Feed the Tamagotchi or democracy dies
March 30, 2017 10:52 AM Subscribe
New York Magazine's Daily Intelligencer has a round-up of All the Terrifying Things That Donald Trump Did Lately, but unfortunately, there's more! While there are plenty of signs that his presidency is flailing, including less than desired progress on his major promises, but there's plenty that he has done, by executive action and signed legislation. And while Devin Nunes's botched effort to scuttle the Trump/Russia investigation have stalled action in the House, Senate intel holds first public Russia hearing.
Excellent post title. Although he looks more like a Furby recovered from landfill.
posted by howfar at 10:54 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by howfar at 10:54 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
I'm never getting any work done ever again, am I.
posted by schadenfrau at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [70 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [70 favorites]
Thank you! Spicey time was delayed just for the new thread!
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is a big fucking deal. Going to be QUITE a press conference today at the White House!
posted by lattiboy at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by lattiboy at 10:56 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
howfar: Excellent post title. Although he looks more like a Furby recovered from landfill.
The post title is from a comment by sgranade and soren_lorensen's suggestion, for the record.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
The post title is from a comment by sgranade and soren_lorensen's suggestion, for the record.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
For those who occasionally get out of the loop*, may I suggest What The Fuck Just Happened Today??
*run while you can!
posted by INFJ at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2017 [37 favorites]
*run while you can!
posted by INFJ at 10:57 AM on March 30, 2017 [37 favorites]
Okay, so Trump had a couple of Flynn's goons that were inexplicably still part of the admin root through a bunch of transcripts where various foreign agents are discussing Trump so he can use it as a smoking gun for his wiretap claims. Does this not now mean that a bunch of Flynn goons now have a bunch of incriminating dirt on Trump?
That seems bad, though I guess less so if Flynn & co knew all the dirt anyway.
Anyhow, this corrupt conspiracy is very bad at corruption and conspiracy.
posted by Artw at 10:58 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
That seems bad, though I guess less so if Flynn & co knew all the dirt anyway.
Anyhow, this corrupt conspiracy is very bad at corruption and conspiracy.
posted by Artw at 10:58 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
schadenfrau, I think you're doing some important work here. Useful, anyway.
Lemme know if you need me to write you a note
posted by miles per flower at 10:58 AM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Lemme know if you need me to write you a note
posted by miles per flower at 10:58 AM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
So here's my question: If Trump is forced to resign because of the Russia thing, we get a do-over on the last couple months, right? RIGHT?
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 10:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 10:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Mod note: Hey folks! A lot going on but let's try and help keep the thread from immediately needing replacing by aiming for more substantive link/context stuff and not so much random chatter or one-liner liveblogging etc. These threads have been getting pretty chatty and wooly and it'd be good to throttle that back a bit. The server and the mod team thank you.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [69 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [69 favorites]
One thing I’ve not been able to help but notice: Nunes isn’t even putting on a dog-and-pony show with the House Intelligence Committee to make this go away. What that tells me is that there’s so much damaging information that they can’t risk ANY of it getting out. The fact that Trump is caught up in surveillance of foreign officials is worthy of an investigation in and of itself.
posted by azpenguin at 11:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 11:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
It's pretty amazing to consider that this particular sub-mess around Nunes is completely self-inflected from the original tweet to the bonkers attempt to justify that tweet.
posted by diogenes at 11:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 11:02 AM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
Those who can stand to watch the stupid ass briefings and report back on it in hopefully-not-too-livebloggy chunks, your sacrifice is appreciated.
posted by Artw at 11:03 AM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:03 AM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
He's at 35% approval, -24 net and everything is self-inflicted. The economy is good, stock market good, unemployment under 5%, no foreign disasters, no natural disasters. 60 odd days in. Insane.
posted by chris24 at 11:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [143 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 11:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [143 favorites]
Spicer claims that Gorsuch is the "definition" of a mainstream judge. I hope a reporter goes after that. Not today, but tomorrow, or something.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:05 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Spicer is still doing the scripted portion of the briefing. Main new points are that Gorsuch is really great and should be confirmed (and that he answered lots and lots of questions), the White House supports the repeal of internet privacy regulations, and they'll decide what to do about the Paris Agreement sometime before the G7 summit in May.
posted by zachlipton at 11:06 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:06 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Spicer is now saying that a letter was just transmitted to the Senate and House intelligence committees explaining that they discovered documents responsive to their request for information that intelligence was mishandled, and that the chairs and ranking members of said committees will be invited to the White House to view that evidence.
My hunch is that they realized that the leak to Nunes was also something they were supposed to be disclosing to Congress officially, and now they're covering their tracks.
posted by zachlipton at 11:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
My hunch is that they realized that the leak to Nunes was also something they were supposed to be disclosing to Congress officially, and now they're covering their tracks.
posted by zachlipton at 11:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
One thing I’ve not been able to help but notice: Nunes isn’t even putting on a dog-and-pony show with the House Intelligence Committee to make this go away. What that tells me is that there’s so much damaging information that they can’t risk ANY of it getting out. The fact that Trump is caught up in surveillance of foreign officials is worthy of an investigation in and of itself.
This has been the thrust of Josh Marshall's thesis over at TPM: basically that the only thing that explains this kind of batshit blanket denial and laughably suspicious effort to kill any and all investigation, rather than have a dog and pony show, is that whatever the real scandal is is so big, and so...many-tentacled, that they can't risk any scrutiny at all.
Too big to fake it, essentially.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [58 favorites]
This has been the thrust of Josh Marshall's thesis over at TPM: basically that the only thing that explains this kind of batshit blanket denial and laughably suspicious effort to kill any and all investigation, rather than have a dog and pony show, is that whatever the real scandal is is so big, and so...many-tentacled, that they can't risk any scrutiny at all.
Too big to fake it, essentially.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:09 AM on March 30, 2017 [58 favorites]
Russia hired 1,000 people to create anti-Clinton 'fake news' in key US states during election, Trump-Russia hearings leader reveals
posted by futz at 11:10 AM on March 30, 2017 [81 favorites]
posted by futz at 11:10 AM on March 30, 2017 [81 favorites]
Russia hired 1,000 people to create anti-Clinton 'fake news' in key US states during election, Trump-Russia hearings leader reveals
That is a terrifyingly small number
posted by schadenfrau at 11:11 AM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
That is a terrifyingly small number
posted by schadenfrau at 11:11 AM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
this one's "feed" will only get Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" stuck in there
GODDAMMIT GREG NOG
posted by Etrigan at 11:11 AM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
GODDAMMIT GREG NOG
posted by Etrigan at 11:11 AM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
Spicer is mad at a [white, male] reporter for his "obsession" with "who and when." He's treating him nicer than he does April Ryan, though.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:15 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:15 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Spicer's voice is breaking with the stress at the moment.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:16 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by MattWPBS at 11:16 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Q: Does the White House think its appropriate for National Security officials to be carrying out a political task, finding information to validate the President's tweet.
A: Your question assumes the reporting is correct. We've invited both committees to see the materials.
Q: Are you saying the NYT reporting is not correct?
A: "In order to comment on that story would be to validate certain things that I am not at liberty to do." Spicer says the press is focused on the "process" but the White House is focused on the "substance." They sent a letter to the committees in the past few hours saying they had this information.
Spicer: "We are not going to engage actively in that kind of leaking that has been a problem."
His strategy here is basically to argue that the process doesn't matter and just wants everyone to think there's a wiretapping scandal.
posted by zachlipton at 11:16 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
A: Your question assumes the reporting is correct. We've invited both committees to see the materials.
Q: Are you saying the NYT reporting is not correct?
A: "In order to comment on that story would be to validate certain things that I am not at liberty to do." Spicer says the press is focused on the "process" but the White House is focused on the "substance." They sent a letter to the committees in the past few hours saying they had this information.
Spicer: "We are not going to engage actively in that kind of leaking that has been a problem."
His strategy here is basically to argue that the process doesn't matter and just wants everyone to think there's a wiretapping scandal.
posted by zachlipton at 11:16 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Press secretary says "I never said I would provide you answers." Of course there' context I'm leaving out here, but still, looks like he's misread his job description or something...
posted by Namlit at 11:17 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Namlit at 11:17 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Maybe white guys could invent a new industry of being speaking surrogates for women and people of color. Like, April Ryan could have a white guy come in with her, with an earpiece, and she has a headset mike and tells him what to say. It doesn't have to be subtle, because Republicans are past that. They'll be so relieved a white man is talking that they'll accept it.
posted by emjaybee at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
futz: Russia hired 1,000 people to create anti-Clinton 'fake news' in key US states during election, Trump-Russia hearings leader reveals
If 5th graders can be taught to learn how to do a decent job figuring out what is a fake news story in 2-3 minutes in class, I have high hopes that others can learn, too. That's assuming that they actually care about the truth and won't reshape reality that is before their eyes.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
If 5th graders can be taught to learn how to do a decent job figuring out what is a fake news story in 2-3 minutes in class, I have high hopes that others can learn, too. That's assuming that they actually care about the truth and won't reshape reality that is before their eyes.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
What if there’s no 'Nuclear Option' in the Senate?
In the absence of a plausible constitutional issue raised by the Gorsuch filibuster, the 2013 precedent is simply inapplicable. If the Republicans, nevertheless, insist on invoking the Nixon rule, respect for Rule XXII mandates that, in the absence of plausible allegations of unconstitutional abuse, the scripted point of order at the heart of the nuclear option be sustained by 2/3 of the senators present and voting before it morphs into a binding Senate precedent. At a minimum, unlike the sleepy Republicans in 2013, the Democratic Senate leadership should counter with points-of-order demanding debate on any appeal to the Senate that does not require a 2/3 vote. The Senate could, of course, choose to operate under a rule providing for changes in the rules by majority vote, or, for that matter, under no rules at all. But that’s not what the Senate has done. Instead, the senators have carefully submitted themselves to a rule about changing rules that requires a 2/3 vote. Republican senators were free to change the Senate’s rules by majority vote in Jan., 2017, during the organizational phase of the current Congress.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
In the absence of a plausible constitutional issue raised by the Gorsuch filibuster, the 2013 precedent is simply inapplicable. If the Republicans, nevertheless, insist on invoking the Nixon rule, respect for Rule XXII mandates that, in the absence of plausible allegations of unconstitutional abuse, the scripted point of order at the heart of the nuclear option be sustained by 2/3 of the senators present and voting before it morphs into a binding Senate precedent. At a minimum, unlike the sleepy Republicans in 2013, the Democratic Senate leadership should counter with points-of-order demanding debate on any appeal to the Senate that does not require a 2/3 vote. The Senate could, of course, choose to operate under a rule providing for changes in the rules by majority vote, or, for that matter, under no rules at all. But that’s not what the Senate has done. Instead, the senators have carefully submitted themselves to a rule about changing rules that requires a 2/3 vote. Republican senators were free to change the Senate’s rules by majority vote in Jan., 2017, during the organizational phase of the current Congress.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Is this the only job Spicer can do? Was he genetically bred to give mad news conferences for a madman and is adrift forever if he doesn't do that? Because otherwise I cannot fathom why he does this job.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by lesbiassparrow at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
His strategy here is basically to argue that the process doesn't matter and just wants everyone to think there's a wiretapping scandal.
His strategy is that he has no idea what the fuck he is doing.
posted by Melismata at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
His strategy is that he has no idea what the fuck he is doing.
posted by Melismata at 11:18 AM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
This would be another drawing as Trump, this time a more straight forward rendering, but of Trump as a zombie. Zombie Trump, shuffling hideously around the Whitehouse during the dead of night!
As per usual, please feel free to share, download, or what have you.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
As per usual, please feel free to share, download, or what have you.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Even if the "Obama tapped my phones!!" story were true, what political capital is gained here? Is this entire WH just dedicated to the task of making Trump's wild accusations justified? Every time I think they've backed off a little on the ideas of 1)Obama ordering the wiretap and 2)the surveillance taking place during the election (both of which are demonstrably untrue) they double down on those claims..
posted by obtuser at 11:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by obtuser at 11:20 AM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Because otherwise I cannot fathom why he does this job.
No one else could do it.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:21 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
No one else could do it.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:21 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
This guy [Spicer] is so full of shit. The patience of the press pool - they know damn well they are getting lied to and still remain professional.
posted by H. Roark at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by H. Roark at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
So here's my question: If Trump is forced to resign because of the Russia thing, we get a do-over on the last couple months, right? RIGHT?
Pretty much. We've seen the dance before - Pence and a number of high-profile administration members will resign first, Trump will nominate a middle-of-the-road, uncontroversial establishment Republican to sail smoothly through the confirmation (Romney or Sandoval would be my guess) , pardon those who already resigned, and then himself resign in exchange for a blanket pardon. Ryan leaves the house to be Veep to appease Movement conservatives, and a giant hatchet fight ensues between the Movement Conservatives and Freedom Caucus to see who'll be the next Speaker, each trying to out-crazy the next.
The new Administration will look a lot more like H. W.'s than Dubbya's in an attempt to salvage the Republican brand by steering well clear of drama and controversy, and slowly, quietly walk back a lot of the whackadoodle fringe fantasies Franco American tried to foist off on the nation.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Pretty much. We've seen the dance before - Pence and a number of high-profile administration members will resign first, Trump will nominate a middle-of-the-road, uncontroversial establishment Republican to sail smoothly through the confirmation (Romney or Sandoval would be my guess) , pardon those who already resigned, and then himself resign in exchange for a blanket pardon. Ryan leaves the house to be Veep to appease Movement conservatives, and a giant hatchet fight ensues between the Movement Conservatives and Freedom Caucus to see who'll be the next Speaker, each trying to out-crazy the next.
The new Administration will look a lot more like H. W.'s than Dubbya's in an attempt to salvage the Republican brand by steering well clear of drama and controversy, and slowly, quietly walk back a lot of the whackadoodle fringe fantasies Franco American tried to foist off on the nation.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
6 reasons the Trump presidency is in shambles
Bullshitting is easy, but governing is hard: Trump’s bluster and bombast, so effective on the campaign trail, has backfired spectacularly in office.70 days in, Donald Trump’s presidency is flailing
...
1) Trump is a strong communicator but a lousy policy specialist
2) Trump underestimated the importance of Congress
3) Trump’s decision to wage war against the bureaucracy was foolish
4) The administration is too divided and chaotic to get anything done
5) Trump’s managerial style doesn’t translate to politics
6) Trump’s strength is his populist appeal, but presidents rarely move public opinion
...with every day that passes, Trump is looking more bound by the political system he promised to upend. The outcomes we’re seeing look like what you’d expect from an inexperienced, unfocused president who’s more interested in tweeting out cable news commentary than learning about the government he runs and the policies he wants to change. Merely 10 weeks into his term, the processes, skills, and institutions Trump flouted as a candidate are breaking him as a president.posted by kirkaracha at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
The constitution, laws, etc: Local school board issuing a statement saying bullying will not be tolerated.
Republican legislators: The football team, who routinely bully other students.
Trump, et al: Principal, coaches and teachers, who give some mouth service to following the school board's edicts, but through their actions and words, openly ignore them, and worse, through their actions give the team reason to double-down on their bullying.
30% of America: Live vicariously through football team's victories, think the bullying is OK if that's what it takes to win.
Women, people of color, and other oppressed groups: Students who are targets of the bullying, chosen precisely because they are at a disadvatage.
This middle school is a shithole. In the movie version, good will eventually triumph and the football team and enabling adults receive their due, but that requires a character to show up:
Principled student(s) and teachers: Democratic lawmakers and engaged citizens.
posted by maxwelton at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [36 favorites]
Republican legislators: The football team, who routinely bully other students.
Trump, et al: Principal, coaches and teachers, who give some mouth service to following the school board's edicts, but through their actions and words, openly ignore them, and worse, through their actions give the team reason to double-down on their bullying.
30% of America: Live vicariously through football team's victories, think the bullying is OK if that's what it takes to win.
Women, people of color, and other oppressed groups: Students who are targets of the bullying, chosen precisely because they are at a disadvatage.
This middle school is a shithole. In the movie version, good will eventually triumph and the football team and enabling adults receive their due, but that requires a character to show up:
Principled student(s) and teachers: Democratic lawmakers and engaged citizens.
posted by maxwelton at 11:22 AM on March 30, 2017 [36 favorites]
Q: Did President Trump order anyone to look for information to justify his tweet?
Spicer: Uh, um, er, I, uh, I can't answer that.
posted by diogenes at 11:24 AM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
Spicer: Uh, um, er, I, uh, I can't answer that.
posted by diogenes at 11:24 AM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
kirkaracha: Trump’s strength is his populist appeal, but presidents rarely move public opinion
Hah, Trump proved this one wrong! Americans’ opposition to repealing Obamacare grows, particularly among Republicans
Oh, you mean he should be moving public opinion his direction ... oh, never mind.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [38 favorites]
Hah, Trump proved this one wrong! Americans’ opposition to repealing Obamacare grows, particularly among Republicans
Oh, you mean he should be moving public opinion his direction ... oh, never mind.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:25 AM on March 30, 2017 [38 favorites]
I think my deepest fear is that these hearings will turn out like Benghazi in reverse. They'll drag on, and come to the conclusion that there's nothing there, even though half the country sees there's plenty there. It'll just be flipped as to which half is convinced of which side, and in the end it won't get anyone in actual trouble.
posted by dnash at 11:26 AM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by dnash at 11:26 AM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
dnash: It'll just be flipped as to which half is convinced of which side, and in the end it won't get anyone in actual trouble.
Which will actually be worse than no one getting in trouble, Trump will be "inoculated" against future fuck-ups. Unless he was on camera doing something completely illegal, it would be that much easier for supporters to say "oh yeah, this will just be like the Russia debacle, a waste of time and money."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Which will actually be worse than no one getting in trouble, Trump will be "inoculated" against future fuck-ups. Unless he was on camera doing something completely illegal, it would be that much easier for supporters to say "oh yeah, this will just be like the Russia debacle, a waste of time and money."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Maybe white guys could invent a new industry of being speaking surrogates for women and people of color. Like, April Ryan could have a white guy come in with her, with an earpiece, and she has a headset mike and tells him what to say. It doesn't have to be subtle, because Republicans are past that. They'll be so relieved a white man is talking that they'll accept it.
I have in the past daydreamed about doing this exact thing if I ever won the lottery.
posted by winna at 11:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
I have in the past daydreamed about doing this exact thing if I ever won the lottery.
posted by winna at 11:29 AM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
When Spicer shuts down a reporter, I wish the other reporters would band together and cede their question back to the original reporter until Spicer has to just walk away.
posted by diogenes at 11:31 AM on March 30, 2017 [89 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 11:31 AM on March 30, 2017 [89 favorites]
Like, April Ryan could have a white guy come in with her, with an earpiece, and she has a headset mike and tells him what to say.
Larry Middleman?
posted by melissasaurus at 11:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Larry Middleman?
posted by melissasaurus at 11:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Maybe white guys could invent a new industry of being speaking surrogates for women and people of color. Like, April Ryan could have a white guy come in with her, with an earpiece, and she has a headset mike and tells him what to say. It doesn't have to be subtle, because Republicans are past that. They'll be so relieved a white man is talking that they'll accept it.
I have in the past daydreamed about doing this exact thing if I ever won the lottery.
Cyrano de Priveledgerac.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [48 favorites]
I have in the past daydreamed about doing this exact thing if I ever won the lottery.
Cyrano de Priveledgerac.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:32 AM on March 30, 2017 [48 favorites]
I haven't seen Spicer on camera in close to three weeks. He looks really tired and he's clearly lost weight. He's getting worn out by the stress.
posted by carmicha at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
1) Trump is a strong communicator
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills. The man has a vocabulary of about 100 words (80 of them are adjectives) and can barely form a coherent sentence, even when he's typing.
posted by soren_lorensen at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [149 favorites]
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills. The man has a vocabulary of about 100 words (80 of them are adjectives) and can barely form a coherent sentence, even when he's typing.
posted by soren_lorensen at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [149 favorites]
Larry Middleman?
If you had told me, five years ago, that Arrested Development was a blueprint for an American Presidency, I think I would have assumed it would be a lot funnier than it is.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [45 favorites]
If you had told me, five years ago, that Arrested Development was a blueprint for an American Presidency, I think I would have assumed it would be a lot funnier than it is.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:34 AM on March 30, 2017 [45 favorites]
Why would Pence resign?
Fortunately, if there's an opportunity to gank a political opponent, it won't matter how under-the-radar he is, keeping him from the oval office will keep a lot of folks busy... this is provided he's not on the wrong side of the law.
There are a ton of moving pieces to this, and Pence does like to keep a low profile, but he's neck deep in this if the WaPo and NYT are to be believed - he knew full well Flynn was in contact with a Russian handler. Which means he is passively complicit, at the very least.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:36 AM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Fortunately, if there's an opportunity to gank a political opponent, it won't matter how under-the-radar he is, keeping him from the oval office will keep a lot of folks busy... this is provided he's not on the wrong side of the law.
There are a ton of moving pieces to this, and Pence does like to keep a low profile, but he's neck deep in this if the WaPo and NYT are to be believed - he knew full well Flynn was in contact with a Russian handler. Which means he is passively complicit, at the very least.
posted by Slap*Happy at 11:36 AM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
1) Trump is a strong communicator
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills. The man has a vocabulary of about 100 words (80 of them are adjectives) and can barely form a coherent sentence, even when he's typing.
He's a very strong communicator of particular emotions, completely untethered to any understanding of the actual world. Ideas, not so much. But for a certain type of person, ideas literally do not matter.
And that is apparently distressingly common. Like...for real, there are a lot of dumb people, and a lot of people who maybe aren't dumb but are just incurious enough that they don't really second guess what their lizard brain might tell them at any given moment.
Like, a lot of them.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:37 AM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills. The man has a vocabulary of about 100 words (80 of them are adjectives) and can barely form a coherent sentence, even when he's typing.
He's a very strong communicator of particular emotions, completely untethered to any understanding of the actual world. Ideas, not so much. But for a certain type of person, ideas literally do not matter.
And that is apparently distressingly common. Like...for real, there are a lot of dumb people, and a lot of people who maybe aren't dumb but are just incurious enough that they don't really second guess what their lizard brain might tell them at any given moment.
Like, a lot of them.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:37 AM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
So as I understand the situation:
- Trump tweets about "tapp"
- Much noise and shouting, White House demands that Congress investigate to find proof of the President's own tweets
- White House officials start searching classified documents to find proof of the President's tweets
- Intelligence committees request documents that would prove the President's tweets
- Nunes bails out of his Uber, rushes to the White House, views documents given to him by Michael Ellis and Ezra Cohen-Watnick (a Flynn lackey who the National Security Advisor wanted to reassign, but Bannon and Kushner refused to allow that to happen) and that don't prove the President's tweets at all and are just ordinary communications about foreign officials talking about the new Administration
- Nunes briefs Ryan, holds a breathless press conference where he portrays this as a giant scandal, rushes to the White House uninvited to tell the White House about documents he just got from the White House
- Sean Spicer explains that it makes no sense for the information to have come from the White House
- The New York Times reveals that Nunes got the information from the White House
- The White House officially notifies the intelligence committees the information exists. It's supposedly a total coincidence that this happened right after the NYT found out about this. Presumably someone realized that this looks a lot like withholding evidence from Congress, which is usually what we call it when the White House is sitting on documents that are responsive to a request.
- Sean Spicer stonewalls and emits word salad when asked to explain any of this.
This is such an own-goal.
posted by zachlipton at 11:37 AM on March 30, 2017 [145 favorites]
- Trump tweets about "tapp"
- Much noise and shouting, White House demands that Congress investigate to find proof of the President's own tweets
- White House officials start searching classified documents to find proof of the President's tweets
- Intelligence committees request documents that would prove the President's tweets
- Nunes bails out of his Uber, rushes to the White House, views documents given to him by Michael Ellis and Ezra Cohen-Watnick (a Flynn lackey who the National Security Advisor wanted to reassign, but Bannon and Kushner refused to allow that to happen) and that don't prove the President's tweets at all and are just ordinary communications about foreign officials talking about the new Administration
- Nunes briefs Ryan, holds a breathless press conference where he portrays this as a giant scandal, rushes to the White House uninvited to tell the White House about documents he just got from the White House
- Sean Spicer explains that it makes no sense for the information to have come from the White House
- The New York Times reveals that Nunes got the information from the White House
- The White House officially notifies the intelligence committees the information exists. It's supposedly a total coincidence that this happened right after the NYT found out about this. Presumably someone realized that this looks a lot like withholding evidence from Congress, which is usually what we call it when the White House is sitting on documents that are responsive to a request.
- Sean Spicer stonewalls and emits word salad when asked to explain any of this.
This is such an own-goal.
posted by zachlipton at 11:37 AM on March 30, 2017 [145 favorites]
1) Trump is a strong communicator
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
strong != good
posted by Etrigan at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
strong != good
posted by Etrigan at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Comey (FBI) told Obama that the Russians were involved in our elections. Obama told him not to go public with that info. Why? The FBI still trying to authenticate the Brit spy Steele material. If they can, it is dynamite (yes, I have seen it), but thus far Steele reluctant to travel.
Whatever becomes of Trump, climate change mess he is making and the Supreme Court will remain when Pence takes over.
posted by Postroad at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Whatever becomes of Trump, climate change mess he is making and the Supreme Court will remain when Pence takes over.
posted by Postroad at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
The letter/invite that the White House sent to the intelligence committees is such a transparent attempt to cover their asses.
posted by diogenes at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 11:38 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
When Spicer shuts down a reporter, I wish the other reporters would band together and cede their question back to the original reporter until Spicer has to just walk away.
And that just happened with someone telling him to take April Ryan's question.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:39 AM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
And that just happened with someone telling him to take April Ryan's question.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:39 AM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
Spicer says that he "does not know" who the White House officials were who talked to Nunes, and he is "not aware" if Nunes was offered a Cabinet position or some other administration position in the future.'
And shout out to reporter "Kaitlyn" for ceding to April Ryan.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:40 AM on March 30, 2017 [40 favorites]
And shout out to reporter "Kaitlyn" for ceding to April Ryan.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:40 AM on March 30, 2017 [40 favorites]
The House Intelligence Committee has suspended its Russian investigation, why does Spicer keep implying that it's ongoing (so an independent one is not necessary; that reporters are too focussed on the process when it's all 'being handled').
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I bet whoever came up with Nunes as a method for laundering the information thoughtbthey were pretty fucking smart.
Probably Bannon.
posted by Artw at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Probably Bannon.
posted by Artw at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
The man has a vocabulary of about 100 words (80 of them are adjectives)
And 70 of those are "very".
posted by uosuaq at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
And 70 of those are "very".
posted by uosuaq at 11:41 AM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Does it make me a bad person that I can't get past his suit. How can a tailor be this bad. He has had months to find Trevor Noah's tailor.
posted by johnpowell at 11:42 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by johnpowell at 11:42 AM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
he is "not aware" if Nunes was offered a Cabinet position or some other administration position in the future.'
I suspect that question didn't come out of nowhere and we'll be hearing more on that subject in the near future.
posted by diogenes at 11:42 AM on March 30, 2017 [26 favorites]
I suspect that question didn't come out of nowhere and we'll be hearing more on that subject in the near future.
posted by diogenes at 11:42 AM on March 30, 2017 [26 favorites]
I almost never repost links, but I hope you'll agree this one needs to be posted again right now: Devin Nunes last week was like one of those dotted-line Family Circus cartoons. [single-tweet photo]
posted by zachlipton at 11:43 AM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:43 AM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
1) Trump is a strong communicator
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
There are certain parts of the population who feel that if you use too many big words or complicated ideas, that you're acting as if you're better than others. Anti-intellectualism is a thing. This is Trump's crowd.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:44 AM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
Every time I see someone assert this, I feel like I am taking crazy pills.
There are certain parts of the population who feel that if you use too many big words or complicated ideas, that you're acting as if you're better than others. Anti-intellectualism is a thing. This is Trump's crowd.
posted by rachaelfaith at 11:44 AM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
Spicer just directed a reporter to the State Department — which is not currently holding on-the-record briefings.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:45 AM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:45 AM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Love that he seems to be claiming that the White House doesn't know who's coming into the building.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:45 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by MattWPBS at 11:45 AM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
SPICER: "The filibuster has never been the norm for Supreme Court Justices."
Wondering if anyone will bring up Garland to him now.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Wondering if anyone will bring up Garland to him now.
posted by MattWPBS at 11:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Holy shit. April Ryan has started re-tweeting people who send her racist remarks, with the comment, "Here you go."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [74 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:47 AM on March 30, 2017 [74 favorites]
Love that he seems to be claiming that the White House doesn't know who's coming into the building.
I'm pretty comfortable with any assertion that the current White House doesn't know anything on any topic.
posted by Etrigan at 11:48 AM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'm pretty comfortable with any assertion that the current White House doesn't know anything on any topic.
posted by Etrigan at 11:48 AM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Wondering if anyone will bring up Garland to him now.
The fucking nerve to bitch about Supreme Court nominees always getting an up-or-down vote.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:48 AM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Never fails. Soon as I make a comment I feel proud of, there's a new thread.
I'm never gonna be a MeFi snark superstar.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:49 AM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
I'm never gonna be a MeFi snark superstar.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:49 AM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
Does it make me a bad person that I can't get past his suit. How can a tailor be this bad. He has had months to find Trevor Noah's tailor.
If the boss is schlumpy, his underlings will copy him.
posted by emjaybee at 11:50 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
If the boss is schlumpy, his underlings will copy him.
posted by emjaybee at 11:50 AM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I totally don't get how no one in the press room won't follow up spicer's run on answer about how unprecedented the filibuster will be with a question about Garland.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:50 AM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:50 AM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
Soon as I make a comment I feel proud of, there's a new thread.
I feel you. One of the best puns of my life is sadly languishing at the bottom of a defunct thread :(
posted by diogenes at 11:52 AM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
I feel you. One of the best puns of my life is sadly languishing at the bottom of a defunct thread :(
posted by diogenes at 11:52 AM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
"The FBI still trying to authenticate the Brit spy Steele material. If they can, it is dynamite (yes, I have seen it)"
Postroad do you just mean the dossier on Buzzfeed/CNN...or something else?
posted by Brainy at 11:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Postroad do you just mean the dossier on Buzzfeed/CNN...or something else?
posted by Brainy at 11:59 AM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I guess I'd like to hear more about Postroad's interactions with the Spy Footage Urine Videocassette
Didn't they put out one really great album in 1996 and then break up?
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Didn't they put out one really great album in 1996 and then break up?
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Comey (FBI) told Obama that the Russians were involved in our elections. Obama told him not to go public with that info. Why?
I cannot wait for the docudrama ten years from now that finally answers this question.
I have a suspicion that Obama believed that throwing out the Trump-Russia accusations during the campaign would be dismissed as mere partisan meddling, even if it came with solid proof. And the proof at the time was probably highly suggestive but not quite rock solid.
Sad to say, if that was the justification, it was probably the correct read of the situation. There are more than a few people on the left currently taking the Trump-Russia stuff as gospel truth now who were, last summer when the story first broke, accusing Clinton of making the whole thing up. Those people would not have been any more inclined to believe it coming from Comey. And I don't think I need to say anything about how the right would have taken it.
(Another possible justification is that revealing the US government's knowledge of meddling, beyond the bits about Guccifer 2.0 that got out, might have jeopardized spies abroad and exposed them to retaliation from Putin.)
posted by tobascodagama at 12:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [56 favorites]
I cannot wait for the docudrama ten years from now that finally answers this question.
I have a suspicion that Obama believed that throwing out the Trump-Russia accusations during the campaign would be dismissed as mere partisan meddling, even if it came with solid proof. And the proof at the time was probably highly suggestive but not quite rock solid.
Sad to say, if that was the justification, it was probably the correct read of the situation. There are more than a few people on the left currently taking the Trump-Russia stuff as gospel truth now who were, last summer when the story first broke, accusing Clinton of making the whole thing up. Those people would not have been any more inclined to believe it coming from Comey. And I don't think I need to say anything about how the right would have taken it.
(Another possible justification is that revealing the US government's knowledge of meddling, beyond the bits about Guccifer 2.0 that got out, might have jeopardized spies abroad and exposed them to retaliation from Putin.)
posted by tobascodagama at 12:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [56 favorites]
South Carolina U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford: Trump threatened to back primary challenger against me
posted by zachlipton at 12:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [74 favorites]
The South Carolina Republican told The Post and Courier that Trump chose to convey this message through an intermediary: White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, a former member of the S.C. congressional delegation, co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus and a friend.I really think these tactics are just going to make the Freedom Caucus dig in more.
"'The president asked me to look you square in the eyes and to say that he hoped that you voted ‘no’ on this bill so he could run (a primary challenger) against you in 2018,'" Sanford said Mulvaney told him.
He added that Mulvaney made it clear he did not want to deliver the message but did so at Trump's insistence.
posted by zachlipton at 12:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [74 favorites]
Paul Ryan: “He had told me that — like, a whistleblower-type person had given him some information that was new that spoke to the last administration and part of this investigation,”
So, he is a liar or Nunes is a liar or they are both liars or? If Ryan is not lying then he is almost as dumb as Nunes, which we have established as a baseline for super-fucking-dumb.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
So, he is a liar or Nunes is a liar or they are both liars or? If Ryan is not lying then he is almost as dumb as Nunes, which we have established as a baseline for super-fucking-dumb.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
tobascodagama: "I have a suspicion that Obama believed that throwing out the Trump-Russia accusations during the campaign would be dismissed as mere partisan meddling, even if it came with solid proof. And the proof at the time was probably highly suggestive but not quite rock solid."
It's also worth remembering the context that candidate Trump was always, always perceived by everyone to be a joke candidate with zero real chance. Not torpedoing the already extremely tenuous trust in elections just to guard against Trump and Russian fake news absurdities feels very much like the way that Obama would frame and then decide the issue.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [33 favorites]
It's also worth remembering the context that candidate Trump was always, always perceived by everyone to be a joke candidate with zero real chance. Not torpedoing the already extremely tenuous trust in elections just to guard against Trump and Russian fake news absurdities feels very much like the way that Obama would frame and then decide the issue.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [33 favorites]
I have a suspicion that Obama believed that throwing out the Trump-Russia accusations during the campaign would be dismissed as mere partisan meddling, even if it came with solid proof. And the proof at the time was probably highly suggestive but not quite rock solid.
That's my read on it as well. Also, one of my concerns continues to be that when - let's call them "low information" people hear "Russian meddling in elections" what they expect that to mean is actual tampering with voting machines and counts. The current media universe is so new that "massive disinformation propaganda effort, aimed at poisoning public trust and opinion" is not something anyone seems to have imagined possible on this scale. I think it's still something many, many people have a hard time understanding as having any impact. They will simply scoff and say "oh c'mon, people are too smart to fall for that."
I fear it's gonna require some super-red-hot smoking gun, like a voice recording of a conversation, to really make this stick hard enough to do justice. I fear it's going to be too easy to get no further than "sure I talked to the Russian guy. Can't remember about what. Probably just the weather and how's the wife and kids." And how do you get past that? Phones and emails purged. The particular Russians in question safely back in their country where we can't get to them. Or dead. So very much smoke but will we ever find the real fire?
posted by dnash at 12:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [33 favorites]
That's my read on it as well. Also, one of my concerns continues to be that when - let's call them "low information" people hear "Russian meddling in elections" what they expect that to mean is actual tampering with voting machines and counts. The current media universe is so new that "massive disinformation propaganda effort, aimed at poisoning public trust and opinion" is not something anyone seems to have imagined possible on this scale. I think it's still something many, many people have a hard time understanding as having any impact. They will simply scoff and say "oh c'mon, people are too smart to fall for that."
I fear it's gonna require some super-red-hot smoking gun, like a voice recording of a conversation, to really make this stick hard enough to do justice. I fear it's going to be too easy to get no further than "sure I talked to the Russian guy. Can't remember about what. Probably just the weather and how's the wife and kids." And how do you get past that? Phones and emails purged. The particular Russians in question safely back in their country where we can't get to them. Or dead. So very much smoke but will we ever find the real fire?
posted by dnash at 12:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [33 favorites]
I really think these tactics are just going to make the Freedom Caucus dig in more.
I agree, and loathe them or loathe them, it seems likely that the Freedom Caucus will be increasingly useful as allies in the Trump-Russia investigation if Trump keeps up with this kind of thing.
posted by Dr. Send at 12:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
I agree, and loathe them or loathe them, it seems likely that the Freedom Caucus will be increasingly useful as allies in the Trump-Russia investigation if Trump keeps up with this kind of thing.
posted by Dr. Send at 12:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
I really think these tactics are just going to make the Freedom Caucus dig in more.
Of course - and as long as they're more popular in their district than Trump (which really, it would be hard for them to be less popular outside of dead girl/live boy scandals), it's the smart thing to do to remain in power.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:16 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Of course - and as long as they're more popular in their district than Trump (which really, it would be hard for them to be less popular outside of dead girl/live boy scandals), it's the smart thing to do to remain in power.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:16 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Just going off interviews I've heard with him, Mark Sanford don't give a fuck. He's on his ninth political life currently anyway, he and everyone around him knows it, and he seems to feel that gives him a certain amount of freedom.
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yeah. Looking at the polls, the shift that led to Trump winning didn't start until October, and didn't really fully happen until after Comey's nothingburger bombshell. Obama was pretty open in his final press conference that he thought Russian meddling was too important to turn into a political issue, and making an even bigger deal of it during the campaign certainly would have done just that. He also didn't want to establish a precedent of intelligence agencies speaking up in the middle of elections. Conveniently enough, as the polls tightened, we started hearing a lot more about Russia.
For all the "why didn't they say something sooner? talk, people keep forgetting about the October 7 statement from DNI/DHS, which was damn extraordinary:
posted by zachlipton at 12:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [61 favorites]
For all the "why didn't they say something sooner? talk, people keep forgetting about the October 7 statement from DNI/DHS, which was damn extraordinary:
The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites like DCLeaks.com and WikiLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations of Russian-directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process. Such activity is not new to Moscow—the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia, for example, to influence public opinion there. We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia's senior-most officials could have authorized these activities.That was a month before election day. Obama was cautious, but this statement was a big deal and he was surely involved in authorizing it.
posted by zachlipton at 12:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [61 favorites]
You couldn't get an inch of column space through emails nonsense at the time.
posted by Artw at 12:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [47 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [47 favorites]
Did anyone see (Dr. Rid, I think?) testify that the chip credentials that the Senate IC staffers wear don't actually have a chip, just a picture of a chip? He literally said the purpose was "chip envy" from other staffers. Was that real? A joke? Did I miss anything? Because that's weird.
Larry Middleman
I would give nearly anything, including a pinkie toe, to hear Bob Einstein question Spicer.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:19 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Larry Middleman
I would give nearly anything, including a pinkie toe, to hear Bob Einstein question Spicer.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:19 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
South Carolina U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford: Trump threatened to back primary challenger against me
Yeah, great idea, Donnie. Threaten a dude who's won that seat seven times, including three since the affair and ugly divorce that made national headlines. I'm sure you can find someone who's more popular in SC1 than Mark Sanford.
posted by Etrigan at 12:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
Yeah, great idea, Donnie. Threaten a dude who's won that seat seven times, including three since the affair and ugly divorce that made national headlines. I'm sure you can find someone who's more popular in SC1 than Mark Sanford.
posted by Etrigan at 12:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
There are more than a few people on the left currently taking the Trump-Russia stuff as gospel truth now who were, last summer when the story first broke, accusing Clinton of making the whole thing up.
Maybe it's just twitter confirmation bias, but it sure seems like a quite sizeable chunk of the left is currently dismissing any-and-all investigation into Russian government influence peddling as wild, baseless conspiracy mongering. (Which is odd, coming from some of the same people who considered a paid speech to Goldman Sachs as smoking-gun proof that a different politician was a crooked, paid-for stooge of Wall Street.)
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
Maybe it's just twitter confirmation bias, but it sure seems like a quite sizeable chunk of the left is currently dismissing any-and-all investigation into Russian government influence peddling as wild, baseless conspiracy mongering. (Which is odd, coming from some of the same people who considered a paid speech to Goldman Sachs as smoking-gun proof that a different politician was a crooked, paid-for stooge of Wall Street.)
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
HRC was warning people about Russia back in July/August of last year.
But you know how it is, you need a man to repeat something a woman says before anyone pays attention or believes it.
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
posted by supercrayon at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [149 favorites]
But you know how it is, you need a man to repeat something a woman says before anyone pays attention or believes it.
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
posted by supercrayon at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [149 favorites]
EPA "mistakenly" criticizes Trump’s executive order
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
T.D. Strange: "What if there’s no 'Nuclear Option' in the Senate?
Has there been any discussion of this elsewhere, because it's the first I've seen this interpretation. The Hill is not zero credibility, but I want to know if I should get my hopes up at all.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:27 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Has there been any discussion of this elsewhere, because it's the first I've seen this interpretation. The Hill is not zero credibility, but I want to know if I should get my hopes up at all.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:27 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Did anyone see (Dr. Rid, I think?) testify that the chip credentials that the Senate IC staffers wear don't actually have a chip, just a picture of a chip? He literally said the purpose was "chip envy" from other staffers. Was that real? A joke? Did I miss anything? Because that's weird.
Oh my god this is real (video), assuming Rid actually knows what he's talking about here.
Schiff is supposedly holding a press conference any minute now, but I can't find a link.
posted by zachlipton at 12:27 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oh my god this is real (video), assuming Rid actually knows what he's talking about here.
Schiff is supposedly holding a press conference any minute now, but I can't find a link.
posted by zachlipton at 12:27 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Maybe it's just twitter confirmation bias, but it sure seems like a quite sizeable chunk of the left is currently dismissing any-and-all investigation into Russian government influence peddling as wild, baseless conspiracy mongering.
Greenwald types? They'll do that till the end of time.
posted by Artw at 12:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
Greenwald types? They'll do that till the end of time.
posted by Artw at 12:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
"'The president asked me to look you square in the eyes and to say that he hoped that you voted ‘no’ on this bill so he could run (a primary challenger) against you in 2018,'" Sanford said Mulvaney told him.
He added that Mulvaney made it clear he did not want to deliver the message but did so at Trump's insistence.
A year or so ago, when Trump started winning primaries and it was becoming obvious he wasn't going away, a lot of Republicans at the time stated that they could not support him because they feared he would "destroy the Republican party".
They managed to avoid that though, from the lack of bloodbath at their convention to the vast majority bending the knee to winning big in November.
So it's nice to sit back and watch it happen now.
posted by chaoticgood at 12:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
He added that Mulvaney made it clear he did not want to deliver the message but did so at Trump's insistence.
A year or so ago, when Trump started winning primaries and it was becoming obvious he wasn't going away, a lot of Republicans at the time stated that they could not support him because they feared he would "destroy the Republican party".
They managed to avoid that though, from the lack of bloodbath at their convention to the vast majority bending the knee to winning big in November.
So it's nice to sit back and watch it happen now.
posted by chaoticgood at 12:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Remember when it looked like Ari Fleischer would go down in history as the biggest piece of shit ever to serve as Press Secretary?
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [46 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [46 favorites]
Maybe it's just twitter confirmation bias, but it sure seems like a quite sizeable chunk of the left is currently dismissing any-and-all investigation into Russian government influence peddling as wild, baseless conspiracy mongering.
IIRC, Donald was going on about hacked votes at the time. Which wasn't true, but it put people in a weird position of trying to explain a lot of nuance - some voting machines could be hacked with a lot of (logistical) effort, it's easier to "hack" the count after the fact, etc, etc. I think it all congealed to "no, the election won't have been hacked, especially when Donald loses."
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
IIRC, Donald was going on about hacked votes at the time. Which wasn't true, but it put people in a weird position of trying to explain a lot of nuance - some voting machines could be hacked with a lot of (logistical) effort, it's easier to "hack" the count after the fact, etc, etc. I think it all congealed to "no, the election won't have been hacked, especially when Donald loses."
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The patience of the press pool - they know damn well they are getting lied to and still remain professional.
Which, of course, enables the liars.
posted by Gelatin at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Which, of course, enables the liars.
posted by Gelatin at 12:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm seeing hardly any of this Russia denialism stuff from the left voices I follow, and that denialism is coming from perennial sky-is-green contrarians.
posted by The Gaffer at 12:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by The Gaffer at 12:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
EPA "mistakenly" criticizes Trump’s executive order
EPA's press releases since Pruitt got confirmed (which was when its media office finally broke radio silence) have been amateur hour. Badly written, badly edited, badly spelled, and now this nonsense. I'm torn between "they hired whatever ideologues they could find to write the things, and cut everybody else out of the loop," and "the career staff responsible for external communications are gleefully sabotaging whatever they can find plausible deniability for."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
EPA's press releases since Pruitt got confirmed (which was when its media office finally broke radio silence) have been amateur hour. Badly written, badly edited, badly spelled, and now this nonsense. I'm torn between "they hired whatever ideologues they could find to write the things, and cut everybody else out of the loop," and "the career staff responsible for external communications are gleefully sabotaging whatever they can find plausible deniability for."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
Oh my god this is real (video), assuming Rid actually knows what he's talking about here.
Oh, come on. This Senator Blunt joker thinks 2FA is unreasonable and compares it with a different recommendation that the State Department releasing statements everyday about what is true. Certain things you can require people to do "that really don't make that kind of sense."
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻)
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 12:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh, come on. This Senator Blunt joker thinks 2FA is unreasonable and compares it with a different recommendation that the State Department releasing statements everyday about what is true. Certain things you can require people to do "that really don't make that kind of sense."
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻)
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 12:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Marco Rubio Was Targeted by Russian Influence Operation, Ex-FBI Agent Reveals
-- Clint Watts worked as a consultant for the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and National Security Branch and told the panel Russia’s media outlets and “trolls” sought to sideline American politicians “with adversarial views towards the Kremlin.” Watts said they may have helped “sink the hopes of candidates more hostile to Russian interests long before the field narrowed.”
“Sen. Rubio, in my opinion, you anecdotally suffered from these efforts,” he said, causing the senator from Florida to look up from his seat in surprise.
-- When Rubio returned to the hearing following a brief recess, he revealed former presidential campaign staff were targeted twice by apparent Russian hackers.
"In July of 2016, shortly after I announced I would seek reelection to the United States Senate, former members of my presidential campaign team, who had access to the information of my presidential campaign, were targeted by IP addresses with an unknown location within Russia," Rubio said. "That effort was unsuccessful. I would also inform the committee that within the last 24 hours, at 10:45 a.m. yesterday, a second attempt was made against former members of my presidential campaign team… again targeted from an IP address from an unknown location in Russia. That effort was also unsuccessful."
posted by futz at 12:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
-- Clint Watts worked as a consultant for the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and National Security Branch and told the panel Russia’s media outlets and “trolls” sought to sideline American politicians “with adversarial views towards the Kremlin.” Watts said they may have helped “sink the hopes of candidates more hostile to Russian interests long before the field narrowed.”
“Sen. Rubio, in my opinion, you anecdotally suffered from these efforts,” he said, causing the senator from Florida to look up from his seat in surprise.
-- When Rubio returned to the hearing following a brief recess, he revealed former presidential campaign staff were targeted twice by apparent Russian hackers.
"In July of 2016, shortly after I announced I would seek reelection to the United States Senate, former members of my presidential campaign team, who had access to the information of my presidential campaign, were targeted by IP addresses with an unknown location within Russia," Rubio said. "That effort was unsuccessful. I would also inform the committee that within the last 24 hours, at 10:45 a.m. yesterday, a second attempt was made against former members of my presidential campaign team… again targeted from an IP address from an unknown location in Russia. That effort was also unsuccessful."
posted by futz at 12:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [32 favorites]
I see occasional references to it as being a distraction from the on-going and more concrete destruction of environmental and climate change agencies and such, but I don't know how much of that is earnest belief that it's all made up to cover for climate change deniers and how much of it is the generally justified bitterness that more transient issues overshadow that one big existential one.
posted by neonrev at 12:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by neonrev at 12:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
T.D. Strange: "What if there’s no 'Nuclear Option' in the Senate?
Has there been any discussion of this elsewhere, because it's the first I've seen this interpretation.
The rule in question says that to end a filibuster, you need 60 votes, unless it's about changing the Senate rules, then it takes 67. So you could filibuster the vote on changing the filibuster rule (!). But if you are changing the rules via a point of order, everything depends on what the chair and a majority of the Senate say. I wouldn't expect the President pro tem of the Senate, who will have been specifically chosen for the nuclear scenario, to cooperate on removing the filibuster, but suddenly be seized by conscience on the 2/3 rule.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Has there been any discussion of this elsewhere, because it's the first I've seen this interpretation.
The rule in question says that to end a filibuster, you need 60 votes, unless it's about changing the Senate rules, then it takes 67. So you could filibuster the vote on changing the filibuster rule (!). But if you are changing the rules via a point of order, everything depends on what the chair and a majority of the Senate say. I wouldn't expect the President pro tem of the Senate, who will have been specifically chosen for the nuclear scenario, to cooperate on removing the filibuster, but suddenly be seized by conscience on the 2/3 rule.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Freedom Caucus Responds to ‘Vengeful’ Trump: ‘We Don’t Scare Easy’
On Thursday morning, when asked about Trump’s latest fit of hate-tweeting, a senior aide working for the Freedom Caucus simply messaged The Daily Beast, “Meh meh meh.”
lol
posted by futz at 12:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [49 favorites]
On Thursday morning, when asked about Trump’s latest fit of hate-tweeting, a senior aide working for the Freedom Caucus simply messaged The Daily Beast, “Meh meh meh.”
lol
posted by futz at 12:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [49 favorites]
I tune out people who complain about distractions pretty fast because all of it is awful, none of it is a distraction and policing other peoples prioritisations when they are dealing with the awful is a dick move.
posted by Artw at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [36 favorites]
I will not post conspiracy theory clickbait.
I will not post conspiracy theory clickbait.
I will not post conspiracy theory clickbait.
Holy shit, this is from the BBC.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 12:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
I will not post conspiracy theory clickbait.
I will not post conspiracy theory clickbait.
Holy shit, this is from the BBC.
posted by Big Al 8000 at 12:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
8 years of Obama and I couldn't have told you his press secretary's name. 2 months in and we're remembering Ari Fleischer "fondly". Blurg.
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
At the same time it would very much like to "whistleblow" about Obama.
posted by Artw at 12:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 12:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Big Al 8000's link it titled: Trump Russia dossier key claim 'verified'
posted by futz at 12:48 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by futz at 12:48 PM on March 30, 2017
Is there a wiki (or similar) somewhere that has a unified timeline to all this, cited sources, etc?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:48 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:48 PM on March 30, 2017
Big Al 8000's link it titled: Trump Russia dossier key claim 'verified'
IIRC, there's a long discussion of this in yesterday's thread.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
IIRC, there's a long discussion of this in yesterday's thread.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
There is no "distraction". Everything Trump does is real, and everything he does is shit. He's doing the throw the spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks approach to governing, and if one thing falls of the wall he just throws another handful again. He knows that if only a little bit from each handful sticks he's still ahead. The aim is to get shit done quickly, and vault from crisis to crisis so that we get disoriented and worn down. We're used to things moving at a much slower pace, and all our media and government apparatus is too. While we're thoughtfully examining the current handful of spaghetti sliding down the wall and trying to figure out what it means, the Trump administration is just showering us with handful after handful. While we're holding up old pasta and saying, "Wait but what about....?!" Trump has moved on to the next thing, and the next, and the next.
This is a frighteningly effective way to sow chaos. The downside of this tactic is that we are learning.
posted by supercrayon at 12:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [68 favorites]
This is a frighteningly effective way to sow chaos. The downside of this tactic is that we are learning.
posted by supercrayon at 12:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [68 favorites]
LastOfHisKind, there is in the previous thread. I'll see if I can find it. Or search "timeline", it is a Business Insider link.
posted by futz at 12:50 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by futz at 12:50 PM on March 30, 2017
A timeline of events that unfolded during the election appears to support the FBI's investigation into Trump-Russia collusion
posted by futz at 12:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by futz at 12:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Spicer on Gorsuch: 'It's Obama's nominees who all got through, all with bipartisan support...filibustering a candidate is not the norm.'
This is at least day three of Spicer (and the GOP at large) acting as though the Garland nomination never happened.
As I said in the previous thread, this willful denial strikes me as a tell. The Republicans sure are acting guilty about what was, for them, a political success, even if it did go against all political norms and even if they didn't pay any appreciable political price (thanks, "liberal media"!). What gives?
posted by Gelatin at 12:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is at least day three of Spicer (and the GOP at large) acting as though the Garland nomination never happened.
As I said in the previous thread, this willful denial strikes me as a tell. The Republicans sure are acting guilty about what was, for them, a political success, even if it did go against all political norms and even if they didn't pay any appreciable political price (thanks, "liberal media"!). What gives?
posted by Gelatin at 12:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
2nding what supercrayon says.
Additionally: there's more than one person on this team. Government usually does several different things at once. We tend not to notice as much because 1) our media tends to narrow things down to a couple of lazy binary narratives and skip the rest, and 2) even under previous Republican administrations, much of the day-to-day stuff was at least predictable and within the same neighborhood as "reasonable."
With these fuckers, pretty much everything they want to do is batshit insane. And this bit about Ezra Cohen-Watnick is telling, because McMaster wanted to fire him but was overruled. Even the presumably rational people in this administration (McMaster) get shut down when they try to be, you know, rational.
It's nothing but crazypants bullshit and hate coming out of this White House, but that doesn't mean any of it is any less legit. And it all has to be fought. All of it. These "distractions" cause real people real harm.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Additionally: there's more than one person on this team. Government usually does several different things at once. We tend not to notice as much because 1) our media tends to narrow things down to a couple of lazy binary narratives and skip the rest, and 2) even under previous Republican administrations, much of the day-to-day stuff was at least predictable and within the same neighborhood as "reasonable."
With these fuckers, pretty much everything they want to do is batshit insane. And this bit about Ezra Cohen-Watnick is telling, because McMaster wanted to fire him but was overruled. Even the presumably rational people in this administration (McMaster) get shut down when they try to be, you know, rational.
It's nothing but crazypants bullshit and hate coming out of this White House, but that doesn't mean any of it is any less legit. And it all has to be fought. All of it. These "distractions" cause real people real harm.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 12:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
If anyone bugged/wiretapped Trump, it was the Russians themselves.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:59 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by Thorzdad at 12:59 PM on March 30, 2017
This Is Almost Certainly James Comey’s Twitter Account (link to Gizmodo story about the investigative process)
And of course Comey would look back fondly on being a part of a gross and unsuccessful prisoner handling scheme that was punitive to prisoners and their families, to the point where he'd use it in an account name. Ugh, that guy.
posted by phearlez at 1:03 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
And of course Comey would look back fondly on being a part of a gross and unsuccessful prisoner handling scheme that was punitive to prisoners and their families, to the point where he'd use it in an account name. Ugh, that guy.
posted by phearlez at 1:03 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
If Gorsuch Isn’t Filibustered, the Next Democratic Nominee Will Be
We already live in a world where a Republican president has a 50-vote standard to confirm a nominee to the Court. The only question is whether Democratic presidents have the same standard. The worst possible outcome for Democrats would be to allow Republicans to fill a vacancy with 50 votes while forcing their party to muster 60. And there is a lot of reason to believe this is the case right now. ...
Mitch McConnell wants to preserve an ambiguous situation where the norms say one thing and the rules say another. This is to his advantage, because he is a serial violator of norms. This isn’t a moral question — he’s a brilliant tactician and he’s very good at identifying political strategies that are legal but which have not been used due to social convention. If McConnell can use the threat of the nuclear option to make the filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee a useless weapon for the opposing party, he can preserve it as a potential useful one for himself. If Democrats don’t make McConnell abolish the Supreme Court filibuster, he may use it to blockade their next nominee, and they will have only themselves to blame.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:03 PM on March 30, 2017 [49 favorites]
There is no "distraction". Everything Trump does is real, and everything he does is shit. He's doing the throw the spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks approach. [...] This is a frighteningly effective way to sow chaos. The downside of this tactic is that we are learning.
It turns out that the solution is to stop giving the baby spaghetti, and maybe put him down for a nap until he's ready to behave.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
It turns out that the solution is to stop giving the baby spaghetti, and maybe put him down for a nap until he's ready to behave.
posted by Strange Interlude at 1:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
If I have this right, today the White House sent a letter to Nunes inviting him to come look at materials that last week they gave to Nunes, and which Nunes then pretended to give to them. Makes sense.
posted by diogenes at 1:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 1:09 PM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
That Gizmodo article seems pretty well researched. If it is Comey's, my guess is that he'll either abandon it (but leave it open) or close it.
posted by longdaysjourney at 1:09 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by longdaysjourney at 1:09 PM on March 30, 2017
supercrayon: There is no "distraction".
Someone on Twitter (I can't find who, but almost certainly someone who is personally acquainted with intersectionality) remarked that people who keep saying things like "Stop paying attention to X because it's a distraction from Y," are often people who may not be used to being screwed over on multiple fronts by multiple different systems simultaneously.
posted by mhum at 1:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [107 favorites]
Someone on Twitter (I can't find who, but almost certainly someone who is personally acquainted with intersectionality) remarked that people who keep saying things like "Stop paying attention to X because it's a distraction from Y," are often people who may not be used to being screwed over on multiple fronts by multiple different systems simultaneously.
posted by mhum at 1:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [107 favorites]
The Hill is not zero credibility, but I want to know if I should get my hopes up at all.
Do not get your hopes up at all. This looks to me like someone who is taking the written rules at the wrongest-possible level of seriousness.
You'd really want to hear from Sarah Binder or Greg Koger, but my pretty-casual guess of how this would go down is
(1) Nuclear option proceeds
(2) A Democrat objects under Rule 22
(3) The presiding officer sustains that decision
(4) *that* decision is appealed to the Senate, who overrules the presiding officer and sets the new precedent anyway
The rules of the Senate say and mean whatever a majority of the Senate says they do at any given moment. This is absolutely true for the not-constitutionally-set rules of any legislative body anywhere in the world. The part where the article falls off the cliffs of sanity is sheer babbling madness is
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Do not get your hopes up at all. This looks to me like someone who is taking the written rules at the wrongest-possible level of seriousness.
You'd really want to hear from Sarah Binder or Greg Koger, but my pretty-casual guess of how this would go down is
(1) Nuclear option proceeds
(2) A Democrat objects under Rule 22
(3) The presiding officer sustains that decision
(4) *that* decision is appealed to the Senate, who overrules the presiding officer and sets the new precedent anyway
The rules of the Senate say and mean whatever a majority of the Senate says they do at any given moment. This is absolutely true for the not-constitutionally-set rules of any legislative body anywhere in the world. The part where the article falls off the cliffs of sanity is sheer babbling madness is
In 2013, the Republican Senate leadership did not object under Rule XXII. Maybe, the Republicans were asleep. More probably, they realized that their systematic abuse of the filibuster to prevent an elected President from governing did, in fact, violate the Constitution.No, the reason that they didn't object under Rule 22 is that they knew it would be entirely pointless because the same majority that just overruled them on filibustering sub-SC appointments would just overrule them on Rule 22 as well. The idea that they were too chastened by the unconstitutionality of their own actions is just eat-your-own-poop bonkers.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
This Is Almost Certainly James Comey’s Twitter Account (link to Gizmodo story about the investigative process)
Instagram should fix that privacy hole.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Instagram should fix that privacy hole.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Man, what is it with Niebuhr groupies in Washington
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Carter Page interview on Fox, airing 6pm. From preview:
FOX: Were you paid by the Russians?
PAGE: Last year, I was not paid by the Russians
This is right up there with his "I never met with any Russians outside of Cleveland."
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [73 favorites]
FOX: Were you paid by the Russians?
PAGE: Last year, I was not paid by the Russians
This is right up there with his "I never met with any Russians outside of Cleveland."
posted by diogenes at 1:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [73 favorites]
PAGE: Last year, I was not paid by the Russians
Bonus time came January 20.
posted by chris24 at 1:15 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Bonus time came January 20.
posted by chris24 at 1:15 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
If I have this right, today the White House sent a letter to Nunes inviting him to come look at materials that last week they gave to Nunes, and which Nunes then pretended to give to them. Makes sense.
In addition, it is possible that at some point during the process Nunes was offered or promised a cabinet/admin position (the Q was asked at the briefing).
posted by melissasaurus at 1:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
In addition, it is possible that at some point during the process Nunes was offered or promised a cabinet/admin position (the Q was asked at the briefing).
posted by melissasaurus at 1:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
This seems highly likely to be interesting to a bunch of you in the coming months. It was shared by someone on one of the open data lists I'm on.
It's not perfect, and the ways it's flawed are sort of a peek behind the curtain to see the sort of bullshit the open data community often has to deal with.
[a bunch of open government/FOIA whining deleted; support transparency laws, please]
posted by phearlez at 1:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released a major update to the “Whip Watch” app that provides Members of Congress, staff, the press, and the public with live updates and news on what’s happening on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The new version allows users to see live vote totals, including party breakdowns, as well as the time remaining in a vote and how long a vote stays open after it was supposed to close. For the first time, Members, reporters, and the public will be able to view this information in real time on their phones.full press release here.
It's not perfect, and the ways it's flawed are sort of a peek behind the curtain to see the sort of bullshit the open data community often has to deal with.
The app gets some information from a publicly-available API from Capitol Bells, and it also screen-scrapes text from a House-internal high-definition video feed of the House Floor.Screen-scraping is a common - and anger-making - thing that has to happen for some of this stuff, and it's ridiculous. The fact that this tool has to make use of the work of Capitol Bells, a non-governmental operation, in order to indicate what's going on in government...
[a bunch of open government/FOIA whining deleted; support transparency laws, please]
posted by phearlez at 1:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [42 favorites]
This Is Almost Certainly James Comey’s Twitter Account (link to Gizmodo story about the investigative process)
Sleuthing like this is a lot easier than most people realize — apparently even the FBI Director. But that Instagram privacy hole is the real key here.
posted by stopgap at 1:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Sleuthing like this is a lot easier than most people realize — apparently even the FBI Director. But that Instagram privacy hole is the real key here.
posted by stopgap at 1:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Remember when it looked like Ari Fleischer would go down in history as the biggest piece of shit ever to serve as Press Secretary?
ari fleischer is a terrible person and told at least as many lies per second as spicer, but he also had icewater pumping through his black dead heart and was capable of condescending to helen thomas.
spicer packages up all of the mendacity and charmlessness of fleischer in a guy who looks like middle management at an office supplies concern and emits so much flop sweat that i wouldn't be surprised if his suit looks so bad because his entire body is wrapped in double-ply paper towels from the neck down.
they're both pieces of shit, but spicer is a piece of shit who's BAD AT HIS JOB
posted by murphy slaw at 1:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [98 favorites]
ari fleischer is a terrible person and told at least as many lies per second as spicer, but he also had icewater pumping through his black dead heart and was capable of condescending to helen thomas.
spicer packages up all of the mendacity and charmlessness of fleischer in a guy who looks like middle management at an office supplies concern and emits so much flop sweat that i wouldn't be surprised if his suit looks so bad because his entire body is wrapped in double-ply paper towels from the neck down.
they're both pieces of shit, but spicer is a piece of shit who's BAD AT HIS JOB
posted by murphy slaw at 1:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [98 favorites]
This Is Almost Certainly James Comey’s Twitter Account (link to Gizmodo story about the investigative process)
Sleuthing like this is a lot easier than most people realize — apparently even the FBI Director. But that Instagram privacy hole is the real key here.
I do think Feinberg could have got there anyway - for instance, @benjaminwittes follows 1,137 people. That’s a lot of scrolling, but not so bad if you’re looking for an egg. Not that the Instagram hole didn’t crack it open, just that it wasn’t intractable otherwise. (For instance, you also have the recycle Neibuhr reference.)
posted by Going To Maine at 1:26 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sleuthing like this is a lot easier than most people realize — apparently even the FBI Director. But that Instagram privacy hole is the real key here.
I do think Feinberg could have got there anyway - for instance, @benjaminwittes follows 1,137 people. That’s a lot of scrolling, but not so bad if you’re looking for an egg. Not that the Instagram hole didn’t crack it open, just that it wasn’t intractable otherwise. (For instance, you also have the recycle Neibuhr reference.)
posted by Going To Maine at 1:26 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Link Roundup.
Timeline: Devin Nunes and Trump surveillance claims
An exhaustive timeline of the Trump-Russia connections — starting from 1979
Wilbur Ross Comes to D.C. With an Unexamined History of Russian Connections - Trump’s Choice for Commerce Secretary Holds a Top Post With a Mysterious, Russian-Controlled Cyprus Bank
Who are the key players in the Russia/Trump saga
These are the key names that keep coming up in the Trump-Russia investigation
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/29/politics/russia-investigation-cast-of-characters/
There is some overlap in the last 3 links.
posted by futz at 1:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [27 favorites]
Timeline: Devin Nunes and Trump surveillance claims
An exhaustive timeline of the Trump-Russia connections — starting from 1979
Wilbur Ross Comes to D.C. With an Unexamined History of Russian Connections - Trump’s Choice for Commerce Secretary Holds a Top Post With a Mysterious, Russian-Controlled Cyprus Bank
Who are the key players in the Russia/Trump saga
These are the key names that keep coming up in the Trump-Russia investigation
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/29/politics/russia-investigation-cast-of-characters/
There is some overlap in the last 3 links.
posted by futz at 1:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [27 favorites]
I can't believe it is still March. This month felt like a political decade.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [61 favorites]
posted by Ironmouth at 1:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [61 favorites]
A reminder there are a trio of recent MetaTalks in action regarding US politics megathreads:
- Visualizing the impact of US politics megaposts on the blue
- Pony request: "Related Posts" post-thread and in megathreads
- (sort of) "Humor is just another defense against the universe." - Mel Brooks
posted by Wordshore at 1:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
- Visualizing the impact of US politics megaposts on the blue
- Pony request: "Related Posts" post-thread and in megathreads
- (sort of) "Humor is just another defense against the universe." - Mel Brooks
posted by Wordshore at 1:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Ignoring Spicer's insistence that we focus on the substance rather than the process (what with the substance being nothingburgers at this point), I think a good place to focus on is the timeline around the White House's letter today. It's clear that the White House had this information when it gave it to Nunes, but then sat on it instead of officially providing it to the committee as requested. It's unclear how long they were prepared to do so before the NYT forced their hand with today's story.
In other words, the question is why was the White House withholding evidence from a Congressional investigation for political purposes while selectively leaking it to a single chairman who was also part of the transition team?
posted by zachlipton at 1:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
In other words, the question is why was the White House withholding evidence from a Congressional investigation for political purposes while selectively leaking it to a single chairman who was also part of the transition team?
posted by zachlipton at 1:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Mike Pence Asks Waiter To Remove Mrs. Butterworth From Table Until Wife Arrives (Onion)
posted by Lyme Drop at 1:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [93 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 1:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [93 favorites]
Manchin will vote "yes" on Gorsuch (statement)
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Manchin will vote "yes" on Gorsuch (statement)
Uh huh.
posted by supercrayon at 1:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Uh huh.
posted by supercrayon at 1:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Who do we harass about that?
posted by schadenfrau at 1:45 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by schadenfrau at 1:45 PM on March 30, 2017
It hasn't even been 70 days since the Women's March.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
Ignoring Spicer's insistence that we focus on the substance rather than the process
That argument is driving me nuts. If the police asked him how the murder weapon came to be buried in his backyard, would he reply "That's a process question!"?
posted by diogenes at 1:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
That argument is driving me nuts. If the police asked him how the murder weapon came to be buried in his backyard, would he reply "That's a process question!"?
posted by diogenes at 1:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Probably no one, unless you live in West Virginia or think giving it to a Republican is okay. But if one of senators hasn’t come out in support of the filibuster you can yell at them instead. After all, part of the reason Manchin can flip is because others won’t.
posted by Going To Maine at 1:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Going To Maine at 1:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ignoring Spicer's insistence that we focus on the substance rather than the process
That argument is driving me nuts. If the police asked him how the murder weapon came to be buried in his backyard, would he reply "That's a process question!"?
This IS Spicer... so he would definitely answer that way, soon followed by "How many times am I going to have to answer the same question?" and "Wait, please tell me April Ryan isn't one of your detectives."
posted by azpenguin at 1:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
That argument is driving me nuts. If the police asked him how the murder weapon came to be buried in his backyard, would he reply "That's a process question!"?
This IS Spicer... so he would definitely answer that way, soon followed by "How many times am I going to have to answer the same question?" and "Wait, please tell me April Ryan isn't one of your detectives."
posted by azpenguin at 1:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Spicer would say (as he says whenever he is asked to explain one of Trump's tweets) that the murder weapon "speaks for itself."
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yeah, great idea, Donnie. Threaten a dude who's won that seat seven times, including three since the affair and ugly divorce that made national headlines. I'm sure you can find someone who's more popular in SC1 than Mark Sanford.
Hell, I was a college Trotskyite, and even *I* sort of like Mark Sanford. No way SC Repubs show him the door.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hell, I was a college Trotskyite, and even *I* sort of like Mark Sanford. No way SC Repubs show him the door.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
This doesn't help the other 49 states, but Minnesota is working to pass internet privacy protections, and it passed the senate 66-1.
(for non-Minnesotans: DFL is Democratic-Farmer-Labor instead of Democrat. It's like Duck Duck Grey Duck but politics)
posted by dinty_moore at 1:55 PM on March 30, 2017 [34 favorites]
(for non-Minnesotans: DFL is Democratic-Farmer-Labor instead of Democrat. It's like Duck Duck Grey Duck but politics)
posted by dinty_moore at 1:55 PM on March 30, 2017 [34 favorites]
Spicer would say (as he says whenever he is asked to explain one of Trump's tweets) that the murder weapon "speaks for itself."
Don't take the murder weapon too literally
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Don't take the murder weapon too literally
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Who do we harass about that?
I just faxed Schumer about it (he's my Senator, but also he's the minority leader) -- said that Manchin is the missing stair in the party and should be removed from his committee positions.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [27 favorites]
I just faxed Schumer about it (he's my Senator, but also he's the minority leader) -- said that Manchin is the missing stair in the party and should be removed from his committee positions.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [27 favorites]
How Trump Could Still Undermine Obamacare (New Yorker, March 29, 2017)
posted by filthy light thief at 1:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Health-insurance death spirals—the process by which insurance plans collapse under the weight of high premiums that nobody can afford—are such rare events that only a handful of examples are available to study. One academic paper recounts the “slow-motion” collapse of an insurance product offered by Prudential (it took decades to die). In another famous example (at least among economists), two Harvard professors analyzed the failure of a particularly generous insurance plan offered to Harvard professors (and other employees). Such death spirals are rare because it is easy to identify when they’ve begun and it’s easy to fix the issue before the worst damage is done. President Donald Trump, however, seems to yearn for a death spiral for the Affordable Care Act. He tweeted that Obamacare “will explode,” and, in an interview with the Washington Post, said that “the best thing is to let Obamacare explode” so that he can then “make one beautiful deal for the people.”If the President really wants the A.C.A. to fail, he needs to take action to destroy it, and he could. But just saying "it's going to explode" doesn't make it so.
To be clear, Obamacare is not exploding; it is not in a death spiral and, if the law is followed, is highly unlikely to fall into one. A death spiral occurs when the pool of people insured by a plan are especially unhealthy and use more than the expected amount of expensive health care. If that happens, the insurance provider raises premiums to cover the costs, healthier people drop out because coverage becomes too expensive, and costs rise even higher. This is negatively reinforcing: as healthy people drop out, the only people left in the pool need so much medical care that no company will cover them. That scenario can’t happen with Obamacare because the vast majority of those covered by the program—roughly eighty-five per cent—don’t pay for the increase in premium cost. Instead, they receive government subsidies, based on their income, that rise with the increase in premium costs. Since the insured don’t see the increase in cost, there is no reason to expect a death spiral in which rising costs scare healthy people away from the insurance pool. (Trump could instruct the I.R.S. not to enforce the penalty on those who opt not to buy insurance, which would reduce the number of participants; that wouldn’t produce a death spiral but would insure that the government has to pay larger subsidies.)
If President Trump does nothing but follow the law, Obamacare should remain much as it is now: in heavily populated areas, there will be several insurance plans; in rural counties, people will have fewer options; in some sparsely populated counties, citizens will have none at all. There will likely be fewer insurance plans over all, because many companies felt political pressure from President Obama to enter the marketplace. (One thing is clear: selling insurance in the Obamacare marketplace is not a great way to make a buck.)
posted by filthy light thief at 1:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Manchin will vote "yes" on Gorsuch (statement)
Unsurprisingly he's the first on the list of traitors.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Unsurprisingly he's the first on the list of traitors.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
@johnsifton: "Comey's is using my grandfather's name Reinhold Niebuhr, under @projectexile7, as his Twitter name. DM me, dude, before my mom finds out."
posted by zachlipton at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
...and even *I* sort of like Mark Sanford. No way SC Repubs show him the door.
Never underestimate the power of ultra-right super-PACs. Just sayin.' They got Richard-fucking-Lugar primaried out of office. Sanford seems like a prime target for them.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Never underestimate the power of ultra-right super-PACs. Just sayin.' They got Richard-fucking-Lugar primaried out of office. Sanford seems like a prime target for them.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Voting against a filibuster is arguably defensible.
There's no defense for Manchin voting for final confirmation. He's not a Democrat, there's no reason to allow him to remain in the party.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
There's no defense for Manchin voting for final confirmation. He's not a Democrat, there's no reason to allow him to remain in the party.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
The reason is that he votes for Chuck Schumer as majority leader, and whoever'd replace him in WV would not. Make your own decisions on whether party purity is worth an otherwise inaccessible Senate seat.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:04 PM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:04 PM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Manchin will vote "yes" on Gorsuch (statement)
Unsurprisingly he's the first on the list of traitors.
Watch Tester next. Never made the tiniest complaint about Gorsuch and I'd put money on him voting yes to try and hold on to MT in '18.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Unsurprisingly he's the first on the list of traitors.
Watch Tester next. Never made the tiniest complaint about Gorsuch and I'd put money on him voting yes to try and hold on to MT in '18.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now Heitkamp too.
Fuck it, just everyone vote to confirm him. Why do we even try.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Fuck it, just everyone vote to confirm him. Why do we even try.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Never underestimate the power of ultra-right super-PACs. Just sayin.' They got Richard-fucking-Lugar primaried out of office. Sanford seems like a prime target for them.
Good point. Lucky for Sanford that he apparently doesn't give a shit if he's in or out.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Good point. Lucky for Sanford that he apparently doesn't give a shit if he's in or out.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
The new cover of the Economist is good.
posted by chris24 at 2:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 2:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
Ironmouth: I can't believe it is still March. This month felt like a political decade.
Good news, it's almost April!
lalex: NYT: "North Carolina lawmakers said they will repeal the state law prohibiting transgender people from using restrooms in accordance with their gender identities. A vote is scheduled for Thursday."
aaaaaand done.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Good news, it's almost April!
lalex: NYT: "North Carolina lawmakers said they will repeal the state law prohibiting transgender people from using restrooms in accordance with their gender identities. A vote is scheduled for Thursday."
aaaaaand done.
Gov. Roy Cooper said the new law is "not a perfect deal and it is not my preferred solution."So is this good enough for NCAA? And if so, when does NC have a chance to add transgender protections into the law?
He wanted a law that added protections for LGBTQ North Carolinians, but said that wasn't possible with Republicans holding a supermajority in the Legislature.
Fierce criticism remains from LGBTQ groups, which say the new bill -- which eliminates rules about who can use which restroom but retains other features -- still allows for discrimination against transgender people.
Cooper said the protections are temporarily delayed, and he will work to ensure they are not denied forever.
What the new bill does
-- It repeals last year's House Bill 2. That bill had required that people at a government-run facility must use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond to the gender on their birth certificate, if the rooms in question are multiple-occupancy.
-- It effectively maintains a key feature of HB2 by leaving regulation of bathroom access solely in control of the Legislature.
-- It prevents local governments, until December 2020, from passing or amending their own nondiscrimination ordinances relating to private employment and public accommodation.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
To be clear, North Carolina also just made it illegal for cities to have their own anti-descrimination ordinances or minimum wage increases until 2020. Civil rights groups are lining up to oppose this as a "fake repeal." The question, ridiculously enough for those who are concerned that people's civil rights are being determined on the basis of what the college athletics association wants, is whether the NCAA thinks this is enough or agrees with the rights groups.
posted by zachlipton at 2:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
(UIowa law prof) @AndyGrewal: It seems that Comey was extremely careless with his Twitter privacy, but not grossly negligent.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
posted by J.K. Seazer at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
Yeah, lots of trans and queer people (including myself) are not celebrating but feeling like Cooper stabbed us in the back.
posted by overglow at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by overglow at 2:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Biden: 9 Republican senators told me they knew opposing Garland was wrong
“I call 17 Republicans, and say, ‘You know better’,” Biden said Thursday. “Nine of them said to me, ‘You’re right Joe, but I can’t do anything about it because if I do the Koch brothers or somebody is going to drop five million dollars into my race and I’ll lose my primary.’ ”
Name names, Joe. Who are these spineless little weasels?
posted by downtohisturtles at 2:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [113 favorites]
“I call 17 Republicans, and say, ‘You know better’,” Biden said Thursday. “Nine of them said to me, ‘You’re right Joe, but I can’t do anything about it because if I do the Koch brothers or somebody is going to drop five million dollars into my race and I’ll lose my primary.’ ”
Name names, Joe. Who are these spineless little weasels?
posted by downtohisturtles at 2:23 PM on March 30, 2017 [113 favorites]
If you need 50 votes, votes 53 and 54 don't matter. If you need 60 votes, votes 53 and 54 still don't matter.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 2:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.
(two minutes later)
Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?
#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:30 PM on March 30, 2017
If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.
(two minutes later)
Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?
#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:30 PM on March 30, 2017
TD Strange, do you believe it is possible for a Democrat who votes not to confirm someone like Gorsuch to hold a Senate seat in West Virginia? That's the thing I've never quite grasped about your position; I can't tell if you think that a more liberal Democrat could hold that seat or if you just don't care.
posted by Justinian at 2:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Rick Hasen piece on the effort by state legislatures to require presidential candidates to provide tax returns.
tl:dr: Might or not be constitutional.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:34 PM on March 30, 2017
tl:dr: Might or not be constitutional.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:34 PM on March 30, 2017
@realDonaldTrump
If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.
(two minutes later)
Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?
#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare*
If he tags them in one more tweet they will appear behind him.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.
(two minutes later)
Where are @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador?
#RepealANDReplace #Obamacare*
If he tags them in one more tweet they will appear behind him.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Isnt the question wrt Manchin whether its worth having a nominal D in WV if he never votes like one? its not so much that a more liberal candidate could win an election and be useful there, its that the current D in name only has no utility, so yeah, I guess who cares?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Yeah, lots of trans and queer people (including myself) are not celebrating but feeling like Cooper stabbed us in the back.
I think today is the day I remove my Roy Cooper bumper sticker. He's better than McCrory, and I don't know how much negotiating power he really had or would've had with the amazing doofuses in the NCGA, but. This is not great.
I'm really sorry the repeal is so shitty. I realize I'm not queer or trans so I can't ever understand how you'd ever feel about this so I won't even pretend to and whatever you feel right now is most certainly valid and understandable. But please, I implore you, don't let the political wrangling of hateful people with far more power than they deserve divide what liberal opposition we can manage to scrape against these shitstains of history.
posted by Talez at 2:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think today is the day I remove my Roy Cooper bumper sticker. He's better than McCrory, and I don't know how much negotiating power he really had or would've had with the amazing doofuses in the NCGA, but. This is not great.
I'm really sorry the repeal is so shitty. I realize I'm not queer or trans so I can't ever understand how you'd ever feel about this so I won't even pretend to and whatever you feel right now is most certainly valid and understandable. But please, I implore you, don't let the political wrangling of hateful people with far more power than they deserve divide what liberal opposition we can manage to scrape against these shitstains of history.
posted by Talez at 2:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Really doesn't seem like an accident that these tweets are coming after Scavino got moved into Bannon's office to manage social media from there.
posted by zachlipton at 2:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Isnt the question wrt Manchin whether its worth having a nominal D in WV if he never votes like one?
But he does vote Democrat much MUCH more than any Republican would. So keep him until he's unnecessary, then purge.
posted by Glibpaxman at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
But he does vote Democrat much MUCH more than any Republican would. So keep him until he's unnecessary, then purge.
posted by Glibpaxman at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
I just hope no energy or effort is expended on keeping Manchin his seat.
posted by Artw at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Isnt the question wrt Manchin whether its worth having a nominal D in WV if he never votes like one?It matters a lot which party controls the Senate. So right now, it probably makes no difference, but it could matter at some hypothetical future date when the Democrats are poised to take back the Senate.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
I suspect a genuinely liberal candidate actually could run and win in WV. But it doesn't matter, what Exceptional_Hubris points out is the real issue. If the best argument for Manchin is "well, at least he's not stabbing us from the front", then I don't find that very compelling.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am almost certainly not TD Strange, but I could see opposing Gorsuch not being that bad in WV, if such a senator went bananas on the truckersicle decision - "This guy wants your employer to be able to kill you" could be a winning message.
Then again, I'm pretty convinced at this point that the democrats need a big qualitative change in both rhetoric and action, not just using the fine knob on the political spectrum tuner.
posted by The Gaffer at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Then again, I'm pretty convinced at this point that the democrats need a big qualitative change in both rhetoric and action, not just using the fine knob on the political spectrum tuner.
posted by The Gaffer at 2:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Isnt the question wrt Manchin whether its worth having a nominal D in WV if he never votes like one? its not so much that a more liberal candidate could win an election and be useful there, its that the current D in name only has no utility, so yeah, I guess who cares?
This.
We already have a Trump supporting Republican Senator from West Virginia, but for some reason we elevated him to Democratic "leadership".
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
This.
We already have a Trump supporting Republican Senator from West Virginia, but for some reason we elevated him to Democratic "leadership".
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
But he does vote Democrat much MUCH more than any Republican would. So keep him until he's unnecessary, then purge.
I just hope no energy or effort is expended on keeping Manchin his seat.
We already have a Trump supporting Republican Senator from West Virginia, but for some reason we elevated him to Democratic "leadership".
In 2020 it's going to be ridiculously close on Senate numbers. Manchin could be the difference between 51-50 and 49-51. Having that 51-50 would mean that Democrats gain control of all the Senate committees in 2021 and can start calling some shots. He's a useful idiot to have around even if he's more conservative than every other Democrat.
posted by Talez at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
I just hope no energy or effort is expended on keeping Manchin his seat.
We already have a Trump supporting Republican Senator from West Virginia, but for some reason we elevated him to Democratic "leadership".
In 2020 it's going to be ridiculously close on Senate numbers. Manchin could be the difference between 51-50 and 49-51. Having that 51-50 would mean that Democrats gain control of all the Senate committees in 2021 and can start calling some shots. He's a useful idiot to have around even if he's more conservative than every other Democrat.
posted by Talez at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
A guy like Manchin is only useful if he puts the party caucus over 50. Then you get the majority/chairmanship on councils and the pro tempore spot. The pro tem is almost completely useless but committe chairs can do all sorts of good stuff.
posted by cmfletcher at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
If there were a Democratic majority in the Senate, Manchin still couldn't be trusted to reliably vote with the party. So why not take the chance and maybe end up with an actual Democrat?
The Gaffer's point is also salient. Is voting to confirm Gorsuch actually something Manchin needs to do to hold on to his seat? Is it really so hard to believe that someone could be a Democratic senator in West Virginia while not ratfucking his own party all the fucking time?
posted by tobascodagama at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Gaffer's point is also salient. Is voting to confirm Gorsuch actually something Manchin needs to do to hold on to his seat? Is it really so hard to believe that someone could be a Democratic senator in West Virginia while not ratfucking his own party all the fucking time?
posted by tobascodagama at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
It matters a lot which party controls the Senate. So right now, it probably makes no difference, but it could matter at some hypothetical future date when the Democrats are poised to take back the Senate.
And at that point Manchin will be there to flip parties like he threatened to do before Trump's win made it unnecessary, for the moment. Cut out the cancer now and proceed with actual Democrats who vote for Democratic positions. Stop rewarding this.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
And at that point Manchin will be there to flip parties like he threatened to do before Trump's win made it unnecessary, for the moment. Cut out the cancer now and proceed with actual Democrats who vote for Democratic positions. Stop rewarding this.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
I think it's more useful to get more Democrats into the Senate, especially younger more progressive and more firebrand-y types like Ted Lieu. As I've said before, keep your eye on the ball, and the ball is pushing every Republican out of office, from dog-catcher on up. Once that's been done we can turn our basilisk eyes people like Manchin and push him to toe the hopefully newly more leftward leaning line.
But even though I know that's a good strategy, it's really disheartening how Manchin seems to vote with Republicans even when the stakes are really high like installing a supreme court justice. I think that's what people are reacting to. We're all pissed off and demoralized, and having a guy on your side who looks like they're just gonna roll over while you're trying to fight as hard as you can is just tough, you know?
posted by supercrayon at 2:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
But even though I know that's a good strategy, it's really disheartening how Manchin seems to vote with Republicans even when the stakes are really high like installing a supreme court justice. I think that's what people are reacting to. We're all pissed off and demoralized, and having a guy on your side who looks like they're just gonna roll over while you're trying to fight as hard as you can is just tough, you know?
posted by supercrayon at 2:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
It matters a lot which party controls the Senate. So right now, it probably makes no difference, but it could matter at some hypothetical future date when the Democrats are poised to take back the Senate.
The second the Democrats are poised to do that, he'll probably pull a fucking Lieberman.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:46 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
The second the Democrats are poised to do that, he'll probably pull a fucking Lieberman.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:46 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
Isnt the question wrt Manchin whether its worth having a nominal D in WV if he never votes like one? its not so much that a more liberal candidate could win an election and be useful there, its that the current D in name only has no utility, so yeah, I guess who cares?
I don’t like 538’s Trump Score metric because it’s a gross oversimplification, but it does accurately capture that Manchin, in “voting against Trump” 50% of the time, is in some sense disagreeing with what his state’s voters were expressing when they gave Trump a 42.2 point margin of victory over Clinton.
Similarly, per Pro Publica, Manchin votes against his party 26.7% of the time. That’s waaaaay over the average of 6% for a Democratic senator, but it’s miles away from the amount of times that a generic Republican senator would ever vote with the Ds - after all, the party average for a Republic senator voting against their party is only 2%. I’m not saying that that makes Manchin a saint or anything, but I think that calling him a rank traitor oversimplifies.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:46 PM on March 30, 2017 [41 favorites]
I don’t like 538’s Trump Score metric because it’s a gross oversimplification, but it does accurately capture that Manchin, in “voting against Trump” 50% of the time, is in some sense disagreeing with what his state’s voters were expressing when they gave Trump a 42.2 point margin of victory over Clinton.
Similarly, per Pro Publica, Manchin votes against his party 26.7% of the time. That’s waaaaay over the average of 6% for a Democratic senator, but it’s miles away from the amount of times that a generic Republican senator would ever vote with the Ds - after all, the party average for a Republic senator voting against their party is only 2%. I’m not saying that that makes Manchin a saint or anything, but I think that calling him a rank traitor oversimplifies.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:46 PM on March 30, 2017 [41 favorites]
And at that point Manchin will be there to flip parties like he threatened to do before Trump's win made it unnecessary, for the moment. Cut out the cancer now and proceed with actual Democrats who vote for Democratic positions. Stop rewarding this.
We can either have a maybe-D or an R for getting the caucus over 50 in 2020. "Fuck Manchin over and install a real progressive D" is not a valid choice. Stop acting like it. He has us all over a barrel and we either grin and bear it or cut our noses off to spite our face. That's politics. It's having to keep your mouth shut while some useless motherfucker gets to have some shit eating grin on his face.
posted by Talez at 2:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
We can either have a maybe-D or an R for getting the caucus over 50 in 2020. "Fuck Manchin over and install a real progressive D" is not a valid choice. Stop acting like it. He has us all over a barrel and we either grin and bear it or cut our noses off to spite our face. That's politics. It's having to keep your mouth shut while some useless motherfucker gets to have some shit eating grin on his face.
posted by Talez at 2:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
51-49 makes Manchin de facto President.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:47 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:47 PM on March 30, 2017
If there were a Democratic majority in the Senate, Manchin still couldn't be trusted to reliably vote with the party.The point isn't how he votes. The point is that if the Dems have a majority, they get to chair all the committees, and they decide what does and doesn't ever get debated and voted on.
But yeah, there's a real chance that he'd switch parties if he was ever the deciding seat.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 2:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
51-49 makes Manchin de facto President.
I would take President Manchin over both President Trump and President Generic Republican.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
I would take President Manchin over both President Trump and President Generic Republican.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
If he stays silent and holds on, he gets to be "leader of the free world", and, with a plausibly-regretful tone as he bids goodbye to that now-disgraced sinner Trump, he gets to push the Republican Party even further into the realm of theocracy.
The Handmaid's Tale Option.
posted by y2karl at 2:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Handmaid's Tale Option.
posted by y2karl at 2:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
We can either have a maybe-D or an R for getting the caucus over 50 in 2020. "Fuck Manchin over and install a real progressive D" is not a valid choice. Stop acting like it.
We don't know this. Bernie won West VA and Trump is not following through on any of his promises to the working class.
It's never been tried and losing Manchin is a small price to test it out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
We don't know this. Bernie won West VA and Trump is not following through on any of his promises to the working class.
It's never been tried and losing Manchin is a small price to test it out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Q: Did President Trump order anyone to look for information to justify his tweet?
Spicer: Uh, um, er, I, uh, I can't answer that.
IF [real] THEN OH CMOOOON!
IF [fake] THEN heh. Ahh thats-a Spicey reply
"(UIowa law prof) @AndyGrewal: It seems that Comey was extremely careless with his Twitter privacy, but not grossly negligent"
EhhhhhI see what he did there.
posted by petebest at 2:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Spicer: Uh, um, er, I, uh, I can't answer that.
IF [real] THEN OH CMOOOON!
IF [fake] THEN heh. Ahh thats-a Spicey reply
"(UIowa law prof) @AndyGrewal: It seems that Comey was extremely careless with his Twitter privacy, but not grossly negligent"
EhhhhhI see what he did there.
posted by petebest at 2:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The question, ridiculously enough for those who are concerned that people's civil rights are being determined on the basis of what the college athletics association wants, is whether the NCAA thinks this is enough or agrees with the rights groups.
Do not expect the NCAA to care about minimum wage.
posted by srboisvert at 2:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Do not expect the NCAA to care about minimum wage.
posted by srboisvert at 2:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
It's never been tried and losing Manchin is a small price to test it out.
It's never been tried because WV would vote for literally Satan before voting for a fucking progressive. It wastes money on a primary that doesn't need to be fought and just further pisses off the guy when it comes time to caucus in 2021.
You might as well say you're going to go win Ala-fucking-bama while you're at it.
posted by Talez at 2:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's never been tried because WV would vote for literally Satan before voting for a fucking progressive. It wastes money on a primary that doesn't need to be fought and just further pisses off the guy when it comes time to caucus in 2021.
You might as well say you're going to go win Ala-fucking-bama while you're at it.
posted by Talez at 2:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
I'm really sorry the repeal is so shitty. I realize I'm not queer or trans so I can't ever understand how you'd ever feel about this so I won't even pretend to and whatever you feel right now is most certainly valid and understandable. But please, I implore you, don't let the political wrangling of hateful people with far more power than they deserve divide what liberal opposition we can manage to scrape against these shitstains of history.
I'm cis and heterosexual-ish and I still think this repeal is super-shitty. It's shitty in the same way as Congressional Democrats voting for Gorsuch is shitty. It's shitty in that "Let's reward the bully for his restraint in only breaking two arms when he could have just as easily broken both legs and neck too, instead of, you know, telling him to stop beating people" way. It's shit policy for shit reasons, and I say this as someone who lives about a mile from UNC and enjoys college basketball. I get the need for unity. I understand the need for compromise. I am fine with the big tent, but I've wracked my brain on this one and I still can't come up for a single, solitary, non-morally bankrupt reason for NC Dems and our new governor to sell us out like this. Here's my local weekly on the topic.
posted by thivaia at 2:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
It's like pissing on an electric fence. Nobody needs to actually piss on it to know it's a dumb idea but some people want to piss on it because the fence might actually be turned off.
posted by Talez at 2:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Talez at 2:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bernie won West VA
Bernie voters in the WV Dem primary: ~124K
Total voters in the WV Dem primary: ~243K
Voters in the WV general election: ~678K
Bernie voters accounted for less than 20% of all WV voters. So I really don't think "Bernie won West VA" is a useful way to forecast how the WV general electorate will vote.
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:55 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Bernie voters in the WV Dem primary: ~124K
Total voters in the WV Dem primary: ~243K
Voters in the WV general election: ~678K
Bernie voters accounted for less than 20% of all WV voters. So I really don't think "Bernie won West VA" is a useful way to forecast how the WV general electorate will vote.
posted by Sauce Trough at 2:55 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
The Manchin thing is just debate anyway. There's no way he's going to be successfully primaried from the left in WVa, a state where Trump won 70% of the vote. Not to mention how difficult (not impossible, but very difficult) it is to primary any sitting Senator. Even primary-ing Feinstein in California would be a difficult task. Manchin in WVa? hah.
posted by thefoxgod at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by thefoxgod at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Nothing wrong with the full-court press. Some of those impossible fights aren't impossible after all, and going for it in unlikely cirumstances at least keeps people honest.
posted by The Gaffer at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by The Gaffer at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's never been tried because WV would vote for literally Satan before voting for a fucking progressive. It wastes money on a primary that doesn't need to be fought and just further pisses off the guy when it comes time to caucus in 2021.
He has to win reelection first, and not flip parties before 2021. Let's at least spend resources on actual Democrats and promote Democrats to leadership positions.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
He has to win reelection first, and not flip parties before 2021. Let's at least spend resources on actual Democrats and promote Democrats to leadership positions.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
But even though I know that's a good strategy, it's really disheartening how Manchin seems to vote with Republicans even when the stakes are really high like installing a supreme court justice. I think that's what people are reacting to. We're all pissed off and demoralized, and having a guy on your side who looks like they're just gonna roll over while you're trying to fight as hard as you can is just tough, you know?
Should it not be equally heartening when Manchin votes with Democrats on the FCC rule or Betsy DeVos or Tom Price or Mick Mulvaney?
Manchin has been voting with the Trump agenda 57.6% of the time, which is not great. But when Republicans are mostly voting 100% Trump and only 3 are less than 97% Trump, it's better than nothing. Even Susan Collins has been voting the Trump line 90% of the time, and the next Republican senator from West Virginia will not vote like Susan Collins.
He's also been voting less and less with Trump; Manchin voted 70% with Trump in January and February, and only 38% with him since. Another way to look at it - maybe a better way - is that Manchin has been mostly with Trump on nominating Cabinet members (80%) but only voting with him 23% on measures that do something. (I'm counting the waiver that allowed Mattis into cabinet as a cabinet vote rather than an "anything else" vote.)
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 2:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Should it not be equally heartening when Manchin votes with Democrats on the FCC rule or Betsy DeVos or Tom Price or Mick Mulvaney?
Manchin has been voting with the Trump agenda 57.6% of the time, which is not great. But when Republicans are mostly voting 100% Trump and only 3 are less than 97% Trump, it's better than nothing. Even Susan Collins has been voting the Trump line 90% of the time, and the next Republican senator from West Virginia will not vote like Susan Collins.
He's also been voting less and less with Trump; Manchin voted 70% with Trump in January and February, and only 38% with him since. Another way to look at it - maybe a better way - is that Manchin has been mostly with Trump on nominating Cabinet members (80%) but only voting with him 23% on measures that do something. (I'm counting the waiver that allowed Mattis into cabinet as a cabinet vote rather than an "anything else" vote.)
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 2:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
I am fine with the big tent, but I've wracked my brain on this one and I still can't come up for a single, solitary, non-morally bankrupt reason for NC Dems and our new governor to sell us out like this.
If I had to take a stab? Because there is a lot of money at stake because of the worst aspects of the law and Cooper is governor of North Carolina not just the LGBT residents of North Carolina. By bringing economic activity back to the state it's most certainly going to help people who otherwise need the work even if Charolette can't write its own anti-discrimination ordinance. If he didn't sign it he'd lose a considerable amount of guaranteed economic activity (which he'd then own) and then have to fight a shitfight with people he can't control and who he just completely pissed off. It's not something he can just dictate to the legislature.
posted by Talez at 2:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
If I had to take a stab? Because there is a lot of money at stake because of the worst aspects of the law and Cooper is governor of North Carolina not just the LGBT residents of North Carolina. By bringing economic activity back to the state it's most certainly going to help people who otherwise need the work even if Charolette can't write its own anti-discrimination ordinance. If he didn't sign it he'd lose a considerable amount of guaranteed economic activity (which he'd then own) and then have to fight a shitfight with people he can't control and who he just completely pissed off. It's not something he can just dictate to the legislature.
posted by Talez at 2:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
tl;dr: A lot of decisions in politics are the least shitty decision not the best decision.
posted by Talez at 3:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Talez at 3:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
Mod note: Y'all, there's probably about five comments total of actual breaking-down-the-perspectives-on-Manchin's-usefulness and they've been more than covered; at this point it's getting into kinda going-in-circles pissing match territory and that's the sort of thing we could use a lot less of in these threads to keep the comment count in check and the discussion actually useful. Please rein it in, both right now and going forward.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:02 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
tl;dr: A lot of decisions in politics are the least shitty decision not the best decision.
I totes believe this, but it’s interesting how this analysis nonetheless gives me flashbacks to the idealism vs. pragmatism vs. wishful thinking debates in the run-up to the election. I say this not to relitigate anything, but simply because at times one is struck by how all political arguments seem to boil down to the same abstraction of “this is enough” vs. “this is not enough”.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:03 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I totes believe this, but it’s interesting how this analysis nonetheless gives me flashbacks to the idealism vs. pragmatism vs. wishful thinking debates in the run-up to the election. I say this not to relitigate anything, but simply because at times one is struck by how all political arguments seem to boil down to the same abstraction of “this is enough” vs. “this is not enough”.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:03 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's not something he can just dictate to the legislature.
Plus the GOP has a supermajority in the NC legislature. A veto would be overridden.
posted by chris24 at 3:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Plus the GOP has a supermajority in the NC legislature. A veto would be overridden.
posted by chris24 at 3:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Plus the GOP has a supermajority in the NC legislature. A veto would be overridden.
That too. I totes forgot about that.
posted by Talez at 3:07 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
That too. I totes forgot about that.
posted by Talez at 3:07 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
It’s not something he can just dictate to the legislature.
Plus the GOP has a supermajority in the NC legislature. A veto would be overridden.
I’m sure the many hot takes about the Governor will take that into account!
posted by Going To Maine at 3:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Plus the GOP has a supermajority in the NC legislature. A veto would be overridden.
I’m sure the many hot takes about the Governor will take that into account!
posted by Going To Maine at 3:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it's more useful to get more Democrats into the Senate, especially younger more progressive and more firebrand-y types like Ted Lieu. As I've said before, keep your eye on the ball, and the ball is pushing every Republican out of office, from dog-catcher on up. Once that's been done we can turn our basilisk eyes people like Manchin and push him to toe the hopefully newly more leftward leaning line. (my emphasis)
I very much agree with this, especially the bolded part. I've said it before, but I think one of the main mistakes that Democrats have made is focusing on the presidency and maaayyyybe the Senate, and ignoring the down-ballot, local races. Even a Democratic governor can't do much if the state Assembly and Senate are full of Republicans. (Look how the Republicans in Congress could stymie Obama all these years.) Democrats need to run in absolutely every single solitary office - school board, city council, state Assembly, mayorships, you name it, Dems need to put forth a candidate.
This will not only benefit us at the local and state levels, it will develop a nice deep bench of future Ted Lieus, Catherine Cortez Mastos, and others. We need as many Democrats in as many offices in as many places across the country as we possibly can. We do this and then think about getting more conservative Democrats to shift leftward.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
I very much agree with this, especially the bolded part. I've said it before, but I think one of the main mistakes that Democrats have made is focusing on the presidency and maaayyyybe the Senate, and ignoring the down-ballot, local races. Even a Democratic governor can't do much if the state Assembly and Senate are full of Republicans. (Look how the Republicans in Congress could stymie Obama all these years.) Democrats need to run in absolutely every single solitary office - school board, city council, state Assembly, mayorships, you name it, Dems need to put forth a candidate.
This will not only benefit us at the local and state levels, it will develop a nice deep bench of future Ted Lieus, Catherine Cortez Mastos, and others. We need as many Democrats in as many offices in as many places across the country as we possibly can. We do this and then think about getting more conservative Democrats to shift leftward.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Trump's EPA Just Geenlighted a Pesticide Known to Damage Kids' Brains
(Chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to neurological damage and developmental and autoimmune disorders)
Trump Guts Obama Order Protecting LGBT Federal Employees
(after saying he wouldn't when everyone was watching)
Bad News for Low-Income College Students in Trump 2017 Budget
(it guts Pell grants by 3.9 billion USD)
To the extent that there is any plan at all to this administration, it follows Putin's MO of bombarding us with so many simultaneous horrible actions that we can't process everything and the sheer redundancy means that Bad Ideas clear the gate even when their most visible forms are shot down. It's certainly working on me. I'm having an increasingly difficult time keeping up with everything, and fighting against stuff while dealing with Life is sort of impossible. Apologies if any of these links are redundant, too.
Speaking of which, to the extent that we're discussing civil rights at state levels, Texas' anti-trans bill SB6 may get stalled in the House, but there are three additional redundant bills with the same aims and Republicans keep sneaking anti-trans provisions into unrelated bills, so that is going to pass.
posted by byanyothername at 3:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [30 favorites]
(Chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to neurological damage and developmental and autoimmune disorders)
Trump Guts Obama Order Protecting LGBT Federal Employees
(after saying he wouldn't when everyone was watching)
Bad News for Low-Income College Students in Trump 2017 Budget
(it guts Pell grants by 3.9 billion USD)
To the extent that there is any plan at all to this administration, it follows Putin's MO of bombarding us with so many simultaneous horrible actions that we can't process everything and the sheer redundancy means that Bad Ideas clear the gate even when their most visible forms are shot down. It's certainly working on me. I'm having an increasingly difficult time keeping up with everything, and fighting against stuff while dealing with Life is sort of impossible. Apologies if any of these links are redundant, too.
Speaking of which, to the extent that we're discussing civil rights at state levels, Texas' anti-trans bill SB6 may get stalled in the House, but there are three additional redundant bills with the same aims and Republicans keep sneaking anti-trans provisions into unrelated bills, so that is going to pass.
posted by byanyothername at 3:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [30 favorites]
So here's my question: If Trump is forced to resign because of the Russia thing, we get a do-over on the last couple months, right? RIGHT?
By then, the Dominionists (Pence, Bannon, et al.) will have quietly consolidated their grip on power to the point that Trump will have served his purpose, and will be redundant. Off he goes, and America becomes the Republic of Gilead in all but name. Perhaps they'll have some patsy shoot him, just to provide a pretext to pass the Enabling Act, which would make him a dual-purpose distraction and combustible Reichstag.
posted by acb at 3:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
By then, the Dominionists (Pence, Bannon, et al.) will have quietly consolidated their grip on power to the point that Trump will have served his purpose, and will be redundant. Off he goes, and America becomes the Republic of Gilead in all but name. Perhaps they'll have some patsy shoot him, just to provide a pretext to pass the Enabling Act, which would make him a dual-purpose distraction and combustible Reichstag.
posted by acb at 3:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is the Trump White House Spying on the FBI?
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
By then, the Dominionists (Pence, Bannon, et al.) will have quietly consolidated their grip on power to the point that Trump will have served his purpose, and will be redundant.
How many Nixon appointees did Ford keep around?
posted by Going To Maine at 3:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
How many Nixon appointees did Ford keep around?
posted by Going To Maine at 3:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
National Treasure Alexandra Petri, WaPo: Jared Kushner’s to-do list keeps getting longer
Every day, it seems, Jared Kushner’s portfolio of responsibilities expands a little. First, it was merely to restore peace to the Middle East. (“If you can’t produce peace in the Middle East,” Trump told him, “nobody can.”) Then he started acting like a special envoy to Mexico and China. Now he must also run government like a business?posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
Maybe it’s not that Kushner is exceptionally competent. Maybe the goddess Hera just hates him.
Mike Flynn Offers to Testify in Exchange for Immunity
This might be important.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 3:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [127 favorites]
This might be important.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 3:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [127 favorites]
Death in al Ghayil: Women and Children in Yemeni Village Recall Horror of Trump’s “Highly Successful” SEAL Raid
Yemen: Trump Expands U.S. Military Role in Saudi War as Yemenis Brace for Famine
Iona Craig on What Really Happened When U.S. Navy SEALs Stormed a Yemeni Village, Killing Dozens
posted by homunculus at 3:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yemen: Trump Expands U.S. Military Role in Saudi War as Yemenis Brace for Famine
Iona Craig on What Really Happened When U.S. Navy SEALs Stormed a Yemeni Village, Killing Dozens
posted by homunculus at 3:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
You don't normally insist on immunity from prosecution unless there's some reasonable basis to conclude that there's something to prosecute you for, right?
posted by zachlipton at 3:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Mike Flynn Offers to Testify in Exchange for Immunity
Send lawyers, guns & money - the shit has hit the fan.
posted by scalefree at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [51 favorites]
Send lawyers, guns & money - the shit has hit the fan.
posted by scalefree at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [51 favorites]
By then, the Dominionists (Pence, Bannon, et al.) will have quietly consolidated their grip on power to the point that Trump will have served his purpose, and will be redundant. Off he goes, and America becomes the Republic of Gilead in all but name. Perhaps they'll have some patsy shoot him, just to provide a pretext to pass the Enabling Act, which would make him a dual-purpose distraction and combustible Reichstag.
I think this is, surely, what the Dominionists want, and more or less what they said as they voted for one of the least Christian men of all time: "the person doesn't matter, just the way it advances God's will." However, at this point I would be surprised if there were many people in the WH not implicated in some what in the scandal, and also think that even if they aren't officially charged, public opinion has been similarly tainted on them. Their plans, and what trump has done to those plans, are two different things altogether. It turns out that the person does matter.
posted by codacorolla at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
I think this is, surely, what the Dominionists want, and more or less what they said as they voted for one of the least Christian men of all time: "the person doesn't matter, just the way it advances God's will." However, at this point I would be surprised if there were many people in the WH not implicated in some what in the scandal, and also think that even if they aren't officially charged, public opinion has been similarly tainted on them. Their plans, and what trump has done to those plans, are two different things altogether. It turns out that the person does matter.
posted by codacorolla at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
"He has made the offer to the FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees though his lawyer but has so far found no takers, the officials said."
If he's really found no takers, I would take that as a sign that they don't need his evidence because they've already got evidence from other sources, and they want to send Flynn to jail. Still, I would REALLY like to hear what he has to say.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
If he's really found no takers, I would take that as a sign that they don't need his evidence because they've already got evidence from other sources, and they want to send Flynn to jail. Still, I would REALLY like to hear what he has to say.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:42 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Op-ed piece by Bernard Marks, survivor of Auschwitz and Dachau: Holocaust survivor remembers past, worries about America’s future
Story about Marks at a recent town-hall: A Holocaust survivor’s pointed message about ICE enforcement: ‘History is not on your side’ (autoplays video)
Here's the video of Marks on YouTube.
posted by homunculus at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
Story about Marks at a recent town-hall: A Holocaust survivor’s pointed message about ICE enforcement: ‘History is not on your side’ (autoplays video)
Here's the video of Marks on YouTube.
posted by homunculus at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
Maybe it’s not that Kushner is exceptionally competent. Maybe the goddess Hera just hates him.
That's a really good line.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
That's a really good line.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
If you can't get past WSJ's paywall here is an archive.is link: Mike Flynn Offers to Testify in Exchange for Immunity
Not much there at the moment.
posted by futz at 3:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Not much there at the moment.
posted by futz at 3:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
"He has made the offer to the FBI and the House and Senate intelligence committees though his lawyer but has so far found no takers, the officials said."
If he's really found no takers, I would take that as a sign that they don't need his evidence because they've already got evidence from other sources, and they want to send Flynn to jail. Still, I would REALLY like to hear what he has to say.
Possible, but also possible that the GOP committee chairs are wanting to slow walk this as much as they can.
posted by azpenguin at 3:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
If he's really found no takers, I would take that as a sign that they don't need his evidence because they've already got evidence from other sources, and they want to send Flynn to jail. Still, I would REALLY like to hear what he has to say.
Possible, but also possible that the GOP committee chairs are wanting to slow walk this as much as they can.
posted by azpenguin at 3:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Now it's fucking popcorn time. Trump must be shitting gold bricks. Yay. When he panics he fucks up.
Yay, except also when the President of the United States panics and fucks up, people tend to die. Not that I want him not to fuck up though so
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yay, except also when the President of the United States panics and fucks up, people tend to die. Not that I want him not to fuck up though so
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Double dose of National Treasure Alexandra Petri: Mike Pence and the temptresses:
I hope that when the CEO of Campbell Soup came for a White House meeting they warned her not to let a single can of soup peer seductively from her purse, lest it give Pence the idea that they were eating a meal together and he were to fling himself bodily upon her.posted by zachlipton at 3:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [40 favorites]
How can he leave his house? At “Hamilton,” how was he restrained from leaping onstage and announcing “I’M INSERTING MYSELF IN THE NARRATIVE” whenever Eliza sang alone?
...
This idea that what is negotiable is whether or not women belong in the room, not whether or not men can be expected to keep themselves from dropping to all fours and growling, is intensely frustrating. Trump exhibits a different version of the same problem, where women are something other than people and deserve to be treated as such. Women are temptations, not equals. If you’re in a room with them, they are for grabbing. The solution? Stay out of rooms with them. Or keep them out.
Yeah, it's super hard to believe Flynn has any loyalty to Trump & Co. at this point. IIRC, he was a lifelong Democrat until Obama fired him. Then he got all chummy with Russia, and then jumped on the Trump bandwagon... and then Trump asked for his resignation?
I could be wrong. Everything about this whole situation is crazy. But at some point you have to go with the world as you understand it, and so far it looks like Mike Flynn's only real loyalty is to Mike Flynn. And maybe his son. Maybe.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:51 PM on March 30, 2017
I could be wrong. Everything about this whole situation is crazy. But at some point you have to go with the world as you understand it, and so far it looks like Mike Flynn's only real loyalty is to Mike Flynn. And maybe his son. Maybe.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 3:51 PM on March 30, 2017
Trump must be shitting gold bricks.
Fool's gold, surely.
posted by futz at 3:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Fool's gold, surely.
posted by futz at 3:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
No investigator worth his or her salt would ever agree to give Flynn immunity without knowing exactly what he is going to say and even then only if he can provide real, tangible evidence implicating either a superior (hint: there aren't many superiors to the head of the NSC.... really just one.) or enough tangible evidence that can be used to roll up multiple other flynn-level advisors who then can be leveraged to go after The Boss.
This is probably staking out a negotiating position more than anything.
posted by Justinian at 3:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
This is probably staking out a negotiating position more than anything.
posted by Justinian at 3:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
What kind of garbage people are you if fucking debt collectors are telling you you're being a dick?
Consumerist: Student Loan Debt Collectors Not Eager To Charge Fees Reinstated By Trump Administration
Consumerist: Student Loan Debt Collectors Not Eager To Charge Fees Reinstated By Trump Administration
With about 7 million borrowers still owing $162 billion in debt for outstanding FFEL loans, the guarantors would likely see a nice windfall from the higher fees.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 3:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [69 favorites]
However, Bloomberg reports that might not be the case, as all of the guaranty agencies have announced in the last week that they won’t be charging higher fees.
“Many student loan borrowers already have a difficult time managing their loan obligations,” James Patterson, chief executive officer of the Texas guaranty agency, tells Bloomberg. “Adding more fees does not help their situation.”
This is probably staking out a negotiating position more than anything.
He oughta be staking out a defensible position far from the window.
posted by notyou at 3:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
He oughta be staking out a defensible position far from the window.
posted by notyou at 3:58 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
Generally speaking you get immunity if you give them someone higher up in the conspiracy than yourself. Only one person fits the bill for that with Flynn, the guy who hired him. If he gets his immunity we can be pretty sure who he rolled on to get it.
posted by scalefree at 3:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by scalefree at 3:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!
posted by supercrayon at 4:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by supercrayon at 4:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
These fuckers panic right into incriminating themselves. I want to see him do a Nunes Family Circle circuit like his fucking hair is on fire.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 4:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
I was having difficulty logging on a bit ago, and thought, "Mike Pence killed Metafilter." But then I find that per usual, the thread's running in several directions. (Understandable, with the 90-ring horrorshow circus that is the R party.)
But even tho it doesnt affect me real directly, I just want to send a special FUCK YOU TO HELL to Mr. Girls Are Icky voting down Planned Parenthood funding. First the vote for Devos, and now this. Old Mikey's really working hard to give Spiro Agnew a run for the money as Worst Veep ever.
These fuckers (like my family) who think they're religious, but there is no difference between the man who calls his wife Mother and his running mate who grabs pussy. Two sides of the same coin. Just as when Trump rolls back LGBT protections, Mikey surely approves.
It is all related evil with these assholes, their dislike of anyone who isnt a tightly wound patriarchal white prick with a stick up their butt, and their intense devotion to making everyone as unhappy as they are in their sad, shriveled little hearts.
posted by NorthernLite at 4:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
But even tho it doesnt affect me real directly, I just want to send a special FUCK YOU TO HELL to Mr. Girls Are Icky voting down Planned Parenthood funding. First the vote for Devos, and now this. Old Mikey's really working hard to give Spiro Agnew a run for the money as Worst Veep ever.
These fuckers (like my family) who think they're religious, but there is no difference between the man who calls his wife Mother and his running mate who grabs pussy. Two sides of the same coin. Just as when Trump rolls back LGBT protections, Mikey surely approves.
It is all related evil with these assholes, their dislike of anyone who isnt a tightly wound patriarchal white prick with a stick up their butt, and their intense devotion to making everyone as unhappy as they are in their sad, shriveled little hearts.
posted by NorthernLite at 4:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
News of this was released during East Coast network news, right? Does that mean that networks did or didn't announce it during their national broadcast?
welp looks like I'm back into the political threads
posted by infinitewindow at 4:24 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
welp looks like I'm back into the political threads
posted by infinitewindow at 4:24 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
News of this was released during East Coast network news, right? Does that mean that networks did or didn't announce it during their national broadcast
I only caught the last half hour of PBS news hour (the one true network news show) but no mention of Flynn.
posted by dis_integration at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2017
I only caught the last half hour of PBS news hour (the one true network news show) but no mention of Flynn.
posted by dis_integration at 4:28 PM on March 30, 2017
Honestly, while I love Petri forever, I'm getting really frustrated with the "we don't have much to say about Pence so we're going to talk about his by all means appearing to be consensual marriage decisions."
I care about what Pence /does/. I don't care, as long as she is fine with it, about their sexual habits, pet names they call each other, how they manage exes, who takes out the trash, or nearly any other private rule they have in their marriage. The same goes for any other politician. If everybody is happy, /I don't care/.
If their private marriage rules involve him having a chaperone, I really, really don't care. If he wants to mandate my husband has a chaperone, I do.
posted by corb at 4:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
I care about what Pence /does/. I don't care, as long as she is fine with it, about their sexual habits, pet names they call each other, how they manage exes, who takes out the trash, or nearly any other private rule they have in their marriage. The same goes for any other politician. If everybody is happy, /I don't care/.
If their private marriage rules involve him having a chaperone, I really, really don't care. If he wants to mandate my husband has a chaperone, I do.
posted by corb at 4:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
I care about what Pence /does/. I don't care, as long as she is fine with it, about their sexual habits, pet names they call each other, how they manage exes, who takes out the trash, or nearly any other private rule they have in their marriage. The same goes for any other politician. If everybody is happy, /I don't care/.
He's treating men and female colleagues with a hugely different standard for no reason other than gender. That's not simply private behavior.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 4:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [78 favorites]
He's treating men and female colleagues with a hugely different standard for no reason other than gender. That's not simply private behavior.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 4:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [78 favorites]
Moderately interesting: White House shuffles West Wing staff after health bill collapse. Deputy chief of staff Katie Walsh is being dispatched to Trump’s outside political group.
Very interesting: @johncardillo Very strong source told me that Katie Walsh was fired for leaking. Her creds were yanked and she was escorted out of the White House.
Most interesting: White House Plays Nunes Trump Card To Expose Staff Leaker and Call Out “Oversight” Gang-of-Eight… (note: I do not personally trust most of the analysis on this page but the context is still useful)
posted by scalefree at 4:33 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Very interesting: @johncardillo Very strong source told me that Katie Walsh was fired for leaking. Her creds were yanked and she was escorted out of the White House.
Most interesting: White House Plays Nunes Trump Card To Expose Staff Leaker and Call Out “Oversight” Gang-of-Eight… (note: I do not personally trust most of the analysis on this page but the context is still useful)
posted by scalefree at 4:33 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Flynn's lawyer has released a statement: "General Flynn certainly has a story to tell..." (Twitter with screen cap for now)
posted by maudlin at 4:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 4:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
yay story time
posted by thelonius at 4:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 4:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
I don't think Trump should appoint Gorsuch during the last week of his presidency.
posted by Devonian at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [77 favorites]
posted by Devonian at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [77 favorites]
Maybe it's just twitter confirmation bias, but it sure seems like a quite sizeable chunk of the left is currently dismissing any-and-all investigation into Russian government influence peddling as wild, baseless conspiracy mongering.
There's a difference between outright dismissal and encouraging a bit of restraint with assuming Russia = Trump is over. I seem to recall a great deal of hubris back in November involving counting eggs before they'd hatched (with a shimmy).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
There's a difference between outright dismissal and encouraging a bit of restraint with assuming Russia = Trump is over. I seem to recall a great deal of hubris back in November involving counting eggs before they'd hatched (with a shimmy).
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
You don't normally insist on immunity from prosecution unless there's some reasonable basis to conclude that there's something to prosecute you for, right?
Well, let's not forget that this fine fellow had a lunch meeting at which he reportedly plotted to kidnap a foreign national in the US at the behest of the foreign nation for whom he was a paid agent. So even aside from the Russia shit, I can see why he's a tad bit worried about prosecution.
Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!
Not to belabor the point, but let's just sit here and consider and savor that for a minute. This traitorous ASSHOLE, who stood onstage in front of the whole fucking world and offensively besmirched the reputation of Hillary Clinton is now fired, publicly disgraced, and scrabbling to make a deal with the FBI to avoid the consequences of his probably considerable and numerous felonies.
Heckuva job, Mikey!
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
Well, let's not forget that this fine fellow had a lunch meeting at which he reportedly plotted to kidnap a foreign national in the US at the behest of the foreign nation for whom he was a paid agent. So even aside from the Russia shit, I can see why he's a tad bit worried about prosecution.
Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!
Not to belabor the point, but let's just sit here and consider and savor that for a minute. This traitorous ASSHOLE, who stood onstage in front of the whole fucking world and offensively besmirched the reputation of Hillary Clinton is now fired, publicly disgraced, and scrabbling to make a deal with the FBI to avoid the consequences of his probably considerable and numerous felonies.
Heckuva job, Mikey!
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [52 favorites]
The hilarity of an anonymous source telling a reporter that a White House staffer was fired for being an anonymous source is really too much for me to take right now.
posted by zachlipton at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
wait, Flynn's lawyer says he only wants immunity from UNFAIR prosecution. that's like
I mean I can promise him that, he can come tell me his story if he wants. this is an easy standard to meet if anybody wants to both hear him talk and lock him up for afters.
posted by queenofbithynia at 4:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
I mean I can promise him that, he can come tell me his story if he wants. this is an easy standard to meet if anybody wants to both hear him talk and lock him up for afters.
posted by queenofbithynia at 4:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
That Katie Walsh story has been suspicious from the beginning. Preibus, Kushner, and Bannon all gushed about how great she was and I knew there was more to the story.
posted by futz at 4:37 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by futz at 4:37 PM on March 30, 2017
Oh my god I wore out my fingers sending out evil laughing gifs to everyone I know. Get fucked Flynn, I hope this is the beginning of the entire fucking corrupt carnival of shit getting shut down. The thundering arrogant hypocrisy of him standing up during the campaign and screaming about how if he did what HRC did he would be in jail...
Just, ferocious vindictive glee right now. This must be how animals feel when they've got blood on their teeth.
posted by supercrayon at 4:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Just, ferocious vindictive glee right now. This must be how animals feel when they've got blood on their teeth.
posted by supercrayon at 4:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
Mod note: corb, please let this drop. Thanks.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 4:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 4:43 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Mike Flynn on Meet the Press in September: "When you are given immunity that means you have probably committed a crime."
posted by zachlipton at 4:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [57 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [57 favorites]
I think there may be less here than meets the eye regarding Flynn. Partial statement from his lawyer:
posted by scalefree at 4:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Notwithstanding his life of national service, the media are awash with unfounded allegations, outrageous claims of treason, and vicious innuendo directed against him. He is now the target of unsubstantiated public demands by Members of Congress and other political critics that he be criminally investigated. No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advice from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution.These are not the words of a man who wants to confess & make a deal. He wants the opposite of that. He wants to clear his name.
posted by scalefree at 4:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
At this point, no investigating body needs to interview Flynn because there's nothing he can tell them that isn't already known. I'll get the whirly pop out when Flynn agrees to testify.
posted by klarck at 4:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by klarck at 4:49 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
The War On Breitbart Now Goes Through Amazon
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 4:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
. . . if, say, you’re in the market for a vacuum, an Amazon ad for a Dyson Big Ball might show up next to an article titled “World Health Organization Report: Trannies 49 Xs Higher HIV Rate,” another Breitbart headline special. . . . “We understand they’re caught in the middle right now,” said the Giants’ spokesman. “But I also think Amazon has enough money to do whatever the hell they want to do.” . . .Last week I sent Amazon a message saying, "I am disgusted that Amazon knowingly continues to advertise on Breitbart, a site featuring articles like "The Solution To Online 'Harassment' Is Simple: Women Should Log Off," not to mention spreading xenophobic hatred and fear, not to mention article after article screaming that secularism is bad. If Amazon doesn't support theocracy by misogynistic religious extremists, then Amazon should prove it by blocking Breitbart from its ad buys." They replied with the usual boilerplate "Thank you for your feedback."
Now, any time that vacuum shows up on Breitbart, Sleeping Giants is reaching out to the vacuum maker to pull its ads from Amazon.
. . . As of late Monday night, Dyson reportedly pulled its ads from Amazon, according to Sleeping Giants.
“I can confirm we’ve reached out to our partners at Amazon to ensure these ads are taken down,” said a Dyson spokesperson.
Amazon carries almost every major brand a person can think of. It’s going to be a slog. But Sleeping Giants hopes the relentless bureaucracy of phone calls from distributors and customers, plus some slightly less effective targeted advertising, might eventually do the trick.
It worked with other major ad platforms. A leaked memo from the company Omnicom, obtained by BuzzFeed News, said all of its Fortune 500 companies requested a Breitbart blackout.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 4:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
These are not the words of a man who wants to confess & make a deal. He wants the opposite of that. He wants to clear his name.
Worse. He's going to go Ollie North - take the full blame and sneer at the Democrats in congress as not being as much of a Patriot as he is. He's hoping to get immunity before the FBI can move, and remove himself from the equation entirely.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Worse. He's going to go Ollie North - take the full blame and sneer at the Democrats in congress as not being as much of a Patriot as he is. He's hoping to get immunity before the FBI can move, and remove himself from the equation entirely.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
(note: I do not personally trust most of the analysis on this page but the context is still useful)
Um, the sources you cited for the "Katie Walsh is the leaker" story seem worse than untrustworthy -- they're much more likely to be part of some White House-led disinfo campaign. The only thing "interesting" about this story is that it's being spread by some guy who retweets "Cruel Irony: White Social Justice Warrior Tortured Then Murdered By Black Killer" and some Andrew Breitbart-worshipping blog. Ugh.
posted by neroli at 5:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
Um, the sources you cited for the "Katie Walsh is the leaker" story seem worse than untrustworthy -- they're much more likely to be part of some White House-led disinfo campaign. The only thing "interesting" about this story is that it's being spread by some guy who retweets "Cruel Irony: White Social Justice Warrior Tortured Then Murdered By Black Killer" and some Andrew Breitbart-worshipping blog. Ugh.
posted by neroli at 5:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
He's hoping to get immunity before the FBI can move, and remove himself from the equation entirely.
My husband refuses to believe he is as smart as Del Boy with his microwaves in Only Fools and Horses.
posted by Tarumba at 5:04 PM on March 30, 2017
My husband refuses to believe he is as smart as Del Boy with his microwaves in Only Fools and Horses.
posted by Tarumba at 5:04 PM on March 30, 2017
Now it’s fucking popcorn time.
So, the present.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
So, the present.
posted by Going To Maine at 5:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sources on both the Democratic and Republican sides of the House Intelligence Committee saying that Flynn hasn't offered to testify in exchange for immunity. It's still possible that he's made this offer to the Senate side or the FBI (or that Nunes' aide is lying and Nunes didn't tell the Democrats), but it's also possible he never made such an offer and someone told the WSJ this to force Flynn's hand. Either way, it's delicious.
posted by zachlipton at 5:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Congressional mechanics / separation of powers question: how can the House or Senate offer immunity from prosecution?
posted by ryanrs at 5:15 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 5:15 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
He's treating men and female colleagues with a hugely different standard for no reason other than gender. That's not simply private behavior.
And how do you even hire women for any position that might require working together overtime, late nights, lunch and dinner meetings, and out-of-town travel?
posted by Room 641-A at 5:19 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
And how do you even hire women for any position that might require working together overtime, late nights, lunch and dinner meetings, and out-of-town travel?
posted by Room 641-A at 5:19 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
It is possible that Comey has confirmed he is @projectexile7
posted by Going To Maine at 5:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 5:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [17 favorites]
The Post says there's now at least a third White House official involved: Three White House officials tied to files shared with House intelligence chairman:
posted by zachlipton at 5:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
The officials said that the classified files were gathered by Cohen, the senior director for intelligence at the National Security Council.There's also some really good information from Eli Lake at Bloomberg View on why they were looking at this stuff in the first place:
After assembling reports that showed that Trump campaign officials were mentioned or inadvertently monitored by U.S. spy agencies targeting foreign individuals, Cohen took the matter to the top lawyer for the National Security Council, John Eisenberg.
The third White House official involved was identified as Michael Ellis, a lawyer who previously worked with Nunes on the House Intelligence Committee, but joined the Trump administration as an attorney who reports to Eisenberg. Ellis and Eisenberg report to the White House counsel, Donald McGahn.
The chairman told me Thursday that elements of the Times story were inaccurate. But he acknowledged: "I did use the White House to help to confirm what I already knew from other sources." This is a body blow for Nunes, who presented his findings last week as if they were surprising to the White House. He briefed Trump, after holding a press conference on Capitol Hill. And as he was leaving the White House, he made sure to address the press again.And I want to flag up the link T.D. Strange posted, Is the Trump White House Spying on the FBI?, because provides some important context on what the "minimization" stuff is all about and asks why White House staff was reviewing these intelligence reports in the first place.
But this was a show. The sources named by the Times work for the president. They are political appointees. It strains credulity to think that Trump would need Nunes to tell him about intelligence reports discovered by people who work in the White House.
Another U.S. official familiar with the affair told me that one of the sources named in the article, former Defense Intelligence officer Ezra Cohen-Watnick, did not play a role in getting information to Nunes. This official said Cohen-Watnick had come upon the reports while working on a review of recent Justice Department rules that made it easier for intelligence officials to share the identities of U.S. persons swept up in surveillance. He turned them over to White House lawyers.
posted by zachlipton at 5:25 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
That Comey Tweet! I'm smiling huge right now. Because you know how before I was lokw "A lot depends on the character of James Comey"?
That tweet says good things about his character.
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:26 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
That tweet says good things about his character.
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:26 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
That Comey Tweet! I'm smiling huge right now. Because you know how before I was lokw "A lot depends on the character of James Comey"?
That tweet says good things about his character.
Uh, I saw that and I smiled, because I like Anchorman. Then I remembered that Comey basically gave us Trompy because of his statements about HRC's emails in late October of 2016.
posted by dhens at 5:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
That tweet says good things about his character.
Uh, I saw that and I smiled, because I like Anchorman. Then I remembered that Comey basically gave us Trompy because of his statements about HRC's emails in late October of 2016.
posted by dhens at 5:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm a broken record about this, but I'm fairly confident at this point that Comey had the choice of sending that letter privately to Chaffetz (who promptly leaked it, of course) or reading about that Weiner laptop in the NYT after one of Giuliani's buddies at the FBI New York office leaked it. Search my comment history for "Giuliani" if you want to see where I've made that case before.
Comey probably has a very healthy appreciation for good investigative reporting. I think I read some commentary by a former FBI agent at some point in all this about how being an FBI agent is just like being an investigative reporter, but with a much smaller audience.
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:33 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Comey probably has a very healthy appreciation for good investigative reporting. I think I read some commentary by a former FBI agent at some point in all this about how being an FBI agent is just like being an investigative reporter, but with a much smaller audience.
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:33 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Answering my own question about immunity and separation of powers, sort of.
posted by ryanrs at 5:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ryanrs at 5:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
That Comey Tweet!
I'm not sure I get this but I don't use the Twit much. Did Comey tweet "fbijobs.gov" as well as that Anchorman image? Was @projectexile7's twitter unlocked until very recently?
posted by futz at 5:37 PM on March 30, 2017
I'm not sure I get this but I don't use the Twit much. Did Comey tweet "fbijobs.gov" as well as that Anchorman image? Was @projectexile7's twitter unlocked until very recently?
posted by futz at 5:37 PM on March 30, 2017
Old Mikey's really working hard to give Spiro Agnew a run for the money as Worst Veep ever.
From deep inside his dark lair, Dick Cheney awakens with cruel purpose to see this pretender thrown down.
posted by Ber at 5:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
From deep inside his dark lair, Dick Cheney awakens with cruel purpose to see this pretender thrown down.
posted by Ber at 5:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
Anyone who can admit to being beaten at his own game without getting angry or defensive is usually a good egg, in my experience. If you can do it with a sense of humor then doubly so. Have you noticed how evil people never have a sense of humor?
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:38 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 5:38 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Mike "Lock her up" Flynn might need immunity because of a "witch hunt environment"?
If hypocrisy was a disease, most Republicans would be dead by now.
posted by NorthernLite at 5:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
If hypocrisy was a disease, most Republicans would be dead by now.
posted by NorthernLite at 5:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
posted by medusa at 5:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by medusa at 5:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
Did Comey tweet "fbijobs.gov" as well as that Anchorman image? Was @projectexile7's twitter unlocked until very recently?
It was unlocked, he hadn't tweeted before.
And I took the tweet to be a joking job offer to the Gizmodo writer who figured it out.
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
Kinda but Twitter wasn't as popular.
posted by asteria at 5:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
It was unlocked, he hadn't tweeted before.
And I took the tweet to be a joking job offer to the Gizmodo writer who figured it out.
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
Kinda but Twitter wasn't as popular.
posted by asteria at 5:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [35 favorites]
If hypocrisy was a disease, most Republicans would be dead by now.
Patient zero, man.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:43 PM on March 30, 2017
Patient zero, man.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:43 PM on March 30, 2017
So the Comey account is locked out. Anyone have a screenshot or even the specific 140 characters he tweeted?
posted by RedOrGreen at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by RedOrGreen at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
I think so, but I mostly remember being shushed while my parents had commandeered the TV to watch the hearings.
posted by thelonius at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
I think so, but I mostly remember being shushed while my parents had commandeered the TV to watch the hearings.
posted by thelonius at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Comey also updated his Instagram apparently.
posted by asteria at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by asteria at 5:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
About this whole wacky madcap deal where Nunes and the White House natsec dudes (possibly at Trump's behest) try to use irrelevant reports to back up Trump, I have three questions:
1. Does this make Nunes the Lucy Ricardo or the Stimpy of Congress?
2. Why are we letting people who are so irredeemably stupid as to think this would work and they'd get away with it be in charge of national security?
3. My god, what is the next House Intelligence Committee meeting going to be like? I'm imagining like an hour straight of upstanding elected officials of both parties going, "What. The. Fuck. Devin? WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?"
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
1. Does this make Nunes the Lucy Ricardo or the Stimpy of Congress?
2. Why are we letting people who are so irredeemably stupid as to think this would work and they'd get away with it be in charge of national security?
3. My god, what is the next House Intelligence Committee meeting going to be like? I'm imagining like an hour straight of upstanding elected officials of both parties going, "What. The. Fuck. Devin? WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?"
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
Oh, man. I watched All The President's Men a couple weeks ago, and you wouldn't believe how worked up people got over a burglary and a $25,000 check. The reaction of the press and public in the movie would have totally ruined my suspension of disbelief if I hadn't known Watergate actually happened.
posted by ryanrs at 5:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
Oh, man. I watched All The President's Men a couple weeks ago, and you wouldn't believe how worked up people got over a burglary and a $25,000 check. The reaction of the press and public in the movie would have totally ruined my suspension of disbelief if I hadn't known Watergate actually happened.
posted by ryanrs at 5:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
Comey also updated his Instagram apparently.
For what it's worth, Ashley Feinberg, who broke this story, thinks that he changed his instagram username and that post is from someone else who scooped up the account. I'm pretty sure it's not him anymore on instagram.
posted by zachlipton at 5:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
For what it's worth, Ashley Feinberg, who broke this story, thinks that he changed his instagram username and that post is from someone else who scooped up the account. I'm pretty sure it's not him anymore on instagram.
posted by zachlipton at 5:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
So I just shared that Comey tweet on Facebook. When you share a tweet on Facebook, it puts up the profile image from the tweeter. It was not an egg, nor was it James Comey. Unfortunately I can't get a screenshot at the moment.
posted by waitingtoderail at 5:49 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by waitingtoderail at 5:49 PM on March 30, 2017
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
I'm told it's rather like Watergate without the expectation of decorum or competence.
There's this constant through-line of "Maybe he just said/did that because he's a gigantic goddamn moron," that's adds a wildcard element to the whole thing.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 5:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
I'm told it's rather like Watergate without the expectation of decorum or competence.
There's this constant through-line of "Maybe he just said/did that because he's a gigantic goddamn moron," that's adds a wildcard element to the whole thing.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 5:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Naw, Watergate was a) way scarier because it was unprecedented and b) way more entertaining and edifying because it featured magnificent, smart, articulate, and/or crafty bastards like Howard Baker, Sam Ervin, Archibald Cox, and John Dean.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
I mean, yes, I was pissed when the hearings pre-empted Match Game, but even at 12-13, I found it really interesting much of the time.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Yeah, and during Watergate, it seemed like there was shame on the part of the crooks, and actual statesmen from both parties seemed to want to do the right thing. And they kinda did.
posted by valkane at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by valkane at 5:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [18 favorites]
Where, I ask you, are there any Howard Bakers today?
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
You younger people, you know how when you first learn about Nixon and Watergate, and you get kinda pissed off that he wasn't sent to prison? Well 20 years from now, kids will learn about Nixon getting pardoned, and think "well ok, but Nixon wasn't nearly as bad as Trump, and Trump did go to prison."
posted by ryanrs at 5:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 5:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
It was not an egg, nor was it James Comey. Unfortunately I can't get a screenshot at the moment.
Nevermind, got it.
Oh, and here's the tweet, RedOrGreen.
posted by waitingtoderail at 6:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Nevermind, got it.
Oh, and here's the tweet, RedOrGreen.
posted by waitingtoderail at 6:00 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
These are not the words of a man who wants to confess & make a deal. He wants the opposite of that. He wants to clear his name.
#Generalshavebigretirementaccounts
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
#Generalshavebigretirementaccounts
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:05 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
We need a Sam Ervin, taking his time and taking his glasses off to give the witness a looonnnggg look.
Sermon on the Hill: A Sam Ervin Sampler.
posted by readery at 6:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sermon on the Hill: A Sam Ervin Sampler.
posted by readery at 6:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
i have no idea what to think of this whole flynn thing considering his questionable mental stability (if that new yorker profile is anything to go on, at any rate)
posted by murphy slaw at 6:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 6:08 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
FBI Agents Visit Office of Saipan Casino Run by Trump Protege
-- Agents from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation visited an office belonging to the operator of a casino on the remote U.S. island of Saipan that has attracted attention for its huge revenues, according to a local legislator and residents.
-- Saipan, an island of 50,000 residents closer to China than to Hawaii, relaxed rules on casinos in 2014 and soon awarded Imperial Pacific exclusive rights to open casinos there. The casino, run by an executive who cut his teeth in Atlantic City casinos then owned by Donald Trump, enlisted a slate of luminary overseers including former leaders of both the Republican and Democratic national parties in the U.S.
Its board members include James Woolsey, who ran the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in the early 1990s and was among national-security advisers to Trump’s presidential campaign. Former FBI director Louis Freeh and Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor and Democratic National Committee chairman, sit on an advisory committee, as does Haley Barbour, the ex-Mississippi governor and Republican National Committee chairman who’s now a prominent lobbyist.
-- In 2015, the company opened Best Sunshine Live in a mall between a laundromat and a cellphone shop. From its sleepy storefront, Best Sunshine Live has posted per-table revenues far greater than those at the largest resorts in Macau, Asia’s gambling capital.
-- Imperial Pacific has been sued several times since it opened the casino, including in December by a former executive accusing it of violating money-laundering rules.
There is a lot of WTFuckery in this article. wowsers.
posted by futz at 6:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [56 favorites]
-- Agents from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation visited an office belonging to the operator of a casino on the remote U.S. island of Saipan that has attracted attention for its huge revenues, according to a local legislator and residents.
-- Saipan, an island of 50,000 residents closer to China than to Hawaii, relaxed rules on casinos in 2014 and soon awarded Imperial Pacific exclusive rights to open casinos there. The casino, run by an executive who cut his teeth in Atlantic City casinos then owned by Donald Trump, enlisted a slate of luminary overseers including former leaders of both the Republican and Democratic national parties in the U.S.
Its board members include James Woolsey, who ran the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in the early 1990s and was among national-security advisers to Trump’s presidential campaign. Former FBI director Louis Freeh and Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor and Democratic National Committee chairman, sit on an advisory committee, as does Haley Barbour, the ex-Mississippi governor and Republican National Committee chairman who’s now a prominent lobbyist.
-- In 2015, the company opened Best Sunshine Live in a mall between a laundromat and a cellphone shop. From its sleepy storefront, Best Sunshine Live has posted per-table revenues far greater than those at the largest resorts in Macau, Asia’s gambling capital.
-- Imperial Pacific has been sued several times since it opened the casino, including in December by a former executive accusing it of violating money-laundering rules.
There is a lot of WTFuckery in this article. wowsers.
posted by futz at 6:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [56 favorites]
Watergate was the great catharsis of the 60s, when we were finally able to let go of the 60s. Nixon came to symbolize Vietnam and a talk big and carry a large weasel attitude. Democracy stood up to his pettiness, democracy actually had legs. It played out in slow motion over months and ultimately two years.
This is the Keystone Cops on cocaine version of Watergate. Nixon was intelligent. Dean was intelligent. Trump is an idiot. Nunes is an idiot.
(added, I know Watergate took place in the seventies0
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
This is the Keystone Cops on cocaine version of Watergate. Nixon was intelligent. Dean was intelligent. Trump is an idiot. Nunes is an idiot.
(added, I know Watergate took place in the seventies0
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's suspicious because this Trump-linked casino is turning a profit.
posted by ryanrs at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 6:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
Related article from November 2016. Holy Shit.
Big Money, Big Questions at Trump Protege's Remote Casino
Far-flung gambling operation advised by former FBI and CIA chiefs posts huge revenues—and its flows of cash have drawn the attention of the U.S. Treasury.
The awkwardly named Best Sunshine Live hardly looks like a high-roller hub. Construction workers bet $5 or $10 at a time on roulette and baccarat in a fug of nicotine. Clustered in a far corner are a handful of tables for so-called VIP gamblers, which at 8:30 p.m. on a September Saturday are almost empty. A nearby bar has just a couple of patrons.
Nothing about the facility, which opened last year on the U.S. island of Saipan, hints at the money flowing through it—table for table, far more than at the biggest casinos in Macau, the world’s number-one gambling capital. Nor is there any sign of the connections of its owner, Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd., which has a market value of $2.4 billion.
posted by futz at 6:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Big Money, Big Questions at Trump Protege's Remote Casino
Far-flung gambling operation advised by former FBI and CIA chiefs posts huge revenues—and its flows of cash have drawn the attention of the U.S. Treasury.
The awkwardly named Best Sunshine Live hardly looks like a high-roller hub. Construction workers bet $5 or $10 at a time on roulette and baccarat in a fug of nicotine. Clustered in a far corner are a handful of tables for so-called VIP gamblers, which at 8:30 p.m. on a September Saturday are almost empty. A nearby bar has just a couple of patrons.
Nothing about the facility, which opened last year on the U.S. island of Saipan, hints at the money flowing through it—table for table, far more than at the biggest casinos in Macau, the world’s number-one gambling capital. Nor is there any sign of the connections of its owner, Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd., which has a market value of $2.4 billion.
posted by futz at 6:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
Anne Gearan and Carol Morello at The Washington Post: “Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spends his first weeks isolated from an anxious bureaucracy”
posted by Going To Maine at 6:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
Most of his interactions are with an insular circle of political aides who are new to the State Department. Many career diplomats say they still have not met him, and some have been instructed not to speak to him directly — or even make eye contact.My heart bleeds for civil servants.
posted by Going To Maine at 6:14 PM on March 30, 2017 [44 favorites]
I can't wait for all of this Flynn stuff to slowly amount to pretty much nothing.
posted by BeginAgain at 6:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by BeginAgain at 6:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
My heart bleeds for civil servants.
My agency is still without any political nominees for leadership positions whatsoever. We're sort of wondering what happens if it goes on for all 4 years, and how far down the "acting" line of succession actually goes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
My agency is still without any political nominees for leadership positions whatsoever. We're sort of wondering what happens if it goes on for all 4 years, and how far down the "acting" line of succession actually goes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [15 favorites]
still without any political nominees
That's good, right?
posted by ryanrs at 6:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's good, right?
posted by ryanrs at 6:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
In 2015, the company opened Best Sunshine Live in a mall between a laundromat and a cellphone shop.
Go on.
From its sleepy storefront, Best Sunshine Live has posted per-table revenues far greater than those at the largest resorts in Macau, Asia’s gambling capital
I mean...that's just not even trying. That's breaking the law while doing a Paul Rudd fuck-you spin around the pole
accusing it of violating money-laundering rules.
You think
posted by schadenfrau at 6:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
Go on.
From its sleepy storefront, Best Sunshine Live has posted per-table revenues far greater than those at the largest resorts in Macau, Asia’s gambling capital
I mean...that's just not even trying. That's breaking the law while doing a Paul Rudd fuck-you spin around the pole
accusing it of violating money-laundering rules.
You think
posted by schadenfrau at 6:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [25 favorites]
The best way of keeping a secret is to pretend there isn’t one
Margaret Atwood
posted by robbyrobs at 6:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Margaret Atwood
posted by robbyrobs at 6:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
My heart bleeds for civil servants.
Our agency still doesn't have a Secretary. We have no idea what next year's budget will be, or what *this* year's budget will be. We can't fill any empty positions. And guess what? I'm morale officer!
posted by acrasis at 6:31 PM on March 30, 2017 [75 favorites]
Our agency still doesn't have a Secretary. We have no idea what next year's budget will be, or what *this* year's budget will be. We can't fill any empty positions. And guess what? I'm morale officer!
posted by acrasis at 6:31 PM on March 30, 2017 [75 favorites]
futz: "Related article from November 2016. Holy Shit."
OMG. These dummies can't even crime correctly. I mean, even Skyler White -- or, technically, the writers on Breaking Bad -- knew that you have to be careful to make sure that the amount of money you're laundering through your business doesn't make it totally obvious that you're laundering money through your business.
posted by mhum at 6:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
OMG. These dummies can't even crime correctly. I mean, even Skyler White -- or, technically, the writers on Breaking Bad -- knew that you have to be careful to make sure that the amount of money you're laundering through your business doesn't make it totally obvious that you're laundering money through your business.
posted by mhum at 6:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Our agency still doesn't have a Secretary. We have no idea what next year's budget will be, or what *this* year's budget will be. We can't fill any empty positions. And guess what? I'm morale officer!
Don't worry. You'll soon have the man who single handedly destroyed agriculture in Georgia as your secretary.
The irony would be laughable if the stakes weren't so ridiculously high.
posted by Talez at 6:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Don't worry. You'll soon have the man who single handedly destroyed agriculture in Georgia as your secretary.
The irony would be laughable if the stakes weren't so ridiculously high.
posted by Talez at 6:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
That's good, right?
Probably. Four years of a whole agency mostly twiddling its thumbs and pretending to work is probably better than the alternative.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Probably. Four years of a whole agency mostly twiddling its thumbs and pretending to work is probably better than the alternative.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
"well ok, but Nixon wasn't nearly as bad as Trump, and Trump did go to prison."
From your lips to God's ear....
Watergate was the great catharsis of the 60s, when we were finally able to let go of the 60s
I hope this means we can let go of the 80s; at least the Reagan Revolution portions of it.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
From your lips to God's ear....
Watergate was the great catharsis of the 60s, when we were finally able to let go of the 60s
I hope this means we can let go of the 80s; at least the Reagan Revolution portions of it.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [16 favorites]
One last quote...
It’s a power list that includes a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and three former U.S. governors, including past chairmen of both the Democratic and Republican National Committees. Behind them all: a Donald Trump protege, Mark Brown, who ran the Republican president-elect’s Atlantic City casino empire and is now Imperial Pacific’s chief executive officer.
With that backing, Best Sunshine is posting numbers that stagger industry veterans. The daily reported revenue for each of its VIP tables in the first half of the year, about $170,000, is almost eight times the average of Macau’s largest casinos. Its 16 VIP tables alone generate revenue that’s more than half of the receipts from 178 high-stakes tables at Wynn Resorts Ltd.’s flagship casino in the Chinese territory, a 20-story palace with three Michelin-starred restaurants.
The revenue figures, or actual wins by the house, are just a fraction of total bets. In September, Imperial Pacific reported a record $3.9 billion in bets at its casino—meaning the 100 or so high-rollers who it says come through its doors monthly each wagered an average of $39 million.
The photo of this place shows how ridiculous this is and then you add the VIP list of political/government officials and it becomes a tiny bit less murky as to all of trump's tentacles. This is beyond absurd.
posted by futz at 6:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
It’s a power list that includes a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and three former U.S. governors, including past chairmen of both the Democratic and Republican National Committees. Behind them all: a Donald Trump protege, Mark Brown, who ran the Republican president-elect’s Atlantic City casino empire and is now Imperial Pacific’s chief executive officer.
With that backing, Best Sunshine is posting numbers that stagger industry veterans. The daily reported revenue for each of its VIP tables in the first half of the year, about $170,000, is almost eight times the average of Macau’s largest casinos. Its 16 VIP tables alone generate revenue that’s more than half of the receipts from 178 high-stakes tables at Wynn Resorts Ltd.’s flagship casino in the Chinese territory, a 20-story palace with three Michelin-starred restaurants.
The revenue figures, or actual wins by the house, are just a fraction of total bets. In September, Imperial Pacific reported a record $3.9 billion in bets at its casino—meaning the 100 or so high-rollers who it says come through its doors monthly each wagered an average of $39 million.
The photo of this place shows how ridiculous this is and then you add the VIP list of political/government officials and it becomes a tiny bit less murky as to all of trump's tentacles. This is beyond absurd.
posted by futz at 6:47 PM on March 30, 2017 [29 favorites]
This casino is sounding an awful lot like the Nugan Hand Bank in Australia.
posted by zachlipton at 6:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 6:51 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Our agency still doesn't have a Secretary. We have no idea what next year's budget will be, or what *this* year's budget will be. We can't fill any empty positions. And guess what? I'm morale officer!
Continue with the beatings. Problem solved.
posted by orange ball at 6:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Continue with the beatings. Problem solved.
posted by orange ball at 6:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Are there any figures for the number of unfilled appointee positions, and the number of staff affected? I like the idea of coming up with a monthly bill.
posted by Devonian at 6:52 PM on March 30, 2017
posted by Devonian at 6:52 PM on March 30, 2017
Here's where I plug The Laundrymen, a book recounting many money laundering cases. It's a very interesting read. It's slightly dated (1995), and by necessity only discusses money launderers who were caught, but it's a fascinating read nonetheless.
(yes, Trump is mentioned, but only in passing)
posted by ryanrs at 7:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
(yes, Trump is mentioned, but only in passing)
posted by ryanrs at 7:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Robert James "Jim" Woolsey Jr. . . former Director of Central Intelligence who headed the Central Intelligence Agency from February 5, 1993, until January 10, 1995. . . A lawyer by training and trade, . . he held a variety of government positions in the 1970s and 1980s, including as Under Secretary of the Navy from 1977 to 1979,
wait for it
and was involved in treaty negotiations with the Soviet Union for five years in the 1980s.
We have a winner!
His career also included time
I think it's a little early to say that
as a professional lawyer, venture capitalist and investor in the private sector.
Oh, that, yeah. Why *would* a former chief spook need boatloads of dirty money? Darned confounding is what it is
posted by petebest at 7:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
wait for it
and was involved in treaty negotiations with the Soviet Union for five years in the 1980s.
We have a winner!
His career also included time
I think it's a little early to say that
as a professional lawyer, venture capitalist and investor in the private sector.
Oh, that, yeah. Why *would* a former chief spook need boatloads of dirty money? Darned confounding is what it is
posted by petebest at 7:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Our agency still doesn't have a Secretary. We have no idea what next year's budget will be, or what *this* year's budget will be. We can't fill any empty positions. And guess what? I'm morale officer!
But Doctor... I am the Great Pagliacci...
posted by Sebmojo at 7:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
But Doctor... I am the Great Pagliacci...
posted by Sebmojo at 7:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Saipan is interesting
Yes it is!
posted by Room 641-A at 7:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Yes it is!
The Jack Abramoff CNMI scandal involved the efforts of Jack Abramoff, other lobbyists, and government officials to change or prevent, or both, Congressional action regarding the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and businesses on Saipan, its capital, commercial center, and one of its three principal islands.I better not have to see Tom DeLay's mug all over the place now.
Among the issues he worked on was keeping Congress from imposing the federal minimum wage for workers in the CNMI.:
posted by Room 641-A at 7:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
Robert James "Jim" Woolsey Jr. . . former Director of Central Intelligence who headed the Central Intelligence Agency from February 5, 1993, until January 10, 1995. . . A lawyer by training and trade, . . he held a variety of government positions in the 1970s and 1980s, including as Under Secretary of the Navy from 1977 to 1979,
wait for it
and was involved in treaty negotiations with the Soviet Union for five years in the 1980s.
We have a winner!
His career also included time
I think it's a little early to say that
as a professional lawyer, venture capitalist and investor in the private sector.
Oh, that, yeah. Why *would* a former chief spook need boatloads of dirty money? Darned confounding is what it is
Also he's the dude who very recently dropped a dime on Flynn about his talks with Turkey re: kidnapping Fethullah Gulen. I don't know WTF Woolsey's game is.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
wait for it
and was involved in treaty negotiations with the Soviet Union for five years in the 1980s.
We have a winner!
His career also included time
I think it's a little early to say that
as a professional lawyer, venture capitalist and investor in the private sector.
Oh, that, yeah. Why *would* a former chief spook need boatloads of dirty money? Darned confounding is what it is
Also he's the dude who very recently dropped a dime on Flynn about his talks with Turkey re: kidnapping Fethullah Gulen. I don't know WTF Woolsey's game is.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
I just wanna say one more thing about why that Comey tweet is encouraging.
Both Barack Obama and Fred Clark (Slacktivist) are big fans of Reinhold Niebuhr, in part I'm sure because he was a champion democracy, of checks and balances and because he was an influential anti-Nazi voice in the run up to WWII.
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [34 favorites]
Both Barack Obama and Fred Clark (Slacktivist) are big fans of Reinhold Niebuhr, in part I'm sure because he was a champion democracy, of checks and balances and because he was an influential anti-Nazi voice in the run up to WWII.
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:11 PM on March 30, 2017 [34 favorites]
It all makes so much more sense as a Putin-led conspiracy for destruction. The blatant incompetence isn't incomprehensible when it's the goal. The political failures aren't absurd when they're the goal. The racism, misogyny, homophobia, lying, blatantly illegal behavior, all help further the goal. When I don't understand, I tell myself: this is the man hand-picked by Russia to destroy NATO, the EU, and American power and democracy. Then it makes sense.
posted by medusa at 7:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by medusa at 7:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Are there any figures for the number of unfilled appointee positions, and the number of staff affected? I like the idea of coming up with a monthly bill.
You'd have an easier time just starting with the positions actually filled. 21 confirmed, 41 nominated, 491 no nomination. Click 'explore key positions' and scroll down to see the scale of how far behind this administration is. And it's not just the slow nominations, outside of a couple key agencies, the ones that do have nominees have little to no direction on what the mission is supposed to be now under Trump.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
You'd have an easier time just starting with the positions actually filled. 21 confirmed, 41 nominated, 491 no nomination. Click 'explore key positions' and scroll down to see the scale of how far behind this administration is. And it's not just the slow nominations, outside of a couple key agencies, the ones that do have nominees have little to no direction on what the mission is supposed to be now under Trump.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
Many career diplomats say they still have not met him, and some have been instructed not to speak to him directly — or even make eye contact.
This motherfucker was CEO of goddamn Exxon! He made a career out of poisoning the planet! How much shady shit has Exxon pulled, and now he can't handle eye contact from his employees?
I hope that's just the rank humiliation of knowing he took on a top cabinet post for nothing, 'cause if it's because of stuff he actually knows that's pretty unsettling.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
This motherfucker was CEO of goddamn Exxon! He made a career out of poisoning the planet! How much shady shit has Exxon pulled, and now he can't handle eye contact from his employees?
I hope that's just the rank humiliation of knowing he took on a top cabinet post for nothing, 'cause if it's because of stuff he actually knows that's pretty unsettling.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:17 PM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
Trump administration stops disclosing troop deployments in Iraq and Syria
That move deprives the public of information it has a right to know about the wars in which the U.S. is engaging, said Ned Price, National Security Council spokesman under Obama.posted by zachlipton at 7:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [49 favorites]
“The position of the Obama administration was that the American people had a right to know if servicemen and women were in harm’s way,” he said.
“It’s truly shocking that the current administration furtively deploys troops without public debate or describing their larger strategy.”
This motherfucker was CEO of goddamn Exxon! He made a career out of poisoning the planet! How much shady shit has Exxon pulled, and now he can't handle eye contact from his employees
That dude needs replacing with a rock.
posted by Artw at 7:28 PM on March 30, 2017
That dude needs replacing with a rock.
posted by Artw at 7:28 PM on March 30, 2017
Kushner, Bannon and Priebus team up to explain top aide's departure
-- I just attended a meeting in Reince Priebus' office with Katie Walsh, Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner. They told a small group of reporters that Walsh was leaving the White House to join the pro-Trump outside group "America First Policies."
-- All three denied that Walsh was fired. Bannon said she had to convince him to let her leave.
-- As we left Priebus' office, CNN's Jim Acosta asked a senior administration official to respond to the persistent rumor that Priebus' is the next head to roll. The official emphatically said "he's not next."
posted by futz at 7:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
-- I just attended a meeting in Reince Priebus' office with Katie Walsh, Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner. They told a small group of reporters that Walsh was leaving the White House to join the pro-Trump outside group "America First Policies."
-- All three denied that Walsh was fired. Bannon said she had to convince him to let her leave.
-- As we left Priebus' office, CNN's Jim Acosta asked a senior administration official to respond to the persistent rumor that Priebus' is the next head to roll. The official emphatically said "he's not next."
posted by futz at 7:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [8 favorites]
The poor military families must be, holy cow, I mean this can't stand, right?
posted by Room 641-A at 7:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 7:32 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
hmm, a senior administration official who would be near the Chief of Staff's office and in a position to respond to a rumor that the Chief of Staff is getting fired? I wonder who that could be...
Bet my words on a cake it was Trump.
posted by zachlipton at 7:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Bet my words on a cake it was Trump.
posted by zachlipton at 7:34 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was at a training for the software our library uses for our summer reading program. Our trainer was pointing out that we can reuse information summer after summer...except that the program is funded through IMLS so nobody knew for how long. The room just sort of deflated.
posted by Biblio at 7:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Biblio at 7:36 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
U.S. priority on Syria no longer focused on 'getting Assad out': Haley
-- "Do we think he's a hindrance? Yes. Are we going to sit there and focus on getting him out? No," she said. "What we are going to focus on is putting the pressure in there so that we can start to make a change in Syria."
In Ankara on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Assad's longer-term status "will be decided by the Syrian people."
-- But Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, in separate, strongly worded statements, denounced the shift in the U.S. stance.
posted by futz at 7:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
-- "Do we think he's a hindrance? Yes. Are we going to sit there and focus on getting him out? No," she said. "What we are going to focus on is putting the pressure in there so that we can start to make a change in Syria."
In Ankara on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Assad's longer-term status "will be decided by the Syrian people."
-- But Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, in separate, strongly worded statements, denounced the shift in the U.S. stance.
posted by futz at 7:37 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
“It’s truly shocking that the current administration furtively deploys troops without public debate or describing their larger strategy.”
...perhaps it's because they lack any coherent larger strategy?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
...perhaps it's because they lack any coherent larger strategy?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
U.S. priority on Syria no longer focused on 'getting Assad out': Haley
Well, no, as Russian puppets they would not be interested in ousting their fellow Russian puppet. This has been a given from the get go.
posted by Artw at 7:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Well, no, as Russian puppets they would not be interested in ousting their fellow Russian puppet. This has been a given from the get go.
posted by Artw at 7:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [22 favorites]
Going To Maine: "How many Nixon appointees did Ford keep around?"
Lower level would be a lot of work to research. But at the Cabinet level, Ford kept most of them for a while, but ended up replacing everyone but Kissinger (State) and Simon (Treasury).
posted by Chrysostom at 7:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Lower level would be a lot of work to research. But at the Cabinet level, Ford kept most of them for a while, but ended up replacing everyone but Kissinger (State) and Simon (Treasury).
posted by Chrysostom at 7:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
@johnsifton: "Comey's is using my grandfather's name Reinhold Niebuhr, under @projectexile7, as his Twitter name. DM me, dude, before my mom finds out."
The Unauthorized Typography of Reinhold Niebuhr
posted by the road and the damned at 7:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
The Unauthorized Typography of Reinhold Niebuhr
posted by the road and the damned at 7:41 PM on March 30, 2017 [19 favorites]
The Best Sunshine Live casino reports turnover of $3.9 billion. I think we can presume almost all of that comes from the sixteen VIP tables, not the $5/$10 bets of construction workers. That means each VIP table turns over around $240 million per year.
The house profit on each table is reportedly $170,000 per year. In other words, the house's "edge" is not the 5% typical of poker, not the .5% typical of blackjack, but .07%! That's less than a seventh of the edge that blackjack has.
No wonder this casino is tangentially linked to Trump; they obviously have no idea how to make money from gamblers.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
The house profit on each table is reportedly $170,000 per year. In other words, the house's "edge" is not the 5% typical of poker, not the .5% typical of blackjack, but .07%! That's less than a seventh of the edge that blackjack has.
No wonder this casino is tangentially linked to Trump; they obviously have no idea how to make money from gamblers.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
This casino is sounding an awful lot like the Nugan Hand Bank in Australia.
Yeah, given who's on the board, my guess is they're laundering money for the CIA, And they probably have some protection from that side of things unless they're double-dealing.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yeah, given who's on the board, my guess is they're laundering money for the CIA, And they probably have some protection from that side of things unless they're double-dealing.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [6 favorites]
Michael Gerson opinion piece in the Washington Post: Trump’s failing presidency has the GOP in a free fall
It is now dawning on Republicans what they have done to themselves. They thought they could somehow get away with Trump. That he could be contained. That the adults could provide guidance. That the economy might come to the rescue. That the damage could be limited.posted by medusa at 7:50 PM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
Instead, they are seeing a downward spiral of incompetence and public contempt — a collapse that is yet to reach a floor. A presidency is failing. A party unable to govern is becoming unfit to govern.
And what, in the short term, can be done about it? Nothing. Nothing at all.
Yeah, given who's on the board, my guess is they're laundering money for the CIA, And they probably have some protection from that side of things unless they're double-dealing.
Gotta be real awkward to be on the FBI team that rolled up on the place.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Gotta be real awkward to be on the FBI team that rolled up on the place.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Two Houston doctors facing removal by Immigration officials are granted temporary stay
But I'm sure Trump supporters are just cackling about the "bad hombres" and don't give a darn about the neurosurgeons that they could need to save their life one day.
posted by zachlipton at 7:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [75 favorites]
Two prominent Houston doctors facing removal by immigration officials to their native India have been granted a temporary, 90-day reprieve while they try to sort the paper-work that will allow them to continue living and working legally in the United States.They've been here legally for more than a decade and have temporary work authorizations until a slot for a green card becomes available (which takes years), but they got caught up in a bureaucratic nightmare and eventually were told there's a new policy and they had to leave right away.
The married couple are both neurologists and faced removal Thursday after immigration officials refused at the last minute to extend their temporary permission to stay in the U.S., potentially jeopardizing the care of dozens of patients who have specialized surgeries scheduled with the two doctors in coming weeks.
But I'm sure Trump supporters are just cackling about the "bad hombres" and don't give a darn about the neurosurgeons that they could need to save their life one day.
posted by zachlipton at 7:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [75 favorites]
Trump administration stops disclosing troop deployments in Iraq and Syria
Interesting. Wonder if Putin & Co. advised him to adopt this policy, because the first thing I thought of was the appearance of the "little green men" and heavily armed "tourists" in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Also thought of all the combat deaths described as "training accidents" by the Russian Military to the affected families.
posted by honestcoyote at 7:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Interesting. Wonder if Putin & Co. advised him to adopt this policy, because the first thing I thought of was the appearance of the "little green men" and heavily armed "tourists" in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Also thought of all the combat deaths described as "training accidents" by the Russian Military to the affected families.
posted by honestcoyote at 7:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Latest GA-06 numbers:
Day 4 of in-person early voting in GA-6 is D 53, R 30 Over all, including absentees, D 55, R 29 with 6442 votes castposted by Chrysostom at 7:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Big picture the same--dems still way ahead of '14; still very very very early
Its board members include [...] Ed Rendell, a former Pennsylvania governor and Democratic National Committee chairman
Good God, even here I will not be spared the spectre of Hizzoner? Even here?
(On the other hand, this is pretty stupid for Rendell, who sometimes feels like the only high-profile Dem in PA from a certain generation to not get done for something.)
posted by kalimac at 7:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Good God, even here I will not be spared the spectre of Hizzoner? Even here?
(On the other hand, this is pretty stupid for Rendell, who sometimes feels like the only high-profile Dem in PA from a certain generation to not get done for something.)
posted by kalimac at 7:54 PM on March 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Duckworth and Durbin both confim No on Gorsuch, No on cloture (= yes, will filibuster).
posted by Chrysostom at 7:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:56 PM on March 30, 2017 [23 favorites]
Oklahoma Bar Association opens investigation of ex-AG Pruitt
-- The complaint, filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organization that works to protect endangered species, and associate professor Kristen van de Biezenbos of the University of Oklahoma College of Law, says Pruitt may have violated the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct when he told a U.S. Senate committee at his confirmation hearings in January that he only used his attorney general's email address to conduct official business.
The complaint, dated March 21, says documents released by the attorney general's office through an Open Records Act lawsuit in Oklahoma seem to contradict Pruitt's sworn testimony and indicate Pruitt also used a personal email address to conduct official business.
-- Amy Atwood, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity who is based in Portland, Oregon, said the organization wants to know whether Pruitt misrepresented the truth during his Senate testimony, which would be in violation of Bar Association guidelines.
"That's one of the most important ethical rules that applies to lawyers," Atwood said. "I hope the investigation will help us all understand why Pruitt was so cagey about his communications with fossil-fuel interests."
YES please. More of this.
posted by futz at 7:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [63 favorites]
-- The complaint, filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit organization that works to protect endangered species, and associate professor Kristen van de Biezenbos of the University of Oklahoma College of Law, says Pruitt may have violated the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct when he told a U.S. Senate committee at his confirmation hearings in January that he only used his attorney general's email address to conduct official business.
The complaint, dated March 21, says documents released by the attorney general's office through an Open Records Act lawsuit in Oklahoma seem to contradict Pruitt's sworn testimony and indicate Pruitt also used a personal email address to conduct official business.
-- Amy Atwood, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity who is based in Portland, Oregon, said the organization wants to know whether Pruitt misrepresented the truth during his Senate testimony, which would be in violation of Bar Association guidelines.
"That's one of the most important ethical rules that applies to lawyers," Atwood said. "I hope the investigation will help us all understand why Pruitt was so cagey about his communications with fossil-fuel interests."
YES please. More of this.
posted by futz at 7:59 PM on March 30, 2017 [63 favorites]
So I just looked at the calendar... is anyone else concerned that this whole thing with Flynn searching for immunity will turn out to be one big ugly April Fool's joke?
Nothing else makes any sense anymore, so should this? Feels like we should be extra wary of headlines for the next couple days anyway.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Nothing else makes any sense anymore, so should this? Feels like we should be extra wary of headlines for the next couple days anyway.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
accusing it of violating money-laundering rules.
Hey, spies like clean money, too
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:12 PM on March 30, 2017
Hey, spies like clean money, too
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:12 PM on March 30, 2017
The First Horseman of the Privacy Apocalypse Has Already Arrived: Verizon Announces Plans to Install Spyware on All Its Android Phones
Within days of Congress repealing online privacy protections, Verizon has announced new plans to install software on customers’ devices to track what apps customers have downloaded. With this spyware, Verizon will be able to sell ads to you across the Internet based on things like which bank you use and whether you’ve downloaded a fertility app.
Verizon’s use of “AppFlash”—an app launcher and web search utility that Verizon will be rolling out to their subscribers’ Android devices “in the coming weeks”—is just the latest display of wireless carriers’ stunning willingness to compromise the security and privacy of their customers by installing spyware on end devices.
posted by futz at 8:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
Within days of Congress repealing online privacy protections, Verizon has announced new plans to install software on customers’ devices to track what apps customers have downloaded. With this spyware, Verizon will be able to sell ads to you across the Internet based on things like which bank you use and whether you’ve downloaded a fertility app.
Verizon’s use of “AppFlash”—an app launcher and web search utility that Verizon will be rolling out to their subscribers’ Android devices “in the coming weeks”—is just the latest display of wireless carriers’ stunning willingness to compromise the security and privacy of their customers by installing spyware on end devices.
posted by futz at 8:12 PM on March 30, 2017 [54 favorites]
Doesn't Flynn have an 18 USC 1001 "lied to a fed" hanging over him if someone pulls the right strings? Seeking assurances against that seems like a possible motivation...
(It is a fucked law BTW.)
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 8:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
(It is a fucked law BTW.)
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 8:20 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Futz: Can you make that an FPP? It *absolutely* should be, and as per the recent Metatalk, is likely to be somewhat lost in this thread (not only for the users who have turned off Trump stuff).
posted by jaduncan at 8:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [43 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 8:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [43 favorites]
Would you like to read a 2,500 word discussion of what the Democrats are proposing with their drug price bill? Because if I know this thread at all, I suspect some of you do.
This is interesting mainly because we know Trump has spoken to Cummings at least a couple of times about this, which for a Democratic bill moves it from pie-in-the-sky territory to "a less than 100% chance every single idea in here is completely and totally dead" land. There's a grabag of stuff in here, not some grand unified theory of drug pricing, but some interesting ideas.
A prize fund for antibiotic development sounds great, especially when it's matched with restrictions to ensure the resulting drugs aren't total windfalls for pharmaceutical companies, and there's some good stuff in there to lower out-of-pocket costs and curb particularly abusive practices like pay-for-delay or massive price increases on old drugs. Some things like dramatically lowering the exclusivity period for biologics will inevitably result in a lot of shouting about killing innovation, but will also lower costs for some of the most expensive drugs. Other parts will prove more tricky: allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for a year and fall back to VA pricing if a deal can't be reached sounds like it could result in a situation similar to Prop 61 in California, which was opposed by veterans groups out of fears it could blow up VA drug prices. And drug importation gets weird and is the kind of thing that leads to problems when certain countries (say, Canada) don't want our imports to ruin their sweet pricing deals.
It's far from clear whether any of this will see the light of day, especially once Paul Ryan and Tom Price and drug company lobbyists get their hands on it and start over from scratch, but it's an interesting situation with Trump regularly talking about drug prices and having these chats with Cummings. It's also something Democrats really ought to start tooting their own horn about (to the extent they can do so without blowing up negotiations, which may be zero), since it's a great example of Democrats actually doing real policy work on a major problem people have as Republicans do nothing.
posted by zachlipton at 8:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
This is interesting mainly because we know Trump has spoken to Cummings at least a couple of times about this, which for a Democratic bill moves it from pie-in-the-sky territory to "a less than 100% chance every single idea in here is completely and totally dead" land. There's a grabag of stuff in here, not some grand unified theory of drug pricing, but some interesting ideas.
A prize fund for antibiotic development sounds great, especially when it's matched with restrictions to ensure the resulting drugs aren't total windfalls for pharmaceutical companies, and there's some good stuff in there to lower out-of-pocket costs and curb particularly abusive practices like pay-for-delay or massive price increases on old drugs. Some things like dramatically lowering the exclusivity period for biologics will inevitably result in a lot of shouting about killing innovation, but will also lower costs for some of the most expensive drugs. Other parts will prove more tricky: allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for a year and fall back to VA pricing if a deal can't be reached sounds like it could result in a situation similar to Prop 61 in California, which was opposed by veterans groups out of fears it could blow up VA drug prices. And drug importation gets weird and is the kind of thing that leads to problems when certain countries (say, Canada) don't want our imports to ruin their sweet pricing deals.
It's far from clear whether any of this will see the light of day, especially once Paul Ryan and Tom Price and drug company lobbyists get their hands on it and start over from scratch, but it's an interesting situation with Trump regularly talking about drug prices and having these chats with Cummings. It's also something Democrats really ought to start tooting their own horn about (to the extent they can do so without blowing up negotiations, which may be zero), since it's a great example of Democrats actually doing real policy work on a major problem people have as Republicans do nothing.
posted by zachlipton at 8:22 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Futz: Can you make that an FPP? It *absolutely* should be
I am embarrassed to admit that I have waaaay over-posted in this thread and am not sure which link you are talking about :/
The eff/Verizon story?
posted by futz at 8:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am embarrassed to admit that I have waaaay over-posted in this thread and am not sure which link you are talking about :/
The eff/Verizon story?
posted by futz at 8:29 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yes, the EFF/Verizon story. It's important for people that aren't into the ongoing Trumpocalypse too.
posted by jaduncan at 8:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 8:39 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Futz: Also, just for the record, I very much value the repeated posting - it's a useful curated information source from someone smart.
posted by jaduncan at 8:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 8:44 PM on March 30, 2017 [14 favorites]
U.S. priority on Syria no longer focused on 'getting Assad out'
I guess you could say they
couldn't be assad
heyooo
posted by Sebmojo at 9:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
I guess you could say they
couldn't be assad
heyooo
posted by Sebmojo at 9:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [11 favorites]
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council call upon the United States House of Representatives to support a resolution authorizing and directing the House Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, including but not limited to the violations listed herein;
(This order has not yet been passed; will be discussed on April 3. But given that it's Cambridge, MA it probably will).
posted by AwkwardPause at 9:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [30 favorites]
(This order has not yet been passed; will be discussed on April 3. But given that it's Cambridge, MA it probably will).
posted by AwkwardPause at 9:01 PM on March 30, 2017 [30 favorites]
Thanks :)
Give me a bit and I will put something together BUT if someone beats me to it I will not be bothered at all!
posted by futz at 9:02 PM on March 30, 2017
Give me a bit and I will put something together BUT if someone beats me to it I will not be bothered at all!
posted by futz at 9:02 PM on March 30, 2017
Give me a bit and I will put something together BUT if someone beats me to it I will not be bothered at all!
Hint Hint you awesome FPP making mefites!
posted by futz at 9:04 PM on March 30, 2017
Hint Hint you awesome FPP making mefites!
posted by futz at 9:04 PM on March 30, 2017
Doesn't Flynn have an 18 USC 1001 "lied to a fed" hanging over him if someone pulls the right strings? ... (It is a fucked law BTW.)
Hey, if it's good enough for Martha Stewart, it's good enough for Michael Flynn.
posted by JackFlash at 9:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hey, if it's good enough for Martha Stewart, it's good enough for Michael Flynn.
posted by JackFlash at 9:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump Leaves Science Jobs Vacant, Troubling Critics. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has basically been wiped out, and some Republicans have wanted to just end the office entirely. I got to meet a few of the people from the OSTP and the CTO's office under Obama and they were an incredibly sharp bunch who did some really important coordination work around crises like Ebola and the healthcare.gov rollout, along with some broader policy issues around technology. They served as a voice for tech issues within the administration and were apparently given a fair amount of air cover to use the White House's name to advance issues across the government. Now, it's being left to die.
posted by zachlipton at 9:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [31 favorites]
From its sleepy storefront, Best Sunshine Live has posted per-table revenues far greater than those at the largest resorts in Macau, Asia’s gambling capital.
Holy shit, this is insane. I shot a story there a few years ago for Die Weltwoche when we were living in Hong Kong and a big part of the story was the huge dollars Macau does. They do five times the book of Vegas in a smaller place, so if this casino is blowing Macau numbers away, whoa.
posted by chris24 at 9:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
Holy shit, this is insane. I shot a story there a few years ago for Die Weltwoche when we were living in Hong Kong and a big part of the story was the huge dollars Macau does. They do five times the book of Vegas in a smaller place, so if this casino is blowing Macau numbers away, whoa.
posted by chris24 at 9:48 PM on March 30, 2017 [12 favorites]
One observation about today: the President's bark is pretty much useless now. This is a guy who used to wipe a billion dollars off a company's market cap with a tweet, someone who could unleash a national wave of outrage against someone he disliked. Today, with a 38% approval rating (yes, he slid back up a couple points) and many of his followers having seemingly moved on, nobody seems to care. He attacked three reps by name today, twice, and nobody really seems to have noticed. He sent Mulvaney to threaten Rep. Sanford, and not only was Sanford not suitably threatened, he found the experience so amusing he related the story publicly himself. He ranted about changing libel laws to go after the New York Times, and everyone was like "yeah, but he called the Times up himself right after the AHCA went down, so clearly this is a stupid act."
