Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the two first Muslim Congresswomen who will take office today, will take her oath of office on a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson, per the Detroit Free Press.
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the two first Muslim Congresswomen who will take office today, will take her oath of office on a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson, per the Detroit Free Press.
Cool!
That's got to be one old book. Hope they have it wrapped in cellophane or something!
The FIRST thing Nancy Pelosi is doing is bringing a bill to the floor to reopen the government. First thing. It is essentially the EXACT same bill that passed the Senate 100-0 before Trump threw his temper tantrum. But Mitch McConnell is now refusing to even bring it to the floor, even though it is the exact same bill he himself signed off on before all this started.
There is no "debate" to be had here about blame. Over 60% of the country has no interest in wall funding. Trump has repeatedly and emphatically told us hundreds if not thousands of times that Mexico, not the American taxpayer, was going to foot the bill. He personally told Chuck Schumer in a televised discussion that he would be the one to shut down the government and that he would take the blame. And now he is holding his breath until he turns blue. Because the policy in the White House is being dictated by Rush Limabaugh and Ann Coulter.
Yet, what is one of the first things Nancy Pelosi is asked on NBC News in an interview?? Whether or not Democrats bear half the blame. The high church of both-siderism strikes again. The President has made it abundantly clear this is his choice, that he is going to hold the paychecks and functions of the federal government hostage for his xenophobic vanity project. But of course, it's up to the Democrats to give ice cream for breakfast to a child who whines long enough, or they are also part of the problem. The national political media in a nutshell. The government has already been shutdown for two weeks under total Republican control, yet the blame game is already shifting hours before the Democrats even take control. Same thing happened in 2008, when the moment Obama was in office to try clean up Bush's shitshow, people were asking him why it wasn't happening faster. Never fails. This is why we can't have nice things.
This happens every time. When a Republican win takes place, everyone is supposed to bend the knee. When a Democratic win takes place, the immediate question is "how quickly and how much are you going to compromise with Republicans"?? In this case, we are talking about compromise with a man who couldn't possibly be trusted to stick to a reached agreement if his life depended on it. I'd sooner negotiate with a bowl of jello than Donald Trump. What is the point?? There is a 75% chance he will watch Sean Hannity later that night and change his demands. This is why many on the left laugh out loud at the idea of the media being "liberal". Because for over 30 years, they have gone out of their way to make every single issue a 50/50 split, at the cost of all the facts surrounding it.
Want another example?? Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". Gee, where have I heard that old chestnut before?? In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Obviously, the right thing to do is build the wall. When Mexico pays for it.
And since Mexico is footing the bill, no need to budget federal tax dollars do it.
When Mexico gets around to passing the cash, we can get around to building it.
Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". ... In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Coincidentally, they also probably hate Ocasio-Cortez.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". ... In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Coincidentally, they also probably hate Ocasio-Cortez.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
I actually like Ocasio-Cortez believe it or not. It's rather refreshing for somebody to be themselves in politics. She's young, passsionate and idealistic, kind of like I was years ago. I don't agree with her, but I like her! I don't know how long she'll last in Washington though...
Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". ... In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Coincidentally, they also probably hate Ocasio-Cortez.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
I actually like Ocasio-Cortez believe it or not. It's rather refreshing for somebody to be themselves in politics. She's young, passsionate and idealistic, kind of like I was years ago. I don't agree with her, but I like her! I don't know how long she'll last in Washington though...
There are numerous reasons for this. #1 being that she clearly isn't bought and paid for by anyone. The 2nd is that unlike most Democrats, she doesn't turn tail and run at the first hint of being called too liberal by the right. The third is that even though right-wing media continues trying to catch her in some scandalous moment, they keep stepping on rakes when they try to do so. Take today for instance. The big story today on Twitter was that a video was circulated of her in high school dancing on a rooftop for a video that was obviously a Breakfast Club homage. It was initially presented as if it was supposed to be something negative, and 99% of the responses on Twitter were "so we're supposed to be upset she was dancing and having fun in high school??" It was quite honestly one of the most ridiculous self-owns I have ever seen. The video makes her seem extremely attractive, vibrant, fun and goofy, and there is absolutely no negative connotation that can be drawn from it.
To be perfectly honest, she's probably farther left than even I am willing to go on some issues (I don't think free college is a fight worth having while so many other things go unsolved), but she is a goddamn textbook case of how you respond to right-wing attacks. She is what she is. She's an very attractive young women who managed to win a grass-roots primary against all odds, and since her district is nearly 100% safe, she can now stay as long as she wishes. And she was literally a bartender a year ago. The only attack against her is that she is too far left. #1, that doesn't matter in her district, and #2, it also matters a hell of alot less when you don't buy into your opponent's narrative about you. And she doesn't.
Also, even though I would never reduce her to her looks, it's also silly to think her attractiveness doesn't have ANYTHING to do with her star and popularity. Being good-looking certainly did John Kennedy and Barack Obama plenty of favors in their rise to the White House.
Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". ... In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Coincidentally, they also probably hate Ocasio-Cortez.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
I actually like Ocasio-Cortez believe it or not. It's rather refreshing for somebody to be themselves in politics. She's young, passsionate and idealistic, kind of like I was years ago. I don't agree with her, but I like her! I don't know how long she'll last in Washington though...
