Today, Nancy Pelosi has effectively cancelled the annual State of the Union address before Congress. There are numerous things to say about this. First off, she is almost certainly correct that the security needed for this type of event (where nearly every elected federal official in the country is in attendance) will be needlessly hard to do with personal that aren't currently being paid. There is a reason every Hollywood scenario that results in some random person becoming President is usually some sort of bomb at a State of the Union Address.
Secondly, while it is true that this speech is a annual event recently, it was never the case until, I believe, Woodrow Wilson. The constitutionally mandated part of this was issued in written form for decades upon decades. But finally, it's about time Democrats got in on this obliterating norms game. Because if anything deserves to die, it's this and the White House Correspondents Dinner. In the midst of this current political climate, during a government shutdown, can you think of anything more ridiculous than Republicans and Democrats getting together and pretending to respect each other while Donald Trump declares the state of our union "stronger than it has ever been"?? The pomp and circumstance of it has always been ridiculous, but was at least tolerable from people who could deliver a speech that at least for one night was able to speak to our better angels. Trump is incapable of this, and there is absolutely no reason to have this speech in the current climate. It would be like the band playing on the deck of the Titanic.
Well, if anyone is interested in actually sitting through the whole 5 minutes, this is an excellent pubic service announcement on why you shouldn't let your lawyer get drunk before he goes on national television:
Also, I really want to draw attention to this article because of one piece of info we all suspected but now have concrete reporting on in regards to why Puerto Rico disaster relief was treated the way it was. In short, the President heard something on FOX News and demanded no money be allocated for relief, and instead diverted to Florida and Texas:
President Trump in late September grew incensed after hearing, erroneously, that Puerto Rico was using the emergency money to pay off its debt, according to two people with direct knowledge of Trump’s thinking.
Trump told then-White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly and then-Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney that he did not want a single dollar going to Puerto Rico, because he thought the island was misusing the money and taking advantage of the government, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal deliberations. Instead, he wanted more of the money to go to Texas and Florida, the person said.
Unbelievable. If there is any argument against statehood for Puerto Rico, it should now be dead and buried. Texas and Florida have one thing in common that Puerto Rico doesn't. They helped put Trump in the White House. This is how he views disaster relief. Clinton and Bush Sr. flew across the world helping facilitate disaster relief. Donald Trump didn't want "a single dollar" to go to help American citizens stuck in a catastrophic situation on an island.
This story gives a bit more background and context to the meeting with Putin I referred to where Trump didn't even have his own interpreter. It's hard for me to imagine that even the staunchest Republican would not find this at least suspicious ...
Horrifying: Notification of contaminated well water delayed ... until one day before HIS election
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/12/1825273/-Horrifying-Notification-of-contaminated-well-water-delayed-until-one-day-before-HIS-election?detail=facebook&fbclid=IwAR17UTCbu_ZFvvk4nzx2r9Z5QHrK1WzepFDTVOyEUTK9grqfEJ7F-5WY09o In August of last year, it was confirmed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that the Florida State Fire College had used dangerous flame-retardant chemicals, which have since been phased out of production due to their health risks. Unfortunately, preliminary tests indicated that water from nearby well sites had elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, which is not good: Early studies have suggested they are carcinogens and have multiple adverse effects on humans. Officials discussed in early September informing the Fire College, which was given supplies of bottled water on Sept. 9. The local residential population, however, had the unfortunate luck of the contamination being discovered during the height of Florida’s ultra-tight election contests. The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald discovered emails in which officials debated for months how to “word messages” to the residents. The residents were eventually informed—on Monday, Nov. 5. That was the day before the midterm election.
Rudy Giuliani says Trump didn't collude with Russia but can't say if campaign aides did
Trump cancelled secret Pelosi's trip overseas on military aircraft because he's an asshole. Nicely played though. Pelosi got played there. Congrats on that one.
I agree with cancelling his SOTU propaganda speech due to the government shutdown but then turning around and making plans for a trip on military aircraft is dumb. She's also walked back somewhat canceling the State of the union speech as well instead of standing firm there. In the end, it shouldn't matter but it seems she got played here.
You gotta crush the clown you don't negotiate with terrorists it only emboldens them. $5.7 bn isn't nearly enough to build the entire wall and if you give in now he'll throw another Trumper tantrum tommorow with more ridiculous demands for more wall money or the next ridiculous whim that Sean Hannity tells him to do.
The only thing that happened was that Trump and the White House jeopardized national security by even REVEALING that trip was supposed to take place. It was secret for security reasons. And she isn't getting played, she knows exactly what she's doing. The House continuee to vote to reopen the government and the Senate continues to not take up the vote, meanwhile Trump is railing at his Chief of Staff because he thinks they are getting crushed on the shutdown.
The only thing that happened was that Trump and the White House jeopardized national security by even REVEALING that trip was supposed to take place. It was secret for security reasons. And she isn't getting played, she knows exactly what she's doing. The House continuee to vote to reopen the government and the Senate continues to not take up the vote, meanwhile Trump is railing at his Chief of Staff because he thinks they are getting crushed on the shutdown.
I agree with most those things but I think she got played on the trip thing. He's all about the petty childish revenge and power plays and he got her there basically. She had just got him by cancelling the SOTU then she should have been wary of him. You need to watch him anyways, he's a Russian puppet at worst and a mean propaganda spouting partisan hack asshole at best. Yes the trip was secret, but now it's cancelled. There's no security risk because it ain't going to happen.
Again this doesn't fundamentally change her being on the right side of this Trump shutdown. But in the stupid PR alternative news wars that he cares about so deeply Trump scored a point.