The one thing Trump had going for him, his ability to bully his way through, seems to have been basically neutralized now that he's not live on cable news with cheering crowds all the time.
It's really the paradox of the Trump Administration: the more he tries to put a professional face on things, where it's "merely" an incompetent administration pushing horrible policies but without the extracurricular nonsense of the campaign, the less effective he is, because his loudmouth nonsense is the only tool he's really got. That's not to say he can't be and isn't incredibly damaging, both here and abroad, just with stuff he can do quietly, but that it increasingly looks like the big things, what he can't do without public support, are things he can't achieve without being obnoxious, and I'm reasonably sure that he'll encounter new roadblocks if he tries to do them obnoxiously too.
posted by zachlipton at 9:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
The one thing Trump had going for him, his ability to bully his way through, seems to have been basically neutralized now that he's not live on cable news with cheering crowds all the time.
It's really the paradox of the Trump Administration: the more he tries to put a professional face on things, where it's "merely" an incompetent administration pushing horrible policies but without the extracurricular nonsense of the campaign, the less effective he is, because his loudmouth nonsense is the only tool he's really got. That's not to say he can't be and isn't incredibly damaging, both here and abroad, just with stuff he can do quietly, but that it increasingly looks like the big things, what he can't do without public support, are things he can't achieve without being obnoxious, and I'm reasonably sure that he'll encounter new roadblocks if he tries to do them obnoxiously too.
posted by zachlipton at 9:52 PM on March 30, 2017 [66 favorites]
One observation about today: the President's bark is pretty much useless now.
It's the biggest wolf you can imagine, folks!
Largest. Wolf. Ever. E-v-e-r.
(rinse and repeat)
posted by jaduncan at 10:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's the biggest wolf you can imagine, folks!
Largest. Wolf. Ever. E-v-e-r.
(rinse and repeat)
posted by jaduncan at 10:06 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, as an aspiring autocrat the one thing you really can't do is become a joke. And while many of us have always thought he was a joke, winning made a lot of people take him seriously, or at least consider him dangerous. The ineptitude, the ineffectiveness, the idiocy have taken the bloom off that. Not to say he's not doing damage or not a threat, but it does seem like a bit of a feeding frenzy of disrespect and disgust is building.
posted by chris24 at 10:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 10:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [20 favorites]
And while many of us have always thought he was a joke, winning made a lot of people take him seriously, or at least consider him dangerous. The ineptitude, the ineffectiveness, the idiocy have taken the bloom off that.
One of my friends was utterly relieved by the fact that the Freedom Caucus stood up to him on the AHCA. Not because she thinks the Freedom Caucus has the right idea on health care, but because they're part of the GOP coalition and yet they declined to cower to him.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
One of my friends was utterly relieved by the fact that the Freedom Caucus stood up to him on the AHCA. Not because she thinks the Freedom Caucus has the right idea on health care, but because they're part of the GOP coalition and yet they declined to cower to him.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:18 PM on March 30, 2017 [28 favorites]
Not because she thinks the Freedom Caucus has the right idea on health care, but because they're part of the GOP coalition and yet they declined to cower to him.
Not only that, but it played well.
posted by jaduncan at 10:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Not only that, but it played well.
posted by jaduncan at 10:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yeah, as an aspiring autocrat the one thing you really can't do is become a joke. And while many of us have always thought he was a joke, winning made a lot of people take him seriously, or at least consider him dangerous. The ineptitude, the ineffectiveness, the idiocy have taken the bloom off that. Not to say he's not doing damage or not a threat, but it does seem like a bit of a feeding frenzy of disrespect and disgust is building.
I think the difficulty is also that he is both a cartoonish figure and very easy to take off. He has a possible future as every hack comic's cheap punchline, because it's very easy just to play a joke off based on contempt.
posted by jaduncan at 10:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think the difficulty is also that he is both a cartoonish figure and very easy to take off. He has a possible future as every hack comic's cheap punchline, because it's very easy just to play a joke off based on contempt.
posted by jaduncan at 10:35 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
anem0ne: Venezuela continues its slide to authoritarianism.
It says so much that I felt a flood of relief and surprise at the U.S. State Department's response, quoted in that article:
Day 71, and this is where we're at.
posted by Superplin at 10:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [39 favorites]
It says so much that I felt a flood of relief and surprise at the U.S. State Department's response, quoted in that article:
“This rupture of democratic and constitutional norms greatly damages Venezuela’s democratic institutions and denies the Venezuelan people the right to shape their country’s future through their elected representatives. We consider it a serious setback for democracy in Venezuela,” the state department said in a statement.I was surprised and relieved that this country's diplomatic office a) issued an immediate response to this situation that b) defended the principles of democracy in c) articulate, appropriate language.
Day 71, and this is where we're at.
posted by Superplin at 10:40 PM on March 30, 2017 [39 favorites]
Most of his interactions are with an insular circle of political aides who are new to the State Department. Many career diplomats say they still have not met him, and some have been instructed not to speak to him directly — or even make eye contact.
Who are these freaks?? Sometimes I feel like I'm in a Stephen King novel.
posted by Room 641-A at 10:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
Who are these freaks?? Sometimes I feel like I'm in a Stephen King novel.
posted by Room 641-A at 10:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [9 favorites]
I was surprised and relieved that this country's diplomatic office a) issued an immediate response to this situation that b) defended the principles of democracy in c) articulate, appropriate language.
Maybe someone decided that as long as Tillerson is spending his time napping and declining eye contact, they might as well do some diplomacy without asking him first.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
Maybe someone decided that as long as Tillerson is spending his time napping and declining eye contact, they might as well do some diplomacy without asking him first.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:45 PM on March 30, 2017 [21 favorites]
Today, with a 38% approval rating (yes, he slid back up a couple points)
Looks to me like Trump's approval rating hit another all time low today, and his disapproval rating hit another all time high!
538s approval rating tracker.
posted by Justinian at 10:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Looks to me like Trump's approval rating hit another all time low today, and his disapproval rating hit another all time high!
538s approval rating tracker.
posted by Justinian at 10:53 PM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]
Today's New Yorker cartoon: "Tell them is fake news, work of moose and squirrel"
posted by zachlipton at 10:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:57 PM on March 30, 2017 [24 favorites]
Send lawyers, guns & money - the shit has hit the fan.
"How was I to know/She was with the Russians too"
posted by kirkaracha at 11:10 PM on March 30, 2017 [10 favorites]
Futz: Can you make that an FPP? It *absolutely* should be,
I am going to hold off on making a fpp until I can look into this some more. I have dived into this and looked a lot of different sites and forums and my take away is that that verizon and other providers have always had this ability (which is kinda duh) so this announced app is really nothing new. Unless this app does something extraordinarily different I am going to assume that it is business as usual. People smarter than me will likely chime in here.
posted by futz at 11:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am going to hold off on making a fpp until I can look into this some more. I have dived into this and looked a lot of different sites and forums and my take away is that that verizon and other providers have always had this ability (which is kinda duh) so this announced app is really nothing new. Unless this app does something extraordinarily different I am going to assume that it is business as usual. People smarter than me will likely chime in here.
posted by futz at 11:13 PM on March 30, 2017 [3 favorites]
Doesn't Flynn have an 18 USC 1001 "lied to a fed" hanging over him if someone pulls the right strings? Seeking assurances against that seems like a possible motivation...
EVERYONE DOES. Remember when Trump tweeted about Obama wiretapping him? Right there is the violation of 18 USC 1001 that could serve as the basis of an impeachment TOMORROW.
Toss in Kellyanne Conway's comments about the wiretapping and give her an 18 USC 1001.
TOGETHER, that constitutes a violation of 18 USC 371
EVERYONE DOES. Remember when Trump tweeted about Obama wiretapping him? Right there is the violation of 18 USC 1001 that could serve as the basis of an impeachment TOMORROW.
Toss in Kellyanne Conway's comments about the wiretapping and give her an 18 USC 1001.
TOGETHER, that constitutes a violation of 18 USC 371
18 U.S. Code § 371 - Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United Statesposted by mikelieman at 11:21 PM on March 30, 2017 [13 favorites]
If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
If, however, the offense, the commission of which is the object of the conspiracy, is a misdemeanor only, the punishment for such conspiracy shall not exceed the maximum punishment provided for such misdemeanor.
Kelleyanne Conway.... What has she been up to the last week or two? Awfully quiet for a superstar.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:24 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 11:24 PM on March 30, 2017 [5 favorites]
EVERYONE DOES
Oh, yeah. Pence lying about Flynn. So we're at President Ryan. Net positive in my book. As impotent as Trump, yet not a complete nut-case.
posted by mikelieman at 11:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh, yeah. Pence lying about Flynn. So we're at President Ryan. Net positive in my book. As impotent as Trump, yet not a complete nut-case.
posted by mikelieman at 11:28 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Kelleyanne Conway.... What has she been up to the last week or two? Awfully quiet for a superstar.
Her last appearance didn't get good ratings apparently.
posted by mikelieman at 11:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
Her last appearance didn't get good ratings apparently.
posted by mikelieman at 11:30 PM on March 30, 2017 [2 favorites]
And not a moment too soon.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 12:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Thread needs a “potus46” tag
posted by Going To Maine at 12:16 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 12:16 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Is the public Piggie?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:41 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:41 AM on March 31, 2017
Send lawyers, guns & money - the shit has hit the fan.
"How was I to know/She was with the Russians too"
posted by kirkaracha at 11:10 PM on March 30 [1 favorite +] [!]
1. Warren Zevon is so decidedly on point.
2." The Dave Sunburn Show"? Do I not remember that or am I suppressing memories of that?
posted by From Bklyn at 12:56 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
"How was I to know/She was with the Russians too"
posted by kirkaracha at 11:10 PM on March 30 [1 favorite +] [!]
1. Warren Zevon is so decidedly on point.
2." The Dave Sunburn Show"? Do I not remember that or am I suppressing memories of that?
posted by From Bklyn at 12:56 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Also, this Presidency makes waking up (in Central European time Zone) every morning and looking at the news an adventure.
posted by From Bklyn at 12:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by From Bklyn at 12:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Oh hell no. Haven't you read Lord of the Flies? Ryan is the boy who killed Piggie for fun and if he succeeds to the presidency because the entire executive was run out of town it means he has no limits.
Name was Roger, actually /pedant
posted by Panthalassa at 1:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Name was Roger, actually /pedant
posted by Panthalassa at 1:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
SakuraK: Oh hell no. Haven't you read Lord of the Flies?
....
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon: Is the public Piggie?
Yeah, like 30 years ago, and there were a lot of Grateful Dead shows between then and now, so The Simpson's adaptation is fresher in my mind.
Parenthetically, I hear the name Piggy, I think of Lee Ving's character in the NYE-Concert-Show-Based- Comedy "Get Crazy"
posted by mikelieman at 1:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
....
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon: Is the public Piggie?
Yeah, like 30 years ago, and there were a lot of Grateful Dead shows between then and now, so The Simpson's adaptation is fresher in my mind.
Parenthetically, I hear the name Piggy, I think of Lee Ving's character in the NYE-Concert-Show-Based- Comedy "Get Crazy"
"GENERIC CHAMPAGNE! 1982! CHAMPAGNE!Good times...
posted by mikelieman at 1:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Waking up to this thread as an Antipodean:
200 new comments eh, quiet day in the US
400 new comments uh-oh
posted by um at 1:21 AM on March 31, 2017 [54 favorites]
200 new comments eh, quiet day in the US
400 new comments uh-oh
posted by um at 1:21 AM on March 31, 2017 [54 favorites]
Yeah I did my election night thing of falling asleep at 8:30pm and waking up at 3:30 am this morning. Trying to figure out what the hell is going on right now.
As least that this is better than the morning after election night, because I literally thought that I had died and oh this is what Hell is.
posted by angrycat at 1:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
As least that this is better than the morning after election night, because I literally thought that I had died and oh this is what Hell is.
posted by angrycat at 1:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
As least that this is better than the morning after election night, because I literally thought that I had died and oh this is what Hell is.
THANK YOU MODS! ( again ). I also go to bed about 8pm east coast, and get up early, so "Let's see what happened in the world after I went to bed?" is a Thing.
And it's only their curating that kept me sane, keeping the signal way above the noise.
posted by mikelieman at 2:13 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
THANK YOU MODS! ( again ). I also go to bed about 8pm east coast, and get up early, so "Let's see what happened in the world after I went to bed?" is a Thing.
And it's only their curating that kept me sane, keeping the signal way above the noise.
posted by mikelieman at 2:13 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
One difference between this and Watergate is the velocity of events. Watergate took 2 years from the arrests at the Watergate complex to Nixon's resignation. This Trump thing feels like it's already broken the sound barrier.
posted by rdr at 2:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [21 favorites]
One difference between this and Watergate is the velocity of events. Watergate took 2 years from the arrests at the Watergate complex to Nixon's resignation. This Trump thing feels like it's already broken the sound barrier.
posted by rdr at 2:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [21 favorites]
If you had told me, five years ago, that Arrested Development was a blueprint for an American Presidency...
I think Trump is more like Frank Reynolds from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Frank's a great businessman and he knows how to make money. But that's because he simply does not care who he screws over and all his businesses are scams. You wouldn't want him in charge of a hospital. He'd run around unplugging the life support machines say 'they can't sue if they're dead! Think of the money we'll save!' and he'd probably be right. Hospitals and doctors pay a fortune for malpractice insurance and payouts. He would save money, probably with the intention of embezzling it through some other cruel scheme. People would die, but Frank doesn't give a shit about that.
posted by adept256 at 2:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
I think Trump is more like Frank Reynolds from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Frank's a great businessman and he knows how to make money. But that's because he simply does not care who he screws over and all his businesses are scams. You wouldn't want him in charge of a hospital. He'd run around unplugging the life support machines say 'they can't sue if they're dead! Think of the money we'll save!' and he'd probably be right. Hospitals and doctors pay a fortune for malpractice insurance and payouts. He would save money, probably with the intention of embezzling it through some other cruel scheme. People would die, but Frank doesn't give a shit about that.
posted by adept256 at 2:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
" The Dave Sunburn Show"? Do I not remember that or am I suppressing memories of that?
Night Music, originally called "Sunday Night"
posted by thelonius at 4:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Night Music, originally called "Sunday Night"
posted by thelonius at 4:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Watergate took 2 years from the arrests at the Watergate complex to Nixon's resignation. This Trump thing feels like it's already broken the sound barrier.
Frankly, I prefer getting this over as quickly as possible.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
Frankly, I prefer getting this over as quickly as possible.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
The perfect summation tweet from Dan Pfeiffer, former Obama senior advisor and co-host of Pod Save America:
The Trump White House: The plot of House of Cards with the characters from Veep
posted by chris24 at 4:43 AM on March 31, 2017 [40 favorites]
The Trump White House: The plot of House of Cards with the characters from Veep
posted by chris24 at 4:43 AM on March 31, 2017 [40 favorites]
But the reps and senators are from Alpha House.
posted by Slackermagee at 4:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Slackermagee at 4:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
Frankly, I prefer getting this over as quickly as possible.
I was nodding along with that and thinking yeah, like an appointment with the gynaecologist. And then that thought screeched to a halt because I realised this administration is more like a visit to the gynos from Dead Ringers.
posted by moody cow at 4:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was nodding along with that and thinking yeah, like an appointment with the gynaecologist. And then that thought screeched to a halt because I realised this administration is more like a visit to the gynos from Dead Ringers.
posted by moody cow at 4:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
In summary this week, Trump declares war on the Freedom Caucus; Devin Nunes' story got weirder with at least three White House aides giving him reports to scuttle the Russia investigation which lead to calls for his recusal and now Senate hearings on Russia thing and Flynn is now seeking immunity for testimony. There are a bunch of sub-headings including Senate testimony quotes; staff changes at the White House and general crazy, stupid at various organizations including ISPs packaging and selling your private info. Oh yeah, Gorsuch is getting filibustered because the Democratic activized base will go after any that do not show backbone i.e., we are Defcon level 4 in the Senate.
Again, the editor of the Washington Post regrets only having one headline a day to give his nation.
posted by jadepearl at 4:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [25 favorites]
Again, the editor of the Washington Post regrets only having one headline a day to give his nation.
posted by jadepearl at 4:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [25 favorites]
Cards Against Humanity Founder Vows To Expose Lawmakers’ Web Histories [HuffPo article, sorry HuffPo dislikers]
“The desire for privacy is just fundamental to human dignity,” Temkin told The Huffington Post on Thursday. “If lawmakers feel like they can sell our right to privacy to the highest bidder, they should be subject to that same exposure.”
posted by yoga at 4:54 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
“The desire for privacy is just fundamental to human dignity,” Temkin told The Huffington Post on Thursday. “If lawmakers feel like they can sell our right to privacy to the highest bidder, they should be subject to that same exposure.”
posted by yoga at 4:54 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
we are Defcon level 4
DEFCON is an inverted scale. 5 is peace and 1 is nuclear war.
posted by zrail at 5:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
DEFCON is an inverted scale. 5 is peace and 1 is nuclear war.
posted by zrail at 5:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
Jokes on them; most congressmen have their aides visit brazzers.com for them, so they'll never get caught. Mike Pence won't have dinner alone with a web browser, even if it's only tuned to netflix. And the only reason Say Yes To The Dress is in his hulu history is because he shares his password with his daughter.
posted by valkane at 5:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by valkane at 5:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
I think Trump is more like Frank Reynolds from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Trump would never be open to playing Nightcrawlers or making mouth sandwiches though. They are completely different beasts.
posted by ian1977 at 5:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump would never be open to playing Nightcrawlers or making mouth sandwiches though. They are completely different beasts.
posted by ian1977 at 5:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
dinner alone with a web browser, even if it's only tuned to netflix
Netflix and chili, if you will.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Netflix and chili, if you will.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
1 big thing: Trump, baffled and brooding
The chaos dimension has created far more chaos than anticipated. Come nightfall, Trump is often on the phone with billionaire, decades-long friends, commiserating and critiquing his own staff. His most important advisers are often working the phone themselves, trashing colleagues and either spreading or beating down rumors of turmoil and imminent changes.posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]
This has created a toxic culture of intense suspicion and insecurity. The drama is worse than what you read.
some have been instructed not to speak to him directly — or even make eye contact.
It heartens me that so many people think this is ridiculous, because I have worked at places where it was understood that people above a certain band were not to be addressed if you were below a certain band. I had thought it was just How It Worked.
posted by winna at 5:16 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
It heartens me that so many people think this is ridiculous, because I have worked at places where it was understood that people above a certain band were not to be addressed if you were below a certain band. I had thought it was just How It Worked.
posted by winna at 5:16 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
So cosying up to Assad is looking like a possibility
This would make sense for an isolationist county, except the United States keeps bombing the shit out of countries.
posted by Yowser at 5:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
This would make sense for an isolationist county, except the United States keeps bombing the shit out of countries.
posted by Yowser at 5:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have worked at places where it was understood that people above a certain band were not to be addressed if you were below a certain band.
Sure, but were they required to avert their gaze?
posted by thelonius at 5:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Sure, but were they required to avert their gaze?
posted by thelonius at 5:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Sigh. It's not like we don't deserve it, I suppose.
Trump wants immediate $50M Great Lakes cut to pay for Mexico wall
posted by INFJ at 5:25 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
Trump wants immediate $50M Great Lakes cut to pay for Mexico wall
posted by INFJ at 5:25 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!
I…. this doesn't even make sense.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [37 favorites]
I…. this doesn't even make sense.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [37 favorites]
Zrail, rats on the Defcon scale. My error for relying on vague memories of the movie War Games. If a mod wants to correct, please do so.
posted by jadepearl at 5:26 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by jadepearl at 5:26 AM on March 31, 2017
I have worked at places where it was understood that people above a certain band were not to be addressed if you were below a certain band. I had thought it was just How It Worked.
I once worked adjacent to an unpopular, miserable manager who was of minor moderate importance in the organization, but not so far up the chain that you couldn't still address him by his first name in a friendly manner. Then he went and got his doctorate in an unrelated field and suddenly demanded that he was to be addressed as Doctor [Lastname] even in casual conversation and that we were no longer to address him first, that he would call on us if he wanted to hear our voices. It was like he thought he had ascended. Nobody went for it. We all still called him by his first name which, fittingly enough, was Dick.
That's how I see this administration. These are all people who stand before us and crow that they are of major importance and are to be respected and feared. If you have to harp on and on about how you are the bigliest of shots while being incompetent and deplorable in every way, then you are nowhere are important or worthy of respect as you think you are.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
I once worked adjacent to an unpopular, miserable manager who was of minor moderate importance in the organization, but not so far up the chain that you couldn't still address him by his first name in a friendly manner. Then he went and got his doctorate in an unrelated field and suddenly demanded that he was to be addressed as Doctor [Lastname] even in casual conversation and that we were no longer to address him first, that he would call on us if he wanted to hear our voices. It was like he thought he had ascended. Nobody went for it. We all still called him by his first name which, fittingly enough, was Dick.
That's how I see this administration. These are all people who stand before us and crow that they are of major importance and are to be respected and feared. If you have to harp on and on about how you are the bigliest of shots while being incompetent and deplorable in every way, then you are nowhere are important or worthy of respect as you think you are.
posted by Servo5678 at 5:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
Are Dems of historic proportion like RUSes? I certainly hope so.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by aspersioncast at 5:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump wants immediate $50M Great Lakes cut to pay for Mexico wall
This would appear to be at odds with his repeated promises that Mexico will pay for the wall!
Is it odd that the article doesn't mention that at all? Or am I expecting too much?
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
This would appear to be at odds with his repeated promises that Mexico will pay for the wall!
Is it odd that the article doesn't mention that at all? Or am I expecting too much?
posted by faceplantingcheetah at 5:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Are Dems of historic proportion like RUSes?
Rodents (of) Unusual Size? I don't think they ex-- wait, they do exist, they're currently in charge of the country.
posted by Roommate at 5:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Rodents (of) Unusual Size? I don't think they ex-- wait, they do exist, they're currently in charge of the country.
posted by Roommate at 5:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
This would appear to be at odds with his repeated promises that Mexico will pay for the wall!
He's basically admitted at this point that Mexico is not paying for the wall, except through an import tax of some kind, which really means: the average American consumer will pay for the wall since that tax will just be added to the price of goods, like beer and furniture, that we consume imported from Mexico. So you will be paying for the wall when you buy a Corona, assuming his import tax passes (which it probably won't, i mean it's totally stupid).
posted by dis_integration at 5:38 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
He's basically admitted at this point that Mexico is not paying for the wall, except through an import tax of some kind, which really means: the average American consumer will pay for the wall since that tax will just be added to the price of goods, like beer and furniture, that we consume imported from Mexico. So you will be paying for the wall when you buy a Corona, assuming his import tax passes (which it probably won't, i mean it's totally stupid).
posted by dis_integration at 5:38 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump wants immediate $50M Great Lakes cut to pay for Mexico wall
And most of the Great Lakes voted him!
posted by drezdn at 5:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
And most of the Great Lakes voted him!
posted by drezdn at 5:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!
Donny, IANAL, but usually people who ask for immunity do it to give up a bigger fish. Look around, do you see a bigger fish? Then guess what.
posted by chris24 at 5:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
Donny, IANAL, but usually people who ask for immunity do it to give up a bigger fish. Look around, do you see a bigger fish? Then guess what.
posted by chris24 at 5:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
American Jobs Are Headed to Mexico Once Again
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump repeated to a joint session of Congress last month his refrain that that he will make it “much, much harder for companies to leave our country.” But his recent stumbles -- travel bans blocked by courts and a health-care bill scuttled by his own party -- underscore the limitations on presidential power and the difficulty he may have punishing companies or overhauling Nafta.
At a February conference in El Paso to discuss how Trump’s policies may affect trade, most in the room of plant managers, supply-chain officers and suppliers predicted Nafta would likely be changed but not discarded, and that the changes might not be harmful.
Whatever happens, Russell said his business fostering Mexican manufacturing will grow this year. The pressure to reduce costs is that relentless.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, you don't get immunity so you can confess without consequence. That's almost exclusively for death beds.
But given what I think of Flynn, I could totally see him lying. "Immunity? Great! I did it all just me! Also hard candy is a great Halloween candy, the Washington football team's name is great, and... uh... I dunno... Little Caesar's is authentic pizza, the best around!" reads his statement in Comic-Sans, followed by a picture of that Diplomatic Immunity guy from Lethal Weapon.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
But given what I think of Flynn, I could totally see him lying. "Immunity? Great! I did it all just me! Also hard candy is a great Halloween candy, the Washington football team's name is great, and... uh... I dunno... Little Caesar's is authentic pizza, the best around!" reads his statement in Comic-Sans, followed by a picture of that Diplomatic Immunity guy from Lethal Weapon.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 5:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
jadepearl: "Zrail, rats on the Defcon scale. My error for relying on vague memories of the movie War Games. If a mod wants to correct, please do so."
McKittrick: See that sign up there. "Defcon." That indicates our current defense condition. It should read "Defcon 5," which means peace. It's still on 4 because of that little stunt you pulled. Actually, if we hadn't caught it in time, it might have gone to Defcon 1. You know what that means, David?
David Lightman: No. What does that mean?
McKittrick: World War Three.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:58 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
McKittrick: See that sign up there. "Defcon." That indicates our current defense condition. It should read "Defcon 5," which means peace. It's still on 4 because of that little stunt you pulled. Actually, if we hadn't caught it in time, it might have gone to Defcon 1. You know what that means, David?
David Lightman: No. What does that mean?
McKittrick: World War Three.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:58 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
By having filthy Great Lakes, that will act as a northern barrier to immigration. Genius!
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
And most of the Great Lakes voted him!
Oh trust me, I know. Thus the 'deserving it' bit.
I don't think many thought that electing a climate-change denier would have an impact on our lakes. I don't know if I could have anticipated the dismantling of the EPA and the far reaching impacts that would have. I am not certain what I thought an in-power climate-change-denier would look like, prior to now. I guess I assumed they'd just let companies pump as much toxic shit into the air as possible. Fuck the ozone layer. It never occurred to me that my lakes were also in danger.
I guess I can just hope at this point that companies take it upon themselves to be environmentally conscientious, even if our government will not be. I read recently that no-matter what Trump does for the coal miners, the energy industry is moving away from coal.
I did read some heartening news recently though. They're finally replacing the pipes for water to Flint.
posted by INFJ at 6:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
Oh trust me, I know. Thus the 'deserving it' bit.
I don't think many thought that electing a climate-change denier would have an impact on our lakes. I don't know if I could have anticipated the dismantling of the EPA and the far reaching impacts that would have. I am not certain what I thought an in-power climate-change-denier would look like, prior to now. I guess I assumed they'd just let companies pump as much toxic shit into the air as possible. Fuck the ozone layer. It never occurred to me that my lakes were also in danger.
I guess I can just hope at this point that companies take it upon themselves to be environmentally conscientious, even if our government will not be. I read recently that no-matter what Trump does for the coal miners, the energy industry is moving away from coal.
I did read some heartening news recently though. They're finally replacing the pipes for water to Flint.
posted by INFJ at 6:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
...
" The Dave Sunburn Show"?
I loved the night when Bootsy Collins told a story about dosing his brother Catfish's sandwich with acid while on tour* and then rhetorically asked Dave if he remembered the good ol' dropping acid days and Dave got all squirrelly and squirmy and 'couldn't remember.'
*Kids, don't do this at home!
posted by y2karl at 6:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
" The Dave Sunburn Show"?
I loved the night when Bootsy Collins told a story about dosing his brother Catfish's sandwich with acid while on tour* and then rhetorically asked Dave if he remembered the good ol' dropping acid days and Dave got all squirrelly and squirmy and 'couldn't remember.'
*Kids, don't do this at home!
posted by y2karl at 6:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
The entire coal industry employs fewer people than Arby’s
That number includes not just miners but also office workers, sales staff and all of the other individuals who work at coal-mining companies.posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [77 favorites]
Although 76,000 might seem like a large number, consider that similar numbers of people are employed by, say, the bowling (69,088) and skiing (75,036) industries. Other dwindling industries, such as travel agencies (99,888 people), employ considerably more. Used-car dealerships provide 138,000 jobs. Theme parks provide nearly 144,000. Carwash employment tops 150,000.
Jan 17, CNN, (sorry I closed the link already)
Washington (CNN)Former CIA Director James Woolsey downplayed his role Thursday in President-elect Donald Trump's transition, days after he publicly disputed the President-elect's views on Russia's role in the 2016 election.
In a statement, he formally announced he would no longer serve as an adviser to Trump. But he insisted in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett that the move had nothing to do with his comments on Russia, only that he wanted to avoid any confusion about his role with Trump.
Trump advisor James Woolsey, who attended the "Seize Gulen" meeting decides these amateurs are going to fuck this up royally and ejects.
And the article on Best Sunshine Live said the strip-mall storefront casino takes in bets of 3.9 BILLION per MONTH.
In September, Imperial Pacific reported a record $3.9 billion in bets at its casino—meaning the 100 or so high-rollers who it says come through its doors monthly each wagered an average of $39 million.
3.9 Billion in bets. Billion with a BEE.
posted by petebest at 6:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Washington (CNN)Former CIA Director James Woolsey downplayed his role Thursday in President-elect Donald Trump's transition, days after he publicly disputed the President-elect's views on Russia's role in the 2016 election.
In a statement, he formally announced he would no longer serve as an adviser to Trump. But he insisted in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett that the move had nothing to do with his comments on Russia, only that he wanted to avoid any confusion about his role with Trump.
Trump advisor James Woolsey, who attended the "Seize Gulen" meeting decides these amateurs are going to fuck this up royally and ejects.
And the article on Best Sunshine Live said the strip-mall storefront casino takes in bets of 3.9 BILLION per MONTH.
In September, Imperial Pacific reported a record $3.9 billion in bets at its casino—meaning the 100 or so high-rollers who it says come through its doors monthly each wagered an average of $39 million.
3.9 Billion in bets. Billion with a BEE.
posted by petebest at 6:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Gorsuch refused to meet with Senators Duckworth and Cortez Masto.
posted by PenDevil at 6:23 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 6:23 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
This featured CNN pull video from Watts at yesterday's Senate hearings is pretty amazing:
autoplay video
Witness' blistering words about Trump
posted by readery at 6:25 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
autoplay video
Witness' blistering words about Trump
posted by readery at 6:25 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
Philadelphia Business Journal, Nov 18, 2016
Report: Rendell collects $5k per month from Pacific island casino
Casino.org, November 15, 2016
Saipan Casino Reporting Major VIP Revenues, But Where Is All the Money Coming From
GGRAsia, December 23, 2016
Best Sunshine ex-staffer claims AML breaches at casino
Marianas Variety, Dec 14, 2016
Construction firm sues Best Sunshine for $1.6M in unpaid service fees
posted by Room 641-A at 6:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
Report: Rendell collects $5k per month from Pacific island casino
Casino.org, November 15, 2016
Saipan Casino Reporting Major VIP Revenues, But Where Is All the Money Coming From
GGRAsia, December 23, 2016
Best Sunshine ex-staffer claims AML breaches at casino
Marianas Variety, Dec 14, 2016
Construction firm sues Best Sunshine for $1.6M in unpaid service fees
posted by Room 641-A at 6:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
3.9 Billion in bets. Billion with a BEE.
Between congress, the senate, and the whitehouse, 3.9 billion bees might just be enough to do the job.
posted by strange chain at 6:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [24 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!
I…. this doesn't even make sense.
Maybe not "sense" in terms of cogency, but in terms of the feeling Trump wants to imply, it's fitting into the pattern we've been watching unfold for the past week.
First, we hear rumblings that Flynn is looking to testify in exchange for immunity from prosecution, h/t CNN's Juliette Kayyem. Next, over the weekend the pro-Trump National Enquirer paints Flynn as a Russian spy "in essence" as its cover story (and doesn't that term take on a new meaning?) Then we have the Murdoch-owned, pro-Trump WSJ running a story confirming that Flynn is looking for immunity deals from the feebs, Capitol Hill, or whoever, though there aren't any takers. Thereupon, Flynn's lawyer releases a statement confirming his client has "a story to tell" but wants a deal to talk because of a "witch hunt environment". And now this morning Trump tweets about this, specifically echoing the term "witch hunt" in his characteristic salesman's way of reinforcement through repetition.
One possible scenario the Trump administration may be trying to set up is having Flynn do an Ollie - as in Col. North, not skateboarding. In this case, Flynn would get a deal from whomever he can to testify and then fall on his sword while the (untouched) White House complains about a witch hunt. (If he can't strike a deal, then maybe Trump has to pardon him, as long as Flynn takes the heat in an ginned-up atmosphere of partisan persecution.) If they can pull that off, that would leave Manafort, Kushner, Page, and Stone free to testify in less hostile conditions, or maybe even not at all if the distraction works well enough.
"House of Cards" starring the cast of "Veep" may be a much more accurate analogy than the John Le Carré one I've been using.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
I…. this doesn't even make sense.
Maybe not "sense" in terms of cogency, but in terms of the feeling Trump wants to imply, it's fitting into the pattern we've been watching unfold for the past week.
First, we hear rumblings that Flynn is looking to testify in exchange for immunity from prosecution, h/t CNN's Juliette Kayyem. Next, over the weekend the pro-Trump National Enquirer paints Flynn as a Russian spy "in essence" as its cover story (and doesn't that term take on a new meaning?) Then we have the Murdoch-owned, pro-Trump WSJ running a story confirming that Flynn is looking for immunity deals from the feebs, Capitol Hill, or whoever, though there aren't any takers. Thereupon, Flynn's lawyer releases a statement confirming his client has "a story to tell" but wants a deal to talk because of a "witch hunt environment". And now this morning Trump tweets about this, specifically echoing the term "witch hunt" in his characteristic salesman's way of reinforcement through repetition.
One possible scenario the Trump administration may be trying to set up is having Flynn do an Ollie - as in Col. North, not skateboarding. In this case, Flynn would get a deal from whomever he can to testify and then fall on his sword while the (untouched) White House complains about a witch hunt. (If he can't strike a deal, then maybe Trump has to pardon him, as long as Flynn takes the heat in an ginned-up atmosphere of partisan persecution.) If they can pull that off, that would leave Manafort, Kushner, Page, and Stone free to testify in less hostile conditions, or maybe even not at all if the distraction works well enough.
"House of Cards" starring the cast of "Veep" may be a much more accurate analogy than the John Le Carré one I've been using.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
This would appear to be at odds with his repeated promises that Mexico will pay for the wall!
Have you considered the possibility that Michigan may actually be Mexico? If you go back to the original Nahuatl "Mexico" would have been pronounced more like "Mesheego" which if you stop and think a minute, sheeple, is awfully similar to "Mesheegun," don't you think? Suspiciously similar if I may say, if you will pardon me for a moment. Why are these names so similar if, as the liberal media would have you believe, Michigan and Mexico are really so far from each other and not merely different aspects of the same unamerican foreign country filled with antiamerican foreigners who insist on being foreign?
Further, we know that millions of people voted illegally in this election... what if our leader had just been talking about voters in Mexico/Michigan being allowed to vote in the election by corrupt elections officials in collusion with Dumb-O-Rats like Killary and Bill? And who ever likes receiving a Bill, can I ask you?
Anyway, it all adds up, except that I'm not saying anything, I'm just asking questions -- questions Bill O'Reilly and the rest of the liberal media won't answer. Why won't they answer? Why are they part of the establishment, part of the system keeping decent white people down? Why are he and the rest of the (((media))) lording it over us with their falafel like they do instead of rubbing decent God-fearing American food like peanut butter on women's genitals?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
Have you considered the possibility that Michigan may actually be Mexico? If you go back to the original Nahuatl "Mexico" would have been pronounced more like "Mesheego" which if you stop and think a minute, sheeple, is awfully similar to "Mesheegun," don't you think? Suspiciously similar if I may say, if you will pardon me for a moment. Why are these names so similar if, as the liberal media would have you believe, Michigan and Mexico are really so far from each other and not merely different aspects of the same unamerican foreign country filled with antiamerican foreigners who insist on being foreign?
Further, we know that millions of people voted illegally in this election... what if our leader had just been talking about voters in Mexico/Michigan being allowed to vote in the election by corrupt elections officials in collusion with Dumb-O-Rats like Killary and Bill? And who ever likes receiving a Bill, can I ask you?
Anyway, it all adds up, except that I'm not saying anything, I'm just asking questions -- questions Bill O'Reilly and the rest of the liberal media won't answer. Why won't they answer? Why are they part of the establishment, part of the system keeping decent white people down? Why are he and the rest of the (((media))) lording it over us with their falafel like they do instead of rubbing decent God-fearing American food like peanut butter on women's genitals?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
folks are we *sure* that elmore leonard isn't writing this presidency
posted by murphy slaw at 6:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 6:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
folks are we *sure* that elmore leonard isn't writing this presidency
It's Carl Hiaasen, but on downers.
posted by Etrigan at 6:46 AM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
It's Carl Hiaasen, but on downers.
posted by Etrigan at 6:46 AM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
Everyone would be a lot more charming and funny if Dutch had a hand in it.
posted by valkane at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by valkane at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
"House of Cards" starring the cast of "Veep" may be a much more accurate analogy than the John Le Carré one I've been using.
---
folks are we *sure* that elmore leonard isn't writing this presidency
Or we're living in a Coen Brothers universe. Welcome to Burn After Reading!
posted by chris24 at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
---
folks are we *sure* that elmore leonard isn't writing this presidency
Or we're living in a Coen Brothers universe. Welcome to Burn After Reading!
posted by chris24 at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
And someone would have a weedwhacker as a hand if Carl was involved.
posted by valkane at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by valkane at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Elmore Leonard was anti-adverb. He would never use bigly.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
Mike Flynn Offers to Testify in Exchange for Immunity
This might be important.
Indeed. Why would he do so, unless he expected that his actions were criminal? And why would he be guilty of a criminal cover-up, if not to conceal even worse criminal activity?
I hope, though, that Democrats (or whoever) are more careful in granting immunity than they were during the Iran-Contra scandal.
posted by Gelatin at 6:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
This might be important.
Indeed. Why would he do so, unless he expected that his actions were criminal? And why would he be guilty of a criminal cover-up, if not to conceal even worse criminal activity?
I hope, though, that Democrats (or whoever) are more careful in granting immunity than they were during the Iran-Contra scandal.
posted by Gelatin at 6:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
These are all people who stand before us and crow that they are of major importance and are to be respected and feared.
AKA "God grant me the confidence of a mediocre white man." Or in this case "intensely stupid and actively evil white man."
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
AKA "God grant me the confidence of a mediocre white man." Or in this case "intensely stupid and actively evil white man."
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
Whether Nunes was taken in by the ruse and reported it back to the President or was himself a participant in the ruse isn't clear.He is like a Chaplin level clown
That good
posted by schadenfrau at 7:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's kind of interesting (and by interesting, I mean chilling and terrible) that Josh Marshall's eight-year-old son was flagged for additional screening at JFK when the Marshall family returned from vacation earlier this week. We already know that CBP is singling out journalists for additional screening, and given the political leanings of the agency staff, it seems obvious that Daniel was flagged for additional screening as a retaliation/intimidation tactic against his father. If the Democratic party ever regains control of Congress, they need to add "clean house at CBP" (along with FBI, ICE, etc.) to the list of things that desperately need doing.
posted by longdaysjourney at 7:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [71 favorites]
posted by longdaysjourney at 7:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [71 favorites]
The public should learn a lot more about WHY General Flynn wants immunity when Sally Yates testifies before the House Intelligence Committee -- @RepAdamSchiff
posted by murphy slaw at 7:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [59 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [59 favorites]
Gorsuch refused to meet with Senators Duckworth and Cortez Masto.
If he'd turned down Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono for meetings too (did he?) he could've slighted all the non-white ladies of the Senate in one fell swoop.
CNN's Gorsuch whip list, updated a few minutes ago. We're at 31 confirmed filibusters with the vote to be held on Monday.
I wrote a paragraph urging filibuster last week, looked up my Senators' congressional web sites via Wikipedia, and plugged the message and my home address into their contact forms... and this week both of them announced intention to filibuster. They need to know for certain that the filibuster is the will of their constituents.
posted by XMLicious at 7:10 AM on March 31, 2017 [21 favorites]
McClatchy-Marist Poll:
Voters giving Obama a D or F grade 8 years ago: 22%
Voters giving Trump a D or F grade now: 47%. Still too low but twice as hated as O was.
Republican support at 79%, still horrifying but down 3% from last month.
Only 31% said his conduct made them proud - there's been talk recently of updating the Crazification Factor from 27% to 40%, but I humbly submit 31%.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:13 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Voters giving Obama a D or F grade 8 years ago: 22%
Voters giving Trump a D or F grade now: 47%. Still too low but twice as hated as O was.
Republican support at 79%, still horrifying but down 3% from last month.
Only 31% said his conduct made them proud - there's been talk recently of updating the Crazification Factor from 27% to 40%, but I humbly submit 31%.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:13 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
CNN's Gorsuch whip list, updated a few minutes ago. We're at 31 confirmed filibusters
Notable absences:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Catherine Cortez Masto
Maria Cantwell
Pat Leahy
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Brian Schatz
These Senators are in safe states, or part of leadership, or not facing reelection in 2018, or all 3. None of them have any excuse for not filibustering.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:17 AM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
Notable absences:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Catherine Cortez Masto
Maria Cantwell
Pat Leahy
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Brian Schatz
These Senators are in safe states, or part of leadership, or not facing reelection in 2018, or all 3. None of them have any excuse for not filibustering.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:17 AM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
Josh Marshall's eight-year-old son was flagged for additional screening at JFK when the Marshall family returned from vacation earlier this week
Jebus. Josh is pretty chill about it in that recap, but I would be beside myself if that happened to my eight year old.
posted by nubs at 7:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Jebus. Josh is pretty chill about it in that recap, but I would be beside myself if that happened to my eight year old.
posted by nubs at 7:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
I guess I can just hope at this point that companies take it upon themselves to be environmentally conscientious,
The only way I can see that happening is by punishing the shareholders with boycotts. But often the consumer end is so far removed from the supply end there's no way to know what to boycott. Like, this banana helps save orangutans , and this one helps support warlords, but the supply chain is so opaque you have no idea which. People will just shrug and buy any banana.
posted by adept256 at 7:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
The only way I can see that happening is by punishing the shareholders with boycotts. But often the consumer end is so far removed from the supply end there's no way to know what to boycott. Like, this banana helps save orangutans , and this one helps support warlords, but the supply chain is so opaque you have no idea which. People will just shrug and buy any banana.
posted by adept256 at 7:19 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Russians used ‘Bernie Bros’ as ‘unwitting agents’ in disinformation campaign: Senate Intel witness
During the primaries I personally reported two users in a (low-level, general) Bernie Slack as being "out of place here."
I'm not usually good at this game, but:
If Putin's plan was to divide the Dems it would explain the worst of the Bernie Bros.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:09 AM on January 14
still not sure why that comment caused a kerfuffle though
posted by Room 641-A at 7:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [57 favorites]
Democratic committee co-chair Sen. Mark Warner (VA) asked the panel if they had any doubt that Russia had attempted to interfere in some aspects of the 2016 election. Alexander said not only did he have no doubt, he could get very specific.(Direct link to testimony video.)
“Senator, I think what they were trying to do was drive a wedge within the Democratic Party between the Clinton group and the Sanders group,” said Alexander. “And then in our nation between Republicans and Democrats.”
Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) reported earlier this month that during the 2016 election, their social media feeds and pro-Sanders Facebook groups were inundated with what they now believe were Russian bots spewing anti-Hillary memes including fake news stories about Clinton using a body double and murdering her ideological opponents. Over time the anti-Clinton online faction became known by the nickname “Bernie Bros.”
During the primaries I personally reported two users in a (low-level, general) Bernie Slack as being "out of place here."
I'm not usually good at this game, but:
If Putin's plan was to divide the Dems it would explain the worst of the Bernie Bros.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:09 AM on January 14
still not sure why that comment caused a kerfuffle though
posted by Room 641-A at 7:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [57 favorites]
Did Clinton aides actually seek immunity? I can recall a few who pled the fifth, but only source I immediately found re: immunity was Trump saying it, so just a touch unreliable.
Also, not to kill the hype train, but it's very plausible the reason immunity is sought is that Flynn did some dirt largely unrelated to this whole collusion shitshow that would implicate him, but not necessarily anyone else.
posted by Room 101 at 7:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, not to kill the hype train, but it's very plausible the reason immunity is sought is that Flynn did some dirt largely unrelated to this whole collusion shitshow that would implicate him, but not necessarily anyone else.
posted by Room 101 at 7:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's Carl Hiaasen, but on downers.
Skip Wiley and Skink wouldn't be taking the events of the last few months sitting down.
posted by splen at 7:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Skip Wiley and Skink wouldn't be taking the events of the last few months sitting down.
posted by splen at 7:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
> Josh Marshall's eight-year-old son was flagged for additional screening at JFK when the Marshall family returned from vacation earlier this week
"It's not too late to turn back, America."
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:24 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
"It's not too late to turn back, America."
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:24 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
"Turn back, [America]. Turn back before it's too late."
Pretty sure Paul Ryan is Hoggle. The Freedom Caucus guys might be the "Chilly Down" guys who pull their heads off and throw them around.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Pretty sure Paul Ryan is Hoggle. The Freedom Caucus guys might be the "Chilly Down" guys who pull their heads off and throw them around.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well RUS's would not surprise me because the last few months have been like walking through the goddamn Fire Swamp for sure.
posted by emjaybee at 7:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 7:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
These Senators are in safe states, or part of leadership, or not facing reelection in 2018, or all 3. None of them have any excuse for not filibustering.
Menendez (D-NJ) is one of my senators. Just tweeted at him to join the filibuster. I hope he does.
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Menendez (D-NJ) is one of my senators. Just tweeted at him to join the filibuster. I hope he does.
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Re: Brian Schatz & the filibuster -- he released this statement today:
posted by melissasaurus at 7:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
After careful consideration of Judge Gorsuch’s record and testimony, I have decided that I will not support his confirmation to the Supreme Court, and I will oppose any and all efforts to advance his nomination. [emphasis added]And he tweeted this a few hours ago: "If cloture fails as expected, GOP faces a grave and historic choice. The "nuclear option" is bad for the country and for the Senate."
posted by melissasaurus at 7:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
Michael Flynn: new evidence spy chiefs had concerns about Russian ties: The Guardian understands Flynn and Lokhova remained in email contact, conducted through an unclassified channel. In one email exchange described by Andrew, Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
Lokhova also listed Flynn as one of four referees who would provide selective endorsements for her book, which is expected to detail how Russian spies penetrated the US atomic weapons programme.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Lokhova also listed Flynn as one of four referees who would provide selective endorsements for her book, which is expected to detail how Russian spies penetrated the US atomic weapons programme.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
ICE Arrests Green Card Applicants In Lawrence, Signaling Shift In Priorities
what the actual fuck
posted by lydhre at 7:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
what the actual fuck
posted by lydhre at 7:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
You know, I want Flynn to take Trump down, but it's hard for me to see why, if he had the goods, he doesn't have immunity yet (and is in protective custody in someplace with no windows or on the first floor)
posted by angrycat at 7:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 7:42 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Related to the Gorsuch confirmation, I was reading this excellent High Country News article on the last (and first!) time the EPA was headed by people hostile to its entire mission, and a name stuck out at me: Anne Gorsuch Burford.
Conservative CO politician, you say? Fairly unusual maiden name, you might think?
Neil's mom.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
Conservative CO politician, you say? Fairly unusual maiden name, you might think?
Neil's mom.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
I wouldn't call it a shift in priorities so much as an intensification. ICE agents (or whoever is directing them) may have thought they'd get in trouble for this stuff before. They don't now. But the fact that they're doing it so eagerly and quickly speaks volumes for what their motivations have always been.
ICE and CBP are dirty top to bottom, and yeah, a Democratic President and Congress (please Lord let it still be possible) should clean house first chance they get.
posted by emjaybee at 7:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
ICE and CBP are dirty top to bottom, and yeah, a Democratic President and Congress (please Lord let it still be possible) should clean house first chance they get.
posted by emjaybee at 7:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
You know, I want Flynn to take Trump down, but it's hard for me to see why, if he had the goods, he doesn't have immunity yet (and is in protective custody in someplace with no windows or on the first floor)
I believe it's going to be Sally Yates who takes *everyone* down. "I told Donald J. Trump that Michael Flynn was comprised" is "Game over, man. Game over."
posted by mikelieman at 7:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
I believe it's going to be Sally Yates who takes *everyone* down. "I told Donald J. Trump that Michael Flynn was comprised" is "Game over, man. Game over."
posted by mikelieman at 7:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
The Saipan connection, while the casino itself looks quite dodgy, is a bit of a stretch. Yes, the CEO, Mark A Brown used to work for Trump but since then he's worked for the Sands Corp (okay, that's Sheldon Adelson) and also for Wynn Resorts.
Now Ed Rendell doesn't come off looking very smart in that bizjournal article linked above:
And about that casino, the storefront was only temporary while the new one was built and looky here, it's scheduled to open today. Here's a photo. Quite the upgrade from a storefront.
However, another front has opened up. Yesterday's South China Morning Post published a story on China's crackdown on overseas gambling (mostly concerning efforts to attract Chinese people to overseas casinos and also to stop people from investing in them):
But like I said, I think the Trump connection is tenuous.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Now Ed Rendell doesn't come off looking very smart in that bizjournal article linked above:
a casual conversation with Brown was enough to vet Best Sunshine Live for him...Rendell told both outlets that he brought former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour into the fold – and that accomplishment is the "only thing" he did for Best Sunshine Live.but he'll accept his $5000 per month retainer anyway.
As for the dollars the tiny island casino is bringing in? Rendell suggests the erosion of the gambling industry in Macau, located along the coast of China, is the driver.
And about that casino, the storefront was only temporary while the new one was built and looky here, it's scheduled to open today. Here's a photo. Quite the upgrade from a storefront.
However, another front has opened up. Yesterday's South China Morning Post published a story on China's crackdown on overseas gambling (mostly concerning efforts to attract Chinese people to overseas casinos and also to stop people from investing in them):
The crackdown comes as the government is trying to rein in the flow of cash out of the country as the nation’s currency has weakened against the dollar.Saipan is a 5 hour flight from Hong Kong.
Gambling is one key channel for money laundering and capital flight.
But like I said, I think the Trump connection is tenuous.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I called Senator Feinstein's office and got sent to a full voice mail box, so I sent the most strongly worded email i could manage to urge her to support the filibuster. :(
posted by murphy slaw at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
The best explanation I can think of for why Flynn doesn't have immunity yet is that they don't need his testimony. If they already have the evidence they need, why would they grant Flynn immunity? If he gets immunity and testifies that he did it all and Trump/Kushner/Sessions knew nothing about it, then everyone can skate free. So they're not going to give him immunity if they've got other evidence.
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
You know, I want Flynn to take Trump down, but it's hard for me to see why, if he had the goods, he doesn't have immunity yet
They might have enough on Trump that Flynn's testimony would be superfluous.
posted by zakur at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
They might have enough on Trump that Flynn's testimony would be superfluous.
posted by zakur at 7:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Johnny Wallflower: What kind of garbage people are you if fucking debt collectors are telling you you're being a dick?
I feel like we need to document all the times the Trump administration has proposed guidance or worse, passed regulations that not even those who could theoretically benefit from the changes support.
To this list, we can add The Government Might Not Want Energy Star, But Industry Does (Wired, March 8, 2017) and Even ExxonMobil Wants President Trump to Stick With the Paris Climate Deal (Fortune, March 29, 2017).
posted by filthy light thief at 7:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
I feel like we need to document all the times the Trump administration has proposed guidance or worse, passed regulations that not even those who could theoretically benefit from the changes support.
To this list, we can add The Government Might Not Want Energy Star, But Industry Does (Wired, March 8, 2017) and Even ExxonMobil Wants President Trump to Stick With the Paris Climate Deal (Fortune, March 29, 2017).
posted by filthy light thief at 7:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
To update CNN's whip list:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Catherine Cortez Masto - no on cloture; released statement yesterday
Maria Cantwell - no on cloture; released statement yesterday
Pat Leahy - supposedly YES on cloture; Vermonters: CALL HIM
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Brian Schatz - no on cloture; released statement today
A reminder, you can also fax your senators here.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Catherine Cortez Masto - no on cloture; released statement yesterday
Maria Cantwell - no on cloture; released statement yesterday
Pat Leahy - supposedly YES on cloture; Vermonters: CALL HIM
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Brian Schatz - no on cloture; released statement today
A reminder, you can also fax your senators here.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
Re: the ICE detentions for green card seekers.
I live in the same congressional district as Lawrence and our representative, Niki Tsongas (MA-3), is usually pretty great. I'll be calling her asking to intervene in some way, if nothing else to strongly denounce this: this is outrageous.
posted by lydhre at 7:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
I live in the same congressional district as Lawrence and our representative, Niki Tsongas (MA-3), is usually pretty great. I'll be calling her asking to intervene in some way, if nothing else to strongly denounce this: this is outrageous.
posted by lydhre at 7:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
I want Flynn to take Trump down, but it's hard for me to see why, if he had the goods, he doesn't have immunity yet
Where is the TIME FOR SOME GAME THEORY guy when we need him?
posted by melissasaurus at 7:59 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Where is the TIME FOR SOME GAME THEORY guy when we need him?
posted by melissasaurus at 7:59 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
The beclowning of the executive branch
The American system of government has checked Trump’s worst impulses. He has so many bad instincts, however, that not all of them will get checked. The burn rate of his staff is extraordinarily high, and there is no evidence that his remaining acolytes really know how to govern. We are 70 days into an administration that has nearly 1,400 more days in office. Think of the screw-ups that await us.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
The American system of government has checked Trump’s worst impulses. He has so many bad instincts, however, that not all of them will get checked. The burn rate of his staff is extraordinarily high, and there is no evidence that his remaining acolytes really know how to govern. We are 70 days into an administration that has nearly 1,400 more days in office. Think of the screw-ups that await us.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
"It's not too late to turn back, America."
Red white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Red, white, and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, make a new start
And lead us away from here
posted by nubs at 8:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Red white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Red, white, and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, make a new start
And lead us away from here
posted by nubs at 8:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Zrail, rats on the Defcon scale. My error for relying on vague memories of the movie War Games.
You could have also relied on vague memories of the movie Def-Con 4.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
NBC/Katy Tur: Senate intel will NOT grant Flynn immunity. Lawyer told it was "wildly preliminary" "not on the table"
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
The public should learn a lot more about WHY General Flynn wants immunity when Sally Yates testifies before the House Intelligence Committee -- @RepAdamSchiff
That might take a while with Nunes as chairman, but what's stopping the Senate Intelligence Committee from letting her testify?
posted by diogenes at 8:12 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
That might take a while with Nunes as chairman, but what's stopping the Senate Intelligence Committee from letting her testify?
posted by diogenes at 8:12 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
wait hold up I need to point out one thing from roomthreeseventeen's link above and then make an inarticulate noise:
The Guardian understands Flynn and Lokhova remained in email contact, conducted through an unclassified channel. In one email exchange described by Andrew, Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
aaaaa
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
The Guardian understands Flynn and Lokhova remained in email contact, conducted through an unclassified channel. In one email exchange described by Andrew, Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
aaaaa
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Chaffetz: Flynn shouldn't get immunity. "It doesn't look good" for him. - @KatyTurNBC
(full tweet includes transcript of Chaffetz's comments from fox news)
posted by murphy slaw at 8:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
(full tweet includes transcript of Chaffetz's comments from fox news)
posted by murphy slaw at 8:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
THE BECLOWNING
We've been looking for a replacement for "the GOP." "The Clown Party" works.
Devin Nunes, CA-Chucklefuck.
More letters, but it does roll right off the tongue
posted by schadenfrau at 8:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
We've been looking for a replacement for "the GOP." "The Clown Party" works.
Devin Nunes, CA-Chucklefuck.
More letters, but it does roll right off the tongue
posted by schadenfrau at 8:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
Chaffetz: Flynn shouldn't get immunity. "It doesn't look good" for him.
That's funny, I thought Chaffetz didn't think there was anything to investigate.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
That's funny, I thought Chaffetz didn't think there was anything to investigate.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
In one email exchange described by Andrew, Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
...Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
...“General Misha”
WTF these people are so fucking stupid
posted by lydhre at 8:21 AM on March 31, 2017 [39 favorites]
...Flynn signed himself as “General Misha”, Russian for Mike.
...“General Misha”
WTF these people are so fucking stupid
posted by lydhre at 8:21 AM on March 31, 2017 [39 favorites]
If Chaffetz is hanging Flynn out to dry then he is either to so incontrovertibly compromised that he's radioactive, or he's actually too low-level a flunky to be a real danger. In light of what's already known about Flynn one suspects the former but I'm not sure it's wise to be that optimistic.
posted by Freon at 8:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Freon at 8:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
The beclowning of the executive branch
I finally remembered to subscribe and man the WaPo is so much more attractive without ads.
posted by winna at 8:24 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I finally remembered to subscribe and man the WaPo is so much more attractive without ads.
posted by winna at 8:24 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
or he's actually too low-level a flunky to be a real danger
dude was National Security Adviser. he reported directly to the president. there is literally nobody for him to throw to the wolves except trump
posted by murphy slaw at 8:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
dude was National Security Adviser. he reported directly to the president. there is literally nobody for him to throw to the wolves except trump
posted by murphy slaw at 8:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
About that EnergyStar thing - a rather curious parallel was part of Brexit propaganda. The story, put about by Leavers, was that 'Europe banned vacuum cleaners over 1.6kW because of interference by the 'green lobby', harming industry and taking away our freedom'. This got traction.
The truth was - the rule was agreed by all EU states, including the UK, any one of which could have prevented it. And while there were environmental issues, the main reason was that more powerful cleaners didn't work any better and the whole thing was basically specmanship within the industry - which welcomed the move, because being locked in a marketing-driven war you can't win is just a waste of everyone's time and harms the consumer. (Dyson was a vocal opposer, but why that might be I'll leave as a research exercise to those who don't know much about Dyson.)
Everyone else wanted it, nobody lost out, and it calmed down a useless and damaging process.
But it was useful as a propaganda tool, so that's what it became. Truth be damned. Don't expect the EnergyStar business to be any different.
posted by Devonian at 8:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]
The truth was - the rule was agreed by all EU states, including the UK, any one of which could have prevented it. And while there were environmental issues, the main reason was that more powerful cleaners didn't work any better and the whole thing was basically specmanship within the industry - which welcomed the move, because being locked in a marketing-driven war you can't win is just a waste of everyone's time and harms the consumer. (Dyson was a vocal opposer, but why that might be I'll leave as a research exercise to those who don't know much about Dyson.)
Everyone else wanted it, nobody lost out, and it calmed down a useless and damaging process.
But it was useful as a propaganda tool, so that's what it became. Truth be damned. Don't expect the EnergyStar business to be any different.
posted by Devonian at 8:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]
I just want to report in from the provinces that I've already got several people coming to a party at my house to get our tiny little Dem precinct movin' to brainstorm ways to get out votes in 18 and 20 (and locally inbetween). A lot of these are folks over 60, so more than once I got an answering machine they were using to screen their landline. About halfway through my spiel, they picked up and told me hell yes they'd be there.
A benefit I had never even thought about to being a precinct chair is that it is the perfect excuse to meet the Democrats in your neighborhood face to face. We rely on the internet so much, but nothing really beats the energy of meeting in person. Once I was sworn in, my county party gave me access to their voter database, I ran off a report of people in my precinct who voted in more than one recent primary ("hard Dems") and then me and my co-precinct chair split the list and started calling them. Precincts aren't very large so this was not an intimidating task.
Anyway, I'm going to have some wine and iced tea and snacks at this little shindig and sign people up for phonebanks and block walks and anything else we can think of that's useful. And just enjoy not feeling so alone in my red state.
If you'd like to be a precinct chair you can contact your county's party and find out your precinct and if there is a chair already.
posted by emjaybee at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [59 favorites]
A benefit I had never even thought about to being a precinct chair is that it is the perfect excuse to meet the Democrats in your neighborhood face to face. We rely on the internet so much, but nothing really beats the energy of meeting in person. Once I was sworn in, my county party gave me access to their voter database, I ran off a report of people in my precinct who voted in more than one recent primary ("hard Dems") and then me and my co-precinct chair split the list and started calling them. Precincts aren't very large so this was not an intimidating task.
Anyway, I'm going to have some wine and iced tea and snacks at this little shindig and sign people up for phonebanks and block walks and anything else we can think of that's useful. And just enjoy not feeling so alone in my red state.
If you'd like to be a precinct chair you can contact your county's party and find out your precinct and if there is a chair already.
posted by emjaybee at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [59 favorites]
Michael Flynn: new evidence spy chiefs had concerns about Russian ties: ...
There's a lulzworthy picture of Trump, Flynn, and Bannon accompanying that story. Bannon looks hungover as shit.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
There's a lulzworthy picture of Trump, Flynn, and Bannon accompanying that story. Bannon looks hungover as shit.
Supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) reported earlier this month that during the 2016 election, their social media feeds and pro-Sanders Facebook groups were inundated with what they now believe were Russian bots spewing anti-Hillary memes ...By the by, while it's been a neglected angle in a story that has much larger implications, I'd really like to know if Jill Stein figures into any of this in any way beyond merely sharing a table with Flynn and Putin and generally being a useful idiot.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
Maybe this re-branding of the GOP as the Clown Party is viral marketing for the remake of "It."
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
zachlipton: It's really the paradox of the Trump Administration: the more he tries to put a professional face on things, where it's "merely" an incompetent administration pushing horrible policies but without the extracurricular nonsense of the campaign, the less effective he is, because his loudmouth nonsense is the only tool he's really got.
He's a bully whose tactics don't work at this level. My wife worked for high school principal who didn't bother to manager her school well for some 5 months, brushing off smoking in the bathroom or behind school, because that wasn't her priority or something. Then in February, the principal was being ignored at a pep rally, so she tried to be serious and mean, and the students all laughed.
When you undermine positions of authority as the head of an organization, you undermine your own authority, too. It's like sitting on a tree branch to get a better reach to prune other branches, only to realize you've cut your own branch off as you're falling to the ground.
(The problem for Trump is that inaction is sometimes more powerful than action, when those actions include filling leadership positions in departments.)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
He's a bully whose tactics don't work at this level. My wife worked for high school principal who didn't bother to manager her school well for some 5 months, brushing off smoking in the bathroom or behind school, because that wasn't her priority or something. Then in February, the principal was being ignored at a pep rally, so she tried to be serious and mean, and the students all laughed.
When you undermine positions of authority as the head of an organization, you undermine your own authority, too. It's like sitting on a tree branch to get a better reach to prune other branches, only to realize you've cut your own branch off as you're falling to the ground.
(The problem for Trump is that inaction is sometimes more powerful than action, when those actions include filling leadership positions in departments.)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
dude was National Security Adviser. he reported directly to the president. there is literally nobody for him to throw to the wolves except trump
Obvs. follow up question, "Why did the President appoint a Russian..." ( do we call Flynn an "asset", or "spy" or what... my Tom-Clancy-fu is weak... ) " to the role of National Security Adviser?"
posted by mikelieman at 8:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Obvs. follow up question, "Why did the President appoint a Russian..." ( do we call Flynn an "asset", or "spy" or what... my Tom-Clancy-fu is weak... ) " to the role of National Security Adviser?"
posted by mikelieman at 8:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
That's from an Atlantic article published this morning, worth reading in full for a sense of how little worth should be read into anything Chaffetz says.
That article is full of amazing actual Chaffetz-isms:
I asked Chaffetz if he was concerned about Trump reaping financial rewards from his presidency, but he just shrugged.
“He’s already rich,” Chaffetz said. “He’s very rich. I don’t think that he ran for this office to line his pockets even more. I just don’t see it like that.”
[real]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
That article is full of amazing actual Chaffetz-isms:
I asked Chaffetz if he was concerned about Trump reaping financial rewards from his presidency, but he just shrugged.
“He’s already rich,” Chaffetz said. “He’s very rich. I don’t think that he ran for this office to line his pockets even more. I just don’t see it like that.”
[real]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
Trump wants immediate $50M Great Lakes cut to pay for Mexico wall
I just realized that it's like that scene from Dave where the President tries to find money by combing thru various executive branch discretionary funds, only for evil.
posted by Gelatin at 8:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
I just realized that it's like that scene from Dave where the President tries to find money by combing thru various executive branch discretionary funds, only for evil.
posted by Gelatin at 8:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
"Why did the President appoint a Russian..." ( do we call Flynn an "asset", or "spy" or what... my Tom-Clancy-fu is weak... ) " to the role of National Security Adviser?"
Seriously, even if Flynn doesn't directly implicate Trump, I feel like putting a crazy traitor in charge of national security should have repercussions.
posted by diogenes at 8:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
Seriously, even if Flynn doesn't directly implicate Trump, I feel like putting a crazy traitor in charge of national security should have repercussions.
posted by diogenes at 8:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
Here's a fun line about Flynn from the Guardian article:
US and British intelligence officers "were also anxious about his capacity for 'linear thought'."
posted by diogenes at 8:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [54 favorites]
US and British intelligence officers "were also anxious about his capacity for 'linear thought'."
posted by diogenes at 8:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [54 favorites]
That Guardian article about Flynn reads like an episode recap of The Americans.
posted by dnash at 8:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by dnash at 8:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
By the by, while it's been a neglected angle in a story that has much larger implications, I'd really like to know if Jill Stein figures into any of this in any way beyond merely sharing a table with Flynn and Putin and generally being a useful idiot.
We had at least one Mefite mention some shady stuff they saw/heard about during the recount with implications that the recount efforts would have found something if they could keep digging, and I've been kinda wondering in the back of my mind if Stein's recount efforts were a paper tiger, a loud and flashy show with no real teeth just to put the questions to rest.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:41 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
We had at least one Mefite mention some shady stuff they saw/heard about during the recount with implications that the recount efforts would have found something if they could keep digging, and I've been kinda wondering in the back of my mind if Stein's recount efforts were a paper tiger, a loud and flashy show with no real teeth just to put the questions to rest.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:41 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
do we call Flynn an "asset", or "spy"
I bet that he thinks of himself as a spy or even a double agent. Russian intelligence definitely calls him an asset.
posted by VTX at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
I bet that he thinks of himself as a spy or even a double agent. Russian intelligence definitely calls him an asset.
posted by VTX at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
I want Flynn to take Trump down, but it's hard for me to see why, if he had the goods, he doesn't have immunity yet
Flynn’s Public Offer to Testify for Immunity Suggests He May Have Nothing to Say: "I suspect that Flynn’s lawyer is really targeting Congress. He is hoping that one of the Congressional committees will take the bait and grant him immunity in exchange for his testimony. If that happened, it would be extremely difficult to prosecute Flynn after he testified. Remember Oliver North? {...}
"It is not going to work. The Justice Department will tell Congress that a grant of immunity at this stage could compromise its ongoing criminal investigation. Already, statements from the Congressional committees suggest no interest in granting immunity to Flynn. Flynn’s lawyer appears to have hoped that publicity, pressure or politics might cause one of the Congressional committees to jump. Flynn’s lawyer may have concluded that at a minimum the public offer would help change the atmospherics around his client, which could help him at a future stage. But the ploy feels desperate, indicating that Flynn may not have much to offer. And the very fact that Flynn’s lawyer is making a play for immunity at this stage suggests that he has some fear that his client faces real criminal exposure."
Jeff Sessions is, however, still running the Justice Department, recusals notwithstanding. If he could indirectly put pressure on committee chairs to consider cutting Flynn a deal, he absolutely would. That nobody on Capitol Hill isn't biting during Flynn's fishing expedition would suggest that the White House has lost a lot of its power to intimidate after the health care debacle.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
Flynn’s Public Offer to Testify for Immunity Suggests He May Have Nothing to Say: "I suspect that Flynn’s lawyer is really targeting Congress. He is hoping that one of the Congressional committees will take the bait and grant him immunity in exchange for his testimony. If that happened, it would be extremely difficult to prosecute Flynn after he testified. Remember Oliver North? {...}
"It is not going to work. The Justice Department will tell Congress that a grant of immunity at this stage could compromise its ongoing criminal investigation. Already, statements from the Congressional committees suggest no interest in granting immunity to Flynn. Flynn’s lawyer appears to have hoped that publicity, pressure or politics might cause one of the Congressional committees to jump. Flynn’s lawyer may have concluded that at a minimum the public offer would help change the atmospherics around his client, which could help him at a future stage. But the ploy feels desperate, indicating that Flynn may not have much to offer. And the very fact that Flynn’s lawyer is making a play for immunity at this stage suggests that he has some fear that his client faces real criminal exposure."
Jeff Sessions is, however, still running the Justice Department, recusals notwithstanding. If he could indirectly put pressure on committee chairs to consider cutting Flynn a deal, he absolutely would. That nobody on Capitol Hill isn't biting during Flynn's fishing expedition would suggest that the White House has lost a lot of its power to intimidate after the health care debacle.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
I asked Chaffetz if he was concerned about his own moral turpitude and ignorance, but he just shrugged.
“I'm already a stooge,” Chaffetz said. “I'm very stupid. I don’t think that my own incompetence could harm the American people. I just don’t understand the question.”
[fake]
posted by valkane at 8:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
“I'm already a stooge,” Chaffetz said. “I'm very stupid. I don’t think that my own incompetence could harm the American people. I just don’t understand the question.”
[fake]
posted by valkane at 8:53 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
The recounts -- I personally supported them, because after all the Russian interference in the election, I wanted to be sure that they hadn't tampered with votes themselves. I admit it would be very difficult to do, but Russia has a lot of resources and was highly motivated, and it didn't seem impossible. I'm relatively satisfied by the results based on what what seen in Wisconsin, though I'm still a little pissed that Pennsylvania did not get a real recount. We should be able to ask these guys to check their work without it being subject to court challenges.
We really should have routine audits and good paper trails anyway. Recounts generally turn up evidence of errors which increases the pressure to upgrade old voting machines and vote tallying processes. I'm a scientist, and I know there's error on EVERY measurement... so it's wise to measure more than once when possible, and to be careful about the way you do the measurements to try to avoid any systematic errors. (Ideally, we'd actually run elections more than once, and take the average! To take out the effects of, like, rain keeping some voters home in certain states... But since that's probably impossible, double checking the count seems like a decent minimum expectation, for a "measurement" which can have such profound consequences.)
So I thought Stein was on the side of the angels there, but who knows? Maybe Russia thought the recounts were a way to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election process itself. They would certainly be in favor of any measure which does that. And Stein's "Both sides are the same" rhetoric during the campaign definitely furthered Russian interests.
posted by OnceUponATime at 8:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
We really should have routine audits and good paper trails anyway. Recounts generally turn up evidence of errors which increases the pressure to upgrade old voting machines and vote tallying processes. I'm a scientist, and I know there's error on EVERY measurement... so it's wise to measure more than once when possible, and to be careful about the way you do the measurements to try to avoid any systematic errors. (Ideally, we'd actually run elections more than once, and take the average! To take out the effects of, like, rain keeping some voters home in certain states... But since that's probably impossible, double checking the count seems like a decent minimum expectation, for a "measurement" which can have such profound consequences.)
So I thought Stein was on the side of the angels there, but who knows? Maybe Russia thought the recounts were a way to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election process itself. They would certainly be in favor of any measure which does that. And Stein's "Both sides are the same" rhetoric during the campaign definitely furthered Russian interests.
posted by OnceUponATime at 8:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
Flynn’s Public Offer to Testify for Immunity Suggests He May Have Nothing to Say: "I suspect that Flynn’s lawyer is really targeting Congress. He is hoping that one of the Congressional committees will take the bait and grant him immunity in exchange for his testimony. If that happened, it would be extremely difficult to prosecute Flynn after he testified. Remember Oliver North? {...}
This sounds like a job for Devin Nunes to bungle!
posted by jason_steakums at 8:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
This sounds like a job for Devin Nunes to bungle!
posted by jason_steakums at 8:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Think of the screw-ups that await us.
I think it takes a special kind of stupid to reach the presidency with majorities in both house and senate, only to turn yourself in a minority by alienating people in your own party.
My suspicion is Trump will screw himself over long before he can do any irreparable damage to our country.
posted by Tarumba at 9:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it takes a special kind of stupid to reach the presidency with majorities in both house and senate, only to turn yourself in a minority by alienating people in your own party.
My suspicion is Trump will screw himself over long before he can do any irreparable damage to our country.
posted by Tarumba at 9:00 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Maybe Russia thought the recounts were a way to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election process itself.
Given the testimony I heard yesterday, I'd say almost certainly. Whether they were behind it or not is an open question, but whether they were cheering it on? That is a certainty. A big theme of the folks testifying at the Senate yesterday is that a major thrust of current Russian active measures is to do things that a low information voter (who, let's be real, also includes the President and much of his staff) would interpret as casting doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process. So, hacking into election office's website doesn't actually hack the votes themselves, but it does create a headline that a low info voter will interpret as "VOTER FRAUD!!!!"
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:02 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
Given the testimony I heard yesterday, I'd say almost certainly. Whether they were behind it or not is an open question, but whether they were cheering it on? That is a certainty. A big theme of the folks testifying at the Senate yesterday is that a major thrust of current Russian active measures is to do things that a low information voter (who, let's be real, also includes the President and much of his staff) would interpret as casting doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process. So, hacking into election office's website doesn't actually hack the votes themselves, but it does create a headline that a low info voter will interpret as "VOTER FRAUD!!!!"
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:02 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
He is hoping that one of the Congressional committees will take the bait and grant him immunity in exchange for his testimony. If that happened, it would be extremely difficult to prosecute Flynn after he testified. Remember Oliver North? {...}
I thought the way immunity offers work in these cases is that they're contingent on the recipient fully divulging everything they know to the prosecutors in question. Like, in the offer of immunity it specifically states that later discovery you were holding stuff back = immediate revocation of the offer, with your original criminal charges to follow.
Not at all a lawyer, though - did I misunderstand this?
posted by Ryvar at 9:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I thought the way immunity offers work in these cases is that they're contingent on the recipient fully divulging everything they know to the prosecutors in question. Like, in the offer of immunity it specifically states that later discovery you were holding stuff back = immediate revocation of the offer, with your original criminal charges to follow.
Not at all a lawyer, though - did I misunderstand this?
posted by Ryvar at 9:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
> "'He’s already rich,' Chaffetz said. 'He’s very rich. I don’t think that he ran for this office to line his pockets even more. I just don’t see it like that.'"
Has Chaffetz ever met ... a person? I mean, like, anyone?
posted by kyrademon at 9:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
Has Chaffetz ever met ... a person? I mean, like, anyone?
posted by kyrademon at 9:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
My suspicion is Trump will screw himself over long before he can do any irreparable damage to our country.
Unfortunately, he is already doing some irreparable damage to Yemen, Syria, Somalia... Civilian lives lost in those places cannot be restored.
The US president is subject to check and balances in his domestic policies, but there is almost nothing to stop him from doing whatever he wants with the military and foreign policy.
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
Unfortunately, he is already doing some irreparable damage to Yemen, Syria, Somalia... Civilian lives lost in those places cannot be restored.
The US president is subject to check and balances in his domestic policies, but there is almost nothing to stop him from doing whatever he wants with the military and foreign policy.
posted by OnceUponATime at 9:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
"'He’s already rich,' Chaffetz said. 'He’s very rich. I don’t think that he ran for this office to line his pockets even more. I just don’t see it like that.'"
Truly, what unites all rich people is their disinterest in procuring money.
posted by galaxy rise at 9:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [125 favorites]
Truly, what unites all rich people is their disinterest in procuring money.
posted by galaxy rise at 9:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [125 favorites]
My suspicion is Trump will screw himself over long before he can do any irreparable damage to our country.
Trump was doing irreparable damage to the country before he was even elected.
posted by scottatdrake at 9:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [63 favorites]
Trump was doing irreparable damage to the country before he was even elected.
posted by scottatdrake at 9:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [63 favorites]
Unfortunately, he is already doing some irreparable damage to Yemen, Syria, Somalia... Civilian lives lost in those places cannot be restored.
Yes. I wish we could get some real protests going, like Vietnam-War-level protests, against the ongoing human rights catastrophe that has blossomed across the Middle East in these last few months. Americans are very distracted right now but once someone starts paying attention it is absolutely going to be remembered as a massive atrocity.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 9:10 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yes. I wish we could get some real protests going, like Vietnam-War-level protests, against the ongoing human rights catastrophe that has blossomed across the Middle East in these last few months. Americans are very distracted right now but once someone starts paying attention it is absolutely going to be remembered as a massive atrocity.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 9:10 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump was doing irreparable damage to the country before he was even elected.
Turns out we'd rather fuck the country entirely than have a woman tell us what to do.
posted by Talez at 9:11 AM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Turns out we'd rather fuck the country entirely than have a woman tell us what to do.
posted by Talez at 9:11 AM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
tbh before he was elected i think he was a symptom of previous irreparable damage to the country
posted by murphy slaw at 9:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 9:14 AM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]
We really should have routine audits and good paper trails anyway.
I feel the same way. I'm on a QA team at a large commercial bank and I could get audit documentation showing:
-The underwriter's process in verifying the information on the application and making the credit decision
-The quality control testing done on that process
-The quality assurance testing done on the QC process
-The QC process done on the QA process
-The quarterly audits of the QC over the QA, the QA over the QC, and the QC over the underwriting
-The random periodic audits and exams done by various regulatory agencies (OCC, OFAC, SEC, CFPB, etc.)
-The annual assessments done over ALL of those processes
-A TON of other work done by other groups to test different aspects of all of the above
-Probably a bunch of other stuff I don't even know about.
And that's all par for the course for a large bank like ours. We're just trying to do our part in preventing another financial meltdown, not something as important as voting for the leader of the free world.
posted by VTX at 9:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I feel the same way. I'm on a QA team at a large commercial bank and I could get audit documentation showing:
-The underwriter's process in verifying the information on the application and making the credit decision
-The quality control testing done on that process
-The quality assurance testing done on the QC process
-The QC process done on the QA process
-The quarterly audits of the QC over the QA, the QA over the QC, and the QC over the underwriting
-The random periodic audits and exams done by various regulatory agencies (OCC, OFAC, SEC, CFPB, etc.)
-The annual assessments done over ALL of those processes
-A TON of other work done by other groups to test different aspects of all of the above
-Probably a bunch of other stuff I don't even know about.
And that's all par for the course for a large bank like ours. We're just trying to do our part in preventing another financial meltdown, not something as important as voting for the leader of the free world.
posted by VTX at 9:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
Jason Chaffetz gives spineless, sycophantic vermin a bad name.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
for those of you just now joining us, the trump administration so far [youtube]
posted by murphy slaw at 9:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by murphy slaw at 9:26 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Just read Kevin Drum in regards to Bart Gellman's comment at the Century Foundation, Is the Trump White House Spying on the FBI?:
That reference at the end to "the president's men" is no coincidence. This whole thing looks more Watergate-ish by the day. Maybe it's time to start calling it Russiagate
I second the motion and, furthermore, move we vote it unanimous.
posted by y2karl at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
That reference at the end to "the president's men" is no coincidence. This whole thing looks more Watergate-ish by the day. Maybe it's time to start calling it Russiagate
I second the motion and, furthermore, move we vote it unanimous.
posted by y2karl at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
OTOH this may be our big chance to replace *gate as the default scandal name!
posted by murphy slaw at 9:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 9:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
OTOH this may be our big chance to replace *gate as the default scandal name!
Someone in the last thread suggested "-A-Lago", as in Russia-A-Lago.
posted by Surely This at 9:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Someone in the last thread suggested "-A-Lago", as in Russia-A-Lago.
posted by Surely This at 9:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Russ-a-lago
posted by leotrotsky at 9:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by leotrotsky at 9:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Treason-lago
posted by leotrotsky at 9:32 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by leotrotsky at 9:32 AM on March 31, 2017
If that doesn't work can we bring back imbroglio?
posted by drezdn at 9:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 9:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Knowing our luck our shitty media will call it Mar-a-Lago-gate.
posted by Talez at 9:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by Talez at 9:33 AM on March 31, 2017 [38 favorites]
Imbroglio-lago?
posted by drezdn at 9:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 9:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Treasump!
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Future history books should just use "-trump" as the new "-gate" scandal suffix.
posted by Drastic at 9:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Drastic at 9:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Moscow Mash
posted by jason_steakums at 9:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jason_steakums at 9:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is a weird picture. Is the press always roped off that far from taking pictures of the POTUS?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
"'He’s already rich,' Chaffetz said. 'He’s very rich. I don’t think that he ran for this office to line his pockets even more. I just don’t see it like that.'"
It's a little-known fact that cat people generally decide they have enough cats around the 47th cat.
posted by Killick at 9:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [43 favorites]
It's a little-known fact that cat people generally decide they have enough cats around the 47th cat.
posted by Killick at 9:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [43 favorites]
OTOH this may be our big chance to replace *gate as the default scandal name!
Back in the day, The New Republic tried to brand the Iran-Contra scandal as "Iran-amok" but it never stuck.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Back in the day, The New Republic tried to brand the Iran-Contra scandal as "Iran-amok" but it never stuck.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Is Sally Yates scheduled to go before any of these hearings yet?
posted by rabidsegue at 9:41 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by rabidsegue at 9:41 AM on March 31, 2017
This is a weird picture.
Oh god it's a Christina's World for our times.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:42 AM on March 31, 2017
Oh god it's a Christina's World for our times.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:42 AM on March 31, 2017
But since that's probably impossible, double checking the count seems like a decent minimum expectation, for a "measurement" which can have such profound consequences.)
Exactly. Any pressure to make election processes more transparent and scientific is good pressure. I'm getting sick of the role champagne liberals and other political spoilers continue to play in dividing natural coalitions on the left, too, but any pressure from anywhere not to rush to accept whatever result the first major network's estimated half ass count of the polls yields is good pressure to me...
posted by saulgoodman at 9:43 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Exactly. Any pressure to make election processes more transparent and scientific is good pressure. I'm getting sick of the role champagne liberals and other political spoilers continue to play in dividing natural coalitions on the left, too, but any pressure from anywhere not to rush to accept whatever result the first major network's estimated half ass count of the polls yields is good pressure to me...
posted by saulgoodman at 9:43 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
so.... people who have 46 cats tend to be mentally ill in some fashion. Just sayin' as a cat owner of four felines, five felines would be too many. (4 is kind-of too many but you didn't hear me say it!)
Not that, you know, the POTUS couldn't be mentally ill..
posted by INFJ at 9:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Not that, you know, the POTUS couldn't be mentally ill..
posted by INFJ at 9:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Treasongate" sort of gets to the main point. Branding, etc.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 9:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
It's early yet. We may not live.
posted by srboisvert at 9:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
It's early yet. We may not live.
posted by srboisvert at 9:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
I'd kind of like to see them hoisted on their own -ghazi, so treasonghazi for me
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:50 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:50 AM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Remember that time they gave the trillion dollar bill to Mr. Burns to deliver because he was the richest, and therefore most trustworthy, person in the country? Can we just start calling Chaffetz Smithers now?
posted by cmfletcher at 9:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 9:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Looks like we get one more Spicey Show before the week is over! Joy!
Here in half an hour.
posted by jammer at 9:55 AM on March 31, 2017
Here in half an hour.
posted by jammer at 9:55 AM on March 31, 2017
Is this what it was like to live through Watergate?
My earliest political memory: watching Nixon resign, sitting on my mother's lap and saying to her: "I thought he said he wasn't a quitter."
posted by Melismata at 9:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
My earliest political memory: watching Nixon resign, sitting on my mother's lap and saying to her: "I thought he said he wasn't a quitter."
posted by Melismata at 9:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Actually, no, because Benghazi was a fake scandal.
S'okay, he's a fake president.
posted by Artw at 9:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
S'okay, he's a fake president.
posted by Artw at 9:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
White House to disclose finances of top Trump aides Friday evening
The financial disclosure reports are dropping in a little take-out-the-trash Friday night.
posted by zachlipton at 10:06 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
The financial disclosure reports are dropping in a little take-out-the-trash Friday night.
posted by zachlipton at 10:06 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump Treas Mahal
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:08 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Card Cheat's link above prompted a nice little flashback for me.
I'm a straight white cis dude in my 40s with a good education and a good professional job, and that's exactly how I present. When I'm traveling I'm usually dressed pretty professionally (nice shirt and pants, often a tie) because I'm usually traveling for work.
But under my clothes I also wear a dressing for what amounts to a chronic open wound on the back of my thigh; it's a fun complication of a congenital malformation of the circulatory system in my leg. Anyway, the dressing used to pass undetected by the millimeter-wave porno-scanners until a couple years ago. Then I had to start explaining what it was to the agents ("Do you have something in your back pocket, sir?"), and they'd usually just wand me and let me go.
Then last summer I couldn't get them to understand the situation. I ended up having to take my pants down in order to show them the wound. It was really humiliating and terrifying and awful; it took me the rest of the day to calm down and although it hasn't (quite) happened again (it came awful close in PDX a few weeks ago) I still get extremely tense and anxious when going through security; much more so than I used to (and it was never exactly chill). And all I had to do was drop my pants for some random thugs; I can't imagine what it would be like to have your genitals groped like that.
All of which I offer as a little catharsis for myself, and a gentle reminder that none of us are immune, and that the TSA's awfulness has as much to do with the fact that they're simply awful as it does with any particular administration.
posted by nickmark at 10:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
I'm a straight white cis dude in my 40s with a good education and a good professional job, and that's exactly how I present. When I'm traveling I'm usually dressed pretty professionally (nice shirt and pants, often a tie) because I'm usually traveling for work.
But under my clothes I also wear a dressing for what amounts to a chronic open wound on the back of my thigh; it's a fun complication of a congenital malformation of the circulatory system in my leg. Anyway, the dressing used to pass undetected by the millimeter-wave porno-scanners until a couple years ago. Then I had to start explaining what it was to the agents ("Do you have something in your back pocket, sir?"), and they'd usually just wand me and let me go.
Then last summer I couldn't get them to understand the situation. I ended up having to take my pants down in order to show them the wound. It was really humiliating and terrifying and awful; it took me the rest of the day to calm down and although it hasn't (quite) happened again (it came awful close in PDX a few weeks ago) I still get extremely tense and anxious when going through security; much more so than I used to (and it was never exactly chill). And all I had to do was drop my pants for some random thugs; I can't imagine what it would be like to have your genitals groped like that.
All of which I offer as a little catharsis for myself, and a gentle reminder that none of us are immune, and that the TSA's awfulness has as much to do with the fact that they're simply awful as it does with any particular administration.
posted by nickmark at 10:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
It would be entirely par for the course for Chaffetz to come back tomorrow and demand that Flynn be offered immunity; he has a record of flipping completely on issues he's staked absolutist positions on.
I've mentioned this before, but you can play the game Broken Vows by typing "Chaffitz vows" into Google and seeing how many you find.
Maybe this re-branding of the GOP as the Clown Party is viral marketing for the remake of "It."
I knew it!
posted by Room 641-A at 10:26 AM on March 31, 2017
I've mentioned this before, but you can play the game Broken Vows by typing "Chaffitz vows" into Google and seeing how many you find.
Maybe this re-branding of the GOP as the Clown Party is viral marketing for the remake of "It."
I knew it!
posted by Room 641-A at 10:26 AM on March 31, 2017
What kind of garbage people are you if fucking debt collectors are telling you you're being a dick?
This is fascinating to me because what it says is that debt collectors have no confidence in the current administration's ability to effect lasting positive change for them. They are, in my opinion correctly, guessing that the current administration's decisions will lead to a significant backlash against things like bankers and debt collection and that the future regulatory environment will be far less favourable to their business as a result of Trump unleashing the industry.
Businesses seriously fear the leftist awakening that will follow Trumpism and are willing to sacrifice some short term profit to forestall it.
posted by srboisvert at 10:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [34 favorites]
This is fascinating to me because what it says is that debt collectors have no confidence in the current administration's ability to effect lasting positive change for them. They are, in my opinion correctly, guessing that the current administration's decisions will lead to a significant backlash against things like bankers and debt collection and that the future regulatory environment will be far less favourable to their business as a result of Trump unleashing the industry.
Businesses seriously fear the leftist awakening that will follow Trumpism and are willing to sacrifice some short term profit to forestall it.
posted by srboisvert at 10:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [34 favorites]
Josh Marshall, The Timeline Speaks Clearly:
March 4th: Obama wiretap claims tweeted.
March 10th: Cohen-Watnick canned.
March 13th or 14th: Trump [after Bannon/Kushner intercession] overrules McMaster; Cohen-Watnick keeps job.
March 15th: Trump says new info coming [on Tucker Carlson’s interview].
March 21st: Nunes called to White House to review “new info.”
I think this speaks for itself.
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
March 4th: Obama wiretap claims tweeted.
March 10th: Cohen-Watnick canned.
March 13th or 14th: Trump [after Bannon/Kushner intercession] overrules McMaster; Cohen-Watnick keeps job.
March 15th: Trump says new info coming [on Tucker Carlson’s interview].
March 21st: Nunes called to White House to review “new info.”
I think this speaks for itself.
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
The Spicer links seems right now to re-direct to the White House manufacturing talk this morning.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:33 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:33 AM on March 31, 2017
the White House Youtube channel is all and only Spicer
Sometimes dreams do come true
posted by theodolite at 10:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Sometimes dreams do come true
posted by theodolite at 10:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
An ind journalist I have worked with-who has been reliable-says they have 2 sources that say Trump is considering options-incl resignation. Claude Taylor
posted by yoga at 10:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by yoga at 10:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
Obama Officials Made List of Secret Russia Probe Documents To Protect Them
Obama administration officials were so concerned about what would happen to key classified documents related to the Russia probe once President Trump took office that they created a list of document serial numbers to give to senior members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, a former Obama official told NBC News.
The official said that after the list of documents related to the probe into Russian interference in the U.S. election was created in early January, he hand-carried it to the committee members.
posted by futz at 10:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [70 favorites]
Obama administration officials were so concerned about what would happen to key classified documents related to the Russia probe once President Trump took office that they created a list of document serial numbers to give to senior members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, a former Obama official told NBC News.
The official said that after the list of documents related to the probe into Russian interference in the U.S. election was created in early January, he hand-carried it to the committee members.
posted by futz at 10:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [70 favorites]
Yo, Spicey. Claire saying Gorsuch was 'one of the better ones' was not a compliment.
Here are the comments in question.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here are the comments in question.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Spicer just confused Parkinson's with pancreatic cancer. How many hours of sleep did he get last night?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sounds like Spicer has a cold. Maybe he's stressed?
posted by zachlipton at 10:55 AM on March 31, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 10:55 AM on March 31, 2017
NPR roundup of the morning: 'Democrats Are Good For Gun Sales': Guess What Happened After Trump's Election
Some state Republicans who are frustrated by a lack of action on their priorities are eying a never-before-used constitutional provision to bypass Congress: A constitutional convention. -- That's right, the failure the AHCA going anywhere is pushing discussions that started under Obama's terms. It could bypass failure to lead at the top, but it comes at a price, as the Koch Brothers Bankroll Move to Rewrite the Constitution (Moyers & Company, March 27, 2017)
Rising Seas Threaten Coastal Military Bases -- why striking Obama's directive to treat climate change as a national security threat is dumb and dangerous, as cities are already coping with rising sea levels in the United States (NY Times, September 3, 2016, plus 3rd party "archived" article with an image of a roadside ruler that is used to inform drivers when it is too deep to drive through the water on the road.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
In the gun industry, politics and fear matter. And they matter a lot. Over the last two years, there was plenty of both to go around amid terror attacks and school shootings. And, of course, there was the presidential race, which Hillary Clinton was heavily favored to win.So, Trump is actually making 'Merica safer ... from fear-driven gun purchasers? (Also, fook yooo NRA for making it really hard to track gun sales).
Guns and ammunition sold fast. The FBI processed a record number of background checks on potential gun buyers in 2016. (Background checks are considered the best available proxy for gun purchases since overall sales numbers are not made public.)
...
Since Trump's election, background checks have fallen three straight months from year-ago levels. And shops like Nova Firearms in McLean, Va., have detected a notable drop in sales of certain types of weapons such as AR-15 military-style semi-automatic rifles. During the heat of the campaign, says salesman Tom Jenkins, the shop couldn't keep those weapons in stock. Customers were worried the rifles would be singled out for a ban by Hillary Clinton.
Some state Republicans who are frustrated by a lack of action on their priorities are eying a never-before-used constitutional provision to bypass Congress: A constitutional convention. -- That's right, the failure the AHCA going anywhere is pushing discussions that started under Obama's terms. It could bypass failure to lead at the top, but it comes at a price, as the Koch Brothers Bankroll Move to Rewrite the Constitution (Moyers & Company, March 27, 2017)
Rising Seas Threaten Coastal Military Bases -- why striking Obama's directive to treat climate change as a national security threat is dumb and dangerous, as cities are already coping with rising sea levels in the United States (NY Times, September 3, 2016, plus 3rd party "archived" article with an image of a roadside ruler that is used to inform drivers when it is too deep to drive through the water on the road.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:55 AM on March 31, 2017 [20 favorites]
It's weird how Spicer gets a question (yes, I know it's the predictable question) and proceeds to read a frickin' essay verbatim off the page, right?
posted by zachlipton at 10:56 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:56 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
OMG Spicey claiming that Clinton is the puppet again
posted by angrycat at 10:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 10:57 AM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
An ind journalist I have worked with-who has been reliable-says they have 2 sources that say Trump is considering options-incl resignation. Claude Taylor
There's a murmur of this going around the Twitters today. Apparently it all leads back, so far, to a tweet from The Jester. Needless to say, I'm a bit skeptical.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:58 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
There's a murmur of this going around the Twitters today. Apparently it all leads back, so far, to a tweet from The Jester. Needless to say, I'm a bit skeptical.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:58 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt
Then why did Trump fire Flynn? Seems Trump cast the first stone at the witch.
posted by JackFlash at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Then why did Trump fire Flynn? Seems Trump cast the first stone at the witch.
posted by JackFlash at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Spicey literally daring Flynn to testify.
posted by Talez at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Talez at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sean Spicer is impostor's syndrome made flesh.
posted by notyou at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by notyou at 11:01 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
zachlipton: It's weird how Spicer gets a question (yes, I know it's the predictable question) and proceeds to read a frickin' essay verbatim off the page, right?
Then he's safe from saying something (extra) dumb, and he can blame whoever wrote his notes. "I don't know nuthin', man, I'm just reading the paper."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:02 AM on March 31, 2017
Then he's safe from saying something (extra) dumb, and he can blame whoever wrote his notes. "I don't know nuthin', man, I'm just reading the paper."
posted by filthy light thief at 11:02 AM on March 31, 2017
Wait. I'm wrong. He's not daring Flynn to testify. He's saying that Flynn will clear everything up.
Because, you know, you ask for immunity when you're just trying to, you know, "clear things up".
posted by Talez at 11:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Because, you know, you ask for immunity when you're just trying to, you know, "clear things up".
posted by Talez at 11:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
A Constitutional Convention is a terrifying prospect, and really underscores how much state politics matters. We need the state legislatures. Actually need them.
They are within one or two (last I checked) of controlling enough state legislatures to call a fucking Constitutional Convention.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
They are within one or two (last I checked) of controlling enough state legislatures to call a fucking Constitutional Convention.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:03 AM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
An ind journalist I have worked with-who has been reliable-says they have 2 sources that say Trump is considering options-incl resignation. Claude Taylor
Mister Fabulous: There's a murmur of this going around the Twitters today. Apparently it all leads back, so far, to a tweet from The Jester. Needless to say, I'm a bit skeptical.
Donald Trump's presidency 'likely to be second shortest in history', says presidential historian - so far he's outlasted the 31 days of William Henry Harrison in 1841, who died of pneumonia, and he's still under the 199 days of James A. Garfield in 1881.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
Mister Fabulous: There's a murmur of this going around the Twitters today. Apparently it all leads back, so far, to a tweet from The Jester. Needless to say, I'm a bit skeptical.
Donald Trump's presidency 'likely to be second shortest in history', says presidential historian - so far he's outlasted the 31 days of William Henry Harrison in 1841, who died of pneumonia, and he's still under the 199 days of James A. Garfield in 1881.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:04 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
They are within one or two (last I checked) of controlling enough state legislatures to call a fucking Constitutional Convention.
Two. But they don't have any states left and they certainly don't have enough to pass an amendment once the constitutional convention figures one out.
posted by Talez at 11:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two. But they don't have any states left and they certainly don't have enough to pass an amendment once the constitutional convention figures one out.
posted by Talez at 11:05 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ruth Graham tries to argue that the Billy Graham isn't weird, discriminatory, or offensive; proceeds to demonstrate the opposite. It's worth reading in its absurd entirety, but the fun parts are:
a) How she ignores that all the defenses of the policy come straight from the Protestant Evangelical community - not exactly a group with healthy standards for male sexuality,
b) Her further avoidance of the really fucked up sexual culture which places responsibility for cheating on the woman, never the man, which is fundamentally dehumanizing to both
c) Her complete misreading of Coates, who is firmly placing responsibility on himself, as opposed to the shifting of responsibility that happens with their Graham Rule.
posted by NoxAeternum at 11:07 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
a) How she ignores that all the defenses of the policy come straight from the Protestant Evangelical community - not exactly a group with healthy standards for male sexuality,
b) Her further avoidance of the really fucked up sexual culture which places responsibility for cheating on the woman, never the man, which is fundamentally dehumanizing to both
c) Her complete misreading of Coates, who is firmly placing responsibility on himself, as opposed to the shifting of responsibility that happens with their Graham Rule.
posted by NoxAeternum at 11:07 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
When the Mad Dog seems the only sane one in the room. Russia is a ‘strategic competitor' to the west, says James Mattis
posted by adamvasco at 11:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 11:09 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Spicer says that the financial disclosures coming from the White House are so everyone can see how much they have given up to go into public service. They just want to "give back."
I do not know how he possibly said that with a straight face, but here we are.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:10 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
I do not know how he possibly said that with a straight face, but here we are.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:10 AM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
Spicer is now explaining that when we see the financial disclosure reports, we should be pleased with how many rich people are working at the White House (he said "successful") and how much these people have had to sacrifice to work for the government (some had to sell assets, not throw away their money, and they can get special tax treatment when they divest).
posted by zachlipton at 11:12 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 11:12 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I haven't commented much on these threads but I'm watching Spicy for the first time right now and I'm gobsmacked! Dude is a professional liar! I'm surprised I don't see steam coming out of his ears or that he isn't tripping over his nose!
posted by ramix at 11:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by ramix at 11:15 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
"There is a concern that classified information is being leaked!" Maybe for you, Spicey, but for any patriotic American yours is, ahem, trumped by the concern that there are traitors in the White House. Jeez Louise, man.
posted by Lyme Drop at 11:17 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 11:17 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
We need a MST3K of the Spicey Show where the robots periodically sing LIAR LIAR
posted by angrycat at 11:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 11:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Since Spicey keeps mentioning Evelyn Farkas, it's a good time to point out that she didn't say what he claims she said. She also left the government in October 2015, before, you know, the election or the hacking or anything took place.
posted by zachlipton at 11:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:18 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
They are within one or two (last I checked) of controlling enough state legislatures to call a fucking Constitutional Convention.
I see this a lot like Obamacare repeal. They love to threaten to CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! A CONVENTION I TELL YOU! To do...something. They have no idea what. A balanced budget amendment is the most cited thing, but that would basically kill the federal government. We just saw how they can't even take away 24 million people's healthcare, and that basic dynamic is going to happen again on the budget and tax reform. There's no way they could actually pass any amendments through a Convention, which would be a chaotic clusterfuck of competing ideas of who's the most freedom of them all, combined with an orgy of corporate influence buying.
Plus, a convention wouldn't be limited to just whatever the right could agree on, the left resistance could be heard too. Basically it'd be a free for all resulting in nothing. Which is why it won't actually ever happen absent a real need to fundamentally restruct our system of government.
Like an alien invasion. Or Russia buying the Office of President. WAIT.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
I see this a lot like Obamacare repeal. They love to threaten to CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! A CONVENTION I TELL YOU! To do...something. They have no idea what. A balanced budget amendment is the most cited thing, but that would basically kill the federal government. We just saw how they can't even take away 24 million people's healthcare, and that basic dynamic is going to happen again on the budget and tax reform. There's no way they could actually pass any amendments through a Convention, which would be a chaotic clusterfuck of competing ideas of who's the most freedom of them all, combined with an orgy of corporate influence buying.
Plus, a convention wouldn't be limited to just whatever the right could agree on, the left resistance could be heard too. Basically it'd be a free for all resulting in nothing. Which is why it won't actually ever happen absent a real need to fundamentally restruct our system of government.
Like an alien invasion. Or Russia buying the Office of President. WAIT.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:20 AM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
An ind journalist I have worked with-who has been reliable-says they have 2 sources that say Trump is considering options-incl resignation. Claude Taylor
Is Claude Taylor reliable? I am one inch away from going back to theism, will pray to whoever, please let this be true.
Or like someone said on twitter "Please be truely true, factually true."
To which Claude Taylor replied: "Doing my best"
posted by Tarumba at 11:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Is Claude Taylor reliable? I am one inch away from going back to theism, will pray to whoever, please let this be true.
Or like someone said on twitter "Please be truely true, factually true."
To which Claude Taylor replied: "Doing my best"
posted by Tarumba at 11:22 AM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Spicer complains people using their Jump to Conclusions mat.
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 11:23 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 11:23 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Every reporter needs to follow up with "...what?"
posted by theodolite at 11:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 11:27 AM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
We need a MST3K of the Spicey Show where the robots periodically sing LIAR LIAR
I accuse my president.
posted by dirigibleman at 11:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
I accuse my president.
posted by dirigibleman at 11:28 AM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
Spicer: "I don't think we should have to choose which freedoms we have undermined. The answer is both of them." [real]
posted by nickmark at 11:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by nickmark at 11:29 AM on March 31, 2017 [21 favorites]
So- during the election, my frustration was with *all* candidates taking every question as an opportunity to concoct an "answer" nothing more than some stump speech talking point wrapped up in a(n) (often) flimsy cloth of contextual relationship.
Watching these press conferences, I'm struck with a parallel frustration: Spicer utters complete (and refutable!) nonsense yet these journalists come in armed with their own unrelated questions that Spicer then ducks & dodges. The net result is that all Spicer's front-loaded dishonesty goes unchecked or questioned & then all "questions" which get deflected *also* go unaddressed.
What is the point? Why can't these folks think on their feet & call Spicer on the shit he is saying *at the moment*? If they *are* going to ask off-topic questions, why aren't they equipped to rebuke his deflections? I'm not a journalist, but just watching this from my armchair, it's pretty obvious that "obsession with the process rather than the content" is the guy's go-to (for that particular example). So be prepared for that! Address the fact that if we're to trust the *content* of this investigation, the process has to be up to snuff! "If a police department is corrupt & fabricates evidence, this element of process is crucial to whether or not we accept the 'content' of the evidence. Process matters. Will you or will you not answer the question?" How hard is it to do this? What am I missing?
posted by narwhal at 11:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [42 favorites]
Watching these press conferences, I'm struck with a parallel frustration: Spicer utters complete (and refutable!) nonsense yet these journalists come in armed with their own unrelated questions that Spicer then ducks & dodges. The net result is that all Spicer's front-loaded dishonesty goes unchecked or questioned & then all "questions" which get deflected *also* go unaddressed.
What is the point? Why can't these folks think on their feet & call Spicer on the shit he is saying *at the moment*? If they *are* going to ask off-topic questions, why aren't they equipped to rebuke his deflections? I'm not a journalist, but just watching this from my armchair, it's pretty obvious that "obsession with the process rather than the content" is the guy's go-to (for that particular example). So be prepared for that! Address the fact that if we're to trust the *content* of this investigation, the process has to be up to snuff! "If a police department is corrupt & fabricates evidence, this element of process is crucial to whether or not we accept the 'content' of the evidence. Process matters. Will you or will you not answer the question?" How hard is it to do this? What am I missing?
posted by narwhal at 11:30 AM on March 31, 2017 [42 favorites]
There is so much "But Clinton!" and "But Obama!" in Spicer's take on the news.
Sean "Flop Sweat" Spicer. A.k.a. Spicey, a.k.a. Floppy.
posted by Lyme Drop at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sean "Flop Sweat" Spicer. A.k.a. Spicey, a.k.a. Floppy.
posted by Lyme Drop at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sean Spicer is impostor's syndrome made flesh.
Nah, that would mean he's a competent, productive, high-functioning and achieving person who couldn't internalize his own successes, attributing them to luck and coincidence and feeling like a fraud -- an impostor -- even when there is objective evidence of their abilities. The key is feeling like a fraud, not being one.
I don't think you can apply this description to anyone in the Trump administration. They are impostors, full stop.
posted by orbit-3 at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
Nah, that would mean he's a competent, productive, high-functioning and achieving person who couldn't internalize his own successes, attributing them to luck and coincidence and feeling like a fraud -- an impostor -- even when there is objective evidence of their abilities. The key is feeling like a fraud, not being one.
I don't think you can apply this description to anyone in the Trump administration. They are impostors, full stop.
posted by orbit-3 at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
I think we MUST, 100%, take back state legislatures and governorships. It was a mistake for Democrats to take their eyes off of that particular ball, but I think we are focusing more on that now. I hope that Tom Perez will resurrect Dean's 50 state strategy - that worked. Imagine if Medicare could have passed in Kansas! I hope Kansans will learn from this lesson and boot Brownback out and elect a Democratic governor. Hell, I hope a viable candidate or candidates run! Taking back state governorships and legislatures is an essential project on its own terms. Which leads me to...
I see this a lot like Obamacare repeal. They love to threaten to CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! A CONVENTION I TELL YOU! To do...something. They have no idea what. A balanced budget amendment is the most cited thing, but that would basically kill the federal government. We just saw how they can't even take away 24 million people's healthcare, and that basic dynamic is going to happen again on the budget and tax reform. There's no way they could actually pass any amendments through a Convention, which would be a chaotic clusterfuck of competing ideas of who's the most freedom of them all, combined with an orgy of corporate influence buying.
I agree with TD Strange. These people are not playing eleven-dimensional chess, or even checkers - they can barely manage tic-tac-toe. Not that they won't do all the damage they can, and I want to see as many of them out on their asses come election time as possible, but if they can't manage to repeal Obamacare then I doubt they can muster up the ability to call a Constitutional convention. I'm sure they'll yammer on about it and maybe even cosplay as the Founders, but I'm not holding my breath for an actual convention.
But take back the states, oh my god yes, we Dems must do this for its own sake.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
I see this a lot like Obamacare repeal. They love to threaten to CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! A CONVENTION I TELL YOU! To do...something. They have no idea what. A balanced budget amendment is the most cited thing, but that would basically kill the federal government. We just saw how they can't even take away 24 million people's healthcare, and that basic dynamic is going to happen again on the budget and tax reform. There's no way they could actually pass any amendments through a Convention, which would be a chaotic clusterfuck of competing ideas of who's the most freedom of them all, combined with an orgy of corporate influence buying.
I agree with TD Strange. These people are not playing eleven-dimensional chess, or even checkers - they can barely manage tic-tac-toe. Not that they won't do all the damage they can, and I want to see as many of them out on their asses come election time as possible, but if they can't manage to repeal Obamacare then I doubt they can muster up the ability to call a Constitutional convention. I'm sure they'll yammer on about it and maybe even cosplay as the Founders, but I'm not holding my breath for an actual convention.
But take back the states, oh my god yes, we Dems must do this for its own sake.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:32 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
Trump is considering options-incl resignation
We'd know if that were true because Trump would basically be going crazy in a panic. He would be tweeting all sorts of wild shit. This isn's happening yet.
(Crazy and wild relative to usual Trump, not relative to normal people.)
posted by ryanrs at 11:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
We'd know if that were true because Trump would basically be going crazy in a panic. He would be tweeting all sorts of wild shit. This isn's happening yet.
(Crazy and wild relative to usual Trump, not relative to normal people.)
posted by ryanrs at 11:34 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
This whole administration has the opposite of impostor syndrome: the belief that one is competent, capable, and fiercely intelligent when one is, in fact, a moron.
posted by lydhre at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [33 favorites]
(Impostor's syndrome is the fear of impostorhood felt by some high achievers; iow, fear of being Sean Spicer.)
posted by notyou at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by notyou at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
I hope Kansans will learn from this lesson and boot Brownback out and elect a Democratic governor.
If Kansas voters can't learn from what happened to their state, then they are beyond hope.
posted by Melismata at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
If Kansas voters can't learn from what happened to their state, then they are beyond hope.
posted by Melismata at 11:35 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
When the Mad Dog seems the only sane one in the room. Russia is a ‘strategic competitor' to the west, says James Mattis
Reminder:
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has asked the White House to lift Obama-era restrictions on U.S. military support for Persian Gulf states engaged in a protracted civil war against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to senior Trump administration officials.
Additionally, Here's Mattis wringing his hands over the first Muslim Ban. Note how that's not the same thing as actually fighting it.
I'm glad Mattis talked Trump down off the torture cliff, but past that this dude has absolutely not lived up to the hype.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Reminder:
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has asked the White House to lift Obama-era restrictions on U.S. military support for Persian Gulf states engaged in a protracted civil war against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to senior Trump administration officials.
Additionally, Here's Mattis wringing his hands over the first Muslim Ban. Note how that's not the same thing as actually fighting it.
I'm glad Mattis talked Trump down off the torture cliff, but past that this dude has absolutely not lived up to the hype.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
*cryinglaughing* For at least 2 of the Skype seats Spicer gets the name of the reporter completely wrong.
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 11:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 11:36 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bill Kristol Verified account @BillKristol
I've avoided watching Sean Spicer briefings, but am at MSNBC watching this one. The non-stop dishonesty and irresponsibility is amazing.
Bill Kristol!
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [48 favorites]
I've avoided watching Sean Spicer briefings, but am at MSNBC watching this one. The non-stop dishonesty and irresponsibility is amazing.
Bill Kristol!
posted by TWinbrook8 at 11:37 AM on March 31, 2017 [48 favorites]
This is absolutely the worst Spicer briefing I've seen since the very first one when he yelled false information about crowd size (the one that went so bad he tried to pretend it wasn't a briefing).
posted by zachlipton at 11:38 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:38 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
There is so much "But Clinton!" and "But Obama!" in Spicer's take on the news.
Yup, and has been mentioned before, that move has a name and a history: Whataboutism is a term describing a propaganda technique used by the Soviet Union in its dealings with the Western world during the Cold War. When criticisms were levelled at the Soviet Union, the response would be "What about..." followed by the naming of an event in the Western world.
posted by neroli at 11:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
Yup, and has been mentioned before, that move has a name and a history: Whataboutism is a term describing a propaganda technique used by the Soviet Union in its dealings with the Western world during the Cold War. When criticisms were levelled at the Soviet Union, the response would be "What about..." followed by the naming of an event in the Western world.
posted by neroli at 11:39 AM on March 31, 2017 [22 favorites]
Watching these press conferences, I'm struck with a parallel frustration
Yeah, the press conference process is a silly game, and I don't understand why the reporters continue to play it. I guess the idea is that if they don't play along, they will lose "access." But who cares? Some of them must believe they are real journalists. If so, why do they continue to ask unrelated questions after a Spicer utters a blatant lie? Why do they never point out that he just lied?
'Spicer Dodges Question At Press Briefing'
'Spicer Declines To Deny Allegations'
'Spicer Offers No Proof For Claims When Pressed'
That's all well and good. But "Spicer called out on series of blatant lies" would be even better.
posted by diogenes at 11:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, the press conference process is a silly game, and I don't understand why the reporters continue to play it. I guess the idea is that if they don't play along, they will lose "access." But who cares? Some of them must believe they are real journalists. If so, why do they continue to ask unrelated questions after a Spicer utters a blatant lie? Why do they never point out that he just lied?
'Spicer Dodges Question At Press Briefing'
'Spicer Declines To Deny Allegations'
'Spicer Offers No Proof For Claims When Pressed'
That's all well and good. But "Spicer called out on series of blatant lies" would be even better.
posted by diogenes at 11:40 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
For example, when Spicer says he isn't aware that the FBI's investigation was expanded to include Trump/campaign (which he just did), why not read him Comey's words that say the exact opposite? Letting that shit slide is worse than not being in the room at all.
posted by diogenes at 11:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 11:44 AM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
There's no way they could actually pass any amendments through a Convention, which would be a chaotic clusterfuck of competing ideas of who's the most freedom of them all, combined with an orgy of corporate influence buying.
A Constitutional Convention (they're one governor shy of being able to do this unilaterally) has broad power to rework or even replace the founding documents of the country. Regardless of other policy differences they might have, I'm sure they could come to some agreement about new arrangements for voting rights and districting processes.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
A Constitutional Convention (they're one governor shy of being able to do this unilaterally) has broad power to rework or even replace the founding documents of the country. Regardless of other policy differences they might have, I'm sure they could come to some agreement about new arrangements for voting rights and districting processes.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Sean Spicer is impostor's syndrome made flesh.
...
This whole administration has the opposite of impostor syndrome: the belief that one is competent, capable, and fiercely intelligent when one is, in fact, a moron.
But that's it exactly; Spicer and the rest of the Trump administration are literally how I imagine my inner incompetent dummy-self when I am deep in the throes of my own imposter syndrome. He's blowing it in exactly the way I would in my deepest, darkest showing-up-naked-for-a-calculus-test-that-I-never-studied-for nightmares.
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
...
This whole administration has the opposite of impostor syndrome: the belief that one is competent, capable, and fiercely intelligent when one is, in fact, a moron.
But that's it exactly; Spicer and the rest of the Trump administration are literally how I imagine my inner incompetent dummy-self when I am deep in the throes of my own imposter syndrome. He's blowing it in exactly the way I would in my deepest, darkest showing-up-naked-for-a-calculus-test-that-I-never-studied-for nightmares.
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:45 AM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
This was the Spiciest Spicer yet. Where was his prop box? 13/10 would be spiced again.
posted by dis_integration at 11:46 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by dis_integration at 11:46 AM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
Why can't these folks [in the press briefing] think on their feet & call Spicer on the shit he is saying *at the moment*? If they *are* going to ask off-topic questions, why aren't they equipped to rebuke his deflections? I'm not a journalist, but just watching this from my armchair, it's pretty obvious that "obsession with the process rather than the content" is the guy's go-to (for that particular example). So be prepared for that!
But that would be work!
posted by Gelatin at 11:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
But that would be work!
posted by Gelatin at 11:47 AM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
The opposite of Imposter Syndrome is Dunning–Kruger Effect.
posted by monospace at 11:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [43 favorites]
posted by monospace at 11:48 AM on March 31, 2017 [43 favorites]
So relieved to see people here who know and defend the correct definition of "imposter syndrome" so other people don't get confused and make things worse for sufferers with it.
posted by saulgoodman at 11:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by saulgoodman at 11:49 AM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Right so according to the line of succession, it goes Pence>Ryan>Orrin Hatch> Tillerson>Mnuchin>Mattis>Sessions>Zinke and only THEN we get to a Democrat, Mike Young, the Secretary of Agriculture!
It's mostly a hierarchy of garbage until that point.
posted by Tarumba at 11:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's mostly a hierarchy of garbage until that point.
posted by Tarumba at 11:51 AM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
The opposite of Imposter Syndrome is Dunning–Kruger Effect.
I hear ya, but that just sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.
posted by lydhre at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I hear ya, but that just sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.
posted by lydhre at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
This was the Spiciest Spicer yet. Where was his prop box? 13/10 would be spiced again.
Kick it up a notch with a blast from the Spice Weasel. BAM!
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
Kick it up a notch with a blast from the Spice Weasel. BAM!
posted by Strange Interlude at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
Bill Kristol Verified account @BillKristol
I've avoided watching Sean Spicer briefings, but am at MSNBC watching this one. The non-stop dishonesty and irresponsibility is amazing.
Bill Kristol!
Well, if anyone would recognize non-stop dishonesty, he's your man.
posted by Gelatin at 11:54 AM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
The opposite of Imposter Syndrome is Dunning–Kruger Effect.
I hear ya, but that just sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.
Robert Ludlum surely. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
posted by chris24 at 12:01 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
I hear ya, but that just sounds like a Tom Clancy novel.
Robert Ludlum surely. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
posted by chris24 at 12:01 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Man, I cannot be the only one who's disappointed that the official who gave Nunes information along with Michael Ellis isn't named Chris Quinn, can I?
posted by holborne at 12:03 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by holborne at 12:03 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
The opposite of Imposter Syndrome is Dunning–Kruger Effect.
I looked this up and here is the original publication.
From the abstract: "the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability."
Feels so right.
posted by piyushnz at 12:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
I looked this up and here is the original publication.
From the abstract: "the authors found that participants scoring in the bottom quartile on tests of humor, grammar, and logic grossly overestimated their test performance and ability."
Feels so right.
posted by piyushnz at 12:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
I am particularly fond of this gif from reddit: Spicey Time.
posted by frecklefaerie at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [79 favorites]
posted by frecklefaerie at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [79 favorites]
I hope Kansans will learn from this lesson and boot Brownback out and elect a Democratic governor.
Brownback is term-limited. And has popularity at ~20%. Whoever runs next year, Republican and Democrat, will be running hard against Brownback's legacy.
If Kansas voters can't learn from what happened to their state, then they are beyond hope
They've learned. I've posted about this a lot in past political threads but I suppose I can't expect people to remember. In 2016, voters pushed out most of the pro-Brownback radicals in the primaries, and Democrats gained 15 seats in the general. Brownback's attempt to push out justices and pack the Kansas Supreme Court failed by a large margin.
The legislature is hostile ground for the Governor now. They've passed a repeal of his tax cuts and made an attempt to expand Medicaid. Both were vetoed and the vetoes may stay since they're 2-3 votes short of an override. I'm hoping the votes will come around eventually to break the cycle, but at least Brownback will have tremendous difficulty getting anything new & terrible through this legislature.
posted by honestcoyote at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
Brownback is term-limited. And has popularity at ~20%. Whoever runs next year, Republican and Democrat, will be running hard against Brownback's legacy.
If Kansas voters can't learn from what happened to their state, then they are beyond hope
They've learned. I've posted about this a lot in past political threads but I suppose I can't expect people to remember. In 2016, voters pushed out most of the pro-Brownback radicals in the primaries, and Democrats gained 15 seats in the general. Brownback's attempt to push out justices and pack the Kansas Supreme Court failed by a large margin.
The legislature is hostile ground for the Governor now. They've passed a repeal of his tax cuts and made an attempt to expand Medicaid. Both were vetoed and the vetoes may stay since they're 2-3 votes short of an override. I'm hoping the votes will come around eventually to break the cycle, but at least Brownback will have tremendous difficulty getting anything new & terrible through this legislature.
posted by honestcoyote at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
Spicer is, in the current press briefing, going beyond pretending the Garland nomination didn't exist to quoting Democratic objecting to blocking Garland as 'evidence' of why blocking Gorsuch would be 'unprecedented' and bad. Dude: you're literally quoting the precedent.
I've been thinking of the Garland issue, as you know, and the more I do, the more I think that McConnell was so enamored at the opportunity to display power and disrespect Obama -- "We're the majority, and we won't so much as give Garland a hearing!" -- that he made a serious strategic mistake. The Senate relies on norms and comity, but McConnell's act overstepped those unwritten bounds. The Republicans could have simply refused to confirm Garland, and if they had, they probably wouldn't be facing such a (relatively) stiff Democratic resistance, caught between the rock of failing to get Garland on the bench and the hard place of eliminating the filibuster.
(Speaking of stiff resistance, no Democratic Senator should ever cast their vote in favor of unanimous consent. They should delay everything as much as possible, even the motion to adjourn.)
posted by Gelatin at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
I've been thinking of the Garland issue, as you know, and the more I do, the more I think that McConnell was so enamored at the opportunity to display power and disrespect Obama -- "We're the majority, and we won't so much as give Garland a hearing!" -- that he made a serious strategic mistake. The Senate relies on norms and comity, but McConnell's act overstepped those unwritten bounds. The Republicans could have simply refused to confirm Garland, and if they had, they probably wouldn't be facing such a (relatively) stiff Democratic resistance, caught between the rock of failing to get Garland on the bench and the hard place of eliminating the filibuster.
(Speaking of stiff resistance, no Democratic Senator should ever cast their vote in favor of unanimous consent. They should delay everything as much as possible, even the motion to adjourn.)
posted by Gelatin at 12:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [32 favorites]
Right so according to the line of succession, it goes Pence>Ryan>Orrin Hatch> Tillerson>Mnuchin>Mattis>Sessions>Zinke and only THEN we get to a Democrat, Mike Young, the Secretary of Agriculture!
So we just have to flip the House and Senate, appoint HRC as speaker, simultaneously impeach and remove Trump and Pence, and we get HRC for president! It's as easy as completing tax reform by August!
posted by melissasaurus at 12:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
So we just have to flip the House and Senate, appoint HRC as speaker, simultaneously impeach and remove Trump and Pence, and we get HRC for president! It's as easy as completing tax reform by August!
posted by melissasaurus at 12:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
So we just have to flip the House and Senate, appoint HRC as speaker, simultaneously impeach and remove Trump and Pence, and we get HRC for president! It's as easy as completing tax reform by August!
Or as a non-zero percentage of my facebook friends report almost weekly "BERNIE CAN STILL BE PRESIDENT THANKS TO THIS ONE AMAZING TRICK."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Or as a non-zero percentage of my facebook friends report almost weekly "BERNIE CAN STILL BE PRESIDENT THANKS TO THIS ONE AMAZING TRICK."
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Also, Mike Young is only Secretary of Agriculture until the Senate confirms Sonny Perdue.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
(And yes, I know McConnell has already been overstepping the Senate's norms, such as demanding a cloture vote for everything -- even convincing the Beltway media that there's a nonexistent "60 vote requirement" to pass anything -- so he certainly thought he could get away with it, but stealing Obama's SCOTUS pick seems to be perceived as a bridge too far.)
posted by Gelatin at 12:13 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 12:13 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, Mike Young is only Secretary of Agriculture until the Senate confirms Sonny Perdue.
There is some discussion over whether an Acting Secretary is properly in the line of succession, so don't bet on the GOP rolling over and letting President Young happen in case of a happy disaster.
posted by Etrigan at 12:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
There is some discussion over whether an Acting Secretary is properly in the line of succession, so don't bet on the GOP rolling over and letting President Young happen in case of a happy disaster.
posted by Etrigan at 12:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
The GOP’s Favorite Health-Care Idea Is to Stick It to Mothers: Homer Simpson: I can’t fake an interest in this, and I’m an expert at faking an interest in your kooky projects.
Marge Simpson: What kooky projects?
Homer Simpson: You know, the painting class, the first-aid course, the whole Lamaze thing.
Now the entire Republican Party is Homer Simpson.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:16 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Marge Simpson: What kooky projects?
Homer Simpson: You know, the painting class, the first-aid course, the whole Lamaze thing.
Now the entire Republican Party is Homer Simpson.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:16 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
I've rarely watched Spicer live but wow. Head's up, SNL is back tomorrow w/Alec Baldwin.
Funny: Sean Spicer's Alternative ABC's.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:21 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Funny: Sean Spicer's Alternative ABC's.
posted by Room 641-A at 12:21 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Robert Ludlum surely. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
A spy who thinks that he is James Bond, but is more like James Comey
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:22 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
A spy who thinks that he is James Bond, but is more like James Comey
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:22 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Also, Mike Young is only Secretary of Agriculture until Trump actually nominates and then the Senate confirms Sonny Perdue.
posted by phearlez at 12:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 12:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Tom Price Intervened on Rule That Would Hurt Drug Profits, the Same Day He Acquired Drug Stock
This guy seems to have spent his entire time in Congress trading on proposed legislation and regulation.
posted by zachlipton at 12:26 PM on March 31, 2017 [34 favorites]
This guy seems to have spent his entire time in Congress trading on proposed legislation and regulation.
posted by zachlipton at 12:26 PM on March 31, 2017 [34 favorites]
Robert Ludlum surely. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
The Bourne novels are already Dunning-Kruger effect novels in that they feature military-spy complex that creates a super spy and then think they are smart enough to handle enough him....and are not. Over and over again.
posted by srboisvert at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
The Bourne novels are already Dunning-Kruger effect novels in that they feature military-spy complex that creates a super spy and then think they are smart enough to handle enough him....and are not. Over and over again.
posted by srboisvert at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
> This is absolutely the worst Spicer briefing I've seen since the very first one when he yelled false information about crowd size (the one that went so bad he tried to pretend it wasn't a briefing).
> The non-stop dishonesty and irresponsibility is amazing. – Bill Kristol!
> This was the Spiciest Spicer yet.
Not to doubt y'all, but that's what you said yesterday, too. And the one a few days before that, where he came out all sweaty and sleepy at the same time, apparently. How can he keep this up? How is he going to discuss the government shutdown on Trump's 100th day in office?
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
> The non-stop dishonesty and irresponsibility is amazing. – Bill Kristol!
> This was the Spiciest Spicer yet.
Not to doubt y'all, but that's what you said yesterday, too. And the one a few days before that, where he came out all sweaty and sleepy at the same time, apparently. How can he keep this up? How is he going to discuss the government shutdown on Trump's 100th day in office?
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
How is he going to discuss the government shutdown on Trump's 100th day in office?
SCP-1981
posted by Etrigan at 12:28 PM on March 31, 2017 [24 favorites]
SCP-1981
posted by Etrigan at 12:28 PM on March 31, 2017 [24 favorites]
Or as a non-zero percentage of my facebook friends report almost weekly "BERNIE CAN STILL BE PRESIDENT THANKS TO THIS ONE AMAZING TRICK."
Some Stein people I've managed to not defriend yet were pushing "there could be a new election if Russia is proved!" this week and I nearly broke my face from head->desking so hard.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
Some Stein people I've managed to not defriend yet were pushing "there could be a new election if Russia is proved!" this week and I nearly broke my face from head->desking so hard.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
WaPo has a summary of Trump-Russia connections that I check when I hear another name I don't recognize. It includes a timeline, photos, and a mouseover gizmo that illustrates Trump team links to Russians.
posted by kingless at 12:34 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by kingless at 12:34 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Some Stein people I've managed to not defriend yet were pushing "there could be a new election if Russia is proved!" this week
I have seen that one too. I suppose its good to be reminded that the right hasn't completely cornered the market on crazypants.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I have seen that one too. I suppose its good to be reminded that the right hasn't completely cornered the market on crazypants.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
DCCC Email Watch update:
I cannot stop laughing at James Carville's opening line, James Carville has broken me
posted by jason_steakums at 12:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
I cannot stop laughing at James Carville's opening line, James Carville has broken me
posted by jason_steakums at 12:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
To the extent that I can care about somebody I genuinely loathe, I am honestly worried about Spicer. When Price was spinning the health care bill, it was like, that guy's the devil, he could say any evil shit in a soothing tone. But Spicer is like that asshole kid that the teacher has to deal with who starts wildly spinning excuses that make no sense for doing or not doing something important. As annoying as it is, I want to to them to stop lying for their own health. It looks fucking exhausting.
posted by angrycat at 12:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by angrycat at 12:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
That Carville thing is pretty great.
posted by phearlez at 12:49 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by phearlez at 12:49 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
"KNOCK KNOCK. WHO'S THERE? JAMES CARVILLE. GIMME FIVE BUCKS." is probably my next CoolGames Inc title submission.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:53 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 12:53 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that when 45 "considers resigning", he thinks it means they're going to give him another Muslim ban that he can sign again, hence, resign.
posted by LionIndex at 12:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 12:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
To the extent that I can care about somebody I genuinely loathe, I am honestly worried about Spicer.
My wife has a colleague who is friends with him (no idea whether this means passing acquaintance because of some school time together or drinks every Sunday evening like clockwork) and after his first week as PressSec she commented to this person that she felt sorta bad for him. SpiceFriend said don't - he knew what he was getting into and went into this with eyes open because he wanted this job.
You can argue whether anyone going to work in that clownshow really knows what they're gonna be in for but as far as I'm concerned that was all the permission I needed to think of him as just another collaborator. If someone who knows and likes him can see that first week and the inauguration size shitshow and think eh, sounds like what he expected then who am I to worry about Spicey needing to live with the consequences of his choices?
posted by phearlez at 12:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
My wife has a colleague who is friends with him (no idea whether this means passing acquaintance because of some school time together or drinks every Sunday evening like clockwork) and after his first week as PressSec she commented to this person that she felt sorta bad for him. SpiceFriend said don't - he knew what he was getting into and went into this with eyes open because he wanted this job.
You can argue whether anyone going to work in that clownshow really knows what they're gonna be in for but as far as I'm concerned that was all the permission I needed to think of him as just another collaborator. If someone who knows and likes him can see that first week and the inauguration size shitshow and think eh, sounds like what he expected then who am I to worry about Spicey needing to live with the consequences of his choices?
posted by phearlez at 12:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
I am against anthropomorphising these people.
posted by Artw at 12:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [104 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [104 favorites]
Facebook link: Friday, March 31, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks and a whole host of stars will be performing right here in your newsfeed to raise money for the amazing ACLU.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
SpiceFriend said don't - he knew what he was getting into and went into this with eyes open because he wanted this job.
Moreover, nothing's stopping him for quitting. I seriously doubt he'd be endangering his family's livelihood -- I'm sure he could swing a generous book deal, and the fact that he is, yes, a willing collaborator to this horrible administration means he could certainly pick up work on the wingnut welfare circuit (which these clowns probably figure they earn. Feh).
Remember that these people, including Spicer, are working against the interest of people who literally can't afford to quit their jobs no matter how bad they get.
posted by Gelatin at 12:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Moreover, nothing's stopping him for quitting. I seriously doubt he'd be endangering his family's livelihood -- I'm sure he could swing a generous book deal, and the fact that he is, yes, a willing collaborator to this horrible administration means he could certainly pick up work on the wingnut welfare circuit (which these clowns probably figure they earn. Feh).
Remember that these people, including Spicer, are working against the interest of people who literally can't afford to quit their jobs no matter how bad they get.
posted by Gelatin at 12:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Pet croutons, not Spicey.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 12:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'm seriously considering starting a Twitter account that just posts lines from the increasingly bizarre fundraising emails the DCCC sends, yesterday I got one with the subject line just "all hope is lost"
Their copy writer has got two modes, obnoxiously shaming you or complete insanity
posted by jason_steakums at 1:00 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Their copy writer has got two modes, obnoxiously shaming you or complete insanity
posted by jason_steakums at 1:00 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
Bahahaha
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders. Pence went and picked it up from deskposted by phearlez at 1:00 PM on March 31, 2017 [88 favorites]
From what I've read, Spicy has an absolutely desperate need to be perceived by everyone as an important insider. And he finally did it, he is living his dream. Except his dream turned out to be a nightmare. He knew what he was doing and I feel no sympathy, but man what a life lesson. Be careful what you wish for, friends. You might wake up one morning and find you're the Mouth of Sauron and Melissa McCarthy is ramming people with a podium pretending to be you on late night TV.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:02 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:02 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders.
Trump has always presented as someone who has no idea what he's doing outside his extremely narrow skill set, so when things like the health care bill explode on him, one can imagine him being baffled and confused. But on the whole Russia scandal -- stemming from the day he refused to release his tax returns -- Trump has acted like he knows damn well he's guilty as sin.
posted by Gelatin at 1:03 PM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
Trump has always presented as someone who has no idea what he's doing outside his extremely narrow skill set, so when things like the health care bill explode on him, one can imagine him being baffled and confused. But on the whole Russia scandal -- stemming from the day he refused to release his tax returns -- Trump has acted like he knows damn well he's guilty as sin.
posted by Gelatin at 1:03 PM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
Also from that same twitter feed: "earlier, unprompted, Trump said of Pence: "I will tell you one thing, he has one hell of a good marriage going.""
I mean, Pence lives with his wife, so.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
I mean, Pence lives with his wife, so.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
I've rarely watched Spicer live but wow. Head's up, SNL is back tomorrow w/Alec Baldwin.
Per the SNL site, the next new episode in the 8th, a week from tomorrow.
posted by chris24 at 1:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Per the SNL site, the next new episode in the 8th, a week from tomorrow.
posted by chris24 at 1:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders. Pence went and picked it up from desk
The symbolism. It hurts.
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
The symbolism. It hurts.
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
How can he keep this up?
He could respond to every question with "I know you are but what am I?"
(I fully expect to see this before we're finished.)
posted by octobersurprise at 1:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
He could respond to every question with "I know you are but what am I?"
(I fully expect to see this before we're finished.)
posted by octobersurprise at 1:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
From what I've read, Spicy has an absolutely desperate need to be perceived by everyone as an important insider. And he finally did it, he is living his dream. Except his dream turned out to be a nightmare. He knew what he was doing and I feel no sympathy, but man what a life lesson. Be careful what you wish for, friends. You might wake up one morning and find you're the Mouth of Sauron and Melissa McCarthy is ramming people with a podium pretending to be you on late night TV.
One of these days he's going to snap and roll up to the podium in the bunny suit, refusing to answer questions that aren't directed at Mr. Bunny
posted by jason_steakums at 1:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
One of these days he's going to snap and roll up to the podium in the bunny suit, refusing to answer questions that aren't directed at Mr. Bunny
posted by jason_steakums at 1:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
I have zero sympathy for Spicer. He's willingly kept that job. He lies to the American people frequently. He defends executive orders and legislation that are morally reprehensible and quite literally are trying to destroy people's lives.
He didn't just go into it with his eyes open. He's kept doing the job knowing that he's actively harming American citizens and willfully lying to protect one of the most corrupt Presidents we've ever had, as part of one of the most scandal-ridden administrations this country has ever seen.
He's a collaborator. What a shame we don't live in a just world, where that will catch up to him one day.
posted by zarq at 1:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
He didn't just go into it with his eyes open. He's kept doing the job knowing that he's actively harming American citizens and willfully lying to protect one of the most corrupt Presidents we've ever had, as part of one of the most scandal-ridden administrations this country has ever seen.
He's a collaborator. What a shame we don't live in a just world, where that will catch up to him one day.
posted by zarq at 1:11 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
The above article "Tom Price Intervened on Rule That Would Hurt Drug Profits, the Same Day He Acquired Drug Stock" says:
"On March 17, 2016, Price’s broker purchased shares worth between $1,000 and $15,000 each in Eli Lilly, Amgen, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, McKesson, Pfizer and Biogen. The same day that Price blocked a rule that would hurt drug companies."
I decided to check before and after prices. I used this CNBC tool. For dates over one year ago, it allows me to prices at the beginning of the week, rather than daily resolution.
Eli Lilly
3/14/2016 close: 70.95 (about a twelve-month low).
3/28/2016 close: 73.42
4/18/2016 close: 77.83
Amgen
3/14/2016 close: 145.51 (about a six-month low).
3/28/2016 close: 154.16
4/18/2016 close: 163.19
Bristol-Meyers
3/14/2016 close: 62.83
3/28/2016 close: 66.07
4/18/2016 close: 70.68
McKesson
3/14/2016 close: 158.31
3/28/2016 close: 157.41
4/18/2016 close: 178.25
Pfizer
3/14/2016 close: 29.45
3/28/2016 close: 30.04
4/18/2016 close: 33.27
Biogen
3/14/2016 close: 230.99
3/28/2016 close: 239.98
4/18/2016 close: 260.40
His stockbroker bought six stocks each of which made a 9.7% or more jump in one month.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
"On March 17, 2016, Price’s broker purchased shares worth between $1,000 and $15,000 each in Eli Lilly, Amgen, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, McKesson, Pfizer and Biogen. The same day that Price blocked a rule that would hurt drug companies."
I decided to check before and after prices. I used this CNBC tool. For dates over one year ago, it allows me to prices at the beginning of the week, rather than daily resolution.
Eli Lilly
3/14/2016 close: 70.95 (about a twelve-month low).
3/28/2016 close: 73.42
4/18/2016 close: 77.83
Amgen
3/14/2016 close: 145.51 (about a six-month low).
3/28/2016 close: 154.16
4/18/2016 close: 163.19
Bristol-Meyers
3/14/2016 close: 62.83
3/28/2016 close: 66.07
4/18/2016 close: 70.68
McKesson
3/14/2016 close: 158.31
3/28/2016 close: 157.41
4/18/2016 close: 178.25
Pfizer
3/14/2016 close: 29.45
3/28/2016 close: 30.04
4/18/2016 close: 33.27
Biogen
3/14/2016 close: 230.99
3/28/2016 close: 239.98
4/18/2016 close: 260.40
His stockbroker bought six stocks each of which made a 9.7% or more jump in one month.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [45 favorites]
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders. Pence went and picked it up from desk
I can't find it now, but this is definitely not the first time he's done this.
Per the SNL site, the next new episode in the 8th, a week from tomorrow.
Sorry, I stand corrected! A practice run never hurts, though.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I can't find it now, but this is definitely not the first time he's done this.
Per the SNL site, the next new episode in the 8th, a week from tomorrow.
Sorry, I stand corrected! A practice run never hurts, though.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders
This is at least the second time this has happened, albeit for difference reasons:
posted by jedicus at 1:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is at least the second time this has happened, albeit for difference reasons:
THE PRESIDENT: Even you might say -- (laughter) -- this is about four years faster than they thought would have happened. So it’s my honor. And, fellas, go back to work, all right? I think we’ll take them into the Oval Office, right? Let’s take them into the Oval Office. Let’s have a little tour, okay? They’ve probably been there many times before. (Laughter.) Come on. Come with me. Good.The first time seemed like evidence of dementia. This time it seems like evidence of guilt.
Thank you, everybody. Thank you, very much.
AIDE: Sign the bill here.
THE PRESIDENT: Oh. (Laughter.) I could have gotten away with it.
PARTICIPANT: It’s the important part.
posted by jedicus at 1:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
He's forgotten to sign orders before and came back to do it. This time, it looks more like he just plain left, presumably because he was getting questions about Flynn, and Pence took the orders to another room to sign them there.
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
I cannot stop laughing at James Carville's opening line, James Carville has broken me
The internet does not have a decent clip of Carville's "Cajun style" cameo on 30 Rock, which is bullshit.
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders. Pence went and picked it up from desk
Did you forget the [fake] tag on this? You forgot the [fake] tag on this, right? That's not what actually happened, right?
He's forgotten to sign orders before and came back to do it. This time, it looks more like he just plain left, presumably because he was getting questions about Flynn, and Pence took the orders to another room to sign them there.
Jesus Christ. Just... Jesus Christ.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
The internet does not have a decent clip of Carville's "Cajun style" cameo on 30 Rock, which is bullshit.
after @MajorCBS asks about Flynn, Trump leaves signing ceremony without signing executive orders. Pence went and picked it up from desk
Did you forget the [fake] tag on this? You forgot the [fake] tag on this, right? That's not what actually happened, right?
He's forgotten to sign orders before and came back to do it. This time, it looks more like he just plain left, presumably because he was getting questions about Flynn, and Pence took the orders to another room to sign them there.
Jesus Christ. Just... Jesus Christ.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:27 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
You have to be kidding me: President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 2017 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
I know just the tape we can play to raise awareness.
posted by zachlipton at 1:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [82 favorites]
I know just the tape we can play to raise awareness.
posted by zachlipton at 1:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [82 favorites]
See, that’s just sloppy editing. He actually proclaimed it “National Sexual Assault, Awareness, and Prevention Month.”
posted by nicepersonality at 1:30 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by nicepersonality at 1:30 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
....is it April Fool's Day a few hours early?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:31 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:31 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
McCaskill confims she is No on Gorsuch, No on cloture (= yes, will filibuster).
posted by Chrysostom at 1:33 PM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 1:33 PM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
I faxed Warner, if anyone cares this is what I said (minus my full name and address)
Do the rest of you who fax just use the cover page to send your whole message or are you adding a regular page to the cover page?
posted by phearlez at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
Senator Warner,And yes, the version I sent him included the part where I called myself a contituent. I feel like a total boob. I'd originally typed this in the fax box for the cover page and let it psych me out when it asked if I really wanted to send it without a cover page. So I copied most of it into a doc to make a PDF and didn't bother to check the spelling. Oops.
I want to implore you filibuster the Gorsuch nomination for the forseeable future. After a year of Senate Republicans holding the Democrats to a 60 vote requirement for the nomination of M Garland it would be madness to turn around and not demand the same of them. I realize that Senators have a strong commitment to the idea of norms; I suggest that McConnell has shifted the norms to this point and if you do not hold them to the same standard then we will have a forseeable future where all Democratic nominees require 60 votes but Republican nominees do not.
Further, several of your fellow Senators have reported that Gorsuch has failed to respond to their queries or meet with them. If the prospect of self-inflicted asymetric warfare is not enough to motivate you then this, at least, should be. If the Senate's role in confirmation is to mean anything then nominees should respond to all Senators, not just the minimum necessary to get by. You owe it to us, your contituents, as well as your fellow Senators and party members.
Lastly I think that the current degree of turmoil and uncertainty around the Trump administration calls for a delay in moving forwards this nomination. If the Court could - by Republican calculation - survive a full year with 8 members then what's the rush?
I could go on with numerous concerns I have with Gorsuch as a Justice but perhaps those go more towards the question of confirmation rather than the vote itself. Please slow this process down and refuse cloture.
Do the rest of you who fax just use the cover page to send your whole message or are you adding a regular page to the cover page?
posted by phearlez at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [18 favorites]
Whenever I see a graph of connected nodes like the WaPo graph of Trump/Russia connections, I have to play Planarity with it. (This graph can be made strictly planar, but I chose to allow some intersections to place similar nodes close to one another; hopefully it's still intelligible.)
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Good, that was just some stupid talk before.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017
posted by leotrotsky at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017
In all fairness, I think the top level tweet oversells that video. Trump was already on he way out when the question was asked, it's not like he got asked that then took his ball and went home. And it's not entirely clear to me that this wasn't just his postulated dementia followed by "don't make me look like a jackass going back out there again" -- not great on its own, but different from the framing of "Oh shit he's asking about Flynn, get me out of here".
posted by jammer at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jammer at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 2017 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Flames, flames on the side of my face.
posted by amarynth at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
Flames, flames on the side of my face.
posted by amarynth at 1:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
C'mon you guys, even someone with the world's greatest memory can make a mistake.
posted by ryanrs at 1:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 1:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 2017 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Personally, I'm surprised to see the word "and."
posted by Mister Fabulous at 1:46 PM on March 31, 2017 [53 favorites]
Personally, I'm surprised to see the word "and."
posted by Mister Fabulous at 1:46 PM on March 31, 2017 [53 favorites]
A counterpoint to the present moment, from Jeet Heer at The New Republic: “Democrats Will Lose a War of Obstruction With Republicans”
posted by Going To Maine at 1:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Going To Maine at 1:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Do the rest of you who fax just use the cover page to send your whole message?
I've used free online fax, written on the cover page rather than type/attach a doc. (But had the same "Is it OK?" panic.)
posted by NorthernLite at 1:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've used free online fax, written on the cover page rather than type/attach a doc. (But had the same "Is it OK?" panic.)
posted by NorthernLite at 1:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
President Donald J. Trump Proclaims April 2017 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
You know what, I'm into this. New project for April: raising awareness of sexual assault allegations against Republicans in power. Starting, of course, with the Assaulter In Chief.
Shame there aren't more days in April, I'll only get through a fraction of the GOP.
posted by galaxy rise at 1:53 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
You know what, I'm into this. New project for April: raising awareness of sexual assault allegations against Republicans in power. Starting, of course, with the Assaulter In Chief.
Shame there aren't more days in April, I'll only get through a fraction of the GOP.
posted by galaxy rise at 1:53 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
Don Jr. is the featured speaker at the Indiana Republican Party Spring Dinner.
Being off running the business sure takes you to some odd places.
posted by zachlipton at 1:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
Being off running the business sure takes you to some odd places.
posted by zachlipton at 1:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
I remember watching The Apprentice and thinking Don Jr was a lightweight and inadequate replacement for Carolyn, and that proved to be the high watermark for my opinion of him
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:00 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 2:00 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
[Spicer] didn't just go into it with his eyes open. He's kept doing the job knowing that he's actively harming American citizens and willfully lying to protect one of the most corrupt Presidents we've ever had, as part of one of the most scandal-ridden administrations this country has ever seen.
Serious question: Where does he go from here? He's not just part of a corrupt administration. He's terrible at his job, and he demonstrates it on national television daily. At this point, Spicer's single biggest known trait is his complete lack of credibility. Who's gonna hire him now?
I have absolutely no sympathy for him and I'll be fine if he winds up destitute from all this. But if one wonders why he stays and presses on despite the misery he must be feeling, that has to be it. Where else does he have to go? His presumptive eventual tell-all book will only carry him so far, and even that will have basically no credibility because it will be written by Sean Spicer.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Serious question: Where does he go from here? He's not just part of a corrupt administration. He's terrible at his job, and he demonstrates it on national television daily. At this point, Spicer's single biggest known trait is his complete lack of credibility. Who's gonna hire him now?
I have absolutely no sympathy for him and I'll be fine if he winds up destitute from all this. But if one wonders why he stays and presses on despite the misery he must be feeling, that has to be it. Where else does he have to go? His presumptive eventual tell-all book will only carry him so far, and even that will have basically no credibility because it will be written by Sean Spicer.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
Aha, here's the video of Trump forgetting to sign the orders.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:10 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Well that's embarrassing. He lumbers out and barely acknowledges Pence trying to catch his attention.
What was the air horn at the end?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
What was the air horn at the end?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Serious question: Where does he go from here? He's not just part of a corrupt administration. He's terrible at his job, and he demonstrates it on national television daily. At this point, Spicer’s single biggest known trait is his complete lack of credibility. Who’s gonna hire him now?
If Donald Trump can win the Presidency, Sean Spicer can find a job.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
If Donald Trump can win the Presidency, Sean Spicer can find a job.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
TWinbrook8: "What was the air horn at the end?"
That's a Vic Berger (the twitterer who posted the video) thing. He makes weird edits to videos and the air horn thing is kind of an absurdist punctuation that he throws in there. It's not super effective in this instance, especially if you're not already familiar with his particular style.
posted by mhum at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
That's a Vic Berger (the twitterer who posted the video) thing. He makes weird edits to videos and the air horn thing is kind of an absurdist punctuation that he throws in there. It's not super effective in this instance, especially if you're not already familiar with his particular style.
posted by mhum at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
I feel like that New Republic article fails by deliberately sidestepping two things.
Two, I don't see what difference it makes that this is a supposed "Scalia for Scalia" but maybe next time it's a, I dunno, demon from hell who eats babies replacing RBG. If the Republicans are willing to shitcan the filibuster then there's two ways this goes down:
Dems don't filibuster this time, Gorsuch confirmed.
Dems filibuster next time, Republicans eliminate the filibuster, Asmodeus confirmed
or
Dems filibuster this time, Republicans eliminate the filibuster, Gorsuch confirmed
Asmodeus confirmed.
What exactly is the difference? Dem Senators get to keep cuddling their little Filibuster dolls at night between now and Asmodeus? So what? It feels very accelerationist to advocate for this but I'm legit unclear on what is different in the time between.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe you hope that there's a willingness to dump the filibuster now, a year and a half out from another election, than there would be at some future time. But that's based on speculation that the next SC vacancy is between now and Jan 2019. But maybe the next vacancy is Sep 2018 and they're even more motivated to seat a justice so they dump the filibuster and ram it through in a week. Maybe they keep the Senate and the vacancy opens Jan 7th 2019 so there's the same long lead to embolden them.
posted by phearlez at 2:25 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
The problem for Democrats is how to make Washington governable again, if and when they return to power. The supermajority threshold is—or was—key to fostering comity in the Senate. “The purpose of the rule is to promote bipartisanship and consensus, which, in turn, creates legitimacy and buy-in for policy and governance,” the Post’s Paul Kane wrote on Wednesday. “If the filibuster goes away, so does yet another layer of collegiality in Congress—and another way to shore up Washington’s credibility.”One, the supermajority rule isn't working anymore. Clap harder isn't going to fix it. So barring pixie magic, what good does it do? As the article says, there's an imbalance here already with the Republicans being the party that wants to stop things from getting done. A mechanism for them to grind things to a halt when they are not in the majority is always going to be more useful to them. Preserving the mechanism for them to do that without alteration doesn't do anything to fix the problem.
Two, I don't see what difference it makes that this is a supposed "Scalia for Scalia" but maybe next time it's a, I dunno, demon from hell who eats babies replacing RBG. If the Republicans are willing to shitcan the filibuster then there's two ways this goes down:
Dems don't filibuster this time, Gorsuch confirmed.
Dems filibuster next time, Republicans eliminate the filibuster, Asmodeus confirmed
or
Dems filibuster this time, Republicans eliminate the filibuster, Gorsuch confirmed
Asmodeus confirmed.
What exactly is the difference? Dem Senators get to keep cuddling their little Filibuster dolls at night between now and Asmodeus? So what? It feels very accelerationist to advocate for this but I'm legit unclear on what is different in the time between.
The only thing I can think of is that maybe you hope that there's a willingness to dump the filibuster now, a year and a half out from another election, than there would be at some future time. But that's based on speculation that the next SC vacancy is between now and Jan 2019. But maybe the next vacancy is Sep 2018 and they're even more motivated to seat a justice so they dump the filibuster and ram it through in a week. Maybe they keep the Senate and the vacancy opens Jan 7th 2019 so there's the same long lead to embolden them.
posted by phearlez at 2:25 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
If Donald Trump can win the Presidency, Sean Spicer can find a job.
So what you're saying is, Putin will hire him?
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:30 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
So what you're saying is, Putin will hire him?
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:30 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
or maybe the Republicans are all hat and no cattle when it comes to getting rid of the filibuster - they certainly talked big about health care reform until they actually had to do it
posted by kokaku at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
The line that I've seen not-crazy, knowledgeable people make is that McConnell would have a substantially tougher time getting his majority to nuke the filibuster over replacing $LIBERAL than he would for confirming Gorsuch. But if they nuke the filibuster now, they don't need to get any votes to do it because it's been did.
Dunno that I agree but it's not bonkers.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dunno that I agree but it's not bonkers.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
From what I've read, Spicy has an absolutely desperate need to be perceived by everyone as an important insider. And he finally did it, he is living his dream. Except his dream turned out to be a nightmare.
Are you saying that this whole goddamn treasonous mess of an administration is happening because Sean Spicer once wished on a monkey's paw?
posted by Servo5678 at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
Are you saying that this whole goddamn treasonous mess of an administration is happening because Sean Spicer once wished on a monkey's paw?
posted by Servo5678 at 2:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
or maybe the Republicans are all hat and no cattle when it comes to getting rid of the filibuster - they certainly talked big about health care reform until they actually had to do it
dare them to do it
posted by kokaku at 2:33 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
dare them to do it
posted by kokaku at 2:33 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I do love the NYT headline about Flynn: "Flynn offers to testify, but wants immunity first." Heh. How about we don't give you immunity and just subpoena your ass?
I do love how fast this administration went from 'America First!' to 'Immunity First!'
posted by eclectist at 2:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
I do love how fast this administration went from 'America First!' to 'Immunity First!'
posted by eclectist at 2:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Appropriators tiptoe around Trump traps
There seems to be bipartisan agreement on just pretending Trump and his 2017 spending plans just don't exist to avoid a government shutdown.
posted by zachlipton at 2:38 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
There seems to be bipartisan agreement on just pretending Trump and his 2017 spending plans just don't exist to avoid a government shutdown.
posted by zachlipton at 2:38 PM on March 31, 2017 [11 favorites]
From what I’ve read, Spicy has an absolutely desperate need to be perceived by everyone as an important insider. And he finally did it, he is living his dream. Except his dream turned out to be a nightmare.
Are you saying that this whole goddamn treasonous mess of an administration is happening because Sean Spicer once wished on a monkey’s paw?
I think we can all agree that the monkey’s paw wish that made this Presidency was when GWB wished to not be the worst president of the 21st century.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [33 favorites]
Are you saying that this whole goddamn treasonous mess of an administration is happening because Sean Spicer once wished on a monkey’s paw?
I think we can all agree that the monkey’s paw wish that made this Presidency was when GWB wished to not be the worst president of the 21st century.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [33 favorites]
Appropriators tiptoe around Trump trapsI don't care how nicely you ask, I'm not covering this
posted by pxe2000 at 2:53 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Serious question: Where does he go from here? He's not just part of a corrupt administration. He's terrible at his job, and he demonstrates it on national television daily. At this point, Spicer's single biggest known trait is his complete lack of credibility. Who's gonna hire him now?
FOX News. I'm not kidding, he's got a lifetime appointment on wingnut welfare any time he wants it, just like Bill Kristol, Jeffery Lord, Rick Santorum, etc. It's literally not possible to be too discredited and untrustworthy for rightwing propaganda.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
FOX News. I'm not kidding, he's got a lifetime appointment on wingnut welfare any time he wants it, just like Bill Kristol, Jeffery Lord, Rick Santorum, etc. It's literally not possible to be too discredited and untrustworthy for rightwing propaganda.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [23 favorites]
I mean, Oliver North was hired by Fox and their viewers lapped it up like cream.
posted by darkstar at 3:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 3:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
The Nimble Navigator News Hour, hosted by "Spicy" Sean Spicer, with regular call-ins by Former President Donald Trump from the Federal prison where he remains incarcerated
a boy can dream
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
a boy can dream
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
They love to threaten to CALL A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION! A CONVENTION I TELL YOU! To do...something. They have no idea what. A balanced budget amendment is the most cited thing, but that would basically kill the federal government.
I mean, that's the whole point for some of them. It's in keeping with the fact that the Trump team is simply letting federal agencies spin out their clocks without any new appointments or hires. Bannon explicitly said it: he wants to 'deconstruct the administrative state.'
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 3:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
I mean, that's the whole point for some of them. It's in keeping with the fact that the Trump team is simply letting federal agencies spin out their clocks without any new appointments or hires. Bannon explicitly said it: he wants to 'deconstruct the administrative state.'
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 3:15 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sean "Flop Sweat" Spicer. A.k.a. Spicey, a.k.a. Floppy.
ah Floppy Spice, the ill-fated 6th member of the Spice Girls
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
ah Floppy Spice, the ill-fated 6th member of the Spice Girls
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
To further my thought from earlier (re: poor direct questioning and poor Spicer-spin rebuttal), Spicer brought up Farkas numerous times.
How difficult would it be to say: "you claim that Farkas has gone on record substantiating the administration's claims that Obama illegally conducted surveillance of Trump & that this was politically motivated. However, it is clear from Farkas' own statements that her concerns were that this intelligence might be erased once the current administration took power. Given the administration's aggressive purging of climate change research data and other such actions, wouldn't Farkas' concerns be justified? How is it "political" to fear the destruction of intelligence that might expose such dangerous evidence as a foreign entity interfering with an American election?"
This is Farkas' quote:
“I was urging my former colleagues, and, frankly speaking, the people on the Hill – it was more actually aimed at telling the Hill people – get as much information as you can, get as much intelligence as you can, before President Obama leaves the administration, because I had a fear that somehow that information would disappear with the senior people who left.”
Why can't a reporter read that quote, directly point at the administration's on-the-record behavior of purging data & research it doesn't like, and then ask how being concerned about such behavior is partisan and/or how that possibly supports the administration's claim that Obama conducted illegal surveillance on Trump?
I simply don't understand lame-duck fishing attempts like: "Can you comment on the fact that someone in the white house must have been in communication with Nunes?" It's like they're hoping that they can gently tug at the frayed end of a sweater & then Spicer will spend the next hour yanking at it himself. That's a nice fantasy, but it seems clear to me that short of some fantastic reporting jujutsu, Spicer is quite capable of batting away a pesky thread tug.
So if that's the case, why aren't we just going for the throat? There is *so* much available fodder based *purely* on what Spicer says that it's not necessary to ask speculative questions & hope for some bombshell revelation. Just call him on the lies & story changes & constantly throw his own words & the context of his mis-quotes, etc. back at him in every question. Put pressure on him, not by asking "tough" questions that he can just "no comment" away, but instead by scrutinizing what he *will* comment on.
"With all due respect, Mr. Spicer, if Trump's communication was swept up while listening in on known Russian operatives attempting to interfere with the election because they were the other party on the line, the Trump team isn't an innocent bystander."
If you must go fishing, do it as question one of two. Let Spicer swat it down & then follow up like a journalist that's paying attention to what the press secretary himself is saying in addition to what other news outlets published the day before.
posted by narwhal at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
How difficult would it be to say: "you claim that Farkas has gone on record substantiating the administration's claims that Obama illegally conducted surveillance of Trump & that this was politically motivated. However, it is clear from Farkas' own statements that her concerns were that this intelligence might be erased once the current administration took power. Given the administration's aggressive purging of climate change research data and other such actions, wouldn't Farkas' concerns be justified? How is it "political" to fear the destruction of intelligence that might expose such dangerous evidence as a foreign entity interfering with an American election?"
This is Farkas' quote:
“I was urging my former colleagues, and, frankly speaking, the people on the Hill – it was more actually aimed at telling the Hill people – get as much information as you can, get as much intelligence as you can, before President Obama leaves the administration, because I had a fear that somehow that information would disappear with the senior people who left.”
Why can't a reporter read that quote, directly point at the administration's on-the-record behavior of purging data & research it doesn't like, and then ask how being concerned about such behavior is partisan and/or how that possibly supports the administration's claim that Obama conducted illegal surveillance on Trump?
I simply don't understand lame-duck fishing attempts like: "Can you comment on the fact that someone in the white house must have been in communication with Nunes?" It's like they're hoping that they can gently tug at the frayed end of a sweater & then Spicer will spend the next hour yanking at it himself. That's a nice fantasy, but it seems clear to me that short of some fantastic reporting jujutsu, Spicer is quite capable of batting away a pesky thread tug.
So if that's the case, why aren't we just going for the throat? There is *so* much available fodder based *purely* on what Spicer says that it's not necessary to ask speculative questions & hope for some bombshell revelation. Just call him on the lies & story changes & constantly throw his own words & the context of his mis-quotes, etc. back at him in every question. Put pressure on him, not by asking "tough" questions that he can just "no comment" away, but instead by scrutinizing what he *will* comment on.
"With all due respect, Mr. Spicer, if Trump's communication was swept up while listening in on known Russian operatives attempting to interfere with the election because they were the other party on the line, the Trump team isn't an innocent bystander."
If you must go fishing, do it as question one of two. Let Spicer swat it down & then follow up like a journalist that's paying attention to what the press secretary himself is saying in addition to what other news outlets published the day before.
posted by narwhal at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
He lumbers out and barely acknowledges Pence trying to catch his attention.
Why is he leaving? Isn't that his office?
posted by kirkaracha at 3:22 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
ah Floppy Spice, the ill-fated 6th member of the Spice Girls
If you wanna be in government you gotta be our friends. Millions in donations then your influence never ends.
posted by Talez at 3:37 PM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
If you wanna be in government you gotta be our friends. Millions in donations then your influence never ends.
posted by Talez at 3:37 PM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
He lumbers out and barely acknowledges Pence trying to catch his attention.
Why is he leaving? Isn't that his office?
Headed to the golf course? He's late to his three-day weekend.
posted by Surely This at 3:42 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
C'mon you guys, even someone with the world's greatest memory can make a mistake.
Has this video been posted? It's the president on a riff about being on live tv and never making a mistake, then he turns it over to the man next to him, "Go ahead, Ken" Trump says. That man introduces himself as Chuck Canterbury.
posted by peeedro at 3:42 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Has this video been posted? It's the president on a riff about being on live tv and never making a mistake, then he turns it over to the man next to him, "Go ahead, Ken" Trump says. That man introduces himself as Chuck Canterbury.
posted by peeedro at 3:42 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Adam Schiff has seen the information Nunes got so excited about, and he doesn't get it (link to tweet by HuffPo journalist, so):
Nothing I could see today warranted a departure from the normal review procedures, and these materials should now be provided to the full membership of both committees. The White House has yet to explain why senior White House staff apparently shared these materials with but one member of either committee, only for their contents to be briefed back to the White House.posted by Superplin at 3:44 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Why is he leaving? Isn't that his office?
It is full of reporters and cameras. I guess he could have kicked them out but the optics would have been terrible. He is also a guilty coward.
posted by futz at 3:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
It is full of reporters and cameras. I guess he could have kicked them out but the optics would have been terrible. He is also a guilty coward.
posted by futz at 3:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Aha, here's the video of Trump forgetting to sign the orders.
Now as a VEEP ending.
posted by bluecore at 3:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Now as a VEEP ending.
posted by bluecore at 3:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
"Go ahead, Ken" -- not really the error it seems
posted by neroli at 3:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by neroli at 3:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
1. I'm not worried about Spicey's career future (aside from being disappointed that he has a career future). These fuckers always get hired for stupid money. If it's not Fox, it'll be some lobby or conservative "think tank" [eyeroll] or speaking tours or god knows what.
2. About the NSC guys giving Nunes non-info for his grade-school pageant, I'm actually kind of surprised that McMaster is (so far) standing for this shit on his staff. Yes, I realize he's not his own boss, but isn't he supposed to be like a John Glenn-type patriotic blah blah Mr. Clean straight arrow? I really can't believe he hasn't fired these insubordinate assholes yet or stomped out in high dudgeon if Trump vetoed firings. Is this corrupt incompetent shitshow really something McMaster is prepared to attach to his reputation?
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:58 PM on March 31, 2017
2. About the NSC guys giving Nunes non-info for his grade-school pageant, I'm actually kind of surprised that McMaster is (so far) standing for this shit on his staff. Yes, I realize he's not his own boss, but isn't he supposed to be like a John Glenn-type patriotic blah blah Mr. Clean straight arrow? I really can't believe he hasn't fired these insubordinate assholes yet or stomped out in high dudgeon if Trump vetoed firings. Is this corrupt incompetent shitshow really something McMaster is prepared to attach to his reputation?
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:58 PM on March 31, 2017
Ruth Graham tries to argue that the Billy Graham rule isn't weird, discriminatory, or offensive
Lists of government staffers are widely available, and in 2012, for example, Pence’s roster of 19 Congressional employees included nine women, including his press secretary and staff director, the latter of whom he made his deputy chief of staff when he moved to Washington this year.
It hasn't stopped Pence from hiring women, and at least one of those women has advanced her career, and that's a really fair point. The other people in the article said they still have private meetings with women, as long as they're visible through a window; they can have lunch meetings; they can have dinner as long as there's a third person; they can make exceptions for necessity, etc. It's literally discriminatory but ...
When I was a young woman I hated being alone with men, especially male authority figures. I would have been profoundly relieved to have this rule in place. There was this subtext to it that made my skin crawl, and when they closed the door to their office my nerves went into overdrive. Of course, there shouldn't be a creepy context like that, and the right solution is to change the power dynamics of gender. But leaving the door open - or inviting a third person to the meal - is one way to eliminate the potential subtext and establish a boundary.
I think a lot of the creepiness of the rule comes from how generally creepy Mike Pence is. And that whole brand of patriarchal Christianity.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 3:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
Lists of government staffers are widely available, and in 2012, for example, Pence’s roster of 19 Congressional employees included nine women, including his press secretary and staff director, the latter of whom he made his deputy chief of staff when he moved to Washington this year.
It hasn't stopped Pence from hiring women, and at least one of those women has advanced her career, and that's a really fair point. The other people in the article said they still have private meetings with women, as long as they're visible through a window; they can have lunch meetings; they can have dinner as long as there's a third person; they can make exceptions for necessity, etc. It's literally discriminatory but ...
When I was a young woman I hated being alone with men, especially male authority figures. I would have been profoundly relieved to have this rule in place. There was this subtext to it that made my skin crawl, and when they closed the door to their office my nerves went into overdrive. Of course, there shouldn't be a creepy context like that, and the right solution is to change the power dynamics of gender. But leaving the door open - or inviting a third person to the meal - is one way to eliminate the potential subtext and establish a boundary.
I think a lot of the creepiness of the rule comes from how generally creepy Mike Pence is. And that whole brand of patriarchal Christianity.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 3:58 PM on March 31, 2017 [28 favorites]
But leaving the door open - or inviting a third person to the meal - is one way to eliminate the potential subtext and establish a boundary.
Yes, and Pence should be doing that same thing with every coworker regardless of gender identity/presentation -- instead of behaving one way with women colleagues and a different way with everybody else.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:02 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
Yes, and Pence should be doing that same thing with every coworker regardless of gender identity/presentation -- instead of behaving one way with women colleagues and a different way with everybody else.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:02 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
I'll be a Chuck truther until I see his birth certificate.
posted by peeedro at 4:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by peeedro at 4:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
The ACLU's Facebook telethon is happening now.
posted by zachlipton at 4:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:05 PM on March 31, 2017 [4 favorites]
They are within one or two (last I checked) of controlling enough state legislatures to call a fucking Constitutional Convention.
I feel just for managing-anxiety purposes that it is important to note that this is not even kind of a popular thing on the Republican side. There are always a few people who talk obsessively about it, and advocate really hard and get the state legislature to be like "sure kid, whatever", but nobody actually wants a Constitutional Convention who has any power whatsoever, because yeah, any and all amendments would be on the table, and it would turn out Democratic votes like /nobody's fucking business/.
of course, given my track record, look forward to the next thirty new amendments. But I'm thinking Trump lightning was a freak chance, not a regular occurrence.
posted by corb at 4:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
I feel just for managing-anxiety purposes that it is important to note that this is not even kind of a popular thing on the Republican side. There are always a few people who talk obsessively about it, and advocate really hard and get the state legislature to be like "sure kid, whatever", but nobody actually wants a Constitutional Convention who has any power whatsoever, because yeah, any and all amendments would be on the table, and it would turn out Democratic votes like /nobody's fucking business/.
of course, given my track record, look forward to the next thirty new amendments. But I'm thinking Trump lightning was a freak chance, not a regular occurrence.
posted by corb at 4:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
A few things that flew under the radar today:
Update: Judge Approves $25-Million Agreement To Settle Trump University Lawsuit
President Trump’s agreement to pay $25 million to settle three lawsuits filed against him over Trump University real estate seminars ends nearly seven years of legal drama.
Black Democrats Are Starting Their Own Groups To Work Outside Of The DNC
The goal, operatives say, is to replicate the success of groups like Planned Parenthood Action and EMILY's List. "They say, ‘Hey, we hear you, we're going to change.’ Then they do worse. I think this moment is us finally saying, ‘This is not working for us.’”
California first state to require LGBT history curriculum at public schools
Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin All But Apologizes For Plugging 'The Lego Batman Movie'
Speaking at an event hosted last week by news start-up Axios, Mnuchin stated, “I’m not allowed to promote anything that I’m involved in. So I just want to have the legal disclosure, you’ve asked me the question, and I am not promoting any product. But you should send all your kids to Lego Batman,” notes The Hollywood Reporter.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:37 PM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Update: Judge Approves $25-Million Agreement To Settle Trump University Lawsuit
President Trump’s agreement to pay $25 million to settle three lawsuits filed against him over Trump University real estate seminars ends nearly seven years of legal drama.
Black Democrats Are Starting Their Own Groups To Work Outside Of The DNC
The goal, operatives say, is to replicate the success of groups like Planned Parenthood Action and EMILY's List. "They say, ‘Hey, we hear you, we're going to change.’ Then they do worse. I think this moment is us finally saying, ‘This is not working for us.’”
California first state to require LGBT history curriculum at public schools
Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin All But Apologizes For Plugging 'The Lego Batman Movie'
Speaking at an event hosted last week by news start-up Axios, Mnuchin stated, “I’m not allowed to promote anything that I’m involved in. So I just want to have the legal disclosure, you’ve asked me the question, and I am not promoting any product. But you should send all your kids to Lego Batman,” notes The Hollywood Reporter.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:37 PM on March 31, 2017 [36 favorites]
Ashley Feinberg and Anna Merlan at Fusion: “The Conspiracy Theories of Trumpland: A Compleat and Comprehensive Bestiary”
To help you navigate the vast assortment of conspiracy theories to which Trump’s staffers subscribe, we’ve compiled a bestiary of crackpot beliefs, pseudo-scientific ideas, and anything otherwise insane that’s come out of the mouths of his cronies and hangers-on who have boldly stood up for what they believe in. And what they believe in is truly something to behold.posted by Going To Maine at 4:42 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
It's financial dislosure time: Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Still Benefiting From Business Empire, Filings Show
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, will remain the beneficiaries of a sprawling real estate and investment business still worth as much as $741 million, despite their new government responsibilities, according to ethics filings released by the White House Friday night.posted by zachlipton at 4:57 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Ms. Trump will also maintain a stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. The hotel, just down the street from the White House, has drawn protests from ethics experts who worry that foreign governments or special interests could stay there in order to curry favor with the administration.
For some levity: Schrodinger's Cat and World History: The Many Worlds Interpretation of Alternative Facts. (the paper is real, although one should note that arxiv does not have an April 1 publication date this year, and this came out as close as possible)
posted by nat at 5:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by nat at 5:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump in the Middle East: The New Brutality
But the new US military deployments are taking place without any sign of US diplomatic initiatives or discussion of the future of peace talks in conflict zones, or a more rounded strategy and narrative to woo Muslims hearts and minds in order to defeat the Islamic State. The only discussion appears to revolve around how to escalate military action—something that is deeply disheartening to allies around the world.President Trump's Middle East Policy Consists of Bombing People. Why are we aimlessly blowing stuff up?
...
The most disturbing discussion to date revolves around the US military being allowed to create free-fire zones in which US forces could target and bomb potential enemies without regard to civilian casualties or damage to economic infrastructure—a stark repudiation of counter-terrorism rules set down by the Obama and Bush administrations. The New York Times has reported that three provinces in Yemen have been declared “an area of active hostilities”—in other words a free-fire zone—and that parts of Somalia will soon be added the list. Western diplomats in Brussels say areas of Afghanistan where the Taliban are strongest may also be added. Such a policy, encouraging indiscriminate strikes, will undoubtedly produce thousands more Muslim radicals, undermine humanitarian relief and destroy hopes of economic reconstruction.
Opening free-fire zones in an area of the world in which we already have built up substantial reservoirs of hate and distrust isn't like throwing gasoline on a fire. It's like throwing the fire into a powder magazine. If there is a policy here beyond Blowing Shit Up and Killing Those People and America, Fck Yeah!, I'm unable to see it. We are creating refugees, and terrorists, and corpses by the carload, for no more reason than we can. Of all the things to which we have had to grow accustomed since last November, this is clearly the most insane.posted by homunculus at 5:13 PM on March 31, 2017 [44 favorites]
Why are we aimlessly blowing stuff up?
So many words to say "because R leaders want to see if sand can glow in the dark".
posted by Talez at 5:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
So many words to say "because R leaders want to see if sand can glow in the dark".
posted by Talez at 5:17 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Oval Office is not an actual working office.
Aaron Sorkin lied to me!
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 5:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Aaron Sorkin lied to me!
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 5:18 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump promised to "bomb the shit out of them". His supporters ate it up with a spoon.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:26 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:26 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
I saw someone on twitter point out that if Keith Ellison (who is Muslim) were refusing to meet or dine with women alone, and used his religion as the reason, the Republicans and media would go apeshit. They were not wrong. The fact that some people think Islam as widely practiced is more misogynist than Christianity defies logic.
posted by supercrayon at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [141 favorites]
posted by supercrayon at 5:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [141 favorites]
So, I have been told:
Trump & his orbit are all Russian puppets.
The Bernie Sanders fandom are unwitting Russian agents.
Jill Stein is also working for Moscow.
PLEASE TELL ME THEY DIDN'T GET TO GARY JOHNSON.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 5:35 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump & his orbit are all Russian puppets.
The Bernie Sanders fandom are unwitting Russian agents.
Jill Stein is also working for Moscow.
PLEASE TELL ME THEY DIDN'T GET TO GARY JOHNSON.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 5:35 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
On the bright side, Sorkin discovered that sexism exists last week, which is more than I can say for anyone at the White House.
posted by zachlipton at 5:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:36 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
PLEASE TELL ME THEY DIDN'T GET TO GARY JOHNSON.
They tried, but he was like 'The Russians aren't here, man!'
posted by box at 5:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
They tried, but he was like 'The Russians aren't here, man!'
posted by box at 5:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [19 favorites]
Buzzfeed hosting page of all the financial disclosures.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:41 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:41 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
If there is a policy here beyond Blowing Shit Up and Killing Those People and America, Fck Yeah!, I'm unable to see it. We are creating refugees, and terrorists, and corpses by the carload...
That is the policy, surely? More refugees that stress the EU's refugee policy to breaking point, more terrorists that encourage xenophobic right-wing anti-democratic parties... the corpses, admittedly, are just a bonus.
In this, as in so many ways, the US is delighted to help Putin's Russia in its attempts to break up the major engines of Western hegemony.
posted by Devonian at 5:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
That is the policy, surely? More refugees that stress the EU's refugee policy to breaking point, more terrorists that encourage xenophobic right-wing anti-democratic parties... the corpses, admittedly, are just a bonus.
In this, as in so many ways, the US is delighted to help Putin's Russia in its attempts to break up the major engines of Western hegemony.
posted by Devonian at 5:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
I guess there's a lot of money to be made in war.
posted by Talez at 5:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Talez at 5:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Serious question: Where does he go from here? He's not just part of a corrupt administration. He's terrible at his job, and he demonstrates it on national television daily. At this point, Spicer’s single biggest known trait is his complete lack of credibility. Who’s gonna hire him now?
My money's on CNN.
posted by Lyme Drop at 5:51 PM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
My money's on CNN.
posted by Lyme Drop at 5:51 PM on March 31, 2017 [26 favorites]
More refugees that stress the EU's refugee policy to breaking point, more terrorists that encourage xenophobic right-wing anti-democratic parties... the corpses, admittedly, are just a bonus.
In this, as in so many ways, the US is delighted to help Putin's Russia in its attempts to break up the major engines of Western hegemony.
And paint an ever bigger target for another strike inside the US, which is exactly what President Bannon wants to declare full on martial law. There's a policy alright, but it's a policy of gratuitous brutality to undermine the current world order.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
In this, as in so many ways, the US is delighted to help Putin's Russia in its attempts to break up the major engines of Western hegemony.
And paint an ever bigger target for another strike inside the US, which is exactly what President Bannon wants to declare full on martial law. There's a policy alright, but it's a policy of gratuitous brutality to undermine the current world order.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
The unrelenting pace of this has me overwhelmed. I feel like I've got towels wrapped around my head. I can't process everything. It's only been two months.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:54 PM on March 31, 2017 [14 favorites]
> This featured CNN pull video from Watts at yesterday's Senate hearings is pretty amazing:
autoplay video
Witness' blistering words about Trump
More on Clint Watts's testimony, via Charles Pierce: The Russian Answers Are Coming. No matter what, we need to keep pushing.
autoplay video
Witness' blistering words about Trump
More on Clint Watts's testimony, via Charles Pierce: The Russian Answers Are Coming. No matter what, we need to keep pushing.
