None Dare Call It Treason
July 17, 2018 9:40 AM Subscribe
Donald Trump, current occupier of the Oval Office, has returned to the US after a tumultuous six-day international tour in which he again declared himself "a very stable genius" after disrupting the NATO summit in Brussels (Rolling Stone), lied about predicting Brexit while criticizing PM Theresa May over her handling of it (The Sun), called the European Union "a foe" of the US (CNN), and then met with President Vladimir Putin in a two-hour, closed-door, off-the-record session that culminated in a joint news conference so shameful (Washington Post) and obsequious (NYTimes) that people are debating if it was treasonable (Business Insider).
…
And halfway through this trip, on Friday the 13th, Special Counsel Robert Mueller issued a new indictment (PDF) of 12 Russian intelligence officers in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton presidential campaign (NY Times), and on Monday, the Department of Justice DoJ Release: charged Russian national and NRA Mariia Butina, who lobbied the National Rifle Association and the National Prayer Breakfast on behalf of Russia (New York Times) and met Trump in 2015 (CNN), Conspiracy to Act as an Agent of the Russian Federation Within the United States (DoJ press release).
To recap the Helsinki meeting, a.k.a., the "Surrender Summit" (CNN):
Today is the 544th day of the Trump administration.
As always, please consider MeFi chat for hot-takes and live-blogging breaking news, the current MetaTalk venting thread for catharsis and sympathizing, and funding the site if you're able. Also, for the sake of the ever-helpful mods, please keep in mind the MetaTalk on expectations about U.S. political discussion on MetaFilter.
To recap the Helsinki meeting, a.k.a., the "Surrender Summit" (CNN):
• CNN: Trump Sides with Putin Over US Intelligence (although Trump thought it went well immediately afterward)Also in the news:
• NBC Trump Attacks Mueller At Joint News Conference With Putin, Advances Conspiracy Theories
• The New Republic: How Russians Saw the Helsinki Summit—Beneath the widespread jubilation over Putin's triumph, a few folks worry Trump capitulated so spectacularly that it's almost certain to provoke backlash.
• Washington Post: Trump Says Summit With Putin Was ‘Even Better’ Than NATO Meeting As Growing Number Of Republicans Criticize His Helsinki Comments.
• Washington Post: Judge Temporarily Halts Deportation of Reunified FamiliesWhich brings us to this morning, in which NBC's HansNichols (@HansNichols) reports: JUST IN: Rod Rosenstein was summoned to the WH today, four days after he indicted 12 Russian Intelligence Officers. He was seen leaving the WH at 11:28AM. Unclear if he met with President Trump, who is still in the residence and hasn't showed up in the West Wing this morning.
• Government Executive: Trump Moves Hiring of Administrative Law Judges Out of the Competitive Service & Judges' Union: Supreme Court Decision an 'Excuse' to Politicize ALJs
• Reuters: U.S. Treasury moves to protect identities of 'dark money' political donors
• NY Times: ‘Warning Lights Are Blinking Red,’ Top Intelligence Officer Says of Russian Attack.—The comments by Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, demonstrate the persistent divisions within the Trump administration on Russi
• NPR: China Files WTO Complaint Over U.S. Tariffs on $200 Billion of Imports
• Toronto Star: U.S. files World Trade Organization Complaint Against Canada’s Retaliatory Tariffs
• Politico: FCC Sends Sinclair Mega-Deal to Likely Doom—The FCC’s decision is a significant blow for Sinclair, which has been a frequent target for Democrats and liberal groups.
• Newsweek: U.S. Jerusalem Embassy To Cost 100 Times More Than Trump Claimed
• Washington Post: Jared Kushner Lacks Security Clearance Level To Review Some Of The Nation’s Most Sensitive Intelligence In White House Role (Incidentally, tenants allege Kushner firm pushed them out of their homes (AP).)
Today is the 544th day of the Trump administration.
As always, please consider MeFi chat for hot-takes and live-blogging breaking news, the current MetaTalk venting thread for catharsis and sympathizing, and funding the site if you're able. Also, for the sake of the ever-helpful mods, please keep in mind the MetaTalk on expectations about U.S. political discussion on MetaFilter.
Just to add to the recap: Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, remains in jail.
(One of the few small bright spots in this story.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [45 favorites]
(One of the few small bright spots in this story.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [45 favorites]
Mod note: General notice, there's plenty of "omg wtf" reaction to yesterday in the previous thread, and there's the venting thread for emotional processing. Let's keep the signal high and the noise low in here.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [22 favorites]
Trump will be meeting with some members of Congress at 2PM, and will open the meeting with remarks on the Putin summit. I can foresee no complications from this.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:48 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:48 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
I mean, aside from how messed the eff up this whole thing is, the Putin conference was the dictator cherry on top. I don't consider myself particularly patriotic, but when the sitting President sides with Putin over the US intelligence agencies...that's gonna be bonkers in the future history books.
posted by Kitteh at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
Hopefully Dems will use the new criticism of Trump to push through laws restricting the president's ability to be a traitor. What ever happened to the bill maintaining sanctions on ZTE, for example?
posted by msalt at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by msalt at 9:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
President Trump does a great job and doesn’t let America down at all (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
I don’t know what Trump was thinking going in. He tweeted that “if I was given the great city of Moscow as retribution for all the sins and evils committed by Russia over the years, I would return to criticism that it wasn’t good enough,” which sounded like he thought he might be handed Moscow. This did not happen.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:53 AM on July 17, 2018 [87 favorites]
Instead, this did.
Putin: Thank you for being here. Although can we truly say that anyone is anywhere? I, personally, choose to believe that nothing exists, which means that I can regard all of this with an amused detachment. If any of this were real or had any meaning, you would be awash in despair, and I would not be able to answer for my crimes. But it is all an empty farce. Speaking of which, here is Donald Trump, the president of the United States.
Trump: You must understand that, like, a week ago, Russia and the United States had a worse relationship than they had ever had. I assume ever. If there is any history between these beautiful nations, do not tell me! I have not gotten to it yet, and I would hate to hear any spoilers. But this morning we fixed it. The next time we meet, maybe Vladimir Putin will give me Moscow.
Putin: Sure. Sure. Why not? Why should I not give him Moscow? What is Moscow? What is anything?
Question: If you were upset at Russia right now, President Trump, why would that be?
Trump: I’m not upset at Russia. Mostly, I am disappointed … in America. Most of the blame for our relationship with Russia is that America until now has acted as though we were some sort of special place with higher standards than the rest of the world, where we claimed to believe in democracy and the rule of law, which just means you cannot torture people or have a really good parade, and the media often says mean things about you based in fact. None of that is good.
Putin: Imagine if any of this were really happening!
I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, mefi.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:53 AM on July 17, 2018 [220 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 9:53 AM on July 17, 2018 [220 favorites]
Just to add to the recap: Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, remains in jail.
Last night, Rachel Maddow reported that Manafort's VA trial got postponed so that it will now start next Monday (it was supposed to start today) despite this trial being in the supposed "rocket docket" and with a judge that also likes to move quickly. She didn't really speculate on why there was such an unusual postponement, but just as a layperson, I wonder if it might be because there are more indictments in the offing or at least something more coming down the pike from the Mueller investigation that could affect Manafort's case. Especially given this interesting detail: "Manafort is the only person in the case thus far that has not agreed to plead guilty or agreed to work with special counselor Robert Mueller or investigators."
posted by rue72 at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
Last night, Rachel Maddow reported that Manafort's VA trial got postponed so that it will now start next Monday (it was supposed to start today) despite this trial being in the supposed "rocket docket" and with a judge that also likes to move quickly. She didn't really speculate on why there was such an unusual postponement, but just as a layperson, I wonder if it might be because there are more indictments in the offing or at least something more coming down the pike from the Mueller investigation that could affect Manafort's case. Especially given this interesting detail: "Manafort is the only person in the case thus far that has not agreed to plead guilty or agreed to work with special counselor Robert Mueller or investigators."
posted by rue72 at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
If you want change, you have to reach for the Overton Window.
Here's how: treason is a capital crime. Let's see how GOP concerns about "civility" go when everywhere they turn people are openly discussing who should be prosecuted and made to face the ultimate sanction.
posted by ocschwar at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Here's how: treason is a capital crime. Let's see how GOP concerns about "civility" go when everywhere they turn people are openly discussing who should be prosecuted and made to face the ultimate sanction.
posted by ocschwar at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
From Helsinki, I bring you a sunny photo gallery of the Summit's surroundings
posted by infini at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by infini at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
I won't link it, but the Daily Caller has published an article just to dox the founder of Sleeping Giants. It doesn't accuse him of any wrongdoing, just describes what Sleeping Giants is, gives the guy's name and city of residence, and declares him "unmasked."
posted by contraption at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by contraption at 9:54 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Meanwhile, the EU and Japan make a comprehensive trade deal: Japan-EU trade deal 'light in darkness' amid Trump's protectionism (Guardian article)
posted by mumimor at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Manafort is the only person in the case thus far that has not agreed to plead guilty or agreed to work with special counselor Robert Mueller or investigators."
Well, of course, there are all the indicted Russians and Russian entities, who are unlikely to ever be tried.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Well, of course, there are all the indicted Russians and Russian entities, who are unlikely to ever be tried.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Winning Is Not Enough: "Democrats are focused on taking back power—but our democracy depends on them keeping it. To do that, they have to start thinking differently." - Paul Glastris, Washington Monthly. (presumably written before this past weekend's events).
As Democrats think and argue about how to win back power, and what policies to implement when they do, one crucial fact is missing from the conversation: it will take something very special—some very new thinking—to avoid the fate that always befalls Democrats, namely, losing control of government after two years*.posted by ZeusHumms at 9:56 AM on July 17, 2018 [45 favorites]
...
Does Policy Really Matter?
Are you not sold on [suggestions for various policies and policy themes]? That’s fine. My aim is not necessarily to convince you of the wisdom of this or that particular policy idea. It is to convince you of the necessity for the Democrats to have new policy ideas, and to base them at every step on the imperative of winning by margins big enough to ensure the continuation of American democracy. If you don’t like my policy ideas, I invite you to come up with your own.
The point of championing new policy ideas [such as Medicare-for-all] is not so much to persuade voters of any particular policy, but, rather, to remake the Democratic Party into one that is more in the interests of average Americans, that does truly put more power in voters’ hands. If the party does this, and gets the message out using the power of Congress, then it has a shot at convincing more Americans that Democratic candidates are on their side. Policy ideas are important not because most voters will learn the details and think through the implications, but because they can give a candidate and a party an identity that voters can, well, identify with.
...
Republicans, looking at their control of Washington and most state governments, and considering the rise of conservative regimes and ethno-nationalist parties in Europe and around the world, may see themselves as the new sun party. But changing demographics cut against that story.
...
Demography, however, isn’t destiny. And even if the decisive demographic shift in politics Democrats are hoping for comes, it is still several election cycles away. For now, Democrats are going to have to manufacture a majority under difficult conditions, and hold on to it, or America a decade from now might not have a democracy at all.
*[[Here's] a quiz for you: Since 1981, for how many years has the Democratic Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?
The answer is four: the first two years of Bill Clinton’s first term, and the first two years of Barack Obama’s first term. That’s it.]
Can someone explain to me why, as was oft-repeated towards the end of the last thread, the republicans don’t have to care because they “own the senate and house in perpetuity going forward”?
posted by constantinescharity at 10:02 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by constantinescharity at 10:02 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
New to me snark: "TRE45ON".
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:03 AM on July 17, 2018 [166 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:03 AM on July 17, 2018 [166 favorites]
Can someone explain to me why, as was oft-repeated towards the end of the last thread, the republicans don’t have to care because they “own the senate and house in perpetuity going forward”?
Gerrymandering.
posted by Sphinx at 10:06 AM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
Gerrymandering.
posted by Sphinx at 10:06 AM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
Deseret News: 'Puppy pistol?' Utah gun rights activist says she was duped by Sacha Baron Cohen
Key quote justifying her willingness to promote the use of rocket-propelled grenades by toddlers: "I objected the entire way. They assured me it was what Benjamin Netanyahu wanted."
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
Key quote justifying her willingness to promote the use of rocket-propelled grenades by toddlers: "I objected the entire way. They assured me it was what Benjamin Netanyahu wanted."
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
From Helsinki, I bring you a sunny photo gallery of the Summit's surroundings
It is so very strange to see my Helsinki simultaneously so insulted and so much its resist-through-perkele self.
posted by adamgreenfield at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
It is so very strange to see my Helsinki simultaneously so insulted and so much its resist-through-perkele self.
posted by adamgreenfield at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Don't forget our old friend: voter suppression headlined by a packed Supreme Court.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 10:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
Can someone explain to me why, as was oft-repeated towards the end of the last thread, the republicans don’t have to care because they “own the senate and house in perpetuity going forward”?
A combination of voter suppression, gerrymandering House districts and the inexorable migration of people toward urban centers, leaving rural states dominated by a dwindling population of largely conservative whites who still get 2 senators per state.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [59 favorites]
A combination of voter suppression, gerrymandering House districts and the inexorable migration of people toward urban centers, leaving rural states dominated by a dwindling population of largely conservative whites who still get 2 senators per state.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [59 favorites]
constantinescharity, this comment from the previous thread helps me put it in perspective.
posted by Melismata at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also, control of the Supreme Court.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
I think anyone claiming confidence that the Republicans will control the House either in February or in the long term is mistaken. Gerrymandering only goes so far if people don't want to vote for you.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
In Arizona not long back, Doug Ducey got the legislature to add two more judges to the Arizona Supreme Court. So, in addition to the Goldwater Institute hack with no previous judgeship experience that he got to appoint to a vacancy, he also got to appoint two more judges. Remember that if you're worried about Republican pushback to Dem court packing. The GOP does not play nice. If they get the presidency and both houses, hell yes you pack the court.
posted by azpenguin at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [48 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 10:08 AM on July 17, 2018 [48 favorites]
I'm pretty sure Trump thinks "Putin's got my back, if things start to go south, I can rely on him to keep me in the life of luxury I'm accustomed to", not realizing that Putin gains more from Trump's ongoing failure and will drop him like a wet sack of garbage when the time is right.
posted by AzraelBrown at 10:09 AM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by AzraelBrown at 10:09 AM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
How is yesterday's news playing in the Russian media?
posted by Keith Talent at 10:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Keith Talent at 10:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Barack Obama: 'You have to believe in facts' Former US President Barack Obama delivered the line in a speech at an event in South Africa to commemorate Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday. His comments were seen as a riposte to the current US administration.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 10:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 10:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [28 favorites]
Can someone explain to me why, as was oft-repeated towards the end of the last thread, the republicans don’t have to care because they “own the senate and house in perpetuity going forward”?
The Senate is going to become more and more structurally biased toward low population states that will vote Republican. The house has a smaller version of that but the force multiplier of computerized gerrymandering and likely control of a large number of state legislatures after the 2020 census, as well as a DoJ that is unlikely to enforce what little of the VRA the Roberts court deigns to leave in place.
posted by PMdixon at 10:11 AM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
The Senate is going to become more and more structurally biased toward low population states that will vote Republican. The house has a smaller version of that but the force multiplier of computerized gerrymandering and likely control of a large number of state legislatures after the 2020 census, as well as a DoJ that is unlikely to enforce what little of the VRA the Roberts court deigns to leave in place.
posted by PMdixon at 10:11 AM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Well here's something that might get the GOPs attention:
Four 'blue' states sue Federal Government over local tax reduction loss
The governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland on Tuesday announced they would sue the federal government for taking away taxpayers' ability to deduct the full amount of state and local taxes they pay from their federal returns.
posted by bluesky43 at 10:12 AM on July 17, 2018 [59 favorites]
Four 'blue' states sue Federal Government over local tax reduction loss
The governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland on Tuesday announced they would sue the federal government for taking away taxpayers' ability to deduct the full amount of state and local taxes they pay from their federal returns.
posted by bluesky43 at 10:12 AM on July 17, 2018 [59 favorites]
I'll wait to be convinced that corporate Dems are truly committed to taking back power, but if they are, at the first chance they get they will need to:
- Pack the Court
- Push statehood for DC and Puerto Rico
- Automatic Voter Registration
At a minimum. We need a new VRA, end lifetime judicial appointments, tie representation to population, end the Electoral College, and a whole bunch of other stuff as well.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [107 favorites]
- Pack the Court
- Push statehood for DC and Puerto Rico
- Automatic Voter Registration
At a minimum. We need a new VRA, end lifetime judicial appointments, tie representation to population, end the Electoral College, and a whole bunch of other stuff as well.
posted by Existential Dread at 10:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [107 favorites]
Can someone explain to me why, as was oft-repeated towards the end of the last thread, the republicans don’t have to care because they “own the senate and house in perpetuity going forward”?
Senate: Rural, conservative states are overrepresented in the Senate. The bluer states are more populous but still get the same number of senators as the redder, smaller states.
House: Total number of house seats is currently limited to 435. California is about 704k people/house seat, Wyoming is 568k/house seat. A lot of the house seats are republican gerrymanders which the ...
Supreme Court: is unlikely to overturn. The court currrently sits at 5-4 conservative and will likely be 6-3 conservative because the disproportionately rural-conservative senate votes to confirm.
posted by nathan_teske at 10:18 AM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
Senate: Rural, conservative states are overrepresented in the Senate. The bluer states are more populous but still get the same number of senators as the redder, smaller states.
House: Total number of house seats is currently limited to 435. California is about 704k people/house seat, Wyoming is 568k/house seat. A lot of the house seats are republican gerrymanders which the ...
Supreme Court: is unlikely to overturn. The court currrently sits at 5-4 conservative and will likely be 6-3 conservative because the disproportionately rural-conservative senate votes to confirm.
posted by nathan_teske at 10:18 AM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
Well, it's a relief that Rosenstein's meeting at the White House was "for routine meetings", though I would argue that nothing is routine when it comes to this White House. (MoveOn's Rapid Response Events for a Mueller/Rosenstein firing is probably cocked right now.)
And that's not even getting into the unexpected closed-door & closed-to-the-press emergency meeting Trump's having today at 2 p.m.—possibly over "Tax Reform 2.0"—and there's a rumor about a surprise press conference with Trump that I've been fruitlessly chasing…
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:18 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
And that's not even getting into the unexpected closed-door & closed-to-the-press emergency meeting Trump's having today at 2 p.m.—possibly over "Tax Reform 2.0"—and there's a rumor about a surprise press conference with Trump that I've been fruitlessly chasing…
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:18 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Mod note: Having covered the future prediction thing, let's not drive off further in that direction, but instead let's bring it back to present-day actual-event updates.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
From the proverbial Martian point of view, it's pretty striking that when you have speakers emphasizing the value of living in reality, or dictionaries posting definitions for "quisling" and "treason", it's immediately understood as throwing shade on Republicans specifically. In principle any party/ideology could "own" the concepts, and up until very recently, loyalty to the USA was obviously the more conservative than liberal concern (hence the new hemming/hawing from Republican leaders). "Enough bullshit!" signals alliance with libbish/leftiness almost as much as "No more Nazis!" (which of course is its own little riddle, that one).
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:21 AM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:21 AM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Don't forget when NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence, and Trump supporters assumed it was referring to their preferred Tyrant.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:23 AM on July 17, 2018 [66 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:23 AM on July 17, 2018 [66 favorites]
Winning Is Not Enough: "Democrats are focused on taking back power—but our democracy depends on them keeping it. To do that, they have to start thinking differently."
This is a fantastic article that everyone should read. Thanks for posting it.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:24 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
This is a fantastic article that everyone should read. Thanks for posting it.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:24 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Vice's Motherboard: Top Voting Machine Vendor Admits It Installed Remote-Access Software on Systems Sold to States—Remote-access software and modems on election equipment 'is the worst decision for security short of leaving ballot boxes on a Moscow street corner.' (a bit of breaking news about Election Systems and Software that didn't make the FPP cut)
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:24 AM on July 17, 2018 [137 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:24 AM on July 17, 2018 [137 favorites]
Arnold Schwarzenegger on the summit:
"President Trump, I just saw your press conference with President Putin and it was embarrassing. I mean, you stood there like a little wet noodle, like a little fanboy. I was asking myself, 'When are going to ask him for an autograph or a selfie or something like that.'"
The former California governor accused Trump of "selling out his country," and asked the president, "what's the matter with you?"
posted by porn in the woods at 10:32 AM on July 17, 2018 [113 favorites]
"President Trump, I just saw your press conference with President Putin and it was embarrassing. I mean, you stood there like a little wet noodle, like a little fanboy. I was asking myself, 'When are going to ask him for an autograph or a selfie or something like that.'"
The former California governor accused Trump of "selling out his country," and asked the president, "what's the matter with you?"
posted by porn in the woods at 10:32 AM on July 17, 2018 [113 favorites]
Charlotte almost voted to stop the 2020 Republican convention from coming to town - Tara Golshan, Vox
Despite determined progressive activism, Charlotte’s City Council agreed to host the RNC.posted by ZeusHumms at 10:41 AM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm pretty sure Trump thinks "Putin's got my back, if things start to go south, I can rely on him to keep me in the life of luxury I'm accustomed to"
I think Putin has an iron hand in a velvet glove in his dealings with Trump. Also, I think that Putin is extremely angry over Russians being indicted for Russian intelligence/political work conducted on Russian soil, and sees it as an aggressive move toward him personally on the part of the Mueller investigation.
For my part, I hope that not only does the investigation and subsequent American legal action undo Trump and take him from power, but that it gives aide to an international effort to bring legal action against Putin and take him from power, too. He didn't just interfere in the US election, he has attempted this against other countries (namely the UK and France) and he is instigating a lot of very serious international incidents. This is an international problem that hopefully we can form a coalition to stop. BEFORE it becomes WWIII, rather than after.
Anyway, I haven't had a chance to watch Putin's recent interview with Fox News in full yet, but he had a very striking interchange where he started referencing JFK's assassination. The Daily Beast article (with embedded video of the interview) describes it in a much more genteel way than I myself would:
Later, Wallace confronted Putin about his long list of “political enemies” that have ended up dead. In an attempt at moral equivalence, Putin asked, “Haven’t presidents been killed in the United States?”
Citing the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Putin went on, “That’s something that happens on the U.S. soil. All of us have our own set of domestic problems.”
Putin citing the JFK assassination in that context sounds like an implied threat and makes me wonder about his use of fear (rather than just bribes) in keeping these traitors in check. I guess it doesn't matter much anyway, everyone knows that Putin is a murderer -- of course he uses fear as a weapon. But I still find that interchange pretty interesting in terms of understanding his perspective on his relationship with Trump.
posted by rue72 at 10:45 AM on July 17, 2018 [31 favorites]
I think Putin has an iron hand in a velvet glove in his dealings with Trump. Also, I think that Putin is extremely angry over Russians being indicted for Russian intelligence/political work conducted on Russian soil, and sees it as an aggressive move toward him personally on the part of the Mueller investigation.
For my part, I hope that not only does the investigation and subsequent American legal action undo Trump and take him from power, but that it gives aide to an international effort to bring legal action against Putin and take him from power, too. He didn't just interfere in the US election, he has attempted this against other countries (namely the UK and France) and he is instigating a lot of very serious international incidents. This is an international problem that hopefully we can form a coalition to stop. BEFORE it becomes WWIII, rather than after.
Anyway, I haven't had a chance to watch Putin's recent interview with Fox News in full yet, but he had a very striking interchange where he started referencing JFK's assassination. The Daily Beast article (with embedded video of the interview) describes it in a much more genteel way than I myself would:
Later, Wallace confronted Putin about his long list of “political enemies” that have ended up dead. In an attempt at moral equivalence, Putin asked, “Haven’t presidents been killed in the United States?”
Citing the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Putin went on, “That’s something that happens on the U.S. soil. All of us have our own set of domestic problems.”
Putin citing the JFK assassination in that context sounds like an implied threat and makes me wonder about his use of fear (rather than just bribes) in keeping these traitors in check. I guess it doesn't matter much anyway, everyone knows that Putin is a murderer -- of course he uses fear as a weapon. But I still find that interchange pretty interesting in terms of understanding his perspective on his relationship with Trump.
posted by rue72 at 10:45 AM on July 17, 2018 [31 favorites]
Prior to 2016 I knew practically nothing about Trump
Read Doonesbury (and see how Garry Trudeau called it 30 years ago).
Also look for some SNL skits from the 80s.
He's been an asshole for a long, long time.
posted by Melismata at 11:02 AM on July 17, 2018 [94 favorites]
Read Doonesbury (and see how Garry Trudeau called it 30 years ago).
Also look for some SNL skits from the 80s.
He's been an asshole for a long, long time.
posted by Melismata at 11:02 AM on July 17, 2018 [94 favorites]
I think anyone claiming confidence that the Republicans will control the House either in February or in the long term is mistaken.
The question is going to be how deep the blue wave is - but the Republicans are definitely going to be taking huge losses. I understand feeling like everything terrible is happening in this timeline, but them continuing to control the House is just not even within the realm of possibility at this rate.
posted by corb at 11:04 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
The question is going to be how deep the blue wave is - but the Republicans are definitely going to be taking huge losses. I understand feeling like everything terrible is happening in this timeline, but them continuing to control the House is just not even within the realm of possibility at this rate.
posted by corb at 11:04 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
A good news followup to the earlier reporting that the Army was discharging immigrant recruits, Army abandons legal effort to expel an immigrant soldier on path to citizenship (WaPo). The Army has agreed in a court filing to comply with it's own policies and not discharge a reservist who came to the US at age 12. Unfortunately, there is no update to the "at least 40" other unnamed soldiers being discharged from the original AP reporting, hopefully this outcome provides them a path of action.
posted by peeedro at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [21 favorites]
but them continuing to control the House is just not even within the realm of possibility at this rate
it seems overly optimistic to discount the probability of further election tampering though.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [43 favorites]
it seems overly optimistic to discount the probability of further election tampering though.
posted by poffin boffin at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [43 favorites]
Quoting myself from a previous thread:
This is my personal request for Mefites who identify as Facebook-using, woke White people -- not just Americans but y'all in other countries too -- especially if you're cishet, abled, neurotypical, & normatively comfortable generally -- to consider joining this Facebook group. I'm not naming it in-thread because I prefer some degree of anonymity here, however fig leafy. Here's the group's non-FB site which talks about the techniques, but I don't know if they're doing much there.
Technically, it's for progressives who want to practice talking persuasively to conservatives. In practice, for me as a WoC (and for woke White people there who I've talked with privately), it's entirely about pushing back against Love Me I'm A Liberal White-centrism. (OK, the exercises about framing points in terms of conservative values of "loyalty, authority, sanctity" have come in useful with some not-entirely-rabid Trumpists in my life.)
I hope that for you, it could be about practicing persuasive, self-decentering, "framing-this-like-talking-to-my-boss" techniques on White progressives who are in denial about how White-centric they are. The rank-and-file White members are largely in denial. It's mostly women, so White Women's Tears is a factor that I have to deal with when I speak up, but if you're White, those Tears are unlikely to target you. There's a scattering of PoC, both woke and not-woke. There are some woke White people who have pushed back against the prevailing White Fragility mindset.
Behind the scenes, using kalessin's excellent rubric for concrete actions to de-Whitify an org, I've had promising initial discussions with some of the leadership, ie, steps that would need to happen for this group to be able to attract and keep a critical mass of PoC, both rank-and-file, and leadership. Y'all could help me by joining, and by practicing "I'm-phrasing-this-like-talking-to-my-boss" comments that would role model a more humane mode of being White, for the current White-centric, White-fragile membership.
I join in there in small doses myself. I take weeks-long breaks when my mental health needs it. If you did the same, I'd be so happy. It's both short- and long-term work towards pushing the moral arc of the universe towards justice. If we can't even persuade White-fragile people who are nominally in our side, then I might as well give the fuck up entirely. I need you. Please check it out. If you decide it's not for you, please consider telling me your impressions, so that I can give leadership a fuller picture of what's repelling people. MeMail me any questions.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [131 favorites]
it would be nice if more white people learned the skills of compartmentalizing righteous anger, not letting it show, and de-centering yourselves by (at first, before saying your piece) listening to / soothing the anger and anguish of people who don't listen to or respect you, because IF those people are reach-able, usually they have to feel that you've heard them first.
Those of us who are low in the social hierarchy on multiple axes, we do it all the time to survive. It's not fair. It's not fun. It's hit or miss. But it works often enough for me that I keep doing it. Again, it'd be helpful if more white people, especially white men, deployed these de-centering skills. Most white men can do it with their bosses. It doesn't seem to occur to them to do it with anybody else... because, I presume, people who would reciprocate are often lower in the hierarchy so why would it occur to you (general you, not directing this at anybody in-thread) to listen to or do emotional labor for them; and with people who don't reciprocate, it's unpleasant, so if you're lucky enough that you don't have to, then you choose to avoid it entirely.
This is my personal request for Mefites who identify as Facebook-using, woke White people -- not just Americans but y'all in other countries too -- especially if you're cishet, abled, neurotypical, & normatively comfortable generally -- to consider joining this Facebook group. I'm not naming it in-thread because I prefer some degree of anonymity here, however fig leafy. Here's the group's non-FB site which talks about the techniques, but I don't know if they're doing much there.
Technically, it's for progressives who want to practice talking persuasively to conservatives. In practice, for me as a WoC (and for woke White people there who I've talked with privately), it's entirely about pushing back against Love Me I'm A Liberal White-centrism. (OK, the exercises about framing points in terms of conservative values of "loyalty, authority, sanctity" have come in useful with some not-entirely-rabid Trumpists in my life.)
I hope that for you, it could be about practicing persuasive, self-decentering, "framing-this-like-talking-to-my-boss" techniques on White progressives who are in denial about how White-centric they are. The rank-and-file White members are largely in denial. It's mostly women, so White Women's Tears is a factor that I have to deal with when I speak up, but if you're White, those Tears are unlikely to target you. There's a scattering of PoC, both woke and not-woke. There are some woke White people who have pushed back against the prevailing White Fragility mindset.
Behind the scenes, using kalessin's excellent rubric for concrete actions to de-Whitify an org, I've had promising initial discussions with some of the leadership, ie, steps that would need to happen for this group to be able to attract and keep a critical mass of PoC, both rank-and-file, and leadership. Y'all could help me by joining, and by practicing "I'm-phrasing-this-like-talking-to-my-boss" comments that would role model a more humane mode of being White, for the current White-centric, White-fragile membership.
I join in there in small doses myself. I take weeks-long breaks when my mental health needs it. If you did the same, I'd be so happy. It's both short- and long-term work towards pushing the moral arc of the universe towards justice. If we can't even persuade White-fragile people who are nominally in our side, then I might as well give the fuck up entirely. I need you. Please check it out. If you decide it's not for you, please consider telling me your impressions, so that I can give leadership a fuller picture of what's repelling people. MeMail me any questions.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 11:07 AM on July 17, 2018 [131 favorites]
Request thingie: can people listing names of senators, members of congress and other electable or elected humanoids add (R), (D), (I) or (weathervane) as applicable? Not all of them are readily identifiable as one of those categories by their quotations alone by people not fully acquainted with US politics.
posted by Stoneshop at 11:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by Stoneshop at 11:10 AM on July 17, 2018 [38 favorites]
Putin citing the JFK assassination in that context sounds like an implied threat and makes me wonder about his use of fear (rather than just bribes) in keeping these traitors in check.
Could be, but I think the simpler read is that he's referring by implication to the CIA Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory in order to draw equivalence to the Putin regime's use of its intelligence services to squash political opposition.
posted by AndrewInDC at 11:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Could be, but I think the simpler read is that he's referring by implication to the CIA Kennedy assassination conspiracy theory in order to draw equivalence to the Putin regime's use of its intelligence services to squash political opposition.
posted by AndrewInDC at 11:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Damienmce - generally helpful and useful and entirely well intentioned comments like that are framed with the construction “what about...?”, which you might want to stick to avoid wasting people’s time.
posted by Artw at 11:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:15 AM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
I think anyone claiming confidence that the Republicans will control the House either in February or in the long term is mistaken.
Gerrymandering a double-edged sword. In the short term, it buys you political control disproportionate to the number of votes you actually control. In the long-term, though, it leaves you extremely susceptible to electoral surges, since the districts that you've carefully engineered to control 53% of the vote won't survive a 6-point swing in general voter turnout. IF the Blue Wave happens, and IF it's as significant as polling was suggesting in April and May, then yes, the House could easily go blue. Possibly it could approach the 2/3 threshold needed for impeachment conviction, if the outlying D+9 generic polling results turn out not to be noise.
That said, it would be exceptionally naive to assume that the GOP will take this lying down. It's too late to un-gerrymander the swing states, but you'd better believe they'll resort to every voter suppression tactic ever devised by man if it looks like one or both chambers of Congress is at risk. Trump's margin of victory in the three key swing states was substantially less than the number of people who were prevented from voting. What sort of monstrous things do you think they'll do to save Scott Walker's job? Ted Cruz's?
posted by Mayor West at 11:20 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
Gerrymandering a double-edged sword. In the short term, it buys you political control disproportionate to the number of votes you actually control. In the long-term, though, it leaves you extremely susceptible to electoral surges, since the districts that you've carefully engineered to control 53% of the vote won't survive a 6-point swing in general voter turnout. IF the Blue Wave happens, and IF it's as significant as polling was suggesting in April and May, then yes, the House could easily go blue. Possibly it could approach the 2/3 threshold needed for impeachment conviction, if the outlying D+9 generic polling results turn out not to be noise.
That said, it would be exceptionally naive to assume that the GOP will take this lying down. It's too late to un-gerrymander the swing states, but you'd better believe they'll resort to every voter suppression tactic ever devised by man if it looks like one or both chambers of Congress is at risk. Trump's margin of victory in the three key swing states was substantially less than the number of people who were prevented from voting. What sort of monstrous things do you think they'll do to save Scott Walker's job? Ted Cruz's?
posted by Mayor West at 11:20 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
Request thingie: can people listing names of senators, members of congress and other electable or elected humanoids add (R), (D), (I) or (weathervane) as applicable? Not all of them are readily identifiable as one of those categories by their quotations alone by people not fully acquainted with US politics.
posted by Stoneshop at 2:10 PM on July 17
Seconding this. Thank you!
posted by yoga at 11:20 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Stoneshop at 2:10 PM on July 17
Seconding this. Thank you!
posted by yoga at 11:20 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Speaking of the thread title, the Washington Post reported just yesterday:
John A. Stormer, a Cold War-era anti-communist author and pastor whose widely circulated book “None Dare Call It Treason” warned of Soviet subversion in America and helped catapult arch-conservative standardbearer Barry Goldwater to the Republican presidential nomination in 1964, died July 10 at a rehabilitation center in Troy, Mo. He was 90.posted by adamg at 11:22 AM on July 17, 2018 [13 favorites]
Mod note: If folks want to give feedback on the Facebook group, please take it over to MeMail rather than having an extended sidebar in this thread. Thanks.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:22 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 11:22 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
I assume that at this point there's a ninja team of State Department lawyers in a windowless basement somewhere, poring over the fine print of the Alaska Purchase.
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:23 AM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by thatwhichfalls at 11:23 AM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
IF the Blue Wave happens, and IF it's as significant as polling was suggesting in April and May, then yes, the House could easily go blue. Possibly it could approach the 2/3 threshold needed for impeachment conviction, if the outlying D+9 generic polling results turn out not to be noise.
Heads up—the 2/3 number for conviction applies solely to the Senate, and only 1/3 of the Senate is up at a time. (In this case, the mostly-Democratic third.)
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:25 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
Heads up—the 2/3 number for conviction applies solely to the Senate, and only 1/3 of the Senate is up at a time. (In this case, the mostly-Democratic third.)
posted by Huffy Puffy at 11:25 AM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
It is looking like Fox, the NRA, and about half of Congressional Republicans are involved in this mess. What are the odds they will favor a fair election and a peaceful transition of power when they have a vested interest in retaining power to avoid jail?
posted by fings at 11:27 AM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by fings at 11:27 AM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
Oi oi oi Arnie... yes I know he was a Republican, and he is a groper, but his needling of Trump just makes me swoon. He is the alpha male that Trump knows in his heart he can never be, and hearing him speak from the heart, like an angry German grandpa... you go Arnold! And the best part is I am pretty sure Trump actually hears this. He respects and envies the real celebrity.
posted by Meatbomb at 11:27 AM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Meatbomb at 11:27 AM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
Just read the article a few folks have linked, Winning Is Not Enough. One suggestion is adding Puerto Rico and DC as states, which I always assumed was something difficult. Apparently all we have to do is win:
All it takes is a majority vote in Congress and a presidential signature to add a state, and the country has done so thirty-seven times since its founding.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:32 AM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
All it takes is a majority vote in Congress and a presidential signature to add a state, and the country has done so thirty-seven times since its founding.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:32 AM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
and a presidential signature
So we'll need a veto-proof majority, which is unlikely.
Frankly, we'll need a veto-proof majority to do almost anything, I fear. But that's no reason not to try.
posted by suelac at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
So we'll need a veto-proof majority, which is unlikely.
Frankly, we'll need a veto-proof majority to do almost anything, I fear. But that's no reason not to try.
posted by suelac at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
"... and a presidential signature"
When can we get one of those president things people keep talking about?
posted by KeSetAffinityThread at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
When can we get one of those president things people keep talking about?
posted by KeSetAffinityThread at 11:35 AM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
> ZeusHumms:
"Since 1981, for how many years has the Democratic Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?"
ZH, Since 1981, for how many years has the Republican Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?
posted by theora55 at 11:36 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
"Since 1981, for how many years has the Democratic Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?"
ZH, Since 1981, for how many years has the Republican Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?
posted by theora55 at 11:36 AM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
You reap what you sow
You can read that article here, but since you didn't what you're doing is making a false equivalence. The Yeltsin campaign hired US campaign and image consultants to teach them 101-level campaign practices like how to poll, how to stay on message, and the basics of political advertising. You're implying there is a reasonable comparison to a series of Russian cyber attacks and probable campaign finance law violations, at the very least. That is weaksauce whataboutism.
posted by peeedro at 11:38 AM on July 17, 2018 [58 favorites]
You can read that article here, but since you didn't what you're doing is making a false equivalence. The Yeltsin campaign hired US campaign and image consultants to teach them 101-level campaign practices like how to poll, how to stay on message, and the basics of political advertising. You're implying there is a reasonable comparison to a series of Russian cyber attacks and probable campaign finance law violations, at the very least. That is weaksauce whataboutism.
posted by peeedro at 11:38 AM on July 17, 2018 [58 favorites]
"... and a presidential signature"
I'm not unaware of the difficulty here, but I assumed that adding a state took some sort of act of the other states, like a constitutional amendment would. I suspect there is more than one person here who doesn't remember all these things from 9th grade civics so I wanted to share.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:39 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm not unaware of the difficulty here, but I assumed that adding a state took some sort of act of the other states, like a constitutional amendment would. I suspect there is more than one person here who doesn't remember all these things from 9th grade civics so I wanted to share.
posted by Emmy Rae at 11:39 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Since 1981, disregarding seated presidents and incumbent vice-presidents, how many times has the Republican Party won the popular vote for the presidency?
I had a dream last night that the editorial board of TIME Magazine announced they had had a change of heart, and from now on the magazine would be a proudly liberal, progressive publication. I don't know what this means.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:40 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
I had a dream last night that the editorial board of TIME Magazine announced they had had a change of heart, and from now on the magazine would be a proudly liberal, progressive publication. I don't know what this means.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:40 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
From Zach Everson @Z_Everson
DC's Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C unanimously supported the complaint to revoke the Trump Hotel DC's liquor license because @realDonaldTrump "is not a person of good character"
You can scroll up in that thread and see Republican campaign organization and candidate spending at the hotel.
posted by jgirl at 11:42 AM on July 17, 2018 [100 favorites]
DC's Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C unanimously supported the complaint to revoke the Trump Hotel DC's liquor license because @realDonaldTrump "is not a person of good character"
You can scroll up in that thread and see Republican campaign organization and candidate spending at the hotel.
posted by jgirl at 11:42 AM on July 17, 2018 [100 favorites]
Reuters Politics: Trump says he meant to say in Helsinki that he saw no reason why it would not be Russia that interfered in elections
⚰ RIP Satire ⛼
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:42 AM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
⚰ RIP Satire ⛼
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:42 AM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
In case its been a long 24 hours for anyone else the verbatim quote from trump yesterday was "I have President Putin; he just said it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be."
Next question for Republican senators - even if we take him at his word how can we be okay with someone who cant be trusted not to get meanings 180 degrees wrong in internationally televised announcements.
I mean, fine, let him take Steve Harvey's job, or host the fucking Oscars, or something.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:45 AM on July 17, 2018 [33 favorites]
Next question for Republican senators - even if we take him at his word how can we be okay with someone who cant be trusted not to get meanings 180 degrees wrong in internationally televised announcements.
I mean, fine, let him take Steve Harvey's job, or host the fucking Oscars, or something.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:45 AM on July 17, 2018 [33 favorites]
Current state of the union: CNN talking heads are discussing the possibility of Mueller subpoenaing the President's Russian translator.
For the last couple of days, CNN has been sounding like the evidence-based counterpart to InfoWars.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
For the last couple of days, CNN has been sounding like the evidence-based counterpart to InfoWars.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:47 AM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
and a presidential signature
So we'll need a veto-proof majority, which is unlikely.
I am not a Constitutional scholar, but on a straightforward reading of Article 4, Section 3, adding new states does not require approval by the President.
Just as a note here: The U.S. Constitution is, at the end of the day, pretty badly written.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 11:49 AM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
So we'll need a veto-proof majority, which is unlikely.
I am not a Constitutional scholar, but on a straightforward reading of Article 4, Section 3, adding new states does not require approval by the President.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.The Constitution appears to vest authority for adding states solely with the Congress. Moreover, it doesn't give any rules for how that works, so I would assume simple majority is enough.
Just as a note here: The U.S. Constitution is, at the end of the day, pretty badly written.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 11:49 AM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
Reuters Politics: Trump says he meant to say in Helsinki that he saw no reason why it would not be Russia that interfered in elections [real, real, I tell you!]
But wait, that's not all from Reuters:
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [102 favorites]
But wait, that's not all from Reuters:
MORE: Trump says he meant to say in Helsinki that he saw no reason why it would not be Russia that interfered in electionsCaveat from the Toronto Star's Daniel Dale (@ddale8): "Remember the Charlottesville saga: Trump expressed his true views, there was an outcry, he dutifully read a staff-written walk-back statement, then soon after he abandoned the walk-back and even more forcefully expressed his true views."
MORE: Trump says his administration will move aggressively to repel any efforts to interfere in 2018 election
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:50 AM on July 17, 2018 [102 favorites]
Since 1981, for how many years has the Republican Party controlled the White House and both houses of Congress?
Eight by the election: 2001-2007 and 2017 on.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:52 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Eight by the election: 2001-2007 and 2017 on.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:52 AM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
While I don't pretend any amazing insight into Trump, I do think it's incorrect for people to assume that he must be blackmailed.
It may well be that Putin is blackmailing Trump, but I don't think that hypothesis is necessary to explain what we're observing.
Trump loves dictators. People have noted that Trump is mean and insulting to other world leaders, but has nothing but good things to say about Putin. However, Putin is not alone in getting praise from Trump. Trump also had nothing but good things to say about Duterte, Erdogan, and lately Kim. In fact, his insults seem limited to democratically elected leaders. It isn't that he praises just Putin, it's that he praises dictators in general.
It's similarly possible to explain Trump's attacks on NATO and the EU without invoking blackmail. Trump is nationalist and isolationist, he's not happy with any sort of large organization and greatly prefers individual, one on one, deals which he both imagines he is good at negotiating and which he imagines he can exploit and abuse more easily than he can in a multilateral sort of situation.
Trump's ego knows no bounds, and I have no doubt at all that he is supremely confident that if he could get Merkle, or Macron, away from the EU and able to do a one on one deal he could easily exploit them and take their money.
Like most isolationists he isn't fond of military alliances. He'd be happy using the US military as enforcers for a sort of global mafia protection racket, but if the US isn't getting paid in cash for military protection he sees it as the US losing.
Again, I'm not arguing that blackmail is impossible. I'm just arguing that it isn't necessary to explain his actions. His own narcissism and racist ideology lead to an anti UN, anti NATO, anti EU, viewpoint. It may well be that Putin is manipulating Trump in a number of ways, but I'd bet that at the most he's simply steering a willing Trump in a direction he's eager to go anyway.
I also suspect Trump has an inferiority complex when it comes to dictators. He sees them as people who have achieved something he greatly desires and has failed to obtain. He wants to be a dictator like they are, so he butters them up because he wants to be what they are.
posted by sotonohito at 11:52 AM on July 17, 2018 [100 favorites]
It may well be that Putin is blackmailing Trump, but I don't think that hypothesis is necessary to explain what we're observing.
Trump loves dictators. People have noted that Trump is mean and insulting to other world leaders, but has nothing but good things to say about Putin. However, Putin is not alone in getting praise from Trump. Trump also had nothing but good things to say about Duterte, Erdogan, and lately Kim. In fact, his insults seem limited to democratically elected leaders. It isn't that he praises just Putin, it's that he praises dictators in general.
It's similarly possible to explain Trump's attacks on NATO and the EU without invoking blackmail. Trump is nationalist and isolationist, he's not happy with any sort of large organization and greatly prefers individual, one on one, deals which he both imagines he is good at negotiating and which he imagines he can exploit and abuse more easily than he can in a multilateral sort of situation.
Trump's ego knows no bounds, and I have no doubt at all that he is supremely confident that if he could get Merkle, or Macron, away from the EU and able to do a one on one deal he could easily exploit them and take their money.
Like most isolationists he isn't fond of military alliances. He'd be happy using the US military as enforcers for a sort of global mafia protection racket, but if the US isn't getting paid in cash for military protection he sees it as the US losing.
Again, I'm not arguing that blackmail is impossible. I'm just arguing that it isn't necessary to explain his actions. His own narcissism and racist ideology lead to an anti UN, anti NATO, anti EU, viewpoint. It may well be that Putin is manipulating Trump in a number of ways, but I'd bet that at the most he's simply steering a willing Trump in a direction he's eager to go anyway.
I also suspect Trump has an inferiority complex when it comes to dictators. He sees them as people who have achieved something he greatly desires and has failed to obtain. He wants to be a dictator like they are, so he butters them up because he wants to be what they are.
posted by sotonohito at 11:52 AM on July 17, 2018 [100 favorites]
I understand feeling like everything terrible is happening in this timeline, but them continuing to control the House is just not even within the realm of possibility at this rate.
At the rate where Trump is still near his best popularity numbers since the inauguration, you mean? The generic ballot has come back towards the good guys some since its lows a few months ago, thankfully, but as Harry Enten says the numbers are currently consistent with anything from a popular-vote tie for the House (which means Rs probably pick up some seats) to a completely unprecedented 15 points D win which would be a Democratic megatsunami.
We should try to be optimistic-but-realistic. I have confidence the Democrats will pick up seats but the Rs continuing to control the house isn't just "within the real of possibility" it's probably a better chance than Trump had of winning the election, and we know how that turned out.
posted by Justinian at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
At the rate where Trump is still near his best popularity numbers since the inauguration, you mean? The generic ballot has come back towards the good guys some since its lows a few months ago, thankfully, but as Harry Enten says the numbers are currently consistent with anything from a popular-vote tie for the House (which means Rs probably pick up some seats) to a completely unprecedented 15 points D win which would be a Democratic megatsunami.
We should try to be optimistic-but-realistic. I have confidence the Democrats will pick up seats but the Rs continuing to control the house isn't just "within the real of possibility" it's probably a better chance than Trump had of winning the election, and we know how that turned out.
posted by Justinian at 11:55 AM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
For myself, I hope that Trump isn't impeached. I hope that the midterms take back the Senate, the Dems have the guts to pack the Supreme Court and the remaining two years of Trump's term destroy the Republican party. The Reuters quote above from Trump is BS. He knows it, the Republicans know it and any sound minded American knows it.
posted by bluesky43 at 11:57 AM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 11:57 AM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
The President disputing the idea that he insulted NATO: "I can tell you, when I left, everybody was thrilled." [real]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:58 AM on July 17, 2018 [69 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:58 AM on July 17, 2018 [69 favorites]
East Manitoba, we're gonna need a [real] or [fake] on that.
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
President Trump: "I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place; could be other people also."
By adding that final ad hoc clause to his scripted remarks, Trump is declining to unambiguously accept the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. He appears to be physically incapable of doing that.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [25 favorites]
By adding that final ad hoc clause to his scripted remarks, Trump is declining to unambiguously accept the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. He appears to be physically incapable of doing that.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [25 favorites]
Lot of folks rightfully pointing out that no clarification, retraction, 180* flip was made in the sit-down interview Trump did with Hannity right after yesterday's appearance.
Why can he only say the (marginally) right things when he is reading them off of a prepared sheet of paper - i cant help but think of Charlottesville day 2 here - and EVEN IF THATS TRUE WHY DID HIS PEOPLE NOT HAVE A PAPER IN FRONT OF HIM YESTERDAY THAT SAID THE RIGHT THINGS?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
Why can he only say the (marginally) right things when he is reading them off of a prepared sheet of paper - i cant help but think of Charlottesville day 2 here - and EVEN IF THATS TRUE WHY DID HIS PEOPLE NOT HAVE A PAPER IN FRONT OF HIM YESTERDAY THAT SAID THE RIGHT THINGS?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
For myself, I hope that Trump isn't impeached.
Absolutely not. Even with Democrats as checks, the sheer amount of damage and graft he would be capable of is unacceptable.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:04 PM on July 17, 2018 [32 favorites]
Absolutely not. Even with Democrats as checks, the sheer amount of damage and graft he would be capable of is unacceptable.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:04 PM on July 17, 2018 [32 favorites]
"I can tell you, when I left, everybody was thrilled."
But not for the reason he thinks! whomp whomp!
On a tangent, for those who found HMQ's coded brooch choices during Trump's visit too subtle, here's an even lengthier but no less fascinating examination of the different signals sent by the sartorial statements of Putin vs. Trump.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [60 favorites]
But not for the reason he thinks! whomp whomp!
On a tangent, for those who found HMQ's coded brooch choices during Trump's visit too subtle, here's an even lengthier but no less fascinating examination of the different signals sent by the sartorial statements of Putin vs. Trump.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [60 favorites]
@TalalNAnsari:
Lights go out while President Trump says he has "full faith" in US intelligence agencies. "Woops, they just turned off the light. That must be the intelligence agencies. There it goes. Okay. You guys okay? Good. That was strange. But that's okay."
[real; its a video]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
Lights go out while President Trump says he has "full faith" in US intelligence agencies. "Woops, they just turned off the light. That must be the intelligence agencies. There it goes. Okay. You guys okay? Good. That was strange. But that's okay."
[real; its a video]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
It's similarly possible to explain Trump's attacks on NATO and the EU without invoking blackmail.
Sure it's possible. But it's very convenient that sowing discord between and within the US, UK, and France (aside from the USSR, the key states of the WWII alliance) keeps an international coalition from forming that's strong and united enough to put a stop to Putin's tricks. This is about Putin empire-building and wanting to do it with no interference -- and, if possible, while performing the additional hat trick of building that empire using US resources.
Who knows or even cares why Trump thinks he's doing what he does. Ultimately, it's at Putin's behest, so it's in service of Putin's aims. If we agree that these are Russian-instigated attacks and that Trump is a puppet (at best or foreign asset at worst) then we need to think about what Russia wants, not what Trump does.
posted by rue72 at 12:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Sure it's possible. But it's very convenient that sowing discord between and within the US, UK, and France (aside from the USSR, the key states of the WWII alliance) keeps an international coalition from forming that's strong and united enough to put a stop to Putin's tricks. This is about Putin empire-building and wanting to do it with no interference -- and, if possible, while performing the additional hat trick of building that empire using US resources.
Who knows or even cares why Trump thinks he's doing what he does. Ultimately, it's at Putin's behest, so it's in service of Putin's aims. If we agree that these are Russian-instigated attacks and that Trump is a puppet (at best or foreign asset at worst) then we need to think about what Russia wants, not what Trump does.
posted by rue72 at 12:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Trump's bullshit statement is not playing well on CNN. And they are the masters of both-sidesism, this is actually a great opportunityism, and expect-a-pivotism excuses for Trump. So it doesn't sound like Trump's attempt to clean this up is going to fly with anybody except the Fox News sycophants. I assume it will fly with them, anyway, since they're so far in the tank.
posted by Justinian at 12:13 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 12:13 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
"I accept that the world is round. Could be other shapes also."
posted by neroli at 12:14 PM on July 17, 2018 [167 favorites]
posted by neroli at 12:14 PM on July 17, 2018 [167 favorites]
Here's video of his double negative "clarification", which is so much worse than reading it. He's reading off a piece of paper, and clearly shows zero interest in the words that are coming out of his mouth.
@poniewozik: Gloria Borger: Trump "looked like he was in a hostage tape."
But the key part is when he says "Could be other people also. A lot of people out there." The White House spin yesterday, as funneled through Axios, was "Trump seems constitutionally incapable of taking anything Mueller finds seriously." And sure enough, here is is "constitutionally incapable" of reading the damn piece of paper they put in front of him without ad-libbing a variation of the 400 pound hacker line to cast doubt.
posted by zachlipton at 12:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
@poniewozik: Gloria Borger: Trump "looked like he was in a hostage tape."
But the key part is when he says "Could be other people also. A lot of people out there." The White House spin yesterday, as funneled through Axios, was "Trump seems constitutionally incapable of taking anything Mueller finds seriously." And sure enough, here is is "constitutionally incapable" of reading the damn piece of paper they put in front of him without ad-libbing a variation of the 400 pound hacker line to cast doubt.
posted by zachlipton at 12:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
The statement is absurd on its face. But you want to watch the video of him delivering it. His performance says everything you need to know. It’s an amazing display of performative contradictions and makes him look guilty as shit. Bad optics, man.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
Trump's bullshit statement is not playing well on CNN. And they are the masters of both-sidesism, this is actually a great opportunityism, and expect-a-pivotism excuses for Trump.
Chris Cuomo yesterday was all in on Trumps behaviorist being unacceptable and instead had his both-sides faith folcused on an imaginary bipartisan cavalry of democrats and republicans coming together to tackle Trump. I am guessing his centrist dreams have been frustrated?
posted by Artw at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Chris Cuomo yesterday was all in on Trumps behaviorist being unacceptable and instead had his both-sides faith folcused on an imaginary bipartisan cavalry of democrats and republicans coming together to tackle Trump. I am guessing his centrist dreams have been frustrated?
posted by Artw at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Trump's attempts to forge a lasting peace with North Korea were preceded by his threats of fire and fury.
Trump's adulatory praise of NATO and delight in its supposedly increased funding was preceded by his denouncing of his allies as greedy fiscal sponges, and questioning whether NATO still had any purpose.
Trump insults very large numbers of people and organizations; sometimes he turns around and praises them, sometimes he continues to insult them.
But Trump's attempts to forge a lasting peace with Vladimir Putin were preceded by... praise of Vladimir Putin. The Russian President is Trump's North Star: the only controversial political figure he is incapable of insulting no matter how much it would benefit him in domestic politics. Why is that? The only plausible explanation is that Vladimir Putin has power over Donald Trump: the ability to deny him personal benefits, or to damage him. The only plausible explanation is that Donald Trump's personal interest in aiding a foreign enemy supersedes and nullifies his oath to protect the United States.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
Trump's adulatory praise of NATO and delight in its supposedly increased funding was preceded by his denouncing of his allies as greedy fiscal sponges, and questioning whether NATO still had any purpose.
Trump insults very large numbers of people and organizations; sometimes he turns around and praises them, sometimes he continues to insult them.
But Trump's attempts to forge a lasting peace with Vladimir Putin were preceded by... praise of Vladimir Putin. The Russian President is Trump's North Star: the only controversial political figure he is incapable of insulting no matter how much it would benefit him in domestic politics. Why is that? The only plausible explanation is that Vladimir Putin has power over Donald Trump: the ability to deny him personal benefits, or to damage him. The only plausible explanation is that Donald Trump's personal interest in aiding a foreign enemy supersedes and nullifies his oath to protect the United States.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
My concern with regards to how this plays out, assuming as i am that it follows the Charlottesville script is this - how do we make sure Trump has another opportunity to "further clarify" his true thoughts on the matter. Didnt the "good people on both sides" (Day 3) Charlottesville statement happen in the lobby of trump tower? Am i wrong in thinking that the prolonged outrage over Heather Hayer's murder by white supremacists forced him into continuing to address it? what is the similar impetus here?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
This sad, embarrassing wreck of a man (George Will, WaPo)
America’s child president had a play date with a KGB alumnus, who surely enjoyed providing day care. It was a useful, because illuminating, event: Now we shall see how many Republicans retain a capacity for embarrassment.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:20 PM on July 17, 2018 [44 favorites]
It's like a sixth-grader inventing a really elaborate lie to cover up another lie, and not realizing that the adults can see through it because they are adult and he is a sixth grader. It's actually really humiliating. Maybe it's true that Melania hates him.
posted by mumimor at 12:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [53 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 12:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [53 favorites]
> This sad, embarrassing wreck of a man (George Will, WaPo)
For anyone else who's confused here: George Will is the author of this piece, not the subject.
posted by tonycpsu at 12:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [126 favorites]
For anyone else who's confused here: George Will is the author of this piece, not the subject.
posted by tonycpsu at 12:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [126 favorites]
Bloomberg, Mueller Asks Manafort Judge to Give Immunity to Five Witnesses
posted by zachlipton at 12:22 PM on July 17, 2018 [64 favorites]
Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked a judge to give immunity to five people who may testify at next week’s bank-fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.Vague, but this strikes me as a particularly bad sign for Manafort if Mueller has five apparently guilty people with a big incentive to talk lined up to testify against him next week.
Mueller didn’t identify the five witnesses in a court filing Tuesday in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. He said the five are likely to invoke their right against self-incrimination if they don’t receive immunity. Their names will only be made public if they are called to testify, he said.
posted by zachlipton at 12:22 PM on July 17, 2018 [64 favorites]
In the video where the lights go out while he's sort-of reaffirming his trust in US security, note how Trump's posture changed during the blackout. When the lights came back on, his arms are crossed in a guarding, defensive posture. Weak!
posted by maniabug at 12:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by maniabug at 12:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
This burn is so George Will:
Precision is not part of Trump’s repertoire: He speaks English as though it is a second language that he learned from someone who learned English last week.posted by zakur at 12:29 PM on July 17, 2018 [56 favorites]
Thanks for the new post.
The Trump/ Putin news conference feels like the tipping point. It feels like June 1914, when Gavrilo Princip shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering the start of WWI a month later. The US President calls the EU a foe, declines to hold Russia accountable for manipulating the US presidential election, is a public jerk to long-time allies, and befriends leaders of long-time problem countries. Putin owned pres. PantsOnFire. No discussion of Crime, human rights. The US is a powder keg right now, and a lying, corrupt asshole has the detonator.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Party is silent, and Democratic leaders are under attack. It's way past time for the opposition to President Corrupty McFlamingPants to step the fuck up.
We need a March To Repudiate Trump. Daily, if necessary. Impeachment? Fuck yeah. It would damage the GOP and we need to damage them until their very name is dust.
posted by theora55 at 12:31 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
The Trump/ Putin news conference feels like the tipping point. It feels like June 1914, when Gavrilo Princip shot Archduke Franz Ferdinand, triggering the start of WWI a month later. The US President calls the EU a foe, declines to hold Russia accountable for manipulating the US presidential election, is a public jerk to long-time allies, and befriends leaders of long-time problem countries. Putin owned pres. PantsOnFire. No discussion of Crime, human rights. The US is a powder keg right now, and a lying, corrupt asshole has the detonator.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Party is silent, and Democratic leaders are under attack. It's way past time for the opposition to President Corrupty McFlamingPants to step the fuck up.
We need a March To Repudiate Trump. Daily, if necessary. Impeachment? Fuck yeah. It would damage the GOP and we need to damage them until their very name is dust.
posted by theora55 at 12:31 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
I was just at the grocery store (in eastern MA) when all phones went off with a loud, loud warning. Turned out to be a flash flood warning but the instant looks of absolute concern and panic on everyone's faces followed by relieved chuckles was something. No nukes today!
How I hate this timeline.
posted by lydhre at 12:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [69 favorites]
How I hate this timeline.
posted by lydhre at 12:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [69 favorites]
House Republican backs bill to reinstate net neutrality rules
posted by Artw at 12:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
For anyone else who's confused here: George Will is the author of this piece, not the subject.
Well he is the columnist that implying that individuals were pretending to be assault victims at colleges because efforts to combat the problem have made victimhood a "coveted status that confers privileges." So we kinda do need that clarification.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 12:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Well he is the columnist that implying that individuals were pretending to be assault victims at colleges because efforts to combat the problem have made victimhood a "coveted status that confers privileges." So we kinda do need that clarification.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 12:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
I said the word would instead of wouldn't
This is historic, regardless of what the meaning of "is" is. This is forcing supporters to take him at his word that he's incapable, or take him at his initial word that he supports Putin over the US intelligence community. Technically better than yesterday because they have a fig leaf, but anyone clutching at Trump's fig leaf should know just how little it covers, and that he could snatch it away in a tweetstorm at any second. Maybe this is the end, maybe not, but the last seven days have lasted years and will be recalled for decades.
Politically, just the statement that you said one thing, and meant the opposite in so many words, is weak and indefensible to all sides, and has so much meme potential and replayability as a soundbite. He might as well have it tattooed.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 12:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
This is historic, regardless of what the meaning of "is" is. This is forcing supporters to take him at his word that he's incapable, or take him at his initial word that he supports Putin over the US intelligence community. Technically better than yesterday because they have a fig leaf, but anyone clutching at Trump's fig leaf should know just how little it covers, and that he could snatch it away in a tweetstorm at any second. Maybe this is the end, maybe not, but the last seven days have lasted years and will be recalled for decades.
Politically, just the statement that you said one thing, and meant the opposite in so many words, is weak and indefensible to all sides, and has so much meme potential and replayability as a soundbite. He might as well have it tattooed.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 12:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Bloomberg, Mueller Asks Manafort Judge to Give Immunity to Five Witnesses
Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked a judge to give immunity to five people who may testify at next week’s bank-fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
...
posted by zachlipton at 12:22 PM on July 17 [4 favorites +] [!]
Mueller seems to be a man slowly tightening the thumbscrews until he gets what he needs.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:35 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Special Counsel Robert Mueller asked a judge to give immunity to five people who may testify at next week’s bank-fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
...
posted by zachlipton at 12:22 PM on July 17 [4 favorites +] [!]
Mueller seems to be a man slowly tightening the thumbscrews until he gets what he needs.
posted by Mental Wimp at 12:35 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Trump was reading for a typewritten script during his "clarification" moment but he made some handwritten additions, including: "THERE WAS NO COLLUSION" [real, cnn WH producer's tweet w a photo]
Again, how come no one suggested hand-writing in all caps I ACCEPT OUR IC'S CONCLUSION RUSSIA DID IT on his notes yesterday?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [37 favorites]
Again, how come no one suggested hand-writing in all caps I ACCEPT OUR IC'S CONCLUSION RUSSIA DID IT on his notes yesterday?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [37 favorites]
Watch his body language at 2:35 of this clip (just after the lights out bit). He crosses his arms and hunches over as he says "I accept our intelligence agency's conclusion," reading it off the damn piece of paper they obviously put in front of him and said "just read this." And then he finds himself surprised at what he's saying and starts ad-libbing the "could be other people also. There's a lot of people out there."
I thought the usual hostage video protocol was a subtle duress signal, not "blurt out contradictory statements once you realize what you're reading."
I am desperately curious what excuses they rejected before they came up with "double negative." One possibility: @ashleyfeinberg: "what if we just say it was opposite day" "was it opposite day though?" "hm, good point. [gets up to yell down the hall] YO CAN SOMEONE CHECK IF YESTERDAY WAS OPPOSITE DAY"
posted by zachlipton at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [63 favorites]
I thought the usual hostage video protocol was a subtle duress signal, not "blurt out contradictory statements once you realize what you're reading."
I am desperately curious what excuses they rejected before they came up with "double negative." One possibility: @ashleyfeinberg: "what if we just say it was opposite day" "was it opposite day though?" "hm, good point. [gets up to yell down the hall] YO CAN SOMEONE CHECK IF YESTERDAY WAS OPPOSITE DAY"
posted by zachlipton at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [63 favorites]
Jonathan Livengood: "
I am not a Constitutional scholar, but on a straightforward reading of Article 4, Section 3, adding new states does not require approval by the President.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Constitution appears to vest authority for adding states solely with the Congress. Moreover, it doesn't give any rules for how that works, so I would assume simple majority is enough."
I'm not one, either, but I believe Article 1, Section 7 controls here:
posted by Chrysostom at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
I am not a Constitutional scholar, but on a straightforward reading of Article 4, Section 3, adding new states does not require approval by the President.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Constitution appears to vest authority for adding states solely with the Congress. Moreover, it doesn't give any rules for how that works, so I would assume simple majority is enough."
I'm not one, either, but I believe Article 1, Section 7 controls here:
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States[.]Certainly, Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admissions Act.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
Pompeo to testify in Senate after criticism of Trump-Putin summit (Politico)
By BURGESS EVERETT and ELANA SCHOR
By BURGESS EVERETT and ELANA SCHOR
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next week to discuss a pair of controversial summits held by President Donald Trump, according to Republican aides.posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:40 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Pompeo will appear before the committee in open session on the afternoon of July 25 to answer questions about Trump’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Politically, just the statement that you said one thing, and meant the opposite in so many words, is weak and indefensible to all sides, and has so much meme potential and replayability as a soundbite.
Yep. I don't know about y'all, but for those of us who do still make the effort (fruitless and idiotic though it may be pretty much all the time) to discuss this with believers or near-believers or pseudo-believers in other electronic venues this is exactly what I was thinking as well. Remember that these followers all to often don't say much beyond basic blurbs of "Love America or Get Out! / Don't like it? Leave!" or "I think Trump has a plan / He did-said X or Y for a REASON!" and this gives a helluva shiny bit of ammo to throw in their face when they act like he's the Nth dimensional chess master they purport him to be.
I don't say this lightly and I know some of you folks here may think it is a waste of time to even engage with folks of that caliber, and I get it, but A) if I were to silence/block off the entirety of that population from my life I'd be left with about 4 people and mefi to converse with and B) some of them, albeit a small amount really can/will admit to logical conclusions if you press the right buttons in the right order. It's a long shot but I've managed to get true believers on the record conceding that Trump's not perfect or that he made a mistake or otherwise make them look very silly along the way to the observers of said discussion by pointing out their hypocritical moments. It's a fine line between troll feeding and productive effort but I think it can, at times, be fruitful. I, of course, don't expect it of others because damn that emotional labor/time sink, it's a doozy.
A small thing, certainly. But when arguing with small minds one takes all you can get.
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
Yep. I don't know about y'all, but for those of us who do still make the effort (fruitless and idiotic though it may be pretty much all the time) to discuss this with believers or near-believers or pseudo-believers in other electronic venues this is exactly what I was thinking as well. Remember that these followers all to often don't say much beyond basic blurbs of "Love America or Get Out! / Don't like it? Leave!" or "I think Trump has a plan / He did-said X or Y for a REASON!" and this gives a helluva shiny bit of ammo to throw in their face when they act like he's the Nth dimensional chess master they purport him to be.
I don't say this lightly and I know some of you folks here may think it is a waste of time to even engage with folks of that caliber, and I get it, but A) if I were to silence/block off the entirety of that population from my life I'd be left with about 4 people and mefi to converse with and B) some of them, albeit a small amount really can/will admit to logical conclusions if you press the right buttons in the right order. It's a long shot but I've managed to get true believers on the record conceding that Trump's not perfect or that he made a mistake or otherwise make them look very silly along the way to the observers of said discussion by pointing out their hypocritical moments. It's a fine line between troll feeding and productive effort but I think it can, at times, be fruitful. I, of course, don't expect it of others because damn that emotional labor/time sink, it's a doozy.
A small thing, certainly. But when arguing with small minds one takes all you can get.
posted by RolandOfEld at 12:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94: "I can tell you, when I left, everybody was thrilled."
“Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy, the men all had erections, and every single one of the women was ovulating left and right.” (Definitely Not Sean Spicer (Melissa McCarthy) on SNL, back in the optimistic days of February 2017)
In other news: Bill to save net neutrality gets first Republican vote in US House -- 176 Democrats and one Republican are on board—but 41 more votes are needed. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, July 17, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
“Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy, the men all had erections, and every single one of the women was ovulating left and right.” (Definitely Not Sean Spicer (Melissa McCarthy) on SNL, back in the optimistic days of February 2017)
In other news: Bill to save net neutrality gets first Republican vote in US House -- 176 Democrats and one Republican are on board—but 41 more votes are needed. (Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica, July 17, 2018)
The congressional bill to reinstate net neutrality rules has finally received support from a House Republican.At this point, I'll take any break from purely party votes as a (very small, faint) glimmer of hope.
US Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) today announced his support for the bill. Coffman is signing a discharge petition that would force the House to vote on a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution; the resolution would reverse the Federal Communications Commission's repeal of its net neutrality rules.
The US Senate approved the CRA resolution in May, with votes from all members of the Democratic caucus and three Republican senators. While 176 House Democrats have signed the discharge petition, Coffman is the first House Republican to do so.
"I hope more Republicans will join this effort and stand on the side of American families who rely on and overwhelmingly support a free and open Internet," said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass), who submitted the CRA resolution that passed in the Senate.
The petition needs 218 signatures, and Republicans hold a 236-193 majority in the House, so it's still a long shot. But advocacy groups that support net neutrality praised Coffman for becoming the first House Republican to sign the petition.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
Top officials, including national security adviser John Bolton, were involved in crafting the remarks that Trump delivered from the Cabinet Room.
And that mess was the best thing they could come up with.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [32 favorites]
And that mess was the best thing they could come up with.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [32 favorites]
Vice's Motherboard: Top Voting Machine Vendor Admits It Installed Remote-Access Software on Systems Sold to States
Shout out to the good people at Vote Allegheny for being on top of this issue and being the source of the info in this article regarding Allegheny and Venango Counties. Pittsburgh area MeFites are encouraged to join, contribute, volunteer and/or just get on the mailing list. Meetings are generally held Sundays in Squirrel Hill, but if you're going check first because sometimes they are cancelled.
posted by M-x shell at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
Shout out to the good people at Vote Allegheny for being on top of this issue and being the source of the info in this article regarding Allegheny and Venango Counties. Pittsburgh area MeFites are encouraged to join, contribute, volunteer and/or just get on the mailing list. Meetings are generally held Sundays in Squirrel Hill, but if you're going check first because sometimes they are cancelled.
posted by M-x shell at 12:50 PM on July 17, 2018 [18 favorites]
Best Twitter response:
"I meant to say *don't* grab them by the pussy."
posted by neroli at 12:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [72 favorites]
"I meant to say *don't* grab them by the pussy."
posted by neroli at 12:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [72 favorites]
I am not a Constitutional scholar, but on a straightforward reading of Article 4, Section 3, adding new states does not require approval by the President.
Anything that
(1) Requires approval by both House and Senate
(2) Has any effect outside of Congress itself or has the force of law
Has to be sent to the President for approval, acquiescence, or veto.
The only things that require House and Senate approval, but not presidential, are congressional housekeeping matters that affect both chambers, like setting up a joint committee.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 12:58 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
Anything that
(1) Requires approval by both House and Senate
(2) Has any effect outside of Congress itself or has the force of law
Has to be sent to the President for approval, acquiescence, or veto.
The only things that require House and Senate approval, but not presidential, are congressional housekeeping matters that affect both chambers, like setting up a joint committee.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 12:58 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
Or impeachment.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [29 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [29 favorites]
@JDiamond1: A banker who negotiated bankruptcy dealings with Trump in the 90s just emailed me to say Trump’s excuses today re Russia reminded him of their dealings. Trump’s attorneys insisted then they agree nothing Trump said in negotiations was binding unless it was put in writing. “Watching him now on tv saying that virtually everything he said yesterday was taken out of context and he really believes in what the US intelligence agencies have concluded. He is unbelievable and nothing has changed in the past 25 years.”
Metaphor alert: @ChadPergram: Lightning from big thunderstorm just hit Capitol Dome. Big rumble echoed through Rotunda and Statuary Hall. Lights dimmed. This is ahead of the All-Star game to be played just blocks from here later tonight
Continuing metaphor alert: @dnewhauser [video]: Water is streaming through the ceiling in the Cannon tunnel in the Capitol
posted by zachlipton at 1:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [46 favorites]
Metaphor alert: @ChadPergram: Lightning from big thunderstorm just hit Capitol Dome. Big rumble echoed through Rotunda and Statuary Hall. Lights dimmed. This is ahead of the All-Star game to be played just blocks from here later tonight
Continuing metaphor alert: @dnewhauser [video]: Water is streaming through the ceiling in the Cannon tunnel in the Capitol
posted by zachlipton at 1:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [46 favorites]
Trump was reading for a typewritten script during his "clarification" moment but he made some handwritten additions, including: "THERE WAS NO COLLUSION" [real, cnn WH producer's tweet w a photo]
Good grief, that handwritten note looks like it was scrawled in Trump's hallmark black Sharpie magic marker. It's legit his sign of protest.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Good grief, that handwritten note looks like it was scrawled in Trump's hallmark black Sharpie magic marker. It's legit his sign of protest.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
President Trump: "I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place; could be other people also."
Oh brother, now we're going to have five more bullshit TV days of "He only called MS-13 animals, not the other Mexican animals. What's your perspective, Brett?"
Again, how come no one suggested hand-writing in all caps I ACCEPT OUR IC'S CONCLUSION RUSSIA DID IT on his notes yesterday?
Because they wisely stopped doing that after DO NOT CONGRATULATE.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Oh brother, now we're going to have five more bullshit TV days of "He only called MS-13 animals, not the other Mexican animals. What's your perspective, Brett?"
Again, how come no one suggested hand-writing in all caps I ACCEPT OUR IC'S CONCLUSION RUSSIA DID IT on his notes yesterday?
Because they wisely stopped doing that after DO NOT CONGRATULATE.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Guys, we know how to create new states. Congress passes an Enabling Act (as a regular law) the territory writes a constitution, it gets approved (by a vote and/or Congressional approval, per the terms of the Enabling Act), and the territory elects a state government. Lots of examples.
Getting a new state admitted is likely to be politically fraught, but it was pretty much all the other times, too. Congresses have never been blind to the political effects of adding new states. Some of the state borders, and the order when they were admitted, result directly from political considerations of the time (not even just over slavery! Lots of reasons!)
posted by Huffy Puffy at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [17 favorites]
Getting a new state admitted is likely to be politically fraught, but it was pretty much all the other times, too. Congresses have never been blind to the political effects of adding new states. Some of the state borders, and the order when they were admitted, result directly from political considerations of the time (not even just over slavery! Lots of reasons!)
posted by Huffy Puffy at 1:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [17 favorites]
Mod note: A few comments deleted. GoblinHoney, these threads are pretty heavily moderated to keep noise/riffing/etc comments down. You can read the Metatalk linked in the FPP for more info.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
This adding a state business is getting well off into the weeds, but both Puerto Rico and DC have written constitutions and applied for statehood several times, but been shot down in Congress.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:11 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by aspersioncast at 1:11 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
The Constitution appears to vest authority for adding states solely with the Congress. Moreover, it doesn't give any rules for how that works, so I would assume simple majority is enough.
Usually there's been an enabling act to admit new states and the act is signed by the president. For example, the Enabling Act of 1802, signed by Thomas Jefferson, "authorized the residents of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territory to form the state of Ohio." The Enabling Act of 1889, signed by Grover Cleveland, "permitted the entrance of Montana and Washington into the United States of America, as well as the splitting of Territory of Dakota into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota."
posted by kirkaracha at 1:17 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Usually there's been an enabling act to admit new states and the act is signed by the president. For example, the Enabling Act of 1802, signed by Thomas Jefferson, "authorized the residents of the eastern portion of the Northwest Territory to form the state of Ohio." The Enabling Act of 1889, signed by Grover Cleveland, "permitted the entrance of Montana and Washington into the United States of America, as well as the splitting of Territory of Dakota into two states: North Dakota and South Dakota."
posted by kirkaracha at 1:17 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
You know what I think of when I hear the words “Enabling Act,” don’t you?
posted by adamgreenfield at 1:25 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 1:25 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Randy Rainbow on Facebook:
Donald just fixed everything by retroactively amending the transcript of his televised statement about election meddling to read, “I don’t see any reason why it WOULDN’T be Russia,” instead of "WOULD be Russia." He also clarified that he likes to grab women by their puppies.posted by kirkaracha at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [46 favorites]
A tweet joking in the same vein as the one neroli linked to: “I’m sorry I said I DO swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States. That was a key sentence. One word was incorrect. That should have been I DON'T swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Innocent mistake. That should clarify the last 2 years.”
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [40 favorites]
Right. Usually there is an enabling act. But not always. The reason my original comment is mistaken comes much earlier, at the end of Article 1, Section 7, as GCU Sweet and Full of Grace pointed out. Oh well.
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 1:35 PM on July 17, 2018
posted by Jonathan Livengood at 1:35 PM on July 17, 2018
It has been established that Biff Tannen in Back to the Future was based on Trump.
I was thinking that the scene in Helsinki reminded me of when the groveling Biff Tannen was washing George McFly's truck.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:42 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
I was thinking that the scene in Helsinki reminded me of when the groveling Biff Tannen was washing George McFly's truck.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:42 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Mod note: Folks let's ease back on the riffing, new states, etc, and steer back toward actual updates.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:42 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 1:42 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
In his written remarks, he also crossed out "anyone involved in that meddling to justice", which is something a non-guilty person would totally do.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:51 PM on July 17, 2018 [48 favorites]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 1:51 PM on July 17, 2018 [48 favorites]
A little historical context. It seems that Putin's playbook is not entirely original.
In 1975 Brezhnev made the same (he thought secret) offer to Ford - of Russian help with his election.
President Ford declined the offer and lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
posted by 6thsense at 1:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
In 1975 Brezhnev made the same (he thought secret) offer to Ford - of Russian help with his election.
President Ford declined the offer and lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
posted by 6thsense at 1:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
NPR's Lucian Kim has been (@Lucian_Kim) has been looking into a Russian Ministry of Defense statement from this morning and its implications (per Tass).
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:57 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Breaking: Russian MoD says in statement that it's ready to implement agreement on international security Putin and Trump reached in Helsinki.Or the fix could have been in well before the Helsinki summit, and Putin's generals are less circumspect than his diplomats.
Russian MoD says it's "ready to activate contacts with US colleagues via general staffs and other existing communication channels to discuss extending Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, cooperation in Syria, other current issues of ensuring military security."
Also note the Russian MoD statement uses a word that can be translated as "agreements" or "understandings." So MoD could be jumping gun, especially as Russian diplomats were at summit, not Russian generals.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:57 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
I don't know, and wouldn't care to predict, whether his performance in Helsinki and sudden reversal will ultimately prove to be the snowflake that causes the avalanche but I do believe that the number one threat to Trump is not the criticism of his political adversaries or the press or the supposedly-principled (but consistently ineffective) critics in his own party.
In my opinion the surest way to end Trump's so-far unwavering support from his base is to make him look weak by the standards that his authoritarian-loving hordes use to judge strength. They worship the man because they seem him as strong, powerful, a winner -- all the things they themselves would like to be. If he ever loses that aura he'll never get it back -- and I believe he's well aware of it. He is potentially vulnerable at this point but also particularly dangerous -- seeing his aura of invincibility under threat it's quite conceivable he'll do something monstrous and cruel as a show of strength to his base. What that is and whether it succeeds in restoring his luster with the base I can't guess but I think it's very likely he'll do something unpredictable in an attempt to shore up his "strong man" image and change the narrative from "Trump looked like a loser in Helsinki."
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:58 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
In my opinion the surest way to end Trump's so-far unwavering support from his base is to make him look weak by the standards that his authoritarian-loving hordes use to judge strength. They worship the man because they seem him as strong, powerful, a winner -- all the things they themselves would like to be. If he ever loses that aura he'll never get it back -- and I believe he's well aware of it. He is potentially vulnerable at this point but also particularly dangerous -- seeing his aura of invincibility under threat it's quite conceivable he'll do something monstrous and cruel as a show of strength to his base. What that is and whether it succeeds in restoring his luster with the base I can't guess but I think it's very likely he'll do something unpredictable in an attempt to shore up his "strong man" image and change the narrative from "Trump looked like a loser in Helsinki."
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:58 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
The Scotsman [to head off the communism discussion from the end of the last thread, this is, in fact, the true Scotsman], Donald Trump’s Turnberry firm paid £50,000 by US Government for weekend visit
This announcement came as a surprise to the reporters who track government spending at Trump properties, who would like to know when this policy was quietly implemented and would like to see proof to substantiate the claim they aren't profiting.
posted by zachlipton at 2:01 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
US federal government spending records seen by this newspaper show a series of payments worth a total of £52,477 were made by the State Department to SLC Turnberry Limited, the company behind the South Ayrshire hotel and golf course.The actual cost could be higher, those are just the payments we've seen so far. Following publication of this report, Eric Trump declared that they only sell their rooms to the US Government at cost: "Thanks @dmartosko. These people are so knowingly dishonest - while not required, we have decided that for any United States Govt business, we charge our COST and do NOT profit from these stays. Much more would be spent if they stayed elsewhere. #FakeNews #NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished"
The five-figure windfall, which represents the first example of how Mr Trump’s firm was paid for his contentious working visit to the UK, has been condemned by ethics watchdogs, with one group accusing the 72-year-old of “using the power and authority of his office to profit personally”.
The US taxpayers’ money went towards hotel rooms used by Mr Trump and his staff during his two-night stay at Turnberry, which the president said would be dominated by meetings and calls. He ended up playing two rounds of golf at the historic course.
This announcement came as a surprise to the reporters who track government spending at Trump properties, who would like to know when this policy was quietly implemented and would like to see proof to substantiate the claim they aren't profiting.
posted by zachlipton at 2:01 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
In his written remarks, he also crossed out "anyone involved in that meddling to justice", which is something a non-guilty person would totally do.
That phrase looks like something someone forgot to delete from an earlier draft, so I think this edit is actually the innocuous mark-up of a statement that was written and edited in haste.
Otherwise it looks like it would read:
"I have on numerous occasions noted our intelligence findings that Russia attempted to interfere in our elections. Anyone involved in that meddling to justice Unlike previous administrations, my Administration has and will continue to move aggressively to repel any efforts to interfere in our elections."
posted by AndrewInDC at 2:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
That phrase looks like something someone forgot to delete from an earlier draft, so I think this edit is actually the innocuous mark-up of a statement that was written and edited in haste.
Otherwise it looks like it would read:
"I have on numerous occasions noted our intelligence findings that Russia attempted to interfere in our elections. Anyone involved in that meddling to justice Unlike previous administrations, my Administration has and will continue to move aggressively to repel any efforts to interfere in our elections."
posted by AndrewInDC at 2:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
I have to say, I don't understand why anyone is treating today's "clarification" as any kind of reversal. All Trump said was that he accepts the Intelligence Community's conclusion that Russia meddled in the election, and that he didn't see any reason why it wouldn't have been Russia. The latter statement is functionally the same as not seeing any reason why it would have been Russia (because he ignores the reasons and goes with his gut) and the former statement doesn't tell us anything about Trump's own conclusions. He can accept that the IC believes it was Russia, while himself believing it could have been "a lot of other people." Someone should ask him again WHO and WHAT he believes, which he refused to answer at the press conference.
posted by SpaceBass at 2:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by SpaceBass at 2:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
As much as I want to see this moment as a tipping point, I feel like we've already had so many tipping points it no longer matters.
Tearing kids from their families and traumatizing them with incarceration and no plans for reunion was a tipping point. We should all be out in the streets over this, not just one day, but all the time. Republicans were scared of this, but they ducked and mumbled and it really does look like the pressure has largely blown over for them. Puerto Rico should've been a tipping point. Charlottesville should've been a tipping point. Hell, I'm probably forgetting some tipping points.
Tipping points have become normalized. Republicans have gotten used to it.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [88 favorites]
Tearing kids from their families and traumatizing them with incarceration and no plans for reunion was a tipping point. We should all be out in the streets over this, not just one day, but all the time. Republicans were scared of this, but they ducked and mumbled and it really does look like the pressure has largely blown over for them. Puerto Rico should've been a tipping point. Charlottesville should've been a tipping point. Hell, I'm probably forgetting some tipping points.
Tipping points have become normalized. Republicans have gotten used to it.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [88 favorites]
> I have to say, I don't understand why anyone is treating today's "clarification" as any kind of reversal.
When plausible deniability meets a gullible audience, the threshold for substantiating evidence approaches zero. Merely mouthing the words in today's press conference will satisfy the hardcore Trumpists and Congressional Republicans (but I repeat myself.)
posted by tonycpsu at 2:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
When plausible deniability meets a gullible audience, the threshold for substantiating evidence approaches zero. Merely mouthing the words in today's press conference will satisfy the hardcore Trumpists and Congressional Republicans (but I repeat myself.)
posted by tonycpsu at 2:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Butina has been indicted. I don't have a copy yet, but there's a fun new surprise for (extremely screwed) US Person 1:
@woodruffbets: The new indictment of Butina says US Person 1 - presumably Paul Erickson - helped for Butina "for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation"
posted by zachlipton at 2:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
@woodruffbets: The new indictment of Butina says US Person 1 - presumably Paul Erickson - helped for Butina "for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Russian Federation"
posted by zachlipton at 2:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
I’m kind of surprised they sent him out to do the whole “I meant to say NOT!” “clarification.” When I first read it, it sounded exactly like something Sarah Huckabee Sanders would be trotted out to say. Do you think they asked her and even she was like, “Um, that’s too ridiculous, even for me...”?
posted by Weeping_angel at 2:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Weeping_angel at 2:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
> I have to say, I don't understand why anyone is treating today's "clarification" as any kind of reversal.
I called my Senators' offices today, with the message, "Trump is lying, and it's time to call his lies, "Lies", and him a "Liar", clearly and often. I used the term "gaslighting" and "abusive" specifically. "None of this is Normal"...
posted by mikelieman at 2:16 PM on July 17, 2018 [28 favorites]
I called my Senators' offices today, with the message, "Trump is lying, and it's time to call his lies, "Lies", and him a "Liar", clearly and often. I used the term "gaslighting" and "abusive" specifically. "None of this is Normal"...
posted by mikelieman at 2:16 PM on July 17, 2018 [28 favorites]
Nerd of the North: In my opinion the surest way to end Trump's so-far unwavering support from his base is to make him look weak by the standards that his authoritarian-loving hordes use to judge strength.
Yes! And by splitting the difference as he's now done, Trump loses just about everyone, or at least fails to help himself with anyone. Given that it's already so damn obvious where his loyalties lie here, I suspect the politically smarter thing for him would have been doubling down on the Putin worship -- pushing the Overton window by sheer force of will.
Few Americans appreciated his groveling to Vladimir, except his core "take that, cucks!" alt-right support. So then what does he do? Bends to the "establishment" by explicitly reversing himself on the groveling! (The basic reason is straightforward -- his whole real estate career was telling different audiences different stories, and he will never adjust that strategy to a world where people can easily compare the two stories he told.)
Going into Helsinki, he could have won so many points by "looking tough" on Russia. If that wasn't an option for him, thanks to Kremlin leverage plus his genuine admiration for dictators, then the next best thing would be wearing the admiration proudly. "I'm with Putin to the bitter end because he knows how to run a country, dammit!"
So his sort-of-walkback is heartening on two levels. It suggests Putin still doesn't control all his strings (unless this is multidimensional chess on his part, but I doubt that) and it weakens him anyway, though the downside is that moderate-ish Republicans now have enough deniability to drop their ~concerns~.
I also believe that tipping points and avalanches are the wrong metaphor. This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. Everything that saps just a little more of his support, credibility, and personal energy is a step in the right direction.
Also, it's up to us to keep making this a thing, rather than deciding "the moment's past". Call your reps today, call them tomorrow. Force them to not cling to their hope that this will all just sort of go away. It won't.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:19 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Yes! And by splitting the difference as he's now done, Trump loses just about everyone, or at least fails to help himself with anyone. Given that it's already so damn obvious where his loyalties lie here, I suspect the politically smarter thing for him would have been doubling down on the Putin worship -- pushing the Overton window by sheer force of will.
Few Americans appreciated his groveling to Vladimir, except his core "take that, cucks!" alt-right support. So then what does he do? Bends to the "establishment" by explicitly reversing himself on the groveling! (The basic reason is straightforward -- his whole real estate career was telling different audiences different stories, and he will never adjust that strategy to a world where people can easily compare the two stories he told.)
Going into Helsinki, he could have won so many points by "looking tough" on Russia. If that wasn't an option for him, thanks to Kremlin leverage plus his genuine admiration for dictators, then the next best thing would be wearing the admiration proudly. "I'm with Putin to the bitter end because he knows how to run a country, dammit!"
So his sort-of-walkback is heartening on two levels. It suggests Putin still doesn't control all his strings (unless this is multidimensional chess on his part, but I doubt that) and it weakens him anyway, though the downside is that moderate-ish Republicans now have enough deniability to drop their ~concerns~.
I also believe that tipping points and avalanches are the wrong metaphor. This isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. Everything that saps just a little more of his support, credibility, and personal energy is a step in the right direction.
Also, it's up to us to keep making this a thing, rather than deciding "the moment's past". Call your reps today, call them tomorrow. Force them to not cling to their hope that this will all just sort of go away. It won't.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:19 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Wired recap: What Robert Mueller Knows—and 9 Areas He'll Pursue Next (Garrett M. Graff, July 16, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 2:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
...Spoiler alert: Nearly all of these open avenues involve not only Americans, but sometimes even senior campaign, transition, and White House aides to Donald Trump.I didn't include the paragraphs and links answering those questions, and there's nothing groundbreaking or new here, but it's another good summary of what might come next on various fronts.
While it’s entirely possible that some investigative avenues for Mueller’s team won’t pan out into criminal charges, we do know that he and the FBI have had sustained, sometimes even years-long interest in the following lines of inquiry—none of which have yet appeared publicly in court:
1. How do Erik Prince, the Seychelles, and the inauguration fit in?
2. How do the UAE, Qatar, and Jared Kushner fit in?
3. What role did Sergey Kislyak, the GOP convention, and the finances of the Russian Embassy play?
4. How do Roger Stone, WikiLeaks, and other Americans and Brits fit into the GRU indictment?
5. What did Mueller learn from George Papadopoulos, Rick Gates, and Michael Flynn?
6. What’s in those 291,000 Michael Cohen documents?
7. What’s up with that Trump Tower meeting?
8. How relevant is Cambridge Analytica and was there a coordinated effort by the Trump campaign or associates to gather intelligence or untoward opposition research on Hillary Clinton?
9. Do people like Carter Page and Felix Sater matter?
These nine distinct areas of open questions are hardly encyclopedic—this list doesn’t even count unanswered questions about, for instance, the role of the Russian intelligence service FSB in its own attacks on Democratic targets (an operation known as Cozy Bear) or loose ends from previous indictments, like the activities of DC superlobbyists Tony Podesta and Vin Weber. And it doesn’t count the numerous salacious questions still unproven in the Steele dossier, like what exactly happened at the Moscow Ritz.
...
posted by filthy light thief at 2:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Top officials, including national security adviser John Bolton, were involved in crafting the remarks that Trump delivered from the Cabinet Room.
To be fair, they had to be pulled away from their work on the Ark of the Covenant, so it's not unusual for them to be a bit distracted.
posted by chavenet at 2:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [24 favorites]
To be fair, they had to be pulled away from their work on the Ark of the Covenant, so it's not unusual for them to be a bit distracted.
posted by chavenet at 2:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [24 favorites]
NBC News, Ben Collins and Alyssa Newcomb, House Republicans float online conspiracy theories in hearing about social media 'censorship'
posted by zachlipton at 2:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [68 favorites]
Rep. Lamar Smith, R–Texas, accused Google of blocking searches to “Jesus, Chick-fil-A and the Catholic religion," none of which are blocked by Google. “Jesus” returns almost a billion results. In a since-deleted Facebook post circulated by several blogs, a Christian publisher accused Google of banning their advertisements because of the “faith we express.”I know Steve King is...Steve King, but a Republican member of Congress citing Gateway Pundit's traffic numbers as a cause Congress needs to address is an incredible low point for society.
Google responded to the company, Concordia Publishing, by saying that the search giant does not allow specific users to be targeted with ads according to their faith, and that Google had not banned the content of the ad. It is unclear why Smith believed Google banned Chick-fil-A.
Rep. Steve King, R-Ia., asked why Gateway Pundit, which incorrectly implicated three different people for separate terror attacks last year, was losing traffic on Facebook. Gateway Pundit pushed a rumor that a Michigan man who was at a wedding 1,000 miles away was driving the car that slammed into a crowd at a protest in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year, killing one woman and injuring 19. The founder of the website was later sued for its coverage. Gateway Pundit also misidentified the gunman in the Las Vegas shooting rampage last October that left 58 dead, claiming he was a Democrat by a different name who was “associated with an anti-Trump army.” The post was later deleted.
Several Democratic lawmakers raised the question of why Congress was spending one of its final working days before a five-week August recess focusing on the “fantasy” that Facebook, YouTube and Twitter suppress conservative viewpoints.
posted by zachlipton at 2:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [68 favorites]
President Ford declined the offer and lost the election to Jimmy Carter.
In the transcript Ford sort of acknowledges the offer without really accepting or rejecting it:
posted by The Tensor at 2:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
In the transcript Ford sort of acknowledges the offer without really accepting or rejecting it:
Brezhnev: I wish to tell you confidentially and completelySo Ford didn't exactly cover himself in glory, here, but I suspect he was taken aback by the offer and not ready to flip the table during an otherwise positive "yes, detente" exchange. Certainly a better response than, "If it's what you say I love it."
frankly that we in the Soviet leadership are supporters of your election
as President to a new term as well. And we for our part will do
everything we can to make that happen.
Ford: I thank you for that. I expect to be elected and I think that
that meets the interests of the further development of Soviet-American
relations, and of the cause of strengthening detente.
posted by The Tensor at 2:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
‘Putin’s Favorite Congressman’ Now Engulfed in NRA Spy Case (The Daily Beast, Jackie Kucinich and Spencer Ackerman)
Pro-Kremlin GOP Congressman Dana Rohrabacher met with a Putin ally in Russia in August 2015, The Daily Beast has confirmed, matching an account in Monday’s blockbuster FBI affidavit against accused Russian spy Maria Butina.posted by mcdoublewide at 2:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [42 favorites]
We should all be out in the streets over this, not just one day, but all the time. Republicans were scared of this, but they ducked and mumbled and it really does look like the pressure has largely blown over for them.
We ARE out in the streets all the time. A large spontaneous protest erupted in front of the White House just last night and I'm about to get on the Metro to go to the march that's starting in an hour. The Republicans aren't out of office yet, but November is coming. I hear you that it's frustrating that the wheel of justice turns so slowly but we ARE putting our shoulders to it and pushing it forward as fast and hard as we can.
posted by rue72 at 2:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [93 favorites]
We ARE out in the streets all the time. A large spontaneous protest erupted in front of the White House just last night and I'm about to get on the Metro to go to the march that's starting in an hour. The Republicans aren't out of office yet, but November is coming. I hear you that it's frustrating that the wheel of justice turns so slowly but we ARE putting our shoulders to it and pushing it forward as fast and hard as we can.
posted by rue72 at 2:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [93 favorites]
It's a clickbaity title, but both the official White House and Kremlin transcripts of the Helsinki press conference have edited out the question, "President Putin, did you want President Trump to win the election?" The White House Transcript Is Missing the Most Explosive Part of the Trump–Putin Press Conference.
posted by peeedro at 2:52 PM on July 17, 2018 [53 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 2:52 PM on July 17, 2018 [53 favorites]
The White House Transcript Is Missing the Most Explosive Part of the Trump–Putin Press Conference.
For what it's worth, the Washington Post transcript I linked to in the FPP is missing the first part of Reuters reporter Jeff Mason's question, "President Putin, did you want President Trump to win the election?", which apparently the mic didn't pick up while the English translation to Putin's previous answer was going on:
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
For what it's worth, the Washington Post transcript I linked to in the FPP is missing the first part of Reuters reporter Jeff Mason's question, "President Putin, did you want President Trump to win the election?", which apparently the mic didn't pick up while the English translation to Putin's previous answer was going on:
STAFF: (OFF-MIKE)The WaPo still hasn't corrected this, however.
QUESTION: And did you direct any of your officials to help him do that?
PUTIN: (THROUGH TRANSLATOR) Yes, I did. Yes, I did. Because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
Document: Indictment Against Mariia Butina
(lawfareblog)
Looks like she really was an imminent flight risk.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
(lawfareblog)
Looks like she really was an imminent flight risk.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Royal shade: Queen Elizabeth wore a broach given to her by the Obamas on the day Trump arrived in the UK.
posted by carmicha at 3:14 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
posted by carmicha at 3:14 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
Stand Up Republic has a new damning anti-Trump ad out about dictators.
posted by corb at 3:17 PM on July 17, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by corb at 3:17 PM on July 17, 2018 [13 favorites]
Uhhhhhhhh. Bloomberg, Trump Decided Russia Indictments Should Come Pre-Summit, Sources Say
posted by zachlipton at 3:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [37 favorites]
President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead to announce new Russian election-hacking indictments before his meeting with Vladimir Putin rather than after -- in the hopes it would strengthen his hand in the talks, according to accounts from people familiar with the decision.Gave him a choice? WHAT THE FUCK ROD?
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein went to Trump last week and offered him the choice: before or after the Putin summit on Monday in Helsinki? Trump chose before, ultimately putting the issue into the spotlight just 72 hours before the high-stakes meeting, the people said.
...
The episode involved a rare move by Rosenstein, who invoked an exception on national security grounds that allowed him to brief Trump about ongoing grand jury proceedings -- even though Special Counsel Robert Mueller continues to investigate whether anyone close to Trump colluded with Russia and whether the president sought to obstruct the probe.
Rosenstein announced the indictments on Friday. He said then that he “briefed President Trump about these allegations earlier this week. The president is fully aware of the department’s actions.” He didn’t disclose that he’d given Trump a choice on the timing.
posted by zachlipton at 3:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [37 favorites]
Now with a southern accent, killer Putin-Talking-To-Trump impression (sans shirt of course), and with Pa-Paw vocabulary utilization (gawd do I love Trae Crowder, let me count the ways):
...So, I'f you're keeping score at home, your boy has at this point sided with literally Nazis and, then later, the fucking Russians.
So my second question for you is: What would your Pa-Paw say?! If he was here right now what would your Pa-Paw say?
... And I know the sad reality is there's a lot of Pa-Paws in this country right now who are pro-Trump Pa-Paws and you know what? Their sorry-ass Pa-Paws need to go back to fucking Pa-Paw School because I tell you right now real O.G. American Pa-Paws know that you don't fuck with Nazis or the fucking Russian government. What the Fu....RR!
The question you gotta ask yourself is: What kind of Pa-Paw are you gonna be, in the future, for your grandkids?
And that's not a sexist question. It's two-thousand eighteen aight; ladies can be Pa-Paws too so my question stands: What kinda Pa-Paw are you gonna be?
Fuck the Nazis. Fuck Putin. Fuck Donald Trump. Be a better Pa-Paw.
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:29 PM on July 17, 2018 [54 favorites]
...So, I'f you're keeping score at home, your boy has at this point sided with literally Nazis and, then later, the fucking Russians.
So my second question for you is: What would your Pa-Paw say?! If he was here right now what would your Pa-Paw say?
... And I know the sad reality is there's a lot of Pa-Paws in this country right now who are pro-Trump Pa-Paws and you know what? Their sorry-ass Pa-Paws need to go back to fucking Pa-Paw School because I tell you right now real O.G. American Pa-Paws know that you don't fuck with Nazis or the fucking Russian government. What the Fu....RR!
The question you gotta ask yourself is: What kind of Pa-Paw are you gonna be, in the future, for your grandkids?
And that's not a sexist question. It's two-thousand eighteen aight; ladies can be Pa-Paws too so my question stands: What kinda Pa-Paw are you gonna be?
Fuck the Nazis. Fuck Putin. Fuck Donald Trump. Be a better Pa-Paw.
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:29 PM on July 17, 2018 [54 favorites]
I'm not concerned that Rod Rosenstein gave the President the choice of whether to release the indictments before or after the summit, in the name of diplomacy and national security. It reminds me of Mueller's willingness to tell Trump that he's not a "target" of the investigation. These are meaningless concessions that make it less likely for the naïve Trump to fire either Rosenstein or Mueller before the investigation can be completed.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 3:34 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
Goddamnit. I can't help but enjoy Twitter sarcastic Bill Kristol:
"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."posted by T.D. Strange at 3:35 PM on July 17, 2018 [20 favorites]
Clarification by Donald J. Trump: Where he said "will" he meant "won't."
I think its time again to revisit The Madness of King George
posted by robbyrobs at 3:39 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by robbyrobs at 3:39 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
Trump just offered one of the boldest lies of his presidency
Zach Beauchamp | Vox
“Trump on Russia and the 2016 US election: You gonna believe me or your lying ears?”
The entire nation (world?) is getting a crash course in being gaslit. By the most powerful man in the world.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:51 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Zach Beauchamp | Vox
“Trump on Russia and the 2016 US election: You gonna believe me or your lying ears?”
The entire nation (world?) is getting a crash course in being gaslit. By the most powerful man in the world.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:51 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Vanity Fair, Gabe Sherman, “This Was the Nightmare Scenario”: The West Wing Revolts After Trump Embraces Putin
As he flew home from Helsinki on Air Force One following his disastrous press conference with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump reacted with surprise at the horror and outrage that was being expressed by much of the American political world. By the time he landed, the surprise had turned to anger. “He was enraged there was a lack of people out there defending him,” one Republican close to the White House told me. The mood among West Wing advisers was downright funereal. “This was the nightmare scenario,” another Republican in frequent contact with the administration said.posted by zachlipton at 3:53 PM on July 17, 2018 [66 favorites]
...
While National Security Adviser John Bolton, according to a source, thought Trump’s remarks were ill-advised, he believed that walking them back would only add fuel to the outrage pyre and make the president look weak. But Chief of Staff John Kelly was irate. According to a source, he told Trump it would make things worse for him with Robert Mueller. He also exerted pressure to try to get the president to walk back his remarks. According to three sources familiar with the situation, Kelly called around to Republicans on Capitol Hill and gave them the go-ahead to speak out against Trump. (The White House did not respond to a request for comment.) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan held televised press conferences to assert that Russia did meddle in the election.
The weathervanes are swinging. I just got an email from my congressman Leonard Lance (R, NJ-07). Quote: "I am proud to be a cosponsor of the DETER (Defending Elections from Threats by Establishing Redlines) Act. Introduced in the House by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL) and in the Senate by Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), this legislation makes clear to Russia and other countries that there will be severe repercussions for any future interference in our democratic process."
It seems to lay out some mechanisms to monitor federal elections for interference and kick in sanctions after the fact. If there are any proactive measures in the bill, he's not talking about them. He does mention the sanctions Congress passed, like, months ago, the ones that didn't happen, remember those. But he's boasting about how he voted them through.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 3:56 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
It seems to lay out some mechanisms to monitor federal elections for interference and kick in sanctions after the fact. If there are any proactive measures in the bill, he's not talking about them. He does mention the sanctions Congress passed, like, months ago, the ones that didn't happen, remember those. But he's boasting about how he voted them through.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 3:56 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
Stand Up Republic has a new damning anti-Trump ad out about dictators.
This ad desperately needs some text—people aren't going to recognize most of that stuff:
This ad desperately needs some text—people aren't going to recognize most of that stuff:
- Donald Trump praised Iraq's Saddam Hussein
- He praised Turkey's Recep Erdoğan...
- ...whose thugs beat protestors on American soil
- He praised China's killing of students in Tiananmen Square
- He praised North Korea's murderous Kim Jong-Un
- And he's repeatedly praised Vladimir Putin
Samuel Sinyangwe: America is a place where a black man has a greater chance of being arrested for going to Starbucks than a white man who commits treason in front of the entire world.
posted by WordCannon at 4:07 PM on July 17, 2018 [148 favorites]
posted by WordCannon at 4:07 PM on July 17, 2018 [148 favorites]
If the GOP could block Obama from nominating a Supreme Court justice because there wasn't enough time left in his term (or, more realistically, for presidenting while black), surely the Dems can block The Traitor from nominating one because he's not fulfilling his oath to defend the Constitution.
posted by kokaku at 4:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 4:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
From the Salt Lake Tribune, owned by the Huntsman family.
Come home, Ambassador Huntsman, your country needs you
Come home, Ambassador Huntsman, your country needs you
Ambassador Huntsman, you work for a pawn, not a president. It’s time to come home. There is no other reasonable course of action to take after Monday’s disgraceful joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.posted by chris24 at 4:10 PM on July 17, 2018 [58 favorites]
As Utahns, many of us were a bit stunned last year when you accepted the job as U.S. ambassador to Russia, but your explanation made sense: It was a role you took on, much like your tenure in China, out of a deep sense of duty.
But that duty is to your country and the best way now to serve your country is not by holding on to some title and being the emissary of a president who doesn’t share your values, or American values, for that matter.
It’s by resigning immediately and speaking out against a president who attacks our allies, gives comfort to our adversaries and undermines our moral standing, our commitment to democratic ideals and our interest in human rights every time he opens his gaping mouth...
If the GOP could block Obama from nominating a Supreme Court justice because there wasn't enough time left in his term (or, more realistically, for presidenting while black), surely the Dems can block The Traitor from nominating one because he's not fulfilling his oath to defend the Constitution.
Not without being the majority in the Senate, they can't.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:11 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Not without being the majority in the Senate, they can't.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:11 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
Gave him a choice? WHAT THE FUCK ROD?
This seems like the classical method of dealing with toddlers. Instead of giving President Big Boy an opportunity to tell him that he couldn't have his press conference, he got where he needed to be by presenting the forced choice. That's a quality parenting move, right there.
Seriously, who knows what the hell was happening, but I'm going to interpret it this way because SOMEHOW it makes the world seem more sane.
posted by god hates math at 4:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
This seems like the classical method of dealing with toddlers. Instead of giving President Big Boy an opportunity to tell him that he couldn't have his press conference, he got where he needed to be by presenting the forced choice. That's a quality parenting move, right there.
Seriously, who knows what the hell was happening, but I'm going to interpret it this way because SOMEHOW it makes the world seem more sane.
posted by god hates math at 4:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
Not without being the majority in the Senate, they can't.
Yeah, it's not complicated. If you have 51 Senators (or 50+VP) you can do whatever you want. You can prevent a nominee from being heard or you can ram through a nominee against mass opposition.
posted by Justinian at 4:13 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Yeah, it's not complicated. If you have 51 Senators (or 50+VP) you can do whatever you want. You can prevent a nominee from being heard or you can ram through a nominee against mass opposition.
posted by Justinian at 4:13 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Just because the story now is that Trump decided to release the indictments before the summit doesn't mean that actually happened. If he supposedly released the indictments so he could pressure Putin about them during the summit then he would've, y'know, actually pressured Putin about them
posted by kirkaracha at 4:19 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 4:19 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Yeah, it's not complicated. If you have 51 Senators (or 50+VP) you can do whatever you want. You can prevent a nominee from being heard or you can ram through a nominee against mass opposition.
They have 50 which means Democrats can deny quorum but that would be setting off the Tsar Bomba in the Senate.
Also Manchin would never go for it in a million years. (cue TD Strange's rant on conservative Democrats and throwing them all out)
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
They have 50 which means Democrats can deny quorum but that would be setting off the Tsar Bomba in the Senate.
Also Manchin would never go for it in a million years. (cue TD Strange's rant on conservative Democrats and throwing them all out)
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:21 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Jared is trying to duck service on the DNC's hacking lawsuit, including the Secret Service sending the process server away and an attempt by certified mail being returned unaccepted. The DNC is asking for permission to just send him the complaint by normal first class mail.
posted by zachlipton at 4:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [44 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [44 favorites]
Beto goes there. Cruz freaks.
Texas Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz, said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's performance at a summit with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin merits impeachment. And he blasted Cruz for failing to denounce Trump, who shocked U.S. intelligence and law enforcement by taking the former KGB spy chief's word that Russia did not meddle in the 2016 election.posted by chris24 at 4:25 PM on July 17, 2018 [45 favorites]
The Cruz campaign shot back by asserting that O'Rourke's stance on impeachment makes him "so radical and reckless that he is unfit to serve in the U.S. Senate." [...]
"Standing on stage in another country with the leader of another country who wants to and has sought to undermine this country, and to side with him over the United States -- if I were asked to vote on this I would vote to impeach the president," O'Rourke, a three-term congressman from El Paso, said in response to a question from The Dallas Morning News. "Impeachment, much like an indictment, shows that there is enough there for the case to proceed and at this point there is certainly enough there for the case to proceed." [...]
Cruz later retweeted this story and used it to hit his rival. "This partisan extremism may resonate great in Hollywood, but it doesn't reflect the views of the majority of Texans," he wrote.
They have 50 which means Democrats can deny quorum but that would be setting off the Tsar Bomba in the Senate.
And wouldn't actually stop a Supreme Court nomination. It might delay it but it would ultimately fail. See for example this article on Vox about quorums and quorum breaking. Key sentence: "What quorum-breaking is not good for, however, is indefinitely blocking a high-priority measure like a Supreme Court nomination. "
posted by Justinian at 4:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
And wouldn't actually stop a Supreme Court nomination. It might delay it but it would ultimately fail. See for example this article on Vox about quorums and quorum breaking. Key sentence: "What quorum-breaking is not good for, however, is indefinitely blocking a high-priority measure like a Supreme Court nomination. "
posted by Justinian at 4:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
The minority Democrats can't deny quorum quorum all by themselves, even if they refused to show up en masse, but they should keep an eagle eye open for when Republicans don't show. All the Democrats need is a single Senator to issue the quorum challenge if there are less that 50 Senators present.
They also must gum things up with every dilatory motion possible, and refuse unanimous consent for anything, even the motion to adjourn for lunch.
posted by Gelatin at 4:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
They also must gum things up with every dilatory motion possible, and refuse unanimous consent for anything, even the motion to adjourn for lunch.
posted by Gelatin at 4:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [23 favorites]
The minority Democrats can't deny quorum quorum all by themselves,
They can given that McCain is out. Unless they wheel him in on a hospital bed he won't be showing up in the Senate.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:30 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
They can given that McCain is out. Unless they wheel him in on a hospital bed he won't be showing up in the Senate.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:30 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
In light of yesterday's news about the NRA: Many Political Tax-Exempts No Longer Required to Report Donors ( Laura Davison and Bill Allison, Bloomberg.
"Many tax-exempt groups that participate in politics will no longer be required to disclose their donors to the Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Department said.
"The change means that so-called Section 501(c)4 groups, known as “social-welfare” organizations, no longer have to tell the IRS who gave them donations. The groups can be engaged in politics, so long as they don’t spend more than half of their money on campaign advertisements or activities to sway an election. Donors do not have to be disclosed to the public."
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
"Many tax-exempt groups that participate in politics will no longer be required to disclose their donors to the Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Department said.
"The change means that so-called Section 501(c)4 groups, known as “social-welfare” organizations, no longer have to tell the IRS who gave them donations. The groups can be engaged in politics, so long as they don’t spend more than half of their money on campaign advertisements or activities to sway an election. Donors do not have to be disclosed to the public."
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Time: Arizona State Senate Candidate Reveals He Killed His Mother in 1963
A Republican Arizona state Senate candidate is shocking gun control advocates by sharing details about shooting and killing his mother in apparent self-defense more than 50 years ago. [...] Wilson told some of his story at a Moms Demand Action forum in Tucson last week while speaking to the importance of a “good guy with a gun.” He didn’t say the person he killed was his mother.
Bragging about killing your mom to own the libs, normal country stuff.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [124 favorites]
A Republican Arizona state Senate candidate is shocking gun control advocates by sharing details about shooting and killing his mother in apparent self-defense more than 50 years ago. [...] Wilson told some of his story at a Moms Demand Action forum in Tucson last week while speaking to the importance of a “good guy with a gun.” He didn’t say the person he killed was his mother.
Bragging about killing your mom to own the libs, normal country stuff.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [124 favorites]
They can given that McCain is out.
The theory is that because one Democrat has to be present to make a quorum call that would be 51 Senators. The article I linked explains that this might not necessarily be the case. However it also explains that a quorum gambit will not stop the Supreme Court nomination from getting through so it doesnt matter anyway.
posted by Justinian at 4:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
The theory is that because one Democrat has to be present to make a quorum call that would be 51 Senators. The article I linked explains that this might not necessarily be the case. However it also explains that a quorum gambit will not stop the Supreme Court nomination from getting through so it doesnt matter anyway.
posted by Justinian at 4:33 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
There's a live broadcast of the #OccupyLafayettePark protest on Twitter/Periscope.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:37 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 4:37 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Although Trump is clearly under the influence of Putin in some form or other, the likelihood that Paul Erickson is US Person #1 is particularly interesting. Assuming that he is indeed this person, this story emerges in the context of a political party with leaders asserting that “There’s two people I think Putin pays: Rohrabacher and Trump." Although he said he was joking, he must have had some inkling that this statement was on some level true.
I think the the Kremlin are aaaaall up in the NRA and conservative activist organizations and general--Paul Erickson is just the first one we've seen. I expect we'll be seeing a whole lot more links being drawn between Russian governmental agents and Republican party figures, donors, and activists.
In such a context, the Kevin McCarthy/Paul "Keep it in the Family" Ryan exchange is especially damning. If I were they, I'd be wondering just how much putrescence Robert Mueller is about to pull into the light.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 4:41 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
I think the the Kremlin are aaaaall up in the NRA and conservative activist organizations and general--Paul Erickson is just the first one we've seen. I expect we'll be seeing a whole lot more links being drawn between Russian governmental agents and Republican party figures, donors, and activists.
In such a context, the Kevin McCarthy/Paul "Keep it in the Family" Ryan exchange is especially damning. If I were they, I'd be wondering just how much putrescence Robert Mueller is about to pull into the light.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 4:41 PM on July 17, 2018 [11 favorites]
The Senate has the authority under the Constitution to compel attendance if there’s not a quorum (Article I section 5)
The relevant Senate rule (Rule VI) is pretty mild:
The relevant Senate rule (Rule VI) is pretty mild:
Whenever upon such roll call it shall be ascertained that a quorum is not present, a majority of the Senators present may direct the Sergeant at Arms to request, and, when necessary, to compel the attendance of the absent Senators, which order shall be determined without debate; [and they can’t do anything else without a quorum]posted by Huffy Puffy at 4:42 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
It doesn't sound like Trump's attempt to clean this up is going to fly with anybody except the Fox News sycophants.
Yeah, but that's a lot of people. Here are the talking points I heard repeated by a cop in my liberal college town:
1. The U.S. is no different than Russia. The U.S. fixes elections.
2. Our intelligence community lies. The Iraq war was plot.
As far as I'm concerned this is a really astounding and very dangerous development. Law and order worshiping, flag waving Republicans now believe the government and law enforcement agencies are our enemy because Trump says so without missing a beat. A good portion of United States citizens will believe it's raining when it's sunny out, enough to paralyze any action that could be taken against Russia or Trump.
And what's even stranger is they've taken liberal talking points and pushed them to their extreme. Liberals are fully aware that the U.S. has fixed elections, but most of us still believe there is a difference between the United States and authoritarian regimes, at least in our worldwide intentions. Many of us believe the books were cooked in regards to the Iraq war, but few of us think it was to purposefully mire the U.S. in a pointless war.
posted by xammerboy at 4:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [22 favorites]
Yeah, but that's a lot of people. Here are the talking points I heard repeated by a cop in my liberal college town:
1. The U.S. is no different than Russia. The U.S. fixes elections.
2. Our intelligence community lies. The Iraq war was plot.
As far as I'm concerned this is a really astounding and very dangerous development. Law and order worshiping, flag waving Republicans now believe the government and law enforcement agencies are our enemy because Trump says so without missing a beat. A good portion of United States citizens will believe it's raining when it's sunny out, enough to paralyze any action that could be taken against Russia or Trump.
And what's even stranger is they've taken liberal talking points and pushed them to their extreme. Liberals are fully aware that the U.S. has fixed elections, but most of us still believe there is a difference between the United States and authoritarian regimes, at least in our worldwide intentions. Many of us believe the books were cooked in regards to the Iraq war, but few of us think it was to purposefully mire the U.S. in a pointless war.
posted by xammerboy at 4:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [22 favorites]
Reveal: Immigrant kids held in second Phoenix office seen bathing in sinks
With footage of children as young as 5 being taken into the another office building by defense contractors. Wherever the GOP weathervane might supposedly be pointing, it's not toward human decency.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
With footage of children as young as 5 being taken into the another office building by defense contractors. Wherever the GOP weathervane might supposedly be pointing, it's not toward human decency.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [36 favorites]
This was ‘not’ what Trump meant to say (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
What he is trying to say is he meant to say something different, or rather, he wished he had said something different, because people are yelling at him now.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:03 PM on July 17, 2018 [25 favorites]
This happens to the best of us, he is sure you understand. This often happens. “Not” is such a small word. Who among us has not forgotten to use the word “no” or “not” at a critical time? Who among us has not shouted “I OBJECT!” at a wedding when they meant “I DON’T OBJECT!” or “Please murder my spouse” when you meant “Please do NOT murder my spouse!” or “Please, hack the DNC and see if you can leak Hillary Clinton’s emails, Russia!” which maybe should have included a “not”? It can be so easy to forget a “not” at a crucial time, for instance in the sentence “I love you” or “It is possible that there were very fine people on both sides here in Charlottesville.”
In Trump’s view, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” was missing a “not,” as of course was President Ronald Reagan’s description of the Soviet Union as an “evil empire.” The point is, these are subtle distinctions that are easy to get lost.
The good news is you can just stick it in later when you remember, and people will accept instantly that that is what you meant. I am not saying that sticking a belated “not” at the end is not a genius move, but this was literally suggested by a humor expert in the movie “Borat,” so.
yesterday's news about the NRA: Many Political Tax-Exempts No Longer Required to Report Donors
As a practical matter, this doesn't really change anything. A 501(c)(4) currently must file annually with the IRS a Form 990 and also attach a Schedule B that lists the names and addresses of the donors. But only Form 990 is available for viewing by the public. The Schedule B with the donor list is squirreled away at the IRS, never to be seen again.
The new ruling just does away with the Schedule B which the public never gets to see anyway. And the IRS doesn't do anything with the Schedule B unless it is somehow related to some other fraud involving donors. So this ruling to get rid of a secret Schedule B doesn't really change much of anything.
The 501(c)(4) organization is intended to be used for civic uses such as rotary clubs, little league teams, veterans groups, etc. But a loophole allows 50% of money to be used for political purposes, such as the NRA. Political activists want to have it both ways -- use a civic organization to do politics but at the same time do politicking anonymously. This is not the original intent of the 501(c)(4).
This is the reason that 501(c)(4) organizations have become the preferred mechanism for laundering millions of dollars anonymously to political causes. The only fix is to completely ban 501(c)(4) organizations from any political activity, forcing all political donations to go to 527 groups or PACs that do require disclosure of donors.
posted by JackFlash at 5:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
As a practical matter, this doesn't really change anything. A 501(c)(4) currently must file annually with the IRS a Form 990 and also attach a Schedule B that lists the names and addresses of the donors. But only Form 990 is available for viewing by the public. The Schedule B with the donor list is squirreled away at the IRS, never to be seen again.
The new ruling just does away with the Schedule B which the public never gets to see anyway. And the IRS doesn't do anything with the Schedule B unless it is somehow related to some other fraud involving donors. So this ruling to get rid of a secret Schedule B doesn't really change much of anything.
The 501(c)(4) organization is intended to be used for civic uses such as rotary clubs, little league teams, veterans groups, etc. But a loophole allows 50% of money to be used for political purposes, such as the NRA. Political activists want to have it both ways -- use a civic organization to do politics but at the same time do politicking anonymously. This is not the original intent of the 501(c)(4).
This is the reason that 501(c)(4) organizations have become the preferred mechanism for laundering millions of dollars anonymously to political causes. The only fix is to completely ban 501(c)(4) organizations from any political activity, forcing all political donations to go to 527 groups or PACs that do require disclosure of donors.
posted by JackFlash at 5:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [34 favorites]
As an addendum, there are different disclosure rules for 501(c)(3) charities. A private foundation, such as the Trump foundation is required to provide its Schedule B list of donors to the public. This is to prevent the sort of financial shenanigans that were revealed for the Trump Foundation that are all to common with private foundations.
On the other hand public charities such as the Clinton Foundation are allowed to have anonymous donors and are not required to file a Schedule B of donors. But in a concession to full transparency, the Clinton foundation does publish on their web site a list of major donors voluntarily. No good deed goes unpunished as the NYT and WaPo rooted through that list to suggest completely unfounded improprieties.
posted by JackFlash at 5:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
On the other hand public charities such as the Clinton Foundation are allowed to have anonymous donors and are not required to file a Schedule B of donors. But in a concession to full transparency, the Clinton foundation does publish on their web site a list of major donors voluntarily. No good deed goes unpunished as the NYT and WaPo rooted through that list to suggest completely unfounded improprieties.
posted by JackFlash at 5:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
I'm not sure the "would"/"wouldn't" switcharoo really fits with the rest of the stuff he said. From the transcript:
1) He equates Putin's opinion with Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and the consensus of the US intelligence community, but makes Putin's statement more definitive: "they think it's Russia" vs. "he just said it's not Russia."
2) He says "I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be" and brings up the server again.
3) He equates Putin and the US intelligence community again: "I have confidence in both parties."
4) More blabbing about the server.
5) He equates Putin and the US intelligence community again, "but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today."
He continually equates Putin with US intelligence but finishes two statements that show he thinks Putin's position is stronger. It's much more likely when he said " I don't see any reason why it would be" he said what he meant to say.
I know, context and logic. I blame myself.
posted by kirkaracha at 5:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
[Jonathan Lemire from the AP:] Just now, President Putin denied having anything to do with the election interference in 2016. Every U.S. intelligence agency has concluded that Russia did.He spends way more time blabbing about the DNC server than he does answering the question. When he actually does address the question:
What -- who -- my first question for you, sir, is who do you believe?
My second question is would you now, with the whole world watching, tell President Putin, would you denounce what happened in 2016 and would you warn him to never do it again?
[Four paragraphs about the DNC server]
TRUMP: With that being said, all I can do is ask the question. My people came to me, Dan Coats came to me and some others, they said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin; he just said it's not Russia.
I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be. But I really do want to see the server.
But I have -- I have confidence in both parties. I -- I really believe that this will probably go on for a while, but I don't think it can go on without finding out what happened to the server. [More server stuff]
So I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.
1) He equates Putin's opinion with Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and the consensus of the US intelligence community, but makes Putin's statement more definitive: "they think it's Russia" vs. "he just said it's not Russia."
2) He says "I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be" and brings up the server again.
3) He equates Putin and the US intelligence community again: "I have confidence in both parties."
4) More blabbing about the server.
5) He equates Putin and the US intelligence community again, "but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today."
He continually equates Putin with US intelligence but finishes two statements that show he thinks Putin's position is stronger. It's much more likely when he said " I don't see any reason why it would be" he said what he meant to say.
I know, context and logic. I blame myself.
posted by kirkaracha at 5:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
By the fucking way, Trump supposedly decided to announce that we indicted 12 Russian officials for intervening in the election the day before the summit. So instead of saying, "all I can do is ask the question," something like "we know they did, we just indicted a dozen guys" would've been better.
posted by kirkaracha at 5:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 5:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
$10 bucks says that soccer ball is bugged.
Also: I wonder if Mueller has grounds to supoena those translators in the closed door meeting? Obviously it would have to be relevant to the investigation, but then again, we are in the land of uncharted territory that is shitstorming with a chance of WTF.
posted by floweredfish at 5:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also: I wonder if Mueller has grounds to supoena those translators in the closed door meeting? Obviously it would have to be relevant to the investigation, but then again, we are in the land of uncharted territory that is shitstorming with a chance of WTF.
posted by floweredfish at 5:55 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
In contrast to his usual practice of referring to other national leaders by their first names, during the joint press conference he only says "the president" or "President Putin." Don't wanna disrespect the boss.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 6:02 PM on July 17, 2018 [26 favorites]
Hey everybody, I just got back from the #OccupyLafayettePark rally protesting Trump's behavior at the Treason Summit. Did anybody else go? Pretty good turnout. Avenatti could have been more of a firebrand, but I liked how he talked about the importance of independence as an American value. There was also a lot of very cathartic chanting. Here's a pic I took right before the first speaker.
posted by rue72 at 6:04 PM on July 17, 2018 [55 favorites]
posted by rue72 at 6:04 PM on July 17, 2018 [55 favorites]
Gee, what a surprise. CNN: Cambridge Analytica's Facebook data was accessed from Russia, MP says
The now infamous Facebook data set on tens of millions of Americans gathered by a Cambridge University scientist for a firm that went on to work for Donald Trump's 2016 campaign was accessed from Russia, a British member of parliament tells CNN.posted by FelliniBlank at 6:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [24 favorites]
Damian Collins, the Conservative MP leading a British parliamentary investigation into online disinformation, told CNN that a British investigation found evidence that the data, collected by Professor Aleksandr Kogan on behalf of Cambridge Analytica, had been accessed from Russia and other countries. The discovery was made by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Britain's data protection authority, Collins said.
WaPo, ‘She was like a novelty’: How alleged Russian agent Maria Butina gained access to elite conservative circles. There's a lot in here, but I think the most notable (and the most likely to lead to Republicans mounting a "this is a setup, why didn't you stop her?" campaign) is that the FBI has been keeping an eye on her since she came to the US on a student visa in August 2016:
posted by zachlipton at 6:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [41 favorites]
But by August 2016, when she moved to the U.S. on a student visa, the FBI was watching, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.She really wasn't very subtle, was she?
Rather than question or confront her, they said, officials decided to track her movements to determine whom she was meeting and what she was doing in the U.S. — the kind of monitoring that is not uncommon when foreign nationals are suspected of working on behalf of a foreign government.
By then, Butina had already publicly quizzed Trump about his views on Russia and briefly met his eldest son at an NRA convention. After the FBI began monitoring her, Butina attended a ball at Trump’s inauguration and tried to arrange a meeting between him and a senior Russian government official at last year’s annual National Prayer Breakfast.
By 2017, after she had enrolled as a graduate student at American University in Washington, Butina began probing groups on the left as well, trying unsuccessfully to interview a D.C.-based civil rights group about its cyber-vulnerabilities for what she said was a school project, according to a person familiar with her outreach.
On Sunday, alerted that she was preparing to leave Washington for South Dakota, where monitoring her would be more difficult, federal authorities arrested Butina.
...
As scrutiny grew of Russian actions during the campaign, Butina’s work in her role as a graduate student at American University attracted notice as well. She sparked alarm at one Washington-area civil rights group in June 2017, when she asked to interview the group’s director about its vulnerability to cyberattacks for a school project.
“It was incredibly suspect activity,” said Jon Steinman, co-founder of CyberHill, a cybersecurity firm that consulted with the group. Steinman said he immediately contacted the FBI and was interviewed about the episode at length in January.
Driscoll, Butina’s attorney, said the inquiry was not surprising given that she was enrolled in a cybersecurity program. An American University spokesman confirmed that Butina graduated with a master’s degree in May but otherwise declined to comment.
posted by zachlipton at 6:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [41 favorites]
North Carolina Republicans’ Latest Judicial Power Grab May Have Backfired Spectacularly
Up to this point, the Republican scheme was going as planned. But in June, everything fell apart. Shortly before the registration deadline, a 32-year-old Raleigh attorney named Chris Anglin jumped into the state Supreme Court contest—as a Republican. Anglin was a registered Democrat until June 7, just before he entered the race. He insists that he is not a Democratic plant, instead declaring himself a “constitutional Republican” running to “stand up for the independence of the judiciary.” Anglin also implied that he was running to protest the GOP’s cancellation of judicial primaries, which he considered an assault on “the judiciary as a coequal branch of government.” He has hired a Democratic strategist, Perry Woods, to run his campaign.posted by T.D. Strange at 6:15 PM on July 17, 2018 [52 favorites]
North Carolina GOP executive director Dallas Woodhouse has already called Anglin “the enemy,” seemingly acknowledging that there is a very good chance he will siphon votes from Jackson, the Republican incumbent. (It certainly sounds like Anglin is, at the least, an irritated Democrat who decided to exploit Republicans’ manipulations for liberal gains.) If he does split the GOP vote, then Earls—an unapologetic progressive and civil rights attorney—will have an easier time winning the seat, giving Democrats a 5–2 majority on the state Supreme Court. And Republicans’ endless intrigue will have backfired.
There is, alas, still time before the November election for Republican legislators to pass another law targeting Earls—a new rule that no one named “Anita” may appear on the ballot would not be surprising given the GOP’s increasing lack of subtlety. But for now, it appears that Earls has a better shot than ever at winning. If Republicans hadn’t intervened, Jackson might have coasted to reelection on incumbency advantage alone. Now her seat is in serious jeopardy. And if she loses to Earls, Republicans will have only their own buffoonery to blame.
There is, alas, still time before the November election for Republican legislators to pass another law targeting Earls
I fail to see how a law changing the eligibility requirements after someone has declared and after the registration deadline has passed would not be illegally ex post facto. Is that only applicable to criminal statutes?
posted by Justinian at 6:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
I fail to see how a law changing the eligibility requirements after someone has declared and after the registration deadline has passed would not be illegally ex post facto. Is that only applicable to criminal statutes?
posted by Justinian at 6:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Unwinding of Donald Trump
David Remnick | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
David Remnick | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
All of these “now we’ll see who in the Republican Party...” takes are already dated. Trump could shit his pants on camera and smear it all over himself while moaning incoherently and half these people would blame it on how mean the press is and the other half would insist it was actually a Churchillian feat of statescraft.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:39 PM on July 17, 2018 [56 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:39 PM on July 17, 2018 [56 favorites]
I liked this line from Nate Silver yesterday:
If you always predict that this isn't the straw that will break the camel's back, you'll almost always be right but will also always miss when the straw breaks the camel's back.
posted by diogenes at 6:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
If you always predict that this isn't the straw that will break the camel's back, you'll almost always be right but will also always miss when the straw breaks the camel's back.
posted by diogenes at 6:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
Yes, the federal ex post facto clause applies (according to precedent dating to 1798) only to criminal statutes. There is some ongoing originalist opposition to this reading, but it is generally considered settled law -- AFAIK Thomas is the only current justice to have gone on record opposing it.
That said, there might be a number of other state or federal constitutional issues with a state legislature seeking to intervene in an ongoing judicial race.
posted by shenderson at 6:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
That said, there might be a number of other state or federal constitutional issues with a state legislature seeking to intervene in an ongoing judicial race.
posted by shenderson at 6:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Last night, Rachel Maddow reported that Manafort's VA trial got postponed so that it will now start next Monday
And today, Judge Ellis denied Manafort's request to move it from (comparatively liberal) Alexandria to (more conservative) Roanoke. At this point, I've stopped counting how many of Manafort's court requests have been turned down, but his lawyers have yet to mount a successful significant challenge to Mueller's team.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [13 favorites]
And today, Judge Ellis denied Manafort's request to move it from (comparatively liberal) Alexandria to (more conservative) Roanoke. At this point, I've stopped counting how many of Manafort's court requests have been turned down, but his lawyers have yet to mount a successful significant challenge to Mueller's team.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [13 favorites]
@Comey: This Republican Congress has proven incapable of fulfilling the Founders’ design that “Ambition must ... counteract ambition.” All who believe in this country’s values must vote for Democrats this fall. Policy differences don’t matter right now. History has its eyes on us.
Dude...You're a material witness who needs to be able to say that you're acting without partisanship, and everyone in the country hates you, so you're really really really not helping. Please shut up. When we need you to take an oath and recount stuff you saw, we'll call you.
posted by zachlipton at 7:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [70 favorites]
Dude...You're a material witness who needs to be able to say that you're acting without partisanship, and everyone in the country hates you, so you're really really really not helping. Please shut up. When we need you to take an oath and recount stuff you saw, we'll call you.
posted by zachlipton at 7:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [70 favorites]
He can't shut the fuck up. All Comey had to do to avoid this future was shut the fuck up and follow the fucking DOJ rules. All he has to do now to play his part in mitigating whatever is still possible to salvage is shut the fuck up. The Resistance doesn't need you Jim Comey. You can't help here, you've fucking done enough already. Shut up.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [83 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [83 favorites]
Staff no doubt scurrying about, setting up a red hat rally for Donny.
posted by davebush at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by davebush at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
I can't remember the exact thread and I am in too much overall incapacitating misery to find it right now, but in the lead up to the election, on the day of the Comey letter, one Mefite was having a bit of a meltdown asking why he felt the need to sabotage the election and ruin everything and why did he do it, and many other Mefites told them to calm the fuck down, no one even cares about shit like the Comey letter, but it turned out that person was right and everyone else was wrong, and I feel like we owe that person an apology, and I think about that almost every day. And I will never ever forgive Comey under any circumstances whatsoever, and I find this resolve strengthening every single time he goes on Twitter and opens his sanctimonious yapper.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
posted by the turtle's teeth at 7:23 PM on July 17, 2018 [50 favorites]
one Mefite was having a bit of a meltdown
Like I don't know that this was me? But it seems like it probably was? From this description?
posted by Justinian at 7:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [83 favorites]
Like I don't know that this was me? But it seems like it probably was? From this description?
posted by Justinian at 7:24 PM on July 17, 2018 [83 favorites]
odinsdream: I nope'd out of that Facebook group idea just reading the front page description. I am a trans woman, I am a socialist, and I am under fucking direct attack. I am *way way* beyond this "talk it out" civility bullshit
I replied to odinsdream privately, and for the record I'm saying to y'all too, yes this group is about civility to assholes on the other side. My ask, and I apologize I should have been clearer before, is not directed at White marginalized folks who are directly under attack and fighting for their lives. It's also NOT about asking anybody to be civil to assholes on the other side. That's what the group is about, but there's nothing forcing members to participate in that.
My ask is to White normative folks, whose energy is not occupied with survival on multiple levels (including financial). To those folks, please consider joining, to practice talking persuasively about racial issues and Whiteness, to White-centric liberals who hate Trump.
This group is young enough that I'm hoping I can help build justice into it. I have raised trans rights with leadership (got no pushback, got abstract agreement, got acknowledgement that they're just realizing as a result of my questions that they're the problem. It's a start). I will keep pushing leadership about how they and their membership can prioritize, in specific concrete policy, fighting for marginalized peoples, people who are trans especially. If I hit a wall on trans rights, disability rights, etc, all that MeFites have taught me about things that I have privilege on cuz I'm cishet, abled, femme, thin, and neurotypical, I will tell them (politely, cuz that's me) to fuck off and exactly how they are driving me away.
Right now, I am in a position to influence policy about these matters. But policy will be less effective, and more work for woke PoC like me, if the In Denial White People heavily outnumber the Woke White People. So I am asking White cishet normatives, who feel like their mindset and blood pressure are ok with this, to consider joining. To set a higher standard about how to be and talk White, for White cishet normatives on OUR side.
Thanks to you who've MeMailed me. Something I learned from MeMail: you have to take a quiz to join that asks, eg, "Do you think people who support Trump are worthy of respect and have something to bring to the conversation?" I joined the group before they instituted the quiz. But I've been talking to White people about Whiteness, and to men about sexism, for about 20 years and I always act like I respect them. Like I think they have something to bring to the conversation, even though internally I'm often rolling my eyes like Tracy Ullman's Angele Merkel. It's a hoop I have to jump through for them to be willing to hear me. If you're willing to give this a try, maybe think of it like that? Anyway, if you join because of my ask, that question is irrelevant because you'll be focusing on White-centric, Trump-hatin' progressives.
Obviously you'd be role modelling pushing for trans, LGBQA, disability, neuroatypical, etc rights, too, but Whiteness is the thing I have repeatedly witnessed being a major problem.And I can't tackle Whiteness by myself without these White people on OUR side making me a target of their tears and defensiveness. That's what I need you for. I can push for trans, etc, rights more effectively because I'm cishet, abled, neurotypical, femme, thin, all that.
Again, MeMail me any questions or concerns or feedback.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 7:28 PM on July 17, 2018 [24 favorites]
I replied to odinsdream privately, and for the record I'm saying to y'all too, yes this group is about civility to assholes on the other side. My ask, and I apologize I should have been clearer before, is not directed at White marginalized folks who are directly under attack and fighting for their lives. It's also NOT about asking anybody to be civil to assholes on the other side. That's what the group is about, but there's nothing forcing members to participate in that.
My ask is to White normative folks, whose energy is not occupied with survival on multiple levels (including financial). To those folks, please consider joining, to practice talking persuasively about racial issues and Whiteness, to White-centric liberals who hate Trump.
This group is young enough that I'm hoping I can help build justice into it. I have raised trans rights with leadership (got no pushback, got abstract agreement, got acknowledgement that they're just realizing as a result of my questions that they're the problem. It's a start). I will keep pushing leadership about how they and their membership can prioritize, in specific concrete policy, fighting for marginalized peoples, people who are trans especially. If I hit a wall on trans rights, disability rights, etc, all that MeFites have taught me about things that I have privilege on cuz I'm cishet, abled, femme, thin, and neurotypical, I will tell them (politely, cuz that's me) to fuck off and exactly how they are driving me away.
Right now, I am in a position to influence policy about these matters. But policy will be less effective, and more work for woke PoC like me, if the In Denial White People heavily outnumber the Woke White People. So I am asking White cishet normatives, who feel like their mindset and blood pressure are ok with this, to consider joining. To set a higher standard about how to be and talk White, for White cishet normatives on OUR side.
Thanks to you who've MeMailed me. Something I learned from MeMail: you have to take a quiz to join that asks, eg, "Do you think people who support Trump are worthy of respect and have something to bring to the conversation?" I joined the group before they instituted the quiz. But I've been talking to White people about Whiteness, and to men about sexism, for about 20 years and I always act like I respect them. Like I think they have something to bring to the conversation, even though internally I'm often rolling my eyes like Tracy Ullman's Angele Merkel. It's a hoop I have to jump through for them to be willing to hear me. If you're willing to give this a try, maybe think of it like that? Anyway, if you join because of my ask, that question is irrelevant because you'll be focusing on White-centric, Trump-hatin' progressives.
Obviously you'd be role modelling pushing for trans, LGBQA, disability, neuroatypical, etc rights, too, but Whiteness is the thing I have repeatedly witnessed being a major problem.And I can't tackle Whiteness by myself without these White people on OUR side making me a target of their tears and defensiveness. That's what I need you for. I can push for trans, etc, rights more effectively because I'm cishet, abled, neurotypical, femme, thin, all that.
Again, MeMail me any questions or concerns or feedback.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 7:28 PM on July 17, 2018 [24 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 House:
-- OH-12 special: Dave Weigel race profile.
-- Odds & ends:
** 2018 House:
-- CA-48: (mentioned earlier) Monmouth poll has Dem challenger Rouda leading GOP incumbent Rohrabacher in each of their three turnout models:** 2018 Senate: WV: Convicted killer Don Blankenship apparently has the signatures to get on the general election ballot under the Constitution Party banner. Still unclear if he will be able to avoid the state's "sore loser" law.potential voters: Rouda up 46-43-- More on very impressive Dem fundraising in 2Q. Plus detailed roundup on race totals.
midterm turnout: Rouda up 47-45
Dem surge: Rouda up 48-44
-- OH-12 special: Dave Weigel race profile.
-- Odds & ends:
-- NY gov: Zogby poll has Cuomo leading Nixon 63-22 for the Dem nomination. [MOE +/- 3.7%]. Cuomo easily leads various general election configurations, including if Nixon runs on the WFP ticket.posted by Chrysostom at 7:32 PM on July 17, 2018 [27 favorites]
-- New governor race ratings from Governing. NH/MD/AL move right, IA/OH/PA/AZ move left.
The New Yorker article linked to above (and again) written by David Remnick is a worth while read in its clarity.
Speaking from the White House Cabinet Room on Tuesday, Trump tried to take his listeners for fools as he explained that he had merely been misunderstood by the press. This was one of the most shameless walk-back attempts in the history of the American Presidency. Reading from prepared notes, which always lends to his delivery a hostage-like cadence, Trump tried to half-apologize to the American intelligence community for equating its analysis with that of Putin and the F.S.B. And, with that, the lights suddenly went out. ...
Trump’s incredible journey to Europe was an act contrary to the interests of his country. Now we will see who, particularly in the Republican Party, will stand up not to applaud the Great Leader but to find the capacity to say what is obvious and what is true.
Indeed, who in the Republican Party?
posted by bluesky43 at 7:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
Speaking from the White House Cabinet Room on Tuesday, Trump tried to take his listeners for fools as he explained that he had merely been misunderstood by the press. This was one of the most shameless walk-back attempts in the history of the American Presidency. Reading from prepared notes, which always lends to his delivery a hostage-like cadence, Trump tried to half-apologize to the American intelligence community for equating its analysis with that of Putin and the F.S.B. And, with that, the lights suddenly went out. ...
Trump’s incredible journey to Europe was an act contrary to the interests of his country. Now we will see who, particularly in the Republican Party, will stand up not to applaud the Great Leader but to find the capacity to say what is obvious and what is true.
Indeed, who in the Republican Party?
posted by bluesky43 at 7:36 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
This sad, embarrassing wreck of a man (George Will, WaPo)
You know what's infuriating? Watching Will, the late Charles Krauthammer, Andrew Sullivan and other old media conservative commentators twist themselves into knots to deny that their decades of genial country club fascism isn't directly responsible for leading us to this precipice.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [139 favorites]
You know what's infuriating? Watching Will, the late Charles Krauthammer, Andrew Sullivan and other old media conservative commentators twist themselves into knots to deny that their decades of genial country club fascism isn't directly responsible for leading us to this precipice.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [139 favorites]
Everything Tillerson told Trump not to do (and I assume he had the backing of the Russian government) Trump did anyway. He was a failure as an installation. Since his former boss hates him and his handlers find him incompetent, why wouldn't he spill every last bean to Mueller?
I assume Mueller still has a lot of evidence under wraps that he's working to put into incontrovertible packages and which we know nothing of, because, well, he's running a tight ship and that's been his MO so far. I would bet a significant sum of money and/or a cake that he already has some pretty shocking testimony from Tillerson.
posted by jackbishop at 7:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
I assume Mueller still has a lot of evidence under wraps that he's working to put into incontrovertible packages and which we know nothing of, because, well, he's running a tight ship and that's been his MO so far. I would bet a significant sum of money and/or a cake that he already has some pretty shocking testimony from Tillerson.
posted by jackbishop at 7:46 PM on July 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
GOP Leaders Move Goalposts On Opposing Trump To Him Being Filmed Masturbating On U.S. Flag In Arlington Cemetery (Onion)
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 7:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [30 favorites]
Ye gods, I feel for the Onion, trying to do satire in this timeline. Me, I'm trying to figure out how to get to the timeline where Jimmy Carter won a second term, Margaret thatcher was hit by a bus in grade school, and kissinger was tried and convicted at Den Hauge. I'm pretty sure that's the timeline with fully automated luxury gay space communism.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 8:07 PM on July 17, 2018 [42 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 8:07 PM on July 17, 2018 [42 favorites]
Trump, egged on by Tucker Carlson [video] to bash NATO, says that the people of Montenegro are "very aggressive people" and "they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War III."
In unrelated news, Seattle Police Department investigating string of dumpster fires
posted by zachlipton at 8:09 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
In unrelated news, Seattle Police Department investigating string of dumpster fires
posted by zachlipton at 8:09 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Didn't Crowley withdraw and say he wasn't running on Twitter?
Joe Lieberman is a pile of garbage who likes taking the Democratic Party down from within like it's his job, so I wouldn't trust him in this issue.
posted by Anonymous at 8:13 PM on July 17, 2018
Joe Lieberman is a pile of garbage who likes taking the Democratic Party down from within like it's his job, so I wouldn't trust him in this issue.
posted by Anonymous at 8:13 PM on July 17, 2018
> Joe Lieberman endorses Joe Crowley over Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. What's up with this? Is Crowley really going to try to win this?
Sore loser game respect sore loser game.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Sore loser game respect sore loser game.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:18 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
We've talked about this. New York makes it very difficult to get off the ballot, and the WFP has him on there. Unless I see some actual evidence that Crowley is really campaigning, I don't think there is any factual basis.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:20 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:20 PM on July 17, 2018 [14 favorites]
Trump, egged on by Tucker Carlson [video] to bash NATO, says that the people of Montenegro are "very aggressive people" and "they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War III."
That's a dead link, but there's a long writeup of the interview here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5964479/Trump-refuses-call-Russia-adversary-blasts-Brennan-bad-guy-Fox-interview.html
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
That's a dead link, but there's a long writeup of the interview here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5964479/Trump-refuses-call-Russia-adversary-blasts-Brennan-bad-guy-Fox-interview.html
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Trump, egged on by Tucker Carlson [video] to bash NATO, says that the people of Montenegro are "very aggressive people" and "they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War III."
A) Needs [real/fake] tag.
B) Them's fightin' words. As Jay Gatsby said:
A) Needs [real/fake] tag.
B) Them's fightin' words. As Jay Gatsby said:
"I was promoted to be a major, and every Allied government gave me a decoration — even Montenegro, little Montenegro down on the Adriatic Sea!"posted by FelliniBlank at 8:26 PM on July 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
Little Montenegro! He lifted up the words and nodded at them — with his smile. The smile comprehended Montenegro’s troubled history and sympathized with the brave struggles of the Montenegrin people. It appreciated fully the chain of national circumstances which had elicited this tribute from Montenegro’s warm little heart.
> New York makes it very difficult to get off the ballot
Is switching his residency not enough? And does he not have a working phone? I'm not saying he wants to run against AOC, but I do feel like he's hanging out there making it look like he's powerless so that he can keep his options open.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is switching his residency not enough? And does he not have a working phone? I'm not saying he wants to run against AOC, but I do feel like he's hanging out there making it look like he's powerless so that he can keep his options open.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:27 PM on July 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is switching his residency not enough?
He'd have to move out of state.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:35 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
He'd have to move out of state.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:35 PM on July 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
A) Needs [real/fake] tag.
Real, all too real. Here's a series of clips from the interview. They're all horrible.
@atrupar .@TuckerCarlson is airing his Helsinki interview with President Trump in just a few minutes. Follow me for a video thread.
posted by scalefree at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Real, all too real. Here's a series of clips from the interview. They're all horrible.
@atrupar .@TuckerCarlson is airing his Helsinki interview with President Trump in just a few minutes. Follow me for a video thread.
posted by scalefree at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
Replacement Montenegro-bashing video link.
Montenegro aside, the real purpose of this is to make it clear to our NATO allies, and Russia, that Trump has no interest in honoring our commitments if they ever should need us.
posted by zachlipton at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Montenegro aside, the real purpose of this is to make it clear to our NATO allies, and Russia, that Trump has no interest in honoring our commitments if they ever should need us.
posted by zachlipton at 8:38 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Also, hasn't Putin been messing with Montenegro lately? Wonder who mentioned their "aggression" to Trump.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:43 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
On Tucker Carlson just now, Carlson, engaged in a crude pantomime of a thoughtful man, pointed out that Article V requires the other NATO members to come to the defense of any member under attack. Quoth Tucker: “Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack? Why should my son die for Montenegro?” And then Trump wheezes something in response about his thoughts exactly plus, “Montenegro is full of very aggressive people.”
There are many asinine aspects to their conversation but I feel like it bears pointing out that in 2016, Russia actually tried to enact a coup in Montenegro - like a real coup, with grenades and guns and such. This was rather under reported in the Western media but it is very much true.
Of course, it’s not just Montenegro - there’s stuff going on in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia, too, but given he specifically mentioned Montenegro, I thought it was worth mentioning.
posted by Aubergine at 8:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [90 favorites]
There are many asinine aspects to their conversation but I feel like it bears pointing out that in 2016, Russia actually tried to enact a coup in Montenegro - like a real coup, with grenades and guns and such. This was rather under reported in the Western media but it is very much true.
Of course, it’s not just Montenegro - there’s stuff going on in Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia and Macedonia, too, but given he specifically mentioned Montenegro, I thought it was worth mentioning.
posted by Aubergine at 8:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [90 favorites]
Unless I see some actual evidence that Crowley is really campaigning, I don't think there is any factual basis.
Joe Lieberman's endorsement is evidence that Crowley is campaigning. A seasoned campaigner like Lieberman is very unlikely to waste his media access by endorsing a defunct campaign. He probably reached out to Crowley – or Crowley to him before contacting the WSJ. If Crowley didn't welcome the endorsement then he has an easy remedy: he can ask the WSJ to print a statement saying that he declines Lieberman's support, that he hopes AOC wins and that he doesn't want people to vote for him.
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:53 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Joe Lieberman's endorsement is evidence that Crowley is campaigning. A seasoned campaigner like Lieberman is very unlikely to waste his media access by endorsing a defunct campaign. He probably reached out to Crowley – or Crowley to him before contacting the WSJ. If Crowley didn't welcome the endorsement then he has an easy remedy: he can ask the WSJ to print a statement saying that he declines Lieberman's support, that he hopes AOC wins and that he doesn't want people to vote for him.
posted by Joe in Australia at 8:53 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
Lieberman II. Good fucking god, here’s hoping that shit gets put down.
posted by Artw at 9:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 9:00 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
I sincerely doubt there is any statement so dipshitty for Joe Lieberman could make that would jeopardize his media access. There's always a market for his Sensible Centrism horseshit.
Again, show me actual evidence of Crowley campaigning. Are there phone calls to voters, is there canvassing, is he holding campaign events, is he even doing anything on social media? If I see that, I'm happy to call him a backstabbing jerk. Until then, I'm not going to.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Again, show me actual evidence of Crowley campaigning. Are there phone calls to voters, is there canvassing, is he holding campaign events, is he even doing anything on social media? If I see that, I'm happy to call him a backstabbing jerk. Until then, I'm not going to.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 PM on July 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Carlson, engaged in a crude pantomime of a thoughtful man
Thank you so much for this, it's exactly the description of Tucker Carlson's shtick I've been fumbling for every time I see his weird squinty mugging. It's like a cargo cult imitation of an intellectually engaged interviewer.
posted by contraption at 9:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
Thank you so much for this, it's exactly the description of Tucker Carlson's shtick I've been fumbling for every time I see his weird squinty mugging. It's like a cargo cult imitation of an intellectually engaged interviewer.
posted by contraption at 9:08 PM on July 17, 2018 [39 favorites]
We were just thinking, "Hey, we haven't heard from Rick Perry lately, what is he up to? Could he just be doing his job in a scandal-free fashion?" A couple of googles later...
Texas A&M University leaders say Energy Secretary Rick Perry wasn't involved in a $2.5 billion nuclear weapons lab contract that partly went to his alma mater. Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said Tuesday the National Nuclear Security Administration had favorably scored their proposal to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory near Santa Fe, New Mexico, before the former Texas governor signed off. Sharp was once Perry's college roommate at Texas A&M.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Texas A&M University leaders say Energy Secretary Rick Perry wasn't involved in a $2.5 billion nuclear weapons lab contract that partly went to his alma mater. Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said Tuesday the National Nuclear Security Administration had favorably scored their proposal to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory near Santa Fe, New Mexico, before the former Texas governor signed off. Sharp was once Perry's college roommate at Texas A&M.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:12 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Yeah, let’s save our ire for Lieberman.
posted by notyou at 9:16 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by notyou at 9:16 PM on July 17, 2018 [9 favorites]
Re: Crowley. His campaign site is still accepting donations, urging, "Please contribute so we can get our message out and win the campaign." Crowley's got two Twitter accounts, both verified, both work-related; in one, he's clear not running.
On July 12, on JoeCrowleyNY, he posted, "Lots questions about WFP line. Was honored to have their support. I’m not running. For record you can only be removed from the ballot if 1) you move out of NY; 2) die; 3) be convicted of a crime; 4) accept a nomination for another office (in a place I don’t live)." He follows with, "I don’t plan on moving out of New York, have a clean record, hope God’s will is that I don’t die, and won’t commit what I honestly believe to be election fraud."
Over on the repjoecrowley account, he's just angry with Trump. ("Did Putin write this for you?" in response to a Trump NATO tweet.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:40 PM on July 17, 2018
On July 12, on JoeCrowleyNY, he posted, "Lots questions about WFP line. Was honored to have their support. I’m not running. For record you can only be removed from the ballot if 1) you move out of NY; 2) die; 3) be convicted of a crime; 4) accept a nomination for another office (in a place I don’t live)." He follows with, "I don’t plan on moving out of New York, have a clean record, hope God’s will is that I don’t die, and won’t commit what I honestly believe to be election fraud."
Over on the repjoecrowley account, he's just angry with Trump. ("Did Putin write this for you?" in response to a Trump NATO tweet.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:40 PM on July 17, 2018
So he's not running but he wants us to know he's eligible to stay on the ballot just in case he got elected anyway.
posted by scalefree at 9:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 9:48 PM on July 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Carlson, engaged in a crude pantomime of a thoughtful man, pointed out that Article V requires the other NATO members to come to the defense of any member under attack. Quoth Tucker: “Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?”
Because less than 24 hours after the September 11 attacks NATO honored Article 5 for the first time in its history and helped the US invade Afghanistan. Their sons and daughters fought and died to support us.
Montenegro (population 642,550) joined NATO in 2017.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [96 favorites]
Because less than 24 hours after the September 11 attacks NATO honored Article 5 for the first time in its history and helped the US invade Afghanistan. Their sons and daughters fought and died to support us.
Montenegro (population 642,550) joined NATO in 2017.
posted by kirkaracha at 9:59 PM on July 17, 2018 [96 favorites]
@JakeTapper From February: Montenegro to increase troop presence in Afghanistan, per request of US.
Because of course.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:22 PM on July 17, 2018 [62 favorites]
Because of course.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:22 PM on July 17, 2018 [62 favorites]
Is switching his residency not enough?
He'd have to move out of state.
Considering the question of where Crowley actually lives has been dogging him for many years (those articles are from 2011 and 2013, respectively), I'm not convinced that would be all that difficult for him.
On the one hand, sure, that would be good (I don't think that would need to go to the WSJ though? he could just tweet about it); on the other hand, if Crowley doesn't, but also continues to, you know, not do any campaigning, the 'not doing any campaigning' part should probably be what we pay attention to.
It's New York, so I'm not sure how much he'd have to split the vote to act as a spoiler and make the Republican candidate have a viable shot -- but even if that's impossibly farfetched "doing nothing" is still not, in this scenario, actually doing nothing -- what it is doing is creating confusion and uncertainty among the voters in the district, distracting Ocasio-Cortez's campaign at a point when it should be moving on to focusing on the general election, and derailing a decent chunk of the media coverage about Ocasio-Cortez into talking about this petty feud instead of her actual platform. I don't believe for a minute that a veteran politician like Crowley doesn't know exactly how much harm he's doing with this wishy-washy foot-dragging inaction.
posted by mstokes650 at 10:28 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
He'd have to move out of state.
Considering the question of where Crowley actually lives has been dogging him for many years (those articles are from 2011 and 2013, respectively), I'm not convinced that would be all that difficult for him.
On the one hand, sure, that would be good (I don't think that would need to go to the WSJ though? he could just tweet about it); on the other hand, if Crowley doesn't, but also continues to, you know, not do any campaigning, the 'not doing any campaigning' part should probably be what we pay attention to.
It's New York, so I'm not sure how much he'd have to split the vote to act as a spoiler and make the Republican candidate have a viable shot -- but even if that's impossibly farfetched "doing nothing" is still not, in this scenario, actually doing nothing -- what it is doing is creating confusion and uncertainty among the voters in the district, distracting Ocasio-Cortez's campaign at a point when it should be moving on to focusing on the general election, and derailing a decent chunk of the media coverage about Ocasio-Cortez into talking about this petty feud instead of her actual platform. I don't believe for a minute that a veteran politician like Crowley doesn't know exactly how much harm he's doing with this wishy-washy foot-dragging inaction.
posted by mstokes650 at 10:28 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
I don’t know how he’s creating confusion. He says he’s not running. He’s never even said he might run. The only people who’ve said he’s running are Ocasio-Cortez and her supporters. If she hadn’t made a big fuss about it in the the socials, the idea that he’s running wouldn’t even be out there.
posted by chrchr at 11:01 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by chrchr at 11:01 PM on July 17, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's New York, so I'm not sure how much he'd have to split the vote to act as a spoiler and make the Republican candidate have a viable shot
As to this, it's impossible. The Republican would come in, like, fourth behind AOC, Crowley, and blank.
posted by Justinian at 11:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
As to this, it's impossible. The Republican would come in, like, fourth behind AOC, Crowley, and blank.
posted by Justinian at 11:05 PM on July 17, 2018 [8 favorites]
NYT, Shane Goldmacher, Who Needs Small Donors When You Have Friends? Ask Gov. Cuomo. How to lie with statistics:
Now, mindful of the party’s insurgency, and facing a vigorous primary challenge from Cynthia Nixon, Mr. Cuomo has raced to find small donors. He has offered a chance to win Billy Joel tickets. His daughters emailed supporters to ask for $5. And he has invested in a raft of digital ads and advertised an unlimited-drinks happy hour in Manhattan for only $5, though the format had to be scotched to avoid running afoul of state rules.posted by zachlipton at 11:07 PM on July 17, 2018 [16 favorites]
But campaign disclosures on Tuesday revealed the extent to which Mr. Cuomo remains dependent on big donors — and some of the maneuvers undertaken to obscure that fact.
One donor contributed 69 times to Mr. Cuomo in the final days before the deadline — 67 of them $1 donations, driving down his average donation size. The donor, Christopher Kim, shares the same address on his filing as one of Mr. Cuomo’s campaign aides, Julia Yang.
“We appreciate his enthusiasm,” said Abbey Collins, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo’s campaign. “Going forward, we’ll put measures in place to count contributions like this differently.”
But Mr. Kim was just one in a line of aides, relatives, roommates, allies, appointees and lobbyists sprinkled through Mr. Cuomo’s filing, giving tiny sums like $1 and $5.
...
The cumulative effect of these donations was negligible: of the $6 million raised in the last six months, only 1 percent came from those donating $250 or less. All told, Mr. Cuomo earned more in interest payments on his campaign war chest (nearly $154,000) than he collected in total contributions from donors who gave less than $1,000 (just under $110,000).
Aubergine: [#45:]“Montenegro is full of very aggressive people.”
I'd get aggressive too if someone had shoved me aside like that.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
I'd get aggressive too if someone had shoved me aside like that.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
The Guardian, Parents of MH17 victims lash out at 'bully' Trump: 'You have no idea what love is'
Never a truer word said. Trump has nothing good in his life, so he has nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
posted by vac2003 at 1:10 AM on July 18, 2018 [101 favorites]
The Perth parents of three children who died when Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine have condemned the US president Donald Trump for his refusal to hold the Russian president Vladimir Putin to account over the tragedy.[emphasis mine]
In a scathing post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Anthony Maslin challenged Trump on the “irrefutable facts” surrounding the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines plane by a Russian missile in 2014. His partner Rin Norris described both leaders as “bullies”.
...
“Mr Trump, you invented and speak a lot about ‘fake news’. But let’s try talking about something that’s not fake ... let’s call them irrefutable facts,” Maslin said in his post.
“You have no empathy for your fellow man, and you clearly have no idea what love is. So you have nothing.”
Never a truer word said. Trump has nothing good in his life, so he has nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
posted by vac2003 at 1:10 AM on July 18, 2018 [101 favorites]
who will be speaking at the 2020 DNC?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Historic Win and the Future of the Democratic Party
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Historic Win and the Future of the Democratic Party
In late December, 2016, Isra Allison, one of B.N.C.’s lead organizers, called Ocasio-Cortez just as she was leaving an anti-pipeline demonstration in Standing Rock, North Dakota. “She told me what B.N.C. was about,” Ocasio-Cortez recalled. “I was just, like, ‘O.K., I’m listening.’ By that time, they had policy plans, and Sanders was the political shorthand.” Ocasio-Cortez e-mailed Allison a video of a speech she had made at Boston University on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and a description of her work as a waitress: “Having that small business experience opened my eyes to tons of issues—from labor law, to immigration. . . .”posted by kliuless at 2:48 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
In her early conversations with Allison and others at B.N.C., Ocasio-Cortez was unnerved. “Where did I get off?” she said. “I mean, I’m going to tell people that I, as a waitress, should be their next congresswoman?”
[...]
When I asked her about her political heroes, though, there was no mention of anyone in the Marxist pantheon. She named Robert F. Kennedy. In college, reading his speeches—“that was my jam,” she said. R.F.K., at least in the last chapter of his life, his 1968 Presidential campaign, tried to forge a party coalition of workers, minorities, and the middle class.
> Chrysostom:
-- NY gov: Zogby poll has Cuomo leading Nixon 63-22 for the Dem nomination. [MOE +/- 3.7%]. Cuomo easily leads various general election configurations, including if Nixon runs on the WFP ticket.
Meanwhile, former Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner's baffling campaign for governor is going nowhere.
posted by maurice at 3:32 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
-- NY gov: Zogby poll has Cuomo leading Nixon 63-22 for the Dem nomination. [MOE +/- 3.7%]. Cuomo easily leads various general election configurations, including if Nixon runs on the WFP ticket.
Meanwhile, former Syracuse mayor Stephanie Miner's baffling campaign for governor is going nowhere.
posted by maurice at 3:32 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I just saw a union-bashing cartoon advertisement from the Center for Union Facts on MSNBC on my Comcast cable, promoting the “Employee Rights Act”. (Which, obviously, has nothing to do with employee rights.)
posted by XMLicious at 3:38 AM on July 18, 2018
posted by XMLicious at 3:38 AM on July 18, 2018
Someone should wait a week or two and then ask Trump a question about MH-17. He'll be like 85% likely to go off on a rant about MS-13.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:26 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:26 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
Mod note: A couple deleted. Folks please drop the Crowley thing until such time as there is actual news to discuss.
posted by taz (staff) at 5:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 5:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Carlson, engaged in a crude pantomime of a thoughtful man, pointed out that Article V requires the other NATO members to come to the defense of any member under attack. Quoth Tucker: “Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?”
Carlson didn't shirk at the idea of other people's sons and daughters invading Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.
posted by Gelatin at 6:05 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Carlson didn't shirk at the idea of other people's sons and daughters invading Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.
posted by Gelatin at 6:05 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Montenegro, with a standing army of 1,950, has had troops fighting for the US in Afghanistan for years, even before they officially joined NATO in 2017. And they increased the number in 2017 after the US requested more help from NATO. Currently 45 of their 85 personnel trained in international operations are fighting our war in Afghanistan. The war in defense of the US against AQ and Taliban that again is the only time Article 5 has been invoked.
posted by chris24 at 6:22 AM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 6:22 AM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
Kushner Has Been Dodging A DNC Lawsuit Service Notice For Months
The Democratic National Committee has been trying and failing for months to force documents into White House adviser Jared Kushner’s hands to let him know that he is being served with a lawsuit, according to a Tuesday Bloomberg report.posted by lazaruslong at 6:25 AM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
The DNC sued Kushner back in April for alleged collusion with the Russians to alter the 2016 election. Since then, they have come up against a ridiculous multitude of obstacles in trying to officially deliver the notice to him.
After being rejected from his Manhattan apartment three times and from his Washington residence by the Secret Service, they finally tried to just send the documents in the mail. No dice. No one would sign for them and they got returned.
The committee reportedly asked a judge Tuesday for permission to simply mail the summons and complaint to Kushner in ordinary first class, so the package does not require a signature.
Per Bloomberg, the DNC sued Kushner alongside Russia, the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks for interference in the 2016 election.
For anybody that is interested in going out on the streets tonight, there's going to be a nationwide vigil at 8pm/sundown hosted by Confront Corruption/Demand Democracy (which is a coalition of liberal groups, including MoveOn).
Personally, vigils aren't my jam. It feels like we're mourning something that's already lost when we hold a vigil -- but democracy isn't lost! But I know it might be meaningful for others-- and it's likely going to be a huge event. Rachel Maddow plugged it on her show last night and whole their site crashed immediately afterward!
posted by rue72 at 6:26 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Personally, vigils aren't my jam. It feels like we're mourning something that's already lost when we hold a vigil -- but democracy isn't lost! But I know it might be meaningful for others-- and it's likely going to be a huge event. Rachel Maddow plugged it on her show last night and whole their site crashed immediately afterward!
posted by rue72 at 6:26 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
The Democratic National Committee has been trying and failing for months to force documents into White House adviser Jared Kushner’s hands to let him know that he is being served with a lawsuit, according to a Tuesday Bloomberg report.
Should be pretty easy. Just pretend to be a Russian agent and hand them to him.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:28 AM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
Should be pretty easy. Just pretend to be a Russian agent and hand them to him.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:28 AM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
Not that we couldn't have guessed but confirmation by someone who was there.
[CNN] @NewDay "I quit because I couldn't be proud of where I worked anymore," says Beck Dorey-Stein, former WH stenographer: "I felt like President Trump was lying to the American people ... he wasn't even going the extra mile to have the stenographers in the room"
posted by scalefree at 6:29 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
[CNN] @NewDay "I quit because I couldn't be proud of where I worked anymore," says Beck Dorey-Stein, former WH stenographer: "I felt like President Trump was lying to the American people ... he wasn't even going the extra mile to have the stenographers in the room"
posted by scalefree at 6:29 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
And in "Where Are They Now" news, Nikki Haley in her role as UN Ambassador is doing a livestream with Heritage Foundation.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Using the SS to avoid a process server seems like obstruction to this non lawyer.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 6:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
Using the SS to avoid a process server seems like obstruction to this non lawyer.
Whatever it is, it's not smart. He's going to be served with the suit by some means. Maybe they can deliver it to him on the floor of a Democratically controlled House when it holds hearings on the integrity of the 2016 election. That should play well for the cameras.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:43 AM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Whatever it is, it's not smart. He's going to be served with the suit by some means. Maybe they can deliver it to him on the floor of a Democratically controlled House when it holds hearings on the integrity of the 2016 election. That should play well for the cameras.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:43 AM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
New poll from NBC.
61% think America less respected now, 24% more.
59% aren't confident that the government is doing enough to prevent election interference from other countries.
68% think Russia is unfriendly or an enemy of the US, an increase from July 2017 when 59% thought so.
Conducted before the Helsinki fiasco.
posted by chris24 at 6:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [61 favorites]
61% think America less respected now, 24% more.
59% aren't confident that the government is doing enough to prevent election interference from other countries.
68% think Russia is unfriendly or an enemy of the US, an increase from July 2017 when 59% thought so.
Conducted before the Helsinki fiasco.
posted by chris24 at 6:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [61 favorites]
That Bloomberg article notes that the court's been asked for permission to serve the suit by regular mail. An amusing if somewhat derelict alternative is service by publication. Maybe Bezos would be willing to publish it as a special insert in the Post, gratis.
Democracy dies in the suck on this one Jared.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:47 AM on July 18, 2018 [41 favorites]
Democracy dies in the suck on this one Jared.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:47 AM on July 18, 2018 [41 favorites]
Bloomberg's Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) reports this morning on the fuse to the deficit bomb that Trump's fiscal policies have lit:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:55 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
The White House OMB now projects the deficit will rocket to $890B this year and top $1T through 2021.Meanwhile, Kudlow is being interviewed on CNBC by fellow always-wrong financial talking head Jim Cramer at the Delivering Alpha Conference, telling him the administration is considering further tax reform plans, predicting economic growth could top 4% for "a quarter or two", and assuring him "there is no recession in sight". And for the coup de grâce, "There are a number of people on the hill... who would like to make a lot of the tax cuts... permanent," Larry Kudlow says of potential additional tax cuts. "Not only did we have a successful tax cut, but we want to keep it that way." He is high on his own supply-side.
cc, uh, Larry Kudlow.
… 2017 … 2018 …… 2019 …… 2020 …… 2021
______________________________________
3,316 … 3,232 … 3,424 … 3,616 … 3,841
3,982 … 4,212 … 4,510 ...4,692 … 4,851
______________________________________
… 665 ……… 890 … 1,085 … 1,076 … 1,1011
Federal debt will hit $25 Trillion in fiscal 2021 - four full fiscal years after Trump took office - under his OMB's own estimates.
Rule of thumb: $1 trillion is about $3,000 more borrowed for every person in the United States. Every year.
These projections are about conscious choices, not a sudden turn in the economy like 2008. Trump signed laws passed by Congress lowering tax rates and increasing spending. The rest is math.
This is Larry Kudlow *3 weeks ago!* in his walkback of false claim the deficit is coming down rapidly telling @EamonJavers he still thought it would come down in *2018*:Larry Kudlow just called me to say that his comment today that the deficit "is coming down rapidly" was misinterpreted. "I was referring to future deficits," he said. "I'll stand by that…because we believe there's going to be an investment boom going on."Larry Kudlow used to work at OMB.
Of the people who criticized him today, Kudlow says: "Ether they misunderstand or they are ideologically opposed to our program,"
On the deficit, he said: "I think it will come down in 2018, and the big reductions will come in future yuears."
Don't think there's ever been a non-recession year when the deficit jumped by $225 billion - but that's what's happening this year.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:55 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
Joe Crowley
@JoeCrowleyNY
Still not running.
9:50 AM · Jul 18, 2018
posted by Chrysostom at 6:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
@JoeCrowleyNY
Still not running.
9:50 AM · Jul 18, 2018
posted by Chrysostom at 6:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
The one thing saving me from throwing up today, is that only one Montenegrin soldier died in Afghanistan, and not in combat.
THis is treason. And it's well past the point where we need to explicitly discuss capital prosecutions.
posted by ocschwar at 6:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
THis is treason. And it's well past the point where we need to explicitly discuss capital prosecutions.
posted by ocschwar at 6:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Has any member of the press reached out to Mattis on his comments about NATO helping Montenegro and vice versa?
posted by PenDevil at 7:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 7:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Mattis is in hiding because of Theranos.
Few people come out of Bad Blood looking good. Those who do are Theranos' whistleblowing employees who had to put up with being stalked and sued by the secrecy-obsessed company. On the other side of the coin are those deserving our scorn. The Steve Jobs-obsessed [Elizabeth] Holmes, obviously, and her unpleasant-sounding co-conspirator and boyfriend Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani. But equally deserving of scorn are all the credulous rich and powerful old men who bought into this house of cards.
Men like General James Mattis, who described Holmes as having "one of the most mature and well-honed sense of ethics—personal ethics, managerial ethics, business ethics, [and] medical ethics that I've ever heard articulated." (Holmes is now under indictment for wire fraud and has been charged with fraud by the SEC....)
Arguably he should resign, as a Sec. Def. who can't show his face publicly can't really do the job. But, that would also be kinda scary right now. Who the fuck would sign on to replace him? Gorka? Erik Prince?
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
Few people come out of Bad Blood looking good. Those who do are Theranos' whistleblowing employees who had to put up with being stalked and sued by the secrecy-obsessed company. On the other side of the coin are those deserving our scorn. The Steve Jobs-obsessed [Elizabeth] Holmes, obviously, and her unpleasant-sounding co-conspirator and boyfriend Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani. But equally deserving of scorn are all the credulous rich and powerful old men who bought into this house of cards.
Men like General James Mattis, who described Holmes as having "one of the most mature and well-honed sense of ethics—personal ethics, managerial ethics, business ethics, [and] medical ethics that I've ever heard articulated." (Holmes is now under indictment for wire fraud and has been charged with fraud by the SEC....)
Arguably he should resign, as a Sec. Def. who can't show his face publicly can't really do the job. But, that would also be kinda scary right now. Who the fuck would sign on to replace him? Gorka? Erik Prince?
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
Carlson, engaged in a crude pantomime of a thoughtful man, pointed out that Article V requires the other NATO members to come to the defense of any member under attack. Quoth Tucker: “Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from attack?”
Pourquoi mourir pour Dantzig?
posted by orrnyereg at 7:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Pourquoi mourir pour Dantzig?
posted by orrnyereg at 7:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Trump inaccurately says Queen Elizabeth reviewed honor guard for first time in 70 years during his visit.
"We met with the Queen, who is absolutely a terrific person, where she reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years, they tell me," Trump said. "We walked in front of the honor guard and that was very inspiring to see and be with her. And I think the relationship, I can truly say is a good one. But she was very, very inspiring indeed."posted by scalefree at 7:20 AM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Contrary to Trump's statement, however, the queen has reviewed her honor guard many times over the last 70 years. The tradition often takes place during visits from foreign officials, including during former President Obama's visit in 2011.
"We met with the Queen, who is absolutely a terrific person, where she reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years, they tell me,"
Had this been true it would've been the best shade imaginable for the Grabber in Chief.
Honor guard indeed.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:27 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Had this been true it would've been the best shade imaginable for the Grabber in Chief.
Honor guard indeed.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:27 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Iris Gambol: Re: Crowley. His campaign site is still accepting donations, urging, "Please contribute so we can get our message out and win the campaign." Crowley's got two Twitter accounts, both verified, both work-related; in one, he's clear not running.
A comment only on the campaign financing side of things: zombie campaigns are a thing (a website developed by the Tampa Bay Times, who developed a database of 102 zombie campaigns). The tagline sums it up pretty clearly: "The campaign is over. The candidate might be dead. But the spending never stops."
In other news: Lawsuit Says Migrants Were Subjected To Dirty Detention Facilities, Bad Food And Water (NPR, July 18, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 7:28 AM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
A comment only on the campaign financing side of things: zombie campaigns are a thing (a website developed by the Tampa Bay Times, who developed a database of 102 zombie campaigns). The tagline sums it up pretty clearly: "The campaign is over. The candidate might be dead. But the spending never stops."
In other news: Lawsuit Says Migrants Were Subjected To Dirty Detention Facilities, Bad Food And Water (NPR, July 18, 2018)
Migrants detained in recent months at the U.S.-Mexico border describe being held in Customs and Border Protection facilities that are unsanitary and overcrowded, receiving largely inedible food and being forced to drink foul-smelling drinking water.If we can't tangle Jeff Sessions in Russia indictments, there are the humanitarian crimes. And if he ducks those, there's got to be a way to make them stick on high level government or private contractor managers, because this can't just be shrugged off when the administration (finally/eventually) changes.
In a lawsuit filed against Attorney General Jeff Sessions by the Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law, some 200 individuals detained under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy were interviewed, many of them relating poor conditions.
In the suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in California and viewed by NPR late Tuesday, the group is demanding that the government meet minimum standard conditions as laid out in the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement (PDF). The Department of Justice could not immediately be reached for comment.
The filing contains the stories of migrants arriving mainly from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador who were detained at various locations at different times, including one facility referred to by several interviewees as the "Dog House" or "Dog Pound," and another as the "Ice House." Last names of detained interviewees have been redacted.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:28 AM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
"Little Montenegro! He lifted up the words and nodded at them ...Literally, the first thing I said to myself after seeing Trump's despicable remarks was "Little Montenegro!"
I think the the Kremlin are aaaaall up in the NRA and conservative activist organizations and general--Paul Erickson is just the first one we've seen. I expect we'll be seeing a whole lot more links being drawn between Russian governmental agents and Republican party figures, donors, and activists.
Christopher Stroop's remarks on the history of the American Christian Right's affinity for Russia are relevant here. Also Jeet Heer's remarks on the history of Russophilia in the far right.
(What I find troubling is the degree to which this intersects with a kind of cynical anti-anti-Trumpism/anti-"Russophobia" on the left.)
posted by octobersurprise at 7:33 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
Has any member of the press reached out to Mattis on his comments about NATO helping Montenegro and vice versa?
Not that I can find, but Reuters is reporting that Mattis is "open to the possibility of the first talks since 2015 between the defense chiefs of the United States and Russia." No word on if the talks will take place under a swinging bare light bulb.
Not keen to talk to us, though. @ChiefPentSpox hasn't tweeted for days.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:35 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Not that I can find, but Reuters is reporting that Mattis is "open to the possibility of the first talks since 2015 between the defense chiefs of the United States and Russia." No word on if the talks will take place under a swinging bare light bulb.
Not keen to talk to us, though. @ChiefPentSpox hasn't tweeted for days.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 7:35 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
“Montenegro is full of very aggressive people.”
I wonder if this deal didn't go the way Trump wanted:
Donald Trump to invest in hotel market in Montenegro [The Caterer, March 2007].
Petulant spite/revenge generally seems to be a good bet for explaining his actions.
posted by Buntix at 7:38 AM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
I wonder if this deal didn't go the way Trump wanted:
Donald Trump to invest in hotel market in Montenegro [The Caterer, March 2007].
Petulant spite/revenge generally seems to be a good bet for explaining his actions.
posted by Buntix at 7:38 AM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
I haven't had a chance to check this today, and might have missed important events, but the thing that struck me when I saw his petulant attempt at rolling everything back because he's bad at words was something like this:
For everyone rushing to excuse Trump for Helsinki, accepting his (clearly bullshit) claim that he misspoke, why aren't we taking him at his word? He can't, by his own admission, speak clearly and without mistakes at the most crucial, most important times. He confuses his words, he says, he makes mistakes and says the opposite of what he meant. The words of the president create policy and steer the direction of the nation. Yes, lots of "normal" people make mistakes, even in crucial times. The role of the president is not a job for normal people with garbled speech. It's a role for the most capable, the most clear, the most reliable. Trump is, by his own admission, incapable of the job that is needed. Let's all take him at his word, and move forward with article 25, as the president is incapable of performing the duties of the office.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:40 AM on July 18, 2018 [101 favorites]
For everyone rushing to excuse Trump for Helsinki, accepting his (clearly bullshit) claim that he misspoke, why aren't we taking him at his word? He can't, by his own admission, speak clearly and without mistakes at the most crucial, most important times. He confuses his words, he says, he makes mistakes and says the opposite of what he meant. The words of the president create policy and steer the direction of the nation. Yes, lots of "normal" people make mistakes, even in crucial times. The role of the president is not a job for normal people with garbled speech. It's a role for the most capable, the most clear, the most reliable. Trump is, by his own admission, incapable of the job that is needed. Let's all take him at his word, and move forward with article 25, as the president is incapable of performing the duties of the office.
posted by Ghidorah at 7:40 AM on July 18, 2018 [101 favorites]
The words of the president create policy and steer the direction of the nation. Yes, lots of "normal" people make mistakes, even in crucial times. The role of the president is not a job for normal people with garbled speech. It's a role for the most capable, the most clear, the most reliable.
I'll note that nearly three million more people were persuaded by this very argument when Hillary Clinton made it in 2016.
posted by Gelatin at 7:42 AM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
I'll note that nearly three million more people were persuaded by this very argument when Hillary Clinton made it in 2016.
posted by Gelatin at 7:42 AM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
What I find troubling is the degree to which this intersects with a kind of cynical anti-anti-Trumpism/anti-"Russophobia" on the left
I would not be at all surprised if GRUbots were pushing these notions in far left circles as well. Some of the messaging coming out of some feeds I follow is getting weird. "THE USA HAS MESSED WITH ELECTIONS TOO YOU GUISE" is the general theme which, yes, all true, but I don't get the connection between that and laying down our arms and letting Russia do as it pleases to us, now.
posted by EatTheWeek at 7:55 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
I would not be at all surprised if GRUbots were pushing these notions in far left circles as well. Some of the messaging coming out of some feeds I follow is getting weird. "THE USA HAS MESSED WITH ELECTIONS TOO YOU GUISE" is the general theme which, yes, all true, but I don't get the connection between that and laying down our arms and letting Russia do as it pleases to us, now.
posted by EatTheWeek at 7:55 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
It makes me quite angry that a conservative could ask, “Why should my son die for Montenegro?” to which I’m sure a Montenegrin would reply, “And why should my son die for your compromised shithole of a nation?”
There’s something deeply infuriating to me about the idea of placing human beings, as citizens of allies, on some hierarchy of “worth defending”, even though they are treaty-allies through a treaty that is to the benefit of America.
This modern American conservative trend of pretending a vast world order created largely to serve America is bad, if only because it pays lip service to the value of other nations, or appears to help, is absurd. We’ve come to the point where the anti-“cuck” concern of aesthetic strength at all costs dismembers a realpolitik which is to their advantage anyway!
posted by constantinescharity at 7:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [50 favorites]
There’s something deeply infuriating to me about the idea of placing human beings, as citizens of allies, on some hierarchy of “worth defending”, even though they are treaty-allies through a treaty that is to the benefit of America.
This modern American conservative trend of pretending a vast world order created largely to serve America is bad, if only because it pays lip service to the value of other nations, or appears to help, is absurd. We’ve come to the point where the anti-“cuck” concern of aesthetic strength at all costs dismembers a realpolitik which is to their advantage anyway!
posted by constantinescharity at 7:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [50 favorites]
MetaFilter: Some of the messaging coming out of some feeds I follow is getting weird.
posted by petebest at 7:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by petebest at 7:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
This modern American conservative trend of pretending a vast world order created largely to serve America is bad, if only because it pays lip service to the value of other nations, or appears to help, is absurd. We’ve come to the point where the anti-“cuck” concern of aesthetic strength at all costs dismembers a realpolitik which is to their advantage anyway!
The stupid thing is we're doing this economically too.
If China had a fully convertible currency we'd be consigned to the economic scrap heap by now.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
The stupid thing is we're doing this economically too.
If China had a fully convertible currency we'd be consigned to the economic scrap heap by now.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Personally, vigils aren't my jam.
I agree. I think the resistance has a chance here to reclaim patriotism from the Trumpistas, and patriotism looks better with a show of strength, not weakness. I've pulled an American flag out of my neighbor's garbage, and I'm going to bring it to the next protest I go to. I was worried my next protest would be in response to Mueller getting fired, but I expect there will be some focusing on the tre45on soon.
"Putin sucks!" has a nice cadence to it, the same as "U! S! A!" Imagine chanting that at any rally, making it so common that even seeing the words brings up the rhythm in your head.
Republicans have been knocked back on their heels, and we need to force them on this. Tell them they can't be a patriot if they support Putin, and make them take a stand.
Many Republicans in congress don't support Putin, of course, and they can point to things like the 2017 sanctions that were passed nearly unanimously, but that doesn't mean we can't press them on it. Tell them they need to do more, like make a public denouncement, vigorously defend the Intelligence community, and secure the US from election interference. And they need to protect Mueller and Rosenstein, since they're fighting Putin even while Trump defends him.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:03 AM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
I agree. I think the resistance has a chance here to reclaim patriotism from the Trumpistas, and patriotism looks better with a show of strength, not weakness. I've pulled an American flag out of my neighbor's garbage, and I'm going to bring it to the next protest I go to. I was worried my next protest would be in response to Mueller getting fired, but I expect there will be some focusing on the tre45on soon.
"Putin sucks!" has a nice cadence to it, the same as "U! S! A!" Imagine chanting that at any rally, making it so common that even seeing the words brings up the rhythm in your head.
Republicans have been knocked back on their heels, and we need to force them on this. Tell them they can't be a patriot if they support Putin, and make them take a stand.
Many Republicans in congress don't support Putin, of course, and they can point to things like the 2017 sanctions that were passed nearly unanimously, but that doesn't mean we can't press them on it. Tell them they need to do more, like make a public denouncement, vigorously defend the Intelligence community, and secure the US from election interference. And they need to protect Mueller and Rosenstein, since they're fighting Putin even while Trump defends him.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:03 AM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
Not that I can find, but Reuters is reporting that Mattis is "open to the possibility of the first talks since 2015 between the defense chiefs of the United States and Russia."
n.b. Reuters clarifies in its headline that this is not an official statement but rather comes from anonymous leaks: "Exclusive: Trump's Defense Chief Open To First Talks With Russian Counterpart - Sources" Specifically, "Two U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Mattis was open to the possibility of talks. They did not suggest he was actively seeking discussions with Shoigu, either in person or by telephone." (The Pentagon declined to comment on this story and said it hadn't received any invitations from Moscow for talks.)
In the context of the Russian Ministry of Defense's statement yesterday about being "ready for practical implementation of the agreements in the sphere of international security reached by Russian and US Presidents" and "to enliven contact with the US colleagues, between our General Staffs", however, it's ominous. Either Mattis is quietly receptive to this arrangement or Trumpists in the Pentagon are leaking the idea that he is in order to further their agenda.
And Trump concluded this morning's Twitter rant about him and Putin at Helsinki by promising "Many positive things will come out of that meeting." and "Big results will come!"
Meanwhile, on the Kremlin front, the New York Daily News reports, Russia Wants to Interrogate Ex-U.S. Ambassador McFaul, Other Americans In Criminal Case
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:07 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
n.b. Reuters clarifies in its headline that this is not an official statement but rather comes from anonymous leaks: "Exclusive: Trump's Defense Chief Open To First Talks With Russian Counterpart - Sources" Specifically, "Two U.S. officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Mattis was open to the possibility of talks. They did not suggest he was actively seeking discussions with Shoigu, either in person or by telephone." (The Pentagon declined to comment on this story and said it hadn't received any invitations from Moscow for talks.)
In the context of the Russian Ministry of Defense's statement yesterday about being "ready for practical implementation of the agreements in the sphere of international security reached by Russian and US Presidents" and "to enliven contact with the US colleagues, between our General Staffs", however, it's ominous. Either Mattis is quietly receptive to this arrangement or Trumpists in the Pentagon are leaking the idea that he is in order to further their agenda.
And Trump concluded this morning's Twitter rant about him and Putin at Helsinki by promising "Many positive things will come out of that meeting." and "Big results will come!"
Meanwhile, on the Kremlin front, the New York Daily News reports, Russia Wants to Interrogate Ex-U.S. Ambassador McFaul, Other Americans In Criminal Case
Putin had mentioned the alleged crimes* of American-British financier Bill Browder when responding to questions about the 12 Russian military intelligence officers indicted in the U.S. in the hacking of Democratic emails during the 2016 election.* At the Helsinki press conference, Putin—trotting out the same pitch as the Trump Tower meeting—falsely claimed Browder had donated $400 million to Hillary Clinton's campaign, which the next day, the Russian prosecutor’s office revised down to $400,000. Politifact rates this a "Pants on Fire" lie, but it was part of Putin's package deal of "mutual" law enforcement and intelligence access that Trump thought sounded great.
Browder, who became rich in Moscow during the relatively lawless days of the 1990s post-Soviet Union, is a common bête noire for the Putin government, though prosecutors claimed Wednesday that American intelligence services may have also been involved in an illegal scheme.
A list of U.S. officials announced by Russia’s Prosecutor General's office on Tuesday included members of the State Department, Department of Homeland Security and CIA, as well as McFaul.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:07 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Many Republicans in congress don't support Putin, of course, and they can point to things like the 2017 sanctions that were passed nearly unanimously, but that doesn't mean we can't press them on it.
Of course we can press them on it. The trouble is, they are genuinely worried that if they speak out against Trump, they will be primaried out by someone who's a real nutcase.
posted by Melismata at 8:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Of course we can press them on it. The trouble is, they are genuinely worried that if they speak out against Trump, they will be primaried out by someone who's a real nutcase.
posted by Melismata at 8:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
I would not be at all surprised if GRUbots were pushing these notions in far left circles as well. Some of the messaging coming out of some feeds I follow is getting weird. "THE USA HAS MESSED WITH ELECTIONS TOO YOU GUISE" is the general theme
Whataboutism has long been a staple of Soviet/Russian propaganda.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:09 AM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
Whataboutism has long been a staple of Soviet/Russian propaganda.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:09 AM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
(Although everyone might be aware of the story of Bill Browder, if not, here's an interview with James O'Brien from last year.)
posted by Grangousier at 8:11 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 8:11 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Chyron: "Prof Cohen: Do you prefer impeaching Trump or nuclear war with Russia?"Twittersphere has been very packed this morning but this is probably the most disturbing part of last night. Fox News are preemptively and subliminally setting up argument against any Trump impeachment in the minds of remaining conservatives. It gives a line which Republicans can work off and it can be used on the offensive against calls to impeachment. For those who have drunk the Kool-Aid it serves as a direct "support Dear Leader or the world will end!". For those who who are using those who have drunk the Kool-Aid it serves as a "Democrats will just start shit up with our mortal enemy and who wants that?".
Witness Cruz vs Beto yesterday. Beto was pretty much "fuck Trump the traitor we need to get him out" and Cruz responded with clutching his pearls and "my stahrs this man is so radical and unfit for the illustrious and reasoned US Senate!"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:13 AM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
The "Russophilic" right and "anti-Russophobic" left may have contradictory worldviews, but their attitudes both make sense in the context of those worldviews, if you focus on different meanings of the word "Russia". It's the same with different meanings of any country's name: the government of Russia is fascist, the people are as varied as any nation's people.
Each camp then gets into the weeds by conflating those things and pretending they can't be distinguished. The lefty ones do this by supposing that the government basically does represent the people and hence any opposition to the activities of the former is "really" xenophobia (well, this plus a combination of stigginit to the USA, as though there couldn't possibly be two shitty governments on the same world stage).
The righty ones do it by projecting the government's attributes onto the people, and imagining a populace of 100% pale Christianish authoritarians. That means ignoring the country's gay, Muslim, and anti-authoritarian citizens (plus millions who stay away from politics-etc). This is just a variation of how they conceptualize the USA itself, similarly glossing over inconvenient exceptions to their desired ethnostate as "not real America".
This conflation is also how some people attempt to deflect accusations of a Vladimir-Donald collusion/conspiracy by saying "Look at all the Russian casualties of recent American attacks in Syria! Some Russian agent he is, right?" The thing is, killing Russians doesn't exactly make someone anti-Putin -- he kills a lot of Russians too.
Also, once you un-conflate these things, you see how absurd it is to treat Russian election meddling as "retaliation" for Americans doing the same. If my creepy neighbor maliciously shaves my cat, and then I shave his cat, I didn't "get revenge" -- all that happened is two creepy humans shaved two innocent cats.
So in short, it makes sense to consider Trump and his Trumpists and to be anti-Russian in exactly the same way they are anti-American. They have zero loyalty to some group of people whose only commonality is living within arbitrary borders. Their loyalty is to plutocrats generally, regardless of borders, exactly as we have seen in nationalists like them throughout history.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
Each camp then gets into the weeds by conflating those things and pretending they can't be distinguished. The lefty ones do this by supposing that the government basically does represent the people and hence any opposition to the activities of the former is "really" xenophobia (well, this plus a combination of stigginit to the USA, as though there couldn't possibly be two shitty governments on the same world stage).
The righty ones do it by projecting the government's attributes onto the people, and imagining a populace of 100% pale Christianish authoritarians. That means ignoring the country's gay, Muslim, and anti-authoritarian citizens (plus millions who stay away from politics-etc). This is just a variation of how they conceptualize the USA itself, similarly glossing over inconvenient exceptions to their desired ethnostate as "not real America".
This conflation is also how some people attempt to deflect accusations of a Vladimir-Donald collusion/conspiracy by saying "Look at all the Russian casualties of recent American attacks in Syria! Some Russian agent he is, right?" The thing is, killing Russians doesn't exactly make someone anti-Putin -- he kills a lot of Russians too.
Also, once you un-conflate these things, you see how absurd it is to treat Russian election meddling as "retaliation" for Americans doing the same. If my creepy neighbor maliciously shaves my cat, and then I shave his cat, I didn't "get revenge" -- all that happened is two creepy humans shaved two innocent cats.
So in short, it makes sense to consider Trump and his Trumpists and to be anti-Russian in exactly the same way they are anti-American. They have zero loyalty to some group of people whose only commonality is living within arbitrary borders. Their loyalty is to plutocrats generally, regardless of borders, exactly as we have seen in nationalists like them throughout history.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
Trump is, by his own admission, incapable of the job that is needed. Let's all take him at his word, and move forward with article 25, as the president is incapable of performing the duties of the office.
Well, I mean, the problem here is the "we" who can move forward with the 25th amendment:
posted by soundguy99 at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Well, I mean, the problem here is the "we" who can move forward with the 25th amendment:
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his officeare themselves either in this up to their necks or are gonna ride the Trump train as long as they possibly can for personal enrichment and/or political ideological gains. It's gonna take a lot more than Newt Gingrich and Neil Cavuto being kinda grumpy to convince those people that it's time to consider Trump dead weight and pitch him over the side.
posted by soundguy99 at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
The trouble is, they are genuinely worried that if they speak out against Trump, they will be primaried out by someone who's a real nutcase.
And yet none of the incumbents who've already won their primaries, or already lost their primaries, or don't face re-election until 2022, or have already announced retirement, are doing anything concrete either.
They want this. The only question is how comfortable they are saying so in front of the cameras.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
And yet none of the incumbents who've already won their primaries, or already lost their primaries, or don't face re-election until 2022, or have already announced retirement, are doing anything concrete either.
They want this. The only question is how comfortable they are saying so in front of the cameras.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
In case you were wondering about Kavanaugh's feelings re Mueller, Manu Raju writes of Trump Supreme Court pick: I would 'put the nail' in ruling upholding independent counsel.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:15 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:15 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
"THE USA HAS MESSED WITH ELECTIONS TOO YOU GUISE"
When coming from a conservative, this is never a good faith argument, so you can disregard. Like, they just woke up yesterday and found their local propaganda outlet saying this and were like, "Sounds like something I could own libs with!" and ran with it. They know nothing about the topic, and 2, 5, 10, 20 years ago would have had an opinion somewhere on the scale between "I literally do not give a single shit" and "U!S!A! U!S!A!".
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:16 AM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
When coming from a conservative, this is never a good faith argument, so you can disregard. Like, they just woke up yesterday and found their local propaganda outlet saying this and were like, "Sounds like something I could own libs with!" and ran with it. They know nothing about the topic, and 2, 5, 10, 20 years ago would have had an opinion somewhere on the scale between "I literally do not give a single shit" and "U!S!A! U!S!A!".
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:16 AM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
I think it would make sense for Dems with media access to stop allowing this to be framed as Russian influence and instead use the term Kremlin influence, Kremlin intelligence, Kremlin agents, Kremlin control...
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
Meanwhile, on the Kremlin front, the New York Daily News reports, Russia Wants to Interrogate Ex-U.S. Ambassador McFaul, Other Americans In Criminal Case
Getting your foreign buddy to intimidate your political enemies for you is devilishly clever and by "devilishly clever" I mean totally on brand for our darkest timeline.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:19 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Getting your foreign buddy to intimidate your political enemies for you is devilishly clever and by "devilishly clever" I mean totally on brand for our darkest timeline.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:19 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
But above all, brand the Russian government's actions as Putin's. If you're going to rule as an autocrat, then the rouble stops there.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:19 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:19 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Chyron: "Prof Cohen: Do you prefer impeaching Trump or nuclear war with Russia?"
This is really badly worded if it is supposed to imply that impeaching Trump would lead to nuclear war with Russia. As it stands it asks us to choose between impeaching Trump on one hand and nuclear war with Russia on the other, which doesn't exactly put us on the horns of a dilemma.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:20 AM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
This is really badly worded if it is supposed to imply that impeaching Trump would lead to nuclear war with Russia. As it stands it asks us to choose between impeaching Trump on one hand and nuclear war with Russia on the other, which doesn't exactly put us on the horns of a dilemma.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:20 AM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
When coming from a conservative, this there is never a good faith argument, so you can disregard.
A good rule of thumb. Good faith arguments don't support Republican positions, and haven't since time out of mind, so they don't bother. What's more, parroting bad faith argument serves one of the only true principles of modern movement conservatism, which is "pissing off liberals." Liberals value good faith debate, so in accordance with cleek's law, conservatives don't. They take positive glee in irritating liberals with the bad faith of their arguments. (Look at Tucker Carlson, for example -- chided by Jon Stewart about the uselessness of "Crossfire," Paul Begala stepped down, and Carlson stepped it up.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:23 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
A good rule of thumb. Good faith arguments don't support Republican positions, and haven't since time out of mind, so they don't bother. What's more, parroting bad faith argument serves one of the only true principles of modern movement conservatism, which is "pissing off liberals." Liberals value good faith debate, so in accordance with cleek's law, conservatives don't. They take positive glee in irritating liberals with the bad faith of their arguments. (Look at Tucker Carlson, for example -- chided by Jon Stewart about the uselessness of "Crossfire," Paul Begala stepped down, and Carlson stepped it up.)
posted by Gelatin at 8:23 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
Vanishing Point
posted by kirkaracha at 8:30 AM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
As the GOP increasingly comes to resemble a personality cult, is there any red line—video tapes? DNA evidence? a war with Germany—President Trump could cross and lose party support? “Very doubtful,” say a dozen GOP members of Congress stuck hard behind the MAGA eight ball.Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
...
What is the red line for a contemporary GOP increasingly built around a personality cult? I put that question to a dozen Republicans in the House and Senate, a mix from across the ideological spectrum and from every region of the country. The conversations revealed a lot about the Trump GOP, but the red line, with respect to Trump’s behavior generally, or his conduct specific to the Mueller probe, was vanishingly thin and difficult to detect. And every time you think you see it—pee tape, porn-star liaison, erratic diplomacy, threats to fire Mueller—it keeps moving. As Republican senator Jeff Flake of Arizona put it, “I don’t know that there is one.”
posted by kirkaracha at 8:30 AM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
The one thing saving me from throwing up today, is that only one Montenegrin soldier died in Afghanistan, and not in combat.
Sadly, nearly 1000 NATO soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 9/11.
Not to mention that NATO keeps US soldiers alive.
Nicholas Grossman
1870-71: Franco-Prussian War, 433K dead
1914-1918: WWI, 17.6M dead, including 116K Americans
1939-1945: WWII, 54M dead in Europe, including 277K Americans
1949: NATO founded
1949-Present: No major European wars
2018: "NATO's stupid. What does it do for us anyway?"
posted by chris24 at 8:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [89 favorites]
Sadly, nearly 1000 NATO soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 9/11.
Not to mention that NATO keeps US soldiers alive.
Nicholas Grossman
1870-71: Franco-Prussian War, 433K dead
1914-1918: WWI, 17.6M dead, including 116K Americans
1939-1945: WWII, 54M dead in Europe, including 277K Americans
1949: NATO founded
1949-Present: No major European wars
2018: "NATO's stupid. What does it do for us anyway?"
posted by chris24 at 8:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [89 favorites]
What is the red line for a contemporary GOP increasingly built around a personality cult?
Losing elections. Let's start 11/6/18.
posted by chris24 at 8:32 AM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
Losing elections. Let's start 11/6/18.
posted by chris24 at 8:32 AM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
(Look at Tucker Carlson, for example -- chided by Jon Stewart about the uselessness of "Crossfire," Paul Begala stepped down, and Carlson stepped it up.
"If only Stewart were nicer to poor Tucker he might not have doubled down and turned into the raging fucking asshole he is today"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:34 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
"If only Stewart were nicer to poor Tucker he might not have doubled down and turned into the raging fucking asshole he is today"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:34 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
I think David Rees's SHAME THEORY analysis, one day after the Comey firing, is still 100% spot on.
posted by theodolite at 8:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 8:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Politico reporting on comments by Rohrabacher: "Indictment of NRA-linked Russian is 'stupid'"
Rohrabacher is such a wretched lying traitor to his country. I will cheer when he is voted out of office, and I hope he's put behind bars so he can't profit from some plum lobbyist job.
posted by StrawberryPie at 8:37 AM on July 18, 2018 [23 favorites]
Rohrabacher is such a wretched lying traitor to his country. I will cheer when he is voted out of office, and I hope he's put behind bars so he can't profit from some plum lobbyist job.
posted by StrawberryPie at 8:37 AM on July 18, 2018 [23 favorites]
"If only Stewart were nicer to poor Tucker he might not have doubled down and turned into the raging fucking asshole he is today"
Alternately, "Stewart was dumb to attack Tucker Carlson for 'hurting America' because he assumed Tucker Carlson likes America.”
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Alternately, "Stewart was dumb to attack Tucker Carlson for 'hurting America' because he assumed Tucker Carlson likes America.”
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
From the Politico Artilce, Rohrabacher said:
“I know I had dinner with [Butina] along with another member, along with a visiting delegation to Russia,” he said. “Is that something we should be worried about?”
Wonder who just felt a bus roll over them?
posted by Twain Device at 8:47 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
“I know I had dinner with [Butina] along with another member, along with a visiting delegation to Russia,” he said. “Is that something we should be worried about?”
Wonder who just felt a bus roll over them?
posted by Twain Device at 8:47 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
2018: "NATO's stupid. What does it do for us anyway?"
18th Century: 400,000 Europeans each year die from Smallpox
1796: Edward Jenner invents first Smallpox vaccine
1950: Polio kills or paralyzes half a million per year
1955: Jonas Salk invents Polio vaccine
1979: Smallpox eradicated and Polio eradicated in the US
2018: "Vaccines are stupid. What do they do for us anyway?"
I see a trend.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [94 favorites]
18th Century: 400,000 Europeans each year die from Smallpox
1796: Edward Jenner invents first Smallpox vaccine
1950: Polio kills or paralyzes half a million per year
1955: Jonas Salk invents Polio vaccine
1979: Smallpox eradicated and Polio eradicated in the US
2018: "Vaccines are stupid. What do they do for us anyway?"
I see a trend.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [94 favorites]
[Talking Points Memo] @Tierney_Megan Attorneys for Andrew Miller — a Roger Stone aide who had sought to squash a subpoena for Mueller’s probe — just emerged from an 1.5 hour sealed matter in Chief Judge Howell’s courtroom. 5 members of Mueller’s team were in the courtroom as well.
posted by scalefree at 8:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 8:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
Just as a reminder regarding Bill Browder, as with all things involving Trump and Putin, its all about the Magnitsky Act. Bill Browder was the guy who hired Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky to investigate corruption in Putin's government. Magnitsky uncovered a $230 million government corruption scam that involved Putin. For this, Magnitsky was jailed, tortured and murdered at the hands of Putin.
Browder was the person who was behind the campaign that brought about the bipartisan Magnitsky Act which freezes the foreign assets and restricts the movement of Putin and his oligarchy outside of Russia.
And Monday we all saw Trump nod approvingly when Putin offered to exchange the 12 indicted Russian agents in exchange for turning over Browder to Putin and his murderous thugs.
This is the exact same issue that led to the Trump Jr. meeting at the Trump tower -- the Magnitsky Act. And Monday everyone witnessed open collusion between Trump and Putin.
Although born an American citizen, Browder emigrated to the UK decades ago and is a British citizen, but one can certainly imagine Trump twisting Theresa May's arm in her desperation for a U.S. trade deal with a hard Brexit pending.
posted by JackFlash at 8:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [110 favorites]
Browder was the person who was behind the campaign that brought about the bipartisan Magnitsky Act which freezes the foreign assets and restricts the movement of Putin and his oligarchy outside of Russia.
And Monday we all saw Trump nod approvingly when Putin offered to exchange the 12 indicted Russian agents in exchange for turning over Browder to Putin and his murderous thugs.
This is the exact same issue that led to the Trump Jr. meeting at the Trump tower -- the Magnitsky Act. And Monday everyone witnessed open collusion between Trump and Putin.
Although born an American citizen, Browder emigrated to the UK decades ago and is a British citizen, but one can certainly imagine Trump twisting Theresa May's arm in her desperation for a U.S. trade deal with a hard Brexit pending.
posted by JackFlash at 8:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [110 favorites]
In case you were wondering about Kavanaugh's feelings re Mueller, Manu Raju writes of Trump Supreme Court pick: I would 'put the nail' in ruling upholding independent counsel.
So even if Congress passed a new law to protect Mueller, a Kavanaugh-added SCOTUS would most likely overrule that law, unless John Roberts somehow sided with the left?
posted by gladly at 9:00 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
So even if Congress passed a new law to protect Mueller, a Kavanaugh-added SCOTUS would most likely overrule that law, unless John Roberts somehow sided with the left?
posted by gladly at 9:00 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
In case you were wondering about Kavanaugh's feelings re Mueller, Manu Raju writes of Trump Supreme Court pick: I would 'put the nail' in ruling upholding independent counsel.
Grounds for impeachign Kavanaugh right there. No need to increase the size of the court.
Impeach. Replace. Move on. For the agenda in 2019
posted by ocschwar at 9:12 AM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
Grounds for impeachign Kavanaugh right there. No need to increase the size of the court.
Impeach. Replace. Move on. For the agenda in 2019
posted by ocschwar at 9:12 AM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
Let's not pick on Senator Flake; he's engaged in critical business.
posted by jgirl at 9:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by jgirl at 9:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Increasing the court is much easier than impeachment. Impeachment requires 67 to convict in the senate. Adding to the court only 51 once the filibuster is nuked.
posted by chris24 at 9:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 9:14 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Poll: Americans more divided over Kavanaugh than any other recent Supreme Court pick
Only a small fraction of Democratic voters - 17 percent - said that the Senate should approve Kavanaugh, compared to a large majority of Republicans - 71 percent - saying he should be confirmed, according to the survey. [...] Sixty-nine percent of Republicans said that the Senate should go ahead and hold a vote on Kavanaugh before the midterms while only 18 percent of Democrats agreed.
Surprisingly low numbers for Republicans.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
Only a small fraction of Democratic voters - 17 percent - said that the Senate should approve Kavanaugh, compared to a large majority of Republicans - 71 percent - saying he should be confirmed, according to the survey. [...] Sixty-nine percent of Republicans said that the Senate should go ahead and hold a vote on Kavanaugh before the midterms while only 18 percent of Democrats agreed.
Surprisingly low numbers for Republicans.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
Well that's not good.
@nycsouthpaw The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
posted by scalefree at 9:21 AM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
@nycsouthpaw The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
posted by scalefree at 9:21 AM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
Surprisingly low numbers for Republicans.
From Nate Silver:
From Nate Silver:
Kavanaugh's numbers in this poll (+4) are the worst of any SCOTUS nominee that Gallup has tested. By comparison, Gorsuch was a +13.posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:24 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
Prior to Kavanaugh, the least popular nominees per Gallup were Bork (+6) and Miers (+8).
@nycsouthpaw The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
So in the movie, is she going to be played by Keri Russell?
posted by JackFlash at 9:27 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
So in the movie, is she going to be played by Keri Russell?
posted by JackFlash at 9:27 AM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Just as a reminder regarding Bill Browder, as with all things involving Pussy grabber and Putin, its all about the Magnitsky Act.
I was startled but not surprised to hear his name come out of Putin's mouth.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong or missing something here:
After the end of the Cold War there's a ton of instability. "Shock Therapy" is instituted by Yeltsin to convert the state-controlled economy into a market economy. (This is the 'lawlessness' that Browder literally capitalized upon, and yes just TONS of hand-waving here for brevity's sake.) The people who used to control the branches of government that were in charge of the various aspects of the economy made a relatively smooth transition into ownership of the private companies that took over those economies.
They proceeded to extract the wealth of Russia's economy by forceful theft, and became even more powerful than they were when they were government officials. Putin comes to power in the diminished Russian government, puts the richest oligarch (as these former government "czars" are by now) in a cage, in court, on national television and then throws him into jail and loses the key.
Browder explains that if you imagine yourself as the seventh richest (smartest, most powerful, etc.) oligarch in Russia, and you just saw the guy who was at the top of the ladder you're already pretty damn high up on get tossed into a dungeon, you might be interested in striking a deal to make sure you weren't the next guy thrown off. Or the next guy, or the one after that, etc.
The deal is something like 50% of profits. When your profits are billions of dollars and after the split you still have billions of dollars, that's not a bad-looking deal. Meanwhile, Putin is instantly the richest man on Earth.
But let's go back to the forceful theft part. The oligarchs will do anything to suck money out of Russia, and now they have the blessing of the Russian Government to do so. Browder objects when an oligarch steals a large tax payment he makes to the Russian Government, hires an attorney—Magnitsky—who is then murdered by the Russian Government while refusing to recant official testimony he gave in court against the oligarch who stole Browder's company's tax payment. Stealing taxes to the government is how the oligarchs get rich. They do that for a few decades, and they get very rich. Russia starves, freezes.
Browder goes home to UK first to plead his case, and meets a brick wall. (Lots of rubles in London, right?) Then he tries his old home and petitions Congress. It's a ripping story he tells, and despite Obama's Russian Reset strategy, convinces first Congress (like 99% of it, I'll leave objecting members as a project for my fellow conspiracy-ists) then Obama to put the Magnitsky Act into law.
Several other nation-states write similar laws. And now the rich Russian oligarchs can't spend their money in the world economy unless some asshole like Donald Trump or Michael Cohen or Elliot Broidy or Rex Tillerson or Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III (meet your American Oligarchs!) launders it for them.
Or they get the sanctions lifted.
So. America is already a capitalist economy and doesn't require the messy transition. All the American Oligarchs need is a way to steal the taxes of the American people and net them in their own pockets. They can privatize the valuable economic resources controlled by the American governments while dismantling the oversight of their theft.
Cancel your subscriptions.
Vote.
Love one another.
posted by carsonb at 9:30 AM on July 18, 2018 [80 favorites]
I was startled but not surprised to hear his name come out of Putin's mouth.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong or missing something here:
After the end of the Cold War there's a ton of instability. "Shock Therapy" is instituted by Yeltsin to convert the state-controlled economy into a market economy. (This is the 'lawlessness' that Browder literally capitalized upon, and yes just TONS of hand-waving here for brevity's sake.) The people who used to control the branches of government that were in charge of the various aspects of the economy made a relatively smooth transition into ownership of the private companies that took over those economies.
They proceeded to extract the wealth of Russia's economy by forceful theft, and became even more powerful than they were when they were government officials. Putin comes to power in the diminished Russian government, puts the richest oligarch (as these former government "czars" are by now) in a cage, in court, on national television and then throws him into jail and loses the key.
Browder explains that if you imagine yourself as the seventh richest (smartest, most powerful, etc.) oligarch in Russia, and you just saw the guy who was at the top of the ladder you're already pretty damn high up on get tossed into a dungeon, you might be interested in striking a deal to make sure you weren't the next guy thrown off. Or the next guy, or the one after that, etc.
The deal is something like 50% of profits. When your profits are billions of dollars and after the split you still have billions of dollars, that's not a bad-looking deal. Meanwhile, Putin is instantly the richest man on Earth.
But let's go back to the forceful theft part. The oligarchs will do anything to suck money out of Russia, and now they have the blessing of the Russian Government to do so. Browder objects when an oligarch steals a large tax payment he makes to the Russian Government, hires an attorney—Magnitsky—who is then murdered by the Russian Government while refusing to recant official testimony he gave in court against the oligarch who stole Browder's company's tax payment. Stealing taxes to the government is how the oligarchs get rich. They do that for a few decades, and they get very rich. Russia starves, freezes.
Browder goes home to UK first to plead his case, and meets a brick wall. (Lots of rubles in London, right?) Then he tries his old home and petitions Congress. It's a ripping story he tells, and despite Obama's Russian Reset strategy, convinces first Congress (like 99% of it, I'll leave objecting members as a project for my fellow conspiracy-ists) then Obama to put the Magnitsky Act into law.
Several other nation-states write similar laws. And now the rich Russian oligarchs can't spend their money in the world economy unless some asshole like Donald Trump or Michael Cohen or Elliot Broidy or Rex Tillerson or Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III (meet your American Oligarchs!) launders it for them.
Or they get the sanctions lifted.
So. America is already a capitalist economy and doesn't require the messy transition. All the American Oligarchs need is a way to steal the taxes of the American people and net them in their own pockets. They can privatize the valuable economic resources controlled by the American governments while dismantling the oversight of their theft.
Cancel your subscriptions.
Vote.
Love one another.
posted by carsonb at 9:30 AM on July 18, 2018 [80 favorites]
ummmmmm guys?
"Trumps son should be concerned': FBI obtained wiretaps of Putin ally who met with Trump Jr.
The FBI has obtained secret wiretaps collected by Spanish police of conversations involving Alexander Torshin, a deputy governor of Russia’s Central Bank who has forged close ties with U.S. lawmakers and the National Rifle Association, that led to a meeting with Donald Trump Jr. during the gun lobby’s annual convention in Louisville, Ky., in May 2016, a top Spanish prosecutor said Friday.
José Grinda, who has spearheaded investigations into Spanish organized crime, said that bureau officials in recent months requested and were provided transcripts of wiretapped conversations between Torshin and Alexander Romanov, a convicted Russian money launderer. On the wiretaps, Romanov refers to Torshin as “El Padrino,” the godfather.
“Just a few months ago, the wiretaps of these telephone conversations were given to the FBI,” Grinda said in response to a question from Yahoo News during a talk he gave at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington. Asked if he was concerned about Torshin’s meetings with Donald Trump Jr. and other American political figures, Grinda replied: “Mr. Trump’s son should be concerned.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
"Trumps son should be concerned': FBI obtained wiretaps of Putin ally who met with Trump Jr.
The FBI has obtained secret wiretaps collected by Spanish police of conversations involving Alexander Torshin, a deputy governor of Russia’s Central Bank who has forged close ties with U.S. lawmakers and the National Rifle Association, that led to a meeting with Donald Trump Jr. during the gun lobby’s annual convention in Louisville, Ky., in May 2016, a top Spanish prosecutor said Friday.
José Grinda, who has spearheaded investigations into Spanish organized crime, said that bureau officials in recent months requested and were provided transcripts of wiretapped conversations between Torshin and Alexander Romanov, a convicted Russian money launderer. On the wiretaps, Romanov refers to Torshin as “El Padrino,” the godfather.
“Just a few months ago, the wiretaps of these telephone conversations were given to the FBI,” Grinda said in response to a question from Yahoo News during a talk he gave at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington. Asked if he was concerned about Torshin’s meetings with Donald Trump Jr. and other American political figures, Grinda replied: “Mr. Trump’s son should be concerned.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
> Well that's not good.
@nycsouthpaw: The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
For those who can't / won't follow the Twitter link, the FBI is alleging that Butina, age 29, was in a relationship with US Person 1, age 56, but that was a "duplicitous relationship" because she treated it as part of her job, complained about it, expressed disdain for continued cohabitation, and offered at least one other person sex in exchange for "a position within a special interest organization".
This is ... yeah, not good.
Also per that Twitter thread, Butina and US Person 1 (age 56) had packed their belongings, rented a U-Haul, wired $3500 to Russia, and written to their landlord to terminate their lease on July 31st.
(Fun fact: Sean Hannity is 56 years old. But no, it's not him.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:34 AM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
@nycsouthpaw: The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
For those who can't / won't follow the Twitter link, the FBI is alleging that Butina, age 29, was in a relationship with US Person 1, age 56, but that was a "duplicitous relationship" because she treated it as part of her job, complained about it, expressed disdain for continued cohabitation, and offered at least one other person sex in exchange for "a position within a special interest organization".
This is ... yeah, not good.
Also per that Twitter thread, Butina and US Person 1 (age 56) had packed their belongings, rented a U-Haul, wired $3500 to Russia, and written to their landlord to terminate their lease on July 31st.
(Fun fact: Sean Hannity is 56 years old. But no, it's not him.)
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:34 AM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
So in the movie, is she going to be played by Keri Russell?
Long & short of it, she lived & slept with Person 1 & complained about having to do so. Not taken by gov't as evidence of a local tie of the sort that would keep her from fleeing if released.
posted by scalefree at 9:36 AM on July 18, 2018
Long & short of it, she lived & slept with Person 1 & complained about having to do so. Not taken by gov't as evidence of a local tie of the sort that would keep her from fleeing if released.
posted by scalefree at 9:36 AM on July 18, 2018
Here's a link to the full pretrial detention motion (via Brad Heath; USAToday)
posted by melissasaurus at 9:36 AM on July 18, 2018
posted by melissasaurus at 9:36 AM on July 18, 2018
And we've arrived at day three of the Putin/Intelligence Community flip flop:
Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie)
BREAKING
Q: "is Russia still targeting the U.S.?"
Trump: "No."
Just now in the Cabinet meeting.
wonder how marco rubio and newt gingrich, so pleased with yesterday's "walk-back" will wrap their heads around this one.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie)
BREAKING
Q: "is Russia still targeting the U.S.?"
Trump: "No."
Just now in the Cabinet meeting.
wonder how marco rubio and newt gingrich, so pleased with yesterday's "walk-back" will wrap their heads around this one.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
@nycsouthpaw The government's argument to keep Maria Butina in pretrial detention includes this section.
Okay, look. She was only a 29-year-old Russian woman showing interest in a politically-connected 56-year-old American man and using his connections to further her own climb. How was he to know? What possible reason would a middle-aged American political operative have to be suspicious of the interests of a much younger Russian woman? She wasn't technically half his age. C'mon.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:40 AM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
Okay, look. She was only a 29-year-old Russian woman showing interest in a politically-connected 56-year-old American man and using his connections to further her own climb. How was he to know? What possible reason would a middle-aged American political operative have to be suspicious of the interests of a much younger Russian woman? She wasn't technically half his age. C'mon.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:40 AM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
For reference, U.S. Person 1 is GOP operative Paul Erickson -- the age lines up, he's been heavily involved with the NRA in the same timeframe as Butina, and the NY Times sourced the "back-channel to President Putin's Kremlin" e-mail to him back in 2017.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:41 AM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:41 AM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
Q: "is Russia still targeting the U.S.?"
Trump: "No."
Just now in the Cabinet meeting.
*wipes sweaty brow*
BOY, THAT'S A RELIEF
posted by entropicamericana at 9:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
Trump: "No."
Just now in the Cabinet meeting.
*wipes sweaty brow*
BOY, THAT'S A RELIEF
posted by entropicamericana at 9:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
How was he to know?
He went home with thewaitress student, the way he always did. How was he to know she was with the Russians, too?
posted by octobersurprise at 9:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
He went home with the
posted by octobersurprise at 9:53 AM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
Okay, I'm gonna try to piece this narrative together:
1) Putin becomes world's wealthiest person by stealing from the oligarchs in Russia.
2) Bill Browder, one of these wealthy individuals who has his tax payment stolen, watches as the attorney he hires is tried for crimes and murdered before he can appear in court.
3) Bowder sifts through international connections to get the Magintsky Acts passed in a few countries. Putin's inner circle can no longer move their money around on the international stage as freely, as the dollar is now denied to them as a means of laundering money.
4) Russia annexes Crimea.
5) Maria Butina moves to the US, seduces Paul Erikson, and works the back channel connection through the NRA.
6) Pee tape
7) Trump, now compromised, is goaded into running for President. Manafort is suggested as his campaign manager.
8) Manafort is fired
9) Trump Tower meeting
10) Trump is elected!
11) Preet Bharara is fired to end the investigation into Trump's enterprises from the NY state angle.
12) Comey is fired to end the Russia investigation. Mueller takes his place.
13) Many guilty pleas, and insane shenanegans later, we learn of all of these events.
Seems like an EXTREMELY compelling, simple narrative.
I'm missing the Seychelles meeting and the attempts from other powers to influence the current administration. I think a similar story could be woven for Qatar/UAE/Saudi Arabia/Israel/China.
MeFites, as a lurker and a bystander, how am I doing at piecing together this narrative?
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 9:54 AM on July 18, 2018 [91 favorites]
1) Putin becomes world's wealthiest person by stealing from the oligarchs in Russia.
2) Bill Browder, one of these wealthy individuals who has his tax payment stolen, watches as the attorney he hires is tried for crimes and murdered before he can appear in court.
3) Bowder sifts through international connections to get the Magintsky Acts passed in a few countries. Putin's inner circle can no longer move their money around on the international stage as freely, as the dollar is now denied to them as a means of laundering money.
4) Russia annexes Crimea.
5) Maria Butina moves to the US, seduces Paul Erikson, and works the back channel connection through the NRA.
6) Pee tape
7) Trump, now compromised, is goaded into running for President. Manafort is suggested as his campaign manager.
8) Manafort is fired
9) Trump Tower meeting
10) Trump is elected!
11) Preet Bharara is fired to end the investigation into Trump's enterprises from the NY state angle.
12) Comey is fired to end the Russia investigation. Mueller takes his place.
13) Many guilty pleas, and insane shenanegans later, we learn of all of these events.
Seems like an EXTREMELY compelling, simple narrative.
I'm missing the Seychelles meeting and the attempts from other powers to influence the current administration. I think a similar story could be woven for Qatar/UAE/Saudi Arabia/Israel/China.
MeFites, as a lurker and a bystander, how am I doing at piecing together this narrative?
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 9:54 AM on July 18, 2018 [91 favorites]
Wasn't Manafort at the Trump Tower meeting? I feel like he was fired later.
posted by SpaceBass at 9:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by SpaceBass at 9:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
More from the government's motion of pre-trial detention for Butina, per Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel)—"The Oligarchs are funding the spies in the US":
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
3. Butina Has Ties to the Russian Oligarchy* Maybe Forbes billionaires Boris Rotenberg (Putin crony) or Gleb Fetisov (ties to Alfa Group).
In addition to her ties to the Russian government, there is evidence that Butina is well- connected to wealthy businessmen in the Russian oligarchy. Her Twitter messages, chat logs, and emails refer to a known Russian businessman with deep ties to the Russian Presidential Administration. This person often travels to the United States and has also been referred to as her “funder” throughout her correspondence; he was listed in Forbes as having a real-time net worth of $1.2 billion as of 2018*. Immediately prior to her first trip to the United States in late 2014, Butina engaged in a series of text messages with a different wealthy Russian businessman regarding budgets for her trip to the United States and meetings with the aforementioned “funder.” Individuals such as these wealthy businessmen could, through their wealth and influence, be in a position to offer a safe harbor for Butina.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
Hmmm ...
American Conservatives Played A Secret Role In The Macedonian Fake News Boom Ahead Of 2016posted by octobersurprise at 9:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
— Buzzfeed, July 18, 2018, at 12:24 p.m. ET
@SpaceBass, yes, you're correct on a google search. I put those two events in the wrong order. My intention was to briefly include the history behind the Maginstky act, as now I see with Putin bringing Bowder's name into the narrative how important those events were for shaping the events we see today.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 10:00 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 10:00 AM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Wasn't Manafort at the Trump Tower meeting?
