as transport secretary (she attempted to have family members sit in on meetings during an official visit to China, a huge red flag which became the spur for the NYT piece - research started in 2017); her portfolio obviously includes the US shipping industry, a strategic competitor to China’s, from which her family makes its money - and, at the urging of the White House, her department has attempted to cut programs to support the US industry; her family have donated and gifted tens of millions of dollars to McConnell personally and to his political fundraising; Chao failed to list her connections to China (including honorary degrees etc) before her confirmation hearing and so was never questioned on it; the whole thing is just an insane and corrupt tangle of obviously disqualifying conflicts of interest and at-least-borderline-corrupt practices.
Fascinating, and kind of frightening that this was all hidden in plain sight.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 9:54 PM on June 2, 2019 [52 favorites]
This is really, really worth reading. Also, here’s a twitter thread by Mike Forsythe, one of the main investigative reporters of the NYT story, with a chronology of the Chao family’s rise to success that both summarises and adds detail.
The TL;DR version is that Mitch McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, is the US transport secretary (formerly also the US labor secretary and deputy transport secretary during the Bush administrations).
Her father is a shipping magnate with astonishingly close ties to the Chinese regime - he is a former schoolmate of Jiang Zemin, China’s leader from 1989-2002, who officially received him multiple times, in part because he was willing to do business with China after the Tiananmen massacre in ‘89 - and Chao’s sister sits on the board of the Bank of China.
There are significant overlaps between the family business and Chao’s work as transport secretary (she attempted to have family members sit in on meetings during an official visit to China, a huge red flag which became the spur for the NYT piece - research started in 2017); her portfolio obviously includes the US shipping industry, a strategic competitor to China’s, from which her family makes its money - and, at the urging of the White House, her department has attempted to cut programs to support the US industry; her family have donated and gifted tens of millions of dollars to McConnell personally and to his political fundraising; Chao failed to list her connections to China (including honorary degrees etc) before her confirmation hearing and so was never questioned on it; the whole thing is just an insane and corrupt tangle of obviously disqualifying conflicts of interest and at-least-borderline-corrupt practices.
Fascinating, and kind of frightening that this was all hidden in plain sight.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 9:54 PM on June 2, 2019 [52 favorites]
But what would be traded? Like, it’s not a thing. And how would it fuck up the NHS (I’m sure it would, because for Trump, he doesn’t win unless the other side loses)?
posted by Weeping_angel at 9:55 PM on June 2, 2019
posted by Weeping_angel at 9:55 PM on June 2, 2019
I’m not understanding the confusion about how the NHS could be privatised under a post-Brexit FTA with the US? It’s entirely plausible and would be a significant win for the US healthcare sector.
FTAs cover both goods and services, including healthcare. One important goal of these agreements is reciprocal access, like “your companies get the same access to my markets as mine do to yours”. So if healthcare providers in the UK can sell their services in the US, the US sees it as only fair that the reverse is true, so let’s get some competitive bidding between the NHS and Kaiser or whoever, to see who gets to run nursing homes (and all the other profit centres in UK healthcare). And obviously, the US would hold literally all the cards in the negotiation, as the UK would be absolutely desperate.
Plus, various parts of the NHS have already been privatised in various regions. (This is the “creeping privatisation” that the Tories have been pushing forever.) Private ambulance services have operated, for example. They were very bad at delivering emergency medical care, but that’s beside the point.
And finally, market access to European healthcare sectors was apparently an objective of the TTIP agreement before it collapsed - the service was to have been subject to “increased competition”, which sounds a lot like the disastrous privatisation of the Post Office, with all the attractive bits privatised and all the unglamorous and unprofitable bits left as the responsibility of the state.
So yeah, this is absolutely a serious proposal and should be taken seriously.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 10:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [23 favorites]
FTAs cover both goods and services, including healthcare. One important goal of these agreements is reciprocal access, like “your companies get the same access to my markets as mine do to yours”. So if healthcare providers in the UK can sell their services in the US, the US sees it as only fair that the reverse is true, so let’s get some competitive bidding between the NHS and Kaiser or whoever, to see who gets to run nursing homes (and all the other profit centres in UK healthcare). And obviously, the US would hold literally all the cards in the negotiation, as the UK would be absolutely desperate.
Plus, various parts of the NHS have already been privatised in various regions. (This is the “creeping privatisation” that the Tories have been pushing forever.) Private ambulance services have operated, for example. They were very bad at delivering emergency medical care, but that’s beside the point.
And finally, market access to European healthcare sectors was apparently an objective of the TTIP agreement before it collapsed - the service was to have been subject to “increased competition”, which sounds a lot like the disastrous privatisation of the Post Office, with all the attractive bits privatised and all the unglamorous and unprofitable bits left as the responsibility of the state.
So yeah, this is absolutely a serious proposal and should be taken seriously.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 10:17 PM on June 2, 2019 [23 favorites]
The issue is access to UK health care markets for US companies. For example, our public negotiating position includes:
In other words, we think the UK should pay more for prescription drugs. This is not a new demand for Trump. There are also sections on State-Owned and Controlled Enterprises, like the NHS, which we want to provide non-discriminatory treatment when it comes to purchasing goods and services. A free trade group has been arguing that should mean allowing US health care companies to bid to run hospitals, and these are naturally the same people who want the NHS chopped up into private contracts. There are already US companies with UK health businesses and a desire to expand them.
In other words, it's not trade in goods (besides the drug pricing issue), it's trade in services. It would fuck up the NHS by privatizing more of it in the form of contracts that US companies could bid on. It goes along with "they'll force us to accept American chlorinated chicken" in the parade of horribles that would result from a US-UK trade deal.
posted by zachlipton at 10:19 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
Procedural Fairness for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices:-Seek standards to ensure that government regulatory reimbursement regimes aretransparent, provide procedural fairness, are nondiscriminatory, and provide full market access for U.S. products.
In other words, we think the UK should pay more for prescription drugs. This is not a new demand for Trump. There are also sections on State-Owned and Controlled Enterprises, like the NHS, which we want to provide non-discriminatory treatment when it comes to purchasing goods and services. A free trade group has been arguing that should mean allowing US health care companies to bid to run hospitals, and these are naturally the same people who want the NHS chopped up into private contracts. There are already US companies with UK health businesses and a desire to expand them.
In other words, it's not trade in goods (besides the drug pricing issue), it's trade in services. It would fuck up the NHS by privatizing more of it in the form of contracts that US companies could bid on. It goes along with "they'll force us to accept American chlorinated chicken" in the parade of horribles that would result from a US-UK trade deal.
posted by zachlipton at 10:19 PM on June 2, 2019 [16 favorites]
Trump has previously called the NHS a freeloading racket, and claims it makes medicine more expensive for U.S. citizens.
posted by xammerboy at 10:29 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 10:29 PM on June 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Fascinating, and kind of frightening that this was all hidden in plain sight.
The NYT story is a gift to Dems who need to start investigating all Mitch's dirty laundry. Since he'll kill every bill brought before him, what's to lose by investigating his shady deals (Chao's family, aluminum plants from oligarchs)?
Unless you're Biden and you think your smile is so dazzling Mitch will swoon after you get elected and write a poem on bipartisanship.
posted by benzenedream at 11:11 PM on June 2, 2019 [45 favorites]
The NYT story is a gift to Dems who need to start investigating all Mitch's dirty laundry. Since he'll kill every bill brought before him, what's to lose by investigating his shady deals (Chao's family, aluminum plants from oligarchs)?
Unless you're Biden and you think your smile is so dazzling Mitch will swoon after you get elected and write a poem on bipartisanship.
posted by benzenedream at 11:11 PM on June 2, 2019 [45 favorites]
But what would be traded? Like, it’s not a thing. And how would it fuck up the NHS (I’m sure it would, because for Trump, he doesn’t win unless the other side loses)?
It's a huge market for US companies to move in and exploit. Right now, all that money belongs to the people of the UK -- they give it to themselves via taxation in order to fund their collective healthcare. But if you privatize that system, all that money can then be siphoned into some already pretty deep pockets. Suddenly the health and wellbeing of people in the UK becomes a profit machine, just as it is in the US.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [9 favorites]
It's a huge market for US companies to move in and exploit. Right now, all that money belongs to the people of the UK -- they give it to themselves via taxation in order to fund their collective healthcare. But if you privatize that system, all that money can then be siphoned into some already pretty deep pockets. Suddenly the health and wellbeing of people in the UK becomes a profit machine, just as it is in the US.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [9 favorites]
But if I were a Brit and my taxes were already paying for the NHS (surely a trade deal can’t change one county’s tax policy for its own citizens, right?) why would I also buy American insurance, which is expensive and sucks, even if it were available?
I do kind of get the running hospitals and stuff thing. I guess that’s a bigger scale than I was thinking about.
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:26 AM on June 3, 2019
I do kind of get the running hospitals and stuff thing. I guess that’s a bigger scale than I was thinking about.
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:26 AM on June 3, 2019
The first thing Trump does when touching down in the UK is criticise the London mayor again.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:32 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
I [Jeremy Hunt, foreign secretary] said to him that we were going to put on a great show for him, because America is our closest ally. And he mentioned to me some of his very strong views about about the mayor of London ... What he said to me was consistent with what was in his tweet.The tweet:
@SadiqKhan, who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly “nasty” to the visiting President of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom. He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me......This guy whinges more than my 2yo.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:32 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
This guy whinges more than my 2yo.
The thing is of course your two-year old will grow out of that stage and develop into mature individual capable of dealings with life's ups and downs with much better grace than at present - even if she or he reverts to a bit more whinging in those wonderful hormonal teenage years! But we know that is not the case with Trump. He is locked into his childishness in ways that are truly frightening.
posted by vac2003 at 2:52 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
The thing is of course your two-year old will grow out of that stage and develop into mature individual capable of dealings with life's ups and downs with much better grace than at present - even if she or he reverts to a bit more whinging in those wonderful hormonal teenage years! But we know that is not the case with Trump. He is locked into his childishness in ways that are truly frightening.
posted by vac2003 at 2:52 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
Heck, I'd like to see a day of testimony from the reporters like Daniel Dale who have been documenting Trump's 10,000+ lies while in office, thereby making the argument that lying so often to the American people constitutes an impeachable offense in and of itself.
Each and every lie, depriving Congress of it's duty of oversight, is in violation of 18 USC 1001.
So, that's about 10,000 counts.
posted by mikelieman at 3:53 AM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Each and every lie, depriving Congress of it's duty of oversight, is in violation of 18 USC 1001.
So, that's about 10,000 counts.
posted by mikelieman at 3:53 AM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Heck, I'd like to see a day of testimony from the reporters like Daniel Dale who have been documenting Trump's 10,000+ lies while in office, thereby making the argument that lying so often to the American people constitutes an impeachable offense in and of itself.
I’ll leave the impeachability of all his lies to others, but his lies about Russia are impeachable. From Article 1 of Nixon’s Articles of Impeachment...
I’ll leave the impeachability of all his lies to others, but his lies about Russia are impeachable. From Article 1 of Nixon’s Articles of Impeachment...
8. making or causing to be made false or misleading public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States into believing that a thorough and complete investigation had been conducted with respect to allegations of misconduct on the part of personnel of the executive branch of the United States and personnel of the Committee for the Re-election of the President, and that there was no involvement of such personnel in such misconduct.posted by chris24 at 4:12 AM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
The war and tactics at empire’s edge always comes home to the capital - just like WW1
posted by The Whelk
Foucalt's Boomerang , like karma for colonialists.
("Karma for colonialists" is a funny phrase, now that I think of it, since the word karma is used in its vernacular Western sense...)
posted by BS Artisan at 4:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk
Foucalt's Boomerang , like karma for colonialists.
("Karma for colonialists" is a funny phrase, now that I think of it, since the word karma is used in its vernacular Western sense...)
posted by BS Artisan at 4:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Politico gives us a preview of the crazy week to come, starting today.
Imagine McGahn, Hicks, Barr, Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff, Steyer, Mueller, Clyburn all taking Shakespearean roles, apparently.
"The temperature’s rising, the plot is thickening. It’s hard for me to imagine Congress certainly leaving for the August recess without some closure on this,” said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who supports impeachment. “The Hamlet act is, I think, wearing thin, and it’s becoming untenable and intellectually strange.”
posted by Harry Caul at 5:20 AM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
Imagine McGahn, Hicks, Barr, Pelosi, Nadler, Schiff, Steyer, Mueller, Clyburn all taking Shakespearean roles, apparently.
"The temperature’s rising, the plot is thickening. It’s hard for me to imagine Congress certainly leaving for the August recess without some closure on this,” said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who supports impeachment. “The Hamlet act is, I think, wearing thin, and it’s becoming untenable and intellectually strange.”
posted by Harry Caul at 5:20 AM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
From High Country News: In southern Nevada, where the Mojave meets the Great Basin Desert, two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement officers are responsible for patrolling the entire Desert National Wildlife Refuge complex. Their job comes with a diverse set of responsibilities: enforcing hunting and fishing regulations, stopping park vandalism and rescuing stranded visitors, among other things. At 1.6 million acres, this is the largest wildlife refuge in the country outside of Alaska, home to over 500 plant species and the desert bighorn sheep, Nevada’s state animal. So why are these two officers being sent hundreds of miles away from the refuge on rotating missions to the U.S.-Mexico Border?
Their deployment is part of a pilot program launched in May of 2018 under then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, described as a “surge operation” meant to help with border security. ...The program continues to grow, but oversight is lacking. On May 15, it was reported by The Hill that 47 Interior Department officers were currently assigned to the border — more than twice the previous number. This leaves public-lands advocates worried about the effects of their absence on the lands these employees are actually charged with protecting.
posted by Bella Donna at 5:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Their deployment is part of a pilot program launched in May of 2018 under then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, described as a “surge operation” meant to help with border security. ...The program continues to grow, but oversight is lacking. On May 15, it was reported by The Hill that 47 Interior Department officers were currently assigned to the border — more than twice the previous number. This leaves public-lands advocates worried about the effects of their absence on the lands these employees are actually charged with protecting.
posted by Bella Donna at 5:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
It's as if he has very, very simple thought processes, like those of a small child
Trump is constantly described in these euphemistic terms—see examples in the media from Daniel Drezner's endless Twitter thread. It would be more accurate, if clinical, to say that Trump is clearly suffering from an undiagnosed personality disorder or two and probably a learning disability (to judge from his error-ridden notes that we glimpse occasionally) compounded by age-related cognitive decline (such as Alzheimers, which runs in his family). Even if there's little chance the GOP will invoke the 25th Amendment on him, we shouldn't shy away from discussing how seriously unbalanced his mental state is.
As for his harangue about Sadiq Kahn, he must have heard about the London Mayor's devastatingly critical column for the Guardian mentioned above: It’s Un-British to Roll Out The Red Carpet for Donald Trump—The US president gives comfort to the far right. ("Donald Trump is just one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat." is a typical assessment.) Trump is obviously unhappy that some British aren't happy with his propaganda exercise of a state visit (Guardian: Royals to Serve as Extras in Donald Trump’s Victory Lap of UK—US president to use state visit to promote House of Trump as he doubles down on Brexit bet).
Since then, Trump stopped by the US ambassador's residence for a little "executive time" (i.e. watching the news). He promptly tweeted another trade war salvo against China and then went on this jaw-dropping extended rant:
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:50 AM on June 3, 2019 [46 favorites]
Trump is constantly described in these euphemistic terms—see examples in the media from Daniel Drezner's endless Twitter thread. It would be more accurate, if clinical, to say that Trump is clearly suffering from an undiagnosed personality disorder or two and probably a learning disability (to judge from his error-ridden notes that we glimpse occasionally) compounded by age-related cognitive decline (such as Alzheimers, which runs in his family). Even if there's little chance the GOP will invoke the 25th Amendment on him, we shouldn't shy away from discussing how seriously unbalanced his mental state is.
As for his harangue about Sadiq Kahn, he must have heard about the London Mayor's devastatingly critical column for the Guardian mentioned above: It’s Un-British to Roll Out The Red Carpet for Donald Trump—The US president gives comfort to the far right. ("Donald Trump is just one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat." is a typical assessment.) Trump is obviously unhappy that some British aren't happy with his propaganda exercise of a state visit (Guardian: Royals to Serve as Extras in Donald Trump’s Victory Lap of UK—US president to use state visit to promote House of Trump as he doubles down on Brexit bet).
Since then, Trump stopped by the US ambassador's residence for a little "executive time" (i.e. watching the news). He promptly tweeted another trade war salvo against China and then went on this jaw-dropping extended rant:
Just arrived in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that @CNN is the primary source of news available from the U.S. After watching it for a short while, I turned it off. All negative & so much Fake News, very bad for U.S. Big ratings drop. Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?However silly and petty Trump's narcissistic tantrum seems at first, it's an extraordinarily serious problem when the occupier of the Oval Office is actively interfering with the First Amendment because a media company won't provide Fox News–level propaganda. Still, I'd love to see examples of CNN's programming that set him off (I'm betting it was a news segment on the Trump baby balloon).
I believe that if people stoped using or subscribing to @ATT, they would be forced to make big changes at @CNN, which is dying in the ratings anyway. It is so unfair with such bad, Fake News! Why wouldn’t they act. When the World watches @CNN, it gets a false picture of USA. Sad!
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:50 AM on June 3, 2019 [46 favorites]
"All negative & so much Fake News, very bad for U.S... When the World watches @CNN, it gets a false picture of USA."
If I had to choose one network to represent the USA to the world, and my sole goal was to improve the nation's image, Fox clearly would not make the cut. Even setting aside the hyperconservatism, its recurrent theme is how scary non-Americans often are! Yet I'm sure Individual-1 isn't alone in assuming that, somehow, Fox News (or something even more rightward) is just what's needed, not only for Americans to feel good about themselves, but for everyone else to feel good about Americans. Like believing that Iranian "Death to the USA" propaganda, and not some wimpy nuclear deal, is naturally that country's best path to winning American hearts and minds.
Sometimes my mind boggles a little at this conservative failure of imagination. It makes me think of a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where they visit Mars, he encounters a (presumed male) Martian, and the creature and boy shriek simultaneously, then scuttle. Hobbes points out that it makes just as much sense for the alien to be scared of them as they are of him, and Calvin responds "Yeah, but we're just ordinary Earthlings, not weirdos from another planet like he is!"
French nationalism is built from the same stuff as any other flavor, but is obviously (at least on the surface) incompatible with them. French people are expected to just know that the USA is #1 (in a way that only partly has anything to do with some notion that the American government has the best possible structure and policies). I think Israel may be the only consistent carve-out from the general American conservative principle that only one country in the world deserves the respect of any person anywhere -- though we may soon see that list augmeneted with various truly revolting autocracies and dictatorships.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:15 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
If I had to choose one network to represent the USA to the world, and my sole goal was to improve the nation's image, Fox clearly would not make the cut. Even setting aside the hyperconservatism, its recurrent theme is how scary non-Americans often are! Yet I'm sure Individual-1 isn't alone in assuming that, somehow, Fox News (or something even more rightward) is just what's needed, not only for Americans to feel good about themselves, but for everyone else to feel good about Americans. Like believing that Iranian "Death to the USA" propaganda, and not some wimpy nuclear deal, is naturally that country's best path to winning American hearts and minds.
Sometimes my mind boggles a little at this conservative failure of imagination. It makes me think of a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where they visit Mars, he encounters a (presumed male) Martian, and the creature and boy shriek simultaneously, then scuttle. Hobbes points out that it makes just as much sense for the alien to be scared of them as they are of him, and Calvin responds "Yeah, but we're just ordinary Earthlings, not weirdos from another planet like he is!"
French nationalism is built from the same stuff as any other flavor, but is obviously (at least on the surface) incompatible with them. French people are expected to just know that the USA is #1 (in a way that only partly has anything to do with some notion that the American government has the best possible structure and policies). I think Israel may be the only consistent carve-out from the general American conservative principle that only one country in the world deserves the respect of any person anywhere -- though we may soon see that list augmeneted with various truly revolting autocracies and dictatorships.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:15 AM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Yet I'm sure Individual-1 isn't alone in assuming that, somehow, Fox News (or something even more rightward) is just what's needed, not only for Americans to feel good about themselves, but for everyone else to feel good about Americans.
It is pretty funny if you unpack the thought process. "It would be good for the US if the rest of the world better understood the extent to which some of us are racist xenophobes" is an interesting theory.
posted by diogenes at 6:24 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
It is pretty funny if you unpack the thought process. "It would be good for the US if the rest of the world better understood the extent to which some of us are racist xenophobes" is an interesting theory.
posted by diogenes at 6:24 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
Based on prior experiences with a Democratic administration taking over from a criminal Republican one, [holding the Trump Administration criminals accountable] is very much an open question and should be a live issue in the primary. There's a choice between "look forward, not backwards" again, or something else. It's being made right now.
Since having yet Democratic presidency stolen for the second time in this young century, and by this guy, and with the Russians' help, and having a SCOTUS seat stolen into the bargain, Democratic voters do not seem to be in a forgiving mood, as 2016 demonstrated. Let's hope Democratic politicians are aware of it, but AOC and others who were swept into the office on the blue wave of 2016 doubtless are.
posted by Gelatin at 6:30 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
Since having yet Democratic presidency stolen for the second time in this young century, and by this guy, and with the Russians' help, and having a SCOTUS seat stolen into the bargain, Democratic voters do not seem to be in a forgiving mood, as 2016 demonstrated. Let's hope Democratic politicians are aware of it, but AOC and others who were swept into the office on the blue wave of 2016 doubtless are.
posted by Gelatin at 6:30 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
WaPo's Griff Witte notes how much is missing from the protocol of Trump's state visit to the UK: "No carriage ride down the Mall with the queen. No room at Buckingham Palace. No speech before Parliament. Lots and lots of protesters. Britain is welcoming Trump for a state visit today. But the welcome is more than a little reluctant."
"A little reluctant" is an understatement—Trump had to take a helicopter to Buckingham Palace because he couldn't travel through the streets due to protests. Video of the pathetically small welcoming crowds outside the palace. NBC foreign correspondent Vincent McAviney observes that some Trump fans are outside to greet him: "There is a british man with a Q Anon t shirt and flag outside Buckingham Palace" (w/ pic)
The Hill reports that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner got to stand on Buckingham Palace balcony, w/ video, including Steven Mnuchin taking a selfie. Oh, and Stephen Miller is accompanying them for some reason.
Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?
Wait until Trump sees how the Comcast-owned Sky 1 is advertising his state visit (w/video).
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:04 AM on June 3, 2019 [23 favorites]
"A little reluctant" is an understatement—Trump had to take a helicopter to Buckingham Palace because he couldn't travel through the streets due to protests. Video of the pathetically small welcoming crowds outside the palace. NBC foreign correspondent Vincent McAviney observes that some Trump fans are outside to greet him: "There is a british man with a Q Anon t shirt and flag outside Buckingham Palace" (w/ pic)
The Hill reports that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner got to stand on Buckingham Palace balcony, w/ video, including Steven Mnuchin taking a selfie. Oh, and Stephen Miller is accompanying them for some reason.
Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?
Wait until Trump sees how the Comcast-owned Sky 1 is advertising his state visit (w/video).
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:04 AM on June 3, 2019 [23 favorites]
News You May Have Missed for 2 June 2019.
posted by joannemerriam at 7:07 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by joannemerriam at 7:07 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
'Gatekeeper Mentality' of DCCC Blacklist Adding to Divisions Within Democratic Party (Eoin Higgins, Common Dreams)
"I'd like to see a majority of women in Congress, and it’s not going to happen with this policy."Insurgent Democrats, Many of Them Women, Worry a New Party Policy Will Block Them (Jennifer Steinhauer, NYTimes)
A move by House Democratic leaders to thwart party members from mounting primary challenges to incumbents, even in safe Democratic districts, could have the unintended consequence of arresting the party’s shift toward a more female and racially diverse caucus, one of its most striking achievements of the last election.@lizzwinstead
Do I have this right- Dem incumbents are mostly men. A woman who would like to primary a seat. If she shows she could win, is a better choice, will get no financial support from @DCCC? That says the only time they support getting more women is when male incumbents leave or die [?]posted by ZeusHumms at 7:08 AM on June 3, 2019 [30 favorites]
While this policy from DCCC sucks, it's not surprising at all. DCCC is a group that fundamentally works for Democratic incumbents. Why would they want to spend dollars on both sides of an incumbency tussle that could otherwise be spent in a borderline district?
I would expect the DCCC to support insurgent candidates once elected, but expecting them to materially support insurgency is unrealistic.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:21 AM on June 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
I would expect the DCCC to support insurgent candidates once elected, but expecting them to materially support insurgency is unrealistic.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:21 AM on June 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Hill reports that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner got to stand on Buckingham Palace balcony, w/ video, including Steven Mnuchin taking a selfie. Oh, and Stephen Miller is accompanying them for some reason.
Your whole comment is great, but this is tragic-hilarious-crazy-something. What are they doing there? Was Ivanka expecting adulating crowds? Who are those (other) people, anyway? So many questions...
posted by mumimor at 7:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
Your whole comment is great, but this is tragic-hilarious-crazy-something. What are they doing there? Was Ivanka expecting adulating crowds? Who are those (other) people, anyway? So many questions...
posted by mumimor at 7:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
the entire secondary trump clan is looking at the Royals and thinking "this is an extremely sweet set-up for a group of people with no qualifications besides accident of birth and we need to figure out how to get this going back home".
posted by murphy slaw at 7:31 AM on June 3, 2019 [38 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:31 AM on June 3, 2019 [38 favorites]
I think it's easy to forget how isolated the Trump family is from everyday stuff.
'So much land under so much water': extreme flooding is drowning parts of the midwest (Guardian)
posted by Little Dawn at 7:45 AM on June 3, 2019 [41 favorites]
'So much land under so much water': extreme flooding is drowning parts of the midwest (Guardian)
Weeks of flooding is drowning large parts of the midwest, wrecking communities and turning farms into inland seas. On top of that, a near record number of tornadoes has whipped through the region, smashing homes and claiming nearly 40 lives so far. All of this comes after the wettest 12 months in the US since records began.I've been trying to find news that Trump acknowledges the scale of this disaster and pledges to immediately address it, but all I'm currently finding is "Tea with Prince Charles, talks with Prime Minister Theresa May and a banquet with the queen are on Mr. Trump’s agenda." Correct me if I'm wrong, please.
Storms and near record rainfalls have caused the region’s three major rivers to flood, inundating communities from Nebraska to Michigan and Illinois to Oklahoma, driving tens of thousands in to shelters, shutting businesses and closing interstate highways.
Waters that used to surge and recede have stayed around, swamping millions of acres of farmland and devastating the planting season. The amount of land farmers are being prevented from sowing by the water is estimated to be as much as double the previous record of 3m acres of corn, set in 2013. The worst hit states include Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana.
In Nebraska, where farmers are already grappling with the effects of Donald Trump’s trade war with China, which has killed off a good part of the soy bean trade, flooding is estimated to have destroyed $1bn-worth of crops and livestock.
In Iowa, bordered on either side by America’s two greatest rivers, the Mississippi and the Missouri, entire towns have been engulfed and some may never revive. At the weekend, levees failed on three rivers, flooding homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands in Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas. In other places, authorities raced to shore up protections against surging waters. Burlington was the latest city in Iowa to be swamped after its floodwalls failed and river water poured into downtown following three days of intense rain. The Mississippi has been in flood for 80 days with little sign of returning to normal anytime soon.
Across state after state, people say the same thing unprompted: they have never seen anything like it. Many can point to previous great floods but there is common agreement that it is rare to see so much water for so long across one state after another.
To compound the misery, about 270 tornadoes were recorded in May, including a record 13 straight days of twisters in the second half of the month. Every one of Oklahoma’s 77 counties is under a state of emergency as the state is battered by some of the worst flooding in its history, tornadoes and powerful winds.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:45 AM on June 3, 2019 [41 favorites]
Meanwhile, another American president is also traveling outside the country. He got a standing ovation.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:46 AM on June 3, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:46 AM on June 3, 2019 [19 favorites]
They’ve made disaster declarations for lots of the affected areas, so that process is moving along, for what it’s worth.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:54 AM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:54 AM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
While this policy from DCCC sucks, it's not surprising at all. DCCC is a group that fundamentally works for Democratic incumbents. Why would they want to spend dollars on both sides of an incumbency tussle that could otherwise be spent in a borderline district?
Yes, but here's the thing: the DCCC was out here trying to run $1000-$5000+ per plate fundraisers for hateful, anti-choice pieces of shit like Lipinksi just hours after several states effectively banned abortion. His primary opponent is, by all accounts, not just a better person overall, but a better fit for the district and for a Democratic party that actually cares about people other than right-wing bigoted white dudes. His last GOP opponent was an actual fucking Nazi, and I hope that we can all agree that if a Democrat needs money to defeat a Nazi, then the problem is that they're a really shitty candidate. It's certainly a whole lot of money that could go to literally anyone else running, especially those in close races.
Also, the DCCC's interpretation of their own rules is...malleable at best. They're perfectly happy blocking access to party resources for anyone who runs against centrist and right-wing incumbents on the one hand, while bundling lobbyist donations from corporate PACs to fund attacks on leftist incumbents on the other. It's barely even putting up the pretense that it's no longer a support network for struggling candidates, but rather functions more as a protection racket for party dinosaurs. I would be completely unsurprised if we find out in the next year and a half that the DCCC is actually funding challenges to many or even all of the incumbents that represent the future of the party while directing money to horrible troglodytes in safe districts.
At this point we can't just shrug and be like "DCCC gonna DCCC," we have to acknowledge that it's working against the officially stated goals of the party and start doing something about it.
posted by zombieflanders at 8:05 AM on June 3, 2019 [32 favorites]
Yes, but here's the thing: the DCCC was out here trying to run $1000-$5000+ per plate fundraisers for hateful, anti-choice pieces of shit like Lipinksi just hours after several states effectively banned abortion. His primary opponent is, by all accounts, not just a better person overall, but a better fit for the district and for a Democratic party that actually cares about people other than right-wing bigoted white dudes. His last GOP opponent was an actual fucking Nazi, and I hope that we can all agree that if a Democrat needs money to defeat a Nazi, then the problem is that they're a really shitty candidate. It's certainly a whole lot of money that could go to literally anyone else running, especially those in close races.
Also, the DCCC's interpretation of their own rules is...malleable at best. They're perfectly happy blocking access to party resources for anyone who runs against centrist and right-wing incumbents on the one hand, while bundling lobbyist donations from corporate PACs to fund attacks on leftist incumbents on the other. It's barely even putting up the pretense that it's no longer a support network for struggling candidates, but rather functions more as a protection racket for party dinosaurs. I would be completely unsurprised if we find out in the next year and a half that the DCCC is actually funding challenges to many or even all of the incumbents that represent the future of the party while directing money to horrible troglodytes in safe districts.
At this point we can't just shrug and be like "DCCC gonna DCCC," we have to acknowledge that it's working against the officially stated goals of the party and start doing something about it.
posted by zombieflanders at 8:05 AM on June 3, 2019 [32 favorites]
But if I were a Brit and my taxes were already paying for the NHS (surely a trade deal can’t change one county’s tax policy for its own citizens, right?) why would I also buy American insurance, which is expensive and sucks, even if it were available?
I do kind of get the running hospitals and stuff thing. I guess that’s a bigger scale than I was thinking about.
You’re pretty much there with the second half of your comment. The prize that US companies are playing for isn’t so much the UK’s private health insurance market (which does exist - BUPA, while a non-profit, makes a £10 billion turnover each year from people who are willing to pay extra for a private room and plenty of hand-holding). The real prize for the time being is public procurement - the idea is that private companies will be able to bid to supply services that are currently provided by the NHS. The NHS currently costs the government / taxpayer £130 billion or so. So that’s a £130 billion market sitting there for private companies to take a slice of.
The way this would likely work, is that the private companies will choose all of the bits where they think that they can either cut costs to make more profit (supplying staff on a lower rate of pay, say), or redirect costs to themselves (buying their own drugs, say, or subcontracting their own cleaning services), and where their performance targets are straightforward to achieve because the medical problems are simple.
Then they’ll submit a wildly dishonest bid to provide services, that comes in much lower than the NHS bid. (If it’s anything like the way rail privatisation was handled in the UK under New Labour, they might also get a thumb on the scale in the form of a special fudge factor that takes account of the prevailing economic “wisdom” that the private sector is inherently more efficient than the public sector.) Having won the contract, they then say “oops, looks like our prediction was a little off, it’ll actually cost five times what we quoted” and extract as much money as possible from their client, the state, while providing the cheapest and worst possible service to the public. That’s the short-term plan.
At the same time, the unfortunate NHS has lost all of the cheaper and easier parts of its services. So it’s left with the parts that cost more money and result in poorer outcomes. That means that overall, the NHS starts to look like terrible value for money: it’s costing a lot and not providing what it used to in terms of results. Now, a decade or so later, we can see that the parts of our healthcare system we outsourced to the private sector are doing pretty well in comparison... Maybe it’s time to start offering British consumers more choice, and implementing some kind of national private insurance system?
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:06 AM on June 3, 2019 [27 favorites]
I do kind of get the running hospitals and stuff thing. I guess that’s a bigger scale than I was thinking about.
You’re pretty much there with the second half of your comment. The prize that US companies are playing for isn’t so much the UK’s private health insurance market (which does exist - BUPA, while a non-profit, makes a £10 billion turnover each year from people who are willing to pay extra for a private room and plenty of hand-holding). The real prize for the time being is public procurement - the idea is that private companies will be able to bid to supply services that are currently provided by the NHS. The NHS currently costs the government / taxpayer £130 billion or so. So that’s a £130 billion market sitting there for private companies to take a slice of.
The way this would likely work, is that the private companies will choose all of the bits where they think that they can either cut costs to make more profit (supplying staff on a lower rate of pay, say), or redirect costs to themselves (buying their own drugs, say, or subcontracting their own cleaning services), and where their performance targets are straightforward to achieve because the medical problems are simple.
Then they’ll submit a wildly dishonest bid to provide services, that comes in much lower than the NHS bid. (If it’s anything like the way rail privatisation was handled in the UK under New Labour, they might also get a thumb on the scale in the form of a special fudge factor that takes account of the prevailing economic “wisdom” that the private sector is inherently more efficient than the public sector.) Having won the contract, they then say “oops, looks like our prediction was a little off, it’ll actually cost five times what we quoted” and extract as much money as possible from their client, the state, while providing the cheapest and worst possible service to the public. That’s the short-term plan.
At the same time, the unfortunate NHS has lost all of the cheaper and easier parts of its services. So it’s left with the parts that cost more money and result in poorer outcomes. That means that overall, the NHS starts to look like terrible value for money: it’s costing a lot and not providing what it used to in terms of results. Now, a decade or so later, we can see that the parts of our healthcare system we outsourced to the private sector are doing pretty well in comparison... Maybe it’s time to start offering British consumers more choice, and implementing some kind of national private insurance system?
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:06 AM on June 3, 2019 [27 favorites]
While this policy from DCCC sucks, it's not surprising at all. DCCC is a group that fundamentally works for Democratic incumbents. Why would they want to spend dollars on both sides of an incumbency tussle that could otherwise be spent in a borderline district?
This is true, and a good argument against anybody donating to the DCCC if they want to see a revitalized, progressive Democratic congressional caucus. I don't think a party-wide fundraising org needs to pick and choose insurgents to support, but at minimum they should not be automatically putting a thumb on the scale for the old guard at primary time. You don't have to spend money on both sides, but not spending on either side until a candidate emerges is also an option.
posted by contraption at 8:08 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
This is true, and a good argument against anybody donating to the DCCC if they want to see a revitalized, progressive Democratic congressional caucus. I don't think a party-wide fundraising org needs to pick and choose insurgents to support, but at minimum they should not be automatically putting a thumb on the scale for the old guard at primary time. You don't have to spend money on both sides, but not spending on either side until a candidate emerges is also an option.
posted by contraption at 8:08 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
He only cares about TV
The first person to call him an idiot nobody from Queens whose daddy never loved him will be the first person to watch him have a stroke on live TV. This isn’t a complicated or subtle psychology and it’s getting less subtle by the day.
posted by The Whelk at 8:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [36 favorites]
The first person to call him an idiot nobody from Queens whose daddy never loved him will be the first person to watch him have a stroke on live TV. This isn’t a complicated or subtle psychology and it’s getting less subtle by the day.
posted by The Whelk at 8:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [36 favorites]
At this point we can't just shrug and be like "DCCC gonna DCCC," we have to acknowledge that it's working against the officially stated goals of the party and start doing something about it.
We have to remember that the Democratic Party hasn't been a progressive party for the better part of a century. They've just been a better fit for progressives than the alternative.
It is just plain silly to look at a center-right party concerned mostly with the correct implementation of neoliberalism and wonder why they're not supporting candidates diametrically opposed to that agenda.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:30 AM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
We have to remember that the Democratic Party hasn't been a progressive party for the better part of a century. They've just been a better fit for progressives than the alternative.
It is just plain silly to look at a center-right party concerned mostly with the correct implementation of neoliberalism and wonder why they're not supporting candidates diametrically opposed to that agenda.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:30 AM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
Trump U.K. Visit Off to Long, Hard Start
On Monday morning, the self-proclaimed baby marked his arrival in the U.K. by angrily tweeting about London mayor Sadiq Khan...The president was, in turn, greeted by an absolutely enormous penis mowed into the English countryside.posted by kirkaracha at 8:33 AM on June 3, 2019 [20 favorites]
At this point we can't just shrug and be like "DCCC gonna DCCC," we have to acknowledge that it's working against the officially stated goals of the party and start doing something about it.
We have to remember that the Democratic Party hasn't been a progressive party for the better part of a century. They've just been a better fit for progressives than the alternative.
There are some who say we must build a worker’s party and some who say we must reform the Democratic Party and I’ve always said if we can seize as much power from local elections and push national level candidates and replace their staff with our staff then we can effectively seize control of the party.
I know every monster these days lives to 102 but time is on our side (for this not for like, having air and water but that’s another reason e have to act like shit matters)
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 AM on June 3, 2019 [15 favorites]
We have to remember that the Democratic Party hasn't been a progressive party for the better part of a century. They've just been a better fit for progressives than the alternative.
There are some who say we must build a worker’s party and some who say we must reform the Democratic Party and I’ve always said if we can seize as much power from local elections and push national level candidates and replace their staff with our staff then we can effectively seize control of the party.
I know every monster these days lives to 102 but time is on our side (for this not for like, having air and water but that’s another reason e have to act like shit matters)
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 AM on June 3, 2019 [15 favorites]
this is tragic-hilarious-crazy-something
Yes, it's driving me crazy, too, in its black-comedy hilarity. Behind the distracting absurdist pomp, there are serious issues at work. Trump will not be meeting privately with Theresa May, for instance. Also, before Trump left, he gave an interview to the Sunday Times that continued his streak of interfering in UK politics. Although their paywall has cut it off from the Internet, Trump offered such unworkable advice as sending in Nigel Farrage as a haggler, refusing to pay £39.5 billion EU "divorce bill", and walking away from EU negotiations without a deal (Reuters). And after Corbyn accused him of meddling (Reuters), Trump threatened, "Jeremy Corbyn is making a mistake if he’s not America’s friend", warning that he would have “to know” Corbyn before he would authorize US intelligence to share its classified information if Labour came into power (Times preview).
The undercurrent to all this is the Trump administration's disaster-capitalist fantasies of a no-deal Brexit (Steven Mnuchin's not making the trip just for the selfie). Former UK government trade specialist David Henig writes in Politics.co.uk: Trump's UK Trade Deal: An Abusive Relationship With a Now Vulnerable Country
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:50 AM on June 3, 2019 [16 favorites]
Yes, it's driving me crazy, too, in its black-comedy hilarity. Behind the distracting absurdist pomp, there are serious issues at work. Trump will not be meeting privately with Theresa May, for instance. Also, before Trump left, he gave an interview to the Sunday Times that continued his streak of interfering in UK politics. Although their paywall has cut it off from the Internet, Trump offered such unworkable advice as sending in Nigel Farrage as a haggler, refusing to pay £39.5 billion EU "divorce bill", and walking away from EU negotiations without a deal (Reuters). And after Corbyn accused him of meddling (Reuters), Trump threatened, "Jeremy Corbyn is making a mistake if he’s not America’s friend", warning that he would have “to know” Corbyn before he would authorize US intelligence to share its classified information if Labour came into power (Times preview).
The undercurrent to all this is the Trump administration's disaster-capitalist fantasies of a no-deal Brexit (Steven Mnuchin's not making the trip just for the selfie). Former UK government trade specialist David Henig writes in Politics.co.uk: Trump's UK Trade Deal: An Abusive Relationship With a Now Vulnerable Country
It is one of the starkest of all Brexit contradictions. The most strident supporters of the project want to leave the EU because it imposes demands upon the UK, but then also secure a trade deal with the US which would involve accepting a whole new set of obligations.With the WTO ready to shoot down the Trump administration's last specious national security justifications of an auto tariff (Reuters), relying on Trump's preservation of its authority is not a good bet.
And then there is the other glaring contradiction: that many insist the UK will be fine to trade under WTO rules, without noticing that President Donald Trump is currently undermining those very rules.[…]
There is a real threat that other countries see the US getting away with such behaviour and follow suit, leading the WTO to cease effective functioning. That's an even more pronounced threat right now, because one of the key parts of the organisation which would stop this happening - the appellate body - will shortly cease to function because of a US veto on new members. It's quite convenient for a country breaking the rules so flagrantly.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:50 AM on June 3, 2019 [16 favorites]
Remember when W. landed a fighter jet for no damn reason and jumped out with a comically large codpiece? And then got up on the flight deck with a giant "mission accomplished" banner? Republicans have been politicizing the military for a long time.
Republicans never forgave John Kerry for telling Congress that the pointless war in Vietnam was damaging soldiers fighting there and military readiness in general. The whole "Swift Boat" smear was based on that fact -- not that the media evaluated its credibility accordingly.
posted by Gelatin at 8:55 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
Republicans never forgave John Kerry for telling Congress that the pointless war in Vietnam was damaging soldiers fighting there and military readiness in general. The whole "Swift Boat" smear was based on that fact -- not that the media evaluated its credibility accordingly.
posted by Gelatin at 8:55 AM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
Doesn't this already happen? I don't want to get too far off the topic of US Politics in this thread, but the Clinical Commissioning Groups already play this role, at least in England.
Without wanting to continue this derail too much, CCGs can (but don’t have to) put things out to competitive tender. Most of the stuff that goes out to tender is back office stuff like IT, rather than frontline services - although some frontline services have been privatised in some regions and that’s definitely part of the “whoops, looks like the NHS accidentally privatised itself under our policies designed to do exactly that” strategy of the Tories. So one important factor here is “can” vs “must” when talking about including private companies in the bidding process. The second factor is all the non-tariff barriers to trade that prevent US companies from competing on a “level playing field” - unlike EU companies, they don’t automatically have access to the UK market in the absence of a trade agreement (beyond what the WTO requires), and anyone that still fancies their chances has to comply with lots of legislation that they don’t like, register with the CQC, be licensed by Monitor, etc, which somewhat limits the potential of the market’s invisible hand to switch off unprofitable patients’ life support machines and so on.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:56 AM on June 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
Without wanting to continue this derail too much, CCGs can (but don’t have to) put things out to competitive tender. Most of the stuff that goes out to tender is back office stuff like IT, rather than frontline services - although some frontline services have been privatised in some regions and that’s definitely part of the “whoops, looks like the NHS accidentally privatised itself under our policies designed to do exactly that” strategy of the Tories. So one important factor here is “can” vs “must” when talking about including private companies in the bidding process. The second factor is all the non-tariff barriers to trade that prevent US companies from competing on a “level playing field” - unlike EU companies, they don’t automatically have access to the UK market in the absence of a trade agreement (beyond what the WTO requires), and anyone that still fancies their chances has to comply with lots of legislation that they don’t like, register with the CQC, be licensed by Monitor, etc, which somewhat limits the potential of the market’s invisible hand to switch off unprofitable patients’ life support machines and so on.
posted by chappell, ambrose at 8:56 AM on June 3, 2019 [2 favorites]
The DCCC's support of incumbents at all costs is a huge liability now. The party should be recognizing this and restructure so the best candidate can win. Incumbency doesn't fucking matter any more.
Not to defend the DCCC, but the idea that incumbency didn't matter is not supported by the data. In the 2018 general election, an average of 92 percent of incumbents nationwide won their re-election bids. The lowest incumbent reelection rate was Texas with (only) 81%.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2019 [9 favorites]
Not to defend the DCCC, but the idea that incumbency didn't matter is not supported by the data. In the 2018 general election, an average of 92 percent of incumbents nationwide won their re-election bids. The lowest incumbent reelection rate was Texas with (only) 81%.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 9:29 AM on June 3, 2019 [9 favorites]
In the 2018 general election, an average of 92 percent of incumbents nationwide won their re-election bids.
That group includes types like say, Joe Manchin. When I definitely would have preferred his primary challenger.
posted by Harry Caul at 9:36 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
That group includes types like say, Joe Manchin. When I definitely would have preferred his primary challenger.
posted by Harry Caul at 9:36 AM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
Swearingen, who won 30% of the Democratic primary vote and would have almost certainly lost to the far more right-wing Patrick Morrisey?
Primarying insufficiently progressive Democrats in safe or lean districts is important, but it's virtually impossible to build a national coalition (especially in the Senate) without some moderates.
posted by Rhaomi at 9:59 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
Primarying insufficiently progressive Democrats in safe or lean districts is important, but it's virtually impossible to build a national coalition (especially in the Senate) without some moderates.
posted by Rhaomi at 9:59 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
Whether we'd prefer the primary challenger is orthagonal to the point that data shows incumbents have a massive advantage in general elections which challengers and open-seat hopefuls (including successful primary challengers) don't have.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:00 AM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
The thing with Trump and a harsh response in England is that he just doesn't give a fuck! It's just more attention, which he craves. Feed him your eyeballs of any flavor, spend weeks on your balloon/sign/protest song and get in line at Hyde Corner...it's all fuel for More Trump.
Indifference and prosecution are the only weapons that can be used against him with any permanence.
posted by rhizome at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Indifference and prosecution are the only weapons that can be used against him with any permanence.
posted by rhizome at 10:03 AM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Recent deaths of multiple ICE detainees were preventable, according to internal agency documents I obtained for @tytinvestigates.
In one memo, an ICE official warns Acting Director Albence their health services department is “severely dysfunctional”
Abolish ICE
posted by The Whelk at 10:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [46 favorites]
In one memo, an ICE official warns Acting Director Albence their health services department is “severely dysfunctional”
Abolish ICE
posted by The Whelk at 10:13 AM on June 3, 2019 [46 favorites]
The thing with Trump in England is that he's there for a reason. He's a tool and his handlers believe many obviously stupid things, but the people who are pushing a no deal Brexit are the very same people who helped install Trump. Sadly, their peculiar ideas and naked self interest above all else does not prevent them from making shit happen now that they have us distracted with the racist anti-immigrant shit and constant firehose of stupidity.
They sense that the conduit that makes them rich is about to get cut off and have set the world on fire to keep it from happening. They don't give a shit if the world burns since they've got bunkers and private islands for the worst case and are positioned to hoover up disaster profit until it all collapses.
posted by wierdo at 10:16 AM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
They sense that the conduit that makes them rich is about to get cut off and have set the world on fire to keep it from happening. They don't give a shit if the world burns since they've got bunkers and private islands for the worst case and are positioned to hoover up disaster profit until it all collapses.
posted by wierdo at 10:16 AM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
Republicans never forgave John Kerry for telling Congress that the pointless war in Vietnam was damaging soldiers fighting there and military readiness in general.
I was really hoping we'd put all the Vietnam War bullshit behind us in the 2016 election, but the Republicans had to nominate Cadet Bone Spurs.
2000:
Al Gore volunteered for the Army in 1969 and served in a non-combat role in Vietnam.
George W. Bush got a cushy assignment to the Texas Air National Guard's Champagne Unit and went AWOL.
2004:
George W. Bush: see above
John Kerry enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and volunteered to serve on Swift boats in Vietnam in 1968. He served in combat, earning three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star.
False and malicious criticisms of his service are often bullshit like this:
Barrack Obama was three when US Marines landed in Vietnam.
John McCain was a career aviator and terrible flyer who volunteered for combat duty and was shot down in October 1967. He endured five and a half years years of imprisonment, solitary confinement, and torture, and refused offers of early release.
2012:
Barack Obama was 13 during the fall of Saigon.
Mitt Romney demonstrated in favor of the draft (for other people), got four draft deferments, claimed that he "longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam," and was a missionary in France from July 1966 to December 1968.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
I was really hoping we'd put all the Vietnam War bullshit behind us in the 2016 election, but the Republicans had to nominate Cadet Bone Spurs.
2000:
Al Gore volunteered for the Army in 1969 and served in a non-combat role in Vietnam.
George W. Bush got a cushy assignment to the Texas Air National Guard's Champagne Unit and went AWOL.
2004:
George W. Bush: see above
John Kerry enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and volunteered to serve on Swift boats in Vietnam in 1968. He served in combat, earning three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star.
False and malicious criticisms of his service are often bullshit like this:
Did Mr. Kerry exaggerate his exploits? Yes. For example, he has often said over the years that he spent Christmas 1968 in Cambodia as part of the secret war there. Others who served with him confirm that on Christmas Eve 1968 (not Christmas Day) he got very close to the border, and possibly even strayed across it. But it doesn't seem to have been, as Mr. Kerry has suggested, a deliberate incursion into Cambodia.2008:
Barrack Obama was three when US Marines landed in Vietnam.
John McCain was a career aviator and terrible flyer who volunteered for combat duty and was shot down in October 1967. He endured five and a half years years of imprisonment, solitary confinement, and torture, and refused offers of early release.
2012:
Barack Obama was 13 during the fall of Saigon.
Mitt Romney demonstrated in favor of the draft (for other people), got four draft deferments, claimed that he "longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam," and was a missionary in France from July 1966 to December 1968.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
We’re never getting over it cause 3 of the last 4 presidents were born in 1946
posted by The Whelk at 10:21 AM on June 3, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:21 AM on June 3, 2019 [21 favorites]
The key thing about the DCCC policy, as the recent spate of (probably coordinated) articles makes clear, is that the recent policy is both new, and an actual change from past practice. It has of course always been the case that the DCCC supports incumbents over primary challengers, but the new policy is to blacklist any organization that supports primary challengers. In the past, the DCCC would of course not work with those organizations in their anti-incumbent primary campaigns, but would still work with them in their pro-incumbent campaigns. When the new policy first appeared, many people (including here) argued that this "new" policy was in fact just a mild codification of what the DCCC already practiced, a tendency to dislike working with organizations that support insurgents. But what the last few months have made clear -- evident from direct quotations in many of the articles cited up-thread -- is that this is actually a new, much more strong policy. The DCCC is serious about blacklisting, with repercussions for 2020 that are very different than the 2018 landscape.
I personally consider it both ethically bad and strategically bad (since most primary insurgents go on to win anyway), especially considering the hypocrisy of continuing to work with both organizations and funders who also support Republicans. But whether or not you like the practice, it's definitely new, and a significant ratcheting up of pro-incumbency pressures from the very top of the congressional Democratic apparatus.
posted by chortly at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2019 [17 favorites]
I personally consider it both ethically bad and strategically bad (since most primary insurgents go on to win anyway), especially considering the hypocrisy of continuing to work with both organizations and funders who also support Republicans. But whether or not you like the practice, it's definitely new, and a significant ratcheting up of pro-incumbency pressures from the very top of the congressional Democratic apparatus.
posted by chortly at 10:38 AM on June 3, 2019 [17 favorites]
They sense that the conduit that makes them rich is about to get cut off and have set the world on fire to keep it from happening.
Trump 'deadly serious' about Mexico tariff threat, White House aide says (Guardian)
Trump 'deadly serious' about Mexico tariff threat, White House aide says (Guardian)
Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana on Sunday called the tariffs a “mistake” and said it’s unlikely Trump will actually impose them. The president “has been known to play with fire, but not live hand grenades,” Kennedy said on CBS’s Face the Nation. “It’s going to tank the American economy,” he said. “I don’t think the president’s going to impose these tariffs.” [...] Mulvaney insisted that Trump is “absolutely, deadly serious” about tariffs and downplayed fears of their effect, saying he doubts business will pass on the costs to shoppers.Mexico: Trump's tariffs could worsen Central American immigration problem (Politico)
“Slapping tariffs, along with a decision to cancel aid programs to the northern Central American countries, could have a counterproductive effect and would not reduce migrations flows,” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters during an early morning press conference [...]Epic floods and trade wars - how politics and climate beats up US farmers (Art Cullen, Guardian Opinion)
That’s what all the politicians mouth: trade over aid. Senator Chuck Grassley is chipping his teeth clucking on tariffs. Yet Republicans try to defend Trump in a state that is among the most export-sensitive in the nation. Senator Joni Ernst told Storm Lakers one recent rainy May day that farmers are willing to take the short-term pain for the long-term gain. “It’s the easiest thing to tell yourself that, but that is not what they’re saying when they’re talking to the banker,” said Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union.posted by Little Dawn at 11:03 AM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
It seems like Clyburn (#3 House Democrat) was even more direct in his Sunday comments than was captured above.
From Vox:
House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn predicted Sunday that the House of Representatives will impeach President Donald Trump — just not yet.
When asked by Tapper if he felt that Trump will eventually face impeachment, Clyburn did not mince words.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I feel,” he said.
posted by diogenes at 11:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
From Vox:
House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn predicted Sunday that the House of Representatives will impeach President Donald Trump — just not yet.
When asked by Tapper if he felt that Trump will eventually face impeachment, Clyburn did not mince words.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I feel,” he said.
posted by diogenes at 11:28 AM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
Judiciary Democrats announce series of hearings on Mueller report
@PeterSullivan4: So the White House counsel from 1970-1973 will be testifying but not the one from 2017-2018
posted by zachlipton at 12:10 PM on June 3, 2019 [26 favorites]
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) announced the next hearing, entitled "Lessons from the Mueller Report: Presidential Obstruction and Other Crimes," on June 10 as a way to push forward with the committee's sprawling oversight investigation into the Trump administration amid stonewalling from the White House.I mean, sure, it's a start, but we've wasted months and months and now we get John Dean? In other words:
...
Former White House Counsel John Dean as well as former U.S. Attorneys and legal experts are slated to testify at the hearing next week.
@PeterSullivan4: So the White House counsel from 1970-1973 will be testifying but not the one from 2017-2018
posted by zachlipton at 12:10 PM on June 3, 2019 [26 favorites]
ABC reports on the major protests against Trump in Trafalgar Square at 11 a.m. tomorrow: Mass Protests Planned For Trump's State Visit to the UK (Jeremy Corbyn also plans to address the crowd.)
Since Trump has avoided the smaller protests today by flying by helicopter, he took to Twitter to claim/complain:
Of course, it's possible that Trump is receiving all his information from Fox News, which is naturally downplaying the number of protesters and inflating his supporters'. Media Matters's Bobby Lewis reviews Fox's biased coverage (w/video):
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:18 PM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
Since Trump has avoided the smaller protests today by flying by helicopter, he took to Twitter to claim/complain:
London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the....Either Trump just let the cat out of the bag or he's deliberately stirring things up—the UK can't engage in real trade talks until it's left the EU and has a trade agreement with them in place.
....Fake News will be working hard to find them. Great love all around. Also, big Trade Deal is possible once U.K. gets rid of the shackles. Already starting to talk!
Of course, it's possible that Trump is receiving all his information from Fox News, which is naturally downplaying the number of protesters and inflating his supporters'. Media Matters's Bobby Lewis reviews Fox's biased coverage (w/video):
—Fox News White House correspondent Kevin Corke: "A lot of those demonstrations [in London] will also include pro-Trump folks out there who, a great many of them feel like he is simply not getting his fair share in the media here."As for Trump's "tremendous" crowds claim, Channel 4's Girish Juneja posted this photo of the thin crowd outside Buckingham Palace waiting for the Trump motorcade at 4.30pm today.
—Fox & Friends continues to insist that Trump has popular support in the UK: "As Kevin Corke accurately pointed out a little while ago, 250,000, it would be hard to tell who were pro-Trump and who were anti-Trump. ... There are people on both sides of the aisle."
—Fox News contributor Nigel Farage reassures Fox & Friends that "things have changed" and the British people actually love Donald Trump now, and the protests against him are "organized [and] paid for ... it's all a bit of show."
—Fox correspondent Benjamin Hall says protesters are "being bused in" by "hard-left groups," but "many people are more upset with the fact that high-ranking politicians have decided to boycott his visit." Tens of thousands of protesters in the streets because Trump got snubbed?
—literally the Fox line is that "many" of the 250,000 expected protesters will be in the streets not to criticize Trump, but to criticize their own leaders ... for declining a dinner invitation with Trump. tens of thousands of people pissed off in the streets. for that. really??
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:18 PM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
More responses from the UK, documented by Led By Donkeys
posted by growabrain at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by growabrain at 12:19 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
Trump will not be meeting privately with Theresa May, for instance
May is a dead duck PM. Brexit negotiations at minimum are completely off her table, and she hasn't had any agenda beyond brexit, ever, during her tenure as PM. I cannot imagine anything more pointless than Trump talking to her.
If you mean that it's an insult, yeah, it probably is.
On NJ politics, since people mentioned Delaney. Nj is a high tax state, with a lot of wealthy people, some ruralish red chunks, and a Dem machinery where you "work your way up through the ranks" until it's "your turn". Basically it's easy to find Joe Crowley type Democrats. They're going to be behind the times until we get some turnover. Delaney and all the people he hangs out with probably genuinely think both that socialism is bad and that that's a winning message.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 12:22 PM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
May is a dead duck PM. Brexit negotiations at minimum are completely off her table, and she hasn't had any agenda beyond brexit, ever, during her tenure as PM. I cannot imagine anything more pointless than Trump talking to her.
If you mean that it's an insult, yeah, it probably is.
On NJ politics, since people mentioned Delaney. Nj is a high tax state, with a lot of wealthy people, some ruralish red chunks, and a Dem machinery where you "work your way up through the ranks" until it's "your turn". Basically it's easy to find Joe Crowley type Democrats. They're going to be behind the times until we get some turnover. Delaney and all the people he hangs out with probably genuinely think both that socialism is bad and that that's a winning message.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 12:22 PM on June 3, 2019 [7 favorites]
WaPo, Figure linked to Trump transition charged with transporting child pornography
posted by zachlipton at 12:31 PM on June 3, 2019 [16 favorites]
A key witness in former Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation of Russian election interference has been indicted by federal officials on child pornography charges, according to court documents.Here's a story from last year on that history. And a reminder of this old story, without comment to its relevance here: Foes of Russia Say Child Pornography Is Planted to Ruin Them
George Nader, who had a previous criminal record on such charges, was charged in federal court in Virginia, and is expected to make an initial court appearance in New York.
...
Nader was convicted 28 years ago of transporting child pornography, a case in which he received a reduced sentence after influential figures argued privately to the court that he was playing a valuable role in national security affairs — trying to free U.S. hostages then held in Lebanon.
posted by zachlipton at 12:31 PM on June 3, 2019 [16 favorites]
The pastor at McLean Bible Church, where Trump showed up yesterday looking terrible (his pants! why don't his pants fit?), wrote a letter to his congregation, and, uh:
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on June 3, 2019 [20 favorites]
At the end of my sermon at the 1:00 worship gathering, I stepped to the side for what I thought would be a couple of moments in quiet reflection as we prepared to take the Lord’s Supper. But I was immediately called backstage and told that the President of the United States was on his way to the church, would be there in a matter of minutes, and would like for us to pray for him.I thought this was supposed to be about Virginia Beach (which isn't really anywhere near the church, but whatever), but no, it's all about him as usual.
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on June 3, 2019 [20 favorites]
As for Trump's "tremendous" crowds claim, Channel 4's Girish Juneja posted this photo of the thin crowd outside Buckingham Palace waiting for the Trump motorcade at 4.30pm today.
Based on the footwear I'd guess the sign holders are American. At least the big fella in the cargo shorts right next to the sign. Brits very rarely wear actual running shoes like neon blue Sauconys.
posted by srboisvert at 12:42 PM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
Based on the footwear I'd guess the sign holders are American. At least the big fella in the cargo shorts right next to the sign. Brits very rarely wear actual running shoes like neon blue Sauconys.
posted by srboisvert at 12:42 PM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
wrote a letter to his congregation, and, uh:
zachlipton, got a link to the full letter? I'd love to read this. and by "love" I mean sick fascination with how this guy justified his religious service being used as a political prop, and get some sense of what's prompting him to write.
posted by martin q blank at 12:49 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
zachlipton, got a link to the full letter? I'd love to read this. and by "love" I mean sick fascination with how this guy justified his religious service being used as a political prop, and get some sense of what's prompting him to write.
posted by martin q blank at 12:49 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
Seems like the pastor was a little blindsided by Team Trump.
posted by Orb at 12:52 PM on June 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Orb at 12:52 PM on June 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
That’s an impersonator that came to the church, right? Am I missing something?
posted by sundrop at 12:52 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by sundrop at 12:52 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
Sorry. That link was supposed to be in my comment, and I forgot. Here it is: PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT.
I’ll leave the theological commentary to others and just quote the West Wing: “the god you pray to is too busy being indicted for tax fraud.”
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
I’ll leave the theological commentary to others and just quote the West Wing: “the god you pray to is too busy being indicted for tax fraud.”
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
In the end, would you pray with me for gospel seed that was sown today to bear fruit in the president’s heart?
This is a lovely bit of church shade that the pastor threw at the president.
posted by teleri025 at 12:59 PM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
This is a lovely bit of church shade that the pastor threw at the president.
posted by teleri025 at 12:59 PM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
> But I was immediately called backstage and told that the President of the United States was on his way to the church, would be there in a matter of minutes, and would like for us to pray for him.
I thought this was supposed to be about Virginia Beach (which isn't really anywhere near the church, but whatever), but no, it's all about him as usual.
n.b. On Saturday, @realdonaldtrump retweeted CBN News (Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network) when they hosted Franklin Graham for his nationwide call for prayer for Trump on Sunday: 'Because We Need God's Help': Why Franklin Graham Asked Christians to Pray for President Trump
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
I thought this was supposed to be about Virginia Beach (which isn't really anywhere near the church, but whatever), but no, it's all about him as usual.
n.b. On Saturday, @realdonaldtrump retweeted CBN News (Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network) when they hosted Franklin Graham for his nationwide call for prayer for Trump on Sunday: 'Because We Need God's Help': Why Franklin Graham Asked Christians to Pray for President Trump
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
More shade, this time from the UK. 41-gun salutes and a Twitter tirade: Donald Trump arrives in UK
posted by zachlipton at 1:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [49 favorites]
But on a tour of Royal Collection artefacts in the palace’s picture gallery, Trump was shown the pewter horse he gave the Queen on his last visit. Asked if he recognised it, he replied “no”, at which point Melania jumped in, saying: “Yes, this is one of ours.” Trump did better when he was shown a book of tartans opened at the yellow design of his Scottish Hebridean mother’s MacLeod clan. “That’s my tartan,” he said immediately.Asking if he recognized the gift is such a beautifully understated asshole move. Remember how a fairly central plank of his campaign was literally just that people would respect him on foreign visits?
posted by zachlipton at 1:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [49 favorites]
To a Manhattan socialite like Trump, meeting the Queen is everything (Richard Wolffe, Guardian Op-Ed)
The president doesn’t care about the spats or the protests, he only cares about statusposted by ZeusHumms at 2:06 PM on June 3, 2019 [3 favorites]
Politico: House Dems to hold Barr, Ross in contempt over census question—The Oversight Committee wants key documents by Thursday
The House Oversight and Reform Committee is moving to hold Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in contempt of Congress for defying the panel’s subpoena for information about efforts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census.posted by Doktor Zed at 2:14 PM on June 3, 2019 [41 favorites]
“Unfortunately, your actions are part of a pattern,” Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) wrote to Barr and Ross in separate letters. “The Trump administration has been engaged in one of the most unprecedented cover-ups since Watergate, extending from the White House to multiple federal agencies and departments of the government and across numerous investigations.”
Cummings said he would consider postponing the contempt votes if Barr and Ross turn over the requested documents by Thursday, June 6.
Even as someone who thinks “the royal family” is a useless concept (actually, worse than useless—harmful), I’m cringing so hard at the pictures of Mnuchin accompanying Kate Middleton and Kellyanne Conway accompanying Prince Edward into this state dinner. Blech. Talk about not sending our best...
posted by sallybrown at 2:47 PM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 2:47 PM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
NYT, A Former Hotel Partner Alleges the Trumps Evaded Taxes in Panama
The owners of a luxury hotel in Panama City that ousted the Trump Organization as property managers last year accused it on Monday of evading taxes in Panama and creating a “false light” around the hotel’s finances.posted by zachlipton at 2:49 PM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
The accusations, made in a legal filing in Manhattan federal court, are fraught with potential diplomatic and legal complexities for President Trump, as they essentially assert that his family business cheated a foreign country’s government.
The Trump Organization, the filing alleges, “also made fraudulent and false claims to the Panamanian tax authorities” to “cover up its unlawful activities.” This was originally detected during an audit last year by Panamanian tax authorities, according to the filing.
...
The filing also alleges, among other claims, that the Trump Organization understated employee salaries in reports to the Panamanian social security agency, which may have reduced the hotel’s social security tax payments. Collectively, the company’s actions made “the financial and operational performance of the hotel appear in a false light,” the filing says.
In the absence of Democratic willingness to impose any sort of sanction on folks who are held in contempt, isn't a contempt vote little more than a Pythonesque "Stop or I'll say stop again!"? Does anyone know what the end goal here is?
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
Buzzfeed's Zoe Tillman: "NOW: A federal judge in DC has rejected House Dems' effort to block Trump from carrying out his plan to reprogram billions of dollars to fund border construction, agreeing with the administration that the court can't be involved in this fight https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6128209/6-3-19-US-v-Mnuchin-Opinion.pdf "
Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled, "The “complete independence” of the Judiciary is “peculiarly essential” under our Constitutional structure, and this independence requires that the courts “take no active resolution whatever” in political fights between the other branches. See The Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton). And while the Constitution bestows upon Members of the House many powers, it does not grant them standing to hale the Executive Branch into court claiming a dilution of Congress’s legislative authority. The Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to hear the House’s claims and will deny its motion."
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:18 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled, "The “complete independence” of the Judiciary is “peculiarly essential” under our Constitutional structure, and this independence requires that the courts “take no active resolution whatever” in political fights between the other branches. See The Federalist No. 78 (Alexander Hamilton). And while the Constitution bestows upon Members of the House many powers, it does not grant them standing to hale the Executive Branch into court claiming a dilution of Congress’s legislative authority. The Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to hear the House’s claims and will deny its motion."
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:18 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Surprise! Trump Judge Ripped For Getting Facts From Internet After Saying Plaintiff ‘Trolled the Web’
Attorney Robert Barnes was none too pleased about a Donald Trump-appointed federal judge’s decision to dismiss his pro bono client Cassandra Fairbanks‘ lawsuit against Splinter News’ Emma Roller. [...] Barnes, a Law&Crime columnist, tore into U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Trevor N. McFadden for getting his facts from the internet and called out his characterization that Fairbanks “trolled the web through Twitter.”posted by Little Dawn at 3:44 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
[...] As Politico noted, he is one of three Trump-appointed judges in the D.C. district court. McFadden also donated to the Trump campaign.
When Kurt Gödel was studying for his citizenship exam, he found what he said he could prove to be a contradiction that could lead the US to become a dictatorship. Nobody has recorded what he thought that problem to be. I think it is now becoming evident.
posted by sjswitzer at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
posted by sjswitzer at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2019 [24 favorites]
Politico: House Dems set Barr contempt vote on Mueller report for next week—The move is a crucial step for Democrats seeking to accelerate their obstruction of justice investigation against Trump.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
The House will vote next week to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for failing to comply with a subpoena for special counsel Robert Mueller's fully unredacted report and underlying evidence, according to multiple Democratic sources.The House will vote to hold Barr in civil contempt, since the Dems regard criminal contempt to be an empty gesture (who at the Trump DoJ would enforce it?).
The resolution would clear the way for the House Judiciary Committee to take Barr to court to enforce its subpoena and settle the matter legally — a crucial step for Democrats seeking to accelerate their obstruction of justice investigation against President Donald Trump.
The vote, which will take place on June 11, will also include broad authority for congressional committees to take legal action against the Trump administration in future subpoena fights, the Democratic sources say. Democrats are still discussing whether to include former White House counsel Don McGahn in the resolution.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Surprise! Trump Judge Ripped For Getting Facts From Internet After Saying Plaintiff ‘Trolled the Web’
For context, the judge ruled that Fairbanks could not sue a journalist for defamation for saying that Fairbanks was making a white power gesture in a photo with Mike Cernovitch at the White House when Fairbanks claims she was just making an "okay" sign. The facts the judge got from the web were that the okay sign is also used as a white power sign and also used in deliberately ambiguous ways. Fairbanks couldn't prove the journalist acted with malice in no small part because Fairbanks bragged about trading on that ambiguity. Here's a relevant bit:
posted by This time is different. at 4:10 PM on June 3, 2019 [17 favorites]
For context, the judge ruled that Fairbanks could not sue a journalist for defamation for saying that Fairbanks was making a white power gesture in a photo with Mike Cernovitch at the White House when Fairbanks claims she was just making an "okay" sign. The facts the judge got from the web were that the okay sign is also used as a white power sign and also used in deliberately ambiguous ways. Fairbanks couldn't prove the journalist acted with malice in no small part because Fairbanks bragged about trading on that ambiguity. Here's a relevant bit:
Especially given the public debate about the “okay” hand gesture at the time of Ms. Roller’s tweet, Ms. Fairbanks’ allegations do not provide clear and convincing evidence of actual malice. Indeed, the inescapable conclusion one reaches upon viewing the photo and tweets at issue (including Ms. Fairbanks’ tweets) is that Ms. Fairbanks intended her photo and hand gesture to provoke, or troll, people like Ms. Roller—whether because the gesture was actually offensive or because they would think that it was offensive—not that Ms. Fairbanks was the victim of a malicious attack based on innocent actions. So Ms. Fairbanks has failed to state a claim and her case should be dismissed.The full opinion is here. If anything, I think the judge is too generous to the plaintiff, but this at least seems like the right result.
posted by This time is different. at 4:10 PM on June 3, 2019 [17 favorites]
A federal judge in DC has rejected House Dems' effort to block Trump from carrying out his plan to reprogram billions of dollars to fund border construction, agreeing with the administration that the court can't be involved in this fight
Wikipedia's entry on Judge Trevor N. McFadden provides a bit more context:
posted by pjenks at 4:30 PM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
Wikipedia's entry on Judge Trevor N. McFadden provides a bit more context:
We've got 40 more years of him and his ilk.
Assumed office: October 31, 2017
Appointed by: Donald Trump
Born: June 28, 1978 (age 40)
posted by pjenks at 4:30 PM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruled, "The “complete independence” of the Judiciary is “peculiarly essential” under our Constitutional structure, and this independence requires that the courts “take no active resolution whatever” in political fights between the other branches.Can one of our legally knowledgeable MeFites comment on whether this is just a particularly misleading summary quote or whether this judge really is trying to put forward some kind of crackpot theory that the judiciary has no role in resolving disputes between the other two branches? Because the latter would seem like a kind of significant reversal of centuries of precedent..
posted by Nerd of the North at 4:57 PM on June 3, 2019 [5 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: House just passed the 19.1 Billion Dollar Disaster Aid Bill. Great, now we will get it done in the Senate! Farmers, Puerto Rico and all will be very happy.
@seungminkim: The Senate already passed it .... now it goes to you for your signature.
This is fine.
posted by zachlipton at 5:13 PM on June 3, 2019 [32 favorites]
@seungminkim: The Senate already passed it .... now it goes to you for your signature.
This is fine.
posted by zachlipton at 5:13 PM on June 3, 2019 [32 favorites]
NBC News, Jacob Soboroff and Julia Ainsley (who have relentlessly covered child separation), Botched family reunifications left migrant children waiting in vans overnight
Under the blistering Texas sun last July, 37 migrant children boarded vans for what was supposed to be a 30-minute ride. At the end of the road from Harlingen to Los Fresnos lay the promise of hugs, kisses and long overdue reunification with their parents, from whom they were taken when the Trump administration began systematically separating migrant families who crossed the border illegally.posted by zachlipton at 5:18 PM on June 3, 2019 [48 favorites]
But when the children, all between 5 and 12 years old, arrived at Immigration and Customs Enforcement's adults-only Port Isabel Detention Center, rather than seeing their parents, they saw a parking lot full of vans just like theirs, with children from other facilities who, just like them, were waiting to be processed and reunified with their parents.
It was 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, 2018.
Not until 39 hours later — after two nights in a van — did the last child step out of a van to be reunited. Most spent at least 23 hours in the vehicles.
...
Despite two notifications from HHS that the children would be arriving, ICE officers kept to their regular schedule, clocking out for the day while the parking lot filled with children eager to see their parents again. There was no one present to greet the arriving children and they were not equipped to process them in a parking lot, the BCFS official told NBC News, describing the scene as "hurried disarray."
Can one of our legally knowledgeable MeFites comment on whether this is just a particularly misleading summary quote or whether this judge really is trying to put forward some kind of crackpot theory that the judiciary has no role in resolving disputes between the other two branches? Because the latter would seem like a kind of significant reversal of centuries of precedent..
The judge is referencing a legitimate thing called the political question doctrine, the gist of which is that the judiciary wants nothing to do with a conflict that is political, as opposed to legal, in nature. I know it sounds kind of nuts given the entire point of the Judicial Branch...it’s a way of saying the courts don’t have the expertise or power to decide political debates (as opposed to interpreting legislation)—it renders a case nonjusticiable. I haven’t read Judge McFadden’s decision so I can’t comment on that, but if you’re thinking “this is confusing and I don’t get the distinction,” that’s how I feel about it too. But it’s very much not a fake doctrine. If you’re really interested, Nixon [not the one you’re thinking] v. United States gets into it.
As for Judge McFadden’s next 40 years, you’d be surprised how many federal judges retire early because they miss making tons of money as lobbyists or firm partners.
posted by sallybrown at 5:36 PM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
The judge is referencing a legitimate thing called the political question doctrine, the gist of which is that the judiciary wants nothing to do with a conflict that is political, as opposed to legal, in nature. I know it sounds kind of nuts given the entire point of the Judicial Branch...it’s a way of saying the courts don’t have the expertise or power to decide political debates (as opposed to interpreting legislation)—it renders a case nonjusticiable. I haven’t read Judge McFadden’s decision so I can’t comment on that, but if you’re thinking “this is confusing and I don’t get the distinction,” that’s how I feel about it too. But it’s very much not a fake doctrine. If you’re really interested, Nixon [not the one you’re thinking] v. United States gets into it.
As for Judge McFadden’s next 40 years, you’d be surprised how many federal judges retire early because they miss making tons of money as lobbyists or firm partners.
posted by sallybrown at 5:36 PM on June 3, 2019 [10 favorites]
i read mcfadden's appropriations case, Nerd of the North. i have not read the arguments or briefs or those precedential cases considered by mcfadden in the opinion, so have not considered the breadth of arguments and authorities proffered by the parties, and am not particularly informed as to appropriations-related legal questions. it was not obviously the work of a "flat-out ahistorical asshole" nor clearly dishonest, but seemed to be a good-faith effort to rule on the issue of standing on a contentious ripeness/political-question/separation-of-powers issue. it is significant here that the house of representatives is not one branch of government, but one house of a bicameral branch of government. it is also significant that the house of representatives has not exhausted available institutional remedies: there remain things the house can do to remedy or assuage its alleged injury, and things both houses together could do to protect and preserve their constitutionally-mandated appropriations power, before calling on the judiciary for remedy. it can be appealed -- it is very much in judge mcfadden's interest to write opinions that will not be overturned; nothing leapt off the page as an ideal challenge in my cursory reading. don't get me wrong: i abhor wall; revile executive diversion of appropriated funds to work on wall & object to the underlying declaration of emergency. it did not strike me as an obviously flawed ruling or opinion. i choose to read it as a(nother) forceful referral for impeachment.
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:00 PM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:00 PM on June 3, 2019 [8 favorites]
Yeah, reading the border wall case now, it’s not quite what the pull quote referring to a political issue would suggest. The judge’s ultimate determination was that the House lacked standing to challenge the border wall national emergency on the specific grounds it did—the House argued that permitting Trump to redirect funds by declaring a national emergency impinged on the House’s constitutional power under the Appropriations Clause. (The House could have challenged the border wall move in other ways, for example by arguing Trump’s characterization of it as a national emergency did not satisfy the legal standard, but the House didn’t argue that, not sure why.) The judge points out that (among other things) even though the Legislative Branch has power to pass laws, we don’t let Congress use the Judicial Branch to police how Executive Branch agencies carry out those laws. The fact that HHS or DOJ may interpret a law Congress passes in the wrong way, even to the point of breaking the law, does not weaken Congress’ constitutional power to make law, but neither does it give Congress standing to sue HHS to say “you did this wrong.” That doesn’t mean no one can sue—the plaintiff just has to have standing, and the House doesn’t.
It’s an interesting case and not an obviously shitty decision, IMO.
posted by sallybrown at 6:14 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
It’s an interesting case and not an obviously shitty decision, IMO.
posted by sallybrown at 6:14 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
Roger Stone was issued a gag order saying he couldn’t talk about his case or he would be jailed. Today he posted on Instagram that anyone involved in his investigation should be put to death.
Go big or go home, am I right
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:50 PM on June 3, 2019 [51 favorites]
Go big or go home, am I right
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:50 PM on June 3, 2019 [51 favorites]
Maybe he's referring to reconciliation in conference committee. Not that I'm trying to give Trump the benefit of the doubt, but after it passes the Senate and the House, it still has to go back to conference committee with the Senate and House together for reconciliation before going to Trump for signature.
A fine thought (I, too, would like to live in a world where the president knows what he's talking about), but what the House passed today was a Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment. There's no conference committee here; Trump is just wrong. He's subsequently deleted the tweet.
posted by zachlipton at 6:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
A fine thought (I, too, would like to live in a world where the president knows what he's talking about), but what the House passed today was a Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment. There's no conference committee here; Trump is just wrong. He's subsequently deleted the tweet.
posted by zachlipton at 6:54 PM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
Business Insider: Former Trump aide Roger Stone called for ex-CIA chief John Brennan to be hanged for treason in now deleted Instagram post
“Former Trump adviser Roger Stone on Sunday posted a message on Instagram calling for former CIA Director John Brennan to be hanged. "This psycho must be tried, charged, convicted, and hung for treason," read the message with a picture of Brennan. Stone is currently awaiting the start of his trial after being charged with obstruction, witness tampering and lying to investigators by the Mueller probe. Brennan is one of Trump's staunchest critics, and a frequent target of the president.”
The Daily Mail's David Martosko seems to have a screencap of Stone's deleted post: "So ... how likely is this to make Roger Stone's judge revoke his bail for "materially prejuding" his trial? He's already under a gag order. (source: Stone's Instagram, later deleted)" (w/ screencap)
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:03 PM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
“Former Trump adviser Roger Stone on Sunday posted a message on Instagram calling for former CIA Director John Brennan to be hanged. "This psycho must be tried, charged, convicted, and hung for treason," read the message with a picture of Brennan. Stone is currently awaiting the start of his trial after being charged with obstruction, witness tampering and lying to investigators by the Mueller probe. Brennan is one of Trump's staunchest critics, and a frequent target of the president.”
The Daily Mail's David Martosko seems to have a screencap of Stone's deleted post: "So ... how likely is this to make Roger Stone's judge revoke his bail for "materially prejuding" his trial? He's already under a gag order. (source: Stone's Instagram, later deleted)" (w/ screencap)
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:03 PM on June 3, 2019 [14 favorites]
also note that it appears that Instagram, not Stone, took the offending post down, in response to an abuse report
posted by murphy slaw at 7:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [29 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:07 PM on June 3, 2019 [29 favorites]
WaPo, GOP lawmakers discuss vote to block Trump’s new tariffs on Mexico, in what would be a dramatic act of defiance
posted by zachlipton at 7:25 PM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
Congressional Republicans have begun discussing whether they may have to vote to block President Trump’s planned new tariffs on Mexico, potentially igniting a second standoff this year over Trump’s use of executive powers to circumvent Congress, people familiar with the talks said."Very concerned" count: 1
The vote, which would be the GOP’s most dramatic act of defiance since Trump took office, could also have the effect of blocking billions of dollars in border wall funding that the president had announced in February when he declared a national emergency at the southern border, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private.
...
Republican lawmakers aren’t eager to be drawn into a conflict with the president. But some feel they might have to take action following a growing consensus within the GOP that these new tariffs would amount to tax increases on American businesses and consumers — something that would represent a profound breach of party orthodoxy.
posted by zachlipton at 7:25 PM on June 3, 2019 [12 favorites]
The judge is referencing a legitimate thing called the political question doctrine
I assumed he was referencing the rarely-used 'where the sidewalk ends' political question doctrine, too, but that goes to justiciability of a dispute, not standing to bring it to court in the first place, and the judge is dismissing it on standing grounds. The opinion makes some odd inferences from things the judge suggests Congress didn't do in the past, but it's the actual caselaw that isn't cited in the opinion that seems potentially more telling.
For example, according to my National Security Law textbook (Dycus, Berney, Banks, Raven-Hansen, 2d Ed) at pp. 173 - 174, "members of Congress have often turned to the courts and sought relief for alleged harm to them in their official roles, or put another way, to protect what they see as interests central to Congress. In Mitchell v. Laird, 488 F.2d 611 (D.C. Cir. 1973), 13 members of Congress sought to enjoin military action in Southeast Asia and requested a declaration that the war was unconstitutional. In rejecting the government's claim that the plaintiffs lacked standing, the court stated that, assuming unconstitutional action by the executive, "a declaration to that effect would bear upon the duties of plaintiffs to consider whether to impeach defendants, and upon plaintiffs' quite distinct and different duties to make appropriations to support the hostilities, or to take other legislative actions related to such hostilites..." 488 F.2d at 614. While the plaintiffs were found to have standing, the court dismissed the suit as presenting a political question."
According to the textbook at p. 174, it is more difficult to obtain standing for things like how to regulate the CIA, e.g. Harrington v. Bush, 553 F.2d 190 (D.C. Cir. 1977), but in Kennedy v. Sampson, 511 F.2d 430 (D.C. Cir. 1974), the court held one senator can represent a class of Congress as a whole when challenging a pocket veto, and Judge McFadden seems to have conveniently missed this case in his opinion's discussion of pocket vetoes.
My textbook also notes at p. 175 that "Judges Bork and Scalia have argued that members of Congress should never be found to have standing to sue in their official capacities." On the flip side, the textbook notes "it has been urged that "[m]embers of Congress should be granted standing whenever (a) the controversy is genuine and no advisory opinion is sought; (b) those members possess sufficient information and proximity to the issue to present the case adequately; and (c) the claim concerns executive usurption of a specific function constitutionally accorded Congress." Carlin Meyer, Imbalance of Powers: Can Congressional Lawsuits Serve as Counterweight? 54 U. Pitt. L. Rev. 63, 71 (1992). It's not just the outcome, it's also the reasoning of this opinion that seems contrary to how the seperation of powers tend to work, but additional research is needed.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:28 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
I assumed he was referencing the rarely-used 'where the sidewalk ends' political question doctrine, too, but that goes to justiciability of a dispute, not standing to bring it to court in the first place, and the judge is dismissing it on standing grounds. The opinion makes some odd inferences from things the judge suggests Congress didn't do in the past, but it's the actual caselaw that isn't cited in the opinion that seems potentially more telling.
For example, according to my National Security Law textbook (Dycus, Berney, Banks, Raven-Hansen, 2d Ed) at pp. 173 - 174, "members of Congress have often turned to the courts and sought relief for alleged harm to them in their official roles, or put another way, to protect what they see as interests central to Congress. In Mitchell v. Laird, 488 F.2d 611 (D.C. Cir. 1973), 13 members of Congress sought to enjoin military action in Southeast Asia and requested a declaration that the war was unconstitutional. In rejecting the government's claim that the plaintiffs lacked standing, the court stated that, assuming unconstitutional action by the executive, "a declaration to that effect would bear upon the duties of plaintiffs to consider whether to impeach defendants, and upon plaintiffs' quite distinct and different duties to make appropriations to support the hostilities, or to take other legislative actions related to such hostilites..." 488 F.2d at 614. While the plaintiffs were found to have standing, the court dismissed the suit as presenting a political question."
According to the textbook at p. 174, it is more difficult to obtain standing for things like how to regulate the CIA, e.g. Harrington v. Bush, 553 F.2d 190 (D.C. Cir. 1977), but in Kennedy v. Sampson, 511 F.2d 430 (D.C. Cir. 1974), the court held one senator can represent a class of Congress as a whole when challenging a pocket veto, and Judge McFadden seems to have conveniently missed this case in his opinion's discussion of pocket vetoes.
My textbook also notes at p. 175 that "Judges Bork and Scalia have argued that members of Congress should never be found to have standing to sue in their official capacities." On the flip side, the textbook notes "it has been urged that "[m]embers of Congress should be granted standing whenever (a) the controversy is genuine and no advisory opinion is sought; (b) those members possess sufficient information and proximity to the issue to present the case adequately; and (c) the claim concerns executive usurption of a specific function constitutionally accorded Congress." Carlin Meyer, Imbalance of Powers: Can Congressional Lawsuits Serve as Counterweight? 54 U. Pitt. L. Rev. 63, 71 (1992). It's not just the outcome, it's also the reasoning of this opinion that seems contrary to how the seperation of powers tend to work, but additional research is needed.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:28 PM on June 3, 2019 [6 favorites]
> what the House passed today was a Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment.
Yes, it is H.R. 2157 and you can see the actions here.
You'll notice the latest action (final passage by House) is not listed yet.
I'll just take a moment to point out that I spend a lot of my time tracking state and local legislative issues and it's far easier to figure out what's going on in the village council of the smallest hamlet or the state legislature of the least-friendly, least-transparent state, than it is to figure out what is going on in Congress.
For some reason, we've chosen this as the way we want our government to run.
posted by flug at 7:57 PM on June 3, 2019 [40 favorites]
Yes, it is H.R. 2157 and you can see the actions here.
You'll notice the latest action (final passage by House) is not listed yet.
I'll just take a moment to point out that I spend a lot of my time tracking state and local legislative issues and it's far easier to figure out what's going on in the village council of the smallest hamlet or the state legislature of the least-friendly, least-transparent state, than it is to figure out what is going on in Congress.
- News articles never mention the bill number, sponsor, exact bill title, or other information you would need to positively identify the bill.
- News articles about bills on Congress deal in broad generalities and political horserace considerations almost exclusively. They rarely or never discuss details or do basic things like, for example, linking to the bill's online page or actual legislative language.
- The official Congress.gov bill tracking page is confusing, hard to search, and sooo slow to update. It is always well behind the actual activity, to the point there is practically no point in checking it at all--by the time something shows up there you've seen it on CNN or read about it in Politico a few days before. (Some 3rd party sites are a bit better. Also for example the House Clerk's site updates calendar/roll call votes etc rather quickly--so why not Congress.gov, too?)
- The bills themselves are just astonishingly confusing to read. Like, to the point there is literally no point in even spending time reading them unless you are also willing to put in many additional hours cross-referencing literally every word and sentence with existing U.S. Code and the relevant Code of Regulations.
For some reason, we've chosen this as the way we want our government to run.
posted by flug at 7:57 PM on June 3, 2019 [40 favorites]
One might postulate the existence of a rent-seeking class who benefit from the situation if one were a cynic.
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:00 PM on June 3, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Nerd of the North at 8:00 PM on June 3, 2019 [19 favorites]
Miriam Elder (Buzzfeed): Co-author of controversial NYT story on Biden-Ukraine (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/01/us/politics/biden-son-ukraine.html …) has been appointed spokesperson to Ukraine’s new presidentWhat did the NYT know and when did they know it?
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:53 PM on June 3, 2019 [13 favorites]
Roger Stone was issued a gag order saying he couldn’t talk about his case or he would be jailed. Today he posted on Instagram that anyone involved in his investigation should be put to death.
It's weird that whether or not there are actual consequences for this is basically a crapshoot
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:30 PM on June 3, 2019 [22 favorites]
It's weird that whether or not there are actual consequences for this is basically a crapshoot
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:30 PM on June 3, 2019 [22 favorites]
Kushner unsure whether he'd alert FBI if Russians request another meeting
posted by scalefree at 10:35 PM on June 3, 2019 [20 favorites]
On "Axios on HBO," Jared Kushner said he doesn't know whether he'd call the FBI if he were to receive an email today like the one before the campaign's Trump Tower meeting, which had the subject line: "Re: Russia - Clinton - private and confidential."
Kushner said this after a tense exchange about the email he received to set up the infamous Trump Tower meeting.
Why this matters: Kushner is now in the West Wing as senior adviser to the president. Shouldn't an email with an offer of help from Russians trigger a mental alarm? This bolsters the perception that President Trump’s inner circle still doesn't fully recognize the ongoing threat of Russian interference in American elections.
Kushner’s response comes after FBI Director Christopher Wray said in congressional testimony that he would recommend that in the future, people contact the FBI if a foreign government offers campaign support.
What he's saying: Kushner said people are being "self-righteous" and playing "Monday morning quarterback" by asking him why he didn't call the FBI when he saw the email offering help for the Trump campaign from Russia.
"Let me put you in my shoes at that time. OK, I'm running three companies, I'm helping run the campaign. I get an email that says show up at 4 instead of 3 to a meeting that I had been told about earlier that I didn't know what the hell it was about."
Asked if he'd call the FBI if it happened again, Kushner said: "I don't know. It's hard to do hypotheticals, but the reality is is that we were not given anything that was salacious."Whatever the right & wrong of reporting it as a member of a campaign, Kushner now holds Clearance & would be obligated to report to the FBI any approach by a foreign agent, even from an American ally.
posted by scalefree at 10:35 PM on June 3, 2019 [20 favorites]
Jared, Call the FBI (Paul Rosenzweig, Lawfare)
Asked if he would call the FBI in similar circumstance, Kushner responded: "I don't know. It's hard to do hypotheticals, but the reality is is that we were not given anything that was salacious."posted by Little Dawn at 10:44 PM on June 3, 2019 [41 favorites]
Let's be clear—that's the wrong answer. I will limit this discussion to legal obligations; the moral failings are self-evident. Even if Kushner had no legal obligation to report the Russian contacts in 2016 when he was a private citizen, he no longer is. At the direction of the president, he now holds a top-secret (TS) clearance. And with that clearance comes a legal obligation to notify relevant authorities in the FBI and White House regarding suspicious foreign contacts.
[...] it seems to me highly implausible, almost to the point of absurdity, to suggest that the same meeting that happened in the Trump Tower would not, if it happened today, be a mandatorily reportable event for Kushner. Either he doesn't know that, in which case he needs a refresher briefing on security procedures, or he does, but doesn't care.
The right answer to the question ought to have been: "Per my obligations as one who holds a TS clearance with the U.S. government, if approached by a known Russian national in that fashion, I would report it to the security office in the White House."
> Alas, poor Clyburn! I knew him, Pelosi, a fellow of infinite jest...
Clyburn walks back impeachment comments (Politico)
Clyburn walks back impeachment comments (Politico)
Clyburn’s comments came after a private leadership meeting Monday evening in which Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterated that she didn’t support launching impeachment proceedings right now despite a growing push within the caucus.posted by Little Dawn at 11:04 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
“I’m probably farther away from impeachment than anybody in our caucus,” Clyburn (D-S.C.) told reporters Monday night. “We will not get out in front of our committees. We’ll see what the committees come up with. I’ve said that forever.” Asked by POLITICO whether he thought impeachment proceedings were inevitable, Clyburn simply said no.
The No. 3 Democrat’s comments stand in contrast to what he said Sunday, suggesting it was only a matter of time before House Democrats began impeachment proceedings against Trump. [...]
But the Democratic Caucus vice chairwoman, Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, dismissed the idea that Democratic leaders were sending mixed messages to their caucus. “I think we have one clear shared goal, and that is to get this president out of office as soon as possible,” Clark said. But she drew a clear contrast with Clyburn’s comments on Sunday. “I certainly understand people’s thoughts about this, but I think it’s important to remember impeachment is a tool, not an end goal itself.”
Trump Wins Ruling in House’s Border Wall Suit (NYT)
Judge McFadden ruling’s is in tension with a 2015 decision from Judge Rosemary M. Collyer, who also sits on the Federal District Court in Washington and was appointed by President George W. Bush. Judge Collyer ruled that the House, then controlled by Republicans, had standing to challenge spending under Mr. Obama’s health care law, the Affordable Care Act.U.S. judge denies Democrats' lawsuit to stop border wall funds (Reuters)
The ruling is in contrast to a decision on May 24 by U.S. Judge Haywood Gilliam Jr., who issued a preliminary injunction blocking the use of $1 billion in Defense Department funds out of a total of $6.7 billion Trump wants to divert for the border wall.Judge rejects Congress' challenge of border wall funding (AP)
Trump’s victory is muted by a federal ruling in California last month that blocked construction of key sections of the wall. The California case was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition. [...] A federal judge in Oakland, California, ruled May 24 that Trump overstepped his authority and blocked work from beginning on two of the highest-priority, Pentagon-funded wall projects — one spanning 46 miles (74 kilometers) in New Mexico and another covering 5 miles (8 kilometers) in Yuma, Arizona. The administration plans to appeal the ruling by Haywood Gilliam Jr., an appointee of President Barack Obama.posted by Little Dawn at 11:43 PM on June 3, 2019 [4 favorites]
[...] Trump declared a national emergency in February after losing a fight with the Democratic-led House that led to a 35-day government shutdown and identified up to $8.1 billion for wall construction. The funds include $3.6 billion from military construction funds, $2.5 billion from Defense Department counterdrug activities and $600 million from the Treasury Department’s asset forfeiture fund.
The Defense Department has already transferred the counterdrug money. Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, is expected to decide any day whether to transfer the military construction funds.
Kushner:“I don't know. It's hard to do hypotheticals, but the reality is is that we were not given anything that was salacious."
Salacious?
In the words of an internet sage: Not a good look for my guy.
posted by skyscraper at 12:22 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
Salacious?
In the words of an internet sage: Not a good look for my guy.
posted by skyscraper at 12:22 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
@BBCr4today [video]: International Trade Sec @LiamFox says the NHS and food standards will be protected in case of any UK-US trade deal
@DavidHenigUK: Sorry, did Liam Fox say we weren't going to offer the US much in a trade deal? The story of the UK-US trade deal that won't be is becoming stranger by the minute. Maybe that public discussion on why we want trade deals might have been useful after all.
If you watch the clip, it's clearly all nonsense of the sort that has driven the entire Brexit process, but it's notable that for UK domestic consumption, the message their government is putting out even while Trump is still there is that they're not going to give him what he wants in a future trade deal. When then, yes, rather raises the question of what the point of any of this is.
posted by zachlipton at 1:42 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
@DavidHenigUK: Sorry, did Liam Fox say we weren't going to offer the US much in a trade deal? The story of the UK-US trade deal that won't be is becoming stranger by the minute. Maybe that public discussion on why we want trade deals might have been useful after all.
If you watch the clip, it's clearly all nonsense of the sort that has driven the entire Brexit process, but it's notable that for UK domestic consumption, the message their government is putting out even while Trump is still there is that they're not going to give him what he wants in a future trade deal. When then, yes, rather raises the question of what the point of any of this is.
posted by zachlipton at 1:42 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
The point of it is to bleed money out of a newly vulnerable British economy under false terms. That's the point.
posted by scalefree at 2:21 AM on June 4, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 2:21 AM on June 4, 2019 [23 favorites]
@davidgura
From a White House pool report:
At Westminster Abbey, President Trump "paused at the white marble slab commemorating Lord Byron, the poet politician, and asked what stone the flooring was made from."posted by scalefree at 3:26 AM on June 4, 2019 [35 favorites]
>> Roger Stone was issued a gag order saying he couldn’t talk about his case or he would be jailed. Today he posted on Instagram that anyone involved in his investigation should be put to death.
> It's weird that whether or not there are actual consequences for this is basically a crapshoot
He also made an Instagram post [CNBC article] last week that would also seem clearly in breach of the gag order and is still up. It's also fairly longish and coherent, so probably not something done on a late night bender. He seems fairly certain he's going to get away with it, mebbe he's got the nod from Trump that they don't have to worry about the law anymore.
posted by Buntix at 3:42 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
> It's weird that whether or not there are actual consequences for this is basically a crapshoot
He also made an Instagram post [CNBC article] last week that would also seem clearly in breach of the gag order and is still up. It's also fairly longish and coherent, so probably not something done on a late night bender. He seems fairly certain he's going to get away with it, mebbe he's got the nod from Trump that they don't have to worry about the law anymore.
posted by Buntix at 3:42 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
Asked if he'd call the FBI if it happened again, Kushner said: "I don't know. It's hard to do hypotheticals, but the reality is is that we were not given anything that was salacious."
Illegally meeting with the Russian criminals was in violation of 52 USC 30121.
LYING about it was in violation of 18 USC 1001.
Conspiring with others to lie about it was in violation of 18 USC 371.
This is clearly NOT a "Nation of Laws" if he's still walking around free.
posted by mikelieman at 4:02 AM on June 4, 2019 [52 favorites]
Illegally meeting with the Russian criminals was in violation of 52 USC 30121.
LYING about it was in violation of 18 USC 1001.
Conspiring with others to lie about it was in violation of 18 USC 371.
This is clearly NOT a "Nation of Laws" if he's still walking around free.
posted by mikelieman at 4:02 AM on June 4, 2019 [52 favorites]
Clyburn walks back impeachment comments
To be clear, Clyburn's message was that Trump will eventually face impeachment. He didn't say anything about right now. He argued for further educating the public first. And Pelosi wasn't ok with that message.
posted by diogenes at 6:29 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
To be clear, Clyburn's message was that Trump will eventually face impeachment. He didn't say anything about right now. He argued for further educating the public first. And Pelosi wasn't ok with that message.
posted by diogenes at 6:29 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
But the Democratic Caucus vice chairwoman, Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark, dismissed the idea that Democratic leaders were sending mixed messages to their caucus.
They forced the House Majority Whip to change his answer to "are impeachment proceedings inevitable" from "yes" to "no." So I guess it's technically true that the messages aren't mixed. They are 100% mutually incompatible.
posted by diogenes at 6:33 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
They forced the House Majority Whip to change his answer to "are impeachment proceedings inevitable" from "yes" to "no." So I guess it's technically true that the messages aren't mixed. They are 100% mutually incompatible.
posted by diogenes at 6:33 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
Politico: Even Some Trump Allies Want Kushner to Ice His Peace Plan—Fears range from the possibility that the peace proposal could trigger violence to worries that its offerings could forever kill efforts to craft a two-state solution.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:48 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Prominent conservative and pro-Israel voices close to the White House are increasingly sharing their fears, which range from the possibility that the peace proposal could trigger violence to worries that its offerings could forever kill efforts to craft a two-state solution. Many hoped the plan would get shelved even before the latest political turmoil in Israel prompted the scheduling of new elections in the fall. Now, some are going on the record to urge the Trump administration to set aside the plan indefinitely, even though few people have seen the closely held proposal.[…]Kushner's also embroiled in the Trump 2020 campaign, per the NYT's Maggie Haberman: Kushner Sees a Problem in Trump’s Fund-Raising, but Not Everyone Agrees
White House officials have said they will release the political aspects of the plan — covering major topics such as whether Palestinian refugees will be allowed to return to Gaza, the West Bank and perhaps other disputed territories — at an unspecified later date. Kushner has already indicated the proposal will not include the phrase “two-state solution,” suggesting the Palestinians will not be offered their own country.
Specifically, Mr. Kushner has cast a disapproving eye on the fund-raising apparatus run primarily by the Republican National Committee, and its chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel, whose close relationship with Mr. Trump is said to irk him. At a dinner he organized last month in the White House residence, Mr. Kushner brought together Ms. McDaniel; Brad Parscale, the campaign manager; and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who ran Mr. Trump’s fund-raising in 2016, along with a group of big donors like Stephen A. Schwarzman, the chief executive of the Blackstone Group, to discuss the fund-raising strategy for 2020.Hilariously, Haberman says Jared "has always showed complete confidence in his own problem-solving abilities" because of his role in the 2016 campaign, and despite his DOA immigration reform package, his dying Middle East peace plan, his failed government shutdown negotiations, his mounting scandals, his dismal business record, etc., etc. He's truly the most failsome of failsons.
But there was no broad agreement among the people there that the campaign is having any trouble raising money from large donors, as Mr. Kushner suggested.[…]
Mr. Kushner, allies said, is eager to take control of the fund-raising for personal and strategic reasons. He and his wife, Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, have always described themselves to others as some of the only people in the White House who truly have Mr. Trump’s best interests at heart. And with a frequent ally in the acting White House chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, and the Mueller investigation finally in the rearview mirror, Mr. Kushner’s associates describe him as experiencing a new sense of influence in the White House.
But Mr. Kushner’s aggressive involvement has also been described as something of a defensive move: By positioning himself as the point person on raising money for the campaign, he prevents antagonists and potential rivals from taking over a job that comes with great power and proximity to the president.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:48 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Even some Trump allies want Kushner to ice his peace plan
I can't believe anyone is still paying attention to this, even to the extent of telling him to shut up and sit down.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:06 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
I can't believe anyone is still paying attention to this, even to the extent of telling him to shut up and sit down.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:06 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
@samstein - Pelosi told members yesterday that a concern of hers, regarding impeachment, is lack of understanding by the public. Even the educated voters she meets around the country, she said, assume that once you being proceedings, Trump is immediately ousted from office.
I guess I have a different opinion on the baseline intelligence of an educated voter.
posted by diogenes at 7:09 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
I guess I have a different opinion on the baseline intelligence of an educated voter.
posted by diogenes at 7:09 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
Her excuses get weaker every day, and fundamentally miss the point that it's their fucking job to build the case and explain to the public.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:12 AM on June 4, 2019 [46 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:12 AM on June 4, 2019 [46 favorites]
Pelosi heading into power in 2006, as we were operating secret torture camps and while New Orleans was still a draining corpse-pit:
“I have said it before and I will say it again: Impeachment is off the table [...] Democrats pledge civility and bipartisanship in the conduct of the work here and we pledge partnerships with Congress and the Republicans in Congress, and the president — not partisanship.”
Sound familiar? Pelosi has always been this way and will always be this way. She is dead-set against impeachment, for any reason, ever, and we need to stop pretending otherwise.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:19 AM on June 4, 2019 [26 favorites]
“I have said it before and I will say it again: Impeachment is off the table [...] Democrats pledge civility and bipartisanship in the conduct of the work here and we pledge partnerships with Congress and the Republicans in Congress, and the president — not partisanship.”
Sound familiar? Pelosi has always been this way and will always be this way. She is dead-set against impeachment, for any reason, ever, and we need to stop pretending otherwise.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:19 AM on June 4, 2019 [26 favorites]
Haberman also reports on the Trump family's dynastic pretensions on display in Britain: For Trump, U.K. State Visit Is a (Royal) Family Affair
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 AM on June 4, 2019 [22 favorites]
The extended Trump family seemed to materialize in London overnight — all save the president’s youngest son, Barron, who stayed home. But Monday’s lavish audience with the British royals was the culmination of more than a month of planning by White House officials who have grown accustomed to accommodating President Trump’s children, whether that includes redrawing plans for a state visit or evicting guests from their seats at the State of the Union address.None of this will come as a surprise to Sarah Kendzior, who for years has been warning about Trump building a dynastic kleptocracy (a lot like those in former Soviet authoritarian states).
As Mr. Trump presides over a White House with unprecedented turnover, he has relied on his children the same way he has for decades — asking them for advice or seeing them as surrogates in the fight against his real and perceived enemies.[…]
Privately, White House officials say that some of the Trump children, particularly those working in the White House, see themselves this way. One senior official, who did not want to speak publicly about internal planning, said that Mr. Kushner and Ms. Trump in particular had grown more emboldened with their requests to be accommodated at official events.
About a month before the Europe trip, several members of the Trump family informed the White House that they wanted to participate.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 AM on June 4, 2019 [22 favorites]
Ajit Pai works to cap funding for rural and poor people, gets GOP backing (Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica)
FCC vote paves way for budget cap on all universal-service broadband programs.posted by ZeusHumms at 7:47 AM on June 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
Paul Manafort to Be Sent to Rikers, Where He Faces Solitary Confinement. Love them state charges!
posted by Melismata at 8:13 AM on June 4, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 8:13 AM on June 4, 2019 [22 favorites]
Note: in this context, solitary confinement means a private cell so he doesn't get harassed by other prisoners, not the punishment form of solitary where you're locked in a small closet without the outside world.
posted by msbutah at 8:18 AM on June 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by msbutah at 8:18 AM on June 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
That Bombshell Evidence in the Census Case? The Supreme Court Might Ignore It. (Ari Berman, Mother Jones)
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:20 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Why the justices might not even consider new evidence that undercuts the administration’s rationale.With a ruling expected at the end of June, the window for easily adding and considering new evidence has passed.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:20 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
So the SCOTUS officially operates under a principle similar to a jury being told to disregard evidence? I suppose that's defensible on some grounds, but also, jeeez.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:30 AM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:30 AM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
Powell, Eyeing Trade War, Says Fed Will Act to Sustain Expansion (NYT)
While Mr. Powell did not explicitly say that the Fed will cut interest rates, markets are likely to interpret his comments as a signal that the central bank is prepared to do so in order to offset any economic fallout from Mr. Trump’s ongoing trade wars. [...]Why Trump’s trade chaos may force Fed to cut rates (Politico)
Mr. Powell’s comments appeared to do little to change the market’s view. Yields on short-term Treasury notes declined slightly, after his comments were released. And stocks, which had been up before the speech was released, climbed a bit more. The S&P 500 was up more than 1 percent shortly before 10:30 a.m. [...]
In a speech on Monday, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, James Bullard, said that a cut in interest rates “may be warranted soon” in order to stoke inflation and “provide some insurance in case of a sharper-than-expected slowdown” in growth.
As Fed officials begin a landmark two-day conference on Tuesday in Chicago to reconsider their approach to fighting inflation, Trump's battles with Mexico, China and every other major U.S. trading partner have fueled concern that the central bank may have to come to the rescue of the economy.posted by Little Dawn at 8:40 AM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Some of the country's top economic forecasters have raised the specter of a Fed rate cut this year in the wake of Trump's tweet last Thursday threatening to raise tariffs on Mexico over immigration, which sent stocks tumbling the next day. And markets are predicting greater than 50 percent odds that a rate reduction will come as early as July.
“The administration doesn't seem to care how disruptive its actions are," said Lou Crandall, chief economist at Wrightson ICAP, an independent research firm. Trump's actions, he said, are creating "huge C-suite uncertainties. Investment-freezing, employment-chilling and growth-stifling uncertainties.” [...]
Seth Carpenter, chief U.S. economist at Swiss bank UBS and a former Fed staffer, said the central bank would never lower rates for the purpose of making it easier for the president to fight trade wars, as Trump has explicitly suggested they do. “On the other hand — an easily imaginable scenario is that the trade war escalates ... and it rattles markets, and it causes the real economy to slow down,” Carpenter said. The Fed would “absolutely take that into consideration” in its monetary policy decisions.
“So, they’re backing into doing what Trump wanted them to do,” he added. “But what else are they going to do if truly their objective is to maintain full employment and price stability?”
The thing is that SCOTUS is really not supposed to be a fact-finding court and their rules reflect that. The idea is that the facts are established in the district and/or appellate courts over the course of years, and by the time you reach the Supremes the only issues left to decide are pure questions of law. But when the justices agree to rush cases through the system because it would be so very inconvenient for the Trump administration to lose, that process doesn't have a chance to play out and you end up in situations the rules aren't built for. Like smoking-gun evidence showing up after oral arguments, Matlock-style.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:40 AM on June 4, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:40 AM on June 4, 2019 [27 favorites]
Trump Throws Theresa May A Rare Bone: She’s ‘A Better Negotiator Than I Am’
posted by murphy slaw at 8:44 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
President Trump, the self-described master dealmaker offered outgoing United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May some unusual praise on Tuesday.there are layers of self-delusion here that i'm still not finished unpacking
During a press conference with Trump, May joked that she recalled Trump telling her she should sue the European Union to get an exit deal.
“Which we didn’t do,” she said, turning to Trump. “We went into negotiations and we came out with a good deal.”
“That’s not — I would have sued, but that’s okay,” Trump said, which was met with laughter. “I would have sued and settled maybe, but you never know. She’s probably a better negotiator than I am.”
posted by murphy slaw at 8:44 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
The Nation (Elie Mystal): 3D Chess? We Just Want Nancy Pelosi to Connect the Dots.
Progressives shouldn’t believe in unknowable plans on faith.
Progressives shouldn’t believe in unknowable plans on faith.
Now, I cannot believe that I’m saying anything here that Nancy freaking Pelosi doesn’t already know. She knows “exoneration” is just a word, she knows Trump can and probably will be sued into the ground if he ever leaves office, and she knows that impeachment is her ace card to compel testimony. Is she making bad arguments on purpose as part of some diabolical scheme to lull Trump into complacency? Or is she making bad arguments because those are the best she has for the indefensible position that Donald Trump isn’t “worth” impeaching?posted by chris24 at 8:53 AM on June 4, 2019 [22 favorites]
I’m sorry, but when Pelosi goes on Jimmy Kimmel and gives him and the American people reasons for her position that are incredibly weak, I cannot just wave it all away as “Nancy Pelosi has a plan and I’m too stupid to understand it.” If she has a plan, I can’t see it. If she has a strategy, she’s not explaining it very well. What I’m hearing and seeing are weak arguments made to gaslight late-night viewers into thinking that everything is under control, even as more and more members of her own caucus manifestly break with her position on impeachment in public.
I’m not good at taking matters “on faith” that a higher power has an unknowable plan. As I once said in Sunday School: “Just tell me how the dinosaurs fit on the boat and we’re good.”
She’s probably a better negotiator than I am.”
Well, DJT and TM are both certainly in the same cohort when it comes to dealmaking prowess.
I'd actually give Trump the edge in this particular failcontest since he at least can sometimes bully people into giving way.
posted by tivalasvegas at 8:54 AM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Well, DJT and TM are both certainly in the same cohort when it comes to dealmaking prowess.
I'd actually give Trump the edge in this particular failcontest since he at least can sometimes bully people into giving way.
posted by tivalasvegas at 8:54 AM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Trump administration bans educational and recreational travel to Cuba. (PBS)
posted by adamvasco at 8:55 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 8:55 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
The U.S. Senate and who they represent, a different analysis than what was presented above.
Using 2017 Census Figure estimates, the fifty states have a population of 325,025,206.
District of Columbia and U.S. territories (with no voting representation) have an additional 6,100,189.
Senate
Democrat-only states (2D). (18 of them) Total population: 143,129,375 (average state pop: 7,951,631)
Republican-only states (2R). (22 of them) Total population: 129,312,117 (average state pop: 5,877,826)
Democrat-Republican split states (1 D, 1 R) (8): 50,624,150
Democrat-Independent state (Vermont) (1D, 1I) (1): 623,567
Republican-Independent split state (Maine) (1R, 1I): 1,335,907
Giving Republicans, Democrats and Independents 1/2 the population of split states and the full population of non-split states:
Democratic Senators represent: 168,753,234 (51.9%)
Republican Senators represent: 155,292,145 (47.8%)
Independent Senators represent: 979,737 (0.3%)
The Independents caucus with the Democrats, so that makes an adjusted 52.2% Democrats and 47.8% Republicans.
The numbers for Republicans would have been much fewer if a couple of close elections swung differently: Cruz in Texas (50.9%) and Scott in Florida (50.1%).
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:02 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
Using 2017 Census Figure estimates, the fifty states have a population of 325,025,206.
District of Columbia and U.S. territories (with no voting representation) have an additional 6,100,189.
Senate
Democrat-only states (2D). (18 of them) Total population: 143,129,375 (average state pop: 7,951,631)
Republican-only states (2R). (22 of them) Total population: 129,312,117 (average state pop: 5,877,826)
Democrat-Republican split states (1 D, 1 R) (8): 50,624,150
Democrat-Independent state (Vermont) (1D, 1I) (1): 623,567
Republican-Independent split state (Maine) (1R, 1I): 1,335,907
Giving Republicans, Democrats and Independents 1/2 the population of split states and the full population of non-split states:
Democratic Senators represent: 168,753,234 (51.9%)
Republican Senators represent: 155,292,145 (47.8%)
Independent Senators represent: 979,737 (0.3%)
The Independents caucus with the Democrats, so that makes an adjusted 52.2% Democrats and 47.8% Republicans.
The numbers for Republicans would have been much fewer if a couple of close elections swung differently: Cruz in Texas (50.9%) and Scott in Florida (50.1%).
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:02 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish: " But when the justices agree to rush cases through the system because it would be so very inconvenient for the Trump administration to lose, that process doesn't have a chance to play out and you end up in situations the rules aren't built for."
The specific problem with the Census case is there's no time left - they need to start printing the forms asap. If they had a few more months, the case would like get sent back down to the lower court for more evidence to be provided.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:07 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
The specific problem with the Census case is there's no time left - they need to start printing the forms asap. If they had a few more months, the case would like get sent back down to the lower court for more evidence to be provided.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:07 AM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
White House instructs Hicks, Donaldson to defy Dem subpoenas (Politico)
The White House on Tuesday instructed two former aides to defy congressional subpoenas that sought documents related to allegations that President Donald Trump obstructed justice.posted by Little Dawn at 9:19 AM on June 4, 2019 [11 favorites]
But one of those aides, Hope Hicks, a longtime Trump confidant who served as White House communications director, has turned over some documents to the House Judiciary Committee, according to Jerry Nadler, the panel's chairman. He hailed the production as a show of "good faith" and indicated that they'll continue negotiating with Hicks — as well as former White House deputy counsel Annie Donaldson — for the next few weeks as they attempt to arrange public testimony. [...]
Donaldson gave extensive testimony to Mueller’s investigators, including her contemporaneous notes detailing the mood inside the White House after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey and after Mueller was ultimately appointed. “Is this the beginning of the end?” Donaldson wrote on May 9, 2017, referencing what Mueller said were Donaldson’s fears “that the decision to terminate Comey and the manner in which it was carried out would be the end of the presidency.” According to Mueller, Hicks witnessed several of the possible instances of obstruction of justice. [...]
When asked if he believes Hicks and Donaldson will eventually be held in contempt, Nadler said on Tuesday: “I assume so.”
White House instructs Hicks, Donaldson to defy Dem subpoenas (Politico)
Could the House refuse to pay the White house's electric bill (and water, and internet, and political staff, and catering) until Trump complies?
posted by Gelatin at 9:27 AM on June 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Could the House refuse to pay the White house's electric bill (and water, and internet, and political staff, and catering) until Trump complies?
posted by Gelatin at 9:27 AM on June 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
Also, the fact that the Trump administration wants to add the question doesn't make it an emergency -- there are plenty of decisions by various agencies that might never be implemented because by the time legal challenges resolve Trump could be out of office entirely. The fact that they're treating this one as an earth-shattering issue worth circumventing the non-SCOTUS courts for is entirely out of proportion with the stated purpose of the question, and serves as further evidence that they're lying their asses off (as though more was needed).
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:39 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:39 AM on June 4, 2019 [9 favorites]
if the supreme court were honest, the new "bombshell" material would be unnecessary as the lower courts have exhaustively documented commerce's fabrication of a false administrative record and violation of any number of rulemaking requirements (not to mention misrepresentations to the courts), more than sufficient to block the census question. of course, if it were that clear, and the supreme court were honest, there'd be no reason to hear any appeal (the initial appeal, iirc, was of lower courts' orders to compel the testimony of secretary ross at the trial level, but appeals courts ruled in the interim as evidence adduced was sufficient to (overwhelmingly) indicate the secretary's mendacity).
posted by 20 year lurk at 9:46 AM on June 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by 20 year lurk at 9:46 AM on June 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
The Trump-May press conference was, as one would expect, full of Trumpian nonsense. He criticized Sadiq Khan for being "negative" and said he should "focus on his job", claimed he turned down Jeremy Corbyn's personal request for a meeting ("he is somewhat of a negative force"), called the crowds of protesters "fake news", and fumbled a question about the NHS and a post-Brexit US-UK trade agreement (n.b. when he's stumped by reporters' queries, he tries to pretend he can't hear them properly).
On the plus side, Ivanka and Bolton were booed by the crowds when they left Number 10 (w/video via Aaron Rupar). Relatedly, Trump supporters were barricaded in a Whitehall Wetherspoons by police as protesters chant ‘Nazi scum off our streets’ (Independent).
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:10 AM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
On the plus side, Ivanka and Bolton were booed by the crowds when they left Number 10 (w/video via Aaron Rupar). Relatedly, Trump supporters were barricaded in a Whitehall Wetherspoons by police as protesters chant ‘Nazi scum off our streets’ (Independent).
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:10 AM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
The most interesting moment of the Trump-May news conference happened before it began (Aaron Rupar, Vox)
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2019 [26 favorites]
Fox News’s immediate attempt to spin Ivanka Trump getting booed was telling.[…]Boooooo-Urns.
But Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade immediately tried to spin the boos, saying, “it’s not for Ivanka — it’s for John Bolton, and he loves it.”
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2019 [26 favorites]
What is the consequence for White House officials who ignore a subpoena, once Trump is no longer in the White House? And for civil contempt?
Are these people opening themselves up to fines or jail time after (hopefully) a Democratic administration is in place?
I know Obama simply decided not to prosecute Eric Holder, but does that mean Trump couldn’t have decided to do it once he was in Office? (Or was the statute of limitations at issue?)
It seems incomprehensible that people could just ignore Congressional subpoenas and contempt holdings and have no concern of consequences for the rest of their lives.
posted by darkstar at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Are these people opening themselves up to fines or jail time after (hopefully) a Democratic administration is in place?
I know Obama simply decided not to prosecute Eric Holder, but does that mean Trump couldn’t have decided to do it once he was in Office? (Or was the statute of limitations at issue?)
It seems incomprehensible that people could just ignore Congressional subpoenas and contempt holdings and have no concern of consequences for the rest of their lives.
posted by darkstar at 10:17 AM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Nearly all TV news networks failed to cover the Trump-Pence administration’s recent attacks on the LGBTQ community (Alex Patterson, Media Matters)
Recently proposed and finalized rules would codify discrimination against LGBTQ people in health care, housing, and adoption and foster careposted by ZeusHumms at 10:20 AM on June 4, 2019 [24 favorites]
Larry the Cat, UK’s “chief mouser,” causes headache for Trump’s security team (Alex Ward, Vox)
Specifically, under Trumps limousine, where it took a nap.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2019 [21 favorites]
Specifically, under Trumps limousine, where it took a nap.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2019 [21 favorites]
Is it my imagination, or did the cops turn on sirens to drown out the boos as Trump left Number 10?
posted by Buck Alec at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2019
posted by Buck Alec at 10:34 AM on June 4, 2019
Are these people opening themselves up to fines or jail time after (hopefully) a Democratic administration is in place?
It really. REALLY. Depends on the incoming administration. Biden was part of the "look forward never backward" Obama administration and thinks Republicans will magically want to work with him as soon as he's elected, I think we can predict exactly how he'll act regarding prosecuting any member of the Trump administration for any reason. Warren on the other hand has specifically said even the president should be open to prosecution.
Let that inform your primary vote as you see fit.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:58 AM on June 4, 2019 [44 favorites]
It really. REALLY. Depends on the incoming administration. Biden was part of the "look forward never backward" Obama administration and thinks Republicans will magically want to work with him as soon as he's elected, I think we can predict exactly how he'll act regarding prosecuting any member of the Trump administration for any reason. Warren on the other hand has specifically said even the president should be open to prosecution.
Let that inform your primary vote as you see fit.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:58 AM on June 4, 2019 [44 favorites]
After a biblical spring, this is the week that could break the Corn Belt
posted by mumimor at 11:04 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
Most policies have a provision declaring that, if they were not able to plant that year, farmers can still cash out for 55 percent of their insured revenue for the year.On one hand, I believe it's a good thing in the long term that the vulnerability of that whole philosophy of farming is exposed for what it is. We should grow more vegetables and less bulk crops. And most of the farmers damaged by this are large corporations. But I'm also curious about what does to Trump's base, and worried for the smaller farmers who will be harmed terribly, and probably loose their homes and livelihoods all at once.
The provision rarely gets used. Farmers would prefer to grow something. But if the weather does not let up, Newlin said it is on the table for a lot of folks in his area.
He said: “They’re just going to say ‘I’m done. I’ll just take my insurance and live to fight another day.’ ”
Some farmers do not have that option. Irwin estimates that about 85 percent of the corn acres in Illinois were covered by such insurance, often as part of enormous operations that can afford coverage. The remaining 15 percent includes many small, family farms that are left with little protection against this unprecedented weather.
As more farmers give up on 2019, alarmed traders will probably bid up prices on corn and soybeans, making costs soar for ethanol producers, hog farmers and others who are already caught in the president’s escalating two-front trade war.
“The whole year has just turned into a crisis,” Newlin said.
posted by mumimor at 11:04 AM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
From Phoenix New Times: Phoenix-area churches and religious leaders on Tuesday sued two extremist groups for intimidating volunteers who provided food and shelter to undocumented immigrants. ... Since a surge of asylum-seekers began overwhelming the border in 2018, immigration officials have dropped migrants off at the Valley churches to help them connect with their U.S. sponsors.
The churches, aided by volunteers and donations, provide food, clothing, medical care, and overnight shelter to migrants before transporting them to bus and rail stations.
Members of Patriot Movement AZ and AZ Patriots have exploited these drop-offs to spread anti-immigrant propaganda on YouTube and Facebook. They have filmed themselves accosting volunteers and pastors, baselessly accusing them of abetting human trafficking.
In one video taken at Iglesia Monte Vista, a "patriot" member can be heard chanting "punch her" at a volunteer. In a video taken at Iglesia Nueva Esperanza, AZ Patriots founder Jennifer Harrison can be heard telling a bystander as they watch migrants get off a bus, "Hopefully, ma'am, they don't get loose and rape any of those little kids." ... The videos — which often show the faces of immigrant children — rack up hundreds of thousands of views.
posted by Bella Donna at 11:06 AM on June 4, 2019 [31 favorites]
The churches, aided by volunteers and donations, provide food, clothing, medical care, and overnight shelter to migrants before transporting them to bus and rail stations.
Members of Patriot Movement AZ and AZ Patriots have exploited these drop-offs to spread anti-immigrant propaganda on YouTube and Facebook. They have filmed themselves accosting volunteers and pastors, baselessly accusing them of abetting human trafficking.
In one video taken at Iglesia Monte Vista, a "patriot" member can be heard chanting "punch her" at a volunteer. In a video taken at Iglesia Nueva Esperanza, AZ Patriots founder Jennifer Harrison can be heard telling a bystander as they watch migrants get off a bus, "Hopefully, ma'am, they don't get loose and rape any of those little kids." ... The videos — which often show the faces of immigrant children — rack up hundreds of thousands of views.
posted by Bella Donna at 11:06 AM on June 4, 2019 [31 favorites]
NYT: Mexico Will Face Tariffs Next Week, Trump Vows
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:43 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
LONDON — President Trump on Tuesday said he plans to move forward with imposing tariffs on Mexican imports next week as part of his effort to stem the flow of migrants crossing the southern border, and he called Republican senators “foolish” if they try to stop him. ... When asked about Senate Republicans discussing ways to block the tariffs, Mr. Trump said, “I don’t think they will do that.” He said, “I think if they do, it’s foolish.”If I were to add editorial commentary, it would either be "Yeah, suuuuuurely this" or "This is fine".
... any vote to disapprove the tariffs would almost certainly face a presidential veto, meaning that both the House and Senate would have to muster two-thirds majorities to beat Mr. Trump. ... with significant numbers of Republicans backing Mr. Trump’s hard line on immigration, there is little reason to believe opponents of the tariffs could overcome a veto this time.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:43 AM on June 4, 2019 [5 favorites]
Oh, oh, I meant to add:
“Look, millions of people are flowing through Mexico,” Mr. Trump said. “That’s unacceptable.”
It's millions of illegals, just like he has billions of dollars.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:45 AM on June 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
“Look, millions of people are flowing through Mexico,” Mr. Trump said. “That’s unacceptable.”
It's millions of illegals, just like he has billions of dollars.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:45 AM on June 4, 2019 [14 favorites]
Worth a read. Adam Serwer in The Atlantic: A White Man’s Republic, If They Can Keep It
The disparate approaches taken by two of the Court’s conservatives to the Voting Rights Act reflect the right’s dueling impulses toward civil-rights lawsposted by InTheYear2017 at 11:49 AM on June 4, 2019 [39 favorites]
...
Lingering beneath the surface was a defining question for the American right: Does it agree with Roberts that “any discrimination in voting is too much”? Or with Scalia, who saw ensuring equal participation in the polity as a black “racial entitlement”?
The Supreme Court’s looming decision over the addition of the citizenship question on the U.S. census will hinge on the answer to that question.
...
The filing shows that Thomas Hofeller, the late Republican redistricting expert, concluded that adding the citizenship question would, in his words, “be advantageous to Republicans and Non-Hispanic Whites.”
...
“This kind of smoking-gun evidence of what the real illicit reason is behind a government action is incredibly rare. Court decisions don’t require it, and it’s really quite shocking to read it so explicitly,” Wendy Weiser, a voting-rights expert at the Brennan Center, told me.
...
Ironically, because conservatives on the Roberts Court appear to believe that government remedies for racial discrimination are worse than racial discrimination itself, there is considerable apprehension among left-leaning attorneys about providing the high court with concrete proof of racist intent in this case or any other. They fear that such proof is liable to make the Court’s conservatives more likely to rule against them.
...
Even before William F. Buckley declared in 1957 that “the White community in the South is entitled to take such measures as are necessary to prevail, politically and culturally, in areas in which it does not predominate numerically,” the modern conservative movement has struggled to reconcile the ethno-nationalism that moves masses of its voters with the pluralism embodied in the notion that all persons are created equal.
The Economist: Guns from the United States are flooding Latin America
A study of weapons found at crime scenes suggests that 70% of gun crimes in Mexico involve American-bought weapons. The share of homicides in Mexico involving a firearm grew from 16% in 1997 to 66% in 2017. That suggests around half of Mexico’s 33,000 murder victims last year were killed by a gun manufactured in the United States…
posted by Omon Ra at 12:26 PM on June 4, 2019 [20 favorites]
A study of weapons found at crime scenes suggests that 70% of gun crimes in Mexico involve American-bought weapons. The share of homicides in Mexico involving a firearm grew from 16% in 1997 to 66% in 2017. That suggests around half of Mexico’s 33,000 murder victims last year were killed by a gun manufactured in the United States…
posted by Omon Ra at 12:26 PM on June 4, 2019 [20 favorites]
>A study of weapons found at crime scenes suggests that 70% of gun crimes in Mexico involve American-bought weapons. The share of homicides in Mexico involving a firearm grew from 16% in 1997 to 66% in 2017. That suggests around half of Mexico’s 33,000 murder victims last year were killed by a gun manufactured in the United States…
Not surprising at all given the scale of the NRA's global lobbying efforts. And then people flee these gun-infested countries for the US, which leads to an immigration panic, which helps fuel paranoia among the NRA's core demographic of racists and xenophobes.
And then our lawmakers (including many Democrats) respond by singling out immigrants if they try to get a "documented" gun here legally.
posted by tonycpsu at 12:50 PM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
Not surprising at all given the scale of the NRA's global lobbying efforts. And then people flee these gun-infested countries for the US, which leads to an immigration panic, which helps fuel paranoia among the NRA's core demographic of racists and xenophobes.
And then our lawmakers (including many Democrats) respond by singling out immigrants if they try to get a "documented" gun here legally.
posted by tonycpsu at 12:50 PM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
WaPo Breaking: GOP lawmakers warn White House they’ll try to block Trump’s Mexico tariffs
Senators told officials from the White House and Department of Justice that there could be a disapproval vote if Trump moves forward — and this time, unlike with an earlier disapproval resolution, opponents of Trump’s tariffs could have enough support to override a veto.posted by box at 12:59 PM on June 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
WaPo, GOP lawmakers warn White House they’ll try to block Trump’s Mexico tariffs
Of course, Graham and Tillis are for the tariffs.
There is an interesting twist to this: @seungminkim: Why it matters whether White House will use the existing national emergency on the border for tariffs: If they do, and Congress overrides it with veto proof majority, it would also wipe out the declaration being used to rationalize border wall construction.
But Congress could avoid that by passing a more specific law that just targets the tariffs without impacting the wall emergency. Alternatively, the administration is considering declaring a new national emergency that would cover the tariffs, so we can have separate emergencies.
posted by zachlipton at 12:59 PM on June 4, 2019 [25 favorites]
During a closed-door lunch, at least a half-dozen senators spoke in opposition to the tariffs, while no one spoke in support, according to multiple people present who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting."Concerned" count: 1
Senators told officials from the White House and Department of Justice that there could be a disapproval vote if Trump moves forward — and this time, unlike with an earlier disapproval resolution, opponents of Trump’s tariffs could have enough support to override a veto.
...
“There is not much support in my conference for tariffs, that’s for sure,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). He said senators hope negotiations with Mexico will be “fruitful” and the tariffs won’t happen.
Of course, Graham and Tillis are for the tariffs.
There is an interesting twist to this: @seungminkim: Why it matters whether White House will use the existing national emergency on the border for tariffs: If they do, and Congress overrides it with veto proof majority, it would also wipe out the declaration being used to rationalize border wall construction.
But Congress could avoid that by passing a more specific law that just targets the tariffs without impacting the wall emergency. Alternatively, the administration is considering declaring a new national emergency that would cover the tariffs, so we can have separate emergencies.
posted by zachlipton at 12:59 PM on June 4, 2019 [25 favorites]
I can’t fucking wait for the healthcare and climate emergency declarations under President Warren* if we don’t take the Senate. Or if Manchin/whoever won’t vote to end the filibuster.
If they’re going to try to create the imperial presidency, we’d be stupid not to use it for actual emergencies in the face of partisan/fascist obstruction.
*insert preferred candidate here
posted by chris24 at 1:48 PM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
If they’re going to try to create the imperial presidency, we’d be stupid not to use it for actual emergencies in the face of partisan/fascist obstruction.
*insert preferred candidate here
posted by chris24 at 1:48 PM on June 4, 2019 [19 favorites]
From the Definition of Insanity desk, the Biden campaign gets caught out committing plagiarism:
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:02 PM on June 4, 2019 [25 favorites]
Former Vice President Joe Biden released his $1.7 trillion climate plan online Tuesday — and it had to be updated after reports parts of the proposal appeared to be taken from other sources.It's like he can't help himself.
Several sentences in Biden’s lengthy “Plan for a Clean Energy Revolution and Environmental Justice” were taken directly from two environmental groups without attribution — an embarrassment for a candidate who’s faced plagiarism allegations in the past.
Two of the similar lines were first flagged on Twitter by Josh Nelson, vice-president of CREDO mobile, a progressive company. “The paragraph in Joe Biden’s climate plan about carbon capture and sequestration includes language that is remarkably similar to items published previously by the Blue Green Alliance and the Carbon Capture Coalition,” Nelson wrote.
The conservative website the Daily Caller then reviewed the plan, and found three other instances of language that was similar to other published material.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:02 PM on June 4, 2019 [25 favorites]
I don’t think anyone thinks Joe is sitting down after dinner and cutting and pasting these policy papers together himself. It’s clearly being done by staffers. Evidently, someone on the campaign needs to be out in charge of running everything through Turnitin before release, though.
posted by darkstar at 2:14 PM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 2:14 PM on June 4, 2019 [7 favorites]
Aaaand the Dow is up 500 points today. Nothing matters.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:18 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:18 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
The DOW is up 500 points (so far as you can ever pinpoint daily causes which is not far) because the markets think Trump is sabotaging the economy to such an extent that the fed will be forced to cut rates instead of continuing to raise them.
Is that an insane plan by Trump? Yes. Is it even a plan rather than the lashings out of a powerful toddler sending us all to the cornfield? No. But that's where we are now.
posted by Justinian at 2:25 PM on June 4, 2019 [32 favorites]
Is that an insane plan by Trump? Yes. Is it even a plan rather than the lashings out of a powerful toddler sending us all to the cornfield? No. But that's where we are now.
posted by Justinian at 2:25 PM on June 4, 2019 [32 favorites]
But I'm also curious about what does to Trump's base, and worried for the smaller farmers who will be harmed terribly, and probably loose their homes and livelihoods all at once.
If past performance is an indicator of future action, it won't hurt Trump enough to matter. Generally voters tend to blame the Party they dislike for bad things. It's easy enough for a farmer to argue that China forced Trump to impose the tariffs, that they were necessary for America's survival, and anyway the Democrats would make everything worse.
IIRC we've seen several linked articles from various Trump voters who were directly harmed by his tariffs where they voiced support for Trump and even for the specific policies that hurt them.
posted by sotonohito at 2:27 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
If past performance is an indicator of future action, it won't hurt Trump enough to matter. Generally voters tend to blame the Party they dislike for bad things. It's easy enough for a farmer to argue that China forced Trump to impose the tariffs, that they were necessary for America's survival, and anyway the Democrats would make everything worse.
IIRC we've seen several linked articles from various Trump voters who were directly harmed by his tariffs where they voiced support for Trump and even for the specific policies that hurt them.
posted by sotonohito at 2:27 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
GQ, Adam Jentleson (former Harry Reid staffer), The Political Costs of Not Impeaching Trump
posted by zachlipton at 2:28 PM on June 4, 2019 [58 favorites]
I don’t know how else to say this: getting impeached is bad. It is not something you want to happen to you, especially if you’re president. You do not want to go down as one of only four presidents in history to be impeached. This is a bad thing. Only Democrats, bless our hearts, could convince ourselves that it is good for a president to be impeached.Bonus content: Harry Reid changes opinion, says Pelosi-led House should open Trump impeachment inquiry
...
The second lesson from the Garland experience is that like nature, power abhors a vacuum. The decision not to impeach is not a decision to focus on other things, it is a decision to cede power, control, and legitimacy to Trump. Trump is not a master chess player, he just bluffs his opponents into forfeiting their moves—and that is exactly what he is doing to House Democrats.
For their part, House Democrats have argued that by foregoing impeachment they can shift the conversation to topics their consultants tell them are safer ground, like health care. That’s not going to happen. Reporters cover news, and only events that drive news can shift the message. House Democrats are understandably proud of having run and won on health care in the 2018 midterms. But their campaign messages were buoyed by a constant flood of major health care news coming out of Washington, DC, driven by the very real threat that Republicans would repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act. But since Democrats took back the House, that’s not going to happen. This is a good thing, but it severely limits Democrats’ ability to drive news on health care. Passing bills in the House that are guaranteed to go nowhere in McConnell’s Senate, as House Democrats recently did with bills to strengthen Obamacare and lower drug prices, will not drive a message.
The void that House Democrats are ceding to Trump is the space between now and election day. Filling that space with easy messages like health care is not a viable option. And a good rule of thumb of politics is that if you have the power to do something that hurts your opponent, you should do it.
posted by zachlipton at 2:28 PM on June 4, 2019 [58 favorites]
While we wait for Judge Emmet Sullivan's response to the government's withholding transcripts of Flynn's conversations with Russian officials
His response is to say meh and not care
@johnson_carrie: Just in: Judge Sullivan says prosecutors are not required to publish calls btw Michael Flynn & Russian ambassador, reversing course on his order from May. “Upon consideration of the government's submissions in response to those orders, the government is not required to file any additional materials or information on the public docket pursuant to the Court's Orders of May 16, 2019,” Judge Sullivan writes in Flynn case.
@kyledcheney: Sullivan is notably hard on prosecutors, so this was a bit of a surprise. But he accepted prosecutors' argument that they didn't rely on these calls with Kislyak to prove Flynn's guilt or craft his sentence.
While I understand the problems with making this stuff public, Flynn's crimes are massive and directly relate to national security, and the public really deserves to know what happened.
See also Marcy Wheeler's post from the other day expecting this.
posted by zachlipton at 3:01 PM on June 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
His response is to say meh and not care
@johnson_carrie: Just in: Judge Sullivan says prosecutors are not required to publish calls btw Michael Flynn & Russian ambassador, reversing course on his order from May. “Upon consideration of the government's submissions in response to those orders, the government is not required to file any additional materials or information on the public docket pursuant to the Court's Orders of May 16, 2019,” Judge Sullivan writes in Flynn case.
@kyledcheney: Sullivan is notably hard on prosecutors, so this was a bit of a surprise. But he accepted prosecutors' argument that they didn't rely on these calls with Kislyak to prove Flynn's guilt or craft his sentence.
While I understand the problems with making this stuff public, Flynn's crimes are massive and directly relate to national security, and the public really deserves to know what happened.
See also Marcy Wheeler's post from the other day expecting this.
posted by zachlipton at 3:01 PM on June 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
Vanity Fair, Gabriel Sherman, “Marla Was Under Duress”: Revealed in His Marla Maples Prenup, Donald Trump’s Draconian Art of the Marriage Deal, featuring Marla Maples prenup.
Prenup negotiations require both parties to disclose to the other how much money they have. In the document, Trump stated he was worth $1.17 billion; Maples had $100,000 in the bank. But while Trump presented himself as a Master of the Universe, back and bigger than ever, he was, in all likelihood, not an actual billionaire when he signed the agreement. (He didn’t appear on the Forbes list between 1990 and 1995.) And Trump had financial incentive to inflate his wealth: if he understated his fortune, Maples could later claim in a divorce that Trump hid money from her at the time, which could void the prenup’s terms. “When you’re doing a prenup, the worry is you understate your assets. If you overstate it, then you’re protected,” a high-profile Manhattan divorce lawyer told me.posted by zachlipton at 3:09 PM on June 4, 2019 [12 favorites]
To keep himself in the nine-figure club, Trump provided extremely optimistic values for his real estate assets. For instance, he stated the Taj Mahal was worth $1.25 billion, even though it had trouble making debt payments virtually from the moment it opened. (In 2017 it sold for 4 cents on the dollar.) He valued the Trump Castle and Trump Plaza casinos $450 million and $650 million, respectively. (Both went bankrupt in 1992.) Trump’s accountants at Spahr, Lacher & Sperber didn’t vouch for his fuzzy math. “We have not audited or reviewed” the numbers Trump provided, they stated in a note attached to the financial report. They added: “Assets are presented at current values estimated by Trump using various valuation methods.”