Watts then went even beyond that when asked by James Lankford, Republican of Oklahoma, why Vladimir Putin's efforts in this area seem to have been more effective than they have been in previous years. Watts replied:posted by homunculus at 5:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [31 favorites]"I think this answer is very simple and is what no one is really saying in this room. The reason active measures have worked in this US election is because the commander-in-chief has used Russian active measures at times against his opponents."In case anyone missed his point—which was the gobsmacker of a charge that the current president* was elected in part because of Russian ratfcking, and because of his own inherent gifts as a gaslighting ratfcker—Watts explained further, according to The Independent:Mr Watts, an advisor at the Foreign Policy Research Institute Programme, cited several examples of when Mr Trump had referenced false new stories about terror attacks that had in fact never taken place. "He has made claims about voter fraud, that President Obama is not a citizen, that Congressman [Ted] Cruz is not a citizen," he added. "So part of the reason these active measures work, and it does today in terms of Trump Tower being wiretapped, is because they [the Trump team] parrot the same lines."
More Charles Pierce: The Trump Administration Has Pushed the Limits of American Absurdity: Unity via insanity.
posted by homunculus at 5:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by homunculus at 5:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
From that BuzzFeed (lol) article Black Democrats Are Starting Their Own Groups To Work Outside Of The DNC:
“There's always been this longing for more support,” said Quentin James, a Democratic strategist behind one such group gaining traction, Collective PAC. “[The Democratic committees’] objective is not to elect black people to office. It’s to elect Democrats. We have to build independent power outside of any party that prioritizes our values and issues as a community, and to do that I think you have to consider that the DNC is not the sole vehicle to create that pathway and progress.”posted by indubitable at 6:09 PM on March 31, 2017 [10 favorites]
Does Trump realize how weak it makes him look to continually insist that Obama and/or "the Democrats" are controlling everything that happens? Does he really believe that the media should be covering Clinton (who lost the election) and Obama (who was president last year) instead of the current presidential administration?
Okay, those were rhetorical questions, but I think the serious answer is that he does not realize any of this, but is just falling back onto what worked for him in the past: complaining about the people (formerly) in power, while assuming no responsibility himself.
posted by mbrubeck at 6:22 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
Okay, those were rhetorical questions, but I think the serious answer is that he does not realize any of this, but is just falling back onto what worked for him in the past: complaining about the people (formerly) in power, while assuming no responsibility himself.
posted by mbrubeck at 6:22 PM on March 31, 2017 [13 favorites]
My money's on CNN. Speaking of which...
Does anyone know what happened to Van Jones? It occurred to me a few days ago that he has been MIA. My mom has CNN on all day and she said she hadn't seen him either. He cold be on in the mornings and that's why I haven't seen him. He took a bunch of shit after going orgasmic about trumps address to congress, lost credibility, tried to explain himself and then faded away.Or am I crazy and he's still on CNN every day?
If this is a derail please delete.
posted by futz at 6:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Does anyone know what happened to Van Jones? It occurred to me a few days ago that he has been MIA. My mom has CNN on all day and she said she hadn't seen him either. He cold be on in the mornings and that's why I haven't seen him. He took a bunch of shit after going orgasmic about trumps address to congress, lost credibility, tried to explain himself and then faded away.Or am I crazy and he's still on CNN every day?
If this is a derail please delete.
posted by futz at 6:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
He's probably on a vision quest to find his lost dignity.
posted by Justinian at 6:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:32 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Instagram tells me he's currently cheerfully riding a tractor.
posted by lydhre at 6:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 6:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Lost" implies he ever had it in the first place.
posted by flatluigi at 6:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by flatluigi at 6:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stephen Bannon earned nearly $1 million last year, more than half from Mercer entities
posted by futz at 6:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by futz at 6:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
WikiLeaks’ latest release of CIA cyber tools could blow the cover on agency hacking operations
“This appears to be one of the most technically damaging leaks ever done by WikiLeaks, as it seems designed to directly disrupt ongoing CIA operations and attribute previous operations,” said Nicholas Weaver, a computer security researcher at the University of California at Berkeley.
The material includes the secret source code of an “obfuscation” technique used by the CIA so its malware can evade detection by antivirus systems. The technique is used by all professional hackers, whether they work for the National Security Agency, Moscow’s FSB or the Chinese military. But because the code contains a specific algorithm, a digital fingerprint of sorts, it can now be used to identify CIA hacking operations that had previously been detected but not attributed.
posted by futz at 6:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
“This appears to be one of the most technically damaging leaks ever done by WikiLeaks, as it seems designed to directly disrupt ongoing CIA operations and attribute previous operations,” said Nicholas Weaver, a computer security researcher at the University of California at Berkeley.
The material includes the secret source code of an “obfuscation” technique used by the CIA so its malware can evade detection by antivirus systems. The technique is used by all professional hackers, whether they work for the National Security Agency, Moscow’s FSB or the Chinese military. But because the code contains a specific algorithm, a digital fingerprint of sorts, it can now be used to identify CIA hacking operations that had previously been detected but not attributed.
posted by futz at 6:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
A thought - Russia won't need to hack voter rolls any more to hyper-target key demographics on behalf of Republicans, it'll be able to identify them from the web history data that the ISPs are now free to sell to whomsoever they please.
Actually, on second thoughts, that cuts out the Russians altogether - they're not needed. An intimate data collection, targeting and delivery system tuned to every US citizen that uses the Internet is now in the hands of the ISPs and their best friends.
Eesh.
posted by Devonian at 7:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Actually, on second thoughts, that cuts out the Russians altogether - they're not needed. An intimate data collection, targeting and delivery system tuned to every US citizen that uses the Internet is now in the hands of the ISPs and their best friends.
Eesh.
posted by Devonian at 7:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
every so often I think about how much a million dollars is and I scream.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [16 favorites]
BTW where did "hacked voter rolls" come from? I don't know of any voter roll data that isn't public.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 7:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is there pressure being applied to Feinstein and the other wavering democratic senators? I have not seen the latest whip count.
posted by jadepearl at 7:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jadepearl at 7:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stephen Bannon earned nearly $1 million last year
Was it $970,000?
posted by maxwelton at 7:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Was it $970,000?
posted by maxwelton at 7:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Does anyone know what happened to Van Jones?
He was speaking in Minneapolis at a diversity and inclusion conference earlier this week.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 7:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
He was speaking in Minneapolis at a diversity and inclusion conference earlier this week.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 7:29 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is there pressure being applied to Feinstein and the other wavering democratic senators?
Well, I called Mark Warner today and told him to filibuster. Well, I told the same staffer I talked to last week.
Based on today's public statements, we should be up to 35 votes to filibuster, including a sort of surprising commitment from McCaskill , so that's fantastic. Noting from Feinstein as far as I've seen. If she betrays us on this, I hope everyone in California runs against her in the primary. Actually that should happen anyway, but this would be beyond the pale even for her.
Key votes that could get to 40+:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Pat Leahy - this one especially, WTF, Pat? You're from Vermont.
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Ben Cardin
Then there's a couple long shots still uncommitted, Tester, and Joe Donnelly, niether of whom I would expect to join, since they're both in Trump +a million states.
So if any of those are your Senator, apply pressure. There's no "is there" out there being directed by anyone, we're the pressure. Here, your local Indivisible group, people who listen to Pod Save America, you and 6 friends, we make the pressure now. We don't have a Koch brothers organized and bankrolled billion dollar propaganda and legalized bribery machine, we have people who are pissed off and engaged, and taking time out of their own lives to save the country.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
Well, I called Mark Warner today and told him to filibuster. Well, I told the same staffer I talked to last week.
Based on today's public statements, we should be up to 35 votes to filibuster, including a sort of surprising commitment from McCaskill , so that's fantastic. Noting from Feinstein as far as I've seen. If she betrays us on this, I hope everyone in California runs against her in the primary. Actually that should happen anyway, but this would be beyond the pale even for her.
Key votes that could get to 40+:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstien
Chris Coons
Pat Leahy - this one especially, WTF, Pat? You're from Vermont.
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Ben Cardin
Then there's a couple long shots still uncommitted, Tester, and Joe Donnelly, niether of whom I would expect to join, since they're both in Trump +a million states.
So if any of those are your Senator, apply pressure. There's no "is there" out there being directed by anyone, we're the pressure. Here, your local Indivisible group, people who listen to Pod Save America, you and 6 friends, we make the pressure now. We don't have a Koch brothers organized and bankrolled billion dollar propaganda and legalized bribery machine, we have people who are pissed off and engaged, and taking time out of their own lives to save the country.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [15 favorites]
The hacked voter rolls was from the Clinton Watts testimony to the Sen. Intelligence Committee on Thursday. I don't know if the testimony is accurate, or whether the tweet I'm linking ditto, but it's not a new accusation and I'm giving it headroom.
Meanwhile, for those playing along at home, here are the financial disclosure documents. The WH isn't putting them online, so ProPublica, the NYT and AP are.
posted by Devonian at 7:44 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Meanwhile, for those playing along at home, here are the financial disclosure documents. The WH isn't putting them online, so ProPublica, the NYT and AP are.
posted by Devonian at 7:44 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
People like Feinstein and Leahy and Menendez (if he doesnt come around) are where liberal anger should really stay focused, not North Dakota and Montana and West Virginia.
posted by Justinian at 7:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 7:48 PM on March 31, 2017 [30 favorites]
(Missed the edit window - I don't know what voter registration stuff is and isn't public, nor whether it's possible to officially get bulk data on registration. I do know that there have been persistent allegations of attacks on voter registration systems, but have no way of distilling those. My point stands - intimate information about voters is now available to anyone without regulation, and - presumably - intimate ways of passing information to them.)
posted by Devonian at 7:53 PM on March 31, 2017
posted by Devonian at 7:53 PM on March 31, 2017
Where is Kelly Anne Conway?!!
posted by ramix at 7:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ramix at 7:56 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
"I think a lot of the creepiness of the rule comes from how generally creepy Mike Pence is. And that whole brand of patriarchal Christianity."
Yeah, my concern is that I don't know if a man who's so scared of his own penis he can't be alone with a woman should be anywhere near the nuclear codes.
I mean, it might startle him, and he might accidentally push a button.
---
serious note, the more Conway and Mnuchin and Ivanka and Price engage in this ridiculous, ridiculous self-dealing, the more pressure there's going to be, when the Trump presidency inevitably ends in impeachment and scandal, to pass bipartisan measures that force draconian disclosures or require rich dudes to put things in clearly defined blind trusts. The looting of the government could (could!) result in divestment and disclosure requirements so draconian that greedy rich dudes will stay out of politics for a while.
I'm also curious as we start to see more about the flows of money ... if there's a lot of evidence of Russian money flowing into the election via the Citizens United dark money channels, I think we'll see some pretty tough pressure to overturn that ruling. Time will tell as more info comes out.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:57 PM on March 31, 2017 [25 favorites]
Yeah, my concern is that I don't know if a man who's so scared of his own penis he can't be alone with a woman should be anywhere near the nuclear codes.
I mean, it might startle him, and he might accidentally push a button.
---
serious note, the more Conway and Mnuchin and Ivanka and Price engage in this ridiculous, ridiculous self-dealing, the more pressure there's going to be, when the Trump presidency inevitably ends in impeachment and scandal, to pass bipartisan measures that force draconian disclosures or require rich dudes to put things in clearly defined blind trusts. The looting of the government could (could!) result in divestment and disclosure requirements so draconian that greedy rich dudes will stay out of politics for a while.
I'm also curious as we start to see more about the flows of money ... if there's a lot of evidence of Russian money flowing into the election via the Citizens United dark money channels, I think we'll see some pretty tough pressure to overturn that ruling. Time will tell as more info comes out.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:57 PM on March 31, 2017 [25 favorites]
Where is Kelly Anne Conway?!!
Hopefully getting a truthiness reduction and a morals/ethics lift.
posted by futz at 7:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hopefully getting a truthiness reduction and a morals/ethics lift.
posted by futz at 7:59 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
BTW where did "hacked voter rolls" come from? I don't know of any voter roll data that isn't public.
Not a counter to your basic point, which I concur with, but allow me to introduce you to some that are not public: Virginia's.
It's nonsense and I hope someone sues and wins over it at some point, but Virginia differs from what I believe is the vast majority of states in keeping this stuff under lock and key unless you meet a certain criteria and do a little dance or something.
Not a counter to your basic point, which I concur with, but allow me to introduce you to some that are not public: Virginia's.
It's nonsense and I hope someone sues and wins over it at some point, but Virginia differs from what I believe is the vast majority of states in keeping this stuff under lock and key unless you meet a certain criteria and do a little dance or something.
§ 24.2-405. Lists of registered voters.posted by phearlez at 8:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
A. The Department of Elections shall provide, at a reasonable price, lists of registered voters for their districts to (i) courts of the Commonwealth and the United States for jury selection purposes, (ii) candidates for election or political party nomination to further their candidacy, (iii) political party committees or officials thereof for political purposes only, (iv) political action committees that have filed a current statement of organization with the Department of Elections pursuant to § 24.2-949.2, or with the Federal Elections Commission pursuant to federal law, for political purposes only, (v) incumbent officeholders to report to their constituents, (vi) nonprofit organizations that promote voter participation and registration for that purpose only, and (vii) commissioners of the revenue, as defined in § 58.1-3100, and treasurers, as defined in § 58.1-3123, for tax assessment, collection, and enforcement purposes. The lists shall be furnished to no one else and used for no other purpose.
Where is Kelly Anne Conway?!!
At the Mercer compound for debriefing and updating her orders.
posted by JackFlash at 8:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
At the Mercer compound for debriefing and updating her orders.
posted by JackFlash at 8:20 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Nah. Kelly Anne got her award on the 20th - the spate of stories about the 'controversy' surfaced in the last couple of days. They're all curiously imprecise about when she was recognised - 'recently', or 'in the last few days', but that link mentions a date for the AAPC awards so one must assume that this is when she copped the gong.
I have no idea how the owners got their stories into the Internet, or why.
posted by Devonian at 8:40 PM on March 31, 2017
I have no idea how the owners got their stories into the Internet, or why.
posted by Devonian at 8:40 PM on March 31, 2017
Meanwhile, for those playing along at home, here are the financial disclosure documents. The WH isn't putting them online,
I could swear Spicer made a point of saying they'd be online, for the first time in history, etc.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
I could swear Spicer made a point of saying they'd be online, for the first time in history, etc.
posted by Room 641-A at 8:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
These financial disclosures promise to be fun reading, like that copy of People in your doctor's office. And I think that's got to be the reason we're seeing them. Why would Team Trump release them when they have stonewalled everything else? Speaking as a former reporter: To dangle something new and shiny in front of reporters' eyes and distract them from the story that matters, Russia.
Don't fall for it, journalists.
posted by martin q blank at 9:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Don't fall for it, journalists.
posted by martin q blank at 9:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [9 favorites]
Kellyanne Conway Worked for Accused Felons
One of Trump’s top advisors took money from the group facing felony charges for secretly taping Planned Parenthood.
posted by futz at 9:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
One of Trump’s top advisors took money from the group facing felony charges for secretly taping Planned Parenthood.
posted by futz at 9:08 PM on March 31, 2017 [6 favorites]
This just in:
(George) Takei told us over the phone:
" Well, I guess the jig is up.
With what is going on now in the country, I couldn’t stand by any longer merely as a citizen. I knew I had to take a bigger stand. So that’s why I’m running for Congress. My hope is to challenge Davin Nunes for his seat in 2018."
posted by mikelieman at 9:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [89 favorites]
(George) Takei told us over the phone:
" Well, I guess the jig is up.
With what is going on now in the country, I couldn’t stand by any longer merely as a citizen. I knew I had to take a bigger stand. So that’s why I’m running for Congress. My hope is to challenge Davin Nunes for his seat in 2018."
posted by mikelieman at 9:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [89 favorites]
Bed Bath & Beyond is the latest chain to dump Trump
posted by Room 641-A at 9:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 9:23 PM on March 31, 2017 [17 favorites]
On Takei -
It's April 1st. Are we sure about this?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:35 PM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
It's April 1st. Are we sure about this?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:35 PM on March 31, 2017 [29 favorites]
given the continued pressure to release Trump's tax returns, I can see why they would want to take some steps to burnish their image on the transparency front.
It's not working
Today's Press Briefing, when I almost admired Spicy's ability to pivot away to a talking point. AFTER he started and stopped a knee-jerk 'asked and answered', before realizing the 2016 return question wasn't, and going to word-salad.
It's not working
Today's Press Briefing, when I almost admired Spicy's ability to pivot away to a talking point. AFTER he started and stopped a knee-jerk 'asked and answered', before realizing the 2016 return question wasn't, and going to word-salad.
Matt.posted by mikelieman at 9:38 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
Q Thanks, Sean. Given that it’s financial disclosure day, why will the White House not be releasing --
MR. SPICER: -- proclamation on that. (Laughter.)
Q Why won’t the White House not be releasing the President’s 2016 tax returns, given, conceivably, those can’t be under audit yet while the audit has obviously been the reason for why you haven’t released those past returns?
MR. SPICER: I mean, look, asked and -- I mean, the President has been very clear about his tax returns and his position on that. The Office of Government Ethics requires every federal employee at a certain level to file these financial disclosure forms, that anyone in America can go on to -- it will be the first time, I believe -- and I don’t want to get ahead of the background briefing to give away the good stuff -- but I believe that this is the first time that they’re on the White House website. We are making them more accessible, more available than in history.
On Takei -
It's April 1st. Are we sure about this?
/me looks at clocks... PDT... 9:40PM...
But... G-d, I hope it's for reals! And if not... Damn you Internets! Damn you to hell!
posted by mikelieman at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's April 1st. Are we sure about this?
/me looks at clocks... PDT... 9:40PM...
But... G-d, I hope it's for reals! And if not... Damn you Internets! Damn you to hell!
posted by mikelieman at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's April 1st. Are we sure about this?
Not on the west coast!
posted by Room 641-A at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
Not on the west coast!
posted by Room 641-A at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [5 favorites]
It's still March in California.
posted by miguelcervantes at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by miguelcervantes at 9:39 PM on March 31, 2017 [7 favorites]
Has anyone ever won a Congressional seat for the first time at the age of 80? I'm definitely on Team Takei, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's an April Fools joke.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 9:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 9:40 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
The link to the the-daily page came from Takei's FB page.
He wouldn't be fucking with us like this.
https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei/?pnref=story
posted by mikelieman at 9:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
He wouldn't be fucking with us like this.
https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei/?pnref=story
posted by mikelieman at 9:43 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's still February in Oregon!
posted by perhapses at 9:44 PM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
posted by perhapses at 9:44 PM on March 31, 2017 [35 favorites]
I don't know if he's serious, but this seems like a very normal California thing to happen. I didn't really blink an eye, but since they bought up there I was impressed that they were that far out ahead before Nunes got on the Russia radar.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 9:45 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
And it's on George Takei's twitter https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/848023619414437888
posted by mikelieman at 9:48 PM on March 31, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 9:48 PM on March 31, 2017
ArbitraryAndCapricious: "Has anyone ever won a Congressional seat for the first time at the age of 80?"
Nope. According to the House, the oldest freshman rep was 78.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:53 PM on March 31, 2017
Nope. According to the House, the oldest freshman rep was 78.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:53 PM on March 31, 2017
So, he'd be going where no (80-year-old) man has gone (for the first time) before?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:57 PM on March 31, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:57 PM on March 31, 2017 [24 favorites]
Given the blue's collective, uh, 'talent' at prognostication, all the comments about 'resignation' and 'shortest in history' have me prepped for rallies and 'four more years' placards.
As the kids say, keep your bamboozle insurance up to date.
posted by Freelance Demiurge at 10:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
As the kids say, keep your bamboozle insurance up to date.
posted by Freelance Demiurge at 10:06 PM on March 31, 2017 [8 favorites]
I couldn't be less in the mood for April Fools in 2017.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:52 PM on March 31, 2017 [66 favorites]
As much as I'd like it to be true, Takei's April Fools Day history suggests otherwise. He's sort of a master of this April Fools Day thing.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:04 PM on March 31, 2017 [2 favorites]
I wonder how many April Fool's things will be all "Trump wasn't elected!"
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:07 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:07 PM on March 31, 2017 [1 favorite]
...though I'll add that I suspect Takei is targeting Trump with this particular April Fools joke. Let's see if this gets a rise out of him.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:12 PM on March 31, 2017 [3 favorites]
April 1st is an excellent day to trial-balloon bold ideas. If it flops, it was clearly a joke. If there's a resounding wave of support, go with it.
posted by NMcCoy at 11:51 PM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by NMcCoy at 11:51 PM on March 31, 2017 [12 favorites]
Tonight's observation: Hamilton's "One Last Time" used to make me thankful and sad. Post-inauguration, it makes me angry. It's now infuriating because it's a song that features an imperfect President hoping he has been the best version of himself in service of the nation, not a reality show fraudster determined to milk the Presidency and the nation for all that its worth.
posted by zachlipton at 12:14 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:14 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
I wonder how many April Fool's things will be all "Trump wasn't elected!"
I wonder how many are going to be 'ironic' Nazi shit.
Brace yourself before checking social media.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:54 AM on April 1, 2017
I wonder how many are going to be 'ironic' Nazi shit.
Brace yourself before checking social media.
posted by dinty_moore at 12:54 AM on April 1, 2017
Vox: Vice President Pence’s “never dine alone with a woman” rule isn’t honorable. It’s probably illegal. — An employment lawyer weighs in.
Very interesting.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:24 AM on April 1, 2017 [38 favorites]
Very interesting.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:24 AM on April 1, 2017 [38 favorites]
Can't make this stuff up: Dept. WH Counsel Makan Delrahim is an investor in a movie called "Trash Fire."
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
Where is Kelly Anne Conway?!!
It's my turn to keep staring at her so she can't get to the police box. It's kind of exhausting.
Also, she keeps staring back. Someone come tag me out here.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:08 AM on April 1, 2017 [52 favorites]
It's my turn to keep staring at her so she can't get to the police box. It's kind of exhausting.
Also, she keeps staring back. Someone come tag me out here.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 4:08 AM on April 1, 2017 [52 favorites]
If anyone knowingly comes in and pranks this thread, so help me I will end you! (Immunity granted for being pranked yourself and mistakenly passing it on.)
I hate April Fools at the best of times. This is not the best of times.
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:30 AM on April 1, 2017 [51 favorites]
I hate April Fools at the best of times. This is not the best of times.
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:30 AM on April 1, 2017 [51 favorites]
Jay Smooth: What are your cat's political views? [real]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 5:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
trump is starting the weekend off right with a little spadework in his favorite hole:
When will Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd and @NBCNews start talking about the Obama SURVEILLANCE SCANDAL and stop with the Fake Trump/Russia story?posted by murphy slaw at 5:58 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
There's a Fake Trump?
posted by bardophile at 5:59 AM on April 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by bardophile at 5:59 AM on April 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd
*blinks*.
April Fools?
posted by dis_integration at 6:03 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
*blinks*.
April Fools?
posted by dis_integration at 6:03 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Just me, or doesn't "Sleepy Eyes" sound pretty flirty?
posted by taz at 6:05 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by taz at 6:05 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
bedroom eyes
posted by angrycat at 6:07 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 6:07 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
No, I'm with you. "Sleepy Eyes" is....kind of cute? Well, was kind of cute, now Trump's used it so that's out.
I guess he's taking a stab at a 'don't you think he looks tired' tactic. But terrible and weird, so par for the course.
posted by kalimac at 6:08 AM on April 1, 2017
I guess he's taking a stab at a 'don't you think he looks tired' tactic. But terrible and weird, so par for the course.
posted by kalimac at 6:08 AM on April 1, 2017
CHUCK "RACE TO THE BOTTOM" TODD.
Chuck Todd is actively harmful to flowers and other living things. We didn't forget about your complicity in this motherfucker.
posted by petebest at 6:10 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Chuck Todd is actively harmful to flowers and other living things. We didn't forget about your complicity in this motherfucker.
posted by petebest at 6:10 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Chuck Todd had some biting analysis last night on the news, so that explains attacking him. The sleepy eyes bit I think is a trump mirror thing. He's tired.
posted by localhuman at 6:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 6:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Or maybe Trump had an argument with Ivanka about whether or not his spray-tan strategy really a does make his eyes pop. No, I'm not sleepy-eyed, Chuck Todd is sleepy-eyed
posted by angrycat at 6:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 6:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Poor Trump thinks that he can un-debunk that bullshit
posted by thelonius at 6:20 AM on April 1, 2017
posted by thelonius at 6:20 AM on April 1, 2017
Maybe this was linked in the last thread :
Stephen King on Donald Trump: ‘How do such men rise? First as a joke
I've only just finished it now, and to me it seems accurate as well as funny - sometimes literature can cut through the analysis and state the obvious.
posted by mumimor at 6:30 AM on April 1, 2017 [20 favorites]
Stephen King on Donald Trump: ‘How do such men rise? First as a joke
I've only just finished it now, and to me it seems accurate as well as funny - sometimes literature can cut through the analysis and state the obvious.
posted by mumimor at 6:30 AM on April 1, 2017 [20 favorites]
Betty Davis Eyes Chuck Todd
posted by Going To Maine at 6:32 AM on April 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 6:32 AM on April 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
> I mean, the President has been very clear
One iron-clad rule of politics is that any time a politician (of any ideological affiliation) or a spokesperson says they've been "very clear," they are doing their best to make sure the public cannot fully understand whatever the situation is.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:36 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
One iron-clad rule of politics is that any time a politician (of any ideological affiliation) or a spokesperson says they've been "very clear," they are doing their best to make sure the public cannot fully understand whatever the situation is.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:36 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Started writing a Trump-themed 'Your Lyin' Eyes' parody, but, like, it's a beautiful Saturday morning, and I don't even like The Eagles. Think I'm going for a bike ride instead. 'Borough boys just seem to find out early,' feel free to pick that up if you're so inclined.
posted by box at 6:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by box at 6:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Confirmed, Takei's not running for Congress.
posted by chrominance at 7:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by chrominance at 7:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
Trump cont'd: It is the same Fake News Media that said there is "no path to victory for Trump" that is now pushing the phony Russia story. A total scam!
Someone is very defensive this morning.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Someone is very defensive this morning.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Betty Davis Eyes Chuck Todd
Woefully esoteric.
posted by Talez at 7:17 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Woefully esoteric.
posted by Talez at 7:17 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Aw, I'm sad about George Takei. I really wanted that one to be true.
posted by potrzebie at 7:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 7:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [19 favorites]
Regarding zachlipton's, observation, maybe everyone has already seen this video, but when the Hamilton original cast performed at the White House last year, they did One Last Time, of course-- the video was posted a few days before Inauguration Day, fittingly: "One Last Time" - Hamilton At The White House #ObamaLegacy
Extra depressing.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 7:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
Extra depressing.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 7:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
Metafilter: Woefully esoteric.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 7:37 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Aw, I'm sad about George Takei. I really wanted that one to be true.
2017 really needs wins like that. Let's draft him for whatever district he's in!
posted by mikelieman at 7:47 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
2017 really needs wins like that. Let's draft him for whatever district he's in!
posted by mikelieman at 7:47 AM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
The sleepy eyes bit I think is a trump mirror thing. He's tired.
and... I suspect Donnie can't imagine people not doing a bump of blow before an appearance.
posted by mikelieman at 7:50 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
and... I suspect Donnie can't imagine people not doing a bump of blow before an appearance.
posted by mikelieman at 7:50 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Just a few short weeks into this administration, and already it seems clear that the most important question historians might be asking twenty, fifty, seventy years from now will be not about Trump but about the Republican Party—how the Republicans could have permitted this.
Michael Tomasky - New York Review.
posted by adamvasco at 8:01 AM on April 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
Michael Tomasky - New York Review.
posted by adamvasco at 8:01 AM on April 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
not to be a grump about it but I wish to peacefully register my objections to Takei. See comment history for details. Please continue.
posted by angrycat at 8:04 AM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 8:04 AM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
Someone is very defensive this morning.
What I find remarkable is how, in any similar circumstance, any other sane President would be trying to change the story: by traveling abroad, or making surprise appearances at home, or announcing some new initiative--anything but trying to bait journalists over a story he says is false. It's a stunning display by a President who's chief, maybe only, real desire is to fight with ... everyone.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:07 AM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
What I find remarkable is how, in any similar circumstance, any other sane President would be trying to change the story: by traveling abroad, or making surprise appearances at home, or announcing some new initiative--anything but trying to bait journalists over a story he says is false. It's a stunning display by a President who's chief, maybe only, real desire is to fight with ... everyone.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:07 AM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
only, real desire is to fight with ... everyone.
I don't think he wants to fight everyone, it's just that he doesn't know any other way. Interesting for 2317 Shakespeare.
posted by mumimor at 8:09 AM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
I don't think he wants to fight everyone, it's just that he doesn't know any other way. Interesting for 2317 Shakespeare.
posted by mumimor at 8:09 AM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
In news likely unsurprising: Republicans' Views of African Americans' Work Ethic and Intelligence Lag Behind Democrats' At A Record Clip.
posted by TwoStride at 8:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 8:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
I don't think he wants to fight everyone, it's just that he doesn't know any other way. Interesting for 2317 Shakespeare.
But "fighting with everyone" has -- prior to this -- always been great for "ratings".
Problem is, as POTUS45, "ratings" aren't the expectation.
POTUS45 does NOT meet expectations.
P.S. Firefox's spell checker is flagging POTUS, yet not POTUS45 . heh.
posted by mikelieman at 8:34 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
But "fighting with everyone" has -- prior to this -- always been great for "ratings".
Problem is, as POTUS45, "ratings" aren't the expectation.
POTUS45 does NOT meet expectations.
P.S. Firefox's spell checker is flagging POTUS, yet not POTUS45 . heh.
posted by mikelieman at 8:34 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
ProPublica: The White House Wouldn’t Post Trump Staffers’ Financial Disclosures. So We Did.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 8:59 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by C'est la D.C. at 8:59 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
This morning I woke up to see Takei's thing was an April Fool's stunt, Sanders is saying Cheetoh Mussolini's supporters aren't racist or sexist, Democrats still don't have their shit together for a filibuster of Gorsuch, and Marvel comics looking at their sales slump since October/November and taking from it that their problem is fans don't want diversity (but they're totally fine with Nazi Captain America and other obvious garbage).
2017: Where I get to be pissed off at everyone, whether I like them or not.
Yay.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:05 AM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
2017: Where I get to be pissed off at everyone, whether I like them or not.
Yay.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:05 AM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
And even more strangely, the fights he chooses to pick don't seem to advance any agenda. They aren't damn-the-torpedoes push-the-legislation through fights; they're petty psychic wound-soothing fights. In fact, that seems to be the agenda. (Well, that and grift, of course.) I honestly can't think of another major American figure so preoccupied by psychic injury and so indifferent to the actual world.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:14 AM on April 1, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 9:14 AM on April 1, 2017 [16 favorites]
What I find remarkable is how, in any similar circumstance, any other sane President would be trying to change the story: by traveling abroad, or making surprise appearances at home, or announcing some new initiative
Sure, but stuff like that requires actual work. This administration is still alarmingly understaffed, many of the appointees they do have are incompetent, and they don't trust career staffers or the bureaucracy. Add to that all the self-inflicted wounds and the Trumpcare/Ryancare debacle.
Doing things is hard. These chumps keep finding ways to make it even harder for themselves.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:15 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sure, but stuff like that requires actual work. This administration is still alarmingly understaffed, many of the appointees they do have are incompetent, and they don't trust career staffers or the bureaucracy. Add to that all the self-inflicted wounds and the Trumpcare/Ryancare debacle.
Doing things is hard. These chumps keep finding ways to make it even harder for themselves.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:15 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
(chews grass stem, gazes into the darkening horizon): Tweetstorm's comin'.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
The failing @nytimes finally gets it - "In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for ObamaCare customers to..
...use subsidies to buy health plans." In other words, Ocare is dead. Good things will happen, however, either with Republicans or Dems.
Wow, @FoxNews just reporting big news. Source: "Official behind unmasking is high up. Known Intel official is responsible. Some unmasked....
..not associated with Russia. Trump team spied on before he was nominated." If this is true, does not get much bigger. Would be sad for U.S.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:11 AM on April 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
The failing @nytimes finally gets it - "In places where no insurance company offers plans, there will be no way for ObamaCare customers to..
...use subsidies to buy health plans." In other words, Ocare is dead. Good things will happen, however, either with Republicans or Dems.
Wow, @FoxNews just reporting big news. Source: "Official behind unmasking is high up. Known Intel official is responsible. Some unmasked....
..not associated with Russia. Trump team spied on before he was nominated." If this is true, does not get much bigger. Would be sad for U.S.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:11 AM on April 1, 2017 [10 favorites]
In news likely unsurprising: Republicans' Views of African Americans' Work Ethic and Intelligence Lag Behind Democrats' At A Record Clip.
Now I want to look at the survey data and see if Republicans were less likely to complete the entire survey.
posted by srboisvert at 10:12 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Now I want to look at the survey data and see if Republicans were less likely to complete the entire survey.
posted by srboisvert at 10:12 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
In other words, Ocare is dead.
i find it sort of astounding that anyone can have reading comprehension this poor and still be able to, like, read
posted by murphy slaw at 10:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
i find it sort of astounding that anyone can have reading comprehension this poor and still be able to, like, read
posted by murphy slaw at 10:16 AM on April 1, 2017 [6 favorites]
Mod note: A few comments deleted; silly innuendo jokes are all well and good, no worries, but let's rein it in, in the name of not filling these threads up with twenty comments of noise for each little phrasing thing.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:28 AM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:28 AM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
Well it's not anyone who can write in English any better - Bannon maybe?
posted by Artw at 10:42 AM on April 1, 2017
posted by Artw at 10:42 AM on April 1, 2017
I hear Ivanka got a new job recently.
posted by yhbc at 10:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by yhbc at 10:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
Dan Scavino, an aide who controls Mr. Trump’s official White House Twitter account, recently moved into Mr. Bannon’s West Wing office, where he closely monitors social activity by and about the president, according to two officials.
posted by neroli at 10:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by neroli at 10:48 AM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
"If this is true"
This is interesting. Has Trump ever even acknowledged the possibility that information might not be true before?
posted by zachlipton at 11:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is interesting. Has Trump ever even acknowledged the possibility that information might not be true before?
posted by zachlipton at 11:18 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
It appears from his Twitter rants that Mr. Trump has been sitting in front of Fox News for several hours. I guess nothing else is going on today, and there's no golf? Sad.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:19 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:19 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
McClatchy details Paul Manafort's financial entanglements in a write-up recommended by Dan Rather's excellent outfit, News and Guts.
posted by Glinn at 11:24 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Glinn at 11:24 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Russian government posts April Fools' Day prank offering "election interference"
posted by futz at 11:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by futz at 11:31 AM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't know that information falls into the categories "true" and "false" for Trump, just "useful" and "not useful". It's part of his authoritarian nature that he seeks to set himself up as the only source of truth for his followers right? I think that implies that the ambiguity "if true" must be useful to him in some way. I'm guessing that he's trying to project an sense of reasonableness. Or maybe he knows it's not true but the investigation into it provides a useful distraction.
posted by VTX at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by VTX at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Plus has he ever actually quoted a news source before? That would imply he read news instead of watching it and running off with some twisted hot take. I am confident those tweets weren't his.
posted by threeturtles at 11:44 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by threeturtles at 11:44 AM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm not sure if he ever has, but he certainly doesn't make a habit of it; which is why I think this wasn't really him -- it's more likely, I think, that he'd have someone else tweet on his behalf than that he suddenly developed circumspection.
One of his strategies during the primary and election was to make unsupported claims and then add that "he heard it" or "a lot of people are saying it."
posted by kewb at 11:52 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
One of his strategies during the primary and election was to make unsupported claims and then add that "he heard it" or "a lot of people are saying it."
posted by kewb at 11:52 AM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Good things will happen, however, either with Republicans or Dems.
Trump using an interrupting conjunctive adverb? No way he wrote this though he may have dictated the general content.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:06 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trump using an interrupting conjunctive adverb? No way he wrote this though he may have dictated the general content.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:06 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
Russian government posts April Fools' Day prank offering "election interference"
This, and the stamp thing, and Putin's "read my lips" joke are all indicators of that really morbid humor some guys have when they are winning so much they are tired of winning..
posted by mumimor at 12:16 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
This, and the stamp thing, and Putin's "read my lips" joke are all indicators of that really morbid humor some guys have when they are winning so much they are tired of winning..
posted by mumimor at 12:16 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
...not associated with Russia
Every time trump or his people say this it is like pointing a giant neon lit Las Vegas arrow to investigate Russia.
No way he wrote these tweets.
posted by futz at 12:17 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Every time trump or his people say this it is like pointing a giant neon lit Las Vegas arrow to investigate Russia.
No way he wrote these tweets.
posted by futz at 12:17 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Speaking of Scavino and social media, he just explicitly called for Justin Amash to be primaried.
@DanScavino:
.@realDonaldTrump is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan. @justinamash is a big liability. #TrumpTrain, defeat him in primary.
Amash fired back.
@justinamash:
Trump admin & Establishment have merged into #Trumpstablishment. Same old agenda: Attack conservatives, libertarians & independent thinkers.
So, Trump & Co is spending Saturday telling lame and obvious lies about the media/Obama and attacking members of their own party. Good times.
posted by chris24 at 12:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [18 favorites]
@DanScavino:
.@realDonaldTrump is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan. @justinamash is a big liability. #TrumpTrain, defeat him in primary.
Amash fired back.
@justinamash:
Trump admin & Establishment have merged into #Trumpstablishment. Same old agenda: Attack conservatives, libertarians & independent thinkers.
So, Trump & Co is spending Saturday telling lame and obvious lies about the media/Obama and attacking members of their own party. Good times.
posted by chris24 at 12:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [18 favorites]
Michael Flynn Failed to Disclose Payments From Russian Propaganda Network
Former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn initially failed to inform federal ethics officials of payments from a state-sponsored Russian propaganda outfit, according to newly released documents.
Flynn, who left his White House post after less than a month, submitted a financial disclosure form in February that made no mention of a reported $45,000 payment from Russia Today, or RT, for a speech that Flynn gave at the network’s 10th anniversary gala.
In an amended disclosure statement filed with the White House counsel’s office on Friday, Flynn disclosed receiving more than $5,000 (the threshold for reporting) from RT.
posted by futz at 12:25 PM on April 1, 2017 [25 favorites]
Former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn initially failed to inform federal ethics officials of payments from a state-sponsored Russian propaganda outfit, according to newly released documents.
Flynn, who left his White House post after less than a month, submitted a financial disclosure form in February that made no mention of a reported $45,000 payment from Russia Today, or RT, for a speech that Flynn gave at the network’s 10th anniversary gala.
In an amended disclosure statement filed with the White House counsel’s office on Friday, Flynn disclosed receiving more than $5,000 (the threshold for reporting) from RT.
posted by futz at 12:25 PM on April 1, 2017 [25 favorites]
So, Trump & Co is spending Saturday telling lame and obvious lies about the media/Obama and attacking members of their own party. Good times.
Well yeah, did you see Trump's press conference thingy yesterday? The WH is going to spend the weekend avoiding mentioning anything of substance.
posted by rhizome at 12:25 PM on April 1, 2017
Well yeah, did you see Trump's press conference thingy yesterday? The WH is going to spend the weekend avoiding mentioning anything of substance.
posted by rhizome at 12:25 PM on April 1, 2017
the stamp thing
This stamp thing is an April Fool on a tiny blog, assuming that's what you mean, mumimor.
posted by ambrosen at 12:26 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
This stamp thing is an April Fool on a tiny blog, assuming that's what you mean, mumimor.
posted by ambrosen at 12:26 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well yeah, did you see Trump's press conference thingy yesterday?
Isn't it also weird that Pence does most of the talking?
posted by kirkaracha at 12:29 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
realDonaldTrump is bringing auto plants & jobs back to Michigan. @justinamash is a big liability.
No one in Amash's district (Western Michigan) gives a fuck about auto plants, Dan. You're out of your fucking league.
posted by Etrigan at 12:44 PM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
No one in Amash's district (Western Michigan) gives a fuck about auto plants, Dan. You're out of your fucking league.
posted by Etrigan at 12:44 PM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
There's a lot of auto part manufacturers out here. There's a YUGE empty lot where a GM plant used to be not far from my house - it would be very Trumpy to tell people that a long-gone job source is magically going to come back.
posted by LionIndex at 12:48 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 12:48 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
There's a lot of auto part manufacturers out here.
Yeah, but they're still selling to the Big Three regardless of where the cars are being put together. Grand Rapids cares about auto plants the way they care about the Red Wings -- it's nice if they're good, but it's not breaking their hearts if they don't make the playoffs.
posted by Etrigan at 12:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yeah, but they're still selling to the Big Three regardless of where the cars are being put together. Grand Rapids cares about auto plants the way they care about the Red Wings -- it's nice if they're good, but it's not breaking their hearts if they don't make the playoffs.
posted by Etrigan at 12:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Which isn't to say that the Trumpists out there aren't nodding their heads and grumbling about Amash, but I'm willing to bet that he's not quaking in his boots over a primary challenge yet.
posted by Etrigan at 12:57 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 12:57 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
This stamp thing is an April Fool on a tiny blog, assuming that's what you mean, mumimor.
Oh, I thought it was a Russian scam blog, sorry
posted by mumimor at 1:04 PM on April 1, 2017
Which isn't to say that the Trumpists out there aren't nodding their heads and grumbling about Amash, but I'm willing to bet that he's not quaking in his boots over a primary challenge yet.
I don't think a challenger would have a chance in hell, but I hope they do primary him and win. Some Trumpy nutjob is much more likely to lose in the general.
posted by chris24 at 1:04 PM on April 1, 2017
I don't think a challenger would have a chance in hell, but I hope they do primary him and win. Some Trumpy nutjob is much more likely to lose in the general.
posted by chris24 at 1:04 PM on April 1, 2017
I don't think a challenger would have a chance in hell, but I hope they do primary him and win. Some Trumpy nutjob is much more likely to lose in the general.
That theory is sound, except that Trumpists winning primaries also means that the whole Republican Party is encouraged to swing right and to swing crazy. And that's terrifying.
posted by lydhre at 1:34 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
That theory is sound, except that Trumpists winning primaries also means that the whole Republican Party is encouraged to swing right and to swing crazy. And that's terrifying.
posted by lydhre at 1:34 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
Can someone kindly clarify: When Rachel Maddow (or anyone) refers to "The White House" knowing something, do they mean the president specifically? Or the president plus his close advisers/lawyers? Or people from that office not necessarily including the president? It just seems like sometimes they say the president (or commander in chief) knows a thing, and sometimes they say "The White House" knows a thing.
posted by Glinn at 1:35 PM on April 1, 2017
posted by Glinn at 1:35 PM on April 1, 2017
Judge: Lawsuit against Trump, supporters can proceed
-- A federal judge in Louisville said in a ruling that then-candidate Donald Trump incited the use of violence against three protesters when he told supporters at a campaign rally a year ago to "get 'em out of here."
U. S. District Judge David J. Hale of the Western District of Kentucky also wrote in an opinion and order released Friday that because violence had broken out at a prior Trump rally and that known hate group members were in the Louisville crowd, Trump's ordering the removal of an African American woman was "particularly reckless."
-- Hale pointed out that, as the protesters had alleged, the violence began as soon as Trump gave a command and an order to get the protesters out of the rally.
I like this.
posted by futz at 1:38 PM on April 1, 2017 [92 favorites]
-- A federal judge in Louisville said in a ruling that then-candidate Donald Trump incited the use of violence against three protesters when he told supporters at a campaign rally a year ago to "get 'em out of here."
U. S. District Judge David J. Hale of the Western District of Kentucky also wrote in an opinion and order released Friday that because violence had broken out at a prior Trump rally and that known hate group members were in the Louisville crowd, Trump's ordering the removal of an African American woman was "particularly reckless."
-- Hale pointed out that, as the protesters had alleged, the violence began as soon as Trump gave a command and an order to get the protesters out of the rally.
I like this.
posted by futz at 1:38 PM on April 1, 2017 [92 favorites]
"The White House knows" and "The President knows" used to be synonymous for all intents and purposes. I think newsers just haven't gotten out of the habit now that we have such a deeply divided executive branch.
posted by Etrigan at 1:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 1:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
FBI Makes Arrest in Connection With Saipan Casino Construction
-- The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested one person in connection with the death of a construction worker at Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.’s casino on the remote U.S. island of Saipan, according to an agency spokeswoman.
-- The bureau’s statement comes after a legislator and local residents said FBI agents and local law enforcement on Thursday visited an office used by Imperial Pacific, staying for several hours and blocking access to the building
-- The FBI "routinely partners with federal agencies when there are reports of widespread and systematic human trafficking within the labor sector," Ernst said.
-- Chaired by Mark Brown, a former executive in President Donald Trump’s Atlantic City casino business, Imperial Pacific has assembled a group of high-powered former U.S. political figures as directors or advisers.
The trump connection could mean nothing at all. Although law enforcement/FBI often break a case by coming at it "sideways". Time will tell.
posted by futz at 1:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
-- The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested one person in connection with the death of a construction worker at Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.’s casino on the remote U.S. island of Saipan, according to an agency spokeswoman.
-- The bureau’s statement comes after a legislator and local residents said FBI agents and local law enforcement on Thursday visited an office used by Imperial Pacific, staying for several hours and blocking access to the building
-- The FBI "routinely partners with federal agencies when there are reports of widespread and systematic human trafficking within the labor sector," Ernst said.
-- Chaired by Mark Brown, a former executive in President Donald Trump’s Atlantic City casino business, Imperial Pacific has assembled a group of high-powered former U.S. political figures as directors or advisers.
The trump connection could mean nothing at all. Although law enforcement/FBI often break a case by coming at it "sideways". Time will tell.
posted by futz at 1:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
Some Trumpy nutjob is much more likely to lose in the general.
Isn't this what most of us thought about.... Trump?
That kind of thinking (while understandable) is much less comforting to me these days...
posted by thefoxgod at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2017 [20 favorites]
Isn't this what most of us thought about.... Trump?
That kind of thinking (while understandable) is much less comforting to me these days...
posted by thefoxgod at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2017 [20 favorites]
I assume that Maddow meant that The White House = Bannon, Preibus, Kushner, Ivanka, etc.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:01 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Some Trumpy nutjob is much more likely to lose in the general.
In Western Michigan? LOL
posted by dhens at 2:18 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
In Western Michigan? LOL
posted by dhens at 2:18 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
In Western Michigan? LOL
First of all, it's WEST Michigan, everyone. Nobody here ever says Western. 'Tis true that West Michigan loves nutjobs; they cream their jeans over Sarah Palin down in GR.
It's still weirder than fuck to think of Justin Amash as the representative of stable probity who could be primaried by a nutjob when just a few years ago, he was King Squirrel, Emperor of All Macadamias, but that's how things go in the Trumpified timeline.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:37 PM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
First of all, it's WEST Michigan, everyone. Nobody here ever says Western. 'Tis true that West Michigan loves nutjobs; they cream their jeans over Sarah Palin down in GR.
It's still weirder than fuck to think of Justin Amash as the representative of stable probity who could be primaried by a nutjob when just a few years ago, he was King Squirrel, Emperor of All Macadamias, but that's how things go in the Trumpified timeline.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:37 PM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
Nobody here ever says Western
. . . unless they're referring to the state university in Kalamazoo.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
. . . unless they're referring to the state university in Kalamazoo.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hypothetical question - if someone won a civil lawsuit against the President but the President refused to write a check, what would happen? It's my non-lawyer understanding that if it weren't the President, you would have to get US Marshals to seize assets, but how could they do that if it's US Marshals against the Secret Service?
posted by bluecore at 2:42 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by bluecore at 2:42 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump aide accused of Hatch Act violation after urging Amash primary challenge
posted by futz at 2:49 PM on April 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by futz at 2:49 PM on April 1, 2017 [27 favorites]
That theory is sound, except that Trumpists winning primaries also means that the whole Republican Party is encouraged to swing right and to swing crazy. And that's terrifying.
More right than one of the original Tea Partiers? Trump is attacking the Freedom Caucus from the left, not the right. He's angry they won't compromise even a little on health care.
And yes, in a wave election against Trump, someone tied to his hip is more likely to suffer from the backlash than someone who's stood up to him repeatedly. Does that mean we're getting a wave in 2018? Who knows but in good times incumbents lose seats in midterms, and when they're at 37% popularity they typically lose a lot. Would a anti-Trump wave election mean a D win is probable in West Michigan? No, but more likely than with Justin Amash.
Plus I want the Republican Party linked inextricably to Trump. I don't want them to ever be able to wash this stink off.
posted by chris24 at 3:02 PM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
More right than one of the original Tea Partiers? Trump is attacking the Freedom Caucus from the left, not the right. He's angry they won't compromise even a little on health care.
And yes, in a wave election against Trump, someone tied to his hip is more likely to suffer from the backlash than someone who's stood up to him repeatedly. Does that mean we're getting a wave in 2018? Who knows but in good times incumbents lose seats in midterms, and when they're at 37% popularity they typically lose a lot. Would a anti-Trump wave election mean a D win is probable in West Michigan? No, but more likely than with Justin Amash.
Plus I want the Republican Party linked inextricably to Trump. I don't want them to ever be able to wash this stink off.
posted by chris24 at 3:02 PM on April 1, 2017 [4 favorites]
The information war is real, and we’re losing it
posted by Artw at 3:13 PM on April 1, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Artw at 3:13 PM on April 1, 2017 [17 favorites]
First of all, it's WEST Michigan, everyone.
Ah, yes. I am not sure if I should chalk up my error to being from SE Michigan, or from not having in lived in Michigan for over 10 years. My bad.
posted by dhens at 3:18 PM on April 1, 2017
Ah, yes. I am not sure if I should chalk up my error to being from SE Michigan, or from not having in lived in Michigan for over 10 years. My bad.
posted by dhens at 3:18 PM on April 1, 2017
I just spent an hour and a half in the local high school cafeteria with my rep, David Cicilline, and about 50-75 other people. He talked about stuff going on in D.C. that -- amazing to me -- was already familiar to me from reading these threads! He took ton of questions and was frank and thorough. I was impressed.
I have never really been politically engaged, and I am excited to re-engage. One person asked a question about people ho said "I hate Obamacare but I love that A.C.A!" -- to which he replied that, in essence, people need some basic civics education to be aware of what their disengagement has let the country become. It was blunt, but I think he's right.
posted by wenestvedt at 3:35 PM on April 1, 2017 [53 favorites]
I have never really been politically engaged, and I am excited to re-engage. One person asked a question about people ho said "I hate Obamacare but I love that A.C.A!" -- to which he replied that, in essence, people need some basic civics education to be aware of what their disengagement has let the country become. It was blunt, but I think he's right.
posted by wenestvedt at 3:35 PM on April 1, 2017 [53 favorites]
Re the weird feelings about kinda supporting Amash: the fight right now is still left/right but there's a parallel fight between people with firm, reasoned (for a given internal logic starting with perhaps a very flawed premise) beliefs vs. people with no actual beliefs. The people with no beliefs are both crackpot demagogues and veteran congresspeople like Pat Toomey who will do whatever, depending on how the winds are blowing and what's in it for him. The Freedom Caucus may be a bunch of extremists with odious beliefs, but, as a wise man said, say what you will about that, at least it's an ethos. If there's any common ground to be found with those libertarian theocrats it's that we both have firm lines in our personal sands that we simply won't cross. And in this Trump will be equally wrong footed in trying to work with true believers on both the left and the right, because he can not and will never understand having an unshakable personal morality.
posted by soren_lorensen at 3:37 PM on April 1, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 3:37 PM on April 1, 2017 [16 favorites]
Back on Feb 15 I posted this:
City Attorney Files FOIA Request Over LAX Detainees
L.A. City Attorney's Request For LAX Security Clearance Met With Kafkaesque Denial From Customs
City Attorney Files FOIA Request Over LAX Detainees
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on Tuesday to gather information about those who were detained at LAX following President Trump's travel ban, City News Service reports.Here is the latest, where 'Kafaesque" is an understatement and one paragraph actually begins, "Here's where things get weird." Emphasis mine:
L.A. City Attorney's Request For LAX Security Clearance Met With Kafkaesque Denial From Customs
On Friday, the City Attorney announced that CBP had shot down his request, denying him future unescorted access at LAX.posted by Room 641-A at 3:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [51 favorites]
As Feuer writes in his appeal letter, as City Attorney, he has "broad responsibilities directly relevant to LAX." Specifically, his office serves as counsel for LAX, providing wide-ranging legal support regarding LAX operations (they even have an office on site). As the city's chief prosecutor, Feuer is also responsible for prosecuting offenses at and around LAX.
“When the City Attorney of the nation’s second largest city cannot gain access to all areas of the airport located in his jurisdiction, something is terribly wrong,” Feuer said in a statement Friday. “I went to LAX in January because I wanted to secure the release of the detainees. I also wanted very direct answers to basic questions. A security clearance would have provided me with access to the detainees so I could have assessed their situation and well-being.”
First of all, it's WEST Michigan, everyone. Nobody here ever says Western.
or they say southwest or southwestern - and if you go far enough (about 20 miles from kalamazoo), they say michiana - (the more notre dame and cubs signs you see the closer you are ...)
posted by pyramid termite at 3:48 PM on April 1, 2017
or they say southwest or southwestern - and if you go far enough (about 20 miles from kalamazoo), they say michiana - (the more notre dame and cubs signs you see the closer you are ...)
posted by pyramid termite at 3:48 PM on April 1, 2017
With Stunning Moral Clarity, Wallace Global Fund Fires Firm That Endorsed Donald Trump’s Kleptocracy
Every once in a while, amid the legal and ethical sham of the Trump presidency, the grown-ups do show up to assert themselves. And each time they do, the world briefly makes sense again. This week, the grown-up is H. Scott Wallace, co-chair of the Wallace Global Fund, which promotes sustainable investments and until very recently, received legal counsel from the same firm that helped Donald Trump “separate” from his business interests before assuming the presidency. In a letter explaining his decision to fire that law firm, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Wallace leaves no doubt that the “the ethical carnage” sanctioned by the firm’s lawyers is not tolerable, or normal, or even minimally defensible. [pdf]
The letter then catalogs in detail the myriad ways in which Trump’s continuing conflicts of interest and self-dealing violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and characterizes Dillon’s solution as “an illusion of protection against the President using his office for personal gain.” It goes on to detail corruption-related developments since that January press conference, ranging from the granting of 38 trademarks to Trump by China, his D.C. hotels courting foreign business away from other venues, and the doubling of initiation fees at Mar-a-Lago.
This is fucking awesome.
posted by futz at 3:52 PM on April 1, 2017 [130 favorites]
Every once in a while, amid the legal and ethical sham of the Trump presidency, the grown-ups do show up to assert themselves. And each time they do, the world briefly makes sense again. This week, the grown-up is H. Scott Wallace, co-chair of the Wallace Global Fund, which promotes sustainable investments and until very recently, received legal counsel from the same firm that helped Donald Trump “separate” from his business interests before assuming the presidency. In a letter explaining his decision to fire that law firm, Morgan Lewis & Bockius, Wallace leaves no doubt that the “the ethical carnage” sanctioned by the firm’s lawyers is not tolerable, or normal, or even minimally defensible. [pdf]
The letter then catalogs in detail the myriad ways in which Trump’s continuing conflicts of interest and self-dealing violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause and characterizes Dillon’s solution as “an illusion of protection against the President using his office for personal gain.” It goes on to detail corruption-related developments since that January press conference, ranging from the granting of 38 trademarks to Trump by China, his D.C. hotels courting foreign business away from other venues, and the doubling of initiation fees at Mar-a-Lago.
This is fucking awesome.
posted by futz at 3:52 PM on April 1, 2017 [130 favorites]
Re the weird feelings about kinda supporting Amash: the fight right now is still left/right but there's a parallel fight between people with firm, reasoned (for a given internal logic starting with perhaps a very flawed premise) beliefs vs. people with no actual beliefs.
I would have put it more as a distinction between honorable and dishonorable people. It's hard to imagine a Democratic president finding much if any common ground with Amash, since at the end of the day he's still a libertarian loon. But you could maybe trust him to honor his agreements, not to promise things he has no intention of even attempting to deliver, etc. Unlike Ryan and McConnell, who have (long ago) revealed themselves to be fundamentally dishonest and untrustworthy.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
I would have put it more as a distinction between honorable and dishonorable people. It's hard to imagine a Democratic president finding much if any common ground with Amash, since at the end of the day he's still a libertarian loon. But you could maybe trust him to honor his agreements, not to promise things he has no intention of even attempting to deliver, etc. Unlike Ryan and McConnell, who have (long ago) revealed themselves to be fundamentally dishonest and untrustworthy.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:54 PM on April 1, 2017 [12 favorites]
honorable and dishonorable people.
I'd say ethical and unethical.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:56 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd say ethical and unethical.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:56 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Kristof writes yet another 'I never thought leopards would eat MY face' article for the Times. This time in Tulsa.
posted by octothorpe at 5:09 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 5:09 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
The information war is real, and we’re losing it
As a former newspaper journalist I saw this coming years ago. I can't count the number of times I've sent someone to Snopes to debunk some batshit claim and the reply has been if it's on the internet it must be true. With all of the social science research proving the more you try to inform someone they're wrong the more they will dig in and defend their position I have no idea what the answer is.
Are there any journalistic organizations doing debunking in a way that changes people's minds? My former employer publishes Politifact and it's largely ignored. I've been thinking a lot about how much I miss daily journalism and these threads are the closest I get to my fix of working in a newsroom. Is there a "Cambridge Analytica" type organization using their powers for good instead of evil?
posted by photoslob at 5:27 PM on April 1, 2017 [19 favorites]
As a former newspaper journalist I saw this coming years ago. I can't count the number of times I've sent someone to Snopes to debunk some batshit claim and the reply has been if it's on the internet it must be true. With all of the social science research proving the more you try to inform someone they're wrong the more they will dig in and defend their position I have no idea what the answer is.
Are there any journalistic organizations doing debunking in a way that changes people's minds? My former employer publishes Politifact and it's largely ignored. I've been thinking a lot about how much I miss daily journalism and these threads are the closest I get to my fix of working in a newsroom. Is there a "Cambridge Analytica" type organization using their powers for good instead of evil?
posted by photoslob at 5:27 PM on April 1, 2017 [19 favorites]
Facebook link: Friday, March 31, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks and a whole host of stars will be performing right here in your newsfeed to raise money for the amazing ACLU.
Tina Fey tells college-educated white women who voted for Trump: ‘You can’t look away’
“A lot of this election was turned by white, college-educated women who now would like to forget about this election and go back to watching HGTV,” the actress and comedian said during a star-studded Facebook Live fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union. “You can’t look away because it doesn’t affect you this minute, but it’s going to affect you eventually.”
posted by futz at 5:48 PM on April 1, 2017 [44 favorites]
Tina Fey tells college-educated white women who voted for Trump: ‘You can’t look away’
“A lot of this election was turned by white, college-educated women who now would like to forget about this election and go back to watching HGTV,” the actress and comedian said during a star-studded Facebook Live fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union. “You can’t look away because it doesn’t affect you this minute, but it’s going to affect you eventually.”
posted by futz at 5:48 PM on April 1, 2017 [44 favorites]
Kristof writes yet another 'I never thought leopards would eat MY face' article for the Times. This time in Tulsa.
I really liked this Twitter thread about that NYT article.
posted by phearlez at 6:30 PM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
I really liked this Twitter thread about that NYT article.
posted by phearlez at 6:30 PM on April 1, 2017 [32 favorites]
Xi Jinping’s summit plan to tame Donald Trump
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:45 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:45 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I really liked this Twitter thread about that NYT article.
Thanks for posting that. Great thread.
posted by chris24 at 7:20 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Thanks for posting that. Great thread.
posted by chris24 at 7:20 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
Speier on Nunes controversy: 'Absolutely convinced it started in the Oval Office'
-- “There’s no question in my mind that the president, with the aid of his national security adviser staff, came up with some kind of a ruse to try and suggest there was some kind of validity” to his accusation, which has been debunked by intelligence officials, Speier [member of the House Intelligence Committee] said after a town-hall event in which she and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul examined Russia-Trump connections.
-- In an interview with POLITICO, Speier leveled blistering criticism at the intelligence chairman, saying Nunes' apparent desire to play “Maxwell Smart” — a reference to a once-popular bumbling TV detective
I used to love Agent's 99 & 86 and the shoe phone. And Fang! Agent K-13. Methinks I must revisit this. It has been a looong time.
posted by futz at 7:45 PM on April 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
-- “There’s no question in my mind that the president, with the aid of his national security adviser staff, came up with some kind of a ruse to try and suggest there was some kind of validity” to his accusation, which has been debunked by intelligence officials, Speier [member of the House Intelligence Committee] said after a town-hall event in which she and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul examined Russia-Trump connections.
-- In an interview with POLITICO, Speier leveled blistering criticism at the intelligence chairman, saying Nunes' apparent desire to play “Maxwell Smart” — a reference to a once-popular bumbling TV detective
I used to love Agent's 99 & 86 and the shoe phone. And Fang! Agent K-13. Methinks I must revisit this. It has been a looong time.
posted by futz at 7:45 PM on April 1, 2017 [15 favorites]
Mark Cuban, aptly summarizing the dead simple origins of the Russia connection in a twithread:
Because he didn't recognize or understand as it was happening he has no idea what to do now or how to respond.
Except 'he' is also now 'we', or at least his electors.
posted by Dashy at 7:49 PM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
Because he didn't recognize or understand as it was happening he has no idea what to do now or how to respond.
Except 'he' is also now 'we', or at least his electors.
posted by Dashy at 7:49 PM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
Latest GA-06 numbers:
Day 5 of in-person early voting in GA-6 is D 51 R 29 Over all, D 54 R 30 with 8110 ballots accepted Still early, but trends are steadyposted by Chrysostom at 7:57 PM on April 1, 2017 [43 favorites]
Noteworthy: early voters have been less white in every day of early voting, and non-D/R vote is most diverse--60% w, 10% a, 7% b, 4% h
I really appreciate the updates Chrysostom.
posted by futz at 8:02 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by futz at 8:02 PM on April 1, 2017 [7 favorites]
Mark Cuban, aptly summarizing the dead simple origins of the Russia connection in a twithread:
As Jeet Heer said, this is the most generous reading of the Russia/Trump story given what we know and it's still damning. And Josh Marshall at TPM says "My own take is not that far off this."
And to make it easy for the Twitter averse:
@mcuban
1) Here is my take on Trump and Russia
2) Russians have made him a lot of money buying condos and investing in his bldgs and hosting his beauty pageant.That makes them his friends
3) He ignored their backgrounds. But that's not unusual. Starbucks takes anyone's money and so do most businesses including mine.
4) He spoke favorably about Putin to get his approval for Russians to get $ out of Russia and into Trump deals. He saw it as easy money
5) When Manafort was recommended, he didn't vett him. He saw it as a win win. Win the election or open the door for more Russian business
6) As people with Russian connects came into the campaign he had no clue that those connections were possibly being influenced by Russia
7) His lean campaign took direction from people he trusted and he followed those directions. He had no clue where the Russians fit
8) when Manafort got "hot" he got rid of him but the campaign approach had been established. Bannon took it to the next level FTW
9) No chance this is a DJT led conspiracy. He isn't detail oriented, organized or big picture enough to pull off any time of conspiracy
10) I think Putin recognized trumps greed and took advantage by back channeling coordinated misinformation in an attempt to influence voters
11) Trump had no idea this was happening. He was doing what he was told to do. Stick to the script and read what was written for him
12)Because he didn't recognize or understand as it was happening he has no idea what to do now or how to respond. So he turns to Fox News
13) That's what I think happened. Feel free to agree or disagree
posted by chris24 at 8:08 PM on April 1, 2017 [86 favorites]
As Jeet Heer said, this is the most generous reading of the Russia/Trump story given what we know and it's still damning. And Josh Marshall at TPM says "My own take is not that far off this."
And to make it easy for the Twitter averse:
@mcuban
1) Here is my take on Trump and Russia
2) Russians have made him a lot of money buying condos and investing in his bldgs and hosting his beauty pageant.That makes them his friends
3) He ignored their backgrounds. But that's not unusual. Starbucks takes anyone's money and so do most businesses including mine.
4) He spoke favorably about Putin to get his approval for Russians to get $ out of Russia and into Trump deals. He saw it as easy money
5) When Manafort was recommended, he didn't vett him. He saw it as a win win. Win the election or open the door for more Russian business
6) As people with Russian connects came into the campaign he had no clue that those connections were possibly being influenced by Russia
7) His lean campaign took direction from people he trusted and he followed those directions. He had no clue where the Russians fit
8) when Manafort got "hot" he got rid of him but the campaign approach had been established. Bannon took it to the next level FTW
9) No chance this is a DJT led conspiracy. He isn't detail oriented, organized or big picture enough to pull off any time of conspiracy
10) I think Putin recognized trumps greed and took advantage by back channeling coordinated misinformation in an attempt to influence voters
11) Trump had no idea this was happening. He was doing what he was told to do. Stick to the script and read what was written for him
12)Because he didn't recognize or understand as it was happening he has no idea what to do now or how to respond. So he turns to Fox News
13) That's what I think happened. Feel free to agree or disagree
posted by chris24 at 8:08 PM on April 1, 2017 [86 favorites]
Trump is just stupid and vain enough to deny this take (especially since it's coming from Cuban) and assert that he knew all along exactly what he was doing.
posted by zakur at 8:17 PM on April 1, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by zakur at 8:17 PM on April 1, 2017 [23 favorites]
Did you order the CODE RED? YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT I DID!
posted by Justinian at 8:19 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 8:19 PM on April 1, 2017 [11 favorites]
Either way, we win!
posted by wenestvedt at 8:21 PM on April 1, 2017
posted by wenestvedt at 8:21 PM on April 1, 2017
Although that's probably unfair... Col. Jessep appeared at least marginally competent. Sorry Col. Jessep.
posted by Justinian at 8:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 8:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump is such an unsympathetic dirtbag that when this administration finally goes supernova, nobody is going to waste their time giving him the benefit of the doubt. (I hope.)
posted by ryanrs at 8:22 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 8:22 PM on April 1, 2017 [5 favorites]
Today I went to see Rep. Jackie Speier and former Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul for an event they called Russia 101 (that's the event that futz just posted about, though it sound like Speier got even more firey with Politico after). You can watch the entire thing here via Facebook if have an hour or so to kill.
It was a really good talk. Broadly, the theme, which shouldn't come as a surprise, is that Russia has interfered in our election and acted in all sorts of nefarious ways, and that we just aren't dealing with it. The question, which I wanted to ask but wasn't able to, is "so how should we be dealing with it? What possibly is the right response to all this if we didn't have a government determined to ignore it if not actively collude?"
McFaul laid out some background on Putin and Russia, for which I'd recommend you listen to his appearance on Pod Save the World. In general, he said that Putin views US relations as a zero-sum-game and does not believe in win-win outcomes. He blames the US for meddling in the affairs of other countries, particularly blaming Hillary Clinton for the 2011 protests after the rigged election (protests he says we had nothing to do with) and then the fall of Yanukovych. He described the relationship with Russia as "one foot in, one foot out" because they'd have radical disagreements between the US and Russia about what to do about Syria, and then Putin would turn around the next day, or even an hour later, and say "the most important event in US-Russian relations is the joint venture between Exxon Mobil and Rosneft."
The biggest bombshell came from Rep. Speier about the elections. In response to a question about the integrity of the vote. Here's my transcript:
McFaul also had a bit to say on Nunes, as former NSC staff:
McFaul also compared his time in the Obama transition to the Trump transition, saying that he was the "lead Russia guy" for Obama and they didn't have any of this going on. They had a strict policy of "one President at a time" and so they didn't have meetings with Kislyak even though he wanted meetings. They most certainly wouldn't have met with Vnesheconombank. He described all of this as "not usual behavior."
They hit on one point that's been bothering me a lot, which is that Trump seems to view ambiguity in foreign policy as a good thing (keeping his options open, not warning "the enemy" of what will happen, etc...), but ambiguity in foreign policy is the kind of thiny, g that gets people killed. By this time in 2009, there had already been numerous high-level meetings between the US and Russia and the first high-level summit between Obama and Medvedev was on April 1, 2009. The Trump folks haven't done any of that. Ambassador McFaul:
Finally, McFaul talked about an article he wrote for the Washington Post last month, We can’t let Trump go down Putin’s path. He pointed out that tax cuts were a major component of Putin's early rise to power, that "the deal was, I'll cut taxes and you let me do all this other stuff and we'll just keep quiet about it." And that this obviously has strong parallels to Trump right now. But he, amazingly, is still optimistic because he thinks we still have stronger democratic institutions and a desire to preserve them, compared to Russia in the 2000s. I, sadly, am not so optimistic.
posted by zachlipton at 8:23 PM on April 1, 2017 [136 favorites]
It was a really good talk. Broadly, the theme, which shouldn't come as a surprise, is that Russia has interfered in our election and acted in all sorts of nefarious ways, and that we just aren't dealing with it. The question, which I wanted to ask but wasn't able to, is "so how should we be dealing with it? What possibly is the right response to all this if we didn't have a government determined to ignore it if not actively collude?"
McFaul laid out some background on Putin and Russia, for which I'd recommend you listen to his appearance on Pod Save the World. In general, he said that Putin views US relations as a zero-sum-game and does not believe in win-win outcomes. He blames the US for meddling in the affairs of other countries, particularly blaming Hillary Clinton for the 2011 protests after the rigged election (protests he says we had nothing to do with) and then the fall of Yanukovych. He described the relationship with Russia as "one foot in, one foot out" because they'd have radical disagreements between the US and Russia about what to do about Syria, and then Putin would turn around the next day, or even an hour later, and say "the most important event in US-Russian relations is the joint venture between Exxon Mobil and Rosneft."
The biggest bombshell came from Rep. Speier about the elections. In response to a question about the integrity of the vote. Here's my transcript:
What we do not know the answer to. We do know that the Russians attempted and successfully got into a number of state voter records. We know that. We don't know to what extent they attempted to tamper with the voting machines. One of our responsibilities, as we investigate all of this, is what do we need to put in place to put the integrity to vote. Because I am not convinced, even now, that there wasn't. I don't think we know the answer. And I don't know that we're ever going to know the answer. Because there are so many disparate mechanisms and machines that are used state-by-state. Some states don't even have a paper tally. Some would suggest that a paper tally isn't good enough. But there needs to be a concerted effort to really drill down on this particular issue, because they've done it once; don't doubt for a minute they won't try to do it againThis is going well beyond Comey and Rogers' statements that the vote was not tampered with. I don't particularly have the sense that she had great evidence for this, but I also don't think this was an entirely baseless accusation, given the public statement that "Russian intelligence accessed elements of multiple state or local electoral boards. Since early 2014, Russian intelligence has researched US electoral processes and related technology and equipment...DHS assesses that the types of systems we observed Russian actors targeting or compromising are not involved in vote tallying." It is also a situation where Russia didn't really need to actually compromise the integrity of the vote, simply causing doubt and uncertainty accomplishes their goals enough (and so Speier, and now me by writing this, are playing into that), but it's pretty darn alarming to sit there and listen to a Congresswoman explain that she doesn't know whether Russia tried to manipulate voting machines.
McFaul also had a bit to say on Nunes, as former NSC staff:
First of all, in my three years in the US Government, I never once had or witnessed members of Congress coming to the NSC to read classified information. You have other channels that you receive that information through, and very appropriately in my view, that separation is important. We have a Constitution that separates the Executive and Legislative branch. I was on TV two days ago and another member of your body, I'm not even going to name him it was so embarrassing [but I sure as hell will name him. It was Rep. Ted Yoho] , he said Congressman Nunes works for Trump now. I was on TV with him at the time, but I'm like, we should send that person a Constitution because that's not how the way it works.There's a lot of questions that need to be asked about the classification of this material and who authorized Nunes to see it, because it's a really small club.
#2, and this I want to be careful here because I don't know all the facts. But when you work in the US Government, and I had top security clearance, right, but above top security, top secret security clearence, are something called compartmentalized intelligence, which is inteliigence that is so sensitive that you have to sign a piece of paper to read it, you can't even get it on your computer. I had a top secret computer on my desk because I worked in a SCIF, but this meant I had to go to this place to read it. And that is very, that means it is very closely controlled. There's probably a dozen people that can read it. It's not distributed. And as I read what happened, I wonder who gave the permission to give that information to the Chariman. Because that, in the Obama years, would have to have come from either the National Security Advisor or maybe the President himself.
So that's the first thing. The second obvious odd thing is that the NSC works for the President of the United States. The National Security Council, we, I was a staff member to the President. Where I worked, I could look literally out of my window and see the Oval Office. That's my boss. So what's so odd about this to me is that somebody from the outside came and read information that maybe they weren't supposed to read and then later went and briefed the guy that sits across the hallway. That's the job of the NSC to do, that's not the job of the US Congress [Speier: that's why none of this adds up.]
McFaul also compared his time in the Obama transition to the Trump transition, saying that he was the "lead Russia guy" for Obama and they didn't have any of this going on. They had a strict policy of "one President at a time" and so they didn't have meetings with Kislyak even though he wanted meetings. They most certainly wouldn't have met with Vnesheconombank. He described all of this as "not usual behavior."
They hit on one point that's been bothering me a lot, which is that Trump seems to view ambiguity in foreign policy as a good thing (keeping his options open, not warning "the enemy" of what will happen, etc...), but ambiguity in foreign policy is the kind of thiny, g that gets people killed. By this time in 2009, there had already been numerous high-level meetings between the US and Russia and the first high-level summit between Obama and Medvedev was on April 1, 2009. The Trump folks haven't done any of that. Ambassador McFaul:
So it's through ambiguity. And ambiguity and uncertainty is bad. It's always bad because it causes folks to misinterpret what we're going to do and it tempts people to do things when they think they can take advantage. And that's what my fear is right now, that we're not being clear about what our policy is.And they discussed Putin's support for Le Pen, with Speier describing the $10 million loan Le Pen's campaign received as "much cheaper than building weaponry" and both commenting on Le Pen's trip to the Kremlin, asking how furiously Putin would react if Obama had invited Russian opposition leaders to the White House. More broadly, they spoke of Putin's attempt to support separatist and opposition forces around the world, with McFaul describing Bannon's speeches as "exactly like Russian nationalists from 10-15 years ago."
Finally, McFaul talked about an article he wrote for the Washington Post last month, We can’t let Trump go down Putin’s path. He pointed out that tax cuts were a major component of Putin's early rise to power, that "the deal was, I'll cut taxes and you let me do all this other stuff and we'll just keep quiet about it." And that this obviously has strong parallels to Trump right now. But he, amazingly, is still optimistic because he thinks we still have stronger democratic institutions and a desire to preserve them, compared to Russia in the 2000s. I, sadly, am not so optimistic.
posted by zachlipton at 8:23 PM on April 1, 2017 [136 favorites]
New Priorities USA poll (please note that Priorities USA is explicitly progressive, so apply whatever discount you think appropriate):
10 point drop in Trump approval among *Trump voters*:
Mar 3-7: 92
Mar 23-27: 82
posted by Chrysostom at 8:26 PM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
10 point drop in Trump approval among *Trump voters*:
Mar 3-7: 92
Mar 23-27: 82
posted by Chrysostom at 8:26 PM on April 1, 2017 [8 favorites]
Thanks for the great recap zachlipton. It sounds like they got into some inside baseball tonight. How many people were there and did you get the sense that the audience was interested in what they had to say? Can you comment more on the mood of the room? - Not a reporter :)
posted by futz at 8:35 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by futz at 8:35 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
10 point drop in Trump approval among *Trump voters*:
Mar 3-7: 92
Mar 23-27: 82
Quinnipiac also had him dropping 10 points in a month (91 to 81). And also the percentage of people identifying as Rs dropped 2%.
And McClatchy/Marist also has him at 78% approval with Rs. Which sounds high, but really isn't that great. Obama never dropped below 80% with Dems in his first year. And Trump is at 34% with Inds which Obama never did.
posted by chris24 at 8:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
Mar 3-7: 92
Mar 23-27: 82
Quinnipiac also had him dropping 10 points in a month (91 to 81). And also the percentage of people identifying as Rs dropped 2%.
And McClatchy/Marist also has him at 78% approval with Rs. Which sounds high, but really isn't that great. Obama never dropped below 80% with Dems in his first year. And Trump is at 34% with Inds which Obama never did.
posted by chris24 at 8:39 PM on April 1, 2017 [9 favorites]
chris24: @mcuban 1) Here is my take on Trump and Russia
Bullshit. Trump has been going to Russia since the 80s. He's done business with them, including shady characters, since then. And he asked for Russian hackers' help live on TV during the election. Now he's suddenly "not a details" guy who gets to play dumb about their involvement? Fuck that.
That's not even getting into his really, really weird aversion to ever saying anything bad about Putin. I have a hard time believing Putin doesn't have something on Trump, even if it's not exactly what was described in the Steele Dossier.
posted by bluecore at 8:42 PM on April 1, 2017 [40 favorites]
Bullshit. Trump has been going to Russia since the 80s. He's done business with them, including shady characters, since then. And he asked for Russian hackers' help live on TV during the election. Now he's suddenly "not a details" guy who gets to play dumb about their involvement? Fuck that.
That's not even getting into his really, really weird aversion to ever saying anything bad about Putin. I have a hard time believing Putin doesn't have something on Trump, even if it's not exactly what was described in the Steele Dossier.
posted by bluecore at 8:42 PM on April 1, 2017 [40 favorites]
Thanks for the great recap zachlipton. It sounds like they got into some inside baseball tonight. How many people were there and did you get the sense that the audience was interested in what they had to say? Can you comment more on the mood of the room? - Not a reporter :)
Thanks. It was a full crowd of about 180 people. They ticketed it in advance and made it clear it was a small room (the San Mateo City Council chambers). The audience was very interested and engaged, especially since signups were available in a pretty narrow window. A bunch of SF Indivisible people. It wasn't a raucous town hall, nobody was interrupting or shouting things out, but people were there to learn. I'd broadly summarize the mood as people supportive and deeply concerned. This is frankly some scary shit, and both Speier and McFaul were pretty sober about that (McFaul says he gets Google's "government-backed attackers may be trying to steal your password" warning every couple weeks now).
One woman asked essentially "what can we do?" in response to all this, and their answer was a sort of glib "keep doing what you're doing, like showing up to events like this," which wasn't all that satisfying. I mean, we're talking about an act of war here and serious questions about treason, and showing up to a speech in San Mateo isn't exactly going to move the needle on any of that. Last week, at her town hall with Pelosi, Speier briefly discussed the possibility of holding a sit-in on the House floor in protest of Nunes and in support of a real independent investigation. I really hope that happens; I can't imagine there wouldn't be a ton of public support.
posted by zachlipton at 8:56 PM on April 1, 2017 [31 favorites]
Thanks. It was a full crowd of about 180 people. They ticketed it in advance and made it clear it was a small room (the San Mateo City Council chambers). The audience was very interested and engaged, especially since signups were available in a pretty narrow window. A bunch of SF Indivisible people. It wasn't a raucous town hall, nobody was interrupting or shouting things out, but people were there to learn. I'd broadly summarize the mood as people supportive and deeply concerned. This is frankly some scary shit, and both Speier and McFaul were pretty sober about that (McFaul says he gets Google's "government-backed attackers may be trying to steal your password" warning every couple weeks now).
One woman asked essentially "what can we do?" in response to all this, and their answer was a sort of glib "keep doing what you're doing, like showing up to events like this," which wasn't all that satisfying. I mean, we're talking about an act of war here and serious questions about treason, and showing up to a speech in San Mateo isn't exactly going to move the needle on any of that. Last week, at her town hall with Pelosi, Speier briefly discussed the possibility of holding a sit-in on the House floor in protest of Nunes and in support of a real independent investigation. I really hope that happens; I can't imagine there wouldn't be a ton of public support.
posted by zachlipton at 8:56 PM on April 1, 2017 [31 favorites]
chris24: "And Trump is at 34% with Inds which Obama never did."
Yeah, the indys are going to be key for mid-terms and 2020. I think it's reasonable to expect his approval among Rs to continue to erode, but it's going to hit a minimum of rock-solid supporters that he won't lose under any circumstance. But the he's already at near zero approval among Ds, and every indication is that Indies are very skeptical.
There's been a fair amount of research that self-identified Independents mostly vote for one party or the other, but I think the fact that they do self-ident as not in a party probably indicates they are a little less "my X, right or wrong" than party members.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:33 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yeah, the indys are going to be key for mid-terms and 2020. I think it's reasonable to expect his approval among Rs to continue to erode, but it's going to hit a minimum of rock-solid supporters that he won't lose under any circumstance. But the he's already at near zero approval among Ds, and every indication is that Indies are very skeptical.
There's been a fair amount of research that self-identified Independents mostly vote for one party or the other, but I think the fact that they do self-ident as not in a party probably indicates they are a little less "my X, right or wrong" than party members.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:33 PM on April 1, 2017 [3 favorites]
And McClatchy/Marist also has him at 78% approval with Rs. Which sounds high, but really isn't that great. Obama never dropped below 80% with Dems in his first year. And Trump is at 34% with Inds which Obama never did.
I can't help but wonder what would've happen if the Obama DOJ had really went after the Wall St. prepetrators of the 2008 collapse, 80s savings and loan style, and actually offered relief to real 'Muricans in the form of mortgage cramdowns, debt relief, forclosure postponements, etc, instead of bailing out banks and calling it a day. The people in the midwest that flipped Obama->Trump, a lot of them had valid reasons for feeling left behind and not vindicated by the Wall Street recovery while they lost their homes, jobs, and very communities, but billionaires and banks lost nothing and doing better than ever.
Some of them voted for the change candidate again, just like they did in 2008 (yes, a fuckload of them voted for the Racist White Guy who blamed it all on the Mexicans) but could that opening have been prevented by real punishment for the people responsible for crashing the world economy, instead of rewarding those same people? Was there a different response that could've left less people hurting and looking for a scapegoat? Probably. Voting for change feels good, and it worked pretty well relative to 2008. Given the clear choice, we've seen "change" is going to a lot of people's default. The 'vote the bums out' has a long tradition, regardless of the actual merits or candidates involved.
And objectively, neither party over the last 16-20 years has really worked for "middle America" economically, and the voters aren't entirely stupid. They know it. They might not be smart enough to properly attribute blame, and be susceptible to fringe, nationalist, racist, illogical, reasons for why, but they're not completely wrong. It is harder to get a good job. Homes do cost a lot more. College does cost a lot more. A lot more jobs do require college degrees anyway. Average wages haven't kept up. Their boss really does buy a new Porche every single year anyway, even though half of the department got laid off this year.
Democrats have to have answers next time. Not, "That guy is terrible" not, "the world's economy doesn't need you anymore", not, "America ['s banks] is already great so everything is fine", real answers. And it's getting harder to find those all the time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:13 PM on April 1, 2017 [50 favorites]
I can't help but wonder what would've happen if the Obama DOJ had really went after the Wall St. prepetrators of the 2008 collapse, 80s savings and loan style, and actually offered relief to real 'Muricans in the form of mortgage cramdowns, debt relief, forclosure postponements, etc, instead of bailing out banks and calling it a day. The people in the midwest that flipped Obama->Trump, a lot of them had valid reasons for feeling left behind and not vindicated by the Wall Street recovery while they lost their homes, jobs, and very communities, but billionaires and banks lost nothing and doing better than ever.
Some of them voted for the change candidate again, just like they did in 2008 (yes, a fuckload of them voted for the Racist White Guy who blamed it all on the Mexicans) but could that opening have been prevented by real punishment for the people responsible for crashing the world economy, instead of rewarding those same people? Was there a different response that could've left less people hurting and looking for a scapegoat? Probably. Voting for change feels good, and it worked pretty well relative to 2008. Given the clear choice, we've seen "change" is going to a lot of people's default. The 'vote the bums out' has a long tradition, regardless of the actual merits or candidates involved.
And objectively, neither party over the last 16-20 years has really worked for "middle America" economically, and the voters aren't entirely stupid. They know it. They might not be smart enough to properly attribute blame, and be susceptible to fringe, nationalist, racist, illogical, reasons for why, but they're not completely wrong. It is harder to get a good job. Homes do cost a lot more. College does cost a lot more. A lot more jobs do require college degrees anyway. Average wages haven't kept up. Their boss really does buy a new Porche every single year anyway, even though half of the department got laid off this year.
Democrats have to have answers next time. Not, "That guy is terrible" not, "the world's economy doesn't need you anymore", not, "America ['s banks] is already great so everything is fine", real answers. And it's getting harder to find those all the time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:13 PM on April 1, 2017 [50 favorites]
Thanks again zachlipton. You are extremely lucky to even have an event like that that you could attend and the fact that Speier called it Russia 101 [No burying the lede here. It is a shot across the bow] and she is a member of the House Intelligence Committee holding forth alongside a former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. NONE of us will see that in our states I'd bet. Or pretty damn close to none.
posted by futz at 10:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by futz at 10:21 PM on April 1, 2017 [21 favorites]
At LAWeekly, Henry Rollins makes some observations about Trump's trips to Mar-a-Lago.
He called his repulsive property the “winter White House,” no doubt to put that into the country’s vocabulary, to be parroted by assholes like Sean Hannity going forward. Right then I knew he was going to try to spend as much time there as he could ...posted by valetta at 10:47 PM on April 1, 2017 [13 favorites]
NY Post hacked to broadcast message for Trump through Post app.
Heil President Donald Trump! Hear me now, for I speak as an angel in the words of God. In casting truth into the darkness of your shadow, you have gravely sinned... And yet, for your generosity of spirit and sharpness of mind, salvation remains within reach. Open your heart to those you do not understand and listen to all those you fear and look down upon. For in truth, there is no other. Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, but don't be late... For the fate of your soul is soon to be decided. With Lucid Love, Selah.posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 11:40 PM on April 1, 2017
Every genre has its Jonathon Chait, and for 80s South Bay punk rock, it's Henry Rollins.
posted by notyou at 11:51 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by notyou at 11:51 PM on April 1, 2017 [2 favorites]
I haven't listened to his music much in the last 20 years, but it was pretty swell of Rollins to introduce me Suicide, The Birthday Party, Flipper, etc during my formative years. I don't imagine Chait will be doing anything nearly as cool for anyone any time soon.
Rollins' article was okay. All of it was old news to someone who is paying attention to these threads, but however large or small the population of people is who are reading Rollins' columns while not paying much attention to the news, I'm glad that they are able to get this information somewhere.
posted by bootlegpop at 12:33 AM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
Rollins' article was okay. All of it was old news to someone who is paying attention to these threads, but however large or small the population of people is who are reading Rollins' columns while not paying much attention to the news, I'm glad that they are able to get this information somewhere.
posted by bootlegpop at 12:33 AM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
I'm standing here in the checkout line and there's a tabloid with a big "Hillary Caught Taking Bribes " headline and smaller headlines suggesting Russian connections and that she and Obama will be going to jail and I'm reminded that this is what a chunk of the country believes. I suspect they believe in Batboy too. I once again deem democracy a failed experiment and propose we go back to philosopher kings.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:29 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:29 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
I dunno. Aren't academic philosophy departments ruled by philosopher kings? Judging by comments on AskMe, that doesn't always go so well.
Are geography departments well-ruled? Maybe geographer kings. At least they'd have a very thorough idea of what they were ruling.
posted by XMLicious at 2:15 AM on April 2, 2017 [15 favorites]
Are geography departments well-ruled? Maybe geographer kings. At least they'd have a very thorough idea of what they were ruling.
posted by XMLicious at 2:15 AM on April 2, 2017 [15 favorites]
With stenographer kings, at least we'd have a full and complete record.
posted by taz at 2:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [46 favorites]
posted by taz at 2:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [46 favorites]
I understand that Pence is right behind the theocratic kings plan.
posted by jaduncan at 2:35 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 2:35 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Aren't academic philosophy departments ruled by philosopher kings?
Nah. We're ruled by university administrators who are almost never philosophers. And even if we did rule ourselves, it's unclear that any of us would be sufficiently king-like. :)
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 2:48 AM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
Nah. We're ruled by university administrators who are almost never philosophers. And even if we did rule ourselves, it's unclear that any of us would be sufficiently king-like. :)
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 2:48 AM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
WaPo article on Bannon and the Mercer family:
The Mercers have exerted pressure on the political system by helping erect an alternative media ecosystem, whose storylines dominated the 2016 race.posted by OnceUponATime at 3:53 AM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
Their alliance with Bannon provided fuel for the narrative that drove Trump’s victory: that dangerous immigrants are ruining the country and corrupt power brokers are sabotaging Washington.
Before his work in the White House, Stephen K. Bannon was involved in several ventures with mega-donor Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah.
The wealthy New York family and the former investment banker-turned-media executive collaborated on at least five ventures between 2011 and 2016, according to a Washington Post review of public filings and multiple people familiar with their relationship. The extent of their partnership has not previously been reported.
I'm standing here in the checkout line and there's a tabloid with a big "Hillary Caught Taking Bribes " headline and smaller headlines suggesting Russian connections
That seems to be the alt-right explanation for this whole Russia investigation. I had someone on Facebook seriously say in response to Mike Flynn asking for immunity, that "He's about to testify against Hillary and Obama."
Who needs the truth...
posted by mmoncur at 3:58 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
That seems to be the alt-right explanation for this whole Russia investigation. I had someone on Facebook seriously say in response to Mike Flynn asking for immunity, that "He's about to testify against Hillary and Obama."
Who needs the truth...
posted by mmoncur at 3:58 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
I feel like some Americans watched the scenes in Men in Black where the tabloids turn out to be true and thought they were watching a documentary.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:39 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:39 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm standing here in the checkout line and there's a tabloid with a big "Hillary Caught Taking Bribes " headline
It's probably the National Enquirer. They endorsed Trump and have been printing lurid anti-Clinton stuff for a long time. The paper was once owned by Rupert Murdoch; he sold it off, but I presume a lot of his people are still there.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 5:32 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's probably the National Enquirer. They endorsed Trump and have been printing lurid anti-Clinton stuff for a long time. The paper was once owned by Rupert Murdoch; he sold it off, but I presume a lot of his people are still there.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 5:32 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Near the beginning of the first of a series from the LA Times about Donald Trump's train-wreck presidency:
Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck. Like millions of other Americans, we clung to a slim hope that the new president would turn out to be all noise and bluster, or that the people around him in the White House would act as a check on his worst instincts, or that he would be sobered and transformed by the awesome responsibilities of office.posted by kingless at 5:32 AM on April 2, 2017 [15 favorites]
Instead, seventy-some days in — and with about 1,400 to go before his term is completed — it is increasingly clear that those hopes were misplaced.
Who is this "we", LA Times, and why are they not ashamed of being that gullible?
posted by winna at 5:46 AM on April 2, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by winna at 5:46 AM on April 2, 2017 [31 favorites]
@mcuban
1) Here is my take on Trump and Russia
First, as has been pointed out upthread, Trump has been dealing with the Russians for decades, from the Soviet government to Putin, from oligarchs to organized crime. His real estate holdings and casinos are prime opportunities for mafiya money-laundering. If Cuban thinks that Trump isn't aware of who he's been doing business with, then he's being more naive than he's accusing Trump of being.
Second, Cuban's been a lot softer on Trump following the election - and after his surprise meeting with Steve Bannon. This Trump-as-disengaged-boss sounds much too much like Reagan's Iran-Contra defense for Cuban to float it unprompted on Twitter - where Trump, Bannon, et al. can see how it plays with the public.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:57 AM on April 2, 2017 [33 favorites]
1) Here is my take on Trump and Russia
First, as has been pointed out upthread, Trump has been dealing with the Russians for decades, from the Soviet government to Putin, from oligarchs to organized crime. His real estate holdings and casinos are prime opportunities for mafiya money-laundering. If Cuban thinks that Trump isn't aware of who he's been doing business with, then he's being more naive than he's accusing Trump of being.
Second, Cuban's been a lot softer on Trump following the election - and after his surprise meeting with Steve Bannon. This Trump-as-disengaged-boss sounds much too much like Reagan's Iran-Contra defense for Cuban to float it unprompted on Twitter - where Trump, Bannon, et al. can see how it plays with the public.
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:57 AM on April 2, 2017 [33 favorites]
It's probably the National Enquirer. They endorsed Trump and have been printing lurid anti-Clinton stuff for a long time.
Months ago, someone mentioned that when they see the National Enquirer at the market, they turn it backwards so the back cover shows. I started doing this at my (blue bubble) Vons and now I notice that other people must definitely be doing it, too, because they're often already turned around. Now I also do it whenever someone named Trump is on a cover. Resist!
posted by Room 641-A at 6:38 AM on April 2, 2017 [50 favorites]
Months ago, someone mentioned that when they see the National Enquirer at the market, they turn it backwards so the back cover shows. I started doing this at my (blue bubble) Vons and now I notice that other people must definitely be doing it, too, because they're often already turned around. Now I also do it whenever someone named Trump is on a cover. Resist!
posted by Room 641-A at 6:38 AM on April 2, 2017 [50 favorites]
Will anything come of this? A girl can dream....
Trump aide accused of Hatch Act violation after urging Amash primary challenge
Trump aide accused of Hatch Act violation after urging Amash primary challenge
Dan Scavino Jr., director of social media and senior White House adviser, tweeted that Michigan Rep. Justin Amash is a "big liability" for the state and encouraged a GOP primary opponent to oust him in 2018.posted by Room 641-A at 6:56 AM on April 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
[...]
But that tweet, sent from Scavino's personal Twitter account, immediately landed him in controversy as ethics lawyers called out Scavino for possibly violating the Hatch Act, a Depression-era law that regulates campaigning by government officials.
It's probably the National Enquirer. They endorsed Trump and have been printing lurid anti-Clinton stuff for a long time.
David Pecker, the CEO of the Enquirer's publisher, American Media, is one of Trump's few longstanding friends. During the election campaign, Pecker released a statement saying "I have known Donald Trump for 25 years and I am proud to call him a friend. I support his candidacy for President and greatly admire what he has achieved in a relatively short period of time as a non-politician." Since the election, the Enquirer's been even more pro-Trump, if anything. It's practically a house organ for the administration - and it's in practically every supermarket and drugstore checkout counter in the nation.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:00 AM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
David Pecker, the CEO of the Enquirer's publisher, American Media, is one of Trump's few longstanding friends. During the election campaign, Pecker released a statement saying "I have known Donald Trump for 25 years and I am proud to call him a friend. I support his candidacy for President and greatly admire what he has achieved in a relatively short period of time as a non-politician." Since the election, the Enquirer's been even more pro-Trump, if anything. It's practically a house organ for the administration - and it's in practically every supermarket and drugstore checkout counter in the nation.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:00 AM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
Still, nothing prepared us for the magnitude of this train wreck.
Not like, I dunno, every second of his fucking campaign? The chaos of constant personnel changes, rewarding loyalty instead of excellence (or even competence), the lack of professionalism, the hate? He promised he would enact a deportation force, destroy environmental regulations, ignore global warming. His lack of knowledge and ridiculous promises showed plenty of us that he was not serious about fixing problems with the ACA. Ditto crime and education. He made it apparent in every moment leading up to Nov that a large part of the reasoning behind his actions was simply to piss off liberals and whip up his base.
The handwringing LA Times article states that the worst thing about Trump is Trump himself. Yeah, no shit. Millions of people realized that a year or more ago. This is why when he won so many of us spiraled into a depressive funk. It wasn't because we lost; it was because he won.
posted by chaoticgood at 7:01 AM on April 2, 2017 [87 favorites]
Not like, I dunno, every second of his fucking campaign? The chaos of constant personnel changes, rewarding loyalty instead of excellence (or even competence), the lack of professionalism, the hate? He promised he would enact a deportation force, destroy environmental regulations, ignore global warming. His lack of knowledge and ridiculous promises showed plenty of us that he was not serious about fixing problems with the ACA. Ditto crime and education. He made it apparent in every moment leading up to Nov that a large part of the reasoning behind his actions was simply to piss off liberals and whip up his base.
The handwringing LA Times article states that the worst thing about Trump is Trump himself. Yeah, no shit. Millions of people realized that a year or more ago. This is why when he won so many of us spiraled into a depressive funk. It wasn't because we lost; it was because he won.
posted by chaoticgood at 7:01 AM on April 2, 2017 [87 favorites]
Run-off election in Ecuador today which will likely decide Julian Assange's fate:
The vote is a run-off between left-wing Lenin Moreno, who is backed by President Correa, and conservative Guillermo Lasso.
...
Mr Lasso has said he will kick Julian Assange out of the embassy within 30 days if he wins.
Mr Moreno said he would let him stay as long as he refrained from releasing material on "friendly" countries.
posted by bluecore at 7:06 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
The vote is a run-off between left-wing Lenin Moreno, who is backed by President Correa, and conservative Guillermo Lasso.
...
Mr Lasso has said he will kick Julian Assange out of the embassy within 30 days if he wins.
Mr Moreno said he would let him stay as long as he refrained from releasing material on "friendly" countries.
posted by bluecore at 7:06 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
re: independents, my dad makes a big deal out of being one, and I would probably describe him as falling squarely in the 'fuck you got mine' category of well-off white dudes who have no problem with liberal social policy but usually vote their wallets anyway.
He haaaaaaates the Clintons and has for as long as I can remember, to a degree that is genuinely irrational. Once, during the election, I asked him for his opinion on HRC's plan for combating prescription drug abuse (he's a doctor) and he immediately derailed into some nonsense about Vince Foster. For much of last year he posted tons of badly-sourced right-wing nonsense on Facebook and was super combative in the comments of some of my posts.
He says he voted for Obama in 08, Romney in 12. He voted for Trump. After the election, when I was freaking out, he said a lot of things like 'well, now the campaign is over, things will calm down' and 'it won't be that bad' and 'we've survived bad presidents before.'
Now? Crickets. He hasn't posted anything politics-related in almost a month, hasn't commented anywhere I can see. The Passover seder should be interesting. I'll report back.
posted by nonasuch at 7:07 AM on April 2, 2017 [94 favorites]
He haaaaaaates the Clintons and has for as long as I can remember, to a degree that is genuinely irrational. Once, during the election, I asked him for his opinion on HRC's plan for combating prescription drug abuse (he's a doctor) and he immediately derailed into some nonsense about Vince Foster. For much of last year he posted tons of badly-sourced right-wing nonsense on Facebook and was super combative in the comments of some of my posts.
He says he voted for Obama in 08, Romney in 12. He voted for Trump. After the election, when I was freaking out, he said a lot of things like 'well, now the campaign is over, things will calm down' and 'it won't be that bad' and 'we've survived bad presidents before.'
Now? Crickets. He hasn't posted anything politics-related in almost a month, hasn't commented anywhere I can see. The Passover seder should be interesting. I'll report back.
posted by nonasuch at 7:07 AM on April 2, 2017 [94 favorites]
The Passover seder should be interesting. I'll report back.
"Next year at the embassy in Jerusalem!"
posted by Talez at 7:19 AM on April 2, 2017 [19 favorites]
"Next year at the embassy in Jerusalem!"
posted by Talez at 7:19 AM on April 2, 2017 [19 favorites]
I'm caught up on the discussions? I'm caught up with the discussions!
michswiss when the threads paused.
posted by michswiss at 7:38 AM on April 2, 2017 [35 favorites]
michswiss when the threads paused.
posted by michswiss at 7:38 AM on April 2, 2017 [35 favorites]
Will anything come of this? A girl can dream....
'[fill in the blank] accused of [fill in the blank] violation after [fill in the blank]'
I don't care if it's the big stuff or the small stuff right now; I'm just longing to see the word CHARGED or INDICTED. Personally, I need to start seeing some consequences for all these violations before I lose my grip on reality.
posted by ezust at 7:45 AM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
'[fill in the blank] accused of [fill in the blank] violation after [fill in the blank]'
I don't care if it's the big stuff or the small stuff right now; I'm just longing to see the word CHARGED or INDICTED. Personally, I need to start seeing some consequences for all these violations before I lose my grip on reality.
posted by ezust at 7:45 AM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
many people are quoting that paragraph from the LA Times editorial because it seems pre-assembled for hot takes, but everyone conveniently leaves off the sentence before it:
The Times called him unprepared and unsuited for the job he was seeking, and said his election would be a “catastrophe.”posted by murphy slaw at 7:49 AM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's an tweety morning for him. As the old song says, "There's something in a Sunday / that makes a Trumpy feel alone."
@realDonaldTrump
Anybody (especially Fake News media) who thinks that Repeal & Replace of ObamaCare is dead does not know the love and strength in R Party!
Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on, and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck.
The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:54 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Anybody (especially Fake News media) who thinks that Repeal & Replace of ObamaCare is dead does not know the love and strength in R Party!
Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on, and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck.
The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:54 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I for reals did not expect Trump to start tweeting about all the love in the GOP.
posted by angrycat at 7:59 AM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 7:59 AM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
love and strength in R Party!
Love? R means Republicans not Rotarians, right? He srs?
posted by Talez at 8:01 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Love? R means Republicans not Rotarians, right? He srs?
posted by Talez at 8:01 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
hey folks, it's love AND strength
so he doesn't have to say "no homo" explicitly
posted by murphy slaw at 8:06 AM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
so he doesn't have to say "no homo" explicitly
posted by murphy slaw at 8:06 AM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump is now with Rand Paul in the clubhouse of Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. Sen. Paul is wearing khakis & a windbreaker, per pool.
Looks like Trump is trying to reign in the senate votes.
posted by Talez at 8:07 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Looks like Trump is trying to reign in the senate votes.
posted by Talez at 8:07 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Talks on Repealing and Replacing ObamaCare are, and have been, going on, and will continue until such time as a deal is hopefully struck.
This is not a sentence he could parse, let alone generate - even assuming 'hopefully' was in his vocabulary.
It's going to be interesting to see how the paranoid conspiracy shtick will play out, now that he's the president and in entirely the right place to find things out for himself. The only way I can see is that he increases the demonisation of the intelligence community - he can't very well order some masive review, as there's nothing to find (how are those millions of illegal voters doing?), so he either has to burn them to the ground or keep hopping from lilypad to lilypad and hope nobody cares.
posted by Devonian at 8:08 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is not a sentence he could parse, let alone generate - even assuming 'hopefully' was in his vocabulary.
It's going to be interesting to see how the paranoid conspiracy shtick will play out, now that he's the president and in entirely the right place to find things out for himself. The only way I can see is that he increases the demonisation of the intelligence community - he can't very well order some masive review, as there's nothing to find (how are those millions of illegal voters doing?), so he either has to burn them to the ground or keep hopping from lilypad to lilypad and hope nobody cares.
posted by Devonian at 8:08 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
I for reals did not expect Trump to start tweeting about all the love in the GOP.
Wake 'n bake!
posted by octobersurprise at 8:13 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Wake 'n bake!
posted by octobersurprise at 8:13 AM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
never has the synecdoche of the president for the entire executive branch been more strained. we're constantly speculating about the motivations and plans of "Trump" as if he was a coherent unitary actor, when in reality he's a massively reactive creature of instinct, buffeted around by his narcissistic impulses and the tuggings and shovings of various factions in his inner circle
reasoning about this administration is like trying to guess the destination of a clown car full of drunks that pulls a chinese fire drill and switches drivers at every intersection
posted by murphy slaw at 8:17 AM on April 2, 2017 [44 favorites]
reasoning about this administration is like trying to guess the destination of a clown car full of drunks that pulls a chinese fire drill and switches drivers at every intersection
posted by murphy slaw at 8:17 AM on April 2, 2017 [44 favorites]
Charlie Mackenzie: Hey Mom, I find it interesting that you refer to the Weekly World News as, "The paper." The paper contains facts.
May Mackenzie: This paper contains facts. And this paper has the eighth highest circulation in the whole wide world. Right? Plenty of facts. "Pregnant man gives birth." That's a fact.
posted by jferg at 8:17 AM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
May Mackenzie: This paper contains facts. And this paper has the eighth highest circulation in the whole wide world. Right? Plenty of facts. "Pregnant man gives birth." That's a fact.
posted by jferg at 8:17 AM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
I'm caught up on the discussions? I'm caught up with the discussions!
That feel when you aren't sure if you're caught up or if the thread just isn't reloading properly.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 8:50 AM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
That feel when you aren't sure if you're caught up or if the thread just isn't reloading properly.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 8:50 AM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
I'm imagining all the furious scheduling still happening at the administration-level of the WH like it has to, only now the guy in charge keeps asking 'can we schedule it on the course?' because that's where he's always done his business. Pussy grabber in the White House is Awkward-Handshake-With-Obama and Walking-Out-Without-Signing-Executive-Orders President. Pussy grabber on the golf course closes deals and grabs pussy.
posted by carsonb at 8:53 AM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 8:53 AM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
And everyone actually desiring a meeting with the guy is like, 'Golf with the P? Fuck yeah!' because that is what those types of human have always said.
posted by carsonb at 8:55 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by carsonb at 8:55 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
May Mackenzie: This paper contains facts. And this paper has the eighth highest circulation in the whole wide world. Right? Plenty of facts. "Pregnant man gives birth." That's a fact.
Pregnant man is what gives it plausibility. If it was just a man giving birth that would be ridiculous.
posted by srboisvert at 8:58 AM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
Pregnant man is what gives it plausibility. If it was just a man giving birth that would be ridiculous.
posted by srboisvert at 8:58 AM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
The thing about hacked voter rolls and intimate data is that, when I volunteered on a Congressional campaign last year, the campaign had all the data that was in the voter rolls. It's public information. You get it by making an open records request. Some states restrict it more than others. Most states don't host it online (except maybe ohio??) so you have to make a formal request, and there's a small fee. You can't use it for commercial purposes, but a company like Cambridge Analytica can probably legitimately say that they're researchers.
Point is that AS FAR AS I KNOW there's no information you can get by hacking that they can't get by a regular open records request. And they could just as easily get it by hacking a Senate campaign. If Russians hacked the voter rolls, they probably didn't do it for information.
and that is as far as I will speculate because I feel crazier every time I say the word "Russians".
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 9:41 AM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
Point is that AS FAR AS I KNOW there's no information you can get by hacking that they can't get by a regular open records request. And they could just as easily get it by hacking a Senate campaign. If Russians hacked the voter rolls, they probably didn't do it for information.
and that is as far as I will speculate because I feel crazier every time I say the word "Russians".
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 9:41 AM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
Point is that AS FAR AS I KNOW there's no information you can get by hacking that they can't get by a regular open records request. And they could just as easily get it by hacking a Senate campaign. If Russians hacked the voter rolls, they probably didn't do it for information.
There's more than one class of objective in hacking. In Infosec we have a concept called the CIA triangle: Confidentiality, Integrity, Access. They're the three aspects of data we try to protect & hackers try to compromise. I saw a report that said investigators believe the purpose of one such hacking attempt was to alter the names of Democrats to trigger interstate cross-checking & invalidation of their votes. That's an attack on Integrity of the data, not Confidentiality.
posted by scalefree at 10:14 AM on April 2, 2017 [40 favorites]
There's more than one class of objective in hacking. In Infosec we have a concept called the CIA triangle: Confidentiality, Integrity, Access. They're the three aspects of data we try to protect & hackers try to compromise. I saw a report that said investigators believe the purpose of one such hacking attempt was to alter the names of Democrats to trigger interstate cross-checking & invalidation of their votes. That's an attack on Integrity of the data, not Confidentiality.
posted by scalefree at 10:14 AM on April 2, 2017 [40 favorites]
Trump's approval rating started off shitty with every demographic group but Republicans. But it has declined since inauguration with every single demographic group Gallup measures.
All 42 of them.
From 3 to 11 point drops.
posted by chris24 at 10:24 AM on April 2, 2017 [30 favorites]
All 42 of them.
From 3 to 11 point drops.
posted by chris24 at 10:24 AM on April 2, 2017 [30 favorites]
Sen. Donnelly (Ind.) is a YES on Gorsuch. Making it a total of 3 Dems so far. =(
posted by melissasaurus at 10:49 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 10:49 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Sen. Donnelly (Ind.) is a YES on Gorsuch. Making it a total of 3 Dems so far. =(
Schumer said on MTP this morning that "it looks like Gorsuch will not reach the 60-vote margin" needed to overcome a filibuster. I hope he's right.
posted by chris24 at 11:04 AM on April 2, 2017 [16 favorites]
Schumer said on MTP this morning that "it looks like Gorsuch will not reach the 60-vote margin" needed to overcome a filibuster. I hope he's right.
posted by chris24 at 11:04 AM on April 2, 2017 [16 favorites]
I saw a report that said investigators believe the purpose of one such hacking attempt was to alter the names of Democrats to trigger interstate cross-checking & invalidation of their votes. That's an attack on Integrity of the data, not Confidentiality.
I remember this as well from the election threads.
posted by maggiemaggie at 11:04 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
I remember this as well from the election threads.
posted by maggiemaggie at 11:04 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
This WaPo story makes Bannon's nationalism and populism seem phony as a three dollar bill. I had thought he was a true believer in all that stuff, awful as it is. Now I think there's a good chance he's gonna turn out to be involved in international money laundering too. Seems like he moves in the right circles. So if not Bannon, are there any true believers on Trump's team? Or are they all just con men?
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:05 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:05 AM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Joe Manchin’s high-wire act: Working with Trump — and criticizing both parties
On Thursday, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin III became the first Democratic senator to support President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
On Friday, he came to this town of 484 people to explain why.
The United Mine Workers of America was hosting Manchin for an ask-anything town hall meeting, and one of the first skeptical questions focused on what “working people” could expect from Judge Neil Gorsuch.
“Well, I talked to Merrick Garland” — former president Barack Obama’s nominee for the same court vacancy, whom Republicans blocked last year. “I thought he was a good man. He never ruled in favor of anybody but the agencies, which were killing us. And I said, ‘Judge Garland, how come the agencies always win with you? How come the average person never does, not once?’ ”
This article made me hate him even more.
posted by futz at 11:10 AM on April 2, 2017 [36 favorites]
On Thursday, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin III became the first Democratic senator to support President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
On Friday, he came to this town of 484 people to explain why.
The United Mine Workers of America was hosting Manchin for an ask-anything town hall meeting, and one of the first skeptical questions focused on what “working people” could expect from Judge Neil Gorsuch.
“Well, I talked to Merrick Garland” — former president Barack Obama’s nominee for the same court vacancy, whom Republicans blocked last year. “I thought he was a good man. He never ruled in favor of anybody but the agencies, which were killing us. And I said, ‘Judge Garland, how come the agencies always win with you? How come the average person never does, not once?’ ”
This article made me hate him even more.
posted by futz at 11:10 AM on April 2, 2017 [36 favorites]
They are all just con men.
posted by rikschell at 11:20 AM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 11:20 AM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'm standing here in the checkout line and there's a tabloid with a big "Hillary Caught Taking Bribes " headline and smaller headlines suggesting Russian connections and that she and Obama will be going to jail and I'm reminded that this is what a chunk of the country believes. I suspect they believe in Batboy too. I once again deem democracy a failed experiment and propose we go back to philosopher kings.
quoting the whole thing because I believe The National Enquirer's propaganda campaign is what put Trump over the top in the "Blue Wall" states.
I buy distilled water at a Winco every week or so and got to see the drumbeat of smears on the Enquirer covers, and EVERY shopper at hoi polloi grocery stores heading into the election got the same exposure, week after week.
The Enquirer is not of the "Batboy" level of BS tabloids. Historically the dirt they dish on celebrities and politicians has been true, or failing that in some instances, at least believable.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 11:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
quoting the whole thing because I believe The National Enquirer's propaganda campaign is what put Trump over the top in the "Blue Wall" states.
I buy distilled water at a Winco every week or so and got to see the drumbeat of smears on the Enquirer covers, and EVERY shopper at hoi polloi grocery stores heading into the election got the same exposure, week after week.
The Enquirer is not of the "Batboy" level of BS tabloids. Historically the dirt they dish on celebrities and politicians has been true, or failing that in some instances, at least believable.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 11:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Two lovely tidbits from today:
Adam Schiff on State of the Union - best quote is "when Donald Trump calls something fake news, that's where we should look". This man restores my faith in my government.
SOTU
and from WaPo
A judge rules Trump may have incited violence
Today was a good day!
posted by bluesky43 at 11:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
Adam Schiff on State of the Union - best quote is "when Donald Trump calls something fake news, that's where we should look". This man restores my faith in my government.
SOTU
and from WaPo
A judge rules Trump may have incited violence
Today was a good day!
posted by bluesky43 at 11:21 AM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
Trump's approval rating started off shitty with every demographic group but Republicans. But it has declined since inauguration with every single demographic group Gallup measures.
All 42 of them.
From 3 to 11 point drops.
And those demographics with low drops (under 5 points) are Conservatives (-3) who are a lost cause, but mostly groups who didn't have a lot to drop (Liberal Democrat, Liberal, Black, Nonwhite). Who is dropping 9, 10, 11 points? Moderates, Pure Independents, Independents, Income 60-90K. The swing demos.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 11:26 AM on April 2, 2017 [31 favorites]
All 42 of them.
From 3 to 11 point drops.
And those demographics with low drops (under 5 points) are Conservatives (-3) who are a lost cause, but mostly groups who didn't have a lot to drop (Liberal Democrat, Liberal, Black, Nonwhite). Who is dropping 9, 10, 11 points? Moderates, Pure Independents, Independents, Income 60-90K. The swing demos.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 11:26 AM on April 2, 2017 [31 favorites]
It's like I live beneath a huge evil centipede, and I climbed into bed several months ago and the EC took of and heavily dropped his first shoe. Here I lie, full of anticipation and dread. When are the other 99 shoes going to DROP, dammit? What is he waiting for up there? I can't sleep. (For the purposes of this tortured metaphor, and IRL.)
posted by thebrokedown at 11:35 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 11:35 AM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
When a judge rules that the POTUS may have incited violence, and my reaction is "GOOD!" it is a bleak timeline indeed.
posted by thebrokedown at 11:39 AM on April 2, 2017 [41 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 11:39 AM on April 2, 2017 [41 favorites]
It's like I live beneath a huge evil centipede, and I climbed into bed several months ago and the EC took of and heavily dropped his first shoe. Here I lie, full of anticipation and dread. When are the other 99 shoes going to DROP, dammit?
Lol:
McCain on Russia probe: 'Every time we turn around, another shoe drops from this centipede'
posted by futz at 11:42 AM on April 2, 2017 [26 favorites]
Lol:
McCain on Russia probe: 'Every time we turn around, another shoe drops from this centipede'
posted by futz at 11:42 AM on April 2, 2017 [26 favorites]
Oh Jesus. Now I'm sharing a brain with John McCain?!
posted by thebrokedown at 11:44 AM on April 2, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 11:44 AM on April 2, 2017 [24 favorites]
Oh Jesus. Now I'm sharing a brain with John McCain?!
I'd watch that sitcom.
posted by chris24 at 11:55 AM on April 2, 2017 [38 favorites]
I'd watch that sitcom.
posted by chris24 at 11:55 AM on April 2, 2017 [38 favorites]
evil centipede == EC == electoral college
connect the dots sheeple
posted by murphy slaw at 12:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [53 favorites]
connect the dots sheeple
posted by murphy slaw at 12:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [53 favorites]
Sen. Donnelly (Ind.) is a YES on Gorsuch. Making it a total of 3 Dems so far. =(
If you give conservative voters a choice between a Republican and Republican-lite, they're going to vote for the real thing. Do women's groups in Indiana not matter? Labor? Because they sure as shit won't be fired up for this guy, and who do you think works to get out the vote for 2018? It's like he's learned nothing from Hillary's electoral implosion.
posted by indubitable at 12:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
If you give conservative voters a choice between a Republican and Republican-lite, they're going to vote for the real thing. Do women's groups in Indiana not matter? Labor? Because they sure as shit won't be fired up for this guy, and who do you think works to get out the vote for 2018? It's like he's learned nothing from Hillary's electoral implosion.
posted by indubitable at 12:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
Now I'm sharing a brain with John McCain
I didn't think there was a need for a sequel to Being John Malkovitch, but your pitch intrigues me.
posted by nubs at 12:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
I didn't think there was a need for a sequel to Being John Malkovitch, but your pitch intrigues me.
posted by nubs at 12:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
tfw you're about to link an article in the new yorker that starts out "this can't go on much longer, can it?" and then you realize it's from February 14th.
posted by murphy slaw at 12:19 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 12:19 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
>>That's an attack on Integrity of the data, not Confidentiality.
>Link please. Very interested!
posted by BentFranklin at 10:50 AM on April 2 [1 favorite +] [!]
Eponysinister!
posted by acrasis at 12:47 PM on April 2, 2017
>Link please. Very interested!
posted by BentFranklin at 10:50 AM on April 2 [1 favorite +] [!]
Eponysinister!
posted by acrasis at 12:47 PM on April 2, 2017
This is way above my head, but may be of interest?
Via Nathan Yau:
Trevor Martin for FiveThirtyEight used latent semantic analysis to do math with subreddits, specifically r/The_Donald.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Via Nathan Yau:
Trevor Martin for FiveThirtyEight used latent semantic analysis to do math with subreddits, specifically r/The_Donald.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
No way, I reached the end. Or has there been a new thread?
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:04 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:04 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Nah, just a sleepy Sunday and we all spent yesterday doing goofy roleplaying in MetaTalk instead of chatting about politics quite so much.
posted by cortex at 1:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by cortex at 1:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
That's an attack on Integrity of the data, not Confidentiality.
Link please. Very interested!
Best I can give you is I think it was the cybersecurity expert who testified before SSCI last week.
posted by scalefree at 1:12 PM on April 2, 2017
Link please. Very interested!
Best I can give you is I think it was the cybersecurity expert who testified before SSCI last week.
posted by scalefree at 1:12 PM on April 2, 2017
I've just started the Semantic Analysis article so comments in a few. BUT the article has THE.MOST.AWESOME graphic of donald trump's head I have ever seen.
posted by bluesky43 at 1:20 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky43 at 1:20 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yesterday I ran into the fact that Edgar Allan Poe's first posthumous collection in 1852 was named Tales of Mystery, Imagination and Humour and I was thinking to myself, humour? So, I looked up an old copy. Some stories, like A Few Words With A Mummy were of that sort of wispy dry satire that Washington Irving used to do.
The mummy in question, Count Alamistakeo, was revived from Ancient Egypt and made commentary in the nature of, you think you are so advanced, Egypt did it first. One section commented on democracy in general and seems relevant to Trump:
Thirteen Egyptian provinces determined all at once to be free, and to set a magnificent example to the rest of mankind. They assembled their wise men, and concocted the most ingenious constitution it is possible to conceive. For a while they managed remarkably well; only their habit of bragging was prodigious. The thing ended, however, in the consolidation of the thirteen states, with some fifteen or twenty others, in the most odious and insupportable despotism that was ever heard of upon the face of the Earth.
I asked what was the name of the usurping tyrant.
As well as the Count could recollect, it was Mob.
At the end the protagonist of the story decides to use the mummy's secret of eternal life to go to sleep and wake up to find out who is president in the 21st century.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:22 PM on April 2, 2017 [24 favorites]
The mummy in question, Count Alamistakeo, was revived from Ancient Egypt and made commentary in the nature of, you think you are so advanced, Egypt did it first. One section commented on democracy in general and seems relevant to Trump:
Thirteen Egyptian provinces determined all at once to be free, and to set a magnificent example to the rest of mankind. They assembled their wise men, and concocted the most ingenious constitution it is possible to conceive. For a while they managed remarkably well; only their habit of bragging was prodigious. The thing ended, however, in the consolidation of the thirteen states, with some fifteen or twenty others, in the most odious and insupportable despotism that was ever heard of upon the face of the Earth.
I asked what was the name of the usurping tyrant.
As well as the Count could recollect, it was Mob.
At the end the protagonist of the story decides to use the mummy's secret of eternal life to go to sleep and wake up to find out who is president in the 21st century.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:22 PM on April 2, 2017 [24 favorites]
Man, that diagram from Room 641-A's link says it all (it shows the subreddits closest in character to those of each candidate).
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
White House pulled out of meet and greet with ‘conservatives’ favorite Russian’ over suspected mob ties
The White House abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting in February between President Trump and a high-level Russian central banker after a national security aide discovered the official had been named by Spanish police as a suspected “godfather” of an organized crime and money-laundering ring, according to an administration official and four other sources familiar with the event.
The event had been planned as a meet and greet with President Trump and Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of the Bank of Russia and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, in a waiting room at the Washington Hilton before the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2. Torshin, a top official in his country’s central bank, headed a Russian delegation to the annual event and was among a small number of guests who had been invited by Prayer Breakfast leaders to meet with Trump before it began.
posted by futz at 1:36 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
The White House abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting in February between President Trump and a high-level Russian central banker after a national security aide discovered the official had been named by Spanish police as a suspected “godfather” of an organized crime and money-laundering ring, according to an administration official and four other sources familiar with the event.
The event had been planned as a meet and greet with President Trump and Alexander Torshin, the deputy governor of the Bank of Russia and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, in a waiting room at the Washington Hilton before the National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 2. Torshin, a top official in his country’s central bank, headed a Russian delegation to the annual event and was among a small number of guests who had been invited by Prayer Breakfast leaders to meet with Trump before it began.
posted by futz at 1:36 PM on April 2, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trump remains the center of attention, but he's increasingly isolated politically (WaPo)
For a second consecutive weekend, President Trump remained in Washington — tweeting in the morning, holding meetings at the White House and heading to his Virginia golf club on Sunday — all the time surrounded by aides and patrons yet, increasingly, politically marooned.posted by kingless at 1:39 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
Weighed down by dismal approval ratings, the president has been unable to wrangle enough support in Congress to advance his agenda and is searching for outside support to defend him from attacks coming from all sides.
Since we're all kicking back a bit, here's the surreally amusing Trump's Ties Twitter account.
posted by Devonian at 1:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by Devonian at 1:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
Holy sartorial subtext, Batman.
posted by XMLicious at 2:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by XMLicious at 2:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
From kingless's article:
posted by Coventry at 2:19 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
the White House’s insistence on increased spending for the military and a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border could imperil a spending bill needed to keep the government running past the end of April.If the Congress really cares about reduced spending, they should pass legislation, with veto-proof majorities, to block the President's ability to mint a $1T coin.
posted by Coventry at 2:19 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Treasury says "no" to Trillion-dollar coin
Brother, can you spare an even?
posted by petebest at 2:28 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Brother, can you spare an even?
posted by petebest at 2:28 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
German thieves would probably steal it.
posted by XMLicious at 2:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 2:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's still relevant, although I don't know how much a "No" to the President means from an office of the executive branch. Can the President just keep firing Secretaries of the Treasury until he gets someone who'll do his bidding, like Nixon did with the Attorney General?
posted by Coventry at 2:55 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by Coventry at 2:55 PM on April 2, 2017
The trillion dollar coin only affects the debt limit, by putting some extra money in the Treasury's bank account at the Fed. It's still illegal for the government to spend any money not appropriated by Congress, which is the more immediate shutdown issue.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 3:00 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
Man, that diagram from Room 641-A's link says it all (it shows the subreddits closest in character to those of each candidate).
Yep it really illustrates the economic anxiety felt by Trump voters.
posted by Justinian at 3:07 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
Yep it really illustrates the economic anxiety felt by Trump voters.
posted by Justinian at 3:07 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
Trump Backtracks: Actually I 'Didn't Want To Take A Vote' On O'Care Repeal
President Donald Trump said in an interview published Sunday that he "didn't want to take a vote" on the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, despite demanding one less than 24 hours before the legislation was pulled.
"You know that we didn’t take a vote," Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times. "I didn’t want to take a vote. It was my idea. I said why should I take a vote."
Less than 24 hours before Republicans choked and pulled the bill, unable to muster the votes for its passage amid defections from both moderate and conservative members, Trump pushed for the legislation to go to the floor anyway.
"Yeah, I don’t lose. I don’t like to lose," Trump told the Financial Times...
LIAR
posted by futz at 3:09 PM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
President Donald Trump said in an interview published Sunday that he "didn't want to take a vote" on the Republican bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, despite demanding one less than 24 hours before the legislation was pulled.
"You know that we didn’t take a vote," Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times. "I didn’t want to take a vote. It was my idea. I said why should I take a vote."
Less than 24 hours before Republicans choked and pulled the bill, unable to muster the votes for its passage amid defections from both moderate and conservative members, Trump pushed for the legislation to go to the floor anyway.
"Yeah, I don’t lose. I don’t like to lose," Trump told the Financial Times...
LIAR
posted by futz at 3:09 PM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
The hilarious part is that he's spending all his time courting and/or blaming the Freedom Caucus and folks like Rand Paul, when it was actually moderates that killed the bill.
posted by zachlipton at 3:11 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:11 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's easier to bully moderates who are used to that kind of treatment by now, than to pit yourself against the ideological heart of the party and attempt to undo the movement that made you.
posted by Selena777 at 3:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Selena777 at 3:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
An interesting study and charts on the GOP electorate. Trump didn't bring out their authoritarianism, he took advantage of it. Rs have been hugely authoritarian since 2000.
But one thing that did change? Racism. It increased significantly between 2008 and 2016.
posted by chris24 at 3:27 PM on April 2, 2017 [47 favorites]
But one thing that did change? Racism. It increased significantly between 2008 and 2016.
posted by chris24 at 3:27 PM on April 2, 2017 [47 favorites]
Rediculous word salad from Trump on tariffs.
Please also enjoy the story of a rancher on the border who spent 30 years in the border patrol. He voted for Trump because he didn't want "to see the country go socialism" but says he'll resist the government taking his land to build the wall.
posted by zachlipton at 3:30 PM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
Please also enjoy the story of a rancher on the border who spent 30 years in the border patrol. He voted for Trump because he didn't want "to see the country go socialism" but says he'll resist the government taking his land to build the wall.
posted by zachlipton at 3:30 PM on April 2, 2017 [14 favorites]
Man, that diagram from Room 641-A's link says it all (it shows the subreddits closest in character to those of each candidate).
I thought Reddit had banned r/fatpeoplehate?
posted by thelonius at 3:58 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Graham booed at town hall after saying he will vote for Gorsuch
Graham chided Democratic senators who have threatened to filibuster the nomination.
“If I have to, I will vote to change the rules because I am not going to allow President Trump to be denied the same opportunity that every president has had for 200 years because you’re mad, and you can’t accept the outcome of an election,” he said, to more boos from the audience.
What a fucking pathetic piece of shit/liar/hypocrite/dick... *sputters*
posted by futz at 4:09 PM on April 2, 2017 [39 favorites]
Graham chided Democratic senators who have threatened to filibuster the nomination.
“If I have to, I will vote to change the rules because I am not going to allow President Trump to be denied the same opportunity that every president has had for 200 years because you’re mad, and you can’t accept the outcome of an election,” he said, to more boos from the audience.
What a fucking pathetic piece of shit/liar/hypocrite/dick... *sputters*
posted by futz at 4:09 PM on April 2, 2017 [39 favorites]
How many judges even have their decisions pushed up and seen by a higher court, like, ever?
I call bullshit on the 1 out of 2700 reversal stat.
posted by Yowser at 4:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
I call bullshit on the 1 out of 2700 reversal stat.
posted by Yowser at 4:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Uhhh, I missed this shocker in Trump's FT interview:
posted by zachlipton at 4:48 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
In France, Marine Le Pen has a very similar message to you, not identical. Do you think a victory for her would validate what you have done here?Is...is he talking about Putin?
I don’t know what is going to happen. I know that some outside distractions have taken place which have changed that race. That’s going to be an interesting race. I really don’t know and I don’t know her. I have never met her. It’s going to be a very interesting election. But you know some outside things have happened that maybe will change the course of that race.
posted by zachlipton at 4:48 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Is...is he talking about Putin?I think he may be trying to hide the fact that he doesn't know anything about the French election and can't really remember who Marine Le Pen is.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:50 PM on April 2, 2017 [55 favorites]
I thought he was talking about the high profile nepotism and embezzlement scandals.
posted by mbrubeck at 4:51 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by mbrubeck at 4:51 PM on April 2, 2017
Re: Room 641-A's link to the 538 Reddit analysis article:
I had always assumed that /the_donald was significantly populated by Russians and bots trying to whip up more hate and disinfo and trying to game the reddit ranking engine. I know there are plenty of proud deplorables there too, but trying to extrapolate any meaningful information about internet or voter trends from /the_donald seems like a colossal waste of time.
posted by p3t3 at 4:54 PM on April 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
I had always assumed that /the_donald was significantly populated by Russians and bots trying to whip up more hate and disinfo and trying to game the reddit ranking engine. I know there are plenty of proud deplorables there too, but trying to extrapolate any meaningful information about internet or voter trends from /the_donald seems like a colossal waste of time.
posted by p3t3 at 4:54 PM on April 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
Ayy, Russian "trolls" are really obvious on Twitter(background pic is the constitution or a generic landscape photo) it's much easier for them to hide on the_donald.
posted by Yowser at 4:56 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by Yowser at 4:56 PM on April 2, 2017
Almost forgot, profile photo on twitter for a Russian troll is usually an attractive woman; cites 2nd amendment in their profile description, is from the Midwest.
posted by Yowser at 4:58 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 4:58 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Looks like Tester is a no on Gorsuch; unclear whether he's a no on cloture.
posted by melissasaurus at 5:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 5:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Looks to me like Schumer thinks he has the votes for filibustering Gorsuch locked up and that's why we've seen a couple of the endangered red state Dems come out for him in the last few days; Schumer would have told them to do what they have to do because he doesn't need their votes.
posted by Justinian at 5:27 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 5:27 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
(And that's how you do politics. You don't suicide politically unless your vote is needed like when a lot of endangered dems had to take one for the team on passing Obamacare.)
posted by Justinian at 5:28 PM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 5:28 PM on April 2, 2017 [22 favorites]
Ok - this statement [screencap in tweet] says Tester is a no on cloture too!
I think we're still waiting on:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstein
Chris Coons
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Angus King
posted by melissasaurus at 5:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
I think we're still waiting on:
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstein
Chris Coons
Bob Menendez
Michael Bennet
Angus King
posted by melissasaurus at 5:29 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Please also enjoy the story of a rancher on the border who spent 30 years in the border patrol. He voted for Trump because he didn't want "to see the country go socialism" but says he'll resist the government taking his land to build the wall.
I think your definition of "enjoy" is different than mine.
It's hard to know what to hope for when it comes to people so manifestly incapable of seeing their own hypocrisy. If they get hurt, so will a lot of other people who don't deserve it. If they don't, they'll just continue to be unrepentant assholes.
I mourn that there is no surgical strike capability for karma, basically.
posted by emjaybee at 5:36 PM on April 2, 2017 [12 favorites]
I think your definition of "enjoy" is different than mine.
It's hard to know what to hope for when it comes to people so manifestly incapable of seeing their own hypocrisy. If they get hurt, so will a lot of other people who don't deserve it. If they don't, they'll just continue to be unrepentant assholes.
I mourn that there is no surgical strike capability for karma, basically.
posted by emjaybee at 5:36 PM on April 2, 2017 [12 favorites]
So is Feinstein one of those endangered dems, or just a shitty dem?
posted by ryanrs at 5:38 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by ryanrs at 5:38 PM on April 2, 2017
So is Feinstein one of those endangered dems, or just a shitty dem?
There's a difference?
posted by indubitable at 5:39 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
There's a difference?
posted by indubitable at 5:39 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
She's always been a lousy Dem.
posted by gingerbeer at 5:43 PM on April 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by gingerbeer at 5:43 PM on April 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
Well, she's definitely not endangered.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:45 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 5:45 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
A Cruel New Bill Is About to Become Law in Mississippi - Legislation passed this week would enrich a private contractor while throwing people off public assistance.
-- The conspicuously named HOPE Act (Act to Restore Hope Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone), introduced by Mississippi State Representative Chris Brown, passed the House and Senate and is now expected to be signed into law. The legislation reads like a compilation of all-time favorites from a Republican wish list: It would enrich a private contractor by outsourcing the work of verifying people’s eligibility for social-support programs, including Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps); throw people who likely qualify for assistance off of these programs; and make it more difficult for people to get food and income assistance in the future.
-- Rep. Brown and other proponents claim that the state will save money through this privatized system. But the assertion is belied by the state’s own analysis, which was conducted by a private firm that supports the legislation. It estimated a cost of $10 million to $12 million, with about $2.5 million covered by state taxpayers. Williams said even that would be hard to come up with given the state’s tax and budget cuts over the past two years. But the actual cost will likely be much higher, and the study wrongly assumed that the federal government will pick up most of the tab for the privatized system. Tennessee considered nearly identical legislation and found that it would run $81 million with the state covering 95 percent of the cost. The legislators killed that bill.
“We will be out millions of more dollars that could have benefited children, the elderly, and disabled people who are already neglected due to budget cuts,” said Williams.
Apparently it is better to award a Company even though it will co$t your state much more to do so than to simply continue to help people in genuine need? Silly silly me. I have been enlightened! And here I thought that I was the one who was bad at math!
I swear, the next person who dares to tell me that both parties are the same is going to feel my response on their chin.
Is there any upside to bills like this? If enough people are harmed by these laws will they finally wake up and vote in their own interest or vote compassionately (snort. one can dream) to support the neediest in their communities?
posted by futz at 5:46 PM on April 2, 2017 [20 favorites]
-- The conspicuously named HOPE Act (Act to Restore Hope Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone), introduced by Mississippi State Representative Chris Brown, passed the House and Senate and is now expected to be signed into law. The legislation reads like a compilation of all-time favorites from a Republican wish list: It would enrich a private contractor by outsourcing the work of verifying people’s eligibility for social-support programs, including Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps); throw people who likely qualify for assistance off of these programs; and make it more difficult for people to get food and income assistance in the future.
-- Rep. Brown and other proponents claim that the state will save money through this privatized system. But the assertion is belied by the state’s own analysis, which was conducted by a private firm that supports the legislation. It estimated a cost of $10 million to $12 million, with about $2.5 million covered by state taxpayers. Williams said even that would be hard to come up with given the state’s tax and budget cuts over the past two years. But the actual cost will likely be much higher, and the study wrongly assumed that the federal government will pick up most of the tab for the privatized system. Tennessee considered nearly identical legislation and found that it would run $81 million with the state covering 95 percent of the cost. The legislators killed that bill.
“We will be out millions of more dollars that could have benefited children, the elderly, and disabled people who are already neglected due to budget cuts,” said Williams.
Apparently it is better to award a Company even though it will co$t your state much more to do so than to simply continue to help people in genuine need? Silly silly me. I have been enlightened! And here I thought that I was the one who was bad at math!
I swear, the next person who dares to tell me that both parties are the same is going to feel my response on their chin.
Is there any upside to bills like this? If enough people are harmed by these laws will they finally wake up and vote in their own interest or vote compassionately (snort. one can dream) to support the neediest in their communities?
posted by futz at 5:46 PM on April 2, 2017 [20 favorites]
I swear, the next person who dares to tell me that both parties are the same is going to feel my response on their chin
Will let you know after the the Gorsuch drama
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Will let you know after the the Gorsuch drama
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, she's not endangered (or wasn't before the election), she's just shitty.
Let's all of her constituents commit to make two sets of phone calls / emails:
1. Direct to Feinstein's office (either CA or DC) to demand a filibuster of Gorsuch, or whatever other completely obvious policy she's currently waffling on, and
2. To Chuck Schumer, identifying ourselves as Feinstein constituents, requesting that she be stripped of all committee assignments and sent back to freshman senator level. Especially as to judiciary.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 5:52 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Let's all of her constituents commit to make two sets of phone calls / emails:
1. Direct to Feinstein's office (either CA or DC) to demand a filibuster of Gorsuch, or whatever other completely obvious policy she's currently waffling on, and
2. To Chuck Schumer, identifying ourselves as Feinstein constituents, requesting that she be stripped of all committee assignments and sent back to freshman senator level. Especially as to judiciary.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 5:52 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Feinstein is not in any danger of losing her next election. The only republicans who might have been a danger to her historically have been republicans who are able to represent themselves as moderate, middle of the road politicians and even they never came close to being a threat. Trump is unpopular in California. I don't see the up side for Feinstein on voting yes on Gorsuch or for cloture.
posted by rdr at 5:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by rdr at 5:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
>Tester is a no on Gorsuch; unclear whether he's a no on cloture.
yes on cloture is a yes on Gorsuch taking Garland's seat.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 5:57 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
yes on cloture is a yes on Gorsuch taking Garland's seat.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 5:57 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
Ok - this statement [screencap in tweet] says Tester is a no on cloture too!
posted by melissasaurus at 8:29 PM
>Tester is a no on Gorsuch; unclear whether he's a no on cloture.
yes on cloture is a yes on Gorsuch taking Garland's seat.
melissasaurus is totally aware of that unless I am misunderstanding your point?
posted by futz at 6:08 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by melissasaurus at 8:29 PM
>Tester is a no on Gorsuch; unclear whether he's a no on cloture.
yes on cloture is a yes on Gorsuch taking Garland's seat.
melissasaurus is totally aware of that unless I am misunderstanding your point?
posted by futz at 6:08 PM on April 2, 2017
Well, she's definitely not endangered.
We should work harder on that.
posted by Artw at 6:10 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
We should work harder on that.
posted by Artw at 6:10 PM on April 2, 2017 [9 favorites]
Last California senate primary election, the top two vote-getters were both Dems, so they faced off in the general. I imagine the same is likely to happen to Feinstein in 2018.
posted by ryanrs at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am completely on board for replacing Feinstein. I'd hate to lose Schiff as my Rep but he's shown he's got the stuff so I'd vote Schiff for Senate.
posted by Justinian at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
(The 3rd place Republican in 2016 won 7.8% of the vote, lol.)
posted by ryanrs at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by ryanrs at 6:18 PM on April 2, 2017
This bit from Mashable about creating a Trump character in The Sims was an interesting read. Hahaha!Sob
posted by thebrokedown at 6:22 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 6:22 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Apparently it is better to award a Company even though it will co$t your state much more to do so than to simply continue to help people in genuine need?
That is the Republican perversion of Blackstone's Formulation:
It is better to spend $10 policing welfare than to allow $1 to go to an undeserving person.
posted by JackFlash at 6:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [20 favorites]
That is the Republican perversion of Blackstone's Formulation:
It is better to spend $10 policing welfare than to allow $1 to go to an undeserving person.
posted by JackFlash at 6:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [20 favorites]
Democrats close in on 41 votes to block Gorsuch
posted by futz at 6:32 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by futz at 6:32 PM on April 2, 2017 [13 favorites]
And for some reason, Jared Kushner is in Iraq.
I thought he was busy fixing the government...
posted by monopas at 6:40 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I thought he was busy fixing the government...
posted by monopas at 6:40 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's a darn good thing for the country that the President's son-in-law just so happened to be an expert in mideast peace, stopping opioid abuse, healthcare for veterans, government IT, reorganizing the federal government, rebuilding Iraq, and stopping Trump from doing all the bad stuff he's totally doing anyway like discriminating against LGBT people or walking away from a climate agreement.
I mean, imagine if he was just some guy who inherited a bunch of really expensive real estate from his crooked father and had no knowledge of any of the things he's been put in charge of. That would be terrible.
posted by zachlipton at 6:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [106 favorites]
I mean, imagine if he was just some guy who inherited a bunch of really expensive real estate from his crooked father and had no knowledge of any of the things he's been put in charge of. That would be terrible.
posted by zachlipton at 6:51 PM on April 2, 2017 [106 favorites]
China using Kushner, not State Dept., to sway Trump
White House staff 'passed around Onion article parodying Jared Kushner'
President Trump previously suggested his son-in-law could bring peace to the Middle East and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
posted by futz at 6:58 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
White House staff 'passed around Onion article parodying Jared Kushner'
President Trump previously suggested his son-in-law could bring peace to the Middle East and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
posted by futz at 6:58 PM on April 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
People should evacuate the cities Kushner visits. At some point, his head will swell to beyond the point where it's integrity can be sustained, collapse in on itself violently, and nova outward.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Slackermagee at 7:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
The problem is Trump doesn't have enough family members to spread out the nepotism workload.
posted by ryanrs at 7:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 7:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
(And he can't install his friends because he hasn't got any.)
posted by ryanrs at 7:15 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by ryanrs at 7:15 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
This could impact Julian Assange’s asylum. So SAD.
Ecuador on edge as both presidential candidates claim victory in tight vote
-- With more than 93 percent of the ballots counted, leftist candidate Lenín Moreno was leading 51 percent to 49 percent over right-wing challenger Guillermo Lasso.
-- Also at stake Sunday night was Julian Assange’s asylum protection at Ecuador’s embassy in London, because Lasso has pledged to evict Assange within 30 days from the embassy, where the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in 2012. Moreno has said Assange can stay.
-- ...analysts say that Assange is likely to try to negotiate his exit in a fashion that would avoid an immediate arrest. If Assange is taken into custody, “I’m pretty sure U.K. authorities would immediately extradite him to Sweden,” said Patrick Eddington, a former CIA agent who is now a national security analyst at the Cato Institute.
posted by futz at 7:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Ecuador on edge as both presidential candidates claim victory in tight vote
-- With more than 93 percent of the ballots counted, leftist candidate Lenín Moreno was leading 51 percent to 49 percent over right-wing challenger Guillermo Lasso.
-- Also at stake Sunday night was Julian Assange’s asylum protection at Ecuador’s embassy in London, because Lasso has pledged to evict Assange within 30 days from the embassy, where the WikiLeaks founder took refuge in 2012. Moreno has said Assange can stay.
-- ...analysts say that Assange is likely to try to negotiate his exit in a fashion that would avoid an immediate arrest. If Assange is taken into custody, “I’m pretty sure U.K. authorities would immediately extradite him to Sweden,” said Patrick Eddington, a former CIA agent who is now a national security analyst at the Cato Institute.
posted by futz at 7:16 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
I gotta admit: nepotism always bothers me, but the extra-gross nepotism going on in this administration has really fucked with my enjoyment of the new Mass Effect game. Every time they refer to the protagonist's dad I get this grating sensation up and down my spine.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:20 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:20 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
If 1 out of 171 Trump voters in MI, PA, and WI had voted for Hillary, she'd have won.
Yet here we are.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 7:25 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
Yet here we are.
posted by Heywood Mogroot III at 7:25 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
And for some reason, Jared Kushner is in Iraq.
Tasked with bringing back their oil?
posted by thelonius at 7:35 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
Tasked with bringing back their oil?
posted by thelonius at 7:35 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
And for some reason, Jared Kushner is in Iraq.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen Dunford, is an Obama appointee. He is obviously unable to do his job without a member of the Trump family looking over his shoulder.
posted by peeedro at 7:41 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen Dunford, is an Obama appointee. He is obviously unable to do his job without a member of the Trump family looking over his shoulder.
posted by peeedro at 7:41 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
Pretty much what peeedro says. Kushner is almost certainly there on some sort of loyalty-monitoring mission. Cheetoh Mussolini probably doesn't trust whatever military or State officials are there. Why would he ever trust actual professionals over his son-in-law?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:44 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by scaryblackdeath at 7:44 PM on April 2, 2017
It really scorches my onions that twerp is banging around the planet with a secret service entourage on the taxpayers dime.
posted by valkane at 7:48 PM on April 2, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by valkane at 7:48 PM on April 2, 2017 [25 favorites]
a kushner in every pot and a russian in every plot
posted by localhuman at 7:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 7:49 PM on April 2, 2017 [18 favorites]
I thought that I had posted this already.
FBI probing whether Trump aides helped Russian intel in early 2016
CBS News has learned that U.S. investigators are looking into whether Trump campaign representatives had a role in helping Russian intelligence as it carried out cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political targets in March 2016.
This new information suggests that the FBI is going back further than originally reported to determine the extent of possible coordination. Sources say investigators are probing whether an individual or individuals connected to the campaign intentionally or unwittingly helped the Russians breach Democratic Party targets.
In March 2016, both Mr. Trump and Hillary Clinton had emerged as their parties’ most likely nominees.
According to a declassified intelligence assessment, it was in March when Russian hackers “began cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election.” In May, U.S. officials say the Russians had stolen “large volumes of data from the DNC.”
Starting in June, websites like Guccifer 2.0 and WikiLeaks began posting the hacked documents.
In August, Trump confidant Roger Stone tweeted about Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
“Trust me, it will soon the Podesta’s time in the barrel,” Stone tweeted.
Then on Oct 7, WikiLeaks began publishing Podesta’s personal emails. It was the same day the Department of Homeland Security and director of national intelligence publicly accused Russia of carrying out the cyberattacks.
Roger Stone just can't help himself. He's not canny at all, he wants everyone to think he's super dooper intelligent when in reality he's a heavy drinker that can't keep his stories straight and exposes his ineptitude at every turn. When Roger Stone gets indicted it will be Roger Stone's fault.
posted by futz at 8:03 PM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
FBI probing whether Trump aides helped Russian intel in early 2016
CBS News has learned that U.S. investigators are looking into whether Trump campaign representatives had a role in helping Russian intelligence as it carried out cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political targets in March 2016.
This new information suggests that the FBI is going back further than originally reported to determine the extent of possible coordination. Sources say investigators are probing whether an individual or individuals connected to the campaign intentionally or unwittingly helped the Russians breach Democratic Party targets.
In March 2016, both Mr. Trump and Hillary Clinton had emerged as their parties’ most likely nominees.
According to a declassified intelligence assessment, it was in March when Russian hackers “began cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election.” In May, U.S. officials say the Russians had stolen “large volumes of data from the DNC.”
Starting in June, websites like Guccifer 2.0 and WikiLeaks began posting the hacked documents.
In August, Trump confidant Roger Stone tweeted about Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
“Trust me, it will soon the Podesta’s time in the barrel,” Stone tweeted.
Then on Oct 7, WikiLeaks began publishing Podesta’s personal emails. It was the same day the Department of Homeland Security and director of national intelligence publicly accused Russia of carrying out the cyberattacks.
Roger Stone just can't help himself. He's not canny at all, he wants everyone to think he's super dooper intelligent when in reality he's a heavy drinker that can't keep his stories straight and exposes his ineptitude at every turn. When Roger Stone gets indicted it will be Roger Stone's fault.
posted by futz at 8:03 PM on April 2, 2017 [23 favorites]
CBS News has learned that U.S. investigators are looking into whether Trump campaign representatives had a role in helping Russian intelligence as it carried out cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee and other political targets in March 2016.
If true, that's Watergate with added treason. High stakes.
posted by jaduncan at 8:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [35 favorites]
If true, that's Watergate with added treason. High stakes.
posted by jaduncan at 8:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [35 favorites]
The Russian Mafia: A Big Hit at the National Prayer Breakfast
jesus christ
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:10 PM on April 2, 2017
jesus christ
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:10 PM on April 2, 2017
I thought he was busy fixing the government...
Did he say which government?
posted by kirkaracha at 8:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Inside the Kushner channel to China
This reminds me an awful lot of the same deal China has been hawking, with success, across Africa. Except those are countries that need foreign investment to build up their capabilities and infrastructure, and they're usually smart enough to specify the investment proposals in advance before they give up the store. We obviously don't need to turn our foreign policy on its head to encourage investment; people are flocking to buy our debt at near-zero rates as it is.
It's really hard to overstate how monumentally stupid this sounds.
posted by zachlipton at 8:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [61 favorites]
In the meetings, Yang laid out a list of Chinese requests. China wants the Trump administration to adopt its concept of “a new model of great power relations,” Xi’s proposal to avoid conflict and focus on cooperation. China also wants Trump to endorse Xi’s signature “One Belt, One Road” initiative, China’s massive regional infrastructure and development project. China also seeks U.S. noninterference in issues it considers core interests, including Taiwan, Tibet and its internal affairs.Wait a minute. This is our negotiating position? Give China everything it could ever dream of (never mentioning those pesky human rights or democracy or freedom in the process), and in exchange, we'll give China the chance to own even more of our country? We're really going to drop our entire China policy and sell them an airport or something all so Trump can stand next to some bulldozers?
In exchange, the Chinese are prepared to offer as-yet-unspecified investment proposals to help advance Trump’s domestic agenda of creating jobs. Kushner and Cui have kept in close communication and the Chinese leadership has come to rely on the Kushner channel, which was used to help arrange the coming summit.
This reminds me an awful lot of the same deal China has been hawking, with success, across Africa. Except those are countries that need foreign investment to build up their capabilities and infrastructure, and they're usually smart enough to specify the investment proposals in advance before they give up the store. We obviously don't need to turn our foreign policy on its head to encourage investment; people are flocking to buy our debt at near-zero rates as it is.
It's really hard to overstate how monumentally stupid this sounds.
posted by zachlipton at 8:26 PM on April 2, 2017 [61 favorites]
Well, I suspect I know what those attractive "investment proposals" will amount to.
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:53 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
WaPo article on Bannon and the Mercer family:
Looks like an interesting battle is shaping up between the Kochs and the Mercers. I'd love to read a good juicy insider tale of that struggle.
posted by msalt at 8:54 PM on April 2, 2017
Looks like an interesting battle is shaping up between the Kochs and the Mercers. I'd love to read a good juicy insider tale of that struggle.
posted by msalt at 8:54 PM on April 2, 2017
Stupid... or stuptelligent?
The latter being something that is monumentally stupid but that sounds smart to an even stupider person.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:56 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
The latter being something that is monumentally stupid but that sounds smart to an even stupider person.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:56 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's really hard to overstate how monumentally stupid this sounds.
In fairness, that's the PRC negotiating position. That said, Kushner invited them to talk based on that position, and did already stand to gain from the initial round of Chinese investment in 666 Fifth Avenue.
If nothing else, this administration really is an overtime bonanza for government ethics lawyers.
posted by jaduncan at 8:59 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
In fairness, that's the PRC negotiating position. That said, Kushner invited them to talk based on that position, and did already stand to gain from the initial round of Chinese investment in 666 Fifth Avenue.
If nothing else, this administration really is an overtime bonanza for government ethics lawyers.
posted by jaduncan at 8:59 PM on April 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Looks like an interesting battle is shaping up between the Kochs and the Mercers. I'd love to read a good juicy insider tale of that struggle.
Dear Penthouse, My lover is hard of hearing and our political differences have complicated our sex life. We like to talk dirty and "mercy" is our safe word. Can you also please tell him that Koch is not pronounced "cock"?
posted by futz at 9:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dear Penthouse, My lover is hard of hearing and our political differences have complicated our sex life. We like to talk dirty and "mercy" is our safe word. Can you also please tell him that Koch is not pronounced "cock"?
posted by futz at 9:06 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
If nothing else, this administration really is an overtime bonanza for government ethics lawyers.
Except we're seeing ethics are pretty much just suggestions written down on toilet paper when Republicans are in charge of enforcing them. I believe Rand Paul said it best, "why would we investigate fellow Republicans?"
Doesn't really matter how many former White House Counsels condemn this administration's comical amount of ethics catastrophes as long as Jeff Sessions is AG, and Republicans are in control of the House and Senate Oversight Committees.
But a lot of law professors are going to get tenure writing about it, so, that's something, right?
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
Except we're seeing ethics are pretty much just suggestions written down on toilet paper when Republicans are in charge of enforcing them. I believe Rand Paul said it best, "why would we investigate fellow Republicans?"
Doesn't really matter how many former White House Counsels condemn this administration's comical amount of ethics catastrophes as long as Jeff Sessions is AG, and Republicans are in control of the House and Senate Oversight Committees.
But a lot of law professors are going to get tenure writing about it, so, that's something, right?
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
T.D. Strange: I spent an entire year on administrative law. It frankly makes me feel viscerally dirty and angry even reviewing some of this stuff.
posted by jaduncan at 9:11 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 9:11 PM on April 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
China also wants Trump to endorse Xi’s signature “One Belt, One Road” initiative, China’s massive regional infrastructure and development project. China also seeks U.S. noninterference in issues it considers core interests, including Taiwan, Tibet and its internal affairs.
I need to get on that Mackinder post.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:14 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
I need to get on that Mackinder post.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:14 PM on April 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Wait a minute. This is our negotiating position? Give China everything it could ever dream of (never mentioning those pesky human rights or democracy or freedom in the process), and in exchange, we'll give China the chance to own even more of our country? We're really going to drop our entire China policy and sell them an airport or something all so Trump can stand next to some bulldozers?
I have no doubt that there are very smart career diplomats in the State Department who would be all over this, explaining the implications and protecting our interests. Unfortunately, the administration apparently views State as dangerous because they can spot corruption and Rex Tillerson is too scared to talk or even make eye contact with this staff.
Ugh ugh ugh.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:15 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
I have no doubt that there are very smart career diplomats in the State Department who would be all over this, explaining the implications and protecting our interests. Unfortunately, the administration apparently views State as dangerous because they can spot corruption and Rex Tillerson is too scared to talk or even make eye contact with this staff.
Ugh ugh ugh.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:15 PM on April 2, 2017 [10 favorites]
I spent an entire year on administrative law. It frankly makes me feel viscerally dirty and angry even reviewing some of this stuff.
I know, my position is classified as excepted service. I'm subject to more oversight from my agency's OIG ethics officer than Kushner is. Ethics for the federal workforce are like drug testing welfare recipients, only the lowest and least powerful are targeted.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:17 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
I know, my position is classified as excepted service. I'm subject to more oversight from my agency's OIG ethics officer than Kushner is. Ethics for the federal workforce are like drug testing welfare recipients, only the lowest and least powerful are targeted.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:17 PM on April 2, 2017 [8 favorites]
White House Ends Bar Association’s Role in Vetting Judges
I'm merely going to say that seems another further erosion of the ability of adults to intervene. It's saddening, and obviously intentional.
posted by jaduncan at 10:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [57 favorites]
I'm merely going to say that seems another further erosion of the ability of adults to intervene. It's saddening, and obviously intentional.
posted by jaduncan at 10:12 PM on April 2, 2017 [57 favorites]
Oh, maybe one bit of context. There are currently over 100 vacancies for federal judges after the Republicans blocked pretty much all of Obama's judicial nominees.
I do not really look forward to seeing the nominees for those positions; they are now potentially going to be take-it-or-leave-it without much review, and I suspect that a Republican Senate will take everything they can before 2018.
posted by jaduncan at 11:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
I do not really look forward to seeing the nominees for those positions; they are now potentially going to be take-it-or-leave-it without much review, and I suspect that a Republican Senate will take everything they can before 2018.
posted by jaduncan at 11:05 PM on April 2, 2017 [27 favorites]
There's no way it can hold. Trump can try to pull the burr out of the sock, but there is an entire blanket that he's sitting on where he is the burr. Career feds are not just going to sit back and twiddle their thumbs for the next mumble years. I'm not saying they're going to go on a vengeful rampage, but the devil makes work for idle hands, and Donald has many devils chasing him.
posted by rhizome at 11:31 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:31 PM on April 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Long story short: there's going to be a point at which Donald is going to need something from someone he doesn't already control.
posted by rhizome at 11:32 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:32 PM on April 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
I wondered just now if some of the really crazy fucked up corruption going on at the top levels throughout government is some kind of symptom of the bureaucracy structure. People who get elected often start out as pages or staffers operating under the GS levels afaik, which are pretty regimented & seniority based. It's giving the upper echelons too much broad authority & freedom of judgment, as if they were generals on ships.
posted by azuresunday at 11:34 PM on April 2, 2017
posted by azuresunday at 11:34 PM on April 2, 2017
What? The corruption seems to be coming from Trump and his appointees. Trump has never held elected office before. I agree that the executive branch gets too much authority but that goes with a supine, clown car congress.
posted by rdr at 11:54 PM on April 2, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by rdr at 11:54 PM on April 2, 2017 [33 favorites]
Yeah, I have no idea how you look at the current situation and your takeaway is "THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT!!!1!!1eleven".
posted by Justinian at 1:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
FFS of the day (because apparently the Bar Association thing had not depleted my evens) -
Trump: US will 'solve' N Korea alone
Trump: US will 'solve' N Korea alone
"If China is not going to solve North Korea, we will. That is all I am telling you," [Trump] said in an interview with UK newspaper the Financial Times.posted by jaduncan at 1:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Pressed on whether he thought he could succeed alone, he replied: "Totally."
Mr Trump was speaking ahead of a scheduled visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping this week.
"China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won't. And if they do that will be very good for China, and if they don't it won't be good for anyone," Mr Trump told the FT.
Asked if he meant "one-on-one" unilateral action, Mr Trump said: "I don't have to say any more."
He did not give any further details on what action he would take.
You know he couldn't find North Korea on a map. Probably not even on a labelled map. Of North Korea.
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
Donnie is going to be desparate for a deal - any deal - that he can sell as a huge success. At this point, I reckon even I could turn up with two kopeks and a goat on a string and walk away with Texas.
posted by Devonian at 2:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Devonian at 2:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Calm down Vladimir. You're not getting Alaska back.
posted by rdr at 3:05 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rdr at 3:05 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump and Kim Jong Un will probably get along famously. Same sense of taste and style, they go to the same hair dresser, both of them like to cosplay around big trucks and machines and stuff.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 3:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 3:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
Story on Kushner visiting Iraq withdrawn
The entire article:
The entire article:
The story "Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner visits Iraq, U.S. official says", the accompanying alert and subsequent update are wrong and are withdrawn.posted by octothorpe at 3:50 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
The story "Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner visits Iraq, U.S. official says", the accompanying alert and subsequent update are wrong and are withdrawn.
Has anyone checked his instagram to confirm?
posted by winna at 4:44 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Has anyone checked his instagram to confirm?
posted by winna at 4:44 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
He's feeling the pressure and losing it. In the last hour:
@realDonaldTrump
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
@realDonaldTrump
Was the brother of John Podesta paid big money to get the sanctions on Russia lifted? Did Hillary know?
@realDonaldTrump
Did Hillary Clinton ever apologize for receiving the answers to the debate? Just asking!
Lol. Has there ever been a more passive-aggressive president? Especially one who thinks he's so alpha. "Just asking" "People are saying" etc. etc.
posted by chris24 at 4:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [35 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
@realDonaldTrump
Was the brother of John Podesta paid big money to get the sanctions on Russia lifted? Did Hillary know?
@realDonaldTrump
Did Hillary Clinton ever apologize for receiving the answers to the debate? Just asking!
Lol. Has there ever been a more passive-aggressive president? Especially one who thinks he's so alpha. "Just asking" "People are saying" etc. etc.
posted by chris24 at 4:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [35 favorites]
I happened to be watching Morning Joe, just now as they covered the tweets, and they repeatedly asked when someone is going to step in and invoke the 25th amendment against this obviously ill man.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
I happened to be watching Morning Joe, just now as they covered the tweets, and they repeatedly asked when someone is going to step in and invoke the 25th amendment against this obviously ill man.
This whole thing keeps reminding me of the Anna Nicole Smith reality show/disaster. It was completely obvious to everyone that she was heavily drugged, and everyone kept acting like she was just this wacky lady.
Note: I'm not saying Trump is heavily drugged, just that there really is something seriously wrong with him, and he's not just some wacky dude.
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
This whole thing keeps reminding me of the Anna Nicole Smith reality show/disaster. It was completely obvious to everyone that she was heavily drugged, and everyone kept acting like she was just this wacky lady.
Note: I'm not saying Trump is heavily drugged, just that there really is something seriously wrong with him, and he's not just some wacky dude.
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
The MJ people helped get him elected after the primary, and frankly were condescending asses about it every time people voiced concerns about his fitness or ethics or whether he was compromised. They've tried to have it both ways, (sometimes) discrediting him while always supporting the party over the country.
Joe and Mika's reputations are headed for history's compost heap.
posted by middleclasstool at 5:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Joe and Mika's reputations are headed for history's compost heap.
posted by middleclasstool at 5:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
There are no answers to a debate.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [81 favorites]
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [81 favorites]
Looks like Reuters withdrew the Kushner thing because the timing of his visit was incorrectly stated. From the AP: Kusher arrives in Iraq with Joint Chiefs chairman for visit
BAGHDAD (AP) - President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, flew to Iraq with the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford on Monday.posted by none of these will bring disaster at 5:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Kushner's travel plans initially were revealed late Sunday by a Trump administration official who said Kushner wanted to see the situation there for himself and show support for Baghdad's government.
The official said Kushner had already arrived. But when presented with information indicating that was not accurate, the official said the timing of his arrival was unclear but confirmed that Kushner was scheduled to be in Iraq Monday. Such visits from high-ranking officials are typically kept secret out of security concerns.
"Pssst....what did you get for 'What's your position on global warming?'. Quick, before the moderator catches us."
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:36 AM on April 3, 2017 [38 favorites]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:36 AM on April 3, 2017 [38 favorites]
St Petersburg metro rocked by explosion
An explosion has hit the St Petersburg metro, according to witness reports. The blast apparently occurred at the Sennaya Ploshchad station in the centre of Russia’s second biggest city.
The news agency TASS reported 10 people had died and 20 were injured in the blast, though the figures could not be immediately verified.
posted by PenDevil at 5:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
An explosion has hit the St Petersburg metro, according to witness reports. The blast apparently occurred at the Sennaya Ploshchad station in the centre of Russia’s second biggest city.
The news agency TASS reported 10 people had died and 20 were injured in the blast, though the figures could not be immediately verified.
posted by PenDevil at 5:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
What do you call your act? The Kleptocrats!
Trump Can Pull Money From His Businesses Whenever He Wants — Without Ever Telling Us - Previously unreported changes to President Trump’s trust stipulate that it “shall distribute net income or principal to Donald J. Trump at his request.”
Trump Can Pull Money From His Businesses Whenever He Wants — Without Ever Telling Us - Previously unreported changes to President Trump’s trust stipulate that it “shall distribute net income or principal to Donald J. Trump at his request.”
When President Donald Trump placed his businesses in a trust upon entering the White House, he put his sons in charge and claimed to distance himself from his sprawling empire. “I hope at the end of eight years I’ll come back and say, ‘Oh you did a good job,’” Trump said at a Jan. 11 press conference. Trump’s lawyer explained that the president “was completely isolating himself from his business interests.”posted by chris24 at 5:40 AM on April 3, 2017 [36 favorites]
The setup has long been slammed as insufficient, far short of the full divestment that many ethics experts say is needed to avoid conflicts of interest. A small phrase buried deep in a set of recently released letters between the Trump Organization and the government shows just how little separation there actually is.
Trump can draw money from his more than 400 businesses, at any time, without disclosing it.
The previously unreported changes to a trust document, signed on Feb. 10, stipulates that it “shall distribute net income or principal to Donald J. Trump at his request” or whenever his son and longtime attorney “deem appropriate.” That can include everything from profits to the underlying assets, such as the businesses themselves.
VerySmartBrothas, succinct as always: How Many Profiles Are We Going To Read About Idiot Trump Supporters Doubling Down On Self-Sabotaging Preservation of Whiteness?
posted by TwoStride at 5:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [73 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 5:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [73 favorites]
Trump Can Pull Money From His Businesses Whenever He Wants
But I was told otherwise by a pile of manila folders on a table!
posted by diogenes at 5:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
But I was told otherwise by a pile of manila folders on a table!
posted by diogenes at 5:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
You would think that Rupert Murdoch would explain to Trump that the "news" on Fox isn't meant to be accurate or informative.
posted by diogenes at 5:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by diogenes at 5:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Long story short: there's going to be a point at which Donald is going to need something from someone he doesn't already control.
A pardon, hopefully.
posted by Gelatin at 5:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
A pardon, hopefully.
posted by Gelatin at 5:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
Trump wants sympathy for being the target of lawful surveillance of people where reasonable suspicion exists of collusion with Russian spies attacking our nation.
I'd like to ask his supporters about that.
posted by mikelieman at 5:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
Trump wants sympathy for being the target of lawful surveillance of people where reasonable suspicion exists of collusion with Russian spies attacking our nation.
I'd like to ask his supporters about that.
posted by mikelieman at 5:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
whenever his son and longtime attorney “deem appropriate.”
Hmmm... Does that seem odd that his son and attorney have POA over his finances? Not odd when the person is 70 with a history of Alzheimer's in the family, but... Odd in The President of the United States?
posted by mikelieman at 5:58 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Hmmm... Does that seem odd that his son and attorney have POA over his finances? Not odd when the person is 70 with a history of Alzheimer's in the family, but... Odd in The President of the United States?
posted by mikelieman at 5:58 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump Can Pull Money From His Businesses Whenever He Wants
"When I said 'blind trust' what I meant was: I trust that the American people will be blind to my corruption" [/fake]
posted by dis_integration at 6:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
"When I said 'blind trust' what I meant was: I trust that the American people will be blind to my corruption" [/fake]
posted by dis_integration at 6:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
> I'd like to ask his supporters about that.
Surely that.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Surely that.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Please also enjoy the story of a rancher on the border who spent 30 years in the border patrol. He voted for Trump because he didn't want "to see the country go socialism" but says he'll resist the government taking his land to build the wall.
I'm tired of reading these stories without the false equivalency framing that every journalist used during the last eight years. So Mr. Red-blooded-American-Rancher doesn't want the wall on his property and will fight eminent domain? Great, I want to hear from the multi-national construction firm CEO about just how great eminent domain is and how many low wage jobs the wall project is going to create. I want to hear from one of the junior nazi's in the Trump administration telling Mr. Rancher this is what he voted for and by god he's going to get it. I want to hear from Mr. Rancher's congressman that this is a state's-rights issue and important to protecting people like him from the Bad Hombres.
Fuck these people. I will not sympathize with them.
posted by photoslob at 6:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [52 favorites]
I'm tired of reading these stories without the false equivalency framing that every journalist used during the last eight years. So Mr. Red-blooded-American-Rancher doesn't want the wall on his property and will fight eminent domain? Great, I want to hear from the multi-national construction firm CEO about just how great eminent domain is and how many low wage jobs the wall project is going to create. I want to hear from one of the junior nazi's in the Trump administration telling Mr. Rancher this is what he voted for and by god he's going to get it. I want to hear from Mr. Rancher's congressman that this is a state's-rights issue and important to protecting people like him from the Bad Hombres.
Fuck these people. I will not sympathize with them.
posted by photoslob at 6:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [52 favorites]
So Whiz Kid is en route to Iraq with Middle East peace in his bag and Gramps is sitting in the Oval Office raging against his campaign opponent.
He that has and a little tiny wit—
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,—
Must make content with his fortunes fit,
For the rain it raineth every day.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
He that has and a little tiny wit—
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,—
Must make content with his fortunes fit,
For the rain it raineth every day.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
This is intolerable. Trump needs to go down. I want to see frog-marching.
posted by thelonius at 6:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Such amazing reporting on unmasking and the crooked scheme against us by @foxandfriends. "Spied on before nomination." The real story.
This is intolerable. Trump needs to go down. I want to see frog-marching.
posted by thelonius at 6:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Even better, he tagged the FBI with the tweet:
@realDonaldTrump
.@FoxNews from multiple sources: "There was electronic surveillance of Trump, and people close to Trump. This is unprecedented." @FBI
He believes Fox News over the FBI and is passively aggressively telling them so via twitter. lol wtf.
posted by bluecore at 6:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [65 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
.@FoxNews from multiple sources: "There was electronic surveillance of Trump, and people close to Trump. This is unprecedented." @FBI
He believes Fox News over the FBI and is passively aggressively telling them so via twitter. lol wtf.
posted by bluecore at 6:33 AM on April 3, 2017 [65 favorites]
I know that none of them will, but gods, I hope one of the generals who's trying to help Iraq hold itself together takes one look at Kushner and says "Allow me to explain this to you in terms that someone who inherited his daddy's company and then went to work for his daddy-in-law in violation of federal law and custom can understand: Go. The. Fuck. Home. Before. You. Get. My. People. Fucking. Killed."
posted by Etrigan at 6:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [64 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 6:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [64 favorites]
From way upthread: Just a few short weeks into this administration, and already it seems clear that the most important question historians might be asking twenty, fifty, seventy years from now will be not about Trump but about the Republican Party—how the Republicans could have permitted this.
There's a truth the pundits are wrestling to avoid acknowledging: The Republican agenda of "redistribute even more of the nation's wealth to the wealthiest 1%" is not popular. The Republicans "permitted this" because in order to get anyone elected at all they have to construct a carefully balanced house of cards consisting of lies.
All Trump did was take their game one step further, and so-called "mainstream" Republicans -- like who, Susan "I voted with first W and now Trump upwards of 90% of the time" Collins? -- were powerless to call him on it, because to do so would be to challenge the very lies they were telling themselves and their constituents. And thanks to their decades-long marketing campaign pushing the myth of the "liberal media," the press was unable to cope with Trump either, in part because the refs had been worked so hard they're complicit in amplifying Republican lies themselves, and dismissed by the party faithful when reality rears is head.
Republicans are the party of Trump because Trump, ugly as he is, embodies what it is to be a Republican -- caring for nothing but enriching the already wealthy.
posted by Gelatin at 6:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
There's a truth the pundits are wrestling to avoid acknowledging: The Republican agenda of "redistribute even more of the nation's wealth to the wealthiest 1%" is not popular. The Republicans "permitted this" because in order to get anyone elected at all they have to construct a carefully balanced house of cards consisting of lies.
All Trump did was take their game one step further, and so-called "mainstream" Republicans -- like who, Susan "I voted with first W and now Trump upwards of 90% of the time" Collins? -- were powerless to call him on it, because to do so would be to challenge the very lies they were telling themselves and their constituents. And thanks to their decades-long marketing campaign pushing the myth of the "liberal media," the press was unable to cope with Trump either, in part because the refs had been worked so hard they're complicit in amplifying Republican lies themselves, and dismissed by the party faithful when reality rears is head.
Republicans are the party of Trump because Trump, ugly as he is, embodies what it is to be a Republican -- caring for nothing but enriching the already wealthy.
posted by Gelatin at 6:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
I dunno, I think the racism is genuine.
posted by Artw at 6:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [32 favorites]
[Reuters] Story on Kushner visiting Iraq withdrawn
But the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN are still reporting it, with independent confirmations and the Washington Post and CNN articles dated today (April 3rd).
So he does indeed appear to have gone to Iraq. I wonder why Reuters pulled its version.
posted by jedicus at 6:49 AM on April 3, 2017
But the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN are still reporting it, with independent confirmations and the Washington Post and CNN articles dated today (April 3rd).
So he does indeed appear to have gone to Iraq. I wonder why Reuters pulled its version.
posted by jedicus at 6:49 AM on April 3, 2017
I wonder why Reuters pulled its version.
They reported that he was already there, which was incorrect. They pulled the story with that timing while they sorted it out. Now they're reporting (correctly) that he arrived today.
I expect Spicer to cite this mistake as proof that Reuters is "fake news" in today's briefing. Then immediately turn around and criticize the press for asking about "unimportant" "process" questions like who is where at what time.
posted by melissasaurus at 6:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
They reported that he was already there, which was incorrect. They pulled the story with that timing while they sorted it out. Now they're reporting (correctly) that he arrived today.
I expect Spicer to cite this mistake as proof that Reuters is "fake news" in today's briefing. Then immediately turn around and criticize the press for asking about "unimportant" "process" questions like who is where at what time.
posted by melissasaurus at 6:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'd like to ask his supporters about that.
You're not going to like the answer. Either their racism/sexism/hatred for Clinton/liberals/gays/abortion is strong enough that they'll excuse working with Russia to accomplish defeating Clinton or they're so far down the rabbit hole of Breitbart et al that they'll deny that anything other than Trump's narrative is true no matter how many facts you put in front of them.
posted by Candleman at 7:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
You're not going to like the answer. Either their racism/sexism/hatred for Clinton/liberals/gays/abortion is strong enough that they'll excuse working with Russia to accomplish defeating Clinton or they're so far down the rabbit hole of Breitbart et al that they'll deny that anything other than Trump's narrative is true no matter how many facts you put in front of them.
posted by Candleman at 7:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
Basically being a supporter of the Republican Party, a godawful huge segment of society, is now equivalent of being in a cult and, minus some kind of deprogramming, there's no talking about the real world with any of them. It's a pretty worrying situation.
posted by Artw at 7:09 AM on April 3, 2017 [53 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:09 AM on April 3, 2017 [53 favorites]
Perez, on Trump and GOP: “I don’t care, because they don’t give a shit about people.”
posted by ian1977 at 7:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by ian1977 at 7:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
Here's yet another one. While I, and everyone else, are likely quite weary of the navel-gazing "why don't they like us?" analysis articles, this one in Politico marks a possible turning point in the media narrative. This one, at least, has (nearly) come around to the "You can't ever work with these people" concept. It also touches on the problems we have looming in front of us as Trump and his crew consistently lie and get away with it, and the daily churn of new facts and retractions of the same from over-eager investigative reporters. This one is worth a read.
Donald Trump’s Fictional America
Donald Trump’s Fictional America
If you think the postfactual world is a recent development, then you should see how Hugo Chávez was and is still mourned in Venezuela. [...] Yet many there, especially the very poor, who are the hardest hit by Chávez’s failed policies, still idolize him as a savior. Some have even set up a religious cult around him. Against all reason and evidence, for more than two decades they have been living in a postfactual universe. [...] “The truth has become so devalued,” they say, “that what was once the gold standard of political debate is a worthless currency.”posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:34 AM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
[...]
You might be thinking that Trumpism cannot possibly endure, that the president’s most diehard supporters will eventually release themselves from this deception, and that American moderates will never succumb to it. But do not to underestimate the power of fiction.
According to her Twitter account, Diane Feinstein is voting against Gorsuch.
JUST NOW: On Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court vote: “I cannot support this nomination.”
posted by hollygoheavy at 7:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
JUST NOW: On Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court vote: “I cannot support this nomination.”
posted by hollygoheavy at 7:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
Watch her still weasel to the very end, she didn't commit to voting against cloture and sustaining a filibuster.
Primary her, California. Democrats deserve better from Leadership, and California deserves to be represented by a Senator that unapologetically represents the liberal values of the biggest liberal state in America.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
Primary her, California. Democrats deserve better from Leadership, and California deserves to be represented by a Senator that unapologetically represents the liberal values of the biggest liberal state in America.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
According to her Twitter account, Diane Feinstein is voting against Gorsuch.
She just gave a really great - and lengthy - opening statement at the Judiciary Committee markup/vote on Gorsuch that outlines the fuckery with the Garland nomination, as well as why Gorsuch himself is a terrible nominee. She hasn't said anything about cloture yet, as far as I'm aware, but I feel like she can't possibly oppose a filibuster after that speech.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [35 favorites]
She just gave a really great - and lengthy - opening statement at the Judiciary Committee markup/vote on Gorsuch that outlines the fuckery with the Garland nomination, as well as why Gorsuch himself is a terrible nominee. She hasn't said anything about cloture yet, as far as I'm aware, but I feel like she can't possibly oppose a filibuster after that speech.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [35 favorites]
Neil Gorsuch got where he is because of a form of affirmative action
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Apparently Feinstein's office clarified she will filibuster.
