by russell
They want all the cookies.
They want to cut taxes, especially on the wealthy. And they want to either annihilate or privatize any and all outflows of public money to…. the public.
Deficits don't matter, said Reagan, according to Cheney. But, actually they do matter. They give (R)'s their pretext for taking stuff away.
From you.
Remember the dude who wanted "government out of his Medicare"? He's gonna get his wish.
Close, but not perfect.
Republican donors want that. Republican politicians want that (whether from personal belief or self-service — that is, because their donors want it).
But actual Republicans outside that group? A whole different set of priorities. And that’s true of both us old school conservatives and of the reactionary trash which has largely taken over.
Close, but not perfect.
Republican donors want that. Republican politicians want that (whether from personal belief or self-service — that is, because their donors want it).
But actual Republicans outside that group? A whole different set of priorities. And that’s true of both us old school conservatives and of the reactionary trash which has largely taken over.
I don’t disagree as regards old school non professional conservatives. I disagree as regards the reactionaries,
I don’t disagree as regards old school non professional conservatives. I disagree as regards the reactionaries,
I think the “budget” is a distraction from some ugly news that we’re going to hear this week. Also, Trump wants to shut the government down so that the United States ceases functioning again. Ruining the country is his number one priority. Thanks, Vlad!
I think the “budget” is a distraction from some ugly news that we’re going to hear this week. Also, Trump wants to shut the government down so that the United States ceases functioning again. Ruining the country is his number one priority. Thanks, Vlad!
A very interesting article (long read) on immigration by Frum:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/david-frum-how-much-immigration-is-too-much/583252/
A very interesting article (long read) on immigration by Frum:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/david-frum-how-much-immigration-is-too-much/583252/
Hard to argue with Warren:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/11/elizabeth-warren-facebook-ads-break-up-big-tech
Political speech on social media ought not to be at the discretion of a single company – and that is to a great extent the current situation.
Hard to argue with Warren:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/mar/11/elizabeth-warren-facebook-ads-break-up-big-tech
Political speech on social media ought not to be at the discretion of a single company – and that is to a great extent the current situation.
Hard to argue with Warren
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
without her premise, how does her conclusion fare ?
Hard to argue with Warren
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
without her premise, how does her conclusion fare ?
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
The definition of monopoly has changed somewhat over time. The Atlantic article links to a Yale Law Journal piece that describes some current thinking.
I’m by no means an expert, but was in law school at the beginning of the Reagan administration, and my antitrust class was taught by an old school lawyer who began his practice experience under New Deal antitrust philosophy. Corporations were beginning to get away with things that had not been allowed in the past. It was interesting what the rationale was, and this conversation will continue to be interesting.
I have mixed feelings about what I’d want the outcome to be. I’m wondering whether breaking up the companies is the best remedy for some of the pernicious things that happen.
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
The definition of monopoly has changed somewhat over time. The Atlantic article links to a Yale Law Journal piece that describes some current thinking.
I’m by no means an expert, but was in law school at the beginning of the Reagan administration, and my antitrust class was taught by an old school lawyer who began his practice experience under New Deal antitrust philosophy. Corporations were beginning to get away with things that had not been allowed in the past. It was interesting what the rationale was, and this conversation will continue to be interesting.
I have mixed feelings about what I’d want the outcome to be. I’m wondering whether breaking up the companies is the best remedy for some of the pernicious things that happen.
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
Ultra-strictly speaking, you aren’t a monopoly unless there is nobody else as an alternative. But more common usage tends to be, you’re a monopoly if you have an overwhelming share of the market. What percentage constitutes “overwhelming” being subject to debate. But certainly if your company name has become a verb (“I’m going to google that”), you qualify. You may not qualify forever, see xerox. But for the moment, you qualify.
So yeah, Google and Facebook qualify. Probably Twitter as well. Amazon may not be there yet . . . but “yet” may turn out to be the operative word. Microsoft may miss the cut, but together with Apple there’s an oligopoly. (Yes, your phone or tablet may run android. But your laptop? Overwhelmingly one of the big two.)
FB isn’t a monopoly. Google isn’t a monopoly. Amazon isn’t a monopoly.
Ultra-strictly speaking, you aren’t a monopoly unless there is nobody else as an alternative. But more common usage tends to be, you’re a monopoly if you have an overwhelming share of the market. What percentage constitutes “overwhelming” being subject to debate. But certainly if your company name has become a verb (“I’m going to google that”), you qualify. You may not qualify forever, see xerox. But for the moment, you qualify.
So yeah, Google and Facebook qualify. Probably Twitter as well. Amazon may not be there yet . . . but “yet” may turn out to be the operative word. Microsoft may miss the cut, but together with Apple there’s an oligopoly. (Yes, your phone or tablet may run android. But your laptop? Overwhelmingly one of the big two.)
I have mixed feelings about Google and Amazon, in spite of their tech dominance.
Facebook and Twitter? Nuke them from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.
I have mixed feelings about Google and Amazon, in spite of their tech dominance.