...
More than anything, the prenup shows how fiercely Trump wanted to protect the money he did have. Maples reportedly wanted $25 million, but Trump agreed to pay her only $1 million if they separated within five years, plus another $1 million to buy a house. Trump also would stop making $100,000 child support payments for Tiffany when she turned 21. The agreement states that Trump’s payments would cease earlier if Tiffany got a full-time job, enlisted in the military, or joined the Peace Corps. “The way it was drawn up is ironclad and shows how wary he was,” Felder told me after reviewing the prenup. “He was leaving nothing to chance.”
...
At one point, he broke up with Maples by FedEx-ing her a letter, the source said.
...
But during the 2016 campaign, she thought about breaking her silence. According to the source, she wrote a memoir that would detail the marriage. She even had spoken to a publisher, the source said: Judith Regan. (Regan did not respond to a request for comment.) But Maples got cold feet after a Trump Tower meeting with Donald and Ivanka. “They really double-teamed her. They got her not to write the book,” the source said.
It's like he can't help himself.
Or like he’s parroting progressive ideas without any conviction because he believes that it checks a box he needs to win the primary.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:21 PM on June 4, 2019 [18 favorites]
Or like he’s parroting progressive ideas without any conviction because he believes that it checks a box he needs to win the primary.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:21 PM on June 4, 2019 [18 favorites]
Well, yes. It's also not a coincidence that basically all of the candidates have come out for impeachment while only a minority of non-candidates, including virtually no Senators, have done so. Because they are checking boxes.
posted by Justinian at 3:46 PM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:46 PM on June 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
Passing bills in the House that are guaranteed to go nowhere in McConnell’s Senate, as House Democrats recently did with bills to strengthen Obamacare and lower drug prices, will not drive a message.
House Democrats have been passing legislation like those examples that most Americans support. The message should be give us the Senate so we can get shit done.
The Republicans promised for years that they would repeal and replace Obamacare. Trump said he would replace it with something even better. They failed. Punish them and give the Democrats a chance.
Or more likely they lied instead of sincerely trying, but tomato tomahto.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:36 PM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
House Democrats have been passing legislation like those examples that most Americans support. The message should be give us the Senate so we can get shit done.
The Republicans promised for years that they would repeal and replace Obamacare. Trump said he would replace it with something even better. They failed. Punish them and give the Democrats a chance.
Or more likely they lied instead of sincerely trying, but tomato tomahto.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:36 PM on June 4, 2019 [3 favorites]
“Marla Was Under Duress”: Revealed in His Marla Maples Prenup, Donald Trump’s Draconian Art of the Marriage Deal
posted by kirkaracha at 4:39 PM on June 4, 2019 [32 favorites]
In the fall of 1993, Donald Trump was clawing out of the rubble of a cratering business career. Three of his Atlantic City casinos had gone bankrupt. He’d nearly defaulted on $3.4 billion in debt, and, humiliatingly, his creditors had put him on a living allowance: $450,000 a month.Emphasis motherfucking added.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:39 PM on June 4, 2019 [32 favorites]
IIRC we've seen several linked articles from various Trump voters who were directly harmed by his tariffs where they voiced support for Trump and even for the specific policies that hurt them.
Here's the thing: Trumpism isn't a political faction so much as it is an apocalyptic cult.
This policy that my President implemented is directly hurting me or people I care about? I suffer it gladly for The Cause. I'm not a victim or a dupe, I'm a martyr.
Nice thing is that the true nature of The Cause is occult, hidden enough that religious conservatives can "suffer" the moral crudities of Trump for the sake of the glorious Christian nation to come; business types can "suffer" the protectionism because tax cuts and deregulation; internet shitposters can do their thing, in the sure and present hope that immigration, multiracial democracy, etc. will end altogether...
Everyone gets to believe that we're on our way to [my preferred] Utopia.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:53 PM on June 4, 2019 [21 favorites]
Here's the thing: Trumpism isn't a political faction so much as it is an apocalyptic cult.
This policy that my President implemented is directly hurting me or people I care about? I suffer it gladly for The Cause. I'm not a victim or a dupe, I'm a martyr.
Nice thing is that the true nature of The Cause is occult, hidden enough that religious conservatives can "suffer" the moral crudities of Trump for the sake of the glorious Christian nation to come; business types can "suffer" the protectionism because tax cuts and deregulation; internet shitposters can do their thing, in the sure and present hope that immigration, multiracial democracy, etc. will end altogether...
Everyone gets to believe that we're on our way to [my preferred] Utopia.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:53 PM on June 4, 2019 [21 favorites]
House Democrats have been passing legislation like those examples that most Americans support. The message should be give us the Senate so we can get shit done.
Sure, and the House today passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which offers legal protections and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers (only seven Republicans voted for it).
It's not a bad message, but the message isn't getting out there. There's no way it possibly can. Trump's ridiculous looking suit gets more attention than this bill that would be important to millions of people. Nobody reports at any great length on bills that have a 0% chance of becoming law, and Trump sucks up all the oxygen in the room anyway. There is no possible strategy under which Democrats can successfully break through with a message that gets people to pay attention to dead-end legislation. And to the extent that it could work, it's not being executed; there's not even a tenth of the kind of sustained effort that was used to fight the AHCA.
Chris Hayes had a story on that last night: In do-nothing Senate, House-passed bills stall out
@chrislhayes: I don't think the complete transformation of the Senate under McConnell in the Trump era has really sunk in. In a strange way, I think it relates to the intra-conservative debate right now. It's extremely unclear what the actual governing agenda is other than judges.
And I think most of them are fine with that, because the fundamental purpose of the conservative project at this moment, at least among those who hold power, is to do approximately nothing. It's the status quo they want conserved, because it works for them.
Of course, there is one thing they will stand up for: themselves. Republicans ready to quash Cuccinelli
And to bring it back full circle (and, er, justify why I dumped a largely unrelated news story into this comment for the sake of expediency), the reason Cuccinelli has spent years attacking Senate Republicans is that he's one of the few who actually want the Senate to act. He wants the Senate to act in ways that I find terrible, naturally, but he thinks the party that runs around campaigning on being bigoted and in favor of small government should pass laws that enforce that bigotry and shrink the size of government. And the Republican party's response to that, just as with any legislation they could be working on, is to slap it, and the messenger, down hard.
posted by zachlipton at 5:01 PM on June 4, 2019 [18 favorites]
Sure, and the House today passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which offers legal protections and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers (only seven Republicans voted for it).
It's not a bad message, but the message isn't getting out there. There's no way it possibly can. Trump's ridiculous looking suit gets more attention than this bill that would be important to millions of people. Nobody reports at any great length on bills that have a 0% chance of becoming law, and Trump sucks up all the oxygen in the room anyway. There is no possible strategy under which Democrats can successfully break through with a message that gets people to pay attention to dead-end legislation. And to the extent that it could work, it's not being executed; there's not even a tenth of the kind of sustained effort that was used to fight the AHCA.
Chris Hayes had a story on that last night: In do-nothing Senate, House-passed bills stall out
@chrislhayes: I don't think the complete transformation of the Senate under McConnell in the Trump era has really sunk in. In a strange way, I think it relates to the intra-conservative debate right now. It's extremely unclear what the actual governing agenda is other than judges.
And I think most of them are fine with that, because the fundamental purpose of the conservative project at this moment, at least among those who hold power, is to do approximately nothing. It's the status quo they want conserved, because it works for them.
Of course, there is one thing they will stand up for: themselves. Republicans ready to quash Cuccinelli
“He’s spent a fair amount of his career attacking Republicans in the Senate, so it strikes me as an odd position for him to put himself in to seek Senate confirmation,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who ran the GOP’s campaign arm for two election cycles. “It’s unlikely he’s going to be confirmed if he is nominated.”@timothypmurphy: nothing more revealing than the lines you choose to draw
And to bring it back full circle (and, er, justify why I dumped a largely unrelated news story into this comment for the sake of expediency), the reason Cuccinelli has spent years attacking Senate Republicans is that he's one of the few who actually want the Senate to act. He wants the Senate to act in ways that I find terrible, naturally, but he thinks the party that runs around campaigning on being bigoted and in favor of small government should pass laws that enforce that bigotry and shrink the size of government. And the Republican party's response to that, just as with any legislation they could be working on, is to slap it, and the messenger, down hard.
posted by zachlipton at 5:01 PM on June 4, 2019 [18 favorites]
He and his wife, Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, have always described themselves to others as some of the only people in the White House who truly have Mr. Trump’s best interests at heart.
This is of course what a con artist tells a mark as well.
posted by srboisvert at 5:22 PM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
This is of course what a con artist tells a mark as well.
posted by srboisvert at 5:22 PM on June 4, 2019 [16 favorites]
To recap the day in DoJ-HJC negotiations:
Fox News’s Chad Pergam: “DoJ to Nadler: The Dept is prepared to resume negotiations with the Cmte..provided that the Cmte takes reasonable steps to restore the status quo ante by mooting its May 8 vote..& removing any threat of an imminent vote by the House..to hold the Attorney General in contempt.”
CNN’s Manu Raju: “Nadler signals he is not willing to accept DOJ demand to delay floor vote to hold Barr in contempt, saying “no” when asked by @KilloughCNN if he would back delaying it. Dems say they are willing to continue negotiating with DOJ but unwilling at moment to delay the contempt vote”
Here’s Nadler’s letter to the DoJ about his position. (“As with the prior committee vote, I cannot help but wonder what role the imminent floor vote played in you finally responding on June 4 to letters that have been pending for weeks.”)
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:56 PM on June 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
Fox News’s Chad Pergam: “DoJ to Nadler: The Dept is prepared to resume negotiations with the Cmte..provided that the Cmte takes reasonable steps to restore the status quo ante by mooting its May 8 vote..& removing any threat of an imminent vote by the House..to hold the Attorney General in contempt.”
CNN’s Manu Raju: “Nadler signals he is not willing to accept DOJ demand to delay floor vote to hold Barr in contempt, saying “no” when asked by @KilloughCNN if he would back delaying it. Dems say they are willing to continue negotiating with DOJ but unwilling at moment to delay the contempt vote”
Here’s Nadler’s letter to the DoJ about his position. (“As with the prior committee vote, I cannot help but wonder what role the imminent floor vote played in you finally responding on June 4 to letters that have been pending for weeks.”)
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:56 PM on June 4, 2019 [8 favorites]
Does Barr actually care if he gets held in contempt? I don't think he does.
posted by diogenes at 6:15 PM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by diogenes at 6:15 PM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Judges are the tactic that they've chosen to implement that heinous agenda, knowing they cannot say it out loud. The only debate is over the people like Kookinelli who say the quiet parts loud, rather than just confirm judges who will do all the hard work of implementing the white male ethnostate.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:25 PM on June 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:25 PM on June 4, 2019 [4 favorites]
Axios: Trump administration approved Saudi nuclear transfers after Khashoggi murder
The Department of Energy approved the transfer of nuclear information from U.S. companies to Saudi Arabia seven times under President Trump, including twice after the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by the Saudi government, according to a statement from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).And Trump had this exchange with a reporter before leaving for the UK:
The transfer of nuclear technical expertise overseas must be approved by the DOE in consultation with the State Department and other government bodies "to protect against the proliferation of nuclear weapons programs," according to Kaine. Following demands from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration revealed that it approved one such transfer on Oct. 18, 2018 — 16 days after Khashoggi's death — and another on Feb. 18, 2019.
REPORTER: "Mr. President, are you willing to say that MBS is responsible for Khashoggi’s death?"posted by Doktor Zed at 6:41 PM on June 4, 2019 [18 favorites]
TRUMP: "When did this come up again? What are you, back — are you back —"
R: "Jared. Jared talked to Axios."
TRUMP: "Are you back — what — 4 months ago? No."
It's hard to be optimistic for the strength of reason when you live in a totalitarian dystopia.
Senators Look to Force 22 Votes Blocking Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia (NYT)
Senators Look to Force 22 Votes Blocking Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia (NYT)
A bipartisan group of senators will try to force nearly two dozen votes rebuking the Trump administration’s decision to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress and sell billions of dollars of munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.posted by Little Dawn at 6:44 PM on June 4, 2019 [24 favorites]
The legislation, led by Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally and once a staunch defender of the kingdom, underscores lawmakers’ fury at the administration’s support for the Saudis after the killing of the dissident Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. And it could grind business in the Senate to a crawl while allowing rare public criticism of President Trump’s administration from members of his own party. [...]
To actually block the arms sales, however, backers of the resolutions would almost certainly need a veto-proof majority, and whether the measures could muster that is another question. [...]
Fresh outrage emerged on Tuesday, when Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, disclosed that the Energy Department had approved nuclear technology transfers to the kingdom on two occasions after Mr. Khashoggi’s killing in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October — including one approved just two weeks after his death. [...]
“The alarming realization that the Trump administration signed off on sharing our nuclear know-how with the Saudi regime after it brutally murdered an American resident adds to a disturbing pattern of behavior,” Mr. Kaine said in a statement. “President Trump’s eagerness to give the Saudis anything they want, over bipartisan congressional objection, harms American national security interests.”
Aaaand the Dow is up 500 points today. Nothing matters.
Sky-high markets prepped for a big fall, with no room to maneuver. Tariffs. Widespread income inequality. Echoes of the Great Depression.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:05 PM on June 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
Sky-high markets prepped for a big fall, with no room to maneuver. Tariffs. Widespread income inequality. Echoes of the Great Depression.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:05 PM on June 4, 2019 [13 favorites]
In Good News™️ : South Jersey DSA and others join together in sending shipments of Plan B to Alabama Chapters
posted by The Whelk at 8:11 PM on June 4, 2019 [29 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:11 PM on June 4, 2019 [29 favorites]
Listen, if you where famous in the 1980s and you have a large twitter following it is your DUTY tent into a pointless public beef with Trump in order to enrage and distract him. I’m totally serious and it would totally work. Get Carol Alt to call him a diaper brain and it’ll be all he can talk about for a week and thus, not following his whims or listening to advisors. Worst case situation we lose a Cusack to an extraordinary rendition.
posted by The Whelk at 10:06 PM on June 4, 2019 [47 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:06 PM on June 4, 2019 [47 favorites]
Here's the Bette Midler tweet:
I don't know if you've come across them, but I have met people who genuinely seem addicted to Fox News. A friend of my father's was visiting, and when we explained the tv in his bedroom didn't have Fox News he started shaking and coughing. It was like we told him the room wasn't going to have oxygen.
And I get that same feeling with Trump. Trump who keeps a tv on at all times in the oval office, who must have multiple tvs on his plane, who must livestream Fox when tvs are unavailable, whose first observation when going abroad is that Fox News is not available, and that that is likely the reason for all the country's problems.
posted by xammerboy at 10:30 PM on June 4, 2019 [17 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Washed up psycho @BetteMidler was forced to apologize for a statement she attributed to me that turned out to be totally fabricated by her in order to make “your great president” look really bad. She got caught, just like the Fake News Media gets caught. A sick scammer!Trump tweeted this at 1:30 AM while visiting the UK.
I don't know if you've come across them, but I have met people who genuinely seem addicted to Fox News. A friend of my father's was visiting, and when we explained the tv in his bedroom didn't have Fox News he started shaking and coughing. It was like we told him the room wasn't going to have oxygen.
And I get that same feeling with Trump. Trump who keeps a tv on at all times in the oval office, who must have multiple tvs on his plane, who must livestream Fox when tvs are unavailable, whose first observation when going abroad is that Fox News is not available, and that that is likely the reason for all the country's problems.
posted by xammerboy at 10:30 PM on June 4, 2019 [17 favorites]
....and Fox News talks to him directly. That;s why he's living the dream of every angry granddad- when he yells at the TV the TV has to respond.
posted by The Whelk at 10:33 PM on June 4, 2019 [40 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:33 PM on June 4, 2019 [40 favorites]
Rosie O'Donnell should come to Bette's defense.
posted by rhizome at 11:55 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:55 PM on June 4, 2019 [6 favorites]
If it was 1:30 AM US time, wouldn't he be tweeting in the middle of tea with the Queen or something?
posted by mumimor at 12:46 AM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 12:46 AM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
@Hadas_Gold: So seems after he said during the press conference NHS would be part of a poss trade deal (and after his ambassador said the same) Trump told Piers Morgan “ I don’t see that being – that’s something that I would not consider part of trade, that’s not trade.”
@StigAbell: People keep believing - against all evidence of the last three years - that Trump thinks before speaking. He hasn’t got a fully-formed thought about the NHS, or details of a trade deal, at all. The endless faith, even among his attackers, that he is somehow strategic is baffling.
@IanDunt: Think this might be the same emotional defence mechanism as conspiracy theories: wanting to believe there is order in the world, because the true chaos of it is frightening. I realise that I basically just suggested that is a conspiracy theory to think that the president has a brain.
Always nice when the president goes to another country so the people there can see him for themselves and clearly tell us how screwed up this all is.
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 AM on June 5, 2019 [40 favorites]
@StigAbell: People keep believing - against all evidence of the last three years - that Trump thinks before speaking. He hasn’t got a fully-formed thought about the NHS, or details of a trade deal, at all. The endless faith, even among his attackers, that he is somehow strategic is baffling.
@IanDunt: Think this might be the same emotional defence mechanism as conspiracy theories: wanting to believe there is order in the world, because the true chaos of it is frightening. I realise that I basically just suggested that is a conspiracy theory to think that the president has a brain.
Always nice when the president goes to another country so the people there can see him for themselves and clearly tell us how screwed up this all is.
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 AM on June 5, 2019 [40 favorites]
From Raw Story, how the least-wealthy Koch brother has dodged hundreds of millions in taxes. Only one of the billionaire Koch brothers supported Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign: William Ingraham Koch. Bill Koch even raised money for Trump, his nearby neighbor in Palm Beach, Fla. That same year, IRS criminal agents began an investigation after receiving nearly 1,000 pages of documents detailing what were described as multiple tax frauds at Bill Koch’s companies. The documents, which we call the Koch Papers, came from a deeply knowledgeable source: Charles Middleton, who had been one of the companies’ top tax executives. The IRS investigation went cold after Trump assumed office, documents obtained by DCReport show.
That sounds about right. According to ProPublica, the IRS now audits poor Americans at about the same rate as the top 1%: Every year, the IRS, starved of funds after years of budget cuts, loses hundreds more agents to retirement. And every year, the news gets better for the rich — especially those prone to go bold on their taxes. According to data released by the IRS last week, millionaires in 2018 were about 80% less likely to be audited than they were in 2011.
But poor taxpayers continue to bear the brunt of the IRS’ remaining force. As we reported last year, Americans who receive the earned income tax credit, one of the country’s largest anti-poverty programs, are audited at a higher rate than all but the richest taxpayers. The new data shows that the trend has only grown stronger.
Audits of the rich continue to plunge while those of the poor hold steady, and the two audit rates are converging. Last year, the top 1% of taxpayers by income were audited at a rate of 1.56%. EITC recipients, who typically have annual income under $20,000, were audited at 1.41%. ... IRS spokesman Dean Patterson acknowledged that the sharp decline in audits of the wealthy is due to the agency having lost so many skilled auditors. And he didn’t dispute that pursuing the poor is just easier.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:04 AM on June 5, 2019 [30 favorites]
That sounds about right. According to ProPublica, the IRS now audits poor Americans at about the same rate as the top 1%: Every year, the IRS, starved of funds after years of budget cuts, loses hundreds more agents to retirement. And every year, the news gets better for the rich — especially those prone to go bold on their taxes. According to data released by the IRS last week, millionaires in 2018 were about 80% less likely to be audited than they were in 2011.
But poor taxpayers continue to bear the brunt of the IRS’ remaining force. As we reported last year, Americans who receive the earned income tax credit, one of the country’s largest anti-poverty programs, are audited at a higher rate than all but the richest taxpayers. The new data shows that the trend has only grown stronger.
Audits of the rich continue to plunge while those of the poor hold steady, and the two audit rates are converging. Last year, the top 1% of taxpayers by income were audited at a rate of 1.56%. EITC recipients, who typically have annual income under $20,000, were audited at 1.41%. ... IRS spokesman Dean Patterson acknowledged that the sharp decline in audits of the wealthy is due to the agency having lost so many skilled auditors. And he didn’t dispute that pursuing the poor is just easier.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:04 AM on June 5, 2019 [30 favorites]
People keep believing - against all evidence of the last three years - that Trump thinks before speaking. He hasn’t got a fully-formed thought about the NHS, or details of a trade deal, at all.
Trump originally made this statement with his advisors, and they repeated it to the press. He's mentioned the NHS previously as well. I agree his hasn't a thought in his head, but that begs the question, where did this idea come from?
I think the more likely scenario is that when Republicans considered a trade deal with the UK they immediately thought about breaking up the NHS, because their life mission is destroy socialist healthcare. Then they planted the idea in Trump's brain. Since Trump's visit, he's probably been informed how poorly this idea would be received, and now he's backtracking, never said it, never thought it, etc.
But whose to say that Trump or other Republicans will not renegotiate the deal, as they have NAFTA, after it's been made? The takeaway for the UK should be that breaking up the NHS is a part of the Republican agenda, so they should enter into any "agreement" eyes open. Also, while agreements will likely last until the new one is negotiated, be advised tariffs are an anytime thing.
posted by xammerboy at 2:12 AM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
Trump originally made this statement with his advisors, and they repeated it to the press. He's mentioned the NHS previously as well. I agree his hasn't a thought in his head, but that begs the question, where did this idea come from?
I think the more likely scenario is that when Republicans considered a trade deal with the UK they immediately thought about breaking up the NHS, because their life mission is destroy socialist healthcare. Then they planted the idea in Trump's brain. Since Trump's visit, he's probably been informed how poorly this idea would be received, and now he's backtracking, never said it, never thought it, etc.
But whose to say that Trump or other Republicans will not renegotiate the deal, as they have NAFTA, after it's been made? The takeaway for the UK should be that breaking up the NHS is a part of the Republican agenda, so they should enter into any "agreement" eyes open. Also, while agreements will likely last until the new one is negotiated, be advised tariffs are an anytime thing.
posted by xammerboy at 2:12 AM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
I think that still gives the administration too much credit, the idea that they're strategically seeking to topple socialized medicine. Trump's people don't really care about the NHS one way or another; they want the UK to pay more for prescription drugs. That's pretty much a bullet point in our public US-UK trade deal negotiating position ("Procedural Fairness for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices" is a fancy way of saying "it's unfair you pay less than we do"). Trump's rants that other countries should pay more for drugs have been a consistent complaint of his. HHS has been calling it "foreign free-loading" as if the countries where people can afford insulin are the ones somehow doing it wrong or we'd magically get lower prices if other countries paid more.
posted by zachlipton at 2:32 AM on June 5, 2019 [34 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:32 AM on June 5, 2019 [34 favorites]
A derail-y thing on this: One of the world's biggest insulin producers is Novo, a Danish company, and I heard one of their executives talk about US pricing on the radio, (obviously, the Danish public finds it disgusting that they sell over-priced drugs in the US and that is a problem for them). He said that the US negotiating system has perverse incentives that force the drug companies to overprice. It has nothing to do with "research costs" or whatever they usually say. It's that the big healthcare providers have set specific goals in their negotiation strategy, like "we want a 30% discount on this drug", that are non-negotiable, and the natural policy of the drug companies is then to set equivalently higher prices. This, however, hits individuals and providers who are not able to negotiate with the same punch (about 15-20% of the population), since the drug companies can't suddenly say "oh but the real price (that every other country in the world gets) is this 30% lower price".
I don't know, he is a guy who has the job of defending the indefensible and they play every market in different ways. But it does rhyme with other stuff I've heard/read about US corporate culture and specifically the healthcare industry.
TLDR: drug companies, like every single other industry, American or not, are looking forward to f***ing over the UK after Brexit. Obviously, the optimal entryway to this is the corrupt American government.
posted by mumimor at 2:48 AM on June 5, 2019 [21 favorites]
I don't know, he is a guy who has the job of defending the indefensible and they play every market in different ways. But it does rhyme with other stuff I've heard/read about US corporate culture and specifically the healthcare industry.
TLDR: drug companies, like every single other industry, American or not, are looking forward to f***ing over the UK after Brexit. Obviously, the optimal entryway to this is the corrupt American government.
posted by mumimor at 2:48 AM on June 5, 2019 [21 favorites]
Reposting this from Zachlipton above: GQ, Adam Jentleson (former Harry Reid staffer), The Political Costs of Not Impeaching Trump
It is so well reasoned and written, you should all send the article to your political representatives. Just so they know you read it.
posted by mumimor at 2:59 AM on June 5, 2019 [30 favorites]
It is so well reasoned and written, you should all send the article to your political representatives. Just so they know you read it.
posted by mumimor at 2:59 AM on June 5, 2019 [30 favorites]
I don't think that's US-specific or even pharma-specific, it's just how procurement works in big companies. Somebody has to prove their worth by showing their boss that they got the best price they could for whatever you're selling them, and that means negotiating a "discount" which you've already built into the price. The rate of discount seems to be somewhat culturally dependent - a Turkish client will expect a bigger discount than a Swiss one, for example.
It's just a silly game everybody has to play. The problem in this case is they're geared up to catch whales, but are dragging in a lot of minnows too.
posted by Buck Alec at 3:42 AM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's just a silly game everybody has to play. The problem in this case is they're geared up to catch whales, but are dragging in a lot of minnows too.
posted by Buck Alec at 3:42 AM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
I Think the exec’s point was that in Europe, the goals are more flexible (perhaps to accomodate the differences you mention)
posted by mumimor at 3:45 AM on June 5, 2019
posted by mumimor at 3:45 AM on June 5, 2019
Oh and also that no one here falls out of the sytem
posted by mumimor at 3:47 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 3:47 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
highly recommend the latest Pod Save America and its interview with Mayor Sadiq Khan. As the Pods note, it's very odd-feeling to have someone from another country note that your country's leadership is a danger to the world and to agree with that analysis. Also, I do love that British way of when there's something bad to say, they say, "I'm afraid that" blah blah. The interview was many acute observations prefaced with that phrase.
posted by angrycat at 5:03 AM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 5:03 AM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
If it was 1:30 AM US time
Trump was tweeting on local time. It’s not his jet-lag that’s the problem, of course, but the ranting. He's clearly unhappy with how the UK trip went and is compensating for the narcissistic injury. In addition to the attack on Bette Midler—the Iron Law of Trump's Misogyny strikes again—he went after "Cryin’ Chuck Schumer" about the Mexico tariffs, insisting that his negotiating stance wasn't a bluff (if Schumer wanted to bait Trump into a fight with the GOP congress, it worked). Then, after a five-hour gap, he went on a tear about Biden, his climate change plan plagiarism, his "Rallies", and how "the Corrupt Media will save him". He also took a couple of victory laps over Judge McFadden's ruling on the border wall (he lied again, "Wall is under construction!").
The fact remains that Trump's UK trip has not been the success he craved, and as usual, he refuses to acknowledge this. WaPo: Amid London Protests, Trump Appears In Denial Over His Standing Abroad
Haberman also reports on the Trump family's dynastic pretensions on display in Britain: For Trump, U.K. State Visit Is a (Royal) Family Affair
In a small victory for journalistic integrity, the Twitter account @nytimesworld promoted that article with a sycophantic spin, got ratio'ed into oblivion, and ultimately had to delete the tweet and substitute one that sounded much more critical. While they tried to explain, "We have deleted an earlier tweet to this article that was poorly worded and did not properly reflect the story", the problem is that the original tweet used much of the language from Haberman's article and clearly reflected the Trump side that she passed along.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:34 AM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump was tweeting on local time. It’s not his jet-lag that’s the problem, of course, but the ranting. He's clearly unhappy with how the UK trip went and is compensating for the narcissistic injury. In addition to the attack on Bette Midler—the Iron Law of Trump's Misogyny strikes again—he went after "Cryin’ Chuck Schumer" about the Mexico tariffs, insisting that his negotiating stance wasn't a bluff (if Schumer wanted to bait Trump into a fight with the GOP congress, it worked). Then, after a five-hour gap, he went on a tear about Biden, his climate change plan plagiarism, his "Rallies", and how "the Corrupt Media will save him". He also took a couple of victory laps over Judge McFadden's ruling on the border wall (he lied again, "Wall is under construction!").
The fact remains that Trump's UK trip has not been the success he craved, and as usual, he refuses to acknowledge this. WaPo: Amid London Protests, Trump Appears In Denial Over His Standing Abroad
Trump’s efforts to minimize opposition to his presidency on the first stop of a week-long tour of three European nations represented his latest attempt to misrepresent his public standing and rewrite perceptions about the popularity of his agenda — an effort that began on his first week in office, when a White House spokesman argued, against evidence, that the president had the largest inauguration crowd in history.Trump's reactions on Twitter early this morning are as unstable as you'd expect of a jet-lagged septuagenerian working on half a night's sleep (and maybe some crushed Adderall): "I kept hearing that there would be “massive” rallies against me in the UK, but it was quite the opposite. The big crowds, which the Corrupt Media hates to show, were those that gathered in support of the USA and me. They were big & enthusiastic as opposed to the organized flops!"; "Could not have been treated more warmly in the United Kingdom by the Royal Family or the people. Our relationship has never been better, and I see a very big Trade Deal down the road. “This trip has been an incredible success for the President.” @IngrahamAngle"; "If the totally Corrupt Media was less corrupt, I would be up by 15 points in the polls based on our tremendous success with the economy, maybe Best Ever! If the Corrupt Media was actually fair, I would be up by 25 points. Nevertheless, despite the Fake News, we’re doing great!" As always, Trump cannot fail but can only be failed.
The president’s claims in London were just as easily proved false. After the news conference, CNN aired footage of the demonstrators, including a giant Trump robot sitting on a toilet and repeating two of his catchphrases: “Fake news” and “witch hunt.” On social media, photos circulated of protesters holding signs reading “Trump climate disaster,” “Don’t attack Iran” and “Trump, you are a mind-bending [expletive] human being.”
Organizers estimated that 75,000 people turned out for the demonstrations.
Haberman also reports on the Trump family's dynastic pretensions on display in Britain: For Trump, U.K. State Visit Is a (Royal) Family Affair
In a small victory for journalistic integrity, the Twitter account @nytimesworld promoted that article with a sycophantic spin, got ratio'ed into oblivion, and ultimately had to delete the tweet and substitute one that sounded much more critical. While they tried to explain, "We have deleted an earlier tweet to this article that was poorly worded and did not properly reflect the story", the problem is that the original tweet used much of the language from Haberman's article and clearly reflected the Trump side that she passed along.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:34 AM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
I don't think that's US-specific or even pharma-specific, it's just how procurement works in big companies.
What's specific to the US is the role of pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen between pharma companies and insurers, who take their own cut. They're a parasitical disgrace, which is why they don't exist in countries with actual healthcare systems.
posted by holgate at 5:58 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
What's specific to the US is the role of pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen between pharma companies and insurers, who take their own cut. They're a parasitical disgrace, which is why they don't exist in countries with actual healthcare systems.
posted by holgate at 5:58 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
The NYT has drawn up articles of impeachment for Trump. Using the templates of the Nixon and Clinton documents, the accusations include: withholding evidence, encouraging witnesses to lie, false public statements, and misusing executive power.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:13 AM on June 5, 2019 [58 favorites]
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:13 AM on June 5, 2019 [58 favorites]
Thanks, mumimor and zachlipton - I have been an impeachment agnostic so far, but that article from Harry Reid's former deputy chief of staff is the most persuasive argument I have seen in favor of ITMFA.
posted by PhineasGage at 6:16 AM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 6:16 AM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
Donald Trump plays Brexit kingmaker (Gabby Orr & Charlie Cooper, Politico)
But it’s not clear Trump’s pressure will win him the nationalist ally he craves in Europe.posted by ZeusHumms at 6:54 AM on June 5, 2019
Yes, Republicans can stand up to Trump — when their big donors insist on it (Heather Digby Parton, Salon)
Trump’s Two Crutches (Eliana Plott, The Atlantic)
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:07 AM on June 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
'Senate Republicans are willing to defy Trump, and even override a veto — because big business hates his tariffs'And they are willing to engage orgs like the US Chamber of Commerce to lobby Congress.
Trump’s Two Crutches (Eliana Plott, The Atlantic)
When the president is feeling overwhelmed, aides say, he falls back on immigration and trade policy—even when unprepared.For example, his latest tariffs were allegedly triggered by Mueller's recent appearance at the Justice Department.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:07 AM on June 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trump's Three Crutches:
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:25 AM on June 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:25 AM on June 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
Mexico draws red line on asylum as Trump tariff risk rises (Reuters)
Mexico said on Monday it would reject a U.S. idea to take in all Central American asylum seekers if it is raised at talks this week with the Trump administration, which has threatened to impose tariffs if Mexico does not crack down on illegal immigration. [...] Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the country was committed to continuing to work to keep migrants from Central America from reaching the U.S. border. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 7:31 AM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ebrard said, however, that a proposal favored by some U.S. officials to designate Mexico a “safe third country,” which would force Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States to apply for it instead in Mexico, was not an option. [...]
Markets are concerned that import tariffs would ultimately hit the U.S. economy by adding to the cost of a wide range of goods in the United States, from Mexican-made cars and auto parts to televisions, beer and food.
Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Marquez said in a statement such duties would affect all 50 U.S. states and harm value chains, consumers and trade-related jobs in both countries. She said Mexico would retaliate if the tariffs were imposed, either hitting back at targeted U.S. goods, or by seeking redress through multilateral organizations. In the recent past, Mexico has been effective in focusing trade retaliation on U.S. agricultural produce in states that voted for Trump in the 2016 election.
Just when Trump thought his UK trip couldn't get any worse, Prince Charles lectured him for an hour and a half on climate change (Guardian).
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:35 AM on June 5, 2019 [29 favorites]
Prince Charles spent 75 minutes longer than scheduled trying to convince Donald Trump of the dangers of global heating, but the president still insisted the US was “clean” and blamed other nations for the crisis.[…]And of course, Trump can't let Nasty-gate go, doubling down on his excuses for what he said about Markle: “What she said was nasty based on what they told me.”
[In an interview with Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain] Trump said he pushed back at the suggestion the US should do more.
He said: “I did say, ‘Well, the United States right now has among the cleanest climates there are based on all statistics.’ And it’s even getting better because I agree with that we want the best water, the cleanest water. It’s crystal clean, has to be crystal clean clear.”[…]
Asked by Piers Morgan if he accepted the science on climate change, Trump said: “I believe there’s a change in weather, and I think it changes both ways. Don’t forget, it used to be called global warming, that wasn’t working, then it was called climate change. Now it’s actually called extreme weather, because with extreme weather you can’t miss.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:35 AM on June 5, 2019 [29 favorites]
...and Fox News talks to him directly. That's why he's living the dream of every angry granddad- when he yells at the TV the TV has to respond.
It has occurred to me that Trump might actually be Mike Teavee.
posted by Graygorey at 7:35 AM on June 5, 2019 [12 favorites]
It has occurred to me that Trump might actually be Mike Teavee.
posted by Graygorey at 7:35 AM on June 5, 2019 [12 favorites]
Seems a British woman has attacked the Baby Trump balloon as it was being inflated, using some sort of sharp implement. Although the attack itself was apparently successful, the immediate aftermath was not. This poetic tweet describing the event captures its flavor.
@SantaInc
Hopefully the Baby Trump people can apply a patch & get the Big Boy back in the air where he belongs.
posted by scalefree at 7:36 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
@SantaInc
“Based Amy”:
Here I go!
Stabby time!
Haha! Take that libs!
Oh deary, I’ve stabbed me own hand!
Oh hello officer.
What you mean, illegal?
What you mean, arrest?
What you mean, resisting?
Ow, handcuffs hurt!
I dropped me phone!
#BasedAmy[overall quite hilarious video]
Hopefully the Baby Trump people can apply a patch & get the Big Boy back in the air where he belongs.
posted by scalefree at 7:36 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
Well, the United States right now has among the cleanest climates there are based on all statistics.
He really doesn't know what words even mean. Cleanest climate!
posted by diogenes at 7:39 AM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
He really doesn't know what words even mean. Cleanest climate!
posted by diogenes at 7:39 AM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, responds on twitter to a question about the refugee detention camps at the US-Mexico border
@ChaseMadar genuinely curious, how certain are you that these things are going to get much worse? I mean, you wrote the book…Thread begins:
@AndreaPitzer Just looking at it analytically, the odds suggest things will get much worse. There's so much to cover, I can't put it all in a couple tweets. I really need to write a piece on this. But here are a few random things.posted by pjenks at 7:43 AM on June 5, 2019 [26 favorites]
1) so far, what the US is doing is similar to some prior systems, all of which degenerated further before they were ended (and many of which are still defended in surprising places today).
...
Trump's Three Crutches:
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
Or lashing out and punching down.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:47 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
Or lashing out and punching down.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:47 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
US abortion policy is 'extremist hate' and 'torture', says UN commissioner (Guardian)
“We have not called it out in the same way we have other forms of extremist hate, but this is gender-based violence against women, no question,” [UN deputy high commissioner for human rights] Kate Gilmore said. “It’s clear it’s torture – it’s a deprivation of a right to health,” she warned, pointing out that the committee of experts assigned to monitor the implementation of the nine core UN human rights instruments have each “independently declared the absolute prohibition of abortion … is against human rights”.posted by Little Dawn at 7:52 AM on June 5, 2019 [39 favorites]
Gilmore, appointed deputy high commissioner in 2015, said the [attempted] banning of abortion in some US states and the attempts by the Trump administration to remove language from key international documents was “deeply distressing”.
“This is a crisis. It’s a crisis directed at women,” she said, warning that we had not yet felt the full extent of it. Gilmore, who last week spoke at a Guardian event discussing the pushback on reproductive rights, said opposition groups – the most high profile of which are conservative, Christian organisations – were well organised and well resourced, and were ignoring evidence in their pursuit of ideological goals. “It’s an assault on truth, science and universal values and norms,” she said.
“You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts.”
The evidence shows that banning abortion does not stop women undergoing terminations. Instead, it pushes women to find unsafe methods. According to the Guttmacher Institute, an estimated 56 million abortions were performed annually [worldwide] between 2010 and 2014. Of these, 25 million were considered unsafe, putting the lives of poorer women in particular at risk.
In wealthy countries, an estimated 30 women die for every 100,000 unsafe abortions but in poorer countries this rises to 220, found the World Health Organisation. In sub-Saharan Africa, the number is 520.
“We have to stand with the evidence and facts and in solidarity with women, and in particular young women and minority women who are really under the gun. This doesn’t affect well-off women in the same way as women with no resources, or able-bodied women the way it affects disabled women, and urban women the way it affects rural women,” said Gilmore.
Paul Blest: Looks Like Biden Is Full of Shit On a Vital Abortion Rights Issue
NBC News published a history of Biden’s views on abortion rights this morning, and points out that early in his career, the former Delaware senator was something of an anti-abortion zealot who supported measures as extreme as the one Alabama recently passed[...]Biden has steadily become more pro-choice throughout his career, and early last month in South Carolina, the former vice president was asked by an ACLU volunteer if he supported finally repealing the Hyde Amendment. Biden said yes—“It can’t stay”—a response that was posted by the official ACLU national Twitter account.posted by zombieflanders at 8:20 AM on June 5, 2019 [33 favorites]
Finally! The only problem is that the campaign has now backtracked from this position. Per NBC News, emphasis mine:Yet his presidential campaign confirmed to NBC News that Biden still supports the Hyde Amendment, a four-decade-old ban on using federal funds for abortion services, except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the woman.I get it. It’s tough to imagine a scenario where abortion avenues currently protected under Roe were threatened.
Biden’s continued support for Hyde not only sets him apart from the rest of his 2020 Democratic competitors, but it may surprise progressive groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, which promoted a recent tweet by one of its activists appearing to get Biden to commit to ending Hyde during a rope-line exchange in South Carolina. Biden’s campaign told NBC he would be open to repealing Hyde if abortion avenues currently protected under Roe were threatened.
Planned Parenthood slammed the position in a statement to NBC News. “We encourage any candidate who doesn’t recognize Hyde’s impact to speak to the women it hurts most—particularly on women of color and women with low incomes—to learn more about the harmful impacts of this discriminatory policy,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund executive director Kelly Robinson told the network.
Just when Trump thought his UK trip couldn't get any worse, Prince Charles lectured him for an hour and a half on climate change
Charles does have his moments, from time to time.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:22 AM on June 5, 2019 [32 favorites]
Charles does have his moments, from time to time.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:22 AM on June 5, 2019 [32 favorites]
Trump administration cancels English classes, soccer, legal aid for unaccompanied child migrants in U.S. shelters (WaPo):
The Trump administration is canceling English classes, recreational programs, and legal aid for unaccompanied minors staying in federal migrant shelters nationwide, saying the immigration influx at the southern border has created critical budget pressures.posted by peeedro at 8:26 AM on June 5, 2019 [33 favorites]
[...]
The move — revealed in an email an HHS official sent to licensed shelters last week, a message that has been obtained by The Washington Post — could run afoul of a federal court settlement and state licensing requirements that mandate education and recreation for minors in federal custody. Carlos Holguin, a lawyer who represents minors in a long-running lawsuit that spurred a 1997 federal court settlement that sets basic standards of care for children in custody, immediately slammed the cuts as illegal.
Bill Kristol: "Schumer: Trump's probably bluffing on tariffs. Pelosi: The Senate won't convict on impeachment.
Perhaps the Democratic leaders might do a bit less predicting and a bit more...leading? Convene impeachment hearings. Introduce legislation blocking tariffs. Act for the nation."
bill god damn kristol, people
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:33 AM on June 5, 2019 [87 favorites]
Perhaps the Democratic leaders might do a bit less predicting and a bit more...leading? Convene impeachment hearings. Introduce legislation blocking tariffs. Act for the nation."
bill god damn kristol, people
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:33 AM on June 5, 2019 [87 favorites]
Senate Republicans Warn White House Against Mexico Tariffs (NYT)
Republican senators sent the White House a sharp message on Tuesday, warning that they were almost uniformly opposed to President Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on Mexican imports, just hours after the president said lawmakers would be “foolish” to try to stop him. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 8:35 AM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Republican senators emerged from a closed-door lunch at the Capitol angered by the briefing they received from a deputy White House counsel and an assistant attorney general on the legal basis for Mr. Trump to impose new tariffs by declaring a national emergency at the southern border.
“I want you to take a message back” to the White House, Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, told the lawyers, according to people familiar with the meeting. Mr. Cruz warned that “you didn’t hear a single yes” from the Republican conference. He called the proposed tariffs a $30 billion tax increase on Texans. [...]
Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin, said he warned the lawyers that the Senate could muster an overwhelming majority to beat back the tariffs, even if Mr. Trump were to veto a resolution disapproving them. Republicans may be broadly supportive of Mr. Trump’s push to build a wall and secure the border, he said, but they oppose tying immigration policy to the imposition of tariffs on Mexico.
“The White House should be concerned about what that vote would result in, because Republicans really don’t like taxing American consumers and businesses,” Mr. Johnson said.
> "Perhaps the Democratic leaders might do a bit less predicting and a bit more...leading? Convene impeachment hearings. Introduce legislation blocking tariffs. Act for the nation."
bill god damn kristol, people
Yeah, even though it's Bill %$^$% Kristol, he does have a point. The longer this fractally-horrifying garbage fire continues unchallenged, the more the Democratic leadership looks feckless. As that repeatedly recommended Adam Jentleson article says, "People will not know what Trump did wrong if Democrats don’t tell them."
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:49 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
bill god damn kristol, people
Yeah, even though it's Bill %$^$% Kristol, he does have a point. The longer this fractally-horrifying garbage fire continues unchallenged, the more the Democratic leadership looks feckless. As that repeatedly recommended Adam Jentleson article says, "People will not know what Trump did wrong if Democrats don’t tell them."
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:49 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
A church in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood is ink-stamping Harriet Tubman's profile over Andrew Jackson's on every $20 bill it gets in the collection plate.
"I'm taking such pleasure in this. Mr. Trail of Tears, gone!" laughed Ann Potter, who counts offerings for HCC, as she covered the former president’s face on bill after bill.posted by adamg at 8:57 AM on June 5, 2019 [61 favorites]
The Trump administration is canceling English classes, recreational programs, and legal aid for unaccompanied minors staying in federal migrant shelters nationwide, saying the immigration influx at the southern border has created critical budget pressures.
Just a thought but have you considered redirecting funds from all over the rest of government to pay the difference? It seems to be working for a certain W A L L project. I guess it depends on where your priorities lie.
posted by scalefree at 9:04 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Just a thought but have you considered redirecting funds from all over the rest of government to pay the difference? It seems to be working for a certain W A L L project. I guess it depends on where your priorities lie.
posted by scalefree at 9:04 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
all of which degenerated further before they were ended (and many of which are still defended in surprising places today)
Honestly, I wish someone, somewhere could provide some direction on how we fight against this. I can give money to RACIES, and call my legislators ... and? And what? I'm 2,300 miles away, and I am SO ANGRY, but I feel completely powerless to stop my government from creating concentration camps.
posted by anastasiav at 9:07 AM on June 5, 2019 [26 favorites]
Honestly, I wish someone, somewhere could provide some direction on how we fight against this. I can give money to RACIES, and call my legislators ... and? And what? I'm 2,300 miles away, and I am SO ANGRY, but I feel completely powerless to stop my government from creating concentration camps.
posted by anastasiav at 9:07 AM on June 5, 2019 [26 favorites]
Honestly, I wish someone, somewhere could provide some direction on how we fight against this.
I think the best action is to pressure Democratic House leadership to act. You can't personally prevent a lawless autocrat from doing horrible things. The only solution is for Congress to do everything in their power to remove the lawless autocrat. Start by encouraging your Rep to speak out and push leadership in the right direction.
(Insert arguments against this path because of the Senate here.)
posted by diogenes at 9:15 AM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
I think the best action is to pressure Democratic House leadership to act. You can't personally prevent a lawless autocrat from doing horrible things. The only solution is for Congress to do everything in their power to remove the lawless autocrat. Start by encouraging your Rep to speak out and push leadership in the right direction.
(Insert arguments against this path because of the Senate here.)
posted by diogenes at 9:15 AM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
‘No way he’s bluffing’: Trump leans into tariff fight (Politico)
White House officials noted that Trump has grown sensitive to accusations that he’s not serious about imposing tariffs on Mexico over immigration.
White House officials noted that Trump has grown sensitive to accusations that he’s not serious about imposing tariffs on Mexico over immigration.
The self-proclaimed master dealmaker has a long history of bluffing his way through the business world, and he’s brought that same style to Washington, infuriating fellow Republicans and other allies who don’t know when to take the president seriously. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 9:15 AM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Pelosi has also been saying this week that Trump’s push for tariffs is meant to divert attention from special counsel Robert Mueller’s press conference, where he pointedly declined to exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice allegations. "I don't even think it rises to the level of policy," she told reporters on Wednesday. "It's a distraction from the Mueller report. And it’s served its purpose, right? Here we are."
Joy Reid, guest-hosting on the Rachel Maddow Show, interviewed Dano Wall (alt link) the other week, Wall being the designer who created the ink stamps notched for over-laying the $20 bills and sells the Tubman stamps on Etsy. (Though he has released the 3D model of the stamp for people to create their own if they want, IIRC.)
posted by XMLicious at 9:17 AM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 9:17 AM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
pressure the Democratic House leadership to act
Call your rep and your senators, especially if they are Republicans. Always yelling at Democratic House Leadership accomplishes very little. They can't save us. It doesn't work that way. Remember the principles of the Indivisible Guide. Hold your own reps accountable in their own districts, and don't let Republicans off the hook.
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:20 AM on June 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
Call your rep and your senators, especially if they are Republicans. Always yelling at Democratic House Leadership accomplishes very little. They can't save us. It doesn't work that way. Remember the principles of the Indivisible Guide. Hold your own reps accountable in their own districts, and don't let Republicans off the hook.
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:20 AM on June 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
Trump’s anti-abortion global gag rule harming women in Africa and Asia, report says (Guardian)
‘People are dying as a result of the policy’ that bans aid to foreign groups who provide or promote abortions, says author of report
‘People are dying as a result of the policy’ that bans aid to foreign groups who provide or promote abortions, says author of report
The “Crisis in Care” report from the International Women’s Health Coalition outlines the two-year impact of the Trump administration’s “global gag rule” which prohibits funding to international NGOs which do not sign a pledge saying they will not provide or promote abortions as a method of family planning. The rule applies to an organization’s non-US funded activities too, regardless of the local laws regarding abortion. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 9:28 AM on June 5, 2019 [12 favorites]
The new report, built on 118 interviews with community health organizations in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Nepal, portrays an international health community grappling with confusion over the gag rule’s implementation, increased stigmatization of reproductive health services, and a ripple effect that is closing or fragmenting critical health services. It also illustrates the international implications of intensifying efforts in the US, primarily in Republican-dominated state legislature, to roll back abortion access.
Though every Republican president since Ronald Reagan has implemented the gag rule, which is imposed by a presidential memo, the Trump iteration expands the amount of money susceptible to the order, and has implications for funds for a wide array of global health concerns such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and nutrition.
According to the new report, adherence to the gag rule now applies to $9bn in US foreign aid and extends to many organizations that previously did not have to comply with the policy. [...] The report also warned that the US’s aggressive stance against abortion counseling and services was emboldening “regressive actors” – right-wing or anti-reproductive health groups – in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
Filed under "better late than never?" -- Federal Government To Inspect North Carolina Election Equipment Over Hacking Fears (Pam Fessler for NPR, June 5, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 9:41 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
The Department of Homeland Security has finally agreed to conduct a thorough inspection of election equipment used in North Carolina that was supplied by a vendor whose system was targeted by Russian hackers in 2016."Finally agreed" is a pretty harsh opening line, and fully deserved. I just wonder if we'll actually hear what happened. There's a lot of nefariously nebulous non-reporting noted in that article, so the cynic in me just thinks it'll be once again announced as "user error" and everyone washes their hands of it, as if Russia's spear-phishing hadn't happened in the first place.
It has been three years since the machines — laptops used to check in voters in Durham County — malfunctioned on Election Day (NPR), telling voters that they had already voted, even though they had not.
The county took the laptops out of service that day and switched to using paper pollbooks, but the question of what caused the problem has remained a mystery ever since. It's one of several remaining questions about what happened in the 2016 elections, the answers to which could help the U.S. protect itself against future cyberattacks.
...
The North Carolina glitch would have been dismissed as fairly routine had it not been revealed in 2017 that the vendor, Florida-based VR Systems, was one of the targets of Russian efforts to interfere in U.S. elections.
A leaked report by the National Security Agency said that Russian intelligence officers had mounted a spear-phishing campaign in August 2016 against a firm identified as "U.S. Company 1" and then used VR Systems credentials to send malicious emails to about 120 local government offices, later identified as the company's customers in Florida.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:41 AM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
I don't think that's US-specific or even pharma-specific, it's just how procurement works in big companies.
My understanding is that when drug prices are negotiated through the middle men PBMs there's no transparency for how pricing was arrived at. Your price is negotiated without understanding what others are paying or original costs.
When people say that they prefer capitalism to a socialist healthcare market, they don't understand how fundamentally anti-capitalist the current healthcare market is. Universal healthcare negotiations would actually be more capitalist, because at least prices would be transparent.
The current market is like going to the store to buy some milk and having the store say your price is $10. When you ask what other people are paying or how that price was arrived at they won't tell you. There is no other store to go to. It's not a free, or open, or competitive market. The PBMs are essentially a black box.
posted by xammerboy at 9:52 AM on June 5, 2019 [33 favorites]
My understanding is that when drug prices are negotiated through the middle men PBMs there's no transparency for how pricing was arrived at. Your price is negotiated without understanding what others are paying or original costs.
When people say that they prefer capitalism to a socialist healthcare market, they don't understand how fundamentally anti-capitalist the current healthcare market is. Universal healthcare negotiations would actually be more capitalist, because at least prices would be transparent.
The current market is like going to the store to buy some milk and having the store say your price is $10. When you ask what other people are paying or how that price was arrived at they won't tell you. There is no other store to go to. It's not a free, or open, or competitive market. The PBMs are essentially a black box.
posted by xammerboy at 9:52 AM on June 5, 2019 [33 favorites]
Most people fundamentally misunderstand the difference between capitalism and business. Monopolies and mobsters conduct business, but that isn't capitalism. Much of what occurs in our economy is just business that hides behind the label of capitalism.
posted by M-x shell at 10:14 AM on June 5, 2019 [28 favorites]
posted by M-x shell at 10:14 AM on June 5, 2019 [28 favorites]
The key point about drug rebates is that they mostly go to the health insurer, not to the patient taking the drugs. The main incentive for high list price + high rebates isn't that a large apparent discount looks good to a mid-level manager's boss, but that this setup results in lower overall plan premiums (at the tradeoff of high drug costs being concentrated on a smaller group of patients).
At least on Medicare Part D and Medicaid, this sort of arrangement is legal because of an explicit safe harbor provision in the federal Anti-Kickback Statue. Earlier this year, the Trump administration actually proposed removing this safe harbor, so that any sort of negotiated rebates or discounts would only be permissible if they're credited to the patient at point of sale. It would make things more transparent, but it's not clear if there would be overall savings or not due to the number of moving pieces involved. The comment period for the proposal has closed, but there hasn't been any indication if it's going to be finalized for 2020 or not.
posted by bassooner at 10:23 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
At least on Medicare Part D and Medicaid, this sort of arrangement is legal because of an explicit safe harbor provision in the federal Anti-Kickback Statue. Earlier this year, the Trump administration actually proposed removing this safe harbor, so that any sort of negotiated rebates or discounts would only be permissible if they're credited to the patient at point of sale. It would make things more transparent, but it's not clear if there would be overall savings or not due to the number of moving pieces involved. The comment period for the proposal has closed, but there hasn't been any indication if it's going to be finalized for 2020 or not.
posted by bassooner at 10:23 AM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Politico reports that Mitch McConnell may have relented: Schumer: Senate Briefing Coming Soon On Election Interference
And on the topic of election interference, Politico reports: Russia's Manipulation of Twitter Was Far Vaster Than Believed
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:28 AM on June 5, 2019 [31 favorites]
All 100 senators will soon receive a briefing on election interference from intelligence and law enforcement officials, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.McConnell, however, doesn't appear to have said anything about this, and he's not shown any signs of allowing the various election security bills to the floor.
The New York Democrat said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has "assured" him that there will be a bipartisan briefing on the subject in the coming days. Schumer has been asking for a briefing for several weeks, while also stumping for passage of bipartisan election security legislation written in response to Russia's 2016 interference to boost President Donald Trump.
"At the very least, the Senate should be briefed by our intelligence and law enforcement chiefs about the threat of election interference in the 2020 election so we can all be aware of the danger," Schumer said in a floor speech, adding that he hoped the briefings will "take place as soon as possible during this work period so we can prepare new legislation that will go into effect at least a year before Election Day of 2020."
And on the topic of election interference, Politico reports: Russia's Manipulation of Twitter Was Far Vaster Than Believed
Russia's infamous troll farm conducted a campaign on Twitter before the 2016 elections that was larger, more coordinated and more effective than previously known, research from cybersecurity firm Symantec out Wednesday concluded.Between McConnell's inaction and Trump's denial, nation-states have an open invitation to interfere in the 2020 elections.
The Internet Research Agency campaign may not only have had more sway — reaching large numbers of real users — than previously thought, it also demonstrated ample patience and might have generated income for some of the phony accounts, Symantec found.[…]
"While this propaganda campaign has often been referred to as the work of trolls, the release of the dataset makes it obvious that it was far more than that," the company wrote. "It was planned months in advance and the operators had the resources to create and manage a vast disinformation network.[…]
"The campaign directed propaganda at both sides of the liberal/conservative political divide in the U.S., in particular the more disaffected elements of both camps," Symantec found.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:28 AM on June 5, 2019 [31 favorites]
Mod note: Friendly, nudge, let's bring it back to narrow focus on potus45 stuff; general discussion about capitalism or health care systems broadly an go to other threads.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:30 AM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:30 AM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Some light relief from the WaPo style section: Meet the GOP operatives who aim to smear the 2020 Democrats — but keep bungling it
posted by mumimor at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
'American Decency'I guess Trump brings out all the grifters
Burkman grew up in Swissvale, Pa., a small town outside Pittsburgh. He says his father was active in local Democratic politics and his mother, whose family hailed from Sicily, was an arch conservative.
“She had a picture of Mussolini in the house,” Burkman says.
His brother, Jim Burkman, says that’s not so.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Jack Burkman, who had graduated from Georgetown Law, looked a lot like an establishment Republican. He was a Capitol Hill staffer for GOP congressman Rick Lazio of New York. He worked at Holland & Knight, a major law firm, lobbying on behalf of big corporate clients. He also worked briefly as a Fox News contributor and appeared as a pundit on CNN and MSNBC, leveraging a TV-ready look with a square jaw and a baritone voice.
Once he formed his own firm, he built what became a thriving lobbying practice. In 2013, he signed more clients than any registered lobbyist, according to tracking by the media outlet the Hill. His firm’s revenue peaked that year at $3.52 million, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
“It’s always a curiosity to me — how does he get so many clients?” says his friend and law school classmate Raga Elim, who is now a lobbyist.
Burkman was still far from a household name in 2014 when he hit on a topic that put him in the headlines and on news programs across the country. He proposed banning gay players in the National Football League around the time an openly gay football player, Michael Sam, was coming to prominence.
Burkman formed an organization called American Decency and claimed to have signed up more than 3 million members. (Looking back, Burkman says that “it could be the case” that his claim about having that many members “wasn’t true.”)
The next few weeks would play out like a preview of the next few years of Burkman’s life.
Confusion ensued. A conservative group with an almost identical name issued a news release insisting it was not involved, but it took the opportunity to say it did “not condone the lifestyle of Michael Sam.”
Burkman’s brother Jim, who is gay, took to Twitter to say Burkman was “being an ass.”
The proposal went nowhere.
posted by mumimor at 10:54 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
On the lighter side, the Queen treated Trump's visit with all the dignity that it deserves:
Slate: The Queen Gave Donald Trump a Book as a Gift and Trevor Noah Is Baffled
Highlight:
The answer to Noah’s question—accident or troll?—can be deduced by looking into the precise gift Trump received. Newscasters have described it as a “first edition” of The Second World War, Winston S. Churchill’s history of the war, originally published in six volumes between 1948 and 1953, which won him a Nobel Prize in Literature. That would be a lovely gift for anyone but Donald Trump; a complete set of the U.K. first editions goes for a little over $2,000, and they’re gorgeous, fit for a president’s library.
But that’s not exactly what the queen gave President Trump. Her gift for him was the first edition of a slightly different book: The Second World War One-Volume Edition, currently available in its 1959 U.K. first edition on AbeBooks.com for as little as $14.32. That’s right: She gave him the abridged version. (At least it wasn’t the “special abridged edition for young readers.”) Trolling has a new queen.
posted by delfin at 11:00 AM on June 5, 2019 [92 favorites]
Slate: The Queen Gave Donald Trump a Book as a Gift and Trevor Noah Is Baffled
Highlight:
The answer to Noah’s question—accident or troll?—can be deduced by looking into the precise gift Trump received. Newscasters have described it as a “first edition” of The Second World War, Winston S. Churchill’s history of the war, originally published in six volumes between 1948 and 1953, which won him a Nobel Prize in Literature. That would be a lovely gift for anyone but Donald Trump; a complete set of the U.K. first editions goes for a little over $2,000, and they’re gorgeous, fit for a president’s library.
But that’s not exactly what the queen gave President Trump. Her gift for him was the first edition of a slightly different book: The Second World War One-Volume Edition, currently available in its 1959 U.K. first edition on AbeBooks.com for as little as $14.32. That’s right: She gave him the abridged version. (At least it wasn’t the “special abridged edition for young readers.”) Trolling has a new queen.
posted by delfin at 11:00 AM on June 5, 2019 [92 favorites]
She gave a visiting blowhard who doesn't like to read and prides himself on owning the Most Expensive Gold-Plated Everything... a book that costs less than a pair of canvas shoes at Tesco. SOMEONE in the Queen's staff laughed their ass off when they picked that out.
And the implications are obvious. When Obama zinged Trump at the WH Correspondents' Dinner, Trump was so offended that he ran for President. This means that, once he's out of the Oval Office by one method or another, Trump will be mounting a campaign to be elected Queen of England.
posted by delfin at 11:33 AM on June 5, 2019 [58 favorites]
And the implications are obvious. When Obama zinged Trump at the WH Correspondents' Dinner, Trump was so offended that he ran for President. This means that, once he's out of the Oval Office by one method or another, Trump will be mounting a campaign to be elected Queen of England.
posted by delfin at 11:33 AM on June 5, 2019 [58 favorites]
Here's the blog post from Symantec that is the basis of the Politico article that Doktor Zed references above, about the twitter-based IRA disinformation campaign. A quick and terrifying read.
posted by Sublimity at 11:38 AM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 11:38 AM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
Quinnipiac poll finds Texas presidential close with any leading Dem candidate, Trump trailing Biden 48-44.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:56 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 11:56 AM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
^Trump to Morgan: Don’t forget, it used to be called global warming, that wasn’t working, then it was called climate change.
From 538's wayback machine:
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
From 538's wayback machine:
Last week, Yale University released a study showing that people are more likely to fear “global warming” and take part in a campaign to stop it than they are “climate change.” Yale’s report echoed research by George W. Bush pollster Frank Luntz, who had argued that the Bush White House should use climate change instead of global warming because it sounded less scary. Polling also shows Democrats are more likely than Republicans to believe the Earth is warming and human activity is the main cause.Disingenuity is a way of life for the entire GOP.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump trailing Biden 48-44.
Quinnipiac May 28, 2015: Clinton 50 Trump 32
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:05 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
Quinnipiac May 28, 2015: Clinton 50 Trump 32
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:05 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
Note that those are Texas numbers.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:07 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:07 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
Note that those are Texas numbers.
Ah, missed that, apologies.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:10 PM on June 5, 2019
Ah, missed that, apologies.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:10 PM on June 5, 2019
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Jack Burkman, who had graduated from Georgetown Law, looked a lot like an establishment Republican.
Jack Burkman's partner in crime is Jacob Wohl, the world's unluckiest conspiracy theorist. Together they've pushed a number of unsuccessful narratives including sexual assaults by Robert Mueller & Pete Buttigieg. Their last briefing was infamously held in one of their mom's driveway.
posted by scalefree at 12:11 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
Jack Burkman's partner in crime is Jacob Wohl, the world's unluckiest conspiracy theorist. Together they've pushed a number of unsuccessful narratives including sexual assaults by Robert Mueller & Pete Buttigieg. Their last briefing was infamously held in one of their mom's driveway.
posted by scalefree at 12:11 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
That is, indeed, what the article is about.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 12:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 12:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
North Carolina 2020: Biden with Early Lead on Trump and Democratic Primary Field
President is tied or trailing against four of the top five Democratic opponents, faring the worst against former Vice-President Joe Biden, who is ahead of Trump 56% to 44%.posted by Little Dawn at 12:20 PM on June 5, 2019
She gave a visiting blowhard who doesn't like to read and prides himself on owning the Most Expensive Gold-Plated Everything... a book that costs less than a pair of canvas shoes at Tesco.
It was an abridged version of Churchill's book on World War II, so about defeating Nazis. And a silver pen to a man known to favor magic markers. And she wore a series of brooches, each a guided missile for the discerning eye. One given to her by the hated Obama, another shaped as a snowflake & a 3rd bought back from a Royal mistress. Queen knows her kanly! There may be some Fremen blood in the House of Windsor.
posted by scalefree at 12:22 PM on June 5, 2019 [39 favorites]
It was an abridged version of Churchill's book on World War II, so about defeating Nazis. And a silver pen to a man known to favor magic markers. And she wore a series of brooches, each a guided missile for the discerning eye. One given to her by the hated Obama, another shaped as a snowflake & a 3rd bought back from a Royal mistress. Queen knows her kanly! There may be some Fremen blood in the House of Windsor.
posted by scalefree at 12:22 PM on June 5, 2019 [39 favorites]
Biden, Sanders other Democrats lead Trump in Michigan poll
Both former Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont showed 12-point margins over the first-term Republican incumbent in a Glengariff Group public opinion survey of 600 likely voters released to The Detroit News and WDIV-TV (Local 4). Three other Democrats included in the poll were preferred over Trump by less substantial margins.posted by Little Dawn at 12:23 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
[...] Michigan's 16 electoral college votes went to Trump by 10,704 votes in 2016, the thinnest margin of any state.
Yale’s report echoed research by George W. Bush pollster Frank Luntz, who had argued that the Bush White House should use climate change instead of global warming because it sounded less scary.
Forgot to mention that one of the things that made me apoplectic during the Bush administration was fellow liberals who believed in global warming insisting that the term "climate change" was much, much more scientificalistic. How Luntz got them, I do not know, but perhaps trollbots have been around longer than we suspect.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:25 PM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Forgot to mention that one of the things that made me apoplectic during the Bush administration was fellow liberals who believed in global warming insisting that the term "climate change" was much, much more scientificalistic. How Luntz got them, I do not know, but perhaps trollbots have been around longer than we suspect.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:25 PM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is interesting. Kevin Drum at Mother Jones, Here’s Why the Right-Wing Grifter Problem Is a Right-Wing Problem
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:32 PM on June 5, 2019 [17 favorites]
... Since at least the late 70s, the cold, hard nugget at the heart of the conservative movement’s electoral strategy is an attempt to win working-class votes for a party that’s dedicated to the interests of corporations and the wealthy. ... This means that the success of the entire movement is intimately tied to a huge, relentlessly repeated lie... This is inexorably corrosive.He also picks out a couple of other factors: the Right's scapegoating of the IRS, which would have rooted out some of these scams, and the concentration of elderly voters on the right, who are traditional targets of scammers. But primarily, the whole movement is built on lies, and the true believers are primed to believe more lies.
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:32 PM on June 5, 2019 [17 favorites]
“Trump's approval ratings by state:
CO: -14
IA: -12
ME: -9
AZ: -6
NC: -4
If the House impeaches, GOP senators in those states will have to vote to convict or acquit. I'm not a highly paid Democratic consultant, but that seems good for Dems hoping to retake the Senate.” @EzraLevin
posted by The Whelk at 12:34 PM on June 5, 2019 [28 favorites]
CO: -14
IA: -12
ME: -9
AZ: -6
NC: -4
If the House impeaches, GOP senators in those states will have to vote to convict or acquit. I'm not a highly paid Democratic consultant, but that seems good for Dems hoping to retake the Senate.” @EzraLevin
posted by The Whelk at 12:34 PM on June 5, 2019 [28 favorites]
Forgot to mention that one of the things that made me apoplectic during the Bush administration was fellow liberals who believed in global warming insisting that the term "climate change" was much, much more scientificalistic. How Luntz got them, I do not know, but perhaps trollbots have been around longer than we suspect.
To be fair, "climate change" also rebuts yahoos who tend to mock "global warming" during cold winters, which can also be attributed to ... well ... climate change.
Warmer arctic linked to more severe winter weather
So the terminology shift isn't completely nefarious.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 12:38 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
To be fair, "climate change" also rebuts yahoos who tend to mock "global warming" during cold winters, which can also be attributed to ... well ... climate change.
Warmer arctic linked to more severe winter weather
So the terminology shift isn't completely nefarious.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 12:38 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
The rationale for saying "climate change" was always relatively sensible, even if the effect has been less than ideal: That it describes the phenomenon and its effects more comprehensively, whereas "warming" could be interpreted as necessarily uniform and universal, thus "countered" by a cold snap anywhere.
This is a good example of a liberal/conservative language divide where the latter goes for the visceral while the former prefers the ostensibly accurate. One approach wins minds, but the other wins hearts. "Global warming", by providing descriptive imagery, is a one-two punch of a phrase like "Crooked Hillary", but with a basis in reality.
It was an abridged version of Churchill's book on World War II, so about defeating Nazis. And a silver pen to a man known to favor magic markers.
Wait, which is it? Do you insult Trump by giving him the tacky/childish things he might actually use, or the fancy things he shuns? I feel like no matter what, you can read all these gestures (including a snowflake brooch or whatever) as "shade".
There's nothing stopping the royals from simply announcing they refuse to meet with Trump, then citing Sadiq Khan's editorial as providing the explanation.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:40 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
This is a good example of a liberal/conservative language divide where the latter goes for the visceral while the former prefers the ostensibly accurate. One approach wins minds, but the other wins hearts. "Global warming", by providing descriptive imagery, is a one-two punch of a phrase like "Crooked Hillary", but with a basis in reality.
It was an abridged version of Churchill's book on World War II, so about defeating Nazis. And a silver pen to a man known to favor magic markers.
Wait, which is it? Do you insult Trump by giving him the tacky/childish things he might actually use, or the fancy things he shuns? I feel like no matter what, you can read all these gestures (including a snowflake brooch or whatever) as "shade".
There's nothing stopping the royals from simply announcing they refuse to meet with Trump, then citing Sadiq Khan's editorial as providing the explanation.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:40 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
There's nothing stopping the royals from simply announcing they refuse to meet with Trump, then citing Sadiq Khan's editorial as providing the explanation.
Other than the not-totally-unfounded concern that the big baby might react with some sort of unilateral tarrif or other action that they could really use to not deal with, what with the whole brexit situation and all. [im not saying i wouldnt have applauded their telling him to get fucked, but i do think there could be a reasonably calculated choice in having him there and treating him well, to his face anyway]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:48 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
Other than the not-totally-unfounded concern that the big baby might react with some sort of unilateral tarrif or other action that they could really use to not deal with, what with the whole brexit situation and all. [im not saying i wouldnt have applauded their telling him to get fucked, but i do think there could be a reasonably calculated choice in having him there and treating him well, to his face anyway]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:48 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
The taboo about royals and politics is there for a very good reason. It's terribly humiliating for all involved (Trump looks terrible next to people with grace and class, and the Queen looks like she's just not fussy about who she stands beside) but the fault doesn't lie with the royal family: they're just doing their jobs and I would rather live in a country where the venal and incompetent government instructs the queen to stand next to a mediocrity so deep it cannot even recognise greatness than live in a country where the queen has any choice in the matter.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:01 PM on June 5, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:01 PM on June 5, 2019 [21 favorites]
So it's sort of a noblesse oblige thing.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Exhausted Britain wishes Donald Trump would notice he was being gravely insulted (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
An increasingly distraught Britain wondered for the duration of President Trump’s visit to the country whether the president was ever going to notice that he was being gravely insulted. Indignities that would have sent previous presidents packing whistled harmlessly over his head and detonated behind him, unnoticed except by their perpetrators.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:15 PM on June 5, 2019 [48 favorites]
“Someone said, ‘Thank you for your opinion’ after he had made a remark, and he actually said, ‘You’re welcome,’” gasped Madeline Bassett-Glossop.
“The chef served the vichyssoise hot and the consommé cold,” butler Roland Leighton observed. “But he didn’t try either of them.”
“His steak was cooked all the way through and slathered with ketchup, a sign of my highest contempt and disregard,” shuddered the chef, “and he thanked me.” […]
Crowds thronged the streets for a protest that Trump called “fake news.” “He seems to think it’s a kind of parade,” said Flea Thompson, who tends sheep in Wiltshire. “We are being as angry as we can and saying, ‘Good day, sir!’ in our most withering tones, but he is not, I think, understanding that we do not truly wish him a good day.”
...all while the PM tries desperately to appear like this is a normal event and he's sitting next to a normal American president.
Are they at the airport instead of Trump's golf course?
posted by ZeusHumms at 1:23 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Are they at the airport instead of Trump's golf course?
posted by ZeusHumms at 1:23 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
It's a "who's boss" thing. I don't care what the Queen wants, and if I ever have to, democracy is eroding. I am a UK taxpayer, she is one of my highest-paid employees, and she works strictly on a ceremonial basis.
Stand next to the orange boor and his ghoulish clan, smile, and wave. That's the deal, because our government made it. I probably like it less than her, but that doesn't give her a choice in the matter. We know what happens to democracies that don't keep an eye on things like that...
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:25 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
Stand next to the orange boor and his ghoulish clan, smile, and wave. That's the deal, because our government made it. I probably like it less than her, but that doesn't give her a choice in the matter. We know what happens to democracies that don't keep an eye on things like that...
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:25 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
reiterating his obsession with climate change somehow being about "crystal clean water, which we have already"
I've decided that he thinks "environment" and "climate" are synonyms.
posted by diogenes at 1:34 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
I've decided that he thinks "environment" and "climate" are synonyms.
posted by diogenes at 1:34 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Other than the not-totally-unfounded concern that the big baby might react with some sort of unilateral tarrif or other action that they could really use to not deal with, what with the whole brexit situation and all.
Tariffs and Brexit, yeah, and also that whole bit where Trump occasionally can't keep his urge to dissolve NATO to himself.
I desperately want to see other world leaders call his ass out and treat him like the moron he is, and at the same time I have to concede this is all deadly serious. Lives are on the line.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:40 PM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
Tariffs and Brexit, yeah, and also that whole bit where Trump occasionally can't keep his urge to dissolve NATO to himself.
I desperately want to see other world leaders call his ass out and treat him like the moron he is, and at the same time I have to concede this is all deadly serious. Lives are on the line.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:40 PM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
The Guardian reports on the costs of Trump’s junket European tour: Irish funeral firm rents out four limousines to Trump for $1m
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:54 PM on June 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
The Trump administration paid the family-owned firm based in Bray, County Wicklow, $935,033 in four tranches, according to USASpending.gov, an official portal that records federal government spending.[…]MSNBC’s Kyle Griffin notes, “According to the pool report, Trump is now at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg. This is Trump's 192nd day at a Trump golf club and 258th day at a Trump property as president.”
The presidential entourage’s hotel bills have also drawn scrutiny. State department documents show US taxpayers have spent $1,223,230 on VIP accommodation at the InterContinental hotel on Park Lane in Mayfair, London.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:54 PM on June 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
Note that those are Texas numbers. (re: Quinnipiac May 28, 2015: Clinton 50 Trump 32)
Where do you see it being a Texas poll? The first sentence of the methodology is "This RDD telephone survey was conducted from May 19 –26, 2015 throughout the nation."
As far as I can tell it really it is a Quinnipiac poll showing Clinton +18 nationwide roughly as far before the general as we are now. Whether one believes it is an apples to apples comparison is up for debate but it does look like decent evidence for the "don't take the GE matchup polling too seriously with regard to electability" side to me.
posted by Justinian at 1:54 PM on June 5, 2019
Where do you see it being a Texas poll? The first sentence of the methodology is "This RDD telephone survey was conducted from May 19 –26, 2015 throughout the nation."
As far as I can tell it really it is a Quinnipiac poll showing Clinton +18 nationwide roughly as far before the general as we are now. Whether one believes it is an apples to apples comparison is up for debate but it does look like decent evidence for the "don't take the GE matchup polling too seriously with regard to electability" side to me.
posted by Justinian at 1:54 PM on June 5, 2019
Ohhh. You meant the OTHER poll, showing Biden up 4 over Trump, were Texas numbers.
Reading comprehension FAIL. At least I got there eventually.
posted by Justinian at 1:55 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Reading comprehension FAIL. At least I got there eventually.
posted by Justinian at 1:55 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
I've decided that he thinks "environment" and "climate" are synonyms.
Or it could be a coordinated effort to sow confusion, this week Andrew Wheeler made the same argument: Discounting climate change, EPA chief faults the media for the rise of bad environmental news. Conflating separate issues, he's taking a victory lap for reducing some pollution indicators over decades while the economy is growing, but blaming the media for pessimistic reporting on climate change. But those pollution indicators he cites all improved because of existing regulations-- regulations that they are fighting to roll back, eliminate, or in the case of CO2, never regulate. The EPA has, of course, called accurate reporting of Wheeler's remarks fake news.
posted by peeedro at 2:03 PM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
Or it could be a coordinated effort to sow confusion, this week Andrew Wheeler made the same argument: Discounting climate change, EPA chief faults the media for the rise of bad environmental news. Conflating separate issues, he's taking a victory lap for reducing some pollution indicators over decades while the economy is growing, but blaming the media for pessimistic reporting on climate change. But those pollution indicators he cites all improved because of existing regulations-- regulations that they are fighting to roll back, eliminate, or in the case of CO2, never regulate. The EPA has, of course, called accurate reporting of Wheeler's remarks fake news.
posted by peeedro at 2:03 PM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
But Congress could avoid that by passing a more specific law that just targets the tariffs without impacting the wall emergency.
Republicans want something badly, a veto-proof rejection of the Mexican tariff emergency. Democrats should make a veto-proof rejection of the wall emergency a pre-condition. It's both or nothing -- and stick to it.
posted by JackFlash at 2:16 PM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
Republicans want something badly, a veto-proof rejection of the Mexican tariff emergency. Democrats should make a veto-proof rejection of the wall emergency a pre-condition. It's both or nothing -- and stick to it.
posted by JackFlash at 2:16 PM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
"crystal clean water"
I'd love to have him go to Flint and drink some tap water.
Or even come to Iowa and drink some of our river water, and tell me again how clean it is.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:35 PM on June 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
I'd love to have him go to Flint and drink some tap water.
Or even come to Iowa and drink some of our river water, and tell me again how clean it is.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:35 PM on June 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
Stand next to the orange boor and his ghoulish clan, smile, and wave. That's the deal, because our government made it. I probably like it less than her, but that doesn't give her a choice in the matter. We know what happens to democracies that don't keep an eye on things like that...
Britain kept an eye on things like that. How's it working out?
Spain didn't keep King Juan Carlos on as tight a leash, and in return he reversed at least one military coup.
This makes me appreciate the rule against touching royalty, though. If they have to stand next to that cretinous ghoul, they should at least not be touched by him.
posted by ocschwar at 2:48 PM on June 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
9 Must-See Moments From Trump’s Bonkers Interview With Piers Morgan
He said Meghan Markle is not “nasty.”
He wouldn’t admit to believing in climate change.
He said a weird thing about Hitler. (While talking about Winston Churchill, Trump referenced Hitler “going through countries like cheese.” That’s one way to put it!)
He also said a weird, false thing about Churchill. (When Morgan pushed Trump to find similarities between him and Winston Churchill, he came up with this gem: “Churchill didn’t have to worry so much about the nuclear.” As Brian McKeon, former deputy under secretary of defense, pointed on Twitter, that’s not true.)
He took the NHS off the table in U.S.–U.K. trade talks.
He would have been “honored” to serve in Vietnam.
He defended the trans military ban with wildly inaccurate claims.
He questioned reality.
He put on this hat.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:54 PM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
He said Meghan Markle is not “nasty.”
He wouldn’t admit to believing in climate change.
He said a weird thing about Hitler. (While talking about Winston Churchill, Trump referenced Hitler “going through countries like cheese.” That’s one way to put it!)
He also said a weird, false thing about Churchill. (When Morgan pushed Trump to find similarities between him and Winston Churchill, he came up with this gem: “Churchill didn’t have to worry so much about the nuclear.” As Brian McKeon, former deputy under secretary of defense, pointed on Twitter, that’s not true.)
He took the NHS off the table in U.S.–U.K. trade talks.
He would have been “honored” to serve in Vietnam.
He defended the trans military ban with wildly inaccurate claims.
He questioned reality.
He put on this hat.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:54 PM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
@JayInslee (WA Gov, also another-white-guy-running-for-prez): Today, my team received a call from the Democratic National Committee letting us know that they will not host a #ClimateDebate.
Further, they explained that if we participated in anyone else's climate debate, we will not be invited to future debates. This is deeply disappointing. (Statement continues.)
The lack of a climate debate is a horrible, stupid decision to begin with. Threatening to bar candidates from other debates if they go through with one on their own seems like a whole 'nother level.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [45 favorites]
Further, they explained that if we participated in anyone else's climate debate, we will not be invited to future debates. This is deeply disappointing. (Statement continues.)
The lack of a climate debate is a horrible, stupid decision to begin with. Threatening to bar candidates from other debates if they go through with one on their own seems like a whole 'nother level.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [45 favorites]
I think that's always been a thing -- if you participate in unofficial debates then you don't get to participate in the official ones.
Otherwise it's easy for candidates to stage their own debates and exclude whomever they want, and set the rules to their own advantage, and so on. And that leads to a lot of anger and finger pointing and recrimination. Plus there could end up being dozens of them and then they individually sort of lose their significance and nobody watches.
So the idea is you just have the one set of official debates, and you make them as neutral as possible, and everybody watches. And nobody is allowed to participate in any debates but those.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:17 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Otherwise it's easy for candidates to stage their own debates and exclude whomever they want, and set the rules to their own advantage, and so on. And that leads to a lot of anger and finger pointing and recrimination. Plus there could end up being dozens of them and then they individually sort of lose their significance and nobody watches.
So the idea is you just have the one set of official debates, and you make them as neutral as possible, and everybody watches. And nobody is allowed to participate in any debates but those.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:17 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
There's no reason they can't have any number of unsanctioned climate town halls though, right? As long as they don't actually use a debate format with multiple candidates at once. As far as I know, they can can go back-to-back or use any other format besides an actual debate.
posted by zachlipton at 3:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
So the idea is you just have the one set of official debates, and you make them as neutral as possible, and everybody watches. And nobody is allowed to participate in any debates but those.
And the rest of the idea is that nobody gets asked any meaningful questions about climate policy or is forced to defend their pro-fossil-fuel "middle ground" position, so that the thing that is currently in the process of decimating multicellular life on Earth becomes just one more issue that gee shucks we didn't get around to addressing this time.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:50 PM on June 5, 2019 [25 favorites]
And the rest of the idea is that nobody gets asked any meaningful questions about climate policy or is forced to defend their pro-fossil-fuel "middle ground" position, so that the thing that is currently in the process of decimating multicellular life on Earth becomes just one more issue that gee shucks we didn't get around to addressing this time.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:50 PM on June 5, 2019 [25 favorites]
After years of criticism, YouTube apparently intends to start enforcing its community guidelines to prevent common forms of hate speech.
YouTube is changing its community guidelines to ban videos promoting the superiority of any group as a justification for discrimination against others based on their age, gender, race, caste, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, the company said today. The move, which will result in the removal of all videos promoting Nazism and other discriminatory ideologies, is expected to result in the removal of thousands of channels across YouTube.posted by Nerd of the North at 4:13 PM on June 5, 2019 [11 favorites]
(link to article at The Verge)
Want to defeat Trump? Attack Biden (Bhaskar Sunkara, Guardian Opinion)
We’ve seen this story before. Donald Trump offered voters something different. He spoke to their anger, and told them about his plans to “Make America Great Again”. In response, Hillary Clinton ran a campaign perpetually on the back foot – triangulating to avoid standing for anything too controversial, and presenting herself as the safe anti-Trump. If the Democrats had listened more carefully, they might have heard millions of Americans saying they weren’t too pleased with the last several decades of US politics. Clinton’s reply? Choose me. I’ve been in politics for 30 years.Joe Biden stirs anger by backing 40-year-old 'discriminatory' abortion law (Guardian)
[...] To the extent Biden has even defined his politics, they’ve been to the right of not just the Democrats but the larger American political zeitgeist. He’s been talking with the Brookings Institution about cutting Medicare and Social Security; he supports unpopular trade deals; he complains about billionaires being demonized; he has a spotty record on civil rights; and he’s running as far as possible from Medicare for All, a proposal with the support of 70% of Americans.
It’s no wonder that our predatory private health insurance industry is openly hoping “Biden wins the Democratic nomination without changing his current view against single payer”.
“To support the Hyde amendment is to block people – particularly women of color and women with low incomes – from accessing safe, legal abortion,” said Kelley Robinson, executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the reproductive health services group’s lobbying arm. “As abortion access is being restricted and pushed out of reach in states around the country, it is unacceptable for a candidate to support policies that further restrict abortion,” said Robinson. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 4:16 PM on June 5, 2019 [23 favorites]
“At a time where the fundamental freedoms enshrined in Roe are under attack, the 2020 Democratic field has coalesced around the party’s core values – support for abortion rights, and the basic truth that reproductive freedom is fundamental to the pursuit of equality and economic security in this country,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of Naral Pro-choice America. “Differentiating himself from the field this way will not earn Joe Biden any political points and will bring harm to women who are already most vulnerable.”
Mod note: Youtube policy stuff is currently under discussion in this thread; let's keep it there.
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 4:19 PM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
He’s been talking with the Brookings Institution about cutting Medicare and Social Security
Everyone forgets just how much Trump ran against Hilary from the left. He promised not to touch Medicare and Social Security, over and over. Which sounded like a new tune from a Republican. It was all lies of course, but it was lies people really wanted to hear and believe, after decades of Republicans promising to cut the safety net, and Democrats promising to ...cut the safety net so Republicans wouldn't have to cut the safety net.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:23 PM on June 5, 2019 [18 favorites]
Everyone forgets just how much Trump ran against Hilary from the left. He promised not to touch Medicare and Social Security, over and over. Which sounded like a new tune from a Republican. It was all lies of course, but it was lies people really wanted to hear and believe, after decades of Republicans promising to cut the safety net, and Democrats promising to ...cut the safety net so Republicans wouldn't have to cut the safety net.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:23 PM on June 5, 2019 [18 favorites]
So the idea is you just have the one set of official debates, and you make them as neutral as possible, and everybody watches. And nobody is allowed to participate in any debates but those.
This is a sanction that works against individual candidates but not the entire field. If several leading candidates call their bluff & hold an unsanctioned debate, force DCCC to disavow them all or concede.
posted by scalefree at 5:27 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
This is a sanction that works against individual candidates but not the entire field. If several leading candidates call their bluff & hold an unsanctioned debate, force DCCC to disavow them all or concede.
posted by scalefree at 5:27 PM on June 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Joe Biden stirs anger by backing 40-year-old 'discriminatory' abortion law
joe wat r u doin
I assume he believes (with justification) this appeals to a broad electorate since the Hyde amendment polls at 40-41% even among Democrats and 60+% for swing voters, but... he's gotta already have the moderate Dem vote locked up tighter than my grip on a double size snickers bar.
The only way it makes sense is if he's already looking towards the general. Which is a bold strategy, Cotton.
posted by Justinian at 5:46 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
joe wat r u doin
I assume he believes (with justification) this appeals to a broad electorate since the Hyde amendment polls at 40-41% even among Democrats and 60+% for swing voters, but... he's gotta already have the moderate Dem vote locked up tighter than my grip on a double size snickers bar.
The only way it makes sense is if he's already looking towards the general. Which is a bold strategy, Cotton.
posted by Justinian at 5:46 PM on June 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
Or if he truly believes the thing he's said consistently since the 1970s.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:10 PM on June 5, 2019 [20 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:10 PM on June 5, 2019 [20 favorites]
Everyone forgets just how much Trump ran against Hilary from the left. He promised not to touch Medicare and Social Security, over and over.
This is just bullshit revisionism.
From the Clinton stump speech, which she gave hundreds of times during the campaign, but of course not covered non-stop like Trump by CNN or the New York Times:
Defend Social Security from Republican privatization
Oppose cost of living reductions
Oppose raising retirement age
Increased benefits for the poor and widows who gave up working to raise their children
Paying for shortfalls by taxing the rich
Fight against Republican repeal of the ACA
Oppose privatization of Medicare
Allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices
And against those concrete improvements, Trump just lied and said he wouldn't touch them, which means absolutely nothing.
To say that Trump ran to Clinton's left is just ignorant bullshit. It isn't helping.
posted by JackFlash at 6:29 PM on June 5, 2019 [50 favorites]
This is just bullshit revisionism.
From the Clinton stump speech, which she gave hundreds of times during the campaign, but of course not covered non-stop like Trump by CNN or the New York Times:
Defend Social Security from Republican privatization
Oppose cost of living reductions
Oppose raising retirement age
Increased benefits for the poor and widows who gave up working to raise their children
Paying for shortfalls by taxing the rich
Fight against Republican repeal of the ACA
Oppose privatization of Medicare
Allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices
And against those concrete improvements, Trump just lied and said he wouldn't touch them, which means absolutely nothing.
To say that Trump ran to Clinton's left is just ignorant bullshit. It isn't helping.
posted by JackFlash at 6:29 PM on June 5, 2019 [50 favorites]
this appeals to a broad electorate since the Hyde amendment polls at 40-41% even among Democrats and 60+% for swing voters,
But does it? Back in 2016, a poll "conducted by Hart Research Associates for All Above All, a coalition of organizations working to end insurance coverage bans on abortion. Pollsters focused on the battleground states of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The poll targeted 1,155 registered voters and included larger-than-average samples of both young voters age 18 to 34, and of African Americans and Hispanics. A full 76 percent voters agreed with the statement, “However we feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny a woman's health coverage for it just because she's poor.” The voters who agreed included 76 percent of independents, 66 percent of Republicans, and 89 percent of Democrats."
Also, to reframe the issue slightly, it is clearly unacceptable for the Democratic nominee to fail to support the right for all women to have access to a safe abortion (Danielle Campoamor, WaPo Opinion). There also appears to be majority support for Roe v. Wade, even among Republicans (NBC News). It is sickening that Biden supports the Hyde Amendment, because it is directly in opposition to a woman's right to reproductive choice. As noted by Danielle Campoamor:
But does it? Back in 2016, a poll "conducted by Hart Research Associates for All Above All, a coalition of organizations working to end insurance coverage bans on abortion. Pollsters focused on the battleground states of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The poll targeted 1,155 registered voters and included larger-than-average samples of both young voters age 18 to 34, and of African Americans and Hispanics. A full 76 percent voters agreed with the statement, “However we feel about abortion, politicians should not be allowed to deny a woman's health coverage for it just because she's poor.” The voters who agreed included 76 percent of independents, 66 percent of Republicans, and 89 percent of Democrats."
Also, to reframe the issue slightly, it is clearly unacceptable for the Democratic nominee to fail to support the right for all women to have access to a safe abortion (Danielle Campoamor, WaPo Opinion). There also appears to be majority support for Roe v. Wade, even among Republicans (NBC News). It is sickening that Biden supports the Hyde Amendment, because it is directly in opposition to a woman's right to reproductive choice. As noted by Danielle Campoamor:
If Joe Biden wants to carry the banner of a party that claims to champion, protect and uphold the inalienable rights of black, brown and poor people, he must reverse his support of the Hyde Amendment and follow the lead of his fellow Democratic candidates. Anything less would be the former vice president throwing under the bus the people whose support he needs most directly, at a moment when they are uniquely vulnerable. These positions may not stop Biden from getting the Democratic Party’s nomination. But they make him unfit to lead.posted by Little Dawn at 6:59 PM on June 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
Remember that viral clip of Rep. Katie Porter asking the head of the CFPB to calculate the interest rate on a basic payday loan? A ProPublica reporter happened to need to use the bathroom, and you'll never believe what happened next:
posted by zachlipton at 7:02 PM on June 5, 2019 [34 favorites]
Kraninger is new to public testimony, but she already seems to have developed the politician’s skill of refusing to answer difficult questions. At a hearing in March just weeks before the Doral conference, Democratic Rep. Katie Porter repeatedly asked Kraninger to calculate the annual percentage rate on a hypothetical $200 two-week payday loan that costs $10 per $100 borrowed plus a $20 fee. The exchange went viral on Twitter. In a bit of congressional theater, Porter even had an aide deliver a calculator to Kraninger’s side to help her. But Kraninger would not engage. She emphasized that she wanted to conduct a policy discussion rather than a “math exercise.” The answer, by the way: That’s a 521% APR.The rest of the story, How Payday Lenders Spent $1 Million at a Trump Resort — and Cashed In, is worth reading too, featuring a convention of payday lenders at Trump National Doral.
A while later, the session recessed and Kraninger and a handful of her aides repaired to the women’s room. A ProPublica reporter was there, too. The group lingered, seeming to relish what they considered a triumph in the hearing room. “I stole that calculator, Kathy,” one of the aides said. “It’s ours! It’s ours now!” Kraninger and her team laughed.
posted by zachlipton at 7:02 PM on June 5, 2019 [34 favorites]
Trump's Three Crutches:
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
Or lashing out and punching down.
Nobody expects The Donald's Traveshamockery! Amongst his crutches are...such diverse elements as...trade, attacking women, lashing out, punching down ... and an entirely fanatical devotion to himself.
...And unseemly red neckties.
Bugger! I'll come in again.
posted by perspicio at 7:02 PM on June 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
Immigration, Trade, and attacking women.
Or lashing out and punching down.
Nobody expects The Donald's Traveshamockery! Amongst his crutches are...such diverse elements as...trade, attacking women, lashing out, punching down ... and an entirely fanatical devotion to himself.
...And unseemly red neckties.
Bugger! I'll come in again.
posted by perspicio at 7:02 PM on June 5, 2019 [16 favorites]
Politico, Pelosi tells Dems she wants to see Trump ‘in prison’
@qjurecic: Honestly, this strikes me as really inappropriate, just as "Lock Her Up" was inappropriate
posted by zachlipton at 7:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
Speaker Nancy Pelosi told senior Democrats that she’d like to see President Donald Trump “in prison” as she clashed with House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler in a meeting on Tuesday night over whether to launch impeachment proceedings.Ok...how?
Pelosi met with Nadler (D-N.Y.) and several other top Democrats who are aggressively pursuing investigations against the president, according to multiple sources. Nadler and other committee leaders have been embroiled in a behind-the-scenes turf battle for weeks over ownership of the Democrats’ sprawling investigation into Trump.
Nadler pressed Pelosi to allow his committee to launch an impeachment inquiry against Trump — the second such request he’s made in recent weeks only to be rebuffed by the California Democrat and other senior leaders. Pelosi stood firm, reiterating that she isn’t open to the idea of impeaching Trump at this time.
“I don’t want to see him impeached, I want to see him in prison,” Pelosi said, according to multiple Democratic sources familiar with the meeting.
@qjurecic: Honestly, this strikes me as really inappropriate, just as "Lock Her Up" was inappropriate
posted by zachlipton at 7:04 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
And against those concrete improvements, Trump just lied and said he wouldn't touch them, which means absolutely nothing.
To say that Trump ran to Clinton's left is just ignorant bullshit. It isn't helping.
I mean, I said he lied. It was obvious at the time that he was lying. He immediately turned over the entire domestic agenda to Paul Ryan, which was 1000% predictable the entire time.
But denying that he was able to co-opt part of the popular anger by just lying about not wanting to cut Social Security also isn't helping, and calling it bullshit doesn't make it less true. That was absolutely part of his appeal as some sort of "different kind of Republican". Like so many other topics, all Clinton's white papers and great ideas didn't break through the all encompassing "but her emails". Trump promising not to cut SS and Medicaid (he didn't even know the difference, remember?) absolutely did.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:08 PM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
To say that Trump ran to Clinton's left is just ignorant bullshit. It isn't helping.
I mean, I said he lied. It was obvious at the time that he was lying. He immediately turned over the entire domestic agenda to Paul Ryan, which was 1000% predictable the entire time.
But denying that he was able to co-opt part of the popular anger by just lying about not wanting to cut Social Security also isn't helping, and calling it bullshit doesn't make it less true. That was absolutely part of his appeal as some sort of "different kind of Republican". Like so many other topics, all Clinton's white papers and great ideas didn't break through the all encompassing "but her emails". Trump promising not to cut SS and Medicaid (he didn't even know the difference, remember?) absolutely did.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:08 PM on June 5, 2019 [13 favorites]
To say that Trump ran to Clinton's left is just ignorant bullshit.It's a gross simplification of what actually happened but doesn't deserve to be dismissed in such insulting terms. Trump was never held to any coherent standard on his policy positions (or lack thereof) but many of his ramblings were like Rorshach test ink blots that listeners and pundits projected their own wishes onto, while Clinton's pronouncements were treated with a cynicism and pessimism that did not help her candidacy at all.
It's true that he never seriously advocated a consistent platform anywhere to Clinton's left but nevertheless many writers and voters somehow convinced themselves (because of, rather than in spite of the lack of specific policy proposals) that he would be less aggressive and militaristic on foreign policy, that he would be as good or better on LGBTQ issues, that he would make health care more available and affordable, and in many other ways. People who believed those things were deluded, of course, (self-deluded for the most part..) but they represented a significant bloc in the 2016 election.
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:09 PM on June 5, 2019 [28 favorites]
Democratic Leaders’ Reluctance to Wage Kavanaugh Fight Looks Even Worse Today
Fresh reporting in Ryan Grim’s new book, We’ve Got People: From Jesse Jackson to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the End of Big Money and the Rise of a Movement, sheds more light on Senate Democrats’ tactics during the Kavanaugh hearings and suggests that at this pivotal moment, leaders treated their energized base more like a threat than an asset.posted by kirkaracha at 7:09 PM on June 5, 2019 [31 favorites]
Grim reports that Senator Dianne Feinstein failed to act on a letter from Blasey Ford, her constituent, for weeks, despite pressure from fellow California senator Kamala Harris. The office of Representative Anna Eshoo forwarded the letter, which described her allegation against Kavanaugh, to Feinstein on July 30. However, it only became public in mid-September, after Grim reported on its existence in The Intercept. In his book, Grim casts doubt on Feinstein’s explanation for the delay — that Blasey Ford had requested anonymity — noting that her argument “ignored that Blasey Ford had already taken repeated steps to come forward, had already told friends she planned to do so, had already come forward to two congressional offices and reached out to the press, and was only asking for confidentiality until she and Feinstein spoke.”
...
Grim reports that when the Democrats gathered on September 27, shortly after Blasey Ford’s gripping testimony, Schumer advised his caucus to do nothing. “There was no way, he said, that Kavanaugh could survive. That meant that the smartest Democratic move at this moment was to not get in the way,” Grim writes. “Don’t do anything, he told Judiciary Committee members, that could screw this up and give Republicans some way to paint Kavanaugh as the victim. Stand down, he said.”
But Schumer’s prediction proved incorrect: Kavanaugh did survive.
Grim reports that when the Democrats gathered on September 27, shortly after Blasey Ford’s gripping testimony, Schumer advised his caucus to do nothing. “There was no way, he said, that Kavanaugh could survive. That meant that the smartest Democratic move at this moment was to not get in the way,” Grim writes. “Don’t do anything, he told Judiciary Committee members, that could screw this up and give Republicans some way to paint Kavanaugh as the victim. Stand down, he said.”If true, that kind of catastrophic miscalculation should have marked the end of Schumer's leadership.
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:36 PM on June 5, 2019 [49 favorites]
Ok...how? Reuters: “In terms of the crimes committed, we know that he obstructed justice,” Pelosi said on Wednesday.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:56 PM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Little Dawn at 7:56 PM on June 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Now this is the sort of headline and blurb writing that I can get along with...
David Fahrenthold, WaPo: Trump to stay at his money-losing golf course threatened by climate change
David Fahrenthold, WaPo: Trump to stay at his money-losing golf course threatened by climate change
Despite the odd geography of the schedule — which requires flying hundreds of miles west to Ireland, then hundreds more miles back east to France — the president said he stayed at Doonbeg for convenience.But there's more meat to the story as well, and layers of irony:
Doonbeg was one of 14 properties that Trump bought without loans between 2006 and 2014, an all-cash spending binge that topped $400 million — defying his history as the heavy-borrowing “King of Debt.” The Trump Organization has explained this unusual spending — which defies the usual practices of the debt-loving real estate industry — by saying its other businesses produced enough cash to make it easy.posted by RedOrGreen at 8:13 PM on June 5, 2019 [35 favorites]
...
The course is now waiting on [...] a proposed sea wall to stop the Atlantic Ocean from eroding away part of the golf course. The Trump Organization cited climate change in its application for the permit ... saying that sea-level rise and more-powerful storms had worsened the threat of erosion. Trump the politician, of course, has questioned idea that climate change is a threat at all — defying the overwhelming scientific consensus and his own golf course’s assessment of its future.
Hearings. House Committee hearings, every one of them. And yes, impeachment hearings to tie them all together. Yes, the Senate will hold a quickie sham trial that ignores the evidence & "exonerates" him. Then hang that around their necks in 2020 just as you hang everything the committees DID find around Trump's. All it takes is the courage to lead the way & some Representatives willing to either actually investigate & ask hard questions based on that or cede their time to someone who can.
DO IT or we risk losing everything forever.
posted by scalefree at 8:39 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
DO IT or we risk losing everything forever.
posted by scalefree at 8:39 PM on June 5, 2019 [15 favorites]
Grim reports that when the Democrats gathered on September 27, shortly after Blasey Ford’s gripping testimony, Schumer advised his caucus to do nothing. “There was no way, he said, that Kavanaugh could survive. That meant that the smartest Democratic move at this moment was to not get in the way,” Grim writes. “Don’t do anything, he told Judiciary Committee members, that could screw this up and give Republicans some way to paint Kavanaugh as the victim. Stand down, he said.”
There it is, the biggest difference between Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid: Chuck's complete lack of killer instinct.
posted by duffell at 8:41 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
There it is, the biggest difference between Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid: Chuck's complete lack of killer instinct.
posted by duffell at 8:41 PM on June 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
[re: prison]
How? There has, so far, been no inquiry whatsoever by law enforcement as to whether Trump committed crimes prior to or during his presidency.
I think the SDNY cases speak to this?
But I don't think that's it. Pelosi knows Trump is a lily-livered traitor just like we do. More, even. That's the prison she's talking about. In order to get there, she's gonna need Republican Senators. 11? 16? Anyway, that's when Mitch is squirming, which I think is also necessary.
posted by rhizome at 10:18 PM on June 5, 2019
How? There has, so far, been no inquiry whatsoever by law enforcement as to whether Trump committed crimes prior to or during his presidency.
I think the SDNY cases speak to this?
But I don't think that's it. Pelosi knows Trump is a lily-livered traitor just like we do. More, even. That's the prison she's talking about. In order to get there, she's gonna need Republican Senators. 11? 16? Anyway, that's when Mitch is squirming, which I think is also necessary.
posted by rhizome at 10:18 PM on June 5, 2019
2020 is the target, the objective. Winning an impeachment trial is a fool's errand. What's needed between now & the election is to wound Trump, bloody him, make him an unacceptable risk to people predisposed to ignore his flaws & faults. That's done in Congress with a sheaf of investigations into every aspect of his criminality & lies & those of the people he selects, televised & amplified in the media & the same against the Senate that enables him. That's how it's done. Win in 2020 or we lose it all.
posted by scalefree at 10:41 PM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 10:41 PM on June 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
Turn the House into a bully pulpit like Trump uses Twitter. Force a new narrative into the public consciousness, force Trump to be reactive for the first time in office. When a story hits the press he has to react, his narcissism requires it, he has no choice in the matter. Use that to our advantage. Make him know what it's like to feel out of control of the headlines, day after day after day until it grinds the laziest President in history down into nothing. Make him so unable to govern that nobody can deny it, not even the Senate & his MAGA-head supporters.
posted by scalefree at 10:50 PM on June 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 10:50 PM on June 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
People respond to passion, emotions, intensity. We get that in part with exciting policies, sure. But we also get it in opposition to Trump. Create a showcase for Trump's lies & his crimes & those of the people he chooses. Put it on TV, day after day, make it a ratings beast for the media that can't be ignored or lied away. That's what puts the Dem candidate, whoever she is, over the top with a margin nobody can mess with. That's what wins in 2020. That's what rescues America & possibly civilization.
posted by scalefree at 11:13 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 11:13 PM on June 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
The Guardian's inimitable Marina Hyde (a commentator so good that someone marched in a Brexit protest with a thank you sign for her) takes stock of Trump's visit: Donald Trump, the one person more of a political basket case than Britain
posted by zachlipton at 11:27 PM on June 5, 2019 [17 favorites]
It is finally over, then, the state visit during which US President Donald Trump treated Britain like a Moscow hotel mattress. God, we deserved it. The event served most tellingly as a vicious satire on British public life, with every fevered reaction to it recalling Sybil Fawlty’s assessment of her husband Basil’s way with guests: “You never get it right, do you? You’re either crawling all over the them, licking their boots, or spitting poison at them like some Benzedrined puff adder.”This is not really relevant, but I'm not over the fact that Guardian house style apparently favors the capitalisation "Nascar."
And so with the entire political class, who spent three days either fawning over this Nascar royal wedding, or shriekingly defining themselves against it to boost their personal brands. Much better to have treated Trump with the exquisitely polite disinterest of a competent hotelier – perhaps the only language he understands.
Instead, he was welcomed as grist to our dark satanic content mills. Rolling news offered the 24-hour spectacle of Britain being borne back ceaselessly into its past, while our best hope for the future is apparently to beg for a few scraps of chlorinated chicken in exchange for a go on the NHS.
posted by zachlipton at 11:27 PM on June 5, 2019 [17 favorites]
From Hyde's piece: That said, I did miss our former best player. You spend a lifetime cringing at Prince Philip insulting people, and the one time you want him to, he’s retired.
Oh, yes! That would have been something!
posted by Harald74 at 11:52 PM on June 5, 2019 [25 favorites]
Oh, yes! That would have been something!
posted by Harald74 at 11:52 PM on June 5, 2019 [25 favorites]
Great news, as far as I am concerned: fabulous Trump fact-checker Daniel Dale is going to work at CNN effective June 17. From Threadreader or Twitter:
For the last three years, I’ve done most of the fact-checking on my "own" time, weekends and nights, while trying to do my actual correspondent job during the day. Now the truth file will be my full-time focus.
I started fact-checking Trump in September 2016 because I was frustrated that much of the campaign coverage didn’t seem very interested in talking about what was true and not true. This is a great opportunity to get more facts to a U.S. audience this time around.
It’s hard to leave my hometown paper after 11 years. The Star is such an important institution, doing investigative and accountability work nobody else does. @irenegentle and co. gave me freedom to do and say things that wouldn't be possible elsewhere. Please keep supporting it.
Dale has written a final round up for The Star: It took Donald Trump 343 days to utter 1,000 false claims as president. Then his dishonesty accelerated. It took him just 197 days to get to 2,000 false claims. Then it got worse again: it took 93 days to get to 3,000. And then it got worse once more: it took him 75 days to hit 4,000.
There’s been a slight improvement since Christmas, found Star editor Ed Tubb, the number-cruncher for these fact-checks. It took him 125 days to get to 5,000 false claims — a mere, for him, 8 per day over that period. But 8 per day is a lot. It’s all a lot. Through Sunday, Trump has made an astonishing 5,276 false claims in office, an overall average of 6.1 per day.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:49 AM on June 6, 2019 [42 favorites]
For the last three years, I’ve done most of the fact-checking on my "own" time, weekends and nights, while trying to do my actual correspondent job during the day. Now the truth file will be my full-time focus.
I started fact-checking Trump in September 2016 because I was frustrated that much of the campaign coverage didn’t seem very interested in talking about what was true and not true. This is a great opportunity to get more facts to a U.S. audience this time around.
It’s hard to leave my hometown paper after 11 years. The Star is such an important institution, doing investigative and accountability work nobody else does. @irenegentle and co. gave me freedom to do and say things that wouldn't be possible elsewhere. Please keep supporting it.
Dale has written a final round up for The Star: It took Donald Trump 343 days to utter 1,000 false claims as president. Then his dishonesty accelerated. It took him just 197 days to get to 2,000 false claims. Then it got worse again: it took 93 days to get to 3,000. And then it got worse once more: it took him 75 days to hit 4,000.
There’s been a slight improvement since Christmas, found Star editor Ed Tubb, the number-cruncher for these fact-checks. It took him 125 days to get to 5,000 false claims — a mere, for him, 8 per day over that period. But 8 per day is a lot. It’s all a lot. Through Sunday, Trump has made an astonishing 5,276 false claims in office, an overall average of 6.1 per day.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:49 AM on June 6, 2019 [42 favorites]
Ok...how? Reuters: “In terms of the crimes committed, we know that he obstructed justice,” Pelosi said on Wednesday.
Ok well, that sort of thing doesn't just happen by itself
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:44 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Ok well, that sort of thing doesn't just happen by itself
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:44 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
“In terms of the crimes committed, we know that he obstructed justice,” Pelosi said on Wednesday.
Yes, and the DOJ has already specifically exonerated him on these charges.
Obviously he won't be charged on those crimes now, and to be charged later will involve the reversal of a DOJ decision, in order to prosecute a former political rival. Yes, that's a much better idea.
posted by pjenks at 5:27 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes, and the DOJ has already specifically exonerated him on these charges.
Obviously he won't be charged on those crimes now, and to be charged later will involve the reversal of a DOJ decision, in order to prosecute a former political rival. Yes, that's a much better idea.
posted by pjenks at 5:27 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes, and the DOJ has already specifically exonerated him on these charges.
Er, did I miss something? The Mueller Report specifically stated that it did not exonerate him of Obstruction, right? Or was that snark?
posted by darkstar at 5:51 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Er, did I miss something? The Mueller Report specifically stated that it did not exonerate him of Obstruction, right? Or was that snark?
posted by darkstar at 5:51 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Barr did, but I don't know if his exoneration means anything, legally speaking. They haven't even shared his legal basis for it.
posted by BungaDunga at 5:54 AM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by BungaDunga at 5:54 AM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
@ewarren: Mueller’s statement made clear what those of us who have read his report already knew: He’s referring President Trump for impeachment, and it’s up to Congress to act. And they should.
I like how I can deduce what she means and intends when she says things. Seems like a positive quality in a leader.
posted by diogenes at 6:27 AM on June 6, 2019 [57 favorites]
I like how I can deduce what she means and intends when she says things. Seems like a positive quality in a leader.
posted by diogenes at 6:27 AM on June 6, 2019 [57 favorites]
I hate the assumption that Rs will never convict. Is it likely, hell no. But there’s a reason Trump and Rs are fighting so hard to stop any and all investigations and avoid that vote. Because there is almost definitely going to be worse things we don’t know about/have proof of right now that come out. Yes, if it’s just “collusion” and obstruction they’ll almost definitely acquit. But there’s lots of things outside what Mueller focused on. If Ds find extensive and long-term money-laundering for Russian oligarchs/mob, etc. it may change the equation. And regardless of whether Rs would convict at that point, running against a President who laundered money for Russia and then welcomed their election help and obstructed to let them and him get away with it, and against the senators who were okay with that, is a good place to be in 2020. Make the fascist traitors own a vote.
And again, focusing on public opinion on starting hearings, especially from Republicans, is foolish. Even with Nixon, only 31% of Republicans supported it at the point he resigned, up from 6% at the beginning of hearings. What had changed is Is had gone from 18% to 55%. Ds had gone from 27% to 71%.
Right now, Is are already at 36% and Ds at 62%. Rs are at 10%. So Is are already twice as supportive of impeachment than they were back when Watergate hearings began. And they’re the ones we need to swing.
posted by chris24 at 6:30 AM on June 6, 2019 [45 favorites]
And again, focusing on public opinion on starting hearings, especially from Republicans, is foolish. Even with Nixon, only 31% of Republicans supported it at the point he resigned, up from 6% at the beginning of hearings. What had changed is Is had gone from 18% to 55%. Ds had gone from 27% to 71%.
Right now, Is are already at 36% and Ds at 62%. Rs are at 10%. So Is are already twice as supportive of impeachment than they were back when Watergate hearings began. And they’re the ones we need to swing.
posted by chris24 at 6:30 AM on June 6, 2019 [45 favorites]
We could take inspiration from history and start using the Trump brand on works negatively associated with his administration, in the same way that Great Depression-era shanty towns were called "Hoovervilles".
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:31 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:31 AM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
BBC: 'Treat Trump Like a Bully' Says Labour's Emily Thornberry
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:35 AM on June 6, 2019 [36 favorites]
Donald Trump should be treated "like a bully" ["It’s like the way you deal with a bully. If you bow down in front of them, you get kicked harder."] and the UK should "stand up to him" the shadow foreign secretary has said. Emily Thornberry told the Today programme that the American president "admires strength" so the UK should not "bow down" to him.She went further, Politico.eu reports: "A state visit is an honor, and we don’t think that this president deserves an honor. […] He is a sexual predator, he is a racist, and it’s right to say that. And I think we need to think about when is it that our country got so scared. Why can’t we start saying things as they are?"
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:35 AM on June 6, 2019 [36 favorites]
yes, zeushumms. see also reaganville.
the tent city/concentration camps deserve prominent trump branding.
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:40 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
the tent city/concentration camps deserve prominent trump branding.
posted by 20 year lurk at 6:40 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
Trumptowns.
posted by chris24 at 6:57 AM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 6:57 AM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
Sabato’s Crystal Ball (Kyle Kondik): The Shadow of 1998: Revisiting and reassessing the GOP’s poor showing and the role of impeachment in the result
A good look at why the conventional wisdom on 1998 and Rs not winning big due to impeachment is probably not as wise as thought. TL;DR - Clinton was a popular president in a time of peace and a good economy and polling never showed the big gains some people anticipated. So while it likely had some affect around the edges, it was probably not determinative.
And of course that was a partisan hack job about a blowjob, not real crimes against America.
posted by chris24 at 7:12 AM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
A good look at why the conventional wisdom on 1998 and Rs not winning big due to impeachment is probably not as wise as thought. TL;DR - Clinton was a popular president in a time of peace and a good economy and polling never showed the big gains some people anticipated. So while it likely had some affect around the edges, it was probably not determinative.
And of course that was a partisan hack job about a blowjob, not real crimes against America.
posted by chris24 at 7:12 AM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
zachlipton: A while later, the session recessed and Kraninger and a handful of her aides repaired to the women’s room. A ProPublica reporter was there, too. The group lingered, seeming to relish what they considered a triumph in the hearing room. “I stole that calculator, Kathy,” one of the aides said. “It’s ours! It’s ours now!” Kraninger and her team laughed.
Now if they'd only use it. Still, I'd love to see the GOP staffers' magpie stashes of "stolen" goods from the libs.
20 year lurk: the tent city/concentration camps deserve prominent trump branding.
Except it'll be turned into A Good Thing by the Cult of Trump, just as Clinton's "basket of deplorables" was flipped and there was at least one DeploraBall (Wikipedia) in celebration of Trump's inauguration.
In "still waiting" news: Judge Delays Review Of 'Serious' Allegations Of Citizenship Question Cover-Up (Hansi Lo Wang for NPR, June 5, 2019)
Now if they'd only use it. Still, I'd love to see the GOP staffers' magpie stashes of "stolen" goods from the libs.
20 year lurk: the tent city/concentration camps deserve prominent trump branding.
Except it'll be turned into A Good Thing by the Cult of Trump, just as Clinton's "basket of deplorables" was flipped and there was at least one DeploraBall (Wikipedia) in celebration of Trump's inauguration.
In "still waiting" news: Judge Delays Review Of 'Serious' Allegations Of Citizenship Question Cover-Up (Hansi Lo Wang for NPR, June 5, 2019)
A federal judge in New York is delaying his review of allegations that the Trump administration concealed the real reason for adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census.posted by filthy light thief at 7:13 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
The move puts the focus back on the Supreme Court, which has been expected to issue its ruling on the legal fate of the hotly contested census question by the end of June.
During a brief hearing at Manhattan federal court Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman called the allegations by plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits over the question "serious."
He added he is "acutely mindful" that his earlier ruling (NPR, January 15, 2019) to block plans for the question is currently before the Supreme Court and that he sees "no reason to rush this process" because the new allegations are "collateral" to the issues before the high court.
"I don't want to do anything that would cross the line or be seen to cross the line," Furman said.
The WaPo confirms Politico's Pelosi reporting: Pelosi Tells Colleagues She Wants To See Trump ‘In Prison,’ Not Impeached
Nadler has been asking Pelosi to give the green-light on launching an impeachment inquiry for several weeks. But Pelosi suggested she wanted Trump to face charges after leaving office rather than be impeached by the House when the Republican-controlled Senate would acquit him.NYMag: Pelosi Wants Trump to Go to Prison. Here’s How It Could Happen.
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison,” Pelosi said, according to the officials, who requested anonymity to share private conversations. The officials said the meeting was not particularly contentious and characterized Pelosi’s comment as offhand.[…]
In Tuesday’s meeting, Pelosi told her colleagues that she would like to see Trump defeated in next year’s elections and then prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
1. Obstruction of justice.posted by Doktor Zed at 7:58 AM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
2. Campaign finance violations.
3. Inauguration overcharges.
4. New York tax fraud.
5. Trump Foundation fraud.
chris24: I hate the assumption that Rs will never convict. Is it likely, hell no. But there’s a reason Trump and Rs are fighting so hard to stop any and all investigations and avoid that vote. Because there is almost definitely going to be worse things we don’t know about/have proof of right now that come out.
I agree with this, and I would go even further. Once the impeachment hearings start, I would be shocked - seriously surprised - if there wasn't a quiet delegation of Republican senators to the White House to let them know that the time had come to step down for "health" reasons[*].
The entire Republican party is now a criminal enterprise based on looting taxpayers - sorry, it is - and no way do they want the collateral public scrutiny of their financial dealings and their deliberate indifference to what is treason in all but the most nit-picky details.
Once Trump stepped down for ill-health, they could have Mike Pence front a quick "look forwards not backwards" pardon-fest, lose gracefully to "look forwards not backwards" Joe Biden, and then as the economy collapses in a shambles on the Democratic president's watch, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan could run once again for the Presidency in 4 years.
[*] The alternative, a midnight flight to a dacha on the Black Sea, may still be a step too far.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:59 AM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
I agree with this, and I would go even further. Once the impeachment hearings start, I would be shocked - seriously surprised - if there wasn't a quiet delegation of Republican senators to the White House to let them know that the time had come to step down for "health" reasons[*].
The entire Republican party is now a criminal enterprise based on looting taxpayers - sorry, it is - and no way do they want the collateral public scrutiny of their financial dealings and their deliberate indifference to what is treason in all but the most nit-picky details.
Once Trump stepped down for ill-health, they could have Mike Pence front a quick "look forwards not backwards" pardon-fest, lose gracefully to "look forwards not backwards" Joe Biden, and then as the economy collapses in a shambles on the Democratic president's watch, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan could run once again for the Presidency in 4 years.
[*] The alternative, a midnight flight to a dacha on the Black Sea, may still be a step too far.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:59 AM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison,” Pelosi said, according to the officials, who requested anonymity to share private conversations. The officials said the meeting was not particularly contentious and characterized Pelosi’s comment as offhand.[…]
In Tuesday’s meeting, Pelosi told her colleagues that she would like to see Trump defeated in next year’s elections and then prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
"Trump will be punished when things go back to normal again"
We do not have Democratic leadership.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [34 favorites]
In Tuesday’s meeting, Pelosi told her colleagues that she would like to see Trump defeated in next year’s elections and then prosecuted for his alleged crimes.
"Trump will be punished when things go back to normal again"
We do not have Democratic leadership.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [34 favorites]
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison,” Pelosi said
But doesn't the latter kind of require the former, given that the DOJ won't indict a sitting president? It seems like waiting an additional 2 to 6(!) years just gives Trump more time to legitimize his crimes and bolster his position. If we didn't send Bush and Cheney to the fucking Hague for war crimes in 2009, there's no way we're going to have the moral clarity to bust Trump and his organization in the likely benighted year of 2025.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
But doesn't the latter kind of require the former, given that the DOJ won't indict a sitting president? It seems like waiting an additional 2 to 6(!) years just gives Trump more time to legitimize his crimes and bolster his position. If we didn't send Bush and Cheney to the fucking Hague for war crimes in 2009, there's no way we're going to have the moral clarity to bust Trump and his organization in the likely benighted year of 2025.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
Hoping that the election will create a path to prosecute I-1 essentially ignores Volume I of the Mueller Report and how the campaign which welcomed foreign interference in 2016 now has the power to court it even more brazenly and shut down any investigation of it in 2020. (It's already happening with Rudy911's Ukrainian adventures.)
The public is still in the dark about how vulnerable election systems are against hackers. The Russians aren't.
posted by holgate at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [19 favorites]
The public is still in the dark about how vulnerable election systems are against hackers. The Russians aren't.
posted by holgate at 8:08 AM on June 6, 2019 [19 favorites]
20 year lurk: the tent city/concentration camps deserve prominent trump branding.
Except it'll be turned into A Good Thing by the Cult of Trump,
I hereby, publicly and forever, forswear the act of giving the slightest shit about how the Trumpists might react to something. Let them bray, and show their true colors, so I know the people I don't need to waste my time with.
posted by Etrigan at 8:12 AM on June 6, 2019 [43 favorites]
Except it'll be turned into A Good Thing by the Cult of Trump,
I hereby, publicly and forever, forswear the act of giving the slightest shit about how the Trumpists might react to something. Let them bray, and show their true colors, so I know the people I don't need to waste my time with.
posted by Etrigan at 8:12 AM on June 6, 2019 [43 favorites]
Extending Trump's brand to the disasters he's creating isn't meant to benefit the Cult anyway.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:18 AM on June 6, 2019
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:18 AM on June 6, 2019
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison.”
I want to pass off doing something to someone else, who will have to do something no one has ever done before, years from now.
Instead of just doing my damn job with the power I have right now that’s been used successfully before.
posted by chris24 at 8:18 AM on June 6, 2019 [38 favorites]
I want to pass off doing something to someone else, who will have to do something no one has ever done before, years from now.
Instead of just doing my damn job with the power I have right now that’s been used successfully before.
posted by chris24 at 8:18 AM on June 6, 2019 [38 favorites]
Question... Though the claim is that you cannot indict the president, can you pursue investigations and then indictments against anyone around the president? Including children? It seems clear that the possible crimes and criminals extend far beyond the single individual-1. Why don’t we start sweeping up around him now?
posted by njohnson23 at 8:32 AM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by njohnson23 at 8:32 AM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
Buzzfeed's Zoe Tillman: Michael Flynn has fired his lawyers at Covington & Burling and hired new counsel, per filing this morning (it doesn't say who his new lawyers are) — recall Flynn delayed setting a sentencing date until he's completely done cooperating (screenshot of filing)
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:32 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:32 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison.”
¿Por qué no los dos, Nancy? He's unfit for office and should be impeached for multiple reasons, which may or may not be criminal. Then he should also be arrested and charged with crimes once he leaves office.
Obstruction of justice was in the articles of impeachment for both Nixon and Clinton.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:48 AM on June 6, 2019 [21 favorites]
¿Por qué no los dos, Nancy? He's unfit for office and should be impeached for multiple reasons, which may or may not be criminal. Then he should also be arrested and charged with crimes once he leaves office.
Obstruction of justice was in the articles of impeachment for both Nixon and Clinton.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:48 AM on June 6, 2019 [21 favorites]
Though the claim is that you cannot indict the president, can you pursue investigations and then indictments against anyone around the president? Including children?
You absolutely can, and we should.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:50 AM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
You absolutely can, and we should.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:50 AM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
What’s Up with Chairman Richard Neal and Trump’s Taxes?
Josh Marshall is starting to think that Rep. Neal isn't being aggressive in his push for Trump's taxes because doing so might get in the way of his collecting vast sums of campaign cash from special interests.
posted by diogenes at 8:55 AM on June 6, 2019 [19 favorites]
Josh Marshall is starting to think that Rep. Neal isn't being aggressive in his push for Trump's taxes because doing so might get in the way of his collecting vast sums of campaign cash from special interests.
posted by diogenes at 8:55 AM on June 6, 2019 [19 favorites]
Josh Marshall, Talking Points Memo, What’s Up with Chairman Richard Neal and Trump’s Taxes? in which he makes the case that even though the path the Ways and Means Committee is pursuing to get at Trump's taxes is theoretically sound, they seem to be slow-rolling it - or at least not pursuing it with the urgency they otherwise might be.
And that is possibly because they want Trump to sign a bill that would allow the conversion of your 401K accounts to annuities. No one recommends an annuity unless they are making money off of it, so...
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:56 AM on June 6, 2019 [22 favorites]
And that is possibly because they want Trump to sign a bill that would allow the conversion of your 401K accounts to annuities. No one recommends an annuity unless they are making money off of it, so...
I’ve been hearing chatter that Neal is slow rolling the taxes push in the hopes of getting Republican buy-in and Trump’s signature for a retirement bill (the Secure Act) he’s pushing that would allow people to partially convert 401ks into annuities. ... Neal’s gotten grief in the last couple days because he doesn’t seem to want to take New York State up on its offer of Trump’s state tax returns. ...(Josh Marshall's commentary is incisive, even as he remains a skeptic of an actual impeachment trial.)
... Prying open the President’s business interests isn’t just a matter of seeing how much money he makes or seeing how much of his money comes from people in Russia. There’s the much bigger issue of how his business interests are playing into his conduct of the nation’s foreign policy (and domestic policy for that matter) and more generally what if any financial crimes sustain his family enterprise. It’s a big deal and I don’t think it’s Neal’s biggest priority. To make it that he’ll need a lot of pressure from the outside.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:56 AM on June 6, 2019 [22 favorites]
Why don’t we start sweeping up around him now?
That's exactly what the State of New York is doing in its lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and its directors—Donald, Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, as well as Trump himself. It will, of course, take time to move through the legal system, which is why impeachment, as an expedited political process, is so important when addressing corruption in the nation's highest office.
It’s a big deal and I don’t think it’s Neal’s biggest priority. To make it that he’ll need a lot of pressure from the outside.
Contact Richard Neal at: Washington DC Office—Phone: (202) 225-5601 & Fax: (202) 225-8112; Springfield, MA Office—Phone: (413) 785-0325 & Fax: (413) 747-0604; Pittsfield, MA Office—Phone: (413) 442-0946 & Fax: (413) 443-2792.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:09 AM on June 6, 2019 [13 favorites]
That's exactly what the State of New York is doing in its lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, and its directors—Donald, Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, as well as Trump himself. It will, of course, take time to move through the legal system, which is why impeachment, as an expedited political process, is so important when addressing corruption in the nation's highest office.
It’s a big deal and I don’t think it’s Neal’s biggest priority. To make it that he’ll need a lot of pressure from the outside.
Contact Richard Neal at: Washington DC Office—Phone: (202) 225-5601 & Fax: (202) 225-8112; Springfield, MA Office—Phone: (413) 785-0325 & Fax: (413) 747-0604; Pittsfield, MA Office—Phone: (413) 442-0946 & Fax: (413) 443-2792.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:09 AM on June 6, 2019 [13 favorites]
Labor beat!
Vox workers go on strike after repeated attempts to form a fair contract fail
The 11,000 people who prepare your meals on airlines are considering a strike.
West Virginia Senate Passes Bill That Would Ban Teacher Strikes : The Republican measure was condemned as "pure retribution" for the mass teacher strikes that swept the state last year
Bernie Sanders showed up uninvited to a Walmart shareholders meeting yesterday and blasted the retail giant's "starvation wages"
posted by The Whelk at 9:19 AM on June 6, 2019 [30 favorites]
Vox workers go on strike after repeated attempts to form a fair contract fail
The 11,000 people who prepare your meals on airlines are considering a strike.
West Virginia Senate Passes Bill That Would Ban Teacher Strikes : The Republican measure was condemned as "pure retribution" for the mass teacher strikes that swept the state last year
Bernie Sanders showed up uninvited to a Walmart shareholders meeting yesterday and blasted the retail giant's "starvation wages"
posted by The Whelk at 9:19 AM on June 6, 2019 [30 favorites]
Josh Marshall's commentary is incisive, even as he remains a skeptic of an actual impeachment trial.
I've been struggling with his stance on impeachment. I think it boils down to the idea that since the Senate won't convict, there isn't much practical difference between a formal impeachment process and just doing all of the things that would come with the formal process such as public hearings. I'm sympathetic to that logic. The problem is that the House isn't doing those things, not that they are doing them and not calling it impeachment. I don't think I'd care if they didn't call it impeachment.
On the other hand, when the Special Counsel says that the only remedy is impeachment (without actually saying it of course), I think maybe we should listen to them. Getting Mueller to actually say it during live testimony would be a helpful start of course.
posted by diogenes at 9:20 AM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
I've been struggling with his stance on impeachment. I think it boils down to the idea that since the Senate won't convict, there isn't much practical difference between a formal impeachment process and just doing all of the things that would come with the formal process such as public hearings. I'm sympathetic to that logic. The problem is that the House isn't doing those things, not that they are doing them and not calling it impeachment. I don't think I'd care if they didn't call it impeachment.
On the other hand, when the Special Counsel says that the only remedy is impeachment (without actually saying it of course), I think maybe we should listen to them. Getting Mueller to actually say it during live testimony would be a helpful start of course.
posted by diogenes at 9:20 AM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
No one recommends an annuity unless they are making money off of it ...
This is simply not true. Social Security is an annuity. A traditional defined benefit pension is an annuity. There are lots of good reasons for people to convert at least part of their 401(k) to an annuity at retirement.
But of course, the devil is in the details. I don't know the exactly what Neal is proposing, but annuities are not some evil invention. If purchased carefully, they are among the least offensive of financial products with the least gouging.
The best scenario would be if people could convert their 401(k) to a Social Security annuity buy-in. Another would be for the government to take the place of private insurance companies and eliminate the middleman fees. Another would be for government to insure private insurance annuities in exchange for restrictions on fees and strict regulation. So Neal's annuity proposal could have merit.
But even under the current private insurance system, annuities can be a good retirement investment for certain people given their financial situation. They could be improved by reducing the cut that insurance companies take.
posted by JackFlash at 9:24 AM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
This is simply not true. Social Security is an annuity. A traditional defined benefit pension is an annuity. There are lots of good reasons for people to convert at least part of their 401(k) to an annuity at retirement.
But of course, the devil is in the details. I don't know the exactly what Neal is proposing, but annuities are not some evil invention. If purchased carefully, they are among the least offensive of financial products with the least gouging.
The best scenario would be if people could convert their 401(k) to a Social Security annuity buy-in. Another would be for the government to take the place of private insurance companies and eliminate the middleman fees. Another would be for government to insure private insurance annuities in exchange for restrictions on fees and strict regulation. So Neal's annuity proposal could have merit.
But even under the current private insurance system, annuities can be a good retirement investment for certain people given their financial situation. They could be improved by reducing the cut that insurance companies take.
posted by JackFlash at 9:24 AM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Greg Sargent: This is a great piece by @tribelaw outlining how House Democrats can pursue an impeachment inquiry, without it necessitating a Senate trial and acquittal, which Trump might spin as vindication:
Laurence Tribe: Impeach Trump. But don’t necessarily try him in the Senate.
posted by homunculus at 9:29 AM on June 6, 2019 [18 favorites]
Laurence Tribe: Impeach Trump. But don’t necessarily try him in the Senate.
posted by homunculus at 9:29 AM on June 6, 2019 [18 favorites]
annuities can be a good retirement investment for certain people given their financial situation
Regardless, it's unacceptable for Neil to tie his legislative agenda to his investigation of Trump.
posted by diogenes at 9:31 AM on June 6, 2019 [12 favorites]
Regardless, it's unacceptable for Neil to tie his legislative agenda to his investigation of Trump.
posted by diogenes at 9:31 AM on June 6, 2019 [12 favorites]
NYT op-ed, Elise C. Boddie, Kamala Harris Has a Brilliant Idea on Abortion, but it's not really abotu Harris, it's about an intriguing proposal to extend the idea of preclearance, as used in the Voting Rights Act (and restricted by the Supreme Court in Shelby County v. Holder) to other areas where rights are threatened, such as abortion. Boddie takes it one step further, arguing it should apply to forms of racial discrimination as well.
posted by zachlipton at 10:07 AM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
Local zoning laws play a major role in denying housing opportunity by perpetuating the enormous wealth gap between white people and black people. Rich towns often require large lot sizes for single-family homes, making them more expensive. This has the effect of keeping out black families, who didn't benefit from decades of government largesse (like subsidized mortgages) available only to whites.Of course, based on recent experience in California, I can't think of one thing that would make upper-middle-class suburbanites riot more than suggesting that they not be allowed to set their own exclusionary zoning codes.
Under a national system of preclearance, a federal agency like the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or a comparable state agency, would have to approve these laws before they went into effect. The town would have to show that the ordinance did not have the intent or effect of excluding people of color.
posted by zachlipton at 10:07 AM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
Regardless, it's unacceptable for Neil to tie his legislative agenda to his investigation of Trump.
This is merely Josh Marshall's speculation and that he got the facts on annuities so wrong does not inspire confidence in his speculation.
posted by JackFlash at 10:15 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
This is merely Josh Marshall's speculation and that he got the facts on annuities so wrong does not inspire confidence in his speculation.
posted by JackFlash at 10:15 AM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
What’s Up with Chairman Richard Neal and Trump’s Taxes?
New York offers up Trump’s state tax returns — but one lawmaker stands in the way (Laura Davison, Bloomberg News)
THE
FUCK
NEAL
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:20 AM on June 6, 2019 [27 favorites]
New York offers up Trump’s state tax returns — but one lawmaker stands in the way (Laura Davison, Bloomberg News)
House Democrats clamoring for Donald Trump’s tax information have eagerly awaited a newly passed New York law allowing limited access to the president’s state returns.WHAT
They’re about to be sorely disappointed.
House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal would be the only Democrat allowed by the new law to ask for the documents, but so far he has said he won’t do it.
Neal has said he fears that getting the state returns would bolster Trump administration arguments that Congress is on a political fishing expedition — and not, as Neal has claimed, overseeing the Internal Revenue Service’s annual audits of the president.
THE
FUCK
NEAL
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:20 AM on June 6, 2019 [27 favorites]
WaPo, A wealthy Iraqi sheikh who urges a hard-line U.S. approach to Iran spent 26 nights at Trump’s D.C. hotel
In July, a wealthy Iraqi sheikh named Nahro al-Kasnazan wrote letters to national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging them to forge closer ties with those seeking to overthrow the government of Iran. Kasnazan wrote of his desire “to achieve our mutual interest to weaken the Iranian Mullahs regime and end its hegemony.”posted by zachlipton at 10:27 AM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
Four months later, he checked into the Trump International Hotel in Washington and spent 26 nights in a suite on the eighth floor — a visit estimated to have cost tens of thousands of dollars.
It was an unusually long stay at the expensive hotel. The Washington Post obtained the establishment’s “VIP Arrivals” lists for dozens of days last year, including more than 1,200 individual guests. Kasnazan’s visit was the longest listed.
“We normally stay at the Hay-Adams hotel,” Kasnazan, 50, said in a recent interview with a Post reporter in Amman, Jordan, where he lives in a gold-bedecked mansion and summons his servants by walkie-talkie. “But we just heard about this new Trump hotel in Washington, D.C., and thought it would be a good place to stay.” Kasnazan said his choice of the Trump hotel was not part of a lobbying effort, adding that he came to Washington for medical treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, about 45 miles away. Kasnazan, who socialized with State Department officials while in Washington, has set up several new companies in hopes of doing business with the U.S. government.
...
The Trump Organization did not say how much the profits were from Kasnazan’s stay and did not explain why in his case it applied the “foreign patronage” policy, which it has said is for business from foreign governments. He holds no government office, and his spokesman said he paid the bill himself.
...
“From his perspective, Trump is America,” Dahouk added.
Esther Wang: Remember When Joe Biden Tried to Sabotage the Affordable Care Act's Contraceptive Coverage?
posted by zombieflanders at 10:29 AM on June 6, 2019 [42 favorites]
Biden worked doggedly with conservative Catholic leaders to push for a broad religious-based exemption that would have left millions without contraception coverage. His reasoning? That providing contraception coverage would upset white Catholic men—men coincidentally just like him!—and make them less likely to vote for Obama’s reelection later that year. He apparently had less concern for the millions who would have not had their contraception paid for under his proposal.This is the person that Pelosi is hanging almost all of her hopes on.
Biden’s opposition to the ACA’s contraception provisions was not a secret at the time and was regularly referenced in news coverage. In its reporting, the Intercept pulls from 2012 coverage that made clear just how out of step Biden was with his own party.
[...]
Luckily for us, Biden did not succeed in carving out a broad exemption for religious institutions (though the Trump administration has done its best to carry that torch for him). But Biden’s opposition serves as a reminder that some of his most deeply held beliefs—his Catholic faith, his personal objection to abortion, his political calculus about which voters matter and which don’t—continue to inform his political decisions and worldview today. And when the needs of women conflict with those views, it’s clear who loses.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:29 AM on June 6, 2019 [42 favorites]
“I don’t want to see him impeached. I want to see him in prison,” Pelosi said...
Perhaps what is left unsaid here is that if Trump is impeached right now, Pence becomes POTUS and will immediately pardon him of all crimes past, present, and future. If he's voted out of office, the incoming POTUS may not be so kind. Now, I know the former scenario still leaves him vulnerable to state-level charges in multiple states, but his most heinous crimes are federal.
Note that I'm not saying I agree with the strategy, but this is a potential rationale for not impeaching before the election. In my own view, the value of impeachment isn't immediate removal, because Turtle, but rather it will make painfully clear his long history of continuing criminality as well as anti-American and anti-democratic behavior, which will, in turn, make his loss in 2020 all but certain.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:03 AM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
Perhaps what is left unsaid here is that if Trump is impeached right now, Pence becomes POTUS and will immediately pardon him of all crimes past, present, and future. If he's voted out of office, the incoming POTUS may not be so kind. Now, I know the former scenario still leaves him vulnerable to state-level charges in multiple states, but his most heinous crimes are federal.
Note that I'm not saying I agree with the strategy, but this is a potential rationale for not impeaching before the election. In my own view, the value of impeachment isn't immediate removal, because Turtle, but rather it will make painfully clear his long history of continuing criminality as well as anti-American and anti-democratic behavior, which will, in turn, make his loss in 2020 all but certain.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:03 AM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
I fail to see why everyone is so confident that Presidential pardons are really limited to Federal crimes. Sure, that's what it says in the Constitution, but Trump has proven that doesn't matter. I'm fairly confident that if New York State convicted Ivanka of any crimes Trump would issue a pardon and either just bull it through like he has all his other illegal actions or get an injunction upholding his pardon until his tame Supreme Court could vote to uphold it.