Mark Warner just announced he will filibuster. That should be 40. Leahy would be 41.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [53 favorites]
Mark Warner just announced he will filibuster. That should be 40. Leahy would be 41.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [53 favorites]
Decision Desk has been running a whip count and confirms 41 votes against cloture.
Anyone want to bet their words on a cake about the nuclear option?
posted by zachlipton at 8:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Anyone want to bet their words on a cake about the nuclear option?
posted by zachlipton at 8:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
via Twitter: Sen Lindsey Graham R-SC: "If we have to, we will change the rules; and it looks like we're going to have to"
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
via Twitter: Sen Lindsey Graham R-SC: "If we have to, we will change the rules; and it looks like we're going to have to"
Just as the Republicans waged a decades-long campaign to push the myth of a "liberal media," Democrats need to be consistent about the message (I know, I know!) that Republicans can't win without cheating -- and those same Republicans basically admit it.
posted by Gelatin at 8:23 AM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
Just as the Republicans waged a decades-long campaign to push the myth of a "liberal media," Democrats need to be consistent about the message (I know, I know!) that Republicans can't win without cheating -- and those same Republicans basically admit it.
posted by Gelatin at 8:23 AM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
Neil Gorsuch got where he is because of a form of affirmative action
Wherein Richard Hasen continues the long, proud Lib tradition of accepting the premises of conservatives' arguments before he even starts. Why yes, being wealthy and coming from a politically-connected family is just like being helped by a system deliberately set up to combat exactly this phenomenon! And you, fellow conservative, and I know that both systems are wrong next to the one true system:
There are hundreds of great arguments for why Neil Gorsuch is a fucking ghoul who shouldn't get anywhere near a seat on the Supreme Court. Isn't it curious that they chose to publish one that finds a way to make weird backhanded swipes at affirmative action at the same time?
posted by indubitable at 8:24 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Wherein Richard Hasen continues the long, proud Lib tradition of accepting the premises of conservatives' arguments before he even starts. Why yes, being wealthy and coming from a politically-connected family is just like being helped by a system deliberately set up to combat exactly this phenomenon! And you, fellow conservative, and I know that both systems are wrong next to the one true system:
Would Gorsuch have been in the position he is in today if life were a pure meritocracy? Who knows, but I wouldn’t count on it. There are often more qualified people than there are positions.Meritocracy! And who gets to decide merit? Shut up, it's the best! Also those people here due to affirmative action aren't really qualified but they're here because we're such generous, meritorious dudes.
There are hundreds of great arguments for why Neil Gorsuch is a fucking ghoul who shouldn't get anywhere near a seat on the Supreme Court. Isn't it curious that they chose to publish one that finds a way to make weird backhanded swipes at affirmative action at the same time?
posted by indubitable at 8:24 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Decision Desk has been running a whip count and confirms 41 votes against cloture.
This is what I have predicted all along, and why it doesn't actually matter if a few Democratic senators are like 'I will totally vote yes on Gorsuch', because it's not going to get to a floor vote, so you won't actually have to do it.
posted by corb at 8:43 AM on April 3, 2017
This is what I have predicted all along, and why it doesn't actually matter if a few Democratic senators are like 'I will totally vote yes on Gorsuch', because it's not going to get to a floor vote, so you won't actually have to do it.
posted by corb at 8:43 AM on April 3, 2017
Mitch McConnell Admits the ‘Rule’ That Blocked Merrick Garland Is Not Actually a Rule
A good test of any principle is whether the person claiming it is willing to make it apply to all circumstances going forward. If McConnell were willing to make “fill no election-year vacancies” a formal rule, it would hardly prove his good faith — he might have embraced the rule as a post hoc rationale for his power play — but it would be at least consistent with the idea McConnell was acting in good faith. And he would be binding himself, and his party, to the “rule” he forced Obama to follow, that a president may fill only those Supreme Court vacancies that occur during the first three years of a four-year term.posted by kirkaracha at 8:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [34 favorites]
But instead McConnell simply brushed off the idea of making it a rule.
Sen. Bennet (CO) is a YES on cloture, will not support the filibuster.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by melissasaurus at 8:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
But instead McConnell simply brushed off the idea of making it a rule.
Mitch McConnell not even bothering with a pretense of acting in good faith? You don't say.
(Memo to the media: You are not obligated to pretend for him. Please stop.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
Mitch McConnell not even bothering with a pretense of acting in good faith? You don't say.
(Memo to the media: You are not obligated to pretend for him. Please stop.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
Apparently Feinstein's office clarified she will filibuster.
Mark Warner just announced he will filibuster. That should be 40. Leahy would be 41.
So, I'm thinking this may have gotten planned out to specifically give vulnerable Democrats in red states (like my own Joe Donnelly) maximum cover in the upcoming 2018 election. They always had enough for a filibuster, but folks like Feinstein in safe blue states held out announcing until after folks like Donnelly.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Mark Warner just announced he will filibuster. That should be 40. Leahy would be 41.
So, I'm thinking this may have gotten planned out to specifically give vulnerable Democrats in red states (like my own Joe Donnelly) maximum cover in the upcoming 2018 election. They always had enough for a filibuster, but folks like Feinstein in safe blue states held out announcing until after folks like Donnelly.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Tom Perez won’t apologize for insulting Trump and GOP leaders. Here’s why.
I feel that the Democrats have in someways been afflicted and damaged by their own brand of "political correctness"--i.e., the refusal to wrap the Republican party in the forceful plain-language truth of what their policies will do and who the Republicans really are.
Examples might be:
Usually, in interpersonal discussions about sensitive topics, I try to focus on the actions and words without trying to infer what their motivations and desires are because it's very easy to derail such a line of argumentation. However, in the case of national politicians with a whole bunch of power and a long history of fighting for certain things (e.g., the ability to poison the planet without consequences, denial of autonomy to women, suppression of minority vote, and so forth), I think we can draw those conclusions. It's time to start defining the narrative about the Republican party's leaders--it should be hard, we just need to tell the unvarnished truth.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
Perez, who endorsed Clinton for president, has more or less embraced that view. Asked whether he would apologize for the “give a s---” line, Hinojosa said Perez stood by his comment completely.This article relates to something that's been kicking around in my head for a while--namely, my total frustration with how Democrats have rarely hit back with their rhetoric and the extension of good faith to a Republican caucus that has not operated in a spirit of good faith for at least 20 years.
“Tom Perez has said repeatedly, including in New Jersey, that Republican leaders like Donald Trump, Paul Ryan and others in Congress have shown us that they don’t care about the American people, especially when it comes to providing families with affordable health insurance,” she said in the email. “The Republican health-care bill would have taken away coverage from 24 million people, imposed an age tax, and made Americans pay more money for less care. Republicans are making it harder to save for retirement, and one of the first acts under President Trump was to make it harder for homebuyers to afford a mortgage. These actions and many others are further proof that Republican leaders in Washington don’t care about the American people and are only looking out for their wealthy friends.”
I feel that the Democrats have in someways been afflicted and damaged by their own brand of "political correctness"--i.e., the refusal to wrap the Republican party in the forceful plain-language truth of what their policies will do and who the Republicans really are.
Examples might be:
Paul Ryan is a conman who wants to pass a bill to take away $1T of Medicaid funding, so your friends and relatives can die of preventable illness and/or be crushed with medical debt.or
The Republican party elected admitted serial child molester J. Dennis Hastert to be Speaker of the House.or
Mitch McConnell wants to put Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court, so corporations can poison your water, force you to die for their profits or fire you, and women can be free to die in childbirth because they couldn't get a life-saving abortion.or
Republicans enact legislation all over the country--e.g. NC, TX, WI--because they don't want every American to be able to vote quickly. Why is that? Because when everyone votes, Republicans lose, so they have to cheat.Similarly, I don't think HRC should have walked back the "Basket of Deplorables" comment--I think it would have made sense to have extended it to the Popular Vote Loser's supporters in Congress.
Usually, in interpersonal discussions about sensitive topics, I try to focus on the actions and words without trying to infer what their motivations and desires are because it's very easy to derail such a line of argumentation. However, in the case of national politicians with a whole bunch of power and a long history of fighting for certain things (e.g., the ability to poison the planet without consequences, denial of autonomy to women, suppression of minority vote, and so forth), I think we can draw those conclusions. It's time to start defining the narrative about the Republican party's leaders--it should be hard, we just need to tell the unvarnished truth.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
or
because when they're honest about their policies, Republicans lose, so they have to cheat.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
because when they're honest about their policies, Republicans lose, so they have to cheat.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:00 AM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
So basically what Donnie has been saying is that if you are engaging in any kind of shady, illegal, mobbed-up, nefarious, possibly treasonous activity, just run for President because then any law-enforcement surveillance of you becomes "UNPRECEDENTED" (yeah, he totally did not write that tweet, that is a 5-syllable word) and a violation of our "SACRED" electoral process. The proper order of the universe is "if you're famous, they just let you do it!" Sad!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Tom Perez won’t apologize for insulting Trump and GOP leaders. Here’s why.
"If the Republicans will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them." –Adlai E. Stevenson
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:10 AM on April 3, 2017 [63 favorites]
"If the Republicans will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them." –Adlai E. Stevenson
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:10 AM on April 3, 2017 [63 favorites]
The proper order of the universe is "if you're famous, they just let you do it!" Sad!
Trump said that very thing almost verbatim in the infamous "grab them by the pussy" clip.
posted by Gelatin at 9:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump said that very thing almost verbatim in the infamous "grab them by the pussy" clip.
posted by Gelatin at 9:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
> via Twitter: Sen Lindsey Graham R-SC: "If we have to, we will change the rules; and it looks like we're going to have to"
Do they have the votes in hand to actually do that, though?
The Rs are in quite a bit of disarray just now, and there must be at least a small handful of Republican Senators smart enough to realize that the Rs have gotten a whole lot of mileage out of the current filibuster rules, and are quite likely to be a minority party again sometime in the reasonably near future.
Self-interest for Rs says retain the current filibuster rule for as long as possible. You'll lose a little in the short term but gain a lot more in the long term.
posted by flug at 9:12 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Do they have the votes in hand to actually do that, though?
The Rs are in quite a bit of disarray just now, and there must be at least a small handful of Republican Senators smart enough to realize that the Rs have gotten a whole lot of mileage out of the current filibuster rules, and are quite likely to be a minority party again sometime in the reasonably near future.
Self-interest for Rs says retain the current filibuster rule for as long as possible. You'll lose a little in the short term but gain a lot more in the long term.
posted by flug at 9:12 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Do they have the votes in hand to actually do that, though?
That's why Dems have to find out. There's no downside, the filibuster only helps Republicans at this point.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [18 favorites]
That's why Dems have to find out. There's no downside, the filibuster only helps Republicans at this point.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [18 favorites]
With Trump in the WH I think it would definitely be a good move for the Democratic side to reformulate as much of the traditional messaging about economic and social issues into something about "con men"... to connect all of the things which give Trump high disapproval ratings to the policies which Republicans have had in the past, in a way that can allow people to feel like "I knew they were dirty the whole time!" and retcon their own votes and their bloviating about politics despite the fact that in reality they were duped by Trump and Republican propaganda.
posted by XMLicious at 9:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 9:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Sen. Bennet (CO) is a YES on cloture, will not support the filibuster.
Bennet won last year with a 3% margin. He's not up for reeelection for another 6 years. There is no reason for him to break with the party on this....
Except: he used to work for Philip Anschutz and Anschutz's companies are major donors to Bennet. Anschutz's lawyer was....Neil Gorsuch and Anschutz was instrumental in Gorsuch's nomination to the 10th Circuit (where Anschutz would later have a high-dollar tax dispute; NB: it wasn't before Gorsuch and he lost).
Dude is selling out the people of his state to pay back his billionaire patron.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [80 favorites]
Bennet won last year with a 3% margin. He's not up for reeelection for another 6 years. There is no reason for him to break with the party on this....
Except: he used to work for Philip Anschutz and Anschutz's companies are major donors to Bennet. Anschutz's lawyer was....Neil Gorsuch and Anschutz was instrumental in Gorsuch's nomination to the 10th Circuit (where Anschutz would later have a high-dollar tax dispute; NB: it wasn't before Gorsuch and he lost).
Dude is selling out the people of his state to pay back his billionaire patron.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [80 favorites]
Similarly, I don't think HRC should have walked back the "Basket of Deplorables" comment
She meant neo-nazis, she should have fucking said neo-nazis.
posted by Artw at 9:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
She meant neo-nazis, she should have fucking said neo-nazis.
posted by Artw at 9:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
I'm going to bet, no cake sorry I'm trying to lose weight, that the R's will scrap the filibuster. Or at least scrap it by some trickery just for this one vote.
Because yes, the filibuster certainly helps them more than the Democrats and they know it. In the long run losing it would be very bad for them.
OTOH, long term thinking is hard and they know they need to grab some momentum, especially after the pathetic collapse of the ACA repeal movement. More important, putting Gorsuch on the Court will shift the Court back into a solid 4-4 with Kennedy as the swing rather than the current 4-3 with Kennedy as the swing. They know damn well that there are several absolutely critical cases coming up (gerrymandering especially), and they know they need Gorsuch on the Court so they've got a solid 4 votes for cheating and they only have to work Kennedy to get their fifth vote justifying cheating (which should be easy enough, Kennedy has never forgotten that he's a Republican Justice).
Further, if they do have to moderate their picks for the Supreme Court (while I argue the D's should hold the seat empty until 2020, realistically I recognize they don't have the will) that weakens their position for the future in a number of potentially critical cases. They really do need an extreme hard right Republican Justice in the model of Scalia to keep their BS being declared Constitutional. Even a true moderate Republican Justice, like Kennedy, would be a blow to their future aspirations.
So I think they will nuke the filibuster.
I also think they'll try to avoid doing so, try to work the Democrats, try to work the media, try to present the filibuster of Gorsuch as a horrible evil thing that only the most vile people in America would ever support.
And then, if they do nuke it, I'll bet they try some trick so it isn't really nuked, just suspended for this one particular vote. That won't, I hope, work but I bet they'll try.
posted by sotonohito at 9:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Because yes, the filibuster certainly helps them more than the Democrats and they know it. In the long run losing it would be very bad for them.
OTOH, long term thinking is hard and they know they need to grab some momentum, especially after the pathetic collapse of the ACA repeal movement. More important, putting Gorsuch on the Court will shift the Court back into a solid 4-4 with Kennedy as the swing rather than the current 4-3 with Kennedy as the swing. They know damn well that there are several absolutely critical cases coming up (gerrymandering especially), and they know they need Gorsuch on the Court so they've got a solid 4 votes for cheating and they only have to work Kennedy to get their fifth vote justifying cheating (which should be easy enough, Kennedy has never forgotten that he's a Republican Justice).
Further, if they do have to moderate their picks for the Supreme Court (while I argue the D's should hold the seat empty until 2020, realistically I recognize they don't have the will) that weakens their position for the future in a number of potentially critical cases. They really do need an extreme hard right Republican Justice in the model of Scalia to keep their BS being declared Constitutional. Even a true moderate Republican Justice, like Kennedy, would be a blow to their future aspirations.
So I think they will nuke the filibuster.
I also think they'll try to avoid doing so, try to work the Democrats, try to work the media, try to present the filibuster of Gorsuch as a horrible evil thing that only the most vile people in America would ever support.
And then, if they do nuke it, I'll bet they try some trick so it isn't really nuked, just suspended for this one particular vote. That won't, I hope, work but I bet they'll try.
posted by sotonohito at 9:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Personally I want to see the filibuster totally and utterly eradicated. It helps only the Republicans and the Democrats never get to actually use it for anything important, and it's totally anti-democratic and I like democracy. So get rid of it.
posted by sotonohito at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
If they pull that then it really is nuked, because there's no reason not to do the same every vote.
posted by Artw at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
If they pull that then it really is nuked, because there's no reason not to do the same every vote.
If they actually get away with some "the filibuster exists only when the Republicans want it to and not when they don't want it to, and never when the Democrats want it to" malarkey, then someone should literally nuke the Senate since that will officially obviate its existence as any sort of democratic institution.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:36 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
If they actually get away with some "the filibuster exists only when the Republicans want it to and not when they don't want it to, and never when the Democrats want it to" malarkey, then someone should literally nuke the Senate since that will officially obviate its existence as any sort of democratic institution.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:36 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
If they pull that then it really is nuked, because there's no reason not to do the same every vote.
True for a Republican Senate, but they'll want the filibuster back when and if they're in the minority again. A "Bush v. Gore" scenario where they try to claim "just this one time with no precedential value" is a good bet. It's exactly in character with McConnellism and Republican cheating.
At worst it would punt the blame for the nuclear option back on Democrats in the future, or even better, squishy Dems can't be trusted not to let them get away with something like that and allow a future Dem appointee to be blocked by a Republican filibuster.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
True for a Republican Senate, but they'll want the filibuster back when and if they're in the minority again. A "Bush v. Gore" scenario where they try to claim "just this one time with no precedential value" is a good bet. It's exactly in character with McConnellism and Republican cheating.
At worst it would punt the blame for the nuclear option back on Democrats in the future, or even better, squishy Dems can't be trusted not to let them get away with something like that and allow a future Dem appointee to be blocked by a Republican filibuster.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Putting a republican on the supreme court is a huge part of why the GOP is tolerating so much crap from Trump, so of course they'll nuke the filibuster. It's life or death for them.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:38 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:38 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
that will officially obviate [the Senate's] existence as any sort of democratic institution
As if McConnell refusing to give a SCOTUS nominee so much as a hearing wasn't good enough to do it.
posted by Gelatin at 9:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [31 favorites]
As if McConnell refusing to give a SCOTUS nominee so much as a hearing wasn't good enough to do it.
posted by Gelatin at 9:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [31 favorites]
I've been wondering if, after 1) Gorsuch is successfully confirmed and sworn in, and 2) the huge, amazing tax cuts fail to materialize, Trump will be seen as having outlived his purpose for the Republican party.
Nah, they'll continue to take his shit as long as he's there to dish it out -- because if another SCOTUS vacancy arises, that is all the fucking marbles for the wingnut base.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:50 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Nah, they'll continue to take his shit as long as he's there to dish it out -- because if another SCOTUS vacancy arises, that is all the fucking marbles for the wingnut base.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:50 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
I mean, the way things are going, they'd have to be insane to bank on any Republican being elected President in 2020.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:51 AM on April 3, 2017
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:51 AM on April 3, 2017
I've been wondering if, after 1) Gorsuch is successfully confirmed and sworn in, and 2) the huge, amazing tax cuts fail to materialize, Trump will be seen as having outlived his purpose for the Republican party.
If anyone in the GOP were strong enough to say that out loud, Trump would already be gone. He's a useless embarrassment already, and Pence would put Gorsuch on the bench too.
posted by Etrigan at 9:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
If anyone in the GOP were strong enough to say that out loud, Trump would already be gone. He's a useless embarrassment already, and Pence would put Gorsuch on the bench too.
posted by Etrigan at 9:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
I've been wondering if, after 1) Gorsuch is successfully confirmed and sworn in, and 2) the huge, amazing tax cuts fail to materialize, Trump will be seen as having outlived his purpose for the Republican party.
Republicans don't need Trump to nominate a Republican to SCOTUS; they just need a Republican president.
posted by Gelatin at 9:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Republicans don't need Trump to nominate a Republican to SCOTUS; they just need a Republican president.
posted by Gelatin at 9:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think rather the opposite. Any win at all will have a unifying effect on the Republicans, and will give Trump political capital.
Meanwhile, TPM provides a general overview of the catastrafuck so far, ending on this note:
posted by schadenfrau at 9:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Meanwhile, TPM provides a general overview of the catastrafuck so far, ending on this note:
Faced with the prospect of a Congress unable to pass any ambitious legislation, Mann sees a bleak future ahead.On the OTHER HAND, also from TPM, we have what looks like an irl lol from Josh Marshall when looking at Trump's approval/disapproval.
"My worry it what it might prompt Trump to do on his own," he said. "It might get his more authoritarian juices flowing, and he might use this as an excuse for expanding executive power."
Collander has had equally dark thoughts.
"In the absence of a crisis, I don’t see this getting better anytime soon," he said. "What typically happens is that you have terrorism attack or a natural disaster or a war, and it brings everyone together, at least for a short period of time. The problem is that we have crisis fatigue in this country. Since 9/11 we've had terrorism crises, economic crises, housing crises, market crashes. I wonder in the current environment how big a crisis would it take to bring people to the table together. I'm not sure I want to find out."
posted by schadenfrau at 9:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Strategically it seems clear that the best case scenario is to obstruct everything while building the case for impeachment (not calling for it yet, but putting enough evidence out there) ahead of 2018, so that the Republican base is so demoralized and disenchanted that they tune out and stay home.
Then you impeach and remove anyone who had anything to do with treason.
I see no reason we can't use the Republican's own strategies against them.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:59 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Then you impeach and remove anyone who had anything to do with treason.
I see no reason we can't use the Republican's own strategies against them.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:59 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Republicans don't need Trump to nominate a Republican to SCOTUS; they just need a Republican president.
Point taken, but any getting-rid-of-Trump process would not be pretty. Cuz let's face it, he ain't going quietly if he goes. It would create enough discord and division nationally to make the Republican discipline behind the AHCA look solid by comparison.
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:01 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Point taken, but any getting-rid-of-Trump process would not be pretty. Cuz let's face it, he ain't going quietly if he goes. It would create enough discord and division nationally to make the Republican discipline behind the AHCA look solid by comparison.
posted by FelliniBlank at 10:01 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
"It might get his more authoritarian juices flowing, and he might use this as an excuse for expanding executive power."
Yeah, but, being an authoritarian strongman is hard. Talking like you're an authoritarian strongman is super easy, but actually doing stuff is difficult, and takes determination and a certain kind of intelligence. I think we'll see Trump just resign ("health problems") before he actually gets up the energy to be the real Cheetoh Benito he wishes to see in the world.
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Yeah, but, being an authoritarian strongman is hard. Talking like you're an authoritarian strongman is super easy, but actually doing stuff is difficult, and takes determination and a certain kind of intelligence. I think we'll see Trump just resign ("health problems") before he actually gets up the energy to be the real Cheetoh Benito he wishes to see in the world.
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Yeah, but, being an authoritarian strongman is hard.
Yeah, Trump's staggering incompetence has really de-fanged the authoritarian/fascist boogeyman for the moment, at least for me. But what I'm really scared of is the 40%. I just...don't see how we come back from two opposing realities.
Has this ever happened before? Honest question. How many studies are there of modern societies where 40% don't believe in reality?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Yeah, Trump's staggering incompetence has really de-fanged the authoritarian/fascist boogeyman for the moment, at least for me. But what I'm really scared of is the 40%. I just...don't see how we come back from two opposing realities.
Has this ever happened before? Honest question. How many studies are there of modern societies where 40% don't believe in reality?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
If nobody was openly investigating Flynn then it would be a failure, since he is a GODDAMN RUSSIAN SPY.
posted by Artw at 10:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Will McConnell get 50 votes to kill the filibuster? I don't think so. There are too many old timers in the Senate who love that kind of individual power. They also love being "better" than the House. And getting rid of the filibuster takes that away.
But I've been wrong a lot when I try to make predictions. And I think it's because I vastly overestimate Republican ability to think ahead or scheme. Like now, if they thought any further ahead than today's news cycle, they would realize that Trump is toxic and everything connected to him is going to wither up and die. That means in 2018 and 2020 anyone who voted with Trump is in serious danger and anyone who colluded with him might go to prison. It is obvious this is going to happen and yet the GOP just refuses to think that far ahead.
Like, if I were running the GOP, I would dump Trump immediately and begin full investigations toward impeachment. I would stop the Gorsuch nomination. I would make quiet requests for all the Cabinet Secretaries to resign and testify about anything they know before they get caught up in the investigation. Then Pence would be a dumb Presidential rock and not do or say anything, ever. The GOP majorities in Congress could actually do some things like get a truly horrifying Supreme Court Justice, slash taxes, and institute fascism.
The media would praise Republicans for being so reasonable and bipartisan for impeaching their own President. And the Democrats would shamelessly fall in line with all the policies as soon as the media jumped on board. The Republican base would be pissed at first, but they have memories like goldfish. So just wave a theocratic supreme court justice in their eyes and they would forget all about whatever happened before.
It's so fucking obvious, right? And yet somehow the Republicans can't / won't do it. I have no idea what is going to happen because everyone - literally everyone - is taking crazy pills.
posted by Glibpaxman at 10:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
But I've been wrong a lot when I try to make predictions. And I think it's because I vastly overestimate Republican ability to think ahead or scheme. Like now, if they thought any further ahead than today's news cycle, they would realize that Trump is toxic and everything connected to him is going to wither up and die. That means in 2018 and 2020 anyone who voted with Trump is in serious danger and anyone who colluded with him might go to prison. It is obvious this is going to happen and yet the GOP just refuses to think that far ahead.
Like, if I were running the GOP, I would dump Trump immediately and begin full investigations toward impeachment. I would stop the Gorsuch nomination. I would make quiet requests for all the Cabinet Secretaries to resign and testify about anything they know before they get caught up in the investigation. Then Pence would be a dumb Presidential rock and not do or say anything, ever. The GOP majorities in Congress could actually do some things like get a truly horrifying Supreme Court Justice, slash taxes, and institute fascism.
The media would praise Republicans for being so reasonable and bipartisan for impeaching their own President. And the Democrats would shamelessly fall in line with all the policies as soon as the media jumped on board. The Republican base would be pissed at first, but they have memories like goldfish. So just wave a theocratic supreme court justice in their eyes and they would forget all about whatever happened before.
It's so fucking obvious, right? And yet somehow the Republicans can't / won't do it. I have no idea what is going to happen because everyone - literally everyone - is taking crazy pills.
posted by Glibpaxman at 10:15 AM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
I've been wondering if, after 1) Gorsuch is successfully confirmed and sworn in, and 2) the huge, amazing tax cuts fail to materialize, Trump will be seen as having outlived his purpose for the Republican party.
It's really pretty irrelevant whether they think he's not as useful as he was. Thinking about Trump here or gone as it appeals to the R party in a vacuum is the wrong way to approach it. Trump's in the gig and there's only a few ways they show him the door.
One, impeachment. Even if you stipulate that they don't like having him around, removing him has huge costs. Anyone still attached to him - and he does have his extremist fans - gets pissed with you, non-Rs point and say look, this is proof that everyone who ever backed him was wrong; they have to remove their own guy! Everyone who's to the left of Trump gets attacked as RINO, part of the corrupt ruling class, etc etc.
Two, primaried in 2020. All the same brand damage. Poor odds of success. Likely that whoever you replace him with subsequently loses, because the national numbers don't work in favor of the Rs. Just like they can't afford to have some of their more extreme religious folks stay home they can't afford to have whatever percent of Trump true believers stay home. If anything it's worse for them with regards to Trump; the extreme right has little other choice and tend to show up. Trump mobilized some number of folks not normally showing up for them. It doesn't have to be a lot to be significant for the R party.
Three, loses election in 2020. For almost all of the R party this is a worse outcome no matter how much of a whacko Trump is. His crazy aligns with their goals more than any generic D would.
There's some ways this can change a bit, the most significant probably being if we had some national gerrymandering fixes where there was no longer these breeding grounds for more extreme R House candidates. Then maybe there'd be more folks in Congress who could get tarred with the Trump nutter brush and would suffer for it. Maybe the primary thing seems more attractive if Trump gets down to only being supported by the CF 27%, though even then you need to weigh not just approve/disapprove but the intensity of those feelings and how they result in action.
Overall I think assuming they'll impeach unless they have absolutely no other choice is wrongheaded. For them to do so there would need to be an opinion on Trump within their own loyalists that was so poor that removing him would be a net positive. Because general public opinion doesn't matter to them. Were I in, say, Rubio's district there is no amount of action he could take that would result in my voting for him in the subsequent election. So whether I support impeachment matters to him not one bit. The only way it matters to him is if not impeaching costs him more votes than impeaching.
And I think the reality of current polarization, particularly within the R party, is that the perception of Trump would have to be so bad that we'd all be more worried about finding non-irradiated water to drink than House committee hearings.
posted by phearlez at 10:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
It's really pretty irrelevant whether they think he's not as useful as he was. Thinking about Trump here or gone as it appeals to the R party in a vacuum is the wrong way to approach it. Trump's in the gig and there's only a few ways they show him the door.
One, impeachment. Even if you stipulate that they don't like having him around, removing him has huge costs. Anyone still attached to him - and he does have his extremist fans - gets pissed with you, non-Rs point and say look, this is proof that everyone who ever backed him was wrong; they have to remove their own guy! Everyone who's to the left of Trump gets attacked as RINO, part of the corrupt ruling class, etc etc.
Two, primaried in 2020. All the same brand damage. Poor odds of success. Likely that whoever you replace him with subsequently loses, because the national numbers don't work in favor of the Rs. Just like they can't afford to have some of their more extreme religious folks stay home they can't afford to have whatever percent of Trump true believers stay home. If anything it's worse for them with regards to Trump; the extreme right has little other choice and tend to show up. Trump mobilized some number of folks not normally showing up for them. It doesn't have to be a lot to be significant for the R party.
Three, loses election in 2020. For almost all of the R party this is a worse outcome no matter how much of a whacko Trump is. His crazy aligns with their goals more than any generic D would.
There's some ways this can change a bit, the most significant probably being if we had some national gerrymandering fixes where there was no longer these breeding grounds for more extreme R House candidates. Then maybe there'd be more folks in Congress who could get tarred with the Trump nutter brush and would suffer for it. Maybe the primary thing seems more attractive if Trump gets down to only being supported by the CF 27%, though even then you need to weigh not just approve/disapprove but the intensity of those feelings and how they result in action.
Overall I think assuming they'll impeach unless they have absolutely no other choice is wrongheaded. For them to do so there would need to be an opinion on Trump within their own loyalists that was so poor that removing him would be a net positive. Because general public opinion doesn't matter to them. Were I in, say, Rubio's district there is no amount of action he could take that would result in my voting for him in the subsequent election. So whether I support impeachment matters to him not one bit. The only way it matters to him is if not impeaching costs him more votes than impeaching.
And I think the reality of current polarization, particularly within the R party, is that the perception of Trump would have to be so bad that we'd all be more worried about finding non-irradiated water to drink than House committee hearings.
posted by phearlez at 10:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
White House unveils official portrait of Melania Trump
She looks photoshopped to high heaven. It gives me a 1980's vibe.
posted by futz at 10:17 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
She looks photoshopped to high heaven. It gives me a 1980's vibe.
posted by futz at 10:17 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
I mean, I'm not going to litigate Melania's portrait. She's very pretty to begin with, and I give zero fucks about that.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
futz: She looks photoshopped to high heaven.
She looks photoshopped in real life, too, so it's pretty accurate.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
She looks photoshopped in real life, too, so it's pretty accurate.
posted by Too-Ticky at 10:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
which notes the Rice's actions were legal and likely within her purview as national security adviser
So what? The Stasi also acted legally and within their purview.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 10:20 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
So what? The Stasi also acted legally and within their purview.
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 10:20 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ready for War with Iran?
If Trump had any ability to marshal support for anything. If he hadn't already attacked members of his own party for voting against him. If he were remotely competent, I'd be worried.
But he isn't. He's got no popular support for a war, and I doubt his ability to gain it, because he's shown no faculty for convincing folks who don't already agree with him. He sure has hell won't have international support; everyone hates him. Democrats won't support a war (like they did for both Iraq Wars). Freedom Caucusers could oppose him on fiscal grounds alone. All he's got left is Paul Ryan. That ain't much.
Can he start his own little war without Congressional approval? Sure. But he won't have the support of either Congress or the majority of the population. That kind of transparent Wag the Dog war doesn't help him in any way.
Oh, and how's he gonna pay for it?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:22 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
If Trump had any ability to marshal support for anything. If he hadn't already attacked members of his own party for voting against him. If he were remotely competent, I'd be worried.
But he isn't. He's got no popular support for a war, and I doubt his ability to gain it, because he's shown no faculty for convincing folks who don't already agree with him. He sure has hell won't have international support; everyone hates him. Democrats won't support a war (like they did for both Iraq Wars). Freedom Caucusers could oppose him on fiscal grounds alone. All he's got left is Paul Ryan. That ain't much.
Can he start his own little war without Congressional approval? Sure. But he won't have the support of either Congress or the majority of the population. That kind of transparent Wag the Dog war doesn't help him in any way.
Oh, and how's he gonna pay for it?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:22 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Really odd how the same people who've been pushing the line "If you haven't broken the law, you've got nothing to hide" re: unchecked surveillance are suddenly so distraught at the idea of the intelligence community monitoring "private" conversations between powerful American citizens and Russian crime lords.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 10:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [55 favorites]
posted by the turtle's teeth at 10:26 AM on April 3, 2017 [55 favorites]
Delaware Senator Chris Coons has announced he's voting against cloture on the Gorsuch nomination. That's forty-one for a filibuster, which means all the hypotheticals about the GOP's willingness to change the rules are about to get tested.
If McConnell fails to get this done I will be happier than words can express. I hope the constituents of moderate Republicans are working the phones right now.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
If McConnell fails to get this done I will be happier than words can express. I hope the constituents of moderate Republicans are working the phones right now.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trump's in the gig and there's only a few ways they show him the door.
One other way that might do less damage is invoking the 25th Amendment; Pence and establishment Republicans could declare, shaking their heads in phony regret, that Trump is afflicted with dementia and is thus too impaired to continue in office. That course at least gives many Republicans the out in that they may be perceived as cleaning up their own mess, and everyone can pretend that Trump was fine when they voted for him and he only fell off the chain after he was inaugurated. (Sure, that's nonsense, but believing nonsense is an entry requirement for Republicans.)
posted by Gelatin at 10:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
One other way that might do less damage is invoking the 25th Amendment; Pence and establishment Republicans could declare, shaking their heads in phony regret, that Trump is afflicted with dementia and is thus too impaired to continue in office. That course at least gives many Republicans the out in that they may be perceived as cleaning up their own mess, and everyone can pretend that Trump was fine when they voted for him and he only fell off the chain after he was inaugurated. (Sure, that's nonsense, but believing nonsense is an entry requirement for Republicans.)
posted by Gelatin at 10:30 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Another
Contributor files sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News
Roginsky claims a promotion to a regular spot co-hosting the "The Five" was "contingent upon having a sexual relationship with Ailes." She said she refused and the position was awarded to political commentator and Hill contributor Juan Williams instead in late 2015.
posted by futz at 10:31 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Contributor files sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News
Roginsky claims a promotion to a regular spot co-hosting the "The Five" was "contingent upon having a sexual relationship with Ailes." She said she refused and the position was awarded to political commentator and Hill contributor Juan Williams instead in late 2015.
posted by futz at 10:31 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I hope the constituents of moderate Republicans are working the phones right now.
Flake, Gardner, Murkowski, Collins, maybe Burr? It's going to take 3 and I don't even know who else would be a possible no against the nuclear option. It's not like there's any "moderates" around.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:34 AM on April 3, 2017
Flake, Gardner, Murkowski, Collins, maybe Burr? It's going to take 3 and I don't even know who else would be a possible no against the nuclear option. It's not like there's any "moderates" around.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:34 AM on April 3, 2017
Like, if I were running the GOP, I would dump Trump immediately and begin full investigations toward impeachment.
Your theoretical GOP strategy as outlined absolutely makes sense as a method for party survival. The fact that they're not doing it could be attributed to the fact that they lack long-term strategy or planning skills. But, it could also be attributed to the increasingly plausible idea that the people who hacked the DNC also hacked Republicans and have a TON of blackmail material.
Even if it makes sense for the GOP as a whole to resist Trump, there may be a large number of individuals who consider the risk to themselves personally to be too great. Since they're mostly a bunch of narcissists and sociopaths, they might consider the risk of the whole GOP imploding to be more acceptable than the risk of having their darkest secrets revealed should they get out of line.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 10:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Your theoretical GOP strategy as outlined absolutely makes sense as a method for party survival. The fact that they're not doing it could be attributed to the fact that they lack long-term strategy or planning skills. But, it could also be attributed to the increasingly plausible idea that the people who hacked the DNC also hacked Republicans and have a TON of blackmail material.
Even if it makes sense for the GOP as a whole to resist Trump, there may be a large number of individuals who consider the risk to themselves personally to be too great. Since they're mostly a bunch of narcissists and sociopaths, they might consider the risk of the whole GOP imploding to be more acceptable than the risk of having their darkest secrets revealed should they get out of line.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 10:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Oh, and how's he gonna pay for it?
War in Iran? This dude has said many a time about going to other countries and taking their oil. I'm sure he's convinced he can by the war on "credit" and pay for it with all the oil proceeds America will be getting after the cakewalk of a war it'll be.
No, I don't mean how does he think he'll pay for it, I mean, how will he convince Congress to allocate funds to pay for a war that he wants but they don't? Dude couldn't even repeal Obamacare. His budget is DOA. How's he gonna pay for a war?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
War in Iran? This dude has said many a time about going to other countries and taking their oil. I'm sure he's convinced he can by the war on "credit" and pay for it with all the oil proceeds America will be getting after the cakewalk of a war it'll be.
No, I don't mean how does he think he'll pay for it, I mean, how will he convince Congress to allocate funds to pay for a war that he wants but they don't? Dude couldn't even repeal Obamacare. His budget is DOA. How's he gonna pay for a war?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Flake, Gardner, Murkowski, Collins, maybe Burr? It's going to take 3 and I don't even know who else would be a possible no against the nuclear option. It's not like there's any "moderates" around.
I agree about the last point. One of the few things I find encouraging is that senators are protective of their privileges; McConnell would be asking Republican senators to reduce their own power to benefit their party. That kind of sacrifice goes against basic conservative selfishness.
posted by Gelatin at 10:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I agree about the last point. One of the few things I find encouraging is that senators are protective of their privileges; McConnell would be asking Republican senators to reduce their own power to benefit their party. That kind of sacrifice goes against basic conservative selfishness.
posted by Gelatin at 10:37 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Let's be perfectly clear. This is the first filibuster of the 115th Congress. If the Republicans use the nuclear option, then the filibuster was dead all along, and the blame should not be placed at the feet of the Democrats.
It's also important to note just how bad this looks for the GOP after blocking Garland's nomination. The history books will explicitly state that the Republican Party stole a Supreme Court seat.
posted by schmod at 10:38 AM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
It's also important to note just how bad this looks for the GOP after blocking Garland's nomination. The history books will explicitly state that the Republican Party stole a Supreme Court seat.
posted by schmod at 10:38 AM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
That depends on who's writing the history books.
posted by flatluigi at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [50 favorites]
posted by flatluigi at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [50 favorites]
I mean, I'm not going to litigate Melania's portrait. She's very pretty to begin with, and I give zero fucks about that.
I'd be happy to just never talk about her again. She's irrelevant.
posted by phearlez at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
I'd be happy to just never talk about her again. She's irrelevant.
posted by phearlez at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
I've been thinking about these issues for a bit, and I still feel it difficult to articulate, but it seems somehow to be connected to a backlash over post-modernism/constructivism. It's almost like the zeitgeist on the right is "ok, ya hippies. You've been talking about how everybody gets their own reality and this realivistic morality and we squawked about it. But now we sort of see the benefit of it! Sure! We don't have to believe our lying eyes if it doesn't suit what we wish were true, and you lefties started it!!" But the problem (and keep in mind that I'm no expert by a very long shot, this is just the ponderings of a bemused mind who paid some attention in college a million years ago) is that we didn't MEAN it as a way to go about your daily life, more as a philosophical construct to talk about at parties and write "deep" dissertations on. Sure, we all have our own constructed realities, to a point--do you see the same blue as me??--but at the end of the day, we accept that there is a functioning REALITY. It's like the Right is just catching up to philosophy 101 and trying to cheat with the neat new ideas. Post modernism is now biting us all in the ass.
I'm sorry if this makes little sense. I've been up for 24 hours because my husband has the flu, and I have already not been functioning all that well in my brain since this whole catastrofuck (I like it!) began.
posted by thebrokedown at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm sorry if this makes little sense. I've been up for 24 hours because my husband has the flu, and I have already not been functioning all that well in my brain since this whole catastrofuck (I like it!) began.
posted by thebrokedown at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
how will he convince Congress to allocate funds to pay for a war that he wants but they don't?
I wouldn't bet on a Republican-controlled Congress not wanting any particular war.
posted by Etrigan at 10:40 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I wouldn't bet on a Republican-controlled Congress not wanting any particular war.
posted by Etrigan at 10:40 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Mod note: Couple comments removed; zipping down a "having religious beliefs is equivalent to having no concept of reality" derail is gonna go nowhere good here, and if that wasn't where that was supposed to go the discussion got off to a real bad start.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:40 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:40 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
>Will McConnell get 50 votes to kill the filibuster? I don't think so.
The interesting thing from the D perspective is this is win/win. If the Rs can't round up the 50 votes (plus the VP, presumably?) then they lose the nomination. And if they lose the nomination, the next step is going to be pretty interesting: Who will Trump nominate that won't just be filibustered again?
On the other hand, if they do round up their 50 votes and nuke the filibuster, that's a long-term win for the Ds for certain. Rs have use the filibuster thing far, far more effectively than Ds. Next time Rs are back in a slight minority--which, given the cyclical nature of U.S. politics, is going to be soon--they are going to be some real sad kittens.
I do think we need to keep our eyes peeled for any kind of a 'special on-off exception' or 'split the difference' type of arrangement. That is what any R with a bit of brains will be gunning for--but that type of thing should be fought tooth and nail by any Ds with a bit of brains.
If I were going to bet a cake on this type of thing, I would bet no nuclear option here. Rs have been completely unified as a minority party, but they don't seem able to keep it together now they have a chance to actually govern. And the incentive for individual Senators is always going to be to preserve their individual power--which in this case is the filibuster rule. That scenario indicates R Senate leadership will try for the nuclear option, but fail. Trump will send out a few 3am tweets attacking Senators of his own party and that will be the end of it.
posted by flug at 10:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
The interesting thing from the D perspective is this is win/win. If the Rs can't round up the 50 votes (plus the VP, presumably?) then they lose the nomination. And if they lose the nomination, the next step is going to be pretty interesting: Who will Trump nominate that won't just be filibustered again?
On the other hand, if they do round up their 50 votes and nuke the filibuster, that's a long-term win for the Ds for certain. Rs have use the filibuster thing far, far more effectively than Ds. Next time Rs are back in a slight minority--which, given the cyclical nature of U.S. politics, is going to be soon--they are going to be some real sad kittens.
I do think we need to keep our eyes peeled for any kind of a 'special on-off exception' or 'split the difference' type of arrangement. That is what any R with a bit of brains will be gunning for--but that type of thing should be fought tooth and nail by any Ds with a bit of brains.
If I were going to bet a cake on this type of thing, I would bet no nuclear option here. Rs have been completely unified as a minority party, but they don't seem able to keep it together now they have a chance to actually govern. And the incentive for individual Senators is always going to be to preserve their individual power--which in this case is the filibuster rule. That scenario indicates R Senate leadership will try for the nuclear option, but fail. Trump will send out a few 3am tweets attacking Senators of his own party and that will be the end of it.
posted by flug at 10:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
That depends on who's writing the history books.
The cockroaches. Who will mostly note that they were severely oppressed during the Before Times by an argumentative bunch of now-extinct irrational beings who did have the one virtue of having invented delicious garbage and warm places to nest.
posted by emjaybee at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
The cockroaches. Who will mostly note that they were severely oppressed during the Before Times by an argumentative bunch of now-extinct irrational beings who did have the one virtue of having invented delicious garbage and warm places to nest.
posted by emjaybee at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
A couple of years ago, I might have pegged Flake as one of those semi-reasonable GOP Senators who wasn't so far removed from reality, or so inimical to tradition, etc., that he might vote to confirm Gorsuch, but he wouldn't actually vote to overturn the filibuster rule.
Then he penned that odious op-ed wherein he said, essentially, that "neither of Obama's two SCOTUS nominations had been blocked", neatly omitting Obama's third nomination, Merrick Garland, who was blocked not by filibuster, but by denying him even a committee vote.
After that, it seems that Senator Flake has embraced the mantle of those GOP Senators who not only have no conscience and will lie without shame, but also don't care who knows it. So yeah, I'm not surprised he'd now vote to kill the filibuster rule, too.
tl,dr: Arizona politics still sucks, y'all.
posted by darkstar at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Then he penned that odious op-ed wherein he said, essentially, that "neither of Obama's two SCOTUS nominations had been blocked", neatly omitting Obama's third nomination, Merrick Garland, who was blocked not by filibuster, but by denying him even a committee vote.
After that, it seems that Senator Flake has embraced the mantle of those GOP Senators who not only have no conscience and will lie without shame, but also don't care who knows it. So yeah, I'm not surprised he'd now vote to kill the filibuster rule, too.
tl,dr: Arizona politics still sucks, y'all.
posted by darkstar at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
I agree about the last point. One of the few things I find encouraging is that senators are protective of their privileges; McConnell would be asking Republican senators to reduce their own power to benefit their party. That kind of sacrifice goes against basic conservative selfishness.
...and common sense. They're so desperate for a win right now they're willing to blow up one of their primary tools for obstruction during the Obama administration. What happens when they're back to the minority? Is that really so unlikely when their party's President is demonstrably the least popular and least effective President in living memory?
On the other hand, if they do round up their 50 votes and nuke the filibuster, that's a long-term win for the Ds for certain. Rs have use the filibuster thing far, far more effectively than Ds. Next time Rs are back in a slight minority--which, given the cyclical nature of U.S. politics, is going to be soon--they are going to be real sad kittens.
This.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
...and common sense. They're so desperate for a win right now they're willing to blow up one of their primary tools for obstruction during the Obama administration. What happens when they're back to the minority? Is that really so unlikely when their party's President is demonstrably the least popular and least effective President in living memory?
On the other hand, if they do round up their 50 votes and nuke the filibuster, that's a long-term win for the Ds for certain. Rs have use the filibuster thing far, far more effectively than Ds. Next time Rs are back in a slight minority--which, given the cyclical nature of U.S. politics, is going to be soon--they are going to be real sad kittens.
This.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
If I were going to bet a cake on this type of thing,
Is "betting a cake" now officially part of Metafilter Important Lore? I hope so...
posted by Melismata at 10:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
Is "betting a cake" now officially part of Metafilter Important Lore? I hope so...
posted by Melismata at 10:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
Whatever. These guys live for the weekend, when they can golf. They're really not long-term, you know, unless it's about inheritance.
posted by valkane at 10:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by valkane at 10:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
This Is the Way Democracy Ends: Not with a Bang, but with Redistricting
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
I guess we can let go of teh fear that the Trump admin is an organised attempt to end free elections, but I think we should still worry about a disorganised one - maybe they ARE that confident of their ability to ratfuck Americans out of electing anyone else forever.
posted by Artw at 10:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Then he penned that odious op-ed wherein he said, essentially, that "neither of Obama's two SCOTUS nominations had been blocked", neatly omitting Obama's third nomination, Merrick Garland, who was blocked not by filibuster, but by denying him even a committee vote.
I've noted before that the Republican desire to pretend Garland's nomination never existed is a tell that they know they are on shaky ground in terms of being perceived as stealing a SCOTUS seat.
I don't know why they seem to perceive that, as McConnell seems to have gotten away with denying Garland so much as a hearing as far as the so-called "liberal media" is concerned, but they're sure acting guilty about it.
posted by Gelatin at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
I've noted before that the Republican desire to pretend Garland's nomination never existed is a tell that they know they are on shaky ground in terms of being perceived as stealing a SCOTUS seat.
I don't know why they seem to perceive that, as McConnell seems to have gotten away with denying Garland so much as a hearing as far as the so-called "liberal media" is concerned, but they're sure acting guilty about it.
posted by Gelatin at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Is "betting a cake" now officially part of Metafilter Important Lore? I hope so...
That's up to you!
posted by leotrotsky at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
That's up to you!
posted by leotrotsky at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Another thing on the "Why don't smart Republicans push for impeachment" argument I haven't seen mentioned this time, even assuming it was in the best interests of the party as a whole, what in the world makes McConnell or Graham or (I can't think of any "Moderates" in the House, but them if they exist) look at Trump, who bodied every single Republican in the primary, from Jeb to Ted Cruz, (and made it look easy!) and think I can take him on, for the good of the party. You'd have to practically line up all the votes before you announced impeachment hearings, without him or any loyalists finding out or he'd just start tweeting about you, the media would cover it breathlessly, and if you're a R from a small House district you'd never be able to raise enough to get over the free attack ads that would run on your local nightly news. Until the public is behind it, it's basically career suicide.
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:48 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Until the public is behind it, it's basically career suicide.
"Four in 10 registered voters already support impeaching President Trump, a Democratic pollster said Thursday, highlighting growing suspicions surrounding his ability to lead less than two weeks after taking office."
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
"Four in 10 registered voters already support impeaching President Trump, a Democratic pollster said Thursday, highlighting growing suspicions surrounding his ability to lead less than two weeks after taking office."
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
In addition to the likes of Susan Collins, I think Bob Corker and John McCain have also made some noise about opposing the elimination of the filibuster. I am sure the whipping of votes behind the scenes is intense, because another perceived defeat would push even further the 'Republicans in disarray' narrative. In the end I have little faith in so-called moderate republicans actually being brave; rather I imagine some of them are hoping for yet another 'bipartisan gang of X' solution that will save them from having to take a firm position...
posted by circumspect at 10:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by circumspect at 10:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
They're so desperate for a win right now they're willing to blow up one of their primary tools for obstruction during the Obama administration.
It's a shame Democrats like Indiana's Joe Donnelly don't seem to perceive the Republicans as desperate for a win as they are. Central to modern Republicanism is the smugness of looking down on whoever they perceive as "losers," which is why any instinct to compromise is so harshly rejected (And Republicans hate being perceived as losers).
The message Democrats should send their allies, and the media, is that Republicans are indeed desperate for a win, because if the Republicans do manage to achieve something -- not shutting down the government, say -- it can be dismissed as predicted in advance as a desperation move.
posted by Gelatin at 10:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's a shame Democrats like Indiana's Joe Donnelly don't seem to perceive the Republicans as desperate for a win as they are. Central to modern Republicanism is the smugness of looking down on whoever they perceive as "losers," which is why any instinct to compromise is so harshly rejected (And Republicans hate being perceived as losers).
The message Democrats should send their allies, and the media, is that Republicans are indeed desperate for a win, because if the Republicans do manage to achieve something -- not shutting down the government, say -- it can be dismissed as predicted in advance as a desperation move.
posted by Gelatin at 10:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Four in 10 registered voters already support impeaching President Trump, a Democratic pollster said Thursday, highlighting growing suspicions surrounding his ability to lead less than two weeks after taking office."
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
My bad, I of course meant the voting public in the House gerrymandered seats.
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
My bad, I of course meant the voting public in the House gerrymandered seats.
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Because the Supreme Court engages the anti-abortion part of their base, I think McConnell will get the votes that he needs to eliminate the filibuster. Republicans can't piss off the frothing 27% that's Trump supporters and the anti-abortion crowd. That's too big a risk. The real problem for moderate Republicans is that there aren't enough moderates in their base to save them.
posted by gladly at 10:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by gladly at 10:56 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Four in 10 registered voters already support impeaching President Trump, a Democratic pollster said Thursday, highlighting growing suspicions surrounding his ability to lead less than two weeks after taking office."
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
My bad, I of course meant the voting public in the House gerrymandered seats.
The Republican primary election voting public in House gerrymandered seats. It's like an alternate reality.
posted by Glibpaxman at 10:57 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
That was a couple of months ago. It hasn't exactly gone well for him since then.
My bad, I of course meant the voting public in the House gerrymandered seats.
The Republican primary election voting public in House gerrymandered seats. It's like an alternate reality.
posted by Glibpaxman at 10:57 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Republican primary election voting public in House gerrymandered seats. It's like an alternate reality.
That, in a sentence, explains almost everything about House politics.
posted by jaduncan at 10:59 AM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
That, in a sentence, explains almost everything about House politics.
posted by jaduncan at 10:59 AM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
Post modernism is now biting us all in the ass.
This was a major part of DFW's social theory and worldview, as well.
posted by absalom at 11:01 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
This was a major part of DFW's social theory and worldview, as well.
posted by absalom at 11:01 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Because the Supreme Court engages the anti-abortion part of their base, I think McConnell will get the votes that he needs to eliminate the filibuster. Republicans can't piss off the frothing 27% that's Trump supporters and the anti-abortion crowd. That's too big a risk.
But taking away the carrot of "outlawing abortion once and for all" they've been dangling in front of the sucker evangelical voters is also a risk. Republicans need to create an atmosphere of fear and a siege mentality in order to gin up support (because, after all, their actual policies are unpopular!).
If the Democrats block Gorsuch, then Republicans have an issue to counter Trump's massive unpopularity going into the 2018 elections -- "we need your support to ensure SCOTUS can overturn Roe v Wade!"
posted by Gelatin at 11:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
But taking away the carrot of "outlawing abortion once and for all" they've been dangling in front of the sucker evangelical voters is also a risk. Republicans need to create an atmosphere of fear and a siege mentality in order to gin up support (because, after all, their actual policies are unpopular!).
If the Democrats block Gorsuch, then Republicans have an issue to counter Trump's massive unpopularity going into the 2018 elections -- "we need your support to ensure SCOTUS can overturn Roe v Wade!"
posted by Gelatin at 11:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's a shame Democrats like Indiana's Joe Donnelly don't seem to perceive the Republicans as desperate for a win as they are.
The point is, we don't need him here, we've got the votes, and opposing Gorsuch would only hurt him going forward. Donnelly is from Indiana, which voted 57% for Trump. He's up for election during a midterm, which is traditionally bad for Democratic turnout.
Guys like Donnelly or Manchin always get blasted for being weak, which is unfair. They are threading a tough needle as Democratic senators in red states. They vote far more Democratic than would the Republican in that seat, and a hard left Democrat could never win the seat.
Asking Donnelly to vote like Kamala Harris or Chris Van Hollen is just asking to lose the seat.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
The point is, we don't need him here, we've got the votes, and opposing Gorsuch would only hurt him going forward. Donnelly is from Indiana, which voted 57% for Trump. He's up for election during a midterm, which is traditionally bad for Democratic turnout.
Guys like Donnelly or Manchin always get blasted for being weak, which is unfair. They are threading a tough needle as Democratic senators in red states. They vote far more Democratic than would the Republican in that seat, and a hard left Democrat could never win the seat.
Asking Donnelly to vote like Kamala Harris or Chris Van Hollen is just asking to lose the seat.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:02 AM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
(Which is not, of course to say that Democrats shouldn't block Gorsuch -- they should oppose Republicans stealing the Democrats' SCOTUS seat until the Democrats take back the Senate, if not the White House.)
posted by Gelatin at 11:03 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 11:03 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
The "just asking" tweet made me think he was quoting "Dance This Mess Around" by the B-52s. Now I will read all his tweets in Fred Schneider's voice.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:04 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:04 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
President Donald Trump said in a campaign email Monday that so-called sanctuary cities are “an assault on the rule of law.”
I have a mental plugin that replaces "the rule of law" with "sanctioned racism". Makes things a lot easier these days.
posted by Etrigan at 11:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
I have a mental plugin that replaces "the rule of law" with "sanctioned racism". Makes things a lot easier these days.
posted by Etrigan at 11:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
FWIW my own preference in a sane world would be to maintain the current system of filibuster, but with it working the way it is really supposed to (or to put it another way, the way it would work in any sane world).
What the filibuster situation should do is create a situation where the slight majority party has to work together with the slight minority party in order to craft solutions that are at least minimally acceptable to the minority party. This is a reasonable situation where one party has just a slight majority of the seats. It also reflects the reality of a situation where the electorate is closely divided between two parties and two governing philosophies.
In context of a Supreme Court nomination, this would mean that in a situation with the current 52/48 Senate split, the governing party would, rationally, be constrained to nominate a candidate who is (to put it in simplistic terms) highly qualified and also moderate Republican. They get to nominate a Republican because they hold the Presidency and the majority of the Senate, and everyone (including Ds) accepts that. But, they can't nominate their most extreme, ideological, far-right candidate because they know that the minority party is in a position to block that nomination. So instead they nominate a fairly moderate candidate and everyone is fairly happy.
But--as we all know--when one party stops playing by these rules and simply starts obstructing anything and everything, then that system has broken down. We can fairly say that the system was pretty clearly breaking down throughout the entire Obama presidency. But with the Merrick Garland nomination, we can say with certainty that system is broken and dead.
When one party obstructs to the point where they won't even hold hearings on a candidate they have previously and publicly praised to the heavens, then the system is broken. It is it time to discard that non-working system and move on.
At this point in history, we will be better off with the filibuster system just gone forever.
Whichever party is in power, just let them rule, and let the chips fall where they may.
A positive result of this is that voters will get to see the actual results of putting one party or the other in power, without the damper that the filibuster has placed on the governing party's actions. Hopefully seeing those actual results being put into place will affect people's future votes. But regardless, people will be getting what they vote for--for good or for ill.
posted by flug at 11:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
What the filibuster situation should do is create a situation where the slight majority party has to work together with the slight minority party in order to craft solutions that are at least minimally acceptable to the minority party. This is a reasonable situation where one party has just a slight majority of the seats. It also reflects the reality of a situation where the electorate is closely divided between two parties and two governing philosophies.
In context of a Supreme Court nomination, this would mean that in a situation with the current 52/48 Senate split, the governing party would, rationally, be constrained to nominate a candidate who is (to put it in simplistic terms) highly qualified and also moderate Republican. They get to nominate a Republican because they hold the Presidency and the majority of the Senate, and everyone (including Ds) accepts that. But, they can't nominate their most extreme, ideological, far-right candidate because they know that the minority party is in a position to block that nomination. So instead they nominate a fairly moderate candidate and everyone is fairly happy.
But--as we all know--when one party stops playing by these rules and simply starts obstructing anything and everything, then that system has broken down. We can fairly say that the system was pretty clearly breaking down throughout the entire Obama presidency. But with the Merrick Garland nomination, we can say with certainty that system is broken and dead.
When one party obstructs to the point where they won't even hold hearings on a candidate they have previously and publicly praised to the heavens, then the system is broken. It is it time to discard that non-working system and move on.
At this point in history, we will be better off with the filibuster system just gone forever.
Whichever party is in power, just let them rule, and let the chips fall where they may.
A positive result of this is that voters will get to see the actual results of putting one party or the other in power, without the damper that the filibuster has placed on the governing party's actions. Hopefully seeing those actual results being put into place will affect people's future votes. But regardless, people will be getting what they vote for--for good or for ill.
posted by flug at 11:06 AM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
"we need your support to ensure SCOTUS can overturn Roe v Wade!"
Grassroots campaign "You got our support to ensure Obamacare was repealed and replaced, and you didn't even do that, so we're onto your horseshit about Roe v Wade"
posted by mikelieman at 11:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Grassroots campaign "You got our support to ensure Obamacare was repealed and replaced, and you didn't even do that, so we're onto your horseshit about Roe v Wade"
posted by mikelieman at 11:08 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
What in the world makes McConnell or Graham or (I can't think of any "Moderates" in the House, but them if they exist) look at Trump, who bodied every single Republican in the primary, from Jeb to Ted Cruz, (and made it look easy!) and think I can take him on, for the good of the party.
Tom Cotton's probably made a few mental pro/con lists, and he is almost certainly a believer in that make-a-plan-to-kill-everyone-in-the-room thing.
posted by box at 11:10 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tom Cotton's probably made a few mental pro/con lists, and he is almost certainly a believer in that make-a-plan-to-kill-everyone-in-the-room thing.
posted by box at 11:10 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Guys like Donnelly or Manchin always get blasted for being weak, which is unfair. They are threading a tough needle as Democratic senators in red states. They vote far more Democratic than would the Republican in that seat, and a hard left Democrat could never win the seat.
I live in Indiana, and I am not suggesting that Donnelly is being weak, or that a much more hard left Democrat would win his seat. (The so-called Tea Party managed to primary Dick Lugar, for crying out loud, though it's interesting that his replacement went on to lose the general election by being seen as too conservative. Yes, in Indiana.)
I am suggesting, based on my observations all thru George W. Bush's presidency at least, that whether Donnelly votes to filibuster Gorsuch is basically irrelevant. He'll be painted by Koch Brothers-funded ads as a Commie no matter what. And supporting the Republican agenda also risks turning off Democratic voters that we'll need to turn out in the midterms.
Donnelly's job is to vote against Gorsuch and sell it as the reasonable, moderate thing to do, which has the advantage of actually being true.
posted by Gelatin at 11:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
I live in Indiana, and I am not suggesting that Donnelly is being weak, or that a much more hard left Democrat would win his seat. (The so-called Tea Party managed to primary Dick Lugar, for crying out loud, though it's interesting that his replacement went on to lose the general election by being seen as too conservative. Yes, in Indiana.)
I am suggesting, based on my observations all thru George W. Bush's presidency at least, that whether Donnelly votes to filibuster Gorsuch is basically irrelevant. He'll be painted by Koch Brothers-funded ads as a Commie no matter what. And supporting the Republican agenda also risks turning off Democratic voters that we'll need to turn out in the midterms.
Donnelly's job is to vote against Gorsuch and sell it as the reasonable, moderate thing to do, which has the advantage of actually being true.
posted by Gelatin at 11:11 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
huh, looks like CNN has snapped up April Ryan:
NEW CNN CONTRIBUTOR: APRIL RYAN named a CNN political analyst. She is the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks
i am generally of the "cnn can fuck right off" school but this seems to indicate a shift in the wind
posted by murphy slaw at 11:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [39 favorites]
NEW CNN CONTRIBUTOR: APRIL RYAN named a CNN political analyst. She is the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks
i am generally of the "cnn can fuck right off" school but this seems to indicate a shift in the wind
posted by murphy slaw at 11:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [39 favorites]
Guys like Donnelly or Manchin always get blasted for being weak, which is unfair. They are threading a tough needle as Democratic senators in red states. They vote far more Democratic than would the Republican in that seat, and a hard left Democrat could never win the seat.
"We know these problem employees create an unsafe work environment for our female employees, but they have really important clients, so we can't fire them. Sorry ladies!"
I know not everyone agrees on this issue, but this is how this position sounds to me. They are actively supporting the nomination of a person who 100% will take away my bodily autonomy the first time he gets the chance. Allowing them to be Democrats in good standing is saying that they are more important to the party than the rights and the votes of the party's most reliable voting block. How this is supposed to be good for turnout in 2018, I'm not quite sure.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
"We know these problem employees create an unsafe work environment for our female employees, but they have really important clients, so we can't fire them. Sorry ladies!"
I know not everyone agrees on this issue, but this is how this position sounds to me. They are actively supporting the nomination of a person who 100% will take away my bodily autonomy the first time he gets the chance. Allowing them to be Democrats in good standing is saying that they are more important to the party than the rights and the votes of the party's most reliable voting block. How this is supposed to be good for turnout in 2018, I'm not quite sure.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:13 AM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
Grassroots campaign "You got our support to ensure Obamacare was repealed and replaced, and you didn't even do that, so we're onto your horseshit about Roe v Wade"
I dunno. A lot of these people, I've read in several places, don't care if you're the bleedingest liberal to ever bleed, as long as you're anti-abortion. It's a very big issue, for some reason.
posted by Melismata at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
I dunno. A lot of these people, I've read in several places, don't care if you're the bleedingest liberal to ever bleed, as long as you're anti-abortion. It's a very big issue, for some reason.
posted by Melismata at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
I also live in Indiana, and I'm saying that voting for Gorsuch gives more ammo to his opponent in 2018, he's got a tough fight already, and we didn't need his vote.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by leotrotsky at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well, I just called Gardner's office again to oppose the nuclear option. I'm not sure he's 'moderate', but maybe it will help. Also, fucking Bennett, WTF?
posted by medusa at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by medusa at 11:14 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Today's episode of Spicey Time is scheduled for 2:30pm EDT. Spicey Time is filmed before a live studio audience. YT link.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:16 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Abortion rights, and Roe v Wade, still have majority support, last I checked, and it is a third rail of American politics. It also probably drives an enormous amount of their fundraising efforts.
You have to imagine there are a few Republican senators smart enough to wonder whether they really want to catch that car, too.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:18 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
You have to imagine there are a few Republican senators smart enough to wonder whether they really want to catch that car, too.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:18 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
leotrotsky What frightens me is that I'm getting flashes of Junior here. Trump, like Junior, is pissing off and ignoring the intelligence community, showing the world that the US has (at best) a part time president, and essentially all but getting on TV and saying "please attack us now terrorists!"
I don't think Trump will actually fake or stage a terrorist attack, anymore than I think Junior did. But I do think, like Junior did, his utter ignorance of everything, his blowing off of all his Presidential duties, and his disdain for the real work of his office and the intelligence community that makes it possible, is producing an environment where a major terrorist attack is all but inevitable.
Remember that for the Islamist types America bombing the shit out of random Muslim nations is counted as a win. Yes, its a bit hard on the nation in question, but it radicalizes the fuck out of the survivors and it squanders American money, equipment, and attention.
In a perverse way both Trump and ISIS are on the same side when it comes to wanting the US involved in another major Middle Eastern war. Trump wants it because it'll boost his ratings, ISIS wants it because it'll boost their ratings.
And unlike the people over at TPM I would not even slightly count on crisis fatigue keeping Americans from yet again, and quite foolishly, rallying around an evil, incompetent, scumbag of a President when the newest crisis comes along. We've seen this over, and over, and over.
Especially with a media utterly desperate to pretend Trump is normal, any major terrorist attack on the US seems likely to be used as a pretext for a war (pay for it? why would we start paying for wars now?), and the media, just like they did with Junior, will do their best to drum up all the support they can.
Like Junior, Trump needs a popularity boost. And a war seems like hte quickest and most likely way he'll get one. I think he might try starting a war even without a terrorist attack as a pretext. And again, why would he worry about funding it or Congressional support? Congress will approve any war, any time, without hesitation or even serious debate. Congress is always in favor of a war.
More to the point, I think Trump is perfectly willing to simply ignore Congress and just order attacks.
And I can't see the Republicans in Congress mustering any real opposition or trying to order him to bring the soldiers back.
As for paying, they'll just do what they did with Junior, shuffle some numbers around, and put off any paying (or even any talk about adding to the debt) until the next Democrat is in office. Then, suddenly, the war debt will magically appear and be proof that the Democrat is a horrible president. Win/win as far as they're concerned.
posted by sotonohito at 11:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
I don't think Trump will actually fake or stage a terrorist attack, anymore than I think Junior did. But I do think, like Junior did, his utter ignorance of everything, his blowing off of all his Presidential duties, and his disdain for the real work of his office and the intelligence community that makes it possible, is producing an environment where a major terrorist attack is all but inevitable.
Remember that for the Islamist types America bombing the shit out of random Muslim nations is counted as a win. Yes, its a bit hard on the nation in question, but it radicalizes the fuck out of the survivors and it squanders American money, equipment, and attention.
In a perverse way both Trump and ISIS are on the same side when it comes to wanting the US involved in another major Middle Eastern war. Trump wants it because it'll boost his ratings, ISIS wants it because it'll boost their ratings.
And unlike the people over at TPM I would not even slightly count on crisis fatigue keeping Americans from yet again, and quite foolishly, rallying around an evil, incompetent, scumbag of a President when the newest crisis comes along. We've seen this over, and over, and over.
Especially with a media utterly desperate to pretend Trump is normal, any major terrorist attack on the US seems likely to be used as a pretext for a war (pay for it? why would we start paying for wars now?), and the media, just like they did with Junior, will do their best to drum up all the support they can.
Like Junior, Trump needs a popularity boost. And a war seems like hte quickest and most likely way he'll get one. I think he might try starting a war even without a terrorist attack as a pretext. And again, why would he worry about funding it or Congressional support? Congress will approve any war, any time, without hesitation or even serious debate. Congress is always in favor of a war.
More to the point, I think Trump is perfectly willing to simply ignore Congress and just order attacks.
And I can't see the Republicans in Congress mustering any real opposition or trying to order him to bring the soldiers back.
As for paying, they'll just do what they did with Junior, shuffle some numbers around, and put off any paying (or even any talk about adding to the debt) until the next Democrat is in office. Then, suddenly, the war debt will magically appear and be proof that the Democrat is a horrible president. Win/win as far as they're concerned.
posted by sotonohito at 11:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
Putting things together, Republican desperation puts Democratic senators in a rare position of power not unlike that employed by so-called Republican moderates like Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, who played footsie with Obama around their possible support for the ACA, but ultimately voted in lockstep with other Republicans -- of course -- against it. They can make lots of noise about being open to working with Republicans, but no matter what they offer, it's sadly and regrettably, just not quite enough to gain their support. Thus whatever the Republicans actually do has a whiff of partisan extremism about it.
They can even vote with the Republicans on a few meaningless votes (which, by the way, I think Donnelly's vote for cloture actually is -- I think Schumer has the whip count that makes his vote not matter, so he can go ahead and gain the cover for it). But they can force the Republicans to grant concessions, or at least appear to be open to granting concessions, and as I said earlier, that's anathema to many Republican voters.
posted by Gelatin at 11:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
They can even vote with the Republicans on a few meaningless votes (which, by the way, I think Donnelly's vote for cloture actually is -- I think Schumer has the whip count that makes his vote not matter, so he can go ahead and gain the cover for it). But they can force the Republicans to grant concessions, or at least appear to be open to granting concessions, and as I said earlier, that's anathema to many Republican voters.
posted by Gelatin at 11:19 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
"We know these problem employees create an unsafe work environment for our female employees, but they have really important clients, so we can't fire them. Sorry ladies!"
Right, but the issue is that in this hypothetical, the problem employee isn't Joe Donnelly, it's the voters of Indiana, and you really can't fire them. A large percentage of our population hold political positions that we find abhorrent, and we can't just vote them off the island.
Your choices in Indiana are either a Blue Dog like Donnelly or Bayh, or Todd Fucking Young. You don't get to elect Bernie and you don't get to opt out.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Right, but the issue is that in this hypothetical, the problem employee isn't Joe Donnelly, it's the voters of Indiana, and you really can't fire them. A large percentage of our population hold political positions that we find abhorrent, and we can't just vote them off the island.
Your choices in Indiana are either a Blue Dog like Donnelly or Bayh, or Todd Fucking Young. You don't get to elect Bernie and you don't get to opt out.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm saying that voting for Gorsuch gives more ammo to his opponent in 2018, he's got a tough fight already
The GOP and Trumpists have proven that Democrats don't need to "give" them ammo. They will make it up out of thin air or, more likely, attribute their deficiencies to their opponents.
posted by Etrigan at 11:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
The GOP and Trumpists have proven that Democrats don't need to "give" them ammo. They will make it up out of thin air or, more likely, attribute their deficiencies to their opponents.
posted by Etrigan at 11:21 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
None of them actually want to catch that car, seeing as how overturning Roe v. Wade is a perennial pitch, and with it actually overturned, what the hell would they put forwards as a bugbear to mobilize votes?
The good news (for them, and kind of for us?) is that even with conservatives on the SCOTUS, they probably won't. It's pretty definitively settled law with shitloads of precedent based on it. The real danger to abortion rights is the death of a thousand cuts going on at the state level. And judicial-branch determinations on those laws are a relevant and ongoing fight.
posted by jackbishop at 11:22 AM on April 3, 2017 [18 favorites]
The good news (for them, and kind of for us?) is that even with conservatives on the SCOTUS, they probably won't. It's pretty definitively settled law with shitloads of precedent based on it. The real danger to abortion rights is the death of a thousand cuts going on at the state level. And judicial-branch determinations on those laws are a relevant and ongoing fight.
posted by jackbishop at 11:22 AM on April 3, 2017 [18 favorites]
I'm excited for Trump to tweet about learning about the nuclear option for the first time from Fox and Friends tomorrow morning. ("Something more and more people are starting to hear about")
posted by DynamiteToast at 11:23 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 11:23 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Until the public enough House members' consistent Republic voting constituents is behind it, it's basically career suicide.
The high disapproval numbers are not significant here. Impeachment has to start in the House and there the Republican reps are exclusively beholden to their little highly gerrymandered fiefdoms. It doesn't matter to, say, Dave Brat what the overall country's opinion on impeachment is. It doesn't even matter what overall Virginia opinion in.
What matters to Dave Brat is what the voters within VA-7 think about impeachment, specifically the voters who turn out to vote for him in excess of any other candidate. He won in 2014 with aprox 150,000 votes compared to the 90,000 a D got. 2016 was a larger number but still in the 55-60% range.
What matters to Brat, or any other House member, is not even what percentage of that 60% of his voting constituents is in favor of impeachment. What matters to him is what percentage of that 60% wants Trump impeached compared to what percentage of that 60% would never vote for him again if he votes to impeach.
Brat, as a TPer, is actually a better bet than other areas with more moderate R reps. As was discussed when Trump was doing his last pissing contest with the Freedom Caucus, the reality is that most of them out-performed Trump in this districts by several percent. So it may be that they have a loyal following who will back them over Trump (though I'd wager there's a lot of those folks who would be spitting mad about any action they consider Dem-aligned). So they might be able to keep their seats if they go against Trump.
Anywhere that Trump out-performed the rep? Remember, these folks are well aware they're not going to pick up any of those votes that are consistently D. The reality of this gerrymandering is that they're only concerned with folks who were ever going to vote for them in the first place, and the folks most enthused for a Trump impeachment aren't in that camp. Making the 30% who will never ever vote for any non-D happy doesn't matter to them at all.
posted by phearlez at 11:25 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
The high disapproval numbers are not significant here. Impeachment has to start in the House and there the Republican reps are exclusively beholden to their little highly gerrymandered fiefdoms. It doesn't matter to, say, Dave Brat what the overall country's opinion on impeachment is. It doesn't even matter what overall Virginia opinion in.
What matters to Dave Brat is what the voters within VA-7 think about impeachment, specifically the voters who turn out to vote for him in excess of any other candidate. He won in 2014 with aprox 150,000 votes compared to the 90,000 a D got. 2016 was a larger number but still in the 55-60% range.
What matters to Brat, or any other House member, is not even what percentage of that 60% of his voting constituents is in favor of impeachment. What matters to him is what percentage of that 60% wants Trump impeached compared to what percentage of that 60% would never vote for him again if he votes to impeach.
Brat, as a TPer, is actually a better bet than other areas with more moderate R reps. As was discussed when Trump was doing his last pissing contest with the Freedom Caucus, the reality is that most of them out-performed Trump in this districts by several percent. So it may be that they have a loyal following who will back them over Trump (though I'd wager there's a lot of those folks who would be spitting mad about any action they consider Dem-aligned). So they might be able to keep their seats if they go against Trump.
Anywhere that Trump out-performed the rep? Remember, these folks are well aware they're not going to pick up any of those votes that are consistently D. The reality of this gerrymandering is that they're only concerned with folks who were ever going to vote for them in the first place, and the folks most enthused for a Trump impeachment aren't in that camp. Making the 30% who will never ever vote for any non-D happy doesn't matter to them at all.
posted by phearlez at 11:25 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Brat is a legit crazyperson with a degree in crazyperson economics, he's going to go where the crazy leads him.
posted by Artw at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
The GOP and Trumpists have proven that Democrats don't need to "give" them ammo. They will make it up out of thin air or, more likely, attribute their deficiencies to their opponents.
Yes. I agree that the Democrats can afford to have Donnelly vote for cloture this time, but it's been some time since Republicans have been constrained by reality or good faith when it comes to smearing their political opponents. And Democrats benefit from increased turnout, so part of the strategy has to be maintaining an appeal to Democratic voters. Democrats running as Republican-lite hasn't been much of a winning strategy. And again, Trump's unpopularity gives Democrats the space to paint opposition as the moderate, reasonable course.
posted by Gelatin at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yes. I agree that the Democrats can afford to have Donnelly vote for cloture this time, but it's been some time since Republicans have been constrained by reality or good faith when it comes to smearing their political opponents. And Democrats benefit from increased turnout, so part of the strategy has to be maintaining an appeal to Democratic voters. Democrats running as Republican-lite hasn't been much of a winning strategy. And again, Trump's unpopularity gives Democrats the space to paint opposition as the moderate, reasonable course.
posted by Gelatin at 11:27 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Ya'll saying "pfft Roe v. Wade is safe!" appear to be mostly dudes, and let me tell ya, telling uterus-havers to quiet down on this fear, in this political climate, after the 2016 election, is not a good look on you.
Norms are not holding. Don't try to reassure us based on norms. Especially when it ain't your body parts getting put under legal lock and key.
posted by emjaybee at 11:29 AM on April 3, 2017 [122 favorites]
Norms are not holding. Don't try to reassure us based on norms. Especially when it ain't your body parts getting put under legal lock and key.
posted by emjaybee at 11:29 AM on April 3, 2017 [122 favorites]
None of them actually want to catch that car, seeing as how overturning Roe v. Wade is a perennial pitch, and with it actually overturned, what the hell would they put forwards as a bugbear to mobilize votes?
Unfortunately, taking equal rights away from LGBTQ citizens. Which a number of state legislatures have been working on.
posted by Gelatin at 11:29 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Unfortunately, taking equal rights away from LGBTQ citizens. Which a number of state legislatures have been working on.
posted by Gelatin at 11:29 AM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Ya'll saying "pfft Roe v. Wade is safe!" appear to be mostly dudes, and let me tell ya, telling uterus-havers to quiet down on this fear, in this political climate, after the 2016 election, is not a good look on you.
Speaking only for myself, I'm suggesting that the political benefit the ongoing and very real campaign to defeat Roe v Wade is probably a part of Republican political calculation as much as actually having SCOTUS overturn it, and that calculus will likely affect how much they want to dispense with the filibuster. I agree with jackbishop that the Republican "death by a thousand cuts" strategy is A Thing, and nowhere mean to suggest that Republicans possibly not being willing to sacrifice too much to put Gorsuch on the Court means that Roe v Wade -- or LGBTQ rights -- are safe at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Speaking only for myself, I'm suggesting that the political benefit the ongoing and very real campaign to defeat Roe v Wade is probably a part of Republican political calculation as much as actually having SCOTUS overturn it, and that calculus will likely affect how much they want to dispense with the filibuster. I agree with jackbishop that the Republican "death by a thousand cuts" strategy is A Thing, and nowhere mean to suggest that Republicans possibly not being willing to sacrifice too much to put Gorsuch on the Court means that Roe v Wade -- or LGBTQ rights -- are safe at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here's what the retraction was about: White House violated protocol by confirming Jared Kushner’s trip before he landed in Iraq : In a breach of protocol, senior White House officials confirmed reports of Kushner's trip before he had landed in Iraq, raising security concerns from the Pentagon. U.S. military officials typically provide information about trips made by senior officials under the condition that media not report them until the official already has landed in a country, and declined to confirm Dunford and Kushner’s trip until they arrived in Iraq on Monday.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:35 AM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
Trump is donating his salary this quarter to the National Park Service, per Spicer [real].
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
> That depends on who's writing the history books
The Giladean Studies' Twelfth Symposium
posted by vbfg at 11:39 AM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
Spicer is holding up a check for ~$73,000 which he says represents the first quarter of the President's salary to be donated to the National Park Service. It's a prop, but at least they aren't going with the ridiculously giant check prop.
posted by zachlipton at 11:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I wonder if the Trump budget cuts more than $78,333.32 per quarter from the NPS
posted by theodolite at 11:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 11:41 AM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
Oh, that is some big bullshit. On Spicey Time right now they're presenting NPS the check from Trump. There's a reason a rich philanthropist created the NPS in the first place! We need to government to be paying this money, not Trump.
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by frecklefaerie at 11:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Complete with multiple big pictures of his check thrown up on the briefing room TVs. Also real. Also gross.
Canceled check? Given Trump's history of not following thru on public donation proclamations, I'd like to see proof of deposit.
posted by Gelatin at 11:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Canceled check? Given Trump's history of not following thru on public donation proclamations, I'd like to see proof of deposit.
posted by Gelatin at 11:42 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
The Secretary of the Interior is talking about their zero intolerance for discrimination and sexual harassment. [real]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Tax returns or it didn't happen.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 11:43 AM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
I guess I am a little reassured that they're even pretending to care about the environment, or women?
A very very little.
posted by emjaybee at 11:44 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
A very very little.
posted by emjaybee at 11:44 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Paging David Fahrenthold; David Fahrenthold to the white courtesy phone, please.
posted by Gelatin at 11:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 11:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
I guess I am a little reassured that they're even pretending to care about the environment, or women?
You spoke too soon, Zinke is now talking about how important it is to drill our parks for coal
posted by theodolite at 11:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
You spoke too soon, Zinke is now talking about how important it is to drill our parks for coal
posted by theodolite at 11:45 AM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Um, how exactly can somebody donate to a specific government agency? I was pretty sure you can only donate to the general fund.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 11:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by LastOfHisKind at 11:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Secretary of the Interior is talking about their zero intolerance for discrimination and sexual harassment. [real]
They spent as much time on that as they did talking about the Dept. of Interior's Puppy Day.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
They spent as much time on that as they did talking about the Dept. of Interior's Puppy Day.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 11:46 AM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Kansas House was three votes down to override Brownback's veto on Medicaid expansion. So there goes that idea.
posted by zachlipton at 11:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 11:47 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
The First Lady's official portrait. Did not know Glamour Shots was still in business.
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 11:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 11:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Is Spicer's jacket getting bigger?
posted by theodolite at 11:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by theodolite at 11:51 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is a big deal. USCIS quietly released guidance over the weekend that computer programmers are no longer presumed to be eligible for H-1B visas. Employers will have to prove that the jobs in question are advanced specialized jobs.
They're doing this right as the application window opens up, which means it's really going to catch a lot of people by surprise and cause a ton of uncertainty.
posted by zachlipton at 11:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [37 favorites]
They're doing this right as the application window opens up, which means it's really going to catch a lot of people by surprise and cause a ton of uncertainty.
posted by zachlipton at 11:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [37 favorites]
The Secretary of the Interior is talking about their zero intolerance for discrimination and sexual harassment.
Freudian slip, or did someone actually say "zero intolerance"?
posted by uosuaq at 11:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Freudian slip, or did someone actually say "zero intolerance"?
posted by uosuaq at 11:52 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
The First Lady's official portrait. Did not know Glamour Shots was still in business.
Why is my computer suddenly playing the theme to Dynasty?
posted by PenDevil at 11:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Why is my computer suddenly playing the theme to Dynasty?
posted by PenDevil at 11:53 AM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
It's weird and telling, to me, that Spicer refers to Jared Kushner as "Jared" and to everyone else as "Mr." or "Secretary" as their name allows.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
> The First Lady's official portrait
This comment is a repeat - it was posted already and led to a mild derail - but ...
> posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare
Okay, fine, that puts a whole other spin on it.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
This comment is a repeat - it was posted already and led to a mild derail - but ...
> posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare
Okay, fine, that puts a whole other spin on it.
posted by RedOrGreen at 11:54 AM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
The Kansas House was three votes down to override Brownback's veto on Medicaid expansion. So there goes that idea.
I'm picturing Brownback's headstone being lots of pointy spikes with an epitaph of:
This place is not a place of honor.
No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here.
Nothing valued is here.
Sending this message was important to us.
We considered ourselves to be a powerful culture.
It might be helpful for the raccoon people who follow us.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
I'm picturing Brownback's headstone being lots of pointy spikes with an epitaph of:
This place is not a place of honor.
No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here.
Nothing valued is here.
Sending this message was important to us.
We considered ourselves to be a powerful culture.
It might be helpful for the raccoon people who follow us.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Did...did Spicey just call ProPublica a "left-wing blog?"
posted by zachlipton at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's weird and telling, to me, that Spicer refers to Jared Kushner as 'Jared' and to everyone else as 'Mr.' or 'Secretary' as their name allows.
He Went to Jared
posted by kirkaracha at 11:57 AM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
If a benevolent God existed, anyone saying "unprecedented obstructionism" regarding Gorsuch would immediately be struck dead by lightning.
posted by 0xFCAF at 12:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by 0xFCAF at 12:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
Following up, at least a partial answer to the question of donations to federal agencies via Stack Exchange.
Short answer: Apparently yes, but only in specifically authorized (by Congress) exceptions to the general rule of no.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Short answer: Apparently yes, but only in specifically authorized (by Congress) exceptions to the general rule of no.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
They're doing this right as the application window opens up, which means it's really going to catch a lot of people by surprise and cause a ton of uncertainty.
Man, they fucking love pulling that move with anything immigration related, don't they? Fucking assholes. Hope someone puts them in shackles and tears them away from their families someday.
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Man, they fucking love pulling that move with anything immigration related, don't they? Fucking assholes. Hope someone puts them in shackles and tears them away from their families someday.
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh. My. God. Spicey trying to defend the millions going to Mar-a-Lago because Trumpy donated $78K to the National Park Service. What a chucklefuck.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 12:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [37 favorites]
posted by Mister Fabulous at 12:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [37 favorites]
Trumpius announces that he will bestow one million sesterces from his personal fortune for the construction of a colossal public baths in the center of the Forum
posted by theodolite at 12:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [30 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 12:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [30 favorites]
Breitbart News Denied Permanent Press Credentials for Capitol Hill
posted by futz at 12:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by futz at 12:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
Major Garrett asks whether these baths will surpass the great thermae of Caracalla. He is beheaded and thrown into the Potomac
posted by theodolite at 12:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 12:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Trumpius to name golf bag Consul Senior Advisor to the President.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 12:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trumpius to make war with Persia.
One only hopes our modern-day Crassus would choose to lead the armies against the Parthians himself, so that he may truly come to know the taste of wealth.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
One only hopes our modern-day Crassus would choose to lead the armies against the Parthians himself, so that he may truly come to know the taste of wealth.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trumpius is my new favourite thing. THANKS MeFi folks for making my day just a little more tolerable.
posted by mikelieman at 12:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 12:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Man, they fucking love pulling that move with anything immigration related, don't they? Fucking assholes. Hope someone puts them in shackles and tears them away from their families someday.
H-1Bs applications are for people who aren't yet moved to the United States (unless of course it's a new graduate that has a life here but those are in the minority).
Really this is just a giant middle finger to California as vengeance for not voting Trump.
posted by Talez at 12:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
H-1Bs applications are for people who aren't yet moved to the United States (unless of course it's a new graduate that has a life here but those are in the minority).
Really this is just a giant middle finger to California as vengeance for not voting Trump.
posted by Talez at 12:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
So instead they nominate a fairly moderate candidate and everyone is fairly happy
Without going into Who Is Right, I think the problem with this becomes, as has been raised before - how do you define a moderate?
Like, let's suppose a super fucking simplistic scale, where 0 is the leftmost you could possibly be and 100 is the rightmost you could possibly be.
Is a moderate in this case automatically 50, the difference between the two extremes? What if most Democrats range between 0-25 and most Republicans range between 50-75? Is 50 still a moderate? Or does it need to be somewhere around 37, the difference between the rightmost Democrat and the leftmost Republican?
Or is a moderate defined as the middle of the party, such that a moderate Democrat by that definition would be around a 12, and a moderate Republican would sit around a 63?
And when you have a potential forty point spread between definitions of moderates, how can anyone really decide who is a moderate and who should be a moderate?
posted by corb at 12:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Without going into Who Is Right, I think the problem with this becomes, as has been raised before - how do you define a moderate?
Like, let's suppose a super fucking simplistic scale, where 0 is the leftmost you could possibly be and 100 is the rightmost you could possibly be.
Is a moderate in this case automatically 50, the difference between the two extremes? What if most Democrats range between 0-25 and most Republicans range between 50-75? Is 50 still a moderate? Or does it need to be somewhere around 37, the difference between the rightmost Democrat and the leftmost Republican?
Or is a moderate defined as the middle of the party, such that a moderate Democrat by that definition would be around a 12, and a moderate Republican would sit around a 63?
And when you have a potential forty point spread between definitions of moderates, how can anyone really decide who is a moderate and who should be a moderate?
posted by corb at 12:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
and I guess to add one more question to this list: if future nominees refuse to meet with or answer questions of senators how can we ever ascertain with enough surety what the beliefs of those being scored even are?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Griftus Lascivous Trumpius
posted by kirkaracha at 12:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 12:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
So that I don't abuse the edit window: the other problem with figuring out who is a moderate is that when a group from either 0 or 100 on that scale starts coming to prominence, it completely shifts the range of what normal is, such that the middle is itself redefined, which is a real problem for bipartisan agreement and expectations.
So for example, with the Republicans right now, the rightmost edge of the Republican party - much as I fucking despise them - is defined by the MAGA contingent. The '100' in this case, is now shit like 'Build a stupid wall with fucking Mexico, deport everyone you can, and keep the Muslims out.' Which means positions that once would have been sitting at 100 - like, 'move the embassy to Israel' suddenly shoot leftward to 90. Which means the spread of a moderate, if you're measuring moderate as 'distance between the wings of the same party' is definitely skewed.
posted by corb at 12:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
So for example, with the Republicans right now, the rightmost edge of the Republican party - much as I fucking despise them - is defined by the MAGA contingent. The '100' in this case, is now shit like 'Build a stupid wall with fucking Mexico, deport everyone you can, and keep the Muslims out.' Which means positions that once would have been sitting at 100 - like, 'move the embassy to Israel' suddenly shoot leftward to 90. Which means the spread of a moderate, if you're measuring moderate as 'distance between the wings of the same party' is definitely skewed.
posted by corb at 12:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Did DJT really do that joke thing with his salary to the parks with a follow-up of "let's blow the top off of Mount Rushmore see if there's coal in there?" I mean more or less? Because fuuuuuck that's deeply deranged.
posted by angrycat at 12:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 12:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Is Spicer's jacket getting bigger?
No, he's getting smaller. It's a specialized defense mechanism of his species, makes for a smaller and more agile target.
posted by jackbishop at 12:52 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
No, he's getting smaller. It's a specialized defense mechanism of his species, makes for a smaller and more agile target.
posted by jackbishop at 12:52 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
And when you have a potential forty point spread between definitions of moderates, how can anyone really decide who is a moderate and who should be a moderate?
Apparently until recently everyone on both sides of the table had decided that a moderate's moderate was Merrick Garland, so there's at least one guy who fits the definition.
We should appoint him.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
Apparently until recently everyone on both sides of the table had decided that a moderate's moderate was Merrick Garland, so there's at least one guy who fits the definition.
We should appoint him.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
Can he start his own little war without Congressional approval? Sure.
He could nuke Iran and no one could stop him. Or North Korea. Nukes would not start a "little war."
But he won't have the support of either Congress or the majority of the population. That kind of transparent Wag the Dog war doesn't help him in any way.
I'm sure that would be a great comfort to the victims.
posted by zarq at 1:01 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
He could nuke Iran and no one could stop him. Or North Korea. Nukes would not start a "little war."
But he won't have the support of either Congress or the majority of the population. That kind of transparent Wag the Dog war doesn't help him in any way.
I'm sure that would be a great comfort to the victims.
posted by zarq at 1:01 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
He could nuke Iran and no one could stop him. Or North Korea. Nukes would not start a "little war."
Practically, not without SecDef Mattis, he can't.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:09 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Practically, not without SecDef Mattis, he can't.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:09 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
A lot of Republican voters are, apparently, very happy with Gorsuch, who is (by most standards) not a moderate. The problem with this actually becomes: how should the President and the Senate act when confronted with a situation where what their base wants is opposition to what the country as a whole wants?
Another problem with the "what is a moderate" question is that modern conservatism defines itself as "the opposite of what liberals want today, updated daily." Once upon a time Republicans and Democrats generally agreed that torture and treason were bad; now, it's a partisan issue.
So the Overton window of what a moderate is keeps shifting to the right -- which is, in its own way, a victory for Republicans, in that bog-standard New Deal Democrats are then painted by a media in pursuit of phony "balance" as the "extreme left."
posted by Gelatin at 1:12 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Another problem with the "what is a moderate" question is that modern conservatism defines itself as "the opposite of what liberals want today, updated daily." Once upon a time Republicans and Democrats generally agreed that torture and treason were bad; now, it's a partisan issue.
So the Overton window of what a moderate is keeps shifting to the right -- which is, in its own way, a victory for Republicans, in that bog-standard New Deal Democrats are then painted by a media in pursuit of phony "balance" as the "extreme left."
posted by Gelatin at 1:12 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
is there any question that Merrick Garland was a moderate by most standards?
So, not to be a nitpicker, but because this is actually important to the question: yes, there is a lot of question around that, specifically because of what I'm saying around how things shift when the electorate does.
For example, to take a less controversial and more understood shift: ten years ago you could be a moderate Democrat, and oppose same-sex marriage. I would never, today, expect that a moderate Democrat would oppose same sex marriage. That's one where the beliefs have shifted very rapidly, and it's great!
But let's suppose that, say, ten years ago, Republicans had polled the Democrats about a Republican judge. Moderate for ten years ago, he opposed same sex marriage very strongly, as did moderate Democrats at the time. Everyone was delighted to endorse him.
If he was nominated now, at a time when people are legitimately afraid that there will be a reversal on same-sex marriage, there's no fucking way he would be hailed as a moderate both sides could agree on.
And so that's why I think the chance of the filibuster being broken is greater now than ever before: because I can't see - maybe someone else can - anyone that could be greeted by both sides as a moderate Republican justice. It's not like the Dems are filibustering and saying 'give us a better choice'. The only "we would accept this" that I'm seeing is Garland, which it would be insane to expect Republicans to nominate and approve at this point. There's nowhere to go to get out of the filibuster, no moderate they could appoint that would satisfy activists that wouldn't be wildly liberal by Republican standards. So it's either break the filibuster, or no justice at all.
posted by corb at 1:13 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
So, not to be a nitpicker, but because this is actually important to the question: yes, there is a lot of question around that, specifically because of what I'm saying around how things shift when the electorate does.
For example, to take a less controversial and more understood shift: ten years ago you could be a moderate Democrat, and oppose same-sex marriage. I would never, today, expect that a moderate Democrat would oppose same sex marriage. That's one where the beliefs have shifted very rapidly, and it's great!
But let's suppose that, say, ten years ago, Republicans had polled the Democrats about a Republican judge. Moderate for ten years ago, he opposed same sex marriage very strongly, as did moderate Democrats at the time. Everyone was delighted to endorse him.
If he was nominated now, at a time when people are legitimately afraid that there will be a reversal on same-sex marriage, there's no fucking way he would be hailed as a moderate both sides could agree on.
And so that's why I think the chance of the filibuster being broken is greater now than ever before: because I can't see - maybe someone else can - anyone that could be greeted by both sides as a moderate Republican justice. It's not like the Dems are filibustering and saying 'give us a better choice'. The only "we would accept this" that I'm seeing is Garland, which it would be insane to expect Republicans to nominate and approve at this point. There's nowhere to go to get out of the filibuster, no moderate they could appoint that would satisfy activists that wouldn't be wildly liberal by Republican standards. So it's either break the filibuster, or no justice at all.
posted by corb at 1:13 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Practically, not without SecDef Mattis, he can't.
So a guy called "Mad Dog" is what stands between us and nuclear war? Super.
posted by uosuaq at 1:15 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
So a guy called "Mad Dog" is what stands between us and nuclear war? Super.
posted by uosuaq at 1:15 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
None of them actually want to catch that car, seeing as how overturning Roe v. Wade is a perennial pitch, and with it actually overturned, what the hell would they put forwards as a bugbear to mobilize votes?
Then they move on to birth control.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
Then they move on to birth control.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
I would never, today, expect that a moderate Democrat would oppose same sex marriage.
Three Democrats are supporting Gorsuch. Three Democrats are, therefore, opposing same sex marriage.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:19 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
Three Democrats are supporting Gorsuch. Three Democrats are, therefore, opposing same sex marriage.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:19 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
Three Democrats are, therefore, opposing same sex marriage.
I mean, I don't think that's true. Hasn't Gorsuch said that marriage is a settled issue?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017
I mean, I don't think that's true. Hasn't Gorsuch said that marriage is a settled issue?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017
So a guy called "Mad Dog" is what stands between us and nuclear war?
It was an ironic nickname, just for the record. Like a big dude nicknamed "Tiny".
posted by Etrigan at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
It was an ironic nickname, just for the record. Like a big dude nicknamed "Tiny".
posted by Etrigan at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Three Democrats are supporting Gorsuch. Three Democrats are, therefore, opposing same sex marriage.
Which should be enough to label them "conservative" Democrats, rather than "moderate."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Which should be enough to label them "conservative" Democrats, rather than "moderate."
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
So a guy called "Mad Dog" is what stands between us and nuclear war? Super.
"During his service years, Mattis was considered to be an intellectual among the upper ranks, with a personal library that once contained thousands of books. Robert H. Scales, a retired United States Army major general, described him as "... one of the most urbane and polished men I have known." Reinforcing this intellectual persona was the fact he carried his own personal copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius throughout his deployments."
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
"During his service years, Mattis was considered to be an intellectual among the upper ranks, with a personal library that once contained thousands of books. Robert H. Scales, a retired United States Army major general, described him as "... one of the most urbane and polished men I have known." Reinforcing this intellectual persona was the fact he carried his own personal copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius throughout his deployments."
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
posted by leotrotsky at 1:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
Theaters to play ‘1984’ in global Trump protest
Nearly 200 movie theaters worldwide reportedly plan to screen the film version of “1984” simultaneously Tuesday in protest against President Trump.
The demonstration, called "National Screening Day," primarily involves cinemas in the U.S. but also includes venues in Canada, Croatia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, according to Monday reports.
posted by futz at 1:22 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Nearly 200 movie theaters worldwide reportedly plan to screen the film version of “1984” simultaneously Tuesday in protest against President Trump.
The demonstration, called "National Screening Day," primarily involves cinemas in the U.S. but also includes venues in Canada, Croatia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, according to Monday reports.
posted by futz at 1:22 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
And yet US military policy in the middle east seems to have shifted to "bomb everything, everywhere, at once, and hope nobody notices."
posted by zachlipton at 1:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
And yet US military policy in the middle east seems to have shifted to "bomb everything, everywhere, at once, and hope nobody notices."
posted by zachlipton at 1:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
And so that's why I think the chance of the filibuster being broken is greater now than ever before: because I can't see - maybe someone else can - anyone that could be greeted by both sides as a moderate Republican justice.
This is flatly false and frankly disingenuous. Merrick Garland would've sailed through if McConnell allowed a vote.
Obama choose him for exactly that reason. He was a compromise candidate that dozens of Republicans were on record supporting.
One party broke all the norms here, don't pretend like this is some bipartisan both sides do it thing and no compromise candidate could be found because of those hardliner Democrats.
Because that's fucking bullshit and you should know it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
This is flatly false and frankly disingenuous. Merrick Garland would've sailed through if McConnell allowed a vote.
Obama choose him for exactly that reason. He was a compromise candidate that dozens of Republicans were on record supporting.
One party broke all the norms here, don't pretend like this is some bipartisan both sides do it thing and no compromise candidate could be found because of those hardliner Democrats.
Because that's fucking bullshit and you should know it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
I mean, I don't think that's true. Hasn't Gorsuch said that marriage is a settled issue?
posted by melissasaurus at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Gorsuch was asked about same-sex marriage, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2015, and called it “absolutely settled law.” But Gorsuch said he would not speak more on it because there are other legal actions still unfolding that are related to the impact of that ruling.His position is basically "fine, same sex marriage is settled law, but we're about to introduce the ssm equivalent of TRAP laws, which I will uphold." His 2004 dissertation said that there is no right to same sex marriage in the constitution.
“There’s ongoing litigation about its impact and its application right now,” Gorsuch said. [link]
posted by melissasaurus at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
...but when Republicans attack abortion rights, what are they really trying to do? is it their devious plan to trick Democrats into glorp kablorg? 11 dimensional chess rope-a-dope big data false flag psyop oh fuck hold on a sec my lanyard is caught in my zipper
posted by indubitable at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by indubitable at 1:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Weirdly, the Republicans do not at all seem to share your worry that fucking up women's lives will somehow turn the voters against them.
I think you're missing jackbishop's point. They're not going to try to do away with Roe vs. Wade itself, in part because it's tricky to overturn established settled case law but more importantly because they don't want to actually do that. Keeping it alive in name but dead in effect through bullshit laws that effectively whittle it away will keep the anti-abortion zealots in their pockets. They're fine with fucking up women's lives, they just deliberately want to do so in an inefficient manner so that continuing to vote for them is the only thing keeping abortion suppressed.
posted by Candleman at 1:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
I think you're missing jackbishop's point. They're not going to try to do away with Roe vs. Wade itself, in part because it's tricky to overturn established settled case law but more importantly because they don't want to actually do that. Keeping it alive in name but dead in effect through bullshit laws that effectively whittle it away will keep the anti-abortion zealots in their pockets. They're fine with fucking up women's lives, they just deliberately want to do so in an inefficient manner so that continuing to vote for them is the only thing keeping abortion suppressed.
posted by Candleman at 1:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Then they move on to birth control.
Yup. The doctrine of "privacy" being protected under the Constitution, which conservatives sneer at in the context of abortion, was established in the case that made access to birth control legal in all 50 states. (If memory serves me correctly, the Griswold decision.) Ultraconservatives would definitely go after birth control, which one can tell by how much hogwash they push about most birth control methods being an "abortiofacent."
posted by Gelatin at 1:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yup. The doctrine of "privacy" being protected under the Constitution, which conservatives sneer at in the context of abortion, was established in the case that made access to birth control legal in all 50 states. (If memory serves me correctly, the Griswold decision.) Ultraconservatives would definitely go after birth control, which one can tell by how much hogwash they push about most birth control methods being an "abortiofacent."
posted by Gelatin at 1:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
leotrotsky: Practically, not without SecDef Mattis, he can't.
I've talked about this in a previous Presidential thread. The Secretary of Defense confirmation is only that it's actually the President giving the order. It's not about if it's a strategically a good idea or an ethical decision or even legal, the only metric is: "Is this really the President of the United States giving the order?" It's a system built for speed to respond to a first strike.
We're on a legally murky and untested ground if SecDef Mattis refuses to authenticate the order. If Trump is standing right there in the Situation Room giving the order to other Air Force officers, would they be forced to confirm it's him ordering it? Can Trump order them to change the protocol on the fly? Would Mattis refuse the order and essentially start a military coup?
The scary proposition for me is getting into a war in which they make the case nukes are the best idea. An example: a land war with Iran would be 10x the casualties of Iraq. We're talking 50k dead at least. But all the Generals know this. So how far do they have to go before they then say dropping a nuclear bomb will end the war sooner?
posted by bluecore at 1:33 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
I've talked about this in a previous Presidential thread. The Secretary of Defense confirmation is only that it's actually the President giving the order. It's not about if it's a strategically a good idea or an ethical decision or even legal, the only metric is: "Is this really the President of the United States giving the order?" It's a system built for speed to respond to a first strike.
We're on a legally murky and untested ground if SecDef Mattis refuses to authenticate the order. If Trump is standing right there in the Situation Room giving the order to other Air Force officers, would they be forced to confirm it's him ordering it? Can Trump order them to change the protocol on the fly? Would Mattis refuse the order and essentially start a military coup?
The scary proposition for me is getting into a war in which they make the case nukes are the best idea. An example: a land war with Iran would be 10x the casualties of Iraq. We're talking 50k dead at least. But all the Generals know this. So how far do they have to go before they then say dropping a nuclear bomb will end the war sooner?
posted by bluecore at 1:33 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
don't pretend like this is some bipartisan both sides do it thing and no compromise candidate could be found because of those hardliner Democrats
I absolutely am not trying to be disingenuous - I 100% cannot think of any moderate Republican justice of Supreme-level caliber that would not be filibustered by the Dems or opposed by the many activists pressuring the Dems to filibuster right now. If you can, I would genuinely love to hear them. I would love to have an option to be able to pass to staffers who work for Republican senators of honor, I would fucking delight in the ability to pass that on with some possibility of a compromise that doesn't erode a filibuster I believe is a desperately important tool against oppression.
Right now I don't see it. But I want to. If anyone can give me a reasonable Republican name they have a justified true belief would pass both Republican and Democratic muster, I will give my word of honor to call these people up and pimp it.
posted by corb at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I absolutely am not trying to be disingenuous - I 100% cannot think of any moderate Republican justice of Supreme-level caliber that would not be filibustered by the Dems or opposed by the many activists pressuring the Dems to filibuster right now. If you can, I would genuinely love to hear them. I would love to have an option to be able to pass to staffers who work for Republican senators of honor, I would fucking delight in the ability to pass that on with some possibility of a compromise that doesn't erode a filibuster I believe is a desperately important tool against oppression.
Right now I don't see it. But I want to. If anyone can give me a reasonable Republican name they have a justified true belief would pass both Republican and Democratic muster, I will give my word of honor to call these people up and pimp it.
posted by corb at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
Except... isn't the Yemen disaster his? And the slaughter in Iraq and Syria we are currently ignoring? US Military is killing way more civilians under him.
posted by Artw at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Except... isn't the Yemen disaster his? And the slaughter in Iraq and Syria we are currently ignoring? US Military is killing way more civilians under him.
posted by Artw at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Keeping it alive in name but dead in effect through bullshit laws that effectively whittle it away will keep the anti-abortion zealots in their pockets. They're fine with fucking up women's lives, they just deliberately want to do so in an inefficient manner so that continuing to vote for them is the only thing keeping abortion suppressed.
Then they move on to "elect us to keep abortion illegal!" Because that is what they want.
posted by indubitable at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Then they move on to "elect us to keep abortion illegal!" Because that is what they want.
posted by indubitable at 1:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Follow up on LGBT rights being a new wedge issue, there's a anti-trans bathroom campaign being attempted a second time in Washington right now and you can see how they've tried to pivot their messaging to echo civil rights/social justice themes. They've also tried to hijack a bathroom sexual assault a lady fended off, despite her vociferous objections (she doesn't want that bill to harm her trans friends) and the fact that I-1552 wouldn't have done a single thing to help her anyway.
They failed to get enough signatures last year to get it on the ballot, so hopefully they will fail again, and there's a lot of activist energy against it because they are (as you can see above) appropriating social justice language in the aims of their goals, so it's up to us to be careful and make sure that the petitions we're signing are ones we truly support, because the people gathering the signatures aren't going to clue us in.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
They failed to get enough signatures last year to get it on the ballot, so hopefully they will fail again, and there's a lot of activist energy against it because they are (as you can see above) appropriating social justice language in the aims of their goals, so it's up to us to be careful and make sure that the petitions we're signing are ones we truly support, because the people gathering the signatures aren't going to clue us in.
posted by foxfirefey at 1:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
WaPo breaking: Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel
The meeting took place around Jan. 11 — nine days before Trump’s inauguration — in the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean, officials said. Though the full agenda remains unclear, the UAE agreed to broker the meeting in part to explore whether Russia could be persuaded to curtail its relationship with Iran, including in Syria, a Trump administration objective that would likely require major concessions to Moscow on U.S. sanctions.posted by Room 641-A at 1:38 PM on April 3, 2017 [72 favorites]
They will absolutely come for Griswold next. They aren't even being all that subtle about it.
posted by winna at 1:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by winna at 1:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Blackwater founder
Oh, you mean the highly improbable and comically unqualified recently-confirmed Secretary of Education's brother?
Well, I'm just shocked--shocked, I tell you.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [80 favorites]
Oh, you mean the highly improbable and comically unqualified recently-confirmed Secretary of Education's brother?
Well, I'm just shocked--shocked, I tell you.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [80 favorites]
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” said Barry Faure, the Seychelles secretary of state for foreign affairs. “The Seychelles is the kind of place where you can have a good time away from the eyes of the media. That’s even printed in our tourism marketing. But I guess this time you smelled something.”
Barry seems cool
posted by theodolite at 1:43 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Barry seems cool
posted by theodolite at 1:43 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Corb, you're being disingenuous because the Senate passed on a moderate Democrat pick and now you're whining that it's the Democrats fault because there's no Republican they'd accept. There's no Republican they'd accept because there are no moderate Republicans anymore. All Republicans are laser focused on taking away civil liberties and the social safety net. They're all extremists. The folks trying to find middle ground, like passing a nationwide Romneycare? These are Democrats. There is no political equivalent in the American Left to the extremism on the Right. We have a far right (GOP), a middle (Dems), and a big gap which is where we could get single payer health care and real progress on climate.
posted by rikschell at 1:44 PM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 1:44 PM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
Blackwater founder
Oh, you mean the highly improbable and comically unqualified recently-confirmed Secretary of Education's brother?
Also apparently does a lot of work for the Chinese government these days.
posted by indubitable at 1:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Oh, you mean the highly improbable and comically unqualified recently-confirmed Secretary of Education's brother?
Also apparently does a lot of work for the Chinese government these days.
posted by indubitable at 1:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
I think you're missing jackbishop's point. They're not going to try to do away with Roe vs. Wade itself, in part because it's tricky to overturn established settled case law but more importantly because they don't want to actually do that. Keeping it alive in name but dead in effect through bullshit laws that effectively whittle it away will keep the anti-abortion zealots in their pockets
That's a nice theory. There are probably Republicans who do want that. But there are also those slavering to actually jail women for having miscarriages and yeah, move on to outlawing birth control or at least making it impossible to access if you're not a rich person.
It was a Republican, conceivably one smart enough to put her shoes on the right feet, who said women should be forced to carry dead fetuses around until the point their lives were in danger. Why? Because fuck women that's why.
You keep thinking the Rs are using logic, and some probably are, but many are eyeball deep in crazy-ass cult thinking at this point, and they would gladly burn it all down to hurt their targets.
posted by emjaybee at 1:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
That's a nice theory. There are probably Republicans who do want that. But there are also those slavering to actually jail women for having miscarriages and yeah, move on to outlawing birth control or at least making it impossible to access if you're not a rich person.
It was a Republican, conceivably one smart enough to put her shoes on the right feet, who said women should be forced to carry dead fetuses around until the point their lives were in danger. Why? Because fuck women that's why.
You keep thinking the Rs are using logic, and some probably are, but many are eyeball deep in crazy-ass cult thinking at this point, and they would gladly burn it all down to hurt their targets.
posted by emjaybee at 1:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
leotrotsky: This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
The Battle of Fallujah started because some ex-Navy SEAL contractors in a convoy took a wrong turn and ended up getting ambushed and killed. Footage of their charred corpses became public, so we sought payback on the city in which they died - we surrounded it and shelled it before going house to house and killing everything that moved. There are allegations that white phosphorous artillery shells were used to target enemy combatants rather than as a smoke screen, as they're supposed to be used. If true, one could argue this was a war crime. Even if not, it's hard not to characterize the overall tenor of the campaign as was one conducted for emotional reasons rather than strategic ones.
I hear a lot of good things about Mattis, and even Obama recommended him, but the Battle of Fallujah never say right with me. Maybe it was a battle that was always going to have to be fought, but it felt like a lot of unnecessary death.
posted by bluecore at 1:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
The Battle of Fallujah started because some ex-Navy SEAL contractors in a convoy took a wrong turn and ended up getting ambushed and killed. Footage of their charred corpses became public, so we sought payback on the city in which they died - we surrounded it and shelled it before going house to house and killing everything that moved. There are allegations that white phosphorous artillery shells were used to target enemy combatants rather than as a smoke screen, as they're supposed to be used. If true, one could argue this was a war crime. Even if not, it's hard not to characterize the overall tenor of the campaign as was one conducted for emotional reasons rather than strategic ones.
I hear a lot of good things about Mattis, and even Obama recommended him, but the Battle of Fallujah never say right with me. Maybe it was a battle that was always going to have to be fought, but it felt like a lot of unnecessary death.
posted by bluecore at 1:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
I can't stop laughing at this paragraph:
posted by zachlipton at 1:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all,” said Barry Faure, the Seychelles secretary of state for foreign affairs. “The Seychelles is the kind of place where you can have a good time away from the eyes of the media. That’s even printed in our tourism marketing. But I guess this time you smelled something.”We're talking about incredibly shady backchannel discussions by an honest-to-goodness mercenary boss with the country that just meddled in our election and the Seychelles guy is all "yeah, we're absolutely the country that should be at the top of your list when you need to do something shady; it says so right here in our brochure."
posted by zachlipton at 1:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [99 favorites]
Blackwater founder held secret Seychelles meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel
We are living in a James Bond spec script.
posted by Glibpaxman at 1:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
We are living in a James Bond spec script.
posted by Glibpaxman at 1:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [24 favorites]
As I've mentioned before, I'm pretty sure some Rand Corp. analysts did a report and created a flowchart, "What if the President is a Russian Spy?", which they never imagined would be used, but here we are.
tl;dr: They don't let Russian Spies launch nukes.
posted by mikelieman at 1:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
tl;dr: They don't let Russian Spies launch nukes.
posted by mikelieman at 1:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Putin's illiberal stagnation in Russia offers a valuable lesson
posted by Artw at 1:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 1:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
zachlipton: It's financial dislosure time: Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Still Benefiting From Business Empire, Filings Show
How Trump's Administration May Get Caught Up In Entanglements (NPR, April 3, 2017)
How Trump's Administration May Get Caught Up In Entanglements (NPR, April 3, 2017)
Steve Inskeep talks to Norman Eisen and Richard Painter, ethics lawyers for the Obama and George W. Bush presidencies, about financial disclosures that show Trump's administration is the richest ever.posted by filthy light thief at 1:55 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
...
PAINTER: Well, [Jared Kushner] has a very extensive real estate empire. And real estate always has a lot of debt on it. That's the way the business works. You use a lot of debt. And he is going to have to recuse from any aspect of bank regulation that affects the real estate industry. And that's an awful lot of it because we know the 2008 crisis was triggered by problems in the mortgage industry, and we are anticipating there could be serious problems in the commercial real estate industry as well.
So he's going to be out of Dodd-Frank, a banking repeal, because it's all one big bill. It's not going to - he's not going to parse through this, the conflicts. Out of banking reform - also tax reform because there's tax aspects of real estate. And there are special tax goodies in the tax code for real estate developers, and those will be on the table. So he'll be out of tax reform. And then finally, they're going to have to be out of trade because Ivanka has a business making clothing abroad - I believe in China, a number of places - and then bringing it up - to the United States, over here, and putting a big markup on it. So she's out of trade. So those are three big areas that both of them are having to stay out of - banking reform, tax and trade. But they can do it.
INSKEEP: I'm glad that you mentioned China because the president of China is in the United States this week. Jared Kushner, according to multiple reports, has been deeply involved in setting up the visit. But you point out that there are business interests for Kushner and Ivanka Trump in China. The Financial Times, in fact, reported over the weekend - involving the president as well - since the president's inauguration, China has approved dozens of pending trademark applications by the Trump Organization and, quote, "the volume of applications to market Ivanka Trump's brand in China has also soared."
EISEN: Well, it's another indicator of the ways in which the Trump family views the White House as a giant marketing opportunity. But in terms of the White House service of Ivanka and Jared - and spousal conflicts are attributed from one partner to the other, so Jared is saddled with this too. It's concerning that China has these trademarks that operate as a lever on - they have something that Ivanka wants very badly, the power of trademark approval. So it casts a cloud over the negotiations with China. It raises the question - will the Trump family really be as tough as they purport to be in these negotiations? Or will they be subject to influence by China? That's concerning to us.
I absolutely am not trying to be disingenuous - I 100% cannot think of any moderate Republican justice of Supreme-level caliber that would not be filibustered by the Dems or opposed by the many activists pressuring the Dems to filibuster right now. If you can, I would genuinely love to hear them.
Didn't Orrin Hatch actually want Merrick Garland to fill the SCOTUS seat which Kagan ended up in?
posted by XMLicious at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [18 favorites]
I would love to have an option to be able to pass to staffers who work for Republican senators of honor, I would fucking delight in the ability to pass that on with some possibility of a compromise that doesn't erode a filibuster I believe is a desperately important tool against oppression.
Literally every potential nominee on this list would be left of Gorsuch.
Gorsuch is the most right wing nominee possible, they didn't even try for a compromise candidate. Take all the names on the US Courts of Appeals and put them in a hat, the first one you pull out is more of a compromise than Gorsuch. Even a law and order hanging judge like Raymond Gruender would be more acceptable.
So no, don't give me this, "no candidates could be confirmed by those Democratic activists" bullshit and asking for names like it matters now after the well has already been poisoned by your party. You are being disingenuous. You don't know any other candidates because you haven't even performed a basic google search on sitting US Appeals Court Judges.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
Literally every potential nominee on this list would be left of Gorsuch.
Gorsuch is the most right wing nominee possible, they didn't even try for a compromise candidate. Take all the names on the US Courts of Appeals and put them in a hat, the first one you pull out is more of a compromise than Gorsuch. Even a law and order hanging judge like Raymond Gruender would be more acceptable.
So no, don't give me this, "no candidates could be confirmed by those Democratic activists" bullshit and asking for names like it matters now after the well has already been poisoned by your party. You are being disingenuous. You don't know any other candidates because you haven't even performed a basic google search on sitting US Appeals Court Judges.
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
Right now I don't see it. But I want to. If anyone can give me a reasonable Republican name they have a justified true belief would pass both Republican and Democratic muster, I will give my word of honor to call these people up and pimp it.
Richard Posner?
posted by compartment at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Richard Posner?
posted by compartment at 1:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Weirdly, the Republicans do not at all seem to share your worry that fucking up women's lives will somehow turn the voters against them.
Exactly, the Republicans will happily overturn Roe v. Wade at the first opportunity, then raise money by saying "vote for us or the Democrats will win and go right back to killing babies."
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Exactly, the Republicans will happily overturn Roe v. Wade at the first opportunity, then raise money by saying "vote for us or the Democrats will win and go right back to killing babies."
posted by DynamiteToast at 1:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm with emjaybee, yes there's good, sound, logical, reasons why the elected Republicans might want to keep Roe around just so they can have it to blame for everything and get out the vote.
But they're totally going to reverse Roe the very instant they get enough votes on the Supreme Court. And, remember, before Scalia died a lot of us were quite concerned that Kennedy was signaling his willingness to vote to overturn Roe. Because that's what it boils down to: Kennedy.
Once Gorsuch is seated we're back to where we were before Scalia died, for guaranteed votes to overturn Roe, four somewhat less guaranteed votes to sustain Roe, and Kennedy as an up in the air no one really knows vote. He's been the pivotal vote on every abortion ruling, and mostly he's ruled against abortion rights.
If RGB or Breyer dies and is replaced by a Republican Justice I have no doubt at all that a ruling to overturn Roe is inevitable, and it'll happen quickly. The Republican controlled states will be just lunging at the chance to be the one who broke Roe.
Yes, from a pure political calculus standpoint keeping Roe out there as a carrot/stick combo for Republican voters makes sense. But eventually you have to give the elephant the carrot or it gets cranky. And the Republican voters have been waiting a **LONG** time to overturn Roe. It'll happen the very instant they have the votes.
As for what replaces Roe? The obvious answers are contraception, gay marriage, and trans rights. The religious right, inducing the Protestants, have been attacking contraception for decades now. They argue that a "culture of life" necessarily must ban contraception and that even if contraception isn't actually, technically, abortion that it separates sex from reproduction and therefore inspires thought of abortions.
I'm not a uterus haver, but I'm also not even slightly relaxed about abortion rights. Maybe that's because I live in Texas and one of my family members was, just last week, involved in an underground-ish railroad to get a woman out of the state so she could get an abortion.
posted by sotonohito at 2:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [30 favorites]
But they're totally going to reverse Roe the very instant they get enough votes on the Supreme Court. And, remember, before Scalia died a lot of us were quite concerned that Kennedy was signaling his willingness to vote to overturn Roe. Because that's what it boils down to: Kennedy.
Once Gorsuch is seated we're back to where we were before Scalia died, for guaranteed votes to overturn Roe, four somewhat less guaranteed votes to sustain Roe, and Kennedy as an up in the air no one really knows vote. He's been the pivotal vote on every abortion ruling, and mostly he's ruled against abortion rights.
If RGB or Breyer dies and is replaced by a Republican Justice I have no doubt at all that a ruling to overturn Roe is inevitable, and it'll happen quickly. The Republican controlled states will be just lunging at the chance to be the one who broke Roe.
Yes, from a pure political calculus standpoint keeping Roe out there as a carrot/stick combo for Republican voters makes sense. But eventually you have to give the elephant the carrot or it gets cranky. And the Republican voters have been waiting a **LONG** time to overturn Roe. It'll happen the very instant they have the votes.
As for what replaces Roe? The obvious answers are contraception, gay marriage, and trans rights. The religious right, inducing the Protestants, have been attacking contraception for decades now. They argue that a "culture of life" necessarily must ban contraception and that even if contraception isn't actually, technically, abortion that it separates sex from reproduction and therefore inspires thought of abortions.
I'm not a uterus haver, but I'm also not even slightly relaxed about abortion rights. Maybe that's because I live in Texas and one of my family members was, just last week, involved in an underground-ish railroad to get a woman out of the state so she could get an abortion.
posted by sotonohito at 2:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [30 favorites]
Attacks on birth control are not a potential future development. Under Obama, there was some progress in the struggle to ensure that pharmacists could not withhold birth control just because they felt like it, but pharmacists frequently have that power even in the states where they do not have the legal right. One of the ways this is able to happen is by people ignoring the situation even when they are actively discussing it. I was last paid a pittance to beg people to pay attention to this issue more than a decade ago, and I thought I did a decent job at the time. but maybe not decent enough.
posted by queenofbithynia at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by queenofbithynia at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
I 100% cannot think of any moderate Republican justice of Supreme-level caliber that would not be filibustered by the Dems or opposed by the many activists pressuring the Dems to filibuster right now.
I can't either. But that isn't because there aren't better "compromise" candidates than Gorsuch. There clearly are, as others have pointed out already. Posner would be fantastic, actually, except that he's pretty old now.
The reason I can't think of any Republican jurist that I would not urge the Democrats to filibuster is that I think that it was morally outrageous for the Republicans to block Garland's nomination. That outrage makes it impossible to cooperate or compromise with Republicans even a fraction of an inch until they make amends for their obscene behavior.
If you want to urge Republicans to take steps to repair relations with Democrats and those further on the left and to return to normalcy in the United States, then there is exactly one name for Republicans to consider for this nomination: Merrick Garland.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
I can't either. But that isn't because there aren't better "compromise" candidates than Gorsuch. There clearly are, as others have pointed out already. Posner would be fantastic, actually, except that he's pretty old now.
The reason I can't think of any Republican jurist that I would not urge the Democrats to filibuster is that I think that it was morally outrageous for the Republicans to block Garland's nomination. That outrage makes it impossible to cooperate or compromise with Republicans even a fraction of an inch until they make amends for their obscene behavior.
If you want to urge Republicans to take steps to repair relations with Democrats and those further on the left and to return to normalcy in the United States, then there is exactly one name for Republicans to consider for this nomination: Merrick Garland.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [71 favorites]
Richard Posner?
He would likely be politically agreeable to Democrats, but Posner is 78. There's no way Trump would nominate him, and I'm not sure he would want the job anyway.
posted by jedicus at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
He would likely be politically agreeable to Democrats, but Posner is 78. There's no way Trump would nominate him, and I'm not sure he would want the job anyway.
posted by jedicus at 2:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
"During his service years, Mattis was considered to be an intellectual among the upper ranks, with a personal library that once contained thousands of books. Robert H. Scales, a retired United States Army major general, described him as "... one of the most urbane and polished men I have known." Reinforcing this intellectual persona was the fact he carried his own personal copy of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius throughout his deployments."
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
The well read, urbane and polished can be rabid gung-ho assholes. Marcus Aurelius fought a couple wars and sacked a city or two in his time.
posted by srboisvert at 2:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
This guy isn't just some rabid gung-ho asshole.
The well read, urbane and polished can be rabid gung-ho assholes. Marcus Aurelius fought a couple wars and sacked a city or two in his time.
posted by srboisvert at 2:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Having 8 judges is just fine, Ted Cruz said so.
posted by Artw at 2:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Many many years ago in a discount bookshop in Cape Town I bought a surplus copy of the 4th edition of Understanding American Government. That book was pretty clear about one thing: The single most important job of the President is to place Justices on the Supreme Court.
Dems should state outright: We will filibuster anyone that isn't Merrick Garland.
posted by PenDevil at 2:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [44 favorites]
Dems should state outright: We will filibuster anyone that isn't Merrick Garland.
posted by PenDevil at 2:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [44 favorites]
If anyone can give me a reasonable Republican name they have a justified true belief would pass both Republican and Democratic muster
Given that corb's conditional cannot be satisfied, I would argue because anything to the left of Scalia is off the table for the Republicans currently, how about a moderate Republican who is otherwise qualified? Brian Sandoval is a more conciliatory nomination than anyone on Trump's short list. While I wouldn't be happy with the way Garland's nomination was handled, I could, conceivably, accept this as the best way out of this mess.
Go on and pimp that name though. I imagine it'll get as far as Garland's nomination did with the Republicans. At best.
posted by Fezboy! at 2:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Given that corb's conditional cannot be satisfied, I would argue because anything to the left of Scalia is off the table for the Republicans currently, how about a moderate Republican who is otherwise qualified? Brian Sandoval is a more conciliatory nomination than anyone on Trump's short list. While I wouldn't be happy with the way Garland's nomination was handled, I could, conceivably, accept this as the best way out of this mess.
Go on and pimp that name though. I imagine it'll get as far as Garland's nomination did with the Republicans. At best.
posted by Fezboy! at 2:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
As for Republican Justices, I'm firmly of the position that absolutely no possible Republican Justice can, or should, be considered until Merrick Garland is seated and McConnell has gone on national TV to give a heartfelt and sincere apology for his vile and un-Constitutional scheme to block him.
Then, and only then, will I consider it acceptable to even think about giving consideration to an actual Republican Justice.
Until the Republicans have made amends for their vile abuse of norms and the Constitution no candidate from their side is acceptable no matter how much, in other contexts, I might think of them as tolerable.
But the context matters. And we are now in the context of a stolen Supreme Court seat, which makes other considerations irrelevant. Until that seat is occupied by Merrick Garland, or if he doesn't want it anymore a different Democratic pick, to even consider **ANY** Republican Justice is a moral outrage and utterly unacceptable.
We cannot permit the theft of a Supreme Court seat to go unpunished and survive as a Party or a nation. We cannot reward the theft of a Supreme Court seat. We cannot normalize the theft of a Supreme Court seat.
Which makes asking "which Republican Justice would the Democrats find acceptable" the wrong question. Because there is no acceptable Republican Justice, not so long as Garland is unseated.
It's like saying "how much of your money should you give the mugger who stole your wallet?" The answer is "none". It's not his money it's mine.
That seat is not theirs to fill, so discussing which of their candidates might be acceptable is simply a category error. There are no acceptable candidates a Republican can put forth to fill a stolen seat.
There might be candidates who would be acceptable for a non-stolen seat, but that's a completely different subject.
posted by sotonohito at 2:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [88 favorites]
Then, and only then, will I consider it acceptable to even think about giving consideration to an actual Republican Justice.
Until the Republicans have made amends for their vile abuse of norms and the Constitution no candidate from their side is acceptable no matter how much, in other contexts, I might think of them as tolerable.
But the context matters. And we are now in the context of a stolen Supreme Court seat, which makes other considerations irrelevant. Until that seat is occupied by Merrick Garland, or if he doesn't want it anymore a different Democratic pick, to even consider **ANY** Republican Justice is a moral outrage and utterly unacceptable.
We cannot permit the theft of a Supreme Court seat to go unpunished and survive as a Party or a nation. We cannot reward the theft of a Supreme Court seat. We cannot normalize the theft of a Supreme Court seat.
Which makes asking "which Republican Justice would the Democrats find acceptable" the wrong question. Because there is no acceptable Republican Justice, not so long as Garland is unseated.
It's like saying "how much of your money should you give the mugger who stole your wallet?" The answer is "none". It's not his money it's mine.
That seat is not theirs to fill, so discussing which of their candidates might be acceptable is simply a category error. There are no acceptable candidates a Republican can put forth to fill a stolen seat.
There might be candidates who would be acceptable for a non-stolen seat, but that's a completely different subject.
posted by sotonohito at 2:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [88 favorites]
FWIW, Trump's averaged approval rating hit another all time low of 39.8% today, and his disapproval tied his all time high of 53.6%.
posted by Justinian at 2:17 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:17 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Until that seat is occupied by Merrick Garland, or if he doesn't want it anymore a different Democratic pick, to even consider **ANY** Republican Justice is a moral outrage and utterly unacceptable.
While I get why you feel that way, the thing is, there's no way on God's green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask. If the Democrats are going to filibuster until Merrick Garland is nominated, then in realpolitik, the Republicans have no reason not to put up the most extreme person they possibly can - far to the right even of Gorsuch - and just nuke the filibuster. If everyone is filibustered equally the same, then there's no reason for them not to nominate the person furthest to the right, far beyond what they could ever get away with in times when they had to get some votes from both sides - because they can't just leave it empty for four more years. Taking the firm position that "only Merrick Garland will do" is saying, "I am content leaving the Supreme Court evenly split forever."
posted by corb at 2:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
While I get why you feel that way, the thing is, there's no way on God's green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask. If the Democrats are going to filibuster until Merrick Garland is nominated, then in realpolitik, the Republicans have no reason not to put up the most extreme person they possibly can - far to the right even of Gorsuch - and just nuke the filibuster. If everyone is filibustered equally the same, then there's no reason for them not to nominate the person furthest to the right, far beyond what they could ever get away with in times when they had to get some votes from both sides - because they can't just leave it empty for four more years. Taking the firm position that "only Merrick Garland will do" is saying, "I am content leaving the Supreme Court evenly split forever."
posted by corb at 2:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Welp, there we are then.
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
I absolutely am not trying to be disingenuous - I 100% cannot think of any moderate Republican justice of Supreme-level caliber that would not be filibustered by the Dems or opposed by the many activists pressuring the Dems to filibuster right now.
As others said: given Merrick Garland's handling, why should they find anyone acceptable? You say "there's no way on God's green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask."
Why should confirming anyone other than Garland be a possible ask? I mean this dead seriously, why? Because to fail to filibuster here means a new normal of Dem nominees needing 60 votes and R nominees needing 51. Because a Senate that will refuse to hold a confirmation vote when they have >50 votes will sure a shit use the filibuster then they have >40.
If you can, I would genuinely love to hear them. I would love to have an option to be able to pass to staffers who work for Republican senators of honor, I would fucking delight in the ability to pass that on with some possibility of a compromise that doesn't erode a filibuster I believe is a desperately important tool against oppression.
A procedural process that can be throw aside in minutes when there are 51 votes for it is not a useful tool anyway. If it required doing it for the next vote then it might have some value. But if it can simply be shrugged off then it was never a protection anyway.
posted by phearlez at 2:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
As others said: given Merrick Garland's handling, why should they find anyone acceptable? You say "there's no way on God's green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask."
Why should confirming anyone other than Garland be a possible ask? I mean this dead seriously, why? Because to fail to filibuster here means a new normal of Dem nominees needing 60 votes and R nominees needing 51. Because a Senate that will refuse to hold a confirmation vote when they have >50 votes will sure a shit use the filibuster then they have >40.
If you can, I would genuinely love to hear them. I would love to have an option to be able to pass to staffers who work for Republican senators of honor, I would fucking delight in the ability to pass that on with some possibility of a compromise that doesn't erode a filibuster I believe is a desperately important tool against oppression.
A procedural process that can be throw aside in minutes when there are 51 votes for it is not a useful tool anyway. If it required doing it for the next vote then it might have some value. But if it can simply be shrugged off then it was never a protection anyway.
posted by phearlez at 2:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
If the Democrats don't filibuster or take a Garland-only position, they still get no concessions ever. We've seen this over and over - when Democrats offer something to Republicans, they get nothing in return, not even less framing as existential enemies.
posted by The Gaffer at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [59 favorites]
posted by The Gaffer at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [59 favorites]
...the Republicans have no reason not to put up the most extreme person they possibly can..
At what point during this process does team-R consider whats best for the country? Is this implying the neutral baseline for R-justices is on the farthest reaches of the spectrum? Is that really where they want to go?
posted by H. Roark at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
At what point during this process does team-R consider whats best for the country? Is this implying the neutral baseline for R-justices is on the farthest reaches of the spectrum? Is that really where they want to go?
posted by H. Roark at 2:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
At what point during this process does team-R consider whats best for the country?
LOL.
posted by Artw at 2:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [70 favorites]
LOL.
posted by Artw at 2:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [70 favorites]
There's no doubt in my mind that the GOP will get rid of the filibuster and vote in Gorsuch because the most That's So Democrats thing possible would be for them to helplessly nominate Garland only for Republicans to turn around, use the nuclear option, and get what they want.
posted by BeginAgain at 2:35 PM on April 3, 2017
posted by BeginAgain at 2:35 PM on April 3, 2017
Given that sexual assault has been enthusiastically endorsed by this administration, could we maybe taking a pass on also normalizing rape and sexual slavery by using the word "pimp?"
posted by stet at 2:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by stet at 2:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
If the Democrats are going to filibuster until Merrick Garland is nominated, then in realpolitik, the Republicans have no reason not to put up the most extreme person they possibly can - far to the right even of Gorsuch
You realize this is exactly what they did anyway right? There's no one farther right than Gorsuch, some credible analysis believe he's to the right of Thomas.
Asking for good faith here is just incredibly rich. There's a compromise, Garland or any number of others, but Republicans don't and have never wanted compromise. They want domination. Scorched earth wholesale destruction of the social contract. That's what they've always wanted and now they're getting it by stealing a SCOTUS seat to legislate from the Court what they've never been able to marshal public support for through democratic process.
While their defenders whine about how the Democrats won't accept a compromise candidate. Please.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [62 favorites]
You realize this is exactly what they did anyway right? There's no one farther right than Gorsuch, some credible analysis believe he's to the right of Thomas.
Asking for good faith here is just incredibly rich. There's a compromise, Garland or any number of others, but Republicans don't and have never wanted compromise. They want domination. Scorched earth wholesale destruction of the social contract. That's what they've always wanted and now they're getting it by stealing a SCOTUS seat to legislate from the Court what they've never been able to marshal public support for through democratic process.
While their defenders whine about how the Democrats won't accept a compromise candidate. Please.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:39 PM on April 3, 2017 [62 favorites]
Taking the firm position that "only Merrick Garland will do" is saying, "I am content leaving the Supreme Court evenly split forever."
No, it's taking the position that Republicans can't just fuck around and expect Democrats to be the adults and clean up after them, or accept being hit without hitting back, this time on this issue. When the Republicans decided to vaporize the concept that the sitting president appoints the members of the Supreme Court, they declared total war. We're going to find out whether there are bigger weapons than the nuclear option on this battlefield. No need for there to even be only nine justices in the future.
posted by XMLicious at 2:42 PM on April 3, 2017 [43 favorites]
Should I care that someone in the Obama whitehouse may have asked that names be unmasked in intelligence? The reports so far seem speculative without a lot of context (and I wonder about their truth) but I wonder more about whether this is something - if true, a big if - that is out of the ordinary? ( a slight derail from the current SCOTUS vote discussion)
see Slate for their take.
posted by bluesky43 at 2:43 PM on April 3, 2017
see Slate for their take.
posted by bluesky43 at 2:43 PM on April 3, 2017
I saw the Susan Rice story summarized as: "National Security Advisor oversees national security investigation." The question, which isn't going to be answered publicly in any kind of comprehensive neutral way, is exactly what the intelligence reports were, but stuff like Erik Prince jetting off to the Seychelles to conduct backdoor negotiations with Russia is precisely the reason we have intelligence agencies.
posted by zachlipton at 2:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
We're going to find out whether there are bigger weapons than the nuclear option on this battlefield. No need for there to even be only nine justices in the future.
And without a filibuster, Republicans won't be able to stop President Booker's 6 SCOTUS appointments. Here's a compromise, I'll trade you 1 Gorsuch for Paul Watford, Goodwin Liu, Harold Koh, Loretta Lynch and Barack Hussein Obama himself.
Think about it long and hard, Republicans.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
And without a filibuster, Republicans won't be able to stop President Booker's 6 SCOTUS appointments. Here's a compromise, I'll trade you 1 Gorsuch for Paul Watford, Goodwin Liu, Harold Koh, Loretta Lynch and Barack Hussein Obama himself.
Think about it long and hard, Republicans.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
The Forward: EXCLUSIVE: Controversial Trump Aide Sebastian Gorka Backed Violent Anti-Semitic Militia
posted by zachlipton at 2:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [50 favorites]
As a Hungarian political leader in 2007, Sebastian Gorka, President Trump’s chief counter-terrorism adviser, publicly supported a violent racist and anti-Semitic paramilitary militia that was later banned as a threat to minorities by multiple court rulings.This seems a bigger deal than whether he wore his father's medal.
In a video obtained by the Forward of an August 2007 television appearance by Gorka, the future White House senior aide explicitly affirms his party’s and his support for the black-vested Hungarian Guard (Magyar Gárda) — a group later condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for attempting to promote an “essentially racist” legal order.
Asked directly on the TV interview program if he supports the move by Jobbik, a far-right anti-Semitic party, to establish the militia, Gorka, appearing as a leader of his own newly formed party, replies immediately, “That is so.” The Guard, Gorka explains, is a response to “a big societal need.”
Hungary’s official military, he stressed, “is sick, and totally reflects the state of Hungarian society…. This country cannot defend itself.
posted by zachlipton at 2:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [50 favorites]
No, it's taking the position that Republicans can't just fuck around and expect Democrats to be the adults and clean up after them, or accept being hit without hitting back, this time on this issue.
Yeah, this. If only the Democrats are supposed to care about the real-world implications of their decisions, while the Republicans are assumed to be unthinking extremism machines that will do whatever they can get away with no matter who it hurts or what precedent it sets, then there's no fight on anything -- the GOP dictates all terms of debate on every issue forever, regardless of elections. With Garland, they set out a new rule on Supreme Court nominees: the party that opposes the president uses every tool they have to prevent confirmation of the president's nominees, regardless of qualifications, record or electoral mandate. If they don't like it, they can go back in time and not do that.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
Yeah, this. If only the Democrats are supposed to care about the real-world implications of their decisions, while the Republicans are assumed to be unthinking extremism machines that will do whatever they can get away with no matter who it hurts or what precedent it sets, then there's no fight on anything -- the GOP dictates all terms of debate on every issue forever, regardless of elections. With Garland, they set out a new rule on Supreme Court nominees: the party that opposes the president uses every tool they have to prevent confirmation of the president's nominees, regardless of qualifications, record or electoral mandate. If they don't like it, they can go back in time and not do that.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:54 PM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
Plus the issue that we have a President who may be an agent of a foreign power, or mentally incompetent, and definitely was assisted into office by foreign entities. Why should he get to nominate a lifetime justice when Obama didn't? The question of his legitimacy is still open, in many people's opinions. Investigations are ongoing. This is all bullshit that the GOP is trying to ram through before the house of cards falls.
posted by threeturtles at 2:55 PM on April 3, 2017 [57 favorites]
posted by threeturtles at 2:55 PM on April 3, 2017 [57 favorites]
These kinds of organised militias are 2nd Amendment Nutjobs (tm) wet dreams so they're probably seeing Gorka's endorsement of them as a plus on his resume.
posted by PenDevil at 2:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by PenDevil at 2:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Controversial Trump Aide Sebastian Gorka Backed Violent Anti-Semitic Militia
"Controversial" in that he is a Nazi and " Backed Violent Anti-Semitic Militia" as in yes, that is what Nazis do.
posted by Artw at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
"Controversial" in that he is a Nazi and " Backed Violent Anti-Semitic Militia" as in yes, that is what Nazis do.
posted by Artw at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
Surely the fuck it.
posted by medusa at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by medusa at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Blackwater founder
In a word, whoa.
Somebody had better be re-looking into that Trump -- Alfa Bank -- Spectrum Health server thing pretty fucking hard at this point.
Today's extra-special fanfic daydream: Trump, Erik Prince, Dick DeVos, and Betsy the Bearkiller all frogmarched off to federal prison in shackles and sentenced to listen to cellmate Carter Page talk for 20 years.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
In a word, whoa.
Somebody had better be re-looking into that Trump -- Alfa Bank -- Spectrum Health server thing pretty fucking hard at this point.
Today's extra-special fanfic daydream: Trump, Erik Prince, Dick DeVos, and Betsy the Bearkiller all frogmarched off to federal prison in shackles and sentenced to listen to cellmate Carter Page talk for 20 years.
posted by FelliniBlank at 2:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
The obvious line of attack on Trump right now would seem to me to be "Either Trump knew about the connections to Russia and is a traitor or he didn't know and is dangerously incompetent. In either case he should not be President of the United States." I wish some Democratic leadership would phrase it so bluntly.
posted by Justinian at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [69 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [69 favorites]
Today's extra-special fanfic daydream: Trump, Erik Prince, Dick DeVos, and Betsy the Bearkiller all frogmarched off to federal prison in shackles and sentenced to listen to cellmate Carter Page talk for 20 years.
AIn't gonna happen for at leats 4 years but when it does I hope there is zero backing away from doing it.
posted by Artw at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
AIn't gonna happen for at leats 4 years but when it does I hope there is zero backing away from doing it.
posted by Artw at 2:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Until that seat is occupied by Merrick Garland, or if he doesn't want it anymore a different Democratic pick, to even consider ANY Republican Justice is a moral outrage and utterly unacceptable.
While I get why you feel that way, the thing is, there's no way on God’s green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask.
I don’t know that renominating Garland is an appropriate response - after all, if Garland gets the nomination as a sop, Republicans could simply oppose the choice as a block and then they could choose some other nominee instead. This is even more unlikely to happen, given that the current President is Republican, but giving Obama a choice from beyond the Presidential grave is also weird.
That said, what I think there has been is a grievous wrong, and that wrong remains unacknowledged by Republicans. Something has seriously broken in our system, and how cracked it was before Garland (insert Bork here) is less important than how this last nomination really cracked the tensions wide open. (I’m also not so naïve as to assume that Democrats would be up in arms for Garland if Clinton had won and asked him to step aside for a more liberal jurist.)
Something has been broken, and until both Republicans and Democrats can talk about it freely, in agreement that the Garland nomination went awry, it seems like a filibuster is the language that we can use.
(Similarly, if Trump is impeached and Pence comes into power, something else will have broken in our system. Contra this nomination, I don’t even think we have the political language available for a solution.)
posted by Going To Maine at 3:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
While I get why you feel that way, the thing is, there's no way on God’s green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask.
I don’t know that renominating Garland is an appropriate response - after all, if Garland gets the nomination as a sop, Republicans could simply oppose the choice as a block and then they could choose some other nominee instead. This is even more unlikely to happen, given that the current President is Republican, but giving Obama a choice from beyond the Presidential grave is also weird.
That said, what I think there has been is a grievous wrong, and that wrong remains unacknowledged by Republicans. Something has seriously broken in our system, and how cracked it was before Garland (insert Bork here) is less important than how this last nomination really cracked the tensions wide open. (I’m also not so naïve as to assume that Democrats would be up in arms for Garland if Clinton had won and asked him to step aside for a more liberal jurist.)
Something has been broken, and until both Republicans and Democrats can talk about it freely, in agreement that the Garland nomination went awry, it seems like a filibuster is the language that we can use.
(Similarly, if Trump is impeached and Pence comes into power, something else will have broken in our system. Contra this nomination, I don’t even think we have the political language available for a solution.)
posted by Going To Maine at 3:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
As a Hungarian political leader in 2007, Sebastian Gorka, President Trump’s chief counter-terrorism adviser, publicly supported a violent racist and anti-Semitic paramilitary militia that was later banned as a threat to minorities by multiple court rulings.
ಠ_ಠ
posted by zarq at 3:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
ಠ_ಠ
posted by zarq at 3:03 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
We're talking about incredibly shady backchannel discussions by an honest-to-goodness mercenary boss with the country that just meddled in our election and the Seychelles guy is all "yeah, we're absolutely the country that should be at the top of your list when you need to do something shady; it says so right here in our brochure."
Hey, it's all about the branding! To illustrate, let's play word association:
Cayman Islands = _____________________
I rest my case.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hey, it's all about the branding! To illustrate, let's play word association:
Cayman Islands = _____________________
I rest my case.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
There's nowhere to go to get out of the filibuster, no moderate they could appoint that would satisfy activists that wouldn't be wildly liberal by Republican standards.
This is some tremendously, grossly bad-faith framing. The argument is being presented as "Republicans" versus "activists" instead of "Republicans" versus "Democrats", I assume on the hope that this would slip through since most of us here don't use "activist" as a dirty word, but plenty of us do in fact know what this particular conservative dogwhistle means. Why are these kinds of disingenuous barbs even allowed in this conversation?
So it's either break the filibuster, or no justice at all.
This is another slightly sneakier one. Correctly, this would have been "or no Justice at all". The truth is that if no Trump (or Pence, or Republican at all) Justice makes it onto the Supreme Court, that is exactly what justice would look like, both in the sense that it would be the best thing for all Americans and in the sense that it would be the foiling of a destructive, evil scheme concocted by the Republicans with the stonewalling of Merrick Garland.
posted by IAmUnaware at 3:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
This is some tremendously, grossly bad-faith framing. The argument is being presented as "Republicans" versus "activists" instead of "Republicans" versus "Democrats", I assume on the hope that this would slip through since most of us here don't use "activist" as a dirty word, but plenty of us do in fact know what this particular conservative dogwhistle means. Why are these kinds of disingenuous barbs even allowed in this conversation?
So it's either break the filibuster, or no justice at all.
This is another slightly sneakier one. Correctly, this would have been "or no Justice at all". The truth is that if no Trump (or Pence, or Republican at all) Justice makes it onto the Supreme Court, that is exactly what justice would look like, both in the sense that it would be the best thing for all Americans and in the sense that it would be the foiling of a destructive, evil scheme concocted by the Republicans with the stonewalling of Merrick Garland.
posted by IAmUnaware at 3:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
How is it this stuff about Gorka wasn't news before? I know it was in a foreign language, but it's not as if there aren't lots of politically-engaged Hungarians.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:08 PM on April 3, 2017
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:08 PM on April 3, 2017
The obvious line of attack on Trump right now would seem to me to be "Either Trump knew about the connections to Russia and is a traitor or he didn't know and is dangerously incompetent.
I reckon he could be baited into admitting the former if the media reported the latter.
posted by piyushnz at 3:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
I reckon he could be baited into admitting the former if the media reported the latter.
posted by piyushnz at 3:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yes, essentially the A FEW GOOD MEN option I referenced upthread. With the added bonus of Trump being too stupid to see it coming.
posted by Justinian at 3:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Gorka wore his Nazi Dracula costume to the fucking inauguration
posted by theodolite at 3:15 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 3:15 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
If the Democrats are going to filibuster until Merrick Garland is nominated, then in realpolitik, the Republicans have no reason not to put up the most extreme person they possibly can - far to the right even of Gorsuch - and just nuke the filibuster.
That's only true if you assume that at any given moment the most extreme person for the job is who Republicans, unopposed, would want. Which seems both shocking and in contradiction with your premise of "extremists have pushed the window so now even moderates are more extreme." It would imply that, in the heart of each moderate, there's just an extremist waiting to get out.
And maybe that's the case. I wouldn't know; I'm an extremist.
posted by penduluum at 3:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
That's only true if you assume that at any given moment the most extreme person for the job is who Republicans, unopposed, would want. Which seems both shocking and in contradiction with your premise of "extremists have pushed the window so now even moderates are more extreme." It would imply that, in the heart of each moderate, there's just an extremist waiting to get out.
And maybe that's the case. I wouldn't know; I'm an extremist.
posted by penduluum at 3:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
ProPublica responds to being called a left wing blog.
posted by adamvasco at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 3:20 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
I don’t know that renominating Garland is an appropriate response - after all, if Garland gets the nomination as a sop, Republicans could simply oppose the choice as a block and then they could choose some other nominee instead.
Sure, and that would be fine. It's pretty much what would have happened to Garland if he actually got a hearing anyway, since Republicans had enough votes to either deny the confirmation or filibuster him. The point is that denying Garland even a hearing was a beyond-the-pale rejection of all the norms and standards that allow a democratic government to work at all. Allowing Garland a hearing now, even to reject him, would be at least an acknowledgement that a wrong was done and a gesture in the direction of repairing it. Which is, of course, why it'll never, ever happen.
posted by tobascodagama at 3:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Sure, and that would be fine. It's pretty much what would have happened to Garland if he actually got a hearing anyway, since Republicans had enough votes to either deny the confirmation or filibuster him. The point is that denying Garland even a hearing was a beyond-the-pale rejection of all the norms and standards that allow a democratic government to work at all. Allowing Garland a hearing now, even to reject him, would be at least an acknowledgement that a wrong was done and a gesture in the direction of repairing it. Which is, of course, why it'll never, ever happen.
posted by tobascodagama at 3:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
I think any Gorsuch decisions, if he makes it onto the supreme court, should have an asterisk beside them.
Also, I think Democrats should be asking him and all Republicans "How is Gorsuch more deserving/better than Garland was?" over and over. Then when answers are not given say that Garland didn't warrant consideration so neither does Gorsuch.
posted by srboisvert at 3:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Also, I think Democrats should be asking him and all Republicans "How is Gorsuch more deserving/better than Garland was?" over and over. Then when answers are not given say that Garland didn't warrant consideration so neither does Gorsuch.
posted by srboisvert at 3:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
How is it this stuff about Gorka wasn't news before? I know it was in a foreign language, but it's not as if there aren't lots of politically-engaged Hungarians.
Have you seen Hungary lately? Orbàn is a competent Trump and the populace have been eating it up.
posted by Talez at 3:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Have you seen Hungary lately? Orbàn is a competent Trump and the populace have been eating it up.
posted by Talez at 3:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, let's not pretend that GOP obstruction of judicial nominees began with Garland. Don't forget about McConnell's blockade of Obama's DC Circuit nominees.
posted by mhum at 3:29 PM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
posted by mhum at 3:29 PM on April 3, 2017 [47 favorites]
In peripheral news, a new Election Profit Makers mixtape has dropped.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Going To Maine at 3:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
“The Seychelles is the kind of place where you can have a good time away from the eyes of the media. That’s even printed in our tourism marketing. But I guess this time you smelled something.”
I can't decide if this makes me want to visit the Seychelles or not.
posted by nickmark at 3:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
I can't decide if this makes me want to visit the Seychelles or not.
posted by nickmark at 3:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
I don’t know that renominating Garland is an appropriate response - after all, if Garland gets the nomination as a sop, Republicans could simply oppose the choice as a block and then they could choose some other nominee instead.
Sure, and that would be fine.
I actually completely disagree with this; it would not be “fine” or minimally acceptable. If the fight has moved on from the Garland nomination itself to the idea that bad political tactics were used, then I whatever solution must overtly address those tactics. The sop of nominating Garland doesn’t speak about that problem. It loosely pretends that a genie can still be put back in the bottle and we’ll pretend it’s fine. But that is insufficient. Whatever realpolitik solution happens, it must address the political crisis and not pretend that it can just be memory holed through procedural trickery.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:37 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sure, and that would be fine.
I actually completely disagree with this; it would not be “fine” or minimally acceptable. If the fight has moved on from the Garland nomination itself to the idea that bad political tactics were used, then I whatever solution must overtly address those tactics. The sop of nominating Garland doesn’t speak about that problem. It loosely pretends that a genie can still be put back in the bottle and we’ll pretend it’s fine. But that is insufficient. Whatever realpolitik solution happens, it must address the political crisis and not pretend that it can just be memory holed through procedural trickery.
posted by Going To Maine at 3:37 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Going To Maine: "Something has seriously broken in our system, and how cracked it was before Garland (insert Bork here)"
Ok, here's what I don't fully understand about the Bork situation. He made it out of committee and then got a straight up-and-down vote with no filibuster on his nomination. What precisely was "cracked" about the process then? Republicans were sure as heck steamed about the result but I can't really figure exactly what was so out of bounds about what happened there. I mean, for god's sake, six Republicans voted against him. Was it just about the rhetoric and debate around him (which was definitely more heated than in previous nominations)? Procedurally, I don't quite know what was supposed to have been wrong there.
posted by mhum at 3:38 PM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
Ok, here's what I don't fully understand about the Bork situation. He made it out of committee and then got a straight up-and-down vote with no filibuster on his nomination. What precisely was "cracked" about the process then? Republicans were sure as heck steamed about the result but I can't really figure exactly what was so out of bounds about what happened there. I mean, for god's sake, six Republicans voted against him. Was it just about the rhetoric and debate around him (which was definitely more heated than in previous nominations)? Procedurally, I don't quite know what was supposed to have been wrong there.
posted by mhum at 3:38 PM on April 3, 2017 [25 favorites]
I believe so. People could also point to Roberts and Kagan as different degrees of broken because the nominees were relatively unwilling to take credit for their work because it would somehow “tar” them from the nomination. (This was also true for Gorsuch - the Amicus podcast was generally vexed that most of the grilling was about two controversial cases and not about his actual philosophy, though it seems to have been okay for rallying the troops.)
posted by Going To Maine at 3:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Going To Maine at 3:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
A Former Trump Adviser Met With A Russian Spy
Of course it's Carter Page. Did you really have to ask? (emphasis added)
Of course it's Carter Page. Did you really have to ask? (emphasis added)
A former campaign adviser for Donald Trump met with and passed documents to a Russian intelligence operative in New York City in 2013.posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [43 favorites]
The adviser, Carter Page, met with a Russian intelligence operative named Victor Podobnyy, who was later charged by the US government alongside two others for acting as unregistered agents of a foreign government. The charges, filed in January 2015, came after federal investigators busted a Russian spy ring that was seeking information on US sanctions as well as efforts to develop alternative energy. Page is an energy consultant.
...
The court filing includes a colorful transcript of Podobnyy speaking with Sporyshev about trying to recruit Page.
“[Male-1] wrote that he is sorry, he went to Moscow and forgot to check his inbox, but he wants to meet when he gets back. I think he is an idiot and forgot who I am...He got hooked on Gazprom thinking that if they have a project, he could rise up,” Podobnyy said. “I also promised him a lot...this is intelligence method to cheat, how else to work with foreigners? You promise a favor for a favor. You get the documents from him and tell him to go fuck himself.”
Allowing Garland a hearing now, even to reject him, would be at least an acknowledgement that a wrong was done and a gesture in the direction of repairing it. Which is, of course, why it'll never, ever happen.
It really is the epitome (with extra emphasis on "pit") of the contemporary Republican Party how every single Republican senator completely refuses to say Garland's name or even acknowledge that he exists, or that the McConnell Obscenity ever happened (not even "yes, and there were good reasons" just "Que?"). John McCain has zero recall of the fact that he said outright 5 months ago, "I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up."
They all just walk about every single day studiously pretending none of that ever occurred. I'd call them a bunch of fucking babies, only the average baby has better developed object permanence than that.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [40 favorites]
It really is the epitome (with extra emphasis on "pit") of the contemporary Republican Party how every single Republican senator completely refuses to say Garland's name or even acknowledge that he exists, or that the McConnell Obscenity ever happened (not even "yes, and there were good reasons" just "Que?"). John McCain has zero recall of the fact that he said outright 5 months ago, "I promise you that we will be united against any Supreme Court nominee that Hillary Clinton, if she were president, would put up."
They all just walk about every single day studiously pretending none of that ever occurred. I'd call them a bunch of fucking babies, only the average baby has better developed object permanence than that.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:51 PM on April 3, 2017 [40 favorites]
Ok, here's what I don't fully understand about the Bork situation. He made it out of committee and then got a straight up-and-down vote with no filibuster on his nomination. What precisely was "cracked" about the process then? Republicans were sure as heck steamed about the result but I can't really figure exactly what was so out of bounds about what happened there.
He didn't make it out of committee. The committee voted 9-5 to reject him. It was a signal that Bork wasn't going to be confirmed and he should exit the process with grace and dignity. He didn't. Bork made a statement trying to shame the Senate into a up or down vote, which they eventually did and he was thoroughly embarrassed by the 42-58 rejection.
posted by Talez at 3:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
He didn't make it out of committee. The committee voted 9-5 to reject him. It was a signal that Bork wasn't going to be confirmed and he should exit the process with grace and dignity. He didn't. Bork made a statement trying to shame the Senate into a up or down vote, which they eventually did and he was thoroughly embarrassed by the 42-58 rejection.
posted by Talez at 3:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Keep in mind Nixon also promised him a SCOTUS seat back in '73.
posted by Talez at 3:55 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Talez at 3:55 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
So, a recap as part of my ongoing series to point out how not normal this is:
- A top national security staffer supported a "violent racist and anti-Semitic paramilitary militia"
- It was revealed that the President can draw money out of his businesses at any time, despite previous assurances about his separation
- A guy who runs mercenary firms with multiple ties to the President held secret meetings to negotiate policy with Russia
- The President's son-in-law flew to Iraq before the Secretary of State, and the White House bungled the announcement to the press, possibly endangering his security
- The President's foreign policy advisor during the campaign, one of the only people he mentioned by name when asked who was advising him, was recruited by Russian agents a couple of years ago
- The Republicans are on the verge of abolishing the filibuster
And this is all, like, today. Every one of these things should be a massive deal (and I'm ignoring tons of other stuff that should matter too, like the fact that Sisi came to town and we didn't mention human rights). I mean months if not years worth of scandal or investigation. And yet all these stories will be replaced with equally ridiculous ones in the next few days.
posted by zachlipton at 3:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [118 favorites]
- A top national security staffer supported a "violent racist and anti-Semitic paramilitary militia"
- It was revealed that the President can draw money out of his businesses at any time, despite previous assurances about his separation
- A guy who runs mercenary firms with multiple ties to the President held secret meetings to negotiate policy with Russia
- The President's son-in-law flew to Iraq before the Secretary of State, and the White House bungled the announcement to the press, possibly endangering his security
- The President's foreign policy advisor during the campaign, one of the only people he mentioned by name when asked who was advising him, was recruited by Russian agents a couple of years ago
- The Republicans are on the verge of abolishing the filibuster
And this is all, like, today. Every one of these things should be a massive deal (and I'm ignoring tons of other stuff that should matter too, like the fact that Sisi came to town and we didn't mention human rights). I mean months if not years worth of scandal or investigation. And yet all these stories will be replaced with equally ridiculous ones in the next few days.
posted by zachlipton at 3:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [118 favorites]
corb While I get why you feel that way, the thing is, there's no way on God's green earth that Trump, or Pence, or Ryan, will ever, ever, nominate Merrick Garland. It's an impossible ask.
You are 100% correct. So we Democrats are committed, or should be anyway, to opposing anyone they put forth with all our strength.
If that means they nuke the filibuster then I'll count that as a victory, because the filibuster has never brought my side any victories, and has rewarded your side beyond all reason. The filibuster is a purely Republican tool these days.
because they can't just leave it empty for four more years.
I invite you to recall that several people in your Party were openly stating that they intended to block literally anyone Hillary Clinton nominated and that an eight member Supreme Court was acceptable for the next four years.
I think, corb, that as a Republican you're failing to grasp the depth of feeling and the utter devastation of norms here because you benefit from the devastation of norms.
To you Gorsuch is a silver lining to the cloud of Trump. Because you view the Republican Party as basically OK, and Trump as being not so much even an outlier but an interloper, a not-really-Republican, a bad apple.
Most Democrats would not agree with that assessment. I'd argue that you're seeing your Party through rose colored glasses.
It wasn't Trump who blocked Garland, it was the supposedly "normal" Republicans. And it wasn't just a few bad apples, it was every single Republican in the Senate.
To me that says that the Republican Party must be brought to heel before we can move forward. It says that you're asking us to move on to reconciliation, that you're asking the Democrats to just sort of accept Garland as a normal loss and shrug it off, before the Republican Party has shown that it deserves any cooperation or reconciliation.
You can't have reconciliation without repentance. And your Party has not repented, it has not paid penance, it has not even admitted wrongdoing. In that environment my Party cannot act as if things were normal.
An eight member supreme court for the next four years is perfectly fine to me. Until your side admits wrongdoing and makes restitution I see no reason to yield a centimeter. If your side chooses to nuke the filibuster over this I'll cheer and laugh.
posted by sotonohito at 4:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [120 favorites]
You are 100% correct. So we Democrats are committed, or should be anyway, to opposing anyone they put forth with all our strength.
If that means they nuke the filibuster then I'll count that as a victory, because the filibuster has never brought my side any victories, and has rewarded your side beyond all reason. The filibuster is a purely Republican tool these days.
because they can't just leave it empty for four more years.
I invite you to recall that several people in your Party were openly stating that they intended to block literally anyone Hillary Clinton nominated and that an eight member Supreme Court was acceptable for the next four years.
I think, corb, that as a Republican you're failing to grasp the depth of feeling and the utter devastation of norms here because you benefit from the devastation of norms.
To you Gorsuch is a silver lining to the cloud of Trump. Because you view the Republican Party as basically OK, and Trump as being not so much even an outlier but an interloper, a not-really-Republican, a bad apple.
Most Democrats would not agree with that assessment. I'd argue that you're seeing your Party through rose colored glasses.
It wasn't Trump who blocked Garland, it was the supposedly "normal" Republicans. And it wasn't just a few bad apples, it was every single Republican in the Senate.
To me that says that the Republican Party must be brought to heel before we can move forward. It says that you're asking us to move on to reconciliation, that you're asking the Democrats to just sort of accept Garland as a normal loss and shrug it off, before the Republican Party has shown that it deserves any cooperation or reconciliation.
You can't have reconciliation without repentance. And your Party has not repented, it has not paid penance, it has not even admitted wrongdoing. In that environment my Party cannot act as if things were normal.
An eight member supreme court for the next four years is perfectly fine to me. Until your side admits wrongdoing and makes restitution I see no reason to yield a centimeter. If your side chooses to nuke the filibuster over this I'll cheer and laugh.
posted by sotonohito at 4:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [120 favorites]
Rand Paul, who spent the weekend golfing with Trump, is now citing that reporting as 'smoking gun' evidence of 'spying' on the Trump campaign.
That's right, Rand. You found the smoking gun.
At the gun range. Held by an instructor. In a firing lane. Pointed at paper targets. During normal business hours. Logged in the range records, even.
Good job there, Sherlock.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
That's right, Rand. You found the smoking gun.
At the gun range. Held by an instructor. In a firing lane. Pointed at paper targets. During normal business hours. Logged in the range records, even.
Good job there, Sherlock.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:06 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
I wonder if they'll have the balls to actually release the thing, and which obvious spy is under investigation in it.
posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Talez: "He didn't make it out of committee. The committee voted 9-5 to reject him."
Ah! For some reason, I thought there was some different nominee who died in committee (who the Republicans were also sore about) and I was racking my memory trying to remember who that was. You're absolutely right, it was Bork. Which then makes the procedural peculiarity about Bork's nomination the fact that he was given an up-and-down vote at all.
posted by mhum at 4:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ah! For some reason, I thought there was some different nominee who died in committee (who the Republicans were also sore about) and I was racking my memory trying to remember who that was. You're absolutely right, it was Bork. Which then makes the procedural peculiarity about Bork's nomination the fact that he was given an up-and-down vote at all.
posted by mhum at 4:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Merrick Garland is the compromise nominee.
Really, the only valid answers to the supreme court question are 1: Merrick Garland is seated or 2: the seat remains empty. This is because there is not anyone qualified to nominate a Supreme Court justice right now. Indeed, the act of accepting a nomination from the illegitimate Donald Trump itself stands as evidence that the nominee is not qualified to serve. But because Garland was nominated by a legitimate president, it's reasonable to consider voting for him — even though he's conservative to the point of being unacceptable to most reasonable people.
Corb, bless her heart, would like to see Gorsuch on the bench and is letting that blind her to the necessity of all-out opposition to Trumpism. Everyone else should keep Corb's example in mind in future months. The panicked and desperate Trump administration will eventually start making mouth noises in support of reasonable policies — medicare for all, say, or an infrastructure plan that's an actual infrastructure plan instead of just an occasion for graft. We must oppose even these proposals. We can't be like some conservatives who oppose Trump in general but are willing to approve of certain of his actions.
There's two reasons for this. First of course is that the administration is packed top to bottom with neonazis, bourgeois-class criminal kingpins, and slippery self-dealing shitheads, and so anything they say must be assumed to be a lie. Second, though, is that even if they weren't lying, we'd be obligated to keep them from acting as if they were a legitimate administration.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [46 favorites]
Really, the only valid answers to the supreme court question are 1: Merrick Garland is seated or 2: the seat remains empty. This is because there is not anyone qualified to nominate a Supreme Court justice right now. Indeed, the act of accepting a nomination from the illegitimate Donald Trump itself stands as evidence that the nominee is not qualified to serve. But because Garland was nominated by a legitimate president, it's reasonable to consider voting for him — even though he's conservative to the point of being unacceptable to most reasonable people.
Corb, bless her heart, would like to see Gorsuch on the bench and is letting that blind her to the necessity of all-out opposition to Trumpism. Everyone else should keep Corb's example in mind in future months. The panicked and desperate Trump administration will eventually start making mouth noises in support of reasonable policies — medicare for all, say, or an infrastructure plan that's an actual infrastructure plan instead of just an occasion for graft. We must oppose even these proposals. We can't be like some conservatives who oppose Trump in general but are willing to approve of certain of his actions.
There's two reasons for this. First of course is that the administration is packed top to bottom with neonazis, bourgeois-class criminal kingpins, and slippery self-dealing shitheads, and so anything they say must be assumed to be a lie. Second, though, is that even if they weren't lying, we'd be obligated to keep them from acting as if they were a legitimate administration.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [46 favorites]
They need to make a deal. Change the rules, so that after [some amount of time: 6 months?], a Supreme nomination becomes some sort of privileged motion that any Senator can bring up to the floor and get a vote on, with cloture automatically invoked. This ends the filibuster as a permanent block, while also preventing a Garland situation (unless it happens closer to an election), and making it possible for a President to get his nominee voted on even if the Senate is held by the opposition party. A controversial nominee can still be delayed, but if they have the votes they have the votes.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:21 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Corb, bless her heart, would like to see Gorsuch on the bench and is letting that blind her to the necessity of all-out opposition to Trumpism.
It's less that I want to see Gorsuch on the bench - though I'll admit, he doesn't terrify me as much as some Trump picks - and more that I see a future ahead where everyone is picking up rifles and I am, perhaps desperately, perhaps futilely, trying to stave it off.
This may sound alarmist, but the idea that Democrats and Republicans could come together to form a government united against fascism, insulating America against it and then returning to their corners once the fascism threat is over, is comforting, because it would mean civil society isn't fundamentally and terribly broken, such that war is the inevitable result.
The Gorsuch fight is depressing me because it seems less about "Fuck Trump", and more about "there can be no compromise with half the nation." And you and I, whether we disagree or not about the inevitability, know where that leads.
posted by corb at 4:22 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's less that I want to see Gorsuch on the bench - though I'll admit, he doesn't terrify me as much as some Trump picks - and more that I see a future ahead where everyone is picking up rifles and I am, perhaps desperately, perhaps futilely, trying to stave it off.
This may sound alarmist, but the idea that Democrats and Republicans could come together to form a government united against fascism, insulating America against it and then returning to their corners once the fascism threat is over, is comforting, because it would mean civil society isn't fundamentally and terribly broken, such that war is the inevitable result.
The Gorsuch fight is depressing me because it seems less about "Fuck Trump", and more about "there can be no compromise with half the nation." And you and I, whether we disagree or not about the inevitability, know where that leads.
posted by corb at 4:22 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Please somebody remind me of the last time Republicans granted Democrats anything of substance in good faith and the name of compromise.
Anything.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [94 favorites]
Anything.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [94 favorites]
Oh, and there's serious talk about the healthcare bill being back, in an even worse form this time around. They're clearly trying to get the Freedom Caucus to come along; my question is whether the moderates will get bullied into going along with this like they always do.
posted by zachlipton at 4:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
"there can be no compromise with half the nation."
I think there is a compromise being offered - 8 judges. How is anything else really a compromise?
posted by H. Roark at 4:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
I think there is a compromise being offered - 8 judges. How is anything else really a compromise?
posted by H. Roark at 4:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
There is only one political entity, which has conservative, moderate and liberal-leftist wings, and which stands united against fascism. It is called the Democratic Party.
The sooner that anti-fascist conservatives recognize that and walk away from the Trumpist-inhabited shell of what was, honestly, once a great party, the better for everyone.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [28 favorites]
The sooner that anti-fascist conservatives recognize that and walk away from the Trumpist-inhabited shell of what was, honestly, once a great party, the better for everyone.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [28 favorites]
The Gorsuch fight is depressing me because it seems less about "Fuck Trump", and more about "there can be no compromise with half the nation." And you and I, whether we disagree or not about the inevitability, know where that leads.
Merrick Garland was the compromise. It wasn't Democrats who rejected the middle ground.
It never, ever is.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [98 favorites]
Merrick Garland was the compromise. It wasn't Democrats who rejected the middle ground.
It never, ever is.
posted by schadenfrau at 4:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [98 favorites]
... because they can't just leave it empty for four more years. Taking the firm position that "only Merrick Garland will do" is saying, "I am content leaving the Supreme Court evenly split forever.
But that is exactly what Republicans pledged to do before the election if Hillary won -- keep the seat open for four more years. It's been over a year since Scalia died and Republicans have been fine with leaving the seat open all of that time. Why the sudden change of heart?
Better an evenly split court forever than allowing Republicans to install a radical ideologue for life. We've endured a split court for over a year and the republic has not fallen. It simply means there won't be any 5-4 split decisions on hard questions which is no great loss.
posted by JackFlash at 4:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
But that is exactly what Republicans pledged to do before the election if Hillary won -- keep the seat open for four more years. It's been over a year since Scalia died and Republicans have been fine with leaving the seat open all of that time. Why the sudden change of heart?
Better an evenly split court forever than allowing Republicans to install a radical ideologue for life. We've endured a split court for over a year and the republic has not fallen. It simply means there won't be any 5-4 split decisions on hard questions which is no great loss.
posted by JackFlash at 4:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [41 favorites]
it's not compromise when one side continually gives in.
you're thinking of capitulation.
"Appeasement" might also be an applicable word.
We can all point fingers and accuse one another of being Neville Chamberlain now.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
you're thinking of capitulation.
"Appeasement" might also be an applicable word.
We can all point fingers and accuse one another of being Neville Chamberlain now.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Support for a supreme court nominee who's accepted that nomination from Trump isn't compromise or capitulation. It's collaboration. Just like support for a single-payer health care plan proposed by Donald Trump would be collaboration.
And, yes, the actions of the Republican Party electeds in holding open a seat so that Trump could make an SC nomination indicates that they as a group have to be understood as Trumpist in practice, and they likewise have to be opposed relentlessly.
Should the Democratic Party fail to oppose Gorsuch, well, that would be the thing most likely to place us on the civil war timeline, since it would indicate that there is no non-collaborator option for anyone to vote for.
I am pleasantly stunned that the Democrats have gotten it together to filibuster Gorsuch. Like, today I called up Feinstein's offices to tell them I'm not mad at them. Such a weird experience for me, since I've really gotten used to calling them up to talk about how great Ted Lieu is.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
And, yes, the actions of the Republican Party electeds in holding open a seat so that Trump could make an SC nomination indicates that they as a group have to be understood as Trumpist in practice, and they likewise have to be opposed relentlessly.
Should the Democratic Party fail to oppose Gorsuch, well, that would be the thing most likely to place us on the civil war timeline, since it would indicate that there is no non-collaborator option for anyone to vote for.
I am pleasantly stunned that the Democrats have gotten it together to filibuster Gorsuch. Like, today I called up Feinstein's offices to tell them I'm not mad at them. Such a weird experience for me, since I've really gotten used to calling them up to talk about how great Ted Lieu is.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [33 favorites]
“I also promised him a lot...this is intelligence method to cheat, how else to work with foreigners? You promise a favor for a favor. You get the documents from him and tell him to go fuck himself.”
it's nice to see that russian intelligence clearly understands the caliber of people they are dealing with when they work the trump camp
posted by murphy slaw at 4:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
it's nice to see that russian intelligence clearly understands the caliber of people they are dealing with when they work the trump camp
posted by murphy slaw at 4:32 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
It's less that I want to see Gorsuch on the bench - though I'll admit, he doesn't terrify me as much as some Trump picks - and more that I see a future ahead where everyone is picking up rifles and I am, perhaps desperately, perhaps futilely, trying to stave it off.
Honest framing: 'If only they had accepted everything we forced on them without fighting back. They made us do this.'
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:33 PM on April 3, 2017 [36 favorites]
Honest framing: 'If only they had accepted everything we forced on them without fighting back. They made us do this.'
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:33 PM on April 3, 2017 [36 favorites]
This may sound alarmist, but the idea that Democrats and Republicans could come together to form a government united against fascism, insulating America against it and then returning to their corners once the fascism threat is over, is comforting, because it would mean civil society isn't fundamentally and terribly broken, such that war is the inevitable result.
Nobody is going to unite with the fascists "against" fascism. That's called surrendering, and the Democrats are dumb but they are not that fucking dumb. We hope.
posted by Artw at 4:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Nobody is going to unite with the fascists "against" fascism. That's called surrendering, and the Democrats are dumb but they are not that fucking dumb. We hope.
posted by Artw at 4:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Mod note: Couple comments deleted. As ever, this needs to not be about corb -- let's move on please. If there's nothing to talk about in here but angrily/apocalyptically spinning our wheels, consider going to some other thread or even to do something else entirely.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump just signed the repeal of internet privacy rules. Will be interesting to see what happens when /r/the_donald finds out.
posted by zachlipton at 4:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
There's only one thing you need to know to understand this situation: (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Let's say you're at a Monopoly tournament and one player, Mitch McConnell, flips over the table every time he's losing. Due to some terrible quick in the way the Founding Fathers wrote the rules of Monopoly, if you flip the table, the game starts over and maybe McConnell can win that game. You, the tournament organizer, have to decide what to do about it, but unfortunately you can't change the rules of the game. What do you do?
Is the correct answer to keep playing, and award McConnell the first place trophy? No.
Is the correct answer to compromise, and award McConnell the second place trophy if he promises to not flip the table in the next tournament? No.
Is the correct answer to ban Mitch McConnell from all tournaments because he just keeps doing this? Yes.