There are numerous reasons for this. #1 being that she clearly isn't bought and paid for by anyone. The 2nd is that unlike most Democrats, she doesn't turn tail and run at the first hint of being called too liberal by the right. The third is that even though right-wing media continues trying to catch her in some scandalous moment, they keep stepping on rakes when they try to do so. Take today for instance. The big story today on Twitter was that a video was circulated of her in high school dancing on a rooftop for a video that was obviously a Breakfast Club homage. It was initially presented as if it was supposed to be something negative, and 99% of the responses on Twitter were "so we're supposed to be upset she was dancing and having fun in high school??" It was quite honestly one of the most ridiculous self-owns I have ever seen. The video makes her seem extremely attractive, vibrant, fun and goofy, and there is absolutely no negative connotation that can be drawn from it.
To be perfectly honest, she's probably farther left than even I am willing to go on some issues (I don't think free college is a fight worth having while so many other things go unsolved), but she is a goddamn textbook case of how you respond to right-wing attacks. She is what she is. She's an very attractive young women who managed to win a grass-roots primary against all odds, and since her district is nearly 100% safe, she can now stay as long as she wishes. And she was literally a bartender a year ago. The only attack against her is that she is too far left. #1, that doesn't matter in her district, and #2, it also matters a hell of alot less when you don't buy into your opponent's narrative about you. And she doesn't.
Well, to be honest, don't mistake me liking her for me voting for her for president. I've voted for a lot of candidates I didn't like (including our current asshole in chief) and haven't voted for some I did like (Bush Sr. In 1992 and Bill Clinton in 1996). Liking somebody isn't a requirement for public office to me...
Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps to declaring a run for President in 2020. What surfaced immediately were a myriad of articles by the national political press about her "likability". ... In the meantime, Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have approval numbers significantly lower than genital herpes, yet no one mentions a word about how "likable" they are in any context. No, that is reserved for people like Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Elizabeth Warren. I wonder why..........
Coincidentally, they also probably hate Ocasio-Cortez.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
I actually like Ocasio-Cortez believe it or not. It's rather refreshing for somebody to be themselves in politics. She's young, passsionate and idealistic, kind of like I was years ago. I don't agree with her, but I like her! I don't know how long she'll last in Washington though...
There are numerous reasons for this. #1 being that she clearly isn't bought and paid for by anyone. The 2nd is that unlike most Democrats, she doesn't turn tail and run at the first hint of being called too liberal by the right. The third is that even though right-wing media continues trying to catch her in some scandalous moment, they keep stepping on rakes when they try to do so. Take today for instance. The big story today on Twitter was that a video was circulated of her in high school dancing on a rooftop for a video that was obviously a Breakfast Club homage. It was initially presented as if it was supposed to be something negative, and 99% of the responses on Twitter were "so we're supposed to be upset she was dancing and having fun in high school??" It was quite honestly one of the most ridiculous self-owns I have ever seen. The video makes her seem extremely attractive, vibrant, fun and goofy, and there is absolutely no negative connotation that can be drawn from it.
To be perfectly honest, she's probably farther left than even I am willing to go on some issues (I don't think free college is a fight worth having while so many other things go unsolved), but she is a goddamn textbook case of how you respond to right-wing attacks. She is what she is. She's an very attractive young women who managed to win a grass-roots primary against all odds, and since her district is nearly 100% safe, she can now stay as long as she wishes. And she was literally a bartender a year ago. The only attack against her is that she is too far left. #1, that doesn't matter in her district, and #2, it also matters a hell of alot less when you don't buy into your opponent's narrative about you. And she doesn't.
Well, to be honest, don't mistake me liking her for me voting for her for president. I've voted for a lot of candidates I didn't like (including our current asshole in chief) and haven't voted for some I did like (Bush Sr. In 1992 and Bill Clinton in 1996). Liking somebody isn't a requirement for public office to me...
I don't think she is anywhere near Presidential material at the moment nor do I think it's in her plans in the next 6-10 years. There are about 5 legitimate Democratic contenders at the moment: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, and Beto O'Rourke. People will say Joe Biden, but I don't buy that he's actually going to run, and quite frankly, I'm not interested in nominating anyone who is pushing 80 years old. The job is too important. Bernie and Biden will be 79 and 78 by 2020. I think it's insane to put someone in office at that age. Just because the onset of Reagan's dementia was kept well-hidden in his second term doesn't mean it wasn't happening, because it was.
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he refuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame an argument and debate.
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he reuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame and argument and debate.
You never know. Maybe a wildcard will be played like Obama in '08. It could be the perfect time for it considering Trump's (un)popularity...
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he reuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame and argument and debate.
You never know. Maybe a wildcard will be played like Obama in '08. It could be the perfect time for it considering Trump's (un)popularity...
Obama wasn't really a wild-card though. I told my grandma when we were watching the 2004 Democratic Convention immediately after his speech that he was going to be President someday. He just did it 8 years earlier than I anticipated. Which was shrewd, because Hillary's vote on the authorization of force killed her in the '08 primary. Obama didn't actually have to take that vote (which was certainly convenient), but it also allowed him to run as 100% anti-Iraq War. And he probably still doesn't necessarily win unless the economy melts down. The amount of things that had to go wrong to elect an African-American President (a totally bungled war sold on lies, a American city left to drown, and a financial collapse) was pretty staggering. I've heard more than one anecdotal story of elderly African-Americans saying something along the lines at the time of "imagine how messed up things must be if they are considering giving him the job".
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he reuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame and argument and debate.
You never know. Maybe a wildcard will be played like Obama in '08. It could be the perfect time for it considering Trump's (un)popularity...