Facebook and Twitter? Nuke them from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.
Under US law, being a monopoly (in case law, typically holding more than about 80% of a market) isn’t illegal. Once a business is deemed to hold a monopoly, though, certain behaviors are illegal. They can’t bundle their monopoly product with other products. There’s a whole range of predatory practices they can’t employ.
It is possible that Warren et al may be planning to create new definitions and make it illegal to simply get too big. This is dangerous — and potentially harmful to consumers — in situations like Facebook, where there’s a network effect: the service is more valuable the more people are available through it. I’ve known any number of people who announce, “I’m leaving FB and will be at <competing social network>.” A couple of months later they’re back on FB, because too few of their friends/family were willing to give up the FB network benefit.
OTOH, if Warren simply means that her administration will prosecute them, well, the first step is to define the market accurately enough to proceed. Back in the 1990s, only a few people (including myself) thought that the government could convince a court that “desktop computer operating systems” was a market. They did, and Microsoft should have been dead meat (watching from the outside, it certainly appeared that MS’s entire defense plan was to convince the court it wasn’t a market). And likely would have been eventually split into a monopoly OS company and an entirely separate application company, absent GWB winning the 2000 election and the Justice Dept reversing course in the case. I doubt Warren or anyone else can define “social media” in a limited enough fashion to make FB vulnerable.
Under US law, being a monopoly (in case law, typically holding more than about 80% of a market) isn’t illegal. Once a business is deemed to hold a monopoly, though, certain behaviors are illegal. They can’t bundle their monopoly product with other products. There’s a whole range of predatory practices they can’t employ.
It is possible that Warren et al may be planning to create new definitions and make it illegal to simply get too big. This is dangerous — and potentially harmful to consumers — in situations like Facebook, where there’s a network effect: the service is more valuable the more people are available through it. I’ve known any number of people who announce, “I’m leaving FB and will be at <competing social network>.” A couple of months later they’re back on FB, because too few of their friends/family were willing to give up the FB network benefit.
OTOH, if Warren simply means that her administration will prosecute them, well, the first step is to define the market accurately enough to proceed. Back in the 1990s, only a few people (including myself) thought that the government could convince a court that “desktop computer operating systems” was a market. They did, and Microsoft should have been dead meat (watching from the outside, it certainly appeared that MS’s entire defense plan was to convince the court it wasn’t a market). And likely would have been eventually split into a monopoly OS company and an entirely separate application company, absent GWB winning the 2000 election and the Justice Dept reversing course in the case. I doubt Warren or anyone else can define “social media” in a limited enough fashion to make FB vulnerable.
“Facebook” isn’t a verb.
and, FB and Twitter are competitors. they’re places where people hang out and communicate with each other, and each would really love it if the other didn’t exist.
“Facebook” isn’t a verb.
and, FB and Twitter are competitors. they’re places where people hang out and communicate with each other, and each would really love it if the other didn’t exist.
Kids use Instagram. Facebook is for old heads.
Kids use Instagram. Facebook is for old heads.
Youtube, too. Youtube for me is one way to listen to music. My kids use it as social media.
Youtube, too. Youtube for me is one way to listen to music. My kids use it as social media.
It is possible that Warren et al may be planning to create new definitions and make it illegal to simply get too big.
In general, I think Senator Warren’s proposals are conceived as shots across the bow. Stakes in the ground. Great big shoves to the Overton Window.
I’m sure she is aware of the practical and political obstacles to making them law.
As far as tech companies go, my own thought is that they should be liable to the same regulations on anti-competitive practice as any other industry. Whatever those are. Or, you know, are at this point, the ground has shifted over the last 50 years or so.
Who remembers Robinson-Patman? Can you imagine a law against giving preferential pricing to larger buyers? How could such a law and Walmart, or Home Depot, or Staples, exist in the same legal universe? Nonetheless I think it’s still on the books, just apparently toothless.
IMO the focus on the efficiencies to be gained by market consolidation at the scale we’re talking about here – Google, Facebook, Amazon – are only one side of the coin. It’s possible that, for instance, buying whatever it is you buy from Amazon would actually cost somewhat more if there were seventeen Amazons instead of one.
But there would be options available that aren’t available on Amazon. And the wealth concentrated in Amazon would be spread across seventeen Amazons.
These are basic social choices. We apparently value cheap stuff fast more than we value other things.
It is possible that Warren et al may be planning to create new definitions and make it illegal to simply get too big.
In general, I think Senator Warren’s proposals are conceived as shots across the bow. Stakes in the ground. Great big shoves to the Overton Window.
I’m sure she is aware of the practical and political obstacles to making them law.
As far as tech companies go, my own thought is that they should be liable to the same regulations on anti-competitive practice as any other industry. Whatever those are. Or, you know, are at this point, the ground has shifted over the last 50 years or so.
Who remembers Robinson-Patman? Can you imagine a law against giving preferential pricing to larger buyers? How could such a law and Walmart, or Home Depot, or Staples, exist in the same legal universe? Nonetheless I think it’s still on the books, just apparently toothless.