If Republicans are winning, hey, civil discourse, up-or-down votes, compromise, elections matter, and Democrats play along because they think this will help the next time, but it doesn't. If Republicans are losing, fuck you, (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
So now the Republicans are losing, and their answer is again to flip the table. Everyone needs to simply vote them out of office. This bullshit prevaricating about how one time Democrats nudged the table and how maybe the founding fathers wanted the table to be flipped is just enabling Republicans to play by the rules when it's convenient and shit all over norms when it's not. We don't have a functioning two-party system if one side is willing to play nuclear war with the rules and the other side isn't.
posted by 0xFCAF at 4:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [174 favorites]
Let's say you're at a Monopoly tournament and one player, Mitch McConnell, flips over the table every time he's losing. Due to some terrible quick in the way the Founding Fathers wrote the rules of Monopoly, if you flip the table, the game starts over and maybe McConnell can win that game. You, the tournament organizer, have to decide what to do about it, but unfortunately you can't change the rules of the game. What do you do?
Is the correct answer to keep playing, and award McConnell the first place trophy? No.
Is the correct answer to compromise, and award McConnell the second place trophy if he promises to not flip the table in the next tournament? No.
Is the correct answer to ban Mitch McConnell from all tournaments because he just keeps doing this? Yes.
If Republicans are winning, hey, civil discourse, up-or-down votes, compromise, elections matter, and Democrats play along because they think this will help the next time, but it doesn't. If Republicans are losing, fuck you, (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
So now the Republicans are losing, and their answer is again to flip the table. Everyone needs to simply vote them out of office. This bullshit prevaricating about how one time Democrats nudged the table and how maybe the founding fathers wanted the table to be flipped is just enabling Republicans to play by the rules when it's convenient and shit all over norms when it's not. We don't have a functioning two-party system if one side is willing to play nuclear war with the rules and the other side isn't.
posted by 0xFCAF at 4:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [174 favorites]
I wish Metafilter had gifs so that I could put a giant THIS gif pointing to the above comment.
It would be one thing if Democrats were in the minority in the country, or if they had minority positions, but they don't. The GOP is a fringe whackadoo party with extreme policies and ideology completely out of step with most Americans. That's why the only way they can win is to cheat. On a level playing field they get smoked. We don't need to work with Republicans. We don't need to compromise on anything. We don't need to keep playing by their rigged rules in their rigged game. We just have to grit our teeth and get rid of them. That is the only viable strategy.
posted by supercrayon at 5:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [55 favorites]
It would be one thing if Democrats were in the minority in the country, or if they had minority positions, but they don't. The GOP is a fringe whackadoo party with extreme policies and ideology completely out of step with most Americans. That's why the only way they can win is to cheat. On a level playing field they get smoked. We don't need to work with Republicans. We don't need to compromise on anything. We don't need to keep playing by their rigged rules in their rigged game. We just have to grit our teeth and get rid of them. That is the only viable strategy.
posted by supercrayon at 5:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [55 favorites]
Okay. That's probably fair.
How?
The question's important, because the system is sufficiently rigged right now (thanks, gerrymandering!) that a lot of these guys have safe seats, and are in no danger of being primaried out for folks who will, y'know, actually color inside the lines of civil society.
So the question of "How, precisely do you suggest getting rid of them?" is a very, very good one.
I'm keen to hear it. I'm living in a deeply red district of a deeply blue state, so I'm really, really keen to hear it.
posted by Archelaus at 5:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
How?
The question's important, because the system is sufficiently rigged right now (thanks, gerrymandering!) that a lot of these guys have safe seats, and are in no danger of being primaried out for folks who will, y'know, actually color inside the lines of civil society.
So the question of "How, precisely do you suggest getting rid of them?" is a very, very good one.
I'm keen to hear it. I'm living in a deeply red district of a deeply blue state, so I'm really, really keen to hear it.
posted by Archelaus at 5:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump just signed the repeal of internet privacy rules. Will be interesting to see what happens when /r/the_donald finds out.
Congrats, dumbos. You played yourself!
posted by Justinian at 5:07 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Congrats, dumbos. You played yourself!
posted by Justinian at 5:07 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oh look, it's Brave McCain!
McCain, in remarks to reporters, said he had "no choice" but to go along with a change in rules ending a tradition of 60 votes in the 100-member Senate needed to advance Supreme Court nominees to a final vote. He said he would support the rule change "because we need to confirm Gorsuch."
In the past, McCain has strongly opposed such a change.
What a spine he has.
posted by Artw at 5:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [88 favorites]
McCain, in remarks to reporters, said he had "no choice" but to go along with a change in rules ending a tradition of 60 votes in the 100-member Senate needed to advance Supreme Court nominees to a final vote. He said he would support the rule change "because we need to confirm Gorsuch."
In the past, McCain has strongly opposed such a change.
What a spine he has.
posted by Artw at 5:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [88 favorites]
If I knew how to get Democrats elected I'd make it my full-time job instead of cooking up weird analogies on MetaFilter.
posted by 0xFCAF at 5:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by 0xFCAF at 5:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
A concerted effort to get everyone to turn up for the midterms will be a good start to it.
posted by Artw at 5:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Artw at 5:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Mod note: A bunch of comments deleted; reload to be sure you're not replying to something already deleted, or take the shortcut of just dropping the corb-specific responses.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 5:18 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 5:18 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
There is no suggestion that Trump initiated this personally, or that it is part of Trump's employees' regular duties, and yet ...
Activist 'upset' that Trump staff secretly photographed her urinating
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Activist 'upset' that Trump staff secretly photographed her urinating
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:28 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Particularly frustrating since he just won reelection, so it's not at though he should be worrying about his seat; and because he could so easily have justified voting against cloture on the grounds of tradition and procedure. This is very much the opposite of 'having no choice.'
Also he's a millionaire in his 80s who could do almost anything else he wanted if he did lose an election. He never had any principles, certainly not that he would have sacrificed anything for.
posted by Copronymus at 5:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Also he's a millionaire in his 80s who could do almost anything else he wanted if he did lose an election. He never had any principles, certainly not that he would have sacrificed anything for.
posted by Copronymus at 5:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Bahahahhaa. Arab News discontinues Andrew Bowen’s column
posted by zachlipton at 5:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [122 favorites]
Arab News regrettably announces that it will discontinue publishing articles by US columnist Andrew Bowen.This is incredible.
The reason behind this decision is the columnist insisting that this newspaper deletes previous articles dating back prior to the recent US election where he was in favor of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Bowen, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, has repeatedly requested the removal of these articles stating that this is needed for him “to be cleared” for what he claims to be a possible job with the new Donald Trump administration’s State Department.
...
We wish Mr. Bowen the best of luck in his job application. Here is a link to Mr Bowen's complete Arab News archive
posted by zachlipton at 5:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [122 favorites]
Menendez (D-NJ) just posted this on Facebook: NO on Gorsuch, NO on cloture. Took ya long enough, Bob.
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
posted by rachaelfaith at 5:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
Arab News regrettably announces
At first I was like "don't they mean 'regretfully?' But really it could be either in this case.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
At first I was like "don't they mean 'regretfully?' But really it could be either in this case.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
WOOHOO thanks Menendez! I'd like to think my call today (after a full voicemail box this morning and a few busy signals this afternoon) helped.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:46 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
We wish Mr. Bowen the best of luck in his job application. Here is a link to Mr Bowen's complete Arab News archive
Burn!
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Burn!
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 5:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Arab News' statement is pretty terrifying IMO. I mean, Bowen's fear of retaliation probably isn't unjustified. We should keep our eyes open for other journalists looking for jobs in the Trumphouse, and see what sort of things they try to hide.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
The quisling fuck can go jump in the sea, IMHO. No good person tries to work with the Trumphouse.
posted by Artw at 6:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:04 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Trump Administration Just Cut All Funding For The UN's Family Planning Agency
Last year, the US was UNFPA's third-largest donor, contributing $75 million to its operations, according to the agency.
posted by futz at 6:07 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Last year, the US was UNFPA's third-largest donor, contributing $75 million to its operations, according to the agency.
posted by futz at 6:07 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
The quisling fuck can go jump in the sea, IMHO. No good person tries to work with the Trumphouse.
Oh, I'm not worried about Bowen losing the promise of a job - and after briefly skimming his articles, his loss of the editorial page won't be a great loss to journalism either - but the fact that he has reason to worry is a very bad thing.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:07 PM on April 3, 2017
Oh, I'm not worried about Bowen losing the promise of a job - and after briefly skimming his articles, his loss of the editorial page won't be a great loss to journalism either - but the fact that he has reason to worry is a very bad thing.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:07 PM on April 3, 2017
Well, sure... filtering for pro-Trumpness is probably their top priority in hiring, and lets face it probably the only one - they happily hire Nazis and Russian spies by the truckload. But we knew all this already.
posted by Artw at 6:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 6:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
From his own article:
"Donald Trump has done more than any other presidential candidate in modern US political history to whip up xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments in the US. His speeches and his image abroad have been used repeatedly in Daesh recruiting videos. He has become the poster child for some far-right nationalists movements. Trump has shown repeatedly a frank disregard for human decency and civility."
And now he wants a job from him...
posted by thefoxgod at 6:13 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
"Donald Trump has done more than any other presidential candidate in modern US political history to whip up xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments in the US. His speeches and his image abroad have been used repeatedly in Daesh recruiting videos. He has become the poster child for some far-right nationalists movements. Trump has shown repeatedly a frank disregard for human decency and civility."
And now he wants a job from him...
posted by thefoxgod at 6:13 PM on April 3, 2017 [27 favorites]
but the fact that he has reason to worry is a very bad thing.
I read it. What does he have to worry about? I am confused.
posted by futz at 6:14 PM on April 3, 2017
I read it. What does he have to worry about? I am confused.
posted by futz at 6:14 PM on April 3, 2017
He has to worry about not getting a job! Won't someone please think of the quislings?
posted by Justinian at 6:17 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:17 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Arab News' statement is pretty terrifying IMO. I mean, Bowen's fear of retaliation probably isn't unjustified. We should keep our eyes open for other journalists looking for jobs in the Trumphouse, and see what sort of things they try to hide.
retaliation? come on, he's some wingnut welfare case looking to hop aboard the Trump admin graft gravy train. he's a journalist in the same sense that any bow tie dipshit with a column at the National Review is a journalist. this is 100% hilarious.
posted by indubitable at 6:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
retaliation? come on, he's some wingnut welfare case looking to hop aboard the Trump admin graft gravy train. he's a journalist in the same sense that any bow tie dipshit with a column at the National Review is a journalist. this is 100% hilarious.
posted by indubitable at 6:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump: "Black people: what do you have to lose?"
Answer: Sessions orders Justice Department to review all police reform agreements
posted by theodolite at 6:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [49 favorites]
Answer: Sessions orders Justice Department to review all police reform agreements
posted by theodolite at 6:30 PM on April 3, 2017 [49 favorites]
He's a total dumbass too if he thinks his articles will just disappear from the internet once Arab News deletes them.
posted by futz at 6:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by futz at 6:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
There isn't a "except the failed ones" in "all collaborators need to go die in a ditch".
posted by Artw at 6:31 PM on April 3, 2017
posted by Artw at 6:31 PM on April 3, 2017
Monday GA-06 update:
Day 6 of in-person early voting in GA-6 is D 53, R 29 Over all, D 54, R 29 with 9639 ballots accepted. In-person voting was weaker todayposted by Chrysostom at 6:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [11 favorites]
The overall trend looks straight, but that's because absentee returns were up (mail over weekend) by same amount as IP was down
Fuuuuck these people (from the Washington Post article above): The attorney general and the new leadership in the department are actively developing strategies to support the thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country that seek to prevent crime and protect the public,” Justice officials said in their filing. “The department is working to ensure that those initiatives effectively dovetail with robust enforcement of federal laws designed to preserve and protect civil rights.”
Baltimore's consent decree was entered into because of a disgusting amount of racism and abuse. And they are just going to throw it out.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Baltimore's consent decree was entered into because of a disgusting amount of racism and abuse. And they are just going to throw it out.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:36 PM on April 3, 2017 [15 favorites]
Monday GA-06 update:
Is this still too early to be meaningful?
posted by Artw at 6:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is this still too early to be meaningful?
posted by Artw at 6:40 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Remember, blue lives are the ones that matter.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:41 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pence presents new healthcare offer to Freedom Caucus
posted by futz at 6:42 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by futz at 6:42 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
From futz's link:
posted by schadenfrau at 6:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials presented an idea to the Freedom Caucus meeting to allow states to choose to apply for waivers to repeal two ObamaCare regulations that conservatives argue are driving up premiums.So...an even more unpopular bill that would be even more dead on arrival.
Those two regulations detail ObamaCare's essential health benefits, which mandate which health services insurers must cover, and "community rating," which prevents insurers from charging sick people higher premiums.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Artw - maybe? Cohn had some earlier discussion that he thought it might be getting indicative, but special elections are unpredictable.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:46 PM on April 3, 2017
posted by Chrysostom at 6:46 PM on April 3, 2017
Answer: Sessions orders Justice Department to review all police reform agreements
God I hope we get Sessions in the Russia probe. That klanfucker.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
God I hope we get Sessions in the Russia probe. That klanfucker.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [26 favorites]
For what shall it profit a Trump, if he gain the whole Freedom Caucus but lose the House moderates and the Senate?
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:47 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
I read "neonazis" in a You Can't Tip a Buick comment up there as "neponazis," and I was like, that's a good neologism for hiring only your Nazi buddies/relatives! Then I was all, eh, what's the difference in this timeline?
posted by thebrokedown at 6:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 6:49 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
Is the GA-6 election affected by Trafficmageddon?
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:54 PM on April 3, 2017
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:54 PM on April 3, 2017
Activist 'upset' that Trump staff secretly photographed her urinating
Well, that explains this tweet:
Well, that explains this tweet:
The real story turns out to be SURVEILLANCE and LEAKING! Find the leakers.posted by peeedro at 6:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [28 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump 6:34 AM - 2 Apr 2017
Has no one commented on this yet?
@realDonaldTrump: It was an honor to welcome President Al Sisi of Egypt to the @WhiteHouse as we renew the historic partnership between the U.S. and Egypt.
... Al Sisi?
posted by jammer at 7:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: It was an honor to welcome President Al Sisi of Egypt to the @WhiteHouse as we renew the historic partnership between the U.S. and Egypt.
... Al Sisi?
posted by jammer at 7:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
Eponysterical, peeedro.
posted by The otter lady at 7:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 7:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [8 favorites]
Hungarians Take to the Streets to Support Soros’s University
--Hungarians took to the streets to protest for academic freedom and against government legislation that a university funded by George Soros said is aimed at shutting it down.
-- Thousands of Hungarians participated in the march on Sunday, Index news website reported.
-- [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban] Orban, a frequent critic of Soros and his focus on funding organizations promoting human rights and government transparency, has pledged to eradicate liberal democracy in the European Union member state.
I wonder if Orban is pals with Gorka?
posted by futz at 7:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
--Hungarians took to the streets to protest for academic freedom and against government legislation that a university funded by George Soros said is aimed at shutting it down.
-- Thousands of Hungarians participated in the march on Sunday, Index news website reported.
-- [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban] Orban, a frequent critic of Soros and his focus on funding organizations promoting human rights and government transparency, has pledged to eradicate liberal democracy in the European Union member state.
I wonder if Orban is pals with Gorka?
posted by futz at 7:16 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Sen. Blumenthal suggests that the looming specter of impeachment is a justification for the Gorsuch filibuster.
posted by murphy slaw at 7:19 PM on April 3, 2017 [42 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 7:19 PM on April 3, 2017 [42 favorites]
Protesters Unfurled An "Impeach Trump" Banner At The Nationals' Baseball Season Opener
This is the game that trump declined to throw out the traditional first pitch. Holding a baseball would have emphasized how small his hands actually are.
posted by futz at 7:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [39 favorites]
This is the game that trump declined to throw out the traditional first pitch. Holding a baseball would have emphasized how small his hands actually are.
posted by futz at 7:45 PM on April 3, 2017 [39 favorites]
In wake of the Blackwater story, someone on reddit noticed that not only does this call back into question the relevance of the Alfa Bank - Spectrum Health pings/traffic going through a Trump owned server, but those pings began the day after Bannon was brought onto the Trump team. Which was also right when Bannon stepped down from the board of Cambridge Analytica, whose main funding came from the Mercer PAC, of which Erik Prince was a top donor.
Total clusterfuck of shady billionaires, but I hope the Senate Committee and Intelligence Community are serious about unraveling this mess.
posted by p3t3 at 7:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [48 favorites]
Total clusterfuck of shady billionaires, but I hope the Senate Committee and Intelligence Community are serious about unraveling this mess.
posted by p3t3 at 7:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [48 favorites]
... Al Sisi?
Trump is dumb
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump is dumb
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Given recent developments I wonder if there are more nefarious reasons for letting him go early.
Banker who worked as Russian secret agent to be released early, deported
-- Buryakov worked at the New York office of Vnesheconombank, a Russian government-owned bank, before he was arrested in January 2014 and accused of being part of a spy ring that collected intelligence for the S.V.R., Russia’s foreign intelligence agency. Buryakov and two Russians with diplomatic immunity were recorded by the FBI allegedly conspiring to gather economic intelligence and recruit sources in New York City.
-- Vnesheconombank made headlines earlier this week when it confirmed to Reuters that in 2016 its representatives met with then candidate Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner
-- Buryakov has been incarcerated for about 26 months. Originally, July 27 was scheduled to be his date of release from the low-security Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton, Ohio.
Bye Bye Evgeny Buryakov. Watch your back, front, and orifices.
posted by futz at 8:23 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Banker who worked as Russian secret agent to be released early, deported
-- Buryakov worked at the New York office of Vnesheconombank, a Russian government-owned bank, before he was arrested in January 2014 and accused of being part of a spy ring that collected intelligence for the S.V.R., Russia’s foreign intelligence agency. Buryakov and two Russians with diplomatic immunity were recorded by the FBI allegedly conspiring to gather economic intelligence and recruit sources in New York City.
-- Vnesheconombank made headlines earlier this week when it confirmed to Reuters that in 2016 its representatives met with then candidate Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner
-- Buryakov has been incarcerated for about 26 months. Originally, July 27 was scheduled to be his date of release from the low-security Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton, Ohio.
Bye Bye Evgeny Buryakov. Watch your back, front, and orifices.
posted by futz at 8:23 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
"Al Sisi" is fine. Just a transliteration thing. Maybe not the most common one, but it still works.
(Arabic has "sun" letters and "moon" letters, with the alphabet divided about in half. The sun letters make the L sound in "al/the" go away and blend into the first letter of the noun. Al Sisi or el-Sisi or whatever sounds like as-sisi. They're called sun letters because the word for "sun" starts with the letter "sheen," which sounds like "sh." The sun = Ash-shams.)
posted by lauranesson at 8:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
(Arabic has "sun" letters and "moon" letters, with the alphabet divided about in half. The sun letters make the L sound in "al/the" go away and blend into the first letter of the noun. Al Sisi or el-Sisi or whatever sounds like as-sisi. They're called sun letters because the word for "sun" starts with the letter "sheen," which sounds like "sh." The sun = Ash-shams.)
posted by lauranesson at 8:24 PM on April 3, 2017 [20 favorites]
Trump will just call him Al.
posted by JackFlash at 8:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by JackFlash at 8:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [16 favorites]
Now that is super plausible.
posted by lauranesson at 8:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by lauranesson at 8:27 PM on April 3, 2017 [4 favorites]
At Kushners’ Flagship Building, Mounting Debt and a Foundered Deal
Good thing this guy is now in charge of the whole country. @dandrezner on Trump's 'secretary of everything': "This is insane... his one qualification is that he married well"
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:34 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Good thing this guy is now in charge of the whole country. @dandrezner on Trump's 'secretary of everything': "This is insane... his one qualification is that he married well"
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:34 PM on April 3, 2017 [14 favorites]
Trump will just call him Al.
Maybe, el-Sisi will call him Betty.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:34 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
Maybe, el-Sisi will call him Betty.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:34 PM on April 3, 2017 [22 favorites]
Trump will just call him Al.
In which case I hope he calls Trump "Betty."
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
In which case I hope he calls Trump "Betty."
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:35 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
As a Hungarian political leader in 2007, Sebastian Gorka, President Trump’s chief counter-terrorism adviser, publicly supported a violent racist and anti-Semitic paramilitary militia that was later banned as a threat to minorities by multiple court rulings.
I wonder when Kushner ever reflects on the company he is keeping, and what that might mean to his divinity.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 8:45 PM on April 3, 2017
I wonder when Kushner ever reflects on the company he is keeping, and what that might mean to his divinity.
posted by lesbiassparrow at 8:45 PM on April 3, 2017
How to Lose a Majority
If you look back at the last four midterm elections where the party in the White House lost control of one or both houses of Congress, you see that they share the following traits in common: the president has approval ratings among his own partisans under 85 percent and approval ratings among independents in the 30’s or low 40s.posted by chris24 at 8:52 PM on April 3, 2017 [13 favorites]
For example, in November 2006, President George W. Bush’s job approval ratings among his own party were 81 percent. Just 31 percent of independents gave him a positive job rating. His party lost 30 House seats – and control of the House. Four years earlier, in the 2002 midterms, Bush’s job approval ratings among Republicans were a robust 91 percent and among independents they were at 63 percent. His party picked up eight seats in the House that year. We are less than 75 days into the Trump Administration and the president is flirting very close to the danger zone territory. The most recent Gallup survey put his approval ratings with Republicans at 85 percent, but he’s sitting at just 33 percent with independents. If he drops a few points among GOPers, Trump’s ratings today would look exactly like those of President Bush right before his party was routed in 2006.
Banker who worked as Russian secret agent to be released early, deported
Oh! And Evgeny Buryakov is directly connected to Carter Page per a story that dropped today and is linked above.
Report: Former Trump Adviser Met With And Passed Docs To Russian Spy In 2013
Page confirmed to BuzzFeed that he is the person identified as "Male-1" in a court filing by the U.S. government which contains a transcript of Podobnyy and a colleague, Igor Sporyshev, discussing the possible recruitment of "Male-1."
According to the filing, Page provided Podobnyy with documents "about the energy business."
Podobnyy and Sporyshev were charged in 2015 with aiding and abetting a colleague, Evgeny Buryakov, who was charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The three men were also charged with conspiracy.
From BuzzFeed's reporting: A Former Trump Adviser Met With A Russian Spy
After federal investigators were looking into the ring, focusing on Podobnyy, Sporyshev, as well as a third man, Evgeny Buryakov, Page was interviewed by FBI counterintelligence agent Gregory Monaghan and another unnamed FBI agent in June 2013, the filing reads.
Podobnyy and Sporyshev were charged in absentia — working under official cover positions, they were afforded diplomatic immunity and were whisked out of the country. Buryakov, who worked under unofficial cover as an employee of state-controlled Vnesheconombank in Manhattan, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to act as a foreign agent. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and was due to have been released from a federal prison in Elkton, Ohio, on Saturday, and returned to Moscow.
There is so much crossover and it is piling up.
posted by futz at 8:52 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Oh! And Evgeny Buryakov is directly connected to Carter Page per a story that dropped today and is linked above.
Report: Former Trump Adviser Met With And Passed Docs To Russian Spy In 2013
Page confirmed to BuzzFeed that he is the person identified as "Male-1" in a court filing by the U.S. government which contains a transcript of Podobnyy and a colleague, Igor Sporyshev, discussing the possible recruitment of "Male-1."
According to the filing, Page provided Podobnyy with documents "about the energy business."
Podobnyy and Sporyshev were charged in 2015 with aiding and abetting a colleague, Evgeny Buryakov, who was charged with acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The three men were also charged with conspiracy.
From BuzzFeed's reporting: A Former Trump Adviser Met With A Russian Spy
After federal investigators were looking into the ring, focusing on Podobnyy, Sporyshev, as well as a third man, Evgeny Buryakov, Page was interviewed by FBI counterintelligence agent Gregory Monaghan and another unnamed FBI agent in June 2013, the filing reads.
Podobnyy and Sporyshev were charged in absentia — working under official cover positions, they were afforded diplomatic immunity and were whisked out of the country. Buryakov, who worked under unofficial cover as an employee of state-controlled Vnesheconombank in Manhattan, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to act as a foreign agent. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison and was due to have been released from a federal prison in Elkton, Ohio, on Saturday, and returned to Moscow.
There is so much crossover and it is piling up.
posted by futz at 8:52 PM on April 3, 2017 [19 favorites]
Given recent developments I wonder if there are more nefarious reasons for letting him go early.
Banker who worked as Russian secret agent to be released early, deported
That Buryakov spy ring is the same one that we just learned Carter Page got involved in. I really hope the FBI can get a good long chat in before the deportation. Really, really sketchy timing.
I've mentioned this before but it keeps being relevant despite all my expectations: two months ago I saw a random Reddit comment hinting at a NY spy group being involved in this big Trump/Russia mess, but they were being tight lipped about details. I asked if it was the Buryakov group in a DM and got this reply. Which could totally still be someone BSing! I mean there were like two NYC Russian spy rings widely reported in the news the past decade, pick one and make a mysterious implication for an upvote, sure. Still, weird, because now all this news comes out relating back to it.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Banker who worked as Russian secret agent to be released early, deported
That Buryakov spy ring is the same one that we just learned Carter Page got involved in. I really hope the FBI can get a good long chat in before the deportation. Really, really sketchy timing.
I've mentioned this before but it keeps being relevant despite all my expectations: two months ago I saw a random Reddit comment hinting at a NY spy group being involved in this big Trump/Russia mess, but they were being tight lipped about details. I asked if it was the Buryakov group in a DM and got this reply. Which could totally still be someone BSing! I mean there were like two NYC Russian spy rings widely reported in the news the past decade, pick one and make a mysterious implication for an upvote, sure. Still, weird, because now all this news comes out relating back to it.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Or, what futz said!
I'd also like to add that the courtroom sketch of Buryakov is some next level imagery for this insane Bond movie we're living in, that black shirt with red piping and mischievous look over the shoulder... I feel like he should be fighting the Winter Soldier.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd also like to add that the courtroom sketch of Buryakov is some next level imagery for this insane Bond movie we're living in, that black shirt with red piping and mischievous look over the shoulder... I feel like he should be fighting the Winter Soldier.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Trump is dumb
Remember back when dumb used to mean too ineffectual to use the to leave a press briefing through the correct door? Those were good times.
posted by pwnguin at 8:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Remember back when dumb used to mean too ineffectual to use the to leave a press briefing through the correct door? Those were good times.
posted by pwnguin at 8:57 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Bush standing confused next to an ornate Chinese door is like Rodin's The Thinker compared to Trump
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:59 PM on April 3, 2017 [36 favorites]
The most recent Gallup survey put his approval ratings with Republicans at 85 percent
Hope is a scam.
posted by juiceCake at 9:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hope is a scam.
posted by juiceCake at 9:00 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
I didn't check the date on that Buryakov early release story, it sounds like he was released already. The story's from 3/31 and said he'd be released into ICE custody Saturday.
ICE being involved makes me think this is a slim chance, but - maybe that Page/Podobnyy story being out now and Buryakov's release are related, the guy could've spilled to the FBI on Team Trump for an early release.
Also, for your sock puppet account consideration: Podobnyy's Nerfect
posted by jason_steakums at 9:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
ICE being involved makes me think this is a slim chance, but - maybe that Page/Podobnyy story being out now and Buryakov's release are related, the guy could've spilled to the FBI on Team Trump for an early release.
Also, for your sock puppet account consideration: Podobnyy's Nerfect
posted by jason_steakums at 9:08 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
More shady dealings with Turkey: Legal Team That Includes Giuliani Pushes for Deal, Just Not With Prosecutors
Mr. Giuliani, who is close to President Trump, and Mr. Mukasey were retained by Mr. Zarrab to try to negotiate a resolution to the charges, but in an unusual departure from the way almost all criminal cases are conducted, the talks have not been with the United States attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting Mr. Zarrab.
Instead, Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Mukasey have sought to meet with Trump administration officials — over the prosecutors — to discuss a potential resolution of the case, according to new court filings on Friday. The two men have also traveled to Turkey to meet with Mr. Erdogan to discuss how such a disposition might be reached — a trip that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was told about, the new filings indicate.
posted by Dr. Send at 9:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
Mr. Giuliani, who is close to President Trump, and Mr. Mukasey were retained by Mr. Zarrab to try to negotiate a resolution to the charges, but in an unusual departure from the way almost all criminal cases are conducted, the talks have not been with the United States attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting Mr. Zarrab.
Instead, Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Mukasey have sought to meet with Trump administration officials — over the prosecutors — to discuss a potential resolution of the case, according to new court filings on Friday. The two men have also traveled to Turkey to meet with Mr. Erdogan to discuss how such a disposition might be reached — a trip that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was told about, the new filings indicate.
posted by Dr. Send at 9:11 PM on April 3, 2017 [12 favorites]
I wonder when Kushner ever reflects on the company he is keeping, and what that might mean to his divinity.
Judaism talks about justice, charity, humility and so forth; "don't hang around with people that hate Jews" isn't so much a religious adage as something that should be intuitive. So while support of the Trumpinistration itself is evidently contrary to Jewish values, acquiescence to Gorka's participation is just further evidence of a fundamental amorality at the highest levels. This is something that astonishes me across the board, by the way: the fact that so many religious people approve of Trump. They're not just happy that he's President; they actually seem to think highly of the man himself. I can't understand it.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [21 favorites]
Judaism talks about justice, charity, humility and so forth; "don't hang around with people that hate Jews" isn't so much a religious adage as something that should be intuitive. So while support of the Trumpinistration itself is evidently contrary to Jewish values, acquiescence to Gorka's participation is just further evidence of a fundamental amorality at the highest levels. This is something that astonishes me across the board, by the way: the fact that so many religious people approve of Trump. They're not just happy that he's President; they actually seem to think highly of the man himself. I can't understand it.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [21 favorites]
I mean, REALLY. When it is obvious (to me) that he's never really given "religion" a moment's thought in his life. It just isn't a consideration for him or the people he pals around with. "Muslim" and "Christian" are names for various groups of people one has to figure out just long enough to use. Divinity, Mercy, Grace, Contemplation, Self-examination. These concepts are not comprehendable to this man. Yet, the people who ostensibly live each day in consideration of them look to him as some sort of ideal. It truly fucking boggles.
posted by thebrokedown at 9:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 9:31 PM on April 3, 2017 [7 favorites]
Modern rightwing Christianity is nothing but a cover and excuse for white supremacy, misogyny and bigotry. Oh and greed.
posted by chris24 at 9:38 PM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 9:38 PM on April 3, 2017 [29 favorites]
Did some googling just to make sense of this Ann Marlowe tweet, but if her info is correct, this puts a single London address as belonging to both Vincent Tchenguiz, the former largest shareholder of SCL Group (the parent group of Cambridge Analytica), and Mikhail Fridman, the Russian co-founder of Alfa-Bank.
posted by p3t3 at 9:50 PM on April 3, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by p3t3 at 9:50 PM on April 3, 2017 [21 favorites]
Advertisers Pull Commercials From "The O'Reilly Factor" Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations
Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai said they are reassigning their commercials due to the "disturbing" allegations against the Fox News host.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [34 favorites]
Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai said they are reassigning their commercials due to the "disturbing" allegations against the Fox News host.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:53 PM on April 3, 2017 [34 favorites]
I mean, if these advertisers just shifting their ads to other shows on Fox News, they're still supporting the network that paid out numerous settlements, covered it up, and renewed O'Reilly's contract with full knowledge of the situation.
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 PM on April 3, 2017 [9 favorites]
Or, you know, if Hyundai valued "inclusion and diversity" before today, maybe they wouldn't have advertised on a pretty darn overt racist guy's show?
posted by zachlipton at 10:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:02 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
The attorney general and the new leadership in the department are actively developing strategies to support the thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country that seek to prevent crime and protect the public,
No-one is surprised that a known perjurer and racist like sessions lies, but really, "prevent crime and protect the public" *literally* isn't their job.
GRIESHABER v. CITY OF ALBANY
posted by mikelieman at 11:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
No-one is surprised that a known perjurer and racist like sessions lies, but really, "prevent crime and protect the public" *literally* isn't their job.
GRIESHABER v. CITY OF ALBANY
This action arises out of the tragic death of Jenna Grieshaber Honis (hereinafter decedent), who was murdered in her basement apartment in the City of Albany on the evening of November 6, 1997. The theory of the complaint is that defendant was negligent in its response to an emergency 911 telephone call that decedent made at 6:47 P.M. on that day. Although police officers arrived at decedent's apartment building at 6:52 P.M., they awaited the arrival of an animal control officer to subdue decedent's dog. As a result, they did not actually enter decedent's apartment until approximately 7:45 P.M., at which time they found her lying on the floor with a bedpost of a heavy wooden bed resting on her neck. Decedent was ultimately transported to a nearby hospital emergency room, where she was pronounced dead at 8:31 P.M. The autopsy report indicates that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to compression of decedent's neck.tl:dr; Cops aren't responsible even for your safety even after 911 tells you they're on the way.
posted by mikelieman at 11:05 PM on April 3, 2017 [10 favorites]
Those two regulations detail ObamaCare's essential health benefits, which mandate which health services insurers must cover, and "community rating," which prevents insurers from charging sick people higher premiums.
Is it me, or do these people literally not know what the word "Insurance" means?
posted by mikelieman at 11:09 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
Is it me, or do these people literally not know what the word "Insurance" means?
posted by mikelieman at 11:09 PM on April 3, 2017 [6 favorites]
De-Derping the 'Un-Masking' Story
A Former Trump Adviser Met With A Russian Spy
I'm surprised no one has noted the connection between these stories. The incidental collection was these Russian spies talking about Carter Page, and him actually calling one their tapped phones. The unmasking was crucial IMHO because there was a friggin spy in the Trump campaign, and intelligence officials kind of need to know who it was. If Carter Page was the only one, that actually was a big help to the Trumps crew because it let people know it was an ex-official and not a current one who was PASSING DOCUMENTS TO RUSSIAN SPIES.
posted by msalt at 11:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
A Former Trump Adviser Met With A Russian Spy
I'm surprised no one has noted the connection between these stories. The incidental collection was these Russian spies talking about Carter Page, and him actually calling one their tapped phones. The unmasking was crucial IMHO because there was a friggin spy in the Trump campaign, and intelligence officials kind of need to know who it was. If Carter Page was the only one, that actually was a big help to the Trumps crew because it let people know it was an ex-official and not a current one who was PASSING DOCUMENTS TO RUSSIAN SPIES.
posted by msalt at 11:10 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]
Lawyer who highlighted Hillary Clinton’s role in defending rape suspect tapped for key federal civil rights post
Yes, you read that correctly.
-- Candice E. Jackson, who aided Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign by highlighting Hillary Clinton’s role in defending a man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl, has been tapped for a key civil rights position at the Education Department, according to her alma mater.
-- If the report is true, she would temporarily be in charge of the office responsible for enforcing the nation’s civil rights laws in schools, including their handling of campus sexual assault. She also has been hired as deputy assistant secretary for civil rights, according to the university report.
-- Jackson is the author of the 2005 book “Their Lives: Women Targeted by the Clinton Machine,” which detailed the stories of women such as Paula Jones, Gennifer Flowers, Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick, who said their lives had been upended and their reputations ruined after crossing paths with former president Bill Clinton.
posted by futz at 11:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
Yes, you read that correctly.
-- Candice E. Jackson, who aided Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign by highlighting Hillary Clinton’s role in defending a man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl, has been tapped for a key civil rights position at the Education Department, according to her alma mater.
-- If the report is true, she would temporarily be in charge of the office responsible for enforcing the nation’s civil rights laws in schools, including their handling of campus sexual assault. She also has been hired as deputy assistant secretary for civil rights, according to the university report.
-- Jackson is the author of the 2005 book “Their Lives: Women Targeted by the Clinton Machine,” which detailed the stories of women such as Paula Jones, Gennifer Flowers, Kathleen Willey and Juanita Broaddrick, who said their lives had been upended and their reputations ruined after crossing paths with former president Bill Clinton.
posted by futz at 11:14 PM on April 3, 2017 [17 favorites]
I'm surprised no one has noted the connection between these stories. The incidental collection was these Russian spies talking about Carter Page, and him actually calling one their tapped phones.
This is mentioned in a few of the articles linked in this thread and also mentioned in a couple of comments.
posted by futz at 11:18 PM on April 3, 2017
This is mentioned in a few of the articles linked in this thread and also mentioned in a couple of comments.
posted by futz at 11:18 PM on April 3, 2017
There is an opening for dems to speak to these people, or there is one coming soon.
I'm a progressive, liberal democrat for whatever that means, and I think all need to do is -- and this only needs to be at the national level -- take guns off the table. Not necessarily capitulation, but a clear platform of "States Rights" gets it off the national stage and -- I think -- takes away one of the GOP's Big Bogeymen.
Democrat messaging, "We don't give a damn about what your State does guns. Now, have you heard about universal coverage, single payer with no change to your take-home, since we just use the money going to your insurance company -- FOR YOUR CARE INSTEAD."
Oh, and a pony. purple.
posted by mikelieman at 11:44 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
I'm a progressive, liberal democrat for whatever that means, and I think all need to do is -- and this only needs to be at the national level -- take guns off the table. Not necessarily capitulation, but a clear platform of "States Rights" gets it off the national stage and -- I think -- takes away one of the GOP's Big Bogeymen.
Democrat messaging, "We don't give a damn about what your State does guns. Now, have you heard about universal coverage, single payer with no change to your take-home, since we just use the money going to your insurance company -- FOR YOUR CARE INSTEAD."
Oh, and a pony. purple.
posted by mikelieman at 11:44 PM on April 3, 2017 [23 favorites]
am currently in a very rural part of the Ozarks...,
Hey spitbull,
If you ever start a sideline business as Speaker to Urban Liberals, MeMail me your contact info. You sure as shit do a better job of it than I do and I was born and like it here. Same about your comments on NDNs a couple of posts ago.
posted by ridgerunner at 12:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Hey spitbull,
If you ever start a sideline business as Speaker to Urban Liberals, MeMail me your contact info. You sure as shit do a better job of it than I do and I was born and like it here. Same about your comments on NDNs a couple of posts ago.
posted by ridgerunner at 12:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Not sure if this been mentioned in the 45 threads, but this 2010 clip of Keith Olberman ranting after the SCOTUS Citizens United decision was a scarily accurate prediction of our current fascist swampocracy.
Not hard to predict I suppose, but funny the biggest point he missed was assuming someone like Palin would have to be president to put a friendly face on fascism. I guess the Obama and Clinton hatred provided enough fuel that fascism didn't even need a friendly face, or even a politician. They just went straight to the heart of dumb corporate greed from the get-go.
posted by p3t3 at 12:50 AM on April 4, 2017
Not hard to predict I suppose, but funny the biggest point he missed was assuming someone like Palin would have to be president to put a friendly face on fascism. I guess the Obama and Clinton hatred provided enough fuel that fascism didn't even need a friendly face, or even a politician. They just went straight to the heart of dumb corporate greed from the get-go.
posted by p3t3 at 12:50 AM on April 4, 2017
Does anybody have any idea why Trump is meeting one-on-one with Dana Rohrabacher, you know, the Congressman who acts like he's most likely to be a Russian agent (background here)?
posted by zachlipton at 1:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm no genius but I'm thinking it's because they're both Russian agents and/or useful idiots.
posted by Justinian at 1:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Stupid headline, heartbreaking story: She voted illegally. But was the punishment too harsh?
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Republican Health Proposal Would Undermine Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions: " A patient with cancer might, for example, still be allowed to buy a plan, but it wouldn’t do her much good if that plan was not required to cover chemotherapy drugs….. If both of the Obamacare provisions went away, the hypothetical cancer patient might be able to buy only a plan, without chemotherapy coverage, that costs many times more than a similar plan costs a healthy customer. Only cancer patients with extraordinary financial resources and little interest in the fine print would sign up."
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:51 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 4:51 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
When the Republicans decided to vaporize the concept that the sitting president appoints the members of the Supreme Court, they declared total war. We're going to find out whether there are bigger weapons than the nuclear option on this battlefield.
And the filibuster isn't the only weapon in the Democratic arsenal. The Senate often relies on unanimous consent to proceed on any number of arcane procedural motions. As McConnell well knows -- which might be why he's trying desperately to pretend Garland never happened -- any one senator can slow things to a crawl simply by withholding unanimous consent and forcing a vote on every single thing. He knows, because he did the same thing as minority leader .
I've been frustrated, in fact, by the Democratic willingness to let the Senate operate as close to normal, but I hope that Schumer has just been keeping his powder dry on this tactic to hold it in reserve. If McConnell nukes the filibuster, the Democrats can tie up the Senate as much as they please. I hope they do.
posted by Gelatin at 4:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [50 favorites]
And the filibuster isn't the only weapon in the Democratic arsenal. The Senate often relies on unanimous consent to proceed on any number of arcane procedural motions. As McConnell well knows -- which might be why he's trying desperately to pretend Garland never happened -- any one senator can slow things to a crawl simply by withholding unanimous consent and forcing a vote on every single thing. He knows, because he did the same thing as minority leader .
I've been frustrated, in fact, by the Democratic willingness to let the Senate operate as close to normal, but I hope that Schumer has just been keeping his powder dry on this tactic to hold it in reserve. If McConnell nukes the filibuster, the Democrats can tie up the Senate as much as they please. I hope they do.
posted by Gelatin at 4:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [50 favorites]
If both of the Obamacare provisions went away, the hypothetical cancer patient
Not to be a dick to the NYT, and I understand their style guide, but man, there is NOTHING "hypothetical" about these cancer patients being thrown to the wolves.
posted by mikelieman at 5:05 AM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
Not to be a dick to the NYT, and I understand their style guide, but man, there is NOTHING "hypothetical" about these cancer patients being thrown to the wolves.
posted by mikelieman at 5:05 AM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
I think any Gorsuch decisions, if he makes it onto the supreme court, should have an asterisk beside them.
Like Bush v Gore.
(I continue to be astonished that Republicans have managed to steal two presidential elections in less than 20 years.)
Something has seriously broken in our system, and how cracked it was before Garland (insert Bork here) is less important than how this last nomination really cracked the tensions wide open.
There was nothing wrong with Bork's rejection by the Senate. The President does not get to install whomever he or she pleases on the SCOTUS; it's done with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Senate did not consent. As I and others have pointed out, McConnell could simply have gone thru the motions with Garland and then rejected him, and kept doing so to run the clock out on Obama's last year in office. Sure, it would have been in bad faith, but it would have been following the rules. Instead, McConnell went out of his way to disrespect Obama, which may have been a tactical victory, but I think even he realizes that it was a strategic setback.
posted by Gelatin at 5:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
Like Bush v Gore.
(I continue to be astonished that Republicans have managed to steal two presidential elections in less than 20 years.)
Something has seriously broken in our system, and how cracked it was before Garland (insert Bork here) is less important than how this last nomination really cracked the tensions wide open.
There was nothing wrong with Bork's rejection by the Senate. The President does not get to install whomever he or she pleases on the SCOTUS; it's done with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Senate did not consent. As I and others have pointed out, McConnell could simply have gone thru the motions with Garland and then rejected him, and kept doing so to run the clock out on Obama's last year in office. Sure, it would have been in bad faith, but it would have been following the rules. Instead, McConnell went out of his way to disrespect Obama, which may have been a tactical victory, but I think even he realizes that it was a strategic setback.
posted by Gelatin at 5:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
WSJ: Trump Administration Considers Far-Reaching Steps for ‘Extreme Vetting’: Foreigners who want to visit the U.S., even for a short trip, could be forced to disclose contacts on their mobile phones, social-media passwords and financial records, and to answer probing questions about their ideology, according to Trump administration officials conducting a review of vetting procedures.
The administration also wants to subject more visa applicants to intense security reviews and have embassies spend more time interviewing each applicant. The changes could apply to people from all over the world, including allies like France and Germany…. The DHS official working on the review said the types of questions under consideration now include whether visa applicants believe in so-called honor killings, how they view the treatment of women in society, whether they value the “sanctity of human life” and who they view as a legitimate target in a military operation.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:20 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
The administration also wants to subject more visa applicants to intense security reviews and have embassies spend more time interviewing each applicant. The changes could apply to people from all over the world, including allies like France and Germany…. The DHS official working on the review said the types of questions under consideration now include whether visa applicants believe in so-called honor killings, how they view the treatment of women in society, whether they value the “sanctity of human life” and who they view as a legitimate target in a military operation.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 5:20 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
and who they view as a legitimate target in a military operation.
Do they consider "not civilians and children" the correct or incorrect answer?
posted by lydhre at 5:27 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
Do they consider "not civilians and children" the correct or incorrect answer?
posted by lydhre at 5:27 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
corb: This may sound alarmist, but the idea that Democrats and Republicans could come together to form a government united against fascism, insulating America against it and then returning to their corners once the fascism threat is over, is comforting, because it would mean civil society isn't fundamentally and terribly broken, such that war is the inevitable result.
The Democrats are just as fine with combating fascism as they were 78 years ago. It's up to the Republicans and only the Republicans to decide if being in power is worth the price of embracing fascism.
posted by Gelatin at 5:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [44 favorites]
The Democrats are just as fine with combating fascism as they were 78 years ago. It's up to the Republicans and only the Republicans to decide if being in power is worth the price of embracing fascism.
posted by Gelatin at 5:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [44 favorites]
"The White House knows" and "The President knows" used to be synonymous for all intents and purposes. I think newsers just haven't gotten out of the habit now that we have such a deeply divided executive branch.
According to Morning Coffee Joe just now, when someone in the administration says "the White House is unaware of...", they're talking about the physical building. The building is unaware of anyone meeting with Russians, but all the people inside the building are aware.
posted by XMLicious at 5:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
The DHS official working on the review said the types of questions under consideration now include whether visa applicants believe in so-called honor killings, how they view the treatment of women in society, whether they value the “sanctity of human life” and who they view as a legitimate target in a military operation.
I'm really curious to see what the fascist Republican administration is going to consider to be acceptable answers to these questions, especially the ones about women in society and legitimate targets in military operations. These subjects are pretty clearly designed to target Muslims (or at least, what they think Muslims are like), but I think there's a pretty good chance that in trying to create a test that will keep out their nightmare-boogeyman version of Muslims they're going to create a test that would keep a large swath of Republicans out too.
posted by IAmUnaware at 5:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
I'm really curious to see what the fascist Republican administration is going to consider to be acceptable answers to these questions, especially the ones about women in society and legitimate targets in military operations. These subjects are pretty clearly designed to target Muslims (or at least, what they think Muslims are like), but I think there's a pretty good chance that in trying to create a test that will keep out their nightmare-boogeyman version of Muslims they're going to create a test that would keep a large swath of Republicans out too.
posted by IAmUnaware at 5:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
I think even he realizes that it was a strategic setback
I feel like McConnell has discovered he can get away with anything.
Maybe they will take a page from the NCGOP — nuke the filibuster and anything obstructionist Democrats try, then when Republicans do eventually lose the Senate, put all the minority power stuff back and be obstructionist again.
posted by fleacircus at 5:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
I feel like McConnell has discovered he can get away with anything.
Maybe they will take a page from the NCGOP — nuke the filibuster and anything obstructionist Democrats try, then when Republicans do eventually lose the Senate, put all the minority power stuff back and be obstructionist again.
posted by fleacircus at 5:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Rand Paul is on MSNBC right now trying to declare with a straight face that the Snowden-revealed dragnet surveillance of millions of people by the government means that Trump's bullshit about Obama wiretapping him is valid. Maybe Paul is the one who wrestled the drill out of Trump's hands at the golf date last weekend?
posted by XMLicious at 5:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 5:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well, Trump is definitely running America like he ran his "businesses". As a nepotistic family thing where you're either part of The Family, and can therefore do anything, or you're mere hired help and will be expected to do shit work no matter your theoretical job.
I worked for a liquor store chain that operated on a similar basis once. I quit very quickly. The family were like unto gods, they could (and did) demand personal service from any employee at any time. Trash in their office needs to be taken out and they happen to see a district manager walking by? They'll make the district manager take out their trash (not a made up example, I actually saw that happen once, a woman who was supposed to be running 12 stores was made to take time out of her busy schedule to empty the fucking garbage for some moron from The Family).
Does the son-in-law's vacation home have a TV problem? No worries, send the IT manager to fix it. Make him drop his entire work load to go plug in a DVR, then yell at him because the store network is down. Again, not a made up example, I saw that happen to my boss.
Trump reminds me very much of the patriarch of that family. He imagines himself to be an instant expert in absolutely any field he's just now discovered exists, he treats everyone but his family [1] like shit and keeps appointing his family members to random jobs they're totally unqualified for above non-family who know what they're actually doing.
So of course Kushner is being sent off as some sort of quasi-Secretary of State, the patriarch is lavishing his Family with position, power, favors, and so on. And if anything goes wrong it is obviously the fault of the non-Family people who clearly failed the son-in-law. Family can never be wrong. Family can never fail. If Kushner fucks up relations with China it'll be Tillerson who takes the blame. Family can never be wrong.
No wonder I hate Trump so much, he's reminding me of one of my worst employers ever...
[1] Well, his favored family anyway.
posted by sotonohito at 6:00 AM on April 4, 2017 [62 favorites]
I worked for a liquor store chain that operated on a similar basis once. I quit very quickly. The family were like unto gods, they could (and did) demand personal service from any employee at any time. Trash in their office needs to be taken out and they happen to see a district manager walking by? They'll make the district manager take out their trash (not a made up example, I actually saw that happen once, a woman who was supposed to be running 12 stores was made to take time out of her busy schedule to empty the fucking garbage for some moron from The Family).
Does the son-in-law's vacation home have a TV problem? No worries, send the IT manager to fix it. Make him drop his entire work load to go plug in a DVR, then yell at him because the store network is down. Again, not a made up example, I saw that happen to my boss.
Trump reminds me very much of the patriarch of that family. He imagines himself to be an instant expert in absolutely any field he's just now discovered exists, he treats everyone but his family [1] like shit and keeps appointing his family members to random jobs they're totally unqualified for above non-family who know what they're actually doing.
So of course Kushner is being sent off as some sort of quasi-Secretary of State, the patriarch is lavishing his Family with position, power, favors, and so on. And if anything goes wrong it is obviously the fault of the non-Family people who clearly failed the son-in-law. Family can never be wrong. Family can never fail. If Kushner fucks up relations with China it'll be Tillerson who takes the blame. Family can never be wrong.
No wonder I hate Trump so much, he's reminding me of one of my worst employers ever...
[1] Well, his favored family anyway.
posted by sotonohito at 6:00 AM on April 4, 2017 [62 favorites]
I think there's a pretty good chance that in trying to create a test that will keep out their nightmare-boogeyman version of Muslims they're going to create a test that would keep a large swath of Republicans out too.
Nah. This is going to be the first test.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Nah. This is going to be the first test.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Question for spitbull, where are those who are disappointed with Trump getting their news? I'm assuming that Fox is downloading the worst of it. What's leading to their disillusionment?
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 6:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised do you like Trump?" isn't question number 1, but let's face it unofficially it's going to be.
posted by Artw at 6:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 6:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
leacircus I fear greatly that past experience is leading McConnell to that conclusion, and that he might be correct.
The Democrats have failed utterly to exact any significant price for Republican obstructionism and cheating. This is the second time in a row we've allowed a Republican to steal the Presidency with no penalty.
After his theft of Garland's seat the Senate Democrats have been acting like its business as normal in the Senate, and even getting a filibuster of Gorsuch has proven to be a massive challenge.
If he voids the filibuster on a "one time" basis, I'm not at all sure the Democrats will retaliate.
Basically the Democrats have accepted that their stuff takes 61 votes and the Republican's stuff only takes 51 votes. They may not like it, but they're acting as if that's a normative and acceptable state of affairs.
I think at least part of this is due to the Red State Democratic Senators. the RSDS are so worried about re-election that they're basically not going to seriously fight anything, and they're not going to vote to impose any meaningful penalty on the Republicans.
Which kind of ratfucks us.
If, as I confidently expect, McConnell does change the rules to eradicate Democratic obstruction, and then if he loses the majority in 2018 or 2020 as his last act changes the rules back so the Republicans can obstruct all they want, I don't think the RSDS will allow the other Democrats to say no.
Basically we're running into the essential problem of the Senate, which is that it's pre-gerrymandered by the Constitution. The fact is simple: we're never going to have a real majority in the Senate again, demographic shift to the cities means the Senate belongs to the Republicans and a tiny handful of RSDS who are Republicans in all but name. Two Senators per state, regardless of population, inevitably rewards the Party that's most geographically scattered regardless of how many of them there are.
And there's no way to change this short of civil war.
I have no idea what will happen with the Senate, but I am convinced that if America does dissolve it is the structure of the Senate that triggers it.
posted by sotonohito at 6:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
The Democrats have failed utterly to exact any significant price for Republican obstructionism and cheating. This is the second time in a row we've allowed a Republican to steal the Presidency with no penalty.
After his theft of Garland's seat the Senate Democrats have been acting like its business as normal in the Senate, and even getting a filibuster of Gorsuch has proven to be a massive challenge.
If he voids the filibuster on a "one time" basis, I'm not at all sure the Democrats will retaliate.
Basically the Democrats have accepted that their stuff takes 61 votes and the Republican's stuff only takes 51 votes. They may not like it, but they're acting as if that's a normative and acceptable state of affairs.
I think at least part of this is due to the Red State Democratic Senators. the RSDS are so worried about re-election that they're basically not going to seriously fight anything, and they're not going to vote to impose any meaningful penalty on the Republicans.
Which kind of ratfucks us.
If, as I confidently expect, McConnell does change the rules to eradicate Democratic obstruction, and then if he loses the majority in 2018 or 2020 as his last act changes the rules back so the Republicans can obstruct all they want, I don't think the RSDS will allow the other Democrats to say no.
Basically we're running into the essential problem of the Senate, which is that it's pre-gerrymandered by the Constitution. The fact is simple: we're never going to have a real majority in the Senate again, demographic shift to the cities means the Senate belongs to the Republicans and a tiny handful of RSDS who are Republicans in all but name. Two Senators per state, regardless of population, inevitably rewards the Party that's most geographically scattered regardless of how many of them there are.
And there's no way to change this short of civil war.
I have no idea what will happen with the Senate, but I am convinced that if America does dissolve it is the structure of the Senate that triggers it.
posted by sotonohito at 6:17 AM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
Nah. This is going to be the first test.
It would have to be, you can't get paper bags anymore
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:20 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
It would have to be, you can't get paper bags anymore
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:20 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
> when someone in the administration says "the White House is unaware of...", they're talking about the physical building. The building is unaware of anyone meeting with Russians, but all the people inside the building are aware.
What did thePresident Chinese Room know, and when did it know it?
posted by Westringia F. at 6:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
What did the
posted by Westringia F. at 6:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
How serious is the revival of the healthcare bill? I thought it would take Jesus and his back-up band to resuscitate it but lo, I am seeing articles on how it is back, baby! This is worst than Dracula at the crossroads. The dead need to be kept down.
posted by jadepearl at 6:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by jadepearl at 6:24 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Unless they're planning to vote on Dracula in the dead of night, expect the mob to reconvene with pitchforks and torches to stuff him back in the coffin.
People are fired up, they've learned they enjoy being fired up, and dragging AHCA back out for another go will catalyze more action.
posted by notyou at 6:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
People are fired up, they've learned they enjoy being fired up, and dragging AHCA back out for another go will catalyze more action.
posted by notyou at 6:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
How serious is the revival of the healthcare bill? I thought it would take Jesus and his back-up band to resuscitate it but lo, I am seeing articles on how it is back, baby!
Good. It's just more illustration of how Trump can't stand a perceived defeat, but he can't get around one fundamental fact.
Spoiler: It's the Hamilton "you don't have the votes" clip.
posted by Gelatin at 6:37 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Good. It's just more illustration of how Trump can't stand a perceived defeat, but he can't get around one fundamental fact.
Spoiler: It's the Hamilton "you don't have the votes" clip.
posted by Gelatin at 6:37 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
If you ever start a sideline business as Speaker to Urban Liberals, MeMail me your contact info. You sure as shit do a better job of it than I do and I was born and like it here. Same about your comments on NDNs a couple of posts ago.
I'm largely getting all current info on Trump from these threads and I've been reading every post since about late summer last year. I can't believe I just wrote that but it's true. Spitbull's and T.D. Strange's posts consistently challenge my preconceived notions of what I think I know and what the reality on the ground really is.
T.D. Strange's comment from two days ago has sat with me and I believe it's the key in all of this:
I can't help but wonder what would've happen if the Obama DOJ had really went after the Wall St. prepetrators of the 2008 collapse, 80s savings and loan style, and actually offered relief to real 'Muricans in the form of mortgage cramdowns, debt relief, forclosure postponements, etc, instead of bailing out banks and calling it a day. The people in the midwest that flipped Obama->Trump, a lot of them had valid reasons for feeling left behind and not vindicated by the Wall Street recovery while they lost their homes, jobs, and very communities, but billionaires and banks lost nothing and doing better than ever.
And then Sptibull comes along and mentions none of the Russian-influence intelligence has had any traction with people in Trump country and my brain melts into a puddle of WTF and I'm forced to confront the reality that moving forward the Democratic party has some incredibly hard work ahead of them. It's not going to be enough to simply lecture American's in the Rust Belt that voting for Dems makes sense and that means embracing politicians like Bernie Sanders. The DNC needs to let everyone know that they've gotten the message loud and clear and that the economy is broken and rigged against EVERYONE at the bottom and that becoming a member of the middle class has become nearly impossible unless you're born there and then it's fleeting at best.
I honestly don't know that the midterm's are far enough away to get the message out and actually tune the Democratic platform to represent any form of economic justice. The Republicans are going to take credit for any economic gains spurred by the Obama administration's policies and will paint the Dems as obstructionists. Wallstreet will continue to pour money into the coffers of the GOP so they can run endless ads on Fox news to keep the base activated and engaged. Unless I've missed it, I don't see anything happening right now at the DNC that will counter any of this.
posted by photoslob at 6:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [24 favorites]
I'm largely getting all current info on Trump from these threads and I've been reading every post since about late summer last year. I can't believe I just wrote that but it's true. Spitbull's and T.D. Strange's posts consistently challenge my preconceived notions of what I think I know and what the reality on the ground really is.
T.D. Strange's comment from two days ago has sat with me and I believe it's the key in all of this:
I can't help but wonder what would've happen if the Obama DOJ had really went after the Wall St. prepetrators of the 2008 collapse, 80s savings and loan style, and actually offered relief to real 'Muricans in the form of mortgage cramdowns, debt relief, forclosure postponements, etc, instead of bailing out banks and calling it a day. The people in the midwest that flipped Obama->Trump, a lot of them had valid reasons for feeling left behind and not vindicated by the Wall Street recovery while they lost their homes, jobs, and very communities, but billionaires and banks lost nothing and doing better than ever.
And then Sptibull comes along and mentions none of the Russian-influence intelligence has had any traction with people in Trump country and my brain melts into a puddle of WTF and I'm forced to confront the reality that moving forward the Democratic party has some incredibly hard work ahead of them. It's not going to be enough to simply lecture American's in the Rust Belt that voting for Dems makes sense and that means embracing politicians like Bernie Sanders. The DNC needs to let everyone know that they've gotten the message loud and clear and that the economy is broken and rigged against EVERYONE at the bottom and that becoming a member of the middle class has become nearly impossible unless you're born there and then it's fleeting at best.
I honestly don't know that the midterm's are far enough away to get the message out and actually tune the Democratic platform to represent any form of economic justice. The Republicans are going to take credit for any economic gains spurred by the Obama administration's policies and will paint the Dems as obstructionists. Wallstreet will continue to pour money into the coffers of the GOP so they can run endless ads on Fox news to keep the base activated and engaged. Unless I've missed it, I don't see anything happening right now at the DNC that will counter any of this.
posted by photoslob at 6:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [24 favorites]
So they can get the votes from the Freedom Caucus if they scrounge something so toxic up that it'll be a tough squeeze in the House and it will never ever pass the Senate.
They certainly act like they're tired of winning.
posted by lydhre at 6:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
They certainly act like they're tired of winning.
posted by lydhre at 6:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Ryan presser last week (was it last week? Time is an illusion) was certainly all PR puff and no solids, so until something actually appears that can be poked with a sharp stick I'd be comfortable leaving this in the bluster box.
posted by Devonian at 6:42 AM on April 4, 2017
posted by Devonian at 6:42 AM on April 4, 2017
Council seeks impeachment investigation, citing Trump’s ongoing business conflicts. The city council in Cambridge, MA, of course.
posted by adamg at 6:49 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by adamg at 6:49 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
So they can get the votes from the Freedom Caucus if they scrounge something so toxic up that it'll be a tough squeeze in the House and it will never ever pass the Senate.
On top of this, a lot of the stuff the FC wants is not related to revenues or outlays, and thus might require 60 votes in the Senate instead of 50 (assuming they don't swap out the parliamentarian with someone more compliant or have Pence overrule her, which I fully expect them to do if it becomes necessary).
posted by melissasaurus at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
On top of this, a lot of the stuff the FC wants is not related to revenues or outlays, and thus might require 60 votes in the Senate instead of 50 (assuming they don't swap out the parliamentarian with someone more compliant or have Pence overrule her, which I fully expect them to do if it becomes necessary).
posted by melissasaurus at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Good news, guys. Cambridge, MA's council has voted to formally request impeachment proceedings be brought against Herr Trump. Surely this will be remembered by historians as the tipping point.
posted by Mayor West at 6:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 6:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
"The DNC needs to let everyone know that they've gotten the message loud and clear and that the economy is broken and rigged against EVERYONE at the bottom and that becoming a member of the middle class has become nearly impossible unless you're born there and then it's fleeting at best."
You're gonna need a scapegoat. The Republicans adopted Trump's. The DNC could adopt Warren's scapegoats, but that'd be the first step down the road to that messy class versus race debate that we've been rehashing since Bernie's candidacy.
posted by klarck at 6:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
You're gonna need a scapegoat. The Republicans adopted Trump's. The DNC could adopt Warren's scapegoats, but that'd be the first step down the road to that messy class versus race debate that we've been rehashing since Bernie's candidacy.
posted by klarck at 6:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Remember that server? Trump Tower, Alfa Bank and De Vos Spectrum Health machines.
Data Patterns Suggest Trump Tower/Spectrum Health Ran a “Stealth Data Machine” With Russia.
Maybe someone who understands these things better than I do would like to explain.
posted by adamvasco at 6:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Data Patterns Suggest Trump Tower/Spectrum Health Ran a “Stealth Data Machine” With Russia.
Maybe someone who understands these things better than I do would like to explain.
posted by adamvasco at 6:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Council seeks impeachment investigation, citing Trump’s ongoing business conflicts. The city council in Cambridge, MA, of course.
Shahly this.
posted by Etrigan at 6:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
Shahly this.
posted by Etrigan at 6:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
GovTrack does it's part to help Congress understand what it's like to be surveilled. (Or rather, souveilled. I learned a word today!):
Since browsing history metadata is no big deal to Congress, we began publishing the browsing history of anyone visting GovTrack.us from Congress’s and the White House’s office buildings.posted by galaxy rise at 7:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Every computer on the Internet has an “IP address.” The Senate, House, and Executive Office of the President (i.e. the White House and nearby offices) all use IP addresses within ranges assigned to them in public records. That’s how we can tell if a visitor to GovTrack is from Congress or the White House. [...] We also place persistent tracking cookies in the browsers of these users to link multiple requests to a single browsing history.
but that'd be the first step down the road to that messy class versus race debate that we've been rehashing since Bernie's candidacy
Yeah this is what I really don't understand. These are not opposing ideas. There is literally no reason why addressing wealth inequality has to exclude an equal focus on civil rights, for both minoritie and women. Literally no reason, unless you just decide the civil rights aren't the "real" issue, for reasons that seem fairly obvious.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:02 AM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
Yeah this is what I really don't understand. These are not opposing ideas. There is literally no reason why addressing wealth inequality has to exclude an equal focus on civil rights, for both minoritie and women. Literally no reason, unless you just decide the civil rights aren't the "real" issue, for reasons that seem fairly obvious.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:02 AM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
You're gonna need a scapegoat.
The top 1% have hoovered up literally all of the economic growth since the 1980s.
The middle class feels squeezed because the wealthy have hogged all the prosperity for themselves, and then want the Republicans to shred the safety net so the rich can have a tax cut on top of it all.
As usual, yutzes from the Heritage Foundation will go on the Sunday shows and shout "class warfare!" and the answer is yes, and the rich have been waging it.
And all that comes from someone who is basically a New Deal Democrat, which makes me the next best thing to a Commie compared to today's Republican Party.
Or the one of a hundred years ago. Take your pick.
posted by Gelatin at 7:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
The top 1% have hoovered up literally all of the economic growth since the 1980s.
The middle class feels squeezed because the wealthy have hogged all the prosperity for themselves, and then want the Republicans to shred the safety net so the rich can have a tax cut on top of it all.
As usual, yutzes from the Heritage Foundation will go on the Sunday shows and shout "class warfare!" and the answer is yes, and the rich have been waging it.
And all that comes from someone who is basically a New Deal Democrat, which makes me the next best thing to a Commie compared to today's Republican Party.
Or the one of a hundred years ago. Take your pick.
posted by Gelatin at 7:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
The NCAA will bring championship games back to North Carolina because the state repealed part of anti-LGBT law. [full statement via Twitter]
Apparently, the NCAA cares a tiny bit about LGBT people, for show, but either doesn't understand what really happened, or doesn't care that much.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Apparently, the NCAA cares a tiny bit about LGBT people, for show, but either doesn't understand what really happened, or doesn't care that much.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Put another way: the only way those concerns are in opposition is if you really don't want to tell poor white men that their pain isn't actually the most important pain of all time, and they are not actually the most victimized by our current social structures. That's it. It's just protecting white men from reality again. Because if you actually want to address inequality and you care at all about triage and fairness, you will start with women of color and then work your way up. Poor white men aren't even going to be in the top 3.
Denying that is the only thing that produces conflict.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [28 favorites]
Denying that is the only thing that produces conflict.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [28 favorites]
Another coincidence between DeVos/Spectrum and Russia: Dick DeVos' bigger family business, Amway, had their Moscow branch raided by the FSB in July 2016, under claims of tax fraud. This was just a month or two prior to the mysterious Spectrum-Alfa pings through Trump Tower.
posted by p3t3 at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by p3t3 at 7:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Remember that server? Trump Tower, Alfa Bank and De Vos Spectrum Health machines.
Data Patterns Suggest Trump Tower/Spectrum Health Ran a “Stealth Data Machine” With Russia.
Maybe someone who understands these things better than I do would like to explain.
i'm gonna have to go with a "no" on this one :/
posted by xcasex at 7:08 AM on April 4, 2017
Data Patterns Suggest Trump Tower/Spectrum Health Ran a “Stealth Data Machine” With Russia.
Maybe someone who understands these things better than I do would like to explain.
i'm gonna have to go with a "no" on this one :/
posted by xcasex at 7:08 AM on April 4, 2017
You're gonna need a scapegoat. The Republicans adopted Trump's. The DNC could adopt Warren's scapegoats, but that'd be the first step down the road to that messy class versus race debate that we've been rehashing since Bernie's candidacy.
And I don't want to do that. I was a dyed-in-the-wool Hillary supporter but even I knew she was only holding Wallstreet at arm's length to keep the donor money flowing. We need Warren/ Sander's message delivered by the DNC across the entire spectrum of voters who feel like they've been left behind. Unless there's a bombshell development in the Russian-influence story that literally produces pics of Trump and Putin in a hot tub there's not going to be enough evidence to convince an angry electorate of any class, color, orientation or gender that both parties aren't in the pockets of Wallstreet and that their vote counts.
posted by photoslob at 7:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
And I don't want to do that. I was a dyed-in-the-wool Hillary supporter but even I knew she was only holding Wallstreet at arm's length to keep the donor money flowing. We need Warren/ Sander's message delivered by the DNC across the entire spectrum of voters who feel like they've been left behind. Unless there's a bombshell development in the Russian-influence story that literally produces pics of Trump and Putin in a hot tub there's not going to be enough evidence to convince an angry electorate of any class, color, orientation or gender that both parties aren't in the pockets of Wallstreet and that their vote counts.
posted by photoslob at 7:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
The DNC needs to let everyone know that they've gotten the message loud and clear and that the economy is broken and rigged against EVERYONE at the bottom and that becoming a member of the middle class has become nearly impossible unless you're born there and then it's fleeting at best.
Well, the DNC is pretty misunderstood. The DNC chair is not, and has never been "Speaker of the Democrats" or anything like it. Quick, name the DNC chair during Bill Clinton's 1992 electoral win. It's an organizing and fundraising job. Mostly fundraising, and during electoral seasons, deciding how to allocate those fundraising dollars to campaigns around the country. It's not really about messaging, and somehow that perception has become baked into "the way out of this mess", the DNC has to save us. That's never really been how it works. Messaging comes from the candidates themselves in the Democratic party. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats are not united by one overriding force, tax cuts for rich people, with a coherent and well funded supporting infrastructure to drive that message at every single turn, backed by, surprise!, rich people!
So, yes, they need a more coherent and resonant message. But is the DNC supposed to be the ones coming up with it and saving us? I'm really not so sure. What they can do, and I expect Perez and Ellison will do this well, is back smarter, more progressive, more inclusive candidates who will have a message more like that. But, we're 3 months in. If Perez and Ellison are doing their jobs, they're on the phone with donors, and with people who might become those candidates 10 months from now. Do you really want targets out front right now for Republicans to organize around attacking? I don't. The message problem is real, but for now, it's the job of our elected Democrats to lay the groundwork for the next conversation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:14 AM on April 4, 2017 [29 favorites]
Well, the DNC is pretty misunderstood. The DNC chair is not, and has never been "Speaker of the Democrats" or anything like it. Quick, name the DNC chair during Bill Clinton's 1992 electoral win. It's an organizing and fundraising job. Mostly fundraising, and during electoral seasons, deciding how to allocate those fundraising dollars to campaigns around the country. It's not really about messaging, and somehow that perception has become baked into "the way out of this mess", the DNC has to save us. That's never really been how it works. Messaging comes from the candidates themselves in the Democratic party. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats are not united by one overriding force, tax cuts for rich people, with a coherent and well funded supporting infrastructure to drive that message at every single turn, backed by, surprise!, rich people!
So, yes, they need a more coherent and resonant message. But is the DNC supposed to be the ones coming up with it and saving us? I'm really not so sure. What they can do, and I expect Perez and Ellison will do this well, is back smarter, more progressive, more inclusive candidates who will have a message more like that. But, we're 3 months in. If Perez and Ellison are doing their jobs, they're on the phone with donors, and with people who might become those candidates 10 months from now. Do you really want targets out front right now for Republicans to organize around attacking? I don't. The message problem is real, but for now, it's the job of our elected Democrats to lay the groundwork for the next conversation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:14 AM on April 4, 2017 [29 favorites]
Surely this will be remembered by historians as the tipping point.
Maybe a contemporary Shot heard around the world? Only about 15 miles from the original.
posted by achrise at 7:19 AM on April 4, 2017
Maybe a contemporary Shot heard around the world? Only about 15 miles from the original.
posted by achrise at 7:19 AM on April 4, 2017
Since browsing history metadata is no big deal to Congress, we began publishing the browsing history of anyone visting GovTrack.us from Congress’s and the White House’s office buildings.
I also recommend following @congressedits (bot that tweets anonymous Wikipedia edits that are made from IP addresses in the US Congress).
posted by melissasaurus at 7:21 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
I also recommend following @congressedits (bot that tweets anonymous Wikipedia edits that are made from IP addresses in the US Congress).
posted by melissasaurus at 7:21 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Inexplicably, Carter Page gives another interview:
"I didn't want to be a spy," he said in an interview early Monday afternoon.
I'm starting to love this chucklefuck.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:27 AM on April 4, 2017 [30 favorites]
"I didn't want to be a spy," he said in an interview early Monday afternoon.
I'm starting to love this chucklefuck.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:27 AM on April 4, 2017 [30 favorites]
"I didn't want to be a spy," he said in an interview early Monday afternoon.
Headline: TRUMP ASSOCIATE ADMITS BEING RUSSIAN SPY
posted by Gelatin at 7:29 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Headline: TRUMP ASSOCIATE ADMITS BEING RUSSIAN SPY
posted by Gelatin at 7:29 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Yeah this is what I really don't understand. These are not opposing ideas. There is literally no reason why addressing wealth inequality has to exclude an equal focus on civil rights, for both minoritie and women. Literally no reason, unless you just decide the civil rights aren't the "real" issue, for reasons that seem fairly obvious.
When I saw this I imagined jumping on a couch and screaming like a Tom Cruise crazy person because YES GODDAMN IT YES THIS FUCKING ALREADY
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
When I saw this I imagined jumping on a couch and screaming like a Tom Cruise crazy person because YES GODDAMN IT YES THIS FUCKING ALREADY
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
This is the cousin of a MeFite, yeah? Sounds like a hell of a guy.
Guardian: 'I refuse to be like them': why the man shot while protesting Milo Yiannopoulos doesn't want revenge
Guardian: 'I refuse to be like them': why the man shot while protesting Milo Yiannopoulos doesn't want revenge
Two months later, Dukes still bears an oozing wound and a long, angry surgical scar. He has lost his gall bladder and half his colon. His liver was severely damaged; his diaphragm pierced. He spent the first month of the Trump presidency in the hospital, undergoing numerous surgeries, fighting off an infection, and high on pain medication that, he said, made the political upheaval of policies like the travel ban “a lot easier to deal with”.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [30 favorites]
But while Dukes’ ravaged body bears the scars of the country’s current political fissure – “Me getting shot is a manifestation of Trump’s and Milo’s violent ideology,” he says – he hopes to offer a path to stopping the violence and de-escalating the conflict. He and his partner Sasha, who uses gender neutral pronouns and asked not to be identified with a last name out of fear of harassment, are requesting that the shooter not be sent to prison, but instead join them in a restorative justice process.
I think it's a bit beyond just merely messaging at this point—the RNC has an entire full-spectrum propaganda vertical and ecosystem as an appendage, or really which it's an appendage of, so if the DNC keeps saying "messaging is someone else's problem" things will probably not go so well.
Apropos of nothing, I'm currently watching this episode of Deutsche Welle's Conflict Zone (½ hr video, in English), an interview with Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, and around 5:00 they put up a slide which says
posted by XMLicious at 7:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Apropos of nothing, I'm currently watching this episode of Deutsche Welle's Conflict Zone (½ hr video, in English), an interview with Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, and around 5:00 they put up a slide which says
Nepotism in India...so at least we aren't the worst at something, politically. (yet)belong to political families
- 100% of MPs under 30
- ⅔ of MPs under 40
- 70% of female MPs
posted by XMLicious at 7:33 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
The message problem is real, but for now, it's the job of our elected Democrats to lay the groundwork for the next conversation.
The Trump administration has the entire Democratic party with the exception of Warren and Sanders tied up with the Russian intel scandal with brief interludes of things like trying to repeal the ACA. I'm honestly not even sure what the answer is because Dems are spread too thin fighting on too many fronts.
With that said, the only way forward IMO is to project a message of economic justice for everyone. Bring back "we are the 99%" and hammer home the Republican party is not a friend of the working class. Buy ads on every network in prime-time with the message that the Republican health-care plan was nothing more than a tax cut for the 1% and by gutting the EPA, FDA, etc they also want to poison your kids.
posted by photoslob at 7:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Trump administration has the entire Democratic party with the exception of Warren and Sanders tied up with the Russian intel scandal with brief interludes of things like trying to repeal the ACA. I'm honestly not even sure what the answer is because Dems are spread too thin fighting on too many fronts.
With that said, the only way forward IMO is to project a message of economic justice for everyone. Bring back "we are the 99%" and hammer home the Republican party is not a friend of the working class. Buy ads on every network in prime-time with the message that the Republican health-care plan was nothing more than a tax cut for the 1% and by gutting the EPA, FDA, etc they also want to poison your kids.
posted by photoslob at 7:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
U.S. priority on Syria no longer focused on 'getting Assad out': Haley
Two days later: Syria: suspected chemical attack kills dozens in Idlib province
Reminds me of when Trump won the election and Putin immediately doubled the number of Russian warplanes flying sorties in Syria.
posted by PenDevil at 7:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
Two days later: Syria: suspected chemical attack kills dozens in Idlib province
Reminds me of when Trump won the election and Putin immediately doubled the number of Russian warplanes flying sorties in Syria.
posted by PenDevil at 7:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
I think it's a bit beyond just merely messaging at this point—the RNC has an entire full-spectrum propaganda vertical and ecosystem as an appendage, or really which it's an appendage of, so if the DNC keeps saying "messaging is someone else's problem" things will probably not go so well.
I don't disagree, but I also don't think asking the DNC to be something it's not is going to work either. Is it the DNCs job to build a liberal FOX News? How? With what money and what access? Then who is running fundraising and candidate recruitment?
The problem is Democrats and liberals have no answer to Republicans alternative facts Leviathan that's become so big it's become the actual world we live in.
The person that figures out how to beat that is going to be the next Democratic President, and if I knew how, I'd be out there running on it instead of speculating on the internet.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
I don't disagree, but I also don't think asking the DNC to be something it's not is going to work either. Is it the DNCs job to build a liberal FOX News? How? With what money and what access? Then who is running fundraising and candidate recruitment?
The problem is Democrats and liberals have no answer to Republicans alternative facts Leviathan that's become so big it's become the actual world we live in.
The person that figures out how to beat that is going to be the next Democratic President, and if I knew how, I'd be out there running on it instead of speculating on the internet.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Sadly, the full quote somewhat takes the wind out of that
No problem.
Headline: TRUMP ASSOCIATE DENIES BEING RUSSIAN SPY
Thank you, Lyndon Johnson.
posted by Gelatin at 7:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
No problem.
Headline: TRUMP ASSOCIATE DENIES BEING RUSSIAN SPY
Thank you, Lyndon Johnson.
posted by Gelatin at 7:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Whether or not he actually was a spy or an intelligence asset of spies
Dumbasset
posted by kirkaracha at 7:48 AM on April 4, 2017 [33 favorites]
Yes, they are exactly as dumb as they seem.
Wikipedia user 'Sk-Gorka' edited info about WH aide Sebastian Gorka's gun charge
Wikipedia user 'Sk-Gorka' edited info about WH aide Sebastian Gorka's gun charge
A Wikipedia user who goes by "Sk-Gorka" has extensively edited the Wikipedia page of White House aide Sebastian Gorka, including a section on criminal charges he faced for bringing a firearm into a Washington D.C. airport.posted by chris24 at 7:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [53 favorites]
It is unclear if the user is connected to Gorka. Gorka did not respond to a request for comment. The user, however, has only made edits to the pages of Gorka and his wife, Katharine Gorka. Those edits include adding photos and information about Gorka's policy speeches and books. The user created the page for Katharine Gorka.
There was no argument or even conversation between a gunman and the woman he allegedly killed Monday in a Midtown crosswalk, according to police. But the shooting was not random, Atlanta police said.
Huynh was an avid traveler and active in pro bono and other volunteer work. She was also a “proud refugee,” she wrote in a Jan. 28 Facebook post accompanying a 1979 sepia photo of herself at a refugee camp on Galang Island, Indonesia.
“I am thankful for the opportunities this wonderful country has afforded me and my family,” Hunyh wrote in the social media post. “I would not be here if the State of Georgia and this country had closed their doors and hearts to my family. I think this great state and the US have more love to give.”
She also was a member of the advisory board of the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, which provides pro bono legal services to immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes.
Violence is always sickening.
.
posted by goHermGO at 7:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
Huynh was an avid traveler and active in pro bono and other volunteer work. She was also a “proud refugee,” she wrote in a Jan. 28 Facebook post accompanying a 1979 sepia photo of herself at a refugee camp on Galang Island, Indonesia.
“I am thankful for the opportunities this wonderful country has afforded me and my family,” Hunyh wrote in the social media post. “I would not be here if the State of Georgia and this country had closed their doors and hearts to my family. I think this great state and the US have more love to give.”
She also was a member of the advisory board of the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, which provides pro bono legal services to immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes.
Violence is always sickening.
.
posted by goHermGO at 7:54 AM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
god damnit Gorka sucked in every possible other way, it only makes sense he's getting into ska now too
"Have you ever been close to the President or close to one who has? Have you ever felt corruption so powerful so heavy the government could collapse? No.... Well...."
posted by Talez at 7:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [23 favorites]
"Have you ever been close to the President or close to one who has? Have you ever felt corruption so powerful so heavy the government could collapse? No.... Well...."
posted by Talez at 7:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [23 favorites]
The top 1% have hoovered up literally all of the economic growth since the 1980s.
Mostly by selling goods & services to the 99%. Hard to grow wealth without the contributions of others.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:01 AM on April 4, 2017
Mostly by selling goods & services to the 99%. Hard to grow wealth without the contributions of others.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:01 AM on April 4, 2017
"Cause I'm just a nazi, little ol' meSung with the same irony that Stefani sang it with it pretty much fits Gorka too.
Well don't let me out of your sight
Oh, I'm just a nazi, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh, I've had it up to here!"
posted by Talez at 8:02 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hard to grow wealth without the contributions of others.
Oh, indeed. And yet most of the 99% helped produce, market, transport, and sell those goods and services. Yet as the GDP -- the total amount of goods and services produced in this country -- has grown, the 99% haven't seen their share grow at all. All of the growth, which was not solely produced by the 1% at all, has gone to them regardless.
posted by Gelatin at 8:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
Oh, indeed. And yet most of the 99% helped produce, market, transport, and sell those goods and services. Yet as the GDP -- the total amount of goods and services produced in this country -- has grown, the 99% haven't seen their share grow at all. All of the growth, which was not solely produced by the 1% at all, has gone to them regardless.
posted by Gelatin at 8:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
god damnit Gorka sucked in every possible other way, it only makes sense he's getting into ska now too
No, it's eka-Gorka. He's a theoretical next version of Gorka.
posted by Etrigan at 8:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
No, it's eka-Gorka. He's a theoretical next version of Gorka.
posted by Etrigan at 8:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes, they are exactly as dumb as they seem.
I bet Dunning and Kruger didn't want their theory to get evidentiary support in such spectacular fashion, but here we are, governed by evil Forest Gumps.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
I bet Dunning and Kruger didn't want their theory to get evidentiary support in such spectacular fashion, but here we are, governed by evil Forest Gumps.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
This coincides with the fall of Communism
More accurately, it coincides with the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, who, typically of Republicans, paid for a massive military build-up with a tax cut for the rich.
posted by Gelatin at 8:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [35 favorites]
More accurately, it coincides with the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, who, typically of Republicans, paid for a massive military build-up with a tax cut for the rich.
posted by Gelatin at 8:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [35 favorites]
The person that figures out how to beat that is going to be the next Democratic President, and if I knew how, I'd be out there running on it instead of speculating on the internet.
MeFi Project?
;)
posted by photoslob at 8:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
MeFi Project?
;)
posted by photoslob at 8:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Maybe they will take a page from the NCGOP — nuke the filibuster and anything obstructionist Democrats try, then when Republicans do eventually lose the Senate, put all the minority power stuff back and be obstructionist again.
posted by fleacircus at 8:38 AM on April 4
I'm not sure that's possible under Senate process. The rules of engagement are voted on and set at the beginning of the term. If you want to make a substantive change that's when you have to do it, or else you shitcan a rule through the shenanigans they did to get rid of the judicial filibuster. Putting the toothpaste back in the tube isn't something you can do on the fly, I think. And even if you do, if they lose the Senate majority then the incoming congress can simply vote in a set of rules that restore the status quo.
This isn't my baliwick so someone with more depth of understanding can correct me here but I'm pretty sure this is a one-way deal.
posted by phearlez at 8:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by fleacircus at 8:38 AM on April 4
I'm not sure that's possible under Senate process. The rules of engagement are voted on and set at the beginning of the term. If you want to make a substantive change that's when you have to do it, or else you shitcan a rule through the shenanigans they did to get rid of the judicial filibuster. Putting the toothpaste back in the tube isn't something you can do on the fly, I think. And even if you do, if they lose the Senate majority then the incoming congress can simply vote in a set of rules that restore the status quo.
This isn't my baliwick so someone with more depth of understanding can correct me here but I'm pretty sure this is a one-way deal.
posted by phearlez at 8:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Financial Times: Time for German leadership (3 mins)
Also, they apparently did an interview with Trump recently... here's a "the making of" video, but the interview itself seems to be behind a paywall. The interviewer, Lionel Barber, introduces a fascinating term "nuclear warbird", but probably just meant "nuclear warhead" and no one in the room noticed because there was no one involved who knew anything about nuclear weapons.
posted by XMLicious at 8:27 AM on April 4, 2017
Also, they apparently did an interview with Trump recently... here's a "the making of" video, but the interview itself seems to be behind a paywall. The interviewer, Lionel Barber, introduces a fascinating term "nuclear warbird", but probably just meant "nuclear warhead" and no one in the room noticed because there was no one involved who knew anything about nuclear weapons.
posted by XMLicious at 8:27 AM on April 4, 2017
Here's a script to fax Chuck Schumer to let him know that we have his back and support the filibuster of Gorsuch.
Senator Schumer,posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
I am writing from [your location] today to thank you for whipping the votes to withhold cloture in the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch. [Insert optional griping about quisling Dem senators], I am extremely heartened by the vast majority of the Democratic Senate caucus being willing to resist.
Neil Gorsuch should never sit on the Supreme Court for the following reasons:
- Donald Trump's "election" was in no way legitimate. There is clear evidence of Russian interference in the election, as well as ample evidence that multiple members of his campaign and transition team were in contact with Russian handlers during the campaign and transitional period. Given these serious unresolved questions about Trump's loyalty to our country, he should not be allowed to seat an Supreme Court Justices unless it is Merrick Garland.
- Mitch McConnell's appalling obstruction of Merrick Garland and their caucus's inability to acknowledge what they did. The empty seat on the court is Judge Garland's as far as I am concerned. I would support Garland's appointment to the court by Donald Trump, should that come to pass.
- Gorsuch himself is a cruel and appalling human being who refused to meet with every member of the caucus. His record shows a callous disregard for human life and a clear intent for him to discriminate against women, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and religious minorities from the bench. His "values" are anathema to the values of America. He has no place on the Supreme Court.
Although McConnell may end the Supreme Court filibuster, I can accept that. He will do it whenever he wants. If he does, though, I expect the Democrats to deny unanimous consent and grind the Senate to a halt until we know the whole story about Trump and his Russian puppetmasters.
Thank you so much for resisting Gorsuch's confirmation. It energizing me to continue to resist the rapacious depredations of the Republicans in the Legislative and Executive Branches.
Sincerely,
[your name]
i propose we replace the word "hypocritical" with "mcconnellical"
posted by entropicamericana at 8:35 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by entropicamericana at 8:35 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
i propose we replace the word "hypocritical" with "mcconnellical"
McConnesterical
posted by mubba at 8:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
McConnesterical
posted by mubba at 8:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Spicer is doing an off-camera briefing today. Follow this account.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:48 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:48 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
... am currently in a very rural part of the Ozarks ... Poor folks who aren't retired or on the VA have what seems like third world health care here -- appalling, inaccessible, uncaring.
Are they aware that thanks to Obamacare, they are now eligible for free or nearly free healthcare through Medicaid? Arkansas has been dragging its feet for three years but as of January 2017 they have implemented Obamacare's Medicaid expansion which covers everyone below 138% of poverty level. And above that level they are entitled to subsidized care on the Obamacare exchange.
posted by JackFlash at 8:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Are they aware that thanks to Obamacare, they are now eligible for free or nearly free healthcare through Medicaid? Arkansas has been dragging its feet for three years but as of January 2017 they have implemented Obamacare's Medicaid expansion which covers everyone below 138% of poverty level. And above that level they are entitled to subsidized care on the Obamacare exchange.
posted by JackFlash at 8:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Thanks, Excommunicated Cardinal. I've just faxed Schumer (with an addition about Donnelly, since I'm in Indiana), and I'm about to fax Donnelly and (very politely) excoriate him for his support of Gorsuch.
posted by minsies at 8:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by minsies at 8:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
0xFCAF: If I knew how to get Democrats elected I'd make it my full-time job instead of cooking up weird analogies on MetaFilter.
It seems to be as simple as running in uncontested races, which is rather common in some states (*cough* Georgia *cough*)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
It seems to be as simple as running in uncontested races, which is rather common in some states (*cough* Georgia *cough*)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:57 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
Thanks, Excommunicated Cardinal. I've just faxed Schumer (with an addition about Donnelly, since I'm in Indiana), and I'm about to fax Donnelly and (very politely) excoriate him for his support of Gorsuch.
Glad it was helpful! It can be difficult to formulate what to say, so I like to make sure that folks have something to work with. Every contact counts!
Thank you (and everyone else) for contacting the Senate about Gorsuch (and every other horrible thing that has gone on in the legislature and executive)! It means a lot to me personally.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:00 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Glad it was helpful! It can be difficult to formulate what to say, so I like to make sure that folks have something to work with. Every contact counts!
Thank you (and everyone else) for contacting the Senate about Gorsuch (and every other horrible thing that has gone on in the legislature and executive)! It means a lot to me personally.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:00 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Just faxed Schumer! Thanks, Excommunicated Cardinal!
I have an idle procedural question. I know it doesn't matter, but I'm curious. I've been assuming that the Senate could, if it so desired, take up Garland's nomination without him having to be re-nominated by 45. Is this true, or does Senate procedure not work that way? In the improbable event that the Democrats managed to display enough bravery, solidarity, and cunning to keep the seat open, and if an anti-Trump wave election in 2018 resulted in them getting control of the Senate, it would be quite satisfying if they held a belated vote for Garland while the House was busy working on impeachment.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:09 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I have an idle procedural question. I know it doesn't matter, but I'm curious. I've been assuming that the Senate could, if it so desired, take up Garland's nomination without him having to be re-nominated by 45. Is this true, or does Senate procedure not work that way? In the improbable event that the Democrats managed to display enough bravery, solidarity, and cunning to keep the seat open, and if an anti-Trump wave election in 2018 resulted in them getting control of the Senate, it would be quite satisfying if they held a belated vote for Garland while the House was busy working on impeachment.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:09 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
It does not work that way. Any outstanding nominations die when Congress ends its session and starts a new one at the beginning of an even-numbered calendar year, and Obama never re-submitted Garland to the current Congress. Even if he had, Trump would have withdrawn it before nominating Gorsuch.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
More accurately, it coincides with the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan, who, typically of Republicans, paid for a massive military build-up with a tax cut for the rich
As well as launching two changes that eliminated the middle class: destroying unions, and making it easy for companies to break their fixed benefit pensions, even though those were legal contractual promises.
posted by msalt at 9:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
As well as launching two changes that eliminated the middle class: destroying unions, and making it easy for companies to break their fixed benefit pensions, even though those were legal contractual promises.
posted by msalt at 9:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
They are going to blame Obama for doing nothing about Assad's use of chemical weapons then do nothing about Assad's use of chemical weapons, and/or help his crush his opposition? That's some logic.
posted by Artw at 9:19 AM on April 4, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by Artw at 9:19 AM on April 4, 2017 [31 favorites]
0xFCAF: If I knew how to get Democrats elected I'd make it my full-time job instead of cooking up weird analogies on MetaFilter.
What about this strategy: progressives registering as Republicans and filing in empty seats, both to head off stronger Republicans, and to declare themselves "Orthodox Republicans" returning to the days of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, who then argue for progressive policies?
posted by msalt at 9:21 AM on April 4, 2017
It seems to be as simple as running in uncontested races, which is rather common in some states (*cough* Georgia *cough*)Some of us live in blue states with the opposite problem. But every now and then, a scandal to a Dem combined with an above average Republican results in the R's stealing a seat, as they did with the Oregon secretary of state race last year.
What about this strategy: progressives registering as Republicans and filing in empty seats, both to head off stronger Republicans, and to declare themselves "Orthodox Republicans" returning to the days of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, who then argue for progressive policies?
posted by msalt at 9:21 AM on April 4, 2017
They are going to blame Obama for doing nothing about Assad's use of chemical weapons then do nothing about Assad's use of chemical weapons, and/or help his crush his opposition? That's some logic.
Wasn't it obvious from George "All Hat and No Cattle" W. Bush? Republicans are big on tough talk, but their mouths write checks they can't cash.
posted by Gelatin at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2017
Wasn't it obvious from George "All Hat and No Cattle" W. Bush? Republicans are big on tough talk, but their mouths write checks they can't cash.
posted by Gelatin at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2017
Whether or not he actually was a spy or an intelligence asset of spies.
Carter Page: Not a russian spy, but #1 with russian spies.
posted by murphy slaw at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
Carter Page: Not a russian spy, but #1 with russian spies.
posted by murphy slaw at 9:22 AM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
> This coincides with the fall of Communism, after which, with no serious external threats, the 1% were free to turn their knives inward on the rest of us.
So this is a narrative that I really, really, really want to be true, but I'm a little bit too young to have been politically aware in the 1980s — the political disputes I was invested in were less about communism v. capitalism and more about Donatello v. Rafael.
But is it true? Did global capital really consider the waning Bolsheviks to be an existential threat to the continued rule of capital, to the point that they'd continue buying off the masses in the United States to keep the threat of expropriation at bay? As I see it, the neoliberal counterrevolution, at least in the Anglosphere, was running at full steam at least a decade before the fall of the Soviet Union, and the fall of the Soviet Union didn't really change much about the neoliberal world order, except insofar as a few well-placed Soviet bureaucrats got to reinvent themselves as oligarchs and join the big game.
BUT this is all history book stuff to me — I was technically there, but I was, you know, busy watching TMNT and playing Zelda and putting teeth under pillows and stuff. Did Gorby's USSR stand as an real inspiration for the left?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:23 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
So this is a narrative that I really, really, really want to be true, but I'm a little bit too young to have been politically aware in the 1980s — the political disputes I was invested in were less about communism v. capitalism and more about Donatello v. Rafael.
But is it true? Did global capital really consider the waning Bolsheviks to be an existential threat to the continued rule of capital, to the point that they'd continue buying off the masses in the United States to keep the threat of expropriation at bay? As I see it, the neoliberal counterrevolution, at least in the Anglosphere, was running at full steam at least a decade before the fall of the Soviet Union, and the fall of the Soviet Union didn't really change much about the neoliberal world order, except insofar as a few well-placed Soviet bureaucrats got to reinvent themselves as oligarchs and join the big game.
BUT this is all history book stuff to me — I was technically there, but I was, you know, busy watching TMNT and playing Zelda and putting teeth under pillows and stuff. Did Gorby's USSR stand as an real inspiration for the left?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:23 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Every now and then I discover that I'm still capable of being shocked by the sheer hypocritical audacity of Trump.
Trump, the man who is siding with Russia in a pro-Assad alliance, has just declared that a) Assad's use of chemical weapons was bad, and b) it's all Obama's fault. Naturally none of that will change his position WRT sucking up to Assad via letting Russia run the show.
I've learned that I'm not cynical enough and that despite my efforts to assume the worst, be pessimistic, and generally layer on cynicism with a trowel, I'm still being too optimistic and naive.
posted by sotonohito at 9:26 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
Trump, the man who is siding with Russia in a pro-Assad alliance, has just declared that a) Assad's use of chemical weapons was bad, and b) it's all Obama's fault. Naturally none of that will change his position WRT sucking up to Assad via letting Russia run the show.
I've learned that I'm not cynical enough and that despite my efforts to assume the worst, be pessimistic, and generally layer on cynicism with a trowel, I'm still being too optimistic and naive.
posted by sotonohito at 9:26 AM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
What about this strategy: progressives registering as Republicans and filing in empty seats, both to head off stronger Republicans, and to declare themselves "Orthodox Republicans" returning to the days of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, who then argue for progressive policies?
If there is no Republican running, it's not because they just haven't found anyone, it's because they know that no one with an R by their name has a chance to break 20 percent, because that's how they gerrymandered that seat.
And if there are Republicans running who just aren't quite good enough, it's because they know that no one with an R by their name has a chance to break 40 percent, because see above paragraph.
And for those few non-gerrymandered seats where a Theoretical Progressive Republican could win, that TPR wouldn't make it out of the primary anyway.
posted by Etrigan at 9:28 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
If there is no Republican running, it's not because they just haven't found anyone, it's because they know that no one with an R by their name has a chance to break 20 percent, because that's how they gerrymandered that seat.
And if there are Republicans running who just aren't quite good enough, it's because they know that no one with an R by their name has a chance to break 40 percent, because see above paragraph.
And for those few non-gerrymandered seats where a Theoretical Progressive Republican could win, that TPR wouldn't make it out of the primary anyway.
posted by Etrigan at 9:28 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Among all the other wrong wrong wrongity wrong shit about Spicer's statement, the Asshole in Chief has been in charge for three months now. Why didn't he take some time off the fucking golf course to "establish a red line" (which is a magical, untouchable thing that requires no maintenance, apparently) with Assad?
posted by tobascodagama at 9:28 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 9:28 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'd rephrase it as "with the fall of Communism, after which there were no serious external boogiemen with which to distract and rile up the masses, the 1% returned to the old internal boogiemen of people of color and those who sympathize with them for all of their dividing-and-conquering needs."
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Regarding Assad, I believe he has used industrial chemicals, like chlorine, that he was allowed to keep after giving up his chemical weapons. If Assad's forces used a weaponized chemical agent in this recent attack, isn't it likely that Trump's buddies the Russians gave it to them?
posted by Gelatin at 9:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 9:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
>What about this strategy: progressives registering as Republicans and filing in empty seats, both to head off stronger Republicans, and to declare themselves "Orthodox Republicans" returning to the days of Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, who then argue for progressive policies?
I don't think this is a thing that Democrats necessarily need to get involved in, but it's the category of obnoxious procedural trollery that the Trotskyist newspaper sales organizations are well-suited for. They could call themselves Red Republicans, take over the local party apparatus, and make sure that real Republicans would henceforth have trouble even getting on the ballot.
Back in... 1996, I think? Dan Savage realized that there were no Republican delegates from the Seattle district he lived in, and so ran unopposed and ended up going to the state convention. There was a brief and silly controversy about it, because Savage got a nasty flu right before the convention, and instead of staying home he made a point of going... and licking as many doorknobs at the convention center as he possibly could.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
I don't think this is a thing that Democrats necessarily need to get involved in, but it's the category of obnoxious procedural trollery that the Trotskyist newspaper sales organizations are well-suited for. They could call themselves Red Republicans, take over the local party apparatus, and make sure that real Republicans would henceforth have trouble even getting on the ballot.
Back in... 1996, I think? Dan Savage realized that there were no Republican delegates from the Seattle district he lived in, and so ran unopposed and ended up going to the state convention. There was a brief and silly controversy about it, because Savage got a nasty flu right before the convention, and instead of staying home he made a point of going... and licking as many doorknobs at the convention center as he possibly could.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
NBC: US secretary of State refuses to comment when asked for response to chemical attack massacre in Syria.
Is he like, waiting for Kushner to chime in?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:43 AM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
Is he like, waiting for Kushner to chime in?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:43 AM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
(From just before the election) In which Republicans fail to defend the sacred Biden Rule.
posted by scalefree at 9:52 AM on April 4, 2017
posted by scalefree at 9:52 AM on April 4, 2017
When Syrians Came to America, a series of short documentaries released last month about the Syrian immigrant communities in the Greater Boston area, including the film maker's family, stretching back to the 1870s; by Omar Duwaji, from Al Jazeera / AJ+
posted by XMLicious at 9:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 9:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
That feels weird? 'Are exploring' is pretty far from 'are proposing,' but it's weird that they're even exploring a carbon tax, considering Trump's climate change denials. Maybe this is a leak in an effort to appear bipartisan?
Trump has no intrinsic loyalty to conservative principles. As incurious as he is he understands the government needs income to do the things that make him popular, which as a narcissist is his ultimate goal & loyalty. If a carbon tax is the thing that can provide the income that lets him do the things that his followers will adore him for, he'll find a way to sell it to them. Anything for that next hit of worship.
posted by scalefree at 10:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump has no intrinsic loyalty to conservative principles. As incurious as he is he understands the government needs income to do the things that make him popular, which as a narcissist is his ultimate goal & loyalty. If a carbon tax is the thing that can provide the income that lets him do the things that his followers will adore him for, he'll find a way to sell it to them. Anything for that next hit of worship.
posted by scalefree at 10:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Maybe this is a leak in an effort to appear bipartisan?
Or appear remotely competent. There's no way in hell to make their tax reform numbers work without new revenue sources, and there's only a very few places to raise revenue when you've taken the largest and most obvious source, raising taxes on the people who actually have all the money, off the table. They need a win on something, and basic math stands in the way if they do taxes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Or appear remotely competent. There's no way in hell to make their tax reform numbers work without new revenue sources, and there's only a very few places to raise revenue when you've taken the largest and most obvious source, raising taxes on the people who actually have all the money, off the table. They need a win on something, and basic math stands in the way if they do taxes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:02 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Washington Post: ‘It went off the rails almost immediately’: How Trump’s messy transition led to a chaotic presidency
They had an orderly plan. He had final say.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
They had an orderly plan. He had final say.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump has no intrinsic loyalty to conservative principles
FTFY.
We also know that Trump has no awareness of hypocrisy. Promoting a carbon tax, which is intended to prevent global warming, is not outside the range of possibilities for him, despite his history of pooh-pooing the science behind global climate change.
posted by suelac at 10:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
FTFY.
We also know that Trump has no awareness of hypocrisy. Promoting a carbon tax, which is intended to prevent global warming, is not outside the range of possibilities for him, despite his history of pooh-pooing the science behind global climate change.
posted by suelac at 10:03 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's a given that Grover Norquist's odious pledge requiring Republicans not to raise taxes is intended to benefit the wealthy, but is there really an "it's okay to raise taxes on the little people" loophole? I doubt it. Besides, the Freedom Caucus would never go for it, and I doubt Democrats are in much of a mood to give Trump a win.
posted by Gelatin at 10:04 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 10:04 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Washington Post: ‘It went off the rails almost immediately’: How Trump’s messy transition led to a chaotic presidency"
If you are like me and having trouble keeping track of Trump's cabinet appointments so far, never fear. I got this list together for you.
posted by komara at 10:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
If you are like me and having trouble keeping track of Trump's cabinet appointments so far, never fear. I got this list together for you.
posted by komara at 10:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Washington Post: ‘It went off the rails almost immediately’: How Trump’s messy transition led to a chaotic presidency
posted by Etrigan at 10:08 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Those kinds of accomplishments led Ken Nahigian, who played a central role in both the pre-election and post-election phases, to say, “This transition was as smooth and well executed as we ever could have expected.”I think this is the shadiest shade ever thrown, but I honestly can't tell, which I believe makes it even shadier.
posted by Etrigan at 10:08 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Trump just retweeted a Drudge Report tweet that says, RICE ORDERED SPY DOCS ON TRUMP?
Very productive day in the White House.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Very productive day in the White House.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
White House explores two new tax ideas — a value-added tax and carbon tax
Hmmm.. one would affect big businesses, including one that the Secretary of State ran until just recently, and the other would disproportionately affect the lower and middle classes to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy. I doubt we'll see either make it as a serious proposal but if I had to lay odds on which one of them might make it...
posted by Candleman at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Hmmm.. one would affect big businesses, including one that the Secretary of State ran until just recently, and the other would disproportionately affect the lower and middle classes to pay for tax cuts to the wealthy. I doubt we'll see either make it as a serious proposal but if I had to lay odds on which one of them might make it...
posted by Candleman at 10:13 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
"These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration's weakness and irresolution."
Spicer added: "President (Barack) Obama said in 2012 he would establish a red line against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable act."
And then he found a way to resolve the chemical weapons issue without military intervention, which in 2012 was absolutely worth a shot.
I was one of the people who genuinely wished we could/would intervene in Syria, and in the rise of ISIS for that matter. But I also had the sense to understand why jumping into another big military op in 2012 wasn't in the cards for any number of reasons. And I'm also sensible enough to realize that Republicans would have absolutely, 100% stabbed Obama in the back for intervening, just like they criticized him for not intervening, because they never really gave a shit about Syria or Iraq in any context except as an avenue of attack against Obama.
Why was an intervention in Syria untenable? Republicans. That's why.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Spicer added: "President (Barack) Obama said in 2012 he would establish a red line against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable act."
And then he found a way to resolve the chemical weapons issue without military intervention, which in 2012 was absolutely worth a shot.
I was one of the people who genuinely wished we could/would intervene in Syria, and in the rise of ISIS for that matter. But I also had the sense to understand why jumping into another big military op in 2012 wasn't in the cards for any number of reasons. And I'm also sensible enough to realize that Republicans would have absolutely, 100% stabbed Obama in the back for intervening, just like they criticized him for not intervening, because they never really gave a shit about Syria or Iraq in any context except as an avenue of attack against Obama.
Why was an intervention in Syria untenable? Republicans. That's why.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Trump just retweeted a Drudge Report tweet
Okay, folks, place your bets: Next bombshell by NYT or WaPo? And before or after 5:30pm?
posted by Freon at 10:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
Okay, folks, place your bets: Next bombshell by NYT or WaPo? And before or after 5:30pm?
posted by Freon at 10:15 AM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
So, NYT, four minutes later, then.
posted by Gelatin at 10:22 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 10:22 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
When Trump wanted to create a scripted fictional show called “The Tower” — like “Dynasty,” only about a group of models who live in a Manhattan skyscraper — Zucker instructed his development team to buy the pitch and hire a writer, even though he never intended to put it on TV. (Even before there was a script, Trump had a casting demand: They had to hire real models, not actresses.)
That's like Zoolander levels of genius, Mr Trump.
posted by peeedro at 10:26 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
That's like Zoolander levels of genius, Mr Trump.
posted by peeedro at 10:26 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Why was an intervention in Syria untenable? Republicans. That's why.
Well, partly. If I'm understanding you right, I think we're in agreement that ideally something should have been done about Syria when the war was beginning. But I don't think there's anything that realistically could have been done that would have ended well -- I think there just would've been a three-way proxy war (although that's sort of what's happening anyway, as far as I can tell), but with more US involvement which probably wouldn't have been helpful to anyone.
The US needs to recognize that we are not capable of nation-building in the midst of colonially-constructed nation states that are falling apart. Maybe no one can do it -- but the US most definitely can't. Of course the right solution is to help struggling nations to build up their civil and governmental institutions, support and diversify their economies, develop robust political cultures, etc., etc. but we won't be doing that either as long as the Trumpists are running things.
At this point, I don't know. I'm afraid that the Levant is going to have to burn itself out -- unless Russia and Iran come to the point where they want the war to end. Probably we can and should be doing things like making sure that Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan are able to resist extremists and keep their shit together while dealing with the millions of refugees that the West mostly refuses to take in, but of course we won't be doing that either. And I guess since our President is maybe besties with Erdogan we'll find some new way to screw over the Kurds?
Such a fucking humanitarian catastrophe, and I can't imagine a worse set of fascist morons to have running our military and diplomatic efforts.
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Well, partly. If I'm understanding you right, I think we're in agreement that ideally something should have been done about Syria when the war was beginning. But I don't think there's anything that realistically could have been done that would have ended well -- I think there just would've been a three-way proxy war (although that's sort of what's happening anyway, as far as I can tell), but with more US involvement which probably wouldn't have been helpful to anyone.
The US needs to recognize that we are not capable of nation-building in the midst of colonially-constructed nation states that are falling apart. Maybe no one can do it -- but the US most definitely can't. Of course the right solution is to help struggling nations to build up their civil and governmental institutions, support and diversify their economies, develop robust political cultures, etc., etc. but we won't be doing that either as long as the Trumpists are running things.
At this point, I don't know. I'm afraid that the Levant is going to have to burn itself out -- unless Russia and Iran come to the point where they want the war to end. Probably we can and should be doing things like making sure that Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan are able to resist extremists and keep their shit together while dealing with the millions of refugees that the West mostly refuses to take in, but of course we won't be doing that either. And I guess since our President is maybe besties with Erdogan we'll find some new way to screw over the Kurds?
Such a fucking humanitarian catastrophe, and I can't imagine a worse set of fascist morons to have running our military and diplomatic efforts.
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
That article seems to be way more about Zucker and CNN than Trump but I think it makes them all look terrible. Just a cozy relationship of produced drama among friends. Fuck all of them.
posted by Green With You at 10:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Green With You at 10:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump, the man who is siding with Russia in a pro-Assad alliance, has just declared that a) Assad's use of chemical weapons was bad, and b) it's all Obama's fault. Naturally none of that will change his position WRT sucking up to Assad via letting Russia run the show.
Tulsi Gabbard Denies New Report Of Trump’s Role In Her Syria Trip
So the story circulating on Twitter the last few days is that the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar ran a story alleging that Gabbard delivered a message to Assad on behalf of Trump when she visited him in January. Not surprised that she's denying it—and who knows, really—but it isn't as if it's inconceivable that Donnie would contract out his back-channel diplomacy. Or that Gabbard wouldn't be just the kind of nutbar he would choose.
Did Gorby's USSR stand as an real inspiration for the left?
(On the center-liberal-left there was some hope, as I recall, that the Soviet Union might come to resemble the more liberal communist states of Hungary or Czechoslovakia and maybe even eventually become a kind of democratically socialist polity. But in retrospect—and even at the time to some— that hope was more of a shallow expectation that everything would all work out for the best, than any kind of inspiration to action. I'm less clear on how the socialist/communist/trot left took it but I don't recall them being particularly inspired by it, either.)
posted by octobersurprise at 10:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Tulsi Gabbard Denies New Report Of Trump’s Role In Her Syria Trip
So the story circulating on Twitter the last few days is that the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar ran a story alleging that Gabbard delivered a message to Assad on behalf of Trump when she visited him in January. Not surprised that she's denying it—and who knows, really—but it isn't as if it's inconceivable that Donnie would contract out his back-channel diplomacy. Or that Gabbard wouldn't be just the kind of nutbar he would choose.
Did Gorby's USSR stand as an real inspiration for the left?
(On the center-liberal-left there was some hope, as I recall, that the Soviet Union might come to resemble the more liberal communist states of Hungary or Czechoslovakia and maybe even eventually become a kind of democratically socialist polity. But in retrospect—and even at the time to some— that hope was more of a shallow expectation that everything would all work out for the best, than any kind of inspiration to action. I'm less clear on how the socialist/communist/trot left took it but I don't recall them being particularly inspired by it, either.)
posted by octobersurprise at 10:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
cjelli: As Zucker sees it, his pro-Trump panelists are not just spokespeople for a worldview; they are “characters in a drama,” members of CNN’s extended ensemble cast. “Everybody says, ‘Oh, I can’t believe you have Jeffrey Lord or Kayleigh McEnany,’ but you know what?” Zucker told me with some satisfaction. “They know who Jeffrey Lord and Kayleigh McEnany are.”
So, Zucker really is a huckster selling fake news. Trump was right!
“He was attacking CNN, but in a little more of a playful way, because he knew me,” Zucker says. “He was being an ass but in a playful way.”
posted by filthy light thief at 10:48 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
So, Zucker really is a huckster selling fake news. Trump was right!
“He was attacking CNN, but in a little more of a playful way, because he knew me,” Zucker says. “He was being an ass but in a playful way.”
posted by filthy light thief at 10:48 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think there just would've been a three-way proxy war (although that's sort of what's happening anyway, as far as I can tell), but with more US involvement which probably wouldn't have been helpful to anyone.
If we had pounded on Assad's military with punitive, targeted strikes (yeah, I know "targeted" isn't nearly what it's cracked up to be) back in 2012, I think it could've made a serious difference in how the rest of this played out. The thing is, it would not have magically fixed things right then and there, but surely everyone would have expected exactly that. Also, had we gotten involved early and stayed engaged, it might have warded off Putin's eventual entry. Maybe. Hard to say.
Intervening would have simultaneously been Obama overreaching and not doing nearly enough and plunging us into Yet Another War and the goals would have been unclear because the whole situation is a mess to begin with.
Ultimately, airstrikes and such could have done some good in the long run, but again the political will on both sides just wasn't really there at the time so we'll never know. It's disingenuous of Republicans to claim otherwise, but when did that ever stop them?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
If we had pounded on Assad's military with punitive, targeted strikes (yeah, I know "targeted" isn't nearly what it's cracked up to be) back in 2012, I think it could've made a serious difference in how the rest of this played out. The thing is, it would not have magically fixed things right then and there, but surely everyone would have expected exactly that. Also, had we gotten involved early and stayed engaged, it might have warded off Putin's eventual entry. Maybe. Hard to say.
Intervening would have simultaneously been Obama overreaching and not doing nearly enough and plunging us into Yet Another War and the goals would have been unclear because the whole situation is a mess to begin with.
Ultimately, airstrikes and such could have done some good in the long run, but again the political will on both sides just wasn't really there at the time so we'll never know. It's disingenuous of Republicans to claim otherwise, but when did that ever stop them?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:53 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Etrigan: If there is no Republican running, it's not because they just haven't found anyone, it's because they know that no one with an R by their name has a chance to break 20 percent, because that's how they gerrymandered that seat.
That might be true in some cases, but you have to think there's some possibility that a disgraced Georgia judge who fell up into being a state rep, where he was unopposed three times, where he recorded a message offering to help keep a Spalding County Sheriff’s Office sex scandal secret. I get it, gerrymandering greatly harms the likelihood that someone other than a Republican will win, but I would love to see someone at least try to oust Georgia State Rep. Johnnie Caldwell (R-Thomaston), who is now trying to abolish the judicial watchdog group that lead to his resignation as judge.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
That might be true in some cases, but you have to think there's some possibility that a disgraced Georgia judge who fell up into being a state rep, where he was unopposed three times, where he recorded a message offering to help keep a Spalding County Sheriff’s Office sex scandal secret. I get it, gerrymandering greatly harms the likelihood that someone other than a Republican will win, but I would love to see someone at least try to oust Georgia State Rep. Johnnie Caldwell (R-Thomaston), who is now trying to abolish the judicial watchdog group that lead to his resignation as judge.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
538: What The Special Election In Georgia Can — And Can’t — Tell Us About The Midterms
tl;dr: An Ossoff victory might point to Dem success in the midterms, but we really need to see what happens in other specials.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
tl;dr: An Ossoff victory might point to Dem success in the midterms, but we really need to see what happens in other specials.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:56 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Intervening would have simultaneously been Obama overreaching and not doing nearly enough and plunging us into Yet Another War and the goals would have been unclear because the whole situation is a mess to begin with.
I think it's also worth noting our country's collective "meh" concerning the Syrian use of chemical weapons probably had a lot to do with another president who cried WMD wolf.
posted by peeedro at 11:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
I think it's also worth noting our country's collective "meh" concerning the Syrian use of chemical weapons probably had a lot to do with another president who cried WMD wolf.
posted by peeedro at 11:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Are we really wondering if maybe bombing even more people in the Middle East wouldn't have improved the situation? Really?
posted by Justinian at 11:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 11:01 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
If you are like me and having trouble keeping track of Trump's cabinet appointments so far, never fear. I got this list together for you.
So does this make Democrats the urDu?
Well meaning, but basically useless because they're out of power and lack the necessary guile to get it back?
posted by leotrotsky at 11:06 AM on April 4, 2017
So does this make Democrats the urDu?
Well meaning, but basically useless because they're out of power and lack the necessary guile to get it back?
posted by leotrotsky at 11:06 AM on April 4, 2017
The NYT article should, if all was good and right in this world, beget a boycott of CNN the likes of which Jeff Zucker has never seen. Unfortunately, all is neither good, nor right in this world.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 11:06 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
President Trump's administration is exploring the creation of two controversial new taxes — a value-added tax and a carbon tax — as part of a broad overhaul of the tax code, according to an administration official and one other person briefed on the process.
Yeah, both of these are nonstarters, because you can't really do them with reconciliation (you'd need to include a bunch of non-revenue provisions). Not to mention the fact that writing tax laws is actually really hard, a lot of stuff is dealt with through regulations ("the administrative state"), and the asst. sec. of tax policy seat is still vacant (Trump selected someone for it just yesterday; I heard that basically no one wanted the job). This is before considering the politics of any of these proposals.
They really can't do tax reform unless they go way to the left and pick up Dems; the GOP caucus has no unifying tax policy ideology. I'd bet a cake on it.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Yeah, both of these are nonstarters, because you can't really do them with reconciliation (you'd need to include a bunch of non-revenue provisions). Not to mention the fact that writing tax laws is actually really hard, a lot of stuff is dealt with through regulations ("the administrative state"), and the asst. sec. of tax policy seat is still vacant (Trump selected someone for it just yesterday; I heard that basically no one wanted the job). This is before considering the politics of any of these proposals.
They really can't do tax reform unless they go way to the left and pick up Dems; the GOP caucus has no unifying tax policy ideology. I'd bet a cake on it.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:07 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
If we had pounded on Assad's military with punitive, targeted strikes (yeah, I know "targeted" isn't nearly what it's cracked up to be) back in 2012, I think it could've made a serious difference in how the rest of this played out. The thing is, it would not have magically fixed things right then and there, but surely everyone would have expected exactly that. Also, had we gotten involved early and stayed engaged, it might have warded off Putin's eventual entry. Maybe. Hard to say.
My understanding is that the non-extremist non-Kurdish groups probably weren't ever strong enough to be able to resist both Assad and ISIS, even with greater US support; that we couldn't support the Kurdish groups very well because Turkey; and that basically all that would have happened is greater, faster US involvement in this particular chapter of post-colonial reconfiguration.
I very well could be wrong about those assumptions, I'm not a foreign policy expert or anything. But I don't have a lot of faith in even so competent an administration as Obama's mostly was to be able to thread all those needles.
The US has got to understand that we can't just swoop in, throw some bombs around, kill bad guys, set up polling booths and swoop on out. That seems to be all we're actually capable of nowadays. Yes, I know we've tried under Obama and, yes, Bush, to help build up the institutions of society but we suck at it for a number of reasons, highest of which is probably the fact that we come in with basically no understanding of the cultural and geopolitical realities of any nation that's not in North America / Western Europe.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
My understanding is that the non-extremist non-Kurdish groups probably weren't ever strong enough to be able to resist both Assad and ISIS, even with greater US support; that we couldn't support the Kurdish groups very well because Turkey; and that basically all that would have happened is greater, faster US involvement in this particular chapter of post-colonial reconfiguration.
I very well could be wrong about those assumptions, I'm not a foreign policy expert or anything. But I don't have a lot of faith in even so competent an administration as Obama's mostly was to be able to thread all those needles.
The US has got to understand that we can't just swoop in, throw some bombs around, kill bad guys, set up polling booths and swoop on out. That seems to be all we're actually capable of nowadays. Yes, I know we've tried under Obama and, yes, Bush, to help build up the institutions of society but we suck at it for a number of reasons, highest of which is probably the fact that we come in with basically no understanding of the cultural and geopolitical realities of any nation that's not in North America / Western Europe.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
I'm with Justinian. I'll criticize Obama for a lot, but his failure to eagerly dive into yet another godawful Middle Eastern war is not one of them. If anything I'd say Obama was too aggressive in the Middle East. What we should have done was just left. We can't do any good, everything we do makes things worse, it's time for the USA to simply not be part of Middle Eastern politics for a while.
Syria is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. But bombing the shit out of people there wasn't going to fix anything, and that's really all the US could do from a military standpoint. From a humanitarian standpoint the US could have done a lot more, but that requires that the Republicans fund humanitarian efforts and they, of course, would never do that.
posted by sotonohito at 11:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
Syria is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. But bombing the shit out of people there wasn't going to fix anything, and that's really all the US could do from a military standpoint. From a humanitarian standpoint the US could have done a lot more, but that requires that the Republicans fund humanitarian efforts and they, of course, would never do that.
posted by sotonohito at 11:10 AM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
A carbon tax *could* be a great thing, if properly designed and implemented, and having its regressive impacts mitigated.
I see the likelihood of this White House meeting those criteria as low.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
I see the likelihood of this White House meeting those criteria as low.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:12 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
That brings the total up to nine companies pulling their ads from O'Reilly so far, although several of them reallocated the ads to other timeslots on Fox, so the net revenue impact is unclear.
Somebody fire up the Sleeping Giants signal. Leave nothing but Buy Gold and Reverse Mortgage ads.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:14 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Somebody fire up the Sleeping Giants signal. Leave nothing but Buy Gold and Reverse Mortgage ads.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:14 AM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
“I don’t want to be the president of the world,” Trump says on the day of the Syria chemical attack, then recounts his electoral victory"When I was driving once I saw this painted on a bridge: 'I don't want the world, I just want your half.'"
— @BraddJaffy
posted by octobersurprise at 11:14 AM on April 4, 2017 [31 favorites]
I'd love to see these jerks try to talk Oregonians into a VAT...
Yeah and if there's anything that your average, middle-aged white Midwestern suburbanite loves to complain incessantly about, it's THE PRICE AT THE PUMP SHOCK HORROR $3/GAL so, uh, we shall see how this carbon tax / VAT proposal works out.
On the other hand, if there's anyone who can make it so that suddenly no one cares anymore and there aren't fifty local news segments on gas prices every summer, then I mean it won't be the worst thing Trump has ever done.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah and if there's anything that your average, middle-aged white Midwestern suburbanite loves to complain incessantly about, it's THE PRICE AT THE PUMP SHOCK HORROR $3/GAL so, uh, we shall see how this carbon tax / VAT proposal works out.
On the other hand, if there's anyone who can make it so that suddenly no one cares anymore and there aren't fifty local news segments on gas prices every summer, then I mean it won't be the worst thing Trump has ever done.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Islamic State says U.S. 'being run by an idiot'
"... There is no more evidence than the fact that you are being run by an idiot who does not know what Syria or Iraq or Islam is," he said in a recording released on Tuesday on messaging network Telegram.
posted by futz at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
"... There is no more evidence than the fact that you are being run by an idiot who does not know what Syria or Iraq or Islam is," he said in a recording released on Tuesday on messaging network Telegram.
posted by futz at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
You know, I wouldn't have thought I had anything in common with those guys, but I suppose we can both agree he's an idiot, yes.
posted by Archelaus at 11:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by Archelaus at 11:18 AM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
Islamic State says U.S. 'being run by an idiot'
I have my doubts about how official this "official news feed of the DPRK" really is, but they feel the same way
I have my doubts about how official this "official news feed of the DPRK" really is, but they feel the same way
"Sole US export under corpulent ferret Donald Trump is thing known as 'Snuggles,' as foreign trade deficit soars. DPRK exports remain strong"posted by octobersurprise at 11:28 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
DPRK_News is a parody account from members of the Popehat crew.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:30 AM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Nice work that.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by octobersurprise at 11:31 AM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
The US has got to understand that we can't just swoop in, throw some bombs around, kill bad guys, set up polling booths and swoop on out.
The conflict in Syria is in no small part due to the historic drought brought on by climate change, right?
The only thing that could have maybe saved Syria would have been a historic international cooperative effort, and even then, it would have antagonized Russia.
43 squandered most of the trust and authority we would need to lead a historic international cooperative effort in anything, and 45 is busy making us into the dangerous idiot everyone wants to take down, and Europe is too fractured to take the lead, while China seems to...honestly idk about China.
In a sense, the Republican Party may well have doomed the entire world.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:32 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
The conflict in Syria is in no small part due to the historic drought brought on by climate change, right?
The only thing that could have maybe saved Syria would have been a historic international cooperative effort, and even then, it would have antagonized Russia.
43 squandered most of the trust and authority we would need to lead a historic international cooperative effort in anything, and 45 is busy making us into the dangerous idiot everyone wants to take down, and Europe is too fractured to take the lead, while China seems to...honestly idk about China.
In a sense, the Republican Party may well have doomed the entire world.
posted by schadenfrau at 11:32 AM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
President Trump’s Son-In-Law Secretly Met With Muslim Leaders Weeks Before The Travel Ban
The secrecy surrounding that day shows just how toxic relations have become between the White House and American Muslims. Simply acknowledging a meeting now risks political fallout from both directions: Trump’s anti-Muslim supporters don’t want to see him cozying up to Muslims, and many Muslims would reject any Islamic group that’s willing to deal with Trump.
posted by futz at 11:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
The secrecy surrounding that day shows just how toxic relations have become between the White House and American Muslims. Simply acknowledging a meeting now risks political fallout from both directions: Trump’s anti-Muslim supporters don’t want to see him cozying up to Muslims, and many Muslims would reject any Islamic group that’s willing to deal with Trump.
posted by futz at 11:34 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Why the fuck is Donny Jr. going around calling Susan Rice "fake news" when he's supposed to be off running the business totally separately? Why do I even keep asking this question?
posted by zachlipton at 11:36 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:36 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
i propose we replace the word "hypocritical" with "mcconnellical"
Mitchocritical, surely!
"Apparently, the NCAA cares a tiny bit about LGBT people, for show, but either doesn't understand what really happened, or doesn't care that much."
Expecting the NCAA to take the moral lead on anything is like expecting a pig to lay eggs. It's an inherently immoral organization. The fact that they periodically accidentally stumble on a correct position should not mislead you.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
Mitchocritical, surely!
"Apparently, the NCAA cares a tiny bit about LGBT people, for show, but either doesn't understand what really happened, or doesn't care that much."
Expecting the NCAA to take the moral lead on anything is like expecting a pig to lay eggs. It's an inherently immoral organization. The fact that they periodically accidentally stumble on a correct position should not mislead you.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 11:38 AM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
Reinforcing spitbull's comment above
Fewer than half of white men and rural Americans approve of Trump.
If you're Republican and you've lost white men and rural Americans, that's ...not good.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:39 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Fewer than half of white men and rural Americans approve of Trump.
If you're Republican and you've lost white men and rural Americans, that's ...not good.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:39 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Of 553 key positions requiring Senate confirmation …
No nominee: 487
Awaiting nomination: 25
Formally nominated: 20
Confirmed: 21
posted by kirkaracha at 11:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
No nominee: 487
Awaiting nomination: 25
Formally nominated: 20
Confirmed: 21
posted by kirkaracha at 11:40 AM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
I propose the Republicans have not really lost the white men. As an alternate hypothesis, I propose that the white men will just look for a REAL* Republican next time.
*Definition of "real" limited to whomever cons them the most successfully.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
*Definition of "real" limited to whomever cons them the most successfully.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:41 AM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
43 squandered most of the trust and authority we would need to lead a historic international cooperative effort in anything, and 45 is busy making us into the dangerous idiot everyone wants to take down, and Europe is too fractured to take the lead, while China seems to...honestly idk about China.
In a sense, the Republican Party may well have doomed the entire world.
Eh, Obama could have put together an international coalition if he felt it was needed.
An impeachment and/or imprisonment of Trumpists for espionage/treason would serve as a nice palate cleanser for future administrations.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:42 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
In a sense, the Republican Party may well have doomed the entire world.
Eh, Obama could have put together an international coalition if he felt it was needed.
An impeachment and/or imprisonment of Trumpists for espionage/treason would serve as a nice palate cleanser for future administrations.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:42 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
The coördination was obvious.Holy cow, The New Yorker is now using the sarcasm umlaut? I am through the fucking looking glass here. It was hard enough coping with the fact that the world was on board this whole internet thing we used to fuck around with in college and they all walk around obsessed with their magic always-connected pocket computers. But major publications adopting these bits of textual foolery... fuck, it really is all a simulation isn't it? Why does it have to be such a shitty one?
posted by phearlez at 11:43 AM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Fewer than half of white men and rural Americans approve of Trump.
If you're Republican and you've lost white men and rural Americans, that's ...not good.
It don't matter unless they apply those opinions to voting. If then.
posted by phearlez at 11:45 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
If you're Republican and you've lost white men and rural Americans, that's ...not good.
It don't matter unless they apply those opinions to voting. If then.
posted by phearlez at 11:45 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
no that's the New Yorker's trademark pretentiousness umlaut
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:45 AM on April 4, 2017 [47 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:45 AM on April 4, 2017 [47 favorites]
The only thing that could have maybe saved Syria would have been a historic international cooperative effort, and even then, it would have antagonized Russia.
I suspect that the only thing that could've saved Syria would have been a voluntary transition of the Assad government to democracy, or (more probably) a time machine to Versailles c. 1919.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
I suspect that the only thing that could've saved Syria would have been a voluntary transition of the Assad government to democracy, or (more probably) a time machine to Versailles c. 1919.
posted by tivalasvegas at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Expecting the NCAA to take the moral lead on anything is like expecting a pig to lay eggs. It's an inherently immoral organization. The fact that they periodically accidentally stumble on a correct position should not mislead you.
QFT. It's rare to find organizations more despicable than the NFL/MLB/NBA, but the NCAA is definitely one. The false peity of gestures towards education and concern towards student athletes really puts it over the top.
At least professional athletics doesn't pretend it's about anything but money.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
QFT. It's rare to find organizations more despicable than the NFL/MLB/NBA, but the NCAA is definitely one. The false peity of gestures towards education and concern towards student athletes really puts it over the top.
At least professional athletics doesn't pretend it's about anything but money.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
The New Yorker has long used the diaeresis (not umlaut) for consecutive vowels in separate syllables.
posted by miguelcervantes at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by miguelcervantes at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [25 favorites]
oh man so I'm working on this writing thing and was reviewing my metafilter comments about the election from today back to September 2016.
going into the past has sort of this disturbing snuff film aspect to it. Jesus Christ, I've been stressed by Trump for a long darn time. And it's just fucking beginning. Ho boy.
posted by angrycat at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
going into the past has sort of this disturbing snuff film aspect to it. Jesus Christ, I've been stressed by Trump for a long darn time. And it's just fucking beginning. Ho boy.
posted by angrycat at 11:46 AM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
no that's the New Yorker's trademark pretentiousness umlaut
...actually a diaeresis /pedant
edit: beaten to the pedant point! Naïve to think I'd be first to it.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [48 favorites]
...actually a diaeresis /pedant
edit: beaten to the pedant point! Naïve to think I'd be first to it.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [48 favorites]
More thoughts on taxes:
-how do you sell a carbon tax when you think climate change is a Chinese hoax?
-Ted Cruz proposed a VAT last year (ok, "business flat tax"), which was rejected by basically everyone (like Cruz himself); he got into an argument about it w/ Rubio at one of the debates
-Rand Paul has also been pushing a VAT ("business transfer tax") for years, so I'm guessing his golf outing with Trump this weekend is what sparked the WH's newfound "interest" in the topic
-Cruz's and Paul's VAT plans both include a repeal payroll taxes -- i.e. cuts to social security
-A lot of the anti-tax folks will not accept a VAT if any kind of income tax still remains (because a future admin could theoretically raise both rates and we'd end up with even higher taxes than pre-VAT)
posted by melissasaurus at 11:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
-how do you sell a carbon tax when you think climate change is a Chinese hoax?
-Ted Cruz proposed a VAT last year (ok, "business flat tax"), which was rejected by basically everyone (like Cruz himself); he got into an argument about it w/ Rubio at one of the debates
-Rand Paul has also been pushing a VAT ("business transfer tax") for years, so I'm guessing his golf outing with Trump this weekend is what sparked the WH's newfound "interest" in the topic
-Cruz's and Paul's VAT plans both include a repeal payroll taxes -- i.e. cuts to social security
-A lot of the anti-tax folks will not accept a VAT if any kind of income tax still remains (because a future admin could theoretically raise both rates and we'd end up with even higher taxes than pre-VAT)
posted by melissasaurus at 11:47 AM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
"We might be here because of nepotism, but we're not still here because of nepotism. You know, if we didn't do a good job, if we weren't competent, believe me, we wouldn't be in this spot."
It would seem that saying "believe me" as a tell that he's lying isn't exclusive to the elder Trump.
posted by Gelatin at 11:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
It would seem that saying "believe me" as a tell that he's lying isn't exclusive to the elder Trump.
posted by Gelatin at 11:55 AM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
"We might be here because of nepotism, but we're not still here because of nepotism. You know, if we didn't do a good job, if we weren't competent, believe me, we wouldn't be in this spot."
The question you have to ask yourself, Idiot Son The Second, is what it is that you're doing a good job at.
posted by Etrigan at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2017 [16 favorites]
The question you have to ask yourself, Idiot Son The Second, is what it is that you're doing a good job at.
posted by Etrigan at 12:06 PM on April 4, 2017 [16 favorites]
That brings the total up to nine companies pulling their ads from O'Reilley so far, although several of them reallocated the ads to other timeslots on Fox, so the net revenue impact is unclear.
I would be willing to bet that his terrible program is the top of the rate card for Fox News; the advertisers have already allocated their ad budgets, so short some situation where they're looking to explicitly save/recoup money, they're probably getting more spots for their cash during different programs. So same cash flow to Fox News, but at the same time, lower value, as they're probably using more air time for the same amount of cash.
My experience is in radio: I'm guessing TV works the same way, but would love to hear from someone in a TV traffic department.
posted by god hates math at 12:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would be willing to bet that his terrible program is the top of the rate card for Fox News; the advertisers have already allocated their ad budgets, so short some situation where they're looking to explicitly save/recoup money, they're probably getting more spots for their cash during different programs. So same cash flow to Fox News, but at the same time, lower value, as they're probably using more air time for the same amount of cash.
My experience is in radio: I'm guessing TV works the same way, but would love to hear from someone in a TV traffic department.
posted by god hates math at 12:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
A birthday video call captures a telling moment in Trump’s Russia connections
Several businessmen and celebrities from the former Soviet Union gathered on the Turkish Riviera in June 2005 to celebrate the grand opening of what was billed then as the country’s most luxurious hotel.
The owners were from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and it was the birthday of one of them, Tofik Arifov, a former Soviet official turned real estate developer with offices in Manhattan’s Trump Tower.
There was food, drink and song. There was also a video conference call from a well-wisher from America who couldn’t attend but who, according to a Russian news account, urged the celebrants to raise their glasses.
“Tofik is my friend!” Donald Trump said through the phone. “Let’s toast Tofik!”
Long-form. Chock full of info.
posted by futz at 12:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [16 favorites]
Several businessmen and celebrities from the former Soviet Union gathered on the Turkish Riviera in June 2005 to celebrate the grand opening of what was billed then as the country’s most luxurious hotel.
The owners were from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, and it was the birthday of one of them, Tofik Arifov, a former Soviet official turned real estate developer with offices in Manhattan’s Trump Tower.
There was food, drink and song. There was also a video conference call from a well-wisher from America who couldn’t attend but who, according to a Russian news account, urged the celebrants to raise their glasses.
“Tofik is my friend!” Donald Trump said through the phone. “Let’s toast Tofik!”
Long-form. Chock full of info.
posted by futz at 12:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [16 favorites]
@kasie: "JOHN MCCAIN: Anyone who thinks the nuclear option will be good for the Senate is an "idiot. Stupid. Idiot. Stupid.""
Now that McCain has got his feelings suitably expressed, he can go off and vote in the exact opposite direction. He's such a maverick!
posted by zachlipton at 12:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [55 favorites]
Now that McCain has got his feelings suitably expressed, he can go off and vote in the exact opposite direction. He's such a maverick!
posted by zachlipton at 12:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [55 favorites]
Well the New Yorker diacritic thing is interesting but tremendously less cool. Good to know there's someone more snotty and attached to something than AP and their resistance to singular they.
posted by phearlez at 12:24 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by phearlez at 12:24 PM on April 4, 2017
Reports on the ground from Trump's threat to shut down ARPA-E and other clean energy research: researchers with ARPA-E grants are being given instructions to change the focus of their grants to more near-term successes. The suspicion is that cuts will come down in the second half of the year, and so projects need to position themselves not to be in the bottom percentage that gets cut. Obviously, these directional changes may not be in the best interests of the science or engineering programs.
posted by Existential Dread at 12:25 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 12:25 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
(and the former keeper of the comma shaker)
wait. Where can I get one of these. I have this problem where can never get the commas out of the goddamn ziploc bag where I keep them in time to toss them into my sentences and so the clauses just keep on piling up until my whole comment is completely unreadable.
(I guess this probably belongs in Ask)
posted by tivalasvegas at 12:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
wait. Where can I get one of these. I have this problem where can never get the commas out of the goddamn ziploc bag where I keep them in time to toss them into my sentences and so the clauses just keep on piling up until my whole comment is completely unreadable.
(I guess this probably belongs in Ask)
posted by tivalasvegas at 12:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
McConnell and his leadership entourage just left their weekly presser without taking a single question. Weird.
Does he not have the votes?
posted by leotrotsky at 12:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Does he not have the votes?
posted by leotrotsky at 12:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
Let's say he doesn't have the votes and the Democrats can hold Scalia Garland's seat open indefinitely. Now posit another vacancy comes up. What would you guys think about allowing both seats to be filled but only if one of the two nominees is Garland, and Garland and Gorsuch are confirmed simultaneously?
posted by Justinian at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
> Bahahahhaa. Arab News discontinues Andrew Bowen’s column
Update on that: The Bizarre Case Of The Middle East Expert Who Allegedly Tried To Scrub Anti-Trump Columns:
posted by indubitable at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
Update on that: The Bizarre Case Of The Middle East Expert Who Allegedly Tried To Scrub Anti-Trump Columns:
But by Tuesday morning, both the statement and the anti-Trump columns in question had disappeared from the site.It seems really sleazy that this guy was basically on the payroll of the Saudi government along with AEI wingnut welfare before trying to ooze his way into the State Department to oversee Middle Eastern affairs. I wonder if this sudden reversal stemmed someone from the Saudi government stepping in and telling their editor, "No no no, this is why we pay these guys, do whatever you have to do to get him hired into State". It does shine a light on why our Middle East policy is completely insane.
...
In a now-deleted statement, the Saudi Arabia-based Arab News wrote that Bowen “repeatedly requested” the removal of certain articles that denigrated Trump and praised Hilary Clinton. Their removal was necessary for Bowen “to be cleared” for a role in the Trump administration, the statement read.
...
That statement now links to a dead web page. Arab News issued no retraction.
While many of Bowen’s other pieces are still live on the site, his most vociferous criticism of Trump is gone. This includes a column written just one day before the election in which Bowen accused Trump of stirring “xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments” and displaying a pattern of “questionable business practices and ethics.”
“Trump has shown repeatedly a frank disregard for human decency and civility,” Bowen wrote at the time (a cached version of the article may be viewed here).
posted by indubitable at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
McConnell and his leadership entourage just left their weekly presser without taking a single question. Weird.
Well, to be fair, the number of awkward questions I'm sure Republicans would rather not have to answer (and, therefore, the D.C. press should be asking!) increases not by the day but by the hour.
posted by Gelatin at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well, to be fair, the number of awkward questions I'm sure Republicans would rather not have to answer (and, therefore, the D.C. press should be asking!) increases not by the day but by the hour.
posted by Gelatin at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
What would you guys think about allowing both seats to be filled but only if one of the two nominees is Garland, and Garland and Gorsuch are confirmed simultaneously?
We're putting Donna's parents' cats on the Supreme Court.
posted by Etrigan at 12:32 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
We're putting Donna's parents' cats on the Supreme Court.
posted by Etrigan at 12:32 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
QFT. It's rare to find organizations more despicable than the NFL/MLB/NBA, but the NCAA is definitely one
The NFL and MLB for sure, but does the NBA still deserve this reputation? NBA coaches are speaking out against Trump and Trumpism, and the League itself is very committed to promoting diversity. #notallsportsleagues, maybe, but the NBA does seem like its really trying in a way that none of the others are at all.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:34 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
The NFL and MLB for sure, but does the NBA still deserve this reputation? NBA coaches are speaking out against Trump and Trumpism, and the League itself is very committed to promoting diversity. #notallsportsleagues, maybe, but the NBA does seem like its really trying in a way that none of the others are at all.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:34 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Let's say he doesn't have the votes and the Democrats can hold Scalia Garland's seat open indefinitely. Now posit another vacancy comes up. What would you guys think about allowing both seats to be filled but only if one of the two nominees is Garland, and Garland and Gorsuch are confirmed simultaneously?
Really depends on who that second seat is. It's fantasy-SCOTUS-league anyway, but Gorsuch/Garland for Scalia/Thomas would be unacceptable to the Republicans like Gorsuch/Garland for Scalia/RBG would be for liberals. Garland for Kennedy could work, that's about it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Really depends on who that second seat is. It's fantasy-SCOTUS-league anyway, but Gorsuch/Garland for Scalia/Thomas would be unacceptable to the Republicans like Gorsuch/Garland for Scalia/RBG would be for liberals. Garland for Kennedy could work, that's about it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Andrew Bowen? Paging Andrew Bowen to the Streisand Effect phone.
How is it 2017 and people haven't realized that "Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm trying to delete it" doesn't work on the internet?
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
How is it 2017 and people haven't realized that "Sorry. I'm sorry. I'm trying to delete it" doesn't work on the internet?
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sounds about right to me TD Strange. I was thinking "you know, it kind of depends on which is the second seat" right after I posted.
Of course there's always the "it's not appropriate for a President to nominate a justice in the last year of his Presidency" factor.
posted by Justinian at 12:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Of course there's always the "it's not appropriate for a President to nominate a justice in the last year of his Presidency" factor.
posted by Justinian at 12:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
octobersurprise: “I don’t want to be the president of the world,” Trump says on the day of the Syria chemical attack, then recounts his electoral victory
— @BraddJaffy
"When I was driving once I saw this painted on a bridge: 'I don't want the world, I just want your half.'"
Trump: I don't want to have to actually lead the (free) world, I just want a title like "President" or "God-King-Emperor," accolades, adoration, respect, and all the money I can grab.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:40 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
— @BraddJaffy
"When I was driving once I saw this painted on a bridge: 'I don't want the world, I just want your half.'"
Trump: I don't want to have to actually lead the (free) world, I just want a title like "President" or "God-King-Emperor," accolades, adoration, respect, and all the money I can grab.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:40 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
AP: Tillerson calls on Russia, Iran to make sure Syria's Assad doesn't launch chemical weapons attacks. Tillerson says Russia, Iran bear 'great moral responsibility' for deaths in Syria from chemical weapons attack. Trump blames Assad regime for chemical attack; says it was consequence of Obama admin's 'weakness and irresolution.'
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:40 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:40 PM on April 4, 2017
Does anybody have any idea why Trump is meeting one-on-one with Dana Rohrabacher, you know, the Congressman who acts like he's most likely to be a Russian agent (background here)?
Update: GOP lawmaker defends Russia, Trump before meeting president
During the interview, Rohrabacher told the journalist, Erica Werner, "You’re arguing a point, you’re no journalist you’re what he calls fake news."
posted by zachlipton at 12:41 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Update: GOP lawmaker defends Russia, Trump before meeting president
During the interview, Rohrabacher told the journalist, Erica Werner, "You’re arguing a point, you’re no journalist you’re what he calls fake news."
posted by zachlipton at 12:41 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Trump blames Assad regime for chemical attack; says it was consequence of Obama admin's 'weakness and irresolution.'
...and so he has his Secretary of State give those Russians a good talking-to!
posted by Gelatin at 12:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
...and so he has his Secretary of State give those Russians a good talking-to!
posted by Gelatin at 12:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
uh, why is Keith Schiller, Trump's former bodyguard, sitting at the table meeting the Iraq Kurdistan president and premier? That really does not seem like it should be happening.
posted by zachlipton at 12:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's rare to find organizations more despicable than the NFL/MLB/NBA, but the NCAA is definitely one.
In the US, definitely. But they're still not world class. The IOC and FIFA look at the NCAA and say step aside kids and hold our beer.
posted by Ber at 12:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
In the US, definitely. But they're still not world class. The IOC and FIFA look at the NCAA and say step aside kids and hold our beer.
posted by Ber at 12:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
What would you guys think about allowing both seats to be filled but only if one of the two nominees is Garland, and Garland and Gorsuch are confirmed simultaneously?
only if they are superglued together, forcing them to learn to overcome their differences and work together as a team
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [37 favorites]
only if they are superglued together, forcing them to learn to overcome their differences and work together as a team
posted by prize bull octorok at 12:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [37 favorites]
One question I have is what the end game for the Democrats is? That no nominee for the Supreme Court ever again passes the Senate without both the Presidency and 60 Senators of the same party? Or forcing the Republicans to eat crow and put Garland on the Court? I don't see the latter happening and I don't see how the former is sustainable in the long term?
posted by Justinian at 12:44 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by Justinian at 12:44 PM on April 4, 2017
I think there just would've been a three-way proxy war (although that's sort of what's happening anyway, as far as I can tell), but with more US involvement which probably wouldn't have been helpful to anyone.
This is pretty much it.
posted by Talez at 12:45 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is pretty much it.
Die of spite America, die of spite,tfw a caliph spokesman can put our situation more succinctly than anyone in the media so far.
posted by Talez at 12:45 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Deported Students Find Challenges At School In Tijuana (NPR, April 3, 2017)
posted by filthy light thief at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [37 favorites]
As President Trump moves to fulfill his campaign promise to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally, they'll most likely include Mexicans whose children were born in the U.S.. Over half a million of these kids are already in Mexico.We're in a terrible place when the feel-good story is that there's a program in Mexico dealing with the problem the US created, regarding the education of US citizens.
Researchers call them "los invisibles", the invisible ones, because they often end up in an educational limbo of sorts. Most don't read or write in Spanish, so they're held back. Many get discouraged and stop going to school. In some cases schools even refuse to enroll them.
In the border city of Tijuana, however, there's a model program designed to help these children.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [37 favorites]
I don't want to be president of the world, if I did, Putin would have me killed.
posted by benzenedream at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
"We might be here because of nepotism, but we're not still here because of nepotism"
Jesus Christ every time you think he couldn't get more punchable.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
Jesus Christ every time you think he couldn't get more punchable.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
One question I have is what the end game for the Democrats is? That no nominee for the Supreme Court ever again passes the Senate without both the Presidency and 60 Senators of the same party?
They talked about this on Pod Save America yesterday. Fact is, right now we live in a world where Democrats will never get another SCOTUS seat. Certainly not one that will flip the balance of the Court in their favor. Republicans have made the new standard that no President gets to appoint a seat without control of the Senate, and as long as the filibuster stays, there will also be a one sided standard that Republican presidents need 51 votes, but Democratic ones need 60. Better to make it 51 for both parties.
This is where it's been going since the 80s. It's a long term trend that McConnell said, fuck it, lets get to the end game now. That means no, no President should be able to confirm any judges without control of the Senate. Period. Judges are not non-partisan, that's always been a lie. We're stripping away the fiction that there's no difference between a Gorsuch and a Garland. There is, they're politicians in black robes. Senators should vote against them when they're of the opposite party, period.
It didn't have to be this way, but it's been heading that way for a long time, mostly due to Republican obstruction, first of Clinton appointees, then of Obama's, and then taking it to 11 with Garland.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [58 favorites]
They talked about this on Pod Save America yesterday. Fact is, right now we live in a world where Democrats will never get another SCOTUS seat. Certainly not one that will flip the balance of the Court in their favor. Republicans have made the new standard that no President gets to appoint a seat without control of the Senate, and as long as the filibuster stays, there will also be a one sided standard that Republican presidents need 51 votes, but Democratic ones need 60. Better to make it 51 for both parties.
This is where it's been going since the 80s. It's a long term trend that McConnell said, fuck it, lets get to the end game now. That means no, no President should be able to confirm any judges without control of the Senate. Period. Judges are not non-partisan, that's always been a lie. We're stripping away the fiction that there's no difference between a Gorsuch and a Garland. There is, they're politicians in black robes. Senators should vote against them when they're of the opposite party, period.
It didn't have to be this way, but it's been heading that way for a long time, mostly due to Republican obstruction, first of Clinton appointees, then of Obama's, and then taking it to 11 with Garland.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [58 favorites]
BuzFeed: Here's How The White House Is Legitimizing The Pro-Trump Media: "The pro-Trump ‘Upside Down’ media is working hard to go mainstream, and it's doing so with help of a powerful ally: the White House."
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
If the White House were to attempt to elevate and mainstream an insurgent media member, it might look a lot like Cernovich’s rise over the past week: Find an intelligent, charismatic, and articulate personality with a niche, pro-Trump following who can handle the spotlight (see Cernovich’s news-making appearance and ‘owning’ of Scott Pelley on 60 Minutes a little over a week ago). Talk him up a little from inside the White House (senior advisor to the President Kelllyanne Conway tweeted Cernovich’s full transcript of the 60 Minutes interview with the caption “A must-see ratings bonanza”). Provide that person with some information designed to give the President a big win in the day’s news cycle, top Drudge and advance his narrative. Hail the insurgent personality as a journalistic powerhouse (Donald Trump Jr.’s tweet today suggesting that Cernovich win the Pulitzer Prize for his intrepid reporting).This is where I point out that Cernovich is a rape apologist and generally horrible person.
posted by zachlipton at 12:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
The NFL and MLB for sure, but does the NBA still deserve this reputation? NBA coaches are speaking out against Trump and Trumpism, and the League itself is very committed to promoting diversity. #notallsportsleagues, maybe, but the NBA does seem like its really trying in a way that none of the others are at all.
You are right that the NBA is currently the most activist of the major American Sports Leagues (with the possible exception of the MLS which has always been extremely cautious of turning into the worst excesses of Euro football culture). However, the NBA is the organization in the world who has the highest stake that I can possibly imagine invested into respectability politics--if they support their black athletes, it's only because those black athletes have already spent years dealing with navigating the complex relationship between being black and having "black" interests while being "respectable" celebrities.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
You are right that the NBA is currently the most activist of the major American Sports Leagues (with the possible exception of the MLS which has always been extremely cautious of turning into the worst excesses of Euro football culture). However, the NBA is the organization in the world who has the highest stake that I can possibly imagine invested into respectability politics--if they support their black athletes, it's only because those black athletes have already spent years dealing with navigating the complex relationship between being black and having "black" interests while being "respectable" celebrities.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
*I know this has been a topic, but isn't Gorsuch like the most right-wing of all the right-wing-ish options on the shortlist for this seat? So any other candidate would be more moderate by definition. (And less of an anti-life tool)
I'm pretty sure that opponents would find cases to support the contention that virtually any nominee put up by a Republican would be super awful right-wing by cherry picking cases. I'm not claiming that Gorsuch isn't conservative, only that pretty much anybody would be painted by those on my side of the spectrum as super awful reactionary.
(538s take.)
posted by Justinian at 12:55 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that opponents would find cases to support the contention that virtually any nominee put up by a Republican would be super awful right-wing by cherry picking cases. I'm not claiming that Gorsuch isn't conservative, only that pretty much anybody would be painted by those on my side of the spectrum as super awful reactionary.
(538s take.)
posted by Justinian at 12:55 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I can't imagine the Republicans not nuking the filibuster to get what they want, so I think the "what should Dems do if Republicans let them keep this seat empty?" questions are unnecessary.
If Republicans were willing to compromise on anything we wouldn't be here. They're not, we are, so they're going to keep accelerating off that cliff.
posted by emjaybee at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
If Republicans were willing to compromise on anything we wouldn't be here. They're not, we are, so they're going to keep accelerating off that cliff.
posted by emjaybee at 12:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
(Donald Trump Jr.’s tweet today suggesting that Cernovich win the Pulitzer Prize for his intrepid reporting).
I would not bet a single dollar on whether Donnie The Even Lesser can pronounce "Pulitzer" correctly, but I would bet that he had to lean on autocorrect to spell it.
posted by Etrigan at 12:59 PM on April 4, 2017
I would not bet a single dollar on whether Donnie The Even Lesser can pronounce "Pulitzer" correctly, but I would bet that he had to lean on autocorrect to spell it.
posted by Etrigan at 12:59 PM on April 4, 2017
Talez: I think there just would've been a three-way proxy war (although that's sort of what's happening anyway, as far as I can tell), but with more US involvement which probably wouldn't have been helpful to anyone.
This is pretty much it.
Abraham Lincoln said it best, in 1838:
This is pretty much it.
Die of spite America, die of spite,tfw a caliph spokesman can put our situation more succinctly than anyone in the media so far."
Abraham Lincoln said it best, in 1838:
If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.posted by namewithoutwords at 12:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Mister Fabulous: Oh. My. God. Spicey trying to defend the millions going to Mar-a-Lago because Trumpy donated $78K to the National Park Service. What a chucklefuck.
NPR referred to this saying that "the Park Service won the raffle" -- did they really raffle off $78k, as if they're announcing the winner of a silent auction for charity? I've looked through other coverage of this, and this is the only reference to a raffle I see.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:00 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
NPR referred to this saying that "the Park Service won the raffle" -- did they really raffle off $78k, as if they're announcing the winner of a silent auction for charity? I've looked through other coverage of this, and this is the only reference to a raffle I see.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:00 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I don't think there was a literal raffle. It sounds like NPR was just trying to, inartfully, turn a phrase. Yesterday, Spicer explained that counsel presented Trump with various options for where he could give the money and he picked the Park Service. You can't just donate money to arbitrary line-items in the federal budget; only certain entities are authorized by law to accept gifts. So presumably he was given some sort of list and he chose this one.
posted by zachlipton at 1:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
There's also the impotent revenge (the most Democratic kind of revenge!) factor, you don't get to steal a SCOTUS seat and just keep on keeping on, pretending like you didn't just violate the very foundation of our Democracy in a way that could lead to the breakup of the Union. Because they did, and that could happen. There has to be a response, even if that response isn't going to end in a favorable result.
And why there should be little tolerance for dissent from red state Dems on this. If we're going to live in a world where judicial confirmations are solely along partisan lines, there's no room whatsoever from traitors like Donnely and Manchin.
(I'm not an absolutist here, there's ideas to deescalate the situation around SCOTUS, but at this point why would Republicans go along with any kind of compromise? They're the ones constantly escalating, they're winning, and they're on the verge of taking total control of the court for the rest of our lifetimes and remaking American society into a judicial theocracy like the Guardian Council of Iran. They have no incentive to deal or deescalate.)
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
And why there should be little tolerance for dissent from red state Dems on this. If we're going to live in a world where judicial confirmations are solely along partisan lines, there's no room whatsoever from traitors like Donnely and Manchin.
(I'm not an absolutist here, there's ideas to deescalate the situation around SCOTUS, but at this point why would Republicans go along with any kind of compromise? They're the ones constantly escalating, they're winning, and they're on the verge of taking total control of the court for the rest of our lifetimes and remaking American society into a judicial theocracy like the Guardian Council of Iran. They have no incentive to deal or deescalate.)
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
> What would you guys think about allowing both seats to be filled but only if one of the two nominees is Garland, and Garland and Gorsuch are confirmed simultaneously?
I am open to the idea of a compromise where one right-of-center nominee is appointed in exchange for the appointment of one left-of-center nominee. I propose Merrick Garland as the right-of-center nominee and Angela Davis as the left-of-center one.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [26 favorites]
I am open to the idea of a compromise where one right-of-center nominee is appointed in exchange for the appointment of one left-of-center nominee. I propose Merrick Garland as the right-of-center nominee and Angela Davis as the left-of-center one.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 1:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [26 favorites]
One question I have is what the end game for the Democrats is?
8 Justices on the court, 8 Justices on the court.
One retires...
7 Justices on the court, 7 Justices on the court...
Repeat
posted by mikelieman at 1:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
8 Justices on the court, 8 Justices on the court.
One retires...
7 Justices on the court, 7 Justices on the court...
Repeat
posted by mikelieman at 1:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
New Quinnipiac poll:
* DJT approval at -22 (35/57). That's three points off from the same poll two weeks ago.
* Men disapprove 51 - 39 percent
* Republicans approve 79 - 14 percent
* White voters disapprove 48 - 43 percent
That +65 among Republicans is pretty bad.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
* DJT approval at -22 (35/57). That's three points off from the same poll two weeks ago.
* Men disapprove 51 - 39 percent
* Republicans approve 79 - 14 percent
* White voters disapprove 48 - 43 percent
That +65 among Republicans is pretty bad.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
A look at the porous border wall of today (NBC, Jan. 26 2017): When The Border Is Just Next Door, Crossing It Is A Fact Of (Daily) Life (NPR, April 4, 2017)
posted by filthy light thief at 1:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Depending on where you sit, the U.S.-Mexico border is:People cross the border, both directions, every day. Some people do it to go shopping, into the US to shop at Walmart, or into Mexico to save on medical and veterinary services, haircuts, manicures or a bit of nightlife. And then there's the cattle crossings, where USDA oversees the import of more than a million of cows every year (there were 1.2 million beef animals exported to the United States from Mexico in 2003 [PDF]).
a) a dangerous frontier that allows drug traffickers and illegal immigrants to cross freely into the U.S.
or
b) a familiar frontier that is navigated as a regular part of everyday life.
For people who live along the border in the twinned cities of Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Mexico, it's nearly always the latter.
The sister cities are known collectively as Ambos Nogales, or "Both Nogales."
Nogales, Ariz., is less than a tenth of the size of its Mexican counterpart: about 20,000 people compared with 250,000 on the Mexican side.
...
One of the first things you'll see is the border wall stretching between the two countries. In Nogales, it looms 18 to 30 feet tall. It's made of rusted steel tubes reinforced with concrete, with steel plates on top. There are 4-inch gaps between the bars, wide enough for people on opposite sides of the border to hold hands through the openings.
...
Over time, the Nogales wall has evolved and grown, from a simple barbed wire fence to this latest version, put up in 2011. "I don't like the wall," Fleischer says. "I think it's ugly. But as far as leaving no wall and no vigilance? It'd be ridiculous. We're just looking for trouble."
Still, Fleischer flatly calls it "stupid" to think the wall stops drug traffickers.
He gestures to the barrier high above us.
"You'll see people just hop over that fence with loads of dope on their backs and risk the cross," he says. "It happens a lot. They get a little ladder and they get up there. These are agile kids."
posted by filthy light thief at 1:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oof sub-80 for Republican approval is not good (and by not good I mean HAHAHAHAHA actual lol)
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:18 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:18 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Paul Blest at The Concourse: Trump Conspiracy Tweetstorms Are the Infowars of the Left.
But the broader problem here is that there are so many unknowns that all it takes is a reasonably informed Twitter user to connect unrelated/innocuous/potentially spurious facts into a grand conspiracy. In many, many tweets—often so manic and so creatively capitalized and punctuated as to be indecipherable—a tweetstormer mixes prior reporting by others with their own speculation and passes it off as a comprehensive account of what may have happened. It’s unfalsifiable by nature. And it finds an audience desperate to believe.posted by Rustic Etruscan at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Comfort has become a cottage industry, and Russia is the most pressing subject of the moment. Abramson, for example, maintained until May 11 that it was still possible for Bernie Sanders to win the nomination. These columns, along with others by writers like H.A. Goodman, filled a need for Sanders fans. But while Goodman has continued to write about lefty issues like single-payer, Abramson has fully devoted himself to Russia. (It also appears that Abramson deleted all of his tweets before August 9.)
On Russia, Abramson—who first wrote about Russian electoral interference in December—has become the latest in a line of self-anointed experts tackling intensely complex legal and geopolitical questions which he believes himself better equipped to unravel than anyone else. When Eric Garland declared it time for some game theory on December 11, it kickstarted a movement of people devoted to fulfilling the Russian conspiracy fantasies of forlorn liberals everywhere.
Speaking of polls, Obamacare has majority support for the first time in history, with 55% approval according to Gallup (+14 net).
It's up 17 points with independents and 10 points with both Republicans and Democrats since they last polled right after the election.
posted by chris24 at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
It's up 17 points with independents and 10 points with both Republicans and Democrats since they last polled right after the election.
posted by chris24 at 1:24 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
Speaking of speaking of polls, here's a nice new poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation: 61% say Trump and Republicans now own Obamacare and are responsible for problems with it moving forward, 31% say Democrats passed it and they own it.
posted by zachlipton at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
Speaking of polls, Obamacare has majority support for the first time in history, with 55% approval according to Gallup (+14 net).
It's up 17 points with independents and 10 points for both Republicans and Democrats since they last polled right after the election.
This is very reassuring after how in the early 2000s the majority of people didn't want to go to war in Iraq so our representatives listened and didn't go to war in Iraq.
Yes, today is a Bitter Day. Sorry.
posted by phearlez at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's up 17 points with independents and 10 points for both Republicans and Democrats since they last polled right after the election.
This is very reassuring after how in the early 2000s the majority of people didn't want to go to war in Iraq so our representatives listened and didn't go to war in Iraq.
Yes, today is a Bitter Day. Sorry.
posted by phearlez at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Trump Order Drops Pesky Regulations On Equal Pay, Sexual Harassment
As a result, the president is now facing criticism over his rushed repeal of the order, and particularly the loss of two rules which proponents say were to the direct benefit of women: those that created a requirement for wage transparency and established a ban forced arbitration clauses for cases of sexual harassment, known to critics as “cover-up clauses
President Trump Rolls Back Equal Pay Protections. Ivanka Trump Once Again Does Nothing.
Today, his daughter Ivanka is taking her turn in the family business of naked hypocrisy, marking Equal Pay Day with a tweet that reads, “#EqualPayDay is a reminder that women deserve equal pay for equal work. We must work to close the gender pay gap!”
You know who actually has some ability to help close the pay gap, if she actually cared about anything beyond Ivanka, The Brand? Ivanka Trump. Bet you 80 cents on the dollar she’ll do exactly what she’s always done to advocate for women and girls in a real way: nothing.
-- Last fall, Marissa Velez Kraxberger, Ivanka Trump’s former chief marketing officer, wrote about how she had to fight for eight weeks’ maternity leave after she began working for Ivanka. “When I first interviewed with Ivanka I was 2 months pregnant, she called to offer me a job, which I was at the time very excited about, and when I asked about maternity leave she said she would have to think about it, that at Trump they don't offer maternity leave and that she went back to work just a week after having her first child.”
To add another bitter note to this anecdote: Kraxberger’s team was the one that came up with the #WomenWhoWork hashtag.
Piece of shit.
posted by futz at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [58 favorites]
As a result, the president is now facing criticism over his rushed repeal of the order, and particularly the loss of two rules which proponents say were to the direct benefit of women: those that created a requirement for wage transparency and established a ban forced arbitration clauses for cases of sexual harassment, known to critics as “cover-up clauses
President Trump Rolls Back Equal Pay Protections. Ivanka Trump Once Again Does Nothing.
Today, his daughter Ivanka is taking her turn in the family business of naked hypocrisy, marking Equal Pay Day with a tweet that reads, “#EqualPayDay is a reminder that women deserve equal pay for equal work. We must work to close the gender pay gap!”
You know who actually has some ability to help close the pay gap, if she actually cared about anything beyond Ivanka, The Brand? Ivanka Trump. Bet you 80 cents on the dollar she’ll do exactly what she’s always done to advocate for women and girls in a real way: nothing.
-- Last fall, Marissa Velez Kraxberger, Ivanka Trump’s former chief marketing officer, wrote about how she had to fight for eight weeks’ maternity leave after she began working for Ivanka. “When I first interviewed with Ivanka I was 2 months pregnant, she called to offer me a job, which I was at the time very excited about, and when I asked about maternity leave she said she would have to think about it, that at Trump they don't offer maternity leave and that she went back to work just a week after having her first child.”
To add another bitter note to this anecdote: Kraxberger’s team was the one that came up with the #WomenWhoWork hashtag.
Piece of shit.
posted by futz at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [58 favorites]
LGM: "[I]if Clinton had been elected while losing the popular vote and had approval ratings south of 40% I don’t think we’d be seeing story after story interviewing women of color in Chicago and Los Angeles who still support Clinton."
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:28 PM on April 4, 2017 [81 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 1:28 PM on April 4, 2017 [81 favorites]
And just to cross the polling streams, the Quinnipiac poll mentioned above, like the Gallup, also shows a very interesting healthcare story. All the demographics that typically lean Trump REALLY disapprove of his handling of healthcare. Whites w/no college, white men, older people all hate it with net approval ranging from -10 to -35.
posted by chris24 at 1:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 1:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
"Apparently, the NCAA cares a tiny bit about LGBT people, for show, but either doesn't understand what really happened, or doesn't care that much."
I know it's all fashionable to hate on sports organizations and sports generally, but the NCAA took a stand that pretty much singlhehandedly forced North Carolina to repeal a horrible law. Colin Kaepernick took a principled stand on national TV that was supported by his coach and owner (who donated a million dollars to the cause). I think you all should alll accept allies wherever you find them, instead of spitting on sports fans everywhere to show how cool and intellectual you are.
posted by msalt at 1:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
I know it's all fashionable to hate on sports organizations and sports generally, but the NCAA took a stand that pretty much singlhehandedly forced North Carolina to repeal a horrible law. Colin Kaepernick took a principled stand on national TV that was supported by his coach and owner (who donated a million dollars to the cause). I think you all should alll accept allies wherever you find them, instead of spitting on sports fans everywhere to show how cool and intellectual you are.
posted by msalt at 1:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
I just had a terrible, terrible thought: if the Senate uses the nuclear option and confirms Gorsuch, up next is a court-packing scheme. If Republicans are tossing out all norms around SCOTUS appointments and only sticking to the bare letter of the law, that doesn't seem unthinkable at all.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
stupid tax question time: is VAT as implemented in various EU countries as regressive as it sounds, or are there policies in place to remediate that?
posted by murphy slaw at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by murphy slaw at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2017
I know it's all fashionable to hate on sports organizations and sports generally, but the NCAA took a stand that pretty much singlhehandedly forced North Carolina to repeal a horrible law.
Repealing the law didn't really change the situation for LGBT North Carolinians, at all.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Repealing the law didn't really change the situation for LGBT North Carolinians, at all.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
You are right that the NBA is currently the most activist of the major American Sports Leagues (with the possible exception of the MLS which has always been extremely cautious of turning into the worst excesses of Euro football culture). However, the NBA is the organization in the world who has the highest stake that I can possibly imagine invested into respectability politics--if they support their black athletes, it's only because those black athletes have already spent years dealing with navigating the complex relationship between being black and having "black" interests while being "respectable" celebrities.
WTF?
You're way off the deep end here.
posted by srboisvert at 1:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
WTF?
You're way off the deep end here.
posted by srboisvert at 1:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
David Leonhardt, NYT: How to End the Politicization of the Courts
Mainstream news coverage has a hard time making subtle distinctions between the behavior of the two political parties. When Democratic and Republican tactics are blatantly different — on voter suppression, for instance — journalists are often comfortable saying so. And when the parties act similarly — both soliciting large donors, say — journalists are good at producing “both sides do it” stories.posted by tonycpsu at 1:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
But when reality falls somewhere in between, the media often fails to get the story right. Journalists know how to do 50-50 stories and all-or-nothing stories. More nuanced situations create problems.
The 2016 campaign was a classic example. Hillary Clinton deserved scrutiny for her buckraking speeches and inappropriate email use. Yet her sins paled compared with Donald Trump’s lies, secrecy, bigotry, conflicts of interest, Russian ties and sexual molestation. The collective media coverage failed to make this distinction and created a false impression.
Now the pattern is repeating itself, in the battle over the federal courts.
stupid tax question time: is VAT as implemented in various EU countries as regressive as it sounds, or are there policies in place to remediate that?
Yes, VAT is inherently regressive. There are policies to reduce how regressive it is, and those policies are in place in a lot of EU countries, but they only reduce how regressive it is rather than make it progressive.
The most obvious way to do this is to exempt "essentials" from the VAT.
posted by Justinian at 1:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Yes, VAT is inherently regressive. There are policies to reduce how regressive it is, and those policies are in place in a lot of EU countries, but they only reduce how regressive it is rather than make it progressive.
The most obvious way to do this is to exempt "essentials" from the VAT.
posted by Justinian at 1:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
When Democratic and Republican tactics are blatantly different — on voter suppression, for instance — journalists are often comfortable saying so
[citation needed]
posted by 0xFCAF at 1:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
[citation needed]
posted by 0xFCAF at 1:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
I know it's all fashionable to hate on sports organizations and sports generally, but the NCAA took a stand that pretty much singlhehandedly forced North Carolina to repeal a horrible law.
Except that they really didn't repeal the horrible law in North Carolina. Every major civil rights group has come out against the "compromise" they enacted because it compromises on trans people's right to exist, prohibits local anti-discrimination ordinances, and it also bans local governments from raising their minimum wages. The NCAA took a stand, but they let up the pressure before the job was done.
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
Except that they really didn't repeal the horrible law in North Carolina. Every major civil rights group has come out against the "compromise" they enacted because it compromises on trans people's right to exist, prohibits local anti-discrimination ordinances, and it also bans local governments from raising their minimum wages. The NCAA took a stand, but they let up the pressure before the job was done.
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
Justinian One question I have is what the end game for the Democrats is?
I can't speak for the Senate Democrats, but my hope is that if we fight like rabid wolverines here we might, possibly, be able to force the Republicans to admit they did wrong and start de-escalating the situation.
Because the entire de-escalation is in their hands. We can't de-escalate, all we can do is capitulate and I don't think we should capitulate. They brought us here, they created this mess, they started all this, therefore it's incumbent on **THEM** to back the fuck down a little bit and allow room for compromise.
Instead they're demanding utter and total submission and capitulation.
To me that means we have to fight, right here, right now, and declare a bright line in the sand.
In my ideal fantasy world the Republicans in the Senate would see that they've gone too far, apologize, back down, and end this bullshit. Obviously that's an unlikely outcome.
More likely we force an admission from them, in the form of abolishing the filibuster, that they're basically seeking to undo everything from 1868 onward via the Supreme Court and we use that as propaganda to help us win elections in 2018 and 2020.
To me the absolute worst case scenario is that the Democrats break, that the filibuster theoretically remains but in the current setup where the Republicans get to use it and we don't, and Gorsuch is confirmed with some traitor Democrat votes to give him the coveted stamp of "bipartisanship".
Then we're well and truly fucked, because that means that even if we win the Senate and Presidency in 2020 and a Supreme Court seat opens then a) the Republicans will get to filibuster it, and they will do so successfully, and b) even if we end the filibuster our nominee will pass with zero Republican votes so they can claim **OUR** nominee was a crazy Liberal CommuNazi and hold up Gorsuch's "bipartisan support" as proof.
If, as a nation, we're going to keep maintaining the fiction that bipartisanship is good and proof of good politics, than basically the Republicans can assure that their stuff always gets that stamp (thanks to traitor Democrats), while guaranteeing that our stuff never does (thanks to superior Republican Party discipline). Ironically by being the less compromising party they can present an illusion of being the more compromising party ("see, our centrist and rational policies always get Democratic support, while their Evil CommuNazi Libtard plots to destroy America are so far to the left even moderate Republicans can't support them!").
The only way out is by ending the cycle of bullshit, which means filibustering Gorsuch, and forcing them to abolish the filibuster.
Also? A big part of mine is a desire for punitive measures to remind them that there is a cost involved in cheating. I've said it before, I'll say it again, there is no rules enforcement agency here. There are no referees we can call on. In such an environment tit-for-tat retaliation is not merely rational, it's an absolute necessity. Because if we don't retaliate they'll just keep on breaking the rules and norms. If they hurt us we **MUST** hurt them back or else they'll keep on hurting us whenever they feel like it. If there's a price tag attached to hurting us then they'll be more circumspect.
posted by sotonohito at 1:55 PM on April 4, 2017 [71 favorites]
I can't speak for the Senate Democrats, but my hope is that if we fight like rabid wolverines here we might, possibly, be able to force the Republicans to admit they did wrong and start de-escalating the situation.
Because the entire de-escalation is in their hands. We can't de-escalate, all we can do is capitulate and I don't think we should capitulate. They brought us here, they created this mess, they started all this, therefore it's incumbent on **THEM** to back the fuck down a little bit and allow room for compromise.
Instead they're demanding utter and total submission and capitulation.
To me that means we have to fight, right here, right now, and declare a bright line in the sand.
In my ideal fantasy world the Republicans in the Senate would see that they've gone too far, apologize, back down, and end this bullshit. Obviously that's an unlikely outcome.
More likely we force an admission from them, in the form of abolishing the filibuster, that they're basically seeking to undo everything from 1868 onward via the Supreme Court and we use that as propaganda to help us win elections in 2018 and 2020.
To me the absolute worst case scenario is that the Democrats break, that the filibuster theoretically remains but in the current setup where the Republicans get to use it and we don't, and Gorsuch is confirmed with some traitor Democrat votes to give him the coveted stamp of "bipartisanship".
Then we're well and truly fucked, because that means that even if we win the Senate and Presidency in 2020 and a Supreme Court seat opens then a) the Republicans will get to filibuster it, and they will do so successfully, and b) even if we end the filibuster our nominee will pass with zero Republican votes so they can claim **OUR** nominee was a crazy Liberal CommuNazi and hold up Gorsuch's "bipartisan support" as proof.
If, as a nation, we're going to keep maintaining the fiction that bipartisanship is good and proof of good politics, than basically the Republicans can assure that their stuff always gets that stamp (thanks to traitor Democrats), while guaranteeing that our stuff never does (thanks to superior Republican Party discipline). Ironically by being the less compromising party they can present an illusion of being the more compromising party ("see, our centrist and rational policies always get Democratic support, while their Evil CommuNazi Libtard plots to destroy America are so far to the left even moderate Republicans can't support them!").
The only way out is by ending the cycle of bullshit, which means filibustering Gorsuch, and forcing them to abolish the filibuster.
Also? A big part of mine is a desire for punitive measures to remind them that there is a cost involved in cheating. I've said it before, I'll say it again, there is no rules enforcement agency here. There are no referees we can call on. In such an environment tit-for-tat retaliation is not merely rational, it's an absolute necessity. Because if we don't retaliate they'll just keep on breaking the rules and norms. If they hurt us we **MUST** hurt them back or else they'll keep on hurting us whenever they feel like it. If there's a price tag attached to hurting us then they'll be more circumspect.
posted by sotonohito at 1:55 PM on April 4, 2017 [71 favorites]
@oreillyfactor: CNN's Don Lemon refuses to cover Susan Rice story
@donlemon: False. I did not refuse to cover the story. But I did cover your sexual harassment allegations. Did you?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [64 favorites]
@donlemon: False. I did not refuse to cover the story. But I did cover your sexual harassment allegations. Did you?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [64 favorites]
This implies democrats do voter suppression, but just have different tactics. So, no, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
Actually I think it's worse. To our balanced media, voter suppression is merely a tactic.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 2:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Actually I think it's worse. To our balanced media, voter suppression is merely a tactic.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 2:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
I think you all should alll accept allies wherever you find them, instead of spitting on sports fans everywhere
So when I say something derogatory about, say, the NFL's horrific and inhumane handling of traumatic brain injury... I am spitting on football fans? I find that assertion very odd.
posted by phearlez at 2:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
So when I say something derogatory about, say, the NFL's horrific and inhumane handling of traumatic brain injury... I am spitting on football fans? I find that assertion very odd.
posted by phearlez at 2:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
via Chase Strangio of the ACLU (He's Gavin Grimm's attorney) on twitter a few hours ago: The misinformation about the fake repeal of HB2 is killing us. If you have a voice/platform/anything - speak out! This is no repeal.
Saying We Can 'Compromise' on Trans Rights Is a Dangerous Lie
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Saying We Can 'Compromise' on Trans Rights Is a Dangerous Lie
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
> [citation needed]
Well, this was in Politico magazine two days ago: Why Republicans Can’t Find the Big Voter Fraud Conspiracy: If the last federal investigation is any guide, the answer is simple. It probably doesn't exist.