Yep, yep, yep. As was Jared Kushner. Calling it Don Jr's meeting obfuscates their participation, but they were the big "gets" for Putin's lawyer-agent Natalia Veselnitskaya and GRU operative Rinat Akhmetshin.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Yep, yep, yep. As was Jared Kushner. Calling it Don Jr's meeting obfuscates their participation, but they were the big "gets" for Putin's lawyer-agent Natalia Veselnitskaya and GRU operative Rinat Akhmetshin.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Fox News tries mightily to explain Trump's "No." response to "Is Russia still targeting the U.S.?", in a segment that literally includes the phrases:
posted by pjenks at 10:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
We're working really hard to make this sound reasonable.and
I'm spit-balling here, so just work with me, I'm developing this thought ...video from Lis Power of Media Matters
posted by pjenks at 10:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
Meanwhile, today Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is pandering to sewing up the hinterland vote by introducing the Go Pack Go Act:
“Every Packers fan across our state should be able to watch Packers games,” said Senator Baldwin. “My Go Pack Go Act would give Packers fans in every Wisconsin county the opportunity to watch Packers games and cheer on our beloved green and gold.”posted by carmicha at 10:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
...In Wisconsin, nearly 400,000 people live in 13 counties that have been assigned to an out-of-state market, in either Minnesota or Michigan. Senator Baldwin’s Go Pack Go Act would require cable, satellite and other video providers to provide their Wisconsin subscribers with access to programming from the broadcast television stations in a Wisconsin media market.
This is ... yeah, not good.
On the contrary, it's just getting good
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
On the contrary, it's just getting good
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
Fox News: Fair and Balanced We Report, You Decide We're Working Really Hard to Make This Sound Reasonable.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:03 AM on July 18, 2018 [92 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 10:03 AM on July 18, 2018 [92 favorites]
From a Time article published literally 4 days ago:
Nielsen said her agency will help state and local election officials prepare their systems for cyberattacks from Russia or elsewhere. She said U.S. intelligence officials are seeing “persistent Russian efforts using social media, sympathetic spokespeople and other fronts to sow discord and divisiveness amongst the American people, though not necessarily focused on specific politicians or political campaigns.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Nielsen said her agency will help state and local election officials prepare their systems for cyberattacks from Russia or elsewhere. She said U.S. intelligence officials are seeing “persistent Russian efforts using social media, sympathetic spokespeople and other fronts to sow discord and divisiveness amongst the American people, though not necessarily focused on specific politicians or political campaigns.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 10:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
We're Working Really Hard to Make This Sound Reasonable
None dare call it reason.
posted by Grangousier at 10:09 AM on July 18, 2018 [130 favorites]
None dare call it reason.
posted by Grangousier at 10:09 AM on July 18, 2018 [130 favorites]
> We're working really hard to make this sound reasonable.
After Trump won the election I made a comment here about how a lot of people were going to get a crash course in emotional labour, but even so I vastly underestimated the lengths to which millions of people would be willing to go to in order to prop up this grotesquely incompetent rich white man. Not that I sympathize with them or would ask anyone else to, but...can you imagine? It must be *exhausting*.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:15 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
After Trump won the election I made a comment here about how a lot of people were going to get a crash course in emotional labour, but even so I vastly underestimated the lengths to which millions of people would be willing to go to in order to prop up this grotesquely incompetent rich white man. Not that I sympathize with them or would ask anyone else to, but...can you imagine? It must be *exhausting*.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:15 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
Meanwhile, today Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is pandering to sewing up the hinterland vote by introducing the Go Pack Go Act:
It would be interesting if it works. Baldwin, up for re-election this year, is according to DW-NOMINATE the 4th most liberal Senator in a state that went for Trump.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
It would be interesting if it works. Baldwin, up for re-election this year, is according to DW-NOMINATE the 4th most liberal Senator in a state that went for Trump.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
So the Buzzfeed article about Macedonian fake news sites mentions
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Paris Wade, had founded Liberty Writers News, a hyperpartisan conservative site based in the United States. The pair would achieve a certain level of infamy after a late November 2016 profile by the Washington Post portrayed them as misinformation merchants who were getting rich by stoking fear and anger. Wade is now a Republican candidate for the Nevada State Assembly.The linked Paris Wade campaign site is... something. Like, I'm not sure what I was expecting from the founder of Liberty Writers News but it was not this.
posted by soren_lorensen at 10:17 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein went to Trump last week and offered him the choice: before or after the Putin summit on Monday in Helsinki? Trump chose before, ultimately putting the issue into the spotlight just 72 hours before the high-stakes meeting, the people said.
...
So the post-summit meeting at the White House with Rosenstein was to cook up this story?
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:24 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
...
So the post-summit meeting at the White House with Rosenstein was to cook up this story?
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:24 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Trump: "So let me just say that we have two thoughts. You have groups that are wondering why the FBI never took the server. Why haven't they taken the server? Why was the FBI told to leave the office of the Democratic National Committee? I've been wondering that. I've been asking that for months and months, and I've been tweeting it out and calling it out on social media. Where is the server? I want to know, where is the server? And what is the server saying?"
In case you were wondering about this babble, Trump is not talking about the Clinton server. He is talking about the DNC server the Russians hacked. For low information people, Trump is insinuating that it is the DNC that committed a crime. Trump is covering for the Russians commission of a crime by blaming the victims.
First off, this makes no sense because there is no server at the DNC. Most of the stolen information was in the cloud so there is no server to take. The DNC IT technicians gave the FBI forensic copies of their server information which they used to help establish the Russian hacking.
But more importantly, the DNC is a private, not government, entity. Neither Donald Trump nor the FBI have a right to peruse the contents of the DNC documents or seize their server without their permission. Trump's insistence that he has a right to view the documents of his political opponents at the DNC is straight out of Watergate. That's the crime that led to Nixon's threatened impeachment and resignation.
posted by JackFlash at 10:37 AM on July 18, 2018 [109 favorites]
In case you were wondering about this babble, Trump is not talking about the Clinton server. He is talking about the DNC server the Russians hacked. For low information people, Trump is insinuating that it is the DNC that committed a crime. Trump is covering for the Russians commission of a crime by blaming the victims.
First off, this makes no sense because there is no server at the DNC. Most of the stolen information was in the cloud so there is no server to take. The DNC IT technicians gave the FBI forensic copies of their server information which they used to help establish the Russian hacking.
But more importantly, the DNC is a private, not government, entity. Neither Donald Trump nor the FBI have a right to peruse the contents of the DNC documents or seize their server without their permission. Trump's insistence that he has a right to view the documents of his political opponents at the DNC is straight out of Watergate. That's the crime that led to Nixon's threatened impeachment and resignation.
posted by JackFlash at 10:37 AM on July 18, 2018 [109 favorites]
Forensic copies are better than the original. They're digitally signed & tamper resistant. You also get snapshots of the system RAM so you can see any malware running in them. As always he's talking out his ass.
posted by scalefree at 10:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 10:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
First off, this makes no sense because there is no server at the DNC. Most of the stolen information was in the cloud so there is no server to take. The DNC IT technicians gave the FBI forensic copies of their server information which they used to help establish the Russian hacking.
Additionally, from the indictments of the Kremlin's GRU Officers, it appears quite possible that our Allies were up on them at the time with their own surveillance, keyloggers, and rootkits and pretty much watched the attacks happen.
posted by mikelieman at 10:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Additionally, from the indictments of the Kremlin's GRU Officers, it appears quite possible that our Allies were up on them at the time with their own surveillance, keyloggers, and rootkits and pretty much watched the attacks happen.
posted by mikelieman at 10:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Cute: The DNC keeps the old server next to the Watergate file cabinet.
posted by mikelieman at 10:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [42 favorites]
posted by mikelieman at 10:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [42 favorites]
In trying to make macro-sense of all this, especially with some significant pieces coming together now, I find it’s important to keep two essential ideas in mind: first, whatever all of this awful mess finally turns out to be (who was doing what & why, who is ultimately responsible, etc.), it will not be a tidy, linear narrative with a handful of prime movers. It’s most likely a hive of scum and villainy with overlapping wants and goals, some main characters, and lots of useful idiots.
Second (for me, key to understanding it all in a holistic sense, the basic ‘why’), this really looks like it’s mostly about money. Certainly power is a motivator, and there are White Supremicist and/or Christianist true believers aplenty, all of the major players we’re aware of—Putin, Trump, all Russian and American oligarchs—view government, politics and political power as tools to gain more wealth. I don’t think most of them have a politically ideological bone in their bodies, and all available evidence points to a long-term, loosely collaborative effort to grab and leverage tools of political power and psychopathically use them as needed to vastly enrich themselves without limit.
I mean, duh, but for the rest of us, because politics and government is life, because it actually affects us, it can be surprisingly hard to understand that we’re defending and fighting for something to which our adversaries are mostly indifferent. To us, it’s life; but to them, it’s a means to an end, a tool, and they don’t care how its use affects anyone else as long as their desires are met.
So Putin meeting Trump was no version of a summit or diplomacy between states. It was a mob boss meeting with an employee/mark, and using him as needed to advance his personal interests. I expect that Putin understands that Trump’s usefulness is winding down and may soon end, thus his kind of Hail Mary play of personally and directly bringing up Browder. It’s about the damn Magnitsky Act and maybe always has been. (When ongoing billions of dollars are at stake and in play, is any more complex motivation really needed?)
posted by LooseFilter at 11:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
Second (for me, key to understanding it all in a holistic sense, the basic ‘why’), this really looks like it’s mostly about money. Certainly power is a motivator, and there are White Supremicist and/or Christianist true believers aplenty, all of the major players we’re aware of—Putin, Trump, all Russian and American oligarchs—view government, politics and political power as tools to gain more wealth. I don’t think most of them have a politically ideological bone in their bodies, and all available evidence points to a long-term, loosely collaborative effort to grab and leverage tools of political power and psychopathically use them as needed to vastly enrich themselves without limit.
I mean, duh, but for the rest of us, because politics and government is life, because it actually affects us, it can be surprisingly hard to understand that we’re defending and fighting for something to which our adversaries are mostly indifferent. To us, it’s life; but to them, it’s a means to an end, a tool, and they don’t care how its use affects anyone else as long as their desires are met.
So Putin meeting Trump was no version of a summit or diplomacy between states. It was a mob boss meeting with an employee/mark, and using him as needed to advance his personal interests. I expect that Putin understands that Trump’s usefulness is winding down and may soon end, thus his kind of Hail Mary play of personally and directly bringing up Browder. It’s about the damn Magnitsky Act and maybe always has been. (When ongoing billions of dollars are at stake and in play, is any more complex motivation really needed?)
posted by LooseFilter at 11:01 AM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
@thebotanyofsouls:
Somewhere after #3 and before #6, I'd add another item:
Oligarchs, unable to move money freely due to Magnitsky act restrictions, begin to launder money using real estate transactions for Trump branded properties
posted by duoshao at 11:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [73 favorites]
Somewhere after #3 and before #6, I'd add another item:
Oligarchs, unable to move money freely due to Magnitsky act restrictions, begin to launder money using real estate transactions for Trump branded properties
posted by duoshao at 11:02 AM on July 18, 2018 [73 favorites]
Is anyone else of the impression that the Republican congress and Fox News are preparing to ditch Trump the moment Kavanaugh is confirmed?
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 11:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
@thebotanyofsouls
And another item shortly after with Don Jr's quote about a disproportionate share of Trump Org money coming from Russia.
posted by duoshao at 11:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
And another item shortly after with Don Jr's quote about a disproportionate share of Trump Org money coming from Russia.
posted by duoshao at 11:04 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Is anyone else of the impression that the Republican congress and Fox News are preparing to ditch Trump the moment Kavanaugh is confirmed?
Didn’t happen after Gorsuch, won’t happen now.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 11:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
Didn’t happen after Gorsuch, won’t happen now.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 11:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
Is anyone else of the impression that the Republican congress and Fox News are preparing to ditch Trump the moment Kavanaugh is confirmed?
Doubt it they want permanent tax cuts and there's always a chance, G-d forbid kein ayin hora, RBG doesn't stick it out to 2020.
posted by PenDevil at 11:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Doubt it they want permanent tax cuts and there's always a chance, G-d forbid kein ayin hora, RBG doesn't stick it out to 2020.
posted by PenDevil at 11:08 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Former senior CIA official Michael Scheuer is calling for Trump supporters to kill Trump opponents:
Finally, this week saw a significant and quickening advance toward the moment when those millions of well-armed citizens who voted for Trump, and who have been abused or wounded by Democrats, their Antifa-thugs, and their thug-civil servants for exercising their franchise to elect Trump, cannot be, in good conscience, patient for much longer. . . .
It is, of course, far better if Trump does so, and I pray and believe he will. That said, the sheer, nay, utter joy and satisfaction to be derived from beholding great piles of dead U.S.-citizen tyrants is not one that will be missed if Trump does not soon do the necessary to save the republic. But if he fails, the citizenry must act to ensure that Hillary’s predictive words are proven correct. “If Trump wins,” she apparently said, “we will all hang.”
posted by EarBucket at 11:13 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
Finally, this week saw a significant and quickening advance toward the moment when those millions of well-armed citizens who voted for Trump, and who have been abused or wounded by Democrats, their Antifa-thugs, and their thug-civil servants for exercising their franchise to elect Trump, cannot be, in good conscience, patient for much longer. . . .
It is, of course, far better if Trump does so, and I pray and believe he will. That said, the sheer, nay, utter joy and satisfaction to be derived from beholding great piles of dead U.S.-citizen tyrants is not one that will be missed if Trump does not soon do the necessary to save the republic. But if he fails, the citizenry must act to ensure that Hillary’s predictive words are proven correct. “If Trump wins,” she apparently said, “we will all hang.”
posted by EarBucket at 11:13 AM on July 18, 2018 [18 favorites]
The Fintan O'Toole article entitled Trial runs for fascism are in full flow, which has been linked/quoted in these threads more than once, is on track to become the most read Irish Times article ever with over 1 million readers so far and it's about to be translated into Hindi.
posted by roolya_boolya at 11:18 AM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
posted by roolya_boolya at 11:18 AM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
What in the shit, EarBucket, are you sure of that source? Because that’s over the several lines they usually cross and way over the horizon.
posted by Artw at 11:20 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:20 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
BuzzFeed, Ruby Cramer, A Critical Factor In 2020: Democrats Make Significant Cut To Caucus States: "By next year, Democrats could see the number of caucus states cut in half — a potential blow to insurgent candidates ahead of the next presidential election." Or, as I would put it, a win for people who like more accessible elections that don't put as much of a burden on people who want to vote:
By next year, Democrats could see the number of caucus states cut in half.The Atlantic, Vann R. Newkirk II, Voter Suppression Is Warping Democracy
Four states have already moved from a caucus system to a traditional primary: Maine, Minnesota, Colorado, and, as of last month, Idaho made the switch. Party officials say two more states — Nebraska and Washington — are now considering the same change. And as Democratic Party members prepare to adopt changes to the nominating process at their annual summer meeting next month — including a new rule to “encourage” the use of primaries over caucuses “whenever possible” — caucus states may face new outside pressure to embrace state-run primaries.
The shift could leave just seven caucus states on the nominating calendar. For more than 20 years, Democrats have held caucuses in no fewer than 14 states.
...
The [Unity Reform Comission] proposed a number of changes to the caucus system that would require states to offer same-day registration, to publicly report the results of caucus voting, to create a new mechanism for absentee voting, and to ensure that every caucus site is accessible to people with disabilities and English-language limitations.
The new data support perhaps the worst-case scenario offered by opponents of restrictive voting laws. Nine percent of black respondents and 9 percent of Hispanic respondents indicated that, in the last election, they (or someone in their household) were told that they lacked the proper identification to vote. Just 3 percent of whites said the same. Ten percent of black respondents and 11 percent of Hispanic respondents reported that they were incorrectly told that they weren’t listed on voter rolls, as opposed to 5 percent of white respondents. In all, across just about every issue identified as a common barrier to voting, black and Hispanic respondents were twice as likely, or more, to have experienced those barriers as white respondents.posted by zachlipton at 11:24 AM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
The numbers not only suggest that policies such as voter-ID requirements and automatic voter purges do, indeed, have strong racial and ethnic biases, but also that there are more subtle barriers for people of color that compound the effects of these laws. Fifteen percent of black respondents and 14 percent of Hispanic respondents said that they had trouble finding polling places on Election Day, versus 5 percent of whites. This finding squares with research indicating that frequent changes to polling-site locations hurt minority voters more. Additionally, more than one in 10 blacks and Hispanics missed the registration deadline to vote in 2016, as opposed to just 3 percent of whites. And black and Hispanic respondents were twice as likely as white respondents to have been unable to get time off work for voting.
...
In the case of the country’s most marginalized voters, past and present conspire. It’s often been reported that cultural and economic anxieties drove white voters to Trump, and that their gravitation has also corresponded with a weakening of democratic norms. But black and Hispanic voters are even more anxious and desperate, and that’s at least in part because democratic norms—if this trial run of racially inclusive democracy can even be referred to as a “norm”—are crumbling in their hands. Blows to the hard-won victory of the franchise already helped turn the tables in one election. But black and Hispanic voters are worried just as much about the elections to come.
My intention was to create a narrative that can be copied and pasted onto social media. Let me see if I can recreate that, with some sources (on preview, @doushao, I did include that direct Trump tower quote in the following collection of links):
~~~~
1) Putin, after gaining power, privatizes state assets and profits off of them, including the oil and gas industry.
2) Bill Browder has some of his tax payments confiscated and hires Sergei Magnistky to represent him and get his money back. Sergei dies, and Bowder builds connections in the US and Britain until the US, then several other countries, pass laws like the Magnistky Act. This restricts the oligarchic circle around Putin from moving their wealth freely, so ...
3) Trump's properties serve as a great way to move those roubles into far more fungible US dollars.
4) There may or may not have been a pee tape, but I promise that is the least of Trump's legal worries. Whatever the kompromat, Putin puts Trump under his thumb and ...
5) Goads Trump into running for President. Conveniently, Paul Manafort is appointed chairman of the campaign.
6) The Trump Tower meeting happens. Paul Manafort is forced out shortly thereafter.
7) The election shenanegans happen that we are all familiar with, and Trump becomes President! How convenient, that. We are (still, rightfully) in a state of shock here on the Blue, and resistance against this oddity forms immediately.
8) Preet Bharara, US attorney is fired, before his investigations into Russian money laundering can come to fruition.
9) Comey is fired for refusing to stop the Russia investigation.
10) Mueller is appointed, and we got to where we are now through the thousands of links posted here on MeFi.
~~~~~
I have had friends who argue that this is so enormously complicated, and fundamentally, it's not really THAT complex actually. it's criminal, it's huge, but not COMPLICATED AND TOO MUCH. I feel as if not enough attention has been given to Bill Bowder's story and why he is so hated in Russia - and what that says about the state of the Kremlin-oligarchy complex there.
Since that's out of the way, serious shot out to Doctor Zed, zachlipton, Chrysostom, and the many others who have made rich, thought out comments much more substantiative than myself.
And a thank you to corb, for being here and being the respectful voice of the conservative movement - your story that you've shared here has moved me deeply, and I am grateful you share your perspective and that you continue to be here in spite of some members who want to argue you down when you share a view very different than yours.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:29 AM on July 18, 2018 [94 favorites]
~~~~
1) Putin, after gaining power, privatizes state assets and profits off of them, including the oil and gas industry.
2) Bill Browder has some of his tax payments confiscated and hires Sergei Magnistky to represent him and get his money back. Sergei dies, and Bowder builds connections in the US and Britain until the US, then several other countries, pass laws like the Magnistky Act. This restricts the oligarchic circle around Putin from moving their wealth freely, so ...
3) Trump's properties serve as a great way to move those roubles into far more fungible US dollars.
4) There may or may not have been a pee tape, but I promise that is the least of Trump's legal worries. Whatever the kompromat, Putin puts Trump under his thumb and ...
5) Goads Trump into running for President. Conveniently, Paul Manafort is appointed chairman of the campaign.
6) The Trump Tower meeting happens. Paul Manafort is forced out shortly thereafter.
7) The election shenanegans happen that we are all familiar with, and Trump becomes President! How convenient, that. We are (still, rightfully) in a state of shock here on the Blue, and resistance against this oddity forms immediately.
8) Preet Bharara, US attorney is fired, before his investigations into Russian money laundering can come to fruition.
9) Comey is fired for refusing to stop the Russia investigation.
10) Mueller is appointed, and we got to where we are now through the thousands of links posted here on MeFi.
~~~~~
I have had friends who argue that this is so enormously complicated, and fundamentally, it's not really THAT complex actually. it's criminal, it's huge, but not COMPLICATED AND TOO MUCH. I feel as if not enough attention has been given to Bill Bowder's story and why he is so hated in Russia - and what that says about the state of the Kremlin-oligarchy complex there.
Since that's out of the way, serious shot out to Doctor Zed, zachlipton, Chrysostom, and the many others who have made rich, thought out comments much more substantiative than myself.
And a thank you to corb, for being here and being the respectful voice of the conservative movement - your story that you've shared here has moved me deeply, and I am grateful you share your perspective and that you continue to be here in spite of some members who want to argue you down when you share a view very different than yours.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:29 AM on July 18, 2018 [94 favorites]
This Rapid City Journal timeline on the career of Paul Erickson makes him look like the Zelig of the last 40 years of right-wing politics. From performing an anti-Mondale skit at the '84 RNC, to working for Richard Viguerie and Pat Buchanan, to running with the Afghani Mujahideen and the Nicaraguan Contras, it's all there. Other high points include lobbying for Mobutu Sese Seko, being John Wayne Bobbitt's agent, and receiving executive producer credit on the 1988 anti-communist action film Red Scorpion, based on a story conceived by Jack Abramoff and staring Dolph Lundgren!
posted by octobersurprise at 11:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 11:31 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Muchas gracias! I may have dyslexified another name or two in there - it took me three times to type Magnitsky's name correctly even after copying and pasting the wikipedia link.
(totally one of those, "you may be a gringo when ..." moments). /derail
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:34 AM on July 18, 2018
(totally one of those, "you may be a gringo when ..." moments). /derail
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 11:34 AM on July 18, 2018
Summit critics have Trump derangement syndrome – says Trump, By David Smith in The Guardian
posted by mumimor at 11:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
The US president might be regretting his partial climbdown on his drawing a moral equivalence between the Kremlin and American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, which triggered accusations of treason.I don't know what to say anymore
“Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday. “They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!”
posted by mumimor at 11:36 AM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
By next year, Democrats could see the number of caucus states cut in half — a potential blow to insurgent candidates ahead of the next presidential election
I’ll just note that caucuses and convention delegates were far less likely to support Trump than general voters were. I think we need more caucuses -yes, accessible ones, yes, held on the weekends - not less.
posted by corb at 11:38 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
I’ll just note that caucuses and convention delegates were far less likely to support Trump than general voters were. I think we need more caucuses -yes, accessible ones, yes, held on the weekends - not less.
posted by corb at 11:38 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think we need better voters, but that might be a big ask.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 11:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 11:39 AM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
We've been through this before, but I think it's honestly appalling to institute a system where people have to publicly defend their choice of candidate. Doesn't matter if it's on a national holiday, that's not an equitable way to hold a primary.
posted by lydhre at 11:41 AM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by lydhre at 11:41 AM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Yeah, I understand the impulse, corb. I really do. But the problem isn't that there weren't enough caucuses it's that a ton of Republican voters were ignorant racists. Fiddling with the primary system can't fix that.
I'm on record opposing caucuses. That's still my position. But I admit it troubles me that, for example, Barack Obama would never have become President without the caucus system (or at least not when he did) and I don't really have a good answer for that. There are costs to everything and we can't know how things would have shaken out in a different world.
posted by Justinian at 11:42 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
I'm on record opposing caucuses. That's still my position. But I admit it troubles me that, for example, Barack Obama would never have become President without the caucus system (or at least not when he did) and I don't really have a good answer for that. There are costs to everything and we can't know how things would have shaken out in a different world.
posted by Justinian at 11:42 AM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
@thebotanyofsouls, your summary has caused a lightbulb moment for me. It’s short and understandable. I’d like to share it, if you don’t mind?
posted by samthemander at 11:43 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by samthemander at 11:43 AM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Caucuses depress turnout. You cannot fix democracy by reducing participation in the democratic process.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
Press briefing is happening now:
this is incredible - they cant come up with a story. SHS just said that the "no" in the cabinet meeting was about more questions not about russian meddling, then she says there is no election today so they cant be targeting it, then pivots to defending our election systems and reading a list of things theyve done.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
this is incredible - they cant come up with a story. SHS just said that the "no" in the cabinet meeting was about more questions not about russian meddling, then she says there is no election today so they cant be targeting it, then pivots to defending our election systems and reading a list of things theyve done.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
Maybe without the Iowa caucus but it's not like the others helped Obama win. What helped Obama was the name recognition from winning Iowa - which he might have done anyway - and doing well in the Southern primaries.
Caucuses are garbage. If Iowa is going to remain first, it can stay as it's tradition and probably a big enough thing there that people can get days off and plan around it. But the rest go.
posted by asteria at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Caucuses are garbage. If Iowa is going to remain first, it can stay as it's tradition and probably a big enough thing there that people can get days off and plan around it. But the rest go.
posted by asteria at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
WaPo, Lisa Rein, Trump loyalists at VA shuffling, purging employees before new secretary takes over
posted by zachlipton at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [14 favorites]
Ahead of Robert Wilkie’s likely confirmation to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trump loyalists at the agency are taking aggressive steps to purge or reassign staff perceived to be disloyal to President Trump and his agenda for veterans, according to multiple people familiar with the moves.If you read on, you'll find that the Center for Women Veterans is in trouble for, depending on your perspective, highlighting the campaign successes of women veterans, many of whom are Democrats, or violating the Hatch Act.
The transfers include more than a dozen career civil servants who have been moved from the leadership suite at VA headquarters and reassigned, to lower-visibility roles. The employees served agency leaders, some dating back more than two decades, in crucial support roles that help a new secretary.
None say they were given reasons for their reassignments.
The moves are being carried out by a small cadre of political appointees led by Acting Secretary Peter O’Rourke who have consolidated power in the four months since they helped oust former Secretary David Shulkin.
posted by zachlipton at 11:44 AM on July 18, 2018 [14 favorites]
> I don't think that's indicative of very much except that Michael Scheuer is a terrible human being
JFC. How does that dude type with permanently clenched fists?
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:45 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
JFC. How does that dude type with permanently clenched fists?
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:45 AM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
I’ll just note that caucuses and convention delegates were far less likely to support Trump than general voters were. I think we need more caucuses -yes, accessible ones, yes, held on the weekends - not less.
The key problem with the Republican primary was multiple candidates splitting the non-Trump vote (winner-take-all states instead of proportional delegate allocation exacerbated the problem). You don't need caucuses to avoid Trumps; approval voting (where vote-splitting is not a thing) would also have done the trick, and more people would get to participate.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:45 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
The key problem with the Republican primary was multiple candidates splitting the non-Trump vote (winner-take-all states instead of proportional delegate allocation exacerbated the problem). You don't need caucuses to avoid Trumps; approval voting (where vote-splitting is not a thing) would also have done the trick, and more people would get to participate.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:45 AM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
@OKnox: White House's @PressSec says Trump was saying "no" to taking questions, not "no" to whether Russia is still targeting the US...
@swin24: Again, from being one of several people standing right there at the time, this is simply not true. If I’m to be extra generous, it is as plausible as the “sort of a double negative...” thing:
I guess they've just decided they'll go with the "it was a misunderstanding" excuse every time now. Here's the video, if you want to judge for yourself.
@jdawsey1: "Certainly, we believe that the threat still exists," Sarah Sanders says, when asked if the Russians are still targeting US elections.
She says "we are taking steps to prevent it." Of course, "we believe the threat" is not nearly the same thing Coats said.
posted by zachlipton at 11:48 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
@swin24: Again, from being one of several people standing right there at the time, this is simply not true. If I’m to be extra generous, it is as plausible as the “sort of a double negative...” thing:
I guess they've just decided they'll go with the "it was a misunderstanding" excuse every time now. Here's the video, if you want to judge for yourself.
@jdawsey1: "Certainly, we believe that the threat still exists," Sarah Sanders says, when asked if the Russians are still targeting US elections.
She says "we are taking steps to prevent it." Of course, "we believe the threat" is not nearly the same thing Coats said.
posted by zachlipton at 11:48 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
You have groups that are wondering why the FBI never took the server. Why haven't they taken the server?
A couple good takedowns from yesterday of the whole server BS. TL;DR, there were 140 servers, mostly cloud servers and the FBI was provided images of the servers by Crowdstrike, a DOJ approved vendor founded and run by a former FBI agent. Oh, and if Rs think they're biased, ask them why the National Republican Congressional Committee uses Crowdstrike.
Politico: What Mueller Knows About the DNC Hack—And Trump Doesn’t
DailyBeast: Trump’s ‘Missing DNC Server’ Is Neither Missing Nor a Server
posted by chris24 at 11:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
A couple good takedowns from yesterday of the whole server BS. TL;DR, there were 140 servers, mostly cloud servers and the FBI was provided images of the servers by Crowdstrike, a DOJ approved vendor founded and run by a former FBI agent. Oh, and if Rs think they're biased, ask them why the National Republican Congressional Committee uses Crowdstrike.
Politico: What Mueller Knows About the DNC Hack—And Trump Doesn’t
DailyBeast: Trump’s ‘Missing DNC Server’ Is Neither Missing Nor a Server
posted by chris24 at 11:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
If there's a problem with a primary's barriers to entry being too high, you reform that with a different system of election than simple plurality, so people don't have to make difficult decision between establishment-they-tolerate and newcomer-they-like. And there are lots of other reasons to change that anyway, first-past-the-post is basically always sub-optimal.
(I also think the calendar of primaries should be reformed substantially so that Iowa and New Hampshire don't have their weirdly disproportionate power on our system. Either a single national primary, or some kind of cycled/randomized system for the order of the states. One proposal I like is to divide the country into four regions, each with a regional primary spaced one or two weeks apart, and rotate the order of Primary Month each election year.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
(I also think the calendar of primaries should be reformed substantially so that Iowa and New Hampshire don't have their weirdly disproportionate power on our system. Either a single national primary, or some kind of cycled/randomized system for the order of the states. One proposal I like is to divide the country into four regions, each with a regional primary spaced one or two weeks apart, and rotate the order of Primary Month each election year.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:49 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
Maybe without the Iowa caucus but it's not like the others helped Obama win.
The others absolutely helped Obama win. He greatly overperformed in caucuses. One of the big strengths of his campaign (and weaknesses of Clinton's) was that he and his people understood delegate allocation and where they could get the most bang for their buck delegate-wise. He still won the popular vote by a smidge so as I said we can't know for a certainty what happens in a different system. But every analysis of 2008 would show that he got a huge boost from a smart delegate strategy focused on racking up big numbers in caucus states.
posted by Justinian at 11:50 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
The others absolutely helped Obama win. He greatly overperformed in caucuses. One of the big strengths of his campaign (and weaknesses of Clinton's) was that he and his people understood delegate allocation and where they could get the most bang for their buck delegate-wise. He still won the popular vote by a smidge so as I said we can't know for a certainty what happens in a different system. But every analysis of 2008 would show that he got a huge boost from a smart delegate strategy focused on racking up big numbers in caucus states.
posted by Justinian at 11:50 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
Press briefing is happening now:I would never have predicted it but I am surprisingly pleased with the performance of new White House Communications Director Bill Shine. If this is typical of the quality of work we can expect then may he enjoy his position for many Scaramuccis to come.
this is incredible - they cant come up with a story. SHS just said that the "no" in the cabinet meeting was about more questions not about russian meddling, then she says there is no election today so they cant be targeting it, then pivots to defending our election systems and reading a list of things theyve done.
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:52 AM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
It doesn't matter about the DNC back-end architecture. 45 will go on about the 'missing server' like he did those blasted Clinton emails, despite there being no there there. It's pure conspiracy theory, and as impervious to evidence as any such. His base don't want to hear anything else.
posted by Devonian at 11:52 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by Devonian at 11:52 AM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
Reporter asked the White House position on bringing the translator in for Congressional testimony . . . and Huckabee Sanders punts to the State Dept.
They must be genuinely shook if she didnt even bother gaslighting on that one.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
They must be genuinely shook if she didnt even bother gaslighting on that one.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:57 AM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
6) The Trump Tower meeting happens. Paul Manafort is forced out shortly thereafter.
At the risk of decompressing the convoluted timeline, these two events are months apart. The Trump Tower meeting took place on June 9th, and Manafort left the Trump Campaign on August 19th. (It was campaign manager Corey Lewandowski who was forced out in June, eleven days after the Trump Tower meeting, which, notably, he did not attend.)
Manafort resigned only after NPR confirmed the Trump Campaign’s involvement in changing the RNC platform on Ukraine and the NYT ran a story about Manafort receiving $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments from Ukraine's former president's party from 2007 to 2012.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
At the risk of decompressing the convoluted timeline, these two events are months apart. The Trump Tower meeting took place on June 9th, and Manafort left the Trump Campaign on August 19th. (It was campaign manager Corey Lewandowski who was forced out in June, eleven days after the Trump Tower meeting, which, notably, he did not attend.)
Manafort resigned only after NPR confirmed the Trump Campaign’s involvement in changing the RNC platform on Ukraine and the NYT ran a story about Manafort receiving $12.7 million in undisclosed cash payments from Ukraine's former president's party from 2007 to 2012.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
Shadow Politics: Meet the Digital Sleuth Exposing Fake News -- Buried in media scholar Jonathan Albright's research was proof of a massive political misinformation campaign. Now he's taking on the the world's biggest platforms before it's too late. (Issie Lapowsky for Wired, July 18, 2018)
An interesting, long read, providing background to how Jonathan Albright got involved with parsing the connections between far right groups, fake news, and connections to "neutral" platforms like Facebook and YouTube, even content on Amazon and CafePress, and links to NYT, WaPo, and CNN, where the stories were distorted in the conservative/ far right retellings, as first reported by Carole Cadwalladr on 4 Dec. 2016 for The Guardian.
The article also notes he identifies Facebook's focus on ad sales to be a red herring, distracting from the thousands of fake profiles and misleading groups, like the fact that a Russian page called Blacktivist had more Facebook likes than the real Black Lives Matter group, as discovered by CNN and reported on Sept 28, 2017. His research lead to the Washington Post article titled Russian propaganda may have been shared hundreds of millions of times, new research says (posted on Oct. 5, 2017). This was following Facebook's earlier statement to Congress that Russian-bought ads reached 10 million people (CNN Money, Oct. 3, 2017).
Unfortunately, there's positive coda here, just a fluffy "they're working on it!" paragraph:
posted by filthy light thief at 11:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
An interesting, long read, providing background to how Jonathan Albright got involved with parsing the connections between far right groups, fake news, and connections to "neutral" platforms like Facebook and YouTube, even content on Amazon and CafePress, and links to NYT, WaPo, and CNN, where the stories were distorted in the conservative/ far right retellings, as first reported by Carole Cadwalladr on 4 Dec. 2016 for The Guardian.
The article also notes he identifies Facebook's focus on ad sales to be a red herring, distracting from the thousands of fake profiles and misleading groups, like the fact that a Russian page called Blacktivist had more Facebook likes than the real Black Lives Matter group, as discovered by CNN and reported on Sept 28, 2017. His research lead to the Washington Post article titled Russian propaganda may have been shared hundreds of millions of times, new research says (posted on Oct. 5, 2017). This was following Facebook's earlier statement to Congress that Russian-bought ads reached 10 million people (CNN Money, Oct. 3, 2017).
Unfortunately, there's positive coda here, just a fluffy "they're working on it!" paragraph:
Meanwhile, tech giants have begun taking some responsibility for the mess they made. Facebook and other tech companies have started making major changes to their ad platforms, their data-sharing policies, and their approaches to content moderation.Followed by a link to a story about a low-yield (maybe?) malware laden Chrome extension, FaceMusic from May 12, 2018.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:58 AM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
The nature of Trump's relationship with truth means that there is a sense in which he didn't mean, in so many words, "Russia is not currently a threat to American elections". He didn't mean anything so specific and fact-like. He just meant "no" the same way he means "Fake News". That's not "News that states Z when the reality is Not Z", and it's not even "News that says things I don't like". It's "Fie on your news! I say it's spinach and I say the hell with it!" The "no" is a mixture of rejecting the notion of Russian meddling and dismissing anyone's right to ask the question.
This is made clear by his follow-up, which is his usual style of "book report by kid who didn't read the book": "We're doing very... well.. on Russia. Probably as well as anybody has ever done on Russia. And there's been no president ever as tough as I have been on Russia, all you have to do is look at the numbers, look at what we've done..."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
This is made clear by his follow-up, which is his usual style of "book report by kid who didn't read the book": "We're doing very... well.. on Russia. Probably as well as anybody has ever done on Russia. And there's been no president ever as tough as I have been on Russia, all you have to do is look at the numbers, look at what we've done..."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:59 AM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
@biannagolodryga: .@maggieNYT asks @WHPressSec abt Russia’s call to intv @Billbrowder & @McFaul: “Pres will meet w/ his team & we’ll let you know when we have an announcement on that front.” Acknowledges the topic was discussed privately bween Trump & Putin.
Good god, we're not ruling out handing a former Ambassador to Russia? That's terrifying.
We're now re-litigating why Trump said "no": "I'm interpreting what the President said, not reversing it." And some actual solidarity, when Sanders tried to cut off Hallie Jackson and called on Jordan Fabian, of The Hill, Fabian stopped and told Jackson to go ahead! On the other hand, that didn't work when April Ryan tried to ask about voter suppression without being called on: "I asked you a question because you choose not to call on me." (It eventually works and she's called on later)
posted by zachlipton at 12:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [40 favorites]
Good god, we're not ruling out handing a former Ambassador to Russia? That's terrifying.
We're now re-litigating why Trump said "no": "I'm interpreting what the President said, not reversing it." And some actual solidarity, when Sanders tried to cut off Hallie Jackson and called on Jordan Fabian, of The Hill, Fabian stopped and told Jackson to go ahead! On the other hand, that didn't work when April Ryan tried to ask about voter suppression without being called on: "I asked you a question because you choose not to call on me." (It eventually works and she's called on later)
posted by zachlipton at 12:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [40 favorites]
Good god, we're not ruling out handing a former Ambassador to Russia? That's terrifying.
I expect this will be walked back inside 24 hours. It's not a sustainable position.
posted by Justinian at 12:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I expect this will be walked back inside 24 hours. It's not a sustainable position.
posted by Justinian at 12:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Exceptional_Hubris: [SHS] says there is no election today so they cant be targeting it
Nerd of the North: I am surprisingly pleased with the performance of new White House Communications Director Bill Shine. If this is typical of the quality of work we can expect then may he enjoy his position for many Scaramuccis to come.
cjelli: Trump is already campaigning for 2020, even before we get into the primaries for the 2018 midterms election that...is currently effectively already happening.
But the nature of the Gish Gallop (Sarah Saunter?) is that you just keep throwing out so many lies that it's hard to focus on any particular one, so.
And before 2020, we have midterms mere months away, ones that might determine if Trump is still in office and eligible to run again in 2020. So yeah, there are elections to be targeting right now, because they could be tampering with voter registration rolls, trying to gain control of voting machines, and generally spreading misinformation and stoking fear to hype up conservatives to counter the storied Blue Wave.
In other words, is the fact that she was able to pivot from a scummy false answer to focus on what might be actual accomplishments notable?
Again, I am so very sad and tired that the Trumpisms that should bring giggles, and would have if said by GWB, now stoke fear and rage.
(And how are we not more focused on Trump's mental health if he's offering a reversal because he didn't negate a critical statement until a day later, and by written statement? "Oh, people forget things" is not a suitable brush-off. This. Is. Not. Normal.)
posted by filthy light thief at 12:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
Nerd of the North: I am surprisingly pleased with the performance of new White House Communications Director Bill Shine. If this is typical of the quality of work we can expect then may he enjoy his position for many Scaramuccis to come.
cjelli: Trump is already campaigning for 2020, even before we get into the primaries for the 2018 midterms election that...is currently effectively already happening.
But the nature of the Gish Gallop (Sarah Saunter?) is that you just keep throwing out so many lies that it's hard to focus on any particular one, so.
And before 2020, we have midterms mere months away, ones that might determine if Trump is still in office and eligible to run again in 2020. So yeah, there are elections to be targeting right now, because they could be tampering with voter registration rolls, trying to gain control of voting machines, and generally spreading misinformation and stoking fear to hype up conservatives to counter the storied Blue Wave.
In other words, is the fact that she was able to pivot from a scummy false answer to focus on what might be actual accomplishments notable?
Again, I am so very sad and tired that the Trumpisms that should bring giggles, and would have if said by GWB, now stoke fear and rage.
On Tuesday, Trump read from a printed statement, and said he had misspoken. "The sentence should have been, 'I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be Russia,' sort of a double negative," Trump said. "So you can put that in, and I think that probably clarifies things pretty good."Which in turn makes me think of a now-old Sacha Baron Cohen/Borat bit where he's trying to learn how to tell jokes to get better at going on dates or something, and the comedy teacher tries explaining the classic "Not!" reversal, except Borat waits three beats too long.
(And how are we not more focused on Trump's mental health if he's offering a reversal because he didn't negate a critical statement until a day later, and by written statement? "Oh, people forget things" is not a suitable brush-off. This. Is. Not. Normal.)
posted by filthy light thief at 12:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
House Democrats rolled out their new campaign slogan for the midterms: For the People.
That strikes me as a lot better than "a better deal". Not a high bar, admittedly, but definitely better.
posted by Justinian at 12:10 PM on July 18, 2018 [59 favorites]
That strikes me as a lot better than "a better deal". Not a high bar, admittedly, but definitely better.
posted by Justinian at 12:10 PM on July 18, 2018 [59 favorites]
@samthemander, please share widely. Doctor Zed PM'd me OnceUponATime's 2016ActiveMeasures site which I had not, before today, bookmarked for posterity even though it gets dropped in almost every thread (and I have yet to see it in this one, so let that be here for those who have not looked at it yet).
My intent was to pull together one thread of the narrative (she?they?) have spun together to make sense of why Bill Bowder's name being dropped on Monday was such a huge hint as to how the pressures from the Russian oligarch side created this problematic situation, and how, in the end, it's not actually a really COMPLEX story there's just a ton of evidence all over the place and nobody's putting that evidence into context.
Except OnceUponATime. You're doing the world a service by keeping that documentation and putting it into the context of "NOW" because for many, that's where we are at and thus, that style of narrative is the one that speaks to them. Didn't give a shout out to you before, but I've visited your site multiple times from the time you started it to now and it's ... incredible to see how much there was then and just how much evidence there is now.
On preview, @Doctor Zed, I did miss that note, but do not care to repost the text with the edit so that it can be copied and pasted for others to share on social media. There are so many nuances I did NOT touch on (Crimea's annexation was in my first list and not in my second one, for instance, as although it ties into Russia it doesn't tie directly into how the oligarch class is struggling to hide their money), so as people share I encourage you to include links to steps I forgot and use my comment as more of a soundbite format than a be-all-end-all "simple explanation". As OnceUponATime's site goes into great detail about, the context about how we got here involves a lot of different players, each trying to manipulate a compromised President, for ends that they want. For UAE/Qatar/Saudi Arabia, it's leverage in conflicts in the region. With Russia, it's the ability to launder money freely. With China, it's leverage over the SE asian economy and military sphere.
At risk of making our recent history a derail from history in the making, gonna tap out from any further comments about my comment.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 12:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
My intent was to pull together one thread of the narrative (she?they?) have spun together to make sense of why Bill Bowder's name being dropped on Monday was such a huge hint as to how the pressures from the Russian oligarch side created this problematic situation, and how, in the end, it's not actually a really COMPLEX story there's just a ton of evidence all over the place and nobody's putting that evidence into context.
Except OnceUponATime. You're doing the world a service by keeping that documentation and putting it into the context of "NOW" because for many, that's where we are at and thus, that style of narrative is the one that speaks to them. Didn't give a shout out to you before, but I've visited your site multiple times from the time you started it to now and it's ... incredible to see how much there was then and just how much evidence there is now.
On preview, @Doctor Zed, I did miss that note, but do not care to repost the text with the edit so that it can be copied and pasted for others to share on social media. There are so many nuances I did NOT touch on (Crimea's annexation was in my first list and not in my second one, for instance, as although it ties into Russia it doesn't tie directly into how the oligarch class is struggling to hide their money), so as people share I encourage you to include links to steps I forgot and use my comment as more of a soundbite format than a be-all-end-all "simple explanation". As OnceUponATime's site goes into great detail about, the context about how we got here involves a lot of different players, each trying to manipulate a compromised President, for ends that they want. For UAE/Qatar/Saudi Arabia, it's leverage in conflicts in the region. With Russia, it's the ability to launder money freely. With China, it's leverage over the SE asian economy and military sphere.
At risk of making our recent history a derail from history in the making, gonna tap out from any further comments about my comment.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 12:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Good god, we're not ruling out handing a former Ambassador to Russia? That's terrifying.
Per the aggregator site Meduza, among the others whom Putin wants the US to hand over is Kyle Parker, the congressional staffer who was instrumental in creating the Magnitsky Act:
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
Per the aggregator site Meduza, among the others whom Putin wants the US to hand over is Kyle Parker, the congressional staffer who was instrumental in creating the Magnitsky Act:
The list of names also includes Homeland Security Department official Todd Hyman (who testified in a deposition against Prevezon, a Russian company accused of laundering proceeds from the fraud uncovered by Sergey Magnitsky), Svetlana Engert (who supposedly stole criminal case materials from Russia), Alexander Shvartsman (who supposedly oversaw Browder's stay in the U.S.), Jim Rote (a supposed CIA agent acting as Browder's “financial manager”), Robert Otto (who supposedly served as deputy director of a U.S. intelligence agency until January 2017), David Kramer (who recently served as an adviser to the U.S. State Department), Jonathan Wiener (a long-time aide to John Kerry and an adviser on national security), and Kyle Parker (a recent U.S. State Department official), according to [Russian Attorney General’s Office spokesman, Alexander] Kurennoi.It's insane the Trump administration didn't reject this immediately.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
Most of the questions at the press briefing were reasonably impressive, but Sarah Huckabee Sanders managed to find a friendly face to run out the clock with the last question about how the new president-elect of mexico may be trying to legalize all drugs. . . a literally friendly face:
Wow. Final question in today's briefing came from the Virginia co-chair of Trump's 2016 campaign committee, John Fredericks. Below left: Fredericks speaking as Trump campaign co-chair in 2016. Below right: Fredericks at the WH asking a question today.
(credit to Christina Wilke of CNBC for the side by side images that make this impossible to deny)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
Wow. Final question in today's briefing came from the Virginia co-chair of Trump's 2016 campaign committee, John Fredericks. Below left: Fredericks speaking as Trump campaign co-chair in 2016. Below right: Fredericks at the WH asking a question today.
(credit to Christina Wilke of CNBC for the side by side images that make this impossible to deny)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
It doesn't matter about the DNC back-end architecture. 45 will go on about the 'missing server' like he did those blasted Clinton emails, despite there being no there there. It's pure conspiracy theory, and as impervious to evidence as any such. His base don't want to hear anything else.
True! Still, worthwhile to have handy an explainer (here's one from Politifact) to share with any less than committed Trumpist who wanders into the room.
posted by notyou at 12:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
True! Still, worthwhile to have handy an explainer (here's one from Politifact) to share with any less than committed Trumpist who wanders into the room.
posted by notyou at 12:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
The nature of Trump's relationship with truth ... He didn't mean anything so specific and fact-like.
Thank you. Even now, after everything we've seen over the last three years, I still see people – including people here in these MeFi threads! – trying to parse Trump's remarks (and those of his defenders) as if they represent a coherent worldview (however misguided or deceptive).
People: they fucking don't. The Trumpian use of words is fundamentally different than the way most people use words. Someone coined the phrase "verbal chaff" in a recent thread, and that captures it nicely. (Dazzle camouflage might also be an appropriate analogy.)
In the Trumpian mode, words do not function as signifiers of objects or concepts. Their purpose is not to illuminate meaning, but to obscure and confuse it. They aren't trying to win the debate by presenting an argument (not even a deceptive one) – they're cheating their way out of participating in the debate in the first place, by muddying the water to such a degree that no one can tell which way is up. They're the guy who, when challenged to a fight at a bar, deliberately responds so bizarrely and erratically that their challenger doesn't even know what's going on. Sarah Sanders at the podium is a squid emptying her ink sac on a predator.
It's contradictory and incoherent and irrational by design.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 12:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [99 favorites]
Thank you. Even now, after everything we've seen over the last three years, I still see people – including people here in these MeFi threads! – trying to parse Trump's remarks (and those of his defenders) as if they represent a coherent worldview (however misguided or deceptive).
People: they fucking don't. The Trumpian use of words is fundamentally different than the way most people use words. Someone coined the phrase "verbal chaff" in a recent thread, and that captures it nicely. (Dazzle camouflage might also be an appropriate analogy.)
In the Trumpian mode, words do not function as signifiers of objects or concepts. Their purpose is not to illuminate meaning, but to obscure and confuse it. They aren't trying to win the debate by presenting an argument (not even a deceptive one) – they're cheating their way out of participating in the debate in the first place, by muddying the water to such a degree that no one can tell which way is up. They're the guy who, when challenged to a fight at a bar, deliberately responds so bizarrely and erratically that their challenger doesn't even know what's going on. Sarah Sanders at the podium is a squid emptying her ink sac on a predator.
It's contradictory and incoherent and irrational by design.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 12:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [99 favorites]
Shots fired through window of Albany County Democratic HQ (Albany NY)
posted by maurice at 12:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by maurice at 12:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Martin Wolf of the FT [truncated and extracted because of mega paywalls though one can register for 5 free articles a month]
How we lost America to greed and envy
The US president is hostile to the core values the country used to stand for
MARTIN WOLF
Nobody of course owns the US, apart from Americans. Yet, for westerners and many others, the US stood for something so attractive that it seemed to be “ours” — the guarantor not just of its own freedom and prosperity, but that of hundreds of millions of others. My father, a refugee to the UK from pre-second-world-war Austria, had no doubt. The US was the bastion of democracy. It had saved Europe from falling to Nazi or communist dictatorships. As a journalist and documentary film-maker, he knew about its mistakes. But the US was not just any great power. It embodied the causes of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. This made him fiercely pro-American. I inherited this attitude.
In the postwar world, US policy had four attractive features: it had appealing core values; it was loyal to allies who shared those values; it believed in open and competitive markets; and it underpinned those markets with institutionalised rules. This system was always incomplete and imperfect. But it was a highly original and attractive approach to the business of running the world. For those who believe humanity must transcend its petty differences, these principles were a start.
Yet today the US president appears hostile to core American values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law; he feels no loyalty to allies; he rejects open markets; and he despises international institutions. He believes that might makes right. The Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin have might. He admires them. German chancellor Angela Merkel and UK prime minister Theresa May are decent women trying to lead democracies. He abuses them.
[...]
The poor state of so many Americans is in part the product of plutocratic politics: a relentless and systematic devotion to the interests of the very rich. As I have argued before, a politics of low taxes, low social spending and high inequality is sustainable in a universal suffrage democracy only with a mixture of propaganda in favour of “trickle down” economics, splitting the less well off on cultural and racial lines, ruthless gerrymandering and outright voter suppression. All this has indeed happened.
These are the politics of “pluto-populism” or of “greed and grievance”. They have been stunningly successful in making Republicans attractive to many in the white working class. The structural biases in voting are also remarkable. In the past three elections for the House of Representatives, it took 20 per cent more voters for the Democrats to win a seat than for the Republicans, on average. Republicans have also won the presidency twice in the last two decades despite losing the popular vote.
Mr Trump is the logical outcome of a politics that serves the interests of the plutocracy. He gives the rich what they desire, while offering the nationalism and protectionism wanted by the Republican base. It is a brilliant (albeit unplanned) combination, embodied in a charismatic personality that offers validation to his most passionate supporters. Will Trump’s protectionism do many in his base any good? No. But, in their eyes, he is a real leader, at last.
Who lost “our” America? The American elite, especially the Republican elite. Mr Trump is the price of tax cuts for billionaires. They sowed the wind; the world is reaping the whirlwind. Should we expect the old America back? Not until someone finds a more politically successful way of meeting the needs and anxieties of ordinary people.
posted by infini at 12:29 PM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
How we lost America to greed and envy
The US president is hostile to the core values the country used to stand for
MARTIN WOLF
Nobody of course owns the US, apart from Americans. Yet, for westerners and many others, the US stood for something so attractive that it seemed to be “ours” — the guarantor not just of its own freedom and prosperity, but that of hundreds of millions of others. My father, a refugee to the UK from pre-second-world-war Austria, had no doubt. The US was the bastion of democracy. It had saved Europe from falling to Nazi or communist dictatorships. As a journalist and documentary film-maker, he knew about its mistakes. But the US was not just any great power. It embodied the causes of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. This made him fiercely pro-American. I inherited this attitude.
In the postwar world, US policy had four attractive features: it had appealing core values; it was loyal to allies who shared those values; it believed in open and competitive markets; and it underpinned those markets with institutionalised rules. This system was always incomplete and imperfect. But it was a highly original and attractive approach to the business of running the world. For those who believe humanity must transcend its petty differences, these principles were a start.
Yet today the US president appears hostile to core American values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law; he feels no loyalty to allies; he rejects open markets; and he despises international institutions. He believes that might makes right. The Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin have might. He admires them. German chancellor Angela Merkel and UK prime minister Theresa May are decent women trying to lead democracies. He abuses them.
[...]
The poor state of so many Americans is in part the product of plutocratic politics: a relentless and systematic devotion to the interests of the very rich. As I have argued before, a politics of low taxes, low social spending and high inequality is sustainable in a universal suffrage democracy only with a mixture of propaganda in favour of “trickle down” economics, splitting the less well off on cultural and racial lines, ruthless gerrymandering and outright voter suppression. All this has indeed happened.
These are the politics of “pluto-populism” or of “greed and grievance”. They have been stunningly successful in making Republicans attractive to many in the white working class. The structural biases in voting are also remarkable. In the past three elections for the House of Representatives, it took 20 per cent more voters for the Democrats to win a seat than for the Republicans, on average. Republicans have also won the presidency twice in the last two decades despite losing the popular vote.
Mr Trump is the logical outcome of a politics that serves the interests of the plutocracy. He gives the rich what they desire, while offering the nationalism and protectionism wanted by the Republican base. It is a brilliant (albeit unplanned) combination, embodied in a charismatic personality that offers validation to his most passionate supporters. Will Trump’s protectionism do many in his base any good? No. But, in their eyes, he is a real leader, at last.
Who lost “our” America? The American elite, especially the Republican elite. Mr Trump is the price of tax cuts for billionaires. They sowed the wind; the world is reaping the whirlwind. Should we expect the old America back? Not until someone finds a more politically successful way of meeting the needs and anxieties of ordinary people.
posted by infini at 12:29 PM on July 18, 2018 [32 favorites]
Wow. Final question in today's briefing came from the Virginia co-chair of Trump's 2016 campaign committee, John Fredericks. Below left: Fredericks speaking as Trump campaign co-chair in 2016. Below right: Fredericks at the WH asking a question today.
I suspect we'll see more of this; as it gets harder to answer legit journalists' questions, makes sense to fill the room with ringers.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
I suspect we'll see more of this; as it gets harder to answer legit journalists' questions, makes sense to fill the room with ringers.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
There's an outpouring of grief for a vision, for that American dream, and for the soft power that has been squandered and ground to dust beneath the heel. And those who ground it down don't even hear it because they don't read/see anything but that one single source. Tears fall on deaf ears.
posted by infini at 12:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by infini at 12:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
From way upthread about the "Confront Corruption" candlelight vigils tonight...
I just wanted to remind folks that candle light vigils (a million people! every Saturday! for weeks and weeks!) were instrumental to the protest movement which led to the impeachment and removal of South Korea's corrupt president Park Geun-hye.
I'm hosting the one in my area, and I can tell you that since Maddow promoted it last night, the number of RSVPs has gone up by a factor of five over night. There is a TON of interest in this event all of the sudden with literally dozens of organizations offering to co-sponsor and cross-promote it. I'm kind of nervous, actually!
(I'm in communication with organizers and would be happy to answer questions.)
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:32 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
I just wanted to remind folks that candle light vigils (a million people! every Saturday! for weeks and weeks!) were instrumental to the protest movement which led to the impeachment and removal of South Korea's corrupt president Park Geun-hye.
I'm hosting the one in my area, and I can tell you that since Maddow promoted it last night, the number of RSVPs has gone up by a factor of five over night. There is a TON of interest in this event all of the sudden with literally dozens of organizations offering to co-sponsor and cross-promote it. I'm kind of nervous, actually!
(I'm in communication with organizers and would be happy to answer questions.)
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:32 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
@MEPFuller: The resolution stating the support of Congress for ICE is adopted 244-35, with 133 Democrats voting present, 34 Democrats voting no, 18 Democrats voting yes, 226 Republicans voting yes, and one Republican — Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) — voting no.
----
@Mike_Eckel: At Butina hearing, lawyers reveal ongoing federal fraud investigation in South Dakota; linked to unnamed “U. S. Person 1” from original indictments
Paul Erickson's problems continue to worsen on a nearly hourly basis now.
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
----
@Mike_Eckel: At Butina hearing, lawyers reveal ongoing federal fraud investigation in South Dakota; linked to unnamed “U. S. Person 1” from original indictments
Paul Erickson's problems continue to worsen on a nearly hourly basis now.
posted by zachlipton at 12:37 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Vice Exclusive: Over 60 House Democrats are forming a Medicare for All Caucus
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [89 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [89 favorites]
“When I use a word,” Trumpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.” “The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.” “The question is,” said Trumpty Dumpty, “which is to be master—that’s all.”
posted by kirkaracha at 12:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 12:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
I suspect we'll see more of this -- as it gets harder to answer legit journalists' questions, makes sense to fill the room with ringers.
On January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration, Trump Reportedly Brought His Own Staff to Cheer During C.I.A. Speech
Filling the room with ringers has literally been going on since Day 1.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
On January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration, Trump Reportedly Brought His Own Staff to Cheer During C.I.A. Speech
Filling the room with ringers has literally been going on since Day 1.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
A protest in Hays, KS:
Hays resident Darrell McGinnis describes himself as an old man with a sign.
McGinnis stood outside the U.S. Post Office in Hays at the corner of Eighth and Fort streets in Hays on Tuesday morning, saying he had started his protest a little later than he’d planned due to strong rains that moved through the area overnight.
Holding a sign reading “Vladimir Trump” on one side and “No!” on the other, McGinnis said he was there to protest the favorable comments made Monday by President Donald Trump toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
[...]
“I have never made a sign in my life or walked a sidewalk in my life,” said McGinnis, noting he didn’t even tell his wife until he needed help making his sign of wood, Styrofoam and homemade lettering. “I’m so disturbed by yesterday. I feel so depressed. It is very sad. I just don’t want to die with things like this.”
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [93 favorites]
Hays resident Darrell McGinnis describes himself as an old man with a sign.
McGinnis stood outside the U.S. Post Office in Hays at the corner of Eighth and Fort streets in Hays on Tuesday morning, saying he had started his protest a little later than he’d planned due to strong rains that moved through the area overnight.
Holding a sign reading “Vladimir Trump” on one side and “No!” on the other, McGinnis said he was there to protest the favorable comments made Monday by President Donald Trump toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
[...]
“I have never made a sign in my life or walked a sidewalk in my life,” said McGinnis, noting he didn’t even tell his wife until he needed help making his sign of wood, Styrofoam and homemade lettering. “I’m so disturbed by yesterday. I feel so depressed. It is very sad. I just don’t want to die with things like this.”
posted by Emmy Rae at 12:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [93 favorites]
Filling the room with ringers has literally been going on since Day 1.
He filled the lobby at Trump Tower with ringers when he announced he would campaign for the Presidency.
(Which folks he declined to pay until they complained to the FEC.)
posted by notyou at 12:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
He filled the lobby at Trump Tower with ringers when he announced he would campaign for the Presidency.
(Which folks he declined to pay until they complained to the FEC.)
posted by notyou at 12:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
In the Trumpian mode, words do not function as signifiers of objects or concepts. Their purpose is not to illuminate meaning, but to obscure and confuse it.
Trump, while personifying that style to a remarkable degree, hardly invented it. George Orwell discussed the style in "Politics and the English Language" (PDF) (text link) back in 1946 (and the essay's themes would, of course, get a more thorough examination in his 1984).
posted by Gelatin at 12:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Trump, while personifying that style to a remarkable degree, hardly invented it. George Orwell discussed the style in "Politics and the English Language" (PDF) (text link) back in 1946 (and the essay's themes would, of course, get a more thorough examination in his 1984).
posted by Gelatin at 12:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Shots fired through window of Albany County Democratic HQ (Albany NY)
The building is on a through street between Central and Washington. Very few people are just wandering around here.
This wasn't an accident, or related to the summertime rash of violence. Radicalized Extremism was triggered in someone, and they flipped their shit and voila, they're no-longer a "responsible gun owner", but a homegrown terrorist.
posted by mikelieman at 12:56 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
The building is on a through street between Central and Washington. Very few people are just wandering around here.
This wasn't an accident, or related to the summertime rash of violence. Radicalized Extremism was triggered in someone, and they flipped their shit and voila, they're no-longer a "responsible gun owner", but a homegrown terrorist.
posted by mikelieman at 12:56 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
House Democrats rolled out their new campaign slogan for the midterms: For the People.
That sounds dismayingly like the same kind of bland focus-grouped pap the Dems have been putting out for decades. We're in an unprecedented, existential crisis where we are faced with extinction if we can't rally the people out of an apathetic fog and get them to the polls, and this is the message we go with? It seems carefully crafted to be perfectly anodyne and avoid making anybody mad, when we should be making every effort to get peoples' attention and show them why they ought to be mad.
No joke, I think the Democratic message should be "Free Stuff!" Troll the bastards. Lean right into the worst stereotypes the right can think to throw at us, then explain how the rest of the civilized world allows their normal citizens to have nice things and offer a plan to get us there too. When asked how we'll pay for it, respond aggressively and unapologetically: by repealing tax breaks for the rich, by levying new taxes on the rich, and by just doing the things that need doing.
posted by contraption at 12:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
That sounds dismayingly like the same kind of bland focus-grouped pap the Dems have been putting out for decades. We're in an unprecedented, existential crisis where we are faced with extinction if we can't rally the people out of an apathetic fog and get them to the polls, and this is the message we go with? It seems carefully crafted to be perfectly anodyne and avoid making anybody mad, when we should be making every effort to get peoples' attention and show them why they ought to be mad.
No joke, I think the Democratic message should be "Free Stuff!" Troll the bastards. Lean right into the worst stereotypes the right can think to throw at us, then explain how the rest of the civilized world allows their normal citizens to have nice things and offer a plan to get us there too. When asked how we'll pay for it, respond aggressively and unapologetically: by repealing tax breaks for the rich, by levying new taxes on the rich, and by just doing the things that need doing.
posted by contraption at 12:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
Vice Exclusive: Over 60 House Democrats are forming a Medicare for All Caucus
Now that's more like it.
posted by contraption at 1:01 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
Now that's more like it.
posted by contraption at 1:01 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
I cannot emphasize enough how fucking insane and traitorous it is that the WH is even considering turning the former US ambassador to Russia and other Americans over to Putin for prosecution because he doesn't like the sanctions they helped implement. It alone is worthy of impeachment.
posted by chris24 at 1:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [126 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 1:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [126 favorites]
I'm going to take the position that the official Democratic slogan is going to matter to the tune of ~ 0 votes.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 1:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [44 favorites]
That sounds dismayingly like the same kind of bland focus-grouped pap the Dems have been putting out for decades.
I mean, I kinda like it. I think it's a given that they aren't going to pick a slogan like "FUCK TRUMP AND FUCK YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM" so we've got to be realistic. They could have gone with something like "Defending America", I guess, but this way they can use it both for foreign and domestic issues. Taxes? For the People! Health care? For the People! Trump is a scumsucking lying narcissistic manbaby traitor? For the People!
posted by Justinian at 1:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
I mean, I kinda like it. I think it's a given that they aren't going to pick a slogan like "FUCK TRUMP AND FUCK YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM" so we've got to be realistic. They could have gone with something like "Defending America", I guess, but this way they can use it both for foreign and domestic issues. Taxes? For the People! Health care? For the People! Trump is a scumsucking lying narcissistic manbaby traitor? For the People!
posted by Justinian at 1:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
I'm going to take the position that the official Democratic slogan is going to matter to the tune of ~ 0 votes.
That's basically what the spokesperson said in the article.
I like this slogan. It clearly points to the basic Democratic vs Republican divide.
posted by Emmy Rae at 1:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
That's basically what the spokesperson said in the article.
I like this slogan. It clearly points to the basic Democratic vs Republican divide.
posted by Emmy Rae at 1:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
Gallup, Immigration Surges to Top of Most Important Problem List. That's a record high of 22% listing immigration (the graph behind the link showing the change over time is fascinating, as it spikes with various panics largely unrelated to any actual change in migration patterns). In second place: Dissatisfaction with government/Poor leadership
What terrifies me is that the economy and health care are near the bottom of the list, at 4% and 3%, respectively. Democrats can win on health care, but Trump continues to provoke crises, hurting thousands of people in the process, and it works.
----
In other news, Streetsblog, Slowly and Stealthily, Trump’s DOT Starves Transit Expansion Projects of Federal Funds
posted by zachlipton at 1:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
What terrifies me is that the economy and health care are near the bottom of the list, at 4% and 3%, respectively. Democrats can win on health care, but Trump continues to provoke crises, hurting thousands of people in the process, and it works.
----
In other news, Streetsblog, Slowly and Stealthily, Trump’s DOT Starves Transit Expansion Projects of Federal Funds
Under U.S. DOT Commissioner Elaine Chao, the Federal Transit Administration is dragging out the disbursement of expansion grants and threatening to stop releasing capital funds to transit agencies altogether.They've yet to bother to pick anyone to run the Federal Transit Administration, and seem determined to kill federal transit funding entirely, despite the wishes of Congress, who continues to appropriate funds for it.
...
Fiscal Year 2018 ends on September 30. But so far, the FTA has only released $1.3 billion of the $2.6 billion that was appropriated. Transit agencies now perceive a risk that the funds will be left unspent by the FTA and never reach them.
During this fiscal year, the FTA has approved only three transit projects for construction grants. And two of those — Caltrain Electrification and Maryland’s Purple Line — only advanced after concerted public pressure campaigns. Another eight projects have received approvals for earlier stages of the funding process.
posted by zachlipton at 1:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
@MEPFuller: The resolution stating the support of Congress for ICE is adopted 244-35, with 133 Democrats voting present, 34 Democrats voting no, 18 Democrats voting yes, 226 Republicans voting yes, and one Republican — Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) — voting no.
I want to see who voted yes. I strongly suspect Claire "there's nothing wrong with the status quo even under Trump" McCaskill. I really wish her primary challengers had a stronger game and any sort of fighting chance.
posted by Foosnark at 1:12 PM on July 18, 2018
I want to see who voted yes. I strongly suspect Claire "there's nothing wrong with the status quo even under Trump" McCaskill. I really wish her primary challengers had a stronger game and any sort of fighting chance.
posted by Foosnark at 1:12 PM on July 18, 2018
I would wager my entire life's savings that Claire McCaskill didn't vote yes on this House measure.
posted by Justinian at 1:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
Trump, egged on by Tucker Carlson [video] to bash NATO, says that the people of Montenegro are "very aggressive people" and "they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War III."
Uh-huh. Here's video of Trump aggressively shoving the PM of Montenegro out of the way so he can get in front of the cameras. I thought it was crude and embarrassing, but we expect that. Little did I know how close we came to WWIII.
posted by adept256 at 1:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
Uh-huh. Here's video of Trump aggressively shoving the PM of Montenegro out of the way so he can get in front of the cameras. I thought it was crude and embarrassing, but we expect that. Little did I know how close we came to WWIII.
posted by adept256 at 1:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
Period reminder that Elaine Chao, the U.S. DOT Commissioner, is Mitch McConnell's wife.
posted by StrawberryPie at 1:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by StrawberryPie at 1:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
I'm going to take the position that the official Democratic slogan is going to matter to the tune of ~ 0 votes.
Well, it never has, right? It's just part of the boilerplate machinery of campaigning that gets done because we need a slogan, so we pay the people to come up with the slogan and test the slogan and promote the slogan, and then everyone who's supposed to be using and selling it openly admits that the whole process is dumb and the slogan is dumb, but hey it's marginally better than the last one and who cares anyway?
If it's that pointless, don't have a slogan. Or, maybe, pick something provocative that will get some coverage and perk up some of the people who would otherwise assume the Democratic party is stumbling along doing the same old tepid thing it's been doing.
posted by contraption at 1:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Well, it never has, right? It's just part of the boilerplate machinery of campaigning that gets done because we need a slogan, so we pay the people to come up with the slogan and test the slogan and promote the slogan, and then everyone who's supposed to be using and selling it openly admits that the whole process is dumb and the slogan is dumb, but hey it's marginally better than the last one and who cares anyway?
If it's that pointless, don't have a slogan. Or, maybe, pick something provocative that will get some coverage and perk up some of the people who would otherwise assume the Democratic party is stumbling along doing the same old tepid thing it's been doing.
posted by contraption at 1:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
@AliABCNews: NEW: Sens. Flake and Coons will intro a nonbinding resolution tomorrow expressing support of DOJ Russia investigation and reaffirming US intelligence community's assessment about 2016 election meddling. It's nonbinding, but they want all 100 senators to give "unanimous consent"
Oh good. Another nonbinding resolution. That will do as much as tweeting about it.
@rabrowne75: First on CNN: President Trump's military parade in DC is expected to cost $12M according to US officials, nearly as much as the now canceled military exercise with South Korea, Freedom Guardian, which Trump called "tremendously expensive" & said cost "a fortune" (est. cost $14M)
Comparing it to the cost of actual military exercises, which provide training in activities other than sweating in period uniforms while trying not to pass out, is a truly inspired way to frame it.
In further bullshit news, Ivanka Trump wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal: Training for the Jobs of Tomorrow, in which she calls on companies to sign the "Pledge to America’s Workers—a commitment to invest in the current and future workforce." 100% of the clothes bearing her name are made overseas.
I want to see who voted yes. I strongly suspect Claire "there's nothing wrong with the status quo even under Trump" McCaskill. I really wish her primary challengers had a stronger game and any sort of fighting chance.
Here's the list. Sen. McCaskill did not vote at all, as this was a resolution in the House.
posted by zachlipton at 1:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
Oh good. Another nonbinding resolution. That will do as much as tweeting about it.
@rabrowne75: First on CNN: President Trump's military parade in DC is expected to cost $12M according to US officials, nearly as much as the now canceled military exercise with South Korea, Freedom Guardian, which Trump called "tremendously expensive" & said cost "a fortune" (est. cost $14M)
Comparing it to the cost of actual military exercises, which provide training in activities other than sweating in period uniforms while trying not to pass out, is a truly inspired way to frame it.
In further bullshit news, Ivanka Trump wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal: Training for the Jobs of Tomorrow, in which she calls on companies to sign the "Pledge to America’s Workers—a commitment to invest in the current and future workforce." 100% of the clothes bearing her name are made overseas.
I want to see who voted yes. I strongly suspect Claire "there's nothing wrong with the status quo even under Trump" McCaskill. I really wish her primary challengers had a stronger game and any sort of fighting chance.
Here's the list. Sen. McCaskill did not vote at all, as this was a resolution in the House.
posted by zachlipton at 1:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [39 favorites]
The Citations Needed podcast just came out with the second in their two-part examination of the Trump-Russia scandal's impact on the left. Those curious why so many leftists seem annoyed about the way liberals have been talking about this issue will find a well-researched and well-reasoned explanation here.
For over two years, the U.S. government has been investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election - interference broadly considered to be in favor of candidate Donald Trump. As a result, a bizarre flip has occurred with the Right and Left: Polls show liberals now trust the FBI and CIA, while many right-wingers – though by no means all – suddenly act concerned about the so-called “deep state.” Liberals have been turned into even more extreme hawks, not just on the issue of Russia, but anything that shores up support for American intelligence agencies broadly seen, fair or not, as a check on the unhinged Trump administration.
Given that so much of RussiaGate coverage is about the alleged manipulation of Black activists, anti-fracking protesters, the Green Party – and even Bernie Sanders supporters - to attack Hillary Clinton and her campaign, the consequence has been the media, time and again, framing Leftist dissent as de facto Russian propaganda.
Today we ask: what is the collateral damage of RussiaGate on left-wing activists and media? Who does Red Scare 2.0 benefit, and how can we be honest about "foreign influence" without losing our minds over it?
Part 1 - RussiaGate Year 3: How Liberals' Martial Posture Harms the Left
Part 2 - RussiaGate Year 3: Using the Nonstop Specter of Russia to Tarnish Black Activists
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 1:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
For over two years, the U.S. government has been investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election - interference broadly considered to be in favor of candidate Donald Trump. As a result, a bizarre flip has occurred with the Right and Left: Polls show liberals now trust the FBI and CIA, while many right-wingers – though by no means all – suddenly act concerned about the so-called “deep state.” Liberals have been turned into even more extreme hawks, not just on the issue of Russia, but anything that shores up support for American intelligence agencies broadly seen, fair or not, as a check on the unhinged Trump administration.
Given that so much of RussiaGate coverage is about the alleged manipulation of Black activists, anti-fracking protesters, the Green Party – and even Bernie Sanders supporters - to attack Hillary Clinton and her campaign, the consequence has been the media, time and again, framing Leftist dissent as de facto Russian propaganda.
Today we ask: what is the collateral damage of RussiaGate on left-wing activists and media? Who does Red Scare 2.0 benefit, and how can we be honest about "foreign influence" without losing our minds over it?
Part 1 - RussiaGate Year 3: How Liberals' Martial Posture Harms the Left
Part 2 - RussiaGate Year 3: Using the Nonstop Specter of Russia to Tarnish Black Activists
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 1:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
My Leftist friends on FB seem to be incensed about any talk of Russia or treason, posting stuff like “How nice it is to be temporarily out of the country where liberals are foaming about 'treason' like some thawed Cold War right-wing loons.” (I should note that this is a direct quotation of a public post by a semi-famous Leftist.)
I genuinely don’t get it. Are they still stinging from the McCarthy days or something? Why is it even slightly controversial at this point to say that 45 is obviously in Russia's pocket, or that it’s at least borderline treason?
posted by holborne at 1:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
I genuinely don’t get it. Are they still stinging from the McCarthy days or something? Why is it even slightly controversial at this point to say that 45 is obviously in Russia's pocket, or that it’s at least borderline treason?
posted by holborne at 1:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
For the people
Would rather see that be We the People.
posted by M-x shell at 1:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
Would rather see that be We the People.
posted by M-x shell at 1:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
It's just part of the boilerplate machinery of campaigning that gets done because we need a slogan, so we pay the people to come up with the slogan and test the slogan and promote the slogan, and then everyone who's supposed to be using and selling it openly admits that the whole process is dumb and the slogan is dumb, but hey it's marginally better than the last one and who cares anyway?
You're missing the point. We can't judge the slogan until we see it in the context of a campaign logo. Then we can evaluate how many votes the party can expect to gain or lose due to the font choices, kerning, color scheme, and slogan.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
You're missing the point. We can't judge the slogan until we see it in the context of a campaign logo. Then we can evaluate how many votes the party can expect to gain or lose due to the font choices, kerning, color scheme, and slogan.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 1:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
"It’s about people versus money – we’ve got people, they’ve got money.”
posted by kirkaracha at 1:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [63 favorites]
"It’s about people versus money – we’ve got people, they’ve got money.”
posted by kirkaracha at 1:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [63 favorites]
My Leftist friends on FB seem to be incensed about any talk of Russia or treason
I think I'm lucky, all but one of my leftist friends are incensed over this whole thing.
I've spoken before about the one friend who scoffed at any discussion of Russia during the election and for most of 2017. Strangely (sarcasm), he has been silent about Russia, and Clinton's emails and election hacking as of late.
posted by Twain Device at 1:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
I think I'm lucky, all but one of my leftist friends are incensed over this whole thing.
I've spoken before about the one friend who scoffed at any discussion of Russia during the election and for most of 2017. Strangely (sarcasm), he has been silent about Russia, and Clinton's emails and election hacking as of late.
posted by Twain Device at 1:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Given that so much of RussiaGate coverage is about the alleged manipulation of Black activists, anti-fracking protesters, the Green Party – and even Bernie Sanders supporters - to attack Hillary Clinton and her campaign, the consequence has been the media, time and again, framing Leftist dissent as de facto Russian propaganda.
Ugh we need to not let this "divide and conquer" bullshit actually work on us!
posted by rue72 at 1:35 PM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
Ugh we need to not let this "divide and conquer" bullshit actually work on us!
posted by rue72 at 1:35 PM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
Real weird that people can't seem to understand that you can think another (arguably less democratic) country directly interfering with democratic elections and influencing corrupt officials is bad, while at the same time understanding that the United States has done, and continues to do, bad things in other countries as well. Like, I don't see any lefties or Democrats demanding we bomb Russia. As for the FBI and the DOJ, it's either hope they do their jobs in a competent and ethical way, or just kind of abandon all hope until Republican don't control the government anymore. Again, you can both think that the FBI investigating a corrupt administration is good, and understand that the same FBI often tramples on the civil rights of Americans. None of these things are mutually exclusive.
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:37 PM on July 18, 2018 [43 favorites]
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:37 PM on July 18, 2018 [43 favorites]
House Democrats rolled out their new campaign slogan for the midterms: For the People.
That strikes me as a lot better than "a better deal". Not a high bar, admittedly, but definitely better.
Data point of one Canadian province, but Ontario's new right-wing populist government just campaigned on that very slogan.
tl;dr low bar indeed
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
That strikes me as a lot better than "a better deal". Not a high bar, admittedly, but definitely better.
Data point of one Canadian province, but Ontario's new right-wing populist government just campaigned on that very slogan.
tl;dr low bar indeed
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Would rather see that be We the People.
Fuck yes.
posted by mikelieman at 1:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
Fuck yes.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.A better "mission statement" for the DEMs could never be brainstormed. Period.
posted by mikelieman at 1:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
I bet it didn’t cost like its expected to sway 0 votes.
posted by Artw at 1:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
KHN, Christina Jewett and Shefali Luthra, Immigrant infants too young to talk called into court to defend themselves
posted by zachlipton at 1:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [54 favorites]
The Trump administration has summoned at least 70 infants to immigration court for their own deportation proceedings since Oct. 1, according to Justice Department data provided to Kaiser Health News.A December memo weakened the guidelines that instruct immigration judges on procedures to protect children in court, warning judges not to be too sympathetic to children.
...
The number of unaccompanied children called in to court since Oct. 1, 2015, swells to 2,900 if kids up to 5 are included. The total will rise between now and Sept. 30, when the fiscal year ends, noted Susan Long, a statistician at Syracuse University and director of TRAC, a repository of immigration and federal court data. There’s also an ongoing backlog in entering the data.
...
In the removal cases, children have no right to an appointed lawyer, but rather to a list of legal aid attorneys that the child’s current caregiver can contact.
And young children rarely know the details of why they fled their home country, especially without a parent present, noted Eileen Blessinger, a Virginia-based immigration lawyer who has been aiding parents she was connected with through advocates on the Texas-Mexico border.
“Think about it as a parent. You’re not going to tell your child they might be killed, right?” she said. “A lot of the kids don’t know.”
...
Benson recounted being in immigration court in 2014 when a judge asked for a crying baby to be removed from the courtroom. She said she paused to inform the judge that the baby was the next respondent on the docket — and asked that the child’s grandmother stand in.
posted by zachlipton at 1:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [54 favorites]
Trump, egged on by Tucker Carlson [video] to bash NATO, says that the people of Montenegro are "very aggressive people" and "they may get aggressive, and congratulations, you're in World War III."
This conversation is not an accident. Currently there are 14 people on trial in Montenegro for plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister and install a pro-Russian government. The whole point of NATO is to defend against Russian aggression in Europe. Once again, Trump is taking the side of the Russians.
It's always about the Russians.
posted by JackFlash at 1:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [102 favorites]
This conversation is not an accident. Currently there are 14 people on trial in Montenegro for plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister and install a pro-Russian government. The whole point of NATO is to defend against Russian aggression in Europe. Once again, Trump is taking the side of the Russians.
It's always about the Russians.
posted by JackFlash at 1:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [102 favorites]
None of these things are mutually exclusive.
And it's not like Trump is putting a stop to the terrible shit the US does abroad (as far as I can tell his stance is "withdraw the US from multilateral agreements that actually do good things, keep going with or double down on shit the US does abroad that is awful"). So, like, here's an opportunity to possibly bring down someone who is doing all the shit you say you don't like, via an investigation into him potentially knowing all about and taking part in another country doing the shit you say you don't like. This seems like a win-win? And an opportunity, once it's over, to make a very good point about "see, we didn't like it when it was done to us so let's stop doing it!"
Ugh we need to not let this "divide and conquer" bullshit actually work on us!
A lot of leftists would not consider themselves to be part of any "us" with liberals or Democrats.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
And it's not like Trump is putting a stop to the terrible shit the US does abroad (as far as I can tell his stance is "withdraw the US from multilateral agreements that actually do good things, keep going with or double down on shit the US does abroad that is awful"). So, like, here's an opportunity to possibly bring down someone who is doing all the shit you say you don't like, via an investigation into him potentially knowing all about and taking part in another country doing the shit you say you don't like. This seems like a win-win? And an opportunity, once it's over, to make a very good point about "see, we didn't like it when it was done to us so let's stop doing it!"
Ugh we need to not let this "divide and conquer" bullshit actually work on us!
A lot of leftists would not consider themselves to be part of any "us" with liberals or Democrats.
posted by soren_lorensen at 1:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Gallup, Immigration Surges to Top of Most Important Problem List. That's a record high of 22% listing immigration (the graph behind the link showing the change over time is fascinating, as it spikes with various panics largely unrelated to any actual change in migration patterns).
Gah. Yeah, that's awful. HOWEVER, some of that has to be due to respondents' disgust at the government's actions lately wrt separating children from parents/guardians and desire to see it fixed.
posted by notyou at 1:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Gah. Yeah, that's awful. HOWEVER, some of that has to be due to respondents' disgust at the government's actions lately wrt separating children from parents/guardians and desire to see it fixed.
posted by notyou at 1:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
And an opportunity, once it's over, to make a very good point about "see, we didn't like it when it was done to us so let's stop doing it!"
That's the thing, nobody is calling for this, or even talking about the coups the US has fomented in the last decade. This is not ancient history. There's no reason to think that the US is going to stop being an imperial power that meddles in other countries, and nobody in either party or in any three letter agency cares.
posted by dilaudid at 1:50 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
That's the thing, nobody is calling for this, or even talking about the coups the US has fomented in the last decade. This is not ancient history. There's no reason to think that the US is going to stop being an imperial power that meddles in other countries, and nobody in either party or in any three letter agency cares.
posted by dilaudid at 1:50 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I genuinely don’t get it. Are they still stinging from the McCarthy days or something? Why is it even slightly controversial at this point to say that 45 is obviously in Russia's pocket, or that it’s at least borderline treason?
If by "McCarthy days" you mean 1947-1991, four decades of the right using the red scare to attack and bully the left and justify a half-dozen wars in which millions were killed, then yes, that is indeed what has made certain older members of the left wary of anti-Russia speech. Most of us who came of age after 1991 have no problem seeing Russia in its modern guise, but I do try to cut some slack for certain older lefties who have trouble adjusting. Indeed, in other respects I might be one of them, eg with the FBI, which may be instrumental in bringing down Trump, but which I have trouble celebrating given its many decades of terrorizing the left. It can be hard to adjust during pivotal transformative periods like now.
posted by chortly at 1:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
If by "McCarthy days" you mean 1947-1991, four decades of the right using the red scare to attack and bully the left and justify a half-dozen wars in which millions were killed, then yes, that is indeed what has made certain older members of the left wary of anti-Russia speech. Most of us who came of age after 1991 have no problem seeing Russia in its modern guise, but I do try to cut some slack for certain older lefties who have trouble adjusting. Indeed, in other respects I might be one of them, eg with the FBI, which may be instrumental in bringing down Trump, but which I have trouble celebrating given its many decades of terrorizing the left. It can be hard to adjust during pivotal transformative periods like now.
posted by chortly at 1:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Interesting to me about this slogan...
For the People Is a tremendous Card Driven Wargame about the Civil War. Also by the same designer as We the People Which was the first CDG, and is about the Revolutionary War.
posted by Windopaene at 1:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
For the People Is a tremendous Card Driven Wargame about the Civil War. Also by the same designer as We the People Which was the first CDG, and is about the Revolutionary War.
posted by Windopaene at 1:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
> If by "McCarthy days" you mean 1947-1991 [...] then yes, that is indeed what has made certain older members of the left wary of anti-Russia speech
A vast majority of the cries of McCarthyism I've seen from leftists are coming from people who couldn't legally drink a beer in 1991. This is not a bunch of battle-hardened old lefties dealing with whiplash, it's young dirtbag lefties who hitched their accerationist wagon to anti-anti-Trumpism and don't want to own the unintended consequences.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
A vast majority of the cries of McCarthyism I've seen from leftists are coming from people who couldn't legally drink a beer in 1991. This is not a bunch of battle-hardened old lefties dealing with whiplash, it's young dirtbag lefties who hitched their accerationist wagon to anti-anti-Trumpism and don't want to own the unintended consequences.
posted by tonycpsu at 1:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
Would rather see that be We the People.
Fuck yes.
"We the People" is tied so much to the white, poor-ish, Republican population that thinks voting for the "Buying a 3rd Yacht Relief Act" is their (literal) God given duty, it's practically a cliché.
Seriously, anytime someone uses "We the People" as a slogan, the next thing I except to hear is some argument that repealing the ACA and dying on the street from cancer is actually the most American thing we can do.
posted by sideshow at 2:01 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Fuck yes.
"We the People" is tied so much to the white, poor-ish, Republican population that thinks voting for the "Buying a 3rd Yacht Relief Act" is their (literal) God given duty, it's practically a cliché.
Seriously, anytime someone uses "We the People" as a slogan, the next thing I except to hear is some argument that repealing the ACA and dying on the street from cancer is actually the most American thing we can do.
posted by sideshow at 2:01 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Agree with it or not, there is a widespread perception on the left that accusations of being Russian stooges or "useful idiots" are disproportionately leveled at leftist thinkers and activists, reminiscent of the way civil rights activists were labeled "communist" in the 50's and 60's. A prominent example of this happened when NPR put out a hit piece about Anoa Changa because she went on Sputnik once and got 3 retweets from Russian bots.
This isn't about leftists approving of Russia or Trump or even denying that any collusion happened. This is leftists worrying that their voices will be further marginalized because of centrist paranoia.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 2:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
This isn't about leftists approving of Russia or Trump or even denying that any collusion happened. This is leftists worrying that their voices will be further marginalized because of centrist paranoia.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 2:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
I guess I just see it as shorthand along the lines of "DON'T YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS???". Lately, it's never used honestly.
posted by sideshow at 2:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by sideshow at 2:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
For the People Is a tremendous Card Driven Wargame about the Civil War. Also by the same designer as We the People Which was the first CDG, and is about the Revolutionary War.
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
posted by mikelieman at 2:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
posted by mikelieman at 2:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
This is potentially troubling. The bulk of the story is about Rohrabacher's trip to his handlers in Moscow, but he was accompanied by a senior Democrat who allegedly has ethical issues of his own. It might be nothing, but it might be a case of very fine people on both sides:
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:05 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Meeks told The Daily Beast that Rohrabacher set up the August 2015 trip and that he went along as a Democratic “counterbalance” to Rohrabacher’s pro-Russian politics.Caveat: I know nothing about US politics, this just worries me.
[…]
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Meeks, a Queens Democrat, “one of the most ethically challenged members of Congress.” He had been under an Ethics Committee investigation in 2012 after Meeks received a $40,000 loan from someone who pleaded guilty to unrelated mortgage fraud; the committee cleared Meeks of wrongdoing.
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:05 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
My Leftist friends on FB seem to be incensed about any talk of Russia or treason
As a bona fide card-carrying leftist, I confess that I find the misogynistic and racist policy positions/statements, the incoherent immigration malignancy, the horrid SCOTUS picks, the EPA's fire sale, the erosion of the professional civil service and the welfare state, the undermining of universal enfranchisement, the overall vocal domestic fascists, etc. etc. all slightly more alarming than Russian election tampering.
Not saying it's not a big deal, just that all those things are bigger for me. Because even if the Russians somehow swayed ten million voters, which is extremely unlikely (possible I suppose, but really not very likely), that would still mean close to 53 million people intentionally voted for this dumpster fire of a garbagemonster candidate. I am far more worried about that than Russian election interference, because it implies that if it wasn't Russia it probably have been something else - I am no longer living in a shared reality with tens of millions of my fellow Americans, who would gladly sell me and more than half of the rest of us out to anyone who tickles their chauvin-ethnonational-ist death-cult fancy.
On the other hand, addlepated TrumpyTrump has pretty clearly been doing some treason by almost any definition of the term except whichever one his enablers are contorting themselves around in order to avoid having to actually censure or impeach him.
On yet another hand, Jill Stein.
posted by aspersioncast at 2:06 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
As a bona fide card-carrying leftist, I confess that I find the misogynistic and racist policy positions/statements, the incoherent immigration malignancy, the horrid SCOTUS picks, the EPA's fire sale, the erosion of the professional civil service and the welfare state, the undermining of universal enfranchisement, the overall vocal domestic fascists, etc. etc. all slightly more alarming than Russian election tampering.
Not saying it's not a big deal, just that all those things are bigger for me. Because even if the Russians somehow swayed ten million voters, which is extremely unlikely (possible I suppose, but really not very likely), that would still mean close to 53 million people intentionally voted for this dumpster fire of a garbagemonster candidate. I am far more worried about that than Russian election interference, because it implies that if it wasn't Russia it probably have been something else - I am no longer living in a shared reality with tens of millions of my fellow Americans, who would gladly sell me and more than half of the rest of us out to anyone who tickles their chauvin-ethnonational-ist death-cult fancy.
On the other hand, addlepated TrumpyTrump has pretty clearly been doing some treason by almost any definition of the term except whichever one his enablers are contorting themselves around in order to avoid having to actually censure or impeach him.
On yet another hand, Jill Stein.
posted by aspersioncast at 2:06 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
"For The People" isn't too bad. It's too vague, but it has a faint echo of Corbyn's "For the many, not the few", which is a fantastic slogan. Corbyn has the advantage of a labor register to draw from where it's relatively normal to say "the interests of the very wealthy and the commonality are opposed". "For the people" is about as close as the Dems are going to get - until we elect more social democrats, socialists and leftists generally. But then....
~~
One's twitter left mileage may vary. Anarchists and Bree Newsome (among the people I follow) are pretty consistent on the "this thing with Russia is very worrying" line, both of them on the general "consolidation of a racist, homophobic, white supremacist fascist movement worldwide is a bad thing that is, yea verily, actively worse than what's gone before" front.
The anarchists are dirtbag left-adjacent and will meet all your "prisons and state violence are not okay even if it's an anti-US power" needs, also your "Stalin was horrible and Russia isn't even communist anymore so stop with the Hot Young Stalin If Stalin Were The Asshole Cis Straight Dude In Your Program memes" needs.
As ever, there's a very wide range of left narratives about Russia, ranging from pretty legit critiques of the Democrats/liberals generally to Stupid Aggro I Believe It No Matter What The Facts Suggest Also I Don't Read Books, Only Memes, And If You Disagree You Are A Running Dog stuff.
posted by Frowner at 2:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
~~
One's twitter left mileage may vary. Anarchists and Bree Newsome (among the people I follow) are pretty consistent on the "this thing with Russia is very worrying" line, both of them on the general "consolidation of a racist, homophobic, white supremacist fascist movement worldwide is a bad thing that is, yea verily, actively worse than what's gone before" front.
The anarchists are dirtbag left-adjacent and will meet all your "prisons and state violence are not okay even if it's an anti-US power" needs, also your "Stalin was horrible and Russia isn't even communist anymore so stop with the Hot Young Stalin If Stalin Were The Asshole Cis Straight Dude In Your Program memes" needs.
As ever, there's a very wide range of left narratives about Russia, ranging from pretty legit critiques of the Democrats/liberals generally to Stupid Aggro I Believe It No Matter What The Facts Suggest Also I Don't Read Books, Only Memes, And If You Disagree You Are A Running Dog stuff.
posted by Frowner at 2:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
Because even if the Russians somehow swayed ten million voters, which is extremely unlikely
They didn't need to sway 10 million, only 80 000 votes in the swing states.
posted by PenDevil at 2:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
They didn't need to sway 10 million, only 80 000 votes in the swing states.
posted by PenDevil at 2:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [49 favorites]
"We the People" is tied so much to the white, poor-ish, Republican population that thinks voting for the "Buying a 3rd Yacht Relief Act" is their (literal) God given duty, it's practically a cliché.
We the People was also the name of Jerry Brown's radio show and Oakland political action organization in 1995, before he was mayor. I don't think the right has any claim to the phrase.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 2:10 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
We the People was also the name of Jerry Brown's radio show and Oakland political action organization in 1995, before he was mayor. I don't think the right has any claim to the phrase.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 2:10 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
This is potentially troubling. The bulk of the story is about Rohrabacher's trip to his handlers in Moscow, but he was accompanied by a senior Democrat who allegedly has ethical issues of his own.
Joe in Australia did you read the article you linked to? Meeks says "he went along as a Democratic “counterbalance” to Rohrabacher’s pro-Russian politics. "
The main message of the Russians to the legislators, Meeks said, was to decry Barack Obama, denounce the U.S. and NATO as aggressors, and attack a piece of human-rights sanctions legislation known as the Magnitsky Act that Rohrabacher has subsequently been accused of violating.
“There was somebody from the Russia Duma that was there, and I can recall getting into a shouting match with this member of the Duma who was putting down America and putting down President Obama and I went back at him,” Meeks said, describing the Russian legislator as a male in his late forties or early fifties; Torshin, who was a legislator in 2015, is in his sixties.
Meeks said he was unfamiliar with Torshin. Asked if he was familiar with Butina and if she was involved in the Russian meetings on the trip, Meeks said, “Not that I know of, no.”
Meeks added, “My dialogue was 180 degrees different than the dialogue of Mr. Rohrabacher.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Joe in Australia did you read the article you linked to? Meeks says "he went along as a Democratic “counterbalance” to Rohrabacher’s pro-Russian politics. "
The main message of the Russians to the legislators, Meeks said, was to decry Barack Obama, denounce the U.S. and NATO as aggressors, and attack a piece of human-rights sanctions legislation known as the Magnitsky Act that Rohrabacher has subsequently been accused of violating.
“There was somebody from the Russia Duma that was there, and I can recall getting into a shouting match with this member of the Duma who was putting down America and putting down President Obama and I went back at him,” Meeks said, describing the Russian legislator as a male in his late forties or early fifties; Torshin, who was a legislator in 2015, is in his sixties.
Meeks said he was unfamiliar with Torshin. Asked if he was familiar with Butina and if she was involved in the Russian meetings on the trip, Meeks said, “Not that I know of, no.”
Meeks added, “My dialogue was 180 degrees different than the dialogue of Mr. Rohrabacher.”
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Too bad we can do nothing about the excesses of this president (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
Boy, it is really awful what the president has said, and I could not denounce it more. I mean, I could denounce it more. I will denounce it more. I wish that there were something else I could do, but I am only a senator.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [75 favorites]
A senator, as you know, is someone empowered by the Constitution to go on cable news and state opinions. A senator can do nothing to restrain the executive branch. In the system of checks and balances designed by the Founding Fathers, the Senate is neither.
The Senate is an appendix, a vestigial organ whose function no one can determine, so it just sits there and sometimes rumbles ominously after meals. Aside from its traditional role of acting as a rubber-stamp for judicial appointees, it is a kind of cheery bobblehead designed by the Constitution to stare at what the Executive is doing and offer tacit approval. It is decorative, not functional — like a pocket square, or a succulent in a dentist’s waiting room, or the “Share On Facebook” button at the bottom of an article.
It is sort of a VIP box, from which you can view your democracy careening helplessly like a malfunctioning Roomba, screaming but powerless to help. (Not to be confused with a VP box, where you have to sit with an expression of beatific tranquility and see only the good in whatever the president has most recently done, and blink maybe less than the average person should blink?)
You know, since every time these threads go into a discussion of general striikes and the like, they decay into reasons why it's just too hard to do in the US, here's a little side trip:
Doomsday prepping.
In prisons, guards know that when the inmates start hoarding commissary goods in their cells, it's an indication that a riot may be in the offing.
So start doing the same thing. Store non-perishable foods. Toothpaste. Toilet paper. Standard disaster prep that you're supposed to be storing up anyway. Get your friends to do the same thing. Keep the drumbeat going until the people around you start fearing the prospect of a general strike a little less.
posted by ocschwar at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
Doomsday prepping.
In prisons, guards know that when the inmates start hoarding commissary goods in their cells, it's an indication that a riot may be in the offing.
So start doing the same thing. Store non-perishable foods. Toothpaste. Toilet paper. Standard disaster prep that you're supposed to be storing up anyway. Get your friends to do the same thing. Keep the drumbeat going until the people around you start fearing the prospect of a general strike a little less.
posted by ocschwar at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [19 favorites]
that is indeed what has made certain older members of the left wary of anti-Russia speech
That gulag tho
posted by kirkaracha at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2018
That gulag tho
posted by kirkaracha at 2:19 PM on July 18, 2018
We the People ... For the People ...
In before derail ban, I would like to add that For the People does have the benefit of reclaiming Abraham Lincoln from Trump.
posted by M-x shell at 2:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
In before derail ban, I would like to add that For the People does have the benefit of reclaiming Abraham Lincoln from Trump.
posted by M-x shell at 2:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Going back to what JackFlash said yesterday about 501(c)(4) organizations and IRS Schedule B, I disagree about the importance of eliminating Schedule B. Even if it's never seen by the public, the fact that it's available for investigators is a big deal.
The 501(c)(4) organization is intended to be used for civic uses such as rotary clubs, little league teams, veterans groups, etc. But a loophole allows 50% of money to be used for political purposes, such as the NRA. [...] The only fix is to completely ban 501(c)(4) organizations from any political activity, forcing all political donations to go to 527 groups or PACs that do require disclosure of donors.
I agree with the intent but I'd like to suggest a slightly less restrictive set of rules: those organizations can use a small amount of their funds (e.g. 20% of their regular budget, or maybe just special-purpose donations) for political purposes, but not at the state or federal level (i.e. at the city or county level, or for other kinds of special administrative districts). That's the level where organizations like that could have a legitimate need to influence government activities, and AFAICT that level of government is pretty resistant to influence peddling by outside parties. I suspect a majority of 501(c)(4) groups that aren't just a front for lobbying would be fine with a rule like that, but many would oppose an outright ban on political activities.
posted by shponglespore at 2:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
The 501(c)(4) organization is intended to be used for civic uses such as rotary clubs, little league teams, veterans groups, etc. But a loophole allows 50% of money to be used for political purposes, such as the NRA. [...] The only fix is to completely ban 501(c)(4) organizations from any political activity, forcing all political donations to go to 527 groups or PACs that do require disclosure of donors.
I agree with the intent but I'd like to suggest a slightly less restrictive set of rules: those organizations can use a small amount of their funds (e.g. 20% of their regular budget, or maybe just special-purpose donations) for political purposes, but not at the state or federal level (i.e. at the city or county level, or for other kinds of special administrative districts). That's the level where organizations like that could have a legitimate need to influence government activities, and AFAICT that level of government is pretty resistant to influence peddling by outside parties. I suspect a majority of 501(c)(4) groups that aren't just a front for lobbying would be fine with a rule like that, but many would oppose an outright ban on political activities.
posted by shponglespore at 2:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
@YanceyRoy (Newsday): NEW: @NYGovCuomo announces his office is prepared to send a referral to the state A.G. to conduct a criminal investigation of the Trump Foundation. This would go quite a step further than the civil lawsuit, @NewYorkStateAG previously launched. @ZephyrTeachout had called for this.
posted by melissasaurus at 2:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [58 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 2:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [58 favorites]
Caveat: I know nothing about US politics, this just worries me.
Meeks is a real dirtbag so he could easily be just as corrupt
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 2:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Meeks is a real dirtbag so he could easily be just as corrupt
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 2:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I confess that I find the...all slightly more alarming than Russian election tampering.
The thing is that Russian tampering enabled all of those things you listed and will continue to do so. Russian oligarch money continues to flow through the NRA and other dark money groups to influence policy and encourage the sell off of American resources in the same model as Russia. So, yes, we have to fight the daily fallout of SCOTUS picks and malignant policies. All of that is exhausting and awful, but fighting off and prosecuting interference from Russia and other countries has to be a top priority too. Otherwise we are just cutting off individual heads of the hydra as they grow back.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 2:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [53 favorites]
The thing is that Russian tampering enabled all of those things you listed and will continue to do so. Russian oligarch money continues to flow through the NRA and other dark money groups to influence policy and encourage the sell off of American resources in the same model as Russia. So, yes, we have to fight the daily fallout of SCOTUS picks and malignant policies. All of that is exhausting and awful, but fighting off and prosecuting interference from Russia and other countries has to be a top priority too. Otherwise we are just cutting off individual heads of the hydra as they grow back.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 2:27 PM on July 18, 2018 [53 favorites]
Foreign Policy:
Every year since a Russian missile downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement to mark the anniversary.
But on the anniversary this year—a day after U.S. President Donald Trump met in Helsinki with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin—the State Department was conspicuously silent about it.
Officials there prepared a draft statement that was sharply critical of Russia for its alleged role in the attack. But for reasons the State Department has not explained, it was never issued.
posted by neroli at 2:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [57 favorites]
Every year since a Russian missile downed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement to mark the anniversary.
But on the anniversary this year—a day after U.S. President Donald Trump met in Helsinki with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin—the State Department was conspicuously silent about it.
Officials there prepared a draft statement that was sharply critical of Russia for its alleged role in the attack. But for reasons the State Department has not explained, it was never issued.
posted by neroli at 2:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [57 favorites]
And another thing...
that would still mean close to 53 million people intentionally voted for this dumpster fire of a garbagemonster candidate.
The core Republican Christian conserviate base (probably some 20 million people) are single issue abortion voters who would vote for a sack of hammers with "I will ban abortion" taped on the front. Another 10 million or so are single issue "kill the Federal government, except fot the Defense Dept" anti-tax voters.
posted by PenDevil at 2:29 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
that would still mean close to 53 million people intentionally voted for this dumpster fire of a garbagemonster candidate.
The core Republican Christian conserviate base (probably some 20 million people) are single issue abortion voters who would vote for a sack of hammers with "I will ban abortion" taped on the front. Another 10 million or so are single issue "kill the Federal government, except fot the Defense Dept" anti-tax voters.
posted by PenDevil at 2:29 PM on July 18, 2018 [16 favorites]
@CBSEveningNews: WATCH: President Trump tells @jeffglor he would hold Russian President Vladimir Putin "responsible" for election meddling
Does he think if he says contrary things all the time, telling everyone what he thinks they want to hear, nobody will notice? Like, does he think Putin doesn't know what he says unless he's standing next to Putin?
posted by zachlipton at 2:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Does he think if he says contrary things all the time, telling everyone what he thinks they want to hear, nobody will notice? Like, does he think Putin doesn't know what he says unless he's standing next to Putin?
posted by zachlipton at 2:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
A prominent example of this happened when NPR put out a hit piece about Anoa Changa because she went on Sputnik once and got 3 retweets from Russian bots.I see a ton of spin, promoted by conservative groups like FAIR and RT pushing the usual narrative but it really seems dishonest to characterize the actual NPR story at https://www.npr.org/2018/06/20/621726963/conservatives-and-liberals-both-take-to-rt as a smear. It’s simply a statement of fact that being promoted by Russian state media raises the question of whether they’re using you to promote their agenda. I realize that that makes people like Changa defensive but that doesn’t make a legitimate cause for concern into a smear.
posted by adamsc at 2:33 PM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
@YanceyRoy (Newsday): NEW: @NYGovCuomo announces his office is prepared to send a referral to the state A.G. to conduct a criminal investigation of the Trump Foundation. This would go quite a step further than the civil lawsuit, @NewYorkStateAG previously launched. @ZephyrTeachout had called for t
Which I think means they can subpoena his tax returns.
posted by chris24 at 2:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
Which I think means they can subpoena his tax returns.
posted by chris24 at 2:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
The core Republican Christian conserviate base (probably some 20 million people) are single issue abortion voters who would vote for a sack of hammers with "I will ban abortion" taped on the front. Another 10 million or so are single issue "kill the Federal government, except fot the Defense Dept" anti-tax voters.
There's also a contingent of white people who are super jazzed about racism, and a separate contingent who voted for Obama twice and then got angry at black people for continuing to insist that racism is still a thing even after "they" got a turn in the Oval Office.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
There's also a contingent of white people who are super jazzed about racism, and a separate contingent who voted for Obama twice and then got angry at black people for continuing to insist that racism is still a thing even after "they" got a turn in the Oval Office.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
The thing is that Russian tampering enabled all of those things you listed and will continue to do so.
The reason I'm het up about Russia is the same reason I'm het up about the racism, misogyny, oligarchy, etc.... Because it's all the same thing, it's all global fascism and it is coalescing around Russia as its enabler and axis of power. Also, The Russia Stuff is perhaps the only thing that could possibly bring this monster and his crime family to any semblance of justice.
I'm, I'll confess, not much of a patriot. I was writing letters on behalf of Latin American prisoners of conscience at the age of 14, knowing full well who enabled the various coups that put them behind bars and dissapeared their families. I think borders are bullshit. But this country is full of jingoists who will overlook any amount of fuckery in the name of U!S!A! U!S!A! but maybe could be persuaded to not re-elect a traitor. So I'm all in on pointing the treachery out as often as possible.
posted by soren_lorensen at 2:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [75 favorites]
The reason I'm het up about Russia is the same reason I'm het up about the racism, misogyny, oligarchy, etc.... Because it's all the same thing, it's all global fascism and it is coalescing around Russia as its enabler and axis of power. Also, The Russia Stuff is perhaps the only thing that could possibly bring this monster and his crime family to any semblance of justice.
I'm, I'll confess, not much of a patriot. I was writing letters on behalf of Latin American prisoners of conscience at the age of 14, knowing full well who enabled the various coups that put them behind bars and dissapeared their families. I think borders are bullshit. But this country is full of jingoists who will overlook any amount of fuckery in the name of U!S!A! U!S!A! but maybe could be persuaded to not re-elect a traitor. So I'm all in on pointing the treachery out as often as possible.
posted by soren_lorensen at 2:39 PM on July 18, 2018 [75 favorites]
CNN: Speaking to CBS, Trump said he would consider Putin culpable [for election meddling] because he's Russia's leader.
"I would because he's in charge of the country just like I consider myself to be responsible for things that happen in this country," Trump said. "So certainly as the leader of the country you would have to hold him responsible."
In other words, President Trump considers Putin to be as guilty of election meddling as President Trump is of writing and producing the global hit single "Despacito".
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:40 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
"I would because he's in charge of the country just like I consider myself to be responsible for things that happen in this country," Trump said. "So certainly as the leader of the country you would have to hold him responsible."
In other words, President Trump considers Putin to be as guilty of election meddling as President Trump is of writing and producing the global hit single "Despacito".
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 2:40 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
They didn't need to sway 10 million, only 80 000 votes in the swing states.
They had fantastic targeting on where to apply force (social media & election system hacking) thanks to Cambridge Analytica.
posted by scalefree at 2:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
They had fantastic targeting on where to apply force (social media & election system hacking) thanks to Cambridge Analytica.
posted by scalefree at 2:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [22 favorites]
I must confess i;m not really sure how you can be concerned about fascism and not concerned about Russia's backing of fasicsm - maybe it's an Assange True Believer thing?
Would agree that anyone making outdated Communism references or invoking McCarthy as if he was anything other than a nazi himself is unhelpful.
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Would agree that anyone making outdated Communism references or invoking McCarthy as if he was anything other than a nazi himself is unhelpful.
posted by Artw at 2:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Daily Beast, Ackerman, U.S. Officials ‘at a Fucking Loss’ Over Latest Russia Sell Out
Current and former American diplomats are expressing disgust and horror over the White House’s willingness to entertain permitting Russian officials to question a prominent former U.S. ambassador.posted by zachlipton at 2:45 PM on July 18, 2018 [97 favorites]
One serving diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was “at a fucking loss” over comments that can be expected to chill American diplomacy in hostile or authoritarian countries – a comment echoed by former State Department officials as well.
“It’s beyond disgraceful. It’s fundamentally ignorant with regard to how we conduct diplomacy or what that means. It really puts in jeopardy the professional independence of diplomats anywhere in the world, if the consequence of their actions is going to be potentially being turned over to a foreign government,” the U.S. diplomat told The Daily Beast.
...
The current U.S. diplomat said the openness to turning over McFaul capped off a shocking week for U.S. geopolitics.
“The president has first and foremost his interests at the top of his mind, as opposed to the government’s. That’s very clear over the past week and a half, between shitting on our NATO allies and kissing Putin’s ass,” the diplomat said. “He cares more about himself than the nation and any of us who serve it.”
The diplomat continued: “Either he’s compromised by Putin or he’s a pussy, in which case he should grab himself.”
Also, Meredith Loken. No, your Trump-is-gay-for-Putin jokes aren’t funny
posted by zachlipton at 2:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:46 PM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
Putin Says He Misspoke Too, Withdrawing Claim Clinton Got Millions Stolen From Russia.
THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, Vladimir Putin, dashed the hopes of conspiracy theorists across America on Tuesday by withdrawing the startling claim he made the day before in Helsinki, that Hillary Clinton’s campaign had received $400 million in donations from investors accused of tax evasion in Russia.posted by scalefree at 2:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
What he had intended to say, according to a Russian government spokesperson, was that business associates of the U.S.-born investor William Browder had donated $400,000 to Clinton’s campaign. (According to public campaign finance records, that figure also appears to be inflated.)
Alexander Kurennoi, a spokesperson for Russia’s prosecutor general, told reporters that Putin stood by his demand that the United States should make Browder, and a number of former American diplomats and intelligence officers described as his accomplices in a criminal plot, available for questioning.
Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, acknowledged on Wednesday that Putin had directly requested the American president’s help in interrogating former American officials, including Michael McFaul, the United States Ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration.
Putin Says He Misspoke Too, Withdrawing Claim Clinton Got Millions Stolen From Russia.
Could we please try to include the publication of stories we quote here? This one's from The Intercept, which has its own axe to grind (for instance, they don't address just how inflated Putin's new $400,000 claim is, but they're fine with repeating it).
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Could we please try to include the publication of stories we quote here? This one's from The Intercept, which has its own axe to grind (for instance, they don't address just how inflated Putin's new $400,000 claim is, but they're fine with repeating it).
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:04 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
For @realDonaldTrump to help Putin harass and endanger @McFaul, an American ambassador, would meet my definition of providing aid and comfort to an enemy.
posted by chris24 at 3:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [123 favorites]
For @realDonaldTrump to help Putin harass and endanger @McFaul, an American ambassador, would meet my definition of providing aid and comfort to an enemy.
posted by chris24 at 3:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [123 favorites]
Not saying it's not a big deal, just that all those things are bigger for me.
The problem with that position is that it allows one to excuse interference if its in the service of what you consider the greater good. It is exactly the position of Republicans who may be troubled by election interference but, you know, the Supreme Court, and tax reform, and packing the circuit judgeships, and immigration. These are more important.
Imagine had there been interference to aid Democrats instead of Republicans, and it had handed us the Presidency. Now we'd have two additional Supreme Court seats. We could have passed progressive legislation. We'd have all those circuit court seats. What if there was so much interference that Dems had gotten a filibuster proof majority and had used it to pass voting rights bills, and medicare for all, and so on. Considering the interference as a secondary issue would allow you to say that, yes, it was bad... but we got all these important things so it was worth it. Just as many Republicans do.
I disagree. Once your elections and democracy have been undermined none of the other stuff matters anymore. The integrity of your democracy is the single most important issue for a (democratic) country. So, yeah, this is more important than health care and immigration and tax reform and etc etc. It's not more important than voter suppression and corrupt Republican electoral practices for the same reason, except I guess in the sense that its a foreign actor and so we have no domestic redress we can attempt.
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
The problem with that position is that it allows one to excuse interference if its in the service of what you consider the greater good. It is exactly the position of Republicans who may be troubled by election interference but, you know, the Supreme Court, and tax reform, and packing the circuit judgeships, and immigration. These are more important.
Imagine had there been interference to aid Democrats instead of Republicans, and it had handed us the Presidency. Now we'd have two additional Supreme Court seats. We could have passed progressive legislation. We'd have all those circuit court seats. What if there was so much interference that Dems had gotten a filibuster proof majority and had used it to pass voting rights bills, and medicare for all, and so on. Considering the interference as a secondary issue would allow you to say that, yes, it was bad... but we got all these important things so it was worth it. Just as many Republicans do.
I disagree. Once your elections and democracy have been undermined none of the other stuff matters anymore. The integrity of your democracy is the single most important issue for a (democratic) country. So, yeah, this is more important than health care and immigration and tax reform and etc etc. It's not more important than voter suppression and corrupt Republican electoral practices for the same reason, except I guess in the sense that its a foreign actor and so we have no domestic redress we can attempt.
posted by Justinian at 3:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
I will say I understand how it can be a lower priority if one doesn't believe it changed the outcome. But I don't think we can be confident in that analysis anymore, if we ever could be. I think there's very good reason to think Donald Trump is only President of the United States because of the Russian interference. Yeah you can point to how many votes he got and would have gotten even in the absence of that interference. But...
Analogy: If I take 12 grams of Tylenol that's not super good for my liver. Maybe I should not have done that. It's bad. But if you then try to force me to take 4 more grams I'm gonna be more than a little upset about that since it might well kill me even if my liver was already unwisely working overtime on the first 12 grams.
posted by Justinian at 3:17 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Analogy: If I take 12 grams of Tylenol that's not super good for my liver. Maybe I should not have done that. It's bad. But if you then try to force me to take 4 more grams I'm gonna be more than a little upset about that since it might well kill me even if my liver was already unwisely working overtime on the first 12 grams.
posted by Justinian at 3:17 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
CNN:
posted by Chrysostom at 3:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
A Republican congressman from Minnesota has a long history of making deeply misogynistic comments on the radio, including lamenting that women can no longer be called "sluts."Lewis is from MN-02, which went Trump 46.5-45.3, currently listed as Tossup by Cook.
CNN's KFile reviewed several months of audio from Rep. Jason Lewis on the "Jason Lewis Show," a syndicated radio program Lewis hosted from 2009 until 2014 with the tagline "America's Mr. Right." In one instance, while arguing that "young single women" vote based on coverage of birth control pills, Lewis said those women were not human beings and were without brains.
posted by Chrysostom at 3:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
Speaking of Cook, they move IA-03 (Young) from Lean R to Tossup.
posted by Chrysostom at 3:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 3:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
Joe in Australia did you read the article you linked to? Meeks says "he went along as a Democratic “counterbalance” to Rohrabacher’s pro-Russian politics. "
That sounds like a potentially self-serving justification to me.
Maybe it's SOP for Democratic Party chaperones to accompany individual Republican politicians on dubious trips abroad, but Meeks was in no position to monitor Rohrabacher's meetings. If it was framed as "the two leading members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats met with members of the Russian Duma" then it wouldn't have raised my eyebrows at all. But, that's not how it was framed: the article notes that
That sounds like a potentially self-serving justification to me.
Maybe it's SOP for Democratic Party chaperones to accompany individual Republican politicians on dubious trips abroad, but Meeks was in no position to monitor Rohrabacher's meetings. If it was framed as "the two leading members of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats met with members of the Russian Duma" then it wouldn't have raised my eyebrows at all. But, that's not how it was framed: the article notes that
“it was an unusual time for prominent American legislators to visit Russia. Bilateral relations had turned acrimonious after Russia invaded Ukraine, annexed the Crimean Peninsula, and shot down the civilian passenger plane Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. While Rohrabacher and Meeks were in Russia, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and other colleagues met with pro-American political figures in Ukraine …”Given that Meeks has allegedly violated ethical standards by accepting a loan from someone guilty of real estate fraud (of all things) I think it's worth noting in case there are future developments.posted by Joe in Australia at 3:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Mod note: A few things removed, let's really not go in another round of "let me tell you what I have decided your priorities really are", it's one of the least productive lines of conversation to happen on MetaFilter.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
I went and Googled Paul Erickson since I know little beyond "he's a former treasurer" and saw this:
(for those who don't want to click my Imgur link, Wiki summary in top right corner says:)
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
(for those who don't want to click my Imgur link, Wiki summary in top right corner says:)
Paul Erickson, Activist - Paul Erickson is a traitor to the American people who has been involved in several Republican presidential campaigns.Think that's a recent Wiki update, or...? I loled
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
American Conservatives Played A Secret Role In The Macedonian Fake News Boom Ahead Of 2016
— Buzzfeed, July 18, 2018, at 12:24 p.m. ET
Do any of these headlines sound familiar?
“Obama’s Ex-Boyfriend Reveals Shocking Truth That He Wants To Hide From America,”
“Putin to NWO Agents and Satan Worshipers: I’m Coming for You!”
“HUGE Scandal – Chelsea isn’t Bill Clinton’s Daughter?”
I recognize a couple, and I don't even do the TweetFace.
When first contacted by phone, Wade told a reporter that “I don’t know anything about” collaborating with a Macedonian publisher. Goldman, however, eventually issued a written statement that acknowledged the partnership.
Arsov initially said he mostly knew about Goldman and Wade from the Washington Post profile. He then said that their only connection was that he had commissioned a small number of articles from Wade’s brother, Alex. Only after more than two weeks of interviews did Arsov disclose their extensive cooperation.
Everyone in the article denies everything at first and then, eventually, tells some truth. Like, they've all done the same role-playing exercise about what they'll say when found out.
Arsov still has his law practice, but Facebook’s crackdown has killed off many of Veles’ politics websites.
“When [your] Facebook page is removed, you cannot work anymore,” Arsov said.
It's just as accurate to say the opposite. Which is why the small-time-ness of these operations grates a bit - it's not really about a Macedonian fake news site, is it.
posted by petebest at 3:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
— Buzzfeed, July 18, 2018, at 12:24 p.m. ET
Do any of these headlines sound familiar?
“Obama’s Ex-Boyfriend Reveals Shocking Truth That He Wants To Hide From America,”
“Putin to NWO Agents and Satan Worshipers: I’m Coming for You!”
“HUGE Scandal – Chelsea isn’t Bill Clinton’s Daughter?”
I recognize a couple, and I don't even do the TweetFace.
When first contacted by phone, Wade told a reporter that “I don’t know anything about” collaborating with a Macedonian publisher. Goldman, however, eventually issued a written statement that acknowledged the partnership.
Arsov initially said he mostly knew about Goldman and Wade from the Washington Post profile. He then said that their only connection was that he had commissioned a small number of articles from Wade’s brother, Alex. Only after more than two weeks of interviews did Arsov disclose their extensive cooperation.
Everyone in the article denies everything at first and then, eventually, tells some truth. Like, they've all done the same role-playing exercise about what they'll say when found out.
Arsov still has his law practice, but Facebook’s crackdown has killed off many of Veles’ politics websites.
“When [your] Facebook page is removed, you cannot work anymore,” Arsov said.
It's just as accurate to say the opposite. Which is why the small-time-ness of these operations grates a bit - it's not really about a Macedonian fake news site, is it.
posted by petebest at 3:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
That was a poor choice of words. What I was trying to express is that while they style themselves as progressive, I only see them pushing false equivalence, attacking non-ideologue reporters, or otherwise doing things which further the conservative cause. As with RT, getting someone not to vote in a two party system has the same practical impact as getting them to vote for the Republican.I see a ton of spin, promoted by conservative groups like FAIRIs there something I don't know about FAIR?
posted by adamsc at 3:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
But the nature of the Gish Gallop (Sarah Saunter?)
The Huckabee Hop, surely.
posted by petebest at 3:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
The Huckabee Hop, surely.
posted by petebest at 3:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
I am far more worried about that than Russian election interference, because it implies that if it wasn't Russia it probably have been something else - I am no longer living in a shared reality with tens of millions of my fellow Americans, who would gladly sell me and more than half of the rest of us out to anyone who tickles their chauvin-ethnonational-ist death-cult fancy.
Absent Russian interference, we would have the presidency and the Court, at the least. And possibly the Senate, depending on how much you're willing to imply the general "both sides are the same" environment inflamed by Russian propaganda to down ballot effects. Even the hardest leftists should care that treasonous collusion was the determining factor. And at a margin of 70k votes, it was. You can't build luxury gay space communism if we're constantly fighting to save gains going back to the New Deal, and the determining reason all that is in danger is a foreign attack on our democracy.
Sure you can say Comey determined the outcome, or Clinton tactics, or something else, but with a margin that small, the absence of any of those things changes the outcome. Russian collusion did matter. It did steal the election. It did derail any hope of any type of leftward movement, socialist or neoliberal or anything in between, for at least 4 years and set back the march of progress far more than just 4.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
Absent Russian interference, we would have the presidency and the Court, at the least. And possibly the Senate, depending on how much you're willing to imply the general "both sides are the same" environment inflamed by Russian propaganda to down ballot effects. Even the hardest leftists should care that treasonous collusion was the determining factor. And at a margin of 70k votes, it was. You can't build luxury gay space communism if we're constantly fighting to save gains going back to the New Deal, and the determining reason all that is in danger is a foreign attack on our democracy.
Sure you can say Comey determined the outcome, or Clinton tactics, or something else, but with a margin that small, the absence of any of those things changes the outcome. Russian collusion did matter. It did steal the election. It did derail any hope of any type of leftward movement, socialist or neoliberal or anything in between, for at least 4 years and set back the march of progress far more than just 4.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [37 favorites]
The Swiss cheese model of accident causation
At minimum Russia interference is one of the holes. More maximally you could see it as an active force in getting all of the holes to align.
posted by Artw at 3:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
At minimum Russia interference is one of the holes. More maximally you could see it as an active force in getting all of the holes to align.
posted by Artw at 3:59 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Wether we like it or not we are fighting the electoral college. In the future I would not be surprised to see presidential candidates losing the election with 7-8 million popular votes, coming down to seams of voter activity in the low tens of thousands determining opposite electoral votes. We’re already at 2.8 million popular votes overridden by 80 thousand “electoral deciding” votes and there’s no reason that margin won’t get wider.
That kind of election is ripe for people to hack and fuck with. There’s no popular vote anymore, there’s only 50-state GOTV strategies on the left countered by voter suppression and manipulation on the right.
posted by nikaspark at 4:07 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
That kind of election is ripe for people to hack and fuck with. There’s no popular vote anymore, there’s only 50-state GOTV strategies on the left countered by voter suppression and manipulation on the right.
posted by nikaspark at 4:07 PM on July 18, 2018 [27 favorites]
CBS News has aired the first part of Jeff Glor's interview with Trump, in which Trump is reversing himself at top speed.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:16 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
GLOR: "You say you agree with U.S. intelligence that Russia meddled in the election in 2016."But:
TRUMP: "Yeah and I've said that before, Jeff. I have said that numerous times before, and I would say that is true, yeah."
GLOR: "So if you believe U.S. intelligence agencies, is Putin lying to you?"As for the Special Counsel:
TRUMP: "I don't want to get into whether or not he's lying. I can only say that I do have confidence in our intel agencies as currently constituted. I think that Dan Coats is excellent, I think that Gina is excellent, I think that we have excellent people in the agencies, and when they tell me something it means a lot."
Glor: "You said you'll sit with the Special Counsel before. Has anything changed in the past six months that has made you more or less likely to [interview with special counsel Robert Mueller]?"CBS is splitting the remainder of this interview to air tomorrow on CBS This Morning and CBS Evening News. The question is if they're doing this purely to drum up ratings or to tempt the administration into more back-tracking and reversing. (So far, Glor is taking heat for not being very thorough or insistent.)
President Trump: "My lawyers are working on it. There's no collusion. I didn't deal with Russia. I have nothing do with Russia with respect to my race. I won that race rather easily and I can tell you that I think frankly 2020 is going to be even better than we did in 16."
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:16 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Glor: Could you answer my fucking question?
posted by kirkaracha at 4:18 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 4:18 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Oh, there's more from CBS:
Glor: "Saturday, you told us your doctrine is strength and achieving peace through strength. After Helsinki, Lindsey Graham said you showed weakness."posted by Doktor Zed at 4:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
{crosstalk}
Trump: "I totally disagree. I think I did great at the news conference. I think it was a strong news conference."
Joe in Australia: "Caveat: I know nothing about US politics, this just worries me."
I have to say, this is exactly the sort of statement that non-US Mefites get (rightfully) angry about, in threads about things in their own countries.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:25 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
I have to say, this is exactly the sort of statement that non-US Mefites get (rightfully) angry about, in threads about things in their own countries.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:25 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
I have to say, this is exactly the sort of statement that non-US Mefites get (rightfully) angry about, in threads about things in their own countries.
On the one hand, sure. But on the other hand, that’s not an equivalent thing at all.
posted by Celsius1414 at 4:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
On the one hand, sure. But on the other hand, that’s not an equivalent thing at all.
posted by Celsius1414 at 4:28 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
It is when it’s in a thread on US politics. I mean:
“I know nothing about [subject of thread], but”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
“I know nothing about [subject of thread], but”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Border Patrol Accused of Giving Children Rotten Food and Undrinkable Water. The more we learn, the more disgusted I am. #AbolishICE
posted by zug at 4:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [48 favorites]
posted by zug at 4:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [48 favorites]
Politico:
The Interior Department’s internal watchdog has launched a full investigation into a real estate deal involving a foundation established by Ryan Zinke and developers including Halliburton Chairman David Lesar, which was first reported by POLITICO last month, according to a letter the office sent to House Democrats on Wednesday.posted by Chrysostom at 4:40 PM on July 18, 2018 [15 favorites]
The inspector general’s probe will focus on whether Zinke violated conflict of interest laws, the latest official inquiry of Zinke’s activities in his 16 months helming the department.
Our dreams of a Californian Empire are dashed.
posted by Justinian at 4:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 4:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
There's one thing I'm thinking about, but not able to totally parse: look at how everything is totally out in the open. Last night (I think, time is weird now) Colbert mentioned how Butina was openly bragging in class about her side job as a spy And it's not just her, it's the whole madhouse, they don't even pretend to adhere to any laws or rules. I totally get why Mueller has to get real evidence for everything, but we all basically know what happened +/- some details. We haven't seen Trump's tax returns, but we do know he went bankrupt and was dependent on Deutsche Bank and Russians after that. Etc., etc.
This is somehow different from both Nixon's crimes and BushII's, as well as from Reagan's lies and manipulations, even as it is also an extension of something that was there. And it's essential to what and who Trump is. It's packed into that quip about shooting someone on 5th Avenue.
Trump and the trumpists disregard all societal norms, but they also depend on the rest of us upholding them. As a former journalist, I have much more patience with the NYTimes (and other media) than a lot of people here, but it is also obvious that they are letting themselves be manipulated by the trumpists, to a degree that is dangerous for democracy.
I think I need to stop rambling, but to me it seems this is a very important aspect to deal with if we ever return to normalcy.
posted by mumimor at 4:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
This is somehow different from both Nixon's crimes and BushII's, as well as from Reagan's lies and manipulations, even as it is also an extension of something that was there. And it's essential to what and who Trump is. It's packed into that quip about shooting someone on 5th Avenue.
Trump and the trumpists disregard all societal norms, but they also depend on the rest of us upholding them. As a former journalist, I have much more patience with the NYTimes (and other media) than a lot of people here, but it is also obvious that they are letting themselves be manipulated by the trumpists, to a degree that is dangerous for democracy.
I think I need to stop rambling, but to me it seems this is a very important aspect to deal with if we ever return to normalcy.
posted by mumimor at 4:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [29 favorites]
Politico, Trump’s Russia spin falls flat with GOP
Narrator: they will not take any action. (The narrator advises that non-binding resolutions do not constitute action, for reasons that are right there in the name.)
WaPo, Kavanaugh’s role in Bush-era detainee debate now an issue in his Supreme Court nomination. Guess who the DOJ official who signed the letter stating Kavanaugh shouldn't face a criminal investigation for lying to Congress over this: Brian Benczkowski, who was just confirmed to run the DOJ criminal division.
posted by zachlipton at 4:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
The president’s effort to clean up his disastrous Monday news conference is falling flat on Capitol Hill — and White House aides are doing little to assuage an increasingly frustrated GOP. The reason: Threats from Republican lawmakers about confronting the president or pushing bills to punish Russia for further election interference are ringing hollow inside the White House, which has grown accustomed to panic, followed by inaction, on Capitol Hill.
A number of hawkish senators alarmed by the president’s remarks have yet to hear from chief of staff John Kelly, who frequently reassures nervous Republicans, and some senators are barreling forward with efforts to combat Russian interference in the fall elections. Increasingly, they view their own efforts to blunt Russia as distinctly separate from whatever Trump or his administration is doing or saying at any given time.
“In the end, we can present people with information. But you can’t force anyone to say what you want them to say, especially the president of the United States,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). “Our job is to pass laws and do things that are for the good of the country … and one of those things should be [imposing] strong deterrence measures with pre-positioned penalties should [Russian meddling] ever happen again.”
"I'm not going to try to excuse what the White House is doing. What we need to do is focus action here in Congress," added Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.).
...
Trump’s Tuesday remarks, when he said he misspoke Monday while standing beside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, are “probably the best we’re going to be able to get, right?” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader.
“He attempted to clarify it, but ineffectively,” Thune said. “The last couple days certainly haven’t been an example of a willingness to express support for what the intelligence community is clearly telling us.”
Narrator: they will not take any action. (The narrator advises that non-binding resolutions do not constitute action, for reasons that are right there in the name.)
WaPo, Kavanaugh’s role in Bush-era detainee debate now an issue in his Supreme Court nomination. Guess who the DOJ official who signed the letter stating Kavanaugh shouldn't face a criminal investigation for lying to Congress over this: Brian Benczkowski, who was just confirmed to run the DOJ criminal division.
posted by zachlipton at 4:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [36 favorites]
@totallyallen
You know America is in trouble when everyone starts learning how the government works.
posted by Artw at 4:56 PM on July 18, 2018 [74 favorites]
You know America is in trouble when everyone starts learning how the government works.
posted by Artw at 4:56 PM on July 18, 2018 [74 favorites]
It is when it’s in a thread on US politics. I mean:
“I know nothing about [subject of thread], but”
Given how the rest of the world has to put up with so much of our crap, I’m willing to cut the non-USians in these threads some slack.
posted by darkstar at 5:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [48 favorites]
“I know nothing about [subject of thread], but”
Given how the rest of the world has to put up with so much of our crap, I’m willing to cut the non-USians in these threads some slack.
posted by darkstar at 5:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [48 favorites]
Occupy Lafayette Park is raising funds to hire a mariachi band to play outside the White House.
posted by Sophie1 at 5:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [31 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 5:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [31 favorites]
Threats from Republican lawmakers about confronting the president or pushing bills to punish Russia for further election interference are ringing hollow inside the White House, which has grown accustomed to panic, followed by inaction, on Capitol Hill.
Like I said above, tipping points have become normalized. They're used to living in a tipping point now.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Like I said above, tipping points have become normalized. They're used to living in a tipping point now.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Damn, I wanted to be wrong this time.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Alleged Russian Spy Was Working to Infiltrate Religious Right As Well As Gun Groups
(Ed Kilgore | NYMag)
“The more we learn about freshly indicted Russian spy suspect Maria Butina, the stranger the 29-year-old Siberian woman’s story becomes.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
(Ed Kilgore | NYMag)
“The more we learn about freshly indicted Russian spy suspect Maria Butina, the stranger the 29-year-old Siberian woman’s story becomes.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
I think Joe in Australia knows US politics far better than the average American does, and quite a bit better than the average Mefite does.
His self-effacing comment was clearly meant to defuse any resentment we natives might feel at a foreigner, no matter how well informed, presuming to judge us -- in vain apparently, but not through any fault of Joe's.
posted by jamjam at 5:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [54 favorites]
His self-effacing comment was clearly meant to defuse any resentment we natives might feel at a foreigner, no matter how well informed, presuming to judge us -- in vain apparently, but not through any fault of Joe's.
posted by jamjam at 5:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [54 favorites]
(I don’t disagree. And I’m sorry for contributing to the meta conversation in here, but maybe let’s take it to MeTa if we have to?)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:26 PM on July 18, 2018
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:26 PM on July 18, 2018
Bernstein is on Anderson Cooper and finally making the point that journalists are shirking their duty by allowing Republican lawmakers to get away with talking shit about Trump off the record and saying how dangerous he is but not being willing to say anything negative about him on the record. He said that journalists as a whole need to do better reporting. He also spoke about how we have to really come to grips with the fact that the President of the United States cannot be trusted with our intelligence, nor can he be trusted to be alone with any world leader much less Vladimir Putin. His demeanor was very shaken; he even snapped at Jeffrey Toobin for his nervous laughter at that point. It was quite something.
I know journalists tend to think very highly of Carl Bernstein so I hope they take his words to heart.
posted by Justinian at 5:33 PM on July 18, 2018 [73 favorites]
I know journalists tend to think very highly of Carl Bernstein so I hope they take his words to heart.
posted by Justinian at 5:33 PM on July 18, 2018 [73 favorites]
Alleged Russian Spy Was Working to Infiltrate Religious Right As Well As Gun Groups
It's kind of interesting that after the Russians regained their gay hating, abortion restricting spirituality (post-godless Communism) and became hypercapitalist oligarchs the Republicans all of a sudden started to feel kinship.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
It's kind of interesting that after the Russians regained their gay hating, abortion restricting spirituality (post-godless Communism) and became hypercapitalist oligarchs the Republicans all of a sudden started to feel kinship.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Everyone's favorite, the New York Times Opinion page with "Sort of a double negative".
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 5:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [72 favorites]
This is truly an American crisis moment.Pretty mild title but packs a wallup most of the way through. I'm happy to see the NYT airing pieces like this.
Trump’s base of supporters have an undying loyalty to him because he has the same for them. He still has high approval among Republican voters because he has executed an unprecedented policy of defending only their concerns, which at their root are about racial insecurity and hostility, no matter how they try to dress it up.
Trump has no desire or intention to reach out to the rest of America or try to be the president of all of America. His mission is to lift this hostile minority over the horrified majority.
Trump’s supporters love this. Finally, someone is unapologetically fighting for white supremacy, white culture and white identity, for protectionism, xenophobia and Christian supremacy. No matter how much he lies, no matter how much he fumbles, no matter how much he betrays the greater America, Trump will remain the hero of white, Republican, racist America.
And, because these people were such a large portion of the Republican Party even before Trump emerged as their champion, traditional Republicans who at least talked the game of inclusion, of principles and of Christian, family values, are now tucking their tails to save their behinds.
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 5:38 PM on July 18, 2018 [72 favorites]
I'm happy to see the NYT airing pieces like this.
Their token opinion writers provide cover for the apologists writing ostensible news pieces. Oh, and they have a shitload of Trump defending opinion writers too. So.
Trump and the trumpists disregard all societal norms, but they also depend on the rest of us upholding them. As a former journalist, I have much more patience with the NYTimes (and other media) than a lot of people here, but it is also obvious that they are letting themselves be manipulated by the trumpists, to a degree that is dangerous for democracy.
Yes. They are. They have been the entire time. To the point that "manipulated" isn't really the word.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
Their token opinion writers provide cover for the apologists writing ostensible news pieces. Oh, and they have a shitload of Trump defending opinion writers too. So.
Trump and the trumpists disregard all societal norms, but they also depend on the rest of us upholding them. As a former journalist, I have much more patience with the NYTimes (and other media) than a lot of people here, but it is also obvious that they are letting themselves be manipulated by the trumpists, to a degree that is dangerous for democracy.
Yes. They are. They have been the entire time. To the point that "manipulated" isn't really the word.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:43 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
I think the word that Trump has been looking for this week is "splunge" which means "I trust Putin, but maybe not,, and I'm not weak. No collusion!" As long as he keeps having to say all these words that are obviously contradictory, he'll look more and more trapped.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:47 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:47 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Someone coined the phrase "verbal chaff" in a recent thread, and that captures it nicely. (Dazzle camouflage might also be an appropriate analogy.
Guys sorry to get up on my hobbyhorse again here, but there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The correct academic term for Drumpf's method of discourse is bullshit[pdf].
Someone who lies and someone who tells the truth are playing on opposite sides, so to speak, in the same game. Each responds to the facts as he understands them, although the response of the one is guided by the authority of the truth, while the response of the other defies that authority and refuses to meet its demands. The bullshitter ignores these demands altogether. He does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:47 PM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
Guys sorry to get up on my hobbyhorse again here, but there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The correct academic term for Drumpf's method of discourse is bullshit[pdf].
Someone who lies and someone who tells the truth are playing on opposite sides, so to speak, in the same game. Each responds to the facts as he understands them, although the response of the one is guided by the authority of the truth, while the response of the other defies that authority and refuses to meet its demands. The bullshitter ignores these demands altogether. He does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.
posted by Meatbomb at 5:47 PM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
David Frum: The Crisis Facing America
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
America is a very legalistic society, in which public discussion often deteriorates into lawyers arguing about whether any statutes have been violated. But confronting the country in the wake of Helsinki is this question: Can it afford to wait to ascertain why Trump has subordinated himself to Putin after the president has so abjectly demonstrated that he has subordinated himself? Robert Mueller is leading a legal process. The United States faces a national-security emergency.RT by Steven Hall, former CIA Chief of Russian Operations: From a counterintelligence perspective, something is going on behind the scenes. Before Helsinki I was less sure; post Helsinki, I feel sick.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
WaPo, Tom Jackman and Rosalind S. Helderman, Alleged Russian agent Maria Butina ordered to remain in custody after prosecutors argue she has ties to Russian intelligence . Curious how much worse this got for Erickson? Scroll down, because it got very, very, very bad (I'm omitting some of the details previously covered, such as her disdain for living with Erickson):
Prosecutors revealed Wednesday that after executing several search warrants, they learned Butina “was in contact with officials believed to be Russian intelligence operatives.”posted by zachlipton at 6:07 PM on July 18, 2018 [33 favorites]
A memo written by Kenerson states that Butina maintained contact information for employees of the Russian FSB, the successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB, and was “likely in contact with the FSB throughout her stay in the United States.”
Among the documents seized by the FBI from Erickson’s residence was a handwritten memo titled “Notes on Maria’s ‘Russian Patriots In-Waiting’ Organization,” according to an exhibit submitted by prosecutors. The memo included the question, “How to respond to FSB offer of employment?”
...
To buttress the government’s claim that Butina was a Russian government agent and a possible flight risk, Kenerson entered three photos into evidence. One of them was a surveillance photo of Butina and a Russian diplomat having dinner in a Washington restaurant in March. A menu board in the photo matches one featured in a photo of La Piquette, a French restaurant in Cleveland Park.
Kenerson said the man was “suspected of being a Russian intelligence operative” and the photo was taken shortly before he was ordered to leave the country as part of U.S. sanctions. Driscoll said the photo was simply two Russians having dinner together in America and proved nothing.
...
In direct messages exchanged through Twitter, prosecutors said, she and Torshin agreed that she could operate only in secret.
“Only incognito!” she wrote in one message in October 2016. In a note in March 2017, Torshin wrote, “You have upstaged Anna Chapman,” a reference to a Russian spy who had lived freely in the United States for years before her 2010 arrest.
Ominously, the handwritten memo has a redaction: "meet w/ [REDACTED]?" Can't wait to find out who that is.
Im pretty amazed that the FSB operates more or less openly on Twitter DM. As far as your average prosecutor is concerned, that's little better than the US mail. Much less FBI counterintel.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
From the Jeff Glor interview (via Josh Marshall):
posted by zachlipton at 6:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
GLOR: But would you, are you more likely to sit an interview now?Um, what phone call? Nobody has said anything about a phone call. The only phone calls I'm aware of were the ones Flynn most definitely made after the election. So why is Trump suddenly denying a phone call nobody mentioned?
TRUMP: My lawyers are working on that. I've always wanted to do an interview, because look, there's been no collusion. There's been no talk of Russia. There's been no phone call. There's been nothing. And it's I call it a witch hunt. That's exactly what it is. It's a it's a vicious witch hunt. And you know what? It's very bad for our country. Very, very bad for our country.
posted by zachlipton at 6:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [45 favorites]
It's like the interview where Trump denies the pee-pee tape by saying "anyway, I was never in that room for that period of time". Wait...what?
posted by uosuaq at 6:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by uosuaq at 6:21 PM on July 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
Jim Sciutto (CNN)
.@FBI Director Wray just now leaves no wiggle room: #Russia “continues to engage in malign influence efforts to this day.” #AspenSecurity
Ken Dilanian (NBC)
Wray: Mueller is conducting a professional investigation and he is a straight shooter. Not a witch hunt. #AspenSecurity
posted by chris24 at 6:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
.@FBI Director Wray just now leaves no wiggle room: #Russia “continues to engage in malign influence efforts to this day.” #AspenSecurity
Ken Dilanian (NBC)
Wray: Mueller is conducting a professional investigation and he is a straight shooter. Not a witch hunt. #AspenSecurity
posted by chris24 at 6:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
Did we know this already?
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
"Two weeks before his inauguration, Donald J. Trump was shown highly classified intelligence indicating that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had personally ordered complex cyberattacks to sway the 2016 American election."
posted by reductiondesign at 6:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
"Two weeks before his inauguration, Donald J. Trump was shown highly classified intelligence indicating that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had personally ordered complex cyberattacks to sway the 2016 American election."
posted by reductiondesign at 6:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
This is truly an American crisis moment.
Trump’s base of supporters have an undying loyalty to him because he has the same for them.
Two sentences in and only half right. Keep doing you, NYT.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
Trump’s base of supporters have an undying loyalty to him because he has the same for them.
Two sentences in and only half right. Keep doing you, NYT.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 House:
** 2018 House:
-- NC-13: SurveyUSA poll has incumbent GOPer Budd up 40-35 on Dem Manning [MOE: +/- 4.7%]. The district went Trump 53-44.** Odds & ends:
-- Polling of GOP-held districts finds that a majority of voters think the GOP is more corrupt than the Democrats, including self-identified independents.
-- Wasserman: GOP fundraising numbers are putting them at serious risk.
-- NY gov: Quinnipiac poll has Cuomo up 59-23 on Nixon in the Dem primary [MOE: +/- 6.2%]. Cuomo also easily wins the general, even with Nixon and indy Miner running.posted by Chrysostom at 6:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
-- NY AG: Same Quinnipiac poll has this race much closer. NYC Public Advocate James is at 26; Rep Maloney at 15, law prof Teachout at 12, and former Cuomo admin official Eve at 3.
-- California Supreme Court has ordered Proposition 9, the one to split the state into three states, removed from the fall ballot.
Did we know this already?
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
The news that Putin personally ordered election interference dovetails with the Steele Dossier, but this is new:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
The news that Putin personally ordered election interference dovetails with the Steele Dossier, but this is new:
And ultimately, several human sources had confirmed Mr. Putin’s own role.People in the IC or adjacent to it—"nearly a dozen people who either attended the meeting with the president-elect or were later briefed on it"—decided now is the time to leak this information. Expect more like this to come as Trump and Putin try to cement whatever their grand bargain was in Helsinki.
That included one particularly valuable source, who was considered so sensitive that Mr. Brennan had declined to refer to it in any way in the Presidential Daily Brief during the final months of the Obama administration, as the Russia investigation intensified.
Instead, to keep the information from being shared widely, Mr. Brennan sent reports from the source to Mr. Obama and a small group of top national security aides in a separate, white envelope to assure its security.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [35 favorites]
WaPo, As Russians describe ‘verbal agreements’ at summit, U.S. officials scramble for clarity
posted by zachlipton at 7:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
Two days after President Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian officials offered a string of assertions about what the two leaders had achieved.So Russia keeps saying we agreed to things, and the Pentagon and State Department have no idea what they're talking about. Cool, cool.
“Important verbal agreements” were reached at the Helsinki meeting, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, told reporters in Moscow Wednesday, including preservation of the New Start and INF agreements, major bilateral arms control treaties whose futures have been in question. Antonov also said that Putin had made “specific and interesting proposals to Washington” on how the two countries could cooperate on Syria.
But officials at the most senior levels across the U.S. military, scrambling since Monday to determine what Trump may have agreed to on national security issues in Helsinki, had little to no information Wednesday.
At the Pentagon, as press officers remained unable to answer media questions about how the summit might impact the military, the paucity of information exposed an awkward gap in internal administration communications. The uncertainty surrounding Moscow’s suggestion of some sort of new arrangement or proposal regarding Syria, in particular, was striking because Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, is scheduled to brief reporters on Syria and other matters Thursday.
...
Putin is expected to speak about the summit in a speech Thursday.
posted by zachlipton at 7:02 PM on July 18, 2018 [51 favorites]
I've seen mentioned that one of the difficulties of the upcoming election is that far more Democratic seats are up for re-election than Republican seats. Is there some way to find out what that balance will look like for Congressional elections in 2019 and 2020?
posted by lazugod at 7:04 PM on July 18, 2018
posted by lazugod at 7:04 PM on July 18, 2018
Is there some way to find out what that balance will look like for Congressional elections in 2019 and 2020?
Here's the map for 2020. All those red states you see are places the GOP needs to defend seats.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Here's the map for 2020. All those red states you see are places the GOP needs to defend seats.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
decided now is the time to leak this information.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, is there any reason to believe Trump didn’t just tell Putin “this is what these intelligence people keep saying about you?” When do we find out if these sources are even still alive?
posted by zachlipton at 7:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Based on what we’ve seen so far, is there any reason to believe Trump didn’t just tell Putin “this is what these intelligence people keep saying about you?” When do we find out if these sources are even still alive?
posted by zachlipton at 7:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
All House seats are up every 2 years so this only applies to the Senate. In the Senate elections this year 25 of the 33 seats are held by Democrats (or Democratically aligned Independents). 25/33. 10 of those are in states that Trump won, including some of the reddest states in the country like WV. It's hard to imagine a worse map for Senate Democrats than this years map.
In 2020 there will be 20 Republican seats and 11 Democratic seats up for election, and 2 where the incumbent will be determind in this years election.
posted by Justinian at 7:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
In 2020 there will be 20 Republican seats and 11 Democratic seats up for election, and 2 where the incumbent will be determind in this years election.
posted by Justinian at 7:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
I love snark as much as the next MeFite, but that's not a fair characterization of the opinion piece you're quoting. To start, the section quoted is 13 paragraphs into the piece, written by a person of color who has been a consistent and outspoken critic of the Trump presidency, and the piece then goes on to explicitly call out and condemn the white supremacy which is at the core of Trump's appeal to his most fanatic supporters.> This is truly an American crisis moment.Two sentences in and only half right. Keep doing you, NYT.
>
> Trump’s base of supporters have an undying
> loyalty to him because he has the same
> for them.
In short, it's a long way from, and substantially preferable to, the "we sent a particularly credulous reporter to a heartland diner to find out whether economic anxiety was a factor in the election" pieces that have been relentlessly (and justifiably) mocked here. It not some sort of historic turning point in the media coverage but it's not nothing, either.
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [41 favorites]
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
"The evidence included texts and emails from Russian military officers and information gleaned from a top-secret source close to Mr. Putin, who had described to the C.I.A. how the Kremlin decided to execute its campaign of hacking and disinformation."
posted by chris24 at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
"The evidence included texts and emails from Russian military officers and information gleaned from a top-secret source close to Mr. Putin, who had described to the C.I.A. how the Kremlin decided to execute its campaign of hacking and disinformation."
posted by chris24 at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
You know what we really need to do? Push Trumpists into admitting/declaring that "SUPPORT TRUMP = SUPPORT PUTIN". That should shave enough people who like Trump for 'other reasons' off his base to ensure an electoral disaster. Send Sasha Baron Cohen (or somebody) to hand out "SUPPORT TRUMP SUPPORT PUTIN" signs/hats/shirts at his rallies.
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Also, having House Reps have to defend their seats every 2 years is bullshit and ridiculous and should be changed in the Constitution. They spend essentially every waking moment of their political career having to fundraise and campaign for the next election.
posted by Justinian at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 7:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Or alternately, go full public funding.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:12 PM on July 18, 2018 [52 favorites]
So Russia keeps saying we agreed to things, and the Pentagon and State Department have no idea what they're talking about. Cool, cool.
Wasn't that the point? Putin decided there wouldn't be anyone but translators in the room so that he could later claim whatever he wants, and trump wouldn't remember what he said one way or the other. I thought that was the obvious deal from the beginning.
posted by mrgoat at 7:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
Wasn't that the point? Putin decided there wouldn't be anyone but translators in the room so that he could later claim whatever he wants, and trump wouldn't remember what he said one way or the other. I thought that was the obvious deal from the beginning.
posted by mrgoat at 7:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [24 favorites]
Expect more like this to come as Trump and Putin try to cement whatever their grand bargain was in Helsinki
Trump already tipped his hand. A weakened NATO, new US/Russian bilateral military relations (including a capitulation in Syria and w/r/t the Kurds) and further Russian expansion into the former Soviet satellites in central Eurasia. Not the Baltic, for now.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:13 PM on July 18, 2018
Trump already tipped his hand. A weakened NATO, new US/Russian bilateral military relations (including a capitulation in Syria and w/r/t the Kurds) and further Russian expansion into the former Soviet satellites in central Eurasia. Not the Baltic, for now.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:13 PM on July 18, 2018
> There's been no phone call. There's been nothing.
> Um, what phone call? Nobody has said anything about a phone call.
Trump's great that way. Who did who did you not call when you didn't call them, Mr. Trump? When didn't you not call the person you didn't talk to? What didn't you discuss with the person you didn't not call when you didn't not talk to them?
posted by nangar at 7:17 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
> Um, what phone call? Nobody has said anything about a phone call.
Trump's great that way. Who did who did you not call when you didn't call them, Mr. Trump? When didn't you not call the person you didn't talk to? What didn't you discuss with the person you didn't not call when you didn't not talk to them?
posted by nangar at 7:17 PM on July 18, 2018 [9 favorites]
from the Butina NY Mag piece linked above,
Yikes. Erickson’s continued freedom may depend on him playing the role of a deceived and spurned lover rather than a collaborator of a foreign spy.
But in a story that now includes espionage, guns, sex, and conservative politics, there’s no telling what else is on tap.
The guy managed John Wayne Bobbitt. And Pat Buchanan. Seriously, paging Fawn Hall, please report to the recombobilizer area . . . I'm used to Hollywood and video games eating themselves, but that's more cultural. This is some fucked-up political-sewage-line-explosion times.
posted by petebest at 7:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Yikes. Erickson’s continued freedom may depend on him playing the role of a deceived and spurned lover rather than a collaborator of a foreign spy.
But in a story that now includes espionage, guns, sex, and conservative politics, there’s no telling what else is on tap.
The guy managed John Wayne Bobbitt. And Pat Buchanan. Seriously, paging Fawn Hall, please report to the recombobilizer area . . . I'm used to Hollywood and video games eating themselves, but that's more cultural. This is some fucked-up political-sewage-line-explosion times.
posted by petebest at 7:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [8 favorites]
Yikes. Erickson’s continued freedom may depend on him playing the role of a deceived and spurned lover rather than a collaborator of a foreign spy.
If you want to play that role successfully, don't leave behind handwritten notes that say “How to respond to FSB offer of employment?” [real!]
posted by scalefree at 7:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
If you want to play that role successfully, don't leave behind handwritten notes that say “How to respond to FSB offer of employment?” [real!]
posted by scalefree at 7:24 PM on July 18, 2018 [34 favorites]
Um, what phone call? Nobody has said anything about a phone call. The only phone calls I'm aware of were the ones Flynn most definitely made after the election. So why is Trump suddenly denying a phone call nobody mentioned?
I'm gonna guess it's the three blocked number calls Donny Jr. made before and after the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with the Russians.
posted by chris24 at 7:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
I'm gonna guess it's the three blocked number calls Donny Jr. made before and after the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting with the Russians.
posted by chris24 at 7:26 PM on July 18, 2018 [20 favorites]
Oh my god, it's no wonder that a) John Brennan has been totally beating up Trump online and b) Trump trashes Brennan every chance he gets.
BRENNAN GAVE HIM THIS INFO ON 1/6/17. Jesus Christ, he must be ready to shriek every time Trump opens his lying fucking treasonous mouth!
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [71 favorites]
BRENNAN GAVE HIM THIS INFO ON 1/6/17. Jesus Christ, he must be ready to shriek every time Trump opens his lying fucking treasonous mouth!
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [71 favorites]
T.D. Strange: "Im pretty amazed that the FSB operates more or less openly on Twitter DM."This struck me too. I haven't been reading all the actual affidavits & indictments over the whole course of things - preferring instead to keep my "fuck it, it's not my problem" options open - but I just read the Butina affidavit. It really does beggar belief that anyone - official state agent, or simply just some private group doing some meddling - would communicate so openly over an insecure network.
Reading the quotes in the affidavit, it looks like they were either communicating in clear Russian or English (hard to tell if the little clues in word order/choice & cadence are those of a not-native English speaker, or due to a clear translation that leans a little towards transliteration). While there's stuff in there that could conceivably be coded signals - her reference to his illness, & his reply about attempting to get out of hospital, for example - it's also pretty clear that the meat of it, which ties in pretty well with the election ratfucking, is out in the open.
I mean, I've known lefty activists to employ more opsec when organising a simple protest against a mining company in the middle of a city street with the full approval of police than appears to be in play here…
On the other hand, you could also assume all those conversations are cover for something deeper - a thin smear of sacrificial dirt to hide and distract from the real Big Operation - but that way lies paranoia…
posted by Pinback at 7:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
I keep coming back to "a top-secret source close to Mr. Putin, who had described to the C.I.A. how the Kremlin decided to execute its campaign of hacking and disinformation." There's no way the CIA wouldn't have convinced the Times not to print this if this guy was still a source, no way the Times would have printed it without confirming they weren't putting someone in danger. They'll print stories about intelligence programs, not discuss specific human sources.
Whoever this source was, they just can't be one anymore. Whether they're now enjoying a quiet life under an assumed identity in Kansas or something less pleasant is another story.
posted by zachlipton at 7:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
Whoever this source was, they just can't be one anymore. Whether they're now enjoying a quiet life under an assumed identity in Kansas or something less pleasant is another story.
posted by zachlipton at 7:51 PM on July 18, 2018 [12 favorites]
On the other hand, you could also assume all those conversations are cover for something deeper - a thin smear of sacrificial dirt to hide and distract from the real Big Operation - but that way lies paranoia…
I think there were so many Russian influence operations going on at once that Butina was maybe the sloppiest one that got caught by not even Mueller, just regular FBI in the course of business because she was so blatant.
We already know about two different teams of Russian GRU military intelligence from this week's indictments, that would be the "Big Operation". But the FSB isn't nearly the same monolithic force as we'd probably picture from the KGB cold war days, today there's 50 different oligarchs, all with their own set of FSB ties and loyalists beholden to their interests like Butina. Sure they're working for Putin ultimately, but also for their patron and not necessarily clued in on every other oligarch and his other team also attempting to appease Putin's wishes to gain favor. So if Putin said "fuck with the Americans, and call in all our favors on Trump", there would've been competing oligarchs all trying to deliver the US election to Putin through their ties to the TrumpOrg and Republicans generally. How many more Butina's are there that are smarter? 50? 100? One for every Republican congressman and Senator? We know that Republicans were at the very best, fertile ground for influence, and at worst, actively seeking Russian aide.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
I think there were so many Russian influence operations going on at once that Butina was maybe the sloppiest one that got caught by not even Mueller, just regular FBI in the course of business because she was so blatant.
We already know about two different teams of Russian GRU military intelligence from this week's indictments, that would be the "Big Operation". But the FSB isn't nearly the same monolithic force as we'd probably picture from the KGB cold war days, today there's 50 different oligarchs, all with their own set of FSB ties and loyalists beholden to their interests like Butina. Sure they're working for Putin ultimately, but also for their patron and not necessarily clued in on every other oligarch and his other team also attempting to appease Putin's wishes to gain favor. So if Putin said "fuck with the Americans, and call in all our favors on Trump", there would've been competing oligarchs all trying to deliver the US election to Putin through their ties to the TrumpOrg and Republicans generally. How many more Butina's are there that are smarter? 50? 100? One for every Republican congressman and Senator? We know that Republicans were at the very best, fertile ground for influence, and at worst, actively seeking Russian aide.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:55 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
If the goal was undermining faith in American democracy at home and American leadership abroad, what better way than to engineer the election in the most shoddy way possible, extract benefits in the most blatant way possible, undermine NATO, drum up trade wars and then once the op is blown extend a big middle finger to no real effect in the Senate? And with the desired effects in disrupting foreign relations?
I'm sure Putin and company would have been pleased for the grift to last longer, but I don't think it's paranoia to suggest that this thing was set up to ultimately benefit its planners even once exposed. Why wouldn't you try for that?
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
I'm sure Putin and company would have been pleased for the grift to last longer, but I don't think it's paranoia to suggest that this thing was set up to ultimately benefit its planners even once exposed. Why wouldn't you try for that?
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
I love snark as much as the next MeFite, but that's not a fair characterization of the opinion piece you're quoting. To start, the section quoted is 13 paragraphs into the piece, written by a person of color who has been a consistent and outspoken critic of the Trump presidency, and the piece then goes on to explicitly call out and condemn the white supremacy which is at the core of Trump's appeal to his most fanatic supporters.
That's great but it still repeats, as a premise, a fallacy that the NYT needs to retire: Trump is in no way loyal to those voters. Not one bit. Sorry, wrong is wrong.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
That's great but it still repeats, as a premise, a fallacy that the NYT needs to retire: Trump is in no way loyal to those voters. Not one bit. Sorry, wrong is wrong.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:03 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
I keep coming back to "a top-secret source close to Mr. Putin, who had described to the C.I.A. how the Kremlin decided to execute its campaign of hacking and disinformation.
If the source wasn't blown/dead/Kansan before Monday, what are the chances Donny blabbed to Putin in their meeting. On all of this.
posted by chris24 at 8:07 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
If the source wasn't blown/dead/Kansan before Monday, what are the chances Donny blabbed to Putin in their meeting. On all of this.
posted by chris24 at 8:07 PM on July 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
Given the Spies Like Us vibe this has taken on, I'm imagining Trump bringing a blind interpreter and then passing Putin notes.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:08 PM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
I'm sure Putin and company would have been pleased for the grift to last longer, but I don't think it's paranoia to suggest that this thing was set up to ultimately benefit its planners even once exposed. Why wouldn't you try for that?
If I were Putin, and had executed a flawless geopolitical victory exceeding all conceivable stretch goals, from this point forward I'd play for style points and entertainment value.
posted by johnny jenga at 8:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
If I were Putin, and had executed a flawless geopolitical victory exceeding all conceivable stretch goals, from this point forward I'd play for style points and entertainment value.
posted by johnny jenga at 8:11 PM on July 18, 2018 [38 favorites]
@nycsouthpaw:
I’d speculate the intel sources here reasonably concluded that Trump has already burned their sources and methods to Putin.
posted by chris24 at 8:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
I’d speculate the intel sources here reasonably concluded that Trump has already burned their sources and methods to Putin.
posted by chris24 at 8:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [28 favorites]
@zachlipton: "When do we find out if these sources are even still alive?"
One of the Fusion GPS lawyer, I think during congressional testimony, said that one source for the Steele Dossier had been killed already, so it's reasonable to presume that others have since died as well. As for if we find out, we probably never will! I don't even think we know which source referenced in that testimony died.
posted by gucci mane at 8:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
One of the Fusion GPS lawyer, I think during congressional testimony, said that one source for the Steele Dossier had been killed already, so it's reasonable to presume that others have since died as well. As for if we find out, we probably never will! I don't even think we know which source referenced in that testimony died.
posted by gucci mane at 8:20 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Whoever this source was, they just can't be one anymore. Whether they're now enjoying a quiet life under an assumed identity in Kansas or something less pleasant is another story.
I wish I could find the site now that tracked all of them, but basically a wave of various Putin associates started to die after Trump started receiving security briefings and continued to do so until around May or June after he took office. One of them was a general in the FSB. So.
posted by Anonymous at 8:26 PM on July 18, 2018
I wish I could find the site now that tracked all of them, but basically a wave of various Putin associates started to die after Trump started receiving security briefings and continued to do so until around May or June after he took office. One of them was a general in the FSB. So.
posted by Anonymous at 8:26 PM on July 18, 2018
Looking for a silver lining to the darkening clouds on the horizon, I found this optimistic take from former Obama-era State Department and Defense Department official Ilan Goldenberg (@ilangoldenberg) (re-formatted from Twitter):
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:30 PM on July 18, 2018 [47 favorites]
I had a conversation a few months ago with a former Russian official that made it clear to me they have no idea of the significance of what they did. They are celebrating now but in the long this is really going to hurt them. Here’s how the conversation went:It's idealistic, of course, but it also captures the limits of a certain type of parochial Russian cynicism I've encountered from time to time.
Me: you guys should not have actively been playing in our politics and media. It’s a dangerous game.
Him: come on you guys have CNN & BBC playing in your hotel room upstairs (we were in Moscow). It’s the same thing
Me: there is a difference between state run media & free media. But beyond that you guys were on social media pretending to be Americans while also stealing emails from US citizens.
Him: and what does the CIA do? You interfere in other countries’ elections all the time
Me: but you don’t understand how central democratic elections are to who America is as a country. Our government system and pride in it is essential to our national character & a core element of American nationalism & identity
Him: you guys are just oversensitive
This conversation captures something important. The Russians don’t understand why what they did has sparked such outrage in the US. For them free elections just aren’t that big of a deal. And of course Trump is making all this much much worse by validating Russia’s actions.
They are convinced that what they did worked. And they are right in the short term it has. They couldn’t have a better POTUS. But in the long-term they may come to regret this. Eventually (hopefully in 2021) Trump goes. When he does it will be a generation before the US & Russia can have any kind of functional relationship. US politics won’t allow it after what the Russians did. They’ve touched 3rd rail. And objectively Russia is still a second rate economic and military power that can’t truly compete on a global level with the US.
In the long run they will come to regret having turned themselves into public enemy number 1 in the eyes of the US public & sabotaging the possibility of a functional US-Russia relationship.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:30 PM on July 18, 2018 [47 favorites]
If the source wasn't blown/dead/Kansan before Monday, what are the chances Donny blabbed to Putin in their meeting. On all of this.
He had plenty of chances over the past 18 months, such as the Lavrov Kislyak Oval Office meeting in May 2017. Or the first solo chat with Putin.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
He had plenty of chances over the past 18 months, such as the Lavrov Kislyak Oval Office meeting in May 2017. Or the first solo chat with Putin.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:31 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
If it's provably true that Trump divulged the identities of sources who were then killed that's potentially explosive. Especially if one of them was a citizen of a country other than Russia....
The absence of a state of war between the US and Russia, and the unthinkability of inviting one no doubt figured and figures into the calculus re: actual treason charges. Note how quickly WWIII bogeyman shushing was attempted.
However, no state of war is required to be guilty of espionage. And while there might be an argument that the chief executive cannot commit espionage, this conspiracy was embarked upon before Trump became President. Not to mention all the facilitators.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:32 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
The absence of a state of war between the US and Russia, and the unthinkability of inviting one no doubt figured and figures into the calculus re: actual treason charges. Note how quickly WWIII bogeyman shushing was attempted.
However, no state of war is required to be guilty of espionage. And while there might be an argument that the chief executive cannot commit espionage, this conspiracy was embarked upon before Trump became President. Not to mention all the facilitators.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:32 PM on July 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
basically a wave of various Putin associates started to die after Trump started receiving security briefings and continued to do so until around May or June after he took office. One of them was a general in the FSB.
That would be Oleg Erovinkin, former KGB and FSB general (December 2016, cause of death unconfirmed). In addition to the "trail of dead Russians", I'd note Sergei Mikhailov, senior FSB cyberintelligence officer, was arrested in January 2017 for treason.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
That would be Oleg Erovinkin, former KGB and FSB general (December 2016, cause of death unconfirmed). In addition to the "trail of dead Russians", I'd note Sergei Mikhailov, senior FSB cyberintelligence officer, was arrested in January 2017 for treason.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:41 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
Good lord! Huckabee says that Trump is seriously considering Putin's offer to turn over American citizens to Russian interrogators in exchange for Russian spies. This includes former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. Trump says "it is an incredible offer".
Anyone working for the State Department in any manner having to do with the Russia desk should consider seeking political asylum in Canada. This is sounding more and more like Germany in the 1930s.
posted by JackFlash at 8:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [66 favorites]
Anyone working for the State Department in any manner having to do with the Russia desk should consider seeking political asylum in Canada. This is sounding more and more like Germany in the 1930s.
posted by JackFlash at 8:44 PM on July 18, 2018 [66 favorites]
In the long run they will come to regret having turned themselves into public enemy number 1 in the eyes of the US public & sabotaging the possibility of a functional US-Russia relationship.
I might feel more confident about this possibility if I hadn't heard the Trumpie who called in to CSPAN on Monday to thank Russia at great length for interfering in the election and saving the US from Hillary. I suspect she is not an outlier. The GOP and their base do not consider us or Mike McFaul or Barack Obama to be real Americans and consider Putin less of an adversary and menace than most of the US population.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
I might feel more confident about this possibility if I hadn't heard the Trumpie who called in to CSPAN on Monday to thank Russia at great length for interfering in the election and saving the US from Hillary. I suspect she is not an outlier. The GOP and their base do not consider us or Mike McFaul or Barack Obama to be real Americans and consider Putin less of an adversary and menace than most of the US population.
posted by FelliniBlank at 8:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [21 favorites]
basically a wave of various Putin associates started to die after Trump started receiving security briefings and continued to do so until around May or June after he took office. One of them was a general in the FSB.
Right after Trump was told about US assets inside Trump’s inner circle Putin sacked some of the cyber security people in his inner circle
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
Right after Trump was told about US assets inside Trump’s inner circle Putin sacked some of the cyber security people in his inner circle
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [30 favorites]
The GOP and their base do not consider us or Mike McFaul or Barack Obama to be real Americans and consider Putin less of an adversary and menace than most of the US population.
Tha's why all of this is happening. Republicans hate us far more than Putin.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
Tha's why all of this is happening. Republicans hate us far more than Putin.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:54 PM on July 18, 2018 [26 favorites]
When and where did Huckabee say that?
"The President's going to meet with his team and we'll let you know when we have an announcement on that," she said.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
"The President's going to meet with his team and we'll let you know when we have an announcement on that," she said.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:22 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
It's idealistic, of course, but it also captures the limits of a certain type of parochial Russian cynicism I've encountered from time to time.
Well Justinian commented on this above in another context, but we have all been taught from a very young age that the process of our political system matters much more than the outcome of those processes and also that our process includes mechanisms to correct errors in the process. The Russian Special Measures or whatever attacked that directly. We are still responding via our process and so far we are crippled, but still here. I continue to have faith that our process will win out in the end but the current situation is a close case to be sure.
There is a lot riding on the next election.
posted by notyou at 9:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
Well Justinian commented on this above in another context, but we have all been taught from a very young age that the process of our political system matters much more than the outcome of those processes and also that our process includes mechanisms to correct errors in the process. The Russian Special Measures or whatever attacked that directly. We are still responding via our process and so far we are crippled, but still here. I continue to have faith that our process will win out in the end but the current situation is a close case to be sure.
There is a lot riding on the next election.
posted by notyou at 9:23 PM on July 18, 2018 [10 favorites]
The SHS bit on allowing the Russians to interrogate former American officials is her boilerplate response whenever she has no idea WTF the Administration is actually doing and needs to stall.
Still kinda bad when that’s the best you can do when the question is when will you be handing over a former Ambassador to another nation for interrogation.
posted by notyou at 9:30 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
Still kinda bad when that’s the best you can do when the question is when will you be handing over a former Ambassador to another nation for interrogation.
posted by notyou at 9:30 PM on July 18, 2018 [6 favorites]
The most charitable read on SHS's response to that question is that she's actually so fucking dumb she thinks "Hey are you guys gonna hand a diplomat over to the Russians?" is the sort of thing she needs to hedge on.
The more evidence-based read of it is she heard that and thought, "Oh shit, the boss might want to do this stupid shit, I'd better not put myself into another corner where I look like a dumb ass for saying he's gonna do X when he winds up doing Y instead." Maybe without so many words or such abstract thinking, but still.
She either didn't fucking know how insane that is, or she actually thinks it's possible the answer might be something other than no.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
The more evidence-based read of it is she heard that and thought, "Oh shit, the boss might want to do this stupid shit, I'd better not put myself into another corner where I look like a dumb ass for saying he's gonna do X when he winds up doing Y instead." Maybe without so many words or such abstract thinking, but still.
She either didn't fucking know how insane that is, or she actually thinks it's possible the answer might be something other than no.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:34 PM on July 18, 2018 [17 favorites]
I guess what we all need to filter our priors through is that Trump is negotiating for Trump and the rest of us are chits.
posted by notyou at 9:35 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by notyou at 9:35 PM on July 18, 2018 [13 favorites]
This would be the perfect opportunity for the 4th Estate to take a stand of some sort. Boycott White House press briefings. Refuse to relay any soundbites from any Senator or government official that is not a direct answer to a short list of questions about Trump and Russia.
Fox won't buy in to that, but come on.
Our democracy is at stake.
posted by yesster at 9:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Fox won't buy in to that, but come on.
Our democracy is at stake.
posted by yesster at 9:36 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
This isn't just Huckabee. Trump in his own words said "it's an incredible offer."
Folks, just a few weeks ago people never thought Trump would put innocent children in cages. There are no longer limits to the unthinkable.
posted by JackFlash at 9:40 PM on July 18, 2018 [71 favorites]
Folks, just a few weeks ago people never thought Trump would put innocent children in cages. There are no longer limits to the unthinkable.
posted by JackFlash at 9:40 PM on July 18, 2018 [71 favorites]
There is no rock bottom. None.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:42 PM on July 18, 2018 [25 favorites]
I can’t tell if the Republicans would let Trump sell out Americans to Putin or not.
posted by gucci mane at 9:49 PM on July 18, 2018
posted by gucci mane at 9:49 PM on July 18, 2018
I mean specific Americans, not just the entire country.
posted by gucci mane at 9:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 9:49 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Scott Walker accepted $1mil from a Russian oligarch via a super pac in 2016, and then his state went to Trump. Mitch McConnell received $2.5mil from the same Russian oligarch in 2016 and then refused to release a bipartisan statement warning Americans their election integrity was under attack by Russia.
It's all coming out, finally. Fingers crossed that people care. I also heard a scary statistic that a significant number of Americans don't value democracy...
posted by jbenben at 9:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [78 favorites]
It's all coming out, finally. Fingers crossed that people care. I also heard a scary statistic that a significant number of Americans don't value democracy...
posted by jbenben at 9:52 PM on July 18, 2018 [78 favorites]
I can’t tell if the Republicans would let Trump sell out Americans to Putin or not. I mean specific Americans, not just the entire country.
Specific Americans? I think most elected Republicans would be fine with other elected Republicans disappearing into the basement of the Lubyanka.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Specific Americans? I think most elected Republicans would be fine with other elected Republicans disappearing into the basement of the Lubyanka.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:58 PM on July 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Well, we're not going down (this road much farther) without a fight. And I mean everywhere. Here in Oregon, in super-red eastern Oregon, Trump-enabler Greg Walden, Congressman from Oregon District 2, usually wins in a walk. Not this time! For the first time in his two decades amassing millions from the NRA and the pharmaceutical companies, Walden has an election fight on his hands. Jamie McLeod-Skinner is going to take him to mat! There are 20 counties in this district, and there are volunteers in all of them and they are fired up.
Average work-a-day Americans can't get their hands on Trump, but we can get his enablers, like Walden. Phone bank, go door-to-door, give money -- do something in the analog world, not just online.
posted by slab_lizard at 10:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [92 favorites]
Average work-a-day Americans can't get their hands on Trump, but we can get his enablers, like Walden. Phone bank, go door-to-door, give money -- do something in the analog world, not just online.
posted by slab_lizard at 10:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [92 favorites]
"I think there were so many Russian influence operations going on at once that Butina was maybe the sloppiest one that got caught by not even Mueller, just regular FBI in the course of business because she was so blatant … But the FSB isn't nearly the same monolithic force as we'd probably picture from the KGB cold war days"Oh, yeah, 100% agree/aware of that, and it's exactly how someone would go about it if they were Putin & had plenty of ex-KGB/FSB operatives-turned-oligarchs at their disposal. And yeah, somebody out of that pool, either by design, chance, or direct order, is going to be the sacrificial lamb / miner's canary / dumb bunny whose purpose is to push the limits of the possible until they get caught
I guess I'm just surprised about how dumb the whole Butina thing is and, despite that, how far it managed to go & how much damage it did before it was shut down. Yes, she's obviously been watched closely from pretty much the exact second she first set foot on US soil - but she was still allowed to play her fairly large part in fucking the elections. Yes, stopping & revealing that may have started the Cold War back up in earnest, with all the possibilities that entails - but not doing that has resulted in what amounts to being pwned at 2 levels of the Executive, with an option on the 3rd.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I guess…
posted by Pinback at 10:57 PM on July 18, 2018 [7 favorites]
That's great but it still repeats, as a premise, a fallacy that the NYT needs to retire: Trump is in no way loyal to those voters. Not one bit. Sorry, wrong is wrong.
Obviously Blow would disagree with you. So do I. Trump is loyal ...to the base desires of his Trumpsters, which mirror his own. He refuses to disavow outspoken racists and dictators. He disrespects that bossy, pantsuit-wearing Clinton. He pardons vile, scummy people. Over and over again, utterly without restraint, he flogs liberals and that's all the loyalty they need. Many persist in believing that Trump's hardcore devoted followers are naively voting against their own interests, but I think they themselves are the naive ones. Trumpsters may be voting against their economic concerns, but progressives of all people should realize that humans have needs that go beyond mere capital. Trump's hardcore supporters as a group, more than anything else, want to see him causing pain to minorities, women, the poor, left-leaning celebrities /intellectuals, and "social justice warriors." They care far more about seeing libs humbled than they do about "clean coal" jobs, taxes, medical coverage and the stupid wall. If he is loyal to them in bringing the pain, they will be loyal to him. They crave his shit sandwiches because they taste like sweet revenge.
posted by xigxag at 11:06 PM on July 18, 2018 [31 favorites]
Obviously Blow would disagree with you. So do I. Trump is loyal ...to the base desires of his Trumpsters, which mirror his own. He refuses to disavow outspoken racists and dictators. He disrespects that bossy, pantsuit-wearing Clinton. He pardons vile, scummy people. Over and over again, utterly without restraint, he flogs liberals and that's all the loyalty they need. Many persist in believing that Trump's hardcore devoted followers are naively voting against their own interests, but I think they themselves are the naive ones. Trumpsters may be voting against their economic concerns, but progressives of all people should realize that humans have needs that go beyond mere capital. Trump's hardcore supporters as a group, more than anything else, want to see him causing pain to minorities, women, the poor, left-leaning celebrities /intellectuals, and "social justice warriors." They care far more about seeing libs humbled than they do about "clean coal" jobs, taxes, medical coverage and the stupid wall. If he is loyal to them in bringing the pain, they will be loyal to him. They crave his shit sandwiches because they taste like sweet revenge.
posted by xigxag at 11:06 PM on July 18, 2018 [31 favorites]
US Officials ‘at a fucking loss’ Over Latest Russia Sell Out
Current and former American diplomats are expressing disgust and horror over the White House’s willingness to entertain permitting Russian officials to question a prominent former U.S. ambassador.Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power:
One serving diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was “at a fucking loss” over comments that can be expected to chill American diplomacy in hostile or authoritarian countries – a comment echoed by former State Department officials as well.
“It’s beyond disgraceful. It’s fundamentally ignorant with regard to how we conduct diplomacy or what that means. It really puts in jeopardy the professional independence of diplomats anywhere in the world, if the consequence of their actions is going to be potentially being turned over to a foreign government,” the U.S. diplomat told The Daily Beast.
Let’s recall why Putin began making outrageous, false accusations against @McFaul: Mike stood up for human rights and against Russian oppression. That terrified Putin. The fact that @realDonaldTrump won’t stand up for an American patriot is a travestyFormer US National Security Advisor Susan Rice:
Beyond outrageous. Amb. McFaul served our country honorably and with full diplomatic immunity. If the White House cannot defend and protect our diplomats, like our service members, they are serving a hostile foreign power not the American people.McFaul responds:
I hope the White House corrects the record and denounces in categorical terms this ridiculous request from Putin. Not doing so creates moral equivalency between a legitimacy US indictment of Russian intelligence officers and a crazy, completely fabricated story invented by Putin.posted by darkstar at 11:09 PM on July 18, 2018 [64 favorites]
I can’t tell if the Republicans would let Trump sell out Americans to Putin or not.
I don’t see any reason why they would.
posted by mach at 11:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
I don’t see any reason why they would.
posted by mach at 11:13 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Oops, I meant wouldn’t.
posted by mach at 11:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [112 favorites]
posted by mach at 11:14 PM on July 18, 2018 [112 favorites]
Based on what we’ve seen so far, is there any reason to believe Trump didn’t just tell Putin “this is what these intelligence people keep saying about you?”
One possible reason:
Reuters, February 27, 2018 / 9:03 PM / 5 months ago
Kushner loses access to top intelligence briefing: sources
One possible reason:
Reuters, February 27, 2018 / 9:03 PM / 5 months ago
Kushner loses access to top intelligence briefing: sources
Mark Hosenball, Warren Strobelposted by sebastienbailard at 11:19 PM on July 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, has lost access to the most valued U.S. intelligence report, the President’s Daily Brief, as the White House imposes greater discipline on access to secrets, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
...
Two Party Opera is a comic that comments on current events using caricatures of past Presidents and this one, featuring the Father of Our Country and Russia's Catherine the Great, is hilariously relevant.
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:21 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:21 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
FYI - UK police say they now know who did the Novichok poisoning, having recovered the container that held the nerve agent and compared CCTV footage with airport data. No official announcement of names, but it's apparently a number of Russians.
Or Republican senators - hard to say. [snark]
posted by Devonian at 12:22 AM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
Or Republican senators - hard to say. [snark]
posted by Devonian at 12:22 AM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and close adviser, Jared Kushner, has lost access to the most valued U.S. intelligence report, the President’s Daily Brief, as the White House imposes greater discipline on access to secrets, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
Yes, it's clear that right now we are to some extent protected by Trump's lazy ignorance, the plan was clearly to have Jared passing top secret information to the Russians (again: it happened in plain sight). But I've noticed that Trump is actually quite good at remembering stuff he deems important, often things his Russian overlords want him to remember.
posted by mumimor at 12:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Yes, it's clear that right now we are to some extent protected by Trump's lazy ignorance, the plan was clearly to have Jared passing top secret information to the Russians (again: it happened in plain sight). But I've noticed that Trump is actually quite good at remembering stuff he deems important, often things his Russian overlords want him to remember.
posted by mumimor at 12:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
The craziest part of the Kushner back-channel story is how freaked out by it Kislyak was. He probably thought he was being punked.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
We haven't heard much about Jared or Ivanka for ages. I don't know whether it's because they've been supplanted by better bottom-feeders, or whether their survival instincts finally kicked in.
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Ivanka presented something about education at the cabinet meeting where Trump denied what we had all heard him say.
posted by mumimor at 2:42 AM on July 19, 2018
posted by mumimor at 2:42 AM on July 19, 2018
When and where did Huckabee say that?
---
"The President's going to meet with his team and we'll let you know when we have an announcement on that," she said.
Ok. I was thinking Mike Huckabee had chimed in. He was on Fox 10p last night so I was curious if he'd doubled down on it. Good to know it was just another reference to Huckabee Sanders' comments.
posted by chris24 at 3:11 AM on July 19, 2018
---
"The President's going to meet with his team and we'll let you know when we have an announcement on that," she said.
Ok. I was thinking Mike Huckabee had chimed in. He was on Fox 10p last night so I was curious if he'd doubled down on it. Good to know it was just another reference to Huckabee Sanders' comments.
posted by chris24 at 3:11 AM on July 19, 2018
Trump tweeted this January 7th, 2017. So the day after his top secret briefing on the Russian attack he was revealing/lying about the information from it to try to cover his ass.
@realDonaldTrump
Intelligence stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results. Voting machines not touched!
posted by chris24 at 3:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Intelligence stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results. Voting machines not touched!
posted by chris24 at 3:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
...shouldn't every Democratic candidate running in 2018 be locking that shit up as tightly as possible?
Hopefully switching on 2-factor authentication and religiously drilling into campaign workers head to not click on any link or enter their passwords into anything that asks for it is standard operating procedure these days.
posted by PenDevil at 3:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
Hopefully switching on 2-factor authentication and religiously drilling into campaign workers head to not click on any link or enter their passwords into anything that asks for it is standard operating procedure these days.
posted by PenDevil at 3:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
The top story on CNN's home page right now wonders if the President is a Russian asset.
The President's failure to uncork unequivocal criticism of Putin raises fears he's been compromised by Russia
posted by chris24 at 3:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [25 favorites]
The President's failure to uncork unequivocal criticism of Putin raises fears he's been compromised by Russia
posted by chris24 at 3:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [25 favorites]
The fact that our living rooms are full of water and there are ships sailing down the street outside raises fears that it may have been raining a bit.
posted by Grangousier at 4:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [60 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 4:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [60 favorites]
Hopefully switching on 2-factor authentication and religiously drilling into campaign workers head to not click on any link or enter their passwords into anything that asks for it is standard operating procedure these days.
Maybe campaigns should stop relying on publicly facing/routed email and password-secured websites for anything sensitive?
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:47 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Maybe campaigns should stop relying on publicly facing/routed email and password-secured websites for anything sensitive?
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:47 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
This would be the perfect opportunity for the 4th Estate to take a stand of some sort.
/deadpan. *checks watch*. Yeah, now is good. Why not. I don't see any reason why they-
Y'know here's the thing though; Even *if* we allow the corporate media's allowance of, infatuation with, joyous reveling in, Trump's campaign as a result of being 99.9% sure it's never going to happen - okay. Complete malpractice, unforgivable in hindsight, but hey, that's showbiz.
After 11/9 though- c'mon. The utter lack of will or ability to speak the clear, simple truth about this Predisent is beyond the pale. It's callow, or craven, or possibly layered institutional insanity, but the solution to it has never been obfuscated.
As an example, the opinion pieces of Charles Blow are the news articles they should always have had - how hard would it be to source those pieces? None. None more hard. But because of the way a capitalistic press works, they, and we, are totally screwed on this version. Thanks to this river of bad decisions, everything from Meet the Press to evening news at five is irretrievable.
Only a complete re-invention of network news will work now, and until that gets up and running we have a truly dysfunctional information system as our only solidly binding tie in the midst of this mess.
posted by petebest at 4:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
/deadpan. *checks watch*. Yeah, now is good. Why not. I don't see any reason why they-
Y'know here's the thing though; Even *if* we allow the corporate media's allowance of, infatuation with, joyous reveling in, Trump's campaign as a result of being 99.9% sure it's never going to happen - okay. Complete malpractice, unforgivable in hindsight, but hey, that's showbiz.
After 11/9 though- c'mon. The utter lack of will or ability to speak the clear, simple truth about this Predisent is beyond the pale. It's callow, or craven, or possibly layered institutional insanity, but the solution to it has never been obfuscated.
As an example, the opinion pieces of Charles Blow are the news articles they should always have had - how hard would it be to source those pieces? None. None more hard. But because of the way a capitalistic press works, they, and we, are totally screwed on this version. Thanks to this river of bad decisions, everything from Meet the Press to evening news at five is irretrievable.
Only a complete re-invention of network news will work now, and until that gets up and running we have a truly dysfunctional information system as our only solidly binding tie in the midst of this mess.
posted by petebest at 4:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Hopefully switching on 2-factor authentication and religiously drilling into campaign workers head to not click on any link or enter their passwords into anything that asks for it is standard operating procedure these days.
Hopefully. Although, having spent my entire career working around computers, I won't be remotely surprised if we see more easily preventable hacks.
Require users to choose strong passwords, and they'll start storing them in Google Docs or something. Require 2FA on all accounts, and they'll decide that the system is too hard to use, and start using some unauthorized alternative. Block their network access to that system, and...well, you get the point.
My last employer hired a company to phish us periodically, so they could see exactly who would fall for a real phishing attempt. The numbers were shockingly high. This was a software development company.
I haven't dug much into the technical details of the Russian hacks, but what I have read about is bog-standard social engineering. Hacking a well secured system is hard. But creating a well secured system is also hard – such that many managers decide that it isn't worth the trouble. And tricking people into unlocking the door for you is easy.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:51 AM on July 19, 2018 [43 favorites]
Hopefully. Although, having spent my entire career working around computers, I won't be remotely surprised if we see more easily preventable hacks.
Require users to choose strong passwords, and they'll start storing them in Google Docs or something. Require 2FA on all accounts, and they'll decide that the system is too hard to use, and start using some unauthorized alternative. Block their network access to that system, and...well, you get the point.
My last employer hired a company to phish us periodically, so they could see exactly who would fall for a real phishing attempt. The numbers were shockingly high. This was a software development company.
I haven't dug much into the technical details of the Russian hacks, but what I have read about is bog-standard social engineering. Hacking a well secured system is hard. But creating a well secured system is also hard – such that many managers decide that it isn't worth the trouble. And tricking people into unlocking the door for you is easy.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 4:51 AM on July 19, 2018 [43 favorites]
Didn’t Macron’s team deliberately put in fake files with their real ones as a strategy?
posted by gucci mane at 5:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 5:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
When I think of honeypots, I think of large collections of false and misleading stuff to make the enemy respond in ways that will weaken them...
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Didn’t Macron’s team deliberately put in fake files with their real ones as a strategy?
Previous post on the bleu about this.
posted by PenDevil at 5:47 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Previous post on the bleu about this.
posted by PenDevil at 5:47 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
New cover of TIME. A creepy photo merge of Putin and Trump.
New cover of the New Yorker. Face plant.
posted by chris24 at 5:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
New cover of the New Yorker. Face plant.
posted by chris24 at 5:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
That photo merge is very much like the older Biff, don't you think?
posted by Myeral at 6:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Myeral at 6:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Oathkeepers are off to protest Maxine Waters today.
Maxine Waters has requested no counter-protest as they don't want the OKs baiting counter-protestors into justifying violence.
So yeah, that's a thing today.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
Maxine Waters has requested no counter-protest as they don't want the OKs baiting counter-protestors into justifying violence.
So yeah, that's a thing today.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
Former NSA guy this morning:
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [135 favorites]
John Schindler @20committeeWow. Uh... Wow.
My GOP DC Friends:
If you (and it's plural, quite plural) stuck your d*ck in Comrade Butina call your lawyer now, this morning, to set up a chat with the FBI. You are in deep trouble. This will not look good when it comes out.
And it will.
You know who you are....
5:38 AM - 19 Jul 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [135 favorites]
Hopefully switching on 2-factor authentication and religiously drilling into campaign workers head to not click on any link or enter their passwords into anything that asks for it is standard operating procedure these days.
Speaking here as someone on the front lines of IT, that's a hope that will come to exactly nothing.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, sufficiently blatantly a scam that at least one user in a large organization won't fall for it. There's a security company in the UK that does an annual test of a random large organization, it's a simple test, they have someone dressed at about the same level as other people in the company approach random employees and ask "what's your password?" No bigger setup, no introduction as the new guy in IT, just a random person asking "what's your password?" More than 25% tell him their password.
I don't know what it is exactly, but some people seem to shut off the reasoning and thinking parts of their brains when dealing with computers. It isn't age related, I've encountered plenty of younger people who are total doofuses when it comes to computers. Some flatly refuse to learn, the phrase "I'm not a computer person" comes up often with these people and they seem to take a perverse, often aggressive, pride in steadfastly refusing to even try to learn how to use a computer properly. They memorize detailed step by step recipes, like spells or prayers, for every single thing they do on the computer, and are apparently absolutely incapable of doing anything but following those steps with robotic precision or (perversely) managing to install the most difficult to remove malware they can find.
I'd love to live in a world where more training helps. But it won't.
There is only one thing that will actually help when it comes to security: absolutely rigid, unyielding, and restrictive security policies implemented on the computers and servers with the full backing of the highest authority in the organization and a draconian approach to dealing with any manager who even **HINTS** at obstructing those policies or trying to work around them.
Regular security audits which are aimed at identifying leaky employees and then ruthlessly firing them is another plus. I don't care if Bob is the greatest X to be found, if he gives his password to anyone who asks you either fire his ass or you give up on the idea of securing your computers, there is no third option.
This, of course, is incredibly inconvenient. Security is always something you buy at the cost of convenience, and trying to secure an organization facing hostile state level action is going to be massively difficult and horribly inconvenient.
I'm highly doubtful that even with the example of the Clinton campaign being invaded by the GRU anyone in the DNC is willing to take the steps needed to really secure their IT, especially not the sort of crazy levels of security it will take to hold off Russia. I'm highly doubtful that there is anyone high enough in the Democratic Party who even understands the problem that they can even try to get it fixed.
And I'm doubtful that a massively distributed and mostly volunteer staffed group like the Democratic Party can be secured anyway. It'd be trivially easy for a Republican or Russian plant to volunteer for a county party, be useful and work up to the state party, and so on. The Democrats are desperate for volunteers and have no real vetting involved (source: I am a volunteer with local Democratic party and there was absolutely no vetting at all, I showed up, I volunteered, I got put into a job).
TL;DR: The Democratic Party is a nightmare from a security standpoint and it is highly unlikely that any security measures they can be reasonably expected to implement will be effective. Going forward I think it's possible to win even with that situation, but it'll be tougher.
posted by sotonohito at 6:17 AM on July 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
Speaking here as someone on the front lines of IT, that's a hope that will come to exactly nothing.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, sufficiently blatantly a scam that at least one user in a large organization won't fall for it. There's a security company in the UK that does an annual test of a random large organization, it's a simple test, they have someone dressed at about the same level as other people in the company approach random employees and ask "what's your password?" No bigger setup, no introduction as the new guy in IT, just a random person asking "what's your password?" More than 25% tell him their password.
I don't know what it is exactly, but some people seem to shut off the reasoning and thinking parts of their brains when dealing with computers. It isn't age related, I've encountered plenty of younger people who are total doofuses when it comes to computers. Some flatly refuse to learn, the phrase "I'm not a computer person" comes up often with these people and they seem to take a perverse, often aggressive, pride in steadfastly refusing to even try to learn how to use a computer properly. They memorize detailed step by step recipes, like spells or prayers, for every single thing they do on the computer, and are apparently absolutely incapable of doing anything but following those steps with robotic precision or (perversely) managing to install the most difficult to remove malware they can find.
I'd love to live in a world where more training helps. But it won't.
There is only one thing that will actually help when it comes to security: absolutely rigid, unyielding, and restrictive security policies implemented on the computers and servers with the full backing of the highest authority in the organization and a draconian approach to dealing with any manager who even **HINTS** at obstructing those policies or trying to work around them.
Regular security audits which are aimed at identifying leaky employees and then ruthlessly firing them is another plus. I don't care if Bob is the greatest X to be found, if he gives his password to anyone who asks you either fire his ass or you give up on the idea of securing your computers, there is no third option.
This, of course, is incredibly inconvenient. Security is always something you buy at the cost of convenience, and trying to secure an organization facing hostile state level action is going to be massively difficult and horribly inconvenient.
I'm highly doubtful that even with the example of the Clinton campaign being invaded by the GRU anyone in the DNC is willing to take the steps needed to really secure their IT, especially not the sort of crazy levels of security it will take to hold off Russia. I'm highly doubtful that there is anyone high enough in the Democratic Party who even understands the problem that they can even try to get it fixed.
And I'm doubtful that a massively distributed and mostly volunteer staffed group like the Democratic Party can be secured anyway. It'd be trivially easy for a Republican or Russian plant to volunteer for a county party, be useful and work up to the state party, and so on. The Democrats are desperate for volunteers and have no real vetting involved (source: I am a volunteer with local Democratic party and there was absolutely no vetting at all, I showed up, I volunteered, I got put into a job).
TL;DR: The Democratic Party is a nightmare from a security standpoint and it is highly unlikely that any security measures they can be reasonably expected to implement will be effective. Going forward I think it's possible to win even with that situation, but it'll be tougher.
posted by sotonohito at 6:17 AM on July 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
John Schindler @20committee
My GOP DC Friends:
If you (and it's plural, quite plural) stuck your d*ck in Comrade Butina call your lawyer now, this morning, to set up a chat with the FBI. You are in deep trouble. This will not look good when it comes out.
And it will.
You know who you are....
5:38 AM - 19 Jul 2018
Wow. I’d hate to be on that guy’s list.
posted by flarbuse at 6:27 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
My GOP DC Friends:
If you (and it's plural, quite plural) stuck your d*ck in Comrade Butina call your lawyer now, this morning, to set up a chat with the FBI. You are in deep trouble. This will not look good when it comes out.
And it will.
You know who you are....
5:38 AM - 19 Jul 2018
Wow. I’d hate to be on that guy’s list.
posted by flarbuse at 6:27 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
sotonohito: "I don't know what it is exactly, but some people seem to shut off the reasoning and thinking parts of their brains when dealing with computers."
It's not computers; people don't care about security/think security is stupid/don't realize the consequences of being lax with security. Place I work we've got access to certain private zones (store and work rooms) located in public areas controlled by combination locks. We also have dozens of workers with two way radios and base stations sprinkled around where the public can hear radio traffic (EG: at the counter of retail locations). At least once a month someone will make a plea for knowledge to a door code over the radio and if I don't _immediately_ respond with a strong demand to not announce it over the radio some "helpful" person will tell every person within earshot of a radio what the door code is.
posted by Mitheral at 6:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
It's not computers; people don't care about security/think security is stupid/don't realize the consequences of being lax with security. Place I work we've got access to certain private zones (store and work rooms) located in public areas controlled by combination locks. We also have dozens of workers with two way radios and base stations sprinkled around where the public can hear radio traffic (EG: at the counter of retail locations). At least once a month someone will make a plea for knowledge to a door code over the radio and if I don't _immediately_ respond with a strong demand to not announce it over the radio some "helpful" person will tell every person within earshot of a radio what the door code is.
posted by Mitheral at 6:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Exactly, sotonohito. Securing computer systems is difficult enough when you have the proper staffing and funding, and a management structure that actually understands and supports the effort. And, in my experience, you almost never have those things. Certainly not in a volunteer organization, nor in most organizations whose primary mission is non-technical.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:31 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 6:31 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Just to catch up with Trump's former campaign manager, yesterday Reuters reported that D.C. Judge Amy Berman Jackson denied Manafort's request to suppress evidence seized by the FBI from his home. So that's another legal challenge from his team that's failed.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:35 AM on July 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:35 AM on July 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
I think the search for the mythical "rational Republican" can be called off: 79% of Republicans support Trump's handling of the press conference with Putin.
Americans are split on whether the allegations of Russian interference are a serious issue (50%) or a distraction (47%). This breaks cleanly along party lines, with 85 percent of Republicans seeing it as a distraction and 85 percent of Democrats seeing it as a serious issue. Among Independents, 56 percent see it as a serious issue.posted by PontifexPrimus at 6:36 AM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
Going forward I think it's possible to win even with that situation, but it'll be tougher.
Hmm. I think classically you’re supposed to turn your weakness into a strength, and change the terms of engagement.
If the Dems can’t secure anything against a hostile state actor and are powerless to get the Feds to do anything about it, then, well, you can’t do anything about it — so you lean into the transparency and make it a strength.
Lefty positions don’t have anything to hide. They are popular. Open your fucking doors and tell everyone everything if the alternative is to have things selectively leaked so they can tell outright lies about you. If there’s nothing to lose by being completely transparent, you go transparent, and change the conversation to the actual things you stand for.
Which for the left is a fucking win.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [44 favorites]
Hmm. I think classically you’re supposed to turn your weakness into a strength, and change the terms of engagement.
If the Dems can’t secure anything against a hostile state actor and are powerless to get the Feds to do anything about it, then, well, you can’t do anything about it — so you lean into the transparency and make it a strength.
Lefty positions don’t have anything to hide. They are popular. Open your fucking doors and tell everyone everything if the alternative is to have things selectively leaked so they can tell outright lies about you. If there’s nothing to lose by being completely transparent, you go transparent, and change the conversation to the actual things you stand for.
Which for the left is a fucking win.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [44 favorites]
@KenDilanianNBC:
Former DNI James Clapper has now confirmed on the record what NBC News and others have reported: That the US has evidence of Putin’s direct involvement in US election interference. Clapper said that evidence was shown to Trump.
posted by chris24 at 6:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [93 favorites]
Former DNI James Clapper has now confirmed on the record what NBC News and others have reported: That the US has evidence of Putin’s direct involvement in US election interference. Clapper said that evidence was shown to Trump.
posted by chris24 at 6:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [93 favorites]
At this point, the sheer mass of collusiony cruft is getting so large it’s warping space-time. I can’t even keep track of the key parts, anymore, it’s metastasized so much.
1. The Trump Foundation is being run corruptly as a private money-laundering entity for the Trumps, and it looks like the DA in New York has pretty much an open-and-shut case.
2. There are obvious, blatantly unconstitutional emolument violations by Trump in his use and promotion of his properties.
3. There are credible reports that the Russians have kompromat on the Trumps, ranging from shady financial entanglements to a pornographic videotape involving the President.
4. The Russians hacked US voting machines, the DNC, and the Clinton campaign. They used WikiLeaks as a clearinghouse for the hacked information. The Russians funneled dark money to the GOP through the NRA. (Holy cow, just re-read that sentence!) They staged hundreds of impostor social media accounts to talk up Trump and the Republicans and to spread disinformation and sow discord among the Democrats. They used Facebook to microtarget US citizens for their campaign of deception and . Mitch McConnell refused to issue a joint statement with Obama that the Russians are trying to influence the elections even though he knew it was true.
5. The Trump campaign and admin actively sought this assistance from the Russians. They then bent over backward in a half-dozen key ways to favor the Russians after receiving all of the above assistance (lobbied successfully to change the RNC’s platform on the Ukraine, working to undermine NATO, providing cover for Putin’s despotism, etc.).
6. The President fired the Director of the FBI in order to try to shut down the investigation into all of the above, then bragged about this obstruction on TV, then bragged about it to Vladimir Putin, then bragged about that on TV, too.
7. There are a couple dozen people who have now been indicted for money laundering, obstruction, election tampering, and I don’t know what all else in this mess. In response, the Republicans, and Trump especially, are doing their best to discredit the country’s Department of Justice, and the FBI in particular.
And I’ve left out about a dozen other key points in all this, plus the Logan Act violations, the Hatch Act violations, the back-channel with the Russians, the nepotism, the loose treatment of critical national intel, the infantile name-calling, the bald-faced lying, lying, lying every time he gives a speech, the grotesquely racist and fascist deployment of ICE and travel bans and equivocation on White Supremacists, the corrupt/incompetent/willfully destructive Cabinet appointees, the quid pro quo all over the place.
And this doesn’t even get into the areas of just gross incompetence or negligence, such as starting a trade war with the rest of the world, nearly starting a nuclear war with North Korea, taking credit for NK stopping it’s nuclear program, taking credit for the Obama economic rebound, taking credit for saving businesses and industries that are still foundering, the painfully obvious ignorance about almost everything he talks about, the painfully obvious patronizing way he deflects when he doesn’t have an answer to a question, the painfully obvious ineptitude at deal-making which is supposed to be his one skill...it’s all too much!
It’s all too much. This feels like what it must have been like to live in Ancient Rome under one of its less savory emperors. I can’t even process it all in my mind anymore. At what point does this lunacy end and we get to go back to just being generally dissatisfied and disillusioned with our government?
posted by darkstar at 6:41 AM on July 19, 2018 [210 favorites]
1. The Trump Foundation is being run corruptly as a private money-laundering entity for the Trumps, and it looks like the DA in New York has pretty much an open-and-shut case.
2. There are obvious, blatantly unconstitutional emolument violations by Trump in his use and promotion of his properties.
3. There are credible reports that the Russians have kompromat on the Trumps, ranging from shady financial entanglements to a pornographic videotape involving the President.
4. The Russians hacked US voting machines, the DNC, and the Clinton campaign. They used WikiLeaks as a clearinghouse for the hacked information. The Russians funneled dark money to the GOP through the NRA. (Holy cow, just re-read that sentence!) They staged hundreds of impostor social media accounts to talk up Trump and the Republicans and to spread disinformation and sow discord among the Democrats. They used Facebook to microtarget US citizens for their campaign of deception and . Mitch McConnell refused to issue a joint statement with Obama that the Russians are trying to influence the elections even though he knew it was true.
5. The Trump campaign and admin actively sought this assistance from the Russians. They then bent over backward in a half-dozen key ways to favor the Russians after receiving all of the above assistance (lobbied successfully to change the RNC’s platform on the Ukraine, working to undermine NATO, providing cover for Putin’s despotism, etc.).
6. The President fired the Director of the FBI in order to try to shut down the investigation into all of the above, then bragged about this obstruction on TV, then bragged about it to Vladimir Putin, then bragged about that on TV, too.
7. There are a couple dozen people who have now been indicted for money laundering, obstruction, election tampering, and I don’t know what all else in this mess. In response, the Republicans, and Trump especially, are doing their best to discredit the country’s Department of Justice, and the FBI in particular.
And I’ve left out about a dozen other key points in all this, plus the Logan Act violations, the Hatch Act violations, the back-channel with the Russians, the nepotism, the loose treatment of critical national intel, the infantile name-calling, the bald-faced lying, lying, lying every time he gives a speech, the grotesquely racist and fascist deployment of ICE and travel bans and equivocation on White Supremacists, the corrupt/incompetent/willfully destructive Cabinet appointees, the quid pro quo all over the place.
And this doesn’t even get into the areas of just gross incompetence or negligence, such as starting a trade war with the rest of the world, nearly starting a nuclear war with North Korea, taking credit for NK stopping it’s nuclear program, taking credit for the Obama economic rebound, taking credit for saving businesses and industries that are still foundering, the painfully obvious ignorance about almost everything he talks about, the painfully obvious patronizing way he deflects when he doesn’t have an answer to a question, the painfully obvious ineptitude at deal-making which is supposed to be his one skill...it’s all too much!
It’s all too much. This feels like what it must have been like to live in Ancient Rome under one of its less savory emperors. I can’t even process it all in my mind anymore. At what point does this lunacy end and we get to go back to just being generally dissatisfied and disillusioned with our government?
posted by darkstar at 6:41 AM on July 19, 2018 [210 favorites]
There’s also the open question of whether Cambridge Analytica (and related Ventures backed by US billionaires) was an entirely parallel criminal enterprise, one that had some degree of contact with Russian efforts or was basically a different armcod the same thing (my bet).
posted by Artw at 6:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
The Oathkeepers are off to protest Maxine Waters today.
Maxine Waters has requested no counter-protest as they don't want the OKs baiting counter-protestors into justifying violence.
Don't counterprotest.
Take pictures, and use them to assemble a picture book of people who should be persona non grata in nearby restaurants.
posted by ocschwar at 6:59 AM on July 19, 2018 [61 favorites]
Maxine Waters has requested no counter-protest as they don't want the OKs baiting counter-protestors into justifying violence.
Don't counterprotest.
Take pictures, and use them to assemble a picture book of people who should be persona non grata in nearby restaurants.
posted by ocschwar at 6:59 AM on July 19, 2018 [61 favorites]
Mid-term election news:
Washington Post: House GOP Refuses to Renew Election Security Funding as Democrats Fume Over Russian Interference:
Washington Post: House GOP Refuses to Renew Election Security Funding as Democrats Fume Over Russian Interference:
House Republicans plan to vote Thursday on a spending bill that excludes new money for election security grants to states, provoking a furious reaction from Democrats amid a national controversy over Russian election interference.Politico: States Slow to Prepare for Hacking Threats—Most states aren’t planning to use federal funds to make major election upgrades before November.
At issue is a grants program overseen by the federal Election Assistance Commission and aimed at helping states administer their elections and improve voting systems; Democrats want to continue grant funding through 2019, while Republicans say the program already has been fully funded.[...]
Sessions said Congress has fully funded election assistance grants that were created under the Help America Vote Act passed in the wake of the contested 2000 election. He said states still have money left from this year’s $380 million appropriation — and that lawmakers have not been made aware of any outstanding needs as the November midterm elections approach.
Only 13 states said they intend to use the federal dollars to buy new voting machines. At least 22 said they have no plans to replace their machines before the election — including all five states that rely solely on paperless electronic voting devices, which cybersecurity experts consider a top vulnerability.People: Michelle Obama Launches Voter Registration Campaign with Tom Hanks and Lin-Manuel Miranda
In addition, almost no states conduct robust, statistic-based post-election audits to look for evidence of tampering after the fact. And fewer than one-third of states and territories have requested a key type of security review from the Department of Homeland Security.
Almost none of the 40 states that responded to POLITICO provided full details of how they plan to spend their shares of the money.
Miranda has joined forces with former First Lady Michelle Obama and some other famous friends to launch a new voter registration nonprofit called When We All Vote.posted by Doktor Zed at 6:59 AM on July 19, 2018 [72 favorites]
When We All Vote aims to increase voter registration rates in all 50 states — hoping to make waves in a political landscape where registration rates are low. [...] When We All Vote is embracing a three-pronged strategy to achieve its registration and participation oriented goals: volunteer recruitment; improved voter registration processes; and increased conversation across the United States. This approach will involve recruiting on-the-ground people and organizations in all 50 states, and extensive social media and digital outreach.
Americans are split on whether the allegations of Russian interference are a serious issue (50%) or a distraction (47%). This breaks cleanly along party lines, with 85 percent of Republicans seeing it as a distraction and 85 percent of Democrats seeing it as a serious issue. Among Independents, 56 percent see it as a serious issue.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 6:36 AM on July 19 [+] [!]
To be fair, I know quite a few sane and rational people of different political views who think it is a distraction, mostly because they trust the system too much. Even to this day, their argument is it couldn't happen because the adults would have stopped it. I think it goes like this: society and government depends very strongly on social norms. You can't legislate your way out of everything. And the more involved you are in government (including reporting about government), the more those norms become a part of your identity and understanding of reality. You can't imagine that a US administration is as out of control as this one is, and imagining it is so much a danger to your entire existence that you will avoid it as long as possible.
posted by mumimor at 7:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by PontifexPrimus at 6:36 AM on July 19 [+] [!]
To be fair, I know quite a few sane and rational people of different political views who think it is a distraction, mostly because they trust the system too much. Even to this day, their argument is it couldn't happen because the adults would have stopped it. I think it goes like this: society and government depends very strongly on social norms. You can't legislate your way out of everything. And the more involved you are in government (including reporting about government), the more those norms become a part of your identity and understanding of reality. You can't imagine that a US administration is as out of control as this one is, and imagining it is so much a danger to your entire existence that you will avoid it as long as possible.
posted by mumimor at 7:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
From the previous thread:
This was a one on one meeting, with no set agenda
Two on two, translators on both sides. Trump's was Marina Gross, a State Dept translator.
Do we know who Putin’s translator was? And is someone monitoring this person’s well-being? I cannot imagine that given the number of Putin subordinates who seem to die suddenly, this can be a sought-after position.
On an entirely different level, consider the Donald’s word salad and trying to render that somehow faithfully for the most powerful man on the planet.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
This was a one on one meeting, with no set agenda
Two on two, translators on both sides. Trump's was Marina Gross, a State Dept translator.
Do we know who Putin’s translator was? And is someone monitoring this person’s well-being? I cannot imagine that given the number of Putin subordinates who seem to die suddenly, this can be a sought-after position.
On an entirely different level, consider the Donald’s word salad and trying to render that somehow faithfully for the most powerful man on the planet.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
darkstar: 4. The Russians hacked US voting machines
Is this confirmed? I thought we didn't have evidence of this, partially because that kind of evidence is hard to find and because we just don't have a federal entity tasked with auditing these machines (because states run their own elections and we can't compel them on a Federal level to allow a Federal audit unless they request help.) But maybe I missed a news story? I know they accessed ~500k voter records but did they actually hack voting machines?
posted by bluecore at 7:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Is this confirmed? I thought we didn't have evidence of this, partially because that kind of evidence is hard to find and because we just don't have a federal entity tasked with auditing these machines (because states run their own elections and we can't compel them on a Federal level to allow a Federal audit unless they request help.) But maybe I missed a news story? I know they accessed ~500k voter records but did they actually hack voting machines?
posted by bluecore at 7:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
It’s all too much. This feels like what it must have been like to live in Ancient Rome under one of its less savory emperors.
I was having the same feeling this morning when I tried to go reference some of the Flynn and Kislyak details and got sucked back down a rabbit hole of stuff I already know but have half-forgotten already from disaster overload.
Like related to the Flynn stuff alone, there's Jared's role in the backchannel meetings and his recurring selective amnesia on his SF86, Yates' firing after she tried to warn the White House about Flynn, which then set the stage for Comey's firing and all that mess, and then Sessions' lies and subsequent recusal, which he hasn't even kept his word on btw. Oh and meanwhile Kislyak and his embassy buds were getting those fishy irregular six figure "payroll" payments that got the feds' attention after the election.
So many other scandals happening at the same time, and it all keeps growing and mutating. It can't end soon enough.
posted by p3t3 at 7:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
I was having the same feeling this morning when I tried to go reference some of the Flynn and Kislyak details and got sucked back down a rabbit hole of stuff I already know but have half-forgotten already from disaster overload.
Like related to the Flynn stuff alone, there's Jared's role in the backchannel meetings and his recurring selective amnesia on his SF86, Yates' firing after she tried to warn the White House about Flynn, which then set the stage for Comey's firing and all that mess, and then Sessions' lies and subsequent recusal, which he hasn't even kept his word on btw. Oh and meanwhile Kislyak and his embassy buds were getting those fishy irregular six figure "payroll" payments that got the feds' attention after the election.
So many other scandals happening at the same time, and it all keeps growing and mutating. It can't end soon enough.
posted by p3t3 at 7:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
I know they accessed ~500k voter records but did they actually hack voting machines?
Your understanding is correct; they are not known to have hacked voting machines. (However, I am nearly certain they wanted to; this is probably why Russia wanted to send "election observers". Any machine is vulnerable to physical access, but current voting machines fall to attackers with physical access particularly quickly.)
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:09 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Your understanding is correct; they are not known to have hacked voting machines. (However, I am nearly certain they wanted to; this is probably why Russia wanted to send "election observers". Any machine is vulnerable to physical access, but current voting machines fall to attackers with physical access particularly quickly.)
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 7:09 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Exactly, sotonohito. Securing computer systems is difficult enough when you have the proper staffing and funding, and a management structure that actually understands and supports the effort
Y'all did see that news story about ESS installing PC-Anywhere on their tabulation servers, "for support" purposes. It was totally a secret. No risk there.
And that's a "Best of Breed" solution, where they can't get it right.
When your opponent is up in your phone switch, there's nothing you can do to remedy that except go totally dark. Face to face in SCIFs
posted by mikelieman at 7:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
Y'all did see that news story about ESS installing PC-Anywhere on their tabulation servers, "for support" purposes. It was totally a secret. No risk there.
And that's a "Best of Breed" solution, where they can't get it right.
When your opponent is up in your phone switch, there's nothing you can do to remedy that except go totally dark. Face to face in SCIFs
posted by mikelieman at 7:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
RE: voting machines, I think you’re right. It’s reported that they hacked into state and local elections agencies, stole cituzens’ private data, and “breached an unidentified company that sells voter registration software and then posed as an employee of that company in “over 100” fake messages to election administrators in several Florida counties. Those emails contained malicious software embedded in Word documents.”
No reports of voting machines being hacked, however.
posted by darkstar at 7:24 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
No reports of voting machines being hacked, however.
posted by darkstar at 7:24 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
The uncertainty surrounding Moscow’s suggestion of some sort of new arrangement or proposal regarding Syria, in particular, was striking because Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, is scheduled to brief reporters on Syria and other matters Thursday.
Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel): Again, someone involved in RU attack told me 14 hours after polls closed of a move on Syria. This is payoff to Putin for election assistance.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel): Again, someone involved in RU attack told me 14 hours after polls closed of a move on Syria. This is payoff to Putin for election assistance.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
chris24: Trump tweeted this January 7th, 2017. So the day after his top secret briefing on the Russian attack he was revealing/lying about the information from it to try to cover his ass.
@realDonaldTrump
Intelligence stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results. Voting machines not touched!
Note the very narrow focus: hacking voting machines. That leaves a whole lot of ground open for interaction, which we now know was the case. Also, he can say that he won the votes fair and square, so he doesn't have any "hanging chad" nonsense to lessen his win.
Except the Russian operations are in some ways worse than election tampering - they undermine US democracy, diplomacy and stoked partisan fights. We can patch and harden election systems, but the rest takes much more time and work to fix.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Intelligence stated very strongly there was absolutely no evidence that hacking affected the election results. Voting machines not touched!
Note the very narrow focus: hacking voting machines. That leaves a whole lot of ground open for interaction, which we now know was the case. Also, he can say that he won the votes fair and square, so he doesn't have any "hanging chad" nonsense to lessen his win.
Except the Russian operations are in some ways worse than election tampering - they undermine US democracy, diplomacy and stoked partisan fights. We can patch and harden election systems, but the rest takes much more time and work to fix.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Going back anywhere from 8 to 14 years, I've seen alternative and paranormal podcasts (and their guests) that previously seemed independent start shilling anti-America / pro Russia propaganda.
The most blatant example of this type of propaganda ideas to go mainstream is InfoWars and Breitbart. The latest op I've noticed is this whole Qanon phenomenon (which is VERY dangerous at this point.)
I think using podcast content to surreptitiously shape opinions is/was very effective. It considerably muddied the waters in a few ways...
- Podcasts concerned with the paranormal rose up in the early aughts post 9-11. Very quickly paranormal content merged inextricably with conspiracy theory content, it was a very potent mix. There were a lot of unanswered questions in the aughts, it scratched an itch people had.
- My memory is FLOODED with specific examples here. Long story short, in each case a guest or host would take something based in fact, and then twist the fact to twist the audience towards a specific outcome. The government (or factions within the gov't) do occasionally lie, we know this. Those occassions were/are exploited on alternative podcasts to push specific narratives.
An example is Pizzagate. Human trafficking and pedo crimes are rampant and it IS horrifying. Pizzagate came out of hacked (and likely doctored) emails, tho, and in any case sex crimes are not limited to one party or another...
...And even the attitude that in America we are only either for one of two political "teams" is a manufactured choice presented repeatedly as fact by BOTH mainstream and alternative media. (The way we have been polarized against each other, therefore preventing us from working together, is CRAZY.)
Another key example of this phenomenon are the complaints about the Clinton Foundation and HRC's integrity, which created just enough wiggle room for election hacking in certain states to slide by largely unchallenged in 2016. We know it worked because Trump was sworn into office.
The (sometimes valid, sometimes not) criticism of HRC and other powerful establishment Democrats has dramatically shifted public perceptions to this day, currently it has paved the way for what I dub the "Qanon Op." The Qanon op and the public movement it is creating domestically and abroad is highly toxic. It is designed to create an actual civil war within America, IMHO.
(Please research Qanon on your own, I can't bring myself to provide links. In essence, supposedly rogue factions within the US govt are posting insider info on Reddit or 4chan, thus proving Trump is fighting the deep state. In fact, it's very obviously a propaganda arm of the folks behind the Trump administration. Anyone can prove this to themselves by reading actual policy the Trump admin is pursuing and enacting. The breadcrumbs Qanon drops make for very exciting cliffhanger-type experiences, I know. But it's the propaganda arm of a public criminal operation. Right now it primarily seeks to shape public perception of indictments and guilty pleas from the Mueller Investigation. We should be calling it the "Election Investigation" or the "Trump Investigation" since that's what's being investigated - but whatever. The name of the special investigation is just another point where the media helped frame public opinion in a way unhelpful to the public *sigh*
Where was I? Right. Look into Qanon yourself. Watch how long it takes spin from what's being pushed via Qanon to show up in mainstream media and polls of public attitudes. Have a drink ready.)
Other similar ops being perpetrated I've noticed recently include...
- The ballot initiative in California to split it into 3 separate states as a gambit to cripple CA's political and practical resistance to foreign and domestic anti-democratic forces (read: global organized crime.) That said, we have so much money laundering going on here in CA between tech startups, the entertainment industry, and building booms that CA local governments are already super heavily compromised. The folks that already operate undercover now want to come out into the open. They feel emboldened. CA has electronic ballot counting. Should be interesting to watch this November...
------
Sorry if this all seems unrelated. I've been watching it all unfold since at least 2004, it's really fascinating (and frightening) how some weird anomalies from 14 years ago are now fitting into the larger picture. Some people worked very patiently over a very long period of time to convince the American public (and other countries, too - we see you Brexit!!) across different demographics and different generations (baby boomers, gen x, millennials) that democracy doesn't work and corruption is insurmountable.
-----
In fact democracy does work, the corruption IS surmountable, and we have not yet entirely lost the rule of law or our minds. We don't have to accept widespread corruption. We don't have to accept the veneer of social justice at home while our country drops bombs on innocents overseas. We can embrace diplomacy, the rule of just laws, and fair economic policies.
Tell everyone you know to be involved, be a voter this November. Do research and support grassroots candidates. Urge folks you know to put the same effort in.
posted by jbenben at 7:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
The most blatant example of this type of propaganda ideas to go mainstream is InfoWars and Breitbart. The latest op I've noticed is this whole Qanon phenomenon (which is VERY dangerous at this point.)
I think using podcast content to surreptitiously shape opinions is/was very effective. It considerably muddied the waters in a few ways...
- Podcasts concerned with the paranormal rose up in the early aughts post 9-11. Very quickly paranormal content merged inextricably with conspiracy theory content, it was a very potent mix. There were a lot of unanswered questions in the aughts, it scratched an itch people had.
- My memory is FLOODED with specific examples here. Long story short, in each case a guest or host would take something based in fact, and then twist the fact to twist the audience towards a specific outcome. The government (or factions within the gov't) do occasionally lie, we know this. Those occassions were/are exploited on alternative podcasts to push specific narratives.
An example is Pizzagate. Human trafficking and pedo crimes are rampant and it IS horrifying. Pizzagate came out of hacked (and likely doctored) emails, tho, and in any case sex crimes are not limited to one party or another...
...And even the attitude that in America we are only either for one of two political "teams" is a manufactured choice presented repeatedly as fact by BOTH mainstream and alternative media. (The way we have been polarized against each other, therefore preventing us from working together, is CRAZY.)
Another key example of this phenomenon are the complaints about the Clinton Foundation and HRC's integrity, which created just enough wiggle room for election hacking in certain states to slide by largely unchallenged in 2016. We know it worked because Trump was sworn into office.
The (sometimes valid, sometimes not) criticism of HRC and other powerful establishment Democrats has dramatically shifted public perceptions to this day, currently it has paved the way for what I dub the "Qanon Op." The Qanon op and the public movement it is creating domestically and abroad is highly toxic. It is designed to create an actual civil war within America, IMHO.
(Please research Qanon on your own, I can't bring myself to provide links. In essence, supposedly rogue factions within the US govt are posting insider info on Reddit or 4chan, thus proving Trump is fighting the deep state. In fact, it's very obviously a propaganda arm of the folks behind the Trump administration. Anyone can prove this to themselves by reading actual policy the Trump admin is pursuing and enacting. The breadcrumbs Qanon drops make for very exciting cliffhanger-type experiences, I know. But it's the propaganda arm of a public criminal operation. Right now it primarily seeks to shape public perception of indictments and guilty pleas from the Mueller Investigation. We should be calling it the "Election Investigation" or the "Trump Investigation" since that's what's being investigated - but whatever. The name of the special investigation is just another point where the media helped frame public opinion in a way unhelpful to the public *sigh*
Where was I? Right. Look into Qanon yourself. Watch how long it takes spin from what's being pushed via Qanon to show up in mainstream media and polls of public attitudes. Have a drink ready.)
Other similar ops being perpetrated I've noticed recently include...
- The ballot initiative in California to split it into 3 separate states as a gambit to cripple CA's political and practical resistance to foreign and domestic anti-democratic forces (read: global organized crime.) That said, we have so much money laundering going on here in CA between tech startups, the entertainment industry, and building booms that CA local governments are already super heavily compromised. The folks that already operate undercover now want to come out into the open. They feel emboldened. CA has electronic ballot counting. Should be interesting to watch this November...
------
Sorry if this all seems unrelated. I've been watching it all unfold since at least 2004, it's really fascinating (and frightening) how some weird anomalies from 14 years ago are now fitting into the larger picture. Some people worked very patiently over a very long period of time to convince the American public (and other countries, too - we see you Brexit!!) across different demographics and different generations (baby boomers, gen x, millennials) that democracy doesn't work and corruption is insurmountable.
-----
In fact democracy does work, the corruption IS surmountable, and we have not yet entirely lost the rule of law or our minds. We don't have to accept widespread corruption. We don't have to accept the veneer of social justice at home while our country drops bombs on innocents overseas. We can embrace diplomacy, the rule of just laws, and fair economic policies.
Tell everyone you know to be involved, be a voter this November. Do research and support grassroots candidates. Urge folks you know to put the same effort in.
posted by jbenben at 7:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
Well, at least now the Republicans want to get to the bottom of things and make absolutely clear what happened behind closed doors at the Putin mee-
Sorry, receiving new information...
Ah, okay, they blocked a motion to subpoena the only American witness to that meeting, the translator.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 7:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [65 favorites]
Sorry, receiving new information...
Ah, okay, they blocked a motion to subpoena the only American witness to that meeting, the translator.
posted by PontifexPrimus at 7:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [65 favorites]
Mueller Just Released This List of 500 Pieces of Evidence Against Manafort
posted by Artw at 7:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [58 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [58 favorites]
While "US Person 1" (Erickson) has gotten a lot of press in the Butina saga, "US Person 2" has received much less attention. This is someone who (according to the affadavit accompanying the criminal complaint) emailed with Butina and Erickson in March 2016 to set up "friendship and dialogue" dinners in DC and NYC, where (Paragraphs 27-28):
More revealing is Butina's email to "US Person 2" on February 8, 2017, where she thanks him for a recent dinner (Paragraph 48):
Thus, it seems likely that "US Person 2" is George O'Neill Jr.