I don’t think she got played. It was a very petty letter however which seems to have been written by someone else attempting to sound like Trump. I doubt Trump knows what prerogative is, let alone spell it.
Edit: and she can also point to the fact he had time to cancel this trip, but didn’t have time to offer condolences to the American soldiers killed in Syria and Kenya and her “publicity stunt” was more to show our troops that even though your president stands for you, America still does.
All Trump cares about is himself. If he didn't need his base to get elected again, he'd never have shut down the government like this. He only cares about doing what's good for him.
I don’t think she got played. It was a very petty letter however which seems to have been written by someone else attempting to sound like Trump. I doubt Trump knows what prerogative is, let alone spell it.
Edit: and she can also point to the fact he had time to cancel this trip, but didn’t have time to offer condolences to the American soldiers killed in Syria and Kenya and her “publicity stunt” was more to show our troops that even though your president stands for you, America still does.
Fair enough and I'm glad most (everything) I'm seeing is not approving this dumb petty move.
Seeing that Trump visited Iraq during the shutdown and he's still sending Mnuchin to Davos to hobknob with the ultra rich. And he just visited Tennessee to lie to some farmers didn't he over the weekend?
He's recently been bemoaning that he hasn't left the White House in "months". Pardon me while I laugh. Except for, you know, the trip to see the troops, the trip to the border, the trip to Kentucky to talk to farmers...
Not that this is political, but I had such a nasty cold the last two days I had to stay home from work. #1.) I was grateful to learn (to my surprise) that I accrue paid sick time equal to my vacation that I can now use to not miss any hours, but more interestingly #2.) My phone and laptop seem to somehow KNOW I was sick, because every ad I now see on websites and Twitter is now for cough suppressants and cold medication. The only thing remember Googling is causes of dry mouth, which conincidentally is one of the main side-effects of over the counter cold medicine.
Not that this is political, but I had such a nasty cold the last two days I had to stay home from work. #1.) I was grateful to learn (to my surprise) that I accrue paid sick time equal to my vacation that I can now use to not miss any hours, but more interestingly #2.) My phone and laptop seem to somehow KNOW I was sick, because every ad I now see on websites and Twitter is now for cough suppressants and cold medication. The only thing remember Googling is causes of dry mouth, which conincidentally is one of the main side-effects of over the counter cold medicine.
It’s probably your phone listening to you. You can test it.
Either text message (Facebook messenger is the worst) or phone a friend about an activity you never ever do or looked up ever such as Fishing, then log onto a website and see if any ads coordinates with that activity. It’s spooky and you may want to smash your phone because of it. If it’s a computer, easiest thing to do is disable the microphone and only enable it when you’re about to use it.
Not that this is political, but I had such a nasty cold the last two days I had to stay home from work. #1.) I was grateful to learn (to my surprise) that I accrue paid sick time equal to my vacation that I can now use to not miss any hours, but more interestingly #2.) My phone and laptop seem to somehow KNOW I was sick, because every ad I now see on websites and Twitter is now for cough suppressants and cold medication. The only thing remember Googling is causes of dry mouth, which conincidentally is one of the main side-effects of over the counter cold medicine.
It’s probably your phone listening to you. You can test it.
Either text message (Facebook messenger is the worst) or phone a friend about an activity you never ever do or looked up ever such as Fishing, then log onto a website and see if any ads coordinates with that activity. It’s spooky and you may want to smash your phone because of it. If it’s a computer, easiest thing to do is disable the microphone and only enable it when you’re about to use it.
You will hear NOTHING from any GOP leaders about this tomorrow. They will not acknowledge nor condemn it, or even admit it as a possibility. Which is becoming the real frightening scenario. Because there does not appear to be any line that can be crossed that will cause them to do the right thing and get this organized crime family out of the White House. Unless this story is completely off the rails, then we need to start seriously talking about impeachment NOW. Because this can only get worse.
Think where we are at. We are now at the point where it isn't just collusion that is being revealed, but a goddamn massive conspiracy at every single point of the Trump campaign and organization. The government is shut down. Mitch McConnell, who more than any single individual since the Civil War has basically destroyed the democratic norms of this society, is keeping the government shut down despite the fact that if he allowed a Senate vote, he would easily get the amount needed to override a Presidential veto. So why isn't he?? Something doesn't feel right here. This is not how any of this is supposed to work.
You will hear NOTHING from any GOP leaders about this tomorrow. They will not acknowledge nor condemn it, or even admit it as a possibility. Which is becoming the real frightening scenario. Because there does not appear to be any line that can be crossed that will cause them to do the right thing and get this organized crime family out of the White House. Unless this story is completely off the rails, then we need to start seriously talking about impeachment NOW. Because this can only get worse.
You'll hear the famous "I hadn't heard that." (aka been ignoring everything Trump says) or "I was not aware of that." (if pressed directly). Then, they'll do nothing. Until their constituents get upset, and goodness knows when that will happen.
You will hear NOTHING from any GOP leaders about this tomorrow. They will not acknowledge nor condemn it, or even admit it as a possibility. Which is becoming the real frightening scenario. Because there does not appear to be any line that can be crossed that will cause them to do the right thing and get this organized crime family out of the White House. Unless this story is completely off the rails, then we need to start seriously talking about impeachment NOW. Because this can only get worse.
You'll hear the famous "I hadn't heard that." (aka been ignoring everything Trump says) or "I was not aware of that." (if pressed directly). Then, they'll do nothing. Until their constituents get upset, and goodness knows when that will happen.
And would they even know? These cowardly Republicans don't even meet constituents anymore they're frightened. Seriously, these guys are hiding from voters. The only people the GOP might listen to are their donors - oil companies, the NRA, defense contractors, evangelicals, and right wing media. So unless those grifters, profiteers, and conspiracy theory peddlers decide being bad is wrong...