NYT and WaPo editorial boards, among others, have condemned it as well.
If the statement is "the media is not doing a good enough job calling out voter suppression", then I agree, because voter suppression still exists, and the media's job should be to highlight injustice so that it may be stopped. But I think the effort to score a quick zinger based on the pull-quote is unfair to a piece that makes some good points about how the media is dropping the ball on the SCOTUS issue in particular.
posted by tonycpsu at 2:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Well, this was in Politico magazine two days ago: Why Republicans Can’t Find the Big Voter Fraud Conspiracy: If the last federal investigation is any guide, the answer is simple. It probably doesn't exist.
NYT and WaPo editorial boards, among others, have condemned it as well.
If the statement is "the media is not doing a good enough job calling out voter suppression", then I agree, because voter suppression still exists, and the media's job should be to highlight injustice so that it may be stopped. But I think the effort to score a quick zinger based on the pull-quote is unfair to a piece that makes some good points about how the media is dropping the ball on the SCOTUS issue in particular.
posted by tonycpsu at 2:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Clowns on the right, Jokers on the further right.
Trumpcare revival talks falling apart ahead of Pence meeting
Trumpcare revival talks falling apart ahead of Pence meeting
Attempts to reach a deal this week on health care are unraveling fast, with conservatives already blaming House Speaker Paul Ryan for blocking the White House bill, and leadership sources saying that's nonsense and that the Freedom Caucus is making unreasonable demands that are losing net votes.posted by chris24 at 2:17 PM on April 4, 2017 [31 favorites]
It's a bad sign for Republicans ahead of Vice President Mike Pence's visit to the Capitol tonight. From a senior Republican source:
"While we haven't picked up any votes yet, this concept is already showing signs of losing a ton of them."
GA-06 polling update. Survey USA (3/27-4/2):
Ossoff 43posted by Chrysostom at 2:25 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Handel 15
Gray 14
Moody 7
All others 15
Undecided 7
Has anyone seen Kellyanne yet? Here's a rather fun snippet from the NYT Zucker story about that Tapper-Conway interview...
posted by Devonian at 2:28 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Devonian at 2:28 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ivanka doesn't know what complicit means and apparently can't be arsed to look it up. So can we add 'not the smart one' to 'not the good one' now?
“If being complicit is wanting to, is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact then I’m complicit. I don’t know that the critics who may say that of me, if they found themselves in this very unique and unprecedented situation that I am now in, would do any differently than I am doing,” Trump said. “So I hope to make a positive impact. I don’t know what it means to be complicit, but you know, I hope time will prove that I have done a good job and much more importantly that my father’s administration is the success that I know it will be.”
posted by chris24 at 2:40 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
“If being complicit is wanting to, is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact then I’m complicit. I don’t know that the critics who may say that of me, if they found themselves in this very unique and unprecedented situation that I am now in, would do any differently than I am doing,” Trump said. “So I hope to make a positive impact. I don’t know what it means to be complicit, but you know, I hope time will prove that I have done a good job and much more importantly that my father’s administration is the success that I know it will be.”
posted by chris24 at 2:40 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
What exactly is the unique and unprecedented situation? Does she think she's literally the first time a President has had a child?
posted by zachlipton at 2:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
What exactly is the unique and unprecedented situation? Does she think she's literally the first time a President has had a child?
I think this is the best clue that she, like her father, can only think of - and in relation to - herself. She's never been the president's daughter before, so of course it's unique and unprecedented, and everybody else should think so too and acknowledge her specialness.
posted by chris24 at 2:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
I think this is the best clue that she, like her father, can only think of - and in relation to - herself. She's never been the president's daughter before, so of course it's unique and unprecedented, and everybody else should think so too and acknowledge her specialness.
posted by chris24 at 2:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
I was going to say that the Trumps remind me of very, very stupid Lannisters. But then I remembered that Lannisters pay their debts.
posted by Justinian at 2:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [74 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [74 favorites]
Ivanka doesn't know what complicit means
Haha, Complicit is the name of the Ivanka perfume in the SNL ad parody.
posted by Room 641-A at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
Haha, Complicit is the name of the Ivanka perfume in the SNL ad parody.
posted by Room 641-A at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
I used to think Ivanka might be the brains in this situation, but clearly there are no brains in this situation. And realistically, if she wasn't born into incredible wealth there's no way anyone would consider her intelligent. It doesn't take immense talent or intellect to buy real estate and licence knock-off Chinese-made shoes. All that takes is capital and connections.
posted by Kitty Stardust at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Kitty Stardust at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
The left and right agree: Fox News destroyed EPA chief Scott Pruitt over climate change
posted by futz at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by futz at 2:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Justinian, even a 3rd-string Lannister wouldn't try to stiff their castle-builders.
posted by Kitty Stardust at 2:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Kitty Stardust at 2:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Pretty sure she is referring to her new position in the WH, right?
posted by futz at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by futz at 3:02 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
What exactly is the unique and unprecedented situation? Does she think she's literally the first time a President has had a child?
No, it is unprecedented. She has literally zero experience in governance and she has a top-level role in the White House and is meeting with world leaders, just because she's the President's kid.
It's unprecedented because she should not be there. Frankly, at this point "complicit" is being kind. It's echoing the narrative that she's one of the good ones, guilty but only secretly so.
When heads start rolling (and I hope they will, and soon), I fully expect her to go into "I'm just his kid" mode. As if this whole thing was a fun lark, and who'da thunk it? That's what her answer here is saying. Don't buy into it.
posted by Mchelly at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [55 favorites]
No, it is unprecedented. She has literally zero experience in governance and she has a top-level role in the White House and is meeting with world leaders, just because she's the President's kid.
It's unprecedented because she should not be there. Frankly, at this point "complicit" is being kind. It's echoing the narrative that she's one of the good ones, guilty but only secretly so.
When heads start rolling (and I hope they will, and soon), I fully expect her to go into "I'm just his kid" mode. As if this whole thing was a fun lark, and who'da thunk it? That's what her answer here is saying. Don't buy into it.
posted by Mchelly at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [55 favorites]
Her new illegal position...
posted by futz at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by futz at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
What exactly is the unique and unprecedented situation? Does she think she's literally the first time a President has had a child?
No. But her position in the White House while being married to someone that's serving as shadow Secretary of State while being financially entangled with multiple companies that serve to profit from all of the above is actually unique and unprecedented. It's not good, but she is correct in labeling it as such.
posted by Candleman at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
No. But her position in the White House while being married to someone that's serving as shadow Secretary of State while being financially entangled with multiple companies that serve to profit from all of the above is actually unique and unprecedented. It's not good, but she is correct in labeling it as such.
posted by Candleman at 3:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
There's lots to worry over, of course, but still this morning it felt really good to contact Feinstein's office to thank her for her Gorsuch stance after carrying a "YES ON GORSUCH = COLLABORATION" sign and chanting "Feinstein! Get a spine!" outside a private event of hers a month ago in downtown SF. People power, baby.
posted by Lyme Drop at 3:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 3:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
I used to think Ivanka might be the brains in this situation, but clearly there are no brains in this situation. And realistically, if she wasn't born into incredible wealth there's no way anyone would consider her intelligent. It doesn't take immense talent or intellect to buy real estate and licence knock-off Chinese-made shoes. All that takes is capital and connections.
Which is why all that bootstrappy market libertarian nonsense is essentially myth made into policy. It's postulating the exception as the rule, but they can't just admit that (or that they know it's a myth), so we got a lot of hypothesizing and flat-out lies somehow codified into law.
posted by zombieflanders at 3:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Which is why all that bootstrappy market libertarian nonsense is essentially myth made into policy. It's postulating the exception as the rule, but they can't just admit that (or that they know it's a myth), so we got a lot of hypothesizing and flat-out lies somehow codified into law.
posted by zombieflanders at 3:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Hmm, I took it to mean complicit as first daughter since the many criticisms, think pieces, and SNL ad came out well before her new WH role. But if she's referring to that, then it is unprecedented. And wrong.
posted by chris24 at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I don't think Ivanka can conceive of a situation in which somebody becomes President and their family members go on doing other things that do not involve performing jobs they're completely unqualified for like negotiating with foreign states on behalf of our government or revamping the federal bureaucracy or solving an opioid epidemic while hawking a jewelry line and a real estate business.
Anyway, I've got a Pepsi commercial to rage at now, so Ivanka moves down the hate list.
posted by zachlipton at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Anyway, I've got a Pepsi commercial to rage at now, so Ivanka moves down the hate list.
posted by zachlipton at 3:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
The AP story on Susan Rice has an interesting detail:
posted by zachlipton at 3:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
The unmasking review was led by Ezra Cohen-Watnick, the NSC's senior director of intelligence. Cohen-Watnick has clashed with the CIA and was on the verge of being moved out of his job until Trump political advisers Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner stepped in to keep him in the role.Exactly what was Cohen-Watnick doing that even this White House counsel's office shut down and why did it all leak out anyway?
Cohen-Watnick raised his findings about Rice with the White House counsel's office, according to the official. The counsel's office ordered him to stand down because the lawyers did not want the White House to be running an independent investigation into the prior administration.
Still, the White House has appeared to find other ways to promote the idea that Obama officials were conducting improper surveillance of Trump's team.
posted by zachlipton at 3:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
wtf!
Roger Stone: Kushner Is Leaking Intel to Scarborough
The president’s friend and self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” alleged on InfoWars that “there is no question now sources are telling me” Kushner was texting negative information about other White House officials to the MSNBC host.
posted by futz at 3:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
Roger Stone: Kushner Is Leaking Intel to Scarborough
The president’s friend and self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” alleged on InfoWars that “there is no question now sources are telling me” Kushner was texting negative information about other White House officials to the MSNBC host.
posted by futz at 3:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
VAT is inherently regressive. There are policies to reduce how regressive it is, and those policies are in place in a lot of EU countries, but they only reduce how regressive it is rather than make it progressive.
My understanding is that those policies relied on the existing social welfare programs, and they just had to be adjusted to balance out the effects of a VAT. The USA doesn't have many of those programs (or if it does, they're weak and/or marginalised) and it would be massively harder to implement them on a state-by-state basis.
That being said, if people are paying very little tax (which may be the case for some very wealthy people in the USA) then a VAT at least gets some tax from them.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:16 PM on April 4, 2017
My understanding is that those policies relied on the existing social welfare programs, and they just had to be adjusted to balance out the effects of a VAT. The USA doesn't have many of those programs (or if it does, they're weak and/or marginalised) and it would be massively harder to implement them on a state-by-state basis.
That being said, if people are paying very little tax (which may be the case for some very wealthy people in the USA) then a VAT at least gets some tax from them.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:16 PM on April 4, 2017
That being said, if people are paying very little tax (which may be the case for some very wealthy people in the USA) then a VAT at least gets some tax from them.
Not really? Increasing consumption taxes, which is all VAT is, a different way of calculating consumption, will always fall more heavily on the poor, who use a much larger share, or even all, of their income on consumption of basic goods just to live.
There's only so much consumption rich people can even do, and they already pay sales taxes on basic goods just like everyone else, and even on luxury goods. We're already getting those taxes now, and raising them through VAT while cutting top marginal income rates, which is the real goal of course, is just shifting the tax burden from the rich to the poor by a slightly different method of calculation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
Not really? Increasing consumption taxes, which is all VAT is, a different way of calculating consumption, will always fall more heavily on the poor, who use a much larger share, or even all, of their income on consumption of basic goods just to live.
There's only so much consumption rich people can even do, and they already pay sales taxes on basic goods just like everyone else, and even on luxury goods. We're already getting those taxes now, and raising them through VAT while cutting top marginal income rates, which is the real goal of course, is just shifting the tax burden from the rich to the poor by a slightly different method of calculation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
@donlemon: False. I did not refuse to cover the story. But I did cover your sexual harassment allegations. Did you?
Remember when we were giving Don Lemon shit for being a lightweight?
Dude really stepped the fuck up since Trump. Props.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Remember when we were giving Don Lemon shit for being a lightweight?
Dude really stepped the fuck up since Trump. Props.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
REP: Trumpers Will End Up In Jail
BLITZER: You're confident that some Trump associates will end up in jail.
CASTRO: If I were betting, yes.
BLITZER: Including some working in the new administration or people who worked or advised the president during the campaign or maybe during the transition?
CASTRO: As you can imagine, Wolf, I will have to comment on that later. But my impression is that people will probably be charged and probably go to jail.
BLITZER: Without sharing the evidence because I know it's classified but do you believe there is enough evidence already, evidence that you've seen that would justify someone going to jail or some people going to jail?
CASTRO: If the claims hold up, most likely.
posted by futz at 3:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
BLITZER: You're confident that some Trump associates will end up in jail.
CASTRO: If I were betting, yes.
BLITZER: Including some working in the new administration or people who worked or advised the president during the campaign or maybe during the transition?
CASTRO: As you can imagine, Wolf, I will have to comment on that later. But my impression is that people will probably be charged and probably go to jail.
BLITZER: Without sharing the evidence because I know it's classified but do you believe there is enough evidence already, evidence that you've seen that would justify someone going to jail or some people going to jail?
CASTRO: If the claims hold up, most likely.
posted by futz at 3:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [40 favorites]
Yay, 11 million people in Seoul might die because these bumblefucks wanna play cowboy.
@CNNPolitics
BREAKING: A senior WH official on the state of North Korea’s nuclear program: “The clock has now run out and all options are on the table”
posted by chris24 at 3:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
@CNNPolitics
BREAKING: A senior WH official on the state of North Korea’s nuclear program: “The clock has now run out and all options are on the table”
posted by chris24 at 3:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Justinian, even a 3rd-string Lannister wouldn't try to stiff their castle-builders.
Not since that thing that went down between Wotan and Fafner.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 3:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Not since that thing that went down between Wotan and Fafner.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 3:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Increasing consumption taxes, which is all VAT is, a different way of calculating consumption, will always fall more heavily on the poor, who use a much larger share, or even all, of their income on consumption of basic goods just to live.
This is the flaw in the fairtax dot org thing. They take an income tax and replace it with a consumption tax. But in order to correct for the regressive nature of the consumption tax, they adjust what you pay (through tax refunds) based on your income.
So, instead of a tax based on your income, you have a tax based on your income. PROGRESS!!!!
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 3:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
This is the flaw in the fairtax dot org thing. They take an income tax and replace it with a consumption tax. But in order to correct for the regressive nature of the consumption tax, they adjust what you pay (through tax refunds) based on your income.
So, instead of a tax based on your income, you have a tax based on your income. PROGRESS!!!!
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 3:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Exactly what was Cohen-Watnick doing that even this White House counsel's office shut down and why did it all leak out anyway?
Dunno about the first part, but it all leaked out anyway because Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis gave it to Devin Nunes.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:41 PM on April 4, 2017
Dunno about the first part, but it all leaked out anyway because Cohen-Watnick and Michael Ellis gave it to Devin Nunes.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:41 PM on April 4, 2017
But in order to correct for the regressive nature of the consumption tax, they adjust what you pay (through tax refunds) based on your income.
Right, but I doubt Repulitaxform will provide adjustments based on income or whatever rationale steps other countries use to make this actually workable. It's about cutting taxes on rich people and corporations, that's it. Whatever else they include is only to get to that end result, they're throwing cover ideas at the wall to see what gains traction to give them political cover to pass the largest possible tax cut for the rich and make it as permanent as possible. It's not like this is a principled reform effort undertaken in good faith.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Right, but I doubt Repulitaxform will provide adjustments based on income or whatever rationale steps other countries use to make this actually workable. It's about cutting taxes on rich people and corporations, that's it. Whatever else they include is only to get to that end result, they're throwing cover ideas at the wall to see what gains traction to give them political cover to pass the largest possible tax cut for the rich and make it as permanent as possible. It's not like this is a principled reform effort undertaken in good faith.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Exactly what was Cohen-Watnick doing that even this White House counsel's office shut down
Hasn't it been reported that they were actively looking for evidence that the Obama admin was spying on trump. They were looking for intelligence that would back up trump's absurd claims.
posted by futz at 3:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hasn't it been reported that they were actively looking for evidence that the Obama admin was spying on trump. They were looking for intelligence that would back up trump's absurd claims.
posted by futz at 3:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
And I imagine that the whole reason Cohen-Watnick et al. were digging into old intelligence reports in the first place was specifically to find some kind of bullshit they could use to corroborate Trump's wackadoo "wiretapping" claims. The question is, Did someone above their pay grade instruct them to do that, or are they rogues who need to be fired posthaste?
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:47 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:47 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Weird that someone at the WH might be worried about the law.
posted by Artw at 3:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 3:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Just 11 million ain't bad, given that there are actually 25 million in the metropolitan area.
Yep, I just grabbed the Seoul-only population. Even more at risk with Incheon and surrounding areas.
posted by chris24 at 3:53 PM on April 4, 2017
Yep, I just grabbed the Seoul-only population. Even more at risk with Incheon and surrounding areas.
posted by chris24 at 3:53 PM on April 4, 2017
So can we add 'not the smart one' to 'not the good one' now?
Objection. Assumes the existence of a smart one.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Good news for once: Today the 7th Circuit became the first to hold discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is sex discrimination. Ruling
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [39 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 3:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [39 favorites]
Just 11 million ain't bad, given that there are actually 25 million in the metropolitan area.
Mr. President, I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [13 favorites]
found themselves in this very unique and unprecedented situation
Ugh. If the rest of this wasn't bad enough she has to resort to "very unique"? No, no no. I'm strongly in the "unique means singular,one" camp, nothing can be "very one of a kind". Can any Trump get through a sentence without "very"?
posted by H. Roark at 3:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Ugh. If the rest of this wasn't bad enough she has to resort to "very unique"? No, no no. I'm strongly in the "unique means singular,one" camp, nothing can be "very one of a kind". Can any Trump get through a sentence without "very"?
posted by H. Roark at 3:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Assumes the existence of a smart one.
Unless we're just talking about relative intelligence. Butthead is smarter than Beavis, for example, but they are both idiots. In this sense, in the Trump clan, Ivanka is the Butthead.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Unless we're just talking about relative intelligence. Butthead is smarter than Beavis, for example, but they are both idiots. In this sense, in the Trump clan, Ivanka is the Butthead.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Voted in the spring municipals and I don't want to get TOO hoped up, but my precinct was unusually busy and it was a very different mix of voters than I usually see at my precinct for spring municipals (a lot younger and a lot less white). There were several poll workers from the new Progressive organization, and two people were registering day-of while I was there. There's like 198 precincts in my count or something but the new Progressive organization really made a lot of noise this election and it's good to see younger voters and minority voters turning out, and it's good to see young Progressives putting in the shoe leather to work the polls. (And certainly to walk the precincts -- they visited me THREE TIMES.) So, it'll be interesting to see the turnout numbers and whether they managed to win any races.
I want to be clear that I hate the NCAA because I'm a sports fan, and specifically a college sports fan, so I know how the NCAA uses and abuses teenagers too young to know they're being screwed. They are an absolutely terrible organization whose governance is wildly corrupt. I actually wouldn't expect non sports fans to have an opinion on the NCAA as an organization since sports league management is pretty
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
inside baseball.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
I want to be clear that I hate the NCAA because I'm a sports fan, and specifically a college sports fan, so I know how the NCAA uses and abuses teenagers too young to know they're being screwed. They are an absolutely terrible organization whose governance is wildly corrupt. I actually wouldn't expect non sports fans to have an opinion on the NCAA as an organization since sports league management is pretty
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)
inside baseball.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
Roger Stone: Kushner Is Leaking Intel to Scarborough
guys, guys. we went over this. if your crew is going to use roger stone, you must give him a target to work on at all times or he gets bored and starts ratfucking whoever's handy
posted by murphy slaw at 4:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [39 favorites]
guys, guys. we went over this. if your crew is going to use roger stone, you must give him a target to work on at all times or he gets bored and starts ratfucking whoever's handy
posted by murphy slaw at 4:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [39 favorites]
even a 3rd-string Lannister wouldn't try to stiff their castle-builders.
In Warcraft lore, the rulers of Stormwind refused to pay the builder's guild after the guild rebuilt the ruined post-war city. The guild proceeded to become a bandit and guerilla army harassing the government to a near-breaking point, and kidnapping the king leaving the government in a state of an uncertain regency. Later in the storyline, it turns out Stormwind was corrupt because of a key government figure being a dragon, secretly in human form, who was doing everything she could to destablize the country. So she could later conquer it, or loot it, or ensure it would never be a rival.
Yet another bit of fiction inadvertently predicting the current Trump / Russia mess.
posted by honestcoyote at 4:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
In Warcraft lore, the rulers of Stormwind refused to pay the builder's guild after the guild rebuilt the ruined post-war city. The guild proceeded to become a bandit and guerilla army harassing the government to a near-breaking point, and kidnapping the king leaving the government in a state of an uncertain regency. Later in the storyline, it turns out Stormwind was corrupt because of a key government figure being a dragon, secretly in human form, who was doing everything she could to destablize the country. So she could later conquer it, or loot it, or ensure it would never be a rival.
Yet another bit of fiction inadvertently predicting the current Trump / Russia mess.
posted by honestcoyote at 4:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
The book about Bill O'Reilly's downfall has got to be called "Killing O'Reilly", right? Though "Killing Papa Bear" also has a nice ring to it.
posted by chainlinkspiral at 4:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by chainlinkspiral at 4:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
what makes you think this is going to be his downfall? he survived falafel-a-lago
posted by murphy slaw at 4:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 4:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
It's not like this is a principled reform effort undertaken in good faith.
There is an actual principled reason to support VAT over income taxes, it greatly rewards disciplined savers and conservatives are all about rewarding those people who sacrifice in the short term for the long term benefit.
But then in theory, communism works.
posted by Talez at 4:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
There is an actual principled reason to support VAT over income taxes, it greatly rewards disciplined savers and conservatives are all about rewarding those people who sacrifice in the short term for the long term benefit.
But then in theory, communism works.
posted by Talez at 4:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
He's hemorrhaging advertisers, Maddow has been a timeslot winner for almost a month, his legal write-offs are in the tens of millions, the Murdoch kids are angling for a post-Ailes non-horror show. But shrug, his future could be secure...
posted by chainlinkspiral at 4:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by chainlinkspiral at 4:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
He's hemorrhaging advertisers
cnn is saying that 18 companies have now pulled their ads.
posted by futz at 4:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
cnn is saying that 18 companies have now pulled their ads.
posted by futz at 4:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
They are just shifting ads to other time-slots. Bill will survive. It will just take some Socialism to do it.
posted by johnpowell at 4:34 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by johnpowell at 4:34 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Anyone want to take bets on Trump showing up for an exclusive interview to keep BillO afloat?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:38 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 4:38 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
No, it is unprecedented. She has literally zero experience in governance and she has a top-level role in the White House and is meeting with world leaders, just because she's the President's kid.
It's unprecedented because she should not be there. Frankly, at this point "complicit" is being kind. It's echoing the narrative that she's one of the good ones, guilty but only secretly so.
I was going down the list of Presidential kids to make a joke about, like, Amy Carter being appointed Ambassador to Costa Rica or something, but then I got to George H.W. Bush and I remembered what happened to his kid and uh, yeah. Joke's on us.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's unprecedented because she should not be there. Frankly, at this point "complicit" is being kind. It's echoing the narrative that she's one of the good ones, guilty but only secretly so.
I was going down the list of Presidential kids to make a joke about, like, Amy Carter being appointed Ambassador to Costa Rica or something, but then I got to George H.W. Bush and I remembered what happened to his kid and uh, yeah. Joke's on us.
posted by tivalasvegas at 4:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
it greatly rewards disciplined savers and conservatives are all about rewarding those people who sacrifice in the short term for the long term benefit.
The problem with that is encouraging too much saving by reducing spending can also choke the economy. A healthy middle class spending money on somewhat frivolous things creates jobs if most of the money can be kept in the system (e.g. eating out at restaurants that pay living wages, not buying cheap imported goods).
And most poor people are already living hand to mouth. But they're part of Mitt Romney's 47%, and it's become orthodoxy to punish them.
posted by Candleman at 4:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
The problem with that is encouraging too much saving by reducing spending can also choke the economy. A healthy middle class spending money on somewhat frivolous things creates jobs if most of the money can be kept in the system (e.g. eating out at restaurants that pay living wages, not buying cheap imported goods).
And most poor people are already living hand to mouth. But they're part of Mitt Romney's 47%, and it's become orthodoxy to punish them.
posted by Candleman at 4:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Good news for once: Today the 7th Circuit became the first to hold discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is sex discrimination. Ruling
Judge Posner's concurring opinion (pp. 24-34) is well worth reading there, for articulating a judicial philosophy that has implications far beyond this particular case. It could almost be its own essay titled "Against Originalism." He mounts a strong defense of what he calls "judicial interpretive updating" (and which tends to be called "judicial activism" by people who disagree with it, although Posner does not mention that phrase himself) and notes that even judges who have a strong reputation for being originalists, such as Justice Scalia, have engaged in judicial interpretive updating.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [26 favorites]
Judge Posner's concurring opinion (pp. 24-34) is well worth reading there, for articulating a judicial philosophy that has implications far beyond this particular case. It could almost be its own essay titled "Against Originalism." He mounts a strong defense of what he calls "judicial interpretive updating" (and which tends to be called "judicial activism" by people who disagree with it, although Posner does not mention that phrase himself) and notes that even judges who have a strong reputation for being originalists, such as Justice Scalia, have engaged in judicial interpretive updating.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [26 favorites]
...but then I got to George H.W. Bush and I remembered what happened to his kid and uh, yeah. Joke's on us.
Hey, at least W. got elected (onthree two separate occasions!)
posted by leotrotsky at 4:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Hey, at least W. got elected (on
posted by leotrotsky at 4:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
The problem with that is encouraging too much saving by reducing spending can also choke the economy. A healthy middle class spending money on somewhat frivolous things creates jobs if most of the money can be kept in the system (e.g. eating out at restaurants that pay living wages, not buying cheap imported goods).
Pretty much. I didn't say it was a good system, only that supporting VAT is compatible with having some principles, even if the result is completely abhorrent.
posted by Talez at 4:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pretty much. I didn't say it was a good system, only that supporting VAT is compatible with having some principles, even if the result is completely abhorrent.
posted by Talez at 4:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
...and notes that even judges who have a strong reputation for being originalists, such as Justice Scalia, have engaged in judicial interpretive updating.
No shit, were he an honest originalist he'd have needed to advocate for stripping voting rights from Justice Ginsburg, O'Connor, Kagan, & Sotomayor and enslaving Justice Thomas.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
No shit, were he an honest originalist he'd have needed to advocate for stripping voting rights from Justice Ginsburg, O'Connor, Kagan, & Sotomayor and enslaving Justice Thomas.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
"Honest originalists" are not compelled to pretend that constitutional amendments don't exist.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
US official: North Korea fires a possible ballistic missile
A new one just before Xi Jinping visit and right after “The clock has now run out and all options are on the table”, assuming that it happened after anyways.
posted by futz at 4:59 PM on April 4, 2017
A new one just before Xi Jinping visit and right after “The clock has now run out and all options are on the table”, assuming that it happened after anyways.
posted by futz at 4:59 PM on April 4, 2017
Don't ruin the joke.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 4:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
If the rest of this wasn't bad enough she has to resort to "very unique"? No, no no. I'm strongly in the "unique means singular,one" camp, nothing can be "very one of a kind"
In A slightly unique post David Chess defends modifiers of "unique:"
In A slightly unique post David Chess defends modifiers of "unique:"
Every physical object is unique, if you look hard enough, as is every situation. There has never been a bottle of hair shampoo with exactly this many molecules in it and a label exactly this many hundredths of degrees askew. There has never been an evening with exactly this number of fireflies in all of the yards for ten miles all around....posted by DevilsAdvocate at 5:00 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
So if everything is unique, why is the word “unique” useful? Exactly because some things are more unique than others: unique in more ways, or unique in more important ways.
Don't ruin the joke.
At best it was 3/5th of a joke.
posted by Talez at 5:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
At best it was 3/5th of a joke.
posted by Talez at 5:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [27 favorites]
Wow.
Scott Pelley on CBS Evening News: “The attack came 5 days after the Trump administration signaled that the Syrian dictator would not be held accountable...”
The whole statement is worth watching. CBS Evening News put that out on Twitter, too. Wow.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [41 favorites]
Scott Pelley on CBS Evening News: “The attack came 5 days after the Trump administration signaled that the Syrian dictator would not be held accountable...”
The whole statement is worth watching. CBS Evening News put that out on Twitter, too. Wow.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [41 favorites]
"Honest originalists" are not compelled to pretend that constitutional amendments don't exist.
No, they just must discern what a bunch of 18th century landowners prior to the discovery of electricity would have meant their words to mean in the context of, for example, a global interconnected network of electronically powered computing devices.
Much easier.
I mean, it's like they're literally doing Talmudic interpretation of the Constitution. It's just as nonsensical.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
No, they just must discern what a bunch of 18th century landowners prior to the discovery of electricity would have meant their words to mean in the context of, for example, a global interconnected network of electronically powered computing devices.
Much easier.
I mean, it's like they're literally doing Talmudic interpretation of the Constitution. It's just as nonsensical.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Rex Tillerson's statement on North Korea's missile launch seems...bad.
"North Korea has launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment."
posted by sporkwort at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
"North Korea has launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment."
posted by sporkwort at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Well this is interesting.
U.S. coal companies ask Trump to stick with Paris climate deal
Some big American coal companies have advised President Donald Trump's administration to break his promise to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement – arguing that the accord could provide their best forum for protecting their global interests.
Remaining in the global deal to combat climate change will give U.S. negotiators a chance to advocate for coal in the future of the global energy mix, coal companies like Cloud Peak Energy Inc and Peabody Energy Corp told White House officials over the past few weeks, according to executives and a U.S. official familiar with the discussions.
Out of self interest of course.
posted by futz at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [23 favorites]
U.S. coal companies ask Trump to stick with Paris climate deal
Some big American coal companies have advised President Donald Trump's administration to break his promise to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement – arguing that the accord could provide their best forum for protecting their global interests.
Remaining in the global deal to combat climate change will give U.S. negotiators a chance to advocate for coal in the future of the global energy mix, coal companies like Cloud Peak Energy Inc and Peabody Energy Corp told White House officials over the past few weeks, according to executives and a U.S. official familiar with the discussions.
Out of self interest of course.
posted by futz at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [23 favorites]
He doesn't want to, you know, denounce it or anything? You sure, Rex?
posted by Talez at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Talez at 5:05 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Out of self interest of course.
Adam Smith had some valid observations.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2017
Adam Smith had some valid observations.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2017
Scott Pelley on CBS Evening News: “The attack came 5 days after the Trump administration signaled that the Syrian dictator would not be held accountable...”
The whole statement is worth watching. CBS Evening News put that out on Twitter, too. Wow.
Good. Even if the domestic media is largely going along with the whole "take him seriously, not literally" or however that sad excuse for bullshittery and/or lies goes, the rest of the world can't, won't and isn't.
Syria, Russia, NK, our NATO allies, every-fucking-one around the world has no choice but to take what the White House says both seriously and literally. Because when you're the hegemon, your words matter, just like reality matters. You can't hide from them forever.
posted by tivalasvegas at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
The whole statement is worth watching. CBS Evening News put that out on Twitter, too. Wow.
Good. Even if the domestic media is largely going along with the whole "take him seriously, not literally" or however that sad excuse for bullshittery and/or lies goes, the rest of the world can't, won't and isn't.
Syria, Russia, NK, our NATO allies, every-fucking-one around the world has no choice but to take what the White House says both seriously and literally. Because when you're the hegemon, your words matter, just like reality matters. You can't hide from them forever.
posted by tivalasvegas at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm reading Ivanka's use of 'unprecedented' as how things effect her immediate situation. She is not thinking historically. I think there's been a major acknowledgement in the Trump inner circle that something is definitely wrong with DJT. What's unprecedented is that she and Jared have to step in to help run the country, something she was not seeing as potentially part of her duties a year ago. I'm sure the fact that Melania has absented herself pretty much must rankle.
I doubt she has given it much thought beyond how it effects her family. She sees herself as acting selfless, working for no pay. That's what's unprecedented.
posted by readery at 5:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I doubt she has given it much thought beyond how it effects her family. She sees herself as acting selfless, working for no pay. That's what's unprecedented.
posted by readery at 5:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Rex Tillerson's statement on North Korea's missile launch seems...bad.
Is is weird that I wasn't expecting a CEO of a giant multinational to be this much of a fuck-up? What's wrong with him? He's like white Ben Carson over there. How was he not kneecapped by a ambitious underling years ago?
posted by leotrotsky at 5:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [56 favorites]
Is is weird that I wasn't expecting a CEO of a giant multinational to be this much of a fuck-up? What's wrong with him? He's like white Ben Carson over there. How was he not kneecapped by a ambitious underling years ago?
posted by leotrotsky at 5:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [56 favorites]
Scott Pelley on CBS Evening News: “The attack came 5 days after the Trump administration signaled that the Syrian dictator would not be held accountable...”
The Daily Beast and Slate have also connected the dots between the recent statement on Assad and today's chemical attack.
posted by peeedro at 5:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
The Daily Beast and Slate have also connected the dots between the recent statement on Assad and today's chemical attack.
posted by peeedro at 5:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
I mean what in the actual fuck. Are we going to bomb them? Or is he just busy today and didn't feel like providing a substantive statement? Or maybe he's stoned?
He's only played the tutorial of Civ 6 and it has really shitty diplomacy. Should have put him on Europa Universalis IV like the rest of the Whitehouse executive staff.
posted by Talez at 5:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
He's only played the tutorial of Civ 6 and it has really shitty diplomacy. Should have put him on Europa Universalis IV like the rest of the Whitehouse executive staff.
posted by Talez at 5:12 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Rex Tillerson's statement on North Korea's missile launch seems...bad.
Fuck, I know it's naptime but he should try harder.
posted by Artw at 5:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Fuck, I know it's naptime but he should try harder.
posted by Artw at 5:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
The book about Bill O'Reilly's downfall has got to be called "Killing O'Reilly", right? Though "Killing Papa Bear" also has a nice ring to it.
Grabba O'Reilly AKA Enraged Grandstand
posted by cmfletcher at 5:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Grabba O'Reilly AKA Enraged Grandstand
posted by cmfletcher at 5:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Is is weird that I wasn't expecting a CEO of a giant multinational to be this much of a fuck-up? What's wrong with him? He's like white Ben Carson over there. How was he not kneecapped by a ambitious underling years ago?
Somewhere in one of these Megathreads I'm on the record proclaiming, "just wait until a boardroom killer like Rex Tillerson gets a hold of these clowns" (Bannon, Preibus, Conway) and well, obviously I had no idea what kind of executive Secretary Tillerson was at Exxon and just made that up based on, a well geez of course hunch that that guy must know how to do sneaky powerplay stuff. Well, sheesh, I guess not.
posted by notyou at 5:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Somewhere in one of these Megathreads I'm on the record proclaiming, "just wait until a boardroom killer like Rex Tillerson gets a hold of these clowns" (Bannon, Preibus, Conway) and well, obviously I had no idea what kind of executive Secretary Tillerson was at Exxon and just made that up based on, a well geez of course hunch that that guy must know how to do sneaky powerplay stuff. Well, sheesh, I guess not.
posted by notyou at 5:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Is North Korea just going to take that as a sign they can do whatever they want? I mean, that's what Assad did.
posted by zachlipton at 5:18 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:18 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm honestly mystified. Did he just Chauncey Gardiner his way up to the C-suite?
"Mr Tillerson, what do we do about the growth in natural gas fracking?"
"In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again."
"Brilliant!"
"We have no further comment."
posted by leotrotsky at 5:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
"Mr Tillerson, what do we do about the growth in natural gas fracking?"
"In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again."
"Brilliant!"
"We have no further comment."
posted by leotrotsky at 5:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
Wasn't Sleep Tillerson on his way out of Exxon? And he was just on record last week saying he never really wanted the job? All his actions so far are pretty easily explained by an old guy who should be waking up at noon in his retirement community taking a job he has no fucking clue about and doing the absolute bare minimum because it takes him a lot of physical effort just to make it into the office every day.
Talk about the low energy administration. Just with, you know, nukes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Talk about the low energy administration. Just with, you know, nukes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
It seems scary to me -- effectively saying, "We're done talking, motherfucker."
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:22 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:22 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Secretary of State is a pretty tiring gig, even if you half-ass it. I don't blame Tillerson for not wanting to take it.
I DO blame him for ACTUALLY taking it.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
I DO blame him for ACTUALLY taking it.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [18 favorites]
I don't entirely disagree with the posture put forth by Tillerson. It's not particularly diplomatic but its hard to argue that the current strategy is working. No one knew the world was so complicated.
posted by H. Roark at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by H. Roark at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017
It seems scary to me -- effectively saying, "We're done talking, motherfucker."
More like "we are total bullshit, just like you".
posted by Artw at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
More like "we are total bullshit, just like you".
posted by Artw at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
North Korea launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment.
It's like that speech in Forrest Gump, right down to the "And that's all I have to say about that." It seems like the actual statement is missing from their statement.
posted by peeedro at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's like that speech in Forrest Gump, right down to the "And that's all I have to say about that." It seems like the actual statement is missing from their statement.
posted by peeedro at 5:27 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Is is weird that I wasn't expecting a CEO of a giant multinational to be this much of a fuck-up? What's wrong with him?
Same thing as the Popular Vote Loser, I suspect. When you have enough power and money, you can coerce people into doing what you want. As a the head of Exxon, one would have an army of attorneys and tens of billions of dollars to sue your way out of what ever you want. I suspect that Tillerson's been on easy street so long that any skills he had in wrangling boardrooms and foreign countries has long been delegated to various underlings who do the bulk of the really hard stuff.
Contrast that situation with his time at State--he's has a poor working relationship with the understaffed bureaucracy, while the department itself is supposed to take huge funding cut. Furthermore, he is still bound by federal law, which is much more restrictive than being in the private sector.
I doubt Tillerson's had to work from a position of relative weakness in a very, very long time, if ever.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 5:30 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Same thing as the Popular Vote Loser, I suspect. When you have enough power and money, you can coerce people into doing what you want. As a the head of Exxon, one would have an army of attorneys and tens of billions of dollars to sue your way out of what ever you want. I suspect that Tillerson's been on easy street so long that any skills he had in wrangling boardrooms and foreign countries has long been delegated to various underlings who do the bulk of the really hard stuff.
Contrast that situation with his time at State--he's has a poor working relationship with the understaffed bureaucracy, while the department itself is supposed to take huge funding cut. Furthermore, he is still bound by federal law, which is much more restrictive than being in the private sector.
I doubt Tillerson's had to work from a position of relative weakness in a very, very long time, if ever.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 5:30 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
That statement is bad unless it is followed by swift and decisive action. Of course, swift and decisive action against North Korea is a) impossible and b) stupendously, bone-chillingly bad at best.
So, if we're lucky, this is just Rex being fucking incompetent at his job and not Rex about to start WW3.
posted by lydhre at 5:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
So, if we're lucky, this is just Rex being fucking incompetent at his job and not Rex about to start WW3.
posted by lydhre at 5:31 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
The Trump Administration May Already Be Losing Its Mind Over Taxes
Swapping the tax on corporate income for one on carbon has long been a dream of Third Way think-tank types who lust after grand bipartisan compromises. ... According to conventional economic wisdom, the corporate income tax saps capital from the markets and ultimately discourages businesses from investing in things like new factories and product lines by taking a bite out of profits, thus indirectly hurting workers. ... Taxing carbon, on the other hand, would discourage Americans from turning the planet into a giant microwave. So, the MOR policy wonks say, let's trade the tax on good things (investment) for a tax on bad things (greenhouse emissions). ... Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, would chug a smoothie made of anthracite dust and North Dakota crude before they passed a carbon tax. It certainly isn't happening as long as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who demagogued Obama's “war on coal” as well as anybody, has a pulse. It is beyond me why any person in the White House would think this idea might go over well with their boss or the people he'll have to rely on to pass his agenda in Congress.
...
The politics of the value-added tax, or VAT, are more nuanced—but not better. ... Republicans have a love-hate relationship with the concept, because they think it has facilitated European social welfare states by hiding the true cost of single-payer health care and other programs in the price of produce and T-shirts. ... Ultimately, traditional, anti-VAT conservatives are afraid that once the tax is in place, a future liberal president would be able to crank it up in order to fund their diabolical universal pre-K scheme without the public taking notice.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Swapping the tax on corporate income for one on carbon has long been a dream of Third Way think-tank types who lust after grand bipartisan compromises. ... According to conventional economic wisdom, the corporate income tax saps capital from the markets and ultimately discourages businesses from investing in things like new factories and product lines by taking a bite out of profits, thus indirectly hurting workers. ... Taxing carbon, on the other hand, would discourage Americans from turning the planet into a giant microwave. So, the MOR policy wonks say, let's trade the tax on good things (investment) for a tax on bad things (greenhouse emissions). ... Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, would chug a smoothie made of anthracite dust and North Dakota crude before they passed a carbon tax. It certainly isn't happening as long as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who demagogued Obama's “war on coal” as well as anybody, has a pulse. It is beyond me why any person in the White House would think this idea might go over well with their boss or the people he'll have to rely on to pass his agenda in Congress.
...
The politics of the value-added tax, or VAT, are more nuanced—but not better. ... Republicans have a love-hate relationship with the concept, because they think it has facilitated European social welfare states by hiding the true cost of single-payer health care and other programs in the price of produce and T-shirts. ... Ultimately, traditional, anti-VAT conservatives are afraid that once the tax is in place, a future liberal president would be able to crank it up in order to fund their diabolical universal pre-K scheme without the public taking notice.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, would chug a smoothie made of anthracite dust and North Dakota crude before they passed a carbon tax
That's going to be one hell of a sour milkshake given the shitty oil ND puts out.
posted by Talez at 5:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's going to be one hell of a sour milkshake given the shitty oil ND puts out.
posted by Talez at 5:36 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Good news for once: Today the 7th Circuit became the first to hold discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is sex discrimination. Ruling.
From Posner's concurrance:
But today “sex” has a broader meaning than the genitalia you’re born with. In Baskin v. Bogan, 766 F.3d 648 (7th Cir. 2014), our court, anticipating Obergefell by invalidating laws in Indiana and Wisconsin that forbade same-sex marriage, discussed at length whether homosexual orientation is innate or chosen, and found that the scientific literature strongly supports the proposition that it is biological and innate, not a choice like deciding how to dress. The position of a woman discriminated against on account of being a lesbian is thus analogous to a woman’s being discriminated against on account of being a woman. That woman didn’t choose to be a woman; the lesbian didn’t choose to be a lesbian.
This would appear to set precedent against those despicable bathroom bills, wouldn't it? By expanding "sex" in Title VII to include sexual orientation, and decisively stating that it is not a choice, but something "biological and innate" hasn't Posner effectively opened the door for some enterprising lawyer to sue for the right to use bathrooms based on identity?
posted by Glibpaxman at 5:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
From Posner's concurrance:
But today “sex” has a broader meaning than the genitalia you’re born with. In Baskin v. Bogan, 766 F.3d 648 (7th Cir. 2014), our court, anticipating Obergefell by invalidating laws in Indiana and Wisconsin that forbade same-sex marriage, discussed at length whether homosexual orientation is innate or chosen, and found that the scientific literature strongly supports the proposition that it is biological and innate, not a choice like deciding how to dress. The position of a woman discriminated against on account of being a lesbian is thus analogous to a woman’s being discriminated against on account of being a woman. That woman didn’t choose to be a woman; the lesbian didn’t choose to be a lesbian.
This would appear to set precedent against those despicable bathroom bills, wouldn't it? By expanding "sex" in Title VII to include sexual orientation, and decisively stating that it is not a choice, but something "biological and innate" hasn't Posner effectively opened the door for some enterprising lawyer to sue for the right to use bathrooms based on identity?
posted by Glibpaxman at 5:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [22 favorites]
This would appear to set precedent against those despicable bathroom bills, wouldn't it? By expanding "sex" in Title VII to include sexual orientation, and decisively stating that it is not a choice, but something "biological and innate" hasn't Posner effectively opened the door for some enterprising lawyer to sue for the right to use bathrooms based on identity?
11th and 2nd both hold the opposite so all it does is setup a showdown between circuits at SCOTUS.
posted by Talez at 5:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
11th and 2nd both hold the opposite so all it does is setup a showdown between circuits at SCOTUS.
posted by Talez at 5:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Of course, swift and decisive action against North Korea is...
I'm curious what the armchairgenerals secretary-of-states of metafilter suggest as diplomatic policy towards DPRK? What are the goals?
I don't have any great ideas, am concerned about both the people in NK and SK, and see leadership there as essentially a screaming toddler. Probably the best outcome is something along the lines of Stuxnet-type-programs buying enough time for organic change to DPRK govt, but that may be fantasy. I don't think we have tried the "ignore the screaming toddler" approach yet - a technique I have no qualms using on my own hellspawn.
posted by H. Roark at 5:42 PM on April 4, 2017
I'm curious what the armchair
I don't have any great ideas, am concerned about both the people in NK and SK, and see leadership there as essentially a screaming toddler. Probably the best outcome is something along the lines of Stuxnet-type-programs buying enough time for organic change to DPRK govt, but that may be fantasy. I don't think we have tried the "ignore the screaming toddler" approach yet - a technique I have no qualms using on my own hellspawn.
posted by H. Roark at 5:42 PM on April 4, 2017
From Posner's concurrance
Concurrence. Don't read controlling precedent into a concurring opinion by a single Judge. But that could've been what he wanted to signal. Sometimes the point of a concurring opinion is to suggest strategies to future litigants.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Concurrence. Don't read controlling precedent into a concurring opinion by a single Judge. But that could've been what he wanted to signal. Sometimes the point of a concurring opinion is to suggest strategies to future litigants.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:44 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'm curious what the armchair generals secretary-of-states of metafilter suggest as diplomatic policy towards DPRK? What are the goals?
There is no good choice. There are no goals. There is simply the least bad choice of "we don't nuke Pyongyang if you don't shell Seoul" and hoping 25 million people don't get involuntarily dragged into the paranoid delusions of a madman.
posted by Talez at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
There is no good choice. There are no goals. There is simply the least bad choice of "we don't nuke Pyongyang if you don't shell Seoul" and hoping 25 million people don't get involuntarily dragged into the paranoid delusions of a madman.
posted by Talez at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Yeah, I can certainly see the merits of "ignore the screaming toddler" as a strategy for dealing with North Korea. But I have yet to see any evidence that this President can ignore anything that might happen to show up on Fox News. Or, for that matter, any evidence that this administration can put together a coherent strategy on anything at all.
posted by sporkwort at 5:49 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by sporkwort at 5:49 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
hoping 25 million people don't get involuntarily dragged into the paranoid delusions of a madman.
Wait. Do you mean Kim, or Trump?
posted by jammer at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
Wait. Do you mean Kim, or Trump?
posted by jammer at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [15 favorites]
I have no idea what the fuck to do about North Korea but I do know what we can't do. Because China.
I also ignore my screaming toddler but, hooray for me, at worst my toddler lobs food at me, not missiles. But hey, let's try ignoring them! Maybe they'll apologize and pick up their mess. However, it's not ignoring them that I'm afraid of. It's this bunch of chucklefucks at State doing anything other than ignoring them.
posted by lydhre at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I also ignore my screaming toddler but, hooray for me, at worst my toddler lobs food at me, not missiles. But hey, let's try ignoring them! Maybe they'll apologize and pick up their mess. However, it's not ignoring them that I'm afraid of. It's this bunch of chucklefucks at State doing anything other than ignoring them.
posted by lydhre at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
There are indeed no great moves but it doesn't hurt to make a polite phone call to Xi Jinping or whomever is the equivalent of the Secretary of State there and ask them if they have any insight into what might be happening in the DPRK and then respectfully asking if they would mind reaching out to them to see if they can't rein DPRK in a little bit. China really doesn't want nukes dropped anywhere near their borders either and they hold a bit more sway...
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:50 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Doesn't the standard "ignore the bully and wait for him to get bored" advice usually just result in the bully escalating their provocations until you can't ignore them anymore?
posted by zachlipton at 5:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
I don't have any great ideas, am concerned about both the people in NK and SK, and see leadership there as essentially a screaming toddler. Probably the best outcome is something along the lines of Stuxnet-type-programs buying enough time for organic change to DPRK govt, but that may be fantasy. I don't think we have tried the "ignore the screaming toddler" approach yet - a technique I have no qualms using on my own hellspawn.
You just characterized a sovereign nation made up of millions of people that has been in an ongoing military standoff or state of war with a world power for over half a century as "a screaming toddler". I don't think being a parent offers any insights into their motivations, at least not as you've stated it. This attitude is literally paternalistic.
posted by indubitable at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
You just characterized a sovereign nation made up of millions of people that has been in an ongoing military standoff or state of war with a world power for over half a century as "a screaming toddler". I don't think being a parent offers any insights into their motivations, at least not as you've stated it. This attitude is literally paternalistic.
posted by indubitable at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
The "no comment" may just mean "here China, this is your hot potato now. Cheers!"
posted by notyou at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Exactly what was Cohen-Watnick doing that even this White House counsel's office shut down
Josh Marshall thinks he was working with Flynn to figure out how Flynn's calls with the Russian ambassador ended up in the paper.
posted by diogenes at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Josh Marshall thinks he was working with Flynn to figure out how Flynn's calls with the Russian ambassador ended up in the paper.
posted by diogenes at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
(That's kinda the wrong message to send to the US' regional allies, though.)
posted by notyou at 5:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 5:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Searched, didn't see this linked.
Rep Castro: Trumpers will likely "go to jail" for roles in Russia scandal
I think the Dems are getting a handle on the unified messaging thing, at least when it comes to Treasongate. Possibly the easiest fucking thing behind which to unify, but it's a good start.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Rep Castro: Trumpers will likely "go to jail" for roles in Russia scandal
I think the Dems are getting a handle on the unified messaging thing, at least when it comes to Treasongate. Possibly the easiest fucking thing behind which to unify, but it's a good start.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
The North Korea situation is exactly why you want the very best analysts and diplomats advising the president. Unfortunately we've got a secretary of state too scared of his own staff to even make eye contact.
Yeah, I don't know what to do either, but that's why we have experts, right?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 5:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I don't know what to do either, but that's why we have experts, right?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 5:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
The optimal strategy is "ignore the bully" because that doesn't involve millions of innocent people dying. Ideally, you ignore the bully while making it abundantly clear that if were to do something stupid like launch one of his toys at a friendly target he'll get a front row seat at the Watch America Dismantle Yet Another County's Military show.
There's a lot of reasons why going to war with North Korea is a bad idea, including what it would do to our relations with China and being responsible for rebuilding yet another country after we finish dismantling it. Despite this, giving the bully the notion that we're not actually willing to go to war will just encourage him to take that stupid action that forces us to go to war.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
There's a lot of reasons why going to war with North Korea is a bad idea, including what it would do to our relations with China and being responsible for rebuilding yet another country after we finish dismantling it. Despite this, giving the bully the notion that we're not actually willing to go to war will just encourage him to take that stupid action that forces us to go to war.
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 6:01 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
that's why we have experts, right?
I think we have to wait until tomorrow morning when Fox and Friends tells Trump what to do. Until then, it's Obama's fault somehow.
posted by peeedro at 6:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
I think we have to wait until tomorrow morning when Fox and Friends tells Trump what to do. Until then, it's Obama's fault somehow.
posted by peeedro at 6:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Alexandra Petri at The Washington Post: “Every story I have read about Trump supporters in the past week”
In the shadow of the old flag factory, Craig Slabornik sits whittling away on a rusty nail, his only hobby since the plant shut down. He is an American like millions of Americans, and he has no regrets about pulling the lever for Donald Trump in November — twice, in fact, which Craig says is just more evidence of the voter fraud plaguing the country. Craig is a contradiction, but he does not know it.posted by Going To Maine at 6:04 PM on April 4, 2017 [71 favorites]
The "no comment" may just mean "here China, this is your hot potato now. Cheers!"
China doesn't give a fuck if Pyongyang shells Seoul. We do. In theory. I think. Do we anymore?
posted by Talez at 6:07 PM on April 4, 2017
China doesn't give a fuck if Pyongyang shells Seoul. We do. In theory. I think. Do we anymore?
posted by Talez at 6:07 PM on April 4, 2017
#BREAKING Dem OR Sen Jeff Merkley to hold Senate floor all night on nomination of Neil Gorsuch for SCOTUS. Took flr at 6:46 pm et
This is not really a filibuster, more of a really long speech, since he's not actually blocking the Senate from doing anything right now: the vote to end debate on Gorsuch will take place Thursday. But it will be interesting to see where this goes.
C-SPAN link.
posted by zachlipton at 6:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [44 favorites]
This is not really a filibuster, more of a really long speech, since he's not actually blocking the Senate from doing anything right now: the vote to end debate on Gorsuch will take place Thursday. But it will be interesting to see where this goes.
C-SPAN link.
posted by zachlipton at 6:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [44 favorites]
This past weekend, I participated in a Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado training session, hosted by the BLM (agency, not movement).
It appears that past couple of days, sometime, all BLM field office websites have gone offline. Not redirected. GONE. Gone are the maps, links, resources, and other info. It still seems that you can get reservations and permits via recreation.gov, but everything else appears to have been dev/nulled.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 6:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
It appears that past couple of days, sometime, all BLM field office websites have gone offline. Not redirected. GONE. Gone are the maps, links, resources, and other info. It still seems that you can get reservations and permits via recreation.gov, but everything else appears to have been dev/nulled.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 6:09 PM on April 4, 2017 [36 favorites]
H. Roark: "I'm curious what the armchair generals secretary-of-states of metafilter suggest as diplomatic policy towards DPRK?"
As others have pointed out, there are probably no easy answers here but I would like to point out one extra complication with US-DPRK relations. Back during the Clinton administration, approximately 8 million years ago, there was an agreement for the US to provide aid (mostly fuel oil) to N. Korea, eventual lifting of sanctions, and assurances not to blow them up in exchange for N. Korea basically cooling it on the nuclear stuff. This was by no means an airtight arrangement but it was at least a start. Congressional Republicans, of course, hated the fuck out of this and did what they could to torpedo the deal, specifically via maintaining the economic sanctions that N. Korea definitely needed to be lifted. Now, to be clear, there were definitely issues regarding how faithfully N. Korea was adhering to the agreement but the dynamics on the US side were clear: the Republican congress was not going to go along with this deal that the Clinton administration struck.
Then, of course, next comes Bush Jr. with his coterie of assholes and they finish off the job of blowing up the Agreed Framework. The exact reasons for blowing up the deal remain a bit controversial: the least stupid explanation was that they had intelligence (lol) that N. Korea was enriching uranium, the more stupid explanation is that the big thinkers (double lol) in the Bush admin just wanted to force N. Korea to collapse and thought that this would be the quickest way to do so.
In any case, in my opinion, from N. Korea's standpoint, US appears as anything but a reliable negotiating partner. There is basically no way for them to take anything the US says at face value. And that's even before getting to the current clown show.
posted by mhum at 6:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
As others have pointed out, there are probably no easy answers here but I would like to point out one extra complication with US-DPRK relations. Back during the Clinton administration, approximately 8 million years ago, there was an agreement for the US to provide aid (mostly fuel oil) to N. Korea, eventual lifting of sanctions, and assurances not to blow them up in exchange for N. Korea basically cooling it on the nuclear stuff. This was by no means an airtight arrangement but it was at least a start. Congressional Republicans, of course, hated the fuck out of this and did what they could to torpedo the deal, specifically via maintaining the economic sanctions that N. Korea definitely needed to be lifted. Now, to be clear, there were definitely issues regarding how faithfully N. Korea was adhering to the agreement but the dynamics on the US side were clear: the Republican congress was not going to go along with this deal that the Clinton administration struck.
Then, of course, next comes Bush Jr. with his coterie of assholes and they finish off the job of blowing up the Agreed Framework. The exact reasons for blowing up the deal remain a bit controversial: the least stupid explanation was that they had intelligence (lol) that N. Korea was enriching uranium, the more stupid explanation is that the big thinkers (double lol) in the Bush admin just wanted to force N. Korea to collapse and thought that this would be the quickest way to do so.
In any case, in my opinion, from N. Korea's standpoint, US appears as anything but a reliable negotiating partner. There is basically no way for them to take anything the US says at face value. And that's even before getting to the current clown show.
posted by mhum at 6:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
China doesn't give a fuck if Pyongyang shells Seoul. We do. In theory. I think. Do we anymore?
China and South Korea are bound pretty tightly, tradewise. China gives a fuck.
posted by notyou at 6:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
China and South Korea are bound pretty tightly, tradewise. China gives a fuck.
posted by notyou at 6:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
In any case, in my opinion, from N. Korea's standpoint, US appears as anything but a reliable negotiating partner. There is basically no way for them to take anything the US says at face value. And that's even before getting to the current clown show.
Our brilliant system of completely reversing course on every major policy every 4 or 8 years finally pays dividends. /s
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Our brilliant system of completely reversing course on every major policy every 4 or 8 years finally pays dividends. /s
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm curious what the armchair generals secretary-of-states of metafilter suggest as diplomatic policy towards DPRK? What are the goals?
Right now I'm enjoying several lovely beverages and repeating to myself "Nothing is fucked, dude. Nothing is fucked."
Sorry, that's all I've got.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Right now I'm enjoying several lovely beverages and repeating to myself "Nothing is fucked, dude. Nothing is fucked."
Sorry, that's all I've got.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Tue GA-06 update:
Day 7 of in-person early voting in GA-6 is D 46, R 37--best GOP day yet, highest turnout across boardposted by Chrysostom at 6:28 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
Over all, D 53, R 30 with 11558 votes
Every story I have read about Trump supporters in the past week
Herm is encased in a cryogenic tube which will be unplugged if Trump gets his way. According to a note on his cryotube, he knows what Trump said about unplugging tubes but he does not think Trump would unplug him personally. He will vote for Trump again in 2020, provided he is not unplugged. Also, he hates Obamacare.posted by kirkaracha at 6:46 PM on April 4, 2017 [19 favorites]
let's be real, you wouldn't be rebuilding one country, but two and a half.
The guys at the Arms Control Wonk podcast talked on March 15 about the deliberately threatening targets chosen for the four missiles in the mid-March SCUD test.
They believe that the maps are drawn -- and left visible in the press photos -- to display the wartime target for each of the test flights. That is, a map is shown with the planned arc of each of the missiles. It's possible to draw a circle, centered on the launch point, with the radius of the flight path which will reveal where that missile would hit if it were launched for real. (They suggest those test flights were intended for Japan, Korea, and the U.S. Air Force base in Japan, if memory serves.) That indicates that the crews are drilling for offensive operations, and not just testing hardware or software.
Fucking terrifying.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:53 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
The guys at the Arms Control Wonk podcast talked on March 15 about the deliberately threatening targets chosen for the four missiles in the mid-March SCUD test.
They believe that the maps are drawn -- and left visible in the press photos -- to display the wartime target for each of the test flights. That is, a map is shown with the planned arc of each of the missiles. It's possible to draw a circle, centered on the launch point, with the radius of the flight path which will reveal where that missile would hit if it were launched for real. (They suggest those test flights were intended for Japan, Korea, and the U.S. Air Force base in Japan, if memory serves.) That indicates that the crews are drilling for offensive operations, and not just testing hardware or software.
Fucking terrifying.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:53 PM on April 4, 2017 [6 favorites]
DIPLOMACY IN ACTION is in the header of the State Department website.
Tillerson's curt press release? Not diplomatic. I wonder how the Obama's are doing?
posted by futz at 7:02 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Tillerson's curt press release? Not diplomatic. I wonder how the Obama's are doing?
posted by futz at 7:02 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
DIPLOMACY IN ACTION is in the header of the State Department website.
Yeah they accidentally inserted a space.
posted by thefoxgod at 7:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [82 favorites]
Yeah they accidentally inserted a space.
posted by thefoxgod at 7:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [82 favorites]
The thing about the DPRK is that we **HAD** a working diplomatic solution in place. Under Clinton's agreements we were basically bribing them with lifted sanctions and some aid into not pursuing their nuclear program. It wasn't perfect but it worked. We paid a pittance, they didn't make nukes.
Then Junior came into office with his policy of doing the opposite of whatever Clinton did (which is how 9/11 happened, Clinton though Al Qaeda was important, so Junior thought it didn't matter) so he abandoned the working diplomatic solution and tried pushing the DPRK around and calling them part of the Axis of Evil, and basically told the DPRK that there was no point in dealing diplomatically with America because any working deal they got with a Democrat would be instantly broken the next time a Republican got into office (see, also, the Obama/Iran deal which Trump is busy trying to shred and which will make future Democrats unable to deal with Iran diplomatically too).
So we had something that worked, Junior threw it away because he hated Clinton, and now we're fucked. There's not a diplomatic solution because the DPRK, rightly, doesn't trust us to honor our bargains when the Republicans retake the White House.
Which doesn't excuse Tillerson's insanity. I suspect what Tillerson meant was "I'm not allowed to say anything until Real SoS Kushner tells me what to say", but either way it means the US has no DPRK policy, no response, and we're relying on China to sort it out.
That's not good for the US in the long run, because it is encouraging the way East Asian politics are recentering around China and increasingly locking out the USA. For all that I hated the TPP with a burning passion, I do worry what China will do now that there's a trade deal vacuum to fill.
And letting China be the people to handle the DPRK means that China reaps the diplomatic rewards for handling the DPRK. Our trade and military allies in Japan and the ROK are going to see China as more powerful, more trustworthy, and more involved at a time when the US really needs all the allies it can get.
The best case outcome for this situation is now China negotiating a deal with the DPRK and the influence of the USA in East Asia shrinking dramatically. And that's 100% on Trump and the Republicans.
The US has no foreign policy anymore, and that's going to hurt us worldwide. It was bad enough when Junior was President, but at least there the rest of the world could see that an adult (Cheney) was really in charge. But with Trump it's self evident to any outside observer that the USA is being run by madmen with no plan, no policy, and no honor. Why should they ever deal with us again knowing that can happen if a presidential election goes bad?
posted by sotonohito at 7:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [38 favorites]
Then Junior came into office with his policy of doing the opposite of whatever Clinton did (which is how 9/11 happened, Clinton though Al Qaeda was important, so Junior thought it didn't matter) so he abandoned the working diplomatic solution and tried pushing the DPRK around and calling them part of the Axis of Evil, and basically told the DPRK that there was no point in dealing diplomatically with America because any working deal they got with a Democrat would be instantly broken the next time a Republican got into office (see, also, the Obama/Iran deal which Trump is busy trying to shred and which will make future Democrats unable to deal with Iran diplomatically too).
So we had something that worked, Junior threw it away because he hated Clinton, and now we're fucked. There's not a diplomatic solution because the DPRK, rightly, doesn't trust us to honor our bargains when the Republicans retake the White House.
Which doesn't excuse Tillerson's insanity. I suspect what Tillerson meant was "I'm not allowed to say anything until Real SoS Kushner tells me what to say", but either way it means the US has no DPRK policy, no response, and we're relying on China to sort it out.
That's not good for the US in the long run, because it is encouraging the way East Asian politics are recentering around China and increasingly locking out the USA. For all that I hated the TPP with a burning passion, I do worry what China will do now that there's a trade deal vacuum to fill.
And letting China be the people to handle the DPRK means that China reaps the diplomatic rewards for handling the DPRK. Our trade and military allies in Japan and the ROK are going to see China as more powerful, more trustworthy, and more involved at a time when the US really needs all the allies it can get.
The best case outcome for this situation is now China negotiating a deal with the DPRK and the influence of the USA in East Asia shrinking dramatically. And that's 100% on Trump and the Republicans.
The US has no foreign policy anymore, and that's going to hurt us worldwide. It was bad enough when Junior was President, but at least there the rest of the world could see that an adult (Cheney) was really in charge. But with Trump it's self evident to any outside observer that the USA is being run by madmen with no plan, no policy, and no honor. Why should they ever deal with us again knowing that can happen if a presidential election goes bad?
posted by sotonohito at 7:08 PM on April 4, 2017 [38 favorites]
Sen Merkley is trying to avoid running afoul of the Senate's conduct rules, which prevent you from calling other Senators liars, the same rules Sen Warren was disciplined for when Nevertheless She Persisted. I kind of like his alternative: "phony, phony, fallacious, insert your own adjective here".
posted by galaxy rise at 7:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by galaxy rise at 7:10 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
China absolutely cares if Seoul gets shelled. The trading partnership has already been mentioned. That's just one consideration, though. If Seoul comes under attack, North Korea will cease to exist as an independent nation within a matter of days. The US does not need nukes to accomplish this. The guns pointed at South Korea are pretty much Pyongyang's only bargaining chip right now. They have a small number of nukes, but having nukes and having a way to deliver nukes on a target are two different things. North Korea would be starting a war by firing on Seoul. The US would be involved and one thing China does NOT want is a situation where US troops are stationed across China's border. A war with NK would be ugly, resulting in the death of millions of civilians, however, the US and South Korea would win (speaking in a purely military sense, not taking into consideration the "now what do we do with this place and all these people?" sense) in very short order. If there's a collapse of the North Korean government, China wants to be able to dictate the terms. The military consequences from and the refugee influx of a war with South Korea are not the terms China wants.
posted by azpenguin at 7:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 7:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [8 favorites]
For all that I hated the TPP with a burning passion, I do worry what China will do now that there's a trade deal vacuum to fill.
D'y'ever look at the list of countries in the TPP?
Notice who wasn't included.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:17 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
D'y'ever look at the list of countries in the TPP?
Notice who wasn't included.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:17 PM on April 4, 2017 [7 favorites]
Eric Trump: "nepotism is kind of a factor of life"
Did he mean "fact of"? Asking for my Father's son's sister, er, myself.
posted by futz at 7:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Did he mean "fact of"? Asking for my Father's son's sister, er, myself.
posted by futz at 7:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
That's what I mean. The TPP was basically designed to freeze out China, to set up a trade alliance in the Pacific centered around the US. And now that it's dead China is going to be working diligently to build a new trade partnership with those nations and freeze out the US.
I disliked the TPP for a lot of reasons, but there's no denying that it's death means a trade vacuum for China to try and fill, and I think they'll succeed. Not only are the people running the PRC no fools, but the other East Asian powers are now seeing the US as, at absolute best, a wavering partner who might abandon them and discard its treaty obligations. Trumps bloviating about the ROK and Japan needing to develop their own atomic weapons programs to counter the DPRK did not go unnoticed in those nations. They understand exactly what it meant: the US views its military promises to them as inconvenient and may not fulfill its treaty obligations if the DPRK (or the PRC...) wages war on them.
There's a lot of very good reasons for the East Asian nations to sign up for whatever TPP equivalent that the PRC proposes. Historic hatred and distrust between Japan and China is seeming less of an impediment when the alternative is trusting Trump to keep America's honor.
posted by sotonohito at 7:25 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
I disliked the TPP for a lot of reasons, but there's no denying that it's death means a trade vacuum for China to try and fill, and I think they'll succeed. Not only are the people running the PRC no fools, but the other East Asian powers are now seeing the US as, at absolute best, a wavering partner who might abandon them and discard its treaty obligations. Trumps bloviating about the ROK and Japan needing to develop their own atomic weapons programs to counter the DPRK did not go unnoticed in those nations. They understand exactly what it meant: the US views its military promises to them as inconvenient and may not fulfill its treaty obligations if the DPRK (or the PRC...) wages war on them.
There's a lot of very good reasons for the East Asian nations to sign up for whatever TPP equivalent that the PRC proposes. Historic hatred and distrust between Japan and China is seeming less of an impediment when the alternative is trusting Trump to keep America's honor.
posted by sotonohito at 7:25 PM on April 4, 2017 [9 favorites]
Ancestry joins the list of advertisers that have pulled from O'Reilly.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:29 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:29 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
from wwaaaayyyy up yonder, man:
it felt like a lot of unnecessary death.
All the Gulf wars were that. This is the part where comeuppance is should be applied.
posted by petebest at 7:31 PM on April 4, 2017
it felt like a lot of unnecessary death.
All the Gulf wars were that. This is the part where comeuppance is should be applied.
posted by petebest at 7:31 PM on April 4, 2017
An Enemy of the Wall Street Foreclosure Machine Is Running to Unseat a GOP Lawmaker in California
Katie Porter, a University of California-Irvine professor and public interest lawyer who authored one of the first academic studies of foreclosure fraud, and who helped thousands of California homeowners as a monitor of the national foreclosure fraud settlement, announced yesterday that she will run for Congress in California’s 45th Congressional district, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters.
The Orange County seat, where Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by five points last November, is critical to Democratic efforts to take back control of the House of Representatives next year. Clinton’s victory in Orange County marked the first win for a Democratic presidential candidate there since Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, a sign of the area’s changing demographics.
posted by futz at 7:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [38 favorites]
Katie Porter, a University of California-Irvine professor and public interest lawyer who authored one of the first academic studies of foreclosure fraud, and who helped thousands of California homeowners as a monitor of the national foreclosure fraud settlement, announced yesterday that she will run for Congress in California’s 45th Congressional district, against two-term Republican incumbent Mimi Walters.
The Orange County seat, where Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by five points last November, is critical to Democratic efforts to take back control of the House of Representatives next year. Clinton’s victory in Orange County marked the first win for a Democratic presidential candidate there since Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, a sign of the area’s changing demographics.
posted by futz at 7:37 PM on April 4, 2017 [38 favorites]
A good read from Lawfareblog on the realities and implications of the wiretapping allegations.
The “Grand Bargain” at Risk: What’s at Stake When the President Alleges Politics in Intelligence
posted by chris24 at 7:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
The “Grand Bargain” at Risk: What’s at Stake When the President Alleges Politics in Intelligence
posted by chris24 at 7:43 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Newly disclosed ethics forms reveal that a significant number of senior Trump staffers were previously employed by the sprawling network of hard-right and libertarian advocacy groups financed and controlled by Charles and David Koch,
posted by adamvasco at 7:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by adamvasco at 7:54 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Potential Border Wall Contractors Brace For Hostile Environment
posted by zachlipton at 7:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [57 favorites]
One potential bidder on President Donald Trump’s border wall with Mexico wanted to know if authorities would rush to help if workers came under “hostile attack.” Another asked if employees can carry firearms in states with strict gun control laws and if the government would indemnify them for using deadly force.Is there really no point when you're asking the question "will the government indemnify me if I use deadly force?" that you don't stop and decide maybe you don't want anything to do with this project?
With bids due Tuesday on the first design contracts, interested companies are preparing for the worst if they get the potentially lucrative job.
posted by zachlipton at 7:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [57 favorites]
NYT, Editorial Board, April 4: The Supreme Court as Partisan Tool:In blocking even a hearing for Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s moderate and eminently qualified candidate, as well as dozens of Obama nominees for other positions, he deeply degraded the nominating process. There was a time when the leaders of the Senate were responsible stewards of republican traditions and ideals. Not Mr. McConnell, whose determination to steamroll and humiliate political opponents exceeds any other consideration.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [45 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [45 favorites]
Is there really no point when you're asking the question "will the government indemnify me if I use deadly force?" that you don't stop and decide maybe you don't want anything to do with this project?
Hans, are we the baddies?
posted by uncleozzy at 8:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
Hans, are we the baddies?
posted by uncleozzy at 8:13 PM on April 4, 2017 [43 favorites]
Is there really no point when you're asking the question "will the government indemnify me if I use deadly force?" that you don't stop and decide maybe you don't want anything to do with this project?
Don't rule out that they are people who want to use deadly force regardless and now see a possible avenue for getting away with it.
posted by srboisvert at 8:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
Don't rule out that they are people who want to use deadly force regardless and now see a possible avenue for getting away with it.
posted by srboisvert at 8:14 PM on April 4, 2017 [12 favorites]
I was thinking about the contractors on the Death Star bit from Clerks, but the baddies sketch works as well!
posted by Justinian at 8:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 8:15 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
I still just don't see any actual strategy in mind with this idiotic Trump/Nunes wiretapping/unmasking stuff. Like, let's say they successfully gin up a big ol' Benghazi-style hearing about it... there's no way that doesn't end with people testifying in front of Congress about the contents and context of those intercepts, and there's no way that goes well for Trump.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 8:16 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
I was thinking that was reason number one why GWB negotiated the US exit from Iraq: the Iraqis refused to indemnify American service members/contractors.
So hey, an invaded and occupied nation is a tougher negotiator (depending how this works out).
posted by notyou at 8:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
So hey, an invaded and occupied nation is a tougher negotiator (depending how this works out).
posted by notyou at 8:21 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
I still just don't see any actual strategy in mind with this idiotic Trump/Nunes wiretapping/unmasking stuff. Like, let's say they successfully gin up a big ol' Benghazi-style hearing about it... there's no way that doesn't end with people testifying in front of Congress about the contents and context of those intercepts, and there's no way that goes well for Trump.
That material is classified, so it gets covered in closed session. Meanwhile, on TV, it's 24/7 of SUSAN RICE LEAKED UNMASKED WIRETAPPING NIXON BUT HER EMAILS BLEEEEAAAAAARGH.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:24 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
That material is classified, so it gets covered in closed session. Meanwhile, on TV, it's 24/7 of SUSAN RICE LEAKED UNMASKED WIRETAPPING NIXON BUT HER EMAILS BLEEEEAAAAAARGH.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:24 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
A good read from Lawfareblog on the realities and implications of the wiretapping allegations.
The “Grand Bargain” at Risk: What’s at Stake When the President Alleges Politics in Intelligence
SPLINTER IT INTO A THOUSAND PIECES
SCATTER IT TO THE WINDS
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 8:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
The “Grand Bargain” at Risk: What’s at Stake When the President Alleges Politics in Intelligence
SPLINTER IT INTO A THOUSAND PIECES
SCATTER IT TO THE WINDS
posted by save alive nothing that breatheth at 8:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
There is that, but it's not like it would be a closed session of only Republicans. Members of Congress are pretty well covered under the Speech or Debate Clause against the other branches coming after them for disclosing classified information - the Republican majority in Congress could still censure and remove someone for doing it, but if the contents of the intercepts are incriminating and the Republicans try to hide it while spinning a different story for the public, I could absolutely see a Dem Congressperson, especially one from a district where they'll be replaced with another Dem anyways, putting country over career and disclosing that information.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:35 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 8:35 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
If all this North Korea speculation has you rattled, you definitely shouldn't read THIS IS HOW THE NEXT WORLD WAR STARTS (HuffPo).
[It starts w]ith one miscalculation, by one startled pilot, at 400 miles an hour. And now that Russia is determined to destabilize the West, this scenario is keeping the military establishment up at night.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 8:38 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is there really no point when you're asking the question "will the government indemnify me if I use deadly force?" that you don't stop and decide maybe you don't want anything to do with this project?
Pretty sure this is how the megacorporations get their start in Shadowrun.
'cause that's such a rosy scenario.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Pretty sure this is how the megacorporations get their start in Shadowrun.
'cause that's such a rosy scenario.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:39 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Did he mean "fact of"? Asking for my Father's son's sister, er, myself.
Eric Trump is Dumb
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Eric Trump is Dumb
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:42 PM on April 4, 2017 [5 favorites]
Because of course Gorsuch has a plagiarism scandal.
posted by chris24 at 8:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 8:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [24 favorites]
So... Gorsuch has been accused of plagiarism. Or, um, "improper citation". The White House, of course, says "Never you mind."
posted by suelac at 8:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by suelac at 8:58 PM on April 4, 2017 [3 favorites]
Gorsuch's writings borrow from other authors
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch copied the structure and language used by several authors and failed to cite source material in his book and an academic article, according to documents provided to POLITICO.
The documents show that several passages from the tenth chapter of his 2006 book, “The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia,” read nearly verbatim to a 1984 article in the Indiana Law Journal. In several other instances in that book and an academic article published in 2000, Gorsuch borrowed from the ideas, quotes and structures of scholarly and legal works without citing them.
-- However, six experts on academic integrity contacted independently by POLITICO differed in their assessment of what Gorsuch did, ranging from calling it a clear impropriety to mere sloppiness.
“Each of the individual incidents constitutes a violation of academic ethics. I've never seen a college plagiarism code that this would not be in violation of,” said Rebecca Moore Howard, a Syracuse University professor who has written extensively on the issue.
Plagerism has been a problem for other trump appointees and they got kicked to the curb. Hmm.
posted by futz at 8:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch copied the structure and language used by several authors and failed to cite source material in his book and an academic article, according to documents provided to POLITICO.
The documents show that several passages from the tenth chapter of his 2006 book, “The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia,” read nearly verbatim to a 1984 article in the Indiana Law Journal. In several other instances in that book and an academic article published in 2000, Gorsuch borrowed from the ideas, quotes and structures of scholarly and legal works without citing them.
-- However, six experts on academic integrity contacted independently by POLITICO differed in their assessment of what Gorsuch did, ranging from calling it a clear impropriety to mere sloppiness.
“Each of the individual incidents constitutes a violation of academic ethics. I've never seen a college plagiarism code that this would not be in violation of,” said Rebecca Moore Howard, a Syracuse University professor who has written extensively on the issue.
Plagerism has been a problem for other trump appointees and they got kicked to the curb. Hmm.
posted by futz at 8:59 PM on April 4, 2017 [10 favorites]
Wait, Meredith wrote Gorsuch's book? Curious.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
There's a bit of an odd backstory here, with BuzzFeed and Politico both running the plagiarism story around the same time, and National Review having a pre-buttal all teed up and ready to go. I'd be curious to know who was shopping this around.
posted by zachlipton at 9:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:11 PM on April 4, 2017 [14 favorites]
From the Politico link:
posted by peeedro at 9:20 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
“In 1989 Humphry left his second wife, Ann Wickett, soon after she had undergone surgery for breast cancer. During the divorce, Wicket alleged that when Humphry purported to help her moth commit suicide, the resulting death was not fully consensual,” Gorsuch wrote.If he was plagiarizing Norm MacDonald's moth joke, he's smart enough to steal from the best.
posted by peeedro at 9:20 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
The National Review's rebuttal is complete nonsense. It looks like it was thrown together in ten minutes, and probably was.
posted by Yowser at 9:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Yowser at 9:26 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here's a link to Abigail Lawlis Kuzma's law review article: The Legislative Response to Infant Doe.
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:45 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:45 PM on April 4, 2017
I mean, mild plagiarism seems a... quaint sort of scandal in this the year of our Lord 2017.
But if* that's the thing that finally gives a handful of insufferably institutionalist, head-in-the-sand moderates the emotional cover they apparently have to have in order to stand up against the unprecedented table-overturning of all the norms that make our kludgy system work kinda sorta halfway,** then okay I guess.
*it isn't
**still waiting on that comma-shaker delivery
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:00 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
But if* that's the thing that finally gives a handful of insufferably institutionalist, head-in-the-sand moderates the emotional cover they apparently have to have in order to stand up against the unprecedented table-overturning of all the norms that make our kludgy system work kinda sorta halfway,** then okay I guess.
*it isn't
**still waiting on that comma-shaker delivery
posted by tivalasvegas at 10:00 PM on April 4, 2017 [11 favorites]
Will Trump be tweeting tomorrow about how the Fake Democrats are using this plagiarism to keep his nominee from getting a vote? Is it possible that there are enough Republicans who hate Trump enough that they're not afraid to vote against changing the rules and Mitch doesn't have 51?
posted by mikelieman at 10:14 PM on April 4, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 10:14 PM on April 4, 2017
Having read the politico article, it does look more like a case of improper citation.
This should not be the hill that Gorsuch's nomination should die on.
posted by samthemander at 10:20 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
This should not be the hill that Gorsuch's nomination should die on.
posted by samthemander at 10:20 PM on April 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
But if it is, we won't complain.
posted by azpenguin at 10:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 10:33 PM on April 4, 2017 [17 favorites]
Because there aren't enough stories in this thread to make your blood boil: WaPo: No, Republicans didn’t just strip away your Internet privacy rights, by Ajit Pai and Maureen Ohlhausen.
During the Obama administration, the FTC concluded that “any privacy framework should be technology neutral” because “ISPs are just one type of large platform provider” and “operating systems and browsers may be in a position to track all, or virtually all, of a consumer’s online activity to create highly detailed profiles.” But the FCC didn’t follow this guidance. Instead, it adopted rules that would have created a fractured privacy framework under which ISPs would have been subject to one standard and content providers would have been subject to another. The Obama FTC, in a unanimous bipartisan comment, criticized this approach as “not optimal.” In Washington-speak, that’s a major rebuke.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 10:45 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
The FCC’s regulations weren’t about protecting consumers’ privacy. They were about government picking winners and losers in the marketplace. If two online companies have access to the same data about your Internet usage, why should the federal government give one company greater leeway to use it than the other?
the Republican majority in Congress could still censure and remove someone for doing it
Since you seem to mean expulsion, that requires a 2/3 vote. They ain't got that.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
Since you seem to mean expulsion, that requires a 2/3 vote. They ain't got that.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:48 PM on April 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
> Having read the politico article, it does look more like a case of improper citation.
This should not be the hill that Gorsuch's nomination should die on.
dang though reading that article made me really regret all the time I've wasted consulting primary sources / doing archival research instead of just swiping the works cited from articles I like. I could have been done with my dissertation years ago!
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
This should not be the hill that Gorsuch's nomination should die on.
dang though reading that article made me really regret all the time I've wasted consulting primary sources / doing archival research instead of just swiping the works cited from articles I like. I could have been done with my dissertation years ago!
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:52 PM on April 4, 2017 [21 favorites]
Instead, it adopted rules that would have created a fractured privacy framework under which ISPs would have been subject to one standard and content providers would have been subject to another.
This remains idiotic because people have a choice of browser and OS vendors and content providers, while most Americans have no real choice in ISPs.
It's also not an argument being made in good faith, because it's not like Pai actually wants to protect your privacy from content providers either.
posted by zachlipton at 10:53 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
This remains idiotic because people have a choice of browser and OS vendors and content providers, while most Americans have no real choice in ISPs.
It's also not an argument being made in good faith, because it's not like Pai actually wants to protect your privacy from content providers either.
posted by zachlipton at 10:53 PM on April 4, 2017 [20 favorites]
Merkley is looking way more chipper than he has any right to given that it's 2 am local time.
Huge props to the stenographer who looks to be wearing a mobile keyboard and screen that she can walk around with. That can't be the lightest rig.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
Huge props to the stenographer who looks to be wearing a mobile keyboard and screen that she can walk around with. That can't be the lightest rig.
posted by fifteen schnitzengruben is my limit at 11:03 PM on April 4, 2017 [4 favorites]
From the Ajit Pai article:
Others argue that ISPs should be treated differently because consumers face a unique lack of choice and competition in the broadband marketplace. But that claim doesn’t hold up to scrutiny either. For example, according to one industry analysis, Google dominates desktop search with an estimated 81 percent market share (and 96 percent of the mobile search market), whereas Verizon, the largest mobile broadband provider, holds only an estimated 35 percent of its market.
This is incredible. The rest of the article is in this same vein, but this bit should be used as an example in textbooks. That Ajit Pai's argument is dishonest, shitty, manipulative, and in bad faith should surprise nobody; after all, he's a Republican. But I have to admit to some surprise at how LAZY it is. Like, he has to know that we're all going to know that he knows that these examples do nothing to prove his point, but he's certainly not going to be bothered to look up some data that could be skewed to look like it supports him or anything. "Just copy-paste from the email Comcast sent us and send it off, we've got drinking to do."
posted by IAmUnaware at 11:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [25 favorites]
Others argue that ISPs should be treated differently because consumers face a unique lack of choice and competition in the broadband marketplace. But that claim doesn’t hold up to scrutiny either. For example, according to one industry analysis, Google dominates desktop search with an estimated 81 percent market share (and 96 percent of the mobile search market), whereas Verizon, the largest mobile broadband provider, holds only an estimated 35 percent of its market.
This is incredible. The rest of the article is in this same vein, but this bit should be used as an example in textbooks. That Ajit Pai's argument is dishonest, shitty, manipulative, and in bad faith should surprise nobody; after all, he's a Republican. But I have to admit to some surprise at how LAZY it is. Like, he has to know that we're all going to know that he knows that these examples do nothing to prove his point, but he's certainly not going to be bothered to look up some data that could be skewed to look like it supports him or anything. "Just copy-paste from the email Comcast sent us and send it off, we've got drinking to do."
posted by IAmUnaware at 11:23 PM on April 4, 2017 [25 favorites]
Merkley is now at 8 hours straight on the Senate floor. He seems to be doing this all himself too, instead of getting spelled for breaks by colleagues.
posted by zachlipton at 11:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:57 PM on April 4, 2017 [34 favorites]
why should the federal government give one company greater leeway to use it than the other?
Because you have different relationships with those companies? I don't know the precise details of these FTC policies, but I'm certain that I have different privacy expectations out of my OS provider, ISP, the internet applications I'm using, and third parties that are carrying the data in transit.
For practical purposes, the OS is part of a device that I own, and I expect it to do literally nothing that I have not explicitly authorized. I know that's not an entirely realistic expectation these days unless I want to do rather a lot of work on it, but that's the target I'm shooting for, and I'd like public policy to reflect that.
I have a contract with my ISP, and I expect them to spell out in detail how they'll use data that comes into their possession as a result of that agreement. As a matter of public policy, I'm not sure how pricing privacy leads to anything but a downward spiral, and if you can't make money moving my bits, so you have to open a side business selling them to somebody else, maybe you ought to get out of the bit-moving business.
With the online applications I'm using, often the whole point is to share information around, so privacy expectations vary. Still, it should be clear how my data is to be used, and what the consequences are, and I should have choices about that. These choices should be easily recognizable shorthands, not thirty page EULAs or blizzards of inscrutable checkboxes on cleverly hidden settings pages. I expect counter-parties to abide by their agreements, and I expect agreements to remain binding until I explicitly consent to changes. And me clicking "Ok" because you're holding my account hostage doesn't look much like consent to me.
Third parties and common carriers, with whom I have no contractual relationship, can fuck right off. It's arguable that basic infrastructure like AWS and Google falls into this category. I'll enforce this with encryption or ad-blockers where I can, but I shouldn't have to.
I can see how people would prefer variations on these themes, but I'm not sure how the basic framework should provoke the slightest controversy. I mean, other than the fact that one of our political parties seems utterly incapable of getting their heads around concepts like "informed consent."
posted by dirge at 12:03 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
Because you have different relationships with those companies? I don't know the precise details of these FTC policies, but I'm certain that I have different privacy expectations out of my OS provider, ISP, the internet applications I'm using, and third parties that are carrying the data in transit.
For practical purposes, the OS is part of a device that I own, and I expect it to do literally nothing that I have not explicitly authorized. I know that's not an entirely realistic expectation these days unless I want to do rather a lot of work on it, but that's the target I'm shooting for, and I'd like public policy to reflect that.
I have a contract with my ISP, and I expect them to spell out in detail how they'll use data that comes into their possession as a result of that agreement. As a matter of public policy, I'm not sure how pricing privacy leads to anything but a downward spiral, and if you can't make money moving my bits, so you have to open a side business selling them to somebody else, maybe you ought to get out of the bit-moving business.
With the online applications I'm using, often the whole point is to share information around, so privacy expectations vary. Still, it should be clear how my data is to be used, and what the consequences are, and I should have choices about that. These choices should be easily recognizable shorthands, not thirty page EULAs or blizzards of inscrutable checkboxes on cleverly hidden settings pages. I expect counter-parties to abide by their agreements, and I expect agreements to remain binding until I explicitly consent to changes. And me clicking "Ok" because you're holding my account hostage doesn't look much like consent to me.
Third parties and common carriers, with whom I have no contractual relationship, can fuck right off. It's arguable that basic infrastructure like AWS and Google falls into this category. I'll enforce this with encryption or ad-blockers where I can, but I shouldn't have to.
I can see how people would prefer variations on these themes, but I'm not sure how the basic framework should provoke the slightest controversy. I mean, other than the fact that one of our political parties seems utterly incapable of getting their heads around concepts like "informed consent."
posted by dirge at 12:03 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
> other than the fact that one of our political parties seems utterly incapable of getting their heads around concepts like "informed consent."
Hey, that's not fair. it's not that Republican electeds can't wrap their heads around the concept of informed consent — they understand it just fine — it's that their patrons make more money by ignoring the concept.
And they like their patrons way more than they like you.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Hey, that's not fair. it's not that Republican electeds can't wrap their heads around the concept of informed consent — they understand it just fine — it's that their patrons make more money by ignoring the concept.
And they like their patrons way more than they like you.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 12:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
it's not that Republican electeds can't wrap their heads around the concept of informed consent
Nah. I'm sticking with this as my working shorthand definition of a Republican. It's what ties together all the victim-blaming stuff, from welfare dependency to women "asking for it" to the reason Trump doesn't pay his contractors. They think consent is a flimsy excuse for losers.
Nah. I'm sticking with this as my working shorthand definition of a Republican. It's what ties together all the victim-blaming stuff, from welfare dependency to women "asking for it" to the reason Trump doesn't pay his contractors. They think consent is a flimsy excuse for losers.
Whatever is not nailed down is mine. Whatever I can pry loose is not nailed down.posted by dirge at 12:30 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
―Collis P. Huntington
Politico Magazine has a good story on Trump's relationship with Roy Cohn, including how quick he was to drop him when he was inconvenient and to reclaim him when he wanted to boast later.
posted by zachlipton at 12:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
zachlipton: "Merkley is now at 8 hours straight on the Senate floor. He seems to be doing this all himself too, instead of getting spelled for breaks by colleagues."
One wonders if he's using a motorman's friend.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:56 AM on April 5, 2017
One wonders if he's using a motorman's friend.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:56 AM on April 5, 2017
One wonders if he's using a motorman's friend.
Jesus, talk like that will have Trump, er, sniffing around in no-time. Ssshh.
posted by maxwelton at 2:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jesus, talk like that will have Trump, er, sniffing around in no-time. Ssshh.
posted by maxwelton at 2:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
ISPs would have been subject to one standard and content providers would have been subject to another.
Crazy. Almost as if they were different kinds of entities, who do different things.
posted by thelonius at 3:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
Crazy. Almost as if they were different kinds of entities, who do different things.
posted by thelonius at 3:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
Because of course Gorsuch has a plagiarism scandal.
I'm trying to imagine what kind of shitbag someone would have to be to think Neil Gorsuch was OK until they heard he did a plagiarism. "Um uh you know I thought it was great that he wants make abortion illegal and have workers freeze to death for their bosses, but publishing something without proper citations is just beyond the pale!" Media elites? Academics? I kind of want to give academics more credit here, but I'm coming at this with an open mind.
posted by indubitable at 5:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'm trying to imagine what kind of shitbag someone would have to be to think Neil Gorsuch was OK until they heard he did a plagiarism. "Um uh you know I thought it was great that he wants make abortion illegal and have workers freeze to death for their bosses, but publishing something without proper citations is just beyond the pale!" Media elites? Academics? I kind of want to give academics more credit here, but I'm coming at this with an open mind.
posted by indubitable at 5:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think the idea is that in the olden times, political figures were taken down by plagiarism scandals, and so people who are:
a) big fans of consistency, but,
b) completely oblivious to how the rise of global fascism has changed political norms
might be scandalized, scandalized about Gorsuch having been a lazy student.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
a) big fans of consistency, but,
b) completely oblivious to how the rise of global fascism has changed political norms
might be scandalized, scandalized about Gorsuch having been a lazy student.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 5:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Actual academic: Most of the plagiarism "scandals" I've seen have been for very small-potatoes sloppiness that frankly is probably present in most dissertations and theses.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 5:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Re: plagiarism, it isn't so much that this is the line that cannot be crossed. It's one more thing on the pile, and one more chance to reassess / test the opinion polls / feel you have a hook to hang your flip flop on. One more roll for sanity check.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 5:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Meanwhile, on FOX New's website (gotta keep an eye on what the enemy is saying), they're running a story with a headline to the effect that the Supreme Court fight is about payback. And I thought "wow, does even FOX get it? Is even FOX going to talk about the way Garland and Obama were fucked over?"
Then I clicked through. It was about how McConnell's intent to nuke the filibuster is payback for the Evil Democrats weakening it so Obama could get a handful of nominations through back in 2013.
And that's what the Republicans will see: Bold McConnell socking it to those evil Liberal Democrats by giving them a taste of their own medicine.
posted by sotonohito at 5:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Then I clicked through. It was about how McConnell's intent to nuke the filibuster is payback for the Evil Democrats weakening it so Obama could get a handful of nominations through back in 2013.
And that's what the Republicans will see: Bold McConnell socking it to those evil Liberal Democrats by giving them a taste of their own medicine.
posted by sotonohito at 5:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
McConnell says that Gorsuch will be confirmed on Friday, and I see no reason to think he'll change his mind, plagerism or not.
I'm just hoping the Democrats stand firm here and force him to nuke the filibuster. That's really the only silver lining to this whole mess. Yes, the Republicans will have stolen a Supreme Court seat, yes that's going to be awful, but at least with the filibuster gone that bullshit double standard where Republican stuff takes 51 votes to pass but Democratic stuff takes 61 votes to pass is over.
McConnell is going to sacrifice the single greatest advantage the Republicans have, the filibuster double standard, for a tiny short term gain. Typical Republican thinking, and the tiny silver lining to this.
posted by sotonohito at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
I'm just hoping the Democrats stand firm here and force him to nuke the filibuster. That's really the only silver lining to this whole mess. Yes, the Republicans will have stolen a Supreme Court seat, yes that's going to be awful, but at least with the filibuster gone that bullshit double standard where Republican stuff takes 51 votes to pass but Democratic stuff takes 61 votes to pass is over.
McConnell is going to sacrifice the single greatest advantage the Republicans have, the filibuster double standard, for a tiny short term gain. Typical Republican thinking, and the tiny silver lining to this.
posted by sotonohito at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
[Obamacare achieving majority approval] is very reassuring after how in the early 2000s the majority of people didn't want to go to war in Iraq so our representatives listened and didn't go to war in Iraq.
Point, but it is reassuring in that it gives Republicans a number of headaches. One, they couldn't repeal and replace it after a seven-year campaign of lies about it; now that it's popular, it really is going to be more difficult. Also, yes, of course W was going to war in Iraq will-they-or-nil-they, but the subsequent disaster weighed down all Republicans to the point that after 2008 the true believers who still thought Bush the Lesser was competent had to rebrand themselves as the so-called "Tea Party." Moreover, it's important to remember that actual Republican policies are not popular. The less so they are, and the more both the public and politicians are aware of it, the more constrained Republicans are. At the very least, they have to expend more efforts concocting phony talking points for the media to repeat uncritically. And, well, that's something.
posted by Gelatin at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Point, but it is reassuring in that it gives Republicans a number of headaches. One, they couldn't repeal and replace it after a seven-year campaign of lies about it; now that it's popular, it really is going to be more difficult. Also, yes, of course W was going to war in Iraq will-they-or-nil-they, but the subsequent disaster weighed down all Republicans to the point that after 2008 the true believers who still thought Bush the Lesser was competent had to rebrand themselves as the so-called "Tea Party." Moreover, it's important to remember that actual Republican policies are not popular. The less so they are, and the more both the public and politicians are aware of it, the more constrained Republicans are. At the very least, they have to expend more efforts concocting phony talking points for the media to repeat uncritically. And, well, that's something.
posted by Gelatin at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Far from the biggest issue with Gorsuch, but...
I think the idea is that in the olden times, political figures were taken down by plagiarism scandals, and so people who are:
a) big fans of consistency, but,
b) completely oblivious to how the rise of global fascism has changed political norms
might be scandalized, scandalized about Gorsuch having been a lazy student.
Given the whole "Experts in authoritarianism say to keep a list of things subtly changing around you" thing, why should we just dismiss plagiarism as not worth bringing up anymore? And it's not useless, it took down Monica Crowley three months ago. Fighting to keep norms from eroding is a big part of what keeps us from autocracy.
Actual academic: Most of the plagiarism "scandals" I've seen have been for very small-potatoes sloppiness that frankly is probably present in most dissertations and theses.
He's not most lawyers or Phds. He's a federal appellate judge on the United States Circuit Court of Appeals about to nominated for life to the Supreme Court. I have higher standards for him than Joe Blow, doctoral candidate.
posted by chris24 at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [57 favorites]
I think the idea is that in the olden times, political figures were taken down by plagiarism scandals, and so people who are:
a) big fans of consistency, but,
b) completely oblivious to how the rise of global fascism has changed political norms
might be scandalized, scandalized about Gorsuch having been a lazy student.
Given the whole "Experts in authoritarianism say to keep a list of things subtly changing around you" thing, why should we just dismiss plagiarism as not worth bringing up anymore? And it's not useless, it took down Monica Crowley three months ago. Fighting to keep norms from eroding is a big part of what keeps us from autocracy.
Actual academic: Most of the plagiarism "scandals" I've seen have been for very small-potatoes sloppiness that frankly is probably present in most dissertations and theses.
He's not most lawyers or Phds. He's a federal appellate judge on the United States Circuit Court of Appeals about to nominated for life to the Supreme Court. I have higher standards for him than Joe Blow, doctoral candidate.
posted by chris24 at 5:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [57 favorites]
McConnell is going to sacrifice the single greatest advantage the Republicans have, the filibuster double standard, for a tiny short term gain.
He has said he will only do it for Supreme Court nominees. He has actively said he has no intention of removing it for legislation.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 5:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
He has said he will only do it for Supreme Court nominees. He has actively said he has no intention of removing it for legislation.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 5:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
So, I mean, can't McYertle re-institute the filibuster after nuking it and using it?
posted by Cookiebastard at 5:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Cookiebastard at 5:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
McConnell is going to sacrifice the single greatest advantage the Republicans have, the filibuster double standard, for a tiny short term gain. Typical Republican thinking, and the tiny silver lining to this.
One batshit insane originalist just puts the status quo back to the court. One more and we're fucked. There won't be social progress for a generation without massive shifts in the electorate that doesn't want to shift. There's sure as hell a long term gain for this.
posted by Talez at 6:02 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
One batshit insane originalist just puts the status quo back to the court. One more and we're fucked. There won't be social progress for a generation without massive shifts in the electorate that doesn't want to shift. There's sure as hell a long term gain for this.
posted by Talez at 6:02 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
you can't uncross the rubicon once you've crossed it
posted by localhuman at 6:04 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 6:04 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
So our junior senator, Luther Strange, is literally the most junior of senators. Like, he's been in the job for a month. Our awful governor, Robert Bentley, is mired in scandal over his affair with his political advisor and misuse of state funds. He even tried to derail the then-Speaker-of-the-House's corruption charges. The state's attorney general, Luther Strange, the man with the name of a Marvel supervillain, dragged his heels on investigating Bentley, going so far as to convince the House Judiciary Committee to stop looking into impeachment.
So of course Bentley rewarded him with Jeff Session's vacated seat, leaving Bentley to appoint a new attorney general.
Being the most junior of senators, Strange got stuck presiding over the Senate during Merkely's speech last night. That led him to tweet, "Almost midnight, and I'm presiding over the Senate while Dems play political games". Given how he rose to the Senate on a geyser of corruption and back-room deals, I kinda want to enshrine this tweet as the Platonic ideal of hypocritical complaints.
Alabama: we make 'em corrupt, y'all.
posted by sgranade at 6:04 AM on April 5, 2017 [53 favorites]
So of course Bentley rewarded him with Jeff Session's vacated seat, leaving Bentley to appoint a new attorney general.
Being the most junior of senators, Strange got stuck presiding over the Senate during Merkely's speech last night. That led him to tweet, "Almost midnight, and I'm presiding over the Senate while Dems play political games". Given how he rose to the Senate on a geyser of corruption and back-room deals, I kinda want to enshrine this tweet as the Platonic ideal of hypocritical complaints.
Alabama: we make 'em corrupt, y'all.
posted by sgranade at 6:04 AM on April 5, 2017 [53 favorites]
Is schadenirony a thing?
'If I have to get a lawyer, I will’: Trump voter upset the border wall will put her house on Mexico side
'If I have to get a lawyer, I will’: Trump voter upset the border wall will put her house on Mexico side
Trump supporters in Texas are coming to the realization that their vote for the president may force some of them out of their homes for less than they are worth, with others finding out that — if they stay — they’ll be living in Mexico if his wall is built.posted by Room 641-A at 6:04 AM on April 5, 2017 [59 favorites]
Eyebrows McGee, hope the turnout was great in your municipality. Can you help me understand why the Village of Deerfield in Illinois only had 5 ballots cast, total, when there were 8 people on the ballot? I could move this to Ask but I was pretty sure you'd know...
posted by brainwane at 6:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by brainwane at 6:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
He has said he will only do it for Supreme Court nominees. He has actively said he has no intention of removing it for legislation.
This has the legal and moral weight of a referee warning John Cena that closed-fist punches are illegal.
posted by Etrigan at 6:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
This has the legal and moral weight of a referee warning John Cena that closed-fist punches are illegal.
posted by Etrigan at 6:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
McConnell says that Gorsuch will be confirmed on Friday, and I see no reason to think he'll change his mind
Is it just me, or is there a certain whiff of desperation in McConnell's threats and posturing? Does he really have the whip count to eliminate the filibuster on a majority vote, or are there three Republican Senators not willing to throw away some of their own power for the party's benefit? (Why should McCain, who loves his privileges, do so, for example, other than the fact that he's a creep?)
One reason I am glad the Democrats are (more or less) holding firm on this issue is that they're putting the pressure on Republicans, and not seeming feckless. More, please.
posted by Gelatin at 6:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
Is it just me, or is there a certain whiff of desperation in McConnell's threats and posturing? Does he really have the whip count to eliminate the filibuster on a majority vote, or are there three Republican Senators not willing to throw away some of their own power for the party's benefit? (Why should McCain, who loves his privileges, do so, for example, other than the fact that he's a creep?)
One reason I am glad the Democrats are (more or less) holding firm on this issue is that they're putting the pressure on Republicans, and not seeming feckless. More, please.
posted by Gelatin at 6:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
McCain not surrendering on a principled stand is physically impossible.
posted by Artw at 6:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
localhuman: "you can't uncross the rubicon once you've crossed it"
Alea iacta est, one might even say.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Alea iacta est, one might even say.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Still a little unnerved that "Russia isn't a thing" in Arkansas but by proxy *anywhere*. Not that healthcare and taxes aren't bread-and-butter, but what a damning indict- wait, what another damning indictment of the corporate news media.
Talk about low-hanging fruit, they spent three times the effort on that lost plane than they have with this. TPM can't, no, *shouldn't have to* do it all.
Local news - looking at you here. Step up, please, there's a bit of an issue with the Russian Presdent. No, not that one.
posted by petebest at 6:40 AM on April 5, 2017
Talk about low-hanging fruit, they spent three times the effort on that lost plane than they have with this. TPM can't, no, *shouldn't have to* do it all.
Local news - looking at you here. Step up, please, there's a bit of an issue with the Russian Presdent. No, not that one.
posted by petebest at 6:40 AM on April 5, 2017
Is it just me, or is there a certain whiff of desperation in McConnell's threats and posturing? Does he really have the whip count to eliminate the filibuster on a majority vote, or are there three Republican Senators not willing to throw away some of their own power for the party's benefit? (Why should McCain, who loves his privileges, do so, for example, other than the fact that he's a creep?)
One reason I am glad the Democrats are (more or less) holding firm on this issue is that they're putting the pressure on Republicans, and not seeming feckless. More, please.
There's a small, but non-zero chance that McConnell folds because he can't whip votes. He's always played with threats and bullying because those can work without actually expending political capital, so it's tough to tell where he's at with his senators.
But can you imagine what happens if he can't pull this off? He's a immediately a paper tiger. Suddenly the Democrats will discover they've got the ability to shut everything down.
Isn't it worth it to see if he can actually make good on his threats? Because just maybe he can't.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [51 favorites]
One reason I am glad the Democrats are (more or less) holding firm on this issue is that they're putting the pressure on Republicans, and not seeming feckless. More, please.
There's a small, but non-zero chance that McConnell folds because he can't whip votes. He's always played with threats and bullying because those can work without actually expending political capital, so it's tough to tell where he's at with his senators.
But can you imagine what happens if he can't pull this off? He's a immediately a paper tiger. Suddenly the Democrats will discover they've got the ability to shut everything down.
Isn't it worth it to see if he can actually make good on his threats? Because just maybe he can't.
posted by leotrotsky at 6:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [51 favorites]
I think the Dems are getting a handle on the unified messaging thing, at least when it comes to Treasongate. Possibly the easiest fucking thing behind which to unify, but it's a good start.
It's a good message, too, to point out that treason, and the Trump administration's other, lesser crimes, are going to mean jail time for a number of people. Much like the current showdown over the SCOTUS filibuster, the Democrats benefit from getting Republicans to think about consequences other than a possible primary from the right, and to wonder whether it's really worth it to them to take one for the team -- especially when it's beyond clear that Trump will turn on his erstwhile allies at the drop of a tweet.
posted by Gelatin at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
It's a good message, too, to point out that treason, and the Trump administration's other, lesser crimes, are going to mean jail time for a number of people. Much like the current showdown over the SCOTUS filibuster, the Democrats benefit from getting Republicans to think about consequences other than a possible primary from the right, and to wonder whether it's really worth it to them to take one for the team -- especially when it's beyond clear that Trump will turn on his erstwhile allies at the drop of a tweet.
posted by Gelatin at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
"Can you help me understand why the Village of Deerfield in Illinois only had 5 ballots cast, total, when there were 8 people on the ballot"
It took me a minute, but I do know why! You're looking at the Cook County election results. Deerfield is in Lake County .. except for a very small handful of houses on the Cook side of the line but annexed into Deerfield. If you look at the Lake County report you'll find the other thousand or so voters!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
It took me a minute, but I do know why! You're looking at the Cook County election results. Deerfield is in Lake County .. except for a very small handful of houses on the Cook side of the line but annexed into Deerfield. If you look at the Lake County report you'll find the other thousand or so voters!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
Voted in the spring municipals and I don't want to get TOO hoped up, but my precinct was unusually busy and it was a very different mix of voters than I usually see at my precinct for spring municipals (a lot younger and a lot less white). There were several poll workers from the new Progressive organization, and two people were registering day-of while I was there. There's like 198 precincts in my count or something but the new Progressive organization really made a lot of noise this election and it's good to see younger voters and minority voters turning out, and it's good to see young Progressives putting in the shoe leather to work the polls. (And certainly to walk the precincts -- they visited me THREE TIMES.) So, it'll be interesting to see the turnout numbers and whether they managed to win any races.
On a similar note, Minneapolis citywide caucuses were last night, and even with the logistical nightmares that involve caucusing, had turnouts that were 2-3 times the number that were expected, and they were already expecting a relatively high turnout. I mean, it was kind of hellish to caucus in a small classroom meant for 30 people when 90 showed up (plus people not waiting for interpreters, people shouting over each other in three different languages, first time caucusers getting confused, people having to leave for medical reasons), but it was also heartening to see that many people willing to jump through so many hoops to get involved.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
On a similar note, Minneapolis citywide caucuses were last night, and even with the logistical nightmares that involve caucusing, had turnouts that were 2-3 times the number that were expected, and they were already expecting a relatively high turnout. I mean, it was kind of hellish to caucus in a small classroom meant for 30 people when 90 showed up (plus people not waiting for interpreters, people shouting over each other in three different languages, first time caucusers getting confused, people having to leave for medical reasons), but it was also heartening to see that many people willing to jump through so many hoops to get involved.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
Stanley McChrystal, former Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, tells Congress to leave PBS alone.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
If McConnell tries to nuke the filibuster just for the Gorsuch confirmation, then the Democrats should commit now to filibustering every single thing going forward. Every. Single. Thing. It's either filibuster for Gorsuch or no filibuster at all.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 7:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 7:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
zachlipton: Is there really no point when you're asking the question "will the government indemnify me if I use deadly force?" that you don't stop and decide maybe you don't want anything to do with this project?
That's assuming people making the deals care about anything beyond their profits. "Can I arm my workers so they can kill people, and if so, can my workers get away with it? Because that could be an incentive to work on this job."
They're already on board with a plan that is a boondoggle at best, and will significantly harm bi-national relations in all likelihood, so they're not doing this because it's just another government job, like building a highway or a school.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
That's assuming people making the deals care about anything beyond their profits. "Can I arm my workers so they can kill people, and if so, can my workers get away with it? Because that could be an incentive to work on this job."
They're already on board with a plan that is a boondoggle at best, and will significantly harm bi-national relations in all likelihood, so they're not doing this because it's just another government job, like building a highway or a school.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's kind of mind boggling that anyone would want to live in a country where government can pre-clear you of killing. Not to get all The Box about it, but don't they know that means that others can get pre-cleared to kill them without consequence?
posted by phearlez at 7:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 7:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
It is complex, but we've put man on the Moon, we're now talking about setting up colonies on the Moon and Mars, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that we can actually bring a political solution and stop this bloodshed but it requires leadership, and brave leadership, and we seem to be short on that around the world.—Dr. Rola Hallam, a British-Syrian aid worker who opened Hope Hospital in Aleppo today, interviewed this morning on today's Democracy Now! (coverage of Idlib chemical weapons attack begins at about 11:25, interview at 13:45; alt link, .torrent, transcript.)
Also, in the midst of the usual DN! Noam Chomsky interview, there's an interesting bit at 43:30 or so in the above link about the "Powell Memorandum", an internal Chamber of Commerce memo written by the lawyer Lewis F. Powell Jr. just before his appointment to the Supreme Court by Richard Nixon in 1971. Extended Chomsky interview.
posted by XMLicious at 7:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
i helped out with digitizing some of the minneapolis citywide caucus processes which i hope helped turnout, but either way the turnout was amazing for an off-year election. we didn't do too much actual action at the caucus other than nominate delegates for the ward and citywide conventions, but after official business there was an hour and a half considering resolutions for the city DFL party platform. we discussed BLM, street lights, traffic speed, weed, bike lanes, and police misconduct and it was so refreshing to hear my neighbors express their viewpoints so cogently and respectfully, even with disagreements!
it actually reminded me a lot of being in an in-person mefi thread
posted by localhuman at 7:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
it actually reminded me a lot of being in an in-person mefi thread
posted by localhuman at 7:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Re: plagiarism, it isn't so much that this is the line that cannot be crossed. It's one more thing on the pile, and one more chance to reassess / test the opinion polls / feel you have a hook to hang your flip flop on. One more roll for sanity check.
Additionally, I've seen a couple people musing on twitter that someone should look into his college papers for similar instances of what most colleges would call plagiarism, as found in his book. One of the tried and true lines from Republicans is that "Gorsuch may be conservative, but his qualifications are thoroughly unimpugnable." It's a big if, but what if this isn't the first time he's plagiarized and wherever he got his degrees from doesn't appreciate that?
posted by DynamiteToast at 8:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Additionally, I've seen a couple people musing on twitter that someone should look into his college papers for similar instances of what most colleges would call plagiarism, as found in his book. One of the tried and true lines from Republicans is that "Gorsuch may be conservative, but his qualifications are thoroughly unimpugnable." It's a big if, but what if this isn't the first time he's plagiarized and wherever he got his degrees from doesn't appreciate that?
posted by DynamiteToast at 8:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
If McConnell tries to nuke the filibuster just for the Gorsuch confirmation, then the Democrats should commit now to filibustering every single thing going forward. Every. Single. Thing. It's either filibuster for Gorsuch or no filibuster at all.
Force him to kill it outright, put the blood on his hands, and prevent Republicans from using it once they're back in the minority.
Normally I'd be worried about terrible legislation getting passed, but apparently the House Republicans can't bring themselves to deliver on the most basic promises they made to their constituents (healthcare, taxes, etc), so that's not so much a worry anymore.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Force him to kill it outright, put the blood on his hands, and prevent Republicans from using it once they're back in the minority.
Normally I'd be worried about terrible legislation getting passed, but apparently the House Republicans can't bring themselves to deliver on the most basic promises they made to their constituents (healthcare, taxes, etc), so that's not so much a worry anymore.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
it actually reminded me a lot of being in an in-person mefi thread
You do realize how hard the mods work in these threads to make them vaguely civil, right?
posted by Talez at 8:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
You do realize how hard the mods work in these threads to make them vaguely civil, right?
posted by Talez at 8:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
Isn't it worth it to see if he can actually make good on his threats? Because just maybe he can't.
Absolutely. Given that if McConnell could nuke the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees, he'd do it for the next one even if the Democrats bargained on this one, it's absolutely worthwhile for Democrats to demand that McConnell put up or shut up. They lose nothing they would have anyway if he does, and there's a nonzero chance they gain -- at the very least, they're the ones putting pressure on the Republicans, not the other way around.
posted by Gelatin at 8:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Absolutely. Given that if McConnell could nuke the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees, he'd do it for the next one even if the Democrats bargained on this one, it's absolutely worthwhile for Democrats to demand that McConnell put up or shut up. They lose nothing they would have anyway if he does, and there's a nonzero chance they gain -- at the very least, they're the ones putting pressure on the Republicans, not the other way around.
posted by Gelatin at 8:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Libby Anne pokes many holes in Republican's ostensible support for free market capitalism by detailing how Republicans in Wyoming's state legislature attempted to penalize renewable energy providers with taxes:
So Much for Free Market Conservatives
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:09 AM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
So Much for Free Market Conservatives
Renewable energies have become increasingly cheaper to produce, and many farmers and others have come to see renewable energy as a way to expand their economic prospects in a fast-changing world. This is how markets work—when clean energy becomes cheaper and more effective to produce, its star rises. Except that some Republicans aren’t happy with that, because they don’t like renewable energy.This article doesn't even touch on how the Heirs of Jefferson Davis try to forcibly shove their laws into women's uteri, into the loving marriages and families built by people of the same gender, or states trying to enact sensible, evidence-based policy on cannabis. The Republican leadership has one overarching principle: greedy hypocrisy.
Perhaps it’s because of the association between renewable energies and reducing climate change, which many Republicans still deny is happening. Perhaps it’s because Democrats have long supported renewable energies, and what the Democrats are for the Republicans must needs be against. Either way, it’s not about principle. Principle would oppose government subsidies and tax credits for any type of production, rather than jumping into the game on the side of fossil fuels.[...]
It seems the question is not whether the government should meddle in the markets, but rather how it should do so. Should it promote renewable energy and regulate what industry dumps in our rivers? Or should it stymie clean energy and promote coal?
So much for principled opposition to big government.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:09 AM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
You do realize how hard the mods work in these threads to make them vaguely civil, right?
Yeah, literally hundreds of my comments have been deleted.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:09 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Yeah, literally hundreds of my comments have been deleted.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:09 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Yeah, literally hundreds of my comments have been deleted.
That's because you keep calling the mods bourgeois and accuse them of trying to keep the truth about Metafilter from the proletariat.
posted by Talez at 8:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [68 favorites]
That's because you keep calling the mods bourgeois and accuse them of trying to keep the truth about Metafilter from the proletariat.
posted by Talez at 8:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [68 favorites]
If McConnell tries to nuke the filibuster just for the Gorsuch confirmation, then the Democrats should commit now to filibustering every single thing going forward. Every. Single. Thing. It's either filibuster for Gorsuch or no filibuster at all.
Why not, as that was basically McConnell's strategy, and the fact that he got the supine media to accept a heretofore-nonexistent "60 vote threshold," there's little he can do to shame the Dems.
But not only that, Democrats should withhold unanimous consent on absolutely everything, forcing procedural motions everywhere they can and generally gumming up the works. Much of routine Senate business relies on cooperation, and stealing a SCOTUS seat ought to be the end of it.
posted by Gelatin at 8:12 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
Why not, as that was basically McConnell's strategy, and the fact that he got the supine media to accept a heretofore-nonexistent "60 vote threshold," there's little he can do to shame the Dems.
But not only that, Democrats should withhold unanimous consent on absolutely everything, forcing procedural motions everywhere they can and generally gumming up the works. Much of routine Senate business relies on cooperation, and stealing a SCOTUS seat ought to be the end of it.
posted by Gelatin at 8:12 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
You do realize how hard the mods work in these threads to make them vaguely civil, right?
And it was a lot of work to keep the caucuses from devolving into random noise and shouting and people stomping out, plus medical emergencies and multiple languages and stopping for prayer and hoping that everyone is acting in good faith. Being caucus chair is not for the faint of heart.
Caucusing is in a lot of ways a great experience, but it's also messy and inaccessible and requires a lot out of its constituents.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
And it was a lot of work to keep the caucuses from devolving into random noise and shouting and people stomping out, plus medical emergencies and multiple languages and stopping for prayer and hoping that everyone is acting in good faith. Being caucus chair is not for the faint of heart.
Caucusing is in a lot of ways a great experience, but it's also messy and inaccessible and requires a lot out of its constituents.
posted by dinty_moore at 8:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
> Yeah, literally hundreds of my comments have been deleted.
That is, weirdly, a tremendous relief to hear. I feel all the shame whenever the mods zot one of my comments for being too fighty, sarcastic, or derailley, because the mods are, well, pretty much always right. But I don't think I'm up to triple-digits in deleted comments yet — and I think of you as being way more level-headed and reasonable than I am.
(there is no way for me to explain to any non-mefite that it feels good to know I'm somewhat less disruptive than Trotsky)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:16 AM on April 5, 2017 [35 favorites]
That is, weirdly, a tremendous relief to hear. I feel all the shame whenever the mods zot one of my comments for being too fighty, sarcastic, or derailley, because the mods are, well, pretty much always right. But I don't think I'm up to triple-digits in deleted comments yet — and I think of you as being way more level-headed and reasonable than I am.
(there is no way for me to explain to any non-mefite that it feels good to know I'm somewhat less disruptive than Trotsky)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:16 AM on April 5, 2017 [35 favorites]
NYT Upshot: Democrats Are Bad at Midterm Turnout. That Seems Ready to Change.
tl;dr: Being in opposition to the party in the WH + early indications from special elections = indications that typical Dem mid-term slacking will not be happening in '18.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
tl;dr: Being in opposition to the party in the WH + early indications from special elections = indications that typical Dem mid-term slacking will not be happening in '18.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
I fucking hope not.
posted by Artw at 8:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
That's because you keep calling the mods bourgeois and accuse them of trying to keep the truth about Metafilter from the proletariat.
Hey, I can't help it if their menshevik spinelessness and soft-heartedness will destroy the revolution and prevent us from ushering in a communist paradise.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Hey, I can't help it if their menshevik spinelessness and soft-heartedness will destroy the revolution and prevent us from ushering in a communist paradise.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Hey, I can't help it if their menshevik spinelessness and soft-heartedness will destroy the revolution and prevent us from ushering in a communist paradise.
*sigh* Marxists gonna Marx, Marx, Marx, Marx, Marx.
posted by Talez at 8:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
*sigh* Marxists gonna Marx, Marx, Marx, Marx, Marx.
posted by Talez at 8:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Land, Peace, Comments!
posted by Chrysostom at 8:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Mod note: Enough, comrades.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [67 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 8:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [67 favorites]
Holy shit. via Bloomberg Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [92 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [92 favorites]
Force him to kill it outright, put the blood on his hands, and prevent Republicans from using it once they're back in the minority.
That's another important point -- many Republicans know Trump got elected because of a perfect storm of flukes, and they also know that demographics are not going to be kind to them. That, combined with Trump's cratering approval rating, has to make theme eye the 2018 elections nervously. If they do too much to strip the Democratic minority, which is showing every indications that it is no longer in a forgiving mood, of their minority perquisites, they know that one they lose the gavel, they're in for a world of hurt.
posted by Gelatin at 8:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
That's another important point -- many Republicans know Trump got elected because of a perfect storm of flukes, and they also know that demographics are not going to be kind to them. That, combined with Trump's cratering approval rating, has to make theme eye the 2018 elections nervously. If they do too much to strip the Democratic minority, which is showing every indications that it is no longer in a forgiving mood, of their minority perquisites, they know that one they lose the gavel, they're in for a world of hurt.
posted by Gelatin at 8:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Additionally, I've seen a couple people musing on twitter that someone should look into his college papers for similar instances of what most colleges would call plagiarism, as found in his book. One of the tried and true lines from Republicans is that "Gorsuch may be conservative, but his qualifications are thoroughly unimpugnable." It's a big if, but what if this isn't the first time he's plagiarized and wherever he got his degrees from doesn't appreciate that?
It's not like someone's going to "by your logic" Republican officials into not voting for Gorsuch because their stated reason no longer makes sense. They're going to put him on the court because it advances their political goals. If something irrelevant to that comes up, that's a matter for their propagandists, not a material concern for his nomination. I think what this guy represents and the people who support him are awful, but at least I can respect them for understanding what politics is for.
posted by indubitable at 8:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's not like someone's going to "by your logic" Republican officials into not voting for Gorsuch because their stated reason no longer makes sense. They're going to put him on the court because it advances their political goals. If something irrelevant to that comes up, that's a matter for their propagandists, not a material concern for his nomination. I think what this guy represents and the people who support him are awful, but at least I can respect them for understanding what politics is for.
posted by indubitable at 8:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Holy shit, indeed!
posted by wenestvedt at 8:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
NYT Upshot: Democrats Are Bad at Midterm Turnout. That Seems Ready to Change.
tl;dr: Being in opposition to the party in the WH + early indications from special elections = indications that typical Dem mid-term slacking will not be happening in '18.
I really, really want this to be the case, for the sake of the Democrats and other progressives. I have felt for some time that this is a real vulnerability on our part. Democratic party leadership really needs to step up their game on this. No more "midterm time/dems didn't turn out/we got trounced/oh well whatchagonnado? Eyes on the Presidential prize!"
I'm planning to do what I can to help make sure midterm turnout is as good as it possibly can be. I live in an indigo-blue part of a blue state, so in a sense my efforts are "wasted," but really, making sure Democratic voters turn up to the midterms is important and will make a difference. If we had done this before and upped our turnout from 2010 on, we might not be in the spot we are in now. That's water under the bridge, but from now on - midterms are important!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:35 AM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Holy shit. via Bloomberg Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
So, who slipped him the dagger? I'd hope that McMaster, Mattis, and the steady hands of the National Security experts convinced him of it, to slightly decrease our chances of dying in a nuclear firestorm.
But with this chucklefuck, it was probably Jared.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
So, who slipped him the dagger? I'd hope that McMaster, Mattis, and the steady hands of the National Security experts convinced him of it, to slightly decrease our chances of dying in a nuclear firestorm.
But with this chucklefuck, it was probably Jared.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Holy shit. via Bloomberg Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
I think this is the first thing I've seen out of this administration that tells me he's teachable. To steal a line from Andy Dufresne, From now on I'll write two letters a week instead of one.
posted by Etrigan at 8:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
I think this is the first thing I've seen out of this administration that tells me he's teachable. To steal a line from Andy Dufresne, From now on I'll write two letters a week instead of one.
posted by Etrigan at 8:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
Feels good, man. Don't let the Fourth Turning hit you in the ass on your way out.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
Feels good, man. Don't let the Fourth Turning hit you in the ass on your way out.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
I think this is the first thing I've seen out of this administration that tells me he's teachable.
Consider all the evidence to the contrary, and deploy Trump's razor.
Trump likely either took an ego hit from Bannon's prominence, needed a handy scapegoat for one of his many fuck-ups, or hoped this would somehow help with his terrible polling numbers.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Consider all the evidence to the contrary, and deploy Trump's razor.
Trump likely either took an ego hit from Bannon's prominence, needed a handy scapegoat for one of his many fuck-ups, or hoped this would somehow help with his terrible polling numbers.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Yeah having two Russian assets on the NSC would be just too much....
posted by PenDevil at 8:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 8:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Waiting for the "Bannon Implicated in Russian Scandal" headlines sometime in the next few hours.
posted by jferg at 8:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [40 favorites]
posted by jferg at 8:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [40 favorites]
Trump likely either took an ego hit from Bannon's prominence, needed a handy scapegoat for one of his many fuck-ups, or hoped this would somehow help with his terrible polling numbers.
And does this move (which, to be clear, is most welcome) spell the end of Bannon's role as a Trump advisor? He'll still be in the White House, and at the President's ear, as his "strategist" or whatever, right?
posted by Gelatin at 8:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
And does this move (which, to be clear, is most welcome) spell the end of Bannon's role as a Trump advisor? He'll still be in the White House, and at the President's ear, as his "strategist" or whatever, right?
posted by Gelatin at 8:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Bannon is still Trumps de facto brain though, right? I wonder how this worked out.
I see the joint chiefs are back. I think I've heard it claimed they were only out because of a typo?
posted by Artw at 8:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
I see the joint chiefs are back. I think I've heard it claimed they were only out because of a typo?
posted by Artw at 8:44 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trump likely either took an ego hit from Bannon's prominence, needed a handy scapegoat for one of his many fuck-ups, or hoped this would somehow help with his terrible polling numbers.
Sometimes, you have to teach someone through pain. I'm not saying the sun is out from behind the clouds, but it's a little brighter out today.
posted by Etrigan at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017
Sometimes, you have to teach someone through pain. I'm not saying the sun is out from behind the clouds, but it's a little brighter out today.
posted by Etrigan at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017
I'm only marginally relieved here; Bannon is still in the WH. He still has 45's ear.
But I'll take my encouragement where I can.
But yeah, if *he's* one of those Castro thinks will go to jail, this would make sense and would call for celebratory booze.
posted by emjaybee at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
But I'll take my encouragement where I can.
But yeah, if *he's* one of those Castro thinks will go to jail, this would make sense and would call for celebratory booze.
posted by emjaybee at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
Trump likely either took an ego hit from Bannon's prominence, needed a handy scapegoat for one of his many fuck-ups, or hoped this would somehow help with his terrible polling numbers.
I would agree with this. Note we haven't seen much of Stephen Miller since he managed to tank Trump's travel bans not once, but twice. Trump appears to cut ties from folks when their incompetence can no longer be ignored, and for all his posturing Bannon obviously has limited idea of what he's doing. The Freedom Caucus laughed in his cirrhotic face when he attempted to order them around.
How long until Sleepy Rex tillerson's laziness gets him shitcanned?
posted by Existential Dread at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
I would agree with this. Note we haven't seen much of Stephen Miller since he managed to tank Trump's travel bans not once, but twice. Trump appears to cut ties from folks when their incompetence can no longer be ignored, and for all his posturing Bannon obviously has limited idea of what he's doing. The Freedom Caucus laughed in his cirrhotic face when he attempted to order them around.
How long until Sleepy Rex tillerson's laziness gets him shitcanned?
posted by Existential Dread at 8:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
Trump appears to cut ties from folks when their incompetence can no longer be ignored, and for all his posturing Bannon obviously has limited idea of what he's doing.
Oh, the irony.
posted by Gelatin at 8:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Oh, the irony.
posted by Gelatin at 8:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
I'm wary of what this means in practice until I can confirm that Trump has turned on Bannon like Saruman chucking Wormtongue off the top of Orthanc.
posted by Tevin at 8:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Tevin at 8:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
*exceptionally heavy sigh, wiping of soaked brow*
Oh thank god.
posted by eclectist at 8:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
*exceptionally heavy sigh, wiping of soaked brow*
Oh thank god.
posted by eclectist at 8:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I live in an indigo-blue part of a blue state, so in a sense my efforts are "wasted," but really, making sure Democratic voters turn up to the midterms is important and will make a difference.
No no no! Your efforts in a deep blue area aren't wasted in any sense at all! Why are the deep blue areas so? Because Democratic community members show up, make the calls, knock the doors, and do the work in order to get out Democratic voters.
I both heard and gave the above little speech dozens of times during the 2016 Presidential election because it's the truth. States and cities doesn't go blue accidentally--the go blue because the cavalry shows up and rides through to the end.
Remember, we are the fuckin' cavalry. So make like Rosie M. Banks and show up during election season!
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [51 favorites]
No no no! Your efforts in a deep blue area aren't wasted in any sense at all! Why are the deep blue areas so? Because Democratic community members show up, make the calls, knock the doors, and do the work in order to get out Democratic voters.
I both heard and gave the above little speech dozens of times during the 2016 Presidential election because it's the truth. States and cities doesn't go blue accidentally--the go blue because the cavalry shows up and rides through to the end.
Remember, we are the fuckin' cavalry. So make like Rosie M. Banks and show up during election season!
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 8:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [51 favorites]
So aparrently the spin is that's Bannon was only their to keep an eye on Flynn? Which... implies they thought Flynn needed keeping an eye on? But they put him on the NSC anyway?
posted by Artw at 8:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Bannon's role on NSC had been as a "check on Mike Flynn," per top aide, which is no longer needed with McMaster replacing Flynn.
This just seems....weird, on multiple levels. I don't really know what to make of it.
posted by parallellines at 8:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
This just seems....weird, on multiple levels. I don't really know what to make of it.
posted by parallellines at 8:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
Not to get all The Box about it, but don't they know that means that others can get pre-cleared to kill them without consequence?
To be fair it really depends on the color of their skin.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
To be fair it really depends on the color of their skin.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 8:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Saruman chucking Wormtongue off the top of Orthanc.
wait when did this happen
posted by Existential Dread at 8:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
wait when did this happen
posted by Existential Dread at 8:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Robert Costa @costareports
Bannon was there to “de-operationalize” the NSC, one official said, and he feels that job has been accomplished...
Boy do I hope that Trump and the GOP decide soon that they've accomplished the de-operationalization of the country and world before they go ahead and de-operationalize it to the point of human extinction.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bannon was there to “de-operationalize” the NSC, one official said, and he feels that job has been accomplished...
Boy do I hope that Trump and the GOP decide soon that they've accomplished the de-operationalization of the country and world before they go ahead and de-operationalize it to the point of human extinction.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Stanley McChrystal, former Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, tells Congress to leave PBS alone.
People are learning just how many services they receive from the government by the threat of them being taken away. In a way it is kind of glorious.
During all the talk of obamaphones and welfare queens there are mumbles of "You receive government aid as well" but it just gets shrugged off.
Along comes Trump, the bull in the republican china shop, charging among the shelves that have homeowner tax breaks, This Old House, Social Security and medicare/medicaid on them and suddenly formerly complacent people learn about all the things that their government does for them all day every day all year long because they will now no longer do them and if they do still do them they will probably do them very poorly.
posted by srboisvert at 8:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
People are learning just how many services they receive from the government by the threat of them being taken away. In a way it is kind of glorious.
During all the talk of obamaphones and welfare queens there are mumbles of "You receive government aid as well" but it just gets shrugged off.
Along comes Trump, the bull in the republican china shop, charging among the shelves that have homeowner tax breaks, This Old House, Social Security and medicare/medicaid on them and suddenly formerly complacent people learn about all the things that their government does for them all day every day all year long because they will now no longer do them and if they do still do them they will probably do them very poorly.
posted by srboisvert at 8:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
> Saruman chucking Wormtongue off the top of Orthanc.
>wait when did this happen
Yeah I guess he didn't really do that, even as depicted in the movie huh? Well, you get the idea and now I have some fun head canon.
Anyway - how much do you want to bet that McMaster's asked for Bannon to be removed as a principal or he walks? Another resignation would be a major shitstorm.
posted by Tevin at 8:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
>wait when did this happen
Yeah I guess he didn't really do that, even as depicted in the movie huh? Well, you get the idea and now I have some fun head canon.
Anyway - how much do you want to bet that McMaster's asked for Bannon to be removed as a principal or he walks? Another resignation would be a major shitstorm.
posted by Tevin at 8:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Bannon's role on NSC had been as a "check on Mike Flynn," per top aide, which is no longer needed with McMaster replacing Flynn."
No idea if this is true, but it could be Bannon trying to make it not look bad.
posted by Brainy at 9:01 AM on April 5, 2017
No idea if this is true, but it could be Bannon trying to make it not look bad.
posted by Brainy at 9:01 AM on April 5, 2017
All those statements about Bannon just read as, "I totally meant to do that."
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:02 AM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:02 AM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
> Saruman chucking Wormtongue off the top of Orthanc.
>wait when did this happen
Yeah I guess he didn't really do that, even as depicted in the movie huh? Well, you get the idea and now I have some fun head canon.
Maybe Vader chucking Palpatine into the Death Star reactor pit?
posted by Strange Interlude at 9:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
>wait when did this happen
Yeah I guess he didn't really do that, even as depicted in the movie huh? Well, you get the idea and now I have some fun head canon.
Maybe Vader chucking Palpatine into the Death Star reactor pit?
posted by Strange Interlude at 9:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Of course, if Bannon's really out, that makes some degree of Republican unity possible, right?
Lol sorry, I forgot the ultimate incompetence rests at the top.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lol sorry, I forgot the ultimate incompetence rests at the top.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:08 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's another important point -- many Republicans know Trump got elected because of a perfect storm of flukes, and they also know that demographics are not going to be kind to them.
I think this asserts a level of self-awareness that isn't backed up by visible behavior. At best I'd buy that they subconsciously sense their position might not be permanent. But mostly I just think they are kid in a candy store level of thinking and will rampage the second they get the chance with no thoughts towards tomorrow.
posted by phearlez at 9:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think this asserts a level of self-awareness that isn't backed up by visible behavior. At best I'd buy that they subconsciously sense their position might not be permanent. But mostly I just think they are kid in a candy store level of thinking and will rampage the second they get the chance with no thoughts towards tomorrow.
posted by phearlez at 9:11 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
> Maybe Vader chucking Palpatine into the Death Star reactor pit?
So in this scenario, instead of Vader's son talking Vader into killing Palpatine, it's Vader's son-in-law. and instead of turning Vader to the light side, he's just turning him to a slightly different version of the dark side.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:12 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
So in this scenario, instead of Vader's son talking Vader into killing Palpatine, it's Vader's son-in-law. and instead of turning Vader to the light side, he's just turning him to a slightly different version of the dark side.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:12 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just had a horrible thought.
Dems win the House in 2018.
Seeing the investigative writing on the wall and being a sniveling coward, 45 immediately resigns in exchange for a pardon, Nixon style. Republicans try to sweep it all under the rug.
In that scenario I think I would literally set up camp at the NY AG's office until they put the fucker in jail. Assuming they got him before he fled to Russia.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Dems win the House in 2018.
Seeing the investigative writing on the wall and being a sniveling coward, 45 immediately resigns in exchange for a pardon, Nixon style. Republicans try to sweep it all under the rug.
In that scenario I think I would literally set up camp at the NY AG's office until they put the fucker in jail. Assuming they got him before he fled to Russia.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
So with Bannon off the NSC, Ezra Cohen-Watnick is going to get fired, right?
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Vader was rejecting the dark side and saving his son. This is the robbery scene in the Dark Knight where the each of the henchmen has been instructed to kill one of their co-conspirators.
posted by cmfletcher at 9:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 9:14 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
roomthreeseventeen: Holy shit. via Bloomberg Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
posted by filthy light thief at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017
Under the move, the national intelligence director, Dan Coats, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, are again "regular attendees" of the NSC’s principals committee.Why the quoted roles? Are they now invited back into the room, but still stuck at the kids table?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017
I think this asserts a level of self-awareness that isn't backed up by visible behavior.
In the heavily gerrymandered-in-favor-of-Republicans House, I'd agree, but senate elections are statewide. Just as the so-called Tea Party led feckless Democrats to distance themselves from Obama in 2010, I am sure a number of Republican Senators are eyeing Trump's sinking approval and wonder if they could lose their seat if 2018 proved to be a Democratic wave.
posted by Gelatin at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
In the heavily gerrymandered-in-favor-of-Republicans House, I'd agree, but senate elections are statewide. Just as the so-called Tea Party led feckless Democrats to distance themselves from Obama in 2010, I am sure a number of Republican Senators are eyeing Trump's sinking approval and wonder if they could lose their seat if 2018 proved to be a Democratic wave.
posted by Gelatin at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
He's like McCain. He calls Trump out and then votes with him 100% of the time.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
For reals though I'm on the edge of my seat here. I have no idea which members of the administration will be at the pointy end when they finally get around to reënacting the Night of the Long Knives.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
reënacting
What you did there, I see it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [52 favorites]
What you did there, I see it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [52 favorites]
NYT is saying The shift was orchestrated by Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, who was tapped as national security adviser after the resignation of Michael T. Flynn.
posted by Brainy at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by Brainy at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [32 favorites]
One thing about even calling out Trump and other Trumplings, even if you vote with them, is that there's then some discussion of the problems.
But is that then offset, or worse, normalized by such McCainanintes flopping from maverick truth-teller back to party loyalist? Is that sending the message that the prior complaints weren't that significant, or maybe McCain was crying wolf again, so we can welcome the wolves back among the flock?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017
But is that then offset, or worse, normalized by such McCainanintes flopping from maverick truth-teller back to party loyalist? Is that sending the message that the prior complaints weren't that significant, or maybe McCain was crying wolf again, so we can welcome the wolves back among the flock?
posted by filthy light thief at 9:20 AM on April 5, 2017
Dems win the House in 2018.
Seeing the investigative writing on the wall and being a sniveling coward, 45 immediately resigns in exchange for a pardon, Nixon style. Republicans try to sweep it all under the rug.
This isn't 1974 or even 2001. I strongly doubt the Democrats are going to be in a mood for "we have to put all this unfortunateness behind us for the sake of national unity suckers!."
posted by Gelatin at 9:21 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Seeing the investigative writing on the wall and being a sniveling coward, 45 immediately resigns in exchange for a pardon, Nixon style. Republicans try to sweep it all under the rug.
This isn't 1974 or even 2001. I strongly doubt the Democrats are going to be in a mood for "we have to put all this unfortunateness behind us for the sake of national unity suckers!."
posted by Gelatin at 9:21 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Hmm...could a President Pence pardon Trump for state-level crimes? Or just for federal ones?
If it's the latter, as I'm reading some commentary, then even if Trump were pardoned by a newly minted President Pence, might he still be prosecuted for a state-level fraud or similar crime?
/me starts to have delightful - if delusional - images of Trump heading before a N.Y. state court after thinking he was home free following a presidential pardon...
posted by darkstar at 9:21 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
If it's the latter, as I'm reading some commentary, then even if Trump were pardoned by a newly minted President Pence, might he still be prosecuted for a state-level fraud or similar crime?
/me starts to have delightful - if delusional - images of Trump heading before a N.Y. state court after thinking he was home free following a presidential pardon...
posted by darkstar at 9:21 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
So with Bannon off the NSC, Ezra Cohen-Watnick is going to get fired, right?
I think it's the other way around. Cohen-Watnick was so out of control that Bannon got fired for keeping him in his job.
This gets back to the earlier question about, what's the Republican end game with the Rice unmasking stuff. Michael Flynn brought Cohen-Watnick onto the NSC in the first place.
By the way, you know what Cohen-Watnick's wife did before they married? She was a PR flack at Ketchum working to "make Russia look better."
posted by msalt at 9:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
I think it's the other way around. Cohen-Watnick was so out of control that Bannon got fired for keeping him in his job.
This gets back to the earlier question about, what's the Republican end game with the Rice unmasking stuff. Michael Flynn brought Cohen-Watnick onto the NSC in the first place.
By the way, you know what Cohen-Watnick's wife did before they married? She was a PR flack at Ketchum working to "make Russia look better."
posted by msalt at 9:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
Bannon's role on NSC had been as a "check on Mike Flynn,"
They knew they had to keep an eye on Flynn, so they put him in charge of national security?
posted by diogenes at 9:24 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
They knew they had to keep an eye on Flynn, so they put him in charge of national security?
posted by diogenes at 9:24 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
Trumplings
Motion to make this an official addition to the MeFi style guide.
Turns out the only explicit reference to 45 that doesn't make my stomach churn is one that also references Quisling.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Motion to make this an official addition to the MeFi style guide.
Turns out the only explicit reference to 45 that doesn't make my stomach churn is one that also references Quisling.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Just a coincidence, I'm sure. Can a mathematician/statistician calculate the probability of all these pro-Russia coincidences linked to a single presidential administration? The odds have to be really long, right?
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
(My last comment was about Cohen-Watnick's wife, fwiw.)
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:27 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:27 AM on April 5, 2017
This isn't 1974 or even 2001. I strongly doubt the Democrats are going to be in a mood for "we have to put all this unfortunateness behind us for the sake of national unity suckers!."
The bipartisan fetish is strong though.
posted by Artw at 9:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
The bipartisan fetish is strong though.
posted by Artw at 9:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Corruption blooms where the money is, and no more so than where that money is already corrupt.
Russia right now is one of the biggest global turdblossoms of corrupt money, so it's not surprising at all that so many flies are buzzing around that particular pile of shit.
posted by darkstar at 9:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Russia right now is one of the biggest global turdblossoms of corrupt money, so it's not surprising at all that so many flies are buzzing around that particular pile of shit.
posted by darkstar at 9:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
This isn't 1974 or even 2001. I strongly doubt the Democrats are going to be in a mood for "we have to put all this unfortunateness behind us for the sake of national unity suckers!."
There's one Democrat in particular who talked a lot about looking forward, not backward. He said that much more recently than 2001.
posted by indubitable at 9:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's one Democrat in particular who talked a lot about looking forward, not backward. He said that much more recently than 2001.
posted by indubitable at 9:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Russia right now is one of the biggest global turdblossoms of corrupt money, so it's not surprising at all that so many flies are buzzing around that particular pile of shit.
It's basically the end state these fuckers have in mind for America - all the money in the hands of a tiny handful of corrupt oligarchs and everyone else utterly impoverished and beholden to them.
If you are a Republicanthese days then that is what you support.
posted by Artw at 9:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [30 favorites]
It's basically the end state these fuckers have in mind for America - all the money in the hands of a tiny handful of corrupt oligarchs and everyone else utterly impoverished and beholden to them.
If you are a Republicanthese days then that is what you support.
posted by Artw at 9:33 AM on April 5, 2017 [30 favorites]
Jeff Sessions to police: Just be you! Civil rights are overrated anyway
As it’s turned out, his recusing himself from the Russia investigation has opened the political space for Sessions to concentrate on implementing the “law and order” agenda that had Trump’s crowds cheering at all those campaign rallies last year. Sessions isn’t wasting any time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
As it’s turned out, his recusing himself from the Russia investigation has opened the political space for Sessions to concentrate on implementing the “law and order” agenda that had Trump’s crowds cheering at all those campaign rallies last year. Sessions isn’t wasting any time.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
The bipartisan fetish is strong though.
True, but again, with Trump's approval massively underwater, the path to political office in 2018 -- and hey, 2020 -- may be by being perceived as opposing Trump. Again, the Republicans provided the template with their Tea Party nonsense, and now there are the additional factors of Trump's illegitimacy, his massive unpopularity, the widespread perception of his incompetence, the growing perception of his corruption, and for Democrats -- and more importantly, Democratic voters -- the growing feeling that the coming elections are payback time.
As a case study I give you Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who may be positioning herself for a 2020 Presidential run on early and vociferous opposition to Trump.
posted by Gelatin at 9:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
True, but again, with Trump's approval massively underwater, the path to political office in 2018 -- and hey, 2020 -- may be by being perceived as opposing Trump. Again, the Republicans provided the template with their Tea Party nonsense, and now there are the additional factors of Trump's illegitimacy, his massive unpopularity, the widespread perception of his incompetence, the growing perception of his corruption, and for Democrats -- and more importantly, Democratic voters -- the growing feeling that the coming elections are payback time.
As a case study I give you Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who may be positioning herself for a 2020 Presidential run on early and vociferous opposition to Trump.
posted by Gelatin at 9:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Agreeing with Rubio is a deeply weird feeling; he was actually pretty great at calling Trump out...
Stopped Clock Syndrome. Rubio is still a shitbag who will vote wrong every single time, no matter what he criticizes. He's McCain without the war-hero status.
Fucka Rubio.
posted by Cookiebastard at 9:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Stopped Clock Syndrome. Rubio is still a shitbag who will vote wrong every single time, no matter what he criticizes. He's McCain without the war-hero status.
Fucka Rubio.
posted by Cookiebastard at 9:38 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
There's one Democrat in particular who talked a lot about looking forward, not backward. He said that much more recently than 2001.
Obama was always constrained by the need to avoid the appearance of "the angry black man," and moreover, a lot of Democrats can see that conciliatory stances got them precisely nowhere with Republicans -- no, worse, it led to a stolen SCOTUS seat, if not a presidential election.
I just don't see a lot of enthusiasm from anyone this side of David Brooks that Democrats should make nice with Republicans going forward.
posted by Gelatin at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Obama was always constrained by the need to avoid the appearance of "the angry black man," and moreover, a lot of Democrats can see that conciliatory stances got them precisely nowhere with Republicans -- no, worse, it led to a stolen SCOTUS seat, if not a presidential election.
I just don't see a lot of enthusiasm from anyone this side of David Brooks that Democrats should make nice with Republicans going forward.
posted by Gelatin at 9:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Master Negotiators.... Pence's Obamacare diplomacy fails to yield a deal
The White House’s latest last-ditch effort to save the GOP’s Obamacare replacement bill hit a brick wall Tuesday night, as conservative and moderate Republicans met and realized they had two very different understandings of the changes sought by top Trump officials.posted by DynamiteToast at 9:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus say Vice President Mike Pence, chief of staff Reince Priebus and budget director Mick Mulvaney sought to win their votes by offering a repeal of major Obamacare regulations during a Monday night meeting. But moderates who met with the same Trump officials hours before were told the changes wouldn’t be as far-reaching.
Speaking of flip-flopping from "This is an Awful Thing!" to "Well, it's not so bad that I won't support it," Dimon Warns ‘Something Is Wrong’ With the U.S. (Bloomberg, the article that appeared after scrolling down from the breaking Bannon news)
And another complaint: "America now has the highest corporate tax rates among developed nations." (Except this is only partially true, at least as of 2014, and I don't think this has truly changed.)
What's the solution to these woes? "Reducing corporate taxes would incent business investment and job creation." Oh hey, look, another article refuting this "quick fix": Would Cutting Corporate Tax Rates Really Grow the Economy? (The Atlantic, Oct. 20, 2016) Ireland and the U.K. both tried it, but the few upsides they saw may be hard to replicate. In short, Ireland became a tax haven for Apple (Salon, Sept. 6, 2016). The Atlantic goes on:
posted by filthy light thief at 9:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon has two big pronouncements as the Trump administration starts reshaping the government: “The United States of America is truly an exceptional country,” and “it is clear that something is wrong.”What a jumbled list of issues. Regulations can address some of those issues, so by ending a paragraph by claiming in a very broad way "Regulation is excessive," you're not helping. Then again, his first example of American Greatness:
Dimon, leader of world’s most valuable bank and a counselor to the new president, used his 45-page annual letter (PDF) to shareholders on Tuesday to list ways America is stronger than ever -- before jumping into a much longer list of self-inflicted problems that he said was “upsetting” to write.
Here’s the start: Since the turn of the century, the U.S. has dumped trillions of dollars into wars, piled huge debt onto students, forced legions of foreigners to leave after getting advanced degrees, driven millions of Americans out of the workplace with felonies for sometimes minor offenses and hobbled the housing market with hastily crafted layers of rules.
...
But on Tuesday, reasons for concern kept coming. Labor market participation is low, Dimon wrote. Inner-city schools are failing poor kids. High schools and vocational schools aren’t providing skills to get decent jobs. Infrastructure planning and spending is so anemic that the U.S. hasn’t built a major airport in more than 20 years. Corporate taxes are so onerous it’s driving capital and brains overseas. Regulation is excessive.
...
“We need trust and confidence in our institutions,” he concluded. “Confidence is the ‘secret sauce’ that, without spending any money, helps the economy grow.”
The United States has the world’s strongest military, and this will be the case for decades. We are fortunate to be at peace with our neighbors and to have the protection of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.Yes, it's sheer luck we haven't been fighting with Canada and Mexico. What a gassy windbag, who then blames over-spending on the military for a reason that GDP growth is slow and real incomes have declined:
Over the last 16 years, we have spent trillions of dollars on wars when we could have been investing that money productively. (I’m not saying that money didn’t need to be spent; but every dollar spent on battle is a dollar that can’t be put to use elsewhere.)That's really touching, he cares about the size of military spending. Why is that? Oh, because it's an empty cost that doesn't benefit his company.
And another complaint: "America now has the highest corporate tax rates among developed nations." (Except this is only partially true, at least as of 2014, and I don't think this has truly changed.)
What's the solution to these woes? "Reducing corporate taxes would incent business investment and job creation." Oh hey, look, another article refuting this "quick fix": Would Cutting Corporate Tax Rates Really Grow the Economy? (The Atlantic, Oct. 20, 2016) Ireland and the U.K. both tried it, but the few upsides they saw may be hard to replicate. In short, Ireland became a tax haven for Apple (Salon, Sept. 6, 2016). The Atlantic goes on:
What’s more, in the 1960s, the Irish government oversaw a series of educational reforms, which led to a large number of highly educated graduates coming out of Irish schools in the 1990s. That also helped attract companies looking for a foothold in Europe. Essentially, Ireland became in the 1990s and 2000s a country that was friendly to multinationals1, where they could access the European market2, hire educated professionals3, and enjoy low tax rates4.Huh, which of those 4 things are part of Dimon's strategy? Oh right, the one where companies make out like bandits. The rest sounds pretty anti-Trump, to be honest.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
(Referencing Obama again, we now know that at almost the precise moment Obama was talking about not looking backward, McConnell was plotting to withhold any cooperation at all with the goal of making him a one-term president. Even Obama got it; he was much less conciliatory later in his term. What Democrats find McConnell's actions forgivable?)
posted by Gelatin at 9:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 9:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
NYT: President Trump, in an interview with The Times, said Susan Rice may have committed a crime, and he defended Bill O’Reilly
First, why is he giving interviews to outlets he calls "fake news?" Perhaps he, you know, isn't serious?
Also, he needs six people to watch him give an interview, including the Vice President? No wonder nobody gets anything done around there.
posted by zachlipton at 9:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
First, why is he giving interviews to outlets he calls "fake news?" Perhaps he, you know, isn't serious?
The president then went on to defend Mr. O’Reilly, who has hosted him frequently over the years.That's a darn strong defense for someone Trump has no political need to defend. But hey, if he wants to hitch his wagon to O'Reilly's star right now, I'm not going to complain.
“I think he’s a person I know well — he is a good person,” said Mr. Trump, who during the interview was surrounded at his desk by a half-dozen of his highest-ranking aides, including the economic adviser Gary Cohn and Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, along with Vice President Mike Pence.
“I think he shouldn’t have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled,” said Mr. Trump. “Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong"
Also, he needs six people to watch him give an interview, including the Vice President? No wonder nobody gets anything done around there.
posted by zachlipton at 9:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
DynamiteToast: The White House’s latest last-ditch effort to save the GOP’s Obamacare replacement bill hit a brick wall Tuesday night, as conservative and moderate Republicans met and realized they had two very different understandings of the changes sought by top Trump officials.
The reason it's a last-ditch effort is because
posted by filthy light thief at 9:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
The reason it's a last-ditch effort is because
Congress is gone half of the month, and Republicans on all sides of this agree that May will be a make or break for making another go of it. Remember; this bill still has to pass the Senate.... So if there's no movement in the House by the middle of May, then it really will be time to move on.And their plan to get something that will pass in the more centrist Senate is ... to cater to the farther-right Freedom Caucus. Huh, and that's not working? Wow.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Of fucking course he did. Alternate headline: Self-admitted serial sexual predator defends alleged serial sexual predator.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [30 favorites]
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [30 favorites]
A White House official said that Bannon was placed on the committee in part to monitor Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and never attended a meeting. He’s no longer needed with McMaster in charge of the council, the official said.
What the what?! He was there, on the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, TO MONITOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, who wasn't yet fired for playing footsie with the Russians.
Okay, wait. Wait. The Fuck? That's either the worst excuse in history (probability 62.7%), or absolutely true and everyone is very clear they committed treason to win the Presidency.
Yeah, yeah, treason means different things. That's almost academc at this point right
posted by petebest at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
What the what?! He was there, on the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, TO MONITOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, who wasn't yet fired for playing footsie with the Russians.
Okay, wait. Wait. The Fuck? That's either the worst excuse in history (probability 62.7%), or absolutely true and everyone is very clear they committed treason to win the Presidency.
Yeah, yeah, treason means different things. That's almost academc at this point right
posted by petebest at 9:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
"I don’t think Bill did anything wrong"
In this, at least, I believe he is being completely sincere.
That does not improve my opinion of him.
posted by nickmark at 9:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
In this, at least, I believe he is being completely sincere.
That does not improve my opinion of him.
posted by nickmark at 9:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
First, why is he giving interviews to outlets he calls "fake news?" Perhaps he, you know, isn't serious?
Reminds me of this revealing bit from the New Yorker's recent story on the alt-right bloggers joining the WH Press Corps:
Reminds me of this revealing bit from the New Yorker's recent story on the alt-right bloggers joining the WH Press Corps:
Then, on his computer, he clicked on a headline: “Trump Claims America Should Never Have Given Canada Its Independence.” The post, on a site called the Burrard Street Journal, purported to quote a Trump tweet that included the hashtag #MakeCanadaAmericanAgain. “Is this real?” Hoft said. “I follow the news. I feel like I would have heard about this.” It seemed obvious that the Burrard Street Journal—whose logo is “BS Journal,” and whose other top headlines included “Alex Jones Selected to Host White House Correspondents’ Dinner”—was a news-satire site. But Hoft spent several minutes vacillating. He Googled “Make Canada American Again” and saw that no mainstream papers—the kind that he and the President had taken to calling “fake news”—had picked up the story. “It must be bullshit,” he said. “God, I hate bullshit sites.”posted by theodolite at 9:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Dimon is one of the arch vampire squids that brought the U.S. economy to its knees in 2008. The fact that he is not only not doing time, but is still in his role at J.P. Morgan/Chase, Dimoning on as CEO, tells us more about "what's wrong with the U.S." than any theories he might expound.
All he's interested in is making sure he and his ilk have more freedom to extract as many trillons of dollars from U.S. citizens as possible, while personally and professionally risking little in the process. Whatever mewling noises he has to make in order to seem reasonable while he does it, that's what he'll do.
"Privatize profits and socialize risk" is practically tattooed on his nictitating eyelids.
I'm sure he is terribly broken up about the recent move by Trump to stall the implementation of the fiduciary rule, for example.
posted by darkstar at 9:51 AM on April 5, 2017 [33 favorites]
All he's interested in is making sure he and his ilk have more freedom to extract as many trillons of dollars from U.S. citizens as possible, while personally and professionally risking little in the process. Whatever mewling noises he has to make in order to seem reasonable while he does it, that's what he'll do.
"Privatize profits and socialize risk" is practically tattooed on his nictitating eyelids.
I'm sure he is terribly broken up about the recent move by Trump to stall the implementation of the fiduciary rule, for example.
posted by darkstar at 9:51 AM on April 5, 2017 [33 favorites]
Was Fox News saying anything about Bannon lately?
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Congress is gone half of the month, and Republicans on all sides of this agree
I could be mistaken, but if memory serves me correctly, one of the so-called "Freedom Caucus" said yesterday on NPR, I think, that the reason for the "revival" is indeed the upcoming recess, but so that Republican congress people can go to their constituents and pretend the whole "repeal and replace" thing didn't go down in flames to a humiliating defeat. ("No, really, see, we're still working on it!")
posted by Gelatin at 9:53 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I could be mistaken, but if memory serves me correctly, one of the so-called "Freedom Caucus" said yesterday on NPR, I think, that the reason for the "revival" is indeed the upcoming recess, but so that Republican congress people can go to their constituents and pretend the whole "repeal and replace" thing didn't go down in flames to a humiliating defeat. ("No, really, see, we're still working on it!")
posted by Gelatin at 9:53 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
from what I read, Bannon was there to watch Flynn because he was a former Obama administration official (even though he got canned) and Bannon was there as a Commissar
this all may be post-facto rationalization, but i don't think the intended implication is that they knew he was a russian asset and had to watch him for that reason
posted by murphy slaw at 9:53 AM on April 5, 2017
this all may be post-facto rationalization, but i don't think the intended implication is that they knew he was a russian asset and had to watch him for that reason
posted by murphy slaw at 9:53 AM on April 5, 2017
zachlipton: “I think he shouldn’t have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled,” said Mr. Trump.
Donald Trump Says ‘I Don’t Settle,’ But We Found 13 Times He Did. And that was back in May 2016, before the very recent $25 Million Settlement of Trump University Lawsuit (NPR, March 31, 2017), and an electrical contractor dismissed a lawsuit claiming Trump’s downtown DC hotel owed more than $2 million in bills (Buzzfeed, April 4, 2017), after, you guessed it, settlement talks.
Trump: The Great Settler. (Doesn't sound good for what he's calling his greatest deal, an Israel/Palestine agreement, that doesn't have much Palestinian support at the moment.)
posted by filthy light thief at 9:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Donald Trump Says ‘I Don’t Settle,’ But We Found 13 Times He Did. And that was back in May 2016, before the very recent $25 Million Settlement of Trump University Lawsuit (NPR, March 31, 2017), and an electrical contractor dismissed a lawsuit claiming Trump’s downtown DC hotel owed more than $2 million in bills (Buzzfeed, April 4, 2017), after, you guessed it, settlement talks.
Trump: The Great Settler. (Doesn't sound good for what he's calling his greatest deal, an Israel/Palestine agreement, that doesn't have much Palestinian support at the moment.)
posted by filthy light thief at 9:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
So Trump is accusing Rice of a crime without evidence, but defending O’Reilly when there is significant evidence? His standard looks awfully partisan.
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:56 AM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
“Do I think? Yes, I think.”
Objection, assumes facts not in evidence
posted by Existential Dread at 9:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [45 favorites]
Objection, assumes facts not in evidence
posted by Existential Dread at 9:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [45 favorites]
That is a crazy accusation to be throwing out without actually citing any evidence at all The 'right time' to explain is at the time you make that accusation.
And shame on the NYT for giving Trump even the slightest benefit of the doubt. They should know better than to print that "at the right time" clause, which implies evidence they have no proof of at all might exist.
The story here is that Trump, once again, made serious charges without providing a shred of evidence.
posted by Gelatin at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
And shame on the NYT for giving Trump even the slightest benefit of the doubt. They should know better than to print that "at the right time" clause, which implies evidence they have no proof of at all might exist.
The story here is that Trump, once again, made serious charges without providing a shred of evidence.
posted by Gelatin at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
I can't help but notice that Steve Bannon was kicked off the NSC the day after the North Korea shit got scary.
Almost as if maybe he said something super crazy and McMaster & the other adults (no, I don't include Mattis) had enough.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Almost as if maybe he said something super crazy and McMaster & the other adults (no, I don't include Mattis) had enough.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Gelatin: I could be mistaken, but if memory serves me correctly, one of the so-called "Freedom Caucus" said yesterday on NPR
posted by filthy light thief at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
SUSAN DAVIS: I talked to Steve Womack. He's a Republican from Arkansas, and he said part of the push is driven by the simple fact that Republicans are going home, and they want to be able to tell their constituents that they haven't given up. Here's what he had to say.Yup, I pulled my earlier quote from that same piece. I wonder how many people will cheer the fall of AHCA, and how many Republicans will twist that to be cheers for AHCA.
STEVE WOMACK: We're on the eve of going home and spending two weeks with our constituents - or most members. I know I will, but most members are going to go home, spend time with their constituents, and they know they're going to get questions about this. And for the people who were no, they'll have justification to deal with.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:58 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump: The Great Settler.
The Good-Enough Settler, surely.
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
The Good-Enough Settler, surely.
posted by Etrigan at 9:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yup, I pulled my earlier quote from that same piece.
Which, again, is awesome. True to form, Republican bluster led their mouths to write a number of checks they can't case -- no one more so than Trump, for whom it's a habit of a lifetime. They may get away with it this recess with their "surprise renegotiation" tactic, but come 2018, people who voted Republican are going to wonder what happened with all those promises -- and Democratic ads will hopefully be right there to remind them that the answer is nothing at all.
posted by Gelatin at 10:04 AM on April 5, 2017
Which, again, is awesome. True to form, Republican bluster led their mouths to write a number of checks they can't case -- no one more so than Trump, for whom it's a habit of a lifetime. They may get away with it this recess with their "surprise renegotiation" tactic, but come 2018, people who voted Republican are going to wonder what happened with all those promises -- and Democratic ads will hopefully be right there to remind them that the answer is nothing at all.
posted by Gelatin at 10:04 AM on April 5, 2017
What the what?! He was there, on the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, TO MONITOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, who wasn't yet fired for playing footsie with the Russians.
Okay, wait. Wait. The Fuck? That's either the worst excuse in history (probability 62.7%), or absolutely true and everyone is very clear they committed treason to win the Presidency.
Totally believable. This is the level of competency of this bunch - at any given moment they need to focus on kicking the can down the road because they have no smart moves to make. Not because of anyone else, but because they're in this no-win place because of their own prior dumb moves. (And not that I would think they could come up with smart moves even if any were possible) So they gin up whatever excuse works at that moment, even if the excuse makes little sense or points out their own past dumb choices. Sorry teach, didn't do my homework because my grandma died. Yep, my fifth grandma, you betcha, she was my bio grandma's third wife after she divorced grandpa number two, nothing implausible about that, nope. If teacher points out they had a month to do this assignment and shouldn't have waited till that last weekend they burst into crocodile tears and complain about lack of empathy or homophobia, never mind those last three class presentations on the sanctity of 'traditional' marriage.
tl;dr: back row kids gonna back row.
posted by phearlez at 10:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Okay, wait. Wait. The Fuck? That's either the worst excuse in history (probability 62.7%), or absolutely true and everyone is very clear they committed treason to win the Presidency.
Totally believable. This is the level of competency of this bunch - at any given moment they need to focus on kicking the can down the road because they have no smart moves to make. Not because of anyone else, but because they're in this no-win place because of their own prior dumb moves. (And not that I would think they could come up with smart moves even if any were possible) So they gin up whatever excuse works at that moment, even if the excuse makes little sense or points out their own past dumb choices. Sorry teach, didn't do my homework because my grandma died. Yep, my fifth grandma, you betcha, she was my bio grandma's third wife after she divorced grandpa number two, nothing implausible about that, nope. If teacher points out they had a month to do this assignment and shouldn't have waited till that last weekend they burst into crocodile tears and complain about lack of empathy or homophobia, never mind those last three class presentations on the sanctity of 'traditional' marriage.
tl;dr: back row kids gonna back row.
posted by phearlez at 10:05 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Streaming: President Trump and King Abdullah II Hold a Joint Press Conference
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 AM on April 5, 2017
Streaming: President Trump and King Abdullah II Hold a Joint Press Conference
We're three minutes in and he's not airing the dirty laundry of domestic politics in front our guests.
So he's not a complete fucking embarrassment. Because that's how low this bar is.
posted by Talez at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
We're three minutes in and he's not airing the dirty laundry of domestic politics in front our guests.
So he's not a complete fucking embarrassment. Because that's how low this bar is.
posted by Talez at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
in the interest of documenting the new normal:
today i gave a massive sigh of relief at the news of a possible soft military coup of the national security apparatus
posted by murphy slaw at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [39 favorites]
today i gave a massive sigh of relief at the news of a possible soft military coup of the national security apparatus
posted by murphy slaw at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [39 favorites]
The Long, Lucrative Right-wing Grift Is Blowing Up in the World's Face
The grown-up Republicans in Washington...put their faith in a fairly traditional conservative orthodoxy: That you can use the levers of power to quietly enrich your friends and their firms, while pleasing the masses with some combination of tax cuts, loud proclamations of religiosity, and a modest, popular war or two.[...]posted by melissasaurus at 10:16 AM on April 5, 2017 [93 favorites]
Rather rapidly, two things happened: First, Republicans realized they’d radicalized their base to a point where nothing they did in power could satisfy their most fervent constituents. Then—in a much more consequential development—a large portion of the Republican Congressional caucus became people who themselves consume garbage conservative media, and nothing else.
That, broadly, explains the dysfunction of the Obama era, post-Tea Party freakout. Congressional Republicans went from people who were able to turn their bullshit-hose on their constituents, in order to rile them up, to people who pointed it directly at themselves, mouths open. [...]
The most important major divide among Congressional Republicans isn’t between moderates and conservatives, or establishment and anti-establishment politicians, but between those who know that their agenda is hugely unpopular and that they have to force it through under cover of darkness, and the louder, dumber ones who believe their own bullshit.
The grown-up Republicans in Washington
Next up, tales of unicorns and leprechauns.
posted by phearlez at 10:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
Next up, tales of unicorns and leprechauns.
posted by phearlez at 10:18 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
"translate your policy to actions successfully, hopefully"
Don't get your hopes up, your majesty.
posted by Tevin at 10:20 AM on April 5, 2017
Don't get your hopes up, your majesty.
posted by Tevin at 10:20 AM on April 5, 2017
Also, he needs six people to watch him give an interview, including the Vice President? No wonder nobody gets anything done around there.
That piece of the article stood out sharply to me, too. I assume it's because it takes that many people to remind him where he is and what he is supposed to be doing at this point and to keep him from just wandering out of the room to yell at clouds in the middle.
posted by winna at 10:22 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
That piece of the article stood out sharply to me, too. I assume it's because it takes that many people to remind him where he is and what he is supposed to be doing at this point and to keep him from just wandering out of the room to yell at clouds in the middle.
posted by winna at 10:22 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Wow, he actually called on a real reporter instead of a plant (Julie Pace, AP).
posted by zachlipton at 10:24 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by zachlipton at 10:24 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
"I now have responsibility ... it is now my responsibility."
He's 100% going to drop a nuke in Syria or North Korea I can almost guarantee it.
posted by Tevin at 10:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
He's 100% going to drop a nuke in Syria or North Korea I can almost guarantee it.
posted by Tevin at 10:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I don't think it's an accident that the White House feed keeps cutting to a side view that shows King Abudllah standing on a box.
posted by zachlipton at 10:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Bannon Removed From National Security Council Role in Shakeup
Today is my birthday! I didn't want to jinx anything by hoping for something ... monumental to happen, but this will do very nicely.
And now I don't feel guilty at all about having fancy cake for lunch.
posted by vickyverky at 10:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [38 favorites]
Today is my birthday! I didn't want to jinx anything by hoping for something ... monumental to happen, but this will do very nicely.
And now I don't feel guilty at all about having fancy cake for lunch.
posted by vickyverky at 10:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [38 favorites]
Julie Pace: "Does the chemical attack in Syria cross a red line for you?"
Trump: "We bear a great responsibility, which yes, is my responsibility now. I'm very proud to have that responsibility now. And we have another great responsibility, which is the country of North Korea". [light paraphrasing here without a transcript]
Pace: But does it cross a red line for you?
Trump: "Yes, it crosses many red lines"
Foreign policy developed in front of my eyes, right here.
posted by Theiform at 10:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Trump: "We bear a great responsibility, which yes, is my responsibility now. I'm very proud to have that responsibility now. And we have another great responsibility, which is the country of North Korea". [light paraphrasing here without a transcript]
Pace: But does it cross a red line for you?
Trump: "Yes, it crosses many red lines"
Foreign policy developed in front of my eyes, right here.
posted by Theiform at 10:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Kushner bringing Hollywood PR exec to White House
“We should have excellence in government,” Kushner told the Washington Post last month. “The government should be run like a great American company. Our hope is that we can achieve successes and efficiencies for our customers, who are the citizens.”
vomits.
posted by futz at 10:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
“We should have excellence in government,” Kushner told the Washington Post last month. “The government should be run like a great American company. Our hope is that we can achieve successes and efficiencies for our customers, who are the citizens.”
vomits.
posted by futz at 10:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [20 favorites]
Foreign policy developed in front of my eyes, right here.
It's like watching a baby discover his own ears.
posted by darkstar at 10:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
It's like watching a baby discover his own ears.
posted by darkstar at 10:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Happy Birthday, vickyverky! Today is my birthday as well. Bannon's removal has put a grin on my face for the past couple hours. Maybe even more will happen! I want icing on this cake!
posted by chaoticgood at 10:31 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by chaoticgood at 10:31 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Trump: "The attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me. I have that flexibility now. And it's very possibile, and I tell you, it has already happened. My attitude towards Syria and Assad has changed very much... and you know, I would have loved to have never been in the Middle East. And I would have loved to have never seen that situation start. I will tell you, what happened yesterday, is unacceptable to me.
Militarily, I don't like to say where we're going and what we're doing. I watched Mosul [blah blah]..
I'm not saying I'm doing anything one way or the other, but I'm certainly not telling you."
posted by Theiform at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Militarily, I don't like to say where we're going and what we're doing. I watched Mosul [blah blah]..
I'm not saying I'm doing anything one way or the other, but I'm certainly not telling you."
posted by Theiform at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Time for another "don't blame me" rant: "The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."
posted by zachlipton at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2017
Welp.
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
Why can't we just have a nice thing for a few minutes?
posted by zachlipton at 10:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [46 favorites]
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
Why can't we just have a nice thing for a few minutes?
posted by zachlipton at 10:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [46 favorites]
Surely Putin won't let Trump take any action against Assad?
posted by uosuaq at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by uosuaq at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
posted by Artw at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
posted by Artw at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Time for another "don't blame me" rant: "The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."
He didn't have anything to say, so he went back to the Greatest Hits. It's sad how predictable the bullshit is.
He's on to how the "Iran deal is one of the worst deals ever made." It's on track 7 of the album. Maybe we can get an encore of MAGA to close out this show.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
He didn't have anything to say, so he went back to the Greatest Hits. It's sad how predictable the bullshit is.
He's on to how the "Iran deal is one of the worst deals ever made." It's on track 7 of the album. Maybe we can get an encore of MAGA to close out this show.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Which, again, is awesome. True to form, Republican bluster led their mouths to write a number of checks they can't case -- no one more so than Trump, for whom it's a habit of a lifetime. They may get away with it this recess with their "surprise renegotiation" tactic, but come 2018, people who voted Republican are going to wonder what happened with all those promises -- and Democratic ads will hopefully be right there to remind them that the answer is nothing at all.
I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare. Running on your opponent's failure to repeal your own law that you supposedly support fairly reeks of "I never want to win another election". I hope they have the good sense (and necessary outside pressure on them) to articulate a positive vision of what comes next: Medicare for all.
posted by indubitable at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare. Running on your opponent's failure to repeal your own law that you supposedly support fairly reeks of "I never want to win another election". I hope they have the good sense (and necessary outside pressure on them) to articulate a positive vision of what comes next: Medicare for all.
posted by indubitable at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump ends the press conferance by doing the hand-pulling machismo handshake thing again with King Abdullah.
posted by Theiform at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Theiform at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
I mean, it makes sense that the Secretary of Energy is on the NSC considering his responsibility for maintaining the nuclear arsenal. It's just very unfortunate that he happens to be Rick Perry. :(
posted by murphy slaw at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by murphy slaw at 10:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
He didn't have anything to say, so he went back to the Greatest Hits. It's sad how predictable the bullshit is.
There's going to be 4 years of him pulling this shit...
posted by Artw at 10:37 AM on April 5, 2017
There's going to be 4 years of him pulling this shit...
posted by Artw at 10:37 AM on April 5, 2017
I'm sure King Abdullah loved the fact that Trump randomly started ranting against the Iran deal in there, despite it not having anything to do with the question. Jordan's support for the deal was a key piece in making it happen.
posted by zachlipton at 10:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:39 AM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
Fortunately, he's just your garden variety idiot.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
Fortunately, he's just your garden variety idiot.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:40 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Adding Perry may signal they're really, actually, looking at nuclear options for North Korea. Like, the "adults" McMaster and Mattis are, not just an addled Trump power fantasy. I hope that's paranoia talking and there's a better explanation.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:41 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Fortunately, he's just your garden variety idiot. ...in charge of the US nuclear arsenal.
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 10:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Mei's lost sandal at 10:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
@BraddJaffy - Trump on Syria attack: “it crossed a lot of lines for me … many, many lines —beyond a red line”
All morning people on twitter have been digging up old Trump tweets about Obama's red line, and how he thought it was stupid to announce a red line you didn't mean to stand for... so this means either Trump is committing an enormous unforced error in his own words by announcing a red line after the fact, or he's ready to go to war.
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
All morning people on twitter have been digging up old Trump tweets about Obama's red line, and how he thought it was stupid to announce a red line you didn't mean to stand for... so this means either Trump is committing an enormous unforced error in his own words by announcing a red line after the fact, or he's ready to go to war.
posted by DynamiteToast at 10:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
Fortunately, he's just your garden variety idiot.
Whose family hunting camp was named "[N-word]head".
posted by Etrigan at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Remind me, what are his relative Nazi/Spy levels?
Fortunately, he's just your garden variety idiot.
Whose family hunting camp was named "[N-word]head".
posted by Etrigan at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Isn't Sec. of Energy is a statutory (i.e. by law) member of the NSC to begin with? I'm missing how this is even news, maybe I'm misunderstanding what's happened.
posted by dragstroke at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by dragstroke at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare.
It's not that the Republicans failed to repeal a law passed by Dems, it's that they failed to articulate anything resembling a workable vision of what they would prefer that we did instead. Most Dems and progressives will admit that there's things that could certainly be improved upon in Obamacare (up to and including a real single-payer plan like many of our international neighbors have) but the Republicans literally ran with a plan to just burn everything down instead. Pointing out Republican nihilism is absolutely a workable advertising strategy.
posted by Strange Interlude at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
It's not that the Republicans failed to repeal a law passed by Dems, it's that they failed to articulate anything resembling a workable vision of what they would prefer that we did instead. Most Dems and progressives will admit that there's things that could certainly be improved upon in Obamacare (up to and including a real single-payer plan like many of our international neighbors have) but the Republicans literally ran with a plan to just burn everything down instead. Pointing out Republican nihilism is absolutely a workable advertising strategy.
posted by Strange Interlude at 10:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Sounds like we're getting our war on!
posted by Justinian at 10:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
>I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare.
I hope the message from Democrats is something like this:
regardless of your feelings of how government should be run, it still has to run. The Republicans have demonstrated that they are not interested in running the government. We will, here's how, and here's how it will make your lives better.
posted by Tevin at 10:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
I hope the message from Democrats is something like this:
regardless of your feelings of how government should be run, it still has to run. The Republicans have demonstrated that they are not interested in running the government. We will, here's how, and here's how it will make your lives better.
posted by Tevin at 10:47 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
or it's incredibly frightening signal that they're considering using the arsenal and want Perry to be looped into those decisions.
The Secretary of Energy isn't really anywhere near the "should we use the nukes" part of the chain. Not that they know that, though.
posted by Etrigan at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Secretary of Energy isn't really anywhere near the "should we use the nukes" part of the chain. Not that they know that, though.
posted by Etrigan at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think it may be that the Secretary of Energy is a member of the NSC, but he was just added to the Principals Committee. Similarly, Bannon is (I think) still a member of the NSC, but is now off the Principals Committee.
posted by zachlipton at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
So in addition to Trump's Mirror and Trump's Razor, we've got Trump's Cat, where Bannon being on the NSC was a plan to keep an eye on Flynn, and simultaneously Trump had no idea he even put Bannon on the NSC.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Rick Perry added to National Security Council
They're going to have to pull so many pencils out of ceiling tiles.
posted by indubitable at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
They're going to have to pull so many pencils out of ceiling tiles.
posted by indubitable at 10:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare. Running on your opponent's failure to repeal your own law that you supposedly support fairly reeks of "I never want to win another election".