The complaint against Butina makes O'Neill's April 2017 defense of the dinner quite amusing
posted by pjenks at 7:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
BUTINA told US Person 2 that [Aleksander Torshin] expressed to her that he was "very much impressed by you and expresses his great appreciation for what you are doing to restore relations between the two countries" ... and that a representative of the Russian Presidential administration had expressed approval for "building this communication channel." BUTINA additionally assured US Person 2 that he should not worry as "all that we need is yes from Putin's side. The rest is easier."The affadavit says some of the "friendship and dialogue" dinners "are believed to have taken place in the District of Columbia", but when (in Twitter DMs, Paragraphs 32-33) Torshin asks Butina in early-October 2016 about how the "Russia-USA friendship society" was going, she replies
"It's not alive. We are currently 'underground' both here and there. Now, private clubs and quite [sic] influence on people making decisions is the trend. No publicity."
More revealing is Butina's email to "US Person 2" on February 8, 2017, where she thanks him for a recent dinner (Paragraph 48):
"Our delegation cannot stop chatting about your wonderful dinner. My dearest President has received 'the message' about your group initiatives and your constructive and kind attention to the Russians."It seems very likely that she is referring to the US-Russian dinner hosted by George O'Neill Jr. on February 1, 2017, on the eve of the National Prayer Breakfast (with Torshin, Butina, Rohrbacher, and others in attendance).
Thus, it seems likely that "US Person 2" is George O'Neill Jr.
The complaint against Butina makes O'Neill's April 2017 defense of the dinner quite amusing
...the suggestion that American conservatives might be susceptible to manipulation by foreign officials certainly betrayed a lack of understanding about those American conservatives who have not signed up for membership in good standing among the neoconservatives...This timeline by Ladd Everitt is one of the first places I saw to make the O'Neill connection.
posted by pjenks at 7:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
"Sorry, receiving new information...
Ah, okay, they blocked a motion to subpoena the only American witness to that meeting, the translator."
Yes. Of course they did. Current elected officials in the Senate and House are highly compromised. I don't think the American public will accept it, though. We're too curious at this point and we want to know what happened in that meeting.
I guess we'll see.
posted by jbenben at 7:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Ah, okay, they blocked a motion to subpoena the only American witness to that meeting, the translator."
Yes. Of course they did. Current elected officials in the Senate and House are highly compromised. I don't think the American public will accept it, though. We're too curious at this point and we want to know what happened in that meeting.
I guess we'll see.
posted by jbenben at 7:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
About that Schindler tweet: as soon as she was arrested and the affidavit came out, the first thing I wondered was if any of the involved GOPers had slept with her. If that’s the case, these guys truly are idiots. You have a friendly lady who makes no secret that she’s working with Russians in high places, and then you get in bed with her? Well, then you’re getting fucked in more ways than one. This is basic spycraft. She’s not doing this because she likes you, she’s doing this for the kompromat. She, and her collaborators, now are able to absolutely ruin you and sooner or later they’ll be sure to remind you of that. Dance, monkey, dance.
posted by azpenguin at 7:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 7:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
Ah, okay, they blocked a motion to subpoena the only American witness to that meeting, the translator.
This is again one of the norm-breaking things that makes it so difficult to deal with Trump. Yes, we all know he is a liar, but if it becomes acceptable to call in translators as witnesses, it will practically end high-stakes diplomacy. Just think of the Republican resistance to the Iran deal, if it had been acceptable to subpoena the translators then, it could have ended in all sorts of madness, and certainly no deal.
It could perhaps be done after Trump has been successfully impeached, so they could point to the unusual case of a criminal president. But I think even quite a few Democrats will hesitate before that.
posted by mumimor at 7:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
This is again one of the norm-breaking things that makes it so difficult to deal with Trump. Yes, we all know he is a liar, but if it becomes acceptable to call in translators as witnesses, it will practically end high-stakes diplomacy. Just think of the Republican resistance to the Iran deal, if it had been acceptable to subpoena the translators then, it could have ended in all sorts of madness, and certainly no deal.
It could perhaps be done after Trump has been successfully impeached, so they could point to the unusual case of a criminal president. But I think even quite a few Democrats will hesitate before that.
posted by mumimor at 7:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Please research Qanon on your own, I can't bring myself to provide links.
ReplyAll has a very good podcast episode about this. It's called The QAnon Code. They put it out right after Rosanne got fired, because she's a QAnon believer and her ~fateful tweet~ was a reference to a QAnon trope.
posted by rue72 at 8:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
ReplyAll has a very good podcast episode about this. It's called The QAnon Code. They put it out right after Rosanne got fired, because she's a QAnon believer and her ~fateful tweet~ was a reference to a QAnon trope.
posted by rue72 at 8:06 AM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
This is again one of the norm-breaking things that makes it so difficult to deal with Trump.
I agree, but honestly I feel like this is already a case of "stop the patient from bleeding out before worrying about the chronic arthritis."
posted by Behemoth at 8:07 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
I agree, but honestly I feel like this is already a case of "stop the patient from bleeding out before worrying about the chronic arthritis."
posted by Behemoth at 8:07 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Pizzagate came out of hacked (and likely doctored) emails, tho, and in any case sex crimes are not limited to one party or another...
Pizzagate came out of applying 4chan slang to Podesta's emails. Child pornography, shortened to "cp" is referred to as "cheese pizza" and if you extrapolate from that to Podesta's emails then yeah, it looks like Democrats are running a child sex ring. It's basically apophenia on a massive scale.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:07 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
Pizzagate came out of applying 4chan slang to Podesta's emails. Child pornography, shortened to "cp" is referred to as "cheese pizza" and if you extrapolate from that to Podesta's emails then yeah, it looks like Democrats are running a child sex ring. It's basically apophenia on a massive scale.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:07 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
escape from the potato planet: Hacking a well secured system is hard. But creating a well secured system is also hard – such that many managers decide that it isn't worth the trouble. And tricking people into unlocking the door for you is easy.
Anecdote: a local political party office is looking to "borrow a computer" until November. That doesn't sound like they'd reformat it and have someone with a half-decent IT background harden it at all, but rather that they'll trust someone to give them a computer that isn't already malware-ridden. People are still way too trusting. Now I want to get involved just to have more confidence in the local office.
Why Did Russia Attack The 2016 Election? This Week's Whirlwind Offers New Clues (NPR, July 19, 2018)
Republicans Force Democrats To Go On Record Over Immigration Agency (NPR, July 19, 2018)
Why is InfoWars allowed on Facebook? Zuckerberg: Because it doesn’t cause “harm” (Cyrus Farivar for Ars Technica, July 18, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Anecdote: a local political party office is looking to "borrow a computer" until November. That doesn't sound like they'd reformat it and have someone with a half-decent IT background harden it at all, but rather that they'll trust someone to give them a computer that isn't already malware-ridden. People are still way too trusting. Now I want to get involved just to have more confidence in the local office.
Why Did Russia Attack The 2016 Election? This Week's Whirlwind Offers New Clues (NPR, July 19, 2018)
A pyrotechnic week of geopolitical intrigue has yielded new clarity about the whys and wherefores of the Russia imbroglio, including one insight straight from Russian President Vladimir Putin.I was ready to get shouty about NPR, but this new bit is interesting, and jives with the optimistic take from former Obama-era State Department and Defense Department official Ilan Goldenberg (@ilangoldenberg) posted by Doktor Zed upthread.
Why did Putin order the campaign of active measures that have been directed against the United States and the West since before the 2016 election?
There appear to be many reasons, but A pyrotechnic week of geopolitical intrigue has yielded new clarity about the whys and wherefores of the Russia imbroglio, including one insight straight from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Why did Putin order the campaign of active measures that have been directed against the United States and the West since before the 2016 election?
There appear to be many reasons, but the latest one to break through may be how strongly Putin feels the United States had been waging such a campaign against him and Russia.
Republicans Force Democrats To Go On Record Over Immigration Agency (NPR, July 19, 2018)
[Photo caption] People hold up signs July 16 in Washington, D.C., as they protest ICE. Getting rid of the agency has become a popular rallying cry among progressives, but the House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a symbolic measure voicing support for ICE.The structure of this article is so very confusing. Did the GOP score a win because they forced the Dems to get squirly about abolishing ICE, counter to this being a rallying cry from the (liberal) public and 19 top ICE investigators, who asked DHS officials to split up the agency because they don’t want to be linked to Trump’s immigration policies (Vox, June 29, 2018)
House Republicans claimed a political victory Wednesday after the House voted 244-35 in favor of officially supporting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a vote intended to force Democrats to take a position amid calls from progressives to abolish the agency.
But Democrats largely avoided taking any position at all. Instead, they tried to refocus the immigration debate away from ICE and toward the ongoing controversy over President Trump's policies for handling asylum claims and the separation of families at the southern U.S. border.
The split is the latest evidence that immigration has become one of the biggest and most intensely partisan issues of the 2018 midterm elections.
The investigators, who work for ICE Homeland Security Investigations, sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen last week, asking her to split their division from the agency’s immigration enforcement arm, which has been the target of public backlash over the Trump administration’s immigration policies.Or was it a win for the GOP because they got to be on the side of good for once? And isn't a large part of the disdain and downright hatred for ICE due to inhumane treatment of asylum seekers? More from NPR:
Their request, which was first reported by the Texas Observer, stems from a widespread misunderstanding about the work that ICE investigators do. Special agents with ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) do not investigate immigration infractions or handle deportations —that falls to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
ICE investigators instead build criminal cases against international drug smuggling operations, sex trafficking rings, and cross-border gangs (like MS-13). That involves a lot of collaboration with local police, and ICE investigators say their association with the controversial immigration enforcement mission is making it hard for them to do their jobs.
Republicans were clear from the start that they wanted to vote on the nonbinding resolution to support ICE as a political exercise. Republicans want to demonstrate that all Democrats are being pushed to the left by progressives, like Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Kamala Harris, D-Calif., on ICE.Oh no, not the briar patch! Don't make Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris our progressive leaders!
Republicans named Harris and Warren during debate on the floor. Warren has said ICE should be replaced with "something that reflects our morality and that works." Harris has said ICE needs to be examined and lawmakers should "probably think about starting from scratch."Those ideas sound terrible! So, so ... humane!
Why is InfoWars allowed on Facebook? Zuckerberg: Because it doesn’t cause “harm” (Cyrus Farivar for Ars Technica, July 18, 2018)
In a Wednesday interview with Recode's Kara Swisher, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook draws a distinction between information that is objectively false and words that are meant to incite physical violence or "attack individuals" verbally.Now your response to the useless "Is Facebook Good for the World?" poll (Forbes, June 16, 2018) can be a resounding "no, it intentionally fosters hoaxes and misinformation, which is how we got Donald Trump as president, which lead to increased corruption, hatred and actual, physical harm."
"There are really two core principles at play here," he said. "There's giving people a voice, so that people can express their opinions. Then there’s keeping the community safe, which I think is really important. We're not gonna let people plan violence or attack each other or do bad things. Within this, those principles have real trade-offs and real tug on each other. In this case, we feel like our responsibility is to prevent hoaxes from going viral and being widely distributed."
Zuckerberg went on to explain that Facebook would examine sites that were flagged as "potential hoaxes"—in other words, limiting their spread across the site.
"Look, as abhorrent as some of this content can be, I do think that it gets down to this principle of giving people a voice," he continued.
"Even if it's a hoax?" Swisher continued.
"Yeah," Zuckerberg said. "I mean, at some level, it's hard to always have a clear line between... I'm not defending any specific content here. I think a lot of the content that's at play is terrible. I think when you get into discussions around free speech, you're often talking at the margins of content that is terrible and what should... but defending people's right to say things even if they can be bad."
He added that Facebook is "moving toward the policy of misinformation that is aimed at or going to induce violence, we are going to take down because that's basically... The principles that we have on what we remove from the service are, if it’s going to result in real harm, real physical harm, or if you’re attacking individuals, then that content shouldn't be on the platform. There’s a lot of categories of that that we can get into, but then there's broad debate."
posted by filthy light thief at 8:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
According to the Sunlight Foundation
"The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights has altered messaging on its website related to Section 1557, the provision of the Affordable Care Act prohibiting discrimination, including sex discrimination. Advocates and experts say the changes to informational webpages about Section 1557, detailed in the latest Web Integrity Project report, could foreshadow a shift in policy regarding the prohibition of sex discrimination as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepares to release new regulations as soon as this month. "
FROM RAW STORY: "Jeff Sharlet is a researcher and author on the GOP’s “C” Street house in Washington, DC and The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.
"Sharlet explained that the cozy relationship between Christian conservatives and Russians stems from the conservatism in Russia, mainly Putin’s crusade against LGBT people and revival of the Russian Orthodox Church.
“The Fellowship, that organizes the National Prayer Breakfast, particularly admire him because they’re theology, their religious view, is built around their understanding of Jesus, the strong man. They believe Christianity gets it wrong when speaking to every day people. They’re called to administer to elites like Trump and Putin, who can bring peace together. That’s their vision. That’s what they created the prayer breakfast for.”
Trump + his GOP enablers are trying to establish a Christo-Fascist Theocracy, and ladies it's going to be up to us to stop it. #RESIST #VOTETHEMOUT #TREASONSUMMIT #IMPEACH #TRE45ON (emphasis mine)
posted by pjsky at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
"The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights has altered messaging on its website related to Section 1557, the provision of the Affordable Care Act prohibiting discrimination, including sex discrimination. Advocates and experts say the changes to informational webpages about Section 1557, detailed in the latest Web Integrity Project report, could foreshadow a shift in policy regarding the prohibition of sex discrimination as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepares to release new regulations as soon as this month. "
FROM RAW STORY: "Jeff Sharlet is a researcher and author on the GOP’s “C” Street house in Washington, DC and The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power.
"Sharlet explained that the cozy relationship between Christian conservatives and Russians stems from the conservatism in Russia, mainly Putin’s crusade against LGBT people and revival of the Russian Orthodox Church.
“The Fellowship, that organizes the National Prayer Breakfast, particularly admire him because they’re theology, their religious view, is built around their understanding of Jesus, the strong man. They believe Christianity gets it wrong when speaking to every day people. They’re called to administer to elites like Trump and Putin, who can bring peace together. That’s their vision. That’s what they created the prayer breakfast for.”
Trump + his GOP enablers are trying to establish a Christo-Fascist Theocracy, and ladies it's going to be up to us to stop it. #RESIST #VOTETHEMOUT #TREASONSUMMIT #IMPEACH #TRE45ON (emphasis mine)
posted by pjsky at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
Why did Putin order the campaign of active measures that have been directed against the United States and the West since before the 2016 election?
pretty sure he's still sore about dubya's "pooty-poot" nickname
posted by entropicamericana at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018
pretty sure he's still sore about dubya's "pooty-poot" nickname
posted by entropicamericana at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018
The thing that really freaks me out about PizzaGate and QAnon is the seemingly non sequitur focus on "pedophile rings" and child pornography, coupled with the ease with which a hacker with access to someone's systems could plant child porn on them and call in a tip. It feels like these true believers are being primed for something.
posted by contraption at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by contraption at 8:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
"Pizzagate came out of applying 4chan slang to Podesta's emails. Child pornography, shortened to "cp" is referred to as "cheese pizza" and if you extrapolate from that to Podesta's emails then yeah, it looks like Democrats are running a child sex ring. "
This is only partially correct (you have to believe everything on 4chan is independent and organic, which I promise you it is not) and either way I am describing how these pieces have been linked together and used to shape opinions and create political movements.
posted by jbenben at 8:17 AM on July 19, 2018
This is only partially correct (you have to believe everything on 4chan is independent and organic, which I promise you it is not) and either way I am describing how these pieces have been linked together and used to shape opinions and create political movements.
posted by jbenben at 8:17 AM on July 19, 2018
Buzzfeed just did a big bit on Lane Davis, AKA Seattle4Truth, the gamergater turned alt right conspiracy theorist who murdered his dad and who was of course obsessed with secret pedophile rings and did everything he could to spread that shit.
posted by Artw at 8:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpIs the president (again) calling the free press the enemy of the people? MUST BE THURSDAY!
The Summit with Russia was a great success, except with the real enemy of the people, the Fake News Media. I look forward to our second meeting so that we can start implementing some of the many things discussed, including stopping terrorism, security for Israel, nuclear........
6:24 AM - 19 Jul 2018
Just saying, if HRC had called free press the enemy of the people Congressional Republicans would shut the fucking entirety of society down until she was impeached.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:21 AM on July 19, 2018 [42 favorites]
The thing that really freaks me out about PizzaGate and QAnon is the seemingly non sequitur focus on "pedophile rings" and child pornography, coupled with the ease with which a hacker with access to someone's systems could plant child porn on them and call in a tip. It feels like these true believers are being primed for something.
They are. I can’t find it at the moment bc I’m on mobile, but there was a NYT or WP article on exactly this — framing dissidents by planting child pornography on their computers is a well known Kremlin tactic.
The article I remember focused on a dissident who’d fled to London, was raided for CP on a tip, and who has the forensic analysis to show it was planted. More frightening was the fact that this was like...a known thing.
Putin and the FSB absolutely do this. And at this point it won’t matter if you can prove it’s fake, because the crazies want to believe.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:23 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
They are. I can’t find it at the moment bc I’m on mobile, but there was a NYT or WP article on exactly this — framing dissidents by planting child pornography on their computers is a well known Kremlin tactic.
The article I remember focused on a dissident who’d fled to London, was raided for CP on a tip, and who has the forensic analysis to show it was planted. More frightening was the fact that this was like...a known thing.
Putin and the FSB absolutely do this. And at this point it won’t matter if you can prove it’s fake, because the crazies want to believe.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:23 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
the Russian operations are in some ways worse than election tampering
The Republicans already stole an election back in 2000, presumably without Russian help. I'm still not convinced that propaganda works on people who aren't already susceptible, but I guess I've always also had a gag reflex to advertising in general.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:26 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
The Republicans already stole an election back in 2000, presumably without Russian help. I'm still not convinced that propaganda works on people who aren't already susceptible, but I guess I've always also had a gag reflex to advertising in general.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:26 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
Note the very narrow focus: hacking voting machines. That leaves a whole lot of ground open for interaction, which we now know was the case. Also, he can say that he won the votes fair and square, so he doesn't have any "hanging chad" nonsense to lessen his win.
Consider this attack, consistent with the indictment of GRU officers working on orders from the Kremlin.
Attack the election rolls by (1) compromising the software used to validate them and (2) phishing/malware/rootkits on the Board of Elections computers and just purging records.
Then, on election day, all these people show up to vote, and...
How many voters bailed out without voting, due to the long lines?
The number of people whose records need to be tampered with, to eliminate 80,000 potential voters, who can't deal with a 3-4 hour of wait to offset the 80k or so votes that swayed the Electoral College is left as an exercise to the reader.
posted by mikelieman at 8:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [50 favorites]
Consider this attack, consistent with the indictment of GRU officers working on orders from the Kremlin.
Attack the election rolls by (1) compromising the software used to validate them and (2) phishing/malware/rootkits on the Board of Elections computers and just purging records.
Then, on election day, all these people show up to vote, and...
Poll worker: You're not here.Repeat.
Voter: I should be.
Poll worker: Well me and another poll worker ( to enforce fairness ) will now go through a 20 minute long Provisional Ballot process.
How many voters bailed out without voting, due to the long lines?
The number of people whose records need to be tampered with, to eliminate 80,000 potential voters, who can't deal with a 3-4 hour of wait to offset the 80k or so votes that swayed the Electoral College is left as an exercise to the reader.
posted by mikelieman at 8:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [50 favorites]
The President discussed 'Ukraine' with Putin. We don't know what was discussed, but we're already planning a second meeting to 'start implementing' ...something? Cool. Glad we cleared that up.
Well we won't know anytime soon because the Republicans on the HPSCI voted in lockstep to quash Adam Schiff's subpoena of Marina Gross.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:29 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Well we won't know anytime soon because the Republicans on the HPSCI voted in lockstep to quash Adam Schiff's subpoena of Marina Gross.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:29 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
cjelli, I think we agree about this, I had written a much longer post taking into consideration that the first broken norm is the proposition of a meeting without any aids present. But then I thought of how the Republicans have been acting in bad faith at least since the Clinton administration. Trump isn't the beginning of this at all. He is more extreme, but he is the tip of a huge iceberg of Republican norm-breaking and probably corruption.
posted by mumimor at 8:29 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by mumimor at 8:29 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Mueller Just Released This List of 500 Pieces of Evidence Against Manafort
2A - 2E are immunity orders for witnesses A-E, which I don't recall hearing that Mueller had prevailed on.
posted by mikelieman at 8:35 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
2A - 2E are immunity orders for witnesses A-E, which I don't recall hearing that Mueller had prevailed on.
posted by mikelieman at 8:35 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
I would wager my entire life's savings that Claire McCaskill didn't vote yes on this House measure.
....uh, right, that was the wrong legislative body. :facepalm:
I'm having second thoughts about quitting caffeine.
posted by Foosnark at 8:36 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
....uh, right, that was the wrong legislative body. :facepalm:
I'm having second thoughts about quitting caffeine.
posted by Foosnark at 8:36 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Even after the horrors of the past 18 months I'm still struggling to wrap my head around the likelihood, given last night's NYT story and the sudden treason arrests/executions of highly placed Russian officials in 2017, that the president(-elect, depending on timing) straight up spied for another government, obtaining inside information on U.S. informants within Russia, and then handing that data over to Putin so he could plug the leaks. Even coming after his display of fealty in Helsinki it's something different to consider that the entire time this lunatic has been in power, he's been guilty of a capital crime.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [55 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:38 AM on July 19, 2018 [55 favorites]
there was a NYT or WP article on exactly this — framing dissidents by planting child pornography
perhaps this Dec. 9, 2016 NYT piece by Andrew Higgins, "Foes of Russia Say Child Pornography is Planted to Ruin Them"
posted by 20 year lurk at 8:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
perhaps this Dec. 9, 2016 NYT piece by Andrew Higgins, "Foes of Russia Say Child Pornography is Planted to Ruin Them"
posted by 20 year lurk at 8:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Other similar ops being perpetrated I've noticed recently include ...
Big question I've been banging on about for years is—who paid for the Birthers? Orly Taitz, a rich—in upper-middle class terms—but not fabulously wealthy woman, spent several years flying around the country hosting seminars and filing complaints. And she wasn't the only one! At the time I liked to joke about her being a Russian agent. Now ... I'm not so sure. And did Trump latch on to that nonsense instinctively or was it something else? I honestly don't know, but the possibilities seem much different than they did 5 years ago.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
Big question I've been banging on about for years is—who paid for the Birthers? Orly Taitz, a rich—in upper-middle class terms—but not fabulously wealthy woman, spent several years flying around the country hosting seminars and filing complaints. And she wasn't the only one! At the time I liked to joke about her being a Russian agent. Now ... I'm not so sure. And did Trump latch on to that nonsense instinctively or was it something else? I honestly don't know, but the possibilities seem much different than they did 5 years ago.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
I see a ton of spin, promoted by conservative groups like FAIR and RT pushing the usual narrative but it really seems dishonest to characterize the actual NPR story at https://www.npr.org/2018/06/20/621726963/conservatives-and-liberals-both-take-to-rt as a smear. It’s simply a statement of fact that being promoted by Russian state media raises the question of whether they’re using you to promote their agenda. I realize that that makes people like Changa defensive but that doesn’t make a legitimate cause for concern into a smear.
This reminds me of the Reason crowd using the strategy of pointing out small mistakes, even grammar, as a cause for discrediting an entire argument. Even if the mistake is true it is often completely irrelevant to the larger point. But the goal of this strategy is not to give a logical reason for rejecting an argument. It is to provide a convenient excuse to people already emotionally wanting to reject an argument.
The other value in providing a bit of both-siderism and 'broken window' style arguments is that it effectively innoculates the readers against subsequent larger reasonable claims. When RT throws out these little doses of informational small pox that seemingly go against their own well being they are actually rendering their audience immune to the much larger arguments against them and providing themselves with fig leaves for when they accused of naked bias.
posted by srboisvert at 8:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
This reminds me of the Reason crowd using the strategy of pointing out small mistakes, even grammar, as a cause for discrediting an entire argument. Even if the mistake is true it is often completely irrelevant to the larger point. But the goal of this strategy is not to give a logical reason for rejecting an argument. It is to provide a convenient excuse to people already emotionally wanting to reject an argument.
The other value in providing a bit of both-siderism and 'broken window' style arguments is that it effectively innoculates the readers against subsequent larger reasonable claims. When RT throws out these little doses of informational small pox that seemingly go against their own well being they are actually rendering their audience immune to the much larger arguments against them and providing themselves with fig leaves for when they accused of naked bias.
posted by srboisvert at 8:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Big question I've been banging on about for years is—who paid for the Birthers? [...]
posted by octobersurprise at 8:42 AM on July 19
Epony...hopeful?
posted by bcd at 8:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 8:42 AM on July 19
Epony...hopeful?
posted by bcd at 8:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
Look into Qanon yourself. Watch how long it takes spin from what's being pushed via Qanon to show up in mainstream media and polls of public attitudes. Have a drink ready.)
posted by jbenben at 9:46 AM on July 19
I suspect this might be because the Qanon/Great Awakening crowd is much bigger than most people think.
The first I heard of it was the Reply All podcast. I thought it was pretty bonkers, but assumed it was an internet-only weird 4chan thing with no real traction outside of shut-in conspiracy theorist types. But when I brought it up at water cooler talk at work (academia, small college town), every single person there was familiar with it. Everyone had an "aha" moment - they also thought it was an isolated idea from their crazy brother/mother/friend. One person said that their parents asked them to set up a Chromecast for them solely so they could more comfortably watch Qanon-focused youtube channels on their TV instead of on their phone. This was repeated by another person who had the same request. Basically everyone knew at least one person deeply and loudly into the "Great Awakening", and there's no telling how many quietly follow it.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by jbenben at 9:46 AM on July 19
I suspect this might be because the Qanon/Great Awakening crowd is much bigger than most people think.
The first I heard of it was the Reply All podcast. I thought it was pretty bonkers, but assumed it was an internet-only weird 4chan thing with no real traction outside of shut-in conspiracy theorist types. But when I brought it up at water cooler talk at work (academia, small college town), every single person there was familiar with it. Everyone had an "aha" moment - they also thought it was an isolated idea from their crazy brother/mother/friend. One person said that their parents asked them to set up a Chromecast for them solely so they could more comfortably watch Qanon-focused youtube channels on their TV instead of on their phone. This was repeated by another person who had the same request. Basically everyone knew at least one person deeply and loudly into the "Great Awakening", and there's no telling how many quietly follow it.
posted by FakeFreyja at 8:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
It was old news by the time it showed up on the Reply All podcast.
I'm trying to tell you about something I've been watching develop behind the scenes since 2004 across multiple related platforms.
posted by jbenben at 8:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
I'm trying to tell you about something I've been watching develop behind the scenes since 2004 across multiple related platforms.
posted by jbenben at 8:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
wat
Ex. No. 19 - 2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
posted by Brainy at 8:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [76 favorites]
Robert Mueller just submitted his list of evidence for the Paul Manafort trial and look whose name is all over the first 30 items.Ex. No. 18 - 2014-06.14 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik, R. Gates, et al re Ukraine Trip
Tad Devine.
Bernie Sanders' Chief Strategist.
Ex. No. 19 - 2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
posted by Brainy at 8:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [76 favorites]
The Bernie Sanders campaign, yep. Also Jill Stein.
posted by jbenben at 8:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by jbenben at 8:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
> Ex. No. 18 - 2014-06.14 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik, R. Gates, et al re Ukraine Trip
Ex. No. 19 - 2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
I move to suspend the rules on relitigating the 2016 primaries.
(ETA: Not joking.)
posted by tonycpsu at 8:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [85 favorites]
Ex. No. 19 - 2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
I move to suspend the rules on relitigating the 2016 primaries.
(ETA: Not joking.)
posted by tonycpsu at 8:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [85 favorites]
The number of people whose records need to be tampered with, to eliminate 80,000 potential voters, who can't deal with a 3-4 hour of wait to offset the 80k or so votes that swayed the Electoral College is left as an exercise to the reader.
Indeed. If we're speculating about barriers to entry, we also have no way of knowing how much e.g. undermining the VRA affected turnout.
There's Ivans popping out of the woodwork, but if McConnell et al hadn't been perfectly willing to disenfranchise Americans on their own, it wouldn't have mattered as much.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
Indeed. If we're speculating about barriers to entry, we also have no way of knowing how much e.g. undermining the VRA affected turnout.
There's Ivans popping out of the woodwork, but if McConnell et al hadn't been perfectly willing to disenfranchise Americans on their own, it wouldn't have mattered as much.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:56 AM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
So Trump is back to calling journalists "the enemy of the people" again, huh? It was three weeks ago today that a man walked into the paper I once worked for and shot and killed five people, including two former colleagues, one of them a friend I worked closely with. Hell, the last of the funerals was just a week ago.
The other day the editor of the paper, my old boss, Rick, wrote a column addressed to Trump, at one point saying, "Look, you and I both know you were not responsible for this."
I like Rick an awful lot, he's a good guy, but I'm not ready to go there. Assuming facts not in evidence, a lawyer might say. The shooter's defamation case against the paper ended in 2015. Why go shoot up the place now? Sorry, I think the president of the United States calling reporters the enemy, over and over and over again, might just have something to do with it, might have given him the idea or legitimized thoughts he had been reluctant to act upon. And I think it might just come out at trial. So let's not give Trump the benefit of the doubt just yet.
(To be fair, Rick later wrote, "I had to stop myself from wondering if your rhetoric was the feather’s weight of hate that tipped the gunman into a fit of homicidal rage." So maybe he's just more charitable than I am.)
Sorry to be sounding off so far after the events. I left for a long-planned vacation the day after the shooting, and was largely off the grid camping for two weeks, No news, no MeFi (!), nothing. Got back Sunday night. I'd hoped that when I came back this "enemy of the people" stuff would be gone. Damn. I'd say its time to pack for another two weeks' excursion but it'll still be the same when we get back.
So... I know we all have a lot to be angry about, be it detaining children and separating families, handing over the keys to to the country to Putin, and so much more -- but let's not forget that Trump is *still* inciting hatred and violence against reporters, who, though flawed and imperfect, are largely fighting the good fight here.
posted by martin q blank at 8:57 AM on July 19, 2018 [80 favorites]
The other day the editor of the paper, my old boss, Rick, wrote a column addressed to Trump, at one point saying, "Look, you and I both know you were not responsible for this."
I like Rick an awful lot, he's a good guy, but I'm not ready to go there. Assuming facts not in evidence, a lawyer might say. The shooter's defamation case against the paper ended in 2015. Why go shoot up the place now? Sorry, I think the president of the United States calling reporters the enemy, over and over and over again, might just have something to do with it, might have given him the idea or legitimized thoughts he had been reluctant to act upon. And I think it might just come out at trial. So let's not give Trump the benefit of the doubt just yet.
(To be fair, Rick later wrote, "I had to stop myself from wondering if your rhetoric was the feather’s weight of hate that tipped the gunman into a fit of homicidal rage." So maybe he's just more charitable than I am.)
Sorry to be sounding off so far after the events. I left for a long-planned vacation the day after the shooting, and was largely off the grid camping for two weeks, No news, no MeFi (!), nothing. Got back Sunday night. I'd hoped that when I came back this "enemy of the people" stuff would be gone. Damn. I'd say its time to pack for another two weeks' excursion but it'll still be the same when we get back.
So... I know we all have a lot to be angry about, be it detaining children and separating families, handing over the keys to to the country to Putin, and so much more -- but let's not forget that Trump is *still* inciting hatred and violence against reporters, who, though flawed and imperfect, are largely fighting the good fight here.
posted by martin q blank at 8:57 AM on July 19, 2018 [80 favorites]
Another user in that Twitter thread notes that Devine worked for Manafort Davis prior to joining the Sanders campaign, so that they have a connection isn't a bombshell in and of itself. (Also he worked on Democratic campaigns before the Manafort job, so it's not a matter of a career GOP or Russian operative crossing over to work for Sanders)
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:59 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:59 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Robert Mueller just submitted his list of evidence for the Paul Manafort trial and look whose name is all over the first 30 items.
Tad Devine.
Not really a surprise given what we already knew about Devine, but I wouldn't have expected a direct link from Devine to Manafort's crimes like those emails suggest.
posted by stopgap at 9:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Tad Devine.
Not really a surprise given what we already knew about Devine, but I wouldn't have expected a direct link from Devine to Manafort's crimes like those emails suggest.
posted by stopgap at 9:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Mod note: Motion denied.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [108 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 9:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [108 favorites]
If the investigation leads into the political left the community must be allowed to discuss it, or become just another echo chamber.
posted by Rumple at 9:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Rumple at 9:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
If that happens, then yes. It hasn't yet.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:11 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:11 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
If that happens, then yes. It hasn't yet.
And it doesn't have to relitigate the primaries since it didn't affect the result.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
And it doesn't have to relitigate the primaries since it didn't affect the result.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
It would not surprise me at all for a number of Dem operatives to get uncovered as being up to their neck in this
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 9:13 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Do we know who Putin’s translator was? And is someone monitoring this person’s well-being? I cannot imagine that given the number of Putin subordinates who seem to die suddenly, this can be a sought-after position.
If you, as a Russian translator, rise to the level of serving Putin, you know what you need to remember and what you need to forget about meetings like these. And this would not have been your first such meeting.
On an entirely different level, consider the Donald’s word salad and trying to render that somehow faithfully for the most powerful man on the planet.
Putin knows all about Trump's ways of blathering, bluffing and going off-subject; he's a KGB operative who speaks English, German and Swedish, and it is just normal operational spycraft for him to know the mannerisms and speech patterns of someone he's dealing with, including detecting any deviations. He probably needs a 'translator' only as a second source for their side of the meeting, and they may well have a covert signal for "I know what he's saying, just make it appear to Trump's translator that you're doing your best".
posted by Stoneshop at 9:14 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
If you, as a Russian translator, rise to the level of serving Putin, you know what you need to remember and what you need to forget about meetings like these. And this would not have been your first such meeting.
On an entirely different level, consider the Donald’s word salad and trying to render that somehow faithfully for the most powerful man on the planet.
Putin knows all about Trump's ways of blathering, bluffing and going off-subject; he's a KGB operative who speaks English, German and Swedish, and it is just normal operational spycraft for him to know the mannerisms and speech patterns of someone he's dealing with, including detecting any deviations. He probably needs a 'translator' only as a second source for their side of the meeting, and they may well have a covert signal for "I know what he's saying, just make it appear to Trump's translator that you're doing your best".
posted by Stoneshop at 9:14 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
I was discussing the Pizzagate thing with friends over the weekend and what really throws me off is that these guys want to storm a pizza place with assault rifles looking for children, based on absolutely no evidence, when in actuality the work has already been done for them and they’re going after the totally wrong place. Jeffrey Epstein has already been convincted, and the flight logs for his private jet where he regularly had underaged girls flying on it includes names like Donald J. Trump and Bill Clinton, so it’s not like anybody needs to go far to find the pedophiles. If I were them, I’d be demanding to know what Donald Trump and Bill Clinton were doing flying on a private jet with a bunch of 14-year-old girls multiple times.
posted by gucci mane at 9:15 AM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 9:15 AM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
I suspect this might be because the Qanon/Great Awakening crowd is much bigger than most people think.
Yup. There's billboards. It's big.
I continue to be unsure as to whether QAnon is a random basement-dwelling Pepe, a Russian disinfo op, a US intelligence disinfo op, or some combination of the three. The goal's pretty clear, however, and it's terrifying.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:18 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Yup. There's billboards. It's big.
I continue to be unsure as to whether QAnon is a random basement-dwelling Pepe, a Russian disinfo op, a US intelligence disinfo op, or some combination of the three. The goal's pretty clear, however, and it's terrifying.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:18 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
CSPAN @cspanWow, I totally did not see that one coming.
Sen. @RandPaul: "Trump derangement syndrome has officially come to the Senate. The hatred for the President is so intense that partisans would rather risk war than give diplomacy a chance."
9:02 AM - 19 Jul 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
2A - 2E are immunity orders for witnesses A-E, which I don't recall hearing that Mueller had prevailed on.
AFAICT immunity orders are entirely non-discretionary: "the United States district court . . . shall issue . . . upon the request of the United States attorney for such district, an order requiring such individual to give testimony . . . which he refuses to give or provide on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination".
The actual motions for immunity orders have been filed under seal (case docket), but the motion to seal them was filed publicly, which is what yesterday's press coverage was about.
posted by shenderson at 9:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
AFAICT immunity orders are entirely non-discretionary: "the United States district court . . . shall issue . . . upon the request of the United States attorney for such district, an order requiring such individual to give testimony . . . which he refuses to give or provide on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination".
The actual motions for immunity orders have been filed under seal (case docket), but the motion to seal them was filed publicly, which is what yesterday's press coverage was about.
posted by shenderson at 9:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Wait. I thought the thread title was a backhand reference to the very recent death of author John Stormer, who wrote, of course, None Dare Call It Treason. Did I miss a reference somewhere? This timeline is absurd.
posted by young_simba at 9:21 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by young_simba at 9:21 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
The hatred for the President is so intense that partisans would rather risk war than give diplomacy a chance.
Unlike Iran, no one is threatening to go to war with Russia.
posted by Slothrup at 9:22 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Unlike Iran, no one is threatening to go to war with Russia.
posted by Slothrup at 9:22 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon: It would not surprise me at all for a number of Dem operatives to get uncovered as being up to their neck in this
I've been waiting for that myself -- not talking about Sanders in particular, just various elected Democrats. Why wouldn't Russia try playing both sides, at least a little? Vulnerability to Russian influence coincides almost, but not entirely, with the Republican Party. It was specifically Hillary Clinton and her circle that Putin feared; she was his reason for ordering hacks/attacks on other Democrats. And he (or some other oligarch) disliked Mitt Romney enough to persuade the Trump team to not make him Secretary of State. Not that Romney is some kind of stalwart anti-Kremlinite now, of course.
I just hope that any Dem-compromising was limited to low-level stabs in the dark, and that (to the extent it exists) Dem reluctance to really pull out all the stops on Trump is for conventional political reasons and not anything more sinister. To be clear: by and large I'm proud of the party! Just ruminating.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:23 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
I've been waiting for that myself -- not talking about Sanders in particular, just various elected Democrats. Why wouldn't Russia try playing both sides, at least a little? Vulnerability to Russian influence coincides almost, but not entirely, with the Republican Party. It was specifically Hillary Clinton and her circle that Putin feared; she was his reason for ordering hacks/attacks on other Democrats. And he (or some other oligarch) disliked Mitt Romney enough to persuade the Trump team to not make him Secretary of State. Not that Romney is some kind of stalwart anti-Kremlinite now, of course.
I just hope that any Dem-compromising was limited to low-level stabs in the dark, and that (to the extent it exists) Dem reluctance to really pull out all the stops on Trump is for conventional political reasons and not anything more sinister. To be clear: by and large I'm proud of the party! Just ruminating.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:23 AM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
Why wouldn't Russia try playing both sides, at least a little?
Well we know he's got his fingers in the Stein campaign and she functioned only as a spoiler candidate in crucial states. It's all a cumulative effect.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:24 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Well we know he's got his fingers in the Stein campaign and she functioned only as a spoiler candidate in crucial states. It's all a cumulative effect.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:24 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
It would not surprise me at all for a number of Dem operatives to get uncovered as being up to their neck in this
I've been waiting to see when we'd find out who they are and how deep it goes, rather than if--we knew a long time ago that Jill Stein was compromised, and it says pretty clearly, right in Dugin's Foundations of Geopolitics, that Russia should "use its special services within the borders of the United States to fuel instability and separatism, for instance, provoke 'Afro-American racists'." Russia should also:
posted by LooseFilter at 9:25 AM on July 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
I've been waiting to see when we'd find out who they are and how deep it goes, rather than if--we knew a long time ago that Jill Stein was compromised, and it says pretty clearly, right in Dugin's Foundations of Geopolitics, that Russia should "use its special services within the borders of the United States to fuel instability and separatism, for instance, provoke 'Afro-American racists'." Russia should also:
[I]ntroduce geopolitical disorder into internal American activity, encouraging all kinds of separatism and ethnic, social and racial conflicts, actively supporting all dissident movements – extremist, racist, and sectarian groups, thus destabilizing internal political processes in the U.S. It would also make sense simultaneously to support isolationist tendencies in American politics.Any application of these strategies would involve playing both sides internally, against themselves, as well as fighting political opponents in the other party. Prepare yourselves for more revelations along these lines.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:25 AM on July 19, 2018 [22 favorites]
Ok it is kind of ridiculous that we have to walk on eggshells about this when there’s only one vector from the left that could have hurt the Clinton campaign in 2016. It wouldn’t be “Dems” in general that Putin targeted.
And these wounds won’t heal if we don’t acknowledge that they exist.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:26 AM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
And these wounds won’t heal if we don’t acknowledge that they exist.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:26 AM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
Those Devine-Manafort email subjects looked really bad until I noticed the dates on them — January ads and an election discussed in 2010, talking points in 2014. It’s not a great look by any means, but it’s also not a slam dunk Bernie-and-Trump-were-coordinating-behind-the-scenes sort of thing, either.
posted by Andrhia at 9:27 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Andrhia at 9:27 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
The RNC and NRA doing a season of the Bachelorette with a Russian spy is a little too on point with the current era. Also fucking hilarious in a we're all going to die kind of way.
posted by srboisvert at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [18 favorites]
>Wait. I thought the thread title was a backhand reference to the very recent death of author John Stormer, who wrote , of course, None Dare Call It Treason
Good grief, no. It comes from this couplet by the Elizabethan courtier Sir John Harington: "Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason?/For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason." (Devonian suggested it in the last thread, and I expect he wasn't thinking about that crackpot Stormer's book either.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [43 favorites]
Good grief, no. It comes from this couplet by the Elizabethan courtier Sir John Harington: "Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason?/For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason." (Devonian suggested it in the last thread, and I expect he wasn't thinking about that crackpot Stormer's book either.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [43 favorites]
The latest communication between Devine/Manafort/Gates is 2014.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 9:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
The hatred for the President is so intense that partisans would rather risk war than give diplomacy a chance.
Republican/libertarian Rep. Justin Amash had a suprisingly good response to that on Twitter albeit without calling out Paul by name:
Republican/libertarian Rep. Justin Amash had a suprisingly good response to that on Twitter albeit without calling out Paul by name:
I believe that this aspect of libertarianism—the desire to seek friendship and peace whenever possible—is among its most appealing qualities.posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
We must not, however, fall for the logical fallacy that because diplomacy and dialogue are good, @POTUS’s performance at the press conference was good.
Yet, that’s precisely the false conclusion some are making. I’ve heard it said that anyone who disapproves of what took place at the press conference is pro-war or anti-Trump. No, some of us are just concerned about the bizarre behavior of our president at a press conference.
I suspect that many of the people defending the press conference performance did not watch it in its entirety—or at all. If they had, they would know that it didn’t achieve the desired effect of bringing America and Russia closer; in fact, it did just the opposite.
The impression it left on me, a strong supporter of the meeting, is that “something is not right here.” The president went out of his way to appear subordinate. He spoke more like the head of a vassal state.
2014.03.31 Email T. Devine to R. Gates, et al re Call - Important
2014.03.31 Email T. Devine to R. Gates, et al re Draft Proposal
2014.06.09 Email T. Devine to R. Gates, et al re Kyiv
2014.06.14 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik, R. Gates, et al re Ukraine Trip
2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
posted by Sophie1 at 9:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
2014.03.31 Email T. Devine to R. Gates, et al re Draft Proposal
2014.06.09 Email T. Devine to R. Gates, et al re Kyiv
2014.06.14 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik, R. Gates, et al re Ukraine Trip
2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
posted by Sophie1 at 9:30 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Devine joined Bernie Sanders' team in November 2014.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 9:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
I hesitated posting it here (and I don't mean to re-litigate anything) because of the dates...but if they're innocuous, why are they in evidence?
I mean, we can't know until it's presented at trial (so I guess we're pre-litigating) but there have been several times now where the metaphorical ground has opened up beneath us. This might be one of those times.
posted by Brainy at 9:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
I mean, we can't know until it's presented at trial (so I guess we're pre-litigating) but there have been several times now where the metaphorical ground has opened up beneath us. This might be one of those times.
posted by Brainy at 9:39 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm having second thoughts about quitting caffeine.
Looks like you picked the wrong week, yes.
posted by The Tensor at 9:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
Looks like you picked the wrong week, yes.
posted by The Tensor at 9:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
The hatred for the President is so intense that partisans would rather risk war than give diplomacy a chance.
"You know, if we just *joined* Russia, then we couldn't go to war with them."
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
"You know, if we just *joined* Russia, then we couldn't go to war with them."
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
there’s only one vector from the left that could have hurt the Clinton campaign in 2016
I don't see that: Green Party, opposing Democratic campaigns, activist groups like Black Lives Matter or even Move On, are all open to infiltration by people working in degrees large and small to influence their messaging and actions, and could all be used to undermine a mainstream lefty political campaign. More importantly, they're vulnerable to being used in divisive ways even if actual human operatives are not working inside them (e.g., BLM starts to gain momentum, establish Blacktivist to pull members and visibility away, and skew messaging/focus on that set of issues).
There are likely no Grand Conspirators in this aspect of Russian election interference, just lots of smaller players, astroturfing, etc., simply spoiling the soup and making people angry at one another internally, confusing and obfuscating issues and messaging, which (as we've seen) can paralyze effectiveness on a large scale. More than, say, re-litigating the 2016 primaries, we need to be open to the idea that more than a few people on all sides are not good, honest actors, and we're still finding out the truth of what happened--who was actually honestly participating, and who was doing their job as persuaded or paid by Russians.
The latest communication between Devine/Manafort/Gates is 2014.
Devine joined Bernie Sanders' team in November 2014.
This is more damning to me, not less. It looks like Devine got sent out on his mission on 2014 and had to go dark, observing radio silence until his work was done. My questions about Tad Devine are not, were you done with those people when you started working for these people, but rather, how can anyone who has ever worked for those people be considered trustworthy, ever? It's that he worked for Manafort at all, not when.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [41 favorites]
I don't see that: Green Party, opposing Democratic campaigns, activist groups like Black Lives Matter or even Move On, are all open to infiltration by people working in degrees large and small to influence their messaging and actions, and could all be used to undermine a mainstream lefty political campaign. More importantly, they're vulnerable to being used in divisive ways even if actual human operatives are not working inside them (e.g., BLM starts to gain momentum, establish Blacktivist to pull members and visibility away, and skew messaging/focus on that set of issues).
There are likely no Grand Conspirators in this aspect of Russian election interference, just lots of smaller players, astroturfing, etc., simply spoiling the soup and making people angry at one another internally, confusing and obfuscating issues and messaging, which (as we've seen) can paralyze effectiveness on a large scale. More than, say, re-litigating the 2016 primaries, we need to be open to the idea that more than a few people on all sides are not good, honest actors, and we're still finding out the truth of what happened--who was actually honestly participating, and who was doing their job as persuaded or paid by Russians.
The latest communication between Devine/Manafort/Gates is 2014.
Devine joined Bernie Sanders' team in November 2014.
This is more damning to me, not less. It looks like Devine got sent out on his mission on 2014 and had to go dark, observing radio silence until his work was done. My questions about Tad Devine are not, were you done with those people when you started working for these people, but rather, how can anyone who has ever worked for those people be considered trustworthy, ever? It's that he worked for Manafort at all, not when.
posted by LooseFilter at 9:42 AM on July 19, 2018 [41 favorites]
It's certainly something damning if Devine has to be granted immunity to testify. If the emails were innocuous, why lie about them?
posted by localhuman at 9:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 9:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
It is worth remembering that Russia refined the concept of military deception, maskirovka in Russian, to a high degree.
One of the principles of maskirovka is hiding something by letting an opponent find a less well concealed decoy. Having found the decoy, the opponent is convinced that they have seen through the deception and thus overlook the truly hidden something. Let the enemy see a badly camouflaged machine gun nest and they stop looking for concealed things before they find your well concealed mortars. Sometimes maskirovka involves sacrificing actual assets in order to let the opposition feel confident that they've found something important.
Which brings me to Maria Butina.
I can't help but wonder if she's part of a maskirovka operation, that her rather blatant spying was intended to get her caught and thus provide a false confidence that we'd found "the" Kremlin agent and discourage us from looking for other, better concealed, agents.
How many others are there, more subtle and better concealed, than Butina?
And yes, it seems as close to certain as anything can be, that there are Democrats who are compromised. I hope they're found, or come forward, as quickly as possible.
posted by sotonohito at 9:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [78 favorites]
One of the principles of maskirovka is hiding something by letting an opponent find a less well concealed decoy. Having found the decoy, the opponent is convinced that they have seen through the deception and thus overlook the truly hidden something. Let the enemy see a badly camouflaged machine gun nest and they stop looking for concealed things before they find your well concealed mortars. Sometimes maskirovka involves sacrificing actual assets in order to let the opposition feel confident that they've found something important.
Which brings me to Maria Butina.
I can't help but wonder if she's part of a maskirovka operation, that her rather blatant spying was intended to get her caught and thus provide a false confidence that we'd found "the" Kremlin agent and discourage us from looking for other, better concealed, agents.
How many others are there, more subtle and better concealed, than Butina?
And yes, it seems as close to certain as anything can be, that there are Democrats who are compromised. I hope they're found, or come forward, as quickly as possible.
posted by sotonohito at 9:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [78 favorites]
Washington Post: House GOP Refuses to Renew Election Security Funding as Democrats Fume Over Russian Interference:
and
yesterday's news about the NRA: Many Political Tax-Exempts No Longer Required to Report Donors
So, if you wonder how confident the GOP is, these are their responses to the revelations regarding Russian hacking of US elections and its funneling of money to them through the NRA. Their first reactions are to make sure no more money is spent on preventing the hacking and that no one can see that money is being funneled to them by a hostile foreign power through a supposed "gun rights group." This isn't the play of a party running scared of the public's knowledge of their perfidy, it's the play of a party who expects to keep up the game indefinitely.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
and
yesterday's news about the NRA: Many Political Tax-Exempts No Longer Required to Report Donors
So, if you wonder how confident the GOP is, these are their responses to the revelations regarding Russian hacking of US elections and its funneling of money to them through the NRA. Their first reactions are to make sure no more money is spent on preventing the hacking and that no one can see that money is being funneled to them by a hostile foreign power through a supposed "gun rights group." This isn't the play of a party running scared of the public's knowledge of their perfidy, it's the play of a party who expects to keep up the game indefinitely.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
Please research Qanon on your own, I can't bring myself to provide links.
I'm sorry, but this use of the word "research" has become an immediate red flag for me. I remember getting in a Lyft car in San Francisco a few years ago and hearing the driver tell me about the "research" he was doing online, and before he got to the next phoneme I knew I was in for some high-test 9/11 trutherism. And so it turned out to be.
Ever since the Web became a cornucopian neverland full of enough superficially-plausible antifactlets to substantiate any wild-ass theory, host to discussion boards and forums packed to the rafters with half-bright, gotcha-craving Dunning-Krugeroids, this is all "research" has meant. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what the term now denotes, but it's somewhere between a naively cargo-cultish take on critical inquiry and a Body Snatchers inversion of critical thought posing as and successfully supplanting the thing itself.
posted by adamgreenfield at 9:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [82 favorites]
I'm sorry, but this use of the word "research" has become an immediate red flag for me. I remember getting in a Lyft car in San Francisco a few years ago and hearing the driver tell me about the "research" he was doing online, and before he got to the next phoneme I knew I was in for some high-test 9/11 trutherism. And so it turned out to be.
Ever since the Web became a cornucopian neverland full of enough superficially-plausible antifactlets to substantiate any wild-ass theory, host to discussion boards and forums packed to the rafters with half-bright, gotcha-craving Dunning-Krugeroids, this is all "research" has meant. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what the term now denotes, but it's somewhere between a naively cargo-cultish take on critical inquiry and a Body Snatchers inversion of critical thought posing as and successfully supplanting the thing itself.
posted by adamgreenfield at 9:48 AM on July 19, 2018 [82 favorites]
I can't help but wonder if she's part of a maskirovka operation, that her rather blatant spying was intended to get her caught and thus provide a false confidence that we'd found "the" Kremlin agent and discourage us from looking for other, better concealed, agents.
I just got done reading "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold," and this same thought briefly crossed my mind.
posted by Krazor at 9:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
I just got done reading "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold," and this same thought briefly crossed my mind.
posted by Krazor at 9:49 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
All this speculation about Sanders is nuts. Not only do we not know the content of those emails, it's no secret that Devine worked as a consultant for Manafort-Gates on Ukraine. I think that's super squicky, and think Bernie should've steered clear of Devine and anyone that's part of the DC consultant world. But that's how you play ball. Shit, we can pull the same circumstantial stuff to show how Clinton is connected through the Podesta firm to all kinds of skullduggery. None of this is helpful for anything but brewing the left-wing version of Qanon.
posted by dis_integration at 9:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [45 favorites]
posted by dis_integration at 9:50 AM on July 19, 2018 [45 favorites]
It's certainly something damning if Devine has to be granted immunity to testify. If the emails were innocuous, why lie about them?
The list of people asked to testify in exchange for immunity has not been released, has it?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
The list of people asked to testify in exchange for immunity has not been released, has it?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
"All this speculation about Sanders is nuts. Not only do we not know the content of those emails, it's no secret that Devine worked as a consultant for Manafort-Gates on Ukraine. I think that's super squicky, and think Bernie should've steered clear of Devine and anyone that's part of the DC consultant world. But that's how you play ball. Shit, we can pull the same circumstantial stuff to show how Clinton is connected through the Podesta firm to all kinds of skullduggery. None of this is helpful for anything but brewing a leftwing version of Qanon."
I agree Bernie should have steered clear of Devine.
posted by jbenben at 9:53 AM on July 19, 2018
I agree Bernie should have steered clear of Devine.
posted by jbenben at 9:53 AM on July 19, 2018
FCC votes against Sinclair/Tribune merger, likely dooming deal
posted by 1970s Antihero at 9:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
The unanimous vote to refer the merger to a judge was finalized on Wednesday evening.That's right, the merger plan was too blatantly illegal even for Ajit Pai.
Sinclair's problems stem from its plan to divest some stations in order to stay under station ownership limits. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai proposed the designation order on Monday, saying that Sinclair's proposal to divest certain stations "would allow Sinclair to control those stations in practice, even if not in name, in violation of the law."
posted by 1970s Antihero at 9:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
The latest communication between Devine/Manafort/Gates is 2014.
Devine joined Bernie Sanders' team in November 2014.
So did Devine offer to work for free too?
posted by JackFlash at 9:54 AM on July 19, 2018
Devine joined Bernie Sanders' team in November 2014.
So did Devine offer to work for free too?
posted by JackFlash at 9:54 AM on July 19, 2018
I don't think anyone is saying "don't talk about Devine because we can't say anything bad about [Sanders / the left]". More like, "the mods have urged us literally hundreds of times to avoid relitigating the primaries, so let's exercise a modicum of patience and wait for some facts before we go near that can of worms".
We'll know more soon enough.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [37 favorites]
We'll know more soon enough.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [37 favorites]
Ever since the Web became a cornucopian neverland full of enough superficially-plausible antifactlets to substantiate any wild-ass theory, host to discussion boards and forums packed to the rafters with half-bright, gotcha-craving Dunning-Krugeroids, this is all "research" has meant.
I don't have anything to say in reply, other than agreement--I just wanted to quote this to express my admiration for this sentence. Look at that magnificent bastard sitting up there: "cornucopian neverland," "antifaclets," "gotcha-craving Dunning-Krugeroids." The clever perspicacity on display here has made my morning.
(Look, I know he's a professional writer and all, and is supposed to be good with the word-things, but damn, in our dystopian present you gotta savor the small delights when they appear.)
posted by LooseFilter at 9:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
I don't have anything to say in reply, other than agreement--I just wanted to quote this to express my admiration for this sentence. Look at that magnificent bastard sitting up there: "cornucopian neverland," "antifaclets," "gotcha-craving Dunning-Krugeroids." The clever perspicacity on display here has made my morning.
(Look, I know he's a professional writer and all, and is supposed to be good with the word-things, but damn, in our dystopian present you gotta savor the small delights when they appear.)
posted by LooseFilter at 9:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
2014.06.14 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik, R. Gates, et al re Ukraine Trip
2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
JFC, Konstantin Kilimnik is a GRU agent. Devine's high-powered resume with Al Gore, John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis may have impressed Sanders, but Kilimnik would have been interested in him for exactly the same reasons.
But frankly, if we're going to re-litigate 2016—and let's not—it's too early for anything more than speculation based on e-mail subject lines.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:57 AM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
2014.06.19 Email T. Devine to K. Kilimnik re Can u resend the talking points
JFC, Konstantin Kilimnik is a GRU agent. Devine's high-powered resume with Al Gore, John Kerry, and Michael Dukakis may have impressed Sanders, but Kilimnik would have been interested in him for exactly the same reasons.
But frankly, if we're going to re-litigate 2016—and let's not—it's too early for anything more than speculation based on e-mail subject lines.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:57 AM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
Without knowing what those emails touched on (though, I suspect they have to do with the immediate post-election strategy related to Kremlinite Victor Yanukovich), it's difficult to say how bad these revelations are. However, apparently Mr. Devine was emailing with known Russian spy Kostantin Kilimnik and R. Gates, whom I have to suspect is Rick Gates, Manafort's top henchman--not former Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Another thing to keep in mind, is that Mueller has access to waaaay more than these 500 items. There may be many more pieces of evidence involving Devine. Maybe they are all innocuous or Devine working to undermine Manafort and Yanukovich's plans.
However, the first email mentioned is from 2006-01-03 and ended on 2014-06-19. I have a very hard time believing that these are the only relevant communications over an 8 year period. Having one's top campaign official emailing with a GRU agent, though...that's something one would want to know before bringing them on, and it leaves me feeling even more disturbed about this entire situation.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Another thing to keep in mind, is that Mueller has access to waaaay more than these 500 items. There may be many more pieces of evidence involving Devine. Maybe they are all innocuous or Devine working to undermine Manafort and Yanukovich's plans.
However, the first email mentioned is from 2006-01-03 and ended on 2014-06-19. I have a very hard time believing that these are the only relevant communications over an 8 year period. Having one's top campaign official emailing with a GRU agent, though...that's something one would want to know before bringing them on, and it leaves me feeling even more disturbed about this entire situation.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 10:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Email, Shmemail.
I'm much more excited about the Manafort exhibits having a comprehensive list of companies that the prosecution has financials and ledgers for. Yeah, I'm weird, but this has always been a cluster of cases that revolve around good-old-fashioned money laundering as well as bank and tax fraud.
posted by mikelieman at 10:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
I'm much more excited about the Manafort exhibits having a comprehensive list of companies that the prosecution has financials and ledgers for. Yeah, I'm weird, but this has always been a cluster of cases that revolve around good-old-fashioned money laundering as well as bank and tax fraud.
posted by mikelieman at 10:01 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
this has always been a cluster of cases that revolve around good-old-fashioned money laundering as well as bank and tax fraud.
Though it is important to point out that is what Manafort is currently being charged with, not necessarily the sum total of his crimes.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 10:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Though it is important to point out that is what Manafort is currently being charged with, not necessarily the sum total of his crimes.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 10:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Thanks, FiveThirtyEight...
the over-under on the conservative bloc is eight years
posted by pjenks at 10:11 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
@FiveThirtyEight: The over-under on the Supreme Court’s liberal minority cohort all continuing to draw breath is about five years.(with helpful kaplan-meier survival graphs)
the over-under on the conservative bloc is eight years
posted by pjenks at 10:11 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Manafort is on trial for bank fraud and money laundering — but also of violations to the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Given the dates and subject lines, perhaps the prudent speculation is that these Devine emails are establishing his history and long relationship with furthering Russian interests as the first step in the logic chain proving he continued to do so through the 2016 election.
Does that mean Devine also has such a history? I dunno. That’s where the speculation starts to get less prudent.
posted by Andrhia at 10:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Does that mean Devine also has such a history? I dunno. That’s where the speculation starts to get less prudent.
posted by Andrhia at 10:12 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Tax topics:
WSJ, Richard Rubin, House GOP Push to Extend Tax Cuts Meets Resistance in Senate
@RichardRubinDC: Sen. Whitehouse (at a Finance markup of IRS commissioner nominee) on Trump "cavorting" with Putin: "If he had been dragged out on a leash and done pet tricks, it could not have been more humiliating.” Whitehouse and Warner pushing (more forcefully than I had heard before) for committee access to Trump tax returns.
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on July 19, 2018 [33 favorites]
WSJ, Richard Rubin, House GOP Push to Extend Tax Cuts Meets Resistance in Senate
House Republicans are busily preparing what they call “Tax Reform 2.0,” an extension of tax cuts they passed last year that are scheduled to expire after 2025. So far, their Senate counterparts aren’t so interested.Politico, House votes to prevent IRS from punishing churches engaging in politics
House Republicans expect to vote on their tax plan in September, and one leading option is a three-bill package: Extension of expiring tax cuts, expansion of incentives for savings and policies to promote innovation.
The tax-cut extension, the largest of the three bills, is the one that is most likely to become a campaign-season talking point and also least likely to become law this year.
...
One of those Democrats, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, said she backed making the “tax cuts for regular families” permanent but that they should be paid for. One suggestion she made was lowering the income cap for child tax-credit eligibility, which now starts phasing out at $400,000 for married couples.
“I don’t know how they look in the mirror. I can’t remember how many righteous lectures I got from my Republican colleagues about the debt and deficit,” she said.
The House voted Thursday to make it harder for the government to punish churches that get involved in politics.Politico, Why filing taxes isn’t easy, in which Congress doesn't really want you to file your taxes quickly and easily because they're in bed with H&R Block, Intuit, and Grover Norquist, who thinks Americans won't oppose taxes unless they have to suffer to file them:
In a 217-199 vote, lawmakers approved legislation barring the IRS from revoking the tax-exempt status of churches that back political candidates, unless it is specifically approved by the commissioner of the agency.
The provision, buried in a budget measure setting IRS funding for the upcoming year, amounts to a backdoor way around the so-called Johnson amendment, a half-century-old prohibition on nonprofits getting involved in political campaign activities.
...
“It’s now impossible for Congress and the White House to deny their objective: to politicize the trusted charitable nonprofit community by authorizing unlimited, unfettered and untraceable political money to flow through the nonprofit sector to benefit partisan special interests,” said Tim Delaney, head of the National Council of Nonprofits.
The Trump administration unveiled a “postcard-sized” tax form late last month that will supposedly make it easier for Americans to do their own taxes. The move was nothing more than a publicity stunt—as a number of commentators noted, the administration achieved its postcard-sized ambitions only by requiring millions of Americans to submit supplementary worksheets that actually complicate the task of tax preparation.More on that from ProPublica/Quartz: Millions of Americans pay unnecessary tax filing fees—but they may be able to get a refund
The real action on tax filing right now is happening on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, where Congress is working hard to ensure that doing your taxes remains a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. The House of Representatives has passed two bills in recent weeks that seek to stop the IRS from simplifying the tax-filing process. One is pending in the Senate Finance Committee. The other cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee in late June, with a floor vote likely this summer.
At issue are two innovations that, if adopted by the IRS, would radically reduce the time and expense incurred in filing federal income tax returns. The first is free online tax preparation paired with electronic filing: The IRS could offer an easy-to-use product that assists you in completing your tax return, then allows you to submit your return online—all at a price of $0. A second and even more pioneering possibility is “pre-population”: the IRS could allow you to begin the filing process with an already filled-out return rather than making you enter each item of information from scratch.
@RichardRubinDC: Sen. Whitehouse (at a Finance markup of IRS commissioner nominee) on Trump "cavorting" with Putin: "If he had been dragged out on a leash and done pet tricks, it could not have been more humiliating.” Whitehouse and Warner pushing (more forcefully than I had heard before) for committee access to Trump tax returns.
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on July 19, 2018 [33 favorites]
"The thing that really freaks me out about PizzaGate and QAnon is the seemingly non sequitur focus on "pedophile rings" and child pornography, coupled with the ease with which a hacker with access to someone's systems could plant child porn on them and call in a tip. It feels like these true believers are being primed for something.
posted by contraption at 8:13 AM on July 19"
The thing is, I think, that it has nothing to do with elaborate preparation for some future internet 'op'
4Chan and the rest of the alt-right were for YEARS dead center of jail-bait, child-porn, barely-illegal culture on the internet.
MRAs and Red-Pillers and Incels and all these folks are the same people who were, not at all long ago, advocating that ephebophilia be separated in the public consciousness from pedophilia and that age of consent laws should be lowered, since marriage has 'historically' taken place between very young women and much older men.
All of this is projection on a grand scale. I'd bet you any amount of money that the guy who stormed into the pizza joint had spent time on 4Chan advocating for his right to receive an underage girl by arranged marriage and that the guy who shot killed his father after calling his parents 'leftist pedophiles' in Seattle was pissed that he was the one who should've been getting these underage girls
These people are so much sicker than even the Blue (rightly) wants to imagine
posted by TheProfessor at 10:18 AM on July 19, 2018 [44 favorites]
posted by contraption at 8:13 AM on July 19"
The thing is, I think, that it has nothing to do with elaborate preparation for some future internet 'op'
4Chan and the rest of the alt-right were for YEARS dead center of jail-bait, child-porn, barely-illegal culture on the internet.
MRAs and Red-Pillers and Incels and all these folks are the same people who were, not at all long ago, advocating that ephebophilia be separated in the public consciousness from pedophilia and that age of consent laws should be lowered, since marriage has 'historically' taken place between very young women and much older men.
All of this is projection on a grand scale. I'd bet you any amount of money that the guy who stormed into the pizza joint had spent time on 4Chan advocating for his right to receive an underage girl by arranged marriage and that the guy who shot killed his father after calling his parents 'leftist pedophiles' in Seattle was pissed that he was the one who should've been getting these underage girls
These people are so much sicker than even the Blue (rightly) wants to imagine
posted by TheProfessor at 10:18 AM on July 19, 2018 [44 favorites]
The first is free online tax preparation paired with electronic filing: The IRS could offer an easy-to-use product that assists you in completing your tax return, then allows you to submit your return online—all at a price of $0. A second and even more pioneering possibility is “pre-population”: the IRS could allow you to begin the filing process with an already filled-out return rather than making you enter each item of information from scratch.
Huh. We already have both of those in Canada. Pre-population made for the easiest tax filing ever this year. Less "pioneering" than travelling a road already trodden.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
Huh. We already have both of those in Canada. Pre-population made for the easiest tax filing ever this year. Less "pioneering" than travelling a road already trodden.
posted by fimbulvetr at 10:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a plan that would drastically and unilaterally restrict legal immigration to only the wealthiest and most privileged applicants.
An archaic federal immigration provision called the “public charge” test is currently being drafted by the Trump administration. Immigrants coming to the United States would generally fail this new rewritten test if they had a medical condition and no source of subsidized health insurance. [...]
[I]f every American citizen were forced to take the Trump administration’s test, more than 100 million people — roughly one-third of the U.S. population — would fail. The report also estimates that at least half of all people in the country could fail the test over a period of several years, when factoring in possible economic downturns, job insecurity, health problems, or other factors.
This would force immigrants to to not use social services or face deportation. Legal immigrants won't be able to feed their kids on food stamps.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
An archaic federal immigration provision called the “public charge” test is currently being drafted by the Trump administration. Immigrants coming to the United States would generally fail this new rewritten test if they had a medical condition and no source of subsidized health insurance. [...]
[I]f every American citizen were forced to take the Trump administration’s test, more than 100 million people — roughly one-third of the U.S. population — would fail. The report also estimates that at least half of all people in the country could fail the test over a period of several years, when factoring in possible economic downturns, job insecurity, health problems, or other factors.
This would force immigrants to to not use social services or face deportation. Legal immigrants won't be able to feed their kids on food stamps.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:28 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
At this point Hillary's emails are about the only ones clean in all this.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [60 favorites]
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 10:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [60 favorites]
CNBC, Trump lays into the Federal Reserve, says he's 'not thrilled' about interest rate hikes
posted by zachlipton at 10:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [54 favorites]
In a stinging and historically rare criticism, President Donald Trump expressed frustration with the Federal Reserve and said the central bank could disrupt the economic recovery. Presidents rarely intercede when it comes to the Fed, which sets the benchmark interest rate that flows through to many types of consumer debt. Fed officials, including Chairman Jerome Powell, have raised interest rates twice this year and have pointed to two more before the end of 2018.This is not ok.
Trump, in an interview with CNBC, said he does not approve, even though he said he "put a very good man in" at the Fed in Powell.
“I’m not thrilled,” he told CNBC's Joe Kernen in an interview to air in full Friday starting at 6 am. “Because we go up and every time you go up they want to raise rates again. I don't really — I am not happy about it. But at the same time I’m letting them do what they feel is best.”
“But I don’t like all of this work that goes into doing what we’re doing.”
Markets reacted to Trump's comments, with stocks, the dollar and Treasury yields all falling.
...
The president acknowledged that his comments are unusual but said he doesn’t care.
“Now I’m just saying the same thing that I would have said as a private citizen,” he said. “So somebody would say, ‘Oh, maybe you shouldn’t say that as president. I couldn’t care less what they say, because my views haven’t changed.”
“I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up,” he said.
posted by zachlipton at 10:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [54 favorites]
Scott Hutchins, has been named as head of Research Programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hutchins' previous position was global leader of integrated field sciences for Corteva Agriscience. His work at Corteva—the newly created agricultural division of DowDuPont Inc.—focuses on chemical solutions to pest management. He is also a former president of the Entomological Society of America, serving in that role in parts of 2006 and 2007, a spokesman there said.
Color me shocked.
posted by Sophie1 at 10:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Color me shocked.
posted by Sophie1 at 10:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
We already have both of those in Canada.
We have it in South Africa too.
posted by PenDevil at 10:34 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
We have it in South Africa too.
posted by PenDevil at 10:34 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Vice: Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen blames both sides for violence in Charlottesville
“It’s not that one side is right and one side is wrong,” Nielsen told Peter Alexander from NBC News at a national security conference in Colorado on Thursday.
I'm starting to question her character.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:43 AM on July 19, 2018 [70 favorites]
“It’s not that one side is right and one side is wrong,” Nielsen told Peter Alexander from NBC News at a national security conference in Colorado on Thursday.
I'm starting to question her character.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:43 AM on July 19, 2018 [70 favorites]
Daily Beast, DHS Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen Won’t Say Putin Wanted Trump to Win
Counterpoint: "We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump"
And see also Rust Moranis's comment above where she blames Nazis and not-Nazis for Charloteesville.
This cabinet is full of sycophants, but there's a compelling argument to be made that she's the worst. And her agency is supposed to be assisting with election security.
posted by zachlipton at 10:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [40 favorites]
“I haven’t seen any evidence that the attempt to interfere in our election infrastructure was to favor a particular political party,” she said. “I think what we’ve seen on the foreign influence side is they were attempting to intervene and cause chaos on both sides, whether it’s in Charlottesville, where we saw them on both sides, whether it’s in Syria, both sides. So I would not necessarily say that was the purpose.”Counterpoint: "In a joint press conference with Trump on July 16, Putin said he wanted Trump to win.“Yes, I did,” the Russian leader asserted. “Yes, I did. Because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal.”"
Later in the event, however, when pressed by reporters in the audience, Nielsen said she agreed with the Intelligence Community assessment. But she would not specifically say she agreed with it on the question of Putin’s motives.
Counterpoint: "We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump"
And see also Rust Moranis's comment above where she blames Nazis and not-Nazis for Charloteesville.
This cabinet is full of sycophants, but there's a compelling argument to be made that she's the worst. And her agency is supposed to be assisting with election security.
posted by zachlipton at 10:46 AM on July 19, 2018 [40 favorites]
I know Pruitt doesn't even go here, but we're still learning about hilariously awful Pruitt scandals. Politico, Annie Snider, EPA staff worried about toxic chemical exposure — for Pruitt
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's staff sought to protect him from exposure to toxic formaldehyde from an office desk last year, emails show — just months before his top political aides blocked the release of a report on health dangers from the same chemical.posted by zachlipton at 10:55 AM on July 19, 2018 [31 favorites]
In the spring of 2017, as Pruitt was finishing the more than $9,500 redecoration of his office, a top career official in the administrator's office noticed a California warning that one of the ornate desks their boss wanted contained formaldehyde, which the state classifies as a carcinogen. It's unclear whether Pruitt ultimately ordered that desk as part of the renovation — which included artwork from the Smithsonian, framed photographs of Pruitt and President Donald Trump and a standing "captain's" desk — but the documents show that his staff took steps to protect Pruitt from exposure to the chemical.
...
"Sorry to bother you with this but we need some help. The desk the Administrator wants for his office from Amazon has a California Proposition 65 warning. What I am asking is can someone in your area tell us whether it is OK to get this desk for the Administrator related to the warning?" Allen wrote April 7 to Cleland-Hamnett and another career official in the office, referring to a California state chemicals law.
...
The email exchange about the desk last spring took place just months before top aides to Pruitt took steps to block a health assessment produced by another division within the agency that found the levels of formaldehyde that many Americans breathe in daily are linked with leukemia, nose-and-throat cancer and other ailments. The chemicals industry has fought the assessment, which could prompt federal and state regulators to issue new restrictions on the chemical, and could lead to class-action lawsuits.
In a stinging and historically rare criticism
Here we see yet another ridiculous component of media normalization vis-a-vis Trump.
There's nothing "stinging" about this. Stinging would imply incisiveness. Trump doesn't have barbs or incision, he bloviates logorrhea. Like a toddler: "I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up."
posted by aspersioncast at 11:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
Here we see yet another ridiculous component of media normalization vis-a-vis Trump.
There's nothing "stinging" about this. Stinging would imply incisiveness. Trump doesn't have barbs or incision, he bloviates logorrhea. Like a toddler: "I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up."
posted by aspersioncast at 11:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
*_Response to President Putins Proposal_*Weak. Sauce. And note the signature: Trump won't sign his own name to it.
It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it. Hopefully President Putin will have the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt.
Sarah Sanders
Why does it always take 24 hours for them to walk back their batshit Russia stuff?
posted by zachlipton at 11:00 AM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
...but President Trump disagrees with it,
Did he disagree before or after calling it a fantastic offer?
posted by PenDevil at 11:02 AM on July 19, 2018 [31 favorites]
Did he disagree before or after calling it a fantastic offer?
posted by PenDevil at 11:02 AM on July 19, 2018 [31 favorites]
Why does it always take 24 hours for them to walk back their batshit Russia stuff?
Time difference between DC and Moscow means they have to wait until late at night to get their marching orders. Not really joking.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
Time difference between DC and Moscow means they have to wait until late at night to get their marching orders. Not really joking.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:04 AM on July 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
> Did he disagree before or after calling it a fantastic offer?
He actually called it an incredible offer, so I'm totally expecting SHS to say with a straight face that she meant incredible as in "too extraordinary and improbable to be believed" at her next briefing.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
He actually called it an incredible offer, so I'm totally expecting SHS to say with a straight face that she meant incredible as in "too extraordinary and improbable to be believed" at her next briefing.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:10 AM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
[Mefites digesting the Fed news...coming up with new ways to scream about the current administration...]
Causing chaos in another arena is what Trump always does when he's under criticism from yet another self-inflicted scandal. Expect more lashing out on red-meat topics for his base—immigration is always a good bet, but maybe he'll try to provoke Iran or North Korea again—as pressure mounts in the aftermath of the Helsinki summit.
Speaking of which, the Washington Post reports on Gen. Vogel's press conference this morning: ‘No further direction’ on Syria since Trump-Putin summit
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:17 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Causing chaos in another arena is what Trump always does when he's under criticism from yet another self-inflicted scandal. Expect more lashing out on red-meat topics for his base—immigration is always a good bet, but maybe he'll try to provoke Iran or North Korea again—as pressure mounts in the aftermath of the Helsinki summit.
Speaking of which, the Washington Post reports on Gen. Vogel's press conference this morning: ‘No further direction’ on Syria since Trump-Putin summit
U.S. forces are legally restricted from cooperating with Russia in Syria despite what the Kremlin has described as a proposed deal between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand military interactions there, a senior general said Thursday.On the Moscow end, CNN's Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) reports, “Following the Trump-Putin summit & subsequent Russian statements it wanted to cooperate more with the Pentagon, Russia's Ministry of Defense tweets out videos of tests of its air launched hyper-sonic missile & a nuclear-powered cruise missile, weapons "unveiled" by Putin in March.” Which syncs up with Trump's "my way, or the nuclear war way" bargaining tactic.
Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads U.S. Central Command, told reporters the U.S. military was prohibited by law from doing anything jointly in Syria that goes significantly beyond limited communications to prevent forces from coming into accidental conflict.[...]
“We have received no further direction than we’ve currently been operating under,” Votel said.
Russian officials have spoken more expansively than their U.S. counterparts about the substance of the two leaders’ conversation in Finland. Antonov, who spoke to reporters in Moscow, said one idea under discussion was a joint U.S.-Russian counterterrorism campaign in Syria, adding Trump had “listened … with interest.”[...]
The general also pointed out Centcom was barred under the National Defense Authorization Act, which guides military operations from “coordinating, synchronizing, collaborating with the Russian forces.” Those restrictions were enacted after Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014.
Going beyond current communications, Votel suggested, would require a legal waiver or some other action by Congress.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:17 AM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Does that mean Devine also has such a history?
The thing is there's literally no way to know, and at this point taking positions yay or nay just reveals our own prejudices and inflames old arguments. It's entirely possible Devine is just as scummy as Manafort. Washington is a fucking cesspool and there is an entire industry of these type of people floating around in it. The trial begins next week and we'll find out then.
I think people need to get used to the idea that there could be Democrats and leftists swept up in this because there is no reason they would have limited their efforts solely to the right and the GOP (other than it probably being easier because they're both fascists).
I also think people should be aware these necessary investigations, of which this is hopefully just the beginning, could touch a lot of people, some of which we might generally have a positive opinion of. A lot of the people who are nominally on our side, especially in the Dem consultant world, are just as scummy as the people we're fighting, they're just not criminals.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 11:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
The thing is there's literally no way to know, and at this point taking positions yay or nay just reveals our own prejudices and inflames old arguments. It's entirely possible Devine is just as scummy as Manafort. Washington is a fucking cesspool and there is an entire industry of these type of people floating around in it. The trial begins next week and we'll find out then.
I think people need to get used to the idea that there could be Democrats and leftists swept up in this because there is no reason they would have limited their efforts solely to the right and the GOP (other than it probably being easier because they're both fascists).
I also think people should be aware these necessary investigations, of which this is hopefully just the beginning, could touch a lot of people, some of which we might generally have a positive opinion of. A lot of the people who are nominally on our side, especially in the Dem consultant world, are just as scummy as the people we're fighting, they're just not criminals.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 11:19 AM on July 19, 2018 [13 favorites]
“I don’t like all of this work that we’re putting into the economy and then I see rates going up,” he said.
Someone smack him on the head with a basic understanding of monetary policy. They're raising rates *because* the economy is humming along. Low unemployment means the Fed is scared wages will go up, and if wages go up, it causes (*gasp*) some minor inflation.
I think raising rates is stupid too. We can handle some inflation if it comes with wage raises that outpace it. But inflation fucks with the value of rich people's wealth, so it's unacceptable.
No idea what Trump's objection to it is except that he lives on debt-financing.
posted by dis_integration at 11:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
Someone smack him on the head with a basic understanding of monetary policy. They're raising rates *because* the economy is humming along. Low unemployment means the Fed is scared wages will go up, and if wages go up, it causes (*gasp*) some minor inflation.
I think raising rates is stupid too. We can handle some inflation if it comes with wage raises that outpace it. But inflation fucks with the value of rich people's wealth, so it's unacceptable.
No idea what Trump's objection to it is except that he lives on debt-financing.
posted by dis_integration at 11:20 AM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
Why does it always take 24 hours for them to walk back their batshit Russia stuff?
Time difference between DC and Moscow means they have to wait until late at night to get their marching orders. Not really joking.
Also, for the initial (Fox) news cycle to run. Low-information voters cling to the initial "headline," not later corrections.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:25 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
Time difference between DC and Moscow means they have to wait until late at night to get their marching orders. Not really joking.
Also, for the initial (Fox) news cycle to run. Low-information voters cling to the initial "headline," not later corrections.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:25 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
House Dems chant USA USA after Rep. Steny Hoyer calls for more election security (CNN video)
posted by salix at 11:31 AM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
posted by salix at 11:31 AM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
One of the principles of maskirovka is hiding something by letting an opponent find a less well concealed decoy. Having found the decoy, the opponent is convinced that they have seen through the deception and thus overlook the truly hidden something.
...
posted by sotonohito at 9:46 AM on July 19 [+] [!]
It's good to remember that Russia produces good chess players. This gambit reminds me of this.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
...
posted by sotonohito at 9:46 AM on July 19 [+] [!]
It's good to remember that Russia produces good chess players. This gambit reminds me of this.
posted by Mental Wimp at 11:32 AM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
House Dems chant USA USA after Rep. Steny Hoyer calls for more election security (CNN video)
posted by salix at 11:31 AM on July 19 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]
OK, that was really hilarious. More of that!
posted by mumimor at 11:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by salix at 11:31 AM on July 19 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]
OK, that was really hilarious. More of that!
posted by mumimor at 11:33 AM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
HOLY SHIT GUYS THE DEMS JUST WON ON SOMETHING:
Burgess Everett on twitter:
McConnell WITHDRAWS Bounds nomination (I can hear democrats literally cheering in Durbin's office)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [64 favorites]
Burgess Everett on twitter:
McConnell WITHDRAWS Bounds nomination (I can hear democrats literally cheering in Durbin's office)
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [64 favorites]
Bloomberg, Ilya Arkhipov, Putin Tells Diplomats He Made Trump a New Offer on Ukraine at Their Summit
Vladimir Putin told Russian diplomats that he made a proposal to Donald Trump at their summit this week to hold a referendum to help resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but agreed not to disclose the plan publicly so the U.S. president could consider it, according to two people who attended Putin’s closed-door speech on Thursday.posted by zachlipton at 11:40 AM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
...
Putin’s proposal would call for a vote conducted under international auspices by the residents of the separatist territories on their status, the people said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the details of what Putin said about Ukraine at the summit, saying only, “Some new ideas were discussed. They will be worked on.”
Thread moves fast, but:
I'm highly doubtful that even with the example of the Clinton campaign being invaded by the GRU anyone in the DNC is willing to take the steps needed to really secure their IT, especially not the sort of crazy levels of security it will take to hold off Russia. I'm highly doubtful that there is anyone high enough in the Democratic Party who even understands the problem that they can even try to get it fixed.
This is very incorrect. I've been volunteering on the data analytics side of the DNC (well, the PA DCCC, but I've been to national trainings too) and they are extremely aware of the vulnerabilities and have been locking down their systems. They've also instituted phishing training and are conducting phishing testing. This is not just in the DCCC, this is across the various Democratic wings. Obviously you are only as secure as your most gullible user, but they're hardly ignoring the problem.
posted by Anonymous at 11:42 AM on July 19, 2018
I'm highly doubtful that even with the example of the Clinton campaign being invaded by the GRU anyone in the DNC is willing to take the steps needed to really secure their IT, especially not the sort of crazy levels of security it will take to hold off Russia. I'm highly doubtful that there is anyone high enough in the Democratic Party who even understands the problem that they can even try to get it fixed.
This is very incorrect. I've been volunteering on the data analytics side of the DNC (well, the PA DCCC, but I've been to national trainings too) and they are extremely aware of the vulnerabilities and have been locking down their systems. They've also instituted phishing training and are conducting phishing testing. This is not just in the DCCC, this is across the various Democratic wings. Obviously you are only as secure as your most gullible user, but they're hardly ignoring the problem.
posted by Anonymous at 11:42 AM on July 19, 2018
Fred Hiatt Commissions White Nationalist to Write Egregiously Dishonest Article Advocating Ethnic Cleansing
Trying to out-NYT the NYT, I suppose.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Trying to out-NYT the NYT, I suppose.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:44 AM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
HOLY SHIT GUYS THE DEMS JUST WON ON SOMETHING:
Well, one Republican did the thing, for once.
Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), the only African-American member of Senate GOP conference, tells leaders that he can't vote for 9th Circuit Court nom Ryan Bounds because of racially insensitive remarks. Told leaders he need more time to review Bounds. McConnell withdraws nomination.
This proves how much leverage Susan Collins and Bob Corker and Jeff Falke actually have and refuse to use. And Tim Scott too except when they nominate an actual KKK member for the Circuit Court.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [91 favorites]
Well, one Republican did the thing, for once.
Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), the only African-American member of Senate GOP conference, tells leaders that he can't vote for 9th Circuit Court nom Ryan Bounds because of racially insensitive remarks. Told leaders he need more time to review Bounds. McConnell withdraws nomination.
This proves how much leverage Susan Collins and Bob Corker and Jeff Falke actually have and refuse to use. And Tim Scott too except when they nominate an actual KKK member for the Circuit Court.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [91 favorites]
For context on the rejection of Trumps racist judicial nominee ryan bounds Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted this shortly before the vote was pulled back:
"We've been waiting on Senate floor for an hour to vote on the latest radical, unqualified judge. But one R has cold feed and all of a sudden the vote may be cancelled.
Reminder of what can happen when one single Republican Senator decides to do the right thing."
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [95 favorites]
"We've been waiting on Senate floor for an hour to vote on the latest radical, unqualified judge. But one R has cold feed and all of a sudden the vote may be cancelled.
Reminder of what can happen when one single Republican Senator decides to do the right thing."
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:45 AM on July 19, 2018 [95 favorites]
Vladimir Putin told Russian diplomats that he made a proposal to Donald Trump at their summit this week to hold a referendum to help resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but agreed not to disclose the plan publicly so the U.S. president could consider it, according to two people who attended Putin’s closed-door speech on Thursday.
Since when have we ever gotten leaks from Putin? I would not be surprised if this is Putin authorising leaks to make Trump look like a weakling again.
posted by PenDevil at 11:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Since when have we ever gotten leaks from Putin? I would not be surprised if this is Putin authorising leaks to make Trump look like a weakling again.
posted by PenDevil at 11:52 AM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
If Putin didn’t have kompromat before, he does now in the contents of the closed door meeting. They’re going to just drip out all the crazy shit that was proposed and Trump probably agreed to.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:53 AM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
Oppose the Confirmation of Ryan Bounds to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (a template to send to representatives, from The Leadership Conference, "the nation's premier civil & human rights coalition")
Dude was the chair of his local Bar Association's equity, diversity and inclusion committee, but he "reluctantly gave up his position" at the insistence of the bar's board of directors based on people finding out he was a terrible person in college, and probably just worse at hiding his disdain for others than he is now. Here's his resignation letter
Thank you, Tim Scott, for joining the Democrats in trying to make the US a little less terrible.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [28 favorites]
Dude was the chair of his local Bar Association's equity, diversity and inclusion committee, but he "reluctantly gave up his position" at the insistence of the bar's board of directors based on people finding out he was a terrible person in college, and probably just worse at hiding his disdain for others than he is now. Here's his resignation letter
"I write to you today with a heavy heart,'' it read. "Unfortunately it has come to my attention that the board seeks my resignation, citing editorials I wrote as a college student nearly a quarter-century ago. I have acknowledged that those editorials were poorly worded and ill-conceived pronouncements of a youth who had much to learn about the world. I sincerely wish the board would judge me not on decades-old words, but by the work we have done together.''Poorly worded? Here's his words (PDF, with links to original publications):
“During my years in our Multicultural Garden of Eden, I have often marveled at the odd strategies that some of the more strident racial factions of the student body employ in their attempts to ‘heighten consciousness,’ ‘build tolerance,’ ‘promote diversity,’ and otherwise convince us to partake of that fruit which promises to open our eyes to a PC version of the knowledge of good and evil. I am mystified because these tactics seem always to contribute more to restricting consciousness, aggravating intolerance, and pigeonholing cultural identities than many a Nazi bookburning.”That's right -- "PC" efforts to "promote diversity" are worse than Nazi bookburning. How was that poorly worded? Fuck this dude.
Thank you, Tim Scott, for joining the Democrats in trying to make the US a little less terrible.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:54 AM on July 19, 2018 [28 favorites]
> Thank you, Tim Scott, for joining the Democrats in trying to make the US a little less terrible.
So, like ... the rest of the Republicans in the US Senate were OK with this guy getting a lifetime judicial appointment?
I just find it so surprising that, for example with Kavanaugh, we are scraping around for angles to appeal to Murkowski or Collins because they are women who might have a milligram of concern for women's rights. Even if we're pigeonholing women - what about Joni Ernst? And what about the forty-fucking-eight other Republican senators?
Sorry, did I say I find it surprising? I meant *un*surprising, of course.
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:00 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
So, like ... the rest of the Republicans in the US Senate were OK with this guy getting a lifetime judicial appointment?
I just find it so surprising that, for example with Kavanaugh, we are scraping around for angles to appeal to Murkowski or Collins because they are women who might have a milligram of concern for women's rights. Even if we're pigeonholing women - what about Joni Ernst? And what about the forty-fucking-eight other Republican senators?
Sorry, did I say I find it surprising? I meant *un*surprising, of course.
posted by RedOrGreen at 12:00 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
RedOrGreen: I just find it so surprising that, for example with Kavanaugh, we are scraping around for angles to appeal to Murkowski or Collins because they are women who might have a milligram of concern for women's rights. Even if we're pigeonholing women - what about Joni Ernst? And what about the forty-fucking-eight other Republican senators?
Maybe it's because GOP SO WHITE
Yes, let's focus on the charts, because this photo looks like a lot of old, white men raising their hands. No, it's not all old, white men, but they're the clear majority in that unscientific sampling of the reps.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Maybe it's because GOP SO WHITE
In the House, two-thirds of the new Democratic members are of color, with seven Hispanics, six African-Americans, three Indian-Americans, a Japanese-American and a Vietnamese-American: Rep. Stephanie Murphy of Florida, whose family fled Vietnam when she was a baby.Despite the fact that 115th Congress sets new high for racial, ethnic diversity as it inches towards representing the gender and ethnic diversity of the United States, if you look a bit deeper, you'll see that the diversity is coming in from the Democrats by and large.
All of the freshman Republicans are white, with just 14 of the 293 GOP seats in both chambers held by people of color. Three of Congress' 49 black lawmakers are Republicans.
House minority increases have largely come among newly elected Democrats, though Republicans have also seen an uptick. Since 2001, the number of House Democrats who are minorities increased by 27, from 56 then to 83 now. There was an increase of eight representatives among House Republicans over the same period, rising from four then to 12 now.Fun related link: The changing face of Congress in 5 charts
Yes, let's focus on the charts, because this photo looks like a lot of old, white men raising their hands. No, it's not all old, white men, but they're the clear majority in that unscientific sampling of the reps.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
A thing about racism in the GOP (and the USA in general) is that it doesn't even require 50%+ support to entrench itself. Just enough of a foothold, say 30% or more, that opposing it becomes "rocking the boat".
Twenty years ago, it's "This kind of thinking has no place in our party, and we abhor/condemn it in full". Today it's "Well, not really my place to vocally object; I don't want to bring politics into the nomination process."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Twenty years ago, it's "This kind of thinking has no place in our party, and we abhor/condemn it in full". Today it's "Well, not really my place to vocally object; I don't want to bring politics into the nomination process."
posted by InTheYear2017 at 12:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
They’re going to just drip out all the crazy shit that was proposed and Trump probably agreed to.
The genius thing is that they can say anything, even if Trump didn't agree to it, even if it was never proposed. There's no record of the meeting. Who can dispute it?
posted by octobersurprise at 12:33 PM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
The genius thing is that they can say anything, even if Trump didn't agree to it, even if it was never proposed. There's no record of the meeting. Who can dispute it?
posted by octobersurprise at 12:33 PM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
NBC News producer-reporter Frank Thorp (@ frankthorp) updates from Capitol Hill: BREAKING: Senate unanimously PASSES (98-0) a resolution expressing opposition to allowing Russia to interview US diplomats and agents, a proposal offered by Putin on Monday and rejected just this afternoon by the White House.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [64 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [64 favorites]
Jeezus they actually did something. Or is it non-binding?
posted by maggiemaggie at 12:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by maggiemaggie at 12:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Every time I hear this story, i wonder if CIA or State bugged/placed a wire on our translator, or at least has already sat them down for a debrief/readout. The idea that "no one knows what was said! -shrug-" is insane to me. I'm really hoping that some adult in the room knows what is going on and we just haven't heard about it yet (please please please).
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 12:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Hermeowne Grangepurr at 12:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Resolution expressing opposition" = so non-binding it hurts. Also, they waited to pass it until after the White House got its weaksauce "denial" out there so it wouldn't look like they were coming down on the president rather than agreeing with him.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 12:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
Good grief, no. It comes from this couplet by the Elizabethan courtier Sir John Harington: "Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason?/For if it prosper, none dare call it Treason." (Devonian suggested it in the last thread, and I expect he wasn't thinking about that crackpot Stormer's book either.)
This. Back at the dawn of time when I was an English major, I wrote a paper on Harington. He was a tremendously prominent fellow in Elizabeth I's court, but one who was pretty hard to research in the 1980s. This couplet in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations was the only trace I could find that you might run across if you were not a grad student. Now he has all of two entries in Bartlett's, so 100% increase.
I vaguely recall that he had some rivalry with Will Shaxberd, and I suspect Harington would be much aggrieved that in only a single couplet of his extensive works survives in the popular imagination 400 years on, and everyone assumes it's one of Shakespeare's. Argh.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
This. Back at the dawn of time when I was an English major, I wrote a paper on Harington. He was a tremendously prominent fellow in Elizabeth I's court, but one who was pretty hard to research in the 1980s. This couplet in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations was the only trace I could find that you might run across if you were not a grad student. Now he has all of two entries in Bartlett's, so 100% increase.
I vaguely recall that he had some rivalry with Will Shaxberd, and I suspect Harington would be much aggrieved that in only a single couplet of his extensive works survives in the popular imagination 400 years on, and everyone assumes it's one of Shakespeare's. Argh.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
Trump lays into the Federal Reserve, says he's 'not thrilled' about interest rate hikes
“Now I’m just saying the same thing that I would have said as a private citizen,” he said. “So somebody would say, ‘Oh, maybe you shouldn’t say that as president. I couldn’t care less what they say, because my views haven’t changed.”
Of course, he's lying. During the campaign, Trump was saying just the opposite, that the Fed was using low interest rates to help Democrats and should raise them.
posted by JackFlash at 12:53 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
“Now I’m just saying the same thing that I would have said as a private citizen,” he said. “So somebody would say, ‘Oh, maybe you shouldn’t say that as president. I couldn’t care less what they say, because my views haven’t changed.”
Of course, he's lying. During the campaign, Trump was saying just the opposite, that the Fed was using low interest rates to help Democrats and should raise them.
posted by JackFlash at 12:53 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
White House: Trump ‘Disagrees’ With Putin’s Proposal To Question Americans
Sarah Suckupabee Sanders:
posted by kirkaracha at 12:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Sarah Suckupabee Sanders:
“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it,” Sanders said in a written statement. “Hopefully President Putin will have the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt.”"A proposal that was made in sincerity"? She sucks up to her boss's boss as well as her boss does.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Or is it non-binding?
It's barely resolving, much less binding. "It is the sense of the Congress . . ." that sending State Department people to be interrogated by Putin is bad, mmmkay?
Note they didn't say "Russia", just "a government headed by Vladimir Putin". ?
I mean - ? Baby steps? I guess.
posted by petebest at 1:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's barely resolving, much less binding. "It is the sense of the Congress . . ." that sending State Department people to be interrogated by Putin is bad, mmmkay?
Note they didn't say "Russia", just "a government headed by Vladimir Putin". ?
I mean - ? Baby steps? I guess.
posted by petebest at 1:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
This is the unanimous version of Jeff Flake having "concerns"
posted by MysticMCJ at 1:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by MysticMCJ at 1:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Sarah Sanders (@PressSec): In Helsinki, @POTUS agreed to ongoing working level dialogue between the two security council staffs. President Trump asked @Ambjohnbolton to invite President Putin to Washington in the fall and those discussions are already underway.
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK!?!
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [68 favorites]
WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK!?!
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [68 favorites]
If it were any other president (yes, even W) I would laud an attempt to normalize relations between the US and Russia, but WITAF!? is the correct response here.
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Hey, let's invite Putin to Washington.
What could possibly go wrong?
posted by katster at 1:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
What could possibly go wrong?
posted by katster at 1:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Before or after the election I wonder.
posted by dilaudid at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by dilaudid at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
petebest: Note they didn't say "Russia", just "a government headed by Vladimir Putin".
That's not really a euphemism, though. Referencing "adversarial nations" or something would be, since then Trump and co could wriggle out by saying Russia isn't adversarial, but that phrasing is quite explicit. Plus, the enemy here is Putin, not Russia per se.
It's definitely mediocre, but mediocre is better than worst-possible-scenario, namely for the GOP to drop the other shoe and its undying allegiance to the Kremlin. As it is, they're underscoring the TRE45ON by way of contrast. They remain amenable to some combination of voter opinion and "patriotism". Keep up the phone calls!
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
That's not really a euphemism, though. Referencing "adversarial nations" or something would be, since then Trump and co could wriggle out by saying Russia isn't adversarial, but that phrasing is quite explicit. Plus, the enemy here is Putin, not Russia per se.
It's definitely mediocre, but mediocre is better than worst-possible-scenario, namely for the GOP to drop the other shoe and its undying allegiance to the Kremlin. As it is, they're underscoring the TRE45ON by way of contrast. They remain amenable to some combination of voter opinion and "patriotism". Keep up the phone calls!
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:16 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
I mean, it's not like Putin being on our soil makes it any more or less likely that Russia will try to interfere in elections. He's not a supervillain, just a rich fascist with a global coterie of oligarchs interested in accreting power and money.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:18 PM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Existential Dread at 1:18 PM on July 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Could Mueller arrest him while he's here? I mean, its no crazier than anything else that's happened.
posted by Brainy at 1:22 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Brainy at 1:22 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
That would be way crazier than anything else that's happened. We're talking nuclear war levels of crazy. Arresting a foreign head of state? Not happening.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 1:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 1:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [26 favorites]
Lemme guess: They'll time the stupid ass military parade to happen when Putin visits. *eyeroll so hard I can see the ceiling of my skull*
posted by yoga at 1:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [33 favorites]
posted by yoga at 1:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [33 favorites]
@ChrisJansing: DNI Coats tells @mitchellreports he doesn't know what happened in POTUS-Putin meeting. "If he had asked me how that ought to be conducted, I would have suggested a different way, but that's not my role. "
@shaneharris: Coats says he didn’t know [in advance] that Kislyak and Lavrov met with Trump in the Oval Office—the meeting where Trump exposed an Israeli intelligence source. “Probably not the best thing to do,” Coats says of the meeting.
@KenDilanianNBC: Coats wishes Trump didn’t meet with Putin alone, wishes Trump didn’t mischaracterize what happened in 2016, wishes Trump didn’t host the Russian ambassador in the Oval Office. But, “It is what it is,” he said, channeling Trump’s entire cabinet.
@attackerman: Asked if he's considered resignation, Coats pauses for a bit & says: "That's a place I don't want to go to, publicly. ... Are there days when you go ugh, what am I doing? Yeah.... As long as I have the ability to see the truth & speak the truth, I'm on board."
@NatashaBertrand: Coats reiterates: "We are under attack," says Russians are by far the most aggressive
@juliaioffe: .@mitchellreports: "We have some breaking news out of the White House, announcing that Vladimir Putin will be coming to the WH in the fall."
DNI Coats: "Say that again?...Oooookay. That's gonna be special.
Oh my god this photo of him finding out.
posted by zachlipton at 1:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [75 favorites]
@shaneharris: Coats says he didn’t know [in advance] that Kislyak and Lavrov met with Trump in the Oval Office—the meeting where Trump exposed an Israeli intelligence source. “Probably not the best thing to do,” Coats says of the meeting.
@KenDilanianNBC: Coats wishes Trump didn’t meet with Putin alone, wishes Trump didn’t mischaracterize what happened in 2016, wishes Trump didn’t host the Russian ambassador in the Oval Office. But, “It is what it is,” he said, channeling Trump’s entire cabinet.
@attackerman: Asked if he's considered resignation, Coats pauses for a bit & says: "That's a place I don't want to go to, publicly. ... Are there days when you go ugh, what am I doing? Yeah.... As long as I have the ability to see the truth & speak the truth, I'm on board."
@NatashaBertrand: Coats reiterates: "We are under attack," says Russians are by far the most aggressive
@juliaioffe: .@mitchellreports: "We have some breaking news out of the White House, announcing that Vladimir Putin will be coming to the WH in the fall."
DNI Coats: "Say that again?...Oooookay. That's gonna be special.
Oh my god this photo of him finding out.
posted by zachlipton at 1:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [75 favorites]
Democratic Senators Slam Trump's Pick To Run Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (NPR, July 19, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 1:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [79 favorites]
Democrats on the powerful Senate Banking Committee said Kathy Kraninger is not qualified to be the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency the White House has nominated her to run.I tried to limit my pull-quoting here, but DAMN. Emphasis mine because MORE OF THIS!
Republicans at her nomination hearing Thursday said her management experience at the White House Office of Management and Budget qualifies her for the job.
"I have the utmost confidence that she is well prepared to lead the bureau in enforcing federal consumer financial laws and protecting consumers in the financial marketplace," said Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.
But Democrats say she has no financial industry regulation experience. And they say she's been involved in some of the worst debacles of the Trump administration, including the response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the White House's zero-tolerance policy which resulted in the detention and separation of immigrant children and parents at the border.
"These are innocent children who may be scarred forever by this policy,"
said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. "It is fundamentally immoral and you, you were part of it Ms. Kraninger. It is a moral stain that will follow you for the rest of your life. And if the senate votes to give a big promotion to you after this, it is a stain on the senators who do so."
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said he has obtained emails showing that Kraninger was an architect of the administration's "botched" response to hurricane damage in Puerto Rico.
"Three and a half million American citizens who just happen to call Puerto Rico their home, but they are American citizens like you and I are, faced their darkest hour," he said. "And instead of turning to help them you pinched pennies. And worst of all, I think you treated them as second-class citizens.
"That does not give me the faith that when you have to stand up for seniors, service members, students, homeowners against some of the biggest financial institutions in this country that you'll do that. If you couldn't do it for the people of Puerto Rico, I don't know how you're going to do it for anybody else."
In response to questions about her role in hurricane response or the zero-tolerance immigration policy, Kraninger parried, saying, "I don't think it's appropriate for me to get into the details of my advice" to the various agencies involved.
"You're dodging," Warren said about that repeated answer.
In a heated exchange, Warren tried to pin down Kraninger, asking her whether she was involved in any way with "developing or implementing the policies that led this administration to take thousands of children away from their parents at the border."
Kraninger replied, "Senator, I had no role in setting the policy."
"It was developing or implementing," Warren interrupted, repeating the words of her question. As Kraninger declined to discuss her role, Warren pressed her in dramatic terms.
"I will remind you, you are under oath and lying to Congress is a crime," Warren said.
Kraninger said it was a "slippery slope" to answer such questions.
Warren shot back: "No, it's not a slippery slope. You don't want to characterize because you don't want to admit that you had something to do with this. This was a policy that was designed to traumatize children and families as a way of scaring them away from the border even if they were seeking asylum even if they were fleeing death threats, gang violence, domestic abuse."
Sen. Brown, D-Ohio, questioned Kraninger's view of free markets as a cure-all. He said he met with her and raised questions about such problems as payday lenders charging 600 percent interest rates. "Your answer to all of these seemed to be that the market will take care of this," Brown told Kraninger.Start with your boss.
But Kraninger said she will protect Americans from predatory financial practices if confirmed. "Under my stewardship, the bureau will take aggressive action against bad actors who break the rules by engaging in fraud and other illegal activity," she said.
Earlier this week, Warren released a staff report that makes a case for why Kraninger isn't qualified to run a financial regulatory agency and which is also highly critical of her "disastrous" work at OMB. "A close look at her record shows consistent mismanagement, often with devastating results for poor and vulnerable people," the report says.#ForThePeople sounds pretty good about now.
...
Until Kraninger is approved by the Senate, Mulvaney will continue as acting director of the CFPB. Mulvaney says he is changing the bureau's mission to make it a much less aggressive regulator. He dropped a predatory lending lawsuit against an online lender charging 900-percent interest rates. And he's reconsidering an Obama-era rule that would force payday lenders to make sure their customers can afford their loans.
These and other moves have sparked sharp criticism from consumer advocates who fear they'll see more of the same from Mulvaney's deputy at OMB. Kraninger is expected to be confirmed, though the timing of that remains uncertain.
posted by filthy light thief at 1:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [79 favorites]
Mister Putin goes to Washington.
posted by Pendragon at 1:40 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by Pendragon at 1:40 PM on July 19, 2018 [11 favorites]
Lemme guess: They'll time the stupid ass military parade to happen when Putin visits.
Trump's parade is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11, not even a week after the mid-term elections. Do not underestimate the chances Putin will come over for a congratulatory visit—or that he'll make sure he'll be able to congratulate Trump on them.
@juliaioffe: .@mitchellreports: "We have some breaking news out of the White House, announcing that Vladimir Putin will be coming to the WH in the fall."
DNI Coats: "Say that again?...Oooookay. That's gonna be special.
Washington Post's Shane Harris (@shaneharris): Per WH statement, the invitation to Putin came from John Bolton. He would be the one to inform other agencies about this. He obviously didn’t tell the Director of National Intelligence.
Bolton, a nasty bureaucratic infighter, made sure to snub Coats in order to embarrass him in public like this, probably as payback for Coats speaking out earlier about Russian information warfare* during the election.
* Brian Klass, writing in the Washington Post, "Stop calling it ‘meddling.’ It’s actually information warfare."—"These continuing attacks are neither meddling nor ‘interference,’ another euphemism. They’re a part of gibridnaya voyna — Russian for ‘hybrid warfare.’ The best term for what we’re talking about would be ‘information warfare.’"
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:47 PM on July 19, 2018 [38 favorites]
Trump's parade is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11, not even a week after the mid-term elections. Do not underestimate the chances Putin will come over for a congratulatory visit—or that he'll make sure he'll be able to congratulate Trump on them.
@juliaioffe: .@mitchellreports: "We have some breaking news out of the White House, announcing that Vladimir Putin will be coming to the WH in the fall."
DNI Coats: "Say that again?...Oooookay. That's gonna be special.
Washington Post's Shane Harris (@shaneharris): Per WH statement, the invitation to Putin came from John Bolton. He would be the one to inform other agencies about this. He obviously didn’t tell the Director of National Intelligence.
Bolton, a nasty bureaucratic infighter, made sure to snub Coats in order to embarrass him in public like this, probably as payback for Coats speaking out earlier about Russian information warfare* during the election.
* Brian Klass, writing in the Washington Post, "Stop calling it ‘meddling.’ It’s actually information warfare."—"These continuing attacks are neither meddling nor ‘interference,’ another euphemism. They’re a part of gibridnaya voyna — Russian for ‘hybrid warfare.’ The best term for what we’re talking about would be ‘information warfare.’"
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:47 PM on July 19, 2018 [38 favorites]
Mick "Pay Me and I'll Consider Your Request" Mulvaney? Well I see he hasn't died of shame yet. What a public servant, eh? Pruittastic!
posted by petebest at 1:47 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by petebest at 1:47 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
This video of Coats finding out that Putin got invited to the White House is...I don't even.
posted by zachlipton at 1:57 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 1:57 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Speaking of midterm meddling, here's a....thing:
Politico Magazine: Why Russia Will Help the Democrats Next
The idea is that Russia or some other rival state (e.g. China) will try to help Democrats take at least one house of Congress to create gridlock in the government and block any potential for Trump to take decisive foreign policy moves. I can't figure out if this is trying to scare Republicans into doing something on election security, or preemptively dismissing Democratic victories as illegitimate. Maybe both?
(Politico Magazine often posts articles by interest-group mouthpieces that are clearly just parroting the company line of whoever pays them, but this is by an actual journalist, Garrett Graff, who used to run the magazine and seems to just be making a living as an independent writer now.)
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:02 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Politico Magazine: Why Russia Will Help the Democrats Next
The idea is that Russia or some other rival state (e.g. China) will try to help Democrats take at least one house of Congress to create gridlock in the government and block any potential for Trump to take decisive foreign policy moves. I can't figure out if this is trying to scare Republicans into doing something on election security, or preemptively dismissing Democratic victories as illegitimate. Maybe both?
(Politico Magazine often posts articles by interest-group mouthpieces that are clearly just parroting the company line of whoever pays them, but this is by an actual journalist, Garrett Graff, who used to run the magazine and seems to just be making a living as an independent writer now.)
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:02 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Could Mueller arrest him while he's here? I mean, its no crazier than anything else that's happened.
He'd obviously have diplomatic immunity. And the Murtaugh option is probably suboptimal in this case.
posted by Justinian at 2:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
He'd obviously have diplomatic immunity. And the Murtaugh option is probably suboptimal in this case.
posted by Justinian at 2:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
Mick "Pay Me and I'll Consider Your Request" Mulvaney? Well I see he hasn't died of shame yet. What a public servant, eh? Pruittastic!
He'll still serve the public in his current "authority" longer because Trump nominated someone (L.A. Times, June 16, 2018)
Other critics, spot on.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
He'll still serve the public in his current "authority" longer because Trump nominated someone (L.A. Times, June 16, 2018)
Under a time limit in the law by which he was appointed in November, Mulvaney would have been required to leave the consumer bureau job on June 22 if the White House hadn’t nominated someone to be the permanent director.And because Mulvaney has been so awful in his current position, in addition to Kraninger's lack of experience, the whole process could be even more drawn out. (DS News, "a leading source for monthly news in the greater servicing industry")
Kraninger’s nomination triggers a provision in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act that allows Mulvaney to serve until the Senate confirms or rejects the pick. That process could take months.
Consumer advocates have feared that Trump would select a straw-man nominee simply to extend Mulvaney’s time as the acting director.
In her current role, Kraninger works for Mulvaney, who in addition to being CFPB acting director also is the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
It is widely expected that Kraninger will face a tough confirmation vote in the Senate, as Mulvaney has introduced a slew of changes to the Bureau that have been opposed by consumer advocates and Democrats. Nor does it sound like Kraninger—who has worked with Mulvaney at the OMB—will veer sharply away from the path that Mulvaney has forged in recent months.Really, Sherrod Brown, that was what you chose to say to goad the GOP? Or were you trying to speak their language of machismo and alphas vs betas?
The White House’s initial statement suggested Kraninger would bring "fresh perspective and much-needed management experience" to the BCFP, "which has been plagued by excessive spending, dysfunctional operations, and politicized agendas.” The White House statement continued: “As a staunch supporter of free enterprise, she will continue the reforms of the Bureau initiated by Acting Director Mick Mulvaney, and ensure that consumers and markets are not harmed by fraudulent actors."
...
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, also stated his opposition to Kraninger’s nomination. He told the Boston Globe, “Nothing I’ve seen makes me think that she should have this job, except she’s such an ally, she’s worked for Mulvaney and that tells me a lot. She will have a challenge because it’s clear that rank-and-file Republicans want to emasculate this agency."
Lauren Saunders, Associate Director of the National Consumer Law Center, said Kraninger “does not appear to have any consumer protection experience that qualifies her to lead an important agency that oversees the largest banks and protects the public from risky mortgages, tricks and traps, and other abuses by Wall Street giants.”
Karl Frisch, Executive Director of consumer watchdog group Allied Progress echoed those concerns, saying, “Kathy Kraninger has zero relevant experience that qualifies her to be America's chief consumer advocate.”
Other critics, spot on.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
@emmaplatoff [handwritten court filing, with more in the thread]: 17 y/o girl, separated from her mom, on a 2 y/o girl being held in the same "cage": "When I came back the little girl was crying and needed a new diaper. No one was helping her. The guards treat her like any other older kid. They call her name and expect her to get in line."
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on July 19, 2018 [48 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 2:15 PM on July 19, 2018 [48 favorites]
... preemptively dismissing Democratic victories as illegitimate.
I mean, that's my assumption at this point frankly. Now they should release some scandalous hacked Republican emails, and/or expose some assistance to various Democrats in 2016, and then it's "everyone is corrupt," "both sides do it," "why even show up to vote," and bye bye blue wave. The DNC should prepare a response to this possibility right now.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 2:17 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
I mean, that's my assumption at this point frankly. Now they should release some scandalous hacked Republican emails, and/or expose some assistance to various Democrats in 2016, and then it's "everyone is corrupt," "both sides do it," "why even show up to vote," and bye bye blue wave. The DNC should prepare a response to this possibility right now.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 2:17 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
> This video of Coats finding out that Putin got invited to the White House is...I don't even.
Seconding watching this, the body language is truly something else to behold. From the point that "Twitter" is mentioned, you can watch our Director of National Intelligence have a very brief moment of visible dread, followed by him becoming incredibly visibly nervous, complete with holding on to the chair for dear life while fidgeting non-stop. I swear you can see his veneer of nervous laughter break through to what looks like inner screaming a few times.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:25 PM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
Seconding watching this, the body language is truly something else to behold. From the point that "Twitter" is mentioned, you can watch our Director of National Intelligence have a very brief moment of visible dread, followed by him becoming incredibly visibly nervous, complete with holding on to the chair for dear life while fidgeting non-stop. I swear you can see his veneer of nervous laughter break through to what looks like inner screaming a few times.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:25 PM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
filthy light thief: In a Wednesday interview with Recode's Kara Swisher, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook draws a distinction between information that is objectively false and words that are meant to incite physical violence or "attack individuals" verbally.
And it seems I should have read that Recode interview, because Zuck says much worse things: Why Facebook Wants to Give You the Benefit of the Doubt -- Mark Zuckerberg’s remarks about Holocaust denial once again showed Facebook’s optimism about human nature. (Alexis C. Madrigal for The Atlantic, July 19, 2018)
Zuck's clarifications are pretty weasely (sorry weasels):
Here's the rub, Zuck -- advocating for violence isn't necessary, because people make (il)logical connections - some population of Others is bad, and they did a bad thing, and they're making life for Us worse because of their actions. So how do you stop those actions? Violence is one possible response, but you don't have to say "let's attack the Others," you just make them so bad, or make them less than human, that attacking them could be justified to oneself, possibly for the good of Us.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
And it seems I should have read that Recode interview, because Zuck says much worse things: Why Facebook Wants to Give You the Benefit of the Doubt -- Mark Zuckerberg’s remarks about Holocaust denial once again showed Facebook’s optimism about human nature. (Alexis C. Madrigal for The Atlantic, July 19, 2018)
In an unusually revealing moment for Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg told Recode’s Kara Swisher on Wednesday that he didn’t support taking down content about Holocaust denial on Facebook. Zuckerberg is Jewish, and he finds such denials “deeply offensive,” he said. But Holocaust deniers were not “intentionally getting it wrong.”Zuckerberg: The Recode interview -- Everything was on the table — and after Facebook’s wildest year yet, that’s a really big table. (Kara Swisher for Recode, July 18, 2018)
When Swisher followed up that “in the case of Holocaust deniers, they might be,” Zuckerberg retreated to a stance he’s never quite made explicit before. “It’s hard to impugn intent and to understand the intent,” he said.
In this 90-minute interview we talked about a range of things, from news to data to privacy to China to his political ambitions. As you will hear, Zuckerberg can cling closely to talking points, but he also did reveal more than he has about this annus horribilis for him and, well, the rest of us.1 hour 22 minute recording with condensed, lightly edited version of the conversation, and full transcript for your reading (dis)pleasure.
While many are justifiably angry at him and at Facebook, I decided to not strafe the billionaire entrepreneur. I tried instead to engage him in a conversation about how he has mishandled his growing power and responsibility and what he planned to do about it.
I think the interview gives a picture of an earnest and canny tech leader who is also grappling with the darker side of his creation. At one point, I asked him who was to blame and who should pay the price for the Cambridge Analytica controversy and he rightly named himself, as the person who invented Facebook. “Do you want me to fire myself on this podcast?” Zuckerberg joked. Spoiler alert: He did not.
Okay. “Sandy Hook didn’t happen” is not a debate. It is false. You can’t just take that down?Italics are my emphasis. This is where Alexis C. Madrigal sees Zuckerberg being an optimist. I see him trying to capitalize on chaos and discord -- because those things draw attention to Facebook, and makes him money.
I agree that it is false.
I also think that going to someone who is a victim of Sandy Hook and telling them, “Hey, no, you’re a liar” — that is harassment, and we actually will take that down. But overall, let’s take this whole closer to home...
I’m Jewish, and there’s a set of people who deny that the Holocaust happened.
I find that deeply offensive. But at the end of the day, I don’t believe that our platform should take that down because I think there are things that different people get wrong. I don’t think that they’re intentionally getting it wrong, but I think-
In the case of the Holocaust deniers, they might be, but go ahead.
It’s hard to impugn intent and to understand the intent. I just think, as abhorrent as some of those examples are, I think the reality is also that I get things wrong when I speak publicly. I’m sure you do. I’m sure a lot of leaders and public figures we respect do too, and I just don’t think that it is the right thing to say, “We’re going to take someone off the platform if they get things wrong, even multiple times.” (Update: Mark has clarified these remarks here: “I personally find Holocaust denial deeply offensive, and I absolutely didn’t intend to defend the intent of people who deny that.”)
What we will do is we’ll say, “Okay, you have your page, and if you’re not trying to organize harm against someone, or attacking someone, then you can put up that content on your page, even if people might disagree with it or find it offensive.” But that doesn’t mean that we have a responsibility to make it widely distributed in News Feed. I think we, actually, to the contrary-
So you move them down? Versus, in Myanmar, where you remove it?
Yes.
Zuck's clarifications are pretty weasely (sorry weasels):
I enjoyed our conversation yesterday, but there’s one thing I want to clear up. I personally find Holocaust denial deeply offensive, and I absolutely didn’t intend to defend the intent of people who deny that.Emphasis mine because it's nonsense.
Our goal with fake news is not to prevent anyone from saying something untrue — but to stop fake news and misinformation spreading across our services. If something is spreading and is rated false by fact checkers, it would lose the vast majority of its distribution in News Feed. And of course if a post crossed line into advocating for violence or hate against a particular group, it would be removed. These issues are very challenging but I believe that often the best way to fight offensive bad speech is with good speech.
I look forward to catching up again soon.
Mark
Here's the rub, Zuck -- advocating for violence isn't necessary, because people make (il)logical connections - some population of Others is bad, and they did a bad thing, and they're making life for Us worse because of their actions. So how do you stop those actions? Violence is one possible response, but you don't have to say "let's attack the Others," you just make them so bad, or make them less than human, that attacking them could be justified to oneself, possibly for the good of Us.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Sarah Kendzior (@ sarahkendzior) has been on a Cassandra-like tear on Twitter since the summit, but the Putin invitation draws special denunciation from her:
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:32 PM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
People will call this "trolling" but it's much more serious than that. This is a hostile dictatorship and its treasonous American partners flaunting the annihilation of US sovereignty* @RealDonaldTrump, this afternoon, "Will the Dems and Fake News ever learn? This is classic!"—along with a propaganda video clip of Sec. Clinton promoting the so-called "Russian reset" from Russian state TV Channel One.
This is the guiding logic of the Trump admin: As I've been saying, they enjoy the flagrancy. Autocrat logic: "We know that you know what we did, and there's nothing you can do about it."
And this: Trump doesn't want to get caught and be punished, but he delights in being caught and going unpunished
They *want* you to know what's happening, from little tells like Trump dropping Russian state TV into his tweets* to massive displays of treasonous allegiance like in Helsinki.
They want you to know so long as there are no serious consequences.
Because there have been no consequences and they want to flaunt their triumph.
Also "bad optics" for Trump: giving state secrets to Lavrov in the Oval. Confessing to obstruction of justice to Lester Holt. Asking Russia at a presser to get HRC's emails.
Yet no consequences.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:32 PM on July 19, 2018 [39 favorites]
"Yet no consequences" should be the Trump family motto.
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [34 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 2:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [34 favorites]
Jonathan Swan, one of Trump's preferred recipients of his anonymous leaking, writes in Axios, "Sources close to Trump tell Axios that they're already speculating about whether Trump ends up firing Coats. Per a source with knowledge, Trump has never had much affection for Coats."
This is in response to Coats's "STUNNING interview" with Andrea Mitchell, which "is already catching heat and attention among Trump loyalists. I've already had two phone calls from sources close to Trump expressing their astonishment. The fact that Trump’s own intelligence director is saying these things is extraordinary. A moment of true and startling independence. Reveals how concerned Coats is about what happened with Putin."
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:51 PM on July 19, 2018 [24 favorites]
This is in response to Coats's "STUNNING interview" with Andrea Mitchell, which "is already catching heat and attention among Trump loyalists. I've already had two phone calls from sources close to Trump expressing their astonishment. The fact that Trump’s own intelligence director is saying these things is extraordinary. A moment of true and startling independence. Reveals how concerned Coats is about what happened with Putin."
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:51 PM on July 19, 2018 [24 favorites]
Real Clear Health, New Medicaid Work Requirements Already Jeopardizing Thousands. This article makes a compelling connection: the FCC wants to dismantle the Lifeline program, which helps low-income families get internet access, and Medicaid eligibility is also linked to Lifeline eligibility. Since Arkansas now requires Medicaid recipients to go online to report their work status, losing your internet could mean losing your Medicaid, and vice versa.
And to what end: Study finds Medicaid expansion boosts employment. It turns out that the Medicaid expansion doesn't encourage idleness, as Republicans claim; it helps people with disabilities be employed. What a concept, having health care means you're more likely to be able to work, and you're more likely to work if earning some money doesn't mean you lose your health care. Here's the paper: Hall, J. P., Shartzer, A., Kurth, N. K., & Thomas, K. C. (2018). Medicaid Expansion as an Employment Incentive Program for People With Disabilities. American Journal of Public Health, e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2018.304536
USA Today editorial, Trump determined to kill Obamacare in darkness. Nothing new here, but notable to have this from USA Today, and it's prefect for forwarding to your skeptical relatives.
Politico, CMS plots path forward for Kentucky work requirements after court setback
posted by zachlipton at 2:55 PM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
And to what end: Study finds Medicaid expansion boosts employment. It turns out that the Medicaid expansion doesn't encourage idleness, as Republicans claim; it helps people with disabilities be employed. What a concept, having health care means you're more likely to be able to work, and you're more likely to work if earning some money doesn't mean you lose your health care. Here's the paper: Hall, J. P., Shartzer, A., Kurth, N. K., & Thomas, K. C. (2018). Medicaid Expansion as an Employment Incentive Program for People With Disabilities. American Journal of Public Health, e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2018.304536
USA Today editorial, Trump determined to kill Obamacare in darkness. Nothing new here, but notable to have this from USA Today, and it's prefect for forwarding to your skeptical relatives.
Politico, CMS plots path forward for Kentucky work requirements after court setback
The Trump administration is redoubling efforts to allow Kentucky to impose controversial Medicaid work requirements after a federal court halted its attempt to overhaul the safety-net program three weeks ago.If you'd like to help stop this, you can submit comments to CMS opposing work requirements in both Kentucky and Mississippi. This actually works: part of the reason the Kentucky requirements were blocked was that the judge found CMS didn't adequately address the comments they received. Note that your comments are part of the public record; you could use initials if you wish.
CMS plans to announce that it will open a new 30-day federal comment period on the Kentucky plan — allowing the administration to potentially show it's addressing the court's concerns, according to two individuals with knowledge. While the state’s bid already went through a similar process last year and was approved in January, Trump administration lawyers are said to be confident that the strategy will allow them to surmount a federal judge’s misgivings, although advocates and external observers have doubts.
Federal health officials have approved Medicaid work requirements in three other states. Arkansas' program is already in effect, and officials remain confident that Indiana and New Hampshire's will move forward.
posted by zachlipton at 2:55 PM on July 19, 2018 [29 favorites]
Good news everyone!
Three Top FBI Cybersecurity Officials to Retire
Scott Smith, the assistant FBI director who runs the Bureau’s cyber division, is leaving this month. His deputy, Howard Marshall, also left in recent weeks. Mr. Marshall has accepted a job at Accenture , a consulting firm that is expanding its cybersecurity portfolio. Mr. Smith is also expected to move to the private sector.
David Resch, executive assistant director of the FBI’s criminal, cyber, response and services branch, is departing the bureau as well. Mr. Resch, who was named to his senior post by FBI Director Christopher Wray in April, supervised Mr. Smith and Mr. Marshall.
posted by PenDevil at 2:59 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Three Top FBI Cybersecurity Officials to Retire
Scott Smith, the assistant FBI director who runs the Bureau’s cyber division, is leaving this month. His deputy, Howard Marshall, also left in recent weeks. Mr. Marshall has accepted a job at Accenture , a consulting firm that is expanding its cybersecurity portfolio. Mr. Smith is also expected to move to the private sector.
David Resch, executive assistant director of the FBI’s criminal, cyber, response and services branch, is departing the bureau as well. Mr. Resch, who was named to his senior post by FBI Director Christopher Wray in April, supervised Mr. Smith and Mr. Marshall.
posted by PenDevil at 2:59 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
@pattymo:
PUTIN: Mr. President, on behalf of my country, please accept this Smartest Deal President trophy, for Oval Office desk. The gold looks goldest when you flip switch in the base
TRUMP: Beautiful
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:05 PM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
PUTIN: Mr. President, on behalf of my country, please accept this Smartest Deal President trophy, for Oval Office desk. The gold looks goldest when you flip switch in the base
TRUMP: Beautiful
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:05 PM on July 19, 2018 [15 favorites]
Three Top FBI Cybersecurity Officials to Retire
Spiffing. That makes four including Jeffrey Tricoli from last week (WSJ—FBI Official Overseeing Election-Meddling Task Force Has Left—Departure of Jeffrey Tricoli for private-sector job comes just months before Nov. 6 midterm elections).
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:06 PM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
Spiffing. That makes four including Jeffrey Tricoli from last week (WSJ—FBI Official Overseeing Election-Meddling Task Force Has Left—Departure of Jeffrey Tricoli for private-sector job comes just months before Nov. 6 midterm elections).
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:06 PM on July 19, 2018 [9 favorites]
@RealDonaldTrump, this afternoon, "Will the Dems and Fake News ever learn? This is classic!"—along with a propaganda video clip of Sec. Clinton promoting the so-called "Russian reset" from Russian state TV Channel One.
Since this video was recorded, Russia has:
- Illegally annexed Crimea
- Killed hundreds of civilians on MH17
- Interfered with Brexit, the 2016 election, and other elections around the globe
- Deployed a nerve agent in the UK
posted by chris24 at 3:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [53 favorites]
Since this video was recorded, Russia has:
- Illegally annexed Crimea
- Killed hundreds of civilians on MH17
- Interfered with Brexit, the 2016 election, and other elections around the globe
- Deployed a nerve agent in the UK
posted by chris24 at 3:12 PM on July 19, 2018 [53 favorites]
Uhhhh. The official Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs account has set their twitter profile pic to a picture of Maria Butina with #FreeMariaButina screened across it.
I'm really not comfortable with the extent to which international relations between nuclear powers consists of trolling.
posted by zachlipton at 3:17 PM on July 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
I'm really not comfortable with the extent to which international relations between nuclear powers consists of trolling.
posted by zachlipton at 3:17 PM on July 19, 2018 [47 favorites]
I'm really not comfortable with the extent to which international relations between nuclear powers consists of trolling.
Especially since i'm not sure which side would be more eager to nuke American cities--with all their minorities and liberals.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:21 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Especially since i'm not sure which side would be more eager to nuke American cities--with all their minorities and liberals.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:21 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Speaking of which, I'm not entirely confident this is real, but former Bond girl and Playboy model Robbin Young posted copies of her purported 2016 DMs with Guiccifer 2.0 in which the Russian front encourages Seth Rich conspiracy theories.
@ericgeller: If these screenshots are real, a former Playboy model broke the news that the Russian DNC hackers encouraged the Seth Rich conspiracy theory, which is the most 2018 thing ever
She claims to have sent topless pics too.
I think it's actually a serious story though. If this holds up, this means going back to everyone who spread Rich conspiracy theories and asking why they were helping Russian intelligence.
posted by zachlipton at 3:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
@ericgeller: If these screenshots are real, a former Playboy model broke the news that the Russian DNC hackers encouraged the Seth Rich conspiracy theory, which is the most 2018 thing ever
She claims to have sent topless pics too.
I think it's actually a serious story though. If this holds up, this means going back to everyone who spread Rich conspiracy theories and asking why they were helping Russian intelligence.
posted by zachlipton at 3:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
I'm really not comfortable with the extent to which international relations between nuclear powers consists of trolling.
Trolling is propaganda. They know exactly who they are targeting- 4chan.
posted by dilaudid at 3:25 PM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
Trolling is propaganda. They know exactly who they are targeting- 4chan.
posted by dilaudid at 3:25 PM on July 19, 2018 [6 favorites]
WaPo, Justice Department plans to alert public to foreign operations targeting U.S. democracy. That...why is this some kind of revolutionary new policy?
----
Politico, Ryan says conservatives must 'fight back' against the alt-right
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [18 favorites]
----
Politico, Ryan says conservatives must 'fight back' against the alt-right
Conservatives should "fight back" against the alt-right and white nationalists, and do a better job reclaiming classic terms to stamp out identity politics, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on Thursday.I happened to be listening to Chance the Rapper's new track as I read this, so my reaction is right there: Fu-u-u-u-u-uck, fuck fuck you
“We have to go back and fight for our ground and re-win these ideas and marginalize these guys the best we can to the corners,” Ryan said. “Do everything you can to defeat it.”
Ryan made the comments in conversation with National Review senior editor Jonah Goldberg. The two conservatives spoke at an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute. Ryan had harsh words for the alt-right, an umbrella term for extreme right-wing individuals who reject mainstream conservatism and often embrace racism and white supremacy.
“That is not conservatism. That is racism. That is nationalism. That is not what we believe in. That is not the founding vision, that is not the founders’ creed,” Ryan said.
posted by zachlipton at 3:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [18 favorites]
WaPo, Justice Department plans to alert public to foreign operations targeting U.S. democracy. That...why is this some kind of revolutionary new policy?
Meanwhile, back at the Aspen Security Forum, ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) covers Rosenstein's announcement: NEW: The Justice Department is releasing the first report of its cyber digital task force, which was established in February, says Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. (with video)
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:50 PM on July 19, 2018
Meanwhile, back at the Aspen Security Forum, ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) covers Rosenstein's announcement: NEW: The Justice Department is releasing the first report of its cyber digital task force, which was established in February, says Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein. (with video)
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:50 PM on July 19, 2018
“That is not conservatism. That is racism. That is nationalism. That is not what we believe in. That is not the founding vision, that is not the founders’ creed,”
That is your president.
posted by chris24 at 3:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
That is your president.
posted by chris24 at 3:50 PM on July 19, 2018 [30 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, the Manafort evidence thing was covered upthread already.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
“That is not conservatism. That is racism. That is nationalism. That is not what we believe in. That is not the founding vision, that is not the founders’ creed,” Ryan said.See this is the thing. Conservatives are mainly concerned with the maintenance of the status quo because it works for them. The alt-right also want to see that status quo that works for them. In fact, they want to go back to when the status quo worked better for both them and conservatives. Their interests are aligned because of a naked desire to be the unquestioned top of some default social strata.
Progressivism and liberalism (like proper liberalism not centrists saying "I'M LIBERAL! I LIKE THE GAYS!") is abhorrent because, whether they consciously realize this or not, they don't know whether they'll be top of the heap or have the boot on their neck this time.
I'm sorry but your fundamental philosophy of faux meritocracy cloaked in individualism and a pathological fear of people actually working together? You and the alt-right are literally aliases of each other.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:04 PM on July 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
You know, like how there's not a fucking reason why Morning in America only has two black people in it.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:08 PM on July 19, 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:08 PM on July 19, 2018
The Trump Voters Thanking Russia for Its Help
Skimming #MAGA Twitter, it’s easy to see the outlines of the pro-Russian-meddling argument emerging: America interferes in other countries’ elections, so it can’t be that bad; exposing Democrats’ hacked emails was a victory for transparency; keeping Clinton out of office was so urgent and important that it warranted some foreign intervention.posted by T.D. Strange at 4:09 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
...
But as evidence of communication with Russia mounted in the months that followed, Trump’s allies were forced to pivot repeatedly. They argued that the president hadn’t broken any laws; that any candidate in his position would have done the same thing; that Clinton would have lost regardless of Russia’s interference, so the whole point is moot.
Given this pattern of deflection and rationalization, is it really so implausible that a significant segment of Trump-backers might complete the journey from denying Russian meddling to celebrating it? Already, GOP voters’ attitudes toward Russia have warmed considerably in the years since then-Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney identified the country as America’s top geopolitical foe. According to Gallup, the percentage of Republicans who view Russia as “friendly” or an “ally” has doubled since 2014—from 22 percent to 40 percent.
The Double Down From Hell:
Trump Invites Putin to D.C. for Second Meeting
Ed Kilgore | NYMag
“Of all the advice the White House has heard about how the president can help his party going into a tough, crucial midterm election, I am reasonably sure no one came up with this idea.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:11 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Trump Invites Putin to D.C. for Second Meeting
Ed Kilgore | NYMag
“Of all the advice the White House has heard about how the president can help his party going into a tough, crucial midterm election, I am reasonably sure no one came up with this idea.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:11 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
While Trump was in the room receiving that briefing with the highly sensitive evidence linking Putin to the hacking, his Twitter account was whining about leaks to NBC.
@JasonLeopold: Funny email from ODNI I obtained via #FOIA. On Jan 6, 2017, while Trump rec'd briefing on dossier/Russia interference from IC, his acct tweeted abt leaks to NBC and called on Congress to investigate Someone at ODNI replied: "He is literally in the secure room with his team"
posted by zachlipton at 4:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
@JasonLeopold: Funny email from ODNI I obtained via #FOIA. On Jan 6, 2017, while Trump rec'd briefing on dossier/Russia interference from IC, his acct tweeted abt leaks to NBC and called on Congress to investigate Someone at ODNI replied: "He is literally in the secure room with his team"
posted by zachlipton at 4:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [35 favorites]
Russia-friendly Rep. Rohrabacher doubts hacking indictment, plans to consult outside ‘experts’
David Weigel | WaPo
David Weigel | WaPo
On July 3, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) talked with a local news station in his district about a topic on which he has often strayed from the pack: the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee. Rohrabacher, who has urged friendlier relations with Russia, said that there were plenty of questions about the hack, and that it might have been an “inside job,” followed by a years-long coverup.posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:18 PM on July 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
“I went to Julian Assange of course to talk to him personally, the guy who of course disclosed all of these emails, and he adamantly said the Russians weren’t in it,” he told Fox LA reporter Elex Michaelson. “And, by the way, if we could in some way guarantee that he can get out of the Ecuadorian Embassy, he said he told me he has absolute proof, just actual, not just words, but he’s got proof that the Russians did not hack.”
Ten days later, the Justice Department indicted 12 Russian military intelligence officers, fingering them for the email hacks that roiled and wounded Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. For many people, the indictment put to rest several alternative theories of how the DNC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta were hacked.
In a short interview, Rohrabacher said that he wanted to know more.
“The explanation of the indictment is so complicated and technical that it is hard for anyone to judge whether it’s accurate,” he said. “There are experts that will be able to judge whether it’s accurate. I know that there are a number of intelligence agents, people experienced with this area of technically, the VIPS. They’re experts in cyber warfare. I plan to talk to them to see if the information provided in the indictments is something that they are willing to accept as possible as compared to what they said in the past.”
Trump Didn’t Know The Apprentice Was About Apprenticeships Until Today
Speaking to a crowd at a White House event called Pledge to America’s Workers, Trump came across a line in the prepared text that included the word apprenticeships. Then he went off script: “That’s an interesting word for me to be saying, right? The Apprentice. I never actually put that together until just now,” he said.posted by kirkaracha at 4:30 PM on July 19, 2018 [101 favorites]
This comes from the genius.
Btw, I think the Trump family motto should be "I do what I want," said in the Cartman voice.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Btw, I think the Trump family motto should be "I do what I want," said in the Cartman voice.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Barack Spinoza: “I went to Julian Assange of course to talk to him personally, the guy who of course disclosed all of these emails, and he adamantly said the Russians weren’t in it,” he told Fox LA reporter Elex Michaelson.
I imagine the Aussie rapist's "proof" that the hack wasn't Russian (assuming he wasn't just vomiting words but had a notion in mind) is that wholly-debunked assertion about download speeds.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
I imagine the Aussie rapist's "proof" that the hack wasn't Russian (assuming he wasn't just vomiting words but had a notion in mind) is that wholly-debunked assertion about download speeds.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 4:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Btw, I think the Trump family motto should be "I do what I want," said in the Cartman voice.
The fact that about 1/3 of South Park's viewers (plus, semi-secretly, the creators) thought Cartman was the protagonist is itself partly responsible for the entire parade of horribles.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [27 favorites]
The fact that about 1/3 of South Park's viewers (plus, semi-secretly, the creators) thought Cartman was the protagonist is itself partly responsible for the entire parade of horribles.
posted by Rust Moranis at 4:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [27 favorites]
“That’s an interesting word for me to be saying, right? The Apprentice. I never actually put that together until just now,” he said.
Canada’s president can explain quantum physics.
posted by nikaspark at 4:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [82 favorites]
Canada’s president can explain quantum physics.
posted by nikaspark at 4:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [82 favorites]
“I went to Julian Assange of course to talk to him personally, the guy who of course disclosed all of these emails, and he adamantly said the Russians weren’t in it,” he told Fox LA reporter Elex Michaelson. “And, by the way, if we could in some way guarantee that he can get out of the Ecuadorian Embassy, he said he told me he has absolute proof, just actual, not just words, but he’s got proof that the Russians did not hack.”
Remember kids: When there's a good chance you're mentioned in a conspiracy's indictment, it's always a good strategy to go on record stating your direct connection to one of the people involved in the conspiracy the indictment is in reference to.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:49 PM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
Remember kids: When there's a good chance you're mentioned in a conspiracy's indictment, it's always a good strategy to go on record stating your direct connection to one of the people involved in the conspiracy the indictment is in reference to.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:49 PM on July 19, 2018 [17 favorites]
A Theory of Trump Kompromat
Why the President is so nice to Putin, even when Putin might not want him to be.
Adam Davidson | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:54 PM on July 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
Why the President is so nice to Putin, even when Putin might not want him to be.
Adam Davidson | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:54 PM on July 19, 2018 [19 favorites]
I went to Julian Assange of course to talk to him personally, the guy who of course disclosed all of these emails, and he adamantly said the Russians weren’t in it,
What is it with these people? You don't just ask the crook if they did the thing and take their word for it.
The police investigation revealed no fault by the police. <----- How is this satisfactory in anyone's mind?
posted by adept256 at 5:07 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
What is it with these people? You don't just ask the crook if they did the thing and take their word for it.
The police investigation revealed no fault by the police. <----- How is this satisfactory in anyone's mind?
posted by adept256 at 5:07 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
That New Yorker article by Adam Davidson (linked by Barack Spinoza) is worth reading because it's not too long and defines a concept I don't think was much out there: "sistema", the Russian network of criminals and plutocrats who keep each other in check with the threat of kompromat. A key point is that Putin isn't a puppetmaster over the whole sistema, just the present ringleader of the highest inner circle, sort of like feudalism.
The article suggests that money-laundering-related blackmail on Trump is likelier than a sexual sort, but I'm pretty convinced it's both. There's no reason they'd avoid the redundancy like "well, that's enough kompromat now" (and Putin isn't going to be the only blackmailer here). And Trump clearly does care about keeping some parts of his sex life secret, as obviously evidenced by his many NDAs with mistresses.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
The article suggests that money-laundering-related blackmail on Trump is likelier than a sexual sort, but I'm pretty convinced it's both. There's no reason they'd avoid the redundancy like "well, that's enough kompromat now" (and Putin isn't going to be the only blackmailer here). And Trump clearly does care about keeping some parts of his sex life secret, as obviously evidenced by his many NDAs with mistresses.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:24 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
The same New Yorker article makes the important point that under sistema, even Trump himself might not know the specifics of any potential kompromat, just that it may exist: "But, now, [Trump] is much like everyone else in sistema. He fears there is kompromat out there—maybe a lot of it—but he doesn’t know precisely what it is, who has it, or what might set them off."
posted by reductiondesign at 5:30 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by reductiondesign at 5:30 PM on July 19, 2018 [8 favorites]
Not a fan of exoticising Russianisms - kompromat instead of dirt or blackmail material, or sistema instead of the system - but that's a good article and makes some perceptive points about how things are and how that might influence behaviour, Barack Spinoza. I expect the degree of informality of the thing will be of great help to the GOP, who will be able to say "show me the contract!" "where's the documentary evidence?" for every link in the chain.
I do wonder about that Helsinki deal: surely whatever security team swept the room last bugged the hell out of it, but it's presumably the Russian side. Historically, have these kinds of meetings been secure, or like Swiss cheese? Sure, we citizens of the world don't know what was agreed, but does the CIA?
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 5:32 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
I do wonder about that Helsinki deal: surely whatever security team swept the room last bugged the hell out of it, but it's presumably the Russian side. Historically, have these kinds of meetings been secure, or like Swiss cheese? Sure, we citizens of the world don't know what was agreed, but does the CIA?
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 5:32 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
That is racism.... That is not the founding vision, that is not the founders’ creed - Ryan
WTF more than a third of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were slave owners. Enough with the founding fathers deification; if you weren't a wealthy white male, they devised new ways to exploit you.
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [31 favorites]
WTF more than a third of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were slave owners. Enough with the founding fathers deification; if you weren't a wealthy white male, they devised new ways to exploit you.
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [31 favorites]
Politico, Ryan says conservatives must 'fight back' against the alt-right
Oopsie, Va GOP Candidate Corey Stewart’s Staffer Was in Alt-Right Hate Rally Chat: A staffer for Trump-endorsed candidate Corey Stewart was in a Facebook group for Unite the Right 2, which discussed whether to invite violent skinhead and paramilitary groups to the rally (thedailybeast).
posted by peeedro at 5:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Oopsie, Va GOP Candidate Corey Stewart’s Staffer Was in Alt-Right Hate Rally Chat: A staffer for Trump-endorsed candidate Corey Stewart was in a Facebook group for Unite the Right 2, which discussed whether to invite violent skinhead and paramilitary groups to the rally (thedailybeast).
posted by peeedro at 5:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Kevin Collier, Buzzfeed: The Russians Who Hacked The DNC Have Targeted At Least Three 2018 Campaigns, Microsoft Says
"The same Russian intelligence agency charged with hacking Democrats’ emails in 2016 has targeted at least three candidates running for election in 2018, a Microsoft executive said.posted by OnceUponATime at 5:47 PM on July 19, 2018 [18 favorites]
Speaking on a panel at the Aspen Security Forum on Thursday, Tom Burt, Microsoft's vice president for customer security and trust, said that his team had discovered a spear-phishing campaign targeting three candidates running for election in 2018. Analysts traced them to a group Microsoft has nicknamed Strontium, which is closely tracked by every major threat intelligence company and is widely accepted to be run by the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.
Burt declined to name the candidates during the event, citing privacy concerns, and didn’t say which party they belonged to, but implied they were candidates of note and running for reelection."
The absurd 24 hours unleashed by one bad White House answer on Russia
How White House press secretary Sarah Sanders unleashed a Putin-related firestorm.
Alex Ward | Vox
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
How White House press secretary Sarah Sanders unleashed a Putin-related firestorm.
Alex Ward | Vox
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
WaPo, Seung Min Kim, Democrats seize on failure of judicial pick to demand all of Supreme Court nominee’s documents
NYT op-ed, Sarah Smarsh, Liberal Blind Spots Are Hiding the Truth About ‘Trump Country’. I will not copy/paste the entire column, though I really want to:
The forced withdrawal Thursday of a Trump judicial nominee over his college writings inflamed the battle over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, with Democrats escalating their demands to see all of his past documents, even though that could top 1 million pages.----
...
Senate Democrats, who have so far declined to sit down with Kavanaugh for courtesy meetings until the two parties reach a deal on documents, immediately pounced on the failure of Bounds’s nomination over his writings to argue that the Supreme Court nominee needs to produce all of his paperwork.
Kavanaugh worked for five years in the George W. Bush White House, including as staff secretary, which made him the conduit for all paperwork that went through the administration.
“A lower-court nominee’s college writings are relevant, but a Supreme Court nominee’s White House writings aren’t?” asked Matt House, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) “I don’t think so.”
NYT op-ed, Sarah Smarsh, Liberal Blind Spots Are Hiding the Truth About ‘Trump Country’. I will not copy/paste the entire column, though I really want to:
Yes, my father is angry at someone. But it is not his co-worker Gem, a Filipino immigrant with whom he has split a room to pocket some of the per diem from their employer, or Francisco, a Hispanic crew member with whom he recently built a Wendy’s north of Memphis. His anger, rather, is directed at bosses who exploit labor and governments that punish the working poor — two sides of a capitalist democracy that bleeds people like him dry.posted by zachlipton at 6:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [34 favorites]
“Corporations,” Dad said. “That’s it. That’s the point of the sword that’s killing us.”
...
Among the 30 states tidily declared “red” after the 2016 election, in two-thirds of them Mrs. Clinton received 35 to 48 percent of the vote. My white working-class family was part of that large minority, rendered invisible by the Electoral College and graphics that paint each state red or blue.
In the meantime, critical stories here in “red states” go underdiscussed and underreported, including:
Barriers to voting. Forces more influential than the political leanings of a white factory worker decide election outcomes: gerrymandering, super PACs, corrupt officials. In Kansas, Secretary of State Kris Kobach blocked 30,000 would-be voters from casting ballots (and was recently held in contempt of federal court for doing so).
Different information sources. Some of my political views shifted when my location, peer group and news sources changed during my college years. Many Americans today have a glut of information but poor media literacy — hard to rectify if you work on your feet all day, don’t own a computer and didn’t get a chance to learn the vocabulary of national discourse.
Populism on the left. Today, “populism” is often used interchangeably with “far right.” But the American left is experiencing a populist boom. According to its national director, Democratic Socialists of America nearly quadrupled in size from 2016 to 2017 — and saw its biggest one-day boost the day after Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s recent primary upset. Progressive congressional candidates with working-class backgrounds and platforms have major support heading into the midterms here in Kansas, including the white civil rights attorney James Thompson, who grew up in poverty, and Sharice Davids, a Native American lawyer who would be the first openly lesbian representative from Kansas.
Speaking of which, I'm not entirely confident this is real, but former Bond girl and Playboy model Robbin Young posted copies of her purported 2016 DMs with Guiccifer 2.0 in which the Russian front encourages Seth Rich conspiracy theories.
Possibly not—it looks like the screenshots of the chat logs are inconsistent with Twitter's UI and may have been doctored. The Guccifer 2.0 Chat Hoax—The Private Twitter Conversation between Robbin Young and Guccifer 2.0 is a Hoax…But Why? and Part Two (Medium)
Did we know this already?
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
It looks like we did after all (which would explain why the IC was willing to let the NYT run with it). While the detail of the White Envelope is new, the ultra-sensitive source is almost certainly the same as the one mentioned in this Washington Post article from June last year Obama’s Secret Struggle To Punish Russia For Putin’s Election Assault:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:27 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
Possibly not—it looks like the screenshots of the chat logs are inconsistent with Twitter's UI and may have been doctored. The Guccifer 2.0 Chat Hoax—The Private Twitter Conversation between Robbin Young and Guccifer 2.0 is a Hoax…But Why? and Part Two (Medium)
Did we know this already?
NYT, David E. Sanger and Matthew Rosenberg: From the Start, Trump Has Muddied a Clear Message: Putin Interfered
It looks like we did after all (which would explain why the IC was willing to let the NYT run with it). While the detail of the White Envelope is new, the ultra-sensitive source is almost certainly the same as the one mentioned in this Washington Post article from June last year Obama’s Secret Struggle To Punish Russia For Putin’s Election Assault:
Early last August, an envelope with extraordinary handling restrictions arrived at the White House. Sent by courier from the CIA, it carried “eyes only” instructions that its contents be shown to just four people: President Barack Obama and three senior aides.And in Michael Isikoff and David Corn's Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump
Inside was an intelligence bombshell, a report drawn from sourcing deep inside the Russian government that detailed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s direct involvement in a cyber campaign to disrupt and discredit the U.S. presidential race.
But it went further. The intelligence captured Putin’s specific instructions on the operation’s audacious objectives — defeat or at least damage the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and help elect her opponent, Donald Trump.[...]
The material was so sensitive that CIA Director John O. Brennan kept it out of the President’s Daily Brief, concerned that even that restricted report’s distribution was too broad. The CIA package came with instructions that it be returned immediately after it was read. To guard against leaks, subsequent meetings in the Situation Room followed the same protocols as planning sessions for the Osama bin Laden raid.
At the first principles meeting, Brennan had serious news for his colleagues: The most recent intelligence indicated that Putin had ordered or was overseeing the Russian cyber operations targeting the U.S. election. And the IC was now certain that the Russian operation entailed more than spy services gathering information. It now viewed the Russian action as a full-scale active measure.More excerpts from Russian Roulette in which they talk about the source here and here and here. It's safe to assume the Brennan's top-secret Russian source is dead—even if he were in jail, this amount of public revelation would be unacceptably risky.
The intelligence was so sensitive it had not been put in the President's Daily Brief. Brennan had informed Obama personally about this, but he did not want this information circulating through the national security system.[...]
But the secret source in the Kremlin, who two years earlier had regularly provided information to an American official in the U.S. embassy, had warned that a massive operation targeting Western democracies was being planned. The development of the Gerasimov doctrine was another indication that full-scale information war against the United States was a possibility.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:27 PM on July 19, 2018 [23 favorites]
"And, by the way, if we could in some way guarantee that he can get out of the Ecuadorian Embassy"
Welp, there's Assange's payoff for helping get Trump elected. Rohrabacher is floating a trial balloon.
posted by duoshao at 6:34 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Welp, there's Assange's payoff for helping get Trump elected. Rohrabacher is floating a trial balloon.
posted by duoshao at 6:34 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
Possibly not—it looks like the screenshots of the chat logs are inconsistent with Twitter's UI and may have been doctored. The Guccifer 2.0 Chat Hoax—The Private Twitter Conversation between Robbin Young and Guccifer 2.0 is a Hoax…But Why? and Part Two (Medium)
This appears to be written by a Seth Rich conspiracy theorist who writes "We are not going to quit until we bring justice for Seth Rich." Like, in a quick look, he spends his time analyzing how QAnon theories fit into whatever theories he has going on.
I think it's entirely possible, maybe even probable, the screenshots are doctored. Apparently they aren't even new, and she's been saying some of this stuff for over a year, just the first time anybody noticed I guess. Young claims to have talked to the FBI, so that's presumably the kind of thing we'd find out eventually. Mueller surely has authentic copies of all of Guccifer 2.0's DMs. The guy who wrote these medium posts needs to prop up his Seth Rich theories and insist they aren't part of a Russian intelligence plot.
posted by zachlipton at 6:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
This appears to be written by a Seth Rich conspiracy theorist who writes "We are not going to quit until we bring justice for Seth Rich." Like, in a quick look, he spends his time analyzing how QAnon theories fit into whatever theories he has going on.
I think it's entirely possible, maybe even probable, the screenshots are doctored. Apparently they aren't even new, and she's been saying some of this stuff for over a year, just the first time anybody noticed I guess. Young claims to have talked to the FBI, so that's presumably the kind of thing we'd find out eventually. Mueller surely has authentic copies of all of Guccifer 2.0's DMs. The guy who wrote these medium posts needs to prop up his Seth Rich theories and insist they aren't part of a Russian intelligence plot.
posted by zachlipton at 6:44 PM on July 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
NYT op-ed, Sarah Smarsh, Liberal Blind Spots Are Hiding the Truth About ‘Trump Country’.
I am sympathetic to this woman's opinion, but the fact remains that study after study on the motivations of Trump voters demonstrate that they were driven by xenophobia and racial animus. This is not one study. Multiple studies have come out with these conclusions. Her personal experience does not trump (heh) science. And frankly, it is extremely common for someone to not have a problem with "the good ones" (i.e. the ones they know) while wanting to get rid of all the others.
posted by Anonymous at 6:48 PM on July 19, 2018
I am sympathetic to this woman's opinion, but the fact remains that study after study on the motivations of Trump voters demonstrate that they were driven by xenophobia and racial animus. This is not one study. Multiple studies have come out with these conclusions. Her personal experience does not trump (heh) science. And frankly, it is extremely common for someone to not have a problem with "the good ones" (i.e. the ones they know) while wanting to get rid of all the others.
posted by Anonymous at 6:48 PM on July 19, 2018
That xenophobia and racial animus is not innate. It is seeded, incubated, nurtured, and fostered in so many cohesive ways. There is a huge propaganda apparatus at work.
It's the same propaganda apparatus that makes poor, middle, and even upper-class people cast votes on behalf of the interests of billionaires, counter to their own.
The "motivations" of Trump voters aren't even theirs. They've been infected with a powerful virus.
posted by yesster at 6:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
It's the same propaganda apparatus that makes poor, middle, and even upper-class people cast votes on behalf of the interests of billionaires, counter to their own.
The "motivations" of Trump voters aren't even theirs. They've been infected with a powerful virus.
posted by yesster at 6:56 PM on July 19, 2018 [21 favorites]
schroedinger: I am sympathetic to this woman's opinion, but the fact remains that study after study on the motivations of Trump voters demonstrate that they were driven by xenophobia and racial animus.
But going by the excerpt it sounds like her point is that "Trump Country" isn't Trump Country. It's not saying Trump voters shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of racists, it's saying rural Americans shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of Trump voters (which is to say, as racists).
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
But going by the excerpt it sounds like her point is that "Trump Country" isn't Trump Country. It's not saying Trump voters shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of racists, it's saying rural Americans shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of Trump voters (which is to say, as racists).
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
It's not saying Trump voters shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of racists, it's saying rural Americans shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of Trump voters (which is to say, as racists).
She makes the point that there are shitty racist people in blue states, which is true and something people on the left should not forget. But, like, the majority of people in the Midwest and South did vote for Trump. #NotAllRuralVoters doesn't change that.
posted by Anonymous at 7:10 PM on July 19, 2018
She makes the point that there are shitty racist people in blue states, which is true and something people on the left should not forget. But, like, the majority of people in the Midwest and South did vote for Trump. #NotAllRuralVoters doesn't change that.
posted by Anonymous at 7:10 PM on July 19, 2018
In my limited experience the beating heart of Trumpism is in the suburbs and exurbs.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:10 PM on July 19, 2018 [50 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:10 PM on July 19, 2018 [50 favorites]
When are moderate rurals going to denounce these radical extremists?
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [37 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:13 PM on July 19, 2018 [37 favorites]
It's not saying Trump voters shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of racists, it's saying rural Americans shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of Trump voters (which is to say, as racists)
Or in practical terms, the 50 state strategy. We have to consider all states, even deep red ones as winnable. To regard any state as irredeemably "Trump Country" makes the GoP's job easier.
posted by happyroach at 7:19 PM on July 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
Or in practical terms, the 50 state strategy. We have to consider all states, even deep red ones as winnable. To regard any state as irredeemably "Trump Country" makes the GoP's job easier.
posted by happyroach at 7:19 PM on July 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
NYT, Farhad Manjoo, What Stays on Facebook and What Goes? The Social Network Cannot Answer
So to recap: Facebook is deeply committed to free expression and will allow people to post just about anything, including even denying the Holocaust. Unless, that is, if a Holocaust denial constitutes hate speech, in which case the company may take it down. But if a post contains a factual inaccuracy, it would not be removed, but it may be shown to very few people, reducing its impact.posted by zachlipton at 7:26 PM on July 19, 2018 [49 favorites]
On the other hand, if the misinformation has been determined to be inciting imminent violence, Facebook will remove it — even if it’s not hate speech. On the other other hand, if a site lies repeatedly, spouts conspiracy theories or even incites violence, it can maintain a presence on the site, because ultimately, there’s no falsehood that will get you kicked off Facebook.
All of this fails a basic test: It’s not even coherent. It is a hodgepodge of declarations and exceptions and exceptions to the exceptions.
It's not saying Trump voters shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of racists, it's saying rural Americans shouldn't be smeared as a bunch of Trump voters (which is to say, as racists)
That article says that rural white voters feel that the enemy is "the bosses" and "the corporations" but went ahead and voted Republican in 2016 anyway Full Stop
That article doesn't say that by far the largest and loudest message Trump had was "build the wall." That article doesn't say that white, rural, working class Trump voters are aghast at what is happening to brown migrants and refugees right this very minute, because they are in favor of it. It doesn't say that they were against a Muslim Ban, because they were in favor of that. But hey, they aren't racist to good old "Filipino Gem" down at the plant, where real Americans work. Go ask "Gem" how much racial bullshit and shitty "hilarious" nicknames he's been given by his white, rural, working working class co-workers.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 7:37 PM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
That article says that rural white voters feel that the enemy is "the bosses" and "the corporations" but went ahead and voted Republican in 2016 anyway Full Stop
That article doesn't say that by far the largest and loudest message Trump had was "build the wall." That article doesn't say that white, rural, working class Trump voters are aghast at what is happening to brown migrants and refugees right this very minute, because they are in favor of it. It doesn't say that they were against a Muslim Ban, because they were in favor of that. But hey, they aren't racist to good old "Filipino Gem" down at the plant, where real Americans work. Go ask "Gem" how much racial bullshit and shitty "hilarious" nicknames he's been given by his white, rural, working working class co-workers.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 7:37 PM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
Buzzfeed, "Congratulations, Mr. President: Zuckerberg Secretly Called Trump After The Election"
The private call between Zuckerberg and Trump, which was confirmed by three people familiar with the conversation, is just one in a series of private endorsements from Facebook employees of the Trump campaign’s ad efforts on the platform. The company declined to comment on the call. The White House press office did not respond to a request for comment.
[..] These memos and presentations indicate Facebook took the methods it learned from the Trump campaign to further refine a marketing model called “Test, Learn, Adapt” (TLA), which it currently uses to assess its own advertising. These internal documents are a candid recognition by Facebook of the GOP candidate’s advertising success and reveal the degree to which the company views Trump not just as a potential regulator or a source of misinformation, but also, above all, a valued customer.
Bonus fun, the comments are all "Grrr I'm cancelling Facebook - oh noes how will I comment on Buzzfeed?! LOL"
posted by petebest at 7:39 PM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
The private call between Zuckerberg and Trump, which was confirmed by three people familiar with the conversation, is just one in a series of private endorsements from Facebook employees of the Trump campaign’s ad efforts on the platform. The company declined to comment on the call. The White House press office did not respond to a request for comment.
[..] These memos and presentations indicate Facebook took the methods it learned from the Trump campaign to further refine a marketing model called “Test, Learn, Adapt” (TLA), which it currently uses to assess its own advertising. These internal documents are a candid recognition by Facebook of the GOP candidate’s advertising success and reveal the degree to which the company views Trump not just as a potential regulator or a source of misinformation, but also, above all, a valued customer.
Bonus fun, the comments are all "Grrr I'm cancelling Facebook - oh noes how will I comment on Buzzfeed?! LOL"
posted by petebest at 7:39 PM on July 19, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's the same propaganda apparatus that makes poor, middle, and even upper-class people cast votes on behalf of the interests of billionaires, counter to their own.
It's why Reagan started the welfare queen myth.
It's why Bush went with crack babies.
Jesus Fucking Christ it's why we had "Tough on Crime" that let Congress and Clinton get away with a complete savaging of welfare back in the '90s. People were so fucking scared of Willie Fucking Horton coming in and murdering them in the dead of the night that their safety net was shredded without even a whimper of voting backlash from the electorate. They voted for more of it. They put Newt in the fucking driver's seat of Congress.
We write way too many words to restate what LBJ figured out over 50 years ago.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [90 favorites]
"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."It's why Nixon railed endlessly about “law and order” to send his message to the South.
It's why Reagan started the welfare queen myth.
It's why Bush went with crack babies.
Jesus Fucking Christ it's why we had "Tough on Crime" that let Congress and Clinton get away with a complete savaging of welfare back in the '90s. People were so fucking scared of Willie Fucking Horton coming in and murdering them in the dead of the night that their safety net was shredded without even a whimper of voting backlash from the electorate. They voted for more of it. They put Newt in the fucking driver's seat of Congress.
We write way too many words to restate what LBJ figured out over 50 years ago.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [90 favorites]
This appears to be written by a Seth Rich conspiracy theorist who writes "We are not going to quit until we bring justice for Seth Rich."
Well, that took a quick turn for the crazy. There's not much space between obsessively studying screenshots and obsessively constructing conspiracy theories. And Robbin Young tells Kim Dotcom (yes, blue-ticked @KimDotcom), "I recently had my DM's with #Guccifer2.0 authenticated, by a reputable company, and I will be adding them to the autobiography I'm currently writing." But she also says, "...I sincerely enjoyed direct messaging with Guccifer 2.0, and I miss him! 😔 I’m a patriotic American and I love the USA, but I believe G2 was telling the truth when he said he was a Romanian."
This truly is the stupidest timeline.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Well, that took a quick turn for the crazy. There's not much space between obsessively studying screenshots and obsessively constructing conspiracy theories. And Robbin Young tells Kim Dotcom (yes, blue-ticked @KimDotcom), "I recently had my DM's with #Guccifer2.0 authenticated, by a reputable company, and I will be adding them to the autobiography I'm currently writing." But she also says, "...I sincerely enjoyed direct messaging with Guccifer 2.0, and I miss him! 😔 I’m a patriotic American and I love the USA, but I believe G2 was telling the truth when he said he was a Romanian."
This truly is the stupidest timeline.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:36 PM on July 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Okay, people are getting weird about an article that's making the same point people in these threads have made multiple times. I think it makes enormous sense to keep our mental concept "working class rural person" cleanly separate from "Trump supporter", to note that the former isn't necessarily white like the latter almost certainly is, to note that the latter actually skews wealthy, etc.
It seems like the article could have used a couple paragraphs establishing as a given that yes, Trump and his supporters are fundamentally racist, no question. Otherwise it gets pattern-matched by the reader into the stupidly overdone Anxiously Forgotten Man type piece.
But what I'm put off by is the notion that this same principle of fundamental deplorability extends beyond Trumpism to ~rural America~ as a whole. It very much doesn't. Rural America is less Republican than urban America is Democratic -- that's exactly why both areas are so easy to exploit with gerrymandering!
(Also, I guess the writer's father in particular comes off to a lot of people as, like, obviously some kind of Trump voter? I'll grant that he may well have a bunch of condescending attitudes toward his nonwhite coworkers, but it's pretty clear the implication is no, he does not support Trump at all. But having given it a second read, I can see where people would assume otherwise, e.g the rant against the British royals and the general tone about which he's written, as though she has to excuse something about him.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:43 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
It seems like the article could have used a couple paragraphs establishing as a given that yes, Trump and his supporters are fundamentally racist, no question. Otherwise it gets pattern-matched by the reader into the stupidly overdone Anxiously Forgotten Man type piece.
But what I'm put off by is the notion that this same principle of fundamental deplorability extends beyond Trumpism to ~rural America~ as a whole. It very much doesn't. Rural America is less Republican than urban America is Democratic -- that's exactly why both areas are so easy to exploit with gerrymandering!
(Also, I guess the writer's father in particular comes off to a lot of people as, like, obviously some kind of Trump voter? I'll grant that he may well have a bunch of condescending attitudes toward his nonwhite coworkers, but it's pretty clear the implication is no, he does not support Trump at all. But having given it a second read, I can see where people would assume otherwise, e.g the rant against the British royals and the general tone about which he's written, as though she has to excuse something about him.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:43 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 Senate -- WV: Trafalgar Strategy poll has Sen Manchin up 50-40 on Morissey [MOE: +/- 2.88%]. Meanwhile, a GOP-aligned group is cancelling a big TV/radio buy.
** 2018 House:
** Odds & ends:
** 2018 Senate -- WV: Trafalgar Strategy poll has Sen Manchin up 50-40 on Morissey [MOE: +/- 2.88%]. Meanwhile, a GOP-aligned group is cancelling a big TV/radio buy.
** 2018 House:
-- CA-49: Public Opinion Strategies poll has GOPer Harkey up 46-43 on Dem Levin [MOE: +/- 4.9%]. This was an internal poll for Harkey; Levin had released his own internal last week showing him up 49-46. Probably about tied, in other words.** OH-12 special -- DCCC is dropping $250k for an ad buy. Dem O'Connor claims internal polling shows him trailing only 45-43; public polling has shown the gap more like 7, but House specials can be difficult to poll. Cook has the race as Tossup.
-- Lots of progressives running, many in Dem-favored districts, so the Dem caucus should be considerably leftier post-election.
** Odds & ends:
-- Sabato moves ratings for three governor races, all to the left: AZ (Leans R), IL (Likely D), IA (Tossup).posted by Chrysostom at 8:51 PM on July 19, 2018 [32 favorites]
-- Youth voter registration surged after Parkland shooting.
I guess I'm at a loss as to when its ok to refer to a group which isn't monolithic without qualifiers and when it isnt. Like, if one posts "white people need to do better" about voting for Trump that receive nods ('cause we do) and #notallwhitepeople would be roundly mocked (and should be). But "rural people need to do better" is controversial even though the fraction of rural people who voted for Trump is actually higher than the fraction of white people who voted for Trump.
I don't really understand how it works. It can't be about privilege; white rural voters have massively disproportionate political power. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
posted by Justinian at 8:51 PM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
I don't really understand how it works. It can't be about privilege; white rural voters have massively disproportionate political power. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
posted by Justinian at 8:51 PM on July 19, 2018 [16 favorites]
From Julia Ioffe in the WaPo, The surreal world: Vladimir Putin has his own version of reality. And President Trump believes it.
To Russian observers, it seemed like nothing else really happened at the summit. No agreement was signed, and apparently, no issue of substance was discussed: not Syria, not Ukraine, not human rights. (Still, the Russian Ministry of Defense jumped on the vague talk of cooperation, saying Tuesday that it was ready to implement Trump and Putin’s vision of national security.) But the news conference after the meeting showed that Trump is an ally on the most fundamental level. This is why, the day after the summit, the Russian mission to the United Nations issued a tweet asserting disproven information about the MH17 disaster. The Kremlin was clearly feeling good about its truth.posted by peeedro at 8:53 PM on July 19, 2018 [12 favorites]
“We were right about everything all along, and all we needed was some patience for everyone else to realize it,” Moscow political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann says of how this turn of events is perceived in Russia. “Life is just a string of confirmation of our wisdom and vision. You just need to see it the right way.”
This isn’t an academic question of interpretation. Seeing it the right way — or the wrong way — has real policy implications. If America is at fault for everything that’s gone wrong in its relationship with Russia, as Trump seems to agree, then why do we impose sanctions on Russian officials and companies? This has been Russia’s position all along. Even before Trump’s inauguration, his then-national security adviser Michael Flynn was planning on unwinding Russia sanctions unilaterally. This suited the Russians just fine. In public statements, the Kremlin made clear that sanctions imposed by Washington could be undone only by Washington; Russia had absolutely nothing to do with it. You imposed the sanctions for no reason, the logic went; you remove them for no reason. To do anything else would be to admit fault, and this is something Putin, the consummate zero-sum man, does not do. It shows weakness, it paves the way to defeat.
Now Putin has what he wanted: a man in the White House who really understands him, who sees things from the same perspective, who sees things the right way. As Putin put it Monday: “Yes, I did [want Trump to win]. Yes, I did. Because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal.” He meant, of course, what Russia defines as normal. After Helsinki, it’s clear that Trump’s definition is just about the same.
"I'm very highly educated. I know words, I know the best words. But there's no better word than stupid."*ahem*
posted by mce at 9:10 PM on July 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
“That is not conservatism. That is racism. That is nationalism. That is not what we believe in. That is not the founding vision, that is not the founders’ creed,”
In a lot of ways it kind of is though, is the thing; see Ben Franklin on the threat of "swarthy Palatine boors", or Thomas Jefferson on the inherent inferiority of Africans. Pretending that white supremacy isn't a fundamental part of America's foundational story may make you feel better, but it just isn't true. (I have multiple "Revolutionary Patriot" ancestors; every single one of them owned slaves. Tell me how racism wasn't some part of their creed. Go on, I'll wait.)
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 9:20 PM on July 19, 2018 [45 favorites]
In a lot of ways it kind of is though, is the thing; see Ben Franklin on the threat of "swarthy Palatine boors", or Thomas Jefferson on the inherent inferiority of Africans. Pretending that white supremacy isn't a fundamental part of America's foundational story may make you feel better, but it just isn't true. (I have multiple "Revolutionary Patriot" ancestors; every single one of them owned slaves. Tell me how racism wasn't some part of their creed. Go on, I'll wait.)
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 9:20 PM on July 19, 2018 [45 favorites]
It is said correctly that the rural support for Trump feeds off racism. That racism , in turn, feeds off despair and a sort of Trump's mirror. The fear that is projected on to urban areas comes from the disintegration of the rural areas. While crime has gone way down in the cities in the past 25 years, it has gone considerably up in the rural areas and rural states. Heroin, drugs in general, the death of family farming: people have commented that Hitler took root in an economic crisis. The nation as a whole does not have a crisis, but many rural places do.
As I said the Trump's mirror effect takes place. They project their own disorders on to others: the cities (which they see as crime-ridden, black, homosexual, liberal) and immigrants (which they see as crime-ridden and undercutting wages).
I haven't bothered reading a single article of what do rural Trump voters think. I just imagine that the news accounts will get it wrong. But I've been there, lived that. In my comedy days I used to tell a joke: maybe someday we'll live in a trailer, ma.
The response, the bigotry and the small-mindedness of rural Trump supporters is not justified, but the suffering is real and should not be ignored. The suffering is so bad that returning to coal sounded like an answer. The suffering is so bad that a second-rate hustler like Trump succeeded.
I do recognize that Hillary had a platform dealing with rural poverty. At the same time I believe the problems are under-addressed. I remember a Native American leader in Arizona saying in 2016, no one is talking to us.
A workable plan that addresses the economic and social upheaval in the red areas needs to be a visible part of the Democratic platform. It's not pandering to people who will never vote for Democrats. It is addressing a wound that has been caused by unequal economic expansion. America: we're in it together. And that's my proposal for a slogan
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:21 PM on July 19, 2018 [54 favorites]
As I said the Trump's mirror effect takes place. They project their own disorders on to others: the cities (which they see as crime-ridden, black, homosexual, liberal) and immigrants (which they see as crime-ridden and undercutting wages).
I haven't bothered reading a single article of what do rural Trump voters think. I just imagine that the news accounts will get it wrong. But I've been there, lived that. In my comedy days I used to tell a joke: maybe someday we'll live in a trailer, ma.
The response, the bigotry and the small-mindedness of rural Trump supporters is not justified, but the suffering is real and should not be ignored. The suffering is so bad that returning to coal sounded like an answer. The suffering is so bad that a second-rate hustler like Trump succeeded.
I do recognize that Hillary had a platform dealing with rural poverty. At the same time I believe the problems are under-addressed. I remember a Native American leader in Arizona saying in 2016, no one is talking to us.
A workable plan that addresses the economic and social upheaval in the red areas needs to be a visible part of the Democratic platform. It's not pandering to people who will never vote for Democrats. It is addressing a wound that has been caused by unequal economic expansion. America: we're in it together. And that's my proposal for a slogan
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 9:21 PM on July 19, 2018 [54 favorites]
I don't really understand how it works. It can't be about privilege; white rural voters have massively disproportionate political power.
There is a strong difference between disproportionate political power and actual political power. If you have, to abuse a classic example, 7 wolves and a lamb voting about what to eat for dinner, it won't make the lamb feel any better because the wolves said he gets four votes instead of one.
The only privilege rural areas and voters in them have is the privilege of watching their towns die. Communities that were once vibrant are ghost towns now, and I'm frankly not sure what if anything can bring them back. The people who live in these fading towns are not in any way powerful just because hucksters lie to them to get a few more seats. No one is actually helping get them what they need.
posted by corb at 10:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [36 favorites]
There is a strong difference between disproportionate political power and actual political power. If you have, to abuse a classic example, 7 wolves and a lamb voting about what to eat for dinner, it won't make the lamb feel any better because the wolves said he gets four votes instead of one.
The only privilege rural areas and voters in them have is the privilege of watching their towns die. Communities that were once vibrant are ghost towns now, and I'm frankly not sure what if anything can bring them back. The people who live in these fading towns are not in any way powerful just because hucksters lie to them to get a few more seats. No one is actually helping get them what they need.
posted by corb at 10:28 PM on July 19, 2018 [36 favorites]
Also, I guess the writer's father in particular comes off to a lot of people as, like, obviously some kind of Trump voter? I'll grant that he may well have a bunch of condescending attitudes toward his nonwhite coworkers, but it's pretty clear the implication is no, he does not support Trump at all. But having given it a second read, I can see where people would assume otherwise
The article isn't "my Arkansas socialist father, or my Blue Dog Democrat father is outraged that he is being disenfranchised by Republican gerrymandering." It never is. It's always about white people in districts where the majority of white people voted for Trump, who aren't so happy with him now. Trump was an obvious disaster since forever. His first campaign speech was Mexicans are Rapists. These white people feel bad because they couldn't see an obvious huckster coming from miles away have buyer's remorse. Non-white people are in cages and camps. Besides all of the other ones that we just regularly incarcerate because white voters love "tough on crime." Cry me a river.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:31 PM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
The article isn't "my Arkansas socialist father, or my Blue Dog Democrat father is outraged that he is being disenfranchised by Republican gerrymandering." It never is. It's always about white people in districts where the majority of white people voted for Trump, who aren't so happy with him now. Trump was an obvious disaster since forever. His first campaign speech was Mexicans are Rapists. These white people feel bad because they couldn't see an obvious huckster coming from miles away have buyer's remorse. Non-white people are in cages and camps. Besides all of the other ones that we just regularly incarcerate because white voters love "tough on crime." Cry me a river.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:31 PM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
Regarding all the IT security stuff: once upon a time I did law firm IT. At one firm, you cannot imagine the amount of pushback against abolishing the 10 year old password convention of username+"xx" I encountered. It's some kind of testimony about human nature (or maybe just lawyers) that this only went by the wayside because of mistrust of co-workers (as vs. external threats).
I can give 2016 campaigns a pass on not understanding how much they were being targeted, maybe. But now that we know, why keep relying on protocols that are so vulnerable to both technical exploitation, or social engineering? I know groupware-based intranets are a pain in the ass but c'mon.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
I can give 2016 campaigns a pass on not understanding how much they were being targeted, maybe. But now that we know, why keep relying on protocols that are so vulnerable to both technical exploitation, or social engineering? I know groupware-based intranets are a pain in the ass but c'mon.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:35 PM on July 19, 2018 [10 favorites]
My final point, I am not saying that all Trump voters are big racists. I am saying that Trump campaigned on white resentment and there was a bunch of racist stuff and the obviously horrible racists loved him for his racism and that wasn't enough to get these other white guys to vote for Hillary.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:48 PM on July 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
There is a strong difference between disproportionate political power and actual political power. If you have, to abuse a classic example, 7 wolves and a lamb voting about what to eat for dinner, it won't make the lamb feel any better because the wolves said he gets four votes instead of one.
What's with this obfuscation? If we're talking about the Senate and Electoral College, it's the wolves that are getting four votes instead of one: the predators on the flanks of the bulk of the more numerous and actually productive (urban) populations.
There is a strong difference between disproportionate political power and actual political power. If you have, to abuse a classic example, 7 wolves and a lamb voting about what to eat for dinner, it won't make the lamb feel any better because the wolves said he gets four votes instead of one.
False dichotomy. Rural conservatives can both be overrepresented in a systematic sense, and still have their objective interests (or at least those related to their class position) betrayed by the pols who fill those seats.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
What's with this obfuscation? If we're talking about the Senate and Electoral College, it's the wolves that are getting four votes instead of one: the predators on the flanks of the bulk of the more numerous and actually productive (urban) populations.
There is a strong difference between disproportionate political power and actual political power. If you have, to abuse a classic example, 7 wolves and a lamb voting about what to eat for dinner, it won't make the lamb feel any better because the wolves said he gets four votes instead of one.
False dichotomy. Rural conservatives can both be overrepresented in a systematic sense, and still have their objective interests (or at least those related to their class position) betrayed by the pols who fill those seats.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:03 PM on July 19, 2018 [20 favorites]
The Democrats' fundamental and insoluble data security problem was Republican criminality. You don't see banks or resource companies trying to hack their competitors: that's not because they're virtuous but because the consequences are so very severe. Trump's campaign was a criminal enterprise and even so their solicitation and acceptance of the stolen data was amazingly foolhardy. Mustn't grumble though: it might be the thing that saves us all.
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
No one is actually helping get them what they need.
No one who has ever voted republican has voted to help those folks. Point me at a single republican party plank which explicitly promises to brings help to this mythical small town inhabitant. And I mean something specific, not the usual brain-dead "if you just make rich people richer, it will help you too!" BS.
The republicans turn their noses up at these "losers" until they need their vote. Just in this thread are stories of conservative politicians condemning their constituents to misery to stick it to the "libs" (for daring to offer medicare expansion, and that's just one example). So, please.
Unreality, cheese pizza, etc., etc
Is anyone else here a regular visitor to youtube? I am, but I watch some music videos, some industrial videos, and the like. I subscribe to a bunch of channels with names like "Martha's Machine Shop" and "Walter's Woodworking" and "The Voice from some Remarkably Tiny Country". So youtube generally only shows me stuff like that when I do visit the youtube home page.
If you're like that, you might be surprised (as I was): try opening a "private browsing" window and visit youtube. It's the weirdest--and not in a good way--bunch of BS. Lots of Jeebus and "miracle" videos. Lots of supernatural stuff. Lots of science denialism. Lots of what looks like BS aimed at easy marks. It's fucking nuts. If that's the exposure "low information" people get, it's no wonder we're where we are.
posted by maxwelton at 12:34 AM on July 20, 2018 [36 favorites]
No one who has ever voted republican has voted to help those folks. Point me at a single republican party plank which explicitly promises to brings help to this mythical small town inhabitant. And I mean something specific, not the usual brain-dead "if you just make rich people richer, it will help you too!" BS.
The republicans turn their noses up at these "losers" until they need their vote. Just in this thread are stories of conservative politicians condemning their constituents to misery to stick it to the "libs" (for daring to offer medicare expansion, and that's just one example). So, please.
Unreality, cheese pizza, etc., etc
Is anyone else here a regular visitor to youtube? I am, but I watch some music videos, some industrial videos, and the like. I subscribe to a bunch of channels with names like "Martha's Machine Shop" and "Walter's Woodworking" and "The Voice from some Remarkably Tiny Country". So youtube generally only shows me stuff like that when I do visit the youtube home page.
If you're like that, you might be surprised (as I was): try opening a "private browsing" window and visit youtube. It's the weirdest--and not in a good way--bunch of BS. Lots of Jeebus and "miracle" videos. Lots of supernatural stuff. Lots of science denialism. Lots of what looks like BS aimed at easy marks. It's fucking nuts. If that's the exposure "low information" people get, it's no wonder we're where we are.
posted by maxwelton at 12:34 AM on July 20, 2018 [36 favorites]
The Democrats' fundamental and insoluble data security problem was Republican criminality.
Just a reminder that back in 2000, someone sent debate prep material for GW Bush to the Gore campaign, and they immediately called the FBI.
posted by PenDevil at 12:48 AM on July 20, 2018 [88 favorites]
Just a reminder that back in 2000, someone sent debate prep material for GW Bush to the Gore campaign, and they immediately called the FBI.
posted by PenDevil at 12:48 AM on July 20, 2018 [88 favorites]
No one who has ever voted republican has voted to help those folks. Point me at a single republican party plank which explicitly promises to brings help to this mythical small town inhabitant.
no - this is one of those small town 101 things that people don't get - when it comes to local and state benefits the action is often done through local and state representatives who are quite often republicans - there has been a trend in the last 10 years of representatives who don't work this process because of no-tax ideology but those are exceptions
if you want examples of what's going on i suggest you pick an area and study the local media - there's always examples of people trying to bring economic development and government benefits such as military bases, prisons, regional offices, etc etc etc
don't you recall all the figures that say the blue states are financially subsidizing the red states with federal tax dollars? how do you think this happens without republicans manipulating the system to get the government to pay their areas off?
it's a lot more complicated than you've made it sound
posted by pyramid termite at 2:55 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
no - this is one of those small town 101 things that people don't get - when it comes to local and state benefits the action is often done through local and state representatives who are quite often republicans - there has been a trend in the last 10 years of representatives who don't work this process because of no-tax ideology but those are exceptions
if you want examples of what's going on i suggest you pick an area and study the local media - there's always examples of people trying to bring economic development and government benefits such as military bases, prisons, regional offices, etc etc etc
don't you recall all the figures that say the blue states are financially subsidizing the red states with federal tax dollars? how do you think this happens without republicans manipulating the system to get the government to pay their areas off?
it's a lot more complicated than you've made it sound
posted by pyramid termite at 2:55 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
It's the same propaganda apparatus that makes poor, middle, and even upper-class people cast votes on behalf of the interests of billionaires, counter to their own.
"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
Plus we are all now just temporarily embarrassed former KGB Russian oligarchs.
posted by srboisvert at 3:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
"If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
Plus we are all now just temporarily embarrassed former KGB Russian oligarchs.
posted by srboisvert at 3:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
try opening a "private browsing" window and visit youtube. It's the weirdest--and not in a good way--bunch of BS. Lots of Jeebus and "miracle" videos. Lots of supernatural stuff. Lots of science denialism. Lots of what looks like BS aimed at easy marks. It's fucking nuts. If that's the exposure "low information" people get, it's no wonder we're where we are.Fox News gets a lot of well-earned criticism for their role in the war on rationality but I think history will regard YouTube as a near equal partner. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear that anyone in power at Google cares about the corrosive effect they’re having on the world, especially given their greater reach to children.
posted by adamsc at 4:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [33 favorites]
Nathaniel Rakich and Dhrumil Mehta, 538: What Some Early, High-Quality Polls Can Tell Us About The Race For The House
...Not only is Monmouth University’s polling operation one of only six pollsters with an A+ grade in FiveThirtyEight’s pollster ratings, but it’s also great about polling elections that otherwise don’t get much attention.posted by nangar at 4:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
This week, Monmouth released a poll of California’s 48th Congressional District, where Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher faces a stiff challenge from Democrat Harley Rouda. Let me enumerate all the reasons I love this poll:....
... we’re interested in what the poll can tell us about the battle for the House generally, in addition to what it means for Rohrabacher. The 48th District has a FiveThirtyEight partisan lean of R+4, meaning that it is 4 percentage points more Republican-leaning than the nation as a whole. Yet according to an average of Monmouth’s two likely-voter models, the Democrat is leading in this district by 3 points. That implies that the national political environment is leaning Democratic by 7 points ...- ...it’s the sixth U.S. House poll2 that Monmouth has conducted this year. We’re always in favor of pollsters focusing on a handful of important but less high-profile races rather than being one of dozens to poll the same old swing states.
- Third, Monmouth doesn’t just release one set of toplines: It releases three, reflecting the very real uncertainty about which voters will turn out in November. (If there’s one thing you take away from reading FiveThirtyEight, it should be not to be afraid of uncertainty.) Among what Monmouth calls “potential voters” — those who have voted in any election since 2010 or have newly registered to vote — Rouda leads 46 percent to 43 percent. Among voters who are likely to vote based on historical midterm turnout, the Democrat is up 47 percent to 45 percent. And among likely voters in a “Democratic surge” scenario, Rouda defeats Rohrabacher 48 percent to 44 percent. (All three leads are within the margin of error.)
if you want examples of what's going on i suggest you pick an area and study the local media - there's always examples of people trying to bring economic development and government benefits such as military bases, prisons, regional offices, etc etc etc
And then those same Republicans turn around and vote down Medicaid expansion, and criminalize women's health, end state employee pensions, raise taxes on goods while refusing to fund public schools and slash state income taxes for the rich, all while gerrymandering and suppressing the vote to remain permanently in power. Local Republicans voting to open another new (tax free) prison or pipeline aren't voting in their constituent's broad interests either, they're trying to secure a bigger slice of the crony capitalism pie for their local equivalent of the Koch brothers and selling it because it maybe bring in 20 more jobs to a community desperate for anything. Acting like there's any difference between State and National Republicans is obfuscation too. Where do you think they try out Heritage Foundation white papers before taking it national? And look at Kansas or Oklahoma for the archetype of local Republicans acting so nobly to help out the little man.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:33 AM on July 20, 2018 [49 favorites]
And then those same Republicans turn around and vote down Medicaid expansion, and criminalize women's health, end state employee pensions, raise taxes on goods while refusing to fund public schools and slash state income taxes for the rich, all while gerrymandering and suppressing the vote to remain permanently in power. Local Republicans voting to open another new (tax free) prison or pipeline aren't voting in their constituent's broad interests either, they're trying to secure a bigger slice of the crony capitalism pie for their local equivalent of the Koch brothers and selling it because it maybe bring in 20 more jobs to a community desperate for anything. Acting like there's any difference between State and National Republicans is obfuscation too. Where do you think they try out Heritage Foundation white papers before taking it national? And look at Kansas or Oklahoma for the archetype of local Republicans acting so nobly to help out the little man.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:33 AM on July 20, 2018 [49 favorites]
Right? Kansas seems like a prettt explicit object lesson in what happens when those gosh darn well meaning republicans get local power and “try and help the little people”.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 5:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
The "motivations" of Trump voters aren't even theirs. They've been infected with a powerful virus.
A germ theory of Trump voters not only lets them off the hook, but ignores all the smaller power structures that enable and perpetuate this thinking. Epidemiology doesn't really seem like a useful heuristic here, unless you can stretch it a lot farther.
Fox News gets a lot of well-earned criticism for their role in the war on rationality but I think history will regard YouTube as a near equal partner.
Eh, soapbox vs. platform. Most YouTube videos get fewer than ten hits.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:13 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
A germ theory of Trump voters not only lets them off the hook, but ignores all the smaller power structures that enable and perpetuate this thinking. Epidemiology doesn't really seem like a useful heuristic here, unless you can stretch it a lot farther.
Fox News gets a lot of well-earned criticism for their role in the war on rationality but I think history will regard YouTube as a near equal partner.
Eh, soapbox vs. platform. Most YouTube videos get fewer than ten hits.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:13 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Hooray we're in the Distract cycle!
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Every Chinese Good
President Trump told CNBC that he’s ready to escalate the U.S.-China trade war and put tariffs on every Chinese good imported to the U.S. — worth $505.5 billion.
Axios: “Trump’s tariffs are introducing a new, wildly unpredictable issue into the midterm elections, thanks to their heavy impact on states with critical Senate races as well as their likely role in House races across the country.” (via Politicalwire)
Wow, he's really good at this.
posted by petebest at 5:17 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Every Chinese Good
President Trump told CNBC that he’s ready to escalate the U.S.-China trade war and put tariffs on every Chinese good imported to the U.S. — worth $505.5 billion.
Axios: “Trump’s tariffs are introducing a new, wildly unpredictable issue into the midterm elections, thanks to their heavy impact on states with critical Senate races as well as their likely role in House races across the country.” (via Politicalwire)
Wow, he's really good at this.
posted by petebest at 5:17 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
This is your periodic reminder that most people don't vote, and this is especially true of people who are struggling.
Rural Americans are struggling harder than even Americans in general. This suppresses turnout, so it's natural that the most motivated (read: most moneyed and/or most racist) turn out.
My take (as, y'know, someone who lives here) is that rural Americans who have any human contact at all (e.g. are a farmer and sell their produce, go to the library, go to playgroups with children, etc.) are progressive (and they're also strained to the breaking point on time and money). It's the commuters and shut-ins who are both assholes and have plenty of time to vote.
So please please please consider that before you take that a rural county voting +30 for Trump means that literally everyone there is evil. I'll bet you anything that turnout was like 40% and that it's those who can afford to vote who did.
posted by ragtag at 5:21 AM on July 20, 2018 [50 favorites]
Rural Americans are struggling harder than even Americans in general. This suppresses turnout, so it's natural that the most motivated (read: most moneyed and/or most racist) turn out.
My take (as, y'know, someone who lives here) is that rural Americans who have any human contact at all (e.g. are a farmer and sell their produce, go to the library, go to playgroups with children, etc.) are progressive (and they're also strained to the breaking point on time and money). It's the commuters and shut-ins who are both assholes and have plenty of time to vote.
So please please please consider that before you take that a rural county voting +30 for Trump means that literally everyone there is evil. I'll bet you anything that turnout was like 40% and that it's those who can afford to vote who did.
posted by ragtag at 5:21 AM on July 20, 2018 [50 favorites]
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Every Chinese Good
So I guess we can expect the 2020 election to be a proxy war between Russian and Chinese intervention, each looking to get their interests represented.
posted by duoshao at 5:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
So I guess we can expect the 2020 election to be a proxy war between Russian and Chinese intervention, each looking to get their interests represented.
posted by duoshao at 5:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
That xenophobia and racial animus is not innate. It is seeded, incubated, nurtured, and fostered in so many cohesive ways. There is a huge propaganda apparatus at work. It's the same propaganda apparatus that makes poor, middle, and even upper-class people cast votes on behalf of the interests of billionaires, counter to their own. The "motivations" of Trump voters aren't even theirs. They've been infected with a powerful virus.
Sorry but these voters have agency. The fact that they reality shop to Fox/Breitbart who confirm their bigotry and hatred, who tell them 'you're not the real racists, they are' is still their responsibility.
Fox and Rs didn't create racism, they weaponized an existing and dominant strain of American thought. The sooner we accept that these voters will never vote D - at least not in numbers to justify making any special effort beyond trying to help other working poor - the better off we will be. We already are the party that advocates for their well being and financial success and they have forever chosen otherwise because racism is more important to them.
posted by chris24 at 5:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
Sorry but these voters have agency. The fact that they reality shop to Fox/Breitbart who confirm their bigotry and hatred, who tell them 'you're not the real racists, they are' is still their responsibility.
Fox and Rs didn't create racism, they weaponized an existing and dominant strain of American thought. The sooner we accept that these voters will never vote D - at least not in numbers to justify making any special effort beyond trying to help other working poor - the better off we will be. We already are the party that advocates for their well being and financial success and they have forever chosen otherwise because racism is more important to them.
posted by chris24 at 5:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
So please please please consider that before you take that a rural county voting +30 for Trump means that literally everyone there is evil.
Literally no one here is doing this.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Literally no one here is doing this.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Speaking of Kansas...
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez To Rally Democrats In Deep-Red Kansas
Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez To Rally Democrats In Deep-Red Kansas
The trip is unusual on several fronts. For one, Trump won Kansas in 2016 by 20 percentage points, making it seemingly inhospitable for Democrats, much less democratic socialists. Moreover, Sanders is a 76-year-old Jewish senator from Vermont, while Ocasio-Cortez is a 28-year-old Latina from the Bronx who is poised to become the youngest member of Congress.posted by lazaruslong at 5:27 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
This political odd couple is scheduled to headline an evening rally in Kansas City, Kansas, for Brent Welder, a labor lawyer running in a crowded Democratic primary in Kansas’ 3rd District. The district, represented by four-term Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder, is on Democrats’ target list as they aim to seize the GOP-controlled House in November. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton narrowly carried the district in 2016.
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are also scheduled to campaign together in Wichita for Democrat James Thompson, a civil rights lawyer running in Kansas’ 4th District. Like Ocasio-Cortez and Welder, Thompson was an activist for Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.
I've been following James Thompson since he ran in the special congressional election for Pompeo's vacated seat and came closer than any Democrat has in decades (with very little help from the state party by the way). He seems like a great candidate who deserves more attention.
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Also, from Thompson's Facebook feed, Ocasio-Cortez/Sanders are in WIchita tonight, and the venue was changed to accommodate overflow crowds.
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:50 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by maggiemaggie at 5:50 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Because of course, Russian firm indicted in special counsel probe cites Kavanaugh decision to argue that charges should be dismissed (WaPo):
A Russian company accused by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III of being part of an online operation to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign is leaning in part on a decision by Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh to argue that the charge against it should be thrown out.posted by peeedro at 6:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
The 2011 decision by Kavanaugh, writing for a three-judge panel, concerned the role that foreign nationals may play in U.S. elections. It upheld a federal law that said foreigners temporarily in the country may not donate money to candidates, contribute to political parties and groups or spend money advocating for or against candidates. But it did not rule out letting foreigners spend money on independent advocacy campaigns.
Kavanaugh “went out of his way to limit the decision,” said Daniel A. Petalas, a Washington lawyer and former interim general counsel for the Federal Election Commission.
You can always go on Open Secrets and put your dink ass rural hometown's zipcode in and get receipts on who your high school townie cohort is giving money to.
I just searched for my ZIP code and 100% (yes, literally every dollar) of the political donations this year are to progressive or Democratic recipients.
(Also it seems like this is a good way to find allies in your area. Thank you so much for pointing me to it! ♥)
posted by ragtag at 6:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [34 favorites]
I just searched for my ZIP code and 100% (yes, literally every dollar) of the political donations this year are to progressive or Democratic recipients.
(Also it seems like this is a good way to find allies in your area. Thank you so much for pointing me to it! ♥)
posted by ragtag at 6:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [34 favorites]
Eh, soapbox vs. platform. Most YouTube videos get fewer than ten hits.Go find one of Jordan Peterson’s videos, one of the many anti-feminist or white supremacy-friendly gamers’ and tell us that the average video’s hit count is the relevant number we should care about. It’s usually not more than one or two YouTube auto-play suggestions from those guys to stuff which used to be restricted to sites like Stormfront, but too many people assume YouTube is more legitimate.
posted by adamsc at 6:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [11 favorites]
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Every Chinese Good
Including his own?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
Including his own?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
NY Times, Wash. Post quote more than twice as many Republicans as Democrats in political coverage
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [69 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [69 favorites]
Maxwelton, wow good point. I just tried that with youtube. Naïvely sent them the following feedback with screenshot.
Mods I hope this doesn't fall too far afield; delete as needed.
---------------
Not signed in to youtube
Visit youtube.com
Observe content
Conspiracies
Miracles / mysteries
Weird tricks
Secrets
Exploitive sexual imagery
Irresponsible/ dangerous acts
Abuse/manipulation/violence
Drug culture
Terror
Bodily mutilation
Toxic mythology
Maybe my favorite is the fool shooting a pane of bulletproof glass point blank. As in, not favorite, but what is this even doing here.
The above list is from a single page load just now. This is what many people see over and over. I'm not saying any of this should be banned, but RECOMMENDED? On the front page? Do you think this is healthy? Appropriate for children? Encouraging healthy participation in democracy?
Who curates this content? How are the decisions made?
Our society is on the brink of civil war. Are you helping or hurting? Who is responsible for this? WHY?
posted by maniabug at 6:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
Mods I hope this doesn't fall too far afield; delete as needed.
---------------
Not signed in to youtube
Visit youtube.com
Observe content
Conspiracies
Miracles / mysteries
Weird tricks
Secrets
Exploitive sexual imagery
Irresponsible/ dangerous acts
Abuse/manipulation/violence
Drug culture
Terror
Bodily mutilation
Toxic mythology
Maybe my favorite is the fool shooting a pane of bulletproof glass point blank. As in, not favorite, but what is this even doing here.
The above list is from a single page load just now. This is what many people see over and over. I'm not saying any of this should be banned, but RECOMMENDED? On the front page? Do you think this is healthy? Appropriate for children? Encouraging healthy participation in democracy?
Who curates this content? How are the decisions made?
Our society is on the brink of civil war. Are you helping or hurting? Who is responsible for this? WHY?
posted by maniabug at 6:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
So please please please consider that before you take that a rural county voting +30 for Trump means that literally everyone there is evil. I'll bet you anything that turnout was like 40% and that it's those who can afford to vote who did.
This is an empirical idea that I'd like to check. How does turnout compare in urban vs. rural areas? But my search-fu is terrible. I want to see the absolute percentages, but every article I find talks about how percentages changed, or talks about turnout vs. race or party affiliation or anything but urban vs. rural. Someone else, please do better than I did.
Anyway, here's the best I could find, and it's about 2008 and 2012. It indicates that, in 2008 and 2012, turnout was higher in rural areas than it was in cities. In 2008, urban turnout was less* than 57.9% and rural turnout was 67.2%; in 2012 urban turnout was less than 52.5% and rural turnout was 54.9%.
*I say "less than" rather than giving a specific figure because the urban turnout itself is not explicitly given in the article; there's an overall turnout, small-city turnout, and rural turnout; since the small-city and rural turnout figures are both higher than the overall, the remaining turnout (in larger cities) must be less than the overall.
Just to get another view on the subject I manually calculated the state-wise correlation between 2016 turnout percentage vs. urban population percentage. The correlation is not significant (but if your curiosity is killing you, it's slightly negative, consistent with the notion that rural areas have slightly better turnout than urban).
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
This is an empirical idea that I'd like to check. How does turnout compare in urban vs. rural areas? But my search-fu is terrible. I want to see the absolute percentages, but every article I find talks about how percentages changed, or talks about turnout vs. race or party affiliation or anything but urban vs. rural. Someone else, please do better than I did.
Anyway, here's the best I could find, and it's about 2008 and 2012. It indicates that, in 2008 and 2012, turnout was higher in rural areas than it was in cities. In 2008, urban turnout was less* than 57.9% and rural turnout was 67.2%; in 2012 urban turnout was less than 52.5% and rural turnout was 54.9%.
*I say "less than" rather than giving a specific figure because the urban turnout itself is not explicitly given in the article; there's an overall turnout, small-city turnout, and rural turnout; since the small-city and rural turnout figures are both higher than the overall, the remaining turnout (in larger cities) must be less than the overall.
Just to get another view on the subject I manually calculated the state-wise correlation between 2016 turnout percentage vs. urban population percentage. The correlation is not significant (but if your curiosity is killing you, it's slightly negative, consistent with the notion that rural areas have slightly better turnout than urban).
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
too many people assume YouTube is more legitimate.
Fair point, and giving these people a platform is clearly a huge problem (see also book, Face and our old pal Twitter). It's wild how the generation that was telling me about the perils of an untrustworthy Wikipedia is now taking crank videos as gospel truth because "I saw it on the internet."
It is also interesting the extent to which YouTube isn't as easily analyzed as a social media platform. But along those lines I also think it's really difficult to analyze YouTube in the same terms as Fox News.
posted by aspersioncast at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Fair point, and giving these people a platform is clearly a huge problem (see also book, Face and our old pal Twitter). It's wild how the generation that was telling me about the perils of an untrustworthy Wikipedia is now taking crank videos as gospel truth because "I saw it on the internet."
It is also interesting the extent to which YouTube isn't as easily analyzed as a social media platform. But along those lines I also think it's really difficult to analyze YouTube in the same terms as Fox News.
posted by aspersioncast at 6:24 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
President Trump told CNBC that he’s ready to escalate the U.S.-China trade war and put tariffs on every Chinese good imported to the U.S. — worth $505.5 billion.
The US is about to commit economic seppuku on the altar of Trump right before mid terms.
How the fuck does this not end with Republicans tossed into the wilderness for a generation? Oh yeah, IOKIYAR.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:25 AM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
The US is about to commit economic seppuku on the altar of Trump right before mid terms.
How the fuck does this not end with Republicans tossed into the wilderness for a generation? Oh yeah, IOKIYAR.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:25 AM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
We already are the party that advocates for their well being and financial success
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave. Because right now, it looks like the only plans are to staunch the bleeding and to get folks retrained so they can get other jobs outside their communities, which would help those individuals but exacerbate the community problem.
The problem of rural America is deep and may even be unsolvable - I don’t know, because few people are seriously talking about it as a broad scale, comprehensive problem. And that’s what makes people prey to anyone who gives lip service to the whole problem. “Make America Great Again” sounds awesome to people who felt their grandparents were better off than they are. Even though Trump is incompetent and demented and unable to deliver on his vague promises even if he wanted to. Hope, when it comes without reason, is another evil.
posted by corb at 6:26 AM on July 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave. Because right now, it looks like the only plans are to staunch the bleeding and to get folks retrained so they can get other jobs outside their communities, which would help those individuals but exacerbate the community problem.
The problem of rural America is deep and may even be unsolvable - I don’t know, because few people are seriously talking about it as a broad scale, comprehensive problem. And that’s what makes people prey to anyone who gives lip service to the whole problem. “Make America Great Again” sounds awesome to people who felt their grandparents were better off than they are. Even though Trump is incompetent and demented and unable to deliver on his vague promises even if he wanted to. Hope, when it comes without reason, is another evil.
posted by corb at 6:26 AM on July 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Every Chinese Good
CNBC (@CNBCnow), at the opening of the markets: Dollar index falls sharply as Trump accuses EU, China & others of 'manipulating their currencies' and says Fed 'tightening now hurts all that we have done'
The US is about to commit economic seppuku on the altar of Trump right before mid terms.
I really wish we could embed images because the trading graph looks like the dollar is going cliff-diving.
Here's Bloomberg's dollar index spot for up-to-the-minute status. I can hardly wait to see how Larry Kudlow tries to gaslight the business community into thinking this doesn't exist.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:29 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
CNBC (@CNBCnow), at the opening of the markets: Dollar index falls sharply as Trump accuses EU, China & others of 'manipulating their currencies' and says Fed 'tightening now hurts all that we have done'
The US is about to commit economic seppuku on the altar of Trump right before mid terms.
I really wish we could embed images because the trading graph looks like the dollar is going cliff-diving.
Here's Bloomberg's dollar index spot for up-to-the-minute status. I can hardly wait to see how Larry Kudlow tries to gaslight the business community into thinking this doesn't exist.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:29 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave. Because right now, it looks like the only plans are to staunch the bleeding and to get folks retrained so they can get other jobs outside their communities, which would help those individuals but exacerbate the community problem.
The problem of rural America is deep and may even be unsolvable - I don’t know, because few people are seriously talking about it as a broad scale, comprehensive problem. And that’s what makes people prey to anyone who gives lip service to the whole problem. “Make America Great Again” sounds awesome to people who felt their grandparents were better off than they are. Even though Trump is incompetent and demented and unable to deliver on his vague promises even if he wanted to. Hope, when it comes without reason, is another evil.
I mean, there was a presidential candidate in 2016 who had a multi-stage plan to try and help rural communities begin sharing in the benefits of a strong economy, a plan which included more than just job re-training, and she talked about it extensively. Were you not listening then?
posted by lazaruslong at 6:31 AM on July 20, 2018 [86 favorites]
The problem of rural America is deep and may even be unsolvable - I don’t know, because few people are seriously talking about it as a broad scale, comprehensive problem. And that’s what makes people prey to anyone who gives lip service to the whole problem. “Make America Great Again” sounds awesome to people who felt their grandparents were better off than they are. Even though Trump is incompetent and demented and unable to deliver on his vague promises even if he wanted to. Hope, when it comes without reason, is another evil.
I mean, there was a presidential candidate in 2016 who had a multi-stage plan to try and help rural communities begin sharing in the benefits of a strong economy, a plan which included more than just job re-training, and she talked about it extensively. Were you not listening then?
posted by lazaruslong at 6:31 AM on July 20, 2018 [86 favorites]
I mean, really, our first alien contact will probably be some alien dude who had to just come down and say WTF guys in person.
It'll just be a spaceship making a massive speed of light U-turn and hauling ass off in the other direction
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:34 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
It'll just be a spaceship making a massive speed of light U-turn and hauling ass off in the other direction
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:34 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm a working-class Democrat who grew up in a rural area. I've never voted for a Republican in my life, thank you very much! I happily participated in the Democratic surge in VA last year when we flipped 15 seats in the state's House of Delegates that were formerly held by Republicans, and came just shy of regaining a majority. I've been reading y'all's comments debating whether I exist or not. Unfortunately, most of you seem convinced I don't.
We have a good chance winning a majority in Congress this year. But, for that to happen, we're going to have to replicate what happened in VA last year nationwide. Democrats in red states and Republican districts – Democrats a lot of you are insisting don't exist – are going to have turn out in big enough numbers to flip gerrymandered districts, like we did in in Virginia.
I live in a Congressional district, VA-05, that's just flippable. Cook rates it as R+6. If Rakich and Mehta's extrapolations about the partisan lean of the electorate this year are right, that's just enough to win. We've got some advantages. The incumbent dropped out in an embarrassing fashion at the last minute. The replacement Republican seems to have had a hard time getting his campaign off the ground. The Democrat, Leslie Cockburn, has built a pretty strong grassroots organization. (538 gives this district a stronger R lean than Cook, but like I said, we have some advantages in this race.)
Democrats in red districts do exist! We pulled off quite a few upsets in my state last year. I hope some of you will be willing to support candidates trying to flip Republican-held districts this fall. That's what it's going to take to retake Congress. We can do this, and we'd appreciate your help in doing so.
posted by nangar at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
We have a good chance winning a majority in Congress this year. But, for that to happen, we're going to have to replicate what happened in VA last year nationwide. Democrats in red states and Republican districts – Democrats a lot of you are insisting don't exist – are going to have turn out in big enough numbers to flip gerrymandered districts, like we did in in Virginia.
I live in a Congressional district, VA-05, that's just flippable. Cook rates it as R+6. If Rakich and Mehta's extrapolations about the partisan lean of the electorate this year are right, that's just enough to win. We've got some advantages. The incumbent dropped out in an embarrassing fashion at the last minute. The replacement Republican seems to have had a hard time getting his campaign off the ground. The Democrat, Leslie Cockburn, has built a pretty strong grassroots organization. (538 gives this district a stronger R lean than Cook, but like I said, we have some advantages in this race.)
Democrats in red districts do exist! We pulled off quite a few upsets in my state last year. I hope some of you will be willing to support candidates trying to flip Republican-held districts this fall. That's what it's going to take to retake Congress. We can do this, and we'd appreciate your help in doing so.
posted by nangar at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
I mean, there was a presidential candidate in 2016 who had a multi-stage plan to try and help rural communities begin sharing in the benefits of a strong economy, a plan which included more than just job re-training, and she talked about it extensively. Were you not listening then?
Would love to see a video of rural focus groups being told those plans were Trump's and watch them approve, then watch their faces when they tell them those were actually Clinton's plans.
posted by M-x shell at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
Would love to see a video of rural focus groups being told those plans were Trump's and watch them approve, then watch their faces when they tell them those were actually Clinton's plans.
posted by M-x shell at 6:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
I really wish we could embed images because the trading graph looks like the dollar is going cliff-diving.
It's cliff diving except in one key exchange.
The USDCNY just hit a new high of 6.80 last night.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's cliff diving except in one key exchange.
The USDCNY just hit a new high of 6.80 last night.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
That New Yorker article by Adam Davidson (linked by Barack Spinoza) is worth reading because it's not too long and defines a concept I don't think was much out there: "sistema"
The term is what the updated Neapolitan camorra calls itself: "il Sistema". This is why M. Gessen calls Putin's Russia a mafia state (and sees Trump emulating him).
posted by progosk at 6:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
The term is what the updated Neapolitan camorra calls itself: "il Sistema". This is why M. Gessen calls Putin's Russia a mafia state (and sees Trump emulating him).
posted by progosk at 6:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave. Because right now, it looks like the only plans are to staunch the bleeding and to get folks retrained so they can get other jobs outside their communities, which would help those individuals but exacerbate the community problem.
Well it is isn't tornadoes. Which sets the Democratic Party apart from those who worship at the shrine of Shumpeteer's destructive creation.
posted by srboisvert at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Well it is isn't tornadoes. Which sets the Democratic Party apart from those who worship at the shrine of Shumpeteer's destructive creation.
posted by srboisvert at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is...
well the real solution is "we are going to subsidize your lifestyle choice," but that doesn't play well to the rah-rah make-my-own-way real-america facade that people in rural communities like to play-act. if you take them at their word that they want to have a job and be a bread-winner, then job training is the rational solution, but honestly they are not acting rationally: they want a world that doesn't exist, is not going to exist, and when you try to calmly explain this, they behave like children. So in order not to piss them off and provoke a tantrum, you say things like "job training" and try to shovel money at them in a way that makes it seem like they earned it so they can continue to believe they are independent winners.
posted by logicpunk at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [75 favorites]
well the real solution is "we are going to subsidize your lifestyle choice," but that doesn't play well to the rah-rah make-my-own-way real-america facade that people in rural communities like to play-act. if you take them at their word that they want to have a job and be a bread-winner, then job training is the rational solution, but honestly they are not acting rationally: they want a world that doesn't exist, is not going to exist, and when you try to calmly explain this, they behave like children. So in order not to piss them off and provoke a tantrum, you say things like "job training" and try to shovel money at them in a way that makes it seem like they earned it so they can continue to believe they are independent winners.
posted by logicpunk at 6:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [75 favorites]
Well, as someone who lives in a midwestern town of 8,000 people, here's what I think would help my local community:
1) Medicare for All - above and beyond everything else, this is the #1 most important thing. Everyone here is sick and in pain like at all times. No one can afford to do anything about it. And because no one can afford healthcare, it's difficult to access more than the most basic services. If everyone in my community could access all the healthcare they need, they would be much better equipped to deal with all the other problems they face. And, we'd have a lot more medical services in town which would improve the economy.
2) Better public schools. We need funding for education distributed at the state or federal level so kids in a poor town like this one can still get a good education.
3) Green tech jobs. The thing about Kansas is that it's flat, windy, sunny, and REALLY EMPTY. We could have so many solar panels & wind turbines creating energy and energy jobs! We just need the initial investment to get all that technology installed and it would pay off so much.
I'm sure I could go on and on, but I can think of a lot of ways to help my community, and all of these proposals are supported by the leftwing of the Democrats and the DSA (of which I'm a member). What is less clear is how to effectively bring this message home to my neighbors. I don't think the Dems are doing a great job at messaging to rural communities, but even if they were, I'm not sure the message would penetrate when it's so drowned out by the lies of conservative rightwing media.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 6:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [85 favorites]
1) Medicare for All - above and beyond everything else, this is the #1 most important thing. Everyone here is sick and in pain like at all times. No one can afford to do anything about it. And because no one can afford healthcare, it's difficult to access more than the most basic services. If everyone in my community could access all the healthcare they need, they would be much better equipped to deal with all the other problems they face. And, we'd have a lot more medical services in town which would improve the economy.
2) Better public schools. We need funding for education distributed at the state or federal level so kids in a poor town like this one can still get a good education.
3) Green tech jobs. The thing about Kansas is that it's flat, windy, sunny, and REALLY EMPTY. We could have so many solar panels & wind turbines creating energy and energy jobs! We just need the initial investment to get all that technology installed and it would pay off so much.
I'm sure I could go on and on, but I can think of a lot of ways to help my community, and all of these proposals are supported by the leftwing of the Democrats and the DSA (of which I'm a member). What is less clear is how to effectively bring this message home to my neighbors. I don't think the Dems are doing a great job at messaging to rural communities, but even if they were, I'm not sure the message would penetrate when it's so drowned out by the lies of conservative rightwing media.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 6:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [85 favorites]
corb I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave.
There is no such plan because it is impossible.
Moreover, even if such a plan did exist, it would be 100% opposed to the theoretical ideological underpinnings of the Republican policy to implement such a plan. The market has spoken, and it has decreed that small towns shall die. Funny how "the market" is an excuse for every bad thing that happens to liberals, but when something happens that conservatives don't like then suddenly no one talks about "the market".
Those little towns of 500 to 1,000 only exist because inertia and the economics of small scale farming in the 1800's. Most people do not want to live in such places, as evidenced by the fact that when it becomes possible for them to flee they do so as quickly as possible.
And, again, the point is that if "saving their little rural hellhole" was the driving force behind voters there they aren't getting any support from Republicans on that issue. Yet those places consistently vote Republican so clearly some **OTHER** thing the Republicans advertise is convincing them to vote Republican. Racism seems likely.
Which ties in with their disproportionate political power. Sure, it isn't helping them save Smallville, but it does give them the power to vote for the people who promise to hurt people of color, LGBT people, women, and basically anyone who isn't a cis, het, white, man. And they do.
We have rule by a spiteful, vengeful, rural minority who actively hates the urban majority and votes to cause as much pain to that urban majority as they can. The fact that their outsized political power won't reverse demographics and save their horrible little hateful towns from inevitable and unstoppable doom is not evidence of lack of political power on their part.
posted by sotonohito at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
There is no such plan because it is impossible.
Moreover, even if such a plan did exist, it would be 100% opposed to the theoretical ideological underpinnings of the Republican policy to implement such a plan. The market has spoken, and it has decreed that small towns shall die. Funny how "the market" is an excuse for every bad thing that happens to liberals, but when something happens that conservatives don't like then suddenly no one talks about "the market".
Those little towns of 500 to 1,000 only exist because inertia and the economics of small scale farming in the 1800's. Most people do not want to live in such places, as evidenced by the fact that when it becomes possible for them to flee they do so as quickly as possible.
And, again, the point is that if "saving their little rural hellhole" was the driving force behind voters there they aren't getting any support from Republicans on that issue. Yet those places consistently vote Republican so clearly some **OTHER** thing the Republicans advertise is convincing them to vote Republican. Racism seems likely.
Which ties in with their disproportionate political power. Sure, it isn't helping them save Smallville, but it does give them the power to vote for the people who promise to hurt people of color, LGBT people, women, and basically anyone who isn't a cis, het, white, man. And they do.
We have rule by a spiteful, vengeful, rural minority who actively hates the urban majority and votes to cause as much pain to that urban majority as they can. The fact that their outsized political power won't reverse demographics and save their horrible little hateful towns from inevitable and unstoppable doom is not evidence of lack of political power on their part.
posted by sotonohito at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave.
Step 1: Immigration reform.
The way to solve the problem of ALL THIS SPACE with no one who wants to live there is open the door to the people who would totally want to live there but can't because they're being tortured at the border. (Yes, I realize that immigrants have the right to settle wherever they want and often settle in cities because that is where the communities already are, but there are already maaany examples of rural areas that wound up having a lot of immigrants move there that transformed dying towns into thriving ones.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2018 [46 favorites]
Step 1: Immigration reform.
The way to solve the problem of ALL THIS SPACE with no one who wants to live there is open the door to the people who would totally want to live there but can't because they're being tortured at the border. (Yes, I realize that immigrants have the right to settle wherever they want and often settle in cities because that is where the communities already are, but there are already maaany examples of rural areas that wound up having a lot of immigrants move there that transformed dying towns into thriving ones.)
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:43 AM on July 20, 2018 [46 favorites]
I thought this Al Jazeera article, helpfully titled Trump is not Putin's puppet and here's why" to be pretty interesting. The argument is pretty much "leaving aside the gross immorality of Trump's reasoning, there are many key areas in which he is acting counter to Russian economic interests". My sense (which isn't the point of the article) is that this illustrates that there is a difference between the personal graft of the global billionaire class (where Trump and Putin share interests, ie the whole "almost certainly money laundering" bit) and national interests, where they don't, and because the international billionaire class is entirely immoral, they're perfectly happy to collaborate on money laundering and shady stuff while still having a large degree of political enmity.
I think that the only explanation for all the matters at hand is that Trump is allied to various Russian billionaires for his own personal grafty reasons and will accommodate them as much as possible, and he's also looking after certain American imperial interests in other sectors, and he's also assuming that the best way to advance American interests (imperial and other) is to crush everyone he can crush.
It's not that there's posturing about Russia to hide reality; it's that very rich, very corrupt people have a lot of irons in the fire.
And it's the worst of both worlds - billionaire internationalism plus regular old imperialism.
posted by Frowner at 6:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
I think that the only explanation for all the matters at hand is that Trump is allied to various Russian billionaires for his own personal grafty reasons and will accommodate them as much as possible, and he's also looking after certain American imperial interests in other sectors, and he's also assuming that the best way to advance American interests (imperial and other) is to crush everyone he can crush.
It's not that there's posturing about Russia to hide reality; it's that very rich, very corrupt people have a lot of irons in the fire.
And it's the worst of both worlds - billionaire internationalism plus regular old imperialism.
posted by Frowner at 6:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
I didn't get that weird of a front page on Youtube, just Fox News streams and Logan Paul ish as far as the worst goes. However, I searched for politics. The first result got me stuck in a Nigerian loop, so I clicked on the second link and then continued to click on the next video links. Things went like this:
-Are identity politics dangerous? | The Economist
-Jordan Peterson on if he’s taken up Michael Eric Dyson’s Munk Debate offer
-Jordan Peterson sits down for an in depth discussion
-Jordan Peterson At TPUSA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit 2018
-A Socialist Kid Explains Business Model In Socialism To An Entrepreneur, A Former Soviet Citizen-1/2
-Yaron Brook Shuts Down Socialist Arguments One By One
-Surprise! You're a capitalist! (former Bernie Sanders supporter converted)
-Socialism? I thought this was capitalism!
-Why "Democratic" Socialism Doesn't Work
-UNDERCOVER: Crashing College Socialist #SJW Protest
-Sarah Sanders Absolutely SHUTS DOWN Smug NBC’s Reporter For Asking Why Should USA Trust Trump
-Whoopie gets TRIGGERED by Judge Jeanine - 07/19/18
-Judge Jeanine's reaction to being thrown off THE VIEW - Hannity - 07/19/18
-"I'm Coming for You!" Hannity With NO REGARD for Jimmy Kimmel's Life
-Ben Carson SILENCE Elizabeth Warren With Just One Line
-Elizabeth Warren Gets Kicked Off Senate Floor For Impugning Jeff Sessions
Anyway, I think that one gets the point. About 7 next later, the crackpot stuff comes out:
-The Deep State Criminals Just Went ALL IN -- THIS IS WAR.
-FBI Director DID UNIMAGINABLE Thing Over Mueller Probe&Tom Fitton UNCOVER This HUGE SECRET BEHIND!
When I stopped pasting things over here and just clicking next immediately, I got put in an MSNBC hole starting with.
-Robert Mueller Exposes Paul Manafort’s Lavish Lifestyle | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC
It's almost as if they realized that I wasn't interacting with the right wing content, so they gave me crazy and then when I didn't go for that, they gave me leftist stuff.
posted by bootlegpop at 6:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
-Are identity politics dangerous? | The Economist
-Jordan Peterson on if he’s taken up Michael Eric Dyson’s Munk Debate offer
-Jordan Peterson sits down for an in depth discussion
-Jordan Peterson At TPUSA’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit 2018
-A Socialist Kid Explains Business Model In Socialism To An Entrepreneur, A Former Soviet Citizen-1/2
-Yaron Brook Shuts Down Socialist Arguments One By One
-Surprise! You're a capitalist! (former Bernie Sanders supporter converted)
-Socialism? I thought this was capitalism!
-Why "Democratic" Socialism Doesn't Work
-UNDERCOVER: Crashing College Socialist #SJW Protest
-Sarah Sanders Absolutely SHUTS DOWN Smug NBC’s Reporter For Asking Why Should USA Trust Trump
-Whoopie gets TRIGGERED by Judge Jeanine - 07/19/18
-Judge Jeanine's reaction to being thrown off THE VIEW - Hannity - 07/19/18
-"I'm Coming for You!" Hannity With NO REGARD for Jimmy Kimmel's Life
-Ben Carson SILENCE Elizabeth Warren With Just One Line
-Elizabeth Warren Gets Kicked Off Senate Floor For Impugning Jeff Sessions
Anyway, I think that one gets the point. About 7 next later, the crackpot stuff comes out:
-The Deep State Criminals Just Went ALL IN -- THIS IS WAR.
-FBI Director DID UNIMAGINABLE Thing Over Mueller Probe&Tom Fitton UNCOVER This HUGE SECRET BEHIND!
When I stopped pasting things over here and just clicking next immediately, I got put in an MSNBC hole starting with.
-Robert Mueller Exposes Paul Manafort’s Lavish Lifestyle | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC
It's almost as if they realized that I wasn't interacting with the right wing content, so they gave me crazy and then when I didn't go for that, they gave me leftist stuff.
posted by bootlegpop at 6:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
Totally agree with the turtle's teeth. I think those things would definitely help my family who are in upstate South Carolina and western NC and struggling. Access to healthcare, better education, green technology jobs....where have I heard those before?
Oh right:
There's no going back to some golden age but there are some things that could be done. And she was very aware of how desperately people, especially women, were struggling in rural towns. For a quick example, see this piece beginning with the 10th graf. The idea that rural america was ignored or that no one was considering the plight of rural citizens or that no one had a plan to try and help is just....I don't know what to say to that.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [86 favorites]
Oh right:
Too many rural communities aren’t reaping the rewards of our nation’s economic success—despite their critical role in our economy. Unemployment and poverty rates present a real challenge to these communities while accessible health care and education are too often out of reach.And that's even before we get to all the other stuff she wanted to do with tax credits, infrastructure, community banks, etc etc etc
As president, Hillary will:
Spur investment: Hillary will create a national infrastructure bank to improve rural transportation and broadband access and grow the rural economy by expanding access to capital. She’ll also expand the New Markets Tax Credit that will encourage investments to prevent communities from spiraling downward after a major economic shift or plant closing.
Support family farms: Hillary will increase funding to support the next generation of farmers and ranchers in local food markets and regional food systems. And she’ll create a focused safety net to help family farms get through challenging times.
Promote clean energy: Hillary will encourage our nation’s commitment to clean energy by assisting farms that conserve and improve natural resources. She’ll also strengthen the Renewable Fuel Standard and double loans that help support the bio-based economy.
Expand opportunity: Hillary will increase funding for Early Head Start, universal pre-K, free community college, and support for telemedicine and Medicaid expansion.