Obama wasn't really a wild-card though. I told my grandma when we were watching the 2004 Democratic Convention immediately after his speech that he was going to be President someday. He just did it 8 years earlier than I anticipated. Which was shrewd, because Hillary's vote on the authorization of force killed her in the '08 primary. Obama didn't actually have to take that vote (which was certainly convenient), but it also allowed him to run as 100% anti-Iraq War. And he probably still doesn't necessarily win unless the economy melts down. The amount of things that had to go wrong to elect an African-American President (a totally bungled war sold on lies, a American city left to drown, and a financial collapse) was pretty staggering. I've heard more than one anecdotal story of elderly African-Americans saying something along the lines at the time of "imagine how messed up things must be if they are considering giving him the job".
Just as well for Democrats. I doubt Hillary would've beaten McCain. She was just as unlikeable back then. She has the charisma of a wolverine and 'banshee' pretty much describes her shrieky voice...
A word about Nancy Pelosi. To give this context, here is a list of the other Speakers of the House since 1990:
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 years have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
A word about Nancy Pelosi. To give this context, here is a list of the other Speakers of the House since 1990:
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
A word about Nancy Pelosi. To give this context, here is a list of the other Speakers of the House since 1990:
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
I'll definitely give her props for staying power.
The vast majority of people say they hate politicians, basically by default. I have always found this a bit nonsensical. After all, SOMEONE has to fill these seats. By definition, when you do so, you become a politician. Once you are there, it is going to be highly useful to have people who are skillful at the art of playing politics. It's not hopscotch, it's bloodsport. Mitch McConnell knows this, and despite his role in what I view as practically destroying democracy, he is really f'n good at his job. Pelosi is so many miles and leagues better at what she does than Chuck Schumer is in the Senate that it isn't even funny.
A word about Nancy Pelosi. To give this context, here is a list of the other Speakers of the House since 1990:
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
I'll definitely give her props for staying power.
The vast majority of people say they hate politicians, basically by default. I have always found this a bit nonsensical. After all, SOMEONE has to fill these seats. By definition, when you do so, you become a politician. Once you are there, it is going to be highly useful to have people who are skillful at the art of playing politics. It's not hopscotch, it's bloodsport. Mitch McConnell knows this, and despite his role in what I view as practically destroying democracy, he is really f'n good at his job. Pelosi is so many miles and leagues better at what she does than Chuck Schumer is in the Senate that it isn't even funny.
Sounds like Game of Thrones. I'd rather have 535 individuals than any number of members of two political parties. Ocasio-Cortez makes 1/535th. Bernie makes 2/535, McCain was 3/535. I voted for John Dingell every election even though he was a Democrat because he was 4/535. His wife I won't vote for because I find people running for office because of a name distasteful. That's a large part why I can't stand Hillary or Jeb Bush. Pelosi & McConnell are more of the same, party hacks. People are getting sick of parties...
A word about Nancy Pelosi. To give this context, here is a list of the other Speakers of the House since 1990:
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
I'll definitely give her props for staying power.
The vast majority of people say they hate politicians, basically by default. I have always found this a bit nonsensical. After all, SOMEONE has to fill these seats. By definition, when you do so, you become a politician. Once you are there, it is going to be highly useful to have people who are skillful at the art of playing politics. It's not hopscotch, it's bloodsport. Mitch McConnell knows this, and despite his role in what I view as practically destroying democracy, he is really f'n good at his job. Pelosi is so many miles and leagues better at what she does than Chuck Schumer is in the Senate that it isn't even funny.
Sounds like Game of Thrones. I'd rather have 535 individuals than any number of members of two political parties. Ocasio-Cortez makes 1/535th. Bernie makes 2/535, McCain was 3/535. I voted for John Dingell every election even though he was a Democrat because he was 4/535. His wife I won't vote for because I find people running for office because of a name distasteful. That's a large part why I can't stand Hillary or Jeb Bush. Pelosi & McConnell are more of the same, party hacks. People are getting sick of parties...
I'm not sure how you avoid political parties when groups of votes have to be gathered in a sufficient number to advance policies. It's not like they are a byproduct of the 21st century. They have been at the center of every debate in this country since Washington left office (except, miraculously, in 1820, when James Monroe ran basically unopposed).
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he refuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame an argument and debate.
As someone on the Bernie wing, I think we don't hate Beto. We just don't "like" his policies. His voting record is not good.
The guy seems nice, he just votes for crap that Republicans and centrist Democrats vote for.
"The truth, however, is it’s not just that O’Rourke’s voting record is more conservative than Sanders’s — you could say that about lots of people. It really is more conservative than that of most Democrats in Congress, including other main 2020 contenders. This can be shown in a systematic way."
So how did O’Rourke vote? Well, in his first term in Congress, he voted somewhat more conservatively than the typical House Democrat. It was the same in his second term in Congress and the same again in his third term.
In the 113th Congress, he was more conservative than 76 percent of Democrats. In the 114th Congress, he was more conservative than 79 percent of Democrats. In the 115th Congress, he was more conservative than 77 percent of Democrats.
The guys basically a 90s Republican who lost to Ted Cruz. Bernie wing is not too excited about that.
Well, I'm not a fan of Warren or Harris and Bernie is another suit and tie old man that I'm sick of the GOP nominating. Beto is interesting though. Don't know much about Booker but he looks like another elitist Ivy League yuppie to me. If Trump somehow survives until 2020 I might be tempted to vote for O'Roarke. He can't be too bad if he's Irish...