The Democrats should run ads about "Republicans (and specifically the Freedom Caucus) tried to take your health insurance away."
They will be able to run plenty of ads about other broken promises (cutting regulations for mine owners makes them richer and miners less safe, but it doesn't bring jobs back), with the general theme that Republican policies don't bring prosperity, but Democratic ones do.
posted by Gelatin at 10:49 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
The Democrats should run ads about "Republicans (and specifically the Freedom Caucus) tried to take your health insurance away."
They will be able to run plenty of ads about other broken promises (cutting regulations for mine owners makes them richer and miners less safe, but it doesn't bring jobs back), with the general theme that Republican policies don't bring prosperity, but Democratic ones do.
posted by Gelatin at 10:49 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
Trump is committing an enormous unforced error in his own words by announcing a red line after the fact, or he's ready to go to war.
Sadly, it could well be both at once.
posted by Gelatin at 10:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sadly, it could well be both at once.
posted by Gelatin at 10:52 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Pointing out Republican nihilism is absolutely a workable advertising strategy.
The Clinton campaign spent months doing exactly this and now we have President Trump. They cannot continue without standing for something more than "I'm not this guy!".
posted by indubitable at 10:53 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Clinton campaign spent months doing exactly this and now we have President Trump. They cannot continue without standing for something more than "I'm not this guy!".
posted by indubitable at 10:53 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Also let's stop pretending like Trump's words actually matter. If he wants to change his mind, he will. He could pretend like he never said anything about Syria or just as likely say that he's always been in favor of invading, etc. His words don't matter.
posted by Tevin at 10:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Tevin at 10:54 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Trump is committing an enormous unforced error in his own words by announcing a red line after the fact, or he's ready to go to war.
The best part about war in Syria is (a) our troops are already there and (b) we may not be informed about how many of them there are and when more are being sent.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:55 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
The best part about war in Syria is (a) our troops are already there and (b) we may not be informed about how many of them there are and when more are being sent.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:55 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
The Clinton campaign spent months doing exactly this and now we have President Trump. They cannot continue without standing for something more than "I'm not this guy!".
The Clinton campaign put out tons of commercials and filled many campaign speeches with talk about their policy positions and plans for positive changes. The media ignored it for the horserace nonsense and her emails. "I'm not this guy!" was part of the campaign, and an important one, but they did plenty more beyond that.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [50 favorites]
The Clinton campaign put out tons of commercials and filled many campaign speeches with talk about their policy positions and plans for positive changes. The media ignored it for the horserace nonsense and her emails. "I'm not this guy!" was part of the campaign, and an important one, but they did plenty more beyond that.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [50 favorites]
Mod note: It would be super if we could skip having the same argument about Clinton again.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:01 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:01 AM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
So Trump is accusing Rice of a crime without evidence, but defending O’Reilly when there is significant evidence? His standard looks awfully partisan.
posted by zachlipton at 12:56 PM on April 5 [17 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Also racist and sexist!
posted by Cookiebastard at 11:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:56 PM on April 5 [17 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Also racist and sexist!
posted by Cookiebastard at 11:06 AM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
*Adds "lines" to list of things Trump cannot define, along with "dogs" and "the U.S. Constitution"*
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:13 AM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
It's not ideal that those ad-buys are just getting shifted but if Fox news can't sell ads during O'Reilly's show (or at least, they could be charging more for it), they'll replace him. It's good enough for me.
posted by VTX at 11:14 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by VTX at 11:14 AM on April 5, 2017
It's been a consistent failure of journalists since the beginning of the campaign to not ask more questions like "Mr. Trump, can you please explain what 'red line' means"
posted by theodolite at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [46 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2017 [46 favorites]
And now I'm wondering, if Trump freaks out and goes full Crusader State on Syria, does Russia respond by releasing their kompromat on Trump?
posted by Justinian at 11:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 11:17 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
All roads lead to pee tape. This is my prophecy.
posted by yasaman at 11:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by yasaman at 11:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
Are you saying that the Justinian Current Piss-tape Likelihood (or JCPL for short) is rising?
posted by zachlipton at 11:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [71 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:19 AM on April 5, 2017 [71 favorites]
I love you guys.
posted by Justinian at 11:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [61 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 11:20 AM on April 5, 2017 [61 favorites]
Kellyanne Conway Watch Update:
Kellyanne Conway lands speaking gig for Republicans
Mike Flynn’s son lashes out after Bannon’s demotion — and questions Trump’s desire to fight ‘radical Islam’
Kellyanne Conway lands speaking gig for Republicans
Ever since, there has been "some confusion about what she does day to day," according to a report from Vanity Fair published Saturday.Bad Seed Update:
Mike Flynn’s son lashes out after Bannon’s demotion — and questions Trump’s desire to fight ‘radical Islam’
“Fact 1: Flynn/Bannon most loyal to DJT (both out at NSC),” he wrote on Twitter. “Fact 2: McMaster wont say ‘Radical Islam.'”posted by Room 641-A at 11:21 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Rick Perry is more casually racist, less Nazi. We called him Governor Goodhair here in Texas. He is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I am hoping that his time in charge of Energy will not really have much to do with nukes, which he assuredly does not understand, and more with seat-warming, which he is very good at.
posted by emjaybee at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
I am hoping that his time in charge of Energy will not really have much to do with nukes, which he assuredly does not understand, and more with seat-warming, which he is very good at.
posted by emjaybee at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Poor King Abdullah. You could regularly bump into him at the Social Safeway in DC and he always seemed like a chill guy.
posted by orrnyereg at 11:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by orrnyereg at 11:23 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Wait. The King of Jordan hung out at a Safeway in DC?
posted by zachlipton at 11:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:25 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Kushner bringing Hollywood PR exec to White House
Hey, maybe not so bad. CJ was a Hollywood PR before Toby brought her in.
As for Bannon - don't forget that late last month, the FBI added Breitbart to their Russia investigation. Our favourite toad-faced accelerationist will be part of that.
posted by Devonian at 11:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Hey, maybe not so bad. CJ was a Hollywood PR before Toby brought her in.
As for Bannon - don't forget that late last month, the FBI added Breitbart to their Russia investigation. Our favourite toad-faced accelerationist will be part of that.
posted by Devonian at 11:26 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
I don't know if it's already come up somewhere yet, but surely in the Arrested Development bleedthrough into real life we're living in, we can get J. Walter Weatherman to teach Trump a suitably scarring lesson about how to shake hands?
posted by jackbishop at 11:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by jackbishop at 11:27 AM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
DC's Safeway nicknames. Embassy Row folks gotta shop somewhere.
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 11:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Donald Trump Sex Nightmare at 11:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
WaPost headline: "Bannon removed from National Security Council"
NYTimes headline: "Trump Removes Bannon From Key Role on Security Council"
I really wish that our frickin' PAPERS OF RECORD would get their facts straight!!
posted by Melismata at 11:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
NYTimes headline: "Trump Removes Bannon From Key Role on Security Council"
I really wish that our frickin' PAPERS OF RECORD would get their facts straight!!
posted by Melismata at 11:28 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trolling through old Trump tweets is never going to get old
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:29 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't see how Flynn Jr. being a whiny little shit on Twitter is going to help his dad avoid prison. Best thing the whole family can do is just shut up and avoid the public. But I guess apples/trees/etc...
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:31 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by downtohisturtles at 11:31 AM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Mike Flynn’s son's only achievement in life is being Mike Flynn's son. Did he even have the balls to sign up for the military when there was a good chance of him being shipped out to Iraq/Afghanistan?
posted by PenDevil at 11:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 11:32 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think he went to college at Georgetown and likes to come visit. He's also half American.
posted by orrnyereg at 11:33 AM on April 5, 2017
posted by orrnyereg at 11:33 AM on April 5, 2017
Trump is contextualizing Obama's failure as one of 'not crossing the line'
It's all about the intellectual penetration of line metaphors and their crossings. And about adding "in the sand," apparently, because we all remember Yosemite Sam, don't we.
I knew there was something about the guy that reminded me of Yosemite Sam. "I dare you to step over this line!" "Okay, I'm a-steppin'!"
posted by Namlit at 11:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
It's all about the intellectual penetration of line metaphors and their crossings. And about adding "in the sand," apparently, because we all remember Yosemite Sam, don't we.
I knew there was something about the guy that reminded me of Yosemite Sam. "I dare you to step over this line!" "Okay, I'm a-steppin'!"
posted by Namlit at 11:34 AM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Go to war in Syria against... Assad? And therefore Russia?
Not likely.
posted by notyou at 11:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Not likely.
posted by notyou at 11:36 AM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
King Abdullah II is also a huge Star Trek fan and arranged to have a ST Con type thing in Jordan.
Some world leaders have interesting interior lives that don't involve yelling on Twitter and hating poor people.
posted by Tevin at 11:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [81 favorites]
Some world leaders have interesting interior lives that don't involve yelling on Twitter and hating poor people.
posted by Tevin at 11:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [81 favorites]
There's absolutely no line that Trump is going to cross here, for all his weird boasting, except maybe the line of joining Assad.
posted by Artw at 11:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:37 AM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trumpcare 2.0 is officially dead, per Buzzfeed's Paul McLeod (@pdmcleod; tweets condensed):
Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry basically conceding Republicans won't reach a health care deal this week. Seemed not in a good mood. If they can't pass a bill this week there's a two-week break then a fiscal cliff then people will want to get on with tax reform. Rep. Morgan Griffith says the vast majority of Republicans "want to get to yes so badly it hurts." But alas, they can't find a way. RIP Trumpcare 2.0. We hardly knew ye.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [33 favorites]
Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry basically conceding Republicans won't reach a health care deal this week. Seemed not in a good mood. If they can't pass a bill this week there's a two-week break then a fiscal cliff then people will want to get on with tax reform. Rep. Morgan Griffith says the vast majority of Republicans "want to get to yes so badly it hurts." But alas, they can't find a way. RIP Trumpcare 2.0. We hardly knew ye.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:42 AM on April 5, 2017 [33 favorites]
Unlike Trump, King Abdullah II has legitimate military experience.
While some of this is honorary and puffery (and the link is a little over the top) he does have serious training and field experience. So he at least understands what a military operation in Syria will entail. Moreso than the guy at the other podium.
posted by martin q blank at 11:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
While some of this is honorary and puffery (and the link is a little over the top) he does have serious training and field experience. So he at least understands what a military operation in Syria will entail. Moreso than the guy at the other podium.
posted by martin q blank at 11:43 AM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
I hope Democrats won't be running ads attacking Republicans for failing to repeal Obamacare.
One nice thing about the post-Citizens United world is that it's easy for Democrats to create a shadowy organization that hides its donors... let's call it Americans For A Conservative Future, or maybe Conservatives For America... and have that group run ads bitterly castigating GOPers for failing to repeal the ACA.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
One nice thing about the post-Citizens United world is that it's easy for Democrats to create a shadowy organization that hides its donors... let's call it Americans For A Conservative Future, or maybe Conservatives For America... and have that group run ads bitterly castigating GOPers for failing to repeal the ACA.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 11:45 AM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
"The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."
No, you inherited $100 million from your daddy. That world looks pretty sweet. Stop the whining.
posted by JackFlash at 11:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [53 favorites]
No, you inherited $100 million from your daddy. That world looks pretty sweet. Stop the whining.
posted by JackFlash at 11:46 AM on April 5, 2017 [53 favorites]
One nice thing about the post-Citizens United world is that it's easy for Democrats to create a shadowy organization that hides its donors... let's call it Americans For A Conservative Future, or maybe Conservatives For America... and have that group run ads bitterly castigating GOPers for failing to repeal the ACA.
I'm sure Democrats will also keep a close eye on the primaries, and take careful note of which internecine ads seem to damage their opponents most. They should also play well into an effective Democratic theme of pushing back against extremism, at home and abroad.
posted by Gelatin at 11:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm sure Democrats will also keep a close eye on the primaries, and take careful note of which internecine ads seem to damage their opponents most. They should also play well into an effective Democratic theme of pushing back against extremism, at home and abroad.
posted by Gelatin at 11:48 AM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
"The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."
So did Obama. The difference is, Obama generally didn't go around making things worse.
posted by Gelatin at 11:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
So did Obama. The difference is, Obama generally didn't go around making things worse.
posted by Gelatin at 11:50 AM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
Obama inherited a dumpster fire and did well to leave his successor a mere mess.
posted by notyou at 11:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by notyou at 11:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trump certainly inherited some bad situations. But he's completely unequipped to deal with them or recognize that he's supposed to.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:57 AM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
One nice thing about the post-Citizens United world is that it's easy for Democrats to create a shadowy organization that hides its donors... let's call it Americans For A Conservative Future, or maybe Conservatives For America... and have that group run ads bitterly castigating GOPers for failing to repeal the ACA.
I'm not sure creating a false expectation that the public wants Congress to try again later is the Democrats' best option here.
posted by zarq at 11:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
I'm not sure creating a false expectation that the public wants Congress to try again later is the Democrats' best option here.
posted by zarq at 11:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
I think the most effective ads would be about how Republicans voted to take away your healthcare. They want to take away your social security and Medicare too, all so that very wealthy people can take even more of your paycheck and put it in their pockets.
It would go on to say that Democrats will protect your healthcare and make it better. They'll protect Social Security and Medicare. They'll go after tax cheats and make them pay their fair share.
I think the wording around "making rich people pay their taxes" is tricky. Most people want to think they're rich or will be, and hate taxes. So I feel like a better tack is to characterize Republicans as like that guy who orders a steak but doesn't put money in when you're paying your bill at the restaurant.
posted by emjaybee at 11:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
It would go on to say that Democrats will protect your healthcare and make it better. They'll protect Social Security and Medicare. They'll go after tax cheats and make them pay their fair share.
I think the wording around "making rich people pay their taxes" is tricky. Most people want to think they're rich or will be, and hate taxes. So I feel like a better tack is to characterize Republicans as like that guy who orders a steak but doesn't put money in when you're paying your bill at the restaurant.
posted by emjaybee at 11:59 AM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Basically they want to incriminate Rice using documents they can never show because they incriminate Trump? i mean, they say it's a smoking gun, they're just unclear on which smoking gun... That's a unique approach, I guess.
posted by Artw at 12:00 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:00 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
"The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."
Yeah, look at those terrible numbers.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:02 PM on April 5, 2017
Yeah, look at those terrible numbers.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:02 PM on April 5, 2017
he misread his prepared remarks
What
I don't even
posted by Melismata at 12:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
What
I don't even
posted by Melismata at 12:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Most inheritances don't involve campaigning for a year to get the opportunity to get the inheritance.
posted by Green With You at 12:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Green With You at 12:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think the wording around "making rich people pay their taxes" is tricky
Making Wall Street Fat Cats pay their fair share of taxes, instead sticking honest, hardworking Americans like you with the bill!
CUT TO
Mitch McConnell in tuxedo grinning as presents bill to 'honest American'
Stop Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell from stealing your tax dollars and giving them to their hedge fund millionaire buddies. It's just UN-AMERICAN.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
Making Wall Street Fat Cats pay their fair share of taxes, instead sticking honest, hardworking Americans like you with the bill!
CUT TO
Mitch McConnell in tuxedo grinning as presents bill to 'honest American'
Stop Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell from stealing your tax dollars and giving them to their hedge fund millionaire buddies. It's just UN-AMERICAN.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
"The world is a mess. I inherited a mess."So did Obama. The difference is, Obama generally didn't go around making things worse.
Also, Obama did not go on a tour of the country making campaign speeches after winning the election, where he blamed his predecessor's fuckups for his inability to do the simplest goddamn thing without repeatedly lying about it and then pouring accelerant on the fire. He just, y'know, went out and fixed things.
posted by Mayor West at 12:08 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
leotrotsky for President!
(Man, I haven't said that since college.)
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:08 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
(Man, I haven't said that since college.)
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:08 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Making Wall Street Fat Cats pay their fair share of taxes, instead skipping out on the check and sticking honest, hardworking Americans like you with the bill!
Overlaid with mug-shot style photos of Trump's cabinet, with their former Wall Street and government titles and net worth.
And, hopefully, criminal convictions.
posted by Gelatin at 12:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Overlaid with mug-shot style photos of Trump's cabinet, with their former Wall Street and government titles and net worth.
And, hopefully, criminal convictions.
posted by Gelatin at 12:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
leotrotsky for President!
Please comrade, General Secretary of Central Committee will be more than sufficient.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
Please comrade, General Secretary of Central Committee will be more than sufficient.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
Can't Jared just fix this Syria thingy?
posted by valkane at 12:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by valkane at 12:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
I think the wording around "making rich people pay their taxes" is tricky
I really like leotrotsky's idea. I also think it would be interesting to recruit Warren Buffet to cut an ad. "Hi, I'm Warren Buffet. I'm a billionaire. I have a mansion and a yacht! And I pay less in taxes than my secretary. Sure, I take advantage of the tax laws and I can tell you they're not fair. They give people like me so many breaks, I could probably find a way to pay nothing at all! Send a message to Washington that you want people like me to pay our fair share."
posted by honestcoyote at 12:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
I really like leotrotsky's idea. I also think it would be interesting to recruit Warren Buffet to cut an ad. "Hi, I'm Warren Buffet. I'm a billionaire. I have a mansion and a yacht! And I pay less in taxes than my secretary. Sure, I take advantage of the tax laws and I can tell you they're not fair. They give people like me so many breaks, I could probably find a way to pay nothing at all! Send a message to Washington that you want people like me to pay our fair share."
posted by honestcoyote at 12:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
An effective defense against having to deal with multiple, interlocking, difficult national problems is to not run for President.
posted by thelonius at 12:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 12:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
An effective defense against having to deal with multiple, interlocking, difficult national problems is to not run for President.
He was running for ratings. The President thing pretty much just happened to him.
posted by Etrigan at 12:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
He was running for ratings. The President thing pretty much just happened to him.
posted by Etrigan at 12:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [29 favorites]
He was running for ratings. The President thing pretty much just happened to him.
He ran for "President" maybe
posted by thelonius at 12:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
He ran for "President" maybe
posted by thelonius at 12:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
They give people like me so many breaks, I could probably find a way to pay nothing at all!
I'd be so tempted here to get in a dig at Trump, only there's the one partial return Trump released showing he paid taxes, if surprisingly little. So how about "...find a way to game the system to pay practically nothing"?
Mind-bogglingly, Trump used almost this same rhetoric during the debates. He was right to point out that the system was rigged; his dishonesty was in pretending he wasn't out to exploit said rigging, not fix it.
posted by Gelatin at 12:23 PM on April 5, 2017
I'd be so tempted here to get in a dig at Trump, only there's the one partial return Trump released showing he paid taxes, if surprisingly little. So how about "...find a way to game the system to pay practically nothing"?
Mind-bogglingly, Trump used almost this same rhetoric during the debates. He was right to point out that the system was rigged; his dishonesty was in pretending he wasn't out to exploit said rigging, not fix it.
posted by Gelatin at 12:23 PM on April 5, 2017
> Can't Jared just fix this Syria thingy?
Can we fix it? Yes, we can!
Now I have Bob the Builder stuck in my head, providing the soundtrack to Trump going Vroom Vroom in the big truck.
For fucks sake, 2017. Could you settle down for, like, two days?
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Can we fix it? Yes, we can!
Now I have Bob the Builder stuck in my head, providing the soundtrack to Trump going Vroom Vroom in the big truck.
For fucks sake, 2017. Could you settle down for, like, two days?
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Congressman Fuckstick said he'd go to Washington improve healthcare and reduce your taxes"
"but when he got there?"
"He tried to kick 26 million Americans off of their insurance and drive healthcare costs through the roof."
SAD PUPPY SHOTS OF OLD PEOPLE, CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS
"While raising millions of dollars from shady organizations and voting to keep it a secret"
NEFARIOUS FOLKS WITH BAGS OF MONEY DROPPED ON CONFERENCE TABLES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
"More Washington Dishonesty."
"He's not working for us; who is he working for?"
*SHOT OF KREMLIN, CONGRESSMAN FUCKSTICK WEARING USHANKA WITH RUSSIAN FLAG IN BACKGROUND AS THEME FROM HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER PLAYS*
"Vote for Congressman Goodguy, the only Patriotic Choice."
posted by leotrotsky at 12:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [69 favorites]
"but when he got there?"
"He tried to kick 26 million Americans off of their insurance and drive healthcare costs through the roof."
SAD PUPPY SHOTS OF OLD PEOPLE, CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS
"While raising millions of dollars from shady organizations and voting to keep it a secret"
NEFARIOUS FOLKS WITH BAGS OF MONEY DROPPED ON CONFERENCE TABLES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
"More Washington Dishonesty."
"He's not working for us; who is he working for?"
*SHOT OF KREMLIN, CONGRESSMAN FUCKSTICK WEARING USHANKA WITH RUSSIAN FLAG IN BACKGROUND AS THEME FROM HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER PLAYS*
"Vote for Congressman Goodguy, the only Patriotic Choice."
posted by leotrotsky at 12:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [69 favorites]
"This is the first time that a majority of Americans have approved of the health reform law since Gallup asked in November 2012."
I'm sure I'm not the first to point this out, but let's consider for a moment.
The GOP and Trump were elected on a platform of repealing legislation that was generally unpopular because it was big and complicated and many people who didn't have the time and opportunity to learn about it didn't understand what it really set out to do.
In their attempt to repeal this legislation, the GOP and Trump educated the general public about what was in the bill by talking about the things that they would take away. And so, after learning about all of the good things that are in the ACA (caveat, that it is still broken and needs fixing), it is more popular than it has been in nearly five years.
But because the leadership is so incompetent and narrow minded, they were unable to do the thing which got them elected, and now probably cannot do it because the conditions that would have allowed them to repeal it in the first place (mostly unpopular) have changed against the favor of repeal.
If people's lives weren't on the line and this wasn't real life, this would be one of the funniest things I've ever written.
posted by Tevin at 12:37 PM on April 5, 2017 [96 favorites]
I'm sure I'm not the first to point this out, but let's consider for a moment.
The GOP and Trump were elected on a platform of repealing legislation that was generally unpopular because it was big and complicated and many people who didn't have the time and opportunity to learn about it didn't understand what it really set out to do.
In their attempt to repeal this legislation, the GOP and Trump educated the general public about what was in the bill by talking about the things that they would take away. And so, after learning about all of the good things that are in the ACA (caveat, that it is still broken and needs fixing), it is more popular than it has been in nearly five years.
But because the leadership is so incompetent and narrow minded, they were unable to do the thing which got them elected, and now probably cannot do it because the conditions that would have allowed them to repeal it in the first place (mostly unpopular) have changed against the favor of repeal.
If people's lives weren't on the line and this wasn't real life, this would be one of the funniest things I've ever written.
posted by Tevin at 12:37 PM on April 5, 2017 [96 favorites]
MN lawmaker: "I hate to break up the 100% white male card game."
Top Minnesota House Democrat Melissa Hortman has had enough disrespect from her white male colleagues who continually leave the House floor and head to the break room (called the “retiring room) whenever Democratic colleagues have the floor.
..."This is a new thing, members sitting in the back playing cards for extended periods of time. There is a whole new level of disrespect and disregard for debate and discussion," she said, adding, "I don't know a lot of people who get to sit for two hours and play cards and ignore what everyone else at their workplace is doing."
posted by emjaybee at 12:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [96 favorites]
Top Minnesota House Democrat Melissa Hortman has had enough disrespect from her white male colleagues who continually leave the House floor and head to the break room (called the “retiring room) whenever Democratic colleagues have the floor.
..."This is a new thing, members sitting in the back playing cards for extended periods of time. There is a whole new level of disrespect and disregard for debate and discussion," she said, adding, "I don't know a lot of people who get to sit for two hours and play cards and ignore what everyone else at their workplace is doing."
posted by emjaybee at 12:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [96 favorites]
New anti-trans bill in North Carolina HB 562: Short Title: Enhanced Penalty for Second Degree Trespass: A violation of subsection (a) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the offense occurs in a multi occupancy bathroom, shower, or changing facility.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 12:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
New anti-trans bill in North Carolina HB 562
And it's so important to them that they take it up immediately after the other bathroom bill isrepealed watered down a bit, as if the eyes of the nation weren't still on them.
Your move, NCAA.
posted by Gelatin at 12:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [39 favorites]
And it's so important to them that they take it up immediately after the other bathroom bill is
Your move, NCAA.
posted by Gelatin at 12:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [39 favorites]
Is anybody else getting the apprehensive feeling that the dumbass fire-the-whole-State-Department administration trying to execute a force-China-to-deal-with-North-Korea strategy may result in a "be careful what you wish for" outcome?
I mean, if the utility of North Korea to China is as a buffer with South Korea and its attendant U.S. military bases, and they want to avoid the construction of a U.S.-controlled East Asian missile shield, could we inadvertently end up pushing China into nuking North Korea and thereby both getting their buffer and taking care of any North Korean refugee problems? Or otherwise, whatever the stupidest of all possible outcomes is, if that's not it, may end up happening?
posted by XMLicious at 12:46 PM on April 5, 2017
I mean, if the utility of North Korea to China is as a buffer with South Korea and its attendant U.S. military bases, and they want to avoid the construction of a U.S.-controlled East Asian missile shield, could we inadvertently end up pushing China into nuking North Korea and thereby both getting their buffer and taking care of any North Korean refugee problems? Or otherwise, whatever the stupidest of all possible outcomes is, if that's not it, may end up happening?
posted by XMLicious at 12:46 PM on April 5, 2017
Increasingly, my "World-Wide Win Condition for 2017" is "nobody drops a nuke."
My head says that's an awfully low bar, my gut says we'll be very lucky to clear it.
posted by Tevin at 12:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
My head says that's an awfully low bar, my gut says we'll be very lucky to clear it.
posted by Tevin at 12:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
"I don't know a lot of people who get to sit for two hours and play cards and ignore what everyone else at their workplace is doing."
You tell 'em, sis. Melissa Hortmann for General Secretary of Central Committee!
*hums Internationale*
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
You tell 'em, sis. Melissa Hortmann for General Secretary of Central Committee!
*hums Internationale*
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Photo of the day: First Lady and Jordan's Queen Rania look as 8th graders at @ExcelAcademyPCS dissect owl pellets. They ask for an explanation.
posted by zachlipton at 12:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Melissa Hortman's comments were just about perfect . . . I personally wouldn't have been able to resist making a bad pun about how the "gentlemen" playing cards should be putting the retiring in the retiring room.
Why i love minnesota: A friend from college reported that at their caucus last night a motion to talk about racial equity within the delegates was passed, that the cis men amongst the city caucus delegation were asked to, and without issue did, yield their spots.
at the same time this friend complained (rightfully) that caucus procedures are really exclusionary for folks who cant get off work, get childcare, or have social interaction issues that would not make more standard voting problematic. I'm not sure I am unwilling to trade these downsides for the transparency and relative inclusion of the caucus system. Caucusing isn't a perfect process, to be sure, but "put a bunch of citizens in a room" is a seemingly much better starting point than however the hell primary ballot spots get doled out here in NYC (pardon my feigned ignorance- they are the spoils of county-level political parties which are essentially unaccountable to anyone and anything).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Why i love minnesota: A friend from college reported that at their caucus last night a motion to talk about racial equity within the delegates was passed, that the cis men amongst the city caucus delegation were asked to, and without issue did, yield their spots.
at the same time this friend complained (rightfully) that caucus procedures are really exclusionary for folks who cant get off work, get childcare, or have social interaction issues that would not make more standard voting problematic. I'm not sure I am unwilling to trade these downsides for the transparency and relative inclusion of the caucus system. Caucusing isn't a perfect process, to be sure, but "put a bunch of citizens in a room" is a seemingly much better starting point than however the hell primary ballot spots get doled out here in NYC (pardon my feigned ignorance- they are the spoils of county-level political parties which are essentially unaccountable to anyone and anything).
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
First Lady and Jordan's Queen Rania look as 8th graders at @ExcelAcademyPCS dissect owl pellets. They ask for an explanation.
"It's like everything that emerges from President Trump's mouth, ma'am. Only smaller and better smelling."
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
"It's like everything that emerges from President Trump's mouth, ma'am. Only smaller and better smelling."
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
And so, after learning about all of the good things that are in the ACA...it is more popular than it has been in nearly five years.
Most Americans have always liked almost everything in Obamacare as long as you don't refer to it as Obamacare. And don't have to pay for it.
We all want an Oompa-Loompa now!
posted by kirkaracha at 12:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
we inadvertently end up pushing China into nuking North Korea and thereby both getting their buffer and taking care of any North Korean refugee problems?
Uh, a nuclear strike that kills every North Korean would have to be one hell of a carpet bombing effort, and also why would China nuke DPRK? Kim Jong-Un is still a useful proxy for China to prop up, and North Korea having nukes isn't necessarily a major problem for China, especially if it keeps everyone else on edge.
Rex tillerson's foreign policy seems to be "the absolute minimum I have to do, up to and including issuing statements of 'I have nothing to say,' so I can get to the early-bird special at the buffet." Trump's Syria policy is complete gibberish. There is a major power vacuum in international relations now, and we can expect China and Russia to take advantage.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:00 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Uh, a nuclear strike that kills every North Korean would have to be one hell of a carpet bombing effort, and also why would China nuke DPRK? Kim Jong-Un is still a useful proxy for China to prop up, and North Korea having nukes isn't necessarily a major problem for China, especially if it keeps everyone else on edge.
Rex tillerson's foreign policy seems to be "the absolute minimum I have to do, up to and including issuing statements of 'I have nothing to say,' so I can get to the early-bird special at the buffet." Trump's Syria policy is complete gibberish. There is a major power vacuum in international relations now, and we can expect China and Russia to take advantage.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:00 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yeah, I realize it would be stupid for it to happen, I'm just trying to anticipate what Trump's capacity for enacting stupidity may result in.
posted by XMLicious at 1:06 PM on April 5, 2017
posted by XMLicious at 1:06 PM on April 5, 2017
roomthreeseventeen: New anti-trans bill in North Carolina HB 562: Short Title: Enhanced Penalty for Second Degree Trespass
It looks like someone decided to hide the intent behind semi-technical terminology. I look forward to something of the following exchange:
"It's not a bathroom ban, it's about trespassing."
"Trespassing where, exactly?"
"Uh, bathrooms."
posted by filthy light thief at 1:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
It looks like someone decided to hide the intent behind semi-technical terminology. I look forward to something of the following exchange:
"It's not a bathroom ban, it's about trespassing."
"Trespassing where, exactly?"
"Uh, bathrooms."
posted by filthy light thief at 1:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
Why does North Carolina have such a massive hard-on for this issue? I mean, I know other states also are super into awful anti-trans legislation but NC in particular seems to be perpetually incredibly worked up about this.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
Why does North Carolina have such a massive hard-on for this issue?
They don't want to take the loss. The NC GOP is that guy who only got five McNuggets and eventually starts yelling how it's not about the money, it's about the principle, but you can tell that really he just wants to yell at someone who can't yell back.
posted by Etrigan at 1:16 PM on April 5, 2017 [52 favorites]
They don't want to take the loss. The NC GOP is that guy who only got five McNuggets and eventually starts yelling how it's not about the money, it's about the principle, but you can tell that really he just wants to yell at someone who can't yell back.
posted by Etrigan at 1:16 PM on April 5, 2017 [52 favorites]
Every now and then I think of that uptight English dude in Parade's End who has a stroke because he knows somehow that Britain's position after WWI would mean the end of the UK as a world boss.
It's hard for me, as a creature of my age, to imagine a world where the U.S. is not pretty much Mr. Bossman, for good and for ill.
But given the current clown show, how could not the rest of the world rush in to take control, given the absolute idiocy in charge?
posted by angrycat at 1:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's hard for me, as a creature of my age, to imagine a world where the U.S. is not pretty much Mr. Bossman, for good and for ill.
But given the current clown show, how could not the rest of the world rush in to take control, given the absolute idiocy in charge?
posted by angrycat at 1:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
at the same time this friend complained (rightfully) that caucus procedures are really exclusionary for folks who cant get off work, get childcare, or have social interaction issues that would not make more standard voting problematic. I'm not sure I am unwilling to trade these downsides for the transparency and relative inclusion of the caucus system.
Except that the caucus system is inherently exclusionary because of its very nature - if you can't attend, for whatever reason, you don't get a voice. Furthermore, there's a reason we hold the secret ballot as an important ideal, which caucuses also do away with - they allow people to vote the way they wish without having their vote held publicly against them.
Caucuses are inherently anti-democratic, but have the trappings of democracy, which makes them feel like they aren't.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
Except that the caucus system is inherently exclusionary because of its very nature - if you can't attend, for whatever reason, you don't get a voice. Furthermore, there's a reason we hold the secret ballot as an important ideal, which caucuses also do away with - they allow people to vote the way they wish without having their vote held publicly against them.
Caucuses are inherently anti-democratic, but have the trappings of democracy, which makes them feel like they aren't.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [22 favorites]
Another
A Russian lawmaker was found dead after allegedly slipping and hitting his head
Tyulpanov died on April 4 in St. Petersburg. According to preliminary results, he slipped and fell at a fitness center, striking his head. He was already dead when help arrived.
- Based on reporting by TASS, Regnum, and RBK
posted by futz at 1:20 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
A Russian lawmaker was found dead after allegedly slipping and hitting his head
Tyulpanov died on April 4 in St. Petersburg. According to preliminary results, he slipped and fell at a fitness center, striking his head. He was already dead when help arrived.
- Based on reporting by TASS, Regnum, and RBK
posted by futz at 1:20 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
Judge Denies Justice Department Request to Delay Baltimore Police Oversight Hearing: A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the Justice Department’s request to delay a court hearing on a proposed agreement with Baltimore aimed at eliminating racially biased police practices, ruling the session will take place Thursday as scheduled.
“To postpone the public hearing at the eleventh hour would be to unduly burden and inconvenience the Court, the other parties, and, most importantly, the public,” U.S. District Judge James Bredar wrote in an order.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [40 favorites]
“To postpone the public hearing at the eleventh hour would be to unduly burden and inconvenience the Court, the other parties, and, most importantly, the public,” U.S. District Judge James Bredar wrote in an order.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [40 favorites]
Russian lawmakers sure are unlucky.
posted by Talez at 1:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by Talez at 1:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
I'm not sure I am unwilling to trade these downsides for the transparency and relative inclusion of the caucus system. Caucusing isn't a perfect process, to be sure, but "put a bunch of citizens in a room" is a seemingly much better starting point than however the hell primary ballot spots get doled out here in NYC (pardon my feigned ignorance- they are the spoils of county-level political parties which are essentially unaccountable to anyone and anything).
I think you're mistaking where they are in the process - the caucus is how we decide who is on the ballot instead of doing a primary vote. At a municipal caucus, you designate a certain number of people to be delegates, a certain number of people to be alternates, and decide how those delegates will be pledged at the DFL convention. Then, those delegates spend the day at the convention, hopefully pledge the way that the caucuses want them to pledge, and go forward.
You have to be in the room where it happens to count. You can sort of absentee vote, but not really - the people in the room decide whether or not to count absentee votes. You don't get to decide who is on the ballot for the primaries because there are no primary ballots. There are no election judges making sure that people have translators, there may or may not be childcare. There is active campaigning in the rooms where people are trying to vote. There are no real attempts to make sure that elections are fair, and everyone knows how you're voting.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think you're mistaking where they are in the process - the caucus is how we decide who is on the ballot instead of doing a primary vote. At a municipal caucus, you designate a certain number of people to be delegates, a certain number of people to be alternates, and decide how those delegates will be pledged at the DFL convention. Then, those delegates spend the day at the convention, hopefully pledge the way that the caucuses want them to pledge, and go forward.
You have to be in the room where it happens to count. You can sort of absentee vote, but not really - the people in the room decide whether or not to count absentee votes. You don't get to decide who is on the ballot for the primaries because there are no primary ballots. There are no election judges making sure that people have translators, there may or may not be childcare. There is active campaigning in the rooms where people are trying to vote. There are no real attempts to make sure that elections are fair, and everyone knows how you're voting.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
So, this new NC bill. One of the supposed benefits of Cooper's "compromise" on the HB2 "repeal" was that it was supposed to revert back to the pre-HB2 status quo and lock it in so that nobody could pass any new legislation regarding transgender rights. Correct? I didn't imagine that?
And so like the day after Cooper signs off on the deal, the NC GOP puts up new legislation further restricting transgender rights. Because even the shitty compromise deal that protected nobody wasn't enough for them, and because they know the NC Dems are weak and stupid enough to fall for any obvious trick they want to try. Awesome.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
And so like the day after Cooper signs off on the deal, the NC GOP puts up new legislation further restricting transgender rights. Because even the shitty compromise deal that protected nobody wasn't enough for them, and because they know the NC Dems are weak and stupid enough to fall for any obvious trick they want to try. Awesome.
posted by tobascodagama at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Gym is very slippery when we clean floor. We put up sign, but does anybody pay attention? No! So senator comes and ignores sign and you see what happens.
posted by theodolite at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 1:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Latest Salon headline: "Boss up, Donald Trump!" (article about his inadequate response to the Syrian attack)
YO, MEDIA, MELISMATA HERE. PLEASE, PLEASE STOP ACTING SURPRISED THAT TRUMP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING, AND STOP HOPING THAT HE WILL CHANGE. PLEASE. YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY. KTHXBI
posted by Melismata at 1:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
YO, MEDIA, MELISMATA HERE. PLEASE, PLEASE STOP ACTING SURPRISED THAT TRUMP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING, AND STOP HOPING THAT HE WILL CHANGE. PLEASE. YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY. KTHXBI
posted by Melismata at 1:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
New anti-trans bill in North Carolina HB 562: Short Title: Enhanced Penalty for Second Degree Trespass: A violation of subsection (a) of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor if the offense occurs in a multi occupancy bathroom, shower, or changing facility.
*remembers wistfully that time the Democratic Party raised $10,000 to help rebuild NC Republican headquarters*
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [37 favorites]
*remembers wistfully that time the Democratic Party raised $10,000 to help rebuild NC Republican headquarters*
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [37 favorites]
Judge Orders Kobach To Hand Over Doc Caught In Photo-Op With Trump
-- Kobach was holding printed pages with the title “Department of Homeland Security: Kobach Strategic Plan for First 365 Days.”
The document also outlined proposals like “extreme vetting” and a halt on accepting Syrian refugees that later appeared in Trump’s presidency.
-- Part of Kobach’s document, though it was cut off in the AP photograph, read: “Draft Amendments to National Voter…” perhaps reading in full “National Voter Registration Act” (NVRA), the federal law that courts have found Kobach to have likely violated several times over the past year.
Thank god these people so fucking dumb.
posted by futz at 1:36 PM on April 5, 2017 [84 favorites]
-- Kobach was holding printed pages with the title “Department of Homeland Security: Kobach Strategic Plan for First 365 Days.”
The document also outlined proposals like “extreme vetting” and a halt on accepting Syrian refugees that later appeared in Trump’s presidency.
-- Part of Kobach’s document, though it was cut off in the AP photograph, read: “Draft Amendments to National Voter…” perhaps reading in full “National Voter Registration Act” (NVRA), the federal law that courts have found Kobach to have likely violated several times over the past year.
Thank god these people so fucking dumb.
posted by futz at 1:36 PM on April 5, 2017 [84 favorites]
Gym is very slippery when we clean floor. We put up sign, but does anybody pay attention? No! So senator comes and ignores sign and you see what happens.
I'm trying and failing to find a clip of that scene in The Hunt for the Red October where Ramius kills the political officer and says he slipped on spilled tea.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm trying and failing to find a clip of that scene in The Hunt for the Red October where Ramius kills the political officer and says he slipped on spilled tea.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
dinty_moore - I will admit to not being fully versed (I only lived in minn as a college student, I voted but did not caucus) but I was, in fact, referring to the process by which names end up on ballots.
Here in NYC we have primaries to determine the options for general elections, however almost every non-staten island municipal office is a sure-thing for a democrat so the winner of the primary is almost ensured victory. The process for determining who ends up on the primary ballot is controlled by county parties and accountable to no one (this is how we ended up with a group of state assembly members who are nominally democrats but vote with the republican block - they are long timers with connections and have thus far successfully resisted all efforts at reform).
The downsides of caucusing that you outline (no guaranteed absentee voting and the non binding nature of caucuses positions with regard to delegates) are worth working on, but I guess my point was that my second hand anecdotal story suggests that a single individual calling out gender and race privilege resulted in an immediate change in the delegates. Comparatively, a multi-year concerted effort to change the county-level party apparatus towards transparency and accountability in NY has gotten essentially nowhere.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Here in NYC we have primaries to determine the options for general elections, however almost every non-staten island municipal office is a sure-thing for a democrat so the winner of the primary is almost ensured victory. The process for determining who ends up on the primary ballot is controlled by county parties and accountable to no one (this is how we ended up with a group of state assembly members who are nominally democrats but vote with the republican block - they are long timers with connections and have thus far successfully resisted all efforts at reform).
The downsides of caucusing that you outline (no guaranteed absentee voting and the non binding nature of caucuses positions with regard to delegates) are worth working on, but I guess my point was that my second hand anecdotal story suggests that a single individual calling out gender and race privilege resulted in an immediate change in the delegates. Comparatively, a multi-year concerted effort to change the county-level party apparatus towards transparency and accountability in NY has gotten essentially nowhere.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Erik Wemple: O’Reilly-Ailes-Trump: The dirty-old-man triumvirate. In short: "These dirty old men stick together."
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
Atom Eyes: "*remembers wistfully that time the Democratic Party raised $10,000 to help rebuild NC Republican headquarters*"
You know, people love to bring this up, but I was fine with it then, and I'm fine with it now. It wasn't done to get votes, it wasn't done to make the NC GOP stop being assholes - it was done because WE'RE not assholes. We saw somebody getting hurt and stepped in to help, without looking for a quid pro quo.
If you ask me, THAT'S what the left is about.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [41 favorites]
You know, people love to bring this up, but I was fine with it then, and I'm fine with it now. It wasn't done to get votes, it wasn't done to make the NC GOP stop being assholes - it was done because WE'RE not assholes. We saw somebody getting hurt and stepped in to help, without looking for a quid pro quo.
If you ask me, THAT'S what the left is about.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [41 favorites]
GOP Points Fingers at Each Other as Health Deal Prospects Fade
Please also enjoy, or not, Megan McArdle describe Democrats refusing to repeal the ACA, provider of health insurance to tens of millions and the signature achievement of the party, as part of "increasingly counterproductive obstructionism." Dave Weigel describes this as "A take so hot, your insurer won’t cover your burns after reading it."
posted by zachlipton at 1:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
"I’m surprised we’ve been this incompetent," said Chabot, of the House Republicans’ continued inability to reach a deal.Again, with the saying the quiet part loud.
Please also enjoy, or not, Megan McArdle describe Democrats refusing to repeal the ACA, provider of health insurance to tens of millions and the signature achievement of the party, as part of "increasingly counterproductive obstructionism." Dave Weigel describes this as "A take so hot, your insurer won’t cover your burns after reading it."
posted by zachlipton at 1:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
Here in NYC we have primaries to determine the options for general elections, however almost every non-staten island municipal office is a sure-thing for a democrat so the winner of the primary is almost ensured victory. The process for determining who ends up on the primary ballot is controlled by county parties and accountable to no one (this is how we ended up with a group of state assembly members who are nominally democrats but vote with the republican block - they are long timers with connections and have thus far successfully resisted all efforts at reform).
The downsides of caucusing that you outline (no guaranteed absentee voting and the non binding nature of caucuses positions with regard to delegates) are worth working on, but I guess my point was that my second hand anecdotal story suggests that a single individual calling out gender and race privilege resulted in an immediate change in the delegates. Comparatively, a multi-year concerted effort to change the county-level party apparatus towards transparency and accountability in NY has gotten essentially nowhere.
But only those delegates actually get to vote. Everybody else is just giving an opinion that they hope the delegates listen to - the delegates can actually vote how they want. It's less 'who gets to decide who shows up on the primary ballots' and more 'who gets to decide who actually votes in the primaries'. If you can show up for three hours on a random Tuesday and potentially go across town to stand in a classroom, you can ask someone to vote for you. If you can take off a random Saturday, you can vote. If not, your voice isn't heard at all until the general.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
The downsides of caucusing that you outline (no guaranteed absentee voting and the non binding nature of caucuses positions with regard to delegates) are worth working on, but I guess my point was that my second hand anecdotal story suggests that a single individual calling out gender and race privilege resulted in an immediate change in the delegates. Comparatively, a multi-year concerted effort to change the county-level party apparatus towards transparency and accountability in NY has gotten essentially nowhere.
But only those delegates actually get to vote. Everybody else is just giving an opinion that they hope the delegates listen to - the delegates can actually vote how they want. It's less 'who gets to decide who shows up on the primary ballots' and more 'who gets to decide who actually votes in the primaries'. If you can show up for three hours on a random Tuesday and potentially go across town to stand in a classroom, you can ask someone to vote for you. If you can take off a random Saturday, you can vote. If not, your voice isn't heard at all until the general.
posted by dinty_moore at 1:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Existential Dread: "
I'm trying and failing to find a clip of that scene in The Hunt for the Red October where Ramius kills the political officer and says he slipped on spilled tea."
If you are okay with copyright violations, it's here. Go to about 18:15.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:00 PM on April 5, 2017
I'm trying and failing to find a clip of that scene in The Hunt for the Red October where Ramius kills the political officer and says he slipped on spilled tea."
If you are okay with copyright violations, it's here. Go to about 18:15.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:00 PM on April 5, 2017
> "A take so hot, your insurer won’t cover your burns after reading it."
DO NOT STARE DIRECTLY INTO THE TAKE
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:02 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
DO NOT STARE DIRECTLY INTO THE TAKE
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:02 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
If you are okay with copyright violations, it's here. Go to about 18:15.
Hey, Existential Dread, ignore the memail...
posted by mikelieman at 2:04 PM on April 5, 2017
Hey, Existential Dread, ignore the memail...
posted by mikelieman at 2:04 PM on April 5, 2017
I'm trying and failing to find a clip of that scene in The Hunt for the Red October where Ramius kills the political officer and says he slipped on spilled tea.
Disappointingly it's not in this video that claims to feature "every scene where tea is present" in the movie.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
NYT Correction: April 5, 2017 (scroll all the way down)
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misidentified Ivanka Trump as President Trump’s wife. His wife is Melania. Ivanka is one of his daughters.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misidentified Ivanka Trump as President Trump’s wife. His wife is Melania. Ivanka is one of his daughters.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
NYT Correction: April 5, 2017 (scroll all the way down)
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misidentified Ivanka Trump as President Trump’s wife. His wife is Melania. Ivanka is one of his daughters.
ewww.
posted by teleri025 at 2:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misidentified Ivanka Trump as President Trump’s wife. His wife is Melania. Ivanka is one of his daughters.
ewww.
posted by teleri025 at 2:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
They get confused a lot.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 2:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'll drop it after this, I swear, but after reports yesterday from friends across the city that they had to call ambulances because people were fainting on the spot - and because they were carried out on a stretcher, lost their chance to vote, it's really, really hard for me to look at caucuses and think that they're actually democratic. The effort to be involved in a caucus is byzantine enough that it should rightfully be considered a form of voter suppression, and today left feedback with the DFL that if they ever wanted to switch to a primary voting system, I would the the first in line on the phone to raise money to make that happen.
posted by dinty_moore at 2:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 2:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
We got rid of caucusing in Texas and haven't missed them, honest.
posted by emjaybee at 2:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 2:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
It wasn't done to get votes, it wasn't done to make the NC GOP stop being assholes - it was done because WE'RE not assholes. We saw somebody getting hurt and stepped in to help, without looking for a quid pro quo.
I'm pretty sure the Republican Party would have been able to scrape together enough nickels on their own to rebuild without the help of a $10K donation from the party representing the people they're actively trying to destroy.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
I'm pretty sure the Republican Party would have been able to scrape together enough nickels on their own to rebuild without the help of a $10K donation from the party representing the people they're actively trying to destroy.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Top Minnesota House Democrat Melissa Hortman has had enough disrespect from her white male colleagues who continually leave the House floor and head to the break room (called the “retiring room) whenever Democratic colleagues have the floor.
I don't know Melissa Hortman well enough to call her a personal friend, but we're on friendly terms professionally; I've had dinner with her once or twice and have testified a few times before her committee. I've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for her (in addition to just liking her), but when I heard this story on the radio this morning it went to a whole new level and I was just grinning all the way to work. Even better:
“I have no intention of apologizing,” said Rep. Hortman. She said she was “really tired of watching women of color in particular being ignored. So I’m not sorry.”
I think it's also really important to know that the folks playing cards were of both parties.
posted by nickmark at 2:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [61 favorites]
I don't know Melissa Hortman well enough to call her a personal friend, but we're on friendly terms professionally; I've had dinner with her once or twice and have testified a few times before her committee. I've always had a great deal of respect and admiration for her (in addition to just liking her), but when I heard this story on the radio this morning it went to a whole new level and I was just grinning all the way to work. Even better:
“I have no intention of apologizing,” said Rep. Hortman. She said she was “really tired of watching women of color in particular being ignored. So I’m not sorry.”
I think it's also really important to know that the folks playing cards were of both parties.
posted by nickmark at 2:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [61 favorites]
> I'm pretty sure the Republican Party would have been able to scrape together enough nickels on their own to rebuild without the help of a $10K donation from the party representing the people they're actively trying to destroy.
Sure. But the view from the moral high ground is lovely!
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sure. But the view from the moral high ground is lovely!
posted by Too-Ticky at 2:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
HuffPost article on the MT-AL special election, where Quist might just have a chance.
Article is trying to frame it as "Dems are ignoring a potential pickup" but the actual facts seem to be a little more nuanced than that. For one thing they contrast Quist's $750k in donations versus Ossoff's $6M - I would imagine media buys in Montana are a tad cheaper than they are in Atlanta.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Article is trying to frame it as "Dems are ignoring a potential pickup" but the actual facts seem to be a little more nuanced than that. For one thing they contrast Quist's $750k in donations versus Ossoff's $6M - I would imagine media buys in Montana are a tad cheaper than they are in Atlanta.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
I'm pretty sure the Republican Party would have been able to scrape together enough nickels on their own to rebuild without the help of a $10K donation from the party representing the people they're actively trying to destroy.
Also, insurance is a thing.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Also, insurance is a thing.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
When they go low, we GoFundThem.
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [25 favorites]
it wasn't done to make the NC GOP stop being assholes - it was done because WE'RE not assholes.
There's better hills for which to claim the moral high ground.
posted by asteria at 2:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
There's better hills for which to claim the moral high ground.
posted by asteria at 2:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
There's better hills for which to claim the moral high ground.
Local maxima ( extrema ) count, too.
posted by mikelieman at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Local maxima ( extrema ) count, too.
posted by mikelieman at 2:29 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Article is trying to frame it as "Dems are ignoring a potential pickup" but the actual facts seem to be a little more nuanced than that. For one thing they contrast Quist's $750k in donations versus Ossoff's $6M - I would imagine media buys in Montana are a tad cheaper than they are in Atlanta.
To some degree, but at the same time, Gianforte can fund his own race, and will most likely get support from the national office (especially if Ossoff wins.) On the other hand, Gianforte is a cartoon character, of a certain type that the people up here detest - the wealthy outsider who buys up land to control field and stream access. Also, special elections are really driven by turnout and motivation, and that may not be on Gianforte's side.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:34 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
To some degree, but at the same time, Gianforte can fund his own race, and will most likely get support from the national office (especially if Ossoff wins.) On the other hand, Gianforte is a cartoon character, of a certain type that the people up here detest - the wealthy outsider who buys up land to control field and stream access. Also, special elections are really driven by turnout and motivation, and that may not be on Gianforte's side.
posted by NoxAeternum at 2:34 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
zachlipton: In short: "These dirty old men stick together."
Dirty old men gotta look out for each-other. In Georgia, recordings show (Disgraced former Ga. judge, now) lawmaker helped keep sex scandal secret
posted by filthy light thief at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
Dirty old men gotta look out for each-other. In Georgia, recordings show (Disgraced former Ga. judge, now) lawmaker helped keep sex scandal secret
Attorney Johnnie Caldwell used to be Judge Johnnie Caldwell. He resigned from the bench amid his own sex scandal. The allegations that took him down were contained in a transcript that mysteriously vanished inside his old courthouse – testimony that the judge asked a female attorney to show her genitals to get court orders signed.Thank the gods for local reporters who keep digging.
That missing document was suddenly rediscovered years later when the 11Alive Investigators repeatedly pressed court reporters and clerks about its disappearance.
11Alive was finally able to obtain the phone recordings, which show the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office didn’t just want to keep its internal investigation a secret – they wanted to keep the former judge’s involvement quiet too.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
On the other hand, Gianforte is a cartoon character, of a certain type that the people up here detest - the wealthy outsider
I could swear that describes the guy who carried MT in the presidential election last year.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
I could swear that describes the guy who carried MT in the presidential election last year.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
But not the governorship (Gianforte lost that).
I noticed that I can't find a link to donate to Quist. Every article I saw about Ossoff seemed to come attached with info about where and how to donate. Any idea why the difference?
posted by nat at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I noticed that I can't find a link to donate to Quist. Every article I saw about Ossoff seemed to come attached with info about where and how to donate. Any idea why the difference?
posted by nat at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
The MT article misstates a couple of things. For example:
So while it's certainly a positive sign, it shouldn't be read as 1/3 of the city was out marching, and towns like Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula are more liberal than the sparsely populated ranching counties to begin with.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yet there is an argument to be made that things are different. The population of Helena, Montana, is around 30,000 if everybody is home. On Jan. 21, some 10,000 people filled the streets for the town’s women’s march.Helena's population in the city limits is about 30K, but it's double that if you include the surrounding valley. Also, the women's march drew people from the entire state, I know many who came from hundreds of miles away.
So while it's certainly a positive sign, it shouldn't be read as 1/3 of the city was out marching, and towns like Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula are more liberal than the sparsely populated ranching counties to begin with.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 2:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
nat, here's a link to donate to Rob Quist.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 2:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 2:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
> Jeff Sessions to police: Just be you! Civil rights are overrated anyway
If You're a Rogue Cop, Jeff Sessions Has Your Back: What "law and order" looks like in 2017.
posted by homunculus at 2:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
If You're a Rogue Cop, Jeff Sessions Has Your Back: What "law and order" looks like in 2017.
posted by homunculus at 2:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
zachlipton: Please also enjoy, or not, Megan McArdle describe Democrats refusing to repeal the ACA, provider of health insurance to tens of millions and the signature achievement of the party, as part of "increasingly counterproductive obstructionism."
In fact, let's chant along! "No! No! NO! We will RESIST!"
Oh, but I stopped reading too soon.
So it wasn't the Democrats who said no, it was THE MUVVAFUNKIN' REPUBLICANS, YOU BUFFOON!
posted by filthy light thief at 2:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
Ah, the joys of doing nothing. Republicans must remember them fondly, as they struggle with the difficulties of actually designing real-world bills that have to get past the Senate, and y’know, not hideously offend large numbers of voters.The alternative was to say yes to what again? Oh right, increased insurance costs for decreased coverage by repealing ACA when it is at its most popular, and a judge who would be the right-most on the SCOTUS if appointed? Let me thank the "obstruction" Democrats for doing what the Republicans did under Obama, but you know, for good now.
Democrats, meanwhile, are discovering the sweet, toddler-like joys of just saying “no” to everything. Help Republicans repeal Obamacare? Heck no. Quietly stand by while Republicans approve an eminently qualified nominee to the Supreme Court? No, no, no!
In fact, let's chant along! "No! No! NO! We will RESIST!"
Oh, but I stopped reading too soon.
After years of failing at the grown-up business of passing legislation, small wonder the Democrats would like to let the Republicans have a try at being the adults in the room. In politics, saying "no" is a great deal of fun.So, what was it that the "adults in the room" were proposing for a vote for health care? NOTHING. NOTHING CAME UP FOR VOTE.
So it wasn't the Democrats who said no, it was THE MUVVAFUNKIN' REPUBLICANS, YOU BUFFOON!
posted by filthy light thief at 2:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
I think it's also really important to know that the folks playing cards were of both parties.
So it says. I call bullshit. Name names, MPR, or GTFO this isn't sensitive material. (Racism and sexism, sure, but partisanship?? Nnnnoooooooooooo!)
"To classify a race and to classify a sex is out of line and against House rules. She violated House rules," Davids said. "Now, what happens in the retiring room is nobody's business."
Davids, a 13-term Republican from Preston, said Hortman should apologize to the body for "making it a hostile workplace." . . .
REALLY.
*Crotch-kickers to the retiring room, please. Crotch-kickers to the retiring room.*
posted by petebest at 2:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
So it says. I call bullshit. Name names, MPR, or GTFO this isn't sensitive material. (Racism and sexism, sure, but partisanship?? Nnnnoooooooooooo!)
"To classify a race and to classify a sex is out of line and against House rules. She violated House rules," Davids said. "Now, what happens in the retiring room is nobody's business."
Davids, a 13-term Republican from Preston, said Hortman should apologize to the body for "making it a hostile workplace." . . .
REALLY.
*Crotch-kickers to the retiring room, please. Crotch-kickers to the retiring room.*
posted by petebest at 2:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Trump slump: Drop in American tourism is costing US billions
All this has resulted in an estimated loss of $185 million in business travel bookings from January 28 to February 4, as calculated by the Global Business Travel Association. The drop-off in tourism is predicted to result in 4.3 million fewer visitors this year, which adds up to a staggering loss of $7.4 billion in revenue for the US.
posted by futz at 2:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [45 favorites]
All this has resulted in an estimated loss of $185 million in business travel bookings from January 28 to February 4, as calculated by the Global Business Travel Association. The drop-off in tourism is predicted to result in 4.3 million fewer visitors this year, which adds up to a staggering loss of $7.4 billion in revenue for the US.
posted by futz at 2:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [45 favorites]
I don't think it was in that article, but I reading today that the GOP candidate for MT-AL underperformed the GOP presidential candidate in both '12 and '16, indicating some structural weakness. And of course, MT has a Dem Sen and governor.
posted by Chrysostom at 2:57 PM on April 5, 2017
posted by Chrysostom at 2:57 PM on April 5, 2017
I was pretty sure this New Yorker story had already been linked in the thread, but I can't find it. Anyway, it's worth a read if your yawning pit of despair hasn't been fed recently:
Trump’s Moment of Terrible Truth in Syria
It gave me a bleak sense of how bad our options would be, even if we had a thoughtful, reflective President and a seasoned team in place at the State Department. And now, kids are being nerve-gassed without compunction because Trump and Assad are both clients of Putin.
"What happens now? Trump’s comment put forward no clear policy or planned response. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, strongly suggested that the Administration is preparing a military response in order to punish the Syrian government and deter it from carrying out any more chemical-weapons attacks."
Trump tweet from August 2013: How bad has our "leader" made us look on Syria. Stay out of Syria, we don't have the leadership to win wars or even strategize.
(Link to further glorious examples.)
Pretty prophetic. 3.5 years early, but spot on otherwise.
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump’s Moment of Terrible Truth in Syria
It gave me a bleak sense of how bad our options would be, even if we had a thoughtful, reflective President and a seasoned team in place at the State Department. And now, kids are being nerve-gassed without compunction because Trump and Assad are both clients of Putin.
"What happens now? Trump’s comment put forward no clear policy or planned response. During a press briefing on Tuesday, Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, strongly suggested that the Administration is preparing a military response in order to punish the Syrian government and deter it from carrying out any more chemical-weapons attacks."
Trump tweet from August 2013: How bad has our "leader" made us look on Syria. Stay out of Syria, we don't have the leadership to win wars or even strategize.
(Link to further glorious examples.)
Pretty prophetic. 3.5 years early, but spot on otherwise.
posted by RedOrGreen at 2:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sleepy T heads to Putintown next week.
The State Department confirmed the visit and said that Tillerson will discuss "Ukraine, counterterrorism efforts, bilateral relations and other issues, including the DPRK (North Korea) and Syria."
20 rubles, SAIPT
posted by petebest at 3:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
The State Department confirmed the visit and said that Tillerson will discuss "Ukraine, counterterrorism efforts, bilateral relations and other issues, including the DPRK (North Korea) and Syria."
20 rubles, SAIPT
posted by petebest at 3:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sucking up to Putin is like the one thing Tillerson has demonstrated any interest in waking up for. Is it when the cheque gets handed over or something? Are the dudes pockets going over there loaded with USB sticks and coming back with rubles?
posted by Artw at 3:08 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 3:08 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I know I shouldn't like "when they go low, we make them taste the curb" as a slogan, but nevertheless...
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
@Max_Fisher:
US coal mining jobs: 77,000
US tourism jobs: 5,302,000
posted by futz at 3:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [91 favorites]
US coal mining jobs: 77,000
US tourism jobs: 5,302,000
posted by futz at 3:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [91 favorites]
On that subject, via The Washington Post:
posted by flatluigi at 3:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
[T]he coal industry employed 76,572 people in 2014, the latest year for which data is available.They've got it presented as a nice chart, too.
That number includes not just miners but also office workers, sales staff and all of the other individuals who work at coal-mining companies.
Although 76,000 might seem like a large number, consider that similar numbers of people are employed by, say, the bowling (69,088) and skiing (75,036) industries. Other dwindling industries, such as travel agencies (99,888 people), employ considerably more. Used-car dealerships provide 138,000 jobs. Theme parks provide nearly 144,000. Carwash employment tops 150,000.
Looking at the level of individual businesses, the coal industry in 2014 (76,572) employed about as many as Whole Foods (72,650), and fewer workers than Arby's (close to 80,000), Dollar General (105,000) or J.C. Penney (114,000). The country's largest private employer, Walmart (2.2 million employees) provides roughly 28 times as many jobs as coal.
If anything the numbers above over-estimate the jobs impact of coal relative to other industries. Since 2014 the coal industry has shrunk further according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to 50,300 employees as of February 2017.
posted by flatluigi at 3:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
That's essentially the same number of employees as Arby's (74,000). Why don't we pander to Big Arby's?
posted by Justinian at 3:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Not too many country songs about working all day at the roast beef factory. (Although there really should be.)
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
Why don't we pander to Big Arby's?
We don't negotiate with bio-terrorists.
posted by Candleman at 3:29 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
We don't negotiate with bio-terrorists.
posted by Candleman at 3:29 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Here's a video of a French guy playing harpsichord with more views than there are coal miners
posted by theodolite at 3:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 3:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
Not too many country songs about working all day in the roast beef factory. (Although there really should be.)
best I could find
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
best I could find
posted by prize bull octorok at 3:30 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I mean real talk one of the roadblocks to a just transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is that the fossil fuel jobs that are going away are much more lucrative — enough to support a family — and much more likely to be unionized than the low-paying and unrepresented clean energy jobs that are at least theoretically replacing them.
I think it's absolutely crucial for Democrats to strongly support efforts to unionize the clean energy industry, particularly solar. But that just isn't on the liberal radar right now.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
I think it's absolutely crucial for Democrats to strongly support efforts to unionize the clean energy industry, particularly solar. But that just isn't on the liberal radar right now.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
and comparing coal jobs to fast food jobs is just an insult, unless you're also prepared to come out strongly in favor of the 22 dollar an hour minimum wage.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:35 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 3:35 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
But as a more serious answer, an Arby's going under may cause a bump in unemployment in a town that will probably equalize out when a Subway opens up or a few people leave town. The local mine going under or ceasing operations is something that can destabilize an entire town, including the businesses like Arby's that depend on the local economy and the home values that many people have their savings tied up in, with further significant ripple effects that will cascade through the region.
posted by Candleman at 3:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Candleman at 3:39 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
There are a lot of regions in the US that rely heavily on tourism, too.
posted by dinty_moore at 3:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 3:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
If Trump follows through on his plans to demand information about every foreign visitor's online life, a lot more than 50K jobs are going to be lost due to nobody visiting this country again.
posted by zachlipton at 3:43 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:43 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
"King Abdullah II is also a huge Star Trek fan and arranged to have a ST Con type thing in Jordan. "
He even played a bit part on Voyager!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
He even played a bit part on Voyager!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
Top Minnesota House Democrat Melissa Hortman has had enough disrespect from her white male colleagues who continually leave the House floor and head to the break room (called the “retiring room) whenever Democratic colleagues have the floor.
Just dealt with a coworker being like 'but we don't know both sides of the story!' on this issue. : |
posted by dinty_moore at 3:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Just dealt with a coworker being like 'but we don't know both sides of the story!' on this issue. : |
posted by dinty_moore at 3:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
There are a lot of regions in the US that rely heavily on tourism, too.
With the exception of Alaska and parts of Florida, there's not a lot of overlap with Trump voters, though.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:45 PM on April 5, 2017
With the exception of Alaska and parts of Florida, there's not a lot of overlap with Trump voters, though.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:45 PM on April 5, 2017
Coal jobs (maybe?) pay well, until the part where you die in an unsafe mine. Or from black lung.
We can do without them, the renewable energy sector is growing, investing in infrastructure could absorb them too.
posted by emjaybee at 3:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
We can do without them, the renewable energy sector is growing, investing in infrastructure could absorb them too.
posted by emjaybee at 3:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Knowing nothing else of King Abdullah, anyone who's a Star Trek fan automatically falls into the "Good Egg" category. That slightly wonky and philosophical optimism is a really good sign.
posted by leotrotsky at 3:51 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 3:51 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry basically conceding Republicans won't reach a health care deal this week. Seemed not in a good mood.
He concluded, "When it comes to healthcare, I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me McLiberty or give me McDeath."
Speaker Paul Ryan responded, "Don't worry! With our healthcare plan, you'll get both!"
posted by leotrotsky at 3:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
He concluded, "When it comes to healthcare, I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me McLiberty or give me McDeath."
Speaker Paul Ryan responded, "Don't worry! With our healthcare plan, you'll get both!"
posted by leotrotsky at 3:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
The stupidest part is that passing a repeal bill in the House is the easiest part of the process. They're so incompetent they can't even do the simple bit.
posted by Justinian at 3:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 3:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
The process for determining who ends up on the primary ballot [in NY] is controlled by county parties and accountable to no one
Huh? State law says that anyone who gets enough signatures is on the primary ballot.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Huh? State law says that anyone who gets enough signatures is on the primary ballot.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
93,000 people work in the tourism industry just in Kentucky, a comically bright red state. It's not just beaches, nearly every state has a flagship research university and all the attendant hotels, international conferences, business expos and whatever else that come along with it. Plus every state has it's own thing that is a pretty big driver of the local economy. Kentucky for example has a 3 billion dollar horse industry that disproportionately relies on rich international Muslims from the Middle East (and immigrant labor to support it). Trump Country. Florida has beaches. Nevada has Vegas. There's pockets of international attractions all around the country, including in Trumpland.
If Trumpism kills off international travel, it's not just going to hurt Blue States.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [57 favorites]
If Trumpism kills off international travel, it's not just going to hurt Blue States.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [57 favorites]
California should start an advertising blitz encouraging tourists to come here and pointing out how overwhelmingly we voted against (and hate) Donald Trump. Support opposition!
Maybe we could slam Florida in the process which would be a bonus.
posted by Justinian at 4:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Maybe we could slam Florida in the process which would be a bonus.
posted by Justinian at 4:05 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Harvard Business Review: What If All U.S. Coal Workers Were Retrained to Work in Solar?
posted by Cookiebastard at 4:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by Cookiebastard at 4:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [25 favorites]
California should start an advertising blitz encouraging tourists to come here and pointing out how overwhelmingly we voted against (and hate) Donald Trump. Support opposition!
Yeah, but they still have to go throughHydra CBP Agents to get there. Fuck that Noise.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Yeah, but they still have to go through
posted by leotrotsky at 4:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Sell it as Adventure Tourism. "Visit America 2017: Gestapo Park"
posted by valkane at 4:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by valkane at 4:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
With the exception of Alaska and parts of Florida, there's not a lot of overlap with Trump voters, though.
Utah, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming all come to mind thanks to the national parks and other wild areas. Fly into LA or Denver, rent a car or RV, enjoy those six weeks of vacation just zooming around the wide open West.
I'd have to look up numbers, but, anecdotally, I've met and seen several Europeans in Moab and the parks in southern Utah. I remember getting drunk at a bar in Yellowstone where the Brits and Germans not only outnumbered us Americans, but also outdrank us. A sad day for US exceptionalism.
posted by honestcoyote at 4:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
Utah, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming all come to mind thanks to the national parks and other wild areas. Fly into LA or Denver, rent a car or RV, enjoy those six weeks of vacation just zooming around the wide open West.
I'd have to look up numbers, but, anecdotally, I've met and seen several Europeans in Moab and the parks in southern Utah. I remember getting drunk at a bar in Yellowstone where the Brits and Germans not only outnumbered us Americans, but also outdrank us. A sad day for US exceptionalism.
posted by honestcoyote at 4:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
Sell it as Adventure Tourism. "Visit America 2017: Gestapo Park"
CHOOSE YOUR OWN COMMENT:
"Your Trump voters were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
"Racism, uh, finds a way"
or universally applicable in our current situation:
"That is one big pile of shit."
posted by leotrotsky at 4:17 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
CHOOSE YOUR OWN COMMENT:
"Your Trump voters were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
"Racism, uh, finds a way"
or universally applicable in our current situation:
"That is one big pile of shit."
posted by leotrotsky at 4:17 PM on April 5, 2017 [23 favorites]
On that note, I'd pay good money to see Trump lawyer Michael "Sez Who?" Cohen getting eaten by a T-Rex.
posted by leotrotsky at 4:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 4:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
Are we not doing "bees" any more?
posted by Cookiebastard at 4:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Cookiebastard at 4:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
"Fascism finds a way."
posted by valkane at 4:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by valkane at 4:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I have been listening to some of the Senate floor proceedings today. Not all of them, because I can't afford to destroy my tv right now. Anyway, the more I watch, the more I am convinced that Republican senators are not living in the same reality I do, or even the same reality as their Democratic colleagues. And the language they use when talking about the impending filibuster of the cloture vote for the nomination vote for Gorsuch is truly the "look at what you're making me/us do, this is all your fault" language of abuse. I am shocked at the twisting of history, and false ingenuousness. Merrick Garland and the general refusal to do their jobs in the last couple of years do not exist for any Republican senator.
But what is fascinating is the individual senators of both sides using their time to talk about other issues. Senator Whitehouse is talking about climate change, the EPA and Pruitt, and just used the word Trumpshow. Senator Hatch groused about howObama the executive branch used executive powers to protect some places in Utah that they wanted to be protected but not that way, because that was overreach.
Senator Bennet of Colorado is now trying to walk a very peculiar tightrope concerning historical use of the filibuster and the role of the judiciary, and where this all might be heading. He's doing surprisingly well, but I don't know what he thinks is going to happen. Bringing up possiblity of Pruitt or Sessions being nominated for the Supreme Court, and kicking some ass about how scary that would be. "Sometimes a comma does really and up in the wrong place." And he's against the filibuster, because he seems to think that it won't work now, but somehow will work later and might prevent the US Senate ending up like the Roman Senate.
Ah, ok, I think that he believes that if the Dems filibuster now and the Repubs get rid of it, it will start the End ofAll Things the US republic. OK. Right. That's going to be the final straw that causes the masses to rise up and the collapse of civilization.
Out of evens. Not about the collapse, more about how Republicans see Gorsuch as a "good man" and "mainstream" (direct quotes from the Ohio senator who isn't Sherrod Brown), and Democrats look at the decisions Gorsuch has written and see a judge who considers it reasonable for people to be fired for not wanting to die. The cognitive dissonance of all of this... I just don't know how this is going to come out.
I am just glad for Metafilter, and the wonderful people here. Especially the moderators.
On preview: Maybe the bees will win. That would be nice.
posted by monopas at 4:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
But what is fascinating is the individual senators of both sides using their time to talk about other issues. Senator Whitehouse is talking about climate change, the EPA and Pruitt, and just used the word Trumpshow. Senator Hatch groused about how
Senator Bennet of Colorado is now trying to walk a very peculiar tightrope concerning historical use of the filibuster and the role of the judiciary, and where this all might be heading. He's doing surprisingly well, but I don't know what he thinks is going to happen. Bringing up possiblity of Pruitt or Sessions being nominated for the Supreme Court, and kicking some ass about how scary that would be. "Sometimes a comma does really and up in the wrong place." And he's against the filibuster, because he seems to think that it won't work now, but somehow will work later and might prevent the US Senate ending up like the Roman Senate.
Ah, ok, I think that he believes that if the Dems filibuster now and the Repubs get rid of it, it will start the End of
Out of evens. Not about the collapse, more about how Republicans see Gorsuch as a "good man" and "mainstream" (direct quotes from the Ohio senator who isn't Sherrod Brown), and Democrats look at the decisions Gorsuch has written and see a judge who considers it reasonable for people to be fired for not wanting to die. The cognitive dissonance of all of this... I just don't know how this is going to come out.
I am just glad for Metafilter, and the wonderful people here. Especially the moderators.
On preview: Maybe the bees will win. That would be nice.
posted by monopas at 4:24 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
Are we not doing "bees" any more?
I think the hive mind decided it's run its course.
posted by thelonius at 4:28 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
I think the hive mind decided it's run its course.
posted by thelonius at 4:28 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
Russia: Syria Gas Attack Victims Faked It
This is despicable and if trump parrots this I will go nuclear.
posted by futz at 4:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
This is despicable and if trump parrots this I will go nuclear.
posted by futz at 4:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
The article also alleges that “the rebels smuggled in chemical weapons from Libya through Turkey with the approval of Hillary Clinton,” citing a 2013 report from the journalist Seymour Hersh, whose name is spelled incorrectly.
Right there is the bait for trump. fuck everything and double fuck fake news.
posted by futz at 4:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Right there is the bait for trump. fuck everything and double fuck fake news.
posted by futz at 4:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Are we not doing "bees" any more?
MCD -- Meme Collapse Disorder
posted by notyou at 4:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
MCD -- Meme Collapse Disorder
posted by notyou at 4:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
On that note, I'd pay good money to see Trump lawyer Michael "Sez Who?" Cohen getting eaten by a T-Rex.
I would even accept this in animatronic form. But only if prefaced by animatronic Jefferson Beauregard Sessions in a hoop skirt being crushed by a walrus.
Because g-ddammit America can still do great things!
posted by petebest at 4:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I would even accept this in animatronic form. But only if prefaced by animatronic Jefferson Beauregard Sessions in a hoop skirt being crushed by a walrus.
Because g-ddammit America can still do great things!
posted by petebest at 4:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Are we not doing "bees" any more?
Bees are too good for these people. Hell, ticks are too good.
#notallticks
posted by petebest at 4:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Bees are too good for these people. Hell, ticks are too good.
#notallticks
posted by petebest at 4:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Matt Negrin's latest creation: Sean Spicer treats the WH press corps like a bunch of kindergarteners, complete with the John Gizzi eyeglass flip.
posted by zachlipton at 5:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:03 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
OMFG there's a story on PBS Newshour tonight about how a researcher in Massachusetts has determined that the most effective way to reduce infections of Lyme disease is to cull the deer population, deer being a major host for the ticks that bite and infect humans. But many communities oppose the deer being killed... so they're giving the deer birth control.
Scientists! In a blue state! Shooting deer full of birth control because of opposition to hunting! Undoubtedly resulting in a proliferation of deer sluts! Reported about—possibly supported by a penny of federal funding—on PBS!
I am laughing so hard because this seems like the perfect storm of details to make for a leering but nonsensical diatribe decrying libruls. All the more reason to send another big donation to my local PBS station.
posted by XMLicious at 5:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
Scientists! In a blue state! Shooting deer full of birth control because of opposition to hunting! Undoubtedly resulting in a proliferation of deer sluts! Reported about—possibly supported by a penny of federal funding—on PBS!
I am laughing so hard because this seems like the perfect storm of details to make for a leering but nonsensical diatribe decrying libruls. All the more reason to send another big donation to my local PBS station.
posted by XMLicious at 5:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
i think Hamlet's soliloquy got the apiary question covered.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 5:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Now I'm as liberal, non gun owning, and vegetarian as they come, but deer birth control seems like a waste of perfectly good venison.
posted by medusa at 5:07 PM on April 5, 2017 [32 favorites]
posted by medusa at 5:07 PM on April 5, 2017 [32 favorites]
Deer jerky is goddamn delicious. Just saying.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
I thought that I had read a few years back that if one cut back the vegetation that the white footed mouse used for cover, that Lyme disease would start to fade. As the mouse is the real reservoir here.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
I mean... shouldn't we be giving the ticks the birth control? Honestly.
posted by palomar at 5:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by palomar at 5:15 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
They are concentrating on the deer for one reason: No one wants to insert all those mouse IUDs.
posted by wenestvedt at 5:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 5:18 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
43 companies pull ads from The O'Reilly Factor
That is a statement.
posted by futz at 5:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
That is a statement.
posted by futz at 5:19 PM on April 5, 2017 [34 favorites]
I thought that I had read a few years back that if one cut back the vegetation that the white footed mouse used for cover, that Lyme disease would start to fade. As the mouse is the real reservoir here
Mice are the reservoir, yes, and we have removed most of their natural predators.
posted by suelac at 5:20 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Mice are the reservoir, yes, and we have removed most of their natural predators.
posted by suelac at 5:20 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I thought that I had read a few years back that if one cut back the vegetation that the white footed mouse used for cover, that Lyme disease would start to fade. As the mouse is the real reservoir here.
The report said that because the ticks can drink far more blood from a deer than a mouse, and hence produce more offspring, culling a relatively small number of individuals from the deer population is a more practical lever than mass eradication of the mice. One of the scientists claimed to have experimentally verified its effectiveness on a deer population in a confined area.
posted by XMLicious at 5:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
"I’m surprised we’ve been this incompetent," said Chabot, of the House Republicans...
This is my shocked face.
posted by darkstar at 5:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
This is my shocked face.
posted by darkstar at 5:23 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
You do realize O'Reilly is just going to be replaced with someone worse. The L Southern Nationalism Hour or something equally dire.
posted by Yowser at 5:23 PM on April 5, 2017
posted by Yowser at 5:23 PM on April 5, 2017
You do realize O'Reilly is just going to be replaced with someone worse.
Replaced or not, I like the unified stand against him and I think that it matters.
posted by futz at 5:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [43 favorites]
Replaced or not, I like the unified stand against him and I think that it matters.
posted by futz at 5:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [43 favorites]
You do realize O'Reilly is just going to be replaced with someone worse. The L Southern Nationalism Hour or something equally dire.
Sounds like the mission statement for the entire Republican Party and right wing at this point: "Think X is bad? The next one will be so much worse!"
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:26 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Sounds like the mission statement for the entire Republican Party and right wing at this point: "Think X is bad? The next one will be so much worse!"
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:26 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
No way -- the last thing I need is to get pregnant with mouseticks! (So I didn't do so well in science class, so sue me.)
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
I tuned out of the news for a few weeks, and I come back to the blue to find Trumpcare DOA, Breitbart denied press credentials, the Russia investigation moving, Bannon off the NSC, and now O'Reilly getting the Ivanka treatment.
O'Reilly is one of the most elder shitheels. May his career and his message wither and die on the earth they were designed to salt.
posted by saysthis at 5:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
O'Reilly is one of the most elder shitheels. May his career and his message wither and die on the earth they were designed to salt.
posted by saysthis at 5:33 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
I thought that I had read a few years back that if one cut back the vegetation that the white footed mouse used for cover, that Lyme disease would start to fade.
Japanese barberry is thought to be one of the culprits as it provides a good environment for both mice and the nymphal ticks that transmit lyme disease to humans most commonly, but control methods(pdf) are labor intensive and expensive compared to deer bait stations with hormonal birth control.
posted by peeedro at 5:37 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Japanese barberry is thought to be one of the culprits as it provides a good environment for both mice and the nymphal ticks that transmit lyme disease to humans most commonly, but control methods(pdf) are labor intensive and expensive compared to deer bait stations with hormonal birth control.
posted by peeedro at 5:37 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
So basically Republicans are ok with the President being a serial sexual abuser but they draw the line at having a serial sexual abuser as a loud-mouthed bloviator on FOX.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Now I'm as liberal, non gun owning, and vegetarian as they come, but deer birth control seems like a waste of perfectly good venison.
Seriously. I LOVE deer, have them on my property, and could never bring myself to personally kill one, but seriously, just shoot the deer. The population has to be kept in check and deer are tasty (I prefer sausage for wild venison, personally.).
The state park down the road from me has been closed to all traffic for a couple years after flooding destroyed it (and because Republicans) and I'm starting to get worried about giant herds of hooligan deer.
posted by threeturtles at 5:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Seriously. I LOVE deer, have them on my property, and could never bring myself to personally kill one, but seriously, just shoot the deer. The population has to be kept in check and deer are tasty (I prefer sausage for wild venison, personally.).
The state park down the road from me has been closed to all traffic for a couple years after flooding destroyed it (and because Republicans) and I'm starting to get worried about giant herds of hooligan deer.
posted by threeturtles at 5:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
So basically Republicans are ok with the President being a serial sexual abuser but they draw the line at having a serial sexual abuser as a loud-mouthed bloviator on FOX.
You misapprehend. They are perfectly fine with Falafel OReilly. It's his advertisers that are starting to get uncomfortable with him.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 5:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
You misapprehend. They are perfectly fine with Falafel OReilly. It's his advertisers that are starting to get uncomfortable with him.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 5:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
2 podcast recommendations:
The President's Inbox: "Xi Meets Trump" has a great overview of what to expect of the Chinese Summit meeting that begins tomorrow. For one thing, President Xi will not be golfing because that would be political suicide for him. Look for large investment promises from Xi (whose team promised "tweetable" offerings) but bear in mind he invariably only delivers a fraction of what he promises. My biggest concern is that Xi will have had a huge staff working round the clock to study the situation and he will be fully prepared. Trump has Sleepy T who may not even show up, instead Trump will probably try winging it with Bannon and Kushner as his back up guys.
The Ezra Klein Show: Ezra interviews Chris Hayes. I'm usually not bowled over by interview shows but I highly recommend this one. These two are well matched and they talk about Hayes' book Colony in Nation, the concept of "order" in Law & Order, and elitism in America. Fun and informative.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
The President's Inbox: "Xi Meets Trump" has a great overview of what to expect of the Chinese Summit meeting that begins tomorrow. For one thing, President Xi will not be golfing because that would be political suicide for him. Look for large investment promises from Xi (whose team promised "tweetable" offerings) but bear in mind he invariably only delivers a fraction of what he promises. My biggest concern is that Xi will have had a huge staff working round the clock to study the situation and he will be fully prepared. Trump has Sleepy T who may not even show up, instead Trump will probably try winging it with Bannon and Kushner as his back up guys.
The Ezra Klein Show: Ezra interviews Chris Hayes. I'm usually not bowled over by interview shows but I highly recommend this one. These two are well matched and they talk about Hayes' book Colony in Nation, the concept of "order" in Law & Order, and elitism in America. Fun and informative.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 5:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
I also live in deer tick/lyme disease country, do not hunt, and jump for joy when my neighbor pops over with some venison during the season. We make chili with it. He's a bowhunter. I live in an area that is vastly liberal and has a robust hunting culture and we all sort of get along with each other about it, except for some wacky outliers on either side. But I bet this is getting into derail territory, so...
posted by vrakatar at 5:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by vrakatar at 5:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
There aren't enough natural predators of deer in some areas so hunting is actually necessary to stabilize the deer population. Otherwise, they'd be too many deer, they'd decimate the food supply and the population collapses in the winter.
posted by VTX at 5:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by VTX at 5:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Falafel OReilly.
Worst The Who cover ever.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
Worst The Who cover ever.
posted by leotrotsky at 5:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [42 favorites]
Also the worst Robert Burns poem ever, about a man haunted by the ghost of a loofah because he can't remember its name to exorcise it.
posted by XMLicious at 6:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 6:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Guardian: NYPD officers accessed Black Lives Matter activists' texts, documents show
posted by XMLicious at 6:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 6:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Serial sexual abuser and loud-mouthed bloviator in the White House: A-OK.
Serial sexual abuser and loud-mouthed bloviator on Fox: Aw hell naw.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Serial sexual abuser and loud-mouthed bloviator on Fox: Aw hell naw.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:21 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
43 companies pull ads from The O'Reilly Factor
That is a statement.
I remember Limbaugh losing a bunch of advertisers a few years ago when he had that screaming fit over women getting birth control. He still has his radio show, and probably most of those advertisers are back.
posted by dirigibleman at 6:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
That is a statement.
I remember Limbaugh losing a bunch of advertisers a few years ago when he had that screaming fit over women getting birth control. He still has his radio show, and probably most of those advertisers are back.
posted by dirigibleman at 6:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
No way -- the last thing I need is to get pregnant with mouseticks! (So I didn't do so well in science class, so sue me.)
posted by FelliniBlank
HOUSE: You are all stupid! FelliniBlank needs mouseticks to live!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank
HOUSE: You are all stupid! FelliniBlank needs mouseticks to live!
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 6:25 PM on April 5, 2017 [19 favorites]
*chugs medicine drug*
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
Our awful governor, Robert Bentley, is mired in scandal over his affair with his political advisor and misuse of state funds. He even tried to derail the then-Speaker-of-the-House's corruption charges. The state's attorney general, Luther Strange, the man with the name of a Marvel supervillain, dragged his heels on investigating Bentley, going so far as to convince the House Judiciary Committee to stop looking into impeachment.
posted by sgranade at 9:04 AM on April 5
The Latest: Ethics panel finds probable cause gov broke law
-- [7:10 p.m.April 5] A state ethics panel has ruled that there is probable cause that Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley violated state ethics and campaign finance law in a sex-tinged scandal that has engulfed him for more than a year.
The Alabama Ethics Commission voted Wednesday to refer the matter to the district attorney's office for possible prosecution.
-- The commission found probable cause that Bentley misused state resources and improperly accepting a campaign contribution and loan outside allowed fundraising windows.
Progress?
posted by futz at 6:34 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by sgranade at 9:04 AM on April 5
The Latest: Ethics panel finds probable cause gov broke law
-- [7:10 p.m.April 5] A state ethics panel has ruled that there is probable cause that Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley violated state ethics and campaign finance law in a sex-tinged scandal that has engulfed him for more than a year.
The Alabama Ethics Commission voted Wednesday to refer the matter to the district attorney's office for possible prosecution.
-- The commission found probable cause that Bentley misused state resources and improperly accepting a campaign contribution and loan outside allowed fundraising windows.
Progress?
posted by futz at 6:34 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Big moves on the palace intrigue front in Trump Removes Stephen Bannon From National Security Council Post
posted by zachlipton at 6:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
In a move that was widely seen as a sign of changing fortunes, Mr. Trump removed Mr. Bannon, his chief strategist, from the National Security Council’s cabinet-level “principals committee” on Wednesday. The shift was orchestrated by Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, who insisted on purging a political adviser from the Situation Room where decisions about war and peace are made.I really don't think "we couldn't trust the National Security Advisor (who had secret dealings with various foreign countries) so we put this guy with no national security experience in there to 'keep an eye on' him" is the story they want to be going with. But Bannon threatening to quit is a hell of a thing. Whether or not it happened, someone wants to drag Bannon down by making us think it happened, and his threat turned out to be meaningless. Now he either stays on and is known as "the guy who threatened to quit but didn't follow through" or he actually quits.
Mr. Bannon resisted the move, even threatening at one point to quit if it went forward, according to a White House official who, like others, insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Mr. Bannon’s camp denied that he had threatened to resign and spent the day spreading the word that the shift was a natural evolution, not a signal of any diminution of his outsize influence.
His allies said privately that Mr. Bannon had been put on the principals committee to keep an eye on Mr. Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, a retired three-star general who lasted just 24 days before being forced out for misleading Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about what he had discussed with Russia’s ambassador. With Mr. Flynn gone, these allies said, there was no need for Mr. Bannon to remain, but they noted that he had kept his security clearance.
“Susan Rice operationalized the N.S.C. during the last administration,” Mr. Bannon said in a statement, referring to President Barack Obama’s last national security adviser. “I was put on the N.S.C. with General Flynn to ensure that it was de-operationalized. General McMaster has returned the N.S.C. to its proper function.”
Mr. Bannon did not explain what he meant by “operationalized” or how his presence on the committee had ensured it would not be.
posted by zachlipton at 6:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
Also, released: Partial Transcript: Trump’s Interview With The Times
posted by zachlipton at 6:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
TRUMP: Elijah Cummings [a Democratic representative from Maryland] was in my office and he said, “You will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country.”Um.
HABERMAN: Really.
TRUMP: And then he went out and I watched him on television yesterday and I said, “Was that the same man?”
[Laughter.]
TRUMP: But I said, and I liked him, but I said that was really nice. He said, in a group of people, “You will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country.” And then I watched him on television and I said, “Is that the same man that said that to me?”
posted by zachlipton at 6:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Stephen Bannon Full of Hot Air, Shit
or
Stephen Bannon Full of Shit, Hot Air
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:41 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
or
Stephen Bannon Full of Shit, Hot Air
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:41 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
No One to Blame But Trump
Trump apparently didn’t grasp that in political negotiations, unless one is very skilled, the more you give away the more insatiable the forces you give away to become. It’s not like business trading, where both sides have an incentive to reach a deal. Since conservative Republicans hadn’t ever wanted the government to get in the business of providing health care, they had nothing to lose from continuing to extract more and more from the president and still voting against the bill. Trump didn’t understand this.posted by the man of twists and turns at 6:43 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
The result was a proposal for which Ryan couldn’t obtain a majority of the votes.
Um.
I think he's mentally ill. I know we have to be careful but... he's president. And that's scary.
posted by Justinian at 6:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
I think he's mentally ill. I know we have to be careful but... he's president. And that's scary.
posted by Justinian at 6:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [16 favorites]
In California, Landlords Threaten Immigrant Tenants with Deportations
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Hot Shit, Air, Surely
Xi (whose team promised "tweetable" offerings)
Daaaaaaaaaaaammmn
posted by petebest at 6:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Xi (whose team promised "tweetable" offerings)
Daaaaaaaaaaaammmn
posted by petebest at 6:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
The shift was orchestrated by Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, Mr. Trump’s national security adviser, who insisted on purging a political adviser from the Situation Room where decisions about war and peace are made. actually knows a fucking thing about national security, unlike the rest of these maroons.
FTFY, NYT.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
FTFY, NYT.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:47 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Mr. Bannon resisted the move, even threatening at one point to quit if it went forward, according to a White House official who, like others, insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
So close!
posted by jason_steakums at 6:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
So close!
posted by jason_steakums at 6:49 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
California should start an advertising blitz encouraging tourists to come here and pointing out how overwhelmingly we voted against (and hate) Donald Trump. Support opposition!
California Senate Passes "Sanctuary State" Bill
California Senate Passes "Sanctuary State" Bill
The California Senate has passed the so-called sanctuary state bill, which would limit police statewide from cooperating with federal immigration agents in carrying out President Trump’s promised mass deportations.posted by Room 641-A at 6:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [37 favorites]
Mr. Bannon resisted the move, even threatening at one point to quit if it went forward, according to a White House official who, like others, insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Mr. Bannon’s camp denied that he had threatened to resign and spent the day spreading the word that the shift was a natural evolution, not a signal of any diminution of his outsize influence.
I can't quite tell if I'm chortling my head off or cackling my head off. It's chortling if it's sort of phlegmy, right, whereas a cackle is more piercing? So, some of both, I guess. Corkling? Chattling? Well, it's certainly enjoyable regardless, garnished with a delicate Snicker of Schadenfreude.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
I can't quite tell if I'm chortling my head off or cackling my head off. It's chortling if it's sort of phlegmy, right, whereas a cackle is more piercing? So, some of both, I guess. Corkling? Chattling? Well, it's certainly enjoyable regardless, garnished with a delicate Snicker of Schadenfreude.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
“Susan Rice operationalized the N.S.C. during the last administration,” Mr. Bannon said in a statement, referring to President Barack Obama’s last national security adviser. “I was put on the N.S.C. with General Flynn to ensure that it was de-operationalized. General McMaster has returned the N.S.C. to its proper function.”
Mr. Bannon did not explain what he meant by “operationalized” or how his presence on the committee had ensured it would not be.
Does anyone have a guess what he means? I can't make sense of it.
posted by kprincehouse at 6:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Mr. Bannon did not explain what he meant by “operationalized” or how his presence on the committee had ensured it would not be.
Does anyone have a guess what he means? I can't make sense of it.
posted by kprincehouse at 6:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yeah, it feels like floundering to me, in that I don't understand why Bannon would do this voluntarily. It feels like the government is moving in to make sure the government survives. In my mind, Bannon is the worst aspect of the administration, and to see that dark enlightenment nazi kicked to the curb is the best possible thing.
posted by valkane at 6:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by valkane at 6:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
That's his go-to word when he doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. Thinks it makes him sound smart. "Paleomagnetism is the study of the operationalization of rocks." Like that.
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [28 favorites]
“Susan Rice operationalized the N.S.C. during the last administration,” Mr. Bannon said in a statement, referring to President Barack Obama’s last national security adviser. “I was put on the N.S.C. with General Flynn to ensure that it was de-operationalized. General McMaster has returned the N.S.C. to its proper function.”
Oh, I'm sure General McMaster HEARTILY enjoyed his weeks of listening to Bannon emit this type of Modern Jackass horseshit jargon at every meeting. Also, you know who else we haven't heard of/from recently? America's sweetheart: Stephen Miller. I had kind of blotted his existence out of my short-term memory, but he hasn't really shown his dead-eyed face since he helped doom Muslim Ban Part Deux, has he?
Maybe they've sent him down to the minor leagues to practice killing flies with a magnifying glass some more.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
Oh, I'm sure General McMaster HEARTILY enjoyed his weeks of listening to Bannon emit this type of Modern Jackass horseshit jargon at every meeting. Also, you know who else we haven't heard of/from recently? America's sweetheart: Stephen Miller. I had kind of blotted his existence out of my short-term memory, but he hasn't really shown his dead-eyed face since he helped doom Muslim Ban Part Deux, has he?
Maybe they've sent him down to the minor leagues to practice killing flies with a magnifying glass some more.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:04 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
And really, the best thing we got going for us is there is no honor among thieves, so it's not like Bannon and Trump are married. Not that Trump honors the idea of marriage, oh, you know what I mean. Things get ugly, these fuckers will slit each others throats.
posted by valkane at 7:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by valkane at 7:06 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
I am only paraphrasing mildly, but speaking on the floor, Senator Franken just called Gorsuch a liar regarding the answer Gorsuch gave to Franken's question about what he would have done in the freezing truck driver's shoes.
posted by monopas at 7:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [49 favorites]
posted by monopas at 7:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [49 favorites]
We just need the first administration domino to fall and then it's backstabbers all the way down.
We should sell tickets, really, and use the proceeds to fund our National Parks until we can get competent adults in charge again.
posted by lydhre at 7:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
We should sell tickets, really, and use the proceeds to fund our National Parks until we can get competent adults in charge again.
posted by lydhre at 7:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
Now, the next thing Bannon needs to focus on is his continued campaign to de-operationalize his liver.
posted by Existential Dread at 7:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 7:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Progress?
posted by futz at 6:34 PM on April 5
Yes! Slow, halting, but progress. In a terrible way, kicking Strange upstairs to the US Senate lit a fire underneath Alabama lawmakers, who felt (correctly!) that they'd been played for suckers. The findings mean that Bentley's case goes to the Montgomery County DA for potential criminal charges. And that's leaving aside the House Judiciary Committee still considering impeachment!
If we're lucky, Bentley will get his without any need for bees.
We now end this episode of Alabama Down-Home Keystone Kops to return you to the wider hellscape that is US national politics.
posted by sgranade at 7:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by futz at 6:34 PM on April 5
Yes! Slow, halting, but progress. In a terrible way, kicking Strange upstairs to the US Senate lit a fire underneath Alabama lawmakers, who felt (correctly!) that they'd been played for suckers. The findings mean that Bentley's case goes to the Montgomery County DA for potential criminal charges. And that's leaving aside the House Judiciary Committee still considering impeachment!
If we're lucky, Bentley will get his without any need for bees.
We now end this episode of Alabama Down-Home Keystone Kops to return you to the wider hellscape that is US national politics.
posted by sgranade at 7:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [15 favorites]
From the NYT piece on the NSC shuffle:
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [118 favorites]
Moreover, Mr. Bannon’s Svengali-style reputation has chafed on a president who sees himself as the West Wing’s only leading man. Several associates said the president had quietly expressed annoyance over the credit Mr. Bannon had received for setting the agenda — and Mr. Trump was not pleased by liberals’ considering him “President Bannon.”lololol.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 7:27 PM on April 5, 2017 [118 favorites]
Definitely chortling now.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
This is apropos of nothing going on right now, but I still can't get my mind off the coal jobs stuff we were talking about earlier. Like, obviously a 22 dollar an hour minimum wage wouldn't fix the problem of Appalachia's economy dying, nor would unionization in the solar industry (though, yeah, the solar industry is shit to workers and that's a real problem).
I think if I could pick one thing for the Democrats to run on in 2018, one unified positive message (and not just the unified negative message of "fuck donald trump impeach day one," which is necessary but not sufficient to win), it'd be a new WPA, one that:
Please tax us and send the money back East.
</pipedream>
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [59 favorites]
I think if I could pick one thing for the Democrats to run on in 2018, one unified positive message (and not just the unified negative message of "fuck donald trump impeach day one," which is necessary but not sufficient to win), it'd be a new WPA, one that:
- Focuses on Appalachia and the rust belt
- features the generation of as many jobs as possible in environmental remediation in areas affected by destructive mining practices and pollution from heavy industry
- prioritizes labor-intensive rather than capital-intensive methods
- and also includes extensive programs to help pull people out of opioid addiction
- and moreover, like the original WPA, contains extensive funds granted to writers, photographers, and artists specifically tasked with documenting both the cleanup process and the history and culture of the affected areas, with preference given to writers, photographers, and artists from the affected areas — the goals here being to publicize the work done in the cleanup, promote the culture of the affected areas, and provide more jobs in the affected areas
- funded as much as possible by taxes that target specifically the tech industry.
Please tax us and send the money back East.
</pipedream>
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:38 PM on April 5, 2017 [59 favorites]
SNL should start doing sketches about Very Smart Jared trying to explain to Dumb Ol' Donald how things work.
posted by EarBucket at 7:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by EarBucket at 7:40 PM on April 5, 2017 [24 favorites]
They will tear each other into pieces Jesus Christ this will be fun! Ya da da dat dah-da da da da dayi a hahahahhaha *cough chortle cackle wheeeze*
posted by Cookiebastard at 7:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Cookiebastard at 7:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [13 favorites]
Mr. Trump was not pleased by liberals’ considering him “President Bannon.”Oh man, there's so little substance to Trump that the obvious stuff works, even when everyone says "hey, let's all do the obvious stuff to taunt this asshole," and he knows that's what's happening, and he still reacts anyway, and now I understand why he's made defensive comments about his hand size for 30 years. He really is that shallow, vapid, unreflective and aggressively, toxically narcissistic.
I mean, I knew that, but it still beggars belief to such a degree that my brain has continued to refuse to accept it; the scale of it is staggering, but it's finally sinking in. (Reminds me of the very first time I drove into Yosemite Valley, parked the car and walked out into the meadow at the foot of El Capitan: my brain--even though I was looking at the thing and seeing it clearly--somehow wouldn't accept this giant, naked slab of granite as real in some basic way, as if my brain said 'well, this input looks clean but just can't be accurate.')
I just hope this sad, pathetic person is out of power before too much damage is done by the nihilists, dominionists and neglect that he's unloosed upon the federal government.
posted by LooseFilter at 7:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [46 favorites]
> Moreover, Mr. Bannon’s Svengali-style reputation has chafed on a president who sees himself as the West Wing’s only leading man. Several associates said the president had quietly expressed annoyance over the credit Mr. Bannon had received for setting the agenda — and Mr. Trump was not pleased by liberals’ considering him “President Bannon.”
God, he's so easy to manipulate. I wonder if this "President [x]" thing could also work to drive a wedge between the nominal President and Boy-President Kushner, or if Trump's narcissism isn't triggered by insinuations that he's being upstaged by someone else when that someone else is a member of his family.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
God, he's so easy to manipulate. I wonder if this "President [x]" thing could also work to drive a wedge between the nominal President and Boy-President Kushner, or if Trump's narcissism isn't triggered by insinuations that he's being upstaged by someone else when that someone else is a member of his family.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:44 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
(and on lack of preview I discover that everyone else has had the exact same idea...)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Several associates said the president had quietly expressed annoyance over the credit Mr. Bannon had received for setting the agenda — and Mr. Trump was not pleased by liberals’ considering him “President Bannon.”
Now we know he sees all of it, so after Bannon is out, next up is "President Sessions" or somesuch. Drive the narrative that Trump is an idiot being led and deceived by everyone else "smarter" around him, maybe he'll be down to Tillerson, Carson and Perry by October, and meanwhile the career people can keep the actual government on life support without too much disasterophe. Pay attention SNL writers, this is working!
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:46 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Now we know he sees all of it, so after Bannon is out, next up is "President Sessions" or somesuch. Drive the narrative that Trump is an idiot being led and deceived by everyone else "smarter" around him, maybe he'll be down to Tillerson, Carson and Perry by October, and meanwhile the career people can keep the actual government on life support without too much disasterophe. Pay attention SNL writers, this is working!
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:46 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'd rather see Sessions out than Kushner personally. Kushner has so much responsibility on his plate he's never going to be effective at anything, while Sessions is laser focused on fulfilling his lifelong dream of expanding Klanabama national.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [35 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [35 favorites]
I wonder if this "President [x]" thing could also work to drive a wedge between the nominal President and Boy-President Kushner, or if Trump's narcissism isn't triggered by insinuations that he's being upstaged by someone else when that someone else is a member of his family.
Family by marriage, and we all know just how sacrosanct that is to the Sleaze-in-Chief.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Family by marriage, and we all know just how sacrosanct that is to the Sleaze-in-Chief.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
We are the Bannon Shufflin' Crew
Shuttin' government down, like we said we'd do
We're so bad we ain't got shame
Screwed up a Muslim ban, then did it again
We're not here to operationalize trouble,
We're just here to do the NSC Shuffle.
posted by petebest at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Shuttin' government down, like we said we'd do
We're so bad we ain't got shame
Screwed up a Muslim ban, then did it again
We're not here to operationalize trouble,
We're just here to do the NSC Shuffle.
posted by petebest at 7:48 PM on April 5, 2017 [10 favorites]
Never Mind The Russians, Meet The Bot King Who Helps Trump Win Twitter
--Over the next 24 hours, following his own call to arms, MicroChip tweeted or retweeted more than 300 times about Rice [...] accompanied by the tag #SusanRice. Meanwhile, in massive threaded tweets and DM groups, he implored others to do likewise.
-- By 9 a.m. Monday, the tag was being tweeted nearly 20,000 times an hour, and was trending on Twitter; by 11 a.m., 34,000 an hour. (As of Tuesday morning, the tag was still trending, partially thanks to a tweet from Donald Trump Jr.) At 4:48 p.m. Monday, 18-odd hours after he started his campaign, MicroChip was ready to call it a success
-- “I feel like I'm a scientist showing electricity to natives that have been convinced electricity is created by Satan, so they murder the scientist,” he said.
-- MicroChip claims he was a longtime “staunch liberal” who turned to Twitter in the aftermath of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and “found out that I didn’t like what was going on. So I redpilled myself.”
-- In a Twitter argument Monday with the Brooklyn developer Nathan Bernard, MicroChip teased that his network is about to get much, much bigger.
"The botnet [is] about to happen 10 X in about a week," he wrote. "Get ready."
Twitter needs to get a handle on shit like this. They have suspended him many times but he keeps coming back. His usernames follow a set pattern so you'd think they could slow him down by preemptively keeping an eye on the dozens up accounts that he has set up to activate. Or am I naive?
posted by futz at 7:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
--Over the next 24 hours, following his own call to arms, MicroChip tweeted or retweeted more than 300 times about Rice [...] accompanied by the tag #SusanRice. Meanwhile, in massive threaded tweets and DM groups, he implored others to do likewise.
-- By 9 a.m. Monday, the tag was being tweeted nearly 20,000 times an hour, and was trending on Twitter; by 11 a.m., 34,000 an hour. (As of Tuesday morning, the tag was still trending, partially thanks to a tweet from Donald Trump Jr.) At 4:48 p.m. Monday, 18-odd hours after he started his campaign, MicroChip was ready to call it a success
-- “I feel like I'm a scientist showing electricity to natives that have been convinced electricity is created by Satan, so they murder the scientist,” he said.
-- MicroChip claims he was a longtime “staunch liberal” who turned to Twitter in the aftermath of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and “found out that I didn’t like what was going on. So I redpilled myself.”
-- In a Twitter argument Monday with the Brooklyn developer Nathan Bernard, MicroChip teased that his network is about to get much, much bigger.
"The botnet [is] about to happen 10 X in about a week," he wrote. "Get ready."
Twitter needs to get a handle on shit like this. They have suspended him many times but he keeps coming back. His usernames follow a set pattern so you'd think they could slow him down by preemptively keeping an eye on the dozens up accounts that he has set up to activate. Or am I naive?
posted by futz at 7:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
(and on lack of preview I discover that everyone else has had the exact same idea...)
There seems to be a collective "wait, this works??" happening. This would be fun if it weren't so awfully, awfully horrible.
posted by LooseFilter at 7:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
There seems to be a collective "wait, this works??" happening. This would be fun if it weren't so awfully, awfully horrible.
posted by LooseFilter at 7:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
> I'd rather see Sessions out than Kushner personally. Kushner has so much responsibility on his plate he's never going to be effective at anything, while Sessions is laser focused on fulfilling his lifelong dream of expanding Klanabama national.
Fair. And the fact that Kate McKinnon's Sessions impersonation is so devastating adds to his appeal as a target.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Fair. And the fact that Kate McKinnon's Sessions impersonation is so devastating adds to his appeal as a target.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 7:52 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Trump really is the stupidest asshole on the planet. Trump voters may actually be smarter than him.
posted by Artw at 7:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
I've seen the nihilist label thrown around many times on MeFi. am I the only one here who doesn't think life has a purpose but it doesn't follow that we should actively increase the overall experience of suffering?
My closest friends (husband included) and I think we're all abandoned in this mess of injustice, and we're on our own, but unlike trumpers we chose to work with what we have to make reality a more pleasant experience for all of us.
Nihilism will take you so far as to realize it's all meaningless. What you do with that information will depend on your values and is ultimately your choice.
posted by Tarumba at 7:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
My closest friends (husband included) and I think we're all abandoned in this mess of injustice, and we're on our own, but unlike trumpers we chose to work with what we have to make reality a more pleasant experience for all of us.
Nihilism will take you so far as to realize it's all meaningless. What you do with that information will depend on your values and is ultimately your choice.
posted by Tarumba at 7:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [21 favorites]
Or am I naive?
The problem is in thinking Twitter actually cares vs. wants to appear as if they care. As long as the ad revenue comes in and people mention Twitter they're happy. Occasionally they'll add a new privacy setting or something to get a bunch of news articles about "Twitter cracking down", but it's all fluff. If you have a known active Neo-Nazi/fascist/etc. contingent in your community but refuse to do anything about it aside from introducing a tool to ignore it, you're on some level OK with having the Nazis.
posted by downtohisturtles at 7:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
The problem is in thinking Twitter actually cares vs. wants to appear as if they care. As long as the ad revenue comes in and people mention Twitter they're happy. Occasionally they'll add a new privacy setting or something to get a bunch of news articles about "Twitter cracking down", but it's all fluff. If you have a known active Neo-Nazi/fascist/etc. contingent in your community but refuse to do anything about it aside from introducing a tool to ignore it, you're on some level OK with having the Nazis.
posted by downtohisturtles at 7:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Yeah, without Bannon and Miller it boils down to:
Trump: so, what do we do?
Sessions: I think we should let the local boys loose and have them do what has to be done, if you know what I mean. I trust those boys.
Kushner: I dunno pops, but man, they had some nice apartment blocks, and i think there were oil leases and stuff. The property looked nice.
Priebus: We have to talk to congress!
posted by valkane at 7:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
Trump: so, what do we do?
Sessions: I think we should let the local boys loose and have them do what has to be done, if you know what I mean. I trust those boys.
Kushner: I dunno pops, but man, they had some nice apartment blocks, and i think there were oil leases and stuff. The property looked nice.
Priebus: We have to talk to congress!
posted by valkane at 7:57 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
TPM: Putting the Pieces Together
Growing in power are people like McMaster, McGahn, Mattis and others. There's no need to lionize these people. This is no attempt to do so. I'm simply noting that unless things are wildly different than we imagine, these men had no role in the Russia shenanigans or the hothouse crazy of PizzaGate and all the rest which is the world of Flynn and Bannon and all their crazies. These are each more conventional players, trying to build up their own power but also seemingly trying to regularize the conduct of the administration into more accustomed patterns.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Growing in power are people like McMaster, McGahn, Mattis and others. There's no need to lionize these people. This is no attempt to do so. I'm simply noting that unless things are wildly different than we imagine, these men had no role in the Russia shenanigans or the hothouse crazy of PizzaGate and all the rest which is the world of Flynn and Bannon and all their crazies. These are each more conventional players, trying to build up their own power but also seemingly trying to regularize the conduct of the administration into more accustomed patterns.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
> The problem is in thinking Twitter actually cares vs. wants to appear as if they care.
What is the most effective way for all us Bay Area people here to raise a stink that'll shame Twitter into suppressing nazis? What should we write on the signs we carry when we occupy the ground floor of their building on Market? What do we tell the media? and how many of us are in?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
What is the most effective way for all us Bay Area people here to raise a stink that'll shame Twitter into suppressing nazis? What should we write on the signs we carry when we occupy the ground floor of their building on Market? What do we tell the media? and how many of us are in?
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think the Bannon business is secondary to a war with Kushner. When Stone launched his attack on Kushner, Bannon and Stone stood on one side. Kushner probably gets a lot of hassle from his extended family members about the virtual Nazis in the White House and Kushner decided to push back. It was either president Kushner or president Bannon.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:02 PM on April 5, 2017
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:02 PM on April 5, 2017
Kushner's dad is a crook. His father in law is probably a crook. What makes you think his extended family would have a problem with nazis?
posted by Yowser at 8:07 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 8:07 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
I knew some guys who were involved with organized crime. They were Jewish. They hated Nazis just like everybody with half a mind.
posted by valkane at 8:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by valkane at 8:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
If you strip away all of the Russia-compromised core from Trump, Manafort and Flynn, as well as the Breitbart people (well, they're also Russia compromised, but the second generation maybe?) Bannon and Miller, what is there left? Sessions and the hardcore racist contingent is about it. What was there of the Trump campaign before any of those people were on board, pretty much just the wall and some shit about trade and China?
They're going to be left with Paul Ryan and the Ungovernable House, a White House without any policy direction, and some generals holding the place together with zipties and bubblegum. I'd like to be encouraged, but the Koch network is there waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and fill the rest of the power gap in the headline administration positions. They're already doing most of the day to day tasks on the ground with Koch people.
Sorry, Michigan and Wisconsin, you voted for Trump and "change" again, but you more than likley will get Charles and David Koch and the catfood budget before the year is out. The Kochs aren't messing with trade or bringing back jobs for anyone, it's tax cuts and zeroed out spending as far as the eye can see.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
They're going to be left with Paul Ryan and the Ungovernable House, a White House without any policy direction, and some generals holding the place together with zipties and bubblegum. I'd like to be encouraged, but the Koch network is there waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and fill the rest of the power gap in the headline administration positions. They're already doing most of the day to day tasks on the ground with Koch people.
Sorry, Michigan and Wisconsin, you voted for Trump and "change" again, but you more than likley will get Charles and David Koch and the catfood budget before the year is out. The Kochs aren't messing with trade or bringing back jobs for anyone, it's tax cuts and zeroed out spending as far as the eye can see.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I mean, we've discussed this before, but even the Joker hates Nazis.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:11 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Kushner married a Nazi and is a Nazi. He has no problem with Nazis.
posted by Artw at 8:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Kushner's dad is a crook. His father in law is probably a crook. What makes you think his extended family would have a problem with nazis?
Neville Sinclair: C'mon, Eddie. I'm paying you well. Does it really matter where the money comes from?
Eddie Valentine: It matters to me. I may not make an honest buck, but I'm 100% American. I don't work for no two-bit Nazi. Let the girl go!
The Rocketeer, ladies and gentlemen.
Offer may not apply to Kushners.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Neville Sinclair: C'mon, Eddie. I'm paying you well. Does it really matter where the money comes from?
Eddie Valentine: It matters to me. I may not make an honest buck, but I'm 100% American. I don't work for no two-bit Nazi. Let the girl go!
The Rocketeer, ladies and gentlemen.
Offer may not apply to Kushners.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
am I the only one here who doesn't think life has a purpose but it doesn't follow that we should actively increase the overall experience of suffering?
For my part, I meant to imply existential nihilism, which is what it seems that most people intend when 'nihilist' is used casually. An existential nihilist--like Trump, Bannon, DeVos, the Mercers, and most of the people in this cabal, in my estimation--believes that life has no objective purpose or meaning, but also no value. That doesn't seem to be quite the nihilism that you've described, and indeed, if you and your husband actively work to make reality a more pleasant experience, then your actions belie a belief that your existence--or at least, your experience of it--has value. Which means you're not actually nihilists. Maybe a bit nihilistic. Dabbling.
My sense is that people like these horrible people in power now are mostly terribly unhappy, and that the insides of their heads are not enjoyable places to live. Their lives are not joyful for them, and I don't know that they really value even their own existence because of that; they definitely feel as if they have no worth, and then make the rest of us synecdoche or proxy for their own sense of worthlessness, by acting as if none of this matters. Nothing they do, no amount of harm or good or selfish or helpful or destructive or anything makes any difference at all in the big picture, so fuck it, I'm on team me.
It's terribly dangerous for the rest of us, and at the same time isn't about us at all, in its origin.
posted by LooseFilter at 8:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
For my part, I meant to imply existential nihilism, which is what it seems that most people intend when 'nihilist' is used casually. An existential nihilist--like Trump, Bannon, DeVos, the Mercers, and most of the people in this cabal, in my estimation--believes that life has no objective purpose or meaning, but also no value. That doesn't seem to be quite the nihilism that you've described, and indeed, if you and your husband actively work to make reality a more pleasant experience, then your actions belie a belief that your existence--or at least, your experience of it--has value. Which means you're not actually nihilists. Maybe a bit nihilistic. Dabbling.
My sense is that people like these horrible people in power now are mostly terribly unhappy, and that the insides of their heads are not enjoyable places to live. Their lives are not joyful for them, and I don't know that they really value even their own existence because of that; they definitely feel as if they have no worth, and then make the rest of us synecdoche or proxy for their own sense of worthlessness, by acting as if none of this matters. Nothing they do, no amount of harm or good or selfish or helpful or destructive or anything makes any difference at all in the big picture, so fuck it, I'm on team me.
It's terribly dangerous for the rest of us, and at the same time isn't about us at all, in its origin.
posted by LooseFilter at 8:13 PM on April 5, 2017 [6 favorites]
What is the most effective way for all us Bay Area people here to raise a stink that'll shame Twitter into suppressing nazis?
This is the kind of work that Tech Solidarity is talking about, and I'm literally sitting in their event as I type. They're quite clear they want everyone, especially non-engineers. Subscribe to the twitter feed and come to the next one.
posted by zachlipton at 8:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
This is the kind of work that Tech Solidarity is talking about, and I'm literally sitting in their event as I type. They're quite clear they want everyone, especially non-engineers. Subscribe to the twitter feed and come to the next one.
posted by zachlipton at 8:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
what is there left?
The government dismantlers, white supremacists and Christian Dominionists. And rapaciously greedy profiteers. (That Venn diagram has a lot of overlap.)
posted by LooseFilter at 8:16 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
The government dismantlers, white supremacists and Christian Dominionists. And rapaciously greedy profiteers. (That Venn diagram has a lot of overlap.)
posted by LooseFilter at 8:16 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
oh hell yes. thank you, zachlipton!
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:16 PM on April 5, 2017
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:16 PM on April 5, 2017
i wanna carry a sign reading "hellban DJT"
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 8:22 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jeepers, that NY Times interview transcript is a difficult read. The strawmen, the lies, the promises he won't be keeping.
The FT just ran a multi part interview with him over the weekend. Is this his new messaging strategy? Giving a bunch of lengthy interviews to major news outlets? Or maybe he's just filling in for Kellyanne Conway?
posted by notyou at 8:35 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
The FT just ran a multi part interview with him over the weekend. Is this his new messaging strategy? Giving a bunch of lengthy interviews to major news outlets? Or maybe he's just filling in for Kellyanne Conway?
posted by notyou at 8:35 PM on April 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Sessions also met with Kislyak multiple times (for some damn reason) where, inexplicably, "Ukraine came up"
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:36 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:36 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
it'd be a new WPA
It seems like it would be a slam dunk for either party to just say "let's pay a shitload of construction workers and plumbers to replace Flint's pipes". Here's what Madison, WI did- and we're just one city, paying for this ourselves.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:46 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
It seems like it would be a slam dunk for either party to just say "let's pay a shitload of construction workers and plumbers to replace Flint's pipes". Here's what Madison, WI did- and we're just one city, paying for this ourselves.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:46 PM on April 5, 2017 [17 favorites]
Mod note: House Republicans likely to start two-week recess without passing health-care bill
"It's real, and it's spectacular."
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 8:51 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
“It’s alive, and we’re making progress,” Ryan said Wednesday night in an interview on NPR. But, he added, “it’s going to take a little bit of time.”"I mean, geez, it's not like we've had seven years to come up with a plan," he mewled. fake
"It's real, and it's spectacular."
posted by kirkaracha (staff) at 8:51 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
Ryan totally does have a plan, but he left it at his Canadian girlfriend's place. In Canada.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [37 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 8:53 PM on April 5, 2017 [37 favorites]
Hope none of them run into any angry mobs when taking their break back home.
posted by Artw at 8:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:55 PM on April 5, 2017 [8 favorites]
I'm sure they'll find the time to polish off health care after the recess while they're dealing with the debt ceiling, the CR for keeping the government running, and tax reform. Maybe Jared can take over.
posted by Justinian at 8:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 8:56 PM on April 5, 2017 [5 favorites]
Sessions also met with Kislyak multiple times
Yeah, if the conspiracy theory about the Mercer/Bannon/Cambridge Analytica connection to Alfa/Russia end up having legs, then Sessions would be tainted as well. Apparently Sessions and Flynn were two people that Rebekah Mercer was pushing hard for during her time on the transition team. Plus he's already lied under oath about Russia. If heads roll, he needs to go too.
I really hope Flynn's "story" sheds some light on this and he doesn't just become a sacrificial fall guy.
posted by p3t3 at 9:02 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Yeah, if the conspiracy theory about the Mercer/Bannon/Cambridge Analytica connection to Alfa/Russia end up having legs, then Sessions would be tainted as well. Apparently Sessions and Flynn were two people that Rebekah Mercer was pushing hard for during her time on the transition team. Plus he's already lied under oath about Russia. If heads roll, he needs to go too.
I really hope Flynn's "story" sheds some light on this and he doesn't just become a sacrificial fall guy.
posted by p3t3 at 9:02 PM on April 5, 2017 [9 favorites]
Politico: Mega-donor urged Bannon not to resign: Five people, including a senior administration official and several sources close to the president, tell POLITICO that Bannon, one of Trump’s closest advisers, has clashed with the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who’s taken on an increasingly prominent portfolio in the West Wing. Bannon has complained that Kushner and his allies are trying to undermine his populist approach, the sources said.
Republican mega-donor Rebekah Mercer, a longtime Bannon confidante who became a prominent Trump supporter during the campaign, urged Bannon not to resign. “Rebekah Mercer prevailed upon him to stay,” said one person familiar with the situation.
Another person familiar with the situation, a GOP operative who talks to Mercer, said: “Bekah tried to convince him that this is a long-term play.”
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
Republican mega-donor Rebekah Mercer, a longtime Bannon confidante who became a prominent Trump supporter during the campaign, urged Bannon not to resign. “Rebekah Mercer prevailed upon him to stay,” said one person familiar with the situation.
Another person familiar with the situation, a GOP operative who talks to Mercer, said: “Bekah tried to convince him that this is a long-term play.”
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:12 PM on April 5, 2017 [11 favorites]
"The WH / President / Spicey report 'full faith and suuport for X'"
Is the new "spend time with (his/her) family."
posted by petebest at 9:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Is the new "spend time with (his/her) family."
posted by petebest at 9:14 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
Nothing they do, no amount of harm or good or selfish or helpful or destructive or anything makes any difference at all in the big picture, so fuck it, I'm on team me.
I doubt most of them have consciously reasoned their way through that thought. I think it's probably more that they don't really distinguish between desired states, perceived evidence, and objective facts.
That is, there's no real boundary between self and world, and they're nihilists in the sense that they don't viscerally believe there's anything outside their own heads. Everything that passes for intentionality is just reaction to the narcissistic injury that results whenever the world insults them by being different from the way they imagine it.
The Trump administration is trying to play solipsism as a team sport.
posted by dirge at 9:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
I doubt most of them have consciously reasoned their way through that thought. I think it's probably more that they don't really distinguish between desired states, perceived evidence, and objective facts.
That is, there's no real boundary between self and world, and they're nihilists in the sense that they don't viscerally believe there's anything outside their own heads. Everything that passes for intentionality is just reaction to the narcissistic injury that results whenever the world insults them by being different from the way they imagine it.
The Trump administration is trying to play solipsism as a team sport.
posted by dirge at 9:31 PM on April 5, 2017 [12 favorites]
> SNL should start doing sketches about Very Smart Jared trying to explain to Dumb Ol' Donald how things work.Or a remake/revisit of a classic SNL Reagan sketch, with BaldwinTrump channeling full-head-of-steam Glengarry Glenn Ross's Blake.
posted by Fiberoptic Zebroid and The Hypnagogic Jerks at 9:42 PM on April 5, 2017 [2 favorites]
Wed GA-06 update:
* Really racist mailer/ads out about Al Jazeera. Effective or backlash?
* Ossoff has raised $8.3M, seemingly more than ANY 2016 challenger.
* Internal poll from Moody campaign has generic Dem one point behind generic GOP. This implies a tight race, should it go to the second round. This matches the [all Dems combined] vs [all GOP combined] from the Survey USA poll, which was dead tied.
Other special election news - continuing to see strong Dem performance:
* Dems outperforming registration in early voting in KS-04. This is a very red district where Dems have little shot, but RNC is actually spending a little $$$ here.
* In CA-34 state house race, [combined Dems] beat the sole GOP candidate by 86 points. HRC had beat DJT here by 73.
Obviously, very early days all around, etc., etc. But it does seem like consistent Dem overperformance by 10-20 points in races in general. That, combined with improved recruitment (ex: at least 82 of 100 VA House of Delegate seats have Dem candidates, which is way up), bodes well for VA and NJ races in 2017 and state and House races in 2018.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
Day 8 of in-person early voting in GA-6 is D 49, R 34.In other Ossoff news:
Turnout low, perhaps because of severe weather
Over all, D 53, R 30 with 12804 vts
Over all turnout now well behind '14, but close in Fulton--where there are E.V. sites. Dem turnout still ahead, GOP behind
Nonwhite turnout has already been steadily trending upward in early voting, today most diverse yet by a lot
* Really racist mailer/ads out about Al Jazeera. Effective or backlash?
* Ossoff has raised $8.3M, seemingly more than ANY 2016 challenger.
* Internal poll from Moody campaign has generic Dem one point behind generic GOP. This implies a tight race, should it go to the second round. This matches the [all Dems combined] vs [all GOP combined] from the Survey USA poll, which was dead tied.
Other special election news - continuing to see strong Dem performance:
* Dems outperforming registration in early voting in KS-04. This is a very red district where Dems have little shot, but RNC is actually spending a little $$$ here.
* In CA-34 state house race, [combined Dems] beat the sole GOP candidate by 86 points. HRC had beat DJT here by 73.
Obviously, very early days all around, etc., etc. But it does seem like consistent Dem overperformance by 10-20 points in races in general. That, combined with improved recruitment (ex: at least 82 of 100 VA House of Delegate seats have Dem candidates, which is way up), bodes well for VA and NJ races in 2017 and state and House races in 2018.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:45 PM on April 5, 2017 [31 favorites]
@kasie: "JOHN MCCAIN: Anyone who thinks the nuclear option will be good for the Senate is an "idiot. Stupid. Idiot. Stupid.""
The Post finally did the right thing and put McCain's statement next to McConnell, resulting in this amazing headline: McConnell: ‘Nuclear option’ helps Senate. McCain: ‘Whoever says that is a stupid idiot.’. And yet:
posted by zachlipton at 9:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
The Post finally did the right thing and put McCain's statement next to McConnell, resulting in this amazing headline: McConnell: ‘Nuclear option’ helps Senate. McCain: ‘Whoever says that is a stupid idiot.’. And yet:
Even so, McCain will support McConnell’s move to eliminate the 60-vote threshold for reaching a final vote on approving Supreme Court justices to lifetime appointments.And, don't worry, idiots abound tonight. This from Matt Fuller's (who's done a bang-up job covering the AHCA goings on) The GOP Health Care Bill Falls Apart ― Again ― And No One Can Agree Whose Fault It Is
Even a meeting with Trump seemed to crystallize the opposition when he met with the Freedom Caucus. According to one Freedom Caucus member, Trump told the group to not worry about “the little shit.”Telling hardcore free marketeers that you don't care deeply about their free market-loving ways is unlikely to go over well.
“I just want to win,” Trump continued, according to the member.
That just illustrated to members that Trump wasn’t serious about the policy, wasn’t familiar with the issues and couldn’t be trusted to get the bill right.
posted by zachlipton at 9:50 PM on April 5, 2017 [18 favorites]
Trump told the group to not worry about “the little shit.”
He used that line again?
posted by futz at 9:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
He used that line again?
posted by futz at 9:54 PM on April 5, 2017 [3 favorites]
He uses it every time he refers to Kushner.
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:58 PM on April 5, 2017 [7 favorites]
Mother Jones: Donald Trump's Modeling Agency Is on the Verge of Collapse, Say Industry Insiders
posted by zachlipton at 10:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
Donald Trump's presidency hasn't been good for one of his favorite businesses. The president's modeling agency has been losing models and senior staff in recent months amid a growing backlash over his toxic politics. And the problems at Trump Model Management appear to be escalating. In interviews with Mother Jones, three industry insiders said they believe the agency could be forced to close.I had no idea he even still owned the modeling agency, but hey, so much for his promise to create jobs when he can't even do it himself. Sad.
The sources—two model bookers who have worked with Trump Models and another person with deep ties to the agency—attributed the firm's sudden tailspin to the controversial president himself. The once glamorous Trump brand, they said, now appears to be tainted.
...
Rocha told Refinery29, the fashion news site, that Trump models were finding it tough to stay with the company because of Trump's brand. "The people who got the worst of it were the models; they'd arrive on set and people would say, 'Oooh, you're from Trump [Models]? How dare you,' or 'Why are you still with them?'" Rocha said, according to the article. "They were constantly harassed by employees on shoots, especially by other models." Refinery29 first reported that a possible boycott among industry stylists and photographers was being discussed in early February.
posted by zachlipton at 10:01 PM on April 5, 2017 [36 favorites]
am I the only one here who doesn't think life has a purpose but it doesn't follow that we should actively increase the overall experience of suffering?
You should read Ken Macleod writing about... not full-on luxury gay space communism but system-wide semi-honest space communism:
You should read Ken Macleod writing about... not full-on luxury gay space communism but system-wide semi-honest space communism:
Life is a process of breaking down and using other matter, and if need be, other life. Therefore, life is aggression, and successful life is successful aggression. Life is the scum of matter, and people are the scum of life. There is nothing but matter, forces, space and time, which together make power. Nothing matters, except what matters to you. Might makes right, and power makes freedom. You are free to do whatever is in your power, and if you want to survive and thrive you had better do whatever is in your interests. If your interests conflict with those of others, let the others pit their power against yours, everyone for theirselves. If your interests coincide with those of others, let them work together with you, and against the rest. We are what we eat, and we eat everything.posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:09 PM on April 5, 2017 [14 favorites]
All that you really value, and the goodness and truth and beauty of life, have their roots in this apparently barren soil.
This is the true knowledge.
We had founded our idealism on the most nihilistic implications of science, our socialism on crass self-interest, our peace on our capacity for mutual destruction, and our liberty on determinism. We had replaced morality with convention, bravery with safety, frugality with plenty, philosophy with science, stoicism with anaesthetics and piety with immortality. The universal acid of the true knowledge had burned away a world of words, and exposed a universe of things.
Things we could use.
And for tonight's nightmare fuel: STRATCOM, you know, US Strategic Command, tweets out a link to a Breitbart story about the nuclear forces being out of date.
posted by zachlipton at 10:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 10:10 PM on April 5, 2017 [26 favorites]
So, to clarify: Bannon is still in the White House as a special strategic advisor to DJT, but he is no longer part of the NSC? Or is he actually still also part of the NSC, but in a lower-status role than before? Or has he left Washington altogether?
I think it's one of those, "He still eats in the cafeteria, but can't sit at with the Cool Girls anymore."
sotonohito's comment above says it better than I ever could.
He's NEVER been part of The Family. So, while Jared is part of the family, you cross Jared, you cross The Family.
Rebekah Mercer is wrong. There is no long-term anything for Bannon in the White House. Other than maybe a direct conduit to her? Man, Rorschach couldn't figure out this interconnected mess.
posted by mikelieman at 11:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
I think it's one of those, "He still eats in the cafeteria, but can't sit at with the Cool Girls anymore."
sotonohito's comment above says it better than I ever could.
He's NEVER been part of The Family. So, while Jared is part of the family, you cross Jared, you cross The Family.
Rebekah Mercer is wrong. There is no long-term anything for Bannon in the White House. Other than maybe a direct conduit to her? Man, Rorschach couldn't figure out this interconnected mess.
posted by mikelieman at 11:59 PM on April 5, 2017 [4 favorites]
am I the only one here who doesn't think life has a purpose but it doesn't follow that we should actively increase the overall experience of suffering?
I think that if there's any purpose, this "Free Will" thing lets us make our own choices about what that purpose it.
Entropy is easy, and releases energy. Creation is hard, and binds energy. I like a challenge.
So, as I've said before, Tikkun Omam ( roughly, "healing the world" ) is how I roll.
posted by mikelieman at 12:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I think that if there's any purpose, this "Free Will" thing lets us make our own choices about what that purpose it.
Entropy is easy, and releases energy. Creation is hard, and binds energy. I like a challenge.
So, as I've said before, Tikkun Omam ( roughly, "healing the world" ) is how I roll.
posted by mikelieman at 12:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
And for tonight's nightmare fuel: STRATCOM, you know, US Strategic Command, tweets out a link to a Breitbart story about the nuclear forces being out of date.
All that time down in those holes with keys you can't turn probably does something to your brain
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
All that time down in those holes with keys you can't turn probably does something to your brain
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 12:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Media advisory: A "horse-size duck" will be at Senator Jeff Flake's Phoenix office in the morning to protest "not getting honest answers from question-ducking Judge Neil Gorsuch"
posted by zachlipton at 12:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [37 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [37 favorites]
probably does something to your brain
posted by j_curiouser at 1:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by j_curiouser at 1:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
ROU-Xenophobe: I don’t think Ken meant for the True Knowledge to actually be taken completely seriously — it’s nineteenth century economic philosophy filtered through the minds of a bunch of North Korean indentured space workers after all. The Fall Revolution books are (partially) about different theories of rationalism / libertarianism and how those are expressed through a bunch of different societies: they read like Charlie Stross’ “Accelerando” but applied to the accelerating take-off of political theory instead of technology / AI.)
posted by pharm at 3:07 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by pharm at 3:07 AM on April 6, 2017
Me either? But Tarumba might enjoy reading a novel where global society is dominated by explicit nihilists?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:12 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 4:12 AM on April 6, 2017
Kushner has so much responsibility on his plate he's never going to be effective at anything
The only thing he's going to be effective at, let alone interested in, is enriching his own pockets.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
The only thing he's going to be effective at, let alone interested in, is enriching his own pockets.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
STRATCOM tweeting out that article is a god damned nightmare. Wake up America, you're running out of chances to stop the apocalypse. It's no longer time for politics.
posted by Yowser at 4:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 4:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
And I don't mean the literal apocalypse, I mean the bombs go boom type.
posted by Yowser at 4:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 4:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter: solipsism as a team sport
posted by petebest at 5:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by petebest at 5:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
Failed bootlick New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke at real-estate billionaire Jeff Greene’s Managing the Disruption conference and appeared to blame his current political situation on everyone but himself.
“Politicians are simple people,” he opined. “As much as you may hate to hear this in the current context, if you want to see who we are and what we do: Hold up a mirror. We are a reflection of you.”
“It’s not what we put out, it’s what comes back at us,” Christie said. When tweeting about a “substantive issue,” “I got responses like ‘lose weight,’ ‘when are you just going to go away?’ ” he said. “I’m telling you, these are exact quotes. ‘How does your family live with you?’ ‘You should be in jail’ . . . That’s not me, that’s you . . . If you want to know where the coarseness in today’s politics comes from, it comes from you.”
His tweets are being meaned to, people! Won't somebody think of the politicians?!?
posted by petebest at 5:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
“Politicians are simple people,” he opined. “As much as you may hate to hear this in the current context, if you want to see who we are and what we do: Hold up a mirror. We are a reflection of you.”
“It’s not what we put out, it’s what comes back at us,” Christie said. When tweeting about a “substantive issue,” “I got responses like ‘lose weight,’ ‘when are you just going to go away?’ ” he said. “I’m telling you, these are exact quotes. ‘How does your family live with you?’ ‘You should be in jail’ . . . That’s not me, that’s you . . . If you want to know where the coarseness in today’s politics comes from, it comes from you.”
His tweets are being meaned to, people! Won't somebody think of the politicians?!?
posted by petebest at 5:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Honestly, tweeting a Breitbart article from a government Twitter account is basically treason as far as I'm concerned. Breitbart definitely regards most Americans as enemy combatants.
posted by IAmUnaware at 5:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
posted by IAmUnaware at 5:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
if you want to see who we are and what we do: Hold up a mirror. We are a reflection of you
Sick burn, bro.
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sick burn, bro.
posted by soren_lorensen at 5:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
After years of failing at the grown-up business of passing legislation, small wonder the Democrats would like to let the Republicans have a try at being the adults in the room. In politics, saying "no" is a great deal of fun.So, what was it that the "adults in the room" were proposing for a vote for health care? NOTHING. NOTHING CAME UP FOR VOTE.
But McArdle's dishonesty goes far beyond that -- She chastises Democrats for "failing at the grown-up business of passing legislation," when they genuinely tried, and actually succeeded in many cases (like the ACA, which she tacitly admits) only to be be blocked by frequent Republican obstructionism (which she also tacitly admits!).
McArdle is a junior-league David Brooks -- thoroughly and transparently dishonest in promoting Republicans and denigrating Democrats, but somehow thought of as "reasonable" because she's polite about it. Criticizing Democrats for not helping Republicans torpedo the ACA? Excuse me? And another tell is her reference to Gorsuch as "eminently qualified," omitting the fact that McConnell stole Obama's nomination, let alone Gorsuch's ideological extremism. And that's just in the two sections filthy light thief cited!
Regarding her writing with anything other than dismissive contempt is a serious mistake.
posted by Gelatin at 5:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
Anyway, the more I watch [the Senate proceedings], the more I am convinced that Republican senators are not living in the same reality I do, or even the same reality as their Democratic colleagues.
They are not. From the article melissasaurus cited upthread (emphasis added):
They are not. From the article melissasaurus cited upthread (emphasis added):
Rather rapidly, two things happened: First, Republicans realized they’d radicalized their base to a point where nothing they did in power could satisfy their most fervent constituents. Then—in a much more consequential development—a large portion of the Republican Congressional caucus became people who themselves consume garbage conservative media, and nothing else.posted by Gelatin at 6:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [35 favorites]
That, broadly, explains the dysfunction of the Obama era, post-Tea Party freakout. Congressional Republicans went from people who were able to turn their bullshit-hose on their constituents, in order to rile them up, to people who pointed it directly at themselves, mouths open. [...]
Taking McArdle seriously is a sign of not being a serious person. She's a disingenuous piece of trash and always has been.
posted by winna at 6:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by winna at 6:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
large portion of the Republican Congressional caucus became people who themselves consume garbage conservative media, and nothing else.
Otherwise known as getting high on your own supply--the downfall of dealers through the ages.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
Otherwise known as getting high on your own supply--the downfall of dealers through the ages.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
When you no longer realise you're lying to yourself, you're a danger to yourself and others. Intervention is strongly indicated.
posted by Devonian at 6:18 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Devonian at 6:18 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
You know, I always joke about Chris Christie = Reek, but this "Failure is not MY fault, it's theirs! They're ungrateful meanies!" is straight out of Theon's disaster at Winterfell. In the books, Theon's inner monologue was a nonstop whine of self-pity and self-righteousness. This seems to underlie a lot of the Republican modus operandi - it's not OUR fault, WE're the good guys, it's THEM who are the problem, THEY are fucking things up (for whoever THEY are - liberals, POC, women, etc.).
During Obama's term, it was so easy for the Republicans to be the Party of No and say, it's Obama's fault, HE's screwing things up, if only WE were in charge...and now, just like Theon at Winterfell, they are put in charge and oops, they don't know what to do because the fantasy of power does not match the reality, they have no coherent plan for what to do now that they are in power, they are widely disliked, and things are spinning out of control, and all they know how to do is finger-point and blame The Evil Someone Else. It's external locus of control all the way down.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 6:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
During Obama's term, it was so easy for the Republicans to be the Party of No and say, it's Obama's fault, HE's screwing things up, if only WE were in charge...and now, just like Theon at Winterfell, they are put in charge and oops, they don't know what to do because the fantasy of power does not match the reality, they have no coherent plan for what to do now that they are in power, they are widely disliked, and things are spinning out of control, and all they know how to do is finger-point and blame The Evil Someone Else. It's external locus of control all the way down.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 6:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
In other Ossoff news:
* Really racist mailer/ads out about Al Jazeera. Effective or backlash?
I don't see that mailer as racist at all. The Qatari government absolutely funds Salafist terrorist groups in Syria. They're an oppressive oil emirate not too different from Saudi Arabia, and it's completely valid to look askance at someone on their payroll running for federal office.
posted by indubitable at 6:28 AM on April 6, 2017
* Really racist mailer/ads out about Al Jazeera. Effective or backlash?
I don't see that mailer as racist at all. The Qatari government absolutely funds Salafist terrorist groups in Syria. They're an oppressive oil emirate not too different from Saudi Arabia, and it's completely valid to look askance at someone on their payroll running for federal office.
posted by indubitable at 6:28 AM on April 6, 2017
Why are conservatives so weird?
Okay that... did not go where I thought it was going to go. It did, however, go to a very very weird place.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:32 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
It did, however, go to a very very weird place.
The stinger about Hans's occupation was one that I am embarrassed I did not see coming. Though it did make me want to crawl back into bed for a few days.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:35 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
The stinger about Hans's occupation was one that I am embarrassed I did not see coming. Though it did make me want to crawl back into bed for a few days.
posted by middleclasstool at 6:35 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm reading the comments on the original article now and the commentariate seems to be split as to whether the article is satire or not. (Which, in and of itself, is not a good sign.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Breitbart definitely regards most Americans as enemy combatants.
Apropos, a little, last night I put on Zevon's Transverse City, an old fave which I hadn't listened to in an age. As a whole, there are a few more duds than I remembered, but the best cuts are still great. The sci-fi Russian cowbilly of "Turbulence," in particular.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
“I’m on the Russian payroll now, when you work at Sputnik you’re being paid by the Russians,” former Breitbart investigative reporter Lee Stranahan told me. “That’s what it is. I don’t have any qualms about it. Nothing about it really affects my position on stuff that I’ve had for years now.”— From Breitbart to Sputnik, Rosie Gray, The Atlantic, 5 April 2017.
Apropos, a little, last night I put on Zevon's Transverse City, an old fave which I hadn't listened to in an age. As a whole, there are a few more duds than I remembered, but the best cuts are still great. The sci-fi Russian cowbilly of "Turbulence," in particular.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
* Really racist mailer/ads out about Al Jazeera. Effective or backlash?
I don't see that mailer as racist at all.
"Once you've worked for them... you can't work for us" is evocative of the idea that someone can be tainted permanently by association with the "wrong" sort of people, which is a racist trope that caused a lot of pain and terror in the Old South (and by "Old", I don't mean "former").
posted by Etrigan at 6:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I don't see that mailer as racist at all.
"Once you've worked for them... you can't work for us" is evocative of the idea that someone can be tainted permanently by association with the "wrong" sort of people, which is a racist trope that caused a lot of pain and terror in the Old South (and by "Old", I don't mean "former").
posted by Etrigan at 6:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Nunes steps aside on Russia investigation
posted by cmfletcher at 6:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [46 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 6:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [46 favorites]
Nunes puts out statement. Confirms he is stepping aside in Russia investigation
Good news, everyone!
posted by Tevin at 6:43 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Good news, everyone!
posted by Tevin at 6:43 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
To be replaced by two smaller Russian spies in a trenchcoat?
posted by Artw at 6:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [59 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [59 favorites]
Whose birthday is it today?
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [33 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [33 favorites]
Two actual Russian spies in a trenchcoat would still manage to be less partisan than Nunes so it's a win regardless.
posted by lydhre at 6:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 6:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
Oh those leftists, with their "ethics" and "desire not to die in a nuclear fireball", so wacky!
posted by emjaybee at 6:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 6:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
So three Russian spies!
posted by Artw at 6:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
I'm so glad that the tough guys of the GOP are willing to stand strong against falsehood and continue to do the good work of... what's that? They're folding while still claiming that they're in the right? But... but that's the opposite of tough. It's almost like they're... melting, for lack of being in a secure place.
posted by Etrigan at 6:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 6:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
futz The problem is manifold. First, I think Twitter just flat doesn't care and/or is infested with Freeze Peach style "liberal" dudebros.
But there's another problem: Twitter is hemorrhaging money and flailing desperately for a business model. They've got a shit ton of users and no revenue stream. Hiring even a single full time mod to try to sort through the shit and get rid of bad actors and bots is something they'd have a hard time justifying to the accountants, much less hiring the team it'd take to really get a handle on the problem.
The combination of likely Freeze Peach dudebros and the fact that it'd take money to fix the problem means that Twitter has absolutely no interest in doing anything beyond the bare minimum PR sort of things to make us on the Evil Liberal SJW side STFU for a while.
valkane I knew some guys who were involved with organized crime. They were Jewish. They hated Nazis just like everybody with half a mind.
The Joker, DC's utterly amoral hyper-villain, that "the Joker" won't work with Nazis, as seen in this Red Skull / Joker crossover comic.
Nazis: so horrible that even the Joker won't work with them. But Trump will.
posted by sotonohito at 6:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
But there's another problem: Twitter is hemorrhaging money and flailing desperately for a business model. They've got a shit ton of users and no revenue stream. Hiring even a single full time mod to try to sort through the shit and get rid of bad actors and bots is something they'd have a hard time justifying to the accountants, much less hiring the team it'd take to really get a handle on the problem.
The combination of likely Freeze Peach dudebros and the fact that it'd take money to fix the problem means that Twitter has absolutely no interest in doing anything beyond the bare minimum PR sort of things to make us on the Evil Liberal SJW side STFU for a while.
valkane I knew some guys who were involved with organized crime. They were Jewish. They hated Nazis just like everybody with half a mind.
The Joker, DC's utterly amoral hyper-villain, that "the Joker" won't work with Nazis, as seen in this Red Skull / Joker crossover comic.
Nazis: so horrible that even the Joker won't work with them. But Trump will.
posted by sotonohito at 6:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Wow, Mike Conway will surely be a great person to lead this investigation.
posted by Tevin at 6:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Tevin at 6:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yeah, it really doesn't matter how many MAGA-hatted buffoons they cycle through, there's no chance of a fair investigation by Congress while the, well, MAGA-hatted buffoons are in charge. Independent special prosecutor or nothing.
posted by tobascodagama at 7:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 7:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
So, Conaway represents Midland, which I bet means...
Yep. from wikipedia: "Conaway has long been friends with George W. Bush, and the two mixed in many of the same social circles in Midland."
So odd that I'd find friendship with W. to be comforting.
Conaway also didn't endorse Trump until May 13. Trump secured the nomination May 26. So he waited until basically the last minute.
I call that a relatively good sign.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Yep. from wikipedia: "Conaway has long been friends with George W. Bush, and the two mixed in many of the same social circles in Midland."
So odd that I'd find friendship with W. to be comforting.
Conaway also didn't endorse Trump until May 13. Trump secured the nomination May 26. So he waited until basically the last minute.
I call that a relatively good sign.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Wow, Mike Conway will surely be a great person to lead this investigation.
As I said only yesterday:
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
As I said only yesterday:
Sounds like the mission statement for the entire Republican Party and right wing at this point: "Think X is bad? The next one will be so much worse!"This is, after all, the Be Careful What You Wish For timeline.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
So nunes isn't fully stepping down and is stacking the deck with three more people.
What a ratfucker. DRAG HIM.
posted by Yowser at 7:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
What a ratfucker. DRAG HIM.
posted by Yowser at 7:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
My bday is coming up next week. And its the big 4-0. So I am hoping for some sort of juicy news that day. Criminal charges maybe???
posted by ian1977 at 7:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by ian1977 at 7:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Whose birthday is it today?
Leonora Carrington
posted by adamvasco at 7:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Leonora Carrington
posted by adamvasco at 7:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Tom Rooney is the same guy who said, “I’ve been in this job eight years, and I’m wracking my brain to think of one thing our party has done that’s been something positive, that’s been something other than stopping something else from happening.”
Trey Gowdy, of course, is a piece of shit.
They were both on the leak train during Comey's questioning.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Trey Gowdy, of course, is a piece of shit.
They were both on the leak train during Comey's questioning.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Gowdy's the obnoxious twit who could not fucking stop talking about leakadelic leaking leakers who leak leaky leaks during the Comey hearing.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Conaway also didn't endorse Trump until May 13. Trump secured the nomination May 26. So he waited until basically the last minute.
I call that a relatively good sign.
He's a weak little man who hides behind the strongest person in the room. Not who you want investigating links between the heads of state of two of the most powerful nations on Earth.
posted by Etrigan at 7:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I call that a relatively good sign.
He's a weak little man who hides behind the strongest person in the room. Not who you want investigating links between the heads of state of two of the most powerful nations on Earth.
posted by Etrigan at 7:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
That might work on Saturday afternoon when my wife’s [Texas Tech] Red Raiders are playing the Texas Longhorns
OMG Conaway is that guy? It's nefarious morons all the way down, guys. Look to the Senate, there is no intelligent life in the House.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
OMG Conaway is that guy? It's nefarious morons all the way down, guys. Look to the Senate, there is no intelligent life in the House.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Video of the Conaway-Comey moment cjelli quoted above.
posted by apparently at 7:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by apparently at 7:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
It did, however, go to a very very weird place
This is like one paragraph short of demanding forced pregnancy for the Fatherland
posted by schadenfrau at 7:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
This is like one paragraph short of demanding forced pregnancy for the Fatherland
posted by schadenfrau at 7:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Also, on the subject of Twitter, there are alternatives, though like with anything social media it's really hard to get a true alternative since the value is mainly in user count, and the established player has the users.
Still, Mastodon seems kind of cool. It's decentralized, open source, and has a possibly functional ant-troll method. Basically you sign up for an "instance", a Mastodon server essentially, run by someone who enforces rules. All the instances talk together on the Federated feed, but you can also see just the local feed, or a feed only of instances you like, or what have you.
posted by sotonohito at 7:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Still, Mastodon seems kind of cool. It's decentralized, open source, and has a possibly functional ant-troll method. Basically you sign up for an "instance", a Mastodon server essentially, run by someone who enforces rules. All the instances talk together on the Federated feed, but you can also see just the local feed, or a feed only of instances you like, or what have you.
posted by sotonohito at 7:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Geez, Conaway's been pretty close to W.
"from 1981 to 1986 was the chief financial officer of Arbusto Energy Inc, an oil and gas exploration firm operated by George W. Bush."
"Soon after Bush was elected governor of Texas, he appointed Conaway to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy"
Then again, he never made it to Washington during W's presidency. Don't know if that means anything.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
"from 1981 to 1986 was the chief financial officer of Arbusto Energy Inc, an oil and gas exploration firm operated by George W. Bush."
"Soon after Bush was elected governor of Texas, he appointed Conaway to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy"
Then again, he never made it to Washington during W's presidency. Don't know if that means anything.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Once you've worked for them... you can't work for us" is evocative of the idea that someone can be tainted permanently by association with the "wrong" sort of people, which is a racist trope that caused a lot of pain and terror in the Old South (and by "Old", I don't mean "former").
Roughly half the comments in this thread are made up of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations of who might have talked to a Russian once and who might have taken Russian money. None of those people were obliquely accused of being neoconfederates.
posted by indubitable at 7:17 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Roughly half the comments in this thread are made up of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations of who might have talked to a Russian once and who might have taken Russian money. None of those people were obliquely accused of being neoconfederates.
posted by indubitable at 7:17 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
That Federalist guy definitely sounds pretty rapey. "No Friend Zone" *shudders*
posted by Yowser at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 7:18 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Still, Mastodon seems kind of cool.
The mastodon thread is over here ------------> A tweet pretends to be 140 chars, but a toot is 500 flat.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
The mastodon thread is over here ------------> A tweet pretends to be 140 chars, but a toot is 500 flat.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
True, many liberals are falling for ultraconservative Louise Mensch's Russia conspiracy theories, indubitable.
Although they really should stop listening to her. She ran a direct Breitbart competitor. She. Ran. A. Breitbart. Competitor!!!! Bankrolled by Murdoch. Stacked full of Gamergate castaways.
(Sigh)
posted by Yowser at 7:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Although they really should stop listening to her. She ran a direct Breitbart competitor. She. Ran. A. Breitbart. Competitor!!!! Bankrolled by Murdoch. Stacked full of Gamergate castaways.
(Sigh)
posted by Yowser at 7:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Mulvaney gave the game away again on the zombie Obamacare repeal effort. Health care is the "numeric lynchpin" of Trump's agenda.
Translation: we really can't cut rich people's taxes without paying for it by stealing Medicaid dollars from the poor, old and disabled.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [36 favorites]
Translation: we really can't cut rich people's taxes without paying for it by stealing Medicaid dollars from the poor, old and disabled.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [36 favorites]
Roughly half the comments in this thread are made up of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations of who might have talked to a Russian once and who might have taken Russian money.
True, many liberals are falling for ultraconservative Louise Mensch's Russia conspiracy theories
I don't think these are fair characterizations. Do you think the Senate Intelligence Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the FBI are investigating conspiracy theories?
posted by diogenes at 7:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
True, many liberals are falling for ultraconservative Louise Mensch's Russia conspiracy theories
I don't think these are fair characterizations. Do you think the Senate Intelligence Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the FBI are investigating conspiracy theories?
posted by diogenes at 7:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
Why are conservatives so weird?
Okay that... did not go where I thought it was going to go. It did, however, go to a very very weird place.
Seems like they don't actually consider women to be ...people, but instead like some kind of foreign, somewhat unknowable entity, like a semi-sentient animal or clockwork automaton for which you need to discern the right inputs in order to produce the desired output. They don't seem to comprehend that women aren't just fuck and baby machines (that are somehow also your enemy).
I just ...do these people not have mothers, wives, or daughters? Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends? I imagine their every interaction with women to be fraught with either existential horror or complete gibbering terror. How do they manage to function in society?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Okay that... did not go where I thought it was going to go. It did, however, go to a very very weird place.
Seems like they don't actually consider women to be ...people, but instead like some kind of foreign, somewhat unknowable entity, like a semi-sentient animal or clockwork automaton for which you need to discern the right inputs in order to produce the desired output. They don't seem to comprehend that women aren't just fuck and baby machines (that are somehow also your enemy).
I just ...do these people not have mothers, wives, or daughters? Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends? I imagine their every interaction with women to be fraught with either existential horror or complete gibbering terror. How do they manage to function in society?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Roughly half the comments in this thread are made up of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations of who might have talked to a Russian once and who might have taken Russian money. None of those people were obliquely accused of being neoconfederates.
Feel free.
And I apologize for making it so oblique. Allow me to restate it more explicit: The people who made that mailer are neoconfederates attempting to smear Jon Ossoff by attaching him to Muslims/Arabs/non-white foreigners. That's why the biggest image on the front of that mailer is something easily identified as "Arab" and that image is repeated on the inside. That's why they use "THEM" and "US". That's why "Al-Jazeera" is repeated five times and "terrorism/terrorism" only three. Because they are trying to make white people in Newt Gingrich's district afraid of Jon Ossoff.
posted by Etrigan at 7:32 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
Feel free.
And I apologize for making it so oblique. Allow me to restate it more explicit: The people who made that mailer are neoconfederates attempting to smear Jon Ossoff by attaching him to Muslims/Arabs/non-white foreigners. That's why the biggest image on the front of that mailer is something easily identified as "Arab" and that image is repeated on the inside. That's why they use "THEM" and "US". That's why "Al-Jazeera" is repeated five times and "terrorism/terrorism" only three. Because they are trying to make white people in Newt Gingrich's district afraid of Jon Ossoff.
posted by Etrigan at 7:32 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
I don't think these are fair characterizations. Do you think the Senate Intelligence Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the FBI are investigating conspiracy theories?
In other words, when the entire investigative apparatus of the federal government is investigating potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, it doesn't seem unreasonable to try and understand what's going on.
posted by diogenes at 7:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
In other words, when the entire investigative apparatus of the federal government is investigating potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, it doesn't seem unreasonable to try and understand what's going on.
posted by diogenes at 7:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
do these people not have mothers, wives, or daughters?
Their mothers, wives, and daughters exist solely to serve their needs.
Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends?
These are the people who think men and women can never be friends.
How do they manage to function in society?
Our society was structured by men like them, through horrific violence, specifically to cater to and reward their views.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [62 favorites]
Their mothers, wives, and daughters exist solely to serve their needs.
Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends?
These are the people who think men and women can never be friends.
How do they manage to function in society?
Our society was structured by men like them, through horrific violence, specifically to cater to and reward their views.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [62 favorites]
I don't have time to follow people on twitter and i have no idea who Louise Mensch is, but even if you want to ignore every single intelligence agency, Josh Marshall has been pretty prescient about the Russia scandal, and he's, you know, an actual reporter who cites publicly available sources.
And of course none of that has any bearing on whether that mailer was racist, which is what you seem to be salty about.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
And of course none of that has any bearing on whether that mailer was racist, which is what you seem to be salty about.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Not to put too fine a point on it but what those bodies are investigating is an honest to goodness conspiracy.
So, not "conspiracy theories" in the "9/11 was an inside job" sense. But they're investigating the theory that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia against the U.S. Technically, yeah, the FBI is investigating a conspiracy theory.
The difference is that I mean "theory" in the scientific "there is a lot of supporting evidence but it's not yet been proven conclusively" sense.
posted by VTX at 7:35 AM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
So, not "conspiracy theories" in the "9/11 was an inside job" sense. But they're investigating the theory that the Trump campaign conspired with Russia against the U.S. Technically, yeah, the FBI is investigating a conspiracy theory.
The difference is that I mean "theory" in the scientific "there is a lot of supporting evidence but it's not yet been proven conclusively" sense.
posted by VTX at 7:35 AM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
many liberals are falling for ultraconservative Louise Mensch's Russia conspiracy theories
You can think that Mensch is a nut and still see the writing on the wall. Or you can, as some so-called lefties seem eager to do, join the MAGAs, the InfoWarriors, the /pol/ Shitlords, and the Russian trolls (a crowd that pretty perfectly describes Michael Tracey's audience these days) and insist that it's all "corkboard-and-red-string level speculations."
posted by octobersurprise at 7:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
You can think that Mensch is a nut and still see the writing on the wall. Or you can, as some so-called lefties seem eager to do, join the MAGAs, the InfoWarriors, the /pol/ Shitlords, and the Russian trolls (a crowd that pretty perfectly describes Michael Tracey's audience these days) and insist that it's all "corkboard-and-red-string level speculations."
posted by octobersurprise at 7:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
Health care is the "numeric lynchpin" of Trump's agenda
So, basically tax reform is dead in the water without repeal of the ACA? That does line up with all the talk from Republicans before about how healthcare had to come first.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 7:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
So, basically tax reform is dead in the water without repeal of the ACA? That does line up with all the talk from Republicans before about how healthcare had to come first.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 7:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I know this may come as a shock, but it looks like Nunes might even be lying about the "outside liberal groups" claim.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 7:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'm specifically referring to Louise Mensch, who is a conservative wackjob doing some truly awful citizen journalism and acting as a pied piper to many unknowing liberals.
Trump is up to his eyeballs in Russian complicity. But mensch is putting up the corkboard and string and she's an AWFUL person.
posted by Yowser at 7:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Trump is up to his eyeballs in Russian complicity. But mensch is putting up the corkboard and string and she's an AWFUL person.
posted by Yowser at 7:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends?
no, the sexes are supposed to be separated at all times, unless married and in the act of procreation.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:43 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
no, the sexes are supposed to be separated at all times, unless married and in the act of procreation.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:43 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Speaking of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations:
'FALSE FLAG’ — Ron Paul Says Syrian Chemical Attack ‘Makes No Sense’posted by octobersurprise at 7:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
— @RonPaul
many liberals are falling for ultraconservative Louise Mensch's Russia conspiracy theories
I've never read any of Mensch's ramblings or tweetstorms or whatever. I do know, however, that there are a lot of sketchy contacts between the Trump camp and Russia, lots of people in Trump's orbit with connections to Russian intel and Russian organized crime (which are more or less part of the same nasty soup) *and* that Russia is a plausible culprit for the infodumps on Clinton/Podesta. On top of that, the Trump camp has made every effort to make it appear as though they have something to hide, instead of clearing the air and setting us at ease, everytime they address the allegations they dig the hole deeper.
So the answer is either: Trumpworld colluded in some way and they are afraid of being caught, or they are so damn incompetent that they are making it appear that they are afraid of being caught.
Sadly with them it's impossible to easily tell the difference between the two scenarios.
Whatever else is going on, I don't think any of the above is easily challengeable. It's just the facts of the matter right now. I'll leave the corkboard red-string theorizing to the pizzagaters.
posted by dis_integration at 7:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I've never read any of Mensch's ramblings or tweetstorms or whatever. I do know, however, that there are a lot of sketchy contacts between the Trump camp and Russia, lots of people in Trump's orbit with connections to Russian intel and Russian organized crime (which are more or less part of the same nasty soup) *and* that Russia is a plausible culprit for the infodumps on Clinton/Podesta. On top of that, the Trump camp has made every effort to make it appear as though they have something to hide, instead of clearing the air and setting us at ease, everytime they address the allegations they dig the hole deeper.
So the answer is either: Trumpworld colluded in some way and they are afraid of being caught, or they are so damn incompetent that they are making it appear that they are afraid of being caught.
Sadly with them it's impossible to easily tell the difference between the two scenarios.
Whatever else is going on, I don't think any of the above is easily challengeable. It's just the facts of the matter right now. I'll leave the corkboard red-string theorizing to the pizzagaters.
posted by dis_integration at 7:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I've seen a lot of complaining among the Greenwald-esque "left" on Twitter about how liberals are following Louise Mensch down a rabbit hole, and almost nothing from liberal politicians or reporters actually citing her as an authority, much less as an independent basis for claims of Trump/Russia coordination.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [31 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [31 favorites]
Stephanie Coontz (a national treasure!) has a great book on the history of American families, The Way We Never Were. In one of her chapters, she notes that patriarchal societies often give respect to one category of women - mothers. Specifically, patriarchal men speak of their own mothers with respect ("My mother was a saint!") and downgrade all other women - needless to say, women of color almost always fall into this "other, not to be respected" category.
So yes, men like this have mothers, but to them, mothers aren't really women, but abstract fonts of nurturing, or just abstract, in the Mom and Apple Pie category.
And of course that paper is racist as hell - NEED MOAR WHITE BAYBEEZ is a rallying cry as old as the whole concept of "white people" (not all that old - 17th century or so).
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
So yes, men like this have mothers, but to them, mothers aren't really women, but abstract fonts of nurturing, or just abstract, in the Mom and Apple Pie category.
And of course that paper is racist as hell - NEED MOAR WHITE BAYBEEZ is a rallying cry as old as the whole concept of "white people" (not all that old - 17th century or so).
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
Speaking of corkboard-and-red-string level speculations:
'FALSE FLAG’ — Ron Paul Says Syrian Chemical Attack ‘Makes No Sense’
— @RonPaul
posted by octobersurprise at 7:44 AM on April 6 [+] [!]
I checked the_donald last night for some Bannon-related schadenfreude, and it was wall to wall SYRIA FALSE FLAG!!!1! posts bubbling up from the crazysphere.
Wonder what 45 offered Rand during golf the other day.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
'FALSE FLAG’ — Ron Paul Says Syrian Chemical Attack ‘Makes No Sense’
— @RonPaul
posted by octobersurprise at 7:44 AM on April 6 [+] [!]
I checked the_donald last night for some Bannon-related schadenfreude, and it was wall to wall SYRIA FALSE FLAG!!!1! posts bubbling up from the crazysphere.
Wonder what 45 offered Rand during golf the other day.
posted by schadenfrau at 7:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
So, basically tax reform is dead in the water without repeal of the ACA?
Yes and no. They can always just pass a giant tax cut for rich people. The problem is that that's not enough for them this time. If they just pass a repeat of the Bush tax cuts, they're limited to only 10 years again because of the Byrd Rule, meaning that they can't pass anything through reconciliation that would increase the deficit out side of 10 years and therefore would need Democratic votes, which they won't get.
They don't want rich people's taxes to ever go up again even 10 years from now, they were totally and completely heartbroken that the Bush tax cuts partially expired under Obama. That can't ever be allowed to happen again. So what they need is a way to offset rich peoples tax cuts enough to say it's "revenue neutral".
Hence, Republicans have to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich. It's actual comic book level evil.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [43 favorites]
Yes and no. They can always just pass a giant tax cut for rich people. The problem is that that's not enough for them this time. If they just pass a repeat of the Bush tax cuts, they're limited to only 10 years again because of the Byrd Rule, meaning that they can't pass anything through reconciliation that would increase the deficit out side of 10 years and therefore would need Democratic votes, which they won't get.
They don't want rich people's taxes to ever go up again even 10 years from now, they were totally and completely heartbroken that the Bush tax cuts partially expired under Obama. That can't ever be allowed to happen again. So what they need is a way to offset rich peoples tax cuts enough to say it's "revenue neutral".
Hence, Republicans have to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich. It's actual comic book level evil.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [43 favorites]
Or even, you know (God forbid), woman friends?
no, the sexes are supposed to be separated at all times, unless married and in the act of procreation.
Mr. Vice President?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
no, the sexes are supposed to be separated at all times, unless married and in the act of procreation.
Mr. Vice President?
posted by leotrotsky at 7:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I guess it's almost time for Trump to knock off for the week, I wonder where he'll be golfing this time and who with.
posted by Artw at 7:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
'FALSE FLAG’ — Ron Paul Says Syrian Chemical Attack ‘Makes No Sense’
— @RonPaul
I think it's linked in the comments here although I can't find it, but isn't this the line that Russia is taking on the chemical attack?
posted by sporkwort at 7:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
— @RonPaul
I think it's linked in the comments here although I can't find it, but isn't this the line that Russia is taking on the chemical attack?
posted by sporkwort at 7:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Also, released: Partial Transcript: Trump’s Interview With The Times
TRUMP: Elijah Cummings [a Democratic representative from Maryland] was in my office and he said, “You will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country.”
Cummings: I did not tell Trump he'd be one of history's 'great presidents'
posted by zakur at 7:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [84 favorites]
TRUMP: Elijah Cummings [a Democratic representative from Maryland] was in my office and he said, “You will go down as one of the great presidents in the history of our country.”
Cummings: I did not tell Trump he'd be one of history's 'great presidents'
"During my meeting with the President and on several occasions since then, I have said repeatedly that he could be a great president if ... IF ... he takes steps to truly represent ALL Americans rather than continuing on the divisive and harmful path he is currently on," Cummings told CNN Thursday in a statement.All Trump's addled mind heard was "great president" and that's what stuck.
posted by zakur at 7:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [84 favorites]
Comic book villain take: The Joker would never team up with Trump because he only does murder some he considers "fun" and Trump is basically a boring zero mirth zone.
posted by Artw at 7:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
All Trump's addled mind heard was "great president" and that's what stuck.
I genuinely don't think he's capable of grasping counterfactuals or future conditionals very well. I mean, I don't think he really has a sense of the subjunctive in general. Would that it were so.
posted by dis_integration at 7:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [53 favorites]
I genuinely don't think he's capable of grasping counterfactuals or future conditionals very well. I mean, I don't think he really has a sense of the subjunctive in general. Would that it were so.
posted by dis_integration at 7:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [53 favorites]
All Trump's addled mind heard was "great president" and that's what stuck.
What was the question he was asked at a press conference early on after the inauguration where he just heard the words 'won' and 'election' and basically ignored the actual question to talk about how he won in a landslide?
posted by TwoWordReview at 7:57 AM on April 6, 2017
What was the question he was asked at a press conference early on after the inauguration where he just heard the words 'won' and 'election' and basically ignored the actual question to talk about how he won in a landslide?
posted by TwoWordReview at 7:57 AM on April 6, 2017
And I apologize for making it so oblique. Allow me to restate it more explicit: The people who made that mailer are neoconfederates attempting to smear Jon Ossoff by attaching him to Muslims/Arabs/non-white foreigners. That's why the biggest image on the front of that mailer is something easily identified as "Arab" and that image is repeated on the inside. That's why they use "THEM" and "US". That's why "Al-Jazeera" is repeated five times and "terrorism/terrorism" only three. Because they are trying to make white people in Newt Gingrich's district afraid of Jon Ossoff.
Ossoff needs to take a picture of this smear mailer, put it in the corner of a mailer of his own, and title it
"COWARDS" or "TRAITORS"
"The Fat Cats are Scared of Jon Ossoff, and They Should Be"
"He's spent his entire career exposing lies and corruption"
"...and now they're trying to smear him to scare you"
"Here's the Truth"
& etc.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Ossoff needs to take a picture of this smear mailer, put it in the corner of a mailer of his own, and title it
"COWARDS" or "TRAITORS"
"The Fat Cats are Scared of Jon Ossoff, and They Should Be"
"He's spent his entire career exposing lies and corruption"
"...and now they're trying to smear him to scare you"
"Here's the Truth"
& etc.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I don't think he's technically sentient, just a Chinese room run by a glob of Alzheimer's.
posted by Artw at 8:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [18 favorites]
NEED MOAR WHITE BAYBEEZ is a rallying cry as old as the whole concept of "white people" (not all that old - 17th century or so).
How else are we to combat the scourge of the Papist Irishmen?
posted by leotrotsky at 8:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
How else are we to combat the scourge of the Papist Irishmen?
posted by leotrotsky at 8:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
How else are we to combat the scourge of the Papist Irishmen?
Let's not give them ideas. We already know they don't understand satire.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Let's not give them ideas. We already know they don't understand satire.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I've seen a lot of complaining among the Greenwald-esque "left" on Twitter about how liberals are following Louise Mensch
I was wondering where this idea was coming from. Maybe it's true of liberals somewhere, but it isn't true here. And it isn't true of any of the liberals I know in the real world.
posted by diogenes at 8:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I was wondering where this idea was coming from. Maybe it's true of liberals somewhere, but it isn't true here. And it isn't true of any of the liberals I know in the real world.
posted by diogenes at 8:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I genuinely don't think he's capable of grasping counterfactuals or future conditionals very well. I mean, I don't think he really has a sense of the subjunctive in general. Would that it were so.
His briefings must be designed like those picture keyboards at McDonalds.
AHCA Presidential Summary: 🏥, ☹, 💲, 😊, 📣,🎉, 🏌,⛳
posted by leotrotsky at 8:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
His briefings must be designed like those picture keyboards at McDonalds.
AHCA Presidential Summary: 🏥, ☹, 💲, 😊, 📣,🎉, 🏌,⛳
posted by leotrotsky at 8:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
I guess it's almost time for Trump to knock off for the week, I wonder where he'll be golfing this time and who with.
Mar-a-Lago and Xi Jinping. But the consensus I've heard (by which I mean it's been outright stated by everyone involved) is that, unlike our President, the Chinese President absolutely cannot be seen golfing and "nothing involving golf clubs" will take place this weekend.
posted by zachlipton at 8:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Mar-a-Lago and Xi Jinping. But the consensus I've heard (by which I mean it's been outright stated by everyone involved) is that, unlike our President, the Chinese President absolutely cannot be seen golfing and "nothing involving golf clubs" will take place this weekend.
posted by zachlipton at 8:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I don't think he's technically sentient, just a Chinese room run by a glob of Alzheimer's.
Also, replace the Chinese texts with gibberish email forwards from your aunt.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, replace the Chinese texts with gibberish email forwards from your aunt.
posted by Strange Interlude at 8:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
I think Memsch is a big proponent on the "Brits we're spying on Trump" theory that just got laughed at when she brought it up. She does get some traction on Twitter amongst people who should know better though.
And you can ignore her completely and still have a pretty solid set of theories as to Trumps wrongdoings and his relationship with Putin.
posted by Artw at 8:14 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
And you can ignore her completely and still have a pretty solid set of theories as to Trumps wrongdoings and his relationship with Putin.
posted by Artw at 8:14 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
'it isn't true of any of the liberals I know in the real world.'
I don't even know why Louise Mensch is even a thing. She was here in the UK and I thought (blissfully ignorant as I was) that she had gone away, only to see her name start to turn up in US political/media circles. If you would like advice from someone familiar with her 'work' it would be simply this: STEER WELL CLEAR
posted by Myeral at 8:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I don't even know why Louise Mensch is even a thing. She was here in the UK and I thought (blissfully ignorant as I was) that she had gone away, only to see her name start to turn up in US political/media circles. If you would like advice from someone familiar with her 'work' it would be simply this: STEER WELL CLEAR
posted by Myeral at 8:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Mar-a-Lago and Xi Jinping. But the consensus I've heard (by which I mean it's been outright stated by everyone involved) is that, unlike our President, the Chinese President absolutely cannot be seen golfing and "nothing involving golf clubs" will take place this weekend.
I've got five bucks that says Trump sneaks off for a quick 18 at some point.
posted by TwoWordReview at 8:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
I've got five bucks that says Trump sneaks off for a quick 18 at some point.
posted by TwoWordReview at 8:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
My impressions of Louise Mensch are founded on her fawning over Rupert Murdoch at the hearings over telephone hacking at the Sun. What's she doing in the US, exactly?
posted by orrnyereg at 8:17 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by orrnyereg at 8:17 AM on April 6, 2017
If you would like advice from someone familiar with her 'work' it would be simply this: STEER WELL CLEAR.
We do. Notice that the only time she came up in this thread was by someone accusing liberals of relying on her.
posted by diogenes at 8:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
We do. Notice that the only time she came up in this thread was by someone accusing liberals of relying on her.
posted by diogenes at 8:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Not to interrupt, but the Dems just sustained their filibuster on Gorsuch. Nuclear vote incoming.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [68 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [68 favorites]
I don't even know why Louise Mensch is even a thing.
She got a scoop early on and has been milking it ever since. If I remember correctly, she was the first to write about FISA warrants for Trump associates.
posted by diogenes at 8:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
She got a scoop early on and has been milking it ever since. If I remember correctly, she was the first to write about FISA warrants for Trump associates.
posted by diogenes at 8:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Adding noise, mostly. Claiming credit when something is confirmed that vaguely matches her noise. Giving Greenwald an excuse for bullshit that people should know better than to fall for, mostly.
At least the Assange supporters have all given up.
posted by Artw at 8:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
At least the Assange supporters have all given up.
posted by Artw at 8:20 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
If it's just a conspiracy theory, it's a conspiracy theory that's already taken down Trump's campaign manager and National Security Advisor, and caused the Attorney General and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to recuse themselves. Oh, and the House Intelligence Chairman is also under investigation by the Ethics Committee for his actions.
posted by chris24 at 8:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 8:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Woah. The House Ethics Committee, which is, of course, chaired by a Republican, says it will investigate Nunes for unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
posted by zachlipton at 8:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [54 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [54 favorites]
"During my meeting with the President and on several occasions since then, I have said repeatedly that he could be a great president if ... IF ... he takes steps to truly represent ALL Americans rather than continuing on the divisive and harmful path he is currently on," Cummings told CNN Thursday in a statement.
John Garrett: You remember that speech you used to give us, Nick, about how one man can accomplish anything once he realizes he can be something bigger? Well, now I am. Nick Fury: A part - a *part* of something bigger. John Garrett: Is that how it went? Phil Coulson: Not a great listener. Nick Fury: If you told me this whole Hydra path thing you took is because you misheard my damn "one man" speech... John Garrett: I am the key to the future of the universe. I'm the origin of all things. Nick Fury: [to Coulson] You got it right? Phil Coulson: Totally. Loud and clear.posted by leotrotsky at 8:23 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
> Our society was structured by men like them, through horrific violence, specifically to cater to and reward their views.
Who runs the world? These assholes.
posted by moody cow at 8:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Who runs the world? These assholes.
posted by moody cow at 8:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
The filibuster of Gorsuch has been sustained so it's nuclear option or bust now.
posted by Justinian at 8:28 AM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 8:28 AM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
Per CNN, Dems just blocked Gorsuch's nomination. Now we'll see if McConnell has the votes to nuke the filibuster.
posted by chris24 at 8:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 8:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Joker, DC's utterly amoral hyper-villain, that "the Joker" won't work with Nazis, as seen in this Red Skull / Joker crossover comic.