I wanted to comment properly on the Brexit situation, but it feels painful to dwell on its grotesque details, in the UK as in America accepted norms are being ruptured in ways that will echo through history. The UK's present confusion is the product of the decision to ask a yes/no question on a Gordian Knot of an issue, and efforts to slice through it just let the wagon go rolling toward a cliff. So many people could only see the knot.... And now so many people are wrapped up in this web with no escape for the foreseeable future, regardless of what happens. Referendums were originially conceived of early last century in the UK as a method for the people to veto controversial policies put forward by politicians, not as instruments for thrusting policies upon unwilling executives...
This Christmas for the first time in awhile I treated myself to books, some classic sci-fi & fantasy... some Vance, some Leiber, some Moorcock. It has been such a pleasure to read whole passages which are not about Schengens, custom unions, immigration, withdrawal agreements, parliamentary majorities, EFTA, the ECJ, EURATOM, Calais, ferries, electoral fraud and so on... I don't want to haunt Twitter, Reddit, and so on looking for scraps of satisfaction like a Vampiric Mist... but in these times of perpetual crisis it is as hard to step away as it is to hope for better. One fears to look even though one cannot turn away...
Prior to the vote of no confidence in May- after her Brexit deal bit the dust- MPs debated a bill concerning letterboxes that were too close to the ground. After it they debated car production in Solihull, a town in the Midlands. I miss the days when that's all MPs had to do.
What will happen now? May cannot contemplate a second referendum without shredding her own party, and will respond to the biggest defeat in modern history by putting forward the same deal in a slightly recoloured form. Corbyn will desperately avoid trying to take a position on the damn issue, presently by setting preconditions to any negotiations. The clock will tick and the UK will ask for an extension to article 50 from the EU again because it cannot find a majority for no deal, for a referendum, for revoking article 50, for a deal. The compromise would be to go for Norway... but no-one really does compromises any more do they? Just another staging post... another betrayal. Where do we go from here but nowhere?
What will happen now? May cannot contemplate a second referendum without shredding her own party, and will respond to the biggest defeat in modern history by putting forward the same deal in a slightly recoloured form. Corbyn will desperately avoid trying to take a position on the damn issue, presently by setting preconditions to any negotiations. The clock will tick and the UK will ask for an extension to article 50 from the EU again because it cannot find a majority for no deal, for a referendum, for revoking article 50, for a deal. The compromise would be to go for Norway... but no-one really does compromises any more do they? Just another staging post... another betrayal. Where do we go from here but nowhere?
/Rant ends
@Mantis37 it's a topic everyone else is ranting about, so why shouldn't you?
I think you could regard May's proposed deal as a compromise between Leavers and Remainers. It aims to achieve the essential things that were widely discussed in the referendum campaign as benefits of leaving (particularly control over laws & borders and freedom to strike trade deals with other countries), but with a nod to the Remainers over things like the intention to maintain parallel laws to the EU as far as those affect trade. I would therefore say it would have been entirely reasonable for Parliament to implement the result of the referendum by agreeing to that deal.
I don't think though you could describe the Norway deal as a compromise in the same sense. That would require us to observe all the rules and regulations of the EU (and still pay for the privilege of access to the Single Market), but have no say in what those rules are. That would be a deal that doesn't 'take back control', but actually loses the influence we currently have over laws while the situation on borders and freedom to strike trade deals would be the same as in the EU. While I agree it's not impossible that such a deal could find a Parliamentary majority (though I think it's unlikely), it would seem to me quite improper for Parliament to vote for that deal outright as it fails to implement the major objectives of the Leave campaign. While it could be said that it technically achieves the decision of the referendum, it's so far from the spirit of it that it would undoubtedly be a major source of dissent for the foreseeable future.
May is supposed to be conducting a review of options at the moment. It seems to me that some of those options could be implemented on 29th March as currently proposed (such as no deal and her proposed deal). However, other options (such as a Norway deal and remaining in the EU) do not seem to be compatible with the existing referendum result. Therefore, if Parliament wished to pursue one of those options, I think they would need to hold a second referendum to confirm whether that would now be acceptable to the country in the light of the improved information now available about the implications of different options.
While the situation remains chaotic, I think a second referendum is now more likely than not. The reality is that at the moment there is no clear majority either in Parliament or the country as a whole for any specific option. In that circumstance I think the role of Parliament should be to rule out some of the lesser options and then go to the country to agree which of the remaining ones should be chosen. I would suggest that be done by having several options on a ballot and using a system of preference votes. There has been some discussion of using multiple referendums as an alternative, but I don't see that as having any advantages to compensate for the extra time and cost.
It's shocking that Trump directed his lawyer to lie to Congress. No, wait. It's not. Trump lies about everything, literally every single thing from crowd size to fake emergencies to climate change to the number of things he knows more about than anybody.
He's remarkably consistent that way - lying. About everything. And this time it should catch up with him. It's just ironic (or more appropriate word?) that all his other lies, those are a-ok, but lying to Congress, where politicians (especially Republicans) lie all the time, that is a bridge too far.