I mean, sure, by all means let's indict and convict the Trump family for their various crimes at state level. But I don't think we can afford to be confident that Trump won't just issue a pardon anyway and make it work.
posted by sotonohito at 11:13 AM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
I mean, sure, by all means let's indict and convict the Trump family for their various crimes at state level. But I don't think we can afford to be confident that Trump won't just issue a pardon anyway and make it work.
posted by sotonohito at 11:13 AM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
‘Socialism for the rich’: the evils of bad economics (A Guardian longread that is a book excerpt by Jonathan Aldred)
posted by mumimor at 11:30 AM on June 6, 2019 [33 favorites]
In most rich countries, inequality is rising, and has been rising for some time. Many people believe this is a problem, but, equally, many think there’s not much we can do about it. After all, the argument goes, globalisation and new technology have created an economy in which those with highly valued skills or talents can earn huge rewards. Inequality inevitably rises. Attempting to reduce inequality via redistributive taxation is likely to fail because the global elite can easily hide their money in tax havens. Insofar as increased taxation does hit the rich, it will deter wealth creation, so we all end up poorer.I could have posted this in any of the open politics threads, but chose to do it here because it exposes another aspect of the Democrats' failure to form a strong opposition to Trump and his ilk. Since Clinton, they have bought into the Reaganesque rhetoric on taxes and society, and have been wary of taxing their rich donors. A succession of visionary Democratic leaders have shown that you can work with micro-donations, but it's still not getting the traction it should. Among so many other things, Trump's lies wedged into this moral failure.
One strange thing about these arguments, whatever their merits, is how they stand in stark contrast to the economic orthodoxy that existed from roughly 1945 until 1980, which held that rising inequality was not inevitable, and that various government policies could reduce it. What’s more, these policies appear to have been successful. Inequality fell in most countries from the 1940s to the 1970s. The inequality we see today is largely due to changes since 1980.
In both the US and the UK, from 1980 to 2016, the share of total income going to the top 1% has more than doubled. After allowing for inflation, the earnings of the bottom 90% in the US and UK have barely risen at all over the past 25 years. More generally, 50 years ago, a US CEO earned on average about 20 times as much as the typical worker. Today, the CEO earns 354 times as much.
Any argument that rising inequality is largely inevitable in our globalised economy faces a crucial objection. Since 1980 some countries have experienced a big increase in inequality (the US and the UK); some have seen a much smaller increase (Canada, Japan, Italy), while inequality has been stable or falling in others (France, Belgium and Hungary). So rising inequality cannot be inevitable. And the extent of inequality within a country cannot be solely determined by long-run global economic forces, because, although most richer countries have been subject to broadly similar forces, the experiences of inequality have differed.
posted by mumimor at 11:30 AM on June 6, 2019 [33 favorites]
Politico, House Dem leaders to give chairmen broad power to enforce subpoenas
posted by zachlipton at 11:38 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
The draft resolution, which the House will consider on Tuesday, formally holds Attorney General William Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn in contempt of Congress for defying House Judiciary Committee subpoenas seeking Mueller’s unredacted report, its underlying evidence, and additional witness testimony.On a related note, Neal: Lawsuit to obtain Trump tax returns soon to be filed. Which, ok, but what’s taking so long? And is the goal to get his tax returns or to litigate, because it seems like just asking New York for them would be a lot faster.
But the most dramatic proposal will empower the chairs of all House committees to initiate legal action each time a witness or administration official defies a committee subpoena, a move to streamline and speed up the House’s ability to respond to a mounting list of confrontations with the White House.
posted by zachlipton at 11:38 AM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
Perhaps what is left unsaid here is that if Trump is impeached right now, Pence becomes POTUS and will immediately pardon him of all crimes past, present, and future.
Then time impeachment so it goes to the Senate right before the election.
And the calculus on pardoning Trump might change for Pence might change between now and then, like it might for Senate Republicans. Pence was a failed governor and is the flunky of the Worst President Ever. If Trump were impeached, not pardoning him might be the only decent thing Pence could do.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:41 AM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
Then time impeachment so it goes to the Senate right before the election.
And the calculus on pardoning Trump might change for Pence might change between now and then, like it might for Senate Republicans. Pence was a failed governor and is the flunky of the Worst President Ever. If Trump were impeached, not pardoning him might be the only decent thing Pence could do.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:41 AM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
Neal’s rationale for getting Trump’s returns is IRS oversight. The upside is that it’s iron clad. One downside is that getting the returns from NYS makes his rationale look like a pretext for digging into Trump’s finances, and pokes a hole in his case.
If you want the info to enforce the emoluments clause or something, the NYS docs are fine, but that’d be the business of Oversight or Judiciary, not Ways & Means.
posted by dirge at 12:43 PM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
If you want the info to enforce the emoluments clause or something, the NYS docs are fine, but that’d be the business of Oversight or Judiciary, not Ways & Means.
posted by dirge at 12:43 PM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
WaPo: Mexico aims to avoid tariffs with potential deal limiting migrants going north, allowing U.S. to deport Central American asylum seekers
Looks like Mexico doesn't want to trust in the GOP to block Trump's tariffs, and is willing to sacrifice refugees to protect its industry.
(Or, they've realized that the US is no place for refugees right now and consider a deal that avoids tariffs while sending people to countries that won't throw them directly into concentration camps to be a win-win. But I don't see anything good coming from the precedent this sets.)
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:51 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Looks like Mexico doesn't want to trust in the GOP to block Trump's tariffs, and is willing to sacrifice refugees to protect its industry.
(Or, they've realized that the US is no place for refugees right now and consider a deal that avoids tariffs while sending people to countries that won't throw them directly into concentration camps to be a win-win. But I don't see anything good coming from the precedent this sets.)
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:51 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
How Trump Could Be Prosecuted After the White House (Renato Mariotti, Politico Magazine)
The outlines of a potential civilian prosecution of a former president Trump are already emerging. While there are reports of tax dodges, illegal campaign contributions, and improper foreign contributions to his inaugural committee—among other things—investigations into those claims are ongoing. There is, however, an overwhelming case that the president engaged in obstruction of justice—his effort to stop the special counsel’s office from probing his campaign’s ties to Russia.posted by Little Dawn at 1:00 PM on June 6, 2019 [15 favorites]
In the second volume of his 448-page report, Mueller sets forth evidence of obstruction of justice that any competent federal prosecutor could use to draft an indictment. And Mueller made it clear himself that his detailed report was intended, in part, to “preserve the evidence” because “a President does not have immunity after he leaves office.” [...] Three of the potential charges, however, are so strong that they are virtually certain to be included in any indictment of Trump. (They’re strong enough that over 1,000 former federal prosecutors signed a letter stating that Trump would be indicted if he were not president.) [...]
On June 17, 2017, Trump directed McGahn to get Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to remove Mueller, telling him “you gotta do this.” When McGahn didn’t follow through, Trump called him a second time the next day, after which McGahn decided to resign. Ultimately, he didn’t quit, but didn’t follow through on Trump’s order, either. Weeks earlier, McGahn advised Trump to avoid “trying to meddle in the investigation” and that “knocking out Mueller” would be “another fact used to claim obstruction of justice.” When your lawyer tells you that doing something could be a crime and you do it anyway, that is extremely strong evidence of your criminal intent—“substantial” evidence, in Mueller’s own words.
That episode would be the strongest count in an indictment of Trump [...] There is plenty of evidence that Trump knew his conduct was wrongful, from his attempt to bypass McGahn by going to a cable news commentator, to the prior advice McGahn already gave Trump about efforts to curtail the investigation. [...]
There is also the danger that Trump could engage in additional obstructive conduct before the next election, particularly if the House of Representatives initiates an impeachment inquiry. This might give Trump an incentive to pressure or influence potential witnesses against him, like McGahn. Most clients in legal jeopardy know not to make matters worse for themselves, but Trump has demonstrated that he does not always follow the advice of his attorneys.
The Warren campaign has unionized under the IBEW.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:08 PM on June 6, 2019 [48 favorites]
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:08 PM on June 6, 2019 [48 favorites]
CNN's Josh Campbell reports: "Speaking to Fox News from the American cemetery at Normandy, the President calls special counsel Robert Mueller a "fool" and the Speaker of the House a "disaster."" (w/video—his new nickname for her is "Nervous Nancy")
CNN's Jim Acosta also reports: "Pelosi declining to criticize Trump while at Normandy today: “I don’t talk about the president while I’m out of the country. That’s my principle.”" (w/video)
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:25 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
CNN's Jim Acosta also reports: "Pelosi declining to criticize Trump while at Normandy today: “I don’t talk about the president while I’m out of the country. That’s my principle.”" (w/video)
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:25 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Sabato’s Crystal Ball (Kyle Kondik): The Shadow of 1998: Revisiting and reassessing the GOP’s poor showing and the role of impeachment in the result
A couple more articles out today about how Clinton’s impeachment without conviction didn’t really hurt Rs in 1998 and in the first article, actually helped them in 2000.
The Atlantic (Ronald Brownstein): Democrats Learned the Wrong Lesson From Clinton’s Impeachment - It didn’t actually cost the GOP all that much.
The New Republic (Walter Shapiro): 1998 Was a Seinfeld Election—Not an Impeachment Referendum - Democratic leaders are learning the wrong lessons from recent history.
A couple more articles out today about how Clinton’s impeachment without conviction didn’t really hurt Rs in 1998 and in the first article, actually helped them in 2000.
The Atlantic (Ronald Brownstein): Democrats Learned the Wrong Lesson From Clinton’s Impeachment - It didn’t actually cost the GOP all that much.
The exit polls in 2000 showed how much that refrain helped Bush with voters conflicted about Clinton. Gore carried 85 percent of the voters who both approved of Clinton’s job performance and expressed favorable views of him personally. But Bush carried one-third of the voters who liked Clinton’s performance but disliked him personally. That’s a much higher-than-usual level of defection from the president’s party among voters who approve of his performance, and in 2000, those voters represented about one-fifth of the entire electorate.
Bush reaped another benefit from the impeachment, Dowd believes: high turnout among Republicans frustrated that Clinton remained in office. “The lack of success on impeachment created a greater hunger, a greater motivation among the base to exact punishment in some way,” said Dowd, now the chief political analyst for ABC News. “And Al Gore became part of that process.”
The New Republic (Walter Shapiro): 1998 Was a Seinfeld Election—Not an Impeachment Referendum - Democratic leaders are learning the wrong lessons from recent history.
The 1998 exit polls, though, told a different and more boring story. And it was not from lack of trying since the pollsters asked about impeachment three different ways—and got the same yawns and shrugs from the voters each time.posted by chris24 at 1:25 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
Asked what issue influenced their vote the most, just six percent said “the Clinton/Lewinsky matter.” In response to another question, 62 percent of the electorate answered that “Clinton was not a factor” in their choices—with the remaining voters split evenly about whether they were voting for or against the beleaguered president. Just to be sure, the exit polls also inquired whether the election was a “national referendum on whether Clinton should remain in office?” Once again, the results were unequivocal—63 percent said it was not an up-or-down vote on Clinton’s future.
If there was no great impeachment backlash, then why did the Democrats gain 1998 House seats as the Republicans were playing Inspector Javert?
Part of it was the Clinton conundrum: 57 percent of voters in the exit polls approved of his job as president while only 37 percent held a positive impression of him as a person. Democrats were also aided by the unpopularity of Clinton’s nemesis: House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who would step down four days after the election, only garnered 38 percent favorability in the exit polls.
What is also forgotten two decades later is what an optimistic moment 1998 was in American history. Unemployment was just above 4 percent, the budget was being balanced and Communism was defeated. Small wonder that 83 percent of the voters described the economy as “excellent” or “good” and 62 percent believed that the nation was moving in the right direction.
BuzzFeed, Listen To The Voicemail Trump's Lawyer Left For Michael Flynn's Lawyer After Flynn Cut A Deal
The transcript had been public before, but you can hear the audio now.
posted by zachlipton at 1:29 PM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
The transcript had been public before, but you can hear the audio now.
posted by zachlipton at 1:29 PM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren did a MSNBC town hall with Chris Hayes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It's noteworthy to me because she's, in my opinion, not watering down her positions for the Midwest, for swing voters, or for the "white working class". Examples:
* First topic is abortion laws but Hayes frames it on Joe Biden and the Hyde Amendment;
** Quote: "Is Joe Biden wrong?" Warren: "Yes."
** Another quote: "It's been the law for a long while, and it's been wrong for a long while."
** Hayes brings up polling and politics (several times, actually) and Warren insists on leadership and "what you believe is right".
* Warren talks about the Green New Deal without using those words until about halfway through.
*** When asked about how to build/keep/protect manufacturing jobs, she says, Quote: "There's a 23 trillion dollar market in fighting climate change and we're going to make the United States the leader in that fight." By investing money in green research and manufacturing. "Spend 1.3 trillion making our federal government go green" and drive demand for products.
** that's a fair, if barebones summary of the Green New Deal. She later uses those words and talks about it more directly.
* Most of her other plans (opioid treatment, universal childcare) consist of just spending a lot of money to increase capacity. She makes that argument in terms of values, that our children deserve that investment.
** Quote: "We are in a democracy, and that means we need a government and a budget that aligns with our values."
* She says "healthcare is a basic human right" and says she won't compromise on it, won't take half-a-loaf.
So she's not giving an inch. What she is doing is, uh, well, I said abortion was the first topic, but it's actually the second, because she started off the whole event with a long folksy narrative about her and her life. Emphasizing her Midwest and working class roots, and talking about her many family members in the military. "He spent 5 months in Vietnam - we were lucky to get him back home.""My dream was to be a public school teacher." And it went on for a long time. I haven't listened to her speak in a few years, so i don't know when this changed, but I remember her sounding like a New England professor, like my aunt, and she doesn't sound like that anymore.
She started with that, but I saved that for last because it's ... exactly the kind of observation that falls a lot harder on female candidates. Most normal-human-non-politicky people will interpret that as me saying she's "fake", and interpret it as criticism. That's not what I feel or think really at all. I think this is an honest part of her that she's bringing to the foreground instead of the background. And I think it's interesting and noteworthy that she seems to be appealing to Midwest voters on identity. And that she's appealing on a mostly white identity without emphasizing whiteness or watering down her policies.
Final notes:
* Hayes asks the audience if their number one issue is "healthcare", "jobs and the economy", "climate", or "just beating Donald Trump."
** Applause is about equal for the first three and weaker for the last one.
* policy detail: she says that when the government invests in climate research, the results of that research will only be available to companies who manufacture in the US. Gave her lots of opportunities to say "Good American jobs!!"
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 1:34 PM on June 6, 2019 [55 favorites]
* First topic is abortion laws but Hayes frames it on Joe Biden and the Hyde Amendment;
** Quote: "Is Joe Biden wrong?" Warren: "Yes."
** Another quote: "It's been the law for a long while, and it's been wrong for a long while."
** Hayes brings up polling and politics (several times, actually) and Warren insists on leadership and "what you believe is right".
* Warren talks about the Green New Deal without using those words until about halfway through.
*** When asked about how to build/keep/protect manufacturing jobs, she says, Quote: "There's a 23 trillion dollar market in fighting climate change and we're going to make the United States the leader in that fight." By investing money in green research and manufacturing. "Spend 1.3 trillion making our federal government go green" and drive demand for products.
** that's a fair, if barebones summary of the Green New Deal. She later uses those words and talks about it more directly.
* Most of her other plans (opioid treatment, universal childcare) consist of just spending a lot of money to increase capacity. She makes that argument in terms of values, that our children deserve that investment.
** Quote: "We are in a democracy, and that means we need a government and a budget that aligns with our values."
* She says "healthcare is a basic human right" and says she won't compromise on it, won't take half-a-loaf.
So she's not giving an inch. What she is doing is, uh, well, I said abortion was the first topic, but it's actually the second, because she started off the whole event with a long folksy narrative about her and her life. Emphasizing her Midwest and working class roots, and talking about her many family members in the military. "He spent 5 months in Vietnam - we were lucky to get him back home.""My dream was to be a public school teacher." And it went on for a long time. I haven't listened to her speak in a few years, so i don't know when this changed, but I remember her sounding like a New England professor, like my aunt, and she doesn't sound like that anymore.
She started with that, but I saved that for last because it's ... exactly the kind of observation that falls a lot harder on female candidates. Most normal-human-non-politicky people will interpret that as me saying she's "fake", and interpret it as criticism. That's not what I feel or think really at all. I think this is an honest part of her that she's bringing to the foreground instead of the background. And I think it's interesting and noteworthy that she seems to be appealing to Midwest voters on identity. And that she's appealing on a mostly white identity without emphasizing whiteness or watering down her policies.
Final notes:
* Hayes asks the audience if their number one issue is "healthcare", "jobs and the economy", "climate", or "just beating Donald Trump."
** Applause is about equal for the first three and weaker for the last one.
* policy detail: she says that when the government invests in climate research, the results of that research will only be available to companies who manufacture in the US. Gave her lots of opportunities to say "Good American jobs!!"
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 1:34 PM on June 6, 2019 [55 favorites]
And the calculus on pardoning Trump might change for Pence might change between now and then, like it might for Senate Republicans. Pence was a failed governor and is the flunky of the Worst President Ever. If Trump were impeached, not pardoning him might be the only decent thing Pence could do.
If we have learned anything from the past two years, it's that:
- every lever will be tried
- if the lever goes the wrong way (progressive), it will be broken, melted down for scrap, and sold to a lobbyist
- all rules will be gamed
- if the rule can't be gamed, it will be ignored
- all possible other sources of authority will be replaced preemptively (DoJ, Supreme Court)
- if rules are enforced, they will attempt to replace the enforcers or pretend they have no authority
- all possible end runs will be attempted
- the clock will always be run out
- if consequences happen, pretend they didn't
- While trying to corrupt internal institutions, ask your fellow corrupt foreign oligarchs in Israel, Russia, UAE, or Saudi Arabia to take care of matters on your behalf as well
Having any consequences stick to Trump and his gang will take resolve, focus, a plan, and have actual costs. Hoping that someone in the Mob will show a flare of conscience is optimistic at best, which is why I will campaign against any Dem candidate that wants to pretend BipartisanLand is a real place.
posted by benzenedream at 1:41 PM on June 6, 2019 [27 favorites]
If we have learned anything from the past two years, it's that:
- every lever will be tried
- if the lever goes the wrong way (progressive), it will be broken, melted down for scrap, and sold to a lobbyist
- all rules will be gamed
- if the rule can't be gamed, it will be ignored
- all possible other sources of authority will be replaced preemptively (DoJ, Supreme Court)
- if rules are enforced, they will attempt to replace the enforcers or pretend they have no authority
- all possible end runs will be attempted
- the clock will always be run out
- if consequences happen, pretend they didn't
- While trying to corrupt internal institutions, ask your fellow corrupt foreign oligarchs in Israel, Russia, UAE, or Saudi Arabia to take care of matters on your behalf as well
Having any consequences stick to Trump and his gang will take resolve, focus, a plan, and have actual costs. Hoping that someone in the Mob will show a flare of conscience is optimistic at best, which is why I will campaign against any Dem candidate that wants to pretend BipartisanLand is a real place.
posted by benzenedream at 1:41 PM on June 6, 2019 [27 favorites]
Buzzfeed's Zoe Tillman: Michael Flynn has fired his lawyers at Covington & Burling and hired new counsel, per filing this morning
Tillman updates, "The judge has denied, for now, the request by Michael Flynn's lawyers to withdraw. Per the order, the lawyers didn't follow the court's rules in filing their motion. The order is "without prejudice," which means they can try again" (screenshot of filing)
We still don't know who Flynn wanted for his new counsel or why he wanted to change so abruptly. There's some speculation that he can't afford Covington & Burling any more and some that he wanted to adopt a more aggressive legal team prior to sentencing. Whatever the case, this is an odd development and bears watching.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:45 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Tillman updates, "The judge has denied, for now, the request by Michael Flynn's lawyers to withdraw. Per the order, the lawyers didn't follow the court's rules in filing their motion. The order is "without prejudice," which means they can try again" (screenshot of filing)
We still don't know who Flynn wanted for his new counsel or why he wanted to change so abruptly. There's some speculation that he can't afford Covington & Burling any more and some that he wanted to adopt a more aggressive legal team prior to sentencing. Whatever the case, this is an odd development and bears watching.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:45 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Looks like Mexico doesn't want to trust in the GOP to block Trump's tariffs, and is willing to sacrifice refugees to protect its industry.
There's a new administration and the new economic figures are making everybody jittery:
Mexico Central Bank Opens Door to Sub-1% Growth This Year
Fitch downgrades Mexico and Moody's lowers outlook
Peso falls more than 1% on ratings changes, ongoing talks
For the forseable future (at least until the election), Mexico will be Trump's piñata. There's not a lot the country can do about it but stall and give something away. The relationship is wholly asymmetrical.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:11 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
There's a new administration and the new economic figures are making everybody jittery:
Mexico Central Bank Opens Door to Sub-1% Growth This Year
Fitch downgrades Mexico and Moody's lowers outlook
Peso falls more than 1% on ratings changes, ongoing talks
For the forseable future (at least until the election), Mexico will be Trump's piñata. There's not a lot the country can do about it but stall and give something away. The relationship is wholly asymmetrical.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:11 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
WaPo, How a watchdog whitewashed its oversight of FEMA’s disaster response with ‘feel good’ reports
Auditors in the Department of Homeland Security inspector general’s office confirmed problems with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s performance in Louisiana — and in 11 other states hit over five years by hurricanes, mudslides and other disasters.posted by zachlipton at 2:14 PM on June 6, 2019 [17 favorites]
But the auditors’ boss, John V. Kelly, instead directed them to produce what they called “feel good reports” that airbrushed most problems and portrayed emergency responders as heroes overcoming vast challenges, according to interviews and a new internal review.
The watchdog concluded that FEMA’s response in Louisiana, where 13 people died in the disaster, was a huge success, a “remarkable,” “resilient and mission focused” effort that “provided hope and a way forward” for flooded communities.
Under pressure from Congress, the inspector general in 2017 retracted and purged from its website the Louisiana flooding report, and then followed the next year by retracting a dozen other audits of FEMA’s initial responses. The office called them “not compliant” with federal auditing standards.
Now the oversight agency, which evaluates the performance of FEMA and the rest of Homeland Security, has turned the spotlight on itself. Last month it released a 14-month internal review of how Kelly, a career government auditor who rose to acting inspector general in late 2017, chose to flatter FEMA’s staff in some reports, instead of hold them accountable.
...
Kelly has not faced discipline for coaxing his staff to produce the flawed reports.
“Because Mr. Kelly is the senior-most official in our organization, no one within [the office] has authority to impose corrective action upon him,” Morales said.
For the forseable future (at least until the election), Mexico will be Trump's piñata. There's not a lot the country can do about it
Surely they can point out that Trump is asking them to do something (stop migration from central america) that he himself is incapable of. They should invite him to a summit as just sit there asking for his plans (and assurances hell pay for whatever those plans call for). I'm not saying we'll see it but they do have that option - and hes going to shit on them either way.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:15 PM on June 6, 2019
Surely they can point out that Trump is asking them to do something (stop migration from central america) that he himself is incapable of. They should invite him to a summit as just sit there asking for his plans (and assurances hell pay for whatever those plans call for). I'm not saying we'll see it but they do have that option - and hes going to shit on them either way.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:15 PM on June 6, 2019
Surely they can point out that Trump is asking them to do something (stop migration from central america) that he himself is incapable of.
They have. It doesn't work. They have also pointed out that Trump has not specified any parameters for what constitutes success. His demands are based on racism and pleasing the base. There's no real "win" situation for Mexico in this case, tbh. You do nothing and it's bad, you do something and it's not enough. The current strategy, as far as I can tell, is to continue to work as if he's a rational actor and hope for the best.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:29 PM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
They have. It doesn't work. They have also pointed out that Trump has not specified any parameters for what constitutes success. His demands are based on racism and pleasing the base. There's no real "win" situation for Mexico in this case, tbh. You do nothing and it's bad, you do something and it's not enough. The current strategy, as far as I can tell, is to continue to work as if he's a rational actor and hope for the best.
posted by Omon Ra at 2:29 PM on June 6, 2019 [8 favorites]
Mexico's border to the south is an isthmus. It would be complicated and probably inhumane, but it is actually physically possible to secure it, and that's not true for the Mexico-US border. You could imagine a fair deal where the US provides funding and Mexico sets the terms for how that area is secured. That's not a crazy thing to ask. Or at least, it wouldn't be crazy coming from any other administration.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 2:39 PM on June 6, 2019
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 2:39 PM on June 6, 2019
Mexico has a long coastline, though, and not so much money to patrol it tightly. If you built a secure border or Wall along the isthmus, then refugees would take to rafts and fishing boats and land further up the coast.
The “problem” of refugees is one where containment is ultimately not possible, if the underlying sociopolitical and economic factors driving desperate people to migrate from one place to another are still in place.
posted by darkstar at 2:55 PM on June 6, 2019 [30 favorites]
The “problem” of refugees is one where containment is ultimately not possible, if the underlying sociopolitical and economic factors driving desperate people to migrate from one place to another are still in place.
posted by darkstar at 2:55 PM on June 6, 2019 [30 favorites]
The southern Mexican border is an isthmus but the narrow part of that isthmus is actually something like 250 miles inside Mexico, on the near side of the Yucatan. The border with Belize and Guatemala is very long. It just doesn't look like it because we're used to seeing the US-Canada border or whatever. But in worldwide terms it's still fairly large.
To physically secure Mexico's southern border would mean isolating the Chapas, Tabasco (ed: mmmm tabasco), Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo states of Mexico.
Plus, yeah, boats.
posted by Justinian at 3:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
To physically secure Mexico's southern border would mean isolating the Chapas, Tabasco (ed: mmmm tabasco), Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo states of Mexico.
Plus, yeah, boats.
posted by Justinian at 3:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
Plus, yeah, even more inhumane than the current setup.
And the President would need Congress to allocate the funding.
You know what he could get the Congress to go along with? Funding efforts to fix the socio-economic drivers that are pushing the refugees north.
Each day stupider than the last.
posted by notyou at 3:31 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
And the President would need Congress to allocate the funding.
You know what he could get the Congress to go along with? Funding efforts to fix the socio-economic drivers that are pushing the refugees north.
Each day stupider than the last.
posted by notyou at 3:31 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
The real "problem" of refugees and immigrants is that America needs them.
I'm cleaning up at home, and among the stuff I found is a 50 year old pamflet pointing out that Western communities are growing old as women get educated and families are fine with about 2 children. It's not like that has changed since. The US has not felt the pressure as strongly as Europe, because there has been steady immigration all the while. (I'm working on my hoarding issues)
Yesterday was Election Day* in Denmark, and because it was subtle, the pundits didn't notice it. But the so-called responsible parties left and right were all saying it out loud: we need immigrants and we need more of them, or our economy will break down very soon. The voters heard it, and voted accordingly.
* a landslide for the left if there ever was one.
posted by mumimor at 3:32 PM on June 6, 2019 [34 favorites]
I'm cleaning up at home, and among the stuff I found is a 50 year old pamflet pointing out that Western communities are growing old as women get educated and families are fine with about 2 children. It's not like that has changed since. The US has not felt the pressure as strongly as Europe, because there has been steady immigration all the while. (I'm working on my hoarding issues)
Yesterday was Election Day* in Denmark, and because it was subtle, the pundits didn't notice it. But the so-called responsible parties left and right were all saying it out loud: we need immigrants and we need more of them, or our economy will break down very soon. The voters heard it, and voted accordingly.
* a landslide for the left if there ever was one.
posted by mumimor at 3:32 PM on June 6, 2019 [34 favorites]
The border with Belize and Guatemala is very long.
Just under 700 miles, which is about the same length as Mexico's border with California, Arizona, and New Mexico combined.
posted by rocket88 at 3:44 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
Just under 700 miles, which is about the same length as Mexico's border with California, Arizona, and New Mexico combined.
posted by rocket88 at 3:44 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
The “problem” of refugees is one where containment is ultimately not possible, if the underlying sociopolitical and economic factors driving desperate people to migrate from one place to another are still in place.
Everyone would be better of if the US would spend the time and energy and money that it wastes on abusing migrants and the failure of a drug war on improving the lives of people in Central and South America instead.
Considering the long history of the US fucking around in almost every country from Mexico south, we've got a great deal of responsibility for the trouble in those countries.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:47 PM on June 6, 2019 [28 favorites]
Everyone would be better of if the US would spend the time and energy and money that it wastes on abusing migrants and the failure of a drug war on improving the lives of people in Central and South America instead.
Considering the long history of the US fucking around in almost every country from Mexico south, we've got a great deal of responsibility for the trouble in those countries.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:47 PM on June 6, 2019 [28 favorites]
All this "Trump won't be convicted in the Senate" presumes that the House investigations complete in time for it to be referred to the Senate for trial before the election.
But maybe trial isn't the point. Until it goes to the Senate however, House investigations would certainly suck all of the air out of the room, put the GOP on the defensive, and keep them there through the election.
With that in mind, bring on the non-stop hearings in every sub-committee, so the headlines are never empty of covering their inquiries.
posted by mikelieman at 3:52 PM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
But maybe trial isn't the point. Until it goes to the Senate however, House investigations would certainly suck all of the air out of the room, put the GOP on the defensive, and keep them there through the election.
With that in mind, bring on the non-stop hearings in every sub-committee, so the headlines are never empty of covering their inquiries.
posted by mikelieman at 3:52 PM on June 6, 2019 [10 favorites]
Considering the long history of the US fucking around in almost every country from Mexico south, we've got a great deal of responsibility for the trouble in those countries.
And, as usual, conservatives that I've talked to about this not only refuse to believe it, but somehow take personal offense at the idea.
posted by flaterik at 4:00 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
And, as usual, conservatives that I've talked to about this not only refuse to believe it, but somehow take personal offense at the idea.
posted by flaterik at 4:00 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
We still don't know who Flynn wanted for his new counsel or why he wanted to change so abruptly. There's some speculation that he can't afford Covington & Burling any more and some that he wanted to adopt a more aggressive legal team prior to sentencing. Whatever the case, this is an odd development and bears watching.
Don't think this is related but it's certainly interesting & explains some things. The indefatigable Marcy Wheeler brings home the goods once again.
MIKE FLYNN ASSUMED THE FBI AGENTS INTERVIEWING HIM WOULD BE TRUMP SUPPORTERS
Don't think this is related but it's certainly interesting & explains some things. The indefatigable Marcy Wheeler brings home the goods once again.
MIKE FLYNN ASSUMED THE FBI AGENTS INTERVIEWING HIM WOULD BE TRUMP SUPPORTERS
Several times in the interview recounting the early aspects of the Russia investigation, Peter Strzok made it clear that Flynn felt comfortable with FBI Agents. Strzok said Flynn was “unguarded” and “relaxed and jocular.” He “clearly saw the FBI agents as allies.” That’s consistent with a guy who — according to his own sentence memo — “had for many years been accustomed to working in cooperation with the FBI on matters of national security.”
But there’s a part of the newly unsealed 302 that makes clear an assumption Flynn clearly had. In describing what he should be pretty ashamed being caught in — clandestine meetings with foreign leaders — he explains why he and Jared Kushner had a meeting at which Kushner asked for a back channel to the Russians.posted by scalefree at 4:05 PM on June 6, 2019 [13 favorites]Flynn explained that other meetings between the TRUMP team and various foreign leaders took place prior to the inauguration, and were sensitive inasmuch as many countries did not want the then-current administration to know about them. There were no personal relationship between the leaders of many countries and the incoming administration. FLYNN stated that he and personnel from the prior administration met with many countries “to set expectations for them, and the expectations were set very high.”
One thing I don't understand is why Democrats, or some organization, perhaps even a crowd funded one, hasn't decided to drown Trump in lawsuits. Pick almost any issue, any business, and you can find someone who was damaged with standing to sue. It worked with Clinton, and it was working for Stormy Daniels.
Are you a DC business? Sue for damages from breaking the Emoluments Clause. Did you work for Trump and were stiffed? Sue. Were you harassed by Trump? Sue. Are you an immigrant who has suffered harassment? Sue. I could go on forever.
Another question I have is why doesn't another state's law enforcement agency issue a warrant for Trump's arrest? Arresting Trump is not unconstitutional. I would like to see that argument made in the Supreme Court.
posted by xammerboy at 4:06 PM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
Are you a DC business? Sue for damages from breaking the Emoluments Clause. Did you work for Trump and were stiffed? Sue. Were you harassed by Trump? Sue. Are you an immigrant who has suffered harassment? Sue. I could go on forever.
Another question I have is why doesn't another state's law enforcement agency issue a warrant for Trump's arrest? Arresting Trump is not unconstitutional. I would like to see that argument made in the Supreme Court.
posted by xammerboy at 4:06 PM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
State Dept Boosted Hawks In Attacks On Iranian-American Anti-War Advocates
A campaign funded by the U.S. Department of State amplified an influential, war-hungry D.C. think tank chief’s attacks on Iranian-American anti-war advocates, apparently turning a new government-sponsored anti-disinformation initiative into a megaphone for advocates of military confrontation with Tehran.
The @IranDisinfo Twitter account boosted Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) chief executive Mark Dubowitz, while a website associated with the social media profile published the work of FDD senior adviser Saeed Ghasseminejad.
The campaign — formally known as the Iran Disinformation Project — received funding from the State Department through its Global Engagement Center, an initiative created in 2017 with the aim of countering foreign propaganda efforts.
But State pulled funding for the campaign on Friday after IranDisinfo was found to be attacking American opponents of the Trump administration’s Iran policy, telling journalists in a statement that some of its activities went beyond the “scope” of the grant.
Those attacked include Washington Post journalist Jason Rezanian, who was imprisoned by the Iranian government for 544 days, and a Human Rights Watch researcher probing the effects of sanctions on access to medicine in Iran.posted by scalefree at 4:08 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Another question I have is why doesn't another state's law enforcement agency issue a warrant for Trump's arrest? Arresting Trump is not unconstitutional. I would like to see that argument made in the Supreme Court.
President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for speeding in a horse-drawn carriage, so there is precedent that says the president can be arrested.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:37 PM on June 6, 2019 [17 favorites]
President Ulysses S. Grant was arrested for speeding in a horse-drawn carriage, so there is precedent that says the president can be arrested.
posted by kirkaracha at 4:37 PM on June 6, 2019 [17 favorites]
So she's not giving an inch. What she is doing is, uh, well, I said abortion was the first topic, but it's actually the second, because she started off the whole event with a long folksy narrative about her and her life. Emphasizing her Midwest and working class roots, and talking about her many family members in the military. "He spent 5 months in Vietnam - we were lucky to get him back home.""My dream was to be a public school teacher." And it went on for a long time. ...I didn't watch the MSNBC town hall, but from your description that's the exact same speech (down to the wording) that Warren opened with in Oakland CA last weekend. It's a universal appeal, and it lands solidly.
And I think it's interesting and noteworthy that she seems to be appealing to Midwest voters on identity.
posted by books for weapons at 5:08 PM on June 6, 2019 [9 favorites]
Re: the U.S. actually needing to add to the labor force as the population ages, I wonder who all those angry old white men in Southwestern states think is going to wipe their rear ends when they're in the nursing home for their final years... robots?
posted by PhineasGage at 5:09 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 5:09 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Haven't verified his credentials but here's a thread that puts a lot of things surrounding Trump in a very different light. In short, we may not have Donald Trump to kick around much longer. He builds a compelling case with a variety of evidence to back it up.
Tom Joseph
Tom Joseph
1 Donald Trump’s 2019 Frontotemporal Dementia summer tour is breaking records worldwide. He’s confused. He’s off balance. He’s delusional. His face is mask-like. His body involuntarily jerks. He’s right on schedule, as predicted, w/ a mountain of video documenting his downfall.
2 MSM gave Trump props today for not saying “American Carnage” while reading a teleprompter at glacial speed & sounding like a reanimated carcass. The adulation soon faded as he trashed Mueller, Pelosi & others with the graves of US servicemen who died on D-Day in the background.
3 If a Trump resignation plan isn’t being negotiated, it’s going to have to start soon bc his public malfunctions will become more spectacular & quite ugly. It can't be stopped. What seems far fetched will become obvious to MSM. Nicolle Wallace gets it,
4 Trump will not be the GOP candidate on election night 2020. Don't judge him by today, his condition is relentlessly worsening. His appearance will be horrifying in 6 months & catastrophic in a year. A campaign & election 18 months away is not possible.posted by scalefree at 5:19 PM on June 6, 2019 [13 favorites]
I can't tell you he's wrong but I can say that conservative twitter was putting together the same sort of narrative about Hillary Clinton and her deteriorating health before the 2016 election.
posted by Justinian at 5:23 PM on June 6, 2019 [33 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 5:23 PM on June 6, 2019 [33 favorites]
Check out some of his other threads, he's been building his case based on observations for a while now.
posted by scalefree at 5:24 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 5:24 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Just when you think the border nazis can't get any worse:
Border Patrol is confiscating migrant kids' medicine, U.S. doctors say.
posted by adamvasco at 5:36 PM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
Border Patrol is confiscating migrant kids' medicine, U.S. doctors say.
posted by adamvasco at 5:36 PM on June 6, 2019 [14 favorites]
It’s honestly probably more likely than not that Trump is dealing with dementia at some level, but I’m skeptical at how certain that guy is that it’s so bad Trump won’t finish his term.
posted by BeginAgain at 5:53 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by BeginAgain at 5:53 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Biden appears to have come out against the Hyde amendment.
campaigning like a well oiled machine! I guess if I were him I'd take some comfort knowing I was still polling. I mean, his campaign seems like it has nowhere to go but up based on what we've seen so far with the Hyde amendment and the plagiarism.
posted by Justinian at 5:54 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
campaigning like a well oiled machine! I guess if I were him I'd take some comfort knowing I was still polling. I mean, his campaign seems like it has nowhere to go but up based on what we've seen so far with the Hyde amendment and the plagiarism.
posted by Justinian at 5:54 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
A day late, a dollar short, and this:
"I want to be clear: I make no apologies for my last position. I make no apologies for what I'm about to say," he explained, arguing that "circumstances have changed."
Pretty anemic in my books.
posted by bcd at 6:00 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
"I want to be clear: I make no apologies for my last position. I make no apologies for what I'm about to say," he explained, arguing that "circumstances have changed."
Pretty anemic in my books.
posted by bcd at 6:00 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
I meant "still polling first" in my comment. As in; dude's campaign has been rocky as hell but it hasn't hurt him much as of yet. Probably because nobody but us nerds are paying attention so far.
posted by Justinian at 6:01 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:01 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
It’s honestly probably more likely than not that Trump is dealing with dementia at some level, but I’m skeptical at how certain that guy is that it’s so bad Trump won’t finish his term.
By some journalistic accounts, Ronald Reagan managed to hold on, despite showing signs of severe senility in his second term:
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 6:17 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
By some journalistic accounts, Ronald Reagan managed to hold on, despite showing signs of severe senility in his second term:
Reagan was as shriveled as a kumquat. He was so frail, his skin so paper-thin. I could almost see the sunlight through the back of his withered neck…His eyes were coated. Larry introduced us, but he had to shout. Had Reagan turned off his hearing aid?Keeping Trump around would be good for Republicans. They've managed to get a lot done with him in place. I would not want to give up on demanding Dems act on impeachment, out of any sense of pity for a man in his twilight years who may be suffering age-related dementia or progressive neurological disorders, or on the hope that Republicans would do the right thing and invoke the 25th — they'd have done so already, if they wanted.
…Reagan didn’t seem to know who I was. He gave me a distant look with those milky eyes and shook my hand weakly. Oh, my, he’s gonzo, I thought. I have to go out on the lawn tonight and tell my countrymen that the president of the United States is a doddering space cadet. My heart began to hammer with the import…I was aware of the delicacy with which I would have to write my script. But I was quite sure of my diagnosis.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 6:17 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
Trump supports the military general trying to overthrow the internationally-recognized government of Libya. Yet another example of Trump essentially undermining his own state department to favor autocracy (Haftar is explicitly opposed to Libyan democracy and his movement is supported by, among other autocratic nations, Russia).
posted by dirigibleman at 6:20 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by dirigibleman at 6:20 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
I meant "still polling first" in my comment. As in; dude's campaign has been rocky as hell but it hasn't hurt him much as of yet. Probably because nobody but us nerds are paying attention so far.
Yeah, I think Nate Silver had it right in the 538 chat from last week:
"But am I surprised that he’s held onto this lead? Well, no, not really, because NOTHING IS F—ING HAPPENING. THE NEWS CYCLE IS REALLY BORING, AT LEAST AS FAR AS 2020 GOES."
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Yeah, I think Nate Silver had it right in the 538 chat from last week:
"But am I surprised that he’s held onto this lead? Well, no, not really, because NOTHING IS F—ING HAPPENING. THE NEWS CYCLE IS REALLY BORING, AT LEAST AS FAR AS 2020 GOES."
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Who is Tom Joseph? What's his background?
posted by j_curiouser at 6:28 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by j_curiouser at 6:28 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
That account gives off STRONG Louise Mench vibes. Trump may have some sort of condition, but he's getting through hour long speeches regularly, and it's not like the shit he says has to make sense. He's not going to get removed unless he keels over.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:21 PM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:21 PM on June 6, 2019 [20 favorites]
Oh look, now they're not even going to hold Barr in contempt.
House Backs Off Holding Barr in Contempt in New Resolution
Who could've ever predicted? Remember when Democrats ran on holding Trump accountable? Fool me once...
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:26 PM on June 6, 2019 [23 favorites]
House Backs Off Holding Barr in Contempt in New Resolution
Who could've ever predicted? Remember when Democrats ran on holding Trump accountable? Fool me once...
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:26 PM on June 6, 2019 [23 favorites]
He’s confused. He’s off balance. He’s delusional. His face is mask-like. His body involuntarily jerks.
Yeah, that's what I was saying before the election even happened. Nobody but us cared then and nobody but us cares now. Unless Trump becomes bedridden we're not going to get a resignation, and even if he was they'd probably try to hide him as long as possible.
posted by mmoncur at 7:48 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
Yeah, that's what I was saying before the election even happened. Nobody but us cared then and nobody but us cares now. Unless Trump becomes bedridden we're not going to get a resignation, and even if he was they'd probably try to hide him as long as possible.
posted by mmoncur at 7:48 PM on June 6, 2019 [7 favorites]
Def sketchy vibe on Tom Joseph but that red carpet video is something to see.
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:58 PM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:58 PM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
Though a contempt vote would allow lawmakers to more forcefully condemn the two men, there may be little practical difference between the two approaches. Holding the witnesses in contempt would allow Congress to criminally refer Mr. Barr and Mr. McGahn to the Justice Department for prosecution and take the cases to court for civil enforcement. Because there is almost no chance the department would ever prosecute them, that leaves the courts as the only real recourse in either case.This move seems to accelerate the process slightly (as it skips the DOJ saying “we won’t enforce it”), and goes straight to the courts.
It doesn’t sound as sexy as holding Barr and McGahn in contempt, though.
posted by notyou at 7:59 PM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
we may not have Donald Trump to kick around much longer
i, for one, hope he gets to see his children through bars before he no longer knows who they are or where he is.
posted by 20 year lurk at 8:01 PM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
i, for one, hope he gets to see his children through bars before he no longer knows who they are or where he is.
posted by 20 year lurk at 8:01 PM on June 6, 2019 [11 favorites]
Preferably, his children would be on the same side of the bars as he is.
posted by rifflesby at 8:02 PM on June 6, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by rifflesby at 8:02 PM on June 6, 2019 [23 favorites]
Def sketchy vibe on Tom Joseph but that red carpet video is something to see.
There's definitely a sensationalistic vibe to his commentary but there's also something compelling in a fair amount of his video & image evidence. I'm allowed to find both things true.
posted by scalefree at 8:33 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
There's definitely a sensationalistic vibe to his commentary but there's also something compelling in a fair amount of his video & image evidence. I'm allowed to find both things true.
posted by scalefree at 8:33 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
I don't know what Trump's condition is or if anybody would do anything about it, but something is clearly wrong with him walking down that red carpet. If that other dude hadn't stepped in to shake his hand and lead him off to the side, he'd have been walking in the grass by the time he got to the end.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:45 PM on June 6, 2019
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:45 PM on June 6, 2019
There is something clearly wrong with Trump and there always has been, but I don’t know what it is and I’m not a diagnostician.
posted by gucci mane at 8:54 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 8:54 PM on June 6, 2019 [5 favorites]
Right. Tom Joseph has, according to his twitter, been predicting that the End is Nigh for at least a year. I'm not holding my breath.
posted by Justinian at 8:56 PM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 8:56 PM on June 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
Oh look, now they're not even going to hold Barr in contempt.
I suspect the goal right now is to show contempt for Democratic voters. Trump's gotta go, so I think they know we'll take anything and anyone, at this juncture. Not a great state of affairs to be in, while the world burns.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:11 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
I suspect the goal right now is to show contempt for Democratic voters. Trump's gotta go, so I think they know we'll take anything and anyone, at this juncture. Not a great state of affairs to be in, while the world burns.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:11 PM on June 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Trump could be a flesh eating zombie and Republicans would have him walking around with a shock collar to run in 2020 on the GRAR LIBERAL BRAINS ticket.
posted by benzenedream at 9:14 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 9:14 PM on June 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
Biden [does not really] reverse abortion funding stand (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 9:18 PM on June 6, 2019 [17 favorites]
Biden, however, did indicate that he would not support taxpayer funding for abortion if it became more readily available for women in need, particularly women who live in poverty.I don't think I've ever fixed a headline, but this one seemed to need it. There is no explanation about how abortion would become "more readily available for women" who live in poverty without federal funding, and regardless, Biden has not actually "reversed" his position. And according to the ACLU, Biden even throws in a blatant lie to justify his "previous" position. This is what Biden says in the Politico article:
“I have supported the Hyde Amendment like many, many others have,” Biden said Thursday, “because there were sufficient monies and circumstances where women were able to exercise that right — women of color, poor women, women who were not able to have access — and it was not under attack as it is now. But circumstances have changed.”This is from the ACLU:
Most states have followed the federal government's lead in restricting public funding for abortion. Currently only seventeen states fund abortions for low-income women on the same or similar terms as other pregnancy-related and general health services. (See map.) Four of these states provide funding voluntarily (HI, MD, NY,1 and WA); in thirteen, courts interpreting their state constitutions have declared broad and independent protection for reproductive choice and have ordered nondiscriminatory public funding of abortion (AK, AZ, CA, CT, IL, MA, MN, MT, NJ, NM, OR, VT, and WV).2 Thirty-two of the remaining states pay for abortions for low-income women in cases of life-endangering circumstances, rape, or incest, as mandated by federal Medicaid law.3 (A handful of these states pay as well in cases of fetal impairment or when the pregnancy threatens "severe" health problems, but none provides reimbursement for all medically necessary abortions for low-income women.) Finally, one state (SD) fails even to comply with the Hyde Amendment, instead providing coverage only for lifesaving abortions. [...]The only thing that has changed is that voters are finally noticing what an egregious and harmful position Biden has taken for all of these years.
One study showed that nearly 60% of women on Medicaid were often forced to divert money that would otherwise be used to pay their daily and monthly expenses, such as rent, utility bills, food and clothing for themselves and their children. Some even resorted to pawning household goods to come up with the necessary cash.4 Many Medicaid-eligible women delay their abortions, increasing their medical risks, while they scrape funds together. Other women have been forced to carry their pregnancies to term or to seek illegal abortions. Studies have shown that from 18 to 35 percent of Medicaid-eligible women who want abortions, but who live in states that do not provide funding for abortion, have been forced to carry their pregnancies to term.5 [...]
By the early 1980s, Congress had passed restrictions similar to the Hyde Amendment affecting programs on which an estimated twenty million women rely for their health care or insurance. In addition to poor women on Medicaid, those denied access to federally funded abortion include Native Americans, federal employees and their dependents, Peace Corps volunteers, low-income residents of Washington, DC, federal prisoners, military personnel and their dependents, and disabled women who rely on Medicare.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:18 PM on June 6, 2019 [17 favorites]
The only thing that has changed is that voters are finally noticing what an egregious and harmful position Biden has taken for all of these years.
Now do bankruptcy. And student loans. And healthcare. And criminal justice. His actual record, as opposed to the memes, is never going to get better.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [53 favorites]
Now do bankruptcy. And student loans. And healthcare. And criminal justice. His actual record, as opposed to the memes, is never going to get better.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:22 PM on June 6, 2019 [53 favorites]
> While trying to corrupt internal institutions, ask your fellow corrupt foreign oligarchs in Israel, Russia, UAE, or Saudi Arabia to take care of matters on your behalf as well
The Most Powerful Arab Ruler Isn't M.B.S. It's M.B.Z. - "Prince Mohammed bin Zayed expanded the U.A.E.’s power by following America's lead. He now has an increasingly bellicose agenda of his own. And President Trump seems to be following him."
What to Know About Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the Arab Ruler Swaying Trump - "Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most influential Arab leaders in Washington. Here are five takeaways from a Times report."
and re: nader...
UAE's Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed's Growing Influence On The U.S.
The Most Powerful Arab Ruler Isn't M.B.S. It's M.B.Z. - "Prince Mohammed bin Zayed expanded the U.A.E.’s power by following America's lead. He now has an increasingly bellicose agenda of his own. And President Trump seems to be following him."
What to Know About Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the Arab Ruler Swaying Trump - "Prince Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the most influential Arab leaders in Washington. Here are five takeaways from a Times report."
and re: nader...
UAE's Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed's Growing Influence On The U.S.
GROSS: Can we just stop here and say that, on Monday of this week, George Nader was arrested on charges of child pornography. And he had videos of pornographic videos of young boys on his cellphone.posted by kliuless at 10:11 PM on June 6, 2019 [15 favorites]
KIRKPATRICK: That's right. I've read the complaint. And the contents of his cellphone were truly revolting. Yeah. Oddly, both of these guys - George Nader and Elliott Broidy - have each, in their own way, been caught up in a sexual scandal apparently unrelated to their work for the UAE. Elliott Broidy, the fundraiser who became a friend of George Nader, was also exposed as having cheated on his wife with a Playboy model and had been involved in some secret payments to try to keep that under wraps. So each of them now has their...
GROSS: Can we mention - there's an abortion involved there, too.
KIRKPATRICK: I'm not as well versed in those aspects of the allegations, but there is said to have been an abortion involved as well.
GROSS: And the payoff money was handled through Michael Cohen.
KIRKPATRICK: It's all very tangled, isn't it? But yes, that's the case. The - President Trump's own lawyer, who handled similar payoffs for him, did the same thing for Elliott Broidy.
GROSS: So Cohen handled the hush money. And so Broidy, the hush money guy, his role in opening up the door between the UAE and Trump?
KIRKPATRICK: So Elliott Broidy, in addition to being a Republican fundraiser, he has a private security company. He has a security company that hires a lot of former American military officers and provides intelligence and other services to foreign governments. He met George Nader around the time of the inauguration, I believe, and thought it would be great to sell those services to the UAE. So while he was in talks with the UAE through George Nader to sign a contract worth more than $200 million with the UAE, he turned around and began to carry messages on the part of Prince Mohammed to President Trump, making suggestions like, let's get out of the Iran deal. Why didn't you get rid of Secretary of State Tillerson? And wouldn't it be nice if you could just meet privately outside the White House one-on-one with Prince Mohammed of the UAE? He made all these suggestions, and then he reported back in detail about the whole process to George Nader, who was working as an advisor to the court. Those emails, as we once discussed before, have become public. So we see their complicated courtship back and forth.
GROSS: At least five people working for the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates have been caught up in criminal investigations growing out of the Mueller inquiry. Who are they? Does that include Nader, who you've been talking about - the child porn guy?
KIRKPATRICK: Yeah, that includes Nader, who was stopped at the airport when he landed in the U.S. As I understand it, he was stopped because the prosecutors wanted a connection - they wanted to question him in connection with foreign influence matters, in connection with matters related to Mueller's inquiry. And by accident, they found the child porn that has now landed him in jail. So one of those is George Nader. Another one is Erik Prince, who founded the company Blackwater. It was known for recruiting mercenaries. He also had worked for years for the UAE and acted as a kind of intermediary on the part of Erik Prince.
Another is Elliott Broidy, who's come under an investigation growing out of the Mueller probe of the question of whether or not he should have registered as a foreign agent for the UAE because of the work that he was doing carrying messages to the Trump administration. Another is a hedge fund manager, Rick Gerson, who had worked with the crown prince for a long time and happened to be very close to Jared Kushner. He was involved in setting up that secret meeting in December 2016. And - I'm sorry it's so complicated, but I just have to tell you - he also was involved in trying to help the Russians connect with the Trump administration.
One of the weirdest things here that has really captured a lot of people's attention is that Prince Mohammed and the Emiratis played a pretty active role trying to help Vladimir Putin's men find their own inroads into the Trump circle. So they used their own connections that they had built up to try to help the Russians get in with the Trump team. And why? That's clearly still an ongoing matter. So Mr. Gerson is also under scrutiny and is at least a witness in the Mueller probe...
One reason might be that Prince Mohammed and the Emiratis have tried for years to kind of pull Russia away from Iran. For their regional political reasons, they would like Russia to be less supportive of Iran. They would like Russia to help diminish Iran's influence in Syria, so they've been courting and wooing Russia to that end for some time. So you might say, well, this effort to help the Russians reach out to the Trump team is just part of that larger regional geopolitical ploy...
GROSS: So did you read the Mueller report? And if so, like what did you learn from it that relates to the issues you've been covering?
KIRKPATRICK: Well, I learned two things. I learned that there were some very suggestive blackouts indicating that some of these matters may still be under scrutiny. And I also learned more about the role the Emiratis played helping the Russians try to connect with the Trump team. We had known that Crown Prince Mohammed invited Erik Prince, the Blackwater guy, to his - the crown prince's retreat in the Seychelles where he met with a Russian business man very close to Putin, who had been Putin's point man for reaching out to the Gulf and was Putin's point man for reaching out to the Trump team. So the prince brought these two sides together for a secret meeting in the Seychelles. That was weird enough.
In the Mueller report, we also learn that the prince appears to have worked through this hedge fund manager, Rick Gerson in New York, with whom the prince had a long relationship and who was close to Kushner. And he - the prince through his brother introduced this hedge fund manager to the same Russian businessman. They started working on proposals for Russian and American reconciliation. And then this same hedge fund manager, who's so close to the prince, took that proposal, a two-page version of that proposal, and gave it personally to Jared Kushner. So the Mueller report - this part gets kind of lost because the main thrust of it, of course, is about obstruction and about what the Russians did. But if what you're interested in is the Emiratis, it really redoubled the question of why were the Emiratis so interested in helping the Russians connect to the Trump team during that transition period?
Don't forget that Trump is too vain to wear glasses -- that might be another reason he's zigzagging down the red carpet; because he can't see where he's going.
How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?
posted by vickyverky at 10:55 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?
posted by vickyverky at 10:55 PM on June 6, 2019 [6 favorites]
The Most Powerful Arab Ruler Isn't M.B.S. It's M.B.Z.
Nobody was talking about the most powerful, MBS is just a big dick. All that this MBZ talk says is that MBS isn't the only person able to have a journalist chopped up.
posted by rhizome at 10:57 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Nobody was talking about the most powerful, MBS is just a big dick. All that this MBZ talk says is that MBS isn't the only person able to have a journalist chopped up.
posted by rhizome at 10:57 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Don't forget that Trump is too vain to wear glasses -- that might be another reason he's zigzagging down the red carpet; because he can't see where he's going.
How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?
That reminds me of something I read about Hitler; he was also too vain to wear glasses, and his speeches were typed out in oversize type (referred to by his secretaries et al as "Führer type") so he could read them.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 11:27 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?How large is the type on his teleprompter, I wonder? Would that explain why he reads so slowly -- because there are literally three words per line?
That reminds me of something I read about Hitler; he was also too vain to wear glasses, and his speeches were typed out in oversize type (referred to by his secretaries et al as "Führer type") so he could read them.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 11:27 PM on June 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
About Trump's walking: my granddad walked (and drove!) like that for at least a decade before he died. And he really was a very stable genius, not a pretend one. The main issue was the vanity -- not wearing glasses. Your balance depends on your eyesight. My grandfather also struggled with back pain and in spite of doing his best to exercise every day, he grew physically weaker with age, because he couldn't walk very far without the back protesting. He still claimed to be fit as a fiddle almost till he died, without getting proper care because he wouldn't accept he was very ill.
Which leads to this question:
Re: the U.S. actually needing to add to the labor force as the population ages, I wonder who all those angry old white men in Southwestern states think is going to wipe their rear ends when they're in the nursing home for their final years... robots?
Old White Men don't imagine they will ever need care, and simultaneously, they imagine that if anything should happen, their wives and daughters will drop everything and rush in to do it all. This is not a joke; I did research on hospital planning for a while, and I realized that one of the planning failures came down to exactly this: the vast majority of executives involved were 50+ year-old men who imagined that if they ever got ill, the optimal hospital would work like a high-end car repair store, where they could drive in and drive out the same day. They imagined their loved ones would sit at their side holding hands. And then they projected their own failure of self-awareness on to the rest of the world.
This is why I rarely trust old white men before I know them well. They have to prove themselves very thoroughly for me to trust their capabilities. They can be smart, and kind and even empathetic, but there is some societal mechanism that makes many of them unable to experience the world like it is.
posted by mumimor at 2:21 AM on June 7, 2019 [59 favorites]
Which leads to this question:
Re: the U.S. actually needing to add to the labor force as the population ages, I wonder who all those angry old white men in Southwestern states think is going to wipe their rear ends when they're in the nursing home for their final years... robots?
Old White Men don't imagine they will ever need care, and simultaneously, they imagine that if anything should happen, their wives and daughters will drop everything and rush in to do it all. This is not a joke; I did research on hospital planning for a while, and I realized that one of the planning failures came down to exactly this: the vast majority of executives involved were 50+ year-old men who imagined that if they ever got ill, the optimal hospital would work like a high-end car repair store, where they could drive in and drive out the same day. They imagined their loved ones would sit at their side holding hands. And then they projected their own failure of self-awareness on to the rest of the world.
This is why I rarely trust old white men before I know them well. They have to prove themselves very thoroughly for me to trust their capabilities. They can be smart, and kind and even empathetic, but there is some societal mechanism that makes many of them unable to experience the world like it is.
posted by mumimor at 2:21 AM on June 7, 2019 [59 favorites]
I suspect the goal right now is to show contempt for Democratic voters. Trump's gotta go, so I think they know we'll take anything and anyone, at this juncture. Not a great state of affairs to be in, while the world burns.
The article title saying they're not holding them in contempt is misleading. It appears they're still holding the contempt vote, but the Rules Committee has also drafted a parallel action that, as notyou pointed out, may actually accelerate the process of sending things to court. From the article:
The article title saying they're not holding them in contempt is misleading. It appears they're still holding the contempt vote, but the Rules Committee has also drafted a parallel action that, as notyou pointed out, may actually accelerate the process of sending things to court. From the article:
The resolution nearing a vote amplifies existing rules to allow committees facing an uncooperative Trump administration to take cases straight to court for enforcement as long as they have the approval of House leaders. Doing so would eliminate the need to wait for floor time to vote on contempt measures, Democratic aides briefed on the plan said on Thursday.posted by Anonymous at 3:47 AM on June 7, 2019
Def sketchy vibe on Tom Joseph but that red carpet video is something to see.
He is walking on a carpet over grass and probably uneven ground on a windy day. The carpet would make it impossible to visually judge and adapt to the surface you're walking on so it would have to all proprioceptive which is just something that goes wrong with age (starting around 50 so get ready for it. It will come for you too). I think there is a lot of evidence that Trump may be senile as well as a fool but I don't count this as some of it. I see this kind of weaving everyday from all kinds of people in normal health on perfectly flat pavement never mind bad conditions. It's diagnostic of just about nothing other than a lack of athleticism.
posted by srboisvert at 4:47 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
He is walking on a carpet over grass and probably uneven ground on a windy day. The carpet would make it impossible to visually judge and adapt to the surface you're walking on so it would have to all proprioceptive which is just something that goes wrong with age (starting around 50 so get ready for it. It will come for you too). I think there is a lot of evidence that Trump may be senile as well as a fool but I don't count this as some of it. I see this kind of weaving everyday from all kinds of people in normal health on perfectly flat pavement never mind bad conditions. It's diagnostic of just about nothing other than a lack of athleticism.
posted by srboisvert at 4:47 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
I'm no neurologist, but I expect if you videoed me constantly you could gather a few examples where my sleep-deprived new dad ass looks impaired without much difficulty. 45 is old, in poor shape, jet-lagged, and only off-camera when he's sleeping or watching TV. This is basically a fancier version of finding the frames in videos where politicians are saying "oo" sounds and saying they look like monkeys (a favourite during the reign of Bush the Younger).
If it turns out he has rapidly-advancing dementia zero monocles will be popped of course, but cherry picked videos have zero bearing on it.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 5:29 AM on June 7, 2019 [25 favorites]
If it turns out he has rapidly-advancing dementia zero monocles will be popped of course, but cherry picked videos have zero bearing on it.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 5:29 AM on June 7, 2019 [25 favorites]
CNBC: White House Invites Key Trump Business Allies to Bahrain Forum In Search For a Middle East ‘Deal of the Century’
Meanwhile, Buzzfeed profiles an unlikely conference attendee: Meet The Trump Administration’s Man In Palestine—Ashraf al-Jabari is a little-known businessperson projecting a lot of power. He’s also the only Palestinian, so far, set to attend a Jared Kushner–organized conference in Bahrain.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:01 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Tom Barrack*, a loyal supporter of the president and the CEO of real estate investment firm Colony Capital, will be heading to the event slated to start on June 25 at the Four Seasons in Bahrain’s capital, Manama.[…]* CREW: Emails Show Tom Barrack Pitched Wilbur Ross on Middle East Plan
Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Goldman Sachs’ Dina Powell are among the heavy hitters who have been invited to the gathering dubbed “Peace to Prosperity,” according to people familiar with the planning.
J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon was also invited, but will not attend, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Dimon, who considered a 2020 presidential run and bragged that he could beat Trump, but has also praised some administration moves, including tax cuts and deregulation. A spokesman for J.P. Morgan declined to comment.[…]
Meanwhile, Palestinian business executives are turning down invitations to the event, which Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has ripped.
“Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ will go to hell, as will the economic workshop in Bahrain that the Americans intend to hold and present illusions,” Abbas said last week.
Meanwhile, Buzzfeed profiles an unlikely conference attendee: Meet The Trump Administration’s Man In Palestine—Ashraf al-Jabari is a little-known businessperson projecting a lot of power. He’s also the only Palestinian, so far, set to attend a Jared Kushner–organized conference in Bahrain.
Ashraf al-Jabari, 45, is a man befitting the Trump show, the kind the president has cultivated around the country and now the world. He’s a largely unknown businessperson on the political fringe, a former member of Palestinian intelligence, bringing to Bahrain some heavy baggage with his questionable alliances and business practices and a whiff of scandal — including a charge of treason filed against him in his hometown. He roundly denied the charge as a conspiracy against him by the Palestinian leadership.[…]And Trump sounds irritated with Netanyahu, whose inability to form a government or to escape corruption charges are disrupting the Bahrain conference's rollout: Trump: 'Not Happy' about 'Messed Up' Israeli Politics
If Palestinians do know Jabari, it’s likely through the photos of him with settler activists that have circulated online, like from when he spoke at a panel titled, “Enough with the corrupt leadership of the Palestinian Authority. We want to live under Israeli Sovereignty!” at a far-right conference in Israel in 2017.[…]
Jabari told BuzzFeed News that he has met the US ambassador “many times” since 2017 through his Israeli–Palestinian economic work, but said the two do not discuss politics. (The US Embassy in Jerusalem declined to comment on the relationship or meetings between the two.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:01 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Carmakers To White House: Work With California On Rules For Greenhouse Gases (Camila Domonoske for NPR, June 6, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:03 AM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
Seventeen of the world's largest automakers have asked the White House and the state of California to restart talks and come up with one set of greenhouse gas standards for cars.More of "the government positions don't reflect public views" -- Poll: Majority Want To Keep Abortion Legal, But They Also Want Restrictions (Domenico Montanaro for NPR, June 7, 2019)
The Trump administration has been pushing to roll back regulations, while California has been holding tight to its tougher rules for auto emissions. The carmakers, meanwhile, call for "common sense compromise."
The companies — including Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen — sent a letter to the Trump administration (PDF) emphasizing that auto industry jobs are at stake.
Meanwhile, they sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (PDF), arguing that a single nationwide standard would reduce emissions more effectively than a divided one.
Three-quarters of Americans say they want to keep in place the landmark Supreme Court ruling, Roe v. Wade, that made abortion legal in the United States, but a strong majority would like to see restrictions on abortion rights, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll.Major note: in this poll, for all National Adults, only 35% are self-identifying as Pro-Life, compared to 57% as Pro-Choice, with 8% unsure, though this break-down had varied greatly in prior polls (PDF, page 3), and only in a May 2009 poll did anti-choice respondents outweight pro-life respondents.
What the survey found is a great deal of complexity — and sometimes contradiction among Americans — that goes well beyond the talking points of the loudest voices in the debate. In fact, there's a high level of dissatisfaction with abortion policy overall. Almost two-thirds of people said they were either somewhat or very dissatisfied, including 66% of those who self-identify as "pro-life" and 62% of those who self-identify as "pro-choice."
posted by filthy light thief at 8:03 AM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
I expect if you videoed me constantly you could gather a few examples where my sleep-deprived new dad ass looks impaired without much difficulty.
I'll extend that observation to Biden's touching. It's very easy to make any politician whispering into someone's ear look nefarious in a photo with the right tagline. That's not to say I haven't found some of his behavior questionable, but I advise a great deal of caution with accepting an out of context photo or video snippet as evidence of anything.
posted by xammerboy at 8:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'll extend that observation to Biden's touching. It's very easy to make any politician whispering into someone's ear look nefarious in a photo with the right tagline. That's not to say I haven't found some of his behavior questionable, but I advise a great deal of caution with accepting an out of context photo or video snippet as evidence of anything.
posted by xammerboy at 8:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Who's In, and Out, of the First Democratic Debates (Politico), in which 13 candidates have met the DNC fundraising and polling standards to be one of the 20 people included in the first debates
Met the fundraising and polling thresholds (Politician Division): Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pette Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Jay Inslee, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren
(Non-Politician Division): Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang
Met the polling threshold: Michael Bennet, Bill de Blasio, John Delaney, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hickenlooper, Tim Ryan and Eric Swalwell
In polling limbo: Steve Bullock
Haven't met the polling threshold: Mike Gravel, Wayne Messam, and Seth Moulton
I'd expect some of those people at the bottom of the list to drop out if they don't get a space in the first debates.
The most interesting place on that list, in my mind, is the people that have met the polling threshold, but not the donation threshold. It's not a dollar amount, but rather 65,000 individual donors, with 200 in 20 different states. Someone like Gillibrand or Hickenlooper might be able to push people to kick in just one dollar, and claim a place on the debate stage--hey, it worked for Andrew Yang.
posted by box at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Met the fundraising and polling thresholds (Politician Division): Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pette Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Jay Inslee, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren
(Non-Politician Division): Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang
Met the polling threshold: Michael Bennet, Bill de Blasio, John Delaney, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hickenlooper, Tim Ryan and Eric Swalwell
In polling limbo: Steve Bullock
Haven't met the polling threshold: Mike Gravel, Wayne Messam, and Seth Moulton
I'd expect some of those people at the bottom of the list to drop out if they don't get a space in the first debates.
The most interesting place on that list, in my mind, is the people that have met the polling threshold, but not the donation threshold. It's not a dollar amount, but rather 65,000 individual donors, with 200 in 20 different states. Someone like Gillibrand or Hickenlooper might be able to push people to kick in just one dollar, and claim a place on the debate stage--hey, it worked for Andrew Yang.
posted by box at 8:20 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Anyone who has walked with an umbrella in even a moderately gusty wind knows how it pulls you around. The red carpet walk means nothing.
posted by rocket88 at 8:23 AM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by rocket88 at 8:23 AM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
Labor beat! BREAKING: SEIU passes resolution in support of #GreenNewDeal. This groundbreaking measure aims to address climate change while creating high-quality union jobs. We need to combat climate change while raising standards for all working people
posted by The Whelk at 8:33 AM on June 7, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:33 AM on June 7, 2019 [26 favorites]
Someone like Gillibrand or Hickenlooper might be able to push people to kick in just one dollar
Gillibrand is doing exactly that on Facebook.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:00 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Gillibrand is doing exactly that on Facebook.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:00 AM on June 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
I've been getting ads like that on FB from Booker for weeks.
posted by phearlez at 9:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by phearlez at 9:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Gillibrand is doing exactly that on Facebook.
Can confirm, Connie Britton asked me to donate a buck to support GIllibrand on twitter this morning.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:18 AM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Can confirm, Connie Britton asked me to donate a buck to support GIllibrand on twitter this morning.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:18 AM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
I just kicked down $10 to Kirsten Gillibrand, even though Elizabeth Warren is my #1 choice. I do not want sexual-harassment enablers and Cool Girls to keep her out of the debates. Seriously, if Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson - who are not bad or evil or shun-worthy, just novelty candidates not experienced politicians - are in, Gillibrand - a senator of ten years' standing! - deserves to be in the debates, too.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:22 AM on June 7, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:22 AM on June 7, 2019 [16 favorites]
Al Gore talks about climate change and jobs in Australia:
posted by xammerboy at 9:32 AM on June 7, 2019 [27 favorites]
“Almost no one who really spends time with the economic data believes that those jobs will be practical in this new century,” he said.Hopefully, results like this can make a difference. I am increasingly disturbed that many Democrats are afraid to state their case plainly even when every fact and positive outcome is on their side. Will the world please consider taking free and clean energy?
“We [the US] are closing coal plants right and left. We are now beginning to close gas plants, to replace them with solar and wind. In the state of Texas there is so much wind electricity the new rate plans make electricity totally free from 9pm to 6am the next morning. How are fossil fuels going to compete with free? How are they going to compete with clean? The answer is – I don’t think they can.
“But where these employees are concerned, we owe them better jobs. We owe them a realistic set of options and plans, to move on into the future, with safe, clean good paying jobs that they deserve.”
posted by xammerboy at 9:32 AM on June 7, 2019 [27 favorites]
Key figure that Mueller report linked to Russia was a State Department intel source - (John Solomon, The Hill)
This article is fishy as hell. Solomon claims that Konstantin Kilimnik isn't tied to Russian intelligence as Mueller claims in his report. In fact, he says, Kilimnik is an American intelligence asset, and Mueller intentionally left that out.
It's clearly part of a move from the Trump administration to sow doubt about the accuracy of the report.
Some samples:
Why Mueller’s team omitted that part of the Kilimnik narrative from its report and related court filings is not known. But the revelation of it comes as the accuracy of Mueller’s Russia conclusions face increased scrutiny.
Those emails raise further doubt about the Mueller report’s portrayal of Kilimnik as a Russian agent.
The emails also show how misleading, by omission, the Mueller report’s public portrayal of Kilimnik turns out to be.
If Mueller’s team can cast such a misleading portrayal of Kilimnik, however, it begs the question of what else might be incorrect or omitted in the report.
posted by diogenes at 9:56 AM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
This article is fishy as hell. Solomon claims that Konstantin Kilimnik isn't tied to Russian intelligence as Mueller claims in his report. In fact, he says, Kilimnik is an American intelligence asset, and Mueller intentionally left that out.
It's clearly part of a move from the Trump administration to sow doubt about the accuracy of the report.
Some samples:
Why Mueller’s team omitted that part of the Kilimnik narrative from its report and related court filings is not known. But the revelation of it comes as the accuracy of Mueller’s Russia conclusions face increased scrutiny.
Those emails raise further doubt about the Mueller report’s portrayal of Kilimnik as a Russian agent.
The emails also show how misleading, by omission, the Mueller report’s public portrayal of Kilimnik turns out to be.
If Mueller’s team can cast such a misleading portrayal of Kilimnik, however, it begs the question of what else might be incorrect or omitted in the report.
posted by diogenes at 9:56 AM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
Biden has more than proved his creepiness with women and girls. Excessive memes nonwithstanding.
posted by agregoli at 9:57 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by agregoli at 9:57 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Why the Guardian is changing the language it uses to describe abortion bans (Guardian)
The Guardian will no longer use the term “heartbeat bill” in reference to the restrictive abortion bans that are moving through state legislatures in the US. Editors and reporters are encouraged to use the term “six-week abortion ban” over “fetal heartbeat bill”, unless they are quoting someone.posted by Little Dawn at 10:00 AM on June 7, 2019 [25 favorites]
“We want to avoid medically inaccurate, misleading language when covering women’s reproductive rights,” the Guardian’s US editor-in-chief, John Mulholland, said. “These are arbitrary bans that don’t reflect fetal development – and the language around them is often motivated by politics, not science.”
The Guardian style guide already encourages editors to use “anti-abortion” over “pro-life” for clarity, and “pro-choice” over “pro-abortion”, since not everyone who supports a woman’s right to reproductive choice supports abortion at a personal level.
The Guardian’s updated style guide on abortion bans is in line with the view of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the largest professional organization for doctors specializing in women’s health. [...]
The Guardian’s updated style guide comes as a wave of restrictive abortion bans are sweeping the US: between 1 January and 20 May, 378 abortion restrictions were introduced across the United States. An unprecedented 40% of them have been abortion bans, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Many of those measures ban abortion after about six weeks, before most women know they are pregnant.
Despite the laws, abortion is legal in all 50 US states because the bans contravene Roe v Wade, the landmark decision which legalized abortion in 1973. The laws are all expected to be challenged in court and are unlikely ever to go into effect. Supporters hope the bills will make it to the US supreme court and force a challenge to Roe.
(John Solomon, The Hill)
There is a reason The Hill lists John Solomon as an "opinion contributor" and it's because they know his conspiracy theories (he's also the original Uranium One guy, and I am sure there are others) are not based in fact.
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:01 AM on June 7, 2019 [10 favorites]
There is a reason The Hill lists John Solomon as an "opinion contributor" and it's because they know his conspiracy theories (he's also the original Uranium One guy, and I am sure there are others) are not based in fact.
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:01 AM on June 7, 2019 [10 favorites]
President Trump puts his autograph up top when fifteen world leaders sign a D-Day proclamation at a ceremony in Portsmouth, England.
A real class act, this guy.
posted by vverse23 at 10:02 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
A real class act, this guy.
posted by vverse23 at 10:02 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
Gore: “But where these employees are concerned, we owe them better jobs. We owe them a realistic set of options and plans, to move on into the future, with safe, clean good paying jobs that they deserve.”
As in the U.S., Australian politicians vastly exaggerate the number of coal mining jobs. In Australia they amount to only 0.5% of the workforce. In lieu of any better options, the government could easily afford to just pay them to go on permanent vacation.
The constituency for coal isn't a relative handful of coal mining voters. It is few millionaire coal company owners with deep pockets who own the politicians.
posted by JackFlash at 10:06 AM on June 7, 2019 [27 favorites]
As in the U.S., Australian politicians vastly exaggerate the number of coal mining jobs. In Australia they amount to only 0.5% of the workforce. In lieu of any better options, the government could easily afford to just pay them to go on permanent vacation.
The constituency for coal isn't a relative handful of coal mining voters. It is few millionaire coal company owners with deep pockets who own the politicians.
posted by JackFlash at 10:06 AM on June 7, 2019 [27 favorites]
Bloomberg: Trump's Tariffs Have Wiped Out Most Families' Tax-Cut Gains
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:12 AM on June 7, 2019 [14 favorites]
President Donald Trump's trade wars have already wiped out all but $100 of the average American household's windfall from Trump's 2017 tax law. And that's just the beginning.CNBC: Jobs Creation Slows Dramatically With Payrolls Up Just 75,000 In May, Much Worse Than Expected
That last $100 in tax-cut gains could soon completely disappear — and then some — because of additional tariffs Trump has announced. If the president makes good on his threats to impose levies on virtually all imports from China and Mexico, those middle-earning households could pay nearly $4,000 more.
Subtract the tax cut, and the average household will effectively be paying about $3,000 more in taxes through additional levies on the products they consume.[…]
Only the top 5% of earners would continue to see a net tax cut of more than 1%, according to the right-leaning Tax Foundation. Tariffs would also depress wages by about 0.5% and result in the loss of nearly 610,000 full-time jobs, according to the foundation.
The decline was the second in four months that payrolls increased by less than 100,000 as the labor market continues to show signs of weakening. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for a gain of 180,000.WaPo: The Fate of Trump’s Economy Now Hinges on the Federal Reserve, the Agency the President Called ‘Crazy’
In addition to the weak total for May, the previous two months’ reports saw substantial downward revisions. March’s count fell from 189,000 to 153,000 and the April total was taken down to 224,000 from 263,000, for a total reduction of 75,000 jobs.[…]
Investors have been worried about slowing growth amid an escalating trade war between the U.S. and some its biggest global partners, China and Mexico. Global growth is slowing as well, with the World Bank earlier this week revising its forecasts lower.
Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell and other Fed officials have signaled this week that they may have to cut interest rates in coming months to keep the economic expansion going — and counter any economic harm from Trump’s escalating trade war.[…]The Dow is currently up 300 points, mostly on the speculation that the Fed will lower rates rather than a forseeable end to Trump's tariffs.
The Fed is likely to signal its next step at its policy meeting this month, and markets are forecasting at least three interest-rate cuts by the end of the year. Powell said this week at a Fed conference in Chicago that the Fed is prepared to take “appropriate” action to keep the economy from a downturn, and stocks surged as a result.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:12 AM on June 7, 2019 [14 favorites]
LA Times, Inside a Missouri abortion clinic under siege: sobbing, breakdowns and conflicted doctors
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [23 favorites]
Working at the only abortion clinic left in Missouri, Dr. David Eisenberg often feels he needs a sign on his forehead that says, “I’m sorry.”Also available in Maddow special report form [video]: Missouri forcing invasive pelvic exam on women seeking abortion
I’m sorry that, in this really difficult and stressful period of your life, I don’t know whether I’m able to take care of you.
I’m sorry that you have to wait at least three days for me to provide the care you need.
I’m sorry that the state is forcing me to do a pelvic exam when there’s no medical reason to make you uncomfortable today.
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on June 7, 2019 [23 favorites]
Flug talked a few days ago about what trash the resources are that the government provides for watching what Congress is doing. Some of that - like the difficulty in reading bills and understanding exactly what they'll do/change - are a big lift, but many are not.
There's a lot of private organization solutions for this stuff, including things that the Library of Congress is supposed to be doing already[1], but some hope is on the horizon. There continues to be talk of Congress restarting the Office of Technology Assessment and the Library of Congress just closed applications for a Digital Innovation Chief. If you want to hear some talk about the OTA this is about 12 minutes and goes from the OTA's past incarnation through now and future possibilities, as well as things the House is already doing, cybersecurity, etc.
[1] One example is the requirement to publish every CRS report not subject to some limitations or certain purposes. Last I saw they still were failing to do this to the standard required and were lapped by Every CRS Report.
posted by phearlez at 10:31 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
There's a lot of private organization solutions for this stuff, including things that the Library of Congress is supposed to be doing already[1], but some hope is on the horizon. There continues to be talk of Congress restarting the Office of Technology Assessment and the Library of Congress just closed applications for a Digital Innovation Chief. If you want to hear some talk about the OTA this is about 12 minutes and goes from the OTA's past incarnation through now and future possibilities, as well as things the House is already doing, cybersecurity, etc.
[1] One example is the requirement to publish every CRS report not subject to some limitations or certain purposes. Last I saw they still were failing to do this to the standard required and were lapped by Every CRS Report.
posted by phearlez at 10:31 AM on June 7, 2019 [7 favorites]
(I dug up a link about John Solomon to refresh my memory about the other pseudo-scandals he has "reported".)
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:31 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 10:31 AM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Somebody should produce a version of the US code as a github repository. You would be able to see the text of new laws as pull requests and the changes to other sections of the code in situ.
It appears that the District of Columbia already does this.
(I hate saying "somebody should" because that somebody could be anyone, including me.)
posted by sjswitzer at 11:08 AM on June 7, 2019 [11 favorites]
It appears that the District of Columbia already does this.
(I hate saying "somebody should" because that somebody could be anyone, including me.)
posted by sjswitzer at 11:08 AM on June 7, 2019 [11 favorites]
Now with Barr's apparent power to unclassify everything they could expose what Mueller knew about criminal behavior and could use that to smear them or paint them as corrupt.
Yeah, I immediately assumed that the Solomon article was the first salvo in Barr's weaponization of selectively leaked declassified information.
posted by diogenes at 11:09 AM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I immediately assumed that the Solomon article was the first salvo in Barr's weaponization of selectively leaked declassified information.
posted by diogenes at 11:09 AM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
This sucks, I've got an Astrophysics exam on Monday, and just discovered that according to the most powerful man in the world I have been operating on a fairly major misunderstanding regarding the make up of the Solar system.
@realDonaldTrump: "For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago. They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!"
posted by Buntix at 11:49 AM on June 7, 2019 [34 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: "For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago. They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!"
posted by Buntix at 11:49 AM on June 7, 2019 [34 favorites]
Yeah, I immediately assumed that the Solomon article was the first salvo in Barr's weaponization of selectively leaked declassified information.
Marcy Wheeler has another theory about Solomon’s source:
As usual, Trump’s garbled thoughts stem from Fox News, per MMA’s Matthew Gertz: “Actually, Trump's "Mars (of which the Moon is a part)" line is probably referring to the NASA flack's point that going to the moon would help us get to Mars later on.” (w/video from Fox Business). It’s still worrisome that not only is Trump unable to express simple ideas clearly, but also his staff can’t catch his bizarre misstatements.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:00 PM on June 7, 2019 [15 favorites]
Marcy Wheeler has another theory about Solomon’s source:
Note on John Solomon's latest propaganda.Mars (of which the Moon is a part)
1) He claims KK's Ukraine ties have not been addressed in court docs by Mueller. That claim reveals he doesn't know the court docs, bc it has.
2) Manafort had those docs (he got it in discovery). That's where this comes from.
It may be more telling that Manafort's sharing this w/Solomon rather than, say, the NYT.
Also note: ABJ looked at this, and said it had no bearing on FBI's representation that KK is spooked up w/Russia (as anyone who knows anything abt spooks would tell you).
As usual, Trump’s garbled thoughts stem from Fox News, per MMA’s Matthew Gertz: “Actually, Trump's "Mars (of which the Moon is a part)" line is probably referring to the NASA flack's point that going to the moon would help us get to Mars later on.” (w/video from Fox Business). It’s still worrisome that not only is Trump unable to express simple ideas clearly, but also his staff can’t catch his bizarre misstatements.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:00 PM on June 7, 2019 [15 favorites]
NBC News, Trump admin tells U.S. embassies they can't fly pride flag on flagpoles
The denials to U.S. embassies have come from the office of the State Department's undersecretary for management, Brian Bulatao, a longtime associate of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who also worked for him at the CIA. Under State Department policy, embassies that want to fly the flag on their flagpoles are expected to obtain permission from Washington.posted by zachlipton at 12:29 PM on June 7, 2019 [26 favorites]
During the Obama administration, the government granted blanket permission to embassies overseas to fly the pride flag during June. This year, U.S. diplomats said, embassies were told they can display the pride flag in other places, including inside embassies, but that requests to fly it on the flagpole must be specifically approved. No approvals have been granted.
The denial to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany, is particularly jarring because the U.S. ambassador there, Richard Grenell, is spearheading an administration push to end the criminalization of homosexuality in roughly 70 countries that still outlaw it, as NBC News first reported in February. Grenell, the most senior openly gay person in Trump's administration, has secured support for that campaign from both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
...
Asked specifically whether the embassy will fly the flag on its flagpole outside the building, just steps from the iconic Brandenburg Gate, embassy spokesman Joseph Giordono-Scholz said only: "The pride flag will be on as many places as it can at the Embassy."
Can we risk nominating a man for president? (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
The 2020 election is lurching toward us like a malfunctioning robot, and I think we must ask ourselves: Can we risk nominating a man for president?posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:39 PM on June 7, 2019 [75 favorites]
Men selected as major-party nominees for president have failed to win the popular vote 50 percent of the time. Contrast that to the 100 percent of the time that a female nominee for president has won the popular vote.
More importantly, are Americans ready to withstand another four years of male presidency? It is unpleasant to traffic in stereotypes, and many men are in no way like this, but recent experience teaches that for usually 30 days a month (sometimes 31, occasionally 28), a male president will fall victim to irritability and irrationality that causes him to embarrass the nation abroad and make emotional decisions not based on math or information. It is good he thinks he is capable, and dreaming big is, of course, to be encouraged for all children! But we must not avert our gaze from the results.
Somebody should produce a version of the US code as a github repository. You would be able to see the text of new laws as pull requests and the changes to other sections of the code in situ.
It appears that the District of Columbia already does this.
(I hate saying "somebody should" because that somebody could be anyone, including me.)
This gets to sort of the crux of the problem with this at the federal level; you really need Congress and the Library of Congress to buy into this stuff. That article you linked was written by Josh Tauberer, who also is one of the people behind EveryCRSReport and a bazillion other tools for working with federal law. He's by no means the only person in the space but he may well be the most prolific. When the LoC announced a competition last year for tools using their data I asked, only half joking, why the rest of us should enter something when Josh could just take whatever he'd done that week and have a winning entry.
That was at a Legal Hackers meet, by the way, and if you actually do want to be a somebody in that regard you can go show up at your local.
I just deleted a huge amount of crap about this which is off topic, but the upshot was it's great when someone does stuff, but there's some pretty severe stumbling blocks to doing anything well when the canonical source (LoC and the Government Printing Office when it comes to law, Congress itself when it comes to stuff they don't even capture to share like committee level activities) doesn't take ownership of providing it. You can go read about the Bulk Data Taskforce if you want a start into that world and the stuff Congress and the various private agency someones get up to and work on together.
This stuff is achievable but like all government progress it needs people to push for it.
posted by phearlez at 1:29 PM on June 7, 2019 [13 favorites]
It appears that the District of Columbia already does this.
(I hate saying "somebody should" because that somebody could be anyone, including me.)
This gets to sort of the crux of the problem with this at the federal level; you really need Congress and the Library of Congress to buy into this stuff. That article you linked was written by Josh Tauberer, who also is one of the people behind EveryCRSReport and a bazillion other tools for working with federal law. He's by no means the only person in the space but he may well be the most prolific. When the LoC announced a competition last year for tools using their data I asked, only half joking, why the rest of us should enter something when Josh could just take whatever he'd done that week and have a winning entry.
That was at a Legal Hackers meet, by the way, and if you actually do want to be a somebody in that regard you can go show up at your local.
I just deleted a huge amount of crap about this which is off topic, but the upshot was it's great when someone does stuff, but there's some pretty severe stumbling blocks to doing anything well when the canonical source (LoC and the Government Printing Office when it comes to law, Congress itself when it comes to stuff they don't even capture to share like committee level activities) doesn't take ownership of providing it. You can go read about the Bulk Data Taskforce if you want a start into that world and the stuff Congress and the various private agency someones get up to and work on together.
This stuff is achievable but like all government progress it needs people to push for it.
posted by phearlez at 1:29 PM on June 7, 2019 [13 favorites]
Somebody should produce a version of the US code as a github repository. You would be able to see the text of new laws as pull requests and the changes to other sections of the code in situ.
unitedstates/uscode: "A working parser for the US Code's hierarchy, and a work-in-progress parser for the full content."
Part of the @unitedstates project.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:22 PM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
unitedstates/uscode: "A working parser for the US Code's hierarchy, and a work-in-progress parser for the full content."
Part of the @unitedstates project.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:22 PM on June 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Josh Marshall, TPM: The Alternative Scenario: Trump Loses and It’s Not Even Close
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:37 PM on June 7, 2019 [10 favorites]
President Trump won the 2016 election by sweeping most of the Bush/Obama era swing states and pulling off narrow surprise victories in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In a more realist scenario, I suspect the entire election probably comes down to who wins Wisconsin. I’m not sure there’s been any public 2020 polls there yet. But we should remember that Scott Walker came really, really close to winning reelection even at the height of the 2018 wave. So Wisconsin is the nut Democrats need to crack and they need to put everything into it. There’s been a decent amount of public polling in Michigan and Pennsylvania though. The results for Trump are dismal. Trump is down by upwards of 10 points in Pennsylvania against Biden and Sanders. Michigan is about the same. If Trump loses these two states and Wisconsin he’s almost certainly done.[…]The problem with this, of course, is that any nation-state that wants to interfere with the US presidential election next year—whether through Cambridge Analytica's micro-targeting, the IRA's trolling, or the GRU's voter registration hacking—need only concentrate on this handful of states.
I assume it will be a tight race and the winner of Wisconsin will be the next President. But sometimes it makes sense to step back and look at data, albeit imperfect, which is separate from our hopes and fears. It’s like what pilots are trained to do in stormy weather or difficult flying conditions: ignore what you feel or see and just watch the instruments. The best summary is this. If you look at these [polling and approval] numbers and set aside the name Trump and all the aura – negative and positive – that surrounds him, you would say the electoral beatdown scenario is significantly more likely than even a narrow victory for the President.
For now, forget I said any of this and focus on ending the Trump presidency. But keep it somewhere in the back of your mind because it’s probably true.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:37 PM on June 7, 2019 [10 favorites]
You can also download the United States Code in a variety of formats from the House of Representatives.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:39 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by kirkaracha at 2:39 PM on June 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
The problem with this, of course, is that any nation-state that wants to interfere with the US presidential election next year—whether through Cambridge Analytica's micro-targeting, the IRA's trolling, or the GRU's voter registration hacking—need only concentrate on this handful of states.
Collusion of Russia, GOP, and prominent GOP donors in a larger scheme of tampering with federal elections is a good argument (among many) for changing how states disperse electoral votes. It would be tougher to hack elections with a system based on the popular vote, because the risk is spread out to more than a handful of swing states. More states are signing onto a compact that would disperse votes based on the nationwide popular vote tally, which could sidestep the need for a Constitutional convention.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:17 PM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
Collusion of Russia, GOP, and prominent GOP donors in a larger scheme of tampering with federal elections is a good argument (among many) for changing how states disperse electoral votes. It would be tougher to hack elections with a system based on the popular vote, because the risk is spread out to more than a handful of swing states. More states are signing onto a compact that would disperse votes based on the nationwide popular vote tally, which could sidestep the need for a Constitutional convention.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:17 PM on June 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
The State of Missouri is siccing CMS on our only abortion clinic.
This is the latest after:
1. The 8 week ban was signed
2. MO denied PP a license renewal
3. The Sec of State Jay Ashcroft (son of former Bush AG, John Ashcroft) denied allowing the issue to a voter referendum
They are going to throw every resource, state and federal, at PP to close this clinic. Women will have no options here. Missouri is trailblazing what's going to land in court and stick. Not a drill.
If you want to help Missouri women, there's the Gateway Women's Access Fund.
posted by fluttering hellfire at 3:41 PM on June 7, 2019 [24 favorites]
In March, the state Department of Health and Senior Services held its annual inspection of the St. Louis clinic.The head of CMS is Seema Verma
In the statement released Friday, the state said regulators identified "serious concerns" during that inspection regarding the handling of fetal tissue extracted from abortions.
The state called the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which opened an investigation into a laboratory contracted by Planned Parenthood to handle fetal tissue, the state said. Federal investigators were trying to determine why women remained pregnant post-abortion. That lab cooperated with the federal agency, confirming the concerns regarding the handling of the tissue provided by Planned Parenthood, the state said.
This is the latest after:
1. The 8 week ban was signed
2. MO denied PP a license renewal
3. The Sec of State Jay Ashcroft (son of former Bush AG, John Ashcroft) denied allowing the issue to a voter referendum
They are going to throw every resource, state and federal, at PP to close this clinic. Women will have no options here. Missouri is trailblazing what's going to land in court and stick. Not a drill.
If you want to help Missouri women, there's the Gateway Women's Access Fund.
posted by fluttering hellfire at 3:41 PM on June 7, 2019 [24 favorites]
Missouri is trailblazing what's going to land in court and stick.I initially misread that as "Missouri is tribalizing..." It still works.
posted by Nerd of the North at 3:56 PM on June 7, 2019 [6 favorites]
"Trump Calls Off Plan to Impose Tariffs on Mexico." This is my surprised face. As Speaker Pelosi stated clearly, the whole thing was B.S. from the start to (successfully) distract media attention in the aftermath of Mueller's press conference.
posted by PhineasGage at 5:49 PM on June 7, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 5:49 PM on June 7, 2019 [18 favorites]
Citation:
Q: I want to get some clarity on your tariff answer. Are you suggesting that the President’s threat of tariffs on Mexican imports is just bad policy or illegal by misapplying the law as you understand it?posted by PhineasGage at 5:52 PM on June 7, 2019 [11 favorites]
Speaker Pelosi. No, I’m just saying it’s bad policy.
The question is, though, why does the President have that much authority, and that will be questioned.
No, I’m just saying it’s wrong. I don’t even think it rises to the level of policy. I think it’s notion mongering again.
And it’s really – it – well, let’s face what it is – it’s a distraction from the Mueller report. And, it’s served its purpose right? Here we are. Here we are.
I suspect that Trump felt pressured to cave on the Mexico tariffs due to the weak jobs report.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 6:02 PM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 6:02 PM on June 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ron DeSantis signs crack down on constitutional amendments, solidifying Republican control in Florida
Along with implementing an effective poll tax, Florida Republicans are making damn sure the state will never have real democracy again, or that Amendment 4 will be implemented. We should stop considering Florida a swing state.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:33 PM on June 7, 2019 [6 favorites]
Along with implementing an effective poll tax, Florida Republicans are making damn sure the state will never have real democracy again, or that Amendment 4 will be implemented. We should stop considering Florida a swing state.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:33 PM on June 7, 2019 [6 favorites]
WaPo, White House blocked intelligence aide’s written testimony saying human-caused climate change could be ‘possibly catastrophic’
White House officials barred a State Department intelligence staffer from submitting written testimony this week to the House Intelligence Committee warning that human-caused climate change could be “possibly catastrophic” after State officials refused to excise the document’s references to the scientific consensus on climate change.posted by zachlipton at 6:50 PM on June 7, 2019 [27 favorites]
The effort to edit, and ultimately suppress, the written testimony of a senior analyst at the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research comes as the Trump administration is debating how best to challenge the idea that the burning of fossil fuels is warming the planet and could pose serious risks unless the world makes deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade. Senior military and intelligence officials have continued to warn climate change could undermine America’s national security, a position President Trump rejects.
...
The following statement, for example, attracted White House scrutiny: “Absent extensive mitigating factors or events, we see few plausible future scenarios where significant -- possibly catastrophic -- harm does not arise from the compounded effects of climate change.”
I can't help but see a parallel between the fundamental pattern of Trump and that of Niels Hoegel, the German serial killer nurse who got his kicks from bringing his patients to the edge of death and "rescuing" them. Similarly, Trump fucks shit up on purpose, bringing the situation to the brink of disaster without regard for who gets hurt, just so he can swoop in and look like a hero in his own mind.
And he's getting worse over time, manufacturing progressively greater screw-ups to get his fix. Forget about 2020 -- can we even make it through the summer without some new Trump-created disaster yielding catastrophic results?
posted by xigxag at 6:54 PM on June 7, 2019 [22 favorites]
And he's getting worse over time, manufacturing progressively greater screw-ups to get his fix. Forget about 2020 -- can we even make it through the summer without some new Trump-created disaster yielding catastrophic results?
posted by xigxag at 6:54 PM on June 7, 2019 [22 favorites]
House Democrats plan event to scrutinize Trump's mental health
House Democrats plan to hold an event intended to highlight what they say is President Trump’s deteriorating mental health.
House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) said he and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) will host Dr. Bandy Lee, a Yale School of Medicine psychiatrist who edited the best-selling book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President.”
“We are planning to do something where she can make a presentation to other members, so that they'll be aware of what she's been working on,” Yarmuth told The Hill in a brief interview.
Yarmuth said he anticipates the event, which was first reported by the Washington Examiner, will happen sometime in July.
Yarmuth said he thinks it’s important that members of Congress and the public understand the position of Lee and the other psychologists in the book, which argues that Trump’s mental health has deteriorated to the point where it poses a threat to the country.
The position is controversial, because none of the psychiatrists have treated the president and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) prohibits members from speculating about the mental state of public figures.posted by scalefree at 5:12 AM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
4 Disturbing Details You May Have Missed in the Mueller Report (Quinta Jurecic, NYT Opinion)
Coordinating with WikiLeaks?posted by Little Dawn at 6:31 AM on June 8, 2019 [16 favorites]
(Volume I, pp. 52-54) Mr. Mueller found “insufficient evidence” to charge a criminal conspiracy between the Russian government and the campaign. But the campaign was clearly keeping a close eye on Russia-linked hacking and leaking efforts and expecting to benefit from them. This section suggests that Mr. Trump may have been in the loop on the campaign’s efforts to get a heads-up about what WikiLeaks had planned. And that is a very long way from “no collusion.”
Looking for Clinton’s “missing” emails
(Volume I, pp. 49, 62-63) After his July 27 comment, the report states, Mr. Trump “asked individuals affiliated with his campaign to find the deleted Clinton emails” — including Michael Flynn. [...] “Collusion” has no legal definition. But if the term means working behind the scenes with Russian actors to obtain hacked information damaging to Mrs. Clinton, then this section of the report describes just that — collusion that took place at Mr. Trump’s request. It just wasn’t successful.
Sharing polling data
(Volume I, pp. 130-131, 140) Throughout his time as the Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort stayed in touch with a Russian man named Konstantin Kilimnik, whom, according to the Mueller report, “the F.B.I. assesses to have ties to Russian intelligence.” Mr. Gates, Mr. Manafort’s deputy, believed Mr. Kilimnik to be a “spy.” — a view, the report says, that he shared with Mr. Manafort.
While managing the campaign, Mr. Manafort told Mr. Gates to share “internal polling data” private to the campaign with Mr. Kilimnik, so he could share it with Ukrainian oligarchs and a Russian oligarch. Mr. Gates sent Mr. Kilimnik the data regularly, deleting the WhatsApp messages after he did so. In an in-person meeting with Mr. Kilimnik, Mr. Manafort shared more information about the campaign’s election plans and polling, including information about “battleground states” that would be key to Mr. Trump’s election.
Mr. Gates likewise told the special counsel that Mr. Manafort believed sharing the polling data with Mr. Kilimnik, who passed it to a Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, would help resolve a financial dispute between Mr. Manafort and the Russian oligarch. The report also states that Mr. Manafort hoped his campaign work would help him recover money he was owed by the other oligarchs. Yet Mr. Mueller “could not reliably determine Manafort’s purpose” in sharing the data with Mr. Kilimnik.
This remains one of the more troubling loose ends in the report.
Obstructing justice
(Volume II, pp. 90-93) “Substantial evidence,” Mr. Mueller writes, “indicates that the president’s effort to have Sessions limit the scope of the special counsel’s investigation to future election interference was intended to prevent further investigative scrutiny of the president’s and his campaign’s conduct.”
Coordinating with WikiLeaks?
The details are redacted, and the redactions are marked “harm to ongoing matter,” perhaps related to the prosecution of Roger Stone. Mr. Mueller has alleged that Mr. Stone, a Trump affiliate, sought to obtain information about WikiLeaks’ planned release of anti-Clinton material and pass that information to the campaign.New subpoena for Roger Stone's former aide offers glimpse at ongoing investigation (Politico)
A former aide to political operative Roger Stone has turned over to a grand jury all of his text messages with Stone from October 2016 to March 2017, as well as the written agenda for Stone while he was at the Republican National Convention in 2016. The aide, Andrew Miller, turned over the documents in response to a federal grand jury subpoena following his two-hour testimony last Friday before the body, according to communications between Miller’s lawyer and the government that were reviewed by POLITICO.posted by Little Dawn at 7:09 AM on June 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
The subpoena offers a glimpse into the government’s ongoing investigation of Stone, an informal Trump campaign adviser who was indicted in January on charges of lying to Congress and the FBI about his dealings with WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. [...] It’s still unclear what additional crimes D.C. prosecutors are investigating, however. But the prosecutors recently revealed in court filings that they had 18 search warrants approved against Stone — dating back to August 2017 — for potential crimes that he wasn’t charged with earlier this year, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and foreign contribution bans. [...]
The new subpoena suggests that the grand jury wants to know more about Stone’s involvement in the Republican convention — where he gave speeches and schmoozed with journalists — and about his conversations with one of his most trusted aides during a period that included WikiLeaks’ release of Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s emails, the presidential transition and Trump’s inauguration.
Mueller’s team scrutinized the Trump campaign’s activities at the convention after it was reported that it had softened an amendment to the Republican platform to be more favorable to Russia. It was during the Republican convention, moreover, that Russian hackers sent a file to WikiLeaks with instructions on how to download stolen Democratic National Committee documents. WikiLeaks released the internal emails on July 22, 2016, the last day of the convention and just before the start of the Democratic National Convention.
Behind Biden’s Reversal on Hyde Amendment: Lobbying, Backlash and an Ally’s Call (NYT)
Mr. Biden initially believed his party would offer him forbearance on such a complex, difficult issue. But by Thursday afternoon, it had become clear that his position on the Hyde Amendment was not tenable.‘You have to kill the bear’: Dems attack as Biden stumbles (Politico)
The hits started coming last week, in thinly veiled references to Biden’s center-left record, his Washington insiderdom, his advanced age. [...] Then came a full week of Biden fumbling. First, the former vice president appeared to lift passages from previously published documents for his own climate plan, recalling the plagiarism scandal that marred his failed presidential campaign in 1987. Next, after infuriating whole swaths of the Democratic Party by reaffirming his support for the Hyde Amendment — a measure banning federal funding for most abortions — Biden on Thursday reversed himself, saying he no longer supports the measure.Biden backlash: will the frontrunner's early stumbles be his downfall? (Guardian)
“It’s not just a flip-flop. It’s like a double axel flip-flop, and he’s not even nailing the landing,” said Democracy for America Chairman Charles Chamberlain, whose group has supported Warren and Sanders in the past. For Biden, Chamberlain said, “It does seem like we’re hurtling ever and ever closer to the fateful day when the train completely goes off the tracks.”
Biden, who has centered much of his candidacy around the notion of electability, will be missing in action on Saturday as nearly all other Democratic presidential candidates appear at the Iowa Democratic Party’s annual Hall of Fame dinner. His decision to forgo the cattle call in the first state to hold its caucus in 2020, comes on the heels of his absence at last week’s California Democratic Party convention and a forum hosted by the progressive group MoveOn.org.posted by Little Dawn at 8:05 AM on June 8, 2019 [12 favorites]
“I think, quite frankly, they’re afraid of the showing he would have in these settings,” said Brian Fallon, a former aide to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. “These are settings where his frontrunner status might come under question if he got a low-key reception.” He added: “You can potentially draw the conclusion that he’s not courting these audiences, but I think they’re afraid of a press narrative that might emerge if two, three, four other campaigns have a lot more enthusiasm.”
The Biden campaign did not return a request for comment.
"Trump Calls Off Plan to Impose Tariffs on Mexico." This is my surprised face. As Speaker Pelosi stated clearly, the whole thing was B.S. from the start to (successfully) distract media attention in the aftermath of Mueller's press conference.
From the article:
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:18 AM on June 8, 2019 [17 favorites]
From the article:
According to a United States-Mexico Joint Declaration distributed late Friday, Mexico agreed to “take unprecedented steps to increase enforcement to curb irregular migration,” including the deployment of its national guard throughout the country to stop migrants from reaching the United States.I, too, figured the tariff threats were essentially bullshit and he'd take it back when the markets tanked on it, but they didn't tank because everyone did damage control for him from the Fed to the Mexican government. This doesn't read like a good development at all. This reads like appeasement, and it's only going to embolden him.
The declaration, distributed by the State Department, said Mexico had also agreed to accept an expansion of a Trump administration program that makes some migrants wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are heard in the United States.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:18 AM on June 8, 2019 [17 favorites]
Sorry, I should correct: the Fed did damage control. The Mexican government tried to appease a bully over a problem that shouldn't be (and isn't) theirs to fix. Both of these things are bad.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:23 AM on June 8, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:23 AM on June 8, 2019 [9 favorites]
Ron DeSantis signs crack down on constitutional amendments, solidifying Republican control in Florida
Can you explain a little more about this? The article you’ve linked says that petition canvassers would need to be paid hourly rather than by the signature, which removes a way that petition canvassers are often exploited - otherwise (as it works in my state) if they work 8 hours and get 2 petitions, they get paid 2$ for 8 hours of work. It says this is an anti democratic measure, but at least on the face of it it seems like having more information for voters and pay for workers is a good thing?
posted by corb at 9:44 AM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
Can you explain a little more about this? The article you’ve linked says that petition canvassers would need to be paid hourly rather than by the signature, which removes a way that petition canvassers are often exploited - otherwise (as it works in my state) if they work 8 hours and get 2 petitions, they get paid 2$ for 8 hours of work. It says this is an anti democratic measure, but at least on the face of it it seems like having more information for voters and pay for workers is a good thing?
posted by corb at 9:44 AM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
A slightly longer answer. Republicans are demanding a minimum wage for petition workers in order to make it more difficult and expensive to get a minimum wage citizen initiative on the ballot. Republicans truly hate and fear citizen democracy.
Of all the millions of workers in the state, they only want a minimum wage for petition workers and vehemently oppose it for everyone else.
As for fraud, just as the case for all of the Republican voter restrictions, they are unable to point to even a single example of petition fraud that this new law would prevent.
posted by JackFlash at 10:02 AM on June 8, 2019 [22 favorites]
Of all the millions of workers in the state, they only want a minimum wage for petition workers and vehemently oppose it for everyone else.
As for fraud, just as the case for all of the Republican voter restrictions, they are unable to point to even a single example of petition fraud that this new law would prevent.
posted by JackFlash at 10:02 AM on June 8, 2019 [22 favorites]
The minimum wage requirement isn't even the most onerous part, it's this:
Real Answer: All Republicans hate democracy. That's always the answer.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:29 AM on June 8, 2019 [19 favorites]
They must register as an in-state circulator with the Secretary of State and turn in all signatures within 30 days of being signed.So, no out of state volunteers can collect signatures without preapproval from the Jim Crow Secretary of State. How likely do you think that is? And they must include Republican arguments that every ballot initiate is sponsored by 'out of state actors'. That's overt Republican propaganda targeted at groups like the ACLU and Common Cause that do this kind of work all around the country. And the 30 day requirement is nonsense too, why does it matter if a stack of signatures sits in an office for more tha 30 days, it's just administrative burden keeping, under threat of prosecuting any of these bullshit violations and further discouraging the work of doing on the ground democracy.
Ballot initiatives must also include the name of the initiative’s sponsor and the amount of money raised by in-state donors. Violating the provisions carry steep penalties, such as fines of up to $1,000 for “willfully” not meeting deadline and the threat of getting sued by the Florida Attorney General’s office.
Real Answer: All Republicans hate democracy. That's always the answer.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:29 AM on June 8, 2019 [19 favorites]
“It’s not just a flip-flop. It’s like a double axel flip-flop, and he’s not even nailing the landing,” said Democracy for America Chairman Charles Chamberlain, whose group has supported Warren and Sanders in the past. For Biden, Chamberlain said, “It does seem like we’re hurtling ever and ever closer to the fateful day when the train completely goes off the tracks.”
Block That Metaphor!
posted by Daily Alice at 10:35 AM on June 8, 2019 [8 favorites]
Block That Metaphor!
posted by Daily Alice at 10:35 AM on June 8, 2019 [8 favorites]
I don't think anyone's posted yet that Mexico has caved to Trump's demands that asylum seekers stay in Mexico until their cases are adjudicated? This also means he's calling off the tariffs, claiming total victory, etc. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/07/us/politics/trump-tariffs-mexico.html
I wonder how long it will be before Trump starts saying Mexico is not doing a good enough job, needs to hit new goals, that the problem has gotten worse and now requires Mexico to build the wall, etc? The problem with giving in to Trump is that it will only buy you a little bit of time before he starts jerking the chain again.
posted by xammerboy at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
I wonder how long it will be before Trump starts saying Mexico is not doing a good enough job, needs to hit new goals, that the problem has gotten worse and now requires Mexico to build the wall, etc? The problem with giving in to Trump is that it will only buy you a little bit of time before he starts jerking the chain again.
posted by xammerboy at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
The Mexican government tried to appease a bully over a problem that shouldn't be (and isn't) theirs to fix.
A problem doesn't have to be your fault to still be your problem. Living in a country (Canada) that is getting dragged into the trade war between the US and China, I can relate to gaining problems you shouldn't have and didn't cause, but end up being a problem anyway, and some days you just need to solve your problems for the good of your own people. It's not easy being in bed with an elephant.
posted by Bovine Love at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
A problem doesn't have to be your fault to still be your problem. Living in a country (Canada) that is getting dragged into the trade war between the US and China, I can relate to gaining problems you shouldn't have and didn't cause, but end up being a problem anyway, and some days you just need to solve your problems for the good of your own people. It's not easy being in bed with an elephant.
posted by Bovine Love at 11:30 AM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
Rotten apples something something tree.
Golf Course Pays Off Trump Sons’ Irish Bar Bill
Golf Course Pays Off Trump Sons’ Irish Bar Bill
When Donald Trump’s sons Eric and Donald, Jr. went on their Irish pub crawl last week and offered free rounds for the house, they failed to pay the tab right away, according to at least one pub owner. Caroline Kennedy, the owner of Igoe bar in Doonbeg, where Trump owns a golf course, told The Daily Beast that she wasn’t worried at first when they skipped out on the tab because she assumed someone would follow up and pay her and other pub owners in the village. “That didn’t happen right away,” she said. “So I sent a bill to the Trump golf course.” On Saturday, Kennedy’s son posted on Facebook that the bill had been paid, and, according to further clarification from the Igoe, the golf course had given the bar a purchase order number and the bill had been arranged to be paid for by the Trump golf course, and that they were not, in fact, worried one bit.
Kennedy told several local news outlets that the president’s sons were “lovely and down to earth” but did not have any cash on them when they left her establishment. “I said, ‘Come on lads you have to come in and pull a drink’ so they did,” Kennedy said. “They thanked everyone for their support and for coming out to meet them and said there was a drink for everyone in the house and it was their small gesture.”posted by scalefree at 12:16 PM on June 8, 2019 [11 favorites]
Golf Course Pays Off Trump Sons’ Irish Bar Bill
Even more on-brand for the deadbeat Trump family, Donald Trump still owes $470,000 to the city of El Paso for his campaign rally back in February (USA Today).
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:37 PM on June 8, 2019 [21 favorites]
Even more on-brand for the deadbeat Trump family, Donald Trump still owes $470,000 to the city of El Paso for his campaign rally back in February (USA Today).
"It shows a lack of concern for the community and the tax paying voters of El Paso," said city rep. Alexsandra Annello. "President Trump has in many ways, over the last year, put a financial burden on this community and has yet to show us the respect we deserve. It is clear that our borderland is not a priority of the president."[…]In contrast Beto O'Rourke's campaign promptly paid the city for its counter-rally.
Trump and his campaign owe the city of El Paso just over $470,000 for assistance from six city departments, according to an invoice. A letter was sent to Trump and his campaign in New York on May 23, requesting the debt be paid.
If Trump's campaign fails to pay the debt within 30 days of the notice, the city will charge a collection fee that would put the debt over $500,000. The city would be legally capable of increasing the fines as long as the debt is not paid.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:37 PM on June 8, 2019 [21 favorites]
The New York Times: The deal to avert tariffs that President Trump announced with great fanfare on Friday night consists largely of actions that Mexico had already promised to take in prior discussions with the United States over the past several months, according to officials from both countries who are familiar with the negotiations.
Dunno about you guys but I’m getting a little tired of this “I solved my self-imposed crisis” schtick
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:52 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
Dunno about you guys but I’m getting a little tired of this “I solved my self-imposed crisis” schtick
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:52 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
I wondered why he hadn't made the asylum seeking provisions a part of his trade deals with Mexico and avoided the drama. But no, Mexico had already agreed to all of this and the drama was the point.
posted by xammerboy at 2:16 PM on June 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 2:16 PM on June 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: MEXICO HAS AGREED TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN BUYING LARGE QUANTITIES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT FROM OUR GREAT PATRIOT FARMERS!
Setting aside for a second the inherent grossness of shouting GREAT PATRIOT FARMERS like a propaganda poster, there's a bigger problem:
@EMPosts: SCOOP: Mexico DIDN'T agree to buy more U.S. farm product as part of a tariff deal, sources tell me and @nncattan, contradicting @realDonaldTrump's claim. Hard for Mexico to do MORE on that front. It's already the top buyer of yellow corn from Midwest states that voted for Trump
Bloomberg, Mexico Never Agreed to Farm Deal With U.S., Contradicting Trump
The problem is that he came away from this experience concluding that it worked, and he'll keep doing it and declaring victory again and again.
posted by zachlipton at 2:51 PM on June 8, 2019 [23 favorites]
Setting aside for a second the inherent grossness of shouting GREAT PATRIOT FARMERS like a propaganda poster, there's a bigger problem:
@EMPosts: SCOOP: Mexico DIDN'T agree to buy more U.S. farm product as part of a tariff deal, sources tell me and @nncattan, contradicting @realDonaldTrump's claim. Hard for Mexico to do MORE on that front. It's already the top buyer of yellow corn from Midwest states that voted for Trump
Bloomberg, Mexico Never Agreed to Farm Deal With U.S., Contradicting Trump
The problem is that he came away from this experience concluding that it worked, and he'll keep doing it and declaring victory again and again.
posted by zachlipton at 2:51 PM on June 8, 2019 [23 favorites]
^^^ This is kinda what I meant by referring to it as appeasement.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:53 PM on June 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:53 PM on June 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
NPR posts a new survey conducted from May 31 through June 4: Poll: Support For Impeachment Hearings Grows, But Americans Split On Way Forward
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:52 PM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
There is a growing desire for impeachment proceedings to begin against President Trump, but Americans are still split overall on what to do after the release of the Mueller report, an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll finds.Emphasis added, because in US politics' polarized state, that's the only group that's going to experience a major shift on the subject.
A slim majority of Americans (52%) want one of the following: to begin impeachment proceedings (22%), to continue investigations into potential political wrongdoing of Trump (25%) or to publicly reprimand him — that is, censure (5%).[…]
The share that supports beginning impeachment proceedings is up from 16% a month ago — before former special counsel Robert Mueller spoke out about his probe into 2016 Russian election interference and the Trump campaign, but after the release of his report. The growth in support comes from a near doubling of the number of independents who say they want impeachment rather than continuing investigations, publicly reprimanding Trump or taking no further action.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:52 PM on June 8, 2019 [4 favorites]
NBC News, Trump admin tells U.S. embassies they can't fly pride flag on flagpoles
Update, Some U.S. embassies still hoisting rainbow flags, despite advisory from Washington (WaPo):
posted by peeedro at 4:11 PM on June 8, 2019 [42 favorites]
Update, Some U.S. embassies still hoisting rainbow flags, despite advisory from Washington (WaPo):
“This is a category one insurrection,” said one diplomat, who like others interviewed about the sentiment over the rejections, which were not made in writing, spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of being fired.Examples in Seoul, Chennai, New Delhi, Kathmandu, Vienna, and Santiago.
posted by peeedro at 4:11 PM on June 8, 2019 [42 favorites]
Mexico crisis shows the limits of Trump's brinksmanship (Politico)
In the case of Mexico, Trump didn’t get all he wanted. Mexican negotiators, for instance, would not agree to changes that would make it easier for the United States to turn down asylum seekers from Central America, though they did assent to allowing some of them to stay in Mexico while their claims are heard in the U.S. They also agreed to send 6,000 additional troops to their southern border with Guatemala, and got the U.S. to back off threats to impose a 5 percent tariff on all exports that was set to go into effect on Monday.posted by Little Dawn at 4:13 PM on June 8, 2019 [9 favorites]
Those are actions, however, that Mexico has already undertaken, notes Shannon K. O’Neil, senior fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, who warned against the tariffs in an op-ed this week. “So it’s doubling down on what they were doing,” O’Neil told POLITICO, adding that it’s doubtful Mexico has the capacity to meaningfully stem the tide of migrants.
The ambiguity of the deal offers just enough for the president to claim victory, however. The U.S.-Mexico joint declaration issued Friday evening by the State Department contains no firm metrics to gauge the success — or failure — of the agreement, instead stating that Mexico “will take unprecedented steps” aimed at curbing migrant flow into the U.S. and “decisive action” to stop human smuggling. It does indicate, however, that the countries will continue discussions over the next three months and may announce additional measures.
That was enough for Trump, who tweeted on Saturday morning that “the reviews and reporting on our Border Immigration Agreement with Mexico have been good” and warned people away from the “false reporting (surprise!) by the Fake and Corrupt News Media.” [...]
The brouhaha also exposed the diminishing effectiveness of the president’s negotiating style, if only because of its growing predictability, which is signaling to those across the table that neither he — nor his threats — can be taken seriously. It was eerily reminiscent of the president’s threat in late March to close the U.S. southern border if Mexico didn’t stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States — only to back down six days later and issue Mexico a “one-year warning” instead.
Poll: Support For Impeachment Hearings Grows, But Americans Split On Way Forward
Preaching to the choir but I don't see any other route outside of impeachment to hold Trump accountable now. The leaked Pelosi comment about waiting to indict post-election would be wishful thinking since without impeachment action as pretext for those indictments, Democrats would be accused of using power to punish political opponents, as Hannity is already doing.
Arguing that the the House's hands are tied by the Senate as a reason not to impeach undermines the severity of future accusations and allows the defense team to play victim with the position that Barr had the correct interpretation of Mueller and everything else is partisan. Granted they would use the same argument even if we impeach, but at least it can be countered by the fact that the overwhelming evidence of criminal action necessitated the impeachment even though it would fail in the senate and likely hurt some 2020 campaigns.
Lack of impeachment might seem more safe looking at the elections, but so did voting for the Iraq war and look how well that has aged. Not to mention everything else at stake this time, including the ability to even conduct a free and fair election.
posted by p3t3 at 4:23 PM on June 8, 2019 [5 favorites]
Preaching to the choir but I don't see any other route outside of impeachment to hold Trump accountable now. The leaked Pelosi comment about waiting to indict post-election would be wishful thinking since without impeachment action as pretext for those indictments, Democrats would be accused of using power to punish political opponents, as Hannity is already doing.
Arguing that the the House's hands are tied by the Senate as a reason not to impeach undermines the severity of future accusations and allows the defense team to play victim with the position that Barr had the correct interpretation of Mueller and everything else is partisan. Granted they would use the same argument even if we impeach, but at least it can be countered by the fact that the overwhelming evidence of criminal action necessitated the impeachment even though it would fail in the senate and likely hurt some 2020 campaigns.
Lack of impeachment might seem more safe looking at the elections, but so did voting for the Iraq war and look how well that has aged. Not to mention everything else at stake this time, including the ability to even conduct a free and fair election.
posted by p3t3 at 4:23 PM on June 8, 2019 [5 favorites]
Mexico DIDN'T agree to buy more U.S. farm product as part of a tariff deal, sources tell me and @nncattan, contradicting @realDonaldTrump's claim. Hard for Mexico to do MORE on that front. It's already the top buyer of yellow corn from Midwest states that voted for Trump
So you're saying that Mexico immediately buys corn all day every day.
What are you doing?
Buying corn right this instant.
This is how journalism is getting absoutely knocked around, and there's no ref in the ring. Leading them around by the nose, Trump talks some shit, talks some more shit about that shit, then calls no-change a victory. He did it here, he did it with North Korea, he did it with China...again it's like a child:
A child says "come outside I'm going to jump over the house" and you say "not now, i'm paying bills." 30min later kid comes back in "Well I did it." "You did?" says you. "Yes, and I was even able to jump two houses." "I want to see it." "Nah, you missed it." Kid goes outside, "Hey everybody! I jumped over two houses!"
posted by rhizome at 4:57 PM on June 8, 2019 [13 favorites]
So you're saying that Mexico immediately buys corn all day every day.
What are you doing?
Buying corn right this instant.
This is how journalism is getting absoutely knocked around, and there's no ref in the ring. Leading them around by the nose, Trump talks some shit, talks some more shit about that shit, then calls no-change a victory. He did it here, he did it with North Korea, he did it with China...again it's like a child:
A child says "come outside I'm going to jump over the house" and you say "not now, i'm paying bills." 30min later kid comes back in "Well I did it." "You did?" says you. "Yes, and I was even able to jump two houses." "I want to see it." "Nah, you missed it." Kid goes outside, "Hey everybody! I jumped over two houses!"
posted by rhizome at 4:57 PM on June 8, 2019 [13 favorites]
New Selzer poll for Iowa. tl;dr - Biden 24%, Sanders 16%, Warren 15%, Buttigieg 14%, Harris 7%, everyone else go home.
Those are the five that, right now, I would have said look like they will make it to Super Tuesday. This poll seems to confirm it. Whether it would winnow further I have no idea. Would you drop out if you were pulling in 13% nationwide and the leader was pulling 31%? That would be hard on the ego, and one things national politicians don't lack for is ego.
posted by Justinian at 5:33 PM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
Those are the five that, right now, I would have said look like they will make it to Super Tuesday. This poll seems to confirm it. Whether it would winnow further I have no idea. Would you drop out if you were pulling in 13% nationwide and the leader was pulling 31%? That would be hard on the ego, and one things national politicians don't lack for is ego.
posted by Justinian at 5:33 PM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
Note at least 9 candidates are literally polling 0%. Come on people do something worthwhile with your time.
Also, 6% say "none of the above". If you can't find a candidate in an ideological spectrum that runs from Sanders to Biden with weird doglegs out to Gabbard and Yang and such then maybe you should rethink your life choices. But maybe 26th candidate would be the charm!
posted by Justinian at 5:35 PM on June 8, 2019 [13 favorites]
Also, 6% say "none of the above". If you can't find a candidate in an ideological spectrum that runs from Sanders to Biden with weird doglegs out to Gabbard and Yang and such then maybe you should rethink your life choices. But maybe 26th candidate would be the charm!
posted by Justinian at 5:35 PM on June 8, 2019 [13 favorites]
Come on people do something worthwhile with your time.
Like actually run New York City or something.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:44 PM on June 8, 2019 [14 favorites]
Like actually run New York City or something.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 5:44 PM on June 8, 2019 [14 favorites]
Like actually run New York City or something.
Or run for Senate.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:02 PM on June 8, 2019 [42 favorites]
Or run for Senate.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:02 PM on June 8, 2019 [42 favorites]
The new Democratic governor of Maine signed a bill yesterday making a ballad about a regiment from Maine that defended Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg the official state ballad. So? Seems two Republican legislators objected because the song is unfair to the South.
Maine sent a higher proportion of men to fight on the Union side than any other state, and Lincoln's first vice president was Maine's Hannibal Hamlin.
posted by adamg at 6:26 PM on June 8, 2019 [41 favorites]
"I find it a little bit, we are united states, we are not Union, we are united states. And I find it just a little bit – I won’t say offensive but that’s what I mean – to say that we’re any better than the South was," said Rep. Frances Head (R-Bethel) during a May 1st public hearing on the bill.The other one praised "the great Christian men on both sides."
Maine sent a higher proportion of men to fight on the Union side than any other state, and Lincoln's first vice president was Maine's Hannibal Hamlin.
posted by adamg at 6:26 PM on June 8, 2019 [41 favorites]
"The South" is synecdoche. Mike Huckabee's chortling this week is a good reminder that the US underwent the equivalent of renazification.
posted by holgate at 7:43 PM on June 8, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by holgate at 7:43 PM on June 8, 2019 [12 favorites]
I find it a little bit, we are united states, we are not Union, we are united states.
The Constitution says "we the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." which was more perfect than the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the original constitution of the United States.
Lincoln's second inaugural address:
"Union" hurts your feelings? Let's go with the Confederates versus the Americans.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:20 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
The Constitution says "we the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." which was more perfect than the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the original constitution of the United States.
Lincoln's second inaugural address:
While the [first] inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.The Confederates left the United States and started the Civil War to form their own explicitly not-the-United States "country."
"Union" hurts your feelings? Let's go with the Confederates versus the Americans.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:20 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
"I won’t say offensive but that’s what I mean – to say that we’re any better than the South was"... The other one praised "the great Christian men on both sides."
Lincoln, from the same speech:
Lincoln, from the same speech:
Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.posted by kirkaracha at 9:26 PM on June 8, 2019 [18 favorites]
...
Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
Justinian: "Would you drop out if you were pulling in 13% nationwide and the leader was pulling 31%?"
But, since delegate allocation isn't purely proportional - you have to hit 15% to get any - you could be at 13% after several states and not have a single delegate. That's going to make it hard to stay in (shades of Giuliani's Florida strategy in '08).
My feeling is that if you don't get on the board from at least one of the first four states (IA, NH, SC, NV), you're done.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:26 PM on June 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
But, since delegate allocation isn't purely proportional - you have to hit 15% to get any - you could be at 13% after several states and not have a single delegate. That's going to make it hard to stay in (shades of Giuliani's Florida strategy in '08).
My feeling is that if you don't get on the board from at least one of the first four states (IA, NH, SC, NV), you're done.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:26 PM on June 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
"But, since delegate allocation isn't purely proportional - you have to hit 15% to get any - you could be at 13% after several states and not have a single delegate. That's going to make it hard to stay in (shades of Giuliani's Florida strategy in '08)."
Also the money starts flowing upwards towards the frontrunners after the first couple of states vote -- certainly if you don't show by SC, your donors are going to be leaving you. (And, second caveat, female and/or minority candidates have to show EARLY because a lot of big Democratic donors, just because of demographics and wealth disparity in the US, are older white men who will be just delighted to get on the Biden train; the electorate may prefer female or minority candidates, but the money is biased towards white men, and the money matters.)
If I were Kamala Harris I'd stay in until California votes even if I wasn't on the board yet, but I think everyone else will get winnowed pretty quickly after the first three states.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:40 PM on June 8, 2019 [10 favorites]
Also the money starts flowing upwards towards the frontrunners after the first couple of states vote -- certainly if you don't show by SC, your donors are going to be leaving you. (And, second caveat, female and/or minority candidates have to show EARLY because a lot of big Democratic donors, just because of demographics and wealth disparity in the US, are older white men who will be just delighted to get on the Biden train; the electorate may prefer female or minority candidates, but the money is biased towards white men, and the money matters.)
If I were Kamala Harris I'd stay in until California votes even if I wasn't on the board yet, but I think everyone else will get winnowed pretty quickly after the first three states.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:40 PM on June 8, 2019 [10 favorites]
One result will be a lot of candidates looking to make a name for themselves during the debates. They will need to say something electrifying. They will need to attack the front runners. Worst case, the debates turn into a circus. Best case? Some candidates lay down some hard truths and shake things up. If you're polling at zero, the riskiest thing you could do would be to not take any risks.
posted by xammerboy at 10:05 PM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 10:05 PM on June 8, 2019 [3 favorites]
But, since delegate allocation isn't purely proportional - you have to hit 15% to get any - you could be at 13% after several states and not have a single delegate.
I looked into it a bit earlier in the process and isn't it a bit more complicated than that? You don't get delegates only for hitting 15% statewide, you get delegates for hitting 15% in congressional districts. So if your support is at all "lumpy" rather than spread out evenly across the state, you'd very likely end up with some delegates at 10% statewide, and virtually certainly at 13%? And support seems likely to be lumpy to me, with some candidates doing better in cities, some in suburbs, and some in more rural areas.
posted by Justinian at 10:21 PM on June 8, 2019
I looked into it a bit earlier in the process and isn't it a bit more complicated than that? You don't get delegates only for hitting 15% statewide, you get delegates for hitting 15% in congressional districts. So if your support is at all "lumpy" rather than spread out evenly across the state, you'd very likely end up with some delegates at 10% statewide, and virtually certainly at 13%? And support seems likely to be lumpy to me, with some candidates doing better in cities, some in suburbs, and some in more rural areas.
posted by Justinian at 10:21 PM on June 8, 2019
The leaked Pelosi comment about waiting to indict post-election would be wishful thinking since without impeachment action as pretext for those indictments, Democrats would be accused of using power to punish political opponents, as Hannity is already doing.
My understanding is that there is an argument that if the president is unsuccessfully impeached he cannot be indicted for the same crimes, because he has already undergone due process of a sort? His crimes have already been looked at and dismissed as crimes? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because one is a political process and the other a lawful one. Many lawyers do take the idea seriously though.
A question I haven't heard on the campaign trail is whether or not candidates support trying Trump and his family members for obstruction of justice and if found guilty refusing to pardon him. I would be interested.
posted by xammerboy at 10:23 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
My understanding is that there is an argument that if the president is unsuccessfully impeached he cannot be indicted for the same crimes, because he has already undergone due process of a sort? His crimes have already been looked at and dismissed as crimes? It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because one is a political process and the other a lawful one. Many lawyers do take the idea seriously though.
A question I haven't heard on the campaign trail is whether or not candidates support trying Trump and his family members for obstruction of justice and if found guilty refusing to pardon him. I would be interested.
posted by xammerboy at 10:23 PM on June 8, 2019 [1 favorite]
Article 1 of the Constitution:
posted by kirkaracha at 10:31 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States; but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.It seems pretty clear that you could be impeached and also charged criminally, especially since reasons for impeachment do not need to be criminal offenses.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:31 PM on June 8, 2019 [25 favorites]
I can barely imagine the fury that would erupt if a national politician today expressed the sentiment of Lincoln's Second Inaugural.
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:46 PM on June 8, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:46 PM on June 8, 2019 [15 favorites]
A slim majority of Americans (52%) want one of the following: to begin impeachment proceedings (22%), to continue investigations into potential political wrongdoing of Trump (25%) or to publicly reprimand him — that is, censure (5%).[…] The share that supports beginning impeachment proceedings is up from 16% a month ago
I should probably ask the one person I know who supports this, but is there even any point at all to censure? Like, if you don't support impeachment because you don't think it's not going to do anything in the end once Mitch McConnell grins and deposits the articles of impeachment into his throat pouch, then presumably there is also no reason to censure, because it isn't any more effective than calling Trump a poopyhead on Twitter, and probably less, right?
Or is there some subtle legal result I'm not aware of here? And this is not about timid triangulating prenegotiation down to impeachment-lite that's intended to be inoffensive but guaranteed to be ineffective?
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:26 PM on June 8, 2019
I should probably ask the one person I know who supports this, but is there even any point at all to censure? Like, if you don't support impeachment because you don't think it's not going to do anything in the end once Mitch McConnell grins and deposits the articles of impeachment into his throat pouch, then presumably there is also no reason to censure, because it isn't any more effective than calling Trump a poopyhead on Twitter, and probably less, right?
Or is there some subtle legal result I'm not aware of here? And this is not about timid triangulating prenegotiation down to impeachment-lite that's intended to be inoffensive but guaranteed to be ineffective?
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:26 PM on June 8, 2019
Granted, my knowledge of censure comes mainly from The West Wing, but as I understand it, in normal times it’s a symbolic big deal but with no real consequences. In these times? Symbols don’t matter and there are still no consequences. It’s probably more satisfying to call him a poopy head on Twitter.
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:00 AM on June 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:00 AM on June 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
I think censure might be considered a public form of communication for those unwilling to actually impeach. I imagine the idea is that the Dems need to do something to capture media coverage of Trump's many crimes and wrongdoings and also convince outraged progressives that they are doing something. Censure might perhaps be one way to help educate voters short of impeachment that Pelosi et. al. might be willing to support. This is a guess; I have no idea.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:00 AM on June 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Bella Donna at 2:00 AM on June 9, 2019 [1 favorite]
New Selzer poll for Iowa. tl;dr - Biden 24%, Sanders 16%, Warren 15%, Buttigieg 14%, Harris 7%, everyone else go home
A bit more on the numbers...
Since last poll:
Biden: 24% (-5)
Sanders: 16% (-9)
Warren: 15% (+6)
Buttigieg: 14% (+13)
Harris: 7% (+0)
Klobuchar: 2% (-1)
They tested candidates' strength in several ways: 1st choice (above), second choice and those are being actively considered by likely caucusgoers. Combining those 3 measures:
Biden, 61%
Warren, 61%
Sanders, 56%
Buttigieg, 52%
Harris, 52%
“Very favorable" number:
Warren 38%
Biden 34%
Buttigieg 32%
Sanders 32%
Harris 31%
Booker 20%
O'Rourke 15%
Klobuchar 12%
Favorable-to-unfavorable ratio:
Buttigieg: 5.1 to 1
Harris: 4.8 to 1
Warren: 4.2 to 1
Biden: 3.0 to 1
Booker: 2.9 to 1
Sanders: 2.8 to 1
O'Rourke: 2.6 to 1
Klobuchar: 2.4 to 1
Combined Sanders/Biden vote in DMR polls
December: 51%
March: 52%
June: 40%
The "other candidates will grow once they get name recognition" theory looks solid.
—
Basically a good poll for Biden and Harris, a mediocre one for Bernie and a great one for Warren and Buttigieg.
posted by chris24 at 7:22 AM on June 9, 2019 [29 favorites]
A bit more on the numbers...
Since last poll:
Biden: 24% (-5)
Sanders: 16% (-9)
Warren: 15% (+6)
Buttigieg: 14% (+13)
Harris: 7% (+0)
Klobuchar: 2% (-1)
They tested candidates' strength in several ways: 1st choice (above), second choice and those are being actively considered by likely caucusgoers. Combining those 3 measures:
Biden, 61%
Warren, 61%
Sanders, 56%
Buttigieg, 52%
Harris, 52%
“Very favorable" number:
Warren 38%
Biden 34%
Buttigieg 32%
Sanders 32%
Harris 31%
Booker 20%
O'Rourke 15%
Klobuchar 12%
Favorable-to-unfavorable ratio:
Buttigieg: 5.1 to 1
Harris: 4.8 to 1
Warren: 4.2 to 1
Biden: 3.0 to 1
Booker: 2.9 to 1
Sanders: 2.8 to 1
O'Rourke: 2.6 to 1
Klobuchar: 2.4 to 1
Combined Sanders/Biden vote in DMR polls
December: 51%
March: 52%
June: 40%
The "other candidates will grow once they get name recognition" theory looks solid.
—
Basically a good poll for Biden and Harris, a mediocre one for Bernie and a great one for Warren and Buttigieg.
posted by chris24 at 7:22 AM on June 9, 2019 [29 favorites]
CNN: 'It's Been a Disaster.' Inside the Trump Super PAC Struggles
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:28 AM on June 9, 2019 [25 favorites]
Interviews with six GOP operatives and donors reveal a deep frustration, not just over the group's spending habits, but also its lackluster fundraising. In the 2018 cycle, chairman and president Brian O. Walsh told CNN that America First and its affiliated non-profit together raised about $75 million, well short of its $100 million goal. About $39 million of that went to the super PAC, Federal Election Commission records show.Aside from the consultants recruited from Trumpland, America First's hiring of Trumpist Linda McMahon as its chair appears to have gone very poorly. Between the grifting and the incompetence, Trump's PAC looks like any other Trump business effort.
By comparison, the Republican National Committee raised more than $233 million in individual contributions in the same cycle. While America First's operating expenses appear to be within the normal realm for super PACs, critics say the money the group has raised has been misspent on large consulting contracts and high-cost events with little payoff.[…]
Last cycle, as Republicans were on their way to losing their House majority, America First was paying the equivalent of annual salaries to firms attached to Trump associates such as Sean Spicer, Katrina Pierson and Corey Lewandowski (a former CNN contributor), not to mention [former sheriff David] Clarke, fueling the perception that the group has become a safe harbor for various Trump cast-offs and family friends.
"There's a perception that people who got fired from the administration or couldn't get administration jobs were just dumped there," says a Republican operative aligned with the President's re-election effort who has spoken with potential donors to America First. "What fundraising they have done they've squandered on parties and other stupid things."[…]
The biggest concern among Republicans is the super PAC's "warehousing" (as one Republican donor to the group put it) of figures from the broader Trump orbit.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:28 AM on June 9, 2019 [25 favorites]
Putting Trump's ex-aides on the campaign payroll in exchange for keeping their mouths shut has been his regular routine. Trump has always used money to buy silence, but now he is using other people's money.
posted by JackFlash at 8:02 AM on June 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by JackFlash at 8:02 AM on June 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
They tested candidates' strength in several ways: 1st choice (above), second choice and those are being actively considered by likely caucusgoers. Combining those 3 measures:
Biden, 61%
Warren, 61%
Sanders, 56%
Can't help but look at this and think the Warren/Sanders lane is cannibalizing each other. If only one of them were in they'd be the clear co-front runner with Biden, but its hard to see how either of them cedes the argument that they should be the one to drop back. Warren is running the best campaign by a mile. And Bernie is Bernie.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on June 9, 2019 [33 favorites]
Biden, 61%
Warren, 61%
Sanders, 56%
Can't help but look at this and think the Warren/Sanders lane is cannibalizing each other. If only one of them were in they'd be the clear co-front runner with Biden, but its hard to see how either of them cedes the argument that they should be the one to drop back. Warren is running the best campaign by a mile. And Bernie is Bernie.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:06 AM on June 9, 2019 [33 favorites]
"Ain't gonna matter for a year," is how I think of it!
posted by rhizome at 8:59 AM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 8:59 AM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
> Can't help but look at this and think the Warren/Sanders lane is cannibalizing each other. If only one of them were in they'd be the clear co-front runner with Biden, but its hard to see how either of them cedes the argument that they should be the one to drop back. Warren is running the best campaign by a mile. And Bernie is Bernie.
I spent a few days a coupla weeks ago quietly wishing that either Sanders or Warren would get hit by a bus in order to clear the field for the other one.
But then I was like, wait. If we bracketing off media narratives, which can be safely ignored as stupid noise, does it do actual harm in terms of convention delegates for Sanders and Warren to both be in the race? Don't all of the democratic party primary races allocate delegates by a proportional representation system rather than by FPTP? And If Warren and Sanders come into the convention with a joint majority of the delegates, it seems pretty natural for them to agree to be running mates, especially when the alternative is Biden taking the nomination. and doubly especially if Biden's campaign keeps giving signs that they're going to fuck up the general election if they get the chance.
"but wait," you say, "won't the media throw a fit about the #2 and #3 delegate-winners freezing out the #1 delegate winner? won't they run 'democrats in disarray at contested convention11!1!!" stories? To which I reply: the media is mildly antidemocratic and viciously antileftist. they will sandbag the democrats no matter what, because they always sandbag the democrats. therefore there is no reason to let them affect tactics in any way.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 9:27 AM on June 9, 2019 [16 favorites]
I spent a few days a coupla weeks ago quietly wishing that either Sanders or Warren would get hit by a bus in order to clear the field for the other one.