His problem now is that the Bernie wing of the party (such as it is, since Bernie is still NOT a Democrat) hates him at the moment. Bernie's problem was, is and remains that he has no idea how to talk to black voters because he refuses to acknowledge that there may be problems that focusing 110% on economics can't solve. Booker won't win, because most of us feel he is a Wall Street sell-out as far as Dems go. Warren will be made into the next Hillary (as in turned into some kind of banshee caricature). Which leaves Kamala Harris, the female African-American former prosecutor who knows how to frame an argument and debate.
As someone on the Bernie wing, I think we don't hate Beto. We just don't "like" his policies. His voting record is not good.
The guy seems nice, he just votes for crap that Republicans and centrist Democrats vote for.
"The truth, however, is it’s not just that O’Rourke’s voting record is more conservative than Sanders’s — you could say that about lots of people. It really is more conservative than that of most Democrats in Congress, including other main 2020 contenders. This can be shown in a systematic way."
So how did O’Rourke vote? Well, in his first term in Congress, he voted somewhat more conservatively than the typical House Democrat. It was the same in his second term in Congress and the same again in his third term.
In the 113th Congress, he was more conservative than 76 percent of Democrats. In the 114th Congress, he was more conservative than 79 percent of Democrats. In the 115th Congress, he was more conservative than 77 percent of Democrats.
The guys basically a 90s Republican who lost to Ted Cruz. Bernie wing is not too excited about that.
Wow, what a crime! Instead conservatives are supposed to not vote for Republicans and vote for Democrats who are more left than Beto? There is no compromise with our two party system. I don't feel represented by the GOP but I sure as Hell don't feel represented by a Democrat. God forbid somebody in between ever run. I'm starting to think we deserve this teeter-totter bullshit...
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423798-cracks-beginning-to-show-in-gop-shutdown-resolve?amp&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR2BEhUTw5Ndfona2IYdEOFXouBJIX623xL_mK5Sh5IMaSlD7oMTvG2vfqo Republican unity on the partial government shutdown is starting to crack in the face a tough election map in 2020 and no end in sight to the standoff that has hobbled key departments and agencies. At least three Senate Republicans on Thursday called on Congress to move on legislation to reopen federal agencies - or as many as possible - that have been shuttered since Dec. 22. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has declared any legislation passed by the House to fully reopen federal agencies will be a non-starter in the Senate but he may have trouble keeping all his troops in line.
Trump lies about calls of support for his wall from voters — the White House switchboard is down for the shutdown
A Trump County Confronts the Administration Amid a Rash of Child Cancers
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/climate/tce-cancer-trump-environment-deregulation.html JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. — The children fell ill, one by one, with cancers that few families in this suburban Indianapolis community had ever heard of. An avid swimmer struck down by glioblastoma, which grew a tumor in her brain. Four children with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Fifteen children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, including three cases diagnosed in the past year. At first, families put the illnesses down to misfortune. But as cases mounted, parents started to ask: Could it be something in the air or water? Their questions led them to an old industrial site in Franklin, the Johnson County seat, that the federal government had ordered cleaned up decades ago. Recent tests have identified a carcinogenic plume spreading underground, releasing vapors into homes.
The 116th Congress Is Now the Queerest and Most Diverse in History
Judge Hands Setback To Conspiracy Theorist Corsi In His Suit Against DOJ
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/03/682030915/judge-hands-setback-to-conspiracy-theorist-corsi-in-his-suit-against-doj?fbclid=IwAR2RGXm1r7EHyxA-BoCebDGT7hcMQMjcE5XS5jUfDE1qFroYUDyvtrdRT_M Consider it another mark of the intense interest in the Justice Department's probe of Russian election interference: Some 40 spectators — including reporters and a sketch artist — showed up on Thursday for a hearing that hinged on whether a long-shot case seeking $350 million from special counsel Robert Mueller could be steered to a particular judge. Jerome Corsi, a conservative commentator who helped popularize the false idea that President Barack Obama was born outside the U.S., claims he has been unlawfully surveilled and pressured by government investigators leading the Russia probe. Corsi's attorney, Larry Klayman, tried to land the dispute with Judge Richard Leon. "Because they're having a hard time proving so-called Russian collusion, my client's between a rock and a hard place," Klayman said. The theory goes like this: Since the judge ruled in his favor in another case, years earlier, that the government engaged in dragnet surveillance, Leon should also preside over Corsi's new claims. Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Tulis cried foul. She cited a rule dictating that only cases with identical litigants could be assigned to the same judge.
In Metro DC, a Dead Mall Now Provides Housing for the Homeless
Conservatives Worry Feminists Are Using Witchcraft To Destroy Trump
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2017/12/conservatives-worry-feminists-using-witchcraft-destroy-trump/?fbclid=IwAR2x8b64yEN1ILiFBAZaoBozkg2DKHmvqRQXN4a_4ZsZ94wGEUvjOtXPKIQ Cue my reaction: O.O Feeding the gullible Christians, conservative website Breitbart reports on “the rise of feminist witchcraft,” noting: Following President Trump’s inauguration, witches, covens, and even A-list celebrities started to hex the president with frequent “spells.” The article, written by Breitbart tech reporter Charlie Nash, claims that the terms “witch” and “feminist” have now become synonymous. Earlier this week Nash appeared on Breitbart’s daily radio program to defend his bizarre and silly conspiracy theory, breathlessly claiming that there are “groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.” On the program Nash tried to explain his crackpot conspiracy theory, noting: You’ve got the basic things like the Etsy stores, the Witchsy stores, where they link feminist issues with witchcraft and Wicca and there’s other kind of occult symbols, but then you also have these groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.