Comments
Amber Alert issued after 2-year-old girl with autism abducted in the Bronx
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https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/15/politics/mueller-kilimnik-manafort/index.html?fbclid=IwAR24bHXePTJXVpBHNH7uXgTUhMCmvwi8hH0XyOzO_VJHmZa6dRTRZJd0mB4Federal judge rules against Trump administration's plan to add 2020 census citizenship question
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/425379-federal-judge-rules-against-census-citizenship-question?userid=[-RECIPID-]&fbclid=IwAR3krJs7AgoE2o6VYiVnK2QgqSD0nn5vaLH3paEIWouJPPgUlgPmkswrQEsTrump's Shutdown Is a Savage Assault on the Working Class
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a3m53g/trumps-shutdown-is-a-savage-assault-on-the-working-class?utm_source=vicefbus&fbclid=IwAR0rBVeo19YwzkG7RPD1FPnXutRCzeDnRGrKonfOThTpPlcvhm0nJg13kVUBIG WIN FOR WEB ACCESSIBILITY IN DOMINO’S PIZZA CASE
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https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2019/01/poll-nearly-three-quarters-federal-workers-oppose-shutdown-majority-oppose-wall/154183/?fbclid=IwAR2VMzQhIRoxK1WBDm1YGY6fm9kUghgEbZm_sliAx_AzcekEDfIgLOUD0voEx-DOJ Counterintelligence Chief: Trump Is ‘A Clear And Present Danger’ To National Security
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https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/PG-E-facing-staggering-wildfires-costs-says-13531815.php?fbclid=IwAR3bv13Grj98KN1tk9vhdm1wJZvLloMsU161V59ZMuH05DLxhEg-66O8yMkResearchers Successfully Turn Breast Cancer Cells Into Fat to Stop Them From Spreading
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https://www.lambdalegal.org/blog/20190115_ny-passes-legislation-protecting-transgender-people-and-banning-conversion-therapy?fbclid=IwAR1vRmrNkE2G_7_gMxcEvhibR20nC87sxyNbKnyEqlWIzCinp3B6O-SJMasMartin Luther King Jr. Was More Radical Than We Remember
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mlk-more-radical-than-we-remember?fbclid=IwAR14-ozwY8bts9XTUdCO-89nQuoWBSxPDP4o2lJe-avSu0VQRfJf6aHSLe4Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gleefully mocks GOP’s obsession with her: ‘Dude, you’re all out of bullets’
https://www.alternet.org/2019/01/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-gleefully-mocks-gops-obsession-with-her-dude-youre-all-out-of-bullets/?fbclid=IwAR26U-vggEyh06kjGzJfR5HtpssNdX83qcM_xZuF-XuHqYYgSk62zDcu3dsTeen sex slaves freed, 7 arrested; warning for parents issued
http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/us-and-world-news/warning-for-parents-after-teen-sex-slave-freed?fbclid=IwAR39x5qvSRihx8DXp15H6N3r4OqoEvu3QAm22aPINEGXQB9uz1Zq9kyrIhAAs support grows to extend Los Angeles teacher strike, unions colluding with Democrats to end walkout
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/16/losa-j16.html?fbclid=IwAR27SuYRMPKjvc8vjpn5qnjbNO4R0Tn-Y2jSQWgLjiKi2sSltQJNS9DH_tUTheresa May survives no-confidence vote amid Brexit turmoil
https://globalnews.ca/news/4852161/theresa-may-brexit-no-confidence-vote/?utm_source=notification/Secondly, while it is true that this speech is a annual event recently, it was never the case until, I believe, Woodrow Wilson. The constitutionally mandated part of this was issued in written form for decades upon decades. But finally, it's about time Democrats got in on this obliterating norms game. Because if anything deserves to die, it's this and the White House Correspondents Dinner. In the midst of this current political climate, during a government shutdown, can you think of anything more ridiculous than Republicans and Democrats getting together and pretending to respect each other while Donald Trump declares the state of our union "stronger than it has ever been"?? The pomp and circumstance of it has always been ridiculous, but was at least tolerable from people who could deliver a speech that at least for one night was able to speak to our better angels. Trump is incapable of this, and there is absolutely no reason to have this speech in the current climate. It would be like the band playing on the deck of the Titanic.
Also, I really want to draw attention to this article because of one piece of info we all suspected but now have concrete reporting on in regards to why Puerto Rico disaster relief was treated the way it was. In short, the President heard something on FOX News and demanded no money be allocated for relief, and instead diverted to Florida and Texas:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/top-hud-officials-departure-follows-disagreements-over-housing-policy-and-puerto-rico-disaster-funds/2019/01/16/e6ba5be4-1839-11e9-9ebf-c5fed1b7a081_story.html?utm_term=.dd3c347b6397
President Trump in late September grew incensed after hearing, erroneously, that Puerto Rico was using the emergency money to pay off its debt, according to two people with direct knowledge of Trump’s thinking.
Trump told then-White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly and then-Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney that he did not want a single dollar going to Puerto Rico, because he thought the island was misusing the money and taking advantage of the government, according to a person with direct knowledge of the discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal deliberations. Instead, he wanted more of the money to go to Texas and Florida, the person said.
Unbelievable. If there is any argument against statehood for Puerto Rico, it should now be dead and buried. Texas and Florida have one thing in common that Puerto Rico doesn't. They helped put Trump in the White House. This is how he views disaster relief. Clinton and Bush Sr. flew across the world helping facilitate disaster relief. Donald Trump didn't want "a single dollar" to go to help American citizens stuck in a catastrophic situation on an island.