But then I was like, wait. If we bracketing off media narratives, which can be safely ignored as stupid noise, does it do actual harm in terms of convention delegates for Sanders and Warren to both be in the race? Don't all of the democratic party primary races allocate delegates by a proportional representation system rather than by FPTP? And If Warren and Sanders come into the convention with a joint majority of the delegates, it seems pretty natural for them to agree to be running mates, especially when the alternative is Biden taking the nomination. and doubly especially if Biden's campaign keeps giving signs that they're going to fuck up the general election if they get the chance.
"but wait," you say, "won't the media throw a fit about the #2 and #3 delegate-winners freezing out the #1 delegate winner? won't they run 'democrats in disarray at contested convention11!1!!" stories? To which I reply: the media is mildly antidemocratic and viciously antileftist. they will sandbag the democrats no matter what, because they always sandbag the democrats. therefore there is no reason to let them affect tactics in any way.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 9:27 AM on June 9, 2019 [16 favorites]
it seems pretty natural for them to agree to be running mates
There's a really bid difference in my mind between a Bernie / Warren ticket and a Warren / Bernie ticket. My thinking is that it's likely all the other candidates that taking away from Warren. I'm hoping that as they drop out Warren becomes the front runner.
My biggest disappointment so far is that global warming as an issue seems to be getting lost again, to my mind. I really want a candidate on tv that explains to people that this is an existential crisis the likes we've never faced before. Please, will someone start yelling into a camera or something?
posted by xammerboy at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2019 [24 favorites]
There's a really bid difference in my mind between a Bernie / Warren ticket and a Warren / Bernie ticket. My thinking is that it's likely all the other candidates that taking away from Warren. I'm hoping that as they drop out Warren becomes the front runner.
My biggest disappointment so far is that global warming as an issue seems to be getting lost again, to my mind. I really want a candidate on tv that explains to people that this is an existential crisis the likes we've never faced before. Please, will someone start yelling into a camera or something?
posted by xammerboy at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2019 [24 favorites]
More on how the Democratic Party is and should be addressing climate change in the campaign debates:
- "DNC Members Push For Climate Change-Centered Presidential Debate. But the party is holding its ground, saying the debates should be wide ranging."
- "In fairness to the Democrats, turning the climate issue to their advantage in a general election is certainly going to be tricky."
posted by PhineasGage at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
- "DNC Members Push For Climate Change-Centered Presidential Debate. But the party is holding its ground, saying the debates should be wide ranging."
- "In fairness to the Democrats, turning the climate issue to their advantage in a general election is certainly going to be tricky."
posted by PhineasGage at 10:22 AM on June 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
Dunno about you guys but I’m getting a little tired of this “I solved my self-imposed crisis” schtick
He will do it again and again, because it works, unless he is removed from office. It is important that we keep calling our legislators and keep pushing for impeachment.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:20 AM on June 9, 2019 [11 favorites]
He will do it again and again, because it works, unless he is removed from office. It is important that we keep calling our legislators and keep pushing for impeachment.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:20 AM on June 9, 2019 [11 favorites]
"In fairness to the Democrats, turning the climate issue to their advantage in a general election is certainly going to be tricky."
winning = being too scared to mention the ongoing mass extinction event
Electability fretting is literally, actually going to get us all killed.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:21 PM on June 9, 2019 [17 favorites]
winning = being too scared to mention the ongoing mass extinction event
Electability fretting is literally, actually going to get us all killed.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:21 PM on June 9, 2019 [17 favorites]
Molly Jong-Fast, Life Begins at Conception (Except When That’s Inconvenient for Republicans)
But what are we to make of what happened on Feb. 22, when a 24-year-old woman from Honduras went into labor at 27 weeks pregnant and delivered a stillborn baby at an ICE detention center? According to ICE, “for investigative and reporting purposes, a stillbirth is not considered an in-custody death.” Where were the cries of outrage from pro-life corners? Do some lives begin at conception and others don’t? Is an immigrant fetus less of a person than a citizen fetus?posted by zachlipton at 12:24 PM on June 9, 2019 [72 favorites]
Many pro-choice pundits make the argument that abortion opponents are hypocrites for their lack of concern about maternal health and early-childhood programs, and they are. But these inconsistencies about when “life” begins are far more revealing. The idea that fertility clinics should be allowed to end “life” in the pursuit of resolving infertility is wholly illogical; the notion that an in-custody stillbirth at 27 weeks is not a death, but that an abortion at six or eight weeks is a murder punishable by up to 99 years in prison, requires wild feats of mental jujitsu.
It’s almost as if the Republican Party considers “life” to be a completely arbitrary notion. It’s almost as if this isn’t actually about “life” at all.
Inslee pretty much exclusively talks about climate change when he gets TV time.
Yes, but I've listened to a lot of these interviews as well hour long podcast interviews with him where the catastrophic consequences of climate change do not come across. I get the sense that an average Joe could listen to these interviews and walk away thinking climate change is a bid deal, but one that can and likely will be managed. The truth is rather more grim. A fix will require new moonshot technology that does not now exist.
I've seen politicians speak movingly on climate change and speak to the obvious opportunities as well as be optimistic in regards to our ability to effect change. What I haven't seen anyone do is lay down the plain hard truth: in ten years or so climate change is expected to dramatically increase such that much of the world will be unlivable. There's a good chance this leads to a chain of events that simply ends humanity.
A quite reasonable question for DCCC is not whether there should be a debate on climate change, but whether their candidates should talk about anything else. All other issues importance pale in comparison. When talking to climate change, everything is on the table. Defense, healthcare, infrastructure, income equity, all can, and probably should, be talked about through the perspective of the massive project of managing climate change, at least for now.
posted by xammerboy at 12:24 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Yes, but I've listened to a lot of these interviews as well hour long podcast interviews with him where the catastrophic consequences of climate change do not come across. I get the sense that an average Joe could listen to these interviews and walk away thinking climate change is a bid deal, but one that can and likely will be managed. The truth is rather more grim. A fix will require new moonshot technology that does not now exist.
I've seen politicians speak movingly on climate change and speak to the obvious opportunities as well as be optimistic in regards to our ability to effect change. What I haven't seen anyone do is lay down the plain hard truth: in ten years or so climate change is expected to dramatically increase such that much of the world will be unlivable. There's a good chance this leads to a chain of events that simply ends humanity.
A quite reasonable question for DCCC is not whether there should be a debate on climate change, but whether their candidates should talk about anything else. All other issues importance pale in comparison. When talking to climate change, everything is on the table. Defense, healthcare, infrastructure, income equity, all can, and probably should, be talked about through the perspective of the massive project of managing climate change, at least for now.
posted by xammerboy at 12:24 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Roll Call, Gopal Ratnam, Americans may vote in 2020 using old, unsecured machines
The report also cited a South Carolina election official who said the state continues to use Windows XP software, which Microsoft first released in 2001 and discontinued support for in 2014.posted by zachlipton at 12:27 PM on June 9, 2019
...
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he would not allow a vote on the measure. At the Senate Rules committee hearing last week, when Democrat Richard J. Durbin asked if any election security measures would be taken up, Chairman Roy Blunt said, “At this point I don’t see any likelihood that those bills would get to the floor if we mark them up.”
“I think the majority leader is of the view that this debate reaches no conclusion,” Blunt said. “And frankly, I think the extreme nature of HR 1 from the House makes it even less likely we are going to have that debate.”
A quite reasonable question for DCCC is not whether there should be a debate on climate change, but whether their candidates should talk about anything else.
Don't confuse the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) with the DNC (Democratic National Committee). The DCCC is a committee of congressional incumbents in which current members of congress collect donations to re-elect specifically themselves. The DNC is a committee representing the entire party of Democrats, incumbents or not.
posted by JackFlash at 12:35 PM on June 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
Don't confuse the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) with the DNC (Democratic National Committee). The DCCC is a committee of congressional incumbents in which current members of congress collect donations to re-elect specifically themselves. The DNC is a committee representing the entire party of Democrats, incumbents or not.
posted by JackFlash at 12:35 PM on June 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
If Warren and Sanders come into the convention with a joint majority of the delegates, it seems pretty natural for them to agree to be running mates
A Warren / Sanders ticket has been something I've had mild hopes for, and of all the candidates I want Warren to be President most. But... that's not one but *two* Senate seats up for grabs. In states with Republican Governors, which means (a) they'd presumably be appointing Republican replacements and (b) statewide office elections can't safely be presumed to go to Democratic Senate candidate.
The only lens through which I can look at that fact and say "yeah, that's an affordable tradeoff for the benefits of both names on the ticket" is if we assume the Senate isn't realistically worth contesting until 2022 but that has its own problems. The Senate matters a lot, marginal control of it matters more than ever now that confirmations are simple majority. Not to mention that containing (if not destroying) McConnell may be on par with the priority of removing Trump from office.
This is almost enough for me to even abandon my advocacy for Warren, even though I think no candidate in the race is equipped with a better compass or policy chops. Others might be good enough. Harris's Senate seat would go blue. And better chances in the Senate will be my consolation prize if for some reason we end up with Biden.
If Buttigieg's star is rising as well as it seems ... maybe he'd even be a reasonable option. I think he'd be a better VP choice, though. Part of me really wants a Warren / Buttigieg ticket. Harris / Buttigieg would work for me too, though. Biden / Buttigieg as a last resort.
posted by wildblueyonder at 12:39 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
A Warren / Sanders ticket has been something I've had mild hopes for, and of all the candidates I want Warren to be President most. But... that's not one but *two* Senate seats up for grabs. In states with Republican Governors, which means (a) they'd presumably be appointing Republican replacements and (b) statewide office elections can't safely be presumed to go to Democratic Senate candidate.
The only lens through which I can look at that fact and say "yeah, that's an affordable tradeoff for the benefits of both names on the ticket" is if we assume the Senate isn't realistically worth contesting until 2022 but that has its own problems. The Senate matters a lot, marginal control of it matters more than ever now that confirmations are simple majority. Not to mention that containing (if not destroying) McConnell may be on par with the priority of removing Trump from office.
This is almost enough for me to even abandon my advocacy for Warren, even though I think no candidate in the race is equipped with a better compass or policy chops. Others might be good enough. Harris's Senate seat would go blue. And better chances in the Senate will be my consolation prize if for some reason we end up with Biden.
If Buttigieg's star is rising as well as it seems ... maybe he'd even be a reasonable option. I think he'd be a better VP choice, though. Part of me really wants a Warren / Buttigieg ticket. Harris / Buttigieg would work for me too, though. Biden / Buttigieg as a last resort.
posted by wildblueyonder at 12:39 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Blunt said. “And frankly, I think the extreme nature of HR 1 from the House makes it even less likely we are going to have that debate.”
By the way, Republicans are absolutely slaughtering us on the messaging regarding HR 1. The conservative noise machine has been absolutely consistent about (a) not talking about what it is but (b) making sure they say "extreme" along with it every time they name it. And most journalists range from absolutely helpless to this form of attack to more or less happy to cooperate. Sure, there might be one or two publications with national reach who will do a deep dive into what HR 1 actually is, but repetition is going to outpace homework as long as journalists are willing to see their jobs as relaying both sides instead of pursuing further fidelity to the truth. Every time this characterization of HR 1 is printed -- much less printed without a challenge -- the media has been successfully pressed into supporting the marginalization of democracy itself.
And you'd think in a time when the head of state openly declares journalists enemies, there'd be more who could bring themselves to at least make those kinds of challenges.
posted by wildblueyonder at 12:52 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
By the way, Republicans are absolutely slaughtering us on the messaging regarding HR 1. The conservative noise machine has been absolutely consistent about (a) not talking about what it is but (b) making sure they say "extreme" along with it every time they name it. And most journalists range from absolutely helpless to this form of attack to more or less happy to cooperate. Sure, there might be one or two publications with national reach who will do a deep dive into what HR 1 actually is, but repetition is going to outpace homework as long as journalists are willing to see their jobs as relaying both sides instead of pursuing further fidelity to the truth. Every time this characterization of HR 1 is printed -- much less printed without a challenge -- the media has been successfully pressed into supporting the marginalization of democracy itself.
And you'd think in a time when the head of state openly declares journalists enemies, there'd be more who could bring themselves to at least make those kinds of challenges.
posted by wildblueyonder at 12:52 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
As far as Warren's seat is concerned: Barring a Coakley-style catastrophe, her Massachusetts seat should be safe except maybe in the brief time it takes Baker to appoint a replacement. But in MA there has to be a special election held within 160 days of it becoming vacant. And I think Massachusetts has learned its lessons from Coakley.
Warren, incidentally, is proposing a Green Marshall Plan for climate change:
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:33 PM on June 9, 2019 [35 favorites]
Warren, incidentally, is proposing a Green Marshall Plan for climate change:
On Tuesday, the Warren campaign released its most comprehensive climate plan yet, a $2 trillion package that commits the federal government to spend $150 billion a year over the next decade on low-carbon technology, increases energy research funding tenfold, and funds a $100 billion Green Marshall Plan to aid the poorer countries projected to suffer the worst as global temperatures rise.Warren is my first choice and Harris my second; I'd be down for a Warren/Harris ticket if for no other reason than to have a two-woman ticket and say "Suck it, electability!" I also really like Kirsten Gillibrand and wish bad things to befall the harassment apologists who pop up in every comment whenever an interview with her is published. I hope she gets a Cabinet position.
In modeling her proposals on the post-World War II Marshall Plan aid package that helped rebuild Western Europe, Warren takes stock of the global nature of the crisis. (Alexander Kaufman, Grist)
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 1:33 PM on June 9, 2019 [35 favorites]
White House officials barred a State Department intelligence agency from submitting written testimony this week to the House Intelligence Committee warning that human-caused climate change is “possibly catastrophic.” The move came after State officials refused to excise the document’s references to federal scientific findings on climate change.
posted by adamvasco at 1:41 PM on June 9, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 1:41 PM on June 9, 2019 [13 favorites]
Mostly because I just watched Chernobyl, I wish Ronan Farrow or some other writer with similar mettle documents the various people who are saying we are fucked because of climate change and drawing a circle around the statement with giant arrows point to it and then turning to the Trump administration's response of 'windmills cause cancer' 'we have a great climate' and 'freedom gas.'
Somebody needs to effectively document this idiocy with a focus on climate change now, not fifteen years from now. Everything about Trump is horrible and awful and stupid; I think what's not clear (except maybe to the kids) is how deeply and perhaps forever fucked we as a species are if we don't act.
That's why Biden needs to shut up. He needs to shut up for many reasons, but mostly because his affable middle of the road routine is just shit. I will vote for him if I have to, but God help me, I have fallen in love with Warren and I will feel no joy pulling the lever for Biden.
posted by angrycat at 2:22 PM on June 9, 2019 [53 favorites]
Somebody needs to effectively document this idiocy with a focus on climate change now, not fifteen years from now. Everything about Trump is horrible and awful and stupid; I think what's not clear (except maybe to the kids) is how deeply and perhaps forever fucked we as a species are if we don't act.
That's why Biden needs to shut up. He needs to shut up for many reasons, but mostly because his affable middle of the road routine is just shit. I will vote for him if I have to, but God help me, I have fallen in love with Warren and I will feel no joy pulling the lever for Biden.
posted by angrycat at 2:22 PM on June 9, 2019 [53 favorites]
White House officials barred a State Department intelligence agency from submitting written testimony this week
Republicans may be shifting from using "climate change" to manipulate public opinion, to instead using "climate alarm":
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:43 PM on June 9, 2019 [8 favorites]
Republicans may be shifting from using "climate change" to manipulate public opinion, to instead using "climate alarm":
"This is not objective testimony at all,” read one comment, according to an individual familiar with the document. “It includes lots of climate alarm propaganda that is not science at all. I am embarrassed to have this go out on behalf of the executive branch of the Federal Government.”The goal apparently seems to be to use language that makes concerned Americans out to be alarmists.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 3:43 PM on June 9, 2019 [8 favorites]
I take it they watched Chernobyl and identified with the Soviet apparatchiks who, above all else, wanted to control "alarm."
Unfortunately for us, the proverbial reactor is open to the sky. But we wouldn't want to be alarmist
posted by BungaDunga at 3:49 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Unfortunately for us, the proverbial reactor is open to the sky. But we wouldn't want to be alarmist
posted by BungaDunga at 3:49 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
When somebody rings the fire alarm, you take immediate action to deal with the emergency. So by all means, Republicans, please sound the climate alarm.
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:58 PM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:58 PM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
Leave as many helpful hints about fuel choice and population control for the next dominant species as possible.
posted by delfin at 4:33 PM on June 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by delfin at 4:33 PM on June 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
Former national press secretary for Obama’s reelection campaign Ben LaBolt writes in the Atlantic: I Helped Obama Win in 2012. Now Trump Is Using the Same Playbook—Democrats have ceded the field, allowing the president to define the terms of the general election.
Presidents who have recently won reelection seeded their victories not in the final sprint before Election Day, but by executing a two-year campaign to exploit a contentious primary on the other side, reconnect with their base of supporters, and define the election as a choice, not a referendum. I served as the national press secretary on President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, when we used that strategy to great effect. Now I’m watching President Trump executing the same strategy that powered Obama to reelection, while the Democratic organizations that could answer him have left an open playing field in the battleground states where the election will be decided.Cook Political Report: Are Voter Opinions on Trump as Stable as They Seem?
The Trump campaign launched at the start of 2019 and hasn’t paused for a day. It is using the candidate’s schedule, a staffed-up campaign team, and a sophisticated digital-advertising effort to reach its target voters. The campaign has spent more than $5 million on Facebook ads, with a particular focus on older voters and women, firing up the base by attacking “fake news” and promoting its message on immigration. The advertising team has gone beyond social-media campaigns, sponsoring podcasts and creating a significant paid-media presence on YouTube. In fact, Trump is outspending Democrats six to one on video ads, the primary digital-engagement tool for voters today.
Simultaneously, Trump has begun to hold rallies in battleground states across the country, dipping into media markets where he can fire up his base, such as Panama City, Florida, and battleground markets, such as Green Bay, Wisconsin. Many of these visits lead to localized polling bumps that last for weeks.[…]
It’s not time for Democrats to despair; it’s time for us to engage. Because primary campaigns have finite resources and shorter-term needs to address before they can get to the main battle, the DNC and allied super PACs need to begin advertising now in battleground states to provide air cover for the future nominee while he or she is tied up in what will likely be a highly competitive and lengthy primary race.
Last month, the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group released the results of a January 2019 "VOTER Survey (Views of the Electorate Research Survey) of 6,779 Americans, most of whom had been surveyed previously as part of a longitudinal panel."posted by Doktor Zed at 5:21 PM on June 9, 2019 [7 favorites]
They found that while opinions of the president have been very consistent since 2016, "Obama-Trump voters have had a significant change in their view of President Trump over the last two years. In the 2016 VOTER Survey, more than 8 in 10 (85 percent) Obama-Trump voters held a "favorable" view of the president — 19 percentage points higher than in 2019 (66 percent)." In other words, while Obama-Trump voters still overwhelmingly approve of the president, that support is a lot softer than it was back in 2016. […] And, while these Obama-Trump voters remain supportive of the president, "even small movement among these voters — who represented 5 percent of voters in 2016," writes the authors of the report, "may prove significant heading into the 2020 presidential election."[…]
[A]s one Democratic strategist said to me, while ticket splitting may no longer be as prevalent as it has been historically, it doesn't mean that ticket splitting doesn't exist. So, while we pay close attention to the intensity and intentions of the Trump and Democratic base voters, we can't ignore the cross-pressured voters who may be a much smaller, but equally powerful force in 2020.
Bah, Biden's a nice older straight white dude. He'll get a pass forever.
The best path I see for a not-Biden candidacy is if the white dude lane gets crowded and also Warren or Harris (probably Harris) drop out.
I'm Team Warren/Harris but can also do Warren/anyone really. I currently think Buttigieg would make the best VP candidate from an electability (blurgh) standpoint, and I'm not particularly anti-him on policy or whatever, though I'd prefer not-a-white-dude just on principle.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:45 PM on June 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
The best path I see for a not-Biden candidacy is if the white dude lane gets crowded and also Warren or Harris (probably Harris) drop out.
I'm Team Warren/Harris but can also do Warren/anyone really. I currently think Buttigieg would make the best VP candidate from an electability (blurgh) standpoint, and I'm not particularly anti-him on policy or whatever, though I'd prefer not-a-white-dude just on principle.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:45 PM on June 9, 2019 [5 favorites]
I am a Warren Mayflower descendent and I am 100% for Elizabeth Warren. The Warrens not only came over on the Mayflower, but they were battle people in medieval times. Elizabeth Warren is my battle princess, in both name and deed.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:46 PM on June 9, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:46 PM on June 9, 2019 [22 favorites]
She's fucking fierce and that's what is needed right now. The majority of the American voters wanted a a Democratic House, a Democratic Senate and a Democratic President, and they support leftist policies as long as you don't give those ideas< the 'leftist' label because Stalinvenezuelabreadlines or whatever.
Democrats *are* the majority in this country and they need to own that. No one likes a cowardly party.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:52 PM on June 9, 2019 [20 favorites]
Democrats *are* the majority in this country and they need to own that. No one likes a cowardly party.
posted by tivalasvegas at 7:52 PM on June 9, 2019 [20 favorites]
SO back to the climate change thing. It was 91 today in SF, and it's going to crack 90+ tomorrow. I know 90 degrees in early June is normal in parts of the States, but not here. Not on the coast. Not in San Francisco. I work by the beach and it was 91 degrees out. This is not normal. And the effects are already being felt. Biden's centrism is going to get us all dead.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:36 PM on June 9, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:36 PM on June 9, 2019 [18 favorites]
Let's please not confuse weather with climate, even amongst ourselves. Today wasn't even a record in SF - it was hotter on this date 33 years ago. The climate IS changing, indisputably, but arguing from anecdote just gives license for our friends at Fox (and in the U.S. Senate) to toss snowballs to "refute" the actual science of the climate crisis.
posted by PhineasGage at 9:07 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 9:07 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
It was similarly hot last year. And the year before that. Having one hot June isn't a record true. Having three in a row is.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 9:14 PM on June 9, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 9:14 PM on June 9, 2019 [8 favorites]
Climate vs. Weather (NSIDC)
Climate is the weather of a place averaged over a period of time, often 30 years. Climate information includes the statistical weather information that tells us about the normal weather, as well as the range of weather extremes for a location.Climate vs. Weather (NOAA)
From the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI, formally NCDC), "the climatic normal is simply the arithmetic average of the values over a 30-year period (generally, three consecutive decades)." [...] It has been said "Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get." In part, that is true but for the vast majority of time, the observed weather is rarely "normal".posted by Little Dawn at 9:40 PM on June 9, 2019 [2 favorites]
[...] The bottom line is large swings in day-to-day, month-to month and even year-to year weather does not necessarily imply large, rapid changes in climate. Weather, over time, will become part of the 30-year normal.
All I know is- five years ago I didn't own a single pair of shorts. Now I own several. Observation of local trends *is* data, (observational studies are science) and it's what will get through to deniers rather than bloviating science. As more and more people have hot summers in places they didn't use to, *that* is more likely to change minds than any loser with a snowball, or any mefite crowing about how weather isn't climate.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 9:46 PM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 9:46 PM on June 9, 2019 [4 favorites]
Let's please not confuse weather with climate
There should be no place in a rational society for climate crisis denial, at this juncture.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:50 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
There should be no place in a rational society for climate crisis denial, at this juncture.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:50 PM on June 9, 2019 [12 favorites]
Doktor Zed: "Former national press secretary for Obama’s reelection campaign Ben LaBolt writes in the Atlantic: I Helped Obama Win in 2012. Now Trump Is Using the Same Playbook—Democrats have ceded the field, allowing the president to define the terms of the general election."
Joel Wertheimer: There's no evidence early advertising spending is useful. Democrats who work for media consulting businesses, however, want Democrats to spend money on media consulting.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:51 PM on June 9, 2019 [27 favorites]
Joel Wertheimer: There's no evidence early advertising spending is useful. Democrats who work for media consulting businesses, however, want Democrats to spend money on media consulting.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:51 PM on June 9, 2019 [27 favorites]
AN IRANIAN ACTIVIST WROTE DOZENS OF ARTICLES FOR RIGHT-WING OUTLETS. BUT IS HE A REAL PERSON?
IN 2018, PRESIDENT Donald Trump was seeking to jettison the landmark nuclear deal that his predecessor had signed with Iran in 2015, and he was looking for ways to win over a skeptical press. The White House claimed that the nuclear deal had allowed Iran to increase its military budget, and Washington Post reporters Salvador Rizzo and Meg Kelly asked for a source. In response, the White House passed along an article published in Forbes by a writer named Heshmat Alavi.
“Iran’s current budget is funded largely through ‘oil, taxes, increasing bonds, [and] eliminating cash handouts or subsidies’ for Iranians, according to an article by a Forbes contributor, Heshmat Alavi, sent to us by a White House official,” Rizzo and Kelly reported. The White House had used Alavi’s article — itself partly drawn from Iranian sources — to justify its decision to terminate the agreement.
There’s a problem, though: Heshmat Alavi appears not to exist. Alavi’s persona is a propaganda operation run by the Iranian opposition group Mojahedin-e-Khalq, which is known by the initials MEK, two sources told The Intercept.
“Heshmat Alavi is a persona run by a team of people from the political wing of the MEK,” said Hassan Heyrani, a high-ranking defector from the MEK who said he had direct knowledge of the operation. “They write whatever they are directed by their commanders and use this name to place articles in the press. This is not and has never been a real person.”
Heyrani said the fake persona has been managed by a team of MEK operatives in Albania, where the group has one of its bases, and is used to spread its message online. Heyrani’s account is echoed by Sara Zahiri, a Farsi-language researcher who focuses on the MEK. Zahiri, who has sources among Iranian government cybersecurity officials, said that Alavi is known inside Iran to be a “group account” run by a team of MEK members and that Alavi himself does not exist.posted by scalefree at 9:56 PM on June 9, 2019 [25 favorites]
Hurricane Harvey was the third once in a 500 year storm to flood Houston in 3 years.
posted by xammerboy at 10:01 PM on June 9, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 10:01 PM on June 9, 2019 [14 favorites]
Floods, tornadoes, snow in May: Extreme weather driven by climate change across US (USA Today)
Flooding along the Mississippi River is the worst it’s been since 1927. More than 50 tornadoes touched down during the Memorial Day weekend. In Denver, it snowed more than three inches last week.posted by Little Dawn at 10:07 PM on June 9, 2019 [9 favorites]
Climate scientists say this is only the beginning of what will be decades of increasingly dangerous and damaging extreme weather – and there’s no question that much of it’s being driven by global warming.
The scientific data is too clear and too overwhelming to come to any other conclusion, said Richard Rood, a meteorologist and professor of climate research at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
The coherent and convergent data signals climate scientists across the globe are seeing “make it extraordinarily unlikely that this is just a set of typical weather events that just happen to occur at the same time,” Rood said.
Mod note: I know the subject is going to come up in the context of US politics and some passing notes about it in here are going to make sense, but for the purposes of just having general climate change discussions for their own sake we have a few open posts touching specifically on it and extended conversations about that should probably head in that direction, or to a new post if there's a specific core point of discussion about it that none of the extant threads cover.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:20 PM on June 9, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:20 PM on June 9, 2019 [10 favorites]
Team Trump hits back on Mexico. Secret protocols.
@atrupar
posted by scalefree at 11:21 PM on June 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
@atrupar
BAIER: How much of Trump's agreement represents new commitments from Mexico?
DHS BOSS McALEENAN: All of it
BB: Kirstjen Nielsen testified Mexico was already doing these things. You're saying it's different?
KM: It's very different
BB: And there are secret protocols?
KM: Yeah[video - the last 2 lines are not in it, presumably they were said though]
posted by scalefree at 11:21 PM on June 9, 2019 [3 favorites]
For the European elections, climate change was the big game changer. Not only because it is real, and the electorate reacted to that, but also because the racist, nationalist arguments seemed old and petty in the face of a global disaster, and so did the old school purely economic socialism of the Social Democratic parties. When scientists are saying that your home will be flooded once a year if no action is taken and you can see it's real, an old guy responding with "taxes! immigrants!" just looks like an old idiot.
Lots of jobs in the EU are dependent on fossile fuels, and in reality, the effects of global warming are not felt nearly as harshly in Europe as in the US today. So I don't really understand why there are so few Democratic politicians talking up the Green New Deal and the Green agenda, specially in swing states and red states, where climate change is experienced. When I travelled in Virginia and Tennessee more than ten years ago, I felt that climate could be a wedge issue for Democrats, but no politician was taking it on.
Some days ago, Rust Moranis posted that the nation's breadbasket looking to fail spectacularly this year. These are states that may be open to new ideas come election time, and heck, the whole world is going to react to rising food prices coming from this catastrophe combined with the swine pest in Asia and Europe (not related to global warming, just to food prices). But the general public needs someone to go out and connect the dots for them. To make it clear that this is happening and that Trump and all the Republicans actively worsen these issues through their policies. Lots of people won't understand the connection unless it is pointed out to them.
posted by mumimor at 1:28 AM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
Lots of jobs in the EU are dependent on fossile fuels, and in reality, the effects of global warming are not felt nearly as harshly in Europe as in the US today. So I don't really understand why there are so few Democratic politicians talking up the Green New Deal and the Green agenda, specially in swing states and red states, where climate change is experienced. When I travelled in Virginia and Tennessee more than ten years ago, I felt that climate could be a wedge issue for Democrats, but no politician was taking it on.
Some days ago, Rust Moranis posted that the nation's breadbasket looking to fail spectacularly this year. These are states that may be open to new ideas come election time, and heck, the whole world is going to react to rising food prices coming from this catastrophe combined with the swine pest in Asia and Europe (not related to global warming, just to food prices). But the general public needs someone to go out and connect the dots for them. To make it clear that this is happening and that Trump and all the Republicans actively worsen these issues through their policies. Lots of people won't understand the connection unless it is pointed out to them.
posted by mumimor at 1:28 AM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
Jemele Hill: Trump Has Killed Democrats’ Sense of the Possible
This is perhaps Trump’s most critical victory yet: Successfully persuading Democrats — especially African-American voters — not just to lower the bar, but to abandon the idea that inclusion and bold ideas matter more than appeasing the patriarchy.posted by T.D. Strange at 5:30 AM on June 10, 2019 [30 favorites]
...
Already, many Democrats are cutting Biden much more slack than they’re giving to other
candidates. There is, for example, a double standard in how some African Americans judge presidential candidate Kamala Harris—who was an Oakland prosecutor before becoming a U.S. senator from California—far more harshly than Biden.
Harris has been criticized repeatedly by African Americans for her record as a prosecutor, with many accusing her of aiding a system that has disproportionately punished and targeted black people. There was even a hashtag created on Twitter, #KamalaHarrisIsACop, her detractors employed to point out her failure to protect African Americans in the criminal justice system.
Even though Biden authored the 1994 crime bill whose mandatory-minimum sentencing rules sent so many black men to prison, the former vice president’s support among African Americans remains significantly stronger than that of both black presidential candidates in the field—Harris and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. A poll released by BlackPAC last month showed that 72 percent of African Americans view Biden favorably, compared to 49 percent for Harris and 47 percent for Booker.
Remarkably, the negative energy directed toward Harris for serving as a prosecutor has not been aimed at Biden, who said recently that, while the “three strikes” provisions of the 1994 law were a mistake, the bill “had a lot of other good things.”
We need hope, not optimism:
Humanistic religions offer hope for human progress, while salvation-oriented religions offer hope for a better world to come, but pretty much every flavor of religion deals in some kind of hope: for miracles, for eternal life, for an escape from suffering, for strength to change, for the eventual triumph of the better angels of our nature, or some other desirable outcome.posted by ragtag at 6:27 AM on June 10, 2019 [11 favorites]
Once you start thinking about hope, your reading will fairly quickly bring you to a useful distinction that (for reasons I don’t understand) never catches on with the general public: Hope is not optimism.
THESE BRITISH SOUTH ASIAN MEN GOT SCREWED BY A TRUMP-ENDORSED ‘PYRAMID SCHEME’ (Mel)
posted by The Whelk at 6:39 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 6:39 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Latino leaders sound alarms over Trump reelection in 2020 (Politico)
Interviews with more than a dozen strategists and organizers revealed rising alarm at the lack of attention being paid to Latinos in swing states where they could decide the outcome of both the Democratic primary and the general election. Trump is counting on a slice of Latinos to back him, announcing aggressive outreach plans to keep states like Florida in his column. But if Democrats fail to counter those efforts with their own — by energizing younger Latinos and reaching members of the community who feel estranged by the president — those voters may simply sit out the election, the operatives told POLITICO. [...]posted by Little Dawn at 7:25 AM on June 10, 2019 [15 favorites]
It isn’t enough to hold rallies, organizers said: To turn out Latinos, candidates have to take their time with local leaders, put permanent boots on the ground, and make their events accessible to Spanish speakers. So far, none of the candidates have stood out except Julián Castro, who’s mired at around 1 percent in national polls.
Latinos are poised to be the largest non-white eligible voting bloc in 2020. They could be difference makers not only in Nevada but much larger swing states like Florida and even Pennsylvania, which is home to a growing Puerto Rican population. Latino turnout jumped from 27 percent in the 2014 midterms to 40 percent in 2018 — increasing more than any other ethnic group, according to U.S. Census data.
The Latino population is younger compared to other ethnic groups, and strategists often discount younger voters as unreliable. But organizers argue that Democrats who think that way are making a mistake: Voters between 18 and 53 cast more votes in 2018 than Baby Boomers and older generations, Pew Research figures show. [...]
The battle to mobilize the constituency is complicated. Activists frequently need to remind candidates that Latinos aren’t a monolith: there are undocumenteds and first-generation citizens, but also Latino families who’ve been in the U.S. as long as their white counterparts. Those differences compound based on whether the Latino communities are of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban or Venezuelan descent. [...] Most Democratic organizers agree on two things: Candidates need a robust immigration plan that counters Trump’s hard-line policies and nationalist rhetoric. And Democratic hopefuls, they say, need to aggressively communicate how their policies on issues such as education and health care tangibly help the Latino community. Relatedly, the operatives say candidates have to demonstrate an understanding of the different groups of Latinos, including those of African descent.
Picking up from their investigation in February, Politico reports: Chao Created Special Path For Mcconnell’s Favored Projects—A top Transportation official helped coordinate grant applications by McConnell’s political allies.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:42 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
The Transportation Department under Secretary Elaine Chao designated a special liaison to help with grant applications and other priorities from her husband Mitch McConnell’s state of Kentucky, paving the way for grants totaling at least $78 million for favored projects as McConnell prepared to campaign for reelection.Porkbarrel politics is a longtime tradition on Capitol Hill, but in the Trump administration, Chao and McConnell are leveraging their power-couple status.
Chao’s aide Todd Inman, who stated in an email to McConnell’s Senate office that Chao had personally asked him to serve as an intermediary, helped advise the senator and local Kentucky officials on grants with special significance for McConnell — including a highway-improvement project in a McConnell political stronghold that had been twice rejected for previous grant applications.[…]
Beginning in April 2017, Inman and Chao met annually with a delegation from Owensboro, Ky., a river port with long connections to McConnell, including a plaza named in his honor. At the meetings, according to participants, the secretary and the local officials discussed two projects of special importance to the river city of 59,809 people — a plan to upgrade road connections to a commercial riverport and a proposal to expedite reclassifying a local parkway as an Interstate spur, a move that could persuade private businesses to locate in Owensboro.[…]
Owensboro wasn’t the only beneficiary of Inman’s assistance. He also communicated with McConnell’s office about multiple requests from county executives to meet with Chao to speak about potential projects in Kentucky, according to emails which, like the others, were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the watchdog group American Oversight.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:42 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
Six Weeks On The Sanders campaign: the Time cover story By Anand GIRIDHARADAS
posted by The Whelk at 7:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Interviews with more than a dozen strategists and organizers revealed rising alarm at the lack of attention being paid to Latinos in swing states where they could decide the outcome of both the Democratic primary and the general election.
It's June, there are still 23 primary candidates in the running. Can we maybe wait until the debates thin out the field before freaking out that candidates aren't hitting every important constituency? What's the point of friggin' Hickenlooper meeting with Latinos in Florida? The eventual front runners will get there. I think people have forgotten that primary season never used to start so damn early, and that most voters don't decide eight months in advance who they're going to choose in a primary.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:46 AM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's June, there are still 23 primary candidates in the running. Can we maybe wait until the debates thin out the field before freaking out that candidates aren't hitting every important constituency? What's the point of friggin' Hickenlooper meeting with Latinos in Florida? The eventual front runners will get there. I think people have forgotten that primary season never used to start so damn early, and that most voters don't decide eight months in advance who they're going to choose in a primary.
posted by schoolgirl report at 7:46 AM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
PoC are justifiably tired of the Dems' traditional "the eventual frontrunners will get there" approach to addressing and advocating for their conerns.
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:54 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:54 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
I get that, and I do hope that by raising the concern now they better ensure the front-runners do get to them. It's just too early to draw any conclusions about whether the Democrats in general are blowing it in one way or another.
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:03 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:03 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Yes, we know. Latinos are tired of their issues not being prioritized. Young people are tired of climate change not being prioritized. Women are tired of women's issues not being prioritized. Minimum wage workers are tired of income inquality and Wall Street malfeasance not being prioritized. Etc.
It's all important. But not everything can be top priority. That's not how "priorities" work. If you're Latino and you stay home in 2020 because issues important to your community weren't the top priority, then you are partly culpable for the resulting loss of rights experienced by women, irrecoverable damage to the climate, exploitation of low wage workers, etc. And that goes for all of us.
How about we all go vote for each other's sakes, and not just for ourselves?
posted by OnceUponATime at 8:10 AM on June 10, 2019 [17 favorites]
It's all important. But not everything can be top priority. That's not how "priorities" work. If you're Latino and you stay home in 2020 because issues important to your community weren't the top priority, then you are partly culpable for the resulting loss of rights experienced by women, irrecoverable damage to the climate, exploitation of low wage workers, etc. And that goes for all of us.
How about we all go vote for each other's sakes, and not just for ourselves?
posted by OnceUponATime at 8:10 AM on June 10, 2019 [17 favorites]
How about we all go vote for each other's sakes, and not just for ourselves?
People turn out to vote when they feel the candidate addresses their concerns and will change their lives for the better. Activists will work harder and be more successful with GOTV efforts in their own communities when they have something positive to fight for. Moral judgments against marginalized people won't change the numbers, or at least not for the better.
posted by contraption at 8:22 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
People turn out to vote when they feel the candidate addresses their concerns and will change their lives for the better. Activists will work harder and be more successful with GOTV efforts in their own communities when they have something positive to fight for. Moral judgments against marginalized people won't change the numbers, or at least not for the better.
posted by contraption at 8:22 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
How are we still weeks away from maybe deciding about potentially subpoenaing Mueller! Gah!
posted by diogenes at 8:27 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 8:27 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
Part of me really wants a Warren / Buttigieg ticket.
FTR, this is my preference right now.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 8:52 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
FTR, this is my preference right now.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 8:52 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
Yes, we know. Latinos are tired of their issues not being prioritized. Young people are tired of climate change not being prioritized. Women are tired of women's issues not being prioritized. Minimum wage workers are tired of income inquality and Wall Street malfeasance not being prioritized. Etc.
Meanwhile Republicans are out there declaring everyone who isn't a white male suburban homeowner to be the enemy.
As you note, these groups are being treated as the enemy, so why should they not be a priority? And if these groups don't feel like a priority of the Democratic party, why should they bother to vote for a candidate that won't acknowledge the war being waged on everyone who isn't a white male suburban homeowner? If the Democrats won't fight, then who will? If the Democrats won't fight, then they might as well be waging that war alongside the Republicans.
And seriously, what is the point of taking off work from a low-wage job to vote for someone who doesn't care that it may mean not being able to pay basic bills because of that loss of income? How exactly does a candidate convince a low-wage worker to make that sacrifice without making low wage workers a priority?
posted by Little Dawn at 8:53 AM on June 10, 2019 [17 favorites]
Meanwhile Republicans are out there declaring everyone who isn't a white male suburban homeowner to be the enemy.
As you note, these groups are being treated as the enemy, so why should they not be a priority? And if these groups don't feel like a priority of the Democratic party, why should they bother to vote for a candidate that won't acknowledge the war being waged on everyone who isn't a white male suburban homeowner? If the Democrats won't fight, then who will? If the Democrats won't fight, then they might as well be waging that war alongside the Republicans.
And seriously, what is the point of taking off work from a low-wage job to vote for someone who doesn't care that it may mean not being able to pay basic bills because of that loss of income? How exactly does a candidate convince a low-wage worker to make that sacrifice without making low wage workers a priority?
posted by Little Dawn at 8:53 AM on June 10, 2019 [17 favorites]
Okay, but how do you square that with people in this same thread who are outraged that the DNC won't host a climate debate, at which minimum wage and immigration may not be discussed at all? How can EVERYTHING be a priority?
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:06 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:06 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
Since Hilary Clinton's share of the Latino vote in 2016 was under Obama's in both 2008 and 2012, the Democratic Party and Dem primary candidates ought to put more effort into reaching out to a growing voter block.
As it is, Dem Party operatives are concerned about the comparatively slow rate of growth in their share Hispanic voters (NYT). Even in the crucial state of Florida, Democrats are struggling to make up for their 2018 shortcomings with Latino outreach ahead of 2020 (Orlando Sentinel). And Politico reports that some Dem primary candidates don't even have an adequate Spanish-language page on their campaign websites (O'Rourke, Sanders) or even one at all (Buttigieg, Delaney, Yang—something in common with Trump 2020).
This is basic get-out-the-vote campaigning, and 2020 is not the election for complacency of any kind.
I just get frustrated with these threads sometimes. So much anger directed at Democrats, for a bunch of conflicting reasons.
Yes, the megathread discussion can definitely become frustrating, especially about charged topics. Grounding it in news helps keep things in perspective (I think, or at least hope). It's early days in the Dem primary, and perhaps we can revisit this topic after the first debate when there are more developments.
Nothing beats going out and volunteering, of course.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:09 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
As it is, Dem Party operatives are concerned about the comparatively slow rate of growth in their share Hispanic voters (NYT). Even in the crucial state of Florida, Democrats are struggling to make up for their 2018 shortcomings with Latino outreach ahead of 2020 (Orlando Sentinel). And Politico reports that some Dem primary candidates don't even have an adequate Spanish-language page on their campaign websites (O'Rourke, Sanders) or even one at all (Buttigieg, Delaney, Yang—something in common with Trump 2020).
This is basic get-out-the-vote campaigning, and 2020 is not the election for complacency of any kind.
I just get frustrated with these threads sometimes. So much anger directed at Democrats, for a bunch of conflicting reasons.
Yes, the megathread discussion can definitely become frustrating, especially about charged topics. Grounding it in news helps keep things in perspective (I think, or at least hope). It's early days in the Dem primary, and perhaps we can revisit this topic after the first debate when there are more developments.
Nothing beats going out and volunteering, of course.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:09 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
RIP, Trump and Macron’s Friendship Tree
After spending just over one short year on this planet, Donald Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron’s symbolic “friendship tree” has perished, according to multiple reports from French media. (Now, what does that symbolize?)posted by kirkaracha at 9:09 AM on June 10, 2019 [11 favorites]
@erinscafe: July 2018: Kavanaugh Is a Mentor To Women Because He Hired My Daughter But Don’t Worry This Is Not a Blatant Tiger Mother Ploy To Get Her a Supreme Court Clerkship She’s Not Even Applying
June 2019: There Must Be Some Mistake Sophia’s Supposed To Be In the Army Right
Sooo... I guess Amy Chua's daughter is supposed to be a JAG lawyer for the Army now, but she's been tapped to clerk for Kavanaugh instead--after Chua wrote in defense of Kavanaugh last summer. So that's cute.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:13 AM on June 10, 2019 [25 favorites]
June 2019: There Must Be Some Mistake Sophia’s Supposed To Be In the Army Right
Sooo... I guess Amy Chua's daughter is supposed to be a JAG lawyer for the Army now, but she's been tapped to clerk for Kavanaugh instead--after Chua wrote in defense of Kavanaugh last summer. So that's cute.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:13 AM on June 10, 2019 [25 favorites]
Latinos are tired of their issues not being prioritized. Young people are tired of climate change not being prioritized. Women are tired of women's issues not being prioritized. Minimum wage workers are tired of income inquality and Wall Street malfeasance not being prioritized. Etc.
I think people are tired of candidates having secret priorities they’re not willing to acknowledge, while claiming that “everything is a priority” and they will never have to choose.
If you have a limited resource such as time and you’re not using it on a group of the population you think will definitely vote for you because they have no other choice, then it says really loudly “you don’t actually care about these issues, you care about making us think you do when you want to get elected”.
And sure, some folks will vote anyway, but they’re definitely not going to volunteer/give their all.
posted by corb at 9:21 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
I think people are tired of candidates having secret priorities they’re not willing to acknowledge, while claiming that “everything is a priority” and they will never have to choose.
If you have a limited resource such as time and you’re not using it on a group of the population you think will definitely vote for you because they have no other choice, then it says really loudly “you don’t actually care about these issues, you care about making us think you do when you want to get elected”.
And sure, some folks will vote anyway, but they’re definitely not going to volunteer/give their all.
posted by corb at 9:21 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
Okay, but how do you square that with people in this same thread who are outraged that the DNC won't host a climate debate, at which minimum wage and immigration may not be discussed at all? How can EVERYTHING be a priority?
I think 'everything' is a priority, which is why I'm an avid Warren supporter. I think it is outrageous that climate change is not front and center in the election debates, and I think minimum wage and immigration are interrelated issues in that discussion, because it is all part of what the future of our country and the world is going to be - there is no separating any of it if we're going to have a realistic discussion. As we address climate change, we need to have better and more sustainable jobs, and we've got to stop thinking in terms of punitive closed borders. We have to protect human rights, and all of it fits together, because these are not diametrically opposed issues, and they are not separated into mutually exclusive boxes.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:21 AM on June 10, 2019 [37 favorites]
I think 'everything' is a priority, which is why I'm an avid Warren supporter. I think it is outrageous that climate change is not front and center in the election debates, and I think minimum wage and immigration are interrelated issues in that discussion, because it is all part of what the future of our country and the world is going to be - there is no separating any of it if we're going to have a realistic discussion. As we address climate change, we need to have better and more sustainable jobs, and we've got to stop thinking in terms of punitive closed borders. We have to protect human rights, and all of it fits together, because these are not diametrically opposed issues, and they are not separated into mutually exclusive boxes.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:21 AM on June 10, 2019 [37 favorites]
The Koch Brothers are considering spending tons of money to defend Democratic incumbents from progressive primary challengers.
The big money wings of both parties are on the same side.
posted by The Whelk at 9:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [42 favorites]
The big money wings of both parties are on the same side.
posted by The Whelk at 9:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [42 favorites]
CNN Breaking News: Justice Department Strikes Deal With House Democrats Over Mueller Report Evidence, Nadler Says
While the DoJ-HJC negotiations drag on, Crooked Media's Brian Beutler suggests that Jerry Nadler should go rogue and break with Pelosi on impeachment: "What impeachment supporters seek isn’t an immediate House floor vote on articles of impeachment, but an inquiry, run through the House Judiciary Committee, that would end with the referral of suggested charges to the full House, or with no action at all. Recent reporting suggests the chairman of that committee, Jerry Nadler, already supports beginning such an inquiry. The shortcut to impeachment, then, isn’t more aggressive, bank shot efforts to force Pelosi’s hand, but for Nadler to simply defy her."
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:55 AM on June 10, 2019 [13 favorites]
House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said Monday he has struck a deal with the Justice Department to begin providing Congress with some documents from the Mueller Report related to obstruction of justice.In a statement, Nadler said:
Nadler announced the agreement ahead of a vote scheduled for Tuesday, when the House will decide whether to approve a resolution to go to court to enforce its subpoena of Attorney General William Barr and former White House counsel Don McGahn.
I am pleased to announce that the Department of Justice has agreed to begin complying with our committee’s subpoena by opening Robert Mueller’s most important files to us, providing us with key evidence that the Special Counsel used to assess whether the President and others obstructed justice or were engaged in other misconduct. The Department will share the first of these documents with us later today.[…]Politico's Andrew Desiderio tweeted a list of the the documents in question, including FBI interviews (notably multiple ones from Hope Hicks and Don McGahn), contemporaneous notes (particularly Anne Donaldson's), and assorted memoranda (such as a draft of the Comey firing letter).
Given our conversations with the Department, I will hold the criminal contempt process in abeyance for now. We have agreed to allow the Department time to demonstrate compliance with this agreement. If the Department proceeds in good faith and we are able to obtain everything that we need, then there will be no need to take further steps. If important information is held back, then we will have no choice but to enforce our subpoena in court and consider other remedies.
While the DoJ-HJC negotiations drag on, Crooked Media's Brian Beutler suggests that Jerry Nadler should go rogue and break with Pelosi on impeachment: "What impeachment supporters seek isn’t an immediate House floor vote on articles of impeachment, but an inquiry, run through the House Judiciary Committee, that would end with the referral of suggested charges to the full House, or with no action at all. Recent reporting suggests the chairman of that committee, Jerry Nadler, already supports beginning such an inquiry. The shortcut to impeachment, then, isn’t more aggressive, bank shot efforts to force Pelosi’s hand, but for Nadler to simply defy her."
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:55 AM on June 10, 2019 [13 favorites]
I am all in for Warren but I am not all in for two white people on the ticket. It’s not up to me but that seems wrong IMHO.
posted by Bella Donna at 9:59 AM on June 10, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 9:59 AM on June 10, 2019 [13 favorites]
Nadler is being slow-rolled by both Barr and Pelosi, and it breaks my heart to watch it.
posted by Harry Caul at 10:00 AM on June 10, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 10:00 AM on June 10, 2019 [12 favorites]
I am all in for Warren but I am not all in for two white people on the ticket. It’s not up to me but that seems wrong IMHO.
Which potential veep candidates will allow themselves to be dyed, then? Because I agree with your sentiment but I also have a pretty good idea of whom the powers that be will declare Electable in the end.
posted by delfin at 10:04 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Which potential veep candidates will allow themselves to be dyed, then? Because I agree with your sentiment but I also have a pretty good idea of whom the powers that be will declare Electable in the end.
posted by delfin at 10:04 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Department will share the first of these documents with us later today.
What makes Nadler think they will share the complete, actual documents? Nobody should trust the current DoJ to be truthful.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:08 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
What makes Nadler think they will share the complete, actual documents? Nobody should trust the current DoJ to be truthful.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:08 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I am all in for Warren but I am not all in for two white people on the ticket. It’s not up to me but that seems wrong IMHO.
That is why I dream of a Warren/Harris ticket. Because FUCK ELECTABILITY. Warren and Harris are two of our best and brightest.
I think Julián Castro would be a good pick for Warren's VP (he could help bring in Texas) and so would Cory Booker, though the latter is from New Jersey and I don't know if a "two East Coast states" ticket would work. Xavier Becerra from California is another possibility.
Any one of these men would satisfy the "at least one person of color and at least one male on the ticket" criteria. But I waaaaant Warren/Harris. #NeverBiden and #NeverBernie, for sure. Good god if we need, like absitively possolutely need, a white guy, there's Jay Inslee and his climate change platform! And he's a governor!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:09 AM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
That is why I dream of a Warren/Harris ticket. Because FUCK ELECTABILITY. Warren and Harris are two of our best and brightest.
I think Julián Castro would be a good pick for Warren's VP (he could help bring in Texas) and so would Cory Booker, though the latter is from New Jersey and I don't know if a "two East Coast states" ticket would work. Xavier Becerra from California is another possibility.
Any one of these men would satisfy the "at least one person of color and at least one male on the ticket" criteria. But I waaaaant Warren/Harris. #NeverBiden and #NeverBernie, for sure. Good god if we need, like absitively possolutely need, a white guy, there's Jay Inslee and his climate change platform! And he's a governor!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:09 AM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
Harris has the added bonus of being able to be a real knife-fighter to help get Warren’s policies through Congress, something I don’t see the B-Team (Buttigieg, Booker, Beto) being as successful at doing. Klobuchar could do it, too.
Edit: Disclaimer — Warren/Harris is my preference right now, too.
posted by darkstar at 10:11 AM on June 10, 2019 [15 favorites]
Edit: Disclaimer — Warren/Harris is my preference right now, too.
posted by darkstar at 10:11 AM on June 10, 2019 [15 favorites]
Dan Lipinski vs. Marie Newman: The Democratic Party is protecting one of its last anti-abortion members in a safe blue district. Why? (Tara Golshan, Vox)
The DCCC says it’s committed to incumbents, a loyalty to dues-paying members, that it believes represent the party’s best chance of keeping control in the House. And the DCCC’s chair, Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, is a big proponent of “big tent” politics. Progressive lawmakers in Congress are still railing against what they see as a “divisive” policy that effectively “blacklists” groups and candidates.posted by ZeusHumms at 10:14 AM on June 10, 2019 [8 favorites]
The Democratic Party may need ideological diversity to regain national power, but already, Lipinski’s side of the “big tent” is looking sparse. Newman came within 2,200 votes of beating Lipinski in 2018. She’s running again, already picking up endorsements from progressive groups like Emily’s List and NARAL, as well as from 2020 presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders and Gov. Jay Inslee. In a year when Democrats are newly energized around abortion rights, the Democratic apparatus protecting an anti-abortion candidate in friendly territory is raising eyebrows.
The Whelk
You'd hope that the Koch name is toxic enough among Democratic voters that any candidate taking their filthy right wing money would be ending their political career. But I'm probably assigning more knowledge to the average voter than they have, most likely the average Democratic voter has never heard of the Kochs and has no opinion on them.
posted by sotonohito at 10:16 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
You'd hope that the Koch name is toxic enough among Democratic voters that any candidate taking their filthy right wing money would be ending their political career. But I'm probably assigning more knowledge to the average voter than they have, most likely the average Democratic voter has never heard of the Kochs and has no opinion on them.
posted by sotonohito at 10:16 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
Harris has the added bonus of being able to be a real knife-fighter to help get Warren’s policies through Congress.
I'm not American and I'm sure something you all know is beyond my reach, but Harris is my favorite because she is a fighter, and we are in a situation in this time and in this world where we need someone who can take on a big fight. IMO we are in a time equivalent to 1933, where you could still choose between darkness and light. But very soon we will pass that treshold and we need our people to be on the offensive and not polite about it. I totally love Warren, she is a star, but my gut feeling is that Harris is stronger. I may be wrong, and anyway, I have to believe Americans know best what to do.
posted by mumimor at 10:19 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm not American and I'm sure something you all know is beyond my reach, but Harris is my favorite because she is a fighter, and we are in a situation in this time and in this world where we need someone who can take on a big fight. IMO we are in a time equivalent to 1933, where you could still choose between darkness and light. But very soon we will pass that treshold and we need our people to be on the offensive and not polite about it. I totally love Warren, she is a star, but my gut feeling is that Harris is stronger. I may be wrong, and anyway, I have to believe Americans know best what to do.
posted by mumimor at 10:19 AM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm opposed to Warren, or whoever the nominee is, picking Buttigieg as their veep because it'd instantly catapult him from "boy billionaire mayor of nowhere who wants to buy his way to the top of the political ladder" to "vice president and therefore serious contender for President".
I want Buttigieg, like Yang, to go down so hard and suffer so much humiliation that the other billionaire assholes like them who think it'd be fun to buy their way into the Presidency give up and stop trying.
posted by sotonohito at 10:22 AM on June 10, 2019 [10 favorites]
I want Buttigieg, like Yang, to go down so hard and suffer so much humiliation that the other billionaire assholes like them who think it'd be fun to buy their way into the Presidency give up and stop trying.
posted by sotonohito at 10:22 AM on June 10, 2019 [10 favorites]
The Democratic Party is protecting one of its last anti-abortion members in a safe blue district ... The DCCC says it’s committed to incumbents.
Once again I remind you that the DCCC is not the Democratic Party, despite the word "Democratic" in its name. The DCCC is a committee formed by incumbent Democrats, who join together to raise money personally for their fellow incumbents. They do not spend hours a day on the phones to raise money for their opponents any more than Warren raises money for Sanders.
It's embarrassing that a Vox pundit doesn't understand this.
posted by JackFlash at 10:24 AM on June 10, 2019 [20 favorites]
Once again I remind you that the DCCC is not the Democratic Party, despite the word "Democratic" in its name. The DCCC is a committee formed by incumbent Democrats, who join together to raise money personally for their fellow incumbents. They do not spend hours a day on the phones to raise money for their opponents any more than Warren raises money for Sanders.
It's embarrassing that a Vox pundit doesn't understand this.
posted by JackFlash at 10:24 AM on June 10, 2019 [20 favorites]
The Koches are libertarian, not party-line GOP, so they've already spent money to send out mailers supporting Democrats when it comes to supporting DREAMers and immigration reform (NPR, 2018), and co-funded a study that (re)confirmed Climate Change (MetaFilter, 2011).
And I'm not familiar with Buttigieg's financial status, but Celebrity Net Worth says he has a $250 Thousand net worth, with an annual salary of $149 Thousand. This site is cited elsewhere (from Fox to Heavy), but I can't state how accurate it is. Why do you think he's in the billionaire boys club?
posted by filthy light thief at 10:28 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
And I'm not familiar with Buttigieg's financial status, but Celebrity Net Worth says he has a $250 Thousand net worth, with an annual salary of $149 Thousand. This site is cited elsewhere (from Fox to Heavy), but I can't state how accurate it is. Why do you think he's in the billionaire boys club?
posted by filthy light thief at 10:28 AM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
picking Buttigieg as their veep because it'd instantly catapult him from "boy billionaire mayor of nowhere who wants to buy his way to the top of the political ladder"
Am I missing a joke?
Buttigieg is not a billionaire. His parents were academics.
Or are there some secret billions you know about?
I agree about Yang certainly.
posted by thefoxgod at 10:29 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
Am I missing a joke?
Buttigieg is not a billionaire. His parents were academics.
Or are there some secret billions you know about?
I agree about Yang certainly.
posted by thefoxgod at 10:29 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
Inside Jerry Nadler's private push to open up impeachment inquiry (Manu Raju and Jeremy Herb for CNN, updated 6:00 PM ET, Thu June 6, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 10:32 AM on June 10, 2019 [12 favorites]
At a frank meeting this week, House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler again lobbied to win Speaker Nancy Pelosi's support for an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.I like Nadler's plan, and it sounds pretty logical to me, but what do I know?
Nadler, who appealed to the speaker that the House's court cases against the Trump administration would be bolstered by launching an impeachment inquiry, also offered two new arguments in the hopes of convincing Pelosi from moving off her steadfast opposition, according to a source with knowledge of the meeting.
First, Nadler argued opening an impeachment probe would centralize the House's sprawling investigations now spread across various panels into just one: The House Judiciary Committee. He argued that the other committees looking into various Trump controversies and scandals could instead focus on moving the party's legislative agenda, while his panel -- with its unique expertise -- would investigate the alleged crimes of Trump before deciding whether to formally vote on articles of impeachment.
Secondly, Nadler made a technical argument that it would be easier for lawmakers to discuss the President's alleged offenses on the House floor and in committees during a formal impeachment inquiry because House rules forbid members from disparaging individuals.
But Nadler met powerful resistance.
First was from Pelosi, who said she would rather see Trump "in prison" than impeached, according to Politico. He was also rebuffed by House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff, who himself is also playing a major role investigating Trump and his conduct while in office, according to another source familiar with the matter.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:32 AM on June 10, 2019 [12 favorites]
You'd hope that the Koch name is toxic enough among Democratic voters that any candidate taking their filthy right wing money would be ending their political career.
I'd assume if anyone was concerned about this, the money would be channeled through enough layers of dark money front groups that no one would know it came from the Kochs till well after the election. They are evil, but not amateurs.
posted by bcd at 10:33 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'd assume if anyone was concerned about this, the money would be channeled through enough layers of dark money front groups that no one would know it came from the Kochs till well after the election. They are evil, but not amateurs.
posted by bcd at 10:33 AM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
My mistake, I'd have sworn Buttigieg was a billionaire. Apologies to him then. I still hate the idea of him becoming veep, but for different reasons.
posted by sotonohito at 10:34 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 10:34 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
The DCCC is a committee formed by incumbent Democrats, who join together to raise money personally for their fellow incumbents.
This is their official line, but as I've said before, in reality they're perfectly okay with defending extremely safe centrist and right-wing incumbents like Lipinski, while also sharpening for their knives for attacks on any incumbents pushing for an actual progressive agenda.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:40 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
This is their official line, but as I've said before, in reality they're perfectly okay with defending extremely safe centrist and right-wing incumbents like Lipinski, while also sharpening for their knives for attacks on any incumbents pushing for an actual progressive agenda.
posted by zombieflanders at 10:40 AM on June 10, 2019 [7 favorites]
I've seen a fair bit of Buttigieg hate lately and I must admit, I don't get it. I don't think he's qualified to be the top of the ticket, but he seems like a promising VP. In that role, I'd give him a pass on the "we need a break from white males" on the grounds that he isn't a straight white male and representation matters.
Have I missed something?
posted by bcd at 10:40 AM on June 10, 2019 [11 favorites]
Have I missed something?
posted by bcd at 10:40 AM on June 10, 2019 [11 favorites]
Company part-owned by Jared Kushner got $90m from unknown offshore investors since 2017.
Overseas investment flowed to Cadre while Trump’s son-in-law works as US envoy, raising conflict of interest questions.
posted by adamvasco at 10:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
Overseas investment flowed to Cadre while Trump’s son-in-law works as US envoy, raising conflict of interest questions.
posted by adamvasco at 10:43 AM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
the summary of the buttigieg hate is that while its nice to have a millenial candidate who can articulately string multisylabic words together, hes pretty far to the right of what most of us would have hoped for in a breakthrough young candidate. i, too, am excited that hes an open and proud gay man, i just wish the black residents of the city hes been in charge of had better things to say about him, that he wasn't quite so into war-making, AND THAT HE ACTUALLY HAD FEASIBLE PLANS FOR ANYTHING - seriously this is his supreme court solution straight from his campaign website:
We need to reform the Supreme Court in a way that will strengthen its independence and restore the American people’s trust in it as a check to the Presidency and the Congress. One promising idea is to restructure the Court so that ten members are confirmed in the normal political fashion, with the other five promoted from the lower courts by unanimous agreement of the other ten.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:46 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
We need to reform the Supreme Court in a way that will strengthen its independence and restore the American people’s trust in it as a check to the Presidency and the Congress. One promising idea is to restructure the Court so that ten members are confirmed in the normal political fashion, with the other five promoted from the lower courts by unanimous agreement of the other ten.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:46 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
I'd have sworn Buttigieg was a billionaire. Apologies to him then. I still hate the idea of him becoming veep, but for different reasons.
Outsider perspective here. I'm Canadian.
Please don't focus on who and what you hate with regard to Democratic nominees and platforms. That always goes divisive. But rather put your energy to who and what you love (or at least, don't mind). It will, of course, get dirty before it's all done, but no need to consciously be agents of that. I hope.
posted by philip-random at 10:49 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
Outsider perspective here. I'm Canadian.
Please don't focus on who and what you hate with regard to Democratic nominees and platforms. That always goes divisive. But rather put your energy to who and what you love (or at least, don't mind). It will, of course, get dirty before it's all done, but no need to consciously be agents of that. I hope.
posted by philip-random at 10:49 AM on June 10, 2019 [26 favorites]
while also sharpening for their knives for attacks on any incumbents pushing for an actual progressive agenda.
You are completely misrepresenting that tweet. The DCCC is not attacking or running ads against progressive incumbents. They may be accepting donations from sources that do not agree with all their policies and members but all candidates do that. There is a big difference between accepting donations and spending donations. You are inaccurately implying that the DCCC is spending money attacking progressive incumbents. That is not true.
posted by JackFlash at 10:54 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
You are completely misrepresenting that tweet. The DCCC is not attacking or running ads against progressive incumbents. They may be accepting donations from sources that do not agree with all their policies and members but all candidates do that. There is a big difference between accepting donations and spending donations. You are inaccurately implying that the DCCC is spending money attacking progressive incumbents. That is not true.
posted by JackFlash at 10:54 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
the summary of the buttigieg hate
Ah. Yes, I can see the problem there. It does look like I've missed important details about him. I'm still uncomfortable with Harris's prosecutor background, but maybe Warren/Harris would be better than Warren/Buttigieg.
posted by bcd at 10:55 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ah. Yes, I can see the problem there. It does look like I've missed important details about him. I'm still uncomfortable with Harris's prosecutor background, but maybe Warren/Harris would be better than Warren/Buttigieg.
posted by bcd at 10:55 AM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Watching Elizabeth Warren Come Alive (Dahlia Lithwick, Slate)
"After the heartbreak of 2016, Elizabeth Warren is giving women new reasons to hope." [...]posted by ZeusHumms at 10:55 AM on June 10, 2019 [43 favorites]
Do I worry that Elizabeth Warren isn’t fantastic on the stump? I do. But Warren doesn’t seem to care much about being loved. She cares a lot about explaining where things fell apart. So her campaign goes to tiny blue-collar towns in tiny red states she cannot hope to win, and she talks about opioid addiction with Trump supporters who have never met a presidential hopeful and may never meet one again. The labor here is about connecting the dots more than lighting crowds on fire.
Watching this play out on the trail, I couldn’t help but think of an idea Rebecca Solnit recently explored in a piece about our possible newfound resistance to “great men” theories of governance. Solnit suggests that we may be finally tiring of:the hero as an attention-getter, a party-crasher, a fame-seeker, and at least implicitly a troublemaker in the guise of a problem-solver. And maybe we as a society are getting tired of heroes, and a lot of us are certainly getting tired of overconfident white men. Even the idea that the solution will be singular and dramatic and in the hands of one person erases that the solutions to problems are often complex and many faceted and arrived at via negotiations.What Solnit is holding out as the new ideal of leadership is not, by any stretch, exclusively female. But it is an idea less tethered to goose bump–y speeches, or the kind of charisma that leaves an audience thrilled yet unable to recall any idea actually expressed. We’ve now elected two “charismatics” in a row to the presidency, and the model Warren is building, while not lacking in surface polish, surely doesn’t coast on it. Her campaign is less TED talk than graduate seminar. And her “students” become evangelists of her big ideas more than evangelists of her.
I guess Trump's election mean experience doesn't matter any more, but Buttigieg is too inexperienced for me.
A mayor has never been elected president, and the last time a mayor was nominated by a major party was in 1812.
538: Which Offices Are Good Stepping Stones To The Presidency?
The vice president needs to be qualified to be president on Day One, so I don't like Buttigieg as a VP candidate, either.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:02 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
A mayor has never been elected president, and the last time a mayor was nominated by a major party was in 1812.
Every President of the United States except Donald Trump has served as at least one of the following:When Obama first ran for president he had been an Illinois senator for six+ years and and a United States senator for 3+ years.
- Vice President of the United States
- a Member of Congress (either U.S. Senator or Representative)
- a Governor of a state
- a Cabinet Secretary
- a General of the United States Army
538: Which Offices Are Good Stepping Stones To The Presidency?
We went back to the very first presidential election in 1789 and looked up the highest civilian government office that each major party’s nominee1 had held at any time before the election (excluding the presidency, since we’re not trying to measure re-election rates). ...Below is a table of the various offices in the order we decided to rank them, plus the total number of nominees — and winners — for whom that was the highest office they reached before their run.I don't think he's qualified to be the top of the ticket, but he seems like a promising VP.
The vice president needs to be qualified to be president on Day One, so I don't like Buttigieg as a VP candidate, either.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:02 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
I’m 100% in for an all woman ticket. Warren/Harris, Warren/Abrams would be great. It was women who brought about the 2018 wave, let them lead it in 2020.
Do I worry that Elizabeth Warren isn’t fantastic on the stump? I do.
Every time I’ve seen her on the stump or in a town hall or basically anywhere, she’s lighting up the crowd. And then stays after taking pictures with anyone who wants, even stretching over an hour to get through the long lines who do so. I don’t worry about her on the stump at all. The Bill Clinton version of good with crowds/on the stump isn’t the only way. We went through this with Hillary on how charisma is usually and inaccurately associated with male traits. Warren may not be the smarmer/charmer Bill was, but she has charisma to burn.
posted by chris24 at 11:04 AM on June 10, 2019 [38 favorites]
Do I worry that Elizabeth Warren isn’t fantastic on the stump? I do.
Every time I’ve seen her on the stump or in a town hall or basically anywhere, she’s lighting up the crowd. And then stays after taking pictures with anyone who wants, even stretching over an hour to get through the long lines who do so. I don’t worry about her on the stump at all. The Bill Clinton version of good with crowds/on the stump isn’t the only way. We went through this with Hillary on how charisma is usually and inaccurately associated with male traits. Warren may not be the smarmer/charmer Bill was, but she has charisma to burn.
posted by chris24 at 11:04 AM on June 10, 2019 [38 favorites]
Please don't focus on who and what you hate with regard to Democratic nominees and platforms. That always goes divisive. But rather put your energy to who and what you love (or at least, don't mind)
Oh look at the Canadian trying to be all reasonable and focusing on the good instead of reveling in the negative. Way to go eh!
Of course I'm Canadian too and fully endorse this message
posted by cirhosis at 11:11 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
Oh look at the Canadian trying to be all reasonable and focusing on the good instead of reveling in the negative. Way to go eh!
Of course I'm Canadian too and fully endorse this message
posted by cirhosis at 11:11 AM on June 10, 2019 [14 favorites]
Daily Beast reports on Trump's latest appointment of an acting head in his cabinet: Ken Cuccinelli Wanted to End Birthright Citizenship & Militarize Border—Now He’s Trump’s Immigration Chief
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:13 AM on June 10, 2019 [10 favorites]
Former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli’s long-rumored role as a top coordinator of the Department of Homeland Security immigration policy finally has an official title. According to an email sent to staff at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Monday, the longtime border hawk has been named acting director of the agency*, whose 19,000 employees orchestrate the country’s immigration and naturalization system.[…]* Buzzfeed's Hamed Aleaziz notes, "Cuccinelli's official title is principal deputy director." This is a purely nonce title designed to circumvent the Federal Vacancies Reform Act since he can't be named as the official Acting Director. The Trump administration now has acting heads at the CBP, DHS, DoD, FEMA, ICE, and USCIS.
The note also previews an escalation of Trump’s crackdown on the asylum system, with Cuccinelli vowing to “work to find long-term solutions to close asylum loopholes that encourage many to make the dangerous journey into the United States so that those who truly need humanitarian protections... receive them.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:13 AM on June 10, 2019 [10 favorites]
The Rebecca Solnit article is worth a mention on its own:
Rebecca Solnit: When the Hero is the Problem (Lithub)
Rebecca Solnit: When the Hero is the Problem (Lithub)
"On Robert Mueller, Greta Thunberg, and Finding Strength in Numbers"posted by ZeusHumms at 11:18 AM on June 10, 2019 [25 favorites]
In the wake of Robert Mueller’s long-awaited report, a lot of people reminded us that counting on Mueller to be the St. George who slew our dirtbag dragon was a way of writing off our own obligation and capacity. [...]
Our largest problems won’t be solved by heroes. They’ll be solved, if they are, by movements, coalitions, civil society.
Ann Selzer of the Iowa Selzer Poll: How proposed Democratic caucus rules make polling even harder, and how we crafted our best shot
posted by Chrysostom at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
Politico, Trump officials pushing to strip convicted terrorists of citizenship
Faris, however, was not born in the United States, and the Trump administration has a controversial plan for him as he’s about to be released: strip him of his U.S. citizenship and kick him out of the country. Or perhaps keep him behind bars indefinitely.posted by zachlipton at 11:24 AM on June 10, 2019 [13 favorites]
...
Just one day after Lindh was released from a federal prison in California last month, Justice Department lawyers filed a motion with a federal judge in Illinois, urging her to void Faris’ U.S. citizenship. The government’s key argument was that by linking up with al-Qaida between 2000 and 2003, Faris raised doubt that he was sincere when he pledged allegiance to the U.S. as part of his naturalization process in 1999.
“These facts establish Defendant affiliated with al Qaeda, a prohibited organization, within five years after naturalizing (indeed, within one year of naturalizing). That affiliation, in turn, is prima facie evidence Defendant was not attached to the principles of the Constitution or well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States, which are required to naturalize,” Justice Department attorneys wrote.
...
Since President Donald Trump took office, about 70 denaturalization cases were filed, a Justice Department official said this week. That’s about twice the pace for such cases at the end of the Obama administration, although many investigations straddled the two periods.
Normalizing denaturalization and terminating birthright citizenship are two necessary steps toward stripping citizenship from natural-born citizens whom the regime dislikes.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:30 AM on June 10, 2019 [72 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:30 AM on June 10, 2019 [72 favorites]
We need hope, not optimism:
This is why I find it difficult to converse with religious people, even those that mean well. The author wishes to distinguish hope and optimism because religion, but then comes up with a bit of nonsense like this.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
This is why I find it difficult to converse with religious people, even those that mean well. The author wishes to distinguish hope and optimism because religion, but then comes up with a bit of nonsense like this.
Optimism and pessimism are beliefs about the future. Optimists expect the future to turn out well; pessimists expect it to turn out badly.The poor guy swings and misses by saying hope is not about the future, then says it's about belief that you can make things better in the future, which is about the future, no? (In fairness, despair is about the present somewhat, too, but mainly current pain about the present coupled with fears that things will not get better in the future.) I didn't want to read further, because I expect just more of the same kind of misreading of meaning and mischaracterizing how things work. But I pushed on until he says not to look at polls or "worry" about Trump getting reeëlected, but rather:
Hope and its opposite (despair) are attitudes towards the present. Hope holds that efforts to make life better are worthwhile, while despair asserts their pointlessness. Hope says, “Let’s try it” and despair answers “Don’t bother.
Just do something. Campaign, demonstrate, give money, write letters, mobilize your friends. Whatever you can think of.Just do stuff? Don't worry about who will get elected? That's the deep religious message about hope? I mean, he's not wrong that you should do stuff, but aren't the candidates and their relative positions crucial to those efforts? What blather.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
stripping citizenship from natural-born citizens
I think it's possible that it could go as far as natural-born citizens of non-citizen parents ("anchor babies"), but a Mayflower descendant? It would take a Constitutional amendment, and not a popular one when you consider Wayne Lapierre would also be at risk. This is all assuming Republicans aren't able to suspend the Constitution itself.
I'm staying at my Mom's these days, and I managed to turn on the Mueller Report hearings with the HJC while she was taking a bath. She definitely hates Trump but also has a tendency to get bored, so I hope this is a happy alternative to getting her news from The View. We'll see how long she hangs out.
posted by rhizome at 12:28 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
I think it's possible that it could go as far as natural-born citizens of non-citizen parents ("anchor babies"), but a Mayflower descendant? It would take a Constitutional amendment, and not a popular one when you consider Wayne Lapierre would also be at risk. This is all assuming Republicans aren't able to suspend the Constitution itself.
I'm staying at my Mom's these days, and I managed to turn on the Mueller Report hearings with the HJC while she was taking a bath. She definitely hates Trump but also has a tendency to get bored, so I hope this is a happy alternative to getting her news from The View. We'll see how long she hangs out.
posted by rhizome at 12:28 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trump officials pushing to strip convicted terrorists of citizenship
In many jurisdictions, any association with a gang makes you a "street terrorist"
Homeland Security considers antifascists to be terrorists.
Terrorism is whatever they say it is. You're a terrorist right now if they want you to be.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:36 PM on June 10, 2019 [53 favorites]
In many jurisdictions, any association with a gang makes you a "street terrorist"
Homeland Security considers antifascists to be terrorists.
Terrorism is whatever they say it is. You're a terrorist right now if they want you to be.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:36 PM on June 10, 2019 [53 favorites]
Former U.S. Attorney Tells Congress Trump Committed ‘Multiple Crimes’
First, the conduct described in the report constitutes multiple crimes of obstruction of justice, supported by evidence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.posted by kirkaracha at 12:42 PM on June 10, 2019 [34 favorites]
If anyone other than a sitting president had committed this conduct, I am confident that he would be charged with crimes.
1,000 former federal prosecutors signed a letter agreeing that the president committed crimes.
Second, why it matters.
The obstruction described in the report created a risk to our national security because it was designed to prevent investigators from learning all of the facts about an attack on our country by a hostile foreign adversary.
Let me explain each of those observations.
Former U.S. Attorney Tells Congress Trump Committed ‘Multiple Crimes’
This is very well written. I'm interested to see how this tactic by House Judiciary plays out. I'm worried that the words of former US Attorney Barbara McQuade aren't going to penetrate into public consciousness in that way that they would if they were spoken by say former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
posted by diogenes at 1:04 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
This is very well written. I'm interested to see how this tactic by House Judiciary plays out. I'm worried that the words of former US Attorney Barbara McQuade aren't going to penetrate into public consciousness in that way that they would if they were spoken by say former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
posted by diogenes at 1:04 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
Every President of the United States except Donald Trump has served as at least one of the following:
Vice President of the United States
a Member of Congress (either U.S. Senator or Representative)
a Governor of a state
a Cabinet Secretary
a General of the United States Army
The problem I have with this kind of list of qualifications is that nowdays these people are 100 years old. Okay, I exaggerate. They are 75 years old.
posted by srboisvert at 1:05 PM on June 10, 2019
Vice President of the United States
a Member of Congress (either U.S. Senator or Representative)
a Governor of a state
a Cabinet Secretary
a General of the United States Army
The problem I have with this kind of list of qualifications is that nowdays these people are 100 years old. Okay, I exaggerate. They are 75 years old.
posted by srboisvert at 1:05 PM on June 10, 2019
It also doesn't quantify how someone who, say, had been a general but never held public office would compare with, say, a lieutenant who'd been a mayor.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 1:10 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by DrAstroZoom at 1:10 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm interested to see how this tactic by House Judiciary plays out.
Apparently this hearing isn't on TV at all (except CSPAN), so that isn't a great sign.
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Apparently this hearing isn't on TV at all (except CSPAN), so that isn't a great sign.
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on June 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
You could easily argue that a mayor has a more hands-on knowledge of the problems everyday people face than a senator.
posted by M-x shell at 1:16 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by M-x shell at 1:16 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I've seen a fair bit of Buttigieg hate lately and I must admit, I don't get it.
Ever since the catfish attempt, I've been more skeptical of criticism of him. A part of it is two-way homophobia, sadly; some of it overt, some of it less than up-front. He's too gay for some, and he's not the "right" kind of gay, for others.
We've had men and women running things at various executive levels. I donate to Warren's campaign and would be happy to vote for her, but America could definitely also use someone from the LGBTQ community who is out, running things, someone with a different perspective.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
Ever since the catfish attempt, I've been more skeptical of criticism of him. A part of it is two-way homophobia, sadly; some of it overt, some of it less than up-front. He's too gay for some, and he's not the "right" kind of gay, for others.
We've had men and women running things at various executive levels. I donate to Warren's campaign and would be happy to vote for her, but America could definitely also use someone from the LGBTQ community who is out, running things, someone with a different perspective.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
The right values and principles are more important qualifications than job titles or work experience in my eyes.
posted by BeginAgain at 1:44 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by BeginAgain at 1:44 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm not a fan of Buttigieg because of McKinsey, and 1,000 Houses in 1,000 Days, and 'SJWs' and 'all lives matter' and 'identity politics,' and because he doesn't seem to have a lot of real deep policy positions, and because South Bend is a city of barely 100,000 people, and because he is, in Rebecca Solnit's words, an overconfident white man.
And I'm not exactly sure what his game is here. Barring an implausible series of events, he's not going to win the nomination. Raise his political profile, sell some books, maybe the realistic best-case scenario is being some Baby Boomer's ticket-balancing VP in charge of millennial outreach? I'm hoping he drops out early enough that he can run for a House seat.
I'll vote for him if he gets the nomination, but, if the Democratic presidential nomination process was a series of job interviews, I'm not sure he'd meet the minimum qualifications.
posted by box at 1:46 PM on June 10, 2019 [39 favorites]
And I'm not exactly sure what his game is here. Barring an implausible series of events, he's not going to win the nomination. Raise his political profile, sell some books, maybe the realistic best-case scenario is being some Baby Boomer's ticket-balancing VP in charge of millennial outreach? I'm hoping he drops out early enough that he can run for a House seat.
I'll vote for him if he gets the nomination, but, if the Democratic presidential nomination process was a series of job interviews, I'm not sure he'd meet the minimum qualifications.
posted by box at 1:46 PM on June 10, 2019 [39 favorites]
It also doesn't quantify how someone who, say, had been a general but never held public office would compare with, say, a lieutenant who'd been a mayor.
Washington was instrumental in winning the American Revolution.
Grant was instrumental in winning the Civil War.
Eisenhower was instrumental in winning World War II.
And all held gigantic executive responsibilities.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:47 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
Washington was instrumental in winning the American Revolution.
Grant was instrumental in winning the Civil War.
Eisenhower was instrumental in winning World War II.
And all held gigantic executive responsibilities.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:47 PM on June 10, 2019 [6 favorites]
The right values and principles are more important qualifications than job titles or work experience in my eyes.
¿Por qué no los dos? There are plenty of more experienced candidates in the field that have good values and principles.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:49 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
¿Por qué no los dos? There are plenty of more experienced candidates in the field that have good values and principles.
posted by kirkaracha at 1:49 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Terrorism is whatever they say it is. You're a terrorist right now if they want you to be.
I recommend this fantastic Vice article detailing how the FBI redefined BLM-style advocacy as Black Identity Extremism.
posted by benzenedream at 1:50 PM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
I recommend this fantastic Vice article detailing how the FBI redefined BLM-style advocacy as Black Identity Extremism.
posted by benzenedream at 1:50 PM on June 10, 2019 [27 favorites]
I'm interested to see how this tactic by House Judiciary plays out.
Apparently this hearing isn't on TV at all (except CSPAN), so that isn't a great sign.
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on June 10 [1 favorite +] [!]
You can't expect broadcasters to show hearings that nobody will watch. As they progress, the hearings will produce clips that will be shown on nightly news shows, piquing viewer interest and as the narrative builds, it may come to the point where broadcasters cover the hearings live. *crosses fingers*
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
Apparently this hearing isn't on TV at all (except CSPAN), so that isn't a great sign.
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on June 10 [1 favorite +] [!]
You can't expect broadcasters to show hearings that nobody will watch. As they progress, the hearings will produce clips that will be shown on nightly news shows, piquing viewer interest and as the narrative builds, it may come to the point where broadcasters cover the hearings live. *crosses fingers*
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:23 PM on June 10, 2019 [5 favorites]
McConnell, however, doesn't appear to have said anything about this, and he's not shown any signs of allowing the various election security bills to the floor.
Update: Sludge, As He Blocks Election Security Bills, McConnell Takes Checks from Voting Machine Lobbyists
Update: Sludge, As He Blocks Election Security Bills, McConnell Takes Checks from Voting Machine Lobbyists
“The only logical conclusion is that Senator McConnell wants American elections to be vulnerable to hackers and foreign interference,” Wyden said. “It is unconscionable for Republicans to stick their heads in the sand and do nothing after what happened in 2016. If Congress doesn’t act, it’s only a matter of time before hackers successfully interfere again.”posted by zachlipton at 2:26 PM on June 10, 2019 [36 favorites]
...
ES&S hired lobbying firm Peck Madigan Jones in Oct. 2018 and paid it a combined $150,000 to lobby the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. ES&S did not employ any federal lobbyists in 2017, and when they reported lobbying in previous years it was at a much lower level, spending just $10,000 in many quarters. Dominion Voting Systems, which was recently acquired by New York-based hedge fund Staple Street Capital, signed its first-ever federal lobbying contract in January 2019 with Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck and has paid the company at least $30,000 so far to lobby Congress.
Several of the lobbyists working for ES&S and Dominion Voting Systems have recently made contributions to McConnell’s campaign and joint fundraising committee.
...
“It’s not surprising to me that Mitch McConnell is receiving these campaign contributions,” the Brennan Center for Justice’s Lawrence Noren told Sludge. “He seems single-handedly to be standing in the way of anything passing in Congress around election security, and that includes things that the vendors might want, like money for the states to replace antiquated equipment.”
Cuccinelli's official title is principal deputy director." This is a purely nonce title designed to circumvent the Federal Vacancies Reform Act since he can't be named as the official Acting Director
More on this from Steve Vladeck over at Lawfare: Ken Cuccinelli and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998
----
In other news, our very normal President on monetary policy: "Don't forget, the head of the Fed of China is President Xi, the president of China, he is also the head of the Fed. He can do whatever he wants."
posted by zachlipton at 2:45 PM on June 10, 2019 [15 favorites]
More on this from Steve Vladeck over at Lawfare: Ken Cuccinelli and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998
By this logic, nothing would prevent naming anyone, at any time, to run almost any senior agency for as long as the FVRA allows—a minimum of 210 days and perhaps more depending on when a permanent successor is nominated. There are obvious ways to fix the FVRA to prevent this president (or his successors) from similarly bypassing the Senate’s role in cases like these. The problem is finding the bipartisan political willpower in Congress to adopt them.@chrisgeidner: I'd add that this is even more problematic than it at first appears because the creation of this new position is being done by an acting secretary who himself is only in his position because the Trump administration pushed out people ahead of him in the DHS line of succession.
----
In other news, our very normal President on monetary policy: "Don't forget, the head of the Fed of China is President Xi, the president of China, he is also the head of the Fed. He can do whatever he wants."
posted by zachlipton at 2:45 PM on June 10, 2019 [15 favorites]
I hadn't seen de Blasio's campaign logo until today. Is there any way to look at that and not see it as the absolute bare minimum effort necessary to pretend he is actually running a campaign, without running a real campaign?
posted by Justinian at 4:00 PM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 4:00 PM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
Review of Russia investigation beginnings will be 'broad and multifaceted,' Justice Dept. says
*big fuckin' sigh*
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:00 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
*big fuckin' sigh*
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:00 PM on June 10, 2019 [2 favorites]
Congress spent more time investigating Benghazi than it did investigating 9/11. If any member of the Russia investigation trimmed their fingernails slightly crookedly at any point, rest assured that Louie Gohmert and Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan will get to the bottom of it.
posted by delfin at 4:16 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by delfin at 4:16 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
Harris poll for Axios: 40% of Americans would rather live in a socialist country than a capitalist one, including 55% of women aged 18-54
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:20 PM on June 10, 2019 [54 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:20 PM on June 10, 2019 [54 favorites]
In other news, our very normal President on monetary policy: "Don't forget, the head of the Fed of China is President Xi, the president of China, he is also the head of the Fed. He can do whatever he wants."
Throughout that phone-in interview on CNBC, Trump sounds just as unhinged and threatening. Vox's Aaron Rupar has highlights (w/video):
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:25 PM on June 10, 2019 [32 favorites]
Throughout that phone-in interview on CNBC, Trump sounds just as unhinged and threatening. Vox's Aaron Rupar has highlights (w/video):
—Here's President Trump calling in to CNBC and describing the Federal Reserve as "very, very destructive" while making a case for a rate cut. "We have people -- it's more than just Jay Powell -- we have people on the Fed that really weren't, ah, they're not my people."** CNN commentator Keith Boykin points out: "Trump calls into CNBC to complain that the people on the Fed are "not my people" even though he appointed 4 of the 5 current Federal Reserve board members: Jerome Powell, Richard Clarida, Randal Quarles and Michelle Bowman. How are they not his people?"
—Asked if he thinks tech companies like Google should be broken up, Trump says, "well I can tell you they discriminate against me. People talk about collusion -- the real collusion is between the Democrats & these companies, because they were so against me during my election run."
—Trump calls for the federal govt to sue tech & social media companies: "The EU is suing them all the time. We're going to maybe look at it differently. We have a great AG, we're going to be looking at it differently... [the EU] gets all this money. Well, we should be doing that."
—Trump's CNBC phoner concludes on a fascistic note with him demanding that the US Chamber of Commerce "start representing the United States, not just the companies that are members of the US Chamber of Commerce."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:25 PM on June 10, 2019 [32 favorites]
"Every President of the United States—
Stop right there.
posted by perspicio at 6:26 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
Stop right there.
posted by perspicio at 6:26 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
@byrdinator: Rep. Justin Amash tells me he stepped down from the House Freedom Caucus and the HFC board tonight. “I have the highest regard for them, and they’re my close friends,” Amash said. “I didn’t want to be a further distraction for the group.”
posted by zachlipton at 6:42 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 6:42 PM on June 10, 2019 [3 favorites]
'Corruption in Plain Sight': Jared Kushner Firm Took in $90 Million From Unnamed Foreign Entities Since 2017
posted by The Whelk at 6:55 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:55 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
Biden at a fundraiser tonight, on his desire to work with the Republican Party post Trump.
“With Trump gone you’re going to begin to see things change. Because these folks know better. They know this isn’t what they’re supposed to be doing."
He's not even trying to make sense.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:10 PM on June 10, 2019 [49 favorites]
“With Trump gone you’re going to begin to see things change. Because these folks know better. They know this isn’t what they’re supposed to be doing."
He's not even trying to make sense.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:10 PM on June 10, 2019 [49 favorites]
Biden is clinging to the delusion that Trump is an aberration, when in reality he's the purest form of the right wing. I pray for Biden to exit this race, he is not up to the task at hand.
posted by tocts at 8:17 PM on June 10, 2019 [71 favorites]
posted by tocts at 8:17 PM on June 10, 2019 [71 favorites]
Biden sat front row for 8 years and watched Mitch McConnell from point blank range. He was in the room as the Republican's last acts of the Obama administration were to steal a SCOTUS seat and aide and deny the Russian attack on our Democracy. And this was his lesson learned.
That statement should be instantly disqualifying. Full stop. He needs to drop out tonight.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:29 PM on June 10, 2019 [90 favorites]
That statement should be instantly disqualifying. Full stop. He needs to drop out tonight.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:29 PM on June 10, 2019 [90 favorites]
Given that he is not, in any conceivable universe, going to drop out tonight, I'm not sure there's much point in saying that.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:42 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:42 PM on June 10, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'm not sure there's much point in saying that.
If we can't say "this thing that almost definitely won't happen absolutely has to happen or we're doomed" then how are we to discuss politics?
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:51 PM on June 10, 2019 [23 favorites]
If we can't say "this thing that almost definitely won't happen absolutely has to happen or we're doomed" then how are we to discuss politics?
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:51 PM on June 10, 2019 [23 favorites]
Just what we need, a stupid and narcissistic President.
Mark Schmitt:
I think Biden believes this b/c of 2013 budget deal, where McConnell used him as cover to back down, claiming that he could cut a deal w/ Biden but not Obama. I thought at the time that it was convenient BS, but maybe Joe fell for it.
posted by chris24 at 8:52 PM on June 10, 2019 [25 favorites]
Mark Schmitt:
I think Biden believes this b/c of 2013 budget deal, where McConnell used him as cover to back down, claiming that he could cut a deal w/ Biden but not Obama. I thought at the time that it was convenient BS, but maybe Joe fell for it.
posted by chris24 at 8:52 PM on June 10, 2019 [25 favorites]
I'm not sure there's much point in saying that.
There's a school of thought that says you should make your demands bigger than anything you actually expect your opponent to concede to right away, in order to make your desired result sound possible and to define the boundaries of the debate in a favorable way. You say "Abolish ICE" or Medicare for All" even when the "reasonable people" are calling it a pipe dream, and eventually the idea gets out there and the reasonable people are forced to start taking it seriously and field questions about it. So yeah, of course Biden should resign, and more people should make the case.
posted by contraption at 9:13 PM on June 10, 2019 [40 favorites]
There's a school of thought that says you should make your demands bigger than anything you actually expect your opponent to concede to right away, in order to make your desired result sound possible and to define the boundaries of the debate in a favorable way. You say "Abolish ICE" or Medicare for All" even when the "reasonable people" are calling it a pipe dream, and eventually the idea gets out there and the reasonable people are forced to start taking it seriously and field questions about it. So yeah, of course Biden should resign, and more people should make the case.
posted by contraption at 9:13 PM on June 10, 2019 [40 favorites]
Given that he is not, in any conceivable universe, going to drop out tonight, I'm not sure there's much point in saying that.
This is how he wins the nomination and we get President-for-life Tom Cotton in 2024. Say what you mean and what is right, not what is electable.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:17 PM on June 10, 2019 [20 favorites]
This is how he wins the nomination and we get President-for-life Tom Cotton in 2024. Say what you mean and what is right, not what is electable.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:17 PM on June 10, 2019 [20 favorites]
If you have somehow gotten the impression that I'm a Biden fan, or that I am concerned about "electability," I can assure you that that is not correct.
However, by your logic, we should just fill the thread with, "Every elected Republican should resign" every time something happens (i.e., about 35 times a day). I guess I don't see much point in that, particularly given the readership of these threads.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:29 PM on June 10, 2019 [16 favorites]
However, by your logic, we should just fill the thread with, "Every elected Republican should resign" every time something happens (i.e., about 35 times a day). I guess I don't see much point in that, particularly given the readership of these threads.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:29 PM on June 10, 2019 [16 favorites]
Labor Beat!
When the Independent Spirit award-winning movie, “Sorry to Bother You,” played in the Salt Lake Film Society, the front-of-house staff learned by observing the characters — low-wage call center workers — and they mobilized.
posted by The Whelk at 9:38 PM on June 10, 2019 [36 favorites]
When the Independent Spirit award-winning movie, “Sorry to Bother You,” played in the Salt Lake Film Society, the front-of-house staff learned by observing the characters — low-wage call center workers — and they mobilized.
posted by The Whelk at 9:38 PM on June 10, 2019 [36 favorites]
Oh ffs. Yeah, nothing shows you're right about Republicans being better after Trump than highlighting meaningless fake concern about Republican destruction of democracy that occurred ... checks notes .... before Trump was nominee/president.
Sahil Kapur:
Per pooler @alexi: “Biden backed up the claim by recalling when he called 12 of his former Republican colleagues after Merrick Garland’s SCOTUS nomination was blocked by McConnell and they all expressed external concerns.”
posted by chris24 at 9:38 PM on June 10, 2019 [19 favorites]
Sahil Kapur:
Per pooler @alexi: “Biden backed up the claim by recalling when he called 12 of his former Republican colleagues after Merrick Garland’s SCOTUS nomination was blocked by McConnell and they all expressed external concerns.”
posted by chris24 at 9:38 PM on June 10, 2019 [19 favorites]
"America Is a Poor Country for most of its people."
posted by The Whelk at 9:43 PM on June 10, 2019 [30 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:43 PM on June 10, 2019 [30 favorites]
Mod note: One deleted; enough on whether to say Biden should bow out
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:45 PM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:45 PM on June 10, 2019 [4 favorites]
Just do stuff? Don't worry about who will get elected? That's the deep religious message about hope?
It's not just a religious message. It's also the message of Timothy Snyder's "The Road to Unfreedom." And if "Star Wars: Rogue One." And of "The Good Place." And of the civil rights movement and of history, really.
"Just try." We can't predict when or if the dam will burst, and it may not be in our lifetime, but we know it can only happen if we keep up the pressure. I think it's a really important idea. Muder wrote about it in more humanitistic terms here.
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [20 favorites]
It's not just a religious message. It's also the message of Timothy Snyder's "The Road to Unfreedom." And if "Star Wars: Rogue One." And of "The Good Place." And of the civil rights movement and of history, really.
"Just try." We can't predict when or if the dam will burst, and it may not be in our lifetime, but we know it can only happen if we keep up the pressure. I think it's a really important idea. Muder wrote about it in more humanitistic terms here.
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [20 favorites]
There will be current senators and House members in the primary debates who have a competitive interest in dumping on McConnell the most. The "these folks know better" argument is not going to last long against other candidates who are around "these folks" in Congress, and hearing that will be... clarifying.
posted by holgate at 5:13 AM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by holgate at 5:13 AM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
The NYT's Maggie Haberman reports from within the Trump reelection campaign: Trump Needs a Target to Stay Interested in His Campaign. For Now, It’s Biden.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:32 AM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
Late at night, using his old personal cellphone number, President Trump has been calling former advisers who have not heard from him in years, eager to discuss his standing in the polls against the top Democrats in the field — specifically Joseph R. Biden Jr., whom he describes in those conversations as “too old” and “not as popular as people think.”As usual, there's a lot of unsourced but potentially significant information here, but what's no less interesting is how the Grey Lady is framing Biden as implicitly the Dem contender. Haberman literally does not mention a single other candidate, something not even Trump does at his rallies and in his tweets. Fabrizio and Parscale wouldn't be doing their jobs if they weren't gaming out scenarios with Sanders, Warren, Harris, Buttigieg, et al. as potential opponents. Either Haberman's sources don't want to discuss this or Haberman doesn't. She gives the game away in her article's conclusion, by way of scandal-struck former Trump 2016 campaign chief spokesman Jason Miller: "Trump is always strongest when he has a direct foil." His (whisper) re-election campaign wants to influence who it will be.
After being briefed on a devastating 17-state poll conducted by his campaign pollster, Tony Fabrizio, Mr. Trump told aides to deny that his internal polling showed him trailing Mr. Biden in many of the states he needs to win, even though he is also trailing in public polls from key states like Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania. And when top-line details of the polling leaked, including numbers showing the president lagging in a cluster of critical Rust Belt states, Mr. Trump instructed aides to say publicly that other data showed him doing well.[…]
In a recent overarching state-of-the-race briefing in Florida with Brad Parscale, his campaign manager, Mr. Trump was consistently distracted and wanted to discuss other things, according to people familiar with the meeting. When it came to the campaign, his main focus was on his own approval numbers.[…]
Mr. Trump has griped about traveling too much, but then lashed out at aides, demanding to know, “Why am I not doing more rallies?” He insists on having final approval over the songs on his campaign playlist, as well as the campaign merchandise, but he has never asked to see a budget for 2019.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:32 AM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
This is where Biden could actually be useful. If Trump decides that he's his nemesis and puts all his effort into fighting with Biden for the next year, he's not thinking about the other candidates. This is only really effective if Biden bows out in the primaries to clear the way for a serious candidate like Warren or Harris. I don't know how likely that is, but keeping Trump distracted and attacking a candidate that he won't actually be running against would be a great strategy.
posted by wabbittwax at 5:54 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by wabbittwax at 5:54 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
keeping Trump distracted and attacking a candidate that he won't actually be running against would be a great strategy.
It would also feed a "Dems in Disarray" narrative and be spun as Trump being so strong that he drove out the putative front-runner, the actual nominee is literally an also-ran, etc.
posted by carmicha at 6:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
It would also feed a "Dems in Disarray" narrative and be spun as Trump being so strong that he drove out the putative front-runner, the actual nominee is literally an also-ran, etc.
posted by carmicha at 6:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
The "Dems in Disarray" narrative will be spun regardless. The GOP will operate in bad faith regardless of what we do.
Why does anyone care what the right-wing reaction will be to anything anymore? We've talked about this before, stop letting fear of the right-wing's narrative dictate our actions. It's a derail, knock it off.
posted by VTX at 6:45 AM on June 11, 2019 [42 favorites]
Why does anyone care what the right-wing reaction will be to anything anymore? We've talked about this before, stop letting fear of the right-wing's narrative dictate our actions. It's a derail, knock it off.
posted by VTX at 6:45 AM on June 11, 2019 [42 favorites]
Politico: ‘That Is F—Ing Frightening’: Treasury’s Top Brass Is White, Male and Wealthy—A lack of diversity in the highest ranks of the Trump-era Treasury Department is a microcosm of challenges across the administration.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:50 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
Out of roughly 20 officials who routinely attend senior staff meetings led by Mnuchin, only three are women and one is a person of color. In fiscal year 2018, the hiring of minorities at Treasury fell to its lowest pace in five years, according to the department’s own statistics, while the number of women and minorities leaving the agency outpaced their hiring.Incidentally, Mnuchin let slip that the Trump administration's national security sanction of Huawei is just a bogus bargaining chip in Trump's trade war with China: Mnuchin Says Trump Could Ease Up On Huawei If Trade Talks Advance (Reuters)
Treasury has fewer policy disagreements these days, said one former official, because the top decision-makers are overwhelmingly white, male and wealthy. That can make the debates less robust and also gives the department the feeling of “being disconnected from reality,” said one administration official.
“When you do not have diversity at an agency in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and financial perspective and those are the people driving our policy, that is f---ing frightening,” said another former administration official.[…]
When asked during a congressional hearing in 2018 about the department’s mandated office of minority and women inclusion that goes by the acronym OMWI, Mnuchin stumbled. He could not muster the name of the person who ran it, or the number of times he’d met with her.
“I think what the president is saying is, if we move forward on trade, that perhaps he’ll be willing to do certain things on Huawei if he gets comfort from China on that and certain guarantees,” Mnuchin said. “But these are national security issues.[…]Meanwhile @realDonaldTrump's been tweet-ranting about what he's been watching on Fox this morning, with a special multi-part attack on Fox Business's Maria Bartiromo, Steve Forbes, and Dagan McDonald for conducting a critical interview with Trump's Council of Economic Advisers chair, Kevin Hassett, about China tariffs (MMA's Matthew Gertz).
“If China wants to move forward with the deal, we’re prepared to move forward on the terms we’ve done. If China doesn’t want to move forward, then President Trump is perfectly happy to move forward with tariffs to rebalance the relationship,” Mnuchin said.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:50 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
The Whelk: "America Is a Poor Country for most of its people."
posted by filthy light thief at 7:15 AM on June 11, 2019 [31 favorites]
There are days I feel like I read dystopian statistics for a living. And then there are day when the dystopian statistics take even my jaded breath away. Here’s one: 43% of American households (CNN Money, 2018, citing a United Way ALICE* study) can’t afford a budget that includes housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and a cellphone. Translation: nearly half of Americans can’t afford the basics of life anymore.* "This effort provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities, a population called ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)." Here's a comparison of states, with county-by-county evaluations, too.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:15 AM on June 11, 2019 [31 favorites]
can’t afford the basics of life anymore
When could they? The huge growth in economic inequality since the early 1970s is a central fact and problem, but don't romanticize the past. Fifty Years Of Growth In American Consumption, Income, And Wages: "Despite the large increase in U.S. income inequality, consumption for families at the 25th and 50th percentiles of income has grown steadily over the time period 1960-2015."
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:27 AM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
When could they? The huge growth in economic inequality since the early 1970s is a central fact and problem, but don't romanticize the past. Fifty Years Of Growth In American Consumption, Income, And Wages: "Despite the large increase in U.S. income inequality, consumption for families at the 25th and 50th percentiles of income has grown steadily over the time period 1960-2015."
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:27 AM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Getting Poorer While Working Harder: The “Cliff Effect” There is no place in the country where a family supported by one minimum-wage worker with a full-time job can live and afford a 2-bedroom apartment at the average fair-market rent. If the minimum wave was raised to the urchssing power it had when started and intended to be a living wage it would be 33$ an hour
posted by The Whelk at 8:01 AM on June 11, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:01 AM on June 11, 2019 [19 favorites]
Mod note: Maybe the inquality/wealth/poverty thing can head over to this wealth thread or another?
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:08 AM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
Here's an argument from a former member of Congress that Nancy Pelosi knows what she's doing re: impeachment. "She knows timing is everything—and she’s skilled at shaping public sentiment."
posted by PhineasGage at 8:20 AM on June 11, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 8:20 AM on June 11, 2019 [9 favorites]
Nancy Pelosi knows what she's doing
Great article. I may disagree with some of the assumptions, but it presents a strategy that makes internal sense.
I guess what frustrates me is that Pelosi says things that seem to undermine this strategy.
posted by diogenes at 8:34 AM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
Great article. I may disagree with some of the assumptions, but it presents a strategy that makes internal sense.
I guess what frustrates me is that Pelosi says things that seem to undermine this strategy.
posted by diogenes at 8:34 AM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
I guess what frustrates me is that Pelosi says things that seem to undermine this strategy.
For example, with her prison comment, she basically said that if they impeach and the Senate doesn't convict, Trump is forever off the hook for his crimes. How does that help drive public sentiment in the right direction? (Not to mention the problem of it being untrue.)
posted by diogenes at 8:44 AM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
For example, with her prison comment, she basically said that if they impeach and the Senate doesn't convict, Trump is forever off the hook for his crimes. How does that help drive public sentiment in the right direction? (Not to mention the problem of it being untrue.)
posted by diogenes at 8:44 AM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm still baffled by an approach of bending a constitutional duty to any kind of strategy. That attitude has never gotten my vote. Stand up for something you swore an oath to, or stand down.
posted by Harry Caul at 8:48 AM on June 11, 2019 [42 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 8:48 AM on June 11, 2019 [42 favorites]
I'm still baffled by an approach of bending a constitutional duty to any kind of strategy.
Fair enough. I agree. But if there's going to be a strategy, I'd feel a lot better if it was discernible and the words of the implementers of the strategy aligned with it.
posted by diogenes at 9:00 AM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Fair enough. I agree. But if there's going to be a strategy, I'd feel a lot better if it was discernible and the words of the implementers of the strategy aligned with it.
posted by diogenes at 9:00 AM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
diogenes: For example, with her prison comment, she basically said that if they impeach and the Senate doesn't convict, Trump is forever off the hook for his crimes. How does that help drive public sentiment in the right direction? (Not to mention the problem of it being untrue.)
There's a fine needle to thread here. I think it's important for at least some people to be vocally honest about the present legal/political realities without seeming to resign ourselves to it. So while of course a non-conviction by the Senate isn't an actual legal defense, there's no doubt his defense team would use it, and not at all impossible a jury or judge would be swayed by the argument. Of course, there would also be hay made from failure to impeach on similar grounds, and even the least-likely outcome, conviction ("He was already punished! This is double jeopardy!") Just because some bit of legal theory is really nonsense doesn't mean it will have no real-world power.
There's a possible strategic tack of saying, with one hand patriotically over one's heart, "We hope the Republican Party can find the courage to do the right thing". There's another that says "We know damn well they absolutely never will". Pelosi's problem seems to be a wavering between both -- which is an issue I think she shares with Bob Mueller, because both of them, who in reality have few illusions about the overall situation, have kind of been hoping for the other one to relieve them of the burden of drawing 100% of the fire. She'll impeach if he says "Do it!"; he'll support (or at least accept) impeachment if she'll take the initiative instead.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:15 AM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
There's a fine needle to thread here. I think it's important for at least some people to be vocally honest about the present legal/political realities without seeming to resign ourselves to it. So while of course a non-conviction by the Senate isn't an actual legal defense, there's no doubt his defense team would use it, and not at all impossible a jury or judge would be swayed by the argument. Of course, there would also be hay made from failure to impeach on similar grounds, and even the least-likely outcome, conviction ("He was already punished! This is double jeopardy!") Just because some bit of legal theory is really nonsense doesn't mean it will have no real-world power.
There's a possible strategic tack of saying, with one hand patriotically over one's heart, "We hope the Republican Party can find the courage to do the right thing". There's another that says "We know damn well they absolutely never will". Pelosi's problem seems to be a wavering between both -- which is an issue I think she shares with Bob Mueller, because both of them, who in reality have few illusions about the overall situation, have kind of been hoping for the other one to relieve them of the burden of drawing 100% of the fire. She'll impeach if he says "Do it!"; he'll support (or at least accept) impeachment if she'll take the initiative instead.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:15 AM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Pelosi and Biden both understand the public's need for hope that things, post-Trump, can get back to normal. They can't say the quiet bit out loud: things will never get back to normal with the current Republican leadership; deadlock and unending opposition is the new normal for another generation. Say that out loud, and a lot of voters will just stay home and tune out.
posted by SPrintF at 9:22 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by SPrintF at 9:22 AM on June 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
So while of course a non-conviction by the Senate isn't an actual legal defense, there's no doubt his defense team would use it,
I never get the “he’ll use non-conviction as a defense” reasoning for not starting hearings. What do people think he’s gonna do with not being impeached at all.
posted by chris24 at 9:26 AM on June 11, 2019 [12 favorites]
I never get the “he’ll use non-conviction as a defense” reasoning for not starting hearings. What do people think he’s gonna do with not being impeached at all.
posted by chris24 at 9:26 AM on June 11, 2019 [12 favorites]
Just because some bit of legal theory is really nonsense doesn't mean it will have no real-world power.
Sure, we can debate the real-world power of legal nonsense, but it doesn't address my core question. The article says this:
Then Pelosi will have achieved her goal: a broader public consensus for impeachment and stronger, if not necessarily overwhelming, bipartisan support.
Did the prison comment further either of those goals?
posted by diogenes at 9:30 AM on June 11, 2019
Sure, we can debate the real-world power of legal nonsense, but it doesn't address my core question. The article says this:
Then Pelosi will have achieved her goal: a broader public consensus for impeachment and stronger, if not necessarily overwhelming, bipartisan support.
Did the prison comment further either of those goals?
posted by diogenes at 9:30 AM on June 11, 2019
This was on the sidebar of the article about Pelosi's strategy:
A Republican Explains Why Clinton Was Guilty and Trump Is Not
Representative Steve Chabot is one of the last two GOP members of the House Judiciary Committee who voted for impeachment in 1998.
I don't know if it's funny or sad or infuriating. But it's not remotely honest. The Republicans are going to face a reckoning at some point, the hard thing is that it might be next year, and there might be another ten years of blatant abuse of the constitution and the people.
posted by mumimor at 9:34 AM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
A Republican Explains Why Clinton Was Guilty and Trump Is Not
Representative Steve Chabot is one of the last two GOP members of the House Judiciary Committee who voted for impeachment in 1998.
I don't know if it's funny or sad or infuriating. But it's not remotely honest. The Republicans are going to face a reckoning at some point, the hard thing is that it might be next year, and there might be another ten years of blatant abuse of the constitution and the people.
posted by mumimor at 9:34 AM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
In the article about Pelosi linked about, the former Congressman/author shares this story: "A few days before the vote, Pelosi hunted me down on the House floor and asked why I couldn’t oppose the measure. When I told her that many of my constituents favored it, she looked me squarely in the eye and said, 'Well, educate them.' " So my question is, how is Pelosi making sure that the voters are getting educated now? Because I don't see that yet.
In other news, I subscribe to Primaries for Progress, a newsletter from Data for Progress. From today's newsletter:
Right now, Virginia is voting, with a slew of important state legislative and local primaries on tap. We’ll walk through the state’s most important Democratic primaries, including every contested state legislative primary in a seat that a Democrat could plausibly win. Polls are open until 7 PM, and for any of our Virginia readers: you need an approved photo ID to vote. (If you forget to bring it with you, you can still cast a provisional ballot and verify your ID later by following the instructions given to you at your polling place.)
posted by Bella Donna at 9:58 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
In other news, I subscribe to Primaries for Progress, a newsletter from Data for Progress. From today's newsletter:
Right now, Virginia is voting, with a slew of important state legislative and local primaries on tap. We’ll walk through the state’s most important Democratic primaries, including every contested state legislative primary in a seat that a Democrat could plausibly win. Polls are open until 7 PM, and for any of our Virginia readers: you need an approved photo ID to vote. (If you forget to bring it with you, you can still cast a provisional ballot and verify your ID later by following the instructions given to you at your polling place.)
posted by Bella Donna at 9:58 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
"There's your reason, duh!" Pelosi-parsing is quickly emulating John Oliver's "We got him!" about Trump.
posted by rhizome at 10:02 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 10:02 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
On the medicare/aid debate: Obamacare works at preventing deaths.
Drop in heart disease deaths linked to ACA's Medicaid expansion, study says
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on June 11, 2019 [21 favorites]
Drop in heart disease deaths linked to ACA's Medicaid expansion, study says
New research supports the notion that Obamacare has improved the health of Americans: State expansions in Medicaid appear to have cut the number of deaths from heart disease.Source Study: Association of Medicaid Expansion With Cardiovascular Mortality, JAMA, 2019.
Counties in states with expanded Medicaid experienced an average of four fewer deaths from heart disease per 100,000 people than states that didn't accept the expansion under the Affordable Care Act.
In real terms, that's about 2,000 fewer deaths a year among middle-aged adults.
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on June 11, 2019 [21 favorites]
I feel like Nancy Pelosi right now is engaging the James Watson / Howard Schultz / Ben Carson thing. Competence in one field doesn't automatically translate into another.
She is clearly very good at head-counting and backroom arm-twisting and all the things that are necessary to get legislation passed and a political caucus unified.
But from everything I've seen she is terrible at messaging. She's one of the (many, many) politicians on my own side who I avoid watching or listening to, because it's just painful to watch her trot out obviously workshopped soundbites, or utterly fail to connect the dots or elucidate a clear through-line in her arguments.
Which I think is totally on display with the whole "prison" kerfuffle. Everyone's scrambling to provide some sort of logical underpinning to her argument, because she hasn't provided one. Personally, I was taken aback by it because my "head canon" for her anti-impeachment stance was that she wanted to demonstrate that she hasn't prejudged anything, she doesn't have a particular outcome in mind, thus if impeachment happened it would be because the evidence demanded it. Which is obviously completely contradicted by saying that she does in fact have a particular outcome in mind. (Not only that, but it's an outcome that's totally inappropriate for her to be suggesting, and I think this would legitimately be treated as scandalous in normal times.)
But the fact that I had a "head canon" for what she was saying earlier in the first place, just underlines to me the muddiness and incoherence of her stated position.
posted by bjrubble at 10:25 AM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
She is clearly very good at head-counting and backroom arm-twisting and all the things that are necessary to get legislation passed and a political caucus unified.
But from everything I've seen she is terrible at messaging. She's one of the (many, many) politicians on my own side who I avoid watching or listening to, because it's just painful to watch her trot out obviously workshopped soundbites, or utterly fail to connect the dots or elucidate a clear through-line in her arguments.
Which I think is totally on display with the whole "prison" kerfuffle. Everyone's scrambling to provide some sort of logical underpinning to her argument, because she hasn't provided one. Personally, I was taken aback by it because my "head canon" for her anti-impeachment stance was that she wanted to demonstrate that she hasn't prejudged anything, she doesn't have a particular outcome in mind, thus if impeachment happened it would be because the evidence demanded it. Which is obviously completely contradicted by saying that she does in fact have a particular outcome in mind. (Not only that, but it's an outcome that's totally inappropriate for her to be suggesting, and I think this would legitimately be treated as scandalous in normal times.)
But the fact that I had a "head canon" for what she was saying earlier in the first place, just underlines to me the muddiness and incoherence of her stated position.
posted by bjrubble at 10:25 AM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
Review of Russia investigation beginnings will be 'broad and multifaceted,' Justice Dept. says
Although couched in neutral-sounding language, the threat in assistant Attorney General/former Sessions flack/not-a-licensed-attorney Stephen Boyd's letter to congress is very real and shouldn't get lost in the megathread discussion. Similarly, the timing of its release in the middle of negotiations between the DoJ and HJC about access to underlying Mueller and the various House committee moves toward holding Barr in contempt is emphatically a warning shot.
Meanwhile, the NYT published a lengthy, ingratiating profile of Barr: People Are Trying to Figure Out William Barr. He’s Busy Stockpiling Power. Its egregious framing presents Barr's lawless politicization of the DoJ as merely a source of partisan disagreement. For instance, it opens with Barr having dinner with Lindsey Graham to strategize investigating the FBI's investigation of the Trump 2016 campaign shortly before the release of the Mueller report, presented as Dick Cheney–like backroom power politics and not, bluntly, an authoritarian scheme to punishing perceived political enemies. It spends the most of its 4,000 words in reviewing Barr's career without establishing it in the context of his current actions at the DoJ without considering that his early "aggressive view of presidential powers outlined in Article II of the Constitution" may have led to a Fox-ified Trumpian worldview nowadays.
NYMag's Jonathan Chait confronts the Barr of today: In Terrifying Interview, William Barr Goes Full MAGA
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:26 AM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
Although couched in neutral-sounding language, the threat in assistant Attorney General/former Sessions flack/not-a-licensed-attorney Stephen Boyd's letter to congress is very real and shouldn't get lost in the megathread discussion. Similarly, the timing of its release in the middle of negotiations between the DoJ and HJC about access to underlying Mueller and the various House committee moves toward holding Barr in contempt is emphatically a warning shot.
Meanwhile, the NYT published a lengthy, ingratiating profile of Barr: People Are Trying to Figure Out William Barr. He’s Busy Stockpiling Power. Its egregious framing presents Barr's lawless politicization of the DoJ as merely a source of partisan disagreement. For instance, it opens with Barr having dinner with Lindsey Graham to strategize investigating the FBI's investigation of the Trump 2016 campaign shortly before the release of the Mueller report, presented as Dick Cheney–like backroom power politics and not, bluntly, an authoritarian scheme to punishing perceived political enemies. It spends the most of its 4,000 words in reviewing Barr's career without establishing it in the context of his current actions at the DoJ without considering that his early "aggressive view of presidential powers outlined in Article II of the Constitution" may have led to a Fox-ified Trumpian worldview nowadays.
NYMag's Jonathan Chait confronts the Barr of today: In Terrifying Interview, William Barr Goes Full MAGA
Barr’s long, detailed interview with [CBS's] Jan Crawford suggests the rot goes much deeper than a simple mania for untrammeled Executive power. Barr has drunk deep from the Fox News worldview of Trumpian paranoia.[…]For further reference about how Barr has systematically distorted the Mueller report, Just Security presents a side-by-side comparison of Barr’s vs. Mueller’s statements about the special counsel report.
Barr, as he has done repeatedly, provides a deeply misleading account of what Robert Mueller found. “He did not reach a conclusion,” he says. “He provided both sides of the issue, and … his conclusion was he wasn’t exonerating the president, but he wasn’t finding a crime either.”[…]
Later in the interview, Barr grossly contradicts Mueller’s findings with regard to Trump’s ties to Russia. “Mueller has spent two and half years, and the fact is, there is no evidence of a conspiracy,” he says. “So it was bogus, this whole idea that the Trump was in cahoots with the Russians is bogus.”[…]
Barr hints repeatedly throughout the interview that he has seen secret evidence he cannot share that supports his sinister conclusion [about FBI/DoJ officials with a "Praetorian Guard mentality" about investigating the Trump campaign]. “I have not gotten answers that are well satisfactory, and in fact probably have more questions, and that some of the facts that I’ve learned don’t hang together with the official explanations of what happened,” he says. “That’s all I really will say. Things are just not jiving.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:26 AM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
On the one hand, this opinion piece leaves "gay space" out of the headline (though the picture of the asteroid helps offset that) but on the other it has the best correction of the day.
Correction: June 11, 2019posted by phearlez at 10:53 AM on June 11, 2019 [9 favorites]
An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the leaders of the 13th-century invasion of Central Asia. It was the Mongols, not the Golden Horde.
Youth Circulations features a recent column by anthropologist Angela Stuessa, "Vengeance Drives Trump Immigration Policy." They also present an open, multilingual letter from Mayab' scholars in diaspora to The United States, Mexican, and Guatemalan governments demanding accountability for the deaths of Maya children and youth seeking asylum and refuge in the U.S..
posted by gudrun at 11:04 AM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 11:04 AM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
Source Study: Association of Medicaid Expansion With Cardiovascular Mortality, JAMA, 2019.
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on June 11 [8 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Most boneheaded (sorry) article title ever. It should say "Negative Association of Medicaid Expansion with Cardiovascular Mortality, JAMA, 2019."
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:10 AM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by bonehead at 10:18 AM on June 11 [8 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Most boneheaded (sorry) article title ever. It should say "Negative Association of Medicaid Expansion with Cardiovascular Mortality, JAMA, 2019."
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:10 AM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trump just held another impromptu presser outside the White House on his way to Nebraska and Iowa, and it's a lulu.
CNBC: Moments ago: Pres. Trump showed reporters a page of paper which he said contains his admin.'s "very long" agreement with Mexico that stopped tariffs from being imposed on its imports. Trump also reiterated he believes China will do a trade deal & expects to meet Xi at the G20. (It's actually not even a full page: close-up pix.)
CBS's Mark Knoller: Pressed further by reporters, Pres Trump says the additional deal with Mexico - on that piece of paper - "goes into effect when I want it to." "This is my option," he says."
Vox's Aaron Rupar: Trump touts that he "gave $16 billion to the farmers," but then catches himself and says, "we don't give it to them, they earn it."
CNN's Eliana Johnson: “Nancy is a mess, the Democratic Party is a mess,” Trump tells reporters before taking off for Iowa, adding that they’re “committing many crimes.”
The AP's Zeke Miller: Trump tells reporters he saw reports that Kim Jong Un's half brother was a CIA asset. Says he'd tell KJU: "I wouldn't let that happen under my auspices" (Daily Beast: Kim Jong Un’s Half-Brother Kim Jong Nam Was CIA Informant: Report)
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:38 AM on June 11, 2019 [19 favorites]
CNBC: Moments ago: Pres. Trump showed reporters a page of paper which he said contains his admin.'s "very long" agreement with Mexico that stopped tariffs from being imposed on its imports. Trump also reiterated he believes China will do a trade deal & expects to meet Xi at the G20. (It's actually not even a full page: close-up pix.)
CBS's Mark Knoller: Pressed further by reporters, Pres Trump says the additional deal with Mexico - on that piece of paper - "goes into effect when I want it to." "This is my option," he says."
Vox's Aaron Rupar: Trump touts that he "gave $16 billion to the farmers," but then catches himself and says, "we don't give it to them, they earn it."
CNN's Eliana Johnson: “Nancy is a mess, the Democratic Party is a mess,” Trump tells reporters before taking off for Iowa, adding that they’re “committing many crimes.”
The AP's Zeke Miller: Trump tells reporters he saw reports that Kim Jong Un's half brother was a CIA asset. Says he'd tell KJU: "I wouldn't let that happen under my auspices" (Daily Beast: Kim Jong Un’s Half-Brother Kim Jong Nam Was CIA Informant: Report)
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:38 AM on June 11, 2019 [19 favorites]
I watched him waving that piece of paper around, but I never expected the photographers would be able to grab that good a photo of it. The part where he was telling the press to guess what was in the paper almost made my head explode (even though I know perfectly well that's predictable behaviour from him).
posted by sardonyx at 11:49 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by sardonyx at 11:49 AM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
I know trying to parse what he means is a fool's errand, but is Trump saying he wouldn't let "Kim's half brother works for the CIA" happen, or that he wouldn't let "CIA asset gets killed" happen?
posted by emelenjr at 12:01 PM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 12:01 PM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
So the "secret" "option" is that if the Mexico gov't doesn't comply with the terms of the joint declaration within 45 days of signing, they.... get another 45 days? That's that big option?
posted by schoolgirl report at 12:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by schoolgirl report at 12:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Waving a blank piece of paper around claiming it says something and saying he’d protect an enemy dictator from US Intelligence. And Republicans won’t say a word. And Pelosi won’t impeach. Great state of affairs here in America.
posted by chris24 at 12:07 PM on June 11, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 12:07 PM on June 11, 2019 [26 favorites]
I watched him waving that piece of paper around, but I never expected the photographers would be able to grab that good a photo of it.
This has happened before
here
here
and here
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:10 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
This has happened before
here
here
and here
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:10 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
Oh, I know the photographers are great at grabbing shots of the text written on flat pieces of paper. I was just surprised they could get as clear a shot of a folded up piece of paper where the text wasn't visible and where he was waving it around. Kudos to the photographers and the photo editors for making the unseen viewable.
posted by sardonyx at 12:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by sardonyx at 12:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Some more from the WH press pool reports about Trump's pre-flight gaggle:
** n.b. Pelosi privately made her remarks about wanting Trump "in prison" during a closed-door conference with fellow Democrats, who subsequently leaked them to the press. Unlike Trump's public trashing of Mueller and Pelosi at the American cemetery at Normandy, as hallowed ground as Arlington.
Also, as a heads up, per the WH pool, George Stephanopoulos is flying out on AF1 and is is scheduled to interview Trump for something that will air this Sunday.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:44 PM on June 11, 2019 [7 favorites]
Asked about his trip to Iowa this afternoon, POTUS said he's "the best thing that has happened to the farmers." He referenced his administration's efforts to lift restrictions on ethanol in gasoline, saying, "We gave them ethanol, which nobody was ever going to do, which Biden didn't do in eight years as vice president."* Correction: Trump said, "I never do. My poll numbers are great. The amazing thing is all I do is get hit by this phony witch hunt."
He ignored questions about whether he instructed staff to lie about his poll numbers*. Instead, he responded: "My poll numbers are great. The amazing thing is all I do is get hit by this phony witch hunt."
On Pelosi/Democrats: "Nancy is a mess... they are guilty of many, many crimes. All they do is waste time where there is no obstruction, no collusion. And in the meantime, we can't get anything done. We need them to work on illegal immigration, on drug prices, on infrastructure."
"Pelosi attacked me. She made a horrible statement** that I'm sure she wished she didn't make... while I was with the Queen of England, while I was with the president of France, and you're not supposed to do that, OK?"
** n.b. Pelosi privately made her remarks about wanting Trump "in prison" during a closed-door conference with fellow Democrats, who subsequently leaked them to the press. Unlike Trump's public trashing of Mueller and Pelosi at the American cemetery at Normandy, as hallowed ground as Arlington.
Also, as a heads up, per the WH pool, George Stephanopoulos is flying out on AF1 and is is scheduled to interview Trump for something that will air this Sunday.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:44 PM on June 11, 2019 [7 favorites]
So the "secret" "option" is that if the Mexico gov't doesn't comply with the terms of the joint declaration within 45 days of signing, they.... get another 45 days? That's that big option?
IANADiplomat, but it wouldn't surprise me if this sort of "trial period" language wasn't standard boilerplate in trade treaties; one party (or both) reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement if early indicators suggest it's not working out the way it was intended to.
And exercising this option doesn't actually get the administration what they want anyways; it puts them back where they started.
Anyone with actual international relations experience want to weigh in on what, if anything, the text on that document signifies?
posted by jackbishop at 12:48 PM on June 11, 2019
IANADiplomat, but it wouldn't surprise me if this sort of "trial period" language wasn't standard boilerplate in trade treaties; one party (or both) reserves the right to withdraw from the agreement if early indicators suggest it's not working out the way it was intended to.
And exercising this option doesn't actually get the administration what they want anyways; it puts them back where they started.
Anyone with actual international relations experience want to weigh in on what, if anything, the text on that document signifies?
posted by jackbishop at 12:48 PM on June 11, 2019
The President just offhandedly declared that members of his political opposition are "guilty of many crimes?" That kind of thing would have been considered a bit of a gaffe once, right?
posted by contraption at 12:50 PM on June 11, 2019 [33 favorites]
posted by contraption at 12:50 PM on June 11, 2019 [33 favorites]
@kyledcheney: BREAKING: The House votes to hold AG Barr and Don McGahn In civil contempt. Party line vote was: 229-191.
Which is to say nothing of the contempt for them I hold in my heart, but well ok. What now?
posted by zachlipton at 1:25 PM on June 11, 2019 [58 favorites]
Which is to say nothing of the contempt for them I hold in my heart, but well ok. What now?
posted by zachlipton at 1:25 PM on June 11, 2019 [58 favorites]
Another way to understand the vote: The House has voted 228-191 in overwhelming support of a resolution which allows congressional committee chairs to enforce subpoenas in court if their requests go ignored. From Brandi Buchman on Twitter for Courthouse News.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:27 PM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:27 PM on June 11, 2019 [17 favorites]
Another way to understand the vote: The House has voted 228-191 in overwhelming support of a resolution which allows congressional committee chairs to enforce subpoenas in court if their requests go ignored.Or to turn it around: Almost every Republican currently in the House of Representatives effectively voted to allow the administration to ignore congressional subpoenas and oversight without penalty. I know it's kind of "dog bites man" but it's still worth remembering.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:36 PM on June 11, 2019 [45 favorites]
The 538 Congressional generic ballot average is back! Currently D+5.8 (45.9/40.1)
posted by Chrysostom at 1:52 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 1:52 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
From Texas Monthly today: After New Mexico State University professor Neal Rosendorf read a government report exposing dangerous overcrowding of detained migrants at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in El Paso, he headed to the port of entry to see if he could find anyone protesting conditions there. When he reached the west side of the bridge, he encountered an unmarked open gate, which he walked through in the hopes of asking Border Patrol agents whether they had seen any protesters. Continuing underneath and then past the bridge about 100 yards or so, he was stunned by what he saw—migrants who said they’d been held outdoors for weeks as temperatures rose to nearly 100 degrees.
Rosendorf described it as “a human dog pound”—one hundred to 150 men behind a chain-link fence, huddled beneath makeshift shelters made from mylar blankets and whatever other scraps they could find to shield themselves from the heat of the sun. “I was able to speak with detainees and take photos of them with their permission,” Rosendorf said in an email. “They told me they’ve been incarcerated outside for a month, that they haven’t washed or been able to change the clothes they were detained in the entire time, and that they’re being poorly fed and treated in general.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection took eight days to respond to Texas Monthly’s questions about Rosendorf’s discovery. In a statement this week, a CBP official acknowledged that the agency was detaining migrants outdoors for extended periods.
Protests would be good. Time to call my Senators and Reps again. Sigh.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:52 PM on June 11, 2019 [52 favorites]
Rosendorf described it as “a human dog pound”—one hundred to 150 men behind a chain-link fence, huddled beneath makeshift shelters made from mylar blankets and whatever other scraps they could find to shield themselves from the heat of the sun. “I was able to speak with detainees and take photos of them with their permission,” Rosendorf said in an email. “They told me they’ve been incarcerated outside for a month, that they haven’t washed or been able to change the clothes they were detained in the entire time, and that they’re being poorly fed and treated in general.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection took eight days to respond to Texas Monthly’s questions about Rosendorf’s discovery. In a statement this week, a CBP official acknowledged that the agency was detaining migrants outdoors for extended periods.
Protests would be good. Time to call my Senators and Reps again. Sigh.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:52 PM on June 11, 2019 [52 favorites]
I was looking for more information on the contempt vote when I found this: Joe Biden mentions Trump 44 times in Iowa speech. I don't think that is a good strategy on Biden's side, but that is not what I wanted to bring here. What I noticed was Trump's mirror:
Trump, who held his own speech in Iowa the same day, responded by questioning Biden’s mental fitness as he departed the White House.
“I have to tell you, he’s a different guy,” Trump said of the former vice president. “He looks different then he used to, he acts different than he used to, he is even slower than he used to be.”
Here in Denmark for the elections, we've had a Trump copycat, Rasmus Paludan. What's interesting about him is that he has copied Trump word for word, sentence for sentence, though obviously translated into Danish. He's been doing the slurs, the nicknames, the references to the alt-right, the racism, whatever you can think of, he did it. It was as stupid in Danish as in English, and there was the same effect of people first thinking it was a joke and then being drawn in.
And there was the Paludan mirror, same as the Trump mirror, which made me realize that this is a strategy, not a failure. When you see Trumpism without Trump, acted out by a young, intelligent person, you see it in a different light.
Accusing your opponent of being what you factually are confuses even the smartest of people (I can't explain why, but it happens all the time). It degrades the conversation/argument to the level of kindergartners, and somehow only few people are able to resist it. During the 2016 primaries and elections, we saw relatively sane adults falling into the trap. Here in Denmark, experienced politicians fell in, one after the other until they made a common front. Biden will not be able to resist Trump's bait. He'll go all I'm not old, you are old. Even though the right strategy is to ignore Trump, and Biden probably knows this on an intellectual level.
(In the end, Paludan went nowhere. First of all, the parliamentary system is probably better at weeding out that type of people, and second, Paludan didn't have a huge established party to support his insupportable politics, which may be a factor of the first).
posted by mumimor at 2:25 PM on June 11, 2019 [24 favorites]
Trump, who held his own speech in Iowa the same day, responded by questioning Biden’s mental fitness as he departed the White House.
“I have to tell you, he’s a different guy,” Trump said of the former vice president. “He looks different then he used to, he acts different than he used to, he is even slower than he used to be.”
Here in Denmark for the elections, we've had a Trump copycat, Rasmus Paludan. What's interesting about him is that he has copied Trump word for word, sentence for sentence, though obviously translated into Danish. He's been doing the slurs, the nicknames, the references to the alt-right, the racism, whatever you can think of, he did it. It was as stupid in Danish as in English, and there was the same effect of people first thinking it was a joke and then being drawn in.
And there was the Paludan mirror, same as the Trump mirror, which made me realize that this is a strategy, not a failure. When you see Trumpism without Trump, acted out by a young, intelligent person, you see it in a different light.
Accusing your opponent of being what you factually are confuses even the smartest of people (I can't explain why, but it happens all the time). It degrades the conversation/argument to the level of kindergartners, and somehow only few people are able to resist it. During the 2016 primaries and elections, we saw relatively sane adults falling into the trap. Here in Denmark, experienced politicians fell in, one after the other until they made a common front. Biden will not be able to resist Trump's bait. He'll go all I'm not old, you are old. Even though the right strategy is to ignore Trump, and Biden probably knows this on an intellectual level.
(In the end, Paludan went nowhere. First of all, the parliamentary system is probably better at weeding out that type of people, and second, Paludan didn't have a huge established party to support his insupportable politics, which may be a factor of the first).
posted by mumimor at 2:25 PM on June 11, 2019 [24 favorites]
WaPo: GOP leader concedes tax cuts may not pay for themselves as 2019 deficit grows
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:27 PM on June 11, 2019 [23 favorites]
Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.), a lead architect of the GOP tax bill, suggested Tuesday the tax cuts may not fully pay for themselves, contradicting a promise Republicans made repeatedly while pushing the law in late 2017. Pressed about what portion of the tax cuts were fully paid for, Brady said it was “hard to know." “We will know in year 8, 9 or 10 what revenues it brought in to the government over time. So it’s way too early to tell.”This is my shocked face.
... Brady’s comments are a marked departure from the claim many Republicans made during the tax bill debate that the tax cuts would be fully paid for by additional economic growth that would, in turn, spur additional tax revenues for government coffers. Numerous independent analyses concluded that the tax bill would add substantially to the U.S. debt.
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:27 PM on June 11, 2019 [23 favorites]
Electability is just astrology for pundits
posted by The Whelk at 2:46 PM on June 11, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 2:46 PM on June 11, 2019 [21 favorites]
NYT, An Arizona Teacher Helped Migrants. Jurors Can’t Decide if It Was a Crime.
posted by zachlipton at 2:56 PM on June 11, 2019 [39 favorites]
Increasingly, these kinds of efforts have landed people in jail. In 2017, a summer that saw a brutal heat wave, several volunteers with the group No More Deaths were arrested on federal misdemeanor charges for placing water in a federally protected wilderness area. The stakes were raised significantly in 2018, when Border Patrol agents set up surveillance near one of the humanitarian bases and filed three felony charges against Scott Warren, a 36-year-old geography teacher who helped a pair of migrants who had arrived there hungry, dehydrated and with blistered feet.The jury remained deadlocked and a mistrial was declared today.
...
Mr. Warren has been charged with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, which carries a 10-year sentence, and two counts of harboring them. His trial, which began May 29, has widely been seen as a test of the legal limits for providing humanitarian aid to migrants who are otherwise subject to arrest.
United Nations human rights officials called for charges in the case to be dropped, noting that Arizona has some of the border’s deadliest migrant corridors, accounting for over a third of the more than 7,000 border deaths recorded over the last two decades. Temperatures in the Sonoran desert can reach 120 degrees in summer and fall below freezing in winter. “Humanitarian aid is not a crime,” the United Nation’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
posted by zachlipton at 2:56 PM on June 11, 2019 [39 favorites]
BuzzFeed, The GoFundMe Border Wall Blocked Access To A Monument. It's Been Ordered To Keep A Gate Open Indefinitely.
The controversial half-mile wall constructed along the US–Mexico border near Sunland Park, New Mexico, was erected earlier this month after organizers raised more than $23 million on GoFundMe, the online crowdfunding site. But We Build the Wall organizers failed to obtain the required authorization to build the barrier on federal land, cutting off access to waterways and a public monument.posted by zachlipton at 2:59 PM on June 11, 2019 [25 favorites]
"This is normally done well in advance of a construction project," said Lori Kuczmanski, a spokesperson for the International Boundary and Water Commission, the agency that addresses waterway issues between the US and Mexico. "They think they can build now and ask questions later, and that's not how it works."
In response, IBWC officials on Monday afternoon propped open a large gate installed in the wall. The gate, constructed on roughly 33 feet of federal property, had blocked officials from accessing a levee and dam, and cut off public access to a historic monument known as Monument One, the first in a series of obelisks that mark the US–Mexico border from El Paso to Tijuana.
But We Build the Wall organizers failed to obtain the required authorization to build the barrier on federal land, cutting off access to waterways and a public monument.
Jeezus f*in christ on a pogo stick! Why are these people not in jail/heavily fined? You shouldn't be able to turn over a shovelful of soil on federal land without NEPA/review/and permission, and now they just need to keep a gate open? Maybe we should be doing GoFundMes and unilaterally fixing NPS park infrastructure, since apparently it's so f*n easy!??
These people. This broke me today. I can't even.
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 3:23 PM on June 11, 2019 [49 favorites]
Jeezus f*in christ on a pogo stick! Why are these people not in jail/heavily fined? You shouldn't be able to turn over a shovelful of soil on federal land without NEPA/review/and permission, and now they just need to keep a gate open? Maybe we should be doing GoFundMes and unilaterally fixing NPS park infrastructure, since apparently it's so f*n easy!??
These people. This broke me today. I can't even.
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 3:23 PM on June 11, 2019 [49 favorites]
...but they're leaving the wall in place? Why the fuck aren't they rolling over it with a bulldozer with zero questions?
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:26 PM on June 11, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:26 PM on June 11, 2019 [25 favorites]
I hope that Nancy Pelosi has an impeachment strategy and it's this:
posted by kirkaracha at 3:48 PM on June 11, 2019 [15 favorites]
Whenever His Catholic Majesty Ferdinand of Aragon, most powerful and wise prince, was about to embark on some new enterprise, or make a decision of great importance, he went about it in such a way that, before his intentions were known, the whole court and the people were already insisting and exclaiming that the king must do such and so. Then he would announce his decision, just when all hoped and clamored for it, and it is incredible what justification and favor it found among his subjects and in his dominions.— Francesco Guicciardini
posted by kirkaracha at 3:48 PM on June 11, 2019 [15 favorites]
Electability is just astrology for pundits
They’re all fucking electable. Vote for who inspires you.