There's no going back to some golden age but there are some things that could be done. And she was very aware of how desperately people, especially women, were struggling in rural towns. For a quick example, see this piece beginning with the 10th graf. The idea that rural america was ignored or that no one was considering the plight of rural citizens or that no one had a plan to try and help is just....I don't know what to say to that.
posted by lazaruslong at 6:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [86 favorites]
The problem of rural America is deep and may even be unsolvable
The solution is massive infrastructural programs
high speed cable and information infrastructure to make telecommuting a practical reality, regional high speed rail networks, the sort of quality of life facilities (schools, hospitals, etc) that people find in urbanized areas
Before the Tennessee Valley Authority, a huge chunk of the American south was barely electrified. Afterward, it was possible to build industry and business there. Because there was electricity.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [79 favorites]
The solution is massive infrastructural programs
high speed cable and information infrastructure to make telecommuting a practical reality, regional high speed rail networks, the sort of quality of life facilities (schools, hospitals, etc) that people find in urbanized areas
Before the Tennessee Valley Authority, a huge chunk of the American south was barely electrified. Afterward, it was possible to build industry and business there. Because there was electricity.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [79 favorites]
3) Green tech jobs. The thing about Kansas is that it's flat, windy, sunny, and REALLY EMPTY. We could have so many solar panels & wind turbines creating energy and energy jobs! We just need the initial investment to get all that technology installed and it would pay off so much.
If I was a Democratic strategist I would come straight to flyover country with the following plan:
The first is a $10 billion green energy shared equity fund. The government will fund business ventures that install solar and wind power in appropriate places in the midwest. Accepting the funds is to commit those companies to use US made panels and US made wind generators.
The second is a $10 billion green manufacturing shared equity fund and $1 billion retraining fund. The government will fund and share equity in manufacturing ventures for solar and wind power components in the depressed Appalachian region. Included in this package is that anyone who wants and gets a job can receive training at full pay paid for from the retraining fund until it's finished and they progress into the hi-tech manufacturing sector. Basically a training to job pipeline.
The third is a $100 billion loan guarantee fund. Any further funding not covered by shared equity can be backstopped by the government. Get AAA funding rates for green energy investment.
Solyndra is a good example here of a squandered opportunity. They wanted to assemble the panels in fucking Fremont. An area with next to no unemployment, high cost of living, and having to pay ridiculous wages for manufacturing. For what? The prestige of manufacturing in California?
Imagine if you could have a solar and wind assembly corridor from Lexington to Pittsburgh. US steel flows out of Pittsburgh, US aluminium comes from the surrounding Appalachian region, solar cells flow in from San Antonio, hi-tech components head out, made by American workers, paid decent wages and benefits, to address US energy independence.
Then, after this is all done, the government can either divest its equity at auction (most likely for a hearty profit), or receive dividends from the green energy economy. How is this not on the cards for any Democratic manufacturing renaissance?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:56 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
If I was a Democratic strategist I would come straight to flyover country with the following plan:
The first is a $10 billion green energy shared equity fund. The government will fund business ventures that install solar and wind power in appropriate places in the midwest. Accepting the funds is to commit those companies to use US made panels and US made wind generators.
The second is a $10 billion green manufacturing shared equity fund and $1 billion retraining fund. The government will fund and share equity in manufacturing ventures for solar and wind power components in the depressed Appalachian region. Included in this package is that anyone who wants and gets a job can receive training at full pay paid for from the retraining fund until it's finished and they progress into the hi-tech manufacturing sector. Basically a training to job pipeline.
The third is a $100 billion loan guarantee fund. Any further funding not covered by shared equity can be backstopped by the government. Get AAA funding rates for green energy investment.
Solyndra is a good example here of a squandered opportunity. They wanted to assemble the panels in fucking Fremont. An area with next to no unemployment, high cost of living, and having to pay ridiculous wages for manufacturing. For what? The prestige of manufacturing in California?
Imagine if you could have a solar and wind assembly corridor from Lexington to Pittsburgh. US steel flows out of Pittsburgh, US aluminium comes from the surrounding Appalachian region, solar cells flow in from San Antonio, hi-tech components head out, made by American workers, paid decent wages and benefits, to address US energy independence.
Then, after this is all done, the government can either divest its equity at auction (most likely for a hearty profit), or receive dividends from the green energy economy. How is this not on the cards for any Democratic manufacturing renaissance?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:56 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
Centrist Democrats Want A Presidential Candidate To Take On Bernie. They Just Don’t Know Who It Is.
Jesus, if any of this article is true we are so fucked.
posted by Artw at 6:57 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Jesus, if any of this article is true we are so fucked.
posted by Artw at 6:57 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
MetaFilter: your dink ass rural hometown
posted by petebest at 7:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by petebest at 7:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
I really wish we could embed images because the trading graph looks like the dollar is going cliff-diving.
The problem with embedded images is the same as the problem with flying cars: everybody else gets to do it.
posted by mabelstreet at 7:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
The problem with embedded images is the same as the problem with flying cars: everybody else gets to do it.
posted by mabelstreet at 7:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
Even something as simple as the $15 minimum wage would have massive impact in an area where a *lot* of jobs are minimum wage or close to it (WalMart and all its dollar-store competitors, gas stations, liquor stores) and the minimum wage is $7-8. Imagine how many people would practically double their income with a $15 minimum wage, and what opportunities that would open up for them, and what dramatic effects it would have on local businesses' ability to remain solvent.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 7:03 AM on July 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by the turtle's teeth at 7:03 AM on July 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
You don't have to go to YouTube to meet the totally deranged: (Right Wing Watch).
End Times broadcaster and radical conspiracy theorist Rick Wiles used his “TruNews” television program last night to warn that MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow had signaled that a violent coup will take place within the next 72 hours during which President Trump and his family will be dragged out of the White House and beheaded.
Why are these people freely walking around let alone on TV?
posted by adamvasco at 7:04 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
End Times broadcaster and radical conspiracy theorist Rick Wiles used his “TruNews” television program last night to warn that MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow had signaled that a violent coup will take place within the next 72 hours during which President Trump and his family will be dragged out of the White House and beheaded.
Why are these people freely walking around let alone on TV?
posted by adamvasco at 7:04 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Fix healthcare so that not having a jobs from a big employer isn’t a slow death sentence, that’s a good one. Opens up lots of opportunities after that.
posted by Artw at 7:07 AM on July 20, 2018 [47 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:07 AM on July 20, 2018 [47 favorites]
Jesus, if any of this article is true we are so fucked.
Which parts are concerning to you? Third Way being on the outs feels like very welcome and hopeful news to me.
posted by contraption at 7:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Which parts are concerning to you? Third Way being on the outs feels like very welcome and hopeful news to me.
posted by contraption at 7:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
But the Opportunity Democrats’ big ideas — carefully constructed, polled on, and laid out by Third Way in Columbus — are not nearly as big as the far left’s, though that’s partly by design. There’s a venture-capital like bank that will lend on a massive scale to underserved areas, an apprentice program modeled in part after land-grant colleges, a universal private retirement fund. Also, an Americorps-like program for retirees, called “Boomer Corps.”
“Boomer Corps”.
They’ve got nothing and no-one.
posted by Artw at 7:13 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
“Boomer Corps”.
They’ve got nothing and no-one.
posted by Artw at 7:13 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
I just searched for my ZIP code and 100% (yes, literally every dollar) of the political donations this year are to progressive or Democratic recipients.
opensecrets.org is a bit messed up. Somehow for my St. Louis area suburb, it has Charter Communications, AT&T, and Monsanto as recipients of donations... along with Ted Cruz (in 2018). Also it appears to not include any of my donations.
With that said, donations were about 75% Democrat, which fits with my expectations -- but also small, which also fits with my expections. In my parent's podunk town in AnHourAwayFromAnything, GA it's about 75% Republican because a shitload of attorneys each donated $1000 to Drew Ferguson -- if you remove those donations, it's more like 80% Democrat.
posted by Foosnark at 7:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
opensecrets.org is a bit messed up. Somehow for my St. Louis area suburb, it has Charter Communications, AT&T, and Monsanto as recipients of donations... along with Ted Cruz (in 2018). Also it appears to not include any of my donations.
With that said, donations were about 75% Democrat, which fits with my expectations -- but also small, which also fits with my expections. In my parent's podunk town in AnHourAwayFromAnything, GA it's about 75% Republican because a shitload of attorneys each donated $1000 to Drew Ferguson -- if you remove those donations, it's more like 80% Democrat.
posted by Foosnark at 7:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
I thought this Al Jazeera article, helpfully titled Trump is not Putin's puppet and here's why" to be pretty interesting.
So one interesting thing about our foreign policy is that what Trump wants and what is actually implemented have not infrequently been at odds with one another. Trump says a lot of things, he breaks everything, and then his administration either tries desperately to clean up the pieces. Or they just outright ignore whatever he's been saying. Trump's been licking Putin's boots, but with respect to sanctions on Russia and whatnot he's been terrible at making changes. I think it is a mistake to ascribe any "strategy" to Trump when the strategy also happens to be in the interests of those underneath him.
posted by Anonymous at 7:23 AM on July 20, 2018
So one interesting thing about our foreign policy is that what Trump wants and what is actually implemented have not infrequently been at odds with one another. Trump says a lot of things, he breaks everything, and then his administration either tries desperately to clean up the pieces. Or they just outright ignore whatever he's been saying. Trump's been licking Putin's boots, but with respect to sanctions on Russia and whatnot he's been terrible at making changes. I think it is a mistake to ascribe any "strategy" to Trump when the strategy also happens to be in the interests of those underneath him.
posted by Anonymous at 7:23 AM on July 20, 2018
From Texas Republican congressman Will Hurd.
NYT: Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
NYT: Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
Over the course of my career as an undercover officer in the C.I.A., I saw Russian intelligence manipulate many people. I never thought I would see the day when an American president would be one of them.posted by chris24 at 7:58 AM on July 20, 2018 [39 favorites]
The president’s failure to defend the United States intelligence community’s unanimous conclusions of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and condemn Russian covert counterinfluence campaigns and his standing idle on the world stage while a Russian dictator spouted lies confused many but should concern all Americans. By playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands, the leader of the free world actively participated in a Russian disinformation campaign that legitimized Russian denial and weakened the credibility of the United States to both our friends and foes abroad.
As a member of Congress, a coequal branch of government designed by our founders to provide checks and balances on the executive branch, I believe that lawmakers must fulfill our oversight duty as well as keep the American people informed of the current danger...
Politico Magazine (Blake Hounshell, EIC): Why I’m No Longer a Russiagate Skeptic: Facts are piling up, and it’s getting harder to deny what’s staring us in the face
When I wrote, back in February, that I was skeptical that President Donald Trump would ever be proved to have secretly colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 election in his favor, I mistyped.posted by chris24 at 8:04 AM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
What I meant to write was that I wasn’t skeptical.
Last week’s events have nullified my previous skepticism...
NYT (Michelle Goldberg): Are Republicans Covering for Trump, or for Themselves?
If the N.R.A. was compromised by Russia, the whole party's in trouble.posted by chris24 at 8:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [72 favorites]
From Texas Republican congressman Will Hurd: Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
I hope the GOP follows Hurd's brave lead and votes the way Trump wants 95.4% of the time.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
I hope the GOP follows Hurd's brave lead and votes the way Trump wants 95.4% of the time.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
Regarding the $15 minimum wage, there’s a riveting account of the workers unionizing at Smithfield’s Tar Heel North Carolina pig processing factory in the book No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age. One thing the author contrasts is that the Seattle’s $15 effort was going on at the same time but that these workers negotiated that for their union contract and its equivalent to $26/hr in Seattle due to cost of living differences. A better minimum wage would lift a lot of boats.
posted by R343L at 8:14 AM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by R343L at 8:14 AM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
Trump is not Putin's puppet and here's why
It's interesting to read a Moscow-based Russian journalist's perspective on Trump, but it's a limited one. He observes Trump isn't deferring to the Russian energy sector in his decisions about oil and natural gas, but he fails to present any argument about how Putin could possibly instruct Trump to override his base's real-world concerns about gas prices and home-heating costs (and, of course, the US energy lobby's wishes). Moreover, he completely ignores Congress, such as how they are the ones, after all, who created the sanctions laws he suggests Trump would have reversed if he were truly Putin's puppet (as though he doesn't understand how vetoes work in the US Constitution). He's also premature in claiming that Putin hasn't gotten what he wants out of Trump on Syria and Ukraine, especially when Putin's described "agreements" they made behind closed doors that have yet to be implemented. Ultimately, the issue is that this journalist expects Trump to be able to issue directives like an autocrat—like Putin. We're not there yet.
A Theory of Trump Kompromat
Davidson's article is more persuasive about the shadowy network of influence, leverage, and coercion that Trump is clearly trapped in, though it begins with a straw man/straw spy argument. When Davidson relates how his ex-C.I.A. source believes, “There is no way Trump is a Russian agent.” because Trump displayed such obvious sycophancy at the Helsinki press conference instead of putting on a show of criticism and defiance. But that glides over the more likely possibility that Trump is an intelligence asset, which covers many more informal relationships. It's the difference between a Kim Philby and a Clayton Lonetree. That's why former DNI James Clapper used that particular term when he said Putin "knows how to handle an asset, and that's what he's doing with the president.[...] You have to remember Putin's background. He's a KGB officer. That's what they do. They recruit assets."
No espionage organization would formally enlist anyone as unreliable as Trump as an intelligence agent. He's simply too unpredictable, too volatile, too indiscreet, and too incompetent. However, when it comes to susceptiblity to sticks and carrots (i.e. blackmail and bribes), he perfectly fits the profile for asset recruitment. For a long time now, Trump's been only a degree or two of separation from Russian intelligence, just enough for deniability while making use of him. Now that he's occupying the Oval Office, Putin's been handling him like a case officer, between his numerous phone calls and these few face-to-face meetings. That's a slower process which will take time to bear fruit, but it's going on right in front of us.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
It's interesting to read a Moscow-based Russian journalist's perspective on Trump, but it's a limited one. He observes Trump isn't deferring to the Russian energy sector in his decisions about oil and natural gas, but he fails to present any argument about how Putin could possibly instruct Trump to override his base's real-world concerns about gas prices and home-heating costs (and, of course, the US energy lobby's wishes). Moreover, he completely ignores Congress, such as how they are the ones, after all, who created the sanctions laws he suggests Trump would have reversed if he were truly Putin's puppet (as though he doesn't understand how vetoes work in the US Constitution). He's also premature in claiming that Putin hasn't gotten what he wants out of Trump on Syria and Ukraine, especially when Putin's described "agreements" they made behind closed doors that have yet to be implemented. Ultimately, the issue is that this journalist expects Trump to be able to issue directives like an autocrat—like Putin. We're not there yet.
A Theory of Trump Kompromat
Davidson's article is more persuasive about the shadowy network of influence, leverage, and coercion that Trump is clearly trapped in, though it begins with a straw man/straw spy argument. When Davidson relates how his ex-C.I.A. source believes, “There is no way Trump is a Russian agent.” because Trump displayed such obvious sycophancy at the Helsinki press conference instead of putting on a show of criticism and defiance. But that glides over the more likely possibility that Trump is an intelligence asset, which covers many more informal relationships. It's the difference between a Kim Philby and a Clayton Lonetree. That's why former DNI James Clapper used that particular term when he said Putin "knows how to handle an asset, and that's what he's doing with the president.[...] You have to remember Putin's background. He's a KGB officer. That's what they do. They recruit assets."
No espionage organization would formally enlist anyone as unreliable as Trump as an intelligence agent. He's simply too unpredictable, too volatile, too indiscreet, and too incompetent. However, when it comes to susceptiblity to sticks and carrots (i.e. blackmail and bribes), he perfectly fits the profile for asset recruitment. For a long time now, Trump's been only a degree or two of separation from Russian intelligence, just enough for deniability while making use of him. Now that he's occupying the Oval Office, Putin's been handling him like a case officer, between his numerous phone calls and these few face-to-face meetings. That's a slower process which will take time to bear fruit, but it's going on right in front of us.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
I hope the GOP follows Hurd's brave lead and votes the way Trump wants 95.4% of the time.
While I'm sure his voting will probably not change much, all these votes came before the Helsinki fiasco which triggered this editorial.
We also have the issue that when Rs do things to resist Trump - as minimal as we may think they are - if our first and only instinct is to always slam them for past actions or insufficiency, then it's really counter-productive to getting further actions or more people resisting. And I would argue a conservative Texas Republican writing a NYT editorial calling Trump a Russian agent isn't that minimal.
Again, accepting help from or working with Rs is not the same as exonerating them.
posted by chris24 at 8:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
While I'm sure his voting will probably not change much, all these votes came before the Helsinki fiasco which triggered this editorial.
We also have the issue that when Rs do things to resist Trump - as minimal as we may think they are - if our first and only instinct is to always slam them for past actions or insufficiency, then it's really counter-productive to getting further actions or more people resisting. And I would argue a conservative Texas Republican writing a NYT editorial calling Trump a Russian agent isn't that minimal.
Again, accepting help from or working with Rs is not the same as exonerating them.
posted by chris24 at 8:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
Also, an Americorps-like program for retirees, called “Boomer Corps.”
Fuck me. We're living in a Rudy Rucker novel.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:16 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
Fuck me. We're living in a Rudy Rucker novel.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:16 AM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
Also book recommendations! That No Shortcuts is great but I read it right after The Populist Moment by Lawrence Goodwyn. The two have clarified so much for me and are helping me understand our current politics a lot, especially the corruption and how corporate power works.
posted by R343L at 8:17 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by R343L at 8:17 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Again, accepting help from Rs is not the same as exonerating them.
I'm not willing to accept words as help from elected Republicans any more. After years of meaningless words and disapproving tut-tuts from Republicans as they happily destroy the country under Trump, following decades of R bad faith, I just can't. I'm generally a forgiving person to a fault and it wouldn't take much concrete action to gain my approval, but "Trump is bad because he makes us look bad while we gut your civilization" does not cut it. Put up or shut up.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [57 favorites]
I'm not willing to accept words as help from elected Republicans any more. After years of meaningless words and disapproving tut-tuts from Republicans as they happily destroy the country under Trump, following decades of R bad faith, I just can't. I'm generally a forgiving person to a fault and it wouldn't take much concrete action to gain my approval, but "Trump is bad because he makes us look bad while we gut your civilization" does not cut it. Put up or shut up.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [57 favorites]
Oh, and they want to run Joe Biden in case you’re in any doubt about it being a gerontocracy.
posted by Artw at 8:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
corb I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave.
I'm not sure if you think we are new to talking about this to you or if somehow you are new to being you, but we have been through this stuff in past threads ad infinitum and after a bunch of us drop a bunch of emotional labor to come up with these things - and has been shown above, they exist - we get a whole lot of well yes but that doesn't actually count response because of how it's a handout or it doesn't properly respect their honor and pride and need to show they they themselves can actually work and support their families and blah blah on and on.
It is beyond question that Dems need to find an effective way to talk to these folks and that means they have to actually talk to these folks a la 50 state strategy, but I am so far beyond over this nonsense where we have to produce a whole bunch of proof that people care and are doing something and then listen to a bunch of but not like that when we're talking about what Dems are actually doing. The only other choice in our baked-in two party system is exclusively promoting and providing face eating leopards so spare me a demand that Dems Do Better in how they propose to solve the problems.
posted by phearlez at 8:32 AM on July 20, 2018 [78 favorites]
I'm not sure if you think we are new to talking about this to you or if somehow you are new to being you, but we have been through this stuff in past threads ad infinitum and after a bunch of us drop a bunch of emotional labor to come up with these things - and has been shown above, they exist - we get a whole lot of well yes but that doesn't actually count response because of how it's a handout or it doesn't properly respect their honor and pride and need to show they they themselves can actually work and support their families and blah blah on and on.
It is beyond question that Dems need to find an effective way to talk to these folks and that means they have to actually talk to these folks a la 50 state strategy, but I am so far beyond over this nonsense where we have to produce a whole bunch of proof that people care and are doing something and then listen to a bunch of but not like that when we're talking about what Dems are actually doing. The only other choice in our baked-in two party system is exclusively promoting and providing face eating leopards so spare me a demand that Dems Do Better in how they propose to solve the problems.
posted by phearlez at 8:32 AM on July 20, 2018 [78 favorites]
I understand and feel the same the frustration with Rs talking with little else, though I will say that Hurd is a congressman, not a senator. He can't hold up anything, he can't deny judges, he can't really affect legislation. His one vote in the House has nowhere near the impact of Flake, Collins, Corker, McCain who could each almost singlehandedly stop Trump. If this was an editorial by one of them I would 100% agree it's meaningless and infuriating. But for an R congressman, in Texas, running for reelection not retiring, to come out and call Trump a Russian agent in the NYT, the "fake news" paper despised by Trump and Trumpettes, I think it's a pretty decent step. I'll take it as a positive sign that Trump's lockstep support is starting to erode. Or at least some Rs are getting scared enough by election prospects to start to peel away. Which is a positive sign for what might happen after the election if a blue wave occurs and they lose the House.
posted by chris24 at 8:36 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 8:36 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
I'll take it as a positive sign that Trump's lockstep support is starting to erode. Or at least some Rs are getting scared enough by election prospects to start to peel away. Which is a positive sign for what might happen after the election if a blue wave occurs and they lose the House.
For sure it's not a bad thing. But it's still just an expression of dismay and as per anem0ne, I will not dispense a cookie for that. Hurd can say "we have to impeach him" or "we have to stall his agenda" or "we have to prevent any more lifetime judicial appointments from him." Hurd can leave the Republican party. Hurd can openly accuse his fellow Republicans of being accomplices to or equally guilty of the same treason as Trump. Hurd can do many things beyond a rhetorical brow-furrow.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:44 AM on July 20, 2018 [11 favorites]
For sure it's not a bad thing. But it's still just an expression of dismay and as per anem0ne, I will not dispense a cookie for that. Hurd can say "we have to impeach him" or "we have to stall his agenda" or "we have to prevent any more lifetime judicial appointments from him." Hurd can leave the Republican party. Hurd can openly accuse his fellow Republicans of being accomplices to or equally guilty of the same treason as Trump. Hurd can do many things beyond a rhetorical brow-furrow.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:44 AM on July 20, 2018 [11 favorites]
Lordy, I'm glad there are tapes.
Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times: SCOOP: FBI has secret recording Michael Cohen made of conversation he had with Trump two months before the election in which they discussed payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal. w/@maggieNYT @mattapuzzo
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [74 favorites]
Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times: SCOOP: FBI has secret recording Michael Cohen made of conversation he had with Trump two months before the election in which they discussed payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal. w/@maggieNYT @mattapuzzo
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 8:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [74 favorites]
“Boomer Corps”
Ah shit, AD Police must be “After Democracy”.
posted by curious nu at 8:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Ah shit, AD Police must be “After Democracy”.
posted by curious nu at 8:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'd really like to know if the Cohen tapes reveal where the money came from
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:50 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 8:50 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
It doesn't say this in the article, but Maggie Haberman just tweeted:
Lordy, there’s a tape. Appears to be the only one.posted by pjenks at 8:51 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
One more point on Will Hurd: his district was +4 Clinton in 2016 and is ranked as a toss-up. Mere anti-Trump mouthnoises from him merit no gold star.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Fuck me. We're living in a Rudy Rucker novel.
Or a movie adaptation by Terry Southern of a collaborative spy novel by John le Carré and Graham Greene.
Putin "knows how to handle an asset, and that's what he's doing with the president.[...] You have to remember Putin's background. He's a KGB officer. That's what they do. They recruit assets."
We didn't delve into this in the previous thread, but leading into the Helsinki summit, people were leaking descriptions to media about exactly this happening. For instance, from the NYT's July 9th article Trump Poised to Enter NATO Meeting as Wild Card Among Allies:
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:53 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
Or a movie adaptation by Terry Southern of a collaborative spy novel by John le Carré and Graham Greene.
Putin "knows how to handle an asset, and that's what he's doing with the president.[...] You have to remember Putin's background. He's a KGB officer. That's what they do. They recruit assets."
We didn't delve into this in the previous thread, but leading into the Helsinki summit, people were leaking descriptions to media about exactly this happening. For instance, from the NYT's July 9th article Trump Poised to Enter NATO Meeting as Wild Card Among Allies:
During a phone call with Mr. Putin in March, when the president was urged by aides not to congratulate the Russian president on his electoral victory, Mr. Trump did just that. He told Mr. Putin that Russia and the United States should get along better. And he commiserated with Mr. Putin over Trump administration officials whom the Russian president said had tried to prevent the call from happening, according to a person with direct knowledge of the conversation.n.b. That last sentence was deleted from the final print version.
“Those are stupid people; you shouldn’t listen to them,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Putin, the person said.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:53 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
Also this (from Haberman, also not in the article):
The taped conversation took place two months before the election, a month after woman claiming affair w Trump was paid by AMI.posted by pjenks at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2018
(Also: Wasn't Haberman supposed to be taking a Twitter holiday?)
posted by notyou at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [23 favorites]
posted by notyou at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [23 favorites]
opensecrets.org is a bit messed up. Somehow for my St. Louis area suburb, it has Charter Communications, AT&T, and Monsanto as recipients of donations... along with Ted Cruz (in 2018).
The opensecrets database is aggregated from thousands of individual candidates who tally each donation and then it is passed on to the federal elections commission. Individual donors are responsible for properly filling out the forms when they make their donation.
What you are seeing is the donor's employer which was filled out in the wrong field on the form. If you directly look up the individual that shows Charter Communications as the recipient, for example, you will find that the person's employer is Charter. They, or the recipient candidate, messed up the reporting forms. Opensecrets can't just modify incorrect data that is sent to them.
Also it appears to not include any of my donations.
For donations under $200, campaigns are not required to disclose names and occupations of the donors. The $200 limit is per campaign cycle, so candidates are supposed to aggregate multiple small donations from the same person, but that only works if you fill out the forms precisely the same for each donation.
posted by JackFlash at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
The opensecrets database is aggregated from thousands of individual candidates who tally each donation and then it is passed on to the federal elections commission. Individual donors are responsible for properly filling out the forms when they make their donation.
What you are seeing is the donor's employer which was filled out in the wrong field on the form. If you directly look up the individual that shows Charter Communications as the recipient, for example, you will find that the person's employer is Charter. They, or the recipient candidate, messed up the reporting forms. Opensecrets can't just modify incorrect data that is sent to them.
Also it appears to not include any of my donations.
For donations under $200, campaigns are not required to disclose names and occupations of the donors. The $200 limit is per campaign cycle, so candidates are supposed to aggregate multiple small donations from the same person, but that only works if you fill out the forms precisely the same for each donation.
posted by JackFlash at 8:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Oh, and they want to run Joe Biden in case you’re in any doubt about it being a gerontocracy.
Oh, come on. If Bernie Sanders decides to run he would be the oldest presidential candidate to ever run for office, much less the oldest president.
posted by Anonymous at 8:58 AM on July 20, 2018
Oh, come on. If Bernie Sanders decides to run he would be the oldest presidential candidate to ever run for office, much less the oldest president.
posted by Anonymous at 8:58 AM on July 20, 2018
Wasn't Haberman supposed to be taking a Twitter holiday?
I think that was from everything but explicit self-promotion.
posted by pjenks at 8:58 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
I think that was from everything but explicit self-promotion.
posted by pjenks at 8:58 AM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Boomer Corps" is super annoying, because we have had Senior Corps since 1993. And that was the joining of programs that were created in 1973: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senior_Corps
posted by eckeric at 8:59 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by eckeric at 8:59 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Which is not to say I am a fan of Uncle Joe, who is prob going to have a #MeToo moment if he ever runs. Honestly even Elizabeth Warren would be older than Trump or Clinton when they ran.
posted by Anonymous at 8:59 AM on July 20, 2018
posted by Anonymous at 8:59 AM on July 20, 2018
Not really sure how Bernie Sanders being old contradicts the statement that Joe Biden is old.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 9:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
“Those are stupid people; you shouldn’t listen to them,” Mr. Trump told Mr. Putin, the person said.
n.b. That last sentence was deleted from the final print version.
Not really deleted as much as condensed into this paragraph:
[Trump] told Mr. Putin that Russia and the United States should get along better. And he described as “stupid people” the unnamed Trump administration officials whom the Russian president said had tried to prevent the call from happening, according to a person with direct knowledge of the conversation.
posted by Mothlight at 9:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
n.b. That last sentence was deleted from the final print version.
Not really deleted as much as condensed into this paragraph:
[Trump] told Mr. Putin that Russia and the United States should get along better. And he described as “stupid people” the unnamed Trump administration officials whom the Russian president said had tried to prevent the call from happening, according to a person with direct knowledge of the conversation.
posted by Mothlight at 9:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I am against anyone over 70 running.
posted by Artw at 9:01 AM on July 20, 2018 [50 favorites]
posted by Artw at 9:01 AM on July 20, 2018 [50 favorites]
If Bernie Sanders decides to run he would be the oldest presidential candidate to ever run for office, much less the oldest president.
Me, I've had it with the old white guys full stop. They need to take about a two century time-out.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [106 favorites]
Me, I've had it with the old white guys full stop. They need to take about a two century time-out.
posted by octobersurprise at 9:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [106 favorites]
What you are seeing is the donor's employer which was filled out in the wrong field on the form. If you directly look up the individual that shows Charter Communications as the recipient, for example, you will find that the person's employer is Charter.
It is likely to be a donation to a PAC run by Charter. I found the same in my city: lots of large donations by people made apparently to their employer. They're classified as PAC donations on the site, though, and you can look up the company's PAC to see all of its details there as well.
posted by whatnotever at 9:06 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
It is likely to be a donation to a PAC run by Charter. I found the same in my city: lots of large donations by people made apparently to their employer. They're classified as PAC donations on the site, though, and you can look up the company's PAC to see all of its details there as well.
posted by whatnotever at 9:06 AM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Not really deleted as much as condensed into this paragraph
Quite so. The original sentence was the one quoted in the mega-thread, though. Not only is it punchier, but it also shows Trump explicitly undermining his own White House staff with Putin—"you shouldn't listen to them." The NYT deleted that and massaged some of the information into a much blander, blurrier paragraph. Who knows if that was editorial self-censorship by someone at the NYT or a favor to their unnamed source, who may not have wanted to risk pissing off Trump with that direct quote. Either way, this illustrates the perils of access journalism.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Quite so. The original sentence was the one quoted in the mega-thread, though. Not only is it punchier, but it also shows Trump explicitly undermining his own White House staff with Putin—"you shouldn't listen to them." The NYT deleted that and massaged some of the information into a much blander, blurrier paragraph. Who knows if that was editorial self-censorship by someone at the NYT or a favor to their unnamed source, who may not have wanted to risk pissing off Trump with that direct quote. Either way, this illustrates the perils of access journalism.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Rudy doing great lawyering again.
David Kurtz (TPM)
Not clear whether special master has rendered privilege decision on the Cohen secret recording of Trump–but Rudy G describing to NYT what's on the tape ain't helping the attorney-client privilege argument
posted by chris24 at 9:12 AM on July 20, 2018 [34 favorites]
David Kurtz (TPM)
Not clear whether special master has rendered privilege decision on the Cohen secret recording of Trump–but Rudy G describing to NYT what's on the tape ain't helping the attorney-client privilege argument
posted by chris24 at 9:12 AM on July 20, 2018 [34 favorites]
Maggie Haberman just tweeted: Lordy, there’s a tape. Appears to be the only one.
I for one am shocked that Haberman is buying into and repeating the Guiliani/Trump spin/lie about only one tape.
posted by chris24 at 9:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
I for one am shocked that Haberman is buying into and repeating the Guiliani/Trump spin/lie about only one tape.
posted by chris24 at 9:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
It is likely to be a donation to a PAC run by Charter.
Perhaps, but in that case, then the reporting form from Charter is in error. Charter should have explicitly listed the recipient as Charter Communications PAC.
posted by JackFlash at 9:22 AM on July 20, 2018
Perhaps, but in that case, then the reporting form from Charter is in error. Charter should have explicitly listed the recipient as Charter Communications PAC.
posted by JackFlash at 9:22 AM on July 20, 2018
Lawyers are creatures of habit. If there is one tape, then there is a system of how to tape, and there are more tapes.
posted by kerf at 9:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
posted by kerf at 9:22 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
I for one am shocked that Haberman is buying into and repeating the Guiliani/Trump spin/lie about only one tape.
Also funny how this tidbit didn't meet muster to make it into the story - which she co-wrote - but sure, let's share it with my 900k followers.
posted by chris24 at 9:29 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Also funny how this tidbit didn't meet muster to make it into the story - which she co-wrote - but sure, let's share it with my 900k followers.
posted by chris24 at 9:29 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
I'm not sure if you think we are new to talking about this to you or if somehow you are new to being you
Flagged as fantastic
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:32 AM on July 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
Flagged as fantastic
posted by rabbitrabbit at 9:32 AM on July 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
Emma Best, national security journalist, has published 285,000 text messages that were hacked from Paul Manafort's daughter's phone.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:33 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
posted by escape from the potato planet at 9:33 AM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
People keep assuming there are tapes when there might just be recordings.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
"the pee .wmv" doesn't have the same ring to it tho
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 9:45 AM on July 20, 2018 [27 favorites]
the opensecrets thing illustrates yet again the horrors of gentrification bc 60% of the top funded recipients from my zip code are repubs and 38% are dems, but that 60% is a single 35k donation from one white guy in finance and i bet it's the same loudmouth who puts up flyers for community meetings about how we have to drive homeless shelters and food pantries out of this neighborhood so the property prices go up.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [39 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 9:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [39 favorites]
Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times: SCOOP: FBI has secret recording Michael Cohen made of conversation he had with Trump two months before the election in which they discussed payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal.
MSNBC's Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1): Flashback: When WSJ revealed the existence of the National Enquirer payment to McDougal days before the election, Hope Hicks, said, "We have no knowledge of any of this." {n.b. It has been not quite four months since Hicks's departure from the Trump White House communications team.}
Meanwhile, the Atlantic has posted a new article excoriating Sarah Sanders on her one-year anniversary: The World Burns. Sarah Sanders Says This Is Fine.—The White House press secretary has set a new precedent: Partisanship over patriotism. Victory over truth.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
MSNBC's Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1): Flashback: When WSJ revealed the existence of the National Enquirer payment to McDougal days before the election, Hope Hicks, said, "We have no knowledge of any of this." {n.b. It has been not quite four months since Hicks's departure from the Trump White House communications team.}
Meanwhile, the Atlantic has posted a new article excoriating Sarah Sanders on her one-year anniversary: The World Burns. Sarah Sanders Says This Is Fine.—The White House press secretary has set a new precedent: Partisanship over patriotism. Victory over truth.
It is a well-worn cliché of the Trump presidency—which is also to say, it is a well-worn cliché about the Trump psyche—that, within a White House as vertically integrated as this one, loyalty counts above all. And Sarah Sanders, the press secretary who will have been on the job, this week, for one year—the White House announced her promotion to the role in July of 2017—performs that loyalty every time she meets the press.[...]Incidentally, the White House communications team has been phasing out daily briefings and has only held three on-camera briefings in the past 30 days, according to the administration's own records on WhiteHouse.gov (CNN).
In a Sanders briefing, even the most straightforward questions are often met with obfuscation and indignation. Even the most basic matters of fact are disputed. The logic of the battlefield wins out, and the assigned teams face off, and it becomes clear, if you watch for long enough, that the thing being fought for is reality itself: facts, truths, common knowledge. The content and the contours of the world as we agree to understand it. In Sanders’s briefings, the Overton window doesn’t widen or narrow so much as it angrily yells at you for not being a door.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can explain precisely - step by step - what the proposed Democratic plan is to transform the massive amount of rural communities throughout the nation, small towns with less than 1000 and often less than 500 people - into vibrant, growing places of financial success where people want to come and kids don’t want to leave. Because right now, it looks like the only plans are to staunch the bleeding and to get folks retrained so they can get other jobs outside their communities, which would help those individuals but exacerbate the community problem.
Basically the problem, as I see it, is that money and capital are concentrating in very few places and among very few hands in the US. So ironically, what the red states really need is redistributive policies: ones that at the minimum, poke holes in the dams wealthy people have built to keep their capital from flowing outward.
This Atlantic article for instance makes a convincing case that the reason for stagnation of many of America's non-coastal cities, including smaller cities in red states, is essentially because of "deregulation." They call out the deregulation of airlines and a reversal in anti-trust enforcement in the 80s as causing the standard of living to diverge across America. So one thing I would want to see is 1. bust monopolies, 2. put back in place airline regulations that make travel to places like Kansas City and Omaha as feasible as Chicago and San Francisco, and 3. invest federal government money into the economies in red states. I'm biased so I'd prefer things like building public research universities (not just 4-year colleges) while raising the NIH, NSF, and DOE budgets, because funding research ends up creating all kinds of jobs and spinning off new technologies, but really anything that points in some forward-looking direction (vs. trying to resuscitate things like coal mining) is something I would welcome. I should also point out that universities don't just fund green energy and biotech and software spinoffs; many of America's land-grant universities also produce agricultural technology research that is maybe less "flashy" but is just as important, and is more specifically targeted to bringing new opportunities to rural areas. As a side benefit, this should bring down the costs of living in overheated metros that don't have the money and/or political will to build sufficient housing, because it will open up good jobs in less crazypants-cost-of-living places in the US and break up some of the concentration of capital in places like SF and NYC.
As far as specifically small rural communities go, one thing I've seen reported is that the problem can't really be that they are stagnating just because they can't retain people, because people are actually moving markedly less now than they did, say, 10 years ago. One thing that seems to be happening is that it's way less worth it for people to move in search of better jobs, because the country is rapidly bifurcating into places with 1. lots of job opportunities but an insane cost of living that cancel out the increased income (unless you are very highly- and specifically-trained, and even then, access to those things is getting harder because of inequality in education access), and 2. places where the cost of living is relatively low but jobs are scarce and poorly-compensated. Also, even if you do move for a better job it's more likely you have to move really far outside your community, because capital and therefore jobs are so concentrated in this day and age. (Should also say that some of this is quite directly the fault of red-state governments, e.g., paying schoolteachers struggle wages in places like Oklahoma, restricting access to adequate medical care, etc. Fortunately I think even some Republicans are starting to see how bad Brownbackism has been for Kansas, for instance. Nationwide internet infrastructure would also probably help, as others have mentioned.)
There are some more radical, less market-y ways to fix this that I'm certainly not opposed to either, and even with increased government investment there need to be policies that help working people, and not just business owners, share in the successes that it generates. But the "one weird trick" of simply reversing our slide into Reaganomics would likely help regional inequality all by itself.
posted by en forme de poire at 9:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [43 favorites]
Basically the problem, as I see it, is that money and capital are concentrating in very few places and among very few hands in the US. So ironically, what the red states really need is redistributive policies: ones that at the minimum, poke holes in the dams wealthy people have built to keep their capital from flowing outward.
This Atlantic article for instance makes a convincing case that the reason for stagnation of many of America's non-coastal cities, including smaller cities in red states, is essentially because of "deregulation." They call out the deregulation of airlines and a reversal in anti-trust enforcement in the 80s as causing the standard of living to diverge across America. So one thing I would want to see is 1. bust monopolies, 2. put back in place airline regulations that make travel to places like Kansas City and Omaha as feasible as Chicago and San Francisco, and 3. invest federal government money into the economies in red states. I'm biased so I'd prefer things like building public research universities (not just 4-year colleges) while raising the NIH, NSF, and DOE budgets, because funding research ends up creating all kinds of jobs and spinning off new technologies, but really anything that points in some forward-looking direction (vs. trying to resuscitate things like coal mining) is something I would welcome. I should also point out that universities don't just fund green energy and biotech and software spinoffs; many of America's land-grant universities also produce agricultural technology research that is maybe less "flashy" but is just as important, and is more specifically targeted to bringing new opportunities to rural areas. As a side benefit, this should bring down the costs of living in overheated metros that don't have the money and/or political will to build sufficient housing, because it will open up good jobs in less crazypants-cost-of-living places in the US and break up some of the concentration of capital in places like SF and NYC.
As far as specifically small rural communities go, one thing I've seen reported is that the problem can't really be that they are stagnating just because they can't retain people, because people are actually moving markedly less now than they did, say, 10 years ago. One thing that seems to be happening is that it's way less worth it for people to move in search of better jobs, because the country is rapidly bifurcating into places with 1. lots of job opportunities but an insane cost of living that cancel out the increased income (unless you are very highly- and specifically-trained, and even then, access to those things is getting harder because of inequality in education access), and 2. places where the cost of living is relatively low but jobs are scarce and poorly-compensated. Also, even if you do move for a better job it's more likely you have to move really far outside your community, because capital and therefore jobs are so concentrated in this day and age. (Should also say that some of this is quite directly the fault of red-state governments, e.g., paying schoolteachers struggle wages in places like Oklahoma, restricting access to adequate medical care, etc. Fortunately I think even some Republicans are starting to see how bad Brownbackism has been for Kansas, for instance. Nationwide internet infrastructure would also probably help, as others have mentioned.)
There are some more radical, less market-y ways to fix this that I'm certainly not opposed to either, and even with increased government investment there need to be policies that help working people, and not just business owners, share in the successes that it generates. But the "one weird trick" of simply reversing our slide into Reaganomics would likely help regional inequality all by itself.
posted by en forme de poire at 9:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [43 favorites]
ones that at the minimum, poke holes in the dams wealthy people have built to keep their capital from flowing outward.
If you liquidated Jeff Bezos you would have a >$500 dividend for every citizen of the United States. Does that seem obscene to anyone else?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:59 AM on July 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
If you liquidated Jeff Bezos you would have a >$500 dividend for every citizen of the United States. Does that seem obscene to anyone else?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:59 AM on July 20, 2018 [31 favorites]
This is just amazing spin:
Anyway, lordy:
@AnneClaireCNN: There are MORE recordings Michael Cohen had of the president in his records that were seized by the FBI, according to Rudy Giuliani and a source with knowledge of Cohen’s tapes.
@AlliemalCNN: A source also tells our @DanaBashCNN & @GloriaBorger that upon learning of the tapes, Trump remarked, “I can’t believe Michael would do this to me."
posted by zachlipton at 10:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
“Nothing in that conversation suggests that he had any knowledge of it in advance,” Mr. Giuliani said, adding that Mr. Trump had directed Mr. Cohen that if he were to make a payment related to the woman, write a check, rather than sending cash, so it could be properly documented.I mean..."The Presidential candidate directed that the hush money, if it does get paid, should get paid by check" is already a hell of an admission, but there's also absolutely no effort made to reconcile this with the Stormy Daniels payments, which were not exactly conducted with the meticulous transparency Giuliani seems to think Trump wanted.
“In the big scheme of things, it’s powerful exculpatory evidence,” Mr. Giuliani said.
Anyway, lordy:
@AnneClaireCNN: There are MORE recordings Michael Cohen had of the president in his records that were seized by the FBI, according to Rudy Giuliani and a source with knowledge of Cohen’s tapes.
@AlliemalCNN: A source also tells our @DanaBashCNN & @GloriaBorger that upon learning of the tapes, Trump remarked, “I can’t believe Michael would do this to me."
posted by zachlipton at 10:00 AM on July 20, 2018 [58 favorites]
Trump remarked, “I can’t believe Michael would do this to me."
To be fair, Cohen did go on national tv holding up a boom box playing “In Your Eyes” trying to get your attention to his plight.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
To be fair, Cohen did go on national tv holding up a boom box playing “In Your Eyes” trying to get your attention to his plight.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:02 AM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
Flashback: When WSJ revealed the existence of the National Enquirer payment to McDougal days before the election, Hope Hicks, said, "We have no knowledge of any of this."
To be fair, Hope Hicks testified before congress that she was occasionally required to tell "white lies" regarding Trump. This, apparently, is one of those occasions.
posted by JackFlash at 10:06 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
To be fair, Hope Hicks testified before congress that she was occasionally required to tell "white lies" regarding Trump. This, apparently, is one of those occasions.
posted by JackFlash at 10:06 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
Trump remarked, “I can’t believe Michael would do this to me."
I can only hope the appearance of Cohen's tapes means we have entered the "Fuck me? No, fuck you!" phase of alliance-breaking.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [54 favorites]
I can only hope the appearance of Cohen's tapes means we have entered the "Fuck me? No, fuck you!" phase of alliance-breaking.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:08 AM on July 20, 2018 [54 favorites]
This quote, from (I am told) the Gentleman's Magazine of 1741 seems apt:
'A certain Lady of the highest Quality ... makes a judicious Distinction between a white Lie and a black Lie. A white Lie is That which is not intended to injure any Body in his Fortune, Interest, or Reputation but only to gratify a garrulous Disposition and the Itch of amusing People by telling Them wonderful Stories.'
posted by Myeral at 10:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
'A certain Lady of the highest Quality ... makes a judicious Distinction between a white Lie and a black Lie. A white Lie is That which is not intended to injure any Body in his Fortune, Interest, or Reputation but only to gratify a garrulous Disposition and the Itch of amusing People by telling Them wonderful Stories.'
posted by Myeral at 10:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Post's version of the story, In secret recording seized by FBI, Trump and Cohen discuss making payments for story of model who alleged affair with Trump, is a little bit different than the Times version. The Times says "The men discussed a payment from Mr. Trump to Ms. McDougal — separate from the Enquirer payment — to buy her story." That's weird, because AMI/the Enquirer supposedly already bought the story. The Post version says Cohen and Trump were trying to buy the story from AMI:
In the September 2016 conversation, Cohen and Trump were discussing a plan by Cohen to attempt to purchase the rights to McDougal’s story from AMI for roughly $150,000, according to one person familiar with recording.posted by zachlipton at 10:10 AM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
On the tape, Trump can be heard urging Cohen to make sure he properly documents the agreement to buy the rights and urges him to use a check — rather than cash — to keep a record of the transaction, the person said.
It is unclear why Cohen and Trump sought to purchase the story from AMI and then did not complete the transaction.
Taniel: Confused about the ramifications of the latest Cohen/Trump developments? @gabrielmalor's thread has an interesting discussion:
In light of today's news about Cohen and McDougal, lets return to this thread with some updates: One of Trump supporters' claims when Giluiani was busy saying in May that Trump paid Cohen back for paying off Stormy Daniels is that it would't be a problem if Trump didn't know about it in advance.posted by T.D. Strange at 10:11 AM on July 20, 2018 [13 favorites]
(This is wrong, but what Trump knew is important for other potential crimes.) Now we know that Trump had previously directed Cohen to make a similar arrangement to silence McDougal as has been suggested he made for Stormy Daniels.
That tends to show knowledge and intent. It's less plausible that Cohen was simply acting on his own initiative given this previous McDougal direction. As a result, Cohen's campaign finance violations look a lot more like they were committed at Trump's direction.
(It's absolutely nuts that this taped Trump-Cohen exchange implies there were enough times when Cohen paid hush-money in cash that Trump had to explicitly instruct him when to use a check.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [36 favorites]
It doesn't say this in the article, but Maggie Haberman just tweeted:
Lordy, there’s a tape. Appears to be the only one.
NBC's Dafna Linzer (@DafnaLinzer) “I know for a fact there are multiple tapes” @MichaelAvenatti just told @mitchellreports
That the slick LA lawyer is more trustworthy here than a star journalist for the "paper of record" is just another day in Trumpworld.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:19 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
Lordy, there’s a tape. Appears to be the only one.
NBC's Dafna Linzer (@DafnaLinzer) “I know for a fact there are multiple tapes” @MichaelAvenatti just told @mitchellreports
That the slick LA lawyer is more trustworthy here than a star journalist for the "paper of record" is just another day in Trumpworld.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:19 AM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
3. invest federal government money into the economies in red states.
Matt Yglesias once proposed that we relocate a number of federal agencies to struggling areas across the country. For an idea of the difference that could make, consider the Atlanta-based* Center for Disease Control's effects on Georgia's economy:
*The CDC was founded in Atlanta, rather than DC, because Atlanta was nearer the epicenter of the US's malaria zone. Incidentally, Hillary carried most of the Atlanta metro area handily, including a couple of counties that hadn't voted Democratic since the Carter administration.
posted by Iridic at 10:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
Matt Yglesias once proposed that we relocate a number of federal agencies to struggling areas across the country. For an idea of the difference that could make, consider the Atlanta-based* Center for Disease Control's effects on Georgia's economy:
As both a global health leader and a local economic engine, CDC employs 8,900 people in the state and has an annual payroll of $940 million in Georgia. CDC is among the top 15 employers in the state, and would rank 215 on the Fortune 500 if it were a private company. And every CDC job creates another three jobs in the state. There’s a ripple effect that goes far beyond the agency. CDC purchases $364 million from Georgia businesses annually, leases 5.6 million square feet of offices and lab space and awards $71 million to Georgia research universities and nonprofit organizations to help jump-start collaboration, innovation and public health action.Those numbers are from a CDC fundraising chief, so maybe take them with a grain of salt. (I don't know what he means by "215 on the Fortune 500," because the 500 ranks by revenue.) Still, I think the example is salutary, and could be repeated in Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, West Virginia, etc.
*The CDC was founded in Atlanta, rather than DC, because Atlanta was nearer the epicenter of the US's malaria zone. Incidentally, Hillary carried most of the Atlanta metro area handily, including a couple of counties that hadn't voted Democratic since the Carter administration.
posted by Iridic at 10:23 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
That is a transparently good idea that will never happen because of the difficulty in prying up the agencies and their supporting infrastructure (especially lobbyists/consultants) from DC. It would also have the knock-on effect of ending the traffic and housing-cost spikes here, which I assure you is one billion percent of the reason I support it.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:26 AM on July 20, 2018 [32 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:26 AM on July 20, 2018 [32 favorites]
Relocating federal agencies across the country also makes the US government less susceptible to one big natural disaster, or a man-made one, wiping the whole thing out.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:27 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:27 AM on July 20, 2018 [45 favorites]
That is a transparently good idea that will never happen because of the difficulty in prying up the agencies and their supporting infrastructure (especially lobbyists/consultants) from DC. It would also have the knock-on effect of ending the traffic and housing-cost spikes here, which I assure you is one billion percent of the reason I support it.
Is their presence one of the dumb arguments for not making DC a state? Anyway, pretend it was and use it as reason for making DC a state.
posted by Artw at 10:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Is their presence one of the dumb arguments for not making DC a state? Anyway, pretend it was and use it as reason for making DC a state.
posted by Artw at 10:37 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Emma Best, national security journalist, has published 285,000 text messages that were hacked from Paul Manafort's daughter's phone.
I briefly dipped into these don't ask me why, there's a huge amount of Trump's an Idiot, Hillary is a Crook; but the daughter also had sweet text exchanges like these:
Sent to 170373228xx at: 2016-03-29 02:00:08 way to go Papa Manafort getting hired
for the Trump Train!!! Southern Strategy Part 2 baby!!!
Received from 170373228xx at: 2016-03-29 02:02:38 omg can't express how much i
do. sadly black went elsewhere but with stone and manafort w Trump, all we need
is the ghost of Lee atwater and the whole dirty tricks team is back!!! this is
awesome
posted by Rumple at 10:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [51 favorites]
I briefly dipped into these don't ask me why, there's a huge amount of Trump's an Idiot, Hillary is a Crook; but the daughter also had sweet text exchanges like these:
Sent to 170373228xx at: 2016-03-29 02:00:08 way to go Papa Manafort getting hired
for the Trump Train!!! Southern Strategy Part 2 baby!!!
Received from 170373228xx at: 2016-03-29 02:02:38 omg can't express how much i
do. sadly black went elsewhere but with stone and manafort w Trump, all we need
is the ghost of Lee atwater and the whole dirty tricks team is back!!! this is
awesome
posted by Rumple at 10:38 AM on July 20, 2018 [51 favorites]
A bit of good news, albeit perhaps temporary. Republican governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky, after backlash, has backed off his axing of dental and vision benefits for Medicaid recipients. Thousand of Kentuckians had their doctor appointments cancelled. Bevin, in a fit of spite, cut off benefits two weeks ago after a federal judge ruled against his work requirements for Medicaid. But Bevin is considering reworking his plan to cut benefits to the poor.
There are poor rural counties in Kentucky in which over 60% of residents are on Obamacare Medicaid expansion.
Yet there are people here who have the effrontery to say "What have the Democrats ever done for the rural poor?" at the same time the Republicans are taking away their healthcare.
posted by JackFlash at 10:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [82 favorites]
There are poor rural counties in Kentucky in which over 60% of residents are on Obamacare Medicaid expansion.
Yet there are people here who have the effrontery to say "What have the Democrats ever done for the rural poor?" at the same time the Republicans are taking away their healthcare.
posted by JackFlash at 10:40 AM on July 20, 2018 [82 favorites]
Is their presence one of the dumb arguments for not making DC a state?
No, the only argument for not making DC a state is that it guarantees the Dems two Senators and at least one Representative essentially in perpetuity (DC is the only electoral body that has consistently voted for Democrats in the post-WW2 era). All of the proposals currently involve giving already wildly over-represented conservative states even more undeserved representation.
Also, it's full of Blah People, and since even allegedly "sane" and "moderate" conservatives love them some racist voter suppression, we can't have that now, can we?
posted by zombieflanders at 10:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
No, the only argument for not making DC a state is that it guarantees the Dems two Senators and at least one Representative essentially in perpetuity (DC is the only electoral body that has consistently voted for Democrats in the post-WW2 era). All of the proposals currently involve giving already wildly over-represented conservative states even more undeserved representation.
Also, it's full of Blah People, and since even allegedly "sane" and "moderate" conservatives love them some racist voter suppression, we can't have that now, can we?
posted by zombieflanders at 10:46 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
Well, yeah, that know the actual reason. Just thinking in terms of stripping away one of the excuses, but you know what, make it a state no matter what.
posted by Artw at 10:50 AM on July 20, 2018
posted by Artw at 10:50 AM on July 20, 2018
It's wild how the generation that was telling me about the perils of an untrustworthy Wikipedia is now taking crank videos as gospel truth because "I saw it on the internet."
Yeah but the real danger of YouTube is that it’s indoctrinating young people, and young men in particular. Like teenagers. Fox News’s audience will die out; YouTube’s will inherit the country. And that is terrifying.
Rural America, what do?
I feel the same sense of hopeless contradiction when I think about rural America as I do when I think about our political organiztion in general. With the exception of like...the PNW? Everything west of the Mississippi is and always has been a welfare state. The rest of the country subsidizes their water, full stop. Huge massive swathes of America are not fit for civilization except that the East Coast has been paying their water bill forever. I have zero data for this, but it feels...true...that this explains the whole Western self-sufficiency identity mythos. Like they’re sensitive about it for a reason.
I don’t know how to fix that. Environmentally or politically.
posted by schadenfrau at 10:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
Yeah but the real danger of YouTube is that it’s indoctrinating young people, and young men in particular. Like teenagers. Fox News’s audience will die out; YouTube’s will inherit the country. And that is terrifying.
Rural America, what do?
I feel the same sense of hopeless contradiction when I think about rural America as I do when I think about our political organiztion in general. With the exception of like...the PNW? Everything west of the Mississippi is and always has been a welfare state. The rest of the country subsidizes their water, full stop. Huge massive swathes of America are not fit for civilization except that the East Coast has been paying their water bill forever. I have zero data for this, but it feels...true...that this explains the whole Western self-sufficiency identity mythos. Like they’re sensitive about it for a reason.
I don’t know how to fix that. Environmentally or politically.
posted by schadenfrau at 10:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
Did someone point out that today marks 18 months of the Trump presidency? Although it feels like 18 months since Monday.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:52 AM on July 20, 2018 [21 favorites]
(And I know that there are rural populations with similar problems on the East Coast. I don’t know what to do about any of it, but I am inclined, like others in the thread, to throw massive WPA type infrastructure programs at the problem. Confiscate a bank or two and build some wind farms, idk.)
posted by schadenfrau at 10:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 10:54 AM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
Mother Jones follows up on its story yesterday about the Kremlin's NRA recruitment operation: An NRA President Offered to Work With Accused Russian Spy’s Group in Moscow—Video from the 2013 event with Maria Butina sheds further light on NRA-Russia ties.
Here's the YouTube video they uncovered from a fringy, racist Russian YouTuber's account: David Keene (USA), ex-president, acting member of the board of the National Rifle Association of the USA (NRA) at the 2nd congress of the public movement "The Right to Arms", Moscow, October 31-November 1, 2013.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:55 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Here's the YouTube video they uncovered from a fringy, racist Russian YouTuber's account: David Keene (USA), ex-president, acting member of the board of the National Rifle Association of the USA (NRA) at the 2nd congress of the public movement "The Right to Arms", Moscow, October 31-November 1, 2013.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:55 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Trump remarked, “I can’t believe Michael would do this to me."
This is amazing, because if Trump had shown one ounce of loyalty to Cohen, he might not have
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:58 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
This is amazing, because if Trump had shown one ounce of loyalty to Cohen, he might not have
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:58 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
(It's absolutely nuts that this taped Trump-Cohen exchange implies there were enough times when Cohen paid hush-money in cash that Trump had to explicitly instruct him when to use a check.)
Obviously, my newest, most fervent wish is that for Cohen paid it through the Trump Foundation account, because that's NY AG's purview, and is she pissed.
posted by mikelieman at 11:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [18 favorites]
Obviously, my newest, most fervent wish is that for Cohen paid it through the Trump Foundation account, because that's NY AG's purview, and is she pissed.
posted by mikelieman at 11:05 AM on July 20, 2018 [18 favorites]
Mod note: This is your regular reminder to dial down the snark and one-line reactions. Thanks.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:09 AM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
President Trump told CNBC that he’s ready to escalate the U.S.-China trade war and put tariffs on every Chinese good imported to the U.S. — worth $505.5 billion.
WSJ reveals a nasty letter Sen. Hatch sent to Trump earlier this week: Republican Senators Ratchet Up Pressure on Trump Over Tariffs—Trump ally Sen. Orrin Hatch urges president to reconsider; if not, Hatch warns, he’ll work ‘to curtail Presidential trade authority’
To put that threat in context, today the NYT reports, Congress Bows to the White House and Lowers ZTE Sanctions "Republican congressional leaders confirmed on Thursday that the House and Senate had reached a deal on the investment provisions. [...] The military spending bill will contain provisions that limit federal purchases of ZTE products, such as handsets. But the toughest language — which would have stopped the administration from lifting stiff penalties that prevented ZTE from buying American technology — has been removed."
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
WSJ reveals a nasty letter Sen. Hatch sent to Trump earlier this week: Republican Senators Ratchet Up Pressure on Trump Over Tariffs—Trump ally Sen. Orrin Hatch urges president to reconsider; if not, Hatch warns, he’ll work ‘to curtail Presidential trade authority’
To put that threat in context, today the NYT reports, Congress Bows to the White House and Lowers ZTE Sanctions "Republican congressional leaders confirmed on Thursday that the House and Senate had reached a deal on the investment provisions. [...] The military spending bill will contain provisions that limit federal purchases of ZTE products, such as handsets. But the toughest language — which would have stopped the administration from lifting stiff penalties that prevented ZTE from buying American technology — has been removed."
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:15 AM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
Mother Jones follows up on its story yesterday about the Kremlin's NRA recruitment operation: An NRA President Offered to Work With Accused Russian Spy’s Group in Moscow—Video from the 2013 event with Maria Butina sheds further light on NRA-Russia ties.
The WaPo did some reporting on that event last year:
posted by peeedro at 11:18 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
The WaPo did some reporting on that event last year:
Butina founded a group called the Right to Bear Arms, and in 2013 she and Torshin invited [NRA president David] Keene and other U.S. gun advocates to its annual meeting in Moscow.Sure they did, buddy. A stage full of hot models and well-researched gifts to American attendees... that's starting to sound like an intelligence operation. The article also has this quote from Steven L. Hall, who retired from the CIA in 2015 after managing Russia operations for 30 years:
The event, where about 200 people gathered at Moscow’s convention center, included a fashion show in which models donned “concealed carry” garments with built-in pockets for weapons.
One American participant, Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, recalled that Torshin and Butina took him and his wife out for dinner and gave them gifts that displayed research into their interests — exotic fabric for Gottlieb’s wife, a needlepoint enthusiast, and for Gottlieb, commemorative stamps that Torshin received as a member of the Russian legislature.
“They wanted to keep communications open and form friendships,” Gottlieb said.
Hall, the former CIA officer, said he was skeptical. He said he did not think Putin would tolerate a legitimate effort to advocate for an armed citizenry, and asserted that the movement is probably “controlled by the security services” to woo the American right.Also, Motherjones has a photo of the fashion show taken from the Right To Bear Arms facebook page in this earlier article.
posted by peeedro at 11:18 AM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
The Trump presidency: 544 days of weird glowing orb photos
Why is President Trump so good with orbs? We checked, and he definitely does more orb stuff than any other president.posted by kirkaracha at 11:20 AM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
For example, nobody except Trump looks totally at ease with the orb in this viral photo from early 2017 — not even Saudi King Salman, and it’s his orb!
But Trump’s just smirking away, in total command and control of the orb.
If anything, Trump has only become better with orbs after a year and a half of being president. On Tuesday, his chief of staff accidentally turned the lights off while he was meeting with Congress members, and, boom, orb to the rescue.
League of the South launches Russian-language page to promote 'Southern nationalism'
There really is a new inter(/extra-)national Ethnonationalist Axis in the making. Fascinating to observe as world history but that's no great consolation.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:28 AM on July 20, 2018 [30 favorites]
There really is a new inter(/extra-)national Ethnonationalist Axis in the making. Fascinating to observe as world history but that's no great consolation.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:28 AM on July 20, 2018 [30 favorites]
One thing that seems to be happening is that it's way less worth it for people to move in search of better jobs, because the country is rapidly bifurcating into places with 1. lots of job opportunities but an insane cost of living that cancel out the increased income (unless you are very highly- and specifically-trained, and even then, access to those things is getting harder because of inequality in education access), and 2. places where the cost of living is relatively low but jobs are scarce and poorly-compensated.
Part of the problem with the narrow-minded politician focus on a bygone era of the Real America that never was is that national politicians never address #1. Cities are always either job/innovation centers that are thriving and so unworthy of help and/or inner cities full of gangs and poverty for the rest of the country to look down on, but they're never places with needs that deserve attention of their own.
The fact that some of our major cities with the best job opportunities are insanely unaffordable is a major national problem. While large parts of that are local problems, there's absolutely room to address it as a federal issue in terms of housing policy and transit policy. Better transit connectivity under the Hudson isn't a giveaway to wealthy liberals; it helps create an environment where people can move out of dying communities and afford to live within commuting distance of where the jobs are. Thousands of people are spending hours every day commuting to Bay Area jobs from places like Stockton and Modesto. When we talk about who has political power, why do we keep asking voters in Ohio diners what they think of Trump, but never ask what kinds of policies we need so a California restaurant manager isn't spending three+ hours on the road every day?
Because as a practical matter, not every rural community is going to survive. Making sure that there's education and and affordable places to live where the jobs are, plus a real safety net for those for whom moving is not an option, is going to be the only way that some people in those communities survive. Republicans do rural communities no favors when they write off cities as the home of decadent liberal sin rather than helping people get to them as places of opportunity.
In any event, most Trump voters are not the working class, and I don't know why we keep romanticizing the idea that they're all from dying rural communities. Disproportionate voting power is not the same thing as disproportionate political power, but the issues that get national attention tend to belong to the people with the voting power.
posted by zachlipton at 11:30 AM on July 20, 2018 [63 favorites]
Part of the problem with the narrow-minded politician focus on a bygone era of the Real America that never was is that national politicians never address #1. Cities are always either job/innovation centers that are thriving and so unworthy of help and/or inner cities full of gangs and poverty for the rest of the country to look down on, but they're never places with needs that deserve attention of their own.
The fact that some of our major cities with the best job opportunities are insanely unaffordable is a major national problem. While large parts of that are local problems, there's absolutely room to address it as a federal issue in terms of housing policy and transit policy. Better transit connectivity under the Hudson isn't a giveaway to wealthy liberals; it helps create an environment where people can move out of dying communities and afford to live within commuting distance of where the jobs are. Thousands of people are spending hours every day commuting to Bay Area jobs from places like Stockton and Modesto. When we talk about who has political power, why do we keep asking voters in Ohio diners what they think of Trump, but never ask what kinds of policies we need so a California restaurant manager isn't spending three+ hours on the road every day?
Because as a practical matter, not every rural community is going to survive. Making sure that there's education and and affordable places to live where the jobs are, plus a real safety net for those for whom moving is not an option, is going to be the only way that some people in those communities survive. Republicans do rural communities no favors when they write off cities as the home of decadent liberal sin rather than helping people get to them as places of opportunity.
In any event, most Trump voters are not the working class, and I don't know why we keep romanticizing the idea that they're all from dying rural communities. Disproportionate voting power is not the same thing as disproportionate political power, but the issues that get national attention tend to belong to the people with the voting power.
posted by zachlipton at 11:30 AM on July 20, 2018 [63 favorites]
Washington DC Statehood: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
posted by kirkaracha at 11:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 11:35 AM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Emma Best, national security journalist, has published 285,000 text messages that were hacked from Paul Manafort's daughter's phone.
According to Best, Wikileaks had them and didn't publish them ... wonder why?
Pretty awful stuff in there -- Manafort's daughters depict him as a controlling husband that coerces his wife into having recorded group sex sessions as a condition of their marriage. (Don't the alt-right have a specific term for that?)
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:36 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
According to Best, Wikileaks had them and didn't publish them ... wonder why?
Pretty awful stuff in there -- Manafort's daughters depict him as a controlling husband that coerces his wife into having recorded group sex sessions as a condition of their marriage. (Don't the alt-right have a specific term for that?)
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 11:36 AM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
Yglesias once proposed that we relocate a number of federal agencies to struggling areas across the country.
This is another of the dumb ideas that sound good if you haven't spent much time thinking about it or living in other places. There are a number of very good reasons, ranging from infrastructure to real estate to human resources, to have your federal agencies in the same general area, and very few good arguments for geographically separating most of them. The most obvious thing that this sort of proposal always misses is that humans are not simply interchangeable parts.
See also all the wet-behind-the-ears nonsense about moving a bunch of liberals to WY and KS to make them purple. That's not how people work. That isn't how any of this works.
posted by aspersioncast at 11:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
This is another of the dumb ideas that sound good if you haven't spent much time thinking about it or living in other places. There are a number of very good reasons, ranging from infrastructure to real estate to human resources, to have your federal agencies in the same general area, and very few good arguments for geographically separating most of them. The most obvious thing that this sort of proposal always misses is that humans are not simply interchangeable parts.
See also all the wet-behind-the-ears nonsense about moving a bunch of liberals to WY and KS to make them purple. That's not how people work. That isn't how any of this works.
posted by aspersioncast at 11:47 AM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
WaPo (Paul Waldman): The entire Republican Party is becoming a Russian asset
In the past few days, President Trump has given at least some Republicans reason to express displeasure over his relationship with Russia. First he performed a pathetic ritual of subservience before Vladimir Putin, standing beside the Russian leader — after a private meeting between the two, which no aides were permitted to attend — and dismissing the copious evidence of a Russian attack on the 2016 election in deference to Putin’s word.posted by chris24 at 12:02 PM on July 20, 2018 [22 favorites]
Then we learned that Putin had suggested that we make Americans available to the Kremlin for questioning, including Michael McFaul, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, in exchange for allowing us to question some of the agents who carried out the cyberattack. Trump had called it “an incredible offer,” and the White House said he was considering it, before finally backing down after the Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning the idea.
But look past the modest number of Republicans saying that Trump has gone a bit too far here or there, and you see a very different picture. The truth is that the entire GOP is well on its way to becoming a Russian asset.
Are there a few Republican dissenters? Sure. But perhaps we’re having difficulty viewing that whole picture because what’s happening is so utterly bonkers that we can’t quite bring ourselves to see it clearly. So let’s review just some of the things we know...
Emma Best, national security journalist, has published 285,000 text messages that were hacked from Paul Manafort's daughter's phone.
Text messages that Wikileaks was in possession of but it just slipped their mind to release them.
posted by PenDevil at 12:04 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Text messages that Wikileaks was in possession of but it just slipped their mind to release them.
posted by PenDevil at 12:04 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Pretty awful stuff in there -- Manafort's daughters depict him as a controlling husband that coerces his wife into having recorded group sex sessions as a condition of their marriage. (Don't the alt-right have a specific term for that?).
What tha?
I am such a freaking square.
posted by notyou at 12:05 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
What tha?
I am such a freaking square.
posted by notyou at 12:05 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Not sure this has appeared upthread yet, but Tucker Carlson apparently delivered a monologue in which he said Trump is right, the Cold War is over, the world has changed, and it's "time to rethink America's alliances". This was followed by Senator Rand Paul agreed with Tucker Carlson. Julia Davis points out that this message echoes Russian foreign minister Lavrov's talking points and predicts that Fox News will now actively push the message that Russia is our new ally.
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:06 PM on July 20, 2018 [46 favorites]
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:06 PM on July 20, 2018 [46 favorites]
Cool, Maggie Habermann whining about twitter like she played no part in it at all by repeatedly taking on all comers in flagrant defiance of the NYT's social media policy.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
Twitter is now an anger video game for many users. It is the only platform on which people feel free to say things they’d never say to someone’s face.Trust me, if given the opportunity, I'd say everything I've ever written about the NYT on Metafilter to their face. Oh, and here's the NYT's own Maureen Dowd: "AFTER running as a man last time around, Hillary Clinton is now running as a woman." Because twitter is the only place any one ever says mean things.
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
Pretty awful stuff in there -- Manafort's daughters depict him as a controlling husband that coerces his wife into having recorded group sex sessions as a condition of their marriage. (Don't the alt-right have a specific term for that?).
This is incredibly on the nose. I would seriously take anything in those texts with a grain of salt.
posted by dilaudid at 12:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
This is incredibly on the nose. I would seriously take anything in those texts with a grain of salt.
posted by dilaudid at 12:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
See also all the wet-behind-the-ears nonsense about moving a bunch of liberals to WY and KS to make them purple. That's not how people work. That isn't how any of this works.
Why do we all keep making sweeping generalizations about stuff? It feels defeatist and unhelpful.
I noted this in a previous megathread but in fact I will soon be moving to a red state and hope to contribute to blueifying it. No, that's not the only reason I'm moving there- there was a job, a good one, and I like living in less-congested areas. But I also interviewed in big, blue liberal cities. And not all, but part, of my decision making process did factor in the potential to be able to do some good and maybe contribute a small but meaningful impact on politics in that state.
Not everyone who's liberal/ progressive WANTS to live in a city, or needs to. Working remotely is increasingly an option in various fields, and damn right we want to live somewhere cheap. I can't be the only person who prefers outside-of-city living but has been historically scared off by how red these areas are. Well, fuck that. No more. I'm going there and I'm bringing it with me, and while I may be in the minority, I won't be alone.
I would never hold it against anybody who wouldn't personally want to make this choice. But just because you wouldn't, doesn't mean nobody else would. I did.
posted by robotdevil at 12:10 PM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
Why do we all keep making sweeping generalizations about stuff? It feels defeatist and unhelpful.
I noted this in a previous megathread but in fact I will soon be moving to a red state and hope to contribute to blueifying it. No, that's not the only reason I'm moving there- there was a job, a good one, and I like living in less-congested areas. But I also interviewed in big, blue liberal cities. And not all, but part, of my decision making process did factor in the potential to be able to do some good and maybe contribute a small but meaningful impact on politics in that state.
Not everyone who's liberal/ progressive WANTS to live in a city, or needs to. Working remotely is increasingly an option in various fields, and damn right we want to live somewhere cheap. I can't be the only person who prefers outside-of-city living but has been historically scared off by how red these areas are. Well, fuck that. No more. I'm going there and I'm bringing it with me, and while I may be in the minority, I won't be alone.
I would never hold it against anybody who wouldn't personally want to make this choice. But just because you wouldn't, doesn't mean nobody else would. I did.
posted by robotdevil at 12:10 PM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
League of the South launches Russian-language page to promote 'Southern nationalism'
This...this is just straight up Putin agitating for Civil War 2: The Enstupidening, right?
WaPo (Paul Waldman): The entire Republican Party is becoming a Russian asset
I mean.
November is gonna be...stressful.
posted by schadenfrau at 12:11 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
This...this is just straight up Putin agitating for Civil War 2: The Enstupidening, right?
WaPo (Paul Waldman): The entire Republican Party is becoming a Russian asset
I mean.
November is gonna be...stressful.
posted by schadenfrau at 12:11 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
Okay, I've done this sort of analysis before, even before Trump was around, but I do feel in Trump's case it is necessary as an antidote for his claims of his great Wall Street performance.
This is an analysis of the Dow Jones performance at the eighteen month mark for all presidents since 1900. I know many economic analysts aren't crazy about the Dow numbers. I think that is because of its limited scope and the fact that it is so over-cited. I believe it is a decent measure of the midpoint of the great slouching belly of the business economy. I didn't include McKinley, as he started the century in his second term. One conclusion is that Trump is middling. The predictive power is not bad. Three in the top 5 after eighteen months finished in the top 5. The bottom three finished as the bottom three with their order changed.)
Here is a list of the percent increase (or decrease) in the first year-and-a-half of each presidency.
Among these Trump's eighteen month performance is 7 out of 20.
1. F. Roosevelt +71.4% -- (end: 194.4%)
2. Coolidge +37.0% -- (end: 255.8%)
3. Harding +35.4% -- (end: 17.4%)
4. Bush I +32.5 -- (end: 45.0%)
5. Obama +28.7% -- (end: 149.4%)
6. L. Johnson +28.5% -- (end: 30.9%)
7. Trump +26.4% -- (no end in sight)
8. Ford +22.0% -- (end: 22.2%)
9. Eisenhower -- +17.2% -- (end: 120.3%)
10. Clinton +15.0% -- (end: 226.6%)
11. Truman +7.2% -- (end: 81.7%)
12. Taft -3.8% -- (end: -1.3%)
13. T. Roosevelt -4.4% -- (end: 21.6%)
14. Kennedy -9.1% -- (end 12.2%)
15. Wilson -11.5% (during a period when the stock market remained suspended for five months at the start of WWI) (end: 27.0%)
16. Reagan -12.3% -- (end: 135.1%)
17. Carter -12.6% -- (end: -0.9%)
18. Nixon -21.2% -- (end: -15.7%)
19. Hoover -24.8% -- (end: -82.8%)
20. Bush II -26.5% -- (end: -24.9%)
Maybe I'll try doing this analysis with the S & P (The S & P 90 started in 1926). It would drop off only five presidents from the list. The S & P does fairly closely follow the Dow.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 12:12 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
This is an analysis of the Dow Jones performance at the eighteen month mark for all presidents since 1900. I know many economic analysts aren't crazy about the Dow numbers. I think that is because of its limited scope and the fact that it is so over-cited. I believe it is a decent measure of the midpoint of the great slouching belly of the business economy. I didn't include McKinley, as he started the century in his second term. One conclusion is that Trump is middling. The predictive power is not bad. Three in the top 5 after eighteen months finished in the top 5. The bottom three finished as the bottom three with their order changed.)
Here is a list of the percent increase (or decrease) in the first year-and-a-half of each presidency.
Among these Trump's eighteen month performance is 7 out of 20.
1. F. Roosevelt +71.4% -- (end: 194.4%)
2. Coolidge +37.0% -- (end: 255.8%)
3. Harding +35.4% -- (end: 17.4%)
4. Bush I +32.5 -- (end: 45.0%)
5. Obama +28.7% -- (end: 149.4%)
6. L. Johnson +28.5% -- (end: 30.9%)
7. Trump +26.4% -- (no end in sight)
8. Ford +22.0% -- (end: 22.2%)
9. Eisenhower -- +17.2% -- (end: 120.3%)
10. Clinton +15.0% -- (end: 226.6%)
11. Truman +7.2% -- (end: 81.7%)
12. Taft -3.8% -- (end: -1.3%)
13. T. Roosevelt -4.4% -- (end: 21.6%)
14. Kennedy -9.1% -- (end 12.2%)
15. Wilson -11.5% (during a period when the stock market remained suspended for five months at the start of WWI) (end: 27.0%)
16. Reagan -12.3% -- (end: 135.1%)
17. Carter -12.6% -- (end: -0.9%)
18. Nixon -21.2% -- (end: -15.7%)
19. Hoover -24.8% -- (end: -82.8%)
20. Bush II -26.5% -- (end: -24.9%)
Maybe I'll try doing this analysis with the S & P (The S & P 90 started in 1926). It would drop off only five presidents from the list. The S & P does fairly closely follow the Dow.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 12:12 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
Fox News will now actively push the message that Russia is our new ally.
We have always been friends with Eurasia.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:17 PM on July 20, 2018 [21 favorites]
We have always been friends with Eurasia.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 12:17 PM on July 20, 2018 [21 favorites]
Voter purges are on the rise in states with a history of racial discrimination
The increase coincides with a Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act, according to a new report.
Li Zhou | Vox
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:19 PM on July 20, 2018 [32 favorites]
The increase coincides with a Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act, according to a new report.
Li Zhou | Vox
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:19 PM on July 20, 2018 [32 favorites]
Michael S. Schmidt of The New York Times: SCOOP: FBI has secret recording Michael Cohen made of conversation he had with Trump two months before the election in which they discussed payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal.
In keeping with the NYT's habitual revision of stories after their initial online publication, Habermann et al. have a posted an updated version, which contains not only a lot more vaguely lawyer-like noises from Guiliani, but also a hot scoop about Cohen's ABC News interview from within Trumpland: “My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will,” Mr. Cohen said. “I put family and country first.” The words got Mr. Trump’s attention, and he asked people if they thought Mr. Cohen was trying to send a message, either to him or the Justice Department.
Why, the thought of using press statements to send signals would never even occur to Donald J. Trump. What next, anonymous leaking to newspapers to communicate with restricted parties?
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:34 PM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
In keeping with the NYT's habitual revision of stories after their initial online publication, Habermann et al. have a posted an updated version, which contains not only a lot more vaguely lawyer-like noises from Guiliani, but also a hot scoop about Cohen's ABC News interview from within Trumpland: “My wife, my daughter and my son have my first loyalty and always will,” Mr. Cohen said. “I put family and country first.” The words got Mr. Trump’s attention, and he asked people if they thought Mr. Cohen was trying to send a message, either to him or the Justice Department.
Why, the thought of using press statements to send signals would never even occur to Donald J. Trump. What next, anonymous leaking to newspapers to communicate with restricted parties?
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:34 PM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
End Times broadcaster and radical conspiracy theorist Rick Wiles used his “TruNews” television program last night to warn that MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow had signaled that a violent coup will take place within the next 72 hours during which President Trump and his family will be dragged out of the White House and beheaded.
Well, since that's an obvious load of dingoes' kidneys, this Wiles guy will obviously lose all credibility among his audience when three days go by and nothing happens. Right?
...right?
posted by Gelatin at 12:41 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Well, since that's an obvious load of dingoes' kidneys, this Wiles guy will obviously lose all credibility among his audience when three days go by and nothing happens. Right?
...right?
posted by Gelatin at 12:41 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
TMZ (whatever, it's a summer Friday, I have no standards anymore, lol), Manhattan Madam Kristin Davis Subpoenaed by Robert Mueller
Davis worked for former Trump aide Roger Stone for a decade, and had numerous interactions with Stone and Andrew Miller -- who ran Davis' campaign for Governor and who was subpoenaed by Mueller a month ago.posted by zachlipton at 12:48 PM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
M-x shell: Would love to see a video of rural focus groups being told [multi-stage plan to try and help rural communities begin sharing in the benefits of a strong economy] were Trump's and watch them approve, then watch their faces when they tell them those were actually Clinton's plans.
The correct structure for that switch is now "These are Trump's plans" *display plans* *people cheer* "Sorry, I meant these are not Trump's plans.
How Social Science Might Be Misunderstanding Conservatives (Jesse Singal for New York Mag's Daily Intelligencer, July 15, 2018)
The correct structure for that switch is now "These are Trump's plans" *display plans* *people cheer* "Sorry, I meant these are not Trump's plans.
How Social Science Might Be Misunderstanding Conservatives (Jesse Singal for New York Mag's Daily Intelligencer, July 15, 2018)
... a growing insurgency within social and political psychology has begun to argue, credibly, that a version of this has been going on for decades — only the other way around. Liberal psych researchers, centering their work on liberal values and political opinions, have built up a body of knowledge that is fundamentally flawed and biased. As a result, certain false ideas about conservatives and how they differ from liberals may have taken hold.posted by filthy light thief at 12:48 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
If these insurgents are correct, it’s the Rigidity of the Right model, as it’s called, that’s the epicenter of misunderstanding. The RR model posits, as one summary puts it, that “a constellation of psychological attributes and evocable states — including dogmatism, closed-mindedness, intolerance of ambiguity, preference for order and structure, aversion to novelty and stimulation, valuing of conformity and obedience, and relatively strong concern with threat — leads to a preference for right-wing over left-wing political ideology.”
These have been very influential ideas in the public’s consciousness, generating a sizable body of news write-ups and explainers, including some I have written myself. The rigidity of the right model has given rise to a certain intuitive-feeling liberal consensus about the differences between “us,” the open and tolerant and relaxed liberals, and conservatives, who are, by comparison, close-minded and intolerant and scared of everything. And now that consensus is starting to feel a bit shaky. Or so argue the researchers trying to reform this corner of political psychology.
Before continuing, it’s important to dispel one misconception that any conversation about this subject is likely to spark. The point of this sort of research is not to determine which groups are actually the most oppressed, but rather to study, as neutrally as possible, under which circumstances one group is likely to engage in or endorse intolerance toward another. So while you may blanch at the idea of, for example, intolerance against conservative Christians being something worth worrying about given that this group wields a great deal of power in the U.S. relative to others, that’s not the point. The point, according to critics of the rigidity of the right model, is that it might be the case that liberals are, by certain measures, as likely to engage in or endorse intolerance toward conservative Christians as conservatives are toward (for example) recent immigrants, but that the former question is rarely asked, giving us all an incomplete picture of how political differences work and what is underlying them.
T.D. Strange: Cool, Maggie Habermann whining about twitter like she played no part in it at all by repeatedly taking on all comers in flagrant defiance of the NYT's social media policy.
but... maybe somebody should tell maggie about, uh, the rest of the internet? it's 2018 and i feel like she should maybe be informed
March 19, 2004 -- John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory: Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Total Fuckwad
June 6, 2018 -- filthy light thief's enhanced GIFT: normal person + separation + supportive write-alike peers = increased potential to be a violent fuckwad
But it's the internet, and there are no real internet police, right?
posted by filthy light thief at 1:01 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Twitter is now an anger video game for many users. It is the only platform on which people feel free to say things they’d never say to someone’s face.... that's cute
but... maybe somebody should tell maggie about, uh, the rest of the internet? it's 2018 and i feel like she should maybe be informed
March 19, 2004 -- John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory: Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Total Fuckwad
June 6, 2018 -- filthy light thief's enhanced GIFT: normal person + separation + supportive write-alike peers = increased potential to be a violent fuckwad
I think it's the distance from the "target" that makes it possible for someone to be a fuckwad. For example, when harsh online restaurant critics are faced with creating dishes they critiqued and judged on what they make (as seen in "Eat your Words"), the online critics get pretty flustered. (Unfortunately, when they prevail, they get can get all the cockier, instead of being humbled by the experience -- in part because they're making one dish for a few people, instead of trying to run a whole restaurant.)Anonymity isn't necessary, as seen by websites trying to use Facebook comments with people's FB profiles attached and everything as a disincentive to be an asshole. In short: it doesn't work, but I think in part it's because there's a very slim chance you'll meet the target of your vitriol in real life, so you can say really awful things. And worse, other people might join in, amplifying the hatred.
The amplification is where it gets really dangerous, and it seems that those sort of instances should be the easiest to monitor and shut down (though that becomes whack-a-mole, though forcing a group of violent trolls to find another haven is probably a net gain in itself).
But it's the internet, and there are no real internet police, right?
posted by filthy light thief at 1:01 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
You don't commit crime by check. And you don't try to cover up your penis pump machine by writing a book titled: Swedish-Made Penis Enlarger Pumps and Me: (This Sort of Thing Is My Bag, Baby).
Seriously, if Giuliani were ever a prosecutor, he'd have been the worst prosecutor ever. (yes, I know.)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:03 PM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
Seriously, if Giuliani were ever a prosecutor, he'd have been the worst prosecutor ever. (yes, I know.)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 1:03 PM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
@amyfiscus: UPDATE to the update: Giuliani called back. He said Trump and Cohen were discussing buying the rights to McDougal’s story from the Enquirer, effectively a reimbursement.
So this is essentially agreeing with the Post's reporting then, though they aren't kind enough to credit them for getting it right in the first place.
The question becomes: why? Did they think the Enquirer was going to run the story? Is the Enquirer in the business of buying stories and selling them back to their subjects? Or did they realize they had a potential campaign finance law problem on their hands and considered buying the story as a way to keep the Enquirer's purchase of the story from acting as an illegal campaign contribution?
That makes the "pay by check" bit seem more logical. You'd want a formal record if you thought you might ever need to prove you made the payment.
posted by zachlipton at 1:06 PM on July 20, 2018 [11 favorites]
So this is essentially agreeing with the Post's reporting then, though they aren't kind enough to credit them for getting it right in the first place.
The question becomes: why? Did they think the Enquirer was going to run the story? Is the Enquirer in the business of buying stories and selling them back to their subjects? Or did they realize they had a potential campaign finance law problem on their hands and considered buying the story as a way to keep the Enquirer's purchase of the story from acting as an illegal campaign contribution?
That makes the "pay by check" bit seem more logical. You'd want a formal record if you thought you might ever need to prove you made the payment.
posted by zachlipton at 1:06 PM on July 20, 2018 [11 favorites]
On politicians paying for illegal services by check: the canonical cautionary tale, here, involves none other than Mr. Jerry Springer.
In his former life as one-time mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Springer confessed to having once retained the services of a sex worker by personal check.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
In his former life as one-time mayor of Cincinnati and Ohio gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Springer confessed to having once retained the services of a sex worker by personal check.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Seriously, if Giuliani were ever a prosecutor, he'd have been the worst prosecutor ever. (yes, I know.)
As I have pointed out several times in these threads, he's the reason Gotti became the "Teflon Don", by fucking up not one, but two trials.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:20 PM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
As I have pointed out several times in these threads, he's the reason Gotti became the "Teflon Don", by fucking up not one, but two trials.
posted by NoxAeternum at 1:20 PM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
Not to mention that from my perspective as someone who isn't working in social science, much of my reaction to we're not understanding each other accurately is who fucking cares? I'm happy to have discussions with people who have cogent points about matters up for debate, provided we actually both seem interested in hearing each other out. I am not remotely interested in better understanding the reasons people might, say, advocate for actively harmful actions against children. The underpinnings of Why Brown People Are Less Than can forever remain a mystery to me.
Some opinions are garbage. Some proposed actions are so morally and ethically wrong that the supposed justification doesn't need to be firmly established. I get there may be people whose jobs it is to delve into this, grodd help them, but for me explainers - from transphobe trash or not - I find completely uncompelling.
posted by phearlez at 1:26 PM on July 20, 2018 [25 favorites]
Some opinions are garbage. Some proposed actions are so morally and ethically wrong that the supposed justification doesn't need to be firmly established. I get there may be people whose jobs it is to delve into this, grodd help them, but for me explainers - from transphobe trash or not - I find completely uncompelling.
posted by phearlez at 1:26 PM on July 20, 2018 [25 favorites]
Well, since that's an obvious load of dingoes' kidneys, this Wiles guy will obviously lose all credibility among his audience when three days go by and nothing happens. Right?
Not even close. Because then he'll be able to say "we STOPPED the violent coup through our brave reporting exposing it. AND we stopped an invasion of the Martians and the Reverse Vampires at the same time!"
posted by delfin at 1:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Not even close. Because then he'll be able to say "we STOPPED the violent coup through our brave reporting exposing it. AND we stopped an invasion of the Martians and the Reverse Vampires at the same time!"
posted by delfin at 1:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
“I went to Julian Assange of course to talk to him personally, the guy who of course disclosed all of these emails, and he adamantly said the Russians weren’t in it,” he told Fox LA reporter Elex Michaelson. “And, by the way, if we could in some way guarantee that he can get out of the Ecuadorian Embassy, he said he told me he has absolute proof, just actual, not just words, but he’s got proof that the Russians did not hack.”
To add pressure to Rohrabacher's offer, Russia Today Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan tweeted yesterday, My sources say that Assange in the coming weeks or even days will be handed over to Britain. Like never before, I want my sources to be wrong.
She continues (edited Google translation), "Next week the president of Ecuador is going to London. And he is now being pressed by the United States and Britain demanding to surrender Assange. He was not so happy about such an inheritance, but these beyond-biblical punishments are threatening." And then she into impressively lyrical trolling, bewailing Assange's cruel fate and the hypocrisy of American liberals. Such sub-poetic propaganda makes me feel like the Cold War never ended.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:30 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
To add pressure to Rohrabacher's offer, Russia Today Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan tweeted yesterday, My sources say that Assange in the coming weeks or even days will be handed over to Britain. Like never before, I want my sources to be wrong.
She continues (edited Google translation), "Next week the president of Ecuador is going to London. And he is now being pressed by the United States and Britain demanding to surrender Assange. He was not so happy about such an inheritance, but these beyond-biblical punishments are threatening." And then she into impressively lyrical trolling, bewailing Assange's cruel fate and the hypocrisy of American liberals. Such sub-poetic propaganda makes me feel like the Cold War never ended.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:30 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
And to expand on the Maddow Coup Preacher a little, the book that introduced the world to cognitive dissonance was called When Prophecy Fails and was literally about that. As we should all have realized by now, the most common reaction is to double-down. Because people are terrible.
posted by Quindar Beep at 1:34 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Quindar Beep at 1:34 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
Not to mention that from my perspective as someone who isn't working in social science, much of my reaction to we're not understanding each other accurately is who fucking cares?
...
Some proposed actions are so morally and ethically wrong that the supposed justification doesn't need to be firmly established.
Understanding is not at all the same thing as justification. When you understand you maybe able to find ways to correct it, or deal with it. It isn't justification.
posted by Bovine Love at 1:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
...
Some proposed actions are so morally and ethically wrong that the supposed justification doesn't need to be firmly established.
Understanding is not at all the same thing as justification. When you understand you maybe able to find ways to correct it, or deal with it. It isn't justification.
posted by Bovine Love at 1:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
How Social Science Might Be Misunderstanding Conservatives
"But we don't know why they're Nazis"
I mean. Who fucking cares, at this point?
It's just such a weird thing to contend. Like I don't think this is an argument made in good faith. I think it's about establishing the idea that liberals etc are just as "racist" as conservatives, so the conservative policies that kill a bunch of black people or put kids in cages aren't racist, they're just differences in opinion on how to deal with problems.
They're trying to whitewash the Nazi stuff out so white "moderates" can support Nazi policies without having to think of themselves as racist.
posted by schadenfrau at 1:48 PM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
"But we don't know why they're Nazis"
I mean. Who fucking cares, at this point?
It's just such a weird thing to contend. Like I don't think this is an argument made in good faith. I think it's about establishing the idea that liberals etc are just as "racist" as conservatives, so the conservative policies that kill a bunch of black people or put kids in cages aren't racist, they're just differences in opinion on how to deal with problems.
They're trying to whitewash the Nazi stuff out so white "moderates" can support Nazi policies without having to think of themselves as racist.
posted by schadenfrau at 1:48 PM on July 20, 2018 [65 favorites]
The discussion of dispersing/spreading federal agencies outside of a few large cities is interesting, but I’d like to add a little context. Some agencies (such as USDA and DOD) have a presence in almost every state to ensure a broad base of political support. A lot of federal employees have been with their agencies for a long time and are established in their communities, so a move is not very attractive to many. We also receive an adjustment to our salary, called a locality adjustment, if we live in certain areas. Most of us aren’t interested in taking a salary cut after years of salary freezes and the cap on federal salaries. That may sound greedy to some, but my experience is that the cost of living, outside of such extraordinary places as San Francisco and New York, is not really that much lower when you look at the cost of food, gas, health insurance, etc.
I think that, as a policy goal, it should be part of the conversation. There are lots of small- and medium-sized cities that could be good homes to federal offices. However, folks need to understand that it may be a slower than a faster process. It makes sense to open new offices in new places. However, if you tell my people the lab is moving to Madison, I’m going to lose a lot of them because their families and spouse’s jobs and kids’ schools are here.
posted by wintermind at 1:57 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
I think that, as a policy goal, it should be part of the conversation. There are lots of small- and medium-sized cities that could be good homes to federal offices. However, folks need to understand that it may be a slower than a faster process. It makes sense to open new offices in new places. However, if you tell my people the lab is moving to Madison, I’m going to lose a lot of them because their families and spouse’s jobs and kids’ schools are here.
posted by wintermind at 1:57 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
robotdevil: "Why do we all keep making sweeping generalizations about stuff? It feels defeatist and unhelpful."
I second, third, and nth this - especially when talking about groups of people. I can't remember a single generalization about groups of people that's enlightened me or made me more capable of working toward the world I want to live in. Whether it's "Democrats are spineless" or "rural people are racist" or "Christians support oppressive policies" or any of the many generalizations in our Metafilter community and indeed right in this thread - I don't think a single one provides genuinely useful information or is helpful in any way. Groups are made up of individuals. Individuals are complicated.
I am not saying anyone should feel obligated to reach out to individuals or groups who have said or done harmful things; but I want to live in a world where we all strive, as a community, as a nation, as a world, to respect each other and work to create a world that's better for everyone, and I think generalizing about any group of people harms that vision by fundamentally misunderstanding the individuals lumped into those groups and by strongly discouraging any human connection between us.
posted by kristi at 2:15 PM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
I second, third, and nth this - especially when talking about groups of people. I can't remember a single generalization about groups of people that's enlightened me or made me more capable of working toward the world I want to live in. Whether it's "Democrats are spineless" or "rural people are racist" or "Christians support oppressive policies" or any of the many generalizations in our Metafilter community and indeed right in this thread - I don't think a single one provides genuinely useful information or is helpful in any way. Groups are made up of individuals. Individuals are complicated.
I am not saying anyone should feel obligated to reach out to individuals or groups who have said or done harmful things; but I want to live in a world where we all strive, as a community, as a nation, as a world, to respect each other and work to create a world that's better for everyone, and I think generalizing about any group of people harms that vision by fundamentally misunderstanding the individuals lumped into those groups and by strongly discouraging any human connection between us.
posted by kristi at 2:15 PM on July 20, 2018 [19 favorites]
> Some proposed actions are so morally and ethically wrong that the supposed justification doesn't need to be firmly established.
Understanding is not at all the same thing as justification. When you understand you maybe able to find ways to correct it, or deal with it. It isn't justification.
It's their justification, and I stick by my position that much of our current divide is so intractable that understanding is pointless. Consider the support for how ICE is handling family separations. What understanding should I desire of why these people are okay with keeping toddlers in cages? I think they're probably plain and simple racist, but perhaps they're completely color blind but are just so certain of the importance of fairness in immigration that they think keeping toddlers in cages is an okay price to pay for that. Well, either way they are people who think keeping toddlers in cages is acceptable.
I don't need to understand the root of that belief because my position is an intractable this is not okay. See also, letting people be denied jobs or housing because they've been identified as homosexual. Self-hating closet case or devout believer that their deity hates symmetry in sex. Don't care! Not okay! Letting people go hungry rather than providing food stamps to folk who do not work. Bigot or devoted free market capitalist? Don't care! Not okay!
Not everything needs to be understood by everyone. Some things just get a NOPE and most of us can reclaim that time to do something useful.
posted by phearlez at 2:17 PM on July 20, 2018 [44 favorites]
Understanding is not at all the same thing as justification. When you understand you maybe able to find ways to correct it, or deal with it. It isn't justification.
It's their justification, and I stick by my position that much of our current divide is so intractable that understanding is pointless. Consider the support for how ICE is handling family separations. What understanding should I desire of why these people are okay with keeping toddlers in cages? I think they're probably plain and simple racist, but perhaps they're completely color blind but are just so certain of the importance of fairness in immigration that they think keeping toddlers in cages is an okay price to pay for that. Well, either way they are people who think keeping toddlers in cages is acceptable.
I don't need to understand the root of that belief because my position is an intractable this is not okay. See also, letting people be denied jobs or housing because they've been identified as homosexual. Self-hating closet case or devout believer that their deity hates symmetry in sex. Don't care! Not okay! Letting people go hungry rather than providing food stamps to folk who do not work. Bigot or devoted free market capitalist? Don't care! Not okay!
Not everything needs to be understood by everyone. Some things just get a NOPE and most of us can reclaim that time to do something useful.
posted by phearlez at 2:17 PM on July 20, 2018 [44 favorites]
Such sub-poetic propaganda makes me feel like the Cold War never ended.
You know, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that the Cold War didn't end, just slumbered a bit while Putin got his plans all lined up. The milquetoast label of 'election meddling' is just a nice way of saying information warfare imo.
posted by lazaruslong at 2:23 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
You know, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that the Cold War didn't end, just slumbered a bit while Putin got his plans all lined up. The milquetoast label of 'election meddling' is just a nice way of saying information warfare imo.
posted by lazaruslong at 2:23 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Resist first, strive to understand later. After all, it's 75 years later and they're still writing books trying to explain how the Germans went Nazi.
posted by Lyme Drop at 2:24 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Lyme Drop at 2:24 PM on July 20, 2018 [4 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, we have been around this mulberry bush an awful lot. Let's let the "should we try to understand Nazis or no?" question just go.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:25 PM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 2:25 PM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
it's 75 years later and they're still writing books trying to explain how the Germans went Nazi.
If anyone cares on that front can thoroughly recommend the works of Gitta Sereny in particular The German Trauma.
posted by Artw at 2:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
If anyone cares on that front can thoroughly recommend the works of Gitta Sereny in particular The German Trauma.
posted by Artw at 2:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Everyone break out your tiniest violins for a schadenfreude serenade of depressed Trump White House staff!
Politico: White House Morale Tanks Amid Helsinki Fallout—Staffers are considering accelerating their departures in the wake of the president's equivocations on Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
P.S. For a little good news, Christopher Sharpley, the acting watchdog at the CIA, who has been accused of retaliating against whistleblowers, is resigning, the agency confirmed Friday. (AP) (And oddly enough, Chuck Grassley should receive some credit for stalling his nomination over these reprisals.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:33 PM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Politico: White House Morale Tanks Amid Helsinki Fallout—Staffers are considering accelerating their departures in the wake of the president's equivocations on Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
“People are just depressed,” said one Republican close to the White House. “Nobody wants to take on the public heat of resigning right now, but there are a bunch of people who were thinking maybe they’d leave after the midterms who are very seriously starting to consider accelerating their timetable.”Politico draws comparisons between this week's diplomatic fiasco with Putin and Trump's post-Charlottesville neo-Nazi–coddling last summer, not least that Trump's unlikely to suffer real consequences from either his supporters or his enablers in the administration.
But the president’s usual defenders, many of whom have been critical of him in public and almost all of whom are privately disappointed by his performance, say the following: While Trump’s statements are regrettable, they have few if any policy consequences. And it’s for that reason that senior-level officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton — those with the most impact on policy — are unlikely to step down.
P.S. For a little good news, Christopher Sharpley, the acting watchdog at the CIA, who has been accused of retaliating against whistleblowers, is resigning, the agency confirmed Friday. (AP) (And oddly enough, Chuck Grassley should receive some credit for stalling his nomination over these reprisals.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:33 PM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
Retaking Congress is critical because it means we can block the Republicans from passing bad legislation
As I've pointed out before getting enough moderate Democrats for a majority is a huge win almost regardless of how they vote on most issues because if you get the majority the issues they vote shittily on never reach the floor. Vote for terrible Supreme Court justices? Well if the Democrats are in the majority the nominee never gets a hearing (now that McConnell has established the precedent). Too pro-coal? Not a good look but pro-coal garbage never gets brought up with the majority! And so on.
posted by Justinian at 2:40 PM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
As I've pointed out before getting enough moderate Democrats for a majority is a huge win almost regardless of how they vote on most issues because if you get the majority the issues they vote shittily on never reach the floor. Vote for terrible Supreme Court justices? Well if the Democrats are in the majority the nominee never gets a hearing (now that McConnell has established the precedent). Too pro-coal? Not a good look but pro-coal garbage never gets brought up with the majority! And so on.
posted by Justinian at 2:40 PM on July 20, 2018 [29 favorites]
How Social Science Might Be Misunderstanding Conservatives
It is not like the core philosophy of Conservatives resisting change and Liberals being open to ideas is right there in their names or anything.
posted by srboisvert at 2:59 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
It is not like the core philosophy of Conservatives resisting change and Liberals being open to ideas is right there in their names or anything.
posted by srboisvert at 2:59 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
So here's an aside - I was just reading Josh Marshall's take on the Cohen tape(s):
After Bill Clinton said on TV that he "did not have sexual relations with that woman" and it turned out that he was - in most people's judgement - lying about it, I remember having this argument with a conservative, Republican friend. (Yes, in 1998, people could be on opposite sides of a political issue and still be friendly.) It was a private affair, I argued, so why should the rest of the country care? Why was Ken Starr asking about sex in the first place? And he was all righteous indignation: Bill Clinton got on TV and lied to the country. He set a bad example for the kids, and just for that, he was no longer fit to serve as our President.
We drifted way apart, but I wonder if that guy went on to become a Trumpist, and if so, when he reads something like this story, he experiences the tiniest bit of cognitive dissonance. Lying about sex and affairs is literally the least important thing about the omnishambles of a scandal we're enmeshed in today - does it still matter to him?
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
“This is an old story that is just more fake news. The President says he never had a relationship with McDougal,” a White House spokeperson said in February New Yorker story about McDougal, in a statement that was reiterated for multiple stories about the model.And that took me back all the way to (cue flashback music, hazy images) nineteen hundred and ninety eight.
After Bill Clinton said on TV that he "did not have sexual relations with that woman" and it turned out that he was - in most people's judgement - lying about it, I remember having this argument with a conservative, Republican friend. (Yes, in 1998, people could be on opposite sides of a political issue and still be friendly.) It was a private affair, I argued, so why should the rest of the country care? Why was Ken Starr asking about sex in the first place? And he was all righteous indignation: Bill Clinton got on TV and lied to the country. He set a bad example for the kids, and just for that, he was no longer fit to serve as our President.
We drifted way apart, but I wonder if that guy went on to become a Trumpist, and if so, when he reads something like this story, he experiences the tiniest bit of cognitive dissonance. Lying about sex and affairs is literally the least important thing about the omnishambles of a scandal we're enmeshed in today - does it still matter to him?
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
It is not like the core philosophy of Conservatives resisting change and Liberals being open to ideas is right there in their names or anything.
We are far past the point where "liberal" and "conservative" held any closer relationship to their ostensible meanings than "blue team" and "red team".
posted by J.K. Seazer at 3:13 PM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
We are far past the point where "liberal" and "conservative" held any closer relationship to their ostensible meanings than "blue team" and "red team".
posted by J.K. Seazer at 3:13 PM on July 20, 2018 [20 favorites]
NYMag's Olivia Nuzzi gathers some (anonymous) reactions to this week's spin cycle from a couple of Trump's erstwhile aides: ‘I Couldn’t Stop Laughing. It’s So Ridiculous.’ A Surreal Week of Excuse-Making at the White House.
There's a reason why these ex-Trump White House staffers don't want their names attached to these statements, and its initials are RSMIII.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:38 PM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
One former White House official told me that silly and perplexing explanations from Trumpland seemed purposefully so. “I think there’s genuinely a chance that part of the strategy on this is to sow confusion,” this person said.Despite the public confirmation that there's only one degree of separation between Trump and multiple GRU agents—thanks to the surreptitious activities his campaign manager, his campaign adviser/rat-fucker, and his eldest son—they still insist on the same deceptive spin about Trump's colluding with Russia: “At the most fundamental level, the reason why the president struggles so much with this in general is he cannot separate the accusations against him of collusion from the fact that Russia meddled in the election, and he feels like if he were to give an inch on meddling, they’re gonna take a mile on collusion.” And the too-incompetent-to-cover-up excuse is another one we've heard before and will hear again.
“You and I are having this conversation right now, and we follow this stuff every day, and we can’t fully make sense of this. Imagine if you are John Q. Public who casually follows this stuff and catches it on the evening news or whatever, at some point you just throw your hands up and say, ‘I don’t know what’s going on!’
“That’s one of the main reasons why there’s never been a story that actually did lasting damage to him. You can point to a handful of stories over the last couple of years that lasted more than a couple of days. I was on the campaign and I was in the White House and I follow it even now, and I don’t understand some of the Russia stuff.”[...]
The second former official said it was important to remember that “something always goes wrong” with Trump. “There’s always some issue in the White House when it comes to responding to a crisis, and 90 percent of the time, it’s crises that they create themselves, and you have to go in with the understanding that the baseline level for these guys is full retard, basically.[...]
“The one thing that makes this week so much different is they’re actually trying to fight back. Typically, Trump would say something completely insane and they would just let the media cycle sit. At least they’re trying to fight back. They’re fighting back in the worst possible way, but like, you can see the effort. You know these guys are fucking idiots, but the effort is there.”
The second former official added, “You have a lot of people who are just a bunch of small-timers and clowns, so when they fuck up a response, you almost can’t blame them because you knew what you were getting, you know?[...]”
There's a reason why these ex-Trump White House staffers don't want their names attached to these statements, and its initials are RSMIII.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:38 PM on July 20, 2018 [9 favorites]
"I was on the campaign and I was in the White House and I follow it even now, and I don’t understand some of the Russia stuff.”
Well, then you're either an idiot or a liar (PQNLD).
Seems like I've been thinking that a lot these past few 'muccis.
posted by petebest at 4:04 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
Well, then you're either an idiot or a liar (PQNLD).
Seems like I've been thinking that a lot these past few 'muccis.
posted by petebest at 4:04 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
Politico, McConnell issues Supreme Court ultimatum
And this is McConnell we're talking about. There is zero chance he doesn't push to confirm Kavanaugh at the moment he thinks is politically advantageous regardless of what Democrats want. Of course McConnell wants to vote as soon as possible, before anything happens that could stop it. There's zero reason to take this bait.
posted by zachlipton at 4:12 PM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
Mitch McConnell has a warning for Democrats demanding copious documents on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh: Be careful what you wish for.This is such a stupid threat, and Democrats shouldn't take the bait. Kavanaugh is polling unpopular, and a delay, with new revelations coming out of the documents, can only worsen his reputation.
The Senate majority leader privately told senior Republicans on Wednesday that if Democrats keep pushing for access to upwards of a million pages in records from President Donald Trump’s high court pick, he’s prepared to let Kavanaugh’s confirmation vote slip until just before November’s midterm elections, according to multiple sources.
Delaying the vote past September would serve a dual purpose for McConnell, keeping vulnerable red-state Democrats off the campaign trail while potentially forcing anti-Kavanaugh liberals to swallow a demoralizing defeat just ahead of the midterms. Senators said McConnell believes the Democratic base will be “deflated” if they raise hopes of defeating Kavanaugh only to lose just days before the election.
And this is McConnell we're talking about. There is zero chance he doesn't push to confirm Kavanaugh at the moment he thinks is politically advantageous regardless of what Democrats want. Of course McConnell wants to vote as soon as possible, before anything happens that could stop it. There's zero reason to take this bait.
posted by zachlipton at 4:12 PM on July 20, 2018 [73 favorites]
I don't get that "threat" from McConnell, he's supposing that the open seat will drive Republican enthusiasm again? That's the threat? If he really believed that, that's what he would be doing anyway, holding it open until the midterm, not signaling a vote for early September like he has been. Democrats should call that bluff. Make them produce every word Kavanaugh’s ever written or be copied on. Drag it out till Nobember if at all possible. The threat to Republicans is much greater, if Dems DO win the Senate, Kavanaugh can be stopped, and if not, well they didn't lose anything he was going to be confirmed anyway. Polls are showing good for Democrats right now WITH the seat open, it looks like much more of a gamble for McConnell to wait and risk losing his stolen Court than for Democrats to try and hold out for a miracle.
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:18 PM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:18 PM on July 20, 2018 [10 favorites]
If Dems do win the Senate and they somehow haven't confirmed Kavanaugh by then, McConnell will try to confirm him in a lame duck session after the election. It makes no difference. The only path to stopping it is all Democrats holding the line and a Republican saying no.
posted by zachlipton at 4:27 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:27 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Post updated their Cohen tape story, and calls out Giuliani:
Trump and Cohen’s discussion came a month after AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, bought the rights to McDougal’s story for $150,000, then shelved it.posted by zachlipton at 4:39 PM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
In the 90-second conversation, Cohen can be heard urging Trump to consider buying the rights to McDougal’s claims to better “control” the story, according to people familiar with the exchange.
“I think we need to bring this in-house,” Cohen tells Trump, according to one person with knowledge of the recording.
...
“Nothing in that conversation suggests that he had any knowledge of [the AMI payment] in advance,” Giuliani said. “In the big scheme of things, it’s powerful exculpatory evidence.”
However, the recording shows that Trump — whose spokeswoman denied he had any knowledge of the AMI deal with McDougal when it became public days before the election — in fact knew of her claims and efforts to keep her quiet at least two months earlier.
...
In the brief recording made in September 2016, Cohen can be heard telling Trump that AMI had recently purchased the rights to McDougal’s account of a 10-month affair that allegedly took place soon after he married Melania.
Cohen then proposed that Trump buy the rights to “control” the inflammatory story, according to multiple people familiar with the exchange.
Two people familiar with the conversation said Cohen was suggesting Trump buy the rights from AMI.
Trump is largely silent in the conversation, the people said, neither expressing surprise nor indicating whether he knew previously about the AMI deal.
He asks Cohen how they would pursue buying the rights. The two men discuss whether to use a check, rather than cash, which would create a record, according to the people. A Trump adviser said Trump suggested using a check, while a person close to Cohen claimed Cohen was the one who advised that route.
The recording cuts off with Trump mid-sentence, one person said, and picks up in the middle of a conversation Cohen is having with another person.
...
Peter Stris, a lawyer who negotiated McDougal’s settlement with AMI earlier this year, tweeted, “When @realDonaldTrump said we were lying, do you think he meant we WEREN’T?”
Sometimes I worry that RUSSIA 24/7 is actually useful for the Bannons of the world who want to destroy government, because how much federal agency stuff are we paying attention to right now?
Exhibit A: Shit is still bad at EPA y'all.
As one of his first major acts as acting director of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler signed and finalized new standards overseeing coal ash, the leftover waste created by power plants that burn coal. The new rules are a revision of 2015 regulations that were put into place by the Obama administration after two significant industrial coal ash spills.
Signed into rules on Wednesday, the new regulations put more authority back in the hands of industry and states to regulate their own waste.
posted by mostly vowels at 4:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
Exhibit A: Shit is still bad at EPA y'all.
As one of his first major acts as acting director of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler signed and finalized new standards overseeing coal ash, the leftover waste created by power plants that burn coal. The new rules are a revision of 2015 regulations that were put into place by the Obama administration after two significant industrial coal ash spills.
Signed into rules on Wednesday, the new regulations put more authority back in the hands of industry and states to regulate their own waste.
posted by mostly vowels at 4:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [14 favorites]
WSJ, Trump Digs In Against Criticism on Multiple Fronts
posted by zachlipton at 5:14 PM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
“All he’s hearing in D.C. is ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ He can’t criticize the Fed, he can’t criticize the intelligence community,” said a person close to the president, echoing others in Mr. Trump’s orbit. “He’s obviously going to get frustrated by the can’t-do mentality.”It wouldn't have been a particularly meaningful plan, and I have no idea where the supposed leverage comes from, but he loves looking strong, except for the whole thing where he's utterly and complete incapable and/or too compromised to do it. They seem like they were serious about this:
...
“The president doesn’t respect norms,” the person close to him said. “Norms are rules written by somebody else.”
...
Before the summit, Mr. Trump had authorized the Justice Department to release an indictment of 12 Russians who allegedly hacked into Democratic computers during the 2016 campaign, agreeing it would strengthen his hand when he raised the issue of election interference, a White House official said.
In preparatory meetings, Mr. Trump and his aides discussed using the indictment to forcefully make the case. The plan was for Mr. Trump to invoke the indictment both in private meetings and in the public news conference afterward, a White House official said. The idea, the official said, was to “shove it in Putin’s face and look strong doing it,” depicting it as hard evidence of Russian crimes against America’s electoral process.
“He did the exact opposite,” the official said. During the news conference, Mr. Trump appeared to side with Mr. Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies, saying he saw no reason why Russia would have interfered in the election. On Tuesday, he said he meant to say he saw no reason why Russia wouldn’t have interfered.
...
“It was a well laid-out plan. Unfortunately, he didn’t execute on it,” the official said.
White House aides had begun preparations to make Mr. Trump the public face of planned efforts by the administration to stop election interference in the midterms. Mr. Trump would be shown presiding over meetings and making announcements about an administration-wide commitment to safeguard the 2018 elections. In the wake of the Putin summit, Mr. Trump may struggle to credibly make the case that he is spearheading the effort to protect U.S. election systems, the official said.Why yes. I do agree that him making that case credibly would be a struggle. I'm glad to know that their efforts to look busy on election security have gone to waste though.
posted by zachlipton at 5:14 PM on July 20, 2018 [28 favorites]
“People are just depressed,” said one Republican close to the White House. “Nobody wants to take on the public heat of resigning right now, but there are a bunch of people who were thinking maybe they’d leave after the midterms who are very seriously starting to consider accelerating their timetable.”
The "public heat of resigning right now" is somehow worse than the heat they'd have taken a couple weeks ago, when the main story was about literally tearing families apart and putting children in cages, right? (Which hasn't gone away?)
I don't know whether to say these people are idiots for not recognizing the downward spiral for what it is or if I should just hate them even more for thinking the post-Helsinki stuff is somehow a more compelling time to leave than the oh-shit-we're-building-concentration-camps-now news cycle. Or Puerto Rico, or... fucking hell, man.
But that's what makes me think none of them will ever be motivated to leave by any given news cycle. They were awful enough to sign up. They're awful enough to stick around until they feel like leaving for whatever new paycheck they think they smell. Moral outrage and embarrassment sure aren't going to motivate them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:39 PM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
The "public heat of resigning right now" is somehow worse than the heat they'd have taken a couple weeks ago, when the main story was about literally tearing families apart and putting children in cages, right? (Which hasn't gone away?)
I don't know whether to say these people are idiots for not recognizing the downward spiral for what it is or if I should just hate them even more for thinking the post-Helsinki stuff is somehow a more compelling time to leave than the oh-shit-we're-building-concentration-camps-now news cycle. Or Puerto Rico, or... fucking hell, man.
But that's what makes me think none of them will ever be motivated to leave by any given news cycle. They were awful enough to sign up. They're awful enough to stick around until they feel like leaving for whatever new paycheck they think they smell. Moral outrage and embarrassment sure aren't going to motivate them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 5:39 PM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
They're awful enough to stick around until they feel like leaving for whatever new paycheck they think they smell.
On that note, Objections erupt at UVa over appointment of top Trump aide
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:51 PM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
On that note, Objections erupt at UVa over appointment of top Trump aide
Marc Short, a frequent Trump spokesman on television, is leaving the White House Friday and is slated to serve as a senior fellow at the Miller Center, a wing of the university focused on presidential history and public policy. Short received an MBA from the university’s business school.They're still getting treated like normal. They're still getting cushy sinecures with fat pay checks for no actual work at top allegedly liberal universities like Harvard and UVA. At least the top aides are paying no real price for serving this traitorous administration.
...
"We understand and respect those UVA faculty members and other critics — even some from within the Miller Center — who disagree with the decision to name Marc Short a senior fellow. One of our core values is fostering robust, but civil, debate across our nation's bitter partisan divide," said Howard Witt, director of communications and managing editor at the Miller Center, in an email.
Witt said the addition of Short "deepens our scholarly inquiries into the workings of the American presidency. And his presence reinforces our commitment to nonpartisan and bipartisan dialogue among scholars and practitioners of good will who may nevertheless hold strongly opposing personal political viewpoints. Moreover, Short can offer insights into the Trump administration that are not currently available to our scholars or the public at large."
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:51 PM on July 20, 2018 [24 favorites]
“The president doesn’t respect norms,” the person close to him said. “Norms are rules written by somebody else.”
This philosophy is contemptible, but barely excusable, even in teenagers. Good God.
posted by thelonius at 6:05 PM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
This philosophy is contemptible, but barely excusable, even in teenagers. Good God.
posted by thelonius at 6:05 PM on July 20, 2018 [17 favorites]
Apologies if this has been linked and I missed it. A Global Guide to State-Sponsored Trolling (Michael Riley, Lauren Etter, and Bibhudatta Pradham; Bloomberg). "Combining virtual hate mobs, surveillance, misinformation, anonymous threats, and the invasion of victims’ privacy, states and political parties around the globe have created an increasingly aggressive online playbook that is difficult for the platforms to detect or counter."
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [16 favorites]
The "public heat of resigning right now" is somehow worse than the heat they'd have taken a couple weeks ago
I think the point is the first person who blinks is going to draw the wrath of the person who's simultaneously the most powerful person in the world and the most petulant and that person thinks they've just been betrayed.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:09 PM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I think the point is the first person who blinks is going to draw the wrath of the person who's simultaneously the most powerful person in the world and the most petulant and that person thinks they've just been betrayed.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:09 PM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
T.D. Strange: "I don't get that "threat" from McConnell, he's supposing that the open seat will drive Republican enthusiasm again?"
I *think* the threat is that he'll have the confirmation vote right before the election, and losing it would depress Democratic turnout, because we'll be sad.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:14 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
I *think* the threat is that he'll have the confirmation vote right before the election, and losing it would depress Democratic turnout, because we'll be sad.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:14 PM on July 20, 2018 [7 favorites]
Yea I don't get that either, if he's imagining that flipping the Court will make Democrats despondent and sit home as opposed to even more pissed off, that seems like a poor bet. And he's really discounting the distinct possibility of a prolonged Trump inflicted shutdown in October, which would really cramp the legislative calendar before the election.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:19 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:19 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
MonkeyToes, that Bloomberg article you posted on government use of social media as a tool of repression is worthy of its own FPP.
It’s...alarming.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:27 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
It’s...alarming.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:27 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
He's also really underestimating the possibility that the longer he waits the more likely Mueller indictments or other Trumpian fiascos/treason occur that impacts his ability to get him confirmed.
posted by chris24 at 6:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 6:43 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Kavanaugh has a l-o-o-o-o-n-g paper trail, pretty sure there are things of interest in there for the Dems.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:44 PM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 6:44 PM on July 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
The "keep them off the campaign trail" thing doesn't work for me re: Kavanaugh. They would need to be in DC for a vote but Nelson and McCaskill, for example, don't have to be the people sitting in the Chamber grilling Kavanaugh or whatever. You don't need every single Democrat sitting in DC poring over papers. They have staff. There are other Senators.
posted by Justinian at 6:46 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:46 PM on July 20, 2018 [6 favorites]
Hell, why should they even bother showing up for the vote? If it’s a foregone conclusion, show your contempt for the whole rotten process, stay out on the trail with the American people, and refuse to participate in the charade.
posted by EarBucket at 6:50 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by EarBucket at 6:50 PM on July 20, 2018 [2 favorites]
All of this is reason for Democrats to demand documents. All the documents, just like they did for Kagan. Let's see his fucking middle school diaries where he read Handmaid's Tale as an instruction manual.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:52 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:52 PM on July 20, 2018 [12 favorites]
‘Crying Nazi’ barred from Virginia after pleading guilty to assault during Charlottesville rally (WaPo):
On Friday, [Christopher Cantwell] pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and battery stemming from his dispersal of pepper spray near the University of Virginia rotunda Aug. 11, the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement.posted by peeedro at 7:06 PM on July 20, 2018 [23 favorites]
The 37-year-old from Keene, N.H., was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 12 months, with all but seven months suspended, freeing him from detention. However, he was required to leave Virginia within eight hours and not return for five years.
And his presence reinforces our commitment to nonpartisan and bipartisan dialogue among scholars and practitioners of good will who may nevertheless hold strongly opposing personal political viewpoints.
It's like DDT Children's Wallpaper - we can look back on it now, and . . . what's the opposite of laugh?
posted by petebest at 7:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
It's like DDT Children's Wallpaper - we can look back on it now, and . . . what's the opposite of laugh?
posted by petebest at 7:07 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Maddow says the Cohen-Trump tape was ruled privileged, and was probably released by Trump's lawyers.
posted by Peach at 7:09 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Peach at 7:09 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Emma Best, national security journalist, has published 285,000 text messages that were hacked from Paul Manafort's daughter's phone.
These must have been released somewhere because I already had these on my computer along with her photos, and I am not a super-hacker dark web person. When it first came out that her messages had been hacked they were put up for download but hell if I can remember where I found them. If I'd known they weren't everywhere already I would've spread them around.
posted by Anonymous at 7:30 PM on July 20, 2018
These must have been released somewhere because I already had these on my computer along with her photos, and I am not a super-hacker dark web person. When it first came out that her messages had been hacked they were put up for download but hell if I can remember where I found them. If I'd known they weren't everywhere already I would've spread them around.
posted by Anonymous at 7:30 PM on July 20, 2018
Sean Spicer facts about Sean Spicer’s book (Alexandra Petri, WaPo)
Since Sean Spicer has been on the “Today” show, “Megyn Kelly Today,” CNN and other outlets promoting his new book, I guess we are all supposed to be getting in on the promotional book train! Here are some fun facts about his new book, offered in the same spirit in which he has previously regarded fact.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:38 PM on July 20, 2018 [26 favorites]
- I have read it.
- I have read it more times than any book in history.
- Three million to 5 million fraudulent voters also read it.
- I bought it and my dog rose up on its hind legs and ran screaming from my home, crying, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE.”
- I bought it and brought it home, and when I turned around there was a faceless man with a briefcase standing in the corner of the room. Every time I turned around there was another faceless man with a briefcase. The men were all the same, but each briefcase was different. Some were ragged and worn, and others were new and made of shiny leather. Soon the room was full to bursting with the faceless men and their myriad briefcases. I tried to sneak into the room to remove the book when I felt with a sudden inexplicable conviction that they had all turned to stare at me, although they had no faces and it should not have been possible for them to stare. I left the book and fled. I have not gone back to the house.
Yes, I got these back in November of 2017. Seriously, did nobody else have them? Did Best include the images? Am I part of the dark web now?!
posted by Anonymous at 7:39 PM on July 20, 2018
posted by Anonymous at 7:39 PM on July 20, 2018
I remember reading about them back then, reading excerpts, etc. but I suppose that they could have easily been somewhat lost to most people in the constant rush of BS since then.
posted by Golem XIV at 7:46 PM on July 20, 2018
posted by Golem XIV at 7:46 PM on July 20, 2018
peeedro: "The 37-year-old from Keene, N.H., was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 12 months, with all but seven months suspended, freeing him from detention. However, he was required to leave Virginia within eight hours and not return for five years."
Is this sort of exile a common punishment in the states?
posted by Mitheral at 8:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
Is this sort of exile a common punishment in the states?
posted by Mitheral at 8:28 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
I googled that and it seemed pretty rare, Slate has an article on it. But I think it is notable that it was part of his plea bargain; he agreed to exile himself, it wasn't unilaterally imposed by the state.
posted by peeedro at 8:36 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 8:36 PM on July 20, 2018 [5 favorites]
"Is this sort of exile a common punishment in the states?"
Quite uncommon, and maybe unconstitutional. Here's Slate on being banished from a state; here's the WaPo on banishment within a state.
My loose sense from casual courtwatching is that the courts are a bit friendlier to banishment if it's like a county-wide restraining order, like the offender has done so much damage to the community that continuing to exist in it extends the harm; or if the offenses rely on local contacts and preventing reoffending means removing the offender from their network (i.e., drug dealers); and less friendly when the banishment itself is a punishment (and very very unfriendly when states are trying to offload their prison populations on each other). I honestly don't think exiling this guy from Virginia would stand up to Constitutional scrutiny, but he agreed to it in a plea bargain so it's not going to get appealed.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:38 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
Quite uncommon, and maybe unconstitutional. Here's Slate on being banished from a state; here's the WaPo on banishment within a state.
My loose sense from casual courtwatching is that the courts are a bit friendlier to banishment if it's like a county-wide restraining order, like the offender has done so much damage to the community that continuing to exist in it extends the harm; or if the offenses rely on local contacts and preventing reoffending means removing the offender from their network (i.e., drug dealers); and less friendly when the banishment itself is a punishment (and very very unfriendly when states are trying to offload their prison populations on each other). I honestly don't think exiling this guy from Virginia would stand up to Constitutional scrutiny, but he agreed to it in a plea bargain so it's not going to get appealed.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:38 PM on July 20, 2018 [8 favorites]
No. Probation restrictions limiting where you can live or go are more common in certain cases, and some states like to use that to ban people from counties or areas, but banishment from a state is rare and of questionable constitutionality.
Probation restrictions can be pretty damn wide-ranging though, and he seems to have agreed to it as part of the deal, so he's unlikely to be able to challenge it.
posted by zachlipton at 8:39 PM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Probation restrictions can be pretty damn wide-ranging though, and he seems to have agreed to it as part of the deal, so he's unlikely to be able to challenge it.
posted by zachlipton at 8:39 PM on July 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
How Europe Can Survive the Trump Era
Explosive narcissism and vulgar capitalism: It is impossible to engage in politics with this U.S. president. Europe should resist the temptation to fixate on Donald Trump and instead pursue its own goals. That's the lesson of a deeply disorienting week.
posted by infini at 12:42 AM on July 21, 2018 [16 favorites]
Explosive narcissism and vulgar capitalism: It is impossible to engage in politics with this U.S. president. Europe should resist the temptation to fixate on Donald Trump and instead pursue its own goals. That's the lesson of a deeply disorienting week.
posted by infini at 12:42 AM on July 21, 2018 [16 favorites]
Timothy Egan in the NYTimes: Blame the 400-Pound Guy
Wishing for supporters of Donald Trump to find their hearts, their brains or their patriotism is a fool’s errand. We are, as the president has said many times, “a stupid country,” and every day of this presidency proves his point.posted by mumimor at 2:40 AM on July 21, 2018 [19 favorites]
I haven’t always felt this way, and it pains me to say this. There’s still a golden opportunity in November for the non-stupid majority to be heard. But it’s time to abandon some of the stories we tell about ourselves as a people.
I wouldn't say we have a "non-stupid majority", but since not all that many of us bother to vote, a key election can definitely change things (but it'll really take two or three).
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:53 AM on July 21, 2018
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:53 AM on July 21, 2018
Well here's a “solution” to housing costs: Arizona Public Media's Arizona 360: “Tiny Homes for Teachers” (many “tiny house” previouslies on MeFi)
Also New Hampshire Public Radio's The Exchange: “Telemedicine in N.H.”, on the status of remote healthcare in a state that's rural by East Coast standards, at least.
I am worried that many developments that will improve vital access to housing and healthcare and other basic needs in many parts of the world will be also be used for attempts to drive public budgets down.
posted by XMLicious at 3:05 AM on July 21, 2018
Also New Hampshire Public Radio's The Exchange: “Telemedicine in N.H.”, on the status of remote healthcare in a state that's rural by East Coast standards, at least.
I am worried that many developments that will improve vital access to housing and healthcare and other basic needs in many parts of the world will be also be used for attempts to drive public budgets down.
posted by XMLicious at 3:05 AM on July 21, 2018
infini, I find that Spiegel opinion very sadly shuttered/blinded/defeatist, and really more aimed (“hibernation [...] in lockstep with all member states to the degree possible”) at defending a German-agenda status quo, so as to avoid precisely what the EU badly needs, now more than ever: radical democratizing - the EU’s critically missing characteristic, and precisely what’s enabling Bannon/Trumpworld’s populist bullshitism ripping it apart, infecting member after member. What’s happening is not something to be weathered, defensively hunkering down and hoping for the best. For the EU especially it’s the same clarion wake-up call that it’s proving to be for the best within the U.S.: systemic change is direly overdue, and now is the time to actively demand/be that change. To borrow a phrase from the establishment front, TI(N)A - carpe diem!
posted by progosk at 3:09 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by progosk at 3:09 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
Putin, Trump and the New Cold War Between Liberalism and White Supremacy
The simplest explanation is also perhaps the most terrifying: U.S. conservatives align ideologically much more closely to Putin than to their domestic opponents, and aren’t bothered by an open alliance with him.posted by T.D. Strange at 4:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [88 favorites]
Putin’s interference in U.S. elections troubles them no more than right-wing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprecedented diplomatic and political efforts to hamper Democrats and bolster Republicans. A form of global partisan bond between conservatives across nation-states in defense of white nationalism has begun to transcend any particular allegiances to fellow citizens within their nation.
...
This is the globalization of a hard-right hyperpartisanship in which Russia makes alliances not with nations per se, but with the racist white nationalist and plutocratic movements and candidates within those countries–and in which those movements quietly or not-so-quietly welcome Russia’s help. It would be a misnomer to say that Russia, Israel and the United States maintain a strong alliance: it is far more accurate to say that Putin’s kleptocracy, the Republican Party and Likud have an alliance, alongside to various degrees white nationalist governments in Hungary, Poland, Italy and elsewhere. These alliances are not against other countries on the global stage, but rather against the liberal and cosmopolitan populations within those countries.
...
Conservatives do not recognize the legitimacy of a United States that is not run by rich conservative Christian white men, on behalf of rich conservative Christian white men. An America that respects the rights and interests of women, racial and religious minorities and that protects and defends the unfortunate from the predations of Ayn Rand’s WASPy ubermenschen becomes something alien and other for them. Trump’s disdain for traditional European allies and criticism of non-white immigration into the continent reflects a broader sentiment on the far right worldwide that Europe has fallen and is no longer recognizable as Europe.
It should come as no surprise, then, to see conservatives calculate openly that treasonous collusion with Russia to install a right-wing autocratic regime in the United States is defensible to prevent the nation from becoming a minority-majority nation with universal healthcare–a country that they would no longer recognize as the United States.
and precisely what’s enabling Bannon/Trumpworld’s populist bullshitism ripping it apart, infecting member after member
Now its formalized as a foundation
posted by infini at 4:41 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Now its formalized as a foundation
posted by infini at 4:41 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
It really is uncanny. Sept 2013.
@realDonaldTrump
Putin is having such a good time. Our President is making him look like the genius of all geniuses. Do not fear,we are a NATION OF POTENTIAL
posted by chris24 at 5:13 AM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Putin is having such a good time. Our President is making him look like the genius of all geniuses. Do not fear,we are a NATION OF POTENTIAL
posted by chris24 at 5:13 AM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
From Rachel Maddow: Cohen Trump tape was deemed privileged by Special Master, privileged waved by Trump legal team.
Her conclusion is that Trump's lawyers wanted this out to "get in front of the story".
posted by bluesky43 at 5:20 AM on July 21, 2018 [17 favorites]
Her conclusion is that Trump's lawyers wanted this out to "get in front of the story".
posted by bluesky43 at 5:20 AM on July 21, 2018 [17 favorites]
Must-read article (by N. Hines), that - thanks for the link, infini. Though there’s plenty of bluster there, let’s let the brazenness Bannon is displaying be a forewarning, and a lesson in dialectics. “Everybody agrees that next May is hugely important, that this is the real first continent-wide face-off between populism and the party of Davos. This will be an enormously important moment for Europe. [...] Right-wing populist nationalism is what will happen. That’s what will govern [...] It will be instantaneous—as soon as we flip the switch.” Gleichschaltung - ring a bell? Apart from the dog-whistle peacocking, the principal ploy/decoy is in attempting to establish a false dichotomy, him or (((Soros))), fascism or “Davos”. The urgent, emphatic answer is: neither!
posted by progosk at 5:21 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by progosk at 5:21 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Well, then you're either an idiot or a liar (PQNLD).
Just catching up, but thanks to petebest for a new abbreviation.
It's going to save us a few keystrokes in the future.
posted by MtDewd at 5:48 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
Just catching up, but thanks to petebest for a new abbreviation.
It's going to save us a few keystrokes in the future.
posted by MtDewd at 5:48 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
I don't pop into these threads much (because of my mental health), but I found this interview with Sean Spicer on NPR to be worth sharing, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Gives an insight into the types of people that occupy and work in the West Wing for this President.
• Sean Spicer On Trump's Inauguration Records And The Role Of The Press Secretary [NPR]
• Sean Spicer On Trump's Inauguration Records And The Role Of The Press Secretary [NPR]
“Before I sat down to talk with former press secretary Sean Spicer yesterday, I did something I sometimes do. I tweeted, I'm about to tape this interview. What would you ask? Well, you replied, and it seems the question many of you want to put to the former White House press secretary is some variation of, why don't you go jump off a cliff?posted by Fizz at 5:51 AM on July 21, 2018
Well, we didn't ask him that question, but we did want to talk to him about why he became such a polarizing figure and why he remains so nearly a year after leaving the White House. When Sean Spicer came in to talk about his new memoir, he conceded he was controversial from his very first briefing.
Let me ask you about the moment that set the tone for your tenure as press secretary. This was day one of the Trump administration. You're laughing or maybe cringing. I want to play for this - this is...”
Sean Spicer On Trump's Inauguration Records And The Role Of The Press Secretary
A sycophant until the end. His claim in this interview is that he came up with the inauguration crowd size alternative fact on his own and that trump was not pleased. Such bullshit. Trump said it himself! Many times! And would say it again today if you asked him. God spicer is such a weasel. That whole interview is pure rage fuel.
posted by dis_integration at 6:11 AM on July 21, 2018 [25 favorites]
A sycophant until the end. His claim in this interview is that he came up with the inauguration crowd size alternative fact on his own and that trump was not pleased. Such bullshit. Trump said it himself! Many times! And would say it again today if you asked him. God spicer is such a weasel. That whole interview is pure rage fuel.
posted by dis_integration at 6:11 AM on July 21, 2018 [25 favorites]
Financial Times video piece: US border economy rocked by Trump's Mexico rhetoric
Following links in the Slate piece EMcG pointed to about banishment I ended up at the text of Chief Justice Earl Warren's 1958 Trop v. Dulles SCOTUS opinion and my eyes focused on this interesting bit:
posted by XMLicious at 6:26 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Following links in the Slate piece EMcG pointed to about banishment I ended up at the text of Chief Justice Earl Warren's 1958 Trop v. Dulles SCOTUS opinion and my eyes focused on this interesting bit:
If I'm interpreting it correctly, the decision is actually about asserting that despite those numerous duties the government can't strip the citizenship of an American who votes in an election in Mexico nor of someone convicted of desertion from the military. But those two sentences seem especially germane.The duties of citizenship are numerous, and the discharge of many of these obligations is essential to the security and wellbeing of the Nation. The citizen who fails to pay his taxes or to abide by the laws safeguarding the integrity of elections deals a dangerous blow to his country.
posted by XMLicious at 6:26 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Somebody’s up and tweeting from his account:
“Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyer’s office (early in the morning) - almost unheard of. Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal. The good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong!”
[real]
———————
Dan Coats and Rod Rosenstein Defy Trump
David Rohde | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:37 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
“Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyer’s office (early in the morning) - almost unheard of. Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal. The good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong!”
[real]
———————
Dan Coats and Rod Rosenstein Defy Trump
David Rohde | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:37 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Conclusion of the Rohde piece:
Later that day, Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General and the Justice Department’s chief protector of the special counsel, Robert Mueller, delivered a speech that differed dramatically from Coats’s comments in terms of style but was similarly pointed. Dressed in a navy-blue suit and a pink-striped tie, Rosenstein announced that the Justice Department would now alert the American public if a foreign government was attempting to undermine an election.posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [31 favorites]
Unequivocal in his language and tone, Rosenstein gave a full-throated endorsement of Coats and his warnings about Russia. “As Director Coats made clear, these actions are persistent, they are pervasive, and they are meant to undermine America’s democracy on a daily basis, regardless of whether it is election time or not," Rosenstein said. He added, “The American people have a right to know if foreign governments are targeting them with propaganda.”
Coats and Rosenstein, who has defied pressure from Trump to fire Mueller, both spoke truth. Both received standing ovations. Both are likely to lose their jobs if they keep it up.
In FT's Lunch with Kissinger, he makes Trump sound like hte Mule
“I don’t want to talk too much about Trump because at some point I should do it in a more coherent way than this,” Kissinger replies. But you are being coherent, I protest. Please don’t stop. There is another pregnant silence. “I think Trump may be one of those figures in history who appears from time to time to mark the end of an era and to force it to give up its old pretences. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he knows this, or that he is considering any great alternative. It could just be an accident.”
[...]
It is clear he will not elaborate further. I ask him which period he would liken to today. Kissinger talks about his experience as a freshly minted citizen in US uniform serving in the second world war. He also reminisces about what brought the young German refugee to these shores in the first place. After Germany marched into Austria in 1938, Jews in Kissinger’s home town were told to stay indoors. His parents left for America when they could. “There was a curfew and German soldiers everywhere,” he says. “It was a traumatic experience that has never left me.” His reminiscence is carefully chosen.
posted by infini at 6:55 AM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
“I don’t want to talk too much about Trump because at some point I should do it in a more coherent way than this,” Kissinger replies. But you are being coherent, I protest. Please don’t stop. There is another pregnant silence. “I think Trump may be one of those figures in history who appears from time to time to mark the end of an era and to force it to give up its old pretences. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he knows this, or that he is considering any great alternative. It could just be an accident.”
[...]
It is clear he will not elaborate further. I ask him which period he would liken to today. Kissinger talks about his experience as a freshly minted citizen in US uniform serving in the second world war. He also reminisces about what brought the young German refugee to these shores in the first place. After Germany marched into Austria in 1938, Jews in Kissinger’s home town were told to stay indoors. His parents left for America when they could. “There was a curfew and German soldiers everywhere,” he says. “It was a traumatic experience that has never left me.” His reminiscence is carefully chosen.
posted by infini at 6:55 AM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
Her conclusion is that Trump's lawyers wanted this out to "get in front of the story".
This jibes with Michael Avanetti's assertion that the are more tapes. This also fits the M.O. of how Team Trump handles unfolding scandals, e.g. Don Jr. releasing his e-mails about the Trump Tower meeting, which was shocking at the time but has turned into a classic modified limited hang-out that we still don't have a full account of.
In this case, Trump's "inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal" is a signal to his supporters that Cohen's at fault for the secret taping—which Trump loved to do himself, of course—and that more tapes would be an outrageous betrayal of attorney-client privilege.
Incidentally, last night The Beat with Ari Melber (@TheBeatWithAri) interviewed Avenatti about a hypothetical alliance that would give Trump nightmares:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 AM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
This jibes with Michael Avanetti's assertion that the are more tapes. This also fits the M.O. of how Team Trump handles unfolding scandals, e.g. Don Jr. releasing his e-mails about the Trump Tower meeting, which was shocking at the time but has turned into a classic modified limited hang-out that we still don't have a full account of.
In this case, Trump's "inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal" is a signal to his supporters that Cohen's at fault for the secret taping—which Trump loved to do himself, of course—and that more tapes would be an outrageous betrayal of attorney-client privilege.
Incidentally, last night The Beat with Ari Melber (@TheBeatWithAri) interviewed Avenatti about a hypothetical alliance that would give Trump nightmares:
Breaking: @MichaelAvenatti says if Michael Cohen "was prepared to do the right thing", I would "absolutely consider" representing him.CNN's MJ Lee (@mj_lee) adds, “Stormy lawyer @MichaelAvenatti says his run-in with Michael Cohen this week at an NYC restaurant was 'lengthy' and 'frank.' And: 'Had Mr. Trump witnessed this interaction, he would have blown a gasket.'”
"Michael Cohen and I had a chance to converse" we had "a very positive meeting"
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 AM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
Electronic Frontier Foundation, in response to concerns some tech company employees have raised: Should Your Company Help ICE? “Know Your Customer” Standards for Evaluating Domestic Sales of Surveillance Equipment
posted by XMLicious at 7:13 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 7:13 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Harry Enten: Cynthia Nixon, like Bernie Sanders before her, has a problem with black Democrats
The second trend is that Cuomo's lead is indicative of is the continually poor showing by progressive insurgents among black voters.posted by octothorpe at 7:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
Cuomo is leading across pretty much all demographic groups, but he's particularly strong among African-Americans. Although no crosstab of black voters was available in the Quinnipiac poll, an earlier Siena College poll put Cuomo's margin over Nixon among black voters at 74% to 17%.
Hunh. The Trump team leaking the McDougal payoff tape explains why Haberman tweeted that this tape appears to be the only one. It also explains why Trump’s voice is cut off (at least according to written accounts) toward the end.
posted by notyou at 7:17 AM on July 21, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by notyou at 7:17 AM on July 21, 2018 [15 favorites]
"Michael Cohen and I had a chance to converse" we had "a very positive meeting"
What the fuck? Why would someone intentionally commit such a massive breach of ethics? Hero or not the bar needs to pull this motherfucker up in front of a bench and tell him even though it's a spectacle he's still an officer of the court.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:26 AM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
What the fuck? Why would someone intentionally commit such a massive breach of ethics? Hero or not the bar needs to pull this motherfucker up in front of a bench and tell him even though it's a spectacle he's still an officer of the court.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:26 AM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
A form of global partisan bond between conservatives across nation-states in defense of white nationalism
I think "ethno-nationalism" is a bit more apt, though it happens that in the United States this takes the form of white nationalism.
posted by Slothrup at 7:44 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
I think "ethno-nationalism" is a bit more apt, though it happens that in the United States this takes the form of white nationalism.
posted by Slothrup at 7:44 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpJesus, tap dancing, fucking Christ. So, Dear Leaderism aside, (which in itself is another massive can of worms) I guess Cohen is officially thrown in front of the bus. Also, he's trying to turn this into reverse Watergate? I mean I get this is already stupid Watergate but COME ON WRITERS.
Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyer’s office (early in the morning) - almost unheard of. Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal. The good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong!
5:10 AM - 21 Jul 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:44 AM on July 21, 2018 [8 favorites]
Russia has exited the list of the biggest foreign holders of US government debt, according to Treasury Department data released this week.
posted by infini at 7:48 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by infini at 7:48 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
I think "ethno-nationalism" is a bit more apt, though it happens that in the United States this takes the form of white nationalism.
Yeah. It always raises my eyebrow to see Hungarians, Poles, and Russians team up their ethno-nationalism with US based white nationalism when Poles, Slavs, ethnic Russians were all untermensch to the Nazis. To the white nationalists, the gays and Jews are first but once they're all gone, anyone to the east of the Oder is next. There is no second place in the social strata of ethno-nationalism.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:49 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Yeah. It always raises my eyebrow to see Hungarians, Poles, and Russians team up their ethno-nationalism with US based white nationalism when Poles, Slavs, ethnic Russians were all untermensch to the Nazis. To the white nationalists, the gays and Jews are first but once they're all gone, anyone to the east of the Oder is next. There is no second place in the social strata of ethno-nationalism.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:49 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
What the fuck? Why would someone intentionally commit such a massive breach of ethics? Hero or not the bar needs to pull this motherfucker up in front of a bench and tell him even though it's a spectacle he's still an officer of the court.
Breach of what CRPC? Avenatti's slick, he's not stupid.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Breach of what CRPC? Avenatti's slick, he's not stupid.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Breach of what CRPC?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:54 AM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
Rule 2-100 Communication With a Represented PartyThis is law school 101. You don't talk to the other side's client directly.
(A) While representing a client, a member shall not communicate directly or indirectly about the subject of the representation with a party the member knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the member has the consent of the other lawyer.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:54 AM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
And in New York.
RULE 4.2.posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:56 AM on July 21, 2018
Communication With Person Represented By Counsel
(a) In representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate or cause another to communicate about the subject of the representation with a party the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the prior consent of the other lawyer or is authorized to do so by law.
Yeah, my concern with Avenatti is that he's decided that while Mueller's the hero America deserves, he's the one it needs right now. That may work in the media arena in which he's decided to take on Team Trump on their level, but he's already been chastised by the courts over his behavior.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:00 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:00 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
(A) While representing a client, a member shall not communicate directly or indirectly about the subject of the representation with a party the member knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the member has the consent of the other lawyer.
Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis - who hadn't tweeted in 8 days - has been tweeting and challenging Giuliani's statements and Trump's tweets, but nothing about Avenatti. So maybe he's aware and/or has no issue with it.
Last night:
Lanny Davis
Obviously, there is an ongoing investigation, and we are sensitive to that. But suffice it to say that when the recording is heard, it will not hurt @MichaelCohen212. Any attempt at spin can not change what is on the tape.
This morning:
Lanny Davis
The strategy of @realdonaldtrump @potus @RudyGiuliani is flawed; just as is #Trump’s false #Twitter statement made against @michaelcohen212 this morning. Rudy claims the tape is “exculpatory”. Why so angry?
posted by chris24 at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis - who hadn't tweeted in 8 days - has been tweeting and challenging Giuliani's statements and Trump's tweets, but nothing about Avenatti. So maybe he's aware and/or has no issue with it.
Last night:
Lanny Davis
Obviously, there is an ongoing investigation, and we are sensitive to that. But suffice it to say that when the recording is heard, it will not hurt @MichaelCohen212. Any attempt at spin can not change what is on the tape.
This morning:
Lanny Davis
The strategy of @realdonaldtrump @potus @RudyGiuliani is flawed; just as is #Trump’s false #Twitter statement made against @michaelcohen212 this morning. Rudy claims the tape is “exculpatory”. Why so angry?
posted by chris24 at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Cohen is a lawyer himself, and we don't know he didn't text his lawyer about it and insist, etc. That seems Cohen-ish.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
I was listening to "Weekend Edition" this morning and Scott Simon interviewed a County GOP Chairman who resigned after Trump's Helsinki Press conference. This person was the kind of Republican I used to know, differing from me in economic strategy, but able to use logic to defend his opinions. Tellingly, he is a lawyer and cut through a lot of the kind of Trump nonsense that seems to defeat NPR journalists. I think NPR should give up trying to understand Trump supporters and interview more people like this.
posted by acrasis at 8:06 AM on July 21, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by acrasis at 8:06 AM on July 21, 2018 [38 favorites]
Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis - who hadn't tweeted in 8 days - has been tweeting and challenging Giuliani's statements and Trump's tweets, but nothing about Avenatti. So maybe he's aware and/or has no issue with it.
If Lanny Davis gave his prior consent for Cohen to speak with Avenatti he also needs to be brought before the bar for legal malpractice. But this is Stupid Watergate timeline so who knows.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
If Lanny Davis gave his prior consent for Cohen to speak with Avenatti he also needs to be brought before the bar for legal malpractice. But this is Stupid Watergate timeline so who knows.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Who is representing Cohen in the Daniels matter at this point? Who’s representing Trump? Now that everybody’s got lawyers in multiple matters, former lawyers they may be sueing, and all the lawyers have lawyers, google is pretty chaffed on the subject.
posted by dirge at 8:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by dirge at 8:16 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
If Lanny Davis gave his prior consent for Cohen to speak with Avenatti he also needs to be brought before the bar for legal malpractice.
Malpractice is a tort against the client. I get that it's a gross feeling watching this sort of carrying-on but if everyone involved decides it's to their advantage I don't think its subject to discipline. Maybe under the Federal rules. Which is why Avenatti declined to subject himself to Judge Wood's control.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:22 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Malpractice is a tort against the client. I get that it's a gross feeling watching this sort of carrying-on but if everyone involved decides it's to their advantage I don't think its subject to discipline. Maybe under the Federal rules. Which is why Avenatti declined to subject himself to Judge Wood's control.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:22 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
>
I'm not sure if animosity and disdain from Russian racists for example towards Central Asian Muslims, who make up a significant chunk of the population there, should be distinguished too far from white nationalism. There are lots of Yellow-Peril-equivalent attitudes too, fueled by sharing a border with China and retaining resentment over conflicts with Japan and even Mongol conquest nearly a millenium ago. There's certainly a long-standing sentiment that Russian ethnic identity should dominate even over close-by Slavic groups such as Byelorussians and Ukranians going back to the Russian Empire as well, though.
posted by XMLicious at 8:30 AM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
A form of global partisan bond between conservatives across nation-states in defense of white nationalism
I think "ethno-nationalism" is a bit more apt, though it happens that in the United States this takes the form of white nationalism.
I'm not sure if animosity and disdain from Russian racists for example towards Central Asian Muslims, who make up a significant chunk of the population there, should be distinguished too far from white nationalism. There are lots of Yellow-Peril-equivalent attitudes too, fueled by sharing a border with China and retaining resentment over conflicts with Japan and even Mongol conquest nearly a millenium ago. There's certainly a long-standing sentiment that Russian ethnic identity should dominate even over close-by Slavic groups such as Byelorussians and Ukranians going back to the Russian Empire as well, though.
posted by XMLicious at 8:30 AM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
Mods lemme know if this is better on MeTa or MeMail - it keeps coming up.
robotdevil, good on you for taking a chance on a different place, and I hope your being there makes a difference!
I'm not pushing back on the idea of liberals *themselves* moving to red states for various reasons, or even big public works projects that get people working out there.
What I find hopelessly misinformed is the idea of just moving a bunch of liberals to red states by some policy or . . . ? It's never quite clear by what mechanism this would happen, and it's usually hand-waved away what an environmental disaster would result.
Bumping the populations of most western states would be an environmental catastrophe. The main reason there aren't a lot of people in the big western states is that there just isn't very much *water*. UT, WY, MT, AZ, NV and CO can't actually support many more people (NV and AZ can't actually support the people they have). Their water has to come from somewhere, but most of what limited water they get already goes to neighboring states for the agriculture that feeds the rest of the country. These states are already desertifying more rapidly due to human development. So when my tech-bro neighbor from Connecticut starts talking about changing the electorate out there through demographic means, I find it a little clueless.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:32 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
robotdevil, good on you for taking a chance on a different place, and I hope your being there makes a difference!
I'm not pushing back on the idea of liberals *themselves* moving to red states for various reasons, or even big public works projects that get people working out there.
What I find hopelessly misinformed is the idea of just moving a bunch of liberals to red states by some policy or . . . ? It's never quite clear by what mechanism this would happen, and it's usually hand-waved away what an environmental disaster would result.
Bumping the populations of most western states would be an environmental catastrophe. The main reason there aren't a lot of people in the big western states is that there just isn't very much *water*. UT, WY, MT, AZ, NV and CO can't actually support many more people (NV and AZ can't actually support the people they have). Their water has to come from somewhere, but most of what limited water they get already goes to neighboring states for the agriculture that feeds the rest of the country. These states are already desertifying more rapidly due to human development. So when my tech-bro neighbor from Connecticut starts talking about changing the electorate out there through demographic means, I find it a little clueless.
posted by aspersioncast at 8:32 AM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Ah, Found it: Cohen is represented by Brent Blakely in the Daniels stuff. Buried in this CNN story about the latest suit.
(Edited to fix link)
posted by dirge at 8:32 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
(Edited to fix link)
posted by dirge at 8:32 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
It always raises my eyebrow to see Hungarians, Poles, and Russians team up their ethno-nationalism with US based white nationalism when Poles, Slavs, ethnic Russians were all untermensch to the Nazis.
They were untermenschen to "old stock" Anglo-Saxon Americans, too, pretty much, at least as recently as the '20's and '30's. Having two, three native-born generations in the US and intermarrying with the children and grandchildren of those old-stock Americans has led to "white ethnics" not really being much of a Thing, anymore, in the States, though. And given the major demographic shifts with the increase in the Latinx population, "white solidarity" trumps the old white ethnic divisions.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 8:35 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
They were untermenschen to "old stock" Anglo-Saxon Americans, too, pretty much, at least as recently as the '20's and '30's. Having two, three native-born generations in the US and intermarrying with the children and grandchildren of those old-stock Americans has led to "white ethnics" not really being much of a Thing, anymore, in the States, though. And given the major demographic shifts with the increase in the Latinx population, "white solidarity" trumps the old white ethnic divisions.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 8:35 AM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
The OG Nazis were aligned with Japanese fascists so it’s not like this weird Nazi version of interssctionalism hasn’t been around for ever. Turns out when your entire philosophy is based on evil bullshit alliances of convenience are extremely easy to make with people who think the same way.
posted by Artw at 8:37 AM on July 21, 2018 [39 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:37 AM on July 21, 2018 [39 favorites]
What I find hopelessly misinformed is the idea of just moving a bunch of liberals to red states by some policy or . . . ? It's never quite clear by what mechanism this would happen, and it's usually hand-waved away what an environmental disaster would result.
It's not like the LA or SF metroplexes have water to spare. Where are the underutilized watersheds near population centers? I mean, if there are some, cool. Unless your solution is capping population there will be more people somewhere needing water. Thus, this:
most of what limited water they get already goes to neighboring states for the agriculture that feeds the rest of the country
would seem to be a problem wherever the additional people wind up. We need less water-hungry agriculture and more reclamation no matter what.
Plus I think the idea is that some places are so sparsely populated that a reasonably small number of people could change the political balance.
The problem I see is that to sort of blink it into existence it would be some kind of intentional political community layered on top of some kind of real estate development deal and there would be inquiries and confrontations and drama and the whole project would turn into a boondoogle that is also conspiracy fodder for the deep-state Bundy-occupier types. Especially since it would have to be in one of the mountain-west states. No one is going to be enticed to move to a Dakota.
That said, as I've speculated in would happen in the past there is starting to be independent interest in Boise as an undiscovered PNW-coffeehouses and bicycles type of city as people are unable to afford Portland and Seattle.
NYT, from May: What the Fastest Growth in the U.S. Means for Idaho Politics
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
It's not like the LA or SF metroplexes have water to spare. Where are the underutilized watersheds near population centers? I mean, if there are some, cool. Unless your solution is capping population there will be more people somewhere needing water. Thus, this:
most of what limited water they get already goes to neighboring states for the agriculture that feeds the rest of the country
would seem to be a problem wherever the additional people wind up. We need less water-hungry agriculture and more reclamation no matter what.
Plus I think the idea is that some places are so sparsely populated that a reasonably small number of people could change the political balance.
The problem I see is that to sort of blink it into existence it would be some kind of intentional political community layered on top of some kind of real estate development deal and there would be inquiries and confrontations and drama and the whole project would turn into a boondoogle that is also conspiracy fodder for the deep-state Bundy-occupier types. Especially since it would have to be in one of the mountain-west states. No one is going to be enticed to move to a Dakota.
That said, as I've speculated in would happen in the past there is starting to be independent interest in Boise as an undiscovered PNW-coffeehouses and bicycles type of city as people are unable to afford Portland and Seattle.
NYT, from May: What the Fastest Growth in the U.S. Means for Idaho Politics
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
Russia has exited the list of the biggest foreign holders of US government debt, according to Treasury Department data released this week.
Radio Free Liberty goes into the history of Russia selling off US debt in recent years: Russia Dumped U.S. Bond Holdings This Year Amid U.S. Sanctions Push
To put this in context, though, China's holdings of U.S. Treasuries dropped $80 billion in the past twelve months from May—but they're still #1 with #1,183.1 billion even though we're in a trade war with them—and the market for US Treasuries is over $15 trillion (for the time being, at least).
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:56 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Radio Free Liberty goes into the history of Russia selling off US debt in recent years: Russia Dumped U.S. Bond Holdings This Year Amid U.S. Sanctions Push
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has been seeking to mend relations with his U.S. counterpart, his government has been dumping U.S. debt in a way seldom seen in global markets, financial analysts say.Russia's recent high point in US debt holdings was $176 billion in 2010, which it's been unloading ever since Obama started imposing sanctions over its 2014 Ukraine military adventurism, and they still held $108.7 billion in May last year. Instead, they've been investing in gold (which Ron Paul must find attractive).
Data released by the U.S. Treasury this week shows that Russia, which once ranked among the top 10 foreign holders of U.S. Treasury securities, by May had sold off all but about $15 billion of that debt -- down from nearly $100 billion in March.
The unusually rapid selloff of U.S. bonds -- which many analysts are attributing to rising U.S.-Russia tensions and in particular, U.S. sanctions imposed on Russian billionaires this year -- caused Russia to fall below the $30 billion threshold for being included on the Treasury's list of its "major bondholders."
To put this in context, though, China's holdings of U.S. Treasuries dropped $80 billion in the past twelve months from May—but they're still #1 with #1,183.1 billion even though we're in a trade war with them—and the market for US Treasuries is over $15 trillion (for the time being, at least).
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:56 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
It's not like the LA or SF metroplexes have water to spare.
Yes but they have the wealth to derive water from desal when push comes to shove unlike somewhere like Cape Town. Salt water reverse osmosis plants equipped with pressure exchanger energy recovery driven by green energy will most likely be the future of water for most coastal California.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:58 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yes but they have the wealth to derive water from desal when push comes to shove unlike somewhere like Cape Town. Salt water reverse osmosis plants equipped with pressure exchanger energy recovery driven by green energy will most likely be the future of water for most coastal California.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:58 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal.
New York is a single-party consent state. It means that Cohen does not require the other party to consent to recording his own conversations. Giuliani knows this and certainly Trump knows this because he has a history of recording conversations secretly. As usual he is playing to the rubes, accusing everyone else of crimes because he is the guilty person.
posted by JackFlash at 9:01 AM on July 21, 2018 [40 favorites]
New York is a single-party consent state. It means that Cohen does not require the other party to consent to recording his own conversations. Giuliani knows this and certainly Trump knows this because he has a history of recording conversations secretly. As usual he is playing to the rubes, accusing everyone else of crimes because he is the guilty person.
posted by JackFlash at 9:01 AM on July 21, 2018 [40 favorites]
This is law school 101. You don't talk to the other side's client directly.
As long as they didn't discuss the subject of the representation (the Stormy Daniels case), then there is no breach of the ethical rules against communicating with a represented party. The optics are not great but I very much doubt Avenatti is in any danger of a disciplinary action.
posted by SpaceBass at 9:31 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
As long as they didn't discuss the subject of the representation (the Stormy Daniels case), then there is no breach of the ethical rules against communicating with a represented party. The optics are not great but I very much doubt Avenatti is in any danger of a disciplinary action.
posted by SpaceBass at 9:31 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
(The optics of Avenatti meeting with Cohen, even though it was out in the open, are awful. If Trump's legal team was worth a damn, they'd be all over it in the media. Avenatti, and Cohen, are clearly counting on the fact that they aren't. It says a lot about the social plane on which they all operate that they seem to be unaware of what this looks like to the general public.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:45 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:45 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
To put this in context, though, China's holdings of U.S. Treasuries dropped $80 billion in the past twelve months from May—but they're still #1 with #1,183.1 billion even though we're in a trade war with them—and the market for US Treasuries is over $15 trillion (for the time being, at least).
What if they need liquidity due to the increase in tariffs as threatened and start selling off?
Some things this week on climate change, trade, Paris, and "everyone else"
After 18 months of slings and transatlantic arrows, the leaders of the European Union flew east this week to open a new chapter in Eurasian climate diplomacy.
On the 16th of July,
EU and China agree sweeping joint statement on climate action
Published on 16/07/2018, 1:32pm
Leaders put climate at centre of relationship, push for agreement on the Paris deal rulebook and reject Trump’s efforts to undermine global cooperation
And the big Japan/EU trade deal has climate embedded in it
EU-Japan trade deal first to carry Paris climate clause
Published on 17/07/2018, 3:32pm
The world’s largest ever trade deal is also the first Europe has signed that commits both parties to upholding the UN climate accord
posted by infini at 9:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [28 favorites]
What if they need liquidity due to the increase in tariffs as threatened and start selling off?
Some things this week on climate change, trade, Paris, and "everyone else"
After 18 months of slings and transatlantic arrows, the leaders of the European Union flew east this week to open a new chapter in Eurasian climate diplomacy.
On the 16th of July,
EU and China agree sweeping joint statement on climate action
Published on 16/07/2018, 1:32pm
Leaders put climate at centre of relationship, push for agreement on the Paris deal rulebook and reject Trump’s efforts to undermine global cooperation
And the big Japan/EU trade deal has climate embedded in it
EU-Japan trade deal first to carry Paris climate clause
Published on 17/07/2018, 3:32pm
The world’s largest ever trade deal is also the first Europe has signed that commits both parties to upholding the UN climate accord
posted by infini at 9:50 AM on July 21, 2018 [28 favorites]
Corey Stewart doing all he can to lose Brat and other Virginian R representatives their seats in November. In his debate with Kaine he:
1) Refused to disavow Roy Moore and dismissed claims of preying on young girls as "40 year old allegations."
2) Failed to name a Virginian over the last 70 years he admired and instead pivoted to defending confederate monuments. So I guess Robert E. Lee is the Virginian he admires most.
3) Refused to say if Putin was a competitor, enemy or friend.
posted by chris24 at 10:08 AM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
1) Refused to disavow Roy Moore and dismissed claims of preying on young girls as "40 year old allegations."
2) Failed to name a Virginian over the last 70 years he admired and instead pivoted to defending confederate monuments. So I guess Robert E. Lee is the Virginian he admires most.
3) Refused to say if Putin was a competitor, enemy or friend.
posted by chris24 at 10:08 AM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
Trump’s Putin fallout: Inside the White House’s tumultuous week of walk backs (WaPo).
posted by peeedro at 10:10 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 10:10 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Sounds increasingly likely that Assange is about to get his what-for.
Greenwald; The Intercept: Ecuador Will Imminently Withdraw Asylum for Julian Assange and Hand Him Over to the UK. What Comes Next?
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 10:28 AM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
Greenwald; The Intercept: Ecuador Will Imminently Withdraw Asylum for Julian Assange and Hand Him Over to the UK. What Comes Next?
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 10:28 AM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
Trump Signals Consequences for Michael Cohen Over Secret Recording (NYT)
President Trump lashed out at his longtime lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, on Saturday, suggesting that there could be legal consequences for Mr. Cohen’s decision to record a discussion they had two months before the 2016 election about paying a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump.posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:49 AM on July 21, 2018
The OG Nazis were aligned with Japanese fascists so it’s not like this weird Nazi version of interssctionalism hasn’t been around for ever. Turns out when your entire philosophy is based on evil bullshit alliances of convenience are extremely easy to make with people who think the same way.
Both the original and contemporary fascists do a lot of fetishizing of "exotic" cultures so long as they stay far away. Ask a proud-boy how they feel about asian women, for example.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:59 AM on July 21, 2018 [8 favorites]
Both the original and contemporary fascists do a lot of fetishizing of "exotic" cultures so long as they stay far away. Ask a proud-boy how they feel about asian women, for example.
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:59 AM on July 21, 2018 [8 favorites]
Not that I trust Greenwald or the Intecept in any way — could Sweden re-open its rape case against Assange if Ecuador withdraws asylum?
posted by erisfree at 11:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by erisfree at 11:05 AM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Sounds increasingly likely that Assange is about to get his what-for.
What Comes Next?
Hopefully a Mueller indictment.
Josh Marshall:
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:11 AM on July 21, 2018 [30 favorites]
What Comes Next?
Hopefully a Mueller indictment.
Josh Marshall:
Interesting to see Greenwald’s continued toadying for Julian Assange here. 2/ There are several layers of irony here. Before getting to those let me say that I think it would be a big mistake for the US to try to prosecute him, mainly for precedent and 1st am reasons. But also because we have no interest in validating his martyr complex. 3/ As for the ironies, Assange didn’t seem ‘asylum’ over a threat of US prosecution. He was there to be evade prosecution for rape. The bogeyman of us prosecution was always there to provide a veneer of principle to the more mundane aim of not answering rape charges. 4/ Sweden eventually gave up on that case because they couldn’t get access to Assange. So big picture Assange already one. He leveraged his political celebrity into a get out of jail free card for rape. The other irony is that at that time, Assange hadn’t done anything the 5/ US could charge him with. It was only from his Ecuador refuge that he began actively conspiring against the US and U.K. governments, becoming some sort of tool for the Russian security services. Glenn has another story. But it was clear in 2016 and 2017 ... 6/ that while Ecuador was willing to grant him refuge (albeit from rape prosecution) they did not want him using it to plot against other governments which Ecuador obviously wants to maintain some level of good relations with 7/ As I said, it would be very ill advised for the US to try to extradite or prosecute Assange (at least on the basis of any currently known or suspected evidence). But it would be ironic because only the Trump admin (or rather its appointees) wld even try. 8/ And Assange of course did everything in his power to get Trump elected and help the white nationalities and racist xenophobe groups who were and are his biggest supporters. 9/ It’s never been clear to me whether Assange was always who he turned out to be or was simply a data anarchist radical who went down a racist/authoritarian rabbit hole because of the series of events which unfolded after Wikileaks was formed. 10/ My hunch was always the former. But it barely matters.I think just what we've seen publicly of Wikileaks involvement in the Russia hacks goes well beyond first amendment protection, they had active knowledge of and participation in the criminal conspiracy. This isn't a leak it's a criminal conspiracy, they didn't just find the emails in the mail from an anonymous source, they participated in the break in at worst, and at best joined the conspiracy after the fact as accessories. And Mueller must know much more about how closely they worked with the Russia agents than we do. Any US administration would certainly charge Snowden, this is as bad as that. It's not the Pentagon Papers case where the government tried to engage in a cover up of a leak of national security information it didn't like, this is just straightforward crime.
posted by T.D. Strange at 11:11 AM on July 21, 2018 [30 favorites]
If Mueller indicts Assange, you know Trump's just going to pardon Assange.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 11:14 AM on July 21, 2018
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 11:14 AM on July 21, 2018
you know Trump's just going to pardon Assange.
Maybe on the Russia angle, but don't sell Trump short on his desire to rain blows down on an isolated target.
posted by rhizome at 11:28 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Maybe on the Russia angle, but don't sell Trump short on his desire to rain blows down on an isolated target.
posted by rhizome at 11:28 AM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Both the original and contemporary fascists do a lot of fetishizing of "exotic" cultures so long as they stay far away. Ask a proud-boy how they feel about asian women, for example.
And lets not forget that Japanese and Koreans were "Honorary Whites" in Apartheid South Africa, which was like Nazi-lite. Really, that's the term. Honorary. Whites. So, yeah, there's a weird history with East Asian people and European/SA fascists.
posted by Justinian at 11:34 AM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
And lets not forget that Japanese and Koreans were "Honorary Whites" in Apartheid South Africa, which was like Nazi-lite. Really, that's the term. Honorary. Whites. So, yeah, there's a weird history with East Asian people and European/SA fascists.
posted by Justinian at 11:34 AM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
could Sweden re-open its rape case against Assange if Ecuador withdraws asylum?
Prosecutors can choose to reopen the case if Assange becomes available. It's not clear whether they would or will, but they could. I don't know enough about Sweden to know how likely this is. I also don't know whether his accusers are still interested in pursuing the case, given how much time has passed and how high-profile it would be, or whether their wishes would have any bearing on the re-opening of the case. Statute of limitations doesn't run out until 2020.
posted by halation at 11:39 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Prosecutors can choose to reopen the case if Assange becomes available. It's not clear whether they would or will, but they could. I don't know enough about Sweden to know how likely this is. I also don't know whether his accusers are still interested in pursuing the case, given how much time has passed and how high-profile it would be, or whether their wishes would have any bearing on the re-opening of the case. Statute of limitations doesn't run out until 2020.
posted by halation at 11:39 AM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Mueller Finally Solves Mysteries About Russia’s ‘Fancy Bear’ Hackers
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Don't countries have explicit mechanisms for stopping the cclock on statutes of limitations if a defendant is known to be taking action to run the clock out?
posted by ocschwar at 12:20 PM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by ocschwar at 12:20 PM on July 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think just what we've seen publicly of Wikileaks involvement in the Russia hacks goes well beyond first amendment protection, they had active knowledge of and participation in the criminal conspiracy. This isn't a leak it's a criminal conspiracy, they didn't just find the emails in the mail from an anonymous source, they participated in the break in at worst, and at best joined the conspiracy after the fact as accessories.
And this isn't the only case of Wikileaks involved in espionage under the cover of "transparency". Last year, they published stolen US government data in what they called "Vault 7"—the trove of top-secret hacking tools provided by the recently indicted ex-CIA coder Joshua Schulte. If Assange coordinated this release with any of his Russian allies, the US could legitimately charge him with espionage for that. Nat sec independent journalist Marcy Wheeler points out language in the Schulte indictment that could enbroil Wikileaks how the Vault 7 leak could have assisted Russia (such as through the Russia-aligned hacker group The Shadow Brokers, I expect).
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
And this isn't the only case of Wikileaks involved in espionage under the cover of "transparency". Last year, they published stolen US government data in what they called "Vault 7"—the trove of top-secret hacking tools provided by the recently indicted ex-CIA coder Joshua Schulte. If Assange coordinated this release with any of his Russian allies, the US could legitimately charge him with espionage for that. Nat sec independent journalist Marcy Wheeler points out language in the Schulte indictment that could enbroil Wikileaks how the Vault 7 leak could have assisted Russia (such as through the Russia-aligned hacker group The Shadow Brokers, I expect).
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
There can be situations or circumstances that toll the SoL for a crime and fleeing the jurisdiction can indeed be one of those circumstances but laws vary greatly between countries and jurisdictions within countries so you'd have to ask a Swedish lawyer what if any such laws apply in this case. My guess is they don't toll or we'd have heard about it already.
posted by Justinian at 12:28 PM on July 21, 2018
posted by Justinian at 12:28 PM on July 21, 2018
How Pizzagate Pusher Mike Cernovich Keeps Getting People Fired (Luke O’Brien, HuffPo)
Mike Cernovich was celebrating on Friday, at least for a few hours. Disney had just fired James Gunn, the director of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, over crude jokes about pedophilia and rape Gunn made on Twitter between 2008 to 2011.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:34 PM on July 21, 2018 [14 favorites]
Cernovich had mobilized his network to have the tweets show up in all corners of the internet ― and in Disney’s executive suite ― and he was rewarded when “James Gunn” shot to the top of Twitter’s national trending topics.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was up until 3 a.m.,” an exuberant Cernovich told HuffPost on Friday. “That’s a lot of real sick stuff.”
Cernovich had claimed a scalp. This was what the far-right propagandist lived for, these kamikaze moments. They kept him going. They got him high. They allowed him to cling to a dank relevancy, even as it slips through his fingers. […]
The alt-lite’s fake news ecosystem sprouted from the far-right fever swamp created by Fox News and a tireless effort by movement conservatives to demonize the media. But the new breed of alt-lite ratfucker is feral, with an ability to directly sway gullible minds through social media. Twitter and other social media platforms have abetted the rise of frauds, racists and fascists who spread lies and can easily form cybermobs. This is a worrisome development for the truth business.
Here's a little funny that for some reason made me think of MetaFilter megathreads:
https://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Bizarro/2018-07-21/
posted by M-x shell at 12:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
https://www.seattlepi.com/comics-and-games/fun/Bizarro/2018-07-21/
posted by M-x shell at 12:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
And this isn't the only case of Wikileaks involved in espionage under the cover of "transparency".
Directing the procurement and release of hacked information with intent to damage specific targets isn't remotely comparable to legitimate journalism practice, no matter how hard Greenwald wails "but the First Amendment".
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
Directing the procurement and release of hacked information with intent to damage specific targets isn't remotely comparable to legitimate journalism practice, no matter how hard Greenwald wails "but the First Amendment".
posted by T.D. Strange at 12:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has been seeking to mend relations with his U.S. counterpart, his government has been dumping U.S. debt in a way seldom seen in global markets, financial analysts say.I think the analysts might be wrong to attribute these actions to sanctions.
Data released by the U.S. Treasury this week shows that Russia, which once ranked among the top 10 foreign holders of U.S. Treasury securities, by May had sold off all but about $15 billion of that debt -- down from nearly $100 billion in March.
The unusually rapid selloff of U.S. bonds -- which many analysts are attributing to rising U.S.-Russia tensions and in particular, U.S. sanctions imposed on Russian billionaires this year -- caused Russia to fall below the $30 billion threshold for being included on the Treasury's list of its "major bondholders."
A lot of the damage Trump is now doing to NATO and other security arrangements that Putin doesn't like can be reversed once Trump is out of office, but if Putin can trick, cajole, and blackmail Trump into doing things which will deprive the US Dollar of its status as the world's de facto reserve currency, that might not be reversible by any means.
And if Putin were to see the kind of catastrophic decline in the Dollar which would ultimately trigger such an event coming, he and his cronies would of course get rid of their Dollars before the rest of the world realized what was happening.
posted by jamjam at 12:38 PM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
A lot of the damage Trump is now doing to NATO and other security arrangements that Putin doesn't like can be reversed once Trump is out of office
But how can our allies trust as again? We can go from having a thoughtful statesman to a narcissistic, ignorant shitheel, determined to wreck core agreements and alliances, in one election. We have shown that, and it can't be undone - they will have to consider the possibility of it happening every four years.
posted by thelonius at 12:43 PM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
But how can our allies trust as again? We can go from having a thoughtful statesman to a narcissistic, ignorant shitheel, determined to wreck core agreements and alliances, in one election. We have shown that, and it can't be undone - they will have to consider the possibility of it happening every four years.
posted by thelonius at 12:43 PM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
I buried the lede on that Cernovich story. He's being hounded by a couple of satirists and he's not handling it well. A healthy dose of schadenfreude for today.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:58 PM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:58 PM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
But how can our allies trust as again? We can go from having a thoughtful statesman to a narcissistic, ignorant shitheel, determined to wreck core agreements and alliances, in one election.
Yes, but that is true in all democracies. If we can show a strengthening of our institutions, of multi-culturality, and show a path out of this mess... they will trust us. They will have too - Europe faces the same problems with it's current rise of populism, and Europe needs to find a solution as well.
posted by weed donkey at 1:00 PM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
Yes, but that is true in all democracies. If we can show a strengthening of our institutions, of multi-culturality, and show a path out of this mess... they will trust us. They will have too - Europe faces the same problems with it's current rise of populism, and Europe needs to find a solution as well.
posted by weed donkey at 1:00 PM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
We can go from having a thoughtful statesman to a narcissistic, ignorant shitheel, determined to wreck core agreements and alliances, in one election.
One in which the candidate secretly colluded with a foreign power who engaged in a prolonged campaign of information warfare on his behalf.
It's on us if the US doesn't remedy that somehow, of course. How we do will determine how much trust we can regain, although this will never be all of it.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
One in which the candidate secretly colluded with a foreign power who engaged in a prolonged campaign of information warfare on his behalf.
It's on us if the US doesn't remedy that somehow, of course. How we do will determine how much trust we can regain, although this will never be all of it.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
you'd have to ask a Swedish lawyer what if any such laws apply in this case. My guess is they don't toll or we'd have heard about it already.
Statute of limitations definitely already ran out for one of the two cases pending against Assange, because the charge was for 'molestation,' which has a shorter SOL than the second case's charge of 'minor rape' (which is not the same thing as raping an underage person, but rather indicates degree of crime). So I'm pretty sure such laws don't apply in Sweden.
posted by halation at 1:11 PM on July 21, 2018
Statute of limitations definitely already ran out for one of the two cases pending against Assange, because the charge was for 'molestation,' which has a shorter SOL than the second case's charge of 'minor rape' (which is not the same thing as raping an underage person, but rather indicates degree of crime). So I'm pretty sure such laws don't apply in Sweden.
posted by halation at 1:11 PM on July 21, 2018
Let's check in on the incredible progress we've made in North Korea, because there have been some developments:
WSJ, North Korea Signals Reluctance on Reunions, Nuclear Program
posted by zachlipton at 1:25 PM on July 21, 2018 [17 favorites]
WSJ, North Korea Signals Reluctance on Reunions, Nuclear Program
North Korea put planned reunions of families separated by the Korean War into question and denounced South Korea’s latest demands that it embrace full denuclearization, adding to concerns that Pyongyang could be backtracking on agreements with Washington and Seoul.Vipin Narang on Sec. Pompeo's invention of a unilateral denuclearization agreement that doesn't exist:
If Seoul doesn’t return a dozen North Korean restaurant workers that it says were kidnapped, North Korea could cancel reunions next month, Pyongyang’s state-controlled website Uriminzokkiri suggested on Friday.
...
In the Rodong Sinmun statement on Friday, North Korea criticized South Korean demands that Pyongyang more quickly pursue denuclearization. It hinted that Seoul should stay silent on nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington.
A short thread based on Sec Pompeo’s remarks today at the UN, where he continues to insist that Kim agreed to “final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea,” and North Korea alone, i.e. unilateral disarmament. He repeated the claim that Kim said this to President Trump and President Moon. He went on to say that this is a united global demand, even as Russia and China have taken the air out of the “maximum pressure” campaign and will likely block any UNSC efforts on sanctions.A suspicious signing statement on North Korea Human Rights. We're not that into them: @SheenaGreitens (cleaned up):
Leaving aside that Kim never agreed to unilaterally disarm—not once—Yonhap today reported that Pompeo’s efforts to get North Korea to discuss denuclearization last week in Pyongyang elicited, get ready for it, “no response.”
Why is this dangerous? Look, the Russia catastrophe is probably worse no doubt. But in the long run this policy of “denuclearization by denial” or “denuclearization by delusion” is going to run up a huge bill that will one day come due one way or another. We are way past the point where one can paper over these as semantic differences. There is simply too much evidence that Pompeo’s characterization of denuclearization is completely delusional. I don’t see how that can end well.
An unconventional statement from the WH on the signing of the reauthorization of the North Korean Human Rights Act (HR2061). The President objected to provisions in Sections 5(3), 7(c), 7(d), and 8(a)(2). What are those? Let's review.So yeah. This isn't going great.
Section 5(3) is on promoting freedom of information. Allows @SecPompeo to set up grants to distribute information to ppl in NK, in various languages, including North Koreans' rights under DPRK constitution, the UN COI report, and "other treaties to which NK is bound." It explicitly references religious freedom and lists annual reporting requirements to Congress on $ being spent on broadcasting, effectiveness, and plan/strategy. Sections 7(c) and 7(d) are reporting requirements to Congress by the Special Envoy on NK Human Rights and reporting on humanitarian assistance. The Special Envoy position has been vacant since early 2017. Section 8(a)(2) gives the Broadcasting Board of Governors 4 months to submit to Congress "a strategy to overcome obstacles to communication with the N Korean people, including thru unrestricted, unmonitored & inexpensive electronic means." (Previous goal: 12 hrs/day.).
The provisions objected to either have to do with human rights/information provision/broadcasting, or Congressional reporting requirements. Is the administration worried that continuing these activities will trip up discussions on NK's nuclear/missile program?
posted by zachlipton at 1:25 PM on July 21, 2018 [17 favorites]
How Pizzagate Pusher Mike Cernovich Keeps Getting People Fired
And following Gunn, as of today the expressly stated target is Patton Oswalt. Even though the QAnon subreddit's very moderators are trying to clamp down on it, since it's based on a single out-of-context tweet from 2013, there's no stopping the mob. Terribly fascinating also to observe in real time as the grotesque accusations about the death of his wife (a meme started among disgruntled racist Opie and Anthony fans and later generally co-opted by the alt-right) are absorbed permanently into the QAnon canon. The Paranoid Style of American Politics has hatched into a living, growing creature. Or maybe a Nazi Katamari.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:42 PM on July 21, 2018 [18 favorites]
And following Gunn, as of today the expressly stated target is Patton Oswalt. Even though the QAnon subreddit's very moderators are trying to clamp down on it, since it's based on a single out-of-context tweet from 2013, there's no stopping the mob. Terribly fascinating also to observe in real time as the grotesque accusations about the death of his wife (a meme started among disgruntled racist Opie and Anthony fans and later generally co-opted by the alt-right) are absorbed permanently into the QAnon canon. The Paranoid Style of American Politics has hatched into a living, growing creature. Or maybe a Nazi Katamari.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:42 PM on July 21, 2018 [18 favorites]
Lol so all these guys that came from 4chan, a place that literally trafficked child pornography at times, are upset about pedophiles all of a sudden? 🙄
posted by gucci mane at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 1:49 PM on July 21, 2018 [19 favorites]
Another crankosphere tidbit of note is that "Q" hasn't posted any new bizarre word salad in 17 days, the longest communications blackout since the cult started. Without deliveries of fresh slop they're rooting around on their own, and returning to familiar fodder: simple old fashioned homegrown pedophilia-ring accusations against non-conservative celebrities.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:03 PM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:03 PM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Their God Emperor bragged about walking in on naked teenage girls in the dressing rooms of the beauty pageants he owned. Right about the time Gunn was making his tweets, actually.
posted by dirigibleman at 2:04 PM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by dirigibleman at 2:04 PM on July 21, 2018 [11 favorites]
My understanding is that QAnon actually started in 8chan, which, as I've heard it told, is an offshoot from 4chan that was started because 4chan got too strict about child porn.
posted by contraption at 2:05 PM on July 21, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by contraption at 2:05 PM on July 21, 2018 [16 favorites]
What We Know About Michael Cohen’s Tape
John Cassidy | The New Yorker
John Cassidy | The New Yorker
What sort of lawyer surreptitiously tapes his conversations with his client? Donald Trump’s lawyer. On Friday, the Times reported that Michael Cohen, who at times has been Trump’s attorney and fixer, “secretly recorded a conversation with Mr. Trump two months before the presidential election in which they discussed payments to a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump.” Other media outlets quickly confirmed the scoop, which, for a few hours anyway, overshadowed the continuing controversy about the President’s abject performance alongside Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki summit.posted by Barack Spinoza at 2:05 PM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
With accusations of treason flying around, some people dismissed the Cohen story as a distraction. Perhaps it is. But it’s also a reminder that Cohen’s legal troubles are ongoing, and that their potential ramifications for Trump are far from clear. As Paul Waldman pointed out in the Washington Post on Friday, “you never know when something that looks trivial today could turn out tomorrow to be anything but.”
... Two other big questions remain: Who leaked the story about the Trump tape, and why? It is possible that Cohen or one of his lawyers did the leaking, although it isn’t clear, if so, what their motive might have been. Someone connected with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Southern District of New York might have been responsible, although it’s not even clear that prosecutors in that office are yet in possession of the tape. Another possibility—perhaps the most likely one—is that Giuliani or someone else in the Trump camp was responsible, either because of a desire to change the subject from Putin and Russia, or because the Trump team knew the tape’s existence would emerge eventually and wanted to get ahead of the story.
“It helps us, rather than hurts us,” Giuliani told the Wall Street Journal. ... Giuliani was trying to spin the news in Trump’s favor, of course. The news of the tape confirms that, at least in the case of McDougal, Cohen kept the President fully informed about his efforts to buy a woman’s silence. In addition to blowing up the White House’s prior version of these events, this raises the question of what else Cohen did for Trump, and what he might tell federal prosecutors, including the special counsel Robert Mueller, about these activities. There has been much speculation about this, of course. Cohen worked on an abortive effort to develop a Trump Tower in Moscow. He also pushed a proposed peace deal for Ukraine, the terms of which favored Russia. And after Trump was elected, a financial firm with close ties to a Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, hired Cohen as a consultant.
The pressure on Cohen is increasing, and it has been widely reported that he is thinking about coöperating with the Feds in return for a plea deal. As well as looking into what Cohen did for Trump, prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether he obtained bank loans fraudulently by inflating the value of some taxi medallions that he owns. Earlier this month, Cohen hired a new legal team, which includes Lanny Davis, a Democrat who helped defend Bill Clinton during the Whitewater investigation. In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, of ABC News, Cohen appeared to indicate that his loyalty to Trump was wavering. “My wife, my daughter, and my son have my first loyalty and always will,” he said. “I put family and country first.”
Another crankosphere tidbit of note is that "Q" hasn't posted any new bizarre word salad in 17 days, the longest communications blackout since the cult started.
Odds on Q being a GRU officer or asset?
posted by Justinian at 2:05 PM on July 21, 2018 [25 favorites]
Odds on Q being a GRU officer or asset?
posted by Justinian at 2:05 PM on July 21, 2018 [25 favorites]
100% chance.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:07 PM on July 21, 2018 [33 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:07 PM on July 21, 2018 [33 favorites]
Their God Emperor bragged about walking in on naked teenage girls in the dressing rooms of the beauty pageants he owned. Right about the time Gunn was making his tweets, actually.
Two things to remember in all this, apart from the hypocrisy of supporting Trump but condemning Gunn:
Disney also still employs Johnny Depp, who is literally on video abusing his then wife. Witness statements, doctor's reports, all of it. They're still keeping him around. This is not a show of ethics on Disney's part anymore than Cernovich's mob. The trolls wanted to go after someone who criticized Trump, so they did.
And to paraphrase something I saw from Owen Ellickson yesterday: if we can't tell the difference between shitty edgelord posts and tweets and actual fucking assault, we've completely lost the plot.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:07 PM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
Two things to remember in all this, apart from the hypocrisy of supporting Trump but condemning Gunn:
Disney also still employs Johnny Depp, who is literally on video abusing his then wife. Witness statements, doctor's reports, all of it. They're still keeping him around. This is not a show of ethics on Disney's part anymore than Cernovich's mob. The trolls wanted to go after someone who criticized Trump, so they did.
And to paraphrase something I saw from Owen Ellickson yesterday: if we can't tell the difference between shitty edgelord posts and tweets and actual fucking assault, we've completely lost the plot.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:07 PM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
If these guys are upset about pedophiles maybe they should cause a ruckus in the media about the pedophile-in-chief, Donald Trump, a guy who raped little girls that his pedophile buddy Jeffrey Epstein brought to him.
posted by gucci mane at 2:09 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 2:09 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
Odds on Q being a GRU officer or asset?
Until you pointed out the timing I'd have said 1:3. Now...jeepers. If Q were one or more of the indicted GRUers, and they had some kind of warning or whiff of the indictments a couple days before? Jeepers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:10 PM on July 21, 2018 [10 favorites]
Until you pointed out the timing I'd have said 1:3. Now...jeepers. If Q were one or more of the indicted GRUers, and they had some kind of warning or whiff of the indictments a couple days before? Jeepers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:10 PM on July 21, 2018 [10 favorites]
And as much as I want to believe these things don't need to be said, I probably should say them: Gunn's old garbage isn't okay. At all. Yet he's also apologized for them, he did so quite a while back, and he has shown a genuine change in behavior. Maybe not a perfect enlightened feminist, still open to legit criticism, but the difference from his past behavior is real and significant.
Trump, on the other hand, has never once apologized for the sexual assaults he literally bragged about. His supporters don't care. Dude has a system of mass child abuse in place at the border. His supporters don't care.
This isn't about Gunn's old behavior at all.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:12 PM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
Trump, on the other hand, has never once apologized for the sexual assaults he literally bragged about. His supporters don't care. Dude has a system of mass child abuse in place at the border. His supporters don't care.
This isn't about Gunn's old behavior at all.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:12 PM on July 21, 2018 [26 favorites]
My understanding is that QAnon actually started in 8chan, which, as I've heard it told, is an offshoot from 4chan that was started because 4chan got too strict about child porn.
4chan was really strict about CP by the time I started going there occasionally in 2007. 8ch wasn't launched until 2013. 8ch's creation and rise in popularity was more about Moot trying to be even slightly responsible about /pol/ and gamergate.
There are tons of shitheaded things about 4chan, bit given that most kids have spent some time posting or lurking there, it's best to be accurate, so that there is a chance that they might believe us when we are credible on other topics.
posted by bootlegpop at 2:16 PM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
4chan was really strict about CP by the time I started going there occasionally in 2007. 8ch wasn't launched until 2013. 8ch's creation and rise in popularity was more about Moot trying to be even slightly responsible about /pol/ and gamergate.
There are tons of shitheaded things about 4chan, bit given that most kids have spent some time posting or lurking there, it's best to be accurate, so that there is a chance that they might believe us when we are credible on other topics.
posted by bootlegpop at 2:16 PM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
If these guys are upset about pedophiles maybe they should cause a ruckus in the media about the pedophile-in-chief, Donald Trump, a guy who raped little girls that his pedophile buddy Jeffrey Epstein brought to him.
They don't care.
I am literally looking right now at the following exchange over on the moderator thread:
"Honestly, fuck this shit with people here backing Oswalt on this one. HE is the one who said he is a pedophile. If he wants to correct that, he can go right ahead. But given what we now know about Hollywood and their thing for little kids, I’d say that is not something you joke about when you are in that industry."
"Comedians say a lot of shit. Many successful comedians say vulgar shit that’s taboo and makes you feel uncomfortable. By your logic, Trump abuses women because he made a 'grab her by the pussy' joke to a friend."
Reader, my jaw literally dropped.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:16 PM on July 21, 2018 [32 favorites]
They don't care.
I am literally looking right now at the following exchange over on the moderator thread:
"Honestly, fuck this shit with people here backing Oswalt on this one. HE is the one who said he is a pedophile. If he wants to correct that, he can go right ahead. But given what we now know about Hollywood and their thing for little kids, I’d say that is not something you joke about when you are in that industry."
"Comedians say a lot of shit. Many successful comedians say vulgar shit that’s taboo and makes you feel uncomfortable. By your logic, Trump abuses women because he made a 'grab her by the pussy' joke to a friend."
Reader, my jaw literally dropped.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:16 PM on July 21, 2018 [32 favorites]
Ehhh... 4cham started making noises about being strict on CP because it was full of CP. every single diaspora community went on to be a den of CP shit. I think it’s fair to take aim at the channers on this shit, along with their whole bullshit edgelord deal and “ironic” nazism.
posted by Artw at 2:21 PM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:21 PM on July 21, 2018 [9 favorites]
I'm sure that there was a crackdown because there needed to be a crackdown, and I do not consider Moot's motives to be purely altruistic on that or other counts. The place definitely attracted predators in the midst of the shitposters. I'm just saying that the crackdown occured long before 8ch existed, and 8ch really blew up because of politics, not cp.
posted by bootlegpop at 2:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by bootlegpop at 2:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yeah, 4chan literally had CP posted on it all the time as a way to troll people into looking at it. 8chan started because a lot of GamerGate people got pissed and thought 4chan had become “authoritarian”, so they went over to 8chan and continued posting CP, to the point where there were tons of complaints about 8chan hosting and trafficking CP.
posted by gucci mane at 2:29 PM on July 21, 2018
posted by gucci mane at 2:29 PM on July 21, 2018
Mod note: Maybe enough on this 4chan child porn James Gunn etc thing.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 2:36 PM on July 21, 2018 [12 favorites]
Trump’s Putin fallout: Inside the White House’s tumultuous week of walk backs (WaPo).
Just like Philip Rucker's anonymously sourced WaPo article, Politico relies on unnamed leaks for their piece: Coats Faces Greater Scrutiny As Fallout From Russia Summit Spreads—Trump is said to be exasperated with his national intelligence director, but a direct challenge could lead to a congressional firestorm.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:45 PM on July 21, 2018 [14 favorites]
Just like Philip Rucker's anonymously sourced WaPo article, Politico relies on unnamed leaks for their piece: Coats Faces Greater Scrutiny As Fallout From Russia Summit Spreads—Trump is said to be exasperated with his national intelligence director, but a direct challenge could lead to a congressional firestorm.
Trump, according to two outside allies, has grown exasperated with Coats, whom he blindsided Thursday when White House press secretary Sarah Sanders announced on Twitter that the administration was working to bring Putin to Washington this fall. The news landed while Coats was in the middle of a live interview with NBC in Aspen, Colorado.Once again, the mainstream press is letting itself be distracted by tales of Trump White House palace intrigue fed to them by anonymous sources instead of focusing on the real news story of the Helsinki Summit. If Coats is fired or forced out, they'll no doubt concentrate on that instead of following up on his warnings about ongoing Russian information warfare that have so clearly angered Trump.
Republicans in Congress have managed to block measures backing the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. But the Trump allies told POLITICO that directly confronting, let alone firing, Coats — who before the latest blow-up over Russia was believed to be weighing his own retirement date — could create an uncontainable firestorm on Capitol Hill.
One former Trump senior official described the situation to POLITICO in one word: “meltdown.”
The White House did not respond to a request for comment, including whom the president will meet with this weekend.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:45 PM on July 21, 2018 [14 favorites]
Finally (these documents were literally stuck in the mail yesterday). Justice Dept. Releases Secret Carter Page Surveillance Documents at Center of Partisan Clash
posted by zachlipton at 2:46 PM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
“This application targets Carter Page,” the application said. “The F.B.I. believes Page has been the subject of targeted recruitment by the Russian government.” A line was then redacted, and then it picked up with “undermine and influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election in violation of U.S. criminal law. Mr. Page is a former foreign policy adviser to a candidate for U.S. president.”The Times screwed up the actual link to the documents so it only works if you work there. Ideally that will be fixed shortly.
posted by zachlipton at 2:46 PM on July 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
“This application targets Carter Page,” the application said
Why is the Trump Whitehouse releasing this? From what I can tell the documents don't add to anything that we already know. Is this to distract attention from the Russia debacle?
posted by bluesky43 at 3:04 PM on July 21, 2018
Why is the Trump Whitehouse releasing this? From what I can tell the documents don't add to anything that we already know. Is this to distract attention from the Russia debacle?
posted by bluesky43 at 3:04 PM on July 21, 2018
Remember how I said that dragging out the Kavanaugh nomination only means finding more things that can be used against him, and so McConnell's offer to get it over with fast was full of crap? AP, Kavanaugh: Watergate tapes decision may have been wrong
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh suggested several years ago that the unanimous high court ruling in 1974 that forced President Richard Nixon to turn over the Watergate tapes, leading to the end of his presidency, may have been wrongly decided.posted by zachlipton at 3:04 PM on July 21, 2018 [51 favorites]
Kavanaugh was taking part in a roundtable discussion with other lawyers when he said at three different points that the decision in U.S. v. Nixon, which marked limits on a president’s ability to withhold information needed for a criminal prosecution, may have come out the wrong way.
A 1999 magazine article about the roundtable was part of thousands of pages of documents that Kavanaugh has provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee as part of the confirmation process. The committee released the documents on Saturday.
...
“But maybe Nixon was wrongly decided — heresy though it is to say so. Nixon took away the power of the president to control information in the executive branch by holding that the courts had power and jurisdiction to order the president to disclose information in response to a subpoena sought by a subordinate executive branch official. That was a huge step with implications to this day that most people do not appreciate sufficiently...Maybe the tension of the time led to an erroneous decision,” Kavanaugh said in a transcript of the discussion that was published in the January-February 1999 issue of the Washington Lawyer.
At another point in the discussion, Kavanaugh said the court might have been wise to stay out of the tapes dispute. “Should U.S. v. Nixon be overruled on the ground that the case was a nonjusticiable intrabranch dispute? Maybe so,” he said.
Why is the Trump Whitehouse releasing this? From what I can tell the documents don't add to anything that we already know. Is this to distract attention from the Russia debacle?
DOJ agreed to release redacted copies as the result of a Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, which Judicial Watch will use to claim some kind of deep state conspiracy.
The Times fixed the link to the documents.
posted by zachlipton at 3:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
DOJ agreed to release redacted copies as the result of a Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, which Judicial Watch will use to claim some kind of deep state conspiracy.
The Times fixed the link to the documents.
posted by zachlipton at 3:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
A Theory of Trump Kompromat
Why the President is so nice to Putin, even when Putin might not want him to be.
Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel) casts doubt on this theory of sistema kompromat as a diffused explanation of Trump's collusion: On top of waggling Russian words around like they're magic ones that don't exist in English (Trump is quite familiar with how blackmail works), this is simply silly. Trump knows what Putin has on him. […] The Russians did not help him steal the election w/o keeping proof that he was on board with doing so.
Here's her thorough six-part series on how Trump was compromise, how he colluded, and how he's now covering it up:
Part One: The Mueller Questions Map Out Cultivation, a Quid Pro Quo, and a Cover-Up
Part Two: The Quid Pro Quo: a Putin Meeting and Election Assistance, in Exchange for Sanctions Relief
Part Three: The Quo: Policy and Real Estate Payoffs to Russia
Part Four: The Quest: Trump Learns of the Investigation
Part Five: Attempting a Cover-Up by Firing Comey
Part Six: Trump Exacerbates His Woes
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:50 PM on July 21, 2018 [54 favorites]
Why the President is so nice to Putin, even when Putin might not want him to be.
Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel) casts doubt on this theory of sistema kompromat as a diffused explanation of Trump's collusion: On top of waggling Russian words around like they're magic ones that don't exist in English (Trump is quite familiar with how blackmail works), this is simply silly. Trump knows what Putin has on him. […] The Russians did not help him steal the election w/o keeping proof that he was on board with doing so.
Here's her thorough six-part series on how Trump was compromise, how he colluded, and how he's now covering it up:
Part One: The Mueller Questions Map Out Cultivation, a Quid Pro Quo, and a Cover-Up
Part Two: The Quid Pro Quo: a Putin Meeting and Election Assistance, in Exchange for Sanctions Relief
Part Three: The Quo: Policy and Real Estate Payoffs to Russia
Part Four: The Quest: Trump Learns of the Investigation
Part Five: Attempting a Cover-Up by Firing Comey
Part Six: Trump Exacerbates His Woes
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:50 PM on July 21, 2018 [54 favorites]
[Maybe enough on this 4chan child porn James Gunn etc thing.]
Also worth noting there's a really good recent MeFi thread (We ban it immediately) and linked article about the propagandist/dark-evenangelical trolls, for whom hypocrisy isn't an issue as there's just no intention of good faith argument involved in the first place.
posted by Buntix at 3:53 PM on July 21, 2018 [10 favorites]
Also worth noting there's a really good recent MeFi thread (We ban it immediately) and linked article about the propagandist/dark-evenangelical trolls, for whom hypocrisy isn't an issue as there's just no intention of good faith argument involved in the first place.
posted by Buntix at 3:53 PM on July 21, 2018 [10 favorites]
In which the head of the RNC has no fucking clue about basic American history -
Ronna Romney McDaniel: From open borders to government-guaranteed jobs, today's Democrats are no longer the party of FDR.
Yglesias: The easy dunk is that FDR explicitly proposed a jobs guarantee; the advanced move is when you realize that during his presidency there were no limits on immigration to the US from Latin America.
FDR's Second Bill of Rights:
- The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
- The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
- The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
- The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
- The right of every family to a decent home;
- The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
- The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
- The right to a good education.
Hey, I think I found a better Democratic 2018 and 2020 platform and slogan than "A better deal".
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:02 PM on July 21, 2018 [105 favorites]
Ronna Romney McDaniel: From open borders to government-guaranteed jobs, today's Democrats are no longer the party of FDR.
Yglesias: The easy dunk is that FDR explicitly proposed a jobs guarantee; the advanced move is when you realize that during his presidency there were no limits on immigration to the US from Latin America.
FDR's Second Bill of Rights:
- The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
- The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
- The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
- The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
- The right of every family to a decent home;
- The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
- The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
- The right to a good education.
Hey, I think I found a better Democratic 2018 and 2020 platform and slogan than "A better deal".
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:02 PM on July 21, 2018 [105 favorites]
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
What a concept!
——————————-
In private, Trump vents frustration over lack of progress on North Korea. (WaPo)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:13 PM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
What a concept!
——————————-
In private, Trump vents frustration over lack of progress on North Korea. (WaPo)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:13 PM on July 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
In which the head of the RNC has no fucking clue about basic American history -
Plot twist: The context was internment camps.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:17 PM on July 21, 2018
Plot twist: The context was internment camps.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:17 PM on July 21, 2018
Was this infrastructure week? It sure felt like infrastructure week.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 4:20 PM on July 21, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 4:20 PM on July 21, 2018 [18 favorites]
Kavanaugh was taking part in a roundtable discussion [in 1999] with other lawyers when he said at three different points that the decision in U.S. v. Nixon, which marked limits on a president’s ability to withhold information needed for a criminal prosecution, may have come out the wrong way.
The checks and balances of the US constitution don't necessarily work for people playing the long game. It may just be a coincidence that Kavanaugh apparently has a record of pro-executive positions, but those statements make him extraordinarily well positioned to be appointed by an executive facing legal challenges. This conflict of interest must have a chilling effect on other up-and-coming lawyers contemplating a move to the judiciary: if they take a public stance against executive power they may compromise their future appointability, even by administrations less corrupt than the present one. After all, given a choice between two candidates, why shouldn't the President choose the one less likely to make problems?
The immediate problem is that when judges are appointed by the executive, pro-executive judges are going to rise to the top. The longer-term problem is that the quality of legal scholarship will suffer, as potential judges start moderating their language or risk being seen as anti-administration gadflies.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:22 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
The checks and balances of the US constitution don't necessarily work for people playing the long game. It may just be a coincidence that Kavanaugh apparently has a record of pro-executive positions, but those statements make him extraordinarily well positioned to be appointed by an executive facing legal challenges. This conflict of interest must have a chilling effect on other up-and-coming lawyers contemplating a move to the judiciary: if they take a public stance against executive power they may compromise their future appointability, even by administrations less corrupt than the present one. After all, given a choice between two candidates, why shouldn't the President choose the one less likely to make problems?
The immediate problem is that when judges are appointed by the executive, pro-executive judges are going to rise to the top. The longer-term problem is that the quality of legal scholarship will suffer, as potential judges start moderating their language or risk being seen as anti-administration gadflies.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:22 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
We talk about how Trump supporters won't stop believing, but I think this binary approach is the wrong way to look at it. The number of Trump supporters is clearly smaller today than in November 2016. The remainders will be, if anything, even more fervent but I see him as like Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia; maintaining control of an ever-shrinking fiefdom through constant belligerence and conspiracy theories.
posted by msalt at 4:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [21 favorites]
posted by msalt at 4:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [21 favorites]
This article is a few months old but very good, and the ideas are important and relevant to this new age of information warfare:
HERE’S HOW THIS golden age of speech actually works: In the 21st century, the capacity to spread ideas and reach an audience is no longer limited by access to expensive, centralized broadcasting infrastructure. It’s limited instead by one’s ability to garner and distribute attention. And right now, the flow of the world’s attention is structured, to a vast and overwhelming degree, by just a few digital platforms: Facebook, Google (which owns YouTube), and, to a lesser extent, Twitter.posted by prefpara at 4:50 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
The number of Trump supporters is clearly smaller today than in November 2016.
This is assuming facts not in evidence. Trump's approval number, while not good, is higher than it was before the election (though lower than after the inauguration).
posted by Justinian at 4:51 PM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
This is assuming facts not in evidence. Trump's approval number, while not good, is higher than it was before the election (though lower than after the inauguration).
posted by Justinian at 4:51 PM on July 21, 2018 [6 favorites]
ProPublica: Immigrant Shelters Drug Traumatized Teenagers Without Consent
It's all horrible, but this bit really shocked me:
via Oliver Willis at Shareblue Media, whose story includes links to allegations of other mistreatment that will make your hair curl:
Trump’s detention centers caught drugging and starving kids. E.g.,
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:56 PM on July 21, 2018 [59 favorites]
It's all horrible, but this bit really shocked me:
… Another plaintiff, 16-year-old Daniela, became suicidal after being separated from an older sister who accompanied her from Honduras to the U.S. border. She has been given Prozac, Abilify, Clonidine, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa in various shelters as staff have been unable to settle on a diagnosis, detecting at different times bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and major depressive disorder.Just who are these "staff" that are diagnosing her and prescribing this medication? These are very serious drugs and there's obviously no continuing supervision or medical plan.
via Oliver Willis at Shareblue Media, whose story includes links to allegations of other mistreatment that will make your hair curl:
Trump’s detention centers caught drugging and starving kids. E.g.,
The Texas Observer reports that the families detail disgusting conditions in the facilities: “overflowing toilets, chronic sleep deprivation, lack of basic hygiene products, and air conditioning cranked so high that children shiver constantly, their clothes sometimes still wet from crossing the Rio Grande.”I'm sure there have already been preventable deaths caused by this program, but if it progresses to the "tent city" stage envisioned by the administration there will be many more. Mass confinement always causes high mortality through starvation, sickness, and despair, even when the administrators are merely indifferent to their subjects ' plight. In this case, where discouraging migrants through mistreatment is an administrative policy, things may swiftly become much worse.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:56 PM on July 21, 2018 [59 favorites]
The number of Trump supporters is clearly smaller today than in November 2016.
This is assuming facts not in evidence. Trump's approval number, while not good, is higher than it was before the election (though lower than after the inauguration).
Trump owns a shrinking Republican party
Trends in Party ID, 2004–2018
A lot of Americans spent 2017 bailing on the Republican Party
Data: Republican Party ID drops after Trump election
He's also underwater overall in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania and 38% with independents for the week of July 9 - 15.
There's a boat load of evidence he has maintained high approval with the hardest core base, and lost support overall from the barest margin he won with in 2016.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [51 favorites]
This is assuming facts not in evidence. Trump's approval number, while not good, is higher than it was before the election (though lower than after the inauguration).
Trump owns a shrinking Republican party
Trends in Party ID, 2004–2018
A lot of Americans spent 2017 bailing on the Republican Party
Data: Republican Party ID drops after Trump election
He's also underwater overall in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio and Pennsylvania and 38% with independents for the week of July 9 - 15.
There's a boat load of evidence he has maintained high approval with the hardest core base, and lost support overall from the barest margin he won with in 2016.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:06 PM on July 21, 2018 [51 favorites]
I think if Assange is evicted from the Ecuadorean embassy and Sweden decides not to prosecute for rape and the US decides not to prosecute for espionage then the British government should put him on a plane back to Australia and the Australian government should cancel his passport. He can ramble about here being a big fish in a small pond, and surveilling him will give the Australian Federal Police something productive to do.
posted by um at 5:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by um at 5:27 PM on July 21, 2018 [14 favorites]
These are very serious drugs
I'll say. That's a lot of antipsychotics and several of them can cause serious, permanent damage if not well prescribed and monitored, which these were not.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:30 PM on July 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
I'll say. That's a lot of antipsychotics and several of them can cause serious, permanent damage if not well prescribed and monitored, which these were not.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:30 PM on July 21, 2018 [13 favorites]
Jake Tapper: Carter Page will be our exclusive guest tomorrow morning on @CNNSotu -- join us!
I don't understand why these people keep going on national television, but.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:09 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
I don't understand why these people keep going on national television, but.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:09 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
Well, Carter Page seems to no clue about anything, so...
posted by Windopaene at 6:13 PM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 6:13 PM on July 21, 2018 [3 favorites]
Mark Janus quits state job for conservative think tank gig after landmark ruling
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:48 PM on July 21, 2018 [44 favorites]
“Less than a month after he won a Sup. Court case to preserve his First Amendment rights as a state worker not to pay union fees, Mark Janus has announced he’s quitting his job for a position with the conservative think tank that helped bankroll his case.”In case you thought that the Supreme Court wasn't bought and paid for, even before Kennedy stepped down. They are.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:48 PM on July 21, 2018 [44 favorites]
That's fine and expected and all, but what's really getting people out is Prop A (right to work). It seems that it's unive
I assume that the Missouri propisition covers private sector unions since the Janus decision effectively made right to work (or right to freeload, as I prefer to call it) essentially the law of the land for public sector unions. I’m very curious to hear whether the Janus decision is affecting voters!
posted by mostly vowels at 9:59 PM on July 21, 2018
I assume that the Missouri propisition covers private sector unions since the Janus decision effectively made right to work (or right to freeload, as I prefer to call it) essentially the law of the land for public sector unions. I’m very curious to hear whether the Janus decision is affecting voters!
posted by mostly vowels at 9:59 PM on July 21, 2018
Some Illinois Janus coverage:
Janus gets wingnut welfare, as literally everyone following the case expected; his claims of wanting the job he had were fucking nonsense, but the court is blind to conservative lies (Folks outside Illinois might not know this but IPI is hella pernicious, it's like the worst of the Koch-funded shit nationally, but funded by a local lunatic.)
AFSCME claims that for every one who's dropped "fair share" membership, 10 have become full members. The specific numbers may (or may not!) be exaggerated, but AFSCME's membership rolls skyrocketed after the Janus suit was filed, and then again after it was granted cert to the Supremes, so definitely there are a bunch of fair-share-ers who think Janus is full of shit and who would rather join the union than free ride, so I'm sure the number of people who became full members outpaced the number who quit considerably.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:10 PM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
Janus gets wingnut welfare, as literally everyone following the case expected; his claims of wanting the job he had were fucking nonsense, but the court is blind to conservative lies (Folks outside Illinois might not know this but IPI is hella pernicious, it's like the worst of the Koch-funded shit nationally, but funded by a local lunatic.)
AFSCME claims that for every one who's dropped "fair share" membership, 10 have become full members. The specific numbers may (or may not!) be exaggerated, but AFSCME's membership rolls skyrocketed after the Janus suit was filed, and then again after it was granted cert to the Supremes, so definitely there are a bunch of fair-share-ers who think Janus is full of shit and who would rather join the union than free ride, so I'm sure the number of people who became full members outpaced the number who quit considerably.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:10 PM on July 21, 2018 [29 favorites]
Dana Milbank in WaPo: Trump sees dead people. And they talk. posted by Joe in Australia at 11:04 PM on July 21, 2018 [7 favorites]
Welp.
Will Baude in Reason: Can Unions Be Sued For Janus Claims?
posted by Joe in Australia at 1:22 AM on July 22, 2018
Will Baude in Reason: Can Unions Be Sued For Janus Claims?
posted by Joe in Australia at 1:22 AM on July 22, 2018
Welp, this is new: my dad's now emailing me Randy Rainbow videos. Thanks for breaking reality, 2018.
posted by adamgreenfield at 2:31 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 2:31 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
Janus gets wingnut welfare, as literally everyone following the case expected; his claims of wanting the job he had were fucking nonsense, but the court is blind to conservative lies (Folks outside Illinois might not know this but IPI is hella pernicious, it's like the worst of the Koch-funded shit nationally, but funded by a local lunatic.)
Someone named Janus being two-faced about loving his civil service job. C'mon now writers, that's a bit too obvi.
posted by srboisvert at 3:22 AM on July 22, 2018 [43 favorites]
Someone named Janus being two-faced about loving his civil service job. C'mon now writers, that's a bit too obvi.
posted by srboisvert at 3:22 AM on July 22, 2018 [43 favorites]
From the Page warrant: "Source 1, who now owns a foreign business / financial intelligence firm..." That would be Christopher Steele, right?
posted by emelenjr at 3:40 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by emelenjr at 3:40 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
I dunno if I agree with this piece, but I find it interesting...
Dylan Matthews for Vox:
The “do what you want” theory of politics
Why embracing “Abolish ICE” and Medicare-for-all won’t doom the Democrats.
But he cites some interesting studies and makes some good points about how most Americans don't really know enough about politics or policies to have opinions about them. Most people are just rooting for their "team" in a disengaged way. So "do what you want" and don't worry about it costing votes. Maybe?
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:47 AM on July 22, 2018 [29 favorites]
Dylan Matthews for Vox:
The “do what you want” theory of politics
Why embracing “Abolish ICE” and Medicare-for-all won’t doom the Democrats.
What I want to propose is a null hypothesis for political punditry: Outside of truly extreme proposals, there’s basically no plausible position a politician or political party can endorse or enact that will have a meaningful impact on their likelihood of retaking political power. The US has for decades had a stable system where liberal and conservative policy coalitions (which have sorted out under the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively) semi-regularly alternate in power, with long periods of divided rule and gridlock in the middle. Dramatic shifts in the ideological makeup of both parties during that same period did not upset that alternation of power. It continued apace.I have always thought that the reason power stays split between the two parties even as the ideologies of those parties change is that the ideologies are changing in exactly the right way to keep the power split as people's opinions change. I have thiught it is just a mathematical consequence of first past the post voting and the two party system. With each side trying to maximize its votes, they are going to choose positions which pick off marginal voters from the other side, and a power-balanced 50-50 split (or 40-60 in our systems which overcounts white voters from small states) is the result. The center of the tug of war rope stays put because both sides are pulling equally hard, not because it doesn't matter how hard you pull.
The upshot of this phenomenon is that parties should be a little less nervous about sticking to their guns and arguing for what they believe, whether or not it polls well. Call it, if you like, the “do what you want” theory of politics.
But he cites some interesting studies and makes some good points about how most Americans don't really know enough about politics or policies to have opinions about them. Most people are just rooting for their "team" in a disengaged way. So "do what you want" and don't worry about it costing votes. Maybe?
posted by OnceUponATime at 4:47 AM on July 22, 2018 [29 favorites]
This seems like an appropriate moment to revisit this study: Partisan Bias in Factual Beliefs about Politics.
Other interesting materials here.
posted by perspicio at 5:38 AM on July 22, 2018 [10 favorites]
Other interesting materials here.
posted by perspicio at 5:38 AM on July 22, 2018 [10 favorites]
Americans give Trump negative marks for Helsinki performance, poll finds (WaPo)
By wide margins, Americans give President Trump negative marks for his conduct during a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week and for his casting doubt on U.S. intelligence conclusions that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, a new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds.posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:03 AM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Exclusive: Accused Russian agent Butina met with U.S. Treasury, Fed officials
posted by klarck at 6:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
"The meetings with Fischer and Sheets were arranged by the Center for the National Interest, a Washington foreign policy think tank that often advocates pro-Russia views."You may remember the CFTNI from their part in hosting the soiree at the Mayflower hotel, many scaramucci's ago.
posted by klarck at 6:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
So, given that Obama's Treasury Department was no less "his" in 2015 than Trump's Treasury is "his" now, what does this latest news say about Obama's responsibility for what went on between the Fed and Butina in 2015? Asking for a racist uncle.
posted by Rykey at 6:38 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Rykey at 6:38 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Alleged Russian agent Maria Butina and the GOP operative linked to the NRA, RNC, Robert Mercer and Cambridge Analytica
posted by Artw at 6:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [24 favorites]
posted by Artw at 6:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [24 favorites]
Americans give Trump negative marks for Helsinki performance, poll finds (WaPo)
I found this bit telling:
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [28 favorites]
I found this bit telling:
The findings indicate that while Trump was judged critically for his summit performance, the event has not at this time proved to be a significant turning point in his presidency, despite the sharp criticism he received in the hours and days after the meeting and the multiple efforts by White House officials and the president to clarify his remarks in Helsinki. The poll results suggest that overall attitudes toward the president have hardened on both sides and that major events like Helsinki produce only modest changes in his overall standing, if any.It's trench warfare now.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 6:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [28 favorites]
Russian billionaire with U.S. investments backed alleged agent Maria Butina, according to a person familiar with her Senate testimony
Rosalind S. Helderman | WaPo
Rosalind S. Helderman | WaPo
Maria Butina, the Russian woman charged in federal court last week with acting as an unregistered agent of her government, received financial support from Konstantin Nikolaev, a Russian billionaire with investments in U.S. energy and technology companies, according to a person familiar with testimony she gave Senate investigators.posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:51 AM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
Butina told the Senate Intelligence Committee in April that Nikolaev provided funding for a gun rights group she represented, according to the person. A spokesman for Nikolaev confirmed that he was in contact with her as she was launching the pro-gun rights group in Russia between 2012 and 2014. He declined to confirm whether Nikolaev gave her financial support.
Nikolaev’s fortune has been built largely through port and railroad investments in Russia. He also sits on the board of American Ethane, a Houston ethane company that was showcased by President Trump at an event in China last year, and is an investor in a Silicon Valley start-up.
So, given that Obama's Treasury Department was no less "his" in 2015 than Trump's Treasury is "his" now, what does this latest news say about Obama's responsibility for what went on between the Fed and Butina in 2015? Asking for a racist uncle.
Nobody is saying Butina came over at Trump’s request. She’s part of a long pattern of Russian actors attempting to influence American policy. Trump’s not in hot water because Russia, like all major nations, engages in espionage to bend events in their favor . The problem is that his campaign and he seem to have been so easily bent and swayed by russian efforts. Butina might have tried a thousand ways to make an impact on American policy during the Obama administration but she really struck gold with the Donald
posted by dis_integration at 6:51 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
Nobody is saying Butina came over at Trump’s request. She’s part of a long pattern of Russian actors attempting to influence American policy. Trump’s not in hot water because Russia, like all major nations, engages in espionage to bend events in their favor . The problem is that his campaign and he seem to have been so easily bent and swayed by russian efforts. Butina might have tried a thousand ways to make an impact on American policy during the Obama administration but she really struck gold with the Donald
posted by dis_integration at 6:51 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
The poll results suggest that overall attitudes toward the president have hardened on both sides and that major events like Helsinki produce only modest changes in his overall standing, if any.
Should this be at all surprising?
The Surrender Summit told the left what they already know -- that Trump is bought-and-paid-for by Russian elements and that Congressional Republicans honestly don't care. It told the Birchers what they already "know" -- that the Fake News Media is run by hysterics bent on destroying Our President by howling out a Fake News Russia Collusion Hoax False Narrative with Zero Evidence of Any Wrongdoing based on a Phony Unverified Completely Fake Dossier over and over and over, so any time the word Russia appears in a Trump context it's all lies, and Trump says things that make liberals scream and doubles down on them and therefore he's the best President ever. And it told the theoretical center what it already "knows" -- that the left is screaming and the right is screaming and therefore Both Sides Do It and this is all nothing worth paying attention to.
Facts are not going to win the day because they are largely irrelevant in modern America.
posted by delfin at 7:01 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
Should this be at all surprising?
The Surrender Summit told the left what they already know -- that Trump is bought-and-paid-for by Russian elements and that Congressional Republicans honestly don't care. It told the Birchers what they already "know" -- that the Fake News Media is run by hysterics bent on destroying Our President by howling out a Fake News Russia Collusion Hoax False Narrative with Zero Evidence of Any Wrongdoing based on a Phony Unverified Completely Fake Dossier over and over and over, so any time the word Russia appears in a Trump context it's all lies, and Trump says things that make liberals scream and doubles down on them and therefore he's the best President ever. And it told the theoretical center what it already "knows" -- that the left is screaming and the right is screaming and therefore Both Sides Do It and this is all nothing worth paying attention to.
Facts are not going to win the day because they are largely irrelevant in modern America.
posted by delfin at 7:01 AM on July 22, 2018 [19 favorites]
Gawker alumn Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein): Surprised they’re still calling her Maria Butina and not “Maga Hari”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:24 AM on July 22, 2018 [54 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:24 AM on July 22, 2018 [54 favorites]
Gawker alumn Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein): Surprised they’re still calling her Maria Butina and not “Maga Hari”
I knew it was coming...
posted by Heretic at 7:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [24 favorites]
I knew it was coming...
posted by Heretic at 7:42 AM on July 22, 2018 [24 favorites]
It's trench warfare now.
Oh my god. Yes, this. This is the metaphor. Thank you!
posted by snwod at 7:46 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Oh my god. Yes, this. This is the metaphor. Thank you!
posted by snwod at 7:46 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Russian billionaire with U.S. investments backed alleged agent Maria Butina, according to a person familiar with her Senate testimony
One intriguing (literally?) detail popped out: "Nikolaev’s son Andrey, who is studying in the United States, volunteered in the 2016 campaign in support of Trump’s candidacy, according a person familiar with his activities. Konstantin Nikolaev was spotted at the Trump International Hotel in Washington during Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, according to two people familiar with his presence."
A Trump spokesman ("who requested anonymity because of the ongoing investigation") told the Post: "'Like countless other young people studying in the U.S., Andrey volunteered to hand out leaflets just for the experience,' he said."
It's technically legal for a foreign national who is not a permanent resident to volunteer for a federal campaign as long as they receive no compensation or make in-kind donations, but it looks awfully suspicious when your oligarch dad's simultaneously funding a spy actively recruiting agents of influence and intelligence assets.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [11 favorites]
One intriguing (literally?) detail popped out: "Nikolaev’s son Andrey, who is studying in the United States, volunteered in the 2016 campaign in support of Trump’s candidacy, according a person familiar with his activities. Konstantin Nikolaev was spotted at the Trump International Hotel in Washington during Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, according to two people familiar with his presence."
A Trump spokesman ("who requested anonymity because of the ongoing investigation") told the Post: "'Like countless other young people studying in the U.S., Andrey volunteered to hand out leaflets just for the experience,' he said."
It's technically legal for a foreign national who is not a permanent resident to volunteer for a federal campaign as long as they receive no compensation or make in-kind donations, but it looks awfully suspicious when your oligarch dad's simultaneously funding a spy actively recruiting agents of influence and intelligence assets.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [11 favorites]
Michelle Wolf's ICE Recruitment Video is pretty savage (video link thru HuffPo).
posted by TwoStride at 8:20 AM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by TwoStride at 8:20 AM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
David Kris, Lawfare: What to Make of the Carter Page FISA Applications.
tl;dr: The disclosure of a FISA application is new and may have blowback down the line. The FISA judge had sufficient information to determine Steele's credibility. The Nunes memo was b.s. "[W]hen Steele went to the press, it caused FBI to close him out as an informant." The four juges who signed off were all Republican appointees.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:32 AM on July 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
tl;dr: The disclosure of a FISA application is new and may have blowback down the line. The FISA judge had sufficient information to determine Steele's credibility. The Nunes memo was b.s. "[W]hen Steele went to the press, it caused FBI to close him out as an informant." The four juges who signed off were all Republican appointees.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:32 AM on July 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
Raw Story: In a deep dive into how Evangelical Christians are able to reconcile their deeply held beliefs with their support for President Donald Trump, the Washington Post discovered a considerable amount of compromise along with a belief that he may be part of God’s plan despite his un-Christian life.
“Recent national polls showed the president’s approval among white evangelical Christians at a high of 77 percent,” the report added. “One survey indicated that his support among Southern Baptists was even higher, surpassing 80 percent, and these were the people arriving on Sunday morning to hear what their pastor had to say.”
In a small Alabama town, an evangelical congregation reckons with God, President Trump and the meaning of morality
posted by adamvasco at 8:36 AM on July 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
“Recent national polls showed the president’s approval among white evangelical Christians at a high of 77 percent,” the report added. “One survey indicated that his support among Southern Baptists was even higher, surpassing 80 percent, and these were the people arriving on Sunday morning to hear what their pastor had to say.”
In a small Alabama town, an evangelical congregation reckons with God, President Trump and the meaning of morality
posted by adamvasco at 8:36 AM on July 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
In a deep dive into how Evangelical Christians are able to reconcile their deeply held beliefs with their support for President Donald Trump
Spoiler alert: The end justifies the means!
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 8:47 AM on July 22, 2018 [23 favorites]
Spoiler alert: The end justifies the means!
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 8:47 AM on July 22, 2018 [23 favorites]
Here is an example of the evangelical idea of Biblical exegesis from one of the Post's interviewees:
Honestly, I know it's Sunday, but do we have to spend any more time on how these gross hypocrites justify themselves, much less in a mega-thread where we've discussed this endlessly?
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:50 AM on July 22, 2018 [69 favorites]
“Unpapered people,” Sheila said, adding that she had seen them in the county emergency room and they got treated before her. “And then the Americans are not served.” Love thy neighbor, she said, meant “love thy American neighbor.” Welcome the stranger, she said, meant the “legal immigrant stranger.” “The Bible says, ‘If you do this to the least of these, you do it to me,’ ” Sheila said, quoting Jesus. “But the least of these are Americans, not the ones crossing the border.”Emphases in the original, because these people are, at the very least, heretics.
Honestly, I know it's Sunday, but do we have to spend any more time on how these gross hypocrites justify themselves, much less in a mega-thread where we've discussed this endlessly?