Those Trump bankruptcies are starting to make sense
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/those-trump-bankruptcies-are-starting-to-make-sense-174553802.html?fbclid=IwAR0rCTYWGU9IsmgAHOHDcAmL_efwTk84ySHMDShOyNDUfpbhodfM9TAYIGsFox News Debuts Premium Channel For 24-Hour Coverage Of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
https://www.theonion.com/fox-news-debuts-premium-channel-for-24-hour-coverage-of-1831814505?utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_content=Main&utm_campaign=SF&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1C2pIpYWUNuQO7kxQLcRo3lFPC3KqVXVnfEFZmAbHU7oKSJkFc2iew8gMOnly sarcasm
Tempe PD: 14-year-old boy with airsoft gun shot, killed by police
https://www.azfamily.com/news/tempe-pd--year-old-boy-with-airsoft-gun-shot/article_1f5fccf6-19e6-11e9-b3d1-ebcb3ea2e52e.html?fbclid=IwAR13KZUh2aZ0_QXo9r4cVNFcTOnxGpH0anVBtOa6Xpgu5mro5kbtPYN3zl4Majority of Americans blame Trump for the shutdown
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/majority-of-americans-blame-trump-for-the-shutdown?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=newshour&linkId=100000004675401&fbclid=IwAR2opgPFhY90_aEShlj7ydgtgEV9ENQ2TtjlmA5ug4-BSpEViRmuROOLmKANew study finds up to 15,000 Jews killed each day at peak of Holocaust
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/01/16/holo-j16.htmlMichael Strahan invites Clemson football team for lobster
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826732/-Michael-Strahan-invites-Clemson-football-team-for-lobster?detail=emaildkreThis 2017 video of Trump and Putin in Germany is going viral—with significant new context
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826730/-This-2017-video-of-Trump-and-Putin-in-Germany-is-going-viral-with-significant-new-context?detail=emaildkreNinja Nancy Pelosi Is on a Roll. Her Letter to Trump Is more Proof.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826766/-Ninja-Nancy-Pelosi-Is-on-a-Roll-Her-Letter-to-Trump-Is-more-Proof?detail=emaildkreFake 'Washington Post' placed around D.C. trolls Trump, claims he is leaving the White House
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826751/-Fake-Washington-Post-placed-around-DC-trolls-Trump-claims-he-is-leaving-the-White-House?detail=emaildkreWhy Does The Gillette Ad Trigger Some Men?
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826678/-Why-Does-The-Gillette-Ad-Trigger-Some-Men?detail=emaildkreWorried Republicans are questioning McConnell's political strategy in shutdown
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826722/-Worried-Republicans-are-questioning-McConnell-s-political-strategy-in-shutdown?detail=emaildkreHorrifying: Notification of contaminated well water delayed ... until one day before HIS election
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/12/1825273/-Horrifying-Notification-of-contaminated-well-water-delayed-until-one-day-before-HIS-election?detail=facebook&fbclid=IwAR17UTCbu_ZFvvk4nzx2r9Z5QHrK1WzepFDTVOyEUTK9grqfEJ7F-5WY09oIn August of last year, it was confirmed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that the Florida State Fire College had used dangerous flame-retardant chemicals, which have since been phased out of production due to their health risks. Unfortunately, preliminary tests indicated that water from nearby well sites had elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid, which is not good: Early studies have suggested they are carcinogens and have multiple adverse effects on humans.
Officials discussed in early September informing the Fire College, which was given supplies of bottled water on Sept. 9. The local residential population, however, had the unfortunate luck of the contamination being discovered during the height of Florida’s ultra-tight election contests.
The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald discovered emails in which officials debated for months how to “word messages” to the residents. The residents were eventually informed—on Monday, Nov. 5. That was the day before the midterm election.
Rudy Giuliani says Trump didn't collude with Russia but can't say if campaign aides did
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/16/politics/rudy-giuliani-cnntv/index.html?fbclid=IwAR285dhqDmlSNXUW-b5f_e-vBdmeOhO8FfOJD_ktupoPprSsu6pwIYu8AHY‘Born Again’ Baseball Star John Wetteland Charged With Sexually Assaulting 4-Year-Old
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2019/01/born-again-baseball-star-john-wetteland-charged-with-sexually-assaulting-4-year-old/?fbclid=IwAR06h8EHzr4BaUh3mtLaQ2syCsOmF_ag_rlaTQ3-7UIOe3eP_GhC0QaU8SoOh, Blech.
Tiffany L. Brown fights Texas elementary school's policy to cut son's dreadlocks
https://www.today.com/style/tiffany-l-brown-fights-texas-elementary-school-s-policy-cut-t146837?fbclid=IwAR0PEfINdb_W8PO-1bvayhg3JTVymvYyf34h8nnvREFB0pGJguhV7J_XT0oKidnapped Canadian found dead in Burkina Faso: security officials
https://globalnews.ca/news/4857231/kidnapped-canadian-dead-burkina-faso/?utm_source=notification/President Trump Urges Americans To Boycott Chinese Restaurants
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/laughingindisbelief/2019/01/president-trump-urges-americans-to-boycott-chinese-restaurants/Yes, this is satire.
Jury finds woman guilty on all terror-related charges in Toronto-area Canadian Tire attack
https://globalnews.ca/news/4857479/rehab-dughmosh-terror-charges-jury/?utm_source=notification/As Texas prison camp for migrant kids closes, another facility in Florida nearly doubles in size
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826787/-As-Texas-prison-camp-for-migrant-kids-closes-another-facility-in-Florida-nearly-doubles-in-size?detail=emaildkreCooperation, collusion, conspiracy, and the constant game of redefining what Trump can get away with
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827011/-Cooperation-collusion-conspiracy-and-the-constant-game-of-redefining-what-Trump-can-get-away-with?detail=emaildkreTrump administration effort to give campus rapists a free pass sparks its own #MeToo moment
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/15/1826520/-Trump-administration-effort-to-give-campus-rapists-a-free-pass-sparks-its-own-MeToo-moment?detail=emaildkreFreshman Democrats have one simple question as they fight to end shutdown: Where's Mitch?