Ryan Struyk (CNN)
New 2020 head-to-heads in national Quinnipiac poll just out:
Biden 53%, Trump 40%
Sanders 51%, Trump 42%
Harris 49%, Trump 41%
Warren 49%, Trump 42%
Buttigieg 47%, Trump 42%
Booker 47%, Trump 42%
—
Biden, Bernie, Warren and Harris all are within the margin of error of each other.
posted by chris24 at 4:12 PM on June 11, 2019 [31 favorites]
They’re all fucking electable. Vote for who inspires you.
Ryan Struyk (CNN)
New 2020 head-to-heads in national Quinnipiac poll just out:
Biden 53%, Trump 40%
Sanders 51%, Trump 42%
Harris 49%, Trump 41%
Warren 49%, Trump 42%
Buttigieg 47%, Trump 42%
Booker 47%, Trump 42%
—
Biden, Bernie, Warren and Harris all are within the margin of error of each other.
posted by chris24 at 4:12 PM on June 11, 2019 [31 favorites]
Trump is losing to a Socialist, a white woman, a black woman, a black man, a gay man and a boring man. I am happy.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 4:59 PM on June 11, 2019 [39 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 4:59 PM on June 11, 2019 [39 favorites]
Trump is losing to a Socialist, a white woman, a black woman, a black man, a gay man and a boring man. I am happy.
Don't get too happy. Quinnipiac, July 2015:
Clinton 48% Trump 36%.
Biden 49% Trump 37%
Sanders 45% Trump 37%
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:10 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
Don't get too happy. Quinnipiac, July 2015:
Clinton 48% Trump 36%.
Biden 49% Trump 37%
Sanders 45% Trump 37%
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:10 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
That poll sucks for Trump.
It especially sucks for Biden.
posted by notyou at 5:18 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
It especially sucks for Biden.
posted by notyou at 5:18 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
I think the lesson from the poll is not that they're all guaranteed to crush Trump, but that there's no huge difference in the top tier of Ds. So it kinda kills the Biden argument.
posted by chris24 at 5:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 5:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [18 favorites]
I heard that Jon Stewart was talking to congress, and I thought it was going to be House Judiciary Committee about the Mueller report . They had John Dean in for background, maybe Jon has background from the Clinton impeachment. Silly stunt. So I searched for it and the only recent videos I saw were about the 9.11 first responders. These must be years old, I thought, I remember these from years ago. I thought after the last public shaming, all that was resolved. Nope, he's had to come back and shame them again. Sad thing is he was talking to an empty bench, barely anyone from congress showed up. Which is ironic, the first responders showed up, they answered the call and were there, the habit of a lifetime, one fellow skipping his chemo.
Here's the video anyhow. Good to see you Jon, I wish it were under better circumstances.
posted by adept256 at 5:38 PM on June 11, 2019 [25 favorites]
Here's the video anyhow. Good to see you Jon, I wish it were under better circumstances.
posted by adept256 at 5:38 PM on June 11, 2019 [25 favorites]
A clarification, it was the House Judiciary subcommittee, which usually has 14 members, Nadler was there and Doug Collins was there.
posted by adept256 at 5:45 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by adept256 at 5:45 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
The fact that only 14 of the sitting House members are on the House Judiciary committee doesn't stop the other 421 members from fucking trotting out pablum about how we should never forget how awesome the Brave First Responders were when they want to put on a display of performative patriotism.
If they invoked the First Responders at ANY POINT in their careers in a display of performative patriotism, they should have fucking been AT that session to justify why they forgot to give the First Responders health care.
PERIOD, END OF FUCKING SENTENCE.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:17 PM on June 11, 2019 [29 favorites]
If they invoked the First Responders at ANY POINT in their careers in a display of performative patriotism, they should have fucking been AT that session to justify why they forgot to give the First Responders health care.
PERIOD, END OF FUCKING SENTENCE.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:17 PM on June 11, 2019 [29 favorites]
It's shaping up to be a good night for progressives in the Virginia Democratic primaries.
First-term Socialist Lee Carter crushed a centrist challenger 58-42
A progressive prosecutor won in Arlington, and another is barely trailing in massive Fairfax County.
And the Senate Minority leader only leads Bernie delegate and former Iranian refugee Yasmine Taeb by ~300 votes.
Primary every Democrat, in every race. No one is owed or owns any seat.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [36 favorites]
First-term Socialist Lee Carter crushed a centrist challenger 58-42
A progressive prosecutor won in Arlington, and another is barely trailing in massive Fairfax County.
And the Senate Minority leader only leads Bernie delegate and former Iranian refugee Yasmine Taeb by ~300 votes.
Primary every Democrat, in every race. No one is owed or owns any seat.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:20 PM on June 11, 2019 [36 favorites]
Told Biden we need someone stronger on reproductive justice, and after his reversal on the Hyde Amendment, we asked him to protect assault survivors. He said “nobody has spoken about it, done more, or changed more than I have”. I told him we deserve better.
With photo of Joe demonstrating his signature move: wagging his finger in the face of a young woman trying to protect her human rights and telling her that he is the best ever and has made no mistakes
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:30 PM on June 11, 2019 [32 favorites]
With photo of Joe demonstrating his signature move: wagging his finger in the face of a young woman trying to protect her human rights and telling her that he is the best ever and has made no mistakes
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:30 PM on June 11, 2019 [32 favorites]
Rosendorf described it as “a human dog pound”—one hundred to 150 men behind a chain-link fence, huddled beneath makeshift shelters made from mylar blankets and whatever other scraps they could find to shield themselves from the heat of the sun.
It may be time to refer to these by the correct term. From the US Holocaust Memorial Museum:
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:32 PM on June 11, 2019 [70 favorites]
It may be time to refer to these by the correct term. From the US Holocaust Memorial Museum:
The term concentration camp refers to a camp in which people are detained or confined, usually under harsh conditions and without regard to legal norms of arrest and imprisonment that are acceptable in a constitutional democracy.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:32 PM on June 11, 2019 [70 favorites]
...on the other hand disbarred lawyer and convicted sex criminal Joseph Morrisey knocked off African-American woman and Levar Stoney ally Rossalyn Dance in an ultra-safe blue district.
So uh, that happened.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:33 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
So uh, that happened.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:33 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
human dog pound
We are rapidly approaching the point where subsequent generations will rightly excoriate us if we continue to do nothing.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:44 PM on June 11, 2019 [24 favorites]
We are rapidly approaching the point where subsequent generations will rightly excoriate us if we continue to do nothing.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:44 PM on June 11, 2019 [24 favorites]
WaPo, House Democratic leaders postpone vote on part of spending bill over congressional pay raise
posted by zachlipton at 6:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
House Democratic leaders have decided to withdraw part of a massive federal spending bill set for a vote later this week after an uproar over whether members of Congress might see their first pay raise in a decade.WaPo, Divergent pleas for pay raise from veteran lawmaker and freshman hit political hurdle
The bill as filed would restore a cost-of-living increase that was suspended amid a recession-battered economy. But lawmakers in both parties, sensitive to the optics of voting to raise their own pay from $174,000, publicly erupted over the issue.
...
Among those most vocally opposing the pay hike were scores of Democratic freshmen. Several authored or co-sponsored floor amendments to ensure lawmakers would not see a raise.
Hoyer, who turns 80 on Friday and arrived in Congress eight years before Ocasio-Cortez was born, speaks as a veteran legislator with precise language. Over seven minutes Tuesday, Hoyer grew frustrated trying to explain that an annual cost-of-living adjustment is already automatic unless lawmakers vote to block it.Congressional pay has been frozen for 10 years now.
Ocasio-Cortez, barely five months into her first term, turns the issue into a rallying cry against income inequality. The 29-year-old rising liberal star talks about higher wages for everyone, from low-level congressional staffers to bartenders across the nation.
“We should be fighting for pay increases for every American worker. We should be fighting for a $15 minimum wage, pegged to inflation,” she said in an interview Monday. “So that everybody in the United States with a salary, with a wage, gets a cost-of-living increase — members of Congress, retail workers, everybody.”
...
“It may not be politically popular to say, but honestly, this is why there’s so much pressure to turn to lobbying firms and to cash in on members’ service after people leave,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
...
Any hope that this could be a bipartisan deal evaporated when the GOP’s campaign arm sent out a missive last week attacking Democrats for considering the pay hike.
The issue has been sidelined until further notice.
One solution is to follow the Ocasio-Cortez approach, thinking bigger, not smaller, and making the issue about increasing not just lawmakers’ salaries but also aides’ pay.
...
Congress has always been for the young of heart, but over the past 15 years the share of staffers who are in their 20s has soared: from less than 48 percent in 2005 to almost 59 percent today, according to data compiled by LegiStorm.
posted by zachlipton at 6:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
The reason most democracies compensate legislators is that failing to do so is an invitation to corruption. $174,000 sounds like a lot, but I suspect that most representatives are actually supported by their spouse or by lightly disguised donations in the form of speaker's fees and so forth. I'd much rather have them get more money from the nation, and less from lobbyists.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:54 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:54 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
This would be the same congress that didn't pay federal workers as recently as January. I understand the argument that they may be lured by bigger paychecks, but seriously fuck off with that. $174k is a dream salary for 99% of people.
posted by adept256 at 7:00 PM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by adept256 at 7:00 PM on June 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
They also have to maintain homes in their home district and in DC.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [10 favorites]
T.D. Strange: "It's shaping up to be a good night for progressives in the Virginia Democratic primaries.
First-term Socialist Lee Carter crushed a centrist challenger 58-42 => This is a safe blue seat, so Carter should be back.
A progressive prosecutor won in Arlington, and another is barely trailing in massive Fairfax County. => The challenger has won in Fairfax, as well.
And the Senate Minority leader only leads Bernie delegate and former Iranian refugee Yasmine Taeb by ~300 votes. => Saslaw squeaked it out, unfortunately.
We also saw the GOP incumbent in HD-28 get primaried out by a further right guy; the incumbent just barely squeaked in in 2017, so Dems are seeing this one as good pickup opportunity.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:13 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
First-term Socialist Lee Carter crushed a centrist challenger 58-42 => This is a safe blue seat, so Carter should be back.
A progressive prosecutor won in Arlington, and another is barely trailing in massive Fairfax County. => The challenger has won in Fairfax, as well.
And the Senate Minority leader only leads Bernie delegate and former Iranian refugee Yasmine Taeb by ~300 votes. => Saslaw squeaked it out, unfortunately.
We also saw the GOP incumbent in HD-28 get primaried out by a further right guy; the incumbent just barely squeaked in in 2017, so Dems are seeing this one as good pickup opportunity.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:13 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
All of the Virginia primaries are happening under the new boundaries, right? What effect is that having on the returns tonight?
posted by C'est la D.C. at 7:19 PM on June 11, 2019
posted by C'est la D.C. at 7:19 PM on June 11, 2019
Congressional pay has been frozen for 10 years now.
Congressional pay has basically remained unchanged for 100 years.
posted by chortly at 7:22 PM on June 11, 2019
Congressional pay has basically remained unchanged for 100 years.
posted by chortly at 7:22 PM on June 11, 2019
The VA elections are with the new district lines (which impacted 26 HDs). To say what effect those changes had would take more analysis, you'd need to go down to at least the precinct level. Even trickier since this is the primary.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:26 PM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:26 PM on June 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
(Yaaay more DSA endorsed candidates on city councils Yaay)
posted by The Whelk at 7:30 PM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:30 PM on June 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
🚨 We just announced the strongest, most progressive rent regulation & tenant protections NY has seen in generations! 🚨
posted by The Whelk at 7:37 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:37 PM on June 11, 2019 [16 favorites]
/Oh! And ...
LABOR BEAT!
“OPEIU, the union organizing Kickstarter, is now officially in the tech organizing business. Since other unions aren’t, they can have a lot of work if they want it.”
posted by The Whelk at 7:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [10 favorites]
LABOR BEAT!
“OPEIU, the union organizing Kickstarter, is now officially in the tech organizing business. Since other unions aren’t, they can have a lot of work if they want it.”
posted by The Whelk at 7:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [10 favorites]
They also have to maintain homes in their home district and in DC.
I understand the argument but let them prove they can consider their fellow man first, then they will have earned it.
posted by scalefree at 7:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
I understand the argument but let them prove they can consider their fellow man first, then they will have earned it.
posted by scalefree at 7:47 PM on June 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
...on the other hand disbarred lawyer and convicted sex criminal Joeseph Morrisey knocked off African-American woman and Levar Stoney ally Rossalyn Dance in an ultra-safe blue district.
Not just ultra-safe, there's no republican candidate for the general election. Fighting Joe Morrissey does have pretty substantial support in the Petersburg African American community earned through a decade of working as a Better Call Saul style defense attorney. He served jail time for punching an attorney in the face during trial, he was disbarred for a bribery scheme involving dropping rape charges in exchange for campaign donations, he was disbarred the second time for sex with a 17 year old employee, who he later married, then won a house of delegates election while he was serving his sentence for that crime. He's an entertaining but rotten POS that will soon be a Virginia state senator, but I think the biggest problem is this:
posted by peeedro at 7:48 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Not just ultra-safe, there's no republican candidate for the general election. Fighting Joe Morrissey does have pretty substantial support in the Petersburg African American community earned through a decade of working as a Better Call Saul style defense attorney. He served jail time for punching an attorney in the face during trial, he was disbarred for a bribery scheme involving dropping rape charges in exchange for campaign donations, he was disbarred the second time for sex with a 17 year old employee, who he later married, then won a house of delegates election while he was serving his sentence for that crime. He's an entertaining but rotten POS that will soon be a Virginia state senator, but I think the biggest problem is this:
Morrissey also offered a rebuke for the Democratic establishment; Gov. Ralph Northam, Senator Tim Kaine and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe all backed Dance.That does not bode well for the 2019 election cycle if it's a sign that the Virginia omniscandal has torched the state Democratic party to the ground.
posted by peeedro at 7:48 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Between "affording two homes to accommodate living in two cities" vs "affording both food and prescriptions so you can stay alive & healthy" I know which side I come down on.
posted by scalefree at 7:50 PM on June 11, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 7:50 PM on June 11, 2019 [12 favorites]
We are rapidly approaching the point where subsequent generations will rightly excoriate us if we continue to do nothing.
The problem is that the only people in a position to do something about this are choosing to do nothing. In the meantime, Barr and Trump will keep playing hardball, in the face of subpoenas and contempt citations. Dems just don't take this administration seriously.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:51 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
The problem is that the only people in a position to do something about this are choosing to do nothing. In the meantime, Barr and Trump will keep playing hardball, in the face of subpoenas and contempt citations. Dems just don't take this administration seriously.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:51 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Sanders come out in support of the Brooklyn Academy Of Music unionizing “All workers benefit when the union movement grows. As someone born and raised in Brooklyn, I would be proud to see the dedicated employees of the Brooklyn Academy of Music unionize this week. I stand in full solidarity with @BAM_union ”
posted by The Whelk at 7:54 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:54 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
NY Magazine, Kerry Howley, Tulsi Gabbard Had a Very Strange Childhood: Which may help explain why she’s out of place in today’s Democratic Party. And her long-shot 2020 candidacy.
posted by zachlipton at 8:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:03 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Morrissey also offered a rebuke for the Democratic establishment; Gov. Ralph Northam, Senator Tim Kaine and former Gov. Terry McAuliffe all backed Dance.
That does not bode well for the 2019 election cycle if it's a sign that the Virginia omniscandal has torched the state Democratic party to the ground.
And Dance made some really bizarre choices to stick by Northam and Fairfax thoughtout. The long tail of the Virginia Dems omnishambles is going to be really unpredictable.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:22 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
That does not bode well for the 2019 election cycle if it's a sign that the Virginia omniscandal has torched the state Democratic party to the ground.
And Dance made some really bizarre choices to stick by Northam and Fairfax thoughtout. The long tail of the Virginia Dems omnishambles is going to be really unpredictable.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:22 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
ABC News, 3 Republican former EPA chiefs accuse Trump of 'undermining of science'
Three Republican former heads of the Environmental Protection Agency accuse the agency's current leadership of supporting the "undermining of science" and a potentially "catastrophic" approach to climate change.posted by zachlipton at 8:46 PM on June 11, 2019 [28 favorites]
In an exclusive interview with ABC News Live, before a rare joint appearance on Capitol Hill, former EPA administrators William Reilly, Lee Thomas and Christine Whitman warned that recent gains in cleaner air and water in the U.S. are beginning to "backslide."
"If we continue business as usual, it's catastrophic," said Reilly, who led the agency under President George H.W. Bush. "We're the number two emitter in the world after China."
Whitman, a former New Jersey governor who ran the EPA under President George W. Bush, raised concerns about "the disrespecting of science in the administration and the undermining of science and the importance of science."
I guess what frustrates me is that Pelosi says things that seem to undermine this strategy.
There's not enough evidence, it would be partisan politics, and would divide the nation. These aren't words for delaying or masking a strategy. Pelosi is burying the impeachment option.
If the speaker says impeachment is partisan, what does that say about all the candidates that are for it? It says they are playing politics, and are not to be trusted.
posted by xammerboy at 9:04 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
There's not enough evidence, it would be partisan politics, and would divide the nation. These aren't words for delaying or masking a strategy. Pelosi is burying the impeachment option.
If the speaker says impeachment is partisan, what does that say about all the candidates that are for it? It says they are playing politics, and are not to be trusted.
posted by xammerboy at 9:04 PM on June 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
They also have to maintain homes in their home district and in DC.
I live in Albany NY. $work requires me to be in NYC most of the week. So I maintain my home in Albany, and a pied-a-terre in Jersey City.
On a lot less than 174k. So, that argument doesn't fly.
posted by mikelieman at 9:45 PM on June 11, 2019 [9 favorites]
I live in Albany NY. $work requires me to be in NYC most of the week. So I maintain my home in Albany, and a pied-a-terre in Jersey City.
On a lot less than 174k. So, that argument doesn't fly.
posted by mikelieman at 9:45 PM on June 11, 2019 [9 favorites]
I suspect you're right about the housing cost not being a particular hardship on a 174k salary but I don't think you can use Jersey City as an example. Rent in D.C. is way way higher than Jersey City (or Albany). It's become quite an expensive place to live over the last decade.
posted by Justinian at 10:31 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:31 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
It's a hardship of convenience vs a hardship of health. Beto managed his hardship by living with a couple other Congressmen in DC. I don't know anybody who can manage their prescriptions by sharing their lifesaving drugs with two other people. In Jersey City, DC or anywhere else.
posted by scalefree at 11:07 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 11:07 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Maybe we should just build dormitories. Government housing that members of Congress live in while in DC. Like a boarding school. It doesn't having to be fancy. Just the same quality as normal public housing. Let's just see how it work out.
Let's see how long it takes for public housing to get a much needed budget increase.
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:09 PM on June 11, 2019 [35 favorites]
Let's see how long it takes for public housing to get a much needed budget increase.
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:09 PM on June 11, 2019 [35 favorites]
The Affordable Congressional Housing Act. Two Congressmen get to live for FREE in an actual single standard subsidized housing unit in the Metro CD area. I think that's really generous, frees up a ton of their fundraising phone time for working on actual legislation with staffers & constituents instead.
posted by scalefree at 11:24 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 11:24 PM on June 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
I have asked a cDc friend who has his ear to pass my legislation idea along to Beto. Despite not being in Congress anymore I believe he is still sympathetic to his fellow legislators' plight. There is a significantly nonzero probability he will do so on my behalf. More as it happens.
Bow to the Cow, baby.
posted by scalefree at 11:36 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Bow to the Cow, baby.
posted by scalefree at 11:36 PM on June 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
They're not even pretending anymore. This is a site previously used as an actual American concentration camp. This is naked fascism, the mask is off.
Trump Administration to Hold Migrant Children at Base That Served as WWII Japanese Internment Camp
Trump Administration to Hold Migrant Children at Base That Served as WWII Japanese Internment Camp
The Trump Administration has opted to use an Army base in Oklahoma to hold growing numbers of immigrant children in its custody after running out of room at government shelters.
Fort Sill, an 150-year-old installation once used as an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, has been selected to detain 1,400 children until they can be given to an adult relative, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The agency said Fort Sill will be used “as a temporary emergency influx shelter” to help ease the burden on the government as it prepares to house a record number of minors even though it already operates about 168 facilities and programs in 23 states.
Health and Human Services said in a statement that it has taken about 40,900 children into custody through April 30. That’s a 57% increase from last year, which is a rate on-pace to surpass the record figures in 2016, when 59,171 minors were taken into custody. The agency had assessed two other military bases before selecting Fort Sill.posted by scalefree at 2:05 AM on June 12, 2019 [43 favorites]
A short video from the BBC: 60,000 child migrants detained in the last 40 days. It's Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan talking, and here's a transcript:
"In the last 40 days, 60,000 children have entered into DHS custody, both unaccompanied and as part of family units. Last month, as you noted, Mr. Chairman, we encountered a modern record of 144,000 border crossers, a record day of over 5,800 border crossings in a single 24-hour period, and the largest single group ever apprehended at our border, 1,036 individuals."
posted by heatvision at 3:19 AM on June 12, 2019 [7 favorites]
"In the last 40 days, 60,000 children have entered into DHS custody, both unaccompanied and as part of family units. Last month, as you noted, Mr. Chairman, we encountered a modern record of 144,000 border crossers, a record day of over 5,800 border crossings in a single 24-hour period, and the largest single group ever apprehended at our border, 1,036 individuals."
posted by heatvision at 3:19 AM on June 12, 2019 [7 favorites]
scalefree: I understand the argument but let them prove they can consider their fellow man first, then they will have earned it.
At least some of them will get it regardless of whether they earned it or not. That's the fallacy when people want to "deny" congress money or perks. You can't. (At least not without some kind of major regulation and I don't even know what form that would take. I wouldn't mind a "literally zero stuff can come from anything but your salary" law but I don't know how it's enforced) So the question becomes who their goodies come from and not whether goodies happen.
Why do Republicans consistently oppose salary increases while Democrats... also oppose them but sometimes sort-of support them? It's the easiest "sacrifice" in the world because Americans don't see capitalistic income as class robbery the way they see taxation as such.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:12 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
At least some of them will get it regardless of whether they earned it or not. That's the fallacy when people want to "deny" congress money or perks. You can't. (At least not without some kind of major regulation and I don't even know what form that would take. I wouldn't mind a "literally zero stuff can come from anything but your salary" law but I don't know how it's enforced) So the question becomes who their goodies come from and not whether goodies happen.
Why do Republicans consistently oppose salary increases while Democrats... also oppose them but sometimes sort-of support them? It's the easiest "sacrifice" in the world because Americans don't see capitalistic income as class robbery the way they see taxation as such.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:12 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
About these numbers. Very carefully chosen words. 60,000 child prisoners isn't anything to boast about, but that's an easy number to snare if you're picking up dreamers waiting for the school bus. The other number slices up to almost 5000 every day. Why wouldn't they say that instead, when they clearly intend to shock.
My skepticism would be tempered coming from a trustworthy source, but this administration's credibility is ... incredible. This man's boss said his father was born in Germany last month, for no reason other than a compulsion to lie.
Besides, if they're honest, this is an admission of abject failure. They're admitting the biggest issue they ran on has turned into a disaster. Nothing they've done has been effective.
I look forward to independent verification of those numbers, because they smell.
posted by adept256 at 4:15 AM on June 12, 2019 [12 favorites]
My skepticism would be tempered coming from a trustworthy source, but this administration's credibility is ... incredible. This man's boss said his father was born in Germany last month, for no reason other than a compulsion to lie.
Besides, if they're honest, this is an admission of abject failure. They're admitting the biggest issue they ran on has turned into a disaster. Nothing they've done has been effective.
I look forward to independent verification of those numbers, because they smell.
posted by adept256 at 4:15 AM on June 12, 2019 [12 favorites]
Congress setting itself up as noble sacrific-ers by not voting for a wage increase in 10 years (when their money is in lobbying. crimes, market shenanigans and punditry post-term) is a ploy in order to keep all wages down. And it has worked. Shame on them.
posted by Harry Caul at 4:56 AM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 4:56 AM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
NPR: Harris: Justice Dept. 'Would Have No Choice' But To Prosecute Trump After Presidency
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:44 AM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
California Sen. Kamala Harris says that if she's elected president, her administration's Department of Justice would likely pursue criminal obstruction of justice charges against a former President Donald Trump.On that note, the WaPo's Matt Zapotosky let his Trumpist allegiances slip when he responded: "When then-candidate Trump said he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate & potentially imprison Hillary Clinton — who the AG had declined to prosecute — even one of Clinton’s biggest critics said the move would “be like a banana republic.”" He's currently being ratio'ed on Twitter for this false equivalence between the Mueller report and the numerous investigations/inquiries clearing Clinton.
"I believe that they would have no choice and that they should, yes," Harris told the NPR Politics Podcast, pointing to the 10 instances of possible obstruction that former special counsel Robert Mueller's report detailed without making a determination as to whether or not the episodes amounted to criminal conduct.
"There has to be accountability," Harris added. "I mean look, people might, you know, question why I became a prosecutor. Well, I'll tell you one of the reasons — I believe there should be accountability. Everyone should be held accountable, and the president is not above the law."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:44 AM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
California Sen. Kamala Harris says that if she's elected president, her administration's Department of Justice would likely pursue criminal obstruction of justice charges against a former President Donald Trump.
While I agree with her judicial understanding here, I also feel this is the most important argument for impeachment. She is right, all the way down, but in a broader public view, charges against a former President Trump will be seen as political persecution of a former president. Millions of people have no idea of what's in the Mueller report. (Make that billions, because this is also about how the US is seen internationally). Regardless of who is president, that is a very steep and narrow path. Hearings and eventual impeachment has to start while Trump is president. (I can accept that there may be a tipping point, where it is more opportune than right now this instant, but that can't be far from now).
Seeing in my lifetime how Reagan has been sainted, even by Democrats, I'm certain that an un-impeached Trump would set a terrible precedent.
posted by mumimor at 6:17 AM on June 12, 2019 [15 favorites]
While I agree with her judicial understanding here, I also feel this is the most important argument for impeachment. She is right, all the way down, but in a broader public view, charges against a former President Trump will be seen as political persecution of a former president. Millions of people have no idea of what's in the Mueller report. (Make that billions, because this is also about how the US is seen internationally). Regardless of who is president, that is a very steep and narrow path. Hearings and eventual impeachment has to start while Trump is president. (I can accept that there may be a tipping point, where it is more opportune than right now this instant, but that can't be far from now).
Seeing in my lifetime how Reagan has been sainted, even by Democrats, I'm certain that an un-impeached Trump would set a terrible precedent.
posted by mumimor at 6:17 AM on June 12, 2019 [15 favorites]
Rashida Tlaib's new proposal is the easiest smart idea in Washington: eliminate and automatism the earned income tax credit
posted by The Whelk at 6:23 AM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:23 AM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
Two Congressmen get to live for FREE in an actual single standard subsidized housing unit in the Metro CD area. I think that's really generous, frees up a ton of their fundraising phone time for working on actual legislation with staffers & constituents instead.
They aren't fundraising for their personal expenses; that's completely illegal and, except in rare cases, just doesn't happen. They are fundraising for campaign contributions - which might be minimized if there was public campaign financing, but that would be a lot more expensive than renting some apartments.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:34 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
They aren't fundraising for their personal expenses; that's completely illegal and, except in rare cases, just doesn't happen. They are fundraising for campaign contributions - which might be minimized if there was public campaign financing, but that would be a lot more expensive than renting some apartments.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:34 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Another proposal for a large EITC expansion: A Universal EITC: Sharing the Gains from Economic Growth, Encouraging Work, and Supporting Families
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:40 AM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 6:40 AM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
They aren't fundraising for their personal expenses; that's completely illegal and, except in rare cases, just doesn't happen. They are fundraising for campaign contributions - which might be minimized if there was public campaign financing, but that would be a lot more expensive than renting some apartments.
Fundraising isn't an intrinsic part of the proposal. The stated problem is affordability of living in both DC & their home district. This provides a solution to that problem.
posted by scalefree at 7:35 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Fundraising isn't an intrinsic part of the proposal. The stated problem is affordability of living in both DC & their home district. This provides a solution to that problem.
posted by scalefree at 7:35 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
So apparently NRA is getting into the mobile phone service. The racist mobile phone service. See for yourselves, it's a doozy.
Dana Loesch: Patriot Mobile, America's Only Conservative Cell Phone Company
Patriot Mobile
In case you can't spot the racist part, here it is. Patriot Mobile, when you want your cell service to be as racist as you are.
posted by scalefree at 7:50 AM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
Dana Loesch: Patriot Mobile, America's Only Conservative Cell Phone Company
Patriot Mobile
In case you can't spot the racist part, here it is. Patriot Mobile, when you want your cell service to be as racist as you are.
posted by scalefree at 7:50 AM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
Vox: Elizabeth Warren’s plan to pass her plans - The 2020 candidate on how she’d get rid of the filibuster, curb political corruption, and persuade Americans that government can work for them.
Ezra Klein: Do you need to start with the filibuster before you can do any of those plans?posted by chris24 at 7:53 AM on June 12, 2019 [92 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren: That depends on whether or not we have a majority on our side in the Senate, and it depends on what Mitch McConnell does.
Ezra Klein: But you know what Mitch McConnell will do.
Elizabeth Warren: Yeah. Okay. I always want to say he is the one who will determine that. But I will say this for sure: This business that Democrats play by one set of rules and Republicans play by a different set of rules — those days are over when I’m president. We’re not doing that anymore.
Ezra Klein: What is the difference in the rules?
Elizabeth Warren: Oh, come on. I watched Mitch McConnell when the Republicans were in the minority in the Senate and President Obama was in the White House, and the Democrats obviously were in the majority in the Senate. He used every rule, every trick, every blue slip to delay, to hold back, to keep anything from passing, and Democrats largely respected that and said, “Well those are the rules.” Then, when it flips and the Republicans are in the majority, it all starts to look different. They steal a Supreme Court seat. Now the Republicans have Donald Trump as president and they’re in the majority in the Senate, and the rules are entirely different from where they were before. Watch what’s happening not just with the Supreme Court, but with judges up and down the line. Mitch McConnell has made it clear that there is no point of principle. For him, it is all about power.
Ezra Klein: If you are lucky enough to have a majority, it’ll be 51, 52, on the outside 53 seats in the Senate. Then you get into the filibuster. You were the first senator to call for its abolition this time. Even your Democratic colleagues are not there. What argument would you make to them to get rid of it?
Elizabeth Warren: I think this is one of the reasons to run on plans because if I get elected on those plans, it gives me the capacity to turn around and say to my colleagues, “Hey that’s what I ran on, that’s what the majority of the American people voted for, that’s what they got out and fought for. So as the Democratic Party, that’s what we got to do.”
This business that Democrats play by one set of rules and Republicans play by a different set of rules — those days are over when I’m president. We’re not doing that anymore.
I'll obviously vote for whoever the eventual candidate is, but if you want me to be enthusiastic about you in the primary I need you to express this idea this explicitly and this unapologetically.
posted by mikepop at 8:04 AM on June 12, 2019 [50 favorites]
I'll obviously vote for whoever the eventual candidate is, but if you want me to be enthusiastic about you in the primary I need you to express this idea this explicitly and this unapologetically.
posted by mikepop at 8:04 AM on June 12, 2019 [50 favorites]
Alphabet-Owned Jigsaw Bought a Russian Troll Campaign as an Experiment (Andy Greenberg for Wired, June 12, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:10 AM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
As part of research into state-sponsored disinformation that it undertook in the spring of 2018, Jigsaw set out to test just how easily and cheaply social media disinformation campaigns, or "influence operations," could be bought in the shadier corner of the Russian-speaking web. In March 2018, after negotiating with several underground disinformation vendors, Jigsaw analysts went so far as to hire one to carry out an actual disinformation operation, assigning the paid troll service to attack a political activism website Jigsaw had itself created as a target.Jigsaw developed an Anti-Stalin website as its target, and for $250 USD, a shady company reported they generated
In doing so, Jigsaw demonstrated just how low the barrier to entry for organized, online disinformation has become. It's easily within the reach of not just governments, but private individuals. Critics, though, say that the company took its trolling research a step too far, and further polluted social media's political discourse in the process.
730 Russian-language tweets attacking the anti-Stalin site from 25 different Twitter accounts, as well as 100 posts to forums and blog comment sections of seemingly random sites, from regional news sites to automotive and arts-and-crafts forums. Jigsaw says a significant number of the tweets and comments appeared to be original post written by humans, rather than simple copy-paste bots.An inexpensive proof-of-concept deployment, even at this small scale, the ethics are murky at best.
...
Strangely, neither Jigsaw nor the security firm hired for the experiment said they were able to provide WIRED with more than a couple of samples of the campaign's posts, due to a lack of records of the experiment from a year ago. The 25 Twitter accounts used in the campaign have since all been suspended by Twitter.
...
Even as Jigsaw exposes the potential for cheap, easily accessible trolling campaigns, its experiment has also garnered criticism of Jigsaw itself. The company, after all, didn't just pay a shady service for a series of posts that further polluted political discourse online. It did so with messages in support of one of the worst genocidal dictators of the 20th century, not to mention the unsolicited posts in support of Vladimir Putin.
"Buying and engaging in a disinformation operation in Russia, even if it’s very small, that in the first place is an extremely controversial and risky thing to do," says Johns Hopkins University political scientist Thomas Rid, the author of a forthcoming book on disinformation titled Active Measures.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:10 AM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
Another great poll for Warren...
G. Elliott Morris (Economist)
NEW 2020 Dem. poll from The Economist/YouGov: Warren pulls ahead of Sanders & into 2nd place (w/in margin of error). This wk & change vs last wk:
Biden: 26% (-1)
Warren: 16 (+5)
Sanders: 12 (-4)
Buttigieg: 8 (-1)
Harris: 6 (-1)
O'Rourke: 3 (+1)
Typical caveat re: watch the avgs
This poll also has Warren up with the best favorability ratings. % favorable minus % unfavorable, among Democrats:
Warren: 50
Biden: 43
Sanders: 43
Harris: 41
Buttigieg: 40
Booker: 34
O'Rourke: 31
Corrected for name recognition these numbers change to:
Warren: 61
Buttigieg: 60
Harris: 56
Booker: 50
Biden: 49
Castro: 47
Sanders: 46
O'Rourke:45
posted by chris24 at 8:16 AM on June 12, 2019 [31 favorites]
G. Elliott Morris (Economist)
NEW 2020 Dem. poll from The Economist/YouGov: Warren pulls ahead of Sanders & into 2nd place (w/in margin of error). This wk & change vs last wk:
Biden: 26% (-1)
Warren: 16 (+5)
Sanders: 12 (-4)
Buttigieg: 8 (-1)
Harris: 6 (-1)
O'Rourke: 3 (+1)
Typical caveat re: watch the avgs
This poll also has Warren up with the best favorability ratings. % favorable minus % unfavorable, among Democrats:
Warren: 50
Biden: 43
Sanders: 43
Harris: 41
Buttigieg: 40
Booker: 34
O'Rourke: 31
Corrected for name recognition these numbers change to:
Warren: 61
Buttigieg: 60
Harris: 56
Booker: 50
Biden: 49
Castro: 47
Sanders: 46
O'Rourke:45
posted by chris24 at 8:16 AM on June 12, 2019 [31 favorites]
So apparently NRA is getting into the mobile phone service. The racist mobile phone service. See for yourselves, it's a doozy.
They're going to have to use other companies' towers, which is an excellent pressure point for activism. Name and shame their partners.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:18 AM on June 12, 2019 [27 favorites]
They're going to have to use other companies' towers, which is an excellent pressure point for activism. Name and shame their partners.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:18 AM on June 12, 2019 [27 favorites]
An inexpensive proof-of-concept deployment, even at this small scale, the ethics are murky at best.
This is experimenting on humans, at population level, with no oversight or regulation or consent. I know Jigsaw is supposed to be a project studying deradicalisation, but I've heard 'for the greater good' arguments before, not to mention that this kind of research can easily be used maliciously.
Fuck these mad scientists, human experimentation like this cannot continue without oversight and regulation. Is anyone campaigning on this?
posted by adept256 at 8:27 AM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
This is experimenting on humans, at population level, with no oversight or regulation or consent. I know Jigsaw is supposed to be a project studying deradicalisation, but I've heard 'for the greater good' arguments before, not to mention that this kind of research can easily be used maliciously.
Fuck these mad scientists, human experimentation like this cannot continue without oversight and regulation. Is anyone campaigning on this?
posted by adept256 at 8:27 AM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
Russia's not just using trolls and Trump to undermine "Western" institutions -- Report: Russia Exploits Western Legal Systems, Institutions To Its Advantage (Sasha Ingber for NPR, June 12, 2019)
Russia is no one's ally but Russia.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:28 AM on June 12, 2019 [20 favorites]
Russia has spent years exploiting institutions and legal systems in the West to target critics, invalidate court decisions and roll back sanctions, according to allegations in a new report.In short, Russia does something illegal, gets caught and found guilty, and when threatened with repercussions, Russia threatens to take foreign embassies in Russia. Plus allegations of Putin-aligned mercenaries.
The report by the Free Russia Foundation describes the lengths to which it says the Kremlin has gone to undermine the West using international law and accounting firms, foreign officials, think tanks and nongovernmental organizations from New York to Latvia.
Among many accusations, the foundation says that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has deported "hundreds" of Russians seeking refuge, based on Moscow's abuse of international protocols, including Interpol's "red notice," (Interpol) which allows a member country to seek an arrest by another member.
Ted Bromund, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told researchers that ICE has arrested people "for the immigration violation that the Red Notice creates, which comes very close to allowing [Russian President] Vladimir Putin to pick his targets on ICE's behalf."
...
The alleged victims in Russia's exploitation of international systems aren't just political adversaries and critics, the report says. They include Western investors, foreign prosecutors and a family that fled to Guatemala.
...
Researchers also accuse Russia of using Western policymakers "to actively defy their own legal traditions."
Russia is no one's ally but Russia.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:28 AM on June 12, 2019 [20 favorites]
A great window into our big boy president's big wet brain
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
Mod note: If folks want to continue on the Jigsaw/Alphabet/Russia thing it should probably move into its own thread.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:13 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:13 AM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Daily Beast's Betsy Woodruff: White House Will Preview Mueller Evidence Before Nadler Review: Admin Officials—The chairman hailed his deal with DOJ. But the situation may be more complicated than it looks.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:41 AM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
[T]he Trump White House will work with the Justice Department to decide what exactly the committee gets to see, two senior administration officials told The Daily Beast. And, so far, the White House has not waived executive privilege regarding any of Mueller’s materials, the two officials said.Meanwhile, Nadler tells MSNBC's Ari Melber that he expects Mueller will testify "way before" end of summer (he won't comment if it will be before the end of June, though).
Neither official would discuss if the White House plans to use executive privilege to limit Nadler’s access to documents. But, thus far, the administration has pushed back against many congressional oversight efforts. And Trump’s personal lawyers sued to try to block banks from sharing some of the president’s financial information with the House Financial Services Committee.[…]
The deal reached on Monday still gives Congress expanded access to Mueller’s work. All the members of the House Judiciary Committee, as well as some committee staff, will be able to read some evidence at Justice Department headquarters in downtown D.C. They will be able to take notes on what they read, and they will be able to take those notes with them when they leave the building.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:41 AM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
That slip in the polls explains Sanders' upcoming speech, then.
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:02 AM on June 12, 2019
posted by NoxAeternum at 10:02 AM on June 12, 2019
WaPo, Trump asserts executive privilege to shield documents on census citizenship question
posted by zachlipton at 10:18 AM on June 12, 2019 [32 favorites]
President Trump asserted executive privilege Wednesday to shield documents about the administration’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, a move meant to try to undercut an expected vote by a House panel to hold his attorney general and commerce secretary in contempt for failing to turn over the materials to lawmakers.Sometimes it helps to explain what's happening in simple words, so let's simplify it down to basics: the White House has a plan to increase the political power of white people; Ross lied about it; and now they're trying to hide the evidence.
A day earlier, the Justice Department had warned the House Oversight Committee that if it moved toward holding Attorney General William P. Barr in contempt, he would ask Trump to assert privilege to protect the materials. The committee, though, rejected his offer, and was preparing to vote Wednesday on a contempt finding when Trump followed through on Barr’s threat.
...
A key issue in the challenges to the citizenship question is how it came to be added. Ross originally told Congress that his decision to add it came solely in response to a December 2017 request from the Justice Department, but lawsuits later produced emails showing that Ross, who oversees the Census Bureau, had been pushing for the question for months before that.
On Wednesday, Cummings said evidence showed that Ross was pushing for the addition of the question at the urging of the White House.
posted by zachlipton at 10:18 AM on June 12, 2019 [32 favorites]
The President, a gross misogynist and credibly accused serial sexual assaulter, isnt quite sure whether the women who set the all time World Cup single-game scoring record yesterday should be paid as much as their male colleagues who failed to even qualify for their tournament last year.
[trick question - they should be paid the same regardless of their performance with a bonus structure than encourages winning]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:45 AM on June 12, 2019 [25 favorites]
[trick question - they should be paid the same regardless of their performance with a bonus structure than encourages winning]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:45 AM on June 12, 2019 [25 favorites]
peeedro: "That does not bode well for the 2019 election cycle if it's a sign that the Virginia omniscandal has torched the state Democratic party to the ground."
Local elections are decided on local issues, and I'm not sure how much spin we should really be putting on the results. I've seen our local (Northern Virginia) results spun as both a reaffirmation of the party establishment, and a rebuke of that same establishment.
In reality, in my district, I saw an incumbent prosecutor lose because she was drifting dangerously out of touch with the national consensus on justice-reform, and I saw our incumbent delegate win because he was good at his job and had an opponent who didn't bring anything new to the table.
Both elections were moderately contentious, and I don't think I heard anybody make reference to the omniscandal even once. The conversation actually seemed to stick pretty closely to relevant local issues.
I don't agree with the outcome of every race, but it seemed like a fairly healthy primary. A few incumbents coasted to victory on inertia (and maybe shouldn't have); a bunch of incumbents solidly won on their merits; and we unseated a few especially-problematic incumbents. The outcome seems like a shockingly-reasonable tradeoff between stability and progress.
posted by schmod at 10:51 AM on June 12, 2019 [4 favorites]
Local elections are decided on local issues, and I'm not sure how much spin we should really be putting on the results. I've seen our local (Northern Virginia) results spun as both a reaffirmation of the party establishment, and a rebuke of that same establishment.
In reality, in my district, I saw an incumbent prosecutor lose because she was drifting dangerously out of touch with the national consensus on justice-reform, and I saw our incumbent delegate win because he was good at his job and had an opponent who didn't bring anything new to the table.
Both elections were moderately contentious, and I don't think I heard anybody make reference to the omniscandal even once. The conversation actually seemed to stick pretty closely to relevant local issues.
I don't agree with the outcome of every race, but it seemed like a fairly healthy primary. A few incumbents coasted to victory on inertia (and maybe shouldn't have); a bunch of incumbents solidly won on their merits; and we unseated a few especially-problematic incumbents. The outcome seems like a shockingly-reasonable tradeoff between stability and progress.
posted by schmod at 10:51 AM on June 12, 2019 [4 favorites]
Also, both of the insurgent winners in the prosecutorial primaries (including in my county! Yay for Descano!) had the backing of Terry McAuliffe, face of the Virginia Democratic establishment for four years and the man most closely linked with Ralph Northam in state politics. Didn't seem to hurt them any.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:53 AM on June 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:53 AM on June 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
I live in Albany NY. $work requires me to be in NYC most of the week. So I maintain my home in Albany, and a pied-a-terre in Jersey City.
On a lot less than 174k. So, that argument doesn't fly.
Do you have the option to do this for 2-10 years under these terms, then leave the gig and lobby your old coworkers for 10x+ this salary?
Did initially taking this job require you to have enough money to stand up that pied-a-terre before you collected a dollar of your salary?
The current system, whether it may be better than many Americans have or not, perpetuates a culture where lawmakers and their staffs must be drawn largely from folks who are already upper class and can afford to make decisions where they'll earn less than other things they could do and live a life folks without that existing money largely can't afford to do. This pay structure and the unpaid interns and underpaid/nonexistant staff make sure you have to already be top 5% to run for office, be from a well-off family to get into politics, get your legislation written by lobby firms and special interests.
You can pick your battles and say "well so long as we don't X" you won't support fixing this or you can take one of the many many steps we need to take to let us have a government that isn't an oligarchy in a thin disguise.
And when you swear up and down you won't fix the problem because of those other folks with need you sound a lot, to me, like those folks who won't support any safety net so long as The Wrong People might get it. Never mind that it hurts us! Never mind that it make sure we keep electing folks who won't care about granny paying for her medication! Granny can't afford her medication!
And your payoff for this strident take is that the wrong people still get rich by working the lobbying system. But those wrong people are only ever admitted from the top tiers of our distorted class structure. So, well.
posted by phearlez at 10:58 AM on June 12, 2019 [19 favorites]
On a lot less than 174k. So, that argument doesn't fly.
Do you have the option to do this for 2-10 years under these terms, then leave the gig and lobby your old coworkers for 10x+ this salary?
Did initially taking this job require you to have enough money to stand up that pied-a-terre before you collected a dollar of your salary?
The current system, whether it may be better than many Americans have or not, perpetuates a culture where lawmakers and their staffs must be drawn largely from folks who are already upper class and can afford to make decisions where they'll earn less than other things they could do and live a life folks without that existing money largely can't afford to do. This pay structure and the unpaid interns and underpaid/nonexistant staff make sure you have to already be top 5% to run for office, be from a well-off family to get into politics, get your legislation written by lobby firms and special interests.
You can pick your battles and say "well so long as we don't X" you won't support fixing this or you can take one of the many many steps we need to take to let us have a government that isn't an oligarchy in a thin disguise.
And when you swear up and down you won't fix the problem because of those other folks with need you sound a lot, to me, like those folks who won't support any safety net so long as The Wrong People might get it. Never mind that it hurts us! Never mind that it make sure we keep electing folks who won't care about granny paying for her medication! Granny can't afford her medication!
And your payoff for this strident take is that the wrong people still get rich by working the lobbying system. But those wrong people are only ever admitted from the top tiers of our distorted class structure. So, well.
posted by phearlez at 10:58 AM on June 12, 2019 [19 favorites]
To continue with what phearlez said, Slate has a good piece on why giving a raise to Congress is good policy. Some highlights:
One, Congressional salaries of all levels have not been keeping up with inflation, so lawmakers are making less now than a decade ago.
Two, the real revolving door isn't elected officials, but staffers who find that public service salaries are untenable.
Three, we're conceding to the lie that government is corrupt and inefficient when we refuse to pay public workers what they're worth.
posted by NoxAeternum at 11:10 AM on June 12, 2019 [23 favorites]
One, Congressional salaries of all levels have not been keeping up with inflation, so lawmakers are making less now than a decade ago.
Two, the real revolving door isn't elected officials, but staffers who find that public service salaries are untenable.
Three, we're conceding to the lie that government is corrupt and inefficient when we refuse to pay public workers what they're worth.
posted by NoxAeternum at 11:10 AM on June 12, 2019 [23 favorites]
[If folks want to continue on the Jigsaw/Alphabet/Russia thing it should probably move into its own thread.]
Here.
posted by adept256 at 11:13 AM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
Here.
posted by adept256 at 11:13 AM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
“49% of all new income today goes to the top one percent. That is indefensible. That is outrageous. That is immoral. And I think the American people understand that has got to change.”
— @SenSanders on why we need to talk about #DemocraticSocialism" (tge nation)
posted by The Whelk at 11:42 AM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
— @SenSanders on why we need to talk about #DemocraticSocialism" (tge nation)
posted by The Whelk at 11:42 AM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
The WaPo's Ashley Parker reports from Trumpworld: Trump Doesn’t Want To Be Impeached — But He Is Fascinated By ‘The I-Word’
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:50 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
President Trump has threatened to take legal action if Democrats try to impeach him, musing that he’ll “sue.” He has peppered confidants and advisers with questions about how an impeachment inquiry might unfold. And he has coined his own cheeky term — “the I-word” — to refer to the legal and political morass that threatens to overshadow his presidency as he heads into his 2020 reelection campaign.Apparently, Trump's receiving conflicting advice on the subject from two sides of Trumpworld: Loyalists think he could benefit from it among his base in time for reelection, while realists are warning him of the political stigma even if he's acquitted in the Senate. And Trump's TV lawyer Alan Dershowitz is arguing that the Supreme Court could intervene if the House beings impeachment proceedings if it believes they are unconstitutional (because who cares about separation of powers?).
As Democrats struggle with how to handle calls from their liberal flank to impeach the president, Trump himself is eager to avoid such proceedings — while also fixated on his belief that Democrats can’t impeach him because he has done nothing wrong, according to interviews with 15 White House aides, outside advisers, Republican lawmakers and friends, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to share candid conversations.
The president is intrigued by the notion of impeachment but wary of its practical dangers, one outside adviser said. Trump remembers how Republican impeachment proceedings in the late 1990s against President Bill Clinton seemed to boost Clinton’s approval ratings, and Trump is at his best when battling a perceived foe, several advisers added.
Yet he also views impeachment in deeply personal terms. He is less concerned about the potential historical stain on his legacy — Clinton and Andrew Johnson are the only presidents to have been impeached — and more about what he sees as yet another Democratic attack on the legitimacy of his presidency, according to an outside adviser and a White House aide.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:50 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
At this point, I'm thinking that Dershowitz is doing all this because he's wanting to have a pardon in his pocket when everything Epstein comes out.
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:57 PM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by NoxAeternum at 12:57 PM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
Plus, impeachment is a possible path to more Epstein stuff coming out, so if it can somehow be squashed before it even happens, that works just as well for him.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:00 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:00 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
Trump on Russia dispute: 'Ultimately I'm always right' (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 1:16 PM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his assertion that Russia had pulled personnel out of Venezuela, pushing back on Moscow’s denials that it had any plans to do so.Emphasis added to the wait, what?
Trump last week tweeted that Russia “has informed us that they have removed most of their people from Venezuela,” where it’s backed the government of dictator Nicolas Maduro. A day later, the Kremlin denied Trump’s tweet, telling reporters "there have been no official messages in this regard from the Russian side nor could there be any,” according to The Washington Post.
But Trump on Wednesday asserted he was not mistaken. When asked by a reporter about Russia’s denials, while meeting with the Polish president, Trump grew testy. “Well, let's just see who’s right. You know what you’re gonna do? You're gonna see in the end who’s right. You just watch it. Okay?” Trump said. “And we'll see who is right.”
After a pause, during which another reporter began asking a new question, Trump interrupted: “Ultimately I'm always right.”
posted by Little Dawn at 1:16 PM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
Here's today's press availability with Trump & Polish President Andrzej Duda, cut into pieces for each question. It is, as with all things Trump says, a soup of lies, ignorance & nonsense. We are ruled by a malignant moron.
@atrupar
posted by scalefree at 1:26 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
@atrupar
TRUMP on Poland: "They get hurt, unfortunately, too often, right? Too often. They are in the middle of everything. When bad things happen, it seems Poland is the first one that is in there & it is unfortunate."
TRUMP on massive demonstrations in Hong Kong: "I hope it works out."[videos]
posted by scalefree at 1:26 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
He is truly just perfect.
posted by hugbucket at 1:33 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by hugbucket at 1:33 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
@ike_saul: After lots of silence, Howard Schultz announces he underwent back surgery and has decided to suspend his presidential campaign and take the summer off, effectively ending his bid for the presidency that never really started
Bye bye.
posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on June 12, 2019 [42 favorites]
Bye bye.
posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on June 12, 2019 [42 favorites]
Oh wait sorry I spoke too soon. He left with a threat, presumably taking the knife the surgeons just removed from his back and using it to threaten everyone:
@aterkel: Scoop — Howard Schultz held a meeting with staff today and annonced he was essentially letting them all go (except those in senior leadership). He might relaunch his campaign after Super Tuesday too if Biden isn’t the nominee
posted by zachlipton at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
@aterkel: Scoop — Howard Schultz held a meeting with staff today and annonced he was essentially letting them all go (except those in senior leadership). He might relaunch his campaign after Super Tuesday too if Biden isn’t the nominee
posted by zachlipton at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
Miami Herald continues its superb reporting on Mar-a-Lago-gate: With Classified Filing, Feds Eye National Security Case Against Mar-a-Lago Intruder
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [16 favorites]
For the first time, federal prosecutors have disclosed they are developing a potential national security case against Yujing Zhang, the 33-year-old Chinese woman charged with unlawfully entering Mar-a-Lago with a stash of electronic equipment.Bonus interactive networking tool (which beats the old red-string-and-corkboard method): Who has gained access to President Trump and Mar-a-Lago through Cindy Yang?
They asked a federal judge to allow them to file “classified information” under seal without the public — or the defendant — seeing it. If the motion is granted, prosecutors will present the evidence directly to the federal judge in Zhang’s trespassing case during a private, closed meeting in the judge’s chambers.
The prosecution’s motion indicates that she is a focus of a widening U.S. probe of possible Chinese espionage and suggests that authorities have evidence she was likely not simply a “bumbling tourist” who accidentally found her way into President Donald Trump’s private estate in Palm Beach.[…]
Zhang’s case is part of a broader federal investigation into possible Chinese spying at Mar-a-Lago that the Miami Herald revealed is also focused on Republican donor Li “Cindy” Yang, who sold access to the president and his family on Chinese social media. Yang is also under investigation by the Justice Department for bundling contributions from Chinese nationals to Trump’s re-election campaign, despite a ban on such foreign contributions.[…]
Secret Service agents say when Zhang was questioned she first indicated she had come to the club to use the pool. At a second check point she changed her story, saying she was there to attend an event. She was arrested when a receptionist checked the registry and no such event existed.
Zhang’s former appointed public defenders, later fired, presented evidence that Zhang had paid to attend a fundraiser gala originally planned for March 30. The gala, intended to raise money for children in Africa, had been billed on Chinese social media by South Florida massage entrepreneur Cindy Yang as a chance to mingle with the American elite and members of Trump’s family. According to her former attorneys, Zhang had bought a ticket from Yang’s associate, Charles Lee, who on various occations had bundled Mar-a-Lago event tickets promoted by Yang into “business diplomacy packages” targeting Chinese business people looking for opportunities overseas.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [16 favorites]
That's a wonderfully face-saving, er, back-saving announcement from Howard Schultz...
posted by PhineasGage at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 1:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
Secret Service agents say when Zhang was questioned she first indicated she had come to the club to use the pool. At a second check point she changed her story, saying she was there to attend an event. She was arrested when a receptionist checked the registry and no such event existed.
Anyone else kinda baffled by the incompetence on display here? I prepared better for job interviews when I was a kid, ffs. I prepare better now *for kids' birthday parties*.
I respect the Chinese too much to think this is entirely official. Lowest-bid contractor with one of those overblown rent-a-weasle outfits, sure. Hell, maybe Prince hired her on Fiverr.
posted by BS Artisan at 1:49 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Anyone else kinda baffled by the incompetence on display here? I prepared better for job interviews when I was a kid, ffs. I prepare better now *for kids' birthday parties*.
I respect the Chinese too much to think this is entirely official. Lowest-bid contractor with one of those overblown rent-a-weasle outfits, sure. Hell, maybe Prince hired her on Fiverr.
posted by BS Artisan at 1:49 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
WaPo> Former White House aide Hicks agrees to testify to House panel investigating Trump
She gets the same inexplicable courtesy Trump Jr got, closed door testimony.
posted by Harry Caul at 1:56 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
She gets the same inexplicable courtesy Trump Jr got, closed door testimony.
posted by Harry Caul at 1:56 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
He might relaunch his campaign after Super Tuesday too if Biden isn’t the nominee
There's your explicit spoiler threat if the center-right isn't appeased.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:06 PM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
There's your explicit spoiler threat if the center-right isn't appeased.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:06 PM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
Joe Biden knows a glorious epiphany is coming (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
Eight years in the Obama White House, spent watching Mitch McConnell knock every legislative initiative off the agenda — deliberately, and making eye contact, like a bored cat dispatching vases from a mantelpiece — have taught me something, and that something is that Republicans know better and are just raring to work in a bipartisan manner. Why, during that terrible business about Merrick Garland, I spoke to fully 12 of them, and they all, personally, to me, expressed dismay! So I think that speaks for itself.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:13 PM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
Believe me, things are going to be different.
We will see a great change come over my congressional colleagues. They will turn back into human beings and stop being stopped clocks. They have been waiting for someone to reach across the aisle and reawaken them, and there is just enough time. The petals have not entirely fallen from the rose in the West Wing.
There is a logical explanation for all of this. They have been forced to be silent and not object; they have been waiting for their sisters to knit them thistledown sweaters so they could stop being ducks (lame or otherwise) and become humans again.
I will recover them all. Recalled to life, they will be afraid of nothing. All I have to do is point out that they know better and we are going to start seeing some changes around here.
Politico, Trump budget negotiators get Republican brushback
As usual, it's the size of the military budget that's running the show here:
@MEPFuller: As the House debates a nearly $1 trillion spending bill, I just wanna note it's actually amazing that the liberal position on appropriations is ONLY half of the discretionary budget should go to defense. Almost everyone else in Congress thinks defense should get MORE than half. Also, a good time to note many Republicans want to call themselves fiscal hawks for advocating for the overall BCA cap while *also* advocating for breaking the defense cap. Plenty of Democrats could hit the overall cap if you let them steal from defense and plus-up non-defense.
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on June 12, 2019 [15 favorites]
With Trump and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney at his side, acting budget chief Russ Vought repeatedly urged Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling without a broader agreement to lift stiff spending caps.McConnell's "listen buddy" makes it clear who is really running the show here.
McConnell, the Senate majority leader, was open to different ways to raise the debt ceiling and eager to avoid default. But he eventually grew tired of hearing from Vought.
“Listen buddy, we’re not doing a clean debt ceiling. Get a budget caps deal,” McConnell said, according to people familiar with the conversation in April.
...
“I don’t see the leader as negotiating with OMB or the chief of staff. The leader doesn’t negotiate with staff,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), one of McConnell’s closest allies, said dismissively.
As usual, it's the size of the military budget that's running the show here:
@MEPFuller: As the House debates a nearly $1 trillion spending bill, I just wanna note it's actually amazing that the liberal position on appropriations is ONLY half of the discretionary budget should go to defense. Almost everyone else in Congress thinks defense should get MORE than half. Also, a good time to note many Republicans want to call themselves fiscal hawks for advocating for the overall BCA cap while *also* advocating for breaking the defense cap. Plenty of Democrats could hit the overall cap if you let them steal from defense and plus-up non-defense.
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on June 12, 2019 [15 favorites]
He might relaunch his campaign after Super Tuesday too if Biden isn’t the nominee
Loooooolllll /votes for Warren anyway
There's an actual process to getting on the ballot, at least in California; you don't just announce, "Hi there, I'm Howard Schultz, put me on the ballot!" (I wouldn't be surprised if he believes that!) If you're not nominated by a political party, you have to petition and get 5% of registered voters to sign, so about 10,000 people have to want a Howard Schultz candidacy badly enough to sign an annoying petition.
Given all this, I think it's safe to say Schultz is bluffing and is desperately hoping it works. I really love seeing all the brown pants now that Warren is surging in the polls and has a good shot at the nomination.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:43 PM on June 12, 2019 [19 favorites]
Loooooolllll /votes for Warren anyway
There's an actual process to getting on the ballot, at least in California; you don't just announce, "Hi there, I'm Howard Schultz, put me on the ballot!" (I wouldn't be surprised if he believes that!) If you're not nominated by a political party, you have to petition and get 5% of registered voters to sign, so about 10,000 people have to want a Howard Schultz candidacy badly enough to sign an annoying petition.
Given all this, I think it's safe to say Schultz is bluffing and is desperately hoping it works. I really love seeing all the brown pants now that Warren is surging in the polls and has a good shot at the nomination.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:43 PM on June 12, 2019 [19 favorites]
She [Hicks] gets the same inexplicable courtesy Trump Jr got, closed door testimony.
This is maddening. Can the millennial staffers please educate your congress-person: vid or it didn't happen.
Transcripts might be legally useful, but we're holding an election.
posted by j_curiouser at 2:53 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
This is maddening. Can the millennial staffers please educate your congress-person: vid or it didn't happen.
Transcripts might be legally useful, but we're holding an election.
posted by j_curiouser at 2:53 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
> Transcripts might be legally useful, but we're holding an election.
Closed-door testimony now doesn't preclude public testimony later. It's way more important that Congress give witnesses / future unindicted coconspirators every chance to talk with as much candor as possible than it is that those witnesses speak in front of cameras for some unmeasurable amount of PR value for an election that's still 18+ months away.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:06 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
Closed-door testimony now doesn't preclude public testimony later. It's way more important that Congress give witnesses / future unindicted coconspirators every chance to talk with as much candor as possible than it is that those witnesses speak in front of cameras for some unmeasurable amount of PR value for an election that's still 18+ months away.
posted by tonycpsu at 3:06 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
trump files brief in appeal of judge mehta's ruling from last month in the case concerning house oversight/reform committee efforts to obtain records from accounting firm mazars. george conway and neal katyal describe the "spectacularly anti-constitutional brief" as "an invitation to commence impeachment proceedings" in wapo opinion column.
posted by 20 year lurk at 3:28 PM on June 12, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by 20 year lurk at 3:28 PM on June 12, 2019 [7 favorites]
> Given all this, I think it's safe to say Schultz is bluffing and is desperately hoping it works.
Thanks to his loudmouth bluffing I am absolutely positively never darkening the doorstep of a starbucks ever again. I'd rather set foot in a chik-fil-a than give money to that twerp.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 3:30 PM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
Thanks to his loudmouth bluffing I am absolutely positively never darkening the doorstep of a starbucks ever again. I'd rather set foot in a chik-fil-a than give money to that twerp.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 3:30 PM on June 12, 2019 [10 favorites]
Biden at a fundraiser tonight, on his desire to work with the Republican Party post Trump.
“With Trump gone you’re going to begin to see things change. Because these folks know better. They know this isn’t what they’re supposed to be doing."
Dave Weigel asked Biden yesterday to expand on this and explain why the same Republicans that blocked the Obama agenda would somehow be different with a Biden administration. The answer is long and rambling, but worth reading.
He's more realist than he usually is with this stuff, at least acknowledging that Republicans aren't going to have a magic epiphany and come around to agreeing and that enacting policy comes down to winning elections, but he still believes in myths here. He cites the 2018 miderms and how Republicans campaigned on health care, claiming that Republicans realized it was in their own self-interest to not take away health care from millions of people, but he doesn't make the connection that Republicans were straight-up lying, saying of course they would protect pre-existing conditions after voting to do the opposite.
Brian Beutler expands on this in Joe Biden’s Approach to Governing Won’t Work
“With Trump gone you’re going to begin to see things change. Because these folks know better. They know this isn’t what they’re supposed to be doing."
Dave Weigel asked Biden yesterday to expand on this and explain why the same Republicans that blocked the Obama agenda would somehow be different with a Biden administration. The answer is long and rambling, but worth reading.
He's more realist than he usually is with this stuff, at least acknowledging that Republicans aren't going to have a magic epiphany and come around to agreeing and that enacting policy comes down to winning elections, but he still believes in myths here. He cites the 2018 miderms and how Republicans campaigned on health care, claiming that Republicans realized it was in their own self-interest to not take away health care from millions of people, but he doesn't make the connection that Republicans were straight-up lying, saying of course they would protect pre-existing conditions after voting to do the opposite.
Brian Beutler expands on this in Joe Biden’s Approach to Governing Won’t Work
It’s hard to parse, but his response amounts to both a defense against the charge that he’s naive about the Republican Party, combined with an assertion that he will take the same approach to legislating that Democrats adopted during the early Obama years, when Republicans scorched the earth in opposition to the entire Democratic agenda. These ideas are in tension.posted by zachlipton at 3:36 PM on June 12, 2019 [12 favorites]
Biden imagines advancing his objectives by approaching Republicans in Congress, even if just a few of them, and persuading them to cut deals with him—as he did when he convinced three Republican senators to support the economic recovery act in the first weeks of the Obama administration. Should that approach fail, he argues, it’d would be appropriate to forge ahead on a partisan basis, “like we did in health care,” he says. “We won without a single Republican vote.” Should both strategies fail, his plan is to let voters sort it all out.
To Biden’s credit, this is not as naive as the least-generous interpretation of his comments would suggest. But it isn’t much better, either. It is a vision of returning to the slog of 2009-2010, without making any tactical adjustments for what we learned from that experience.
George Stephanopoulos has been following Trump around for a couple days, because I guess the White House communications staff is even stupider than I thought, and they just released the first clip of what will be a series.
ABC News, ‘I think I’d take it’: In exclusive interview, Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents
posted by zachlipton at 3:46 PM on June 12, 2019 [32 favorites]
ABC News, ‘I think I’d take it’: In exclusive interview, Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents
Asked by ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in the Oval Office on Wednesday whether his campaign would accept such information from foreigners -- such as China or Russia -- or hand it over the FBI, Trump said, “I think maybe you do both.”When told that the FBI director told Congress that the FBI should be informed about any foreign election meddling, Trump disagreed: "The FBI director is wrong, because frankly it doesn’t happen like that in life,” Trump said. “Now maybe it will start happening, maybe today you’d think differently."
“I think you might want to listen, there isn’t anything wrong with listening,” Trump continued. “If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent' -- oh, I think I’d want to hear it.”
...
“It’s not an interference, they have information -- I think I’d take it,” Trump said. “If I thought there was something wrong, I’d go maybe to the FBI -- if I thought there was something wrong.”
...
“Somebody comes up and says, ‘hey, I have information on your opponent,’ do you call the FBI?” Trump responded.
“I’ll tell you what, I've seen a lot of things over my life. I don't think in my whole life I’ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump continued. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn’t work that way.”
posted by zachlipton at 3:46 PM on June 12, 2019 [32 favorites]
So they totally rebuffed Russia's help but it's completely fine if they didn't and they'll do it again and also we should lock up the people for investigating the election interference alleged in the Steele Dossier.
Of course this is an invitation to Russia to hack servers or even manufacture out of thin air evidence of wrongdoing of his opponents in 2020.
posted by bluecore at 3:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
Of course this is an invitation to Russia to hack servers or even manufacture out of thin air evidence of wrongdoing of his opponents in 2020.
posted by bluecore at 3:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
I don't think in my whole life I’ve ever called the FBI.
Buzzfeed: Trump’s Long History With The FBI: In 1981, He Offered To “Fully Cooperate” “According to a 1981 FBI memo, Trump offered to “fully cooperate” with the bureau, proposing that FBI agents work undercover in a casino he was considering opening in Atlantic City. FBI agents even prepared an “undercover proposal concerning the TRUMP casino” that senior agents and Trump planned to discuss, according to the document.”
It’s as though he has to lie every other sentence or else his brain will explode.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
Buzzfeed: Trump’s Long History With The FBI: In 1981, He Offered To “Fully Cooperate” “According to a 1981 FBI memo, Trump offered to “fully cooperate” with the bureau, proposing that FBI agents work undercover in a casino he was considering opening in Atlantic City. FBI agents even prepared an “undercover proposal concerning the TRUMP casino” that senior agents and Trump planned to discuss, according to the document.”
It’s as though he has to lie every other sentence or else his brain will explode.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [22 favorites]
“I’ll tell you what, I've seen a lot of things over my life. I don't think in my whole life I’ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump continued. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn’t work that way.”
So now he's decided to start moving the ratchet two full clicks at a time?
posted by sjswitzer at 4:07 PM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
So now he's decided to start moving the ratchet two full clicks at a time?
posted by sjswitzer at 4:07 PM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
He's moved on from self-impeaching to self-convicting.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:12 PM on June 12, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:12 PM on June 12, 2019 [16 favorites]
Should that approach fail, Biden argues, it’d would be appropriate to forge ahead on a partisan basis, “like we did in health care,” he says. “We won without a single Republican vote.”
Biden thinks we won with health care. I'm hoping he goes with that answer when he debates the other candidates.
posted by xammerboy at 4:14 PM on June 12, 2019 [13 favorites]
Biden thinks we won with health care. I'm hoping he goes with that answer when he debates the other candidates.
posted by xammerboy at 4:14 PM on June 12, 2019 [13 favorites]
By won he obviously means they managed to pass the bill? It seems like we should be able to understand what people mean when they say straightforward things.
posted by Justinian at 4:23 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 4:23 PM on June 12, 2019 [6 favorites]
Biden's other example of bi-partisanship "working" is the bail out bill where he managed to convince three other Republicans to vote for it. Forgetting the fact that the world economy would have experienced a complete melt down if they hadn't, Biden also conveniently forgets they later refused to vote for more bail out money when it was needed. This prolonged the recession in general. It resulted in a permanent recession for lower income workers. It arguably led to Trump, and a global pull toward right wing extremism.
posted by xammerboy at 4:25 PM on June 12, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 4:25 PM on June 12, 2019 [26 favorites]
By won he obviously means they managed to pass the bill?
Yes, they passed their compromise bill and that was meaningful, but it was also a bitter disappointment for those of us hoping for some kind of universal healthcare. It was the compromise on top of the compromise bill for universal Medicare for those over 50. We were promised change we could believe in and got a band-aid, specifically because it was impossible to get real change through on a bi-partisan basis.
If these are the kinds of changes that are wins in Biden's future, I don't know that we have time for them, especially with time constrained problems like global warming.
posted by xammerboy at 4:47 PM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
Yes, they passed their compromise bill and that was meaningful, but it was also a bitter disappointment for those of us hoping for some kind of universal healthcare. It was the compromise on top of the compromise bill for universal Medicare for those over 50. We were promised change we could believe in and got a band-aid, specifically because it was impossible to get real change through on a bi-partisan basis.
If these are the kinds of changes that are wins in Biden's future, I don't know that we have time for them, especially with time constrained problems like global warming.
posted by xammerboy at 4:47 PM on June 12, 2019 [17 favorites]
Ted Cruz must be a follower of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, because when she Tweeted "Psst! 🗣 Birth control should be over-the-counter, pass it on." Cruz responded with
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:00 PM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
I agree. Perhaps, in addition to the legislation we are already working on together to ban Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, we can team up here as well. A simple, clean bill making birth control available over the counter. Interested?Here's what the Jewish blogger and author Elad Nehorai had to say:
@PopChassidThere's a lot of truth in that, particularly now. The Democrats have tried the stable, non-partisan, non-divisive approach, and we know where that led. The best Biden can offer is that he might occasionally be able to peel off a few Republican votes in the Senate - but you know that those victories will be rare, the negotiating process will be slow, and it's unlikely to work for any matters other than the ones that ought to be automatic no-brainers, like assuring the US' capacity to pay its debts. There's certainly no prospect of passing a coherent Democratic agenda. I don't care for Ted Cruz but the fact is that Republican senators aren't a monolith except insofar as they're Republicans. There are opportunities to advance the liberal agenda outside the framework of Majority Leader - Minority Leader, and it's precisely people like AOC who will be able to take them.
Whether this is all just a ploy or if Cruz actually means it, I'd argue that this is a good reminder that people like @AOC are generally seen as "divisive" and "risky" only because they don't represent the status quo.
It is this exact quality that makes her and others uniting.
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:00 PM on June 12, 2019 [14 favorites]
specifically because it was impossible to get real change through on a bi-partisan basis.
It was impossible to get what I assume you'd consider "real change" through on a non-bipartisan basis, too. Well, unless they nuked the filibuster back in 2008/2009. Which maybe people think they should have done? But it wasn't even something under consideration back then so far as I am aware.
There's certainly no prospect of passing a coherent Democratic agenda.
The most likely result in 2020 appears to be a 49-51 Senate with Democrats still in the minority so I'm not sure we're gonna get a coherent Democratic agenda regardless of who gets elected.
Hell, it's not clear to me we won't end up with a 7 person Supreme Court in 2024.
posted by Justinian at 5:02 PM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
It was impossible to get what I assume you'd consider "real change" through on a non-bipartisan basis, too. Well, unless they nuked the filibuster back in 2008/2009. Which maybe people think they should have done? But it wasn't even something under consideration back then so far as I am aware.
There's certainly no prospect of passing a coherent Democratic agenda.
The most likely result in 2020 appears to be a 49-51 Senate with Democrats still in the minority so I'm not sure we're gonna get a coherent Democratic agenda regardless of who gets elected.
Hell, it's not clear to me we won't end up with a 7 person Supreme Court in 2024.
posted by Justinian at 5:02 PM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
There's a difference between having a bold agenda that then gets killed by Mitch McConnell...and leading with a pre-compromised "we're going to open with crap and settle for nothing!" agenda. Biden is leaning hard into opening with crap, and bargaining us down from there.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:15 PM on June 12, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:15 PM on June 12, 2019 [27 favorites]
Benjamin Wittes says Stop Talking About Prosecuting Trump, partly in response to Pelosi & Harris.
I respect Wittes and perhaps he's right that it'd be better to be more circumspect on the optics or even the distance between the rule of law and President-directed prosecution. But I have trouble thinking he's *all* right.
In the first place, he's wrong to place "lock her up" on the same footing as Harris' "we would prosecute." The former communicates a legal conclusion without a legal process. The latter signals intent to use a legal process which includes the privilege of the accused to defend themselves to the judiciary. I admit I find the prospect of defending myself from federal prosecution terrifying alone, but then again someone with the connections and resources to be part of a presidential administration should be able to adequately defend themselves if they're innocent, unless they've gotten themselves in bed with the sort of folks who would throw them under the bus.
I also have a big side-eye for "you don’t protect norms by violating norms." In game theory looking at repeated simple games with cooperative vs defecting moves, the best strategy seems to be tit-for-tat. Norms are an exercise in cooperation. Attempting single-sided fidelity allows a counterparty to receive the benefits of their defection along with your cooperation, making the incentives much worse for restoring cooperation than exposing the defector to real consequences of non-cooperation.
Now, game theory is... pretty far from a perfect model of individual or society-scale interpersonal interactions, and an analysis that begins and ends there would be foolish. But it'd be equally foolish to take "you don’t protect norms by violating norms" at face value. Especially in a time when it's entirely clear that Republicans don't give a half a flying russian doll about norms. Norms are an exercise in cooperation. If one side has already defected from a norm, absent a mea culpa and a credible promise to avoid any repetition, that norm is already gone, and the only course of action is to figure out how to induce the other party to committed cooperation again. And Washington's norm of the two-term presidency wasn't re-established by single-sided adherence once it was departed from.
Additionally, as powerful a norm as not-prosecuting-previous-admin might be in support of incentivizing a peaceful transition of power, when there are signs that a given administration and/or party places little value on a peaceful transition of power -- from, say, riffing on the idea of President for life to a Senate Majority Leader refusing to act on extranational election interference -- the power of said norm notably fades.
And also: presumably the general norm that the President/executive are bound by and accountable to the law itself is of equal importance to a norm like not-prosecuting-previous-administrations. When they come into conflict and you can only pick one, is the latter *really* of more importance? If it is, how can the executive branch truly be said to be accountable to the law at all?
I understand that Wittes leaves himself some escape hatches here in the form of unarticulated DOJ policy which might allow for prosecution of past admin crimes at discretion of an impartial attorney general. And I agree with his vision of the system. But the thing is, these aren't abstract concerns right now that we're balancing in a philosophical discussion, this is a conversation taking place in a moment when we're face to face with concrete defection, stated and performed intent to consolidate illegitimate power, and fairly clear evidence of lawbreaking conduct supported by special counsel investigation. And we have a Republican Senate that is rather unlikely to convict for entirely political reasons. The overall effect basically presents the question of whether or not accountability of any kind is passé.
And the conversation about who the democrats will select as their nominee inevitably has embedded in it whether voters can clearly understand a commitment to respond vigorously to that. Wittes' preferred statement might parse more properly but it doesn't communicate the urgency of the problem. Harris' posture is one of someone who recognizes it.
posted by wildblueyonder at 5:30 PM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
I respect Wittes and perhaps he's right that it'd be better to be more circumspect on the optics or even the distance between the rule of law and President-directed prosecution. But I have trouble thinking he's *all* right.
In the first place, he's wrong to place "lock her up" on the same footing as Harris' "we would prosecute." The former communicates a legal conclusion without a legal process. The latter signals intent to use a legal process which includes the privilege of the accused to defend themselves to the judiciary. I admit I find the prospect of defending myself from federal prosecution terrifying alone, but then again someone with the connections and resources to be part of a presidential administration should be able to adequately defend themselves if they're innocent, unless they've gotten themselves in bed with the sort of folks who would throw them under the bus.
I also have a big side-eye for "you don’t protect norms by violating norms." In game theory looking at repeated simple games with cooperative vs defecting moves, the best strategy seems to be tit-for-tat. Norms are an exercise in cooperation. Attempting single-sided fidelity allows a counterparty to receive the benefits of their defection along with your cooperation, making the incentives much worse for restoring cooperation than exposing the defector to real consequences of non-cooperation.
Now, game theory is... pretty far from a perfect model of individual or society-scale interpersonal interactions, and an analysis that begins and ends there would be foolish. But it'd be equally foolish to take "you don’t protect norms by violating norms" at face value. Especially in a time when it's entirely clear that Republicans don't give a half a flying russian doll about norms. Norms are an exercise in cooperation. If one side has already defected from a norm, absent a mea culpa and a credible promise to avoid any repetition, that norm is already gone, and the only course of action is to figure out how to induce the other party to committed cooperation again. And Washington's norm of the two-term presidency wasn't re-established by single-sided adherence once it was departed from.
Additionally, as powerful a norm as not-prosecuting-previous-admin might be in support of incentivizing a peaceful transition of power, when there are signs that a given administration and/or party places little value on a peaceful transition of power -- from, say, riffing on the idea of President for life to a Senate Majority Leader refusing to act on extranational election interference -- the power of said norm notably fades.
And also: presumably the general norm that the President/executive are bound by and accountable to the law itself is of equal importance to a norm like not-prosecuting-previous-administrations. When they come into conflict and you can only pick one, is the latter *really* of more importance? If it is, how can the executive branch truly be said to be accountable to the law at all?
I understand that Wittes leaves himself some escape hatches here in the form of unarticulated DOJ policy which might allow for prosecution of past admin crimes at discretion of an impartial attorney general. And I agree with his vision of the system. But the thing is, these aren't abstract concerns right now that we're balancing in a philosophical discussion, this is a conversation taking place in a moment when we're face to face with concrete defection, stated and performed intent to consolidate illegitimate power, and fairly clear evidence of lawbreaking conduct supported by special counsel investigation. And we have a Republican Senate that is rather unlikely to convict for entirely political reasons. The overall effect basically presents the question of whether or not accountability of any kind is passé.
And the conversation about who the democrats will select as their nominee inevitably has embedded in it whether voters can clearly understand a commitment to respond vigorously to that. Wittes' preferred statement might parse more properly but it doesn't communicate the urgency of the problem. Harris' posture is one of someone who recognizes it.
posted by wildblueyonder at 5:30 PM on June 12, 2019 [21 favorites]
emelenjr: I know trying to parse what he means is a fool's errand, but is Trump saying he wouldn't let "Kim's half brother works for the CIA" happen, or that he wouldn't let "CIA asset gets killed" happen?
Just about every outlet has gone with the first, much more damning interpretation -- including CNN (Trump claims he wouldn't have let CIA recruit Kim Jong Un's brother) and... Fox News (not linking, but headline is "Trump promises not to use Kim Jong Un's family members as intel assets").
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
Just about every outlet has gone with the first, much more damning interpretation -- including CNN (Trump claims he wouldn't have let CIA recruit Kim Jong Un's brother) and... Fox News (not linking, but headline is "Trump promises not to use Kim Jong Un's family members as intel assets").
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
Everyone knows that what Cruz really wants is for birth control to be over the counter so that it's not covered by insurance anymore, right? So all women regardless of insured status can pay $40+/month for contraception and insurers can deny women access to more long term (and expensive) forms of contraception because we can just go down to CVS and get the pill on our own dime.
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:50 PM on June 12, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:50 PM on June 12, 2019 [26 favorites]
Good thing we’re depending on the election to stop Trump since he just said he’d be colluding with foreign powers to cheat again. Too bad there’s no other way to hold him accountable.
posted by chris24 at 6:23 PM on June 12, 2019 [24 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 6:23 PM on June 12, 2019 [24 favorites]
Good thing we’re depending on the election to stop Trump since he just said he’d be colluding with foreign powers to cheat again. Too bad there’s no other way to hold him accountable.
As we know American law no longer applies to Trump but his offspring hold clearances so they're required by law to report approaches to the FBI.
posted by scalefree at 6:27 PM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
As we know American law no longer applies to Trump but his offspring hold clearances so they're required by law to report approaches to the FBI.
posted by scalefree at 6:27 PM on June 12, 2019 [5 favorites]
Wittes arguing against prosecuting Trump
I don't get the equivalency. Hillary was investigated to no end and no crime was found. Trump was investigated and thousands of lawyers sign a public document saying he should be indicted. One of these people actually committed a crime and one did not. This seems to be a crucial distinction? I really would like for the norm to be that a president that commits crime goes to jail?
posted by xammerboy at 6:43 PM on June 12, 2019 [30 favorites]
I don't get the equivalency. Hillary was investigated to no end and no crime was found. Trump was investigated and thousands of lawyers sign a public document saying he should be indicted. One of these people actually committed a crime and one did not. This seems to be a crucial distinction? I really would like for the norm to be that a president that commits crime goes to jail?
posted by xammerboy at 6:43 PM on June 12, 2019 [30 favorites]
GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter’s wife changing plea in criminal case (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 7:56 PM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
Rep. Duncan Hunter’s wife, Margaret — facing a slew of federal criminal charges along with the California Republican lawmaker over allegations of diverting more than $250,000 in campaign funds to personal use — is set to plead guilty Thursday in federal court in San Diego. [...]Ah, the 'throw your wife under the bus, I had no idea where that money came from, it must have been falling out of the sky' defense. How's that working out for you, Rep. Hunter?
Hunter won reelection in November in the heavily Republican district despite the criminal charges, as did Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), who is under indictment on charges of insider trading. Federal prosecutors allege that over a seven-year period, from 2009 to 2016, the Hunters “illegally used campaign money to pay for personal expenses that they could not otherwise afford. The purchases included family vacations to Italy, Hawaii, Phoenix, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho; school tuition; dental work; theater tickets; and domestic and international travel for almost a dozen relatives.” [...]
When the Hunters were indicted last summer, they both asserted their innocence in response to charges that hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds were spent on an Italian vacation, groceries and video game charges.
In public comments, however, Hunter quickly seemed to shift blame to his wife, emphasizing that her role running his campaigns left her to oversee what was paid out. “She was also the campaign manager, so whatever she did, that’ll be looked at too, I’m sure,” Hunter said on Fox News shortly after the indictment. “But I didn’t do it. … I didn’t spend any money illegally.”
“We are aware of Mrs. Hunter scheduling a hearing to change her plea,” said Greg Vega, a defense lawyer for Duncan Hunter. “At this time, that does not change anything regarding Congressman Hunter. There are still significant motions that need to be litigated, specifically the Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution.” The Speech or Debate Clause prevents lawmakers and aides from legal action over legitimate legislative activities, and it is often invoked in corruption cases involving members and senators.It seems a little late to be calling on the Speech and Debate Clause (WaPo), but I guess (CRS) this means there is some splashing and flailing around to do before the jury trial set for September.
posted by Little Dawn at 7:56 PM on June 12, 2019 [8 favorites]
Not breaking news but further evidence that Trump has always been Trump. A face-eating leopard never changes its orange spots.
@KFILE
@KFILE
one of my favorite moments in archival CNN footage was Trump asked his favorite author on Crossfire in the 1980sposted by scalefree at 8:19 PM on June 12, 2019 [24 favorites]Pat Buchanan: Who are your favorite authors?
Donald Trump: Well, I have a number of favorite authors. I think Tom Wolfe is excellent.
Pat Buchanan: Did you read Vanity of the Bonfires?
Donald Trump: I did not.
Pat Buchanan: Vanity of the Bonfires, excuse me.
Tom Braden: What book are you reading now?
Donald Trump: I'm reading my own book again because I think it's so fantastic.
Pat Buchanan: What's the best book you've read beside Art of the Deal?
Donald Trump: I really like Tom Wolfe's last book. And I think he's a great author. He's done a beautiful job --
Pat Buchanan: Which book?
Donald Trump: His current book. Just his current book.
Pat Buchanan: Bonfire of the Vanities.
Donald Trump: Yes. And the man has done a very, very good job. And I really can't hear with this earphone, by the way.
@MaddowBlog: NEWS: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chair of the House Marine Transportation Subcommittee, says he has been given the green light to investigate corruption allegations against Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [58 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:54 PM on June 12, 2019 [58 favorites]
Well, unless they nuked the filibuster back in 2008/2009. Which maybe people think they should have done? But it wasn't even something under consideration back then so far as I am aware.
Because we must not lose track of just how long and why we've been spinning our wheels, I am compelled to note that there was in fact a broad-based push for the nuclear or "constitutional option" in 2009-10, in the aftermath of the 2008 wave election.
It came to nothing, of course, because of the worse-than-useless Harry Reid and his various aiders and abettors. But the Democratic grassroots were far from silent on the subject, because it was quite apparent even then that eliminating the filibuster was a necessary precondition for achieving any of the majority's policy goals.
While Daily Kos was only one small part of this conversation, the site's URL structure makes it easy to get a cross-section of that conversation as it unfolded in 2009 and 2010.
posted by shenderson at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
Because we must not lose track of just how long and why we've been spinning our wheels, I am compelled to note that there was in fact a broad-based push for the nuclear or "constitutional option" in 2009-10, in the aftermath of the 2008 wave election.
It came to nothing, of course, because of the worse-than-useless Harry Reid and his various aiders and abettors. But the Democratic grassroots were far from silent on the subject, because it was quite apparent even then that eliminating the filibuster was a necessary precondition for achieving any of the majority's policy goals.
While Daily Kos was only one small part of this conversation, the site's URL structure makes it easy to get a cross-section of that conversation as it unfolded in 2009 and 2010.
posted by shenderson at 8:58 PM on June 12, 2019 [9 favorites]
Oregon officially joins National Popular Vote Compact, bringing the total to 196 or 270 necessary votes.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:21 PM on June 12, 2019 [29 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:21 PM on June 12, 2019 [29 favorites]
No. Until and unless some rust belt states sign on it's a pipe dream. Sure, Colorado is an interesting case and a purple state but there aren't nearly enough Colorados to make of for the lack of any sort of movement on this issue in PA or MI or WI. Hell, Minnesota is sitting on the thing and just recently let it die in committee.
posted by Justinian at 10:37 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:37 PM on June 12, 2019 [3 favorites]
The GOP controls the legislature in PA, MI, and WI.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 10:38 PM on June 12, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes, that's why its a pipe dream.
posted by Justinian at 11:58 PM on June 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 11:58 PM on June 12, 2019 [1 favorite]
“Somebody comes up and says, ‘hey, I have information on your opponent,’ do you call the FBI?” Trump responded.
“I’ll tell you what, I've seen a lot of things over my life. I don't think in my whole life I’ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump continued. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn’t work that way.”
When told that the FBI director told Congress that the FBI should be informed about any foreign election meddling, Trump disagreed: "The FBI director is wrong, because frankly it doesn’t happen like that in life,” Trump said. “Now maybe it will start happening, maybe today you’d think differently."
He really doesn't think he is doing anything "wrong", in the sense that he thinks "everyone" does it. And maybe he is right, in that all Republicans do illegal stuff, and some Democrats do too. He was donating to them for ages before he ran for president for reasons.
There is so much to unravel, Mueller just looked at the very top of the iceberg. But I don't see any unravelers out there. Not in congress and not in the press.
Buzzfeed: Trump’s Long History With The FBI: In 1981, He Offered To “Fully Cooperate” “According to a 1981 FBI memo, Trump offered to “fully cooperate” with the bureau, proposing that FBI agents work undercover in a casino he was considering opening in Atlantic City. FBI agents even prepared an “undercover proposal concerning the TRUMP casino” that senior agents and Trump planned to discuss, according to the document.”
It’s as though he has to lie every other sentence or else his brain will explode.
That's a different way of "calling the FBI". That's calling the FBI to see if they have someone who can be bought off. In plain sight! And evidently with success, since now we have president Trump, not Trump behind bars.
posted by mumimor at 1:14 AM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
“I’ll tell you what, I've seen a lot of things over my life. I don't think in my whole life I’ve ever called the FBI. In my whole life. You don’t call the FBI. You throw somebody out of your office, you do whatever you do,” Trump continued. “Oh, give me a break – life doesn’t work that way.”
When told that the FBI director told Congress that the FBI should be informed about any foreign election meddling, Trump disagreed: "The FBI director is wrong, because frankly it doesn’t happen like that in life,” Trump said. “Now maybe it will start happening, maybe today you’d think differently."
He really doesn't think he is doing anything "wrong", in the sense that he thinks "everyone" does it. And maybe he is right, in that all Republicans do illegal stuff, and some Democrats do too. He was donating to them for ages before he ran for president for reasons.
There is so much to unravel, Mueller just looked at the very top of the iceberg. But I don't see any unravelers out there. Not in congress and not in the press.
Buzzfeed: Trump’s Long History With The FBI: In 1981, He Offered To “Fully Cooperate” “According to a 1981 FBI memo, Trump offered to “fully cooperate” with the bureau, proposing that FBI agents work undercover in a casino he was considering opening in Atlantic City. FBI agents even prepared an “undercover proposal concerning the TRUMP casino” that senior agents and Trump planned to discuss, according to the document.”
It’s as though he has to lie every other sentence or else his brain will explode.
That's a different way of "calling the FBI". That's calling the FBI to see if they have someone who can be bought off. In plain sight! And evidently with success, since now we have president Trump, not Trump behind bars.
posted by mumimor at 1:14 AM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
And maybe he is right, in that all Republicans do illegal stuff, and some Democrats do too.
In 2000 the Gore campaign was given a leaked copy of GWB's debate preparation material and they called the FBI over that, let alone hacked private correspondence given by a foreign government.
posted by PenDevil at 2:47 AM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
In 2000 the Gore campaign was given a leaked copy of GWB's debate preparation material and they called the FBI over that, let alone hacked private correspondence given by a foreign government.
posted by PenDevil at 2:47 AM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
Yeah, sorry. I wasn't trying to both-side the issue. I was just thinking of Trump's personal experience as a developer.
posted by mumimor at 2:54 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 2:54 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
Fantasy journalism: “You said you’d accept Russia’s help. Just how much help does a powerful man like you, the leader of a powerful country, need from a less powerful country like Russia? You didn’t accept their help to get into the White House, but you’d accept their help now in order to stay in office?”
posted by emelenjr at 4:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 4:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
We're passing a hat around in African twitter to buy a Thesaurus for mainstream Western media so that they, too, can learn such words as state capture, corruption, kleptocracy, regime change, and nepotism.
posted by hugbucket at 4:57 AM on June 13, 2019 [73 favorites]
posted by hugbucket at 4:57 AM on June 13, 2019 [73 favorites]
Apparently Texan Henry Cuellar is “the worst Democrat in Congress on issue after issue after issue.” He now has a primary challenger, Jessica Cisneros. Here’s her intro video. Her campaign could use some support for those so inclined. She once interned for her opponent, btw.
posted by Bella Donna at 6:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 6:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [17 favorites]
hugbucket: surely they are fine with using those words
... when talking about African nations.
posted by idiopath at 6:26 AM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
... when talking about African nations.
posted by idiopath at 6:26 AM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
It's against the law to accept help with your campaign from a foreign power. It's just that knowledge of the illegality does matter in this area of the law. So Trump is being coy. He knows it's against the law, but one of his henchmen has probably argued that it's not against the law to first vet the help to determine if it is indeed help. Hence Trump's public reframing and normalizing of what he / his campaign team did when meeting with Russia.
"Dirt? Who knows what they mean? Actual earth from the ground? We had to talk to them to find out, and it turned out to be nothing." Most of what Trump says are lies or rationals that only the most gullible fools would choose to believe, but it works on enough people, and many who know better choose to go along, that it's taken seriously at large.
The law has been curiously blind to this strategy. We've found it's impotent against lawful argument no matter how weak in believability. The news reports his lies and games as if Trump is not winking while making them. Fox News give him full throated support. His supporters that know better pretend they don't in return for results. At this point, they accept and encourage his lying as a form of "winning". The rest are rubes, a larger contingent than one would have thought possible.
If normalized, this will mean whoever is in power will simply argue that black is white, up is down, etc. as justification to do whatever the want in the future. Truth and Law are processes. Trump is an assault on those processes.
posted by xammerboy at 7:16 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
"Dirt? Who knows what they mean? Actual earth from the ground? We had to talk to them to find out, and it turned out to be nothing." Most of what Trump says are lies or rationals that only the most gullible fools would choose to believe, but it works on enough people, and many who know better choose to go along, that it's taken seriously at large.
The law has been curiously blind to this strategy. We've found it's impotent against lawful argument no matter how weak in believability. The news reports his lies and games as if Trump is not winking while making them. Fox News give him full throated support. His supporters that know better pretend they don't in return for results. At this point, they accept and encourage his lying as a form of "winning". The rest are rubes, a larger contingent than one would have thought possible.
If normalized, this will mean whoever is in power will simply argue that black is white, up is down, etc. as justification to do whatever the want in the future. Truth and Law are processes. Trump is an assault on those processes.
posted by xammerboy at 7:16 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
More good polling for Warren.
Janet Hook (LAT)
NEW: UC Berkeley @latimes poll shows close race in California with @ewarren rising to second place, @KamalaHarris in 4th.
Biden — 22%
Warren — 18%
Sanders — 17%
Kamala — 13%
posted by chris24 at 7:20 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
Janet Hook (LAT)
NEW: UC Berkeley @latimes poll shows close race in California with @ewarren rising to second place, @KamalaHarris in 4th.
Biden — 22%
Warren — 18%
Sanders — 17%
Kamala — 13%
posted by chris24 at 7:20 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
Cool, sue them all now. How can I help?
posted by xammerboy at 7:23 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
Matt Furie, the cartoonist behind the character and online meme Pepe the Frog, has won a $15,000 (£12,000) settlement against website Infowars and its creator, the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, over use of the anthropomorphic frog in far-right imagery.Pepe is meant to refute the idea that racism exists. He was coopted as a character to make fun of the idea that liberals would even accuse a cartoon frog of racism.
Pepe first appeared as a character in 2005 in Furie’s comic Boy’s Club, in which the “peaceful frog-dude” and his animal housemates got up to various college hijinks. His image quickly became a meme on MySpace, and later the anonymous message board 4chan, before it was co-opted by the US “alt-right” in the early 2010s.
posted by xammerboy at 7:23 AM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
We still don't know who Flynn wanted for his new counsel or why he wanted to change so abruptly. There's some speculation that he can't afford Covington & Burling any more and some that he wanted to adopt a more aggressive legal team prior to sentencing.
This morning @realDonaldTrump chimed in on Flynn's new lawyer, which is all over the rightwing noise machine: "General Michael Flynn, the 33 year war hero who has served with distinction, has not retained a good lawyer, he has retained a GREAT LAWYER, Sidney Powell. Best Wishes and Good Luck to them both!"
Media Matters's Matthew Gertz: “Sean Hannity on Flynn hiring Sidney Powell: "Thank goodness... Powell said 16 months ago, blasting the Mueller witch hunt, is now taking over. No word if he plans to withdraw, but a change of course certainly looks imminent. Powell said 16 months ago he should withdraw that plea"”
Sidney Powell is a former Texas US Attorney turned Trumpist teevee lawyer, regularly appearing on Hannity, Lou Dobbs Tonight, NewsMax TV, and One America News and contributing to The Daily Caller, Fox News, and the Hill. Flynn hiring her signals that he wants his sentencing to be tried in the rightwing media, the best place to obliquely solicit a pardon from Trump. (Powell looks like she'll try to stall in the courts in the meantime.)
At this point, I'm thinking that Dershowitz is doing all this because he's wanting to have a pardon in his pocket when everything Epstein comes out.
Dershowitz at this point has reduced himself to furnishing Twitter-ready spurious legal arguments on Fox for @realDonaldTrump to regurgitate, e.g. this morning: "“Congress cannot Impeach President Trump (did nothing wrong) because if they did they would be putting themselves above the law. The Constitution provides criteria for Impeachment - treason, bribery, high crimes & misdemeanors. Unless there is compelling evidence, Impeachment... ....is not Constitutionally Permissable.” Alan Dershowitz, Constitutional Lawyer". (It's a virtual certainty that this is only a mangled paraphrase, but I'm not watching Hannity to find the exact quote.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:36 AM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
This morning @realDonaldTrump chimed in on Flynn's new lawyer, which is all over the rightwing noise machine: "General Michael Flynn, the 33 year war hero who has served with distinction, has not retained a good lawyer, he has retained a GREAT LAWYER, Sidney Powell. Best Wishes and Good Luck to them both!"
Media Matters's Matthew Gertz: “Sean Hannity on Flynn hiring Sidney Powell: "Thank goodness... Powell said 16 months ago, blasting the Mueller witch hunt, is now taking over. No word if he plans to withdraw, but a change of course certainly looks imminent. Powell said 16 months ago he should withdraw that plea"”
Sidney Powell is a former Texas US Attorney turned Trumpist teevee lawyer, regularly appearing on Hannity, Lou Dobbs Tonight, NewsMax TV, and One America News and contributing to The Daily Caller, Fox News, and the Hill. Flynn hiring her signals that he wants his sentencing to be tried in the rightwing media, the best place to obliquely solicit a pardon from Trump. (Powell looks like she'll try to stall in the courts in the meantime.)
At this point, I'm thinking that Dershowitz is doing all this because he's wanting to have a pardon in his pocket when everything Epstein comes out.
Dershowitz at this point has reduced himself to furnishing Twitter-ready spurious legal arguments on Fox for @realDonaldTrump to regurgitate, e.g. this morning: "“Congress cannot Impeach President Trump (did nothing wrong) because if they did they would be putting themselves above the law. The Constitution provides criteria for Impeachment - treason, bribery, high crimes & misdemeanors. Unless there is compelling evidence, Impeachment... ....is not Constitutionally Permissable.” Alan Dershowitz, Constitutional Lawyer". (It's a virtual certainty that this is only a mangled paraphrase, but I'm not watching Hannity to find the exact quote.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:36 AM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
Donald Trump Jr.
See you soon Justin... I hear Michigan is beautiful during primary season.
replying to @DonaldTrumpJr
if it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer
—
Scott Wong (The Hill)
AMASH says he’s unfazed by primary threats coming from Trump & WH:
“1st, I’m not going to lose, and 2nd, I don’t have any regrets about doing the right thing” on impeachment. “I didn’t run for office to sell out my principles to the party or to any one person”
posted by chris24 at 7:51 AM on June 13, 2019 [43 favorites]
See you soon Justin... I hear Michigan is beautiful during primary season.
@Politics_PollsJustin Amash
2020 #MI03 Republican Primary:
Jim Lower 49% (+16)
Justin Amash 33%
Practical Political Consulting 6/5-9
replying to @DonaldTrumpJr
if it's what you say I love it especially later in the summer
—
Scott Wong (The Hill)
AMASH says he’s unfazed by primary threats coming from Trump & WH:
“1st, I’m not going to lose, and 2nd, I don’t have any regrets about doing the right thing” on impeachment. “I didn’t run for office to sell out my principles to the party or to any one person”
posted by chris24 at 7:51 AM on June 13, 2019 [43 favorites]
Trump’s big problem is that he’s unpopular (Matthew Yglesias, Vox)
Side point: no one seems to factor in gerrymandering and other vote suppression efforts when predicting election outcomes.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:53 AM on June 13, 2019 [24 favorites]
Democrats should worry less about him and more about everything else on the ballot.Current polling suggests he'd lose in most head-to-head scenarios. Democrats shouldn't take him for granted, but paying attention to the issues occasionally will help.
Side point: no one seems to factor in gerrymandering and other vote suppression efforts when predicting election outcomes.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:53 AM on June 13, 2019 [24 favorites]
Sidney Powell is a former Texas US Attorney turned Trumpist teevee lawyer, regularly appearing on Hannity, Lou Dobbs Tonight, NewsMax TV, and One America News and contributing to The Daily Caller, Fox News, and the Hill. Flynn hiring her signals that he wants his sentencing to be tried in the rightwing media, the best place to obliquely solicit a pardon from Trump. (Powell looks like she'll try to stall in the courts in the meantime.)
Powell is a raging lunatic, birther and anti-Semite. (Screenshots of tweets in thread.)
Avi Bueno
Michael Flynn's new lawyer, @SidneyPowell1, is a big fan of antisemitic Twitter accounts, accounts pushing Qanon conspiracy theories, and accounts deeply entrenched in Obama birtherism. Yikes.
• She also tags white nationalist Mike Cernovich fairly often and quote RTs/engages with another far right account that has WikiLeaks in its Twitter bio.
• It's not just her likes that prove her antisemitism, she constantly pushes antisemitic conspiratorial talking points (which motivated the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter) about a Soros and Dem led "invasion" of the US.
• Powell also wrote this obscene opinion piece for the @DailyCaller victim blaming women for rape and excusing teenage boys who sexually assault women because they "experience massive injections of testosterone multiple times a day".....😨
posted by chris24 at 7:58 AM on June 13, 2019 [20 favorites]
Powell is a raging lunatic, birther and anti-Semite. (Screenshots of tweets in thread.)
Avi Bueno
Michael Flynn's new lawyer, @SidneyPowell1, is a big fan of antisemitic Twitter accounts, accounts pushing Qanon conspiracy theories, and accounts deeply entrenched in Obama birtherism. Yikes.
• She also tags white nationalist Mike Cernovich fairly often and quote RTs/engages with another far right account that has WikiLeaks in its Twitter bio.
• It's not just her likes that prove her antisemitism, she constantly pushes antisemitic conspiratorial talking points (which motivated the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter) about a Soros and Dem led "invasion" of the US.
• Powell also wrote this obscene opinion piece for the @DailyCaller victim blaming women for rape and excusing teenage boys who sexually assault women because they "experience massive injections of testosterone multiple times a day".....😨
posted by chris24 at 7:58 AM on June 13, 2019 [20 favorites]
Our President is negotiating with the Cetaceans!
Pair of Trump tweets, since deleted, striking back after the Stephanopoulos interview tidbit: “I meet and talk to ‘foreign governments’ every day. I just met with the Queen of England (U.K.), the Prince of Whales, the P.M. of the United Kingdom, the P.M. of Ireland, the President of France and the President of Poland. We talked about ‘Everything!’”
“Should I immediately call the FBI about these calls and meetings? How ridiculous! I would never be trusted again. With that being said, my full answer is rarely played by the Fake News Media. They purposely leave out the part that matters.” Source
posted by carmicha at 8:07 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Pair of Trump tweets, since deleted, striking back after the Stephanopoulos interview tidbit: “I meet and talk to ‘foreign governments’ every day. I just met with the Queen of England (U.K.), the Prince of Whales, the P.M. of the United Kingdom, the P.M. of Ireland, the President of France and the President of Poland. We talked about ‘Everything!’”
“Should I immediately call the FBI about these calls and meetings? How ridiculous! I would never be trusted again. With that being said, my full answer is rarely played by the Fake News Media. They purposely leave out the part that matters.” Source
posted by carmicha at 8:07 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
NYT: Justice Dept. Seeks to Question C.I.A. in Its Own Russia Investigation
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:31 AM on June 13, 2019 [15 favorites]
Justice Department officials intend to interview senior C.I.A. officers as they review the Russia investigation, according to people briefed on the matter, indicating they are focused partly on the intelligence agencies’ most explosive conclusion about the 2016 election: that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia intervened to benefit Donald J. Trump.Barr's witch hunt looks like it will result in a purge of intelligence officials as well as DoJ/FBI.
The interview plans are the latest sign the Justice Department will take a critical look at the C.I.A.’s work on Russia’s election interference. Investigators want to talk with at least one senior counterintelligence official and a senior C.I.A. analyst, the people said. Both officials were involved in the agency’s work on understanding the Russian campaign to sabotage the election in 2016.
While the Justice Department review is not a criminal inquiry, it has provoked anxiety in the ranks of the C.I.A., according to former officials. Senior agency officials have questioned why the C.I.A.’s analytical work should be subjected to a federal prosecutor’s scrutiny.[…]
The review is unlikely to be confined only to the activities of the F.B.I. and C.I.A. It could also look into the work of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other agencies. The people whom Mr. Durham intends to interview offer some hints about what he is interested in learning.
One of the C.I.A. officers he wants to question works at the agency’s counterintelligence mission center that would have been one conduit for the C.I.A. to pass intelligence to the F.B.I. about Russian attempts to reach out to the Trump campaign, or information that the agency uncovered about Moscow’s interference campaign. C.I.A. officers at the center work closely with the F.B.I. on complex cases like hunting down traitors and helping validate the agency’s informants.
The senior analyst whom the Justice Department wants to talk to was involved in the C.I.A. assessment of Russian activities in 2016, the people familiar with the inquiry said.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:31 AM on June 13, 2019 [15 favorites]
ZeusHumms: "Side point: no one seems to factor in gerrymandering and other vote suppression efforts when predicting election outcomes."
I don't think this is really accurate. I think people making predictions look at past outcomes, which have those factors baked in. Like everyone was aware that the generic ballot average for Dems needed to be like +4 for them to be favored to take the House in 2018.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
I don't think this is really accurate. I think people making predictions look at past outcomes, which have those factors baked in. Like everyone was aware that the generic ballot average for Dems needed to be like +4 for them to be favored to take the House in 2018.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
When the DOJ asked CIA Director Gina Haspel for her documentation on torturing prisoners she destroyed it, but she's happy to comply with this b.s. investigation without even registering a complaint. Why isn't the news stating the obvious, given their histories who can trust a word of any resulting report?
posted by xammerboy at 8:39 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 8:39 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
When the DOJ asked CIA Director Gina Haspel for her documentation on torturing prisoners she destroyed it, but she's happy to comply with this b.s. investigation without even registering a complaint.
If Trump has shown one talent, it's for hiring people who are already compromised in some way and thus are amendable to his compromising them further. Haspel is obviously one such appointment in his administration. The DoJ's John Durham is another, having conducted an investigation into Haspel's destruction of evidence about torture at the CIA black site she ran in Thailand that effectively whitewashed her actions. The NYT alludes to this in its article, but it doesn't make the obvious inference that Haspel and Durham are bound together by this scandal or that Trump and Barr have leverage over them because of this.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:17 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
If Trump has shown one talent, it's for hiring people who are already compromised in some way and thus are amendable to his compromising them further. Haspel is obviously one such appointment in his administration. The DoJ's John Durham is another, having conducted an investigation into Haspel's destruction of evidence about torture at the CIA black site she ran in Thailand that effectively whitewashed her actions. The NYT alludes to this in its article, but it doesn't make the obvious inference that Haspel and Durham are bound together by this scandal or that Trump and Barr have leverage over them because of this.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:17 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
OSC Recommends Trump Fire Kellyanne Conway For Hatch Act Violations
posted by peeedro at 9:23 AM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
The Office of Special Counsel recommended that President Trump fire senior adviser Kellyanne Conway over repeated violations of the Hatch Act in a Thursday statement.The White House has accused the agency of taking "unprecedented actions" that violate Conway's "constitutional rights" and attempting to "weaponize" the Hatch Act.
A report attached to the statement labels Conway a “repeat offender,” and says that her violations, “if left unpunished, would send a message to all federal employees that they need not abide by the Hatch Act’s restrictions.”
posted by peeedro at 9:23 AM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
Why isn't the news stating the obvious, given their histories who can trust a word of any resulting report?
Upon a regime change initiated state capture, the first thing you must do is control the media.
posted by hugbucket at 9:49 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
Upon a regime change initiated state capture, the first thing you must do is control the media.
posted by hugbucket at 9:49 AM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
from OSC henry j. kerner's cover letter addressed to the president:
posted by 20 year lurk at 10:03 AM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
OSC's career Hatch Act staff have long conducted thorough and impartial investigations of alleged Hatch Act violations, including by senior oficials in administrations of both parties. Never has the OSC had to issue multiple reports to the President concerning Hatch Act violations by the same individual. Ms. Conway's actions and statements stand in stark contrast to the culture of compliance promised by your White House Counsel and undermine your efforts to create and enforce such a culture. Therefore, OSC respectfully requests that Ms. Conway be held to the same standards as all other federal employees, and, as such, you find removal from federal service to be the appropriate disciplinary action.oh, i don't know, mr. kerner: ms. conway's actions seem perfectly congruent with the president's efforts to create and enforce a culture of compliance.
posted by 20 year lurk at 10:03 AM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
The days of buying your commission are back! Former Chief of Staff Reince Preibus is now a 47 year old O-1 in the Navy.
posted by cmfletcher at 10:09 AM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 10:09 AM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Two WaPo stories on tax dollars being spent by a petty egotist:
Trump shares mock-ups of a new Air Force One featuring colors remarkably similar to his private jet:
Trump shares mock-ups of a new Air Force One featuring colors remarkably similar to his private jet:
The mock-ups swap out the current sky blue and white for a color scheme that includes white, red and dark blue — in nearly identical shades that appear on the jet in which Trump used to fly around the country during his 2016 campaign. The colors are inverted on the Air Force One design, with the white on top and dark blue on bottom.A second Fourth of July fireworks show could be headed to the Mall:
The shade of blue chosen by Trump appears darker than that specified for American flags. The exact shade was not known.
The interview with Trump, conducted in the Oval Office, was broadcast a day after a House committee voted to require congressional approval for changes to the Air Force One paint scheme and interior design. It’s unclear whether the provision will remain in the [National Defense Authorization Act] by the time it gets to Trump’s desk.
Government officials and fireworks experts have been trying to arrange for an additional Fourth of July fireworks display on the Mall to go with the original, relocated display and the planned speech by President Trump at the Lincoln Memorial.posted by peeedro at 10:13 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
[...]
The new arrangement was a top priority for [Interior Secretary David] Bernhardt, to whom Trump gave the job months ago.
Trump shares mock-ups of a new Air Force One featuring colors remarkably similar to his private jet
TBH it's less horrible than I expected, it's more boring. It looks like an airliner.
The current Air Force Design is beautiful, elegant, and classy, and I don't think it should ever change.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
TBH it's less horrible than I expected, it's more boring. It looks like an airliner.
The current Air Force Design is beautiful, elegant, and classy, and I don't think it should ever change.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:18 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
A second Fourth of July fireworks show could be headed to the Mall
Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
posted by kirkaracha at 10:22 AM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
Opening up the area would allow about 50,000 more people to view the fireworks and the president, officials said.I would love it if they made room for more people and no one showed up. Especially in the summer.
Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
posted by kirkaracha at 10:22 AM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
peeedro: OSC Recommends Trump Fire Kellyanne Conway For Hatch Act Violations
Reminder: this has been going on since, oh, at least February 2017: Kellyanne Conway Promotes Ivanka Trump Brand, Raising Ethics Concerns -- Ms. Conway urged Fox viewers on Thursday to buy fashion products marketed by Ivanka Trump. (Richard Pérez-Peña and Rachel Abrams for New York Times, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017) And it's been happening ever since (Google news search for 2017). Was she even reprimanded?
zachlipton: ABC News, ‘I think I’d take it’: In exclusive interview, Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents
posted by filthy light thief at 10:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [18 favorites]
Reminder: this has been going on since, oh, at least February 2017: Kellyanne Conway Promotes Ivanka Trump Brand, Raising Ethics Concerns -- Ms. Conway urged Fox viewers on Thursday to buy fashion products marketed by Ivanka Trump. (Richard Pérez-Peña and Rachel Abrams for New York Times, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017) And it's been happening ever since (Google news search for 2017). Was she even reprimanded?
zachlipton: ABC News, ‘I think I’d take it’: In exclusive interview, Trump says he would listen if foreigners offered dirt on opponents
Asked by ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos in the Oval Office on Wednesday whether his campaign would accept such information from foreigners -- such as China or Russia -- or hand it over the FBI, Trump said, “I think maybe you do both.”Because apparently it needs to be stated -- FACT CHECK: Foreign Interference And 'Opposition Research' Are Not The Same (Philip Ewing for NPR, June 13, 2019)
“I think you might want to listen, there isn’t anything wrong with listening,” Trump continued. “If somebody called from a country, Norway, [and said] ‘we have information on your opponent' -- oh, I think I’d want to hear it.”
posted by filthy light thief at 10:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [18 favorites]
David Roth is a brilliant writer, so it pains me a little the extent to which so much of his brain is devoted to Trump, but the benefit of that is that he's one of the few who really gets the man and can distill him down to his essence. The Man Who Was Upset: Making sense of Donald Trump's petulant reign. The whole thing is just so good; here's a taste:
Where the media has failed and continues to fail is in its insistence that Trump is doing all of this, or any of it, for the same reason that other politicians are understood to have aimed to distract or chosen to lie. When this tendency is criticized, the criticism often arrives in the form of some lamentation that the media is still covering Trump as if he were a Normal President.posted by zachlipton at 10:48 AM on June 13, 2019 [38 favorites]
That criticism is reasonable as far as it goes, which is not nearly far enough. A series of long-standing procedural and political and discursive norms really have failed the essential challenge that Trumpian politics and Trump’s own bulletproof shamelessness present. But the steepness and rapidity of their fall raises some serious questions about just how sturdy they were to begin with. The spectacle of expert analysts and thought leaders parsing the actions of a man with no expertise or capacity for analysis is the purest acid satire—but less because of how badly that expert analysis has failed than because of how sincerely misplaced it is. Trump represents an extraordinary challenge to political media precisely because there is nothing here to parse, no hidden meanings or tactical elisions or slow-rolled strategic campaign. Mainstream political media and Trump’s opponents in the Democratic Party conceive of politics as chess, a matter of feints and sacrifices and moves made so as to open the way for other moves. There’s an element of romance to this vision, which is a crucial tenet in a certain type of big-D Democratic thought and also something like the reason why anyone would need to employ a political analyst. But Trump is not playing chess. The man is playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.
And here at last we are beginning to circle around Trump’s true superpower, and are closer to identifying the small and stubborn thing that defines him. It’s what binds his deliriously incoherent politics, and helps him thread together his wildly far-flung grievances—Trump never forgets a slight, and pursues ancient grudges against bygone New York showbiz figures with the same tireless vigor that he brings to his campaigns against his various Deep State persecutors—into a single rancid system of being. There is nothing artful or concealed about Donald Trump, which is one of the secrets of his strange success as a politician. His lies are preposterous and glaring and never anything but the obvious opposite of what is actually true; his unquestioned desires and deeply held, deeply unreasoning bigotries and petty fixations are all absolutely untouched from the 1988 Rich Guy factory settings; the sheer mass of his annihilating selfishness leaves no room for anything like subtext. Trump is nothing but what he appears to be, and his superpower comes from this. His superpower is getting upset.
Chrysostom posted @MaddowBlog: NEWS: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chair of the House Marine Transportation Subcommittee, says he has been given the green light to investigate corruption allegations against Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
I'm going to send a fax of thanks and support to Maloney with a cc to my own reps. I plan to say:
"How many members of the administration are putting their own interests - or the interests of foreign governments - ahead of the nation's interests? Congress must ensure that anyone selling out their country is held fully accountable, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Ms. Chao is not an isolated case.
This is a good first step.
posted by kristi at 10:55 AM on June 13, 2019 [27 favorites]
I'm going to send a fax of thanks and support to Maloney with a cc to my own reps. I plan to say:
"How many members of the administration are putting their own interests - or the interests of foreign governments - ahead of the nation's interests? Congress must ensure that anyone selling out their country is held fully accountable, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Ms. Chao is not an isolated case.
This is a good first step.
posted by kristi at 10:55 AM on June 13, 2019 [27 favorites]
But Trump is not playing chess. The man is playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.
At first I objected to this metaphor, on the grounds of how dare Roth impugn the good name of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Then I gave it some thought, and realized that the goal of the game is to grab as many marbles as you possibly can, as quickly as you possibly can, before anyone else can grab any, and in that way it does reflect Trump's goals. But a Hungry Hungry Hippos player willingly accepts the limitations imposed by the game: you must press the lever in order to activate the hippo, which will retrieve the marbles for you. Sticking your hand in and grabbing marbles would be cheating. But since when has Trump abided by any limitations imposed by society, or civility, or the law?
What I'm saying is Donald Trump cheats at Hungry Hungry Hippos.
posted by Faint of Butt at 10:57 AM on June 13, 2019 [63 favorites]
At first I objected to this metaphor, on the grounds of how dare Roth impugn the good name of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Then I gave it some thought, and realized that the goal of the game is to grab as many marbles as you possibly can, as quickly as you possibly can, before anyone else can grab any, and in that way it does reflect Trump's goals. But a Hungry Hungry Hippos player willingly accepts the limitations imposed by the game: you must press the lever in order to activate the hippo, which will retrieve the marbles for you. Sticking your hand in and grabbing marbles would be cheating. But since when has Trump abided by any limitations imposed by society, or civility, or the law?
What I'm saying is Donald Trump cheats at Hungry Hungry Hippos.
posted by Faint of Butt at 10:57 AM on June 13, 2019 [63 favorites]
This is from the middle of a longish thread, the start of which describes some of the current conditions her friend (who volunteers as a legal advocate at CBP facilities) has described. The link goes to the start of the thread.
@ECMcLaughlin
posted by Buntix at 11:19 AM on June 13, 2019 [79 favorites]
@ECMcLaughlin
From "The Freezer," refugees are supposed to be moved to ICE facilities that are designed for residential care. They have beds, food, bathrooms. However, (keep reading) THOSE FACILITIES ARE EMPTY.threadreader link
ICE IS SHUTTING THEM DOWN.
Don't look away.
What our government is doing instead is moving refugees to MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. The announcement about Fort Sill, which was used as a Japanese internment camp, is only the start.
So why would our government be doing this?
Here's why
These concentration camps (let's call them what they are) will be under the control of the Department of Homeland Security, but within the Department of Defense. Unlike ICE facilities, which allow site inspectors inside, there will be no inspection of military-run camps.
The military will be able to deny access to anyone it chooses. No media. No oversight. Lawyers will not be allowed in. Human rights monitors will not be allowed in. The camps will also be protected airspace, meaning that no drones can fly over them to take pictures of what's going on inside. The Trump administration will be able to conduct itself in whatever way it wants to without anyone knowing what's going on inside.
Think about what that means. Think about why they would want that.
This is happening RIGHT NOW.
posted by Buntix at 11:19 AM on June 13, 2019 [79 favorites]
Current polling suggests he'd lose in most head-to-head scenarios.
Jesus fuck I am so so so so tired of the reporting on this as if it means a fucking thing unless you break that out by state. We already know that Trump would lose on a popular vote because he did that last time. And guess what, motherfuckers? He's still the fucking president. If he wins the necessary states and loses the popular vote in 2020 he'll be the fucking winner that time too.
The press' inability to change how they report on Trump gets a lot of discussion. Where's the discussion about the fact that they can't seem to adapt their reporting to deal with presidential polling and electoral votes?
posted by phearlez at 11:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [28 favorites]
Jesus fuck I am so so so so tired of the reporting on this as if it means a fucking thing unless you break that out by state. We already know that Trump would lose on a popular vote because he did that last time. And guess what, motherfuckers? He's still the fucking president. If he wins the necessary states and loses the popular vote in 2020 he'll be the fucking winner that time too.
The press' inability to change how they report on Trump gets a lot of discussion. Where's the discussion about the fact that they can't seem to adapt their reporting to deal with presidential polling and electoral votes?
posted by phearlez at 11:21 AM on June 13, 2019 [28 favorites]
Thanks, zacklipton - Roth's insightful "The Man Who Was Upset" was an 'aha' moment for me - now I can't stop seeing every Trump snit as a bad take-off on Ben Stiller's pathetic "Mr. Furious" in that ol' superhero spoof, "Mystery Men."
posted by PhineasGage at 11:24 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 11:24 AM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
I haven't been able to find references to allowing/disallowing inspections there during that era, but it's worth keeping in mind that the Obama administration used Fort Sill for housing migrant children as well.
posted by emelenjr at 11:30 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 11:30 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
The military will be able to deny access to anyone it chooses. No media. No oversight.
Congresspeople are the answer. I was there at JFK the day that Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velasquez walked into CBP holding areas and came out with Hameed Darweesh.
Let them in to inspect the place or cut off all their funding, no compromises or conditions.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:34 AM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
Congresspeople are the answer. I was there at JFK the day that Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velasquez walked into CBP holding areas and came out with Hameed Darweesh.
Let them in to inspect the place or cut off all their funding, no compromises or conditions.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:34 AM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
I haven't been able to find references to allowing/disallowing inspections there during that era, but it's worth keeping in mind that the Obama administration used Fort Sill for housing migrant children as well.
posted by emelenjr 1 minute ago [+] [!]
I hope to god you read the rest of the thread, because putting them in a military installation is the very least of what the thread is alleging. E.g.,
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [30 favorites]
posted by emelenjr 1 minute ago [+] [!]
I hope to god you read the rest of the thread, because putting them in a military installation is the very least of what the thread is alleging. E.g.,
It gets worse. Don't look away.I have no way of knowing if what she is saying is true, but if Obama was allowing the same things to happen, then I not only am I the worst judge of character in the world, but he is just as despicable as Donald Trump and his legion of hateful misanthropes. But I'm pretty sure these things weren't happening then. I hope an enterprising reporter can verify these reports and disperse them more widely. This is Nazi-level brutality and inhumanity.
From the "Dog Pound," these human beings are moved to an area called "The Freezer."
The Freezer is kept at 55 degrees.
Some of the refugees who are moved there are still wet from their journey, and are put in The Freezer wet.
CBP is keeping human beings in "The Freezer" for weeks at a time. WEEKS.
Including critically ill people, disabled people, sick children, teenage mothers with babies.
The floor of The Freezer is made of dirt or very rough concrete. There are no beds.
Keep reading.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:37 AM on June 13, 2019 [30 favorites]
The White House has accused the agency of taking "unprecedented actions" that violate Conway's "constitutional rights" and attempting to "weaponize" the Hatch Act.
Perhaps instead of MAGA, this administration's motto should be "Who gon' check me, boo?" That attitude seems to be working for them so far.
posted by fuse theorem at 11:47 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Perhaps instead of MAGA, this administration's motto should be "Who gon' check me, boo?" That attitude seems to be working for them so far.
posted by fuse theorem at 11:47 AM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
I wasn't attempting to defend this move by the Trump administration at all. I was just pointing out that the military installation has been used to house migrant children before. I share your horrification.
posted by emelenjr at 11:48 AM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 11:48 AM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
Let them in to inspect the place or cut off all their funding, no compromises or conditions.
Congress needs to tell the military that their mission is not running concentration camps or cut off their funding, no compromises or conditions.
I got in a Facebook argument with a friend over the past weekend because he objected to my using the term "concentration camps," insisting that no one was getting gassed to death, and that it's insulting to make the comparison.
I pointed out that Auschwitz I opened in 1940; Dachau opened in 1933. But the one led to the other.
We're in 1933.
posted by Gelatin at 12:00 PM on June 13, 2019 [34 favorites]
Congress needs to tell the military that their mission is not running concentration camps or cut off their funding, no compromises or conditions.
I got in a Facebook argument with a friend over the past weekend because he objected to my using the term "concentration camps," insisting that no one was getting gassed to death, and that it's insulting to make the comparison.
I pointed out that Auschwitz I opened in 1940; Dachau opened in 1933. But the one led to the other.
We're in 1933.
posted by Gelatin at 12:00 PM on June 13, 2019 [34 favorites]
but if Obama was allowing the same things to happen, then I not only am I the worst judge of character in the world, but he is just as despicable as Donald Trump and his legion of hateful misanthropes. But I'm pretty sure these things weren't happening then.
1. The dog pounds and freezers (las perreras and las hieleras) were used during the Obama administration. CBP claimed that they were only very short term holding facilities and temperature was held at normal room temps, but migrants rights groups sued the government with many accusations of the facilities being used as illegal punitive detention.
2. Not to let Obama off the hook, but at the front lines the CBP has been essentially a rogue agency since the Bush administration. Trump's Cruelty First policies are enabling worse abuse.
posted by peeedro at 12:23 PM on June 13, 2019 [38 favorites]
1. The dog pounds and freezers (las perreras and las hieleras) were used during the Obama administration. CBP claimed that they were only very short term holding facilities and temperature was held at normal room temps, but migrants rights groups sued the government with many accusations of the facilities being used as illegal punitive detention.
2. Not to let Obama off the hook, but at the front lines the CBP has been essentially a rogue agency since the Bush administration. Trump's Cruelty First policies are enabling worse abuse.
posted by peeedro at 12:23 PM on June 13, 2019 [38 favorites]
The days of buying your commission are back! Former Chief of Staff Reince Preibus is now a 47 year old O-1 in the Navy.
US Navy's newest officer, standing tall! My Granddad was a Nav y Captain, he'd be turning over in his grave at that slouch if he hadn't been cremated & scattered in the back woods.
@AdamWeinstein
posted by scalefree at 12:32 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
US Navy's newest officer, standing tall! My Granddad was a Nav y Captain, he'd be turning over in his grave at that slouch if he hadn't been cremated & scattered in the back woods.
@AdamWeinstein
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see an aged but well connected shlub vainly guess how to stand at attention in a uniform that’s never been inspected or tailored, enjoy your feast[photo - must be seen to be believed]
posted by scalefree at 12:32 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
federal politics is too big and too horrifying and too distant-seeming for me to really wrap my brain around in any meaningful way, so i approach it through analogy with municipal electoral politics, which i’ve been close enough to to feel like i understand it a little.
and in my experience, every single damn time a progressive mayor gets elected, every time, that mayor’s administration has been hamstrung by the city’s police department. because although police departments are formally under the control of the civilian government, in reality they are rogue organizations that answer to no one, organizations that quickly and efficiently punish any elected leader who tries to rein them in.
obama, bless his sweet naïve heart, was a moderate president who seemed to genuinely believe in the potential goodness of all people, and so was utterly impotent in controlling the abuses of the cbp/ice goons he had inherited from the monstrous bush jr. administration, just like progressive mayors are impotent in controlling the police goons that on paper answer to elected civilian leaders. but where obama was a naïve feckless optimist, trump is someone who himself has the soul of a cop, a callow stupid vicious pig’s brain in his head, and so rather than simply failing to control the monsters, he goads them on toward further atrocities.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:37 PM on June 13, 2019 [30 favorites]
and in my experience, every single damn time a progressive mayor gets elected, every time, that mayor’s administration has been hamstrung by the city’s police department. because although police departments are formally under the control of the civilian government, in reality they are rogue organizations that answer to no one, organizations that quickly and efficiently punish any elected leader who tries to rein them in.
obama, bless his sweet naïve heart, was a moderate president who seemed to genuinely believe in the potential goodness of all people, and so was utterly impotent in controlling the abuses of the cbp/ice goons he had inherited from the monstrous bush jr. administration, just like progressive mayors are impotent in controlling the police goons that on paper answer to elected civilian leaders. but where obama was a naïve feckless optimist, trump is someone who himself has the soul of a cop, a callow stupid vicious pig’s brain in his head, and so rather than simply failing to control the monsters, he goads them on toward further atrocities.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 12:37 PM on June 13, 2019 [30 favorites]
An excellent comment (by me!) on the evolving meaning of "concentration camp" before and after World War II.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:38 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 12:38 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
Looks like the Trump Administration is preparing the memo on the WMDs in Iraq
Pompeo: Iran responsible for attack on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman
"Iran has no trust in America," Khamenei said at his meeting with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
posted by hugbucket at 12:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Pompeo: Iran responsible for attack on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman
"Iran has no trust in America," Khamenei said at his meeting with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
posted by hugbucket at 12:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Immigrants were housed in those camps despite Obama. They're being housed there because of Trump.
posted by scalefree at 12:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 12:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
Will Russia back US' maximum pressure on Iran?
US-Russian cooperation on Iran has its limits.
The United Nations has warned the world cannot afford "a major confrontation in the Gulf" as international concern grew over suspected attacks on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
"This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication," Pompeo said. He did not provide hard evidence to back up the US stance.
Iran has 'no intentions' to make or use nuclear weapons, Abe says
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said Iran's Supreme Leader made the comment during a meeting in Tehran.
posted by hugbucket at 12:49 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
US-Russian cooperation on Iran has its limits.
The United Nations has warned the world cannot afford "a major confrontation in the Gulf" as international concern grew over suspected attacks on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
"This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication," Pompeo said. He did not provide hard evidence to back up the US stance.
Iran has 'no intentions' to make or use nuclear weapons, Abe says
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said Iran's Supreme Leader made the comment during a meeting in Tehran.
posted by hugbucket at 12:49 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Cry wolf. Sad.
President Donald Trump's pyrotechnic approach to the presidency has solidified his base but alienated half the country, a factor that would complicate his efforts to sell Americans on another war.
And Trump's incessant fight against fact and denials of obvious truth may also mean he has a credibility issue even if he comes before the nation to talk about what he sees as a credible threat.
posted by hugbucket at 12:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
President Donald Trump's pyrotechnic approach to the presidency has solidified his base but alienated half the country, a factor that would complicate his efforts to sell Americans on another war.
And Trump's incessant fight against fact and denials of obvious truth may also mean he has a credibility issue even if he comes before the nation to talk about what he sees as a credible threat.
posted by hugbucket at 12:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Pompeo: Iran responsible for attack on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman
Besides the total lack of proof or any answer to why Iran would do this in the middle of their summit with Abe, there's another disturbing part of this, which were some comments made by lawmakers in the middle of the night as the House worked through the defense appropriations bill. Pompeo apparently gave a briefing where he suggested that, due to alleged links between Iran and Al Queda, the 2001 authorization for use of military force could potentially be used to authorize war against Iran.
posted by zachlipton at 12:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
Besides the total lack of proof or any answer to why Iran would do this in the middle of their summit with Abe, there's another disturbing part of this, which were some comments made by lawmakers in the middle of the night as the House worked through the defense appropriations bill. Pompeo apparently gave a briefing where he suggested that, due to alleged links between Iran and Al Queda, the 2001 authorization for use of military force could potentially be used to authorize war against Iran.
posted by zachlipton at 12:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
Immigrants were housed in those camps despite Obama. They're being housed there because of Trump.
I believe that, but do you have a linkable source that describes it that I can use when people inevitably bring up Obama as if it's an excuse?
posted by flaterik at 12:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
I believe that, but do you have a linkable source that describes it that I can use when people inevitably bring up Obama as if it's an excuse?
posted by flaterik at 12:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
And Trump's incessant fight against fact and denials of obvious truth may also mean he has a credibility issue even if he comes before the nation to talk about what he sees as a credible threat.
Trump is imposing tariffs right now, unilaterally, without Congress' consent, due to a loophole that lets him do so if he claims -- however obviously spuriously -- that it's for "national security" reasons. Said tariffs are causing huge economic damage to Trump's Farm Belt base that he's trying to buy off with money I doubt Congress appropriated for the purpose. No one really buys the rationale, but he has the power to do so, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Remember, it took the so-called "liberal media" some time after witnessing George W. Bush's unavoidably obvious incompetence after Hurricane Katrina before they figured out what the public had long since, that he was no longer a "popular wartime president."
If Trump started a shooting war using the powers Congress already gave the President, you'd see NPR hesitantly noting that "critics say" Trump's justifications don't hold water.
posted by Gelatin at 1:03 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Trump is imposing tariffs right now, unilaterally, without Congress' consent, due to a loophole that lets him do so if he claims -- however obviously spuriously -- that it's for "national security" reasons. Said tariffs are causing huge economic damage to Trump's Farm Belt base that he's trying to buy off with money I doubt Congress appropriated for the purpose. No one really buys the rationale, but he has the power to do so, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Remember, it took the so-called "liberal media" some time after witnessing George W. Bush's unavoidably obvious incompetence after Hurricane Katrina before they figured out what the public had long since, that he was no longer a "popular wartime president."
If Trump started a shooting war using the powers Congress already gave the President, you'd see NPR hesitantly noting that "critics say" Trump's justifications don't hold water.
posted by Gelatin at 1:03 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
From the Department of Surely This:
The Nepotism Might Finally Be Too Much to Ignore (Dahlia Lithwick, Slate)
The Nepotism Might Finally Be Too Much to Ignore (Dahlia Lithwick, Slate)
"From Jared Kushner to Elaine Chao and Amy Chua, the elites have made their game a bit too obvious." [...]posted by ZeusHumms at 1:03 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
We all believe our children to be extraordinary. Most of us would move mountains to help them excel. But that doesn’t mean the world should dance with joy when rich children are foisted into leadership roles because elites have traded favors. And one wants to be extremely careful when one mistakes transactional American elitism for patriotism, intellectual rigor, or doing justice. At minimum, one ought to be aware that the American public appreciates greed for its own sake vastly more than it respects hollow nepotism. Because it increasingly seems that one tiny quirk of the American tolerance for greed is that it may prove to be nontransferable: We don’t mind so very much that grifters are gonna grift, but we do appear to balk at allowing their children to inherit the earth.
Weeping in the Playtime of Others: The Obama Administration’s Failed Reform of ICE Family Detention Practices
Dora Schriro*
Early in 2009, shortly after President Obama took office, DHS undertook a comprehensive
assessment of detention policy and practice, with the goals of reducing reliance on detention
and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of ICE. . .
The widespread lack of interest and expertise in matters other than enforcement,
coupled with policy shifts towards increased reliance upon detention, consistent with the
workforce’s disdain for the population and its preference for punitive practices, accelerated
and exacerbated ICE’s reliance on contractors.21 Inside the administration, the champions
for change diminished in number and soon redirected to other pressing issues of the day. . .
In short, the report urged ICE to put in place an informed plan of action to improve decision
making, activities, and outcomes. Adoption would commit the agency to full transparency,
to increase its accountability to others and most fundamentally, to comply with the law.23
DHS adopted the report in its entirety and published it on its website where it remained
throughout the Obama administration. ICE agreed to temper its use of detention and it
imposed excessive supervision requirements on those released to the community. For a
time, the momentum was palpable. ICE put a number of plans into place to lower cost and
yield better results, among them establishing the Office of Detention Policy and Planning
(ODPP) within ICE to oversee the implementation of the remaining recommendations in the
2009 report.24 ODPP took substantive steps to enhance oversight and improve accountability
during the first year of the first term but overall, reform of the system faltered. It was not
among the administration’s top priorities and countervailing enforcement policies quickly
overtook this initiative.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:05 PM on June 13, 2019 [16 favorites]
Dora Schriro*
Early in 2009, shortly after President Obama took office, DHS undertook a comprehensive
assessment of detention policy and practice, with the goals of reducing reliance on detention
and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of ICE. . .
The widespread lack of interest and expertise in matters other than enforcement,
coupled with policy shifts towards increased reliance upon detention, consistent with the
workforce’s disdain for the population and its preference for punitive practices, accelerated
and exacerbated ICE’s reliance on contractors.21 Inside the administration, the champions
for change diminished in number and soon redirected to other pressing issues of the day. . .
In short, the report urged ICE to put in place an informed plan of action to improve decision
making, activities, and outcomes. Adoption would commit the agency to full transparency,
to increase its accountability to others and most fundamentally, to comply with the law.23
DHS adopted the report in its entirety and published it on its website where it remained
throughout the Obama administration. ICE agreed to temper its use of detention and it
imposed excessive supervision requirements on those released to the community. For a
time, the momentum was palpable. ICE put a number of plans into place to lower cost and
yield better results, among them establishing the Office of Detention Policy and Planning
(ODPP) within ICE to oversee the implementation of the remaining recommendations in the
2009 report.24 ODPP took substantive steps to enhance oversight and improve accountability
during the first year of the first term but overall, reform of the system faltered. It was not
among the administration’s top priorities and countervailing enforcement policies quickly
overtook this initiative.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:05 PM on June 13, 2019 [16 favorites]
Are any of the candidates standing up for immigration? I don't mean just deploring what Trump has done, I mean stating that we need more immigration, that immigration is the life-blood of our country.
From my experience as a social worker with immigrants (indirectly), my experience showed immigrants as the ultimate Americans.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:12 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
From my experience as a social worker with immigrants (indirectly), my experience showed immigrants as the ultimate Americans.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:12 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
US Navy's newest officer, standing tall!
In addition to Mike Pence commissioning Reince Priebus into the Navy, his fingerprints are on attempts to help disgraced Missouri governor Eric Greitens find a better posting in his soft landing in the service. Despite credible accusations of campaign finance violations, computer tampering, and violent and coercive sexual misconduct, Greitens was allowed to return to active status as a general unrestricted line officer in the Selected Reserves at his previous rank of lieutenant commander. In emails leaked to the WaPo, Pence was pushing for Greitens to be eligible for active duty:
posted by peeedro at 1:15 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
In addition to Mike Pence commissioning Reince Priebus into the Navy, his fingerprints are on attempts to help disgraced Missouri governor Eric Greitens find a better posting in his soft landing in the service. Despite credible accusations of campaign finance violations, computer tampering, and violent and coercive sexual misconduct, Greitens was allowed to return to active status as a general unrestricted line officer in the Selected Reserves at his previous rank of lieutenant commander. In emails leaked to the WaPo, Pence was pushing for Greitens to be eligible for active duty:
The Navy’s top admiral overseeing personnel, Vice Adm. Robert Burke, spoke with Greitens, and the possibility of Vice President Pence requesting him by name for a military assignment was raised, military documents said.The good news is that this caused enough of a stir that it triggered the Navy to review how to handle misconduct allegations but Greitens is still in uniform.
posted by peeedro at 1:15 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas........She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job! I hope she decides to run for Governor of Arkansas - she would be fantastic. Sarah, thank you for a job well done!
She's collected a government salary to do fuck all for years. I wonder if they even bother picking a replacement.
On a related note, the WHCA has been disturbingly quiet for years, but maybe some of its members are slowly starting to wake up to the needs of this moment? WaPo, Faced with official falsehoods, White House correspondents ponder ways to push back against Trump
She's collected a government salary to do fuck all for years. I wonder if they even bother picking a replacement.