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:50 AM on July 22, 2018 [69 favorites]
Honestly, I know it's Sunday, but do we have to spend any more time on how these gross hypocrites justify themselves, much less in a mega-thread where we've discussed this endlessly?
I think the reminder: "Don't expect rational thought from irrational people" needs occasional... reminding.
posted by mikelieman at 8:52 AM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
I think the reminder: "Don't expect rational thought from irrational people" needs occasional... reminding.
posted by mikelieman at 8:52 AM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
David Kris, Lawfare: What to Make of the Carter Page FISA Applications.
EVERY national security expert is saying 1) how damaging Nunes' forcing the release of these documents is and 2) how justified the FBI was at every step, completely contrary to the Nunes memo.
Carrie Cordero (Lawfare and Georgetown Law): Let me be crystal clear: the Chairman of the House intelligence committee, Devin Nunes, set in motion a chain of events based on a bogus & politicized charge against DOJ's use of #FISA, that just upended 40 years of FISA practice that protected the nation's secrets. You can be for #transparency, and likewise lament that this case, for these reasons, is the one that busted the system and will have profound consequences for protecting national security information in cases involving #FISA going forward.
Frances Townsend: Having run @TheJusticeDept office responsible for #FISA The release of these documents is irresponsible & will irreversibly weaken counterintelligence & Counterterrorism investigations going forward.
Charlie Savage: Twitter and in the NYT
Julian Sanchez (Cato) twitter thread
Matt Tait (Lawfare, @pwnallthethings) twitter thread
Asha Rangappa (Yale, CNN, Just Security) twitter thread
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:00 AM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
EVERY national security expert is saying 1) how damaging Nunes' forcing the release of these documents is and 2) how justified the FBI was at every step, completely contrary to the Nunes memo.
Carrie Cordero (Lawfare and Georgetown Law): Let me be crystal clear: the Chairman of the House intelligence committee, Devin Nunes, set in motion a chain of events based on a bogus & politicized charge against DOJ's use of #FISA, that just upended 40 years of FISA practice that protected the nation's secrets. You can be for #transparency, and likewise lament that this case, for these reasons, is the one that busted the system and will have profound consequences for protecting national security information in cases involving #FISA going forward.
Frances Townsend: Having run @TheJusticeDept office responsible for #FISA The release of these documents is irresponsible & will irreversibly weaken counterintelligence & Counterterrorism investigations going forward.
Charlie Savage: Twitter and in the NYT
Julian Sanchez (Cato) twitter thread
Matt Tait (Lawfare, @pwnallthethings) twitter thread
Asha Rangappa (Yale, CNN, Just Security) twitter thread
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:00 AM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
David Kris, Lawfare: What to Make of the Carter Page FISA Applications.
Also in here; remember how Nunes and the GOP said the FISA application didn't inform the judge that the Dossier was oppo compiled by a political campaign and then they backed off that to say it was just in a tiny footnote that was easy to miss when they were challenged by Schiff & the Ds? Well, that "footnote" was a full page that very clearly delineated what and why it was compiled.
posted by chris24 at 9:00 AM on July 22, 2018 [11 favorites]
Also in here; remember how Nunes and the GOP said the FISA application didn't inform the judge that the Dossier was oppo compiled by a political campaign and then they backed off that to say it was just in a tiny footnote that was easy to miss when they were challenged by Schiff & the Ds? Well, that "footnote" was a full page that very clearly delineated what and why it was compiled.
posted by chris24 at 9:00 AM on July 22, 2018 [11 favorites]
Meanwhile, the iniquities of ICE are unceasing. A Mother and Her Son Turned Up For a Domestic-Violence Case. Then Ice Arrested Them. (Charlotte Observer)
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:03 AM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:03 AM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
I think the reminder: "Don't expect rational thought from irrational people" needs occasional... reminding.
Again, to paraphrase that venerable Upton Sinclair quote: "It is difficult to get someone to understand something when their identity depends on them not understanding it."
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 9:04 AM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
Again, to paraphrase that venerable Upton Sinclair quote: "It is difficult to get someone to understand something when their identity depends on them not understanding it."
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 9:04 AM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
> Alleged Russian agent Maria Butina and the GOP operative linked to the NRA, RNC, Robert Mercer and Cambridge Analytica
Once again, everything is projection with these guys. I'm pretty sure at this point Mueller has people on his team following leads solely based on a mirror image of whatever prominent Republicans are accusing Democrats of.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:05 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Once again, everything is projection with these guys. I'm pretty sure at this point Mueller has people on his team following leads solely based on a mirror image of whatever prominent Republicans are accusing Democrats of.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:05 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
I don't link Trump tweets, but he's claiming today that the FISA release proves "witch hunt!!" or something. Reuters and the AP reprinted it verbatim. NPR called both sides. It's Sunday in 2018.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 AM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
Again, to paraphrase that venerable Upton Sinclair quote: "It is difficult to get someone to understand something when their identity depends on them not understanding it."
Not to call you out specifically, but all of this shoulder-shrugging about evangelicals feels either condescending or defeatist (I can't decide). Surely, just as groups of people motivate to protest right-wing extremists, groups of Christians can start to intercede on the basis of scripture. Going to their churches, joining Facebook groups and Slack channels...I feel like they can be infiltrated and weakened just like any other subculture.
posted by rhizome at 9:14 AM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
Not to call you out specifically, but all of this shoulder-shrugging about evangelicals feels either condescending or defeatist (I can't decide). Surely, just as groups of people motivate to protest right-wing extremists, groups of Christians can start to intercede on the basis of scripture. Going to their churches, joining Facebook groups and Slack channels...I feel like they can be infiltrated and weakened just like any other subculture.
posted by rhizome at 9:14 AM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
And upon reflection, "infiltrated and weakened" sounds too antagonistic (neé condescending, "bringing truth to the savages"), but it would be nice if Christians got their shit together toot sweet.
posted by rhizome at 9:22 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 9:22 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
I don't feel particularly called-out, so don't fret there. (although, i have a feeling we're getting close to a moderator intercession)
groups of Christians can start to intercede on the basis of scripture.
Yes, I would agree with this, although, I'd still say this is going to be difficult to achieve. To pull this off, you have to shift an Evangelical Christian's mental state and concept of self away from white nationalism [something we have been around and around and around about in these threads] to that of closer adherence to Scripture. Effectively, this is on the order of difficulty as converting a Protestant into a Catholic; maybe harder.
Not impossible, but hard.
Where the tone of condescension comes in, is that it's not my job to fix them. If the Evangelicals want to shoulder this burden, then good on them, but if they can't get their own Come To Jesus moment squared away, then they are just an increasingly self-marginalizing population that I need to basically ignore and work around.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 9:29 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
groups of Christians can start to intercede on the basis of scripture.
Yes, I would agree with this, although, I'd still say this is going to be difficult to achieve. To pull this off, you have to shift an Evangelical Christian's mental state and concept of self away from white nationalism [something we have been around and around and around about in these threads] to that of closer adherence to Scripture. Effectively, this is on the order of difficulty as converting a Protestant into a Catholic; maybe harder.
Not impossible, but hard.
Where the tone of condescension comes in, is that it's not my job to fix them. If the Evangelicals want to shoulder this burden, then good on them, but if they can't get their own Come To Jesus moment squared away, then they are just an increasingly self-marginalizing population that I need to basically ignore and work around.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 9:29 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Guardian: Accused spy Maria Butina not mentioned in US readout of Russia call
The US version of what the top American and Russian diplomats discussed in their most recent telephone call made no mention of the Russian woman arrested by American authorities and suspected of being a covert Kremlin agent – even though Moscow says her case came up in the conversation. [...] Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Lavrov complained in the call about the arrest of Maria Butina on “fabricated charges” and spoke about “the need for her early release”.
Hmm.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:36 AM on July 22, 2018 [27 favorites]
The US version of what the top American and Russian diplomats discussed in their most recent telephone call made no mention of the Russian woman arrested by American authorities and suspected of being a covert Kremlin agent – even though Moscow says her case came up in the conversation. [...] Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Lavrov complained in the call about the arrest of Maria Butina on “fabricated charges” and spoke about “the need for her early release”.
Hmm.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:36 AM on July 22, 2018 [27 favorites]
Red-State Democrats Have No Good Reason to Vote for Brett Kavanaugh
(Benjamin Hart | NYMag)
(Benjamin Hart | NYMag)
It’s a cold, hard truth: Republicans hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate — 50-49, taking into account John McCain’s enduring absence — so there is no way Senate Democrats can singlehandedly prevent Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh from settling into Anthony Kennedy’s seat and steering the court sharply rightward. What Democrats can do is band together, as they have on Obamacare repeal and tax cuts, and force complete Republican unanimity to squeeze Kavanaugh through, making any break in the GOP ranks, however unlikely one is to materialize, fatal to his chances.posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:45 AM on July 22, 2018 [53 favorites]
Eight Democratic Senators, most of whom face tough elections in November, have not yet signaled which way they will vote on the 53-year-old conservative hero’s nomination. (Three of these senators defected from the rest of their party to vote for Neil Gorsuch back in April.)
But while some reports have framed their dilemma as an agonizing, make-or-break choice, the stickiness of their predicament is likely exaggerated. The available evidence — or lack thereof — shows that there is simply no compelling reason for them to give Kavanaugh the green light. Here are five reasons why they shouldn’t bend: [longer explanations of each omitted]
1. Kavanaugh’s nomination is not popular
2. The policies Brett Kavanaugh champions are even less popular
3. There is no clear evidence that voting for Kavanaugh will help in November
4. Merrick Garland
5. It’s the right thing to do
Guess Graham's decided to really mash the treason pedal.
Graham: Carter Page wiretap ‘not at all’ justified
Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the South Carolina Republican said, “The whole FISA warrant process needs to be looked at.” He called the Christopher Steele dossier that the FBI cited in its FISA warrant applications “a bunch of garbage,” and criticized the government for not being clear that the dossier’s research had been partially funded by Democrats.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:48 AM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Graham: Carter Page wiretap ‘not at all’ justified
Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the South Carolina Republican said, “The whole FISA warrant process needs to be looked at.” He called the Christopher Steele dossier that the FBI cited in its FISA warrant applications “a bunch of garbage,” and criticized the government for not being clear that the dossier’s research had been partially funded by Democrats.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:48 AM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Which is to say you should apply the following syllogism-if-you're-a-chucklehead:
(1) Democrats are pure evil straight from Satan's bunghole and are responsible for every undesirable outcome in the US.
(2) Democrats paid for this.
(3) Therefore it is pure evil.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:13 AM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
(1) Democrats are pure evil straight from Satan's bunghole and are responsible for every undesirable outcome in the US.
(2) Democrats paid for this.
(3) Therefore it is pure evil.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 11:13 AM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
Dan Coats eats Trump's meatloaf: "My admittedly awkward response was in no way meant to be disrespectful or criticize the actions of the President." (NBC) His statement issued yesterday continues, "I and the entire intel community are committed to providing the best possible intelligence to inform and support President Trump’s ongoing efforts to prevent Russian meddling in our upcoming elections, to build strong relationships internationally in order to maintain peace, denuclearize dangerous regimes and protect our nation and our allies."
Odds of his firing or forced retirement have only increased.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:14 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Odds of his firing or forced retirement have only increased.
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:14 AM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
Love thy neighbor, she said, meant “love thy American neighbor.” Welcome the stranger, she said, meant the “legal immigrant stranger.”
That is literally the exact opposite of what Jesus said. Not to be all appropriative, but when Jesus quoted “love thy neighbor” in the parable of the Good Samaritan it was a shocking, almost transgressive act that must have hit its audience like a ton of bricks. The point of using that verse in that context was to be radically inclusive, because in its original context it really does mean “look after members of your own community”.
Let me put this in historical context. In Jesus' time, Judaea and Samaria were historically separate countries with distinct ethnic groups. The parable describes a man going “from Jerusalem down to Jericho” – i.e., from central to peripheral Judaea – when he gets assaulted by robbers and left for dead, and rescued by a Samaritan. A modern equivalent might be “Someone driving between Houston and San Antonio crashed their car. Lots of American drivers passed them, but a Mexican driver stopped to help, got them medical treatment and paid for a hotel room”. The point of the story is that Samaritans were not Judaeans and were therefore not the people you'd expect to be described as “your neighbor”, but we're all in this together etc.
I presumed that Evangelical Christians were in the Protestant “sola scriptura” camp, but even if they're not so text-based this must be a radical reinterpretation of their dogma. It's the sort of thing I find alarming, because radical changes in a religion often end in violence.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:18 AM on July 22, 2018 [87 favorites]
That is literally the exact opposite of what Jesus said. Not to be all appropriative, but when Jesus quoted “love thy neighbor” in the parable of the Good Samaritan it was a shocking, almost transgressive act that must have hit its audience like a ton of bricks. The point of using that verse in that context was to be radically inclusive, because in its original context it really does mean “look after members of your own community”.
Let me put this in historical context. In Jesus' time, Judaea and Samaria were historically separate countries with distinct ethnic groups. The parable describes a man going “from Jerusalem down to Jericho” – i.e., from central to peripheral Judaea – when he gets assaulted by robbers and left for dead, and rescued by a Samaritan. A modern equivalent might be “Someone driving between Houston and San Antonio crashed their car. Lots of American drivers passed them, but a Mexican driver stopped to help, got them medical treatment and paid for a hotel room”. The point of the story is that Samaritans were not Judaeans and were therefore not the people you'd expect to be described as “your neighbor”, but we're all in this together etc.
I presumed that Evangelical Christians were in the Protestant “sola scriptura” camp, but even if they're not so text-based this must be a radical reinterpretation of their dogma. It's the sort of thing I find alarming, because radical changes in a religion often end in violence.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:18 AM on July 22, 2018 [87 favorites]
Twitter nazis now using these tweets to go after Patton Oswalt. I'd say that was hilariously dumb but honestly I give them about a 50/50 chance of success.
posted by Artw at 11:20 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:20 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
However, Oswalt's 'trolling tweets' provide an excellent example why Twitter is the worst communication medium in the history of communication.
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:29 AM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:29 AM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Chicago Tribune: Hillary Clinton to help with travel arrangements for immigrants reuniting with children
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:49 AM on July 22, 2018 [56 favorites]
"I'm going to be tweeting about this in the days to come, but if any of you work for an airline please direct message me because these families will need vouchers and discounted tickets to be reunited over these thousands of miles," she told a crowd cheering her Saturday in Central Park when she took the stage as part of a star-studded summer festival...God, when I think of all the people who came together to put Trump into office and force all these policies onto him just so Hillary could make him look bad, y'know?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 11:49 AM on July 22, 2018 [56 favorites]
I still am unclear why the dossier being funded by Dems makes it less true.
I think we tend to underestimate the role of incompatible epistemology here. Trump does not form hypotheses and test them in any conventional sense. He forms inchoate desires, determines what would need to be true to justify his intentions, and evaluates the advisability of his plan based on the reception of his premises amongst his target audience.
His base thinks the same way. And they, like us, tend to assume everybody thinks like they do.
It’s hard for them to imagine that someone hired by Democrats, who want to defeat Trump, would do anything other than invent whatever “facts” are most helpful to that end, and publicize them. It’s as hard for them to imagine as it is for us to imagine people totally opposed to post-enlightenment thought, not just as a matter of principle, but as a pillar of identity.
Objective fact as we understand the concept has no role in this process.
posted by dirge at 11:59 AM on July 22, 2018 [41 favorites]
I think we tend to underestimate the role of incompatible epistemology here. Trump does not form hypotheses and test them in any conventional sense. He forms inchoate desires, determines what would need to be true to justify his intentions, and evaluates the advisability of his plan based on the reception of his premises amongst his target audience.
His base thinks the same way. And they, like us, tend to assume everybody thinks like they do.
It’s hard for them to imagine that someone hired by Democrats, who want to defeat Trump, would do anything other than invent whatever “facts” are most helpful to that end, and publicize them. It’s as hard for them to imagine as it is for us to imagine people totally opposed to post-enlightenment thought, not just as a matter of principle, but as a pillar of identity.
Objective fact as we understand the concept has no role in this process.
posted by dirge at 11:59 AM on July 22, 2018 [41 favorites]
I presumed that Evangelical Christians were in the Protestant “sola scriptura” camp, but even if they're not so text-based this must be a radical reinterpretation of their dogma. It's the sort of thing I find alarming, because radical changes in a religion often end in violence.
She worships the devil and can't tell the difference.
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:08 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
She worships the devil and can't tell the difference.
posted by Pope Guilty at 12:08 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
love thy American neighbor
I had no idea that America existed back then. Or was Jesus talking about America as it was back then, which would put her in the position she’s complaining about?
Lol @ thinking there’s any logic in her statement.
posted by LizBoBiz at 12:09 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
I had no idea that America existed back then. Or was Jesus talking about America as it was back then, which would put her in the position she’s complaining about?
Lol @ thinking there’s any logic in her statement.
posted by LizBoBiz at 12:09 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
sio42 I still am unclear why the dossier being funded by Dems makes it less true.
I think there are two sides (bear with me) to this:
1) it's an assertion made in bad faith
2) it's a short circuit of the logic of the concordance of, say, Glen Greenwald being paid >$400k (>3x his colleagues) and his spouting arguments and conclusions in bad faith = anyone the Dems are paying (to investigate) means the results of the investigation are what is paid for, not the (impartial) investigation itself.
Also, see 1).
I see this all the time in science. There is so much garbage produced where it's the results that are paid for (by industry). Unfortunately, the system is also set up where certain results increases the odds of continuing to receive funding. But the vast majority of scientists will report the truth (albeit the system forces many to spin said truth) regardless of where their funding is from - and in certain fields (ie., climate science), the mere fact that they receive any money (no matter how little and from what source) to conduct their research tars them with the garbage cohort, in certain eyes, as shills.
Again, see 1).
posted by porpoise at 12:17 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
I think there are two sides (bear with me) to this:
1) it's an assertion made in bad faith
2) it's a short circuit of the logic of the concordance of, say, Glen Greenwald being paid >$400k (>3x his colleagues) and his spouting arguments and conclusions in bad faith = anyone the Dems are paying (to investigate) means the results of the investigation are what is paid for, not the (impartial) investigation itself.
Also, see 1).
I see this all the time in science. There is so much garbage produced where it's the results that are paid for (by industry). Unfortunately, the system is also set up where certain results increases the odds of continuing to receive funding. But the vast majority of scientists will report the truth (albeit the system forces many to spin said truth) regardless of where their funding is from - and in certain fields (ie., climate science), the mere fact that they receive any money (no matter how little and from what source) to conduct their research tars them with the garbage cohort, in certain eyes, as shills.
Again, see 1).
posted by porpoise at 12:17 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
Michelle Wolf's ICE Recruitment Video is pretty savage (video link thru HuffPo)
The best part is that it made the Usual Suspects' heads explode. Huckabee, Fox&Friends, you name it. They mad.
I find Wolf's stuff often excellent but I greatly prefer it in small doses. So this was exactly the right amount of Michelle Wolf for me. See also the NYT musical number.
posted by Justinian at 12:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
The best part is that it made the Usual Suspects' heads explode. Huckabee, Fox&Friends, you name it. They mad.
I find Wolf's stuff often excellent but I greatly prefer it in small doses. So this was exactly the right amount of Michelle Wolf for me. See also the NYT musical number.
posted by Justinian at 12:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
NYT musical number
The twit really hits the fan on that one.
posted by M-x shell at 1:00 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
The twit really hits the fan on that one.
posted by M-x shell at 1:00 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
More on that awful sounding "Third Way" conference.
"Once again, the time has come to mend, but not end, capitalism for a new era," said Third Way President Jon Cowan.
These people have seriously not had a new thought in their heads since the 90s.
posted by Artw at 1:32 PM on July 22, 2018 [21 favorites]
"Once again, the time has come to mend, but not end, capitalism for a new era," said Third Way President Jon Cowan.
These people have seriously not had a new thought in their heads since the 90s.
posted by Artw at 1:32 PM on July 22, 2018 [21 favorites]
From The Hill (I know, I know, believe me ...)
Trump ramps up scrutiny of legal immigrants
Trump ramps up scrutiny of legal immigrants
The director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — an office established in 2003 to process immigrant applications for visas, work permits, green cards and citizenship — told The Associated Press recently that the agency is hiring dozens of lawyers and immigration officers to review cases of immigrants who are suspected of having lied to officials during the naturalization process.posted by jgirl at 1:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [20 favorites]
The office made public on July 5 a memo announcing its plan to start issuing notices to appear for a wider range of cases. Those notices, which require an immigrant to appear before an immigration judge on a certain date, can be the first step in deportation proceedings.
Experts say that policy change, coupled with what came next, could vastly expand the number of individuals being referred for removal.
The agency said last week that starting Sept. 11 its adjudicators will have the ability to outright deny applications that are missing information. That’s a departure from an Obama-era policy of sending requests for more evidence or issuing a warning of their intent to deny the application.
“The memos are really, layer by layer, going after people who are in line doing the right things,” Anastasia Tonello, president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said.
These people have seriously not had a new thought in their heads since the 90s.
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!" -Upton Sinclair
The idea that the Third Way people would conclude that, in fact, Third Way is milquetoast weaksauce and should be disbanded doesn't seem likely. They will end with a whimper rather than a bang.
That said the fraction of people who are up for ending rather than mending capitalism strikes me as very low. Is there a single successful country that doesn't have some form of capitalist economy? The most socialist of the social democracies still have mostly capitalist economies.
posted by Justinian at 1:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!" -Upton Sinclair
The idea that the Third Way people would conclude that, in fact, Third Way is milquetoast weaksauce and should be disbanded doesn't seem likely. They will end with a whimper rather than a bang.
That said the fraction of people who are up for ending rather than mending capitalism strikes me as very low. Is there a single successful country that doesn't have some form of capitalist economy? The most socialist of the social democracies still have mostly capitalist economies.
posted by Justinian at 1:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [5 favorites]
That said the fraction of people who are up for ending rather than mending capitalism strikes me as very low. Is there a single successful country that doesn't have some form of capitalist economy? The most socialist of the social democracies still have mostly capitalist economies.
Shh don't frighten the Overton Window
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:59 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
Shh don't frighten the Overton Window
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:59 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
The Third Way sounds like warmed over DLC rhetoric from the late '80s. I'll admit that I got sucked into that mindset to some extent back then but there's not a chance now. Centrism has been a disaster for the democrats in the last thirty years.
posted by octothorpe at 2:01 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 2:01 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Shh don't frighten the Overton Window
Oh, this is one of those things where we campaign on "EAT THE RICH, SOAK EVIL CORPORATIONS, MEDICARE FOR ALL" and then we govern by moderately increasing taxes on the wealthy, instituting significant worker protections, repairing and strengthening Obamacare, and going after companies offshoring profits? I'm on board for that.
(Well, maybe we can get Medicare for All eventually).
posted by Justinian at 2:02 PM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
Oh, this is one of those things where we campaign on "EAT THE RICH, SOAK EVIL CORPORATIONS, MEDICARE FOR ALL" and then we govern by moderately increasing taxes on the wealthy, instituting significant worker protections, repairing and strengthening Obamacare, and going after companies offshoring profits? I'm on board for that.
(Well, maybe we can get Medicare for All eventually).
posted by Justinian at 2:02 PM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
Even the farest left wing candidates like AOC’s actual policy proposals are all Medicare for all and actually enforcing Wall Street regulation by restoring Glass-Stegall, not like, seizing the means of production and handling it to worker communes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:03 PM on July 22, 2018 [33 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:03 PM on July 22, 2018 [33 favorites]
not like, seizing the means of production and handling it to worker communes.
Yet.
posted by emjaybee at 2:07 PM on July 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
Yet.
posted by emjaybee at 2:07 PM on July 22, 2018 [15 favorites]
From RealClear Politics:
Democratic Socialism Rising in the Age of Trump
Democratic Socialism Rising in the Age of Trump
The most ambitious Democrats in Washington have been reluctant to embrace the label, even as they embrace the policies defining modern-day democratic socialism: Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition and the abolition of the federal department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.posted by jgirl at 2:08 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
[...]
The Republican National Committee eagerly notes that Sanders’ plan to provide free government-sponsored health care for all Americans had no co-sponsors in 2013. Today, more than one-third of Senate Democrats and two-thirds of House Democrats have signed onto the proposal, which by one estimate could cost taxpayers as much as $32 trillion.
[...]
“Embracing socialist policies like government-run health care, a guaranteed jobs program and open borders will only make Democrats more out of touch,” RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel said.
RealClear Politics: "Democrats have signed onto the proposal, which by one estimate could cost taxpayers as much as $32 trillion."
More like RealClear Bullshit. $32 trillion? That's almost 10 times the annual spending of the entire government.
RealClear Politics is a right wing propaganda shop.
posted by JackFlash at 2:22 PM on July 22, 2018 [40 favorites]
More like RealClear Bullshit. $32 trillion? That's almost 10 times the annual spending of the entire government.
RealClear Politics is a right wing propaganda shop.
posted by JackFlash at 2:22 PM on July 22, 2018 [40 favorites]
Since it's never too early to start the 2020 race, Suffolk University has published a look at how potential Democratic hopefuls are doing in New Hampshire a mere 835 days before the 2020 election! The quick and dirty summary: Biden has a modest edge on Sanders among NH voters, with everyone else in the dust. That is unless Warren runs in which case she takes a modest lead over Biden by siphoning off half of Sanders' support and pushing him way back in third, though again everyone but the top 3 are non-competitive.
This falls in line with my priors that a 2020 primary would be a race between Biden (if he runs) and either Sanders or Warren (if she runs). So it is obviously correct.
posted by Justinian at 2:24 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
This falls in line with my priors that a 2020 primary would be a race between Biden (if he runs) and either Sanders or Warren (if she runs). So it is obviously correct.
posted by Justinian at 2:24 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Christ, who else is a contender, Mumm-Ra the Ever living?
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on July 22, 2018 [68 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:26 PM on July 22, 2018 [68 favorites]
(Ages of those 3 contenders on election day 2020: 79,77,71. Yay Boomers?)
posted by Justinian at 2:27 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:27 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
From Common Dreams:
There Are 3 Main Theories That Explain Trump’s Approach to Putin and Russia—Which One Makes the Most Sense?
Time for Occam’s Razor
There Are 3 Main Theories That Explain Trump’s Approach to Putin and Russia—Which One Makes the Most Sense?
Time for Occam’s Razor
The three theories, in ascending order of likelihood, are:posted by jgirl at 2:35 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]The Manchurian Candidate: He’s being blackmailed or has been a Russian asset for years.[...]
The Wannabe Dictator: He believes that countries should be run like companies—essentially autocracies.
The Deadbeat: He’s not only not rich, but he’s badly in debt, and Russian billionaires are among his main creditors.
Trump isn’t afraid of being exposed as a lout or a racist; he’s afraid of being financially wiped out if Russian oligarchs pull out of Trump properties.
@Comey
Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
SHUT UP COMEY
YOU ARE THE WORST
I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR GREAT FUCKING MIDDLE
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [86 favorites]
Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
SHUT UP COMEY
YOU ARE THE WORST
I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR GREAT FUCKING MIDDLE
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [86 favorites]
Buzzfeed senior investigative reporter Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) breaks the news:
Buzzfeed (earlier this week): Senate Intel Had Asked For Financial Documents On the Russian Gun Rights Activist
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [20 favorites]
I can confirm now that last yr Treasury"s financial crimes unit collected voluminous suspicious activity reports from banks on Maria Butina, Alexander Torshin, Paul Erickson, Bridges LLC & Investing With Dignityi.e. Bridges LLC—South Dakota-based company that Paul Erickson formed and Butina used to raise money for her graduate studies—was engaged in financial activities that triggered a SAR from the bank.
The SARs were shared w/FBI, Mueller, SSCI
Buzzfeed (earlier this week): Senate Intel Had Asked For Financial Documents On the Russian Gun Rights Activist
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [20 favorites]
Jerky Showcase Week is the new Infrastructure Week. Quite the whiff of imperial decline.
Reuters: White House to showcase U.S. products as trade battles loom
U.S. President Donald Trump will showcase American-made products ranging from beef jerky and cowboy boots to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet on Monday, as his administration wages trade battles on a series of fronts. A White House spokeswoman said on Sunday that Trump would make remarks at the exhibit designed to demonstrate the administration’s “commitment to ensuring more products are made in America.” Vice President Mike Pence, six Cabinet secretaries and some dozen other senior officials will also attend.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:05 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Reuters: White House to showcase U.S. products as trade battles loom
U.S. President Donald Trump will showcase American-made products ranging from beef jerky and cowboy boots to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet on Monday, as his administration wages trade battles on a series of fronts. A White House spokeswoman said on Sunday that Trump would make remarks at the exhibit designed to demonstrate the administration’s “commitment to ensuring more products are made in America.” Vice President Mike Pence, six Cabinet secretaries and some dozen other senior officials will also attend.
posted by Rust Moranis at 3:05 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
The agency said last week that starting Sept. 11 its adjudicators will have the ability to outright deny applications that are missing information. That’s a departure from an Obama-era policy of sending requests for more evidence or issuing a warning of their intent to deny the application.
What in the fucking christ? Like this is seriously bad. Lots of people who DIY immigration need these notices when they screw up something or make a simple mistake. This is not good. Also, back in June, the USCIS changed their policy in that non-citizens who fail their immigration petitions will immediately lose status and will be placed in deportation proceedings.
So for instance, if you file for an extension to your student visa, forget something, some document or anything like that, instead of sending you a nice letter back saying "you forgot X, Y, and Z" the USCIS can summarily fail you out of your petition, revoke your status, and then place you immediately in deportation proceedings and be picked up by ICE that afternoon.
I'm shitting my pants right now and I'm an upper middle class person who has access to enough resources to engage the services of immigration lawyers that wear white shoes if necessary. Fascism has truly come for anyone who wasn't born here.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 3:05 PM on July 22, 2018 [96 favorites]
What in the fucking christ? Like this is seriously bad. Lots of people who DIY immigration need these notices when they screw up something or make a simple mistake. This is not good. Also, back in June, the USCIS changed their policy in that non-citizens who fail their immigration petitions will immediately lose status and will be placed in deportation proceedings.
So for instance, if you file for an extension to your student visa, forget something, some document or anything like that, instead of sending you a nice letter back saying "you forgot X, Y, and Z" the USCIS can summarily fail you out of your petition, revoke your status, and then place you immediately in deportation proceedings and be picked up by ICE that afternoon.
I'm shitting my pants right now and I'm an upper middle class person who has access to enough resources to engage the services of immigration lawyers that wear white shoes if necessary. Fascism has truly come for anyone who wasn't born here.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 3:05 PM on July 22, 2018 [96 favorites]
Meanwhile, the Daily Beast catches up with Steve Bannon's recent European tour: Inside Bannon's Plan to Hijack Europe for the Far-Right—Bannon is moving to Europe to set up The Movement, a populist foundation to rival George Soros and spark a right-wing revolt across the continent.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:08 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Over the past year, Bannon has held talks with right-wing groups across the continent from Nigel Farage and members of Marine Le Pen’s Front National (recently renamed Rassemblement National) in the West, to Hungary’s Viktor Orban and the Polish populists in the East.Once the American midterms are done, Bannon plans to even split his time between Europe and the US. Nobody can accuse him of lacking ambition or not hedging his bets.
He envisions a right-wing “supergroup” within the European Parliament that could attract as many as a third of the lawmakers after next May’s Europe-wide elections. A united populist bloc of that size would have the ability to seriously disrupt parliamentary proceedings, potentially granting Bannon huge power within the populist movement.
After being forced out of the White House following internal wranglings that would later surface in the book Fire and Fury, Bannon is now reveling in the opportunity to plot his new European empire. “I'd rather reign in hell, than serve in heaven,” he said, paraphrasing John Milton’s Satan in Paradise Lost.
The Movement’s headquarters are expected to be located in Brussels, Belgium, where they will start hiring staff in coming months. It is expected that there will be fewer than 10 full-time staff ahead of the 2019 elections, with a polling expert, a communications person, an office manager and a researcher among the positions. The plan is to ramp that up to more like 25 people post-2019 if the project has been a success.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:08 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
He envisions a right-wing “supergroup” within the European Parliament that could attract as many as a third of the lawmakers after next May’s Europe-wide elections. A united populist bloc of that size would have the ability to seriously disrupt parliamentary proceedings, potentially granting Bannon huge power within the populist movement.
See this is the thing, the European Parliament can gum up works but they can't actually do any real damage. By design, the EU is meant to steer towards centrist, consensus seeking technocracy. The European Parliament can't even propose legislation, that being monopolized by the European Commission which is a layer of abstraction away from the EP. Even then, the European Council exists as a further backstop towards any sort of fascist inclinations by Messrs Bannon, Farage, and their stooges.
Hell, the whole reason why Farage pushed so hard for a Brexit referendum is because he got elected to the EP and realized he couldn't do shit there. He couldn't go in there and cock everything up by holding balance of power or act as kingmaker or be a landing pad for Eurosceptic Tory members could bolt for like he could in Westminster.
If any (vaguely) Democratic institution in this world is designed to weather right wing populism I'd bet money on the EU before the US.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 3:18 PM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
See this is the thing, the European Parliament can gum up works but they can't actually do any real damage. By design, the EU is meant to steer towards centrist, consensus seeking technocracy. The European Parliament can't even propose legislation, that being monopolized by the European Commission which is a layer of abstraction away from the EP. Even then, the European Council exists as a further backstop towards any sort of fascist inclinations by Messrs Bannon, Farage, and their stooges.
Hell, the whole reason why Farage pushed so hard for a Brexit referendum is because he got elected to the EP and realized he couldn't do shit there. He couldn't go in there and cock everything up by holding balance of power or act as kingmaker or be a landing pad for Eurosceptic Tory members could bolt for like he could in Westminster.
If any (vaguely) Democratic institution in this world is designed to weather right wing populism I'd bet money on the EU before the US.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 3:18 PM on July 22, 2018 [12 favorites]
SHUT UP COMEY
"This is how we got Trump" ...says the man solely responsible for giving us Trump.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:19 PM on July 22, 2018 [74 favorites]
"This is how we got Trump" ...says the man solely responsible for giving us Trump.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:19 PM on July 22, 2018 [74 favorites]
Putin deserves credit for all his hard work, even if Comey stole the spotlight at the end. Putin isn’t just emboldened, he’s coming to Washington to take a victory lap. (Garry Kasparov, NY Daily News)
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:40 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:40 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
This falls in line with my priors that a 2020 primary would be a race between Biden (if he runs) and either Sanders or Warren (if she runs). So it is obviously correct.
...
(Ages of those 3 contenders on election day 2020: 79,77,71. Yay Boomers?)
I'll wager that none of the above will really be contenders in 2020.
What will win it for the dems is a candidate that has some life in them, who can offer a bit of positive energy to the race.
That person has to be out there somewhere.
Please.
posted by SteveInMaine at 3:40 PM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
...
(Ages of those 3 contenders on election day 2020: 79,77,71. Yay Boomers?)
I'll wager that none of the above will really be contenders in 2020.
What will win it for the dems is a candidate that has some life in them, who can offer a bit of positive energy to the race.
That person has to be out there somewhere.
Please.
posted by SteveInMaine at 3:40 PM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
Hearing On the Media this week nearly stopped me in my tracks. It is worth listening to the audio at the link, (less than 7 minutes) At a Fever Pitch, Again:
In a sense, this past week was like any other in the Trump era: so much noise, so much of it contradictory, and such an unshakable sense of rising tension. We've been here before, and anticipate we will be here again, and so we're sharing a metaphor we've begun to use around the office: the Shepard tone.posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 3:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [27 favorites]
It is an audio illusion, like the rising red and blue stripes on a barber's pole, or the black and white spiraling eyes of a Looney Tunes character being hypnotized. As this sonic mass moves up and up and up, the tension rises until... nothing. No resolution, no catharsis — here comes another rising line, and another after that.
Brooke examines this past week's Trump news through the lens of the Shepard tone and asks: what, if anything, did we learn this time around?
And the cycle is complete. Back to a big hoax, forced statement that he agreed with his intelligence agencies be damned.
@realDonaldTrump
So President Obama knew about Russia before the Election. Why didn’t he do something about it? Why didn’t he tell our campaign? Because it is all a big hoax, that’s why, and he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win!!!
posted by chris24 at 4:03 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
So President Obama knew about Russia before the Election. Why didn’t he do something about it? Why didn’t he tell our campaign? Because it is all a big hoax, that’s why, and he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win!!!
posted by chris24 at 4:03 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
DOJ agreed to release redacted copies as the result of a Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit, which Judicial Watch will use to claim some kind of deep state conspiracy.
I just want to update this to give credit where it's actually due, which is to Brad Heath, Bradley Moss, and Mark Zaid. Judicial Watch filed later, took credit, and invented a deep state conspiracy narrative.
posted by zachlipton at 4:18 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
I just want to update this to give credit where it's actually due, which is to Brad Heath, Bradley Moss, and Mark Zaid. Judicial Watch filed later, took credit, and invented a deep state conspiracy narrative.
posted by zachlipton at 4:18 PM on July 22, 2018 [9 favorites]
@Comey
Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
SHUT UP COMEY
YOU ARE THE WORST
Also he is a Republican so there's that.
posted by srboisvert at 4:46 PM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left. This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that. America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.
SHUT UP COMEY
YOU ARE THE WORST
Also he is a Republican so there's that.
posted by srboisvert at 4:46 PM on July 22, 2018 [26 favorites]
The director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — an office established in 2003 to process immigrant applications for visas, work permits, green cards and citizenship — told The Associated Press recently that the agency is hiring dozens of lawyers and immigration officers to review cases of immigrants who are suspected of having lied to officials during the naturalization process.
Administrative review of already-naturalized citizens is the sort of thing that was traditionally used to get rid of Nazis that had lied to get into the country. It sounds as though this will be aimed at anybody and everybody not born in the USA.
It's nearly impossible for most people to comply with USCIS requirements without lying. E.g., applicants are instructed (PDF), “If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send: an original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court stating that no charges were filed". Good luck getting that statement from that time you were caught speeding through Genericville twenty years ago. Or, if you were an irregular migrant, good luck getting one from US border patrol without being insta-deported. You may have been detained as a child (e.g., at a border) without even knowing about it – but the record will still be there, and USCIS will know. It doesn't even limit itself to US law enforcement – it may be impossible to get statements like this from your home country without being physically present. And for many migrants, a return is dangerous or impossible. They want everybody to be scared, all the time.
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [43 favorites]
Administrative review of already-naturalized citizens is the sort of thing that was traditionally used to get rid of Nazis that had lied to get into the country. It sounds as though this will be aimed at anybody and everybody not born in the USA.
It's nearly impossible for most people to comply with USCIS requirements without lying. E.g., applicants are instructed (PDF), “If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send: an original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court stating that no charges were filed". Good luck getting that statement from that time you were caught speeding through Genericville twenty years ago. Or, if you were an irregular migrant, good luck getting one from US border patrol without being insta-deported. You may have been detained as a child (e.g., at a border) without even knowing about it – but the record will still be there, and USCIS will know. It doesn't even limit itself to US law enforcement – it may be impossible to get statements like this from your home country without being physically present. And for many migrants, a return is dangerous or impossible. They want everybody to be scared, all the time.
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [43 favorites]
From the Charlie Sykes op-ed in the NYT, in case you want to ask your representatives for concrete action...
* Censure for the president's conduct and subsequent comments
* Pass legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia [me: For their current cyberattacks!]
* "Hold hearings that would include in-depth testimony from the national security team on the Russian attacks, [and]... on our commitments to NATO."
* "Take up legislation that would protect the special counsel"
* Legislation to ensure Congressional voice on future tarriffs
* "Call off the lap dogs."
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:24 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
* Censure for the president's conduct and subsequent comments
* Pass legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia [me: For their current cyberattacks!]
* "Hold hearings that would include in-depth testimony from the national security team on the Russian attacks, [and]... on our commitments to NATO."
* "Take up legislation that would protect the special counsel"
* Legislation to ensure Congressional voice on future tarriffs
* "Call off the lap dogs."
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:24 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
So President Obama knew about Russia before the Election. Why didn’t he do something about it? Why didn’t he tell our campaign? Because it is all a big hoax, that’s why, and he thought Crooked Hillary was going to win!!!
Hillary told your campaign. Asshole.
posted by bonobothegreat at 5:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [42 favorites]
Hillary told your campaign. Asshole.
posted by bonobothegreat at 5:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [42 favorites]
Risks pile up for Trump as Manafort heads to trial (Politico)
The president's former campaign chairman is set to be the first to go before a jury in the Mueller investigation.
The president's former campaign chairman is set to be the first to go before a jury in the Mueller investigation.
The first trial prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller will offer the clearest public view yet of what his investigators have on President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, with a catalogue of evidence and testimony undercutting the president’s repeated claims that the Russia investigation is a “witch hunt.”posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:11 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
... But the Manafort trial will create daily reminders of the Mueller investigation, as commentators pile onto cable networks to discuss what the case could indicate about the president’s own exposure — and, potentially, as the president himself offers his own analysis on Twitter.
... Mueller’s office has said it does not intend to raise Russian collusion allegations, but it has signaled plans to showcase aspects of Manafort’s work during the Trump campaign: namely a claim that he succeeded in getting $16 million in loans from Chicago’s Federal Savings Bank in late 2016 and early 2017 in part because the bank’s chairman and CEO, Stephen Calk, was named to the Trump campaign’s economic advisory board and was seeking a top post at the Pentagon.
... Mueller’s prosecutors in June also unsealed search warrant applications in the Virginia case showing Manafort and his wife received a $10 million loan in 2010 from Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In July 2016, Manafort used a longtime associate who has also since been indicted by Mueller as an intermediary to reportedly offer “private briefings” for Deripaska about the Trump campaign.
... Should the Northern Virginia, jury find Manafort guilty, Trump will immediately face a decision on whether to pardon him or commute his prison sentence. Either move would expose Trump to further charges he’s trying to obstruct justice — but they also could head off a possible scenario that no one in the president’s orbit wants to see happen: The 69-year old Manafort accepts a reduced sentence in exchange for spilling to Mueller everything he knows about the president.
“If he’s convicted, you’ll hear sphincters loosening all over the White House,” said a defense attorney who represents a senior Trump official.
“Once he’s convicted it becomes a more naked effort to obstruct the inquiry,” the lawyer added. “Things always look worse after a trial once you’ve put live witnesses on the stand and released documents. It’s hard to put that back in the bottle.”
> ... But the Manafort trial will create daily reminders of the Mueller investigation,
Conventional wisdom in the dead-tree era was that nothing sold more newspapers than daily coverage of a high-profile trial. This is something even the current press has the incentive to cover well - because clicks. The Manafort trial could become a drumbeat.
posted by klarck at 6:31 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
Conventional wisdom in the dead-tree era was that nothing sold more newspapers than daily coverage of a high-profile trial. This is something even the current press has the incentive to cover well - because clicks. The Manafort trial could become a drumbeat.
posted by klarck at 6:31 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
The Manafort trial will be longer than the average trial but it ain't gonna be another OJ thing. We're talking maybe a week or two. So it will generate daily stories but for a relatively short period of time.
Of course I have just remembered there's two trials not one. I suppose two 12 day trials is basically a month's worth of stories spread out over the trials.
posted by Justinian at 6:47 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Of course I have just remembered there's two trials not one. I suppose two 12 day trials is basically a month's worth of stories spread out over the trials.
posted by Justinian at 6:47 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]
Manafort trial be damned, it looks like we have a full-on Infrastructure Week coming up!
NYT: G.O.P. Pushes to Overhaul Law Meant to Protect At-Risk Species
Without Evidence, Trump Claims Papers Show Illegal Spying
President Trump claimed that the surveillance warrant against Mr. Page proves wrongdoing on the part of the F.B.I. in asking to wiretap the former aide.
Medicare Plan Would Offer Same Payment for All Office Visits
The Trump administration hopes to cut red tape by establishing a single Medicare rate for office visits. But critics say the proposal would underpay doctors who care for patients with the greatest medical needs.
So, while the shit firehose continues to spew, they're coming for Medicare and our environment. I guess they really are counting on me to say that I'm so tired of this bullshit.
posted by RedOrGreen at 6:49 PM on July 22, 2018 [16 favorites]
NYT: G.O.P. Pushes to Overhaul Law Meant to Protect At-Risk Species
The Endangered Species Act, which for 45 years has safeguarded fragile wildlife, is being targeted by lawmakers, the White House and industry on a scale not seen in decades.Other headlines?
In recent weeks, more than two dozen measures have been proposed to remove protections for species and weaken the law, which critics say impedes people’s livelihoods.
Without Evidence, Trump Claims Papers Show Illegal Spying
President Trump claimed that the surveillance warrant against Mr. Page proves wrongdoing on the part of the F.B.I. in asking to wiretap the former aide.
Medicare Plan Would Offer Same Payment for All Office Visits
The Trump administration hopes to cut red tape by establishing a single Medicare rate for office visits. But critics say the proposal would underpay doctors who care for patients with the greatest medical needs.
So, while the shit firehose continues to spew, they're coming for Medicare and our environment. I guess they really are counting on me to say that I'm so tired of this bullshit.
posted by RedOrGreen at 6:49 PM on July 22, 2018 [16 favorites]
That NYT article says that they were never able to fuck up the Endangered Species act before because McCain always shut it down but now that he's busy shuffling off this mortal coil they can try to quickly ram it through. Uh... does that mean McCain used to do something not-shitty?
It's kind of ghoulish to jam through bills he would hate while he's dying. But this is the GOP after all.
posted by Justinian at 6:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's kind of ghoulish to jam through bills he would hate while he's dying. But this is the GOP after all.
posted by Justinian at 6:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Trials are never televised. There'll be courtroom sketches and transcripts.
posted by nangar at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by nangar at 7:22 PM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
So the Trump administration is issuing a "zero tolerance" and "no strikes" policy toward compliance with U.S. Federal document submission.
Huh.
How would that policy affect Kushner?
posted by yesster at 7:30 PM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
Huh.
How would that policy affect Kushner?
posted by yesster at 7:30 PM on July 22, 2018 [17 favorites]
JackFlash: "RealClear Politics is a right wing propaganda shop."
This is correct. RCP publishes some quite useful polling averages, which are accurate. Their analysis/policy writing, on the other hand, is total horseshit.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:34 PM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
This is correct. RCP publishes some quite useful polling averages, which are accurate. Their analysis/policy writing, on the other hand, is total horseshit.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:34 PM on July 22, 2018 [6 favorites]
I don't think anyone has ever televised a federal criminal trial, and it's prohibited by the rules. There have been pilot programs for civil cases in some federal courts, and some appeals courts livestream arguments, but not federal criminal courts.
But... what was that thing with OJ back in the 90’s??
Superior Court of Los Angeles County, not federal court. And nobody wants to do that again.
posted by zachlipton at 7:38 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
But... what was that thing with OJ back in the 90’s??
Superior Court of Los Angeles County, not federal court. And nobody wants to do that again.
posted by zachlipton at 7:38 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** OH-12 special:
** Odds & ends:
** OH-12 special:
-- Trump has endorsed GOP candidate Balderson.** 2018 House:
-- Questions are being raised if Balderson's working hard enough on campaigning. There was some of this talk about Rick Saccone in the PA-18 special.
-- Both Kyle Kondik (Sabato) and Dave Wasserman (Cook Political) have commented in recent days that this one has definitely moved from Lean Ro to Tossup. District went Trump 53-42.
-- Interesting write-up of the IA-03 race (Cook: Tossup).** 2018 Senate: Historical results in Senate midterms favor Dems.
-- 538 generic ballot average currently at D+7.5 (48.1/40.6).
** Odds & ends:
-- GA gov: SurveyUSA poll has Dem Abrams within two points of either GOP candidate [MOE: +/- 4.3%].posted by Chrysostom at 7:55 PM on July 22, 2018 [21 favorites]
-- Sen Brian Schatz [D-HI] and his plan to pull 2020 Democratic contenders to the left.
Without Evidence, Trump Claims Papers Show Illegal Spying
President Trump claimed that the surveillance warrant against Mr. Page proves wrongdoing on the part of the F.B.I. in asking to wiretap the former aide.
I know that we (and pundits) have gone back and forth on what to call lying by Trump. But this one is clear cut. The documents are public. Everyone can see them. Everyone who is not Trump or a minion agrees that the documents show the FISA request was legitimate, including several Republican politicians. Trump is fully aware of this.
The president is pointing at the sky and saying that the sun is purple. That's just a lie, and the media need to call it a lie.
posted by msalt at 8:04 PM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
President Trump claimed that the surveillance warrant against Mr. Page proves wrongdoing on the part of the F.B.I. in asking to wiretap the former aide.
I know that we (and pundits) have gone back and forth on what to call lying by Trump. But this one is clear cut. The documents are public. Everyone can see them. Everyone who is not Trump or a minion agrees that the documents show the FISA request was legitimate, including several Republican politicians. Trump is fully aware of this.
The president is pointing at the sky and saying that the sun is purple. That's just a lie, and the media need to call it a lie.
posted by msalt at 8:04 PM on July 22, 2018 [25 favorites]
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
😳
posted by the duck by the oboe at 8:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [20 favorites]
😳
posted by the duck by the oboe at 8:36 PM on July 22, 2018 [20 favorites]
So, expect the straits of Hormuz to close shortly.
Hope yall can bike.
posted by ocschwar at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Hope yall can bike.
posted by ocschwar at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]
Now there’s a calming Sunday night fireside chat
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [37 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [37 favorites]
Well that’s incredibly worrying.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:43 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]
We could have had taco trucks on every corner.
posted by zachlipton at 8:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [122 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [122 favorites]
He did not write that tweet. Not with that grammar and vocabulary. Trump is demented, he doesn't type "demented."
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:49 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:49 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
Daniel Dale's analysis is right: both here and with the "fire and fury" tweet, it's in response to a personal provocation rather than any actual action on the part of the country he's threatening: What did Rouhani actually do? 1) He referred to Trump directly: "Mr Trump, don't play with the lion's tail, this would only lead to regret." 2) He said this: "America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars."
posted by zachlipton at 8:57 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 8:57 PM on July 22, 2018 [14 favorites]
After writing that Iran tweet, Stephen Miller announced "I'll be in my bunk."
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:06 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:06 PM on July 22, 2018 [18 favorites]
IMHO this has more to do with the Manafort trial and other impending disasters (for Republicans).
Trump: "Look over there! A shark!"
(runs away)
posted by msalt at 9:09 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
Trump: "Look over there! A shark!"
(runs away)
posted by msalt at 9:09 PM on July 22, 2018 [13 favorites]
We gave up three generations of world-leading statesmanship and diplomacy for . . .
this.
posted by yesster at 9:27 PM on July 22, 2018 [28 favorites]
this.
posted by yesster at 9:27 PM on July 22, 2018 [28 favorites]
Hey, all, note of possible interest. Due to overwhelming popular demand (Eyebrows McGee mentioned in passing a couple of months ago), I'm going to start cross-posting the ELECTIONS NEWS comments on a separate blog.
So you can have that stuff show up in your feed reader, if that is a thing you would like to do. Feed is here.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:33 PM on July 22, 2018 [82 favorites]
So you can have that stuff show up in your feed reader, if that is a thing you would like to do. Feed is here.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:33 PM on July 22, 2018 [82 favorites]
Based on precedent with North Korea, I believe this means Trump will shortly make concessions to Iran while getting nothing in return.
posted by nubs at 9:47 PM on July 22, 2018 [34 favorites]
posted by nubs at 9:47 PM on July 22, 2018 [34 favorites]
Kind of weird how when the person in control of the world's second largest nuclear stockpile says he's thinking about killing a hundred million people it still doesn't count as a credible threat of violence.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [42 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:53 PM on July 22, 2018 [42 favorites]
: "The three theories, in ascending order of likelihood, are:
The Manchurian Candidate: He’s being blackmailed or has been a Russian asset for years.
The Wannabe Dictator: He believes that countries should be run like companies—essentially autocracies.
The Deadbeat: He’s not only not rich, but he’s badly in debt, and Russian billionaires are among his main creditors."
Really I have zero doubt it is all three. He's on the record for #2; the money laundering to keep his "empire" a float is long past being the preponderance of evidence and #1 leads from #3 even if there isn't something non-financial in Russia's folder (and with Mr. Hush Money Payoff how likely is that?).
Joe in Australia: " It doesn't even limit itself to US law enforcement – it may be impossible to get statements like this from your home country without being physically present. And for many migrants, a return is dangerous or impossible. They want everybody to be scared, all the time."
Cripes in some cases those agencies don't even exist anymore. Either because the US has bombed the government responsible back to the banging rocks together stage or the country itself no longer exists.
I mean good luck getting documents from the Republic of Biafra, Trucial States, or Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
posted by Mitheral at 10:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [10 favorites]
The Manchurian Candidate: He’s being blackmailed or has been a Russian asset for years.
The Wannabe Dictator: He believes that countries should be run like companies—essentially autocracies.
The Deadbeat: He’s not only not rich, but he’s badly in debt, and Russian billionaires are among his main creditors."
Really I have zero doubt it is all three. He's on the record for #2; the money laundering to keep his "empire" a float is long past being the preponderance of evidence and #1 leads from #3 even if there isn't something non-financial in Russia's folder (and with Mr. Hush Money Payoff how likely is that?).
Joe in Australia: " It doesn't even limit itself to US law enforcement – it may be impossible to get statements like this from your home country without being physically present. And for many migrants, a return is dangerous or impossible. They want everybody to be scared, all the time."
Cripes in some cases those agencies don't even exist anymore. Either because the US has bombed the government responsible back to the banging rocks together stage or the country itself no longer exists.
I mean good luck getting documents from the Republic of Biafra, Trucial States, or Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
posted by Mitheral at 10:20 PM on July 22, 2018 [10 favorites]
The Associated Press recently that the agency is hiring dozens of lawyers and immigration officers to review cases of immigrants who are suspected of having lied to officials during the naturalization process.
I hope they start with Melania Trump who illegally worked in the U.S. on a visitor visa before getting her work visa.
Here's how the AP press covered Melania's case right before the 2016 election:
"It is highly unlikely that the discovery will affect the citizenship status of Mrs. Trump. The government can seek to revoke the U.S. citizenship of immigrants after the fact in cases when it determines a person willfully misrepresented or concealed facts relevant to his naturalization. But the government effectively does this in only the most egregious cases, such as instances involving terrorism or war crimes."
Well it seems that the "only most egregious" guideline is no longer in effect.
posted by JackFlash at 10:50 PM on July 22, 2018 [31 favorites]
I hope they start with Melania Trump who illegally worked in the U.S. on a visitor visa before getting her work visa.
Here's how the AP press covered Melania's case right before the 2016 election:
"It is highly unlikely that the discovery will affect the citizenship status of Mrs. Trump. The government can seek to revoke the U.S. citizenship of immigrants after the fact in cases when it determines a person willfully misrepresented or concealed facts relevant to his naturalization. But the government effectively does this in only the most egregious cases, such as instances involving terrorism or war crimes."
Well it seems that the "only most egregious" guideline is no longer in effect.
posted by JackFlash at 10:50 PM on July 22, 2018 [31 favorites]
Thanks for all your hard work Chrysostom.
Also reminder there are 80 million people in Iran and Trump is a sociopathic narcissist who literally does not care even a little about other peoples pain and suffering, and does not see non-Western people as fully human.
But don’t go too far left Democrats, that would be equally crazy.
posted by supercrayon at 10:56 PM on July 22, 2018 [31 favorites]
Also reminder there are 80 million people in Iran and Trump is a sociopathic narcissist who literally does not care even a little about other peoples pain and suffering, and does not see non-Western people as fully human.
But don’t go too far left Democrats, that would be equally crazy.
posted by supercrayon at 10:56 PM on July 22, 2018 [31 favorites]
The reason that sociopathic narcissists are so dangerous, especially when the leader of a cult or other organization, is that they see no difference between the end of their personal power and the literal end of the world. The result is stuff like Jonestown, Waco, etc.
posted by msalt at 11:07 PM on July 22, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by msalt at 11:07 PM on July 22, 2018 [36 favorites]
OK, that's it, I'm going back to bed.
It seems Pompeo started this all with a hawkish speech, so this is something they are actually planning and doing intentionally rather than just reacting randomly.
Let's all hope they just plan to repeat the succes from NK, and not to start a war to distract from the Russia issues.
posted by mumimor at 11:54 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
It seems Pompeo started this all with a hawkish speech, so this is something they are actually planning and doing intentionally rather than just reacting randomly.
Let's all hope they just plan to repeat the succes from NK, and not to start a war to distract from the Russia issues.
posted by mumimor at 11:54 PM on July 22, 2018 [7 favorites]
Unless he really wants to go to war - always a possibility with Bolton around - I expect he thinks getting aggro will get him another summit. Then afterwards Iran can go back to not returning phone calls just like NK.
posted by PenDevil at 12:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by PenDevil at 12:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
From that Guardian link of mumimor, Pompeo:
'Earlier, Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, called Iran’s ruling elite a “mafia” who have amassed vast sums of wealth while allowing their people to suffer.'
H'mm...
posted by Myeral at 12:37 AM on July 23, 2018 [46 favorites]
'Earlier, Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, called Iran’s ruling elite a “mafia” who have amassed vast sums of wealth while allowing their people to suffer.'
H'mm...
posted by Myeral at 12:37 AM on July 23, 2018 [46 favorites]
Also, it would be really comforting to hear, say, Trudeau say, as Pompeo did to Iranians, "People of America, we know your rulers are awful, and we are here to support you."
Canadians say this all the time.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 12:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Canadians say this all the time.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 12:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Chrysostom, you'll still be pasting the full text in-thread, right?
(because I'm wayyy too lazy to click links)
posted by ryanrs at 1:26 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
(because I'm wayyy too lazy to click links)
posted by ryanrs at 1:26 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Chrysostom: I'm going to start cross-posting the ELECTIONS NEWS comments on a separate blog.
Thanks!
posted by kingless at 1:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Thanks!
posted by kingless at 1:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, it would be really comforting to hear, say, Trudeau say, as Pompeo did to Iranians, "People of America, we know your rulers are awful, and we are here to support you."
Canadians say this all the time.
Can confirm. Happened to me at a Toronto farmers market two days ago.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:22 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Canadians say this all the time.
Can confirm. Happened to me at a Toronto farmers market two days ago.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:22 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
(TW: hate speech.)
GOP Lawmaker Jason Spencer Strips Down, Screams ‘N-Word’ on Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Who Is America?’
video excerpt on twitter:
https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1021232242759258112
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
GOP Lawmaker Jason Spencer Strips Down, Screams ‘N-Word’ on Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Who Is America?’
video excerpt on twitter:
https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1021232242759258112
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Notwithstanding the power of U.S. secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports, international trade, and financial transactions, these measures are unlikely to be as effective as those in place prior to the nuclear deal because the international community is no longer united against Iran.
[...]
Thus, despite decades of foreign support, the so-called opposition forces lauded by U.S. hawks have been ineffective in gathering any backing inside the country to be even considered as a viable option to replace the regime.
"easier than a trade war"
posted by infini at 3:05 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
[...]
Thus, despite decades of foreign support, the so-called opposition forces lauded by U.S. hawks have been ineffective in gathering any backing inside the country to be even considered as a viable option to replace the regime.
"easier than a trade war"
posted by infini at 3:05 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
The Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, in a series of tweets has said Al Qaida and Iran have been partners all along; they have been targeting the US and Saudi Arabia for years.
The bald faced irony
posted by infini at 3:35 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
The bald faced irony
posted by infini at 3:35 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
Sounds legit.
@realDonaldTrump
I predict that President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face!
@realDonaldTrump
In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.
@realDonaldTrump
Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected--be careful Republicans!
@realDonaldTrump
Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is.
@realDonaldTrump
@BarackObama will attack Iran in order to get re-elected.
@realDonaldTrump
I always said @BarackObama will attack Iran, in some form, prior to the election.
@realDonaldTrump
@BarackObama will attack Iran in the not too distant future because it will help him win the election.
@realDonaldTrump
Just as I predicted, @BarackObama is preparing a possible attack on Iran right before November.
posted by chris24 at 3:42 AM on July 23, 2018 [128 favorites]
Sounds legit.
@realDonaldTrump
I predict that President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face!
@realDonaldTrump
In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.
@realDonaldTrump
Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected--be careful Republicans!
@realDonaldTrump
Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is.
@realDonaldTrump
@BarackObama will attack Iran in order to get re-elected.
@realDonaldTrump
I always said @BarackObama will attack Iran, in some form, prior to the election.
@realDonaldTrump
@BarackObama will attack Iran in the not too distant future because it will help him win the election.
@realDonaldTrump
Just as I predicted, @BarackObama is preparing a possible attack on Iran right before November.
posted by chris24 at 3:42 AM on July 23, 2018 [128 favorites]
Notwithstanding the power of U.S. secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports, international trade, and financial transactions, these measures are unlikely to be as effective as those in place prior to the nuclear deal because the international community is no longer united against Iran.
[...]
Thus, despite decades of foreign support, the so-called opposition forces lauded by U.S. hawks have been ineffective in gathering any backing inside the country to be even considered as a viable option to replace the regime.
"easier than a trade war"
posted by infini at 3:05 AM on July 23 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Great article! It is totally my impression that the majority of Iranians would rally around their government if attacked, including those who are critical of the government. And they are 80 million people in a huge country.
The Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, in a series of tweets has said Al Qaida and Iran have been partners all along; they have been targeting the US and Saudi Arabia for years.
I think this needs several pounds of salt: American troops (not Saudis) took the Bin Laden files from his home several years ago, and if such evidence had been find I can't see a single reason the Obama administration wouldn't have published it and acted upon it. What they claim are handwritten notes are clearly not handwritten (I don't read Arabic but I do recognize print when I see it). I thought there was proof that Saudi princes were funding Bin Laden, proof that is still redacted from the 9/11 reports?
It's not that I don't think the Iranians could collaborate with ideological enemies if it suited their purposes, but cooperating with Bin Laden seems wildly out of character, and doesn't serve any Iranian interest.
posted by mumimor at 4:27 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
[...]
Thus, despite decades of foreign support, the so-called opposition forces lauded by U.S. hawks have been ineffective in gathering any backing inside the country to be even considered as a viable option to replace the regime.
"easier than a trade war"
posted by infini at 3:05 AM on July 23 [2 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Great article! It is totally my impression that the majority of Iranians would rally around their government if attacked, including those who are critical of the government. And they are 80 million people in a huge country.
The Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, in a series of tweets has said Al Qaida and Iran have been partners all along; they have been targeting the US and Saudi Arabia for years.
I think this needs several pounds of salt: American troops (not Saudis) took the Bin Laden files from his home several years ago, and if such evidence had been find I can't see a single reason the Obama administration wouldn't have published it and acted upon it. What they claim are handwritten notes are clearly not handwritten (I don't read Arabic but I do recognize print when I see it). I thought there was proof that Saudi princes were funding Bin Laden, proof that is still redacted from the 9/11 reports?
It's not that I don't think the Iranians could collaborate with ideological enemies if it suited their purposes, but cooperating with Bin Laden seems wildly out of character, and doesn't serve any Iranian interest.
posted by mumimor at 4:27 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
You don't have to find the claims credible, but the Prince's tweets quite specifically lay out the rationale and aligned interests.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
The will of the people? These Brexit ideologues are destroying democracy, by Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian
I've had this open in a tab for a couple of days, thinking wether to put it here or in the Brexit thread, where it more obviously belongs. These recent developments gets it here, because of the opening:
posted by mumimor at 5:13 AM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
I've had this open in a tab for a couple of days, thinking wether to put it here or in the Brexit thread, where it more obviously belongs. These recent developments gets it here, because of the opening:
First, a confession. One that relates to the current threat facing our democratic way of life and which involves a decision I made nearly 15 years ago. It turns on the unlikely name of Brian. In January 2004, I covered for this newspaper the publication of the Hutton report into one of the most vexed aspects of the Iraq war: the death of the scientist and weapons inspector David Kelly, and the accusation by the BBC that Tony Blair’s government had “sexed up” its dossier on the threat supposedly posed by Saddam Hussein. Lord Hutton exonerated the government entirely, coming down hard on the BBC. Like many other opponents of the invasion of Iraq, I branded the whole exercise a “whitewash”.Freedland reminds us how this all started during Bush/Blair, with their lying to the public and corruption of their respective administrations. I understand his reaction then and his reaction now, but I suspect that in the American system, where judges are political appointees, there is less reason to have faith in the judicial system.
But in the closing paragraphs of the piece, I went further. Who exactly was this bewigged man who had cast a complex dispute so neatly into black and white? What great, mystical insights did he have, really? Wasn’t it possible that he had biases of his own – an instinctive faith in the state and a low regard for journalism, perhaps – that had proved very convenient for the government that had selected him for this task? “These people are human beings like any other,” I wrote. “It seems worth remembering that, before he was a law lord, the judge was plain Brian Hutton.”
I thought I was bravely shattering the mystique of the priesthood we call the judiciary – he’s just a man called Brian! – but afterwards a few people I respected , people no less hostile to the Iraq war, took me to task. They warned that I had taken a small step down a slippery slope, disparaging the system that upholds the rule of law. It’s not perfect, they told me, but it’s all we’ve got.
posted by mumimor at 5:13 AM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
Does anyone have a good article to recommend about what these people (Bolton especially) think will be different in Iran than in Iraq and Afghanistan? Have they even made that argument or are they just ignoring the last 15+ years of unwinnable wars?
posted by Mavri at 5:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Mavri at 5:49 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Nothing will be different, the defense related industries and contractors will simply make even more money off of our taxes.
posted by Harry Caul at 5:51 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 5:51 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
in the American system, where judges are political appointees, there is less reason to have faith in the judicial system.
That is not a universal. Many are elected.
Furthermore, if these are said "Law Lords" they appointed by the PM with a stamp of approval from the Queen. And are drawn from the rather high-altitude ranks of the UK bar.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:52 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
That is not a universal. Many are elected.
Furthermore, if these are said "Law Lords" they appointed by the PM with a stamp of approval from the Queen. And are drawn from the rather high-altitude ranks of the UK bar.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:52 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Or, I guess I shouldn't say what they think will be different but what they say will be different. Enriching defense contractors and killing a lot of Muslims may be all they want, but have they tried at all to argue that a war with Iran would be anything more than that? Are they literally just taking an apocalyptic "war of civilizations" position? Is there even a figleaf argument for how we would win this war?
posted by Mavri at 6:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Mavri at 6:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
I think if there's anything we've learned from the last two years, it's that they no longer need to make excuses in order to justify their class war.
posted by ragtag at 6:08 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by ragtag at 6:08 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Good news: everybody happy, not angry. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.
@realDonaldTrump
A Rocket has not been launched by North Korea in 9 months. Likewise, no Nuclear Tests. Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy. But the Fake News is saying, without ever asking me (always anonymous sources), that I am angry because it is not going fast enough. Wrong, very happy!
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:15 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
A Rocket has not been launched by North Korea in 9 months. Likewise, no Nuclear Tests. Japan is happy, all of Asia is happy. But the Fake News is saying, without ever asking me (always anonymous sources), that I am angry because it is not going fast enough. Wrong, very happy!
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:15 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
class war.
For some stark evidence of this, look at the graph in this article showing the plunge in real wages post-tax cuts.
Bloomberg: Trump’s Tax Cut Hasn’t Done Anything for Workers: Wages were supposed to rise. Instead, they’ve fallen
posted by chris24 at 6:16 AM on July 23, 2018 [38 favorites]
For some stark evidence of this, look at the graph in this article showing the plunge in real wages post-tax cuts.
Bloomberg: Trump’s Tax Cut Hasn’t Done Anything for Workers: Wages were supposed to rise. Instead, they’ve fallen
posted by chris24 at 6:16 AM on July 23, 2018 [38 favorites]
The Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, in a series of tweets has said Al Qaida and Iran have been partners all along;
Iran is Shia. Al Qaida are fanatical Sunnis who see Shia as apostates. The idea that they are working together is beyond stupid.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 6:40 AM on July 23, 2018 [51 favorites]
Iran is Shia. Al Qaida are fanatical Sunnis who see Shia as apostates. The idea that they are working together is beyond stupid.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 6:40 AM on July 23, 2018 [51 favorites]
Bloomberg: Trump’s Tax Cut Hasn’t Done Anything for Workers: Wages were supposed to rise. Instead, they’ve fallen
If they wanted to raise take home pay for the poor and middle class they would have expanded and extended the EITC like Democrats wanted to do with the GAIN Act of 2017. It's dirt cheap compared to the Trump tax cuts (you could double the EITC for $140b a year) and 100% of the tax cuts would go back into consumption vs corporate tax cuts which have gone back into CEO bonuses and stock buybacks which is money which practically sits around doing nothing.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:41 AM on July 23, 2018 [31 favorites]
If they wanted to raise take home pay for the poor and middle class they would have expanded and extended the EITC like Democrats wanted to do with the GAIN Act of 2017. It's dirt cheap compared to the Trump tax cuts (you could double the EITC for $140b a year) and 100% of the tax cuts would go back into consumption vs corporate tax cuts which have gone back into CEO bonuses and stock buybacks which is money which practically sits around doing nothing.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:41 AM on July 23, 2018 [31 favorites]
Furthermore, if these are said "Law Lords" they appointed by the PM with a stamp of approval from the Queen.
There are no more Law Lords, not since 2009.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:55 AM on July 23, 2018
There are no more Law Lords, not since 2009.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:55 AM on July 23, 2018
Aha, that date helped -- apparently these were them. I don't have a good sense of how "political" they would have been as a part of the House of Lords, versus the standard "Lord/Lady Justices" (appointed by the PM per the link above) or the various methods in use in the US.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:02 AM on July 23, 2018
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:02 AM on July 23, 2018
Iran is Shia. Al Qaida are fanatical Sunnis who see Shia as apostates. The idea that they are working together is beyond stupid.
Meh. Saudi Arabia is the world center of Wahhabism and, in principle, as "fanatically" opposed to the idea of a Jewish state as Qaida is to the Shia of Iran. And yet somehow the Saudis manage to collaborate with Israel when faced with the perception of a common interest and a common enemy, however sub rosa the contact.
I'm not saying KBS is being anything but mendacious here, but not because it's outright impossible for parties that despise each other to connive at temporary alignment in the way suggested.
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
Meh. Saudi Arabia is the world center of Wahhabism and, in principle, as "fanatically" opposed to the idea of a Jewish state as Qaida is to the Shia of Iran. And yet somehow the Saudis manage to collaborate with Israel when faced with the perception of a common interest and a common enemy, however sub rosa the contact.
I'm not saying KBS is being anything but mendacious here, but not because it's outright impossible for parties that despise each other to connive at temporary alignment in the way suggested.
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:02 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
A Reminder from May this year
John (“Bomb Iran”) Bolton, the New Warmonger in the White House.
Bolton wrote a piece in the Times entitled “To Stop Iran’s Bomb, Bomb Iran.”
posted by adamvasco at 7:04 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
John (“Bomb Iran”) Bolton, the New Warmonger in the White House.
Bolton wrote a piece in the Times entitled “To Stop Iran’s Bomb, Bomb Iran.”
posted by adamvasco at 7:04 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Iran is Shia. Al Qaida are fanatical Sunnis who see Shia as apostates. The idea that they are working together is beyond stupid.
The Sunni/Shia divide is an extremely simplistic lens through which to view internecine relations in the Muslim world. It does define the broad strokes, but people are willing to look past their sectarian strife for temporary tactical advantage against other enemies, for example.
Now, I have no idea about the links between Iran and Al Qaida, and I suspect the point overall is just to use the american bogeyman Al Qaida to demonize Iran, but you can't dismiss a theory just because of a conflict in the strain of Islam of the two groups.
posted by dis_integration at 7:06 AM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Sunni/Shia divide is an extremely simplistic lens through which to view internecine relations in the Muslim world. It does define the broad strokes, but people are willing to look past their sectarian strife for temporary tactical advantage against other enemies, for example.
Now, I have no idea about the links between Iran and Al Qaida, and I suspect the point overall is just to use the american bogeyman Al Qaida to demonize Iran, but you can't dismiss a theory just because of a conflict in the strain of Islam of the two groups.
posted by dis_integration at 7:06 AM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
On the Bloomberg tax cut article, did they show the change in median wages? Average hourly wages slipping from >102 to >100 is bad. But who the hell is making $100 an hour?
Median wages probably fell off a goddamn cliff.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Median wages probably fell off a goddamn cliff.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Now, I have no idea about the links between Iran and Al Qaida, and I suspect the point overall is just to use the american bogeyman Al Qaida to demonize Iran, but you can't dismiss a theory just because of a conflict in the strain of Islam of the two groups.
There's not no connection there:
There's not no connection there:
Al Qaeda and Iran have a very complex relationship. The terror cell is extremist Sunnis, while Iran is majority Shia; the two sides tend to hate each other with a violent passion. Al Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan has attacked Shia with a vengeance. But they find common cause in their mutual hatred of America; both can see the virtue in having more anti-U.S. violence, whatever the source. The two sides have engaged in quiet tactical cooperation dating back to the mid-1990s.And from back in the day:
Commission investigators found that Iran had a history of allowing al-Qaeda members to enter and exit Iran across the Afghan border. This practice dated back to October 2000, with Iranian officials issuing specific instructions to their border guards—in some cases not to put stamps in the passports of al-Qaeda personnel—and otherwise not harass them and to facilitate their travel across the frontier.posted by BungaDunga at 7:19 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Having a common enemy in the US makes for strange bedfellows. The Atlantic, from last year: Al-Qaeda Has Rebuilt Itself—With Iran's Help.
Any expedient enemy-of-my-enemy exchanges between Iran and Zawahari, however, pales in comparison to the potential for triggering a war by Trump's sabre-rattling and would-be warmongering.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Any expedient enemy-of-my-enemy exchanges between Iran and Zawahari, however, pales in comparison to the potential for triggering a war by Trump's sabre-rattling and would-be warmongering.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Average hourly wages slipping from >102 to >100 is bad. But who the hell is making $100 an hour?
FWIW, that graph isn't measured in dollars; it's measured in an index normalized to the average real wages in 2009. "100" is just parity with where we were in 2009 (which wasn't that great).
posted by jackbishop at 7:23 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
FWIW, that graph isn't measured in dollars; it's measured in an index normalized to the average real wages in 2009. "100" is just parity with where we were in 2009 (which wasn't that great).
posted by jackbishop at 7:23 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
But who the hell is making $100 an hour?
That chart is just showing an index score (with 2009 indexed to 100)--it's not actually intended to show a dollar value. It only shows change over time, rather than the value of earnings.
posted by Emera Gratia at 7:24 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
That chart is just showing an index score (with 2009 indexed to 100)--it's not actually intended to show a dollar value. It only shows change over time, rather than the value of earnings.
posted by Emera Gratia at 7:24 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
chris24: NYT (Michelle Goldberg) -- If the N.R.A. was compromised by Russia, the whole party's in trouble.
If the N.R.A. was a beacon of logical conservatism, we're already in trouble.
T.D. Strange: In which the head of the RNC has no fucking clue about basic American history
I'm sure there's some "both sides" you could dig up, but Republicans are super fond of revising history. The shining examples are pretending that they're the party of Lincoln, when the party identities were pretty much swapped with the adoption of the Southern strategy, when the Republicans thought it was a great idea to focus on racism to stir up rabid support.
Seth Meyers: Hey Stefon, did you hear the latest on the GOP vs FBI feud?
Stefon: Yes Seth. It's a hot new document, called the application to use the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Sorry, punchy from weird political coverage from NPR. But to be honest, it's not any weirder than our fooking president's tweets.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:28 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
If the N.R.A. was a beacon of logical conservatism, we're already in trouble.
T.D. Strange: In which the head of the RNC has no fucking clue about basic American history
I'm sure there's some "both sides" you could dig up, but Republicans are super fond of revising history. The shining examples are pretending that they're the party of Lincoln, when the party identities were pretty much swapped with the adoption of the Southern strategy, when the Republicans thought it was a great idea to focus on racism to stir up rabid support.
Seth Meyers: Hey Stefon, did you hear the latest on the GOP vs FBI feud?
Stefon: Yes Seth. It's a hot new document, called the application to use the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Sorry, punchy from weird political coverage from NPR. But to be honest, it's not any weirder than our fooking president's tweets.
The dispute over the document boils down to this: did the Justice Department and the FBI violate the rights of a onetime junior foreign policy aide to the Donald Trump campaign, Carter Page?The article goes on to provide a good recap for those who haven't been following all the stupid twists and turns in this real-life political thriller, like those of us living in these political mega-threads. And it ends with this summary:
Page, Trump and Republicans say yes — federal law enforcement officers abused their power.
DOJ and FBI officials say no. They've defended the practices of investigators and officials who, in the autumn of 2016, asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for permission to begin collecting Page's electronic communications.
The FBI was investigating the Russian attack on the election and it believed that Page — and potentially other people working for Trump — were conspiring with that attack.
Trump, then and now, denies there was any collusion between his campaign and Russia's active measures. He also has been waging a months-long attack of his own against federal law enforcement, including most recently with snicker quotes in a tweet that alluded to the Department of "Justice."Congratulations to @JudicialWatch and @TomFitton on being successful in getting the Carter Page FISA documents. As usual they are ridiculously heavily redacted but confirm with little doubt that the Department of “Justice” and FBI misled the courts. Witch Hunt Rigged, a Scam!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2018
What the document released on Saturday does not detail is much of the rest of the story, or how much the FBI knew about Page's activities in 2016 that did not involve the reporting from Steele.If it's blacked out, you would assume it's something that's not yet common knowledge.
Entire sections of the file, including one under the heading "Clandestine intelligence activities of the Russian Federation," are blacked out.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:28 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Fun on Fox & Friends: They thought they'd booked the only pro-ICE Democrat running to replace retiring Nikki Tsongas in MA-03, only they screwed up and got Barbara L'Italien, one of the candidates who is against ripping children from their parents, as the Daily Beast shows us.
posted by adamg at 7:30 AM on July 23, 2018 [40 favorites]
posted by adamg at 7:30 AM on July 23, 2018 [40 favorites]
chris24: From Texas Republican congressman Will Hurd.
NYT: Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
chris24: accepting help from or working with Rs is not the same as exonerating them.
Except his solution is inform the public and hope the president shares his feelings. Fuck that, we're so far beyond informing the public and hoping. This is like the thoughts and prayers following mass shootings -- DEEDS NOT WORDS.
And the deed I'm thinking about starts with "im" and ends with "peach" -- and I'll save you the NYT click by noting that this isn't brought up in his opinion piece.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:42 AM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
NYT: Trump Is Being Manipulated by Putin. What Should We Do?
The president’s failure to defend the United States intelligence community’s unanimous conclusions of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and condemn Russian covert counterinfluence campaigns and his standing idle on the world stage while a Russian dictator spouted lies confused many but should concern all Americans. By playing into Vladimir Putin’s hands, the leader of the free world actively participated in a Russian disinformation campaign that legitimized Russian denial and weakened the credibility of the United States to both our friends and foes abroad.All emphasis mine
As a member of Congress, a coequal branch of government designed by our founders to provide checks and balances on the executive branch, I believe that lawmakers must fulfill our oversight duty as well as keep the American people informed of the current danger.
...
As a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, I strongly believe in the importance of Congress’s oversight responsibilities and will work with my colleagues to ensure that the administration is taking the Russian threat seriously.
Without action, we risk losing further credibility in international negotiations with both our friends and foes on critical trade deals, military alliances and nuclear arms.
In this dangerous geopolitical environment, we must be both vigilant and strong in responding to foreign threats. The challenges posed by Russia are no different, and I hope the president shares my conviction that American strength, not weakness, is the best way to preserve a secure world in the face of adversaries like Russia.
chris24: accepting help from or working with Rs is not the same as exonerating them.
Except his solution is inform the public and hope the president shares his feelings. Fuck that, we're so far beyond informing the public and hoping. This is like the thoughts and prayers following mass shootings -- DEEDS NOT WORDS.
And the deed I'm thinking about starts with "im" and ends with "peach" -- and I'll save you the NYT click by noting that this isn't brought up in his opinion piece.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:42 AM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
2.5 Billion Pounds of Meat Piles Up in U.S. as Production Grows, Exports Slow
Meat is piling up in U.S. cold-storage warehouses, fueled by a surge in supplies and trade disputes that are eroding demand.posted by octothorpe at 7:56 AM on July 23, 2018 [22 favorites]
Federal data, coming as early as Monday, are expected to show a record level of beef, pork, poultry and turkey being stockpiled in U.S. facilities, rising above 2.5 billion pounds, agricultural analysts said.
U.S. consumers’ appetite for meat is growing, but not fast enough to keep up with record production of hogs and chickens. That leaves the U.S. meat industry increasingly reliant on exports, but Mexico and China—among the largest foreign buyers of U.S. meat—have both set tariffs on U.S. pork products in response to U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum and other goods. U.S. hams, chops and livers have become sharply more expensive in those markets, which is starting to slow sales, industry officials said.
I believe that lawmakers must fulfill our oversight duty
Maybe he means the noun form of "overlook", not "oversee". That would explain the (lack of) action.
posted by jackbishop at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Maybe he means the noun form of "overlook", not "oversee". That would explain the (lack of) action.
posted by jackbishop at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
If it's blacked out, you would assume it's something that's not yet common knowledge.
That is not a valid assumption. Many "secrets" are not secret in themselves but known facts that an agency do not want correlated or to have others know that the agency has correlated or associated.
posted by sammyo at 8:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [11 favorites]
That is not a valid assumption. Many "secrets" are not secret in themselves but known facts that an agency do not want correlated or to have others know that the agency has correlated or associated.
posted by sammyo at 8:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [11 favorites]
sammyo, thanks for the clarification.
File under "all their crimes will not be known, by their own design" (we'll have to make that file header shorter): Ex-White House Stenographer: With No Official Transcript, Trump Can Muddle The Truth (NPR, July 23, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:22 AM on July 23, 2018 [54 favorites]
File under "all their crimes will not be known, by their own design" (we'll have to make that file header shorter): Ex-White House Stenographer: With No Official Transcript, Trump Can Muddle The Truth (NPR, July 23, 2018)
In an interview with Noel King for NPR's Morning Edition, Dorey-Stein says "everything changed" with the inauguration of President Trump, whose team "didn't know that stenographers existed." She recounts how during the transition, it took her boss multiple tries before she was even able to get past a young press wrangler to introduce herself to the incoming West Wing staff.We already have numerous examples of redactions from White House records, as seen in Russian-sourced transcripts of US-Russian conversations.
Things didn't improve much from there. In a New York Times op-ed published last week, Dorey-Stein writes about how Stephanie Grisham, now the communications director for the first lady, told a colleague that White House stenographers would not be needed often, because "there would be video."
"This seems like a fair point," says Dorey-Stein, "unless you really know audio." The audio that's taken from media video might change or get trimmed during the editing process, she says. "We see that with music videos, so the idea of it just being like, 'Oh, of course, we can just have this on video,' it's not the same."
"We type up our transcripts from our audio, so it hasn't been tampered with and it not only goes to the press office, the press, but also the presidential archive," she says. "That's really important to have an accurate recording at all times, especially when the press is involved, just to make sure that we are recording the truth and that no one has complicated that."
posted by filthy light thief at 8:22 AM on July 23, 2018 [54 favorites]
LA Times with a pre-rundown for what I am going to call A Month of Manafort.
posted by Harry Caul at 8:31 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 8:31 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Chrysostom: Sen Brian Schatz [D-HI] and his plan to pull 2020 Democratic contenders to the left.
And on the party split, party affiliation is decreasing, with a higher percentage of people identifying as independent rather than Democrat or Republican (Gallup on-going poll records).
posted by filthy light thief at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2018 [26 favorites]
There are 17 months before the first presidential nominating contests of 2020, and 27 months before Democrats could have a reasonable shot at taking back power in D.C. more broadly. But Schatz is already pushing fellow senators to commit, on the record, to backing his proposals on issues from healthcare to climate, and college affordability to Social Security, before primary season explodes into a carnival of gauzy debate-stage promises and shifting goalposts.Sounds more like a moderated pull to the left, thinking plans like "Medicare for All" is too polarizing, when a new poll found that a majority of Americans support a radical change to the US healthcare system (Bob Bryan for Business Insider, Mar. 28, 2018)
“I want Democrats in the Senate, Democrats running for Congress, to rally around an aggressive, progressive agenda. And it’s not a gotcha, litmus test–style agenda, but one that, if we enact it, would be on a scale that is equal to the problems, and has the ability to actually motivate voters. They know that we are in unusual times, and that being aggressive, and clear, and not doing half-measures is what these times call for,” explained Schatz, folded into a leather armchair in his office, in the back corner of the seventh floor of Capitol Hill’s Hart Senate Office Building, with bright blue fish-patterned socks poking out of his navy suit. “I also think it’s the best way to win.”
The plan has already worked on a pair of issues that have been central to the party’s post-2016 move to the left.
In 2017, after a summer of rage over the future of healthcare policy, Schatz saw a window to offer his own prescription for the party — one that was free of the political baggage associated with Bernie Sanders’s Medicare for All proposal, and which would fit in with most Democrats’ stated mission of saving (and fixing) Obamacare. He set about searching for colleagues in the Senate who would support a pitch that would give individual states the power to build individualized Medicaid buy-in options for their residents, of all incomes. By the time he introduced a bill in October, 18 colleagues had agreed to put their name to it, including potential 2020 heavyweights and contenders like New Jersey’s Booker, California’s Harris, New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand, Massachusetts’s Elizabeth Warren, Oregon’s Jeff Merkley, and Sanders himself — the six senators believed to be considering 2020 bids most seriously. It had become one of the party’s most popular healthcare pitches, moving it squarely into the left’s mainstream and making it even likelier to be a proposal Democratic primary voters hear plenty about next year.
Within months, Schatz had turned his attention to the idea of debt-free college, yet another topic central to the rise of the party’s left flank during Sanders’s 2016 campaign. But believing that his colleagues needed a bolder vision to make higher education affordable if they wanted to connect with the young voters they so desperately sought, he decided to try selling them on a plan that would use a federal matching program for states’ expenditures to cover not just students’ tuitions, but also housing, books, and other expenses. When, in March, he formally introduced the bill, the 2020 crowd was again largely by his side: Booker, Harris, Gillibrand, Warren, and Merkley were co-sponsors.
- A new poll found 59% of Americans support a "national Medicare-for-all plan."
- The plan is similar to a proposal made by Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 presidential campaign.
- Support for the idea is split along party lines, with only 36% of Republicans in favor.
- "Do you favor or oppose having a national health plan, or Medicare-for-all, in which all Americans would get their insurance from a single government plan? (favor: 59% / oppose: 38% / don't know/refused: 3%) to
- Do you favor or oppose having a national Medicare-for-all plan open to anyone who wants it but people who currently have other coverage could keep what they have? (favor: 75% / oppose: 20% / don't know/refused: 5%)
And on the party split, party affiliation is decreasing, with a higher percentage of people identifying as independent rather than Democrat or Republican (Gallup on-going poll records).
posted by filthy light thief at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2018 [26 favorites]
In other words, stop trying to make progressive goals more central as policy planks, because I believe the value of policy planks are to push the boundaries of what could be set, and then agree to something more moderate when it comes to actually crafting the laws.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:40 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by filthy light thief at 8:40 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
Thread:
Maggie Haberman:posted by T.D. Strange at 8:54 AM on July 23, 2018 [130 favorites]
Where are people getting the impression she is an access journalist and Trump shill?
Baffling?
Let's take a closer look.
...
Of course you could disregard the fact that Maggie Haberman wrote 94 articles on Hillary's emails & Benghazi (combined) and ZERO on Trump's longstanding connections to mafia/mob/Felix Sater/racism. That in itself might be a coincidence. What's not a coincidence is every time Donald Trump has got himself into serious hot water, Maggie Haberman has been on hand to lend a helping hand.
2011: Birtherism & Maggie runs PR piece stating how rich he is.
2016: Access Hollywood & Maggie runs a sympathy piece.
2017: Obamacare Repeal fail and Donald calls Maggie to give a world exclusive interview.
2017: Charlottesville "both sides" & Maggie runs "not racist" piece.
Is Maggie Haberman a shill for Donald Trump? Has she carried water for him? The answer depends on your perspective but she definitely relies on access to Trump World. What I do know is when Donald is in trouble he runs to Maggie to get his side of the story out. For a guy who criticizes the Fake News media so much, it's interesting he has given Maggie over 20 on record exclusive interviews over the last 7 years. I have little doubt "John Barron" was one of her many anonymous sources over the years. I could have included dozens of other examples in this thread but the pattern and theme is clear for all to see. Stating it's "impossible to independently verify" someone's net worth and then writing an article emphatically stating their net worth to be 3x higher than Forbes estimates, based on one anonymous source in the Trump Organization..
That isn't journalism. That is free PR work.
Writing an article asserting someone is not a racist because he once dated a biracial woman and once had some black friends, while ignoring mountains of evidence of racism...
That isn't journalism. That is free PR work.
Writing a combined 94 articles on Hillary's emails & Benghazi whilst writing a princely ZERO on a whole range of Trump scandals from his past...
That isn't balanced journalism. It isn't even PR work at that point.
It is glorified campaigning by stealth.
Some people have told me to lighten up. That sure Maggie kissed up to Donald with nice articles because she was relying on the inside access he gave to her. Fine. That's not journalism though. If that's the job she wanted, she could have applied for Sarah Sanders job. It is a common and infuriating misconception that the NYT and WaPo were running interference for Hillary. The evidence actually shows the key players in both NYT and WaPo were actively undermining her campaign by relentlessly pursuing her foundation/emails/Benghazi... ...whilst simultaneously ignoring glaring issues with the Trump foundation/Russia connections/mafia connections/sexual abuse allegations.
It's actually frightening (and impressive) how a lot of journalists with long connections to Trump ended up being so influential.
Uh. Are they sure Senator Schatz isn’t considering a 2020 bid?
posted by schadenfrau at 8:55 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 8:55 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
On wages, think about this. 1980 is the year that wages stopped increasing with productivity. If wages had kept up with productivity since then minimum wage would now be $21.72 and hour.
Asking for a minimum wage of $15/hour is actually asking for **LESS** than minimum wage should be.
Make it personal. Find your wage per hour. If wages had kept up with productivity minimum wage would be $21.72/hour. Minimum wage is currently $7.25/hour. 21.72/7.25 = 2.99.
Multiply your hourly wage by 2.99. That's how much you'd be earning if the rich hadn't stolen very close to 100% of the new wealth created since 1980.
I make $20.50/hour. 20.5*2.99 = $61.41/hour.
That's how much money I'd be making if the billionaire class hadn't stolen all the new wealth.
And, never forget, the billionaires would still be crazy rich if they hadn't taken all the new wealth for their bloated bank accounts. You could cut Jeff Bezos' net worth by 80% and he'd literally never notice. His standard of living would be identical. They stole all the money and they aren't even spending it on yachts, they're just watching a meaningless number go up.
So, yeah, class warfare.
Part of the issue is that the Democratic Party basically abandoned economic justice. It was never really a priority, despite leftists pushing for it. That's why we've made progress (not enough, but a lot) on social issues, but we've lost ground on economic issues.
But remember that factor 2.99. Or heck, just round it up to three.
That's how much money the billionaires stole from you. Triple your current income. If wages had gone up to match productivity you'd be making three times what you're making right now.
Make it personal, and never forget. Those fuckers stole your money, your lifestyle, your education and your children's education and vacations. Never forget that they **OWE** you for that.
posted by sotonohito at 8:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [194 favorites]
Asking for a minimum wage of $15/hour is actually asking for **LESS** than minimum wage should be.
Make it personal. Find your wage per hour. If wages had kept up with productivity minimum wage would be $21.72/hour. Minimum wage is currently $7.25/hour. 21.72/7.25 = 2.99.
Multiply your hourly wage by 2.99. That's how much you'd be earning if the rich hadn't stolen very close to 100% of the new wealth created since 1980.
I make $20.50/hour. 20.5*2.99 = $61.41/hour.
That's how much money I'd be making if the billionaire class hadn't stolen all the new wealth.
And, never forget, the billionaires would still be crazy rich if they hadn't taken all the new wealth for their bloated bank accounts. You could cut Jeff Bezos' net worth by 80% and he'd literally never notice. His standard of living would be identical. They stole all the money and they aren't even spending it on yachts, they're just watching a meaningless number go up.
So, yeah, class warfare.
Part of the issue is that the Democratic Party basically abandoned economic justice. It was never really a priority, despite leftists pushing for it. That's why we've made progress (not enough, but a lot) on social issues, but we've lost ground on economic issues.
But remember that factor 2.99. Or heck, just round it up to three.
That's how much money the billionaires stole from you. Triple your current income. If wages had gone up to match productivity you'd be making three times what you're making right now.
Make it personal, and never forget. Those fuckers stole your money, your lifestyle, your education and your children's education and vacations. Never forget that they **OWE** you for that.
posted by sotonohito at 8:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [194 favorites]
> Are they sure Senator Schatz isn’t considering a 2020 bid?
First Obama, then that Hawaiian judge who said we couldn't have a Muslim ban, and now Schatz? This ongoing oppression by Hawaii shall not stand! /s
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:58 AM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
First Obama, then that Hawaiian judge who said we couldn't have a Muslim ban, and now Schatz? This ongoing oppression by Hawaii shall not stand! /s
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:58 AM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
Nancy Pelosi’s last stand - Ella Nilsen, Vox.
“We always assume Pelosi will be challenged,” a senior Democratic aide told Vox. “No one can beat her in the caucus; that is the fundamental problem.”posted by ZeusHumms at 9:20 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
Pelosi has been in Congress since 1987 and on the Democratic leadership team (starting as House minority whip) since 2002. Elected as the first female House speaker in 2007, she has a reputation both for keeping her caucus in line and for getting major pieces of legislation passed.
...
The biggest part of Pelosi’s legacy is inextricably linked with that of former President Barack Obama. Pelosi was a key steward of the Affordable Care Act, helping shepherd the massive health care bill through Congress, and was instrumental in passing the Dodd-Frank regulatory banking bill and fiscal stimulus to help restart the economy following the 2008 financial crisis.
...
Pelosi herself has said that she wouldn’t be so focused on running for the speakership post-2018 if she weren’t afraid that the Affordable Care Act would be dismantled, something the Trump administration is very actively trying to do.
“If Hillary had won and the Affordable Care Act was protected — I feel very proprietary about the Affordable Care Act,” Pelosi told Rolling Stone recently. “She’d be a woman in charge, the Affordable Care Act [would be] protected. I could have happily gone home. It’s just a question of, ‘Who can fight this man who’s in the White House? Who really knows the territory?’ None of us is indispensable, but some of us have more experience and confidence in how to get the job done.”
In other words, Pelosi wants to leave on her own terms, when she feels her legacy is secure.
Trump to Seek Repeal of California's Smog-Fighting Power
The proposal, expected to be released this week, amounts to a frontal assault on one of former President Barack Obama’s signature regulatory programs to curb greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. It also sets up a high-stakes battle over California’s unique ability to combat air pollution and, if finalized, is sure to set off a protracted courtroom battle.posted by T.D. Strange at 9:22 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
The proposed revamp would also put the brakes on federal rules to boost fuel efficiency into the next decade, said the people, who asked to not be identified discussing the proposals before they are public. Instead it will cap federal fuel economy requirements at the 2020 level, which under federal law must be at least a 35-mile-per-gallon fleet average, rather than letting them rise to roughly 50 mpg by 2025 as envisioned in the plan left behind by Obama, according to the people.
As part of the effort, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose revoking the Clean Air Act waiver granted to California that has allowed the state to regulate carbon emissions from vehicle tailpipes and force carmakers to sell electric vehicles in the state in higher numbers, according to three people familiar with the plan.
In other words, Pelosi wants to leave on her own terms, when she feels her legacy is secure.
That's pretty snide. I read her quote to mean maybe she'd like to retire but she feels she can't until health care for all Americans is secure.
posted by M-x shell at 9:31 AM on July 23, 2018 [39 favorites]
That's pretty snide. I read her quote to mean maybe she'd like to retire but she feels she can't until health care for all Americans is secure.
posted by M-x shell at 9:31 AM on July 23, 2018 [39 favorites]
That is free PR work.
I see no reason to assume “free.”
posted by Sys Rq at 9:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
I see no reason to assume “free.”
posted by Sys Rq at 9:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
Note that a repeal of California's waiver would have repercussions far beyond California; under the Clean Air Act only California can set new vehicle standards that are stricter than EPA's, but once it sets those standards other states are free to start using them instead of the federal numbers.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:44 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:44 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
Trump to Seek Repeal of California's Smog-Fighting Power
In case it isn't sufficiently clear yet, "states rights" was always a sham (see the infamous Atwater interview).
Now that they're in position to set Federal policy and control the Supreme Court we are going to see Warren era commerce-clause juridprudence turned on its head, rather than just trimmed back as was the right's goal during the Rhenquist era.
Penumbral rights and VAWA and etc. regulation as impacting commerce out, dormant commerce clause (restraining states from imposing 'undue burdens') in.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
In case it isn't sufficiently clear yet, "states rights" was always a sham (see the infamous Atwater interview).
Now that they're in position to set Federal policy and control the Supreme Court we are going to see Warren era commerce-clause juridprudence turned on its head, rather than just trimmed back as was the right's goal during the Rhenquist era.
Penumbral rights and VAWA and etc. regulation as impacting commerce out, dormant commerce clause (restraining states from imposing 'undue burdens') in.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
That is free PR work.
---
I see no reason to assume “free.”
She has at least a six - possibly seven - figure book advance.
posted by chris24 at 9:48 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
---
I see no reason to assume “free.”
She has at least a six - possibly seven - figure book advance.
posted by chris24 at 9:48 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH
I don't know about a band name, but this is definitely my next album title.
posted by delfin at 10:12 AM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
I don't know about a band name, but this is definitely my next album title.
posted by delfin at 10:12 AM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
Word is that Rouhani was rendered speechless by Trump's crazy rant. Persian doesn't have caps.
posted by JackFlash at 10:18 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by JackFlash at 10:18 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Manafort continues his hot streak in court.
CNN: Judge grants immunity for five witnesses in Manafort case
posted by chris24 at 10:19 AM on July 23, 2018 [37 favorites]
CNN: Judge grants immunity for five witnesses in Manafort case
posted by chris24 at 10:19 AM on July 23, 2018 [37 favorites]
Pelosi herself has said that she wouldn’t be so focused on running for the speakership post-2018 if she weren’t afraid that the Affordable Care Act would be dismantled, something the Trump administration is very actively trying to do.
If you're Speaker/House Minority Leader and you turn 65 stick an honorary Emeritus after the position, bring someone up, and help build the fucking bench. There's still plenty you can do, yes, but we need the younger generation being built up (and we're way behind on this), and educated on how to get things done, otherwise the next Democratic generation is going to get slaughtered in everyday House politics by whatever far-right zealots the Tea Party red districts can push into the Capitol. They've already got an 8 year head start on us. Mark Meadows is 58 and king of his (very influential and indispensable) caucus.
The progressive caucus wants to be a caucus? Be a fucking caucus. Without looking up Google, who are the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus? 99% of people probably can't answer that question. Why? Because Mark Pocan and Raúl Grijalva are literally pieces of furniture. The last substantiave time either of them appeared on TV, giving interviews, spreading messages, answering questions was Pocan on Tucker back in February.
Mark Meadows gets in front of the cameras and he does whatever it takes to push his agenda. And it works. Where are our people? We call the ideological fight upthread trench warfare. Where is any semblance of strategy or pressure for our side's trenches? Why aren't ambitious and driven Democrats the highest ranking members of the Progressive Caucus in front of cameras and pushing for mindshare? They should be constantly on MSNBC and CNN with messages! Medicare for All is great! It works in other countries! You ask other countries if they want their system or ours and they say theirs every time! We can do this!
Not only that, groom people for leadership roles. The Democrats of today seem to be nothing but terrified of the far-left and their derision of "establishment" Democrats and things like succession orders. I'm not saying that people should "wait their turn" but that people of natural talent or ambition should be allowed to hone their skills in preparation for future roles. If people can run insurgently in a fair primary race because of what they believe then recognize this same talent or ambition and offer them the ability to be brought onto the bench. Not everyone has to be a firebrand, someone has to do the actual work of legislating, but god dammit, competent legislating is not the only thing that the House Democratic Caucus needs right now.
People laugh at the sentiment of "I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!" because it's fucking true. 2010 should have been a god damned wakeup call that the job wasn't done and we needed to unite and not falter in the courage of our convictions. How are we 8 years down the road from our biggest defeat in history and still so fucking bad at this?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:28 AM on July 23, 2018 [55 favorites]
If you're Speaker/House Minority Leader and you turn 65 stick an honorary Emeritus after the position, bring someone up, and help build the fucking bench. There's still plenty you can do, yes, but we need the younger generation being built up (and we're way behind on this), and educated on how to get things done, otherwise the next Democratic generation is going to get slaughtered in everyday House politics by whatever far-right zealots the Tea Party red districts can push into the Capitol. They've already got an 8 year head start on us. Mark Meadows is 58 and king of his (very influential and indispensable) caucus.
The progressive caucus wants to be a caucus? Be a fucking caucus. Without looking up Google, who are the chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus? 99% of people probably can't answer that question. Why? Because Mark Pocan and Raúl Grijalva are literally pieces of furniture. The last substantiave time either of them appeared on TV, giving interviews, spreading messages, answering questions was Pocan on Tucker back in February.
Mark Meadows gets in front of the cameras and he does whatever it takes to push his agenda. And it works. Where are our people? We call the ideological fight upthread trench warfare. Where is any semblance of strategy or pressure for our side's trenches? Why aren't ambitious and driven Democrats the highest ranking members of the Progressive Caucus in front of cameras and pushing for mindshare? They should be constantly on MSNBC and CNN with messages! Medicare for All is great! It works in other countries! You ask other countries if they want their system or ours and they say theirs every time! We can do this!
Not only that, groom people for leadership roles. The Democrats of today seem to be nothing but terrified of the far-left and their derision of "establishment" Democrats and things like succession orders. I'm not saying that people should "wait their turn" but that people of natural talent or ambition should be allowed to hone their skills in preparation for future roles. If people can run insurgently in a fair primary race because of what they believe then recognize this same talent or ambition and offer them the ability to be brought onto the bench. Not everyone has to be a firebrand, someone has to do the actual work of legislating, but god dammit, competent legislating is not the only thing that the House Democratic Caucus needs right now.
People laugh at the sentiment of "I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!" because it's fucking true. 2010 should have been a god damned wakeup call that the job wasn't done and we needed to unite and not falter in the courage of our convictions. How are we 8 years down the road from our biggest defeat in history and still so fucking bad at this?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:28 AM on July 23, 2018 [55 favorites]
I read her quote to mean maybe she'd like to retire but she feels she can't until health care for all Americans is secure.
I'm pretty sure that there are laws against the undead holding Senate seats, Strom Thurmond notwithstanding.
posted by delfin at 10:32 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that there are laws against the undead holding Senate seats, Strom Thurmond notwithstanding.
posted by delfin at 10:32 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure that there are laws against the undead holding Senate seats, Strom Thurmond notwithstanding.
He wasn't undead, he was animatronic.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:32 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
He wasn't undead, he was animatronic.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 10:32 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
The resumption of sanctions is unlikely to destroy the regime or change its policies in the region. The US does not rule the world. But sanctions will almost certainly undermine moderation and reinforce conservatism within Iran. It will make an Iranian bomb more, not less, likely.
More serious is what it will do for the cohesion of the west. No one else has reneged on the Iran deal. Yet Trump says that anyone who not only disagrees with America, but fails to conform to America’s sanctions, will in turn be sanctioned. Any company dealing with Iran from November will be denied access to American markets, as possibly might those dealing with them. For US companies to be banned from Iran is one thing. For the world to be banned is another.
posted by infini at 10:41 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
More serious is what it will do for the cohesion of the west. No one else has reneged on the Iran deal. Yet Trump says that anyone who not only disagrees with America, but fails to conform to America’s sanctions, will in turn be sanctioned. Any company dealing with Iran from November will be denied access to American markets, as possibly might those dealing with them. For US companies to be banned from Iran is one thing. For the world to be banned is another.
posted by infini at 10:41 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
That whole Five Nights of Strom still gives me nightmares.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 10:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
On the Endangered Species Act front, I just got forwarded an email from a professional organization for environmental restoration and preservation. They claim to have news that Department of the Interior is planning to rescind the policy allowing the Fish and Wildlife Service to require compensatory mitigation for projects impacting endangered species, and not replace it.
posted by agentofselection at 10:45 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by agentofselection at 10:45 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
John Bolton backs Trump's Iran threat: 'They will pay a price'
Bolton’s statement was designed to show that Trump’s unexpectedly belligerent tweet was not a random act, or empty bluster but part of a considered move by the US administration to step up the economic, political and psychological pressure on Iran.
While the lede is clickbaity, the bottom of the article quotes numerous iranian sources and is worth a read
posted by infini at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Bolton’s statement was designed to show that Trump’s unexpectedly belligerent tweet was not a random act, or empty bluster but part of a considered move by the US administration to step up the economic, political and psychological pressure on Iran.
While the lede is clickbaity, the bottom of the article quotes numerous iranian sources and is worth a read
posted by infini at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
In other words, Pelosi wants to leave on her own terms, when she feels her legacy is secure.
That's pretty snide. I read her quote to mean maybe she'd like to retire but she feels she can't until health care for all Americans is secure.
I don't think that seems snide. Then again, I don't think those two statements seem all that different.
posted by phearlez at 10:48 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
That's pretty snide. I read her quote to mean maybe she'd like to retire but she feels she can't until health care for all Americans is secure.
I don't think that seems snide. Then again, I don't think those two statements seem all that different.
posted by phearlez at 10:48 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
It’s Not About Moving to the Left. It’s About Solving Problems and Winning Elections. - David Atkins, Washington Monthly (7/23)
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:54 AM on July 23, 2018 [82 favorites]
The argument goes that if Democrats move too far to the left, then they won’t hold onto “the center” which presumably contains the majority of Americans. But this worldview stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the electorate, particularly the few remaining persuadable voters in it. It also represents a failure to grasp the reality of the movement, which is not so much about right and left, as it is about solving problems that the centrists in both parties have studiously ignored or avoided.Emphasis mine.
...
Which brings us to the key battle within the Democratic Party in the age of Trump: what is it–beyond fear and hatred of Trump’s brutal agenda–that will motivate cross-pressured independents and infrequent liberal voters?
It is very hard to argue that incremental centrism is the answer. On the contrary, most of these voters are desperate for solutions to problems that they believe both parties have ignored. What are these problems? In no particular order, we can name a few crises:
A student debt crisis that threatens to destroy the future of an entire generation; a climate change crisis that could end civilization as we know it if bold action is not taken immediately; a housing crisis that is preventing young people in cities from building savings or wealth, or even living with dignity and being able to afford children; an automation crisis that has most Silicon Valley billionaires simply assuming the end of capitalism and promoting radical socialist policies just to keep the pitchforks at bay; an inequality crisis that will certainly destroy democracy itself if left unaddressed–not just by bringing up standards of living at the bottom and in the middle, but by actively bringing down and redistributing the wealth at the top; and so on.
Solving those and many other urgent problems isn’t about left and right. It’s simply about right and wrong. When California state senate leader Kevin De Leon argues that Democrats need a senator they can count on to vote against the next immoral war, against increased investment in fossil fuels, against the next tax cuts for the rich, and for policies like Medicare for All, ending student debt and a guaranteed jobs program, that’s not about pushing the party to the left. It’s about solving real and immediate problems, and proving both to disaffected independents and to young people that the Democratic Party will actually solve the problems they care about. When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez makes her pitch, it’s about proving that the Democratic Party will put the priorities of bartenders and real people who create value in the economy ahead of those of predatory hedge fund managers and insurance executives.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:54 AM on July 23, 2018 [82 favorites]
I don't think those two statements seem all that different.
One is framing her intentions as being selfish and the other is framing her intentions as being selfless. Which I get that it can be hard to distinguish between the two, especially when a woman is doing it.
posted by weed donkey at 10:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
One is framing her intentions as being selfish and the other is framing her intentions as being selfless. Which I get that it can be hard to distinguish between the two, especially when a woman is doing it.
posted by weed donkey at 10:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
what is it–beyond fear and hatred of Trump’s brutal agenda–that will motivate cross-pressured independents and infrequent liberal voters?
Hatred of Trump may be enough. (Though obviously we should have and do more than that.) There's a new WSJ/NBC poll out and some people are focused on the fact that Trump's same party approval is higher than the last 4 presidents other than Bush after 9/11. Because of course in the media only Republican opinion matters.
But the numbers really show Rs are in trouble.
Amy Walter (Cook national editor)
NBC/WSJ poll showing no R erosion is notable, but so is this: Indie voters prefer Ds in Congress by 20, and Trump job approve among Indies = 36/58 including 46 STRONG disapprove. As one smart R strategist said to me earlier this year 'We can hold our own with Rs, but if we are losing indies by big margins we are still "in deep doodoo."'
posted by chris24 at 11:03 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
Hatred of Trump may be enough. (Though obviously we should have and do more than that.) There's a new WSJ/NBC poll out and some people are focused on the fact that Trump's same party approval is higher than the last 4 presidents other than Bush after 9/11. Because of course in the media only Republican opinion matters.
But the numbers really show Rs are in trouble.
Amy Walter (Cook national editor)
NBC/WSJ poll showing no R erosion is notable, but so is this: Indie voters prefer Ds in Congress by 20, and Trump job approve among Indies = 36/58 including 46 STRONG disapprove. As one smart R strategist said to me earlier this year 'We can hold our own with Rs, but if we are losing indies by big margins we are still "in deep doodoo."'
posted by chris24 at 11:03 AM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
Re: ties between Saudi Arabia and the 9-11 hijackers
- 15 of the 19 hijackers were themselves Saudi citizens.
- A government report in 2002, and subsequent reports, state that there is "incontrovertible evidence that there is support for these terrorists with the Saudi Government." But it's not clear how high up in the government/Royal Family the support went.
- People often confuse the Royal Family and the government, but the former has thousands of members who don't always agree. 9/11 (and the Khobar Towers bombings) were sparked in part by anger at the Saudi govt. -- incl. by some Royals -- for allowing the US to station troops in Saudi Arabia.
- There was a quote on Wikipedia purportedly by Sen. Bob Graham, who chaired the Senate Intelligence committee at the time they wrote their (redacted) report on 9-11, said ""the hijackers received active support and guidance from rich Saudis, Saudi charities and top members of the Saudi government." When I traced it though, it was only found in suspect right-wing sources (NewsMax, Washington Examiner, etc.). Not sure what's up with that. I edited it out of Wikipedia pending a reliable source.
- 29 pages of the 9-11 report re: Saudi support for 9-11 hijackers was redacted, and only recently released. It's pretty damning for the Saudis, according to this Foreign Policy article.
posted by msalt at 11:06 AM on July 23, 2018 [11 favorites]
- 15 of the 19 hijackers were themselves Saudi citizens.
- A government report in 2002, and subsequent reports, state that there is "incontrovertible evidence that there is support for these terrorists with the Saudi Government." But it's not clear how high up in the government/Royal Family the support went.
- People often confuse the Royal Family and the government, but the former has thousands of members who don't always agree. 9/11 (and the Khobar Towers bombings) were sparked in part by anger at the Saudi govt. -- incl. by some Royals -- for allowing the US to station troops in Saudi Arabia.
- There was a quote on Wikipedia purportedly by Sen. Bob Graham, who chaired the Senate Intelligence committee at the time they wrote their (redacted) report on 9-11, said ""the hijackers received active support and guidance from rich Saudis, Saudi charities and top members of the Saudi government." When I traced it though, it was only found in suspect right-wing sources (NewsMax, Washington Examiner, etc.). Not sure what's up with that. I edited it out of Wikipedia pending a reliable source.
- 29 pages of the 9-11 report re: Saudi support for 9-11 hijackers was redacted, and only recently released. It's pretty damning for the Saudis, according to this Foreign Policy article.
posted by msalt at 11:06 AM on July 23, 2018 [11 favorites]
I forget exactly where it was, but in a podcast I was listening to last week, it was pointed out that the size of the Republican Party membership is dwindling. He may be maintaining a surprisingly stable percentage approval rate among Republicans, but it's the same proportion of a smaller and smaller group of people.
posted by Grangousier at 11:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Grangousier at 11:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Mad thought - maybe it’s not that people need “waking up” but that voter suppression is actually really effective?
posted by Artw at 11:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [72 favorites]
posted by Artw at 11:10 AM on July 23, 2018 [72 favorites]
But it's difficult to spend a lot of time with young adults who are apathetic about politics in this the year of our Lord 2018 and not wonder what the hell it will take people to care.
Mostly it would be a Democratic party that actually gave a shit about working class issues, didn't constantly run centrist candidates, and didn't concern troll about moving too far left. People shit on the idea that "both parties are the same", but for someone making minimum wage it's absolutely true.
posted by dilaudid at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
Mostly it would be a Democratic party that actually gave a shit about working class issues, didn't constantly run centrist candidates, and didn't concern troll about moving too far left. People shit on the idea that "both parties are the same", but for someone making minimum wage it's absolutely true.
posted by dilaudid at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
I often see older middle-class and upper-middle class professionals wondering why the heck younger and less well-off people don't come out to vote in droves. Speaking as a member of that demographic, it's because through my entire lifetime, politicians have never really improved my life in any meaningful way. Having come to political awareness during the GW Bush era, I've only seen a direct, unwavering descent into oncoming catastrophes of climate change, global wealth disparity, and an economy about to explode from student debt.
My generation is undoubtedly worse off than the older generations, and politicians from both parties have done almost nothing about it. Republicans have tried to actively make things worse for us, while Democrats have occasionally thrown us a meager table scrap and called it a meal - "oh, you can stay on your parents' insurance for two more years before getting thrown out into a broken healthcare system." "Here, now you can get crushing, inescapable student loans with a 4.5% interest rate instead of 6%!"
It's easy for older middle class voters to feel represented and supported by the Democratic Party, because the Democratic Party is made up of people like them whose priorities align with theirs. My generation is left out in the cold.
There's a reason my generation is so excited about Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and the DSA. These politicians and groups see us, include us, and serve us. They offer pointed, accurate critiques of the problems of capitalism and reasonable solutions. Socialist policy like Medicare for All will actually help us for once!
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [76 favorites]
My generation is undoubtedly worse off than the older generations, and politicians from both parties have done almost nothing about it. Republicans have tried to actively make things worse for us, while Democrats have occasionally thrown us a meager table scrap and called it a meal - "oh, you can stay on your parents' insurance for two more years before getting thrown out into a broken healthcare system." "Here, now you can get crushing, inescapable student loans with a 4.5% interest rate instead of 6%!"
It's easy for older middle class voters to feel represented and supported by the Democratic Party, because the Democratic Party is made up of people like them whose priorities align with theirs. My generation is left out in the cold.
There's a reason my generation is so excited about Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez and the DSA. These politicians and groups see us, include us, and serve us. They offer pointed, accurate critiques of the problems of capitalism and reasonable solutions. Socialist policy like Medicare for All will actually help us for once!
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2018 [76 favorites]
Charles Franklin takes on the "Trump is very popular among Republicans but the number of Republicans is going way down!" meme.
tl;dr - not really. Republican ID is down a tad but not particularly significantly. Certainly not much when compared to fluctuations over the last 15 years. Republicans are all-in for this guy, and they're mostly sticking around to do it.
posted by Justinian at 11:15 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
tl;dr - not really. Republican ID is down a tad but not particularly significantly. Certainly not much when compared to fluctuations over the last 15 years. Republicans are all-in for this guy, and they're mostly sticking around to do it.
posted by Justinian at 11:15 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
> The numbers about the anticipated youth vote in 2018 are horrifying.
Up here in Ontario I knew any hopes of my preferred party (the NDP) winning the provincial election in June were toast as soon as they started talking along the lines of "if we can just get the youth vote out..."
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Up here in Ontario I knew any hopes of my preferred party (the NDP) winning the provincial election in June were toast as soon as they started talking along the lines of "if we can just get the youth vote out..."
posted by The Card Cheat at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Trump to Seek Repeal of California's Smog-Fighting Power
Fight back wiith common English usage.
It's "Trump smog" from now on.
posted by ocschwar at 11:26 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Fight back wiith common English usage.
It's "Trump smog" from now on.
posted by ocschwar at 11:26 AM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, we very much do not need to have the "have the democrats done enough" conversation again using the exact same data.
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:34 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad (staff) at 11:34 AM on July 23, 2018 [14 favorites]
I'm going to resurrect and officially name my Vomiting Mayor Hypothesis. If one of two mayoral candidates vomits on stage during a debate, this fact will dominate everyone's minds, and have two key effects.
(1) people will misremember the opposing candidate as having focused on the vomit thing to the exclusion of ~issues~, even if they didn't do that, because we (as voters, media talking heads, etc) were thusly focused.
And (2) rather than , the vomit will generally de-energize the electorate, make them think about the ways that everyone has gross bodily functions in some way or another... and thus the vomiting candidate isn't terribly harmed in the polls and, paradoxically, may even be helped.
People don't want to see his name on a ballot (heck, they don't want to see anyone's name because ugh, ~politicians~ are a bunch of vomiters)... and if they don't bother voting they don't have to.
In short, being so very very worthily hateable is one of Trump's secret weapons because some of the electorate's counter-contempt falls on his rivals. (And this isn't even considering the pro-vomit constituency where the "vomit" was actually vocalized support for white male supremacy.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:36 AM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
(1) people will misremember the opposing candidate as having focused on the vomit thing to the exclusion of ~issues~, even if they didn't do that, because we (as voters, media talking heads, etc) were thusly focused.
And (2) rather than , the vomit will generally de-energize the electorate, make them think about the ways that everyone has gross bodily functions in some way or another... and thus the vomiting candidate isn't terribly harmed in the polls and, paradoxically, may even be helped.
People don't want to see his name on a ballot (heck, they don't want to see anyone's name because ugh, ~politicians~ are a bunch of vomiters)... and if they don't bother voting they don't have to.
In short, being so very very worthily hateable is one of Trump's secret weapons because some of the electorate's counter-contempt falls on his rivals. (And this isn't even considering the pro-vomit constituency where the "vomit" was actually vocalized support for white male supremacy.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:36 AM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm going to resurrect and officially name my Vomiting Mayor Hypothesis.
I'm glad somebody else sees that "You can't win by mostly just being opposed to XXX" is pablum mostly regurgitated by TV talking heads looking to fill time. I want to yell at the television whenever it comes up. 2010 was a brutal political smackdown of massive proportions... and it was pretty much entirely Republicans running on a platform of "fuck the ACA", death panels, and there's a black man in the white house omigod. That was it. And there are so many other examples.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't also have a positive message. We should. Hey, it's the right thing to do and it certainly can't hurt. But "you can't win just by being in opposition" doesn't even pass the test if you only look at the last couple of elections.
posted by Justinian at 11:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
I'm glad somebody else sees that "You can't win by mostly just being opposed to XXX" is pablum mostly regurgitated by TV talking heads looking to fill time. I want to yell at the television whenever it comes up. 2010 was a brutal political smackdown of massive proportions... and it was pretty much entirely Republicans running on a platform of "fuck the ACA", death panels, and there's a black man in the white house omigod. That was it. And there are so many other examples.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't also have a positive message. We should. Hey, it's the right thing to do and it certainly can't hurt. But "you can't win just by being in opposition" doesn't even pass the test if you only look at the last couple of elections.
posted by Justinian at 11:43 AM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
One candidates vomits, the other can't stop farting. The media convenes panels of gastroenterologists, nutritionists, kindergarten teachers and sociologists of etiquette to debate which is least Mayoral in grueling and gruesome detail.
No other issues receive much attention, including the vast differential in platrforms and/or evident competence. There's an SNL skit. Twitter is lit. Someone prominent gets themselves fired. Many animated discussions are had on the relative demerits of emesis vs flatulence, along with much sad commentary on the state of affairs.
Few ballots are ultimately marked.
Which is to say I agree, but the other way this is sometimes phrased is that running as the less offensive option is not a good way to go. And I think that is true.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:44 AM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
No other issues receive much attention, including the vast differential in platrforms and/or evident competence. There's an SNL skit. Twitter is lit. Someone prominent gets themselves fired. Many animated discussions are had on the relative demerits of emesis vs flatulence, along with much sad commentary on the state of affairs.
Few ballots are ultimately marked.
Which is to say I agree, but the other way this is sometimes phrased is that running as the less offensive option is not a good way to go. And I think that is true.
posted by snuffleupagus at 11:44 AM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Also, the implicit assumption that Democrats are just running on opposition to Trump and they can't win elections that way is paradoxical because they're winning a bunch of elections already. We own Jeff Sessions' old Senate seat, for fuck's sake! Yes, there was an assist from the GOP primary voters who nominated a child molester, but that wasn't a one-off. It's a pattern that Democrats are in position to exploit.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:46 AM on July 23, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 11:46 AM on July 23, 2018 [30 favorites]
@bradheath: NEW: The FBI seized *12* audio recordings from President Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen. A special master reviewing the evidence turned them over to federal prosecutors on Friday.
Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy
posted by zachlipton at 11:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [99 favorites]
Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lordy
posted by zachlipton at 11:47 AM on July 23, 2018 [99 favorites]
And this just happened. @Phil_Mattingly: .@PressSec: “Not only is the president looking to take away Brennan’s security clearance, he’s also looking into the security clearances of Comey, Clapper, Rice and McCabe.”
John Gizzi asked the question about Brennan's security clearance, clearly knowing it would be a fruitful line of inquiry. Asked for more details, she says they're "exploring the mechanism" to do this and that this is because these people have spread "baseless charges" against Trump. Brennan has supposedly "monetized" his clearance, but the main focus here seems to be he doesn't like what they say about Russia.
posted by zachlipton at 11:51 AM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
John Gizzi asked the question about Brennan's security clearance, clearly knowing it would be a fruitful line of inquiry. Asked for more details, she says they're "exploring the mechanism" to do this and that this is because these people have spread "baseless charges" against Trump. Brennan has supposedly "monetized" his clearance, but the main focus here seems to be he doesn't like what they say about Russia.
posted by zachlipton at 11:51 AM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
The Kids Are All Right update: Currently the top-selling record on Bandcamp is called "White Nationalism is for Basement Dwelling Losers" by Neckbeard Deathcamp. It's borderline unlistenable for anybody but hardened black metal and death metal fans, but the song titles are hilarious and we absolutely need vicious antifascist metal in these trying times.
Other antifascist/leftist metal for your listening pleasure:
Dawn Ray'd, The Unlawful Assembly - melodic black metal with a strong Marxist bent
Thou, Peasant - suffocating working class doom, plus their merch features Sophie Scholl prominently
Kowloon Walled City, Grievances - spacious noise rock meditating on alienation under capitalism
Body Void, I Live in a Burning House - Anti-oppression sludge
posted by Existential Dread at 11:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [64 favorites]
Other antifascist/leftist metal for your listening pleasure:
Dawn Ray'd, The Unlawful Assembly - melodic black metal with a strong Marxist bent
Thou, Peasant - suffocating working class doom, plus their merch features Sophie Scholl prominently
Kowloon Walled City, Grievances - spacious noise rock meditating on alienation under capitalism
Body Void, I Live in a Burning House - Anti-oppression sludge
posted by Existential Dread at 11:57 AM on July 23, 2018 [64 favorites]
And this just happened. @Phil_Mattingly: .@PressSec: “Not only is the president looking to take away Brennan’s security clearance, he’s also looking into the security clearances of Comey, Clapper, Rice and McCabe.”
Add Hayden to the list, per Cillizza.
@CillizzaCNN Trump looking into taking away security clearances of (among others) Michael Hayden, James Clapper, Andrew McCabe and John Brennan.
posted by scalefree at 12:00 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Add Hayden to the list, per Cillizza.
@CillizzaCNN Trump looking into taking away security clearances of (among others) Michael Hayden, James Clapper, Andrew McCabe and John Brennan.
posted by scalefree at 12:00 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
So there's a documentary podcast about the Democratic party from Crooked Media and I was wondering the other day if maybe a specific thread for it or maybe a fanfare thread would be appropriate
It's named "The Wilderness", as in, finding your way out of
This argument about Democrats is probably worth having, and we're not the only ones having it, but it's incredibly tiring to see it here over and over
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 12:06 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's named "The Wilderness", as in, finding your way out of
This argument about Democrats is probably worth having, and we're not the only ones having it, but it's incredibly tiring to see it here over and over
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 12:06 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
@DevlinBarrett [Post natsec reporter with impeccable sources on this stuff]: pssst. they probably haven't "looked into it" too closely, since Comey and McCabe haven't had a clearance for months
@MSchwartz3: Andrew McCabe's security clearance was deactivated when he was terminated, according to what we were told was FBI policy. You would think the White House would check with the FBI before trying to throw shiny objects to the press corps...
So more of a good way to stir up drama and change the subject from the all-caps threats of nuclear war than anything that has been remotely thought out.
posted by zachlipton at 12:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [29 favorites]
@MSchwartz3: Andrew McCabe's security clearance was deactivated when he was terminated, according to what we were told was FBI policy. You would think the White House would check with the FBI before trying to throw shiny objects to the press corps...
So more of a good way to stir up drama and change the subject from the all-caps threats of nuclear war than anything that has been remotely thought out.
posted by zachlipton at 12:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [29 favorites]
John Gizzi asked the question about Brennan's security clearance, clearly knowing it would be a fruitful line of inquiry.
Gizzi is Newsmax's chief political columnist and White House correspondent, so odds are he was fed this question by Team Trump. For all we know, Chris Ruddy could have cooked it up with Trump yesterday at the golf club.
Also yesterday, AmericaBlog editor John Aravosis (@aravosis) tweeted this video from the Lafayette Park protest:
Gizzi is Newsmax's chief political columnist and White House correspondent, so odds are he was fed this question by Team Trump. For all we know, Chris Ruddy could have cooked it up with Trump yesterday at the golf club.
Also yesterday, AmericaBlog editor John Aravosis (@aravosis) tweeted this video from the Lafayette Park protest:
Anti-Trump protesters shout "LOCK HIM UP!" just as Trump & Melania arrive at the White House on the 7th Day of consecutive protests, Sunday, July 22, 2018.posted by Doktor Zed at 12:11 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
Higher res video here:
http://bit.ly/2NAR0hW
#OccupyLafayettePark
Rachel Weiner (WP) has two pieces of news: Manafort trial delayed until July 31. And the five witnesses given immunity: Donna Duggan, James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Cindy Laporta, Dennis Raico, all from financial institutions
posted by Brainy at 12:15 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Brainy at 12:15 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
Rachel Weiner (WP) has two pieces of news: Manafort trial delayed until July 31. And the five witnesses given immunity: Donna Duggan, James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Cindy Laporta, Dennis Raico, all from financial institutions
That cry you hear followed by a chain of expletives is Tucker Carlson wondering how Tony Podesta wasn't on that list and what he's supposed to do for his show tonight.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:19 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
That cry you hear followed by a chain of expletives is Tucker Carlson wondering how Tony Podesta wasn't on that list and what he's supposed to do for his show tonight.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:19 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
If you're Speaker/House Minority Leader and you turn 65 stick an honorary Emeritus after the position, bring someone up, and help build the fucking bench. There's still plenty you can do, yes, but we need the younger generation being built up (and we're way behind on this), and educated on how to get things done, otherwise the next Democratic generation is going to get slaughtered in everyday House politics by whatever far-right zealots the Tea Party red districts can push into the Capitol.
Another important thing anyone interested in advancing progressive legislation - really any legislation that doesn't make some corporate organization some money - is be a strong voice for improving the staffing situation in Congress. Aside from the fact that paying interns and dealing with gender discrimination and sexual harassment is good for diversity and representation, we have a real problem with the way things are now with regards to the actual preparing and writing of legislation. Namely the fact that the brainpower in Congress to actually do it themselves rather than have it provided by outside sources is way down from historical levels while the amount of private money in lobbying is way up.
In 2010 Govtrack posted this piece about who writes the law, with the summary being primarily staff lawyers. But the pool of those to use has diminished over time. The CRS is smaller than is used to be and salaries and morale was shit in 2015. I cannot think it's improved since. If you want to see it in sobering chart form, scroll down on this Washington Monthly article and look at the decreases in staff.
posted by phearlez at 12:19 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
Another important thing anyone interested in advancing progressive legislation - really any legislation that doesn't make some corporate organization some money - is be a strong voice for improving the staffing situation in Congress. Aside from the fact that paying interns and dealing with gender discrimination and sexual harassment is good for diversity and representation, we have a real problem with the way things are now with regards to the actual preparing and writing of legislation. Namely the fact that the brainpower in Congress to actually do it themselves rather than have it provided by outside sources is way down from historical levels while the amount of private money in lobbying is way up.
In 2010 Govtrack posted this piece about who writes the law, with the summary being primarily staff lawyers. But the pool of those to use has diminished over time. The CRS is smaller than is used to be and salaries and morale was shit in 2015. I cannot think it's improved since. If you want to see it in sobering chart form, scroll down on this Washington Monthly article and look at the decreases in staff.
posted by phearlez at 12:19 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
I feel like we could save a lot of words talking about the folly of politicians trying to appeal to the imaginary center if more people were familiar with the idea of a bimodal distribution.
posted by shponglespore at 12:21 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by shponglespore at 12:21 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
This argument about Democrats is probably worth having, and we're not the only ones having it, but it's incredibly tiring to see it here over and over
Agreed. Like the primaries, there are an awful lot of things that really don't need to be re-litigated ad nauseam.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:23 PM on July 23, 2018
Agreed. Like the primaries, there are an awful lot of things that really don't need to be re-litigated ad nauseam.
posted by aspersioncast at 12:23 PM on July 23, 2018
Speaking of not knowing how shit works, this security clearance thing is such a ridiculous misrepresentation about how clearances work that it is pretty much beyond explaining how it's wrong. Other than security clearances aren't some secret decoder ring where once you have it you just flash it and get access to anything and everything.
posted by phearlez at 12:24 PM on July 23, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 12:24 PM on July 23, 2018 [20 favorites]
On the Endangered Species Act front, I just got forwarded an email from a professional organization for environmental restoration and preservation. They claim to have news that Department of the Interior is planning to rescind the policy allowing the Fish and Wildlife Service to require compensatory mitigation for projects impacting endangered species, and not replace it.
agentofselection, do you have a link or any other information? FWS has posted the proposed changes to their website, and so far I haven't found anything there about changes in mitigation requirements.
posted by suelac at 12:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
agentofselection, do you have a link or any other information? FWS has posted the proposed changes to their website, and so far I haven't found anything there about changes in mitigation requirements.
posted by suelac at 12:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
WaPo: Trump administration officials dismissed benefits of national monuments
posted by tonycpsu at 12:45 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
In a quest to shrink national monuments last year, senior Interior Department officials dismissed evidence these public lands boosted tourism and spurred archaeological discoveries, according to documents the department released this month and retracted a day later.Drill, baby, drill.
The thousands of pages of email correspondence chart how Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and his aides instead tailored their survey of protected sites to emphasize the value of logging, ranching and energy development that would be unlocked if they were not designated as national monuments.
Comments the department’s Freedom of Information Act officers made in the documents show they sought to keep some of the references out of public view because they were “revealing [the] strategy” behind the review.
[...]
Aaron Weiss, a spokesman for the advocacy group Center for Western Priorities, said in an email the “botched document dump reveals what we’ve suspected all along: Secretary Zinke ignored clear warnings from his own staff that shrinking national monuments would put sacred archaeological and cultural sites at risk.”
“Trying to hide those warnings from the public months later is disgraceful and possibly illegal,” Weiss added.
Asked for comment, Interior Department officials said they were looking into the matter.
posted by tonycpsu at 12:45 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
It's certainly something damning if Devine has to be granted immunity to testify. If the emails were innocuous, why lie about them?
----
The list of people asked to testify in exchange for immunity has not been released, has it?
----
Rachel Weiner (WP) has two pieces of news: Manafort trial delayed until July 31. And the five witnesses given immunity: Donna Duggan, James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Cindy Laporta, Dennis Raico, all from financial institutions
Just to tie up this loose end: we now know that Tad Devine wasn't on the list of people granted immunity to testify.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 12:49 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
----
The list of people asked to testify in exchange for immunity has not been released, has it?
----
Rachel Weiner (WP) has two pieces of news: Manafort trial delayed until July 31. And the five witnesses given immunity: Donna Duggan, James Brennan, Conor O'Brien, Cindy Laporta, Dennis Raico, all from financial institutions
Just to tie up this loose end: we now know that Tad Devine wasn't on the list of people granted immunity to testify.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 12:49 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Georgia lawmaker who yelled racial slurs on Sacha Baron Cohen show says he won't resign
posted by Artw at 12:52 PM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 12:52 PM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Aaron Weiss, a spokesman for the advocacy group Center for Western Priorities, said in an email the “botched document dump reveals what we’ve suspected all along: Secretary Zinke ignored clear warnings from his own staff that shrinking national monuments would put sacred archaeological and cultural sites at risk.”
“Trying to hide those warnings from the public months later is disgraceful and possibly illegal,” Weiss added.
I used to work for Weiss and he was the best boss I've ever had - it was sad to see him go but the Center for Western Priorities does great, necessary work and gained an awesome guy.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:57 PM on July 23, 2018 [19 favorites]
“Trying to hide those warnings from the public months later is disgraceful and possibly illegal,” Weiss added.
I used to work for Weiss and he was the best boss I've ever had - it was sad to see him go but the Center for Western Priorities does great, necessary work and gained an awesome guy.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:57 PM on July 23, 2018 [19 favorites]
suelac, The claim was made in an email circulated by the Ecological Restoration Business Association (formerly the Mitigation Banking Association). I can't find a link supporting their claim yet. I have skimmed the proposed rule changes, but am not enough of a lawyer to know exactly what they see that makes them make their claim. My best guess is that they are referring to the revisions to the Section 7 Consultation rules, which includes, on page 37:
Therefore, we propose revisions to § 402.14(g)(8) to clarify there is no requirement for measures that avoid, minimize, or offset the adverse effects of an action that are included in the proposed action to be accompanied by “specific and binding plans,” “a clear, definite commitment of resources”, or meet other such criteria.
posted by agentofselection at 12:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Therefore, we propose revisions to § 402.14(g)(8) to clarify there is no requirement for measures that avoid, minimize, or offset the adverse effects of an action that are included in the proposed action to be accompanied by “specific and binding plans,” “a clear, definite commitment of resources”, or meet other such criteria.
posted by agentofselection at 12:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [2 favorites]
Artw: Georgia lawmaker who yelled racial slurs on Sacha Baron Cohen show says he won't resign
That story, from the Hill, is quite something, because the essence of it is that Sacha Baron Cohen (in his guise as an Israeli anti-terrorism expert) told the Georgia guy that yelling those slurs, as well as repeatedly mooning, would somehow ward off terrorists. And I think Representative Jason Spencer really believed it (insofar as "believing" things is fuzzy when it comes to us humans -- of course he was also motivated by simple racism, by "sticking it to the libs", etc).
So aside from the further revelation of Republican racism, maybe there's some value in demonstrating how paranoia about terrorism makes people more vulnerable to even the most ludicrous claims. This is the crowd that buys "supplements" and whatnot from Alex Jones; I wouldn't be surprised if they've already been conned by some kind of "terrorist detector device".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:04 PM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
That story, from the Hill, is quite something, because the essence of it is that Sacha Baron Cohen (in his guise as an Israeli anti-terrorism expert) told the Georgia guy that yelling those slurs, as well as repeatedly mooning, would somehow ward off terrorists. And I think Representative Jason Spencer really believed it (insofar as "believing" things is fuzzy when it comes to us humans -- of course he was also motivated by simple racism, by "sticking it to the libs", etc).
So aside from the further revelation of Republican racism, maybe there's some value in demonstrating how paranoia about terrorism makes people more vulnerable to even the most ludicrous claims. This is the crowd that buys "supplements" and whatnot from Alex Jones; I wouldn't be surprised if they've already been conned by some kind of "terrorist detector device".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:04 PM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
I wouldn't be surprised if they've already been conned by some kind of "terrorist detector device"
Literally the entirety of of right wing politics / punditry / and media.
posted by Buntix at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Literally the entirety of of right wing politics / punditry / and media.
posted by Buntix at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Counter hypothesis: Republicans are super fucking racist and if someone claiming to be Israeli gives them permission to let it all hang out they are totally going to do it.
posted by Artw at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [52 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [52 favorites]
> So aside from the further revelation of Republican racism, maybe there's some value in demonstrating how paranoia about terrorism makes people more vulnerable to even the most ludicrous claims.
I think you're being far too charitable here.
The "Non-Conservative Panic" Defense
I think you're being far too charitable here.
The "Non-Conservative Panic" Defense
Spencer's "legislation involving the wearing of masks" was actually a ban on wearing burqas in public. He withdrew the bill after widespread criticism. I don't know how many death threats he actually received after introducing the bill -- even one, I'm sure, would be frightening -- but if you watch Spencer's appearance on the show, you don't see a guy acting out of blind panic. He's a willing participant. He's not in a fugue state. He knows exactly what he's doing. [...]posted by tonycpsu at 1:09 PM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
This reminds me of the "gay panic" defense that's used in courtrooms to this day, even by defendants who clearly aren't experiencing a moment of immediate terror (not that an encounter with an LGBT person is ever an excuse for violence). [...]
Spencer might have been experiencing anxiety about threats after he proposed his racist burqa ban, but he wasn't feeling threatened or trapped at the moment the cameras started rolling. But his conservative constituents have heard so much from the right-wing media about the imminence of terrorism, and also about "the violent left," that many of them will probably believe he just couldn't help himself.
My best guess is that they are referring to the revisions to the Section 7 Consultation rules, which includes, on page 37
Aha! I hadn't seen that, I was searching for "mitigation" and it didn't come up.
That's a nuanced proposal: it looks like it's just under the incidental take section, and doesn't say don't do mitigation, but doesn't require a firm commitment of resources at that time. Hmm. I'm on the fence, since a lot of planning is done before there's a firm commitment of resources, that's the requirement under NEPA.
Well, it's all just proposal at this point. I'll wait and see what comes out of it...
posted by suelac at 1:10 PM on July 23, 2018
Aha! I hadn't seen that, I was searching for "mitigation" and it didn't come up.
That's a nuanced proposal: it looks like it's just under the incidental take section, and doesn't say don't do mitigation, but doesn't require a firm commitment of resources at that time. Hmm. I'm on the fence, since a lot of planning is done before there's a firm commitment of resources, that's the requirement under NEPA.
Well, it's all just proposal at this point. I'll wait and see what comes out of it...
posted by suelac at 1:10 PM on July 23, 2018
I wouldn't be surprised if they've already been conned by some kind of "terrorist detector device".
They have. It's called the TSA.
posted by Tknophobia at 1:12 PM on July 23, 2018 [26 favorites]
They have. It's called the TSA.
posted by Tknophobia at 1:12 PM on July 23, 2018 [26 favorites]
I wouldn't be surprised if they've already been conned by some kind of "terrorist detector device"
They wouldn't be the first. Millions of dollars of dowsing rods sold!
posted by BungaDunga at 1:18 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
They wouldn't be the first. Millions of dollars of dowsing rods sold!
posted by BungaDunga at 1:18 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
Donald Trump is actually a very unpopular president (Matthew Yglesias | Vox)
“Yes, his base likes him, but his overall numbers are terrible.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
“Yes, his base likes him, but his overall numbers are terrible.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
Erik Wemple, Sean Spicer is still trying to gaslight America about President Trump
Even a half-witted political memoir would grapple with such a disconnect — perhaps by acknowledging some fault in the boss, or perhaps by comparing his low points with those of other presidents. Yet “The Briefing” isn’t a political memoir, nor is it a work of recent history, nor a tell-all, or tell-anything. Rather, it is a bumbling effort at gaslighting Americans into doubting what they have seen with their own eyes as far back as June 2015, when Trump announced his candidacy and labeled Mexican immigrants as rapists, beginning a pattern of racist attacks.posted by zachlipton at 1:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
A copy of the memoir, to be released Tuesday, was obtained by The Washington Post.
Sngh. Sngh. Sngh: 'That didn't go as planned': Fox News interviews anti-Ice Democrat in mix-up
And good for Barbara L'Italien and her staff.
posted by Joe in Australia at 1:46 PM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
And good for Barbara L'Italien and her staff.
posted by Joe in Australia at 1:46 PM on July 23, 2018 [24 favorites]
The FBI seized *12* audio recordings from President Trump's personal attorney, Michael Cohen.
So Haberman was only off by eleven
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [60 favorites]
So Haberman was only off by eleven
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 1:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [60 favorites]
Donald Trump is actually a very unpopular president (Matthew Yglesias | Vox)
That Yglesias article and the 538 chart it embeds (which is only interactive for me in the original) are very striking.
tl/dr: Trump's numbers are atrocious. Of all the presidents since Truman, only for a couple of brief moments did even the least popular have net negative approval numbers. Trump has been net negative for his whole term except the first week or two. The only president who had numbers resembling Trump's was Gerald Ford -- the first president to lose a race for re-election in my lifetime.
His support among Republicans only goes to underline several long term trends (the Fox propoaganda channel, movement out of both parties to independents, the result of gerrymandering and unlimited money = primary is your only threat in most districts) and Trump's specific success in turning the Republican party into a cult. But he's down 20% among independents and that will not win much.
posted by msalt at 2:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
That Yglesias article and the 538 chart it embeds (which is only interactive for me in the original) are very striking.
tl/dr: Trump's numbers are atrocious. Of all the presidents since Truman, only for a couple of brief moments did even the least popular have net negative approval numbers. Trump has been net negative for his whole term except the first week or two. The only president who had numbers resembling Trump's was Gerald Ford -- the first president to lose a race for re-election in my lifetime.
His support among Republicans only goes to underline several long term trends (the Fox propoaganda channel, movement out of both parties to independents, the result of gerrymandering and unlimited money = primary is your only threat in most districts) and Trump's specific success in turning the Republican party into a cult. But he's down 20% among independents and that will not win much.
posted by msalt at 2:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [17 favorites]
The story Rudy is shopping around now is that the only Cohen tape that actually has Trump on it is the McDougal tape we know about. The other 11 supposedly don't feature Trump, and some allegedly involve reporters Cohen spoke to, though presumably they're all talking about Trump.
This is Rudy we're talking about, so it wouldn't be surprising if all of them are actually just admissions to crimes.
posted by zachlipton at 2:03 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
This is Rudy we're talking about, so it wouldn't be surprising if all of them are actually just admissions to crimes.
posted by zachlipton at 2:03 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
The NBC/WSJ poll also has new numbers on Roe, an all-time high in support.
- 71% support, only 23% want it reversed.
- Even Rs support keeping Roe 53% - 39%.
- 44% more likely to support candidate who supports Roe, 26% more likely to support candidate who opposes.
posted by chris24 at 2:14 PM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
- 71% support, only 23% want it reversed.
- Even Rs support keeping Roe 53% - 39%.
- 44% more likely to support candidate who supports Roe, 26% more likely to support candidate who opposes.
posted by chris24 at 2:14 PM on July 23, 2018 [21 favorites]
Well yeah- if Roe gets overturned all those one-issue voters that keep the Republicans afloat suddenly have no reason to vote anymore and the party collapses. Ironically overturning Roe probably signals the end of the Republican Party. They just want it to be in constant peril and to have restriction after restriction placed on it. But actually overturning it would be to them as much of a disaster as it would be to women.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:20 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:20 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
Well yeah- if Roe gets overturned all those one-issue voters that keep the Republicans afloat suddenly have no reason to vote anymore and the party collapses
I get that, except, depending on the ruling, the battle may just move to the states. If SCOTUS rules that the state may decide, then the local GOP get to keep drumming up evangelical support.
posted by suelac at 2:30 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
I get that, except, depending on the ruling, the battle may just move to the states. If SCOTUS rules that the state may decide, then the local GOP get to keep drumming up evangelical support.
posted by suelac at 2:30 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
But actually overturning it would be to them as much of a disaster as it would be to women.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:20 PM on July 23 [2 favorites +] [!]
Not to be argumentative, but...
No. It would not. Losing elections ≠ dying in a back alley
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 2:20 PM on July 23 [2 favorites +] [!]
Not to be argumentative, but...
No. It would not. Losing elections ≠ dying in a back alley
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
Well yeah- if Roe gets overturned all those one-issue voters that keep the Republicans afloat suddenly have no reason to vote anymore and the party collapses.
No, their next target is birth control.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [41 favorites]
No, their next target is birth control.
posted by T.D. Strange at 2:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [41 favorites]
Hey for anyone who isn't already aware, Sarah Kendzior and Andrea Chalupa's new podcast Gaslit Nation is out and is hands down the best political podcast going right now.
posted by triggerfinger at 2:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 2:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [27 favorites]
They just want it to be in constant peril and to have restriction after restriction placed on it.
As shown after 9/11 when Bush had sky-high approval ratings and the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:38 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
As shown after 9/11 when Bush had sky-high approval ratings and the Republicans controlled both houses of Congress.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:38 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'd be okay with it if they shrink that damn Washington Penis, but I doubt that's where this is going.
Last time I was in DC it was cordoned off because they are having trouble maintaining the erection and need to reinforce it.
posted by srboisvert at 2:54 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Last time I was in DC it was cordoned off because they are having trouble maintaining the erection and need to reinforce it.
posted by srboisvert at 2:54 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Nate silver weighs in on the strong GOP support vs shrinking base stuff. He comes to a somewhat different conclusion than Charles Franklin. I suppose he's more musing over his thoughts than reaching a strong conclusion but in any case he thinks the modest decrease in GOP identification since the election is more meaningful than Franklin seems to.
posted by Justinian at 2:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
@fischlerCQ:
There's a profound lack of shame in this country. Because nobody with an ounce of it would propose raising taxes in order to eliminate them at the end of the 10-year budget window. It's the opposite trick as last year's tax cuts, and it's maddening.
posted by zachlipton at 3:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [40 favorites]
NEWS: @RepBillShuster will publish a draft infrastructure bill this evening that will raise the federal gas tax by 15 cents and diesel tax by 20 cents over the next three years before ELIMINATING fuel taxes in 2028.So, um, happy infrastructure week. Full of incredibly shitty policies that make absolutely no sense.
The bill would create a commission to recommend a permanent replacement to fill the Highway Trust Fund. The only thing the commission can't recommend: Keeping fuel taxes. It would also authorize a new incentive grant program that would allow the DOT secretary to send money to states and local governments that do "asset recycling" -- leasing assets to private sector and using the money from lease to improve other infrastructure assets.
There's a profound lack of shame in this country. Because nobody with an ounce of it would propose raising taxes in order to eliminate them at the end of the 10-year budget window. It's the opposite trick as last year's tax cuts, and it's maddening.
posted by zachlipton at 3:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [40 favorites]
The bill would create a commission to recommend a permanent replacement to fill the Highway Trust Fund.
To be clear, "creating a commission" to make recommendations to raise revenue but barring it from using the taxes that had previously raised that revenue is a doomed-to-fail bureaucratic "go fuck yourself".
posted by Justinian at 3:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
To be clear, "creating a commission" to make recommendations to raise revenue but barring it from using the taxes that had previously raised that revenue is a doomed-to-fail bureaucratic "go fuck yourself".
posted by Justinian at 3:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
It's the opposite trick as last year's tax cuts, and it's maddening.
I look forward to Democrats getting back in power and passing Medicare for all... to kick in in 9 years, 11 months, and 30 days. With a small tax increase in the 9th year to cover 1 days operating cost.
posted by Justinian at 3:09 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
I look forward to Democrats getting back in power and passing Medicare for all... to kick in in 9 years, 11 months, and 30 days. With a small tax increase in the 9th year to cover 1 days operating cost.
posted by Justinian at 3:09 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
To be clear, "creating a commission" to make recommendations to raise revenue but barring it from using the taxes that had previously raised that revenue is a doomed-to-fail bureaucratic "go fuck yourself".
Exactly. And the sad thing is that we do need actual policy development here, because the long-term trend toward more and more electric cars not paying is not sustainable. And a commission to sort that out is not a bad thing. But this is so transparently a bad faith plan that's just intended to create a disaster in a decade rather than an actual attempt to wrestle with the issues that need t be addressed.
posted by zachlipton at 3:13 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Exactly. And the sad thing is that we do need actual policy development here, because the long-term trend toward more and more electric cars not paying is not sustainable. And a commission to sort that out is not a bad thing. But this is so transparently a bad faith plan that's just intended to create a disaster in a decade rather than an actual attempt to wrestle with the issues that need t be addressed.
posted by zachlipton at 3:13 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Robert Wilkie has been confirmed as VA secretary, 86-9 (list of nos inside). That's the first time Senators have ever voted against a VA secretary nominee.
posted by zachlipton at 3:15 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:15 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
The no votes are Cory Booker, Dianne Feinstein, Kristen Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden.
Of all the names on that list, the ones that probably aren't going to run for president in 2020 are... maybe Feinstein and Markey?
posted by box at 3:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [19 favorites]
Of all the names on that list, the ones that probably aren't going to run for president in 2020 are... maybe Feinstein and Markey?
posted by box at 3:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [19 favorites]
Anecdotal datapoint: my facebook feed is getting bombarded with pro-Kavanaugh ads from the Judicial Crisis Network the past two days. Every time I log on a Kavanaugh video is the first promoted thing I see. They're spending millions on buying two SCOTUS seats, they expect far more return on investment.
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:40 PM on July 23, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 3:40 PM on July 23, 2018 [22 favorites]
I doubt Wyden is going to run. Merkley, maybe? He's at least doing some great political theater.
But despite being an Oregonian, can it just be Gillibrand and Harris? Either or both. Just saying. They are great.
posted by weed donkey at 4:09 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
But despite being an Oregonian, can it just be Gillibrand and Harris? Either or both. Just saying. They are great.
posted by weed donkey at 4:09 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Kamala Harris/Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 2020
posted by kirkaracha at 4:11 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 4:11 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
I'd be on board with Harris, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will not be eligible in 2020 :)
posted by thefoxgod at 4:17 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by thefoxgod at 4:17 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
Merkley/Gillibrand, mainly b/c he's the "right" gender, color, age for this blighted country. But if that kicked off Gillibrand/Harris, and segued to Harris/Booker, and became Booker/AOC...
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:23 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:23 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
But if that kicked off Gillibrand/Harris, and segued to Harris/Booker, and became Booker/AOC...
I know it's just spinning an improbably fantasy, but still can't favorite that one enough.
posted by bcd at 4:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
I know it's just spinning an improbably fantasy, but still can't favorite that one enough.
posted by bcd at 4:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Mod note: One deleted; let's call it good on 'who will run'. If there's nothing going on, that's okay and a fine time to take a break, check out other threads, go outside, etc.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 4:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
ryanrs: "Chrysostom, you'll still be pasting the full text in-thread, right?
(because I'm wayyy too lazy to click links)"
Yup. This is just so people can get that info without going into ginormous threads (which are also confusing for non-Mefites).
posted by Chrysostom at 4:38 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
(because I'm wayyy too lazy to click links)"
Yup. This is just so people can get that info without going into ginormous threads (which are also confusing for non-Mefites).
posted by Chrysostom at 4:38 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Artw: "Georgia lawmaker who yelled racial slurs on Sacha Baron Cohen show says he won't resign"
Well, he lost in the primary, so we'll soon see the back of him in any case.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:55 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Well, he lost in the primary, so we'll soon see the back of him in any case.
posted by Chrysostom at 4:55 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
WSJ spills Giuliani's version of the Trump-Mueller interview impasse: Donald Trump’s Legal Team Submits Counteroffer for Possible Interview in Mueller Probe—Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani says president open to questions on possible collusion, less willing to discuss possible obstruction of justice
As always, the Special Counsel's office has declined to comment.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:57 PM on July 23, 2018 [16 favorites]
As negotiations for such a sit-down are set to enter their eighth month, Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, said Monday that an interview between the special counsel and the president is “still on the table.”It's notable that even the Murdoch-owned WSJ had to allow that Trump's multiple versions of his reasons for firing Comey are inconsistent.
The president’s legal team is open to him answering questions about possible collusion with Moscow, Mr. Giuliani said, but is less willing to have Mr. Trump discuss questions about obstruction of justice. “We think the obstruction of it is handled by Article 2 of the Constitution,” Mr. Giuliani said, referring to the provision that gives the president executive authority to appoint and dismiss members of his administration.[...]
Mr. Giuliani said in an interview Monday that the reasons Mr. Trump has given for firing the former FBI director are “more than sufficient” and that as president, he had the power to fire any member of his administration.
After firing Mr. Comey, Mr. Trump offered shifting explanations for the move. He initially blamed Mr. Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state. Days later, in an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Mr. Trump cited the Russia investigation as a factor in the firing. He has since reversed that, saying he didn’t fire the former FBI director over the Russia probe.
As always, the Special Counsel's office has declined to comment.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:57 PM on July 23, 2018 [16 favorites]
How come they only ever bring up the Lester Holt interview but never the Oval Office meeting with the Russians, where he told them straight up he got rid of Comey bc of the investigation?
posted by gucci mane at 5:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 5:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [30 favorites]
Imagine being the reporter calling the Mueller team for comment.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:04 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 5:04 PM on July 23, 2018 [5 favorites]
How come they only ever bring up the Lester Holt interview but never the Oval Office meeting with the Russians, where he told them straight up he got rid of Comey bc of the investigation?
I'm guessing because it's just the Russian's word that Trump admitted it.
posted by sideshow at 5:12 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing because it's just the Russian's word that Trump admitted it.
posted by sideshow at 5:12 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing because it's just the Russian's word that Trump admitted it.
No, the reporting at the time sourced it to a summary of the conversation produced by the White House based on notes taken in the oval office during the meeting.
posted by peeedro at 5:17 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
No, the reporting at the time sourced it to a summary of the conversation produced by the White House based on notes taken in the oval office during the meeting.
posted by peeedro at 5:17 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
A federal judge in Boston today rejected the government's request she toss a suit by immigrant groups over the decision to rescind the TPS status that lets tend of thousands of Haitian and Central American refugees stay in the country. The government wants to end their TPS status next year.
The 44-page order is basically her telling the government "no" over and over again. Among other things, she rejected an argument that even if Trump did say racist things on the campaign trail, and continued to say racist things as president, his words shouldn't be used against the government because he wasn't actually the one who signed the orders. Basically, she said "come on" (only in more words). She also rejected a government argument that all those people could apply to get back into the country in "removal" hearings, because people who are here legally (like people with TPS) have rights to things such as legal counsel and to work, while people who go through "removal" hearings (such as people who just cross the border) do not.
posted by adamg at 5:18 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
The 44-page order is basically her telling the government "no" over and over again. Among other things, she rejected an argument that even if Trump did say racist things on the campaign trail, and continued to say racist things as president, his words shouldn't be used against the government because he wasn't actually the one who signed the orders. Basically, she said "come on" (only in more words). She also rejected a government argument that all those people could apply to get back into the country in "removal" hearings, because people who are here legally (like people with TPS) have rights to things such as legal counsel and to work, while people who go through "removal" hearings (such as people who just cross the border) do not.
posted by adamg at 5:18 PM on July 23, 2018 [34 favorites]
@AliceOllstein:
posted by zachlipton at 5:28 PM on July 23, 2018 [66 favorites]
Trump admin releases new numbers on family reunifications. They still say more than 900 parents are "ineligible" to get their children back. For the first time, they disclose that more than 400 have been deported without their kids.There's a court hearing tomorrow. That the government insists that a third of parents are "ineligible" to get their kids back is intolerable.
For those asking about "ineligible"—the Trump admin is claiming parents are ineligible for a variety of reasons (some allegedly waived their right to be reunited, some allegedly have criminal records, etc). The @ACLU says in this new filing that the Trump admin has not given them the list of parents who have been deported, as they promised at a hearing last Friday.
posted by zachlipton at 5:28 PM on July 23, 2018 [66 favorites]
"Rudy Giuliani says president open to questions on possible collusion, less willing to discuss possible obstruction of justice..."
Riiight. Because depositions are only allowed to be used as evidence for one particular crime; the answers given are never on the record and brought up in other cases; charges are never added because of what someone said in a deposition.
I really am amazed that Giuliani - or anyone with even vague awareness of how the courts work - would think it could ever be remotely acceptable to put the president under oath, and that goes double for something like a deposition, where there's no judge to say "you don't have to answer that one."
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Riiight. Because depositions are only allowed to be used as evidence for one particular crime; the answers given are never on the record and brought up in other cases; charges are never added because of what someone said in a deposition.
I really am amazed that Giuliani - or anyone with even vague awareness of how the courts work - would think it could ever be remotely acceptable to put the president under oath, and that goes double for something like a deposition, where there's no judge to say "you don't have to answer that one."
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** OH-12 special:
** Odds & ends:
Tomorrow, runoff for the Georgia GOP nomination for governor. SOS Kemp, the further right guy, is considered a favorite over LG Cagle. Either is considered a very slight favorite over Dem nominee Abrams. DKE preview of the runoff here.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [27 favorites]
** OH-12 special:
-- Cook Political dive into the race, which is rated a tossup. If you want to overthink things, here's Wasserman's county by county target percentage O'Connor needs to win (I remember these being pretty accurate for Conor Lamb's paper-thin win).** 2018 House:
-- NRCC dumping in another $300k in TV ads.
-- MN-02: More offensive comments have surfaced from incumbent GOP rep Jason Lewis, this time racist rather than sexist.** 2018 Senate -- MI: Emerson poll has incumbent Dem Stabenow with a mid-teens lead over either GOP nominee [MOE: +/- 4.3%].
-- FL-25: PPP poll has GOP incumbent Diaz-Balart up 46-39 on Dem Barzee-Flores. [MOE not listed]. This poll looks to have been commissioned by the Barzee-Flores campaign. Still a surprisingly close result; Diaz-Balart was considered the least vulnerable of the Miami-area Republicans. District went Trump 50-48; Cook rating is Likely R.
-- Yes, swing voters still exist, and they matter. The real key is that mushy, "moderate" positions aren't necessarily the way to appeal to them.
** Odds & ends:
-- NV gov: Dems are excited at the prospect of possibly taking unified control in Nevada, and the GOP is in turmoil on the governor side of things - GOP incumbent Sandoval is refusing to endorse party nominee Laxalt.===
-- ID gov: Clarity Campaign Labs poll has GOP nominee Little up 38-28 on Dem Jordan [MOE: +/- 2.77%]. Jordan would be the first female Native American governor, and identifies as a progressive.
-- MI gov: Emerson poll mentioned earlier has likely Dem nominee Whitmer up 43-36 on likely GOP nominee Schuette.
-- Finally from Emerson, the pot legalization ballot initiative is favored 60-26.
-- Signatures submitted in North Dakota to put a pot legalization measure on the ballot.
-- GOP bracing for major losses in governor's races.
Tomorrow, runoff for the Georgia GOP nomination for governor. SOS Kemp, the further right guy, is considered a favorite over LG Cagle. Either is considered a very slight favorite over Dem nominee Abrams. DKE preview of the runoff here.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [27 favorites]
No, the reporting at the time sourced it to a summary of the conversation produced by the White House based on notes taken in the oval office during the meeting.
Oops, guess I've had it wrong all along. Still, "Trump saying a thing on tape" is more concrete than "notes from meeting state that Trump said a thing".
posted by sideshow at 5:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oops, guess I've had it wrong all along. Still, "Trump saying a thing on tape" is more concrete than "notes from meeting state that Trump said a thing".
posted by sideshow at 5:37 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
WSJ, Russian Hackers Reach U.S. Utility Control Rooms, Homeland Security Officials Say
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on July 23, 2018 [66 favorites]
Hackers working for Russia claimed “hundreds of victims” last year in a giant and long-running campaign that put them inside the control rooms of U.S. electric utilities where they could have caused blackouts, federal officials said. They said the campaign likely is continuing.I mean, if I was writing the way-too-on-the-nose plot here, election day would start with a massive nationwide blackout just as the polls opened, so yeah, new nightmares.
The Russian hackers, who worked for a shadowy state-sponsored group previously identified as Dragonfly or Energetic Bear, broke into supposedly secure, “air-gapped” or isolated networks owned by utilities with relative ease by first penetrating the networks of key vendors who had trusted relationships with the power companies, said officials at the Department of Homeland Security.
“They got to the point where they could have thrown switches” and disrupted power flows, said Jonathan Homer, chief of industrial-control-system analysis for DHS.
DHS has been warning utility executives with security clearances about the Russian group’s threat to critical infrastructure since 2014. But the briefing on Monday was the first time that DHS has given out information in an unclassified setting with as much detail. It continues to withhold the names of victims but now says there were hundreds of victims, not a few dozen as had been said previously.
posted by zachlipton at 5:45 PM on July 23, 2018 [66 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
Can I add this one?
WV Senate:
- Primary loser Don Blankenship says he "will file his official paperwork with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office tomorrow for his candidacy for U.S. Senate as a member of the Constitution Party." (Previously: McConnell-aligned group scraps ad campaign hitting Manchin). Blankenship may still have to sue to overcome WV's sore loser law, it's unclear what the Secretary of State will do.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:48 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
Can I add this one?
WV Senate:
- Primary loser Don Blankenship says he "will file his official paperwork with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office tomorrow for his candidacy for U.S. Senate as a member of the Constitution Party." (Previously: McConnell-aligned group scraps ad campaign hitting Manchin). Blankenship may still have to sue to overcome WV's sore loser law, it's unclear what the Secretary of State will do.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:48 PM on July 23, 2018 [7 favorites]
I really am amazed that Giuliani - or anyone with even vague awareness of how the courts work - would think it could ever be remotely acceptable to put the president under oath, and that goes double for something like a deposition, where there's no judge to say "you don't have to answer that one."
Trump is apparently eager to testify because he wants to tell his side of the story. Not respecting the client's wishes would be tantamount to legal malpractice. If Trump wants to hang himself, at that point it's up to Rudy to make sure he gets the longest rope and highest and most sturdy chair possible.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:51 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Trump is apparently eager to testify because he wants to tell his side of the story. Not respecting the client's wishes would be tantamount to legal malpractice. If Trump wants to hang himself, at that point it's up to Rudy to make sure he gets the longest rope and highest and most sturdy chair possible.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:51 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
I want to explore that notion. That they're "ineligible."
This begs an obvious corollary question which doesn't seem to appear in the article: Okay, let's say that's true. What do we do with the kids, then?
Obviously "hold them indefinitely" is both illegal and immoral, but the Trump administration doesn't seem real keen on any other answer, and that's... criminal. I mean actually criminal, in that it breaks laws here, and not just criminal in the sense that I'm calling it wrong or bad, too.
posted by Archelaus at 5:51 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
This begs an obvious corollary question which doesn't seem to appear in the article: Okay, let's say that's true. What do we do with the kids, then?
Obviously "hold them indefinitely" is both illegal and immoral, but the Trump administration doesn't seem real keen on any other answer, and that's... criminal. I mean actually criminal, in that it breaks laws here, and not just criminal in the sense that I'm calling it wrong or bad, too.
posted by Archelaus at 5:51 PM on July 23, 2018 [18 favorites]
Can I add this one?
WV Senate:
Yeah, I'd figured I'd put it on tomorrow, when he actually does something.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:53 PM on July 23, 2018
WV Senate:
Yeah, I'd figured I'd put it on tomorrow, when he actually does something.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:53 PM on July 23, 2018
Why is a parent ineligible for reunion because they've been deported? If the US flew the parents back to Guatemala, why can't we deport their children and fly them back to Guatema (with an escort) to meet their parents?
posted by Miss Cellania at 6:27 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Miss Cellania at 6:27 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
If the US flew the parents back to Guatemala, why can't we deport their children and fly them back to Guatema (with an escort) to meet their parents?
If parents have been deported, no one knows where they are anymore, nor is there any easy way to find them. The kids are effectively orphans.
posted by JackFlash at 6:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
If parents have been deported, no one knows where they are anymore, nor is there any easy way to find them. The kids are effectively orphans.
posted by JackFlash at 6:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [10 favorites]
Also presumably many of those parents were fleeing problems where they might be in hiding, homeless or without resources, or quite literally already dead. We at least owe them a green card here if they want to stay.
posted by R343L at 6:39 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by R343L at 6:39 PM on July 23, 2018 [15 favorites]
I mean, if I was writing the way-too-on-the-nose plot here, election day would start with a massive nationwide blackout just as the polls opened, so yeah, new nightmares.
Better to hit just poor urban neighborhoods that have unreliable power supplies anyway. Harder to detect that way, less likely to be investigated, and better for their man in Washington.
About a decade ago my university was getting federal funding to study power grid security. At the time the worry was that ancient Windows 95 or NT control boxes were still in service, and that SCADA systems typically had no encryption or authentication whatsoever and were a ticking time bomb. Man-in-the-middle and DDOS attacks were trivial to construct. There seems to have been some industry progress since then, but the likelihood of it being enough to stop a state-sponsored attack is approximately zero. What is needed is federal funding to replace aging control systems (the carrot), and mandatory federal regulatory standards for security practices, with heavy fines for violations (the stick). The likelihood of any of that happening, under the current administration, is also approximately zero.
posted by hyperbolic at 6:47 PM on July 23, 2018 [36 favorites]
Better to hit just poor urban neighborhoods that have unreliable power supplies anyway. Harder to detect that way, less likely to be investigated, and better for their man in Washington.
About a decade ago my university was getting federal funding to study power grid security. At the time the worry was that ancient Windows 95 or NT control boxes were still in service, and that SCADA systems typically had no encryption or authentication whatsoever and were a ticking time bomb. Man-in-the-middle and DDOS attacks were trivial to construct. There seems to have been some industry progress since then, but the likelihood of it being enough to stop a state-sponsored attack is approximately zero. What is needed is federal funding to replace aging control systems (the carrot), and mandatory federal regulatory standards for security practices, with heavy fines for violations (the stick). The likelihood of any of that happening, under the current administration, is also approximately zero.
posted by hyperbolic at 6:47 PM on July 23, 2018 [36 favorites]
> I mean, if I was writing the way-too-on-the-nose plot here, election day would start with a massive nationwide blackout just as the polls opened, so yeah, new nightmares.
Better to hit just poor urban neighborhoods that have unreliable power supplies anyway. Harder to detect that way, less likely to be investigated, and better for their man in Washington.
You're thinking like someone looking to elect a particular person. If the goal is to create discord then fucking up the election across the board is a great approach. However a nationwide blackout would have so many other knock-on effect that I'm not sure fouling up an election would be among the top ten negative consequences, depending on how long it went on, anyway.
posted by phearlez at 7:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Better to hit just poor urban neighborhoods that have unreliable power supplies anyway. Harder to detect that way, less likely to be investigated, and better for their man in Washington.
You're thinking like someone looking to elect a particular person. If the goal is to create discord then fucking up the election across the board is a great approach. However a nationwide blackout would have so many other knock-on effect that I'm not sure fouling up an election would be among the top ten negative consequences, depending on how long it went on, anyway.
posted by phearlez at 7:02 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also presumably many of those parents were fleeing problems where they might be in hiding, homeless or without resources, or quite literally already dead. We at least owe (the kids) a green card here if they want to stay.For once, I would love it if this nation used its vast intelligence network for something like finding the identity of a parent whose child was kidnapped and facilitating a reunion. If spies can seek, locate, monitor and apprehend people who are actively trying to avoid the eye of American intelligence, surely they can find individuals who have lost their children and desperately want to be reunited with them.
Tweet some threats against the country and we will hunt you down to the ends of the Earth. Make the mistake of crossing the border while the Administration is throwing a tantrum and get separated from your kids, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
posted by bl1nk at 7:42 PM on July 23, 2018 [35 favorites]
I really am amazed that Giuliani - or anyone with even vague awareness of how the courts work - would think it could ever be remotely acceptable to put the president under oath, and that goes double for something like a deposition, where there's no judge to say "you don't have to answer that one."
President Bill Clinton testified under oath before a grand jury on August 17, 1998. He and Hillary were interviewed under oath on numerous occasions during the Whitewater investigation; Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan all testified under oath in different cases.
Ken Starr subpoenaed President Clinton around July 26, 1998, and Clinton agreed to testify in exchange for Starr withdrawing the subpoena.
On two occasions "the [Supreme Court] has suggested that there's no authority for the president to decline" cooperating with an investigation:
President Bill Clinton testified under oath before a grand jury on August 17, 1998. He and Hillary were interviewed under oath on numerous occasions during the Whitewater investigation; Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan all testified under oath in different cases.
Ken Starr subpoenaed President Clinton around July 26, 1998, and Clinton agreed to testify in exchange for Starr withdrawing the subpoena.
On two occasions "the [Supreme Court] has suggested that there's no authority for the president to decline" cooperating with an investigation:
Nixon failed when he tried to shield his White House tapes from the Watergate prosecutor who wanted them as evidence in charging presidential aides with crimes related to the scandal. The court rejected Nixon's claim that the recordings were protected by executive privilege.posted by kirkaracha at 8:06 PM on July 23, 2018 [19 favorites]
"The president's generalized assertion of privilege must yield to the demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial and the fundamental demands of due process of law in the fair administration of criminal justice," the court said in 1974.
Twenty-three years later, the Supreme Court ruled that Clinton was not immune from a lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, who accused him of sexual harassment. It is settled law, the court said, "that the president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances."
While that ruling involved a civil case, the court said the need for evidence in a prosecution is even greater.
"We have made clear," the court said, "that in a criminal case the powerful interest in the 'fair administration of criminal justice' requires that the evidence be given under appropriate circumstances lest the 'very integrity of the judicial system' be eroded."
If spies can seek, locate, monitor and apprehend people who are actively trying to avoid the eye of American intelligence, surely they can find individuals who have lost their children and desperately want to be reunited with them.
I mean they couldn't/wouldn't stop the obvious and flagrant theft of a presidential election and the installation of a malevolent puppet dictatorship, and all they've proven themselves to be super great at is torturing cab drivers to death. So I'm OK giving the intelligence community a pass on this one.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
I mean they couldn't/wouldn't stop the obvious and flagrant theft of a presidential election and the installation of a malevolent puppet dictatorship, and all they've proven themselves to be super great at is torturing cab drivers to death. So I'm OK giving the intelligence community a pass on this one.
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:33 PM on July 23, 2018 [9 favorites]
Something new to worry about!
Pacific Standard: Is the Census Bureau Prepared to Cope With Potential Cyber Attacks?
posted by triggerfinger at 8:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
Pacific Standard: Is the Census Bureau Prepared to Cope With Potential Cyber Attacks?
The Georgetown letter outlines two broad concerns with the next census. One is transparency. Response rates to the survey live or die by the public's trust in the process. For example, critics fear that the addition of an untested citizenship question may undermine public confidence in the 2020 census, leading to a potential undercount of vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations. Similarly, if the public comes to believe that the decennial count isn't secure, they may decline to participate. The Census Bureau has not responded publicly to requests from Congress or public-interest groups about its security protocols.At this point, if we learned that the census was being literally cyberattacked by people inside the actual Trump administration, I would not be surprised.
A more direct concern is that the bureau may be unprepared for an attack on census data. Danger can take multiple forms, including threats that the bureau may deal with internally (such as denial-of-service attacks or compromised devices) and external threats beyond the bureau's control (rogue sites impersonating the census). Both criminal and nation-state actors have used these methods and more to steal data or, more recently, interfere with elections.
posted by triggerfinger at 8:34 PM on July 23, 2018 [8 favorites]
It is settled law, the court said, "that the president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances."
I paraphrase the recent words of Justice Gorsuch: "Settled law, schmettled law."
There is a much different Supreme Court today, and it's about to become even more radical.
posted by JackFlash at 8:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
I paraphrase the recent words of Justice Gorsuch: "Settled law, schmettled law."
There is a much different Supreme Court today, and it's about to become even more radical.
posted by JackFlash at 8:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
kirkaracha, thank you for those links and there are definitely people out there saying that POTUS can no be compelled to testify. I assumed that, I really am amazed that Giuliani - or anyone with even vague awareness of how the courts work - would think it could ever be remotely acceptable to put the president under oath means closer to, "what kind of moron would let Trump testify under oath because he is a compulsive and habitual liar and will make the job of defending him preposterous."
posted by ActingTheGoat at 9:18 PM on July 23, 2018
posted by ActingTheGoat at 9:18 PM on July 23, 2018
Republican voters get exactly what they voted for: Deportations take unique toll on blended American families
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [80 favorites]
Many in the bar this night, including Steve’s parents, gave their vote to Trump. They liked his promise to bring jobs back to the U.S. and the vow to make trade with China fairer. And they supported him when he said criminal immigrants would be deported. They just didn’t consider Stegall one, even if she came to the country illegally.They voted to deport their own daughter in law, and now they're sorry.
“I’ve always been proud to be an American,” says Shirley Stegall, Steve’s mom. “But now I’m ashamed.”
Jerry Rosetti, sipping scotch and water near the box of letters to Stegall, doesn’t think she should have been targeted and calls the situation “a raw deal.” But he still supports the president and still thinks illegal immigration is wrong.
“I would trade places with her in a minute,” he says. “She shouldn’t be in Mexico. She should be right here, right now.”
The dichotomy angers Steve. When someone balances compassion for his wife with support for Trump, he’s confounded.
“He’s destroying American lives,” Steve says of the president. “How can you do this? How can you do this to your own American people?”
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:35 PM on July 23, 2018 [80 favorites]
a nationwide blackout would have so many other knock-on effect
Getting power back up after a serious wide-area blackout takes more than just a little coordination between utility providers. Especially if some of the generating plants have spun down because of zero demand.
And when you have an Energetic Bear still able to flip switches during this process? It's not unlikely things will break. As in go boom. Which means parts replacement time, and these aren't parts that are stocked at your local Home Depot. Utility co's will have a small stock of common spares, as will the manufacturers. But there's also gear that is built to spec, on demand, so no spares.
posted by Stoneshop at 9:47 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Getting power back up after a serious wide-area blackout takes more than just a little coordination between utility providers. Especially if some of the generating plants have spun down because of zero demand.
And when you have an Energetic Bear still able to flip switches during this process? It's not unlikely things will break. As in go boom. Which means parts replacement time, and these aren't parts that are stocked at your local Home Depot. Utility co's will have a small stock of common spares, as will the manufacturers. But there's also gear that is built to spec, on demand, so no spares.
posted by Stoneshop at 9:47 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
What would happen if Election Day were compromised by blackouts or obvious fraud? Is there any provision for extending the period of voting or having a do-over of some kind?
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:57 PM on July 23, 2018
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:57 PM on July 23, 2018
Voting hours are sometimes extended in the event of things like power outages or natural disasters.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:59 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is there any provision for extending the period of voting or having a do-over of some kind?
No.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
No.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
Russian Hackers Reach U.S. Utility Control Rooms, Homeland Security Officials Say
Just out of curiosity, has the White House made any statements regarding these or other hacking targets which were not directly campaign/election related? I wonder if DJT would have the same response, i.e. "Who knows, it COULD be Russia, could be anyone, so let's just forget about it, and hey.. look over there..." Or does he treat these differently than the 2016 campaign hacks?
posted by p3t3 at 10:03 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Just out of curiosity, has the White House made any statements regarding these or other hacking targets which were not directly campaign/election related? I wonder if DJT would have the same response, i.e. "Who knows, it COULD be Russia, could be anyone, so let's just forget about it, and hey.. look over there..." Or does he treat these differently than the 2016 campaign hacks?
posted by p3t3 at 10:03 PM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]
Russian Hackers Reach U.S. Utility Control Rooms, Homeland Security Officials Say
By the way, there's an interesting thread separating some of the hype from the news here by someone who I'm led to believe is knowledgeable about the subject.
posted by zachlipton at 10:11 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
By the way, there's an interesting thread separating some of the hype from the news here by someone who I'm led to believe is knowledgeable about the subject.
posted by zachlipton at 10:11 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
There is no constitutional or legislative provision for a do-over, but if current trends continue and it's very apparent that the election has been compromised in a significant way, I'm going to venture to say that there will indeed be a "do-over" of some kind. In fact maybe it would be a good idea for Dems in Congress to get ahead of this in some way such that we at least have some acknowledgement of the possibility and some sketched-out plans to address it, because the alternative is going to be civil unrest at a scale we haven't seen in a hundred and fifty years.
The election was stolen in 2000 and there was no civil unrest at all, I have no idea why you assume things would be different now.
posted by dilaudid at 10:20 PM on July 23, 2018 [23 favorites]
The election was stolen in 2000 and there was no civil unrest at all, I have no idea why you assume things would be different now.
posted by dilaudid at 10:20 PM on July 23, 2018 [23 favorites]
TPM: Bolton: "I spoke to the President over the last several days, and President Trump told me that if Iran does anything at all to the negative, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid before."
posted by christopherious at 10:29 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by christopherious at 10:29 PM on July 23, 2018 [4 favorites]
I generally agree that people are more woke now than during Bush v Gore. But I differ with the statement that Bush “was not a blatantly traitorous criminal.”
His multiple unequivocal, and blatantly false, statements to the nation and the world urging the necessity of war in Iraq — and the subsequent death and destruction in that country — qualifies him as a war criminal and a traitor to the US Constitution in my view.
I continue to be alarmed and angry at the way Trump’s excesses have tended to rehabilitate Bush’s reputation.
posted by darkstar at 10:58 PM on July 23, 2018 [16 favorites]
His multiple unequivocal, and blatantly false, statements to the nation and the world urging the necessity of war in Iraq — and the subsequent death and destruction in that country — qualifies him as a war criminal and a traitor to the US Constitution in my view.
I continue to be alarmed and angry at the way Trump’s excesses have tended to rehabilitate Bush’s reputation.
posted by darkstar at 10:58 PM on July 23, 2018 [16 favorites]
I told you guys Trump would go after Iran if he really got in trouble.
The extreme rhetoric basically out of nowhere shows just how much damage Trump himself believes he took in Helsinki.
Which is an enormous amount; not only did the entire world see what a cowering punk Trump is, now no one thinks there's no there there in the Mueller investigation.
posted by jamjam at 11:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
The extreme rhetoric basically out of nowhere shows just how much damage Trump himself believes he took in Helsinki.
Which is an enormous amount; not only did the entire world see what a cowering punk Trump is, now no one thinks there's no there there in the Mueller investigation.
posted by jamjam at 11:07 PM on July 23, 2018 [13 favorites]
Ah, yes, I take your point about the comparison to Bush ca. 2000.
posted by darkstar at 11:13 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 11:13 PM on July 23, 2018 [6 favorites]
a deposition, where there's no judge to say "you don't have to answer that one."
IANAL, but isn't it equally true that there's no judge to instruct the depose that he is required to answer the question? I mean, if Trump says "Fuck you, the Special President's Privilege allows me to not answer that," what are they going to do? Beat him up?
posted by msalt at 11:14 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
IANAL, but isn't it equally true that there's no judge to instruct the depose that he is required to answer the question? I mean, if Trump says "Fuck you, the Special President's Privilege allows me to not answer that," what are they going to do? Beat him up?
posted by msalt at 11:14 PM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]
After a FOIA lawsuit, the administration turned over documents about their efforts to add a citizenship question to the Census. Here's an email in which various officials complain to each other that they can't even find someone at the AEI to say they're in favor of including the question, because this plan was so crappy even a right-wing think tank couldn't find someone to endorse it. The AEI rep asks "Is it important that the person actually be in favor of the proposal?"
There's probably more nonsense in these docs that will emerge tomorrow.
posted by zachlipton at 11:27 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
There's probably more nonsense in these docs that will emerge tomorrow.
posted by zachlipton at 11:27 PM on July 23, 2018 [12 favorites]
Some more of that nonsense, today:
posted by zachlipton at 11:50 PM on July 23, 2018 [69 favorites]
@uscensusbureau analysis of adding citizenship question, in memo to Sec. Ross: "very costly, harms the quality of the census count, and would use substantially less accurate citizenship status data than are available from administrative sources."These people took office and immediately set out to sabotage the census by undercounting immigrant populations. It's criminal.
Ross claimed the citizenship question was added to the #Census due to a DOJ request in December of 2017. but here's Ross in MAY of 2017: "I am mystified why nothing have been done in response to my months old request that we include the citizenship question. Why not?"
message sent from Ross in April of 2017 re: adding citizenship question: "Census Director has on April 29 a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations. We *must* get our issue resolved before this!"
just weeks into Ross's tenure, BANNON was inserting himself into census conversations.
posted by zachlipton at 11:50 PM on July 23, 2018 [69 favorites]
By the way, there's an interesting thread separating some of the hype from the news here by someone who I'm led to believe is knowledgeable about the subject.
I'm with Robert. It's not good news but it sounds worse than I think it is. They're conflating compromise of a utility with compromise of the grid itself & even at that it's unclear how complete the compromise is.
I've done ICS compartmentalization control validation for the East coast grid, part of NERC regulatory certification (NERC CIP 007-6 R1, “Ports and Services”), actually checking which ports on which servers can be reached from which ports on which servers & making sure the attack surface was minimized so nothing was exposed except what had to be & only to the extent it had to be. They got that shit locked down.
posted by scalefree at 12:41 AM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
I'm with Robert. It's not good news but it sounds worse than I think it is. They're conflating compromise of a utility with compromise of the grid itself & even at that it's unclear how complete the compromise is.
I've done ICS compartmentalization control validation for the East coast grid, part of NERC regulatory certification (NERC CIP 007-6 R1, “Ports and Services”), actually checking which ports on which servers can be reached from which ports on which servers & making sure the attack surface was minimized so nothing was exposed except what had to be & only to the extent it had to be. They got that shit locked down.
posted by scalefree at 12:41 AM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
IANAL, but isn't it equally true that there's no judge to instruct the depose that he is required to answer the question? I mean, if Trump says "Fuck you, the Special President's Privilege allows me to not answer that," what are they going to do? Beat him up?
Take him to federal court and get an order compelling him to answer. If he decides to not answer after that, he'll be found in contempt. That's when the constitutional crisis shitfight starts.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:37 AM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Take him to federal court and get an order compelling him to answer. If he decides to not answer after that, he'll be found in contempt. That's when the constitutional crisis shitfight starts.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 4:37 AM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Why Stacey Abrams Is the Future for Democrats
Stacey Abrams doesn’t give much of a damn, though. Certainly, the 44-year-old former Georgia House minority leader is the only black woman to have led either party in the state’s General Assembly or its House of Representatives. And now she is the first black woman of a major party to be nominated for governor in any state. That last part is likely why you’ve heard of her, though she is also running the campaign many liberals wish all Democrats would: Namely, forget compromising on issues like civil rights and abortion access; run candidates who look like your base; and stop devoting so much time, energy and money to winning over people who will never vote for you. “My approach is this,” Abrams says. “I’m not going to spend a disproportionate share of our resources trying to convert Republican-leaning voters when we can invest in lifting up the voices of those who share our values. Because here’s the thing: I think our values are the right ones. And I think these values that are shared actually are going to be victorious on their own.”posted by octothorpe at 4:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [107 favorites]
Michelle Goldberg, NYTimes: Democrats Are Moving Left. Don’t Panic.
It's worth remembering that a lot of the people who are calling for a more centrist Democratic Party are actually conservatives. Comey is probably doing it with the best intentions (but where did those ever bring him?), but others, like this guy, seem to be acting in bad faith.
posted by mumimor at 4:44 AM on July 24, 2018 [22 favorites]
It's worth remembering that a lot of the people who are calling for a more centrist Democratic Party are actually conservatives. Comey is probably doing it with the best intentions (but where did those ever bring him?), but others, like this guy, seem to be acting in bad faith.
posted by mumimor at 4:44 AM on July 24, 2018 [22 favorites]
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that James Comey’s finely-tuned political instincts have never steered him wrong.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 5:20 AM on July 24, 2018 [65 favorites]
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 5:20 AM on July 24, 2018 [65 favorites]
Comey is a lifelong Republican who broke the law to elect Trump. I don't know why we're should accept a proposition that his intentions are any different now than at every other point in his political life, to sabotage Democrats.
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 5:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [26 favorites]
Millions of Black Voters Are Being Purged From Voter Rolls, Often Illegally: Report - Michael Harriot, TheRoot
Voter Purges (pdf), a new report by the Brennan Center, highlights the systematic purging of voters from rolls by state and local officials around the country. These are not random, isolated cases. It is a methodical effort that disproportionately affects minority voters. Even worse, no one seems to care.posted by ZeusHumms at 6:36 AM on July 24, 2018 [62 favorites]
...
Between 2014 and 2016, 16 million registered voters were removed from state rolls, 33 percent more than were moved between 2006 and 2008. For the election of 2012 and 2016, the Brennan Center estimates that two million fewer voters would have been purged if those states had to apply by the provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
...
Almost every study ever done on this issue shows that in-person voter fraud is almost nonexistent. Instead, these purges are intentional efforts to restrict voting rights.
Some of the easily-implementable recommendations to rectify this travesty include:
1. Public notifications of impending voter purges.
2. Making purge lists available to the public, including at polling places.
3. Accepting provisional ballots from purged voters.
4. Universal voter registration forms and rules.
5. Stop using failure to vote as a reason to purge voters.
I don't know why we're should accept a proposition that his intentions are any different now than at every other point in his political life, to sabotage Democrats.
The connection between releasing a memo of his interactions with Trump in an effort to induce the appointment of a special counsel and "sabotag[ing] Democrats" seems unclear to me. Is there some connection in your mind there?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 6:41 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
The connection between releasing a memo of his interactions with Trump in an effort to induce the appointment of a special counsel and "sabotag[ing] Democrats" seems unclear to me. Is there some connection in your mind there?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 6:41 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Millions of Black Voters Are Being Purged From Voter Rolls, Often Illegally: Report - Michael Harriot, TheRoot
See Also: Lawfare Blog - Further Reflections on the Russian Hacking Indictment
posted by mikelieman at 6:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [35 favorites]
See Also: Lawfare Blog - Further Reflections on the Russian Hacking Indictment
The Russians penetrated the computer system of a vendor who sold voter registration equipment to the states. The Russians then turned around and used the access to the vendor to send spearfishing emails to many of the vendors clients, most notably those in Florida. Though not quite as explicitly as with Illinois, the facts alleged here match the known, reported breach of the election vender VR Systems, a company previously linked to Florida voting systems.
posted by mikelieman at 6:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [35 favorites]
Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wagner Called Me “Young and Naive”
posted by octothorpe at 6:53 AM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
“Young and naive”. That's how I was dismissed by Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner when I confronted his baseless claims about climate change. I stood up to ask a simple question — Pennsylvanians are concerned about climate change and you say it’s caused by body heat. Does this have anything to do with the $200,000 you’ve taken from the fossil fuel industry? His response to my question shocked me.Unfortunately, there hasn't been a new poll in a month but as of late June, Wagner was running 16 points behind Governor Wolf.
posted by octothorpe at 6:53 AM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
Felix Salmon in Slate posts some good news about good people: How Is RAICES Handling Its $30 Million Windfall?
Last month, a formerly obscure Texas legal charity struck the jackpot. Millions of Americans, horrified by families being torn apart at the border, started sharing and donating to a campaign to raise money for RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services in Texas. The main Facebook fundraiser ended up bringing in almost $21 million, and I was very optimistic that the money would be put to good use, reuniting families and helping some of the neediest people in America.posted by Joe in Australia at 7:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [56 favorites]
Since then, RAICES has made headlines more deliberately. The group called a press conference in Washington to ask the Trump administration to accept a $20 million bond check to free thousands of immigrant mothers, rather than requiring individuals to be bailed out one at a time; they also rejected a $250,000 donation from Salesforce, which is refusing to cancel its contracts with Customs and Border Protection.
I spoke to Jennifer Falcon, head of communications at RAICES, to ask her about her organization’s tumultuous month…
@atrupar
Fox & Friends had Daily Caller editor @VAKruta on to discuss the fear she felt attending @Ocasio2018 rally.
"They talk about things everybody wants, especially if you're a parent. They talk about education for your kids, health care for your kids, the things that you want. And if you're not really paying attention about how they're going to pay for it or the rest of that, it's easy to fall into that trap and say 'my kids deserve this. Maybe the government should be responsible for helping me with that.' [...] I was mostly uncomfortable, because I was surrounded by a group of people who were talking about how they'd gotten involved because they were tired of being angry all the time. It seems like so much effort to be angry about everything instead of to focus on what you can do to change it."
Worth watching the clip for her photo with Ocasio-Cortez, in which her eyes brim with barely-controlled animal terror at socialist proximity. A thing of beauty. AOC's got them shook.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:12 AM on July 24, 2018 [81 favorites]
Fox & Friends had Daily Caller editor @VAKruta on to discuss the fear she felt attending @Ocasio2018 rally.
"They talk about things everybody wants, especially if you're a parent. They talk about education for your kids, health care for your kids, the things that you want. And if you're not really paying attention about how they're going to pay for it or the rest of that, it's easy to fall into that trap and say 'my kids deserve this. Maybe the government should be responsible for helping me with that.' [...] I was mostly uncomfortable, because I was surrounded by a group of people who were talking about how they'd gotten involved because they were tired of being angry all the time. It seems like so much effort to be angry about everything instead of to focus on what you can do to change it."
Worth watching the clip for her photo with Ocasio-Cortez, in which her eyes brim with barely-controlled animal terror at socialist proximity. A thing of beauty. AOC's got them shook.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:12 AM on July 24, 2018 [81 favorites]
@jeremypoxon
"socialists almost tricked me into caring about...other people"
posted by Artw at 7:16 AM on July 24, 2018 [93 favorites]
"socialists almost tricked me into caring about...other people"
posted by Artw at 7:16 AM on July 24, 2018 [93 favorites]
Trump to announce trade aid for farmers
The Trump administration is planning to ease fears of a trade war by announcing later Tuesday billions of dollars in aid to farmers hurt by tariffs, according to two sources familiar with the plan.
The welfare state's a cradle-to-grave socialist wonderland as long as you're sufficiently old and white and Republican.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:23 AM on July 24, 2018 [69 favorites]
The Trump administration is planning to ease fears of a trade war by announcing later Tuesday billions of dollars in aid to farmers hurt by tariffs, according to two sources familiar with the plan.
The welfare state's a cradle-to-grave socialist wonderland as long as you're sufficiently old and white and Republican.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:23 AM on July 24, 2018 [69 favorites]
Spicer's book refers to dossier author as 'Michael Steele': report
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer's new book "The Briefing" is reportedly riddled with inaccuracies, including falsely identifying a former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the author of a controversial dossier alleging ties between the president and Russia.
We're through the looking glass, people.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:29 AM on July 24, 2018 [48 favorites]
Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer's new book "The Briefing" is reportedly riddled with inaccuracies, including falsely identifying a former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the author of a controversial dossier alleging ties between the president and Russia.
We're through the looking glass, people.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:29 AM on July 24, 2018 [48 favorites]
including falsely identifying a former chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC) as the author of a controversial dossier
So is this regular carelessness, a stupid error, or an attempt to rewrite history (and not in that fun Scrooge McDuck way)? I know Spicer and the others in the administration aren't exactly fans of truth and facts, but for something this wrong to make it past editors has me wondering.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:33 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
So is this regular carelessness, a stupid error, or an attempt to rewrite history (and not in that fun Scrooge McDuck way)? I know Spicer and the others in the administration aren't exactly fans of truth and facts, but for something this wrong to make it past editors has me wondering.
posted by Servo5678 at 7:33 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
How Trump Is Repelling Foreign Investment
The Long-Term Costs of Economic Nationalism
posted by infini at 7:38 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
The Long-Term Costs of Economic Nationalism
posted by infini at 7:38 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
“a unicorn, riding a unicorn over a rainbow”
So, this?
posted by mayhap at 7:42 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
So, this?
posted by mayhap at 7:42 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
The WaPo's James Hohmann has a good summary of Kavanaugh on Nixon: The Daily 202: Why U.S. v. Nixon matters — now more than ever.
posted by peeedro at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
> The Trump administration is planning to ease fears of a trade war by announcing later Tuesday billions of dollars in aid to farmers hurt by tariffs, according to two sources familiar with the plan.
So we've reached the straight-up bribery phase now, where Blue-state tax money is going to be paid out to subsidize Red-state farmers whose lifestyles are being crimped by the trade war launched by their savior.
That's fine - I hope they remember this when the shoe is on the other foot, too.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:51 AM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
So we've reached the straight-up bribery phase now, where Blue-state tax money is going to be paid out to subsidize Red-state farmers whose lifestyles are being crimped by the trade war launched by their savior.
That's fine - I hope they remember this when the shoe is on the other foot, too.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:51 AM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
Michael Steele, Christopher Steele...I mean, what are the chances there would ever be a "fact checker"-type editor at the kind of publisher that would choose to publish a Sean Spicer memoir? Can you even imagine having that job? Like, where do you even start
posted by mabelstreet at 7:57 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by mabelstreet at 7:57 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
Spicer's memoir was published by Regnery Publishing, they publish people like Coulter, Gingrich, Palin, and Malkin. Fact checking isn't their strong suit.
posted by peeedro at 8:01 AM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 8:01 AM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
I'm sure every Trump voter eligible for bailout aid will refuse it out of principle because getting hand outs from the government stops people pulling themselves up with their bootstraps.
posted by PenDevil at 8:05 AM on July 24, 2018 [62 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 8:05 AM on July 24, 2018 [62 favorites]
Ugh. With tariffs + aid to farmers Trump has set up another avenue for graft (to go along with the tariff exemption industries/firms can petition the govt for relief) in which players will need to seek favors from the administration to prosper/survive.
Winning!
posted by notyou at 8:30 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Winning!
posted by notyou at 8:30 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Alrighty then.
@MonmouthPoll
PENNSYLVANIA CD17 POLL: US House election
All potential voters:
@ConorLambPA (D) 51%
@KeithRothfus (R) 39%
Likely voters:
Standard model - Lamb 53 / Rothfus 40
Dem-surge model - Lamb 54 / Rothfus 39
posted by chris24 at 8:31 AM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
@MonmouthPoll
PENNSYLVANIA CD17 POLL: US House election
All potential voters:
@ConorLambPA (D) 51%
@KeithRothfus (R) 39%
Likely voters:
Standard model - Lamb 53 / Rothfus 40
Dem-surge model - Lamb 54 / Rothfus 39
posted by chris24 at 8:31 AM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
Josh Marshall, TPM (Prime paywall, partly public): This Wheel's On Fire
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:38 AM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
Helsinki seems like an inflection point. ... the most logical explanation of Helsinki and what we’ve seen before and since is that Vladimir Putin has some leverage over the President. ... It is an almost fantastical proposition, something out of cheap finish-it-in-90 minutes TV movie fiction. And yet here we are.Interesting look back at the history, knowing what we know now:
There was no way to know then that both Page and Manafort had already been the subjects of FISA surveillance as suspected foreign agents or that a third advisor, the nonsensical George Papadopoulos ... had already established contact with a Russian intelligence asset in London. Only a month earlier, the now-president’s son, son-in-law, and Manafort had met with an emissary of the Russian government offering dirt on Hillary Clinton – something that would only become known a year later. ...It's a long piece, but the bottom line is - the treason has been so blatant and so obvious that the system is having a hard time coming to grips with it.
In March 2016 Trump announced a first slate of five foreign policy advisors and a new top advisor, in charge of managing the GOP convention, Paul Manafort. Of these six men, two had already been the subject of FISA surveillance as suspected foreign agents of Russia or Russian interests in Ukraine.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:38 AM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
The campaign started on Inauguration Day. So, now he has.
posted by rp at 8:49 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by rp at 8:49 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
the treason has been so blatant and so obvious that the system is having a hard time coming to grips with it.
Because the party in power is almost or entirely compromised itself. I'm convinced many Republicans protect Trump because they don't want us to know how much they've been in Russia's pocket as well.
posted by emjaybee at 8:52 AM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
Because the party in power is almost or entirely compromised itself. I'm convinced many Republicans protect Trump because they don't want us to know how much they've been in Russia's pocket as well.
posted by emjaybee at 8:52 AM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
@realdonaldtrump
I’m very concerned that Russia will be fighting very hard to have an impact on the upcoming Election. Based on the fact that no President has been tougher on Russia than me, they will be pushing very hard for the Democrats. They definitely don’t want Trump!
[real]
The gaslighting. It burns.
posted by bluemilker at 8:56 AM on July 24, 2018 [64 favorites]
I’m very concerned that Russia will be fighting very hard to have an impact on the upcoming Election. Based on the fact that no President has been tougher on Russia than me, they will be pushing very hard for the Democrats. They definitely don’t want Trump!
[real]
The gaslighting. It burns.
posted by bluemilker at 8:56 AM on July 24, 2018 [64 favorites]
Oh hey, in the "reuniting" process they've found new ways to disappear people.
Incommunicado in South Texas: Migrant parents await reunification in seclusion
On the brink of being released from detention and reunited with children separated from them sometimes months ago, migrant parents are held at a South Texas facility in a sort of limbo — not free to leave, but without access to phones or commissary accounts that regular detainees get. [...]
“They're treating them like they're processed out of the facility already but they're still there,” Carson said. “They're still locked up. They're still detained. They can't leave. So all they've done is take away their communication and all of the other things that, according to detention standards, they have rights to.”
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:59 AM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
Incommunicado in South Texas: Migrant parents await reunification in seclusion
On the brink of being released from detention and reunited with children separated from them sometimes months ago, migrant parents are held at a South Texas facility in a sort of limbo — not free to leave, but without access to phones or commissary accounts that regular detainees get. [...]
“They're treating them like they're processed out of the facility already but they're still there,” Carson said. “They're still locked up. They're still detained. They can't leave. So all they've done is take away their communication and all of the other things that, according to detention standards, they have rights to.”
posted by Rust Moranis at 8:59 AM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
> Based on the fact that no President has been tougher on Russia than me, they will be pushing very hard for the Democrats. They definitely don’t want Trump!
Please tell me this is too transparently stupid for even his base. Please.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
Please tell me this is too transparently stupid for even his base. Please.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
The gaslighting. It burns.
It's not gaslighting, it's the foundation of his and the GOP's refusal to accept the results of any Democratic electoral victory going forward.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [63 favorites]
It's not gaslighting, it's the foundation of his and the GOP's refusal to accept the results of any Democratic electoral victory going forward.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [63 favorites]
Well, just like everybody else, they definitely don't WANT Trump. But they work with the best they can get elected.
posted by delfin at 9:01 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by delfin at 9:01 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
"No king has been tougher on roaches than me," bellowed the Roach King.
posted by Servo5678 at 9:02 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Servo5678 at 9:02 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
They definitely don’t want Trump!
A week ago Putin stood on stage next to Trump and said on live TV he wanted Trump to be president.
posted by chris24 at 9:03 AM on July 24, 2018 [72 favorites]
A week ago Putin stood on stage next to Trump and said on live TV he wanted Trump to be president.
posted by chris24 at 9:03 AM on July 24, 2018 [72 favorites]
It's not gaslighting, it's the foundation of his and the GOP's refusal to accept the results of any Democratic electoral victory going forward.
Just because gaslighting is indeed the foundation of his scheme doesn't mean it's not still gaslighting.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:07 AM on July 24, 2018 [11 favorites]
Just because gaslighting is indeed the foundation of his scheme doesn't mean it's not still gaslighting.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:07 AM on July 24, 2018 [11 favorites]
A week ago Putin stood on stage next to Trump and said on live TV he wanted Trump to be president.
guess you can't believe everything that guy says.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:07 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
guess you can't believe everything that guy says.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:07 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
What liberals (still) get wrong about Trump's support
And that last part, the devil comparison? That's exactly why so much of the social media hacking by the Russians focused on making shit up about Clinton that was equal to Trump's odiousness. Pizzagate, indeed.
I continue to be astounded at how clever, laser-like in focus, and effective the Russian/GOP strategy was for this election. Were it not blatantly evil and illegal, I might even admire it.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:08 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
Polls show an unusually high share of Republicans do not say they “strongly” approve of his performance; they are well aware of his many foibles and flaws.So, liberals are wrong about Trump supporters, who see his egregious, criminal, rude, treasonous behaviors as "many foibles and flaws," and equivalent to Clinton's negatives? I don't think so. I think we have it exactly right.
...
The 2016 exit poll showed that Trump won because he decisively beat Clinton among the 18% of Americans who did not like either candidate. These voters tended to be suburban, college-educated, Republican-leaning men. These “reluctant Trump voters” were undecided until the very end of the race, but ultimately decided that the devil whose policies they liked was better than the devil whose policies they didn’t.
And that last part, the devil comparison? That's exactly why so much of the social media hacking by the Russians focused on making shit up about Clinton that was equal to Trump's odiousness. Pizzagate, indeed.
I continue to be astounded at how clever, laser-like in focus, and effective the Russian/GOP strategy was for this election. Were it not blatantly evil and illegal, I might even admire it.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:08 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
The Trump administration is planning to ease fears of a trade war by announcing later Tuesday billions of dollars in aid to farmers hurt by tariffs, according to two sources familiar with the plan.
What Trump Supporters Imagine: Farmer Bob gets a five-figure check in the mail! His family farm is saved!
What Actually Happens: Monsanto gets an enormous direct-deposit. They barely notice.
Headline in August: Relief for Trump Tariffs Largely Benefits Big Agribusiness, Not Small Farmers
Trump voters in November: Well, I know my neighbors are losing their farms and going bankrupt, but other small farmers got relief, so I'm gonna keep voting for my local Republicans for Congress.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:10 AM on July 24, 2018 [70 favorites]
What Trump Supporters Imagine: Farmer Bob gets a five-figure check in the mail! His family farm is saved!
What Actually Happens: Monsanto gets an enormous direct-deposit. They barely notice.
Headline in August: Relief for Trump Tariffs Largely Benefits Big Agribusiness, Not Small Farmers
Trump voters in November: Well, I know my neighbors are losing their farms and going bankrupt, but other small farmers got relief, so I'm gonna keep voting for my local Republicans for Congress.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 9:10 AM on July 24, 2018 [70 favorites]
Mod note: Folks, we've had a pattern this morning of 'here's a quote' followed by a bunch of 'ugh what fuckers' brief reactions, and just as a reminder, gonna ask that people rein in those reaction one-liners; if there isn't anything happening, just let the thread be slow and not fill it with that stuff. Chat is a good place for agreeable "ugh"ing, venting thread is available for more heavy-duty anger/sadness/etc; let's try to keep this thread lean and focused on updates.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
I...I..wat?
@VicBergerIV Dan Bongino and the NRA have no idea how to make lemonade. You don’t use a blender and you definitely don’t do the last thing he does. @dbongino @dloesch @OliverLNorth @NRA @NRATV
Here's Bongino defending the spot, explaining the part that isn't unutterably weird & gross & ignoring the part that is. Dan Bongino Reassures Liberals He Can Make Lemonade.
posted by scalefree at 9:14 AM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
@VicBergerIV Dan Bongino and the NRA have no idea how to make lemonade. You don’t use a blender and you definitely don’t do the last thing he does. @dbongino @dloesch @OliverLNorth @NRA @NRATV
Here's Bongino defending the spot, explaining the part that isn't unutterably weird & gross & ignoring the part that is. Dan Bongino Reassures Liberals He Can Make Lemonade.
posted by scalefree at 9:14 AM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
guess you can't believe everything that guy says.
Let's go to Maggie Habberman for her hallmark nuanced insider view of him: "Trump lies frequently, or tells falsehoods frequently, or stretches the truth frequently, but he also often tells the truth," she tells Brian Stelter on CNN's Reliable Sources.
Haberman not only carries water for the Trump administration in the media, but she also actively steers people away from the obvious conclusions, e.g. that Trump only did the Sun interview as a favor to Murdoch and not because he wants a Hard Brexit and Boris Johnson as PM (which of course he later said). She really is the Judith Miller for our times.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:15 AM on July 24, 2018 [26 favorites]
Let's go to Maggie Habberman for her hallmark nuanced insider view of him: "Trump lies frequently, or tells falsehoods frequently, or stretches the truth frequently, but he also often tells the truth," she tells Brian Stelter on CNN's Reliable Sources.
Haberman not only carries water for the Trump administration in the media, but she also actively steers people away from the obvious conclusions, e.g. that Trump only did the Sun interview as a favor to Murdoch and not because he wants a Hard Brexit and Boris Johnson as PM (which of course he later said). She really is the Judith Miller for our times.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:15 AM on July 24, 2018 [26 favorites]
What Actually Happens: Monsanto gets an enormous direct-deposit. They barely notice.
Fun fact: Monsanto no longer exists, and was acquired by Bayer and BASF. Monsanto's primary business lines now use the Bayer name since, for some reason, Bayer isn't considered as toxic to consumers. That said, scaryblackdeath's point stands besides this tiny pedantic derail. But where would MeFi be without tiny pedantic derails? ♥
posted by ragtag at 9:18 AM on July 24, 2018 [62 favorites]
Fun fact: Monsanto no longer exists, and was acquired by Bayer and BASF. Monsanto's primary business lines now use the Bayer name since, for some reason, Bayer isn't considered as toxic to consumers. That said, scaryblackdeath's point stands besides this tiny pedantic derail. But where would MeFi be without tiny pedantic derails? ♥
posted by ragtag at 9:18 AM on July 24, 2018 [62 favorites]
The 2016 exit poll showed that Trump won because he decisively beat Clinton among the 18% of Americans who did not like either candidate. These voters tended to be suburban, college-educated, Republican-leaning men. These “reluctant Trump voters” were undecided until the very end of the race, but ultimately decided that the devil whose policies they liked was better than the devil whose policies they didn’t.
In episode three of Jon Favreau's Pod Save America spinoff podcast The Wilderness, he talks to a focus group of Obama-Trump voters. It was pretty clear from some of their comments that they voted as much against Clinton as they did for Trump. In fact I think one person explicitly used the "devil you know" line as justification. So yeah, I buy this line of thought. I also think there's a really good chance those voters come home to the Democrats in 2020 if they nominate the right person. Most of them said they regret their Trump vote.
posted by schoolgirl report at 9:29 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
In episode three of Jon Favreau's Pod Save America spinoff podcast The Wilderness, he talks to a focus group of Obama-Trump voters. It was pretty clear from some of their comments that they voted as much against Clinton as they did for Trump. In fact I think one person explicitly used the "devil you know" line as justification. So yeah, I buy this line of thought. I also think there's a really good chance those voters come home to the Democrats in 2020 if they nominate the right person. Most of them said they regret their Trump vote.
posted by schoolgirl report at 9:29 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
Putin is visiting November 2. This is not a coincidence. They are planning to delegitimize the election results. Vote no matter what, but that same paranoid voice in my head that has been right every single time about this admin is pretty sure this will happen.
posted by localhuman at 9:30 AM on July 24, 2018 [54 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 9:30 AM on July 24, 2018 [54 favorites]
Localhuman, do you have a published source for the date of the 2nd for Putin's visit? (I'm seeing that a lot on Twitter, but nothing formally announced as far as Google can determine.) That's four days before the mid-terms, which is provocative timing to say the least. He'd also miss Trump's big military parade on the 10th.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:55 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:55 AM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Trump advisers quietly begin thinking about 'life after Sarah'
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
Bill Shine, the newly appointed White House deputy chief of staff for communications, has quietly begun asking friends and associates for their opinions about who could succeed Sanders if she leaves in the coming months, according to two people familiar with those conversations.Harvard Kennedy School here she comes.
...
At the top of the list is Heather Nauert, the current State Department spokeswoman and former Fox News host. Nauert has impressed White House aides with her steady performances in Foggy Bottom. Multiple people close to the White House pointed out that Nauert remained in Trump’s good graces even when the president soured on former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
...
Other possibilities include Bill Hemmer, a Fox News reporter; Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host who recently left the network to join a pro-Trump outside group; Treasury Department spokesman Tony Sayegh, who worked closely with the White House on its overhaul of the tax code and used to be a Fox News contributor; and White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
Mod note: Couple deleted; let's just head off the nth pass through "x is the one true explanation for the 2016 election result"; we've been over it and over it and over it.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:02 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:02 AM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
MetaFilter: we've been over it and over it and over it.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 AM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by scalefree at 10:03 AM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
chris24: "
@ConorLambPA (D) 51%
@KeithRothfus (R) 39%"
PA-17 here. We are going to level that piece of crap.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:16 AM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
@ConorLambPA (D) 51%
@KeithRothfus (R) 39%"
PA-17 here. We are going to level that piece of crap.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:16 AM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
What they really think: I’m a Conservative, And I Went to an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Rally:
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:21 AM on July 24, 2018 [125 favorites]
I saw something truly terrifying. I saw just how easy it would be, were I less involved and less certain of our nation’s founding and its history, to fall for the populist lines they were shouting from that stage.Apparently, that's it: it is terrifying to believe that children deserve health care and that the government should provide safety nets. There was no "these clueless idealists don't understand how much these things would cost" or even "but how would we prevent scam artists" - just a flat statement of "omg, they're spreading the insidious idea that you don't have to be miserable!"
- I saw how easy it would be, as a parent, to accept the idea that my children deserve healthcare and education.
- I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
- Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 10:21 AM on July 24, 2018 [125 favorites]
localhuman: They are planning to delegitimize the election results.
It's hard not to fear this. Of course, suppose that the day after a reasonably blue election, Trump makes this exact argument. It should give him all the more reason -- in terms of his own winning-is-everything mindset -- to go tough on the Kremlin, enact sanctions, and strengthen security. Make Putin regret the day he dared cross Trump by helping his rivals!
But instead I'm sure he'll act like maintaining the status quo is this generous gift for Democrats. Like graciously overlooking a foul by the other team. Wearing his horrible smirk, he'll say "I'm a nice guy, so I'm letting it slip" at a rally, getting cheers and laughter even though, taken literally (but "not seriously"!), he'd be rooting for the other side to play dirty as much as it pleases. The national debate could get surreal, with the new official Republican belief being that Democrats did benefit from Russian help but such interference definitely shouldn't be stopped in the future.
(Relatedly, I've seen images of The Donald subreddit chatter about trying to trick Democrats into supporting Voter ID under the guise of "stopping Putin", as if Democrats are morons who think the Kremlin's technique was in-person voter impersonation. Don't be surprised if that's the new talking point -- brush aside the actual cybernetic attacks and instead claim that Russia is "sending people" physically to the polls, somehow.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
It's hard not to fear this. Of course, suppose that the day after a reasonably blue election, Trump makes this exact argument. It should give him all the more reason -- in terms of his own winning-is-everything mindset -- to go tough on the Kremlin, enact sanctions, and strengthen security. Make Putin regret the day he dared cross Trump by helping his rivals!
But instead I'm sure he'll act like maintaining the status quo is this generous gift for Democrats. Like graciously overlooking a foul by the other team. Wearing his horrible smirk, he'll say "I'm a nice guy, so I'm letting it slip" at a rally, getting cheers and laughter even though, taken literally (but "not seriously"!), he'd be rooting for the other side to play dirty as much as it pleases. The national debate could get surreal, with the new official Republican belief being that Democrats did benefit from Russian help but such interference definitely shouldn't be stopped in the future.
(Relatedly, I've seen images of The Donald subreddit chatter about trying to trick Democrats into supporting Voter ID under the guise of "stopping Putin", as if Democrats are morons who think the Kremlin's technique was in-person voter impersonation. Don't be surprised if that's the new talking point -- brush aside the actual cybernetic attacks and instead claim that Russia is "sending people" physically to the polls, somehow.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
I saw something truly terrifying. I saw just how easy it would be, were I less involved and less certain of our nation’s founding and its history, to fall for the populist lines they were shouting from that stage.
I saw how easy it would be, as a parent, to accept the idea that my children deserve healthcare and education.
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
How on earth is that not satire.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [96 favorites]
I saw how easy it would be, as a parent, to accept the idea that my children deserve healthcare and education.
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
How on earth is that not satire.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:27 AM on July 24, 2018 [96 favorites]
Today at his VFW speech, an almost literal 'who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?'
"Just remember, what you are seeing and what you are reading is not what's happening."
posted by chris24 at 10:33 AM on July 24, 2018 [33 favorites]
"Just remember, what you are seeing and what you are reading is not what's happening."
posted by chris24 at 10:33 AM on July 24, 2018 [33 favorites]
"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command."
posted by chris24 at 10:37 AM on July 24, 2018 [53 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 10:37 AM on July 24, 2018 [53 favorites]
r/The_Donald is Russian propaganda. It would be nice if we would stop popping over there and reporting what we see with the assumption that these are actual American voters. They are not. It's a troll farm.
There are plenty of bots there but unfortunately I think the vast majority of the posts are in fact punched onto keyboards and screens with hands made of American human meat. It would definitely be nice if we'd stop popping over there, but only because it's the very heart of the dark singularity and every time you look at it your soul becomes smaller forever.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:39 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
There are plenty of bots there but unfortunately I think the vast majority of the posts are in fact punched onto keyboards and screens with hands made of American human meat. It would definitely be nice if we'd stop popping over there, but only because it's the very heart of the dark singularity and every time you look at it your soul becomes smaller forever.
posted by Rust Moranis at 10:39 AM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
I know, I know... this is just par for the course now. But. Seriously. Don't we have laws (and an administrative mechanism) to punish the campaign-style politicking that our president is now engaging in at this official presidential address in front of the VFW.
This is indistinguishable from MAGA.
posted by pjenks at 10:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
This is indistinguishable from MAGA.
posted by pjenks at 10:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
(Relatedly, I've seen images of The Donald subreddit chatter about trying to trick Democrats into supporting Voter ID under the guise of "stopping Putin", as if Democrats are morons who think the Kremlin's technique was in-person voter impersonation. Don't be surprised if that's the new talking point -- brush aside the actual cybernetic attacks and instead claim that Russia is "sending people" physically to the polls, somehow.)
Relevant memes spotted on /r/MercerInfo.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Relevant memes spotted on /r/MercerInfo.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 10:43 AM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
A sad day for job creators in the Trump economy.
@WSJ: Ivanka Trump is closing her namesake fashion brand, which became a lightning rod for critics of her father’s policiesposted by tonycpsu at 10:50 AM on July 24, 2018 [47 favorites]
wow where are all those sweatshop workers going to get 13 cents a day now
posted by poffin boffin at 10:55 AM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 10:55 AM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
Ahhh, nothing perks up a bad day like seeing Sabato move Steve King's district from Safe R to Likely R. Come on, Scholten...
posted by jason_steakums at 11:05 AM on July 24, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by jason_steakums at 11:05 AM on July 24, 2018 [36 favorites]
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided
something something "provide for the General Welfare" something
posted by kirkaracha at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2018 [22 favorites]
something something "provide for the General Welfare" something
posted by kirkaracha at 11:28 AM on July 24, 2018 [22 favorites]
Ryan: Trump Threat To Revoke Security Clearances Is 'Trolling People' (NPR, real)
So, I realize that the Overton window on what the United States will accept from politicians is (constantly) shifting in the time of Trump...
but having Paul Ryan openly refer to executive announcements as "trolling people" (as a DEFENSE!!!) feels like some sort of crazy milestone.
We're, what? One, maybe two months away from Fox News openly declaring that Trump is making policy "for the lulz."
posted by bluemilker at 11:35 AM on July 24, 2018 [61 favorites]
So, I realize that the Overton window on what the United States will accept from politicians is (constantly) shifting in the time of Trump...
but having Paul Ryan openly refer to executive announcements as "trolling people" (as a DEFENSE!!!) feels like some sort of crazy milestone.
We're, what? One, maybe two months away from Fox News openly declaring that Trump is making policy "for the lulz."
posted by bluemilker at 11:35 AM on July 24, 2018 [61 favorites]
I want to recommend two really great innovative journalism projects that are well worth looking at:
Marshall Project/NY Magazine, How Donald Trump’s war on immigrants is playing out in his hometown. An in-depth analysis of ICE's effects in New York City, combining data and a wide range of personal stories.
Bloomberg, Elected Leaders Are Making the World Less Democratic. More and more countries are holding elections, but those elections are increasingly less meaningful based on indices from V-Dem and Fredom House, packed with charts.
posted by zachlipton at 11:42 AM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
Marshall Project/NY Magazine, How Donald Trump’s war on immigrants is playing out in his hometown. An in-depth analysis of ICE's effects in New York City, combining data and a wide range of personal stories.
Bloomberg, Elected Leaders Are Making the World Less Democratic. More and more countries are holding elections, but those elections are increasingly less meaningful based on indices from V-Dem and Fredom House, packed with charts.
posted by zachlipton at 11:42 AM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
but having Paul Ryan openly refer to executive announcements as "trolling people" (as a DEFENSE!!!) feels like some sort of crazy milestone.
I wish it was, but I think it's really just a minor skip and a jump from where we already were. In all manner of discussions of Trump in particular and the GOP more generally, we've already slid from:
- "he doesn't mean that"
- "he didn't do that"
- "that would never happen"
to:
- "of course he meant it, we never doubted it"
- "sure he did it, everyone does it"
- "well yeah obviously it'll happen, we know that and there's never been dispute".
Moving on to "yeah, he said this awful thing with terrifying consequences, but he's just doing it to make his opponents angry, that's totally normal!" is at best a small difference in degree, not in kind.
posted by tocts at 11:47 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
I wish it was, but I think it's really just a minor skip and a jump from where we already were. In all manner of discussions of Trump in particular and the GOP more generally, we've already slid from:
- "he doesn't mean that"
- "he didn't do that"
- "that would never happen"
to:
- "of course he meant it, we never doubted it"
- "sure he did it, everyone does it"
- "well yeah obviously it'll happen, we know that and there's never been dispute".
Moving on to "yeah, he said this awful thing with terrifying consequences, but he's just doing it to make his opponents angry, that's totally normal!" is at best a small difference in degree, not in kind.
posted by tocts at 11:47 AM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
bluemilker: We're, what? One, maybe two months away from Fox News openly declaring that Trump is making policy "for the lulz."
That would be less scary/absurd, since Fox is not (officially) part of the government.
That NPR article contrasts "trolling" with a "political act", but this makes little sense. Trolling is one form of politics distilled to nothing but politics (the other side of the coin being simple cheerleading/flag-waving).
I get that the argument is: it's not political because it doesn't "mean" anything. But of course it does mean something. The whole ethos of the troll is doing things that are meaningful in the real-world under the pretend excuse that they aren't meaningful.
(It can be extended infinitely, like an old Onion story where the super-hipster narrator doesn't see how people miss the incredible ~irony~ of him wearing a business suit, getting a white-collar job, and ultimately raising a family in the suburbs.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:54 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
That would be less scary/absurd, since Fox is not (officially) part of the government.
That NPR article contrasts "trolling" with a "political act", but this makes little sense. Trolling is one form of politics distilled to nothing but politics (the other side of the coin being simple cheerleading/flag-waving).
I get that the argument is: it's not political because it doesn't "mean" anything. But of course it does mean something. The whole ethos of the troll is doing things that are meaningful in the real-world under the pretend excuse that they aren't meaningful.
(It can be extended infinitely, like an old Onion story where the super-hipster narrator doesn't see how people miss the incredible ~irony~ of him wearing a business suit, getting a white-collar job, and ultimately raising a family in the suburbs.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:54 AM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
(Relatedly, I've seen images of The Donald subreddit chatter about trying to trick Democrats into supporting Voter ID under the guise of "stopping Putin", as if Democrats are morons who think the Kremlin's technique was in-person voter impersonation. Don't be surprised if that's the new talking point -- brush aside the actual cybernetic attacks and instead claim that Russia is "sending people" physically to the polls, somehow.)
I am 100% in favor of a federally mandated voter ID. It just has to be completely free and issued automatically to all eligible voters.
posted by srboisvert at 12:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
I am 100% in favor of a federally mandated voter ID. It just has to be completely free and issued automatically to all eligible voters.
posted by srboisvert at 12:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
Relevant memes spotted on /r/MercerInfo.
One of those says "Paid For by the Democratic National Committee." That takes it out of the realm of freeze peach.
posted by snuffleupagus at 12:12 PM on July 24, 2018
One of those says "Paid For by the Democratic National Committee." That takes it out of the realm of freeze peach.
posted by snuffleupagus at 12:12 PM on July 24, 2018
"...because I was surrounded by a group of people who were talking about how they'd gotten involved because they were tired of being angry all the time. It seems like so much effort to be angry about everything instead of to focus on what you can do to change it."
Political ideologies aside, how on earth does one not see the cognitive dissonance there? This person is wondering why people joined a movement to change things, instead of focusing on changing things? Whaaa?
posted by greermahoney at 12:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Political ideologies aside, how on earth does one not see the cognitive dissonance there? This person is wondering why people joined a movement to change things, instead of focusing on changing things? Whaaa?
posted by greermahoney at 12:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Political ideologies aside, how on earth does one not see the cognitive dissonance there? This person is wondering why people joined a movement to change things, instead of focusing on changing things? Whaaa?
It makes much more sense if you understand that that writer was hired exactly because they are willing to help minimize and even neutralize discussions about movements to truly seek to improve the status quo for everyone who is not a billionaire.
posted by emjaybee at 12:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
It makes much more sense if you understand that that writer was hired exactly because they are willing to help minimize and even neutralize discussions about movements to truly seek to improve the status quo for everyone who is not a billionaire.
posted by emjaybee at 12:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
Doktor Zed Let's go to Maggie Habberman for her hallmark nuanced insider view of him: "Trump lies frequently, or tells falsehoods frequently, or stretches the truth frequently, but he also often tells the truth," she tells Brian Stelter on CNN's Reliable Sources.
Well, she's technically right (the best kind of right). Trump isn't really a liar, he's a bullshitter.
He does tell the truth often. He also lies often. Because to him "truth" and "falsehood" are just empty words and have no real meaning. He says whatever words he thinks will be most beneficial to him at the moment. It doesn't matter if those words happen to be true or false. His only consideration is what he judges (often wrongly) to be the thing that will get him what he wants right that second.
posted by sotonohito at 12:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
Well, she's technically right (the best kind of right). Trump isn't really a liar, he's a bullshitter.
He does tell the truth often. He also lies often. Because to him "truth" and "falsehood" are just empty words and have no real meaning. He says whatever words he thinks will be most beneficial to him at the moment. It doesn't matter if those words happen to be true or false. His only consideration is what he judges (often wrongly) to be the thing that will get him what he wants right that second.