The Trump administration is planning a far-reaching rollback of civil rights law
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/01/trump-administration-planning-far-reaching-rollback-civil-rights-law/?fbclid=IwAR1HCX-8DMduay4eQ3MyDCvVMWW5peMY1D70RtUHRwISTRiDR7cglUApWjU An internal Justice Department memo directed senior civil rights officials to examine how disparate impact regulations can be changed or removed, the Washington Post reports. Disparate impact is the idea in civil rights law that a rule might be discriminatory even if it doesn’t have that intent. For example, the Obama administration reached a settlement with the Lodi Unified School District in California after it found that several seemingly neutral policies – like allowing schools within the district to set their own disciplinary policies, and schools with a higher percentage of African American students having tougher punishments for the same disciplinary incidents – resulted in a negative impact on black people, even though Obama administration lawyers never proved a racist intent.
Jon Bernthal to his "alt-right" Punisher fans: "Fuck them"
Yeah, fuck likeability. Just ram your ideas down everybody's throat who doesn't agree with you. That's a great recipe for a new power structure every 4-8 years. More of the same, whoo hoo, sign me up...
Centrists are so confused they are excusing GOP evils.
"The GOP is ramming tax cuts for the rich, rapist judges, and now the partisan Supreme Court is deciding everything 5-4 after stealing a judge from Obama. I guess both parties are the same and they might as well gerrymander and keep stealing elections and supress votes because it's all the same, thats what my Fox news tells me".
Yeah, fuck likeability. Just ram your ideas down everybody's throat who doesn't agree with you. That's a great recipe for a new power structure every 4-8 years. More of the same, whoo hoo, sign me up...
Nancy Pelosi is also not liked. But she *is* effective. What's the use of being likeable, but not effective?
Conservatives Worry Feminists Are Using Witchcraft To Destroy Trump
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2017/12/conservatives-worry-feminists-using-witchcraft-destroy-trump/?fbclid=IwAR2x8b64yEN1ILiFBAZaoBozkg2DKHmvqRQXN4a_4ZsZ94wGEUvjOtXPKIQ Cue my reaction: O.O Feeding the gullible Christians, conservative website Breitbart reports on “the rise of feminist witchcraft,” noting: Following President Trump’s inauguration, witches, covens, and even A-list celebrities started to hex the president with frequent “spells.” The article, written by Breitbart tech reporter Charlie Nash, claims that the terms “witch” and “feminist” have now become synonymous. Earlier this week Nash appeared on Breitbart’s daily radio program to defend his bizarre and silly conspiracy theory, breathlessly claiming that there are “groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.” On the program Nash tried to explain his crackpot conspiracy theory, noting: You’ve got the basic things like the Etsy stores, the Witchsy stores, where they link feminist issues with witchcraft and Wicca and there’s other kind of occult symbols, but then you also have these groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.
See, this is what I don't get about this one. God is supposed to be more powerful than any witchcraft. So, as long as Trump is a Christian, he shouldn't have to worry. (or as long as his supporters pray for him- same difference). So, what are they afraid of?
Yeah, fuck likeability. Just ram your ideas down everybody's throat who doesn't agree with you. That's a great recipe for a new power structure every 4-8 years. More of the same, whoo hoo, sign me up...
Nancy Pelosi is also not liked. But she *is* effective. What's the use of being likeable, but not effective?
I guess I'd rather have likeable AND effective. Not a whole lot of that going on...
Yeah, fuck likeability. Just ram your ideas down everybody's throat who doesn't agree with you. That's a great recipe for a new power structure every 4-8 years. More of the same, whoo hoo, sign me up...
Also There's a difference between not caring one way or another about whether people like you or not and being an unmitigated bunghole. I'm pretty sure you mistake one for the other.
I mean, do you care if your representative is particularly likeable, or do you care more that they do a good job? And then, we have presidents who are neither likeable, nor good at their job. (We've had more than a few in this country).
Comments
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the two first Muslim Congresswomen who will take office today, will take her oath of office on a copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson, per the Detroit Free Press.
That's got to be one old book. Hope they have it wrapped in cellophane or something!
And since Mexico is footing the bill, no need to budget federal tax dollars do it.
When Mexico gets around to passing the cash, we can get around to building it.
Nancy Pelosi was handed the speakers gavel and must have been featured on the cable news shows because Trump decided "whatabout me!!!!!" and held a press conference- where he was too cowardly to answer any questions so it wasn't a press conference. Apparently he was surrounded by skinheads crying about the need for a magic wall to solve all our problems with the current Republican distraction scapegoat - scary brown people.
To be perfectly honest, she's probably farther left than even I am willing to go on some issues (I don't think free college is a fight worth having while so many other things go unsolved), but she is a goddamn textbook case of how you respond to right-wing attacks. She is what she is. She's an very attractive young women who managed to win a grass-roots primary against all odds, and since her district is nearly 100% safe, she can now stay as long as she wishes. And she was literally a bartender a year ago. The only attack against her is that she is too far left. #1, that doesn't matter in her district, and #2, it also matters a hell of alot less when you don't buy into your opponent's narrative about you. And she doesn't.
Also, even though I would never reduce her to her looks, it's also silly to think her attractiveness doesn't have ANYTHING to do with her star and popularity. Being good-looking certainly did John Kennedy and Barack Obama plenty of favors in their rise to the White House.