On a related note, the WHCA has been disturbingly quiet for years, but maybe some of its members are slowly starting to wake up to the needs of this moment? WaPo, Faced with official falsehoods, White House correspondents ponder ways to push back against Trump
“We as an organization need to be more concerned about getting lied to as a matter of course — and the American public getting lied to, through us — than about access,” HuffPost correspondent S.V. Date wrote in an email touting his candidacy to the WHCA’s 425 voting members.posted by zachlipton at 1:19 PM on June 13, 2019 [24 favorites]
He added, “I’ve been in this business more than three decades, and what’s happening now is unprecedented. We are attacked on a near daily basis using Stalinist language. We are called corrupt and dishonest. We are given false information from staff who often know full well that it is false.”
CBS News Radio reporter Steven Portnoy, 38, uses less explosive language in his pitch for support but makes clear his disappointment that the White House hasn’t held a press briefing in a record 93 days as of Wednesday.
Ticking off a long list of news stories that have transpired in that time (for example, “Pelosi-Schumer talks implode as Pelosi accuses Trump of ‘cover up’ ”), Portnoy wrote: “As the president continues to call news organizations ‘corrupt,’ these are just some of the issues he has ducked by not having his aides appear regularly before the press corps.”
The two journalists’ statements suggest that the White House press corps has grown more frustrated — and is willing to say so publicly — after more than two years of disparagement by Trump and press secretary Sarah Sanders.
Tiffany Cabán wants to change what it means to be a DA
posted by The Whelk at 1:28 PM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 1:28 PM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
Pompeo: Iran responsible for attack on oil tankers in Gulf of Oman
Whoops, I think you spelled Gulf of Tonkin wrong.
I would not be surprised at all of this was a false flag operation. George W. Bush floated "the idea of painting a U-2 spyplane in United Nations colors and letting it fly low over Iraq to provoke Iraq into shooting it down, thus providing a pretext for America and Britain's subsequent invasion. "
posted by kirkaracha at 1:49 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
Whoops, I think you spelled Gulf of Tonkin wrong.
I would not be surprised at all of this was a false flag operation. George W. Bush floated "the idea of painting a U-2 spyplane in United Nations colors and letting it fly low over Iraq to provoke Iraq into shooting it down, thus providing a pretext for America and Britain's subsequent invasion. "
posted by kirkaracha at 1:49 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
Politico’s Darren Samuelson: “JUST IN: Michael Flynn's new legal team is more than Sidney Powell. Several more attorneys -- Jesse Binnall, Philip John Harvey & W. William Hodes -- have entered notices of appearance in the EDVA case against Flynn's former business partner where Flynn is expected to testify.” (Screenshot of court filing)
The big question is who’s paying their fees? We’ve been hearing for a long time that Flynn is nearly broke after racking up a multimillion-dollar legal bill (and it was one theory to explain why he dropped his previous attorneys).
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
The big question is who’s paying their fees? We’ve been hearing for a long time that Flynn is nearly broke after racking up a multimillion-dollar legal bill (and it was one theory to explain why he dropped his previous attorneys).
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
Both attacked tankers were headed to Japan from Saudi. Japan's PM met with Iran's President today to negotiate. It would be a VERY WEIRD tactic for Iran to blow up two ships headed to Japan at this precise moment.
posted by scalefree at 1:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 1:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [14 favorites]
I am but an ordinary civilian living half a world away, but I can't help noticing how everyone I've seen shout "Iran!" is someone who cannot be trusted to tie their own shoes without somehow committing fraud along the way.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:56 PM on June 13, 2019 [47 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:56 PM on June 13, 2019 [47 favorites]
CBS News Radio reporter Steven Portnoy, 38, uses less explosive language in his pitch for support but makes clear his disappointment that the White House hasn’t held a press briefing in a record 93 days as of Wednesday.
They did have a mock press briefing for "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" on April 25th, only 50 days ago.
posted by ZeusHumms at 2:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
They did have a mock press briefing for "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" on April 25th, only 50 days ago.
posted by ZeusHumms at 2:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Trump hits back at Kamala Harris: 'She's way down in the polls'
Lots of Democratic candidates are way more down in the polls than Harris, but none of them recently said they would prosecute Trump after he leaves office. He's scared of her.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [38 favorites]
Lots of Democratic candidates are way more down in the polls than Harris, but none of them recently said they would prosecute Trump after he leaves office. He's scared of her.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [38 favorites]
Kamala Harris for Attorney General.
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [33 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.posted by scalefree at 2:13 PM on June 13, 2019 [25 favorites]
1:48 PM - 29 Nov 2011
From Irish Independent: Doonbeg and its luxury golf resort is already reaping the tourism whirlwind thanks to the three-day visit of US President Donald Trump. Bookings have soared by up to 30pc across local guesthouses, pubs and restaurants, as well as the golf resort itself since the west Clare facility made global headlines last week by providing the European base for Mr Trump and his D-Day visit to France.
Locals expect the multi-million-euro business boost to surge by an even greater amount over the next 12 months. Doonbeg sources revealed that inquiries to the golf resort are now running at more than double the level of 2016 - while bookings are conservatively up by more than 30pc. More than half the booking inquiries are understood to be from US tour groups and businesses, many for proposed 2020 holidays.
The other half are probably foreign interests. This grifting thing really seems to be working for the President.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:15 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
Locals expect the multi-million-euro business boost to surge by an even greater amount over the next 12 months. Doonbeg sources revealed that inquiries to the golf resort are now running at more than double the level of 2016 - while bookings are conservatively up by more than 30pc. More than half the booking inquiries are understood to be from US tour groups and businesses, many for proposed 2020 holidays.
The other half are probably foreign interests. This grifting thing really seems to be working for the President.
posted by Bella Donna at 2:15 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
The ships attacked in the Gulf of Oman are Norwegian and Japanese. I can hardly think of two other countries that would be more stupid to attack from an Iranian point of view. Very Stupid Americans, or very stupid American allies trying to get the UN on board for a war on Iran, well, that would make sense in a really weird way. But those Americans/American allies would have to so stupid it's almost unbelievable.
On the other hand, I can't think of any better explanation. Can anyone?
posted by mumimor at 2:21 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
On the other hand, I can't think of any better explanation. Can anyone?
posted by mumimor at 2:21 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
re: explanation
I have been too busy at work to really read up on it (sorry!), but exactly how were they attacked? Missiles? Another ship? What country or group has the method at their disposal will narrow the suspects. I just looked at a picture and it appeared on one ship to be the middle and low to the waterline. To me that looks like a torpedo. Which countries had vessels capable of launching torpedoes in that general area would be a good start then.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:35 PM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
I have been too busy at work to really read up on it (sorry!), but exactly how were they attacked? Missiles? Another ship? What country or group has the method at their disposal will narrow the suspects. I just looked at a picture and it appeared on one ship to be the middle and low to the waterline. To me that looks like a torpedo. Which countries had vessels capable of launching torpedoes in that general area would be a good start then.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 2:35 PM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
A play in three acts:
The Hill, Manchin eyes Senate exit. He might consider a run for governor instead.
@dylanmatt: The modal outcome in 2021 is something like "Biden/Warren/Sanders is president with a GOP majority in the Senate and is incapable of doing anything legislatively" and I'm not sure Dems are prepared for how completely depressing that will be
@daveweigel: When you push Sanders or Biden on how their agenda would get through, they say public pressure would break the Rs. They should probably check “Cocaine Mitch” Twitter, which sets off fireworks every time a bill with 70-90% polling support gets smothered.
There’s this vision of the president leading a campaign to pass X or Y bill, but that could very quickly become “weak President can’t get agenda through.” The “just don’t pass anything and win the midterms bc people blame POTUS” play is unoriginal but effective.
This is a chunk of why I don't sleep at night. It's been accepted as a given by a huge number of us, more-or-less myself included, that the future of the republic rests on victory in 2020 and immediately taking New Deal-sized action on climate (the whole economy), health care (18% of the economy), education (2.5% of the economy), immigration, inequality and tax, democracy and corruption, the justice system, perhaps a coming recession, and on and on (with the heartbreaking fight over prioritizing those giant changes). We need that to happen, yet the likelihood of it all happening remains quite small. While some of the candidates vary in whether the scope of their proposed policies are remotely adequate to deal with the problems of our time, my working theory is that's approximately still true regardless of who wins in 2020.
There are paths some candidates favor that could make some change more likely, such as getting rid of the filibuster, executive actions, even court packing, but despite the attention to the presidency, the bulk of what's needed will have to go through Congress, and I don't see how Congress gets fixed anytime soon. It's an institution that inherently favors conservatism, with a bias toward inaction. As long as political power is controlled by people who benefit from the status quo, and fixing that is a long-term project at best, Congress is geared toward preserving the present system. And Republicans have learned that it's a stunningly effective strategy, so they have no reason not to run it again.
What I don't know how to do is reconcile the fact our expectations for what we've all agreed should happen immediately for the planet and the republic, the basic premise on which democratic candidates are campaigning for president, is fairly unlikely to happen.
posted by zachlipton at 2:40 PM on June 13, 2019 [25 favorites]
The Hill, Manchin eyes Senate exit. He might consider a run for governor instead.
@dylanmatt: The modal outcome in 2021 is something like "Biden/Warren/Sanders is president with a GOP majority in the Senate and is incapable of doing anything legislatively" and I'm not sure Dems are prepared for how completely depressing that will be
@daveweigel: When you push Sanders or Biden on how their agenda would get through, they say public pressure would break the Rs. They should probably check “Cocaine Mitch” Twitter, which sets off fireworks every time a bill with 70-90% polling support gets smothered.
There’s this vision of the president leading a campaign to pass X or Y bill, but that could very quickly become “weak President can’t get agenda through.” The “just don’t pass anything and win the midterms bc people blame POTUS” play is unoriginal but effective.
This is a chunk of why I don't sleep at night. It's been accepted as a given by a huge number of us, more-or-less myself included, that the future of the republic rests on victory in 2020 and immediately taking New Deal-sized action on climate (the whole economy), health care (18% of the economy), education (2.5% of the economy), immigration, inequality and tax, democracy and corruption, the justice system, perhaps a coming recession, and on and on (with the heartbreaking fight over prioritizing those giant changes). We need that to happen, yet the likelihood of it all happening remains quite small. While some of the candidates vary in whether the scope of their proposed policies are remotely adequate to deal with the problems of our time, my working theory is that's approximately still true regardless of who wins in 2020.
There are paths some candidates favor that could make some change more likely, such as getting rid of the filibuster, executive actions, even court packing, but despite the attention to the presidency, the bulk of what's needed will have to go through Congress, and I don't see how Congress gets fixed anytime soon. It's an institution that inherently favors conservatism, with a bias toward inaction. As long as political power is controlled by people who benefit from the status quo, and fixing that is a long-term project at best, Congress is geared toward preserving the present system. And Republicans have learned that it's a stunningly effective strategy, so they have no reason not to run it again.
What I don't know how to do is reconcile the fact our expectations for what we've all agreed should happen immediately for the planet and the republic, the basic premise on which democratic candidates are campaigning for president, is fairly unlikely to happen.
posted by zachlipton at 2:40 PM on June 13, 2019 [25 favorites]
The ships attacked in the Gulf of Oman are Norwegian and Japanese.
From the BBC, Gulf of Oman tanker 'attacks': What we know: the Front Altair is Norwegian owned, Marshall Islands-flagged, managed by Dubai-based International Tanker Management, chartered by Taiwan's state oil refiner CPC Corp, and traveling from United Arab Emirates to Taiwan. The Kokuka Courageous is Panama-listed, Japanese owned, managed by Cyprus based Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, and was traveling from Saudi Arabia to Singapore.
What this means, I have no idea, but it seems like there are more possible motives and suspects than in an Agatha Christie novel.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
From the BBC, Gulf of Oman tanker 'attacks': What we know: the Front Altair is Norwegian owned, Marshall Islands-flagged, managed by Dubai-based International Tanker Management, chartered by Taiwan's state oil refiner CPC Corp, and traveling from United Arab Emirates to Taiwan. The Kokuka Courageous is Panama-listed, Japanese owned, managed by Cyprus based Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, and was traveling from Saudi Arabia to Singapore.
What this means, I have no idea, but it seems like there are more possible motives and suspects than in an Agatha Christie novel.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
When you push Sanders or Biden on how their agenda would get through, they say public pressure would break the Rs.
Which is one reason I shake my head about the "Biden thinks Republicans will work with him llolooll idiot" stuff. Absolute none of the Democratic candidates have a realistic plan for getting their agenda passed without a Democratic Senate. It is no more ludicrous for Biden to say that he will be able to generate bipartisan support for his ideas than it is for Sanders or the others to say that public pressure will force Republicans to come to the table.
posted by Justinian at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Which is one reason I shake my head about the "Biden thinks Republicans will work with him llolooll idiot" stuff. Absolute none of the Democratic candidates have a realistic plan for getting their agenda passed without a Democratic Senate. It is no more ludicrous for Biden to say that he will be able to generate bipartisan support for his ideas than it is for Sanders or the others to say that public pressure will force Republicans to come to the table.
posted by Justinian at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure Dems are prepared for how completely depressing that will be
Jacobin ran an entire feature on this a little while back. It assumes a Sanders presidency but it's basically a guide of how to get around a hostile Congress. WIELDING THE IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY
But also why it's important to put the bulk of our focus on local races from dog catcher to city council
posted by The Whelk at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [17 favorites]
Jacobin ran an entire feature on this a little while back. It assumes a Sanders presidency but it's basically a guide of how to get around a hostile Congress. WIELDING THE IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY
But also why it's important to put the bulk of our focus on local races from dog catcher to city council
posted by The Whelk at 2:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [17 favorites]
Pramila Jayapal continues to be just one of the best fucking congresspeople:
NYT Op-ed: Rep. Pramila Jayapal: The Story of My Abortion
What it taught me about the deeply personal nature of reproductive choice.
"I have never spoken publicly about my abortion. In some ways, I have felt i should not have to, because it is an intensely personal decision. But i have decided to speak about it now because i am deeply concerned about the intensified efforts to strip choice and constitutional rights away from pregnant people and the simplistic ways of trying to criminalize abortion."
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:48 PM on June 13, 2019 [34 favorites]
NYT Op-ed: Rep. Pramila Jayapal: The Story of My Abortion
What it taught me about the deeply personal nature of reproductive choice.
"I have never spoken publicly about my abortion. In some ways, I have felt i should not have to, because it is an intensely personal decision. But i have decided to speak about it now because i am deeply concerned about the intensified efforts to strip choice and constitutional rights away from pregnant people and the simplistic ways of trying to criminalize abortion."
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:48 PM on June 13, 2019 [34 favorites]
The ships attacked in the Gulf of Oman are Norwegian and Japanese. I can hardly think of two other countries that would be more stupid to attack from an Iranian point of view
Hm, so maybe this is why Trump mentioned Norway in his foreign influence statements yesterday?
posted by rhizome at 2:50 PM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hm, so maybe this is why Trump mentioned Norway in his foreign influence statements yesterday?
posted by rhizome at 2:50 PM on June 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm only just now realizing that apparently 2020 doesn't involve a chance of Democrats controlling the Senate
There's an okay chance for Democrats to have a 50/50 Senate (with the Democratic VP as tiebreaker) if Democrats win the White House. Nate Silver thinks that a 49/51 Senate is probably the most likely but that a 50/50 Senate is the modal result if you only look at Democratic Presidential victory outcomes.
(What that means is that Democrats very rarely take the Senate if Trump is re-elected but take it reasonably often if Trump is not re-elected.)
posted by Justinian at 2:51 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
There's an okay chance for Democrats to have a 50/50 Senate (with the Democratic VP as tiebreaker) if Democrats win the White House. Nate Silver thinks that a 49/51 Senate is probably the most likely but that a 50/50 Senate is the modal result if you only look at Democratic Presidential victory outcomes.
(What that means is that Democrats very rarely take the Senate if Trump is re-elected but take it reasonably often if Trump is not re-elected.)
posted by Justinian at 2:51 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
Note, however, that a 50/50 Senate means that you need Manchin for literally everything. So I guess we'd finally get a good test case for the "fuck Manchin get rid of him -vs- he's way better than having a Republican in that seat!" war.
posted by Justinian at 2:52 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:52 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
Even more on-brand for the deadbeat Trump family, Donald Trump still owes $470,000 to the city of El Paso for his campaign rally back in February (USA Today).
The Center for Public Integrity has found a pattern: Why The Trump Campaign Won’t Pay Police Bills—Ten city governments from Arizona to Pennsylvania say the president’s political committee has stiffed them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Here's their list:
The Center for Public Integrity has found a pattern: Why The Trump Campaign Won’t Pay Police Bills—Ten city governments from Arizona to Pennsylvania say the president’s political committee has stiffed them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Here's their list:
Billings, Mont....Sept. 6, 2018....$42,811.00
Burlington, Vt....Jan. 7, 2016.....$8,464.27
Eau Claire, Wis...Apr. 2, 2016.....$47,398.00
El Paso, Texas....Feb. 11, 201.....$470,417.05
Erie, Pa..........Oct. 10, 2018....$35,129.27
Green Bay, Wis....Aug. 5, 2016.....$9,380.00
Lebanon, Ohio.....Oct. 12, 2018....$16,191.00
Mesa, Ariz........Oct. 19, 2018....$64,467.56
Spokane, Wash.....May 7, 2016......$65,124.69
Tucson, Ariz......Mar. 19, 2016....$81,837.00
Total: $841,219.84My personal big fear is we either get an establishment Centrist who wins and then doesn't move the dial on climate change and we all die or we got a leftist or left liberal president who is in power just as the wheels come off the economy and the largest crash in recent history happens and it's all blamed on then and or they lack the political will actually confront the problem leaving the door open for an actual charismatic, intelligent european-style fascist candidate to run on some sort of Quasi populist Eco fascist line that would totally sell.
posted by The Whelk at 2:54 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 2:54 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
The Hill, Manchin eyes Senate exit. He might consider a run for governor instead.
Let me guess how this plays out. Manchin steps down to run for govenor and some vile skin bag full of millipedes is appointed to fill the seat. Manchin loses in the primary to an upstart progressive candidate and decides to run as an Independent only managing to split the vote and putting another bag of millipedes in the govenor's mansion. On election night he makes a concession speech calling for bipartisanship and a week later fox announces that he's been hired to make straw men for Sean Hannity.
posted by cmfletcher at 2:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [16 favorites]
Let me guess how this plays out. Manchin steps down to run for govenor and some vile skin bag full of millipedes is appointed to fill the seat. Manchin loses in the primary to an upstart progressive candidate and decides to run as an Independent only managing to split the vote and putting another bag of millipedes in the govenor's mansion. On election night he makes a concession speech calling for bipartisanship and a week later fox announces that he's been hired to make straw men for Sean Hannity.
posted by cmfletcher at 2:55 PM on June 13, 2019 [16 favorites]
Dr. Zed, can we send that list ahead to all of Trump's future whistle (bait) stops? Maybe we can get some mayors and city council to say no -- or at least make him pay up front, with the attendant publicity.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:04 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:04 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
The Democratic Party has announced the list of candidates who made the cut for the first debates: Bennet, Biden, Booker, Buttigieg, Castro, de Blasio, Delaney, Gabbard, Gillibrand, Harris, Hickenlooper, Inslee, Klobuchar, O’Rourke, Ryan, Sanders, Swalwell, Warren, Williamson, and Yang
There will be a later announcement setting out who gets which night according to a random draw. That leaves, among the remotely credible candidates, Bullock, Moulton, Gravel, and Messam missing the cut. The standard was polling above 1% in three or more polls or donations from at least 65,000 donors. The September debate will raise that criteria to 2% in four approved polls AND 130,000 donors, a much tighter standard that more than half of the field is at risk of missing.
posted by zachlipton at 3:06 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
There will be a later announcement setting out who gets which night according to a random draw. That leaves, among the remotely credible candidates, Bullock, Moulton, Gravel, and Messam missing the cut. The standard was polling above 1% in three or more polls or donations from at least 65,000 donors. The September debate will raise that criteria to 2% in four approved polls AND 130,000 donors, a much tighter standard that more than half of the field is at risk of missing.
posted by zachlipton at 3:06 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
On the other hand, I can't think of any better explanation. Can anyone?
Who benefits from Iran looking even worse and having increased tensions with the rest of the world and a bump in oil price? Quite a few Iran haters who depend on oil sales out there.
posted by Bovine Love at 3:11 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
Who benefits from Iran looking even worse and having increased tensions with the rest of the world and a bump in oil price? Quite a few Iran haters who depend on oil sales out there.
posted by Bovine Love at 3:11 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
dances_with_sneetches, That's a great idea. The Center for Public Integrity has thoroughly documented Trump's deadbeat status with copies of the outstanding invoices, from police and public safety costs to airport fees.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:13 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:13 PM on June 13, 2019 [5 favorites]
Another article published today about our concentration camps. This one is from HuffPost: A prematurely born infant and her 17-year-old mother spent seven days being almost entirely neglected in Border Patrol custody, according to lawyers who visited an immigrant processing station in McAllen, Texas, on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The baby, barely a month old, was wrapped in a dirty towel, wore a soiled onesie and looked listless, said one of the lawyers, Hope Frye. The mother was in a wheelchair due to complications from her emergency C-section and had barely slept ― the pain made it too uncomfortable for her to lie down, the immigration and human rights attorney said. The mother and baby have been transferred now; how many others are left?
If Nance Pelosi doesn't want to impeach the President, maybe she can find time to go visit some concentration camps. It's not like the bills passed by the House are going anywhere. Are any elected Democratic politicians doing anything but tweeting disapproval about these very specific ongoing crimes against humanity?
posted by Bella Donna at 3:29 PM on June 13, 2019 [46 favorites]
The baby, barely a month old, was wrapped in a dirty towel, wore a soiled onesie and looked listless, said one of the lawyers, Hope Frye. The mother was in a wheelchair due to complications from her emergency C-section and had barely slept ― the pain made it too uncomfortable for her to lie down, the immigration and human rights attorney said. The mother and baby have been transferred now; how many others are left?
If Nance Pelosi doesn't want to impeach the President, maybe she can find time to go visit some concentration camps. It's not like the bills passed by the House are going anywhere. Are any elected Democratic politicians doing anything but tweeting disapproval about these very specific ongoing crimes against humanity?
posted by Bella Donna at 3:29 PM on June 13, 2019 [46 favorites]
BuzzFeed, Hamed Aleaziz, A “Listless” 1-Month-Old Girl And Her Teenage Mother Were Discovered In Border Patrol Detention
posted by zachlipton at 3:32 PM on June 13, 2019 [47 favorites]
A “listless” prematurely born 1-month-old girl and her 17-year-old Guatemalan mother detained in federal custody were discovered this week by attorneys who visited a US Border Patrol processing center in McAllen, Texas.It would be the right move, on a strictly humanitarian level not to mention politically, for Democrats to talk about nothing besides this.
The attorneys, who were shocked by their discovery, obtained access to the Border Patrol processing center known as Ursula as part of a decades-long settlement over the care of children in government custody, sending them scrambling to obtain medical care and the release of the mother and the child. They say the child was lethargic, cold, and not eating.
...
Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, called Department of Homeland Security officials on Thursday about the case. On Thursday, 9 days after attorneys said the mother was taken into Border Patrol custody, the pair were set to be released to an Office of Refugee Resettlement shelter, Fyre was told.
...
She said she came across other teenage mothers of young children who have remained in Border Patrol custody for long periods of time, including a 17-year-old pregnant mother of a two-year-old child, not receiving proper medical treatment and being exposed to illnesses. Another minor, a 16-year-old mother of a nearly 1-year-old baby, had been in custody for around three weeks.
posted by zachlipton at 3:32 PM on June 13, 2019 [47 favorites]
What this means, I have no idea, but it seems like there are more possible motives and suspects than in an Agatha Christie novel.
There's also that oil prices were tanking[1] so pretty much every oil producing nation has a billion dollar motive.
That said one of the comments on the @TankerTrackers thread analysing the situation seems fairly likely:
If not that then my second, third, and fourth guesses would be Erik Prince (with or without some sort of nod and wink from Bolton and Pompeo), Saudi Arabia, and Bibi.
[1] "Oil prices could fall to $45 per barrel if US-China trade war escalates, says investor" - CNBC
[2] "IRAN SCRAMBLES TO LIFT PETROCHEMICAL SALES AS SANCTIONS HAMMER OIL" - Jerusalem Post.
posted by Buntix at 3:38 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
There's also that oil prices were tanking[1] so pretty much every oil producing nation has a billion dollar motive.
That said one of the comments on the @TankerTrackers thread analysing the situation seems fairly likely:
Tanker to tanker fuel transfer gone wrong. Black market of oil. It seems.Especially since Iran isn't currently able to sell at market price[2] due to the sanctions. So a bit of offshore three-card-monty type hiding of origins seems quite likely.
If not that then my second, third, and fourth guesses would be Erik Prince (with or without some sort of nod and wink from Bolton and Pompeo), Saudi Arabia, and Bibi.
[1] "Oil prices could fall to $45 per barrel if US-China trade war escalates, says investor" - CNBC
[2] "IRAN SCRAMBLES TO LIFT PETROCHEMICAL SALES AS SANCTIONS HAMMER OIL" - Jerusalem Post.
posted by Buntix at 3:38 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
It’s 2016 All Over Again [Trump welcomes foreign interference in 2020 campaign] (Peter Nicholas, The Atlantic)
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:44 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
Somehow President Trump hasn’t yet absorbed that embracing foreign interference in an election can bring about a world of hurt.Which is because that world of hurt never includes him. What he's learned throughout his life is that he can avoid the consequences of his actions.
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:44 PM on June 13, 2019 [12 favorites]
It would be the right move, on a strictly humanitarian level not to mention politically, for Democrats to talk about nothing besides this.
I'm not sure holding on to the ball is great for this. Dems could ask "How many immigrant detention deaths will there be in July? Is it a number other than zero?" and let the news cycle take care of the rest.
posted by rhizome at 3:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
I'm not sure holding on to the ball is great for this. Dems could ask "How many immigrant detention deaths will there be in July? Is it a number other than zero?" and let the news cycle take care of the rest.
posted by rhizome at 3:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Just now I burst into tears, not on purpose, when I got to speak to a live human being at Representative Barbara Lee's office in Oakland. It was probably relief because all I got at Nancy Pelosi's office was an answering machine. Anyway, I admire Barbara Lee. She is brave and bold and progressive and I said that to the woman who spoke to me before I asked what the Representative was doing to stop the concentration camps (and mentioned briefly the some of the details that have been reported this week).
The person I spoke to, who works on immigration issues, said everyone at Lee's office shared my concerns. But what is the Representative doing, I asked. There was a pause. The woman told me that Lee was calling for investigations into the deaths of people held by the border patrol, ORR, etc., as well as working with the House majority leader. Forgive me, I said, if calling for investigations into the deaths of people isn't that reassuring when there are so many live people still in danger. I don't understand why Democratic officials aren't at the border picketing or something.
There was a longer pause this time and then the woman said, so low it was practically a whisper, I'm going to X next week. I'm going to be there to see what is happening. Thank you for your service, I said. Please do your very best to share everything you learn with the public.
And now I have a few more calls to make.
posted by Bella Donna at 3:52 PM on June 13, 2019 [70 favorites]
The person I spoke to, who works on immigration issues, said everyone at Lee's office shared my concerns. But what is the Representative doing, I asked. There was a pause. The woman told me that Lee was calling for investigations into the deaths of people held by the border patrol, ORR, etc., as well as working with the House majority leader. Forgive me, I said, if calling for investigations into the deaths of people isn't that reassuring when there are so many live people still in danger. I don't understand why Democratic officials aren't at the border picketing or something.
There was a longer pause this time and then the woman said, so low it was practically a whisper, I'm going to X next week. I'm going to be there to see what is happening. Thank you for your service, I said. Please do your very best to share everything you learn with the public.
And now I have a few more calls to make.
posted by Bella Donna at 3:52 PM on June 13, 2019 [70 favorites]
No, Sarah Sanders is not leaving and, frankly, you should be ashamed for asking (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
I think millions of Americans — some of them mothers, some of them with families, hard-working — would be ashamed to hear that question. You should go home and rethink your life, as Sarah Sanders assuredly will not. What gives you the right to question the perfect, golden judgments of this administration? You have no right. You should apologize. […]posted by Johnny Wallflower at 4:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
To the best of her knowledge, Sarah Sanders is not going anywhere. There is nowhere outside this briefing room. There is nowhere inside this briefing room, either, or she would have been there more than once in the past 95 days. But she will let you know if anyone is going anywhere.
Honestly, Sarah Sanders was never the press secretary. There was never any need for anyone to provide answers, because the questions were all stupid. Ninety-four days ago, she held her last briefing, but even that was more than you deserved. You should be ashamed. Or maybe she has been holding press briefings every day, but you blinked and missed them. Maybe she’s holding one right now. This is a press conference. Anything can be a press conference. No cameras, though.
In a sense, every day has been a press conference with the most important press of all, the true American people, who are disgusted that you would ask questions about the current administration.
Hm, so maybe this is why Trump mentioned Norway in his foreign influence statements yesterday?
Maybe but probably not the way you think. More likely IMO, Trump got briefed on the situation & that reminded him that Norway is a country.
posted by scalefree at 4:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
Maybe but probably not the way you think. More likely IMO, Trump got briefed on the situation & that reminded him that Norway is a country.
posted by scalefree at 4:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
Norway is his go to example of a good country. It was where the good (aka white) immigrants come from as compared to those shithole countries.
posted by bcd at 4:13 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by bcd at 4:13 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Total: $841,219.84
From reading the article not all of the cities had explicit contracts that are being ignored. Several of them deployed police & other responders under a good faith belief the campaign would pay if they submitted an invoice & because the Secret Service requested it. More fools them.
posted by scalefree at 4:13 PM on June 13, 2019
From reading the article not all of the cities had explicit contracts that are being ignored. Several of them deployed police & other responders under a good faith belief the campaign would pay if they submitted an invoice & because the Secret Service requested it. More fools them.
posted by scalefree at 4:13 PM on June 13, 2019
This morning I saw a woman on MSNBC talking about how the attack was very likely Iran. It strongly reminded me of the news people shouting "but the WMDs!" just before the Iraq war so I looked into this person a little more. Her name is Hagar Chemali, she currently works for a business called Greenwich Media Strategies, and she has in the past represented the UAE while she was with the Harbour Group. (PDF). She was working to spin the Yemen war positively as recently as 2017. (Intercept)
My reason for pointing this out is that, before the beginning of the Iraq war, even the "mainstream" media, even some places you might think would be skeptical by nature, jumped on board and of course, as noted above, this whole thing stinks like yesterday's Tonkin incident. Who benefits if we start a war with Iran? Saudi Arabia, UAE, oil prices (hello Russia). I can absolutely see Trump doing this to boost his popularity and/or to get the heat off. Bonus that it helps his buddies Putin/MBS by raising oil prices. I think something's being stirred up and that someone's using us to do the stirring. If a person is talking on the TV or in the opinion pages, dig into them because there are a lot of people that work on behalf of other country's interests in this country and we should definitely make sure we know if the person talking is one of them.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 4:14 PM on June 13, 2019 [25 favorites]
My reason for pointing this out is that, before the beginning of the Iraq war, even the "mainstream" media, even some places you might think would be skeptical by nature, jumped on board and of course, as noted above, this whole thing stinks like yesterday's Tonkin incident. Who benefits if we start a war with Iran? Saudi Arabia, UAE, oil prices (hello Russia). I can absolutely see Trump doing this to boost his popularity and/or to get the heat off. Bonus that it helps his buddies Putin/MBS by raising oil prices. I think something's being stirred up and that someone's using us to do the stirring. If a person is talking on the TV or in the opinion pages, dig into them because there are a lot of people that work on behalf of other country's interests in this country and we should definitely make sure we know if the person talking is one of them.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 4:14 PM on June 13, 2019 [25 favorites]
I just got off the phone with Rep. Lee's office as well. My question was basically, "what are we doing about the concentration camps," and the first person's response was "that information has not been released to me yet." He parsed it strangely when I pressed him on it. I was transferred to a second staffer who gave me the "she opposes this sort of thing a lot" information, and that she has not yet released a public statement. I thanked him and asked to have my opinion shared with the Congresswoman that a statement would be a great start but that we are in a humanitarian crisis of historic levels and we need action and leadership immediately.
posted by eyesontheroad at 4:16 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by eyesontheroad at 4:16 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
@natsecwatson: CENTCOM just sent out a message on Iran punctuated w/ this final graf: "We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. We will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic interest, nor in the best interest of the int'l community."
Here's the full statement, and you can see how that final bit is weirdly tacked on there a bit. Sounds like DOD is just grabbing the typewriter and going for it before Bolton gets a chance to open his mouth.
posted by zachlipton at 4:19 PM on June 13, 2019 [35 favorites]
Here's the full statement, and you can see how that final bit is weirdly tacked on there a bit. Sounds like DOD is just grabbing the typewriter and going for it before Bolton gets a chance to open his mouth.
posted by zachlipton at 4:19 PM on June 13, 2019 [35 favorites]
It is no more ludicrous for Biden to say that he will be able to generate bipartisan support for his ideas than it is for Sanders or the others to say that public pressure will force Republicans to come to the table.
So what will an effective president look like? I hate to say it, but superficially to address climate change I think we will need an FDR, that is, a president willing to take extraordinary measure and test the boundaries of executive power to their limit to avoid a global catastrophe.
It would be great to have a president that who works on reestablishing norms, etc. but I think instead our existential crisis demands the next president throw everything and the kitchen sink at global warming. This won't be easy, because doing things like calling for a state of national emergency or creating FDR alphabet agencies will superficially also resemble Trump's methods. Trump acts like there is a national emergency when there is not one. Unfortunately, there is also a real one.
But that means we must have a candidate that understands there is a state of emergency. Whoever the candidate is, if they are going to be able to do anything, they must be open to the idea that this situation may call for extraordinary measures. Maybe Biden can measure up to that, but so far he sure seems amenable to accepting a half a loaf on behalf of a country that requires a full loaf solution.
I look for two things above and beyond anything else in a candidate right now: a willingness to trash norms to get things done, and an understanding that global warming is an existential threat. There's no perfect candidate in this regard, but it's possible some of them are hedging their public statements. I'm not sure anyone feels comfortable saying the world is going to burn to the ground from an invisible enemy many people don't understand is real and that any steps taken to stop it are justified.
It's like we need Superman, but have just spent the last 4 years watching Bizarro Superman from another dimension trash everything using the same super powers. :-)
posted by xammerboy at 4:22 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
So what will an effective president look like? I hate to say it, but superficially to address climate change I think we will need an FDR, that is, a president willing to take extraordinary measure and test the boundaries of executive power to their limit to avoid a global catastrophe.
It would be great to have a president that who works on reestablishing norms, etc. but I think instead our existential crisis demands the next president throw everything and the kitchen sink at global warming. This won't be easy, because doing things like calling for a state of national emergency or creating FDR alphabet agencies will superficially also resemble Trump's methods. Trump acts like there is a national emergency when there is not one. Unfortunately, there is also a real one.
But that means we must have a candidate that understands there is a state of emergency. Whoever the candidate is, if they are going to be able to do anything, they must be open to the idea that this situation may call for extraordinary measures. Maybe Biden can measure up to that, but so far he sure seems amenable to accepting a half a loaf on behalf of a country that requires a full loaf solution.
I look for two things above and beyond anything else in a candidate right now: a willingness to trash norms to get things done, and an understanding that global warming is an existential threat. There's no perfect candidate in this regard, but it's possible some of them are hedging their public statements. I'm not sure anyone feels comfortable saying the world is going to burn to the ground from an invisible enemy many people don't understand is real and that any steps taken to stop it are justified.
It's like we need Superman, but have just spent the last 4 years watching Bizarro Superman from another dimension trash everything using the same super powers. :-)
posted by xammerboy at 4:22 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
but I think instead our existential crisis demands the next president throw everything and the kitchen sink at global warming.
It seems obvious that the next Democratic president will declare climate change a state of national emergency a la Trump and his bullshit border wall. I'm sure the Republicans will scream about it but they no longer have a leg to stand on. Which won't stop them.
posted by Justinian at 4:31 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
It seems obvious that the next Democratic president will declare climate change a state of national emergency a la Trump and his bullshit border wall. I'm sure the Republicans will scream about it but they no longer have a leg to stand on. Which won't stop them.
posted by Justinian at 4:31 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
@EllenLWeintraub [FEC Chair, document attached]: I would not have thought that I needed to say this.
The document attached is a statement that starts: "Let me make something 100% clear to the American public and anyone running for public office: it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a novel concept."
posted by zachlipton at 4:31 PM on June 13, 2019 [68 favorites]
The document attached is a statement that starts: "Let me make something 100% clear to the American public and anyone running for public office: it is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a novel concept."
posted by zachlipton at 4:31 PM on June 13, 2019 [68 favorites]
Where do the 2020 Democratic candidates stand on the key issues? The Guardian does a quick breakdown. Candidate's positions don't always break down easily into for / against categories, but it's still a nice if overly simple overview.
posted by xammerboy at 4:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by xammerboy at 4:41 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
You know it's a crowded field when there's a guy on that page I've never even heard of (Wayne Messam).
I note it lists Joe Biden as being in opposition to the Hyde Amendment. They must have checked with him between 1-3pm on a Tuesday or Thursday. I believe those are the times he has scheduled to take that position.
posted by Justinian at 4:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
I note it lists Joe Biden as being in opposition to the Hyde Amendment. They must have checked with him between 1-3pm on a Tuesday or Thursday. I believe those are the times he has scheduled to take that position.
posted by Justinian at 4:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [6 favorites]
I think we will need an FDR, that is, a president willing to take extraordinary measure and test the boundaries of executive power
But FDR had huge congressional majorities?
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
But FDR had huge congressional majorities?
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [11 favorites]
lmao -- Bullock missed the threshold for the first debate by a single poll respondent. I'd feel sorry for him if it weren't for the fact that he waited until frickin' May to jump into a 20+-candidate field, while also skipping an eminently winnable Senate seat
posted by Rhaomi at 5:24 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 5:24 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
2020 Senate races without a Democratic Challenger:
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming (retiring)
- Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
- Jame Inhofe, Oklahoma
- Pat Roberts, Kansas (retiring)
- Mike Rounds, South Dakota
- Ben Sasse, Nebraska
- Dan Sullivan, Alaska
posted by The Whelk at 5:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana
- Mike Enzi, Wyoming (retiring)
- Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi
- Jame Inhofe, Oklahoma
- Pat Roberts, Kansas (retiring)
- Mike Rounds, South Dakota
- Ben Sasse, Nebraska
- Dan Sullivan, Alaska
posted by The Whelk at 5:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
That last one makes me so mad. Mark Begich, who held the seat before Sullivan, would have been a strong contender for it if he hadn't shit the bed so conclusively by playing chicken with the incumbent independent governor in the 2018 gubernatorial race, resulting in a Republican win.
Sullivan isn't popular, hasn't done much to distinguish himself to Alaskans, and the Republican brand is losing a lot of its luster in the state as Dunleavy, the new Republican governor, is entangled in a struggle with the legislature and nobody can currently say whether (or how) public schools will be funded in September or whether the state ferry system will have to shut down in October.
A strong Democratic candidate might not be a favorite to win Alaska but would at least put the race in play and would also be in a position to capitalize on any major missteps or scandals affecting the incumbent. There's no excuse for the party not having a candidate lined up.
posted by Nerd of the North at 6:25 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
Sullivan isn't popular, hasn't done much to distinguish himself to Alaskans, and the Republican brand is losing a lot of its luster in the state as Dunleavy, the new Republican governor, is entangled in a struggle with the legislature and nobody can currently say whether (or how) public schools will be funded in September or whether the state ferry system will have to shut down in October.
A strong Democratic candidate might not be a favorite to win Alaska but would at least put the race in play and would also be in a position to capitalize on any major missteps or scandals affecting the incumbent. There's no excuse for the party not having a candidate lined up.
posted by Nerd of the North at 6:25 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
Axios: Republican Blocks Bill Requiring Campaigns To Alert FBI To Foreign Assistance
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) blocked an effort by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) to pass a bill via unanimous consent requiring campaigns to report any offers of foreign assistance to the FBI.[…]posted by Doktor Zed at 6:27 PM on June 13, 2019 [35 favorites]
Warner then countered that Blackburn's reading of the legislation is "not accurate .., The only thing that would have to be reported is if the agent of a foreign government or national offered that something that was already prohibited."[…]
Sen. Chuck Schumer, responding to Blackburn's objection, said on the Senate floor: "How disgraceful it is that our Republican friends cower before this president when they know that the things he does severely damage democracy."
Sen. Chuck Schumer, responding to Blackburn's objection, said on the Senate floor: "How disgraceful it is that our Republican friends cower before this president when they know that the things he does severely damage democracy."
Yet again the party establishment tells us that Trump is forcing Republicans to be Republicans.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:30 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Yet again the party establishment tells us that Trump is forcing Republicans to be Republicans.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:30 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
"We have no interest in engaging in a new conflict in the Middle East. We will defend our interests, but a war with Iran is not in our strategic interest, nor in the best interest of the int'l community."
Seems pretty unusual for CENTCOM to opine like this in a public statement delivered by a half-bird colonel. They must smell a Tonkin incident brewing, as some officers did back then.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:44 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
Seems pretty unusual for CENTCOM to opine like this in a public statement delivered by a half-bird colonel. They must smell a Tonkin incident brewing, as some officers did back then.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:44 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
A HISTORY OF AMERICAN SOCIALISM, THE PAST AND THE TANTALIZING FUTURE: dictatorship of the present
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on June 13, 2019 [4 favorites]
CBS: Trump campaign says it will handle foreign info on rivals on "case by case basis"
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Asked about Mr. Trump's assertion that he would be receptive to dirt on rivals offered by foreigners, Kayleigh McEnany, the national press secretary for the president's reelection bid, told CBSN's "Red & Blue" that campaign staff should take the president's comments as a "directive" to handle foreign dirt through a two-pronged approach.We’ve seen this time and again with Trump. He’ll make an appalling statement, then his spox will try to massage it into something that sounds half-reasonable in the surface. The final step is of course Trump telling everyone that he meant exactly what he said.
"The president's directive, as he said, [it's] a case by case basis."
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:08 PM on June 13, 2019 [9 favorites]
Fantasy Journalism:
"Similarly, suppose a foreign government offered damaging information about Mr. Trump to his opponent. Are they free to use their own discretion and handle that on a case-by-case basis as well?"
posted by mmoncur at 7:18 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
"Similarly, suppose a foreign government offered damaging information about Mr. Trump to his opponent. Are they free to use their own discretion and handle that on a case-by-case basis as well?"
posted by mmoncur at 7:18 PM on June 13, 2019 [26 favorites]
We need to do way more than pick “anybody who can beat Trump”. We need a movement to build a fair economy for working people, and lots of courageous leaders who can give voice to that movement.
posted by The Whelk at 7:45 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:45 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
Russia Has Restarted Low-Yield Nuclear Tests, U.S. Believes
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration believes Russia has restarted very low-yield nuclear tests, officials said on Wednesday in a finding that could be used to renew in earnest the arms race between Moscow and Washington.
But the significance of the statements by the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and a senior National Security Council official was immediately debated by nuclear weapons experts.
Some experts said claims of low-yield tests would be nothing new. Intelligence officials and nuclear analysts in Washington have long raised the possibility of such violations going back nearly two decades, to when Russia ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 2000.
Other nuclear weapons experts have argued that significant Russian cheating on the treaty is unlikely because the designs of the country’s nuclear warheads tend to be very robust. The small returns, they have said, would make the geopolitical costs of getting caught prohibitively high.DIA Statement on Lt. Gen. Ashley’s Remarks at Hudson Institute
Washington, D.C., June 13, 2019 — The following Defense Intelligence Agency statement responds to questions we have received about remarks DIA Director Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr., made at a Hudson Institute event May 29, 2019:
"The U.S. government, including the Intelligence Community, has assessed that Russia has conducted nuclear weapons tests that have created nuclear yield. Regarding China, the information raised at the Hudson Institute, coupled with China's lack of transparency on their nuclear testing activities, naturally raise questions about those activities in relation to the "zero yield" nuclear weapons testing moratorium adhered to by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. These are actions that the U.S. government characterizes as inconsistent with the commitments undertaken by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France."posted by scalefree at 7:51 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
LA Mag, Louise Linton, aka Mrs. Steven Mnuchin, Is Sorry (That headline is gross. Also, spoiler alert: she is not). So many things wrong here:
posted by zachlipton at 8:12 PM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
Couldn’t you seek counsel from Melania Trump or Karen Pence? A PR outfit you could hire?Who...who does she think she is?
Nope. Melania and Mrs. Pence were also new in town. And as far as I know, there really isn’t a PR firm for people who suddenly become Cabinet spouses, ya know? The partners of ambassadors and congressional spouses get to go to a training camp! Cabinet spouses get nothing. Being married to someone so high up in government, it surprised me that there was no one there to step in, as I’m sure they do, for the first lady or for Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton! I’m sure the palace gave them meticulous advice about how to adjust to public life.
posted by zachlipton at 8:12 PM on June 13, 2019 [19 favorites]
Who...who does she think she is?
Joseph Conrad in blonde female form
posted by hugbucket at 8:24 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Joseph Conrad in blonde female form
posted by hugbucket at 8:24 PM on June 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
President Trump gives outgoing Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee-Sanders the final tribute she deserves.
@realDonaldTrump
@realDonaldTrump
After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas....posted by scalefree at 8:53 PM on June 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
Sarah Huckabee-Sanders looks forward to spending more time lying to her family.
posted by mazola at 9:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [32 favorites]
posted by mazola at 9:01 PM on June 13, 2019 [32 favorites]
WaPo columnist Alexandra Petri: "If Sarah Sanders were leaving, it would be to pursue her longtime dream of guarding one of the two doors in a logic puzzle."
The best part is that I'm not sure anyone in the Administration would understand that's a burn.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:16 PM on June 13, 2019 [52 favorites]
The best part is that I'm not sure anyone in the Administration would understand that's a burn.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:16 PM on June 13, 2019 [52 favorites]
US says video shows Iranian military removing mine from tanker
Every thing is very confusing
posted by mumimor at 9:20 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Every thing is very confusing
posted by mumimor at 9:20 PM on June 13, 2019 [3 favorites]
Sarah Huckabee-Sanders looks forward to spending more time lying to her family.
And I'm sure her resignation will come as a shock to Barack Obama who apparently appointed her 3 1/2 years ago when he was President.
It's a fitting tribute from our most lying President ever to his most lying aide.
posted by scalefree at 9:34 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
And I'm sure her resignation will come as a shock to Barack Obama who apparently appointed her 3 1/2 years ago when he was President.
It's a fitting tribute from our most lying President ever to his most lying aide.
posted by scalefree at 9:34 PM on June 13, 2019 [8 favorites]
Seriously, reporters need to start fucking with Trump on stuff like this. Ask him how he feels about the job Obama did in appointing her, that sort of thing. Make him admit a mistake, watch his head explode. Do it deadpan, make him be the one to admit it.
posted by scalefree at 9:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 9:47 PM on June 13, 2019 [18 favorites]
Mitch McConnell is Making the 2020 Election Open Season for Hackers
The Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has made it clear that he will not advance any election-security legislation, which will jeopardize and potentially undermine our election system.
The Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, has made it clear that he will not advance any election-security legislation, which will jeopardize and potentially undermine our election system.
On May 21st, four commissioners who compose the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (E.A.C.) were asked to attest, in Congress, that they agreed with the findings of the special counsel Robert Mueller that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. It was a strange and oddly suspenseful moment in what might have been a routine oversight hearing of the House Administration Committee.
The E.A.C. is a small, relatively obscure agency, established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (H.A.V.A.), an election-modernization bill that was passed in response to the disastrous failure of voting equipment during the 2000 Presidential election. H.A.V.A. allocated over three billion dollars to the states to upgrade their election systems and authorized the E.A.C. to distribute it. The E.A.C. was also mandated to advise election officials and oversee the testing and certification of voting and vote-tabulation machines. Seventeen months away from the next Presidential election, it could be leading the charge against future cyberattacks. It is not.
Senator Ron Wyden, the Oregon Democrat who sits on the Intelligence Committee, predicts that the 2020 election will make what happened in 2016 “look like small potatoes.” “It’s not just the Russians,” he told me. “There are hostile foreign actors who are messing with two hundred years’ worth of really precious history.” Wyden recently reintroduced the pave Act, a wish list of election-security provisions that failed to get through the Senate last year. The measure includes the use of hand-marked paper ballots and a prohibition on wireless modems and other kinds of Internet connectivity, all of which have been advocated by computer scientists and other election experts for years.
But with the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, making it clear that he will not advance any election-security legislation, the pave Act, and also other election-security bills, many of which have bipartisan support, will languish. McConnell has made 2020 open season for hackers aiming to undermine our election system. The E.A.C. has made this easier, by displaying not only intransigence and institutional weaknesses but also a willful disregard of the threats facing our elections.posted by scalefree at 10:31 PM on June 13, 2019 [13 favorites]
US says video shows Iranian military removing mine from tanker
Limpet mines are designed to be placed underwater, by divers, typically while a ship is in port. Leaving aside the fact thatremoving a mine is hardly an admission of guilt, why would a limpet mine be attached above the waterline? And wouldn't its placement have been very visible?
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
Limpet mines are designed to be placed underwater, by divers, typically while a ship is in port. Leaving aside the fact that
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:46 PM on June 13, 2019 [10 favorites]
And I'm sure her resignation will come as a shock to Barack Obama who apparently appointed her 3 1/2 years ago when he was President.Think how terrible Sean Spicer must feel.
[Spoiler alert: not terrible enough. None of these people will ever feel terrible enough.]
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:07 PM on June 13, 2019 [23 favorites]
Limpet mines are designed to be placed underwater, by divers, typically while a ship is in port. Leaving aside the fact that removing a mine is hardly an admission of guilt, why would a limpet mine be attached above the waterline? And wouldn't its placement have been very visible?
I think the only reason you would put one above the waterline is if you wanted footage of a burning boat but not to actually sink it.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
I think the only reason you would put one above the waterline is if you wanted footage of a burning boat but not to actually sink it.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
No link but RUMINT has converged on Don Jr's girlfriend & Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle as the new White House Press Secretary. Because of course.
posted by scalefree at 12:24 AM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 12:24 AM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Should make for some interesting sparring with Gavin Newsom
posted by benzenedream at 1:05 AM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by benzenedream at 1:05 AM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
Federal Election Commission: Foreign Nationals
The FEC often receives questions about the rules governing foreign nationals’ participation in U.S. elections. While this article responds to some of the most common questions, it does not cover all aspects of foreign national activity. Readers should consult the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act) and Commission regulations, advisory opinions, and relevant case law for additional information. For questions involving proposed activity for which there may not be clear guidance, you may consider requesting your own advisory opinion (AO) from the Commission. Please note, however, that the Commission’s jurisdiction is limited to provisions of the Act and does not include other laws that may also apply to foreign national activity.
The Act and Commission regulations include a broad prohibition on foreign national activity in connection with elections in the United States. 52 U.S.C. § 30121 and generally, 11 CFR 110.20. In general, foreign nationals are prohibited from the following activities:posted by scalefree at 1:42 AM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to an FEC enforcement action, criminal prosecution, or both.
- Making any contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or making any expenditure, independent expenditure, or disbursement in connection with any federal, state or local election in the United States;
- Making any contribution or donation to any committee or organization of any national, state, district, or local political party (including donations to a party nonfederal account or office building account);
- Making any disbursement for an electioneering communication;
- Making any donation to a presidential inaugural committee.
Not a lot of wiggle room in there, no matter how much every single Republican is trying to gaslight us into believing Trump said or meant something other than the plain meaning of what a very plainspoken man said on national TV. That statement alone qualifies as a High Crime AND a Misdemeanor, as Trump himself has been saying lately.
posted by scalefree at 1:51 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 1:51 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
Politico: Trump Smashed Months of FBI Work to Thwart Election Interference—Trump's willingness to accept foreign assistance has essentially invited overseas spies to meddle with 2020 presidential campaigns, undoing months of work, said law enforcement veterans.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:48 AM on June 14, 2019 [30 favorites]
[Trump’s] comments, according to interviews with nearly a dozen law enforcement veterans, have undone months of work, essentially inviting foreign spies to meddle with 2020 presidential campaigns and demoralizing the agents trying to stop them. And it has backed Wray into a corner, they added, putting him in a position where he might have to either publicly chastise the president and risk getting fired, or resign in protest.[…]By the way, Team Trump understands the damage his Stephanopoulos has done, in as much as he’s been scheduled for a Fox & Friends interview this morning as a countermeasure.
Just three months after Wray assumed the top FBI post in August 2017, he told Congress that he had set up a “foreign influence” task force to stymie future election meddling efforts.[…]
The breadth of the effort has to match the scale of the problem, Wray said at a White House briefing last August. “Make no mistake — the scope of this foreign influence threat is both broad and deep,” he said.
Wray also took his warnings to Capitol Hill last month, telling lawmakers that campaigns must be on the lookout for suspicious outreach efforts.
“I think my view is that if any public official or member of any campaign is contacted by any nation state or anybody acting on behalf of a nation state about influencing or interfering with our election, then that’s something that the FBI would want to know about,” Wray said.[…]
Jim Baker, who served as the FBI’s general counsel under FBI Director James Comey, told POLITICO that the remarks could put Wray in a position where he might have to resign in protest if he can’t persuade the president to change his tune.
Wray needs to join Barr “to have a discussion with [Trump], and if they don’t get a sense of comfort then they’ll have some hard decisions to make,” Baker said. “I don’t think they should run for the exits right away, but they can’t just ignore this one. This is potentially encouraging criminal activity and undermining federal law.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:48 AM on June 14, 2019 [30 favorites]
NYT: ‘Flying Object’ Struck Tanker in Gulf of Oman, Operator Says, Not a Mine
One of the tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman was struck by a flying object, the ship’s Japanese operator said on Friday, disputing at least part of the account of United States officials who had blamed Iran for the attack. [...] Mr. Katada, citing accounts from the ship’s crew, said: “I do not think there was a time bomb or an object attached to the side of the ship.”
[...]
In an interview broadcast on Friday by “Fox & Friends,” President Trump directly accused Tehran, saying, “Iran did do it.” “You saw the boat,” he said. “It has Iran written all over it.” Mr. Trump added: “They didn’t want the evidence left behind. They don’t know that we have things that we can detect in the dark that work very well. We have that. It was them that did it.”
Gee, who to believe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [18 favorites]
One of the tankers that were attacked in the Gulf of Oman was struck by a flying object, the ship’s Japanese operator said on Friday, disputing at least part of the account of United States officials who had blamed Iran for the attack. [...] Mr. Katada, citing accounts from the ship’s crew, said: “I do not think there was a time bomb or an object attached to the side of the ship.”
[...]
In an interview broadcast on Friday by “Fox & Friends,” President Trump directly accused Tehran, saying, “Iran did do it.” “You saw the boat,” he said. “It has Iran written all over it.” Mr. Trump added: “They didn’t want the evidence left behind. They don’t know that we have things that we can detect in the dark that work very well. We have that. It was them that did it.”
Gee, who to believe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [18 favorites]
@bellingcat have an ongoing thread analysing the attack on the two tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
They're very explicitly not suggesting any conclusions at the moment as there isn't really enough to go on, but they are coming up with interesting context and data.
posted by Buntix at 6:12 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
They're very explicitly not suggesting any conclusions at the moment as there isn't really enough to go on, but they are coming up with interesting context and data.
posted by Buntix at 6:12 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
As predicted: Under Fire, Trump Says He Would ‘Absolutely’ Report Foreign Campaign Help (NYT)
Under fire for saying earlier in the week that “I’d take it” if hostile powers offered incriminating information about an election opponent — and that he would not necessarily call the F.B.I. — Mr. Trump shifted by saying he would still look at the information but would report such an encounter.posted by Little Dawn at 6:58 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
“I’d report it to the attorney general, the F.B.I.,” Mr. Trump said on “Fox & Friends” in an interview on Friday morning. “I’d report it to law enforcement, absolutely.”
The president’s comments came after more than a day of withering criticism from Democrats and uncomfortable distancing from Republicans who said any candidate should report a foreign effort to influence American elections.
Beto O’Rourke Unloads On Biden: Going Back To Obama Era Not “Good Enough” (Tina Nguyen, Vanity Fair)
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:07 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Hungry for media attention, O’Rourke takes a swipe at Biden’s positions on Iraq, abortion—and the entire Obama legacy. But will taking potshots at the front-runner put Beto back on the map?Emphasis mine.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:07 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
xammerboy So what will an effective president look like?
Without a Democratic majority in the Senate and the abolition of the filibuster there is no way for a Democratic President to be effective. And a Democratic majority in the Senate depending on Manchin is going to be about as effective as a Democratic "supermajority" in the Senate containing Lieberman was. Which is to say not at all. In the event of a 50/50 Senate with a Democratic VP casting the deciding vote everything will come down to Manchin and you know he's going to revel in the power to ruin every hope we have.
Much of what Trump has been doing with Executive power to smash things doesn't have a matching Executive power to build things up even if a Democratic President were willing to just go full bore imperial Presidency like Trump has.
I don't want to be all doom and gloom, but without the highly unlikely event of the Democrats taking the Senate in 2020 I don't think there's any chance for a Democratic President to get anything done at all.
And that explicitly includes appointing one single judge, much less a Supreme Court Justice. The Senate Republicans will simply shut that down entirely. Assuming (please, please, please) that both Ginsburg and Breyer live to Jan 21, 2020 [1] and retire immediately so as to give the Democratic President the maximum time to appoint a replacement those seats will still be open in 2024.
With a Democratic majority, even one hinging on fucking Manchin, there's at least the chance of getting some very mild things done. Manchin won't allow anything major to happen, but we could at least nibble around the edges of the problem.
But if the Republicans hold the Senate we just revert to a status quo and as many government shutdowns as Mitch feels like having.
The Senate, much more than the Presidency, is the key. And that's where things go badly for us, because the Senate is strongly tilted to the Republians and will be for the foreseeable future.
The theoretical strong play, assuming we get the Senate, is to admit DC and Puerto Rico as states as soon as possible. That might work. But damn that's a narrow passage to having a chance at success.
[1] Because I flat out guarantee that if any Supreme Court justices die before a Democratic President is sworn into office Trump will appoint a Kavanaugh clone. If Ginsburg dies on Jan 19, 2020 they'll wake Trump up, get him to nominate someone, and Mitch will hold an emergency vote in the Senate with no hearings or delays of any sort just to get that Kavanaugh clone in her seat.
posted by sotonohito at 7:07 AM on June 14, 2019 [18 favorites]
Without a Democratic majority in the Senate and the abolition of the filibuster there is no way for a Democratic President to be effective. And a Democratic majority in the Senate depending on Manchin is going to be about as effective as a Democratic "supermajority" in the Senate containing Lieberman was. Which is to say not at all. In the event of a 50/50 Senate with a Democratic VP casting the deciding vote everything will come down to Manchin and you know he's going to revel in the power to ruin every hope we have.
Much of what Trump has been doing with Executive power to smash things doesn't have a matching Executive power to build things up even if a Democratic President were willing to just go full bore imperial Presidency like Trump has.
I don't want to be all doom and gloom, but without the highly unlikely event of the Democrats taking the Senate in 2020 I don't think there's any chance for a Democratic President to get anything done at all.
And that explicitly includes appointing one single judge, much less a Supreme Court Justice. The Senate Republicans will simply shut that down entirely. Assuming (please, please, please) that both Ginsburg and Breyer live to Jan 21, 2020 [1] and retire immediately so as to give the Democratic President the maximum time to appoint a replacement those seats will still be open in 2024.
With a Democratic majority, even one hinging on fucking Manchin, there's at least the chance of getting some very mild things done. Manchin won't allow anything major to happen, but we could at least nibble around the edges of the problem.
But if the Republicans hold the Senate we just revert to a status quo and as many government shutdowns as Mitch feels like having.
The Senate, much more than the Presidency, is the key. And that's where things go badly for us, because the Senate is strongly tilted to the Republians and will be for the foreseeable future.
The theoretical strong play, assuming we get the Senate, is to admit DC and Puerto Rico as states as soon as possible. That might work. But damn that's a narrow passage to having a chance at success.
[1] Because I flat out guarantee that if any Supreme Court justices die before a Democratic President is sworn into office Trump will appoint a Kavanaugh clone. If Ginsburg dies on Jan 19, 2020 they'll wake Trump up, get him to nominate someone, and Mitch will hold an emergency vote in the Senate with no hearings or delays of any sort just to get that Kavanaugh clone in her seat.
posted by sotonohito at 7:07 AM on June 14, 2019 [18 favorites]
Tears Alert, special edition:
Daniel Dale - In Iowa this week, Trump told a story about how homebuilders, farmers and ranchers were crying as they stood behind him when he signed his executive order on the Waters of the United States rule.
He signed the order on camera. Nobody cried at any point. [image|video]
This is the second time the president has told this particular "crying" lie. It's one of the only Tears Alert stories that is possible to fact-check: he usually situates the grateful crying people "backstage" or in some other setting without independent witnesses.
posted by peeedro at 7:16 AM on June 14, 2019 [26 favorites]
Daniel Dale - In Iowa this week, Trump told a story about how homebuilders, farmers and ranchers were crying as they stood behind him when he signed his executive order on the Waters of the United States rule.
He signed the order on camera. Nobody cried at any point. [image|video]
This is the second time the president has told this particular "crying" lie. It's one of the only Tears Alert stories that is possible to fact-check: he usually situates the grateful crying people "backstage" or in some other setting without independent witnesses.
posted by peeedro at 7:16 AM on June 14, 2019 [26 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren isn’t Hillary Clinton (Ezra Klein, Vox)
"How Warren is using many policies to reinforce one message, and a few other notes from our conversation." [...]posted by ZeusHumms at 7:19 AM on June 14, 2019 [34 favorites]
Clinton had a lot of plans but no clear message. Warren’s genius has been to turn a lot of plans into a clear message. Clinton’s plans couldn’t dispel the sense that she was complicit in the status quo. Warren’s plans underscore her longstanding loathing of what American capitalism has curdled into. [...]
This bit got cut from the transcript, but if you listen to our full podcast, you’ll hear her discussing her insistence that the lights are always turned up in the auditoriums so she can see the faces of her audience and actually interact with them. “It’s actually a very close and intimate interaction, even with a thousand people or a couple of thousand,” she says. “It’s the eye to eye, face to face.” This isn’t just talk: Warren engages much more naturally with the crowd than most politicians do. The idea that she comes off as cold or uncharismatic on the stump — she was going viral with speeches when that was barely a thing — crumbles upon watching or meeting her.
Trump says he won't fire Kellyanne Conway (Politico)
President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has no plans to fire top aide Kellyanne Conway after an independent federal agency recommended that she be removed from her job after she repeatedly used her office for political purposes.Some background on the Hatch Act (Fortune) and how it applies here:
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel sent a report to Trump on Thursday that said Conway repeatedly violated the Hatch Act by criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity. It was the first time the office made such a recommendation for a White House official.
It was originally titled “an act to prevent pernicious political activities,” but has since been named for its author, former New Mexico Senator Carl Hatch. [...] While the OSC recommended Conway be removed from her position, it states that it is the president’s “constitutional authority” to decide on the “appropriate disciplinary action” for an appointed senior officer like Conway.The report also notes:
Her actions erode the principal foundation of our democratic system - the rule of law.posted by Little Dawn at 7:22 AM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
> Elizabeth Warren isn’t Hillary Clinton (Ezra Klein, Vox)
Nice to see Klein diligently adhering to the Pundit's Law of Conservation of Democratic Women in Politics, which states that create space for a rising Democratic woman, one must be mercilessly destroyed.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:27 AM on June 14, 2019 [26 favorites]
Nice to see Klein diligently adhering to the Pundit's Law of Conservation of Democratic Women in Politics, which states that create space for a rising Democratic woman, one must be mercilessly destroyed.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:27 AM on June 14, 2019 [26 favorites]
Mr. Trump shifted by saying he would still look at the information but would report such an encounter.
"The Act prohibits knowingly soliciting, accepting or receiving contributions or donations from foreign nationals."
posted by scalefree at 7:33 AM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
"The Act prohibits knowingly soliciting, accepting or receiving contributions or donations from foreign nationals."
posted by scalefree at 7:33 AM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
without the highly unlikely event of the Democrats taking the Senate in 2020
I don't have a link, but I thought the odds were in factor of Democrats winning at least 50 seats (plus a VP tie-breaker) if they also won the presidential election? Because those outcomes are correlated, of course.
I think everyone should worry a little bit less about what is going to happen in the future and a little bit more about what we, ourselves, can do right now.
Here's a Swing Left fund where you can set up a recurring donation to the Democratic nominee in the 8 most competitive Republican held Senate seats.
Here you can donate to the 2020 presidential nominee, whoever that may be.
Postcards to Voters is writing now to Democratic votes as in Flordia to ask thrm sign up for vote by mail. That way a ballot gets send to them automatically for every election for 2 years, and voter turn out goes up.
Here you can find your local Indivisible group, currently holding events focused on pressing for impeachment.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:42 AM on June 14, 2019 [40 favorites]
I don't have a link, but I thought the odds were in factor of Democrats winning at least 50 seats (plus a VP tie-breaker) if they also won the presidential election? Because those outcomes are correlated, of course.
I think everyone should worry a little bit less about what is going to happen in the future and a little bit more about what we, ourselves, can do right now.
Here's a Swing Left fund where you can set up a recurring donation to the Democratic nominee in the 8 most competitive Republican held Senate seats.
Here you can donate to the 2020 presidential nominee, whoever that may be.
Postcards to Voters is writing now to Democratic votes as in Flordia to ask thrm sign up for vote by mail. That way a ballot gets send to them automatically for every election for 2 years, and voter turn out goes up.
Here you can find your local Indivisible group, currently holding events focused on pressing for impeachment.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly now, love mercy now, walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:42 AM on June 14, 2019 [40 favorites]
Susan Brooks (R-IN 05) will not run for reelection in 2020.
She's not a particularly noteworthy Republican in the House — aside from being one of eight Republicans to join Democrats in voting for HR 5, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act — but that happens to be my district.
She won in 2018 by "only" 13.6% in a heavily Republican district; her previous three wins had margins of 20.8%, 34.4%, and 27.2%. It would still be a longshot for a Democrat to win here, but maybe a little less of a longshot now without an incumbent in the race.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:45 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
She's not a particularly noteworthy Republican in the House — aside from being one of eight Republicans to join Democrats in voting for HR 5, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act — but that happens to be my district.
She won in 2018 by "only" 13.6% in a heavily Republican district; her previous three wins had margins of 20.8%, 34.4%, and 27.2%. It would still be a longshot for a Democrat to win here, but maybe a little less of a longshot now without an incumbent in the race.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:45 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
I don't have a link, but I thought the odds were in factor of Democrats winning at least 50 seats (plus a VP tie-breaker) if they also won the presidential election? Because those outcomes are correlated, of course.
If there are several states where there isn't even a challenge from the Ds, I don't know. It's so stupid, I can't take it.
posted by mumimor at 7:52 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
If there are several states where there isn't even a challenge from the Ds, I don't know. It's so stupid, I can't take it.
posted by mumimor at 7:52 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
When do Senate candidates have to declare their candidacy? Isn't it possible that there just isn't a challenger yet?
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:56 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:56 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
Within in a span of about a year Queens’ voters and activists disrupted the National Democratic Party, local Democratic machine mainstays, stopped the richest company on earth and seems set to change the way DA offices run How Queens Is Changing The Game
posted by The Whelk at 8:04 AM on June 14, 2019 [20 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:04 AM on June 14, 2019 [20 favorites]
“You saw the boat,” he said. “It has Iran written all over it.” Mr. Trump added: “They didn’t want the evidence left behind. They don’t know that we have things that we can detect in the dark that work very well. We have that. It was them that did it.”
For what its worth, this entire event occurred during daylight, from CENTCOM's statement the tankers' distress calls were made at 6:12am and 7:00am local time, the USS Bainbridge wasn't on scene until 11:05am, and the patrol boat video was shot at 4:10pm local time.
posted by peeedro at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
For what its worth, this entire event occurred during daylight, from CENTCOM's statement the tankers' distress calls were made at 6:12am and 7:00am local time, the USS Bainbridge wasn't on scene until 11:05am, and the patrol boat video was shot at 4:10pm local time.
posted by peeedro at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
When do Senate candidates have to declare their candidacy?
The primary filing deadline varies considerably by state. Candidates would probably want to declare their candidacy some time before that in order to collect signatures or meet whatever other requirements states impose to appear on the primary ballot, but I don't think it would have to be huge amount of time before the filing deadline.
I haven't found a consolidated list for 2020, but here were the dates for the 2018 election, which ranged from December 2017 to July 2018. So yeah, there's still a lot of time for Senate candidates to get in on the race.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
The primary filing deadline varies considerably by state. Candidates would probably want to declare their candidacy some time before that in order to collect signatures or meet whatever other requirements states impose to appear on the primary ballot, but I don't think it would have to be huge amount of time before the filing deadline.
I haven't found a consolidated list for 2020, but here were the dates for the 2018 election, which ranged from December 2017 to July 2018. So yeah, there's still a lot of time for Senate candidates to get in on the race.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
I don't have a link, but I thought the odds were in factor of Democrats winning at least 50 seats (plus a VP tie-breaker) if they also won the presidential election? Because those outcomes are correlated, of course.
As noted, some of it depends on who those Democrats are. To be sure of getting anything productive done, they would need a buffer of a few seats so as to be able to give the Manchins of the world hall passes when needed. And that's if the Dems have the political nerve to remove the Senate filibuster entirely, which I strongly suspect that they will not.
Keep in mind that Obamacare, as limited as it was, was less about What Is The Best Policy than What Will Joe "Fuck Joe Lieberman" Lieberman Allow To Happen, even with SIXTY votes in the Senate.
posted by delfin at 8:27 AM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
As noted, some of it depends on who those Democrats are. To be sure of getting anything productive done, they would need a buffer of a few seats so as to be able to give the Manchins of the world hall passes when needed. And that's if the Dems have the political nerve to remove the Senate filibuster entirely, which I strongly suspect that they will not.
Keep in mind that Obamacare, as limited as it was, was less about What Is The Best Policy than What Will Joe "Fuck Joe Lieberman" Lieberman Allow To Happen, even with SIXTY votes in the Senate.
posted by delfin at 8:27 AM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
Even more on-brand for the deadbeat Trump family, Donald Trump still owes $470,000 to the city of El Paso for his campaign rally back in February (USA Today).
El Paso has it easy, Trump still owes D.C. $7 million in inauguration costs as he plans July Fourth gala (WaPo).
posted by peeedro at 8:28 AM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
El Paso has it easy, Trump still owes D.C. $7 million in inauguration costs as he plans July Fourth gala (WaPo).
posted by peeedro at 8:28 AM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
> Trump still owes D.C. $7 million in inauguration costs as he plans July Fourth gala
Well, Republicans promised to run the government like a business, and here we are, as promised.
What I don't get is why DC would feel compelled to go along with more spending when the earlier bills hadn't been paid yet. Is the theory that it's Uncle Sam, they'll get paid eventually?
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:35 AM on June 14, 2019 [8 favorites]
Well, Republicans promised to run the government like a business, and here we are, as promised.
What I don't get is why DC would feel compelled to go along with more spending when the earlier bills hadn't been paid yet. Is the theory that it's Uncle Sam, they'll get paid eventually?
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:35 AM on June 14, 2019 [8 favorites]
Well, Republicans promised to run the government like a business, and here we are, as promised.
They're running it as a Trump business though.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:37 AM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
They're running it as a Trump business though.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:37 AM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
Under Fire, Trump Says He Would ‘Absolutely’ Report Foreign Campaign Help (NYT)
The Grey Lady does a poor job of conveying how much the Fox & Friends hosts had to cajole Trump into backing down even a little from his initial statement. As usual, it's important to go to the video to form an adequate impression of Trump's rambling evasions.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:44 AM on June 14, 2019 [8 favorites]
The Grey Lady does a poor job of conveying how much the Fox & Friends hosts had to cajole Trump into backing down even a little from his initial statement. As usual, it's important to go to the video to form an adequate impression of Trump's rambling evasions.
Steve Doocy: Essentially you say there is nothing wrong in your estimation in accepting dirt from Russia or any foreign country. You've taken a lot of heat from the Democrats regarding that.Incidentally, everywhere else on Fox, the party line has been firmly behind Trump's initial statement.
Trump: Well, I don't think… I think it was accurately stated, and I've had a lot of support.
Steve Doocy: Well then clarify it…
Trump: Yeah, I mean, I've had a lot of support. First of all, I don't think anyone would present me with anything bad because they know how much I love this country. Nobody's going to present me with anything bad. Number two, if I was, and of course you have to look at it because if you don't look at it, you're not going to know if it's bad. How are you going to know if it's bad? But of course you give it to the FBI or report it to the Attorney General or somebody like that. But of course you do that. You couldn't let that happen with our country, and everybody understands that, and I thought it was made clear. In fact, I actually said, at the beginning, I think I said I'd do both. But how are you going… if you don't hear what it is, you're not going to know what it is. I mean, how can you report that?
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:44 AM on June 14, 2019 [8 favorites]
For what its worth, this entire event occurred during daylight, from CENTCOM's statement the tankers' distress calls were made at 6:12am and 7:00am local time, the USS Bainbridge wasn't on scene until 11:05am, and the patrol boat video was shot at 4:10pm local time.
@justin_halpern: My dad was on the U.S.S Maddox, the boat that was “attacked” that started the Vietnam war. He said no one could understand why they were in the Tonkin gulf until one officer at breakfast goes “they sent us here to get blown up so they can start a war they really want to start.”
if you don't hear what it is, you're not going to know what it is.
Thing of Value.
I mean, how can you report that?
The foreign countryperson providing it.
If he doesn't recant it completely, Kellyanne is definitely going to have to be fired in order to regain control of the news cycle.
posted by rhizome at 8:50 AM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
@justin_halpern: My dad was on the U.S.S Maddox, the boat that was “attacked” that started the Vietnam war. He said no one could understand why they were in the Tonkin gulf until one officer at breakfast goes “they sent us here to get blown up so they can start a war they really want to start.”
if you don't hear what it is, you're not going to know what it is.
Thing of Value.
I mean, how can you report that?
The foreign countryperson providing it.
If he doesn't recant it completely, Kellyanne is definitely going to have to be fired in order to regain control of the news cycle.
posted by rhizome at 8:50 AM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
Well I guess if you report it “of course you report it” why didn’t you report it in summer of ‘16?
posted by notyou at 8:52 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by notyou at 8:52 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
the tankers' distress calls were made at 6:12am and 7:00am local time, the USS Bainbridge wasn't on scene until 11:05am, and the patrol boat video was shot at 4:10pm local time
So the Iranians supposedly waited for five hours after a US warship showed up to retrieve their mine in broad daylight?
Also, no one noticed a mine attached to the side of the ship all day?
posted by kirkaracha at 8:59 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
So the Iranians supposedly waited for five hours after a US warship showed up to retrieve their mine in broad daylight?
Also, no one noticed a mine attached to the side of the ship all day?
posted by kirkaracha at 8:59 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
The Grey Lady does a poor job of conveying how much the Fox & Friends hosts had to cajole Trump into backing down even a little from his initial statement.
They were calling their shot on that yesterday, openly on the air.
posted by Etrigan at 9:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
They were calling their shot on that yesterday, openly on the air.
posted by Etrigan at 9:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
"A boat was attacked, and CLEARLY we know who was responsible, so now we must respond militarily" is America's historical trademark. It's our special move when you select us in a fighting game.
Remember the Maine! er, Lusitania! er, Gulf of Tonkin! er...
posted by delfin at 9:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [29 favorites]
Remember the Maine! er, Lusitania! er, Gulf of Tonkin! er...
posted by delfin at 9:00 AM on June 14, 2019 [29 favorites]
If he doesn't recant it completely, Kellyanne is definitely going to have to be fired in order to regain control of the news cycle.
nope, you can't violate the Hatch Act if you're loyal to the president:
nope, you can't violate the Hatch Act if you're loyal to the president:
“No, I’m not going to fire her,” he said. “I think she’s a terrific person, she’s a tremendous spokesperson, she’s been loyal, she’s been — she’s just a great person, I would certainly not think — based on what I saw yesterday, how could you do that? They have tried to take away her speech, and I think you’re entitled to free speech in this country.”posted by murphy slaw at 9:02 AM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
I don't think anyone would present me with anything bad because they know how much I love this country.
There are a lot of possible interpretations of this and I have no idea what's correct. Does "anyone" refer to agents of a foreign nation (e.g Norway)? Does "anything bad" refer to dirt, and if so, is it the "badness" of whatever the opponent is accused of, or rather the "badness" of this information being illegal to obtain/transmit? Why does his love of country factor in at all? "Putin knows I love the United States (and its laws?) and therefore he would never dream of making an illegal offer to me"? I suppose that bit is more a stream-of-consciousness from "You all know I'm a good, patriotic person so whatever the bad thing here is (which I'm not quite keeping entirely in my head at any given time), that's the thing I would never do."
I guess my fantasy follow-up-question (the larger fantasy being that there's One Weird Question that would have a dramatic effect on anyone's perception of the president) would (inspired by PenDevil above) be something like: "In 2000, Al Gore received some George Bush debate notes, and he immediately reported this to the FBI. You said it doesn't happen in the real world. Would you regard Al Gore as a naive sucker or goody-two-shoes?"
The trick (if a Weird Trick were actually possible) is to adhere as much as possible to his existing worldview and goad him into expressing hate of people he's already conditioned to hate. (Gore-v-Bush is a twofer because he's not a W fan either.) I kind of would like to see more reporters take on a "Mr President, speaking as one mobster to another" tone -- though I guess Stephanopoulos got something plenty juicy without that kind of tack.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:02 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
There are a lot of possible interpretations of this and I have no idea what's correct. Does "anyone" refer to agents of a foreign nation (e.g Norway)? Does "anything bad" refer to dirt, and if so, is it the "badness" of whatever the opponent is accused of, or rather the "badness" of this information being illegal to obtain/transmit? Why does his love of country factor in at all? "Putin knows I love the United States (and its laws?) and therefore he would never dream of making an illegal offer to me"? I suppose that bit is more a stream-of-consciousness from "You all know I'm a good, patriotic person so whatever the bad thing here is (which I'm not quite keeping entirely in my head at any given time), that's the thing I would never do."
I guess my fantasy follow-up-question (the larger fantasy being that there's One Weird Question that would have a dramatic effect on anyone's perception of the president) would (inspired by PenDevil above) be something like: "In 2000, Al Gore received some George Bush debate notes, and he immediately reported this to the FBI. You said it doesn't happen in the real world. Would you regard Al Gore as a naive sucker or goody-two-shoes?"
The trick (if a Weird Trick were actually possible) is to adhere as much as possible to his existing worldview and goad him into expressing hate of people he's already conditioned to hate. (Gore-v-Bush is a twofer because he's not a W fan either.) I kind of would like to see more reporters take on a "Mr President, speaking as one mobster to another" tone -- though I guess Stephanopoulos got something plenty juicy without that kind of tack.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:02 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
Here's some more american history of business interests, ships, mines and 'splendid little' wars. The Spanish-American War: The USS Maine Explosion
"Seeking to calm the American public, which had been calling for intervention, and to protect business interests, President William McKinley ordered the US Navy to dispatch a warship to Havana. Arriving in January 1898, USS Maine sank on February 15 after an explosion tore through the ship.
Initial reports concluded that Maine had been sunk by a naval mine. Sparking a wave of outrage across the United States, the loss of the ship helped push the nation towards war. Though a later report in 1911 also concluded that a mine caused the explosion, some began to believe that it was the result of a coal dust fire. A subsequent investigation in 1974 also favored the coal dust theory though its findings have been contested."
posted by Harry Caul at 9:11 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
"Seeking to calm the American public, which had been calling for intervention, and to protect business interests, President William McKinley ordered the US Navy to dispatch a warship to Havana. Arriving in January 1898, USS Maine sank on February 15 after an explosion tore through the ship.
Initial reports concluded that Maine had been sunk by a naval mine. Sparking a wave of outrage across the United States, the loss of the ship helped push the nation towards war. Though a later report in 1911 also concluded that a mine caused the explosion, some began to believe that it was the result of a coal dust fire. A subsequent investigation in 1974 also favored the coal dust theory though its findings have been contested."
posted by Harry Caul at 9:11 AM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
> Hungry for media attention, O’Rourke takes a swipe at Biden’s positions on Iraq, abortion—and the entire Obama legacy. But will taking potshots at the front-runner put Beto back on the map?
Emphasis mine.
Someone needs to have a conversation with this writer about reduncancy. Calling someone who wants to be President "hungry for media attention" ranks up there with introducing the ocean as wet.
nope, you can't violate the Hatch Act if you're loyal to the president:
If this resulted in the Hatch act getting repealed that would at least be something positive this administration achieved while doing their dirty, unlike the usual shitting all over the norms and resisting congressional oversight.
posted by phearlez at 9:35 AM on June 14, 2019
Emphasis mine.
Someone needs to have a conversation with this writer about reduncancy. Calling someone who wants to be President "hungry for media attention" ranks up there with introducing the ocean as wet.
nope, you can't violate the Hatch Act if you're loyal to the president:
If this resulted in the Hatch act getting repealed that would at least be something positive this administration achieved while doing their dirty, unlike the usual shitting all over the norms and resisting congressional oversight.
posted by phearlez at 9:35 AM on June 14, 2019
The actual White House flag day tweet, as in this will go into the presidential archives tweet
posted by The Whelk at 9:36 AM on June 14, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:36 AM on June 14, 2019 [17 favorites]
I'm just astonished they didn't make it about his birthday.
posted by phearlez at 9:40 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 9:40 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
“I think my view is that if any public official or member of any campaign is contacted by any nation state or anybody acting on behalf of a nation state about influencing or interfering with our election, then that’s something that the FBI would want to know about,” Wray said
FBI: Combating Foreign Influence
FBI: Combating Foreign Influence
Foreign influence operations—which include covert actions by foreign governments to influence U.S. political sentiment or public discourse—are not a new problem. But the interconnectedness of the modern world, combined with the anonymity of the Internet, have changed the nature of the threat and how the FBI and its partners must address it. The goal of these foreign influence operations directed against the United States is to spread disinformation, sow discord, and, ultimately, undermine confidence in our democratic institutions and values.
The FBI is the lead federal agency responsible for investigating foreign influence operations. In the fall of 2017, Director Christopher Wray established the Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF) to identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States.
Foreign influence operations have taken many forms and used many tactics over the years. Most widely reported these days are attempts by adversaries—hoping to reach a wide swath of Americans covertly from outside the United States—to use false personas and fabricated stories on social media platforms to discredit U.S. individuals and institutions.
Other influence operations by adversaries include:The FITF is made up of representatives from our Counterintelligence, Cyber, Criminal, and Counterterrorism Divisions, and the task force also coordinates with other FBI divisions as needed. Task force personnel work closely with other U.S. government agencies and international partners concerned about foreign influence efforts aimed at their countries.
- Targeting U.S. officials and other U.S. persons through traditional intelligence tradecraft
- Criminal efforts to suppress voting and provide illegal campaign financing
- Cyber attacks against voting infrastructure, along with computer intrusions targeting elected officials and others
Through the FITF, the FBI is taking a three-pronged approach to this serious threat:posted by scalefree at 9:45 AM on June 14, 2019 [3 favorites]
- Investigations and operations: The FITF works with FBI field offices across the country to counter the extensive influence operations of our foreign adversaries.
- Information and intelligence sharing: The FBI works closely with other intelligence community agencies, as well as with state and local law enforcement partners and election officials, to ensure a common understanding of the threat and a unified strategy to address it.
- Private sector partnerships: The FBI considers strategic engagement with U.S. technology companies, including threat indicator sharing, to be important in combating foreign influence actors.
The actual White House flag day tweet, as in this will go into the presidential archives tweet
I'm getting a nice Nixon waving goodbye from the helicopters vibe from the Official White House Twitter Page header image.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm getting a nice Nixon waving goodbye from the helicopters vibe from the Official White House Twitter Page header image.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
The first Democratic debate lineups are out:
Wednesday, June 26:
Warren
O'Rourke
Booker
Klobuchar
Castro
Inslee
Ryan
de Blasio
Delaney
Gabbard
Thursday, June 27:
Biden
Sanders
Buttigieg
Harris
Bennet
Yang
Gillibrand
Hickenlooper
Swallwell
Williamson
Looks like the second night got most of the heavyweights, but as a Warren fan I hope that makes it easier for to stand out.
posted by Rhaomi at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
Wednesday, June 26:
Warren
O'Rourke
Booker
Klobuchar
Castro
Inslee
Ryan
de Blasio
Delaney
Gabbard
Thursday, June 27:
Biden
Sanders
Buttigieg
Harris
Bennet
Yang
Gillibrand
Hickenlooper
Swallwell
Williamson
Looks like the second night got most of the heavyweights, but as a Warren fan I hope that makes it easier for to stand out.
posted by Rhaomi at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
Yeah I'm not sure what to think about that. My gut reaction is that Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg, and Harris must be pissed because Warren gets a whole night to herself to essentially debate a bunch of nobodies. Then again, all the other major contenders now have a full day to think up rebuttals to her points (if they have any) and they get to state those rebuttals without her in the room to respond.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:02 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:02 AM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
Don't forget Beto! He's even channeling JFK! Beto O'Rourke Calls For A 'Moonshot' To Combat Climate (Steve Inskeep and Josh Axelrod for NPR, June 14, 2019)
Ajit Pai says NOAA and NASA are wrong about 5G harming weather forecasts -- Pai tells Congress that NOAA warnings are based on bad data. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, June 13, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 10:14 AM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
With climate activists cheering on the Green New Deal, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke is borrowing a different allusion from American history.Except the Republican party is more like the Nazis each day.
"We've called for ... an investment commensurate with John F. Kennedy's moonshot," O'Rourke told NPR. "We're going to invest in the technologies that will allow us to lead the world on this. It should be happening right here in the United States."
O'Rourke continued to evoke the 20th century with a callback to the "greatest generation." He wants America to rise to the challenge of protecting the climate just as it did in resisting Nazism during World War II.
Ajit Pai says NOAA and NASA are wrong about 5G harming weather forecasts -- Pai tells Congress that NOAA warnings are based on bad data. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, June 13, 2019)
The FCC recently auctioned (Ars Technica) spectrum in the 24GHz band under controversial circumstances, as experts from other federal agencies warned (Ars Technica) that cellular transmissions in that band may significantly reduce the accuracy of weather forecasts.Nothing like publicly attacking other agencies to look like you're trying to work together towards the same goal, and make it sound like this is anything more than partisan fights over whether to listen to science or not.
When asked about the controversy at yesterday's Senate Commerce Committee hearing, Pai said that data provided by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is faulty. He also criticized (Senate Commerce website) the agencies for raising concerns "at the 11th hour."
posted by filthy light thief at 10:14 AM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
Yeah I'm not sure what to think about that. My gut reaction is that Biden, Sanders, Buttigieg, and Harris must be pissed because Warren gets a whole night to herself to essentially debate a bunch of nobodies. Then again, all the other major contenders now have a full day to think up rebuttals to her points (if they have any) and they get to state those rebuttals without her in the room to respond.
It's by sort-of-random draw. 538 explains here:
posted by Anonymous at 10:29 AM on June 14, 2019
It's by sort-of-random draw. 538 explains here:
Participants will be selected from two pots of candidates — one with participants who averaged at least 2 percent among all qualifying polls and one with the remaining candidates. The debate fields will then be set by random draws from the two pots to fill up 10 spots for both nights. And based on our average of the qualifying polls, eight candidates are polling at 2 percent or more: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker and Amy Klobuchar.So by that criteria we have an even split.
posted by Anonymous at 10:29 AM on June 14, 2019
DevilsAdvocate: "She won in 2018 by "only" 13.6% in a heavily Republican district; her previous three wins had margins of 20.8%, 34.4%, and 27.2%. It would still be a longshot for a Democrat to win here, but maybe a little less of a longshot now without an incumbent in the race."
Eh, still R favored, but I don't know about longshot. District went from Romney +16.8 to Trump +11.8, and Donnelly carried it in 2018. Cook Political has moved it Solid R => Lean R. Sure to be a DCCC target.
Fun fact: Brooks (NRCC recruitment chair) didn't bother to tell the NRCC in advance.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:44 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Eh, still R favored, but I don't know about longshot. District went from Romney +16.8 to Trump +11.8, and Donnelly carried it in 2018. Cook Political has moved it Solid R => Lean R. Sure to be a DCCC target.
Fun fact: Brooks (NRCC recruitment chair) didn't bother to tell the NRCC in advance.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:44 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Yay, Warren
"Federal ethics law requires that individuals recuse themselves from any 'particular matter involving specific parties' if 'the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question his impartiality in the matter.' Given your extensive and lucrative previous work lobbying the federal government on behalf of Google and Apple… any reasonable person would surely question your impartiality in antitrust matters…"
posted by Stoneshop at 11:18 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
"Federal ethics law requires that individuals recuse themselves from any 'particular matter involving specific parties' if 'the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question his impartiality in the matter.' Given your extensive and lucrative previous work lobbying the federal government on behalf of Google and Apple… any reasonable person would surely question your impartiality in antitrust matters…"
posted by Stoneshop at 11:18 AM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
"They have tried to take away her speech, and I think you’re entitled to free speech in this country."
Constitutionally-protected free speech became free campaign promotion so quickly, I'm not surprised the rest of the country hasn't caught up. I am surprised, though, that the media goes along with it and keeps inviting her back — they could make a fair bit of coin if they actually charged KAC and Trump for all the under-the-table PR work those two are doing on the networks.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:22 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
Constitutionally-protected free speech became free campaign promotion so quickly, I'm not surprised the rest of the country hasn't caught up. I am surprised, though, that the media goes along with it and keeps inviting her back — they could make a fair bit of coin if they actually charged KAC and Trump for all the under-the-table PR work those two are doing on the networks.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 11:22 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
We just had an investigation for over 2 years into whether or not Trump conspired with Russia to interfere with an election, and at the end of that he basically comes out and says if given the chance he will totally do it. Womp womp.
posted by xammerboy at 11:22 AM on June 14, 2019 [20 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 11:22 AM on June 14, 2019 [20 favorites]
What I remember hearing about foreign interference was that “bad” means fake news. If the material is true then no calling the FBI. If it is fake news then call the FBI. This was how it was described on NPR yesterday.
posted by njohnson23 at 11:27 AM on June 14, 2019
posted by njohnson23 at 11:27 AM on June 14, 2019
Reminder that Virginia is holding elections for all legislative seats this November and Democrats have a good shot at flipping both houses and gaining the trifecta. Here's a targeted list of candidates from flippable.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:43 AM on June 14, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 11:43 AM on June 14, 2019 [12 favorites]
Buttigieg's candidacy may have some great downballot effects for Indiana turnout.
posted by fluttering hellfire at 11:51 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by fluttering hellfire at 11:51 AM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
How do ya'll feel about the organization of the debates? It was done randomly, but there still clearly appears to be an undercard and a main event.
posted by Selena777 at 12:00 PM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Selena777 at 12:00 PM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
How do ya'll feel about the organization of the debates?
Like I feel about the rest of this year: it's not 2020. No one's going to remember anything that happened in June 2019.
posted by Harry Caul at 12:10 PM on June 14, 2019 [12 favorites]
Like I feel about the rest of this year: it's not 2020. No one's going to remember anything that happened in June 2019.
posted by Harry Caul at 12:10 PM on June 14, 2019 [12 favorites]
I wish that they'd set the cutoff for "heavy hitter" a little higher when they were picking the groups to randomize from. I hope this doesn't result in people ignoring the first debate.
That said: I also wish they weren't having debates so damn early because I hate that the 2020 elections have started this early in the first place. But if we're going to have a shitshow debate with a jillion people shouting over one another, I would rather it happen in June 2019 and maybe help winnow the field down to leave room for something less crazytown later on.
posted by Anonymous at 12:15 PM on June 14, 2019
That said: I also wish they weren't having debates so damn early because I hate that the 2020 elections have started this early in the first place. But if we're going to have a shitshow debate with a jillion people shouting over one another, I would rather it happen in June 2019 and maybe help winnow the field down to leave room for something less crazytown later on.
posted by Anonymous at 12:15 PM on June 14, 2019
Trump accuses his former White House counsel of lying under oath
This Stephanopoulos-thing is turning about to be interesting
posted by mumimor at 12:27 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
This Stephanopoulos-thing is turning about to be interesting
posted by mumimor at 12:27 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
ABC got leaked Trump campaign data: President Trump’s internal polling data from March showed him far behind Joe Biden in key battleground states
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Data from President Donald Trump's first internal reelection campaign poll conducted in March, obtained exclusively by ABC News, showed him losing a matchup by wide margins to former Vice President Joe Biden in key battleground states.While this confirms Maggie Haberman’s reporting, it still seems odd that only the Biden matchup numbers were leaked.
Trump has repeatedly denied that such data exists.
The polling data, revealed for the first time by ABC News, showed a double-digit lead for Biden in Pennsylvania 55-39 and Wisconsin 51-41 and had Biden leading by seven points in Florida. In Texas, a Republican stronghold, the numbers showed the president only leading by two points.
ABC News did not obtain the poll’s early matchups against other candidates.[…]
When presented by ABC News with these numbers, the Trump campaign confirmed the data saying in a statement that the numbers were old and that they have seen huge swings in Trump’s favor.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
CNBC: Japanese oil tanker owner disagrees with US military that a mine caused blast near Iran
posted by soelo at 12:29 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by soelo at 12:29 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
The Self-Destruction of American Power (Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Affairs)
Sometime in the last two years, American hegemony died. The age of U.S. dominance was a brief, heady era, about three decades marked by two moments, each a breakdown of sorts. It was born amid the collapse of the Berlin Wall, in 1989. The end, or really the beginning of the end, was another collapse, that of Iraq in 2003, and the slow unraveling since. But was the death of the United States’ extraordinary status a result of external causes, or did Washington accelerate its own demise through bad habits and bad behavior? That is a question that will be debated by historians for years to come. But at this point, we have enough time and perspective to make some preliminary observations.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:49 PM on June 14, 2019 [14 favorites]
As with most deaths, many factors contributed to this one. There were deep structural forces in the international system that inexorably worked against any one nation that accumulated so much power. In the American case, however, one is struck by the ways in which Washington—from an unprecedented position—mishandled its hegemony and abused its power, losing allies and emboldening enemies. And now, under the Trump administration, the United States seems to have lost interest, indeed lost faith, in the ideas and purpose that animated its international presence for three-quarters of a century.
Beto's moonshot thing gives me pause.
I'm no scientist, but from what I've read recently, technological geo-engineering could be great way to fuck up the planet even more. We have to cut carbon emissions. If there is a super neato whiz bang way to do that, cool bro, but where's the science.
It gives me pause further because doesn't it really seem like Carter was more on the right track with his put on a sweater routine? But that isn't sexy. At all. Beto's way is sexy and big. And maybe wrong?
Although if you want to hearken back to WWII and talk about growing Victory Gardens and stopping the production of cars for a while because we're making windmills, cool, I can get behind that historical analogy
posted by angrycat at 12:50 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
I'm no scientist, but from what I've read recently, technological geo-engineering could be great way to fuck up the planet even more. We have to cut carbon emissions. If there is a super neato whiz bang way to do that, cool bro, but where's the science.
It gives me pause further because doesn't it really seem like Carter was more on the right track with his put on a sweater routine? But that isn't sexy. At all. Beto's way is sexy and big. And maybe wrong?
Although if you want to hearken back to WWII and talk about growing Victory Gardens and stopping the production of cars for a while because we're making windmills, cool, I can get behind that historical analogy
posted by angrycat at 12:50 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
It gives me pause further because doesn't it really seem like Carter was more on the right track with his put on a sweater routine?
Better personal choices will only do so much for the planet. Industry- energy, transportation, and more- needs to get on board too, and in some cases that means new technologies.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 12:54 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
Better personal choices will only do so much for the planet. Industry- energy, transportation, and more- needs to get on board too, and in some cases that means new technologies.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 12:54 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
I think I posted this in a previous thread but talking about better personal choices may also be counterproductive to stopping climate change. From Nature: Nudging out support for a carbon tax.
posted by Justinian at 1:01 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
A carbon tax is widely accepted as the most effective policy for curbing carbon emissions but is controversial because it imposes costs on consumers. An alternative, ‘nudge,’ approach promises smaller benefits but with much lower costs. However, nudges aimed at reducing carbon emissions could have a pernicious indirect effect if they offer the promise of a ‘quick fix’ and thereby undermine support for policies of greater impact. Across six experiments, including one conducted with individuals involved in policymaking, we show that introducing a green energy default nudge diminishes support for a carbon taxEssentially talking about nudges (putting on a sweater, metaphorically) cannibalizes support for effective policies. By all means make better choices but talking about them in context of a policy debate is no good.
posted by Justinian at 1:01 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
...it still seems odd that only the Biden matchup numbers were leaked.
Indeed. Cui bono?
posted by AwkwardPause at 1:03 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Indeed. Cui bono?
posted by AwkwardPause at 1:03 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Better personal choices will only do so much for the planet. Industry- energy, transportation, and more- needs to get on board too, and in some cases that means new technologies.
It does, but it also needs new systems, and new ways of living. It will make a difference if everyone cuts down on red meat to a 1950's level. It will make a difference if we fly less and buy more local products. And this can happen if there are political incentives for making those changes. It's not about abstaining or poverty. It's about smarter systems and human relations.
Back during the energy/oil crisis in the early 1970's, many Western European countries made changes to their energy consumption that became permanent. After a while, this was the new baseline, and it turned out it was possible to live very comfortable lives with less consumption. As a European, you don't notice that you have less aircondition and heating in your house than Americans have, you notice that you are even more comfortable in your home than before, because more thought has gone into the climate of your home. You don't mind that your car drives 18 km/liter of gasoline, you like spending less.
Later on, Germans noticed that their forests were dying, and that became the propelling force of the Green movement, and of Conservative-Green collaboration in many state governments. Forests are important in Germany. So laws were made to limit acid rain, and again it worked, technology adapted, we didn't suffer a loss of comfort. Technology can adapt, but it needs incentives, and those incentives might at first look like personal limitations and face protest like that from the Gilets Jaunes. But in the end, they work.
If we get taxes on red meat and on plastics and needless plane flights, the people who have been first movers on this will have an advantage on how to live with these new limitations, and they will be the creatives with good solutions for the future. It's not a bad thing to make better personal choices, it's a creative, futuristic thing.
posted by mumimor at 1:13 PM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
It does, but it also needs new systems, and new ways of living. It will make a difference if everyone cuts down on red meat to a 1950's level. It will make a difference if we fly less and buy more local products. And this can happen if there are political incentives for making those changes. It's not about abstaining or poverty. It's about smarter systems and human relations.
Back during the energy/oil crisis in the early 1970's, many Western European countries made changes to their energy consumption that became permanent. After a while, this was the new baseline, and it turned out it was possible to live very comfortable lives with less consumption. As a European, you don't notice that you have less aircondition and heating in your house than Americans have, you notice that you are even more comfortable in your home than before, because more thought has gone into the climate of your home. You don't mind that your car drives 18 km/liter of gasoline, you like spending less.
Later on, Germans noticed that their forests were dying, and that became the propelling force of the Green movement, and of Conservative-Green collaboration in many state governments. Forests are important in Germany. So laws were made to limit acid rain, and again it worked, technology adapted, we didn't suffer a loss of comfort. Technology can adapt, but it needs incentives, and those incentives might at first look like personal limitations and face protest like that from the Gilets Jaunes. But in the end, they work.
If we get taxes on red meat and on plastics and needless plane flights, the people who have been first movers on this will have an advantage on how to live with these new limitations, and they will be the creatives with good solutions for the future. It's not a bad thing to make better personal choices, it's a creative, futuristic thing.
posted by mumimor at 1:13 PM on June 14, 2019 [16 favorites]
I'm no scientist, but from what I've read recently, technological geo-engineering could be great way to fuck up the planet even more. We have to cut carbon emissions. If there is a super neato whiz bang way to do that, cool bro, but where's the science.
There is no longer any science driven scenario that stops the world warming another two degrees (where we hit the crisis of permafrost melting, massive amounts of methane being released into the atmosphere, and rapid escalation of warming) without the use of moonshot technology that does not currently exist.
Because the warming lags the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, some scientists say that even if we completely stopped putting carbon into the atmosphere today, we would still hit this point. If not, we would still hit this point even if we simply used the oil we currently hold in reserves. It's going to be pretty hard to stop that oil from getting used, especially when the price hits zero.
There are technologies frequently talked about. One is spraying aerosols into the atmosphere. This merely slows warming and has some disastrous effects, the least of which is bleaching the sky a slate grey. But it's cheap, can be done, and will buy time. Mostly, I think this option is simply a good indicator of where we're at, in that many climatologists don't blink when they mention its future use as a foregone conclusion.
The other moonshot technology sucks carbon out of the atmosphere. These exist, but they're slow and expensive. The current ones help pay for their use by... producing more oil. It's easier, safer, and cheaper in every way to instead reduce emissions, but again this won't solve the problem on its own. So where are we at with the science? Science says we will not fix global warming without fast access to technology that science cannot yet provide.
I've posted this article a bunch of times. It should be required reading for everyone on the planet. It begins with the line: It is, I promise, worse than you think. If you look at the author archive he also talks about the technology available, etc.
posted by xammerboy at 1:17 PM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
There is no longer any science driven scenario that stops the world warming another two degrees (where we hit the crisis of permafrost melting, massive amounts of methane being released into the atmosphere, and rapid escalation of warming) without the use of moonshot technology that does not currently exist.
Because the warming lags the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, some scientists say that even if we completely stopped putting carbon into the atmosphere today, we would still hit this point. If not, we would still hit this point even if we simply used the oil we currently hold in reserves. It's going to be pretty hard to stop that oil from getting used, especially when the price hits zero.
There are technologies frequently talked about. One is spraying aerosols into the atmosphere. This merely slows warming and has some disastrous effects, the least of which is bleaching the sky a slate grey. But it's cheap, can be done, and will buy time. Mostly, I think this option is simply a good indicator of where we're at, in that many climatologists don't blink when they mention its future use as a foregone conclusion.
The other moonshot technology sucks carbon out of the atmosphere. These exist, but they're slow and expensive. The current ones help pay for their use by... producing more oil. It's easier, safer, and cheaper in every way to instead reduce emissions, but again this won't solve the problem on its own. So where are we at with the science? Science says we will not fix global warming without fast access to technology that science cannot yet provide.
I've posted this article a bunch of times. It should be required reading for everyone on the planet. It begins with the line: It is, I promise, worse than you think. If you look at the author archive he also talks about the technology available, etc.
posted by xammerboy at 1:17 PM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
Mod note: Folks please take global warming, climate crisis, individual choices vs policy etc to another thread. Thanks.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:21 PM on June 14, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:21 PM on June 14, 2019 [3 favorites]
@AshleyRParker
posted by scalefree at 1:21 PM on June 14, 2019 [38 favorites]
Yikes. On Fox News just now, Trump won't say if Pence has his automatic endorsement in 2024. "You can't put me in that position," the president said -- noting he would, at least, give his vice president "strong consideration."Trump Street, where loyalty only goes one way.
posted by scalefree at 1:21 PM on June 14, 2019 [38 favorites]
Pai said that data provided by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is faulty.
I'm sad to report that we are fully in the era of American-Lysenkoism.
posted by j_curiouser at 2:02 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
I'm sad to report that we are fully in the era of American-Lysenkoism.
In modern usage, the term lysenkoism has become distinct from normal pseudoscience. Where pseudoscience pretends to be science, lysenkoism aims at attacking the legitimacy of science itself, usually for political reasons. It is the rejection of the universality of scientific truth, and the deliberate defamation of the scientific method to the level of politics. - wikipediaMaybe some ivy-educated journo can drag this history-repeats-itself-tragedy into the discussion? Ugh.
posted by j_curiouser at 2:02 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump not committing right now to endorsing Pence for 2024 doesn't seem notable. Obama didn't support his own Vice President as successor. (And Trump hopes to be Dictator for Life by 2024 anyway...)
posted by PhineasGage at 2:03 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 2:03 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Trump not committing right now to endorsing Pence for 2024 doesn't seem notable. Obama didn't support his own Vice President as successor. (And Trump hopes to be Dictator for Life by 2024 anyway...)
It would have been really funny / terrifying if Trump had said "Endorse Pence over myself for a third term? No way." I don't see a lot of love from Trump for Pence. I wouldn't at all be surprised if he dumps him and puts Scott Baio on the ticket instead.
On the other hand Obama definitely had a lot of love for Biden, yet he endorsed Hillary anyway.
posted by xammerboy at 2:22 PM on June 14, 2019
It would have been really funny / terrifying if Trump had said "Endorse Pence over myself for a third term? No way." I don't see a lot of love from Trump for Pence. I wouldn't at all be surprised if he dumps him and puts Scott Baio on the ticket instead.
On the other hand Obama definitely had a lot of love for Biden, yet he endorsed Hillary anyway.
posted by xammerboy at 2:22 PM on June 14, 2019
it still seems odd that only the Biden matchup numbers were leaked.
It wouldn't surprise me to eventually learn the cause is he was losing in most/all of the polls they ran. Then again, nothing would surprise me at this point, so...
posted by feloniousmonk at 2:26 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
It wouldn't surprise me to eventually learn the cause is he was losing in most/all of the polls they ran. Then again, nothing would surprise me at this point, so...
posted by feloniousmonk at 2:26 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Scott Lemieux, LGM: Is Bernie Sanders’s Left-Liberalism Categorically Different Than Elizabeth Warren’s? [SPOILER: No]
To implicitly characterize Warren as seeing no greater crisis in American politics than “a few unenforced or misbegotten laws” is the most intelligence-insulting intelligence bullshit imaginable. Indeed, she has a much more comprehensive vision for addressing the crisis created by the anti-democratic elements of American politics than Bernie does.posted by tonycpsu at 2:39 PM on June 14, 2019 [17 favorites]
Which of these candidates you prefer is a question of judgment, but the idea that using a magic word makes Bernie’s politics fundamentally different is just abject nonsense that can’t be supported by Bernie’s own agenda and description of his intentions.
All this talk about the importance of the Senate got me investigating the different races, and let me tell you I'm loving Steven Cox, the Democratic challenger for Mitch McConnell in Kentucky. From his about page (emphasis mine):
[My dad] paid taxes into the system for decades. When he retired, he expected to be treated fairly. That’s the American Dream, but with corrupt politicians that dream has yet to become real. Dad kept his promise by paying in, but have they kept their promise to him and other retirees?posted by galaxy rise at 3:47 PM on June 14, 2019 [30 favorites]
Medicare falls short. They say Dad doesn’t need dentures. They say dentures aren’t necessary. That put having teeth out of Dad’s reach. My sisters and I have stepped in to help with insurance, but that is not an option for everyone. Social Security is limited for many. Those folks have to choose between healthcare and a house payment, and for some the decision is between getting dentures or having food. Think about that. They have to choose between having food and the ability to eat it. Even without dentures, that check doesn’t make ends meet.
[...] We all deserve a fair deal. That means expanding Medicaid, improving healthcare, and stimulating our economy through bold new programs. My father’s future shouldn’t be written off by politicians, and neither should yours.
That’s why I’m running for Senate. I’m over life-long politicians who tell us our problems don’t matter. It’s time for someone to acknowledge our problems and start fixing them. Kentuckians will no longer be ignored.
Can Elizabeth Warren Win It All? by Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker.
Great portrait.
(at least after I have had a little time to digest the shocking to me fact that she doesn't drink coffee. It's almost disqualifying...)
posted by AwkwardPause at 3:49 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
Great portrait.
(at least after I have had a little time to digest the shocking to me fact that she doesn't drink coffee. It's almost disqualifying...)
posted by AwkwardPause at 3:49 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
Warren has branded her platform economic patriotism. Thoughts on that?
posted by clawsoon at 3:56 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by clawsoon at 3:56 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
economic patriotism
Terrible label, I think. 'Patriotism': the word is forever polluted to me after Gulf I, Gulf II, Pat Tilman, the tea baggers, rudy9-11, magahats, ICE, and Yemen. And ensign priebus. FFS. Better consultants, please.
posted by j_curiouser at 4:22 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
Terrible label, I think. 'Patriotism': the word is forever polluted to me after Gulf I, Gulf II, Pat Tilman, the tea baggers, rudy9-11, magahats, ICE, and Yemen. And ensign priebus. FFS. Better consultants, please.
posted by j_curiouser at 4:22 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
I recently had this conversation as to why it’s not a coin flip for her Sanders/Warren even if Warren has gone from far second choice to close second choose.
1, Medicare For All, still not strong enough on this for me seeing as it’s one thing that could fundamentally alter every American’s life but I also think momentum for it is building faster then I expected and not being full throated for M4A will become a political liability sooner rather than later.
2. Staff. A large amount of the Sanders campaign includes from outside the political norm, not just from grassroots campaigns and activism, but also from the more politically pragmatic wings of the old Occupy movement and from families that have never stepped foot in a statehouse. The presence of these people in Washington as part of an executive administration has the potential to change the hegemony, the way things are done. I’d love an administration where Breienna Joy Gray has a role.
3. The Labor movement. Sanders has been hitting the movement button hard, rallying with the striking fast wood workers, crashing the WalMart shareholder’s meeting, unionizing his campaign before anyone else - since the stated goal of the American right since 1910 has been to try and destroy the labor movement, it’s an extremely exciting to see a national candidate hit it this hard. I think people underestimate would kind of forces you’d unleash with the message “the president wants you to form a union.”
That being said, an administration that is merely not actively stepping on the worker’s neck is an improvement. I just hope (pray) all this strikewave power doesn’t just dissipate.
4. Sanders polls higher with the youth and Hispanic votes, who surged in the midterms. This is of course, highly suspect to change.
If I may talk to some of my ...partisan fellows. Both their foreign policy slates are bad (anything anyone purposing is not enough). And both of them have worked together on bills and they meet frequently- this is not a hostile primary and they’ve been excellent influences on each other so far. I fear a hostile DNC and Koch money backing centrist Dem incumbents more.
Plus, I have a kind of feeling of paralyzing doom about this , so I’m focusing on changing my state and local politics to make it harder for this movement to backslide (Like say, passing aMedicare For All style bill for NYS to make a national push easier) But, since according to the numbers everyone is basically equally “electable” and “electability is about authenticity not moderation” the plan is to vote one’s desire in the primary, as everyone should.
posted by The Whelk at 4:42 PM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
1, Medicare For All, still not strong enough on this for me seeing as it’s one thing that could fundamentally alter every American’s life but I also think momentum for it is building faster then I expected and not being full throated for M4A will become a political liability sooner rather than later.
2. Staff. A large amount of the Sanders campaign includes from outside the political norm, not just from grassroots campaigns and activism, but also from the more politically pragmatic wings of the old Occupy movement and from families that have never stepped foot in a statehouse. The presence of these people in Washington as part of an executive administration has the potential to change the hegemony, the way things are done. I’d love an administration where Breienna Joy Gray has a role.
3. The Labor movement. Sanders has been hitting the movement button hard, rallying with the striking fast wood workers, crashing the WalMart shareholder’s meeting, unionizing his campaign before anyone else - since the stated goal of the American right since 1910 has been to try and destroy the labor movement, it’s an extremely exciting to see a national candidate hit it this hard. I think people underestimate would kind of forces you’d unleash with the message “the president wants you to form a union.”
That being said, an administration that is merely not actively stepping on the worker’s neck is an improvement. I just hope (pray) all this strikewave power doesn’t just dissipate.
4. Sanders polls higher with the youth and Hispanic votes, who surged in the midterms. This is of course, highly suspect to change.
If I may talk to some of my ...partisan fellows. Both their foreign policy slates are bad (anything anyone purposing is not enough). And both of them have worked together on bills and they meet frequently- this is not a hostile primary and they’ve been excellent influences on each other so far. I fear a hostile DNC and Koch money backing centrist Dem incumbents more.
Plus, I have a kind of feeling of paralyzing doom about this , so I’m focusing on changing my state and local politics to make it harder for this movement to backslide (Like say, passing aMedicare For All style bill for NYS to make a national push easier) But, since according to the numbers everyone is basically equally “electable” and “electability is about authenticity not moderation” the plan is to vote one’s desire in the primary, as everyone should.
posted by The Whelk at 4:42 PM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
This is three thousand thousand beats behind the current news cycle, even though it's only a day old
(IRAN!!!! WARRRR!! DEBATES!!!)
But has it occurred to anyone else that Trump is twisting the concept of reporting foreign interference to the FBI?
He initially said that he'd happily accept 'oppo research' from a foreign power and that he wouldn't report it to the FBI. Then on Fox & Friends he said that he'd report it to the FBI if he thought it was necessary ie, if he learned something 'bad' about his opponent.
He's leading his listeners to believe that he's supposed to pass along the 'dirt' to the FBI, so they can investigate the allegations against his opponent; in fact, he's supposed to tell the FBI that there's a foreign power attempting to influence the election.
The violation isn't anything his opponent is alleged to have done, it's the very fact of listening to or meeting with a foreign power allowing them to influence his campaign.
But listening to his arguments it's pretty clear that he wants his followers to think that he's guilty of not passing along dirt ('that's okay, we'll clean up this mess ourselves, we don't need the FBI').
posted by jrochest at 4:56 PM on June 14, 2019 [27 favorites]
(IRAN!!!! WARRRR!! DEBATES!!!)
But has it occurred to anyone else that Trump is twisting the concept of reporting foreign interference to the FBI?
He initially said that he'd happily accept 'oppo research' from a foreign power and that he wouldn't report it to the FBI. Then on Fox & Friends he said that he'd report it to the FBI if he thought it was necessary ie, if he learned something 'bad' about his opponent.
He's leading his listeners to believe that he's supposed to pass along the 'dirt' to the FBI, so they can investigate the allegations against his opponent; in fact, he's supposed to tell the FBI that there's a foreign power attempting to influence the election.
The violation isn't anything his opponent is alleged to have done, it's the very fact of listening to or meeting with a foreign power allowing them to influence his campaign.
But listening to his arguments it's pretty clear that he wants his followers to think that he's guilty of not passing along dirt ('that's okay, we'll clean up this mess ourselves, we don't need the FBI').
posted by jrochest at 4:56 PM on June 14, 2019 [27 favorites]
4. Sanders polls higher with the youth and Hispanic votes, who surged in the midterms. This is of course, highly suspect to change.
Polling high with any demo is good obviously, but isn't another way to say this that Warren polls higher with older voters? And older voters always turn out? The turnout surge brought youth turnout from abysmal to low.
Is the theory that, since they always turn out, older non-Hispanic voters will vote for the nominee whomever it is and so it's tactically smarter to go for the one who will bring the people who don't turn out to the polls? That's possible but kind of a scary thing to bank on to me.
posted by Justinian at 5:09 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Polling high with any demo is good obviously, but isn't another way to say this that Warren polls higher with older voters? And older voters always turn out? The turnout surge brought youth turnout from abysmal to low.
Is the theory that, since they always turn out, older non-Hispanic voters will vote for the nominee whomever it is and so it's tactically smarter to go for the one who will bring the people who don't turn out to the polls? That's possible but kind of a scary thing to bank on to me.
posted by Justinian at 5:09 PM on June 14, 2019 [6 favorites]
Former acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe said Thursday that the time has come to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. (CNN)
Also, Hunter Biden stopped dating his sister-in-law in, like, April, and married a different woman on May 16th. The new couple sprung for matching tattoos. (People)
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:11 PM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
On CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time," Chris Cuomo asked McCabe, "Do you believe that an impeachment inquiry is warranted based on what you understand and what has come out of the Mueller report?""Thursday" as in yesterday. McCabe searched the sour slime aspic he's calling his conscience to announce this yesterday.
"Absolutely," McCabe said.
"I think we are clearly there with the results of the special counsel team," McCabe said. "There are so many witnesses who could provide important essential testimony to Congress that can only be done in the scope of an impeachment inquiry."
He said "that action should be taken immediately," and that it is "beside the point" whether the inquiry results in articles of impeachment.
Also, Hunter Biden stopped dating his sister-in-law in, like, April, and married a different woman on May 16th. The new couple sprung for matching tattoos. (People)
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:11 PM on June 14, 2019 [7 favorites]
That's kinda weird. Definitely not gonna vote for this Hunter guy.
posted by Justinian at 5:14 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 5:14 PM on June 14, 2019 [19 favorites]
Warren has branded her platform economic patriotism. Thoughts on that?
I wish Warren and Buttigieg would simply reclaim the term socialism. Celebrate it as a way to create the kind of country that most Americans want anyway: healthcare, jobs, clean water, roads and bridges that don't collapse, a good education for their kids.
Reclaiming a word from bullies takes away its power, and Republicans will use it as a cudgel, anyway, unless the left takes back agency over its use.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 5:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
I wish Warren and Buttigieg would simply reclaim the term socialism. Celebrate it as a way to create the kind of country that most Americans want anyway: healthcare, jobs, clean water, roads and bridges that don't collapse, a good education for their kids.
Reclaiming a word from bullies takes away its power, and Republicans will use it as a cudgel, anyway, unless the left takes back agency over its use.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 5:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Reclaiming a word from bullies takes away its power..I'm not really enthused by the phrase "economic patriotism" but "patriotism" is also a word that could stand to be reclaimed from the bullies.
The authoritarians and militarists have run rampant with their definition of patriotism for decades and if someone wants to put forth a model for celebrating America by evoking once non-controversial aspirations towards fairness and the rule of law and the right of people of all kinds to live in peace with other people of good will rather than with bombers and missiles I'm all for that.
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:28 PM on June 14, 2019 [27 favorites]
Economic Democracy is good enough for Professor Wolff
posted by The Whelk at 5:28 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 5:28 PM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]
Judge dismisses suit against Trump and campaign over forcible kissing, pay discrimination (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 6:59 PM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
U.S. District Court Judge William Jung, a Trump appointee, tossed out Johnson’s complaint Friday, saying it was too laden with political claims and attacks for the court to allow it to proceed. [...] While Jung dismissed the suit in its present form, he said he would allow Johnson to file a reframed complaint in the next 30 days. [...]Maybe I'm misreading FRE 404(b)(2), "This evidence may be admissible for another purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident." If only there was another forum available for these witnesses to testify, like another branch of government capable of addressing high crimes and misdemeanors.
“Though this simple battery appears to have lasted perhaps 10-15 seconds, Plaintiff has spent 29 pages and 115 paragraphs in the Complaint setting it forth. Many of these allegations describe 19 unrelated incidents involving women upon whom Defendant Trump allegedly committed nonconsensual acts, over the past four decades with differing circumstances,” Jung wrote, calling the laundry list of past allegations “immaterial and impertinent” to Johnson’s claims.
posted by Little Dawn at 6:59 PM on June 14, 2019 [10 favorites]
Rolling Stone just published, ‘Guats,’ ‘Tonks’ and ‘Subhuman Shit’: The Shocking Texts of a Border Patrol Agent.
It is too horrifying to really summarize. Today I learned that Border Patrol agents call their victims "tonks", after the sound it makes when you hit someone in the head with a flashlight. It just goes downhill from there.
This is all sourced from a motion by the defense to exclude some of this language because it would be prejudicial to their client for a jury to hear what prejudiced monsters he and his coworkers are.
Just burn it down and start over.
posted by bcd at 7:18 PM on June 14, 2019 [53 favorites]
It is too horrifying to really summarize. Today I learned that Border Patrol agents call their victims "tonks", after the sound it makes when you hit someone in the head with a flashlight. It just goes downhill from there.
This is all sourced from a motion by the defense to exclude some of this language because it would be prejudicial to their client for a jury to hear what prejudiced monsters he and his coworkers are.
Just burn it down and start over.
posted by bcd at 7:18 PM on June 14, 2019 [53 favorites]
AP, Trump aims to slash number of federal advisory committees
posted by zachlipton at 8:02 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
Trump signed an executive order Friday that directs every federal agency to evaluate the need for all of its advisory committees created under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. And it gives agency heads until September to terminate at least one-third of current committees created by agency heads.The order instructs agencies to eliminate committees that have accomplished their objectives or are obsolete, which seems reasonable (there are around 1,000 advisory committees across the government), but the blanket directive to get rid of at least a third of them is crazy. Many advisory committees provide scientific expertise, which this order could eliminate.
...
The order does not apply to merit review panels, like those that reward grants to the National Institutes of Health or provide scientific expertise to agencies about product safety. Agencies may request waivers from the Office of Management and Budget, and those with fewer than three eligible committees will be exempt.
posted by zachlipton at 8:02 PM on June 14, 2019 [15 favorites]
Many advisory committees provide scientific expertise, which this order could eliminate.
One assumes, to this administration, that is considered a feature rather than a bug.
posted by bcd at 8:17 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
One assumes, to this administration, that is considered a feature rather than a bug.
posted by bcd at 8:17 PM on June 14, 2019 [5 favorites]
Warren has branded her platform economic patriotism. Thoughts on that?
I continue to be dismayed that these plans cannot be sold as simple commonsense and necessary practicality. Capitalism unchecked leads to monopolies that undermine competitive markets and eventually collapse, sometimes taking the entire economy with them. We all just went through this with the housing crisis. Why do we need these reforms? Are you kidding me?
posted by xammerboy at 8:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
I continue to be dismayed that these plans cannot be sold as simple commonsense and necessary practicality. Capitalism unchecked leads to monopolies that undermine competitive markets and eventually collapse, sometimes taking the entire economy with them. We all just went through this with the housing crisis. Why do we need these reforms? Are you kidding me?
posted by xammerboy at 8:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
The authoritarians and militarists have run rampant with their definition of patriotism for decades and if someone wants to put forth a model for celebrating America by evoking once non-controversial aspirations towards fairness and the rule of law and the right of people of all kinds to live in peace with other people of good will rather than with bombers and missiles I'm all for that.
Absolutely!
America has a lot to recommend it.
posted by notyou at 9:14 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
Absolutely!
America has a lot to recommend it.
posted by notyou at 9:14 PM on June 14, 2019 [4 favorites]
Some good news brewing in Arizona. According to the daily tracking polls of Morning Consult, Trump has slipped from +20 favorable as of the 2016 election, down to -6 unfavorable as of today.
It’s a drop of 26 points in favorability. He only won AZ by 3 points.
posted by darkstar at 10:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
It’s a drop of 26 points in favorability. He only won AZ by 3 points.
posted by darkstar at 10:19 PM on June 14, 2019 [24 favorites]
Jonathan Greenberg in the WaPo, Saving face: How Donald Trump silenced the people who could expose his business failures
Trump had waged a relentless, vindictive campaign to build his own myth by suppressing the facts: Between the collapse of his empire in 1991 and the issuance of more than $1 billion in Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts stock and junk bonds by 1996, he’d compromised the truth-telling capacity of Forbes magazine, the Wall Street Journal, TV broadcasters, Arthur Andersen and casino analysts on Wall Street. By the time Trump resigned in 2009 as chairman of the public company he founded, he had paid himself an estimated $82 million in personal compensation, while the company’s stocks and bonds had become nearly worthless.posted by peeedro at 10:34 PM on June 14, 2019 [9 favorites]
His brand survived all that, and even thrived, because he wasn’t just concocting tales of his greatness; he was also forcing others to repeat them, or at least not to contradict them. It was a strategy that more recently has paid off handsomely against onetime opponents like Sen. Lindsey Graham. Nobody can succeed on this scale simply by lying. Trump’s greatest and most cynical skill, honed during the 1980s and 1990s, was learning how to win by silencing truth-tellers and suppressing the truth when it matters most.
Our fears are misguided. Even putative Tr*mp supporters are exhausted by his antics and deep down know he is bad for the country - just wait one more year. If the Democrats nominate any plausible candidate Tr*mp is going to lose by 100 electoral votes and 5 million in the popular vote.
posted by PhineasGage at 10:58 PM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by PhineasGage at 10:58 PM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
If the Democrats nominate any plausible candidate Tr*mp is going to lose by 100 electoral votes and 5 million in the popular vote.
Wow, there's some kind of weird timewarp in here and the optimistic comments from 2016 are coming through again.
If we even have a free and fair election, I'm going to be worrying every single second of every single day until Warren* takes the oath of office and Trump either gets on a helicopter or is frog-marched out of the building. I'm certainly not going to "just wait one more year," I'm going to work as hard as I can to help our candidate win.
*Insert any other Democrat here if you prefer.
posted by mmoncur at 12:20 AM on June 15, 2019 [45 favorites]
Wow, there's some kind of weird timewarp in here and the optimistic comments from 2016 are coming through again.
If we even have a free and fair election, I'm going to be worrying every single second of every single day until Warren* takes the oath of office and Trump either gets on a helicopter or is frog-marched out of the building. I'm certainly not going to "just wait one more year," I'm going to work as hard as I can to help our candidate win.
*Insert any other Democrat here if you prefer.
posted by mmoncur at 12:20 AM on June 15, 2019 [45 favorites]
I had a (few) beer with a former coworker who's dual citizen Can/US, living in Canada, and still registered as a Democrat (in S. Carolina) and protests that he's a progressive. Made the effort to send in a mail-in (so he says) before the deadline against Trump.
His dream Democratic candidate for 2020 is Hickenlooper/ Kasich (?!).
He also repeated "I don't trust her" when I mentioned that Warren is gaining a lot of momentum.
He said the same thing about H.R. Clinton.
I do not understand (other than straight up misogyny, or a particular form thereof).
posted by porpoise at 12:30 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
His dream Democratic candidate for 2020 is Hickenlooper/ Kasich (?!).
He also repeated "I don't trust her" when I mentioned that Warren is gaining a lot of momentum.
He said the same thing about H.R. Clinton.
I do not understand (other than straight up misogyny, or a particular form thereof).
posted by porpoise at 12:30 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
He's a brogressive.
I usually hear "I just don't like her" instead of "trust" but same thing. And yeah, it's misogyny. I've still not found a way to get through to these people. If anyone else has please let us know how.
posted by Justinian at 1:14 AM on June 15, 2019 [31 favorites]
I usually hear "I just don't like her" instead of "trust" but same thing. And yeah, it's misogyny. I've still not found a way to get through to these people. If anyone else has please let us know how.
posted by Justinian at 1:14 AM on June 15, 2019 [31 favorites]
I strongly believe that to these people, a woman will never be a good presidential candidate precisely because a good presidential candidate, and a good president, will need to do things like give other people tasks to do, and explain stuff. And both of these actions are things that mothers and teachers do.
And young children are mostly taught by women. So a female candidate will always remind them of the two women they resent most (for doing what needed to be done, but young children don't know that). The first two women who ever told them 'no'.
'I want a woman as a candidate, just not THIS woman' is bullshit. Yup: misogyny.
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:17 AM on June 15, 2019 [29 favorites]
And young children are mostly taught by women. So a female candidate will always remind them of the two women they resent most (for doing what needed to be done, but young children don't know that). The first two women who ever told them 'no'.
'I want a woman as a candidate, just not THIS woman' is bullshit. Yup: misogyny.
posted by Too-Ticky at 3:17 AM on June 15, 2019 [29 favorites]
If this era has taught me anything, it’s that many Americans deeply hate women, from the ruling Republicans to their Christian pastors to the leering dudes who won’t take no for an answer when they pester me for sex or spare change or just attention.
True. So I just call them what they are, "He-man Woman-Haters", and move on.
posted by mikelieman at 3:37 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
True. So I just call them what they are, "He-man Woman-Haters", and move on.
posted by mikelieman at 3:37 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
His dream Democratic candidate for 2020 is Hickenlooper/ Kasich (?!).
This guy's a conservative who wishes Trump was less rude.
Even putative Tr*mp supporters are exhausted by his antics and deep down know he is bad for the country - just wait one more year.
90% GOP approval. Among Republicans he is the most popular elected official in American history. Assuming a future, he'll be more beloved by them than Reagan.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:43 AM on June 15, 2019 [22 favorites]
This guy's a conservative who wishes Trump was less rude.
Even putative Tr*mp supporters are exhausted by his antics and deep down know he is bad for the country - just wait one more year.
90% GOP approval. Among Republicans he is the most popular elected official in American history. Assuming a future, he'll be more beloved by them than Reagan.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:43 AM on June 15, 2019 [22 favorites]
A HISTORY OF AMERICAN SOCIALISM, THE PAST AND THE TANTALIZING FUTURE: dictatorship of the present
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on June 13 [3 favorites +] [!]
I'm only partly through this and it is interesting as an older person to read about one's life as ancient history. I like.
But I am also reminded how in both the US and the UK, the crash of 2008 became a permanent crisis, "austerity" in UK terms, and how this is an important part of how Trump and Brexit happened.
In relative numbers, the crash here in Denmark was one of the worst in the world. But we don't have austerity now, at all. Island was probably the worst, and they haven't got austerity now either. Spain was really bad, and they haven't recovered, but they are not near an Anglo situation, politically.
Even in Greece, where bad EU policies made the crisis harder for ordinary people instead of punishing the real culprits, the sense of hopelessness and lack of opportunity is not as strong as it is in the UK and US. I suppose the Anglo-Saxon (Westminister) political system has a part in this -- Australia isn't looking too good either, when it comes to the existential questions of our age. A common factor is that even though majorities in each country want fair wages, taxes, healthcare, social security, etc. the majorities are not represented and the minority is shameless. A Green New Deal doesn't even factor, because the basic needs of every citizen isn't met, in some of the richest countries in the world, and people are so overburdened that they can't see any way out. I'm not blaming the victims here, just wondering how it could get there.
The Whelk and other Socialists on the site are good at keeping up the fighting spirit, but I see a lot of despair on the non-political threads, as if people have given up on hope and change after the disappointment of the Obama administration.
posted by mumimor at 7:18 AM on June 15, 2019 [25 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on June 13 [3 favorites +] [!]
I'm only partly through this and it is interesting as an older person to read about one's life as ancient history. I like.
But I am also reminded how in both the US and the UK, the crash of 2008 became a permanent crisis, "austerity" in UK terms, and how this is an important part of how Trump and Brexit happened.
In relative numbers, the crash here in Denmark was one of the worst in the world. But we don't have austerity now, at all. Island was probably the worst, and they haven't got austerity now either. Spain was really bad, and they haven't recovered, but they are not near an Anglo situation, politically.
Even in Greece, where bad EU policies made the crisis harder for ordinary people instead of punishing the real culprits, the sense of hopelessness and lack of opportunity is not as strong as it is in the UK and US. I suppose the Anglo-Saxon (Westminister) political system has a part in this -- Australia isn't looking too good either, when it comes to the existential questions of our age. A common factor is that even though majorities in each country want fair wages, taxes, healthcare, social security, etc. the majorities are not represented and the minority is shameless. A Green New Deal doesn't even factor, because the basic needs of every citizen isn't met, in some of the richest countries in the world, and people are so overburdened that they can't see any way out. I'm not blaming the victims here, just wondering how it could get there.
The Whelk and other Socialists on the site are good at keeping up the fighting spirit, but I see a lot of despair on the non-political threads, as if people have given up on hope and change after the disappointment of the Obama administration.
posted by mumimor at 7:18 AM on June 15, 2019 [25 favorites]
"This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication," Pompeo said. He did not provide hard evidence to back up the US stance.
Ah yes, the famously peaceful middle east where no proxy group has access to missiles or bombs. Except all of them of course. I mean it is not like there are 2 major military conflicts occurring near that water (Yemen-Saudi Arabia and Iraq) and a couple more volatile states with significant rogue elements within a few hundred miles (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and of course Syria less than 500 miles away.
Then there are the billions of dollars of American and Soviet arms that have saturated the region since 2001.
I am also puzzled by the claims of sophistication. They attacked a big giant slow moving tanker. That has to be just about the least difficult military thing you could do.
posted by srboisvert at 7:31 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
Ah yes, the famously peaceful middle east where no proxy group has access to missiles or bombs. Except all of them of course. I mean it is not like there are 2 major military conflicts occurring near that water (Yemen-Saudi Arabia and Iraq) and a couple more volatile states with significant rogue elements within a few hundred miles (Afghanistan and Pakistan) and of course Syria less than 500 miles away.
Then there are the billions of dollars of American and Soviet arms that have saturated the region since 2001.
I am also puzzled by the claims of sophistication. They attacked a big giant slow moving tanker. That has to be just about the least difficult military thing you could do.
posted by srboisvert at 7:31 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
The one thing that indicates sophistication is that they were not apprehended after the fact. Either that means support from the state whose land they used to launch the projectiles (UAE or Iran) or that they were well versed in how the straits are patrolled and monitored to enable escape. (Or they WERE apprehended and the state that has them is holding on to this piece of information.)
But yeah, there are quite a few weapon types that will hit a tanker, within reach of lots of non-state actors in the region.
posted by ocschwar at 7:44 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
But yeah, there are quite a few weapon types that will hit a tanker, within reach of lots of non-state actors in the region.
posted by ocschwar at 7:44 AM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
In Los Angeles, it takes 43 years to save up a 20% down payment by setting aside 5% a year on the city’s median income.
In San Francisco, it takes 40 years. In New York City, 36 years.
In 1975, it took just 9 years.
posted by The Whelk at 8:29 AM on June 15, 2019 [25 favorites]
In San Francisco, it takes 40 years. In New York City, 36 years.
In 1975, it took just 9 years.
posted by The Whelk at 8:29 AM on June 15, 2019 [25 favorites]
Our fears are misguided. Even putative Tr*mp supporters are exhausted by his antics and deep down know he is bad for the country - just wait one more year. If the Democrats nominate any plausible candidate Tr*mp is going to lose by 100 electoral votes and 5 million in the popular vote.
Most people really do not understand the vulnerability of our democracy, and just how much power a sitting US president has to alter the election if he is shameless enough to do it. Trump admitted this week he would welcome all foreign attacks in his favor. Do you really think the Russians will stop at just breaking into systems this time and not altering vote totals? Are we sure they didn't do that last time? Do you really think the SCOTUS won't strike down Maryland's Democratic gerrymander while finding a way to leave North Carolina's Republican one intact? Are Republicans just going to stop rolling back voting rights?
If it's even still possible to defeat Trump, and it may not be, it may already be too late, and 2016 easily couldve been the only chance we had to save the world and we lost it already; it will be because he lost in a historic grassroots effort which overcame the full force of the Republican party and the rich establishment using every bit of their power and wealth to end American democracy once and for all and install permanent Republican rule headed for all time by the Trump family. It won't be because we all sat back and decided it would be OK this time, surely.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:41 AM on June 15, 2019 [34 favorites]
Most people really do not understand the vulnerability of our democracy, and just how much power a sitting US president has to alter the election if he is shameless enough to do it. Trump admitted this week he would welcome all foreign attacks in his favor. Do you really think the Russians will stop at just breaking into systems this time and not altering vote totals? Are we sure they didn't do that last time? Do you really think the SCOTUS won't strike down Maryland's Democratic gerrymander while finding a way to leave North Carolina's Republican one intact? Are Republicans just going to stop rolling back voting rights?
If it's even still possible to defeat Trump, and it may not be, it may already be too late, and 2016 easily couldve been the only chance we had to save the world and we lost it already; it will be because he lost in a historic grassroots effort which overcame the full force of the Republican party and the rich establishment using every bit of their power and wealth to end American democracy once and for all and install permanent Republican rule headed for all time by the Trump family. It won't be because we all sat back and decided it would be OK this time, surely.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:41 AM on June 15, 2019 [34 favorites]
His dream Democratic candidate for 2020 is Hickenlooper/ Kasich (?!).
This guy's a conservative who wishes Trump was less rude.
Agreed. My Republican brother in law, is one of those guys who just couldn't stand how stupid and uncouth Trump was (despite being fine with 8 years of Bush). So he held his nose and wrote in Kasich. I personally wouldn't bother engaging with anyone who favors that ticket, but if you do want to, you could start by asking why exactly he considers himself "progressive," and if there are any actual policy agreements there, work your way back to showing that any of the realistic D picks are much better on the issues than the milquetoast Rs. Good luck.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 8:45 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
This guy's a conservative who wishes Trump was less rude.
Agreed. My Republican brother in law, is one of those guys who just couldn't stand how stupid and uncouth Trump was (despite being fine with 8 years of Bush). So he held his nose and wrote in Kasich. I personally wouldn't bother engaging with anyone who favors that ticket, but if you do want to, you could start by asking why exactly he considers himself "progressive," and if there are any actual policy agreements there, work your way back to showing that any of the realistic D picks are much better on the issues than the milquetoast Rs. Good luck.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 8:45 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
I have a strong feeling that strong-presidentialism works against women: it's a little easier for a female party leader to rise through a parliamentary system where there are no direct elections for head of government. (There are exceptions, such as Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, but even her presidency was, um, complicated given Argentina's history of spouses in politics.)
In the US, it's almost as if the Veep scenario has to happen, which is pretty damn depressing.
posted by holgate at 9:06 AM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
In the US, it's almost as if the Veep scenario has to happen, which is pretty damn depressing.
posted by holgate at 9:06 AM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hickenlooper’s new angle is: don’t run on socialism. That’s... certainly an approach.
posted by hijinx at 9:35 AM on June 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by hijinx at 9:35 AM on June 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
Trump campaign zeroes in on a new threat: Elizabeth Warren (Politico)
posted by Little Dawn at 9:36 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
The Trump team — including the president himself — had been focused almost exclusively on Joe Biden to this point. But Warren’s rise now has them thinking she could pose a serious threat in a general election. Warren’s disciplined style, populist-infused speeches, and perceived ability to win over suburban female voters, Trump advisers concede, has raised concerns.So it sounds like the Trump campaign's plan is to give Sen. Warren and her policy agenda a lot of free publicity soon, because the ugly personal attacks haven't worked like Trump thought they would, i.e. "During an appearance at his Mar-a-Lago resort in March, the president lamented to donors that he knocked Warren out of the race too early and that he should have saved his jabs for later. During a late April rally in Wisconsin, the president said Warren was “finished.”"
Campaign pollster John McLaughlin has sounded the alarm internally, stressing that Warren’s attacks on Trump threaten to undercut his support from the working-class voters who propelled him to the presidency. “Although our own early published polls and internal polls discounted Elizabeth Warren, her recent momentum in May and June in national and early caucus and primary states into a strong second place to a flat Joe Biden is a cause for our campaign’s attention,” McLaughlin wrote in a text message to POLITICO. [...]
The reelection campaign first began taking note of Warren’s momentum several weeks ago, when polling showed her gaining substantially on Biden and Sanders. They were startled earlier this month when Tucker Carlson, a host on Trump-friendly Fox News, used the opening monologue of his show to heap praise on the liberal senator. Warren’s populist economic agenda, Carlson said, “sounds like Donald Trump at his best.” [...]