Both in lying and in telling the truth people are guided by their beliefs concerning the way things are. These guide them as they endeavor either to describe the world correctly or to describe it deceitfully. For this reason, telling lies does not tend to unfit a person for telling the truth in the same way that bullshitting tends to. ...The bullshitter ignores these demands altogether. He does not reject the authority of the truth, as the liar does, and oppose himself to it. He pays no attention to it at all. By virtue of this, bullshit is a greater enemy of the truth than lies are.That passage from Frankfurt's "On Bullshit" sums up Trump perfectly. And also Haberman. She was, technically, correct. Trump does tell the truth often. But that is because truth is completely irrelevant to him. Like Trump, she is a bullshitter, her goal is not to explain but to obfuscate, not to clarify but to conceal, not to speak truth but to say whatever it takes for her to get what she wants.
posted by sotonohito at 12:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
It would be amazing if Putin just stood Trump up. Again.
posted by BungaDunga at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by BungaDunga at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
The Battle For The Right To Vote Has Never Been Won, Now We’re Losing Ground
(Josh Marshall | TPM)
Introduction to a ten-part series on voting rights and democracy.
(Josh Marshall | TPM)
Introduction to a ten-part series on voting rights and democracy.
Today we are kicking off a major project that will continue through the second half of 2018: a ten-part editorial series on voting rights and democracy. I wanted to take a moment to cover some of the history that brought us to today and the reasons why we are undertaking this series. These mid-late 20th century battles over voting rights were not limited to the South nor did they end in 1965. A decade before he was confirmed to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court in 1971, William Rehnquist — later Chief Justice from 1986 to 2005 — was challenging the voting eligibility of African-American and Latino voters in Phoenix, Arizona.posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:26 PM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
why people joined a movement to change things, instead of focusing on changing things?
She lives in a world where there are is no such thing as a collective solution to collective problems. If your healthcare is too expensive or your rent is too high or your student loan debt is crippling, you are supposed to fix those problems by changing something about yourself or your own life. She thinks AOC fans are scary because instead of blaming themselves for their problems and trying to find a way to fix them singlehandedly, they are noticing that their neighbors have the same problems, and are trying to band together with their neighbors to fix them. She thinks "look at all these people ganging up on the rich to try to steal their money, instead of just working a little harder and becoming rich themselves!"
It only makes sense if you buy into the Just World Fallacy. She finds our solutions, premised on an assumption that the world is unfair and people have to band together to get any justice at all, just as baffling.
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2018 [106 favorites]
She lives in a world where there are is no such thing as a collective solution to collective problems. If your healthcare is too expensive or your rent is too high or your student loan debt is crippling, you are supposed to fix those problems by changing something about yourself or your own life. She thinks AOC fans are scary because instead of blaming themselves for their problems and trying to find a way to fix them singlehandedly, they are noticing that their neighbors have the same problems, and are trying to band together with their neighbors to fix them. She thinks "look at all these people ganging up on the rich to try to steal their money, instead of just working a little harder and becoming rich themselves!"
It only makes sense if you buy into the Just World Fallacy. She finds our solutions, premised on an assumption that the world is unfair and people have to band together to get any justice at all, just as baffling.
posted by OnceUponATime at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2018 [106 favorites]
Ryan: Trump Threat To Revoke Security Clearances Is 'Trolling People' (NPR, real)
So, I realize that the Overton window on what the United States will accept from politicians is (constantly) shifting in the time of Trump...
but having Paul Ryan openly refer to executive announcements as "trolling people" (as a DEFENSE!!!) feels like some sort of crazy milestone.
Now that we know that the leader of the free world is nothing but an internet troll, we should all know by now how to deal with it. The other world leaders are quickly learning.
posted by infini at 12:43 PM on July 24, 2018
So, I realize that the Overton window on what the United States will accept from politicians is (constantly) shifting in the time of Trump...
but having Paul Ryan openly refer to executive announcements as "trolling people" (as a DEFENSE!!!) feels like some sort of crazy milestone.
Now that we know that the leader of the free world is nothing but an internet troll, we should all know by now how to deal with it. The other world leaders are quickly learning.
posted by infini at 12:43 PM on July 24, 2018
"They talk about things everybody wants, especially if you're a parent. They talk about education for your kids, health care for your kids, the things that you want. And if you're not really paying attention about how they're going to pay for it or the rest of that, it's easy to fall into that trap and say 'my kids deserve this. Maybe the government should be responsible for helping me with that.'
@EricLevitz:
posted by zachlipton at 12:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [85 favorites]
@EricLevitz:
Other striking aspects to this. But it's wild how American conservatives have convinced themselves that they live in a country (or, at least, used to live in one) where the government does not help people with health-care, housing, or education[,] rather than in one where the state engineered white middle-class home ownership, heavily subsidized college for boomers, and gives free health-care to the GOP base. There's no controversy about whether the government should help people -- only about *which* people.This goes back to the "You didn't build that" controversy (which sounds insane now). Republicans subsidize the hell out of all sorts of things for the people they consider deserving—today Trump is asking for billions of dollars for farmers to try to counteract the billions of dollars he's costing them—, then recoil in horror at the prospect that other people might want the government to give a small iota of consideration to their problems. They act as if it's the natural order of the universe that mortgage interest is tax deductible while parental leave is an unthinkable luxury, that companies deserve billions in incentives to get them to build a factory somewhere, but your kids don't deserve health care.
posted by zachlipton at 12:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [85 favorites]
@WSJ: Ivanka Trump is closing her namesake fashion brand, which became a lightning rod for critics of her father’s policies
So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
posted by chris24 at 12:44 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
posted by chris24 at 12:44 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
Red-state Senate Democrats are redoubling their efforts to protect Obamacare
(Li Zhou | Vox)
“The issue is also the cornerstone of party leadership’s argument against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:47 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
(Li Zhou | Vox)
“The issue is also the cornerstone of party leadership’s argument against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:47 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
NYT, Two Trump Allies, Seeing Unlimited Opportunity, Instead Drew Scrutiny. Ok that's a mediocre headline, but reading on, we're back to the hacked Broidy emails:
I do think we need a lot more reporting on the facts of the Broidy email hack, rather than treating it as a given, or we're just going down the same road as 2016, missing that the hacking was a much bigger story than anything that came out of it.
@JDiamond1: Hmmm...why would Tom Barrack -- who is a close friend of Trump's & speaks very frequently with him -- need to pay Rick Gates $20K a month to help navigate the Trump administration?
posted by zachlipton at 12:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [27 favorites]
Mr. Broidy was a client of Mr. Gates, and had paid him at least $125,000. For that money Mr. Gates advised Mr. Broidy on how to pursue both a contract for his business and appointments for his associates and provided insight into the new administration’s foreign policy plans, according to interviews as well as internal emails and documents obtained by The New York Times.Broidy and Barrack were paying Rick Gates. Why is it always the same assholes every time? Some chutzpah in sending invoices after you're indicted though.
Their financial arrangement, not previously reported, was emblematic of the way a small circle of Mr. Trump’s associates at the beginning of his presidency aggressively marketed their administration access to well-paying clients, and sheds light on the activities of Mr. Gates, who has emerged as a key figure in the investigation of the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III.
Those activities are detailed in a batch of Mr. Broidy’s emails that was hacked and provided to The Times and other news outlets by an anonymous individual or group opposed to Mr. Broidy’s work in Washington for foreign countries, including the United Arab Emirates. The emails detailing Mr. Gates’s work with Mr. Broidy were corroborated by people familiar with the arrangement, as well as additional documents from other sources.
...
Although Mr. Gates’s role on Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign had shrunk dramatically after Mr. Manafort resigned under pressure as its chairman months before the election, he maintained connections to numerous Trump advisers, including two key players in Mr. Trump’s orbit with whom he had worked planning the presidential inauguration — Mr. Broidy, who was a vice chairman of the inaugural committee’s finance team, and the billionaire California investor Thomas J. Barrack Jr., who served as chairman of the inaugural committee.
After the inauguration, Mr. Gates began receiving monthly consulting payments for help navigating the new administration from a company headed by Mr. Barrack, Colony NorthStar, which paid Mr. Gates $20,000 a month, and one owned by Mr. Broidy, which paid Mr. Gates $25,000 a month, according to documents and people familiar with the relationships, who requested anonymity to discuss private business arrangements.
...
Mr. Gates submitted at least two invoices after July, including one sent three weeks after he was indicted. But those were not authorized or paid by Mr. Broidy, according to one of Mr. Broidy’s lawyers, Christopher Clark, for whom Mr. Broidy unsuccessfully sought to secure a position as a United States attorney with help from Mr. Gates.
...
The invoices requested payments to a company owned by Mr. Gates called Konik Madison Group LLC, which had also received nearly $37,000 from the Trump campaign in the weeks before Election Day, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The campaign listed the payment as “strategic consulting,” but a campaign official said Tuesday that Mr. Gates “was a volunteer” for the campaign, and that the payment was reimbursement for “travel, meals and other appropriate expenses.”
I do think we need a lot more reporting on the facts of the Broidy email hack, rather than treating it as a given, or we're just going down the same road as 2016, missing that the hacking was a much bigger story than anything that came out of it.
@JDiamond1: Hmmm...why would Tom Barrack -- who is a close friend of Trump's & speaks very frequently with him -- need to pay Rick Gates $20K a month to help navigate the Trump administration?
posted by zachlipton at 12:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [27 favorites]
It would be amazing if Putin just stood Trump up.
Reuters: Kremlin, coy on new summit idea, says Putin and Trump can meet at G20
Reuters: Kremlin, coy on new summit idea, says Putin and Trump can meet at G20
The Kremlin was reticent on Tuesday about whether it would accept an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to hold a summit with Vladimir Putin in Washington later this year, saying only that the two men had other chances to meet as well.Hill: Kremlin: Russia not ready to accept Trump invite to Washington
The Kremlin’s failure to swiftly accept Trump’s invitation for a Washington summit has been noticeable. Though Moscow saw the Helsinki summit n the two leaders held last week as a success, the fiercely negative reaction by some U.S. politicians to Trump’s performance has taken some in Russia aback.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that though Washington and Moscow agreed there was a need for another Putin-Trump meeting, Russia had not yet begun any practical preparations for a new meeting.
“There are other options (to meet) which our leaders can look at,” Ushakov told reporters, citing a meeting of G20 leaders in Argentina which starts at the end of November. “Maybe there will be other international events which Trump and Putin will take part in.”
A top Kremlin aide on Tuesday said Russia is not ready to accept President Trump's invitation to a second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the U.S.posted by chris24 at 12:57 PM on July 24, 2018 [11 favorites]
Yuri Ushakov said Russia agrees there should be another meeting, but did not formally agree to the White House's fall invitation.
“After the summit, you know what kind of atmosphere there is around its outcome,” Ushakov said, according to a Reuters report. "I think it would be wise to let the dust settle and then we can discuss all these questions in a business-like way. But not now."
Trump and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said last week that preparations are underway for a meeting with Putin in Washington, D.C., this fall.
What the Latest Mueller Indictment Reveals About WikiLeaks’ Ties to Russia—and What It Doesn’t
Raffi Khatchadourian | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:58 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Raffi Khatchadourian | The New Yorker
posted by Barack Spinoza at 12:58 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Kruta's little dig there at the end (" I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided") forgets that democratic government is of the people, by the people, and, yes, for the people.
posted by Sublimity at 1:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 1:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
rather than in one where the state engineered white middle-class home ownership, heavily subsidized college for boomers, and gives free health-care to the GOP base
Let's put aside whether that's an accurate identification of the GOP base. You don't even need to get into the blatantly discriminatory socialist stuff. Public schools. Libraries. Roads.[*] We do this stuff and aside from periodic inane Forbes paid placement articles, most people think they're a good thing. Creeping socialism indeed.
* Yes, we do all of these thing in discriminatory manners too, I know, but nominally they're for everyone.
posted by phearlez at 1:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Let's put aside whether that's an accurate identification of the GOP base. You don't even need to get into the blatantly discriminatory socialist stuff. Public schools. Libraries. Roads.[*] We do this stuff and aside from periodic inane Forbes paid placement articles, most people think they're a good thing. Creeping socialism indeed.
* Yes, we do all of these thing in discriminatory manners too, I know, but nominally they're for everyone.
posted by phearlez at 1:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
im w Jeremy Diamond
Im super confused. How bad at corruption do you (Broidy) need to be to have to pay someone (Gates) to tell you how to pay someone (Trump) to gain influence. Like, as a fairly but not nearly poltical mega-donor level rich white guy myself im pretty clear on how it works - if i wanted to buy a politician i have to pay a lot into their campaign . . . oops i mean fundraise for them. Unless trump required the payoffs as part of what he was requesting, what logic would compel someone to, in essence, "tip" a non-entity in their corrupt pay off?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Im super confused. How bad at corruption do you (Broidy) need to be to have to pay someone (Gates) to tell you how to pay someone (Trump) to gain influence. Like, as a fairly but not nearly poltical mega-donor level rich white guy myself im pretty clear on how it works - if i wanted to buy a politician i have to pay a lot into their campaign . . . oops i mean fundraise for them. Unless trump required the payoffs as part of what he was requesting, what logic would compel someone to, in essence, "tip" a non-entity in their corrupt pay off?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
When I can't see any plausible reason why one asshole is paying another chucklehead in Trump's orbit I simply assume it's part of the grift/laundering.
posted by phearlez at 1:08 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 1:08 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
Vice, Former White House staffers say Sean Spicer lied about taking a mini-fridge from underlings
posted by zachlipton at 1:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [61 favorites]
In Sean Spicer’s new book, “The Briefing,” released Tuesday, the former White House press secretary criticizes a “click-based media attitude that it is more important to be first than right.” He singles out a Wall Street Journal story from July 2017 that “falsely accused me of taking a mini-fridge from junior staffers.”I believe I was promised the best people.
But Fridgegate is real and Spicer’s denial is fake news, according to six former White House staffers. “It’s very Sean-like to lie about something that he just could have just ignored,” said one of those staffers.
In the first weeks of the Trump administration, according to all six former staffers, the mini-fridge from the office of low-level administration officials in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) was moved into Spicer’s office over the protests of subordinates. The aides used the fridge often, and said Spicer should buy his own fridge with his $179,700 annual White House salary.
...
“Most of us were like, ‘Fuck, yeah, this slight will not go unpunished. It was our little protest against a very bad man,’” said one former White House official. “We were like freedom fighters, basically.”
Spicer had asked for the fridge early on in his White House tenure, and sent an aide over to retrieve it, only to be rebuffed. Then around 7:30 p.m. one evening, a former White House official saw Spicer carry the fridge out of the office — electrical cord dangling behind — outside the EEOB, down the stairs, and over to the West Wing. The same official saw it in Spicer’s office soon after.
Spicer didn’t end up even keeping the fridge he'd taken; he replaced it with a bigger one that could more easily fit the freezer mugs he often used, according to one former official who saw both fridges in Spicer’s office.
posted by zachlipton at 1:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [61 favorites]
I can no longer find where I read the November 2 date, so I must retract that part of what I wrote. Regret the error!
posted by localhuman at 1:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 1:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
She lives in a world where there are is no such thing as a collective solution to collective problems. If your healthcare is too expensive or your rent is too high or your student loan debt is crippling, you are supposed to fix those problems by changing something about yourself or your own life.
Reddit served up to me a sponsored post about a local Jordan Peterson meetup; and this was to be the Scripture for discussion, from his recent book about rules for living: "get your house completely in order before you criticize the world" (paraphrasing), which is pretty much explictly a commandment banning collective action in any way. (It also justifies a tu quoque fallacy against pretty much anyone on any topic, since everyone has problems or flaws they are unable to resolve. You think Trump's wrong about tariff policy? Well, what about your credit card debt? Why should anyone listen to you, if you can't pay that off?).
posted by thelonius at 1:25 PM on July 24, 2018 [29 favorites]
Reddit served up to me a sponsored post about a local Jordan Peterson meetup; and this was to be the Scripture for discussion, from his recent book about rules for living: "get your house completely in order before you criticize the world" (paraphrasing), which is pretty much explictly a commandment banning collective action in any way. (It also justifies a tu quoque fallacy against pretty much anyone on any topic, since everyone has problems or flaws they are unable to resolve. You think Trump's wrong about tariff policy? Well, what about your credit card debt? Why should anyone listen to you, if you can't pay that off?).
posted by thelonius at 1:25 PM on July 24, 2018 [29 favorites]
NYT, Two Trump Allies, Seeing Unlimited Opportunity, Instead Drew Scrutiny.
This article should rate a caveat lector for its airing of Rick Gates's dirty, dirty laundry a week before the opening of the Manafort trial, at which he'll presumably be a material witness for Mueller, e.g. "The emails detailing Mr. Gates’s work with Mr. Broidy were corroborated by people familiar with the arrangement, as well as additional documents from other sources." (And hey, Maggie Haberman shares a by-line with Kenneth Vogel, Mark Mazzetti, and David Kirkpatrick, just to increase the odds this comes from Team Trump as a tactical anonymous leak.)
It's also interesting that Broidy's in somebody's crosshairs: "Mr. Broidy’s work has made him enemies, as was evident when the anonymous person or group critical of American policy toward the United Arab Emirates began distributing tranches of his emails to news organizations."
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
This article should rate a caveat lector for its airing of Rick Gates's dirty, dirty laundry a week before the opening of the Manafort trial, at which he'll presumably be a material witness for Mueller, e.g. "The emails detailing Mr. Gates’s work with Mr. Broidy were corroborated by people familiar with the arrangement, as well as additional documents from other sources." (And hey, Maggie Haberman shares a by-line with Kenneth Vogel, Mark Mazzetti, and David Kirkpatrick, just to increase the odds this comes from Team Trump as a tactical anonymous leak.)
It's also interesting that Broidy's in somebody's crosshairs: "Mr. Broidy’s work has made him enemies, as was evident when the anonymous person or group critical of American policy toward the United Arab Emirates began distributing tranches of his emails to news organizations."
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
Politico, Rachael Bade, 'That was not the deal': McCarthy, Ryan renege on immigration vow
By the way, the bill has mandatory E-Verify for all employers stuffed in it, so it's utterly a non-starter, with the California Farm Bureau determined to kill the bill despite their need for workers, calling E-Verify "socialist." Sigh.
posted by zachlipton at 1:38 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
House GOP leaders are reneging on a vow to hold an immigration vote before the August recess, a move that puts House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in a particularly awkward spot as he seeks to become the next speaker.I am shocked, shocked to hear that leadership bought off members to keep them from signing the discharge petition with promises they had no intention of keeping, and Ross is such a sucker he's going to go double for nothing on the deal.
In June, McCarthy (R-Calif.) personally promised several rank-and-file members a vote on a new guest-worker program for farmers, an offer backed by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The assurance was critical at the time: It persuaded Reps. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) not to sign on to an effort — which Republican leaders were desperately trying to stop — to force a vote on legislation creating a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, the immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. The so-called discharge petition ultimately fell two signatures short.
But now, Republican leaders have no plans to take up the guest-worker program before the summer break, according to four sources in leadership. Ryan does not want to hold a vote that’s certain to fail, they said — though proponents of the guest-worker bill said McCarthy’s original promise to hold a vote was unconditional.
“That was not the deal; the deal was that we’re taking it up regardless,” Ross said Monday afternoon, arguing that the lack of 218 votes shouldn’t preclude the promised vote. “There are those of us [who] need to go back [home] and show that we’re doing all we can to do what we said we would do."
After meeting with Ryan late Monday evening, Ross emerged with a different tune. Ryan and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) had promised him to not only hold the vote this fall, but try to muster the 218 votes to actually pass the measure. If waiting ensures passage rather than a mere "show-vote," he said, it's worth it.
By the way, the bill has mandatory E-Verify for all employers stuffed in it, so it's utterly a non-starter, with the California Farm Bureau determined to kill the bill despite their need for workers, calling E-Verify "socialist." Sigh.
posted by zachlipton at 1:38 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
zachlipton: "the California Farm Bureau determined to kill the bill despite their need for workers, calling E-Verify "socialist." Sigh."
Can some one explain this?
posted by Mitheral at 2:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Can some one explain this?
posted by Mitheral at 2:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Kruta's little dig there at the end (" I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided") forgets that democratic government is of the people, by the people, and, yes, for the people.
She also says "Democrat Party" instead of "Democratic Party."
posted by kirkaracha at 2:06 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
She also says "Democrat Party" instead of "Democratic Party."
posted by kirkaracha at 2:06 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
From Alex Bolton:
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) tells @burgessev and me outside GOP lunch that $12 billion in trade assistance to farmers from Trump administration "this is becoming more and more like a Soviet-type of economy here" with "commissars" sprinkling around benefits.posted by jgirl at 2:28 PM on July 24, 2018 [49 favorites]
Sounds great, can't wait for him to do literally zero things to stop it.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [51 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [51 favorites]
Ryan: Trump Threat To Revoke Security Clearances Is 'Trolling People' (NPR, real)
NBC's Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) reveals that, as usual, Trump is not:
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:34 PM on July 24, 2018 [56 favorites]
NBC's Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) reveals that, as usual, Trump is not:
NEW: On AF1, WH spox Hogan Gidley says Trump has "begun the mechanism" to remove security clearances from the six former national security officials named Monday.Never mind the damage to institutional memory—James Clapper has five decades of intelligence experience—this is straight-up authoritarian abuse of power to punish political enemies.
Yesterday, the WH said Trump was only "exploring the mechanisms."
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:34 PM on July 24, 2018 [56 favorites]
On AF1, WH spox Hogan Gidley says Trump has "begun the mechanism"
My vote for most ominous in-or-out-of-context headline of the year.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:38 PM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
My vote for most ominous in-or-out-of-context headline of the year.
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:38 PM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
E-Verify is a mess, because it's a system that boils down to going to a government website and getting permission to work. Since we don't have national ID cards, and government databases are often wrong, this results in errors, where the government tells people they're not allowed to be hired, and then they have to go through a complicated process within strict time limits to prove otherwise, one they may not have the ability to navigate. It's particularly bad at verifying immigrants who are legally allowed to work. It's also ineffective at catching people using forged documents to work.
And realistically, a lot of California farmworkers aren't legally authorized to work, and there's a huge labor shortage. No matter how much Goodlatte wants every undocumented person in the country to vanish overnight, a limited guest worker program isn't going to magically make up for the work they do that keeps us fed, so farmers consider mandatory E-Verify a real threat.
I suspect "socialist" here is partly being used in the generic sense of "anything we don't like we call socialist," but it's also "socialist" in the same way Ron Johnson is using it: a system where you go to a central government authority for permission to hire someone, and their system is impractical and broken. Authoritarian might be a better term, but I'm not the California Farm Bureau.
posted by zachlipton at 2:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
And realistically, a lot of California farmworkers aren't legally authorized to work, and there's a huge labor shortage. No matter how much Goodlatte wants every undocumented person in the country to vanish overnight, a limited guest worker program isn't going to magically make up for the work they do that keeps us fed, so farmers consider mandatory E-Verify a real threat.
I suspect "socialist" here is partly being used in the generic sense of "anything we don't like we call socialist," but it's also "socialist" in the same way Ron Johnson is using it: a system where you go to a central government authority for permission to hire someone, and their system is impractical and broken. Authoritarian might be a better term, but I'm not the California Farm Bureau.
posted by zachlipton at 2:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
On a related note, Hamed Aleaziz is a fantastic immigration reporter, and he works for BuzzFeed now, and here's his first story there: Workplace Arrests Have Soared As The Trump Administration Steps Up Immigration Enforcement
Enforcement of immigration laws at worksites has soared under the Trump administration, according to new statistics released Tuesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.posted by zachlipton at 2:45 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
The statistics show huge increases compared to last year in both the number of people arrested at their jobs and the number of requests authorities have made to companies to prove that their workers are in the country legally.
ICE has made more than five times as many immigration arrests at workplaces this fiscal year, which began in October, than it did last year, the new statistics show — from 172 last year to 984 so far this year.
ICE also has conducted more than 5,000 so-called I-9 audits at companies across the country, in which agents demand that employers produce the forms that show workers have authorization to hold jobs in the United States. Last year, ICE initiated 1,360 such audits.
ICE has also made 675 worksite-related criminal arrests, though it’s unclear what the underlying criminal charges were.
CNN Exclusive: Listen to separated moms beg for their kids in court
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:45 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by Rust Moranis at 2:45 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
zachlipton: "the California Farm Bureau determined to kill the bill despite their need for workers, calling E-Verify "socialist." Sigh."
Can some one explain this?
They probably mean not so much socialist as totalitarianism. The opposition of the California Farm Bureau though is pure crony capitalism. Their profit margins depend on being able to successfully exploit "sub-citizens" who have no rights. E-verify would threaten this by ensuring that all workers are legal and therefore have rights, some wage protections and expectations of workplace safety and legal remedies for violations.
posted by srboisvert at 2:46 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
Can some one explain this?
They probably mean not so much socialist as totalitarianism. The opposition of the California Farm Bureau though is pure crony capitalism. Their profit margins depend on being able to successfully exploit "sub-citizens" who have no rights. E-verify would threaten this by ensuring that all workers are legal and therefore have rights, some wage protections and expectations of workplace safety and legal remedies for violations.
posted by srboisvert at 2:46 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
@JeffJacksonNC [NC State Legislator]:
North Carolina is a strong case study for how democracy dies even as elections continue, and I fear it's going to be used as a blueprint to take the strategy national.
posted by zachlipton at 2:50 PM on July 24, 2018 [88 favorites]
Whoa - heads up:@Taniel: Other laws NC GOP has passed to win this race: (1) change ballot order rules, (2) end judicial primaries, (3) add partisan ID on ballot.
The surprise session on constitutional amendments *now also includes* a bill to retroactively change election rules in order to help the GOP win a state Supreme Court election. It makes one of two R's run as Unaffiliated.
It's happening right now.
Two Republicans and one Democrat are running for the state Supreme Court. This would retroactively change the rules in a way that would result in one of the Republicans (the non-incumbent) being listed as Unaffiliated. This bill became public within the last 90 minutes and has already passed through committee. I'm now being called to the floor to vote on it. They are going to steamroll this.
North Carolina is a strong case study for how democracy dies even as elections continue, and I fear it's going to be used as a blueprint to take the strategy national.
posted by zachlipton at 2:50 PM on July 24, 2018 [88 favorites]
in a bit of good news, for now:
BREAKING: Judge Crotty grants writ of habeas corpus to New York pizza delivery man Pablo Villavicencio Calderon and stays his deportation.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 3:07 PM on July 24, 2018 [43 favorites]
BREAKING: Judge Crotty grants writ of habeas corpus to New York pizza delivery man Pablo Villavicencio Calderon and stays his deportation.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 3:07 PM on July 24, 2018 [43 favorites]
Yuri Ushakov said Russia agrees there should be another meeting, but did not formally agree to the White House's fall invitation.
“After the summit, you know what kind of atmosphere there is around its outcome,” Ushakov said, according to a Reuters report. "I think it would be wise to let the dust settle and then we can discuss all these questions in a business-like way. But not now."
PUA strategy #4. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen.
posted by srboisvert at 3:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
“After the summit, you know what kind of atmosphere there is around its outcome,” Ushakov said, according to a Reuters report. "I think it would be wise to let the dust settle and then we can discuss all these questions in a business-like way. But not now."
PUA strategy #4. Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen.
posted by srboisvert at 3:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
For some good news:
@TheKateMulgrew
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager reporting to @Ocasio2018 - I'm very interested
in assisting your campaign and taking it to warp speed at RED ALERT!
@Ocasio2018
As a kid, my parents let me stay up late to watch Captain Janeway lead her crew home
through desperate straits, while lost in the galaxy.
Couldn’t have had a better example of a leader for these times. Thank you
@TheKateMulgrew!
***
Right now I'm squeeing from the utter perfection of this
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 3:19 PM on July 24, 2018 [78 favorites]
@TheKateMulgrew
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager reporting to @Ocasio2018 - I'm very interested
in assisting your campaign and taking it to warp speed at RED ALERT!
@Ocasio2018
As a kid, my parents let me stay up late to watch Captain Janeway lead her crew home
through desperate straits, while lost in the galaxy.
Couldn’t have had a better example of a leader for these times. Thank you
@TheKateMulgrew!
***
Right now I'm squeeing from the utter perfection of this
posted by suburbanbeatnik at 3:19 PM on July 24, 2018 [78 favorites]
zachlipton: "The surprise session on constitutional amendments *now also includes* a bill to retroactively change election rules in order to help the GOP win a state Supreme Court election. It makes one of two R's run as Unaffiliated."
There's considered to be a pretty strong chance that this gets tossed out by the courts, since it's a post facto law change after the filing deadline. For the moment, the NC Supreme Court is in Dem hands.
posted by Chrysostom at 3:28 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
There's considered to be a pretty strong chance that this gets tossed out by the courts, since it's a post facto law change after the filing deadline. For the moment, the NC Supreme Court is in Dem hands.
posted by Chrysostom at 3:28 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
Workplace Arrests Have Soared As The Trump Administration Steps Up Immigration Enforcement
How many employers have been arrested? (Rhetorical question, obviously.)
posted by JackFlash at 3:32 PM on July 24, 2018 [23 favorites]
How many employers have been arrested? (Rhetorical question, obviously.)
posted by JackFlash at 3:32 PM on July 24, 2018 [23 favorites]
North Carolina is a strong case study for how democracy dies even as elections continue, and I fear it's going to be used as a blueprint to take the strategy national.
posted by zachlipton at 5:50 PM on July 24
Uh yeah. I've made the comment numerous times that We're the cesspool spawning the bullshit. (Prince/Blackwater, etc). I'm not proud of this state.
posted by yoga at 3:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 5:50 PM on July 24
Uh yeah. I've made the comment numerous times that We're the cesspool spawning the bullshit. (Prince/Blackwater, etc). I'm not proud of this state.
posted by yoga at 3:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Wow. I might actually forgive Mulgrew for Mrs. Columbo.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:41 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:41 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Spy Who Drove Me (GQ)
Julia Ioffe writes about being driven around by a veery curious Uber driver last week at the Aspen Security Forum. The whole thing is fantastic, but it also includes this funny aside:
Julia Ioffe writes about being driven around by a veery curious Uber driver last week at the Aspen Security Forum. The whole thing is fantastic, but it also includes this funny aside:
Part of it was that I had been so highly skeptical of their seemingly fantastical theories of Russian interference that I had missed some key things just under my nose. Just days before, Maria Butina, an alleged Russian agent, had been arrested in Washington, D.C., and charged for her role in an elaborate campaign to spy on and influence American conservative politics. I had written a profile of Butina back in 2012, when I was still living in Moscow, and because it had never occurred to me that she might be an agent of the Russian security services, I had ignored her requests to hang out when she, too, moved to Washington. Now she was the redheaded Russian spy, and I felt like an idiot for missing her now obvious connections to the Kremlin. What else had I missed?posted by pjenks at 3:42 PM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
I spent today with several dairy farmers. They’re much more conservative than I am, but the economic crisis they’re facing predates the trade war, and the $12 billion tariff bailout isn’t going to help them very much. I’m not saying that they’re all going to turn into leftists, but I’m not sure the bailout is going to change their thinking very much. They know how hard it was to develop the international markets that’ve been absorbing US dairy exports in the first place, and they know you can’t quickly repair the damage the administration has done. It’s bad out there for dairy farmers, y’all, and it’s getting worse fast.
posted by wintermind at 3:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by wintermind at 3:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
The first major, quality poll taken completely after Helsinki came out today from Quinnipiac and it is not good for Trump. Theres a lot in it, but here's some highlights.
- Trump's approval slides to 38% - 58%. Net -20. Early July: Net -15. Mid June: Net -9 (43-52).
- Trump Approval among Independents: Approve: 32% Disapprove: 61%. Net -29
- Trump Approval among MEN: Approve: 45% Disapprove: 51%
- His approval is almost negative even among White Men as well as Whites without college, both with the same Approve: 49% Disapprove: 47%.
- Just 27% proud Trump is POTUS.
- Trump took a big hit on foreign policy. Approve: 38% Disapprove: 58%. Net -20. Last poll: Net -10.
- 51% say Trump has "weakened" America's position in the world. 35% strengthened.
- Voters trust intel agencies over Trump to tell them the truth, 63% - 25%.
- View of the FBI favorable? Favorable: 49% Unfavorable: 25%
- 75% say Russian sabotage of election is a very (53) or somewhat (22) important issue.
- 68% are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about President Trump's relationship with Russia, 32% are "not so concerned" or "not concerned at all."
- 55% say Mueller probe is "fair", 31% unfair. Net: +24. Last: Net +15
- Trump colluded: 39%. Did not collude: 48%.
- Campaign colluded: 46%. Did not collude: 44%.
- Does Putin has compromising information on Trump. Has Information: 51%. Does not have information: 35%
posted by chris24 at 4:01 PM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
- Trump's approval slides to 38% - 58%. Net -20. Early July: Net -15. Mid June: Net -9 (43-52).
- Trump Approval among Independents: Approve: 32% Disapprove: 61%. Net -29
- Trump Approval among MEN: Approve: 45% Disapprove: 51%
- His approval is almost negative even among White Men as well as Whites without college, both with the same Approve: 49% Disapprove: 47%.
- Just 27% proud Trump is POTUS.
- Trump took a big hit on foreign policy. Approve: 38% Disapprove: 58%. Net -20. Last poll: Net -10.
- 51% say Trump has "weakened" America's position in the world. 35% strengthened.
- Voters trust intel agencies over Trump to tell them the truth, 63% - 25%.
- View of the FBI favorable? Favorable: 49% Unfavorable: 25%
- 75% say Russian sabotage of election is a very (53) or somewhat (22) important issue.
- 68% are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about President Trump's relationship with Russia, 32% are "not so concerned" or "not concerned at all."
- 55% say Mueller probe is "fair", 31% unfair. Net: +24. Last: Net +15
- Trump colluded: 39%. Did not collude: 48%.
- Campaign colluded: 46%. Did not collude: 44%.
- Does Putin has compromising information on Trump. Has Information: 51%. Does not have information: 35%
posted by chris24 at 4:01 PM on July 24, 2018 [50 favorites]
Just 27% proud Trump is POTUS.
Voters trust intel agencies over Trump to tell them the truth, 63% - 25%.
View of the FBI favorable? Favorable: 49% Unfavorable: 25%
55% say Mueller probe is "fair", 31% unfair.
We are approaching crazification factor in his support.
posted by chris24 at 4:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
Voters trust intel agencies over Trump to tell them the truth, 63% - 25%.
View of the FBI favorable? Favorable: 49% Unfavorable: 25%
55% say Mueller probe is "fair", 31% unfair.
We are approaching crazification factor in his support.
posted by chris24 at 4:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [38 favorites]
I saw how easy it would be, as a parent, to accept the idea that my children deserve healthcare and education.
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
How on earth is that not satire.
That is literally cognitive dissonance in action. This person was exposed to very persuasive arguments against her preexisting beliefs and so this is her (I think, I closed the tab.) self-talk to convince herself they aren't appealing or reasonable. Basically, it requires a lot of "Yes, this is appealing but REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE ARE EVIL INCARNATE" self-talk. Or talk from Fox News in lieu of internal reinforcement. Without the constant propping up of false beliefs, they might have to use logic.
posted by threeturtles at 4:09 PM on July 24, 2018 [32 favorites]
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
How on earth is that not satire.
That is literally cognitive dissonance in action. This person was exposed to very persuasive arguments against her preexisting beliefs and so this is her (I think, I closed the tab.) self-talk to convince herself they aren't appealing or reasonable. Basically, it requires a lot of "Yes, this is appealing but REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE ARE EVIL INCARNATE" self-talk. Or talk from Fox News in lieu of internal reinforcement. Without the constant propping up of false beliefs, they might have to use logic.
posted by threeturtles at 4:09 PM on July 24, 2018 [32 favorites]
CNN, Kaitlan Collins, White House stops announcing calls with foreign leaders
posted by zachlipton at 4:12 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
The White House has suspended the practice of publishing public summaries of President Donald Trump's phone calls with world leaders, two sources with knowledge of the situation tell CNN, bringing an end to a common exercise from Republican and Democratic administrations.Their readouts were basically useless anyway, except to compare them with the more-detailed ones put out by foreign countries, and he likes to hop on his cell phone to chat with world leaders without telling anyone what he said, so now we're just not going to report the calls at all I guess.
It's unclear if the suspension is temporary or permanent. A White House spokesman declined to comment.
Official descriptions of the President's calls with foreign leaders -- termed "readouts" in Washington parlance -- offer administrations the chance to characterize in their own terms the diplomacy conducted at the highest levels between countries. While news is rarely contained in the rote, often dry descriptions, they do offer the only official account that a phone call took place. Readouts are still released internally.
posted by zachlipton at 4:12 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
From the Spy Who Drove Me article linked above: Shane and I were sitting on a couch in a meadow outside the conference
Sitting on a couch in a meadow? What? Do people do this in Colorado?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
Sitting on a couch in a meadow? What? Do people do this in Colorado?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 4:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [6 favorites]
I saw how easy it would be, as a parent, to accept the idea that my children deserve healthcare and education.
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
Take this and run with it, AOC! Plaster Kruta's quote everywhere, and follow with:
"That's right—it's easy to see why my platform is the best for most Americans. It's as easy as voting out Republicans this November!"
posted by Rykey at 4:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
I saw how easy it would be, as someone who has struggled to make ends meet, to accept the idea that a “living wage” was a human right.
Above all, I saw how easy it would be to accept the notion that it was the government’s job to make sure that those things were provided.
Take this and run with it, AOC! Plaster Kruta's quote everywhere, and follow with:
"That's right—it's easy to see why my platform is the best for most Americans. It's as easy as voting out Republicans this November!"
posted by Rykey at 4:15 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
News from the #resistance elsewhere
Elin Ersson Deportation from Gothenburg to Afghanistan
[the comments are worse than you would expect and are best skipped]
posted by Buntix at 4:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
Elin Ersson Deportation from Gothenburg to Afghanistan
[the comments are worse than you would expect and are best skipped]
posted by Buntix at 4:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [7 favorites]
Ryan: Trump Threat To Revoke Security Clearances Is 'Trolling People'
Trump trolling the former leaders of the deep state is some awesome n-dimensional chess.
where n < 0
posted by srboisvert at 4:18 PM on July 24, 2018
Trump trolling the former leaders of the deep state is some awesome n-dimensional chess.
where n < 0
posted by srboisvert at 4:18 PM on July 24, 2018
CNN, Kaitlan Collins, White House stops announcing calls with foreign leaders
To reiterate, he's cognitively impaired. They cannot control him when he's on the phone, so now they're just hoping that the dignitaries on the other end of the line will find it in their interests not to reveal too much of what he says.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [17 favorites]
To reiterate, he's cognitively impaired. They cannot control him when he's on the phone, so now they're just hoping that the dignitaries on the other end of the line will find it in their interests not to reveal too much of what he says.
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [17 favorites]
realistically, a lot of California farmworkers aren't legally authorized to work, and there's a huge labor shortage.
Zoom out a bit: the ONLY people who like undocumented immigration are employers, very disproportionately conservative and Republican, and race-baiting politicians. It gives them the power of the police to prevent unions, ignore safety regulations, sometimes simply not pay. Even on a small scale, it's the Mitt Romneys of the world who hire gardeners. (His spoke to his undocumented gardener for years and claimed he had no idea he was undocumented.)
The migrants themselves would love to official, to have the same rules that white immigrants had in the 1800s (that is, just walk in) or a green card/citizenship process that didn't take a generation. And unions have been advocating for this for years.
posted by msalt at 4:55 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
Zoom out a bit: the ONLY people who like undocumented immigration are employers, very disproportionately conservative and Republican, and race-baiting politicians. It gives them the power of the police to prevent unions, ignore safety regulations, sometimes simply not pay. Even on a small scale, it's the Mitt Romneys of the world who hire gardeners. (His spoke to his undocumented gardener for years and claimed he had no idea he was undocumented.)
The migrants themselves would love to official, to have the same rules that white immigrants had in the 1800s (that is, just walk in) or a green card/citizenship process that didn't take a generation. And unions have been advocating for this for years.
posted by msalt at 4:55 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
Does Putin has compromising information on Trump. Has Information: 51%
This is an incredible statistic. More than half the country concedes that the American President is being blackmailed by a foreign head of government, and people aren’t like...toppling over cars and stuff?
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [84 favorites]
This is an incredible statistic. More than half the country concedes that the American President is being blackmailed by a foreign head of government, and people aren’t like...toppling over cars and stuff?
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [84 favorites]
A colleague told me today that he recently visited a farm in California that’s losing $500,000/week in produce that’s not harvested due to the labor shortage. I’m 100% in favor of immigrant farm workers receiving fair pay and the same treatment as citizens. Our food’s going to cost more when it’s not harvested and prepared by exploited people, but that’s the price of civilization. I do wish we all agreed in the US that nobody should go hungry in a country as rich as ours so that immigrants won’t be pitted against hungry people.
posted by wintermind at 5:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
posted by wintermind at 5:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
What's crazy to me about all this graft: how small time it is. Like, these idiots are working so hard for peanuts. $20k a month? Even in the aggregate, that's tiny. That's literally worth 33 seconds to Jeff Bezos.
The scale of this graft is mindboggingly small. These morons are in control of an 18 trillion dollar GDP, and they're still trying to pickpocket a rolex. This is the stupidest heist ever.
posted by weed donkey at 5:17 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
The scale of this graft is mindboggingly small. These morons are in control of an 18 trillion dollar GDP, and they're still trying to pickpocket a rolex. This is the stupidest heist ever.
posted by weed donkey at 5:17 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
HEAL THE SICK
TAX THE RICH
Democratic Socialists for
Medicare for All
posted by kirkaracha at 5:18 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
TAX THE RICH
Democratic Socialists for
Medicare for All
posted by kirkaracha at 5:18 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
GA GOP governor runoff is all over but the shouting, with SOS Brian Kemp dominating LG Casey Cagle. I *think* this may be the first race that Cagle has ever lost.
Trump-endorsed Kemp will certainly make for a stark contrast with Stacey Abrams, hopefully that will motivate folks to turn out.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
Trump-endorsed Kemp will certainly make for a stark contrast with Stacey Abrams, hopefully that will motivate folks to turn out.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
This is an incredible statistic. More than half the country concedes that the American President is being blackmailed by a foreign head of government, and people aren’t like...toppling over cars and stuff?
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
I've had this persistent idea that the things that prevented mass uprisings on all sides in the USA (since the late 90s at least) are the relative abundance of (1) cheap calories (2) cheap and varied entertainment/intoxicants/electronic-supplied dopamine. These are pretty uniquely abundant in the modern USA from a world historical perspective, even among people in lower economic strata. People need to feel that the administration poses an immediate and dire threat to their life or freedom or capacity for satisfaction/escape-mechanisms. Right now that's...I don't know, 20% or 25%? Probably not 30%. I don't think that's car-toppling critical mass.
The right got their 30% though. More than that, probably. The GOP and its help propagated in vulnerable demographics the illusory threats of immediate death (white genocide, communism, hillary murder cabal), loss of entertainment (gamergate), starvation (AOC = Venezuela = Holodomor). This succeeded in producing an illusory but still successful mass uprising: Alex Jones's "second american revolution" brought no great citizen armies and street battles and mass executions (yet) but it did manage to produce a fake election that put con-men into the White House. Their side got their revolution by sitting at home and yelling at a screen.
Anyway I guess what I'm saying is that sane people people who aren't already fully freaked out are going to have to get freaked out. And given what's already come to pass it's going to take a lot more bad shit to get to our Euromaidan or Bastille moments. That's not to say that I don't think it's likely.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
I've had this persistent idea that the things that prevented mass uprisings on all sides in the USA (since the late 90s at least) are the relative abundance of (1) cheap calories (2) cheap and varied entertainment/intoxicants/electronic-supplied dopamine. These are pretty uniquely abundant in the modern USA from a world historical perspective, even among people in lower economic strata. People need to feel that the administration poses an immediate and dire threat to their life or freedom or capacity for satisfaction/escape-mechanisms. Right now that's...I don't know, 20% or 25%? Probably not 30%. I don't think that's car-toppling critical mass.
The right got their 30% though. More than that, probably. The GOP and its help propagated in vulnerable demographics the illusory threats of immediate death (white genocide, communism, hillary murder cabal), loss of entertainment (gamergate), starvation (AOC = Venezuela = Holodomor). This succeeded in producing an illusory but still successful mass uprising: Alex Jones's "second american revolution" brought no great citizen armies and street battles and mass executions (yet) but it did manage to produce a fake election that put con-men into the White House. Their side got their revolution by sitting at home and yelling at a screen.
Anyway I guess what I'm saying is that sane people people who aren't already fully freaked out are going to have to get freaked out. And given what's already come to pass it's going to take a lot more bad shit to get to our Euromaidan or Bastille moments. That's not to say that I don't think it's likely.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [25 favorites]
Putin and Co. putting the elbow in to get generals-who-are-in-the-way on the bad side with Trump. < CNN on Gen Votel slammed by Russia in press.
posted by Harry Caul at 5:32 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Harry Caul at 5:32 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpI'm pretty sure he hasn't a god damned clue what "divergent regulatory practices" means.
The European Union is coming to Washington tomorrow to negotiate a deal on Trade. I have an idea for them. Both the U.S. and the E.U. drop all Tariffs, Barriers and Subsidies! That would finally be called Free Market and Fair Trade! Hope they do it, we are ready - but they won’t!
5:08 PM - 24 Jul 2018
The EU isn't going to tear up its entire food safety regime and throw its farmers under the bus in the name of appeasing a petulant toddler.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
The case against the national monuments (Alexandra Petri, WaPo:)
According to a series of emails that the Trump administration has now attempted to retract, national monuments are just large piles of junk that need to be Kondo-Ed out of the national landscape as soon as possible. Why protect these places, when they are full of oil and minerals that could be harvested to good effect? Tear them down. Cannibalize them for parts.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:54 PM on July 24, 2018 [26 favorites]
After all, what is nature, but a place where no matter where you sit you will become unpleasantly hot or damp or cold or dry or somehow, all four at once? It is a place where bears threaten you, pigeons have no regard for you and sundry insects feast upon your flesh. It is best seen from the safety of the default image that accompanies your Mac or PC. Once you start to see things in these terms, it is easy to make a case against most of the monuments. I’ve made a start below.
Bears Ears: I hate to point this out, but these are not really bears’ ears. These are large pieces of rock. It is this kind of laxity with language that makes the Grand Tetons so disappointing.
Most betting markets and other pundits/analysts are around 25-33%, but interesting.
@SeanTrende: (Sr. Elections Analyst at RCP)
I think we're probably back to considering Democrats no worse than 50-50 to take the Senate.
- I don't know why people are so shocked by this. As of right now, Rs have trailed in almost every poll in NV, AZ and TN. Asterisk TN if you want (I think you should). That means Rs have to win one or two of the red state Ds.
- Manchin has been close to 50% in almost every two-way non-partisan poll in WV, and Blankenship might end up on the ballot. Same with Tester in MT. The polling in IN and ND is better for Rs, but also much sparser; we'll have a better sense there.
- In Florida, the internet polling loves Scott, but the traditional polling not so much. Given that Scott's dropped tens of millions of dollars on the race, I am skeptical. In MO, we don't have a lot of non-partisan polling, but overall she seems to be ahead and near 50%.
- So, 2-3 R seats are looking very grim, and 1-2 D seats are looking grim but we really don't know because there's almost no polling. That's a substantially worse path than I think most people have baked in.
posted by chris24 at 6:06 PM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
@SeanTrende: (Sr. Elections Analyst at RCP)
I think we're probably back to considering Democrats no worse than 50-50 to take the Senate.
- I don't know why people are so shocked by this. As of right now, Rs have trailed in almost every poll in NV, AZ and TN. Asterisk TN if you want (I think you should). That means Rs have to win one or two of the red state Ds.
- Manchin has been close to 50% in almost every two-way non-partisan poll in WV, and Blankenship might end up on the ballot. Same with Tester in MT. The polling in IN and ND is better for Rs, but also much sparser; we'll have a better sense there.
- In Florida, the internet polling loves Scott, but the traditional polling not so much. Given that Scott's dropped tens of millions of dollars on the race, I am skeptical. In MO, we don't have a lot of non-partisan polling, but overall she seems to be ahead and near 50%.
- So, 2-3 R seats are looking very grim, and 1-2 D seats are looking grim but we really don't know because there's almost no polling. That's a substantially worse path than I think most people have baked in.
posted by chris24 at 6:06 PM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
I think there's a real possibility of a 50-50 Senate. Which would make McCain's health the determining factor for actual control of the floor, and put even more pressure on Susan Collins to do nothing.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
I think there's a real possibility of a 50-50 Senate. Which would make McCain's health the determining factor for actual control of the floor
The new Senate would be seated in January. To put it delicately, I don't think McCain's health will be an issue then.
posted by Justinian at 6:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
The new Senate would be seated in January. To put it delicately, I don't think McCain's health will be an issue then.
posted by Justinian at 6:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
which was given to CNN by...LANNY DAVIS! HAHAFUCKINGHAHA WHAT WORLD ARE WE EVEN LIVING IN
He didn't just give them the tapes. He's on Chris Cuomo right now throwing Trump under the fucking bus.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
He didn't just give them the tapes. He's on Chris Cuomo right now throwing Trump under the fucking bus.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
I don't think McCain's health will be an issue then.
Probably not, but he's already beat the median survival rate and won't give up his seat. At this point I'm hoping he clings to life but unable to actually vote until January 2020.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:23 PM on July 24, 2018
Probably not, but he's already beat the median survival rate and won't give up his seat. At this point I'm hoping he clings to life but unable to actually vote until January 2020.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:23 PM on July 24, 2018
So for those watching CNN and not, say, at a city council debate (I’m nothing but predictable), is Cohen flipping? Or is this a warning shot?
posted by zachlipton at 6:27 PM on July 24, 2018
posted by zachlipton at 6:27 PM on July 24, 2018
Alex Jones threatens to shoot Robert Mueller.
posted by Slothrup at 6:29 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Slothrup at 6:29 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
If this is a warning shot, it hit the target in the thigh. Trump is on tape discussing paying cash to cover up an affair he claims he didn't have so there would be no paper trail. It's not a great look.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 6:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
@ddale8: Cohen’s voice is clear, Trump’s voice is muffled at key sections. It sounds like Trump says “pay with cash,” Cohen says “no no no,” and Trump perhaps begins to say “check?” but the recording cuts off. CNN puts up an alternative transcript from Trump’s legal team, in which Trump supposedly says “DON’T pay with cash...check” before Cohen says “no no no.” It’s mayyybe possible he said “don’t,” from the muffled recording, but the “check” in the Trump transcript is out of order.
Seems to fit with Maddow’s gaslighting story.
posted by zachlipton at 6:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seems to fit with Maddow’s gaslighting story.
posted by zachlipton at 6:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Alex Jones threatens to shoot Robert Mueller.
FYI, 100% OK with Facebook.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
FYI, 100% OK with Facebook.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [12 favorites]
I'm listening and - Cohen relays legal advice from Kasowitz to Trump - how is that not A/C privileged?
Trump and Giuliani waived privilege. Yes. They're that dumb.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
Trump and Giuliani waived privilege. Yes. They're that dumb.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [15 favorites]
I've had this persistent idea that the things that prevented mass uprisings on all sides in the USA (since the late 90s at least) are the relative abundance of (1) cheap calories (2) cheap and varied entertainment/intoxicants/electronic-supplied dopamine
As a friend said many years ago, "As long as they can get 'American Gladiators' on the TV and a cold six-pack at the corner store, the people won't act."
posted by Lyme Drop at 6:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
As a friend said many years ago, "As long as they can get 'American Gladiators' on the TV and a cold six-pack at the corner store, the people won't act."
posted by Lyme Drop at 6:37 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
zachlipton: CNN puts up an alternative transcript from Trump’s legal team
Historian Kevin M. Kruse pointed out that Nixon's move in Watergate was to release transcripts that were wildly inaccurate from the tape.
posted by bluecore at 6:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [56 favorites]
Historian Kevin M. Kruse pointed out that Nixon's move in Watergate was to release transcripts that were wildly inaccurate from the tape.
posted by bluecore at 6:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [56 favorites]
Y'all? I'm getting a little optimistic that "surely this" is at least in view now, if not actually surely this right now.
I also still believe in Santa and that almost everyone aims to be generally good, so...
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
I also still believe in Santa and that almost everyone aims to be generally good, so...
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:43 PM on July 24, 2018 [19 favorites]
Daily Beast: Pro-Confederate Birther Introduced Maria Butina’s Handler to NRA Chief
The unlikely union of the American gun-rights movement and Moscow starts with G. Kline Preston IV, a Tennessee attorney who says he’d like Vladimir Putin to run the U.S government.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:44 PM on July 24, 2018 [21 favorites]
The unlikely union of the American gun-rights movement and Moscow starts with G. Kline Preston IV, a Tennessee attorney who says he’d like Vladimir Putin to run the U.S government.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:44 PM on July 24, 2018 [21 favorites]
Traitors since 1861.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [53 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 6:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [53 favorites]
The unlikely union of the American gun-rights movement and Moscow starts with G. Kline Preston IV, a Tennessee attorney who says he’d like Vladimir Putin to run the U.S government.
Annnnd requoting mikelieman from almost a week ago in this very thread:
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
posted by Celsius1414 at 6:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
Annnnd requoting mikelieman from almost a week ago in this very thread:
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
posted by Celsius1414 at 6:48 PM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
Lyme Drop: "As a friend said many years ago, "As long as they can get 'American Gladiators' on the TV and a cold six-pack at the corner store, the people won't act.""
I think Juvenal got there a little before your friend.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:51 PM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
I think Juvenal got there a little before your friend.
posted by Chrysostom at 6:51 PM on July 24, 2018 [18 favorites]
The unlikely union of the American gun-rights movement and Moscow starts with G. Kline Preston IV, a Tennessee attorney who says he’d like Vladimir Putin to run the U.S government.
At one point in my life, I was frightened of living in a William Gibson dystopian future.
When GWB came to power, I was more frightened still that we were living in a Douglas Adams dystopian future.
Warren Ellis. We're all living in his world now, and he has some explaining to do.
Also China Mieville exists to make intellectual activists passive.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:57 PM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
At one point in my life, I was frightened of living in a William Gibson dystopian future.
When GWB came to power, I was more frightened still that we were living in a Douglas Adams dystopian future.
Warren Ellis. We're all living in his world now, and he has some explaining to do.
Also China Mieville exists to make intellectual activists passive.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:57 PM on July 24, 2018 [8 favorites]
@ddale8: Cohen’s voice is clear, Trump’s voice is muffled at key sections. It sounds like Trump says “pay with cash,” Cohen says “no no no,” and Trump perhaps begins to say “check?” but the recording cuts off.
Rep Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) puts it plainly:
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 PM on July 24, 2018 [85 favorites]
Rep Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) puts it plainly:
This tape is more evidence that @realDonaldTrump himself was directly involved in a campaign finance law violation. And because the amount exceeded $25,000, it would be punishable as a felony.Lock. Them. Up.
#TrumpTapes also show Rudy Giuliani lied. But that's not news.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:58 PM on July 24, 2018 [85 favorites]
Definitely Not Sean Spicer: Trump and Giuliani waived privilege. Yes. They're that dumb.
I can only imagine that (1) they care more about the court of public opinion than law at this point and (2) any possible public speculation about what might be on the tape is worse than what actually is.
For a lot of us the word "tape" and "Trump" in the same sentence makes us think Moscow RItz-Carlton, and this isn't that tape... and some Trumpists are going to run with that fact by claiming this tape somehow proves "No collusion!".
Plus, of course, they'll drag out the same argument they did when Junior tweeted out the entire Goldstone/Veselnitskaya email chain -- "If he's making it public, it can't possibly be incriminating!"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
I can only imagine that (1) they care more about the court of public opinion than law at this point and (2) any possible public speculation about what might be on the tape is worse than what actually is.
For a lot of us the word "tape" and "Trump" in the same sentence makes us think Moscow RItz-Carlton, and this isn't that tape... and some Trumpists are going to run with that fact by claiming this tape somehow proves "No collusion!".
Plus, of course, they'll drag out the same argument they did when Junior tweeted out the entire Goldstone/Veselnitskaya email chain -- "If he's making it public, it can't possibly be incriminating!"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Some context for the tape: Donald and Ivana Trump fight unsealing of divorce records (09/13/2016)
Donald Trump and his ex-wife Ivana are fighting an effort to unseal records of their 1990 divorce, arguing that the real estate mogul's presidential bid is no basis for prying into court filings related to the couple's split.posted by kirkaracha at 7:21 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
I think Juvenal got there a little before your friend.
“Back That Azz Up” feat. Juvenal?
———-
Trump, Election Hacking, and the Georgia Governor’s Race
(Sue Halpern | The New Yorker)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
“Back That Azz Up” feat. Juvenal?
———-
Trump, Election Hacking, and the Georgia Governor’s Race
(Sue Halpern | The New Yorker)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
@aidnmclaughlin: Rudy Giuliani is on Fox right now defending Trump by citing his experience with mobsters: 'I've dealt with much worse tapes than this'
This guy is really not very good at his job.
posted by zachlipton at 7:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [71 favorites]
This guy is really not very good at his job.
posted by zachlipton at 7:23 PM on July 24, 2018 [71 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 House:
posted by Chrysostom at 7:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
** 2018 House:
-- CO-06: Global Strategy Group poll has Dem challenger Crow up 47-45 on GOP incumbent Coffman [MOE: +/- 4.4%]. This poll was commissioned by the Crow campaign. District went Clinton 50-41; Cook rates it Tossup.** Odds & ends: District court has tossed out Florida's blocking of using using college campuses for early voting sites (a transparent effort to lower student voting).
-- PA-17: Monmouth poll has Dem Lamb with a healthy lead over GOPer Rothfus. Under different turnout models:Potential voters: Lamb 51 - Rothfus 39[MOE varies by model, but 5-ish points]. In related news, Cook has moved the district from Tossup to Leans D.
Standard midterm: Lamb 53 - Rothfus 40
Dem surge: Lamb 54 - Rothfus 39
-- Latino Decisions poll of 61 battleground districts has Dems leading 47-33 on generic ballot. [MOE: +/- 2.1%].
-- A closer look at yesterday's NBC/WSJ generic poll shows that voters who dislike both parties broke for Trump/GOP candidates in 2016. This year, they disproportionately disapprove of Trump, and say they are motivated to vote.
-- Big ratings changes from Sabato, as 17 districts move, all towards the left. The write-up is interesting as well; Kondik emphasizes they've been kind of slow to do this, due to structural advantages for the GOP (as we've talked about, the raters tend to be temperamentally conservative), but the Dem advantage is clear enough that they have move.AR-02 [Hill] | Likely R => Leans R
FL-13 [Crist] | Likely D => Safe D
FL-16 [Buchanan] | Likely R => Leans R
IA-03 [Young] | Leans R => Tossup
IA-04 [King] | Safe R => Likely R
IL-06 [Roskam] | Leans R => Tossup
IN-02 [Walorski] | Safe R => Likely R
IN-09 [Hollingsworth] | Safe R => Likely R
KY-06 [Barr] | Leans R => Tossup
MI-08 [Bishop] | Leans R => Tossup
NM-02 [open] | Likely R => Leans R
OH-01 [Chabot] | Leans R => Tossup
PA-16 [Kelly] | Safe R => Likely R
TX-07 [Culberson] | Leans R => Tossup
TX-31 [Carter] | Safe R => Likely R
WV-03 [open] | Leans R => Tossup
OH-12 special | Leans R => Tossup
posted by Chrysostom at 7:31 PM on July 24, 2018 [39 favorites]
I can only imagine that (1) they care more about the court of public opinion than law at this point and (2) any possible public speculation about what might be on the tape is worse than what actually is.
Or this is the least damning tape out there. There's supposedly at least 12 more just from Cohen's files.
@aidnmclaughlin: Rudy Giuliani is on Fox right now defending Trump by citing his experience with mobsters: 'I've dealt with much worse tapes than this'
Annnnnd there's the Trump's Mirror. There's more tapes coming.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
Or this is the least damning tape out there. There's supposedly at least 12 more just from Cohen's files.
@aidnmclaughlin: Rudy Giuliani is on Fox right now defending Trump by citing his experience with mobsters: 'I've dealt with much worse tapes than this'
Annnnnd there's the Trump's Mirror. There's more tapes coming.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:33 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
So, Avenatti is proven right.
It’s inconceivable to me that Trump and his counsel/advisors waived Attorney-Client privilege to allow release of a tape that provides explicit evidence of a felony.
I have to agree: if they wanted this released, there has to be something far worse they’re covering up.
posted by darkstar at 7:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [49 favorites]
It’s inconceivable to me that Trump and his counsel/advisors waived Attorney-Client privilege to allow release of a tape that provides explicit evidence of a felony.
I have to agree: if they wanted this released, there has to be something far worse they’re covering up.
posted by darkstar at 7:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [49 favorites]
One quasi-strategic purpose I hadn't considered because it's so stupid, but is almost certainly part of the calculus: A lot of people (namely the base) will of course assume that it wasn't voluntarily released, but instead got "leaked" by the "Deep State" with their "wiretaps" or whatever. Not even denialism, just a lack of awareness. At least two of the comments on the main YouTube video are to that effect.
I give a better than 40% chance that Trump himself will tweet exactly that complaint. And he'll half-believe himself when he does it.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:41 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
I give a better than 40% chance that Trump himself will tweet exactly that complaint. And he'll half-believe himself when he does it.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:41 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Good write-up from Kevin Drum about how Devin Nunes lied about...well, everything.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:42 PM on July 24, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 7:42 PM on July 24, 2018 [28 favorites]
From the Drum article Chrysostom just linked:
Generally speaking, Nunes’ contention is that (a) the entire FISA application is based on the Steele dossier, (b) the Steele dossier is a partisan pile of lies, and (c) this goes to show that the FBI had it in for the Trump campaign.posted by darkstar at 8:04 PM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
But as we can now see, virtually everything Nunes said is untrue.
...The Carter Page warrant was perfectly ordinary and the FBI showed no particular bias in applying for it. Nor did the judge show any bias in approving it. It was all pretty routine, and the only unusual thing about it is that presidential candidates usually don’t hire multiple advisers with unexplained connections to Russian officialdom. But Donald Trump did.
Transcript of Cohen tape suggests Trump knew about model’s deal to sell story of alleged affair (WaPo)
Here is a tape of Michael Cohen and Trump talking about a payoff to a former Playboy model (Vox)
[Trump pick] Brian Kemp Wins Georgia G.O.P. Runoff for Governor to Face Stacey Abrams (NYT)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Here is a tape of Michael Cohen and Trump talking about a payoff to a former Playboy model (Vox)
[Trump pick] Brian Kemp Wins Georgia G.O.P. Runoff for Governor to Face Stacey Abrams (NYT)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
In other Georgia races, Dem nominees are Lucy McBath (GA-06) and Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07). Both districts went from strong Romney to single digit Trump.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:05 PM on July 24, 2018 [5 favorites]
Ha ha ha.. One Tape. Two Crimes.
@HoarseWhisperer
@HoarseWhisperer
At the start of the Trump-Cohen tape, Trump is on the phone with someone named "Pam" talking about an event she was due to attend.posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 8:18 PM on July 24, 2018 [86 favorites]
She relays some news. He says "Oooooh..." and then suggests she wait a couple wks until it passes.
This tape was allegedly made in Sep/Oct 2016.
Back in early Sep 2016, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was in the news for having taken what sure as heck looked like a bribe in exchange for not joining multiple other states in going after Trump University.
[NYT] New Records Shed Light on Donald Trump’s $25,000 Gift to Florida Official
Bondi then appeared on the campaign trail for Trump on October 25, 2016.
Sure sounds like Trump and Bondi were picked up talking about keeping her out of the spotlight until the news of their alleged corruption cooled off...
Interesting...
This is the one they choose to release.
I didn't really think the pee tape was real until today. It's real.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
I didn't really think the pee tape was real until today. It's real.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:22 PM on July 24, 2018 [20 favorites]
I keep thinking there's probably someone in the mix smarter than Giuliani. Maybe not actually smart, but not that dumb. So they had to be thinking something here in waiving privilege and letting this get released, right?
Maybe they figured, given the way the news cycles have gone, that it's better to get this out now so in three days it'll be old news and it won't have any additive effect to all the fuckery going on? Or that nothing is really all that actionable here (obviously many differ on that), so let it out and be the shiny thing that distracts from whatever more serious thing is in play?
For most of Trump's policy bullshit, I don't think the "it's a distraction!" cry fits. I think they've meant to do everything they've done, and they're all genuinely so dumb about it they never have a plan ahead of time. But I keep thinking his legal defense has...I dunno, something of a plan?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:28 PM on July 24, 2018
Maybe they figured, given the way the news cycles have gone, that it's better to get this out now so in three days it'll be old news and it won't have any additive effect to all the fuckery going on? Or that nothing is really all that actionable here (obviously many differ on that), so let it out and be the shiny thing that distracts from whatever more serious thing is in play?
For most of Trump's policy bullshit, I don't think the "it's a distraction!" cry fits. I think they've meant to do everything they've done, and they're all genuinely so dumb about it they never have a plan ahead of time. But I keep thinking his legal defense has...I dunno, something of a plan?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:28 PM on July 24, 2018
Emily Maitlis of the BBC to Sean Spicer (interview clip): "You have corrupted discourse for the entire world by going along with these lies"
It's 2 minutes, 16 seconds, and she hammers him with tough questions. Much of it is Spicer trying to babble his way through with indignation, but it's totally worth it to watch a journalist do her job. Feels like it's been in short supply lately.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:46 PM on July 24, 2018 [82 favorites]
It's 2 minutes, 16 seconds, and she hammers him with tough questions. Much of it is Spicer trying to babble his way through with indignation, but it's totally worth it to watch a journalist do her job. Feels like it's been in short supply lately.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:46 PM on July 24, 2018 [82 favorites]
tonycpsu: @WSJ: Ivanka Trump is closing her namesake fashion brand, which became a lightning rod for critics of her father’s policies
chris24: So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
Or is it? Per Variety: [Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail] noted that the brand's copyrights and intellectual property would be retained, meaning a future relaunch is possible. That article also cited DNC's strong words for Ivanka: ‘The American People Won’t Fall For Ivanka’s Faux Feminism’ (Jenny Singer for Forward, July 20, 2018)
posted by filthy light thief at 8:59 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
chris24: So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
Or is it? Per Variety: [Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail] noted that the brand's copyrights and intellectual property would be retained, meaning a future relaunch is possible. That article also cited DNC's strong words for Ivanka: ‘The American People Won’t Fall For Ivanka’s Faux Feminism’ (Jenny Singer for Forward, July 20, 2018)
“Ivanka Trump Is A Hypocrite” announced the Democratic National Committee on Thursday. In a surprisingly relentless takedown of the first daughter and presidential advisor, the DNC bashed Ivanka Trump’s participation in the administration’s “Hire Americans” campaign, given the practices of her own fashion line.Incite from my wife: she is the vision of Pulp's "Common People" -- "If you called your dad he could stop it all / Yeah / You'll never live like common people / You'll never do whatever common people do / You'll never fail like common people"
posted by filthy light thief at 8:59 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
It’s inconceivable to me that Trump and his counsel/advisors waived Attorney-Client privilege to allow release of a tape that provides explicit evidence of a felony.
I have to agree: if they wanted this released, there has to be something far worse they’re covering up.
Could be that. But...naw. It just shows he's not afraid of being indicted. He knows that he's beyond the reach of the law, and he's flaunting it. After all, what is anybody going to do about it?
The only source of power that could thwart the spread and ultimate triumph of the political rabies currently running rampant throughout our erstwhile republic is us, ourselves. But rather than exercising our raw power, we're still counting on doing so through elections that we know are compromised, corrupt, and vulnerable. Because we're smart like that. Even now, we are not yet the people we have been waiting for. We think, and act, and live as though our power derives from the system, rather than the other way around.
By all means, vote, of course. I certainly intend to; we all should. It is an affirmative act. But do so with eyes open.
A democratic system of governance depends upon the political power centers it enfranchises, and that exist in dynamic tension with one another, to operate in good faith - that is, to value, guard, and protect the system itself - above the mere pursuit of power. And it could not be more obvious at this point in time that that good faith simply does not exist in sufficient measure. So I have zero faith that voting will be sufficient. And neither should you.
Day by day it becomes clearer: Without the will to lay our bodies down on the gears of the machine and shut it down, anything we do, we really do more to salve our consciences than to salvage our constitution.
And that is true many times over for white guys.
Governments derive their power from the governed. Ours is no exception. And its power isn't bestowed by our voting, but by our consent.
When governments cease to be accountable, it is the duty of the governed to withdraw consent.
posted by perspicio at 9:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
I have to agree: if they wanted this released, there has to be something far worse they’re covering up.
Could be that. But...naw. It just shows he's not afraid of being indicted. He knows that he's beyond the reach of the law, and he's flaunting it. After all, what is anybody going to do about it?
The only source of power that could thwart the spread and ultimate triumph of the political rabies currently running rampant throughout our erstwhile republic is us, ourselves. But rather than exercising our raw power, we're still counting on doing so through elections that we know are compromised, corrupt, and vulnerable. Because we're smart like that. Even now, we are not yet the people we have been waiting for. We think, and act, and live as though our power derives from the system, rather than the other way around.
By all means, vote, of course. I certainly intend to; we all should. It is an affirmative act. But do so with eyes open.
A democratic system of governance depends upon the political power centers it enfranchises, and that exist in dynamic tension with one another, to operate in good faith - that is, to value, guard, and protect the system itself - above the mere pursuit of power. And it could not be more obvious at this point in time that that good faith simply does not exist in sufficient measure. So I have zero faith that voting will be sufficient. And neither should you.
Day by day it becomes clearer: Without the will to lay our bodies down on the gears of the machine and shut it down, anything we do, we really do more to salve our consciences than to salvage our constitution.
And that is true many times over for white guys.
Governments derive their power from the governed. Ours is no exception. And its power isn't bestowed by our voting, but by our consent.
When governments cease to be accountable, it is the duty of the governed to withdraw consent.
posted by perspicio at 9:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
This is an incredible statistic. More than half the country concedes that the American President is being blackmailed by a foreign head of government, and people aren’t like...toppling over cars and stuff?
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
I agree that we've all been beaten into learned helplessness, but I'm not sure what rioting in the streets and car tipping would do to stop anything. Those in power are the only ones who could stop this and they don't want to stop it. Those who want to stop it can't do much. Mass riots and a general strike would probably hurt us more than it would hurt them or do anything to make the situation get less bad.
People need to feel that the administration poses an immediate and dire threat to their life or freedom or capacity for satisfaction/escape-mechanisms.
Also, a lot of folks are just trying to hang on in this world and not make things worse or have things get worse. We spend a lot of energy just trying to hold on and not become roadkill.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [16 favorites]
It’s like we’ve all been beaten into learned helplessness.
I agree that we've all been beaten into learned helplessness, but I'm not sure what rioting in the streets and car tipping would do to stop anything. Those in power are the only ones who could stop this and they don't want to stop it. Those who want to stop it can't do much. Mass riots and a general strike would probably hurt us more than it would hurt them or do anything to make the situation get less bad.
People need to feel that the administration poses an immediate and dire threat to their life or freedom or capacity for satisfaction/escape-mechanisms.
Also, a lot of folks are just trying to hang on in this world and not make things worse or have things get worse. We spend a lot of energy just trying to hold on and not become roadkill.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:14 PM on July 24, 2018 [16 favorites]
This is an incredible statistic. More than half the country concedes that the American President is being blackmailed by a foreign head of government, and people aren’t like...toppling over cars and stuff?
Wolverines we ain't.
posted by scalefree at 9:19 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
Wolverines we ain't.
posted by scalefree at 9:19 PM on July 24, 2018 [4 favorites]
Wasserman:
UPDATE: so far in '18 Dem House primaries featuring at least one woman, one man & no incumbent, women have won in 70/106 cases (66%). On GOP side, just 11/29 (38%).posted by Chrysostom at 9:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [30 favorites]
But I keep thinking his legal defense has...I dunno, something of a plan?
Yea I'd love to know the division of labor between actually legit big shot lawyer Emmet Flood and slavering moron Rudy Guiliani. Near as I can tell Flood has said nothing since his appointment in May, which is like...what real lawyers do. But clearly trying the case in the right wing media is part of the overall strategy and either delegated to Guiliani intentionally, or by default because Flood has no control over what he does. And Rudy also does seem to have some real authority over actual negotiations with Mueller's team too, discussing the details of Trump's willingness to sit for an interview. That can't be a healthy working relationship.
My guess is Flood is trying to run an actual defense, and acquiescing to Trump's need to try the case in the media by allowing Guiliani to do his lying PR work in parallel. What I'd want to know is how much of that is Flood bowing to the client's derangement, and how much he really believes that it's ultimately going to be a political question and the lying PR side is part of the actual defense case too.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yea I'd love to know the division of labor between actually legit big shot lawyer Emmet Flood and slavering moron Rudy Guiliani. Near as I can tell Flood has said nothing since his appointment in May, which is like...what real lawyers do. But clearly trying the case in the right wing media is part of the overall strategy and either delegated to Guiliani intentionally, or by default because Flood has no control over what he does. And Rudy also does seem to have some real authority over actual negotiations with Mueller's team too, discussing the details of Trump's willingness to sit for an interview. That can't be a healthy working relationship.
My guess is Flood is trying to run an actual defense, and acquiescing to Trump's need to try the case in the media by allowing Guiliani to do his lying PR work in parallel. What I'd want to know is how much of that is Flood bowing to the client's derangement, and how much he really believes that it's ultimately going to be a political question and the lying PR side is part of the actual defense case too.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:20 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Trump and Giuliani's legal strategy appears to mostly be a PR campaign rather than a sound legal strategy. In today's world it may possible be enough, especially since they're the ones in power. Are the Republicans going to impeach Trump over any one of the pieces of illegal stuff he's done? No, they aren't, and as long as the Republicans stand by their man and delay all of that and keep obfuscating all the facts their weird little cult public will stick with it, and reality will continue to disappear.
posted by gucci mane at 9:29 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 9:29 PM on July 24, 2018 [3 favorites]
Slothrup: "Alex Jones threatens to shoot Robert Mueller."Oh dear God…
"I'm constantly in fear that I'm not being a real man, and I'm not doing what it takes, and I'm not telling the truth. And so, call it whatever you want, I look at that guy, and he's a sack of crap," Jones said."… politically …" fig-leaf aside, how is that not straight-up incitement of fragile male egos to violence?
"It's going to happen, we're going to walk out in the square, politically, at high noon, and he's going to find out whether he makes a move, man make the move first, and then it's going to happen," Jones said as he pantomimed shooting at Mueller.
"It's not a joke. It's not a game. It's the real world. Politically. You're going to get it, or I'm going to die trying, b****. Get ready. We're going to bang heads," Jones continued, pretending to fire a gun at Mueller.
posted by Pinback at 9:41 PM on July 24, 2018 [37 favorites]
NYT, Spotting CNN on a TV Aboard Air Force One, Trump Rages Against Reality
On the first couple’s recent trip overseas, Melania Trump’s television aboard Air Force One was tuned to CNN. President Trump was not pleased.posted by zachlipton at 9:49 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
He raged at his staff for violating a rule that the White House entourage should begin each trip tuned to Fox — his preferred network over what he considers the “fake news” CNN — and caused “a bit of a stir” aboard Air Force One, according to an email obtained by The New York Times. The email, an internal exchange between officials in the White House Military Office and the White House Communications Agency last Thursday, also called for the ordering of two additional televisions to support Beam, a TiVo-like streaming device, to make sure the president and first lady could both watch TV in their separate hotel rooms when they travel.
At the end of the email chain, officials confirmed that tuning the TVs to Fox would be standard operating procedure going forward.
The channel-flipping flap was the latest example of how Mr. Trump, at a pivotal moment in his presidency, is increasingly living in a world of selected information and bending the truth to his own narrative. As his aides work to keep him insulated from the outside world, Mr. Trump is doubling down in his efforts to tell supporters to trust him over the words of critics and news reports.
It’s inconceivable to me that Trump and his counsel/advisors waived Attorney-Client privilege to allow release of a tape that provides explicit evidence of a felony.
In that case it's not privileged, so there was nothing to waive.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:55 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
In that case it's not privileged, so there was nothing to waive.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 9:55 PM on July 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
BREAKING: Ga. lawmaker who used racial slurs in TV show resigns
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:00 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
The Georgia lawmaker who exposed himself and yelled racial slurs during an episode of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Showtime series is resigning his seat in the state Legislature, according to House Speaker David Ralston’s office.He already lost his primary anyway, but small yay?
posted by scaryblackdeath at 10:00 PM on July 24, 2018 [31 favorites]
“Just remember, what you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening”
@MaddowBlog White House edits video to remove question about whether Putin wanted Trump to win.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [77 favorites]
@MaddowBlog White House edits video to remove question about whether Putin wanted Trump to win.
posted by scalefree at 10:03 PM on July 24, 2018 [77 favorites]
Those in power are the only ones who could stop this and they don't want to stop it. Those who want to stop it can't do much.
Tell that to literally every civil rights leader, anywhere, ever. Tell it to Margaret Meade.
That's a false dichotomy, though. It's not a binary choice, to keep your head low or to riot. There are lots of choices in between. Many are being done. More would be better. Creative, nonviolent, attention-getting, disruptive dissent is beautiful.
Also, a lot of folks are just trying to hang on in this world and not make things worse or have things get worse. We spend a lot of energy just trying to hold on and not become roadkill.
Yeah, I get it. But things ARE getting worse. And not evenly across the board, either. It's a lot easier to hang on when you have more to lose than when you have less. But offering no form of resistance is consent, and the less privileged pay the costs for the consent of the more privileged. That's what privilege IS. We have to make common cause in meaningful ways with those who are already in the crosshairs, or it'll be us next. You can count on that.
posted by perspicio at 10:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [35 favorites]
Tell that to literally every civil rights leader, anywhere, ever. Tell it to Margaret Meade.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.Mass riots and a general strike would probably hurt us more than it would hurt them or do anything to make the situation get less bad.
That's a false dichotomy, though. It's not a binary choice, to keep your head low or to riot. There are lots of choices in between. Many are being done. More would be better. Creative, nonviolent, attention-getting, disruptive dissent is beautiful.
Also, a lot of folks are just trying to hang on in this world and not make things worse or have things get worse. We spend a lot of energy just trying to hold on and not become roadkill.
Yeah, I get it. But things ARE getting worse. And not evenly across the board, either. It's a lot easier to hang on when you have more to lose than when you have less. But offering no form of resistance is consent, and the less privileged pay the costs for the consent of the more privileged. That's what privilege IS. We have to make common cause in meaningful ways with those who are already in the crosshairs, or it'll be us next. You can count on that.
posted by perspicio at 10:36 PM on July 24, 2018 [35 favorites]
@MaddowBlog White House edits video to remove question about whether Putin wanted Trump to win.
I was literally coming here to post that. To remind people, the original edit of the transcript could *possibly* have been spun as an error but it was reported in the Atlantic July 17 and remained uncorrected. Now this.
posted by mark k at 10:47 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
I was literally coming here to post that. To remind people, the original edit of the transcript could *possibly* have been spun as an error but it was reported in the Atlantic July 17 and remained uncorrected. Now this.
posted by mark k at 10:47 PM on July 24, 2018 [10 favorites]
This is interesting, the Allen Weisselberg who Cohen says he consulted with regarding the shell company is merely the Chief Financial Officer of the entire Trump Organization and on the board of his foundation, and a 30 year confidante of the family. If he gets drawn into this....
O'Brien: On the Trump/Cohen tapes that @CNN published tonight, Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Org, is referred to by Cohen - who says Weisselberg was aware of LLCs being used to funnel payments. Reupping my May column on why Weisselberg matters:
O'Brien: Weisselberg worked as Fred Trump’s accountant and has been Donald Trump’s CFO for years.. He knows more about the Trump Organization’s finances than almost anyone. If he’s now exposed to investigators, this all moves into the heart of Trump’s business dealings.
posted by Rumple at 11:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [42 favorites]
O'Brien: On the Trump/Cohen tapes that @CNN published tonight, Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Org, is referred to by Cohen - who says Weisselberg was aware of LLCs being used to funnel payments. Reupping my May column on why Weisselberg matters:
O'Brien: Weisselberg worked as Fred Trump’s accountant and has been Donald Trump’s CFO for years.. He knows more about the Trump Organization’s finances than almost anyone. If he’s now exposed to investigators, this all moves into the heart of Trump’s business dealings.
posted by Rumple at 11:16 PM on July 24, 2018 [42 favorites]
@Schraubd
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
John Roberts: Tell him you're not serving him b/c he's a conservative. When he incredulously asks you to repeat yourself, repeat yourself. When he does so again, say "actually, it's for national security." He leaves totally satisfied w/your answer and w/no food. #ServeARepublicanBased on this Tweet by Wendy Wasserman Schultz
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:35 PM on July 24, 2018 [9 favorites]
It's one thing to read, it's another to see & hear.
[video] @VeraMBergen "Just remember, what you are seeing and what you are reading is not what's happening" Trump says at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.
posted by scalefree at 11:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
[video] @VeraMBergen "Just remember, what you are seeing and what you are reading is not what's happening" Trump says at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.
posted by scalefree at 11:40 PM on July 24, 2018 [13 favorites]
The channel-flipping flap was the latest example of how Mr. Trump, at a pivotal moment in his presidency, is increasingly living in a world of selected information and bending the truth to his own narrative. As his aides work to keep him insulated from the outside world, Mr. Trump is doubling down in his efforts to tell supporters to trust him over the words of critics and news reports.
Two points come immediately to mind:
1. How easy would it be to begin an initiative that gets a wider variety of diverse global media sources circulating in the US?
2. In order to keep the dichotomy going between the insulated messaging and the wider world watching from the outside, its going to reach the point where they'll have to shut down two way internet access.
Stories like these help make the case for the unfaked reality
'The US government has checked out on renewables': can cities fill the gap?
Burlington, the first US city to run entirely on clean power, is inspiring other cities to make progress on climate change
posted by infini at 1:04 AM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
Two points come immediately to mind:
1. How easy would it be to begin an initiative that gets a wider variety of diverse global media sources circulating in the US?
2. In order to keep the dichotomy going between the insulated messaging and the wider world watching from the outside, its going to reach the point where they'll have to shut down two way internet access.
Stories like these help make the case for the unfaked reality
'The US government has checked out on renewables': can cities fill the gap?
Burlington, the first US city to run entirely on clean power, is inspiring other cities to make progress on climate change
posted by infini at 1:04 AM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
Risk adjustment is back. Trump Administration, in Reversal, Will Resume Risk Payments to Health Insurers
posted by zachlipton at 1:13 AM on July 25, 2018 [33 favorites]
The Trump administration, in an abrupt reversal, said Tuesday that it would restart a program that pays billions of dollars to insurers to stabilize health insurance markets under the Affordable Care Act.This is a good thing, but it's almost like they're completely incompetent or something.
The administration suspended the program less than three weeks ago, saying it was compelled to do so by a federal court decision in New Mexico.
But the administration said Tuesday that it would restore the program because otherwise health plans could become insolvent or withdraw from the market, causing chaos for consumers.
posted by zachlipton at 1:13 AM on July 25, 2018 [33 favorites]
From way upthread, but:
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
Better that than Steve Jackson's Ogre, surely.
So, like, my media-consumption regime is skewed by most of y'all's standards. I wake up on BST — unsurprisingly, given where I live — and I get my Chemex rigged up and glance at the Graun and the Times of New York as I sip my coffee. There's a certain amount of shear between their depictions of reality most days, mostly down to the time difference, though some of it presumably ideological in origin.
Anyways, today I'm sipping those first few hits of the hot black sacrament, and scrolling through the Guardian's front page, and I see a headline to the effect that "Trump audible on Cohen tape suggesting cash payments to model." And I'm still groggy, right? And I think to myself, "Gee, that's an unusually long lag between this story being covered just about everywhere else and being picked up this side of the pond. Like, this is comprehensively already part of the public record, yeah? And has been for a few days?"
And then I have another few sips of coffee, and my internal gyro comes online, and I focus up a little bit tighter, and I realize that no! this is new. That the modified limited hangout of a few days back has failed. That Trump and Rudy between the two of them have voluntarily waived privilege on a recording on which Trump suggests making cash payments to someone he still maintains he had no contact with. And I think Rudy will have to be disbarred, and Trump subjected to 25A remedies, for their incandescent stupidity alone. Yes: I too, however, momentarily succumb to a flareup of surelythisitis.
And then it passes, and I'm left in my kitchen clutching a smartphone, a mug of (rather good) coffee, and the vivid sense that there is no act of cognitively-damaged, self-sabotaging skullfuckery this Keystone Kops legal team and their equally impaired client can commit that will shift the stats at all. Approaching the 27% threshold as they may be, his people remain his people and will continue to do so. So bar a massive ischemic event, all we can do is hang on tight, ensure every last soul is registered and furnished with transcendently valid ID, do everything we can to prevent intrusion and exploitation of the election infrastructure, and GOTV GOTV GOTV. I don't see any other way to be rid of these trash garbage human beings in a world where the most blatantly damning evidence is right there in the public record, and nobody who isn't already disgusted gives the slightest damn.
posted by adamgreenfield at 2:21 AM on July 25, 2018 [56 favorites]
Yeah, but we're all stuck in Steve Jackson's Illuminati, apparently.
Better that than Steve Jackson's Ogre, surely.
So, like, my media-consumption regime is skewed by most of y'all's standards. I wake up on BST — unsurprisingly, given where I live — and I get my Chemex rigged up and glance at the Graun and the Times of New York as I sip my coffee. There's a certain amount of shear between their depictions of reality most days, mostly down to the time difference, though some of it presumably ideological in origin.
Anyways, today I'm sipping those first few hits of the hot black sacrament, and scrolling through the Guardian's front page, and I see a headline to the effect that "Trump audible on Cohen tape suggesting cash payments to model." And I'm still groggy, right? And I think to myself, "Gee, that's an unusually long lag between this story being covered just about everywhere else and being picked up this side of the pond. Like, this is comprehensively already part of the public record, yeah? And has been for a few days?"
And then I have another few sips of coffee, and my internal gyro comes online, and I focus up a little bit tighter, and I realize that no! this is new. That the modified limited hangout of a few days back has failed. That Trump and Rudy between the two of them have voluntarily waived privilege on a recording on which Trump suggests making cash payments to someone he still maintains he had no contact with. And I think Rudy will have to be disbarred, and Trump subjected to 25A remedies, for their incandescent stupidity alone. Yes: I too, however, momentarily succumb to a flareup of surelythisitis.
And then it passes, and I'm left in my kitchen clutching a smartphone, a mug of (rather good) coffee, and the vivid sense that there is no act of cognitively-damaged, self-sabotaging skullfuckery this Keystone Kops legal team and their equally impaired client can commit that will shift the stats at all. Approaching the 27% threshold as they may be, his people remain his people and will continue to do so. So bar a massive ischemic event, all we can do is hang on tight, ensure every last soul is registered and furnished with transcendently valid ID, do everything we can to prevent intrusion and exploitation of the election infrastructure, and GOTV GOTV GOTV. I don't see any other way to be rid of these trash garbage human beings in a world where the most blatantly damning evidence is right there in the public record, and nobody who isn't already disgusted gives the slightest damn.
posted by adamgreenfield at 2:21 AM on July 25, 2018 [56 favorites]
Holy fuck. So Pastor Mark Burns is mentioned on the tape - the tape where Trump conspires to break the law to cover up the fact he cheated on his third wife while she was home with a newborn, a fact he has repeatedly lied about - and here is this fine Christian man's response.
@pastormarkburns
I've been saying for almost 2 yrs some in the campaign tried to marginalize my role, in the closing days. This tape and the fact that I remained traveling with and speaking for the campaign after this conversation is even more proof @realDonaldTrump remained in my corner. #maga
posted by chris24 at 3:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [22 favorites]
@pastormarkburns
I've been saying for almost 2 yrs some in the campaign tried to marginalize my role, in the closing days. This tape and the fact that I remained traveling with and speaking for the campaign after this conversation is even more proof @realDonaldTrump remained in my corner. #maga
posted by chris24 at 3:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [22 favorites]
GovTrack just tweeted out a link to this survey of Congressional office correspondence practices and man this explains some things:
Though the large majority of offices circulate regular mail reports that provide an overview of recent correspondence trends, the mail reports assembled in most offices provide only a partial picture of what incoming correspondence looks like, listing only the top issues and/or omitting information about constituent policy positions. [I.e. they'll say that the top issue this week is family separations at the border, but they won't say how many letters are in support of it vs. against it.] As a result, mail reports may provide information about the top issue priorities of constituents but typically they do not provide any sense of where constituents actually stand on these priority issues or capture the breadth of issues that constituents care about.posted by soren_lorensen at 4:29 AM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
Considering that Trump seems to be talking on the phone to Pam Bondi and the Cohen conversation starts with:
TRUMP: What's up Mike?It seems to me that the tape was likely made between September 6-9.
COHEN: Great Poll, by the way.
TRUMP: Yeah?
COHEN: CNN. Great Poll.
TRUMP: We're making progress.
COHEN: Big Time.
- The Bondi story blew up on the afternoon of September 5th when Trump denied to reporters that his donation was connected to Trump University.
- CNN released a surprising poll in the morning of September 6, showing Trump dead even with Clinton. I can't find another national poll by CNN/ORC in September.
- Trump had a rally in Pensacola, FL on Friday September 9th, which could have been the one he stopped Bondi from attending.
Annnnnd there's the Trump's Mirror. There's more tapes coming.
Sure enough, before morning coffee, Good Morning America (@GMA) FULL INTERVIEW: Michael Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, one-on-one with @GStephanopoulos; says there are "certainly" more tapes, and that Michael Cohen is not seeking a pardon from the President: http://abcn.ws/2uNTgeY
Also, regular evidence is being released to the Feds, per Courthouse News: Special Master Rejects More Trump and Cohen Privilege Claims "Of the 1,262 items the president and his attorney claimed deserve protection, only 597 passed muster before the court-appointed “special master” presiding over the dispute. Federal prosecutors received the other 665 files deemed not to be privileged."
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Sure enough, before morning coffee, Good Morning America (@GMA) FULL INTERVIEW: Michael Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, one-on-one with @GStephanopoulos; says there are "certainly" more tapes, and that Michael Cohen is not seeking a pardon from the President: http://abcn.ws/2uNTgeY
Also, regular evidence is being released to the Feds, per Courthouse News: Special Master Rejects More Trump and Cohen Privilege Claims "Of the 1,262 items the president and his attorney claimed deserve protection, only 597 passed muster before the court-appointed “special master” presiding over the dispute. Federal prosecutors received the other 665 files deemed not to be privileged."
posted by Doktor Zed at 4:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Also, Pastor Mark Burns' statement that "I overstated my biography", which Trump and Cohen discussed:
Obviously all of these events (Bondi, CNN poll, Mark Burns) precede the Trump-Cohen conversation, so it could have been later in the month, but these issues seem fresh in their minds.
posted by pjenks at 5:01 AM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
COHEN: Oh, you're talking about Mark Burns. We've told him to s-happened on CNN on Friday, September 2nd.
TRUMP: I don't mean that, Mark Burns. Can we use him anymore?
COHEN: No. No.
TRUMP: [Big Sniff] Uhhhhh.
Obviously all of these events (Bondi, CNN poll, Mark Burns) precede the Trump-Cohen conversation, so it could have been later in the month, but these issues seem fresh in their minds.
posted by pjenks at 5:01 AM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
The View’s Meghan McCain loses her mind as audience cheers socialism: ‘This makes my head explode’
Is this like a Tinkerbell thing? Cheer harder!
posted by Artw at 5:35 AM on July 25, 2018 [103 favorites]
Is this like a Tinkerbell thing? Cheer harder!
posted by Artw at 5:35 AM on July 25, 2018 [103 favorites]
As I was going to sleep last night, I was thinking more about Masha Gessen's Autocracy: Rules for Survival. In particular, I was thinking about Rule #3 - Institutions will not save you.
I realized (yay, right before sleep!) that I've been unconsciously thinking of the Mueller investigation as one axis of that rule. That is, I've been thinking that if Mueller nails Trump et al. in the Russia probe, that means that an institution has saved us. I now realize that is very wrong. It may well be that the institution that is the Special Counsel and the judicial system "gets" Trump and Co. in the end. It may well be that they go to jail. Hell, it may even ripple out into the Republican party or the NRA or the prison-for-profit system or the war machine complex or or or....but that doesn't count as "saving" anything.
I guess what I realized and now feel a little silly for having accepted in the first place is that Getting The Bad Guys != Saving Us. There's no charge against Trump that is going to magically restore voting rights to millions or reverse the trauma inflicted on immigrants or make a dent in climate change or reverse the decades long transfer of wealth from the poor and working class to the wealthy or any number of the serious crises facing this nation and to a large extent the planet. Trump going down doesn't immediately signify the end of the rise of the global far-right or the ratcheting down of serious tensions between nations in places other than North America.
I don't necessarily have an answer or anything, I guess I'm just sharing this because this place helps keep me sane and more than anything or anyone else has completely reversed the cynicism of my early 20s regarding participation in the democratic process. We need to catch and punish the bad guys first, hell yes, and that's no small thing. But then we need to elect a metric fuckton of socialists in every position from dogcatcher to President, and we need to get together with 10 million or so of our progressive thinking brethren and take ongoing, sustainable direct action to keep people honest and maintain the sense of urgency that the scale of our planet's problems warrants.
Anyways. Today should be interesting. Thanks for being here, peeps.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:39 AM on July 25, 2018 [39 favorites]
I realized (yay, right before sleep!) that I've been unconsciously thinking of the Mueller investigation as one axis of that rule. That is, I've been thinking that if Mueller nails Trump et al. in the Russia probe, that means that an institution has saved us. I now realize that is very wrong. It may well be that the institution that is the Special Counsel and the judicial system "gets" Trump and Co. in the end. It may well be that they go to jail. Hell, it may even ripple out into the Republican party or the NRA or the prison-for-profit system or the war machine complex or or or....but that doesn't count as "saving" anything.
I guess what I realized and now feel a little silly for having accepted in the first place is that Getting The Bad Guys != Saving Us. There's no charge against Trump that is going to magically restore voting rights to millions or reverse the trauma inflicted on immigrants or make a dent in climate change or reverse the decades long transfer of wealth from the poor and working class to the wealthy or any number of the serious crises facing this nation and to a large extent the planet. Trump going down doesn't immediately signify the end of the rise of the global far-right or the ratcheting down of serious tensions between nations in places other than North America.
I don't necessarily have an answer or anything, I guess I'm just sharing this because this place helps keep me sane and more than anything or anyone else has completely reversed the cynicism of my early 20s regarding participation in the democratic process. We need to catch and punish the bad guys first, hell yes, and that's no small thing. But then we need to elect a metric fuckton of socialists in every position from dogcatcher to President, and we need to get together with 10 million or so of our progressive thinking brethren and take ongoing, sustainable direct action to keep people honest and maintain the sense of urgency that the scale of our planet's problems warrants.
Anyways. Today should be interesting. Thanks for being here, peeps.
posted by lazaruslong at 5:39 AM on July 25, 2018 [39 favorites]
How easy would it be to begin an initiative that gets a wider variety of diverse global media sources circulating in the US?
That depends heavily on whether the content needs to be licensed, and therefore the initiative profitable.
If those sources are willing to go unpaid (or be paid very cheaply) until enough of a shift takes place that people (lots of people, not just those already predisposed) start to value it more, it's easier than ever. Although now the loss of network neutrality leaves you open to a certain as-yet-unknown amount of ratfucking if you really start to scale.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:47 AM on July 25, 2018
That depends heavily on whether the content needs to be licensed, and therefore the initiative profitable.
If those sources are willing to go unpaid (or be paid very cheaply) until enough of a shift takes place that people (lots of people, not just those already predisposed) start to value it more, it's easier than ever. Although now the loss of network neutrality leaves you open to a certain as-yet-unknown amount of ratfucking if you really start to scale.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:47 AM on July 25, 2018
I guess what I realized and now feel a little silly for having accepted in the first place is that Getting The Bad Guys != Saving Us
This. And it's not going to prevent more attempts to undermine our democracy. The first agenda items when Democrats regain control should be to close all of the loopholes that have been exploited and legally codify some of the voluntary "norms" that Trump has chosen to ignore.
As painful as it will be to wait, this needs to happen before expending any political capital on our normal platform issues and even before fixing the Obama policies thay Trump and Congress have rolled back and broken.
posted by duoshao at 5:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
This. And it's not going to prevent more attempts to undermine our democracy. The first agenda items when Democrats regain control should be to close all of the loopholes that have been exploited and legally codify some of the voluntary "norms" that Trump has chosen to ignore.
As painful as it will be to wait, this needs to happen before expending any political capital on our normal platform issues and even before fixing the Obama policies thay Trump and Congress have rolled back and broken.
posted by duoshao at 5:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
"IL-06 [Roskam] | Leans R => Tossup"
Speaking of human trashfire Peter Roskam: GOP to bus in counter-protesters to Thursday’s debate, says Roskam “in the fight of his life”
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
Speaking of human trashfire Peter Roskam: GOP to bus in counter-protesters to Thursday’s debate, says Roskam “in the fight of his life”
We just got wind that the Democrats are planning to protest at the sold-out debate between Peter and his opponent this Thursday evening in Chicago. They’re planning on having over 100 people there. This is a perfect opportunity for us to show we are ready to fight. Can you come show your support for Peter outside the event this Thursday? [...] We’re also having a bus take supporters from the suburbs to downtown and back! We’re meeting in Wheaton at 3:15 PM and plan on having everyone back by 7:15. If you’d like to take the bus, let us know and we’ll send you more details!He's dodging constituent meetings, refusing debates if he can't control the audience -- he's running terrified. (Apparently he was a jackass to a local senior citizens group too and is shaky with the old people vote!)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
I have said this before, but it needs saying if we’re going to get the Overton Window where it needs to be: these things don’t get fixed without changes to the Constitution. We will not be saved if the oldest, whitest, craziest 30% of the country controls 70% of the senate and a disproportionate chunk of the electoral college, not to mention the courts.
Our institutions will not save us because our institutions were designed to allow a political minority to enslave and oppress other human beings.
We have to change our institutions. Completely.
Call it Reconstruction 2: This time it’s for everyone.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:08 AM on July 25, 2018 [67 favorites]
Our institutions will not save us because our institutions were designed to allow a political minority to enslave and oppress other human beings.
We have to change our institutions. Completely.
Call it Reconstruction 2: This time it’s for everyone.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:08 AM on July 25, 2018 [67 favorites]
Is there some law about the fruit of broken attorney-client privilege not being allowed in court cases? I'm not talking about against Cohen, but against Trump. It may be a plan on Trump's part to get fruit of the poisoned tree and subsequent findings thrown out. Or is that way over their heads two-dimensional chess?
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:10 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:10 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Lucy McBath (Ga-6) is the mother of Jordan Davis.
posted by hollygoheavy at 6:13 AM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by hollygoheavy at 6:13 AM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
Trump waived the privilege. They wanted the evidence in. The chess move may turn out to be "self-♟️."
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:18 AM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:18 AM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
Call it Reconstruction 2: This time it’s for everyone.
The current balance of power in state legislatures makes this a bad time for Constitutional Boogaloo.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:20 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
The current balance of power in state legislatures makes this a bad time for Constitutional Boogaloo.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:20 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
Is it just me, or is he getting more demented by the hour (warning, raw, unfiltered Trump tweet)?
Orange Shitgibbon:
...
[real]
posted by PontifexPrimus at 6:22 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
Orange Shitgibbon:
What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? So sad! Is this a first, never heard of it before? Why was the tape so abruptly terminated (cut) while I was presumably saying positive things? I hear there are other clients and many reporters that are taped - can this be so? Too bad!...
...
[real]
posted by PontifexPrimus at 6:22 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
I guess what I realized and now feel a little silly for having accepted in the first place is that Getting The Bad Guys != Saving Us
Absolutely. The HST passage that springs immediately to mind:
There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. . . .
And that, I think, was the handle—that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting—on our side or theirs. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave. . . .
So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark—that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.
These poor, deluded flower children of the 60s ran headlong into an America populated by Nixon and greedheads and hardhats and Bible-thumpers and authoritarians, and the wave rolled back. Then Nixon got run out of town through his own corruption... and after a brief interlude of humanity in the White House, we got eight years of someone whose corruption and dedication to authoritarianism and naked greed made Nixon look like a choir boy, and the wave rolled back. After eight years of Bill Clinton, we reverted straight back to authoritarianism and naked greed for eight more, and the wave rolled back. After eight years of Barack Obama, we reverted straight back to a new high water mark for authoritarianism and naked greed, and we're trying to hold the wave even close to where it was with our bare fucking hands.
And it's because there will never be any kind of final, cataclysmic triumph over authoritarianism and naked greed, for a lot of reasons, but primarily because 'wait for the old people to die out, then the young will take over' ignores the vast multitudes of greedy, authoritarian, narrow-minded shitheads in every age group. We rejoiced at the death of Jesse Helms, for instance, and North Carolina turning blue-ish for Obama; look at it now, the Patient Zero for state-based naked power grabs and political bullying. Every time an old conservative warthog keels over, his corpse cracks open and a young Stephen Miller type oozes out. Every time we reach someone and make them acknowledge the basic humanity of people who don't check all the white male Christian hetero cis Western-European-stock affluent boxes, some crotchnozzle posts a racist, sexist meme or a Sean Hannity talking point and another mind believes it and closes.
We will never, ever, ever be done fighting, until we're dead.
posted by delfin at 6:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [99 favorites]
Absolutely. The HST passage that springs immediately to mind:
There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. . . .
And that, I think, was the handle—that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting—on our side or theirs. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave. . . .
So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high-water mark—that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.
These poor, deluded flower children of the 60s ran headlong into an America populated by Nixon and greedheads and hardhats and Bible-thumpers and authoritarians, and the wave rolled back. Then Nixon got run out of town through his own corruption... and after a brief interlude of humanity in the White House, we got eight years of someone whose corruption and dedication to authoritarianism and naked greed made Nixon look like a choir boy, and the wave rolled back. After eight years of Bill Clinton, we reverted straight back to authoritarianism and naked greed for eight more, and the wave rolled back. After eight years of Barack Obama, we reverted straight back to a new high water mark for authoritarianism and naked greed, and we're trying to hold the wave even close to where it was with our bare fucking hands.
And it's because there will never be any kind of final, cataclysmic triumph over authoritarianism and naked greed, for a lot of reasons, but primarily because 'wait for the old people to die out, then the young will take over' ignores the vast multitudes of greedy, authoritarian, narrow-minded shitheads in every age group. We rejoiced at the death of Jesse Helms, for instance, and North Carolina turning blue-ish for Obama; look at it now, the Patient Zero for state-based naked power grabs and political bullying. Every time an old conservative warthog keels over, his corpse cracks open and a young Stephen Miller type oozes out. Every time we reach someone and make them acknowledge the basic humanity of people who don't check all the white male Christian hetero cis Western-European-stock affluent boxes, some crotchnozzle posts a racist, sexist meme or a Sean Hannity talking point and another mind believes it and closes.
We will never, ever, ever be done fighting, until we're dead.
posted by delfin at 6:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [99 favorites]
We just got wind that the Democrats are planning to protest at the sold-out debate between Peter and his opponent this Thursday evening in Chicago...This is a perfect opportunity for us to show we are ready to fight. Can you come show your support for Peter outside the event this Thursday?
I will buy a nice cold beer for everyone 15 or more degrees left of center who shows up in Wheaton to join that ride incognito.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:27 AM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
I will buy a nice cold beer for everyone 15 or more degrees left of center who shows up in Wheaton to join that ride incognito.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:27 AM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
Other clients? Didn’t we learn that the only other client Cohen had was Sean Hannity?
Reporters? Seems likely given Trump’s practice of leaking to the press.
posted by notyou at 6:28 AM on July 25, 2018
Reporters? Seems likely given Trump’s practice of leaking to the press.
posted by notyou at 6:28 AM on July 25, 2018
Artw: "The View’s Meghan McCain loses her mind as audience cheers socialism: ‘This makes my head explode’
Is this like a Tinkerbell thing? Cheer harder!"
I love how she starts ranting about the post-office. You try to talk to any conservative about government programs and somehow they always end up saying "You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
posted by octothorpe at 6:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
Is this like a Tinkerbell thing? Cheer harder!"
I love how she starts ranting about the post-office. You try to talk to any conservative about government programs and somehow they always end up saying "You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
posted by octothorpe at 6:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
Is there some law about the fruit of broken attorney-client privilege not being allowed in court cases? I'm not talking about against Cohen, but against Trump. It may be a plan on Trump's part to get fruit of the poisoned tree and subsequent findings thrown out. Or is that way over their heads two-dimensional chess?
The reason he's fighting this as a PR campaign is because this is a PR campaign. Even if SCOTUS does allow indictment against a sitting president to proceed (IMO it must because otherwise it creates a giant moral hazard a'la Julius Caesar circa 50 BCE) and Trump is convicted (which he will then pardon if he hasn't already) the only (practical) constitutional way he can be removed from office is by 2/3 of the Senate which means there must be Republican turncoats.
By fighting for the hearts and minds of the base, Trump and Giuliani can tell any Republican senator that if they vote to remove Trump from office their career will be effectively over. The base will primary them out and they will be lucky if they're not run out of the state on a rail. They're fighting to make sure they can scare 34 Republican senators into acquiescence. That is the battle they're really fighting right now.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:31 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
The reason he's fighting this as a PR campaign is because this is a PR campaign. Even if SCOTUS does allow indictment against a sitting president to proceed (IMO it must because otherwise it creates a giant moral hazard a'la Julius Caesar circa 50 BCE) and Trump is convicted (which he will then pardon if he hasn't already) the only (practical) constitutional way he can be removed from office is by 2/3 of the Senate which means there must be Republican turncoats.
By fighting for the hearts and minds of the base, Trump and Giuliani can tell any Republican senator that if they vote to remove Trump from office their career will be effectively over. The base will primary them out and they will be lucky if they're not run out of the state on a rail. They're fighting to make sure they can scare 34 Republican senators into acquiescence. That is the battle they're really fighting right now.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:31 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? So sad! Is this a first, never heard of it before? Why was the tape so abruptly terminated (cut) while I was presumably saying positive things? I hear there are other clients and many reporters that are taped - can this be so? Too bad!
The Mirror rearing its head again, of course. Trump himself is known to have recorded Trump Tower meetings with various partners, subordinates, stooges, et al., and his childlike fascination with the White House phone system has been similarly attributed to its recording capabilities.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:34 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
The Mirror rearing its head again, of course. Trump himself is known to have recorded Trump Tower meetings with various partners, subordinates, stooges, et al., and his childlike fascination with the White House phone system has been similarly attributed to its recording capabilities.
posted by adamgreenfield at 6:34 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
You try to talk to any conservative about government programs and somehow they always end up saying "You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
I'll link again to my 3 sentence rant on why every workplace should be run like the post office (it's a megathread link, FYI).
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 6:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [22 favorites]
I'll link again to my 3 sentence rant on why every workplace should be run like the post office (it's a megathread link, FYI).
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 6:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [22 favorites]
The real walkaway movement: "Finally, I said: 'Look, what you believe to be true is false. The things you think are facts are not facts. We can't go further here.'" A Twitter thread from Radio Free Tom/Tom Nichols.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
"You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Its a Creation Myth.
posted by Cyrano at 6:46 AM on July 25, 2018 [62 favorites]
Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Its a Creation Myth.
posted by Cyrano at 6:46 AM on July 25, 2018 [62 favorites]
Because of Donald's refusal to rewrite or plan his tweets, the character limit always catches him a bit by surprise. Hence, the ending often has this weird clipped quality -- "can this be so? Too bad!" -- that evokes palindromes, at least to me.
Cyrano: Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Where the hell is steak not eligible for food stamps? Isn't it... food?
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:50 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
Cyrano: Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Where the hell is steak not eligible for food stamps? Isn't it... food?
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:50 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
The current balance of power in state legislatures makes this a bad time for Constitutional Boogaloo.
I know. I don’t know how to square that circle ether, but we gotta figure it out, or we are fucked.
Lucy McBath (Ga-6) is the mother of Jordan Davis.
For people on mobile who can’t click through, GA-6 is the district Jon Ossof lost in 2017. Dems also came within 2 points in 2016.
Jordan Davis was the black teenager murdered by a white man in 2012 in Florida for “playing music too loudly” in his car at a gas station. The killer opened fire into the car and was later convicted of first degree murder.
Lucy McBath is an amazing person.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [48 favorites]
I know. I don’t know how to square that circle ether, but we gotta figure it out, or we are fucked.
Lucy McBath (Ga-6) is the mother of Jordan Davis.
For people on mobile who can’t click through, GA-6 is the district Jon Ossof lost in 2017. Dems also came within 2 points in 2016.
Jordan Davis was the black teenager murdered by a white man in 2012 in Florida for “playing music too loudly” in his car at a gas station. The killer opened fire into the car and was later convicted of first degree murder.
Lucy McBath is an amazing person.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [48 favorites]
Bloomberg -- New Cohen Tape Surfaces a Bigger Trump Fish
Mostly interesting for some helpful reminders on why Allen Weisselberg, mentioned in the taped conversation, is an important pivot. The key paragraphs:
Mostly interesting for some helpful reminders on why Allen Weisselberg, mentioned in the taped conversation, is an important pivot. The key paragraphs:
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:54 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
Weisselberg isn’t a bit player in Trumplandia and his emergence on the Cohen-Trump recording – as someone possibly facilitating a scheme apparently meant to disguise a payoff – should worry the president. Weisselberg has detailed information about the Trump Organization’s operations, business deals and finances. If he winds up in investigators’ crosshairs for secreting payoffs, he could potentially provide much more damaging information to prosecutors than Cohen ever could about the president’s dealmaking.
...
[Unlike Cohen] Weisselberg has worked for the Trump family since the 1970s, and knows more about the Trump Organization’s history and finances than nearly anyone. Almost 71 years old, he joined the company after graduating from college and worked for the president’s father, Fred, as an accountant. He has since become the Trump Organization’s chief financial officer and one of the president’s closest business confidants...
Weisselberg also served as treasurer of the president’s troubled philanthropy, The Donald J. Trump Foundation, which the New York State Attorney General has sued for allegations involving “extensive and persistent violations of state and federal law.” The suit says the foundation routinely and willfully broke the law by engaging in self-dealing that ultimately came to include illegal coordination with Trump’s political campaign. Weisselberg hasn’t been charged with any wrongdoing...
...Weisselberg’s professional duties also came to include handling Trump’s personal finances as well as the Trump Organization’s corporate finances...After Trump became president his lawyers created a trust that safeguards his interest in the Trump Organization while ostensibly managing the company without his input. The trust is run by Weisselberg and the president’s two eldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric.
Weisselberg has preferred to remain out of the spotlight over the last few decades, quietly tending to the Trump Organization’s operations. Now that he has surfaced in one of the most high-profile political and business investigations ever conducted in the U.S., that may be about to change.
Where the hell is steak not eligible for food stamps? Isn't it... food?
It's not legality, it's that poor people and black people don't deserve such luxury and extravagance.
posted by Golem XIV at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
It's not legality, it's that poor people and black people don't deserve such luxury and extravagance.
posted by Golem XIV at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Over on twitter wikileaks is suddenly concerned about the Cohen tape and its arrival at CNN. Why anyone ever thought wikileaks was about anything other than Jules' own messianic fantasies still baffles me.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by octobersurprise at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
> I love how she starts ranting about the post-office. You try to talk to any conservative about government programs and somehow they always end up saying "You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
And of course, to the extent that the Post Office has any problems at all, it's because Republicans in Congress have tried to kill it.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [56 favorites]
And of course, to the extent that the Post Office has any problems at all, it's because Republicans in Congress have tried to kill it.
posted by tonycpsu at 6:58 AM on July 25, 2018 [56 favorites]
What kind of a lawyer would tape a client?
The kind who has a guy for a client who brags about how he screws everybody who gets in the way of his doing whatever he wants. And, as others have noted, who tapes people. And uses taping people as a threat.
posted by Rykey at 7:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
The kind who has a guy for a client who brags about how he screws everybody who gets in the way of his doing whatever he wants. And, as others have noted, who tapes people. And uses taping people as a threat.
posted by Rykey at 7:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
Over on twitter wikileaks is suddenly concerned about the Cohen tape and its arrival at CNN.
Tfw you consistently apply the single principle that supposedly defines your organisation
posted by chappell, ambrose at 7:11 AM on July 25, 2018 [8 favorites]
Tfw you consistently apply the single principle that supposedly defines your organisation
posted by chappell, ambrose at 7:11 AM on July 25, 2018 [8 favorites]
How the Republican Party Became The Party of Racism - Michael Harriot, TheRoot
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Democrats are the real racists because the GOP is the party of Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Surely you’ve read the oft-repeated anecdote about how the Republican Party ended slavery and most importantly, fought for the passage of the Civil Rights Act.posted by ZeusHumms at 7:14 AM on July 25, 2018 [38 favorites]
All of this is correct.
They say the best jokes are based in reality. So when accusations of racism enter into any political debate, conservatives invariably regurgitate those previously-mentioned bullet points from the recurring, well-rehearsed Republican comedy routine.
What they fail to mention, however, is that the party to which they refer to no longer exists. The only thing that remains of the original Republican Party is the name. And how the Grand Ole Party transformed itself from the party of Lincoln into the current version—a white, Southern party rife with racial resentment—has become a forgotten tale that takes advantage of America’s lack of historical knowledge and abundance of short-term memory when it comes to race.
The kind with a client where his outside counsel had a rule that there always had to be two people from the firm in meetings since he lied constantly?
posted by chris24 at 7:16 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 7:16 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
I have shipped over 10 thousand packages over the past ten years and literally THREE of them have gone missing permanently (and I think one of those people was lying). The USPS is the best of America. Anyone can mail a letter for the same cost as anyone else, and with a few exceptions, anyone can get mail delivered right to their home, whether they live in a mansion or a shack, midtown or in the sticks. It is a cornerstone of democracy, and I dread the day Trump's attention wanders its way, because I'm sure he thinks it is a "terrible deal" and there's already a long history of Republicans trying to fuck it over. I live in a small southern city and I visit my PO every single day. I love my postal workers, but they are mostly Republicans and pro-Trump. I keep warning them that he is not on their side, but they will be completely leopard/faced if he ever goes after them. (If you love your PO, please go fill out the questionnaire on the USPS website about your experience. It really does have an impact for that particular location.)
posted by thebrokedown at 7:18 AM on July 25, 2018 [124 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 7:18 AM on July 25, 2018 [124 favorites]
I hadn't noticed these earlier in the month, but there are two updates in the story of Belrusian escort, Nastya Rybka, and Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska:
posted by pjenks at 7:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
- In a Russian court, Deripaska won a one million ruble (8000USD) settlement from Rybka and a co-worker for his "moral damage" claim. [9Jul2018]
- Rybka, still in a Thai jail, now says she does not intend to cooperate with American investigators [20Jul2018]
Rybka's representative told Vice News TV channel that Anastasia would be willing to deliver the recordings to Oleg Deripaska only. The woman allegedly decided that she must not deliver Oleg Deripaska's personal and confidential information to anyone else.
"Everything I have in terms of recordings, I'll give to Oleg and only Oleg," Rybka's representative quoted her as saying. She even named the price for that - "a date and a bouquet of flowers."
posted by pjenks at 7:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
Also! “Underbanked" people use the PO extensively to conduct monetary transactions. There are always many people buying and sending money orders there whenever I go. I'm all for the USPS being tasked to serve people's banking needs even more widely. Privatizing the USPS would be yet another direct assault on the poor in this country.
posted by thebrokedown at 7:29 AM on July 25, 2018 [41 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 7:29 AM on July 25, 2018 [41 favorites]
Someone took a pick axe to Donald's star on the Walk of Fame last night.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:37 AM on July 25, 2018 [90 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 7:37 AM on July 25, 2018 [90 favorites]
The kind who has a guy for a client who brags about how he screws everybody who gets in the way of his doing whatever he wants. And, as others have noted, who tapes people. And uses taping people as a threat.
Wasn't there a firm who would never meet with Trump alone, but always a pair of them, since they know that Trump lies all the time? I bet as soon as those meetings ended, both attorneys immediately memorialized the content.
posted by mikelieman at 7:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Wasn't there a firm who would never meet with Trump alone, but always a pair of them, since they know that Trump lies all the time? I bet as soon as those meetings ended, both attorneys immediately memorialized the content.
posted by mikelieman at 7:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Buzzfeed: Trump's Lawyer: We Met With Him In Pairs To Avoid Lies
"Donald says certain things and then has a lack of memory."
Trump was "an expert at interpreting things. Let’s put it that way.”
They were under oath in a deposition in a 1993 bankruptcy suit.
posted by chris24 at 7:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [19 favorites]
"Donald says certain things and then has a lack of memory."
Trump was "an expert at interpreting things. Let’s put it that way.”
They were under oath in a deposition in a 1993 bankruptcy suit.
posted by chris24 at 7:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [19 favorites]
The USPS is the best of America.
Not only now but going back throughout our history; when private companies started trying to compete they deceptively named themselves in hopes that they'd be confused for part of the postal service by the public: "UPS" and "Fedex".
posted by XMLicious at 7:49 AM on July 25, 2018 [52 favorites]
The Sierra Club Declared War on Scott Pruitt—and Won. "An inside look at how the environmental group’s campaign against Pruitt ended up uncovering his wildest misconduct." - Aaron Mak, Slate
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [44 favorites]
The Sierra Club’s goal in sending FOIA requests was to uncover and make public Pruitt’s cozy relationships with lobbyists, which could serve as a backdrop for its real work: suing to prevent Pruitt from rolling back the EPA’s leak-detection and -repair program, clean-car standards, and other regulations. While Pruitt’s ethical lapses wouldn’t necessarily show up in a court ruling, the Sierra Club hoped they’d stick at the back of a judge’s mind. “Judges are human beings,” said Pat Gallagher, the director of the Sierra Club’s environmental-law program. “They read the newspaper.”They eventually got the FOIA requests filled on a regular basis, and news and other organizations were able to make use of the results with spectacular effect.
In other words, getting Pruitt to resign was not the organization’s primary mission. That it happened anyway was more serendipitous than intentional—a perfect storm of the club’s (and others’) legal strategy, the public’s hunger for Trump-related scandals, and Scott Pruitt’s own brazen corruption. But it was also not a completely unalloyed success: Pruitt’s departure momentarily stalled his deregulatory agenda, but in ways it has left the Sierra Club back where it started, with President Trump still in office but with fewer fancy fountain pens to uncover.
posted by ZeusHumms at 7:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [44 favorites]
Risk adjustment is back. Trump Administration, in Reversal, Will Resume Risk Payments to Health Insurers
Finally, Republicans show they care about their constituen–
Finally, Republicans show they care about their constituen–
Republicans in Congress, afraid of being blamed in the midterm elections this year for even higher premiums, had urged the Trump administration to resume the payments to insurers.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:55 AM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
Eric Holder being tragically funny at Stephen Colbert
posted by mumimor at 8:02 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by mumimor at 8:02 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
The just-announced line-up of this year's Venice Film Festival has this nugget:
"American Dharma, a dialogue between film-maker Errol Morris and Donald Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon."
There doesn't seem to be any other word out about this, other than apparently the two of them were at university together; Morris has a penchant for getting under the skin of the. best. people. (It will not be easy watching...)
posted by progosk at 8:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
"American Dharma, a dialogue between film-maker Errol Morris and Donald Trump’s former strategist Steve Bannon."
There doesn't seem to be any other word out about this, other than apparently the two of them were at university together; Morris has a penchant for getting under the skin of the. best. people. (It will not be easy watching...)
posted by progosk at 8:28 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
I finally listened to the Cohen tape, and I'm having a minute of happiness here because I just realized that everything about Trump is going to come out. It's like the snowball at the beginning of an avalanche.
Like delfin and lazaruslong upthread, I'm not optimistic, I don't believe that the slaying of the dragon that is Trump will save us all. But hey, a few minutes of happiness is nice.
posted by mumimor at 8:38 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
Like delfin and lazaruslong upthread, I'm not optimistic, I don't believe that the slaying of the dragon that is Trump will save us all. But hey, a few minutes of happiness is nice.
posted by mumimor at 8:38 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
"You want x to be run like the post-office?" as if that would be the worst thing in the world.
Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Its a Creation Myth.
You know, my local post office is Not Great. They deliver my letters to nearby neighbors and vice versa and have been known to decide that since the property with the 711 number two streets over doesn't exist anymore that they'll just deliver that shit to me now. Some of their services are inane or lacking in weird or corporation-serving ways. (You can print postage straight onto something... using some third party service, most of them requiring subscription fees. You cannot go to the USPS website and just print a postage-included label even though that's something Amazon will do for you if you're one of their sellers)
But the idea that this level of sometimes frustrating service in, say, health care wouldn't be welcome for a huge portion of the population? Or as is pointed out above, in running a public bank? It's a ridiculous assertion. And a big part of the reason I can be irked by this periodic idiocy from them is because I notice it because the Post Office is a daily part of my life that touches so many things I do and thereby is highly noticeable and irritating on those statically rare failure occurrences.
Please, give me more socialist services like the sanitation department, water purification and delivery, and the Post Office. All three are fantastic examples of places where we provide necessary life services to everyone who needs it [1] and yet you're still free to go get your own in some other way on your own dime if you feel like you must. Yes, I do want these other things available and run like the Post Office. Throw me into that briar patch, MMcC.
[1] Availability may vary by location if you are say Detroit
posted by phearlez at 8:41 AM on July 25, 2018 [25 favorites]
Conservatives love to pretend like the post office has lost a ton of their letters over the years (it hasn't) in the same way they've seen a (black) person buying steak with food stamps (they haven't.)
Its a Creation Myth.
You know, my local post office is Not Great. They deliver my letters to nearby neighbors and vice versa and have been known to decide that since the property with the 711 number two streets over doesn't exist anymore that they'll just deliver that shit to me now. Some of their services are inane or lacking in weird or corporation-serving ways. (You can print postage straight onto something... using some third party service, most of them requiring subscription fees. You cannot go to the USPS website and just print a postage-included label even though that's something Amazon will do for you if you're one of their sellers)
But the idea that this level of sometimes frustrating service in, say, health care wouldn't be welcome for a huge portion of the population? Or as is pointed out above, in running a public bank? It's a ridiculous assertion. And a big part of the reason I can be irked by this periodic idiocy from them is because I notice it because the Post Office is a daily part of my life that touches so many things I do and thereby is highly noticeable and irritating on those statically rare failure occurrences.
Please, give me more socialist services like the sanitation department, water purification and delivery, and the Post Office. All three are fantastic examples of places where we provide necessary life services to everyone who needs it [1] and yet you're still free to go get your own in some other way on your own dime if you feel like you must. Yes, I do want these other things available and run like the Post Office. Throw me into that briar patch, MMcC.
[1] Availability may vary by location if you are say Detroit
posted by phearlez at 8:41 AM on July 25, 2018 [25 favorites]
You cannot go to the USPS website and just print a postage-included label even though that's something Amazon will do for you if you're one of their sellers
You can do this, but only for Priority Mail labels. Other rates you can't.
posted by Fleebnork at 8:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
You can do this, but only for Priority Mail labels. Other rates you can't.
posted by Fleebnork at 8:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
The USPS will take a letter from one coast to the other in like three days and will do it for fifty cents. Goddamned right I want that kind of healthcare.
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [130 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [130 favorites]
This would probably merit its own FPP, but I'm busy. Lots of things to unpack here.
The Atlantic: The Grim Conclusions of the Largest-Ever Study of Fake News
The Atlantic: The Grim Conclusions of the Largest-Ever Study of Fake News
“The key takeaway is really that content that arouses strong emotions spreads further, faster, more deeply, and more broadly on Twitter,” said Tromble, the political scientist, in an email. “This particular finding is consistent with research in a number of different areas, including psychology and communication studies. It’s also relatively intuitive.”posted by monospace at 9:00 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
I don't believe that the slaying of the dragon that is Trump will save us all.
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
posted by benzenedream at 9:17 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
posted by benzenedream at 9:17 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
Incremental progress, via WaPo: Federal judge rejects Trump effort to block emoluments lawsuit
breaking news, so just a stub so far, will be updated.
posted by martin q blank at 9:21 AM on July 25, 2018 [33 favorites]
breaking news, so just a stub so far, will be updated.
posted by martin q blank at 9:21 AM on July 25, 2018 [33 favorites]
The WaPo is just reporting that a federal judge is giving the go ahead to an emoluments lawsuit.
Suit filed by D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) and Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D), focused on the money foreign governments have spent at President Trump’s D.C. hotel to rent rooms and hold events.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:22 AM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
Suit filed by D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine (D) and Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D), focused on the money foreign governments have spent at President Trump’s D.C. hotel to rent rooms and hold events.
posted by Sophie1 at 9:22 AM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
Absolutely, but if the system that allowed the dragon to enter the kingdom isn't taken down, there will be another dragon.
I guess I should drop the fantasy fan-pic and get to the point: Republican presidents have become successively worse through my entire lifetime. You may not be able to imagine a worse president than Trump, but my guess is he is already out there, waiting for his turn. I couldn't imagine a worse president than Reagan, and he is lauded as a hero these days, even by Democrats.
posted by mumimor at 9:23 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
Absolutely, but if the system that allowed the dragon to enter the kingdom isn't taken down, there will be another dragon.
I guess I should drop the fantasy fan-pic and get to the point: Republican presidents have become successively worse through my entire lifetime. You may not be able to imagine a worse president than Trump, but my guess is he is already out there, waiting for his turn. I couldn't imagine a worse president than Reagan, and he is lauded as a hero these days, even by Democrats.
posted by mumimor at 9:23 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
The Atlantic: The Grim Conclusions of the Largest-Ever Study of Fake News
If the Democrats had the courage to name the enemy - the rich, corporate power and authoritarian police-thugs - and then shame them, they could take advantage of this too. There is an endless amount of bullshit that rich people, corporations, and cops get away with that would be excellent rage-fuel for viral sharing. Make that badness the ENEMY and tie the solutions to your candidates and the left would have plenty of ammunition in the Fake News Wars. And it could all be true!
posted by dis_integration at 9:26 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
If the Democrats had the courage to name the enemy - the rich, corporate power and authoritarian police-thugs - and then shame them, they could take advantage of this too. There is an endless amount of bullshit that rich people, corporations, and cops get away with that would be excellent rage-fuel for viral sharing. Make that badness the ENEMY and tie the solutions to your candidates and the left would have plenty of ammunition in the Fake News Wars. And it could all be true!
posted by dis_integration at 9:26 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
WaPo (Max Boot): Without the Russians, Trump wouldn’t have won
posted by chris24 at 9:32 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 9:32 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
The GOP was already the most extreme and powerful political party in the history of post-WW2 democracies before Trump was nominated. The cult constructed and empowered the leader, not the other way around.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:33 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
The GOP was already the most extreme and powerful political party in the history of post-WW2 democracies before Trump was nominated. The cult constructed and empowered the leader, not the other way around.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:33 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
The GOP was already the most extreme and powerful political party in the history of post-WW2 democracies before Trump was nominated. The cult constructed and empowered the leader, not the other way around.
This is just what happened with Reagan. He was a (literal!) actor groomed to play a role for the Republicans. Unlike Trump, Reagan 1) had some actual political experience beforehand and 2) could convincingly put on a genial-grandpa persona.
Trump is a symptom, not a cause. If white nationalism and authoritarianism weren't a thing, we wouldn't have Trump as President. But Trump has sufficient charisma, or whatever it is, to make people coalesce around him the way they wouldn't with, for instance, empty-suits Pence, Romney or Ryan. (Just like Obama had the charisma that Kerry or Dukakis did not and thus could put himself in a leadership role, but the Democratic party did not create Obama or use him as a front to nefarious ends, no matter what Alex Jones might say.)
Get rid of Trump, and, like the Lernaean Hydra, another will spring up to take his place. No doubt someone we don't think of now, because lol who thought this orange blowhard doofus reality TV star was electable? we said in 2015.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:46 AM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
This is just what happened with Reagan. He was a (literal!) actor groomed to play a role for the Republicans. Unlike Trump, Reagan 1) had some actual political experience beforehand and 2) could convincingly put on a genial-grandpa persona.
Trump is a symptom, not a cause. If white nationalism and authoritarianism weren't a thing, we wouldn't have Trump as President. But Trump has sufficient charisma, or whatever it is, to make people coalesce around him the way they wouldn't with, for instance, empty-suits Pence, Romney or Ryan. (Just like Obama had the charisma that Kerry or Dukakis did not and thus could put himself in a leadership role, but the Democratic party did not create Obama or use him as a front to nefarious ends, no matter what Alex Jones might say.)
Get rid of Trump, and, like the Lernaean Hydra, another will spring up to take his place. No doubt someone we don't think of now, because lol who thought this orange blowhard doofus reality TV star was electable? we said in 2015.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 9:46 AM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
Twitter: Rep. Jim @Clyburn on whether he believes the Trump pee tape is real: "Yes, I do. I have not seen anything that would make me come to any different conclusion."
posted by porn in the woods at 9:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 9:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
Yeah, but just because he isn't planning for his own succession doesn't mean no one else is. David Miscavige immediately (and terrifyingly) comes to mind.
You may not be able to imagine a worse president than Trump, but my guess is he is already out there, waiting for his turn.
Right.
I hope this isn't the case but it's by no means impossible or improbable.
posted by robotdevil at 10:03 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
Yeah, but just because he isn't planning for his own succession doesn't mean no one else is. David Miscavige immediately (and terrifyingly) comes to mind.
You may not be able to imagine a worse president than Trump, but my guess is he is already out there, waiting for his turn.
Right.
I hope this isn't the case but it's by no means impossible or improbable.
posted by robotdevil at 10:03 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
robotdevil: David Miscavige immediately (and terrifyingly) comes to mind.
Thanks to the timeline we're in, this could be read simply as an example of someone's succession into power... or as a serious prediction of the next leader of the Republican party.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
Thanks to the timeline we're in, this could be read simply as an example of someone's succession into power... or as a serious prediction of the next leader of the Republican party.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 10:07 AM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
A children's treasury of Trump apologists on the Cohen tape:
posted by kirkaracha at 10:17 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Dershowitz: I’ve had conversations like this with clients dozens of times.Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
Rudy: I’ve listened to lots of mafia tapes. I’ve dealt with much worse tapes than this.
Rudy: Believe me there were three other versions of this tape that were even worse.
Dershowitz: They knew a lot of people were going to come forward at the end of the campaign demanding money. So it made sense to set up a corporation to handle all the payments. That happens all the time.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:17 AM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Thanks to the timeline we're in, this could be read simply as an example of someone's succession into power... or as a serious prediction of the next leader of the Republican party.
Totally. As I was writing it, my intention was the former . . . but shortly after hitting post I realized that the latter was no less impossible than anything else that's happened. A terrifying thought.
posted by robotdevil at 10:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Totally. As I was writing it, my intention was the former . . . but shortly after hitting post I realized that the latter was no less impossible than anything else that's happened. A terrifying thought.
posted by robotdevil at 10:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Rudy: “Believe me, there were three other versions of this—before we got to this one—that were even worse.”
Is anyone in the media, anywhere, asking about these “other versions of this”? Seems like kind of a big deal. Did Cohen have four different devices recording the same conversation and Trump waived privilege on the lowest-quality recording, or what? I'm really having a hard time making sense of Rudy's comment here, though maybe it's a fool's errand to even try.
posted by stopgap at 10:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [28 favorites]
Is anyone in the media, anywhere, asking about these “other versions of this”? Seems like kind of a big deal. Did Cohen have four different devices recording the same conversation and Trump waived privilege on the lowest-quality recording, or what? I'm really having a hard time making sense of Rudy's comment here, though maybe it's a fool's errand to even try.
posted by stopgap at 10:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [28 favorites]
I just listened to the Cohen tape. IF you want to accept their assertion that he said “don’t pay with cash” then the conversation went like this (paraphrased):
Cohen: (being kind of circumspect) I need to set up a company to deal with that thing with that guy...
Trump: What? Okay I’ll...
Cohen: I’ve already set it all up with your CFO, how should we finance it?
Trump: Finance?
Cohen: We have to pay for...
Trump: DON’T USE CASH!
Yeah, that’s totally not suspicious or anything.
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
Cohen: (being kind of circumspect) I need to set up a company to deal with that thing with that guy...
Trump: What? Okay I’ll...
Cohen: I’ve already set it all up with your CFO, how should we finance it?
Trump: Finance?
Cohen: We have to pay for...
Trump: DON’T USE CASH!
Yeah, that’s totally not suspicious or anything.
posted by Weeping_angel at 10:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
Yeah, that Rudy comment is really confusing and I’d love clarification.
posted by greermahoney at 10:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by greermahoney at 10:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Buntix: Elin Ersson [prevents] Deportation from Gothenburg to Afghanistan
Thanks, Buntix (& for the Don't Read The Comments warning). That video made me cry (good tears): there are white people who are using their higher status to stick up for those of us who would be at much higher risk of getting bloodied or worse. (I know that a bunch of you are right here, at MeFi. Thank you.) I kept remembering Dr. David Dao.
Al Jazeera says that Ersson, in disobeying a pilot's orders, may be fined or get up to 6 months jail. Everybody does their own calculus. Many white people can stick up for us at more minimal risk than that. The white guy at the car wash, when he caught a glimpse of the book in my passenger seat (Albert Speer's Inside The Third Reich), said, "Nazis are bad." "Yeah!" I said. We looked at each other appreciatively.
I keep thinking of corb's and sallybrown's answers in this AskMe from 11/12/16:
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 10:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [81 favorites]
Thanks, Buntix (& for the Don't Read The Comments warning). That video made me cry (good tears): there are white people who are using their higher status to stick up for those of us who would be at much higher risk of getting bloodied or worse. (I know that a bunch of you are right here, at MeFi. Thank you.) I kept remembering Dr. David Dao.
Al Jazeera says that Ersson, in disobeying a pilot's orders, may be fined or get up to 6 months jail. Everybody does their own calculus. Many white people can stick up for us at more minimal risk than that. The white guy at the car wash, when he caught a glimpse of the book in my passenger seat (Albert Speer's Inside The Third Reich), said, "Nazis are bad." "Yeah!" I said. We looked at each other appreciatively.
I keep thinking of corb's and sallybrown's answers in this AskMe from 11/12/16:
[corb:] How are people treating each other in your town? Are people stopping providing small, everyday courtesies for people of the affected groups? Letting doors close in the faces of visibly LGBT, or cutting in front of them in line? . . .
[sallybrown]: for an example of what corb is talking about: an Englishwoman named Christabel Bielenberg kept a diary of her experience living in Germany during the rise of Hitler and World War II. This is from a 1933 entry:We're all in it together to make sure it doesn't get to that point, but there's usually a baseline of respect and amplification for most normative white people's voices, opinions, and physical sanctity, that normative-white-dominated media and authorities don't grant the rest of us when we dissent. Step up, rest, step up, rest, rinse and repeat. That's how we'll get through this.
we were sitting together in a country inn and three young Jews were drinking their wine and talking together quietly at the table next to ours. The Storm-troopers, who gangled in through the door, stood leaning against the bar staring about them with the truculent bleariness of the very drunk. 'This place stinks,' said one. 'And I know why,' said another. . . . I glanced about the restaurant, certainly expecting allies. To my surprise there were obviously none. The other citizens present were either gulping down their wine, hurriedly paying their bills or already halfway to the door.. . . it was not the picture of the drunken buffoons in brown shirts which stuck in my mind, for they were a sight we had got used to; it was rather the hurried scrambling to depart, the jostle of gutbürgerliche backsides, the sudden void. It was not the agitation but the acquiescence that shocked me . . .
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 10:45 AM on July 25, 2018 [81 favorites]
From @DSenFloor (Senate Democrats):
Sen. Tillis asked unanimous consent that the Senate take up and pass S.3093, the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act. Sen. Hirono objected.posted by melissasaurus at 10:47 AM on July 25, 2018 [8 favorites]
@SenatorDurbin asked unanimous consent that the Senate take up and pass S.3263, which includes provisions of S.3036, the Keep Families Together Act, S.2468, the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, and other provisions. Sen. Tillis objected.
gutbürgerliche
middle-class; bourgeois
posted by thelonius at 10:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [8 favorites]
middle-class; bourgeois
posted by thelonius at 10:48 AM on July 25, 2018 [8 favorites]
The only thing that remains of the original Republican Party is the name.
It's striking how fitting the old speeches of the Civil War era are today. Just switch the names of the parties, thusly:
The Republican party, or, to speak more accurately, the party which wears that attractive name, is in possession of the federal government. The Democrats propose to dislodge that party, and dismiss it from its high trust...
Such is the Republican party. It has no policy, state or federal, for finance, or trade, or manufacture, or commerce, or education, or internal improvements, or for the protection or even the security of civil or religious liberty... It boasts its love of equality, and wastes its strength, and even its life, in fortifying the only aristocracy known in the land. It professes fraternity, and, so often as slavery requires, allies itself with proscription. It magnifies itself for conquests in foreign lands, but it sends the national eagle forth always with chains, and not the olive branch, in his fangs.
The Republican party derived its strength, originally, from its adoption of the principles of equal and exact justice to all men. So long as it practised this principle faithfully it was invulnerable. It became vulnerable when it renounced the principle, and since that time it has maintained itself, not by virtue of its own strength, or even of its traditional merits, but because there as yet had appeared in the political field no other party that had the conscience and the courage to take up, and avow, and practise the life-inspiring principle which the Republican party had surrendered.
While the government of the United States, under the conduct of the Republican party, has been all that time surrendering one plain and castle after another to slavery, the people of the United States have been no less steadily and perseveringly gathering together the forces with which to recover back again all the fields and all the castles which have been lost, and to confound and overthrow, by one decisive blow, the betrayers of the constitution and freedom forever.
posted by hyperbolic at 10:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
It's striking how fitting the old speeches of the Civil War era are today. Just switch the names of the parties, thusly:
The Republican party, or, to speak more accurately, the party which wears that attractive name, is in possession of the federal government. The Democrats propose to dislodge that party, and dismiss it from its high trust...
Such is the Republican party. It has no policy, state or federal, for finance, or trade, or manufacture, or commerce, or education, or internal improvements, or for the protection or even the security of civil or religious liberty... It boasts its love of equality, and wastes its strength, and even its life, in fortifying the only aristocracy known in the land. It professes fraternity, and, so often as slavery requires, allies itself with proscription. It magnifies itself for conquests in foreign lands, but it sends the national eagle forth always with chains, and not the olive branch, in his fangs.
The Republican party derived its strength, originally, from its adoption of the principles of equal and exact justice to all men. So long as it practised this principle faithfully it was invulnerable. It became vulnerable when it renounced the principle, and since that time it has maintained itself, not by virtue of its own strength, or even of its traditional merits, but because there as yet had appeared in the political field no other party that had the conscience and the courage to take up, and avow, and practise the life-inspiring principle which the Republican party had surrendered.
While the government of the United States, under the conduct of the Republican party, has been all that time surrendering one plain and castle after another to slavery, the people of the United States have been no less steadily and perseveringly gathering together the forces with which to recover back again all the fields and all the castles which have been lost, and to confound and overthrow, by one decisive blow, the betrayers of the constitution and freedom forever.
posted by hyperbolic at 10:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
Definitely Not Sean Spicer: "Ummmmm... I'm transmitting this comment from one coast to another, possibly different parts of the world, in a fraction of a second and doing it for an amount that's so small it's immeasurable. "
For several hundred dollars worth of capital cost at least and an internet connection. The PO works even when you don't have electricity let alone enough resources to have an internet connected computer at both ends.
greermahoney: "Rudy comment is really confusing and I’d love clarification."
I'm thinking he's meaning for the given set of real facts that occurred (and it's occurred many times with different criminal groups) Rudy has seen tapes of the conversations that were much more incriminating than the one The Cheeto has released.
posted by Mitheral at 10:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
For several hundred dollars worth of capital cost at least and an internet connection. The PO works even when you don't have electricity let alone enough resources to have an internet connected computer at both ends.
greermahoney: "Rudy comment is really confusing and I’d love clarification."
I'm thinking he's meaning for the given set of real facts that occurred (and it's occurred many times with different criminal groups) Rudy has seen tapes of the conversations that were much more incriminating than the one The Cheeto has released.
posted by Mitheral at 10:56 AM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
Via Political Wire, some bad news for one of the lazy media's favorite narratives: No, Democrats Are Not In Disarray.
No party is ever completely unified, not even the Republicans who are fearfully pledging their fealty to Trump. But the Democrats — for all their differences over economics and temperament — recognize the anti-Trump stakes in 2018. And so, for once in their turbulent history, they are more arrayed rather than disarrayed.posted by Gelatin at 11:01 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
We're all in it together to make sure it doesn't get to that point, but there's usually a baseline of respect and amplification for most normative white people's voices, opinions, and physical sanctity, that normative-white-dominated media and authorities don't grant the rest of us when we dissent. Step up, rest, step up, rest, rinse and repeat. That's how we'll get through this.
This is why I'm ambivalent about the destruction of his star on the Walk of Fame. I don't love destruction of property but we destroy signifiers to disrupt morale among the fascists and improve morale among the resistance. To show that resistance will continue.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:03 AM on July 25, 2018 [32 favorites]
This is why I'm ambivalent about the destruction of his star on the Walk of Fame. I don't love destruction of property but we destroy signifiers to disrupt morale among the fascists and improve morale among the resistance. To show that resistance will continue.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:03 AM on July 25, 2018 [32 favorites]
Cults rarely survive the death of a charismatic leader without a succession plan, and egotistical turds tend to believe they are immortal god-kings who require none.
Charismatic leaders who died without a succession plan and whose followers stuck around:
Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul of Tarsus.
Muhammad.
The Bahaulla.
Guru Nanak.
Joseph Smith.
Hugo Chavez.
Ones whose following sputtered out after:
Oliver Cromwell.
Generalissimo Franco.
Juam Peron?
TLDR: look to who's behind the scenes. He might make this pestilence stay around.
posted by ocschwar at 11:09 AM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Charismatic leaders who died without a succession plan and whose followers stuck around:
Jesus of Nazareth.
Paul of Tarsus.
Muhammad.
The Bahaulla.
Guru Nanak.
Joseph Smith.
Hugo Chavez.
Ones whose following sputtered out after:
Oliver Cromwell.
Generalissimo Franco.
Juam Peron?
TLDR: look to who's behind the scenes. He might make this pestilence stay around.
posted by ocschwar at 11:09 AM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
re: destroying trump's little star
posted by entropicamericana at 11:16 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by entropicamericana at 11:16 AM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
This is why I'm ambivalent about the destruction of his star on the Walk of Fame. I don't love destruction of property but
The destruction of property is not violent crime and should not be regarded as such. When the law is immoral, breaking the law becomes mandatory for moral living. We're best off expecting it to become a part of our lifestyles.
That doesn't mean we should all be picking up sledgehammers, but like sheltering people hunted by ICE or helping people get safe abortions, well-targeted destruction of property will increasingly be a necessary and good illegal act.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:20 AM on July 25, 2018 [58 favorites]
The destruction of property is not violent crime and should not be regarded as such. When the law is immoral, breaking the law becomes mandatory for moral living. We're best off expecting it to become a part of our lifestyles.
That doesn't mean we should all be picking up sledgehammers, but like sheltering people hunted by ICE or helping people get safe abortions, well-targeted destruction of property will increasingly be a necessary and good illegal act.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:20 AM on July 25, 2018 [58 favorites]
Thinking about Rudy's comment some more ("there were three other versions of this ... that were worse"), I think the release of this tape has to be a limited hangout. That is, there must be at least three other recordings where Trump is arranging hush money, and, per Rudy's comment, the other recordings are even more incriminating. At this point in the timeline (Sept. 2016), Cohen was basically just Trump's pay-off-the-mistresses guy. He wasn't deeply involved in the campaign, and he was about to get shut out of a legitimate role in the new administration. We know about Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. We know Cohen helped make a payment for Elliott Broidy. Maybe Sean Hannity too. Even if Trump wasn't involved with the last two transactions in any way, would anyone be surprised if he had made two other payments himself? Or had several discussions regarding this type of hush-money payment?
Privilege belongs to the client and only the client can waive it. But conversations with an attorney making plans to commit a crime are not privileged. So my best guess is that the more incriminating tapes were either already found by the Special Master to not be privileged (as evidence of election finance crimes, for instance), or Trump's team thinks they will eventually lose a fight on privilege for those recordings. Meaning: the more incriminating tapes will become public eventually. This recording has some ambiguity to it, so the privilege remained intact.
That creates an opportunity for the limited hangout. From the wiki: "When their veil of secrecy is shredded and they can no longer rely on a phony cover story to misinform the public, they resort to admitting—sometimes even volunteering—some of the truth while still managing to withhold the key and damaging facts in the case. The public, however, is usually so intrigued by the new information that it never thinks to pursue the matter further." In this case, Team Trump waives privilege on this tape expecting that Cohen will then release it publicly. (This raises a question of whether Cohen is still somehow really working on Trump's behalf even now.) When the more incriminating tapes come out some time in the future, they're old news. We've seen this pattern of scandal fatigue with Trump before. Trump's base will be fully inoculated against this particular type of scandal, and the media will likely just shrug as well.
posted by stopgap at 11:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
Privilege belongs to the client and only the client can waive it. But conversations with an attorney making plans to commit a crime are not privileged. So my best guess is that the more incriminating tapes were either already found by the Special Master to not be privileged (as evidence of election finance crimes, for instance), or Trump's team thinks they will eventually lose a fight on privilege for those recordings. Meaning: the more incriminating tapes will become public eventually. This recording has some ambiguity to it, so the privilege remained intact.
That creates an opportunity for the limited hangout. From the wiki: "When their veil of secrecy is shredded and they can no longer rely on a phony cover story to misinform the public, they resort to admitting—sometimes even volunteering—some of the truth while still managing to withhold the key and damaging facts in the case. The public, however, is usually so intrigued by the new information that it never thinks to pursue the matter further." In this case, Team Trump waives privilege on this tape expecting that Cohen will then release it publicly. (This raises a question of whether Cohen is still somehow really working on Trump's behalf even now.) When the more incriminating tapes come out some time in the future, they're old news. We've seen this pattern of scandal fatigue with Trump before. Trump's base will be fully inoculated against this particular type of scandal, and the media will likely just shrug as well.
posted by stopgap at 11:24 AM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
That doesn't mean we should all be picking up sledgehammers, but like sheltering people hunted by ICE or helping people get safe abortions, well-targeted destruction of property will increasingly be a necessary and good illegal act.
Exactly my feelings, Rust Moranis. I will do what needs to be done.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:31 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
Exactly my feelings, Rust Moranis. I will do what needs to be done.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:31 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
@jeffzeleny: NEW: Amid criticism, White House backtracks on Putin's visit: “The President believes that the next bilateral meeting with President Putin should take place after the Russia witch hunt is over, so we’ve agreed that it will be after the first of the year.” -- @AmbJohnBolton
Are we just competing to see who can ghost each other as loudly as possible?
posted by zachlipton at 11:34 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
Are we just competing to see who can ghost each other as loudly as possible?
posted by zachlipton at 11:34 AM on July 25, 2018 [29 favorites]
That is, there must be at least three other recordings where Trump is arranging hush money, and, per Rudy's comment, the other recordings are even more incriminating
What hell kind of defense is “You think this is bad?? You should hear the other things my client said!” Rudy is so stunningly bad at this, I’m constantly astounded.
posted by greermahoney at 11:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [39 favorites]
What hell kind of defense is “You think this is bad?? You should hear the other things my client said!” Rudy is so stunningly bad at this, I’m constantly astounded.
posted by greermahoney at 11:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [39 favorites]
Because of Donald's refusal to rewrite or plan his tweets, the character limit always catches him a bit by surprise. Hence, the ending often has this weird clipped quality -- "can this be so? Too bad!" -- that evokes palindromes, at least to me.
HEY! Don't you dare link palindromes to Trump.
I know exactly what you mean though. One judge in a New Statesman palindrome contest in the 1960s described the typical sound of a bad palindrome as "telegraphic barking."
posted by msalt at 11:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
HEY! Don't you dare link palindromes to Trump.
I know exactly what you mean though. One judge in a New Statesman palindrome contest in the 1960s described the typical sound of a bad palindrome as "telegraphic barking."
posted by msalt at 11:36 AM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
Pompeo: Crimea Declaration
In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.
The United States calls on Russia to respect the principles to which it has long claimed to adhere and to end its occupation of Crimea. As democratic states seek to build a free, just, and prosperous world, we must uphold our commitment to the international principle of sovereign equality and respect the territorial integrity of other states. Through its actions, Russia has acted in a manner unworthy of a great nation and has chosen to isolate itself from the international community.
I don't know if there's any significance to this besides Pompeo dissembling or taking orders from someone or other or just acting like he's working from a different timeline, but it's curious.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:41 AM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
In concert with allies, partners, and the international community, the United States rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.
The United States calls on Russia to respect the principles to which it has long claimed to adhere and to end its occupation of Crimea. As democratic states seek to build a free, just, and prosperous world, we must uphold our commitment to the international principle of sovereign equality and respect the territorial integrity of other states. Through its actions, Russia has acted in a manner unworthy of a great nation and has chosen to isolate itself from the international community.
I don't know if there's any significance to this besides Pompeo dissembling or taking orders from someone or other or just acting like he's working from a different timeline, but it's curious.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:41 AM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
HEY! Don't you dare link palindromes to Trump.
Is it silly that I tend to scan your answers for palindromes?
posted by azpenguin at 11:42 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Is it silly that I tend to scan your answers for palindromes?
posted by azpenguin at 11:42 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
I can't help but think that Rudy is not actually one of Trump's lawyers. He is a lawyer, he is working for Trump, and his Wikipedia intro lists him as one of Trump's lawyers, but is that dispositive when he talks like this? Like, maybe "Trump's lawyer" is only for a narrow range of somethings, but not on these public corruption issues where he's maybe actually legally just a spokesperson.
posted by rhizome at 11:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:44 AM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
I have to assume that Giuliani is claiming the tape is maliciously edited, because nothing else remotely makes sense, assuming Giuliani is not actively trying to destroy Trump. But... the police have this recording, obtained during their raid. I think we can safely assume Cohen didn't place a maliciously-edited recording in his belongings just in case he was raided by the cops. What possible benefit would Cohen receive from releasing a maliciously-edited version when the cops have the original? I expect this is the least-incriminating of a long line of recordings, and Cohen is actively goading the President into granting him a proactive Federal pardon.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:51 AM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
The most important stuff on the tape, IMO, is not Cohen and Trump discussing the payoff - we already knew payoffs took place under sketchy circumstances and that both of those individuals are terribly corrupt; one is already in deep legal trouble and one is effectively immune from prosecution for the next few years. But everyone else mentioned on that tape should be worried. Anyone on Pam Bondi's team who dealt with the Trump campaign should be worried, anyone who held a fiduciary role in a Trump company should be worried, etc. What other crimes and criminals will the other tapes reveal? Will all of those folks have a cult following, pardon power, and millions of dollars for attorneys?
posted by melissasaurus at 11:55 AM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 11:55 AM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
As democratic states seek to build a free, just, and prosperous world, we must uphold our commitment to the international principle of sovereign equality and respect the territorial integrity of other states.
how sad is it that even having a ranking member of the cabinet give lip service to this kind of idealism comes as a genuine shock in 2018
posted by murphy slaw at 11:55 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
how sad is it that even having a ranking member of the cabinet give lip service to this kind of idealism comes as a genuine shock in 2018
posted by murphy slaw at 11:55 AM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
WaPo (Max Boot): Without the Russians, Trump wouldn’t have won
Ergo, his presidency is illegitimate by definition. Pretty bold statement; is Boot the first Never Trumper (or prominent public commentator) to say this? 'cause I don't remember anybody else going so far, yet.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:02 PM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
Ergo, his presidency is illegitimate by definition. Pretty bold statement; is Boot the first Never Trumper (or prominent public commentator) to say this? 'cause I don't remember anybody else going so far, yet.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:02 PM on July 25, 2018 [7 favorites]
is Boot the first ... prominent public commentator to say this?
Paul Krugman wrote about it in December 2016: The Tainted Election. There might have been others.
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:08 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
Paul Krugman wrote about it in December 2016: The Tainted Election. There might have been others.
posted by StrawberryPie at 12:08 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
@UnionSeminary:
Though much-analyzed, it's not discussed enough how parishioners' reservations about @realDonaldTrump hinge around personal behavior (adultery, affairs, language, etc.), not systemic sin.posted by wildblueyonder at 12:37 PM on July 25, 2018 [66 favorites]
This reveals a broader crisis within Christianity.
... the biblical message is clear: End economic exploitation of poor people, liberate captives, heal the sick, welcome strangers.
It's why Amos decries leaders who "sell the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
It's why Isaiah declares:
"The Lord enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
'It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses.'" (Isa 3:14)
Vox, Dara Lind, Hundreds of families could be deported almost as soon as they’re reunited
But the more urgent question after Thursday might be what’s going to happen to families who have been reunited.posted by zachlipton at 12:58 PM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
More than half of the parents who have been reunited with children (or will be reunited this week) have already received deportation orders. They’re supposed to have a choice between having their children deported with them, or leaving their children in the US — to truly be the “unaccompanied alien children” the government treated them as to begin with.
The ACLU, who’s been litigating this case since February — months before widespread family separation made news — on behalf of parents separated from their children, is worried. Their fear: that the Trump administration will launch mass deportations of hundreds of families who might not have understood the choice in front of them — or might have even waived rights to stay in the US and fight their case.
The Trump administration accuses the ACLU of moving the goalposts, and turning a family-reunification case into an anti-deportation one. Thursday’s deadline is less the end of the family separation saga than the start of a race against the clock — with the two sides fighting over how much time a family can have together before some or all of them are deported.
...
According to Gelernt, parents are being herded into a room 50 at a time and told “you have three minutes” to understand their rights and make the decision about whether to keep their families together. Despite Sabraw’s order to connect families by phone before reuniting them in person, many families have reportedly only had one brief phone call — hardly an opportunity to make an informed decision about the family’s future.
That raises the prospect that not only have parents unwittingly signed away their children’s rights to continue with their cases, but, perhaps, their own — agreeing to deportation because they thought it was the only way to get their family together again.
The ACLU and government had been negotiating over the idea of a mandatory waiting period between reunification and parental (or family) deportation, but negotiations fell apart over the weekend.
Gelernt says that if lawyers on the ground are going to ensure due process for all of these families, they need “at least seven days” between reunification and parental (or family) deportation. The government doesn’t believe it should have to provide more than the 48 hours it’s already agreed to.
Whistleblower provides emails that show Stormy Daniels’ arrest was pre-planned
A whistleblower from the City of Columbus contacted the Advocate with numerous emails between several high-ranking Columbus police detectives and VICE officers.
Inside the emails are news clippings discussing Daniels’ planned appearance in Columbus, pictures of Daniels with President Donald Trump, videos of her dancing, and even a map to the club where she would be performing, all sent days before she would pull into town on her tour bus.
The bulk of the emails that the whistleblower provided are from the email account of Detective Shana Keckley. Keckley was one of the lead-arresting officers the night that the “sting” operation went down.
“It is clear that Keckley and her fellow officers were there because of Stormy and only because of Stormy,” the whistleblower told the Advocate in an interview.
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:00 PM on July 25, 2018 [92 favorites]
A whistleblower from the City of Columbus contacted the Advocate with numerous emails between several high-ranking Columbus police detectives and VICE officers.
Inside the emails are news clippings discussing Daniels’ planned appearance in Columbus, pictures of Daniels with President Donald Trump, videos of her dancing, and even a map to the club where she would be performing, all sent days before she would pull into town on her tour bus.
The bulk of the emails that the whistleblower provided are from the email account of Detective Shana Keckley. Keckley was one of the lead-arresting officers the night that the “sting” operation went down.
“It is clear that Keckley and her fellow officers were there because of Stormy and only because of Stormy,” the whistleblower told the Advocate in an interview.
posted by Atom Eyes at 1:00 PM on July 25, 2018 [92 favorites]
tonycpsu: @WSJ: Ivanka Trump is closing her namesake fashion brand, which became a lightning rod for critics of her father’s policies
chris24: So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
filthy light thief: Or is it?
Kendzior and Chapula have their own take: in ep.2 of their unmissable Gaslit Nation podcast, they mention their "end-game" hypothesis, the "nuclear bomb ticking at the heart" of the Trumpite klepto-mafia project: to install Ivanka as the first female POTUS - and this would be a little step in that direction.
This idea hadn't hit my radar yet (though I may have missed a megathread or three)...
posted by progosk at 1:23 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
chris24: So we sold out US security to the Chinese and ZTE to get her trademarks for naught.
filthy light thief: Or is it?
Kendzior and Chapula have their own take: in ep.2 of their unmissable Gaslit Nation podcast, they mention their "end-game" hypothesis, the "nuclear bomb ticking at the heart" of the Trumpite klepto-mafia project: to install Ivanka as the first female POTUS - and this would be a little step in that direction.
This idea hadn't hit my radar yet (though I may have missed a megathread or three)...
posted by progosk at 1:23 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
First we have Bolton walking back the Putin visit to the beginning of next year "after the Russia witch hunt is over", then Pompeo issuing a statement rejecting Russia's invasion of the Crimea, with the US standing "with allies, partners, and the international community", and now there's a hastily assembled joint press conference in the Rose Garden with Trump and Juncker, with Trump talking about the US and EU agreeing "to work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies on non-auto industrial goods" (n.b. Juncker has no authority to negotiate trade deals).
Sounds like the Trump Administration is scrambling for purchase after his post-Helsinki slide in the polls.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:28 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Sounds like the Trump Administration is scrambling for purchase after his post-Helsinki slide in the polls.
posted by Doktor Zed at 1:28 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Though much-analyzed, it's not discussed enough how parishioners' reservations about @realDonaldTrump hinge around personal behavior (adultery, affairs, language, etc.), not systemic sin.
It's the Puritan versus Cavalier religious conflict still simmering in the background.
The South was founded by people wanting to re-create the semi--feudal society they had back home in England, where the common folk obey their betters and remember from Romans 13 that "the powers that be are ordained of God."
THe powers that be, mentioned in Romans 13, was Nero Caesar.
The Puritans, meanwhile, wound up becoming the Powers that Be in their corner of the world, because of the Mayflower disaster. So to them, ROmans 13 was moot, and a whole lot of other verses far more pertinent.
posted by ocschwar at 1:32 PM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
It's the Puritan versus Cavalier religious conflict still simmering in the background.
The South was founded by people wanting to re-create the semi--feudal society they had back home in England, where the common folk obey their betters and remember from Romans 13 that "the powers that be are ordained of God."
THe powers that be, mentioned in Romans 13, was Nero Caesar.
The Puritans, meanwhile, wound up becoming the Powers that Be in their corner of the world, because of the Mayflower disaster. So to them, ROmans 13 was moot, and a whole lot of other verses far more pertinent.
posted by ocschwar at 1:32 PM on July 25, 2018 [10 favorites]
In a just a fair world, Powers that Be would always refer to the Norman Lear timeline.
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:39 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by SecretAgentSockpuppet at 1:39 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
In PNW antifascist organizing news, Senate candidate from Washington state and Patriot Prayer found Joey Gibson appears to be fomenting violence in advance of a Patriot Prayer/Proud Boy rally in Portland, OR on August 4th. This rally is apparently still on despite the fact that a previous rally on June 30th in Portland was declared a riot almost immediately after it started.
Shane Burley hints that a broad coalition of liberal and leftist people may be mobilizing to provide a mass counter-demonstration, which is both heartening and troubling considering the violent rhetoric of the Proud Boy and Patriot Prayer members.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:54 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
Shane Burley hints that a broad coalition of liberal and leftist people may be mobilizing to provide a mass counter-demonstration, which is both heartening and troubling considering the violent rhetoric of the Proud Boy and Patriot Prayer members.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:54 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
the "nuclear bomb ticking at the heart" of the Trumpite klepto-mafia project: to install Ivanka as the first female POTUS
I haven't listened yet, so I assume they cover this, but is the idea that if she were president, Ivanka would somehow be worse than her dad...? Or is it just that if she were president, that's another 4 years with a Trump in the White House?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 1:57 PM on July 25, 2018
I haven't listened yet, so I assume they cover this, but is the idea that if she were president, Ivanka would somehow be worse than her dad...? Or is it just that if she were president, that's another 4 years with a Trump in the White House?
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 1:57 PM on July 25, 2018
Some interesting stuff
Joint U.S.-EU Statement following President Juncker's visit to the White House and the toddler is sulking
posted by infini at 2:01 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Joint U.S.-EU Statement following President Juncker's visit to the White House and the toddler is sulking
posted by infini at 2:01 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Dang, Patriot Prayer is throwing another rally on Aug 4th?! And I have that day off of work?!?! I'll be there!
posted by gucci mane at 2:05 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 2:05 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
WSJ, Trump’s Former Lawyer Michael Cohen Recorded Call About Stormy Daniels Payment With News Anchor
Michael Cohen recorded a conversation he had with a reporter this year in which he said he arranged “on my own” a $130,000 payment in 2016 to a former adult-film star who alleged an affair with Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.posted by zachlipton at 2:09 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
In the nearly two-hour conversation with CNN reporter Chris Cuomo, which the people said appears to have been surreptitiously recorded by Mr. Cohen, the former Trump lawyer discussed at length the payment he arranged in October 2016, a month before the presidential election, to Stephanie Clifford, known professionally as Stormy Daniels.
“I did it on my own,” Mr. Cohen said of the payment, according to the people familiar with the matter. The conversation took place after The Wall Street Journal in January revealed that Mr. Cohen had arranged the payment to Ms. Clifford.
...
During the conversation with Mr. Cuomo, Mr. Cohen assured the reporter that he wasn’t running a tape, according to the people familiar with the matter. He told Mr. Cuomo he was placing the phone in his desk drawer and that the conversation was off the record. The phone appeared to record the entire conversation, the people said.
WaPo, Paul Kane, ‘Snark sells, but it doesn’t stick:’ Ryan draws dark portrait of political talk — without mentioning Trump
An intern from Colorado asked House Speaker Paul D. Ryan how he can “be strong” in the face of incoming insults on social media.posted by zachlipton at 2:16 PM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
“I don’t even pay attention to it,” the Wisconsin Republican said at his last annual lecture to congressional interns. Ryan then gave the roughly 450 interns some final advice about how they should not “be snarky” or “attack” others on Twitter: “Just think about what you’re doing to kind of poison the well of society, think about what you’re doing to try and just degrade the tone of our debate.”
With that, Ryan finished the session and headed for a White House meeting with a world leader who spent Wednesday morning belittling “weak” lawmakers who do not support his trade war policy, accused Georgia’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee of being “crime loving” and blasted his onetime lawyer as “sad!” for leaking a recording of the two discussing payments to cover up an alleged affair.
"end-game" hypothesis, the "nuclear bomb ticking at the heart" of the Trumpite klepto-mafia project: to install Ivanka as the first female POTUS - and this would be a little step in that direction.
This idea hadn't hit my radar yet (though I may have missed a megathread or three)...
First reference I know of offhand, but others may have suggested it, too.
I agree, it’s hard to keep up with it all. Not so much drinking from a fire hose as trying to keep track of individual bee stings while being attacked by a swarm.
posted by darkstar at 2:23 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
This idea hadn't hit my radar yet (though I may have missed a megathread or three)...
First reference I know of offhand, but others may have suggested it, too.
I agree, it’s hard to keep up with it all. Not so much drinking from a fire hose as trying to keep track of individual bee stings while being attacked by a swarm.
posted by darkstar at 2:23 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
“I did it on my own,” Mr. Cohen said of the payment, according to the people familiar with the matter. The conversation took place after The Wall Street Journal in January revealed that Mr. Cohen had arranged the payment to Ms. Clifford.
The problem for Cohen, and perhaps Trump, is that over $25,000 and campaign finance violation fuckery becomes a felony.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
The problem for Cohen, and perhaps Trump, is that over $25,000 and campaign finance violation fuckery becomes a felony.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
During the conversation with Mr. Cuomo, Mr. Cohen assured the reporter that he wasn’t running a tape, according to the people familiar with the matter. He told Mr. Cuomo he was placing the phone in his desk drawer and that the conversation was off the record. The phone appeared to record the entire conversation, the people said.
Wait a moment there. Reporters are asking for their conversations to be off the record now?
posted by srboisvert at 2:34 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
Wait a moment there. Reporters are asking for their conversations to be off the record now?
posted by srboisvert at 2:34 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
To be fair, this wasn't a journalist it was Chris Cuomo.
posted by Justinian at 2:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 2:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
What's going on in Ohio?
@melissagira:
For those waiting for the Columbus Police Dept’s comment on their apparent targeted arrest of Stormy Daniels...
The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Police spokesman indicted on child pornography charges
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [51 favorites]
@melissagira:
For those waiting for the Columbus Police Dept’s comment on their apparent targeted arrest of Stormy Daniels...
The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Police spokesman indicted on child pornography charges
posted by Atom Eyes at 2:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [51 favorites]
Wait a moment there. Reporters are asking for their conversations to be off the record now?
I suspect this is a rules-are-for-thee-but-not-for-me type situation, where Cohen asked Cuomo for things to be kept off-the-record, but recorded their conversation himself for his own ends and benefits.
posted by halation at 2:36 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
I suspect this is a rules-are-for-thee-but-not-for-me type situation, where Cohen asked Cuomo for things to be kept off-the-record, but recorded their conversation himself for his own ends and benefits.
posted by halation at 2:36 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
CNN, White House bans network pool reporter from Rose Garden event
Later in the afternoon, the White House surprised the press corps by announcing a press availability with Trump and Juncker in the Rose Garden. It was said to be open to all press, not just the small pool.posted by zachlipton at 3:12 PM on July 25, 2018 [57 favorites]
A few minutes later, Collins was asked to come to Bill Shine's office. Shine, a former co-president of Fox News, is the new deputy chief of staff for communications. Shine and press secretary Sarah Sanders met Collins there.
"They said 'You are dis-invited from the press availability in the Rose Garden today,'" Collins said. "They said that the questions I asked were inappbropriate for that venue. And they said I was shouting."
A video clip of the exchange shows that Collins was speaking the same way journalists in the press pool usually speak.
Collins said she reacted by saying, "You're banning me from an event because you didn't like the questions I asked."
Or is it just that if she were president, that's another 4 years with a Trump in the White House?
The end game is a Trump branded America for as long as they can produce heirs to the throne.
posted by localhuman at 3:17 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
The end game is a Trump branded America for as long as they can produce heirs to the throne.
posted by localhuman at 3:17 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
CNN, White House bans network pool reporter from Rose Garden event
Been saying it for a while but there is no justification for the press to attend any of these briefings anymore.
posted by PenDevil at 3:22 PM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Been saying it for a while but there is no justification for the press to attend any of these briefings anymore.
posted by PenDevil at 3:22 PM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Been saying it for a while but there is no justification for the press to attend any of these briefings anymore.
For real. If Trump and Sanders want reporters to show up for their base-mollifying poll-rebuilding photo ops, they should be made to behave better. Sarah snarks at a WH correspondent, etc.? Room empties out.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:25 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
For real. If Trump and Sanders want reporters to show up for their base-mollifying poll-rebuilding photo ops, they should be made to behave better. Sarah snarks at a WH correspondent, etc.? Room empties out.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:25 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
I'm sure CNN and Fox News will stage a repeat of a similar showdown under Obama (though that one had merit given how blatant of a GOP arm Fox is).
posted by Slackermagee at 3:31 PM on July 25, 2018
posted by Slackermagee at 3:31 PM on July 25, 2018
> NYT, Spotting CNN on a TV Aboard Air Force One, Trump Rages Against Reality
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
posted by christopherious at 3:36 PM on July 25, 2018 [37 favorites]
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
posted by christopherious at 3:36 PM on July 25, 2018 [37 favorites]
Kendzior and Chapula have their own take: in ep.2 of their unmissable Gaslit Nation podcast, they mention their "end-game" hypothesis, the "nuclear bomb ticking at the heart" of the Trumpite klepto-mafia project: to install Ivanka as the first female POTUS
For some time, Kendzior's been concerned about a klepto-autocratic Trump dynasty along the lines of those in post-USSR Central Asia, e.g. in her article on former Uzbekistan president Islam Karimov and his elder daughter, Gulnara. Other examples include Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his eldest daughter, Dariga, who serves as Deputy Prime Minister, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and his eldest daughter, Leyla, who serves as an unofficial ambassador in Russia (the latter were already mixed up with the Trumps in suspicious business deals before the election).
As you can see, there's a type, and Trump and Ivanka ("Advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment, workforce development & entrepreneurship", per her Twitter bio) are conforming to it. Just last Thursday, at the repulsively sycophantic spectacle at the new "National Council for the American Worker", we saw Trump walking down a receiving line of business executives, who would fawningly tell him how great he is, while Ivanka walked behind, clapping for each statement.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:42 PM on July 25, 2018 [24 favorites]
For some time, Kendzior's been concerned about a klepto-autocratic Trump dynasty along the lines of those in post-USSR Central Asia, e.g. in her article on former Uzbekistan president Islam Karimov and his elder daughter, Gulnara. Other examples include Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his eldest daughter, Dariga, who serves as Deputy Prime Minister, and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and his eldest daughter, Leyla, who serves as an unofficial ambassador in Russia (the latter were already mixed up with the Trumps in suspicious business deals before the election).
As you can see, there's a type, and Trump and Ivanka ("Advisor to POTUS on job creation + economic empowerment, workforce development & entrepreneurship", per her Twitter bio) are conforming to it. Just last Thursday, at the repulsively sycophantic spectacle at the new "National Council for the American Worker", we saw Trump walking down a receiving line of business executives, who would fawningly tell him how great he is, while Ivanka walked behind, clapping for each statement.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:42 PM on July 25, 2018 [24 favorites]
If you're a legal wonk, the analysis of Emolument clauses in this opinion in DC and MD v. DONALD J. TRUMP ( Civil No. PJM 17-1596 ) is a thing of beauty.
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
(and the only antidote to what is, truly, the dumbest fucking timeline.)
posted by mikelieman at 3:45 PM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
(and the only antidote to what is, truly, the dumbest fucking timeline.)
posted by mikelieman at 3:45 PM on July 25, 2018 [12 favorites]
I'm sure CNN and Fox News will stage a repeat of a similar showdown under Obama (though that one had merit given how blatant of a GOP arm Fox is).
Is that a reference to the time Obama said he would no longer appear on Fox News for sit-down interviews? Because that's a bit different than barring reporters from official WH press briefings.
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:53 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is that a reference to the time Obama said he would no longer appear on Fox News for sit-down interviews? Because that's a bit different than barring reporters from official WH press briefings.
posted by Atom Eyes at 3:53 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
@AlexNBCNews: New: Rep. Meadows, Rep. Jordan Introduce Articles of Impeachment Against Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein --> Does not appear this is a privileged resolution so doesn't have to be acted on as quickly
A measure so stupid that even Trey Gowdy doesn't support it. The worst timeline.
posted by zachlipton at 4:15 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
A measure so stupid that even Trey Gowdy doesn't support it. The worst timeline.
posted by zachlipton at 4:15 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
Oh good, the First Couple are fighting through their spokespeople.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:17 PM on July 25, 2018 [54 favorites]
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
Oh good, the First Couple are fighting through their spokespeople.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:17 PM on July 25, 2018 [54 favorites]
Newsweek cover 45 years ago this week. Change the headline and it would work for this week.
posted by octothorpe at 4:30 PM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 4:30 PM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
@fordm: The House almost certainly doesn’t have the votes to impeach Rosenstein. The Senate definitely doesn’t have the votes to remove him. This only matters if it’s a pretext for Trump to fire him, in which case there will be far greater issues at stake. If anything, if Dems retake either/both chamber in a few months, Trump and his allies might regret setting the precedent that slow-walking documents to Congress is an impeachable offense.
posted by zachlipton at 4:52 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 4:52 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
>"Privilege belongs to the client and only the client can waive it. But conversations with an attorney making plans to commit a crime are not privileged."
Has it been independently confirmed that Trump and associates actually waived privilege? If not, why should we believe them instead of thinking this is another lie?
It makes at least as much sense to me that the Special Master determined there was no privilege as they were discussing committing a felony and Trump and team lying to try and make it look like they think this is really no big deal.
I can even see Cohen et al keeping quiet about the lie for the time being. Right now, they want the discussion to be focused on the content of the tape, not who allowed for the release of the tape. They get the added bonus of bringing the tape back to a later news cycle and a news cycle they choose. "Oh, by the way, Special Master released it, not Trump." That can change the focus of news cycle to their advantage.
*********
NYT, Spotting CNN on a TV Aboard Air Force One, Trump Rages Against Reality
On the first couple’s recent trip overseas, Melania Trump’s television aboard Air Force One was tuned to CNN. President Trump was not pleased.
and
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
Before I even saw the above tweet, my first thought was, "Damn, Melania is trolling her own husband, changing the T.V. to CNN as soon as she gets on the plane." I think the tweet confirms that.
And then that bizarro thing about Beam? I certainly don't want it to drown out the important and necessary conversations that should be had about this administration, but...
Maybe just have one Dem go off message at one presser? "Does no one find it odd that they sleep in separate rooms even when they travel? Melania has shown time and again that even she can't stand him. Why should we? They have to bring their own TVs to make sure she is watching what he is watching? Isn't that... controlling? Is he stupid enough to believe she even turns on that TV? Separate rooms, pushes away hand when he tries to hold hers... Maybe he's betrayed her so many times is why she has fallen out of love. If he would betray his own (third) wife so much, why would we think he will not betray America and Americans even more?"
(I know, it's a bit much and pretty much R tactics, but fuck it. Let a Dem blow off some steam and have the leadership have serious concerns about what was said.)
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 4:55 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
Has it been independently confirmed that Trump and associates actually waived privilege? If not, why should we believe them instead of thinking this is another lie?
It makes at least as much sense to me that the Special Master determined there was no privilege as they were discussing committing a felony and Trump and team lying to try and make it look like they think this is really no big deal.
I can even see Cohen et al keeping quiet about the lie for the time being. Right now, they want the discussion to be focused on the content of the tape, not who allowed for the release of the tape. They get the added bonus of bringing the tape back to a later news cycle and a news cycle they choose. "Oh, by the way, Special Master released it, not Trump." That can change the focus of news cycle to their advantage.
*********
NYT, Spotting CNN on a TV Aboard Air Force One, Trump Rages Against Reality
On the first couple’s recent trip overseas, Melania Trump’s television aboard Air Force One was tuned to CNN. President Trump was not pleased.
and
@CNNPolitics:
JUST IN: Following a report that President Trump was upset to find Melania Trump's Air Force One television tuned into CNN, her spokesperson says the first lady watches "any channel she wants"
Before I even saw the above tweet, my first thought was, "Damn, Melania is trolling her own husband, changing the T.V. to CNN as soon as she gets on the plane." I think the tweet confirms that.
And then that bizarro thing about Beam? I certainly don't want it to drown out the important and necessary conversations that should be had about this administration, but...
Maybe just have one Dem go off message at one presser? "Does no one find it odd that they sleep in separate rooms even when they travel? Melania has shown time and again that even she can't stand him. Why should we? They have to bring their own TVs to make sure she is watching what he is watching? Isn't that... controlling? Is he stupid enough to believe she even turns on that TV? Separate rooms, pushes away hand when he tries to hold hers... Maybe he's betrayed her so many times is why she has fallen out of love. If he would betray his own (third) wife so much, why would we think he will not betray America and Americans even more?"
(I know, it's a bit much and pretty much R tactics, but fuck it. Let a Dem blow off some steam and have the leadership have serious concerns about what was said.)
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 4:55 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
I'm kind of fine with avoiding the Louie Gohmert Memorial "Go For The Spouse" Debate Technique, actually
posted by delfin at 4:59 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by delfin at 4:59 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump
Obviously the European Union, as represented by @JunckerEU and the United States, as represented by yours truly, love each other!
Yes, it's hackneyed by now, but: I invite you to look at the photo attached to that tweet and ask yourself how the right would have responded to the exact same text and photo from Obama or Hillary. Imagine!
The kremlinologist in me says that like most other tweets with accompanying photos, he didn't write and therefore it's intended to troll lib heads into exploding. It did the job on me for sure.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:07 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Obviously the European Union, as represented by @JunckerEU and the United States, as represented by yours truly, love each other!
Yes, it's hackneyed by now, but: I invite you to look at the photo attached to that tweet and ask yourself how the right would have responded to the exact same text and photo from Obama or Hillary. Imagine!
The kremlinologist in me says that like most other tweets with accompanying photos, he didn't write and therefore it's intended to troll lib heads into exploding. It did the job on me for sure.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:07 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
These articles of impeachment are nuts.
@bradheath (with receipts behind the link): Among other things, some House Republicans want to impeach Rod Rosenstein for something that happened six months before he took office... and for something that happened both before Rosenstein took office *and* is belied by the declassified portions of the government's FISA application.... and for "unnecessary redactions."
@normative: They also deceptively quote James Comey talking about the Pee Tape as though he was describing the whole of Steele’s reporting.
posted by zachlipton at 5:09 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
@bradheath (with receipts behind the link): Among other things, some House Republicans want to impeach Rod Rosenstein for something that happened six months before he took office... and for something that happened both before Rosenstein took office *and* is belied by the declassified portions of the government's FISA application.... and for "unnecessary redactions."
@normative: They also deceptively quote James Comey talking about the Pee Tape as though he was describing the whole of Steele’s reporting.
posted by zachlipton at 5:09 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Apropos Kremlinologists here, anyone else think DC is experiencing a blackmail tug of war with Russia on one side and, well, anyone who has dirt on anyone on the other?
posted by ocschwar at 5:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by ocschwar at 5:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yeah.. proferring articles of impeachment against Rosenstein seem like seriously overbetting a very weak hand.
The strategy of constantly repeating unfounded and unspecific insinuations about the investigation has been effective, so far, in keeping Trump's fanatic base happy and diverted. But largely so because Rosenstein, Mueller, and the FBI are extremely constrained in their ability to speak in defense of themselves or the investigation. As long as Trump can tweet and Meadows and Nunes can go on Fox while the FBI can't comment it's a pretty one-sided fight and yet the Trump team is only winning it with their willing-to-believe-anything base. Picking a massive public fight with the FBI when facts are on the Feds' side seems like a completely bizarre move, especially when impeachment is a practical impossibility (as in: lock down the vote of EVERY Republican AND THEN find me 15 Democratic senators willing to vote for conviction as well or else go home.)
I just can't imagine what they could be thinking, unless either (a) they really are that high on their own supply, or (b) they don't care at all about the outcome, or about fallout from failure, as long as their base is energized going into November midterms. And I really don't see this as a winning pitch to the base. These aren't helpless refugees they're trying to beat up to make themselves look tough, they're senior federal law-enforcement figures.
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:22 PM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
The strategy of constantly repeating unfounded and unspecific insinuations about the investigation has been effective, so far, in keeping Trump's fanatic base happy and diverted. But largely so because Rosenstein, Mueller, and the FBI are extremely constrained in their ability to speak in defense of themselves or the investigation. As long as Trump can tweet and Meadows and Nunes can go on Fox while the FBI can't comment it's a pretty one-sided fight and yet the Trump team is only winning it with their willing-to-believe-anything base. Picking a massive public fight with the FBI when facts are on the Feds' side seems like a completely bizarre move, especially when impeachment is a practical impossibility (as in: lock down the vote of EVERY Republican AND THEN find me 15 Democratic senators willing to vote for conviction as well or else go home.)
I just can't imagine what they could be thinking, unless either (a) they really are that high on their own supply, or (b) they don't care at all about the outcome, or about fallout from failure, as long as their base is energized going into November midterms. And I really don't see this as a winning pitch to the base. These aren't helpless refugees they're trying to beat up to make themselves look tough, they're senior federal law-enforcement figures.
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:22 PM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
Is it possible they think they can keep the articles of impeachment in the pipe without bringing them to the floor, then use their existence as a bludgeon against their more reluctant colleagues? "We could save Dear Leader from the Fake News No Collusion Witch Hunt if only your congressman would help us! We only need a few more votes!"
Cause that sounds awesome.
posted by contraption at 5:38 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Cause that sounds awesome.
posted by contraption at 5:38 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Is it possible they think they can keep the articles of impeachment in the pipe without bringing them to the floor, then use their existence as a bludgeon against their more reluctant colleagues? "We could save Dear Leader from the Fake News No Collusion Witch Hunt if only your congressman would help us! We only need a few more votes!"No reasonable person can believe that they will achieve the 2/3 Senate majority necessary to successfully remove Rosenstein by impeachment but who knows what their unreasonable, uninformed voters will believe?
posted by Nerd of the North at 5:43 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Maybe they hope having been impeached will taint him enough to blunt the outrage when Trump fires him?
posted by contraption at 5:47 PM on July 25, 2018
posted by contraption at 5:47 PM on July 25, 2018
Trump's steel, auto tariffs damage GM, Fiat Chrysler, Ford (USA Today)
New Polls: Trump’s Numbers Underwater In The Great Lakes States (TPM)
Curious.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:51 PM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
New Polls: Trump’s Numbers Underwater In The Great Lakes States (TPM)
Curious.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:51 PM on July 25, 2018 [35 favorites]
Identfied so far:
Mark Meadows, R-NC
Jim Jordan, R-OH
Andy Biggs, R-AZ
Scott Perry, R-PA
Paul Gosar, R-AZ
Jody Hice, R-GA
Matt Gaetz, R-FL
Scott DesJarlais, R-TN
Does anyone have the names for the rest of them?
I assume Nunes is on the list.
posted by Artw at 6:03 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Mark Meadows, R-NC
Jim Jordan, R-OH
Andy Biggs, R-AZ
Scott Perry, R-PA
Paul Gosar, R-AZ
Jody Hice, R-GA
Matt Gaetz, R-FL
Scott DesJarlais, R-TN
Does anyone have the names for the rest of them?
I assume Nunes is on the list.
posted by Artw at 6:03 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Does anyone have the names for the rest of them?
The Treasonous Quislings and their Caucus of Freedom, is that still on the board Richard?
Survey says!
posted by riverlife at 6:12 PM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
The Treasonous Quislings and their Caucus of Freedom, is that still on the board Richard?
Survey says!
posted by riverlife at 6:12 PM on July 25, 2018 [5 favorites]
That’s 30-odd reps isn’t it? Doesn’t look like it’s all of them, though without the 11 being named and the proper degree of shotstorm being rained down upon them they might creep out of hiding and sign up.
posted by Artw at 6:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 6:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'd presumed they were the hot-spot of the tumorous mass, its leading edge.
But fair play, it's certainly not an official Caucus position.
posted by riverlife at 6:31 PM on July 25, 2018
But fair play, it's certainly not an official Caucus position.
posted by riverlife at 6:31 PM on July 25, 2018
Trump and his allies might regret setting the precedent that slow-walking documents to Congress is an impeachable offense.
No they won't because Trump's Republican stooges in the Senate can be counted on to form a wall for him against impeachment.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:39 PM on July 25, 2018
No they won't because Trump's Republican stooges in the Senate can be counted on to form a wall for him against impeachment.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:39 PM on July 25, 2018
Does anyone have the names for the rest of them?
The Freedom Caucus.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:40 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
The Freedom Caucus.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:40 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Im not seeing any crossover with the 4th of July Republicans, and even some of them number in the sponsors the count is such that it can’t be all of them - hanging back so as to not seem too obvious?
posted by Artw at 6:41 PM on July 25, 2018
posted by Artw at 6:41 PM on July 25, 2018
Im not seeing any crossover with the 4th of July Republicans
I doubt you will considering they were all Senators.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:47 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
I doubt you will considering they were all Senators.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:47 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
‘I’m not going to be a punching bag anymore’: Inside Michael Cohen’s break with Trump
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:49 PM on July 25, 2018 [73 favorites]
The government has seized more than 100 recordings that Cohen made of his conversations with people discussing matters that could relate to Trump and his businesses and with Trump himself talking, according to two people familiar with the recordings. Cohen appeared to make some recordings with an iPhone — without telling anyone he was taping them.Oh lordy, there are 100 tapes.
posted by T.D. Strange at 6:49 PM on July 25, 2018 [73 favorites]
I doubt you will considering they were all Senators.
There was one Representative: Kay Granger from Texas.
posted by donatella at 6:58 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
There was one Representative: Kay Granger from Texas.
posted by donatella at 6:58 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
My bad, I wasn't paying that close attention when the news was reporting them as Senators.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:00 PM on July 25, 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:00 PM on July 25, 2018
From the article linked above by T.D.:
posted by lazaruslong at 7:15 PM on July 25, 2018 [37 favorites]
Cohen got what he considered a strong signal in June that Trump had turned a cold shoulder on his legal jeopardy, according to two people familiar with his account. After the raid, the Trump Organization and Cohen had agreed to an arrangement under which Trump’s business would pay for a portion of the legal work to determine which documents seized from Cohen’s home and business were protected by attorney-client privilege and should not be shared with investigators.I must have either missed or forgotten this. Classic Trump. Just cheap and greedy forever.
But after several months, Trump Organization officials began complaining about — and later balking at paying — what they considered unusually high legal fees from Cohen’s law firm to review the records. There remains a dispute between the two sides about whether Trump Organization stopped payment or simply threatened to. Cohen complained to friends about his mounting legal bills and feared he was being cut off from Trump’s world.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:15 PM on July 25, 2018 [37 favorites]
RE: The United States Postal Service,
and The Veterans Administration.
HELL YES, I WANT SO MUCH OF LIFE RUN LIKE THIS!
One thing that a lot of people miss about the benefits of "socialism" programs like these is that, once everybody is using the same system, then we all fight together for improvement.
It's like an automatic union.
If there are 40 providers/whatever, then you're just another customer complaining. "The market is there, go somewhere else."
No.
If a government service could be improved to the benefit of a billionaire and to a broke person, at the same time, well then the two might for once make the same decision.
How's that for "civility."
posted by yesster at 7:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [46 favorites]
and The Veterans Administration.
HELL YES, I WANT SO MUCH OF LIFE RUN LIKE THIS!
One thing that a lot of people miss about the benefits of "socialism" programs like these is that, once everybody is using the same system, then we all fight together for improvement.
It's like an automatic union.
If there are 40 providers/whatever, then you're just another customer complaining. "The market is there, go somewhere else."
No.
If a government service could be improved to the benefit of a billionaire and to a broke person, at the same time, well then the two might for once make the same decision.
How's that for "civility."
posted by yesster at 7:19 PM on July 25, 2018 [46 favorites]
Via dKos: Emails show Michigan GOP bragged about cramming 'Dem garbage' into gerrymandered districts
If you’re in Michigan (or anywhere else) it’s another reminder to vote the whole ballot — some of those official positions on page two and three are crucial. In this case, a state Supreme Court Justice is arguably going to be even more important than an individual congressperson, as electing Bagenstos could help shift the US House balance by three or more representatives.
posted by darkstar at 7:21 PM on July 25, 2018 [63 favorites]
Emails released in an ongoing federal lawsuit have confirmed that Michigan Republicans giddily engaged in naked gerrymandering when they redrew election districts after the 2010 census. One Republican staffer bragged about being able to "cram ALL of the Dem garbage" in populous southeastern Michigan into only four congressional districts.Plaintiffs are seeking to have the maps thrown out. And activists are trying to get an independent redistricting committee measure in the ballot this fall. But the Michigan Supreme Court has a Republican majority and may side with a Chamber of Commerce funded lawsuit to kill the initiative. The Chamber has also bankrolled the campaigns of some of the Republican Justices on the court, so there are naturally concerns of bias.
...These emails don't just display the GOP's eagerness to gerrymander, they also reveal their overall strategy: pack Democrats into just five congressional districts while guaranteeing Republicans would win the other nine—even though Michigan is a swing state that leans blue. And they knew they could lock in that advantage for a long time to come, writing that they’d “spent a lot of time providing options to ensure we have a solid 9-5 delegation in 2012 and beyond.” Indeed, that disparity held up even when Democratic candidates for the House won more votes statewide in 2012 and 2014.
Fortunately, progressives have yet another way to fight back against Republican gerrymandering by electing Daily Kos-endorsed civil rights lawyer Sam Bagenstos to the state Supreme Court this fall. A Bagenstos win would help flip the court to a progressive majority, which in turn could uphold efforts to put independent redistricting on the ballot.That may come too late to save the initiative this year, but hopefully if they can flip the court, they can get the initiative on the ballot in 2020 so an independent committee will be able to draw the new districts.
If you’re in Michigan (or anywhere else) it’s another reminder to vote the whole ballot — some of those official positions on page two and three are crucial. In this case, a state Supreme Court Justice is arguably going to be even more important than an individual congressperson, as electing Bagenstos could help shift the US House balance by three or more representatives.
posted by darkstar at 7:21 PM on July 25, 2018 [63 favorites]
Newsweek cover 45 years ago this week.
*prays to the god of magazine covers* please please let Time pick this up and run with it next week.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:26 PM on July 25, 2018
*prays to the god of magazine covers* please please let Time pick this up and run with it next week.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:26 PM on July 25, 2018
So ...
The "I don't care, do U" jacket.
And now the CNN on Air Force 1.
She wants out, so so bad.
Why doesn't she just throw up a white flag, seek asylum, somewhere under Robert Mueller's mandate?
posted by yesster at 7:31 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
The "I don't care, do U" jacket.
And now the CNN on Air Force 1.
She wants out, so so bad.
Why doesn't she just throw up a white flag, seek asylum, somewhere under Robert Mueller's mandate?
posted by yesster at 7:31 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
She can walk away any time she pleases.
posted by Windopaene at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [30 favorites]
Oh hey, the guy who destroyed Trump's star on the Walk of Fame today (and turned himself in) is being bailed out. By the other guy who vandalized it days before the 2016 election.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [89 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [89 favorites]
Boy does Twitter love Gym Jordan as a nickname, so I guess none of this is distracting from the other reason why that guy should go the jail.
posted by Artw at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:33 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Because Donald is the sort that would harass her to the ends of the earth if she tried to leave. And has the resources to make sure she can't get away.
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:34 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 7:34 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
Sean Spicer’s Book Signing In Massachusetts Canceled ‘Due To The Political Climate’ (AP)
nelsonmuntz.wav
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [46 favorites]
nelsonmuntz.wav
posted by Barack Spinoza at 7:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [46 favorites]
Oh lordy, there are 100 tapes.
So, Haberman was only off by 99
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:41 PM on July 25, 2018 [34 favorites]
So, Haberman was only off by 99
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:41 PM on July 25, 2018 [34 favorites]
> So, Haberman was only off by 99
Jesus, she's reporting exactly what Trump's people told her to report. What's she supposed to do, make up a number?
posted by tonycpsu at 7:47 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
Jesus, she's reporting exactly what Trump's people told her to report. What's she supposed to do, make up a number?
posted by tonycpsu at 7:47 PM on July 25, 2018 [13 favorites]
The Post article said the only tape with Trump talking at length is the one that's been released.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
What's she supposed to do, make up a number?
Not make a definitive statement on the number of tapes when Trump himself is the one giving you the info?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
Not make a definitive statement on the number of tapes when Trump himself is the one giving you the info?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [14 favorites]
Our Narrative! Our Precious Narrative!
Democrats apparently aren't in disarray in the heartland: [...]posted by tonycpsu at 7:51 PM on July 25, 2018 [37 favorites]
Sure, Ocasio-Cortez's message will play in New York, but, you fools, don't you realize that it will alienate voters in the middle of the country?
Apparently not. Apparently voters in these three states either haven't paid much attention to Ocasio-Cortez's saturation media coverage or are aware of it and either like her or don't see her as the Only Democrat That Matters. She's on course to win -- and so, apparently, are Midwestern Dems who may or may not differ with her on an issue or two.
Sorry about your narrative, mainstream media. I know it meant a lot to you.
Jesus, she's reporting exactly what Trump's people told her to report.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:03 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
EVERYONE (in unison): "That's our Maggie!"
[freeze frame, roll credits]posted by snuffleupagus at 8:03 PM on July 25, 2018 [18 favorites]
G. Elliott Morris (Crosstab)
Signs of the coming blue wave?
Early vote totals in #OH12:
2016 general: R+18
2018 primary: R+15
🚨2018 special election: D+34
These numbers might not guarantee a D win, but they do suggest that Democrats are enthused and ready to vote in November. 🌊❔
posted by chris24 at 8:11 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
Signs of the coming blue wave?
Early vote totals in #OH12:
2016 general: R+18
2018 primary: R+15
🚨2018 special election: D+34
These numbers might not guarantee a D win, but they do suggest that Democrats are enthused and ready to vote in November. 🌊❔
posted by chris24 at 8:11 PM on July 25, 2018 [20 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 House -- Marist/NBC poll has Dems with significant generic ballot leads in the Midwest (MI: D+9 | MN: D+12 | WI: D+8). FWIW, there's been some carping that Marist didn't weight for education - college-educated voters have been heavily trending left, so you want to be sure they aren't a disproportionate part of the sample - but I've also seen that the weights didn't look too far off, so the headline numbers are probably ballpark.
Trump also underwater in each state (MI: 36/54 | MN: 38/51 | WI: 36/52), which has implications for state races, too.
** 2018 Senate:
** 2018 House -- Marist/NBC poll has Dems with significant generic ballot leads in the Midwest (MI: D+9 | MN: D+12 | WI: D+8). FWIW, there's been some carping that Marist didn't weight for education - college-educated voters have been heavily trending left, so you want to be sure they aren't a disproportionate part of the sample - but I've also seen that the weights didn't look too far off, so the headline numbers are probably ballpark.
Trump also underwater in each state (MI: 36/54 | MN: 38/51 | WI: 36/52), which has implications for state races, too.
** 2018 Senate:
-- Morning Consult Senator approval rankings show that most Dems from Trump states have better favorables than Trump, which bodes well for their re-election.** Odds & ends:
-- FL: FAU poll has GOPer Scott up 44-40 on incumbent Dem Nelson {MOE: +/- 3.4%].
-- IL gov: Victory Research poll has Dem Pritzker up 45-30 on incumbent GOPer Rauner [MOE: +/- 2.8%].posted by Chrysostom at 8:18 PM on July 25, 2018 [26 favorites]
-- Morning Consult out with gubernatorial approval ratings. Phil Scott [R-VT] has taken a huge hit, in the wake of his signing gun control legislation. He's now more popular with Democrats than with his own party. As a result, Sabato is going to move VT to Likely R. Vermont is especially interesting, because if no candidate gets 50%, the legislature picks the winner (Dems handily control the legislature).
-- GA gov: Cook moves this race to Leans R, notes it has potential to move to Tossup.
-- Trump looking to influence GOP governor primaries, as he seems to have successfully done in Georgia.
-- Iowa court temporarily enjoins voter ID requirements, various suppressive changes around absentee ballots.
chris24: "Early vote totals in #OH12:"
...Yeah, it's definitely better to be in the lead than trailing, but you need to take early vote numbers with a lot of salt.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
...Yeah, it's definitely better to be in the lead than trailing, but you need to take early vote numbers with a lot of salt.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
> Oh lordy, there are 100 tapes.
@FrankConniff:
The first episode of the Donald Trump/Michael Cohen podcast has dropped!
posted by christopherious at 8:28 PM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
@FrankConniff:
The first episode of the Donald Trump/Michael Cohen podcast has dropped!
posted by christopherious at 8:28 PM on July 25, 2018 [11 favorites]
localhuman: "The end game is a Trump branded America for as long as they can produce heirs to the throne"
While that might be the plan I'm sure that won't last more than 4 presidential cycles, five at the outside. The country will be bankrupt at that point and China will end up owning the whole whole kit and caboodle.
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon: "So, Haberman was only off by 99"
Let's just go ahead and call it two orders of magnitude.
posted by Mitheral at 8:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
While that might be the plan I'm sure that won't last more than 4 presidential cycles, five at the outside. The country will be bankrupt at that point and China will end up owning the whole whole kit and caboodle.
Ray Walston, Luck Dragon: "So, Haberman was only off by 99"
Let's just go ahead and call it two orders of magnitude.
posted by Mitheral at 8:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [9 favorites]
Elizabeth Warren: I'm a capitalist. Come on, I believe in markets. What I don't believe in is theft.
CNN Interviewer: Why are you perceived as so polarizing then?
Warren:
Similarly, Mike Konczal has been saying that 2006 was about finding the rightmost person who'd be willing to run as a Democrat, which won them both houses but limited payoffs in 2009 when Obama gained the White House. He claims the party is doing a much better job this year of finding candidates who are on the left but still will win in the general.
posted by mark k at 8:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [68 favorites]
CNN Interviewer: Why are you perceived as so polarizing then?
Warren:
I get that there are a lot of folks who like having the power and the riches they have, they like being able to tweak their little pinkie and the United States government does just what they want. They like being able to get regulations rolled back or not enforced. I totally get that. And I get that I push hard against that, that I may be a threat to them on that. But my view on that is, don’t call me the polarizing figure; they’re the ones who want to take advantage of this country. They’re the ones who want to cheat. They’re the ones who want to say that their personal wealth, their power is more important than building an America that works for everyone.As Jeet Heer in the link notes, this puts Warren to the right of plenty in the party. Awesome. Elizabeth Warren as a voice of moderate Democrats. Or, more precisely, awesome that moderate Democrats are now in the Elizabeth Warren arena.
Similarly, Mike Konczal has been saying that 2006 was about finding the rightmost person who'd be willing to run as a Democrat, which won them both houses but limited payoffs in 2009 when Obama gained the White House. He claims the party is doing a much better job this year of finding candidates who are on the left but still will win in the general.
posted by mark k at 8:35 PM on July 25, 2018 [68 favorites]
The "I don't care, do U" jacket.
I still have no idea what this jacket/message was about. Is there some sort of consensus on what message she was trying to send, and to whom?
posted by Rumple at 8:57 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
I still have no idea what this jacket/message was about. Is there some sort of consensus on what message she was trying to send, and to whom?
posted by Rumple at 8:57 PM on July 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Build a bench! Support local candidates at the municipal, county and state level! There are elections HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, not November, NOW, that will affect your quality of life in your home town and in your state. It's not enough to turn out in November. That's the weakest of starts. Follow your local politics, elect good people, understand the elections are scheduled so it's inconvenient for you to vote in them.
In my little home town, a New England seaside community without any real tourism, there are no-kidding Koch-Brothers funded political operatives suing the schools for sending out a mass email that there was a vote that very week, and presented the ballot without comment. The bastards were depending on voter apathy to ramrod through their defund-the-schools, sell-the-library batshittigans. They are now mightily aggrieved the voters were reminded they were to vote, and what they were voting for or against in ABSOLUTELY non-partisian fashion.
If no reasonable citizen would vote for your agenda, and your strategy was to trick them into staying home on election day...
Some judges would buy that.
LEARN WHEN TO VOTE. VOTE. YOUR VOTE MATTERS SO MUCH, IN EVERY ELECTION, ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES!
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:00 PM on July 25, 2018 [41 favorites]
In my little home town, a New England seaside community without any real tourism, there are no-kidding Koch-Brothers funded political operatives suing the schools for sending out a mass email that there was a vote that very week, and presented the ballot without comment. The bastards were depending on voter apathy to ramrod through their defund-the-schools, sell-the-library batshittigans. They are now mightily aggrieved the voters were reminded they were to vote, and what they were voting for or against in ABSOLUTELY non-partisian fashion.
If no reasonable citizen would vote for your agenda, and your strategy was to trick them into staying home on election day...
Some judges would buy that.
LEARN WHEN TO VOTE. VOTE. YOUR VOTE MATTERS SO MUCH, IN EVERY ELECTION, ESPECIALLY THE LITTLE ONES!
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:00 PM on July 25, 2018 [41 favorites]
I think that given her choice of venue in which to wear it it sure looks like "I really don't care about immigrant children." I probably would have enjoyed it had she worn that to some other uh, special occasion to show her disgust towards her husband, though. Or worn it to announce "Be Best."
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:02 PM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:02 PM on July 25, 2018 [4 favorites]
The "I don't care" slogan has a long fascist history . It'd be totally bizarre to pull this out but with these people I don't know anymore. If Melania was hiding a nostalgic affection for early Mussolini era movements she'd still be the less bizarre half of the first couple.
posted by mark k at 9:11 PM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by mark k at 9:11 PM on July 25, 2018 [27 favorites]
Hey, remember that soccer ball Putin gave to Trump? Turns out it's definitely got a bug (Bloomberg, Vernon Silver), but it might be bugged nonmaliciously by Adidas rather than maliciously by Russia.
In particular:
posted by jackbishop at 9:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
In particular:
However, such a multi-stepped attack via a soccer ball seems unlikely... "Trump would have to ignore multiple security warnings and intentionally install a malware on his device," Neumann said, adding that such a hack working would depend on the president, "falling for a silly attack like this."So, if there is an attack plan, I give it, oh, 75% chance of success based on that description?
posted by jackbishop at 9:50 PM on July 25, 2018 [16 favorites]
Where better to hide your back door than around the back, right where you were expecting a door?
posted by Pinback at 10:26 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Pinback at 10:26 PM on July 25, 2018 [6 favorites]
Putin doesn’t need hacks at this point, Trump just dials him into the secure line directly.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:27 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:27 PM on July 25, 2018 [3 favorites]
The FSB (KGB) are really good at planting bugs. Like really good. For instance here is The Thing, a passive (no internal power) listening device designed by Leon Theremin (yes, that Theremin) that they managed to get installed in the house of the US ambassador to Russia for 7(!) years. They basically invented RFID to pull this off.
posted by PenDevil at 11:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [32 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 11:29 PM on July 25, 2018 [32 favorites]
The bug sideshow is amusing but not plausibly harmful. Sure, they could put a bug in there but it's not like they can realistically expect it to be near sensitive discussions like the great seal replica that was The Thing. He's not going to be kicking it around the oval office or carry it on the golf course. Heck, it's less likely to be near something interesting than the already improbable Acoustic Kitty idea.
If we see Trump carrying it around and appearing to consult it during press conferences or court proceedings I will admit I was wrong.
posted by mark k at 11:56 PM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
If we see Trump carrying it around and appearing to consult it during press conferences or court proceedings I will admit I was wrong.
posted by mark k at 11:56 PM on July 25, 2018 [17 favorites]
Sure, they could put a bug in there but it's not like they can realistically expect it to be near sensitive discussions like the great seal replica that was The Thing.
It doesn't have to be a microphone; it could intercept wireless signals like a Stingray.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 12:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
It doesn't have to be a microphone; it could intercept wireless signals like a Stingray.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 12:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Bloomberg: "The chip itself can’t be modified, according to the product description on the Adidas website. “It is not possible to delete or rewrite the encoded parameters,” it says.
Haha.
Take the thing to a hackerspace and I guarantee that it will be modified within a day or two.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
Haha.
Take the thing to a hackerspace and I guarantee that it will be modified within a day or two.
posted by Too-Ticky at 12:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
it could intercept wireless signals like a Stingray.
A Stingray, in active mode, needs a fair bit of power. Now you can stuff a few Li-Ions in there too, but you would have to recharge them at least once a day, by my estimates. And I expect that while Trump would put it on its pedestal (containing the necessary wireless charger) as requested, Secret Service agents would find that reason to look into it, find the stuff and disable the electronics. Passive mode Stingray (or other eavesdropping methods) working for a few days is possible, but more as a matter of 'see what we can do' than it being a really effective way to spy. Especially when the GRU have all these other methods and channels already.
The football contains electronics. It should be treated as compromised anyway.
posted by Stoneshop at 12:39 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
A Stingray, in active mode, needs a fair bit of power. Now you can stuff a few Li-Ions in there too, but you would have to recharge them at least once a day, by my estimates. And I expect that while Trump would put it on its pedestal (containing the necessary wireless charger) as requested, Secret Service agents would find that reason to look into it, find the stuff and disable the electronics. Passive mode Stingray (or other eavesdropping methods) working for a few days is possible, but more as a matter of 'see what we can do' than it being a really effective way to spy. Especially when the GRU have all these other methods and channels already.
The football contains electronics. It should be treated as compromised anyway.
posted by Stoneshop at 12:39 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
It doesn’t need to actually be bugged, it just needs to get past typical security parameters so they can gauge how terribly inept the security actually is.
posted by gucci mane at 12:43 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by gucci mane at 12:43 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
Just in case anyone thought this was anything other than a stunt:
House Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against Rod Rosenstein
House Republicans introduce articles of impeachment against Rod Rosenstein
The lawmakers did not file the articles as a "privileged resolution," a move that would have forced Republican leadership to consider the measure within two legislative days. Meadows and Jordan could still force the issue on Thursday before lawmakers head home for the House's month-long August recess. Such a move would mean leaders would have to bring a vote to table the measure, or cancel or delay the recess.posted by scalefree at 1:09 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Rosenstein should demand the impeachment proceedings start ASAP, from what I've read the articles are so stupid that he would beat it handily and it would shield him from any further bullshittery.
posted by PenDevil at 1:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by PenDevil at 1:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
I assume impeachment proceedings are just a fig leaf for Rosenstein's firing.
A ballsy precedent to set in light of who will be doing the firing.
posted by fullerine at 1:28 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
A ballsy precedent to set in light of who will be doing the firing.
posted by fullerine at 1:28 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
it would shield him from any further bullshittery.
Would it, though? Is there such a thing as double jeopardy when it comes to congressional impeachment proceedings? I get that articles of impeachment against Trump need to have both substance and solid political support before they're worth bringing, but that's because our side gives a shit about rule of law and has a memory stretching back more than a week. It seems to me that the House Republicans could run doomed impeachment proceedings against Rosenstein once a month and it would do nothing but successfully erode his credibility among their base.
posted by contraption at 1:35 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Would it, though? Is there such a thing as double jeopardy when it comes to congressional impeachment proceedings? I get that articles of impeachment against Trump need to have both substance and solid political support before they're worth bringing, but that's because our side gives a shit about rule of law and has a memory stretching back more than a week. It seems to me that the House Republicans could run doomed impeachment proceedings against Rosenstein once a month and it would do nothing but successfully erode his credibility among their base.
posted by contraption at 1:35 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Whew: A judge rules the emoluments case against the president can proceed—and suggests why his D.C. business violates the Constitution.
[...] While procedurally this ruling is merely a denial on a motion to dismiss, Judge Messitte is making conclusions of law that would apply at trial and adding the clear conditions of the lease. After all, “any benefit” means any benefit.posted by Joe in Australia at 4:56 AM on July 26, 2018 [53 favorites]
Even if a trial might not factually establish a corrupt deal by Trump, this ruling strongly suggests that a trial would lead to shutting down the Trump International Hotel as an unconstitutional violation and would force Trump to divest entirely. If there is a motion for summary judgment, the court already might have sufficient evidence to shut down the hotel. And plaintiffs—the attorneys general of D.C. and Maryland—would still be able to investigate the impermissible emoluments that Trump has already accepted.
From the Washington Post opinion page: Farmers like me put Trump in office. Now his trade war is smothering us.
When I first read this opinion piece on the impact of the Chinese soy/pork tariff blow back on farmers I had some sympathy - but that didn't really last long. Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do with respect to trade. And the comment section is absolutely delicious in its 'you bought it, you own it' response to this 'farmer'.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
When I first read this opinion piece on the impact of the Chinese soy/pork tariff blow back on farmers I had some sympathy - but that didn't really last long. Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do with respect to trade. And the comment section is absolutely delicious in its 'you bought it, you own it' response to this 'farmer'.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
@mjs_dc (Mark Joseph Stern, Slate): Here's a link to today's big census ruling, in which the court found that the Trump administration mandated a citizenship question in bad faith, violating due process, equal protection, and the APA: Scribd link
posted by melissasaurus at 6:58 AM on July 26, 2018 [45 favorites]
posted by melissasaurus at 6:58 AM on July 26, 2018 [45 favorites]
And a less publicized consequence of Trump Tariffs: Why next week could be critical for U.S. newspapers
The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to decide by Aug. 1 whether to maintain a tariff that newspapers say is crippling their industry.
The duties put on groundwood paper from Canada earlier this year has aided the decline of the newspaper industry, which says the new costs could increase the price of newsprint by as much as 30 percent.
posted by bluesky43 at 7:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
The U.S. Department of Commerce is expected to decide by Aug. 1 whether to maintain a tariff that newspapers say is crippling their industry.
The duties put on groundwood paper from Canada earlier this year has aided the decline of the newspaper industry, which says the new costs could increase the price of newsprint by as much as 30 percent.
posted by bluesky43 at 7:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
melissasaurus: @mjs_dc (Mark Joseph Stern, Slate): Here's a link to today's big census ruling, in which the court found that the Trump administration mandated a citizenship question in bad faith, violating due process, equal protection, and the APA: Scribd link
He followed up with a correction: it wasn't a ruling and the court actually didn't find it illegal (yet). It just allowed things to proceed on merit, meaning the question might violate all those things.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
He followed up with a correction: it wasn't a ruling and the court actually didn't find it illegal (yet). It just allowed things to proceed on merit, meaning the question might violate all those things.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
The duties put on groundwood paper from Canada earlier this year has aided the decline of the newspaper industry, which says the new costs could increase the price of newsprint by as much as 30 percent.
This may not be by conscious intent and design, but neither is it accidental.
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
This may not be by conscious intent and design, but neither is it accidental.
posted by adamgreenfield at 7:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
When I first read this opinion piece on the impact of the Chinese soy/pork tariff blow back on farmers I had some sympathy - but that didn't really last long. Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do with respect to trade. And the comment section is absolutely delicious in its 'you bought it, you own it' response to this 'farmer'.
Meanwhile, the Mirror Universe Media Machine is braying day and night about how the economy is booming, economic growth is undeniable and unprecedented, and how Trump is focused on helping the American Working Class more than any President before him.
One of the keys to the midterms will be how many American Working Class members go to the polls thinking "Trump is focused on my economic success!" and how many look at their bank balances and go "...Hey, wait a minute..."
posted by delfin at 7:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Meanwhile, the Mirror Universe Media Machine is braying day and night about how the economy is booming, economic growth is undeniable and unprecedented, and how Trump is focused on helping the American Working Class more than any President before him.
One of the keys to the midterms will be how many American Working Class members go to the polls thinking "Trump is focused on my economic success!" and how many look at their bank balances and go "...Hey, wait a minute..."
posted by delfin at 7:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
the Mirror Universe Media Machine is braying day and night about how the economy is booming, economic growth is undeniable and unprecedented
Ignoring that this is the usual and predictable modern effect of 8 years of a Democratic White House.
posted by Harry Caul at 7:36 AM on July 26, 2018 [9 favorites]
Ignoring that this is the usual and predictable modern effect of 8 years of a Democratic White House.
posted by Harry Caul at 7:36 AM on July 26, 2018 [9 favorites]
I'm _still_ pissed off that Bush II sent the Clinton surplus out as checks to people whether they wanted one or not.
posted by Golem XIV at 7:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [47 favorites]
posted by Golem XIV at 7:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [47 favorites]
Along those lines, the WaPo points out that, somehow, a Nexis search for Paul Ryan and "deficit hawk" returns over 400 hits, When Paul Ryan leaves government, the federal deficit will be $1.2 trillion higher than when he arrived.
posted by peeedro at 7:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 7:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
I'm _still_ pissed off that Bush II sent the Clinton surplus out as checks to people whether they wanted one or not.
I immediately wrote checks to the National Resources Defense Council and Planned Parenthood using that money.
posted by bluesky43 at 7:56 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
I immediately wrote checks to the National Resources Defense Council and Planned Parenthood using that money.
posted by bluesky43 at 7:56 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
Someone Set Betsy DeVos’s $40 Million Yacht Adrift.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:09 AM on July 26, 2018 [64 favorites]
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:09 AM on July 26, 2018 [64 favorites]
Alex Moe @AlexNBCNews
Why are conservatives pushing for resolution to impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein?
Pelosi says: I don’t know but what heard is Jordan may want to take attention away from scrutiny he is under in Ohio. Could be part of it
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:11 AM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Why are conservatives pushing for resolution to impeach Deputy AG Rosenstein?
Pelosi says: I don’t know but what heard is Jordan may want to take attention away from scrutiny he is under in Ohio. Could be part of it
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 8:11 AM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
From the NYT Political Bubbles and Hidden Diversity: Highlights From a Very Detailed Map of the 2016 Election
Warning: this is highly addictive.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:12 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Warning: this is highly addictive.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:12 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Here's the link to the interactive version of the NYT detailed map of election results (it's searchable to an amazingly detailed degree)
posted by bluesky43 at 8:15 AM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 8:15 AM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
In times are changing news, the current top post on Reddit, of all places, is an article at the Root arguing that Russian hackers most likely changed actual votes and directly stole the 2016 Presidential election.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:24 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 8:24 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
Also, this is maybe obvious here on the blue, but like absolute top of my non-negotiable demands for future politicians is a full forensic investigation of the 2016 elections, and full fucking prosecution and sentencing for whatever comes up.
I don’t care if it would be destabilizing to throw most of the GOP in jail. At this point, it’s more destabilizing not to.
Lock every single one of them up.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [65 favorites]
I don’t care if it would be destabilizing to throw most of the GOP in jail. At this point, it’s more destabilizing not to.
Lock every single one of them up.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:29 AM on July 26, 2018 [65 favorites]
What the Root article argues is that there's publicly available circumstantial evidence that Russian hackers could have changed votes and voter registration in 2016—Evidence Shows Hackers Changed Votes in the 2016 Election But No One Will Admit It. It doesn't really say anything we haven't discussed in the mega-threads before, but it's a reminder that neither the mainstream media nor politicians of any party want to touch the topic, not even with the mid-terms coming up.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:32 AM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
I'm actually not seeing much insight in that NYT 'Diversity' bubble map other than the known wisdom that where more people live (cities), more people voted for Clinton. Does anyone have any surprise information from this graphic besides this? I will concede that this interactive graphic does allow a lot of detailed inspection, and is nicely done, but the resulting conclusion is already known; more people voted for Clinton. Especially were more people have had to learn about living beside more people.
posted by Harry Caul at 8:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Harry Caul at 8:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
I don’t care if it would be destabilizing to throw most of the GOP in jail. At this point, it’s more destabilizing not to.
I feel you, but it will never happen. What might happen is the kind of much-talked-about-but-little-seen kind of campaign finance reforms that would impose real transparency, and that would hurt the GOP a lot more than the Dems on an operational level.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:36 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
I feel you, but it will never happen. What might happen is the kind of much-talked-about-but-little-seen kind of campaign finance reforms that would impose real transparency, and that would hurt the GOP a lot more than the Dems on an operational level.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:36 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
From the NYT Political Bubbles and Hidden Diversity: Highlights From a Very Detailed Map of the 2016 Election
@PoliticsWolf:
@PoliticsWolf:
That neat @UpshotNYT map has people talking about political bubbles & geography, but remember: Land doesn't vote, & precincts are arbitrary boundaries. We drew nonpartisan congressional maps for every state & Clinton won a majority despite all that redposted by zombieflanders at 8:36 AM on July 26, 2018 [42 favorites]
Under this nonpartisan national congressional map, Clinton won 219 districts to Trump's 216. But the minority of districts that voted for Trump cover 84% of the land. A reminder that geography-based analyses can be misleading
NBC poll: Does the president deserve re-election?
Spoiler alert: Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin say nope (62%, 60% and 63%).
posted by bluesky43 at 8:37 AM on July 26, 2018 [23 favorites]
Spoiler alert: Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin say nope (62%, 60% and 63%).
posted by bluesky43 at 8:37 AM on July 26, 2018 [23 favorites]
More and more I think “does land vote?” Is actually the fundamental question of American electoral systems.
In every way that it does, it sucks.
posted by Artw at 8:39 AM on July 26, 2018 [53 favorites]
In every way that it does, it sucks.
posted by Artw at 8:39 AM on July 26, 2018 [53 favorites]
More and more I think “does land vote?”
That is a kinda fascinating gloss. With respect to the Electoral College and the Senate, one could certainly say our Lands vote. And though House seats are in proportion to population, districting is famously vulnerable to gerrymandering.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:43 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
That is a kinda fascinating gloss. With respect to the Electoral College and the Senate, one could certainly say our Lands vote. And though House seats are in proportion to population, districting is famously vulnerable to gerrymandering.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:43 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm actually not seeing much insight in that NYT 'Diversity' bubble map other than the known wisdom that where more people live (cities), more people voted for Clinton. Does anyone have any surprise information from this graphic besides this?
I was super surprised to see that some neighborhoods in my rural upstate NY area actually supported Clinton by a small margin. The other maps I have seen show Ithaca, a well known liberal small city, as blue and most of the rest of upstate NY as red.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:44 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
I was super surprised to see that some neighborhoods in my rural upstate NY area actually supported Clinton by a small margin. The other maps I have seen show Ithaca, a well known liberal small city, as blue and most of the rest of upstate NY as red.
posted by bluesky43 at 8:44 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
More and more I think “does land vote?” Is actually the fundamental question of American electoral systems.
Think of it this way: land = private property (even in the west where so much land is federally owned, but access rights are granted/sold to private individuals), and pretty much yeah, private property is fundamental to American electoral systems.
posted by notyou at 8:46 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Think of it this way: land = private property (even in the west where so much land is federally owned, but access rights are granted/sold to private individuals), and pretty much yeah, private property is fundamental to American electoral systems.
posted by notyou at 8:46 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
I honestly think it's pretty plausible that Russian hackers did directly alter vote counts and intelligence organizations know but are sitting on the evidence. I can imagine the pragmatic calculus going through an intelligence officer's head - the revelation of the altered votes would have an even more destabilizing effect than the result of the election itself. It would really shake up and damage our political system.
Obviously I think if it happened the public should know, but I can see why the feds wouldn't agree.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Obviously I think if it happened the public should know, but I can see why the feds wouldn't agree.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
The Root article is a good summary of the various ways votes could be hacked in different states. The author also refers to Putin as "our sidepiece president" which even the megathread has not managed to achieve as far as I know.
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by Emmy Rae at 8:47 AM on July 26, 2018 [27 favorites]
You know, to go even further, after reading that The Root article, I wouldn't be surprised if various hackers domestic and abroad have been directly altering vote counts for the past decade. Our voting machines have breathtakingly negligent security.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 8:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 8:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm actually not seeing much insight in that NYT 'Diversity' bubble map other than the known wisdom that where more people live (cities), more people voted for Clinton. Does anyone have any surprise information from this graphic besides this?
It's not a surprise to me, but people from other parts of the country/world may not be familiar with the Black Belt of rural Democratic voting that stretches from Louisiana to Maryland.
posted by hydropsyche at 8:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's not a surprise to me, but people from other parts of the country/world may not be familiar with the Black Belt of rural Democratic voting that stretches from Louisiana to Maryland.
posted by hydropsyche at 8:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
In times are changing news, the current top post on Reddit, of all places, is an article at the Root arguing that Russian hackers most likely changed actual votes and directly stole the 2016 Presidential election.
posted by schadenfrau at 8:24 AM on July 26 [9 favorites +] [!]
From the Root article:
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 8:24 AM on July 26 [9 favorites +] [!]
From the Root article:
Regardless of how many episodes of Law & Order one may have seen, most laypeople rarely understand the definition of circumstantial evidence. West’s Encyclopedia of American Law states: “There is a public perception that such evidence is weak (‘all they have is circumstantial evidence’), but the probable conclusion from the circumstances may be so strong that there can be little doubt as to a vital fact.”Trout, meet milk.
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
As a Georgian, I don't believe in any of our election results since Karen Handel as Secretary of State was responsible for setting up our black box voting systems in 2002. Most of my friends used to think I was a paranoid conspiracy theorist. Fewer of them think that now.
posted by hydropsyche at 8:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [43 favorites]
posted by hydropsyche at 8:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [43 favorites]
One of the keys to the midterms will be how many American Working Class members go to the polls thinking "Trump is focused on my economic success!" and how many look at their bank balances and go "...Hey, wait a minute..."
One of the roadblocks to peeling off voters from Trump's base is that they don't want to see themselves as being wrong. Is anyone doing any messaging that lets them vote against him while saving face?
Find some folks that voted for Trump to say: I was excited to vote for Trump - he seemed like a competent successful business man and he promised to look out for us. Now we see that his businesses are chaotic, he's not good at managing people or negotiating, and his policies only help the rich. Fool me once, shame on Trump, fool me twice shame on me.
posted by duoshao at 9:00 AM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
One of the roadblocks to peeling off voters from Trump's base is that they don't want to see themselves as being wrong. Is anyone doing any messaging that lets them vote against him while saving face?
Find some folks that voted for Trump to say: I was excited to vote for Trump - he seemed like a competent successful business man and he promised to look out for us. Now we see that his businesses are chaotic, he's not good at managing people or negotiating, and his policies only help the rich. Fool me once, shame on Trump, fool me twice shame on me.
posted by duoshao at 9:00 AM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
*The CDC was founded in Atlanta, rather than DC, because Atlanta was nearer the epicenter of the US's malaria zone...
posted by Iridic at 10:23 AM on July 20 [43 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Also, both Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and the American Cancer Society, who frequently partner with CDC, are located there as well.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:00 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Iridic at 10:23 AM on July 20 [43 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
Also, both Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and the American Cancer Society, who frequently partner with CDC, are located there as well.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:00 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Dammit. Cathy Cox not Karen Handel. Karen Handel purged voter roles like crazy when she was Sec of State.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:01 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by hydropsyche at 9:01 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
That The Root article would be more persuasive if the author hadn't dropped in a couple of references to "Soviets". He's just setting himself up to be ridiculed left and right, which is too bad because the premise is sound.
posted by monospace at 9:02 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by monospace at 9:02 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
Is anyone doing any messaging that lets them vote against him while saving face?
This is really important. I think sometimes we can get caught up in the issue of whether or not Trump voters deserve to save face, or whether they deserve to be punished for what they did to the rest of us, and I think that issue is a perfectly good moral abstract, but avoids what will get us out of this mess. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, I think the most useful thing is absolutely creating a way for Trump voters to save face in changing their mind to vote against him and his policies, because they are going to destroy us all if left unchecked.
posted by corb at 9:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
This is really important. I think sometimes we can get caught up in the issue of whether or not Trump voters deserve to save face, or whether they deserve to be punished for what they did to the rest of us, and I think that issue is a perfectly good moral abstract, but avoids what will get us out of this mess. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, I think the most useful thing is absolutely creating a way for Trump voters to save face in changing their mind to vote against him and his policies, because they are going to destroy us all if left unchecked.
posted by corb at 9:08 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
I honestly think it's pretty plausible that Russian hackers did directly alter vote counts and intelligence organizations know but are sitting on the evidence.
I have some suspicions along those lines, but of of slightly more subtle attack: it strikes me that the official denials have been very specifically worded to deny alteration of vote counts or voting results. And it also strikes me that Russia would realize that being caught actually altering tallies would create something of an Outside Context Problem with a potential Article 5 solution. Presumably (hopefully) no one wants that.