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826888/-Freshman-Democrats-have-one-simple-question-as-they-fight-to-end-shutdown-Where-s-Mitch?detail=emaildkreHiding.
Chili's refused to promote lesbian mom because she didn't dress ‘gender appropriate'
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826797/-Chili-s-refused-to-promote-lesbian-mom-because-she-didn-t-dress-gender-appropriate?detail=emaildkreWTH does that mean?
Maxine Waters takes over House Financial Services Committee and prepares to pressure Wall Street
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826782/-Maxine-Waters-takes-over-House-Financial-Services-Committee-and-prepares-to-pressure-Wall-Street?detail=emaildkreAnti-vax movement makes 2019 list of top global health threats, but that's not the whole story
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826740/-Anti-vax-movement-makes-2019-list-of-top-global-health-threats-but-that-s-not-the-whole-story?detail=emaildkreMichigan State president resigns after saying abuse victims were 'enjoying' the 'spotlight'
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826846/-Michigan-State-president-reportedly-to-resign-after-saying-abuse-victims-enjoying-the-spotlight?detail=emaildkreSC woman must go to prison for lying about a black man attacking her
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826879/-SC-woman-must-go-to-prison-for-lying-about-a-black-man-attacking-her?detail=emaildkreI agree.
Former DOJ Chief of Counterintelligence - "The President is a Clear and Present Danger"
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826781/-Former-DOJ-Chief-of-Counterintelligence-The-President-is-a-Clear-and-Present-Danger?detail=emaildkreAfter sexual harassment scandal, Georgia GOP adopts rules that could punish victims for speaking up
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1826916/-After-sexual-harassment-scandal-Georgia-GOP-adopts-rules-that-could-punish-victims-for-speaking-up?detail=emaildkreThis makes me angry. Very angry.
Michael Cohen Paid A Tech Firm Owned By Jerry Falwell To Manipulate Online Polls In Trump's Favor
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1826998/-Michael-Cohen-Paid-A-Tech-Firm-Owned-By-Jerry-Falwell-To-Manipulate-Online-Polls-In-Trump-s-Favor?detail=emaildkre::Sigh.::
Giuliani confesses on CNN: 'I never said there was no collusion'
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826908/-Giuliani-on-CNN-I-never-said-there-was-no-collusion?detail=emaildkre'We are getting crushed' on shutdown, Trump says in rare moment of clarity
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827009/--We-are-getting-crushed-on-shutdown-Trump-says-in-rare-moment-of-clarity?detail=emaildkreThousands More Migrant Children Were Probably Taken From Families Than Reported
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/family-separation-trump-administration-migrants.htmlMan proposes in court to girlfriend accused of stabbing him 13 times
http://www.fox29.com/news/man-proposes-in-court-to-girlfriend-accused-of-stabbing-him-13-times?fbclid=IwAR3anzmI-QRqqYxnERmTRb0BsVoOuWIZNbo7QGzz1sp7cxHSHwkkfHxXeDoHere's someone who doesn't take "No" for an answer....
NJ Officials Are Still Targeting the High School Wrestler Who Was Forced to Cut His Dreadlocks
https://www.theroot.com/nj-officials-are-still-targeting-the-high-school-wrestl-1831748183?fbclid=IwAR3_AGgpWRN_uPRyxj-GjeGCBMMrJCZBJr2ZQ4uu9i-GFj_3zfEsKzc2JhAPoll: Trump Approval Down, Slips With Base
https://www.npr.org/2019/01/17/685539207/poll-trump-approval-down-slips-with-base?fbclid=IwAR3bSs6OmxwXV_23TvWDwnNSxilGLYQvvNoyEXsLe2JhK3e9JVkx4-ExEHYGOP Rep. Tom Marino resigns from Congress
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/425853-gop-rep-tom-marino-resigns-from-congress?userid=322266&fbclid=IwAR2UbbOgsnvqZLbldcW1SgCOzb9owY_XMx3mDgEqiMnKq4QU4cQN-h_AfpkThe Latest: Trump puts off Pelosi travel, citing shutdown
https://news.yahoo.com/latest-more-furloughed-workers-seek-unemployment-aid-155634878--politics.html?.tsrc=notification-brknewsNancy Pelosi Jabbed the President* Right in His Tender Ego
https://news.yahoo.com/nancy-pelosi-jabbed-president-tender-204400879.htmlAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez Torches Trump For Shutdown In First House Floor Speech
https://news.yahoo.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-torches-trump-114238067.htmlI agree with cancelling his SOTU propaganda speech due to the government shutdown but then turning around and making plans for a trip on military aircraft is dumb. She's also walked back somewhat canceling the State of the union speech as well instead of standing firm there. In the end, it shouldn't matter but it seems she got played here.
You gotta crush the clown you don't negotiate with terrorists it only emboldens them. $5.7 bn isn't nearly enough to build the entire wall and if you give in now he'll throw another Trumper tantrum tommorow with more ridiculous demands for more wall money or the next ridiculous whim that Sean Hannity tells him to do.
Again this doesn't fundamentally change her being on the right side of this Trump shutdown. But in the stupid PR alternative news wars that he cares about so deeply Trump scored a point.
Married Couple Legally Denied Entry to Retirement Home for Being Gay
https://www.pride.com/news/2019/1/17/married-couple-legally-denied-entry-retirement-home-being-gay?fbclid=IwAR04DUL6w2_7LZgKck46MlD8UYzcYTHDtjEN6VY41DRc_7ShxGUwftckFusThis is stupid. They should get their money back, and they should be treated like any other married couple.