The latest view inside the Trump campaign is that Warren has a more coherent message and a more passionate liberal following than Biden, whose support they see as soft. “Her politics are where the Democratic party has moved,” said Trump campaign adviser Raj Shah. “She’s primed to pick up more support as Bernie fades and Biden erodes.”
posted by Little Dawn at 9:36 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
This is why I am increasingly confident Tr*mp will lose badly. If the Dems nominate a true progressive, (s)he will peel away plenty of working class white men who will choose their own economic well-being over the Orange One's childish swagger. If the Dems nominate a centrist (white) (male), an overlapping although not identical portion of white male voters will choose the one who acts like a sane, responsible adult. Either way, I will work as hard as I can to help the Democratic candidate win, and with an increasing sense of confidence that we've got this...
posted by PhineasGage at 10:00 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 10:00 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
Back in 2014 Very Smart people were predicting the GOP was electorally finished and would go the way of the Whigs....
posted by The Whelk at 10:35 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 10:35 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
Yeah, I'm not going to have a lot of confidence that "we've got this" until maybe 2026 and we're into the second term of a Democratic Presidency. Maybe 2029 when we elect a second Democrat in a row.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 10:42 AM on June 15, 2019 [18 favorites]
Truly do love you, The Whelk - I have learned a lot from your countless good posts and comments - but I never understand replies like that. We all have a great time here on MetaFilter pontificating and prognosticating and tussling over our different views. "People were wrong in the past" seems the least effective way of expressing disagreement and changing minds. As said above, I will continue to work as hard as I can to help make sure my current expectation comes to pass.
And does anyone wanna put a little money on the election outcome, just to make it extra interesting... (grin)
posted by PhineasGage at 10:46 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
And does anyone wanna put a little money on the election outcome, just to make it extra interesting... (grin)
posted by PhineasGage at 10:46 AM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
(s)he will peel away plenty of working class white men who will choose their own economic well-being over the Orange One's childish swagger. If the Dems nominate a centrist (white) (male), an overlapping although not identical portion of white male voters will choose the one who acts like a sane, responsible adult.
Ah yes, the venerable White Men will March to the Voting Booth to Save Us Stratagem
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:47 AM on June 15, 2019 [8 favorites]
Ah yes, the venerable White Men will March to the Voting Booth to Save Us Stratagem
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:47 AM on June 15, 2019 [8 favorites]
I subscribe to a healthy Plan For the Absolute Worst At All Times outlook.
For one thing, do we have a plan for all the child concentration camps we have now or?
posted by The Whelk at 10:54 AM on June 15, 2019 [12 favorites]
For one thing, do we have a plan for all the child concentration camps we have now or?
posted by The Whelk at 10:54 AM on June 15, 2019 [12 favorites]
This is completely unscientific, but has anyone noticed that the new president is often the complete opposite in many of ways of the last one? Warren strikes me as the most opposite of Trump. She knows what she's talking about. She's detail oriented. She's campaigning literally on establishing new rules and adhering to them. I think she makes the best foil to Trump, which is an argument she may be the best candidate to beat him. I think people are a little too focused on the potential liabilities of Warren's being a woman and too little focused on how her biography and character play against Trump.
posted by xammerboy at 11:26 AM on June 15, 2019 [21 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 11:26 AM on June 15, 2019 [21 favorites]
NPR: Harris: Justice Dept. 'Would Have No Choice' But To Prosecute Trump After Presidency
Atlantic reports another Dem candidate is interested in prosecuting Trump (sort of): Buttigieg Backs a Future Criminal Investigation Into Trump—The South Bend, Indiana, mayor told The Atlantic he’d be wary of directing his attorney general to pursue charges, but would want “any credible allegation” to be examined.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
Atlantic reports another Dem candidate is interested in prosecuting Trump (sort of): Buttigieg Backs a Future Criminal Investigation Into Trump—The South Bend, Indiana, mayor told The Atlantic he’d be wary of directing his attorney general to pursue charges, but would want “any credible allegation” to be examined.
“To the extent that there’s an obstruction case, then yes, DOJ’s got to deal with it,” the South Bend, Indiana, mayor said yesterday, during a meeting with Atlantic editors and reporters.[…] “I would want any credible allegation of criminal behavior to be investigated to the fullest,” Buttigieg said[.…]MEGATHREAD HOUSEKEEPING: There's a new draft for the next USPolitics FPP on the MeFi wiki for people to collaborate and contribute.
But Buttigieg said he’d be wary of actively directing his attorney general to pursue charges against the president.
“A lot of this could go back to the U.S. attorneys after he’s president,” he said, referring to inquiries into obstruction of justice and other potential criminal activity. “You don’t have to go out of the DOJ. And the less it’s done out of the DOJ, the better, because the further away it is from the political body, the better.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
NYT, U.S. Escalates Online Attacks on Russia’s Power Grid
posted by zachlipton at 12:28 PM on June 15, 2019 [23 favorites]
The United States is stepping up digital incursions into Russia’s electric power grid in a warning to President Vladimir V. Putin and a demonstration of how the Trump administration is using new authorities to deploy cybertools more aggressively, current and former government officials said.So I, for one, can't think how any of this could possibly go wrong.
In interviews over the past three months, the officials described the previously unreported deployment of American computer code inside Russia’s grid and other targets as a classified companion to more publicly discussed action directed at Moscow’s disinformation and hacking units around the 2018 midterm elections.
...
Two administration officials said they believed Mr. Trump had not been briefed in any detail about the steps to place “implants” — software code that can be used for surveillance or attack — inside the Russian grid.
Pentagon and intelligence officials described broad hesitation to go into detail with Mr. Trump about operations against Russia for concern over his reaction — and the possibility that he might countermand it or discuss it with foreign officials, as he did in 2017 when he mentioned a sensitive operation in Syria to the Russian foreign minister.
posted by zachlipton at 12:28 PM on June 15, 2019 [23 favorites]
So this happened.
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
If Iran won’t change its behavior, we should sink its navy.
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
If Iran won’t change its behavior, we should sink its navy.
On April 14, 1988, the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts, a frigate, hit an Iranian naval mine while sailing in the Persian Gulf. The explosion injured 10 of her crew and nearly sank the ship. Four days later, the U.S. Navy destroyed half the Iranian fleet in a matter of hours. Iran did not molest the Navy or international shipping for many years thereafter.
Now that’s changed. Iran’s piratical regime is back yet again to its piratical ways.
Or so it seems, based on a detailed timeline of Thursday’s attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman provided by the U.S. Central Command, including a surveillance video of one of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps patrol boats removing an unexploded limpet mine from the hull of one of the damaged tankers.
The Iranians categorically deny responsibility. And the Trump administration has credibility issues, to put it mildly, which is one reason why electing a compulsive prevaricator to the presidency is dangerous to national security.
In this case, however, the evidence against Iran is compelling. CentCom’s account notes that “a U.S. aircraft observed an IRGC Hendijan class patrol boat and multiple IRGC fast attack craft/fast inshore attack craft (FAC/FIAC) in the vicinity of the M/T Altair,” one of the damaged tankers. The Iranian boats are familiar to the U.S. Navy after decades of observing them at close range. And staging deniable attacks that fall just below the threshold of open warfare on the U.S. is an Iranian specialty.
Trump might be a liar, but the U.S. military isn’t. There are lingering questions about the types of munitions that hit the ships, and time should be given for a thorough investigation. But it would require a large dose of self-deception (or conspiracy theorizing) to pretend that Iran isn’t the likely culprit, or that its actions don’t represent a major escalation in the region.posted by scalefree at 12:42 PM on June 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
Slate, Mark Joseph Stern, Top Trump Census Official Communicated With GOP Operative About Citizenship Question
(I think you could make a case that Shelby County v. Holder already wins that honor though.)
posted by zachlipton at 12:42 PM on June 15, 2019 [15 favorites]
The Justice Department responded with indignant denial. It insisted that the plaintiffs could not link Hofeller to the Commerce Department (which oversees the Census Bureau), Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, or the Census Bureau itself. Thus, the plaintiffs lacked proof that Hofeller’s study played any role in the development on the citizenship question.@djlavoie: I'm not emotionally prepared for SCOTUS choosing to ignore the obvious racial animus behind the Census question.....and approve it just because it helps their friends politically. It will be the most transparently partisan decision since Bush v. Gore.
On Friday night, however, voting rights advocates released new evidence connecting Hofeller directly to the Census Bureau. The evidence comes from Hofeller’s hard drives, which his daughter gave to a voting rights group after his death. It reveals that Christa Jones, current chief of staff to Census Bureau deputy director Ron Jarmin, personally communicated with Hofeller, emailing him about the citizenship question in 2015—months before Hofeller authored the study explaining how the question would benefit white voters and disadvantage non-white ones. Jones played a key role in the creation of the citizenship question, so these emails seem to disprove the administration’s claims that Hofeller had nothing to do with the manipulation of the census.
(I think you could make a case that Shelby County v. Holder already wins that honor though.)
posted by zachlipton at 12:42 PM on June 15, 2019 [15 favorites]
So this happened.
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
Bret Stephens isn't a reliable narrator. He's a Conservative pundit tying knots on himself trying to defend the Trump administration without defending Trump, and as a rule, his comments are BS.
It may well be that Iran is behind the attack, but just about no-one in the entire international community is ready to believe it right now, and a lot of what the US is putting out there is ridiculously similar to the arguments for the Iraq war.
posted by mumimor at 1:12 PM on June 15, 2019 [14 favorites]
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
Bret Stephens isn't a reliable narrator. He's a Conservative pundit tying knots on himself trying to defend the Trump administration without defending Trump, and as a rule, his comments are BS.
It may well be that Iran is behind the attack, but just about no-one in the entire international community is ready to believe it right now, and a lot of what the US is putting out there is ridiculously similar to the arguments for the Iraq war.
posted by mumimor at 1:12 PM on June 15, 2019 [14 favorites]
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
If Iran won’t change its behavior, we should sink its navy.
You can always count on the NYT to demand blood for the blood god.
Four days later, the U.S. Navy destroyed half the Iranian fleet in a matter of hours. Iran did not molest the Navy or international shipping for many years thereafter.
Iran, so piratical that they didn't even retaliate four months later when we shot down their civilian airliner, killing almost 300 innocent people, for which Bush the First refused to apologize.
Trump might be a liar, but the U.S. military isn’t
Ha ha.
Anyway, reminder that a direct naval confrontation likely means 20,000 US sailors at the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:13 PM on June 15, 2019 [21 favorites]
If Iran won’t change its behavior, we should sink its navy.
You can always count on the NYT to demand blood for the blood god.
Four days later, the U.S. Navy destroyed half the Iranian fleet in a matter of hours. Iran did not molest the Navy or international shipping for many years thereafter.
Iran, so piratical that they didn't even retaliate four months later when we shot down their civilian airliner, killing almost 300 innocent people, for which Bush the First refused to apologize.
Trump might be a liar, but the U.S. military isn’t
Ha ha.
Anyway, reminder that a direct naval confrontation likely means 20,000 US sailors at the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:13 PM on June 15, 2019 [21 favorites]
Opinion: The Pirates of Tehran
Brett McGurk has a twitter thread that looks like it was written before Bret Stephens' opinion but is essentially a refutation of it: twitter or threadreader. Basically he points out that the Trump admin posture towards Iran is poorly conceived and executed. Because of this they've painted themselves into a corner where escalation is increasing more likely but it will drive allies away from the US and will strengthen the diplomatic coalition between China and Russia. It's all risk and no reward.
posted by peeedro at 1:29 PM on June 15, 2019 [6 favorites]
Brett McGurk has a twitter thread that looks like it was written before Bret Stephens' opinion but is essentially a refutation of it: twitter or threadreader. Basically he points out that the Trump admin posture towards Iran is poorly conceived and executed. Because of this they've painted themselves into a corner where escalation is increasing more likely but it will drive allies away from the US and will strengthen the diplomatic coalition between China and Russia. It's all risk and no reward.
posted by peeedro at 1:29 PM on June 15, 2019 [6 favorites]
There's also
Japan's Abe warns of armed conflict amid soaring U.S.-Iran tension [Reuters, JUNE 12, 2019]
posted by Buntix at 1:34 PM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
Japan's Abe warns of armed conflict amid soaring U.S.-Iran tension [Reuters, JUNE 12, 2019]
“We would like to play the maximum role we can for easing tension. That is what brought me to Iran,” said Abe, whose two-day visit is the first by a Japanese leader to Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.The "Cui bono" of an attack on a Japanese oil tanker would suggest Trump levels of stupidity and lack of impulse control and planning from the Iranians if they did do it. Not to say that it isn't entirely possible they have that in stock, they are after all a right wing authoritarian regime. But it does seem like there's others would genuinely benefit from sabotaging the talks between Iran and Japan, and any possible growing concordance and trade between them.
While Abe did not mention Japan’s currently suspended purchases of Iranian oil, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Japan wants to keep buying Iranian oil.
“In our meeting, Mr. Abe said that Japan was interested in continuing buying Iran’s oil,” Rouhani told a joint news conference with Abe, broadcast live on state TV.
Earlier, two Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran would ask Tokyo to mediate between it and Washington to ease oil sanctions on Iran.
“America should either lift the unjust oil sanctions or extend the waivers or suspend them,” one senior official said.
To slash Iran’s oil exports, Washington has revoked waivers since May that had allowed some countries, including Japan, to continue buying Iranian crude and has effectively ordered countries to stop purchasing Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own.
posted by Buntix at 1:34 PM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
I like these principals of engagement for volunteers and think they should be copies across campaigns
posted by The Whelk at 2:20 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 2:20 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
I keep seeing how Iran shot at US drones, so of course they would then shoot at civilian shipping. But you know what US drones carry? Hellfire missiles. Which would make a hole about the size of the one in the burning ship.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 3:37 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 3:37 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
I keep seeing how Iran shot at US drones, so of course they would then shoot at civilian shipping.How dare they attempt to interfere with our remote-controlled murderbots?
- A nation so unreasonable is clearly capable of anything.
- The event that happened is a thing.
- Q.E.D.
The United States is stepping up digital incursions into Russia’s electric power grid in a warning to President Vladimir V. Putin and a demonstration of how the Trump administration is using new authorities to deploy cybertools more aggressively, current and former government officials said.
Yes, we sure wouldn't want those Russians attacking our power grid. Only a monster would do such a thing, unless we're doing it of course, in which case it's good and necessary for great-power reasons.
posted by Frowner at 5:28 PM on June 15, 2019 [6 favorites]
Yes, we sure wouldn't want those Russians attacking our power grid. Only a monster would do such a thing, unless we're doing it of course, in which case it's good and necessary for great-power reasons.
posted by Frowner at 5:28 PM on June 15, 2019 [6 favorites]
New Change Research poll shows Warren leading Biden (!!!) by one point in Minnesota
posted by Rhaomi at 5:48 PM on June 15, 2019 [33 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 5:48 PM on June 15, 2019 [33 favorites]
I think Warren has a considerably better chance of winning the primary than Sanders does and I would not ever have thought that would be the case a few months ago. Maybe... maybe policy wins elections?
Actually I still think its pretty clear policy alone doesn't win generals, but it seems to be doing okay in the primary.
posted by Justinian at 5:51 PM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
Actually I still think its pretty clear policy alone doesn't win generals, but it seems to be doing okay in the primary.
posted by Justinian at 5:51 PM on June 15, 2019 [5 favorites]
I may be giving Warren short shrift on her retail politics and interpersonal charisma, though? I've heard from people who have been in the room with her that she really connects, just in a very different way than (say) Obama did.
Has anyone here seen her speak in person? (I'm guessing multiple people)
posted by Justinian at 6:00 PM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
Has anyone here seen her speak in person? (I'm guessing multiple people)
posted by Justinian at 6:00 PM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
This is one of the areas where I think Warren plays an especially good foil to Trump. She has... a plan? Like a written, thought out, detailed plan for how it will all work out? She made this plan herself? We don't have to do all this by the seat of our pants? She knows how it all will work inside and out? We're ready to go on day one?
posted by xammerboy at 6:09 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 6:09 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
Has anyone here seen her speak in person? (I'm guessing multiple people)
I haven't, but I presume this person* has, and it's really sweet:
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:10 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
I haven't, but I presume this person* has, and it's really sweet:
Eli Seo @Seo_Train* Cate St. Clair
From the #IAforWarren team that brought you classics like “Who do we stan? A woman with a plan!”, comes a brand new cinematic experience:
@ewarren Catching Your Volunteer Taking a Selfie Without Her—A Story in Four Parts
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:10 PM on June 15, 2019 [9 favorites]
Not to abuse the edit window, I'm getting a real Obama vibe here.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:11 PM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:11 PM on June 15, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yes, she's my senator and I have heard her speak to crowds a few times. She's an excellent speaker. She comes across as both incredibly smart and thoughtful, and also grounded and compassionate. And funny!
posted by Sublimity at 6:12 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 6:12 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
I saw Warren in Oakland two weeks ago. She absolutely connected with the large audience, and agree with everything Sublimity just said.
posted by donatella at 6:16 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by donatella at 6:16 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
I suspect that Elizabeth Warren's experience teaching informs her interaction with large audiences.
posted by mikelieman at 6:19 PM on June 15, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 6:19 PM on June 15, 2019 [26 favorites]
Has anyone here seen her speak in person?
No, but I've listened to several podcasts. In my experience she's not great at speeches or in forums, but in debates she comes alive and can be electrifying.
posted by xammerboy at 6:23 PM on June 15, 2019
No, but I've listened to several podcasts. In my experience she's not great at speeches or in forums, but in debates she comes alive and can be electrifying.
posted by xammerboy at 6:23 PM on June 15, 2019
Elizabeth Warren is exactly what Heartland Americans say they want, but never vote for, a child of a working-class family who merited her way up the alleged meritocracy, discovered to her own horror she'd been sold a bill of goods, and because she's a straightedge believer, decided her mission in life was to Drop Science and Bring Truth.
But, y'know, she's unelectable, so...
posted by Rat Spatula at 6:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [51 favorites]
But, y'know, she's unelectable, so...
posted by Rat Spatula at 6:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [51 favorites]
Can Elizabeth Warren Win It All? by Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker.
This article, posted above, goes into Warren's charisma, policy, and academic background.
posted by reductiondesign at 6:32 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
This article, posted above, goes into Warren's charisma, policy, and academic background.
posted by reductiondesign at 6:32 PM on June 15, 2019 [7 favorites]
I do wonder:
1. How much of this 'news' about our efforts to infiltrate the Russian power grid is disinformation, and
2. If Trump is really a Russian asset, will these revelations lead him to try to shut it down
posted by PhineasGage at 6:37 PM on June 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
1. How much of this 'news' about our efforts to infiltrate the Russian power grid is disinformation, and
2. If Trump is really a Russian asset, will these revelations lead him to try to shut it down
posted by PhineasGage at 6:37 PM on June 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
Speaking of the Strait of Hormuz: So Reuters said the other day that 20% of the world's oil shipping has to go through that lane. In 2009, it was 45%. And that was a complicating factor when it came to war with Iran, because they could shut down those lanes in a heartbeat ... And it's not just that everyone wants oil cheap; it's that not just the US economy, but the entire Indian and Pacific Oceans are/were almost 100% dependent on the flow of oil through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Including, as an example of the few places the US might care about, Japan, Korea, and Australia. (But Europe gets its fix from the Scandinavian countries up north, and South America has its own fields, so they'd weather the whole thing a lot better.) We used to care about our allies, and so even when McCain sang about bombing Iran, the whole ... situation ... kept our approach more balanced.
So there's been two big changes since 2009. One (short term): as a nation, we no longer care about our allies interests. 1A: The one ally the Trumps do seem to care about is the KSA ... and they obviously export oil, but they ship out primarily through the Red Sea, NOT the Persian Gulf.
But even more important, and long term, is that the US is no longer completely dependent on oil from the Middle East. Fracking and other techniques have grown enough to meet domestic demand and start exporting, I'm pretty sure. That ... changes things. Some people might be stupid enough to think that they'd be in a stronger economic position with the Strait blocked - with about half the globe fucked and us in a position to sell them oil.
i'd assume that there are several different reasons that different people want to bomb Iran, and ... this is one of them.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:00 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
So there's been two big changes since 2009. One (short term): as a nation, we no longer care about our allies interests. 1A: The one ally the Trumps do seem to care about is the KSA ... and they obviously export oil, but they ship out primarily through the Red Sea, NOT the Persian Gulf.
But even more important, and long term, is that the US is no longer completely dependent on oil from the Middle East. Fracking and other techniques have grown enough to meet domestic demand and start exporting, I'm pretty sure. That ... changes things. Some people might be stupid enough to think that they'd be in a stronger economic position with the Strait blocked - with about half the globe fucked and us in a position to sell them oil.
i'd assume that there are several different reasons that different people want to bomb Iran, and ... this is one of them.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:00 PM on June 15, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is the tactic they used against me, I won anyway
posted by The Whelk at 7:05 PM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:05 PM on June 15, 2019 [4 favorites]
I've listened to Warren on podcasts and she really draws me in. Even without eye contact or body language. She does best in conversation, I think.
I remember in the MSNBC town hall, when she got questions from the audience, she actually answered them - like, e.g. Someone asked "What would you NOT compromise on?" She answered first by talking about ... a specific time where she worked across the aisle ... which was obviously the rehearsed answer ... but then she said, "And by the way, healthcare is something I won't compromise. Healthcare is a human right." I have gotten jaded and cynical enough that it really stuck out to me.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:05 PM on June 15, 2019 [11 favorites]
I remember in the MSNBC town hall, when she got questions from the audience, she actually answered them - like, e.g. Someone asked "What would you NOT compromise on?" She answered first by talking about ... a specific time where she worked across the aisle ... which was obviously the rehearsed answer ... but then she said, "And by the way, healthcare is something I won't compromise. Healthcare is a human right." I have gotten jaded and cynical enough that it really stuck out to me.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:05 PM on June 15, 2019 [11 favorites]
You can't even escape politics with a day at the beach. The winner of the 2019 Texas SandFest is titled Liberty Crumbling.
posted by adept256 at 7:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by adept256 at 7:24 PM on June 15, 2019 [11 favorites]
I may be giving Warren short shrift on her retail politics and interpersonal charisma, though? I've heard from people who have been in the room with her that she really connects, just in a very different way than (say) Obama did.
Yeah so, I might as well come out as being totally in the tank for Warren, partly because I took not one but two classes from her in law school. So I've spent probably 150 hours in a room with Elizabeth Warren, which is more than any other presidential candidate by a factor of like... infinity (well that's not quite true, I've also met Kamala Harris a couple times). And yeah, that persuaded me long, long ago that she has what it takes to win both in terms of policy chops and retail politics.
She had excellent style as a professor, implementing maybe the best possible version of the Socratic method. She could connect directly and genuinely with a specific student, speaking to them on their level, while also making it a teaching moment for the rest of the room. This whole caricature of her as school marm-ish has always pissed me off because it's 100% off base. When she's teaching a room full of Harvard students, she can speak Law and Economics, can describe the incentives to trade creditor claims in a corporate bankruptcy case, etc. etc. etc., but from her books you could always tell she really cared about ordinary people and how they make ends meet. (And that's what her seminars were about.)
In one of those recent articles (maybe the New Yorker one?) she said she thought her first Daily Show appearance was terrible and I was actually pleased to read that. I saw it at the time or shortly after, and it definitely seemed like a deer-in-the-headlights moment due to going outside her comfort zone. She's gotten way better on camera and on the stump since then, but she always had the charisma, the brains, and the specific motivation to talk policy to ordinary people in a way they can really connect with and understand.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:07 PM on June 15, 2019 [90 favorites]
Yeah so, I might as well come out as being totally in the tank for Warren, partly because I took not one but two classes from her in law school. So I've spent probably 150 hours in a room with Elizabeth Warren, which is more than any other presidential candidate by a factor of like... infinity (well that's not quite true, I've also met Kamala Harris a couple times). And yeah, that persuaded me long, long ago that she has what it takes to win both in terms of policy chops and retail politics.
She had excellent style as a professor, implementing maybe the best possible version of the Socratic method. She could connect directly and genuinely with a specific student, speaking to them on their level, while also making it a teaching moment for the rest of the room. This whole caricature of her as school marm-ish has always pissed me off because it's 100% off base. When she's teaching a room full of Harvard students, she can speak Law and Economics, can describe the incentives to trade creditor claims in a corporate bankruptcy case, etc. etc. etc., but from her books you could always tell she really cared about ordinary people and how they make ends meet. (And that's what her seminars were about.)
In one of those recent articles (maybe the New Yorker one?) she said she thought her first Daily Show appearance was terrible and I was actually pleased to read that. I saw it at the time or shortly after, and it definitely seemed like a deer-in-the-headlights moment due to going outside her comfort zone. She's gotten way better on camera and on the stump since then, but she always had the charisma, the brains, and the specific motivation to talk policy to ordinary people in a way they can really connect with and understand.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:07 PM on June 15, 2019 [90 favorites]
'You have to know how to hit a curveball': Trump’s Pentagon choice fights to win over doubters
Pat Shanahan’s critics call him a weak link on the president's team but the acting defense secretary says he knows how to deal with the unexpected.
Pat Shanahan’s critics call him a weak link on the president's team but the acting defense secretary says he knows how to deal with the unexpected.
The knocks on President Donald Trump’s defense-secretary-in-waiting have been circulating for months behind closed doors in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
Pat Shanahan is the "Boeing guy" who is still doing the bidding of his former employer, his critics inside and outside the administration say. He allows White House appointees, including National Security Adviser John Bolton, to directly contact lower Pentagon officials, according to current and former Defense Department officials who consider it a breach of the chain of command. He obsesses about his image — as shown in the all-black turtleneck ensemble he wore for a February visit to Afghanistan, which earned him mocking comparisons to a Bond villain or Keanu Reeves’ character from “The Matrix.”
So far, none of this flak has sunk Shanahan’s belief that Trump will nominate him to lead the Pentagon, a step the president announced more than a month ago but has yet to submit to the Senate. But it offers a preview of the steep hill to confirmation that could be awaiting the longtime aerospace executive, who has already withstood an investigation into his handling of Boeing, unhappiness inside the White House over his performances at hearings and international gatherings, and the more recent flap involving the destroyer USS John S. McCain.
Trump offered a non-committal assessment Friday on Shanahan's prospects. "He's been recommended, now he has to be approved by Congress," the president said in a Fox News interview. "We are going to see."posted by scalefree at 12:11 AM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Germany wants a careful investigation of the attacks, insisting that “a spiral of escalation must be avoided.” The European Union, in the words of the spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic, has “said repeatedly that the region doesn’t need further escalation, it doesn’t need further destabilization, it doesn’t need further tension.” NYT
"The video is not enough. We can understand what is being shown, sure, but to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me," Maas told reporters during a press conference on Friday. The boat's Japanese owner also cast doubt on the theory that a mine had been used to attack the ship, telling journalists that members of his crew had witnessed a flying object.
Iran has denied any role in the event, and some observers have raised questions about whether the intelligence was being used as a pretext for the U.S. to escalate conflict with the country.
As the Trump administration continues with its hawkish talk on Iran, we need to look at how that story is being crafted and by whom: Heshmat Alavi was once cited by the White House as a credible commentator on Iran. Shame he doesn't exist.
It turns out he is a fictional persona reportedly created by the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), a shadowy group opposed to the Iranian government and supported by Washington.
Then there is the Iran Disinformation Project funded entirely by the American taxpayer, ostensibly to counter Iranian propaganda, it trolls and sometimes smears Iranian-American commentators and journalists online.
And the government in Tehran is no innocent player in all this. It also tries to engineer what gets said and read online.
"The U.S. track record on ginning up evidence for war is not good," William Church, a former military investigator for the United Nations Security Council. "It lied in the run-up to the Vietnam war [by inventing a North Vietnamese attack on a U.S. Navy ship in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964], and it lied about WMD [weapons of mass destruction] before the Iraq war. So when these tanker attacks happen, we have to ask why and what's the motivation in addition to examining the evidence."
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, also called the timing of the reported attacks "suspicious", given that a Japanese-owned ship was damaged while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was on a visit to Tehran, seeking to defuse US-Iran frictions.
How America Cheapens War
After the attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the US is blaming Iran. How credible is the accusation, asks DW's Rainer Sollich, and could there be other powers at play?
posted by hugbucket at 12:52 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
"The video is not enough. We can understand what is being shown, sure, but to make a final assessment, this is not enough for me," Maas told reporters during a press conference on Friday. The boat's Japanese owner also cast doubt on the theory that a mine had been used to attack the ship, telling journalists that members of his crew had witnessed a flying object.
Iran has denied any role in the event, and some observers have raised questions about whether the intelligence was being used as a pretext for the U.S. to escalate conflict with the country.
As the Trump administration continues with its hawkish talk on Iran, we need to look at how that story is being crafted and by whom: Heshmat Alavi was once cited by the White House as a credible commentator on Iran. Shame he doesn't exist.
It turns out he is a fictional persona reportedly created by the Mujahedin-e-Khalq (MEK), a shadowy group opposed to the Iranian government and supported by Washington.
Then there is the Iran Disinformation Project funded entirely by the American taxpayer, ostensibly to counter Iranian propaganda, it trolls and sometimes smears Iranian-American commentators and journalists online.
And the government in Tehran is no innocent player in all this. It also tries to engineer what gets said and read online.
"The U.S. track record on ginning up evidence for war is not good," William Church, a former military investigator for the United Nations Security Council. "It lied in the run-up to the Vietnam war [by inventing a North Vietnamese attack on a U.S. Navy ship in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964], and it lied about WMD [weapons of mass destruction] before the Iraq war. So when these tanker attacks happen, we have to ask why and what's the motivation in addition to examining the evidence."
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, also called the timing of the reported attacks "suspicious", given that a Japanese-owned ship was damaged while Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was on a visit to Tehran, seeking to defuse US-Iran frictions.
How America Cheapens War
After the attacks on two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, the US is blaming Iran. How credible is the accusation, asks DW's Rainer Sollich, and could there be other powers at play?
posted by hugbucket at 12:52 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
The UK officially joined the US in accusing Iran of perpetrating the attack on Friday night, in a statement from the foreign office saying: “It is almost certain that a branch of the Iranian military – the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – attacked the two tankers on June 13th. No other state or non-state actor could plausibly have been responsible.”
posted by hugbucket at 12:55 AM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by hugbucket at 12:55 AM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Think US Media Won't Help Lead Nation Into War With Iran Based on Flimsy or False Intelligence? Looks Like They Already Are
"Do U.S. reporters, anchors, and editors really want more Middle Eastern blood on their hands? If not, they need to fix their rather credulous and increasingly hawkish coverage of Iran—and fix it fast."
posted by hugbucket at 12:57 AM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
"Do U.S. reporters, anchors, and editors really want more Middle Eastern blood on their hands? If not, they need to fix their rather credulous and increasingly hawkish coverage of Iran—and fix it fast."
posted by hugbucket at 12:57 AM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
From the seeking "consensus" and "allies" dept:
The risks are rising that the dollar could lose its special global standing
The charts that matter: the US dollar continues lower
The European Central Bank has joined Brussels in a push to promote the euro internationally as it attempts to counter the US-led retreat from globalisation and free markets.
Pain of tariffs and sanctions behind China and Russia’s push to dethrone the US dollar
Europe’s Dream: Escaping the Dictatorship of the Dollar
And, from the finger in the ears going la la la dept:
U.S. DOLLAR PROVIDES THE MUSCLE FOR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
posted by hugbucket at 1:09 AM on June 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
The risks are rising that the dollar could lose its special global standing
The charts that matter: the US dollar continues lower
The European Central Bank has joined Brussels in a push to promote the euro internationally as it attempts to counter the US-led retreat from globalisation and free markets.
Pain of tariffs and sanctions behind China and Russia’s push to dethrone the US dollar
Europe’s Dream: Escaping the Dictatorship of the Dollar
And, from the finger in the ears going la la la dept:
U.S. DOLLAR PROVIDES THE MUSCLE FOR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS
posted by hugbucket at 1:09 AM on June 16, 2019 [11 favorites]
From the spewing tariffs dept:
India Imposes Tariffs on U.S. Goods as Global Trade War Heats Up
"France charges us a lot for the wine," Trump said in a CNBC interview on Monday. "And yet we charge them very little for French wine."
Slower Growth From Unresolved Trade Tensions Harms Global Trade Volumes
Global trade may drop 17% in full trade war: WTO
posted by hugbucket at 1:15 AM on June 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
India Imposes Tariffs on U.S. Goods as Global Trade War Heats Up
"France charges us a lot for the wine," Trump said in a CNBC interview on Monday. "And yet we charge them very little for French wine."
Slower Growth From Unresolved Trade Tensions Harms Global Trade Volumes
Global trade may drop 17% in full trade war: WTO
posted by hugbucket at 1:15 AM on June 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
Jamie Lovegrove (Post & Courier)
New @postandcourier - @ChangePolls 2020 Democratic primary poll in South Carolina:
- @JoeBiden 37% (-9)
- @ewarren 17% (+9)
- @PeteButtigieg 11% (+3)
- @KamalaHarris 9% (-1)
- @BernieSanders 9% (-6)
- @CoryBooker 5%
- @BetoORourke 4%
- @AndrewYang 3%
All others at 1% or below.
—
For the top 5, I added the change from last month’s poll. So softening for Biden, a huge bump for Warren, a smaller bump for Pete and not so good for Bernie.
Lots of details in the link on why people are choosing their candidate.
posted by chris24 at 5:24 AM on June 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
New @postandcourier - @ChangePolls 2020 Democratic primary poll in South Carolina:
- @JoeBiden 37% (-9)
- @ewarren 17% (+9)
- @PeteButtigieg 11% (+3)
- @KamalaHarris 9% (-1)
- @BernieSanders 9% (-6)
- @CoryBooker 5%
- @BetoORourke 4%
- @AndrewYang 3%
All others at 1% or below.
—
For the top 5, I added the change from last month’s poll. So softening for Biden, a huge bump for Warren, a smaller bump for Pete and not so good for Bernie.
Lots of details in the link on why people are choosing their candidate.
posted by chris24 at 5:24 AM on June 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
I saw Warren speak to a very small crowd (#NewHampshirePerks) a few weeks back. Her stump speech was OK (it was the story about her mother going to work), but when she moved on to talking policy, and then the Q&A, she really came alive.
She also had separate lines at the end: one for selfies with her, one to pet Bailey (her dog). Bailey was also your ticket in (text your info to a number, get picture of Bailey back to show to volunteers on your way in). So, she's pandering to the dog vote which I'm 100% on board with.
posted by damayanti at 6:05 AM on June 16, 2019 [44 favorites]
She also had separate lines at the end: one for selfies with her, one to pet Bailey (her dog). Bailey was also your ticket in (text your info to a number, get picture of Bailey back to show to volunteers on your way in). So, she's pandering to the dog vote which I'm 100% on board with.
posted by damayanti at 6:05 AM on June 16, 2019 [44 favorites]
A certain Gray Lady is perfecting its art of Dominionist-Both-Sidesism this morning on its Sunday front page. Center article above the fold about how 'most Americans' just don't know where they stand on abortion, as they are trapped between two groups of political extremists. (Spoiler alert, one extremist group is uhh . Democrats?) It's framed around an interview (with photo) of an anti-choice Democrat who doesn't want to 'have to vote Republican', but will to feel represented.
posted by Harry Caul at 6:13 AM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 6:13 AM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
Trump accuses New York Times of 'virtual treason' over Russia cyber warfare report (Guardian)
posted by Little Dawn at 8:34 AM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
Current and former government officials have described the classified deployment of American computer code inside Russia’s power grid and other targets, the newspaper reported. The action is intended partly as a warning but also to leave the US poised to conduct cyber-strikes in the event of a major conflict between the US and Russia, the newspaper said.Sometimes a certain Grey Lady has the sources needed to withstand the mad king's tantrums over grave matters of national security.
Trump tweeted that the accusations were “not true”, calling the media “corrupt” and repeating accusations that journalists are “the enemy of the people”. “Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia,” he wrote. “This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country.” [...]
In its Saturday report, the Times described “broad hesitation to go into detail with Mr Trump about operations against Russia for concern over his reaction – and the possibility that he might countermand it or discuss it with foreign officials.”
The Times also cited National Security Council officials as saying they had no security concerns about the newspaper’s reporting on the digital incursions, perhaps indicating that some of the intrusions were meant to be noticed by the Russians.
posted by Little Dawn at 8:34 AM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
Oops.
Josh Campbell
The President accidentally undercuts the “Deep State” claim by admitting a leak about the FBI’s investigation before the election would have been fatal.
“Had that gone out before the election, I don’t think I would have had enough time to defend myself.”
VIDEO
posted by chris24 at 9:00 AM on June 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
Josh Campbell
The President accidentally undercuts the “Deep State” claim by admitting a leak about the FBI’s investigation before the election would have been fatal.
“Had that gone out before the election, I don’t think I would have had enough time to defend myself.”
VIDEO
posted by chris24 at 9:00 AM on June 16, 2019 [19 favorites]
Ah yes, "disarray" in a headline on the front page of the Washington Post, another article about Democrats in ... wait, what?
GOP in disarray as budget impasse threatens shutdown, deep cuts and even federal default
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:44 AM on June 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
GOP in disarray as budget impasse threatens shutdown, deep cuts and even federal default
Republican leaders have spent months cajoling President Trump in favor of a bipartisan plan that would fund the government and raise the limit on federal borrowing this fall, but their efforts have yet to produce a deal.On the one hand, nice switch-up of the usual Democrats in disarray narrative. On the other hand, economic apocalypse is at hand because the feckless Republicans can't even rein in Trump on this minimal job requirement. Not sure if I feel any better at all.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:44 AM on June 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
The Taliban claimed an attack on U.S. forces. Pompeo blamed Iran. (WaPo article)
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS blames Iran for tanker attacks (Al Jazeera)
The US administration's argument becomes less and less trustworthy as days go by. I guess it's a good thing that they are such amateurs, but obviously, the UK are with the US.
Meanwhile, Power Cut Hits Argentina and Uruguay, Affecting Tens of Millions (NYTimes). It may just be because of bad weather, but I can't help worrying that someone is demonstrating they can shut down a whole country, or two. I hope I'm proved wrong.
posted by mumimor at 9:50 AM on June 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS blames Iran for tanker attacks (Al Jazeera)
The US administration's argument becomes less and less trustworthy as days go by. I guess it's a good thing that they are such amateurs, but obviously, the UK are with the US.
Meanwhile, Power Cut Hits Argentina and Uruguay, Affecting Tens of Millions (NYTimes). It may just be because of bad weather, but I can't help worrying that someone is demonstrating they can shut down a whole country, or two. I hope I'm proved wrong.
posted by mumimor at 9:50 AM on June 16, 2019 [9 favorites]
I wondered about those power cuts affecting 48 million people, too, mumimor. Otoh, why not Venezuela?
posted by hugbucket at 10:06 AM on June 16, 2019
posted by hugbucket at 10:06 AM on June 16, 2019
The more people see of Joe Biden, the less they like him.
posted by notyou at 10:41 AM on June 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by notyou at 10:41 AM on June 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
Trump says supporters might ‘demand’ that he serve more than two terms as president.
This was in a tweet earlier this morning. The WAPO article also reminds us Trump praising Xi's being made Emporer for life: “He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said, according to CNN. “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot some day.”
Trump keeps suggesting he should be president for more than two terms. The people who know him best, like Cohen, keep saying he's serious.
posted by xammerboy at 10:48 AM on June 16, 2019 [38 favorites]
This was in a tweet earlier this morning. The WAPO article also reminds us Trump praising Xi's being made Emporer for life: “He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said, according to CNN. “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot some day.”
Trump keeps suggesting he should be president for more than two terms. The people who know him best, like Cohen, keep saying he's serious.
posted by xammerboy at 10:48 AM on June 16, 2019 [38 favorites]
Trump tweeted that the accusations were “not true”, calling the media “corrupt” and repeating accusations that journalists are “the enemy of the people”. “Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia,” he wrote. “This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country.” [...]
A big piece of missing context here is that in order for it to be treason the US would have to be at war with Russia. So a natural followup to this is, "Are we, Mr. President?"
posted by rhizome at 10:55 AM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
A big piece of missing context here is that in order for it to be treason the US would have to be at war with Russia. So a natural followup to this is, "Are we, Mr. President?"
posted by rhizome at 10:55 AM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Could we not rise to the bait every time that wanna be dictator jerks off on Twitter...?
If MSNBC spends even 30 seconds discussing that pathetic little boy's desire to have his golden escalator ride last forever they are just giving him the attention he craves.
posted by PhineasGage at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
If MSNBC spends even 30 seconds discussing that pathetic little boy's desire to have his golden escalator ride last forever they are just giving him the attention he craves.
posted by PhineasGage at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
Since I still believe that the real reason he ran was to avoid jail time, (if he didn't win he could claim political persecution, if he did, it would be magic), it makes sense to me that he wants to remain in office for the rest of his days. I know we all despair at the lack of action on the Democratic side, but he isn't that certain yet.
Just from what we know, even before he ran for office and committed treason, he was evading taxes, laundering money, threatening and blackmailing people and he is probably also a sex-offender, which might come out if he was stripped of his privilege. He can't go back to civilian life. The Republicans will keep him safe while he is president, maybe, depending, but he is not a man who commands loyalty. They won't give a s*** if he is prosecuted by state prosecutors after he leaves the White House.
posted by mumimor at 11:18 AM on June 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
Just from what we know, even before he ran for office and committed treason, he was evading taxes, laundering money, threatening and blackmailing people and he is probably also a sex-offender, which might come out if he was stripped of his privilege. He can't go back to civilian life. The Republicans will keep him safe while he is president, maybe, depending, but he is not a man who commands loyalty. They won't give a s*** if he is prosecuted by state prosecutors after he leaves the White House.
posted by mumimor at 11:18 AM on June 16, 2019 [8 favorites]
The lizard hearts that Republicans have where normal people have principles and feelings will not give a s*** about what happens to Trump, sure. But they definitely care about (a) the threat of any form of accountability for their in group (b) any tarnishing of the Republican brand (c) messaging that can help them look like fighters against a strawman army outgroup.
So the overwhelmingly likely response to Trump's prosecution isn't to throw him under the bus unless they absolutely have to. It will be to continue the already in-progress accusations of political prosecution, police state, etc, pouring that message out through every available megaphone they have.
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:40 AM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
So the overwhelmingly likely response to Trump's prosecution isn't to throw him under the bus unless they absolutely have to. It will be to continue the already in-progress accusations of political prosecution, police state, etc, pouring that message out through every available megaphone they have.
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:40 AM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS blames Iran for tanker attacks
I wonder which regional power in the Middle East has the most to gain from a US war with Iran.
posted by Slothrup at 11:52 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
I wonder which regional power in the Middle East has the most to gain from a US war with Iran.
posted by Slothrup at 11:52 AM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
Welcome to Trump's Corrupt State – the Star Wars cantina of world politics
... with each passing day it’s becoming clearer that the real threat to America isn’t Trump’s Deep State. It’s Trump’s own Corrupt State.
Not since the sordid administration of Warren G Harding have as many grifters, crooks and cronies occupied high positions in Washington.
Trump has installed a Star Wars cantina of former lobbyists and con artists, including several whose exploits have already forced them to resign, such as Scott Pruitt, Ryan Zinke, Tom Price and Michael Flynn. Many others remain.
[...]
This week the Guardian reported that a real estate company partly owned by Trump son-in-law and foreign policy adviser Jared Kushner has raked in $90m from foreign investors since Kushner entered the White House, through a secret vehicle run by Goldman Sachs in the Cayman Islands. Kushner’s stake is some $50m.
All this takes conflict of interest to a new level of shamelessness.
What are Republicans doing about it? Participating in it.
posted by hugbucket at 12:00 PM on June 16, 2019 [18 favorites]
I don't look good in tinfoil headgear so I've mostly refrained from open speculation on this topic but I completely do not understand, nor has explanation been any major part of the public discussion of this event from what I can tell, what the Iranians supposedly have to gain from this incident that would in any way be worth the risk.>Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS blames Iran for tanker attacksI wonder which regional power in the Middle East has the most to gain from a US war with Iran.
It is much easier to imagine what several other parties in the Middle East have to gain from a war (or even just an escalation of tensions) between the US and Iran.
Am I missing some way in which attacks on two random tankers would benefit the Iranians enough to be worth the risk of a war which could kill millions? Or even benefit them substantially at all? Everybody who can read a map knows that they can close the Straits of Hormuz to shipping traffic, at least for a while. What is this tanker attack supposed to have accomplished?
[On edit: this is meant to be a serious question. If anyone is knowledgeable about the strategic issues surrounding the Straits of Hormuz I would very much like to know whether an Iranian attack would make any sense. In the absence of an explanation I fear we're just supposed to assume the reason is that They're Just Evil.]
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:08 PM on June 16, 2019 [15 favorites]
I have no evidence, but it surprises me that no one has suggested that the Islamic State or Al Queda might be more interested in terrorist attacks in the gulf than Iran would. Remember the ramming of the Cole?
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 1:34 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 1:34 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Trump Campaign to Purge Pollsters After Leak of Dismal Results
He’ll insist the replacements report only Rasmussen and worst results and call all independent polling fake through the election, then if he loses cite “fake” polling as a reason to overturn the results.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:37 PM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
He’ll insist the replacements report only Rasmussen and worst results and call all independent polling fake through the election, then if he loses cite “fake” polling as a reason to overturn the results.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:37 PM on June 16, 2019 [14 favorites]
It's not tinfoil-hattery to ask "cui bono"? Agreed, what the hell would the Iranians have to gain by attacking random tankers?
Nuclear ambitions at least make sense for Iran;. They've seen what happened with North Korea and know that the best insurance against war mongering crazy fuckers like Bolton is nuclear weapons.
The sad joke is that while the Boltons and Pompeos are screaming about Iran, Kushner is making deals to give Saudi Arabia nukes in exchange for arms profits and real estate loans. I would wager a fair amount of money that the Saudi nuclear program will become the biggest threat in the area within 15 years. I'd be very curious to hear what the Israelis think about all this, but I have no idea if Bibi has Trumpified the military sufficiently for them to exchange security in exchange for graft.
posted by benzenedream at 1:46 PM on June 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
Nuclear ambitions at least make sense for Iran;. They've seen what happened with North Korea and know that the best insurance against war mongering crazy fuckers like Bolton is nuclear weapons.
The sad joke is that while the Boltons and Pompeos are screaming about Iran, Kushner is making deals to give Saudi Arabia nukes in exchange for arms profits and real estate loans. I would wager a fair amount of money that the Saudi nuclear program will become the biggest threat in the area within 15 years. I'd be very curious to hear what the Israelis think about all this, but I have no idea if Bibi has Trumpified the military sufficiently for them to exchange security in exchange for graft.
posted by benzenedream at 1:46 PM on June 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
The Intelligence talks about Irans motivations in a recent podcast.
My apologies, Apple Podcast Link
Basically their theory was that Iran was demonstrating the ability to trash shipping in the region, as they have done so previously, but are treading a fine line to not go too far.
posted by Bovine Love at 2:39 PM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
My apologies, Apple Podcast Link
Basically their theory was that Iran was demonstrating the ability to trash shipping in the region, as they have done so previously, but are treading a fine line to not go too far.
posted by Bovine Love at 2:39 PM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
Trump's Iran problem: he's blown America's credibility
Here's just a few examples. He sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and called his own intelligence community "extremely passive and naive" when they assessed that Iran was not taking steps toward a nuclear bomb and that North Korea will not denuclearize.
And in his recent ABC interview, Trump even threw his FBI director under the bus, saying that Christopher Wray was wrong when he said candidates should call the FBI if foreign governments contact them.
Because he questions the intelligence community's analysis on everything that doesn't align with his personal agenda, he may be leading by example on Iran. In fact, Trump has called previous assessments on Iran "naive," but this time around, when their assessments match his personal views -- and desire to take decisive action against Iran -- he now trusts the intelligence community and expects everyone else to do so, too.
posted by hugbucket at 2:55 PM on June 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
Here's just a few examples. He sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and called his own intelligence community "extremely passive and naive" when they assessed that Iran was not taking steps toward a nuclear bomb and that North Korea will not denuclearize.
And in his recent ABC interview, Trump even threw his FBI director under the bus, saying that Christopher Wray was wrong when he said candidates should call the FBI if foreign governments contact them.
Because he questions the intelligence community's analysis on everything that doesn't align with his personal agenda, he may be leading by example on Iran. In fact, Trump has called previous assessments on Iran "naive," but this time around, when their assessments match his personal views -- and desire to take decisive action against Iran -- he now trusts the intelligence community and expects everyone else to do so, too.
posted by hugbucket at 2:55 PM on June 16, 2019 [5 favorites]
What is this tanker attack supposed to have accomplished?
That's just it. It doesn't make sense. I just can't understand why people are focusing on this when Iran is presently engaged in far more substantial attacks on the international order. It's so stupid.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:17 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
That's just it. It doesn't make sense. I just can't understand why people are focusing on this when Iran is presently engaged in far more substantial attacks on the international order. It's so stupid.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:17 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
...when Iran is presently engaged in far more substantial attacks on the international order.
I've reached the point where I don't even know to believe that or not. Damage to our credibility goes back a long way. The US Government has been claiming for years that Iran sponsors or exports terrorism, and I don't know if I can believe them, especially since 2003. There is obviously a powerful faction who wants war. How much are they engaging in propaganda? What do they mean by "terrorism", anyway? Actually arming and training people who set off bombs attacking civilians? Or backing military forces that we are opposed to? Support of Hamas? Of ISIS? I don't think that the idea that Iran is totally benevolent seems credible, but I truly and non-rhetorically do not know what to trust anymore.
posted by thelonius at 4:29 PM on June 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
I've reached the point where I don't even know to believe that or not. Damage to our credibility goes back a long way. The US Government has been claiming for years that Iran sponsors or exports terrorism, and I don't know if I can believe them, especially since 2003. There is obviously a powerful faction who wants war. How much are they engaging in propaganda? What do they mean by "terrorism", anyway? Actually arming and training people who set off bombs attacking civilians? Or backing military forces that we are opposed to? Support of Hamas? Of ISIS? I don't think that the idea that Iran is totally benevolent seems credible, but I truly and non-rhetorically do not know what to trust anymore.
posted by thelonius at 4:29 PM on June 16, 2019 [23 favorites]
Iran sponsors Hamas, Hezbollah, the Syrian government, and the Houthis in Yemen. They probably also sponsor groups in Afghanistan and they definitely have a good working relationship with the Iraqi government and with Qatar. I don't know if this is a comprehensive list, but it is probably close.
When I was in Iran, I didn't see any Westerners apart from our group, but I saw lots of tourists and business people from all over Asia, from Japan to India and everything in between.
You can all think about how this can be an existential threat to American interests and why a majority of EU countries don't see Iran as a major threat right now.
My gut feeling about the attacks on ships is that it doesn't make any sense that Iran would do it. On the other hand, Iran does sometimes do stuff that makes no sense because their leadership is crazy paranoid. So I'm on the fence. Except that the Trump administration is so stupid and clumsy in their scapegoating that I feel it overrules all other parameters.
posted by mumimor at 4:59 PM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
When I was in Iran, I didn't see any Westerners apart from our group, but I saw lots of tourists and business people from all over Asia, from Japan to India and everything in between.
You can all think about how this can be an existential threat to American interests and why a majority of EU countries don't see Iran as a major threat right now.
My gut feeling about the attacks on ships is that it doesn't make any sense that Iran would do it. On the other hand, Iran does sometimes do stuff that makes no sense because their leadership is crazy paranoid. So I'm on the fence. Except that the Trump administration is so stupid and clumsy in their scapegoating that I feel it overrules all other parameters.
posted by mumimor at 4:59 PM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
There may also be hardliner factions within Iranian military or theocracy who feel they may come out on top after a scuffle and perhaps deem the likelihood of all out war to be low.
posted by M-x shell at 5:18 PM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by M-x shell at 5:18 PM on June 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
The transcript of Trump's Stephanopoulos interview is out (the interview is airing now). We learn Trump is working on 4-5 hours of sleep a night, such insights as "Uh I’m not a breakfast guy at all, fortunately. I like the lunches but the dinners is what I really like," and such insights as Trump realizing that he's appointing a "shocking number" of judges without understanding how McConnell blocked Obama's appointments.
There's too much nonsense to highlight it all (ok, just one more: "TRUMP: If you’re going to cough, please leave the room. You just can’t, you just can’t cough. Boy oh boy. Okay, do you want to do that a little differently than uhh--"), but one thing that jumps out at me is that they're gearing up to do exactly the same thing they did during the campaign, which is to lie about health care again:
NYT, Trump Wants to Neutralize Democrats on Health Care. Republicans Say Let It Go.
posted by zachlipton at 5:27 PM on June 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
There's too much nonsense to highlight it all (ok, just one more: "TRUMP: If you’re going to cough, please leave the room. You just can’t, you just can’t cough. Boy oh boy. Okay, do you want to do that a little differently than uhh--"), but one thing that jumps out at me is that they're gearing up to do exactly the same thing they did during the campaign, which is to lie about health care again:
TRUMP: No, people hate Obamacare. It’s too expensive, it’s not good, but if we win the House, we win the Senate, we win the presidency. You’re going have the greatest healthcare that anybody’s ever had.This is what they did during the 2016 campaign—put out some total crap promises about how everyone would get the greatest health care ever for no money, backed legislation that would destroy the health care people currently have, and just lied about everything.
STEPHANOPOULOS: And you said, yesterday you told me, you’re going have a plan, in what, the next couple of weeks?
TRUMP: I’m going have a plan over the next month--
STEPHANOPOULOS: Month--
TRUMP: --for healthcare. And it’s going be a great plan. Now, that’s all subject because the Democrats won’t vote for it. It’s not their kind of a thing, because it’s too good, but we’re going have a great healthcare plan, but we have to win the House, we have to win the Senate, we have to win the presidency.
NYT, Trump Wants to Neutralize Democrats on Health Care. Republicans Say Let It Go.
“There’s always a tension for presidents around whether to submit a specific proposal to Congress or let the legislative process play out,” Mr. Levitt added. “When it comes to health care, the challenge has been that the president has not only avoided proposing a specific plan, but has made promises that no plan could ever fulfill.”There's an inherent problem here where Democrats with serious plans (which involve actual trade-offs and costs) are forced to campaign against Trump's blatant lies (which promise the moon to everyone), while Trump faces no consequences for the lies.
posted by zachlipton at 5:27 PM on June 16, 2019 [22 favorites]
There may also be hardliner factions within Iranian military or theocracy who feel they may come out on top after a scuffle and perhaps deem the likelihood of all out war to be low.
Ditto for the Trump administration.
I don't see in this situation the United States having any credibility at all to act as an objective or neutral arbiter of fact. I think if we're going to look at Iran through an adversarial lens, we have to do the same to any policy being run by John Bolton.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:30 PM on June 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
Ditto for the Trump administration.
I don't see in this situation the United States having any credibility at all to act as an objective or neutral arbiter of fact. I think if we're going to look at Iran through an adversarial lens, we have to do the same to any policy being run by John Bolton.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:30 PM on June 16, 2019 [10 favorites]
“When it comes to health care, the challenge has been that the president has not only avoided proposing a specific plan, but has made promises that no plan could ever fulfill.”
I would very much like #showusyourplan or something similar to start trending. Put the pressure on, force him to keep talking about it.
posted by schoolgirl report at 5:36 PM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
I would very much like #showusyourplan or something similar to start trending. Put the pressure on, force him to keep talking about it.
posted by schoolgirl report at 5:36 PM on June 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
The most likely culprits for the Gulf of Hormuz incident are Houthi. They've done this before. (Four tankers hit off Fujairah. And there's been numerous attacks off Bab-El-Mandeb, which is a chokepoint on the other side of Arabia. For instance.) US attempts to blame Iran for Taliban attacks might be part of a war strategy. (Please don't, America!)
posted by CCBC at 5:37 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by CCBC at 5:37 PM on June 16, 2019 [4 favorites]
Daniel Dale is also fact-checking the lies in Trump's interview, including Trump's usual claim that he won 52% of women in 2016 when it was actually just white women, claims that remains are being repatriated from North Korea when the military announced that North Korea stopped cooperating on that, thinks the Mueller report was about "bloggers in Moscow," and repeats the lie that's become a super-common GOP talking point lately: "Hillary Clinton conspired with Russia."
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on June 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on June 16, 2019 [20 favorites]
I've reached the point where I don't even know to believe that or not. Damage to our credibility goes back a long way.
Indeed, Iran has been the boogeyman since the 1979 revolution, and it is to a very large extent sour grapes - a revolution pushed aside the US puppet, just like in Cuba, and that is something US power cannot tolerate. Like all revolutions it has turned out to suck in many ways, but the Western reaction has been completely overblown, from day 1.
Iran sponsors Hamas, Hezbollah, the Syrian government, and the Houthis in Yemen.
And again, the demonizing of these groups is completely overblown. They are sometimes evil and sometimes terrorist, but it is mainly that they are not OUR evil terrorists that is the problem for the US power hegemonic perspective.
Please compare the much more widespread and international aspect of Saudi and Pakistani funded terror. Same shit, but you do not hear about the existential threat and the need to topple the regimes in those countries, do you?
posted by Meatbomb at 8:27 PM on June 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
Indeed, Iran has been the boogeyman since the 1979 revolution, and it is to a very large extent sour grapes - a revolution pushed aside the US puppet, just like in Cuba, and that is something US power cannot tolerate. Like all revolutions it has turned out to suck in many ways, but the Western reaction has been completely overblown, from day 1.
Iran sponsors Hamas, Hezbollah, the Syrian government, and the Houthis in Yemen.
And again, the demonizing of these groups is completely overblown. They are sometimes evil and sometimes terrorist, but it is mainly that they are not OUR evil terrorists that is the problem for the US power hegemonic perspective.
Please compare the much more widespread and international aspect of Saudi and Pakistani funded terror. Same shit, but you do not hear about the existential threat and the need to topple the regimes in those countries, do you?
posted by Meatbomb at 8:27 PM on June 16, 2019 [35 favorites]
19/21 of the 9/11 bombers were Saudi. Tell me again how they're our best friends and Iran our enemies.
Every argument for war with Iran goes the same or double for Saudi Arabia. We have no "allies" in the entire region, only the genocidal dictators who've bought off the majority of our political class and and the ones that haven't.
The most radical thing a Democratic president could do is start applying our stated values to every middle eastern country, Saudi Arabia and Israel very much included. We should stop funding all of these evil regimes and make it a capital crime to sell so much as a handgun to any of them.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:09 PM on June 16, 2019 [32 favorites]
Every argument for war with Iran goes the same or double for Saudi Arabia. We have no "allies" in the entire region, only the genocidal dictators who've bought off the majority of our political class and and the ones that haven't.
The most radical thing a Democratic president could do is start applying our stated values to every middle eastern country, Saudi Arabia and Israel very much included. We should stop funding all of these evil regimes and make it a capital crime to sell so much as a handgun to any of them.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:09 PM on June 16, 2019 [32 favorites]
if we win the House, we win the Senate, we win the presidency. You’re going have the greatest healthcare that anybody’s ever had
We tried that in 2016. You failed. What's your excuse?
posted by kirkaracha at 9:19 PM on June 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
We tried that in 2016. You failed. What's your excuse?
posted by kirkaracha at 9:19 PM on June 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
Indeed, Iran has been the boogeyman since the 1979 revolution, and it is to a very large extent sour grapes - a revolution pushed aside the US puppet, just like in Cuba, and that is something US power cannot tolerate.
A puppet we installed when we overthrew Iran's democratically-elected government and replaced it with an authoritarian military dictatorship with a CIA-trained secret police that tortured its citizens.
“Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran.” — Senior Bush Official, May 2003
A puppet we installed when we overthrew Iran's democratically-elected government and replaced it with an authoritarian military dictatorship with a CIA-trained secret police that tortured its citizens.
“Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran.” — Senior Bush Official, May 2003
With the US beachhead in place [in Kuwait], where did the real men in the US and Israel want to go next? There was no secrecy about their plans. At a minimum, the Neoconservatives in the US and their Likud allies in Israel wanted ‘regime change’ in Iraq, Syria and Iran. This would be delivered by covert action, air strikes, or invasion whatever it took to be mounted by the US military. Israel would stay out of these wars, ready to reap the benefits of their aftermath.posted by kirkaracha at 9:37 PM on June 16, 2019 [12 favorites]
We tried that in 2016. You failed. What's your excuse?
posted by kirkaracha Almost an hour ago [+] [!]
And why Stephanopoulos didn't come right back with that question is beyond me. Sometimes I think the media want Trump to win.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:31 PM on June 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha Almost an hour ago [+] [!]
And why Stephanopoulos didn't come right back with that question is beyond me. Sometimes I think the media want Trump to win.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:31 PM on June 16, 2019 [13 favorites]
Ironically, a Fox News host seems to be one of the best interviewers w/r/t the Trump administration:
Aaron Rupar: On Fox News Sunday, Mike Pompeo nearly blows a gasket when Chris Wallace asks him very straightforward questions regarding Trump's comments about how he wouldn't contact the FBI if he's offered dirt on a 2020 opponent by a foreign government.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 11:04 PM on June 16, 2019 [7 favorites]
> I guess Amy Chua's daughter is supposed to be a JAG lawyer for the Army now, but she's been tapped to clerk for Kavanaugh instead--after Chua wrote in defense of Kavanaugh last summer.
Amy Chua and the big little lies of US meritocracy - "Brett Kavanaugh's hiring of Tiger Mom’s daughter puts spotlight on elite string pulling."
Justice Kavanaugh wants us to know he's won: "the new establishment doesn't care how obvious it is that they've rigged the game... the corruption is the point."
posted by kliuless at 12:34 AM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
Amy Chua and the big little lies of US meritocracy - "Brett Kavanaugh's hiring of Tiger Mom’s daughter puts spotlight on elite string pulling."
Justice Kavanaugh wants us to know he's won: "the new establishment doesn't care how obvious it is that they've rigged the game... the corruption is the point."
posted by kliuless at 12:34 AM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
“Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran.” — Senior Bush Official, May 2003
I read the article, and that's five minutes of my life I shall never have again.
If you do a search for "Oded Yinon" you'll find more cranks than exist in a warehouse of Victrolas, but no substantive material. Everybody who cites this article refers to a purported translation by Israel Shahak, who was a nutcase and extraordinarily popular with David Duke and other Jew-haters. Honestly, if you're reading this fascist-adjacent conspiratorial guff you need to make better life choices.
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:46 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
I read the article, and that's five minutes of my life I shall never have again.
The Likud plans were more ambitious. They wanted to redraw the map of the Middle East, using ethnic, sectarian, and religious differences to carve up the existing states in the region into weak micro-states that could be easily bullied by Israel. This was the Kivunim plan first made public in 1982. It would give Israel a thousand years of dominance over the Middle East.I had to look this so-called "Kivunim plan" up. It seems to be the same as the "Yinon plan" referred to in this Wikipedia article. It's an article written by Oded Yinon, who is some guy nobody has ever heard of, in an journal too insignificant to be available online. I could only find one hard copy listed in a catalogue: it's in the National Library of Israel, if anyone is interested. The article is from 1982, which would make it more than a little bit out of date,
If you do a search for "Oded Yinon" you'll find more cranks than exist in a warehouse of Victrolas, but no substantive material. Everybody who cites this article refers to a purported translation by Israel Shahak, who was a nutcase and extraordinarily popular with David Duke and other Jew-haters. Honestly, if you're reading this fascist-adjacent conspiratorial guff you need to make better life choices.
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:46 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
Can anybody take a stab at the whole "I'm being treated worse than Abe Lincoln" thing? Is it possibly a misfired joke? Because I just have no words for that one.
posted by angrycat at 1:02 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 1:02 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
Anyone pondering the mysteries of why the Iranians are not happy with the US (and the UK) could do worse than review kirkaracha's links in their comment above. The history of US meddling in the region is long, toxic and within living memory for a lot of people. (Spoiler alert: The do not hate the US for their freedoms.)
posted by Harald74 at 1:18 AM on June 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 1:18 AM on June 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
So I'm reading through the transcript, and this part really struck me:
STEPHANOPOULOS: What’s the most fun part of the job?Because it reminded me of when Obama was asked something similar:
DONALD TRUMP: I think just the accomplishment of doing a lot of good things for a lot people. We’re-
STEPHANOPOULOS: Hardest part?
TRUMP: We’re handling the vets, you know, we have choice, you’ve seen that and so many others things we’ve been able to do for the vets. The hardest is usually the Congress, I find Congress more difficult than frankly than many of the foreign leaders.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Why is that?
TRUMP: Because they have their own views, you never know exactly but they have their own views and--
STEPHANOPOULOS: But that’s democracy, isn’t it?
TRUMP: Yeah, I guess it is, but... And I… so many things like the border, the border should be done, George. The border... The Democrats should come in and 15 minutes to an hour we can have it all solved. It’s so simple.
“I always felt that a president is accountable for making the best decisions, but that there are going to be a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way. And as I said recently, this is still a human enterprise and these are big, tough, complicated problems. Somebody noted to me that by the time something reaches my desk, that means it’s really hard. Because if it were easy, somebody else would have made the decision and somebody else would have solved it.” (New York Times, March 7, 2009)posted by mumimor at 2:54 AM on June 17, 2019 [34 favorites]
Individual-1: if we win the House, we win the Senate, we win the presidency. You’re going have the greatest healthcare that anybody’s ever had
kirkaracha: We tried that in 2016. You failed. What's your excuse?
Mental Wimp: And why Stephanopoulos didn't come right back with that question is beyond me. Sometimes I think the media want Trump to win.
The media could do a vastly better job overall and a small part of them probably does want Trump to win. But when it comes specifically to interviewing him I see this pattern whereby once he gets his last word in, we on the web ask "Why wouldn't they just respond with __?" as though he's just one question away from... I don't know what, exactly. Being at a loss for words? Saying something that transcends his supposed teflon? He already said flat-out in that same series of interveiws that he wouldn't tell the FBI about foreign help, and it resulted in a media flurry but of course didn't move any kind of needle for the public, in part because he said it in the same tone of voice he says anything else.
Johnny Wallflower: Ironically, a Fox News host seems to be one of the best interviewers w/r/t the Trump administration:
I've been feeling more and more that the best approach for reporters dealing directly with the president is not so much to ask the penetrative questions as one normally would, but simply to bait him, even if it looks or sounds rediculous at first. For example, rather than remind the president that Republicans had a House majority until this year, just pretend you don't remember and ask when the last time they did, framing it such that he'd rather not say it was under him. "So we would have great health care if you had a majority. Have Republicans had a majority in Congress under you, Mr President?"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:24 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
kirkaracha: We tried that in 2016. You failed. What's your excuse?
Mental Wimp: And why Stephanopoulos didn't come right back with that question is beyond me. Sometimes I think the media want Trump to win.
The media could do a vastly better job overall and a small part of them probably does want Trump to win. But when it comes specifically to interviewing him I see this pattern whereby once he gets his last word in, we on the web ask "Why wouldn't they just respond with __?" as though he's just one question away from... I don't know what, exactly. Being at a loss for words? Saying something that transcends his supposed teflon? He already said flat-out in that same series of interveiws that he wouldn't tell the FBI about foreign help, and it resulted in a media flurry but of course didn't move any kind of needle for the public, in part because he said it in the same tone of voice he says anything else.
Johnny Wallflower: Ironically, a Fox News host seems to be one of the best interviewers w/r/t the Trump administration:
Aaron Rupar: On Fox News Sunday, Mike Pompeo nearly blows a gasket when Chris Wallace asks him very straightforward questions regarding Trump's comments about how he wouldn't contact the FBI if he's offered dirt on a 2020 opponent by a foreign government.Like Bane, Trump was born in the bullshit and molded by it, while others in his orbit merely adopted it. That's why Pompeo's reaction is so emotional -- How dare you confront me with this huge contradiction, it makes my job hell, sir. But the fact of that reaction doesn't mean Wallace is a more (or less) incicive interviewer than Stephanopoulos. They're both asking about the same fundamental thing, but to different people. It's just that Trump is happy to say "Yes, I would do crime" and Pompeo would rather not be so bold.
I've been feeling more and more that the best approach for reporters dealing directly with the president is not so much to ask the penetrative questions as one normally would, but simply to bait him, even if it looks or sounds rediculous at first. For example, rather than remind the president that Republicans had a House majority until this year, just pretend you don't remember and ask when the last time they did, framing it such that he'd rather not say it was under him. "So we would have great health care if you had a majority. Have Republicans had a majority in Congress under you, Mr President?"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:24 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
@GalloVOA
posted by scalefree at 4:45 AM on June 17, 2019 [33 favorites]
Stephanopoulos: "Do you think (Kim Jong Un) is still building nuclear weapons?"
Trump: "I don't know. I hope not. He promised me he wouldn't...and I think he likes me a lot."There are no words.
posted by scalefree at 4:45 AM on June 17, 2019 [33 favorites]
"TRUMP: If you’re going to cough, please leave the room. You just can’t, you just can’t cough. Boy oh boy. Okay, do you want to do that a little differently than uhh--"
I thought the cough thing was fascinating, it offers a little peek behind how Trump is treating this interview like reality TV. "Let's do that over, he's coughing in the middle of my answer," he's upset at the cough because it ruined his answer where he's weirdly insisting on calling his tax returns his "fantastic financial statement". He jokes about Mulvaney leaving the room, then resets for take two. Watch his face as he goes from jokey to "presidential" when the cameraman has reset for the shot.
posted by peeedro at 5:15 AM on June 17, 2019 [13 favorites]
I thought the cough thing was fascinating, it offers a little peek behind how Trump is treating this interview like reality TV. "Let's do that over, he's coughing in the middle of my answer," he's upset at the cough because it ruined his answer where he's weirdly insisting on calling his tax returns his "fantastic financial statement". He jokes about Mulvaney leaving the room, then resets for take two. Watch his face as he goes from jokey to "presidential" when the cameraman has reset for the shot.
posted by peeedro at 5:15 AM on June 17, 2019 [13 favorites]
Before I saw the clip, I thought that was just him being a germophobe.
posted by MtDewd at 5:35 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by MtDewd at 5:35 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
Warren is the cover of this next weeks NYT Magazine and it’s out now online.
Elizabeth Warren Is Completely Serious: About income inequality. About corporate power. About corrupt politics. And about being America’s next president.
The cover.
I’m conflicted about the choice to go with “Elizabeth Warren Has an Answer for Everything” on the cover rather than using her word “Plan.” I guess I can maybe see not wanting to use what has become a de facto campaign slogan, but using ‘answer’ also seems to play into the know-it-all, lecturing stereotype that intelligent outspoken women get. Or maybe I’m just being too wary and suspicious of the Times.
posted by chris24 at 5:45 AM on June 17, 2019 [21 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren Is Completely Serious: About income inequality. About corporate power. About corrupt politics. And about being America’s next president.
The cover.
I’m conflicted about the choice to go with “Elizabeth Warren Has an Answer for Everything” on the cover rather than using her word “Plan.” I guess I can maybe see not wanting to use what has become a de facto campaign slogan, but using ‘answer’ also seems to play into the know-it-all, lecturing stereotype that intelligent outspoken women get. Or maybe I’m just being too wary and suspicious of the Times.
posted by chris24 at 5:45 AM on June 17, 2019 [21 favorites]
The fuss over the cough thing is irritating, because it is clearly manufactured. When they guy is trying to do a bit, you don't f-ing cough in the middle of it and ruin the take. Chief of staff or not.
I guess making a fuss over Trump getting testy and tossing someone out of the oval office is better TV then what he was actually going on about.
posted by Bovine Love at 5:52 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
I guess making a fuss over Trump getting testy and tossing someone out of the oval office is better TV then what he was actually going on about.
posted by Bovine Love at 5:52 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
It's a sleight of hand move, distract them while I replace 'tax return' with 'financial statement'. Watch for this later when he claims he's reluctantly handing over his 'financial statement' to settle forever any question about withholding his tax returns. 'I gave them what they wanted and they still won't buzz off! sore losers!'
They did the same thing with 'collusion'.
posted by adept256 at 6:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
They did the same thing with 'collusion'.
posted by adept256 at 6:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
A new Fox poll came out yesterday with lots of bad news for Trump:
• Biden up by 10, Bernie by 9, behind even Warren, Harris and Buttigieg (though within margin of error.)
• Never getting above 41% against any opponent.
• Increased beliefs that he worked with Russia despite the “exoneration” of the Mueller Report.
Biden 32% (+1)
Sanders 13% (-10)
Warren 9% (+5)
Buttigieg 8% (+7)
Harris 8% (-)
But for me, the most interesting was the impeachment question.
Impeach and Remove: 43%
Impeach and don’t remove: 7%
Don’t Impeach: 48%
So a majority now support impeachment. Ds are up 5% to 74%, Is are up 15% to 40% since March. Rs are at 10%.
Reminder, from the time the Watergate hearings began to the time Nixon resigned, support for impeachment moved from 18% to 55% with Is. Ds had gone from 27% to 71%. Rs from 6% to 31%. So we’re already there with Ds and getting closer with Is. Without an impeachment inquiry or really even any real investigations. Given the increased partisanship it may be hard to get there with Rs, but at a certain point is Pelosi serving the nation and her base or R voters.
Usual caveats to look at poll averages. And reminder that Fox polling is a good and not partisan outfit.
posted by chris24 at 6:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [26 favorites]
• Biden up by 10, Bernie by 9, behind even Warren, Harris and Buttigieg (though within margin of error.)
• Never getting above 41% against any opponent.
• Increased beliefs that he worked with Russia despite the “exoneration” of the Mueller Report.
Do you think Trump campaign coordinated w/ Russians during '16 campaign?Also not great news for Bernie with the changes from March’s poll:
YES: 50%
NO: 44%
March 2019
Yes: 44%
No: 42%
Jan 2017
Yes: 40%
No: 52%
Biden 32% (+1)
Sanders 13% (-10)
Warren 9% (+5)
Buttigieg 8% (+7)
Harris 8% (-)
But for me, the most interesting was the impeachment question.
Impeach and Remove: 43%
Impeach and don’t remove: 7%
Don’t Impeach: 48%
So a majority now support impeachment. Ds are up 5% to 74%, Is are up 15% to 40% since March. Rs are at 10%.
Reminder, from the time the Watergate hearings began to the time Nixon resigned, support for impeachment moved from 18% to 55% with Is. Ds had gone from 27% to 71%. Rs from 6% to 31%. So we’re already there with Ds and getting closer with Is. Without an impeachment inquiry or really even any real investigations. Given the increased partisanship it may be hard to get there with Rs, but at a certain point is Pelosi serving the nation and her base or R voters.
Usual caveats to look at poll averages. And reminder that Fox polling is a good and not partisan outfit.
posted by chris24 at 6:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [26 favorites]
It's a sleight of hand move, distract them while I replace 'tax return' with 'financial statement'. Watch for this later when he claims he's reluctantly handing over his 'financial statement' to settle forever any question about withholding his tax returns. 'I gave them what they wanted and they still won't buzz off! sore losers!'
Yeah, I noticed that too. But I also noticed that Stephanopoulos noticed it and came back with the word tax return. That was nice.
posted by mumimor at 6:17 AM on June 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
Yeah, I noticed that too. But I also noticed that Stephanopoulos noticed it and came back with the word tax return. That was nice.
posted by mumimor at 6:17 AM on June 17, 2019 [5 favorites]
In addition to the Fox poll, WSJ had a poll yesterday with some interesting things in it.
Josh Jamerson (WSJ)
Some 2020 takeaways from the June WSJ/NBC News poll (thread)
1/ Big shift in support for the top candidates. This is % of Dem primary voters who are enthusiastic or comfortable with:
BIDEN: March 77% ⬇️ June 66%
SANDERS: March 62% ⬇️ June 56%
WARREN: March 57% ⬆️ June 64%
2/ Among liberals specifically, more are enthusiastic/comfortable with Warren than Biden or Sanders. And note that Biden and Sanders are... pretty close.
BIDEN: March 73% ⬇️ June 62%
SANDERS: March 64% ⬇️ June 63%
WARREN: March 67% ⬆️ June 76%
3/ Another place Warren is now ahead of Sanders on enthusiasm: among moderate and conservative Democratic primary voters.
BIDEN: March 75% ⬇️ June 70%
SANDERS: March 59% ⬇️ June 48%
WARREN: March 46% ⬆️ June 53%
4/ Then, among all Dem primary voters, the % who have reservations/are uncomfortable with their candidacy got better for Warren, too.
BIDEN: March 25% ⬆️ June 32%
SANDERS: March 36% ⬆️ June 43%
WARREN: March 33% ⬇️ June 27%
5/ And check out enthusiasm among non-whites:
BIDEN: March 69% ⬇️ June 67%
SANDERS: March 72% ⬇️ June 67%
WARREN: March 43% ⬆️ June 60%
posted by chris24 at 7:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
Josh Jamerson (WSJ)
Some 2020 takeaways from the June WSJ/NBC News poll (thread)
1/ Big shift in support for the top candidates. This is % of Dem primary voters who are enthusiastic or comfortable with:
BIDEN: March 77% ⬇️ June 66%
SANDERS: March 62% ⬇️ June 56%
WARREN: March 57% ⬆️ June 64%
2/ Among liberals specifically, more are enthusiastic/comfortable with Warren than Biden or Sanders. And note that Biden and Sanders are... pretty close.
BIDEN: March 73% ⬇️ June 62%
SANDERS: March 64% ⬇️ June 63%
WARREN: March 67% ⬆️ June 76%
3/ Another place Warren is now ahead of Sanders on enthusiasm: among moderate and conservative Democratic primary voters.
BIDEN: March 75% ⬇️ June 70%
SANDERS: March 59% ⬇️ June 48%
WARREN: March 46% ⬆️ June 53%
4/ Then, among all Dem primary voters, the % who have reservations/are uncomfortable with their candidacy got better for Warren, too.
BIDEN: March 25% ⬆️ June 32%
SANDERS: March 36% ⬆️ June 43%
WARREN: March 33% ⬇️ June 27%
5/ And check out enthusiasm among non-whites:
BIDEN: March 69% ⬇️ June 67%
SANDERS: March 72% ⬇️ June 67%
WARREN: March 43% ⬆️ June 60%
posted by chris24 at 7:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
Last poll I swear.. This is TEXAS...
Texas Tribune: Trump’s reelection support is 50-50 in Texas, Biden and O’Rourke lead the Democrats, UT/TT Poll says
Would you vote to reelect Donald Trump?
Definitely: 39%
Probably: 11%
Probably Not: 7%
Definitely Not: 43%
Are we gonna win Texas? Yeah probably not, but making Rs spend millions and millions of dollars to defend a state they take for granted is fantastic.
Also from the poll: Your choice in a Democratic primary?
Joe Biden: 23%
Beto O'Rourke: 15%
Elizabeth Warren: 14%
Bernie Sanders: 12%
Pete Buttigieg:8%
Kamala Harris: 5%
Julián Castro: 3%
Tulsi Gabbard: 3%
posted by chris24 at 7:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
Texas Tribune: Trump’s reelection support is 50-50 in Texas, Biden and O’Rourke lead the Democrats, UT/TT Poll says
Would you vote to reelect Donald Trump?
Definitely: 39%
Probably: 11%
Probably Not: 7%
Definitely Not: 43%
Are we gonna win Texas? Yeah probably not, but making Rs spend millions and millions of dollars to defend a state they take for granted is fantastic.
Also from the poll: Your choice in a Democratic primary?
Joe Biden: 23%
Beto O'Rourke: 15%
Elizabeth Warren: 14%
Bernie Sanders: 12%
Pete Buttigieg:8%
Kamala Harris: 5%
Julián Castro: 3%
Tulsi Gabbard: 3%
posted by chris24 at 7:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
zachlipton: NYT, U.S. Escalates Online Attacks on Russia’s Power Grid
The U.S. isn't the only ones working on this front. Hackers behind dangerous oil and gas intrusions are probing US power grids -- Group responsible for safety tampering Triconex malware has expanded, researchers say. (Dan Goodin for Ars Technica, June 15, 2019)
It looks like Xenotime (Dragos) isn't associated with any country at this time.
In other news, Anti-vaxxers defeated: NY bans exemptions as doctors vote to step up fight -- Doctors will now actively push for bans on vaccine exemptions. (Beth Mole for Ars Technica, June 14, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:46 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
The U.S. isn't the only ones working on this front. Hackers behind dangerous oil and gas intrusions are probing US power grids -- Group responsible for safety tampering Triconex malware has expanded, researchers say. (Dan Goodin for Ars Technica, June 15, 2019)
It looks like Xenotime (Dragos) isn't associated with any country at this time.
In other news, Anti-vaxxers defeated: NY bans exemptions as doctors vote to step up fight -- Doctors will now actively push for bans on vaccine exemptions. (Beth Mole for Ars Technica, June 14, 2019)
Anti-vaccine advocates received a blow in New York Thursday as state lawmakers banned non-medical exemptions based on religious beliefs—and there may be more blows coming.New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing a ban on religious exemptions, but Beth Mole notes that it’s not always that simple.
Also on Thursday, the American Medical Association adopted a new policy to step up its fight against such non-medical exemptions. The AMA, the country’s largest physicians’ group and one of the largest spenders on lobbying, has always strongly support pediatric vaccination and opposed non-medical exemptions. But under the new policy changes, the association will now “actively advocate” for states to eliminate any laws that allow for non-medical exemptions.
“As evident from the measles outbreaks currently impacting communities in several states, when individuals are not immunized as a matter of personal preference or misinformation, they put themselves and others at risk of disease,” AMA Board Member E. Scott Ferguson, M.D. said in a statement. “The AMA strongly supports efforts to eliminate non-medical exemptions from immunization, and we will continue to actively urge policymakers to do so.”
In 2015, California eliminated non-medical vaccine exemptions following a large measles outbreak linked to Disneyland visitors. But in the years following, the state saw the number of children with medical exemptions triple. State health officials have blamed unscrupulous doctors writing bogus exemptions (Ars Technica) for anti-vaccine parents while charging hefty fees.In response, lawmakers in California are now considering a new bill (Ars Technica) that would crack down on such bogus exemptions by granting state health officials oversight of any medical exemptions that doctors provide.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:46 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
Supreme Court dismisses challenge to findings of racial gerrymandering in Virginia districts (WaPo)
posted by peeedro at 8:08 AM on June 17, 2019 [21 favorites]
The decision could give an advantage to the state’s Democrats. All 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot this fall, and the GOP holds two-seat majorities in both the House (51 to 49) and the Senate (21 to 19).It was a 5-4 ruling on procedural issues involving whether republicans had standing to challenge the new map drawn by experts chosen by the US District Court. Justice Ginsburg's opinion was joined by Justices Gorsuch, Kagan, Sotomayor and Thomas.
[...]
[The new map] realigns a total of 26 House districts as it remedies the 11 under court order. Six Republican delegates would find themselves in districts with a majority of Democratic voters, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project.
posted by peeedro at 8:08 AM on June 17, 2019 [21 favorites]
Knocking on doors for Medicare For All (NYT)
posted by The Whelk at 8:12 AM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 8:12 AM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Israel announces new Golan Heights settlement named 'Trump Heights'
posted by zakur at 8:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by zakur at 8:16 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
Israel announces new Golan Heights settlement named 'Trump Heights'
Welcome to Trump Heights, the Israeli Town That Doesn't Exist (Haaretz) The sign with gilded letters and the dramatic ceremony, just as the president likes, hides the fact that the proposal to establish the new Golan Heights community does not include any actual steps toward building it.
posted by peeedro at 8:31 AM on June 17, 2019 [27 favorites]
Welcome to Trump Heights, the Israeli Town That Doesn't Exist (Haaretz) The sign with gilded letters and the dramatic ceremony, just as the president likes, hides the fact that the proposal to establish the new Golan Heights community does not include any actual steps toward building it.
posted by peeedro at 8:31 AM on June 17, 2019 [27 favorites]
Mitch McConnell Says He’s Not Sure Why Jon Stewart Is ‘Bent Out Of Shape’ Over 9/11 Bill (Hayley Miller, HuffPost)
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:39 AM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:39 AM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Welcome to Trump Heights, the Israeli Town That Doesn't Exist
At this point, the best-case scenario is that someday, some Republicans may admit to finding it vaguely disquieting at how easy it was to roll Trump with dumb shit like this.
posted by Etrigan at 8:41 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
At this point, the best-case scenario is that someday, some Republicans may admit to finding it vaguely disquieting at how easy it was to roll Trump with dumb shit like this.
posted by Etrigan at 8:41 AM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
chris24: "Texas Tribune: Trump’s reelection support is 50-50 in Texas, Biden and O’Rourke lead the Democrats, UT/TT Poll says"
Btw, this is registered voters. Texas has a larger than average gap between registered and actual voters, which normally favors the GOP.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:31 AM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
Btw, this is registered voters. Texas has a larger than average gap between registered and actual voters, which normally favors the GOP.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:31 AM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
I think Biden is the Jeb! of the 2020 campaign.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:36 AM on June 17, 2019 [38 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:36 AM on June 17, 2019 [38 favorites]
More in health and politics news: Tobacco's 'Special Friend': What Internal Documents Say About Mitch McConnell (Tom Dreisbach for NPR, June 17, 2019)
Chrysostom: @MaddowBlog: NEWS: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chair of the House Marine Transportation Subcommittee, says he has been given the green light to investigate corruption allegations against Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Now do Mitch! For this, or for Doktor Zed posed that Politico reported: Chao Created Special Path For Mcconnell’s Favored Projects—A top Transportation official helped coordinate grant applications by McConnell’s political allies.
Or for any of his other instances of Self Gain before Country.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:44 AM on June 17, 2019 [27 favorites]
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says one of his "highest priorities" is to take on the leading cause of preventable death in the United States: smoking.I'm devastated that this happened, but I'm thrilled that the Dems have the power to investigate this kind of fatal corruption.
McConnell has sponsored a bill, along with Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, that would increase the tobacco purchase age (NPR) from 18 to 21.
In a speech on the Senate floor (C-SPAN) last month, McConnell said, "The sad reality is that Kentucky has been the home to the highest rates of cancer in the country. We lead the entire nation in the percentage of cancer cases tied directly to smoking."
Indeed, nearly 9,000 Kentuckians (Tobacco Free Kids) die every year from smoking — roughly 24 people every day. Kentucky also spends $1.9 billion on smoking-related health problems like lung cancer, strokes and premature birth.
...
McConnell noted, "I might seem like an unusual candidate to lead this charge."
For many public health advocates, that was a vast understatement.
An NPR review of McConnell's relationship with the tobacco industry over the decades has found that McConnell repeatedly cast doubt on the health consequences of smoking, repeated industry talking points word-for-word, attacked federal regulators at the industry's request and opposed bipartisan tobacco regulations going back decades.
The industry, in turn, has provided McConnell with millions of dollars in speaking fees, personal gifts, campaign contributions and charitable donations to the McConnell Center, which is home to his personal and professional archives.
One lobbyist for R.J. Reynolds called McConnell a "special friend" (DocumentCloud) to the company.
Much of the relationship between McConnell and the tobacco industry happened behind the scenes. But the disclosure of millions of once-secret tobacco industry documents — which are now readily searchable online (Industry Documents via UCSF.edu) — has opened a window into McConnell's interactions with tobacco executives and lobbyists.
Many of the records were first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader, as part of a yearlong investigation into McConnell. Other documents on McConnell's relationships to the industry are being reported by NPR for the first time as part of a series produced by the Embedded podcast.
Chrysostom: @MaddowBlog: NEWS: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chair of the House Marine Transportation Subcommittee, says he has been given the green light to investigate corruption allegations against Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Now do Mitch! For this, or for Doktor Zed posed that Politico reported: Chao Created Special Path For Mcconnell’s Favored Projects—A top Transportation official helped coordinate grant applications by McConnell’s political allies.
Or for any of his other instances of Self Gain before Country.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:44 AM on June 17, 2019 [27 favorites]
I'm thrilled that the Dems have the power to investigate this kind of fatal corruption...Now do Mitch!
Mitch is a senator, which I highly doubt the House is empowered to investigate.
posted by mcstayinskool at 10:20 AM on June 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
Mitch is a senator, which I highly doubt the House is empowered to investigate.
posted by mcstayinskool at 10:20 AM on June 17, 2019 [2 favorites]
I’d just like to say that I’m very proud of my fellow MeFites for keeping it collegiate in the megathread. So many of us have divergent hopes and concerns about the upcoming primary elections, but we’ve generally been able to share primary news and views without getting fighty. Thanks also to the mods for keeping things tight and helping us stay on track - we know it’s not always easy.
As we approach closer to the primary elections, one thing is certain: our emotion level will be ramped up considerably, and along with it the frustrations of especially those MeFites who are supporting candidates who might not be excelling in the race. We’ve seen in 2008 and 2016 how primary fever, and our weakness at handling our own internecine conflicts, has left a faction of once-supportive comrades angry and hurt after the primary election.
We are different: centrist democrats, concerned Republicans and independents, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists. Our differences are real and not to be papered over. Even so, it’s up to each of us to keep the most dangerous threats in focus: the authoritarians, the cruel, the bigots, the nationalist xenophobes, the sexists, the gaslighters, the corrupt. In facing these threats, we are stronger together.
posted by darkstar at 10:25 AM on June 17, 2019 [60 favorites]
As we approach closer to the primary elections, one thing is certain: our emotion level will be ramped up considerably, and along with it the frustrations of especially those MeFites who are supporting candidates who might not be excelling in the race. We’ve seen in 2008 and 2016 how primary fever, and our weakness at handling our own internecine conflicts, has left a faction of once-supportive comrades angry and hurt after the primary election.
We are different: centrist democrats, concerned Republicans and independents, progressives, liberals, socialists, leftists. Our differences are real and not to be papered over. Even so, it’s up to each of us to keep the most dangerous threats in focus: the authoritarians, the cruel, the bigots, the nationalist xenophobes, the sexists, the gaslighters, the corrupt. In facing these threats, we are stronger together.
posted by darkstar at 10:25 AM on June 17, 2019 [60 favorites]
Is there anything at all that us common folk can do to put pressure on Mitch McConnell? Call his office every hour? Obstruct traffic to his offices? All of them?
I'm just struggling with how fucking powerless I feel when McConnell is so clearly the problem to righting the ship.
Are people still harassing him in public at all at restaurants & such?
posted by yoga at 10:54 AM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'm just struggling with how fucking powerless I feel when McConnell is so clearly the problem to righting the ship.
Are people still harassing him in public at all at restaurants & such?
posted by yoga at 10:54 AM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
Is there anything at all that us common folk can do to put pressure on Mitch McConnell? Call his office every hour? Obstruct traffic to his offices? All of them?
Complain to his campaign donors?
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:56 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
Complain to his campaign donors?
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:56 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
It strikes me that possibly shifting our attention to persuading the people of Kentucky to vote McConnell out would be equally as important as targeting McConnell himself.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:56 AM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:56 AM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
John Oliver Weighs the (Realistic) Risks and Benefits of Trump’s Impeachment (Marissa Martinelli, Slate)
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:59 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
“The process could shine a light on the contents of the Mueller report, potentially lead to new revelations about Trump’s conduct, and force Republican allies to choose publicly, and on the record, to hold him to account,” he saidVideo Source: Impeachment, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:59 AM on June 17, 2019 [14 favorites]
If McConnell died tomorrow, does anyone really think a centrist dealmaker would replace him? There would be some internecine backstabbing but the R party is now the party of No.
posted by benzenedream at 11:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 11:01 AM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
So what happens when Donald Trump refuses to leave office? The nightmare scenario could happen (Amanda Marcotte, Salon)
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:02 AM on June 17, 2019 [15 favorites]
Does anyone still believe Donald Trump will leave office voluntarily? The real question is what we do about itTrump's been laying the groundwork for this from the beginning.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:02 AM on June 17, 2019 [15 favorites]
Is there anything at all that us common folk can do to put pressure on Mitch McConnell?
No. He is absolutely immune to public pressure and literally lives for your tears. He loves how much he's hated by liberals.
The only thing you can do is donate to his Democratic challenger if it's either Amy McGrath or Matt Jones, and donate to those two in the KY democratic primary to help them overcome the state party's terrible choice to intentionally tank the race for McConnell again. Donate directly to their campaigns, not the KY Democratic party or the DNC or anything else where it'll be wasted. They're the only two people in Kentucky who can hope to defeat him, there's no other plausible Democratic challenger and every other name out there would again rerun the same losing campaign McConnell has defeated time and time again. Short of all of us in blue states moving (back) to Kentucky, support McGrath and/or Jones. One or both of them are expected to announce their plans soon.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:04 AM on June 17, 2019 [48 favorites]
No. He is absolutely immune to public pressure and literally lives for your tears. He loves how much he's hated by liberals.
The only thing you can do is donate to his Democratic challenger if it's either Amy McGrath or Matt Jones, and donate to those two in the KY democratic primary to help them overcome the state party's terrible choice to intentionally tank the race for McConnell again. Donate directly to their campaigns, not the KY Democratic party or the DNC or anything else where it'll be wasted. They're the only two people in Kentucky who can hope to defeat him, there's no other plausible Democratic challenger and every other name out there would again rerun the same losing campaign McConnell has defeated time and time again. Short of all of us in blue states moving (back) to Kentucky, support McGrath and/or Jones. One or both of them are expected to announce their plans soon.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:04 AM on June 17, 2019 [48 favorites]
Even so, it’s up to each of us to keep the most dangerous threats in focus: the authoritarians, the cruel, the bigots, the nationalist xenophobes, the sexists, the gaslighters, the corrupt. In facing these threats, we are stronger together.
Add the white nationalists, and we're good to go...
posted by hugbucket at 11:07 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
Add the white nationalists, and we're good to go...
posted by hugbucket at 11:07 AM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
benzenedream: "If McConnell died tomorrow, does anyone really think a centrist dealmaker would replace him? There would be some internecine backstabbing but the R party is now the party of No."
That's true, but it must be said that he's very very good at what he does. A replacement GOP Senate leader might not be so deft.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:10 AM on June 17, 2019 [18 favorites]
That's true, but it must be said that he's very very good at what he does. A replacement GOP Senate leader might not be so deft.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:10 AM on June 17, 2019 [18 favorites]
In addition to fighting McConnell directly, building up the KY Democratic party could make it harder for someone to follow in his footsteps.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:26 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:26 AM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
Even if Mitch is voted out, his special brand of corrubstruction has still made him incredibly rich. There's an army of understudies lined up for a chance to be the next Mitch. It's only going to stop when these grifters start getting convicted and more importantly living out their remaining days poor.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:26 AM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 11:26 AM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
You can donate directly to the 2020 Democratic Senate nominee (whoever that may be) for Kentucky via ActBlue.
ActBlue has funds like this for almost every upcoming race.
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:44 AM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
ActBlue has funds like this for almost every upcoming race.
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:44 AM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
You've seen other reports of large amounts of refugees/immigrants being brought to asylum cities en masse with no notice; now a short report from Portland, Maine where over two hundred asylum seekers have suddenly appeared, after not being properly processed at the border:
Trump & Co. think they are dealing us some sort of blow, but they are only making us stronger.
posted by mikepop at 11:59 AM on June 17, 2019 [57 favorites]
Portland officials have said the new arrivals are not eligible for state-funded General Assistance because border agents did not conduct a “credible fear” interview and give them a parole status. Credible fear is a concept in U.S. asylum law that says people who demonstrate a credible fear of returning to their home country cannot be subject to deportation until their asylum cases are processed.So how is this federal attempt to "own the libs" going? Well, over $250,000 in donations so far, over 1,000 volunteers signed up to help (they have actually told people to stop trying to volunteer for now), neighboring cities stepping up to do what they can and a college campus a couple of towns over opening up their campus dorms for emergency shelter over the summer.
That means, for now, the asylum seekers are relying solely on the city’s financial assistance and on donations and other support flowing in from businesses, nonprofits and private individuals
Trump & Co. think they are dealing us some sort of blow, but they are only making us stronger.
posted by mikepop at 11:59 AM on June 17, 2019 [57 favorites]
Every single Republican who is up for election should be challenged. I can't believe they aren't already.
posted by mumimor at 12:24 PM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 12:24 PM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
It's a sleight of hand move, distract them while I replace 'tax return' with 'financial statement'. Watch for this later when he claims he's reluctantly handing over his 'financial statement' to settle forever any question about withholding his tax returns. 'I gave them what they wanted and they still won't buzz off! sore losers!'
Don't forget that Trump has a history of releasing "financial statements" that are doctored to show whatever he wants to show. No Trump financial statement is worth the paper it's written on unless it's labeled something like "Exhibit A."
posted by Gelatin at 12:32 PM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
Don't forget that Trump has a history of releasing "financial statements" that are doctored to show whatever he wants to show. No Trump financial statement is worth the paper it's written on unless it's labeled something like "Exhibit A."
posted by Gelatin at 12:32 PM on June 17, 2019 [19 favorites]
In addition to fighting McConnell directly, building up the KY Democratic party could make it harder for someone to follow in his footsteps.
Every single Republican who is up for election should be challenged. I can't believe they aren't already.
The KY Democratic party has made a very good living by losing to Mitch McConnell for 30 years. They all get paid either way. Someone will challenge him, the question is whether their campaign will be controlled by the same people who ran the same campaigns for Jack Conway, Alison Grimes, and Jim Gray, or if a candidate outside the good ole boys consultant network can come in and do something different. Matt Jones is definitely an outside candidate, McGrath was too, but now she's being pushed hard as Schumer's pick, and ask Senators Patty Judge and Patrick Murphy and Ted Strickland how well Schumer's track record works out. Let's hope if it's McGrath she doesn't fall into the same cycle.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [11 favorites]
Every single Republican who is up for election should be challenged. I can't believe they aren't already.
The KY Democratic party has made a very good living by losing to Mitch McConnell for 30 years. They all get paid either way. Someone will challenge him, the question is whether their campaign will be controlled by the same people who ran the same campaigns for Jack Conway, Alison Grimes, and Jim Gray, or if a candidate outside the good ole boys consultant network can come in and do something different. Matt Jones is definitely an outside candidate, McGrath was too, but now she's being pushed hard as Schumer's pick, and ask Senators Patty Judge and Patrick Murphy and Ted Strickland how well Schumer's track record works out. Let's hope if it's McGrath she doesn't fall into the same cycle.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [11 favorites]
Mitch is a senator, which I highly doubt the House is empowered to investigate.
I seem to recall reading about some House Committee investigating Unamerican Activities back in the 1950s. Maybe it's time we reclaimed the word "American" and its opposite "Unamerican" along with "Democracy" and "Patriotism".
posted by M-x shell at 12:40 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
I seem to recall reading about some House Committee investigating Unamerican Activities back in the 1950s. Maybe it's time we reclaimed the word "American" and its opposite "Unamerican" along with "Democracy" and "Patriotism".
posted by M-x shell at 12:40 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
If McConnell died tomorrow, does anyone really think a centrist dealmaker would replace him? There would be some internecine backstabbing but the R party is now the party of No.
True, but there are few Republicans who are as untouchable, as willing to cast themselves as a villainous lightning rods for the party as a whole, or as eager to break with constitutional norms and common understandings of the law. McConnell is symptomatic of Republicans as a whole, but he's also leading the charge that is dragging the entire party towards a philosophy of cronyism over democratic principles. I'm not sure he's easily replaceable.
When I browse conservative websites now, the conversation about whether or not it's time to abandon democratic principles in favor of simply forcing a conservative agenda on the public at large happen openly. Are we really going to allow liberals to force our children to be read stories by transvestites at the public library, or is time instead to codify and force our christian values upon the public, willing or not? This stuff masquerades as intelligent debate.
posted by xammerboy at 1:06 PM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
True, but there are few Republicans who are as untouchable, as willing to cast themselves as a villainous lightning rods for the party as a whole, or as eager to break with constitutional norms and common understandings of the law. McConnell is symptomatic of Republicans as a whole, but he's also leading the charge that is dragging the entire party towards a philosophy of cronyism over democratic principles. I'm not sure he's easily replaceable.
When I browse conservative websites now, the conversation about whether or not it's time to abandon democratic principles in favor of simply forcing a conservative agenda on the public at large happen openly. Are we really going to allow liberals to force our children to be read stories by transvestites at the public library, or is time instead to codify and force our christian values upon the public, willing or not? This stuff masquerades as intelligent debate.
posted by xammerboy at 1:06 PM on June 17, 2019 [16 favorites]
I remember when Bill O'Reilly got shitcanned from Fox when he was exposed as the piece of shit he is. A lot of media figures got canned around the same time. Not much changed though, there was a queue of assholes just waiting for their turn to be just as awful or worse. So instead of O'Reilly we have Tucker and not much has changed except it's a little more racist.
I'm guessing the same is true with McConnell. I don't think he's at all unique, and saying 'no' all the time isn't a singular mastermind strategy belonging to him alone.
posted by adept256 at 1:15 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
I'm guessing the same is true with McConnell. I don't think he's at all unique, and saying 'no' all the time isn't a singular mastermind strategy belonging to him alone.
posted by adept256 at 1:15 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
The greater value in driving McConnell from elected office and/or human civilization would be as a metaphorical head on a pike, a warning that using those tactics can get you thrown out of even a “safe” red-state seat. There’s an endless line of people behind him who suck just as bad, the only question is whether we can intimidate them into staying in the shadows.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:22 PM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:22 PM on June 17, 2019 [12 favorites]
"Oh, we'd fill it."
Mitch McConnell on if he'd fill a Supreme Court seat during a presidential election year. Are we allowed to call people pure evil in here?
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
Mitch McConnell on if he'd fill a Supreme Court seat during a presidential election year. Are we allowed to call people pure evil in here?
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
Mitch has no reason not to be honest about it.
Because no one on the Democratic side can or will attempt to stop him.
posted by delfin at 1:33 PM on June 17, 2019 [8 favorites]
Because no one on the Democratic side can or will attempt to stop him.
posted by delfin at 1:33 PM on June 17, 2019 [8 favorites]
WaPo, Mike DeBonis, ‘It doesn’t break through’: Democrats worry about grip on House as Trump overshadows agenda
The attention is all on Trump, and that's not going to change. The only way Democrats can break through is to walk into the spotlight where it is and use it to display Trump's crimes.
posted by zachlipton at 1:39 PM on June 17, 2019 [35 favorites]
Democrats are quietly airing concerns that battles with President Trump, including investigations of the president and his administration along with the noisy debate over impeachment, are overshadowing the party’s agenda, threatening its grip on the House in 2020.To me, this has always been the strongest argument for impeachment: Trump controls the agenda anyway. There is just zero chance that there is any possible Democratic messaging strategy that will get people to look away from the orange madman long enough to pay attention to bills that have 0% chance of becoming law. Which is going to be the bigger news story: threatening war with Iran or "HR1 still going nowhere in the Senate?" The "McConnell’s Graveyard" strategy, with tombstones for bills McConnell won't take up: nobody's paying attention to that.
That narrative has been fueled by Trump, who has used his Twitter feed and interviews to lambaste Democrats as the “Do Nothing Party,” when in fact they have spent the first five months of their House majority to tick through agenda items they highlighted in the midterm campaign, addressing matters from lowering health-care prices to political corruption to background checks for gun buyers.
But voters aren’t paying much attention, party leaders are finding, leading them to redouble their messaging efforts — including by placing a target on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has blocked consideration of the Democratic bills.
In recent weeks, Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, has briefed fellow House leaders in private meetings about focus groups the committee commissioned in three key political battlegrounds. The upshot, according to four Democrats familiar with the findings, is that the public’s impression of the new House majority is bound up in its battles with Trump, not in its policy agenda.
That has prompted anxiety about whether the Democratic strategy to hold the House in 2020, by focusing intently on health-care costs and other kitchen-table issues, can be effective amid the president’s attacks.
...
According to those briefed on the DCCC focus groups, which were conducted earlier this year in Maine, Michigan and Southern California, voters are largely unaware of political developments that don’t involve the president. That in and of itself is not surprising given the fact an election is 18 months away, Democrats said, but it highlighted the difficulty the party will have driving a message not involving Trump.
One poll that has gotten attention among Democratic leaders, commissioned by the advocacy group End Citizens United, found in early May that voters in 12 presidential battleground states trusted Democrats no more than Trump to crack down on political corruption or limit the influence of money in politics — this, despite the fact that House leaders made a sprawling anti-corruption bill a centerpiece of their early legislative agenda.
After poll respondents were informed about the House bill, they gave Democrats about a 10-point advantage on the issue.
The attention is all on Trump, and that's not going to change. The only way Democrats can break through is to walk into the spotlight where it is and use it to display Trump's crimes.
posted by zachlipton at 1:39 PM on June 17, 2019 [35 favorites]
Also, don't forget McConnell's wife, Elaine Chao (previously upthread) and their potential conflicts of interest (Li Zhou, Vox).
posted by ZeusHumms at 1:41 PM on June 17, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 1:41 PM on June 17, 2019 [8 favorites]
But voters aren’t paying much attention, party leaders are finding, leading them to redouble their messaging efforts
This is silly. You don't just double a failing strategy to make it work. You've got to at least quadruple it!
posted by diogenes at 1:54 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is silly. You don't just double a failing strategy to make it work. You've got to at least quadruple it!
posted by diogenes at 1:54 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
I think there is considerable evidence that a strategy stressing health care and a few other issues was effective in the last mid-term election. Feeling hopeless about everything and just playing trumps game is not the way to go. Wrestling with pigs and all that.
posted by Bovine Love at 2:02 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Bovine Love at 2:02 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
Re: Elaine Chao and her possible conflicts of interest -- Donald Trump Cabinet pick Elaine Chao was paid by 'cult-like' Iranian exile group that killed Americans (Independent, Feb. 5 2017)
Elaine Chao, confirmed this week as Trump's transportation secretary, received $50,000 in 2015 for a five-minute speech to the political wing of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, previously called a "cult-like" terrorist group by the State Department. Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani also was paid an unknown sum to talk to the group, known as the MEK.posted by Iris Gambol at 2:16 PM on June 17, 2019 [15 favorites]
More than two dozen former U.S. officials, both Republican and Democratic, have spoken before the MEK, including former House Speaker and Trump adviser Newt Gingrich. Some have publicly acknowledged being paid, but others have not.
While nothing would have prohibited the paid speeches, they raise questions about what influence the exiles may have in the new administration.
Already, a group of former U.S. officials, including Giuliani, wrote a letter to Trump last month encouraging him to "establish a dialogue" with the MEK's political arm. With Trump's ban on Iranians entering the U.S., his administration's call this week to put Iran "on notice" and the imposition of new sanctions on Friday, the exile group may find his administration more welcoming than any before.
[...]
The U.S. Treasury briefly investigated the MEK's practice of paying American politicians in 2012. A Treasury spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment about the status of that probe.
[...]
In recent months, Saudi Arabia increasingly has shown support for the MEK as it faces off with Iran in wars in Syria and Yemen. The kingdom's state-run television channels have featured MEK events and comments. Prince Turki al-Faisal, the nation's former intelligence chief, even appeared in July at an MEK rally in Paris.
As price of insulin soars, Americans caravan to Canada for lifesaving medicine (Emily Rauhala for Washington Post, June 16, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 2:18 PM on June 17, 2019 [35 favorites]
The caravaners aren’t the only ones looking north. Republicans and Democrats have produced federal and state proposals to import drugs from Canada.Emphasis mine. The average cost of insulin to treat type 1 diabetes for a patient in the U.S. for a year went from $2,864 in 2012 to $5,706 in 2016. And instead of learning from Canadian politicians, we're just planning to rely on their politics import insulin? Yeah, sounds about right for U.S. politics.
Those ideas aren’t necessarily popular in Ottawa, where many worry that bulk buys from the United States could cause shortages or higher prices.
Barry Power, director of therapeutic content with the Canadian Pharmacists Association, said the group is tracking both U.S. drug-buying proposals and reports of cross-border trade closely but has yet to see a disruption to Canadian insulin supplies.
He said insulin prices in Canada are controlled through policy, including price caps and negotiations with manufacturers.
“This is something the U.S. could do,” he said.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:18 PM on June 17, 2019 [35 favorites]
He said insulin prices in Canada are controlled through policy, including price caps and negotiations with manufacturers.
“This is something the U.S. could do,” he said.
Yeah, and as I mentioned upthread somewhere, all the crap about drug companies spending on R&D and all that isn't even half true. They make special high prices for the US because they can.
posted by mumimor at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
“This is something the U.S. could do,” he said.
Yeah, and as I mentioned upthread somewhere, all the crap about drug companies spending on R&D and all that isn't even half true. They make special high prices for the US because they can.
posted by mumimor at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
That's especially galling because the insulin treatment is Canadian, discovered nearly a hundred years ago, and it was supposed to remain affordable. From FLT's link: When [Frederick] Banting co-discovered insulin in the early 1920s, he balked at commercializing it because it seemed unethical to profit from a critical drug. He eventually sold his share of the patent to the University of Toronto for $1, in the hope the drug would remain widely accessible.
Now Canadians have to worry about shortages because we're idiots.
Hit enter on my own post too soon; meant to include another McConnell-Chao conflict of interest, from last month:
Senate Confirms Gordon Hartogensis as Director of PBGC (Chief Investment Officer, May 3, 2019)
The US Senate has confirmed Gordon Hartogensis as the 16th director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) by a vote of 72 to 27, with one abstention. He replaces Thomas Reeder, who was director from 2015 to 2018.
When first announced last year, Hartogensis’ nomination raised concerns about nepotism as he is the brother-in-law of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The nomination was also criticized because of Hartogensis’ apparent lack of relevant experience.
Hartogensis is married to Chao's sister, Grace.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [28 favorites]
Now Canadians have to worry about shortages because we're idiots.
Hit enter on my own post too soon; meant to include another McConnell-Chao conflict of interest, from last month:
Senate Confirms Gordon Hartogensis as Director of PBGC (Chief Investment Officer, May 3, 2019)
The US Senate has confirmed Gordon Hartogensis as the 16th director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) by a vote of 72 to 27, with one abstention. He replaces Thomas Reeder, who was director from 2015 to 2018.
When first announced last year, Hartogensis’ nomination raised concerns about nepotism as he is the brother-in-law of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The nomination was also criticized because of Hartogensis’ apparent lack of relevant experience.
Hartogensis is married to Chao's sister, Grace.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [28 favorites]
This stuff masquerades as intelligent debate.
posted by xammerboy at 1:06 PM on June 17 [8 favorites +] [!]
Thank you for that link, xammerboy. That essay is just...appalling. At least we know what we're up against.
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by xammerboy at 1:06 PM on June 17 [8 favorites +] [!]
Thank you for that link, xammerboy. That essay is just...appalling. At least we know what we're up against.
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
This was mentioned either earlier in the thread or in the previous, but Colorado passed legislation this session that caps the co-pay for insulin at $100/month for people with insurance. It's the first state to do so, but hopefully others will soon follow. The AG was also directed to investigate how prices are set and make recommendations to the legislature.
posted by danielleh at 2:43 PM on June 17, 2019 [11 favorites]
posted by danielleh at 2:43 PM on June 17, 2019 [11 favorites]
This stuff masquerades as intelligent debate.
There's an fpp about that with some good comments.
posted by peeedro at 2:46 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
There's an fpp about that with some good comments.
posted by peeedro at 2:46 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
Could MeFi management somehow pin to the front page, or at the top of every politics thread, darkstar's comment above about this respectful conversation and the shared values of basically everyone here at Metafilter?
posted by PhineasGage at 2:57 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 2:57 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
Politico, 'You have to know how to hit a curveball': Trump’s Pentagon choice fights to win over doubters
“I’ve been in a number of meetings and briefings with [Shanahan] where that was apparent,” a former government official said of the acting secretary’s preparations. “I think he thinks he doesn’t need to [prepare] and that he can get up and talk about these things as he knows. ... Maybe he did prepare and was just flustered. For one reason or another, the performances that I’ve seen ... were pretty lackluster.”posted by zachlipton at 4:22 PM on June 17, 2019 [8 favorites]
Combatant commanders — the four-star generals and admirals who command forces in regions such as the Middle East and Asia-Pacific — used to present urgent requests to Mattis, who would take notes and give detailed responses.
Shanahan, defense officials say, often ends briefings by thanking the commanders for their leadership, rather than responding to their requests. Action items languish for weeks until nervous aides press Shanahan to make decisions.
Mattis “would take these things and write these margin notes on them, very detailed questions and you could tell that he was really reading it,” a former Pentagon official said. A Defense Department official said that with Shanahan, “eventually it’ll get brought to his attention, but he won’t do it unless he’s force-fed.”
...
“Bolton is driving all things policy," a former department official said bluntly.
...
By letting Bolton dictate policy and communicate directly with underlings, Shanahan is upending the chain of command, which is supposed to go from combatant commanders to the defense secretary to the president, the critics say. Bolton, whose job doesn’t require Senate confirmation, is supposed to be an adviser to the president.
NYT, Paul Manafort Seemed Headed to Rikers. Then the Justice Department Intervened.
posted by zachlipton at 4:54 PM on June 17, 2019 [24 favorites]
Paul J. Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman who is serving a federal prison sentence, had been expected to be transferred to the notorious Rikers Island jail complex this month to await trial on a separate state case.Nobody should be sent to Rikers, but given that thousands of people are, this does indeed appear rather suspicious.
But last week, Manhattan prosecutors were surprised to receive a letter from the second-highest law enforcement official in the country inquiring about Mr. Manafort’s case. The letter, from Jeffrey A. Rosen, Attorney General William P. Barr’s new top deputy, indicated that he was monitoring where Mr. Manafort would be held in New York.
And then, on Monday, federal prison officials weighed in, telling the Manhattan district attorney’s office that Mr. Manafort, 70, would not be going to Rikers. Instead, he will await his trial at a federal lockup in Manhattan or at the Pennsylvania federal prison where he is serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for wide-ranging financial schemes, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
A senior Justice Department official said that the department believed Mr. Manafort’s treatment was appropriate, but several former and current prosecutors said the decision was highly unusual. Most federal inmates facing state charges are held on Rikers Island.
...
The question of Mr. Manafort’s detention was one of the first high-profile matters to be undertaken by Mr. Rosen, who was confirmed as the deputy attorney general one day before Mr. Manafort’s attorney asked the Bureau of Prisons to keep his client out of Rikers.
posted by zachlipton at 4:54 PM on June 17, 2019 [24 favorites]
By letting Bolton dictate policy and communicate directly with underlings, Shanahan is upending the chain of command, which is supposed to go from combatant commanders to the defense secretary to the president, the critics say.
Not just Bolton. Combatant commanders are briefing Pompeo about Iran, the chain of command is fucked and that's a pretty big no confidence vote for Shanahan.
State Department Spokesperson Ortagus Announces Secretary Pompeo's Visit to CENTCOM: On June 18, @SecPompeo will visit @CENTCOM and @USSOCOM at @macdill_afb in Tampa, Florida, to meet with Gen. Kenneth McKenzie and Gen. Richard Clark to discuss regional security concerns and ongoing operations.
posted by peeedro at 5:05 PM on June 17, 2019
Not just Bolton. Combatant commanders are briefing Pompeo about Iran, the chain of command is fucked and that's a pretty big no confidence vote for Shanahan.
State Department Spokesperson Ortagus Announces Secretary Pompeo's Visit to CENTCOM: On June 18, @SecPompeo will visit @CENTCOM and @USSOCOM at @macdill_afb in Tampa, Florida, to meet with Gen. Kenneth McKenzie and Gen. Richard Clark to discuss regional security concerns and ongoing operations.
posted by peeedro at 5:05 PM on June 17, 2019
China Cuts Treasury Holdings to Two-Year Low Amid Trade War
Overall, foreign ownership of U.S. debt fell from a record high to $6.43 trillion, with overseas investors owning $40.1 billion less than in March.
posted by hugbucket at 5:13 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Overall, foreign ownership of U.S. debt fell from a record high to $6.43 trillion, with overseas investors owning $40.1 billion less than in March.
posted by hugbucket at 5:13 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
European and Asian allies are now, with good reason, questioning America’s constancy. New generations of American leaders, to judge from university liberal arts curriculums, are no longer being educated to take pride in their country’s past and traditions. Free trade or some equivalent, upon which liberal maritime empires have often rested, is being abandoned. The decline of the State Department, ongoing since the end of the Cold War, is hollowing out a primary tool of American power. Power is not only economic and military: it is moral. And I don’t mean humanitarian, as necessary as humanitarianism is for the American brand. But in this case, I mean something harder: the fidelity of our word in the minds of allies. And that predictability is gone.
Robert Kaplan: The last thing American policymakers or strategists should assume is that somehow Americans are superior to the Chinese.
posted by hugbucket at 5:15 PM on June 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
Robert Kaplan: The last thing American policymakers or strategists should assume is that somehow Americans are superior to the Chinese.
posted by hugbucket at 5:15 PM on June 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
"Can I trust you to keep your word?"
"No."
Honor. Integrity. Dependability. Fidelity.
Of late, rather big names from past administrations have been writing erudite and lucid takes on the State of America today in the global spheres she dominated for the past century. The words above have all come up in the recent links I've posted. There's no there there anymore in the minds of those labelled allies by analysts and journalists even as daily tweetstorms take potshots at them all.
What ho, old chap? Off to war again, are you? Ta ta.
posted by hugbucket at 5:19 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
"No."
Honor. Integrity. Dependability. Fidelity.
Of late, rather big names from past administrations have been writing erudite and lucid takes on the State of America today in the global spheres she dominated for the past century. The words above have all come up in the recent links I've posted. There's no there there anymore in the minds of those labelled allies by analysts and journalists even as daily tweetstorms take potshots at them all.
What ho, old chap? Off to war again, are you? Ta ta.
posted by hugbucket at 5:19 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
and teh propaganda machine, now arriving in our faces faster and cheaper thanks to the "social" media engines of dissemination, is not helping, is it? It feels out of touch with the global zeitgeist, and the cognitive dissonance is rather enormous.
It’s a Winner-Take-All World, Whether You Like It or Not
And a person needs to cultivate particular traits to be successful within it.
Welp...
Say hello to the Russia-China operating system
more detail
Reports from Russian media indicate that before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum representatives from Huawei have met with the Minister of digital development and communications of Russia to discuss the possibility of using Aurora OS on future Huawei smartphones.
Aurora OS is a version of Sailfish OS in majority ownership by Russian state telecom Rostelecom and designated for the Russian market. Aurora OS is the only officially approved OS in Russia for use by government agencies and Russia plans to replace all other devices used by the state with 8 million Aurora-running smartphones in the future.
posted by hugbucket at 5:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
It’s a Winner-Take-All World, Whether You Like It or Not
And a person needs to cultivate particular traits to be successful within it.
Welp...
Say hello to the Russia-China operating system
more detail
Reports from Russian media indicate that before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum representatives from Huawei have met with the Minister of digital development and communications of Russia to discuss the possibility of using Aurora OS on future Huawei smartphones.
Aurora OS is a version of Sailfish OS in majority ownership by Russian state telecom Rostelecom and designated for the Russian market. Aurora OS is the only officially approved OS in Russia for use by government agencies and Russia plans to replace all other devices used by the state with 8 million Aurora-running smartphones in the future.
posted by hugbucket at 5:34 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
since I consume my media in a burst rather than throughout the day
Immerwahr demystifies the US with remarkable candour. Far from being the land of the free and the brave, the US, he explains, has always been an expansionist, predatory and racist country. Even President Woodrow Wilson, widely considered liberal and fair-minded, stood for a global order dominated by whites, going so far as to state that their interests were paramount to his country. A country like no other - The Hindu
US declining interest in history presents risk to democracy - Edward Luce, The Financial Times
In an ever more algorithmic world, Americans increasingly believe humanities are irrelevant
The spread of automation should put a greater premium on qualities that computers lack, such as intuitive intelligence, management skills and critical reasoning. Properly taught that is what a humanities education provides. Almost no one can fix their own computers: the field is too specialised. People ought to be able to grasp the basic features of their democracy. Faith in ahistoric theory only fuels a false sense of certainty. Few economists expected the 2008 financial crash. Historians were unsurprised.
posted by hugbucket at 5:58 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
Immerwahr demystifies the US with remarkable candour. Far from being the land of the free and the brave, the US, he explains, has always been an expansionist, predatory and racist country. Even President Woodrow Wilson, widely considered liberal and fair-minded, stood for a global order dominated by whites, going so far as to state that their interests were paramount to his country. A country like no other - The Hindu
US declining interest in history presents risk to democracy - Edward Luce, The Financial Times
In an ever more algorithmic world, Americans increasingly believe humanities are irrelevant
The spread of automation should put a greater premium on qualities that computers lack, such as intuitive intelligence, management skills and critical reasoning. Properly taught that is what a humanities education provides. Almost no one can fix their own computers: the field is too specialised. People ought to be able to grasp the basic features of their democracy. Faith in ahistoric theory only fuels a false sense of certainty. Few economists expected the 2008 financial crash. Historians were unsurprised.
posted by hugbucket at 5:58 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
U.S. cuts millions in aid to Central America, fulfilling Trump's vow
Lawmakers had been urging the administration to reverse course, fearing the end of American assistance will only exasperate the rampant poverty, deep-rooted political instability and widespread insecurity in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, collectively known as the "Northern Triangle."
[...]
Aid workers spearheading efforts to remedy these systemic problems in the region have warned the decision will backfire, penalizing poor and working-class Central Americans for the failures of their elected leaders and fueling more migration to the U.S. Most of the aid allocated by the U.S., including by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is sent directly to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), not governments in the Northern Triangle.
posted by hugbucket at 6:01 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
Lawmakers had been urging the administration to reverse course, fearing the end of American assistance will only exasperate the rampant poverty, deep-rooted political instability and widespread insecurity in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, collectively known as the "Northern Triangle."
[...]
Aid workers spearheading efforts to remedy these systemic problems in the region have warned the decision will backfire, penalizing poor and working-class Central Americans for the failures of their elected leaders and fueling more migration to the U.S. Most of the aid allocated by the U.S., including by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is sent directly to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), not governments in the Northern Triangle.
posted by hugbucket at 6:01 PM on June 17, 2019 [4 favorites]
From xammerboy's link about the "intellectual" debate among conservatives:
posted by This time is different. at 6:02 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
"Such talk—of politics as war and enmity—is thoroughly alien to French, I think, because he believes that the institutions of a technocratic market society are neutral zones that should, in theory, accommodate both traditional Christianity and the libertine ways and paganized ideology of the other side. "What a sentence.
posted by This time is different. at 6:02 PM on June 17, 2019 [7 favorites]
Oh wait, there are allies, after all
Italy Aims to Be Trump's Best Friend in Europe, Salvini Says
The Italian Donald Trump Visits Washington
posted by hugbucket at 6:14 PM on June 17, 2019
Italy Aims to Be Trump's Best Friend in Europe, Salvini Says
The Italian Donald Trump Visits Washington
posted by hugbucket at 6:14 PM on June 17, 2019
“In DC, @JoyReid asks @JoeBiden how he'll get his agenda past Mitch McConnell.
"I know you're one of the ones who thinks it's naive to say we have to work together," Biden tells her, before pitching his powers of persuasion.
"You can shame people to do things the right way."
Remember when McConnell was shamed into confirming Merrick Garland @burgessev
posted by The Whelk at 6:23 PM on June 17, 2019 [52 favorites]
"I know you're one of the ones who thinks it's naive to say we have to work together," Biden tells her, before pitching his powers of persuasion.
"You can shame people to do things the right way."
Remember when McConnell was shamed into confirming Merrick Garland @burgessev
posted by The Whelk at 6:23 PM on June 17, 2019 [52 favorites]
If Biden believes they'll work with him (and again, I don't think he actually does) it seems like the only conclusion we could come to is that he simply chose not to use these powers of persuasion during the 8 years he was VP? Because... he was busy that day? Or something.
I guess once you've committed to a story you have to play it out though. He can't very well come out and say "yeah, you got me! I was just talkin bullshit."
posted by Justinian at 6:31 PM on June 17, 2019 [17 favorites]
I guess once you've committed to a story you have to play it out though. He can't very well come out and say "yeah, you got me! I was just talkin bullshit."
posted by Justinian at 6:31 PM on June 17, 2019 [17 favorites]
Also the video of Biden bending over to talk to Joy made me uneasy in the context of all the uneasy images of Biden talking. Can't someone give him basic training/suggestions?
posted by armacy at 6:55 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by armacy at 6:55 PM on June 17, 2019 [6 favorites]
When does President Donald Trump get to spend time in his tanning bed?
posted by srboisvert at 7:04 PM on June 17, 2019
posted by srboisvert at 7:04 PM on June 17, 2019
it seems like the only conclusion we could come to is that he simply chose not to use these powers of persuasion during the 8 years he was VP? Because... he was busy that day? Or something.
No see, that's one of Biden's big selling points, he got Arlen Spector to switch parties! And 3 Republican votes for the Recovery Act! He did the persuading! And Republicans listened!
Because the Republican party of 2019 is chock full of Arlen Spectors and Olympia Snows! And remember how we can count on Susan Collins!
Biden really believes that his record is a selling point, and that he's a couple beers away from McConnell impeaching Gorsuch and retroactively confirming Garland. He's not playing 11th dimensional chess.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:14 PM on June 17, 2019 [17 favorites]
No see, that's one of Biden's big selling points, he got Arlen Spector to switch parties! And 3 Republican votes for the Recovery Act! He did the persuading! And Republicans listened!
Because the Republican party of 2019 is chock full of Arlen Spectors and Olympia Snows! And remember how we can count on Susan Collins!
Biden really believes that his record is a selling point, and that he's a couple beers away from McConnell impeaching Gorsuch and retroactively confirming Garland. He's not playing 11th dimensional chess.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:14 PM on June 17, 2019 [17 favorites]
"Executive Time", of course..
posted by bird internet at 8:30 PM on June 17, 2019
posted by bird internet at 8:30 PM on June 17, 2019
Politico, Trump’s U.N. nominee was ‘absent’ ambassador
posted by zachlipton at 8:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations — current U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft — was frequently absent from her post in Ottawa, raising questions about her level of engagement with the job, according to officials in the United States and Canada.They claim that many of the trips involved going to Washington for trade talks, but really, since they all hate the UN, why wouldn't they want a UN ambassador who doesn't show up to work?
...
Federal Aviation Administration records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by POLITICO show that a private jet registered to Craft’s husband and used by the ambassador made 128 flights between the United States and Canada during a 15-month span of her tenure in Ottawa, the equivalent of a round trip once a week.
Some of the trips correspond with dates of events Craft attended in her home state of Kentucky — such as the Kentucky Derby and a media interview at a University of Kentucky basketball facility named for her husband, Joe Craft, a coal billionaire — but neither of the Crafts, through their spokespeople, would confirm how many of the flights involved her travel.
posted by zachlipton at 8:36 PM on June 17, 2019 [9 favorites]
Immigration wrap-up:
WaPo, Trump vows mass immigration arrests, removals of ‘millions of illegal aliens’ starting next week
posted by zachlipton at 8:43 PM on June 17, 2019 [76 favorites]
WaPo, Trump vows mass immigration arrests, removals of ‘millions of illegal aliens’ starting next week
President Trump said in a tweet Monday night that U.S. immigration agents are planning to make mass arrests starting “next week,” an apparent reference to a plan in preparation for months that aims to round up thousands of migrant parents and children in a blitz operation across major U.S. cities.CNN, Trump admin considers temporary courts along the southern border
“Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” Trump wrote, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “They will be removed as fast as they come in.”
...
U.S. officials with knowledge of the preparations have said in recent days that the operation was not imminent, and ICE officials said late Monday night that they were not aware that the president planned to divulge their enforcement plans on Twitter.
...
The family arrest plan has been considered even more sensitive than a typical operation because children are involved and Homeland Security officials retain significant concerns that families will be inadvertently separated by the operation, especially because parents in some households have deportation orders but their children — some of whom are U.S. citizens — might not. Should adults be arrested without their children because they are at school, day care, summer camp or at a friend’s house, it is possible parents could be deported while their children are left behind.
The Trump administration is considering building temporary courts along the southern border as part of an effort to expand its policy of returning some asylum seekers to Mexico for the duration of their immigration proceedings, according to two administration officials.NYT, Landlords Oppose Trump Plan to Evict Undocumented Immigrants
Landlords and local officials across the country say a White House proposal to eject undocumented immigrants from subsidized housing would displace some of their most reliable tenants and add major financial strains to an already cash-strapped system.NYT, The Youngest Child Separated From His Family at the Border Was 4 Months Old
Officials with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, prodded by hard-liners like Stephen Miller, President Trump’s top immigration adviser, say the proposal, which would prohibit households with at least one unauthorized immigrant from living in federally subsidized housing, is needed to ensure that only verified citizens receive the benefits.
But landlords and local public housing administrators who would have to evict as many as 108,000 people receiving benefits say the plan would, in essence, add immigration enforcement to their responsibility of providing shelter to some of the nation’s most vulnerable families. Undocumented immigrants, they say, generally pay the rent on time, in part out of fear of attracting attention and referrals to law enforcement.
...
Federal housing officials have said the proposal would reduce the backlog of more than 4.2 million people nationwide who are on waiting lists for housing vouchers and public housing. But the department’s own analysis found that the policy would mostly displace thousands of children who are in the country legally. Local housing officials fear the regulation would also add to costs for landlords and increase the homeless population.
Two months into his detention, an immigration officer came to Mr. Mutu with an offer. As he understood it, if he gave up his claim for asylum, he would be deported back to Romania with Constantin. He agreed, and on June 3, 2018, he was released from his cell and loaded into a van.I don't know how you can read all that and not conclude impeachment proceedings are necessary immediately.
He looked everywhere for Constantin and asked the officers where his son was, but was not given a clear answer. At the airport, he refused to board without the baby. The immigration officers, he said, told him that Constantin would be handed to him once he had taken his seat. But the plane lifted off and the baby never came.
When Mr. Mutu arrived home, it felt more like walking into a funeral than a celebration.
posted by zachlipton at 8:43 PM on June 17, 2019 [76 favorites]
Re: Biden's bipartisanship
Well they had to be shamed into supporting healthcare for 9/11 first responders, but that was Jon Stewart of all people. And there was that thing about criminal justice reform. Those are the only bipartisan activities in recent history I can bring to mind that apply to his argument. But if you really want to study the fossil record, shall we ask Anita Hill? How about when he coined the term 'drug czar'? Or as recently as 2013 calling marijuana a gateway drug.
Or we can live in the present and realise that Mitch as Lucy is holding the bipartisan football again, and not even pretend to fall for it, but speak plainly about what has happened to bipartisanship, with a republican party putting the pieces in place for one-party rule for a thousand years.
posted by adept256 at 8:48 PM on June 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
Well they had to be shamed into supporting healthcare for 9/11 first responders, but that was Jon Stewart of all people. And there was that thing about criminal justice reform. Those are the only bipartisan activities in recent history I can bring to mind that apply to his argument. But if you really want to study the fossil record, shall we ask Anita Hill? How about when he coined the term 'drug czar'? Or as recently as 2013 calling marijuana a gateway drug.
Or we can live in the present and realise that Mitch as Lucy is holding the bipartisan football again, and not even pretend to fall for it, but speak plainly about what has happened to bipartisanship, with a republican party putting the pieces in place for one-party rule for a thousand years.
posted by adept256 at 8:48 PM on June 17, 2019 [10 favorites]
I don't know how you can read all that and not conclude impeachment proceedings are necessary immediately.
Well who needs impeachment when you can have dank memes
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:55 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Well who needs impeachment when you can have dank memes
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:55 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Monday defended his approach to working with Republicans, suggesting that those who cannot conceive of compromising with the opposition might as well “start a real, physical revolution.”
Sounds good to me, Comrade Joe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:08 PM on June 17, 2019 [48 favorites]
Sounds good to me, Comrade Joe.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:08 PM on June 17, 2019 [48 favorites]
Joe Biden seems to have taken to heart Richard Nixon’s advice to “run right, run to the center.”
posted by notyou at 9:29 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 9:29 PM on June 17, 2019 [1 favorite]
Say hello to the Russia-China operating system
That was fast!
posted by mumimor at 10:40 PM on June 17, 2019
At this point I'm half-expecting Republicans to start to push for Biden hoping to kill any enthusiasm and keep Democratic voter turnout low on Election Day.
posted by reductiondesign at 11:09 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by reductiondesign at 11:09 PM on June 17, 2019 [3 favorites]
That was fast!
It's based on an existing system, that's been developed and redeveloped, and finally customized*. The deal's been in the making over the past few years, at least with the Russians. I had no idea about the Chinese adoption of Aurora but frankly, I am not surprised. Seems Huawei is spreading their risk with registering Hong Meng as well.
*Sailfish Mobile OS Rus is the first domestic mobile operating system. It is based on the open platform Sailfish (developed by Finland’s Jolla, which is set up by former Nokia employees). According to the developers, devices based on the Sailfish Mobile OS Rus system will be able to ensure the security of data transfer in public and corporate sectors as well as for ordinary consumers who are interested in confidentiality. The OS can be installed on any mobile device. It successfully passed certification tests at the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) and was registered by the Federal Intellectual Property, Patent and Trademark Service and included into the register of domestic software.
posted by hugbucket at 12:27 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
It's based on an existing system, that's been developed and redeveloped, and finally customized*. The deal's been in the making over the past few years, at least with the Russians. I had no idea about the Chinese adoption of Aurora but frankly, I am not surprised. Seems Huawei is spreading their risk with registering Hong Meng as well.
*Sailfish Mobile OS Rus is the first domestic mobile operating system. It is based on the open platform Sailfish (developed by Finland’s Jolla, which is set up by former Nokia employees). According to the developers, devices based on the Sailfish Mobile OS Rus system will be able to ensure the security of data transfer in public and corporate sectors as well as for ordinary consumers who are interested in confidentiality. The OS can be installed on any mobile device. It successfully passed certification tests at the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) and was registered by the Federal Intellectual Property, Patent and Trademark Service and included into the register of domestic software.
posted by hugbucket at 12:27 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Monday defended his approach to working with Republicans, suggesting that those who cannot conceive of compromising with the opposition might as well “start a real, physical revolution.”
So go back to being a Senate vote counter and leave the leadership to someone who has some to give.
posted by jaduncan at 1:41 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
So go back to being a Senate vote counter and leave the leadership to someone who has some to give.
posted by jaduncan at 1:41 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
Trump vows mass immigration arrests, removals of ‘millions of illegal aliens’ starting next week
Four years later, we get to hear the second half of the escalator speech. Just in time for another of his endless campaign announcements. The needs of dictators are exhausting.
posted by Harry Caul at 3:48 AM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Four years later, we get to hear the second half of the escalator speech. Just in time for another of his endless campaign announcements. The needs of dictators are exhausting.
posted by Harry Caul at 3:48 AM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Linked in the "Dead Consensus"/Sohrab Ahmari thread is this excellent Adam Serwer piece for the Atlantic that makes a broader point...
Black Americans did not abandon liberal democracy because of slavery, Jim Crow, and the systematic destruction of whatever wealth they managed to accumulate; instead they took up arms in two world wars to defend it. Japanese Americans did not reject liberal democracy because of internment or the racist humiliation of Asian exclusion; they risked life and limb to preserve it. Latinos did not abandon liberal democracy because of “Operation Wetback,” or Proposition 187, or because of a man who won a presidential election on the strength of his hostility toward Latino immigrants. Gay, lesbian, and trans Americans did not abandon liberal democracy over decades of discrimination and abandonment in the face of an epidemic. This is, in part, because doing so would be tantamount to giving the state permission to destroy them, a thought so foreign to these defenders of the supposedly endangered religious right that the possibility has not even occurred to them. But it is also because of a peculiar irony of American history: The American creed has no more devoted adherents than those who have been historically denied its promises, and no more fair-weather friends than those who have taken them for granted.posted by OnceUponATime at 4:16 AM on June 18, 2019 [46 favorites]
[Head of ICE] All right, we've been planning this operation for months now. It relies on speed and secrecy. We need to catch these people off guard in their homes and workplaces, so that we will be able to--
[Trump, on Twitter] HEY, EVERYBODY! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A POGROM NEXT WEEK!
posted by delfin at 4:36 AM on June 18, 2019 [30 favorites]
[Trump, on Twitter] HEY, EVERYBODY! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A POGROM NEXT WEEK!
posted by delfin at 4:36 AM on June 18, 2019 [30 favorites]
[Trump, on Twitter] HEY, EVERYBODY! WE'RE GONNA HAVE A POGROM NEXT WEEK!
So regardless of whether this actually happens or it's more bloviation, what this means is that children will be kept out of school/summer programs/free lunches next week for fear of ICE, people won't go to work, people won't go to the doctor, people will live in a climate of additional fear. People who have court appointments or state-related anything won't go because they'll be afraid. We already know that undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants and relatives of undocumented immigrants are withdrawing from programs - like CHIP - to which they are entitled, so for instance the rate of uninsured children is rising.
Even for people who don't care about the human cost, all of this means that there is a public health and safety cost, as people can't get treatment or vaccinations, more people become homeless and families are more vulnerable to abusers. And the more undocumented workers are deported or scared away from work, the crops, such as they are, are going to rot in the fields and small town economies are going to fall apart.
Even the famously anxious white working class sees a knock-on effect because the easier it is to exploit undocumented workers, the lower the wage floor falls. Which of course is the point of this to such of our rulers as are not motivated by flat out hatred: create a reserve labor army which is totally vulnerable to the least whim of the state and you always have someone who will do the work for cheap, cheaper, cheapest.
Our government is so utterly vile and disgusting that if I believed in hell I'd swear we were ruled by the anti-christ.
posted by Frowner at 5:17 AM on June 18, 2019 [87 favorites]
So regardless of whether this actually happens or it's more bloviation, what this means is that children will be kept out of school/summer programs/free lunches next week for fear of ICE, people won't go to work, people won't go to the doctor, people will live in a climate of additional fear. People who have court appointments or state-related anything won't go because they'll be afraid. We already know that undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants and relatives of undocumented immigrants are withdrawing from programs - like CHIP - to which they are entitled, so for instance the rate of uninsured children is rising.
Even for people who don't care about the human cost, all of this means that there is a public health and safety cost, as people can't get treatment or vaccinations, more people become homeless and families are more vulnerable to abusers. And the more undocumented workers are deported or scared away from work, the crops, such as they are, are going to rot in the fields and small town economies are going to fall apart.