However, interference on the level of introducing slowdowns and failures in strategic polling places -- basically, an electoral Denial of Service attack (the Russian Hacker special) would be a lot more deniable (by them, and by the US government to its citizens) and less explosive even if exposed. No votes altered, just fewer votes cast. Blame the state officials/agencies and the equipment vendors.
There's even an opportunity for whataboutism: 'yeah, we were poking around. You do it too.' [Insert faked-up claims about Ukraine, etc.] 'Everyone attempts this kind of penetration to gather intelligence, this is 21st century statecraft. It's not our fault you haven't patched your Windows-2000 based voting machines.'
If you want to get real tin-foily (about the last election, or future elections) given the reporting on SCADA systems, maybe even power failures. Traffic jams?
On the social ops side, fake DMs/text with polling misinformation from sleeper accounts that seemed progressive in the run-up?
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:10 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
I have some suspicions along those lines, but of of slightly more subtle attack: it strikes me that the official denials have been very specifically worded to deny alteration of vote counts or voting results. And it also strikes me that Russia would realize that being caught actually altering tallies would create something of an Outside Context Problem with a potential Article 5 solution. Presumably (hopefully) no one wants that.
However, interference on the level of introducing slowdowns and failures in strategic polling places -- basically, an electoral Denial of Service attack (the Russian Hacker special) would be a lot more deniable (by them, and by the US government to its citizens) and less explosive even if exposed. No votes altered, just fewer votes cast. Blame the state officials/agencies and the equipment vendors.
There's even an opportunity for whataboutism: 'yeah, we were poking around. You do it too.' [Insert faked-up claims about Ukraine, etc.] 'Everyone attempts this kind of penetration to gather intelligence, this is 21st century statecraft. It's not our fault you haven't patched your Windows-2000 based voting machines.'
If you want to get real tin-foily (about the last election, or future elections) given the reporting on SCADA systems, maybe even power failures. Traffic jams?
On the social ops side, fake DMs/text with polling misinformation from sleeper accounts that seemed progressive in the run-up?
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:10 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
> From a purely pragmatic standpoint, I think the most useful thing is absolutely creating a way for Trump voters to save face in changing their mind to vote against him and his policies, because they are going to destroy us all if left unchecked.
Nobody's demanding that Trump voters wear a scarlet T on their heads for the rest of their lives. Voting is a private act -- if Trump voters want to vote for someone else, there's nothing stopping them, and they're not even required to tell any of their friends or family if they don't want to. But this idea that we should try to alter our message to lessen their sense of shame has a huge downside risk, because "he seemed like a competent successful business man and he promised to look out for us" is a pernicious lie. Trying to marshal that lie in service of flipping some rubes will backfire when the non-rubes see it as the cynical ploy it is.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
Nobody's demanding that Trump voters wear a scarlet T on their heads for the rest of their lives. Voting is a private act -- if Trump voters want to vote for someone else, there's nothing stopping them, and they're not even required to tell any of their friends or family if they don't want to. But this idea that we should try to alter our message to lessen their sense of shame has a huge downside risk, because "he seemed like a competent successful business man and he promised to look out for us" is a pernicious lie. Trying to marshal that lie in service of flipping some rubes will backfire when the non-rubes see it as the cynical ploy it is.
posted by tonycpsu at 9:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
Trump team stops asking drillers and miners to pay for damage to federal lands (WaPo):
For years, whenever companies wanted to drill for oil and dig for coal on federally owned lands, they often had to pay to offset any damage their activities had on the environment.posted by peeedro at 9:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [23 favorites]
Now, no more. This week the Trump administration scrapped long-standing requirements that companies undertaking energy development and other work on Bureau of Land Management lands make up for any damage by paying the federal government or by purchasing new land to set aside for conservation.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has criticized the concept of “compensatory mitigation,” singling out the practice in June at a speech before the Western Governors Association.
“Some people would call it extortion,” Zinke said of a power line company’s having to pay a huge fee to offset its project’s impact, according to an audio recording of the session. “I call it un-American.”
It's not a surprise to me, but people from other parts of the country/world may not be familiar with the Black Belt of rural Democratic voting that stretches from Louisiana to Maryland.
The Black Belt is there because it was the coastline millions of years ago.
The Black Belt is there because it was the coastline millions of years ago.
During the Cretaceous, 139-65 million years ago, shallow seas covered much of the southern United States. These tropical waters were productive--giving rise to tiny marine plankton with carbonate skeletons which overtime accumulated into massive chalk formations. The chalk, both alkaline and porous, lead to fertile and well-drained soils in a band, mirroring that ancient coastline and stretching across the now much drier South.posted by kirkaracha at 9:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
...
Over time this rich soil produced an amazingly productive agricultural region, especially for cotton. In 1859 alone a harvest of over 4,000 cotton bales was not uncommon within the belt. And yet, just tens of miles north or south this harvest was rare. Of course this level of cotton production required extensive labor.
As [Booker T.] Washington notes further in his autobiography, “The part of the country possessing this thick, dark, and naturally rich soil was, of course, the part of the South where the slaves were most profitable, and consequently they were taken there in the largest numbers. Later and especially since the war, the term seems to be used wholly in a political sense--that is, to designate the counties where the black people outnumber the white.”
Every hour, dollar, and any other resource spent trying to convince Trump voters to vote against him is a wasted dollar theat could be used to try and overcome voter suppression, or work on moving the Democrats to the left, or otherwise encourage voters who aren't bigoted idiots to make their voices heard and vote.
Why we're even trying to make said bigots and idiots feel bad about voting for Trump when they'll just support all the other fascism that "moderate" conservatives stand for in the first place is beyond me. Maybe we can try and do something about it in the unlikely event we ever have the resources to do it, but not a minute before then.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2018 [71 favorites]
Why we're even trying to make said bigots and idiots feel bad about voting for Trump when they'll just support all the other fascism that "moderate" conservatives stand for in the first place is beyond me. Maybe we can try and do something about it in the unlikely event we ever have the resources to do it, but not a minute before then.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2018 [71 favorites]
I think the most useful thing is absolutely creating a way for Trump voters to save face in changing their mind to vote against him and his policies, because they are going to destroy us all if left unchecked.
Save face by lying about who you voted for. That's what I did (for different candidates)
posted by jessamyn at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Save face by lying about who you voted for. That's what I did (for different candidates)
posted by jessamyn at 9:21 AM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Nobody's demanding that Trump voters wear a scarlet T on their heads for the rest of their lives.
let's not be too hasty
posted by schadenfrau at 9:25 AM on July 26, 2018 [92 favorites]
let's not be too hasty
posted by schadenfrau at 9:25 AM on July 26, 2018 [92 favorites]
Nobody's demanding that Trump voters wear a scarlet T on their heads for the rest of their lives.
Anecdotally, I've not met a single Trump voter who regrets their vote, and most are very happy to wear a scarlet T on their heads. The ones who are paying higher taxes with his policies are still his voters, because they rationalize themselves as 'special edge cases' (remember the fits they threw about ACA edge cases?) and are more than happy with his other policies to make up for it.
Ending voter suppression and getting non-voters to vote are the only strategies that will work.
Rationally, if mass numbers of Trump voters who regretted their vote existed, they wouldn't be rounding up the unicorns for news stories.
posted by The_Vegetables at 9:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
Anecdotally, I've not met a single Trump voter who regrets their vote, and most are very happy to wear a scarlet T on their heads. The ones who are paying higher taxes with his policies are still his voters, because they rationalize themselves as 'special edge cases' (remember the fits they threw about ACA edge cases?) and are more than happy with his other policies to make up for it.
Ending voter suppression and getting non-voters to vote are the only strategies that will work.
Rationally, if mass numbers of Trump voters who regretted their vote existed, they wouldn't be rounding up the unicorns for news stories.
posted by The_Vegetables at 9:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
I’ve been wondering if a GOP primary contender might not come in strong with something like, “Look, this guy inspired you, he wasn’t playing by the rules set by people that you feel screw you over, and so you made a vote to shake things up. I get that. But now he’s betrayed you, and you don’t owe him any more loyalty.”
posted by Andrhia at 9:27 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Andrhia at 9:27 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Nobody's demanding that Trump voters wear a scarlet T on their heads for the rest of their lives.
Of course not! The wrist is also an option, if I remember my Hal Lindsey correctly.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:28 AM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Of course not! The wrist is also an option, if I remember my Hal Lindsey correctly.
posted by Atom Eyes at 9:28 AM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Jim Jordan has announced his intent to run to replace Ryan as Speaker.
As Parker Malloy of Upworthy noted, given his background protecting child predators in wrestling communities, he may actually be the most qualified person to follow in Denny Hastert's footsteps.
In a Capitol hallway interview (ok he was walking somewhere and responded to reporters shouting questions) he says "Everyone can see through that story. I've talked to numerous of my colleagues, and they can all see through that story."
Reminder: over 100 wrestlers have come forward with allegations against the team doctor during Jordans tenure as assistant coach, which he says he couldnt have known about despite at least half a dozen former athletes coming forward to say they specifically reported inappropriate conduct to Jordan.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
As Parker Malloy of Upworthy noted, given his background protecting child predators in wrestling communities, he may actually be the most qualified person to follow in Denny Hastert's footsteps.
In a Capitol hallway interview (ok he was walking somewhere and responded to reporters shouting questions) he says "Everyone can see through that story. I've talked to numerous of my colleagues, and they can all see through that story."
Reminder: over 100 wrestlers have come forward with allegations against the team doctor during Jordans tenure as assistant coach, which he says he couldnt have known about despite at least half a dozen former athletes coming forward to say they specifically reported inappropriate conduct to Jordan.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
Last week, I posted some thoughts about the Kevin McCarthy/Paul Ryan exchange about Putin paying Trump and Rohrabacher.
Funny thing about that topic is how Josh Marshall published an excellent piece yesterday further examining the context of those disgusting statements. Although this article is part of the paid content and quite lng, I think it's worth sharing a couple of Marshall's insights. He's been on this story for two years and was one of the first journalists to really begin teasing out the Trump-Russia connection.
TPM Editors' Brief: ‘There’s Two People I Think Putin Pays: Rohrabacher and Trump’
The leadership of the House leadership of hoodless Klan rally known as the "Republican" Party knew about the Russian acts of cyberwar both in Europe and the United States, and they still knowingly supported the Russian puppet--either because they looked the other way or are too stupid to make the connection.
Every time I think I've hit my peak level of disgust with these sycophantic copraphages, I keep setting new records.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2018 [94 favorites]
Funny thing about that topic is how Josh Marshall published an excellent piece yesterday further examining the context of those disgusting statements. Although this article is part of the paid content and quite lng, I think it's worth sharing a couple of Marshall's insights. He's been on this story for two years and was one of the first journalists to really begin teasing out the Trump-Russia connection.
TPM Editors' Brief: ‘There’s Two People I Think Putin Pays: Rohrabacher and Trump’
Where did McCarthy get [the idea that Putin pays Trump and Rohrabacher] from? Pretty clearly, as the article explains, it was from a conversation McCarthy had had earlier that day with Volodymyr Groysman, then and now Prime Minister of Ukraine, who had taken over the office two months earlier in April 2017. Both McCarthy and Ryan had met with Groysman separately earlier in the day. [...]McCarthy, Ryan, McMorris Rogers, and Scalise knew exactly what sort of disinformation campaigns the Russian government had been running in Ukraine and other European countries. They knew about the DNC email theft at this time. They had been warned by the Prime Minister of Ukraine of the specific Russian governmental tactics at play. They even acknowledge that the goal was a sophisticated propaganda war intended to "turn Ukraine against itself".
Here Paul Ryan describes what he’d heard from Groysman with GOP House Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers …
Ryan: He basically… He has this really interesting riff about… people have said that they have Ukraine fatigue, and it’s really Russian fatigue because what Russia is doing is doing to us, financing our populists, financing people in our governments to undo our governments, you know, messing with our oil and gas energy, all the things Russia does to basically blow up our country, they’re just going to roll right through us and go to the Baltics and everyone else.[...]
Rodgers: Yes!
Ryan: So we should not have Ukraine fatigue, we should have Russian fatigue.
Rodgers: Yes! The propaganda… my big takeaway from that trip was just how sophisticated the propaganda…
Ryan: It’s very sophisticated.
Rodgers: …coming out of Russia and Putin.
Ryan: Very sophisticated.
Rodgers: Not just in Ukraine. They were once funding the NGOs in Europe. They attacked fracking.
Ryan: Correct.
Rodgers: Russia TV. I was not… you know… I hadn’t tuned into Russia TV until that trip. It’s, it’s frightening.
Ryan: So he’s saying they’re doing this throughout Europe. So, uh…
[Unintelligible]
Ryan: This is, this isn’t just about Ukraine.
Rodgers: So, yeah, it is a, um… [unintelligible]… a way… it’s really a messaging… you know… they are… it’s a propaganda war.
Ryan: Russia is trying to turn Ukraine against itself.
Rodgers: Yes. And that’s… it’s sophisticated and it’s, uh…
Ryan: Maniacal.
Rodgers: Yes.
Ryan: And guess… guess who’s the only one taking a strong stand up against it? We are.
Rodgers: We’re not… we’re not… but, we’re not…
The logic of the conversation gives very little suggestion that anyone was joking, as Republican leadership staff claimed in response to the Post’s reporting. [...]
The safest bet is that is McCarthy took the pattern that Groysman described, and which congressional leadership were already familiar with from U.S. intelligence briefings (see Ryan’s and Rodgers’ comments above), and drew a reasonable inference about Trump. Trump had a similar political complexion, an analogous populist political schema and vocabulary to what Manafort had helped cue up for Yanukovych in Ukraine. He was openly solicitous of Putin. And just a day earlier (if not before) these congressional leaders had learned that Russia seemed to be hacking on Trump’s behalf. It was hardly a huge leap. Suspicions about Rohrabacher had been and remain an open secret for years. [...]
What is most telling about this incident is not whether McCarthy knew this for a fact (we just can’t know that currently) but that McCarthy and Ryan as well had clear warnings a clear understanding of the Russian pattern of conduct and Trump’s probable connection to it. They would get a lot more evidence over coming months confirming this impression from June 2016. But they either ignored what they knew or decided to make a conscious decision to unknow it as they moved more and more firmly into lockstep support of Donald Trump. We see this especially clearly with McCarthy, the one who appeared most sure of the connection in this June 15th 2016 meeting and would become the most loyal and staunchest advocate for Trump in the ensuing months and years.
The leadership of the House leadership of hoodless Klan rally known as the "Republican" Party knew about the Russian acts of cyberwar both in Europe and the United States, and they still knowingly supported the Russian puppet--either because they looked the other way or are too stupid to make the connection.
Every time I think I've hit my peak level of disgust with these sycophantic copraphages, I keep setting new records.
posted by Excommunicated Cardinal at 9:30 AM on July 26, 2018 [94 favorites]
peeedro quoting WaPo: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has criticized the concept of “compensatory mitigation,” singling out the practice in June at a speech before the Western Governors Association.
“Some people would call it extortion,” Zinke said of a power line company’s having to pay a huge fee to offset its project’s impact, according to an audio recording of the session. “I call it un-American.”
When we talk about "land voting", we of course mean disproportionate power in the people who happen to sparsley occupy land... but golly, imagine if land could vote.
zombieflanders: Why we're even trying to make said bigots and idiots feel bad about voting for Trump when they'll just support all the other fascism that "moderate" conservatives stand for in the first place is beyond me.
The very alien-ness of their worldview results in them feeling paradoxically more "real" to a certain kind of liberal (speaking for myself here, about a trap I'm vulnerable to). We have this need to get in their skulls and see what makes them tick, thus all the profiles of "forgotten" people from ostensibly not-super-conservative media outlets.
By contrast, the various reasons a left-leaning individual won't -- or can't! -- vote are just not... interesting. Our minds immediately jump to "Okay but obviously you should vote Democrat thanks bye" and it feels more difficult to mentally engage further with the world of a person who "ought" to be all the way in that voting booth but isn't, rather than the person who doesn't "have" to be but hypothetically could.
(It's also tough to fight against voter suppression. A few years ago I gave a speech for a class and chose to argue against existing Voter ID proposals... I'm not sure I really convinced anyone to overcome the "But what's so bad about expecting an ID??" hurdle.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
“Some people would call it extortion,” Zinke said of a power line company’s having to pay a huge fee to offset its project’s impact, according to an audio recording of the session. “I call it un-American.”
When we talk about "land voting", we of course mean disproportionate power in the people who happen to sparsley occupy land... but golly, imagine if land could vote.
zombieflanders: Why we're even trying to make said bigots and idiots feel bad about voting for Trump when they'll just support all the other fascism that "moderate" conservatives stand for in the first place is beyond me.
The very alien-ness of their worldview results in them feeling paradoxically more "real" to a certain kind of liberal (speaking for myself here, about a trap I'm vulnerable to). We have this need to get in their skulls and see what makes them tick, thus all the profiles of "forgotten" people from ostensibly not-super-conservative media outlets.
By contrast, the various reasons a left-leaning individual won't -- or can't! -- vote are just not... interesting. Our minds immediately jump to "Okay but obviously you should vote Democrat thanks bye" and it feels more difficult to mentally engage further with the world of a person who "ought" to be all the way in that voting booth but isn't, rather than the person who doesn't "have" to be but hypothetically could.
(It's also tough to fight against voter suppression. A few years ago I gave a speech for a class and chose to argue against existing Voter ID proposals... I'm not sure I really convinced anyone to overcome the "But what's so bad about expecting an ID??" hurdle.)
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Harry Enten (538)
Gov races aren't spoken about enough... That's a place where Dems are going to pickup a lot of seats... Double-digit gain not out of the question at all.
- AZ, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, MI, NV, NM, OH, OK, WI, ME... All seem plausible to me based on the data I've seen. Not saying all will. (I'd say closer to half or a little more than half...) I'll have an article on it either way :).
posted by chris24 at 9:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Gov races aren't spoken about enough... That's a place where Dems are going to pickup a lot of seats... Double-digit gain not out of the question at all.
- AZ, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, MI, NV, NM, OH, OK, WI, ME... All seem plausible to me based on the data I've seen. Not saying all will. (I'd say closer to half or a little more than half...) I'll have an article on it either way :).
posted by chris24 at 9:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Ever since the Bush/Gore election we’ve been getting reports of voting machines not working properly and switching votes or casting incorrect votes. It use to be that Diebold was the main antagonist on that front. They’ve always been a security failure.
A 2003 Fortune Magazine article about Diebold
Politico: How to Hack an Election in Seven Minutes
posted by gucci mane at 9:35 AM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
A 2003 Fortune Magazine article about Diebold
But faster than you can say hanging chad, things went wrong. In early 2003, activists found a version of Diebold's secret software on the Internet. The code had so many security flaws that one group would later post a video of a chimpanzee changing votes.[...]
The drumbeat of bad news has never stopped. This year, researchers have found more security flaws, and another version of the software was leaked. In Maryland, Diebold allegedly knew that some of its machines had defective motherboards but did not replace them for a year. Both candidates for governor there advised their supporters to vote via absentee ballot rather than use Diebold machines.The Volusia Error
Rolling Stone published an article alleging that Diebold helped deliver Georgia to the GOP (Diebold calls the story "fiction"). The company is an unwitting star in a new HBO documentary called "Hacking Democracy." Oh, and the SEC is investigating accounting irregularities.
Politico: How to Hack an Election in Seven Minutes
posted by gucci mane at 9:35 AM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
This seems interesting. Mueller using a combination of tweets and private conversations as a case for obstruction.
Those concerns now turn out to be well founded. The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is scrutinizing tweets and negative statements from the president about Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the former F.B.I. director James B. Comey, according to three people briefed on the matter.posted by Brainy at 9:37 AM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Several of the remarks came as Mr. Trump was also privately pressuring the men — both key witnesses in the inquiry — about the investigation, and Mr. Mueller is examining whether the actions add up to attempts to obstruct the investigation by both intimidating witnesses and pressuring senior law enforcement officials to tamp down the inquiry.
Save face by lying about who you voted for.
That's what like 90% of Republicans have done about the Gulf Wars. I mean, it has been wild watching the Right in this country act like the Iraq war was some weird regrettable natural disaster that Obummer really should have done something about and not a thing that they actively supported and lobbied for.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:38 AM on July 26, 2018 [58 favorites]
That's what like 90% of Republicans have done about the Gulf Wars. I mean, it has been wild watching the Right in this country act like the Iraq war was some weird regrettable natural disaster that Obummer really should have done something about and not a thing that they actively supported and lobbied for.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:38 AM on July 26, 2018 [58 favorites]
Jim Jordan has announced his intent to run to replace Ryan as Speaker.
I say do it. Elect him. Winning is easy, governing is harder. Let him deal with the realities of how politics in the Capitol actually work. Let him deal with his own caucus dogging him for every failure. Let him tilt at every fucking stupid windmill and let him whine and bitch and moan when the Senate immediately filibusters the most egregious of his stupidity.
Hell, if people show up and vote Democratic we might not even be subjected to this fucking stupidity.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:40 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
I say do it. Elect him. Winning is easy, governing is harder. Let him deal with the realities of how politics in the Capitol actually work. Let him deal with his own caucus dogging him for every failure. Let him tilt at every fucking stupid windmill and let him whine and bitch and moan when the Senate immediately filibusters the most egregious of his stupidity.
Hell, if people show up and vote Democratic we might not even be subjected to this fucking stupidity.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:40 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Does anyone know if there’s a national protest planned in case of specific evidence of election fraud in the upcoming midterms?
Like if exit polls are off, etc?
posted by schadenfrau at 9:45 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Like if exit polls are off, etc?
posted by schadenfrau at 9:45 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Boston Globe: In Boston, AG Sessions backs Rod Rosenstein:
“Rod Rosenstein is highly capable. . . . I have the highest confidence in him,’’ Sessions said in Boston, where he participated in a news conference announcing a crackdown on undocumented immigrants collecting federal services.posted by adamg at 9:48 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Exit polling is not reliable.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:48 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:48 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
It doesn’t have to be a precision instrument for a large differential to be suspect.
posted by schadenfrau at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
If you want to get real tin-foily (about the last election, or future elections) given the reporting on SCADA systems, maybe even power failures. Traffic jams?
If what Scalefree mentioned, that the SCADA systems for the power grid are properly shielded, holds across most of the US then power blackouts would probably be a tough one to pull off. But traffic jams? Traffic control and information systems tend to be run by municipal authorities, so you have a lot of targets. And they won't all be sufficiently hardened, or resistant against social engineering attacks. Hell, even a malicious (R) operator could 'accidentally' press the wrong button on a traffic control section for a main artery in a (D) area. Or take Hawaii, where a badly designed UI caused major panic because a test message "incoming missile" went out as real, and wasn't quickly revoked. One might hope they cleaned up their act ...
posted by Stoneshop at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
If what Scalefree mentioned, that the SCADA systems for the power grid are properly shielded, holds across most of the US then power blackouts would probably be a tough one to pull off. But traffic jams? Traffic control and information systems tend to be run by municipal authorities, so you have a lot of targets. And they won't all be sufficiently hardened, or resistant against social engineering attacks. Hell, even a malicious (R) operator could 'accidentally' press the wrong button on a traffic control section for a main artery in a (D) area. Or take Hawaii, where a badly designed UI caused major panic because a test message "incoming missile" went out as real, and wasn't quickly revoked. One might hope they cleaned up their act ...
posted by Stoneshop at 9:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, is scrutinizing tweets and negative statements from the president about Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the former F.B.I. director James B. Comey, according to three people briefed on the matter.
As usual, the NYT's Maggie Haberman and Michael Schmidt are serving as communication conduits for Team Trump via anonymous leaking ('cos these three people are not likely DoJ and certainly not Special Counsel investigators). They're letting the so-called "paper of record" serve as a platform for Trump's legal team to test-run their defense and allowing them to characterize the Special Counsel's investigation:
This defense would get Giuliani laughed out of court, but the NYT's article is channelling it as quote-fodder.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:51 AM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
As usual, the NYT's Maggie Haberman and Michael Schmidt are serving as communication conduits for Team Trump via anonymous leaking ('cos these three people are not likely DoJ and certainly not Special Counsel investigators). They're letting the so-called "paper of record" serve as a platform for Trump's legal team to test-run their defense and allowing them to characterize the Special Counsel's investigation:
None of what Mr. Mueller has homed in on constitutes obstruction, Mr. Trump’s lawyers said. They argued that most of the presidential acts under scrutiny, including the firing of Mr. Comey, fall under Mr. Trump’s authority as the head of the executive branch and insisted that he should not even have to answer Mr. Mueller’s questions about obstruction.While the Special Counsel's office once again refuses to comment, Giuliani is happy to throw up a bullshit smokescreen: "Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer in the case, Rudolph W. Giuliani, dismissed Mr. Mueller’s interest in the tweets as part of a desperate quest to sink the president. “If you’re going to obstruct justice, you do it quietly and secretly, not in public,” Mr. Giuliani said."
But privately, some of the lawyers have expressed concern that Mr. Mueller will stitch together several episodes, encounters and pieces of evidence, like the tweets, to build a case that the president embarked on a broad effort to interfere with the investigation. Prosecutors who lack one slam-dunk piece of evidence in obstruction cases often search for a larger pattern of behavior, legal experts said.
The special counsel’s investigators have told Mr. Trump’s lawyers they are examining the tweets under a wide-ranging obstruction-of-justice law beefed up after the Enron accounting scandal, according to the three people. The investigators did not explicitly say they were examining possible witness tampering, but the nature of the questions they want to ask the president, and the fact that they are scrutinizing his actions under a section of the United States Code titled “Tampering With a Witness, Victim, or an Informant,” raised concerns for his lawyers about Mr. Trump’s exposure in the investigation.
This defense would get Giuliani laughed out of court, but the NYT's article is channelling it as quote-fodder.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:51 AM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
>> Jim Jordan has announced his intent to run to replace Ryan as Speaker. As Parker Malloy of Upworthy noted, given his background protecting child predators in wrestling communities, he may actually be the most qualified person to follow in Denny Hastert's footsteps.
> I say do it. Elect him. Winning is easy, governing is harder. ... Let him deal with his own caucus dogging him for every failure.
Unfortunately, if the Democratic party takes a narrow majority in the House, Jim Jordan will make a fine leader for the obstructionist, revanchist, Republican rump caucus who will dig in for trench warfare. But really, a protector of child molestors is a perfectly reasonable representative for the current Republican party, so.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:52 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
> I say do it. Elect him. Winning is easy, governing is harder. ... Let him deal with his own caucus dogging him for every failure.
Unfortunately, if the Democratic party takes a narrow majority in the House, Jim Jordan will make a fine leader for the obstructionist, revanchist, Republican rump caucus who will dig in for trench warfare. But really, a protector of child molestors is a perfectly reasonable representative for the current Republican party, so.
posted by RedOrGreen at 9:52 AM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
It doesn’t have to be a precision instrument for a large differential to be suspect.
Yeah but there's also no secret mainframe underneath the White House with a sign that says "ELECTION RESULTS ALTERING MACHINE - DO NOT TOUCH!"
Wide scale falsification of electoral results in the United States is a ridiculously impossible thing to do.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:52 AM on July 26, 2018
Yeah but there's also no secret mainframe underneath the White House with a sign that says "ELECTION RESULTS ALTERING MACHINE - DO NOT TOUCH!"
Wide scale falsification of electoral results in the United States is a ridiculously impossible thing to do.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:52 AM on July 26, 2018
Every hour, dollar, and any other resource spent trying to convince Trump voters to vote against him is a wasted dollar theat could be used to try and overcome voter suppression, or work on moving the Democrats to the left, or otherwise encourage voters who aren't bigoted idiots to make their voices heard and vote.
...
posted by zombieflanders at 9:21 AM on July 26 [13 favorites +] [!]
I think we're somewhat talking past each other on this topic. Trying to persuade the persuadable isn't the same as trying to convince all Trump voters to abandon him. Elections are won at the margins these days.
Being an evidence-based guy, I would suggest this needs to be focus-grouped to determine whether it will sway enough voters to be useful. And definitely it should not be done at the expense of other effective methods. The Russian efforts can teach us a lot about effective messaging. We just need to use actual facts rather than BS they and the GOP use.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:54 AM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
It doesn’t have to be a precision instrument for a large differential to be suspect.
posted by schadenfrau 2 minutes ago [+] [!]
The theoretical problem with the issue you are proposing (or facing anyone who wanted to, without access to intelligence sources showing individual acts/tactics, show that the election had been thrown one way or another) is that the interference doesnt have to be all that large to be effective. As a thought exercise what if the entire margin of victory in the midwestern swing states was fraudulent? you're still talking about under 100k votes in an election with 123M participants.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:54 AM on July 26, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau 2 minutes ago [+] [!]
The theoretical problem with the issue you are proposing (or facing anyone who wanted to, without access to intelligence sources showing individual acts/tactics, show that the election had been thrown one way or another) is that the interference doesnt have to be all that large to be effective. As a thought exercise what if the entire margin of victory in the midwestern swing states was fraudulent? you're still talking about under 100k votes in an election with 123M participants.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 9:54 AM on July 26, 2018 [14 favorites]
chris24: "Harry Enten (538)
Gov races aren't spoken about enough... That's a place where Dems are going to pickup a lot of seats... Double-digit gain not out of the question at all."
*I* talk about them all the time!
[P.S. - Harry works at CNN now, he left 538 a good while back.]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
Gov races aren't spoken about enough... That's a place where Dems are going to pickup a lot of seats... Double-digit gain not out of the question at all."
*I* talk about them all the time!
[P.S. - Harry works at CNN now, he left 538 a good while back.]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
WaPo Fact Checker analysis: Once again, ‘fake news’ decried by Trump turns out to be true
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:05 AM on July 26, 2018 [43 favorites]
... there have been a number of instances in which the president or his surrogates have flatly denied something — only to have that denial contradicted weeks or months later by new documents or statements. Often, by then the media coverage has moved on to a new controversy.Highlights ("We kept this list to cases in which either the administration admitted or official records showed the initial denial was false.")
- Trump knew nothing about Daniels, McDougal or payoff
- Trump had no role in Trump Jr.’s statement on Russia meeting
- Michael Flynn did not discuss sanctions with the Russians
- Trump did not give classified information to Russia
posted by RedOrGreen at 10:05 AM on July 26, 2018 [43 favorites]
WSJ, Trump Organization Finance Chief Called to Testify Before Federal Grand Jury
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 AM on July 26, 2018 [69 favorites]
Allen Weisselberg, a longtime financial gatekeeper for President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury in the criminal probe of Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, according to people familiar with the investigation.Trump Organization CFO, co-trustee of the business, keeper of the tax returns, hush money payment facilitator. Everything's coming up Weisselberg.
...
Last year, Mr. Weisselberg arranged for the Trump Organization to pay Mr. Cohen, who had in October 2016 made a $130,000 payment to Stephanie Clifford, a former adult-film actress who claimed she had sex with Mr. Trump a decade earlier and agreed to remain quiet about it. Mr. Weisselberg didn’t know about the payment to Ms. Clifford, who goes professionally by Stormy Daniels, when he agreed to a $35,000 monthly retainer for Mr. Cohen, according to a person familiar with Mr. Weisselberg’s thinking.
During his effort to secure the retainer, Mr. Cohen showed Mr. Weisselberg records that he said related to expenditures he had made on behalf of Mr. Trump from his personal home-equity line of credit, this person said.
The other instance emerged this week, in a released audio recording of a September 2016 conversation between Messrs. Trump and Cohen in which the two men discussed buying the rights to a former Playboy model’s story of another affair with Mr. Trump.
In the recording, which Mr. Cohen secretly made and which is under review by federal investigators, Mr. Cohen said he would set up a company to make the payment, adding, “I’ve spoken with Allen Weisselberg about how to set the whole thing up,” before Mr. Trump interrupts him. Later in the conversation, Mr. Cohen reiterates that he “spoke with Allen” about the plan to finance the payment.
posted by zachlipton at 10:09 AM on July 26, 2018 [69 favorites]
I was thinking along the lines of what Mental Wimp says above.
I suspect that there are some low information Trump voters that really did buy into the "successful business man" image and liked the campaign promises. If they exist, these are different folks than the alt-right base.
Anecdotally, I've not met a single Trump voter who regrets their vote, and most are very happy to wear a scarlet T on their heads.
Some people won't acknowledge their doubts to themselves let alone to someone who opposed Trump because it means they were wrong.
If someone can give them a narrative that let's them say "I made the wrong choice because Trump deceived me" that gives them an escape from having to double down on supporting him. This doesn't require changing all of our messaging - parties do different messaging to different groups all the time.
As other folks have suggested there may or may not be enough of a population to make it worthwhile, but it's worth discussing.
posted by duoshao at 10:10 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
I suspect that there are some low information Trump voters that really did buy into the "successful business man" image and liked the campaign promises. If they exist, these are different folks than the alt-right base.
Anecdotally, I've not met a single Trump voter who regrets their vote, and most are very happy to wear a scarlet T on their heads.
Some people won't acknowledge their doubts to themselves let alone to someone who opposed Trump because it means they were wrong.
If someone can give them a narrative that let's them say "I made the wrong choice because Trump deceived me" that gives them an escape from having to double down on supporting him. This doesn't require changing all of our messaging - parties do different messaging to different groups all the time.
As other folks have suggested there may or may not be enough of a population to make it worthwhile, but it's worth discussing.
posted by duoshao at 10:10 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Sounds like Mr. Weisselberg better stay away from open windows and pass on the tea.
posted by banshee at 10:14 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by banshee at 10:14 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Reuters, U.S. threatens sanctions unless Turkey releases American pastor
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to slap “large sanctions” on Turkey unless Ankara freed an American pastor whose detention has further strained relations between the NATO allies.There are huge problems with the Brunson case and the lack of due process, but I have to point out that we're threatening "large sanctions" because of the continued detention of a Christian pastor (indeed, in response to confining him under less restrictive conditions), while Trump said fuck all after Erdogan ordered his thugs to beat American protesters on US soil last year.
The Trump administration escalated the pressure campaign to free Andrew Brunson a day after a court ordered that he be moved to house arrest after 21 months in detention. He is on trial for terrorism charges.
“The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!”
Shortly before, Vice President Mike Pence, a devout Christian, leveled a similar threat directly at Turkey’s president. “To President (Tayyip) Erdogan and the Turkish government, I have a message on behalf of the president of the United States of America: release Pastor Andrew Brunson now or be prepared to face the consequences,” Pence said at a religious freedom event hosted by the U.S. State Department.
posted by zachlipton at 10:16 AM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, In Her Own Words
The idea that we should focus on this middle is such a waste of resources to me. Because here’s the thing — that middle never decides until the week before the election. If you don’t know who you’re voting for the week before the election, no amount of resources is going to make you make that decision earlier.posted by kirkaracha at 10:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [88 favorites]
What you need to do is rally and expand. There were people who had never voted before who were committed to voting for me months before the election because we were speaking to them. They knew that we cared, because I didn’t do this nonsense of only pull up your “triple prime” voters — the people who have voted in the last three primary election — and only talk to those people.
I knew that triple prime was actually not my first priority. I knew it was my second or third priority. The people who are activated, who care about Medicare for All, who care about tuition-free public college — they’re going to be on board first if you take those positions. Those people care enough to actually organize their friends and family.
The "Trump lied/is lying to his base" narrative has been around for ages and doesn't move the needle. The base likes being lied to.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:20 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Also, the farmer's "roundtable" is going great.
@ddale8: Trump says of his new association health plans: "I hear it's like record business that they're doing...we just opened about two months ago, and I'm hearing that the numbers are incredible." The new plans can't be sold until September 1.
WTF? @ddale8: Trump boasts that Ivanka Trump always got great grades, and went to the Wharton School, even though she didn't work hard. He said he used to marvel, "She doesn't work! She doesn't work!"
Now we're going around the table and so everyone can praise him, with rounds of applause after every sentence.
Also, Jim Jordan is officially running for Speaker, because nothing matters.
posted by zachlipton at 10:22 AM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
@ddale8: Trump says of his new association health plans: "I hear it's like record business that they're doing...we just opened about two months ago, and I'm hearing that the numbers are incredible." The new plans can't be sold until September 1.
WTF? @ddale8: Trump boasts that Ivanka Trump always got great grades, and went to the Wharton School, even though she didn't work hard. He said he used to marvel, "She doesn't work! She doesn't work!"
Now we're going around the table and so everyone can praise him, with rounds of applause after every sentence.
Also, Jim Jordan is officially running for Speaker, because nothing matters.
posted by zachlipton at 10:22 AM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Wide scale falsification of electoral results in the United States is a ridiculously impossible thing to do.
You know I hear this all the time but at the same time I hear that almost every single states voting registries were attacked.
If the defense is that it would be difficult, time consuming and laborious I think people wildly underestimate the motivation and incentives for the bad actors in this scenario. The last election was worth $5 billion to the people funding it and that was just the legal funding. $5 billion is the kind of money that makes the impossible possible.
posted by srboisvert at 10:28 AM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
Wide scale falsification of electoral results in the United States is a ridiculously impossible thing to do.
Fortunately our elections are decided by margins in the thousands of votes so wide scale falsification is totally unnecessary.
posted by dilaudid at 10:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
Fortunately our elections are decided by margins in the thousands of votes so wide scale falsification is totally unnecessary.
posted by dilaudid at 10:34 AM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
Trump needs his alternate reality to survive — and he knows it. “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.” - Alvin Chang, Vox
We live in a polarized era — but the problem goes beyond partisan polarization. We live in an age when our political identities have merged with our other identities.posted by ZeusHumms at 10:35 AM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Decades ago, it was more likely for a Democrat to also be, say, a conservative. Today, if you’re a conservative, there’s a high likelihood that you’re a Republican. There’s also a high likelihood that you’re white and Christian. And the flip side is true too: People who are nonwhite, secular, and liberal have aligned with Democrats.
This is called “sorting.”
...
Exploiting those allegiances [created through sorting] is what Fox News and Trump do, and they do it really well.
Fox News’s steady stream of messages affirms its audience’s worldview and enables it to dismiss other media outlets that present evidence of wrongdoing by Trump and his associates.
Fox News and Trump are able to immunize viewers from evidence that contradicts their reality. That reality shows that they were right to choose Trump because he’s creating jobs, lowering unemployment, and securing US borders — and everyone who says otherwise is just trying to undermine a great president.
The "Trump lied/is lying to his base" narrative has been around for ages and doesn't move the needle. The base likes being lied to.
And Daniel Dale notes that Trump's lying more than ever these days: Trump is up to 2,083 false claims as president. His average is up to 3.8 per day.
Trump's Last Six Weeks Are ALL In his Ten Most Dishonest Weeks as President. (Toronto Star)
Meanwhile, Dale's fact-checking/live-blogging the "Make Our Farmers Great Again" Iowa roundtable, for those with the stomach. Trump's stream of bullshit, which defies easy excerpting, could fertilize the entire state.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:41 AM on July 26, 2018 [9 favorites]
And Daniel Dale notes that Trump's lying more than ever these days: Trump is up to 2,083 false claims as president. His average is up to 3.8 per day.
Trump's Last Six Weeks Are ALL In his Ten Most Dishonest Weeks as President. (Toronto Star)
Meanwhile, Dale's fact-checking/live-blogging the "Make Our Farmers Great Again" Iowa roundtable, for those with the stomach. Trump's stream of bullshit, which defies easy excerpting, could fertilize the entire state.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:41 AM on July 26, 2018 [9 favorites]
My theory on "why did Republicans go along with Russian propaganda and hacking," is that, far from being horrified by it, they were envious and saw it as the only way to maintain their hold on power. Just look at North Carolina; they know cheating is the only way to win and they don't give a shit about preserving democracy.
posted by emjaybee at 10:46 AM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
posted by emjaybee at 10:46 AM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
Fox News
Speaking of Overton Windows...
What the fuck are we going to do about Fox News?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:52 AM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Speaking of Overton Windows...
What the fuck are we going to do about Fox News?
posted by schadenfrau at 10:52 AM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Reminder: over 100 wrestlers have come forward with allegations against the team doctor during Jordans tenure as assistant coach, which he says he couldnt have known about despite at least half a dozen former athletes coming forward to say they specifically reported inappropriate conduct to Jordan.
The kicker of this defense is that he is openly admitting he was not a competent wrestling coach and therefore he should be eligible to be the leader of 1/3 of the U.S. government.
Perfectly logical!
posted by srboisvert at 10:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
The kicker of this defense is that he is openly admitting he was not a competent wrestling coach and therefore he should be eligible to be the leader of 1/3 of the U.S. government.
Perfectly logical!
posted by srboisvert at 10:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
@ddale8, 10:16 AM - 26 Jul 2018
posted by kirkaracha at 10:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Trump on Iowa: "There's no place with more advanced thought."My relatives in Missouri say "Iowa" stands for "idiots out wandering around." Surely the truth lies somewhere in between.
posted by kirkaracha at 10:53 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Facebook stock dropped 18.5% in a day.
Josh Marshall @ TPM writes Today’s Facebook Stock Drop Is Only the Beginning
posted by lazaruslong at 10:54 AM on July 26, 2018 [56 favorites]
Josh Marshall @ TPM writes Today’s Facebook Stock Drop Is Only the Beginning
As I wrote back in the Spring, much of Facebook’s competitive advantage is based not only on its use of data (that’s obvious) but on uses of data that would have a hard time withstanding public scrutiny. Facebook executives today are claiming that the softening of the company’s growth outlook is because of their new focus on “security”. Basically, cleaning up the fake news mess and making sure slimeballs are now longer downloading all your personal information means new spending and less aggressive growth. So they’re making a bit less money but it’s in the interest of becoming better corporate citizens. That should be good in general and also good for the business longterm.God I hate FB so much and I really really really love the graph when you look at their 5 day stock price.
I don’t buy it.
Facebook’s degenerate corporate culture and, specifically, its uses of data which may be technically legal (or were) but can’t withstand public scrutiny are at the heart of its business model.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:54 AM on July 26, 2018 [56 favorites]
To put hacking costs into context:
Over $118bn wiped off Facebook's market cap after growth shock
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
Over $118bn wiped off Facebook's market cap after growth shock
More than $118bn (£90bn) has been wiped off Facebook’s market value, including a $16bn hit to the fortune of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, after the company told investors that user growth had slowed in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.That's just a crazy amount of money, one which IMO disproves any argument starting with "it would be too expensive to …"
posted by Joe in Australia at 10:57 AM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
> As other folks have suggested there may or may not be enough of a population to make it worthwhile, but it's worth discussing.
Sure, let's discuss, but the burden of proof is on those who want to keep trying the thing that's failed so many times.
The AOC quote above is a succinct summary of why it hasn't worked. Even if you get some of these people, you won't have any certainty about it, which adds uncertainty to your other resource allocations. It's easy to look at Clinton's 2016 results and say she should have campaigned more in the states where she came up just short, but making those kind of decisions a week or two before it's too late requires a very clear picture that suddenly becomes very fuzzy. The direct cost in dollars/hours of doing the focus groups and reaching those persuadable independents doesn't even have to be high in order to make it something that confounds the rest of your analysis.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:58 AM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
Sure, let's discuss, but the burden of proof is on those who want to keep trying the thing that's failed so many times.
The AOC quote above is a succinct summary of why it hasn't worked. Even if you get some of these people, you won't have any certainty about it, which adds uncertainty to your other resource allocations. It's easy to look at Clinton's 2016 results and say she should have campaigned more in the states where she came up just short, but making those kind of decisions a week or two before it's too late requires a very clear picture that suddenly becomes very fuzzy. The direct cost in dollars/hours of doing the focus groups and reaching those persuadable independents doesn't even have to be high in order to make it something that confounds the rest of your analysis.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:58 AM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
If what Scalefree mentioned, that the SCADA systems for the power grid are properly shielded, holds across most of the US then power blackouts would probably be a tough one to pull off.
That's at the grid level. Individual utilities, probably not so much. But you'd need to own many of them to pull off a large scale effect. The more of them you hack, the more you expose yourself - Locard's Principle.
posted by scalefree at 11:01 AM on July 26, 2018
That's at the grid level. Individual utilities, probably not so much. But you'd need to own many of them to pull off a large scale effect. The more of them you hack, the more you expose yourself - Locard's Principle.
posted by scalefree at 11:01 AM on July 26, 2018
The "Trump lied/is lying to his base" narrative has been around for ages and doesn't move the needle. The base likes being lied to.
I am very much not in their heads, so I could be totally wrong about this. But it seems like there's a big difference between "Trump lies all the time" and "Trump lied to me". With the former, it's just how people in politics fight and get things done. You want someone who plays dirty on your team. With the latter, you see that the dirty-fighting politician isn't actually on your team.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:04 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
I am very much not in their heads, so I could be totally wrong about this. But it seems like there's a big difference between "Trump lies all the time" and "Trump lied to me". With the former, it's just how people in politics fight and get things done. You want someone who plays dirty on your team. With the latter, you see that the dirty-fighting politician isn't actually on your team.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 11:04 AM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Since we're all about getting into Trump voters' heads, here's a sample from that alternate reality.
[video] @marceldirsus Trump supporter: "I want a president who's going to rule with an iron fist"
posted by scalefree at 11:05 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
[video] @marceldirsus Trump supporter: "I want a president who's going to rule with an iron fist"
posted by scalefree at 11:05 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Trump on Iowa: "There's no place with more advanced thought."
He's a fake and he doesn't know the territory.
Oh, but he does. "Advanced thought" is as much a racist dogwhistle as calling Maxine Waters a "very low IQ person," and Iowa is in the top 5 states for Advanced Thinkers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:07 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
He's a fake and he doesn't know the territory.
Oh, but he does. "Advanced thought" is as much a racist dogwhistle as calling Maxine Waters a "very low IQ person," and Iowa is in the top 5 states for Advanced Thinkers.
posted by Rust Moranis at 11:07 AM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
He's a fake and he doesn't know the territory.
Are certain words creeping into his conversation? Words like "tapp" and "covfefe"? If so my friends, ya got trouble!
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:12 AM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
Are certain words creeping into his conversation? Words like "tapp" and "covfefe"? If so my friends, ya got trouble!
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:12 AM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
"Trump lied to me:
...but it's the Democrats' fault."
...but at least he's getting things done."
...but all politicians lie."
...but you think HILLARY would have been better?"
...but I'm not worried about myself, I'll take the economic hit if it means we get our country back."
They will always have a reason to keep supporting him.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:15 AM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
...but it's the Democrats' fault."
...but at least he's getting things done."
...but all politicians lie."
...but you think HILLARY would have been better?"
...but I'm not worried about myself, I'll take the economic hit if it means we get our country back."
They will always have a reason to keep supporting him.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:15 AM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
You can definitely turn a nontrivial number Trump supporters if you can convince them he's insincere in his racism. Unfortunately, he's not.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:19 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:19 AM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Omarosa's surprise book: 'Unhinged' will come out in August:
Thursday's announcement said little about the contents of Manigault-Newman's book, except this: "A stunning tell-all and takedown from a strong, intelligent woman who took every name and number, UNHINGED is a must-read for any concerned citizen."
posted by octothorpe at 11:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Thursday's announcement said little about the contents of Manigault-Newman's book, except this: "A stunning tell-all and takedown from a strong, intelligent woman who took every name and number, UNHINGED is a must-read for any concerned citizen."
posted by octothorpe at 11:26 AM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Are certain words creeping into his conversation? Words like "tapp" and "covfefe"? If so my friends, ya got trouble!
Not so far but there was this . . . idiosyncratic . . . rednition of "auspicious"
its like a spoken covfefe.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:30 AM on July 26, 2018
Not so far but there was this . . . idiosyncratic . . . rednition of "auspicious"
its like a spoken covfefe.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:30 AM on July 26, 2018
Omarosa's book? Oh look! More grifters grifting!
posted by Sublimity at 11:31 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Sublimity at 11:31 AM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Every hour, dollar, and any other resource spent trying to convince Trump voters to vote against him is a wasted dollar theat could be used to try and overcome voter suppression
I think we are actually talking past each other. I'm not saying "Who should Democrats focus most of their electoral attention on?" I'm saying, "We are going to have to turn this entire fascist ship or we are going to have huge problems in this country." Getting Trump and his people out of office is one facet of that, but we're also going to have to change the entire discourse - meaning, Trumpists need to be primaried and shamed and gotten off the national news. We need to shift the Overton window such that Nazis aren't marching in the streets anymore.
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face. Things like "I never liked what Trump was doing, I just felt the Supreme Court was important but now that that's done, I'm happy to vote him out and be done with that influence in politics!" Even if it's a lie. Even if they stood in crowds and chanted "Lock Her Up". Even if they donated money to his campaign because they liked the way he 'made the libs cry'. If you can convince them to tell an alternative story of their lives, that is the story they will believe and move forward with. It doesn't matter if it's true, as long as we can lock fascism back into the box and move back to democracy.
posted by corb at 11:33 AM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
I think we are actually talking past each other. I'm not saying "Who should Democrats focus most of their electoral attention on?" I'm saying, "We are going to have to turn this entire fascist ship or we are going to have huge problems in this country." Getting Trump and his people out of office is one facet of that, but we're also going to have to change the entire discourse - meaning, Trumpists need to be primaried and shamed and gotten off the national news. We need to shift the Overton window such that Nazis aren't marching in the streets anymore.
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face. Things like "I never liked what Trump was doing, I just felt the Supreme Court was important but now that that's done, I'm happy to vote him out and be done with that influence in politics!" Even if it's a lie. Even if they stood in crowds and chanted "Lock Her Up". Even if they donated money to his campaign because they liked the way he 'made the libs cry'. If you can convince them to tell an alternative story of their lives, that is the story they will believe and move forward with. It doesn't matter if it's true, as long as we can lock fascism back into the box and move back to democracy.
posted by corb at 11:33 AM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
So this is, how do they say it, Omarosa's hero turn?
posted by notyou at 11:33 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 11:33 AM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm saying, "We are going to have to turn this entire fascist ship or we are going to have huge problems in this country.
The plurality of people who are not only allowing, but actually applauding the fascism on this ship ARE the huge problem facing this country.
""I want a president who's going to rule with an iron fist— finally. Somebody who's going to stand up for America.""
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:44 AM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
The plurality of people who are not only allowing, but actually applauding the fascism on this ship ARE the huge problem facing this country.
""I want a president who's going to rule with an iron fist— finally. Somebody who's going to stand up for America.""
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 11:44 AM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
It doesn't matter if it's true, as long as we can lock fascism back into the box and move back to democracy.
Unfortunately for the fascists and for us it doesn’t really work like that.
posted by Artw at 11:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Unfortunately for the fascists and for us it doesn’t really work like that.
posted by Artw at 11:49 AM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
We need to shift the Overton window such that Nazis aren't marching in the streets anymore.
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
1000% disagree. They can invent their own fictions; maybe we'll believe them, maybe not. If we make the cost of being a Nazi high enough, maybe they'll have the motivation to take these face-saving steps. But it's on them to do that work. They should be familiar with the concept of pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps; it's been central to their political ideology thus far.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
1000% disagree. They can invent their own fictions; maybe we'll believe them, maybe not. If we make the cost of being a Nazi high enough, maybe they'll have the motivation to take these face-saving steps. But it's on them to do that work. They should be familiar with the concept of pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps; it's been central to their political ideology thus far.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:55 AM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
If you can convince them to tell an alternative story of their lives, that is the story they will believe and move forward with. It doesn't matter if it's true, as long as we can lock fascism back into the box and move back to democracy.
Pretty sure that people being allowed and encouraged to deny objective reality, lie to themselves, pretend to hold X or Y value while acting the opposite, rationalize any old morally appalling action while feeling great about themselves, and dodge every possible consequence of their own choices and actions is a big part of how we got into this abysmal dystopia to begin with.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
Pretty sure that people being allowed and encouraged to deny objective reality, lie to themselves, pretend to hold X or Y value while acting the opposite, rationalize any old morally appalling action while feeling great about themselves, and dodge every possible consequence of their own choices and actions is a big part of how we got into this abysmal dystopia to begin with.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
As an Iowan, I feel we've had a few advanced-thinking moments, most memorably January 3, 2008. Trump didn't have that in mind, I'm sure.
Some low moments since then tho
posted by Caxton1476 at 12:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Some low moments since then tho
posted by Caxton1476 at 12:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Why do we have to understand why Trump voters are supporting Trump? I honestly don't give a shit anymore.
posted by bluesky43 at 12:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [72 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 12:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [72 favorites]
If we make the cost of being a Nazi high enough, maybe they'll have the motivation to take these face-saving steps.
Exactly. What locks extremist regimes and popular support for them back in the box is truth and reconciliation, not Minnesota nice. But then, I'm more interested in eradicating fascism than making sure fascists and sympathizers don't get hurt feelings.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Exactly. What locks extremist regimes and popular support for them back in the box is truth and reconciliation, not Minnesota nice. But then, I'm more interested in eradicating fascism than making sure fascists and sympathizers don't get hurt feelings.
posted by FelliniBlank at 12:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
That's just a crazy amount of money, one which IMO disproves any argument starting with "it would be too expensive to …"
Wealth is a consensual hallucination, and people like Zuck are a bad trip.
posted by Foosnark at 12:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Wealth is a consensual hallucination, and people like Zuck are a bad trip.
posted by Foosnark at 12:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
It is odd that Iron-fist-Lady developed her political preferences AFTER the exit of "coming for your guns, forcing you to get gay married, easy with the executive orders, death-panel" Obama.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:14 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 12:14 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
[video] @marceldirsus Trump supporter: "I want a president who's going to rule with an iron fist"
Seems like only yesterday they were crying about the Tyrant Obama. How quickly they grow up.
posted by scalefree at 12:15 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
Seems like only yesterday they were crying about the Tyrant Obama. How quickly they grow up.
posted by scalefree at 12:15 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
They want someone who will rule with an iron fist by removing all regulations. Ok, not all regulations. Just all the regulations that apply to them. Ok, not rule them with an iron fist. Rule other people with an iron fist. People they don't like. Other people.
The three acts of Leopard Facade Dining - Voting Rights à la King:
Poor MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 24TH AMENDMENT!"
Female MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 19TH AMENDMENT!"
Black MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 15TH, 14TH, AND 13TH AMENDMENTS!"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
The three acts of Leopard Facade Dining - Voting Rights à la King:
Poor MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 24TH AMENDMENT!"
Female MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 19TH AMENDMENT!"
Black MAGA: "WHEN I SAID MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN I DIDN'T MEAN REPEALING THE 15TH, 14TH, AND 13TH AMENDMENTS!"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
I don't think you're wrong here. I'm sure there are many instances where this kind of pitch might be sufficient. But as an answer to a broader problem—the metastasizing of fascism—it at best merely pushes the emergency a little farther down the road, at worst is entirely inadequate. White Supremacy, frankly, is a convenient enough fiction for too many people already; and one they have no interest in swapping for another. Too many don't want to excuse their embrace of Trumpism as a mistake—they like it. And if that means bowing to an iron-fisted ruler, then many of them will be happy to do that, too. First, the addict has to want to get clean.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:20 PM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
I don't think you're wrong here. I'm sure there are many instances where this kind of pitch might be sufficient. But as an answer to a broader problem—the metastasizing of fascism—it at best merely pushes the emergency a little farther down the road, at worst is entirely inadequate. White Supremacy, frankly, is a convenient enough fiction for too many people already; and one they have no interest in swapping for another. Too many don't want to excuse their embrace of Trumpism as a mistake—they like it. And if that means bowing to an iron-fisted ruler, then many of them will be happy to do that, too. First, the addict has to want to get clean.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:20 PM on July 26, 2018 [18 favorites]
They're not against tyranny, they just want the tyrant to be on their side. Just like during the election many people noted that Trump being a con-artist was fine with them because he openly promised to be a con-artist for them. There are plenty of people who know full well* that they'd do just fine under fascism and are thus totally fine with fascism.
*(Let's face it, not everyone is going to get their face eaten. Not everyone is honest about their own eaten-face potential, but that doesn't mean 100% of faces will be eaten and a certain percentage of the low-eaten-face-potential citizenry know it and celebrate it. I mean, in a world of eaten faces, the face-having are kings, right?)
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:20 PM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
*(Let's face it, not everyone is going to get their face eaten. Not everyone is honest about their own eaten-face potential, but that doesn't mean 100% of faces will be eaten and a certain percentage of the low-eaten-face-potential citizenry know it and celebrate it. I mean, in a world of eaten faces, the face-having are kings, right?)
posted by soren_lorensen at 12:20 PM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
It doesn't matter if it's true, as long as we can lock fascism back into the box and move back to democracy.
This would require pretending that fascism came out of the box with Trump's nomination, and not before.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
This would require pretending that fascism came out of the box with Trump's nomination, and not before.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 12:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Today in Bad Governance:
Trump promised them better, cheaper health care. It’s not happening. A key small business group says Trump’s new insurance rules are unworkable, after pushing the idea for nearly 20 years.
Trump promised them better, cheaper health care. It’s not happening. A key small business group says Trump’s new insurance rules are unworkable, after pushing the idea for nearly 20 years.
President Donald Trump handed an influential business advocacy group what should have been a historic lobbying victory when he recently rolled out new rules encouraging small businesses to band together to offer health insurance.posted by scalefree at 12:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Trump, who’s touted the expansion of so-called association health plans as a key plank in his strategy to tear down Obamacare, even announced the rules at the 75th anniversary party of the National Federation of Independent Business last month, claiming the group’s members will save “massive amounts of money” and have better care if they join forces to offer coverage to workers.
But the NFIB, which vigorously promoted association health plans for two decades, now says it won’t set one up, describing the new Trump rules as unworkable. And the NFIB isn’t the only one: Several of the nationwide trade groups that cheered Trump’s new insurance rules told POLITICO they’re still trying to figure out how to take advantage of them and whether the effort is even worth it.
That could signal there’s minimal early interest in an initiative the administration says will help lower health care costs — and one that Trump himself has prematurely hailed as a wild success. Trump falsely claimed during rallies in recent weeks that “millions” are signing up, though the new health plans can’t be sold until Sept. 1.
WSJ confirms that "US Person 2" from the Maria Butina arrest affadavit is George O'Neill Jr.
posted by pjenks at 12:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by pjenks at 12:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Bloomberg has an interesting look at George O'Neill Jr: At Rockefeller Heir's Dinner, Accused Russian Butina Hobnobbed With D.C. Elites. We have an honest-to-goodness Rockefeller ensnared in this mess now. Polly Mosendz is so good, and underrated.
posted by zachlipton at 12:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 12:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Who's George O'Neill Jr?
O’Neill Hosted a Dinner in February 2017 for Russian Officials & U.S. Conservatives
posted by bluesky43 at 12:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
O’Neill Hosted a Dinner in February 2017 for Russian Officials & U.S. Conservatives
posted by bluesky43 at 12:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
People who relentlessly support Trump are convinced they're on that list - and many of them are correct in that assessment.
While I agree with you completely, it's the ones who are not on the list who think they are (and who aspire to be) that are going to get a big ugly surprise when they learn, "Hey! Why am I not on this list? I deserve to be on the list! I'm not like THOSE people."
posted by Sophie1 at 12:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
While I agree with you completely, it's the ones who are not on the list who think they are (and who aspire to be) that are going to get a big ugly surprise when they learn, "Hey! Why am I not on this list? I deserve to be on the list! I'm not like THOSE people."
posted by Sophie1 at 12:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Omarosa's book? Oh look! More grifters grifting!
Meanwhile, Trump promotes Jeanine Pirro's new book in Oval Office (@TheHill)
This is, of course, a flagrant violation—with pix!—of U.S.C. 5 CFR 2635.702 - Use of public office for private gain.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:53 PM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
Meanwhile, Trump promotes Jeanine Pirro's new book in Oval Office (@TheHill)
This is, of course, a flagrant violation—with pix!—of U.S.C. 5 CFR 2635.702 - Use of public office for private gain.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:53 PM on July 26, 2018 [26 favorites]
Literally everyone is on the list. The Nazis would have gotten around to everybody eventually. It's a death cult.
posted by Yowser at 12:54 PM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Yowser at 12:54 PM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
Doktor Zed: This is, of course, a flagrant violation—with pix!—of U.S.C. 5 CFR 2635.702 - Use of public office for private gain.
A lot of people have pointed out that law specifically exempts the President from the definition of "employees" -- but it looks to me (I am very much not a lawyer!) like the exemption itself has an exemption, " For purposes other than subparts B and C of this part", and that the Pirro endorsement violates both those subparts.
That link has examples of what would be prohibited, and I don't know what their source is (probably not the law itself?) but one example in subpart C amused me: An Assistant Attorney General may not use his official title or refer to his Government position in a book jacket endorsement of a novel about organized crime written by an author whose work he admires. Nor may he do so in a book review published in a newspaper.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
A lot of people have pointed out that law specifically exempts the President from the definition of "employees" -- but it looks to me (I am very much not a lawyer!) like the exemption itself has an exemption, " For purposes other than subparts B and C of this part", and that the Pirro endorsement violates both those subparts.
That link has examples of what would be prohibited, and I don't know what their source is (probably not the law itself?) but one example in subpart C amused me: An Assistant Attorney General may not use his official title or refer to his Government position in a book jacket endorsement of a novel about organized crime written by an author whose work he admires. Nor may he do so in a book review published in a newspaper.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
People who relentlessly support Trump are convinced they're on that list - and many of them are correct in that assessment.
I'm not sure there are enough people on that list to qualify as "many." There's Trump's immediate family, people with a net worth of $1 billion or more who haven't publicly opposed him, and....who else is untouchable by this GOP? Netanyahu?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm not sure there are enough people on that list to qualify as "many." There's Trump's immediate family, people with a net worth of $1 billion or more who haven't publicly opposed him, and....who else is untouchable by this GOP? Netanyahu?
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 1:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
While I agree with you completely, it's the ones who are not on the list who think they are (and who aspire to be) that are going to get a big ugly surprise when they learn, "Hey! Why am I not on this list? I deserve to be on the list! I'm not like THOSE people."
Witness all these people with "good" undocumenteds in the family surprised that ICE is all of a sudden breaking down their door.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 1:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Witness all these people with "good" undocumenteds in the family surprised that ICE is all of a sudden breaking down their door.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 1:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
So this is, how do they say it, Omarosa's hero turn?
Face turn.
posted by The Tensor at 1:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Face turn.
posted by The Tensor at 1:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
WSJ, Valentina Pop and Vivian Salama, Juncker’s Trade Pitch to Trump: ‘I Can Be Stupid, as Well’
posted by zachlipton at 1:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [40 favorites]
Mr. Juncker grabbed the opportunity to argue that both sides need to refrain from further punitive tariffs or they would foolishly harm themselves.Fun fact: the EU was going to buy more US natural gas and soybeans anyway. The only thing that came out of this agreement was a vague commitment to what we were vaguely committed to doing before all the bluster.
“If you want to be stupid,” he told Mr. Trump, “I can be stupid, as well.”
Backing up his points, Mr. Juncker flipped through more than a dozen colorful cue cards with simplified explainers, the senior EU official said. Each card had at most three figures about a specific topic, such as trade in cars or standards for medical devices.
“We knew this wasn’t an academic seminar,” the EU official said. “It had to be very simple.”
...
When a deal looked near after almost three hours of talks, Mr. Trump said he wanted to hold a joint news conference and announce the good news. Mr. Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin disappeared for more than half an hour in a room to fine-tune the language of the joint statement, U.S. and EU officials said.
“Suddenly Trump came out into our group and asked, ‘So, where are we now? Where is the statement?’ ” the EU official said. “We said, ‘We haven’t seen it yet, because your people are still negotiating among themselves.’ ”
posted by zachlipton at 1:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [40 favorites]
Or is promoting the fucking Beach Boys somehow carved out of the statute?
I guess it just wasn’t made for these crimes.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [49 favorites]
I guess it just wasn’t made for these crimes.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [49 favorites]
I want to jump back to something that happened this morning for a minute.
@realDonaldTrump: Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.
This was prompted by a deeply irresponsible Vice story yesterday by Alex Thompson: Twitter is shadow banning prominent Republicans like the RNC chair and Trump Jr.’s spokesman (the headline has since been updated to say "Twitter appears to have fixed" this).
The premise of the story is that typing "ronna mcdaniel" into the Twitter search box doesn't automatically autocomplete to the RNC chair's account, and the same for a bunch of Freedom Caucus folks. And that doesn't happen for a bunch of Democrats the reporter selected. Ok, that's really more of a search demotion than "shadow banning," but I'll grant it makes some accounts harder to access. The article goes on to quote an expert who says the opposite of what the reporter is arguing:
So when the article came out, people immediately noted that it would be quoted in bad faith by Republicans. Thompson didn't care: "Politicians may quote this story in bad faith. They probably will. That's what politicians often do. But the story is true and newsworthy." If you're outright acknowledging that politicians will quote your work in bad faith, you're a troll, not a journalist. Especially in 2018, there's an affirmative duty to do what you can to stop powerful people from actively misusing your work in bad faith. That doesn't mean killing a story, but it does mean getting it right and framing it appropriately instead of chasing sensationalism; Thompson did the opposite.
Then this nonsense makes its way to the President, or Scavino anyway, who uses the authority of the Oval Office to proclaim the search autocomplete decisions of a private company to be "discriminatory" and "illegal" and promises a government investigation. You would think an actual reporter would be concerned that people are being accused of non-existent crimes based on his work, but Thompson doesn't appear to care.
And the sad thing is, there's an actual interesting story behind all this. Twitter says that the mechanism that hid accounts from the autocomplete box is "based on account *behavior* not the content of Tweets" and pointed to a blog post on addressing "troll-like behaviors." So the really interesting question isn't "OMG why are they censoring conservatives?"; it's "what are these conservatives doing that trips a partisan-neutral troll detection algorithm in a way that Democrats generally don't?" Maybe the algorithm is just crap—lots of things Twitter builds are—, but understanding why it's happening is a much more fascinating discussion than shouting bias and going about your day. I'm not sure it's answerable, since Twitter's not going to tell you how the black box works, but they did provide a clue today:
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.
This was prompted by a deeply irresponsible Vice story yesterday by Alex Thompson: Twitter is shadow banning prominent Republicans like the RNC chair and Trump Jr.’s spokesman (the headline has since been updated to say "Twitter appears to have fixed" this).
The premise of the story is that typing "ronna mcdaniel" into the Twitter search box doesn't automatically autocomplete to the RNC chair's account, and the same for a bunch of Freedom Caucus folks. And that doesn't happen for a bunch of Democrats the reporter selected. Ok, that's really more of a search demotion than "shadow banning," but I'll grant it makes some accounts harder to access. The article goes on to quote an expert who says the opposite of what the reporter is arguing:
“This isn’t evidence of a pattern of anti-conservative bias since some Republicans still appear and some don’t. This just appears to be a cluster of conservatives who have been affected,” said New York Law School Professor Ari Ezra Waldman, who testified at the House Judiciary Committee’s April hearing on social media filtering and is the author of Privacy as Trust: Information Privacy for an Information Age. “If anything, it appears that Twitter’s technology for minimizing accounts instead of banning them just isn’t very good.”Also, the story takes seriously the idea that Don Jr's spokesman, a guy who speaks for someone who is not supposed to be involved with the government because he's supposed to be off running the business, is a "prominent Republican," but that's the least of the errors here. The reporter also cites Diamond and Silk's complaints to demonstrate a larger problem, even while acknowledging "some evidence" that they weren't true. And it turns out the same thing happens for some leftists, but that's not in the article either. Twitter, for their part, appears to have the world's worst PR staff and completely screwed up their response.
So when the article came out, people immediately noted that it would be quoted in bad faith by Republicans. Thompson didn't care: "Politicians may quote this story in bad faith. They probably will. That's what politicians often do. But the story is true and newsworthy." If you're outright acknowledging that politicians will quote your work in bad faith, you're a troll, not a journalist. Especially in 2018, there's an affirmative duty to do what you can to stop powerful people from actively misusing your work in bad faith. That doesn't mean killing a story, but it does mean getting it right and framing it appropriately instead of chasing sensationalism; Thompson did the opposite.
Then this nonsense makes its way to the President, or Scavino anyway, who uses the authority of the Oval Office to proclaim the search autocomplete decisions of a private company to be "discriminatory" and "illegal" and promises a government investigation. You would think an actual reporter would be concerned that people are being accused of non-existent crimes based on his work, but Thompson doesn't appear to care.
And the sad thing is, there's an actual interesting story behind all this. Twitter says that the mechanism that hid accounts from the autocomplete box is "based on account *behavior* not the content of Tweets" and pointed to a blog post on addressing "troll-like behaviors." So the really interesting question isn't "OMG why are they censoring conservatives?"; it's "what are these conservatives doing that trips a partisan-neutral troll detection algorithm in a way that Democrats generally don't?" Maybe the algorithm is just crap—lots of things Twitter builds are—, but understanding why it's happening is a much more fascinating discussion than shouting bias and going about your day. I'm not sure it's answerable, since Twitter's not going to tell you how the black box works, but they did provide a clue today:
“If you send a tweet and 45 accounts we think are really trolly are all replying a hundred times, and you’re retweeting a hundred of them, we’re not looking at that and saying, ‘This is a political viewpoint.’ We’re looking at the behavior surrounding the tweet,” the spokesperson said.That's a far more interesting situation to dig into, but there's zero chance the President will ragetweet about it, so Thompson took the easy way out.
posted by zachlipton at 1:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
Literally everyone is on the list. The Nazis would have gotten around to everybody eventually. It's a death cult.
posted by Yowser at 12:54 PM on July 26 [6 favorites +] [!]
And supporters know that the way to stay off the list as long as possible is to constantly express full-throated support for the leopards eating people's faces.
That's not to say this generalization applies to every single supporter. If, let's say, 10% of Trump voters are persuadable, that's a worthwhile chunk of voters to go after and figuring out how to sway them is a worthwhile endeavor. The other 90%? Fuggedaboutit!
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:25 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Yowser at 12:54 PM on July 26 [6 favorites +] [!]
And supporters know that the way to stay off the list as long as possible is to constantly express full-throated support for the leopards eating people's faces.
That's not to say this generalization applies to every single supporter. If, let's say, 10% of Trump voters are persuadable, that's a worthwhile chunk of voters to go after and figuring out how to sway them is a worthwhile endeavor. The other 90%? Fuggedaboutit!
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:25 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
We need to shift the Overton window such that Nazis aren't marching in the streets anymore.
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
1000% disagree. They can invent their own fictions; maybe we'll believe them, maybe not.
Two things, in reverse order: they don't give a tin fuck if "we" the left/Democrats/people not in their little local coffee klatch believe it. They care if the people in their own personal identity space believe it. So if we stipulate that this is a thing that needs to happen then it doesn't matter if it's an explanation that works for us-the-non-Rs any more than it matters that Ms Iron Fist upthread has a belief that survives publication. It's not for us.
Second, no, we - the we that is us (1) non-Rs and (2) the you who are corb/whoever will go right back to being Republicans and voting for Republicans the second the Trumpist contingent marginally simmers down on their overt displays of white nationalism - do not have to provide these people a fiction at all. The you that needs to do so are the you who want there to still be an operational Republican party out there voting for Republicans and forwarding staunch Republican obsessions that said you still want to put forth, like effectively unfettered 2nd Amendment rights. Police your own crowd. One top mistake the Democratic party has made over the almost five decades I have been alive is trying way too hard to accommodate the feefees of Republicans in ways Republicans never do for anyone outside their own tribe. (see: "Fuck your feelings," etc)
We who are not-Republican have a face-saving mechanism on offer and plenty of people take it up. It's called "I used to be Republican and then I came to realize they didn't reflect my values and now I am" a Dem/DemSoc/whateverthefuck and I no longer vote Republican. Look around, people offer this explanation all the time. They don't want to take it? Then we can't help them. If they need to continue to be Republicans then it is up to Republicans to create this narrative.
That's not something I say out of a desire to be harsh or spiteful, though I am not going to lose any sleep over it seeming thus, but because (1) Democrats et all cannot provide a fig leaf for these folks that they will have any interest in putting on and (2) Democrats cannot be Democrats and simultaneously be expending effort on giving people applause for being not-Democrats.
tl;dr: fix your own shit, we got our own identity things we need to focus on.
posted by phearlez at 1:27 PM on July 26, 2018 [39 favorites]
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
1000% disagree. They can invent their own fictions; maybe we'll believe them, maybe not.
Two things, in reverse order: they don't give a tin fuck if "we" the left/Democrats/people not in their little local coffee klatch believe it. They care if the people in their own personal identity space believe it. So if we stipulate that this is a thing that needs to happen then it doesn't matter if it's an explanation that works for us-the-non-Rs any more than it matters that Ms Iron Fist upthread has a belief that survives publication. It's not for us.
Second, no, we - the we that is us (1) non-Rs and (2) the you who are corb/whoever will go right back to being Republicans and voting for Republicans the second the Trumpist contingent marginally simmers down on their overt displays of white nationalism - do not have to provide these people a fiction at all. The you that needs to do so are the you who want there to still be an operational Republican party out there voting for Republicans and forwarding staunch Republican obsessions that said you still want to put forth, like effectively unfettered 2nd Amendment rights. Police your own crowd. One top mistake the Democratic party has made over the almost five decades I have been alive is trying way too hard to accommodate the feefees of Republicans in ways Republicans never do for anyone outside their own tribe. (see: "Fuck your feelings," etc)
We who are not-Republican have a face-saving mechanism on offer and plenty of people take it up. It's called "I used to be Republican and then I came to realize they didn't reflect my values and now I am" a Dem/DemSoc/whateverthefuck and I no longer vote Republican. Look around, people offer this explanation all the time. They don't want to take it? Then we can't help them. If they need to continue to be Republicans then it is up to Republicans to create this narrative.
That's not something I say out of a desire to be harsh or spiteful, though I am not going to lose any sleep over it seeming thus, but because (1) Democrats et all cannot provide a fig leaf for these folks that they will have any interest in putting on and (2) Democrats cannot be Democrats and simultaneously be expending effort on giving people applause for being not-Democrats.
tl;dr: fix your own shit, we got our own identity things we need to focus on.
posted by phearlez at 1:27 PM on July 26, 2018 [39 favorites]
The whole "first they came for . . ." thing does not work for people who are confident they will never be the ones for whom the baddies come and who actively want the baddies to come after everyone else on the list. There are people whom the Nazis never went after and never would have.
This Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote appeared in my Twitter feed today:
This Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote appeared in my Twitter feed today:
Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed- in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.posted by Johnny Wallflower at 1:29 PM on July 26, 2018 [64 favorites]
Twitter, for their part, appears to have the world's worst PR staff and completely screwed up their response everything.
Made that evergreen for ya
posted by phearlez at 1:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Made that evergreen for ya
posted by phearlez at 1:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
538 looks at whether building concentration camps for babies had any effect on Trump's approval or the generic ballot. TL;dr - not particularly.
Welp.
posted by Justinian at 1:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
Welp.
posted by Justinian at 1:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
Omarosa's surprise book: 'Unhinged' will come out in August:
So, an autobiography?
posted by JackFlash at 1:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
So, an autobiography?
posted by JackFlash at 1:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
So the cure for decades of deceit and self-deception is more deceit and self-deception?
Lies -- its the Republican Way. They just can't quit you.
posted by JackFlash at 1:42 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
So the cure for decades of deceit and self-deception is more deceit and self-deception?
Lies -- its the Republican Way. They just can't quit you.
posted by JackFlash at 1:42 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
On twitter, Jos Truitt has some interesting thoughts on the intersection of the American Christian Right and Russian Orthodoxy, its relation to the cult of Trump, and the normalization of Putin.
Thread—
Thread—
Part of why the red scare and "it's a distraction" reactions to Trump and Putin are so personally disturbing to me is that this unholy alliance between the US and Russia has been my nightmare for a long time because of my own #EmptyThePews story.posted by octobersurprise at 1:42 PM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
538 looks at whether building concentration camps for babies had any effect on Trump's approval or the generic ballot. TL;dr - not particularly.
Honestly I wouldn’t expect it to do anything there - those values are maxed out. I’d hope it would shock enough people to increase turnout and activism though.
posted by Artw at 1:45 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Honestly I wouldn’t expect it to do anything there - those values are maxed out. I’d hope it would shock enough people to increase turnout and activism though.
posted by Artw at 1:45 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice
I mean, he's not wrong that prominent Republicans are a de facto protected class. Good luck pursuing this as somehow "illegal," though.
posted by Rykey at 1:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
I mean, he's not wrong that prominent Republicans are a de facto protected class. Good luck pursuing this as somehow "illegal," though.
posted by Rykey at 1:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
tl;dr: fix your own shit, we got our own identity things we need to focus on.
Which they will never do, of course. They haven't even admitted being largely responsible for where we are now. The same ideology that venerates personal responsibility seems wholly incapable of taking any personal responsibility at all in being complicit in enabling fascism, and shows no sign of starting anytime soon.
posted by zombieflanders at 1:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
Which they will never do, of course. They haven't even admitted being largely responsible for where we are now. The same ideology that venerates personal responsibility seems wholly incapable of taking any personal responsibility at all in being complicit in enabling fascism, and shows no sign of starting anytime soon.
posted by zombieflanders at 1:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
And one part of that is going to be giving people a convenient fiction to hold onto and save face.
So the cure for decades of deceit and self-deception is more deceit and self-deception?
Many centrists in 1920s Germany had this exact same conversation about letting conservatives believe the stab-in-the-back myth, that they might save face and move on from the thought that their belligerent nationalist stupidity was what led to their kids dying for no reason in the Great War. Hindsight allows us to render judgment on the "fight stupid bullshit with stupid bullshit" stratagem.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
So the cure for decades of deceit and self-deception is more deceit and self-deception?
Many centrists in 1920s Germany had this exact same conversation about letting conservatives believe the stab-in-the-back myth, that they might save face and move on from the thought that their belligerent nationalist stupidity was what led to their kids dying for no reason in the Great War. Hindsight allows us to render judgment on the "fight stupid bullshit with stupid bullshit" stratagem.
posted by Rust Moranis at 1:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
@realDonaldTrump: Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice
Shumer should butter Trump up a bit and get the Fairness Doctrine reinstated.
posted by PenDevil at 1:53 PM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
Shumer should butter Trump up a bit and get the Fairness Doctrine reinstated.
posted by PenDevil at 1:53 PM on July 26, 2018 [20 favorites]
Mike Godwin weighs in on Twitter. No summary pull quote is sufficient, read the whole thing.
Twitter Sucks Because We Suck. Don’t Blame @Jack If social media feels like a cesspool, don’t go swimming.
posted by scalefree at 1:55 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Twitter Sucks Because We Suck. Don’t Blame @Jack If social media feels like a cesspool, don’t go swimming.
posted by scalefree at 1:55 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
BuzzFeed, Amber Jamieson, These Three Immigrant Families Were Just Reunited After Months Apart. Here Are Their Stories.
Kenia hadn't seen her 12-year-old son, Angel, since they'd been separated at the border six weeks ago after coming from Honduras. And in that time, the government started giving him medication twice a day “because he was sad.”posted by zachlipton at 1:55 PM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Angel said the US Department of Health and Human Services didn't give him any records or prescription showing which medicine he’d been taking during his time at the Abbott House in upstate New York.
But Angel remembered the name “hydroxyzine pamoate.” It’s an antihistamine often used to treat anxiety.
“I worry that maybe he’ll be suffering depression from now on,” Kenia, 35, said. The pair were separated after being caught crossing the Rio Grande on June 18, and only spoke once while they were detained.
The “Shadow Banning”is basically that the recent cleanup of Russian bots hit Nazi and Russia aligned republicans particularly badly, right?
posted by Artw at 1:55 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:55 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
Maybe this is adding to a derail, but I think that we need to keep confronting the people who have hitched their wagons to Trump with the fact that they are supporting racism, fascism, stupidity, and destruction.
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by runcibleshaw at 1:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
The “Shadow Banning”is basically that the recent cleanup of Russian bots hit Nazi and Russia aligned republicans particularly badly, right?
I prefer to think of it as Trump acknowledging that they are the forces of darkness.
posted by srboisvert at 1:58 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
I prefer to think of it as Trump acknowledging that they are the forces of darkness.
posted by srboisvert at 1:58 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Don’t Blame @Jack
I tend to more blame Evan Williams who fled Twitter when its true ANTI-social-media nature began to become clear. But I've been pissed at Ev since he fired mathowie and pb from Blogger before he sold out to Google.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
I tend to more blame Evan Williams who fled Twitter when its true ANTI-social-media nature began to become clear. But I've been pissed at Ev since he fired mathowie and pb from Blogger before he sold out to Google.
posted by oneswellfoop at 2:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
Hard disagree.
It's Godwin. You're gonna have to do better than that.
posted by scalefree at 2:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's Godwin. You're gonna have to do better than that.
posted by scalefree at 2:03 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
I almost forgot I wanted to share this. Having my own suspicions, I zoomed the NYT machine in on the area where I spent a large amount of my childhood: my grandparents' neighborhood and the place where Marco Rubio kicked off his political life, West Miami. I have talked here in the past about growing up in Miami and the GOP's desperate need to keep the older Cuban community on board. This picture shows that area and the mere 6% margin they held onto there. The rabid anti-Castro brigade is aging and they're gonna lose them before long to Father Time, but in the mean time they cannot let the embargo issue go. I'd bet you a beer that if you lost just the over 60 Cuban vote, no impact to old white folks votes, all those red blobs in Miami would be gone.
posted by phearlez at 2:04 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 2:04 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
The rabid anti-Castro brigade is aging and they're gonna lose them before long to Father Time, but in the mean time they cannot let the embargo issue go. I'd bet you a beer that if you lost just the over 60 Cuban vote, no impact to old white folks votes, all those red blobs in Miami would be gone.
This is the impending future of FoxNews, the GOP, racists, conservatism in general.
'White' babies under 5 are already a minority in this country. The future is more human (finally) and will be here in 10-15 years voting-wise. Thus the KKK-misogynist-psuedorussophile panic going on.
posted by Harry Caul at 2:07 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
This is the impending future of FoxNews, the GOP, racists, conservatism in general.
'White' babies under 5 are already a minority in this country. The future is more human (finally) and will be here in 10-15 years voting-wise. Thus the KKK-misogynist-psuedorussophile panic going on.
posted by Harry Caul at 2:07 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's Godwin. You're gonna have to do better than that.
I’m gonna invoke Nazis.
A) @jack is one, or at least heavily sympathizes with them.
B) As a result of this his platform goes out of its was to privilege Nazi users, and the experience for everyone else degraded as a result.
posted by Artw at 2:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
I’m gonna invoke Nazis.
A) @jack is one, or at least heavily sympathizes with them.
B) As a result of this his platform goes out of its was to privilege Nazi users, and the experience for everyone else degraded as a result.
posted by Artw at 2:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [28 favorites]
Hindsight allows us to render judgment on the "fight stupid bullshit with stupid bullshit" stratagem
Further, I note that a lot of the people I'm supposed to do all this emotional labor for so that they can build and maintain a polite fiction which frees them from responsibility for their decisions believe that I as a black man in America deserve the maximum physical, emotional, and financial punishment -- up to and including death -- for any of my missteps.
These folks have no problem with the children of people seeking asylum facing horrific punishments. They have no problem with the children of people they otherwise acknowledge as fellow Americans being punished because their parents sought relief from the crushing despair of extreme poverty by smoking a joint.
But we mustn't hold them to account for the results of the power they so jealously guard?
Hard pass.
posted by lord_wolf at 2:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [59 favorites]
Further, I note that a lot of the people I'm supposed to do all this emotional labor for so that they can build and maintain a polite fiction which frees them from responsibility for their decisions believe that I as a black man in America deserve the maximum physical, emotional, and financial punishment -- up to and including death -- for any of my missteps.
These folks have no problem with the children of people seeking asylum facing horrific punishments. They have no problem with the children of people they otherwise acknowledge as fellow Americans being punished because their parents sought relief from the crushing despair of extreme poverty by smoking a joint.
But we mustn't hold them to account for the results of the power they so jealously guard?
Hard pass.
posted by lord_wolf at 2:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [59 favorites]
The “Shadow Banning”is basically that the recent cleanup of Russian bots hit Nazi and Russia aligned republicans particularly badly, right?
It's even more mundane, a couple of GOP politicians and operatives (as well as a few Dems) don't show up in auto complete in the search box.
posted by PenDevil at 2:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's even more mundane, a couple of GOP politicians and operatives (as well as a few Dems) don't show up in auto complete in the search box.
posted by PenDevil at 2:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
More entertainingly still, this was part of an attempt to lower the profile of accounts that habitually link to untrustworthy “news” sites – you know, what “fake news” was supposed to mean back in the Before Times. Why would that disproportionately affect Republicans? IT'S A MYSTERY.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [25 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [25 favorites]
"Don't blame jack" involves a similar false dichotomy as "Don't blame the Kremlin for 2016, because the United States had tons of systemic problems that lead to this" -- both an immune disorder and the opportunistic infection can be considered causes for a patient's health status, which neither being "the" reason for anything.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:14 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 2:14 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
@jack is one, or at least heavily sympathizes with them.
Even worse, he may not believe in it, but he supports it for no other reason than profit.
posted by zombieflanders at 2:16 PM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
Even worse, he may not believe in it, but he supports it for no other reason than profit.
posted by zombieflanders at 2:16 PM on July 26, 2018 [19 favorites]
> It's Godwin. You're gonna have to do better than that.
For a contributing editor to Reason, and general counsel to R Street? No, you really don't have to do better than that.
Mike Godwin may do good with his EFF and OSI work, and he may have coined a societal-observation-called-a-law that honestly someone else would have got to if he didn't, but dude is the hardest core of hard core libertarians. There's no need to canonize him.
His defense of Jack is basically ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ what can twitter possibly do, and we should take personal responsibility for it sucking.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
For a contributing editor to Reason, and general counsel to R Street? No, you really don't have to do better than that.
Mike Godwin may do good with his EFF and OSI work, and he may have coined a societal-observation-called-a-law that honestly someone else would have got to if he didn't, but dude is the hardest core of hard core libertarians. There's no need to canonize him.
His defense of Jack is basically ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ what can twitter possibly do, and we should take personal responsibility for it sucking.
posted by MysticMCJ at 2:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Naomi Kritzer on Republicans asking us to do their dirty work for them:
Dear Never-Trump Republicans:posted by zombieflanders at 2:22 PM on July 26, 2018 [161 favorites]
It's understandable that, having watched your own party embrace actual fascism, you'd really like the Democrats to to embrace whatever it was you think the GOP used to stand for.
But we're going to pass, thanks.
Our party has never marched in lockstep. There are literal socialists and there are people who'd fit in fine in a saner version of the Republican party. And that's OK. You can feel free to vote for, donate to, and work for Blue Dog Democrats -- there are plenty out there for you to support -- but your desperate desire to convince us that our party is DOOMED if we don't all turn into Colin Peterson (MN-07) is transparently self-serving. Where were you when the Republicans tried 54 times to repeal the ACA, a plan developed by a Republican think tank as an alternative to single-payer that would still get health insurance to most Americans? Where were you when Mitch McConnell refused to allow a vote on Merrick Garland, violating every previously existing Senate norm? Have you been with us on gerrymandering? Barack Obama's stimulus plan? DACA protections? Immigration reform? If you weren't there working with us on the MANY issues that only became a political football because Mitch McConnell decided it was to the GOP's advantage to make them a political football, why on EARTH should we trust your advice? You're telling us that to save America, Democrats should nominate Republicans.
This is a shamelessly self-serving demand and it won't work, anyway. Democrats win when Democrats turn out, and Democrats are more likely to turn out for candidates who excite them. And what that means varies dramatically by state and district, which is why I am so VERY cagey about even commenting about primary battles in other parts of the country. I have NO IDEA who's the best candidate for KS-04. I trust the Democrats in Kansas to figure that out. If you can't stand the Democrat in your home district, FIND SOMEONE TO WORK FOR/DONATE TO WHO INSPIRES YOU. And then do it. Because you are NOT WRONG that the Democrats need to win in 2018 if we are going to have any hope of saving our country.
And that means you might have to vote for someone who's further to the left than you'd like. Cry me a goddamn river. Because you spent a decade ignoring your own party's slide into fascism.
If you want a center-right non-fascist party, then BUILD ONE. Build one from scratch or get the hell to work and re-take the GOP. Figure out what your side stands for that isn't racism and demagoguery and re-build.
Don't expect to just coast into OUR tent and take over the mic.
Daily Beast, Russian Hackers’ New Target: a Vulnerable Democratic Senator
posted by zachlipton at 2:26 PM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
The Russian intelligence agency behind the 2016 election cyberattacks targeted Sen. Claire McCaskill as she began her 2018 re-election campaign in earnest, a Daily Beast forensic analysis reveals. That makes the Missouri Democrat the first identified target of the Kremlin’s 2018 election interference.I suspect they're casting a wide net, but I'm old enough to remember when Trump claimed that Russia would want Democrats to win now.
McCaskill, who has been highly critical of Russia over the years, is widely considered to be among the most vulnerable Senate Democrats facing re-election this year as Republicans hope to hold their slim majority in the Senate. In 2016, President Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by almost 20 points in the senator’s home state of Missouri.
There’s no evidence to suggest that this particular attack was successful. Asked about the hack attempt by Russia’s GRU intelligence agency, McCaskill told The Daily Beast on Thursday that she wasn’t yet prepared to discuss it.
...
The attempt against McCaskill’s office was a variant of the password-stealing technique used by Russia’s so-called “Fancy Bear” hackers against Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, in 2016.
The hackers sent forged notification emails to Senate targets claiming the target’s Microsoft Exchange password had expired, and instructing them to change it. If the target clicked on the link, he or she was taken to a convincing replica of the U.S. Senate’s Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) login page, a single sign-on point for e-mail and other services.
As with the Podesta phishing, each Senate phishing email had a different link coded with the recipient's email address. That allowed the fake password-change webpage to display the user’s email address when they arrived, making the site more convincing.
In October, Microsoft wrested control of one of the spoofed website addresses—adfs.senate.qov.info. Seizing the Russians’ malicious domain names has been easy for Microsoft since August 2017, when a federal judge in Virginia issued a permanent injunction against the GRU hackers, after Microsoft successfully sued them as unnamed “John Doe” defendants. The court established a process that lets Microsoft take over any web addresses the hackers use that includes a Microsoft trademark.
Microsoft redirected the traffic from the fake Senate site to its own sinkhole server, putting it in a prime position to view targets trying to click through to change their passwords.
...
A snapshot of a deep link on the phishing site taken September 26th by a website security scanner showed the fake password-change page with the Senate email address of a McCaskill policy aide on display.
posted by zachlipton at 2:26 PM on July 26, 2018 [38 favorites]
If someone can give them a narrative that let's them say "I made the wrong choice because Trump deceived me" that gives them an escape from having to double down on supporting him.
Since someone mentioned the Iraq war and how hard public opinion turned on that...it's instructive that the narrative now is that The Deep State Lied To Us About Iraq. In that way, they can blame someone other than The Dude They Voted For and the entire Republican party. It wasn't their team, it was the evil people behind the scenes that mislead everyone for their own purposes.
That's really the only way cognitive dissonance will let them admit there was a mistake made. It wasn't them, it wasn't their people...and that only happened after it became VASTLY obvious that the war was a disaster and no one in their right mind could still claim it was a good idea.
I wish people were rational enough to just admit they were wrong, but that's not what we've seen from past examples.
posted by threeturtles at 2:30 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Since someone mentioned the Iraq war and how hard public opinion turned on that...it's instructive that the narrative now is that The Deep State Lied To Us About Iraq. In that way, they can blame someone other than The Dude They Voted For and the entire Republican party. It wasn't their team, it was the evil people behind the scenes that mislead everyone for their own purposes.
That's really the only way cognitive dissonance will let them admit there was a mistake made. It wasn't them, it wasn't their people...and that only happened after it became VASTLY obvious that the war was a disaster and no one in their right mind could still claim it was a good idea.
I wish people were rational enough to just admit they were wrong, but that's not what we've seen from past examples.
posted by threeturtles at 2:30 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
I seriously resent Naomi Kritzer writing what I wrote and having the gall to do it before me and better.
posted by phearlez at 2:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
posted by phearlez at 2:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [35 favorites]
If you want a center-right non-fascist party, then BUILD ONE. Build one from scratch or get the hell to work and re-take the GOP. Figure out what your side stands for that isn't racism and demagoguery and re-build.
Don't expect to just coast into OUR tent and take over the mic.
This is why I want to launch Richard Painter into the sun. He just sauntered into the MN Democratic tent and said "But muh ETHICS! Also, #metoo has gone too far!" and expects to take over. Fuck off and fix your own party, Richard.
I hope Tina Smith beats him like a drum come the primary election - she appears to have the funding and the major endorsements anyway.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
Don't expect to just coast into OUR tent and take over the mic.
This is why I want to launch Richard Painter into the sun. He just sauntered into the MN Democratic tent and said "But muh ETHICS! Also, #metoo has gone too far!" and expects to take over. Fuck off and fix your own party, Richard.
I hope Tina Smith beats him like a drum come the primary election - she appears to have the funding and the major endorsements anyway.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
it's instructive that the narrative now is that The Deep State Lied To Us About Iraq
When in reality the "Deep State" told the truth and the Bush Administration lied and lied.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [36 favorites]
When in reality the "Deep State" told the truth and the Bush Administration lied and lied.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [36 favorites]
But we mustn't hold them to account for the results of the power they so jealously guard?
Hard pass.
Amen.
Look, first we said, "Fine, keep your precious racism but you can't actually call them slaves anymore okay? You wanna go with laws that make it practically illegal to be black...fine. Whatever, just like, pretend this shit's about law and order."
Then, we said, "K. This shit's not working. I know we said we could pull off the whole 'separate but equal' bullshit, but no. This is ridiculous. Seriously. Okay fine, you can have your private schools and white flight, but at least pretend it's about local control, okay?"
Then we said, "Right, stop using those words. No seriously. We mean it. We will fire your ass. And for the love of fuck, hire people who don't look like you. Okay, fine you can say 'urban' and 'African-American' in a tone that rhymes with 'chigger' and we won't call you on it. But really, can't you just pretend that you aren't racist assholes? Just for a bit? Maybe?"
Then we had a black president and they lost their everlovin' minds.
So no. I'm done with the polite fictions that lets racists pretend to be anything other than the hateful, bigoted peices of shit that they are. The white folks who aren't outwardly embracing the racist bullshit of this country have allowed polite fictions to continue poison this country since it's beginning. It's a fucking cancer, and it doesn't matter what you wrap the toxic hate in, it's still gonna fucking kill us. It's time for agressive chemo and surgical solutions if we have to. We will not survive another generation of polite fictions.
posted by teleri025 at 2:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [81 favorites]
Hard pass.
Amen.
Look, first we said, "Fine, keep your precious racism but you can't actually call them slaves anymore okay? You wanna go with laws that make it practically illegal to be black...fine. Whatever, just like, pretend this shit's about law and order."
Then, we said, "K. This shit's not working. I know we said we could pull off the whole 'separate but equal' bullshit, but no. This is ridiculous. Seriously. Okay fine, you can have your private schools and white flight, but at least pretend it's about local control, okay?"
Then we said, "Right, stop using those words. No seriously. We mean it. We will fire your ass. And for the love of fuck, hire people who don't look like you. Okay, fine you can say 'urban' and 'African-American' in a tone that rhymes with 'chigger' and we won't call you on it. But really, can't you just pretend that you aren't racist assholes? Just for a bit? Maybe?"
Then we had a black president and they lost their everlovin' minds.
So no. I'm done with the polite fictions that lets racists pretend to be anything other than the hateful, bigoted peices of shit that they are. The white folks who aren't outwardly embracing the racist bullshit of this country have allowed polite fictions to continue poison this country since it's beginning. It's a fucking cancer, and it doesn't matter what you wrap the toxic hate in, it's still gonna fucking kill us. It's time for agressive chemo and surgical solutions if we have to. We will not survive another generation of polite fictions.
posted by teleri025 at 2:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [81 favorites]
Donald Trump could be ready to order a strike against Iran, Australian Government figures say
(ABC is the Australian equivalent to PBS/NPR)
posted by mbo at 2:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
(ABC is the Australian equivalent to PBS/NPR)
posted by mbo at 2:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
I mean, is the office of the First Lady a public office? Because Michelle Obama literally went on a book tour in 2012 promoting her book "American Grown."
To address the whatabout Michelle Obama's book, American Grown was a fundraiser for the National Park Foundation:
posted by peeedro at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
To address the whatabout Michelle Obama's book, American Grown was a fundraiser for the National Park Foundation:
Mrs. Obama accepted no advance for AMERICAN GROWN and all author proceeds will go to the National Park Foundation (www.nationalparks.org), the official charity of America’s national parks. Funds will be used for programs that promote gardening and healthy eating and give young people the opportunity to experience the outdoors and lead more active lives, as well as for the continued care of the White House Kitchen Garden. Random House will also donate a portion of its profits to the National Park Foundation.That's a totally normal thing to do, just like the proceeds of the Pence's bunny book are split between a anti-human trafficking organization and an art therapy program for kids with cancer. Promoting Pirro's partisan conspiracy theory garbage from the Oval Office is not normal.
posted by peeedro at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
it's instructive that the narrative now is that The Deep State Lied To Us About Iraq
It's been shocking to me how much people have forgotten - I was recently talking with a pair of married couple friends, ranting about Condi Rice's continuing public image rehab tour, and they were surprised at how specifically upset I was, until I mentioned Abu Ghraib. Once they remembered that it'd happened, they were totally on board with me calling the senior members of the Bush administration war criminals. The massive travesty of the Iraq war has simply been pushed out of their brains by a constant gallop of Trump-related horror (and, I think, 8 years of a scandal-free administration).
Seriously, read the Wikipedia page to refresh your memory and remind yourself that the current administration is just a new face on the same morally bankrupt, abusive party. Torture, kidnapping children, it's who they are.
posted by god hates math at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [44 favorites]
It's been shocking to me how much people have forgotten - I was recently talking with a pair of married couple friends, ranting about Condi Rice's continuing public image rehab tour, and they were surprised at how specifically upset I was, until I mentioned Abu Ghraib. Once they remembered that it'd happened, they were totally on board with me calling the senior members of the Bush administration war criminals. The massive travesty of the Iraq war has simply been pushed out of their brains by a constant gallop of Trump-related horror (and, I think, 8 years of a scandal-free administration).
Seriously, read the Wikipedia page to refresh your memory and remind yourself that the current administration is just a new face on the same morally bankrupt, abusive party. Torture, kidnapping children, it's who they are.
posted by god hates math at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [44 favorites]
Deeper in that article about the attempts to hack McCaskill's campaign:
posted by the turtle's teeth at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
“We did discover that a fake Microsoft domain had been established as the landing page for phishing attacks, and we saw metadata that suggested those phishing attacks were being directed at three candidates who are all standing for elections in the midterm elections,” said Burt, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for customer security and trust. “We took down that domain and working with the government actually were able to avoid anybody being infected by that particular attack.”This suggests there could be two additional targets from the same attack, who have not yet been named.
posted by the turtle's teeth at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Some cheery news: Hedge funds lose nearly $6 billion on Facebook, their favorite holding
posted by Artw at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
But wait there's more! Thanks for joining us on today's edition of "this Thursday feels a hell of a lot like Friday."
AP, Emails show lawyer who met Trump Jr. has ties to Russian officials
AP, Emails show lawyer who met Trump Jr. has ties to Russian officials
Documents reviewed by The Associated Press show the Moscow lawyer said to have promised Donald Trump's presidential campaign dirt on his Democratic opponent worked more closely with Russian government officials than she previously let on.posted by zachlipton at 2:58 PM on July 26, 2018 [14 favorites]
The documents paint a portrait of Natalia Veselnitskaya as a well-connected attorney who served as a ghostwriter for top Russian government lawyers and received assistance from senior Interior Ministry personnel.
The data was obtained through Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky's London-based investigative unit, the Dossier Center.
Seriously, read the Wikipedia page to refresh your memory and remind yourself that the current administration is just a new face on the same morally bankrupt, abusive party. Torture, kidnapping children, it's who they are.
posted by god hates math at 2:56 PM on July 26 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]
Not to just purposlessly riff, but what we saw before was a mask. Trump is its bare face.
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:59 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by god hates math at 2:56 PM on July 26 [1 favorite −] Favorite added! [!]
Not to just purposlessly riff, but what we saw before was a mask. Trump is its bare face.
posted by Mental Wimp at 2:59 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
McCaskill should just run 10 second TV spots declaring herself "Russia's Enemy #1". It'll be good for a 1-2% bump in the polling...
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
@aflores: Some numbers from the status report on the Ms. L family reunification case.
Today was the deadline to reunify families. 1,442 kids reunited in ICE custody. 378 "discharged in other appropriate circumstances," which could mean reunited with parents not in custody, or it could mean being handed to a non-parent sponsor somewhere.
The government is saying 711 children are "ineligible": including 120 children for whom parents supposedly waived reunification (that's obviously being challenged, as the circumstances under which this happened are questionable at best), and 431 children whose parents are no longer in the US. And 94 children where the government is conducting "case file review" to try to find out where the hell the parents even are.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
Today was the deadline to reunify families. 1,442 kids reunited in ICE custody. 378 "discharged in other appropriate circumstances," which could mean reunited with parents not in custody, or it could mean being handed to a non-parent sponsor somewhere.
The government is saying 711 children are "ineligible": including 120 children for whom parents supposedly waived reunification (that's obviously being challenged, as the circumstances under which this happened are questionable at best), and 431 children whose parents are no longer in the US. And 94 children where the government is conducting "case file review" to try to find out where the hell the parents even are.
posted by zachlipton at 3:23 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
AP, Emails show lawyer who met Trump Jr. has ties to Russian officials
That's very useful to learn, although we already knew that Veselnitskaya was a talent-spotter/recruiter for Russian intelligence back in January.
Daily Beast: Trump Tower Russian Lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, Exposed in Swiss Corruption Case—Natalia Veselnitskaya, who organized the notorious Trump Tower meeting, has been named in an explosive Swiss court case about bribery, corruption, and double-agents.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:32 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
That's very useful to learn, although we already knew that Veselnitskaya was a talent-spotter/recruiter for Russian intelligence back in January.
Daily Beast: Trump Tower Russian Lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, Exposed in Swiss Corruption Case—Natalia Veselnitskaya, who organized the notorious Trump Tower meeting, has been named in an explosive Swiss court case about bribery, corruption, and double-agents.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:32 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
Reuters, U.S. threatens sanctions unless Turkey releases American pastor
Update: @peteralexander: Pompeo was blindsided by Trump/Pence threats today of sanctions against Turkey, if American pastor isn’t released immediately, @mitchellreports scoops. Pompeo was involved in delicate negotiations on the case.
Oh good. Just the President and Vice President issuing coordinated statements that blindside the guy actually working to solve the problem.
In other news, the President's summer book club has moved on to a new recommendation. Donald Trump would like us all to read Dershowitz's "The Case Against Impeaching Trump."
posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Update: @peteralexander: Pompeo was blindsided by Trump/Pence threats today of sanctions against Turkey, if American pastor isn’t released immediately, @mitchellreports scoops. Pompeo was involved in delicate negotiations on the case.
Oh good. Just the President and Vice President issuing coordinated statements that blindside the guy actually working to solve the problem.
In other news, the President's summer book club has moved on to a new recommendation. Donald Trump would like us all to read Dershowitz's "The Case Against Impeaching Trump."
posted by zachlipton at 3:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
Meanwhile, Trump promotes Jeanine Pirro's new book in Oval Office (@TheHill)
With two MOFGA* hats! Makes the Oval Office look like a cheap infomercial, so it's illegal and tacky.
NOT ELITISTIST
* "Make Our Farmers Great Again!"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:59 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
With two MOFGA* hats! Makes the Oval Office look like a cheap infomercial, so it's illegal and tacky.
NOT ELITISTIST
* "Make Our Farmers Great Again!"
posted by kirkaracha at 3:59 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Co-founder of Nudist Anti Putin Group Found Dead in her Paris Apartment
posted by yoga at 4:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by yoga at 4:08 PM on July 26, 2018 [13 favorites]
Meadows backs off impeaching Rosenstein after leadership talks
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) says he is tabling his efforts to impeach Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein after having several meetings with Republican leadership
Ha ha, yeah I bet. I doubt Republicans want to have that fight right now. They have to know it's a loser, not just on the merits, but in the press, too. "Yes, let's gut this story and spread its entrails all over the mass media. I'll bring the champagne," Ryan doesn't say.
posted by rhizome at 4:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Ha ha, yeah I bet. I doubt Republicans want to have that fight right now. They have to know it's a loser, not just on the merits, but in the press, too. "Yes, let's gut this story and spread its entrails all over the mass media. I'll bring the champagne," Ryan doesn't say.
posted by rhizome at 4:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
Here’s the full list, BTW:
Mark Meadows NC-11
Jim Jordan OH-4
Devin Nunes CA-22
Andy Biggs AZ-5
Paul Gosar AZ-4
Scott Perry PA-4
Jody Hice GA-10
Matt Gaetz FL-1
Scott DesJarlais TN-4
J.J Duncan TN-2
Louie Gohmert TX-1
They may have backed down but it should be remembered that they tried. Each of those people is in Putin’s pocket.
posted by Artw at 4:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [22 favorites]
Mark Meadows NC-11
Jim Jordan OH-4
Devin Nunes CA-22
Andy Biggs AZ-5
Paul Gosar AZ-4
Scott Perry PA-4
Jody Hice GA-10
Matt Gaetz FL-1
Scott DesJarlais TN-4
J.J Duncan TN-2
Louie Gohmert TX-1
They may have backed down but it should be remembered that they tried. Each of those people is in Putin’s pocket.
posted by Artw at 4:13 PM on July 26, 2018 [22 favorites]
They Want Trump’s Liquor License Yanked—and They Just Might Win
posted by kirkaracha at 4:30 PM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Seven District of Columbia residents noticed that D.C. law says you have to be ‘of good character’ to have a liquor license. They want Trump’s taken away. And they might succeed.Trump Dodges Media, Citing Nonexistent ‘Bad Weather’
White House aides announced Thursday that President Donald Trump would forgo a helicopter ride to Air Force One—which allows reporters to shout questions at him as he crosses the White House’s South Lawn—in lieu of a more private motorcade ride, citing “bad weather.” But as a series of White House reporters have been quick to point out on Twitter—it’s a beautiful, blue-skied day in Washington, D.C.Ceterum autem censeo Trumpem esse delendam
posted by kirkaracha at 4:30 PM on July 26, 2018 [21 favorites]
Or in Meadows' case, in Jordan's ambitious pocket. Which is prob pretty awkward.
posted by Harry Caul at 4:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Harry Caul at 4:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Eww.
As the memes would have it, "Creeper of the House".
posted by Artw at 4:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
As the memes would have it, "Creeper of the House".
posted by Artw at 4:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Nudist Anti Putin Group
this would be FEMEN, and hello, "nudism" wasn't what the group was about. This is shitty, minimizing framing (not criticizing you for quoting the headline, yoga)
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:42 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
this would be FEMEN, and hello, "nudism" wasn't what the group was about. This is shitty, minimizing framing (not criticizing you for quoting the headline, yoga)
posted by prize bull octorok at 4:42 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
No worries, prize bull, and agreed.
posted by yoga at 4:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by yoga at 4:51 PM on July 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
In NBC/Marist head-to-head polls of registered voters between Democratic and Republican front-runners in governor and Senate races in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, the Democrat is leading every poll by at least 9 percentage points.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 5:00 PM on July 26, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by J.K. Seazer at 5:00 PM on July 26, 2018 [22 favorites]
Question: McCain and Cardin are introducing S. 3275, "to add the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act to the Russia sanctions review section of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)." The press release continues, saying "The lawmakers want to ensure that, should the administration move to de-sanction Russian officials or stop sanctions designations altogether under the Magnitsky law, that Congress has the option to disapprove of those actions."
What does Congressional disapproval mean in this context? Is it legally binding? And is this legislation something I should be asking my senators to support--is it meaningful and effective, or not?
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
What does Congressional disapproval mean in this context? Is it legally binding? And is this legislation something I should be asking my senators to support--is it meaningful and effective, or not?
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Rewinding a bit back to the Cohen/Trump tapes. One outstanding question is how & why is that recording out there? On Chris Hayes' show last night, a former federal prosecutor has a theory [link to embedded Twitter video]:
posted by mhum at 5:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [51 favorites]
Chris Hayes: I don't trust what's happening at face value. Seriously. I don't understand why the Trump folks waived privilege on this. I don't understand why the Trump people seemed anxious to have the tape out there so they could provide a story about it. I don't really understand what Michael Cohen's doing from a legal perspective. Because if I were engaged in negotiations about being a co-operating witness, this is not how I would handle it. So, you guys are people who used to be prosecutors, what do you make of what is going on?(All transcription errors mine)
Daniel Goldman: Well, on the privilege issue, the only thing that to me makes any sense is that the special master signaled to Trump and Cohen -- and Trump in particular -- that she was going to find that this recording falls under the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. And rather than endure a finding like that ...
CH: Which would be catastrophic
DG: Which would be politically and publically devastating. She gave them the opportunity to withdraw their privilege assertion over these ...
CH: Daniel, that is the first time someone has made sense of [the?]. I'm serious. I haven't understood what is going on. That makes sense to me. We don't know if that's the case. That's your conjecture.
DG: Right. It's all conjecture. We don't know what's going on behind the scenes. But Giuliani's explanation that it's exculpatory, obviously now that we've heard, it does not add up at all.
posted by mhum at 5:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [51 favorites]
Trump's most ardent defenders are a bunch of clowns (The Plum Line (why is it called that?) in WaPo:
posted by kingless at 5:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
But to understand the effort to impeach Rosenstein in all its harebrained majesty, you have to look at the document itself. Allow me to summarize its five articles:Yes, they'll probably back down (see Artw upthread) but this was fun to read.
Article I: A group of conservative House Republicans asked for a second special counsel to investigate the supposed FBI conspiracy against Donald Trump. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rejected their demand. Rod Rosenstein hasn’t recused himself from investigating the supposed abuses the nonexistent second special counsel would have investigated. Therefore, Rod Rosenstein must be impeached and removed from office.
posted by kingless at 5:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seven District of Columbia residents noticed that D.C. law says you have to be ‘of good character’ to have a liquor license. They want Trump’s taken away. And they might succeed.
I FUCKING LOVE THIS
posted by bluesky43 at 5:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
I FUCKING LOVE THIS
posted by bluesky43 at 5:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
The Plum Line (why is it called that?)
A [political] plum (i.e. a favor or sinecure, etc) + the inside line on _____, playing on a plumb line.
Although I guess that's more 'how.' I'm not entirely sure why.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:46 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
A [political] plum (i.e. a favor or sinecure, etc) + the inside line on _____, playing on a plumb line.
Although I guess that's more 'how.' I'm not entirely sure why.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:46 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
CNN, Cohen claims Trump knew in advance of 2016 Trump Tower meeting
posted by zachlipton at 6:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [76 favorites]
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal attorney, claims that then-candidate Trump knew in advance about the June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower in which Russians were expected to offer his campaign dirt on Hillary Clinton, sources with knowledge tell CNN. Cohen is willing to make that assertion to special counsel Robert Mueller, the sources said.It sure seems like he's flipping in an extremely public fashion.
Cohen's claim would contradict repeated denials by Trump, Donald Trump Jr., their lawyers and other administration officials who have said that the President knew nothing about the Trump Tower meeting until he was approached about it by The New York Times in July 2017.
Cohen alleges that he was present, along with several others, when Trump was informed of the Russians' offer by Trump Jr. By Cohen's account, Trump approved going ahead with the meeting with the Russians, according to sources.
To be clear, these sources said Cohen does not have evidence, such as audio recordings, to corroborate his claim, but he is willing to attest to his account.
...
Rudy Giuliani, the President's attorney, said of Cohen, "He's certainly a source that is not credible."
posted by zachlipton at 6:09 PM on July 26, 2018 [76 favorites]
We're moving from the "no collusion" to the "collusion is a good thing" portion of the movie I think.
posted by Justinian at 6:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [27 favorites]
Daniel Goldman: Well, on the privilege issue, the only thing that to me makes any sense is that the special master signaled to Trump and Cohen -- and Trump in particular -- that she was going to find that this recording falls under the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege. And rather than endure a finding like that ...
Semi-interestingly enough: I sat through this clip of Andrew Napolitano on Fox News suggesting much the same thing.
To sum up for people who'd rather claw their eyes out than watch a Fox clip: Napolitano says he doesn't know if the tape is evidence of a crime, but it's very clearly evidence of civil fraud. The payment is fraudulent because it's basically the Enquirer buying the story to bury it when the seller thinks she's selling it to have it published. From what he says, evidence of fraud negates privilege.
(Naturally the Fox anchor is like "so it's not a crime?" and thankfully Napolitano at least maintains, "It's still fraud, it still negates privilege, it's still bad.")
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Semi-interestingly enough: I sat through this clip of Andrew Napolitano on Fox News suggesting much the same thing.
To sum up for people who'd rather claw their eyes out than watch a Fox clip: Napolitano says he doesn't know if the tape is evidence of a crime, but it's very clearly evidence of civil fraud. The payment is fraudulent because it's basically the Enquirer buying the story to bury it when the seller thinks she's selling it to have it published. From what he says, evidence of fraud negates privilege.
(Naturally the Fox anchor is like "so it's not a crime?" and thankfully Napolitano at least maintains, "It's still fraud, it still negates privilege, it's still bad.")
posted by scaryblackdeath at 6:12 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
CNN, Cohen claims Trump knew in advance of 2016 Trump Tower meeting
It is especially later in the summer.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:16 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
It is especially later in the summer.
posted by Rust Moranis at 6:16 PM on July 26, 2018 [12 favorites]
And McCain bi-partisaning again: "Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jack Reed (D-RI), and John McCain (R-AZ) introduced a bipartisan bill to explicitly prohibit the President of the United States from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval. The bill requires the President to seek the advice and consent of the Senate to modify or terminate U.S. membership in NATO and formalizes the Senate’s opposition to withdrawing from the treaty. If the President attempts to withdraw from NATO without Senate approval, this bill also authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to challenge the Administration in court."
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
It sure seems like he's flipping in an extremely public fashion.
Or shamelessly fishing for a pre-emptive pardon.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:27 PM on July 26, 2018
Or shamelessly fishing for a pre-emptive pardon.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:27 PM on July 26, 2018
Under the Treaty Clause it takes a 2/3 of the Senate to ratify a treaty, but a president can de facto withdraw from a treaty without Senate approval. Carter and George W. Bush each withdrew from a treaty.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 6:31 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
I've said before that I don't understand what the point of ratifying a treaty is if the President can unilaterally withdraw from it. Why bother?
posted by Justinian at 6:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 6:33 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
I'm not really a RAND Corp guy or anything, but does a legislative block on NATO withdrawal work very well if the head of the executive is a Russian asset? (I mean, maybe our fault for allowing the Congress to become this useless in Natsec decisions post WWII)
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:36 PM on July 26, 2018
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:36 PM on July 26, 2018
I'm going to guess Andrew Jackson withdrew from some treaties.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:38 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 6:38 PM on July 26, 2018 [8 favorites]
"Cohen alleges that he was present, along with several others"
And there's the most valuable part of the statement. Corroboration and leverage.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:38 PM on July 26, 2018 [39 favorites]
And there's the most valuable part of the statement. Corroboration and leverage.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:38 PM on July 26, 2018 [39 favorites]
@GeoffRBennett: Statement from Michael Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis: “I cannot comment. And I have to wonder why the Trump people would put that out. It was not from us.”
This makes no sense. Here's another paragraph in the original CNN story:
posted by zachlipton at 6:43 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
This makes no sense. Here's another paragraph in the original CNN story:
According to people who have discussed the matter with Cohen, he has expressed hope that this claim about the Trump Tower meeting will help him reach out to Mueller and possibly lessen his legal troubles. He's under scrutiny by federal prosecutors in Manhattan after Mueller referred Cohen's case to them.How can the story not have come from Cohen if it includes Cohen wanting to use it as leverage? Giuliani is on TV calling Cohen a liar, seemingly uncaring that makes Trump look bad for employing him for years. How does it make sense for the Trump people to leak this? Of course, I don't know why Cohen would leak it instead of walking into Muller's office either.
posted by zachlipton at 6:43 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Rachel Maddow thinks the Trump camp strategy may be that by dumping this, they're taking away a Cohen bargaining chip so he can't cut a deal. Mueller and the NY AG won't deal for something they already have.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:45 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:45 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Davis didn’t deny anything, so there’s that. Also, if this is true, Trump can’t pardon his way out of this. Cohen would have to testify without 5th Amendment privilege most likely if he were pardoned. And SDNY and Mueller has a LOT of Cohen goods.
posted by azpenguin at 6:47 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 6:47 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
dances_with_sneetches: I'm going to guess Andrew Jackson withdrew from some treaties.
I also thought that would make sense. However, searching the Wikipedia article on him for "treaty" yields many results (most significantly an atrocious Cherokee "treaty" of lend theft), but suggests none that he withdrew from.
I imagine that sort of proto-Trumpism that Jackson exemplified did not incorporate a "Screw the rest of the world" ethos the way it does now, because prior to the world wars, the USA wasn't the same sort of global power, the world's nations weren't united in the same way, and there weren't the same kind of European welfare states in need of vilification by the right.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:51 PM on July 26, 2018
I also thought that would make sense. However, searching the Wikipedia article on him for "treaty" yields many results (most significantly an atrocious Cherokee "treaty" of lend theft), but suggests none that he withdrew from.
I imagine that sort of proto-Trumpism that Jackson exemplified did not incorporate a "Screw the rest of the world" ethos the way it does now, because prior to the world wars, the USA wasn't the same sort of global power, the world's nations weren't united in the same way, and there weren't the same kind of European welfare states in need of vilification by the right.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 6:51 PM on July 26, 2018
Has Junior testified under oath about the meeting anywhere? He wasn't sworn before his Senate Judiciary Committee interview last September.
And this would be an example of why Congress should not be letting people weasel out of testifying under oath.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
And this would be an example of why Congress should not be letting people weasel out of testifying under oath.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's still illegal to lie to Congress even if you're not under oath.
Speaking of which, it sure seems like Wilbur Ross lied to Congress about the citizenship question on the census, and I know there's a lot of scandals at once here, but it would be nice some attention went back to that one for a few minutes, especially given that it comes with documentary proof.
posted by zachlipton at 7:04 PM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
Speaking of which, it sure seems like Wilbur Ross lied to Congress about the citizenship question on the census, and I know there's a lot of scandals at once here, but it would be nice some attention went back to that one for a few minutes, especially given that it comes with documentary proof.
posted by zachlipton at 7:04 PM on July 26, 2018 [48 favorites]
Yes, it's illegal, but it's not perjury. Just sayin'.
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:05 PM on July 26, 2018
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:05 PM on July 26, 2018
Good god. If exposing collusion to deny Cohen a legal strategy is what's really going on...what the fuck are they still hiding?
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [63 favorites]
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:05 PM on July 26, 2018 [63 favorites]
I've said before that I don't understand what the point of ratifying a treaty is if the President can unilaterally withdraw from it. Why bother?
I'm not an expert but I'm not sure the President can unilaterally violate a ratified treaty. I would actually think not.
In the case of W., for example, the treaty he withdrew from (anti-ballistic missile ban) he did so following the terms of the treaty, which said either party could abrogate it with six month's notice. So in leaving he was actually acting within the limitations of the Senate-approved treaty. (Article XV). Who gets authority within the US government to make decisions related to provisions a ratified treaty is probably covered by a tangled mess of precedent.
I don't remember which treaty Carter withdrew from. Google top hit is SALT II but that was never ratified.
In general, I'd add it makes sense to me the requirements are asymmetrical. A treaty is between a foreign government and the US; it limits the freedom of the US and should get buy in from the American people. But it's not meant to be between the current government and future governments--changes in our policy, like whether we want to continue limiting our options, are what the entire rest of the Constitution is about.
posted by mark k at 7:06 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'm not an expert but I'm not sure the President can unilaterally violate a ratified treaty. I would actually think not.
In the case of W., for example, the treaty he withdrew from (anti-ballistic missile ban) he did so following the terms of the treaty, which said either party could abrogate it with six month's notice. So in leaving he was actually acting within the limitations of the Senate-approved treaty. (Article XV). Who gets authority within the US government to make decisions related to provisions a ratified treaty is probably covered by a tangled mess of precedent.
I don't remember which treaty Carter withdrew from. Google top hit is SALT II but that was never ratified.
In general, I'd add it makes sense to me the requirements are asymmetrical. A treaty is between a foreign government and the US; it limits the freedom of the US and should get buy in from the American people. But it's not meant to be between the current government and future governments--changes in our policy, like whether we want to continue limiting our options, are what the entire rest of the Constitution is about.
posted by mark k at 7:06 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
This is what happens when you have one excecutive in charge of domestic AND foreign policy.
posted by runcibleshaw at 7:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by runcibleshaw at 7:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
@HoarseWisperer: "Sooooo, back when Trump helped craft Junior’s false statement about the Trump Tower meeting...
"If it was Trump who approved that meeting, he was covering up his own crime.
"That’s a far, far dirtier deed than trying to help your son spin his own booboo."
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:15 PM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
"If it was Trump who approved that meeting, he was covering up his own crime.
"That’s a far, far dirtier deed than trying to help your son spin his own booboo."
posted by FelliniBlank at 7:15 PM on July 26, 2018 [37 favorites]
Statement from Michael Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis: “I cannot comment. And I have to wonder why the Trump people would put that out. It was not from us.”
The modified limited hang-out to end all modified limited hang-outs?
Also, back in March, Sam Nunberg told Jake Tapper on CNN that Trump "talked about [the meeting] a week before, and I don't know why he did this. All he had to say was, yeah, we met with the Russians. The Russians offered us something, and we thought they had something, and that was it. I don't know why he went around trying to hide it. And he shouldn't have."
Of course, this was during Nunberg's self-immolation media tour, and we still don't know what on earth he was thinking during this or what kind of smokescreen he was trying to set off.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
The modified limited hang-out to end all modified limited hang-outs?
Also, back in March, Sam Nunberg told Jake Tapper on CNN that Trump "talked about [the meeting] a week before, and I don't know why he did this. All he had to say was, yeah, we met with the Russians. The Russians offered us something, and we thought they had something, and that was it. I don't know why he went around trying to hide it. And he shouldn't have."
Of course, this was during Nunberg's self-immolation media tour, and we still don't know what on earth he was thinking during this or what kind of smokescreen he was trying to set off.
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Rachel Maddow thinks the Trump camp strategy may be that by dumping this, they're taking away a Cohen bargaining chip so he can't cut a deal. Mueller and the NY AG won't deal for something they already have
“They can’t use the evidence against us if we make it all public!”
These are not good lawyers.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
“They can’t use the evidence against us if we make it all public!”
These are not good lawyers.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
> Good god. If exposing collusion to deny Cohen a legal strategy is what's really going on...what the fuck are they still hiding?
My guess, based on the 2016 results, is improper use of a private email server.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [69 favorites]
My guess, based on the 2016 results, is improper use of a private email server.
posted by tonycpsu at 7:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [69 favorites]
The Plum Line (why is it called that?)
snuffleupagus: "A [political] plum (i.e. a favor or sinecure, etc) + the inside line on _____, playing on a plumb line.
Although I guess that's more 'how.' I'm not entirely sure why."
I'd also say it's a play on Metro line names, which are named after colors (Red line, Green line, etc.).
posted by Chrysostom at 7:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
snuffleupagus: "A [political] plum (i.e. a favor or sinecure, etc) + the inside line on _____, playing on a plumb line.
Although I guess that's more 'how.' I'm not entirely sure why."
I'd also say it's a play on Metro line names, which are named after colors (Red line, Green line, etc.).
posted by Chrysostom at 7:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
‘Dead to Each Other’: Team Trump Prepares to ‘Bury’ Michael Cohen, ‘Weakling’ and ‘Traitor’
(Daily Beast)
Return-fire. Or (more likely) yet another own-goal in the making.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
(Daily Beast)
Return-fire. Or (more likely) yet another own-goal in the making.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:01 PM on July 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
...what the fuck are they still hiding?
I know this is rhetorical, but if the worst case scenarios are true, and it's looking more and more like they could be, the biggest question is who gave the Russians precinct level voter targeting data. And how closely that data was adjusted and updated through the election, or messaging coordinated. The Russians didn't just make fake news and blast it out, they targeted it to individual voters in Wisconsin on Facebook. The GRU didn't just have that information, some American gave it to them. Remember the RNC data files "accidently" left exposed in an unsecured Amazon AWS container?
We know all about the offer, and that it was accepted. We know nothing (yet) about the extent of the later cooperation, only that the Russians fulfilled their part of the offer made at the Trump tower meeting. There's a whole other half of the American participants in the conspiracy's actions that's still going to come out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [61 favorites]
I know this is rhetorical, but if the worst case scenarios are true, and it's looking more and more like they could be, the biggest question is who gave the Russians precinct level voter targeting data. And how closely that data was adjusted and updated through the election, or messaging coordinated. The Russians didn't just make fake news and blast it out, they targeted it to individual voters in Wisconsin on Facebook. The GRU didn't just have that information, some American gave it to them. Remember the RNC data files "accidently" left exposed in an unsecured Amazon AWS container?
We know all about the offer, and that it was accepted. We know nothing (yet) about the extent of the later cooperation, only that the Russians fulfilled their part of the offer made at the Trump tower meeting. There's a whole other half of the American participants in the conspiracy's actions that's still going to come out.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:02 PM on July 26, 2018 [61 favorites]
The Plum Line (why is it called that?)
I have a definitive answer via archive.org. It's a reference to The Plum Book and a pun on "plumb line".
posted by mhum at 8:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
I have a definitive answer via archive.org. It's a reference to The Plum Book and a pun on "plumb line".
posted by mhum at 8:10 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
=> A brief note on the Marist/NBC polls, which are mentioned a lot below. There's been some criticism of them not being weighted for education, and the numbers are definitely on the borderline of believability. I think they're *directionally* correct, as it were, but both the Senate/governor ones today and the generic ballot/Trump approval ones yesterday all look to be a couple of points more favorable to the Democrats than what other outfits have found, etc. I'd say these should be taken as confirmation that things are going pretty well for the Democrats in the Midwest, but not that we're on the verge of a tsunami. At least until we see some more confirmation.
===
** 2018 Senate:
** OH-12 special: GBA Strategies poll has GOPer Balderson up 48-45 on Dem O'Connor [MOE: +/- 4.4%]. This poll was commissioned by the O'Connor campaign. The same poll last week found O'Connor trailing 48-43.
** Odds & ends:
=> A brief note on the Marist/NBC polls, which are mentioned a lot below. There's been some criticism of them not being weighted for education, and the numbers are definitely on the borderline of believability. I think they're *directionally* correct, as it were, but both the Senate/governor ones today and the generic ballot/Trump approval ones yesterday all look to be a couple of points more favorable to the Democrats than what other outfits have found, etc. I'd say these should be taken as confirmation that things are going pretty well for the Democrats in the Midwest, but not that we're on the verge of a tsunami. At least until we see some more confirmation.
===
** 2018 Senate:
-- MI: Marist poll has incumbent Dem Stabenow up 55-37 vs James, or 52-37 vs Pensler [MOE: +/- 3.9%].** 2018 House: Major party filing deadlines have finally passed everywhere, so here's the final list (barring any last minute scandals) of House retirements. GOP numbers quite high, Dem numbers quite low.
-- MN: Marist poll has incumbent Dem Tina Smith up 49-35 on GOPer Housley [MOE: +/- 4.0%]. Someone mentioned Richard Painter earlier; he is very, very unlikely to win the nomination over Smith.
-- WI: Marist poll has incumbent Dem Baldwin up 54-39 vs Nicholson, or 55-38 against Vukmir.[MOE: +/- 3.8%].
-- CA: PPIC poll has Feinstein up 46-24 on de León. [MOE: +/- 3.4%].
-- WV: As expected, Don Blankenship's filing as a third party candidate has been rejected by the WV SOS as contrary to the state's sore loser law. Blankenship has said he will challenge the ruling in court; legal experts think there's a least a chance he could prevail.
-- The Dem-aligned Senate Majority PAC is putting at least $20M towards voter turnout efforts in thirteen states, focusing on AZ, IN, MO, TN. They're looking to replicate what is seen as successful efforts in the AL special.
** OH-12 special: GBA Strategies poll has GOPer Balderson up 48-45 on Dem O'Connor [MOE: +/- 4.4%]. This poll was commissioned by the O'Connor campaign. The same poll last week found O'Connor trailing 48-43.
** Odds & ends:
-- MI gov: Marist poll has likely Dem nominee Whitmer up 47-38 on likely GOP nominee Schuette.posted by Chrysostom at 8:18 PM on July 26, 2018 [34 favorites]
-- MN gov: Marist poll has possible Dem nominee Walz up 51-40 on likely GOP nominee Pawlenty; alternate matchup of possible Dem nominee Swanson up 51-40 on Pawlenty.
-- WI gov: Marist poll has likely Dem nominee Evers up 54-41 on incumbent GOPer Walker.
-- OK gov: Sooner Poll shows a close race, with presumptive Dem nominee Edmondson trailing possible GOP nominee Cornett 43-35, but actually leading 40-39 over the other possible GOP nominee, Stitt [MOE: +/- 4.88%]. OK has seen a significant reaction against the current GOP administration - Gov Fallin's approvals are down in Blagojevich territory - so a Dem victory here is conceivable. Sabato has this one as Likely R, but I wonder if that's maybe a little conservative.
-- CA gov: That PPIC poll has Dem Newsom up 55-31 on GOPer Cox.
-- GA gov: NBC look at the Abrams-Kemp race, "the most ideologically polarized in the nation."
-- Dems introducing bills to prohibit spreading false information about elections (time and place of elections as well as voter qualifications and registration status). Is it constitutional? Maybe.
It's a reference to The Plum Book...
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:19 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
the register lists over 7,000 federal civil service leadership and support positions in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government that may be subject to noncompetitive appointment, nationwide, commonly called political appointments.Playa ain't got time for no seven thou' appointments. Hence, gutting of federal agencies.
posted by Mental Wimp at 8:19 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
I think a substantially small number of political appointees would be a good idea, actually.
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 8:21 PM on July 26, 2018 [4 favorites]
ex-RNC Chair Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele):
More anonymous leaks from Team Trump to get out the message that war's been declared on Cohen: "Two sources who have spoken to Trump about Cohen this week said the president was furious—hurling “expletives,” per one confidant—after CNN revealed Cohen had covertly recorded at least one of their conversations. [...] After audio of the call surfaced, the president conveyed to those close to him that he felt betrayed by Cohen. He was particularly irate at being clandestinely recorded and that audio had found its way to, of all places, CNN, a frequent target of Trump’s tweets. Trump also vented his frustration that there are apparently other tapes out there, and that he doesn’t know exactly what could be on them, or when they’ll drop in the press."
I suppose Vanity Fair will print a reply from Cohen and his allies soon enough.
My guess, based on the 2016 results, is improper use of a private email server.
The curious case of the Trump Org-Alfa Bank servers' mystery communication just doesn't go away. Incidentally, during Benczkowski's appointment process, Rosenstein declined to confirm or deny whether Alfa is currently under investigation (Atlantic).
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:22 PM on July 26, 2018 [54 favorites]
oh oh. Sh*t's about to get real.Dead to Each Other’: Team Trump Prepares to ‘Bury’ Michael Cohen, ‘Weakling’ and ‘Traitor’
And so Trump sends out Rudy Guilliani to say "Cohen's been lying for years". This, after Trump has always insisted "I only hire the best people". Now we understand: He only hires the best people to lie for him--until they start to tell the truth.
More anonymous leaks from Team Trump to get out the message that war's been declared on Cohen: "Two sources who have spoken to Trump about Cohen this week said the president was furious—hurling “expletives,” per one confidant—after CNN revealed Cohen had covertly recorded at least one of their conversations. [...] After audio of the call surfaced, the president conveyed to those close to him that he felt betrayed by Cohen. He was particularly irate at being clandestinely recorded and that audio had found its way to, of all places, CNN, a frequent target of Trump’s tweets. Trump also vented his frustration that there are apparently other tapes out there, and that he doesn’t know exactly what could be on them, or when they’ll drop in the press."
I suppose Vanity Fair will print a reply from Cohen and his allies soon enough.
My guess, based on the 2016 results, is improper use of a private email server.
The curious case of the Trump Org-Alfa Bank servers' mystery communication just doesn't go away. Incidentally, during Benczkowski's appointment process, Rosenstein declined to confirm or deny whether Alfa is currently under investigation (Atlantic).
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:22 PM on July 26, 2018 [54 favorites]
‘Dead to Each Other’: Team Trump Prepares to ‘Bury’ Michael Cohen, ‘Weakling’ and ‘Traitor’
Does Trump really not realize the asymmetry of the situation? Cohen can do much more damage to Trump than vice versa. It's possible that Trump is just very used to being on the other side of these asymmetries and doesn't have a schema to understand it. Anyway, as a great man once said, please proceed.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:24 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Does Trump really not realize the asymmetry of the situation? Cohen can do much more damage to Trump than vice versa. It's possible that Trump is just very used to being on the other side of these asymmetries and doesn't have a schema to understand it. Anyway, as a great man once said, please proceed.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 8:24 PM on July 26, 2018 [11 favorites]
Sure. Why not? Stormy Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, says 3 other women claim they were paid by AMI, Donald Trump, Michael Cohen
posted by zachlipton at 8:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
Michael Avenatti, the attorney who represents porn star Stormy Daniels, said Thursday that he is representing three other women who claim they were paid by Donald Trump, AMI and Michael Cohen to keep quiet.I wonder if they were paid with cash.
Avenatti was doing a panel in West Hollywood that included Mayor John Duran, former federal prosecutor Steve Madison and Mariana Magana Gamero, who is part of the Coalition for Human Immigration Rights of Los Angeles.
During the panel, Avenatti stood up and announced the information to the audience. He said the women claim they were paid by AMI Entertainment, Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen to stay quiet. He did not reveal what they were paid to stay quiet about.
He added that one of the women claimed to be pregnant at the time, and that he is in the process of getting clearance from his clients to release more details relating to the payments.
posted by zachlipton at 8:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [29 favorites]
So, the GOP governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, got pretty huffy after McCain's cancer diagnosis, saying that he was definitely not going to consider appointing anyone to the seat who vulturing around the place. I think he actually used the word "ghoul."
Anyway, it turns out the trigger was that Paul Gosar [R-AZ-04] starting bugging Ducey for the appointment the day after McCain went into the hospital. So classy!
posted by Chrysostom at 8:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
Anyway, it turns out the trigger was that Paul Gosar [R-AZ-04] starting bugging Ducey for the appointment the day after McCain went into the hospital. So classy!
posted by Chrysostom at 8:28 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
From me earlier: We're moving from the "no collusion" to the "collusion is a good thing" portion of the movie I think.
Josh Marshall: The final fallback: collusion is awesome. (linking to a Fox News bit).
So that didn't take long.
posted by Justinian at 8:32 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
Josh Marshall: The final fallback: collusion is awesome. (linking to a Fox News bit).
So that didn't take long.
posted by Justinian at 8:32 PM on July 26, 2018 [33 favorites]
Does Trump really not realize the asymmetry of the situation? Cohen can do much more damage to Trump than vice versa.
Can he though?
Everyone is assuming through all of this that if Mueller comes up with something damning enough, 18 Republican Senators will switch from no to yes in impeachment. Or that impeachment even hits the floor. From my perspective I see three distinct scenarios happening.
Scenario A: Republicans keep house in mid terms.
Result A: Mueller's hammer drops and could find clear and convincing evidence that Trump is eating live babies. Republican House will say it's not really impeachable and that, to be fair, the baby was kind of a dick.
Scenario B: Democratic House, collusion but no crime.
Result B: No impeachment attempted. Schumer can't find the 18 Senators who would defect.
Scenario C: Democratic House, Trump indicted.
Result C: Impeachment attempted because it would be criminal not to. Schumer doesn't find 18 for the verdict. Trump steps aside using the 25th temporarily, Pence pardons Trump for the criminal act, whole thing goes away. Tribalism escalates.
We keep thinking there is a "surely this" moment but there isn't one. It would have been one of the hundreds that have already been and gone as we plumb new depths of shamelessness.
The Senate math is there for Trump, the primary threat of his base is backstopping swift retribution against any Senate turncoats, and there is plenty of legal fiction jujitsu to throw at an indictment if it actually becomes a problem for them.
There is one more scenario I have in mind but it's a little tin foil hat.
Scenario C-X: Democratic House, Trump indicted, survives impeachment, pardoned for federal crimes.
Result C-X: Every AG in every blue state throws everything that they have on every piece of malfeasance they've ever found at Trump to force him to account.
What happens if a sitting President gets convicted by a state court? We might actually have a slim chance of finding out.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [25 favorites]
Can he though?
Everyone is assuming through all of this that if Mueller comes up with something damning enough, 18 Republican Senators will switch from no to yes in impeachment. Or that impeachment even hits the floor. From my perspective I see three distinct scenarios happening.
Scenario A: Republicans keep house in mid terms.
Result A: Mueller's hammer drops and could find clear and convincing evidence that Trump is eating live babies. Republican House will say it's not really impeachable and that, to be fair, the baby was kind of a dick.
Scenario B: Democratic House, collusion but no crime.
Result B: No impeachment attempted. Schumer can't find the 18 Senators who would defect.
Scenario C: Democratic House, Trump indicted.
Result C: Impeachment attempted because it would be criminal not to. Schumer doesn't find 18 for the verdict. Trump steps aside using the 25th temporarily, Pence pardons Trump for the criminal act, whole thing goes away. Tribalism escalates.
We keep thinking there is a "surely this" moment but there isn't one. It would have been one of the hundreds that have already been and gone as we plumb new depths of shamelessness.
The Senate math is there for Trump, the primary threat of his base is backstopping swift retribution against any Senate turncoats, and there is plenty of legal fiction jujitsu to throw at an indictment if it actually becomes a problem for them.
There is one more scenario I have in mind but it's a little tin foil hat.
Scenario C-X: Democratic House, Trump indicted, survives impeachment, pardoned for federal crimes.
Result C-X: Every AG in every blue state throws everything that they have on every piece of malfeasance they've ever found at Trump to force him to account.
What happens if a sitting President gets convicted by a state court? We might actually have a slim chance of finding out.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [25 favorites]
‘Dead to Each Other’: Team Trump Prepares to ‘Bury’ Michael Cohen, ‘Weakling’ and ‘Traitor’
Um... is he under the impression that insulting Cohen is going to make him less likely to flip? Or that he'll be able to say, "dude is a weakling and a loser!" to avoid charges based on Cohen's testimony?
(Of course not; he's still trying to do this like a business, where you can tank a deal by undermining someone's reputation. Unfortunately for potus45, the courts notoriously don't give a damn about the personal ethics or "alpha"-ness of people who testify; they just care if the testimony is reliable.)
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Um... is he under the impression that insulting Cohen is going to make him less likely to flip? Or that he'll be able to say, "dude is a weakling and a loser!" to avoid charges based on Cohen's testimony?
(Of course not; he's still trying to do this like a business, where you can tank a deal by undermining someone's reputation. Unfortunately for potus45, the courts notoriously don't give a damn about the personal ethics or "alpha"-ness of people who testify; they just care if the testimony is reliable.)
posted by ErisLordFreedom at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
CNN: A US Air Force plane carrying what is believed to be the remains of US troops killed during the Korean War some 65 years ago arrived in Osan Air Base in South Korea on Friday morning.
In Wonsan the North Koreans turned over what they say are an initial 55 cases holding remains, a US official told CNN's Ryan Browne.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
In Wonsan the North Koreans turned over what they say are an initial 55 cases holding remains, a US official told CNN's Ryan Browne.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:50 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Clip via Twitter of Giuliani on CNN with Chris Cuomo would seem to lay out the obvious tactic here: repeat infinitely that Cohen is a liar until people are used to hearing it and it (presumably) becomes accepted. He says it over and over again. A sympathetic jury might believe it, too. Hell, I totally believe Cohen is a constant liar, except even that sets up the obvious counter:
@jaketapper: Cohen has lied all his life? On whose behalf?
Giuliani's strategy only works if he can portray Trump as someone who totally believed in Cohen and had been taken for a ride for decades, and not the more obvious explanation, which is that Trump knew he had a dishonest lawyer all along because he wanted a dishonest lawyer.
For Trump's base, it will totally be enough, but any stupid bald-faced lie is good for them. For a judges and juries and Bob Mueller, maybe not so much.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:57 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
@jaketapper: Cohen has lied all his life? On whose behalf?
Giuliani's strategy only works if he can portray Trump as someone who totally believed in Cohen and had been taken for a ride for decades, and not the more obvious explanation, which is that Trump knew he had a dishonest lawyer all along because he wanted a dishonest lawyer.
For Trump's base, it will totally be enough, but any stupid bald-faced lie is good for them. For a judges and juries and Bob Mueller, maybe not so much.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:57 PM on July 26, 2018 [10 favorites]
Everyone is assuming through all of this that if Mueller comes up with something damning enough, 18 Republican Senators will switch from no to yes in impeachment.
Things won't change until they do. Watergate took over two years to unfold, Mueller has been investigating 14 months, and progressing at a MUCH greater rate than Watergate did. Democrats could win the Senate too. There still could be a cumulative tipping point coming at some point, far, far later than should have happened.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 PM on July 26, 2018 [24 favorites]
Things won't change until they do. Watergate took over two years to unfold, Mueller has been investigating 14 months, and progressing at a MUCH greater rate than Watergate did. Democrats could win the Senate too. There still could be a cumulative tipping point coming at some point, far, far later than should have happened.
posted by T.D. Strange at 9:07 PM on July 26, 2018 [24 favorites]
Why do we have to understand why Trump voters are supporting Trump? I honestly don't give a shit anymore.
Because we need to understand how to at least discourage them from voting next election.
posted by BrotherCaine at 9:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Because we need to understand how to at least discourage them from voting next election.
posted by BrotherCaine at 9:34 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Things won't change until they do. Watergate took over two years to unfold, Mueller has been investigating 14 months, and progressing at a MUCH greater rate than Watergate did. Democrats could win the Senate too. There still could be a cumulative tipping point coming at some point, far, far later than should have happened.
There could be but getting to 67 is more than just Collins and Murkowski. Once you get to half a dozen into the line there are far too many in there that are high on their own supply. Could you imagine Blunt voting to convict? Because he's probably one of the ones who we'll need.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
There could be but getting to 67 is more than just Collins and Murkowski. Once you get to half a dozen into the line there are far too many in there that are high on their own supply. Could you imagine Blunt voting to convict? Because he's probably one of the ones who we'll need.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
"It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future."
posted by Chrysostom at 9:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 9:36 PM on July 26, 2018 [14 favorites]
WaPo, A fist bump, then a rancorous call: How Trump’s deal to free an American pastor in Turkey fell apart. This is a weird tale. A side-deal with Israel is involved, it's turned into a big deal for the Christian right, there's a fighter jet deal, and now Trump is angry.
posted by zachlipton at 9:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 9:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
Bernie Sanders Adviser [Tad Devine] Is Assisting Special Counsel Investigation In Manafort Case
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:46 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:46 PM on July 26, 2018 [5 favorites]
From the "first ever, and first annual, Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom" hosted by the State Department 7/24-7/26, an excerpt from Secretary Pompeo's opening remarks:
Anyhow, per the State Department, the first order of business:
A brand-new fund? Wonder how --
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:57 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
The Trump administration recognizes that religious freedom is a fundamental American liberty, and this has been clear from the administration’s earliest days and indeed the earliest days of our nation. The United States advances religious freedom in our foreign policy because it is not exclusively an American right. It is a God-given universal right bestowed on all of mankind. Seventy years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed this when 48 nations declared that “everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.”(Provided that religion is not Islam, it would seem.)
Anyhow, per the State Department, the first order of business:
On July 24, we will equip and empower civil society organizations, including organizations working on religious freedom, to understand better how to access U.S. financial support for their efforts. Civil society, including religious organizations, are vital to protecting and promoting religious freedom. During this session, experts will explain to participants the U.S. grant making process and answer their questions.A giddy Pence spoke at length, and also announced:
America will always stand for religious freedom, and we will always speak out boldly wherever and whenever it’s threatened. To that end as well, the United States is also launching a new initiative to leverage our resources, together with other nations, to support those who fight for religious freedom and suffer from religious persecution. And today, I’m also pleased, as Vice President, to announce that the United States will launch the new International Religious Freedom Fund.
A brand-new fund? Wonder how --
"Boldline Religious Freedom (RF) is the U.S. Department of State’s partnership accelerator aimed to support and scale innovative public-private partnerships (P3s) to promote and defend religious freedom around the world... The U.S. Department of State, in close collaboration with industry leaders, will organize a three-day partnership building accelerator program that will bring together selected stakeholders of public-private partnerships, including civil society organizations, public institutions, corporations, innovation companies, entrepreneurship support organizations, and financial institutions to galvanize interest for the participating partnerships... The accelerator will take place in October 2018 in Washington, D.C., and participation in the program will be highly competitive."Oh, another grift. Well, if all you've got is a hammer.
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:57 PM on July 26, 2018 [15 favorites]
I despise the leaders of the religious right for many reasons but their cynical and deliberate corruption of the concept of "religious liberty" is definitely near the top of the list and it's only the fact that their shittiness has dire real-world consequences for many vulnerable people that keeps this bit of Orwellian manipulation from ranking even higher..
Religious freedom is a founding value of our nation -- one we haven't always lived up to completely but nevertheless one to which we have long aspired. How DARE they turn it into a club to wield against religious minorities and LGBTQ individuals?
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
Religious freedom is a founding value of our nation -- one we haven't always lived up to completely but nevertheless one to which we have long aspired. How DARE they turn it into a club to wield against religious minorities and LGBTQ individuals?
posted by Nerd of the North at 10:35 PM on July 26, 2018 [55 favorites]
If social media feels like a cesspool, don’t go swimming.
Problem is, those who do wallow around in the cesspool splatter muck around that spreads far and wide, plus there's all kinds of unsavourable stuff copulating and creating offspring in its hidden depths.
And a dose of chlorine won't help. Maybe hydrochloric acid.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:43 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Problem is, those who do wallow around in the cesspool splatter muck around that spreads far and wide, plus there's all kinds of unsavourable stuff copulating and creating offspring in its hidden depths.
And a dose of chlorine won't help. Maybe hydrochloric acid.
posted by Stoneshop at 10:43 PM on July 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
......the more obvious explanation, which is that Trump knew he had a dishonest lawyer all along because he wanted a dishonest lawyer.
posted by Rumple at 10:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Rumple at 10:56 PM on July 26, 2018 [7 favorites]
The final fallback: collusion is awesome. (linking to a Fox News bit).
I mean, minus the hacking part, Citizens United is practically encouraging foreign entities to weasel their way into our politics. Apparently Jeb Bush had $1.3M from China via superPAC, and now given Trump's success, I don't see why other foreign groups or governments wouldn't also follow suit unless we make some serious efforts to put a stop to this foreign influence.
posted by p3t3 at 11:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
I mean, minus the hacking part, Citizens United is practically encouraging foreign entities to weasel their way into our politics. Apparently Jeb Bush had $1.3M from China via superPAC, and now given Trump's success, I don't see why other foreign groups or governments wouldn't also follow suit unless we make some serious efforts to put a stop to this foreign influence.
posted by p3t3 at 11:17 PM on July 26, 2018 [17 favorites]
civil society organizations
Listen for this phrase to keep coming up in their talking points.These fuckers have spent decades working to destroy capital-C, capital-S Civil Society, and now they're using the phrase like they just invented it. It may mean "evangelical churches" in the context in which they're using it now, or it may mean "political lobbies made up of members of evangelical churches," or it may mean something else. But they're intentionally using that term to avoid saying something more concise and less innocuous.
posted by Rykey at 11:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
Listen for this phrase to keep coming up in their talking points.These fuckers have spent decades working to destroy capital-C, capital-S Civil Society, and now they're using the phrase like they just invented it. It may mean "evangelical churches" in the context in which they're using it now, or it may mean "political lobbies made up of members of evangelical churches," or it may mean something else. But they're intentionally using that term to avoid saying something more concise and less innocuous.
posted by Rykey at 11:37 PM on July 26, 2018 [16 favorites]
This is Brexit news, but I think it's very important in the context of the US 2016 elections.
Vote Leave's targeted Brexit ads released by Facebook
he official Vote Leave campaign spent more than £2.7m on targeting ads at specific groups of people on Facebook - helping it to win the 2016 EU referendum.
The US social media giant has now released these ads to a committee of MPs investigating fake news - meaning everyone, not just those they were originally aimed at, can now see them.
The ads, created by Canadian company Aggregate AIQ, often focused on specific issues - such as immigration or animal rights - thought likely to push the buttons of certain groups of people, based on their age, where they lived and other personal data taken from social media and other sources.
The 120 pages of documents appear to back up the findings of the Electoral Commission, which ruled last week that Vote Leave broke electoral law by working jointly with another campaign, BeLeave - something denied by both groups.
Vote Leave is, of course, linked to the usual suspects.
Matthew Elliott, CEO of pro-Brexit Vote Leave, was a partner at Awareness Analytics Partners (A2P) which has links to Trump, DeVos and the Koch brothers
and...
“In 2012 — or possibly earlier — Matthew Elliott was targeted by a man the Home Office now believes was a Russian spy. Sergey Nalobin was the first secretary in the Russian embassy’s political section in London when Elliott met him.”
The thing is - Facebook has disgorged a huge cache of almost-certainly-illegal and certainly false targeted political ads, of which nobody was aware or able to counter, which were paid for. many at the last minute, by an organisation with deep links to the 45-Putin axis. Did they swing an election which on the last day was - "Absolutely final pooled poll, inc. @yougov on-the-day poll: REMAIN (52%) almost certainly wins".?
Facebook just has to have an equivalent cache of below the radar targeted ads for 45.
posted by Devonian at 1:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [55 favorites]
Vote Leave's targeted Brexit ads released by Facebook
he official Vote Leave campaign spent more than £2.7m on targeting ads at specific groups of people on Facebook - helping it to win the 2016 EU referendum.
The US social media giant has now released these ads to a committee of MPs investigating fake news - meaning everyone, not just those they were originally aimed at, can now see them.
The ads, created by Canadian company Aggregate AIQ, often focused on specific issues - such as immigration or animal rights - thought likely to push the buttons of certain groups of people, based on their age, where they lived and other personal data taken from social media and other sources.
The 120 pages of documents appear to back up the findings of the Electoral Commission, which ruled last week that Vote Leave broke electoral law by working jointly with another campaign, BeLeave - something denied by both groups.
Vote Leave is, of course, linked to the usual suspects.
Matthew Elliott, CEO of pro-Brexit Vote Leave, was a partner at Awareness Analytics Partners (A2P) which has links to Trump, DeVos and the Koch brothers
and...
“In 2012 — or possibly earlier — Matthew Elliott was targeted by a man the Home Office now believes was a Russian spy. Sergey Nalobin was the first secretary in the Russian embassy’s political section in London when Elliott met him.”
The thing is - Facebook has disgorged a huge cache of almost-certainly-illegal and certainly false targeted political ads, of which nobody was aware or able to counter, which were paid for. many at the last minute, by an organisation with deep links to the 45-Putin axis. Did they swing an election which on the last day was - "Absolutely final pooled poll, inc. @yougov on-the-day poll: REMAIN (52%) almost certainly wins".?
Facebook just has to have an equivalent cache of below the radar targeted ads for 45.
posted by Devonian at 1:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [55 favorites]
Or shamelessly fishing for a pre-emptive pardon.
Trump's psyche doesn't work that way, and Cohen of anyone ought to know that.
In order for this to be what you suggest, the party signaling this way would have to believe that Trump was capable of running some kind of rudimentary cost-benefit analysis on the situation, and deciding something along the lines of "better to have him inside the tent pissing out."
We know, though, and Cohen surely does as well, that Trump's universe is strictly binary: you're either a supporter or a betrayer/enemy. You only get to cross that line once, I think, Steve Bannon being kind of an edge case (or possibly the exception that proves the rule).
Cohen's already crossed over. Look at Trump's tweets about the "unheard-of" nature of the taping over the past few days and tell me that's a mind pondering strategic reconciliation with a potentially dangerous foe.
posted by adamgreenfield at 1:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Trump's psyche doesn't work that way, and Cohen of anyone ought to know that.
In order for this to be what you suggest, the party signaling this way would have to believe that Trump was capable of running some kind of rudimentary cost-benefit analysis on the situation, and deciding something along the lines of "better to have him inside the tent pissing out."
We know, though, and Cohen surely does as well, that Trump's universe is strictly binary: you're either a supporter or a betrayer/enemy. You only get to cross that line once, I think, Steve Bannon being kind of an edge case (or possibly the exception that proves the rule).
Cohen's already crossed over. Look at Trump's tweets about the "unheard-of" nature of the taping over the past few days and tell me that's a mind pondering strategic reconciliation with a potentially dangerous foe.
posted by adamgreenfield at 1:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
I love this.
A San Francisco coffee company has joined the outcry over the services Salesforce provides to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by turning down a $40,000 contract to serve drinks at Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual user conference. ...
Cho said that the couple has felt a personal connection to the U.S. government’s actions: He immigrated to the United States as a toddler, and Rothgeb’s father was born in the Philippines.
“Are we going to, as a lot of people do, turn a blind eye and say the world is dirty, nobody’s perfect, or is this a situation where we reject a $40,000 opportunity and make a statement?” Cho said. ...
“Business is going to have to be the resistance we want to see,” Rothgeb said. “That’s the truth. You can’t get anything done unless business is going to take a stand.”
posted by Bella Donna at 2:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [87 favorites]
A San Francisco coffee company has joined the outcry over the services Salesforce provides to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by turning down a $40,000 contract to serve drinks at Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual user conference. ...
Cho said that the couple has felt a personal connection to the U.S. government’s actions: He immigrated to the United States as a toddler, and Rothgeb’s father was born in the Philippines.
“Are we going to, as a lot of people do, turn a blind eye and say the world is dirty, nobody’s perfect, or is this a situation where we reject a $40,000 opportunity and make a statement?” Cho said. ...
“Business is going to have to be the resistance we want to see,” Rothgeb said. “That’s the truth. You can’t get anything done unless business is going to take a stand.”
posted by Bella Donna at 2:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [87 favorites]
Co-founder of Nudist Anti Putin Group Found Dead in her Paris Apartment
this would be FEMEN, and hello, "nudism" wasn't what the group was about.
For anyone who missed it... this video op ed for NYT from another FEMEN co-founder hits really hard. The courage of these women and the persecution they have endured is incredibly moving. And the bitter message here "I know you don't care about my country, but you'd better care now that they are coming for yours" is chilling.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:20 AM on July 27, 2018 [50 favorites]
this would be FEMEN, and hello, "nudism" wasn't what the group was about.
For anyone who missed it... this video op ed for NYT from another FEMEN co-founder hits really hard. The courage of these women and the persecution they have endured is incredibly moving. And the bitter message here "I know you don't care about my country, but you'd better care now that they are coming for yours" is chilling.
posted by OnceUponATime at 3:20 AM on July 27, 2018 [50 favorites]
...one of the podcasters...
Andrea Chalupa
posted by PenDevil at 3:25 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Andrea Chalupa
posted by PenDevil at 3:25 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Yep, November 6th is the one and only Surely This moment. If Ds take the House and maybe even somehow pull off the Senate, plus take close to 10 governorships, the political calculus changes. Losing elections is the only thing that might make Rs act.
VOTE!
posted by chris24 at 5:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [45 favorites]
VOTE!
posted by chris24 at 5:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [45 favorites]
So the rhetoric has once again ratched up on Trump's twitter.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:16 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpAt this point I'm terrified that any removal of Trump will end up with a concerted and sustained far-right insurgency. I know a lot of far-right groups with a lot of guns are still cause shopping since the end of Obama's presidency. This would be the mother of all raison d'êtres for these groups.
Arrived back in Washington last night from a very emotional reopening of a major U.S. Steel plant in Granite City, Illinois, only to be greeted with the ridiculous news that the highly conflicted Robert Mueller and his gang of 13 Angry Democrats obviously cannot find Collusion...
....,the only Collusion with Russia was with the Democrats, so now they are looking at my Tweets (along with 53 million other people) - the rigged Witch Hunt continues! How stupid and unfair to our Country....And so the Fake News doesn’t waste my time with dumb questions, NO,....
.....I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:16 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
Why do we have to understand why Trump voters are supporting Trump? I honestly don't give a shit anymore.
Because we need to understand how to at least discourage them from voting next election.
No, we don't even need that. There are more of us then there are of them. When Democrats show up to vote, Democrats win.
What we need is to develop a passion for voting in every election from County Auditor all the way to President. The GOP has this. They get their ass to the polls. They don't say they're too busy, or tut-tut-it-looks-like-rain, or what-difference-does-one-vote-make-anyway.. they go vote. Every time.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 5:24 AM on July 27, 2018 [49 favorites]
Because we need to understand how to at least discourage them from voting next election.
No, we don't even need that. There are more of us then there are of them. When Democrats show up to vote, Democrats win.
What we need is to develop a passion for voting in every election from County Auditor all the way to President. The GOP has this. They get their ass to the polls. They don't say they're too busy, or tut-tut-it-looks-like-rain, or what-difference-does-one-vote-make-anyway.. they go vote. Every time.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 5:24 AM on July 27, 2018 [49 favorites]
Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?)
Does this mean 45 is about to start throwing Cohen's dirty laundry into the Twitter laundromat? Because that would up the entertainment quotient substantially, while increasing the chances disaster for all.
posted by Devonian at 5:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
Does this mean 45 is about to start throwing Cohen's dirty laundry into the Twitter laundromat? Because that would up the entertainment quotient substantially, while increasing the chances disaster for all.
posted by Devonian at 5:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
At this point I'm terrified that any removal of Trump will end up with a concerted and sustained far-right insurgency.
The threat of force for political purposes?
Sounds like the dictionary definition of Terrorist.
posted by mikelieman at 5:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
The threat of force for political purposes?
Sounds like the dictionary definition of Terrorist.
posted by mikelieman at 5:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
the political calculus changes
Other people losing the general doesn’t change the calculus. Most Republicans, especially the Senators, are in uncompetitive seats. The threat of losing power comes from the primary and not the general and if there’s one thing nutjobs do religiously it’s vote when they’re pissed off.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
Other people losing the general doesn’t change the calculus. Most Republicans, especially the Senators, are in uncompetitive seats. The threat of losing power comes from the primary and not the general and if there’s one thing nutjobs do religiously it’s vote when they’re pissed off.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 5:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
I don’t think we need to worry that a wave of fat right Terror *might* start, unfortunately. It’s already here.
posted by Artw at 5:50 AM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
posted by Artw at 5:50 AM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
At this point I'm terrified that any removal of Trump will end up with a concerted and sustained far-right insurgency.
I don't know how much consolation this is, but most of the 'militia' groups are more captive to the NRA ideologically than Trump. And ultimately, the NRA exists to sell guns. Insurgency theater is good for gun sales. Actual insurgency would be the end of all that.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:04 AM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
I don't know how much consolation this is, but most of the 'militia' groups are more captive to the NRA ideologically than Trump. And ultimately, the NRA exists to sell guns. Insurgency theater is good for gun sales. Actual insurgency would be the end of all that.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:04 AM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
I would gladly take a far right insurgency over Nazis controlling the actual military, because in that second one, we have to become the insurgency and come on: none of us are prepared for that. Triage one’s nightmares, etc.
posted by schadenfrau at 6:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by schadenfrau at 6:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
I don't know how much consolation this is, but most of the 'militia' groups are more captive to the NRA ideologically than Trump.
Well they're not really capitve to anyone. Oathkeepers and IIIers alike are slavishly devoted to the patriarchal white Christian ethnostate. Right now this ethos is on the upswing making it ridiculously hard to find authoritative targets to feel oppressed by which is why they're cause shopping.
And ultimately, the NRA exists to sell guns. Insurgency theater is good for gun sales. Actual insurgency would be the end of all that.
If said OKs and IIIers decided, post-removal, to walk down to their local left-wing assembly (Occupy ICE wherever) and open up with de facto automatic weapons on everyone there that we'd see a massive backlash against assault weapons and stricter gun laws?
Come on, if kids getting killed on a regular basis isn't going to get gun laws, you really think massacring the right's adult political enemies would?
American society has been bled by normalization of deviance and tribalism for so long that I honestly don't see things righting themselves without a massive reformation of the American group psyche. Namely, the ability to feel empathy and shame again. Jim Jordan? He should have resigned in shame. He should be out on his ass. If he didn't resign then the House should have tossed him out already. His electorate should toss him out on his ass. But no, that's not a thing we do anymore because, at the core of our tribalism, we just don't feel shame anymore.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:22 AM on July 27, 2018 [30 favorites]
Well they're not really capitve to anyone. Oathkeepers and IIIers alike are slavishly devoted to the patriarchal white Christian ethnostate. Right now this ethos is on the upswing making it ridiculously hard to find authoritative targets to feel oppressed by which is why they're cause shopping.
And ultimately, the NRA exists to sell guns. Insurgency theater is good for gun sales. Actual insurgency would be the end of all that.
If said OKs and IIIers decided, post-removal, to walk down to their local left-wing assembly (Occupy ICE wherever) and open up with de facto automatic weapons on everyone there that we'd see a massive backlash against assault weapons and stricter gun laws?
Come on, if kids getting killed on a regular basis isn't going to get gun laws, you really think massacring the right's adult political enemies would?
American society has been bled by normalization of deviance and tribalism for so long that I honestly don't see things righting themselves without a massive reformation of the American group psyche. Namely, the ability to feel empathy and shame again. Jim Jordan? He should have resigned in shame. He should be out on his ass. If he didn't resign then the House should have tossed him out already. His electorate should toss him out on his ass. But no, that's not a thing we do anymore because, at the core of our tribalism, we just don't feel shame anymore.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:22 AM on July 27, 2018 [30 favorites]
Since Trump is going to have a press conference about his latest economic numbers, the WaPo points out The Trump economy may seem strong. But not that strong:
Yet there’s a reason for the sudden surge in activity, and it isn’t simply the miracle of Trumponomics. A flurry of action by businesses moving to get ahead of the tariffs flying between the United States and its trading partners accounts for a significant portion of the uptick. For example, soybean farmers are seeing an unseasonal surge in demand. That’s because countries that typically rely on exports from Brazil need new suppliers, since China — the world’s leading importer of the crop — is buying up Brazilian soybeans in retaliation for U.S. tariffs. The result has been a roughly $20 billion spike in orders, good for a half-point of GDP alone last quarter, according to Ben Herzon, executive director of U.S. economics at Macroeconomic Advisers.posted by peeedro at 6:45 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
Elsewhere, economists see evidence that businesses are stockpiling goods as they brace for higher import prices if more tariffs bite. Estimates vary for how much of the total second-quarter growth number will owe to the phenomenon, though several peg it at around 1.5 percent.
If said OKs and IIIers decided, post-removal, to walk down to their local left-wing assembly (Occupy ICE wherever) and open up with de facto automatic weapons on everyone there that we'd see a massive backlash against assault weapons and stricter gun laws?
Come on, if kids getting killed on a regular basis isn't going to get gun laws, you really think massacring the right's adult political enemies would?
There is a marked difference between identifiable armed insurrection and lone-killer nutcase shootings (although the former may include the latter).
posted by HyperBlue at 6:47 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Come on, if kids getting killed on a regular basis isn't going to get gun laws, you really think massacring the right's adult political enemies would?
There is a marked difference between identifiable armed insurrection and lone-killer nutcase shootings (although the former may include the latter).
posted by HyperBlue at 6:47 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
.....I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!
--- Donald Trump, dad of the year
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
--- Donald Trump, dad of the year
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 6:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
How many R senators are up for election in 2020? If they become scared of loosing their seats, they will vote for impeachment before that, and they will become scared if there is a good blue wave this year. I'm still optimistic that the Helsinki theater was a turning point, and the Cohen tapes confirm to me that from now on things are accelerating for the good.
This morning, I bought a conservative paper to see how our local conservatives are dealing with the US and Brexit news, and they have definitely changed from talking about "conspiracy theories" and "Trump is a disruptor but that may be a good thing" to" THIS IS A CATASTROPHE!!! SOMEONE FIGURE SOMETHING OUT". They don't have any influence on US politics but they are an indicator that conservative news are no longer able to filter out reality.
One thing in there was something I tried to write here yesterday but my internet broke: the perception here is that Juncker fooled Trump into thinking he'd made a deal, using the Kim Jong-un playbook. That is a bit of comic relief, isn't it?
posted by mumimor at 6:54 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
This morning, I bought a conservative paper to see how our local conservatives are dealing with the US and Brexit news, and they have definitely changed from talking about "conspiracy theories" and "Trump is a disruptor but that may be a good thing" to" THIS IS A CATASTROPHE!!! SOMEONE FIGURE SOMETHING OUT". They don't have any influence on US politics but they are an indicator that conservative news are no longer able to filter out reality.
One thing in there was something I tried to write here yesterday but my internet broke: the perception here is that Juncker fooled Trump into thinking he'd made a deal, using the Kim Jong-un playbook. That is a bit of comic relief, isn't it?
posted by mumimor at 6:54 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
How many R senators are up for election in 2020?
There are 21 up in 2020. Only Gardner, Collins, and Tillis are in vaguely competitive seats. Everyone else can be kept in line by a primary threat.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
There are 21 up in 2020. Only Gardner, Collins, and Tillis are in vaguely competitive seats. Everyone else can be kept in line by a primary threat.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!
To be *squick* fair, the latter sounds more like a refernce to Cohen in the context of the whole tweet (*double squick*).
posted by Cyrano at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
To be *squick* fair, the latter sounds more like a refernce to Cohen in the context of the whole tweet (*double squick*).
posted by Cyrano at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
If said OKs and IIIers decided, post-removal, to walk down to their local left-wing assembly (Occupy ICE wherever) and open up with de facto automatic weapons on everyone there that we'd see a massive backlash against assault weapons and stricter gun laws?
Yes, because while those are definitely the people you have to worry about they are pretty vastly outnumbered by your internet-tough-guy AR15.com armchair preppers who don't actually want insurgency.
This sort of thing would be different even than Las Vegas. It would be undeniably politically motivated terrorism by right wing groups. The GOP would have to disown that faction instantly. So would the NRA. It would demand a serious law enforcement or military response, depending upon the scenario.
And there would be stark new facts for the gun control debate. One thing about the right wing politicians in power: they like being in power. I don't think they want to answer to armed mobs either. (See California, Reagan and the Black Panthers.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
Yes, because while those are definitely the people you have to worry about they are pretty vastly outnumbered by your internet-tough-guy AR15.com armchair preppers who don't actually want insurgency.
This sort of thing would be different even than Las Vegas. It would be undeniably politically motivated terrorism by right wing groups. The GOP would have to disown that faction instantly. So would the NRA. It would demand a serious law enforcement or military response, depending upon the scenario.
And there would be stark new facts for the gun control debate. One thing about the right wing politicians in power: they like being in power. I don't think they want to answer to armed mobs either. (See California, Reagan and the Black Panthers.)
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
Great, have a press conference to brag about the artificially juiced GDP numbers where the underlying economy is Obama's anyway. Don't worry at all about the October report that will come out a week and a half before the election when the pre-tariff surge is gone and the full impact of tariffs and the rest of your idiocy will hit. Very stable genius.
posted by chris24 at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 7:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Everyone else can be kept in line by a primary threat.
Fifty states!
posted by mumimor at 7:03 AM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
Fifty states!
posted by mumimor at 7:03 AM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
So, Facebook finds a bit of wet noodle, uses it as their backbone
posted by Stoneshop at 7:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by Stoneshop at 7:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
Since Trump is going to have a press conference about his latest economic numbers, the WaPo points out The Trump economy may seem strong. But not that strong
Though you'd never know it from Trump's ongoing victory lap of a press conference.
As always, the Toronto Star's Daniel Dale live-blogged/fact-checked the event, in all its hyperbolic mendacity. (If a print journalist can do this in almost real time, why can't cable news cover Trump's bullshit accurately?) Anyroad, here are some highlights:
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
Though you'd never know it from Trump's ongoing victory lap of a press conference.
As always, the Toronto Star's Daniel Dale live-blogged/fact-checked the event, in all its hyperbolic mendacity. (If a print journalist can do this in almost real time, why can't cable news cover Trump's bullshit accurately?) Anyroad, here are some highlights:
—"We are in the midst of the longest job-growth streak in history," Trump says after disparaging the Obama-era economy. Six years and three months of the job-growth streak came under Obama.Trump then left without taking questions.
—Trump accurately boasts of $300 billion in profits being repatriated this year, then inaccurately adds, "We think it's going to be, in the end, when completed, over $4 trillion." Four experts tell me the "$4 trillion" number is a lie, no estimate is higher than $3.1 trillion.
—Trump with a vivid lie about U.S. Steel workers yesterday: "Half of them had tears coming down their face." He adds that these people might never have cried before, but they cried yesterday.
—Trump falsely says "Obamacare is now on its last legs." (No.) Trump falsely says association health plans "just opened." (Not available until September 1.)
—Trump says he might be even "more honoured" that the trade deficit has shrunk than that there is 4.1% growth. (Both numbers have been affected by the pre-tariff export surge.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
There is a marked difference between identifiable armed insurrection and lone-killer nutcase shootings (although the former may include the latter).
Can we please not repeat awful, stigmatizing, propaganda from winger 2A maximalists insisting that we definitely don't have a gun problem, we only really have a mental health problem? On top of the unique problems the US has with gun violence (which can be directly tied to American gun culture and gun laws), the rise of armed right-wing violence is definitely starting to show signs of coalescing into what could be termed an insurrection, if it's not one already. Furthermore, it's not being driven by "nutcases," it's being driven by radicalized groups of bigots and authoritarians. We have armed groups of terrorists "exercising their 2nd Amendment rights" at places of worship and protests because they don't believe certain types of Americans deserve to exercise their 1st Amendment rights, and that's at the low end of the armed violence spectrum.
How White American Terrorists Are Radicalized: They're reading the same websites, talking to each other, and killing the same targets. The lone wolves are actually a pack.
Can we please not repeat awful, stigmatizing, propaganda from winger 2A maximalists insisting that we definitely don't have a gun problem, we only really have a mental health problem? On top of the unique problems the US has with gun violence (which can be directly tied to American gun culture and gun laws), the rise of armed right-wing violence is definitely starting to show signs of coalescing into what could be termed an insurrection, if it's not one already. Furthermore, it's not being driven by "nutcases," it's being driven by radicalized groups of bigots and authoritarians. We have armed groups of terrorists "exercising their 2nd Amendment rights" at places of worship and protests because they don't believe certain types of Americans deserve to exercise their 1st Amendment rights, and that's at the low end of the armed violence spectrum.
How White American Terrorists Are Radicalized: They're reading the same websites, talking to each other, and killing the same targets. The lone wolves are actually a pack.
These murders, mostly committed by white American men, reveal patterns, but they're not evidence of some kind of single, secret organization dedicated to committing white-supremacist violence. That tends to puzzle people, because our conception of terrorism is linked to Islam and people of color, but also to cell-based groups like al-Qaeda: When we think of terrorism, we look for secret leaders sending out commands and planning operations. That's just not the model in this case, so when these white men kill, the media, elected officials, and law enforcement respond by disavowing connections to terrorism. These disavowals reveal a basic racism surrounding the word "terrorism," although many officials and reporters just want to keep people from panicking.The Alt-Right is Killing People
But maybe it's time to panic a little, or at least understand that these incidents are connected and require an organized response from our politicians, law enforcement, and media. When hundreds of "lone wolves" are reading the same websites, talking to each other, consuming the same stories, picking up easily accessible weapons, and killing the same targets, they have become a pack.
The sprawling networks the alt-right has built around its poisonous, racist ideology have violence at its core in its pursuit of a white ethnostate. The white, male grievance culture that the leaders of the alt-right are incubating has already inspired more than 40 deaths and left more than 60 people injured.posted by zombieflanders at 7:12 AM on July 27, 2018 [64 favorites]
And unfortunately, the alt-right seems likely to inspire more, as it moves farther into the real world. Its leaders continue to abdicate all responsibility for the violence their ideology inspires and are becoming increasingly recalcitrant in the face of widespread condemnation.
Unfortunately, leaderless does not mean victimless.
The GOP would have to disown that faction instantly. So would the NRA. It would demand a serious law enforcement or military response, depending upon the scenario.
a) OKs and IIIers exclusively support GOP candidates. It's like how Republicans are supported by David Duke because their policies tend towards white nationalist. Republicans can disavow these people but still support an almost unlimited variant of the 2A.
b) You don't want to know how many of these people are in law enforcement even in blue liberal areas.
And there would be stark new facts for the gun control debate. One thing about the right wing politicians in power: they like being in power. I don't think they want to answer to armed mobs either.
You have far more faith in the electorate than I. I think the newfound bravery of the GOP in their shamelessness comes down to knowing they have so much inbuilt advantage in the system effectively locked up and a sufficient percentage of the electorate that will back them come hell or high water. In a lot of purple states they've gerrymandered the hell out of the statehouse on the back of 2010. Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania. Even if they lose the governorship of a state it doesn't matter. Just be patient, ratfuck the Democratic government, get your triad back eventually.
The only object in politics now is to vanquish your opponents and things that sleight you. Which is just a polite way of saying "own the libs*".
* I personally don't like owning libs. I think we have too much depreciation as soon as you drive us off the lot and I personally think it's better to lease a lib but do these people really think about long term consequences?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:12 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
a) OKs and IIIers exclusively support GOP candidates. It's like how Republicans are supported by David Duke because their policies tend towards white nationalist. Republicans can disavow these people but still support an almost unlimited variant of the 2A.
b) You don't want to know how many of these people are in law enforcement even in blue liberal areas.
And there would be stark new facts for the gun control debate. One thing about the right wing politicians in power: they like being in power. I don't think they want to answer to armed mobs either.
You have far more faith in the electorate than I. I think the newfound bravery of the GOP in their shamelessness comes down to knowing they have so much inbuilt advantage in the system effectively locked up and a sufficient percentage of the electorate that will back them come hell or high water. In a lot of purple states they've gerrymandered the hell out of the statehouse on the back of 2010. Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania. Even if they lose the governorship of a state it doesn't matter. Just be patient, ratfuck the Democratic government, get your triad back eventually.
The only object in politics now is to vanquish your opponents and things that sleight you. Which is just a polite way of saying "own the libs*".
* I personally don't like owning libs. I think we have too much depreciation as soon as you drive us off the lot and I personally think it's better to lease a lib but do these people really think about long term consequences?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:12 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
Taz kid is all of us! I freaking love him. Scroll down for double bird flipping.
posted by Sophie1 at 7:16 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Sophie1 at 7:16 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Fifty states!
If Beto wins Texas then we talk about a thirty-something state strategy for the Senate.
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:17 AM on July 27, 2018
If Beto wins Texas then we talk about a thirty-something state strategy for the Senate.
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:17 AM on July 27, 2018
zombieflanders, quoting the Pacific Standard article by David M Perry: That tends to puzzle people, because our conception of terrorism is linked to Islam and people of color, but also to cell-based groups like al-Qaeda: When we think of terrorism, we look for secret leaders sending out commands and planning operations.
For what it's worth, the "individuals inspired by the same worldview but not following ordered plans" thing is what ISIL attacks look like when they've happened in the United States.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:18 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
For what it's worth, the "individuals inspired by the same worldview but not following ordered plans" thing is what ISIL attacks look like when they've happened in the United States.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 7:18 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
I'm not saying you fight to the last man in every deep red state, but there are going to be more Roy Moores and we should be prepared to take advantage when they win primaries.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:32 AM on July 27, 2018 [39 favorites]
I'm not saying you fight to the last man in every deep red state, but there are going to be more Roy Moores and we should be prepared to take advantage when they win primaries.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:32 AM on July 27, 2018 [39 favorites]
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
$50,000 (hell $10k) goes a long way in a state like Wyoming. Run *somone*, make the R’s defend a safe seat, and get another voice out there. You’re not going to win but you’re going to change some minds which could have an effect on down-ballot and local races.
The 50-state strategy shouldn’t just be about federal races and governors. We need to be running people for state legislatures, city councils, etc. If there’s a race for soil conservation district supervisor there should be someone be with a -D or -DSA printed behind their name on the ballot.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:35 AM on July 27, 2018 [104 favorites]
$50,000 (hell $10k) goes a long way in a state like Wyoming. Run *somone*, make the R’s defend a safe seat, and get another voice out there. You’re not going to win but you’re going to change some minds which could have an effect on down-ballot and local races.
The 50-state strategy shouldn’t just be about federal races and governors. We need to be running people for state legislatures, city councils, etc. If there’s a race for soil conservation district supervisor there should be someone be with a -D or -DSA printed behind their name on the ballot.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:35 AM on July 27, 2018 [104 favorites]
You have far more faith in the electorate than I.
Maybe. It's also that I don't think the various business interests and donors that ultimately exert the most control over the GOP and its appendages want that much disturbance, it's dangerous to their ability to solidify their gains. Maybe that's naive too.
On top of the unique problems the US has with gun violence (which can be directly tied to American gun culture and gun laws), the rise of armed right-wing violence is definitely starting to show signs of coalescing into what could be termed an insurrection, if it's not one already. Furthermore, it's not being driven by "nutcases," it's being driven by radicalized groups of bigots and authoritarians.
I agree with this and don't mean to diminish it. Just to say that organized insurgent violence after an election would definitely be something qualitatively different. I worry about stuff like compromised law enforcement too, although you'd think (like right-wing pols) they'd be invested in the state monopoly on violence.
Maybe worthy of it's own thread if people feel like getting down into the weeds on the topic. Those links of zombieflanders' are worth reading.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:35 AM on July 27, 2018
Maybe. It's also that I don't think the various business interests and donors that ultimately exert the most control over the GOP and its appendages want that much disturbance, it's dangerous to their ability to solidify their gains. Maybe that's naive too.
On top of the unique problems the US has with gun violence (which can be directly tied to American gun culture and gun laws), the rise of armed right-wing violence is definitely starting to show signs of coalescing into what could be termed an insurrection, if it's not one already. Furthermore, it's not being driven by "nutcases," it's being driven by radicalized groups of bigots and authoritarians.
I agree with this and don't mean to diminish it. Just to say that organized insurgent violence after an election would definitely be something qualitatively different. I worry about stuff like compromised law enforcement too, although you'd think (like right-wing pols) they'd be invested in the state monopoly on violence.
Maybe worthy of it's own thread if people feel like getting down into the weeds on the topic. Those links of zombieflanders' are worth reading.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:35 AM on July 27, 2018
From The Atlantic: Tariffs Once Tore the GOP Apart—and May Be Doing So Again
It’s only a matter of time before rural voters again learn what their forebears knew: Protectionist policies are rigged against them.
It’s only a matter of time before rural voters again learn what their forebears knew: Protectionist policies are rigged against them.
If [tariffs represent] a break from contemporary Republican orthodoxy, it’s a message other GOP presidents once embraced. Trump has previously quoted William McKinley declaring that tariffs made Americans lives “sweeter and brighter and brighter and brighter.” (For the record, McKinley only said “brighter” once.) And after Congress passed the Tariff Act of 1909, William Taft declared it “the best bill that the Republican party ever passed.”posted by jgirl at 7:38 AM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
But the voters disagreed, vehemently. In the next two elections, they obliterated the GOP’s congressional majority, crushed Taft’s reelection hopes, and sent the party into a tailspin. Tariff policy was one of the most divisive issues in American politics, because its costs and benefits were unevenly distributed. Protectionist policies offered windfalls to large corporations while burdening small businesses and farmers with higher prices. That stirred bitter resentments in less industrialized, agricultural regions, fueling North-South discord before the Civil War, and inflaming Midwestern populism in the early 20th century, splitting political parties in the process. If Trump continues his protectionist course, it could happen again.
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
Trump got 67% in WY. He got 68% in West Virginia, currently home to a D senator who is going to win reelection.
Trump got 62% in Alabama, currently home to a recent D Senate victory.
Trump got 61% in Tennessee, currently home to a D candidate leading in Senate polls.
posted by chris24 at 7:40 AM on July 27, 2018 [76 favorites]
Trump got 67% in WY. He got 68% in West Virginia, currently home to a D senator who is going to win reelection.
Trump got 62% in Alabama, currently home to a recent D Senate victory.
Trump got 61% in Tennessee, currently home to a D candidate leading in Senate polls.
posted by chris24 at 7:40 AM on July 27, 2018 [76 favorites]
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
Maybe a Senate campaign would be a waste for now, but I think Democrats should be building our bench in all states. Abandoning the 50-state strategy was the biggest mistake the Dem party made, IMO.
City councils, mayorships, state senate, even House races in areas that could go blue. Build that bench. Look at Doug Jones and Stacey Abrams.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:40 AM on July 27, 2018 [39 favorites]
Maybe a Senate campaign would be a waste for now, but I think Democrats should be building our bench in all states. Abandoning the 50-state strategy was the biggest mistake the Dem party made, IMO.
City councils, mayorships, state senate, even House races in areas that could go blue. Build that bench. Look at Doug Jones and Stacey Abrams.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 7:40 AM on July 27, 2018 [39 favorites]
Also, and im sure this has been said before, no state is completely red. People of colour are everywhere, queer people are everywhere, refugees are everywhere, immigrants are everywhere, women are everywhere.
Abandoning them to the GOP, even in the face of statistically unwinnable electoral environments, is unconscionable.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 7:44 AM on July 27, 2018 [71 favorites]
Abandoning them to the GOP, even in the face of statistically unwinnable electoral environments, is unconscionable.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 7:44 AM on July 27, 2018 [71 favorites]
> If Beto wins Texas then we talk about a thirty-something state strategy for the Senate. I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
Overlooking the obvious hyperbole about "no bigger waste" (I mean, have you seen my hundred dollar bill bonfire?), this is a case where my head says "Yes" but my heart says "No". Of course there are better campaigns to invest in, but we've got to show up - at every race. There should be no uncontested races, not in this environment.
If Beto gets close, think of the tremendous coattails he will provide throughout the purplish parts of Texas! And while I don't count out human skin suit Ted Cruz, I think Beto might have a shot.
And of course, as chris24 points out: West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:47 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
Overlooking the obvious hyperbole about "no bigger waste" (I mean, have you seen my hundred dollar bill bonfire?), this is a case where my head says "Yes" but my heart says "No". Of course there are better campaigns to invest in, but we've got to show up - at every race. There should be no uncontested races, not in this environment.
If Beto gets close, think of the tremendous coattails he will provide throughout the purplish parts of Texas! And while I don't count out human skin suit Ted Cruz, I think Beto might have a shot.
And of course, as chris24 points out: West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee.
posted by RedOrGreen at 7:47 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
Shakedown Nation
Why did Trump start a trade war? The answer seems to me blatantly obvious. The tariffs and trade war are basically a big shakedown aimed not at foreigners but at Americans.posted by scalefree at 7:53 AM on July 27, 2018 [77 favorites]
It goes like this: the tariffs, by instituting an international trade war with our country, were intended to create hardship not only abroad but more importantly, in the US. This provides the Trump administration a splendid opportunity to offer "protection" to its loyal supporters. Protection could come in the form of exemption from the tariffs for specific business sectors or in the form of cash payoffs to offset the financial burden. A shakedown racket depends upon creating problems for those to be shaken down. And, as the hardships deepen, the protections Trump provides his supporters will become all that more valuable.
As for those who don't support Trump? The administration can simply respond, "No can do. There's a trade war going on. Blame Europe for your problems. Blame Obama for the lousy deals that forced us to institute tariffs in the first place. It's not our fault."
That's it. The trade war really isn't about international trade. Of course, if Trump can shake down some foreigners, too, hey, why not? But they're not the primary marks for the grift. This is really about establishing Shakedown Nation, where supporters are openly protected and all other Americans face ruination. This is an attempt to accumulate and maintain political power here at home.
The 50-state strategy shouldn’t just be about federal races and governors. We need to be running people for state legislatures, city councils, etc. If there’s a race for soil conservation district supervisor there should be someone be with a -D or -DSA printed behind their name on the ballot.
It's a bit annoying to hear this cheap armchair talk all the time. Who's "we"? Why aren't you running for office?
Running for office is a weary soul-sucking job. It's 16 hours a day 7 days a week for a year or more. You have to spend a lot of time begging for money and giving speeches. And if you are in a blood red district you are absolutely going to have your ass handed to you and maybe your family harassed. There's a reason there aren't a lot of good candidates willing to sacrifice themselves in a suicide mission just to make you feel good. And your blaming it on some faceless organization like the DNC is just too easy.
If you think it's important to run for every office, why aren't you?
Aspiring to a "50-state" strategy is okay but whining and casting blame about why it isn't happening isn't helpful.
posted by JackFlash at 7:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
It's a bit annoying to hear this cheap armchair talk all the time. Who's "we"? Why aren't you running for office?
Running for office is a weary soul-sucking job. It's 16 hours a day 7 days a week for a year or more. You have to spend a lot of time begging for money and giving speeches. And if you are in a blood red district you are absolutely going to have your ass handed to you and maybe your family harassed. There's a reason there aren't a lot of good candidates willing to sacrifice themselves in a suicide mission just to make you feel good. And your blaming it on some faceless organization like the DNC is just too easy.
If you think it's important to run for every office, why aren't you?
Aspiring to a "50-state" strategy is okay but whining and casting blame about why it isn't happening isn't helpful.
posted by JackFlash at 7:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
.....I did NOT know of the meeting with my [large adult] son, Don jr. S ...So close to greatness, Donnie.
posted by octobersurprise at 7:57 AM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
The 50 State Strategy was an actual DNC initiative that was shelved after Obama took office and Howard Dean left the committee. This isn't just us spitballing.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [26 favorites]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [26 favorites]
Glenn Greenwald having some kind of Twitter purge?
posted by Artw at 7:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
Trump got 67% in WY. He got 68% in West Virginia, currently home to a D senator who is going to win reelection.
A legacy of the final shift of the Southern Strategy. There's a reason TD has a Manchin rant once a megathread.
Trump got 62% in Alabama, currently home to a recent D Senate victory.
Barely. Against an avowed and unrepentant pedophile who courted 14 year old girls at twice their age.
Trump got 61% in Tennessee, currently home to a D candidate leading in Senate polls.
In an extreme blue wave with no incumbency advantage.
We should take advantage of circumstances but a lot of these eye popping victories are just that, circumstance. They aren't wholesale shifts of the electorate. They aren't victories that will translate anywhere else in the country. It's like when Illionis or Massachusetts elects a Republican as a Senator or Governor. It's just happenstance.
When people say we should be running in every race without exceptions because we need to be competitive everywhere, it just reminds me of that old (TW: Scott Adams) Dilbert comic where the PHB says "why can't we focus our limited resources across the board?"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
A legacy of the final shift of the Southern Strategy. There's a reason TD has a Manchin rant once a megathread.
Trump got 62% in Alabama, currently home to a recent D Senate victory.
Barely. Against an avowed and unrepentant pedophile who courted 14 year old girls at twice their age.
Trump got 61% in Tennessee, currently home to a D candidate leading in Senate polls.
In an extreme blue wave with no incumbency advantage.
We should take advantage of circumstances but a lot of these eye popping victories are just that, circumstance. They aren't wholesale shifts of the electorate. They aren't victories that will translate anywhere else in the country. It's like when Illionis or Massachusetts elects a Republican as a Senator or Governor. It's just happenstance.
When people say we should be running in every race without exceptions because we need to be competitive everywhere, it just reminds me of that old (TW: Scott Adams) Dilbert comic where the PHB says "why can't we focus our limited resources across the board?"
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
If you think it's important to run for every office, why aren't you?
If you hate the idea that the DNC should be supporting people who want to run even if they're from a place that usually votes red that's one thing (although... why?), but this line of argument is really bizarre.
posted by IAmUnaware at 8:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
If you hate the idea that the DNC should be supporting people who want to run even if they're from a place that usually votes red that's one thing (although... why?), but this line of argument is really bizarre.
posted by IAmUnaware at 8:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
The 50 State Strategy was an actual DNC initiative that was shelved after Obama took office and Howard Dean left the committee.
You might be confusing cause and effect. In 2006 the electorate was sick and tired of the Republicans with the Iraq stalemate and Katrina. Democratic candidates could feel a wave and this encouraged them to run in districts they wouldn't have a chance in two years before. And they won the House back. This had less to do with a 50 state strategy than encouraging poll numbers.
Again this year, the Democrats seem to have the wind at their backs and lots of Democrats are encouraged to run in races they wouldn't have a couple years ago. It has less to do with national strategy by the DNC than favorable polls.
To blame or depend on some radical change in a national committee strategy I think is a mistake. It engenders a degree of passivity.
posted by JackFlash at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
You might be confusing cause and effect. In 2006 the electorate was sick and tired of the Republicans with the Iraq stalemate and Katrina. Democratic candidates could feel a wave and this encouraged them to run in districts they wouldn't have a chance in two years before. And they won the House back. This had less to do with a 50 state strategy than encouraging poll numbers.
Again this year, the Democrats seem to have the wind at their backs and lots of Democrats are encouraged to run in races they wouldn't have a couple years ago. It has less to do with national strategy by the DNC than favorable polls.
To blame or depend on some radical change in a national committee strategy I think is a mistake. It engenders a degree of passivity.
posted by JackFlash at 8:09 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
A San Francisco coffee company has joined the outcry over the services Salesforce provides to U.S. Customs and Border Protection by turning down a $40,000 contract to serve drinks at Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual user conference. ...Oh world, you disappoint me so. That headline should have been
Cho said that the couple has felt a personal connection to the U.S. government’s actions: He immigrated to the United States as a toddler, and Rothgeb’s father was born in the Philippines.
Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters Punches SalesForce In The Dick.
Because that is that Nick Cho.
posted by phearlez at 8:11 AM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
Dems should really be feeling the wind at their back and awww fuck no.
posted by Artw at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
Taz kid is all of us! I freaking love him. Scroll down for double bird flipping.
Double birds for each and every vehicle in the motorcade. Kid is on message.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Double birds for each and every vehicle in the motorcade. Kid is on message.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
No, I'm saying that there was an actual policy from the DNC of backing candidates in elections where they had little chance of success even in a favorable national environment, as a way to build a Democratic presence in "red" states and make it easier to capitalize on unforced GOP errors, and that policy was called "The 50 State Strategy." And after Howard Dean was replaced by Tim Kaine, that policy was dropped.
This isn't a complicated argument, and I don't know why you're refusing to acknowledge it.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [32 favorites]
This isn't a complicated argument, and I don't know why you're refusing to acknowledge it.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 8:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [32 favorites]
GOP Rep. Jason Lewis called people on government assistance 'parasites,' said blacks on welfare 'plantation'
posted by Artw at 8:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [15 favorites]
I missed this yesterday, from the Daily Beast's story: ‘Dead to Each Other’: Team Trump Prepares to ‘Bury’ Michael Cohen, ‘Weakling’ and ‘Traitor' (linked by Barack Spinoza last night):
posted by pjenks at 8:15 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
American Media Inc. (AMI), the parent company of the National Enquirer, owns the rights to the story. And David Pecker, a longtime Trump ally, helmed AMI. But, according to a source familiar with the Trump-Cohen conversation, Pecker had told Trump he was considering leaving AMI, prompting fears in Trumpland that a new leader at the company could decide to publish McDougal’s story. Such fears prompted Trump and Cohen to look into buying the rights to the story themselves, according to the source. Ultimately, Pecker stayed at AMI and Trump opted not to purchase the story rights.I mean, something like that was obviously the backstory to the "he might get hit by a bus" conversation, but it's pleasing that someone out there is confirming such a conversation between Pecker and Trump.
posted by pjenks at 8:15 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
AFP: Putin Says 'Ready To Go To Washington', Invites Trump To Moscow:
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
"I am ready to go to Washington," Putin told reporters after a summit of the leaders of the BRICS group -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- in Johannesburg, adding that he had also invited Trump to visit Moscow.This is not diplomacy, this is trolling.
"He has a desire to conduct meetings in the future and I am ready," he said, stressing however that conditions should be in place for such events to go ahead. Putin said he and Trump planned to meet on the sidelines of a G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires starting late November and possibly other venues which he did not name.
"Life goes on and our contacts are continuing despite all the difficulties -- the difficulties in the US domestic political life," Putin said.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
Some good news, EPA reverses course, says it will enforce stricter pollution limits for glider trucks (WaPo). Glider trucks are made of a new truck chassis fitted with an old, pre-emission control engine which emit 40 to 55 times the air pollution of a new truck. The article speculates that Wheeler will now enforce stricter pollution controls on gliders to avoid losing a court challenge on the issue. This is the loophole that Scott Pruitt created in his last hours as EPA administrator as a favor to industry friends.
posted by peeedro at 8:22 AM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 8:22 AM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
> The 50 State Strategy was an actual DNC initiative that was shelved after Obama took office and Howard Dean left the committee.
You might be confusing cause and effect. ... This had less to do with a 50 state strategy than encouraging poll numbers.
While the poll numbers in 2006 were a big factor, the change in national strategy absolutely has to do with Obama. Specifically, Obama's selection of (fucking) Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff. Rahm had taken over at DCCC after Bob Matsui died in 2005, and he hated Howard Dean for diverting resources away from his own target Congressional races to focus on other states and races that were less likely to win. The role of the DCCC is to win this election so it kind of makes sense, but Rahm's focus was very shortsighted. After Obama became head of the party, he picked Rahm as chief-of-staff, and they froze Howard Dean out of the party completely despite his continued popularity at that point. They installed another typical shortsighted strategist (hi, Tim Kaine!) at DNC and relied heavily on the separate Obama for America team. I don't know if Obama has anything personally against Howard Dean or the 50-state strategy, but elevating Rahm Emanuel has everything to do with the strategy being dismantled after 2008.
posted by stopgap at 8:23 AM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
You might be confusing cause and effect. ... This had less to do with a 50 state strategy than encouraging poll numbers.
While the poll numbers in 2006 were a big factor, the change in national strategy absolutely has to do with Obama. Specifically, Obama's selection of (fucking) Rahm Emanuel as his chief of staff. Rahm had taken over at DCCC after Bob Matsui died in 2005, and he hated Howard Dean for diverting resources away from his own target Congressional races to focus on other states and races that were less likely to win. The role of the DCCC is to win this election so it kind of makes sense, but Rahm's focus was very shortsighted. After Obama became head of the party, he picked Rahm as chief-of-staff, and they froze Howard Dean out of the party completely despite his continued popularity at that point. They installed another typical shortsighted strategist (hi, Tim Kaine!) at DNC and relied heavily on the separate Obama for America team. I don't know if Obama has anything personally against Howard Dean or the 50-state strategy, but elevating Rahm Emanuel has everything to do with the strategy being dismantled after 2008.
posted by stopgap at 8:23 AM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
The Plum Line's most recent "Happy Hour Roundup" linked to a piece whose point is, I believe, worth keeping in mind: The Media Myth of Teflon Don (bits emphasized by me):
The takeaway was that the president is doing poorly—actually doing horribly—even in Midwest Rust Belt states, where Donald Trump has typically found his strongest base of power. (He lost Minnesota to Hillary Clinton, but only by a sliver.)posted by InTheYear2017 at 8:35 AM on July 27, 2018 [64 favorites]
This is one poll. We should not imbue it with more importance than it deserves. But it does check a prevailing narrative, which is that nothing sticks to this president...
Things stick to presidents. They always stick. The result is the most unpopular presidency in modern memory.
This, of course, is not the dominant focus. The focus has been on the president’s support among Republicans, a focus that, as I mentioned, is abnormal. In the recent past, no serious journalist took seriously approval among partisans. Partisan support was a given. As in: Of course, Republicans like a GOP president. They’re Republicans.
But this isn’t a normal presidency. Before and during his campaign, Trump had dozens on dozens of contacts with a hostile foreign power that did, we now know, commit acts of cyber-warfare against the United States. Moreover, since his inauguration, the president has been making nice with the enemy, even inviting him to tea.
So it’s not unreasonable to look at Trump’s deference to Russia, and look at his popularity among Republicans—which is to say, people usually hawkish about foreign affairs and willing to pound Democrats for signs of weakness—and wonder: how can this be? The result has been story after story about how Trump, contrary to a body of evidence showing he conspired with Russia, is still popular with Republicans.
But in focusing on this story, journalists come to the conclusion that nothing sticks to Trump, and in coming to that conclusion, they inadvertently (I presume) lend credence to his image as Teflon Don. Worse, for journalists, is missing the bigger story, which is that huge majorities don’t like this president. That is the case nationally and, we can now infer, that’s the case even in the heart of Trump’s base of power.
But even that isn’t the biggest story. The story few reporters are telling, because they are busy trying to square the circle of support among Republican voters usually hawkish about foreign affairs, is about the reawakening of American participatory democracy, a reawakening led primarily by people of color and women.
> If you think it's important to run for every office, why aren't you?
This is such a weird argument, and is frankly not one in good faith. I mean I want to see encouragement of candidates in all 50 states - I'm not running for any of them because I only live in one, and that one is already blue, and has better representation than I am capable of. I'd imagine that many Mefites are in this same situation.
Despite only living in one place, I'd still love to see encouragement and support of Democratic candidates in "red" areas. The national Democratic organizations have a ton of resources and can bring a lot of things to a potential candidate to ease their run, be it for a high level or a low level position. One of the most important things is a fundraising structure and communications platform, and this is something that would bring considerable gain with national support. They are simply operating at a scale that an individual running it on their own cannot.
Blaming people here for not running when what we are talking about is the abandonment of structural elevation and support across the nation makes zero sense. This is basically the "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" argument that the Republicans love to use while completely ignoring all of the structural elements in place that allow someone to run at an significant advantage.
> Aspiring to a "50-state" strategy is okay but whining and casting blame about why it isn't happening isn't helpful.
You can quote it all you want - it was a thing that was explicitly stated and executed in the past and then explicitly abandoned after that. Again - the reason it isn't happening is because they decided to abandon it. This isn't whining or casting blame. Many folk in the smaller and more remote areas have the feeling that the Democratic party has abandoned them - and they aren't wrong when it comes to national support.
I really don't understand what you are getting at here. I mean, there ARE people here who have been running for office, and have been successful! Outside of that, are a lot of very politically active people here who are taking direct action, and I think it's rather condescending to accuse us of whining or casting blame here.
posted by MysticMCJ at 8:35 AM on July 27, 2018 [60 favorites]
This is such a weird argument, and is frankly not one in good faith. I mean I want to see encouragement of candidates in all 50 states - I'm not running for any of them because I only live in one, and that one is already blue, and has better representation than I am capable of. I'd imagine that many Mefites are in this same situation.
Despite only living in one place, I'd still love to see encouragement and support of Democratic candidates in "red" areas. The national Democratic organizations have a ton of resources and can bring a lot of things to a potential candidate to ease their run, be it for a high level or a low level position. One of the most important things is a fundraising structure and communications platform, and this is something that would bring considerable gain with national support. They are simply operating at a scale that an individual running it on their own cannot.
Blaming people here for not running when what we are talking about is the abandonment of structural elevation and support across the nation makes zero sense. This is basically the "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" argument that the Republicans love to use while completely ignoring all of the structural elements in place that allow someone to run at an significant advantage.
> Aspiring to a "50-state" strategy is okay but whining and casting blame about why it isn't happening isn't helpful.
You can quote it all you want - it was a thing that was explicitly stated and executed in the past and then explicitly abandoned after that. Again - the reason it isn't happening is because they decided to abandon it. This isn't whining or casting blame. Many folk in the smaller and more remote areas have the feeling that the Democratic party has abandoned them - and they aren't wrong when it comes to national support.
I really don't understand what you are getting at here. I mean, there ARE people here who have been running for office, and have been successful! Outside of that, are a lot of very politically active people here who are taking direct action, and I think it's rather condescending to accuse us of whining or casting blame here.
posted by MysticMCJ at 8:35 AM on July 27, 2018 [60 favorites]
The Democratic establishment is never going to forgive Howard Dean for succeeding in 2006 and nobody who isn't part of that establishment should ever forgive them for that fact.
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by Pope Guilty at 8:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
b) You don't want to know how many of these people are in law enforcement even in blue liberal areas
Also on my list of things I would do if I won the lottery: sponsor a bunch of lefty hacker types to systematically expose Nazis in law enforcement, then spend a bunch of money on local media campaigns until they’re driven out
Every last one
Sidenote: the fact that Wikileaks and the rest never showed any interest in this despite the abundant, low hanging Nazi fruit probably should have been a clue
posted by schadenfrau at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [54 favorites]
Also on my list of things I would do if I won the lottery: sponsor a bunch of lefty hacker types to systematically expose Nazis in law enforcement, then spend a bunch of money on local media campaigns until they’re driven out
Every last one
Sidenote: the fact that Wikileaks and the rest never showed any interest in this despite the abundant, low hanging Nazi fruit probably should have been a clue
posted by schadenfrau at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [54 favorites]
The Democratic establishment
Before he was radicalized, Pournelle had some insights
posted by mikelieman at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
Before he was radicalized, Pournelle had some insights
"Pournelle's Iron Law of Bureaucracy": In any bureaucracy, the people devoted to the benefit of the bureaucracy itself always get in control and those dedicated to the goals the bureaucracy is supposed to accomplish have less and less influence, and sometimes are eliminated entirely."And it seems like the old-guard has forgotten that the Organization's GOALS are more important that the Organization itself.
posted by mikelieman at 8:59 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
The Democratic establishment is never going to forgive Howard Dean for succeeding in 2006 and nobody who isn't part of that establishment should ever forgive them for that fact.
I'm not sure I follow. What about Dean's success in 2006 was not agreeable to the Democratic establishment? What would there be to forgive? Could you please spell this out? Because I'm really not getting it.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:01 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure I follow. What about Dean's success in 2006 was not agreeable to the Democratic establishment? What would there be to forgive? Could you please spell this out? Because I'm really not getting it.
posted by a snickering nuthatch at 9:01 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Mod note: folks if we relitigate every old election we'll be here for days.... it's up to you but I might wrap-up the Dean derail
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:04 AM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:04 AM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
I give Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the DSA twenty years to be the Democratic establishment.
And though I've lost all sense of the passage of time, 2006 at least feels like it was over a decade ago.
We're in the midst of our version of what happened to the GOP -- radical takeover, but made out of good instead of evil.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
And though I've lost all sense of the passage of time, 2006 at least feels like it was over a decade ago.
We're in the midst of our version of what happened to the GOP -- radical takeover, but made out of good instead of evil.
posted by InTheYear2017 at 9:13 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
Such fears prompted Trump and Cohen to look into buying the rights to the story themselves, according to the source. Ultimately, Pecker stayed at AMI and Trump opted not to purchase the story rights.
You never trust a corporation unless you have Pecker in your pocket.
posted by delfin at 9:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
You never trust a corporation unless you have Pecker in your pocket.
posted by delfin at 9:14 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
[folks if we relitigate every old election we'll be here for days.... it's up to you but I might wrap-up the Dean derail]
Look, if I can't unleash my 7-paragraph screed on the political infighting of the Whigs leading up to the 1840 election and how it affected the Tyler-Polk race, what am I even doing here?
posted by zombieflanders at 9:17 AM on July 27, 2018 [118 favorites]
Look, if I can't unleash my 7-paragraph screed on the political infighting of the Whigs leading up to the 1840 election and how it affected the Tyler-Polk race, what am I even doing here?
posted by zombieflanders at 9:17 AM on July 27, 2018 [118 favorites]
I give Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the DSA twenty years to be the Democratic establishment.
I'm An Old (well, Gen X--is that old now?) and posited to my husband the other day that actually we shouldn't think about a single Overton Window. What we have are two, diverging like the eye test I get for my wonky crosseyes. The Democratic Overton Window has shifted noticeably to the left in my lifetime. The general sentiments of "liberal American values" have shifted to the left. I mean heck, I've moved a great deal to the left over the years and at no point did I ever feel like I was going whoa way out there far far away from all my fellow urban liberal typed Americans.
posted by soren_lorensen at 9:18 AM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
I give Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the rest of the DSA twenty years to be the Democratic establishment.
Even now, there is considerable overlap between the DSA's national policy positions and that of the Democratic Party; the difference between the two is already not so much ideological (for short- and medium-term policy goals anyway) as it is in tactics. The Democrats favor incrementalism and the DSA is more interested in "radical innovation." (Those aren't meant as scare quotes, just highlighting that "radical innovation" is jargon rather than a judgement). I guess it's difficult to cooperate even in pursuit of common goals when your methods differ and nobody is willing to compromise. But I still find the attacks by DSA on the Dems and vice versa incredibly frustrating because I don't know why we can't be two prongs of the same fork.
Speaking of the Democratic Party's evolution, though, I've been listening to The Wilderness, which is about exactly that...it's really fascinating, I highly recommend it if you haven't listened yet.
posted by rue72 at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
Even now, there is considerable overlap between the DSA's national policy positions and that of the Democratic Party; the difference between the two is already not so much ideological (for short- and medium-term policy goals anyway) as it is in tactics. The Democrats favor incrementalism and the DSA is more interested in "radical innovation." (Those aren't meant as scare quotes, just highlighting that "radical innovation" is jargon rather than a judgement). I guess it's difficult to cooperate even in pursuit of common goals when your methods differ and nobody is willing to compromise. But I still find the attacks by DSA on the Dems and vice versa incredibly frustrating because I don't know why we can't be two prongs of the same fork.
Speaking of the Democratic Party's evolution, though, I've been listening to The Wilderness, which is about exactly that...it's really fascinating, I highly recommend it if you haven't listened yet.
posted by rue72 at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
After weeks of protest and an occupation of City Hall, Philadelphia's mayor just announced that the city will NOT renew an information sharing agreement with ICE!
posted by mcduff at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [80 favorites]
posted by mcduff at 9:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [80 favorites]
Meanwhile, more evidence that the Republican + media conglomerate is corrupt all the way though. Kimberly Guilfoyle left Fox News unwillingly, due to her own sexual misconduct and emotional abuse of assistants and makeup/hair people.
posted by msalt at 9:52 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by msalt at 9:52 AM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
With Philly's new DA and this news about ICE I'm a bit proud of my home town.
posted by runcibleshaw at 9:52 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by runcibleshaw at 9:52 AM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
Even now, there is considerable overlap between the DSA's national policy positions and that of the Democratic Party; the difference between the two is already not so much ideological (for short- and medium-term policy goals anyway) as it is in tactics.
As a DSA member, I strongly disagree with this. The Democratic Party and the DSA are both multi-tendency big tents, so there will be members of both whose ideologies intersect, but on the whole it's night and day. I won't get too deep into this to avoid a derail (because this is kind of a huge intra-left topic), but the ideological distinction between the two is most obviously clear when you see prominent dem politicians saying that they are capitalists and their party is capitalist.
There is certainly room to work together, but there's a reason the DSA is an entryist group and not a subsection of the Democratic Party.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 9:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
As a DSA member, I strongly disagree with this. The Democratic Party and the DSA are both multi-tendency big tents, so there will be members of both whose ideologies intersect, but on the whole it's night and day. I won't get too deep into this to avoid a derail (because this is kind of a huge intra-left topic), but the ideological distinction between the two is most obviously clear when you see prominent dem politicians saying that they are capitalists and their party is capitalist.
There is certainly room to work together, but there's a reason the DSA is an entryist group and not a subsection of the Democratic Party.
posted by One Second Before Awakening at 9:55 AM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
Can we take DSA talk / DNC debate to the DSA thread please? Thank you.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:02 AM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:02 AM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
AFP: Putin Says 'Ready To Go To Washington', Invites Trump To Moscow
And almost immediately, the Trump White House responds: Trump Open to Moscow Visit If Putin Formally Invites Him (AP)
The eagerness is as revealing as it is shameful.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [35 favorites]
And almost immediately, the Trump White House responds: Trump Open to Moscow Visit If Putin Formally Invites Him (AP)
The eagerness is as revealing as it is shameful.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:06 AM on July 27, 2018 [35 favorites]
The Trump Tower meeting increasingly looks as bad for Trump as it initially seemed
(Philip Bump | WaPo)
(Philip Bump | WaPo)
The natural first reaction is: Of course.posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:07 AM on July 27, 2018 [19 favorites]
Of course Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who attended the meeting with Donald Trump Jr. and others at Trump Tower in June 2016 had closer ties with Russian officials than she let on.
And of course there would now be allegations — secondhand, but credible — that President Trump himself knew that the meeting was scheduled and what it was about before it took place.
After all, denial after denial from those involved in the meeting, statement after statement, has crumbled away or been perforated with holes. The scenario that seemed at the outset to be worst for Trump politically is increasingly the one in which we seem to be headed.
ProPublica is out with what should be another blockbuster report, if it doesn't get buried by the other news.
Michael Grabell and Topher Sanders: Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine” [cw: sexual assault and abuse of children]
Michael Grabell and Topher Sanders: Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine” [cw: sexual assault and abuse of children]
Using state public records laws, ProPublica has obtained police reports and call logs concerning more than 70 of the approximately 100 immigrant youth shelters run by the U.S. Health and Human Services department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement. While not a comprehensive assessment of the conditions at these shelters, the records challenge the Trump administration’s assertion that the shelters are safe havens for children. The reports document hundreds of allegations of sexual offenses, fights and missing children.posted by zombieflanders at 10:12 AM on July 27, 2018 [38 favorites]
The recently discontinued practice of separating children from their parents has thrust the youth shelters into the national spotlight. But, with little public scrutiny, they have long cared for thousands of immigrant children, most of them teenagers, although last year 17 percent were under 13. On any given day, the shelters in 17 states across the country house around 10,000 adolescents.
The more than 1,000 pages of police reports and logs detail incidents dating back to the surge of unaccompanied minors from Central America in 2014 during the Obama administration. But immigrant advocates, psychologists and officials who formerly oversaw the shelters say the Trump administration’s harsh new policies have only increased pressures on the facilities, which often are hard-pressed to provide adequate staffing for kids who suffer from untold traumas and who now exist in a legal limbo that could shape the rest of their lives.
News you can use from Business Insider:
This Google Chrome extension will change every picture of [current POTUS] to kittens
posted by jgirl at 10:23 AM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
This Google Chrome extension will change every picture of [current POTUS] to kittens
The best part about the extension is that it makes a regular news story about [POTUS] seem a lot funnier.Hilarious examples! Make American Kittens Again!
posted by jgirl at 10:23 AM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
And almost immediately, the Trump White House responds: Trump Open to Moscow Visit If Putin Formally Invites Him (AP)
The way things are going, he'll also make his visit contingent on him staying at "his old room" at the Moscow Ritz-Carlton.
posted by dis_integration at 10:24 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
The way things are going, he'll also make his visit contingent on him staying at "his old room" at the Moscow Ritz-Carlton.
posted by dis_integration at 10:24 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
jgirl: This Google Chrome extension will change every picture of [current POTUS] to kittens
I've been using this browser extension since 2016, and it is a sanity-saver.
posted by Superplin at 10:25 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
I've been using this browser extension since 2016, and it is a sanity-saver.
posted by Superplin at 10:25 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
is anyone working on a new thread cuz my computer is chuggggggging on these 2200 comments
posted by lazaruslong at 10:28 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 10:28 AM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
b) You don't want to know how many of these people are in law enforcement even in blue liberal areas.
Just a reminder that the national FOP endorsed Donald Trump despite a tape recorded confession of being a repeated sex pest.
posted by srboisvert at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
Just a reminder that the national FOP endorsed Donald Trump despite a tape recorded confession of being a repeated sex pest.
posted by srboisvert at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
"When Ronald Reagan was in the White House, one of the nation's top law enforcement officials advised Congress that if serious allegations were ever lodged against a president, the Justice Department would have no choice but to call upon a special investigator to look into the matter.
"Any attorney general that did the opposite of that would not be acting sensibly and would be subject to severe public criticism," the U.S. associate attorney general told a Senate panel.
That associate attorney general was Rudy Giuliani."
posted by chris24 at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [67 favorites]
"Any attorney general that did the opposite of that would not be acting sensibly and would be subject to severe public criticism," the U.S. associate attorney general told a Senate panel.
That associate attorney general was Rudy Giuliani."
posted by chris24 at 10:37 AM on July 27, 2018 [67 favorites]
MAKA doesn't work on social media or the White House site (maybe not any .gov site), but, hey. I'll take it!
posted by jgirl at 10:39 AM on July 27, 2018
posted by jgirl at 10:39 AM on July 27, 2018
> This Google Chrome extension will change every picture of [current POTUS] to kittens
Also available for Firefox.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:44 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also available for Firefox.
posted by tonycpsu at 10:44 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
is anyone working on a new thread cuz my computer is chuggggggging on these 2200 comments
Request to admins to just have weekly or even daily resets of the megathread. Not wait for a user to make them, just make them automatically and close previous ones. I don't need another recap of links every time. Each thread should just have a link to previous one at the top and link to next one at the bottom.
posted by M-x shell at 10:53 AM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
Request to admins to just have weekly or even daily resets of the megathread. Not wait for a user to make them, just make them automatically and close previous ones. I don't need another recap of links every time. Each thread should just have a link to previous one at the top and link to next one at the bottom.
posted by M-x shell at 10:53 AM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
Request to admins to just have weekly or even daily resets of the megathread.
That's more of a MetaTalk conversation if you want to take it over there.
posted by jessamyn at 10:57 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
That's more of a MetaTalk conversation if you want to take it over there.
posted by jessamyn at 10:57 AM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
One thing legislators in Massachusetts just hate doing is passing laws to delete old law that courts have overturned. But given the times, the legislature this year passed, and Gov. Baker (yes, a Republican) today signed the Negating Archaic Statutes Targeting Young women act, which formally strips laws off the books that still outlawed abortion, writing articles about how to get an abortion and contraception for unmarried people, just in case certain key decisions (such as Roe v. Wade and Eisenstadt v. Baird) are overturned.
posted by adamg at 11:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [41 favorites]
posted by adamg at 11:00 AM on July 27, 2018 [41 favorites]
Two ratings changes from Cook:
FL-15 [open (Ross)] | Likely R => Lean R
TX-02 [open (Poe)] | Solid R => Likely R
Current ratings scoreboard:
Solid D - 181
Likely D - 12
Lean D - 9
Tossup - 26
Lean R - 26
Likely R - 28
Solid R - 153
posted by Chrysostom at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
FL-15 [open (Ross)] | Likely R => Lean R
TX-02 [open (Poe)] | Solid R => Likely R
Current ratings scoreboard:
Solid D - 181
Likely D - 12
Lean D - 9
Tossup - 26
Lean R - 26
Likely R - 28
Solid R - 153
posted by Chrysostom at 11:02 AM on July 27, 2018 [11 favorites]
We're moving from the "no collusion" to the "collusion is a good thing" portion of the movie I think.
Somone get a memo to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway @MZHemingway, the Federalist's biggest Trumpist, who is stuck on "everybody does it" false equivalence:
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:08 AM on July 27, 2018 [33 favorites]
Somone get a memo to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway @MZHemingway, the Federalist's biggest Trumpist, who is stuck on "everybody does it" false equivalence:
I don't have a problem w/ getting dirt on election opponents from foreigners. But if you do, why was it OK for Hillary Clinton to secretly hire a foreign spy to get dirt on her opponent from Kremlin officials, and seed that info into the media and weaponize it in the US gov't?Southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) helpfully glosses this:
The new hotness at the federalist is pretending to be so obtuse you can’t understand the difference between a campaign cooperating with a hostile foreign govt to profit from its crimes victimizing other Americans and one hiring a private investigator who works out of London.(Even now, after Mueller's GRU indictments, I'm dismayed that the DNC-DCCC hacks are not being reported in the mainstream media as crimes.)
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:08 AM on July 27, 2018 [33 favorites]
Anna Palmer (Politico): SPOTTED: Robert Mueller & Donald Trump Jr. at Gate 35X at Ronald Reagan Airport.
An absolutely amazing photo of Don Jr pretending to be on the phone and acting like he has no idea Mueller is sitting mere feet from him.
posted by sporkwort at 11:09 AM on July 27, 2018 [53 favorites]
An absolutely amazing photo of Don Jr pretending to be on the phone and acting like he has no idea Mueller is sitting mere feet from him.
posted by sporkwort at 11:09 AM on July 27, 2018 [53 favorites]
Trump Has Changed His Mind A Lot On What He Knew About The Trump Tower Meeting
- Trump said he didn’t draft his son’s initial statement about the meeting
- He was involved in drafting the statement but didn’t personally dictate it
- Trump’s legal team said that he personally dictated the statement
- Giuliani reverses course and says that Trump actually didn’t dictate the statement
despite a tape recorded confession of being a repeated sex pest.
Well, serial perpetrator of sexual assault, but that doesn't exactly improve things.
Still, since actual active collaboration with hostile intelligence services isn't a bar, I don't know why it surprises me. IOKIYAR has no end.
posted by jaduncan at 11:38 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Well, serial perpetrator of sexual assault, but that doesn't exactly improve things.
Still, since actual active collaboration with hostile intelligence services isn't a bar, I don't know why it surprises me. IOKIYAR has no end.
posted by jaduncan at 11:38 AM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Definitely Not Sean Spicer: "How many R senators are up for election in 2020?
There are 21 up in 2020. Only Gardner, Collins, and Tillis are in vaguely competitive seats. Everyone else can be kept in line by a primary threat."
I have to say I don't agree with this analysis. Under "vaguely competitive or better," I'd include at least: AK, CO, GA, IA, ME, MT, and NC.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
There are 21 up in 2020. Only Gardner, Collins, and Tillis are in vaguely competitive seats. Everyone else can be kept in line by a primary threat."
I have to say I don't agree with this analysis. Under "vaguely competitive or better," I'd include at least: AK, CO, GA, IA, ME, MT, and NC.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:42 AM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
Tom Namako: The White House spelled United States wrong.
posted by WordCannon at 11:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by WordCannon at 11:49 AM on July 27, 2018 [38 favorites]
It's easy to recognize Mueller in the airport picture, but I couldn't tell which man was Trump Jr (green shirt?). So I did an image search for him to refresh my memory of what he looks like... and was bombarded by adorable kitten pictures because I'd installed that browser extension jgirl linked to (which is activated by any image description containing "Trump"). So that was kind of delightful; thanks jgirl!
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [51 favorites]
posted by InTheYear2017 at 11:58 AM on July 27, 2018 [51 favorites]
The Endangered Species Act, which for 45 years has safeguarded fragile wildlife, is being targeted by lawmakers, the White House and industry on a scale not seen in decades.
Because the Trump Administration isn't content to jeopardize endangered species in the US, Mother Jones: Trump Just Made It Legal to Bring Back the Heads of Slaughtered Lions—The big winners were those with ties to Republicans and a major trophy hunting group.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
Because the Trump Administration isn't content to jeopardize endangered species in the US, Mother Jones: Trump Just Made It Legal to Bring Back the Heads of Slaughtered Lions—The big winners were those with ties to Republicans and a major trophy hunting group.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:27 PM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
A bit of anecdotal info related to the ProPublica article article about immigrant youth shelters and sexual predators linked to above -- back when someone posted a list of ICE facilities around the country to an earlier thread here on the Blue, I discovered that the one closest to me was the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin Georgia.
According to city-data.com, the ratio of registered sex offenders to residents in Lumpkin is 4 to 1.
FOUR - TO - ONE !!!
There are 264 registered sex offenders living in Lumpkin today out of a total population of around 1100 people (1,104 in 2014), provided the numbers on city-data.com are accurate.
If so, that's ONE SEX OFFENDER PER FOUR CITIZENS in this one town, about a HUNDRED TIMES greater than for the state as a whole (one offender per 438 citizens). To be fair, the ratios in other towns in the area are also worse than the state average, but not as egregious as in Lumpkin. For example, the ratios for the towns of Omaha, Richland, and Cuthbert (all within a 20 mile radius of Lumpkin) are 403, 232, and 134 respectively.
In all likelihood, it's probably nothing but pure coincidence that this one little town that happens to host an ICE facility also happens to have an off-the-chart number of sex offenders. I just thought it was interesting in light of the ProPublica article.
posted by TwoToneRow at 12:35 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
According to city-data.com, the ratio of registered sex offenders to residents in Lumpkin is 4 to 1.
FOUR - TO - ONE !!!
There are 264 registered sex offenders living in Lumpkin today out of a total population of around 1100 people (1,104 in 2014), provided the numbers on city-data.com are accurate.
If so, that's ONE SEX OFFENDER PER FOUR CITIZENS in this one town, about a HUNDRED TIMES greater than for the state as a whole (one offender per 438 citizens). To be fair, the ratios in other towns in the area are also worse than the state average, but not as egregious as in Lumpkin. For example, the ratios for the towns of Omaha, Richland, and Cuthbert (all within a 20 mile radius of Lumpkin) are 403, 232, and 134 respectively.
In all likelihood, it's probably nothing but pure coincidence that this one little town that happens to host an ICE facility also happens to have an off-the-chart number of sex offenders. I just thought it was interesting in light of the ProPublica article.
posted by TwoToneRow at 12:35 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
This is pedantry, but the ratio of sex offenders to residents is 1:4, not 4:1.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:39 PM on July 27, 2018 [27 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 12:39 PM on July 27, 2018 [27 favorites]
I was a little perturbed that Mueller wasn't surrounded by a security detail
While I'm overall skeptical of Mueller fanboyism -- he's just a human being, after all -- I like to imagine that he would be disdainful of a security detail and would just stare down any attacker into abject submission.
posted by Slothrup at 12:40 PM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
While I'm overall skeptical of Mueller fanboyism -- he's just a human being, after all -- I like to imagine that he would be disdainful of a security detail and would just stare down any attacker into abject submission.
posted by Slothrup at 12:40 PM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
We're moving from the "no collusion" to the "collusion is a good thing" portion of the movie I think.
I've expected this all along and I fully expect to see "We had to collude with the Russians to defeat the Deep State Globalists!" before the election, possibly before Labor Day.
Somone get a memo to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway @MZHemingway, the Federalist's biggest Trumpist, who is stuck on "everybody does it" false equivalence ...
She can reach across the aisle and make friends with Aaron Maté who is stuck on "only the elites care about Russia." They can pish-posh it together at the next Red-Brown meetup.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:42 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've expected this all along and I fully expect to see "We had to collude with the Russians to defeat the Deep State Globalists!" before the election, possibly before Labor Day.
Somone get a memo to Mollie Ziegler Hemingway @MZHemingway, the Federalist's biggest Trumpist, who is stuck on "everybody does it" false equivalence ...