Edit: and she can also point to the fact he had time to cancel this trip, but didn’t have time to offer condolences to the American soldiers killed in Syria and Kenya and her “publicity stunt” was more to show our troops that even though your president stands for you, America still does.
Seeing that Trump visited Iraq during the shutdown and he's still sending Mnuchin to Davos to hobknob with the ultra rich. And he just visited Tennessee to lie to some farmers didn't he over the weekend?
Yes it was petty and lame.
Either text message (Facebook messenger is the worst) or phone a friend about an activity you never ever do or looked up ever such as Fishing, then log onto a website and see if any ads coordinates with that activity.
It’s spooky and you may want to smash your phone because of it. If it’s a computer, easiest thing to do is disable the microphone and only enable it when you’re about to use it.
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/wjbzzy/your-phone-is-listening-and-its-not-paranoia
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/trump-russia-cohen-moscow-tower-mueller-investigation
Directed his attorney to lie to Congress. I mean, Nixon was impeached for basically telling people to do exactly this. This is suborning perjury.
You will hear NOTHING from any GOP leaders about this tomorrow. They will not acknowledge nor condemn it, or even admit it as a possibility. Which is becoming the real frightening scenario. Because there does not appear to be any line that can be crossed that will cause them to do the right thing and get this organized crime family out of the White House. Unless this story is completely off the rails, then we need to start seriously talking about impeachment NOW. Because this can only get worse.
Think where we are at. We are now at the point where it isn't just collusion that is being revealed, but a goddamn massive conspiracy at every single point of the Trump campaign and organization. The government is shut down. Mitch McConnell, who more than any single individual since the Civil War has basically destroyed the democratic norms of this society, is keeping the government shut down despite the fact that if he allowed a Senate vote, he would easily get the amount needed to override a Presidential veto. So why isn't he?? Something doesn't feel right here. This is not how any of this is supposed to work.
TSA Workers Are Now Quitting Because of the Government Shutdown, Union Says
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tsa-workers-now-quitting-because-173720370.html?ncid=facebook_yfsocialfa_wje3x23a50w&fbclid=IwAR3AURkbpmwvtNIOq6EyBwCY4YObryFGACwCNpTUbY4_2xaG1Yj-foOGx60Snap! There goes another thread of normality.
ICE detains U.S.-born marine veteran in Michigan
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/ice-detains-u-s-born-marine-veteran-in-michigan-1427561027998?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma:P
AI Predicts Humans Have an Ancestor We Don't Even Know About Yet
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a25934309/ai-study-human-ancestor/?fbclid=IwAR1wsWwQbqvXLEtzlMeU1cmFuuyajHkM_IQgHmo7Qm8uLejIGwGLkCghdSkIndiana State Senator Wants To Require 'In God We Trust' Posters In Classrooms
https://www.yahoo.com/news/indiana-state-senator-wants-require-004413646.html?guccounter=1&fbclid=IwAR3adXYMVxxlhPO_wJsAX69u81V8vPxEVieopHe0RJijJQ1I40MFbA-rhoQHarris County judges to unveil drastic new plan for releasing defendants on no-cash bail
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Harris-County-judges-to-unveil-drastic-new-plan-13541189.php?utm_campaign=CMS+Sharing+Tools+(Desktop)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwAR0R1tcmfJbo5NmoKpxQbNSth25omkE-KgCvi4CKP6yyW5RODkuTJaVOKYQFDA approves new targeted drug for leukemia
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/fda-approves-new-targeted-drug-leukemia?fbclid=IwAR20DtMiUHyXsee14l1R15_APOkm18sNhLSmwtA2s7VQ8v_ESNI8LHykWOoI wanted to comment properly on the Brexit situation, but it feels painful to dwell on its grotesque details, in the UK as in America accepted norms are being ruptured in ways that will echo through history. The UK's present confusion is the product of the decision to ask a yes/no question on a Gordian Knot of an issue, and efforts to slice through it just let the wagon go rolling toward a cliff. So many people could only see the knot.... And now so many people are wrapped up in this web with no escape for the foreseeable future, regardless of what happens. Referendums were originially conceived of early last century in the UK as a method for the people to veto controversial policies put forward by politicians, not as instruments for thrusting policies upon unwilling executives...
This Christmas for the first time in awhile I treated myself to books, some classic sci-fi & fantasy... some Vance, some Leiber, some Moorcock. It has been such a pleasure to read whole passages which are not about Schengens, custom unions, immigration, withdrawal agreements, parliamentary majorities, EFTA, the ECJ, EURATOM, Calais, ferries, electoral fraud and so on... I don't want to haunt Twitter, Reddit, and so on looking for scraps of satisfaction like a Vampiric Mist... but in these times of perpetual crisis it is as hard to step away as it is to hope for better. One fears to look even though one cannot turn away...
Prior to the vote of no confidence in May- after her Brexit deal bit the dust- MPs debated a bill concerning letterboxes that were too close to the ground. After it they debated car production in Solihull, a town in the Midlands. I miss the days when that's all MPs had to do.
What will happen now? May cannot contemplate a second referendum without shredding her own party, and will respond to the biggest defeat in modern history by putting forward the same deal in a slightly recoloured form. Corbyn will desperately avoid trying to take a position on the damn issue, presently by setting preconditions to any negotiations. The clock will tick and the UK will ask for an extension to article 50 from the EU again because it cannot find a majority for no deal, for a referendum, for revoking article 50, for a deal. The compromise would be to go for Norway... but no-one really does compromises any more do they? Just another staging post... another betrayal. Where do we go from here but nowhere?