Even the famously anxious white working class sees a knock-on effect because the easier it is to exploit undocumented workers, the lower the wage floor falls. Which of course is the point of this to such of our rulers as are not motivated by flat out hatred: create a reserve labor army which is totally vulnerable to the least whim of the state and you always have someone who will do the work for cheap, cheaper, cheapest.
Our government is so utterly vile and disgusting that if I believed in hell I'd swear we were ruled by the anti-christ.
posted by Frowner at 5:17 AM on June 18, 2019 [87 favorites]
☑ Pogroms
☑ Concentration camps
☑ State propaganda
☑ Unlimited executive power
☑ Suspension of laws
☑ Election rigging
☑ Unlimited surveillance
☑ Endless wars
☑ Et cetera
Just keep ticking the boxes
posted by adept256 at 5:22 AM on June 18, 2019 [48 favorites]
☑ Concentration camps
☑ State propaganda
☑ Unlimited executive power
☑ Suspension of laws
☑ Election rigging
☑ Unlimited surveillance
☑ Endless wars
☑ Et cetera
Just keep ticking the boxes
posted by adept256 at 5:22 AM on June 18, 2019 [48 favorites]
Aurora OS is a version of Sailfish OS in majority ownership by Russian state telecom Rostelecom and designated for the Russian market.
US: "NO HUAWEI! RUNS CHINESE STATE SOFTWARE! UNSAFE!"
Huawei: "OK, how about Russian state software?"
US: "Why didn't you say? Welcome back, comrades! Here, have an infrastructure. We've left you some bread and salt."
posted by Devonian at 5:55 AM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
US: "NO HUAWEI! RUNS CHINESE STATE SOFTWARE! UNSAFE!"
Huawei: "OK, how about Russian state software?"
US: "Why didn't you say? Welcome back, comrades! Here, have an infrastructure. We've left you some bread and salt."
posted by Devonian at 5:55 AM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Monday defended his approach to working with Republicans, suggesting that those who cannot conceive of compromising with the opposition might as well “start a real, physical revolution.”
Those people did do that, Joe. They installed a puppet dictator and are in the process of installing a judiciary that will uphold their antidemocratic authoritarian agenda for the next generation. They are using stochastic terrorism to keep the population in fear. The parallels to the "real, physical revolution" that swept Germany in the 1930s increase on a daily basis.
And if you can't see that, then get the fuck out of the way of the people who are willing to swing back.
posted by Etrigan at 6:15 AM on June 18, 2019 [71 favorites]
Those people did do that, Joe. They installed a puppet dictator and are in the process of installing a judiciary that will uphold their antidemocratic authoritarian agenda for the next generation. They are using stochastic terrorism to keep the population in fear. The parallels to the "real, physical revolution" that swept Germany in the 1930s increase on a daily basis.
And if you can't see that, then get the fuck out of the way of the people who are willing to swing back.
posted by Etrigan at 6:15 AM on June 18, 2019 [71 favorites]
And the media will talk about nothing else....
WSJ: Trump Set to Live-Tweet Democratic Debates
WSJ: Trump Set to Live-Tweet Democratic Debates
President Trump's political advisers wanted to keep the president off of Twitter during the Democratic debates next week, arguing that there was an advantage in letting potential challengers attack one another without distraction.posted by monospace at 7:17 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Now, there’s a new strategy.
The president, who has spent years embracing social media for his political advantage, is tentatively planning to live-tweet the debates on June 26-27, according to people familiar with the planning.
Mr. Trump, even from a remove, always promised to be the most important figure at the debate. Regardless of the specific debate questions, many Democratic voters will be listening for how each candidate plans to take down Mr. Trump.
Interacting in real time on Twitter would make Mr. Trump’s presence more tangible by directly inserting himself into the political conversation unfolding on stage. His posts could provide instant responses as well as insights into which attacks he feels most acutely.
Amplifying the minute-by-minute eruptions of Tr*mp's id will be seen in the future (if we have one) as the worst mistake the mainstream media ever made. This "what does the great man think right now?" lunacy is like a dystopian version of Gay Talese's classic "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold," or the collected works of any dictatorship's house rag...
posted by PhineasGage at 7:30 AM on June 18, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by PhineasGage at 7:30 AM on June 18, 2019 [12 favorites]
Aurora OS is a version of Sailfish OS in majority ownership by Russian state telecom
There's a big difference between running open source software from a company that you might or might not trust, and bare-metal hardware from same; I mean, the NSA uses Linux, and anybody can contribute to it. If you're concerned (and you should be!) you can audit the code and have a sterile toolchain to build it with. Many people are lazy and don't do a good job of this, but it is a basically tractable, if significant, problem.
You need to have a much greater degree of trust with your silicon vendor. It's difficult to 'audit' silicon, and there's no equivalent to a clean-toolchain build. And modern SoCs are mind-bogglingly complex; they're among some of the most complex machines humanity has ever constructed, nearly impossible to even understand without multiple layers of abstractions. They're much harder to black-box analyze than a processor or discrete memory module.
One might be totally comfortable with Sailfish's OS, or for that matter Huawei's open-source software, with appropriate auditing, but decide that the risk of using their SoCs is too much and beyond the bounds of reasonable trust.
I think we are moving towards a future where each major world power will demand its own supply chain for silicon, at least for critical applications—and the definition of 'critical applications' is broadening out by the day. At one point it was just ICBM guidance systems and fighter plane IFFs, but lately it's becoming more apparent that the power grid, telecom systems, SCADA, etc. are all 'critical' in a geopolitical sense.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:38 AM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
There's a big difference between running open source software from a company that you might or might not trust, and bare-metal hardware from same; I mean, the NSA uses Linux, and anybody can contribute to it. If you're concerned (and you should be!) you can audit the code and have a sterile toolchain to build it with. Many people are lazy and don't do a good job of this, but it is a basically tractable, if significant, problem.
You need to have a much greater degree of trust with your silicon vendor. It's difficult to 'audit' silicon, and there's no equivalent to a clean-toolchain build. And modern SoCs are mind-bogglingly complex; they're among some of the most complex machines humanity has ever constructed, nearly impossible to even understand without multiple layers of abstractions. They're much harder to black-box analyze than a processor or discrete memory module.
One might be totally comfortable with Sailfish's OS, or for that matter Huawei's open-source software, with appropriate auditing, but decide that the risk of using their SoCs is too much and beyond the bounds of reasonable trust.
I think we are moving towards a future where each major world power will demand its own supply chain for silicon, at least for critical applications—and the definition of 'critical applications' is broadening out by the day. At one point it was just ICBM guidance systems and fighter plane IFFs, but lately it's becoming more apparent that the power grid, telecom systems, SCADA, etc. are all 'critical' in a geopolitical sense.
posted by Kadin2048 at 7:38 AM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
While NPR states that Trump Set To Officially Launch Reelection Bid, But Hasn't He Been Running All Along? (Jessica Taylor for NPR, June 18, 2019)
* NPR didn't include this text in this article, but in their coverage of his pogrom proclamation, called it his "self-declared presidential campaign kickoff," to subtly note that this is not really a new phase for Trump.
Not news from MegaThread readers, but I'm glad NPR posted this article, doing a small bit to undermine Trump's lies and not let his past actions fade from memory.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
President Trump declared he* will officially kick off his 2020 reelection campaign with a rally in Florida on Tuesday night. But in reality, he has been running for a second term ever since he took office.Short answer: yes, literally since Day One of being president.
The former reality TV star and real estate mogul — the first president without prior political or military experience — used an unorthodox campaign style to notch an upset win in 2016, with massive rallies to excite supporters. And he's employed that same strategy, with a heavily blurred line between official duties and trying to sell his agenda muddled with outright politicking, since taking office.
In fact, Trump filed his official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 20, 2017 — mere hours after he was inaugurated. And less than a month later, he would hold a rally (also in Florida) that was paid for by his campaign committee. When asked by a reporter if this was too early in his presidency to hold such an event, Trump replied (Miami Herald), "Life is a campaign." As president-elect, he also launched a "victory tour" (NPR) of sorts to battleground states.
* NPR didn't include this text in this article, but in their coverage of his pogrom proclamation, called it his "self-declared presidential campaign kickoff," to subtly note that this is not really a new phase for Trump.
Not news from MegaThread readers, but I'm glad NPR posted this article, doing a small bit to undermine Trump's lies and not let his past actions fade from memory.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Above mikepop shared the outpouring of support from Maine for asylum seekers who showed up.
...So how is this federal attempt to "own the libs" going? Well, over $250,000 in donations so far, over 1,000 volunteers signed up to help...
I really hate to rain on the parade of generosity there, because it is tremendous, but this is something I have become very familiar with in the past 10 months or so, and it's generally terrible and draining.
Asylum seekers can not legally work in the USA until they get a work permit. They can not APPLY for a work permit until 150 days after they have filed their asylum claim in court (to emphasize, that's file in court which requires paperwork and understanding of the law and the English language, not "reach America and claim asylum"). They can not receive a work permit until 180 days after they have filed their claim in court. The immigrants in Maine were already cheated out of a "credible fear" interview by border patrol, do you think any of them were given guidance on how to file an asylum claim in court? What Maine desperately needs to be doing is finding as many lawyers as they can (and can afford) to help these people file in court. And then you start to ask how much money it will cost to house, feed, and give care and any kind of quality of life to 250 people for 6 months during which time they can not legally earn any money to support themselves. It's gonna get cold in the next 6 months of Maine weather. A tent city is not going to cut it.
And yes, I have repeatedly said "legally work". Well, Trump just gladly announced his plan to round up millions of illegals. Guess what "earning money in the first 180 days after you filed your asylum claim" makes you, and leads to?
What I am getting at is that I have personally witnessed the sort of heart-warming initial outpouring of generosity and volunteerism that occurs, and good on the libs for refusing to be owned. But supporting immigrants honestly requires nation or at least state level resources, and it will burn out and chew up even the most generous volunteers as the months and month and months roll on. God bless you Mainers, please keep up the good fight, but this is a long fight.
posted by jermsplan at 7:47 AM on June 18, 2019 [37 favorites]
...So how is this federal attempt to "own the libs" going? Well, over $250,000 in donations so far, over 1,000 volunteers signed up to help...
I really hate to rain on the parade of generosity there, because it is tremendous, but this is something I have become very familiar with in the past 10 months or so, and it's generally terrible and draining.
Asylum seekers can not legally work in the USA until they get a work permit. They can not APPLY for a work permit until 150 days after they have filed their asylum claim in court (to emphasize, that's file in court which requires paperwork and understanding of the law and the English language, not "reach America and claim asylum"). They can not receive a work permit until 180 days after they have filed their claim in court. The immigrants in Maine were already cheated out of a "credible fear" interview by border patrol, do you think any of them were given guidance on how to file an asylum claim in court? What Maine desperately needs to be doing is finding as many lawyers as they can (and can afford) to help these people file in court. And then you start to ask how much money it will cost to house, feed, and give care and any kind of quality of life to 250 people for 6 months during which time they can not legally earn any money to support themselves. It's gonna get cold in the next 6 months of Maine weather. A tent city is not going to cut it.
And yes, I have repeatedly said "legally work". Well, Trump just gladly announced his plan to round up millions of illegals. Guess what "earning money in the first 180 days after you filed your asylum claim" makes you, and leads to?
What I am getting at is that I have personally witnessed the sort of heart-warming initial outpouring of generosity and volunteerism that occurs, and good on the libs for refusing to be owned. But supporting immigrants honestly requires nation or at least state level resources, and it will burn out and chew up even the most generous volunteers as the months and month and months roll on. God bless you Mainers, please keep up the good fight, but this is a long fight.
posted by jermsplan at 7:47 AM on June 18, 2019 [37 favorites]
start a real, physical revolution
This is a great comment for those of us rooting against Biden. It pisses off the left, lets the right paint him as an extremest, and appeals to exactly nobody.
posted by diogenes at 7:47 AM on June 18, 2019 [16 favorites]
This is a great comment for those of us rooting against Biden. It pisses off the left, lets the right paint him as an extremest, and appeals to exactly nobody.
posted by diogenes at 7:47 AM on June 18, 2019 [16 favorites]
[NPR] called it his "self-declared presidential campaign kickoff," to subtly note that this is not really a new phase for Trump.
Another way to say it, as used in a Democrats.org fund-raising email: Trump is relaunching his campaign.
Just in time for his Florida pomp and insanity: Trump may be about to face his biggest test yet on the economy (Damian Paletta and Heather Long for Washington Post, June 17, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:49 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
Another way to say it, as used in a Democrats.org fund-raising email: Trump is relaunching his campaign.
Just in time for his Florida pomp and insanity: Trump may be about to face his biggest test yet on the economy (Damian Paletta and Heather Long for Washington Post, June 17, 2019)
President Trump faces a number of major decisions on trade and the budget in the coming months just as the U.S. economy faces the biggest head winds of his tenure, forcing him to decide whether to recalibrate as recession fears mount for next year.He can pick and choose his polling results (prior comment in this thread), so he'll also pick a rosier economic forecast. It looks like that is what he did in March of this year, when President Trump’s $4.75 trillion budget proposal was unveiled, brimming with confidence that the United States economy will continue to expand rapidly, despite recent data suggesting growth is slowing. (New York Times)
Trump has threatened to escalate trade conflicts with China, Mexico, the European Union and Japan, spooking business leaders and leading some to pull back investment. Similarly, budget and debt-ceiling talks with congressional leaders from both parties have sputtered, raising the possibility of another government shutdown in October.
The uncertainty — and a cooling global economy — led JPMorgan Chase on Monday to predict that there was a 45 percent chance the U.S. economy would enter a recession in the next year, up from 20 percent at the beginning of 2018.
Also Monday, a key gauge of New York’s manufacturing industry notched the biggest one-month drop ever recorded. It was the latest sign that after a relatively strong economy last year, political and economic forces appear to have combined this year in a way that has darkened the economic outlook. This could be problematic for Trump, who has tried to tout the economy’s performance as key to his reelection.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:49 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is a great comment for those of us rooting against Biden. It pisses off the left, lets the right paint him as an extremist, and appeals to exactly nobody.
@JohnCornyn
What does Joe Biden mean when he calls for a “physical revolution”
surely the republicans accusing him of promoting a maoist protracted people's war will leap to work with him on finding productive compromises
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:53 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
@JohnCornyn
What does Joe Biden mean when he calls for a “physical revolution”
surely the republicans accusing him of promoting a maoist protracted people's war will leap to work with him on finding productive compromises
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:53 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
The Orlando Sentinel, which has traditionally leaned a little right of center in its editorials, welcomed Trump to Florida today with this: "Our Orlando Sentinel endorsement for president in 2020: Not Donald Trump"
"Some readers will wonder how we could possibly eliminate a candidate so far before an election, and before knowing the identity of his opponent.
Because there’s no point pretending we would ever recommend that readers vote for Trump. After 2½ years we’ve seen enough."
Worth reading because there's a lot of solid analysis in between the smackdown lines. Good to see the Sentinel taking a stand in decidely purple territory.
posted by martin q blank at 8:02 AM on June 18, 2019 [52 favorites]
"Some readers will wonder how we could possibly eliminate a candidate so far before an election, and before knowing the identity of his opponent.
Because there’s no point pretending we would ever recommend that readers vote for Trump. After 2½ years we’ve seen enough."
Worth reading because there's a lot of solid analysis in between the smackdown lines. Good to see the Sentinel taking a stand in decidely purple territory.
posted by martin q blank at 8:02 AM on June 18, 2019 [52 favorites]
I wish the media would stop calling Trump a reality show star and start using reality show actor instead.
posted by M-x shell at 8:12 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
posted by M-x shell at 8:12 AM on June 18, 2019 [14 favorites]
Michael Wolff on why Mueller didn't indict: Trump was ready to "blow up everything" (Chauncey Devega, Salon)
'"Author of "Fire and Fury" and the new "Siege": "Trump's whole career has been about what he can get away with"' [...]posted by ZeusHumms at 8:24 AM on June 18, 2019 [11 favorites]
How does Trump always seem to survive? The Mueller report is damning, even with William Barr's redactions. Yet Trump soldiers on.
Primarily because the bar is now set at a different level for Trump's behavior. It is now about what he can get away with. Trump's whole career has been about what he can get away with. [...] The Mueller report is incredibly damning, but Trump, at least for the moment, seems to have gotten away with it all.
Trump is a survivor who is all about living to fight another day. It is not about his reputation or what he has accomplished. It's certainly not about Trump's place in history. What ultimately matters for Donald Trump is not going to jail. If you make yourself into a kind of person who no one understands, then no outsider can game out what you will do, what your reactions and behavior will be. No one can count on your response. Such a person is very scary.
Mueller was thinking that Donald Trump wears a suicide vest of sorts. If Mueller had pushed Donald Trump into a corner he would blow up everything. Donald Trump would take the country's political institutions down with him. Trump would take down the Department of Justice. Trump would not care. For somebody like Robert Mueller, this was a reality he had to confront. Mueller was likely thinking to himself, "I have to deal with the fact that somebody who has as much power as I do, or more, can use this power in a way that could harm everybody in a much greater way." Robert Mueller decided it was much better to let Donald Trump just run out the clock than to give Trump the opportunity and the cause to destroy everything, the country's political institutions.
jermsplan, all points well-taken and there is no doubt there is a long road ahead. I was just focused on the positive yesterday!
Fortunately, Portland has a lot of systems in place already that will be helpful. Maine (notably Portland and Lewiston) started receiving a large number of immigrants and refugees starting about 2001, so many services have been built up. Last year, as more Trump policies solidified, the number of refugees dropped by an order of magnitude. So whereas in 2017 we took in 229 refugees, in 2018 we took in 21.
So while getting 200 refugees all at once is something new, and certainly it would have been better to pace that out over the course of 2018/2019, the total number is something that has been handled in the past. As you note, the big challenge is getting everyone into the legal system and having all the lawyers and interpreters all at once. I read an account from a Portuguese interpreter, and they are all working overtime getting people legal and medical assistance.
I'm especially grateful to the college for loaning out their dorms over the summer while we get things sorted because as you note we don't do tent cities here due to the weather much of the year!
posted by mikepop at 8:25 AM on June 18, 2019 [20 favorites]
Fortunately, Portland has a lot of systems in place already that will be helpful. Maine (notably Portland and Lewiston) started receiving a large number of immigrants and refugees starting about 2001, so many services have been built up. Last year, as more Trump policies solidified, the number of refugees dropped by an order of magnitude. So whereas in 2017 we took in 229 refugees, in 2018 we took in 21.
So while getting 200 refugees all at once is something new, and certainly it would have been better to pace that out over the course of 2018/2019, the total number is something that has been handled in the past. As you note, the big challenge is getting everyone into the legal system and having all the lawyers and interpreters all at once. I read an account from a Portuguese interpreter, and they are all working overtime getting people legal and medical assistance.
I'm especially grateful to the college for loaning out their dorms over the summer while we get things sorted because as you note we don't do tent cities here due to the weather much of the year!
posted by mikepop at 8:25 AM on June 18, 2019 [20 favorites]
Robert Mueller decided it was much better to let Donald Trump just run out the clock than to give Trump the opportunity and the cause to destroy everything, the country's political institutions
I would suggest that with McConnell's misconduct, the country's political institutions are already destroyed.
What's with all these people in straight-up denial of reality? Pelosi, Schumer, Biden, Mueller, ( my rep ) Tonko? It's like they think everything will just go back to 'normal'.
There is no 'normal' anymore.
posted by mikelieman at 8:48 AM on June 18, 2019 [42 favorites]
I would suggest that with McConnell's misconduct, the country's political institutions are already destroyed.
What's with all these people in straight-up denial of reality? Pelosi, Schumer, Biden, Mueller, ( my rep ) Tonko? It's like they think everything will just go back to 'normal'.
There is no 'normal' anymore.
posted by mikelieman at 8:48 AM on June 18, 2019 [42 favorites]
What's with all these people in straight-up denial of reality? Pelosi, Schumer, Biden, Mueller, ( my rep ) Tonko? It's like they think everything will just go back to 'normal'.
I saw a Biden clip from an event yesterday that encapsulates this. I'm paraphrasing, but he went on this little soliloquy about how the times are so precarious that it requires a fight, a real down and dirty FIGHT. And I'm thinking hell yeah, I'm totally with you, guy who I am otherwise not with on almost anything.
"...and the way to fight is... to make our case! Just keep making our case! That's how we're gonna fight this!"
Ladies and gentlemen... the Democrats!
posted by dreamlanding at 8:56 AM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
I saw a Biden clip from an event yesterday that encapsulates this. I'm paraphrasing, but he went on this little soliloquy about how the times are so precarious that it requires a fight, a real down and dirty FIGHT. And I'm thinking hell yeah, I'm totally with you, guy who I am otherwise not with on almost anything.
"...and the way to fight is... to make our case! Just keep making our case! That's how we're gonna fight this!"
Ladies and gentlemen... the Democrats!
posted by dreamlanding at 8:56 AM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
It's difficult to 'audit' silicon, and there's no equivalent to a clean-toolchain build.
Well, you could roll-your-own CPU using open-source VHDL tools, an open-source soft core and an FPGA. But it would be a lot of work.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:59 AM on June 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
Well, you could roll-your-own CPU using open-source VHDL tools, an open-source soft core and an FPGA. But it would be a lot of work.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 8:59 AM on June 18, 2019 [1 favorite]
The immigrants in Maine were already cheated out of a "credible fear" interview by border patrol, do you think any of them were given guidance on how to file an asylum claim in court? What Maine desperately needs to be doing is finding as many lawyers as they can (and can afford) to help these people file in court.
I want to quickly address this, although I haven't read all the comments above it --
This exact thing was addressed at City Council last night, including a long statement from one of the volunteer lawyers who has been part of a team working throughout the weekend to review the paperwork for every immigrant currently being housed at the family shelter or in the overflow shelter at the Expo. She also noted that while we first believed that none of them had been formally paroled, it now appears that at least some of them did have an interview. What is more alarming (and causes more work) is that although border patrol knew they were coming to Portland, they assigned their cases to random immigration courts throughout the US, so the first job for the attorneys will be to get the cases moved to the Federal Immigration Court in Boston. They will all have a credible fear interview, eventually. In the meantime, we will support them, just as we do with all immigrant families.
ILAP Maine is providing attorneys for as many as need pro-bono help (which is likely all of them, but I don't want to assume), if you want to toss them a few bucks.
As Mikepop notes above, we actually have a process for this. It happens with some regularity - maybe not this many folks all at once, but certainly this many families over the course of the year. They're not being warehoused. They're being given temporary housing until each family can be interviewed and connected with support in the community and resources appropriate to their needs.
posted by anastasiav at 9:07 AM on June 18, 2019 [33 favorites]
I want to quickly address this, although I haven't read all the comments above it --
This exact thing was addressed at City Council last night, including a long statement from one of the volunteer lawyers who has been part of a team working throughout the weekend to review the paperwork for every immigrant currently being housed at the family shelter or in the overflow shelter at the Expo. She also noted that while we first believed that none of them had been formally paroled, it now appears that at least some of them did have an interview. What is more alarming (and causes more work) is that although border patrol knew they were coming to Portland, they assigned their cases to random immigration courts throughout the US, so the first job for the attorneys will be to get the cases moved to the Federal Immigration Court in Boston. They will all have a credible fear interview, eventually. In the meantime, we will support them, just as we do with all immigrant families.
ILAP Maine is providing attorneys for as many as need pro-bono help (which is likely all of them, but I don't want to assume), if you want to toss them a few bucks.
As Mikepop notes above, we actually have a process for this. It happens with some regularity - maybe not this many folks all at once, but certainly this many families over the course of the year. They're not being warehoused. They're being given temporary housing until each family can be interviewed and connected with support in the community and resources appropriate to their needs.
posted by anastasiav at 9:07 AM on June 18, 2019 [33 favorites]
@JohnCornyn
What does Joe Biden mean when he calls for a “physical revolution”
surely the republicans accusing him of promoting a maoist protracted people's war will leap to work with him on finding productive compromises
This, more than almost anything in recent memory, is an extremely telling piece of evidence for where the Republican conscience is at the moment: they are parsing single words. To key in on "physical" reveals a sensitivity to trends toward the guillotine, a sensitivity that tells me they think it's real. I think that could be exploited, ideally up to (but not including) the same kinds of radicalization that the NRA uses to foment racist attacks. I realize this reveals in me a flexible ethics, but I think as long as nobody gets physically hurt that a useful distinction can hold sway.
I don't know if this is more what Biden is thinking about, but another "physical revolution" I'm trying to push these days is picketing Pelosi, Nadler, and other Big Congress Names, on the principle of, "YOU'RE LETTING HIM GET AWAY WITH IT." It's a simple and I think effective angle, splitting Democrat sensibilities against powerful Dems who will never be personally affected by Trump's messes.
posted by rhizome at 9:14 AM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
What does Joe Biden mean when he calls for a “physical revolution”
surely the republicans accusing him of promoting a maoist protracted people's war will leap to work with him on finding productive compromises
This, more than almost anything in recent memory, is an extremely telling piece of evidence for where the Republican conscience is at the moment: they are parsing single words. To key in on "physical" reveals a sensitivity to trends toward the guillotine, a sensitivity that tells me they think it's real. I think that could be exploited, ideally up to (but not including) the same kinds of radicalization that the NRA uses to foment racist attacks. I realize this reveals in me a flexible ethics, but I think as long as nobody gets physically hurt that a useful distinction can hold sway.
I don't know if this is more what Biden is thinking about, but another "physical revolution" I'm trying to push these days is picketing Pelosi, Nadler, and other Big Congress Names, on the principle of, "YOU'RE LETTING HIM GET AWAY WITH IT." It's a simple and I think effective angle, splitting Democrat sensibilities against powerful Dems who will never be personally affected by Trump's messes.
posted by rhizome at 9:14 AM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
This is a great comment for those of us rooting against Biden.
I would like to frame our arguments not as rooting against any potential nominee if they're to the left of the Trump/GOP chimera, but rather as rooting for particular individuals. I feel that there was so much demonizing of Clinton in the 2016 race (as opposed to promoting her Democratic opponents) that when she became the nominee, many who would otherwise have voted for her stayed home or voted Stein. The last, the very last, the dead last thing I want to see is Trump in the White House for another four (or more?) years.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
I would like to frame our arguments not as rooting against any potential nominee if they're to the left of the Trump/GOP chimera, but rather as rooting for particular individuals. I feel that there was so much demonizing of Clinton in the 2016 race (as opposed to promoting her Democratic opponents) that when she became the nominee, many who would otherwise have voted for her stayed home or voted Stein. The last, the very last, the dead last thing I want to see is Trump in the White House for another four (or more?) years.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
I think as long as nobody gets physically hurt
Uh, pretty sure if you start stoking the fears among the right of a no-shit American Red October, that people are going to get hurt.
Whether or not that's considered acceptable as a tradeoff for some political goal is a different decision; all politics is just velvet of varying thickness around the iron fist of violence anyway.
But escalation is relatively easy, particularly when you have a counterparty who is all too eager to go there, as the American far-right is. De-escalating once you have legitimized violence, which is what would happen, may be much harder.
I would go down that road with much caution. I am of the opinion that in politics there are two types of people: those willing to die for their beliefs, and dilettantes. But that doesn't mean you need to rush to find out which one everyone is.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:43 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
Uh, pretty sure if you start stoking the fears among the right of a no-shit American Red October, that people are going to get hurt.
Whether or not that's considered acceptable as a tradeoff for some political goal is a different decision; all politics is just velvet of varying thickness around the iron fist of violence anyway.
But escalation is relatively easy, particularly when you have a counterparty who is all too eager to go there, as the American far-right is. De-escalating once you have legitimized violence, which is what would happen, may be much harder.
I would go down that road with much caution. I am of the opinion that in politics there are two types of people: those willing to die for their beliefs, and dilettantes. But that doesn't mean you need to rush to find out which one everyone is.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:43 AM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
The Trump administration's dangerous fever dream about Iran
An opinion piece in the Guardian by Michael H Fuchs, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and a former deputy assistant secretary of state for east Asian and Pacific affairs
posted by mumimor at 9:50 AM on June 18, 2019
An opinion piece in the Guardian by Michael H Fuchs, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and a former deputy assistant secretary of state for east Asian and Pacific affairs
posted by mumimor at 9:50 AM on June 18, 2019
(I am so thrilled to hear how prepared Portland is and how well the asylum seekers are being aided. I hope thread-readers will focus on the positive comments from mikepop and anastasiav and continue to fight the good fight and not get discouraged by my rant based on my own experiences, which I now wish I'd taken to a fucking fuck thread rather than dump a downer in here)
posted by jermsplan at 9:59 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by jermsplan at 9:59 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Mod note: Couple things removed. As a general on going thing: I know there's a tremendous amount of stuff to be justifiably cynical and pessimistic about but let's really try not to lapse into reflexive declarations that everything's doomed/pointless/rigged etc. etc. Shit's shitty but these threads don't get better by advancing toward collective uninflected doomsaying.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:10 AM on June 18, 2019 [16 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:10 AM on June 18, 2019 [16 favorites]
I am a little worried that the only way I can make sense of Democratic leadership's otherwise inexplicable actions is this: They are afraid of what happens if they push Trump too far.
Hopefully this counts as inflected doomsaying :)
posted by diogenes at 10:14 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Hopefully this counts as inflected doomsaying :)
posted by diogenes at 10:14 AM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Shanahan Withdraws as Defense Secretary Nominee
posted by mumimor at 10:21 AM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 10:21 AM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
So maybe Shanahan didn't think he'd clear the background stuff (which hasn't exactly stopped many others...), or maybe he won't lie for Trump, or maybe he just realizes this is a shit job?
But one of the glaring issues in all the Iran hype is the absence of the (acting) Secretary of Defense.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:25 AM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
But one of the glaring issues in all the Iran hype is the absence of the (acting) Secretary of Defense.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:25 AM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
Big thanks to anastasiav for the link to ILAP Maine. My goal is to spend as much time taking action as I do reading these threads (or, ideally, more) - and sending them a donation and a thank-you card is a great action for me for today. (Maybe with a cc to my elected reps.)
Back up the thread a little, "Is there anything at all that us common folk can do to put pressure on Mitch McConnell?"
I have no idea if this would achieve anything, but I've been wondering about how much it would cost to put up a billboard or two in Kentucky showing a person on the phone with a text balloon: "Senator McConnell, why won't you allow a vote to make elections safer?" plus his phone number and, I don't know, Twitter handle or whatever. I wish Tom Steyer or someone would try putting up a few billboards in the state. In addition to raising attention about one incredibly important issue, it could remind even McConnell's supporters about his obstructionism.
posted by kristi at 10:32 AM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Back up the thread a little, "Is there anything at all that us common folk can do to put pressure on Mitch McConnell?"
I have no idea if this would achieve anything, but I've been wondering about how much it would cost to put up a billboard or two in Kentucky showing a person on the phone with a text balloon: "Senator McConnell, why won't you allow a vote to make elections safer?" plus his phone number and, I don't know, Twitter handle or whatever. I wish Tom Steyer or someone would try putting up a few billboards in the state. In addition to raising attention about one incredibly important issue, it could remind even McConnell's supporters about his obstructionism.
posted by kristi at 10:32 AM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Uh, pretty sure if you start stoking the fears among the right of a no-shit American Red October, that people are going to get hurt.
You really can't stoke a fire that is already a full blown inferno.
Conservatives have been maximum terrified of a working class revolution for more than America's entire history.
Also they already routinely hurt people.
posted by srboisvert at 10:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [11 favorites]
You really can't stoke a fire that is already a full blown inferno.
Conservatives have been maximum terrified of a working class revolution for more than America's entire history.
Also they already routinely hurt people.
posted by srboisvert at 10:40 AM on June 18, 2019 [11 favorites]
Shanahan Withdraws as Defense Secretary Nominee
The WaPo has more, they've been investigating a number of domestic violence incidents involving the Shanahan family: As Trump’s defense pick withdraws, he addresses violent domestic incidents (the link includes pretty graphic descriptions of violence).
posted by peeedro at 10:56 AM on June 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
The WaPo has more, they've been investigating a number of domestic violence incidents involving the Shanahan family: As Trump’s defense pick withdraws, he addresses violent domestic incidents (the link includes pretty graphic descriptions of violence).
posted by peeedro at 10:56 AM on June 18, 2019 [2 favorites]
I Spent a Week Interrogating My Dislike of Pete Buttigieg and These Are My Findings
What he positions as a sort of forward-thinking pragmatism—in a candidate field that includes the ambitious and necessary ideas of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders—actually comes off as unnecessarily conservative and cautious. Buttigieg, the youngest candidate running, instead comes off as a Boomer wrapped up in a millennial’s clothing.posted by kirkaracha at 11:07 AM on June 18, 2019 [40 favorites]
...
I now understand his personal appeal, which Jay Caspian Kang neatly summed up as targeting a specific type of college-educated, (largely) white, upper middle-class voter. “Imagining yourself in a book club with Pete Buttigieg becomes this election’s having a beer with George W. Bush,” he wrote. I can imagine myself in a book club with Pete. Maybe you can, too. But do I think he should be running for president? Fuck no. Maybe consider the Senate, Pete? Have you seen the guys currently in those seats? A practical-minded guy like you can see the appeal in that, right?
Shanahan Withdraws as Defense Secretary Nominee
Here's the USA Today story that broke the news about the domestic violence in the Shanahan family: FBI examining 2010 domestic fight involving acting defense secretary Shanahan; accounts differ on aggressor
The WaPo has more, they've been investigating a number of domestic violence incidents involving the Shanahan family: As Trump’s defense pick withdraws, he addresses violent domestic incidents.
CW: graphic domestic violence, far more than the NYT was willing to discuss. The bottom line is that Shanahan appears to have tried to mitigate the charges against his son for brutally assaulting his mother and impede the police investigation.
The next question is how will Mark Esper handle the job of Acting SecDef? His CV is impressive: decorated Army veteran, Heritage Foundation chief of staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer, Director for National Security Affairs for the U.S. Senate under Bill Frist, and, oh yes, Raytheon lobbyist. (The irony is that Trump named him Secretary of the Army only because his first two nominees withdrew.) He appears to be a modernization wonk for the Army, though I don't have a first impression on how much of an Iran hawk he may be.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:08 AM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
Here's the USA Today story that broke the news about the domestic violence in the Shanahan family: FBI examining 2010 domestic fight involving acting defense secretary Shanahan; accounts differ on aggressor
The WaPo has more, they've been investigating a number of domestic violence incidents involving the Shanahan family: As Trump’s defense pick withdraws, he addresses violent domestic incidents.
CW: graphic domestic violence, far more than the NYT was willing to discuss. The bottom line is that Shanahan appears to have tried to mitigate the charges against his son for brutally assaulting his mother and impede the police investigation.
The next question is how will Mark Esper handle the job of Acting SecDef? His CV is impressive: decorated Army veteran, Heritage Foundation chief of staff, Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffer, Director for National Security Affairs for the U.S. Senate under Bill Frist, and, oh yes, Raytheon lobbyist. (The irony is that Trump named him Secretary of the Army only because his first two nominees withdrew.) He appears to be a modernization wonk for the Army, though I don't have a first impression on how much of an Iran hawk he may be.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:08 AM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
Jon Stewart Slams Mitch McConnell During Fiery Appearance on 'Late Show' (Mon 6-17) (Lexy Perez, Hollywood Reporter)
Has link to video.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:12 AM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
Has link to video.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:12 AM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
Mueller was thinking that Donald Trump wears a suicide vest of sorts. If Mueller had pushed Donald Trump into a corner he would blow up everything. Donald Trump would take the country's political institutions down with him. Trump would take down the Department of Justice. Trump would not care.
Did Mueller not notice he's already doing exactly these things?
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:27 AM on June 18, 2019 [28 favorites]
Did Mueller not notice he's already doing exactly these things?
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:27 AM on June 18, 2019 [28 favorites]
The things you have to understand about McConnell at a state level is that most people already hate him and that he has brought ignoring people to a refined artform - all a billboard or similar will do is make him give his little turtle smile every time he sees it, knowing that he's pissing off people. There is no shaming McConnell into doing anything - The national spotlight should have proven this by now. You need ACTUAL LEVERAGE on him to get anything, and that's going to take much more than these sorts of attacks on him. Without any actual leverage, the only way to be McConnell free is to vote him out.
There are some real barriers to getting him out/anyone else in - there are still wide-spread voter suppression and disinformation campaigns in KY, and more importantly, there hasn't been a Democratic candidate worth anything for the Senate seat in some time who hasn't also been actively sabotaged by the statewide democratic party. TD Strange touched on much of this above- The KY statewide party is actively hostile to anyone they haven't explicitly blessed, and it very much the good ol' boys club.
The only way any of this happens is with a viable alternative and a hell of a ground game to get the vote out, and those aren't happening without people able and willing to do a lot of the legwork on their own without formal party support, or without serious structural change - which carries its own enormous obstacles.
All of the stuff we like to talk about as being issues for Democratic Socialist candidates in the national spotlight, where it feels like the party is actively working against them? Turn that up to 11 in KY, but it's against anyone who is running remotely to the left of center-right. If you do not have the explicit blessing of the statewide Democratic party, and you do not have the time and resources to run and self-finance a campaign, it is nearly impossible to get elected outside of the major cities.
The best places to help out would be with funding the smaller and more local groups who are willing to do the legwork and who do not work directly for the statewide party, as well as groups who are working to bring down voting barriers in KY (certainly one of the states where the results would look DRASTICALLY different if you had something like mail-in voting as a viable option, for example). I have no idea who those groups would be at this point.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:33 AM on June 18, 2019 [20 favorites]
There are some real barriers to getting him out/anyone else in - there are still wide-spread voter suppression and disinformation campaigns in KY, and more importantly, there hasn't been a Democratic candidate worth anything for the Senate seat in some time who hasn't also been actively sabotaged by the statewide democratic party. TD Strange touched on much of this above- The KY statewide party is actively hostile to anyone they haven't explicitly blessed, and it very much the good ol' boys club.
The only way any of this happens is with a viable alternative and a hell of a ground game to get the vote out, and those aren't happening without people able and willing to do a lot of the legwork on their own without formal party support, or without serious structural change - which carries its own enormous obstacles.
All of the stuff we like to talk about as being issues for Democratic Socialist candidates in the national spotlight, where it feels like the party is actively working against them? Turn that up to 11 in KY, but it's against anyone who is running remotely to the left of center-right. If you do not have the explicit blessing of the statewide Democratic party, and you do not have the time and resources to run and self-finance a campaign, it is nearly impossible to get elected outside of the major cities.
The best places to help out would be with funding the smaller and more local groups who are willing to do the legwork and who do not work directly for the statewide party, as well as groups who are working to bring down voting barriers in KY (certainly one of the states where the results would look DRASTICALLY different if you had something like mail-in voting as a viable option, for example). I have no idea who those groups would be at this point.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:33 AM on June 18, 2019 [20 favorites]
CNN, First on CNN: Katharine Gorka expected to be named Customs and Border Protection press secretary
They just manage to pick the absolute worst people for every job.
posted by zachlipton at 11:34 AM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
They just manage to pick the absolute worst people for every job.
posted by zachlipton at 11:34 AM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
Mueller was thinking that Donald Trump wears a suicide vest of sorts. If Mueller had pushed Donald Trump into a corner he would blow up everything. Donald Trump would take the country's political institutions down with him. Trump would take down the Department of Justice. Trump would not care.Did Mueller not notice he's already doing exactly these things?
My guess: it's less that Mueller was afraid of doing his job, or that it's hard to predict what Trump will do (though throw a tantrum and blow up everything, maybe literally, is well within his moves), and more that Mueller was/is committed to playing by the rules, crossing his t's and dotting his i's, and other things that conscientious people who've spent years of dedicated effort working within the system tend to do. And indicting the President is not settled law in our system.
Of course, neither is refusing to advise or consent on a supreme court nominee.
posted by wildblueyonder at 11:43 AM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
Maybe consider the Senate, Pete? Have you seen the guys currently in those seats?
Indiana doesn't have a Senate seat up in 2020.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 11:43 AM on June 18, 2019
Indiana doesn't have a Senate seat up in 2020.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 11:43 AM on June 18, 2019
Katharine Gorka (married to Sebastian), DemocracyForward.org press release, March 7, 2019: Today, Democracy Forward sued the Trump administration for refusing to release records detailing the role Katharine Gorka plays as a Senior Advisor within the Department of Homeland Security. Gorka was hired in May 2017, but since then has largely remained out of public view.
Gorka is a terrorism researcher who has been described as an “anti-Muslim activist” and has been accused of holding an “Islamo-centric view of terrorism,” despite the fact that most terrorist acts in the United States are committed by white supremacists. During Gorka’s tenure at DHS, she reportedly worked to de-prioritize white supremacist violence and reorient the agency’s Countering Violent Extremism program towards a singular focus on Muslim communities, even as white nationalist violence has risen.
[bolding mine]
That Democracy Forward website is a goldmine, btw -- they'd call you back, but they're busy filing.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:50 AM on June 18, 2019 [28 favorites]
Gorka is a terrorism researcher who has been described as an “anti-Muslim activist” and has been accused of holding an “Islamo-centric view of terrorism,” despite the fact that most terrorist acts in the United States are committed by white supremacists. During Gorka’s tenure at DHS, she reportedly worked to de-prioritize white supremacist violence and reorient the agency’s Countering Violent Extremism program towards a singular focus on Muslim communities, even as white nationalist violence has risen.
[bolding mine]
That Democracy Forward website is a goldmine, btw -- they'd call you back, but they're busy filing.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:50 AM on June 18, 2019 [28 favorites]
But do I think he should be running for president? Fuck no. Maybe consider the Senate, Pete? Have you seen the guys currently in those seats? A practical-minded guy like you can see the appeal in that, right?
I get the author's point, but the only reason anyone thinks of Buttigieg as a Senate candidate is this run for the presidency. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain, unlike certain other candidates that are polling even worse than Buttigieg but could win a Senate seat in 2020.
posted by BeginAgain at 12:13 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
I get the author's point, but the only reason anyone thinks of Buttigieg as a Senate candidate is this run for the presidency. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain, unlike certain other candidates that are polling even worse than Buttigieg but could win a Senate seat in 2020.
posted by BeginAgain at 12:13 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
The best places to help out would be with funding the smaller and more local groups who are willing to do the legwork and who do not work directly for the statewide party, as well as groups who are working to bring down voting barriers in KY (certainly one of the states where the results would look DRASTICALLY different if you had something like mail-in voting as a viable option, for example). I have no idea who those groups would be at this point.
I'm sure there are other worthwhile groups in KY but "smaller and more local groups who are willing to do the legwork and who do not work directly for the statewide party" immediately had me thinking of the DSA. There are several chapters that are either in Kentucky or are at least Kentucky-adjacent including Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Metro Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky.
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 12:15 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
I'm sure there are other worthwhile groups in KY but "smaller and more local groups who are willing to do the legwork and who do not work directly for the statewide party" immediately had me thinking of the DSA. There are several chapters that are either in Kentucky or are at least Kentucky-adjacent including Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and Metro Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky.
posted by GalaxieFiveHundred at 12:15 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
He has nothing to lose and everything to gain, unlike certain other candidates that are polling even worse than Buttigieg but could win a Senate seat in 2020.
Also, it just so happens that the next Indiana senate seat is up for election in 2022.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:16 PM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Also, it just so happens that the next Indiana senate seat is up for election in 2022.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:16 PM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Over the past several weeks, Splinter has reached out to every presidential candidate with a questionnaire about labor, and their plans to help workers and unions if they’re elected president.
posted by The Whelk at 12:22 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 12:22 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
Weird to see a run for presidency as the path up from small town mayor and into a senate seat, but here we are.
In other news: New Zealand judge sends neo-Nazi to prison for sharing mosque shooting video -- Sharing the video is illegal in NZ and "encourages mass murder," judge says. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, June 18, 2019) As noted in prior coverage of arrests of those who shared the video,
In other news: New Zealand judge sends neo-Nazi to prison for sharing mosque shooting video -- Sharing the video is illegal in NZ and "encourages mass murder," judge says. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, June 18, 2019) As noted in prior coverage of arrests of those who shared the video,
The United States is unusual in offering near-absolute protection for free speech under the First Amendment. Most other countries—even liberal democracies—have more extensive systems of online and offline censorship.Back to the US: Ocasio-Cortez presses case that U.S. is running ‘concentration camps’ at border amid Republican outcry (John Wagner for Washington Post, June 18, 2019)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) pressed her case Tuesday that the Trump administration is running “concentration camps” at the U.S.-Mexico border amid criticism from Republicans who said she was demeaning Jews exterminated in the Holocaust.posted by filthy light thief at 12:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [44 favorites]
During a live stream Monday night, the freshman lawmaker decried the conditions of migrant detention facilities the administration is using to cope with a surge of border crossings and highlighted a decision to hold some children at an Oklahoma Army base that was used as an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II.
“The fact that concentration camps are now an institutionalized practice in the home of the free is extraordinarily disturbing, and we need to do something about it,” Ocasio-Cortez told her viewers on Instagram. She later accused Trump of conducting “an authoritarian and fascist presidency.”
“I don’t use those words lightly,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I don’t use those words to just throw bombs. I use that word because that is what an administration that creates concentration camps is. A presidency that creates concentration camps is fascist, and it’s very difficult to say that.”
Ocasio-Cortez continued making her argument Tuesday morning, sharing on Twitter an Esquire article that raised questions about the conditions at U.S. detention facilities.
The piece by Jack Holmes, the magazine’s politics editor, quoted historians who said the facilities meet the definition of a “concentration camp” and said that not every concentration camp is intended as a death camp.
Consumer Product Safety Commission’s acting chairwoman plans to step down (WaPo):
Late last year, she voted in favor of a settlement with Britax that allowed the company to avoid a safety recall after nearly 100 people were injured when the front wheels on their BOB jogging strollers came off. The settlement — which passed along party lines 3-2 — ended a CPSC lawsuit that sought to force Britax to recall the strollers. An investigation by The Post found that Buerkle kept Democratic commissioners in the dark about the stroller investigation and then helped end the case in court.posted by peeedro at 12:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
She was leading the agency as it decided whether to recall Fisher-Price’s popular Rock ‘n Play inclined infant sleeper. Buerkle and the agency were criticized after Consumer Reports revealed that the Rock ‘n Play was tied to 32 infant deaths, three times more than the agency had previously publicly acknowledged.
[...]
In Buerkle’s first two years as chairwoman, the number of companies fined for misconduct declined to five in 2017-2018 from 12 in 2015-2016. Public voluntary recalls fell about 13 percent during the same period, resulting in approximately 80 fewer recalls, according to agency data. Last year, the number of public recalls fell to its lowest level in a decade, consumer advocates say.
Mitch McConnell Says We Don’t Need Slavery Reparations Because We Elected Barack Obama [among other things]. (Tommy Christopher, Mediate.com)
posted by ZeusHumms at 12:51 PM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 12:51 PM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
CW: graphic domestic violence, far more than the NYT was willing to discuss. The bottom line is that Shanahan appears to have tried to mitigate the charges against his son for brutally assaulting his mother and impede the police investigation.
For those who don't want to follow the links his son assaulted his ex-wife with a baseball bat fractured her skull and breaking a rib and he helped keep the son out of police hands for several days (and appears to have gotten the privilege pass on that). The ex sounds like she might be abusive but it's hard to tell in divorce scenarios because both parties are inclined to paint unfavorable pictures. The wife got custody of the kids but ultimately ended up estranged from them while he didn't.
A big fucking mess all around.
posted by srboisvert at 12:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
For those who don't want to follow the links his son assaulted his ex-wife with a baseball bat fractured her skull and breaking a rib and he helped keep the son out of police hands for several days (and appears to have gotten the privilege pass on that). The ex sounds like she might be abusive but it's hard to tell in divorce scenarios because both parties are inclined to paint unfavorable pictures. The wife got custody of the kids but ultimately ended up estranged from them while he didn't.
A big fucking mess all around.
posted by srboisvert at 12:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [4 favorites]
Mitch McConnell Says We Don’t Need Slavery Reparations Because We Elected Barack Obama
we? - you never in your life elected him and you know it
posted by pyramid termite at 1:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [11 favorites]
we? - you never in your life elected him and you know it
posted by pyramid termite at 1:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [11 favorites]
Greg Nog, thank you VERY much for that link to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. Would you say they're locally effective and a good destination for donation money? (It seems like you would say that - I just want to confirm.)
(Also, for what it's worth: the billboard idea was DEFINITELY not aimed at McConnell himself. I believe - based on experience - that there are two significant groups of people we can and need to reach: people who vote every four years, if at all, and feel like they don't make a difference; and people who think of themselves as independent but share the huge set of values that progressives represent, all those popular positions thwarted by our anti-American Congressional majority. I think we have a better chance of winning when we say "yes, you CAN make a difference," and "hey, there are pretty big issues and pretty important offices other than president, and you can have a voice!" I want to urge middle-of-the-road Kentuckyans to at least think about the fact that McConnell is blocking legislation on election security. I personally know people who are presidential-year voters who may or may not know who McConnell is, who agree with many progressive policies but not all, but who take democracy and elections seriously. If it did nothing more than remind those people that they COULD make a phone call - even just as practice for being more engaged whenever we DO get McConnell out of office - I think it would be a good thing. ... To be honest, I hear a lot of discouraging voices, and I believe encouraging people to get involved is the best shot at making any progress on any of the incredibly daunting crises we're facing.)
posted by kristi at 1:42 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
(Also, for what it's worth: the billboard idea was DEFINITELY not aimed at McConnell himself. I believe - based on experience - that there are two significant groups of people we can and need to reach: people who vote every four years, if at all, and feel like they don't make a difference; and people who think of themselves as independent but share the huge set of values that progressives represent, all those popular positions thwarted by our anti-American Congressional majority. I think we have a better chance of winning when we say "yes, you CAN make a difference," and "hey, there are pretty big issues and pretty important offices other than president, and you can have a voice!" I want to urge middle-of-the-road Kentuckyans to at least think about the fact that McConnell is blocking legislation on election security. I personally know people who are presidential-year voters who may or may not know who McConnell is, who agree with many progressive policies but not all, but who take democracy and elections seriously. If it did nothing more than remind those people that they COULD make a phone call - even just as practice for being more engaged whenever we DO get McConnell out of office - I think it would be a good thing. ... To be honest, I hear a lot of discouraging voices, and I believe encouraging people to get involved is the best shot at making any progress on any of the incredibly daunting crises we're facing.)
posted by kristi at 1:42 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
FWIW my default response to protestations about calling them concentration camps because they're not Dachau or Auschwitz is "'but they're not as bad as Nazi death camps!' is not the winning argument you seem to think it is."
posted by Lyme Drop at 1:45 PM on June 18, 2019 [49 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 1:45 PM on June 18, 2019 [49 favorites]
If a bunch of tents in the desert where the daytime highs will be at or above (sometimes well above) 100 degrees for the next 3 months and change isn't a concentration camp, then, well, you've lost moral authority on the matter.
posted by azpenguin at 1:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 1:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [19 favorites]
Mitch McConnell Says We Don’t Need Slavery Reparations Because We Elected Barack Obama [among other things]. (Tommy Christopher, Mediate.com)
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:51 PM on June 18 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I've said this before, but the blindingly obvious bad faith by Republicans in general and Mitch McConnell in particular is part of the point. It's meant to show contempt for liberal values like truth, consistency, honesty, and integrity, and to assert the power that they can say that kind of stuff and the so-called "liberal media" is too cowed to call them on it.
posted by Gelatin at 2:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:51 PM on June 18 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I've said this before, but the blindingly obvious bad faith by Republicans in general and Mitch McConnell in particular is part of the point. It's meant to show contempt for liberal values like truth, consistency, honesty, and integrity, and to assert the power that they can say that kind of stuff and the so-called "liberal media" is too cowed to call them on it.
posted by Gelatin at 2:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
“Iran will not wage war against any nation,” Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state TV. “Those facing us are a group of politicians with little experience.”
He added: “Despite all of the Americans’ efforts in the region and their desire to cut off our ties with all of the world and their desire to keep Iran secluded, they have been unsuccessful.”
posted by hugbucket at 2:17 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
He added: “Despite all of the Americans’ efforts in the region and their desire to cut off our ties with all of the world and their desire to keep Iran secluded, they have been unsuccessful.”
posted by hugbucket at 2:17 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
the facilities meet the definition of a “concentration camp” and said that not every concentration camp is intended as a death camp.
#NotAllConcentrationCamps
posted by wildblueyonder at 2:46 PM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
#NotAllConcentrationCamps
posted by wildblueyonder at 2:46 PM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
Apologies for not seeing the greater point to what you were saying regarding the billboard... I get a bit passionate about KY politics, despite not living there for a few years now.
Agreed that we need to reach many of these people - I think (well, hope, at least) that Bevin was a wake-up call for many in KY, but certainly more can and should be done to reach people than just have someone disastrous in office. An outreach to re-engage people is definitely needed, but oh boy is that a tricky one.
Part of the issue is that many KYians are naturally distrustful... in many cases, because they have been told that they have a voice, and were then summarily ignored or betrayed. There is a lot of rich and very local history of that sort of thing, and it's going to take a really long time to mend. It's going to require anyone seeking office to not just acknowledge that the past hasn't been so rosy on the Democratic side (which, of course, alienates the state party who would prefer to be past such things) but to truly be a fighter for them as well... but as it's been, we have a bitter populace that is used to not just being let down, but outright deception and corruption. The history of KY politics is a complete mess, the power structures in KY are incredibly difficult to fight against if you don't hold power and privilege already, and there are a lot of very valid reasons for some (not all) to have the distrust they have. Lord knows that I was one of those bitter people. I would always still vote regardless, but it was a hollow vote more often than not, and the process was always incredibly encumbered.
So many times, I had to outright lie to my employers to even make a vote happen. More than a couple of times, when I got there, I found that I wasn't on the register so I had to cast a provisional vote - and this was despite explicitly making sure to register by deadlines. Lines were long, things were always broken, there was outright intimidation that officials turned a blind eye to. The whole experience was consistently awful. There were parts of Louisville I lived in that were perfectly fine, but literally everywhere else I lived in KY - including other parts of Louisville - voting was painful, and I assure you that many of my neighbors shared my experience.
That is the sort of thing we really need to tackle if we want to see real change in KY - an easy-to-cast vote is a significant voice that a lot of people do not have at present. It's bad enough if the process is merely inconvenient, but it's a different story when you are risking your income for a vote that is merely provisional.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
Agreed that we need to reach many of these people - I think (well, hope, at least) that Bevin was a wake-up call for many in KY, but certainly more can and should be done to reach people than just have someone disastrous in office. An outreach to re-engage people is definitely needed, but oh boy is that a tricky one.
Part of the issue is that many KYians are naturally distrustful... in many cases, because they have been told that they have a voice, and were then summarily ignored or betrayed. There is a lot of rich and very local history of that sort of thing, and it's going to take a really long time to mend. It's going to require anyone seeking office to not just acknowledge that the past hasn't been so rosy on the Democratic side (which, of course, alienates the state party who would prefer to be past such things) but to truly be a fighter for them as well... but as it's been, we have a bitter populace that is used to not just being let down, but outright deception and corruption. The history of KY politics is a complete mess, the power structures in KY are incredibly difficult to fight against if you don't hold power and privilege already, and there are a lot of very valid reasons for some (not all) to have the distrust they have. Lord knows that I was one of those bitter people. I would always still vote regardless, but it was a hollow vote more often than not, and the process was always incredibly encumbered.
So many times, I had to outright lie to my employers to even make a vote happen. More than a couple of times, when I got there, I found that I wasn't on the register so I had to cast a provisional vote - and this was despite explicitly making sure to register by deadlines. Lines were long, things were always broken, there was outright intimidation that officials turned a blind eye to. The whole experience was consistently awful. There were parts of Louisville I lived in that were perfectly fine, but literally everywhere else I lived in KY - including other parts of Louisville - voting was painful, and I assure you that many of my neighbors shared my experience.
That is the sort of thing we really need to tackle if we want to see real change in KY - an easy-to-cast vote is a significant voice that a lot of people do not have at present. It's bad enough if the process is merely inconvenient, but it's a different story when you are risking your income for a vote that is merely provisional.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
BuzzFeed, This Former Republican Operative Wrote For A White Nationalist Website. Now He’s Publishing In The Wall Street Journal.
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
A former Republican operative notorious for his connections to white nationalists has established himself as an opinion contributor for several national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, while writing under a thinly veiled pen name, BuzzFeed News has learned.Weird how this kind of thing keeps happening, right?
Marcus Epstein, who worked for former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo and founded a nativist political club with white nationalist Richard Spencer, has written more than a dozen opinion pieces for the Journal, the Hill, Forbes, US News and World Report, and the National Review over the past two years. His pieces, which mainly focus on the regulation of the technology industry, were published under the byline “Mark Epstein.”
In six different pieces for the Journal, Epstein is identified as an “antitrust attorney and freelance writer” and addresses topics including the supposed threat to conservative speech posed by Google and Facebook, and the ways regulation and antitrust might be used to ensure “viewpoint neutrality” and consumer protection, respectively. They make no mention of his past, which includes contributions to the white nationalist site VDare and charges that he assaulted a black woman, after racially abusing her, in 2007. (In 2008 in District of Columbia Superior Court, Epstein entered an Alford plea — a plea in which the defendant accepts the consequences of a guilty verdict without admitting guilt — after which the charges were dropped.)
...
In a statement, Epstein denied that he had ever held white nationalist beliefs. “As a proud American of Jewish and Asian descent, I obviously have never been white nationalist nor held their beliefs.”
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [22 favorites]
For the "Biden isn't that stupid and naive, the whole we can work with Rs is an act" crowd... He is that stupid and naive.
Jennifer Epstein (Bloomberg):
Earlier today during a fundraiser at Weitz & Luxenberg in New York, Biden said: "I know a lot of Democrats don't like me quoting David Brooks" but he nonetheless thinks Brooks is "a brilliant editorial writer."
posted by chris24 at 3:57 PM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
Jennifer Epstein (Bloomberg):
Earlier today during a fundraiser at Weitz & Luxenberg in New York, Biden said: "I know a lot of Democrats don't like me quoting David Brooks" but he nonetheless thinks Brooks is "a brilliant editorial writer."
posted by chris24 at 3:57 PM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
The DNC tweeted ‘Boy Bye’ and now the election is over (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
You are in a wilderness of memes. It is a whole mood.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 4:13 PM on June 18, 2019 [13 favorites]
The oceans are rising and the earth quakes. The president does nothing. Huddled for shelter against this devastation, the people of America glance to their phones for some sign of hope. “America is QUAKING” the DNC has tweeted. “These glaciers have more drip than you.”
There is fire engulfing the coast. “CALIFORNIA: Stay lit fam.”
Drones hum in the sky, carrying death. Territories are disputed. “The Kurds? Iconic! We -stan.”
Zachary Taylor has vanished. “Whig, snatched!”
A tsunami leaves devastation in its wake. “Text surfbordt to 43667." There is no way out of these memes. They are a baseball cap turned unconvincingly backwards on a human head, forever.
I think many of us underestimate, sometimes by sheer source of will to persevere, the extent of success which mediocre white men have been able to achieve in pretty much all professions (and maybe the extent of the mediocrity also).
posted by Salamandrous at 4:15 PM on June 18, 2019 [18 favorites]
posted by Salamandrous at 4:15 PM on June 18, 2019 [18 favorites]
Prediction: by the end of this campaign season, there will be honest to god Klan robes at Trump rallies.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:17 PM on June 18, 2019 [13 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:17 PM on June 18, 2019 [13 favorites]
I feel like I say this whenever the KKK comes up -- Trump could just get his dad's robes out of storage. (WaPo, Vice links)
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:21 PM on June 18, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:21 PM on June 18, 2019 [7 favorites]
As Trump's campaign kick-off speech is set to begin in about 20 minutes, David A. Graham over at the Atlantic counts that this is about the fifth time Trump has announced his 2020 campaign already, with a wave of media coverage every time. He wonders whether people are getting tired of it:
Daniel Dale will be fact checking it live, but will he still use Canadian spelling now that he works for CNN?
posted by zachlipton at 4:43 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
But labeling Trump’s rally a part of the permanent campaign turned out not to be prescient so much as an egregious understatement. The point of a campaign launch used to be to signal that the period of governing—of passing legislation and enacting policy—was largely wrapping up, and that the focus would shift back to electoral politics. In the permanent-campaign paradigm, a president would run a policy track and a politics track in parallel.The events leading up to Trump's speech have included a prayer: “A demonic network that has been united against President Trump needs to be broken in the name of Jesus."
Trump has fully unified them. He can’t turn back to campaigning from governing, because he never really bothered to start governing in the first place. With the exception of cutting taxes and especially building a wall on the Mexican border, he’s never shown much interest in learning how the levers of power work or in using them. Whereas Barack Obama held rallies in early 2009 to support the passage of his health-care bill, Trump held rallies in early 2017 for the purpose of being reelected nearly four years later.
The problem with skating from crisis to crisis with few accomplishments to show for it is that eventually the public becomes fatigued. There are signs of growing public boredom with Trump. A newsy, blockbuster interview with George Stephanopoulos this past weekend drew disappointing ratings. The New York Times publisher A. G. Sulzberger has noted declining reader interest in political news. The president’s outlandish remarks generally make a smaller splash than they once did. He seems to have tried to compensate for that by tweeting more, but the result is something like inflation in a market flooded with currency: Every tweet is less valuable.
Daniel Dale will be fact checking it live, but will he still use Canadian spelling now that he works for CNN?
posted by zachlipton at 4:43 PM on June 18, 2019 [9 favorites]
NYT, ICE Signals Mass Immigration Arrests, but Not the ‘Millions’ Trump Promised
posted by zachlipton at 4:52 PM on June 18, 2019 [30 favorites]
Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent days has bulked up the branch responsible for carrying out deportations in preparation for the mass arrests of undocumented immigrants, two Department of Homeland Security officials said on Tuesday, adding that the agency could not immediately deport “millions of illegal aliens” as President Trump had promised the night before.Gosh, it's almost like there's value in protesting.
Senior ICE officials, many of whom were blindsided by Mr. Trump’s tweet, have signaled for weeks that the agency would conduct raids targeting thousands of migrant families in homes and communities, something one of the homeland security officials confirmed on Tuesday was expected in the coming weeks.
ICE has requested that agents in Homeland Security Investigations — the branch of the agency that conducts long-term investigations into human trafficking and drug smuggling — assist Enforcement and Removal Operations, which deports undocumented immigrants, according to the two homeland security officials. They said the nationwide reallocation of resources was rare and a sign that ICE would soon conduct mass arrests.
But agents were not clear what specifically Mr. Trump was referring to in his tweet on Monday, which came less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to appear in Florida for a rally to kick off his 2020 re-election campaign.
...
ICE officials have changed their minds multiple times in recent days about when to begin the operation to target families, according to one of the homeland security officials. The agency has long been hesitant about such raids because of the bad optics they generate.
...
Widespread raids of families could provoke a similar outcry, much of it directed against the gun-wielding agents making the arrests. That has left homeland security’s leadership nervous about the potential consequences of the operation.
posted by zachlipton at 4:52 PM on June 18, 2019 [30 favorites]
From Captain Awkward: We Have Always Lived In Presidential Primary Season: A Half-Assed Activist Post About Getting Through This Shitshow Without Perpetuating Or Tolerating Bad Behavior And Keeping Some Tiny Spark Of Hope Alive. (Patreon link; free to read, pay to comment.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:27 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:27 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Prediction: by the end of this campaign season, there will be honest to god Klan robes at Trump rallies.
Well, they showed up for Goldwater at the Republican National Convention in July of 64.
posted by Harry Caul at 5:36 PM on June 18, 2019
Well, they showed up for Goldwater at the Republican National Convention in July of 64.
posted by Harry Caul at 5:36 PM on June 18, 2019
Please Stop Thinking This Will Be a Fair Election
President Trump declared his willingness to betray the country, and Republicans are ready to help
President Trump declared his willingness to betray the country, and Republicans are ready to help
There are only two takeaways that matter from Trump's ABC interview: The president declared to a national audience that he is ready to betray the country, and his fellow Republicans have already taken steps to help him do it.
“President Trump: 30 Hours,” the ABC News 20/20 special featuring a heavily promoted White House interview by This Week anchor George Stephanopoulos, finally aired in full Sunday night. It was alternately an absurd and harmful exercise. There are lists of five to 10 takeaways from the exchange on various news sites, but there are only two that matter: The president declared to a national audience that he is ready to betray the country, and his fellow Republicans have already taken steps to help him do it.
As journalism, the ABC special failed, letting many of Trump’s lies air unchecked and every bit of his racist policy go virtually unexamined. But as pure television spectacle, it sabotaged itself with its own hype. Like a blockbuster movie that has all of its most shocking twists revealed in the trailer, the ABC special had already teased its only truly newsworthy clips last week. Wednesday’s clip showed Trump saying that he would accept information about a political opponent if a foreign nation approached him or his campaign with it — much as Russia did to his eldest son, Donald Jr., three years ago. Trump all but laughed off the notion of calling the FBI in such an instance. (That earned the scolding of none other than FEC chairwoman Ellen Weintraub, who shared a letter Wednesday evening stating unequivocally that accepting anything of value from a foreign nation in connection with a U.S. election is illegal. Her tweet read simply, “I would not have thought that I needed to say this.”)
The furor over the soundbite provoked Trump to attempt an incomplete walkback on Thursday, when he said that “of course” he would alert the FBI when he received that oppo dirt from a foreign country that he still planned to use. “Of course you have to look at it, because if you don’t look at it, you’re not going to know if it’s bad,” Trump said during a phone conversation on Fox & Friends. “How are you going to know if it’s bad?” Because it is coming from a foreign country and that fact alone makes it illegal, that’s how.
For some reason, though, top Congressional Democrats went softer on Trump than they should have. While several of her party’s presidential candidates labeled Trump things like a “national security threat” and “unfit for the office that you hold” and called for immediate impeachment proceedings, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Trump “does not know right from wrong.” That seemed to give him an out, of sorts. She instead trained her fire on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s obstructionist tactics, erecting a poster at her Thursday presser reading, “McConnell’s Graveyard” in reference to all the bills he’s killed. Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, called the interview “disgraceful yet sadly par for the course for this president,” which seemed understated. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the head of the House Judiciary Committee, said it was “shocking.” Was it, really?posted by scalefree at 5:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [18 favorites]
CLARENCE THOMAS SAYS MARRIAGE EQUALITY RULING SHOULD BE OVERTURNED
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas urged the U.S. Supreme Court to feel they are not bound to upholding precedent. The case was about legal double jeopardy, in which you can’t be tried twice for the same crime. By a 7-2 vote, the Court upheld current interpretation of the law, allowing both state and federal governments to pursue the same charges against an Alabama man.
Thomas wrote a separate concurring opinion, however, that the Supreme Court should reconsider how it respects legal precedent (or stare decisis). He said the justices should not uphold precedents that are “demonstrably erroneous,” and the case he suggested to make his argument was Oberfell v. Hodges, the case that made marriage equality a national right in 2015.
“I write separately to address the proper role of the doctrine of stare decisis,” Thomas said in his opinion. “In my view, the Court’s typical formulation of the stare decisis standard does not comport with our judicial duty under Article III because it elevates demonstrably erroneous decisions—meaning decisions outside the realm of permissible interpretation—over the text of the Constitution and other duly enacted federal law.”
He cited Chief Justice Roberts’ dissent in the marriage equality case.
“It is always ‘tempting for judges to confuse our own preferences with the requirements of the law,’ Obergefell v. Hodges,” said Thomas, “and the Court’s stare decisis doctrine exacerbates that temptation by giving the venire of respectability to our continued application of demonstrably incorrect precedents.”
Thomas’ complaint sets the opportunity to revisit the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling if it arises. His dissent also has potential implications for other rulings, including Roe v. Wade; he recently compared abortion to eugenics. His position as a conservative legal thought leader makes these comments threatening to the future of both rulings.posted by scalefree at 5:53 PM on June 18, 2019 [17 favorites]
"...and the way to fight is... to make our case! Just keep making our case! That's how we're gonna fight this!"
If only. Democrats have basically accepted the framing that healthcare there will not bankrupt you, being paid enough money for food and housing, and enforceable tax rules for millionaires are all incredibly extreme positions, while Republicans literally debate whether or not it's time to end our experiment in democracy.
posted by xammerboy at 6:10 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
If only. Democrats have basically accepted the framing that healthcare there will not bankrupt you, being paid enough money for food and housing, and enforceable tax rules for millionaires are all incredibly extreme positions, while Republicans literally debate whether or not it's time to end our experiment in democracy.
posted by xammerboy at 6:10 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
Well, it is true that you can't let stare decisis rule everything, or else Plessy v Ferguson would still be good law.
(this is not a defense of Thomas's agenda here)
posted by Chrysostom at 6:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
(this is not a defense of Thomas's agenda here)
posted by Chrysostom at 6:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [8 favorites]
Please Stop Thinking This Will Be a Fair Election
I'm not one to require a critique to contain a solution, but I'd really rather not see these kinds of stories. I read them as actually setting the stage for it to happen, to normalize the corruption of the process. I feel that anybody who wants to shine a light on it should be talking about what the unfairness will/can look like. This is what Trump does, and this kind of "I'm going to be able to say I told you so" framing is really, really effective.
Stephanopolous didn't make a fucking dent, but that cough sure did. Great job, newspeople.
posted by rhizome at 6:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
I'm not one to require a critique to contain a solution, but I'd really rather not see these kinds of stories. I read them as actually setting the stage for it to happen, to normalize the corruption of the process. I feel that anybody who wants to shine a light on it should be talking about what the unfairness will/can look like. This is what Trump does, and this kind of "I'm going to be able to say I told you so" framing is really, really effective.
Stephanopolous didn't make a fucking dent, but that cough sure did. Great job, newspeople.
posted by rhizome at 6:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [15 favorites]
Counties that held trump rallies saw a doubling in hate crimes
posted by The Whelk at 7:50 PM on June 18, 2019 [31 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 7:50 PM on June 18, 2019 [31 favorites]
I keep running into folks online that use some variant of the "If they didn't want to be in camps, they shouldn't have crossed the border illegally!!" defense of the concentration camps on the border. And it makes my blood absolutely boil as it clearly shows they haven't thought through the implications of their position. (Leaving aside the little unimportant detail that crossing the border to seek asylum is not illegal, even if your petition is later denied.)
You can't solely rely on the fact that people put in to camps broke the law if it is the people who make the law which put them in camps! You're simply begging the question as to whether the law is legitimate and justifiable! How is this not obvious? I would point to the Nuremberg Laws as the definitive statement as to why this argument is so wrongheaded but with a lot of these right-wingers I'd be afraid they would take the wrong message away...
/rant
I guess my real problem is expecting most people to have thought through their positions and followed them to their logical conclusions rather than just parroting a talking point that sounded good. But I don't know how to engage with folks who simply repeat talking points.
Also: Dave Wasserman on twitter with a super happy scenario: A very plausible 2020 scenario Dems have to take seriously: Trump loses popular vote by ~5 million as Dems narrow deficit in TX, expand lead in CA & flip MI/PA blue BUT Trump narrowly holds onto AZ, FL, NC & WI and wins reelection by a single electoral vote.
It's tangentially related since the same people tend to argue that you can't take issue with the injustice of the loser of the popular vote becoming President twice in 16 years (Wasserman's scenario would make thrice in 20) because everyone knew the rules going in. But you can't use the fact that rules exist as justification for those rules? It's obvious? Ah well.
posted by Justinian at 7:55 PM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
You can't solely rely on the fact that people put in to camps broke the law if it is the people who make the law which put them in camps! You're simply begging the question as to whether the law is legitimate and justifiable! How is this not obvious? I would point to the Nuremberg Laws as the definitive statement as to why this argument is so wrongheaded but with a lot of these right-wingers I'd be afraid they would take the wrong message away...
/rant
I guess my real problem is expecting most people to have thought through their positions and followed them to their logical conclusions rather than just parroting a talking point that sounded good. But I don't know how to engage with folks who simply repeat talking points.
Also: Dave Wasserman on twitter with a super happy scenario: A very plausible 2020 scenario Dems have to take seriously: Trump loses popular vote by ~5 million as Dems narrow deficit in TX, expand lead in CA & flip MI/PA blue BUT Trump narrowly holds onto AZ, FL, NC & WI and wins reelection by a single electoral vote.
It's tangentially related since the same people tend to argue that you can't take issue with the injustice of the loser of the popular vote becoming President twice in 16 years (Wasserman's scenario would make thrice in 20) because everyone knew the rules going in. But you can't use the fact that rules exist as justification for those rules? It's obvious? Ah well.
posted by Justinian at 7:55 PM on June 18, 2019 [10 favorites]
Well, it is true that you can't let stare decisis rule everything, or else Plessy v Ferguson would still be good law.
Maybe wait until more than one of the justices who ruled on a case have died before we start being all "Well, let's not feel too hidebound by the sins of the past."
posted by Etrigan at 7:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Maybe wait until more than one of the justices who ruled on a case have died before we start being all "Well, let's not feel too hidebound by the sins of the past."
posted by Etrigan at 7:58 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
They didn't spend 40 years stealing a hard right majority on the court not to use it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
From one of the staff writers at The Atlantic:
posted by bcd at 8:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [52 favorites]
Tonight at a fundraiser in NYC, Biden recalled serving with a major segregationist Mississippi senator: “I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland ... he never called me boy, he always called me son.” He imitated the drawl. “At least there was some civility. We got things done”Just boggles the mind. Go home, Joe.
posted by bcd at 8:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [52 favorites]
Jamil Smith:
Eastland was known as the “Voice of the White South.” He opposed the Civil Rights Act, complained of “mongrelization,” and spoke of black people as “an inferior race.” He may have liked you, @JoeBiden. He still voted to undermine our humanity. You just disproved your whole point. I’m just going to ask this straight out: what the hell is wrong with @JoeBiden? Eastland, an arch-segregationist, “never called me ‘boy,’ he always called me ‘son’”? You don’t say! Now, why was that the case? Was it your special talent for reaching across the aisle? Or whiteness? I’m just going to venture a guess and say that his whiteness is the reason why a white supremacist in the Senate thought Joe Biden, despite their policy differences, just might be an okay guy. That Biden considers this a selling point for his 2020 candidacy should set off alarms. At first, I thought Biden merely hoped to skate on his melanin proximity, being Vice President in the Obama era. But consistent fuckery like this has me thinking that he simply takes his black electorate for granted, and for fools. How many segregationists did you coddle, Joe? Biden actually disproves the very point he aims to make. He seems to imply that his record of coddling racists prepares him well for working with today’s Republican. But folks like Eastland made Biden feel like part of the club of whiteness while still subjugating black people. Enlisting the white moderate’s help in suppression, whether through direct action or other forms of complicity, is an essential weapon of white supremacy. Eastland was trying to kill us, and Biden talks about him like he was his goddamned buddy. Well, because that is what he was.posted by T.D. Strange at 8:16 PM on June 18, 2019 [87 favorites]
T.D. Strange: It's tangentially related since the same people tend to argue that you can't take issue with the injustice of the loser of the popular vote becoming President twice in 16 years (Wasserman's scenario would make thrice in 20) because everyone knew the rules going in. But you can't use the fact that rules exist as justification for those rules? It's obvious? Ah well.
Right, exactly. A reason that slight-of-hand works so well is the existence of whole domains, such as sports, in which people have intense debates that only rarely question the underlying rules and are more about whether those rules were faithfully followed.
In fact, that's a fallacious go-to argument defending the outcome of 2016: "Look, you can insist that the 'real' winner of the World Series should be whoever reached the most bases, regardless of runs, but that's just not how the game works." In reality we're not arguing for a different winner under the same rules (barring all the, you know, cheating, which is against the rules by definition) we're arguing for a change of rules because the existing ones are facially dumb!
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:31 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Right, exactly. A reason that slight-of-hand works so well is the existence of whole domains, such as sports, in which people have intense debates that only rarely question the underlying rules and are more about whether those rules were faithfully followed.
In fact, that's a fallacious go-to argument defending the outcome of 2016: "Look, you can insist that the 'real' winner of the World Series should be whoever reached the most bases, regardless of runs, but that's just not how the game works." In reality we're not arguing for a different winner under the same rules (barring all the, you know, cheating, which is against the rules by definition) we're arguing for a change of rules because the existing ones are facially dumb!
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:31 PM on June 18, 2019 [5 favorites]
Politics is a nomic game. If you’re not trying to change the rules, then you’re not really in the game.
posted by dirge at 8:39 PM on June 18, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by dirge at 8:39 PM on June 18, 2019 [7 favorites]
the facilities meet the definition of a “concentration camp” and said that not every concentration camp is intended as a death camp.
There is one crucial but endangered difference between what Trump has set up and an honest-to-goodness concentration camp are the elements of the Flores Vs. Reno decision that keep the detention of families from continuing indefinitely.
A difference Trump is trying to erase. After that, well, we already have the wanton disregard for the safety and well being of children as shown by the use of "ice boxes" to incubate disease and escalate it to pneumonia.
posted by ocschwar at 8:54 PM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
There is one crucial but endangered difference between what Trump has set up and an honest-to-goodness concentration camp are the elements of the Flores Vs. Reno decision that keep the detention of families from continuing indefinitely.
A difference Trump is trying to erase. After that, well, we already have the wanton disregard for the safety and well being of children as shown by the use of "ice boxes" to incubate disease and escalate it to pneumonia.
posted by ocschwar at 8:54 PM on June 18, 2019 [3 favorites]
the facilities meet the definition of a “concentration camp” and said that not every concentration camp is intended as a death camp.
Isn't what they said about Theresienstadt?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
Isn't what they said about Theresienstadt?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
I keep running into folks online that use some variant of the "If they didn't want to be in camps, they shouldn't have crossed the border illegally!!" defense of the concentration camps on the border. And it makes my blood absolutely boil as it clearly shows they haven't thought through the implications of their position. [...] I guess my real problem is expecting most people to have thought through their positions and followed them to their logical conclusions rather than just parroting a talking point that sounded good. But I don't know how to engage with folks who simply repeat talking points.
By and large, those people have thought their positions through: they don't see nonwhite immigrants as fully human and therefore do not think that they have human rights. It's an evil position but it's a consistent and logical one, and it's at our peril and that of many others that we misconstrue their disregard for human life and dignity as intellectual laziness.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:06 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
By and large, those people have thought their positions through: they don't see nonwhite immigrants as fully human and therefore do not think that they have human rights. It's an evil position but it's a consistent and logical one, and it's at our peril and that of many others that we misconstrue their disregard for human life and dignity as intellectual laziness.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:06 PM on June 18, 2019 [23 favorites]
Is there some kind of reading comprehension problem out there? I see, over and over again, headlines and statements like "FEC Chair: It's Illegal To Accept Election Help From Foreign Governments". That is not, in fact, what the FEC chair said. It is illegal to accept anything of value from a foreign national. It doesn't even have to be a government. If I, as a Canadian, donate to an american campaign (or give information of value) and it is accepted, it is in violation of the law. The law is much more extreme then is being stated, and much more absolute.
posted by Bovine Love at 9:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [37 favorites]
posted by Bovine Love at 9:07 PM on June 18, 2019 [37 favorites]
So, let's talk about Senator Eastland of Mississippi and what he was up to during the most incendiary years of the civil rights movement. He was the exact sort of garbage pile that MS had been tossing into the senate and other high office since at least Theodore Bilbo and as early as since before the state was admitted into the Union.
There are a lot of reason Mississippi features prominently in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, but perhaps the greatest reason is because of "Freedom Summer" and the attendant body count, the most famous of which were Mssrs Chaney, Goodman, & Schwerner, but also included over 1000 unlawful arrests, 80 beatings, almost 70 firebombings, and at least five other straight up assassinations.
The clandestine taping system that had been in place since JFK's tenure, and would eventually bring down Nixon, recordeded LBJ's call with Sen. Eastland after the three "Mississippi Burning" activists vanished. It went something like this:
LBJ+Eastland:
LBJ: So, three kids went missing. Their parents are here.
Eastland: It's a hoax. "Let me tell you why it's a publicity stunt. There is no Ku Klux Klan in the area, there is no Citizens Council in that area. In short, there is no organized white man in that area."
LBJ: Hm.
(While searching for the bodies of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, investigators discovered numerous *other* bodies of folks from the past "disappeared" into Mississippi earth who still remain unidentified.)
LBJ: Edgar! I'm calling to congratulate you on a job well done.
FBI Director Hoover: The sheriff was in on it. The deputy sheriff was in on it. The justice of the peace was in on it.
[Several other] fellows were in on it. Now, collecting the evidence and proving it is a different matter."
In 2005, one single person was convicted for his role in a crime from forty years before.
Ronald Reagan would later, during his initial campaign for the presidency, give a passionate speech about the importance of "State's Rights" in Philadelphia, MS - The seat of Neshoba County.
posted by absalom at 9:14 PM on June 18, 2019 [43 favorites]
There are a lot of reason Mississippi features prominently in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, but perhaps the greatest reason is because of "Freedom Summer" and the attendant body count, the most famous of which were Mssrs Chaney, Goodman, & Schwerner, but also included over 1000 unlawful arrests, 80 beatings, almost 70 firebombings, and at least five other straight up assassinations.
The clandestine taping system that had been in place since JFK's tenure, and would eventually bring down Nixon, recordeded LBJ's call with Sen. Eastland after the three "Mississippi Burning" activists vanished. It went something like this:
LBJ+Eastland:
LBJ: So, three kids went missing. Their parents are here.
Eastland: It's a hoax. "Let me tell you why it's a publicity stunt. There is no Ku Klux Klan in the area, there is no Citizens Council in that area. In short, there is no organized white man in that area."
LBJ: Hm.
(While searching for the bodies of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, investigators discovered numerous *other* bodies of folks from the past "disappeared" into Mississippi earth who still remain unidentified.)
LBJ: Edgar! I'm calling to congratulate you on a job well done.
FBI Director Hoover: The sheriff was in on it. The deputy sheriff was in on it. The justice of the peace was in on it.
[Several other] fellows were in on it. Now, collecting the evidence and proving it is a different matter."
In 2005, one single person was convicted for his role in a crime from forty years before.
Ronald Reagan would later, during his initial campaign for the presidency, give a passionate speech about the importance of "State's Rights" in Philadelphia, MS - The seat of Neshoba County.
posted by absalom at 9:14 PM on June 18, 2019 [43 favorites]
Trump Official Goes Rogue, Says Climate Change May Cause Next Financial Crisis. Government affairs experts told the Times that his initiative is unusual. “Rarely do you see a commissioner go rogue and public,” said James A. Thurber, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.
Also: Permafrost at outposts in the Canadian Arctic is thawing 70 years earlier than predicted. Melting permafrost is the event that can trigger the release of more heat trapping gases, which in turn create a feedback loop of increasing temperature rises. This is event all the plans for stopping global warming is trying to avoid.
posted by xammerboy at 9:16 PM on June 18, 2019 [24 favorites]
Also: Permafrost at outposts in the Canadian Arctic is thawing 70 years earlier than predicted. Melting permafrost is the event that can trigger the release of more heat trapping gases, which in turn create a feedback loop of increasing temperature rises. This is event all the plans for stopping global warming is trying to avoid.
posted by xammerboy at 9:16 PM on June 18, 2019 [24 favorites]
The impact of defrosting thousands of years of stuff just as the antibiotic window starts to close is... well.
I found out today that my Brexity seventysomething dad is remarkably forward-thinking on climate change, because he thinks the future belongs to his grandkids and they ought to be the ones deciding the policy, not old people like him. I know, I know.
But this strings together a lot of threads: seventysomethings who nestle in the past can fuck off; seventysomethings who acknowledge how younger generations were fucked over in comparison have a chance. (There will be no Gen X president from the left. Alex Pareene nailed it: every Gen X politician compromised themselves during the 90s and 00s in ways that are going to be disqualifying.)
posted by holgate at 9:41 PM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
I found out today that my Brexity seventysomething dad is remarkably forward-thinking on climate change, because he thinks the future belongs to his grandkids and they ought to be the ones deciding the policy, not old people like him. I know, I know.
But this strings together a lot of threads: seventysomethings who nestle in the past can fuck off; seventysomethings who acknowledge how younger generations were fucked over in comparison have a chance. (There will be no Gen X president from the left. Alex Pareene nailed it: every Gen X politician compromised themselves during the 90s and 00s in ways that are going to be disqualifying.)
posted by holgate at 9:41 PM on June 18, 2019 [6 favorites]
"BREAKING:The @NYSenate passed the MOST AGGRESSIVE CLIMATE CHANGE BILL in the country."
you know what they call passing the Climate Protection Act? A good start.
posted by The Whelk at 9:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [18 favorites]
you know what they call passing the Climate Protection Act? A good start.
posted by The Whelk at 9:48 PM on June 18, 2019 [18 favorites]
Chris Hayes invoked Godwin's Law to justify saying we shouldn't call Trump's concentration camps what they really are and...
Chris Hayes
Last comment on this: "concentration camp" is an extremely charged term and I get why many people are, in good faith, uncomfortable with its application for Godwin's Law purposes among others. So let's just call them "detention camps" and focus on what's happening in them.
Mike Godwin
Chris, I think they're concentration camps. Keep in mind that one of their functions *by design* is to punish those individuals and families who are detained. So even the "charged" term is appropriate.
---
Reminder, Godwin has previously suspended Godwin's Law when talking about the Trump regime.
Mike Godwin
By all means, compare these shitheads to Nazis. Again and again. I'm with you.
posted by chris24 at 9:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [79 favorites]
Chris Hayes
Last comment on this: "concentration camp" is an extremely charged term and I get why many people are, in good faith, uncomfortable with its application for Godwin's Law purposes among others. So let's just call them "detention camps" and focus on what's happening in them.
Mike Godwin
Chris, I think they're concentration camps. Keep in mind that one of their functions *by design* is to punish those individuals and families who are detained. So even the "charged" term is appropriate.
---
Reminder, Godwin has previously suspended Godwin's Law when talking about the Trump regime.
Mike Godwin
By all means, compare these shitheads to Nazis. Again and again. I'm with you.
posted by chris24 at 9:49 PM on June 18, 2019 [79 favorites]
Last comment on this: "concentration camp" is an extremely charged term and I get why many people are, in good faith, uncomfortable with its application for Godwin's Law purposes among others. So let's just call them "detention camps" and focus on what's happening in them.
Historians: Concentration camps are actually what they are
Journos: But it makes the right wing uncomfortable
Historians: Yea, I mean...it should
Journos: But it's a highly charged term
Historians: Right, that's the point
Journos: But it describes atrocities
Historians ...
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [71 favorites]
Historians: Concentration camps are actually what they are
Journos: But it makes the right wing uncomfortable
Historians: Yea, I mean...it should
Journos: But it's a highly charged term
Historians: Right, that's the point
Journos: But it describes atrocities
Historians ...
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:03 PM on June 18, 2019 [71 favorites]
@ezralevin:
posted by zachlipton at 11:39 PM on June 18, 2019 [35 favorites]
Don't like concentration camps? Here's what to do.Calling Democratic reps to tell them not to give ICE more money shouldn't be something I have to put on my list for tomorrow, yet here we are.
Right now, House Dems are debating whether to increase or decrease funding for Trump's anti-immigrant hate machine, including these concentration camps. Some Dems want more $$$, others want less (this is a real live debate)... Here's the explainer on what you can ask your House Dem (or GOP) Representative to do about this. If you're against concentration camps, tell your Rep to oppose them. (I can't believe I have to write that sentence). Seriously House Dems are actively debating what to do on this. They're afraid of looking "weak" on immigration, so might give Trump more $$$ for this BS.
If you're against concentration camps, tell your Rep to oppose them. (I can't believe I have to write that sentence). Seriously House Dems are actively debating what to do on this. They're afraid of looking "weak" on immigration, so might give Trump more $$$ for this BS. The draft House Dem budget isn't all bad, but it includes a new $387 million slush fund for Trump's deportation machine + more $$$ for ICE. This is the draft House DEMOCRATIC budget. Why on earth are they making ANY concessions to this monster? That's a question to ask your Rep.
Again, just to repeat in case it needs repeating, if you oppose providing additional funding for American concentration camps, then you should tell that to your Representative - Dem or GOP.
Follow the immigrant rights leaders on this - we recommend the #DefundHate camapaign. One way or another, this fight is going to be decided in the coming weeks and months, and they're the ones leading here. Stand behind them.
posted by zachlipton at 11:39 PM on June 18, 2019 [35 favorites]
@ira (Crooked Media)
Here’s an idea. Call them fucking concentration camps and stop equivocating or playing devil’s advocate or swimming in semantics to make the villains in this feel better. Literally all they want us to do is argue over terminology.
posted by chris24 at 3:29 AM on June 19, 2019 [52 favorites]
Here’s an idea. Call them fucking concentration camps and stop equivocating or playing devil’s advocate or swimming in semantics to make the villains in this feel better. Literally all they want us to do is argue over terminology.
posted by chris24 at 3:29 AM on June 19, 2019 [52 favorites]
Mod note: A couple deleted. Let's please stay focused on the actual perpetrators of insane and criminal policy rather than broadbrushing Jewish institutions as complicit. If you want to discuss various reactions to the use of the term "concentration camps," please be careful and accurate, with factual reporting of responses, and very careful that phrasing isn't coming off sounding like actual hate speech.
posted by taz (staff) at 6:05 AM on June 19, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 6:05 AM on June 19, 2019 [8 favorites]
Just got back from the ACLU annual luncheon where the Central Park Five (now the Exonerated Five) received an award and spoke, along with a huge room full of people dedicated to civil rights and justice. It was a moving reminder both of what we're fighting for and of the fact that we are still surrounded by people who act in good faith, who are dedicated to justice, civil rights, and protecting the weak from the malice and indifference of the powerful.
Yesterday, CNN's April Ryan asked Trump if he would apologize to the exonerated Central Park Five, reminding him about his contemporary statements and his full-page ad calling for their execution.
He responded at his Trumpiest (via NBC News w/video): "Why do you bring that question up now? It's an interesting time to bring it up. You have people on both sides of that. They admitted their guilt. If you look at Linda Fairstein and if you look at some of the prosecutors, they think that the city should never have settled that case. So we'll leave it at that."
Not only is he again literally bringing up "both sides" in a controversy in which the two are right and wrong in order to curry with his favor his racist base of supporters, putting his own deeply-held racism on public display, but also he's once more absolutely unwilling to admit being in the wrong despite overwhelming evidence. This is tailor-made for an attack ad in 2020.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:19 AM on June 19, 2019 [27 favorites]
Yesterday, CNN's April Ryan asked Trump if he would apologize to the exonerated Central Park Five, reminding him about his contemporary statements and his full-page ad calling for their execution.
He responded at his Trumpiest (via NBC News w/video): "Why do you bring that question up now? It's an interesting time to bring it up. You have people on both sides of that. They admitted their guilt. If you look at Linda Fairstein and if you look at some of the prosecutors, they think that the city should never have settled that case. So we'll leave it at that."
Not only is he again literally bringing up "both sides" in a controversy in which the two are right and wrong in order to curry with his favor his racist base of supporters, putting his own deeply-held racism on public display, but also he's once more absolutely unwilling to admit being in the wrong despite overwhelming evidence. This is tailor-made for an attack ad in 2020.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:19 AM on June 19, 2019 [27 favorites]
Jacob T. Levy
“You can’t make Hitler analogies until there are at least six million dead” say people who make Stalin analogies when the top marginal tax rate goes up by 3%.
Jesse Hawken:
2016: "Come on, you're talking like Trump's going to put people in concentration camps"
2018: "First of all, I think it's offensive that you refer to them as 'concentration camps'"
posted by chris24 at 6:25 AM on June 19, 2019 [102 favorites]
“You can’t make Hitler analogies until there are at least six million dead” say people who make Stalin analogies when the top marginal tax rate goes up by 3%.
Jesse Hawken:
2016: "Come on, you're talking like Trump's going to put people in concentration camps"
2018: "First of all, I think it's offensive that you refer to them as 'concentration camps'"
posted by chris24 at 6:25 AM on June 19, 2019 [102 favorites]
Time: Watchdogs Sue Trump Administration Over Missing Notes From Putin Meeting
A new lawsuit filed on Tuesday alleges that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo broke the law by allowing President Donald Trump to seize the notes from a key meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and failing to take any steps to preserve records of their other face-to-face meetings.posted by Doktor Zed at 6:39 AM on June 19, 2019 [16 favorites]
The lawsuit filed by American Oversight and Democracy Forward, two progressive non-profit government watchdog organizations, says that the Federal Records Act requires Pompeo to preserve the meeting notes prepared by State Department employees.
“President Trump has taken unusual, and in some cases extreme, measures to conceal the details of these meetings, not only from the public at large, but also from key members of his administration,” the filing says. As a result, there is a “total absence” of a detailed record of Trump’s five in-person interactions with Putin over the last two years, even in classified files, the filing says.
Tuesday’s lawsuit comes a week before the next G20 summit, which will take place in Osaka, Japan, on June 28 and 29. Although there is no official meeting planned, the Kremlin has said the two leaders could meet informally.
Trump still refuses to admit he was wrong about the Central Park 5 (Aaron Rupar, Vox)
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:04 AM on June 19, 2019 [8 favorites]
“You have people on both sides of that.”#ExoneratedFive
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:04 AM on June 19, 2019 [8 favorites]
While I don't want to amplify DJTJr's dumb attacks, I thought this juxtaposition of two headlines from one night was worth pointing out:
Donald Trump Jr. mocks Joe Biden for vowing to cure cancer if elected president (WaPo)
Trump Promises to Cure Cancer, ‘Eradicate’ AIDS if He Wins Another Term (DailyBeast)
posted by peeedro at 7:20 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
Donald Trump Jr. mocks Joe Biden for vowing to cure cancer if elected president (WaPo)
Trump Promises to Cure Cancer, ‘Eradicate’ AIDS if He Wins Another Term (DailyBeast)
posted by peeedro at 7:20 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
Former Vice President Joe Biden told wealthy donors at a Tuesday evening fundraiser that he does not want to “demonize” wealth because he finds “rich people are just as patriotic as poor people.”
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:17 AM on June 19, 2019 [30 favorites]
“Remember I got in trouble with some of the people on my team, on the Democratic side,” the Democratic frontrunner said. “Because I said, ‘You know what I’ve found is rich people are just as patriotic as poor people.’ Not a joke. I mean, we may not want to demonize anybody who has made money,” Biden told 100 supporters at the Manhattan event. The comments come as a several of Biden’s opponents for the Democratic presidential nomination has focused on wealth disparity in the U.S., vowing to boost taxes on the wealthiest Americans to pay for policies they say seek to close economic gaps.Cancerous.
“We can disagree in the margins, but the truth of the matter is it’s all within our wheelhouse and nobody has to be punished. No one’s standard of living will change, nothing would fundamentally change,” Biden said.
The former vice president appeared to take a veiled swipe at Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist and one of Biden's closest primary competitors, over his goal of a “political revolution,” suggesting his policies may overreach in trying to buoy low-income families.
“When we have income inequality as large as we have in the United States today, it brews and ferments political discord and basic revolution,” Biden said. He went on to jab at President Trump, saying economic disparity “allows demagogues to step in and say the reason where we are is because of the other, the other.” “You’re not the other,” he added. “I need you very badly. I hope if I win this nomination, I won’t let you down.”
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:17 AM on June 19, 2019 [30 favorites]
You have people on both sides of that.
This is apparently all you need to do to nullify any argument. There are two sides? Oh well. there is no getting to bottom of it then. From now on, when the New York Times reports on the Central Five's innocence, it will have to devote equal time to the the fact than some alternate theory exists even though it's crazy.
Don't call them concentration camps.
Words matter. Something died in me when the New York Times started calling Bush's torture Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, knowing full well the methods came from North Korean torture manuals. I'll be writing them a letter today.
Already I see the same arguments being employed against the use of the words concentration camps as were used against torture. Torture camps? People are lining up to get in them. It's like camping. If only our own homeless could be so lucky, etc.
posted by xammerboy at 8:20 AM on June 19, 2019 [25 favorites]
This is apparently all you need to do to nullify any argument. There are two sides? Oh well. there is no getting to bottom of it then. From now on, when the New York Times reports on the Central Five's innocence, it will have to devote equal time to the the fact than some alternate theory exists even though it's crazy.
Don't call them concentration camps.
Words matter. Something died in me when the New York Times started calling Bush's torture Enhanced Interrogation Techniques, knowing full well the methods came from North Korean torture manuals. I'll be writing them a letter today.
Already I see the same arguments being employed against the use of the words concentration camps as were used against torture. Torture camps? People are lining up to get in them. It's like camping. If only our own homeless could be so lucky, etc.
posted by xammerboy at 8:20 AM on June 19, 2019 [25 favorites]
“We can disagree in the margins, but the truth of the matter is it’s all within our wheelhouse and nobody has to be punished. No one’s standard of living will change, nothing would fundamentally change,” Biden said.
Wow, you can't make this stuff up.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:47 AM on June 19, 2019 [33 favorites]
Wow, you can't make this stuff up.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:47 AM on June 19, 2019 [33 favorites]
What is this weird weird sensation im feeling, the absence of revulsion at the prospect of Bill deBlasio being in the presidential race?
It’s 2019 & @JoeBiden is longing for the good old days of “civility” typified by James Eastland. Eastland thought my multiracial family should be illegal & that whites were entitled to “the pursuit of dead n*ggers."
It’s past time for apologies or evolution from @JoeBiden. He repeatedly demonstrates that he is out of step with the values of the modern Democratic Party.
Click through to link to the tweet with a cute vintagey (90s) family photo.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:06 AM on June 19, 2019 [29 favorites]
It’s 2019 & @JoeBiden is longing for the good old days of “civility” typified by James Eastland. Eastland thought my multiracial family should be illegal & that whites were entitled to “the pursuit of dead n*ggers."
It’s past time for apologies or evolution from @JoeBiden. He repeatedly demonstrates that he is out of step with the values of the modern Democratic Party.
Click through to link to the tweet with a cute vintagey (90s) family photo.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:06 AM on June 19, 2019 [29 favorites]
Warren just formally endorsed the candidacy of Tiffany Caban for DA in Queens (this is a big deal!)
I’m proud to endorse Tiffany Cabán for Queens DA in New York. @CabanForQueens will fight for working families and work to end mass incarceration. Make sure you get out and vote for Tiffany next Tuesday, June 25th. In the meantime, head to http://cabanforqueens.com to volunteer!
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:12 AM on June 19, 2019 [21 favorites]
I’m proud to endorse Tiffany Cabán for Queens DA in New York. @CabanForQueens will fight for working families and work to end mass incarceration. Make sure you get out and vote for Tiffany next Tuesday, June 25th. In the meantime, head to http://cabanforqueens.com to volunteer!
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:12 AM on June 19, 2019 [21 favorites]
G. Elliott Morris (Economist)
1. For the second consecutive week, Elizabeth Warren is tied for 2nd in The Economist's weekly 2020 primary polling from YouGov. No significant changes from last week:
26% say Biden is their 1st choice
Warren: 14
Sanders: 13
Buttigieg: 9
Harris: 7
2. Perhaps it is more significant that a larger share of Democratic primary voters are considering Warren than Sanders:
Biden: 52% considering voting for him
Warren: 45
Harris: 38
Sanders: 35
Buttigieg: 34
O'Rourke: 25
Booker: 20
In other words, her ceiling might be higher.
3. Warren's position really stands out when you divide the share considering each candidate by the share of Democratic primary voters who know who they are:
Biden: 55
Warren: 52
Buttigieg: 48
Harris: 47
Sanders: 37
O'Rourke: 32
Booker: 26
Castro: 20
4. Warren's net favorability ratings are higher among Democrats than any other candidate's: CHART
5/5. All of this is to say that it does appear like Warren is getting a return on her long game strategy. While fortunes and favorabilities for other candidates have waned since their announcement, it seems like she has held steady on a slow course upward.
posted by chris24 at 9:36 AM on June 19, 2019 [38 favorites]
1. For the second consecutive week, Elizabeth Warren is tied for 2nd in The Economist's weekly 2020 primary polling from YouGov. No significant changes from last week:
26% say Biden is their 1st choice
Warren: 14
Sanders: 13
Buttigieg: 9
Harris: 7
2. Perhaps it is more significant that a larger share of Democratic primary voters are considering Warren than Sanders:
Biden: 52% considering voting for him
Warren: 45
Harris: 38
Sanders: 35
Buttigieg: 34
O'Rourke: 25
Booker: 20
In other words, her ceiling might be higher.
3. Warren's position really stands out when you divide the share considering each candidate by the share of Democratic primary voters who know who they are:
Biden: 55
Warren: 52
Buttigieg: 48
Harris: 47
Sanders: 37
O'Rourke: 32
Booker: 26
Castro: 20
4. Warren's net favorability ratings are higher among Democrats than any other candidate's: CHART
5/5. All of this is to say that it does appear like Warren is getting a return on her long game strategy. While fortunes and favorabilities for other candidates have waned since their announcement, it seems like she has held steady on a slow course upward.
posted by chris24 at 9:36 AM on June 19, 2019 [38 favorites]
Caban is a big deal in a lot of ways , she got a huge wave of endorsements after picking up momentum, is funded entirely by small donations that outfunded the big establishment canidates, is the only candidate I can think of who came out hard for sex worker rights, and represents a change in local DSA opinion about supporting DAs (it used to be no, never they’re cops, but DAs have so much relative power and are often not primaried and Krasnodar I Philly showed us what a progressive to even left trending DA can do to end just ...daily oppression)
posted by The Whelk at 9:38 AM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 9:38 AM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
Avalanche: Electability Reflects What Americans Believe is Possible - How beliefs about gender in America drive perceived electability
TOPLINESposted by chris24 at 9:43 AM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
Likely Democratic voters are currently experiencing a mix of extreme urgency, relatively low confidence, and unsettled emotions heading into 2020.• 97% of likely Democratic voters believe beating Trump is very or extremely important, yet only 28% are certain that Democrats will win.As a result, perceived electability is particularly salient for likely Democratic voters heading into 2020.
• When it comes to 2020, likely Democratic voters are currently feeling emotions of determination and hope, but also frustration, overwhelm, and doubt, whereas likely Republican voters are feeling relatively more excitement, pride, and happiness.• This study sheds light on the impact of perceived electability by observing which candidates voters favor when they are taking electability into consideration, compared to the candidates they favor when electability is taken off the table.When perceived electability is removed from consideration, the Democratic primary race tightens significantly.• When choosing a preferred president absent considerations of electability, 21% chose Warren, 19% chose Biden, 19% chose Sanders, 16% chose Buttigieg, 12% chose Harris, and 4% chose O’Rourke.Gender appears to have a greater effect on perceived electability than age, race, ideology, or sexual orientation.• 19% of those who would make a female candidate president believe that gender is a primary barrier to increasing electability.
• Among those who raise gender as an issue, 62% express beliefs that American voters will not elect a woman. Their concerns are not about the capability of female candidates, so much as they are about the willingness of Americans to elect a woman.
• This data suggests that at the time the survey was conducted, the preferred candidate by a small margin when electability is removed from the equation, is a woman.
Joe Biden’s Segregationist Nostalgia Is Even More Ignorant Than It Sounds
At first blush, Biden’s segregationist riff is disturbing. When you poke below the surface, gets even more disturbing. It suggests that he has not grasped any of the tectonic changes in American politics, and that he is equipped neither for the campaign nor the presidency.posted by T.D. Strange at 9:51 AM on June 19, 2019 [37 favorites]
...
Biden’s nostalgia for the good old days of backslapping, and his conviction that it can be revived through interpersonal charm, is a durable Washington myth. But Biden’s habit of invoking his friendship with segregationists to illustrate it is particularly dense. For one thing, the example doesn’t actually support the point he’s trying to make. Biden is attempting to tout his ability to work across the aisle, but he’s citing friendships with members of his own party. And yes, as Biden often points out, he had important ideological and generational differences with the old segregationist Democrats of the Deep South. But the differences weren’t that profound — as Biden often points out, Delaware was a slave state, and its white population long retained the attitudes about race and criminal justice more in line with the South than the North. There were divides, but bridging divides within your own party is not actually a monumental achievement.
For another, by citing segregationists, he is revealing the very reason the bipartisanship he longs for can’t return. The era of bipartisanship was built on suppressing racial conflict. The white South could only be cajoled into a coalition that supported bigger government by preventing African Americans from voting and, at times, outright denying them the benefits of government altogether. He’s invoking the most unappealing aspect of the bipartisanship era. You can argue that forging American consensus was worth the cost of suppressing racial conflict, but actually highlighting the grotesque moral costs of that era is a bizarre way to advertise it.
You have people on both sides of that.
This is apparently all you need to do to nullify any argument.
Except since at least the 1990s, and especially since Dick Cheney took over as Vice President, Republicans have explicitly not given a toss about what the "other side" might want -- indeed, denying even consolation victories has been part of the party's "feed the base, pwn the libs" survival strategy.
The only reason Republicans and conservatives ever care what Democrats and liberals want is so they can be against it. Democrats oppose torture and concentration camps? Well, there you go!
posted by Gelatin at 10:17 AM on June 19, 2019 [18 favorites]
This is apparently all you need to do to nullify any argument.
Except since at least the 1990s, and especially since Dick Cheney took over as Vice President, Republicans have explicitly not given a toss about what the "other side" might want -- indeed, denying even consolation victories has been part of the party's "feed the base, pwn the libs" survival strategy.
The only reason Republicans and conservatives ever care what Democrats and liberals want is so they can be against it. Democrats oppose torture and concentration camps? Well, there you go!
posted by Gelatin at 10:17 AM on June 19, 2019 [18 favorites]
Jiminy Christmas. Of course old guard Southern Segregationist Democrats were fond of Joe Biden: He entered the Senate promising to fight desegregationist school-busing policy -- and he did.
posted by notyou at 10:35 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
posted by notyou at 10:35 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
Early general election polling reminders from Elliott Morris:
1) The correlation between polls now and general election outcomes as historically been 0.posted by Chrysostom at 10:36 AM on June 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
2) State-level polling is probably worse than not predictive and (as I joked online) might even make you dumber?
3) Polarization and high interest in the election might be making early polling more reliable, but we’ll have to wait to see.
Biden’s “nothing will fundamentally change” may be the defining moment in his campaign. I expect to hear that thrown back in his face in the debates.
I get why he’s trying to cajole rich people with that line, but it’s certainly not going to inspire people to knock on doors for him.
Still will vote for him over Trump. But given all of Biden’s Baggage, Warren is looking increasingly more electable these days.
posted by darkstar at 10:38 AM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
I get why he’s trying to cajole rich people with that line, but it’s certainly not going to inspire people to knock on doors for him.
Still will vote for him over Trump. But given all of Biden’s Baggage, Warren is looking increasingly more electable these days.
posted by darkstar at 10:38 AM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
Trump Launches Reelection Bid With Promises Of Greatness And Familiar Grievances
Jessica Taylor and Tamara Keith for NPR, June 19, 2019)
Jeff Brady for NPR, June 19, 2019)
posted by filthy light thief at 10:39 AM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
Jessica Taylor and Tamara Keith for NPR, June 19, 2019)
The speech was full of grievances, occasionally mixed with accomplishments, which was pure Trump — far from the optimistic tone most presidents typically take when announcing their reelection bids. It further showed how little impulse Trump has to move from a divisive, base-driven approach that brought him victory in 2016. It featured more complaints against his critics than concrete promises, and only near the end did he push the success of the economy, which most GOP strategists would rather he focus on heavily, rather than more controversial issues like immigration or continuing to talk about the Mueller inquiry.Emphasis mine -- that's a big, shiny mirror Trump is hoisting. Speaking of Trump destroying America, Trump Administration Weakens Climate Plan To Help Coal Plants Stay Open (
But Trump argued that his own anger and that of his biggest backers who regularly pack his rallies is completely justified.
"They tried to erase your vote, your legacy of the greatest campaign and the greatest election probably in the history of our country," Trump said to cheers, painting both himself and his supporters as the victims of Democratic investigations run amok.
...
"[Democrats] wanted to deny you the future you demanded and the future America deserves and that now America is getting," he continued. "Our radical Democrat opponents are driven by hatred, prejudice and rage. They want to destroy you, and they want to destroy our country as we know it."
Jeff Brady for NPR, June 19, 2019)
President Trump has thrown his latest lifeline to the ailing coal industry, significantly weakening one of former President Obama's key policies to address climate change.Could the U.S. Retire Most of Its Coal-Fired Power Plants by 2040? -- Utilities and electricity generators are far more eager to get away from coal than market outlooks seem to take into account. (Maxx Chatsko for The Motly Fool, June 18, 2018)
The Environmental Protection Agency released the final version of its Affordable Clean Energy rule Wednesday. It's supported by the coal industry, but it's not clear it will be enough to stop more coal-fired power plants from closing.
...
Gina McCarthy was EPA administrator during the Obama administration and maintains the rule she helped craft was legal. She criticized the Trump administration's new rule.
"I believe this is the first rule in EPA's history that acknowledges the existential threat of climate change, but by the agency's own admission does absolutely nothing to stop it," McCarthy said in a statement.
One of the most asked (and most important) questions in energy has no simple answer: What's the future of coal-fired power in the United States?In short: energy companies are looking to retire their coal power plants, and not because of regulations. They're more expensive than other fuels, and there's public demand for sustainable energy.
On one hand, recent history hasn't been very favorable to coal. A little over a decade ago, coal-fired power plants produced more than half of the electricity in the United States. An unprecedented rate of plant retirements cut that share to just 30.1% in 2017.
On the other hand, most of the coal plants shuttered in the last decade were smaller and older -- and some were only used intermittently to begin with. It could prove more difficult to jettison newer, larger power plants from the American grid -- which is a large factor in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's forecast that coal could still generate as much as 22% of the country's electricity in 2050.
However, that number doesn't seem quite right based on the planned pace of coal plant retirements by America's largest utilities and power generators. In fact, it's possible the United States may close most of its coal-fired power plants by 2040. Here's why.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:39 AM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
There is one thing that may be different now: after 9/11, people were scared shitless. Many, many of my otherwise sane and liberal friends accepted torture and Guantanamo because they were overwhelmed by fear. A lot of Democrats in both the House and Senate backed Bush up, no matter how ridiculous that administration's actions were, because fear ruled. That was, imo, Clinton's weakness, both as a senator as a presidential candidate. Oh, and Biden's.
posted by mumimor at 10:39 AM on June 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 10:39 AM on June 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
Appropriate ways of describing what is happening at the border (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
Three people have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since April. The children who have been separated from their parents are still reeling from the consequences. But it is nothing, if you see what we are saying, like the worst thing that could possibly have happened, and those who suggest this are wrong. It is horrible, but it is not an Unthinkable Horror. It is — thinkable, I think. It must be thinkable. […]posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:48 AM on June 19, 2019 [52 favorites]
No, unique historical monstrosities come clearly labeled. When things happen that ought never to happen, the kind of thing you ought to stop, an alert comes to your phone, and your other plans are canceled. You are asked to be courageous — but not to be inconvenienced! And no one yells at you except the obviously misguided. It is quite something. […]
We would know if this were the time to do something. We would know because if someone were to compare it to the Holocaust, everyone would agree, at once, that this was correct. We would rise, as one, to stop it. That is why language matters so much. That is why we must be so clear about what is not happening at the border. What is not happening is anything unthinkable or unrepeatable. We must be very careful with the words!
If we do not use the right words for this, we might think that something terrible was happening.
When you look at the polling, what you see is that Trump has high approval among self-described Republicans, but that only amounts to ~40%. Which is, firstly, not enough to win an election, and secondly, a huge decline in the number of people calling themselves Republicans at all.
He has done huge damage to the Republican brand, by making it his personal brand. There are now lots of ex- or at least not-currently-Republican voters floating around, because it's become impossible to be a Republican and not be on Team Trump.
That will make the general election interesting.
As far as the Dem primary, the only people whose opinions matter are the likely primary voters. There are a lot of polls going around where they're basically asking random people on the street their opinions, and not first checking to see if these people are likely to vote in the primary. I couldn't care less what somebody who isn't going to vote in the primary thinks; we're deep into "opinions are like assholes" territory once you're talking about non-voters.
The polls looking at likely primary voters (e.g. chris24's post above) generally seem to put Biden and Warren pretty close; certainly close enough that she's in striking range if she does well in the debates and generally gets good press coverage. I think this is likely, since every time Biden gets in front of a camera he generally does something vaguely embarrassing. OTOH, he has a lot more experience and that might come across in a formal debate. Guess we'll see.
Trump is going to be Trump, of course; he's unpredictable in the specifics but pretty consistent in the generalities. He'll double down on the racism and flat-out lying, and if he's running against a woman he'll go full-bore on the misogyny, too. That much we know, and expecting anything else (certainly anything more civil) is insane. But this means Democrats basically have the initiative in choosing how they want to respond, whether and how they want to provoke him, etc.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on June 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
He has done huge damage to the Republican brand, by making it his personal brand. There are now lots of ex- or at least not-currently-Republican voters floating around, because it's become impossible to be a Republican and not be on Team Trump.
That will make the general election interesting.
As far as the Dem primary, the only people whose opinions matter are the likely primary voters. There are a lot of polls going around where they're basically asking random people on the street their opinions, and not first checking to see if these people are likely to vote in the primary. I couldn't care less what somebody who isn't going to vote in the primary thinks; we're deep into "opinions are like assholes" territory once you're talking about non-voters.
The polls looking at likely primary voters (e.g. chris24's post above) generally seem to put Biden and Warren pretty close; certainly close enough that she's in striking range if she does well in the debates and generally gets good press coverage. I think this is likely, since every time Biden gets in front of a camera he generally does something vaguely embarrassing. OTOH, he has a lot more experience and that might come across in a formal debate. Guess we'll see.
Trump is going to be Trump, of course; he's unpredictable in the specifics but pretty consistent in the generalities. He'll double down on the racism and flat-out lying, and if he's running against a woman he'll go full-bore on the misogyny, too. That much we know, and expecting anything else (certainly anything more civil) is insane. But this means Democrats basically have the initiative in choosing how they want to respond, whether and how they want to provoke him, etc.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:49 AM on June 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
When you look at the polling, what you see is that Trump has high approval among self-described Republicans, but that only amounts to ~40%. Which is, firstly, not enough to win an election
Of course it is. 25% of eligible voters voted for Trump in 2016.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:53 AM on June 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
Of course it is. 25% of eligible voters voted for Trump in 2016.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:53 AM on June 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
Death of a Political Junkie
A spectatorial addiction to politics that’s bereft of any sort of pleasure principle somewhere in the mix—e.g., the way that, albeit from a safe distance, we can exult in the untrammeled LBJ-ness of LBJ or even, more recently, the finesse of Obama’s “long game”—is a recipe for misery. Nowadays, the only people who get any pleasure out of Trump’s presidency are the MAGA zealots at his rallies, and as we all know, their idea of fun is on the scary side.posted by the man of twists and turns at 11:06 AM on June 19, 2019 [14 favorites]
For us recovering P.J.s, keeping up with Trump’s latest atrocity has become an ordeal, not our favorite recreational drug. And yet, as Pete Buttigieg recently put it, “It is the nature of grotesque things that you can’t look away.” That’s virtually the opposite of the zesty interest we used to take in the spectacle for its own sake, even in eras when the game’s potential consequences were no joke.
No, unique historical monstrosities come clearly labeled.
I never mind when Alexandra Petri is posted here. She's consistently funny. This one is particularly good though. She's saying something incredibly important and true, and the dark humor makes it easier to face and contemplate. To put it another way, by coming at it sideways, she's able to convey something that people would otherwise tune out because it's too shocking to face more directly.
posted by diogenes at 11:29 AM on June 19, 2019 [26 favorites]
I never mind when Alexandra Petri is posted here. She's consistently funny. This one is particularly good though. She's saying something incredibly important and true, and the dark humor makes it easier to face and contemplate. To put it another way, by coming at it sideways, she's able to convey something that people would otherwise tune out because it's too shocking to face more directly.
posted by diogenes at 11:29 AM on June 19, 2019 [26 favorites]
New Monmouth poll basically in line with other polling:
posted by Chrysostom at 11:32 AM on June 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
Biden 32% (-1)Also some interesting findings at the link on who people think is the strongest candidate.
Warren 15% (+5)
Sanders 14% (-1)
Harris 8% (-3)
Buttigieg 5% (-1)
posted by Chrysostom at 11:32 AM on June 19, 2019 [7 favorites]
OK, so these days I'm binging Netflix and checking out Metafilter, I wrote on someone elses ask why I'm not ok.
And today I saw an episode of A Queer Guy that was particularly moving. The crew is out to help a MAGA-hat policeman somewhere in Georgia, and they get pulled over. It's totally scripted, and there is obviously no danger, and still, the black guy, Karamo, is visibly uncomfortable. It's scripted!!! But he still doesn't feel good about it, and he adresses it later during the show.
Why am I posting this? Well, you can send it to your racist uncles, I will. But also, to me, this person's reaction, within a totally safe space, tells me that there is no joke here. You can't be Joe Biden in this environment. There is no room for not taking racism seriously. And if a feel-good Netflix show doesn't go there, no-one ever should.
posted by mumimor at 11:50 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
And today I saw an episode of A Queer Guy that was particularly moving. The crew is out to help a MAGA-hat policeman somewhere in Georgia, and they get pulled over. It's totally scripted, and there is obviously no danger, and still, the black guy, Karamo, is visibly uncomfortable. It's scripted!!! But he still doesn't feel good about it, and he adresses it later during the show.
Why am I posting this? Well, you can send it to your racist uncles, I will. But also, to me, this person's reaction, within a totally safe space, tells me that there is no joke here. You can't be Joe Biden in this environment. There is no room for not taking racism seriously. And if a feel-good Netflix show doesn't go there, no-one ever should.
posted by mumimor at 11:50 AM on June 19, 2019 [22 favorites]
In short: energy companies are looking to retire their coal power plants, and not because of regulations. They're more expensive than other fuels, and there's public demand for sustainable energy.
And we've seen this movie before. Car companies lobby the government for lax fuel standards, and are then decimated by global competitors at the market. The public ends up bailing them out.
Now the U.S. has the opportunity to be the market leader for providing green technology worldwide and is instead doubling down on expensive coal no one wants. In this case, it's even worse, because we know coal and oil use will have to be banned in the future. This won't end well for American energy companies, because it can't.
posted by xammerboy at 12:10 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
And we've seen this movie before. Car companies lobby the government for lax fuel standards, and are then decimated by global competitors at the market. The public ends up bailing them out.
Now the U.S. has the opportunity to be the market leader for providing green technology worldwide and is instead doubling down on expensive coal no one wants. In this case, it's even worse, because we know coal and oil use will have to be banned in the future. This won't end well for American energy companies, because it can't.
posted by xammerboy at 12:10 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
For us recovering P.J.s, keeping up with Trump’s latest atrocity has become an ordeal, not our favorite recreational drug. And yet, as Pete Buttigieg recently put it, “It is the nature of grotesque things that you can’t look away.” That’s virtually the opposite of the zesty interest we used to take in the spectacle for its own sake, even in eras when the game’s potential consequences were no joke.
It was never a zesty spectacle for me. I've been pissed off since I started paying attention, September 12, 2001.
"Recreational drug", cripes.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:31 PM on June 19, 2019 [17 favorites]
It was never a zesty spectacle for me. I've been pissed off since I started paying attention, September 12, 2001.
"Recreational drug", cripes.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:31 PM on June 19, 2019 [17 favorites]
mumimor, the car bit from Queer Eye episode was not as scripted as you'd think: "No one in the Fab Five knew that this situation was set up to reveal that, Henry, the police officer who'd pulled them over was the best friend and nominator of their next makeover hero, Corey. The producers had planned for Henry to stop the guys' car, but they hadn't planned for Brown — or anyone in particular — to be driving that day..."
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:39 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 12:39 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
NYT, 18 Questions. 21 Democrats. Here’s What They Said.
@patrickhealynyt: I'm the Politics editor at the Times. We spent three months on the project; Joe Biden was invited multiple times to participate but did not. His spokespeople said there was no time in his schedule.
@leahstokes: Today the @nytimes dropped some videos with the Presidential primary candidates talking about their climate plans. Naturally, I spent my morning watching them. Where are the candidates at on this top issue? All over the place! THREAD.
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on June 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
@patrickhealynyt: I'm the Politics editor at the Times. We spent three months on the project; Joe Biden was invited multiple times to participate but did not. His spokespeople said there was no time in his schedule.
@leahstokes: Today the @nytimes dropped some videos with the Presidential primary candidates talking about their climate plans. Naturally, I spent my morning watching them. Where are the candidates at on this top issue? All over the place! THREAD.
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on June 19, 2019 [10 favorites]
NYT, Ta-Nehisi Coates Assails Mitch McConnell at Raucous Reparations Hearing
posted by zachlipton at 12:57 PM on June 19, 2019 [48 favorites]
But the real star was Mr. Coates, whose 2014 article “The Case for Reparations” in The Atlantic rekindled the debate, arguing that African-Americans had been exploited by nearly every American institution. Mr. Coates called out Mr. McConnell several times by name, citing the senator’s comment that he does not favor reparations “for something that happened 150 years ago, for whom none of us currently living are responsible.”Here's a transcript and video of Coates' opening remarks, which I highly recommend watching.
Mr. Coates responded by ticking off a list of government-sponsored discriminatory policies, including those in Mr. McConnell’s native Alabama, including redlining and poll taxes, that are the legacy of slavery.
“He was alive for the redlining of Chicago and the looting of black homeowners of some $4 billion,” Mr. Coates said. “Victims of their plunder are very much alive today. I am sure they would love a word with the majority leader.”
“While emancipation deadbolted the door against the bandits of America, Jim Crow wedged the windows wide open,” he added. “That’s the thing about Senator McConnell’s ‘something.’ It was 150 years ago. It was right now.”
posted by zachlipton at 12:57 PM on June 19, 2019 [48 favorites]
Politico, 'It’s a farce': Dems livid as Hope Hicks dodges questions
A transcript is expected to be released in the coming days, but why the hell didn't Democrats insist on doing this publicly, on TV, so that we'd have footage on every channel of a White House lawyer demanding she not answer questions?
posted by zachlipton at 1:02 PM on June 19, 2019 [50 favorites]
House Democrats erupted Wednesday at what they said was the White House’s repeated interference in their interview with Hope Hicks, a longtime confidante of President Donald Trump who was a central witness in special counsel Robert Mueller’s obstruction of justice investigation.The White House has taken the position that, without asserting executive privilege, Hicks can be blocked from testifying about not just her tenure at the White House, but about the campaign and things that took place after she left the administration.
Several House Judiciary Committee members exiting the closed-door interview said a White House lawyer repeatedly claimed Hicks had blanket immunity from discussing her time in the White House. They said she wouldn’t answer questions as basic as where she sat in the West Wing or whether she told the truth to Mueller.
“We’re watching obstruction of justice in action,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.).
“It’s a farce,” added Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who said Hicks at one point tried to answer a question about an episode involving former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski only to be cut off by the White House counsel.
...
Deutch added that the White House was not formally asserting executive privilege to block Hicks from answering certain questions; rather, the lawyer was referring to White House Counsel Pat Cipollone’s Tuesday letter claiming that Hicks was “absolutely immune” from discussing her tenure in the Trump administration.
A transcript is expected to be released in the coming days, but why the hell didn't Democrats insist on doing this publicly, on TV, so that we'd have footage on every channel of a White House lawyer demanding she not answer questions?
posted by zachlipton at 1:02 PM on June 19, 2019 [50 favorites]
The House passed a repeal of the 2001 post-9/11 Authorization to use Military Force today. It's the first time a repeal has passed in 18 years.
It's not going anywhere I'm sure but it was still the right thing to do.
posted by Justinian at 1:16 PM on June 19, 2019 [54 favorites]
It's not going anywhere I'm sure but it was still the right thing to do.
posted by Justinian at 1:16 PM on June 19, 2019 [54 favorites]
House Democrats erupted Wednesday at what they said was the White House’s repeated interference in their interview with Hope Hicks
The see-saw, it see-saws. Was it as indignant as Lindsey Graham at the Kavanaugh confirmation? Jim Jordan against John Dean?
This shit doesn't do anything. The Congressional majority needs to bring consequences, consequences that are spelled out in the law. Go to court. Move the ball. All I want to read about is what takes root in the public record, and neither the Wall Street Journal nor Rachel Maddow is the public record.
posted by rhizome at 1:44 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
The see-saw, it see-saws. Was it as indignant as Lindsey Graham at the Kavanaugh confirmation? Jim Jordan against John Dean?
This shit doesn't do anything. The Congressional majority needs to bring consequences, consequences that are spelled out in the law. Go to court. Move the ball. All I want to read about is what takes root in the public record, and neither the Wall Street Journal nor Rachel Maddow is the public record.
posted by rhizome at 1:44 PM on June 19, 2019 [12 favorites]
why the hell didn't Democrats insist on doing this publicly
I'm starting to wonder if House Leadership actually wants to shift public opinion. If they truly don't want to start impeachment proceedings, a shift in public opinion only makes it harder for them to continue avoiding it.
My Rep (Joe Kennedy) is part of the reason I'm thinking this way. He's in a completely safe district. He's untouchable, and he seems to follow leadership's direction very closely. He tweets multiple times a day. And he rarely says anything about Trump. When he does, it's just in response to a news article or quote. He never says anything about the big picture. He hasn't said anything remotely like what Rep. Katie Porter said last week. He makes no effort to build the case against Trump, and I assume that's because he's been told not to. If Democrat Leadership wanted to change public opinion, wouldn't they be encouraging every safe Rep to sound like Katie Porter? Maybe not the "start impeachment right now" part, but why not the "Here's what Mueller said and what it means" part.
Kennedy sent me a response letter a few weeks ago, and he pointed to last week's "informational" hearings and the committee contempt votes against Barr and Ross. He touted those as significant upcoming actions they were taking. We've now seen how true that was... And he didn't say anything about what should come next.
posted by diogenes at 1:52 PM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
I'm starting to wonder if House Leadership actually wants to shift public opinion. If they truly don't want to start impeachment proceedings, a shift in public opinion only makes it harder for them to continue avoiding it.
My Rep (Joe Kennedy) is part of the reason I'm thinking this way. He's in a completely safe district. He's untouchable, and he seems to follow leadership's direction very closely. He tweets multiple times a day. And he rarely says anything about Trump. When he does, it's just in response to a news article or quote. He never says anything about the big picture. He hasn't said anything remotely like what Rep. Katie Porter said last week. He makes no effort to build the case against Trump, and I assume that's because he's been told not to. If Democrat Leadership wanted to change public opinion, wouldn't they be encouraging every safe Rep to sound like Katie Porter? Maybe not the "start impeachment right now" part, but why not the "Here's what Mueller said and what it means" part.
Kennedy sent me a response letter a few weeks ago, and he pointed to last week's "informational" hearings and the committee contempt votes against Barr and Ross. He touted those as significant upcoming actions they were taking. We've now seen how true that was... And he didn't say anything about what should come next.
posted by diogenes at 1:52 PM on June 19, 2019 [13 favorites]
It's enough to make me think I should start running an Impeachment Bot on Twitter, the same as those who reply to Trump's tweets with a Seth Abramson-length thread within 0.04sec of them getting posted.
posted by rhizome at 1:59 PM on June 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 1:59 PM on June 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
Daily Beast, Erin Banco, Trump Tells His Team to Tone Down the Tough Talk on Iran
posted by zachlipton at 2:09 PM on June 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
President Trump has privately pushed his representatives to walk back their tough talk on Iran—and reiterate that the administration is not aiming to go to war with Tehran.The administration's Iran strategy consists of "declare an enemy and tell the people we will overpower them." And that strategy exists for political reasons, but is entirely useless as an actual foreign policy, so Trump is defaulting back to his usual "do whatever causes me the least personal bother" mode of governance.
Two senior officials and three other individuals with direct knowledge of the administration’s strategy in the region tell The Daily Beast that the president has asked officials to tone down their heated rhetoric on Iran, despite the attacks on tanker ships in the Gulf of Oman that Washington has blamed on Tehran. The president has previously said he is less hawkish on Iran than some of his advisers and this week, in a Time magazine interview, said the attacks on the tankers were “very minor.”
Over the last several days in public testimony and in closed-door briefings, Trump administration officials have tried to calm lawmakers on Capitol Hill who are wary of the administration evading Congress to launch a military confrontation with Tehran. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
posted by zachlipton at 2:09 PM on June 19, 2019 [6 favorites]
Having now bent over backwards to accommodate the executive branch and only gotten interference in return, the courts should now be more amenable to Congress' requests for assistance.
If the goal were to get answers rather than show the Administration's bad faith, they'd have kicked out the White House's counsel for interfering in the proceeding. Counsel was clearly not acting in the best interest of the witness, and therefore has no legitimate basis to argue anyone's rights are being violated by counsel being ejected.
As I've said before, this is what moving the ball forward looks like. If they're still dotting is and crossing ts once we get halfway through summer, we'll have legitimate reason to complain about the House's handling of their investigations.
posted by wierdo at 2:14 PM on June 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
If the goal were to get answers rather than show the Administration's bad faith, they'd have kicked out the White House's counsel for interfering in the proceeding. Counsel was clearly not acting in the best interest of the witness, and therefore has no legitimate basis to argue anyone's rights are being violated by counsel being ejected.
As I've said before, this is what moving the ball forward looks like. If they're still dotting is and crossing ts once we get halfway through summer, we'll have legitimate reason to complain about the House's handling of their investigations.
posted by wierdo at 2:14 PM on June 19, 2019 [3 favorites]
Trump's 2020 campaign strategy is familiar: Troll the libs! It might work on Biden (Amanda Marcotte, Salon)
This over-the-top hatred of liberals on the right is no doubt why so many Democrats currently think that Biden, the centrist former vice president with a fondness for good-ol'-boy politics, is more "electable," on the grounds that he might not provoke the kind of loathing Trump supporters have for more progressive (or more female) Democrats.posted by ZeusHumms at 2:29 PM on June 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
But what those Democrats fail to understand is that Biden is highly vulnerable to an even more toxic kind of right-wing trolling, the kind that both stokes right-wing hatred and demoralizes and demobilizes the left: Accusations of hypocrisy.
As I've argued before, Biden's gaffe-prone behavior and his reactionary impulses on a wide range of issues, make him uniquely vulnerable to "gotcha" trolling. That's where conservatives attack a Democratic politician sorta-kinda from the left, accusing them of racism or sexism or anti-Semitism.
If they're still dotting is and crossing ts once we get halfway through summer, we'll have legitimate reason to complain about the House's handling of their investigations.
Does mid July count as halfway through the summer? That's in 25 days.
posted by diogenes at 2:47 PM on June 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
Does mid July count as halfway through the summer? That's in 25 days.
posted by diogenes at 2:47 PM on June 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
As someone who doesn't remember Biden's old runs for President I had assumed his reputation as a gaffe machine was a bit exaggerated. Now I wonder if it was underestimated.
Joe, no. No to being buddies with segregationists.
posted by Justinian at 3:02 PM on June 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
Joe, no. No to being buddies with segregationists.
posted by Justinian at 3:02 PM on June 19, 2019 [9 favorites]
Fox News was doing gotcha trolling as of 2:00 pm today. Of course Republicans are very offended by Biden's comments on segregationists. We need a better candidate.
posted by wittgenstein at 3:22 PM on June 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by wittgenstein at 3:22 PM on June 19, 2019 [5 favorites]
If they're still dotting is and crossing ts once we get halfway through summer, we'll have legitimate reason to complain about the House's handling of their investigations.
It is currently the year two thousand and fucking nineteen. We should be complaining about any and all handling of investigations that aren’t already underway.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 3:42 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
It is currently the year two thousand and fucking nineteen. We should be complaining about any and all handling of investigations that aren’t already underway.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 3:42 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
Labor Beat!
I went to Florida to write about what I think is one of most undercovered major labor campaigns in America--SEIU has organized nearly 10,000 adjunct professors there, and they are not playing around:
posted by The Whelk at 4:06 PM on June 19, 2019 [26 favorites]
I went to Florida to write about what I think is one of most undercovered major labor campaigns in America--SEIU has organized nearly 10,000 adjunct professors there, and they are not playing around:
posted by The Whelk at 4:06 PM on June 19, 2019 [26 favorites]
I use Resistbot to reach out to my congresspeople ask the time. After dropping today's "don't fund concentration camps" message, I took their little unscientific presidential poll and was pleased to see the results for their userbase: Warren 43% / Sanders 15% / Yang 11% / Harris 10% / Buttigieg 9% / Biden 7%
I mean, i realize it's pretty meaningless but it gave me that cold flash of distant hope.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:44 PM on June 19, 2019 [14 favorites]
I mean, i realize it's pretty meaningless but it gave me that cold flash of distant hope.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:44 PM on June 19, 2019 [14 favorites]
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed legislation permitting Briarwood Presbyterian Church to establish its own police force for its church and school campuses.
The law approved two weeks ago allows the Birmingham-based church to set-up a private law enforcement department to make arrests when crimes are committed on its properties. Church officials say the measure is necessary to provide adequate security for the 2,000 students and faculty on its two private school campuses.
Randall Marshall, the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, says the law could allow the church to cover-up criminal activity that occurs on its campuses. He expects the law to be challenged in the courts for unconstitutionally granting government power to a religious institution.
We'll have our own version of ISIS within two years of the next economic downturn.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:00 PM on June 19, 2019 [39 favorites]
The law approved two weeks ago allows the Birmingham-based church to set-up a private law enforcement department to make arrests when crimes are committed on its properties. Church officials say the measure is necessary to provide adequate security for the 2,000 students and faculty on its two private school campuses.
Randall Marshall, the executive director of the ACLU of Alabama, says the law could allow the church to cover-up criminal activity that occurs on its campuses. He expects the law to be challenged in the courts for unconstitutionally granting government power to a religious institution.
We'll have our own version of ISIS within two years of the next economic downturn.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:00 PM on June 19, 2019 [39 favorites]
Sara Nelson, head of the air steward union and contender for AFL-CIO leadership, giving a speech about union power and organizing in a DSA pin against posters of SOCIALISM OVER BARBARISM
Feels like a change
posted by The Whelk at 5:32 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
Feels like a change
posted by The Whelk at 5:32 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed legislation permitting Briarwood Presbyterian Church to establish its own police force for its church and school campuses.
For those who are wondering, Briarwood is a member of the PCA denomination, which left the mainline Presbyterian Church in 1973 over integration. They are exactly who you think they are.
posted by hydropsyche at 5:48 PM on June 19, 2019 [39 favorites]
For those who are wondering, Briarwood is a member of the PCA denomination, which left the mainline Presbyterian Church in 1973 over integration. They are exactly who you think they are.
posted by hydropsyche at 5:48 PM on June 19, 2019 [39 favorites]
Biden hits back at Booker over segregationist senator. “Apologize for what? Cory [Booker] should apologize. He knows better”
Yikes. Every day, more yikeses.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:18 PM on June 19, 2019 [42 favorites]
Yikes. Every day, more yikeses.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:18 PM on June 19, 2019 [42 favorites]
Esquire (Charles Pierce): Joe Biden Is One of the Most Tone-Deaf Politicians in the History of Representative Government - He paints the bullseye on his own self more artistically than anyone I've ever seen.
Jamelle Bouie (NYT): Biden has an iron-clad belief in his own goodness and lacks any sense of his own fallibility, which are definitely great qualities to have in someone who might be president.
posted by chris24 at 6:43 PM on June 19, 2019 [42 favorites]
Jamelle Bouie (NYT): Biden has an iron-clad belief in his own goodness and lacks any sense of his own fallibility, which are definitely great qualities to have in someone who might be president.
posted by chris24 at 6:43 PM on June 19, 2019 [42 favorites]
Yikes. Every day, more yikeses.
At least he didn't call Booker boy instead of son
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:04 PM on June 19, 2019 [14 favorites]
At least he didn't call Booker boy instead of son
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:04 PM on June 19, 2019 [14 favorites]
at this point i’m just holding out for him to plagiarize huge chunks of a Welshman’s speech and get knocked out of the race again.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:20 PM on June 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:20 PM on June 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NEW US POLITICS MEGATHREAD
“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle”
NEW US POLITICS MEGATHREAD
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
posted by Little Dawn at 7:31 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NEW US POLITICS MEGATHREAD
“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle”
NEW US POLITICS MEGATHREAD
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
posted by Little Dawn at 7:31 PM on June 19, 2019 [15 favorites]
And your reward for making it to the end of the thread:
@margarettalev: "I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years in the Wharton School of Finance," @realDonaldTrump (@Wharton '68) said today at the White House as he honored Art Laffer, who famously drew the curve on a napkin... in 1974
posted by zachlipton at 7:32 PM on June 19, 2019 [48 favorites]
@margarettalev: "I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years in the Wharton School of Finance," @realDonaldTrump (@Wharton '68) said today at the White House as he honored Art Laffer, who famously drew the curve on a napkin... in 1974
posted by zachlipton at 7:32 PM on June 19, 2019 [48 favorites]
A quick reminder that one of Trump's profs at Wharton said that Trump was the "dumbest goddamn student I ever had."
posted by Justinian at 7:36 PM on June 19, 2019 [46 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 7:36 PM on June 19, 2019 [46 favorites]
> "I’ve heard and studied the Laffer Curve for many years in the Wharton School of Finance," @realDonaldTrump (@Wharton '68) said today at the White House as he honored Art Laffer, who famously drew the curve on a napkin... in 1974
It was true all along! Trump really *is* a time traveler trying to warn us about the dangers of fascism in the USA.
Off to the new thread... who's in charge of milk and cookies?
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:13 AM on June 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
It was true all along! Trump really *is* a time traveler trying to warn us about the dangers of fascism in the USA.
Off to the new thread... who's in charge of milk and cookies?
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:13 AM on June 20, 2019 [2 favorites]
Anyone who wants to be. So in this case, me.
🍶🍪🍪🍪
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:02 PM on June 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
🍶🍪🍪🍪
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:02 PM on June 20, 2019 [4 favorites]
Sake and cookies! Yup, we're at that point.
posted by inpHilltr8r at 2:17 PM on June 20, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by inpHilltr8r at 2:17 PM on June 20, 2019 [6 favorites]
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posted by prize bull octorok at 10:31 AM on May 29, 2019 [8 favorites]