She can reach across the aisle and make friends with Aaron Maté who is stuck on "only the elites care about Russia." They can pish-posh it together at the next Red-Brown meetup.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:42 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Speaking of the Democratic Party's evolution, though, I've been listening to The Wilderness, which is about exactly that...it's really fascinating, I highly recommend it if you haven't listened yet.
I agree but it's pretty hard to get through. I was listening to the part going back over the 2016 campaigns and got angry all over again while driving home from work yesterday.
posted by octothorpe at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I agree but it's pretty hard to get through. I was listening to the part going back over the 2016 campaigns and got angry all over again while driving home from work yesterday.
posted by octothorpe at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
@jeffzeleny: Cabinet officials and others invited to today's NSC meeting on election security are leaving White House now. The meeting was set to start at 3 pm. If it started as scheduled, the president's meeting on election security was less than 30 minutes.
When you want to look like you care, but not very much.
posted by zachlipton at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
When you want to look like you care, but not very much.
posted by zachlipton at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
Tom Namako: The White House spelled United States wrong.
The White House didn't spell it wrong. It's a quote. They just forgot the [sic]
posted by mcstayinskool at 12:48 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Official: Russian hackers targeted 2016 Montana election
posted by Fleebnork at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [23 favorites]
posted by Fleebnork at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [23 favorites]
If it started as scheduled, the president's meeting on election security was less than 30 minutes.
Also the President was tweeting boasts about GDP growth during the meeting so clearly he was very invested.
posted by Justinian at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
Also the President was tweeting boasts about GDP growth during the meeting so clearly he was very invested.
posted by Justinian at 12:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
I have to say I don't agree with this analysis. Under "vaguely competitive or better," I'd include at least: AK, CO, GA, IA, ME, MT, and NC.
Add AZ to the list, as it seems safe to assume McCain's seat will be up for election in 2020.
posted by 6ATR at 12:50 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
Add AZ to the list, as it seems safe to assume McCain's seat will be up for election in 2020.
posted by 6ATR at 12:50 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
The 50-state strategy shouldn’t just be about federal races and governors. We need to be running people for state legislatures, city councils, etc. If there’s a race for soil conservation district supervisor there should be someone be with a -D or -DSA printed behind their name on the ballot.
posted by nathan_teske at 7:35 AM on July 27 [73 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I've been thinking about Democrats vs. Republicans a lot lately, and I've come to the conclusion that campaigning has become the full-time occupation of the GOP over the last decade, whereas it is only part-time for the Democrats. The latter still devote much of their time and effort to figuring out what good government should be and how to implement it when they get elected. The GOP gave up on the governing part a long time ago and became purely a machine to gain power. This is why GOP governance looks just like GOP campaigning. In order to really be convincing on the campaign trail, they've enlisted people to run who believe every single piece of campaigning bullshit, and when they reach office, they expect to actually do the wild-ass shit they spewed to agitate the base. They get upset if you don't overturn Roe v. Wade, put guns into very white person's hands, ban Muslims from American, stuff gays back into the closet, make clear that white people are better than all others and white males are the best.
They also love campaigning so much that the GOP targets all offices, from dog-catcher to the president and goes all in on all of those races. They might as well, because they certainly aren't busy crafting governing strategies. Once in office, they concentrate on activities that will solidify their gains: mostly gerrymandering and voter suppression. This is why they were able to succeed in 2010 and since, in spite of lower support from the voters.
Democrats always come off a little bit insincere, because they do play the campaign game, but half-heartedly because they know they're going to have to compromise and often don't believe they should get everything, because they believe they govern for everyone, not just they're base. The Democrats need to learn how to do both. To be full-throated for liberal policies while campaigning, and to do it from the bottom to the top, until they have enough of the levers of government to change the way things are done and to force the GOP to have play on a level field. This is the only way the GOP will come back to its senses and become a partner in governing rather than just a ferocious opponent on the campaign battlefield.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:03 PM on July 27, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by nathan_teske at 7:35 AM on July 27 [73 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I've been thinking about Democrats vs. Republicans a lot lately, and I've come to the conclusion that campaigning has become the full-time occupation of the GOP over the last decade, whereas it is only part-time for the Democrats. The latter still devote much of their time and effort to figuring out what good government should be and how to implement it when they get elected. The GOP gave up on the governing part a long time ago and became purely a machine to gain power. This is why GOP governance looks just like GOP campaigning. In order to really be convincing on the campaign trail, they've enlisted people to run who believe every single piece of campaigning bullshit, and when they reach office, they expect to actually do the wild-ass shit they spewed to agitate the base. They get upset if you don't overturn Roe v. Wade, put guns into very white person's hands, ban Muslims from American, stuff gays back into the closet, make clear that white people are better than all others and white males are the best.
They also love campaigning so much that the GOP targets all offices, from dog-catcher to the president and goes all in on all of those races. They might as well, because they certainly aren't busy crafting governing strategies. Once in office, they concentrate on activities that will solidify their gains: mostly gerrymandering and voter suppression. This is why they were able to succeed in 2010 and since, in spite of lower support from the voters.
Democrats always come off a little bit insincere, because they do play the campaign game, but half-heartedly because they know they're going to have to compromise and often don't believe they should get everything, because they believe they govern for everyone, not just they're base. The Democrats need to learn how to do both. To be full-throated for liberal policies while campaigning, and to do it from the bottom to the top, until they have enough of the levers of government to change the way things are done and to force the GOP to have play on a level field. This is the only way the GOP will come back to its senses and become a partner in governing rather than just a ferocious opponent on the campaign battlefield.
posted by Mental Wimp at 1:03 PM on July 27, 2018 [22 favorites]
when they reach office, they expect to actually do the wild-ass shit they spewed to agitate the base
Like Repeal and Replace Obamacare?
posted by kirkaracha at 1:06 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
Like Repeal and Replace Obamacare?
posted by kirkaracha at 1:06 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
Why So Many People Are Betting on Beto O'Rourke
It’s not just the toothy grin, the tall stature, and the shock of hair swept over his brow. With a disdain for highly paid consultants, a willingness to travel to unexpected places, and an inspiring message for an extraordinarily divided electorate, it’s hard to look at O’Rourke and not think of Bobby Kennedy in 1968. He has been to all of Texas’s 254 counties — including ones no Democratic candidate has seriously contested in decades. If he can meet every person, knock on every door, he thinks he can win.posted by kirkaracha at 1:08 PM on July 27, 2018 [45 favorites]
...
A car swerves in front of him, he slams on the brakes, and his campaign almost ends right there. “Whoa! Fuckers! Sorry,” he says. “This jackass pulled off the side of the road into everyone’s way. Sorry, guys. But we lived.”
...
“I just want to be myself to the degree I can,” he told the group. “Sometimes there’s a downside to that. I have promised my family, my team, that we’re going to stop dropping the f-bombs.” Two minutes later he dropped the f-bomb.
Why the argument for democracy may finally be working for socialists rather than against them
While it specifically talks about things from the DSA perspective of defending democracy to advancing democracy, it goes to our general problem that the United States just isn't very democratic:
Then there’s the fact that both the current and the last Republican president were only able to win their elections with the help of the two most anti-democratic institutions of the American state: the Electoral College and the Supreme Court. In both cases, these men won their elections over candidates who received more popular votes than they did. There’s a lot of words one might use to describe a system in which the person who gets fewer votes wins, but democracy isn’t one of the ones that comes immediately to mind. Any notion that anyone from that side of the aisle is in any position to even speak on the question of democratic values—again, not robust democratic values but minimal democratic values—is a joke.
This isn't news to anyone here who have criticized both institutions constantly, but there's a larger argument about how the battle is now between the Sorta-Democratic Party and the Non-Democratic Party.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 1:15 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
While it specifically talks about things from the DSA perspective of defending democracy to advancing democracy, it goes to our general problem that the United States just isn't very democratic:
Then there’s the fact that both the current and the last Republican president were only able to win their elections with the help of the two most anti-democratic institutions of the American state: the Electoral College and the Supreme Court. In both cases, these men won their elections over candidates who received more popular votes than they did. There’s a lot of words one might use to describe a system in which the person who gets fewer votes wins, but democracy isn’t one of the ones that comes immediately to mind. Any notion that anyone from that side of the aisle is in any position to even speak on the question of democratic values—again, not robust democratic values but minimal democratic values—is a joke.
This isn't news to anyone here who have criticized both institutions constantly, but there's a larger argument about how the battle is now between the Sorta-Democratic Party and the Non-Democratic Party.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 1:15 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
I mean, who among us would not drop an f-bomb when someone swerves into our lane?
And yeah, I've seen O'Rourke in person. Very Kennedy-esque. He's very charismatic and has good ideas. Best shot we could reasonably have at taking on Slimy Ted.
His team is VERY organized and energetic, and mostly young.
Still not a sure thing because it's fucking Texas but I have a little glimmer of hope.
posted by emjaybee at 1:31 PM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
And yeah, I've seen O'Rourke in person. Very Kennedy-esque. He's very charismatic and has good ideas. Best shot we could reasonably have at taking on Slimy Ted.
His team is VERY organized and energetic, and mostly young.
Still not a sure thing because it's fucking Texas but I have a little glimmer of hope.
posted by emjaybee at 1:31 PM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
Right on cue, the Cohensphere via Vanity Fair:
“FURY!”: Michael Cohen Is Mad as Hell—And He’s Not Going to Take It Anymore
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:32 PM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
“FURY!”: Michael Cohen Is Mad as Hell—And He’s Not Going to Take It Anymore
posted by Barack Spinoza at 1:32 PM on July 27, 2018 [14 favorites]
I'm still pretty pessimistic on Texas, but Cruz has challenged O'Rourke to five debates, which is not the move you make when you are comfortable with your sizeable lead.
posted by Chrysostom at 1:36 PM on July 27, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 1:36 PM on July 27, 2018 [28 favorites]
I'm still pretty pessimistic on Texas
I agree, but when I heard about Cruz's challenge it was the first time I thought that maybe Beto had a ghost of a chance. It still seems a big stretch but if we can make Rs play defense in frikkin' Texas that can't be anything but a good sign.
posted by Justinian at 1:39 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
I agree, but when I heard about Cruz's challenge it was the first time I thought that maybe Beto had a ghost of a chance. It still seems a big stretch but if we can make Rs play defense in frikkin' Texas that can't be anything but a good sign.
posted by Justinian at 1:39 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
I'm still pretty pessimistic on Texas
I try not to think about it too much, but there was that interview a while back where Texas was HRC's stretch goal. Apparently her campaign saw it as just inside the realm of possibilities.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:43 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
I try not to think about it too much, but there was that interview a while back where Texas was HRC's stretch goal. Apparently her campaign saw it as just inside the realm of possibilities.
posted by Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug at 1:43 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
I've expected this all along and I fully expect to see "We had to collude with the Russians to defeat the Deep State Globalists!" before the election, possibly before Labor Day.
That one's been in full flower on a type of blog since about the inauguration. No Trump crimes can upend the . . . theory? . . . because Trump's going to stop the paedophile rings that are protected by secret organizations that have infiltrated and control all government agencies, corporations and religious institutions. Apparently. Oh, and aliens. Uh, who also have infiltrated the - no, wait, they started the organizations that became the governments which then create the corporations, uh, of which the government is one, to, uh. Sssomething about Katy Perry?
I'll be honest, it got a little murky somewhere after the "because".
posted by petebest at 1:44 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
That one's been in full flower on a type of blog since about the inauguration. No Trump crimes can upend the . . . theory? . . . because Trump's going to stop the paedophile rings that are protected by secret organizations that have infiltrated and control all government agencies, corporations and religious institutions. Apparently. Oh, and aliens. Uh, who also have infiltrated the - no, wait, they started the organizations that became the governments which then create the corporations, uh, of which the government is one, to, uh. Sssomething about Katy Perry?
I'll be honest, it got a little murky somewhere after the "because".
posted by petebest at 1:44 PM on July 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
I have to say I don't agree with this analysis. Under "vaguely competitive or better," I'd include at least: AK, CO, GA, IA, ME, MT, and NC.
I would love to be wrong. I desperately would. I guess we know in two years.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 1:45 PM on July 27, 2018
I would love to be wrong. I desperately would. I guess we know in two years.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 1:45 PM on July 27, 2018
The more ~sophisticated~ rightwads and glibertarians love to say "We're a republic, not a democracy" as an argument for just about any anti-democratic thing, most laughably the electoral college. (If that were part of the definition of "republic", the USA would literally be the only republic in history.)
It's not much of a stretch to go from that to "Look, it's not a true republic if the electoral college results reflect exactly the votes cast, with no outside interference. See, in a healthy government system, the people (with power proportionate to the land they occupy) and foreign hackers each have a role to play in deciding the leaders. Whaddya want, mob rule?"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:54 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
It's not much of a stretch to go from that to "Look, it's not a true republic if the electoral college results reflect exactly the votes cast, with no outside interference. See, in a healthy government system, the people (with power proportionate to the land they occupy) and foreign hackers each have a role to play in deciding the leaders. Whaddya want, mob rule?"
posted by InTheYear2017 at 1:54 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
I have literally never once heard one of those people give a reason why tyranny of the minority is better than tyranny of the majority.
posted by Justinian at 1:56 PM on July 27, 2018 [19 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:56 PM on July 27, 2018 [19 favorites]
(I mean the answer is obviously "because I'm one of the minority" but they can't really say that and maintain the facade of reasoned analysis.)
posted by Justinian at 1:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Justinian at 1:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
WaPo, Venting about press, Trump has repeatedly sought to ban reporters over questions
President Trump has sought repeatedly to punish journalists for the way they ask him questions, directing White House staff to ban those reporters from covering official events or to revoke their press credentials, according to several current and former administration officials.posted by zachlipton at 2:03 PM on July 27, 2018 [22 favorites]
At various moments throughout his presidency, Trump has vented angrily to aides about what he considers disrespectful behavior and impertinent questions from reporters in the Oval Office and in other venues. He has also asked that retaliatory action be taken against them.
“These people shouting questions are the worst,” Trump has said, according to a current official. “Why do we have them in here?”
...
Among those who have angered Trump are reporters from CNN, NBC News and The Post, officials said. Two reporters in particular have drawn the president’s ire on multiple occasions: Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent, and April Ryan, Washington bureau chief for American Urban Radio Networks and a CNN contributor.
...
In the past, aides have argued to Trump that retaliating against a reporter would end up elevating that journalist to stardom, an argument that carries special resonance for a president loath to share the spotlight or help others profit.
He has also asked that retaliatory action be taken against them. “These people shouting questions are the worst,” Trump has said, according to a current official. “Why do we have them in here?”
“Will no one rid me of this turbulent scribe?”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 2:09 PM on July 27, 2018 [32 favorites]
“Will no one rid me of this turbulent scribe?”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 2:09 PM on July 27, 2018 [32 favorites]
“It Was Never Plausible Trump Didn’t Know”: A Complete Guide to the Collusion Question
“It was never plausible that Trump didn’t know,” Bob Bauer, who served as White House general counsel under Barack Obama, told me. “The notion that a foreign government promising to bring groundbreaking ‘dirt’ on Hillary Clinton to the campaign would be invited for a meeting, without running the entire suggestion by Donald Trump, at least informing and most likely getting his explicit approval, was never believable for a moment.” Asha Rangappa, a former F.B.I. counter-intelligence agent, went one step further. If Trump knew about the Trump Tower meeting, it would represent “the first direct tie that we have linking Trump to what the Russians were trying to do. Like, it wasn’t just a bunch of coffee boys doing things under him.”posted by kirkaracha at 2:17 PM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
And yeah, I've seen O'Rourke in person. Very Kennedy-esque. He's very charismatic and has good ideas. Best shot we could reasonably have at taking on Slimy Ted.
I've met him a couple times now. He's the best natural campaigner I've ever seen. Has a fantastic memory not just for facts & figures but people & their stories too. And true compassion; when he spoke outdoors in Austin a woman down front fainted from heat stroke. He stopped his speech cold, made sure she had attention & got down from the stage to stay with her to the ambulance before getting back up & restarting.
posted by scalefree at 2:35 PM on July 27, 2018 [19 favorites]
I've met him a couple times now. He's the best natural campaigner I've ever seen. Has a fantastic memory not just for facts & figures but people & their stories too. And true compassion; when he spoke outdoors in Austin a woman down front fainted from heat stroke. He stopped his speech cold, made sure she had attention & got down from the stage to stay with her to the ambulance before getting back up & restarting.
posted by scalefree at 2:35 PM on July 27, 2018 [19 favorites]
I need the kitten thing to add all new kittens. I have seen the old ones a million times by now.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:38 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
Perhaps I don't understand the nuances as well as the "more ~sophisticated~ rightwads and glibertarians", but I don't see why republic (representative government) rules out electing those representatives by popular vote. Seems specious to my libtard ears.
Most republics are either much stronger federations (i.e. Russia) or have a strong sense of national identity (France). The Republican form of government that we've set up has the state as the basic unit of account. We're not so much a nation but an outgrowth of a collective of 13 colonies who hated George III barely more than each other and it permeates through to this very day.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:45 PM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
Most republics are either much stronger federations (i.e. Russia) or have a strong sense of national identity (France). The Republican form of government that we've set up has the state as the basic unit of account. We're not so much a nation but an outgrowth of a collective of 13 colonies who hated George III barely more than each other and it permeates through to this very day.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:45 PM on July 27, 2018 [13 favorites]
I think of the forming of the US as “they hid a social democracy inside a republic in the hopes that future people would find it and excavate it out and lessen the republic aspects over time”
posted by nikaspark at 2:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by nikaspark at 2:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
France is a Republic - replacing the Electoral College with a French style run-off would be pretty great TBH.
posted by Artw at 2:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:57 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
Perhaps I don't understand the nuances as well as the "more ~sophisticated~ rightwads and glibertarians", but I don't see why republic (representative government) rules out electing those representatives by popular vote. Seems specious to my libtard ears.
Putting on my Actual Political Science Person hat:
You can just ignore people who are saying that as it's entirely specious nonsense.
The idea, such is it is, is that in 1787 when people said "democracy" they meant stuff like ancient Athens with direct rule by everyone who mattered. Indeed, the US is not that, and if this were still 1787 and we still used the long s and commonly died of infectious disease because we were too stupid not to live knee-deep in our own poop, this would be a good point.
It isn't 1787, though, and "democracy" just means something close to "any of various schemes for popular accountability of government," and the US is one of those. So it's just quacking.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 2:58 PM on July 27, 2018 [44 favorites]
Putting on my Actual Political Science Person hat:
You can just ignore people who are saying that as it's entirely specious nonsense.
The idea, such is it is, is that in 1787 when people said "democracy" they meant stuff like ancient Athens with direct rule by everyone who mattered. Indeed, the US is not that, and if this were still 1787 and we still used the long s and commonly died of infectious disease because we were too stupid not to live knee-deep in our own poop, this would be a good point.
It isn't 1787, though, and "democracy" just means something close to "any of various schemes for popular accountability of government," and the US is one of those. So it's just quacking.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 2:58 PM on July 27, 2018 [44 favorites]
“He would have built a coalition of supporters who loved him for his loud mouth, his conspicuous displays of wealth, his continual peddling of falsehoods about himself, his proud crudity and sexism.”
Q: What if it had been Evel Knievel instead of Donald Trump? [fake, Americana/political fiction by Shawn Vestal in The Spokesman-Review]
posted by miles per flower at 3:11 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Q: What if it had been Evel Knievel instead of Donald Trump? [fake, Americana/political fiction by Shawn Vestal in The Spokesman-Review]
posted by miles per flower at 3:11 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
We're stuck on the idea that the Constitution is sacrosanct even though it's actually Take 2 after the Articles of Confederation didn't work. France has had, like, 15 constitutions since 1791.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:13 PM on July 27, 2018 [37 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 3:13 PM on July 27, 2018 [37 favorites]
the [Massachusetts] legislature this year passed, and Gov. Baker (yes, a Republican) today signed the Negating Archaic Statutes Targeting Young women act
In other words, the N.A.S.T.Y. Women act?
posted by msalt at 3:26 PM on July 27, 2018 [53 favorites]
In other words, the N.A.S.T.Y. Women act?
posted by msalt at 3:26 PM on July 27, 2018 [53 favorites]
Kevin Drum, Mother Jones: About That Hillary Clinton Dirt
To summarize:
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:33 PM on July 27, 2018 [33 favorites]
There’s something about the whole Trump Tower meeting that might be obvious to everyone by now, but I’m not sure it is.It wasn't obvious to me, but Drum infers a pretty persuasive timeline as well the "dirt" that Veselnitskaya was peddling at that infamous Trump tower meeting.
To summarize:
- June 7: Donald Trump promises a big speech (“probably Monday of next week”) about all the dirt he has on Hillary Clinton.
- June 9: Meeting at Trump tower, with (at least) Jr., Jared, Manafort, and the Russians, repeatedly denied in every detail by the crowd there as they keep trying new variants of the "modified limited hangout".
- The inferred dirt: exactly what Putin revealed the other day, that Bill Browder and associates made a "$400 million" illegal campaign contribution to Clinton. Or wait, it wasn't illegal but the money was dirty. Or something.
- This dirt was so thin, so easily refuted, that even Trump couldn't spin it into a good attack. But...
- Browder is the force behind the Magnitsky act, and Putin retaliated by banning Russian baby adoptions, so when pressed, they came up with Browder -> Magnitsky -> adoptions, that's the ticket! as the topic of discussion.
“It was never plausible that Trump didn’t know,” Bob Bauer, who served as White House general counsel under Barack Obama, told me. “The notion that a foreign government promising to bring groundbreaking ‘dirt’ on Hillary Clinton to the campaign would be invited for a meeting, without running the entire suggestion by Donald Trump, at least informing and most likely getting his explicit approval, was never believable for a moment.”Yeah, exactly so. And now the can is open and the worms are just everywhere.
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:33 PM on July 27, 2018 [33 favorites]
God damn it America why does every piece of legislation have to be a cute backronym
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:34 PM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 3:34 PM on July 27, 2018 [5 favorites]
Because we live in the worst of the terrible, awful, no-good timelines:
Josh Marshall: Pretty clear they’re saying that, among other things, foxbot Kimberley Guilfoyle got forced out for forcing other Fox staffers to look at (her boyfriend) Don Jr. dick pics, which is horrifying.
I think that's enough for me for this week.
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [27 favorites]
Josh Marshall: Pretty clear they’re saying that, among other things, foxbot Kimberley Guilfoyle got forced out for forcing other Fox staffers to look at (her boyfriend) Don Jr. dick pics, which is horrifying.
I think that's enough for me for this week.
posted by RedOrGreen at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [27 favorites]
The Nation, A Six-Year Old Girl Was Sexually Abused in an Immigrant Detention Center: "Separated from her mother by Trump’s zero-tolerance policy, the child was forced to sign a statement confirming that she understood it was her responsibility to stay away from her abuser."
The facility called the girl's father 11 days after the first time to say that the same boy that touched her before had done it again.
posted by zachlipton at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
The facility called the girl's father 11 days after the first time to say that the same boy that touched her before had done it again.
posted by zachlipton at 3:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
As all good Futurama bureaucrats know, being technically correct is the best kind of correct. The opposite of this is being pedantic and wrong. "Republic, not a democracy" maps almost perfectly onto another example of that sort of thing: "The tomato isn't a vegetable, it's a fruit". In both cases, the two terms being treated as exclusive have in fact always had separate, overlapping definitions, and one thing can easily belong to both categories.
GCU Sweet and Full of Grace: The idea, such is it is, is that in 1787 when people said "democracy" they meant stuff like ancient Athens with direct rule by everyone who mattered.
I'm pretty sure that even the American founders, for the most part, didn't think "democracy" was so narrow. Well, different founders believed different things because they weren't a hive mind, so I'll rephrase that: I'm sure they'd agree they were founding a new "democracy", if you polled them for a majority (ha ha!). Plus, even Athenian democracy absolutely wasn't so narrow — they had representatives! (Often chosen by lot rather than by vote, the better to be representatives, but representatives nonetheless.)
The USA is a democracy because its government is (ostensibly) democratic. It's a republic because it doesn't have a monarch — like, I'm pretty sure most Brits would be surprised to hear they live in a "republic".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 3:43 PM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
GCU Sweet and Full of Grace: The idea, such is it is, is that in 1787 when people said "democracy" they meant stuff like ancient Athens with direct rule by everyone who mattered.
I'm pretty sure that even the American founders, for the most part, didn't think "democracy" was so narrow. Well, different founders believed different things because they weren't a hive mind, so I'll rephrase that: I'm sure they'd agree they were founding a new "democracy", if you polled them for a majority (ha ha!). Plus, even Athenian democracy absolutely wasn't so narrow — they had representatives! (Often chosen by lot rather than by vote, the better to be representatives, but representatives nonetheless.)
The USA is a democracy because its government is (ostensibly) democratic. It's a republic because it doesn't have a monarch — like, I'm pretty sure most Brits would be surprised to hear they live in a "republic".
posted by InTheYear2017 at 3:43 PM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
Yeah, the tension between expansive democracy and more limited democracy was definitely a debate the dudes who put together the constitution definitely had.
posted by runcibleshaw at 3:50 PM on July 27, 2018
posted by runcibleshaw at 3:50 PM on July 27, 2018
God damn it America why does every piece of legislation have to be a cute backronym
It's been all the rage since the deliciously Orwellian USA PATRIOT Act: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001
`USA Patriot Act' seen as both eye-catching, tough to criticize
It's been all the rage since the deliciously Orwellian USA PATRIOT Act: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001
`USA Patriot Act' seen as both eye-catching, tough to criticize
A staffer on the House Judiciary Committee, Chris Cylke, achieved "acronymic immortality" by naming the anti-terrorism bill, according to language maven William Safire.Congress Finds, in Passing Bills, That Names Can Never Hurt You (2011)
...
Critics saw an Orwellian effort to erode rights under the banner of patriotism and stifle opposition. "With a label like that, it's hard to criticize in any way," Safire wrote.
In recent years, Congress has been flooded with a Scrabble board of legislative titles including the DISCLOSE Act, the HIRE Act and the ASPIRE Act, all of which take too much space to spell out here. In December, President Barack Obama signed the Help HAITI (Haitian Adoptees Immediately to Integrate) Act, but he was helpless as his Democrats saw their DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act go down the drain.posted by kirkaracha at 3:52 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
...
The turning point may have come in 1970, with the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The acronym spells the name of Edward G. Robinson's character in the 1931 gangster picture, "Little Caesar."
@MZHemingway (Federalist): I don't have a problem w/ getting dirt on election opponents from foreigners. But if you do, why was it OK for Hillary Clinton to secretly hire a foreign spy to get dirt on her opponent from Kremlin officials, and seed that info into the media and weaponize it in the US gov't?
@TrumpsAlert
Retweeted Mollie
DonaldJTrumpJr liked this tweet.
posted by chris24 at 5:21 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
@TrumpsAlert
Retweeted Mollie
DonaldJTrumpJr liked this tweet.
posted by chris24 at 5:21 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
On that note (@TrumpsAlert is indispensable for a look inside Trump World's upper echelons), McClatchy DC reports ‘Junk’ political news shared more widely by Trump backers, study finds.
"Backers of President Donald Trump are sharing more “junk” political news – ideologically extreme, conspiratorial, sensationalist and phony information – over Twitter and Facebook than all other groups combined, significantly magnifying the polarization in the American electorate, according to an analysis by British researchers. Rather than obtaining news over social media from mainstream outlets, these Americans shared posts from 92 Twitter accounts of fringe groups such as "100PercentFEDUp," "Beforeitsnews," "TheAngryAmericans" and "WeArethenewmedia" during the three months before Trump’s first State of the Union address, the Oxford University researchers reported."
The Trumps don't just spread this toxic bullshit—they're believers, too.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:01 PM on July 27, 2018 [24 favorites]
"Backers of President Donald Trump are sharing more “junk” political news – ideologically extreme, conspiratorial, sensationalist and phony information – over Twitter and Facebook than all other groups combined, significantly magnifying the polarization in the American electorate, according to an analysis by British researchers. Rather than obtaining news over social media from mainstream outlets, these Americans shared posts from 92 Twitter accounts of fringe groups such as "100PercentFEDUp," "Beforeitsnews," "TheAngryAmericans" and "WeArethenewmedia" during the three months before Trump’s first State of the Union address, the Oxford University researchers reported."
The Trumps don't just spread this toxic bullshit—they're believers, too.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:01 PM on July 27, 2018 [24 favorites]
"I'm still pretty pessimistic on TexasOn the one hand, if you look at that NYT Map from yesterday, Texas is scary red and odds are still in Cruz's favor.I agree, but when I heard about Cruz's challenge it was the first time I thought that maybe Beto had a ghost of a chance. It still seems a big stretch but if we can make Rs play defense in frikkin' Texas that can't be anything but a good sign.
On the other hand, it was just a generation ago that you couldn't get elected for dog catcher in Texas with an R behind your name. The few blue spots you see on that NYT Map are 4 of the top 11 US cities based on population. Beto appears to have more cash on hand than Cruz and Cruz is spending it faster on ad-buys, etc. (I lost the link for that. Sorry. But, when I saw it, hoo-boy! Cruz is blowing money like a busted fire hydrant in a city so kids can play and cool off.) Cruz is polling anywhere from losing double digit lead to within MOE of losing (only 2% up) Then, you add the incumbent
I think there is some "there" there, in Beto's campaign.
I am still not convinced Beto is going to win. However, 5 years ago he would not have had a chance against even Roy Moore after the stories came out. Now, Cruz, needs to make sure he doesn't say "binder full of women" or some other super low-key flub to keep the incumbent seat.
This is a very nice change and one of a myriad of reasons where running and supporting all races everywhere, despite the apparent quixotic possibility of it all makes sense. While I would love to see money come out of politics altogether, it sure is nice watching Cruz and the RNCC burn through millions to keep what they assumed would be a safe seat.
(Someone should make a Beto FPP. Feel free to use the bones of this post to do it. I can maybe knock one out over the weekend [it would be my first!], but the Beto campaign is very persuasive in getting people to volunteer and I will probably be doing that instead.)
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 6:28 PM on July 27, 2018 [27 favorites]
The TL;DR of the article Zed cites: Reality has a well-known liberal bias.
posted by Sublimity at 6:29 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Sublimity at 6:29 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, this:
Act For Reform In Emerging New Democracies and Support and Help for Improved Partnership with Russia, Ukraine, and Other New Independent States
Also known as the FRIENDSHIP Act. Pub. L. 103-199, Dec. 17, 1993,107 Stat. 2317
Short title, see 22 U.S.C. 5801
See, we're friends with Russia. It's the law.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:31 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Act For Reform In Emerging New Democracies and Support and Help for Improved Partnership with Russia, Ukraine, and Other New Independent States
Also known as the FRIENDSHIP Act. Pub. L. 103-199, Dec. 17, 1993,107 Stat. 2317
Short title, see 22 U.S.C. 5801
See, we're friends with Russia. It's the law.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:31 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
If you're a legal wonk, the analysis of Emolument clauses in this opinion in DC and MD v. DONALD J. TRUMP ( Civil No. PJM 17-1596 ) is a thing of beauty.
For the less wonky, the WaPo has some background on the research into the definition of emoluments cited in the decision led by Georgetown Law Associate Dean John Mikhail: Trump’s ‘emoluments’ battle: How a scholar’s search of 200 years of dictionaries helped win a historic ruling.
And for the more wonky, The Definition of "Emolument" in English Language and Legal Dictionaries, 1523-1806 with a link to the research published by Mikhail.
posted by peeedro at 6:34 PM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
For the less wonky, the WaPo has some background on the research into the definition of emoluments cited in the decision led by Georgetown Law Associate Dean John Mikhail: Trump’s ‘emoluments’ battle: How a scholar’s search of 200 years of dictionaries helped win a historic ruling.
And for the more wonky, The Definition of "Emolument" in English Language and Legal Dictionaries, 1523-1806 with a link to the research published by Mikhail.
posted by peeedro at 6:34 PM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
This is a very nice change and one of a myriad of reasons where running and supporting all races everywhere, despite the apparent quixotic possibility of it all makes sense.
I'm here in Steve King's district where he's coasted to an easy victory for ages, and the odds are against the good guys winning this time, but damnit, JD Scholten just moved the needle against him and that feels like everything right now. Quixotic, sure, but it's also hope and energy and life.
posted by jason_steakums at 6:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
I'm here in Steve King's district where he's coasted to an easy victory for ages, and the odds are against the good guys winning this time, but damnit, JD Scholten just moved the needle against him and that feels like everything right now. Quixotic, sure, but it's also hope and energy and life.
posted by jason_steakums at 6:41 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
On the one hand, if you look at that NYT Map from yesterday, Texas is scary red and odds are still in Cruz's favor.
I think the theory behind Beto is that Trump has awakened a sleeping dragon of the electorate a'la Prop 187 in CA turning the state liberal. Alea iacta est so either vote or die. Naturalized citizens, children of illegal immigrants coming of age, border communities that have traditionally seen lack of participation in elections. There are millions of potential Democratic voters waiting in the wings and if they feel threatened enough to finally exercise their rights there is going to be a bloodbath.
If Hispanics voted in Texas at the same rate they did in California the EC, Governor, and Senators would both be permanently blue without a tectonic political reformation.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
I think the theory behind Beto is that Trump has awakened a sleeping dragon of the electorate a'la Prop 187 in CA turning the state liberal. Alea iacta est so either vote or die. Naturalized citizens, children of illegal immigrants coming of age, border communities that have traditionally seen lack of participation in elections. There are millions of potential Democratic voters waiting in the wings and if they feel threatened enough to finally exercise their rights there is going to be a bloodbath.
If Hispanics voted in Texas at the same rate they did in California the EC, Governor, and Senators would both be permanently blue without a tectonic political reformation.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 6:49 PM on July 27, 2018 [31 favorites]
Trump had repeatedly asked aides to ban reporters before barring CNN journalist from press event: report
President Trump has reportedly spoken to White House officials on numerous occasions in recent months about banning reporters from White House press briefings.posted by scalefree at 6:56 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
The Washington Post reported Friday that Trump, angered by what he believes to be disrespectful behavior from journalists toward his administration, has spoken to aides about blacklisting CNN's Jim Acosta and American Urban Radio Networks reporter April Ryan, who is also a CNN contributor.
White House aides had reportedly resisted Trump's requests until Bill Shine, Trump's new deputy chief of staff, and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders barred CNN's Kaitlan Collins from a press event Wednesday.
According to the Post, officials feared it would damage the president's already fraught relationship with the press.
"Is there nothing that we could do?” Trump has vented to aides, an unnamed former White House official told the Post.
"Is there nothing that we could do?” Trump has vented to aides
...have the courage of your convictions and answer hard questions openly and honestly like adults? I mean. Just spitballing here but that's a good one.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:02 PM on July 27, 2018 [36 favorites]
...have the courage of your convictions and answer hard questions openly and honestly like adults? I mean. Just spitballing here but that's a good one.
posted by jason_steakums at 7:02 PM on July 27, 2018 [36 favorites]
...have the courage of your convictions and answer hard questions openly and honestly like adults?
...which is totally outside the skillset of The Donald and most of his closest aides (especially the 'communication' officials).
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:13 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
...which is totally outside the skillset of The Donald and most of his closest aides (especially the 'communication' officials).
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:13 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
It's been a proven fact - for years now - that Trump has nothing to fear from the news media.
posted by petebest at 7:20 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by petebest at 7:20 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
But he does have...
A) the thinnest possible skin. Like, the slightest possible hint of anyone not praising him is agony skin.
B) all of the treason.
posted by Artw at 7:29 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
A) the thinnest possible skin. Like, the slightest possible hint of anyone not praising him is agony skin.
B) all of the treason.
posted by Artw at 7:29 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
Alea iacta est = The die is cast
posted by srboisvert at 7:30 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 7:30 PM on July 27, 2018 [4 favorites]
If Hispanics voted in Texas at the same rate they did in California the EC, Governor, and Senators would both be permanently blue without a tectonic political reformation.
It is so frustrating to me that we have a clear path to essentially locking down the Presidency unless such a reformation happens but people just don't bother to vote in Texas. It's not like it would take something unusual. Simply people voting at the same rate as they vote in other places! That's it!
posted by Justinian at 7:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
It is so frustrating to me that we have a clear path to essentially locking down the Presidency unless such a reformation happens but people just don't bother to vote in Texas. It's not like it would take something unusual. Simply people voting at the same rate as they vote in other places! That's it!
posted by Justinian at 7:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [12 favorites]
What’s the level of suppression like?
posted by Artw at 7:55 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:55 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
RE: the witness list in Manafort's trial:
posted by lazaruslong at 7:58 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
The identities of five of the potential witnesses listed in Friday’s filing from Mueller were previously made public after their immunized testimony was approved by the judge earlier this week. The 35 total potential witnesses in the government’s case are listed in alphabetical order.You know, not the biggest deal in the world, but my last name (Ayliffe) never ever comes up in anything pop culture-y or whatever and I can't believe that it's (mostly) on the goddamn witness list for Manafort's trial. Okay carry on.
The list includes employees — such as Kositzka, Wicks and Company accountants Philip Ayliff and NKSFB’s Heather Washkun — who worked at the bookkeeping and tax preparation firms used by Manafort, according to court docs.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:58 PM on July 27, 2018 [9 favorites]
The writing is on the wall vis-a-vis Texas, though, and the GOP knows it.
It may take another 20 years, but that state is eventually going to be as blue as California. When those 38 electoral votes are reliably pulled from the R column and put in the D column, the White House is going to be next to impossible for Republicans to re-take.
At least, until such time as they give up xenophobia and White Nationalism as de facto official planks in their party platform.
posted by darkstar at 8:05 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
It may take another 20 years, but that state is eventually going to be as blue as California. When those 38 electoral votes are reliably pulled from the R column and put in the D column, the White House is going to be next to impossible for Republicans to re-take.
At least, until such time as they give up xenophobia and White Nationalism as de facto official planks in their party platform.
posted by darkstar at 8:05 PM on July 27, 2018 [6 favorites]
> CNN: A US Air Force plane carrying what is believed to be the remains of US troops killed during the Korean War some 65 years ago arrived in Osan Air Base in South Korea on Friday morning.
Identifying remains of U.S. troops returned by North Korea may be challenging (Reuters, June 22):
Identifying remains of U.S. troops returned by North Korea may be challenging (Reuters, June 22):
Remains that North Korea has handed over in the past have not always been identifiable as U.S. troops, despite the dog tags North Korea handed over with them, according to a 1994 RAND Corp. research report.posted by shenderson at 8:25 PM on July 27, 2018 [21 favorites]
Between 1990 and 1992, North Korea returned 46 sets of remains, according to the report.
“With no exception, every North Korean claim associated with human remains has shown to be false. For example, these 46 sets are actually fragments of more than 70 individuals,” the report said. Forensic analyses suggested none were American, the report said.
What’s the level of suppression like?
Bad. Texas's Voter Registration Laws are Straight Out of the Jim Crow Playbook (The Nation, Oct, 2016)
posted by threeturtles at 8:36 PM on July 27, 2018 [18 favorites]
That's why (and I keep repeating myself) the Democratic Party's job one must be getting voters registered and making sure those registrations are 'bullet-proof'. And if the Jim Crow Laws keep knocking voters off the rolls, they have to keep re-registering them until they have elected enough representatives to change the laws. Because even with a permanent minority, the Republicans can have a permanent ruling class if the Democrats don't diligently work against it.
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [34 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 8:47 PM on July 27, 2018 [34 favorites]
but that state is eventually going to be as blue as California
It's a little more complicated than that for races that aren't statewide. California has a pretty even distribution of Hispanic people throughout most of its populated areas. You can go to any major city in California and you'll struggle to see Hispanic representation go lower than 2 in 5. The only real spike in Hispanic nationality is Imperial County. Once you get to the northern part of the state (i.e. north of the Sacramento MSA, Yolo County line) you do see Hispanic representation drop off but also the population does noticeably.
Compare that to Texas where a lot of the population is jam packed around El Paso, the Rio Grande valley, and basically west of Amarillo. You hit DFW and Houston and all of a sudden it's remarkably whiter and more conservative compared to Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen which are almost all Hispanic.
You would have to reverse gerrymander the whole place to make up for that effect.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:53 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's a little more complicated than that for races that aren't statewide. California has a pretty even distribution of Hispanic people throughout most of its populated areas. You can go to any major city in California and you'll struggle to see Hispanic representation go lower than 2 in 5. The only real spike in Hispanic nationality is Imperial County. Once you get to the northern part of the state (i.e. north of the Sacramento MSA, Yolo County line) you do see Hispanic representation drop off but also the population does noticeably.
Compare that to Texas where a lot of the population is jam packed around El Paso, the Rio Grande valley, and basically west of Amarillo. You hit DFW and Houston and all of a sudden it's remarkably whiter and more conservative compared to Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen which are almost all Hispanic.
You would have to reverse gerrymander the whole place to make up for that effect.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:53 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I think the theory behind Beto is that Trump has awakened a sleeping dragon
but, earlier...
If Beto wins Texas then we talk about a thirty-something state strategy for the Senate.
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
So, things changed in Texas where a D could possibly win a Senate seat because the winds have changed and so we should spend money and devote time and effort there but totally doing the same in Wyoming is a waste of time because nothing has changed and who would ever possibly imagine a D could possibly win a Senate seat in WY so don't spend money or devote time and effort because it is totally never going to happen?
18 months ago, I was resigned to Cruz as one of my Senators for... too much of the rest of my life. Then Beto announced 03/2017 and it's already a horse race.
I am having a hard time understanding why it would be impossible to have a dragon wake up in Wyoming, as well. (I've been there... It would be considerably easier to visit every county and shake a larger percentage of hands.)
If Beto wins Texas, then we do x,y,z?
No.
We take the fight to them now. Many of us are energized and donating and volunteering even though we never have before (including myself). Door knocking, phone banking, texting, etc.
These are things that should not be discouraged or dismissed, thinking the election is already lost before the vote has occurred.
Humbly, I request that you let us tilt at windmills when we so choose.
Telling us our actions (e.g. spending money on/fundraising for a sen candidate in WY and doing the same door knock, phone bank, text) is wasted effort... well, I wouldn't have spent that money on another candidate anyway, so can I just burn my time/money/effort on a candidate I am rooting for, even/especially if they are not representing me?
Because the alternative is I just won't spend it in the political field at all. It is going to a restaurant/bar/theatre, etc. So, as someone else mentioned, let's make them burn money on what they thought was a perfectly safe seat. It gives us leverage on more contested seats. Let me burn some money on a donation so the D or DSA candidate can get coffee for the troops and the R and RNC (esp. the RNC) has to divert funds from one race to another to ensure their alleged landslide win.
This is not the time to be discouraging lib candidates. If the wave recedes, then a discussion should be had. In the meantime, metaphorically speaking, let's let the wave roll over the coast and determine the next step from there.
impeachment would be keen, but realistically that is after 2020, at best, and there is a tinkerbell small smidgen of hope that trump is a one-term pres.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:53 PM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
but, earlier...
If Beto wins Texas then we talk about a thirty-something state strategy for the Senate.
I can think of no bigger waste of money than a Democratic Senate campaign in Wyoming.
So, things changed in Texas where a D could possibly win a Senate seat because the winds have changed and so we should spend money and devote time and effort there but totally doing the same in Wyoming is a waste of time because nothing has changed and who would ever possibly imagine a D could possibly win a Senate seat in WY so don't spend money or devote time and effort because it is totally never going to happen?
18 months ago, I was resigned to Cruz as one of my Senators for... too much of the rest of my life. Then Beto announced 03/2017 and it's already a horse race.
I am having a hard time understanding why it would be impossible to have a dragon wake up in Wyoming, as well. (I've been there... It would be considerably easier to visit every county and shake a larger percentage of hands.)
If Beto wins Texas, then we do x,y,z?
No.
We take the fight to them now. Many of us are energized and donating and volunteering even though we never have before (including myself). Door knocking, phone banking, texting, etc.
These are things that should not be discouraged or dismissed, thinking the election is already lost before the vote has occurred.
Humbly, I request that you let us tilt at windmills when we so choose.
Telling us our actions (e.g. spending money on/fundraising for a sen candidate in WY and doing the same door knock, phone bank, text) is wasted effort... well, I wouldn't have spent that money on another candidate anyway, so can I just burn my time/money/effort on a candidate I am rooting for, even/especially if they are not representing me?
Because the alternative is I just won't spend it in the political field at all. It is going to a restaurant/bar/theatre, etc. So, as someone else mentioned, let's make them burn money on what they thought was a perfectly safe seat. It gives us leverage on more contested seats. Let me burn some money on a donation so the D or DSA candidate can get coffee for the troops and the R and RNC (esp. the RNC) has to divert funds from one race to another to ensure their alleged landslide win.
This is not the time to be discouraging lib candidates. If the wave recedes, then a discussion should be had. In the meantime, metaphorically speaking, let's let the wave roll over the coast and determine the next step from there.
impeachment would be keen, but realistically that is after 2020, at best, and there is a tinkerbell small smidgen of hope that trump is a one-term pres.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 8:53 PM on July 27, 2018 [29 favorites]
So, things changed in Texas where a D could possibly win a Senate seat because the winds have changed and so we should spend money and devote time and effort there but totally doing the same in Wyoming is a waste of time because nothing has changed and who would ever possibly imagine a D could possibly win a Senate seat in WY so don't spend money or devote time and effort because it is totally never going to happen?
We've known for a generation that if Republicans got more racist and Latinos started showing up there would be opportunity for sea change in the statewide races in Texas. Like you do the math and if certain achievable conditions are met, the path to victory is there.
Where do these voters in Wyoming come from to break for a Democratic candidate? It's one thing to say "well if we bring up Hispanic voting levels to something better than terrible we have a really good chance" in Texas vs hoping half the electorate either changes their mind or gets food poisoning the night before the general in Wyoming.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:04 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
We've known for a generation that if Republicans got more racist and Latinos started showing up there would be opportunity for sea change in the statewide races in Texas. Like you do the math and if certain achievable conditions are met, the path to victory is there.
Where do these voters in Wyoming come from to break for a Democratic candidate? It's one thing to say "well if we bring up Hispanic voting levels to something better than terrible we have a really good chance" in Texas vs hoping half the electorate either changes their mind or gets food poisoning the night before the general in Wyoming.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:04 PM on July 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
Definitely Not Sean Spicer
We have de-railed. I'll me-mail you tomorrow? Unless you want to create an FPP or a MeTa to continue this conversation? For sure, I don't think the mega-thread is where we should continue this conversation.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 9:22 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
We have de-railed. I'll me-mail you tomorrow? Unless you want to create an FPP or a MeTa to continue this conversation? For sure, I don't think the mega-thread is where we should continue this conversation.
posted by a non mouse, a cow herd at 9:22 PM on July 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Compare that to Texas where a lot of the population is jam packed around El Paso, the Rio Grande valley, and basically west of Amarillo. You hit DFW and Houston and all of a sudden it's remarkably whiter and more conservative compared to Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen which are almost all Hispanic.
Hi, former Texan here. Left in 1990, so it's been a while, to say the least.
Having said that, there's a couple of other factors. The increasing Asian/immigrant population in urban areas in the years since then—which is pretty much slam-dunk Democratic nowadays—sure. Absolutely. But there's an even bigger elephant in the room. Especially in the eastern third of the "room"/state-of-Texas: The African-American vote.
Texas is, as the old saying goes, a land of contrasts. I really wouldn't write it off just yet.
posted by CommonSense at 9:25 PM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
Hi, former Texan here. Left in 1990, so it's been a while, to say the least.
Having said that, there's a couple of other factors. The increasing Asian/immigrant population in urban areas in the years since then—which is pretty much slam-dunk Democratic nowadays—sure. Absolutely. But there's an even bigger elephant in the room. Especially in the eastern third of the "room"/state-of-Texas: The African-American vote.
Texas is, as the old saying goes, a land of contrasts. I really wouldn't write it off just yet.
posted by CommonSense at 9:25 PM on July 27, 2018 [7 favorites]
It's a bit of a derail but this thread is on its last legs at 2300 comments.
Right now I'm thinking extremely strategically because all the primaries are wrapping up and I'm trying to figure out where I can do the most good sending out cash.
This is my list so far:
Jackie Rosen - NV - Heller needs to go.
Claire McCaskill - MO - Duh. She needs all the help she can get.
Kyrsten Sinema - AZ - I'm being presumptive but yeah, if she's up against Ward or Arpaio instead of McSally I'll probably double what I was going to send.
Heidi Heitkamp - ND - See McCaskill.
Sherrod Brown - OH - I don't want us to lose incumbency advantage on this
Jon Tester - MT - See McCaskill.
Joe Donnelly - ID - See McCaskill.
Beto O'Rourke - TX - I want to see Cruz's ass kicked out of the Senate where it never should have been to begin with.
I'm not sending a cent to Manchin. I'm on the fence on whether Bill Nelson could use any cash. I'll probably do it because the thought of Rick Scott being a Senator makes my skin crawl. I'm also keeping one eye on Tammy Baldwin as well.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:36 PM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Right now I'm thinking extremely strategically because all the primaries are wrapping up and I'm trying to figure out where I can do the most good sending out cash.
This is my list so far:
Jackie Rosen - NV - Heller needs to go.
Claire McCaskill - MO - Duh. She needs all the help she can get.
Kyrsten Sinema - AZ - I'm being presumptive but yeah, if she's up against Ward or Arpaio instead of McSally I'll probably double what I was going to send.
Heidi Heitkamp - ND - See McCaskill.
Sherrod Brown - OH - I don't want us to lose incumbency advantage on this
Jon Tester - MT - See McCaskill.
Joe Donnelly - ID - See McCaskill.
Beto O'Rourke - TX - I want to see Cruz's ass kicked out of the Senate where it never should have been to begin with.
I'm not sending a cent to Manchin. I'm on the fence on whether Bill Nelson could use any cash. I'll probably do it because the thought of Rick Scott being a Senator makes my skin crawl. I'm also keeping one eye on Tammy Baldwin as well.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 9:36 PM on July 27, 2018 [8 favorites]
Trump Says He’ll Stump for Vulnerable Republicans ‘Six or Seven Days a Week’
- It won't be the most vulnerable districts
- He gets to escape the now-permanent White House protests
- He gets out of all that Presidentin' he hates so much
- Extra hits of his favorite drug, praise
posted by scalefree at 9:45 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday that he plans to spends almost all of his time this fall campaigning for the most vulnerable Republican congressional candidates in the midterm elections, a strategy that would have him in many districts where endangered lawmakers in his own party regard him as a liability.- It won't be 6-7 days a week
In a friendly radio interview with Sean Hannity, the conservative Fox News host with whom he shares a close relationship, Mr. Trump said he was confident the strength of the economy and the demise of the Islamic State would boost the fortunes of Republicans in this fall’s contests, and that he would personally work to pull lawmakers facing tough re-election challenges to victory.
“I am going to work very hard,” Mr. Trump said during the interview. “I’ll go six or seven days a week when we’re 60 days out, and I will be campaigning for all of these great people that do have a difficult race, and we think we’re going to bring them over the line.”
Mr. Trump said he had instructed John F. Kelly, his chief of staff, and others on his team to compile a list of about two dozen of the most hotly contested races in the country so he could use the bully pulpit to promote the Republicans running in them.
“Give me the top 25 congresspeople that are, you know, could go either way, and I want to go out and campaign for those people,” Mr. Trump said.
But many if not most of the most competitive races are in districts where Mr. Trump is unpopular and more centrist Republican incumbents are toiling to distance themselves from him, as well as where Democrats are most motivated to turn out to vote against the president’s party.
- It won't be the most vulnerable districts
- He gets to escape the now-permanent White House protests
- He gets out of all that Presidentin' he hates so much
- Extra hits of his favorite drug, praise
posted by scalefree at 9:45 PM on July 27, 2018 [20 favorites]
Trump's idea of Presidentin'. First Principles meeting in a year & a half & it lasts all of a half hour.
@JohnWDean Today, Trump held his first national security council principals meeting since becoming president some 500 days ago; this is remarkable for its delinquency. Even more remarkable is the fact the meeting only lasted 30 minutes. This is a staggering & worrying level of incompetence!
posted by scalefree at 10:11 PM on July 27, 2018 [46 favorites]
@JohnWDean Today, Trump held his first national security council principals meeting since becoming president some 500 days ago; this is remarkable for its delinquency. Even more remarkable is the fact the meeting only lasted 30 minutes. This is a staggering & worrying level of incompetence!
posted by scalefree at 10:11 PM on July 27, 2018 [46 favorites]
Bad. Texas's Voter Registration Laws are Straight Out of the Jim Crow Playbook (The Nation, Oct, 2016)
I had to fill out a provisional ballot in Austin during the primaries because I got married and my last name changed. My first name and address were exactly the same, I was with my wife, I had a social security card with my old last name _and_ my license with my new name but they would not let me vote unless I used a provisional ballot because my voter registration had not been updated for whatever reason when I got my updated license despite me checking the box on the form at the DMV instructing them to update my voter registration when I got my new license.
Texas voter ID laws can get fucked
posted by nikaspark at 10:30 PM on July 27, 2018 [34 favorites]
I had to fill out a provisional ballot in Austin during the primaries because I got married and my last name changed. My first name and address were exactly the same, I was with my wife, I had a social security card with my old last name _and_ my license with my new name but they would not let me vote unless I used a provisional ballot because my voter registration had not been updated for whatever reason when I got my updated license despite me checking the box on the form at the DMV instructing them to update my voter registration when I got my new license.
Texas voter ID laws can get fucked
posted by nikaspark at 10:30 PM on July 27, 2018 [34 favorites]
Trump's idea of Presidentin'. First Principles meeting in a year & a half & it lasts all of a half hour.
Principals. Trump has no principles. My bad.
posted by scalefree at 10:37 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
Principals. Trump has no principles. My bad.
posted by scalefree at 10:37 PM on July 27, 2018 [10 favorites]
You hit DFW and Houston and all of a sudden it's remarkably whiter and more conservative compared to Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen which are almost all Hispanic.
Not really accurate, at least as far as Houston. Houston is the most racially diverse city in the country and is minority white. (49% white 37% Hispanic/Latino) Houston hasn't had a Republican mayor in...decades. Austin is whiter, but liberal. San Antonio is majority Hispanic (only 26% non-Hispanic white.) So only DFW is really left as a conservative center, and that's really only because of all the white suburbs that get included in there.
There's just a LOT of red rural land, which means a lot of Republicans in state government gerrymandering and making the registration laws and everything else.
posted by threeturtles at 12:52 AM on July 28, 2018 [13 favorites]
Not really accurate, at least as far as Houston. Houston is the most racially diverse city in the country and is minority white. (49% white 37% Hispanic/Latino) Houston hasn't had a Republican mayor in...decades. Austin is whiter, but liberal. San Antonio is majority Hispanic (only 26% non-Hispanic white.) So only DFW is really left as a conservative center, and that's really only because of all the white suburbs that get included in there.
There's just a LOT of red rural land, which means a lot of Republicans in state government gerrymandering and making the registration laws and everything else.
posted by threeturtles at 12:52 AM on July 28, 2018 [13 favorites]
You hit DFW and Houston and all of a sudden it's remarkably whiter and more conservative compared to Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen which are almost all Hispanic.
---
Not really accurate, at least as far as Houston. Houston is the most racially diverse city in the country and is minority white. (49% white 37% Hispanic/Latino) Houston hasn't had a Republican mayor in...decades. Austin is whiter, but liberal. San Antonio is majority Hispanic (only 26% non-Hispanic white.) So only DFW is really left as a conservative center, and that's really only because of all the white suburbs that get included in there.
Yeah, Hillary won Dallas County 61-35, Travis County (Austin) 66-27 and Harris County (Houston) 54-42. The big metropolitan areas in Texas are pretty much D. It's the rural and exurban places that are R.
posted by chris24 at 4:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
---
Not really accurate, at least as far as Houston. Houston is the most racially diverse city in the country and is minority white. (49% white 37% Hispanic/Latino) Houston hasn't had a Republican mayor in...decades. Austin is whiter, but liberal. San Antonio is majority Hispanic (only 26% non-Hispanic white.) So only DFW is really left as a conservative center, and that's really only because of all the white suburbs that get included in there.
Yeah, Hillary won Dallas County 61-35, Travis County (Austin) 66-27 and Harris County (Houston) 54-42. The big metropolitan areas in Texas are pretty much D. It's the rural and exurban places that are R.
posted by chris24 at 4:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
In times are changing news, the current top post on Reddit, of all places, is an article at the Root arguing that Russian hackers most likely changed actual votes and directly stole the 2016 Presidential election.
Update from The Root: "Editor’s Note: This story was an opinion piece asserting there was evidence that hackers changed votes in the 2016 election. However, a number of statements in the piece are disputed by experts. As a result, we have pulled it down for editorial review, and will update it once that review is completed."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:05 AM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
Update from The Root: "Editor’s Note: This story was an opinion piece asserting there was evidence that hackers changed votes in the 2016 election. However, a number of statements in the piece are disputed by experts. As a result, we have pulled it down for editorial review, and will update it once that review is completed."
posted by Doktor Zed at 5:05 AM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
Trump admin has no central strategy for election security, and no one's in charge
(Ken Dilanian | NBC News)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:26 AM on July 28, 2018 [16 favorites]
(Ken Dilanian | NBC News)
posted by Barack Spinoza at 5:26 AM on July 28, 2018 [16 favorites]
Update on the Trump Administration continuing to coddle the Russian business interests of the Putin-aligned, Manafort-connected oligarch Oleg Deripaska, from CNN: Sanctions on Russia's Rusal Could Be Lifted, Mnuchin Says
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:02 AM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
The Treasury Department is considering relieving Rusal of penalties even though its former owner, oligarch Oleg Deripaska, was sanctioned this year by the US in an attempt to punish the Kremlin for interfering in the 2016 US presidential election.CNN doesn't mention that GOP mega-donor and Mueller target Len Blavatnik is a RUSAL board member.
The possible relief for Rusal comes as President Donald Trump continues to deal with the fallout from his Helsinki summit with the Russian president. Democrats and Republicans urged Trump to ramp up sanctions -- not dial them back -- and strike at even more sectors of the Russian economy.
The US imposed sanctions on Rusal in April because of its ties to Deripaska. But the Treasury Department said a few weeks later that it was considering removing sanctions against the massive aluminum company after a surge in aluminum prices.
In an interview with CNN, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the US government knew the impact sanctions would have on Rusal. The company's founder, Deripaska, has since stepped down from his role as a non-executive director on its board.
"It wasn't a surprise that Rusal was going to get picked up if we sanctioned Deripaska," Mnuchin said on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting of finance ministers in Buenos Aires on Saturday. "We evaluated the impact. We made a decision."
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:02 AM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
Bad. Texas's Voter Registration Laws are Straight Out of the Jim Crow Playbook (The Nation, Oct, 2016)
Everyone go to vote.org and check your registration. Keep checking. If you get purged, register again.
posted by chrchr at 7:09 AM on July 28, 2018 [27 favorites]
Everyone go to vote.org and check your registration. Keep checking. If you get purged, register again.
posted by chrchr at 7:09 AM on July 28, 2018 [27 favorites]
Not really accurate, at least as far as Houston. Houston is the most racially diverse city in the country and is minority white. (49% white 37% Hispanic/Latino) Houston hasn't had a Republican mayor in...decades. Austin is whiter, but liberal. San Antonio is majority Hispanic (only 26% non-Hispanic white.) So only DFW is really left as a conservative center, and that's really only because of all the white suburbs that get included in there.
Yes but read the context. I'm not comparing it to the rest of the country. I'm comparing it to 90-something percent Hispanic towns that litter the border and run up the Rio Grande valley.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:27 AM on July 28, 2018
Yes but read the context. I'm not comparing it to the rest of the country. I'm comparing it to 90-something percent Hispanic towns that litter the border and run up the Rio Grande valley.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:27 AM on July 28, 2018
Seems to me folks are basically agreeing about Texas.
Is someone doing a new thread? This tab is making my desktop browser cranky, device browsers must be struggling.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:07 AM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is someone doing a new thread? This tab is making my desktop browser cranky, device browsers must be struggling.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:07 AM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yes but read the context. I'm not comparing it to the rest of the country. I'm comparing it to 90-something percent Hispanic towns that litter the border and run up the Rio Grande valley.
Yes, but you're basically saying that difference is why Texas goes red and isn't as ripe as California. Dallas County went 61% Clinton, and Travis County (Austin) went 66% Clinton. El Paso County went 69%, so it's not a huge difference, i.e. it's not Dallas, Houston or Austin that make Texas red.
posted by chris24 at 8:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yes, but you're basically saying that difference is why Texas goes red and isn't as ripe as California. Dallas County went 61% Clinton, and Travis County (Austin) went 66% Clinton. El Paso County went 69%, so it's not a huge difference, i.e. it's not Dallas, Houston or Austin that make Texas red.
posted by chris24 at 8:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
On a related note, did anyone ever ask about resets on the thread on MetaTalk? I see that one has a queue so it might be in the queue for all I know and I don't want to clog things if everyone else already said it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:12 AM on July 28, 2018
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:12 AM on July 28, 2018
Not in the queue yet. IMO, if the news is slow right now, maybe we don't need a new thread right this very minute. Someone can make one if they want. But at any rate if people want to talk *about* new thread process, let's not do it in this already-long thread.
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:17 AM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten at 8:17 AM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
zachlipton: NEWS: @RepBillShuster will publish a draft infrastructure bill this evening that will raise the federal gas tax by 15 cents and diesel tax by 20 cents over the next three years before ELIMINATING fuel taxes in 2028.
The bill would create a commission to recommend a permanent replacement to fill the Highway Trust Fund. The only thing the commission can't recommend: Keeping fuel taxes. It would also authorize a new incentive grant program that would allow the DOT secretary to send money to states and local governments that do "asset recycling" -- leasing assets to private sector and using the money from lease to improve other infrastructure assets.
Actually, the first part is fascinating, because with increasing fuel efficiency, and more alternate fuel vehicles, the burden of paying for roadway infrastructure is being pushed to people with less efficient vehicles. On one hand, fuck the dude-bros with rolling coal, but on the other hand, people who can only afford older, less efficient vehicles shouldn't pay more than someone who can afford an all-electric Tesla. The problem is that the gas tax is by far the easiest way to charge for transportation use. Self-reported or monitor-based distance traveled taxing is complicated and the latter is expensive to deploy, and there have been other studies into other road user fees or charges.
But for the rest, Bill Shuster can fuck right off -- why would a private sector "lease" public assets? To charge the public for their use. In that case, why don't states do that directly? Stop trying to shovel money over to corporations and start representing the people of your country, state and district, Shuster.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:18 AM on July 28, 2018 [5 favorites]
The bill would create a commission to recommend a permanent replacement to fill the Highway Trust Fund. The only thing the commission can't recommend: Keeping fuel taxes. It would also authorize a new incentive grant program that would allow the DOT secretary to send money to states and local governments that do "asset recycling" -- leasing assets to private sector and using the money from lease to improve other infrastructure assets.
Actually, the first part is fascinating, because with increasing fuel efficiency, and more alternate fuel vehicles, the burden of paying for roadway infrastructure is being pushed to people with less efficient vehicles. On one hand, fuck the dude-bros with rolling coal, but on the other hand, people who can only afford older, less efficient vehicles shouldn't pay more than someone who can afford an all-electric Tesla. The problem is that the gas tax is by far the easiest way to charge for transportation use. Self-reported or monitor-based distance traveled taxing is complicated and the latter is expensive to deploy, and there have been other studies into other road user fees or charges.
But for the rest, Bill Shuster can fuck right off -- why would a private sector "lease" public assets? To charge the public for their use. In that case, why don't states do that directly? Stop trying to shovel money over to corporations and start representing the people of your country, state and district, Shuster.
posted by filthy light thief at 8:18 AM on July 28, 2018 [5 favorites]
Something tells me California AG Xavier Becerra doesn't like Trump or his policies very much - just look at all these lawsuits:
The state has filed dozens of lawsuits challenging Trump policies and initiatives, added its voice to the resistance via friend-of-the-court briefs in many other cases, enacted legislation to protect interests its leaders feel have been abandoned by Trump, and implemented administrative policies to protect what Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra calls “California values.” Here’s a list of many of the most important legal steps Becerra has taken, often in conjunction with other states. (Priyanka Krishnakumar and Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times)posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:33 AM on July 28, 2018 [11 favorites]
Okay, I added it to the MetaTalk queue. I apologize to M-x shell if I usurped them/didn't let them post it themselves, but at least 10 others (me included) seem interested in discussing that and it might be easier to handle on a weekend than another drama filled Monday.
(Also, I'm gonna be out the rest of the day and probably night so if anything explodes I won't be around for it. Muahahahah.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:42 AM on July 28, 2018
(Also, I'm gonna be out the rest of the day and probably night so if anything explodes I won't be around for it. Muahahahah.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:42 AM on July 28, 2018
< From the NYT Political Bubbles and Hidden Diversity: Highlights From a Very Detailed Map of the 2016 Election
@PoliticsWolf: That neat @UpshotNYT map has people talking about political bubbles & geography, but remember: Land doesn't vote, & precincts are arbitrary boundaries. We drew nonpartisan congressional maps for every state & Clinton won a majority despite all that red
Center for American Progress senior fellow Topher Spiro found an even better graphic:
At this point, between the inherent issues of the electoral college and the problem of gerrymandering, the traditional methods of mapping US voters is actively distorting our views of the electorate.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:46 AM on July 28, 2018 [39 favorites]
@PoliticsWolf: That neat @UpshotNYT map has people talking about political bubbles & geography, but remember: Land doesn't vote, & precincts are arbitrary boundaries. We drew nonpartisan congressional maps for every state & Clinton won a majority despite all that red
Center for American Progress senior fellow Topher Spiro found an even better graphic:
This is soo much better than that New York Times map making the rounds. Instead of filling in entire precincts with blue or red, it uses dots to represent each vote, accounting for population density.Or they could have adapted Randall Munroe's even better visual representation in XKCD's 2016 Electoral Map, which represents blocks of 250,000 voters with simple stick figures, which it places on the map according to population density.
https://www.wired.com/story/is-us-leaning-red-or-blue-election-maps
This one is also soo much better. It colors in entire areas, but uses opacity to show population density.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DjHt9H-XcAMB5l3.jpg
(The NYT could have displayed precinct-level data using the second map.)
At this point, between the inherent issues of the electoral college and the problem of gerrymandering, the traditional methods of mapping US voters is actively distorting our views of the electorate.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:46 AM on July 28, 2018 [39 favorites]
Definitely Not Sean Spicer: "Right now I'm thinking extremely strategically because all the primaries are wrapping up and I'm trying to figure out where I can do the most good sending out cash."
FWIW, I think these are basically fine, although I'd swap out Sherrod Brown for Bill Nelson.
(also, Indiana is abbreviated IN, not ID)
posted by Chrysostom at 9:04 AM on July 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
FWIW, I think these are basically fine, although I'd swap out Sherrod Brown for Bill Nelson.
(also, Indiana is abbreviated IN, not ID)
posted by Chrysostom at 9:04 AM on July 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
Wow. What a bombshell:
Les "Trump is damn good for CBS" Moonvees, salivator of new FCC deregulation, is investigated for sexual assault.
Just when you think old white men at the levers of power have adopted some darned principles, eh?
Oh and let's take a trip down memory lane to the gloriously halcyon days of March, 2016, as the LA Times asks the insouciant question, "Les Moonves, CBS, and Trump: Is TV's business model killing democracy?"
Bwahahahaaaa *sob*
posted by petebest at 9:57 AM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
Les "Trump is damn good for CBS" Moonvees, salivator of new FCC deregulation, is investigated for sexual assault.
Just when you think old white men at the levers of power have adopted some darned principles, eh?
Oh and let's take a trip down memory lane to the gloriously halcyon days of March, 2016, as the LA Times asks the insouciant question, "Les Moonves, CBS, and Trump: Is TV's business model killing democracy?"
Bwahahahaaaa *sob*
posted by petebest at 9:57 AM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
"The House only has 11 legislative days left before the start of fiscal 2019 but doesn’t seems to have any agreed-upon plan on how to avoid a government shutdown on October 1 except to hope that Trump doesn’t veto the continuing resolution that will be needed to prevent it."
posted by Chrysostom at 10:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by Chrysostom at 10:11 AM on July 28, 2018 [8 favorites]
I think they’ll pass and then the President will sign the CR. Too close to the election for that kind of fuckery.
(On a related note, my phone autocorrects “fuckery” to “Fun Cheryl.”)
posted by notyou at 10:30 AM on July 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
(On a related note, my phone autocorrects “fuckery” to “Fun Cheryl.”)
posted by notyou at 10:30 AM on July 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
Trump is a reality show host. Reality shows thrive on manufactured drama. Trump will make a big show of veto threats, everyone will freak out, and then he will just sign the bill and declare victory. Just like he did with North Korea. Just like he did with the UK tariffs.
posted by JackFlash at 10:38 AM on July 28, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by JackFlash at 10:38 AM on July 28, 2018 [14 favorites]
Speaking of reality show hosts, I've been wondering for a long time how many of Trump's voters watched the shows. Has anyone ever polled that? They should.
posted by kemrocken at 10:48 AM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by kemrocken at 10:48 AM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
Don't put it past Trump to turn the threat of a government shutdown into a mid-term election issue or leverage for his precious border wall.
Washington Post reported last month: Trump Presses GOP For More Border-Security Money, Threatens Shutdown "'We did talk about a shutdown, that a shutdown’s in no one’s interest,' said Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Shelby wouldn’t say whether Trump agreed, and later two administration officials said the president had repeated a threat [in a June 18th meeting] to shut down the government this fall over funding for the border wall."
Stan Collender, on his thebudgetguy blog, outlines his reasons for predicting that Yes…Trump Will Shut Down The Government This Fall:
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:51 AM on July 28, 2018 [13 favorites]
Washington Post reported last month: Trump Presses GOP For More Border-Security Money, Threatens Shutdown "'We did talk about a shutdown, that a shutdown’s in no one’s interest,' said Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Shelby wouldn’t say whether Trump agreed, and later two administration officials said the president had repeated a threat [in a June 18th meeting] to shut down the government this fall over funding for the border wall."
Stan Collender, on his thebudgetguy blog, outlines his reasons for predicting that Yes…Trump Will Shut Down The Government This Fall:
First, Trump may see this as his last opportunity to get funding for his wall. If the Democrats win the majority this November, the chances of the wall being funded over the next two years will be close to zero.[...]Politico recently reported McConnell and Ryan are negotiating with Trump to sign an appropriations bill/bills to fund the majority of the government by the end of September, but Trump's sticking to his demand for a $5 billion down payment for the Border Wall this year. We'll see how Trump's "art of the deal" mentality plays out in this situation.
Second, a Trump-induced shutdown this September over full funding for the wall may be perceived by the White House as the best immigration issue to inflame his base just before the midterm election and, therefore, counter the enthusiasm gap about voting between Democrats and Republicans. If higher Trump-voter enthusiasm translates into continuing GOP House and Senate majorities, this year won’t be the last chance to get funding for the wall.
Third, Trump may look at the GOP congressional leadership’s strong desire to get its members home to campaign as increased leverage to get the full $25 billion because there will be an immediate negative impact — having to stay in Washington — if they don’t do what he wants.
Fourth, especially if his Supreme Court nominee is confirmed by the Senate and the economy remains strong, Trump may be feeling politically invincible this fall. To him, that would make this the perfect time to shut down the government because he will be able to blame others for it.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:51 AM on July 28, 2018 [13 favorites]
New York Times: Still Standing, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Step Back in the Spotlight
But he and his wife are still ramping up their profiles, ready again for a more public stage to pursue their projects after waiting out — and in some cases grinding down — their critics.posted by octothorpe at 11:41 AM on July 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
“I think they felt in some ways when things escalated that they thought it was best to keep a lower profile and hone in on their specific policy areas,” said Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary.
Ms. Trump’s announcement this past week that she would shut down her fashion brand, based in New York, seemed to symbolize a recommitment to her life and her husband’s in Washington. The woman who once said that she did not intend to stay in the capital long enough to become one of its “political creatures” — people she feels are “so principled that they get nothing done,” according to someone familiar with her thinking — said on Tuesday that she did not know “if I will ever return to the business.”
“Any suggestion that they were going to leave the White House was just ridiculous,” said Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, who was one of several allies the couple asked to speak on their behalf for this article. “They both have been dependable, valuable and effective partners for me and other members of the president’s cabinet.”
New York Times: Still Standing, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Step Back in the Spotlight
I knew this bit of PR hackery was a Haberman before I even clicked. Gotta keep those sources happy for that big book deal.
posted by chris24 at 11:48 AM on July 28, 2018 [54 favorites]
I knew this bit of PR hackery was a Haberman before I even clicked. Gotta keep those sources happy for that big book deal.
posted by chris24 at 11:48 AM on July 28, 2018 [54 favorites]
I knew this bit of PR hackery was a Haberman before I even clicked. Gotta keep those sources happy for that big book deal.
I can't wait to find out if its title is going to be "The Light that Guided Us: Donald Trump's Inevitable Success," or "Darkness Falls: How the People Made a Mistake."
posted by rhizome at 11:52 AM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
I can't wait to find out if its title is going to be "The Light that Guided Us: Donald Trump's Inevitable Success," or "Darkness Falls: How the People Made a Mistake."
posted by rhizome at 11:52 AM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
> full funding for the wall may be perceived by the White House as the best immigration issue to inflame his base just before the midterm election
If the left starts pounding reminders of "Who's gonna to pay for it? MEXICO!", it may douse those flames a tad. I mean, just because nobody but his basest base took that seriously doesn't mean we can't rub their noses in that shit.
posted by klarck at 11:53 AM on July 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
If the left starts pounding reminders of "Who's gonna to pay for it? MEXICO!", it may douse those flames a tad. I mean, just because nobody but his basest base took that seriously doesn't mean we can't rub their noses in that shit.
posted by klarck at 11:53 AM on July 28, 2018 [7 favorites]
This is a classic example of Haberman's MO, salting an overall favorable profile that advances its subjects' interests with a few negative quotes to draw people's attention. This piece starts out with nasty gossip, e.g. "Several times Mr. Trump joked that he “could have had Tom Brady” as a son-in-law. “Instead,” the president said, according to five people who heard him, “I got Jared Kushner.”", and rehashing Kushner's scandals and setbacks, particularly over his security clearance, before it pivots to talking up the couple's doubling down on D.C., Kushner's successful handling of Trump, and Ivanka's super nepotastic status as a go-between for her father and Capitol Hill, even as it quotes Democrats complaining.
Cancel your subscription.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:06 PM on July 28, 2018 [33 favorites]
Cancel your subscription.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:06 PM on July 28, 2018 [33 favorites]
from the "Know Your Enemy" Dept., the latest email
"Authorized By Trump Headquarters
Wendell,
NEW REPORT: 92% of the media’s coverage of me has been negative.
This is why American voters don’t get to learn about…
...America’s GDP hitting 4.1%
...North Korea returning the remains of our fallen American heroes
...Our incredible new fair trade deal with the European Union thanks to our tariffs
...The work ICE is doing to crack down on criminal illegal immigration
...Jobs, jobs, jobs!
The media only wants to talk about trash. But I want to talk about America’s wins!
Please make a contribution of just $1 before our end-of-month deadline to help us get the REAL NEWS out far and wide, and let’s Make America Great Again!
Thank you,
President Trump signature headshot
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
Paid for by the Republican National Committee
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
www.GOP.com"
Even if you ignore all the lies and fake claims made in the email's message (whose NEW REPORT? American voters don’t get to learn? GDP 4.1%? The work ICE is doing?), isn't it funny how every one of these fundraising emails self-contradicts, by starting with "Authorized By Trump Headquarters" and ending with "Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee." The respect they have for their base's intelligence is underwhelming.
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:44 PM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
"Authorized By Trump Headquarters
Wendell,
NEW REPORT: 92% of the media’s coverage of me has been negative.
This is why American voters don’t get to learn about…
...America’s GDP hitting 4.1%
...North Korea returning the remains of our fallen American heroes
...Our incredible new fair trade deal with the European Union thanks to our tariffs
...The work ICE is doing to crack down on criminal illegal immigration
...Jobs, jobs, jobs!
The media only wants to talk about trash. But I want to talk about America’s wins!
Please make a contribution of just $1 before our end-of-month deadline to help us get the REAL NEWS out far and wide, and let’s Make America Great Again!
Thank you,
President Trump signature headshot
Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
Paid for by the Republican National Committee
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
www.GOP.com"
Even if you ignore all the lies and fake claims made in the email's message (whose NEW REPORT? American voters don’t get to learn? GDP 4.1%? The work ICE is doing?), isn't it funny how every one of these fundraising emails self-contradicts, by starting with "Authorized By Trump Headquarters" and ending with "Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee." The respect they have for their base's intelligence is underwhelming.
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:44 PM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
After catching up on Lauren Southern's public tour through the old country, my blood has run cold.
Australia has long had a strong undercurrent of racial resentment simmering just below the surface. I'm petrified that she's getting on national TV with her hateful lies and my countryfolk, or worse, my family, thinking she has good ideas.
I know what how racist my grandparents were growing up. I know the things my Dad said growing up. I know the jokes he told. I know we've grown up since then and I know my everyone back home thinks Trump and Trumpism is absolutely insane. I'm still terrified that a lot of people in Australian society can't stand up against the fear that a sustained hate propaganda drives if a serious campaign was levied against them.
I think about my family possibly falling to hard right politics and all I feel is sick.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:50 PM on July 28, 2018 [4 favorites]
Australia has long had a strong undercurrent of racial resentment simmering just below the surface. I'm petrified that she's getting on national TV with her hateful lies and my countryfolk, or worse, my family, thinking she has good ideas.
I know what how racist my grandparents were growing up. I know the things my Dad said growing up. I know the jokes he told. I know we've grown up since then and I know my everyone back home thinks Trump and Trumpism is absolutely insane. I'm still terrified that a lot of people in Australian society can't stand up against the fear that a sustained hate propaganda drives if a serious campaign was levied against them.
I think about my family possibly falling to hard right politics and all I feel is sick.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:50 PM on July 28, 2018 [4 favorites]
WaPo, ‘Deleted’ families: What went wrong with Trump’s family-separation effort. Beyond "it's existence," there's a deeper look at how this came to be and the many parts of the system that failed:
When a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reunify migrant families separated at the border, the government’s cleanup crews faced an immediate problem.posted by zachlipton at 2:03 PM on July 28, 2018 [32 favorites]
They weren’t sure who the families were, let alone what to call them.
Customs and Border Protection databases had categories for “family units,” and “unaccompanied alien children” who arrive without parents. They did not have a distinct classification for more than 2,600 children who had been stripped away from their families and placed in government shelters.
So agents came up with a new term: “deleted family units.”
But when they sent that information to the refugee office at the Department of Health and Human Services, which was told to facilitate the reunifications, the office’s database did not have a column for families with that designation. The crucial tool for fixing the problem was crippled. Case workers and government health officials had to sift by hand through the files of all the nearly 12,000 migrant children in HHS custody to figure out which ones had arrived with parents, where the adults were jailed and how to put the families back together.
...
After his 30-day deadline to reunite the “deleted” families passed Thursday, U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw lambasted the government for its lack of preparation and coordination.
“There were three agencies, and each was like its own stovepipe. Each had its own boss, and they did not communicate,” Sabraw said Friday at a court hearing in San Diego. “What was lost in the process was the family. The parents didn’t know where the children were, and the children didn’t know where the parents were. And the government didn’t know either.”
...
The American Civil Liberties Union, which brought the lawsuit that led to Sabraw’s order, said it could take months to track down hundreds of deported parents and make arrangements to return their children. Some parents may be hard to reach or hiding from the very threats that prompted them to flee in the first place.
In the meantime, the government will attempt to place their children with vetted guardians. Otherwise, they will remain in shelters. “It’s going to be really hard detective work,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants Rights Project. “Hopefully we will find them.”
"Several times Mr. Trump joked that he “could have had Tom Brady” as a son-in-law. “Instead,” the president said, according to five people who heard him, “I got Jared Kushner.”
A good writer would have said Trump seemed deflated.
posted by srboisvert at 2:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [69 favorites]
A good writer would have said Trump seemed deflated.
posted by srboisvert at 2:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [69 favorites]
Tap-dancing, database normalizing Christ! How incompetent or willfully evil do you have to be to not even have the forethought to consider that you might, ya know, actually have to write a query that would be instrumental in putting kids back with their families?
Not that anyone that cares needs more evidence of the mindset of this government, but this is damning for multiple reasons. Or should be...
posted by RolandOfEld at 2:29 PM on July 28, 2018 [15 favorites]
Not that anyone that cares needs more evidence of the mindset of this government, but this is damning for multiple reasons. Or should be...
posted by RolandOfEld at 2:29 PM on July 28, 2018 [15 favorites]
Former Classmate Confronts Sean Spicer at Book Signing: ‘You Called Me a N*gger’
posted by Artw at 2:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [20 favorites]
posted by Artw at 2:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [20 favorites]
Everyone in the "family separation" process thought it was someone else's problem. Everyone from the people with badges to the bureaucracy to Stephen Miller and John "foster homes or whatever" Kelly.
At no point was humane treatment of literal human beings ever a concern for them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [31 favorites]
At no point was humane treatment of literal human beings ever a concern for them.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 2:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [31 favorites]
So we now have “banality of evil” to match “just following orders”.
posted by Artw at 3:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by Artw at 3:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
They did not have a distinct classification for more than 2,600 children who had been stripped away from their families and placed in government shelters.
So agents came up with a new term: “deleted family units.”
I suppose calling them "children" made it too easy for the agents to develop sympathy with their internees. And maybe their supervisors are dumb enough to think that euphemisms add a layer of plausible deniability to it all. See also: "special handling", "deportation to the East", etc.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:27 PM on July 28, 2018 [14 favorites]
So agents came up with a new term: “deleted family units.”
I suppose calling them "children" made it too easy for the agents to develop sympathy with their internees. And maybe their supervisors are dumb enough to think that euphemisms add a layer of plausible deniability to it all. See also: "special handling", "deportation to the East", etc.
posted by Joe in Australia at 3:27 PM on July 28, 2018 [14 favorites]
Michael McFaul in WaPo: Putin wanted to interrogate me. Trump called it ‘an incredible offer.’ Why?
posted by carsonb at 4:00 PM on July 28, 2018 [41 favorites]
In the third attempt to explain U.S. policy regarding Putin’s offer, Sanders said Trump had rejected the offer but still applauded the “sincerity” of the Russian president’s proposal. I’m not sure what was sincere about accusing me and others of some crazy crime to help the Clinton campaign by conspiring with a British businessman, but I was upset that my president hadn’t made a better effort — full-throated and without qualifications — to defend us. We all served, and some are still serving, our great country with honor. We do not deserve to be threatened by a foreign autocrat. This is not a partisan issue; this is an American issue.The question in the title of the article seems to be genuine as opposed to rhetorical. It isn't answered in the body of the article.
...
Putin already has done real damage to my professional and personal life. I once was a scholar of Russian politics, but now I can’t travel to that country to conduct research, at least in the Putin era. Even if Russia removed me from its travel ban list, I would not risk going back now with the threat of arrest lingering. Since 1983, I have traveled and lived in the U.S.S.R. and Russia constantly, residing roughly half a dozen years there. I have hundreds of close Russian friends, thousands of acquaintances, and deep interests in Russian culture and history. That chapter of my life, spanning more than three decades, is now over.
I hope Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and national security adviser John Bolton don’t give Putin another victory in his personal vendetta against me by allowing him to throw around false charges, bogus indictments and improper Red Notices issued in third countries. I hope they stand up — clearly, emphatically and publicly — for all Americans serving their country abroad and tell their Russian counterparts that charging (let alone dispatching Interpol to seize) former U.S. officials with fantastical crimes would be met with outrage, new sanctions and reciprocal measures.
posted by carsonb at 4:00 PM on July 28, 2018 [41 favorites]
A few odds and ends:
1. Trump re-election campaign is sourcing its banners and flags from China.
2. Yes, Eric Holder wants to be President.
3. Ximena Barreto, the right-wing HHS official who made anti-Muslim comments and spread conspiracy theories, is finally forced to resign.
4. The US now has the highest rate of infant mortality of all developed countries.
5. Under Trump, corporate violators receive fines up to 90% reduced from Obama’s last year in office.
posted by darkstar at 5:07 PM on July 28, 2018 [30 favorites]
1. Trump re-election campaign is sourcing its banners and flags from China.
2. Yes, Eric Holder wants to be President.
3. Ximena Barreto, the right-wing HHS official who made anti-Muslim comments and spread conspiracy theories, is finally forced to resign.
4. The US now has the highest rate of infant mortality of all developed countries.
5. Under Trump, corporate violators receive fines up to 90% reduced from Obama’s last year in office.
posted by darkstar at 5:07 PM on July 28, 2018 [30 favorites]
How incompetent or willfully evil do you have to be to not even have the forethought to consider that you might, ya know, actually have to write a query that would be instrumental in putting kids back with their families?
Because from the very being, the program was deliberately designed as an act of terrorism -- don't cross the border or you will lose your children. This wasn't some unfortunate consequence. It was the intended result from the beginning.
This wasn't any secret. Chief of Staff Kelly, in an interview with NPR, said in the effort to enforce U.S. border laws, "a big name of the game is deterrence." And separating families "could be a tough deterrent."
It was an act of terror. They aren't apologetic about it.
posted by JackFlash at 5:13 PM on July 28, 2018 [80 favorites]
Because from the very being, the program was deliberately designed as an act of terrorism -- don't cross the border or you will lose your children. This wasn't some unfortunate consequence. It was the intended result from the beginning.
This wasn't any secret. Chief of Staff Kelly, in an interview with NPR, said in the effort to enforce U.S. border laws, "a big name of the game is deterrence." And separating families "could be a tough deterrent."
It was an act of terror. They aren't apologetic about it.
posted by JackFlash at 5:13 PM on July 28, 2018 [80 favorites]
An Explainer of 35X, the Terrible Airport Gate Where Donald Trump Jr. and Robert Mueller Were Both Spotted
For those not in the know, Gate 35X in Terminal C is widely considered one of the worst airport gates ever, anywhere, of all time. We hear the Gates of Hell are quite lovely in comparison. You see, 35X isn’t a proper gate but an inhumane cattle-herding pen with an escalator that takes you to a bus terminal that takes you to your remotely parked airplane. Even DCA itself calls 35X “infamously congested” with 6,000 passengers making their way through each day. It’s basically one gate serving as an entire concourse. And if you were going to have an awkward run-in, of course it would be there.posted by kirkaracha at 5:33 PM on July 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
ICE is well documented as abusing immigrant families and children from its founding (and through the Obama years), but never in large enough quantity (dozens not thousands) to get the attention/exposure it should have until Trump and Company let them get up in so many more people's business. The abuses already occurred; since they did, it was just so much easier to increase them exponentially.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:36 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:36 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
Washington Post: Immigrant girl hides in auto shop after escaping attendants from Florida detention facility
"She came running in from the streets,” said the owner of Gonzalez Auto Center in Homestead, Fla. “She was crying.”
The girl ran into his shop and hid in a corner behind a large shelf full of tools. It was a busy morning at the large auto shop that operates 14 bays. But she stayed there, crying, for more than an hour on Friday morning, refusing to move. [...] Bertha Lopez called Nora Sandigo, head of a local nonprofit organization that helps immigrant families navigate the legal system. Lopez told the girl that they would get her a lawyer if she needed one. But the girl was inconsolable. “She didn’t feel confident that anybody could help,” Lopez said. [...]
Before Sandigo could get there, police vans began circling the shop’s parking lot. Gonzalez said [/lied that] nobody from the shop called the police, but he eventually flagged down an officer and pointed to where the girl had hidden. “It broke my heart to see the girl panicked and scared, not knowing where her father or mother was,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he’s glad he told the officers where to find the girl. “They were going around and around, they knew she was close by,” he said. “It’s safer for her in detention than out on the streets with no family. It was a hard decision.” Gonzalez [...] says he supports Trump’s general immigration policy, adding, “Let’s make America great again.”
Gonzalez lives in the first three cottages.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:56 PM on July 28, 2018 [49 favorites]
"She came running in from the streets,” said the owner of Gonzalez Auto Center in Homestead, Fla. “She was crying.”
The girl ran into his shop and hid in a corner behind a large shelf full of tools. It was a busy morning at the large auto shop that operates 14 bays. But she stayed there, crying, for more than an hour on Friday morning, refusing to move. [...] Bertha Lopez called Nora Sandigo, head of a local nonprofit organization that helps immigrant families navigate the legal system. Lopez told the girl that they would get her a lawyer if she needed one. But the girl was inconsolable. “She didn’t feel confident that anybody could help,” Lopez said. [...]
Before Sandigo could get there, police vans began circling the shop’s parking lot. Gonzalez said [/lied that] nobody from the shop called the police, but he eventually flagged down an officer and pointed to where the girl had hidden. “It broke my heart to see the girl panicked and scared, not knowing where her father or mother was,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he’s glad he told the officers where to find the girl. “They were going around and around, they knew she was close by,” he said. “It’s safer for her in detention than out on the streets with no family. It was a hard decision.” Gonzalez [...] says he supports Trump’s general immigration policy, adding, “Let’s make America great again.”
Gonzalez lives in the first three cottages.
posted by Rust Moranis at 5:56 PM on July 28, 2018 [49 favorites]
And regarding Republicans' view of torture:
In 2005, John Yoo, who served as Bush's Assistant Attorney General and was the author of the torture memos, was asked:
'If the President deems that he's got to torture somebody, including by crushing the testicles of the person's child, there is no law that can stop him?', to which Yoo replied 'No treaty.'
Cassel followed up with 'Also no law by Congress—that is what you wrote in the August 2002 memo', to which Yoo replied 'I think it depends on why the President thinks he needs to do that.'
Republicans have no problem with torturing children if it serves their objectives.
posted by JackFlash at 6:17 PM on July 28, 2018 [20 favorites]
In 2005, John Yoo, who served as Bush's Assistant Attorney General and was the author of the torture memos, was asked:
'If the President deems that he's got to torture somebody, including by crushing the testicles of the person's child, there is no law that can stop him?', to which Yoo replied 'No treaty.'
Cassel followed up with 'Also no law by Congress—that is what you wrote in the August 2002 memo', to which Yoo replied 'I think it depends on why the President thinks he needs to do that.'
Republicans have no problem with torturing children if it serves their objectives.
posted by JackFlash at 6:17 PM on July 28, 2018 [20 favorites]
CNN: An unknown prankster put a Putin portrait in Colorado's state Capitol where Trump's would be
According to the group that funds the portraits, the mug of the Russian leader was placed in Trump's would-be spot by an unknown prankster Thursday morning. It was discovered during a tour.posted by christopherious at 6:20 PM on July 28, 2018 [28 favorites]
This might not have happened but for one problem: The state hasn't raised the $10,000 needed for a Trump portrait, leaving an empty spot on the third-floor rotunda in Denver.
Colorado Citizens for Culture, an arts-advocacy group that collects donations for the paintings, said that before the Putin prank it had raised exactly $0 for Trump's portrait. Since news of the stunt spread, two donors had chipped in a total of $45 by midday Saturday.
Colorado Citizens for Culture, an arts-advocacy group that collects donations for the paintings, said that before the Putin prank it had raised exactly $0 for Trump's portrait. Since news of the stunt spread, two donors had chipped in a total of $45 by midday Saturday.
For every dollar they receive to put up Trump's portrait, somebody else should give them two dollars not to. I'd contribute to that fund.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:28 PM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
For every dollar they receive to put up Trump's portrait, somebody else should give them two dollars not to. I'd contribute to that fund.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:28 PM on July 28, 2018 [12 favorites]
Trump cuts and runs in Afghanistan. Taliban victory. ("Newest U.S. Strategy in Afghanistan Mirrors Past Plans for Retreat", NYT)
The Trump administration is urging American-backed Afghan troops to retreat from sparsely populated areas of the country, officials said, all but ensuring the Taliban will remain in control of vast stretches of the country.
[...] When he announced his new war strategy last year, Mr. Trump declared that Taliban and Islamic State insurgents in Afghanistan “need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms.”
[...] The retreat to the cities is a searing acknowledgment that the American-installed government in Afghanistan remains unable to lead and protect the country’s sprawling rural population. Over the years, as waves of American and NATO troops have come and left in repeated cycles, the government has slowly retrenched and ceded chunks of territory to the Taliban, cleaving Afghanistan into disparate parts and ensuring a conflict with no end in sight.
[...] The strategy for retreat borrows heavily from Mr. Obama’s military blueprint in Afghanistan after he began withdrawing troops from front lines in 2014.
[...] The Trump administration is also instructing top American diplomats to seek direct talks with the Taliban to refuel negotiations to end the war, and two senior Taliban officials said on Saturday that such talks had been held in Qatar a week ago.
This is the secret plan to defeat the Taliban that Trump "refused" to "tell" Matt Lauer in the ignoble "Commander in Chief" debate. It's regrettable absolutely no one - no one - could have seen it coming.
posted by petebest at 6:50 PM on July 28, 2018 [28 favorites]
The Trump administration is urging American-backed Afghan troops to retreat from sparsely populated areas of the country, officials said, all but ensuring the Taliban will remain in control of vast stretches of the country.
[...] When he announced his new war strategy last year, Mr. Trump declared that Taliban and Islamic State insurgents in Afghanistan “need to know they have nowhere to hide, that no place is beyond the reach of American might and American arms.”
[...] The retreat to the cities is a searing acknowledgment that the American-installed government in Afghanistan remains unable to lead and protect the country’s sprawling rural population. Over the years, as waves of American and NATO troops have come and left in repeated cycles, the government has slowly retrenched and ceded chunks of territory to the Taliban, cleaving Afghanistan into disparate parts and ensuring a conflict with no end in sight.
[...] The strategy for retreat borrows heavily from Mr. Obama’s military blueprint in Afghanistan after he began withdrawing troops from front lines in 2014.
[...] The Trump administration is also instructing top American diplomats to seek direct talks with the Taliban to refuel negotiations to end the war, and two senior Taliban officials said on Saturday that such talks had been held in Qatar a week ago.
This is the secret plan to defeat the Taliban that Trump "refused" to "tell" Matt Lauer in the ignoble "Commander in Chief" debate. It's regrettable absolutely no one - no one - could have seen it coming.
posted by petebest at 6:50 PM on July 28, 2018 [28 favorites]
Even weirder is that Matt Lauer was held accountable for his behavior on the job and was given the boot.
posted by Rykey at 6:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by Rykey at 6:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [11 favorites]
We should have gotten the fuck out of Afghanistan like 15 years ago. Bush should have pulled out. Obama should have pulled out. Trump should pull out. I'm sure Trump will do it in the worst possible fashion and make everything so much worse than it had to be. But still.
Another 5 years isn't going to do shit. Another 15 isn't going to do shit. This is absurd.
Sorry for the blue language but jesus. Enough is enough.
posted by Justinian at 7:01 PM on July 28, 2018 [24 favorites]
Another 5 years isn't going to do shit. Another 15 isn't going to do shit. This is absurd.
Sorry for the blue language but jesus. Enough is enough.
posted by Justinian at 7:01 PM on July 28, 2018 [24 favorites]
Anyone know exactly how many troops are still over there? 10,000?
posted by Justinian at 7:11 PM on July 28, 2018
posted by Justinian at 7:11 PM on July 28, 2018
This article from The Military Times in March suggests ~14,000.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:18 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 7:18 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Dark irony to Maggie Haberman’s latest puff-piece about Ivanka and Jared is the doubling of nepotism in her own story. Her father has worked for NYTimes for over 4 decades. Her mother did Comms for both the Trumps & Kushners. Stunning the Times feels no need to make this clear.
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:25 PM on July 28, 2018 [84 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 7:25 PM on July 28, 2018 [84 favorites]
Her mother did Comms for both the Trumps & Kushners.
Holy Chez-Whiz, wtf. Remember when Fire and Fury came out way back in six months ago? I think this was in there but like everything else it got steamrolled by the next wave of coprolitical shitnannigans.
posted by petebest at 7:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
Holy Chez-Whiz, wtf. Remember when Fire and Fury came out way back in six months ago? I think this was in there but like everything else it got steamrolled by the next wave of coprolitical shitnannigans.
posted by petebest at 7:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [6 favorites]
Eric Holder of the 'we don't prosecute rich people' school wants to be president? can't get much more establishment than that. he'd definitely lose the progressives. ugh.
posted by j_curiouser at 7:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by j_curiouser at 7:57 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
This article from The Military Times in March suggests ~14,000.
Thanks XPH, googling was giving me conflicting information. Stupid internet.
posted by Justinian at 8:05 PM on July 28, 2018
Thanks XPH, googling was giving me conflicting information. Stupid internet.
posted by Justinian at 8:05 PM on July 28, 2018
@BNONews: U.S. Congressman John Lewis has been hospitalized in Atlanta after he fell ill on a plane; no further details - WSB-TV
Fuck please no.
posted by zachlipton at 8:08 PM on July 28, 2018 [17 favorites]
Fuck please no.
posted by zachlipton at 8:08 PM on July 28, 2018 [17 favorites]
Oh man I hope he is okay.
posted by lazaruslong at 8:15 PM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 8:15 PM on July 28, 2018 [9 favorites]
We still need you around making Good Trouble, Congressman Lewis. Please be well.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:22 PM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
What does "Maggie Haberman's … mother did comms for both the Trumps & the Kushners" mean? I'm guessing "comms" is something like PR?
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:01 PM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Joe in Australia at 9:01 PM on July 28, 2018 [1 favorite]
What does "Maggie Haberman's … mother did comms for both the Trumps & the Kushners" mean? I'm guessing "comms" is something like PR?
Maggie's mother Nancy Haberman is an executive VP for Howard Rubenstein's PR firm, which has long represented both Fred and Donald Trump, and Charles and Jared Kushner. There are deep dives into the Pepe Silvia string board if you want to google for it.
posted by peeedro at 9:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [17 favorites]
Maggie's mother Nancy Haberman is an executive VP for Howard Rubenstein's PR firm, which has long represented both Fred and Donald Trump, and Charles and Jared Kushner. There are deep dives into the Pepe Silvia string board if you want to google for it.
posted by peeedro at 9:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [17 favorites]
Her mother is the VP of the PR firm that worked with Trump on Miss Universe stuff, and did a bunch of PR stuff for the Kushners. I don't know if there's juicier stuff out there.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:38 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:38 PM on July 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
Do we have to pull OpSec on every reporter now, or do we expect them to out themselves because of ethics in journalism, or what?
I'm horribly confused.
posted by yesster at 9:51 PM on July 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm horribly confused.
posted by yesster at 9:51 PM on July 28, 2018 [3 favorites]
Justinian: "We should have gotten the fuck out of Afghanistan like 15 years ago. "
Who would have thought getting involved in a land war in Afghanistan would go badly?
posted by Mitheral at 9:53 PM on July 28, 2018 [33 favorites]
Who would have thought getting involved in a land war in Afghanistan would go badly?
posted by Mitheral at 9:53 PM on July 28, 2018 [33 favorites]
Do we have to pull OpSec on every reporter now, or do we expect them to out themselves because of ethics in journalism
Just the ones reprinting Trump re-election campaign spin on a daily basis under the cover of objectiveity.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
Just the ones reprinting Trump re-election campaign spin on a daily basis under the cover of objectiveity.
posted by T.D. Strange at 10:00 PM on July 28, 2018 [10 favorites]
Haberman reprints what Trump himself tells her and rebrands it as leaks from "senior white house officials". That is worse than being a stenographer.
posted by benzenedream at 10:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by benzenedream at 10:37 PM on July 28, 2018 [18 favorites]
these threads would not suffer if there were fewer perfunctory denunciations of Haberman, entreaties to cancel our subscriptions, etc. we're all smart adults here who are capable of applying critical thinking when we digest the news.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:32 PM on July 28, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:32 PM on July 28, 2018 [38 favorites]
at a meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus a member told President Donald Trump that his planned welfare cuts would hurt her constituents, “not all of whom were black”. Mr Trump is reported to have replied: "Really? Then what are they?” If the president had not realised that most welfare recipients are white, he is not alone. And the media are partly to blame, for black Americans are overwhelmingly over-represented in media portrayals of poverty.
posted by infini at 12:16 AM on July 29, 2018 [46 favorites]
posted by infini at 12:16 AM on July 29, 2018 [46 favorites]
This dichotomy is also part of the analytical and forecasting projections problem.
posted by infini at 12:55 AM on July 29, 2018
posted by infini at 12:55 AM on July 29, 2018
He Was Dow’s ‘Dioxin Lawyer.’ Now He’s Trump’s Choice to Run the Superfund Program (NYTimes):
The lawyer nominated to run the Superfund toxic cleanup program is steeped in the complexities of restoring polluted rivers and chemical dumps. He spent more than a decade on one of the nation’s most extensive cleanups, one involving Dow Chemical’s sprawling headquarters in Midland, Mich.White House uses foreign aid agency to give jobs to Trump loyalists (WaPo):
But while he led Dow’s legal strategy there, the chemical giant was accused by regulators, and in one case a Dow engineer, of submitting disputed data, misrepresenting scientific evidence and delaying cleanup, according to internal documents and court records as well as interviews with more than a dozen people involved in the project.
Fourteen allies and Trump loyalists have been placed at the [Millennium Challenge Corporation] as political appointees so far — more than double the number of political staff on the day the president took office, the rosters show....posted by peeedro at 1:02 AM on July 29, 2018 [11 favorites]
In September, the White House appointed a political liaison to the agency — apparently the first in its history. Six employees have been reassigned to make room for Trump appointees. Those reassigned include the agency’s chief risk officer and the leader of the team responsible for coordinating efforts with the private sector.
...
Foreign aid veterans told The Post the appointments are subverting the agency’s technical-minded culture. They said the injection of inexperienced political appointees represents the kind of establishment machinations Trump has decried as “the swamp.”
Mod note: A couple deleted. I don't think we need to compound the Maggie Haberman sidebars / derails further with even more discussion on how good / bad it is to repeatedly denunciate Haberman & NYT ad infinitum. One can do search in this thread (and that's just this thread) and find that it's been mentioned a lot, and yeah, we probably don't actually need a reminder every few comments. If it's an issue that needs more debate, Metatalk is the place with the space.
posted by taz (staff) at 3:56 AM on July 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by taz (staff) at 3:56 AM on July 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
Just a reminder that there are many opportunities to support the midterm elections. The Resistance Calendar is one place to start if you are not sure if or how you want to volunteer. You can sort by location as well as date.
posted by Bella Donna at 4:02 AM on July 29, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by Bella Donna at 4:02 AM on July 29, 2018 [17 favorites]
While browsing the Fathom Events website, I came upon a title that I initially struggled to, er, fathom: The Trump Prophecy. From a WaPo article about it:
[E]vangelical megaschool Liberty University is making and releasing a film called “The Trump Prophecy.”posted by CheesesOfBrazil at 5:18 AM on July 29, 2018 [11 favorites]
The film, which will be released in 1,200 theaters this fall, is Liberty’s largest production to date, and it pairs the university with an independent Christian filmmaker who raised $1 million for the project — a sum its director says could double with postproduction and distribution costs.
Those who share Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr.’s belief that Trump is a “dream” president for evangelicals will probably make up a large part of the target audience — conservatives 55 and older.
But others — including many evangelicals — call the project anti-Christian for what they see as its implicit endorsement of a president who fosters attitudes and policies toward immigrants, minorities and the poor that they think contradict Jesus’ teaching to prioritize the marginalized.
[...]
The country is ready for more films like “The Trump Prophecies,” [Stephan Schultze, the film’s director and head of Liberty’s Cinematic Arts program] said, which take what he sees as a Christian world view. Major movie studios, he said, have created Christian film divisions in recent years, such as Sony’s Affirm Films and Twentieth Century Fox’s FoxFaith.
“Every single one of them recognizes that there’s an underserved audience,” he said.
[...]
“The Trump Prophecy,” Schultze said, is Liberty’s sixth film. If it makes money, it would be the first for a Liberty movie.
Let’s begin with the lies—or, rather, with one lie, the same lie that was repeated time and time again. The Big Lie, the große Lüge. The Russia lie.
Throughout the campaign, during the transition period, and after inauguration, Donald Trump and his surrogates vehemently denied meeting with Russians of any stripe, for any purpose. Every time they were asked about a connection between the campaign and the Kremlin, they shot it down. And they were indignant about it. The response was always something along the lines of, “Russia? Us? How dare you accuse us of such a thing!”
Here are some examples:
Real estate is a good way to launder money, as Trump well knows. Another is campaign finance. So much dark money, so many ways to donate anonymously. It seems clear now, given the latest round of indictments, that Russian money was funneled into the Republican National Committe via the NRA and other avenues. Anyone who took that money is complicit. This is why the Paul Ryans and Dana Rohrabachers and Devin Nuneses of the world have gone to great lengths to throw water on the Mueller investigation, in my estimation. And why so many GOP members of Congress are retiring. They are not trying to save Trump; they are trying to save themselves.
(Greg Olear is pumping his book but still relevant).
posted by adamvasco at 6:37 AM on July 29, 2018 [42 favorites]
Throughout the campaign, during the transition period, and after inauguration, Donald Trump and his surrogates vehemently denied meeting with Russians of any stripe, for any purpose. Every time they were asked about a connection between the campaign and the Kremlin, they shot it down. And they were indignant about it. The response was always something along the lines of, “Russia? Us? How dare you accuse us of such a thing!”
Here are some examples:
Real estate is a good way to launder money, as Trump well knows. Another is campaign finance. So much dark money, so many ways to donate anonymously. It seems clear now, given the latest round of indictments, that Russian money was funneled into the Republican National Committe via the NRA and other avenues. Anyone who took that money is complicit. This is why the Paul Ryans and Dana Rohrabachers and Devin Nuneses of the world have gone to great lengths to throw water on the Mueller investigation, in my estimation. And why so many GOP members of Congress are retiring. They are not trying to save Trump; they are trying to save themselves.
(Greg Olear is pumping his book but still relevant).
posted by adamvasco at 6:37 AM on July 29, 2018 [42 favorites]
The country is ready for more films like “The Trump Prophecies,” [Stephan Schultze, the film’s director and head of Liberty’s Cinematic Arts program] said, which take what he sees as a Christian world view. Major movie studios, he said, have created Christian film divisions in recent years, such as Sony’s Affirm Films and Twentieth Century Fox’s FoxFaith.
“Every single one of them recognizes that there’s an underserved audience,” he said.
MGM lion says undersauced.
posted by srboisvert at 6:47 AM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
“Every single one of them recognizes that there’s an underserved audience,” he said.
MGM lion says undersauced.
posted by srboisvert at 6:47 AM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Trump's defense team severs ties with Cohen's defense team (ABC News)
Rudy sez Cohen should tread very fucking lightly; experts weigh in that Rudy's client is an incredible idiot.
President Trump's legal team warned his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, both publicly and privately, that he's in violation of attorney-client privilege and has cautioned him against talking, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told ABC News.
[...] Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, said Saturday evening that Giuliani "seems to be confused."
"He expressly waived attorney-client privilege last week and repeatedly and inaccurately -- as proven by the tape -- talked and talked about the recording, forfeiting all confidentiality," he said.
*tents fingers*
Gooood. Gooooooood.
posted by petebest at 6:59 AM on July 29, 2018 [41 favorites]
Rudy sez Cohen should tread very fucking lightly; experts weigh in that Rudy's client is an incredible idiot.
President Trump's legal team warned his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, both publicly and privately, that he's in violation of attorney-client privilege and has cautioned him against talking, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani told ABC News.
[...] Lanny Davis, Cohen's attorney, said Saturday evening that Giuliani "seems to be confused."
"He expressly waived attorney-client privilege last week and repeatedly and inaccurately -- as proven by the tape -- talked and talked about the recording, forfeiting all confidentiality," he said.
*tents fingers*
Gooood. Gooooooood.
posted by petebest at 6:59 AM on July 29, 2018 [41 favorites]
In my hometown of San Antonio Texas the local Abolish ICE protest camp was attacked and ransacked by masked white supremacists claiming to represent a group called Patriot Front.
Twitter video of them leaving and the aftermath.
Local news channel describes it as a "clash with protesters".
Who needs official Brown Shirts when you have freelance Fascists to do the dirty work with none of those embarrassing official ties to the party in power?
posted by sotonohito at 7:13 AM on July 29, 2018 [53 favorites]
Twitter video of them leaving and the aftermath.
Local news channel describes it as a "clash with protesters".
Who needs official Brown Shirts when you have freelance Fascists to do the dirty work with none of those embarrassing official ties to the party in power?
posted by sotonohito at 7:13 AM on July 29, 2018 [53 favorites]
My new fantasy is that Rudy Giuliani will be indicted and he will defend himself.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:23 AM on July 29, 2018 [36 favorites]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:23 AM on July 29, 2018 [36 favorites]
Rudy sez Cohen should tread very fucking lightly; experts weigh in that Rudy's client is an incredible idiot.
CNN: Trump's Ex-Lawyer: Giuliani Hurt Trump's Case By Flip-Flopping On Cohen
“Goldberg, who served as Trump's divorce lawyer for the President's first two marriages, said Giuliani "immeasurably" damaged his case against Cohen by changing his tune. "I knew as soon as Giuliani spoke that he was damaging Trump's case immeasurably," Goldberg told CNN's "Erin Burnett Out Front." [...] "No defense lawyer would say that," Goldberg later added.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
CNN: Trump's Ex-Lawyer: Giuliani Hurt Trump's Case By Flip-Flopping On Cohen
“Goldberg, who served as Trump's divorce lawyer for the President's first two marriages, said Giuliani "immeasurably" damaged his case against Cohen by changing his tune. "I knew as soon as Giuliani spoke that he was damaging Trump's case immeasurably," Goldberg told CNN's "Erin Burnett Out Front." [...] "No defense lawyer would say that," Goldberg later added.”
posted by Doktor Zed at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
Omg, from that article about the immigrant girl hiding in the auto shop:
"They put handcuffs on her, buy not like a criminal, like a human being" Gonzalez said."
Fucking fuck.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018 [34 favorites]
Fucking fuck.
posted by obliquity of the ecliptic at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018 [34 favorites]
So, legally, if there are a hundred tapes under client-attorney privilege, and the client waives that for one of them, can the existence of the other 99 be brought up in court?
posted by Devonian at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018
posted by Devonian at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2018
18 Year Old Thomas Rousseau Is Rebranding Nazis As ‘Patriots’ (October 2017)
Meet 'Patriot Front': Neo-Nazi network aims to blur lines with militiamen, the alt-right (SPLC, December 2017)
"We're Americans, and we're Fascists": Inside Patriot Front (March 2018)
Marine Veteran Trains White Supremacists in Military Tactics (Daily Beast, June 2018)
Racist posters in San Jose, Tacoma, Prince William County (July 2018)
Literal neo-Nazis.
Patriot Front (ADL)
Thomas Rousseau (SPLC)
posted by box at 7:28 AM on July 29, 2018 [40 favorites]
Meet 'Patriot Front': Neo-Nazi network aims to blur lines with militiamen, the alt-right (SPLC, December 2017)
"We're Americans, and we're Fascists": Inside Patriot Front (March 2018)
Marine Veteran Trains White Supremacists in Military Tactics (Daily Beast, June 2018)
Racist posters in San Jose, Tacoma, Prince William County (July 2018)
Literal neo-Nazis.
Patriot Front (ADL)
Thomas Rousseau (SPLC)
posted by box at 7:28 AM on July 29, 2018 [40 favorites]
Eric Holder also provided legal and rhetorical cover for drone strikes, and he's 67--apparently we're just running old men again.
On the plus column, he's demonstrably anti-death penalty, pro-VRA, solid on gun control, favored gay marriage and pot legalization . . .
Holder is somewhat establishment, but he's very much from the progressive arm of the establishment.
To the right of where I'd like us to be, but he's to the left of DiFi or Schumer. On some things he's left of Bernie.
The most realistic Dem candidate I've seen so far in terms of picking up both progressive and conservative votes.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:33 AM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
On the plus column, he's demonstrably anti-death penalty, pro-VRA, solid on gun control, favored gay marriage and pot legalization . . .
Holder is somewhat establishment, but he's very much from the progressive arm of the establishment.
To the right of where I'd like us to be, but he's to the left of DiFi or Schumer. On some things he's left of Bernie.
The most realistic Dem candidate I've seen so far in terms of picking up both progressive and conservative votes.
posted by aspersioncast at 7:33 AM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
From the WaPo report CheesesOfBrazil posted:
I'll go out on a limb here because its doctrines are evidently still undergoing (guided) evolution, but given the reported content of this movie and what actual evangelicals are saying, here's what I take to be its core beliefs:
1) Ask and ye shall receive – if you don't receive you must lack faith.
2) Do not touch My annointed one – secular authorities have evidently received the Lord's blessing. Even if they're not personally virtuous they are, like Cyrus, the Lord's Annointed.
3) Render unto Caesar – believers must be subservient to secular authorities.
4) Who is thy neighbour? The body of believers consists of those people who believe and are subservient to the Lord's Annointed.
(Note: The Lord's Annointed is a ruler working in conjunction with the church; they don't need to be personally religious or exhibit traditional virtues. At present Trump is the Lord's Annointed; Barack Obama could never have been the Lord's Annointed.)
As a consequence of these beliefs, the church and secular authorities must work together and believers serve God by serving them jointly. Rule breakers like irregular migrants lack this submission and are automatically excluded from the category of "neighbour", and nothing is owed to them.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:33 AM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
The film centers on a firefighter who in 2011 said God told him Trump would be president, and the petition rejects this idea of a modern-day prophet. It also rejects what it describes as the film’s open support of Trump.Up above I said that evangelical Christians are expressing a radically new theology, although I didn't realise it had gone this far. I have a casual interest in things like this and I can tell you that this has all the hallmarks of a new religion. I'm not even being sarcastic here: it is potentially a religion as different from any small-o orthodox Christian church as the denominations that arose from the Great Awakenings of the 1800s.
As one signatory, Benjamin Rogers, who identified himself as a Liberty student and a Christian, said: “What is the point of making this movie other than to further push Donald Trump up on a Messianic pedestal?”
I'll go out on a limb here because its doctrines are evidently still undergoing (guided) evolution, but given the reported content of this movie and what actual evangelicals are saying, here's what I take to be its core beliefs:
1) Ask and ye shall receive – if you don't receive you must lack faith.
2) Do not touch My annointed one – secular authorities have evidently received the Lord's blessing. Even if they're not personally virtuous they are, like Cyrus, the Lord's Annointed.
3) Render unto Caesar – believers must be subservient to secular authorities.
4) Who is thy neighbour? The body of believers consists of those people who believe and are subservient to the Lord's Annointed.
(Note: The Lord's Annointed is a ruler working in conjunction with the church; they don't need to be personally religious or exhibit traditional virtues. At present Trump is the Lord's Annointed; Barack Obama could never have been the Lord's Annointed.)
As a consequence of these beliefs, the church and secular authorities must work together and believers serve God by serving them jointly. Rule breakers like irregular migrants lack this submission and are automatically excluded from the category of "neighbour", and nothing is owed to them.
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:33 AM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
Boston Globe: TSA is tracking regular travelers like terrorists in secret surveillance program:
Already under Quiet Skies, thousands of unsuspecting Americans have been subjected to targeted airport and inflight surveillance, carried out by small teams of armed, undercover air marshals, government documents show. The teams document whether passengers fidget, use a computer, have a “jump” in their Adam’s apple or a “cold penetrating stare,” among other behaviors, according to the records.posted by adamg at 7:37 AM on July 29, 2018 [33 favorites]
Literal neo-Nazis.
Here's a photo of Rousseau literally commanding the Charlottesville murderer.
Patriot Front is Atomwaffen with slightly different masks. Local media referring to them as another group of protestors, and the way some of them walk like cops in that video, should tell you all you need to know.
The teams document whether passengers fidget, use a computer, have a “jump” in their Adam’s apple or a “cold penetrating stare,”
This is me at the airport. Why don't they just go ahead and add "pause momentarily in front of the cinnabon before deciding the line is too long and also they'll probably just get frosting on their sweater anyway" to the list too.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:49 AM on July 29, 2018 [43 favorites]
Here's a photo of Rousseau literally commanding the Charlottesville murderer.
Patriot Front is Atomwaffen with slightly different masks. Local media referring to them as another group of protestors, and the way some of them walk like cops in that video, should tell you all you need to know.
The teams document whether passengers fidget, use a computer, have a “jump” in their Adam’s apple or a “cold penetrating stare,”
This is me at the airport. Why don't they just go ahead and add "pause momentarily in front of the cinnabon before deciding the line is too long and also they'll probably just get frosting on their sweater anyway" to the list too.
posted by Rust Moranis at 7:49 AM on July 29, 2018 [43 favorites]
Rule breakers like irregular migrants lack this submission and are automatically excluded from the category of "neighbour", and nothing is owed to them.
They probably think Exodus is just Jewish propaganda.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:58 AM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
They probably think Exodus is just Jewish propaganda.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 7:58 AM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
The teams document whether passengers fidget, use a computer, have a “jump” in their Adam’s apple or a “cold penetrating stare."
I remember this, from David Simon's Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets:
"[Detective] Terry McLarney [me: a man of wit and dark humor] once mused the best way to unsettle a suspect would be to post in all three interrogation rooms a written list of those behaviors that indicate deception:
Uncooperative
Too cooperative
Talks too much
Talks too little
Gets his story straight
Fucks his story up
Blinks too muck, avoids eye contact
Doesn’t blink. Stares"
Thank goodness we're all comfortable with flying!
Goes to airplane bathroom. Doesn't use airplane bathroom.
Talks to seatmates to reduce anxiety. Doesn't talk to anyone.
Drinks water for dry throat. Eats and drinks nothing.
Nervous about armed agents on plane. Ignores armed agents.
Yup. Under suspicion for existing on a plane. They have met the enemy, and it is us.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:00 AM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
I remember this, from David Simon's Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets:
"[Detective] Terry McLarney [me: a man of wit and dark humor] once mused the best way to unsettle a suspect would be to post in all three interrogation rooms a written list of those behaviors that indicate deception:
Uncooperative
Too cooperative
Talks too much
Talks too little
Gets his story straight
Fucks his story up
Blinks too muck, avoids eye contact
Doesn’t blink. Stares"
Thank goodness we're all comfortable with flying!
Goes to airplane bathroom. Doesn't use airplane bathroom.
Talks to seatmates to reduce anxiety. Doesn't talk to anyone.
Drinks water for dry throat. Eats and drinks nothing.
Nervous about armed agents on plane. Ignores armed agents.
Yup. Under suspicion for existing on a plane. They have met the enemy, and it is us.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:00 AM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
(In case you missed it, there's a MetaTalk post to talk about "Request to admins to just have weekly or even daily resets of the megathread.")
posted by box at 8:00 AM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 8:00 AM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Wait so in that Boston Globe article (TSA is tracking regular travelers like terrorists in secret surveillance program) they provide a helpful "Suspicious behavior checklist" that includes:
Or ... oh, I see, these are just lists of behaviors so that later on they can have a Deep Learning network spit out that people who sweated, had carry-on luggage, slept briefly, and had a smartphone were more likely commit acts of terror. Yeah, sure, THAT'S going to be helpful.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:01 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
4. Subject slept during the flightSo if I want to sleep during the flight, what is the TSA-approved non-suspicious pattern now?
* Subject slept during most of the flight
* Subject slept briefly
Or ... oh, I see, these are just lists of behaviors so that later on they can have a Deep Learning network spit out that people who sweated, had carry-on luggage, slept briefly, and had a smartphone were more likely commit acts of terror. Yeah, sure, THAT'S going to be helpful.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:01 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
So, legally, if there are a hundred tapes under client-attorney privilege, and the client waives that for one of them, can the existence of the other 99 be brought up in court?
Ok. I am anal, but IANAL. IIRC, there's a hypothesis that the Trump Camp waived privilege on THIS ONE TAPE because it wouldn't be privileged under the "Crime Fraud Exemption", so I expect that ANY of the other tapes that wouldn't be privileged for the same reason would be fair-game in court.
The Trump Camp is fighting this in the "Court of Public Opinion".
The Courts of Law have shown they don't give a shit about what the Trump Camp says in public, and have been uniformly contemptuous of their arguments, in the JUICIEST of legal prose.
I fight despair with the thought: The INDICTMENT of a sitting president hasn't happened yet due to "Conventions of Normal times". There is nothing "Normal" about these times, and I believe in a non-zero chance that Mueller will go, "Fuck it, let's test this, and just give it to a grand jury and if they come out with a True Bill, then let's get moving forward..."
posted by mikelieman at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
Ok. I am anal, but IANAL. IIRC, there's a hypothesis that the Trump Camp waived privilege on THIS ONE TAPE because it wouldn't be privileged under the "Crime Fraud Exemption", so I expect that ANY of the other tapes that wouldn't be privileged for the same reason would be fair-game in court.
The Trump Camp is fighting this in the "Court of Public Opinion".
The Courts of Law have shown they don't give a shit about what the Trump Camp says in public, and have been uniformly contemptuous of their arguments, in the JUICIEST of legal prose.
I fight despair with the thought: The INDICTMENT of a sitting president hasn't happened yet due to "Conventions of Normal times". There is nothing "Normal" about these times, and I believe in a non-zero chance that Mueller will go, "Fuck it, let's test this, and just give it to a grand jury and if they come out with a True Bill, then let's get moving forward..."
posted by mikelieman at 8:06 AM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
The teams document whether passengers fidget, use a computer, have a “jump” in their Adam’s apple or a “cold penetrating stare,”
It's not new. Back in the '90s, law professor David Cole compiled a list of things that law enforcement officers have cited to say that people fit 'drug-courier profiles':
Arrived late at night
Arrived early in the morning
Arrived in afternoon
One of first to deplane
One of last to deplane
Deplaned in the middle
Purchased ticket at airport
Made reservation on short notice
Bought coach ticket
Bought first-class ticket
Used one-way ticket
Used round-trip ticket
Paid for ticket with cash
Paid for ticket with small-denomination currency
Paid for ticket with large-denomination currency
Made local telephone call after deplaning
Made long-distance call after deplaning
Pretended to make telephone call
Traveled from New York to Los Angeles
Traveled to Houston
No luggage
Brand-new luggage
Carried a small bag
Carried a medium-sized bag
Carried two bulky garment bags
Carried two heavy briefcases
Carried four pieces of luggage
Overly protective of luggage
Dissociated self from luggage
Traveled alone
Traveled with a companion
Acted too nervous
Acted too calm
Made eye contact with officer
Avoided making eye contact with officer
Wore expensive clothing and gold jewelry
Dressed casually
Went to rest room after deplaning
Walked quickly through airport
Walked slowly through airport
Walked aimlessly through airport
Left airport by taxi
Left airport by limousine
Left airport by private car
Left airport by hotel courtesy van
Suspect was Hispanic
Suspect was black female
posted by box at 8:15 AM on July 29, 2018 [61 favorites]
It's not new. Back in the '90s, law professor David Cole compiled a list of things that law enforcement officers have cited to say that people fit 'drug-courier profiles':
Arrived late at night
Arrived early in the morning
Arrived in afternoon
One of first to deplane
One of last to deplane
Deplaned in the middle
Purchased ticket at airport
Made reservation on short notice
Bought coach ticket
Bought first-class ticket
Used one-way ticket
Used round-trip ticket
Paid for ticket with cash
Paid for ticket with small-denomination currency
Paid for ticket with large-denomination currency
Made local telephone call after deplaning
Made long-distance call after deplaning
Pretended to make telephone call
Traveled from New York to Los Angeles
Traveled to Houston
No luggage
Brand-new luggage
Carried a small bag
Carried a medium-sized bag
Carried two bulky garment bags
Carried two heavy briefcases
Carried four pieces of luggage
Overly protective of luggage
Dissociated self from luggage
Traveled alone
Traveled with a companion
Acted too nervous
Acted too calm
Made eye contact with officer
Avoided making eye contact with officer
Wore expensive clothing and gold jewelry
Dressed casually
Went to rest room after deplaning
Walked quickly through airport
Walked slowly through airport
Walked aimlessly through airport
Left airport by taxi
Left airport by limousine
Left airport by private car
Left airport by hotel courtesy van
Suspect was Hispanic
Suspect was black female
posted by box at 8:15 AM on July 29, 2018 [61 favorites]
The most realistic Dem candidate I've seen so far in terms of picking up both progressive and conservative votes.
Glass of Warm Milk 2020! Seriously, no old white men plz. Personally, I say woman or GTFO.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:18 AM on July 29, 2018 [22 favorites]
Glass of Warm Milk 2020! Seriously, no old white men plz. Personally, I say woman or GTFO.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:18 AM on July 29, 2018 [22 favorites]
2) Do not touch My annointed one – secular authorities have evidently received the Lord's blessing. Even if they're not personally virtuous they are, like Cyrus, the Lord's Annointed.
3) Render unto Caesar – believers must be subservient to secular authorities.
4) Who is thy neighbour? The body of believers consists of those people who believe and are subservient to the Lord's Annointed.
All of which dovetail perfectly with the religious right's hard push for "Religious Liberty"-based laws and court decisions.
It's a lot easier to be subservient to secular authorities when those secular authorities openly say that many laws simply do not apply to the devout. If you are among The Faithful, you are in a privileged caste; if you are not, you deserve everything you get. And Jesus Christ himself could fly in on a Luck Dragon and write THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID in fifty-foot letters of fire on the Super Bowl's playing field and they still wouldn't change their minds.
posted by delfin at 8:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
3) Render unto Caesar – believers must be subservient to secular authorities.
4) Who is thy neighbour? The body of believers consists of those people who believe and are subservient to the Lord's Annointed.
All of which dovetail perfectly with the religious right's hard push for "Religious Liberty"-based laws and court decisions.
It's a lot easier to be subservient to secular authorities when those secular authorities openly say that many laws simply do not apply to the devout. If you are among The Faithful, you are in a privileged caste; if you are not, you deserve everything you get. And Jesus Christ himself could fly in on a Luck Dragon and write THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID in fifty-foot letters of fire on the Super Bowl's playing field and they still wouldn't change their minds.
posted by delfin at 8:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
The INDICTMENT of a sitting president hasn't happened yet due to "Conventions of Normal times". There is nothing "Normal" about these times, and I believe in a non-zero chance that Mueller will go, "Fuck it, let's test this, and just give it to a grand jury and if they come out with a True Bill, then let's get moving forward..."
I hope that he does, the Republicans rely on the good guys treating norms or unexplored political questions like they're hard rules. This is why Obama should have forced the issue with Garland, worst case we're in the same place we are now but maybe not, and at least we would have put up a fight and made them play defense.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
I hope that he does, the Republicans rely on the good guys treating norms or unexplored political questions like they're hard rules. This is why Obama should have forced the issue with Garland, worst case we're in the same place we are now but maybe not, and at least we would have put up a fight and made them play defense.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
Assholes doing cartoonishly evil things part CLXIV:
Trump Administration Quietly Awards Dozens of Lion Trophy Permits to Hunters, GOP Donors
posted by PontifexPrimus at 8:21 AM on July 29, 2018 [40 favorites]
Trump Administration Quietly Awards Dozens of Lion Trophy Permits to Hunters, GOP Donors
[...]Last year, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke created an advisory committee called the International Wildlife Conservation Council that is mainly comprised of trophy hunters and members of Safari Club International.[...]
[...]The New York Times reported that Fish and Wildlife Service previously made determinations about trophies publicly available, but under new rules, interested parties must file a FOIA request to see details of the permits.[...]One of the things I truly tend to despair about when I hear "oh, but the next administration will surely fix $HORRIBLETHING$" is that there might not be anything to fix by the time sanity returns. What about all the wildlife preserves permanently ruined? What about all the animals hunted to extinction? What about river and forest ecosystems irrevocably destroyed by chemical waste and pollution?
posted by PontifexPrimus at 8:21 AM on July 29, 2018 [40 favorites]
This is me at the airport. Why don't they just go ahead and add "pause momentarily in front of the cinnabon before deciding the line is too long and also they'll probably just get frosting on their sweater anyway" to the list too.
Mine would be:
* Subject plugs laptop in at airport
* Subject tries to play Civ 6 at airport
* Subject cackled maniacally as he launched a nuke at Trump's America in Civ 6
Recommend subject is added to No Fly List and handed over to ICE.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:24 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
Mine would be:
* Subject plugs laptop in at airport
* Subject tries to play Civ 6 at airport
* Subject cackled maniacally as he launched a nuke at Trump's America in Civ 6
Recommend subject is added to No Fly List and handed over to ICE.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 8:24 AM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
"The House only has 11 legislative days left before the start of fiscal 2019 but doesn’t seems to have any agreed-upon plan on how to avoid a government shutdown on October 1 except to hope that Trump doesn’t veto the continuing resolution that will be needed to prevent it."
---
Don't put it past Trump to turn the threat of a government shutdown into a mid-term election issue or leverage for his precious border wall.
This morning...
@realDonaldTrump
I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
---
Please, Brer Trump, please don't throw us in the briar patch.
64% of voters oppose building the wall and 68% want Rs to compromise with Ds on immigration policy.
And Trump's version of the immigration bill got only 39 votes in the Senate vote-arama in February. It was the only version of the four that didn't break 50.
So, since he's not gonna get the extremist bill he wants passed, the two possible results;
1) Elections occur with the government shut down because of him and his hugely unpopular position. Yes, his stand may fire up his racist core, but they're most likely already motivated and voting.
2) He backs down and looks weak and demoralizes his racist base.
posted by chris24 at 8:38 AM on July 29, 2018 [24 favorites]
---
Don't put it past Trump to turn the threat of a government shutdown into a mid-term election issue or leverage for his precious border wall.
This morning...
@realDonaldTrump
I would be willing to “shut down” government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
---
Please, Brer Trump, please don't throw us in the briar patch.
64% of voters oppose building the wall and 68% want Rs to compromise with Ds on immigration policy.
And Trump's version of the immigration bill got only 39 votes in the Senate vote-arama in February. It was the only version of the four that didn't break 50.
So, since he's not gonna get the extremist bill he wants passed, the two possible results;
1) Elections occur with the government shut down because of him and his hugely unpopular position. Yes, his stand may fire up his racist core, but they're most likely already motivated and voting.
2) He backs down and looks weak and demoralizes his racist base.
posted by chris24 at 8:38 AM on July 29, 2018 [24 favorites]
I just hope we can avoid 3) Dems cave and give him what he wants for no fucking reason at all.
posted by contraption at 8:43 AM on July 29, 2018 [69 favorites]
posted by contraption at 8:43 AM on July 29, 2018 [69 favorites]
Trump met with NYT publisher AG Sulzberger. Accounts vary on what went down.
@realDonaldTrump Had a very good and interesting meeting at the White House with A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher of the New York Times. Spent much time talking about the vast amounts of Fake News being put out by the media & how that Fake News has morphed into phrase, “Enemy of the People.” Sad!
Statement of A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher, The New York Times, in Response to President Trump’s Tweet About Their Meeting
@realDonaldTrump Had a very good and interesting meeting at the White House with A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher of the New York Times. Spent much time talking about the vast amounts of Fake News being put out by the media & how that Fake News has morphed into phrase, “Enemy of the People.” Sad!
Statement of A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher, The New York Times, in Response to President Trump’s Tweet About Their Meeting
On July 20th, A.G. went to the White House, accompanied by James Bennet, who oversees the editorial page of The Times. Mr. Trump’s aides requested that the meeting be off the record, which has also been the practice for such meetings in the past.posted by scalefree at 8:46 AM on July 29, 2018 [85 favorites]
But with Mr. Trump’s tweet this morning, he has put the meeting on the record, so A.G. has decided to respond to the president’s characterization of their conversation, based on detailed notes A.G. and James took.
My main purpose for accepting the meeting was to raise concerns about the president’s deeply troubling anti-press rhetoric.
I told the president directly that I thought that his language was not just divisive but increasingly dangerous.
I told him that although the phrase “fake news” is untrue and harmful, I am far more concerned about his labeling journalists “the enemy of the people.” I warned that this inflammatory language is contributing to a rise in threats against journalists and will lead to violence.
I repeatedly stressed that this is particularly true abroad, where the president’s rhetoric is being used by some regimes to justify sweeping crackdowns on journalists. I warned that it was putting lives at risk, that it was undermining the democratic ideals of our nation, and that it was eroding one of our country’s greatest exports: a commitment to free speech and a free press.
Throughout the conversation I emphasized that if President Trump, like previous presidents, was upset with coverage of his administration he was of course free to tell the world. I made clear repeatedly that I was not asking for him to soften his attacks on The Times if he felt our coverage was unfair. Instead, I implored him to reconsider his broader attacks on journalism, which I believe are dangerous and harmful to our country.
“Unpapered people,” Sheila said, adding that she had seen them in the county emergency room and they got treated before her. “And then the Americans are not served.” Love thy neighbor, she said, meant “love thy American neighbor.” Welcome the stranger, she said, meant the “legal immigrant stranger.” “The Bible says, ‘If you do this to the least of these, you do it to me,’ ” Sheila said, quoting Jesus. “But the least of these are Americans, not the ones crossing the border.”
The intellectual bankruptcy of American evangelical theology still amazes me.
The Samaritans and the Jews had been on opposing sides of the nearly-genocidal Maccabean War just a few generations before Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan.
posted by ocschwar at 8:54 AM on July 29, 2018 [34 favorites]
The intellectual bankruptcy of American evangelical theology still amazes me.
The Samaritans and the Jews had been on opposing sides of the nearly-genocidal Maccabean War just a few generations before Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan.
posted by ocschwar at 8:54 AM on July 29, 2018 [34 favorites]
Before it gets better, it may get much worse: Mortgage, Groupon and card debt: how the bottom half bolsters U.S. economy (Jonathan Spicer for Reuters, July 22, 2018)
I mean, just look at this economy in overdrive. (tweet from Alex Rowell, charting the year-over-year annual growth in real average hourly earnings, production and nonsupervisory employees (May-to-May))
Trump, riding that declining trend-line into negative territory.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:09 AM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
By almost every measure, the U.S. economy is booming. But a look behind the headlines of roaring job growth and consumer spending reveals how the boom continues in large part by the poorer half of Americans fleecing their savings and piling up debt.The effects of Trump's tax cuts to wear off? Who benefited in the first place? Not the poorer half of Americans. Trump's corporate tax cut hasn't benefited workers like he said it would. (Ryan Koronowski for Think Progress, June 13, 2018)
A Reuters analysis of U.S. household data shows that the bottom 60 percent of income-earners have accounted for most of the rise in spending over the past two years even as the their finances worsened - a break with a decades-old trend where the top 40 percent had primarily fueled consumption growth.
With borrowing costs on the rise, inflation picking up and the effects of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts set to wear off, a negative shock - a further rise in gasoline prices or a jump in the cost of goods due to tariffs - could push those most vulnerable over the edge, some economists warn.
That in turn could threaten the second-longest U.S. expansion given consumption makes up 70 percent of the U.S. economy’s output.
To be sure, the housing market is far from the dangerous leverage reached in 2007 before the crash. With unemployment near its lowest since 2000 and job openings at record highs, people may also choose to work even more hours or take extra jobs rather than cut back on spending if the money gets tight.
In fact, a growing majority of Americans says they are comfortable financially, according to the Federal Reserve’s report on the economic well-being of U.S. households published in May and based on a 2017 survey.
Yet by filtering data on household finances and wages by income brackets, the Reuters analysis reveals growing financial stress among lower-income households even as their contribution to consumption and the broad economy grows.
On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued a new release detailing the “real earnings summary” through May 2018.BECAUSE THEY WORK MORE.
The true revelation was tucked away at the bottom of the release, in the “Production and nonsupervisory employees” section: “From May 2017 to May 2018, real average hourly earnings decreased 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted,” it read.
In today’s dollars, that’s a change from making an average of $22.62 per hour last May to making $22.59 per hour this May.
The report continued, “The decrease in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.6-percent increase in the average workweek resulted in a 0.5-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.” In other words, people are working a few more hours a week, so they’re taking home more pay, but only marginally.
I mean, just look at this economy in overdrive. (tweet from Alex Rowell, charting the year-over-year annual growth in real average hourly earnings, production and nonsupervisory employees (May-to-May))
Trump, riding that declining trend-line into negative territory.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:09 AM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
Trump's immigrant grandfather owned brothels in the Pacific Northwest.
posted by Rykey at 9:17 AM on July 29, 2018 [17 favorites]
Trump's immigrant grandfather owned brothels in the Pacific Northwest.
posted by Rykey at 9:17 AM on July 29, 2018 [17 favorites]
Statement of A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher, The New York Times, in Response to President Trump’s Tweet About Their Meeting
Huh. This meeting took place on July 20th—it was so clearly scheduled by the Trump White House as damage control for the Mueller GRU indictments and the Helsinki summit, neither of which are mentioned in either Trump's tweet or Sulzberger's statement. And of course, we're hearing about this meeting only because Trump tweeted about it over a week later. The NYT needs to release a transcript ASAP, if only to preserve what journalistic integrity they have left.
On that note, Axios Trump Whisperer Jonathan Swan tweeted this last night: "A very true quote about political journalism.":
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:18 AM on July 29, 2018 [11 favorites]
Huh. This meeting took place on July 20th—it was so clearly scheduled by the Trump White House as damage control for the Mueller GRU indictments and the Helsinki summit, neither of which are mentioned in either Trump's tweet or Sulzberger's statement. And of course, we're hearing about this meeting only because Trump tweeted about it over a week later. The NYT needs to release a transcript ASAP, if only to preserve what journalistic integrity they have left.
On that note, Axios Trump Whisperer Jonathan Swan tweeted this last night: "A very true quote about political journalism.":
"It doesn't make any different if you're fucked or you're not fucked. You delude yourself into thinking 'well, if I get on the bad side of these guys, then I'm not gonna get all that good stuff.' But pretty soon you realise there isn't any good stuff, and there isn't going to be any good stuff. Nobody's getting anything that you're not getting, and if they are it's just more of the same bullshit."—Karl Fleming, former Newsweek Washington correspondent on political journalism.I wonder if he was pre-emptively sub-tweeting the NYT after hearing about what Trump was going to tweet this morning.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:18 AM on July 29, 2018 [11 favorites]
no old white men
Eric Holder is only two of those things.
posted by aspersioncast at 9:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [19 favorites]
Eric Holder is only two of those things.
posted by aspersioncast at 9:20 AM on July 29, 2018 [19 favorites]
Trump's immigrant grandfather owned brothels in the Pacific Northwest.
A good reminder that his family fortune literally came from sex trafficking, likely including immigrant minors. Trump's Mirror is patinated and dusty with the ages.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:22 AM on July 29, 2018 [32 favorites]
A good reminder that his family fortune literally came from sex trafficking, likely including immigrant minors. Trump's Mirror is patinated and dusty with the ages.
posted by Rust Moranis at 9:22 AM on July 29, 2018 [32 favorites]
go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!
MERIT, you say, Mr. Preisident?
My company is hiring. For the first time in my career in the tech sector, we've yet to receive a single resume from an alumnus of the Indian Institutes of Technology. Not one. I checked Facebook and Linked in, and save for one, ONE IIT alumnus I know, every single one I personally know is in Europe. Number crunchers in France and Germany. Hardware types are in Copenhagen. It seems the great people don't want to immigrate to the shithole you're turning our country into.
posted by ocschwar at 9:26 AM on July 29, 2018 [73 favorites]
MERIT, you say, Mr. Preisident?
My company is hiring. For the first time in my career in the tech sector, we've yet to receive a single resume from an alumnus of the Indian Institutes of Technology. Not one. I checked Facebook and Linked in, and save for one, ONE IIT alumnus I know, every single one I personally know is in Europe. Number crunchers in France and Germany. Hardware types are in Copenhagen. It seems the great people don't want to immigrate to the shithole you're turning our country into.
posted by ocschwar at 9:26 AM on July 29, 2018 [73 favorites]
All That’s Left Is the Vote
George Packer | The New Yorker
George Packer | The New Yorker
In the haze of summer, with books still to be read, weeds pulled, kids retrieved from camp, it’s a little hard to fathom that, three months from now, American democracy will be on the line. The midterm elections in November are the last remaining obstacle to President Trump’s consolidation of power. None of the other forces that might have checked the rise of a corrupt homegrown oligarchy can stop or even slow it. The institutional clout that ended the Presidency of Richard Nixon no longer exists. The honest press, for all its success in exposing daily scandals, won’t persuade the unpersuadable or shame the shameless, while the dishonest press is Trump’s personal amplifier. The federal courts, including the Supreme Court, are rapidly becoming instruments of partisan advocacy, as reliably conservative as elected legislatures. It’s impossible to imagine the Roberts Court voting unanimously against the President, as the Burger Court, including five Republican appointees, did in forcing Nixon to turn over his tapes. (Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s nominee to succeed Anthony Kennedy, has even suggested that the decision was wrong.) Congress has readily submitted to the President’s will, as if legislation and oversight were burdens to be relinquished. And, when the independent counsel finally releases his report, it will have only the potency that the guardians of the law and the Constitution give it.posted by Barack Spinoza at 10:27 AM on July 29, 2018 [51 favorites]
Behind these institutions lies public opinion, and we are quickly learning that it matters more than laws, more than the Constitution, more than the country’s supposedly inviolable founding principles. “If large numbers of people are interested in freedom of speech, there will be freedom of speech, even if the law forbids it,” George Orwell wrote, in “Freedom of the Park.” “If public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if laws exist to protect them.” During 1973, the year Watergate became a national scandal, facts changed the political views of millions of Americans, Nixon’s approval rating fell from sixty-seven per cent to less than thirty per cent, and his fate was sealed. In our time, large blocs of public opinion are barely movable: Trump’s performance in Helsinki—declaring himself on the side of Russia, against his own intelligence agencies and the integrity of American elections—received favorable reviews from eighty per cent of Republicans. Yet public opinion still plays a central role in safeguarding democracy, and it becomes decisive through voting. Demonstrations can capture attention and build solidarity, books can provide arguments, social media can organize resistance. But if the Republicans don’t suffer a serious defeat in November, Trump will go into 2020 with every structural advantage...
Minnesotans: Richard Painter is doing a live q&a on his FB page for 8 hours today (I'm voting for Tina Smith, but posting in case anyone feels like asking him pointed questions about his past as a Republican).
posted by triggerfinger at 10:49 AM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 10:49 AM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Trump Predicts 9 Percent Growth, Budget Surplus by End of Presidency
...when the Commerce Department revealed Friday that the U.S. economy had grown 4.1 percent last quarter, the president did not respond by cautiously tempering expectations for future growth. Instead, Trump assured Sean Hannity that the economy is “going to get better”; that he will cut the trade deficit in half; deliver 8-to-9 percent GDP growth; and turn the projected $1 trillion budget deficit into a surplus.posted by kirkaracha at 11:49 AM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
“The economy, we can go a lot higher,” the president told Hannity in a surprise radio interview Friday afternoon. “We have $21 trillion in debt. When this really kicks in we’ll start paying off that debt like water.”
“Unpapered people,” Sheila said, adding that she had seen them in the county emergency room and they got treated before her. “And then the Americans are not served.” Love thy neighbor, she said, meant “love thy American neighbor.” Welcome the stranger, she said, meant the “legal immigrant stranger.” “The Bible says, ‘If you do this to the least of these, you do it to me,’ ” Sheila said, quoting Jesus. “But the least of these are Americans, not the ones crossing the border.”
The older I get, and the more of this horrifying shit I hear from Evangelicals, the more I hope that the actual fuck-your-property and fuck-your-empire Yeshua of Nazareth really is waiting in the next world to make these people explain how they decided he agreed with all of their cruelest thoughts.
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:00 PM on July 29, 2018 [50 favorites]
The older I get, and the more of this horrifying shit I hear from Evangelicals, the more I hope that the actual fuck-your-property and fuck-your-empire Yeshua of Nazareth really is waiting in the next world to make these people explain how they decided he agreed with all of their cruelest thoughts.
posted by EatTheWeek at 12:00 PM on July 29, 2018 [50 favorites]
“The economy, we can go a lot higher,”
Something's high and it ain't the economy.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:33 PM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
Something's high and it ain't the economy.
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 12:33 PM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
More from the Times: New York Times Publisher Rebuts Trump’s Account of Private Meeting, with two really disturbing paragraphs:
Trump has responded to this with another Twitter rant about the press, in case you thought it might be effective.
posted by zachlipton at 12:35 PM on July 29, 2018 [44 favorites]
Mr. Sulzberger recalled telling Mr. Trump at one point that newspapers had begun posting armed guards outside their offices because of a rise in threats against journalists. The president, he said, expressed surprise that they did not already have armed guards.I can't imagine having a conversation with the President of the United States where you have to say "um, Mr. President, you're taking about dictatorships."
At another point, Mr. Trump expressed pride in popularizing the phrase “fake news,” and said other countries had begun banning it. Mr. Sulzberger responded that those countries were dictatorships and that they were not banning “fake news” but rather independent scrutiny of their actions.
Still, Mr. Sulzberger said, by the end of the session, he felt that Mr. Trump had listened to his arguments. The president, Mr. Sulzberger recalled, told him he was glad that he had raised those issues and would think about them.
Trump has responded to this with another Twitter rant about the press, in case you thought it might be effective.
posted by zachlipton at 12:35 PM on July 29, 2018 [44 favorites]
Still, Mr. Sulzberger said, by the end of the session, he felt that Mr. Trump had listened to his arguments. The president, Mr. Sulzberger recalled, told him he was glad that he had raised those issues and would think about them.
This is the craziest and darkest part by far. There's no reliable narrator in charge here, at any level.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:38 PM on July 29, 2018 [38 favorites]
This is the craziest and darkest part by far. There's no reliable narrator in charge here, at any level.
posted by Rust Moranis at 12:38 PM on July 29, 2018 [38 favorites]
I warned that this inflammatory language is contributing to a rise in threats against journalists and will lead to violence.
You might say it's already led to violence.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:43 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
You might say it's already led to violence.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:43 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
Interview with Spike Lee:
.... BlacKkKlansman has been conceived by the director as another kind of “answer” to the reality of The Birth of a Nation. This time, pointedly, it is directed toward the occupant of the White House, Agent Orange. “What we wanted to do, Kevin Willmott [his co-writer] and me, was not a history lesson,” Lee says. “We wanted the audience to connect with the world they live in today. We thought that the story could make lightbulbs go off in their heads. For example, there’s that scene where Ron [played brilliantly by John David Washington, son of Denzel] tells his boss there is ‘no way in the world that the United States would elect a president like David Duke’…”
If that sounded far-fetched in 1978, it sounds tragically less so now. “This guy in the White House,” Lee says, “has given the green light for the Klan, for the alt-right, for the neo-Nazis to come out in the open. There is no need for the so-called dogwhistle any more, they are in full daylight.”
posted by Rumple at 1:27 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
.... BlacKkKlansman has been conceived by the director as another kind of “answer” to the reality of The Birth of a Nation. This time, pointedly, it is directed toward the occupant of the White House, Agent Orange. “What we wanted to do, Kevin Willmott [his co-writer] and me, was not a history lesson,” Lee says. “We wanted the audience to connect with the world they live in today. We thought that the story could make lightbulbs go off in their heads. For example, there’s that scene where Ron [played brilliantly by John David Washington, son of Denzel] tells his boss there is ‘no way in the world that the United States would elect a president like David Duke’…”
If that sounded far-fetched in 1978, it sounds tragically less so now. “This guy in the White House,” Lee says, “has given the green light for the Klan, for the alt-right, for the neo-Nazis to come out in the open. There is no need for the so-called dogwhistle any more, they are in full daylight.”
posted by Rumple at 1:27 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
Face The Nation @FaceTheNationWe joke about "Dear Leader" but holy shit, this is cult numbers.
NEW CBS POLL: nearly all [91%] strong supporters of President Trump say they trust him for accurate information, while only 11 percent trust the mainstream media https://cbsn.ws/2NSJrDq
9:09 AM - 29 Jul 2018
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 1:35 PM on July 29, 2018 [55 favorites]
Conversely, would that mean 89% of people who trust mainstream media give less than strong support to the President*? Just because I truly need to believe that, y'know, facts still matter in this world, on the whole?
posted by Freon at 1:42 PM on July 29, 2018
posted by Freon at 1:42 PM on July 29, 2018
Conversely, would that mean 89% of people who trust mainstream media give less than strong support to the President*?
I'm afraid not (that might be a true statement, but it is not an inference which could be made from the given data). If we knew what percentage x of people were strong Trump supporters, and what percentage of people y trusted the mainstream media, we could work out the percentage of mainstream-media-trusters who support Trump strongly (it's 0.11x/y; depending on what x and y are that could be very large or very small. There are values which even make it more than 100%, but that happens only when you choose an impossible situation, i.e., there are more Trump-supporting trusters of the mainstream media than there are mainstream-media-trusters in total).
If we were to take it as given that there are at least as many people who trust mainstream media than there are strong Trump supporters (which I would like to think is the case but could not say with certainty), then, yes, your result would follow (since x/y<1 then).
posted by jackbishop at 1:56 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm afraid not (that might be a true statement, but it is not an inference which could be made from the given data). If we knew what percentage x of people were strong Trump supporters, and what percentage of people y trusted the mainstream media, we could work out the percentage of mainstream-media-trusters who support Trump strongly (it's 0.11x/y; depending on what x and y are that could be very large or very small. There are values which even make it more than 100%, but that happens only when you choose an impossible situation, i.e., there are more Trump-supporting trusters of the mainstream media than there are mainstream-media-trusters in total).
If we were to take it as given that there are at least as many people who trust mainstream media than there are strong Trump supporters (which I would like to think is the case but could not say with certainty), then, yes, your result would follow (since x/y<1 then).
posted by jackbishop at 1:56 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
I am so tired of these unqualified statistics.
It's no longer sufficient to say "91% of strong supporters of Trump" or "63% of Republicans" etc.
These numbers are being used to paint a picture that plays into the horserace motif.
Put those numbers in terms of the general populace.
Don't tell me "91% of strong supporters" tell me 23% of Americans.
This dubious statistical representation is just serving to allow the bubble-living Trump believers to think they're on the side of a hypothetical majority.
They are not & the media is doing no one any favors pretending otherwise.
These reports just further emphasize how the powers that be are perfectly fine with Trump. If they were really concerned, they'd stop inflating the case for Trump with so much hot air..
posted by narwhal at 2:02 PM on July 29, 2018 [69 favorites]
It's no longer sufficient to say "91% of strong supporters of Trump" or "63% of Republicans" etc.
These numbers are being used to paint a picture that plays into the horserace motif.
Put those numbers in terms of the general populace.
Don't tell me "91% of strong supporters" tell me 23% of Americans.
This dubious statistical representation is just serving to allow the bubble-living Trump believers to think they're on the side of a hypothetical majority.
They are not & the media is doing no one any favors pretending otherwise.
These reports just further emphasize how the powers that be are perfectly fine with Trump. If they were really concerned, they'd stop inflating the case for Trump with so much hot air..
posted by narwhal at 2:02 PM on July 29, 2018 [69 favorites]
That CBS poll was conducted by YouGov with a sample size of 2,420 U.S. adults. Trump's strongest supporters made up only 21% of the respondents—and twice that were "strongly against Trump, period". In general, more people in that survey were against Trump than for him and disapproved of his job performance more than approved of it—the only exception is a 50/50 split on his handling of the economy overall. Here's the PDF of the complete findings.
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:03 PM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
posted by Doktor Zed at 2:03 PM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
Thanks for the math, jackbishop.
X is 21% (Q1), and Y is 14% (Q19), according to the poll toplines. So 16.5% of mainstream media trusters support Trump strongly.
Of course only 14% of people having a lot of confidence in mainstream media is alarming in and of itself.
posted by zug at 2:05 PM on July 29, 2018
X is 21% (Q1), and Y is 14% (Q19), according to the poll toplines. So 16.5% of mainstream media trusters support Trump strongly.
Of course only 14% of people having a lot of confidence in mainstream media is alarming in and of itself.
posted by zug at 2:05 PM on July 29, 2018
Of course only 14% of people having a lot of confidence in mainstream media is alarming in and of itself.
Not so fast there. This is another statistical slight of hand. Mainstream media encompasses a lot of different media outlets and thousands of people. It's a single Apple versus all the oranges in the world comparison.
posted by srboisvert at 2:19 PM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
Not so fast there. This is another statistical slight of hand. Mainstream media encompasses a lot of different media outlets and thousands of people. It's a single Apple versus all the oranges in the world comparison.
posted by srboisvert at 2:19 PM on July 29, 2018 [4 favorites]
“We have $21 trillion in debt. When this really kicks in we’ll start paying off that debt like water.”
You know how nations pay of debt like water? Hyperinflation.
posted by porpoise at 2:19 PM on July 29, 2018 [10 favorites]
You know how nations pay of debt like water? Hyperinflation.
posted by porpoise at 2:19 PM on July 29, 2018 [10 favorites]
The honest press, for all its success in exposing daily scandals, won’t persuade the unpersuadable or shame the shameless . . .
One, the "honest press"? What is that? Forthright printing machines, honest people who edit pieces, honest people who clean the desks at the offices?
Two, the [...] press' "success" at "exposing" what we can all plainly see is pathetic. What investigative journalists have uncovered has beed aired perfuctorily and then rinsed vigorously with a dogpile of "what could this latest tweet/poll mean?"
Three "unpersuadable" isn't a thing in this context. If one can be persuaded of anything, one can be persuaded of something else. Persuasion in this context isn't an end state, it's a present state.
Four, his assumption is that the [...] press has tried to persuade and is unable to do so. Horse hockey! They have mildly raised the tiniest finger of their near-omnipresent hand. I don't expect we'll read about it in the wastepaper of record, but there is more than governmental overhaul necessary to get out of this shithole and prevent it from happening again. The press, honest or otherwise, needs to get its shit together already.
posted by petebest at 2:35 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
One, the "honest press"? What is that? Forthright printing machines, honest people who edit pieces, honest people who clean the desks at the offices?
Two, the [...] press' "success" at "exposing" what we can all plainly see is pathetic. What investigative journalists have uncovered has beed aired perfuctorily and then rinsed vigorously with a dogpile of "what could this latest tweet/poll mean?"
Three "unpersuadable" isn't a thing in this context. If one can be persuaded of anything, one can be persuaded of something else. Persuasion in this context isn't an end state, it's a present state.
Four, his assumption is that the [...] press has tried to persuade and is unable to do so. Horse hockey! They have mildly raised the tiniest finger of their near-omnipresent hand. I don't expect we'll read about it in the wastepaper of record, but there is more than governmental overhaul necessary to get out of this shithole and prevent it from happening again. The press, honest or otherwise, needs to get its shit together already.
posted by petebest at 2:35 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
They probably think Exodus is just Jewish propaganda.
Time Magazine, April 17, 1933:
Time Magazine, April 17, 1933:
A mass meeting of "German Christians" was called in the old Prussian Diet House to hear the outline of the new Nazi religion. A Pastor Hossenfelder led off with an announcement:posted by theodolite at 2:49 PM on July 29, 2018 [13 favorites]
"...Luther said a plowman can be more pious as his plowing than a nun at her prayers. We say a Storm Trooper in his fighting is more in God's will than a Church that does not jubilantly join in the call for the Third Reich."
A Dr. Wieneke-Soldin added:
"The Swastika cross and the Christian cross belong together. If Christ were to rise again today he would be the leader in our struggle against Marxism and internationalism."
Most startling idea of the new religion: the Old Testament, being a Hebrew Book, is to be forbidden in German Sunday Schools.
That makes no sense. If you leave out the OT with its vengeful asshole of a god you end up with just the lovey-dovey Hippie Jesus stuff?
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:52 PM on July 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Definitely Not Sean Spicer at 2:52 PM on July 29, 2018 [2 favorites]
That makes no sense. If you leave out the OT with its vengeful asshole of a god you end up with just the lovey-dovey Hippie Jesus stuff?
Revelations, dude.
posted by Artw at 3:00 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Revelations, dude.
posted by Artw at 3:00 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
What a stupid stupid man. We never stood a chance when the so-called paper of record was run by someone this fucking dumb.
Not just stupid though. That is a man who is very very used to being listened to, and agreed with, and having his wishes followed. It is, IMO, more hubris and arrogance then stupidity (though one could argue that hubris at that level is stupidity). People of influence and power tend to believe everyone agrees with them, right up to the point that the peasants revolt, and then they wonder WTF that came from, and who must have got them going. Only the best are self-aware enough to realize they might be full of shit.
posted by Bovine Love at 3:05 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
Not just stupid though. That is a man who is very very used to being listened to, and agreed with, and having his wishes followed. It is, IMO, more hubris and arrogance then stupidity (though one could argue that hubris at that level is stupidity). People of influence and power tend to believe everyone agrees with them, right up to the point that the peasants revolt, and then they wonder WTF that came from, and who must have got them going. Only the best are self-aware enough to realize they might be full of shit.
posted by Bovine Love at 3:05 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
Just a note later in the day, on today's morning shows amidst the usual distracting rhetoric Senators Lankford-OK and Portman-RI seemed rattled by questions pertaining to Cohen/Tower/Trump/Russia and both avoided those questions with scripted vague answers. Even Chuckers Todd commented on Portman's withering face responses when the subject came up.
posted by Harry Caul at 3:09 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Harry Caul at 3:09 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Portman is Ohio, not Rhode Island.
posted by Chrysostom at 3:17 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Chrysostom at 3:17 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yale psychiatry professor Bandy X. Lee and Art of the Deal co-author Tony Schwartz have written an insightful article for Politico on Trump's mental state: Inside the Mind of Donald Trump: He’s grandiose, deceitful and paranoid—but don’t let him drive you crazy.
Since this was an unusual threaded tweetstorm, it's got to be the work of Bill Shine or Dan Scavino trying to channel Trump. It's quite likely it's the former's attempt to assert his importance in the Trump White House comms team. On the other hand, @RealDonaldTrump's string of ranting tweets about "Robert Mueller Rigged Witch Hunt", "Angry Dems", "Crooked Hillary, and "real Russian Collusion" are all singles, so I suspect those come from closer to Trump, or at least someone who's worked for him longer, like Scavino.
By the way, Caroline Orr (@RVAWonk) notes that this makes 22 times that Trump's account has tweeted about Mueller, which breaks down to 16 in the past 2 months; 7 from the past week; and 3 today. Trump's really feeling the pressure of the Special Counsel investigation.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:20 PM on July 29, 2018 [15 favorites]
Trump’s increasing grandiosity is evident in the superlatives he uses to refer to himself—“stable genius” among them—and in the way he has consolidated his power by getting rid of aides and Cabinet members who have challenged his authority. Because no person or circumstance can possibly satisfy his needs, nearly everyone in his life eventually becomes expendable, and he becomes more and more isolated.Trump has responded to this with another Twitter rant about the press, in case you thought it might be effective.
Trump’s growing paranoia is reflected in the vitriolic comments he has made about a range of perceived enemies, including Democrats and Republicans, allies in the G-7, the intelligence community, the news media and immigrants. His hunger for absolute power is evident in his bizarrely admiring words about despots, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte. His frequent lies reveal his need to redefine reality when the truth doesn’t serve his needs.[...]
Trump’s grip on reality will likely continue to diminish as he faces increasing criticism, accusations, threats of impeachment and potential criminal indictments. We can expect him to become more desperate, more extreme in his comments, more violent in his threats, and more reckless and destructive in his actions.
Since this was an unusual threaded tweetstorm, it's got to be the work of Bill Shine or Dan Scavino trying to channel Trump. It's quite likely it's the former's attempt to assert his importance in the Trump White House comms team. On the other hand, @RealDonaldTrump's string of ranting tweets about "Robert Mueller Rigged Witch Hunt", "Angry Dems", "Crooked Hillary, and "real Russian Collusion" are all singles, so I suspect those come from closer to Trump, or at least someone who's worked for him longer, like Scavino.
By the way, Caroline Orr (@RVAWonk) notes that this makes 22 times that Trump's account has tweeted about Mueller, which breaks down to 16 in the past 2 months; 7 from the past week; and 3 today. Trump's really feeling the pressure of the Special Counsel investigation.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:20 PM on July 29, 2018 [15 favorites]
Why Is the Trump Campaign Attacking Senator Kirsten Gillibrand?
——
Battle for the House: 100 Days Out, Democrats Are on the Brink
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:47 PM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
Like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the democratic socialist who won an upset victory last month in New York’s congressional primaries, Gillibrand also now supports Medicare for all, rejecting corporate pac money, and legalizing marijuana.(Evan Osnos | The New Yorker)
Gillibrand is a long shot for the Democratic nomination in 2020. Still, after four years of Trump, voters may well be looking less for an alternative than an antidote to him—his stylistic, professional, and moral opposite. That’s one reason that Republican strategists have told me that they think a female candidate (at the top of the ticket or in a Vice-Presidential slot) will pose the greatest threat to Trump. Warren, Harris, and, presumably, other women who have not yet emerged will be on that list. But the Trump campaign’s recent efforts to undermine Gillibrand are a tell that she has a reason to be there, too.
——
Battle for the House: 100 Days Out, Democrats Are on the Brink
The Cook Political Report shows 10 Republican seats already likely to flip and another 24 in toss-up races, and then 26 more in the competitive “lean Republican” category. Cook shows only 3 Democratic seats as being in much peril, with two more in competitive races. Again, Republicans are on the defensive nationwide, and one thing to watch for is how many GOP-held seats that are now “Likely Republican” (27 in the Cook accounting and 34 in the Sabato list) become competitive. If it’s more than a handful, the GOP is clearly in big trouble.(Ed Kilgore | NYMag)
What can affect the races down the stretch? Well, there’s obviously a thousand local factors that could matter in very close races, from scandals to debates to sudden infusions of money. Perhaps the murkiest consideration is late spending by “independent” groups who will (allegedly without coordination) be following parallel paths to the most competitive races — traditionally an important source of hidden strength for Republicans, but not necessarily in a year like this.
As for external factors — well, there’s a large tendency to exaggerate the effects of twists and turns in the daily news cycle. One thing that Republicans will almost certainly tend to over-value is economic good news; this matters significantly more in presidential races, and to the extent it affects midterms it is mostly via its impact on presidential approval ratings. The economy was actually improving about as steadily in the last half of 2014 as it is today, and that didn’t make Obama’s second midterm a good one for Democrats. The increasing prevalence of early voting (and for that matter, voting at home) reduces the potential importance of “October surprises” from, say, Mueller.
So the suspense will be over soon — though possibly not as soon as we think. Thanks to California’s many competitive House districts and its voting rules allowing ballots mailed by election day but received later to be counted, we could be waiting for a number of days to find out which party controls the gavel.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 3:47 PM on July 29, 2018 [7 favorites]
@NBCNews: UPDATE: Rep. John Lewis has been released from the hospital, according to his spokesperson: "All tests have been completed, and doctors have given him a 'clean bill of health.' He thanks everyone who shared their thoughts, prayers and concerns during his stay."
posted by zachlipton at 3:53 PM on July 29, 2018 [49 favorites]
posted by zachlipton at 3:53 PM on July 29, 2018 [49 favorites]
"The Swastika cross and the Christian cross belong together. If Christ were to rise again today he would be the leader in our struggle against Marxism and internationalism."
Karl Barth wrote a response to this in 1935 that was signed by many German church leaders. Called the Declaration of Barmen, it has been adopted by many modern churches as a statement of faith, and a lot of us have been quoting from it regularly to one another:
Karl Barth wrote a response to this in 1935 that was signed by many German church leaders. Called the Declaration of Barmen, it has been adopted by many modern churches as a statement of faith, and a lot of us have been quoting from it regularly to one another:
We reject the false doctrine, as though the State, over and beyond its special commission, should and could become the single and totalitarian order of human life, thus fulfilling the church’s vocation as well.posted by hydropsyche at 3:58 PM on July 29, 2018 [26 favorites]
We reject the false doctrine, as though the church, over and beyond its special commission, should and could appropriate the characteristics, the tasks, and the dignity of the State, thus itself becoming an organ of the State.
Palm, face: Trump seeks to revive 'Arab NATO' to confront Iran
If you were going to promote your dumbass idea about an “Arab NATO” you should not have been vigorously undermining actual NATO. And the idea that the US would need an international coalition to contain Iran, which is merely locally powerful, is utterly risible. Iran is not the USSR; the Middle East is not Europe; and this is not 1949.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:12 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
If you were going to promote your dumbass idea about an “Arab NATO” you should not have been vigorously undermining actual NATO. And the idea that the US would need an international coalition to contain Iran, which is merely locally powerful, is utterly risible. Iran is not the USSR; the Middle East is not Europe; and this is not 1949.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:12 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
I wouldn't call Gillibrand a "long shot" - more like "top contender" - but I think Trump is just being his usual gross misogynistic self here. This isn't the first time he attacked Gillibrand - a few Scaramuccis ago, he tweeted something about how she once came to him, "begging on her knees" or words to that effect, for money. Class-y.
And there's the fact that Gillibrand is one of the senators from New York, whose AG, Barbara Underwood, is breathing down his neck. So, "don't look at the man behind the curtain, look at Dorothy, who has cooties!"
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
And there's the fact that Gillibrand is one of the senators from New York, whose AG, Barbara Underwood, is breathing down his neck. So, "don't look at the man behind the curtain, look at Dorothy, who has cooties!"
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [5 favorites]
Potentially a big obstacle to the planned alliance is a 13-month-old rift pitting Saudi Arabia and the UAE against Qatar, home to the largest U.S. air base in the region.
Yeah, I'd say...
Saudi Moves Forward With Plan to Turn Qatar Into Island
posted by Artw at 4:24 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I'd say...
Saudi Moves Forward With Plan to Turn Qatar Into Island
posted by Artw at 4:24 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Oh, and my bad earlier for referring to Eric Holder as one of the white guys. He's not. Apologies! He'd be an...OK...candidate, still kind of boring, though. But I'm sure the D field will be hella crowded and eventually sift itself out.
In the meantime, all kinds of primaries for the midterms exist. Be sure you're registered! Vote, vote, vote! I hope the CA congressional map turns bluer this November! From my Democratic aunt who lives in Chico - we actually might have a chance to turf out Republican Doug LaMalfa in the form of Audrey Denney. A long shot, but if we get a #bluetsunami it might work...
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:37 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
In the meantime, all kinds of primaries for the midterms exist. Be sure you're registered! Vote, vote, vote! I hope the CA congressional map turns bluer this November! From my Democratic aunt who lives in Chico - we actually might have a chance to turf out Republican Doug LaMalfa in the form of Audrey Denney. A long shot, but if we get a #bluetsunami it might work...
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 4:37 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Axios, Swan, Trump's obsession with the "terrible" FBI building
posted by zachlipton at 4:39 PM on July 29, 2018 [36 favorites]
Trump is obsessed with the FBI building. For months now, in meetings with White House officials and Senate appropriators intended to discuss big-picture spending priorities, the president rants about the graceless J. Edgar Hoover Building in downtown Washington, D.C.On the one hand, I'm appalled that the President of the United States wants to spend his time reviewing blueprints for a building project that hasn't even been approved yet. On the other hand, virtually any other use of his time would make more people's lives worse.
Behind the scenes: In the midst of one rant about the FBI, he lit into the building. "Even the building is terrible," he observed to an Axios source. "It's one of the brutalist-type buildings, you know, brutalist architecture. Honestly, I think it's one of the ugliest buildings in the city."
Another source said he was dead opposed to plans to move it out of D.C. "This is prime real estate, right on Pennsylvania Avenue," he said. "This is a great address. They need to stay there. But it needs a total revamp."
That source said Trump told Chief of Staff John Kelly he wants to oversee the project at an excruciating level of detail: the cost per square foot, the materials used, the renovation specs, etc. He's treating it like it's a Trump Organization construction project, the source added.
posted by zachlipton at 4:39 PM on July 29, 2018 [36 favorites]
That makes no sense. If you leave out the OT with its vengeful asshole of a god you end up with just the lovey-dovey Hippie Jesus stuff?
Please don't characterize the Hebrew Bible like this - especially in the context of the Nazis banning it?
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 4:42 PM on July 29, 2018 [20 favorites]
Please don't characterize the Hebrew Bible like this - especially in the context of the Nazis banning it?
posted by hapaxes.legomenon at 4:42 PM on July 29, 2018 [20 favorites]
If Trump wants to follow the august footsteps of His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, and devote his time to arranging the demolition of brutalist buildings and their replacement, I am soooooo okay with it.
posted by ocschwar at 4:43 PM on July 29, 2018
posted by ocschwar at 4:43 PM on July 29, 2018
Trump is obsessed with the FBI building.
It's not a new issue for him, he told the WaPo in 2013 that he'd like the Trump Org to build a new FBI headquarters.
posted by peeedro at 5:02 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's not a new issue for him, he told the WaPo in 2013 that he'd like the Trump Org to build a new FBI headquarters.
posted by peeedro at 5:02 PM on July 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
I, for one, would rather not have a Russian asset rebuilding the FBI headquarters, but that could just be me.
posted by localhuman at 5:10 PM on July 29, 2018 [84 favorites]
posted by localhuman at 5:10 PM on July 29, 2018 [84 favorites]
The idea that the “Old Testament God” is a vengeful, cruel character whose excesses are reversed by Jesus in the new doesn’t survive a careful reading of the texts—and what’s more is a product of the nineteenth-century German theology that helped lead to the Reich Church. God gets angry in the OT, sure, but at the same stuff that makes Jesus angry in the NT; unfaithfulness to God and cruelty to the poor and marginalized.
posted by EarBucket at 5:11 PM on July 29, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by EarBucket at 5:11 PM on July 29, 2018 [22 favorites]
Rosie M. Banks: "I wouldn't call Gillibrand a "long shot" - more like "top contender" "
Agreed. I think you could make a strong case that there's nothing intelligent to be said about the likelihood of winning the nomination for anyone this far out. But if you're going to, Gillibrand is very much not a long shot. That's just an incredibly off analysis.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:14 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
Agreed. I think you could make a strong case that there's nothing intelligent to be said about the likelihood of winning the nomination for anyone this far out. But if you're going to, Gillibrand is very much not a long shot. That's just an incredibly off analysis.
posted by Chrysostom at 5:14 PM on July 29, 2018 [8 favorites]
Mod note: AS MUCH AS I LOVE A BIBLE DERAIL, we are not having a Bible derail 2,000 comments into a politics thread.
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 5:18 PM on July 29, 2018 [73 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee (staff) at 5:18 PM on July 29, 2018 [73 favorites]
The attacks I'm seeing on Gillibrand this week are weird. I'm assuming they are targeted at different demographics. One, there is a Dudebro type who keeps referring to her and "mattress girl" (who was the young woman Gillibrand brought to the SOTU). I assume anyone who is upset because Gillibrand associated with an anti-rape-culture activist is either a troll or one bad day away from donning the red hat. Second, there are people who claim to be progressives saying that they will never support her because she is responsible for throwing Franken under the bus to serve her own ambition. It's the CLINTON STOLE IT FROM BERNIE of 2020.
But those are the two consistent attacks I've been seeing, along with the most generalized "ambitious shrill bitchy womaaaaan".
posted by Justinian at 5:18 PM on July 29, 2018 [25 favorites]
But those are the two consistent attacks I've been seeing, along with the most generalized "ambitious shrill bitchy womaaaaan".
posted by Justinian at 5:18 PM on July 29, 2018 [25 favorites]
Yeah, the attack I always see on Gillibrand is blaming her for the Franken resignation, which is stupid and wrong and GAH! can we ever just blame the guy who fucking did the harassment?
posted by chris24 at 5:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [31 favorites]
posted by chris24 at 5:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [31 favorites]
@LeslieCockburn: My opponent Denver Riggleman, running mate of Corey Stewart, was caught on camera campaigning with a white supremacist. Now he has been exposed as a devotee of Bigfoot erotica. This is not what we need on Capitol Hill.
The Cook Political Report summary for VA-05 is so enjoyable, I've kept the tab open for a couple days wondering how to bring this up in the thread:
The Cook Political Report summary for VA-05 is so enjoyable, I've kept the tab open for a couple days wondering how to bring this up in the thread:
VA-05: OPEN (Garrett) (R) - South central: Danville, Charlottesvilleposted by zachlipton at 5:30 PM on July 29, 2018 [35 favorites]
Lean Republican. If there's one 2018 race stranger than fiction, it's probably the one for the Southside and Charlottesville 5th CD. In May, GOP Rep. Tom Garrett announced he would retire to seek treatment for alcoholism amid reports he had sent staffers on inappropriate personal errands. Then a few weeks later, a hastily called GOP convention nominated retired Air Force intelligence officer Denver Riggleman, who owns a Nelson County distillery.
Riggleman ran a short-lived campaign for governor last year and has a libertarian streak. He says he'll join the Freedom Caucus, but supports decriminalizing marijuana and opposes the locally polarizing Atlantic Pipeline project. However, the most curious element of Riggleman's background may be a recently-deleted Facebook author page appearing to promote a self-published book titled "The Mating Habits of Bigfoot and Why Women Want Him."
At least one Republican attributes Riggleman's literary musings to his offbeat sense of humor. After all, his Instagram account profile reads: "Own a distillery, consult on DoD matters and had a fun run for Governor. Love whiskey, hate tyranny and embrace liberty. Whiskey Rebellion always!" But that account, since set to private, was once peppered with images of what can only be described as Bigfoot-themed erotic art.
Since we're talking VA... Corey Stewart's campaign still trying to drag down Rs in the state.
GOP Candidate Corey Stewart’s Spokesperson Called Majority-Black Cities ‘Shitholes’
GOP Candidate Corey Stewart’s Spokesperson Called Majority-Black Cities ‘Shitholes’
One of Stewart’s spokespersons, Rick Shaftan, tweeted that three majority-black U.S. cities were “shitholes” and repeatedly warned against opening businesses in black neighborhoods. Shaftan, along with Stewart’s other spokesperson, previously worked on behalf of an anti-Semite [Paul Nehlen] running for House Speaker Paul Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin.posted by chris24 at 5:37 PM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
In addition, a Stewart volunteer was a member of a chat group that planned a sequel to the deadly right-wing rally in Charlottesville, The Daily Beast previously reported. Meanwhile, a former Stewart staffer appeared to praise the founder of the American Nazi Party, and recently left Stewart’s team for a role on the campaign of a New Jersey politician who has previously posted white supremacist content.
Shaftan, who runs communications for Stewart, has for years publicly disparaged black people on Twitter.
“Crazed black people looting a liquor store is the ultimate racist stereotype. #Ferguson,” he tweeted in 2014 after the unrest following a white police officer’s killing of a black teenager. “After #Ferguson, only a fool would start, finance or insure a business in a black neighborhood,” he tweeted again. After violence in Baltimore following the death of a black man at the hands of police, Shaftan tweeted “The message out of Ferguson and Baltimore is a simple one: DON'T OPEN A BUSINESS IN A BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD!”
Responding to the news of a robbery in 2011, Shaftan wrote in a now-deleted tweet: “Another reason why white people (and Asians and Latinos) don't want to live with black people. #TheTruthHurts #Reality” ...
Twice in 2010, he called the NAACP “the Black KKK, only more violent and dangerous.”
To add to the theme here, Corey Stewart is helping to further depress Republican turnout in VA-05 by insulting Danville: Va. Republican Senate candidate Stewart depicted Danville as a dystopia. The city wasn’t having it (WaPo). People were legit mad over the insult, and the Kaine campaign are running ads on the Stewart's negging of Danville. When the pro-confederate GOP candidate has to reassure his base in the former capital of the Confederacy, there might be a problem.
posted by peeedro at 5:42 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by peeedro at 5:42 PM on July 29, 2018 [6 favorites]
ELECTIONS NEWS
** 2018 Senate:
** 2018 Senate:
-- DE: Can an AOC-backed progressive insurgent unseat moderate Dem Tom Carper?** 2018 House:
-- TX: Long Beto O'Rourke profile.
-- Cook profile of every open GOP-held seat, lots of good reading (yes, including Bigfoot erotica).** Odds & ends:
-- TX-07: After one of the relatively few fractious Dem primaries, all Dems are actively backing and fundraising for the eventual nominee.
-- TX-32: Pete Sessions may be in trouble.
-- TPM state of play round up. Some interesting gossip about internal polling.
-- MD gov: Some centrist Dems reluctant to line up behind progressive nominee Jealous.posted by Chrysostom at 5:46 PM on July 29, 2018 [21 favorites]
-- GA gov: Stacey Abrams profile.
-- Enten: Dems poised for major governor gains.
-- Dems concerned, as displaced Puerto Ricans don't seem to be registering to vote.
There was a Dem treasurer candidate in the Colorado Primary styling himself as "Colorado's Bernie" since his name is Bernard Douthit and he was running on a platform of Mediacare for all and creating a state bank. I was already dubious because he had no policy to go with his slogans, but then I saw a public post of his on FB in which he announced he could never support Gillibrand for any higher office because of how she'd thrown Franken under the bus. I enthusiastically voted for Dave Young (who also has relevant experience and bona fides), because I can't with dudes like Douthit who are nominally progressive but terrible on gender. Douthit was soundly defeated. I know some progressive folks who were disappointed progressive candidates didn't do better in the CO primary, but problematic dudes shouldn't get a pass.
posted by danielleh at 5:53 PM on July 29, 2018 [53 favorites]
posted by danielleh at 5:53 PM on July 29, 2018 [53 favorites]
In the spirit of, first they came for the Bigfoot erotica devotees, and I said nothing... Riggleman palling around with white supremacists is the real problem. Though I can see why, in this, the year of our absentee Lord 2018, Riggleman's opponents are latching onto the xenokink detail; not enough people see that real problem as a problem.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:28 PM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:28 PM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
WaPo, Steven Pearlstein, The junk debt that tanked the economy? It’s back in a big way.
Axios, Trump's manic energy policy
That was the situation back in 2006 when investors were so keen to own “mortgage-backed securities” that Wall Street was begging lenders for more and more “product.” You know how that turned out.----
Now it is happening again, as investors and money managers scramble to buy floating-rate debt — debt offering interest payments that will increase as global interest rates rise, as they are expected to over the next few years. A big new source of floating-rate credit is the market for “leveraged loans” — loans to highly indebted businesses — that are packaged into securities known as “collateralized loan obligations,” or CLOs. Because the market seems to have an insatiable appetite for CLOs, leveraged lending and CLO issuance through the first half of the year are already up 38 percent over last year’s near-record levels.
Credit-rating companies such as Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have recently warned that this surge in corporate borrowing and lending has led to a noticeable decline in the quality of the loans. The borrowers have lower credit ratings. The loans contain fewer of the standard conditions that are meant to protect lenders. And the rating companies calculate that lenders should expect to recover less of their money if the borrowers default or go into bankruptcy.
...
Many of the borrowers in the leveraged loan market are midsize companies that most people have never heard of. But some are large companies that you would recognize — Dell, Tesla, Uber, BMC Software, Japan’s SoftBank and office-sharing company WeWork. What they all have in common is that they already have so much debt that their credit rating is below investment grade, or “junk” as it is known on Wall Street. In effect, they are the “subprime” borrowers in the corporate loan market.
Axios, Trump's manic energy policy
During White House discussions about renewable energy, President Trump has declared — more than once and to the amusement of senior administration officials — "I hate the wind!"posted by zachlipton at 8:37 PM on July 29, 2018 [24 favorites]
Why this matters: The Trump administration's energy policies are hurricanes of contradiction. They reveal an extraordinary gap between the president and his administration.
Trump has a visceral hatred of wind turbines. He believes they are terrible returns on investment that blight coastlines and obstruct views, sources with direct knowledge tell Axios.
Trump has even told officials to "think of all the birds" that wind turbines are killing, though sources familiar with these comments tell us they doubt the president actually cares about endangered wildlife.
Ironically, given Trump has shown nothing but contempt for wind energy, the Trump administration is working hard to promote wind farms up and down the Atlantic Coast:
...
"His policy is, wherever he goes he likes what they have," said a source with direct knowledge of the internal White House energy discussions. "Even if it's contrary to what he said at the last place. He basically just tells everyone what they want to hear; that's his energy policy."
...
"The biggest contradiction," the source with direct knowledge of the internal discussions said, is that "Trump will literally say 'we'll save coal' and in the next sentence that we'll become 'energy independent.' You can't do both. The natural gas boom is coming at the expense of coal."
The bottom line: Since the beginning of the Trump administration, nobody at the White House has effectively coordinated energy policy. A source close to the process described it this way: "Random ideas bubble to the surface, and if nobody objects, they become policy."
President Trump has declared — more than once and to the amusement of senior administration officials — "I hate the wind!"
That's the truest thing he's ever said, what with the necktie and hair problems it gives him. He must nervously check the forecast every time he's getting ready to get off a plane.
posted by contraption at 8:59 PM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
That's the truest thing he's ever said, what with the necktie and hair problems it gives him. He must nervously check the forecast every time he's getting ready to get off a plane.
posted by contraption at 8:59 PM on July 29, 2018 [16 favorites]
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
posted by scalefree at 9:07 PM on July 29, 2018 [83 favorites]
“I’m now 85. My senior colleague, Justice John Paul Stevens, he stepped down when he was 90, so think I have about at least five more years.”Thank god. Thank god. Thank god.
— Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, quoted by CNN.
posted by scalefree at 9:07 PM on July 29, 2018 [83 favorites]
The bottom line: Since the beginning of the Trump administration, nobody at the White House has effectively coordinated energy policy. A source close to the process described it this way: "Random ideas bubble to the surface, and if nobody objects, they become policy."And that is just lovely for an industry sector that regularly has to make decisions about billions of dollars in hardware.
posted by ocschwar at 9:25 PM on July 29, 2018 [10 favorites]
Got some interesting debate going last night in /r/PoliticalDiscussion on the plausible nightmare scenario of Republicans maintaining control of the House despite losing the national popular vote by 5-10%. (IIRC, gerrymandering sets the current threshold for a likely Democratic takeover at roughly 7-11%).
posted by Rhaomi at 10:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 10:22 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
FWIW, that 11% number from the Brennan Center was pretty widely criticized as being too high. As I recall, they were basically not including incumbency; you could posit that in the worst case scenario, Dems might need 11%, but that said scenario is not currently in play.
Also, to be a little pedantic, you can get a GOP advantage with a rather narrow Dem win in national vote total without unfairness, as there are considerably more districts with no GOP candidate than with no Dem candidate (28 and 4, I think).
Needless to say, this should not be taken as a defense of gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:34 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
Also, to be a little pedantic, you can get a GOP advantage with a rather narrow Dem win in national vote total without unfairness, as there are considerably more districts with no GOP candidate than with no Dem candidate (28 and 4, I think).
Needless to say, this should not be taken as a defense of gerrymandering, voter suppression, etc.
posted by Chrysostom at 10:34 PM on July 29, 2018 [1 favorite]
zachlipton: "@LeslieCockburn: My opponent Denver Riggleman, running mate of Corey Stewart, was caught on camera campaigning with a white supremacist. Now he has been exposed as a devotee of Bigfoot erotica. This is not what we need on Capitol Hill."
Obviously the rest is problematic but if we don't want old, boring, mainstream white guys running things we really should just ignore kinks that harm literally no one. Really who the fuck cares?
posted by Mitheral at 10:48 PM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
Obviously the rest is problematic but if we don't want old, boring, mainstream white guys running things we really should just ignore kinks that harm literally no one. Really who the fuck cares?
posted by Mitheral at 10:48 PM on July 29, 2018 [9 favorites]
I think bigfoot sex is a good place to wrap up this whole political reality
We can go ahead and turn it off now
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:56 PM on July 29, 2018 [19 favorites]
We can go ahead and turn it off now
posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 10:56 PM on July 29, 2018 [19 favorites]
we really should just ignore kinks that harm literally no one. Really who the fuck cares?
As always in these cases, it’s about the rank hypocrisy. Kinks that harm no one are fine, unless you are running for public office as a member of a party that has constantly lionized plain vanilla sexual expression as the One True Way Endorsed by the Creator of the Universe Under Threat of Eternal Torture, while doing its best to shun, demean, stigmatize, suppress and criminalize non-heteronormative sexual expression and behavior.
posted by darkstar at 12:03 AM on July 30, 2018 [55 favorites]
As always in these cases, it’s about the rank hypocrisy. Kinks that harm no one are fine, unless you are running for public office as a member of a party that has constantly lionized plain vanilla sexual expression as the One True Way Endorsed by the Creator of the Universe Under Threat of Eternal Torture, while doing its best to shun, demean, stigmatize, suppress and criminalize non-heteronormative sexual expression and behavior.
posted by darkstar at 12:03 AM on July 30, 2018 [55 favorites]
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign video team just made a killer ad for a Hawai'ian Democratic Socialist
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:59 AM on July 30, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:59 AM on July 30, 2018 [14 favorites]
As an unyielding fan and partisan of brutalism, as well as someone perhaps unreasonably fond of wind turbines, it pleased me to no end to learn that here are two further ethicoaesthetic axes along which I am sharply distinguished from Donald Trump. Really, we occupy opposite poles or lobes of the n-dimensional ethicoaesthetic possibility manifold, as I’m sure is true of most of us here.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:01 AM on July 30, 2018 [17 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:01 AM on July 30, 2018 [17 favorites]
Got some interesting debate going last night in /r/PoliticalDiscussion on the plausible nightmare scenario of Republicans maintaining control of the House despite losing the national popular vote by 5-10%. (IIRC, gerrymandering sets the current threshold for a likely Democratic takeover at roughly 7-11%).
Just to start your week pissed off, the 1994 wave that gained Republicans 54 seats and control of the House? A 7% popular vote advantage.
The 2010 wave that gained Rs 63 seats? A 7% popular vote advantage.
But we have to do better than 7% just to hope to get 23 seats and control.
posted by chris24 at 3:51 AM on July 30, 2018 [19 favorites]
Just to start your week pissed off, the 1994 wave that gained Republicans 54 seats and control of the House? A 7% popular vote advantage.
The 2010 wave that gained Rs 63 seats? A 7% popular vote advantage.
But we have to do better than 7% just to hope to get 23 seats and control.
posted by chris24 at 3:51 AM on July 30, 2018 [19 favorites]
White threat in a browning America
How demographic change is fracturing our politics.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:00 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
How demographic change is fracturing our politics.
In 2008, Barack Obama held up change as a beacon, attaching to it another word, a word that channeled everything his young and diverse coalition saw in his rise and their newfound political power: hope. An America that would elect a black man president was an America in which a future was being written that would read thrillingly different from our past.Ezra Klein | Vox
In 2016, Donald Trump wielded that same sense of change as a threat; he was the revanchist voice of those who yearned to make America the way it was before, to make it great again. That was the impulse that connected the wall to keep Mexicans out, the ban to keep Muslims away, the birtherism meant to prove Obama couldn’t possibly be a legitimate president. An America that would elect Donald Trump president was an America in which a future was being written that could read thrillingly similar to our past.
This is the core cleavage of our politics, and it reflects the fundamental reality of our era: America is changing, and fast. According to the Census Bureau, 2013 marked the first year that a majority of US infants under the age of 1 were nonwhite. The announcement, made during the second term of the nation’s first African-American president, was not a surprise. Demographers had been predicting such a tipping point for years, and they foresaw more to come.
... I spent months talking with politicians, social psychologists, and political scientists about what happens in moments like this one, moments when a majority feels its dominance beginning to fail. The answer, attested to in mountains of studies and visible everywhere in our politics, is this: Change of this magnitude acts on us psychologically, not just electorally. It is the crucial context uniting the core political conflicts of this era — Obama and Trump’s presidencies, the rise of reactionary new social movements and thinkers, the wars over political correctness on campuses and representation in Hollywood, the power of #MeToo and BlackLivesMatter, the fights over immigration.
Demographic change, and the fears and hopes it evokes, is one of the tectonic forces shaping this era in American life, joining income inequality and political polarization in transforming every aspect of our politics and culture. But to understand what it is doing to us as a country, we need to begin by understanding what it does to us as individuals.
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:00 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
Why Are So Many Leftists Skeptical of the Russia Investigation?
Daily Intelligencer | NYMag
Daily Intelligencer | NYMag
As you move from the right to the left of the ideological spectrum, skepticism of the Russia scandal gives way to suspicions that it covers up something serious. But somewhere on the left, right around the fault line where Barack Obama is deemed to have been a bad president, opinion turns back again toward skepticism.posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:14 AM on July 30, 2018 [14 favorites]
The purest form of this sentiment on the far left is a vein of attacks that are almost indistinguishable from Republican rhetoric about the investigation. The Intercept’s Glenn Greenwald has gone from insisting evidence of Russian interference should be discounted until Robert Mueller produced some indictments to now saying indictments themselves should also be discounted. Greenwald regularly appears on Tucker Carlson’s show to dismiss the Russia witch hunt, as does The Nation’s Stephen F. Cohen. Aaron Matte, another Nation contributor, has scoffed at what he calls “alleged Russian meddling” (alleged?) and insisted that the Trump campaign’s solicitation of help from Russia is no worse than the Clinton campaign hiring a British investigator to uncover Trump’s ties to Russia: “lying to reporters is not an indictable offense, and neither is showing a willingness to obtain foreign dirt. During the 2016 contest, the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign accepted help from Ukraine and paid for the salacious and outlandish Steele ‘dossier’ from across the pond.” You see, Christopher Steele, like Natalia Veselnitskaya, is foreign, so it’s all the same.
... That said, the left may be underestimating the potential vulnerability the Mueller probe has opened up for the administration. A poll in May found that most Americans do not realize Mueller has uncovered any crimes, and that the news that he has indeed done so impresses them. It stands to reason that guilty pleas or convictions would have a pronounced impact on public opinion. If nothing else, it would be harder for Trump to harp on crime if his 2020 opponent can counter that Trump and/or his cronies are themselves a bunch of criminals.
What makes the schism over the Mueller probe so odd is that, unlike a division over rival candidates or legislation, it is an argument without any particular decision as an end point. Few leftists actually want to shut down the Mueller probe, or are even arguing that Democrats should refuse to investigate Russia if they gain congressional majorities. Some of the skeptics complain that Democrats are emphasizing Russia too heavily, but this complaint confuses liberal journalists and activists with Democratic politicians, who are mostly concentrating their rhetoric on health care and other economic issues.
In the meantime, journalists and close followers of politics are going to have a natural interest in the drama of a criminal investigation into the president of the United States and his family and advisers. This is especially true when the president has expressed through words and deeds his belief that he is entitled to immunity from legal prosecution, and indeed is entitled to direct law enforcement to harass his adversaries instead. It is very strange that the self-styled populist wing of the left is so indifferent to this project.
‘Eye-popping’ payouts for CEOs follow Trump’s tax cuts (Politico)
“The insider sales feed the narrative that corporate tax cuts enrich executives in the short term while yielding less clear long-term benefits for workers.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:17 AM on July 30, 2018 [11 favorites]
“The insider sales feed the narrative that corporate tax cuts enrich executives in the short term while yielding less clear long-term benefits for workers.”
posted by Barack Spinoza at 4:17 AM on July 30, 2018 [11 favorites]
Isn’t Greenwald a kooky libertarian and not a leftist?
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:23 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:23 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
how properly freaked out should we be by that number I think from Vox that only 28% of the youth are going to vote, anybody know? Like that generic poll number, does it take young people not voting into account?
I don't know about the numbers, and hope they are wrong. But I was talking with this issue with my daughter who is young and also an American Studies student. I asked how there could be such huge differences in attitude, because she literally loves to vote, as do many of her peers. I mused that it might be our local tradition of bringing our kids with us to vote, which is encouraged by the officials, and then having yard parties or dinner with friends after voting.
She snapped back that I probably wouldn't bring her along to vote if the line was an hour long. And I probably wouldn't be celebrating if I was dirt poor. The last part is wrong, we did have parties when she was a little kid and we were all poor, but leave that be.
This is really back-seat driving, but I do think those people who are working hard to GOTV should also work hard on the norms and culture of voting. I'm not thinking so much about the informal part, but about the part that is determined politically: if there were lines more than ten minutes long here, it would be a scandal. If the schools didn't have election themed classes each Election Day it would be a scandal. If any disabled people had difficulty voting it would be a scandal.
It's funny in a way, the US is a young country, but it is the oldest democracy, and in some ways there is an old culture about voting, meant for a completely different age. Some of us old countries with young democracies, and democracies that have been taken from us during WW2 are still celebrating the right to vote almost every time we get to do it.
posted by mumimor at 5:21 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
I don't know about the numbers, and hope they are wrong. But I was talking with this issue with my daughter who is young and also an American Studies student. I asked how there could be such huge differences in attitude, because she literally loves to vote, as do many of her peers. I mused that it might be our local tradition of bringing our kids with us to vote, which is encouraged by the officials, and then having yard parties or dinner with friends after voting.
She snapped back that I probably wouldn't bring her along to vote if the line was an hour long. And I probably wouldn't be celebrating if I was dirt poor. The last part is wrong, we did have parties when she was a little kid and we were all poor, but leave that be.
This is really back-seat driving, but I do think those people who are working hard to GOTV should also work hard on the norms and culture of voting. I'm not thinking so much about the informal part, but about the part that is determined politically: if there were lines more than ten minutes long here, it would be a scandal. If the schools didn't have election themed classes each Election Day it would be a scandal. If any disabled people had difficulty voting it would be a scandal.
It's funny in a way, the US is a young country, but it is the oldest democracy, and in some ways there is an old culture about voting, meant for a completely different age. Some of us old countries with young democracies, and democracies that have been taken from us during WW2 are still celebrating the right to vote almost every time we get to do it.
posted by mumimor at 5:21 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
Why Are So Many Leftists Skeptical of the Russia Investigation?
Admittedly I scanned this, but I didn’t see anything about the spectrum of complicity, from being paid half a million dollars by actual Russia (this was Greenwald, no?), to digging your heels in when you realize — or fear, perhaps even subconsciously — that when you helped spread all the worst attacks agains Hillary in 2016 you might have been one of Putin’s useful idiots.
It’s almost like Jonathan Chait doesn’t really understand humans. Or he’s not very smart.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:26 AM on July 30, 2018 [30 favorites]
Admittedly I scanned this, but I didn’t see anything about the spectrum of complicity, from being paid half a million dollars by actual Russia (this was Greenwald, no?), to digging your heels in when you realize — or fear, perhaps even subconsciously — that when you helped spread all the worst attacks agains Hillary in 2016 you might have been one of Putin’s useful idiots.
It’s almost like Jonathan Chait doesn’t really understand humans. Or he’s not very smart.
posted by schadenfrau at 5:26 AM on July 30, 2018 [30 favorites]
Isn’t Greenwald a kooky libertarian and not a leftist?
russian asset
posted by lazaruslong at 5:28 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
russian asset
posted by lazaruslong at 5:28 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
Why Are So Many Leftists Skeptical of the Russia Investigation?
Despite what they may say, the reason, as the article says is that the Russia investigation frustrates the narrative in a few ways:
1) it makes American intelligence agencies right when many leftists see them as not only immoral but foolish,
2) it means the 2016 election loss isn't a verdict on centrism and "liberalism," so this hurts their ability to demand voters abandon the Democratic Party,
3) it means that some of their heroes are dupes, liars, traitors, or all three,
4) it decries that America is losing influence under Trump, when for some leftists see the US as so uniquely evil that any other country gaining influence—whether they be Russia or China—is innately a good thing.
There is a strain of "anti-patriotism" among the left that turns self-pride into self-loathing (though obviously on a country-scale: they're fine as an individual to feel pride in their "anti-patriotism") to the point of thinking that the US is the worst of all possible worlds and that any power that challenges us in our preeminence must be good. It is very uncritical when deciding on allies to topple American power, and makes bedfellows of some rather despotic regimes. I would say that it's just as tragic as nationalism and jingoism, though less prevalent.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 5:44 AM on July 30, 2018 [59 favorites]
Despite what they may say, the reason, as the article says is that the Russia investigation frustrates the narrative in a few ways:
1) it makes American intelligence agencies right when many leftists see them as not only immoral but foolish,
2) it means the 2016 election loss isn't a verdict on centrism and "liberalism," so this hurts their ability to demand voters abandon the Democratic Party,
3) it means that some of their heroes are dupes, liars, traitors, or all three,
4) it decries that America is losing influence under Trump, when for some leftists see the US as so uniquely evil that any other country gaining influence—whether they be Russia or China—is innately a good thing.
There is a strain of "anti-patriotism" among the left that turns self-pride into self-loathing (though obviously on a country-scale: they're fine as an individual to feel pride in their "anti-patriotism") to the point of thinking that the US is the worst of all possible worlds and that any power that challenges us in our preeminence must be good. It is very uncritical when deciding on allies to topple American power, and makes bedfellows of some rather despotic regimes. I would say that it's just as tragic as nationalism and jingoism, though less prevalent.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 5:44 AM on July 30, 2018 [59 favorites]
Important and insightful stuff from the President's attorney:
CNN's Alisyn Camerota: Why does Mueller have to respond to Trump's accusation of a conflict of interest?
Giuliani: Because he has the conflict of interest.
CNN: What is the conflict of interest?
Giuliani: [pause] I'm not sure I know exactly what the conflict of interest is. But if I had it, it would get me kicked off the investigation.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:06 AM on July 30, 2018 [67 favorites]
CNN's Alisyn Camerota: Why does Mueller have to respond to Trump's accusation of a conflict of interest?
Giuliani: Because he has the conflict of interest.
CNN: What is the conflict of interest?
Giuliani: [pause] I'm not sure I know exactly what the conflict of interest is. But if I had it, it would get me kicked off the investigation.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:06 AM on July 30, 2018 [67 favorites]
I think my husband has been kind of struggling with those 4 points (he definitely believes the Russia stuff, but I think it's been tough for him to watch so many of the writers and thinkers he used to admire fall down the leftist Russia skeptic rabbit hole) and I was trying to explain to him the other day why I was wholly unsurprised with Julian Assange, Glenn Greenwald and others turned out to be Russia apologists and just generally shitty. I'm not sure I explained it quite this succinctly though if it ever comes up again I think now I have better language but it's basically that I am equally mistrustful of patriotism and anti-patriotism. They both make people uncritical, encourage black and white thinking, and confer the belief that there is a Single Correct Answer about geopolitics. I saw this coming from a mile away with all those people.
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:10 AM on July 30, 2018 [30 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 6:10 AM on July 30, 2018 [30 favorites]
The Atlantic's Natasha Bertrand has found collusion between the DHS/ICE and the FSB: How Russia Persecutes Its Dissidents Using U.S. Courts – Russia’s requests to Interpol for Red Notices – the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant—against Kremlin opponents are being met with increasing deference by the Department of Homeland Security.
Heritage fellow Ted Bromund—who wrote about Bill Browder's brief Red Notice–based arrest in Spain in May—tells Bertrand, “But as the abuse of Interpol by Russia and other nations has increased, DHS and DOJ have more and more put themselves in the position of doing Vladimir Putin’s dirty work for him by using his abusive Red Notices as the basis for arresting dissidents and businessmen who fled to the U.S. after they fell foul of Putin’s regime.”
Bertrand goes on to put this in the context of how Putin and his allies are waging a campaign of "lawfare" in the West by filing superficially legitimate lawsuits to harass their enemies, e.g. against Buzzfeed over their publication of the Steele Dossier and against George Lakoff by Trump Tower meeting participant and money-laundering suspect Irakly "Ike" Kaveladze. "A lawyer who has been following this phenomenon closely, and who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press, put it this way: “The Russians have figured out how to weaponize this. We have this tremendous system of justice here which isn’t equipped to address nonjudicial questions, like ‘Is this litigant seeking to abuse our entire judicial system?’”"
Fun fact: The current VP of Interpol is the Russian Interior Ministry's Major General Alexander Prokopchuk, and his term doesn't end until next year.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:13 AM on July 30, 2018 [37 favorites]
Heritage fellow Ted Bromund—who wrote about Bill Browder's brief Red Notice–based arrest in Spain in May—tells Bertrand, “But as the abuse of Interpol by Russia and other nations has increased, DHS and DOJ have more and more put themselves in the position of doing Vladimir Putin’s dirty work for him by using his abusive Red Notices as the basis for arresting dissidents and businessmen who fled to the U.S. after they fell foul of Putin’s regime.”
Bertrand goes on to put this in the context of how Putin and his allies are waging a campaign of "lawfare" in the West by filing superficially legitimate lawsuits to harass their enemies, e.g. against Buzzfeed over their publication of the Steele Dossier and against George Lakoff by Trump Tower meeting participant and money-laundering suspect Irakly "Ike" Kaveladze. "A lawyer who has been following this phenomenon closely, and who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press, put it this way: “The Russians have figured out how to weaponize this. We have this tremendous system of justice here which isn’t equipped to address nonjudicial questions, like ‘Is this litigant seeking to abuse our entire judicial system?’”"
Fun fact: The current VP of Interpol is the Russian Interior Ministry's Major General Alexander Prokopchuk, and his term doesn't end until next year.
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:13 AM on July 30, 2018 [37 favorites]
Interesting that the indefatigable Carole Cadwalladr - scourge of the Brexit crooks and exposer of possible Putin funding for definite election law crime - today raised the issue of sinister Twitter trolling by the Russian Embassy in London
posted by Myeral at 6:26 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Myeral at 6:26 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
Re: Mueller’s conflict of interest. Last year the conflict was Mueller’s friendship with Comey and the claim now could just be a rehash of that.
God only knows.
posted by notyou at 6:28 AM on July 30, 2018
God only knows.
posted by notyou at 6:28 AM on July 30, 2018
Isn't it obvious? "Conflict of interest"means anyone who has NOT ever been paid by or paid to The Trump Organization.
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:36 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:36 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
Trump's accusations about Mueller's conflict of interest is just another one of his bullshit arguments in bad faith. Yesterday @RealDonaldTrump tweeted about "a very nasty & contentious business relationship". He naturally did not elaborate further, but that was enough to generate headlines with "Mueller" and "Conflict of Interest" in them. As long as he can rhetorically link the two, he's winning in the court of public opinion—confidence in Mueller has declined ever since Trump started attacking him directly, particularly among independents/undecideds—and this poisons the well for when actual conflicts of interest arise, e.g. Kavanagh's Supreme Court nomination and his legal theories about executive privilege.
As with all things Trump, his resentment could be rooted in petty stupidity: "Another potential conflict claim is an allegation that Mueller and Trump National Golf Club in Northern Virginia had a dispute over membership fees when Mueller resigned as a member in 2011, two White House advisers said. A spokesman for Mueller said there was no dispute when Mueller, who was FBI director at the time, left the club." (Washington Post)
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:41 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
As with all things Trump, his resentment could be rooted in petty stupidity: "Another potential conflict claim is an allegation that Mueller and Trump National Golf Club in Northern Virginia had a dispute over membership fees when Mueller resigned as a member in 2011, two White House advisers said. A spokesman for Mueller said there was no dispute when Mueller, who was FBI director at the time, left the club." (Washington Post)
posted by Doktor Zed at 6:41 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
There is a strain of "anti-patriotism" among the left that turns self-pride into self-loathing (though obviously on a country-scale: they're fine as an individual to feel pride in their "anti-patriotism") to the point of thinking that the US is the worst of all possible worlds and that any power that challenges us in our preeminence must be good. It is very uncritical when deciding on allies to topple American power, and makes bedfellows of some rather despotic regimes. I would say that it's just as tragic as nationalism and jingoism, though less prevalent.
I tend to think of it as "vulgar anti-imperialism", since anti-imperialism is the flag this sentiment tends to fly. The biggest tell is when they're (rightly) critical of American power but can't seem to find fault with China or Russia- sometimes because they've substituted reflexive "anything bad for American interests is good" for actual anti-imperialist analysis, and sometimes because they're just fucking tankies who fetishize their ideas about those states circa 1975 or so.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:49 AM on July 30, 2018 [21 favorites]
I tend to think of it as "vulgar anti-imperialism", since anti-imperialism is the flag this sentiment tends to fly. The biggest tell is when they're (rightly) critical of American power but can't seem to find fault with China or Russia- sometimes because they've substituted reflexive "anything bad for American interests is good" for actual anti-imperialist analysis, and sometimes because they're just fucking tankies who fetishize their ideas about those states circa 1975 or so.
posted by Pope Guilty at 6:49 AM on July 30, 2018 [21 favorites]
Another potential conflict claim is an allegation that Mueller and Trump National Golf Club in Northern Virginia had a dispute over membership fees when Mueller resigned as a member in 2011
To paraphrase a tweet I saw yesterday...
Mueller: Bastard screwed me outta golf fees. I want revenge.
Comey: I have an idea. How about I make him president...
Mueller: Ooh, I like this. Keep talking.
posted by chris24 at 6:57 AM on July 30, 2018 [49 favorites]
To paraphrase a tweet I saw yesterday...
Mueller: Bastard screwed me outta golf fees. I want revenge.
Comey: I have an idea. How about I make him president...
Mueller: Ooh, I like this. Keep talking.
posted by chris24 at 6:57 AM on July 30, 2018 [49 favorites]
As with all things Trump, his resentment could be rooted in petty stupidity: "Another potential conflict claim is an allegation that Mueller and Trump National Golf Club in Northern Virginia had a dispute over membership fees when Mueller resigned as a member in 2011, two White House advisers said. A spokesman for Mueller said there was no dispute when Mueller, who was FBI director at the time, left the club."
Also, I think we see again and again that Trump has a real problem not believing everyone sees things through the same (petty & cheap) lens that he does. If Mueller ever said boo about membership fees then he must surely continue to hold a grudge and be interested in twisting the knife any opportunity he has. This same thing reveals itself over and over when he makes up stuff; part of the reason the lies seem so stupid is they involve him attributing actions and reasons as pointless and small as the sort of grudge Trump himself would hold.
posted by phearlez at 6:58 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
Also, I think we see again and again that Trump has a real problem not believing everyone sees things through the same (petty & cheap) lens that he does. If Mueller ever said boo about membership fees then he must surely continue to hold a grudge and be interested in twisting the knife any opportunity he has. This same thing reveals itself over and over when he makes up stuff; part of the reason the lies seem so stupid is they involve him attributing actions and reasons as pointless and small as the sort of grudge Trump himself would hold.
posted by phearlez at 6:58 AM on July 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
And the No Collusion! to Collusion? NBD! train motors on.
Abby D. Phillip (CNN)
Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Trump: "Colluding about Russians -- I'm not sure that's even a crime. The hacking is the crime."
posted by chris24 at 7:00 AM on July 30, 2018 [14 favorites]
Abby D. Phillip (CNN)
Rudy Giuliani, attorney for President Trump: "Colluding about Russians -- I'm not sure that's even a crime. The hacking is the crime."
posted by chris24 at 7:00 AM on July 30, 2018 [14 favorites]
Dominic Holden (Civil Rights news at Buzzfeed) is tweeting from the DOJ's religious liberty summit. Sessions announced a new "Religious Liberty Task Force" that will ensure every division of the DOJ is upholding/enforcing the guidance he issued in October (Holden on October memo).
posted by gladly at 7:17 AM on July 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by gladly at 7:17 AM on July 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
sometimes because they're just fucking tankies who fetishize their ideas about those states circa 1975 or so
The majority of people I’ve interacted with who demonstrate this particular brand of stupidity were born well after 1975
posted by schadenfrau at 7:27 AM on July 30, 2018 [9 favorites]
The majority of people I’ve interacted with who demonstrate this particular brand of stupidity were born well after 1975
posted by schadenfrau at 7:27 AM on July 30, 2018 [9 favorites]
Word for the day: tankie.
A Tankie is an apologist for the violence and crimes against humanity perpetrated by twentieth-century Marxist-Leninist regimes, particularly the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin (1924 - 1953). More broadly, the term may refer to any leftist who is perceived to support or defend authoritarian regimes on the basis that they are enemies of the United States. This can include regimes that are not and do not claim to be communist such as those of Vladimir Putin in Russia and Bashir al-Assad in Syria.posted by notyou at 7:55 AM on July 30, 2018 [23 favorites]
"Tankie" originally referred to the members of the Communist Party of Great Britain that supported the Kremlin decision to use tanks to crush the Hungarian anti-Soviet revolt of 1956. It was subsequently used as a pejorative against those members who believed that the party should pursue a line of uncritical support for the Soviet Union.
With almost 2500 comments, and an ongoing discussion about when to make new posts, I decided to make a new post.
posted by box at 8:03 AM on July 30, 2018 [28 favorites]
posted by box at 8:03 AM on July 30, 2018 [28 favorites]
With almost 2500 comments, and an ongoing discussion about when to make new posts, I decided to make a new post.
Just waited for the right pull quote eh? Good choice, it's a real winner.
posted by gusottertrout at 8:05 AM on July 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Just waited for the right pull quote eh? Good choice, it's a real winner.
posted by gusottertrout at 8:05 AM on July 30, 2018 [8 favorites]
Josh Marshall (TPM): Rudy’s Big Admission?
The other point is the date: June 7th. That’s the date when Trump made that primary election night victory speech where he teased his upcoming anti-Hillary speech where he’d reveal a bunch of new dirt on Hillary, a speech that ended up never happening.
What Giuliani appears to be saying is that earlier that day the top people in his campaign had a planning meeting to prep for the dirt meeting with the Russians two days later. This is hardly surprising. But it lines up perfectly with what many have long suspected: that Trump was so excited about the dirt his campaign was going to receive two days later that he couldn’t help but brag about it in public that night.
posted by PenDevil at 8:08 AM on July 30, 2018 [27 favorites]
The other point is the date: June 7th. That’s the date when Trump made that primary election night victory speech where he teased his upcoming anti-Hillary speech where he’d reveal a bunch of new dirt on Hillary, a speech that ended up never happening.
What Giuliani appears to be saying is that earlier that day the top people in his campaign had a planning meeting to prep for the dirt meeting with the Russians two days later. This is hardly surprising. But it lines up perfectly with what many have long suspected: that Trump was so excited about the dirt his campaign was going to receive two days later that he couldn’t help but brag about it in public that night.
posted by PenDevil at 8:08 AM on July 30, 2018 [27 favorites]
Came here to say that Glenn Greenwald is in no way of the left, only to find my heart squeezed with love for those of you who’d already nailed just that sentence to the floor. Keep plugging away on this point, and maybe the light and truth of this will dawn yea unto even the dimmest mainstream commentator.
posted by adamgreenfield at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2018 [11 favorites]
Or to the folks who identify as leftist and keep citing him as such. See y’all in the new thread!
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:10 AM on July 30, 2018
posted by Barack Spinoza at 8:10 AM on July 30, 2018
Did Greenwald receive some kind of lefty-by-association credentials by blogging for Salon? His civil libertarian–leaning politics are more at home, in the end, with his writings for The American Conservative and the Cato Institute.
Anyroad, kudos to box on the new megathread.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:18 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
Anyroad, kudos to box on the new megathread.
posted by Doktor Zed at 8:18 AM on July 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
how properly freaked out should we be by that number I think from Vox that only 28% of the youth are going to vote, anybody know?
28% would be a huge improvement over normal. Turnout under 30 in the past few elections has averaged-by-eyeball maybe 22%, so 28 percent is a pushing a 30 percent (not percentage point) jump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:24 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
28% would be a huge improvement over normal. Turnout under 30 in the past few elections has averaged-by-eyeball maybe 22%, so 28 percent is a pushing a 30 percent (not percentage point) jump.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:24 AM on July 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
Did Greenwald receive some kind of lefty-by-association credentials by blogging for Salon? His civil libertarian–leaning politics are more at home, in the end, with his writings for The American Conservative and the Cato Institute.
He was pro-things-that-make-trouble-for-Obama at a time when that could be mistake for being anti-war, basically, same as Assange. And somehow people turned their critical facilities off because of that, just like with Assange.
posted by Artw at 8:28 AM on July 30, 2018 [7 favorites]
He was pro-things-that-make-trouble-for-Obama at a time when that could be mistake for being anti-war, basically, same as Assange. And somehow people turned their critical facilities off because of that, just like with Assange.
posted by Artw at 8:28 AM on July 30, 2018 [7 favorites]
schadenfrau: "It’s almost like Jonathan Chait doesn’t really understand humans. Or he’s not very smart."
He actually wrote a pretty good book about how right wing economics have been disastrous for the country. The stupid stuff he's said the last few years was a real surprise to me.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:15 AM on July 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
He actually wrote a pretty good book about how right wing economics have been disastrous for the country. The stupid stuff he's said the last few years was a real surprise to me.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:15 AM on July 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
...If the president had not realised that most welfare recipients are white, he is not alone. And the media are partly to blame, for black Americans are overwhelmingly over-represented in media portrayals of poverty.
posted by infini at 12:16 AM on July 29 [44 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I work with social scientists and social workers who deal with poverty, and I have been the one in the room reminding them that they can't conflate poverty with minority status. Some have been genuinely shocked to learn that a majority of those in poverty are white. So the problem isn't just the media; it's also well meaning engaged people who are earnestly trying to solve problems.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:11 AM on July 30, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by infini at 12:16 AM on July 29 [44 favorites −] Favorite added! [!]
I work with social scientists and social workers who deal with poverty, and I have been the one in the room reminding them that they can't conflate poverty with minority status. Some have been genuinely shocked to learn that a majority of those in poverty are white. So the problem isn't just the media; it's also well meaning engaged people who are earnestly trying to solve problems.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:11 AM on July 30, 2018 [15 favorites]
Who needs official Brown Shirts when you have freelance Fascists to do the dirty work with none of those embarrassing official ties to the party in power?
posted by sotonohito at 7:13 AM on July 29 [49 favorites +] [!]
The Brownshirts, or Sturmabteilung, were a paramilitary arm of the Nazi party who strong-armed Hitler's rise to power. Your comparison is apt, I believe, because I don't think Trump will bring in the next fascism, but someone more directly supported and protected by the rising white supremacy movement—one of their own. The thing to remember is that other German parties had their paramilitaries as well, and politics became insurrection. The milieu allowed more passionate politics to surface and normalized the kind of behavior the Nazis undertook to gain power and once in power. That's the downside of responding with unofficial force: it puts the game on a field they want to fight on. Remember this when we discuss our response to these thugs.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:30 AM on July 30, 2018 [18 favorites]
posted by sotonohito at 7:13 AM on July 29 [49 favorites +] [!]
The Brownshirts, or Sturmabteilung, were a paramilitary arm of the Nazi party who strong-armed Hitler's rise to power. Your comparison is apt, I believe, because I don't think Trump will bring in the next fascism, but someone more directly supported and protected by the rising white supremacy movement—one of their own. The thing to remember is that other German parties had their paramilitaries as well, and politics became insurrection. The milieu allowed more passionate politics to surface and normalized the kind of behavior the Nazis undertook to gain power and once in power. That's the downside of responding with unofficial force: it puts the game on a field they want to fight on. Remember this when we discuss our response to these thugs.
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:30 AM on July 30, 2018 [18 favorites]
...a majority of those in poverty are white.
I have a question about this that I'm not sure how to research on my own so hopefully someone knowledgeable in the field can help.
Is there a difference in dispersion between, say, black people below the poverty line vs. white people in poverty? I'm not surprised at all to learn that a majority of people below the poverty line are white at the country or state level but all I have beyond that are my racist preconceptions. I tend to think of poor whites as being more common in the rural parts of the country and poor blacks being more concentrated in dense cities. It certainly seems true from my personal experience here in Minnesota but I don't really know how to look for hard data to challenge those preconceptions.
I'm sure there are plenty of example and counter examples like poor rural blacks, poor urban whites, and poor neighborhoods/areas in urban, rural, and everything in between with demographics that are closer to the country as a whole but are there clear trends? Are the majority of those in poverty white at a more micro level as well as a macro level?
posted by VTX at 5:16 PM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have a question about this that I'm not sure how to research on my own so hopefully someone knowledgeable in the field can help.
Is there a difference in dispersion between, say, black people below the poverty line vs. white people in poverty? I'm not surprised at all to learn that a majority of people below the poverty line are white at the country or state level but all I have beyond that are my racist preconceptions. I tend to think of poor whites as being more common in the rural parts of the country and poor blacks being more concentrated in dense cities. It certainly seems true from my personal experience here in Minnesota but I don't really know how to look for hard data to challenge those preconceptions.
I'm sure there are plenty of example and counter examples like poor rural blacks, poor urban whites, and poor neighborhoods/areas in urban, rural, and everything in between with demographics that are closer to the country as a whole but are there clear trends? Are the majority of those in poverty white at a more micro level as well as a macro level?
posted by VTX at 5:16 PM on July 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Some have been genuinely shocked to learn that a majority of those in poverty are white. So the problem isn't just the media; it's also well meaning engaged people who are earnestly trying to solve problems.
How much of this has to do with media portrayals of the "third world" like poverty stricken brown people teeming around in India, or starving black babies in "Africa"?
posted by infini at 11:55 AM on July 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
How much of this has to do with media portrayals of the "third world" like poverty stricken brown people teeming around in India, or starving black babies in "Africa"?
posted by infini at 11:55 AM on July 31, 2018 [1 favorite]
I have my suspicions that there is indeed a force trying to maintain brown people as the face of poverty, but I have no proof or anything like that.
posted by rhizome at 11:58 AM on July 31, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:58 AM on July 31, 2018 [5 favorites]
My lived experience validates your suspicions.
But my Kenyan friends could probably provide research and citations.
posted by infini at 12:55 PM on July 31, 2018
But my Kenyan friends could probably provide research and citations.
posted by infini at 12:55 PM on July 31, 2018
Is there a difference in dispersion between, say, black people below the poverty line vs. white people in poverty?
The data is census data and is available to pick apart. Here's a visualizer from Kaiser. It's true that the majority of those in poverty are white in the US. It's also true that a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic people in the US (for a variety of reasons, many of which boil down to various intentionally racist policies and some unconsciously racist policies, this article by Brookings goes into that more) are in poverty in the US. This article goes more into specific regional stuff though doesn't talk as much about the rural urban divide.
The data is census data and is available to pick apart. Here's a visualizer from Kaiser. It's true that the majority of those in poverty are white in the US. It's also true that a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic people in the US (for a variety of reasons, many of which boil down to various intentionally racist policies and some unconsciously racist policies, this article by Brookings goes into that more) are in poverty in the US. This article goes more into specific regional stuff though doesn't talk as much about the rural urban divide.
For African Americans, the deepest disparities exist in cities, where they are more than twice as likely as whites to be low-income and nearly four times as likely to face at least three disadvantages. But for Hispanics, the gaps are starkest in suburbs, where they are two-and-one-half times as likely as whites to be low-income and fully five times as likely to experience three or more disadvantages.posted by jessamyn at 1:20 PM on July 31, 2018 [8 favorites]
I tend to think of poor whites as being more common in the rural parts of the country and poor blacks being more concentrated in dense cities.
Regarding the urban/rural by white/non-white question, I couldn't find the population numbers readily and don't have the time to analyze the raw census data, but this jpg gives a partial answer. Poverty rates among urban whites is actually higher in cities (13% vs. 12%). They're about equal for blacks (27%) and Hispanics (24%).
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:27 AM on August 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Regarding the urban/rural by white/non-white question, I couldn't find the population numbers readily and don't have the time to analyze the raw census data, but this jpg gives a partial answer. Poverty rates among urban whites is actually higher in cities (13% vs. 12%). They're about equal for blacks (27%) and Hispanics (24%).
posted by Mental Wimp at 10:27 AM on August 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
My understanding, which may be incorrect, is that the majority of people in poverty are actually not white. David Roediger specifically states this in the introduction to his new book, Class, Race, and Marxism. And the Kaiser visualization, cited to suggest that the majority of those in poverty are white, seems to say the opposite:
Poverty by number
White 17,494,800
Black 8,719,100
Hispanic 11,251,700
Other 3,611,900
The latter three groups total to 23,582,700 and assuming they are defined as non-white, this would seem higher than 17,494,800. But I might be interpreting the data wrong! And none of this changes the need to create cross-racial working class coalitions.
posted by johnasdf at 10:27 AM on August 9, 2018
Poverty by number
White 17,494,800
Black 8,719,100
Hispanic 11,251,700
Other 3,611,900
The latter three groups total to 23,582,700 and assuming they are defined as non-white, this would seem higher than 17,494,800. But I might be interpreting the data wrong! And none of this changes the need to create cross-racial working class coalitions.
posted by johnasdf at 10:27 AM on August 9, 2018
One problem is that Hispanic covers White (and Black and other) Hispanic people too, and the notes below acknowledge this:
Definitionsposted by BungaDunga at 10:58 AM on August 9, 2018 [3 favorites]
Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race
My understanding, which may be incorrect, is that the majority of people in poverty are actually not white
Those stats are one side of the idiot-fence that provides energy to keep the strife going. What's the rate by ethnicity? Ta da, now we get to pit stats against each other the way ethnicities are turned against each other. Sportsteam your politics, please stop by the merch table and buy a t-shirt.
"I think he's going to steal your cookie."
posted by rhizome at 11:25 AM on August 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
Those stats are one side of the idiot-fence that provides energy to keep the strife going. What's the rate by ethnicity? Ta da, now we get to pit stats against each other the way ethnicities are turned against each other. Sportsteam your politics, please stop by the merch table and buy a t-shirt.
"I think he's going to steal your cookie."
posted by rhizome at 11:25 AM on August 9, 2018 [2 favorites]
Poverty by number
White 17,494,800
Black 8,719,100
Hispanic 11,251,700
Other 3,611,900
I don't know where these numbers come from, but they are ambiguous. One can be white and Hispanic, so in a perfect world those two categories overlap considerably. It looks like KFF falsely dichotomized people into either white or Hispanic, leaving the impression that whites are a minority. Of course, as whites lose their majority status in general, it's expected that they will sooner lose it among those in poverty, because of the disparity in poverty rates between races and ethnicities. But historically, whites have been the majority and the equating of the poor with non-whites as a political strategy a pernicious lie that served the interests of anti-safety net campaigners.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:25 PM on August 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
White 17,494,800
Black 8,719,100
Hispanic 11,251,700
Other 3,611,900
I don't know where these numbers come from, but they are ambiguous. One can be white and Hispanic, so in a perfect world those two categories overlap considerably. It looks like KFF falsely dichotomized people into either white or Hispanic, leaving the impression that whites are a minority. Of course, as whites lose their majority status in general, it's expected that they will sooner lose it among those in poverty, because of the disparity in poverty rates between races and ethnicities. But historically, whites have been the majority and the equating of the poor with non-whites as a political strategy a pernicious lie that served the interests of anti-safety net campaigners.
posted by Mental Wimp at 9:25 PM on August 11, 2018 [2 favorites]
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posted by Archelaus at 9:45 AM on July 17, 2018 [5 favorites]