/Rant ends
I think you could regard May's proposed deal as a compromise between Leavers and Remainers. It aims to achieve the essential things that were widely discussed in the referendum campaign as benefits of leaving (particularly control over laws & borders and freedom to strike trade deals with other countries), but with a nod to the Remainers over things like the intention to maintain parallel laws to the EU as far as those affect trade. I would therefore say it would have been entirely reasonable for Parliament to implement the result of the referendum by agreeing to that deal.
I don't think though you could describe the Norway deal as a compromise in the same sense. That would require us to observe all the rules and regulations of the EU (and still pay for the privilege of access to the Single Market), but have no say in what those rules are. That would be a deal that doesn't 'take back control', but actually loses the influence we currently have over laws while the situation on borders and freedom to strike trade deals would be the same as in the EU. While I agree it's not impossible that such a deal could find a Parliamentary majority (though I think it's unlikely), it would seem to me quite improper for Parliament to vote for that deal outright as it fails to implement the major objectives of the Leave campaign. While it could be said that it technically achieves the decision of the referendum, it's so far from the spirit of it that it would undoubtedly be a major source of dissent for the foreseeable future.
May is supposed to be conducting a review of options at the moment. It seems to me that some of those options could be implemented on 29th March as currently proposed (such as no deal and her proposed deal). However, other options (such as a Norway deal and remaining in the EU) do not seem to be compatible with the existing referendum result. Therefore, if Parliament wished to pursue one of those options, I think they would need to hold a second referendum to confirm whether that would now be acceptable to the country in the light of the improved information now available about the implications of different options.
While the situation remains chaotic, I think a second referendum is now more likely than not. The reality is that at the moment there is no clear majority either in Parliament or the country as a whole for any specific option. In that circumstance I think the role of Parliament should be to rule out some of the lesser options and then go to the country to agree which of the remaining ones should be chosen. I would suggest that be done by having several options on a ballot and using a system of preference votes. There has been some discussion of using multiple referendums as an alternative, but I don't see that as having any advantages to compensate for the extra time and cost.
Donald Trump has developed a weird fantasy about women with tape on their mouths
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827021/-Donald-Trump-has-developed-a-weird-obsession-with-women-with-tape-on-their-mouths?detail=emaildkreSenate Democrats introduce bill to pay back furloughed contract workers
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827125/-Senate-Democrats-introduce-bill-to-pay-back-furloughed-contract-workers?detail=emaildkreBecause the Repubicans are doing (expletive deleted) all about it...
Trump wants McConnell to bail him out again, let him have his State of the Union TV time
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827034/-Trump-wants-McConnell-to-bail-him-out-again-let-him-have-his-State-of-the-Union-tv-time?detail=emaildkreThe Coming Shutdown Disaster That The Trump Admin Apparently Never Thought About
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/16/1826953/-The-Coming-Shutdown-Disaster-That-The-Trump-Admin-Apparently-Never-Thought-About?detail=emaildkrePelosi is destroying Trump so badly on the shutdown that reporters feel sorry for him
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827073/-Pelosi-is-destroying-Trump-so-thoroughly-on-the-shutdown-that-reporters-feel-sorry-for-him?detail=emaildkreMichael Cohen confirms yet another unbelievably sleazy deal
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827024/-Michael-Cohen-confirms-yet-another-unbelievably-sleazy-deal?detail=emaildkreAfter eight years in the majority, Republicans still don't know how House rules work
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827099/-After-eight-years-in-the-majority-Republicans-still-don-t-know-how-House-rules-work?detail=emaildkreTrump Poll: Net-Changes: Suburban Men-Down 18%, White Evangelicals-Down 13%,
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/1/17/1827062/-Trump-Poll-White-Evangelicals-Down-13-R-s-Down-10-White-Men-W-No-College-Degree-Down-7?detail=emaildkreHe's remarkably consistent that way - lying. About everything. And this time it should catch up with him. It's just ironic (or more appropriate word?) that all his other lies, those are a-ok, but lying to Congress, where politicians (especially Republicans) lie all the time, that is a bridge too far.
McConnell blocks bill to reopen most of government
https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/425945-mcconnell-blocks-bill-to-reopen-most-of-government?fbclid=IwAR1dHPpFdIgLyrnLUfogyGso0gwmDWeCPbSaqVQhyeqqFW7okbytY3lnbtAWhat else is new?
President Trump Directed His Attorney Michael Cohen To Lie To Congress About The Moscow Tower Project
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/jasonleopold/trump-russia-cohen-moscow-tower-mueller-investigation?ref=hpsplash&fbclid=IwAR1EpaXJqGVD7N5xKy-zbRXxm5nreFyi99XW6GwKY-JYdCt1x-mvjZaZ518Bingo. Suborning Perjury same thing Nixon ran afoul of during Watergate.
Trump Widens Callback of U.S. Workers With Pay to Blunt Shutdown
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-17/state-department-orders-its-staff-back-to-work-with-pay-promised?fbclid=IwAR2Ay7sEIvMpNcyo6uq3Oo_CJTJs-4qhgqQHiDvPJeFiEEWEq_73Mc8ykZEBorder patrol releases dramatic ‘civil unrest readiness exercise’ video amid shutdown
https://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article224709115.html?fbclid=IwAR0M9fwWUX1LC8nMpxnCqnbv9hyo5zw2Gu4p4WO8LMnCnScTZxLDDPVX-ckEerily like something out of Nazi Germany or Soviet-era Russia.
Stonewall Vet Miss Major Says Cops Should Be Banned from Pride
https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2019/1/16/stonewall-vet-miss-major-says-cops-should-be-banned-pride?amp&__twitter_impression=true&fbclid=IwAR1GGm8J1eEsW2McIAuo6mLupidk5ZLMp84pTje7i7ZRt_kEvcZhP8w_MNI