And someone cited a fictitious Mafioso from The Rocketeer, but in real life, mob boss Meyer Lansky was among those who worked with US officials to prevent Nazi spying and sabotage of US docks.
posted by Gelatin at 8:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
And someone cited a fictitious Mafioso from The Rocketeer, but in real life, mob boss Meyer Lansky was among those who worked with US officials to prevent Nazi spying and sabotage of US docks.
posted by Gelatin at 8:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I have to give Schumer credit. He said he'd deliver the no votes and he did.
posted by zachlipton at 8:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [67 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [67 favorites]
CSPAN Feed, for those who want to watch live.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:32 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by leotrotsky at 8:32 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Why did McConnell vote no to end the filibuster?
posted by AwkwardPause at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by AwkwardPause at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017
Maybe I'm hearing wrong but I swear I heard the last vote cast as McConnell voting "No" on cloture which seems totally backwards?
posted by dnash at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by dnash at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017
You have to vote on the side that wins in order to make a motion to reconsider.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Yup, I'm pleasantly surprised to have been so wrong about Schumer. He'd seemed so conciliatory at first, but he's fighty. We need more fighty Democrats, so yay Chuck!
posted by sotonohito at 8:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 8:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Essentially, now they are voting again (on the motion to reconsider) just to be sure. They usually skip this step.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Explanation of how these votes will go:
The cloture vote itself will likely fail, ostensibly blocking Gorsuch’s nomination from going to confirmation. But this is the key place for McConnell to attempt to change the precedent. Expect McConnell to switch his vote on the cloture tally from yea to nay so he can be on the “prevailing side” (in this case, the nays). That gives McConnell the right to ask for a revote.
That only needs 51 yeas. Then McConnell can make a motion for the Senate to revote the failed cloture vote. Again, this just needs a majority vote.
Now the Senate is back on the cloture vote. Nothing is debatable at this point. In other words, the Senate can’t extend matters by talking.
This is where McConnell drops the bomb.
McConnell will likely raise a point of order that “the vote on cloture under Rule 22 for all nominations to the Supreme Court is by a majority vote.”
The presiding officer, upon advice from the parliamentarian, will likely rule against McConnell. The officer will cite the Senate’s established precedent of 60 votes, not 51, to break a filibuster. The officer will then declare that the “point of order is not sustained.”
But this is where the Senate can establish a new precedent. McConnell will then ask the Senate to vote to overrule the presiding officer. Expect some fancy language like “Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the Senate?”
Another roll call vote starts. In this case, Republicans will vote nay, as they don’t want the chair’s ruling to stand. They are voting to establish a new precedent. In other words, the noes must prevail to set a new standard.
And that’s the nuclear option. There’s a new precedent.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [60 favorites]
The cloture vote itself will likely fail, ostensibly blocking Gorsuch’s nomination from going to confirmation. But this is the key place for McConnell to attempt to change the precedent. Expect McConnell to switch his vote on the cloture tally from yea to nay so he can be on the “prevailing side” (in this case, the nays). That gives McConnell the right to ask for a revote.
That only needs 51 yeas. Then McConnell can make a motion for the Senate to revote the failed cloture vote. Again, this just needs a majority vote.
Now the Senate is back on the cloture vote. Nothing is debatable at this point. In other words, the Senate can’t extend matters by talking.
This is where McConnell drops the bomb.
McConnell will likely raise a point of order that “the vote on cloture under Rule 22 for all nominations to the Supreme Court is by a majority vote.”
The presiding officer, upon advice from the parliamentarian, will likely rule against McConnell. The officer will cite the Senate’s established precedent of 60 votes, not 51, to break a filibuster. The officer will then declare that the “point of order is not sustained.”
But this is where the Senate can establish a new precedent. McConnell will then ask the Senate to vote to overrule the presiding officer. Expect some fancy language like “Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the Senate?”
Another roll call vote starts. In this case, Republicans will vote nay, as they don’t want the chair’s ruling to stand. They are voting to establish a new precedent. In other words, the noes must prevail to set a new standard.
And that’s the nuclear option. There’s a new precedent.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [60 favorites]
Yup, I'm pleasantly surprised to have been so wrong about Schumer. He'd seemed so conciliatory at first, but he's fighty. We need more fighty Democrats, so yay Chuck!
The Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are one of the few bright spots of being a NY'er these days.
posted by mikelieman at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
The Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are one of the few bright spots of being a NY'er these days.
posted by mikelieman at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yup, I'm pleasantly surprised to have been so wrong about Schumer. He'd seemed so conciliatory at first, but he's fighty. We need more fighty Democrats, so yay Chuck!
I'm sure he would've done this anyway, but Trump repeatedly calling him and Dems clowns was a genius negotiation tactic.
posted by chris24 at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
I'm sure he would've done this anyway, but Trump repeatedly calling him and Dems clowns was a genius negotiation tactic.
posted by chris24 at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
If you need a Twitter follow for Senate news and procedural details as this happens, including answers to burning questions like why McConnell voted no, I recommend Chad Pergram. He works for Fox News, yes, but he's not remotely a hack and he knows his stuff when it comes to Senate procedure geekery.
(He wrote the article leotrotsky just posted too.)
posted by zachlipton at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
(He wrote the article leotrotsky just posted too.)
posted by zachlipton at 8:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
There's a motion to reconsider going on right now. Next, debate on the nomination technically continues forever, there may be several more hours of grandstanding. Or not. At some point McConnell will appeal to the chair, who will rule against him, and McConnell will appeal that to the full Senate, and that right there is the "nuclear option". The full senate will vote on McConnell's 'calling the Constitutional question', and they need 51. This might take till midnight. Or be over in the next 30mins.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
An update for where we're at with tax reform:
-Repealing the ACA taxes was a key part of making the math work for tax reform in reconciliation; it is substantially harder to do with the higher/current revenue baseline
-House subcommittee on tax policy says it will hold hearings before the end of the year, but they want to focus on restructuring the IRS and basically will just use the hearings to rehash the whole tea party PAC scrutiny non-scandal.
-Rand Paul wants to get rid of FATCA (disclosure of foreign financial accounts); this won't pass the Byrd Bath and the politics will play horribly.
-The Ryan wing wants a BAT as a revenue raiser. This won't pass the Senate due to the politics of the proposal, and likely wouldn't pass the House either once an actual plan is proposed. Without a BAT, they can't really reduce corporate tax rates unless they cut other things, the current cuts being thrown around include ending the tax exemption for municipal bonds and eliminating the state and local tax deduction; both of these cuts are widely opposed by state governments (both R and D).
-Word is Mnuchin and Cohn, as well as the Kochs, oppose the BAT, while Bannon likes it. The waning influence of Bannon and Ryan will contribute to the BAT failing.
-The IRS has been telling corporations and lobbying groups that they need to lobby for more IRS enforcement money/hiring because it's getting to the point where they don't have enough experienced people to handle audits (which is bad for companies).
-The Freedom Caucus still wants to impeach Koskinen, and he's dying to be replaced, but Trump hasn't nominated anyone yet. Koskinen is currently testifying in front of the Senate Finance Committee (routine end-of-tax-season thing).
-They've started talking about passing sunsetting tax cuts again (Bush-style, 10 yr max; though, like the Bush cuts, they'll be extended and then mostly made permanent)
-Watch the House Dems in the New Democrat Coalition, they are the most likely to get on board with tax cuts for the rich "to stimulate growth!"
posted by melissasaurus at 8:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [29 favorites]
-Repealing the ACA taxes was a key part of making the math work for tax reform in reconciliation; it is substantially harder to do with the higher/current revenue baseline
-House subcommittee on tax policy says it will hold hearings before the end of the year, but they want to focus on restructuring the IRS and basically will just use the hearings to rehash the whole tea party PAC scrutiny non-scandal.
-Rand Paul wants to get rid of FATCA (disclosure of foreign financial accounts); this won't pass the Byrd Bath and the politics will play horribly.
-The Ryan wing wants a BAT as a revenue raiser. This won't pass the Senate due to the politics of the proposal, and likely wouldn't pass the House either once an actual plan is proposed. Without a BAT, they can't really reduce corporate tax rates unless they cut other things, the current cuts being thrown around include ending the tax exemption for municipal bonds and eliminating the state and local tax deduction; both of these cuts are widely opposed by state governments (both R and D).
-Word is Mnuchin and Cohn, as well as the Kochs, oppose the BAT, while Bannon likes it. The waning influence of Bannon and Ryan will contribute to the BAT failing.
-The IRS has been telling corporations and lobbying groups that they need to lobby for more IRS enforcement money/hiring because it's getting to the point where they don't have enough experienced people to handle audits (which is bad for companies).
-The Freedom Caucus still wants to impeach Koskinen, and he's dying to be replaced, but Trump hasn't nominated anyone yet. Koskinen is currently testifying in front of the Senate Finance Committee (routine end-of-tax-season thing).
-They've started talking about passing sunsetting tax cuts again (Bush-style, 10 yr max; though, like the Bush cuts, they'll be extended and then mostly made permanent)
-Watch the House Dems in the New Democrat Coalition, they are the most likely to get on board with tax cuts for the rich "to stimulate growth!"
posted by melissasaurus at 8:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [29 favorites]
California should start an advertising blitz encouraging tourists to come here and pointing out how overwhelmingly we voted against (and hate) Donald Trump. Support opposition!
I want all states where Trump lost and Democrats are (currently) in power to do this. It seems stupid, but in this time of repeated attacks on LGBT and minority populations, the states that are expanding voter access, health care and support, and general care for their most at-risk populations should be promoting the hell out of this. [C'mon, New Mexico - it would be so easy to say "we have the same Southwestern look and visual appeal to Arizona, but without the racism and hatred!" You know, but in a less antagonistic way. Maybe "New Mexico - visit the scenic southwest and stay a while! Everyone is welcome!"]
posted by filthy light thief at 8:40 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I want all states where Trump lost and Democrats are (currently) in power to do this. It seems stupid, but in this time of repeated attacks on LGBT and minority populations, the states that are expanding voter access, health care and support, and general care for their most at-risk populations should be promoting the hell out of this. [C'mon, New Mexico - it would be so easy to say "we have the same Southwestern look and visual appeal to Arizona, but without the racism and hatred!" You know, but in a less antagonistic way. Maybe "New Mexico - visit the scenic southwest and stay a while! Everyone is welcome!"]
posted by filthy light thief at 8:40 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Republicans have to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich.
Vexingly, the last time the Republicans floated this idea, the so-called "liberal media" went with "fact checks" pointing out that, while, yes, the Republican plan completely gutted Medicaid and Medicare, it didn't do away with some kind of program called "Medicaid" and "Medicare," so therefore it wasn't accurate to say that Republican plans would "end" them.
Feh.
Fortunately, I guess, the Republicans -- even Ryan, who likes to pretend his plans are something other than what they are -- are being so blatant that it's obvious even to DC reporters. Democratic messaging has to be just as consistent: "Republicans plan to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich."
posted by Gelatin at 8:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Vexingly, the last time the Republicans floated this idea, the so-called "liberal media" went with "fact checks" pointing out that, while, yes, the Republican plan completely gutted Medicaid and Medicare, it didn't do away with some kind of program called "Medicaid" and "Medicare," so therefore it wasn't accurate to say that Republican plans would "end" them.
Feh.
Fortunately, I guess, the Republicans -- even Ryan, who likes to pretend his plans are something other than what they are -- are being so blatant that it's obvious even to DC reporters. Democratic messaging has to be just as consistent: "Republicans plan to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich."
posted by Gelatin at 8:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Democratic messaging has to be just as consistent: "Republicans plan to end Medicaid and use that money to pay for permanent tax cuts for the rich."
Democratic campaigns reading these threads, I'm available for consulting work.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Democratic campaigns reading these threads, I'm available for consulting work.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
As I've said before (and bet a cake-eating on), I think there might be just enough Senators that, when push comes to shove, they don't want to undo the privilege that the filibuster affords when they happen to be in the minority and the filibuster isn't nuked.
And I definitely don't want Gorsuch on the SCOTUS, so I want, in this case, the filibuster to survive.
But part of me wants to see the filibuster die in a fire today, so that it can't be used in the future to block much-needed legislation supported by a majority of the Senate as it has in the past.
I'm just very aware of how that sword is going to cut both ways. If the filibuster dies, finally, then we are in store for more good legislation and judicial appointments passing, but also a lot more crap, too.
I wonder if, some years hence, a form of the filibuster might again be implemented by some future Senate* to tamp down once more on a system beset by the extremes.
*Senate of Cockroaches, probably.
posted by darkstar at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
And I definitely don't want Gorsuch on the SCOTUS, so I want, in this case, the filibuster to survive.
But part of me wants to see the filibuster die in a fire today, so that it can't be used in the future to block much-needed legislation supported by a majority of the Senate as it has in the past.
I'm just very aware of how that sword is going to cut both ways. If the filibuster dies, finally, then we are in store for more good legislation and judicial appointments passing, but also a lot more crap, too.
I wonder if, some years hence, a form of the filibuster might again be implemented by some future Senate* to tamp down once more on a system beset by the extremes.
*Senate of Cockroaches, probably.
posted by darkstar at 8:44 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
@christinawilkie
Typically, Ethics Committee doesn’t announce that they’ve begun an investigation. This stmt today means both GOP members and Dems agreed to.
@christinawilkie
So why would Nunes’ own party agree to release this, knowing it would basically force him to step down?
Answer: Bc they're fed up with him.
posted by chris24 at 8:45 AM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
Typically, Ethics Committee doesn’t announce that they’ve begun an investigation. This stmt today means both GOP members and Dems agreed to.
@christinawilkie
So why would Nunes’ own party agree to release this, knowing it would basically force him to step down?
Answer: Bc they're fed up with him.
posted by chris24 at 8:45 AM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
It's difficult to agree with Rand Paul but FATCA has been horrible for ordinary Americans living abroad. It's made it much more difficult for Americans to open bank accounts in other countries. Not, of course, that anybody really cares about expats.
[Sorry if this is a derail.]
posted by orrnyereg at 8:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
[Sorry if this is a derail.]
posted by orrnyereg at 8:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
You have to vote on the side that wins in order to make a motion to reconsider.
They did this a lot of this kind of procedural bullshit at the RNC McConnell was initially eyed at chairing, too - voting the opposite way, then raising motions to reconsider immediately so that they could be quashed forever, etc.
posted by corb at 8:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
They did this a lot of this kind of procedural bullshit at the RNC McConnell was initially eyed at chairing, too - voting the opposite way, then raising motions to reconsider immediately so that they could be quashed forever, etc.
posted by corb at 8:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
darkstar, bear in mind that today's vote only kills the filibuster as it pertains to Supreme Court nominees. Legislation still requires 60 votes.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Not that I love Chuck Schumer's show-parliamentary-inquiries, either.
posted by corb at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by corb at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017
The legislative filibuster is not at issue today. Yet. That's a much bigger deal than even SCOTUS, and there's almost certainly not enough votes to kill it. Yet.
Wait till Dems filibuster tax cuts and then it might be a different story.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Wait till Dems filibuster tax cuts and then it might be a different story.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yeah Schumer! Make the points when everyone's watching. I mean, those watching CSPAN, that is. So not a lot of people, I guess. But us, for sure.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by leotrotsky at 8:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh this is an interesting idea though - Schumer calls for a postponement to April 24 so the Republicans can come together on a nominee that might not be filibustered, so he's opening the door for a possible compromise candidate. If there's back-door-dealings, this would make the whole thing make a lot more sense - if not, I don't understand this since the postponement vote would still need 51.
posted by corb at 8:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by corb at 8:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
WHOA! Go CHUCK. He just proposed suspending it until the Monday the 24th. Voting now.
If he succeeds in messing up the whole "There will be a vote on Thursday" plans, then the Republicans are batting zero.
posted by mikelieman at 8:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
If he succeeds in messing up the whole "There will be a vote on Thursday" plans, then the Republicans are batting zero.
posted by mikelieman at 8:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
Now they are voting to postpone the nomination until after the recess. This is a test vote that will almost certainly lose, if the Republicans are really ready to go nuclear.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Dems just blocked Gorsuch's nomination. Now we'll see if McConnell has the votes to nuke the filibuster.
Yes, so today is going to be an interesting day. McConnell might have the Republicans voting in lockstep to prevail.
But if they do torch the SCOTUS nominee filibuster -- along with any pretense of bipartisan Senate comity -- it's time for the Democrats in the Senate to withhold cooperation on absolutely everything, up to and including the motion to adjourn for the weekend. Take advantage of every dilatory motion possible, and never, ever allow unanimous consent. Make the Republicans understand that actions have consequences, and their victory comes at a steep price.
posted by Gelatin at 8:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [50 favorites]
Yes, so today is going to be an interesting day. McConnell might have the Republicans voting in lockstep to prevail.
But if they do torch the SCOTUS nominee filibuster -- along with any pretense of bipartisan Senate comity -- it's time for the Democrats in the Senate to withhold cooperation on absolutely everything, up to and including the motion to adjourn for the weekend. Take advantage of every dilatory motion possible, and never, ever allow unanimous consent. Make the Republicans understand that actions have consequences, and their victory comes at a steep price.
posted by Gelatin at 8:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [50 favorites]
Might give the Republican Senators that were critical of the nuclear option the out, for now.
posted by lydhre at 8:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 8:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Oh this is an interesting idea though - Schumer calls for a postponement to April 24 so the Republicans can come together on a nominee that might not be filibustered, so he's opening the door for a possible compromise candidate.
Now they are voting to postpone the nomination until after the recess. This is a test vote that will almost certainly lose, if the Republicans are really ready to go nuclear.
Fascinating. Because if the Republicans do lose that vote, Schumer is signalling that he's prepared to throw the Republicans a bit of a life preserver by indicating Democratic willingness to accept a different nominee. (I suggest Garland.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Now they are voting to postpone the nomination until after the recess. This is a test vote that will almost certainly lose, if the Republicans are really ready to go nuclear.
Fascinating. Because if the Republicans do lose that vote, Schumer is signalling that he's prepared to throw the Republicans a bit of a life preserver by indicating Democratic willingness to accept a different nominee. (I suggest Garland.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Might give the Republican Senators that were critical of the nuclear option the out, for now.
Only if they see the possibility of a candidate that won't be filibustered, but if so, it would be excellent cover.
I wish we had better mikes to hear these actual votes, though.
posted by corb at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Only if they see the possibility of a candidate that won't be filibustered, but if so, it would be excellent cover.
I wish we had better mikes to hear these actual votes, though.
posted by corb at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Delay is good here. If they go home with Gorsuch pending it's an opportunity to organize resistance.
And if they leave him pending for two weeks, that's two weeks less they can consider anything else, two weeks less of Gorsuch this term, and might get postponed further because there will be a legitimate budget emergency as soon at the Senate is back at the end of April.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
And if they leave him pending for two weeks, that's two weeks less they can consider anything else, two weeks less of Gorsuch this term, and might get postponed further because there will be a legitimate budget emergency as soon at the Senate is back at the end of April.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
-Rand Paul wants to get rid of FATCA (disclosure of foreign financial accounts); this won't pass the Byrd Bath and the politics will play horribly.
This is fucking annoying for me. Every year I have to go and track down accounts that I don't give a shit about but too pain in the ass to close because the US government thinks I might be evading tax with my Australian checking account that pays no interest.
FATCA needs to be reformed to not piss off every foreigner that might still have some money somewhere that the US has really has no business to care about.
posted by Talez at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
This is fucking annoying for me. Every year I have to go and track down accounts that I don't give a shit about but too pain in the ass to close because the US government thinks I might be evading tax with my Australian checking account that pays no interest.
FATCA needs to be reformed to not piss off every foreigner that might still have some money somewhere that the US has really has no business to care about.
posted by Talez at 8:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
But if they do torch the SCOTUS nominee filibuster -- along with any pretense of bipartisan Senate comity -- it's time for the Democrats in the Senate to withhold cooperation on absolutely everything, up to and including the motion to adjourn for the weekend. Take advantage of every dilatory motion possible, and never, ever allow unanimous consent. Make the Republicans understand that actions have consequences, and their victory comes at a steep price.
Interesting to see, if they grind the Senate to a halt, if they pay any kind of price. Most folks tend to attribute Washington gridlock, slowdowns, shutdowns, etc. to Republicans.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Interesting to see, if they grind the Senate to a halt, if they pay any kind of price. Most folks tend to attribute Washington gridlock, slowdowns, shutdowns, etc. to Republicans.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
today's vote only kills the filibuster as it pertains to Supreme Court nominees
Oh my - I am usually much better informed/aware than this on politics. :-/ Thanks for the correction.
That being the case, I very much hope this filibuster is maintained. SCOTUS nominees, of all things, should be able to satisfy a higher majority in their appointments. The 60-vote rule is a positive check on extreme appointments. I have to imagine that there are at least 51 Senators that agree.
posted by darkstar at 8:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Oh my - I am usually much better informed/aware than this on politics. :-/ Thanks for the correction.
That being the case, I very much hope this filibuster is maintained. SCOTUS nominees, of all things, should be able to satisfy a higher majority in their appointments. The 60-vote rule is a positive check on extreme appointments. I have to imagine that there are at least 51 Senators that agree.
posted by darkstar at 8:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
What was the question he was asked at a press conference early on after the inauguration where he just heard the words 'won' and 'election' and basically ignored the actual question to talk about how he won in a landslide?
I'm guessing you meant the anti-semitism question?
posted by Mchelly at 8:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I'm guessing you meant the anti-semitism question?
posted by Mchelly at 8:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Anyone have the count? CSPAN not showing.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:56 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by leotrotsky at 8:56 AM on April 6, 2017
I don't think it passed - I'm hearing the nos, and all the suspects who would have been involved in a deal if there was one are voting no.
posted by corb at 8:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by corb at 8:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Speaking of SCOTUS: [W]hen women become justices of the Supreme Court, they are given less respect than the male justices give one another, and receive less deference from male advocates.
posted by orrnyereg at 8:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by orrnyereg at 8:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
Yes 48, No 52.
posted by corb at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by corb at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
FACTA needs to be reformed to not piss off every foreigner that might still have some money somewhere that the US has really has no business to care about.
Completely agree, particularly for people who are not US residents (it caused a ton of overseas Americans to renounce their citizenship). And there needs to be a de minimis process or safe harbor for "normal" people.
But proposing to completely eliminate foreign account transparency when the entire Republican government is being investigated for potential ties to Russian money laundering is not the best idea.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Completely agree, particularly for people who are not US residents (it caused a ton of overseas Americans to renounce their citizenship). And there needs to be a de minimis process or safe harbor for "normal" people.
But proposing to completely eliminate foreign account transparency when the entire Republican government is being investigated for potential ties to Russian money laundering is not the best idea.
posted by melissasaurus at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
The postponement fails. McCain votes no, which goes to show you how interested McCain was in avoiding this. There's a big piece of paper on the dais for the chair to read to invoke the nuclear option.
Okay, so we're doin' this.
posted by zachlipton at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Okay, so we're doin' this.
posted by zachlipton at 8:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
John McCain, Man of Courage.
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:01 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Fuck you, Turtle. He's up there blaming Democrats as he's about to call the question.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
You restore the norms by changing the rules? I need to walk away now.
posted by mikelieman at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Oh shit! He's taking the position of nuclear option for all nominations, not just for Gorsuch.
posted by corb at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by corb at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I don't think it passed - I'm hearing the nos, and all the suspects who would have been involved in a deal if there was one are voting no.
OK then. Goodbye Supreme Court filibuster, I guess. Hope it's worth it for you, Mitch.
I still think that, if the Russia probe pans out, as it most certainly will, fruit of the poisonous tree.
At the first opportunity, impeach Gorsuch.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
OK then. Goodbye Supreme Court filibuster, I guess. Hope it's worth it for you, Mitch.
I still think that, if the Russia probe pans out, as it most certainly will, fruit of the poisonous tree.
At the first opportunity, impeach Gorsuch.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
I can't handle the fucking smirks on the faces of these people.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
This would have been a good opportunity for McCain the maverick to make an appearance.
Had Schumer's delay been successful, I think Garland would have been not only the obvious choice but the only one that dems would have accepted.
posted by VTX at 9:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Had Schumer's delay been successful, I think Garland would have been not only the obvious choice but the only one that dems would have accepted.
posted by VTX at 9:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oh shit! He's taking the position of nuclear option for all nominations, not just for Gorsuch.
Did you think this was going to be a one-time thing? That's not really McConnell's style.
posted by zachlipton at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Did you think this was going to be a one-time thing? That's not really McConnell's style.
posted by zachlipton at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Deb Fisher is uncomfortable. Good.
posted by mikelieman at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017
Fuck impeachment, the next step is court packing. This justifies it.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
filthy light thief, I'm guessing your Republican governor would have something to say about an explicitly anti-POTUS, anti-Republican campaign.
Democrats currently only hold a state government trifecta in Oregon, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Be more likely there.
posted by zarq at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Democrats currently only hold a state government trifecta in Oregon, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Be more likely there.
posted by zarq at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
This would have been a good opportunity for McCain the maverick to make an appearance.
Who? There's no such person. There never has been.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
Who? There's no such person. There never has been.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
Interesting to see, if [the Democrats] grind the Senate to a halt, if they pay any kind of price.
Yesterday on NPR, David Greene was doing his level best to normalize Republican behavior with the old reliable "both sides do it" ploy in interviewing Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, who, unfortunately, was terrible at pointing out how extreme Republican behavior has been, not even mentioning Garland not getting so much as a hearing.
Feh.
posted by Gelatin at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yesterday on NPR, David Greene was doing his level best to normalize Republican behavior with the old reliable "both sides do it" ploy in interviewing Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, who, unfortunately, was terrible at pointing out how extreme Republican behavior has been, not even mentioning Garland not getting so much as a hearing.
GREENE: ...Negotiate. Well, let me ask you this - I mean, Republicans would say it is your party that got the ball rolling towards where we are today. Democrat leader Harry Reid changed the rules when President Obama was having trouble getting lower court nominees through. So is there some hypocrisy here?
STABENOW: Well, first of all, I remember the discussions in our caucus about changing the rules for the Supreme Court. And I felt very strongly and so did the majority of members saying, you know, for the Supreme Court, the rules should stay the same because of the importance to have mainstream judges. It's true.
Feh.
posted by Gelatin at 9:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is how Democracy dies, not with a bang but with a vote.
It's on you, Republicans. Well done.
posted by lydhre at 9:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
It's on you, Republicans. Well done.
posted by lydhre at 9:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
This is a dilatory motion to adjourn to 5pm.
posted by zachlipton at 9:07 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by zachlipton at 9:07 AM on April 6, 2017
Did you think this was going to be a one-time thing? That's not really McConnell's style.
Yeah, I did think so. I'm wondering if Schumer thought so as well and that's behind the postponement to 5PM, to try to lobby senators to vote no against this?
For the parliamentarians among us, because I can't recall - if this is defeated here, does that resolve the issue of the nuclear option forever or just until raised again?
posted by corb at 9:07 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I did think so. I'm wondering if Schumer thought so as well and that's behind the postponement to 5PM, to try to lobby senators to vote no against this?
For the parliamentarians among us, because I can't recall - if this is defeated here, does that resolve the issue of the nuclear option forever or just until raised again?
posted by corb at 9:07 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
President Donald Trump has told some members of Congress that he is considering military action in Syria in retaliation for this week's chemical attack, and recognizes the seriousness of the situation, a source familiar with the calls tells CNN.
"The source said the President had not firmly decided to go ahead with it but said he was discussing possible actions with Defense Secretary James Mattis.
Trump is relying on the judgment of Mattis, according to the source."
posted by sporkwort at 9:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
"The source said the President had not firmly decided to go ahead with it but said he was discussing possible actions with Defense Secretary James Mattis.
Trump is relying on the judgment of Mattis, according to the source."
posted by sporkwort at 9:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
It's on you, Republicans. Well done.
Republicans are desperate for something they can spin as a victory. So be it. They'll be sorry after 2020 -- can anyone imagine a Republican, any Republican, winning the White House next time?
posted by Gelatin at 9:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Republicans are desperate for something they can spin as a victory. So be it. They'll be sorry after 2020 -- can anyone imagine a Republican, any Republican, winning the White House next time?
posted by Gelatin at 9:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Fuck impeachment, the next step is court packing. This justifies it.
OK, but you better hope that the Republicans never have control of both Congress and Presidency ever again.
Maybe grant statehood to DC, Puerto Rico, & Guam?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
OK, but you better hope that the Republicans never have control of both Congress and Presidency ever again.
Maybe grant statehood to DC, Puerto Rico, & Guam?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Yeah, bad example, as none of us imagined Trump there now, but my point stands.
posted by Gelatin at 9:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 9:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing you meant the anti-semitism question?
Yup, that was the one I was thinking of. Thanks.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017
Yup, that was the one I was thinking of. Thanks.
posted by TwoWordReview at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017
can anyone imagine a Republican, any Republican, winning the White House next time?
Yes, I absolutely can.
posted by zrail at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Yes, I absolutely can.
posted by zrail at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
They'll be sorry after 2020 -- can anyone imagine a Republican, any Republican, winning the White House next time?
Yes, I can. Because the river of hate is as endless as the river of stupidity.
posted by lydhre at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [45 favorites]
Yes, I can. Because the river of hate is as endless as the river of stupidity.
posted by lydhre at 9:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [45 favorites]
Maybe grant statehood to DC, Puerto Rico, & Guam?
Could also be done with 51 votes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Could also be done with 51 votes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
President Donald Trump has told some members of Congress that he is considering military action in Syria in retaliation for this week's chemical attack
Welp, it's war with Syria, then. Which means another proxy war with the Russians.
Well done, Trump-voters. Well done. Those red caps will help camouflage all the blood that's on your heads.
posted by darkstar at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Welp, it's war with Syria, then. Which means another proxy war with the Russians.
Well done, Trump-voters. Well done. Those red caps will help camouflage all the blood that's on your heads.
posted by darkstar at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Hey, between now and the 2 week break, how many of these motions to suspend can Schumer offer? Can he just keep him doing this indefinitely?
posted by mikelieman at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017
Democratic voters.. you... don't get it, do you? Here's the outside perspective: you'll never win another election by following the rules as they stand. Ever.
posted by Yowser at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 9:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Welp, it's war with Syria, then. Which means another proxy war with the Russians.
Seriously doubt the boss will allow that.
posted by Artw at 9:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Seriously doubt the boss will allow that.
posted by Artw at 9:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
I hope very much the filibuster for SCOTUS nominees is gone forever, and that the filibuster in general gets nuked too.
The filibuster no longer helps the good guys, if it ever did those days are long past. All it is, these days, is a rule that says Republicans can pass anything with 51 votes, but that Democrats need 60 votes to pass things. Fuck that noise.
darkstar Let's not go crazy here, this is just Trump rambling and trying to sound proactive and shit. There's no way he'll go up against his boss in Moscow. Putin might, possibly, permit Trump to do a big showy airstrike on something unimportant and declare that taught Assad a thing or two, but there is no way, no how, not happening, that Trump goes against Russia.
posted by sotonohito at 9:14 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
The filibuster no longer helps the good guys, if it ever did those days are long past. All it is, these days, is a rule that says Republicans can pass anything with 51 votes, but that Democrats need 60 votes to pass things. Fuck that noise.
darkstar Let's not go crazy here, this is just Trump rambling and trying to sound proactive and shit. There's no way he'll go up against his boss in Moscow. Putin might, possibly, permit Trump to do a big showy airstrike on something unimportant and declare that taught Assad a thing or two, but there is no way, no how, not happening, that Trump goes against Russia.
posted by sotonohito at 9:14 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yeah, I kind of feel like we need somehow to just lance the boil at this point. All this festering infection is giving the country a serious fever.
posted by darkstar at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by darkstar at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hey, remember when all those liberal voters were super duper concerned about how much of a war hawk Clinton was compared to Trump?
Joke's on everyone!
posted by lydhre at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [46 favorites]
Joke's on everyone!
posted by lydhre at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [46 favorites]
Maybe grant statehood to DC, Puerto Rico, & Guam?
Could also be done with 51 votes.
You'd need the House as well.
If you added USVI and American Samoa, you'll probably lock in the Senate in perpetuity. That'd also prevent the Republican response, which would be to subdivide existing states.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Could also be done with 51 votes.
You'd need the House as well.
If you added USVI and American Samoa, you'll probably lock in the Senate in perpetuity. That'd also prevent the Republican response, which would be to subdivide existing states.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
It depends on what happens between now and 2020, but I do think this whole thing is incredibly short sighted.
We have 52 nos, so the postponement is defeated.
posted by corb at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
We have 52 nos, so the postponement is defeated.
posted by corb at 9:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also three Democratic votes disappeared between the last vote and this one, we have only 45 ayes.
posted by corb at 9:16 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by corb at 9:16 AM on April 6, 2017
They're catching up those three votes now, so we're at 48 ayes.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Number of times a judicial nominee was filibustered from 1949 - 2009? 68
Number of times Republicans filibustered Obama's judicial nominees before Reid nuked the filibuster for them? 79
Number of times Dems filibustered before McConnell nuked the filibuster? One
posted by chris24 at 9:17 AM on April 6, 2017 [114 favorites]
Number of times Republicans filibustered Obama's judicial nominees before Reid nuked the filibuster for them? 79
Number of times Dems filibustered before McConnell nuked the filibuster? One
posted by chris24 at 9:17 AM on April 6, 2017 [114 favorites]
This is the nuclear vote. To overturn the previous precedent and establish that cloture for all nominees is by majority vote. "No" is to overturn, and nuke the filibuster.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 9:21 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by Huffy Puffy at 9:21 AM on April 6, 2017
I think, I'll take comfort in the idea of the more senior Justices hazing the shit out of the pledge. I mean real, "clean my shoes with your tongue" shit. [fake] probably, but at this point, I have to take comfort wherever I can.
posted by mikelieman at 9:22 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by mikelieman at 9:22 AM on April 6, 2017
That'd also prevent the Republican response, which would be to subdivide existing states.
Heh. Let's split California into many small parts. Let me know what that US Senate looks like.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Heh. Let's split California into many small parts. Let me know what that US Senate looks like.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 9:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
filthy light thief, I'm guessing your Republican governor would have something to say about an explicitly anti-POTUS, anti-Republican campaign.
Yeah, she's being a jerk ATM, angry that the Dems in the House and Senate tried to patch the revenue gap left from the sharp downturn in oil and gas with *gasp* some increased taxes and fees. Her reply? Freeze all state hiring (again - this happened last year, when the budget was also bad under Republican oversight), and threaten to furlough State employees, all via comments at various meetings, not in formal press releases. She was an anti-Trumper, but she's using rather Trumpian tactics now. I guess you can still dislike someone and copy their methods.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:24 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yeah, she's being a jerk ATM, angry that the Dems in the House and Senate tried to patch the revenue gap left from the sharp downturn in oil and gas with *gasp* some increased taxes and fees. Her reply? Freeze all state hiring (again - this happened last year, when the budget was also bad under Republican oversight), and threaten to furlough State employees, all via comments at various meetings, not in formal press releases. She was an anti-Trumper, but she's using rather Trumpian tactics now. I guess you can still dislike someone and copy their methods.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:24 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
The other Justices should call him Merrick to his face. Work a few Justice Garlands into opinions, of course caught and corrected, but you know...
posted by mikelieman at 9:24 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 9:24 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yeah, it's not the free press that's the enemy of the people, it's the entire Goddamned Odious Party.
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
That'd also prevent the Republican response, which would be to subdivide existing states.
Heh. Let's split California into many small parts. Let me know what that US Senate looks like.
Splitting states up would be a heavier lift than adding new states regardless. Nobody in a state legislature or governor's office is going to willingly want to reduce their power or authority.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Heh. Let's split California into many small parts. Let me know what that US Senate looks like.
Splitting states up would be a heavier lift than adding new states regardless. Nobody in a state legislature or governor's office is going to willingly want to reduce their power or authority.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Fuck impeachment, the next step is court packing. This justifies it.
There's not going to be court packing.
posted by Justinian at 9:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
There's not going to be court packing.
posted by Justinian at 9:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Also, every so-called "moderate Republican" in the Senate (I'm looking at you, Collins) needs to be met with a torrent of ads saying "$REPUBLICAN claims to be moderate, in keeping with $STATE values, but when things really count, they vote with the most extreme Republicans. Every. Single. Time."
posted by Gelatin at 9:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [41 favorites]
posted by Gelatin at 9:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [41 favorites]
He's taking the position of nuclear option for all nominations, not just for Gorsuch.
Fuck impeachment, the next step is court packing. This justifies it.
Court-packing starts now, under Trump, because Trump inherited 100 judicial vacancies from Obama (or more correctly, the Republican-controlled Senate). These are lifetime appointments through the district and circuit courts.
posted by gladly at 9:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
Fuck impeachment, the next step is court packing. This justifies it.
Court-packing starts now, under Trump, because Trump inherited 100 judicial vacancies from Obama (or more correctly, the Republican-controlled Senate). These are lifetime appointments through the district and circuit courts.
posted by gladly at 9:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [34 favorites]
I'm not the only one who remembers that trying to weight the Senate by adding a bunch of new states was one of the causes of the Civil War, right?
posted by Etrigan at 9:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by Etrigan at 9:31 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Splitting states up would be a heavier lift than adding new states regardless. Nobody in a state legislature or governor's office is going to willingly want to reduce their power or authority.
Democrats don't need to do anything about they current number of states. They need to update the law capping the number of Representatives, which hasn't been changed in a century.
Most Americans live in cities, but they're criminally under-represented in the House.
posted by Gelatin at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
Democrats don't need to do anything about they current number of states. They need to update the law capping the number of Representatives, which hasn't been changed in a century.
Most Americans live in cities, but they're criminally under-represented in the House.
posted by Gelatin at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
There's not going to be court packing.
You're right, because Democratic voters don't care about the Supreme Court that will be ruling the country in perpetuity with one more appointment. Elections won't matter, as if Democrats would win another again anyway. We've already lost, this is just the first act of the disaster porn playing out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
You're right, because Democratic voters don't care about the Supreme Court that will be ruling the country in perpetuity with one more appointment. Elections won't matter, as if Democrats would win another again anyway. We've already lost, this is just the first act of the disaster porn playing out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Remember that after this is done, the Senate goes on recess. Then they come back and have four days to work together to keep the government open before a shutdown. Good luck.
posted by zachlipton at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
Court-packing starts now, under Trump, because Trump inherited 100 judicial vacancies from Obama (or more correctly, the Republican-controlled Senate).
Given how glacially he's moving at filling even his own departments, I don't think those are going away anytime soon. This is a man who didn't even know Obama's staff didn't come with the house.
posted by corb at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Given how glacially he's moving at filling even his own departments, I don't think those are going away anytime soon. This is a man who didn't even know Obama's staff didn't come with the house.
posted by corb at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
(Doing so will also change the composition of the Electoral College, which is based on the number of members of Congress, by the way.)
posted by Gelatin at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Gelatin at 9:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
At a certain point civil war becomes the least bad option.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Nuked 52-48.
posted by chris24 at 9:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 9:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
It is done, literally the first time this senate was met with a filibuster, they got rid of it. Can't wait for them to do the same with the legislative filibuster...
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
John McCain voting with the rest of his party for something that just a couple days ago he condemned. That maverick!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [59 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [59 favorites]
McCain will be on CNN in 15 minutes to say how bad he feels that Democrats made him do this.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
And I apologize for making it so oblique. Allow me to restate it more explicit: The people who made that mailer are neoconfederates attempting to smear Jon Ossoff by attaching him to Muslims/Arabs/non-white foreigners. That's why the biggest image on the front of that mailer is something easily identified as "Arab" and that image is repeated on the inside. That's why they use "THEM" and "US". That's why "Al-Jazeera" is repeated five times and "terrorism/terrorism" only three. Because they are trying to make white people in Newt Gingrich's district afraid of Jon Ossoff.
It's amazing to me the lengths to which liberals will go to defend Wahabbist maniacs and straight up monarchy. The way you confuse discrimination against American Muslims (which is a real problem) with interference in our government by wealthy foreign powers is actively harmful. The Gulf Arab states throw huge amounts of money at people likely to work in government in the form of think tanks, sinecure positions in media outlets, presidential candidates' family foundations and more. If Ossoff has this kind of sleazy relationship with the Qatari government, then people deserve to know that.
posted by indubitable at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's amazing to me the lengths to which liberals will go to defend Wahabbist maniacs and straight up monarchy. The way you confuse discrimination against American Muslims (which is a real problem) with interference in our government by wealthy foreign powers is actively harmful. The Gulf Arab states throw huge amounts of money at people likely to work in government in the form of think tanks, sinecure positions in media outlets, presidential candidates' family foundations and more. If Ossoff has this kind of sleazy relationship with the Qatari government, then people deserve to know that.
posted by indubitable at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Fuck it. Fuck it all.
posted by jferg at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by jferg at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Well, those motherfuckers did it. As someone who has always lived in coastal cities and who knows their voice and values have never been represented in the government that rules us, I can now rest easy knowing that those fucking Christian imperialists who live thousands of miles away from me and have no idea how important the land and water and people of this place are will have unconstrained power over us. Fuck them all, fuck them hard, and may we never work with them again.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [56 favorites]
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [56 favorites]
I'm dismayed by how well "assume the worst" has been working out for me these last few months.
posted by Shutter at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
posted by Shutter at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
(Doing so will also change the composition of the Electoral College, which is based on the number of members of Congress, by the way.)
That fucker needs to go as well.
posted by Artw at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
That fucker needs to go as well.
posted by Artw at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
I know that I've never felt like part of the same country (geographically, socially, or whatever else) as the eastern parts of the continent so I'm not sure why we should keep pretending that we are.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:39 AM on April 6, 2017
.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:40 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:40 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
That fucker needs to go as well.
Not that I disagree -- it failed in the very purpose Hamilton cited in justifying it, so it's proved its uselessness -- but I doubt Democrats have the support necessary to amend the Constitution. They can change the Apportionment Act the next time they have simple majorities in Congress, and the White House.
posted by Gelatin at 9:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Not that I disagree -- it failed in the very purpose Hamilton cited in justifying it, so it's proved its uselessness -- but I doubt Democrats have the support necessary to amend the Constitution. They can change the Apportionment Act the next time they have simple majorities in Congress, and the White House.
posted by Gelatin at 9:41 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Good news, everyone, the legitimate capital of the United States is now Sacramento, and the President is now Jerry Brown. We're not exiting the United States, we're liberating it.
We're not locked in here with Trump. Trump's locked in here with us.
And if anyone disagrees, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. unless you want a visit from the suede-denim secret police.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [58 favorites]
We're not locked in here with Trump. Trump's locked in here with us.
And if anyone disagrees, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. unless you want a visit from the suede-denim secret police.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:42 AM on April 6, 2017 [58 favorites]
California shouldn't feel constrained to follow 5-4 decisions of this illegitimate Court. Nothing Gorsuch casts the deciding vote on should be considered binding. Time to escalate.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
(Doing so will also change the composition of the Electoral College, which is based on the number of members of Congress, by the way.)
That fucker needs to go as well.
Note that apportioning one House rep per 500k people gives us a House of 600ish people and reduces the discrepancy between the popular vote and electoral vote (even with winner-take-all states). I wouldn't even mind the EC under this arrangement.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
That fucker needs to go as well.
Note that apportioning one House rep per 500k people gives us a House of 600ish people and reduces the discrepancy between the popular vote and electoral vote (even with winner-take-all states). I wouldn't even mind the EC under this arrangement.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
...the suede-denim secret police.
That's a pseudonym for something, I just know it.
posted by Floydd at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's a pseudonym for something, I just know it.
posted by Floydd at 9:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Welp, I guess this means it's cake for dinner.
posted by darkstar at 9:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 9:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
At a certain point civil war becomes the least bad option.
This has never been true statement.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
This has never been true statement.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:47 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
In all seriousness though, why should we have to pretend that this is legitimate?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Lol for real, maybe take it down a notch guys.
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Well that sucks.
Kudos to Senate Democrats for hanging together (mostly) to force the GOP to take this step. They couldn't have done it without the support from below. We should be encouraged by that because if anything good is going to happen in the next couple of years, it's going to be driven by concerned and active people who keep the pressure on.
posted by notyou at 9:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [32 favorites]
Kudos to Senate Democrats for hanging together (mostly) to force the GOP to take this step. They couldn't have done it without the support from below. We should be encouraged by that because if anything good is going to happen in the next couple of years, it's going to be driven by concerned and active people who keep the pressure on.
posted by notyou at 9:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [32 favorites]
Weird question for anyone watching the Senate right now - who's in the Chair? I swear it looks like Sessions, but he's not a senator anymore...
posted by dnash at 9:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dnash at 9:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
The other week I imagined myself as a Senator-D questioning Gorsuch, and asking him to reflect on the role of fate in life—"You acknowledge that Mr. Garland is an excellent judge and would make a fine nominee. Is it humbling to find yourself in a position to ascend to the supreme court due entirely to a political process coming out in your favor, when in the normal and more reasonable course of government operation, you would not be here today?". It would all be rhetorical, of course, but I believe it's a really powerful point to make in front of a bunch of Republicans in demonstrating left-leaning values—that one reason we desire social safety nets is that we do not have complete control of our destiny, and fate plays a great role in our life. In this case, Gorsuch may be a "fine judge", but he is also lucky as fuck, and he will rise to the Supreme Court, by any honest analysis, entirely because of factors beyond his control. There is a poetic moment to stick a knife in Republican ideology in there somewhere.
posted by sylvanshine at 9:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by sylvanshine at 9:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative.
319 million / 30,000 = 10,633
Works for me. My state would have 220 reps, instead of 8. Sounds more representative, huh?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
319 million / 30,000 = 10,633
Works for me. My state would have 220 reps, instead of 8. Sounds more representative, huh?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
oh my god McConnell shut your goddamn face
posted by corb at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by corb at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Oh never mind, I just heard someone call him Orrin.
(And do I hear Republicans applauding themselves? Fuckers.)
posted by dnash at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
(And do I hear Republicans applauding themselves? Fuckers.)
posted by dnash at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
Weird question for anyone watching the Senate right now - who's in the Chair? I swear it looks like Sessions, but he's not a senator anymore...
Senator Hatch, I believe.
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
Senator Hatch, I believe.
posted by DynamiteToast at 9:52 AM on April 6, 2017
"We have actually restored the long-held precedent that 2 + 2 = 5."
posted by uncleozzy at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
At a certain point civil war becomes the least bad option.
This has never been true statement.
Lol for real, maybe take it down a notch guys.
Probably easier to say these sorts of things if your actual personhood and bodily autonomy isn't likely to be up for judicial review.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [32 favorites]
This has never been true statement.
Lol for real, maybe take it down a notch guys.
Probably easier to say these sorts of things if your actual personhood and bodily autonomy isn't likely to be up for judicial review.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [32 favorites]
At a certain point civil war becomes the least bad option.
This has never been true statement.
Tell that to all the ancestors of slavery you see walking around.
Are you saying that the US today would be better off had we NOT fought the U.S. civil war?
posted by VTX at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
This has never been true statement.
Tell that to all the ancestors of slavery you see walking around.
Are you saying that the US today would be better off had we NOT fought the U.S. civil war?
posted by VTX at 9:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
Lol for real, maybe take it down a notch guys.
Because telling people how to feel always ends so well.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Because telling people how to feel always ends so well.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Cornyn speaking now about how the filibuster was never reaaalllly legitimate in the first place so whatevs.
"liberal law professor allies"
Drink!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
"liberal law professor allies"
Drink!
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
i, for one, welcome our aura-smiles-and-never-never-frowns overlord
posted by entropicamericana at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Well, please make comments coherent, at least? I can barely tell what's happening because I'm not watching anything right now.
posted by agregoli at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by agregoli at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
At a certain point civil war becomes the least bad option.
This has never been true statement.
At a certain point the question is not "do we opt for civil war" but "do we fight back." We really only have control over the latter.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
This has never been true statement.
At a certain point the question is not "do we opt for civil war" but "do we fight back." We really only have control over the latter.
posted by melissasaurus at 9:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
I'm sorry, that wasn't reasoned of me, I just felt a wave of rage when McConnell started smarming.
What I mean to say is - it is possible to believe that the nation needs the filibuster broken because Principled Reasons. But if you do think that - you're wrong, but if you think that - there is no fucking national reason to be a horrible shit and grandstand on the backs of sorrow.
posted by corb at 9:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
What I mean to say is - it is possible to believe that the nation needs the filibuster broken because Principled Reasons. But if you do think that - you're wrong, but if you think that - there is no fucking national reason to be a horrible shit and grandstand on the backs of sorrow.
posted by corb at 9:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
(And do I hear Republicans applauding themselves? Fuckers.)
They know they pulled off a silent coup. None of them expected Trump to actually win, and this seat was the real prize the whole time. They know this seat locks in total control for forever. Gorsuch will uphold gerrymandering and suppression and they'll never face real elections again. It was the biggest long shot in history and they won everything.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [39 favorites]
They know they pulled off a silent coup. None of them expected Trump to actually win, and this seat was the real prize the whole time. They know this seat locks in total control for forever. Gorsuch will uphold gerrymandering and suppression and they'll never face real elections again. It was the biggest long shot in history and they won everything.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [39 favorites]
> Are you saying that the US today would be better off had we NOT fought the U.S. civil war?
I'm pretty certain it would definitely be a better place if the Union had actually won the war, instead of winning the pitched battle phase only to lose the subsequent guerrila war.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'm pretty certain it would definitely be a better place if the Union had actually won the war, instead of winning the pitched battle phase only to lose the subsequent guerrila war.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
The way you confuse discrimination against American Muslims (which is a real problem) with interference in our government by wealthy foreign powers is actively harmful.
Here's the problem: the people who made this mailer disagree with your parenthetical, and they are trying to confuse those two things, because they like the first one.
If Ossoff has this kind of sleazy relationship with the Qatari government, then people deserve to know that.
That's a tremendously large "if" that is not supported by any of the evidence. You're willing to go to bat for it based solely on the fact that his documentary company sold work to al-Jazeera; that says way more about you than I think you want it to.
posted by Etrigan at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Here's the problem: the people who made this mailer disagree with your parenthetical, and they are trying to confuse those two things, because they like the first one.
If Ossoff has this kind of sleazy relationship with the Qatari government, then people deserve to know that.
That's a tremendously large "if" that is not supported by any of the evidence. You're willing to go to bat for it based solely on the fact that his documentary company sold work to al-Jazeera; that says way more about you than I think you want it to.
posted by Etrigan at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Tell that to all the ancestors of slavery you see walking around.
Are you saying that the US today would be better off had we NOT fought the U.S. civil war?
Being against a civil war does not mean being pro slavery. War is death and suffering on a scale almost unimaginable to those of us who grew up in peace and security. Also, remember, we're a Nuclear power. Lastly, if you recall, the Southern states are the ones who started it by attacking Fort Sumter.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Are you saying that the US today would be better off had we NOT fought the U.S. civil war?
Being against a civil war does not mean being pro slavery. War is death and suffering on a scale almost unimaginable to those of us who grew up in peace and security. Also, remember, we're a Nuclear power. Lastly, if you recall, the Southern states are the ones who started it by attacking Fort Sumter.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Now John Cornyn is claiming that Gorsuch did not plagiarize, and that he sides with the little guy and not big business. How do these people sleep at night? How do they look at themselves in the mirror?
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
They know they pulled off a silent coup. None of them expected Trump to actually win, and this seat was the real prize the whole time. They know this seat locks in total control for forever. Gorsuch will uphold gerrymandering and suppression and they'll never face real elections again. It was the biggest long shot in history and they won everything.
Why does everyone keep forgetting about Justice Kennedy?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Why does everyone keep forgetting about Justice Kennedy?
posted by leotrotsky at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
ps I sincerely apologize about your niece. but, well, you know what they say, can't make an omelet without cracking a few uncool eggs.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 9:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Orrin Hatch: “I’m one of the biggest advocates for the filibuster. It’s the only way to protect the minority, and we’ve been in the minority a lot more than we’ve been in the majority. It’s just a great, great protection for the minority.”
It's gonna suck for these guys when they're back in the minority.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's gonna suck for these guys when they're back in the minority.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, let's maybe not rehash Civil War: Good or Bad? in here and in general maybe try and collectively take a few deep breaths. Shit is crazy so it's understandable, but the thread's kinda spinning out the last bit and let's see if we can right it.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
What do we do now?
posted by schadenfrau at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 9:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
As predicted by many in this thread, this speech is using the Democrats who crossed the aisle as cover, and claiming more would have joined him if they weren't afraid of "the radicals in their own party."
posted by corb at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by corb at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative.
As of the 2010 census, Wyoming had a population of roughly 500,000. As they get one Representative, say that's the baseline. Under that scenario, there would be 640 Representatives. California would get 74, rather than 53. New York would get 40, not 27. Illinois, 25 instead of 18. (Of course, Texas and Florida would get more too, but the extra Representatives would go to the more populous states, not the less, which already get two Senators.
Best of all, it would be consistent with the Founders' original intent (not that the Republicans really care about hypocrisy, but the media might eventually realize under the weight of all the accumulating evidence that they don't)/
posted by Gelatin at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
As of the 2010 census, Wyoming had a population of roughly 500,000. As they get one Representative, say that's the baseline. Under that scenario, there would be 640 Representatives. California would get 74, rather than 53. New York would get 40, not 27. Illinois, 25 instead of 18. (Of course, Texas and Florida would get more too, but the extra Representatives would go to the more populous states, not the less, which already get two Senators.
Best of all, it would be consistent with the Founders' original intent (not that the Republicans really care about hypocrisy, but the media might eventually realize under the weight of all the accumulating evidence that they don't)/
posted by Gelatin at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
It's gonna suck for these guys when they're back in the minority.
It really isn't, because the Democrats are going to govern like adults.
posted by Etrigan at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
It really isn't, because the Democrats are going to govern like adults.
posted by Etrigan at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
What do we do now?
Pick up more alcohol on the way home and prepare for a shutdown fight at the end of the month.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017
Pick up more alcohol on the way home and prepare for a shutdown fight at the end of the month.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 AM on April 6, 2017
It really isn't, because the Democrats are going to govern like adults.
Adults recognize that actions have consequences.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Adults recognize that actions have consequences.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
As predicted by many in this thread, this speech is using the Democrats who crossed the aisle as cover
Joe Manchin smiles, knowing he did his job well today.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Joe Manchin smiles, knowing he did his job well today.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:02 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Why does everyone keep forgetting about Justice Kennedy?
Trump’s hidden back channel to Justice Kennedy: Their kids
Word is he wants to retire this summer.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:03 AM on April 6, 2017
Trump’s hidden back channel to Justice Kennedy: Their kids
Word is he wants to retire this summer.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:03 AM on April 6, 2017
Sometimes when the First Amendment fails, it becomes necessary to turn to Third Amendment solutions.
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:04 AM on April 6, 2017
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:04 AM on April 6, 2017
At what point do progressives get to say our worst fears have been realized? When Trump is elected? When russian influence is hinted at, discussed and then proven? When the administration is full of people wishing to do everyone harm but wealthy white men? When a right-wing ideologue is installed illegitimately to the supreme court? We are literally in the upside down. War with Syria looks like it could be next. Every hysterical thing I've read here and in other places is literally happening. I used to be cautiously idealistic about the future and now my faith in humanity is wrecked.
Honestly, I think civil war is a real possibility because why the fuck not?
posted by photoslob at 10:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [25 favorites]
Honestly, I think civil war is a real possibility because why the fuck not?
posted by photoslob at 10:04 AM on April 6, 2017 [25 favorites]
What I mean to say is - it is possible to believe that the nation needs the filibuster broken because Principled Reasons. But if you do think that - you're wrong, but if you think that - there is no fucking national reason to be a horrible shit and grandstand on the backs of sorrow.
I'm heartened by it. Not that I feel many people will suddenly realize McConnell is a horrible person, though he is. But the need to crow over this one victory lets slip how very desperate the Republicans must be feeling over the dumpster fire that is government under their control.
I suspects he also imagines the Democrats will act cowed, as he no doubt remembers them doing under Reagan. If so, he has made a serious miscalculation.
Not. Gonna. Happen.
posted by Gelatin at 10:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I'm heartened by it. Not that I feel many people will suddenly realize McConnell is a horrible person, though he is. But the need to crow over this one victory lets slip how very desperate the Republicans must be feeling over the dumpster fire that is government under their control.
I suspects he also imagines the Democrats will act cowed, as he no doubt remembers them doing under Reagan. If so, he has made a serious miscalculation.
Not. Gonna. Happen.
posted by Gelatin at 10:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
You skipped a useful amendment, Elvis.
posted by Yowser at 10:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 10:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I would say the Cold Civil War just got lukewarm.
posted by schadenfrau at 10:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 10:06 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Sen. Gardner: "Neil Gorsuch is an avid outdoorsman, a fly-fisherman, and an expert-level skier. [...] We need that expertise on the Superme Court."
Can we bring back Harriet Meiers, for whom Republicans at least pointed to some level of legal expertise for at the last minute?
posted by Theiform at 10:07 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Can we bring back Harriet Meiers, for whom Republicans at least pointed to some level of legal expertise for at the last minute?
posted by Theiform at 10:07 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Hmm, welp, I guess it's going to be nuclear then."
[leave MeFi, go to lunch]
"I wonder what the old thread is up to since I left, probably just rehashing the vote..."
LET THE SOIL BE WATERED WITH THE BLOOD OF REPUBLICANS
"OK."
posted by Tevin at 10:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [70 favorites]
[leave MeFi, go to lunch]
"I wonder what the old thread is up to since I left, probably just rehashing the vote..."
LET THE SOIL BE WATERED WITH THE BLOOD OF REPUBLICANS
"OK."
posted by Tevin at 10:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [70 favorites]
You skipped a useful amendment, Elvis.
that's the joke
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
that's the joke
posted by OverlappingElvis at 10:08 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
I remember, way, way back in the day, watching Canadian news on CBC and following a story about the NDP ejecting one of its MPs for voting against marriage equality. This was when the NDP had like maybe 20 MPs total, and losing a member of their caucus was a serious thing. But they kicked out their rogue member anyway, because maintaining unity on this important issue was more important than keeping the numbers up.
A few years later Jack Layton nearly led the NDP to government; if it weren't for his untimely death, he'd probably be Prime Minister right now.
Which is to say, fuck Manchin. Eject him. Party unity is more important than raw numbers right now, because without party unity the numbers mean nothing.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
A few years later Jack Layton nearly led the NDP to government; if it weren't for his untimely death, he'd probably be Prime Minister right now.
Which is to say, fuck Manchin. Eject him. Party unity is more important than raw numbers right now, because without party unity the numbers mean nothing.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
The number of men here on Metafilter reacting with blasé lols to an existential threat to women realized is absolutely heartbreaking.
posted by schadenfrau at 10:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [62 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 10:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [62 favorites]
leotrotsky: "Lastly, if you recall, the Southern states are the ones who started it by attacking Fort Sumter."
I'm actually wearing my "What Would John Brown Do?" shirt today (Lawrence, KS has made him their patron saint). Which is to say, some people get the privilege to be remembered fondly 200 years on for starting a war.
posted by TypographicalError at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
I'm actually wearing my "What Would John Brown Do?" shirt today (Lawrence, KS has made him their patron saint). Which is to say, some people get the privilege to be remembered fondly 200 years on for starting a war.
posted by TypographicalError at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Steve Bannon Calls Jared Kushner a ‘Cuck’ and ‘Globalist’ Behind His Back
I'm pretty sure that when he said it, it sounded like (((globalist))))
posted by zachlipton at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [54 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that when he said it, it sounded like (((globalist))))
posted by zachlipton at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [54 favorites]
is there already a firefox plugin to change every instance of "gorsuch" to "the upside down merrick garland"?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
As predicted by many in this thread, this speech is using the Democrats who crossed the aisle as cover, and claiming more would have joined him if they weren't afraid of "the radicals in their own party."
Democratic response: Not even under Reagan, Clinton, either Bush, or Obama has a President nominated a judge so radical their confirmation was filibustered.
posted by Gelatin at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Democratic response: Not even under Reagan, Clinton, either Bush, or Obama has a President nominated a judge so radical their confirmation was filibustered.
posted by Gelatin at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
> As predicted by many in this thread, this speech is using the Democrats who crossed the aisle as cover, and claiming more would have joined him if they weren't afraid of "the radicals in their own party."
Well, that's good news at least. They're scared. Let's make 'em more scared.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Well, that's good news at least. They're scared. Let's make 'em more scared.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:11 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
This would have been a good opportunity for McCain the maverick to make an appearance.
When pressed for comment, maverick senator John McCain said: "Baa! Moo!" and then dashed back in his pen after being frightened by a passing dog.
posted by Behemoth at 10:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
When pressed for comment, maverick senator John McCain said: "Baa! Moo!" and then dashed back in his pen after being frightened by a passing dog.
posted by Behemoth at 10:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [16 favorites]
Word is he wants to retire this summer.
I can't believe any Justice is going to voluntarily retire over the next four years. These years could create some of the most important decisions of their lives, and exhausting as the Supreme Court is, I can't see any of them voluntarily stepping back from that.
But I also thought they'd create an exception just for Gorsuch alone, so clearly I am failing badly to predict this timeline.
posted by corb at 10:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I can't believe any Justice is going to voluntarily retire over the next four years. These years could create some of the most important decisions of their lives, and exhausting as the Supreme Court is, I can't see any of them voluntarily stepping back from that.
But I also thought they'd create an exception just for Gorsuch alone, so clearly I am failing badly to predict this timeline.
posted by corb at 10:12 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
You can have this uterus when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Unfortunately, dying in childbirth is the preferred role of women in our new Christian theocracy, so it's not much of a threat I suppose.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [25 favorites]
Unfortunately, dying in childbirth is the preferred role of women in our new Christian theocracy, so it's not much of a threat I suppose.
posted by melissasaurus at 10:13 AM on April 6, 2017 [25 favorites]
Steve Bannon Calls Jared Kushner a ‘Cuck’ and ‘Globalist’ Behind His Back
I'm pretty sure that when he said it, it sounded like (((globalist))))
Nazi has got to Nazi, even if it means turning on fellow Nazis. Kushner's fellow fascist status wasn't going to protect him from that for long and he's dumb if he expected it too.
Also he's still a Nazi, so fuck him.
posted by Artw at 10:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that when he said it, it sounded like (((globalist))))
Nazi has got to Nazi, even if it means turning on fellow Nazis. Kushner's fellow fascist status wasn't going to protect him from that for long and he's dumb if he expected it too.
Also he's still a Nazi, so fuck him.
posted by Artw at 10:15 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
I've seen this with various (and therefore mostly incorrect I guess) attributions. Still quite good though:
I don’t know – it’s hard for me to see any U.S. ties to Russia…
except for the Flynn thing,
and the Manafort thing ...
and the Tillerson thing
and the Sessions thing
and the Kushner thing
and the Carter Page thing
and the Roger Stone thing
and the Felix Sater thing
and the Boris Ephsteyn thing
and the Rosneft thing
and the Gazprom thing
and the Sergey Gorkov banker thing
and the Azerbajain thing
and the “I love Putin” thing
and the Donald Trump, Jr. thing
and the Sergey Kislyak thing
and the Russian Affiliated Interests thing
and the Russian Business Interests thing
and the Emoluments Clause thing
and the Alex Schnaider thing
and the hack of the DNC thing
and the Guccifer 2.0 thing
and the Mike Pence “I don’t know anything” thing
and the Russians mysteriously dying thing
and Trump’s public request to Russia to hack Hillary’s email thing
and the Trump house sale for $100 million at the bottom of the housing bust to the Russian fertilizer king thing
and the Russian fertilizer king’s plane showing up in Concord, NC during Trump rally campaign thing
and the Nunes sudden flight to the White House in the night thing
and the Nunes personal investments in the Russian winery thing
and the Cyprus bank thing
and Trump not releasing his tax returns thing
and the Republican Party’s rejection of an amendment to require Trump to show his taxes thing
and the election hacking thing
and the GOP platform change on the Ukraine thing
and the Steele Dossier thing
and the Leninist Bannon thing
and Sally Yates prevented from testifying thing
and the intelligence community’s investigative reports thing
and Trump’s reassurance that the Russian connection is all “fake news” thing ...
and Spicer’s Russian Dressing “nothing’s wrong” thing ...
so there’s probably nothing there...
since the swamp has been drained, these people would never lie. It is probably why Nunes canceled the investigation meetings and the Senate now has taken over. All of this must be normal.
...just a bunch of separate dots with no connection.
posted by Cookiebastard at 10:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [140 favorites]
I don’t know – it’s hard for me to see any U.S. ties to Russia…
except for the Flynn thing,
and the Manafort thing ...
and the Tillerson thing
and the Sessions thing
and the Kushner thing
and the Carter Page thing
and the Roger Stone thing
and the Felix Sater thing
and the Boris Ephsteyn thing
and the Rosneft thing
and the Gazprom thing
and the Sergey Gorkov banker thing
and the Azerbajain thing
and the “I love Putin” thing
and the Donald Trump, Jr. thing
and the Sergey Kislyak thing
and the Russian Affiliated Interests thing
and the Russian Business Interests thing
and the Emoluments Clause thing
and the Alex Schnaider thing
and the hack of the DNC thing
and the Guccifer 2.0 thing
and the Mike Pence “I don’t know anything” thing
and the Russians mysteriously dying thing
and Trump’s public request to Russia to hack Hillary’s email thing
and the Trump house sale for $100 million at the bottom of the housing bust to the Russian fertilizer king thing
and the Russian fertilizer king’s plane showing up in Concord, NC during Trump rally campaign thing
and the Nunes sudden flight to the White House in the night thing
and the Nunes personal investments in the Russian winery thing
and the Cyprus bank thing
and Trump not releasing his tax returns thing
and the Republican Party’s rejection of an amendment to require Trump to show his taxes thing
and the election hacking thing
and the GOP platform change on the Ukraine thing
and the Steele Dossier thing
and the Leninist Bannon thing
and Sally Yates prevented from testifying thing
and the intelligence community’s investigative reports thing
and Trump’s reassurance that the Russian connection is all “fake news” thing ...
and Spicer’s Russian Dressing “nothing’s wrong” thing ...
so there’s probably nothing there...
since the swamp has been drained, these people would never lie. It is probably why Nunes canceled the investigation meetings and the Senate now has taken over. All of this must be normal.
...just a bunch of separate dots with no connection.
posted by Cookiebastard at 10:16 AM on April 6, 2017 [140 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that when he said it, it sounded like (((globalist))))
Surprised he didn't go with "rootless cosmopolitan."
posted by Behemoth at 10:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Surprised he didn't go with "rootless cosmopolitan."
posted by Behemoth at 10:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Vox article on the just-triggered nuclear option, for those of us who were not watching the proceedings live and are confused by all the dots, d'ohs, one-liners and other confetti in the thread. (Please remember not all of us watch the proceedings live and we need some context. Thanks!)
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 10:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Mod note: And further to the coolin' it side of things: I realize that (a) we're all wound up and (b) Trump's a predatorial misogynist shitstain which sorta sets the tone, but let's maybe try a lot harder to skip Ha Ha Jokes that use "and then this/some woman gets fucked by a dude" as the whole punchline. It's gross.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
Which is to say, fuck Manchin. Eject him. Party unity is more important than raw numbers right now, because without party unity the numbers mean nothing.
How exactly would that happen? "Hi Joe. We all got together and decided you're not a Democrat anymore. Please turn in your decoder ring."
His term ends next year. He's running again. But unless he changes his affiliation he will remain a member of the Democratic Party until the primary is over. Their recourse would be to refuse to support him during the election in any way and to primary someone against him. But that won't stop him from running as a Dem.
Worth noting that West Virginians knew whom they were getting when they elected him to fill Byrd's seat, and then to a full term in 2012, which he won with 60% of the vote. He refused to support President Obama during the '12 campaign. He's pro-life. He holds Republican positions on energy policy.
posted by zarq at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
How exactly would that happen? "Hi Joe. We all got together and decided you're not a Democrat anymore. Please turn in your decoder ring."
His term ends next year. He's running again. But unless he changes his affiliation he will remain a member of the Democratic Party until the primary is over. Their recourse would be to refuse to support him during the election in any way and to primary someone against him. But that won't stop him from running as a Dem.
Worth noting that West Virginians knew whom they were getting when they elected him to fill Byrd's seat, and then to a full term in 2012, which he won with 60% of the vote. He refused to support President Obama during the '12 campaign. He's pro-life. He holds Republican positions on energy policy.
posted by zarq at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think one reason some people aren't freaking out is that this was inevitable. So, at least for me, my freakout over the SC occurred at roughly 8:00pm pacific time on November 8th, 2016.
posted by Justinian at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [77 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:22 AM on April 6, 2017 [77 favorites]
I'm not the only one who remembers that trying to weight the Senate by adding a bunch of new states was one of the causes of the Civil War, right?
I thought the main thing was the issue of if the new States would be slave or free
posted by thelonius at 10:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I thought the main thing was the issue of if the new States would be slave or free
posted by thelonius at 10:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
@timothypmurphy: McCain begrudgingly going along with something he fears will cause irreparable damage is very on-brand
posted by zombieflanders at 10:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [43 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 10:30 AM on April 6, 2017 [43 favorites]
> His term ends next year. He's running again. But unless he changes his affiliation he will remain a member of the Democratic Party until the primary is over. Their recourse would be to refuse to support him during the election in any way and to primary someone against him. But that won't stop him from running as a Dem.
He can be refused admission to all meetings of Democrats in the Senate. The party can publicly denounce him. The party can announce that they will not support him in the upcoming election and will support an opponent in the primary, regardless of whether that candidate can win in WV. Having that seat in Republican hands is less bad than having it in Manchin's, because Manchin is sabotaging the party from the inside.
It's not as clean as expelling a member from a Westminster-system party, but it can be done.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
He can be refused admission to all meetings of Democrats in the Senate. The party can publicly denounce him. The party can announce that they will not support him in the upcoming election and will support an opponent in the primary, regardless of whether that candidate can win in WV. Having that seat in Republican hands is less bad than having it in Manchin's, because Manchin is sabotaging the party from the inside.
It's not as clean as expelling a member from a Westminster-system party, but it can be done.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
I think one reason some people aren't freaking out is that this was inevitable. So, at least for me, my freakout over the SC occurred at roughly 8:00pm pacific time on November 8th, 2016.
Yeah, I did my screaming then. And some since. Screaming internally is kind of my norm these days.
I knew this was coming, so I have been bracing for it. My silence is not indifference, I assure you, but grim determination to not give up.
They really want you to give up. Don't let them have that.
Also remember: there are many forms of resistance short of civil war. Not just elections, not just protests. Some of the forms resistance will take have not been thought of, yet. But they will be.
posted by emjaybee at 10:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [37 favorites]
Yeah, I did my screaming then. And some since. Screaming internally is kind of my norm these days.
I knew this was coming, so I have been bracing for it. My silence is not indifference, I assure you, but grim determination to not give up.
They really want you to give up. Don't let them have that.
Also remember: there are many forms of resistance short of civil war. Not just elections, not just protests. Some of the forms resistance will take have not been thought of, yet. But they will be.
posted by emjaybee at 10:34 AM on April 6, 2017 [37 favorites]
McCain (verb) ie to McCain: to make a show of moral distaste for an action before going ahead and doing it anyway.
Example usage: "I shouldn't eat another slice of cake, it's so bad for me." "Jamie, stop McCaining and just eat the damn thing, we know you're going to."
posted by galaxy rise at 10:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [71 favorites]
Example usage: "I shouldn't eat another slice of cake, it's so bad for me." "Jamie, stop McCaining and just eat the damn thing, we know you're going to."
posted by galaxy rise at 10:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [71 favorites]
Worth noting that West Virginians knew whom they were getting when they elected him to fill Byrd's seat, and then to a full term in 2012, which he won with 60% of the vote.
All judges are partisan now, there's no room for betrayals anymore. That is the reason for ejecting him, or at least not wasting precious resources to defend his seat.
But since the Senate is rigged, it probably doesn't matter anyway. Manchin and those like him, the descendants of Joe Lieberman, will always be de facto control of the Democratic Party, and there's nothing really to be done about it except accept that we live in a de facto one party sham "democracy".
I've changed my mind on Manchin, he should be Minority Leader.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
All judges are partisan now, there's no room for betrayals anymore. That is the reason for ejecting him, or at least not wasting precious resources to defend his seat.
But since the Senate is rigged, it probably doesn't matter anyway. Manchin and those like him, the descendants of Joe Lieberman, will always be de facto control of the Democratic Party, and there's nothing really to be done about it except accept that we live in a de facto one party sham "democracy".
I've changed my mind on Manchin, he should be Minority Leader.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:36 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Whose birthday is it today?
It's mine!
posted by vibrotronica at 10:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
It's mine!
posted by vibrotronica at 10:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Hatch: Dems blew chance to use the filibuster if a liberal justice retires. I asked if he’d haven broken such a filibuster.
“Well, yeah!"
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [39 favorites]
“Well, yeah!"
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [39 favorites]
There are currently Republicans seated in the Senate from Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. They all make far better targets than Manchin.
posted by parallellines at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by parallellines at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
What's the fixation on Manchin? Heitkamp and Donnelly voted exactly the same way as he did on all the votes. Did... did he kick your guys dog?
posted by Justinian at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 10:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
The Dem from Colorado might make a good primary target if you're itching to primary a Dem. Gorsuch maybe be Colorado's asshole, but Bennet helped make him the whole country's.
posted by nat at 10:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by nat at 10:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Hatch: Dems blew chance to use the filibuster if a liberal justice retires. I asked if he’d haven broken such a filibuster.
“Well, yeah!"
I have a friend who is otherwise smart who has been loudly insisting that the Democrats need to save the filibuster for the next nominee, because that one is going to be so much worse that some Republicans wouldn't have wanted to nuke the filibuster for this theoretical Judge Evenworse, if the Democrats don't try to filibuster Gorsuch. I had to quiet him on Facebook for a little while.
posted by Etrigan at 10:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
“Well, yeah!"
I have a friend who is otherwise smart who has been loudly insisting that the Democrats need to save the filibuster for the next nominee, because that one is going to be so much worse that some Republicans wouldn't have wanted to nuke the filibuster for this theoretical Judge Evenworse, if the Democrats don't try to filibuster Gorsuch. I had to quiet him on Facebook for a little while.
posted by Etrigan at 10:50 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think one reason some people aren't freaking out is that this was inevitable. So, at least for me, my freakout over the SC occurred at roughly 8:00pm pacific time on November 8th, 2016.
Yeah, the whole campaign, I was writing "vote your conscience in the primaries, vote the Supreme Court in the general" in any number of places. Apparently, my slogan wasn't enough to effect the outcome, but I still think its a pretty good rule to live by. Moderate justices move things forward slowly but conservative justices move things backwards quickly.
So, yeah, since McConnell is all about winning and not about logic or ethics, this outcome has been inevitable. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, day drink if you have to and then get back out there fighting to make sure we move more to the left in 2018 and 2020.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Yeah, the whole campaign, I was writing "vote your conscience in the primaries, vote the Supreme Court in the general" in any number of places. Apparently, my slogan wasn't enough to effect the outcome, but I still think its a pretty good rule to live by. Moderate justices move things forward slowly but conservative justices move things backwards quickly.
So, yeah, since McConnell is all about winning and not about logic or ethics, this outcome has been inevitable. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, day drink if you have to and then get back out there fighting to make sure we move more to the left in 2018 and 2020.
posted by Joey Michaels at 10:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
This is moderately bad for the security of Justices themselves. At any point when a party has the presidency and the Senate, assassinating the opposing judges will massively change the balance of the court. It puts a lot of pressure on regarding Roe v Wade, given that doctors are already assassinated from time to time.
posted by jaduncan at 10:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by jaduncan at 10:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
White House aides clash with GOP leaders over flailing Obamacare push
The meeting was tense. At one point, according to three sources briefed on the meeting, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus suggested it could be detrimental to Ryan’s speakership if Republicans fail to pass a bill. Others disputed that characterization, saying the comments were not aimed specifically at Ryan but more broadly, as in: All Republican lawmakers' jobs are in jeopardy if they don't deliver.posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:53 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Court-packing starts now, under Trump, because Trump inherited 100 judicial vacancies from Obama
Keep in mind that the Republicans aren't stealing one judicial seat, they are stealing over 100 seats that they previously filibustered. Every one of these are lifetime appointments. Trump/Bannon now have free rein to pack district courts all across the nation with the most extreme of extreme judges for life.
posted by JackFlash at 10:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [51 favorites]
Keep in mind that the Republicans aren't stealing one judicial seat, they are stealing over 100 seats that they previously filibustered. Every one of these are lifetime appointments. Trump/Bannon now have free rein to pack district courts all across the nation with the most extreme of extreme judges for life.
posted by JackFlash at 10:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [51 favorites]
This is moderately bad for the security of Justices themselves. At any point when a party has the presidency and the Senate, assassinating the opposing judges will massively change the balance of the court.
No need for the presidency, really. They can always Merrick Garland any president's attempts at replacement.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:54 AM on April 6, 2017
No need for the presidency, really. They can always Merrick Garland any president's attempts at replacement.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:54 AM on April 6, 2017
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Steve Bannon Calls Jared Kushner a ‘Cuck’ and ‘Globalist’ Behind His Back
Further updates as the story continues to develop...
posted by Cookiebastard at 10:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Steve Bannon Calls Jared Kushner a ‘Cuck’ and ‘Globalist’ Behind His Back
Further updates as the story continues to develop...
posted by Cookiebastard at 10:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
> This is moderately bad for the security of Justices themselves.
Oh. Shit.
I have legitimately never thought hard about this. But that's how the civil war starts for real. They shoot Sotomayor. They put polonium in RBG's tea.
Hell. They shoot Clarence Thomas. They shoot Clarence Thomas and they pin it on antifa, or on some loudmouth Trot. There's your Reichstag fire, right there.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Oh. Shit.
I have legitimately never thought hard about this. But that's how the civil war starts for real. They shoot Sotomayor. They put polonium in RBG's tea.
Hell. They shoot Clarence Thomas. They shoot Clarence Thomas and they pin it on antifa, or on some loudmouth Trot. There's your Reichstag fire, right there.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 10:57 AM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
> This is moderately bad for the security of Justices themselves.
...anticipating an important decision from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Scalia asked that a copy of the decision be hand-delivered to his retreat on North Carolina's Outer Banks from the courthouse in Atlanta. His whereabouts, Jones said, were a revelation to the Marshals Service since the agency is tasked with the security of Supreme Court justices when they venture outside of the capital.
“We had no idea where he was at the time or what he was doing,’’ Jones said. Nevertheless, the marshals security apparatus quickly kicked into gear, if only to oblige the justice’s request. “An inspector was called in Atlanta with orders to get the decision to Scalia, forthwith,’’ Jones said. “I don’t know how he got it there exactly— either by plane or by car — but it got delivered.’’
The incident highlights the broad discretion that Supreme Court justices exert over their personal security in a city where heavily fortified motorcades are a routine part of the government landscape. For years, the Marshals Service has coordinated the security for justices on their travels outside of the capital, though Scalia was one who often preferred to go it alone on vacation or personal business.
That's not exactly reassuring.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
...anticipating an important decision from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Scalia asked that a copy of the decision be hand-delivered to his retreat on North Carolina's Outer Banks from the courthouse in Atlanta. His whereabouts, Jones said, were a revelation to the Marshals Service since the agency is tasked with the security of Supreme Court justices when they venture outside of the capital.
“We had no idea where he was at the time or what he was doing,’’ Jones said. Nevertheless, the marshals security apparatus quickly kicked into gear, if only to oblige the justice’s request. “An inspector was called in Atlanta with orders to get the decision to Scalia, forthwith,’’ Jones said. “I don’t know how he got it there exactly— either by plane or by car — but it got delivered.’’
The incident highlights the broad discretion that Supreme Court justices exert over their personal security in a city where heavily fortified motorcades are a routine part of the government landscape. For years, the Marshals Service has coordinated the security for justices on their travels outside of the capital, though Scalia was one who often preferred to go it alone on vacation or personal business.
That's not exactly reassuring.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:03 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well, at least we can stop talking about the "nuclear option" for a while. Everybody seemed to be really comfortable with it in the end.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:05 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
They really want you to give up. Don't let them have that.
QFT. The Democrats have lost nothing here that wasn't a foregone conclusion when Trump was elected. Installing an ideologue was McConnell's endgame when he refused to consider Garland. Well, he has it, much good may it do him.
But it's vital to remember that Trump barely squeaked in a win -- losing the popular vote by nearly three million! -- despite interference by the Russians, Comey, et al. And he hasn't gotten more popular since; quite the opposite. Putting a partisan Republican on the Supreme Court was one thing the party had to do -- and they let the mask of nonpartisanship slip just a little more, didn't they? But they have to be eyeing Trump's underwater approval nervously.
So they got rid of the filibuster. What that means is the next Democratic president won't be constrained at all by the need to nominate a "moderate" "compromise" candidate that's "acceptable on a bipartisan basis." Republicans have made clear that appointments are nothing but a partisan exercise -- as usual, if Megan McArdle were capable of embarrassment, she'd be humiliated by the side she carries water for proving her embarrassingly wrong.
Rather than a civil war, I want to see the majority of loyal Americans doing what we do best -- exercising our own power against those who would put the general welfare at risk for their own narrow benefit. Let's make 2018 a wave election, and then have Democratic Senate utterly free of any constraints of needing to appease Trump with any nomination at all. I hope McConnell lives long enough to realize he just helped dig the Republican Party's grave.
posted by Gelatin at 11:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [65 favorites]
QFT. The Democrats have lost nothing here that wasn't a foregone conclusion when Trump was elected. Installing an ideologue was McConnell's endgame when he refused to consider Garland. Well, he has it, much good may it do him.
But it's vital to remember that Trump barely squeaked in a win -- losing the popular vote by nearly three million! -- despite interference by the Russians, Comey, et al. And he hasn't gotten more popular since; quite the opposite. Putting a partisan Republican on the Supreme Court was one thing the party had to do -- and they let the mask of nonpartisanship slip just a little more, didn't they? But they have to be eyeing Trump's underwater approval nervously.
So they got rid of the filibuster. What that means is the next Democratic president won't be constrained at all by the need to nominate a "moderate" "compromise" candidate that's "acceptable on a bipartisan basis." Republicans have made clear that appointments are nothing but a partisan exercise -- as usual, if Megan McArdle were capable of embarrassment, she'd be humiliated by the side she carries water for proving her embarrassingly wrong.
Rather than a civil war, I want to see the majority of loyal Americans doing what we do best -- exercising our own power against those who would put the general welfare at risk for their own narrow benefit. Let's make 2018 a wave election, and then have Democratic Senate utterly free of any constraints of needing to appease Trump with any nomination at all. I hope McConnell lives long enough to realize he just helped dig the Republican Party's grave.
posted by Gelatin at 11:09 AM on April 6, 2017 [65 favorites]
The number of men here on Metafilter reacting with blasé lols to an existential threat to women realized is absolutely heartbreaking.
wow. i must be far enough behind that the moderators have already swept up the mess, because this just seems like it came out of nowhere?
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
wow. i must be far enough behind that the moderators have already swept up the mess, because this just seems like it came out of nowhere?
posted by quonsar II: smock fishpants and the temple of foon at 11:10 AM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
It's amazing to me the lengths to which liberals will go to defend Wahabbist maniacs and straight up monarchy. The way you confuse discrimination against American Muslims (which is a real problem) with interference in our government by wealthy foreign powers is actively harmful.
Here's the punchline: the Congressional Leadership Fund, the SuperPAC responsible for making these absurd charges against Ossoff, is chaired by Norm Coleman, a lobbyist for the Saudis.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
Here's the punchline: the Congressional Leadership Fund, the SuperPAC responsible for making these absurd charges against Ossoff, is chaired by Norm Coleman, a lobbyist for the Saudis.
posted by octobersurprise at 11:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
It's basically a race between how fast they can make themselves unelectable and how fast they can stack the decks even further. They do seem to be going out of their way to make themselves very, very unelectable.
posted by Artw at 11:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:19 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
This assumes:
4. The Democratic base is willing to accept that Senators from California and Massachusetts are going to vote differently than Senators from Montana and West Virginia, so that Democrats aren't consigned to permanent minority status and are unable to ever put someone on the Court again.
posted by Justinian at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
4. The Democratic base is willing to accept that Senators from California and Massachusetts are going to vote differently than Senators from Montana and West Virginia, so that Democrats aren't consigned to permanent minority status and are unable to ever put someone on the Court again.
posted by Justinian at 11:21 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Task and Purpose: Jared Goes To Iraq! A Picture Story
posted by zachlipton at 11:23 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 11:23 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Artw: "It's basically a race between how fast they can make themselves unelectable and how fast they can stack the decks even further. They do seem to be going out of their way to make themselves very, very unelectable."
This seems dangerously naive. People hate Trump, but they have no idea about who any members of congress are. McConnell is interchangeable to literally any senator or house member to most people. The media still is enjoying time in the sun not doing their jobs, pretending McCain is a maverick or engaging in "both sides!". Republican voters are desperate to go back to fucking people while pretending that they're grown-ups--any small amount of daylight between them and Trump will be immensely rewarded by the media and the electorate. Look at how much love Lindsey Graham has gotten on this very website for the mealy mouthed bullshit he's thrown out the last few months.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
This seems dangerously naive. People hate Trump, but they have no idea about who any members of congress are. McConnell is interchangeable to literally any senator or house member to most people. The media still is enjoying time in the sun not doing their jobs, pretending McCain is a maverick or engaging in "both sides!". Republican voters are desperate to go back to fucking people while pretending that they're grown-ups--any small amount of daylight between them and Trump will be immensely rewarded by the media and the electorate. Look at how much love Lindsey Graham has gotten on this very website for the mealy mouthed bullshit he's thrown out the last few months.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:25 AM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
This is not "voting differently" like we're deciding whether to give coal producers a special tax credit or something. This is "believes in democracy and the equality of women" or "doesn't."
posted by melissasaurus at 11:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 11:26 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
I'm pretty much assuming the opposite of all of that. Karl Roves permanent majority is here, it just took a black president to make it happen.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:27 AM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
All of the Democratic Senators in question voted to keep the filibuster rules in place, to be clear. None voted for the nuclear option.
posted by Justinian at 11:28 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 11:28 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
This assumes:
1. Elections will be free and fair enough to make a Dem president a possibility in 2020.
2. Democrats won't turn around and say "okay, now let's all compromise in good faith and return to governing like ADULTS!" while the Republicans bide their time until Trump II takes back over.
3. The Republicans won't once again use the exact same trick (that has already been proven to work) of simply not considering any justices nominated by a Democrat.
Yes, it does. I am comfortable in all those assumptions. For point 3, I am assuming a Democratic Senate; it goes without saying that a Republican Senate won't even make the pretense of considering a Democratic president's court appointees.
But on point 2, even if Democratic Senators don't get the message that the Republicans just exercised a figurative "nuclear option" on them, their voters do. There's a lot of resistance to making nice with the fascists coming from the rank and file, and I expect politicians who count on their votes to listen.
As for point 1, while Bannon and his crowd would be pleased as punch with a fascist dictatorship with them at the top*, they haven't shown the kind of competence to pull it off. And again, the voters are not with them. Sure, if the Republicans abolish elections, we're hosed, but if they don't, they're going to be.
*Hey, remember when Jonah Goldberg wrote a book claiming that it was liberals who were the real fascists? What a joke.
posted by Gelatin at 11:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
1. Elections will be free and fair enough to make a Dem president a possibility in 2020.
2. Democrats won't turn around and say "okay, now let's all compromise in good faith and return to governing like ADULTS!" while the Republicans bide their time until Trump II takes back over.
3. The Republicans won't once again use the exact same trick (that has already been proven to work) of simply not considering any justices nominated by a Democrat.
Yes, it does. I am comfortable in all those assumptions. For point 3, I am assuming a Democratic Senate; it goes without saying that a Republican Senate won't even make the pretense of considering a Democratic president's court appointees.
But on point 2, even if Democratic Senators don't get the message that the Republicans just exercised a figurative "nuclear option" on them, their voters do. There's a lot of resistance to making nice with the fascists coming from the rank and file, and I expect politicians who count on their votes to listen.
As for point 1, while Bannon and his crowd would be pleased as punch with a fascist dictatorship with them at the top*, they haven't shown the kind of competence to pull it off. And again, the voters are not with them. Sure, if the Republicans abolish elections, we're hosed, but if they don't, they're going to be.
*Hey, remember when Jonah Goldberg wrote a book claiming that it was liberals who were the real fascists? What a joke.
posted by Gelatin at 11:29 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I just got a call from some org called the Judicial Crisis Network asking me to call McCaskill's office and tell her I support the Gorsuch nomination. LOL NO.
The Judicial Crisis Network (JCN) (founded in 2005 as the Judicial Confirmation Network) is an American conservative political campaign organization based in the United States. As of 2014 it was run by Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for supreme court justice Clarence Thomas. (Wikipedia)
The JCN Story: How to Build a Secretive, Right-Wing Judicial Machine (The Daily Beast, March 23, 2015)
At first, The Judicial Crisis Network backed Bush nominees. Now the dark money group reaches deep into state capitals. Here’s how it grew.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
The Judicial Crisis Network (JCN) (founded in 2005 as the Judicial Confirmation Network) is an American conservative political campaign organization based in the United States. As of 2014 it was run by Carrie Severino, a former law clerk for supreme court justice Clarence Thomas. (Wikipedia)
The JCN Story: How to Build a Secretive, Right-Wing Judicial Machine (The Daily Beast, March 23, 2015)
At first, The Judicial Crisis Network backed Bush nominees. Now the dark money group reaches deep into state capitals. Here’s how it grew.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:33 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
> 4. The Democratic base is willing to accept that Senators from California and Massachusetts are going to vote differently than Senators from Montana and West Virginia, so that Democrats aren't consigned to permanent minority status and are unable to ever put someone on the Court again.
This frame assumes that the purpose of elections is to measure the temperature of the electorate — both parties put up candidates that they think might match the electorate, and the candidate that comes closest wins. This is nonsense. The purpose of elections is to move electorates. Campaigns aren't about measuring views, they're about changing them. By putting up right wingers in WV and MT, the Democrats cede those states even when they win them, by throwing away their chance to persuade the people of those states.
(also, though, the Democratic Party Senators of WV and MT maybe don't vote that differently than Senators from CA. well, or at least not one of the Senators from CA. lookin' at you, future primary election loser Dianne Feinstein.)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
This frame assumes that the purpose of elections is to measure the temperature of the electorate — both parties put up candidates that they think might match the electorate, and the candidate that comes closest wins. This is nonsense. The purpose of elections is to move electorates. Campaigns aren't about measuring views, they're about changing them. By putting up right wingers in WV and MT, the Democrats cede those states even when they win them, by throwing away their chance to persuade the people of those states.
(also, though, the Democratic Party Senators of WV and MT maybe don't vote that differently than Senators from CA. well, or at least not one of the Senators from CA. lookin' at you, future primary election loser Dianne Feinstein.)
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 11:37 AM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Expanding my point about a Democratic Senate: The Republicans had to expend a lot of resources rebranding the 27% who still thought George W. Bush did a good job as the "Tea Party" and even more in a full-court propaganda press to get the so-called "liberal media" to accept their astroturf movement as "grassroots," and in a campaign of lies about the ACA.
Well, now we have opposition to Trump -- not at all limited to hardcore Democrats -- assembling without shady secret sponsorship by corporate billionaires. The march the day after Trump's inauguration was so much better attended it ruined the entire moment for him, and he still obsesses over it -- that, and losing the popular vote by nearly three million.
And we have the Republicans' own efforts to repeal the ACA not only fail, but help lead a number of Americans to realize they like the damn thing after all.
So, yeah, I am not saying it'll be a cakewalk, but I am confident in saying Democrats can mobilize to take back the Senate. And when they do, the mandate is not going to be "play nice with Trump and the Republicans;" it's going to be the same message we've been seeing on MetaFilter, on Facebook, and elsewhere:
RESIST.
posted by Gelatin at 11:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [38 favorites]
Well, now we have opposition to Trump -- not at all limited to hardcore Democrats -- assembling without shady secret sponsorship by corporate billionaires. The march the day after Trump's inauguration was so much better attended it ruined the entire moment for him, and he still obsesses over it -- that, and losing the popular vote by nearly three million.
And we have the Republicans' own efforts to repeal the ACA not only fail, but help lead a number of Americans to realize they like the damn thing after all.
So, yeah, I am not saying it'll be a cakewalk, but I am confident in saying Democrats can mobilize to take back the Senate. And when they do, the mandate is not going to be "play nice with Trump and the Republicans;" it's going to be the same message we've been seeing on MetaFilter, on Facebook, and elsewhere:
RESIST.
posted by Gelatin at 11:38 AM on April 6, 2017 [38 favorites]
It takes 6 cooks to make well done steak?
One to grill the steak and five to forcefully restrain him from taking it off the grill before it is charred beyond recognition.
posted by JackFlash at 11:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
One to grill the steak and five to forcefully restrain him from taking it off the grill before it is charred beyond recognition.
posted by JackFlash at 11:39 AM on April 6, 2017 [26 favorites]
Think of this -- how much harder did Senate Republicans just make it for them to run away from Trump in 2018?
What do they think, he's going to become popular, when he never was?
posted by Gelatin at 11:43 AM on April 6, 2017
What do they think, he's going to become popular, when he never was?
posted by Gelatin at 11:43 AM on April 6, 2017
Think of this -- how much harder did Senate Republicans just make it for them to run away from Trump in 2018?
They needed a visible win desperately, because they don't have anything else in the pipeline. What legislation are they going to pass? What foreign or domestic wins will be coming from Pres. Trump? More executive orders? Guess how long those last (the ones the courts haven't shut down, that is)?
posted by leotrotsky at 11:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
They needed a visible win desperately, because they don't have anything else in the pipeline. What legislation are they going to pass? What foreign or domestic wins will be coming from Pres. Trump? More executive orders? Guess how long those last (the ones the courts haven't shut down, that is)?
posted by leotrotsky at 11:46 AM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
including the show's top advertiser
It's only a top advisor by default. They get bargain basement rates for taking the spots that aren't filled by real paying customers.
posted by Talez at 11:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's only a top advisor by default. They get bargain basement rates for taking the spots that aren't filled by real paying customers.
posted by Talez at 11:48 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
...although a few have now affirmed that they won't be cancelling anything, including the show's top advertiser.
Huh, Rosland Capital, I wonder if they sell...
*googles*
OF COURSE they fucking sell gold.
FOX NEWS: Brought to you by the assholes who want to fleece your early-stage dementia Grandma.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
Huh, Rosland Capital, I wonder if they sell...
*googles*
OF COURSE they fucking sell gold.
FOX NEWS: Brought to you by the assholes who want to fleece your early-stage dementia Grandma.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:49 AM on April 6, 2017 [20 favorites]
Gelatin: "Think of this -- how much harder did Senate Republicans just make it for them to run away from Trump in 2018?
What do they think, he's going to become popular, when he never was?"
Pretend you are an American voter and that you have the memory of a goldfish, but I repeat myself.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
What do they think, he's going to become popular, when he never was?"
Pretend you are an American voter and that you have the memory of a goldfish, but I repeat myself.
posted by TypographicalError at 11:51 AM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
They needed a visible win desperately
I agree, but that need led them to take a step that'll make it pig simple for every Democratic challenger to tie a big ol' Trump-shaped anchor around their necks in 2018 and 2020.
Democratic voters around the country are angry about Trump. He's losing independents, and his first 80 freakin' days have been a nonstop fail parade. Two years from now, where will the jobs he promised be? Trump is already widely perceived as a disastrously incompetent president that makes George W. Bush look like ... a less disastrously incompetent president.
(And I haven't even mentioned the "we have to cover up the fact that our campaign was in bed with the Russians" thing yet!)
posted by Gelatin at 11:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I agree, but that need led them to take a step that'll make it pig simple for every Democratic challenger to tie a big ol' Trump-shaped anchor around their necks in 2018 and 2020.
Democratic voters around the country are angry about Trump. He's losing independents, and his first 80 freakin' days have been a nonstop fail parade. Two years from now, where will the jobs he promised be? Trump is already widely perceived as a disastrously incompetent president that makes George W. Bush look like ... a less disastrously incompetent president.
(And I haven't even mentioned the "we have to cover up the fact that our campaign was in bed with the Russians" thing yet!)
posted by Gelatin at 11:52 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
2. Democrats won't turn around and say "okay, now let's all compromise in good faith and return to governing like ADULTS!" while the Republicans bide their time until Trump II takes back over.
Seeing the way the Dems in Congress handled AHCA, Russia, and now Gorsuch has made me very cautiously (I mean like super, mega, ultra tentatively cautiously -- TTTCS) optimistic that they might have a vestigial backbone after all, just as long as we the people continue to make it clear that collaborating or rolling over is not an option for anyone interested in re-election.
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Seeing the way the Dems in Congress handled AHCA, Russia, and now Gorsuch has made me very cautiously (I mean like super, mega, ultra tentatively cautiously -- TTTCS) optimistic that they might have a vestigial backbone after all, just as long as we the people continue to make it clear that collaborating or rolling over is not an option for anyone interested in re-election.
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:54 AM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
In case you're wondering why Gold's a scam.
Gold's not a asset class. Commodities like gold are a cost input that rarely outpaces inflation over long time frames. Commodities are sold as hedge, the argument being they have a low correlation to equities and debt and therefore reduce portfolio volatility. But they don't. Correlations between commodities and equities have substantially increased since the financial crisis, all they tend to do now is to increase portfolio volatility.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Gold's not a asset class. Commodities like gold are a cost input that rarely outpaces inflation over long time frames. Commodities are sold as hedge, the argument being they have a low correlation to equities and debt and therefore reduce portfolio volatility. But they don't. Correlations between commodities and equities have substantially increased since the financial crisis, all they tend to do now is to increase portfolio volatility.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:55 AM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
I was flippant with the "getting our war on" comment yesterday (?) but it sure sounds like they're laying the groundwork for military action in Syria right now. Such action will put us in almost direct conflict with the Russian military. We would be flying combat sorties striking Assad's forces at the same time that Russians are flying combat sorties proving combat air support for Assad's forces.
posted by Justinian at 11:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 11:56 AM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Fox News is not only brought to you by those who want to fleece the elderly and credulous, it's made by and supports exactly the same. Why do you think they vaped the Internet privacy regulations?
One huge greasy bundle of creepozoids. When the history of these days comes to be written, we'll need stronger words than currently exist to describe the cynical, self-serving, shameless lampreys who have engineered this nationwide con-job.
posted by Devonian at 11:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
One huge greasy bundle of creepozoids. When the history of these days comes to be written, we'll need stronger words than currently exist to describe the cynical, self-serving, shameless lampreys who have engineered this nationwide con-job.
posted by Devonian at 11:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Such action will put us in almost direct conflict with the Russian military.
Geez, if I were the Russians, then would be a good time to leak the most incriminating information I have about the person in charge of ordering those strikes.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Geez, if I were the Russians, then would be a good time to leak the most incriminating information I have about the person in charge of ordering those strikes.
posted by leotrotsky at 11:58 AM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Pretend you are an American voter and that you have the memory of a goldfish, but I repeat myself.
Part of the reason Hillary Clinton lost, I have no doubt, was a decades-long propaganda effort against her and her husband that started when she was First Lady of Arkansas. Voters may have had no idea what the whole "but her emails!" thing was supposed to be about, but many had the perception that they didn't like her and they didn't trust her.
And here we have Trump basically managing the same thing through an unending series of own-goals brought about by fundamental aspects of his own personality and basic incompetence. Trump's popularity, never all that hot to begin with, has been on a steady downward march since the inauguration.
The American voter -- and the media -- likely will forget all about specific instances of Trump's malfeasance. But they know he isn't doing a good job. And what is he going to do -- suddenly demonstrate actual competence to change that position?
There's no "surely this." But Trump himself has been providing the "surely these," and his approval rating is in the toilet because of it. And I don't foresee him changing that fact at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Part of the reason Hillary Clinton lost, I have no doubt, was a decades-long propaganda effort against her and her husband that started when she was First Lady of Arkansas. Voters may have had no idea what the whole "but her emails!" thing was supposed to be about, but many had the perception that they didn't like her and they didn't trust her.
And here we have Trump basically managing the same thing through an unending series of own-goals brought about by fundamental aspects of his own personality and basic incompetence. Trump's popularity, never all that hot to begin with, has been on a steady downward march since the inauguration.
The American voter -- and the media -- likely will forget all about specific instances of Trump's malfeasance. But they know he isn't doing a good job. And what is he going to do -- suddenly demonstrate actual competence to change that position?
There's no "surely this." But Trump himself has been providing the "surely these," and his approval rating is in the toilet because of it. And I don't foresee him changing that fact at all.
posted by Gelatin at 11:59 AM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
That also assumes the US would be fighting against Assad. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Trump started arming Assad himself.
"See!? He doesn't have to use chemicals now that he has better arms! We're helping! Master negotiator!"
posted by downtohisturtles at 12:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
"See!? He doesn't have to use chemicals now that he has better arms! We're helping! Master negotiator!"
posted by downtohisturtles at 12:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Gelatin: "The American voter -- and the media -- likely will forget all about specific instances of Trump's malfeasance. But they know he isn't doing a good job. And what is he going to do -- suddenly demonstrate actual competence to change that position?
There's no "surely this." But Trump himself has been providing the "surely these," and his approval rating is in the toilet because of it. And I don't foresee him changing that fact at all."
Hil also won a senate seat with really no trouble (perhaps helped by scandal, but nonetheless, her reputation then was even less strong than it was last year). Presidency and congressional seats are very different beasts, mostly because the American media focuses all its efforts on easy-to-understand stories like presidential horse races and scandals rather than the relatively dry senatorial proceedings that we're all beating our breasts over. I am about 6 cupcakes sure that no R senator pays for today noticeably.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's no "surely this." But Trump himself has been providing the "surely these," and his approval rating is in the toilet because of it. And I don't foresee him changing that fact at all."
Hil also won a senate seat with really no trouble (perhaps helped by scandal, but nonetheless, her reputation then was even less strong than it was last year). Presidency and congressional seats are very different beasts, mostly because the American media focuses all its efforts on easy-to-understand stories like presidential horse races and scandals rather than the relatively dry senatorial proceedings that we're all beating our breasts over. I am about 6 cupcakes sure that no R senator pays for today noticeably.
posted by TypographicalError at 12:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
> Oh for fuck's sake. New ldr of Russia probe Rep Conaway tells Fox he hasn't seen docs in question. Doesn't think Nunes did anything wrong
They Sure Did Pick a Couple of Super Sleuths to Replace Devin Nunes. We are not in good hands.
posted by homunculus at 12:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
They Sure Did Pick a Couple of Super Sleuths to Replace Devin Nunes. We are not in good hands.
posted by homunculus at 12:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Historically, an answer to this has been to get into a huge war and rally the citizenry around nebulous patriotic ideals long enough to keep them too terrified to vote for any potentially-disruptive change.
That's a frightening thought, of course, considering how bellicose some of his inner circle; Bannon, in particular, seems to be eager for a clash-of-civililzations-style conflict against Islam.
A couple points, though: The media might be skeptical about such a move, especially if -- and this thought is frightening too -- if Trump appears to simply blunder into war. Also, while W managed to achieve his goal of deposing Saddam, the ongoing disaster that was the Iraqi Occupation did his popularity no good.
I don't foresee Trump managing a war any more competently than he does anything else -- which, again, is frightening, so while I don't expect his popularity to turn around because of it except for an initial dead-cat bounce, I also fear that we'd have much bigger problems. But I still don't see it as exactly an obstacle to Democrats running for Congress under a platform of "the Republicans aren't willing to check Trump, so we will."
How many of you went to Get Your War On to see if they had posted something new. I'll go first: I did.
Well? And?
posted by Gelatin at 12:08 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
That's a frightening thought, of course, considering how bellicose some of his inner circle; Bannon, in particular, seems to be eager for a clash-of-civililzations-style conflict against Islam.
A couple points, though: The media might be skeptical about such a move, especially if -- and this thought is frightening too -- if Trump appears to simply blunder into war. Also, while W managed to achieve his goal of deposing Saddam, the ongoing disaster that was the Iraqi Occupation did his popularity no good.
I don't foresee Trump managing a war any more competently than he does anything else -- which, again, is frightening, so while I don't expect his popularity to turn around because of it except for an initial dead-cat bounce, I also fear that we'd have much bigger problems. But I still don't see it as exactly an obstacle to Democrats running for Congress under a platform of "the Republicans aren't willing to check Trump, so we will."
How many of you went to Get Your War On to see if they had posted something new. I'll go first: I did.
Well? And?
posted by Gelatin at 12:08 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm so fucking depressed.
posted by yoga at 12:09 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
posted by yoga at 12:09 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
Steve Bannon Calls Jared Kushner a ‘Cuck’ and ‘Globalist’ Behind His Back
Oh goody, more "President Bannon" dirt. Whoever it was that told us we were idiots for harping on the Pres. Bannon bit really needs to eat a word-cake:
Oh goody, more "President Bannon" dirt. Whoever it was that told us we were idiots for harping on the Pres. Bannon bit really needs to eat a word-cake:
A Republican source close to Trump told The Daily Beast confirmed this level of insecurity over Bannon’s reputation coming from the president, and mentioned that the president was “irked” after catching a glimpse of a recent cold-open on Saturday Night Live.posted by FelliniBlank at 12:09 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
Bannon was depicted as a Grim Reaper character who manipulates Alec Baldwin’s President Trump into sowing global chaos and diplomatic breakdown. At the end of the scene, “Bannon” tells Trump to give him his Oval Office desk back. Baldwin’s Trump calls the Reaper “Mr. President,” and then proceeds to go sit at his own much smaller, shorter desk, where the president plays with a kid’s toy instead of governing.
"Did you see this crap?" Trump asked the confidante, referring to the SNL sketch.
That also assumes the US would be fighting against Assad. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if Trump started arming Assad himself.
"See!? He doesn't have to use chemicals now that he has better arms! We're helping! Master negotiator!"
Would not be surprised if this has been proposed in earnest. In fact I very much suspect it has.
posted by Artw at 12:10 PM on April 6, 2017
"See!? He doesn't have to use chemicals now that he has better arms! We're helping! Master negotiator!"
Would not be surprised if this has been proposed in earnest. In fact I very much suspect it has.
posted by Artw at 12:10 PM on April 6, 2017
I am about 6 cupcakes sure that no R senator pays for today noticeably.
I am prepared to bet a cake that "A vote for $REPUBLICAN is a vote for Trump" will be an effective message in 2018 and 2020, and that Republicans will be running away from him as much as feckless Democrats were from Obama in 2010. Their lockstep vote today only goes to reinforce that message.
posted by Gelatin at 12:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am prepared to bet a cake that "A vote for $REPUBLICAN is a vote for Trump" will be an effective message in 2018 and 2020, and that Republicans will be running away from him as much as feckless Democrats were from Obama in 2010. Their lockstep vote today only goes to reinforce that message.
posted by Gelatin at 12:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Task and Purpose: Jared Goes To Iraq! A Picture Story
The Concourse goes with "Look At This Fucking Asshole."
posted by octobersurprise at 12:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
The Concourse goes with "Look At This Fucking Asshole."
... what better way to terrify the caliphate than by sauntering around in a bulletproof vest that’s been personalized like a pair of Underoos, and then wearing it OVER a goddamn blazer? It’s a sharp look, one that says, “I’d like to make a war, but I’d also like a mint julep.”Everything old is new again!
posted by octobersurprise at 12:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
That's a frightening thought, of course, considering how bellicose some of his inner circle; Bannon, in particular, seems to be eager for a clash-of-civililzations-style conflict against Islam.
Him and Flynn, yeah. And as bad as shit feels today, I'm really relieved that both of them are now off the NSC. The original roster had two fundamentally opposed factions (GWB neocons vs. Deus Vult Nuke Mecca psychotics) and while the neocons winning isn't good, it's better than what was, until Flynn's departure, a very plausible alternative scenario.
posted by theodolite at 12:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Him and Flynn, yeah. And as bad as shit feels today, I'm really relieved that both of them are now off the NSC. The original roster had two fundamentally opposed factions (GWB neocons vs. Deus Vult Nuke Mecca psychotics) and while the neocons winning isn't good, it's better than what was, until Flynn's departure, a very plausible alternative scenario.
posted by theodolite at 12:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Keep in mind that the Republicans aren't stealing one judicial seat, they are stealing over 100 seats that they previously filibustered. Every one of these are lifetime appointments.
When under Obama the Republicans filibustered more judicial appointees than had ever been filibustered in the history of the country, and then asserted after Scalia died that the sitting President has no role in filling Supreme Court seats, they lit a fuse—they declared the end of the Constitutional third branch of the U.S. federal government, declared that the American judiciary belongs to the Republican Party now.
It may take a while to play out, but that set in motion a process which really only has two possible outcomes: the end of the Republic, as escalating efforts to control the judiciary eliminate it as an institution with any credibility, which serves as the first domino to topple—some sort of clearly-delineated civil war with sides and objectives related to preceding political alignments actually seems unlikely to me; or Republicans concede that they fucked up badly and that the Constitution matters, at least insofar as we usually pretend it matters, and make a sincere offer of a good-faith plan to restore a semblance of judicial independence.
I don't know if it's even possible to make such an offer in the 21st century when so many illusions of fairness and principle on the part of the state and authority have been unraveled, and I'm pretty sure Republicans don't have the integrity or competence or statesmanship to make such an offer even if it were possible, but those are the parameters of the scenario the Republican polity used the beginning of the new century to set in motion.
posted by XMLicious at 12:20 PM on April 6, 2017 [48 favorites]
I don't freak out about this stuff anymore, I'm just a little disappointed. I don't think "our side" is going to start a civil war over this, I think we're going to have to decide if we want to fight a civil war or just give up and give in to fascism. If we want to stay on the right side of history, I think we're obligated to do everything we reasonably can to get out of this some other way but I'm convinced that Trump and the GOP aren't going to willingly give up power and this only ends with violent confrontation.
I hope I'm wrong and today's vote was a point at which we could have a made a detour down a path that DOESN'T end in bloodshed. But that didn't happen, I think this all ends in war anyways so I'm not surprised, there will be worse to come yet. I'm just disappointed that we didn't take that path today.
There will still be plenty of opportunities to change course, there are still investigations on-going, elections in 2018, and 2020. I'm sure there are and will be lots of other small things that can add up to a large thing too. So I'll keep making calls, sending faxes, and sending money along with anything else I can manage for as long as it's effective. I really want to be wrong about this so I cling to that hope.
It honestly does make it easier to deal with this stuff. Today, we fought a battle that I expected us to lose and then we lost. That sucks. I'll take some time to be disappointed and sad about it and then it's on to the next fight.
posted by VTX at 12:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I hope I'm wrong and today's vote was a point at which we could have a made a detour down a path that DOESN'T end in bloodshed. But that didn't happen, I think this all ends in war anyways so I'm not surprised, there will be worse to come yet. I'm just disappointed that we didn't take that path today.
There will still be plenty of opportunities to change course, there are still investigations on-going, elections in 2018, and 2020. I'm sure there are and will be lots of other small things that can add up to a large thing too. So I'll keep making calls, sending faxes, and sending money along with anything else I can manage for as long as it's effective. I really want to be wrong about this so I cling to that hope.
It honestly does make it easier to deal with this stuff. Today, we fought a battle that I expected us to lose and then we lost. That sucks. I'll take some time to be disappointed and sad about it and then it's on to the next fight.
posted by VTX at 12:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
A Montana Special Election Nobody Is Following Could Deal A Huge Blow To Trump (yes, HuffPo, but wait for it...)
posted by indubitable at 12:27 PM on April 6, 2017 [18 favorites]
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s national mobilization chair in 2016. “Montana special election?” Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. “Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Clyburn said.The national mobilization chair of the DCCC didn't even know there was a special election.
The DCCC is not running ads in Montana, a sign that they see the race as unwinnable and not worth the investment ― and also that they worry any support from national Democrats would make the race a referendum on the two parties. And even with Trump in office, that’s a contest Democrats lose.So it looks like the plan is to just let this guy fend for himself. If they're even aware of him.
...
Democrats in the state have won before: The party controls the governor’s mansion, and populist rancher Jon Tester is one of Montana’s two senators. Republicans, meanwhile, put up a walking parody of a candidate. In this populist moment, the GOP threw its weight behind Greg Gianforte, a millionaire tech guy from New Jersey who, after moving to Montana, sued to try to keep people from being able to fish in a stream that ran by his property. He is a major proponent of privatizing public land. Since moving to Montana, he has been trying to buy his way into elected office, fresh off a defeat in a bid for governor in which his campaign aired 30,661 television ads, more than any other state candidate in the country. In doing so, Gianforte spent at least $5.1 million of his own money.
...
Quist is running as a populist and supports a single-payer health care system, but his campaign bristles at comparisons to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), whom Quist backed in the Democratic presidential primary. In his first TV ad, launched Tuesday, he calls single-payer “health care we can afford.” He’s ardently pro-choice and opposes defunding Planned Parenthood, framing it as a fight against government intrusion into people’s personal lives. He understands climate change, but couches his belief with the exact same anecdote used by Zinke ― a story about watching the ice in Glacier National Park recede year after year.
posted by indubitable at 12:27 PM on April 6, 2017 [18 favorites]
Geez, if I were the Russians, then would be a good time to leak the most incriminating information I have about the person in charge of ordering those strikes.
My Country Went to War and All I Got Was These Lousy Pee Tapes
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:28 PM on April 6, 2017
My Country Went to War and All I Got Was These Lousy Pee Tapes
posted by Cookiebastard at 12:28 PM on April 6, 2017
Trump, pressed on what specific responses he was contemplating: something 'serious,' but "I don't want to say what I'm going to be doing with respect to Syria."
My only reaction is basically this.
I guess it's never been a better time to binge on some grimdark Bergman.
posted by dis_integration at 12:32 PM on April 6, 2017
My only reaction is basically this.
I guess it's never been a better time to binge on some grimdark Bergman.
posted by dis_integration at 12:32 PM on April 6, 2017
Does it make me a horrible person if I feel like it's not our (USA) responsibility to babysit all the other countries in the world to make sure they don't do something bad, and to spank the ones that do?
At least I understand why North Korea is a concern.. but it's not clear to me why Syria is a big enough threat to us that we Need To Do Something About It.
I guess it could be that my premise is wrong, though.
posted by INFJ at 12:39 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
At least I understand why North Korea is a concern.. but it's not clear to me why Syria is a big enough threat to us that we Need To Do Something About It.
I guess it could be that my premise is wrong, though.
posted by INFJ at 12:39 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
So it looks like the plan is to just let this guy fend for himself. If they're even aware of him.
DCCC is wary about putting big money in and spurring repub turnout.
posted by futz at 12:40 PM on April 6, 2017
DCCC is wary about putting big money in and spurring repub turnout.
posted by futz at 12:40 PM on April 6, 2017
Deposing Assad wouldn't be palatable to Russia, of course, and might just lead to international nuclear war or something
Something, indeed, especially if the story that the Russians have compromising material on Trump (and the Republicans) is true.
If memory serves me correctly, Syria is hugely more important to the Russians as a client state / base location than it is to the US. I don't see the Russians being sanguine at all with the US, say, imposing a no-fly zone that would prevent them from using their own air power to bolster Assad's army. I could see such an outcome possibly leading to military conflict between the US and Russia. So, yeesh.
posted by Gelatin at 12:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Something, indeed, especially if the story that the Russians have compromising material on Trump (and the Republicans) is true.
If memory serves me correctly, Syria is hugely more important to the Russians as a client state / base location than it is to the US. I don't see the Russians being sanguine at all with the US, say, imposing a no-fly zone that would prevent them from using their own air power to bolster Assad's army. I could see such an outcome possibly leading to military conflict between the US and Russia. So, yeesh.
posted by Gelatin at 12:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
but it's not clear to me why Syria is a big enough threat to us that we Need To Do Something About It.
We broke it. We really should fix it.
posted by Devonian at 12:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
We broke it. We really should fix it.
posted by Devonian at 12:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Historically speaking bombing shit isn't generally the most effective way to fix things.
But I guess when all you have is a 2000lb bomb everything looks like an Iraqi wedding party.
posted by Justinian at 12:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [30 favorites]
But I guess when all you have is a 2000lb bomb everything looks like an Iraqi wedding party.
posted by Justinian at 12:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [30 favorites]
Historically speaking bombing shit isn't generally the most effective way to fix things.
But I guess when all you have is a 2000lb bomb everything looks like an Iraqi wedding party.
Quite. I'd humbly suggest that our responsibilities lie more in the humanitarian direction than in the regime change direction. Especially considering how poorly our last attempt at deposing a horrible dictator went.
posted by tobascodagama at 12:45 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
But I guess when all you have is a 2000lb bomb everything looks like an Iraqi wedding party.
Quite. I'd humbly suggest that our responsibilities lie more in the humanitarian direction than in the regime change direction. Especially considering how poorly our last attempt at deposing a horrible dictator went.
posted by tobascodagama at 12:45 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Syria's regime (and some portion of the rebellion) is basically one walking Crime Against Humanity at this point. Everyone should be concerned about this.
Unfortunately, Syria is also a strategic client state and proxy for warfare between the Saudis, Iran, Russia, and the US, in addition to being one of the first major climate change war and refugee crises. There is no solution I can think of to resolve this. I don't see how us going in militarily does anything but make it worse. I weep for the children of Syria.
posted by Existential Dread at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
Unfortunately, Syria is also a strategic client state and proxy for warfare between the Saudis, Iran, Russia, and the US, in addition to being one of the first major climate change war and refugee crises. There is no solution I can think of to resolve this. I don't see how us going in militarily does anything but make it worse. I weep for the children of Syria.
posted by Existential Dread at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
Jared Goes To Iraq! A Picture Story
Wait. Jared travels with a body double to confuse would-be assassins?
posted by JackFlash at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Wait. Jared travels with a body double to confuse would-be assassins?
posted by JackFlash at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Deposing Assad wouldn't be palatable to Russia, of course, and might just lead to international nuclear war or something, but I can't imagine that the US and Russia couldn't find at least one Syrian general or something that they could agree on as the new Syrian Leader, and just hand the whole mess over to him. (This would almost certainly be a terrible mess, but the US has a pretty good track record of getting into terrible middle eastern messes to whip up patriotism at home).
Deposing Assad would mean defeating the Syrian government. That clears the way for Sunni jihadi militias to take on the genocide of Alawites that they've been promising everybody. After that, you probably end up with a country ruled over by hundreds of different factions of Sunni jihadi militias, plus whatever territory the Kurds are able to carve out and defend (assuming Turkey doesn't invade at this point and kill them all). I don't think this is a good outcome for the region (and *definitely* not for women and non-Sunnis), nor for US security in the long run.
I mean, I suppose they could also come to an agreement with the Syrian government to remove Assad in favor of some not-Assad person who is otherwise identical, but I think if they could do that, they'd have done it already.
posted by indubitable at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Deposing Assad would mean defeating the Syrian government. That clears the way for Sunni jihadi militias to take on the genocide of Alawites that they've been promising everybody. After that, you probably end up with a country ruled over by hundreds of different factions of Sunni jihadi militias, plus whatever territory the Kurds are able to carve out and defend (assuming Turkey doesn't invade at this point and kill them all). I don't think this is a good outcome for the region (and *definitely* not for women and non-Sunnis), nor for US security in the long run.
I mean, I suppose they could also come to an agreement with the Syrian government to remove Assad in favor of some not-Assad person who is otherwise identical, but I think if they could do that, they'd have done it already.
posted by indubitable at 12:46 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Task and Purpose: Jared Goes To Iraq! A Picture Story
Folks are doing some grand things with these pics.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Folks are doing some grand things with these pics.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
I suppose they could also come to an agreement with the Syrian government to remove Assad in favor of some not-Assad person who is otherwise identical, but I think if they could do that, they'd have done it already.
On top of that, how likely is it that any of Assad's faction capable of stepping in isn't also complicit in his war crimes?
posted by Gelatin at 12:49 PM on April 6, 2017
On top of that, how likely is it that any of Assad's faction capable of stepping in isn't also complicit in his war crimes?
posted by Gelatin at 12:49 PM on April 6, 2017
I'm pretty firmly in the "the USA is literally incapable of doing anything right in the Middle East, especially when it comes to military stuff" camp.
The best thing we could do for Syria is pull our military out entirely and just send in humanitarian aid. Drop bread, not bombs and maybe, possibly, we can actually accomplish something worthwhile. But our military needs to be far, far, far, away from the Middle East. It does nothing there but fuck up and make things worse.
That goes double for the CIA. Keep those assholes as far from the Middle East as humanly possible, every single thing the CIA has done in that region has created dictatorships, fundamentalism, and evil.
Doing nothing (militarially) is hard, I totally get the urge to stop the bad people, and there are clearly lots of bad people there. But our military action is simply not working so it's time to quit.
And I'd include giving or selling any nation in that entire region any military hardware at all. Not one more American bullet should be sold there. Let Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen with Russian hardware for a change.
I think Trump will, after much bluster, let Putin have Assad in power in Syria. I'm still convinced that Putin has enough pull with Trump to make that happen.
I also think Trump will (ahem) trump up a war with some other Middle Eastern nation. Probably Iran, since that's what the Republicans have been itching for since forever. There is absolutely no possible way (I'll bet a cake) that Trump allows his four years in office to go by without bombing the shit out of some brown people somewhere.
Even if his ratings weren't sucking, and they are, and even if he didn't think a war would boost them, and he does, it's been obvious that Trump has been itching to try out the US military as his own personal toy. The only real question is whether or not he'll use nukes, he clearly wants to, so will his handlers be able to hold him back? I don't know, and that's terrifying.
posted by sotonohito at 12:53 PM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
The best thing we could do for Syria is pull our military out entirely and just send in humanitarian aid. Drop bread, not bombs and maybe, possibly, we can actually accomplish something worthwhile. But our military needs to be far, far, far, away from the Middle East. It does nothing there but fuck up and make things worse.
That goes double for the CIA. Keep those assholes as far from the Middle East as humanly possible, every single thing the CIA has done in that region has created dictatorships, fundamentalism, and evil.
Doing nothing (militarially) is hard, I totally get the urge to stop the bad people, and there are clearly lots of bad people there. But our military action is simply not working so it's time to quit.
And I'd include giving or selling any nation in that entire region any military hardware at all. Not one more American bullet should be sold there. Let Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen with Russian hardware for a change.
I think Trump will, after much bluster, let Putin have Assad in power in Syria. I'm still convinced that Putin has enough pull with Trump to make that happen.
I also think Trump will (ahem) trump up a war with some other Middle Eastern nation. Probably Iran, since that's what the Republicans have been itching for since forever. There is absolutely no possible way (I'll bet a cake) that Trump allows his four years in office to go by without bombing the shit out of some brown people somewhere.
Even if his ratings weren't sucking, and they are, and even if he didn't think a war would boost them, and he does, it's been obvious that Trump has been itching to try out the US military as his own personal toy. The only real question is whether or not he'll use nukes, he clearly wants to, so will his handlers be able to hold him back? I don't know, and that's terrifying.
posted by sotonohito at 12:53 PM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
No, but your infantilized rhetoric is a tell that your opinion is pretty shallow.
I'll admit I could have used different language.
The news filtered to me suggests that Trump wants to retaliate against Syria for the recent chemical warfare against it's own citizens. By retaliate, I am to understand he wants to use our military force in some manner to stop Syria from repeating it's actions. I am interpreting this to mean American Troops On The Ground in Syria.
I would really rather we didn't do that. Not because chemical warfare is a forgivable offense - it isn't. I just don't feel like our appropriate response to that is to throw American lives, the sanity of American military men and women, and American dollars at a Syrian problem.
I fear that makes me heartless or selfish.
posted by INFJ at 12:56 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'll admit I could have used different language.
The news filtered to me suggests that Trump wants to retaliate against Syria for the recent chemical warfare against it's own citizens. By retaliate, I am to understand he wants to use our military force in some manner to stop Syria from repeating it's actions. I am interpreting this to mean American Troops On The Ground in Syria.
I would really rather we didn't do that. Not because chemical warfare is a forgivable offense - it isn't. I just don't feel like our appropriate response to that is to throw American lives, the sanity of American military men and women, and American dollars at a Syrian problem.
I fear that makes me heartless or selfish.
posted by INFJ at 12:56 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
From indubitable's link:
-- Yet there is an argument to be made that things are different. The population of Helena, Montana, is around 30,000 if everybody is home. On Jan. 21, some 10,000 people filled the streets for the town’s women’s march. Indivisible groups and new county Democratic parties have been popping up.
-- But while the DCCC may be sitting on the sidelines for now, the Democratic National Committee appears to be giving it a much closer look, and plans to send high-profile surrogates there in the coming weeks.
The unusual energy on the ground, Kildee [DCCC program co-chair this term ] said, needs to be channeled. It is not a zero sum game, where energy spent now is energy that won’t be there later. “It goes to the point: here’s something you can do. This is a tangible step you can take,” he said.
The Dems better get in there. It seems absurd not to. This is fucking pathetic:
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s national mobilization chair in 2016. “Montana special election?” Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. “Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Clyburn said.
posted by futz at 12:56 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
-- Yet there is an argument to be made that things are different. The population of Helena, Montana, is around 30,000 if everybody is home. On Jan. 21, some 10,000 people filled the streets for the town’s women’s march. Indivisible groups and new county Democratic parties have been popping up.
-- But while the DCCC may be sitting on the sidelines for now, the Democratic National Committee appears to be giving it a much closer look, and plans to send high-profile surrogates there in the coming weeks.
The unusual energy on the ground, Kildee [DCCC program co-chair this term ] said, needs to be channeled. It is not a zero sum game, where energy spent now is energy that won’t be there later. “It goes to the point: here’s something you can do. This is a tangible step you can take,” he said.
The Dems better get in there. It seems absurd not to. This is fucking pathetic:
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s national mobilization chair in 2016. “Montana special election?” Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. “Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Clyburn said.
posted by futz at 12:56 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Keep in mind that the Republicans aren't stealing one judicial seat, they are stealing over 100 seats that they previously filibustered. Every one of these are lifetime appointments.
On the upside, considering how speedily and efficiently Trump seems to fill open govt. work positions, probably only like 3 or 4 of those seats will have judges in them by the end of his term. Or so I hope.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
On the upside, considering how speedily and efficiently Trump seems to fill open govt. work positions, probably only like 3 or 4 of those seats will have judges in them by the end of his term. Or so I hope.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
DCCC is wary about putting big money in and spurring repub turnout.
The DCCC would like to hire the consultants who lost past elections to lose future elections. Nobody in the DCCC needs to care about thing things you and your family care about, because they are rich enough to be well insulated from the repercussions.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 1:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
The DCCC would like to hire the consultants who lost past elections to lose future elections. Nobody in the DCCC needs to care about thing things you and your family care about, because they are rich enough to be well insulated from the repercussions.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 1:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
The Dems better get in there. It seems absurd not to. This is fucking pathetic:
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s national mobilization chair in 2016. “Montana special election?” Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. “Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Clyburn said.
As norms not save us, so will the Democratic party will not save us. The time to break the glass is already here.
posted by The Gaffer at 1:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) was the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s national mobilization chair in 2016. “Montana special election?” Clyburn said, when HuffPost asked if the DCCC planned to get more involved in the race. Somebody nearby told him the race was to replace Zinke. “Oh, I didn’t know about that,” Clyburn said.
As norms not save us, so will the Democratic party will not save us. The time to break the glass is already here.
posted by The Gaffer at 1:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
DCCC is wary about putting big money in and spurring repub turnout.
As opposed to putting big money in and spurring repub turnout in GA-6?
posted by Etrigan at 1:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
As opposed to putting big money in and spurring repub turnout in GA-6?
posted by Etrigan at 1:04 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Those aren't my thoughts. I think it is absurd and said so.
posted by futz at 1:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by futz at 1:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'll bet you a steak, rare, that the inherent racism and sexism of the average white American voter, combined with a desire to troll those damn liberals, will still overcome the "surely these".
Dedicated Republican voters are not reachable. I don't know how Trump's fail parade will exactly motivate them, though. On the other hand, Trump lost the popular vote by nearly three million and barely eked out an electoral college victory where a few thousand votes going the other way would have made all the difference.
This time, too, Democrats have no reason at all to underestimate Republicans, and every reason to focus on what works for them: mobilizing the superior numbers of Democratic voters. As we have seen here and there, the numbers even in Republican strongholds are surprisingly large, and at the very least, in 2018 that fact will cause Republicans to expend even more resources on defense. Again, Trump is getting less popular, not more.
I am not worried about numbers are not on our side. What concerns me, actually, is where the media is going to decide to stand -- will they go back to their "balanced" instincts, or will they decide not to normalize what the Republicans are doing?
posted by Gelatin at 1:10 PM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Dedicated Republican voters are not reachable. I don't know how Trump's fail parade will exactly motivate them, though. On the other hand, Trump lost the popular vote by nearly three million and barely eked out an electoral college victory where a few thousand votes going the other way would have made all the difference.
This time, too, Democrats have no reason at all to underestimate Republicans, and every reason to focus on what works for them: mobilizing the superior numbers of Democratic voters. As we have seen here and there, the numbers even in Republican strongholds are surprisingly large, and at the very least, in 2018 that fact will cause Republicans to expend even more resources on defense. Again, Trump is getting less popular, not more.
I am not worried about numbers are not on our side. What concerns me, actually, is where the media is going to decide to stand -- will they go back to their "balanced" instincts, or will they decide not to normalize what the Republicans are doing?
posted by Gelatin at 1:10 PM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
Keep in mind that the Republicans aren't stealing one judicial seat, they are stealing over 100 seats that they previously filibustered. Every one of these are lifetime appointments. Trump/Bannon now have free rein to pack district courts all across the nation with the most extreme of extreme judges for life.
If the corporate news media would take this point of view on anything but the opinion pages, and with anything like consistency, we'd have ourselves a ballgame.
It's probably, like, an unintended effect though because intentionally, specifically, supporting these anti-American tactics through false-equivalency narrative would be . . . against the country. Right, Chuck Todd?
posted by petebest at 1:13 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
If the corporate news media would take this point of view on anything but the opinion pages, and with anything like consistency, we'd have ourselves a ballgame.
It's probably, like, an unintended effect though because intentionally, specifically, supporting these anti-American tactics through false-equivalency narrative would be . . . against the country. Right, Chuck Todd?
posted by petebest at 1:13 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Does it make me a horrible person if I feel like it's not our (USA) responsibility to babysit all the other countries in the world to make sure they don't do something bad, and to spank the ones that do?
The present mid-east situation stems largely from the the US's involvement in Iraq 2, Afghanistan, Iraq 1, Afghanistan/USSR, and countless other interventions going back to the CIA orchestrated and executed Iranian coup of 1953.
The Korean situation is similarly full of ties to US interventions, wars, and coups.
In other words, they're *your* children.
posted by rocket88 at 1:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
The present mid-east situation stems largely from the the US's involvement in Iraq 2, Afghanistan, Iraq 1, Afghanistan/USSR, and countless other interventions going back to the CIA orchestrated and executed Iranian coup of 1953.
The Korean situation is similarly full of ties to US interventions, wars, and coups.
In other words, they're *your* children.
posted by rocket88 at 1:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
once they find the right Not-Assad
Jared Kushner?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:20 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Jared Kushner?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 1:20 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Unfortunately, Syria is also a strategic client state and proxy for warfare between the Saudis, Iran, Russia, and the US, in addition to being one of the first major climate change war and refugee crises.
I am not a fan of the features added to Falklands 2.0 and would like to uninstall.
posted by phearlez at 1:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I am not a fan of the features added to Falklands 2.0 and would like to uninstall.
posted by phearlez at 1:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
220 Cities Losing All Passenger Train Service per Trump Elimination of all Federal Funding for Amtrak’s National Network Trains
The White House budget would lead to a nightmare scenario for people who depend on passenger rail, transit, commuter rail, and even regional air service in the United States, from Wall Street to Main Street. The proposal cuts $2.4 billion from transportation, a 13 percent reduction of last year’s funding, and includes:
Elimination of all federal funding for Amtrak’s national network trains, which provides the only national network service to 23 states, and the only nearby Amtrak service for 144.6 million Americans;
$499 million from the TIGER grant program, a highly successful program that invests in passenger rail and transit projects of national significance;
Elimination of $2.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration’s “New Starts” Capital Investment Program, which is crucial to launching new transit, commuter rail, and light-rail projects.
Is there anything they won't destroy? No need to answer that.
posted by futz at 1:25 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
The White House budget would lead to a nightmare scenario for people who depend on passenger rail, transit, commuter rail, and even regional air service in the United States, from Wall Street to Main Street. The proposal cuts $2.4 billion from transportation, a 13 percent reduction of last year’s funding, and includes:
Elimination of all federal funding for Amtrak’s national network trains, which provides the only national network service to 23 states, and the only nearby Amtrak service for 144.6 million Americans;
$499 million from the TIGER grant program, a highly successful program that invests in passenger rail and transit projects of national significance;
Elimination of $2.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration’s “New Starts” Capital Investment Program, which is crucial to launching new transit, commuter rail, and light-rail projects.
Is there anything they won't destroy? No need to answer that.
posted by futz at 1:25 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
Apropos of nothing: there will, one day, exist a marble bust of Mike Pence
posted by theodolite at 1:28 PM on April 6, 2017
posted by theodolite at 1:28 PM on April 6, 2017
To pee on?
posted by Artw at 1:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
Apropos of nothing: there will, one day, exist a marble bust of Mike Pence
For convenience's sake, I hope they display it right next to the one of Dick Cheney.
posted by Gelatin at 1:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
For convenience's sake, I hope they display it right next to the one of Dick Cheney.
posted by Gelatin at 1:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Apropos of nothing: there will, one day, exist a marble bust of Mike Pence
It already exists. It's currently sitting on his shoulders.
posted by darkstar at 1:31 PM on April 6, 2017 [51 favorites]
It already exists. It's currently sitting on his shoulders.
posted by darkstar at 1:31 PM on April 6, 2017 [51 favorites]
DCCC is wary about putting big money in and spurring repub turnout.
Well I'm Not, And Neither Should You™ — Rob Quist for Montana
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:32 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Well I'm Not, And Neither Should You™ — Rob Quist for Montana
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:32 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
Reuters: The Trump Effect
Reuters/Ipsos poll that "split respondents into two groups: each received nearly identical questions related to statements that Trump made during the campaign, with the only difference being that one group did not know that the statements came from Trump." There are sliders to compare the two groups.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:33 PM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
Reuters/Ipsos poll that "split respondents into two groups: each received nearly identical questions related to statements that Trump made during the campaign, with the only difference being that one group did not know that the statements came from Trump." There are sliders to compare the two groups.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:33 PM on April 6, 2017 [22 favorites]
what better way to terrify the caliphate than by sauntering around in a bulletproof vest that’s been personalized like a pair of Underoos, and then wearing it OVER a goddamn blazer? It’s a sharp look, one that says, “I’d like to make a war, but I’d also like a mint julep.”
I want to shake the hand of every single man or woman who saw Jared Kushner there and decided NOT to tell him how to wear body armor.
Hell, I want to buy them all a drink.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:36 PM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
I want to shake the hand of every single man or woman who saw Jared Kushner there and decided NOT to tell him how to wear body armor.
Hell, I want to buy them all a drink.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:36 PM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
Reuters: The Trump Effect
That was weird. People are weird.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
That was weird. People are weird.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Terrorism Smear Campaign Against Democratic Contender for Congress Run By Saudi Lobbyist
-- A REPUBLICAN SUPER PAC has paid for a television ad attacking Democrat Jon Ossoff — one of the leading candidates in an April 18 special election to fill the House seat for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District — for producing video content for Al Jazeera.
-- Ironically, the Super PAC, called the Congressional Leadership Fund, is chaired by former Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman — a registered lobbyist for Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers and one of the countries most responsible for exporting extremism.
posted by futz at 1:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
-- A REPUBLICAN SUPER PAC has paid for a television ad attacking Democrat Jon Ossoff — one of the leading candidates in an April 18 special election to fill the House seat for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District — for producing video content for Al Jazeera.
-- Ironically, the Super PAC, called the Congressional Leadership Fund, is chaired by former Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman — a registered lobbyist for Saudi Arabia, home of 15 of the 19 September 11 hijackers and one of the countries most responsible for exporting extremism.
posted by futz at 1:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [17 favorites]
IOKIYASL
posted by petebest at 1:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by petebest at 1:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Reuters: The Trump Effect
That was weird. People are weird.
I agree. none of those quotes are even remotely aligned with his current views or stances, but since he lies lies lies anyway, my opinion of what he says has little to do with my opinion of him. which is kind of the converse of what the article is getting at.
posted by OHenryPacey at 1:43 PM on April 6, 2017
That was weird. People are weird.
I agree. none of those quotes are even remotely aligned with his current views or stances, but since he lies lies lies anyway, my opinion of what he says has little to do with my opinion of him. which is kind of the converse of what the article is getting at.
posted by OHenryPacey at 1:43 PM on April 6, 2017
Like, that first one is just bizarre:
I don't care if a government official financially benefits from their position in the government, OR
A government official should be forbidden from financially benefiting from their position
vs.
I don't care if Donald Trump financially benefits from their position in the government, OR
Donald Trump should be forbidden from financially benefiting from their position
And the second statement gets over twice as much approval from Rs (and a few points more from Ds, wtaf?). So, financially benefiting is moderately bad except when it's Donald Trump, a person who is already a millionaire, and then it's GREAT!
And then the next several are a bunch of shit that Trump uttered and years ago, then walked back, then forward, then back, then sideways and diagonal, and at this point he can't even form a coherent sentence regarding. D's approve less of universal healthcare when Trump is saying it, and I have to admit, I might fall into that bucket because I don't trust him. I don't trust that anything he says doesn't have a secret "...and I will implement this in the worst, most harmful, most ham-fisted, most offensive way possible" appended to it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
I don't care if a government official financially benefits from their position in the government, OR
A government official should be forbidden from financially benefiting from their position
vs.
I don't care if Donald Trump financially benefits from their position in the government, OR
Donald Trump should be forbidden from financially benefiting from their position
And the second statement gets over twice as much approval from Rs (and a few points more from Ds, wtaf?). So, financially benefiting is moderately bad except when it's Donald Trump, a person who is already a millionaire, and then it's GREAT!
And then the next several are a bunch of shit that Trump uttered and years ago, then walked back, then forward, then back, then sideways and diagonal, and at this point he can't even form a coherent sentence regarding. D's approve less of universal healthcare when Trump is saying it, and I have to admit, I might fall into that bucket because I don't trust him. I don't trust that anything he says doesn't have a secret "...and I will implement this in the worst, most harmful, most ham-fisted, most offensive way possible" appended to it.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Yeah those results are very unexpected. I'd have assumed the Democrats would go opposite from Republicans particularly with things like the first question but no in several cases (like the aforementioned first question) the "don't care"s went up for both sets of participants! I guess that one was already so low it didn't have a lot of room to fall. That could be representing Democrats Who Voted For Trump not being offset by Democrats who Didn't Vote For Trump the way it was for most of the questions. Or that's just a 6% crazification factor.
posted by Green With You at 1:53 PM on April 6, 2017
posted by Green With You at 1:53 PM on April 6, 2017
Which is to say, fuck Manchin. Eject him. Party unity is more important than raw numbers right now, because without party unity the numbers mean nothing.
How exactly would that happen? "Hi Joe. We all got together and decided you're not a Democrat anymore. Please turn in your decoder ring."
This is one of the ways in which the political process in the USA is weird and broken compared to, say, most parliamentary democracies. In the UK, for instance? Something like the Gorsuch nomination would be subject to a "three line whip" (you must be present and you must vote the party line or there are consequences). Defying a three line whip means "having the whip withdrawn" (ie expulsion from the parliamentary party; you're an independent now, and good luck at your next election because we won't be supporting you or giving you any resources and we'll be backing someone else to run against you).
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 1:54 PM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
How exactly would that happen? "Hi Joe. We all got together and decided you're not a Democrat anymore. Please turn in your decoder ring."
This is one of the ways in which the political process in the USA is weird and broken compared to, say, most parliamentary democracies. In the UK, for instance? Something like the Gorsuch nomination would be subject to a "three line whip" (you must be present and you must vote the party line or there are consequences). Defying a three line whip means "having the whip withdrawn" (ie expulsion from the parliamentary party; you're an independent now, and good luck at your next election because we won't be supporting you or giving you any resources and we'll be backing someone else to run against you).
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 1:54 PM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
Twitter sues U.S. over demand for records on anti-Trump account
The lawsuit over the account @ALT_uscis, claimed to be run by federal immigration employees, was filed in federal court in San Francisco, where Twitter is based.
posted by futz at 2:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
The lawsuit over the account @ALT_uscis, claimed to be run by federal immigration employees, was filed in federal court in San Francisco, where Twitter is based.
posted by futz at 2:06 PM on April 6, 2017 [15 favorites]
Re: this quote from Trump that cjelli highlighted:
Asked about the nuclear option and whether it will change how he contemplates any future nominations --Trump: No...hopefully, if there is a second one for me in my administration -- and there could be as many as four -- in fact, under a certain scenario there could be many more than that. But no, I don't think the nuclear option has any impact on that.
that 'certain scenario' sure sounds like Supreme Court-packing to me... it seems people in this thread aren't the only ones who have thought about the possibility.
posted by janewman at 2:07 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Asked about the nuclear option and whether it will change how he contemplates any future nominations --Trump: No...hopefully, if there is a second one for me in my administration -- and there could be as many as four -- in fact, under a certain scenario there could be many more than that. But no, I don't think the nuclear option has any impact on that.
that 'certain scenario' sure sounds like Supreme Court-packing to me... it seems people in this thread aren't the only ones who have thought about the possibility.
posted by janewman at 2:07 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
IOKIYASL
It's Okay If You're A ShitLord?
That's what I'm going with, anyway.
posted by darkstar at 2:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's Okay If You're A ShitLord?
That's what I'm going with, anyway.
posted by darkstar at 2:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
The idea of removing Supreme Court Justices for court stacking makes for nice fiction. Shame we seem to be living in that kind of timeline now.
That scenario in The Pelican Brief was surgical, but could easily be applied on a larger scale and with greater stealth. And not for the simple greed of oil drilling.
posted by monopas at 2:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
That scenario in The Pelican Brief was surgical, but could easily be applied on a larger scale and with greater stealth. And not for the simple greed of oil drilling.
posted by monopas at 2:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
This is one of the ways in which the political process in the USA is weird and broken compared to, say, most parliamentary democracies.
That seems like an inevitable consequence of having a large, diverse population combined with a two party system. The division between conservative and liberal in West Virginia is always going to be very different than it is in Massachusetts. Trying to hold the party line across the entire map would (and does) just end up producing unhealthy one-party regions where corruption can run rampant. A parliamentary system may be better, but its also far easier with a smaller, much less diverse population like the UK has.
posted by parallellines at 2:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
That seems like an inevitable consequence of having a large, diverse population combined with a two party system. The division between conservative and liberal in West Virginia is always going to be very different than it is in Massachusetts. Trying to hold the party line across the entire map would (and does) just end up producing unhealthy one-party regions where corruption can run rampant. A parliamentary system may be better, but its also far easier with a smaller, much less diverse population like the UK has.
posted by parallellines at 2:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I just had to take a breath and put my phone down because there are people leaving comments on Senator Ed Markey's Facebook page calling him a "pathetic cuck" because he's calling for diplomatic and not military action in Syria.
Fuck the internet forever.
posted by lydhre at 2:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Fuck the internet forever.
posted by lydhre at 2:24 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
There's no reason to remove justices for a court-packing scheme. If you add ten more justices to the court, four left-of-center votes have little clout...
posted by janewman at 2:27 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by janewman at 2:27 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
The idea of removing Supreme Court Justices for court stacking makes for nice fiction. Shame we seem to be living in that kind of timeline now.That's not what court packing is. There's nothing in the Constitution that says there have to be 9 Supreme Court justices. Court packing is the idea of raising the number of justices on the court so you get to appoint a bunch of new ones.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 2:28 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
What risk to their own lives? The people saying "cuck" to others on the internet will be fine.
posted by agregoli at 2:34 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by agregoli at 2:34 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
They don't see war as a chance that they will be killed, they see it as a chance to kill.
posted by parallellines at 2:35 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by parallellines at 2:35 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
Trying to hold the party line across the entire map would (and does) just end up producing unhealthy one-party regions where corruption can run rampant.
Which mostly works out in the Republicans' favour because the states that comprise Ruralsville USA account for more Senate seats and they can guarantee a lock on the House through gerrymandering. If the Democrats had cared as much about party unity and common purpose over the past three decades or so as the Republicans have the political landscape of the USA might look rather different.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 2:36 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Which mostly works out in the Republicans' favour because the states that comprise Ruralsville USA account for more Senate seats and they can guarantee a lock on the House through gerrymandering. If the Democrats had cared as much about party unity and common purpose over the past three decades or so as the Republicans have the political landscape of the USA might look rather different.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 2:36 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
The people saying "cuck" to others on the internet will be fine
And that's one of the most infuriating things ever. These cowardly fucks would never put themselves in harm's way for anything, including their own mothers.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:39 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
And that's one of the most infuriating things ever. These cowardly fucks would never put themselves in harm's way for anything, including their own mothers.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:39 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
U.S. WEIGHS “SATURATION STRIKE” AGAINST SYRIAN GOVERNMENT IN RESPONSE TO CHEMICAL ATTACK
The Pentagon has developed plans for an airstrike against Syrian government targets in response to this week’s apparent chemical attack by Syrian government forces, according to two U.S. military officials.posted by DynamiteToast at 2:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [9 favorites]
Secretary of Defense James Mattis will present the proposals to Donald Trump later today at the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
One of the proposals drawn up is a “saturation strike” using dozens of cruise missiles designed to hit Syrian military targets —including military air fields — in an effort to limit future Syrian Air Force attacks on rebel positions, according to the two U.S. military officials.
The proposed strike would involve launching Tomahawk cruise missiles to overwhelm Russian air defense systems used by the Syrian military. The Russian government currently helps maintain the air defense sites and advises the Syrian military.
According to both U.S. military officials, the current proposal would likely result in Russian military deaths and mark a drastic escalation of U.S. force in Syria.
One U.S. military official said the decision to allow the strikes to kill Russians as collateral damage is the current “sticking point” for Mattis.
Reuters: The Trump Effect
Awesome. Democrat support for American exceptionalism jumps if Trump says it sucks. I christen thee "Trump Derangement Syndrome".
posted by indubitable at 2:42 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Awesome. Democrat support for American exceptionalism jumps if Trump says it sucks. I christen thee "Trump Derangement Syndrome".
posted by indubitable at 2:42 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
And I just learned that Court Packing is a defined thing, but Stacking can be and has been used in the same definition, but does not always mean the same thing as Packing.
So anyway, my assertion does not assume actual Packing. It would assume not adding to the Supreme Court, in order to keep up appearances and in that way not de-legitimize it. Theoretically.
Of course, it probably says a lot about me that I go directly to bumping off justices unsympathetic to the current regime than to the less grotesque option of adding more.
posted by monopas at 2:44 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
So anyway, my assertion does not assume actual Packing. It would assume not adding to the Supreme Court, in order to keep up appearances and in that way not de-legitimize it. Theoretically.
Of course, it probably says a lot about me that I go directly to bumping off justices unsympathetic to the current regime than to the less grotesque option of adding more.
posted by monopas at 2:44 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
It would assume not adding to the Supreme Court, in order to keep up appearances and in that way not de-legitimize it. Theoretically.
It's too late for that. The Court's legitimacy is permanently damaged after today, it's a political tool, nothing else. Power matters, and if Democrats ever have the chance to use power to retake control of the court, they're stupid not to use it. Because Republicans would, and will.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
It's too late for that. The Court's legitimacy is permanently damaged after today, it's a political tool, nothing else. Power matters, and if Democrats ever have the chance to use power to retake control of the court, they're stupid not to use it. Because Republicans would, and will.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:49 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
the decision to allow the strikes to kill Russians as collateral damage is the current “sticking point” for Mattis.Yes, I can see how that might be a bit of a problem.
posted by octobersurprise at 2:50 PM on April 6, 2017 [19 favorites]
According to both U.S. military officials, the current proposal would likely result in Russian military deaths and mark a drastic escalation of U.S. force in Syria.
welp, I guess we're going full cowboy on Syria. yee haw.
posted by indubitable at 2:51 PM on April 6, 2017
welp, I guess we're going full cowboy on Syria. yee haw.
posted by indubitable at 2:51 PM on April 6, 2017
For those of you who have lost a loved one, you no doubt understand well when I refer to the reverberations of grief as it comes back to punch you in the gut - in ways small and large - weeks, months and even years afterward.
Turning a corner in the house and seeing a chair they used to sit in, picking up a book you once discussed with them, using a dish that was their favorite, driving by a cafe you went to together, or just sitting quietly in the house realizing that the conversations, the laughs, the memories you had of them are all fading away and will never be again. That you will never again live in a universe where they exist anymore.
I've been feeling the same way ever since November. I can't recall ever feeling this way about any other election. I didn't grieve this way when W. Bush "won" the first time or the second, and I was much more invested (I thought) in those races.
But with Trump, it really feels like our country reached a new low, plumbed some heretofore un-experienced depth, "delved too greedily and too deep" in our national political psyche. It feels like we have lost something truly significant. And it's days like this that I feel those reverberations of that loss very poignantly.
I wonder if people felt like this when a beloved president (Lincoln, say, or Kennedy) was murdered. Or if people felt this way going through Watergate. From what I understand, they did.
Gorsuch becoming a SCOTUS Associate Justice makes me want to lie down in the dark and weep. Not so much of just what a terrible pick he is, and not so much because of how dastardly the Constitution was abused to even get him a chance to be considered, but because (as mentioned upthread) it's a reverberation of the initial source of the grief, which is that Donald. Fucking. Trump. is now the actual, real-life President of the United States of America.
That fact keeps coming back to gut-punch me. Somewhere between the shame of that fact, and my anger at it, and the grief of what we've lost last November, and the frustration at the misogyny and gullibility of so many of my fellow citizens, and everything else...
We need more cake, and kittens and puppies, surely. May you all have more cake, and kittens and puppies. I just don't know what else to say.
posted by darkstar at 2:52 PM on April 6, 2017 [103 favorites]
Turning a corner in the house and seeing a chair they used to sit in, picking up a book you once discussed with them, using a dish that was their favorite, driving by a cafe you went to together, or just sitting quietly in the house realizing that the conversations, the laughs, the memories you had of them are all fading away and will never be again. That you will never again live in a universe where they exist anymore.
I've been feeling the same way ever since November. I can't recall ever feeling this way about any other election. I didn't grieve this way when W. Bush "won" the first time or the second, and I was much more invested (I thought) in those races.
But with Trump, it really feels like our country reached a new low, plumbed some heretofore un-experienced depth, "delved too greedily and too deep" in our national political psyche. It feels like we have lost something truly significant. And it's days like this that I feel those reverberations of that loss very poignantly.
I wonder if people felt like this when a beloved president (Lincoln, say, or Kennedy) was murdered. Or if people felt this way going through Watergate. From what I understand, they did.
Gorsuch becoming a SCOTUS Associate Justice makes me want to lie down in the dark and weep. Not so much of just what a terrible pick he is, and not so much because of how dastardly the Constitution was abused to even get him a chance to be considered, but because (as mentioned upthread) it's a reverberation of the initial source of the grief, which is that Donald. Fucking. Trump. is now the actual, real-life President of the United States of America.
That fact keeps coming back to gut-punch me. Somewhere between the shame of that fact, and my anger at it, and the grief of what we've lost last November, and the frustration at the misogyny and gullibility of so many of my fellow citizens, and everything else...
We need more cake, and kittens and puppies, surely. May you all have more cake, and kittens and puppies. I just don't know what else to say.
posted by darkstar at 2:52 PM on April 6, 2017 [103 favorites]
So does his aggression towards Russia mean we're gonna get that tape? Or (better) tax and financial records showing just how much Russia owns Trump?
Is it instead a head fake to throw us off the scent, initiated by Putin?
posted by emjaybee at 2:53 PM on April 6, 2017
Is it instead a head fake to throw us off the scent, initiated by Putin?
posted by emjaybee at 2:53 PM on April 6, 2017
Trump’s EPA moves to dismantle programs that protect kids from lead paint
...The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.
“The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then we’re going to take away the money we’re going to give to states,” said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. “I think it’s just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesn’t hold together.”
Man, I am glad that I ordered a bigger hate tank last week.
posted by futz at 2:55 PM on April 6, 2017 [30 favorites]
...The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.
“The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then we’re going to take away the money we’re going to give to states,” said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. “I think it’s just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesn’t hold together.”
Man, I am glad that I ordered a bigger hate tank last week.
posted by futz at 2:55 PM on April 6, 2017 [30 favorites]
Boy do they love brain damaging kids.
posted by Artw at 2:58 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:58 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
I've been feeling the same way ever since November. I can't recall ever feeling this way about any other election. I didn't grieve this way when W. Bush "won" the first time or the second, and I was much more invested (I thought) in those races.
I know exactly what you mean because I felt that not even 10 minutes ago. I was listening to a podcast (The Weeds) where they referenced a discussion with someone on Hillary's transition team and the plan had been there there would be 50% women and "a lot of diversity" in the White House and the Executive Branch personnel.
I keep thinking about how different everything would have been and I just want to sit in the corner and cry. I guess I am still in the grieving stage.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:00 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
I know exactly what you mean because I felt that not even 10 minutes ago. I was listening to a podcast (The Weeds) where they referenced a discussion with someone on Hillary's transition team and the plan had been there there would be 50% women and "a lot of diversity" in the White House and the Executive Branch personnel.
I keep thinking about how different everything would have been and I just want to sit in the corner and cry. I guess I am still in the grieving stage.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:00 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
It's too late for that. The Court's legitimacy is permanently damaged after today, it's a political tool, nothing else.
We here, and people who are paying attention may believe that, but for the moderate to conservative mid or low information contingent having 9 justices that are not obviously unqualified...? Perception of continuation of the status quo is awfully powerful. I doubt it would make a difference unless Trump added a couple more. And unless they are his family members, even that might not be enough for the court of public opinion to consider it to be a tool of the administration.
posted by monopas at 3:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
We here, and people who are paying attention may believe that, but for the moderate to conservative mid or low information contingent having 9 justices that are not obviously unqualified...? Perception of continuation of the status quo is awfully powerful. I doubt it would make a difference unless Trump added a couple more. And unless they are his family members, even that might not be enough for the court of public opinion to consider it to be a tool of the administration.
posted by monopas at 3:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
> "The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then we’re going to take away the money we’re going to give to states"
Those states are going to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, just like the rest of us.
What, you think replenishing an aging pool of low-information voters isn't a high priority?
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
Those states are going to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, just like the rest of us.
What, you think replenishing an aging pool of low-information voters isn't a high priority?
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I keep on thinking of the stupid bitter fights that President H. Clinton would have been fighting and sparing a thought to the alternate universe version of me who doesn't even realize she's in the Good timeline.
posted by dinty_moore at 3:03 PM on April 6, 2017 [53 favorites]
posted by dinty_moore at 3:03 PM on April 6, 2017 [53 favorites]
but for the moderate to conservative mid or low information contingent having 9 justices that are not obviously unqualified...?
That's true, it won't filter down until the Gorsuch* court overturns Roe, child labor laws, and rules Medicare unconstitutional.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:07 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
That's true, it won't filter down until the Gorsuch* court overturns Roe, child labor laws, and rules Medicare unconstitutional.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:07 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I've been feeling the same way ever since November. I can't recall ever feeling this way about any other election.
Some part of my optimistic core died on November 8, 2016. Daesh and Taliban terror attacks, people assassinated for standing up for the less privileged, losing friends to political assassination... None of those things managed to get to my core. But this? A darkness has descended upon me that leaves me functioning only because I shove it into some mental crevice.
I look at a picture of Clinton and my heart bleeds for what might have been. Every day brings some new horror. All the victories of resistance feel puny in the face of the steamroller of evil.
posted by bardophile at 3:14 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
Some part of my optimistic core died on November 8, 2016. Daesh and Taliban terror attacks, people assassinated for standing up for the less privileged, losing friends to political assassination... None of those things managed to get to my core. But this? A darkness has descended upon me that leaves me functioning only because I shove it into some mental crevice.
I look at a picture of Clinton and my heart bleeds for what might have been. Every day brings some new horror. All the victories of resistance feel puny in the face of the steamroller of evil.
posted by bardophile at 3:14 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
It's also possible that Trump's "or many more" statement is just his usual inability to avoid hyperbole. Everything's always "very" with trump. His meetings aren't "productive" they're "tremendous". His border wall won't be "effective" it'll be 60 feet high! And Beautiful! With Blackjack! And Hookers!
Could just be that his brain went "Nominate 1" -> "What's a bigger number than 1? Four! Five! Seven! Bigger number better to say!" There really isn't much going on up there.
posted by mrgoat at 3:16 PM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
Could just be that his brain went "Nominate 1" -> "What's a bigger number than 1? Four! Five! Seven! Bigger number better to say!" There really isn't much going on up there.
posted by mrgoat at 3:16 PM on April 6, 2017 [12 favorites]
All he needs is one more.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:17 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Well here in New Hampshire, which voted for Clinton by a slender margin and sent our first all-female all-Democratic delegation to the U.S. Congress, while because of gerrymandering the Republicans control both chambers of the state legislature and also won the governor's race, the state House of Representatives failed to pass a state budget for the first time in half a century.
posted by XMLicious at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
That's true, it won't filter down until the Gorsuch* court overturns Roe, child labor laws, and rules Medicare unconstitutional.
The biggest problem with most of the damage being done now is time. The only reason we see uproar about Health Insurance/Care is that the Repub proposals would do signifigant damage as soon as next month, or whenever someone figures out how to defund the subsidies. The big stuff, the repeals of protections and disemboweling of agencies, that's going to take a long time to show. It will have to get so much worse before a majority of people will care enough to actually make it better, because we don't have much living memory now of how bad it can be (symptoms: antivaxers, antiunion, pro-coal, privatization of utilities etc.). But we will, now sooner than later.
I think I'm going to have some cake tonight. And bourbon.
posted by monopas at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
The biggest problem with most of the damage being done now is time. The only reason we see uproar about Health Insurance/Care is that the Repub proposals would do signifigant damage as soon as next month, or whenever someone figures out how to defund the subsidies. The big stuff, the repeals of protections and disemboweling of agencies, that's going to take a long time to show. It will have to get so much worse before a majority of people will care enough to actually make it better, because we don't have much living memory now of how bad it can be (symptoms: antivaxers, antiunion, pro-coal, privatization of utilities etc.). But we will, now sooner than later.
I think I'm going to have some cake tonight. And bourbon.
posted by monopas at 3:19 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
Because of the inauguration I postponed dry January to dry April. I feel regrets.
posted by WordCannon at 3:21 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by WordCannon at 3:21 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
According to both U.S. military officials, the current proposal would likely result in Russian military deaths and mark a drastic escalation of U.S. force in Syria.
What, you're not even gonna send Colin Powell out with a vial of sugar to scare everyone? Just grabbin for it, huh? Man. This administration's like school in the summertime . . .
posted by petebest at 3:23 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
What, you're not even gonna send Colin Powell out with a vial of sugar to scare everyone? Just grabbin for it, huh? Man. This administration's like school in the summertime . . .
posted by petebest at 3:23 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
If Syrian action results in Russian military deaths, does that put pressure on Russia to release the kompromat?
posted by corb at 3:26 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by corb at 3:26 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
The people saying "cuck" to others on the internet will be fine
And that's one of the most infuriating things ever. These cowardly fucks would never put themselves in harm's way for anything, including their own mothers.
Ah, it takes me back to the great days of debating the runup to W's Iraqi Adventure on political blogs. Though they didn't use the word "cuck" back then.
posted by Gelatin at 3:26 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
And that's one of the most infuriating things ever. These cowardly fucks would never put themselves in harm's way for anything, including their own mothers.
Ah, it takes me back to the great days of debating the runup to W's Iraqi Adventure on political blogs. Though they didn't use the word "cuck" back then.
posted by Gelatin at 3:26 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
C.I.A. Had Evidence of Russian Effort to Help Trump Earlier Than Believed
posted by futz at 3:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
posted by futz at 3:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [27 favorites]
Kevin Drum has the quotes:
"In the space of a week, we've gone from Assad can stay to Assad must go to let's bomb Syria. This is quite the crack foreign policy team we have in Washington these days."
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
"In the space of a week, we've gone from Assad can stay to Assad must go to let's bomb Syria. This is quite the crack foreign policy team we have in Washington these days."
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:29 PM on April 6, 2017 [28 favorites]
The briefings also reveal a critical split last summer between the C.I.A. and counterparts at the F.B.I., where a number of senior officials continued to believe through last fall that Russia’s cyberattacks were aimed only at disrupting America’s political system, and not at getting Mr. Trump elected, according to interviews.
The former officials said that in late August — 10 weeks before the election — John O. Brennan, then the C.I.A. director, was so concerned about increasing evidence of Russia’s election meddling that he began a series of urgent, individual briefings for eight top members of Congress, some of them on secure phone lines while they were on their summer break.
--The officials said Mr. Brennan also indicated that unnamed advisers to Mr. Trump might be working with the Russians to interfere in the election. The F.B.I. and two congressional committees are now investigating that claim, focusing on possible communications and financial dealings between Russian affiliates and a handful of former advisers to Mr. Trump. So far, no proof of collusion has emerged publicly.
drippity drip drip drip.
posted by futz at 3:34 PM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
The former officials said that in late August — 10 weeks before the election — John O. Brennan, then the C.I.A. director, was so concerned about increasing evidence of Russia’s election meddling that he began a series of urgent, individual briefings for eight top members of Congress, some of them on secure phone lines while they were on their summer break.
--The officials said Mr. Brennan also indicated that unnamed advisers to Mr. Trump might be working with the Russians to interfere in the election. The F.B.I. and two congressional committees are now investigating that claim, focusing on possible communications and financial dealings between Russian affiliates and a handful of former advisers to Mr. Trump. So far, no proof of collusion has emerged publicly.
drippity drip drip drip.
posted by futz at 3:34 PM on April 6, 2017 [21 favorites]
I just don't understand if there's all this fucking evidence all over the place, why the hell isn't anyone charging/trying/indicting these fuckers for anything? Fuckknobs and shitsticks, it's just so goddamn hopeless, man. Lawless and fucked.
posted by yoga at 3:35 PM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
posted by yoga at 3:35 PM on April 6, 2017 [13 favorites]
VOX An expert on the 1986 tax reform explains why this time it’s going to be harder
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:37 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Sen. Bob Packwood, who in ’86 was the chairman of the [Senate] Finance Committee, likened the income tax to a shrub that you can prune back but then it comes back stronger, and so I think [that] is a fair description of how narrow preferences are constantly being added by interest groups and their supporters in Congress to the tax code.The last time tax reform was attempted it was under Reagan, it took two years and a lot of bipartisan effort to try and simplify the tax code and make it more fair. I think any attempt at tax reform will be driven by Ryan's need to give massive tax cuts to the wealthy coupled with Trump's desire to make sure he gets massive tax cuts for himself. What will be missing is any attempt to worry about the deficit or to make the system more fair.
[...]
Interest groups now have [more] access to levers of influence and publicity than they did 30 years ago. The internet, if it existed, was not available to the public. Now issue campaigns are everyday occurrences on a range of issues, so the opponents of tax reform now have a lot more access to the means to complain publicly. I'm sure that will make passing a major tax bill that includes raising taxes on some people much more difficult.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:37 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
I just don't understand if there's all this fucking evidence all over the place, why the hell isn't anyone charging/trying/indicting these fuckers for anything?
Because Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the DOJ. It's that simple.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:38 PM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
Because Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the DOJ. It's that simple.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:38 PM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
I just don't understand if there's all this fucking evidence all over the place, why the hell isn't anyone charging/trying/indicting these fuckers for anything? Fuckknobs and shitsticks, it's just so goddamn hopeless, man. Lawless and fucked.
I think the reality, "The President is either (a) compromised by Russia or (b) collaborating with Russia" is too real for them to accept. I mean, once you ACCEPT IT, you have a full on Constitutional Crisis, since you're replacement President STARTS at Paul Ryan.
posted by mikelieman at 3:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
I think the reality, "The President is either (a) compromised by Russia or (b) collaborating with Russia" is too real for them to accept. I mean, once you ACCEPT IT, you have a full on Constitutional Crisis, since you're replacement President STARTS at Paul Ryan.
posted by mikelieman at 3:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [6 favorites]
But Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, resisted questioning the underpinnings of the intelligence, according to officials with knowledge of the discussions. Mr. McConnell ultimately agreed to a softer version of the letter, which did not mention the Russians but warned of unnamed “malefactors” who might seek to disrupt the elections
words fail me.
posted by H. Roark at 3:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
words fail me.
posted by H. Roark at 3:41 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
So, um, now that it only takes 51 senators to confirm, what are the barriers -- the actual barriers, not the John McCain-type barriers -- to Trump's putting forward a new Judicial Procedures Reform Bill next week, and then nominating two more justices the month after, and getting them approved by the Republican majority?
talk me down here, people
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
talk me down here, people
posted by tivalasvegas at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [4 favorites]
Rewire: Indiana Forced Ultrasound Law Blocked
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
A federal judge last week blocked a provision of an Indiana law that would have forced patients in need of an abortion to undergo a forced ultrasound at least 18 hours prior to the medical procedure.A progressive Federal Court is imperative while Republicans retain so much control at the state level.
The requirement went into effect in July. Prior to the 18-hour mandatory ultrasound requirement, patients in Indiana were forced to have an ultrasound before receiving abortion care, but could schedule and have it on the same day as the abortion. The newly blocked provision changed this to 18 hours before the procedure, forcing patients to take an extra trip prior to having an abortion. Doctors must also certify certain things about the pregnancy including the age and gender of the fetus, if detectable.[...]
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt wrote in her ruling that Indiana’s new requirement “creates significant financial and other burdens” on the providers and their patients, particularly people with low incomes. Judge Pratt noted that about 75 percent of Planned Parenthood of Indiana & Kentucky patients had incomes at or below 200 percent the federal poverty line.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
Since this thread is now pushing close to 2900 comments, I baked a new one. It's cooling on the rack over here, if anyone want's a slice.
posted by darkstar at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 3:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [24 favorites]
Dangit. I missed editing out that grocer's apostrophe by literally 2 seconds.
This really is turning out to be a crappy day.
posted by darkstar at 3:50 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
This really is turning out to be a crappy day.
posted by darkstar at 3:50 PM on April 6, 2017 [10 favorites]
I think it's best just to leave it, now. Wabi-sabi.
posted by darkstar at 3:59 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 3:59 PM on April 6, 2017 [8 favorites]
So, um, now that it only takes 51 senators to confirm, what are the barriers -- the actual barriers, not the John McCain-type barriers -- to Trump's putting forward a new Judicial Procedures Reform Bill next week, and then nominating two more justices the month after, and getting them approved by the Republican majority?
The legislative filibuster from Democrats, for now. Republicans don't want to kill that, yet.
Democrats on the other hand, maybe should next time:
Ultimately, over the long term, the Senate becoming more majoritarian is worse for conservatives than liberals. The right, after all, does not want to pass sweeping laws that expand the size and scope of government. If Democrats had a majority and the legislative filibuster was gone, the left could raise taxes, jack up the minimum wage to $15, create universal health coverage, expand eligibility for other entitlements and enact cap-and-trade. ...and add a few seats to the Supreme Court.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
The legislative filibuster from Democrats, for now. Republicans don't want to kill that, yet.
Democrats on the other hand, maybe should next time:
Ultimately, over the long term, the Senate becoming more majoritarian is worse for conservatives than liberals. The right, after all, does not want to pass sweeping laws that expand the size and scope of government. If Democrats had a majority and the legislative filibuster was gone, the left could raise taxes, jack up the minimum wage to $15, create universal health coverage, expand eligibility for other entitlements and enact cap-and-trade. ...and add a few seats to the Supreme Court.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:02 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
So, um, now that it only takes 51 senators to confirm, what are the barriers -- the actual barriers, not the John McCain-type barriers -- to Trump's putting forward a new Judicial Procedures Reform Bill next week, and then nominating two more justices the month after, and getting them approved by the Republican majority?
Primarily, the extreme incompetence of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress.
posted by mumimor at 4:23 PM on April 6, 2017
Primarily, the extreme incompetence of the Trump administration and the Republican Congress.
posted by mumimor at 4:23 PM on April 6, 2017
Democrats on the other hand, maybe should next time:
Democrats in 2021: Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 4:33 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Democrats in 2021: Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 4:33 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Which mostly works out in the Republicans' favour because the states that comprise Ruralsville USA account for more Senate seats and they can guarantee a lock on the House through gerrymandering. If the Democrats had cared as much about party unity and common purpose over the past three decades or so as the Republicans have the political landscape of the USA might look rather different.
You presume the Democrats would have unified around a leftist platform. I suspect that would not have been the case and instead you would get neo-liberalism with side dishes of some social issues, authoritarianism, managerialism and banksterism ala Rahm Emmanual.
posted by srboisvert at 4:47 PM on April 6, 2017
You presume the Democrats would have unified around a leftist platform. I suspect that would not have been the case and instead you would get neo-liberalism with side dishes of some social issues, authoritarianism, managerialism and banksterism ala Rahm Emmanual.
posted by srboisvert at 4:47 PM on April 6, 2017
Last night I was watching old TV episodes, and boy do they look different in retrospect. [Spoilers for Parks and Rec and Battlestar Galactica ahead]
Parks and Rec - the flash-forward two years in the final season was to this year - Pawnee 2017. They're full of optimism and hope, and heading out on exciting careers like April's work with the American Service Foundation. Cory Booker and Orrin Hatch are in a band together called "Across the Isle." Trump's budget would have cut something like the ASF (if it actually existed), and that band would have broken up. That whole episode feels like an elegy now.
So I switched over to BSG. Specifically, to the episode where a populist despot ekes out a win over a supremely competent female politician. And she knows that he's in the service of a foreign power, but nobody listens. And the military have to make stupid decisions because he's the CIC, and of course it all goes horribly wrong.
Should have gone with my original plan and just re-watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows instead.
posted by Paragon at 4:47 PM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Parks and Rec - the flash-forward two years in the final season was to this year - Pawnee 2017. They're full of optimism and hope, and heading out on exciting careers like April's work with the American Service Foundation. Cory Booker and Orrin Hatch are in a band together called "Across the Isle." Trump's budget would have cut something like the ASF (if it actually existed), and that band would have broken up. That whole episode feels like an elegy now.
So I switched over to BSG. Specifically, to the episode where a populist despot ekes out a win over a supremely competent female politician. And she knows that he's in the service of a foreign power, but nobody listens. And the military have to make stupid decisions because he's the CIC, and of course it all goes horribly wrong.
Should have gone with my original plan and just re-watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows instead.
posted by Paragon at 4:47 PM on April 6, 2017 [23 favorites]
Because Republicans control both Houses of Congress and the DOJ. It's that simple.
Agreed, if only there was some other . . like, estate. To - what, inform the people or summat.
posted by petebest at 5:00 PM on April 6, 2017
Agreed, if only there was some other . . like, estate. To - what, inform the people or summat.
posted by petebest at 5:00 PM on April 6, 2017
*flies across the country*
138 new comments
What fresh new horror is this?
posted by zachlipton at 5:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
138 new comments
What fresh new horror is this?
posted by zachlipton at 5:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Man. This administration's like school in the summertime . . .
I think of this quote all the time, though I always think of it as school on a Saturday. Probably because of what an academic slack-ass I was in high school; summer did include school on occasion.
posted by phearlez at 5:28 PM on April 6, 2017
I think of this quote all the time, though I always think of it as school on a Saturday. Probably because of what an academic slack-ass I was in high school; summer did include school on occasion.
posted by phearlez at 5:28 PM on April 6, 2017
The only reason to ever feel bad about Parks and Rec is when you remember that they're not going to make any more.
That's the future we're fighting for and it can still happen. Don't lose hope, there is never a good time to panic, only a good time to act.
posted by VTX at 5:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
That's the future we're fighting for and it can still happen. Don't lose hope, there is never a good time to panic, only a good time to act.
posted by VTX at 5:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
I want a gritty reboot of Parks and Rec. Leslie is running an underground women's health network. Ben has a secret corkboard tracking Russian money laundering. Andy is Secretary of State.
posted by Paragon at 5:50 PM on April 6, 2017 [29 favorites]
posted by Paragon at 5:50 PM on April 6, 2017 [29 favorites]
Breaking news: US cruise missile attack on an airfield in Syria
posted by bluecore at 6:13 PM on April 6, 2017
posted by bluecore at 6:13 PM on April 6, 2017
So I switched over to BSG.
I've mentioned Star Wars: Bloodline, right? I mention it everywhere.
It was written in 2015. In a better universe, it'd be seen as a well-written, somewhat offbeat novel. This is this world.
I feel like there's still a moratorium on spoilers for it, but the climax of the book is unbelievably on-point. Unbelievably, painfully on-point.
posted by steady-state strawberry at 6:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
I've mentioned Star Wars: Bloodline, right? I mention it everywhere.
It was written in 2015. In a better universe, it'd be seen as a well-written, somewhat offbeat novel. This is this world.
I feel like there's still a moratorium on spoilers for it, but the climax of the book is unbelievably on-point. Unbelievably, painfully on-point.
posted by steady-state strawberry at 6:40 PM on April 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
"So-called":
There is only one White House. It is in Washington D.C., and it is owned by the U.S. federal government. It is sometimes and rightly called 'The People’s House,' because we the people own it, and we vote to elect the president who lives and works in it. No one profits financially when a state visit is held at the White House.posted by kirkaracha at 7:01 PM on April 6, 2017 [14 favorites]
Mar-a-Lago is a private facility owned by Trump himself. When he hosts state visits there, not only does someone personally profit from it, that someone is Trump himself. Using Mar-a-Lago for official state business goes against everything that the actual White House stands for.
New thread.
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posted by MattWPBS at 5:26 AM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
New thread.
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posted by MattWPBS at 5:26 AM on April 7, 2017 [3 favorites]
bardophile: I look at a picture of Clinton and my heart bleeds for what might have been.
There's a poster of Michelle Obama with a bunch of litte kids in my son's daycare, about being active and healthy. Every time I see that poster, I am sad for what we had, and what we could have had.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:02 AM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
There's a poster of Michelle Obama with a bunch of litte kids in my son's daycare, about being active and healthy. Every time I see that poster, I am sad for what we had, and what we could have had.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:02 AM on April 7, 2017 [2 favorites]
what we could have had
Eh, I figure hypocritical posters of Bill Clinton as First Lady encouraging children to eat healthy or avoid drugs would just fall flat with today's youth.
posted by pwnguin at 5:11 PM on April 7, 2017
Eh, I figure hypocritical posters of Bill Clinton as First Lady encouraging children to eat healthy or avoid drugs would just fall flat with today's youth.
posted by pwnguin at 5:11 PM on April 7, 2017
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posted by obtuser at 10:54 AM on March 30, 2017 [7 favorites]