I don't think she is anywhere near Presidential material at the moment nor do I think it's in her plans in the next 6-10 years. There are about 5 legitimate Democratic contenders at the moment: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, and Beto O'Rourke. People will say Joe Biden, but I don't buy that he's actually going to run, and quite frankly, I'm not interested in nominating anyone who is pushing 80 years old. The job is too important. Bernie and Biden will be 79 and 78 by 2020. I think it's insane to put someone in office at that age. Just because the onset of Reagan's dementia was kept well-hidden in his second term doesn't mean it wasn't happening, because it was.
Tom Foley: Lost his reelection bid as sitting Speaker in the bloodbath of '94
Newt Gingrich: Resigned in semi-disgrace (though you'd never know it nowadays) amid ethics violations and being revealed to have been having an affair at the same time he was attacking Bill Clinton.
Dennis Hastert: A prop to sit in the chair for almost the entire W. Bush Administration, while the real power behind the throne was Tom Delay. Was revealed years later to have been an honest to god serial pedophile.
John Boehner: Eventually gave up his seat because he couldn't control the Freedom Caucus.
Paul Ryan: Gave up his seat because he couldn't stand up to Trump.
And then we have Pelosi. Who ALWAYS keeps her caucus in line, knows exactly where the votes are, and who can be given passes for political purposes. Willing to lose the House to pass the ACA. Constantly bailed out Boehner when he couldn't get votes on his right-flank to keep the government functioning. And again, held her leadership position in the intervening 8 years it took to return from the wilderness to RECLAIM the Speakership. As far as politicians go, hardly any of the last 30-50 years have been as successful and effective as Nancy Pelosi has. The right hates her, but they really don't know why. She has never been tied to any scandal (because god knows we would have heard about it). The far-left hates her even though she is far more liberal than your average Representative. In the end, she knows the job inside and out. She'll never get any credit, she'll never be popular. She's also the only person for the job the next two years.
The vast majority of people say they hate politicians, basically by default. I have always found this a bit nonsensical. After all, SOMEONE has to fill these seats. By definition, when you do so, you become a politician. Once you are there, it is going to be highly useful to have people who are skillful at the art of playing politics. It's not hopscotch, it's bloodsport. Mitch McConnell knows this, and despite his role in what I view as practically destroying democracy, he is really f'n good at his job. Pelosi is so many miles and leagues better at what she does than Chuck Schumer is in the Senate that it isn't even funny.
The guy seems nice, he just votes for crap that Republicans and centrist Democrats vote for.
" Beto O’Rourke’s voting record is more conservative than the average Democrat’s"
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/12/21/18150359/beto-orourke-voting-record
"The truth, however, is it’s not just that O’Rourke’s voting record is more conservative than Sanders’s — you could say that about lots of people. It really is more conservative than that of most Democrats in Congress, including other main 2020 contenders. This can be shown in a systematic way."
So how did O’Rourke vote? Well, in his first term in Congress, he voted somewhat more conservatively than the typical House Democrat. It was the same in his second term in Congress and the same again in his third term.
In the 113th Congress, he was more conservative than 76 percent of Democrats.
In the 114th Congress, he was more conservative than 79 percent of Democrats.
In the 115th Congress, he was more conservative than 77 percent of Democrats.
The guys basically a 90s Republican who lost to Ted Cruz. Bernie wing is not too excited about that.
The 5 biggest Trump-Russia events to watch for in 2019
https://www.vox.com/2019/1/2/18146950/trump-russia-2019-mueller-news?fbclid=IwAR1kimAL66THF6SFSXZi3enWH_-VtQQ0vSIpZjoHEQf18maDh-mwKTtq7tkWill it be... Collusion?
Former Trump tax attorney busted with federal extortion charges
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/attorney-hired-trump-challenge-chicago-tax-assessments-just-got-hit-federal-extortion-charges/?fbclid=IwAR1Hoq4-ATIaEPyfVgnZrRSfPxk4P2Ck7t9jdBj3Ku3FxG-tGVM3ZHm8QogBurke “announced his breakup with Trump in letters filed last month with the Cook County courts and the Illinois State Property Tax Appeal Board in which he wrote that ‘irreconcilable differences’ have led his firm to stop representing Trump’s company and step aside in five current cases that seek refunds of millions of dollars in property taxes the president’s company has paid,” the Sun-Times reported in June 2018.
Cracks beginning to show in GOP shutdown resolve
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/423798-cracks-beginning-to-show-in-gop-shutdown-resolve?amp&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR2BEhUTw5Ndfona2IYdEOFXouBJIX623xL_mK5Sh5IMaSlD7oMTvG2vfqoRepublican unity on the partial government shutdown is starting to crack in the face a tough election map in 2020 and no end in sight to the standoff that has hobbled key departments and agencies.
At least three Senate Republicans on Thursday called on Congress to move on legislation to reopen federal agencies - or as many as possible - that have been shuttered since Dec. 22.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has declared any legislation passed by the House to fully reopen federal agencies will be a non-starter in the Senate but he may have trouble keeping all his troops in line.
Trump lies about calls of support for his wall from voters — the White House switchboard is down for the shutdown
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/01/trump-lies-calls-support-wall-voters-white-house-switchboard-shutdown/amp/?__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR0DMLvPFsjxpkaogTUEfYVTkGneJUw6bhnaDLmWUB72Kcq1_YdzyiC1lx4A Trump County Confronts the Administration Amid a Rash of Child Cancers
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/climate/tce-cancer-trump-environment-deregulation.htmlJOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. — The children fell ill, one by one, with cancers that few families in this suburban Indianapolis community had ever heard of. An avid swimmer struck down by glioblastoma, which grew a tumor in her brain. Four children with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Fifteen children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, including three cases diagnosed in the past year.
At first, families put the illnesses down to misfortune. But as cases mounted, parents started to ask: Could it be something in the air or water?
Their questions led them to an old industrial site in Franklin, the Johnson County seat, that the federal government had ordered cleaned up decades ago. Recent tests have identified a carcinogenic plume spreading underground, releasing vapors into homes.
The 116th Congress Is Now the Queerest and Most Diverse in History
https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2019/1/03/116th-congress-now-queerest-and-most-diverse-history?fbclid=IwAR2PQ1dC5PW45dJiUqwYZ2-noM__DoPXra2xuRdS98jnJRpwJ0TkVSQLjfwI saw a picture of Mike Pence swearing in the first openly gay woman to Congress. He looked like he'd been sucking on a lemon.
CREW SUES FBI FOR GIULIANI LEAK RECORDS
https://www.citizensforethics.org/press-release/guiliani-leak-lawsuit/?fbclid=IwAR1IKvAXkBNfAnO6LI-nK9CAjAmGbh3cjqXLbtNmWOhfFmAKDSp75-D2o6YJudge Hands Setback To Conspiracy Theorist Corsi In His Suit Against DOJ
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/03/682030915/judge-hands-setback-to-conspiracy-theorist-corsi-in-his-suit-against-doj?fbclid=IwAR2RGXm1r7EHyxA-BoCebDGT7hcMQMjcE5XS5jUfDE1qFroYUDyvtrdRT_MConsider it another mark of the intense interest in the Justice Department's probe of Russian election interference:
Some 40 spectators — including reporters and a sketch artist — showed up on Thursday for a hearing that hinged on whether a long-shot case seeking $350 million from special counsel Robert Mueller could be steered to a particular judge.
Jerome Corsi, a conservative commentator who helped popularize the false idea that President Barack Obama was born outside the U.S., claims he has been unlawfully surveilled and pressured by government investigators leading the Russia probe.
Corsi's attorney, Larry Klayman, tried to land the dispute with Judge Richard Leon.
"Because they're having a hard time proving so-called Russian collusion, my client's between a rock and a hard place," Klayman said.
The theory goes like this: Since the judge ruled in his favor in another case, years earlier, that the government engaged in dragnet surveillance, Leon should also preside over Corsi's new claims.
Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Tulis cried foul. She cited a rule dictating that only cases with identical litigants could be assigned to the same judge.
In Metro DC, a Dead Mall Now Provides Housing for the Homeless
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/07/11/in-metro-dc-a-dead-mall-now-provides-housing-for-the-homeless/?fbclid=IwAR31Kjug4APb1NYRUD5O_YtM12u6wPzDZoBg7N8yWi-6m66G-M6De-YIOeUMontreal Is Turning The Old Royal Victoria Hospital Into A Dog-Friendly Homeless Shelter This Winter
https://www.mtlblog.com/news/montreal/montreal-is-turning-the-old-royal-victoria-hospital-into-a-dog-friendly-homeless-shelter-this-winter?fbclid=IwAR03m-HofYTyP_l38I_eZ9c7Qo--Dy-_HheUzZo2zYK-Nnwf72H3m6kjATMGood on both of these above stories. We should do this more often!
Conservatives Worry Feminists Are Using Witchcraft To Destroy Trump
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2017/12/conservatives-worry-feminists-using-witchcraft-destroy-trump/?fbclid=IwAR2x8b64yEN1ILiFBAZaoBozkg2DKHmvqRQXN4a_4ZsZ94wGEUvjOtXPKIQCue my reaction: O.O
Feeding the gullible Christians, conservative website Breitbart reports on “the rise of feminist witchcraft,” noting:
Following President Trump’s inauguration, witches, covens, and even A-list celebrities started to hex the president with frequent “spells.”
The article, written by Breitbart tech reporter Charlie Nash, claims that the terms “witch” and “feminist” have now become synonymous.
Earlier this week Nash appeared on Breitbart’s daily radio program to defend his bizarre and silly conspiracy theory, breathlessly claiming that there are “groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.”
On the program Nash tried to explain his crackpot conspiracy theory, noting:
You’ve got the basic things like the Etsy stores, the Witchsy stores, where they link feminist issues with witchcraft and Wicca and there’s other kind of occult symbols, but then you also have these groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.
Mumia Abu-Jamal wins major court victory
https://socialistaction.org/2019/01/02/mumia-abu-jamal-wins-major-court-victory/?fbclid=IwAR3BxjDzXvFfVH75klCyzX1lDpB3vrnUGqY5o6CwX1CHihsVGx6XEqAeqloWisconsin Lawmaker: Convert To Christianity Or Be ‘Destroyed’
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2015/12/wisconsin-lawmaker-convert-to-christianity-or-be-destroyed/?fbclid=IwAR15bdxcQMTKwX6WpIb1SDu1bis2BgJuTj6twnZEcqT1RfvI2ESKvUf0cZ8Convert or be destroyed: A Wisconsin lawmaker tells constituents who are “not Christian” to join him and his fellow Christians and convert to Christianity or be “destroyed.”
Wisconsin state Rep. Scott Allen (R) speaks of Christian love while telling non-Christians they will be destroyed in an obnoxious and condescending YouTube video posted on the official “Wisconsin Assembly Republicans” YouTube channel earlier this month.
In the video a patronizing and smug Allen uses a Bible verse to suggest non-Christians will be “destroyed” –
The Trump administration is planning a far-reaching rollback of civil rights law
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/01/trump-administration-planning-far-reaching-rollback-civil-rights-law/?fbclid=IwAR1HCX-8DMduay4eQ3MyDCvVMWW5peMY1D70RtUHRwISTRiDR7cglUApWjUAn internal Justice Department memo directed senior civil rights officials to examine how disparate impact regulations can be changed or removed, the Washington Post reports.
Disparate impact is the idea in civil rights law that a rule might be discriminatory even if it doesn’t have that intent.
For example, the Obama administration reached a settlement with the Lodi Unified School District in California after it found that several seemingly neutral policies – like allowing schools within the district to set their own disciplinary policies, and schools with a higher percentage of African American students having tougher punishments for the same disciplinary incidents – resulted in a negative impact on black people, even though Obama administration lawyers never proved a racist intent.
Jon Bernthal to his "alt-right" Punisher fans: "Fuck them"
https://www.avclub.com/jon-bernthal-to-his-alt-right-punisher-fans-fuck-th-1821752348?fbclid=IwAR26et0ULCgUAaoSZe57AR7vS8DbD4EhWDS5eWh4hMethVmHIuYmvZE8L7kIn some ways, Marvel’s The Punisher—a guy powered by little more than boundless rage, easy access to guns, and a spirit of classic, all-American murderous industriousness—is the quintessential conservative superhero. That doesn’t mean the Netflix show’s star, Jon Bernthal, has any time for the modern trolls of the internet right-wing, though, bluntly telling any “alt-right” fans of his work that they can promptly go fuck themselves.
Centrists are so confused they are excusing GOP evils.
"The GOP is ramming tax cuts for the rich, rapist judges, and now the partisan Supreme Court is deciding everything 5-4 after stealing a judge from Obama. I guess both parties are the same and they might as well gerrymander and keep stealing elections and supress votes because it's all the same, thats what my Fox news tells me".
Conservatives Worry Feminists Are Using Witchcraft To Destroy Trump
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2017/12/conservatives-worry-feminists-using-witchcraft-destroy-trump/?fbclid=IwAR2x8b64yEN1ILiFBAZaoBozkg2DKHmvqRQXN4a_4ZsZ94wGEUvjOtXPKIQCue my reaction: O.O
Feeding the gullible Christians, conservative website Breitbart reports on “the rise of feminist witchcraft,” noting:
Following President Trump’s inauguration, witches, covens, and even A-list celebrities started to hex the president with frequent “spells.”
The article, written by Breitbart tech reporter Charlie Nash, claims that the terms “witch” and “feminist” have now become synonymous.
Earlier this week Nash appeared on Breitbart’s daily radio program to defend his bizarre and silly conspiracy theory, breathlessly claiming that there are “groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.”
On the program Nash tried to explain his crackpot conspiracy theory, noting:
You’ve got the basic things like the Etsy stores, the Witchsy stores, where they link feminist issues with witchcraft and Wicca and there’s other kind of occult symbols, but then you also have these groups of people who are actually trying to hex the president.
See, this is what I don't get about this one. God is supposed to be more powerful than any witchcraft. So, as long as Trump is a Christian, he shouldn't have to worry. (or as long as his supporters pray for him- same difference). So, what are they afraid of?
on cursory reading, the breitbart article seems like a generally fair report on a cultural trend
I mean, do you care if your representative is particularly likeable, or do you care more that they do a good job? And then, we have presidents who are neither likeable, nor good at their job. (We've had more than a few in this country).
CONGRESSWOMAN RASHIDA TLAIB REFERS TO DONALD TRUMP IN SPEECH, TELLS CROWD 'WE' WILL 'IMPEACH THIS MOTHERF---ER'
https://www.newsweek.com/congresswoman-rashida-tliab-refers-donald-trump-speech-tells-crowd-democrats-1279078?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR06cizkckNuOCfvb_I-q_h_cwtFuwVgTzK_jb9jtLS-y51UytQSqbpeUd0Hmmm... If he did something wrong, certainly do that. Put prove it first, plz.
TAXPAYERS WILL PAY FOR $12 BILLION IN AID TO FARMERS TO COVER LOSSES CAUSED BY TRUMP'S TARIFFS
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-trade-wars-tariffs-farmers-bailout-1040309?fbclid=IwAR0raZye0an3535_tR99kjZ3AiZScBRwJAHnY0K_YS0B6I5cCHUVXGiLnJYBut... not until after the shutdown ends, i hear.
Kyrsten Sinema Makes History As First Openly Bisexual Person Sworn In To Senate
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kyrsten-sinema-first-openly-bisexual-person-senate_us_5c2e5094e4b08aaf7a97504f?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000050&utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=qv_fb&fbclid=IwAR3aLIVujvUyYfR8aziCUxNTDID4djpHEJH_B8f5VezwhvFiU4vHIHlhHpsTrump Unable to Stop Caravan of Democratic Women Invading Washington
https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/trump-unable-to-stop-caravan-of-democratic-women-invading-washington?fbclid=IwAR07p2Cil-Wk2Q3fDF7Fc78onZ-uuJ8nBbLGEHtPnRHXROfIf35uPWVfTTILOL. No wall is gonna help with that!