IMO the focus on the efficiencies to be gained by market consolidation at the scale we’re talking about here – Google, Facebook, Amazon – are only one side of the coin. It’s possible that, for instance, buying whatever it is you buy from Amazon would actually cost somewhat more if there were seventeen Amazons instead of one.
But there would be options available that aren’t available on Amazon. And the wealth concentrated in Amazon would be spread across seventeen Amazons.
These are basic social choices. We apparently value cheap stuff fast more than we value other things.
A brief note to apologise for crashing russellâs thread – I was posting early in the morning, and though I was doing so on the old open thread.
Sorry.
A brief note to apologise for crashing russellâs thread – I was posting early in the morning, and though I was doing so on the old open thread.
Sorry.
Dude! No worries.
All threads are open threads here at Obwi.
Dude! No worries.
All threads are open threads here at Obwi.
“Facebook” IS TOO a verb!
Just like “faceplant”, but with a book.
Sheesh!
“Facebook” IS TOO a verb!
Just like “faceplant”, but with a book.
Sheesh!
Who remembers Robinson-Patman?
Actually, no need to rely on memory. The Yale Law Journal note (cited in the Atlantic article mentioned earlier) takes one through the history of antitrust law, and recounts the abandonment of pre-1970’s antitrust theory by the Chicago law and economics school, which gained prominence prior to and mostly during the Reagan administration. The article is an analysis of Amazon, which has different market power issues than Facebook, Google, or other tech giants, but perhaps some of the issues are similar.
It’s a long article, but definitely worth reading, or at least skimming.
Antitrust law is based on economic theory, and has changed with time according to the economic philosophy of judges. For example, Judge Bork’s legacy as an antitrust theorist is still with us.
Who remembers Robinson-Patman?
Actually, no need to rely on memory. The Yale Law Journal note (cited in the Atlantic article mentioned earlier) takes one through the history of antitrust law, and recounts the abandonment of pre-1970’s antitrust theory by the Chicago law and economics school, which gained prominence prior to and mostly during the Reagan administration. The article is an analysis of Amazon, which has different market power issues than Facebook, Google, or other tech giants, but perhaps some of the issues are similar.
It’s a long article, but definitely worth reading, or at least skimming.
Antitrust law is based on economic theory, and has changed with time according to the economic philosophy of judges. For example, Judge Bork’s legacy as an antitrust theorist is still with us.
sapient’s Yale Law Journal link.
Thank you sapient, I will look at this. And yes, Bork was a notable proponent of the idea that monopolies were OK if they resulted in efficiencies that created a better result (aka cheaper stuff) for consumers.
sapient’s Yale Law Journal link.
Thank you sapient, I will look at this. And yes, Bork was a notable proponent of the idea that monopolies were OK if they resulted in efficiencies that created a better result (aka cheaper stuff) for consumers.
Always good to something in print reinforcing what I’ve argued here:
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-12/san-diego-mayor-resists-trump-on-immigration
There really are still some sane Republican politicians out there. An endangered species, perhaps, but not extinct.
Always good to something in print reinforcing what I’ve argued here:
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-12/san-diego-mayor-resists-trump-on-immigration
There really are still some sane Republican politicians out there. An endangered species, perhaps, but not extinct.
https://www.livescience.com/48639-dodo-bird-images.html
Since rats and pigs ate the last Dodo bird 400 or so years ago, there are occasional sightings of the goofy-looking fowl from time to time by squinting wishful thinkers.
Alas, the rats and pigs in the republican/conservative sociopathic catastrophe fall upon any endangered sane species for target practice and kill it.
What do (R)’s want:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/why-true-conservatism-means-anarchy/
I’ll be wading into that comment thread, against my better judgement, now impaired by Achilles-like rage, to remind the overpaid elitist Koch-financed filth who puked up that article that the death of government he pines for will suit my intentions just fine as there will be nothing protecting him from me.
In other laughable bloviations, Victor David Hanson, the Moe-slapped Larry Fine of what passes for classical scholarship in this ridiculous civilization, extrudes great holding ponds of liquid human waste comparing our ape p to Achilles, with I suppose Stormy Daniels in the role of Helen, the racist Tucker Carlson as Paris, and Ann Coulter now temporarily spurned as p’s consigliere Athena, but hovering nearby in anticipation of landing near his tin ear in the near future for further civilization-ending counsel.
I see p as Hector dragged behind my horse up and down the length of Washington D.C. Mall, his eyes gouged out and his pudenda missing.
Con man or Crook? One of the less interesting questions as we approach a savage end.
Mussolini, florist or man-eating flowering bouquet?
If a passenger pigeon, or a gay individual, or a black kid, or an immigrant, or a liberal Jew, or one of Tucker Carlson’s cunts, or any old poor person of indeterminate otherness and identity identified as such by conservative republican vermin landed on 5th Avenue, our subhuman, murderous President would have his thug driver swerve, run them over, and then stop and back over them just to make sure.
His cackling hordes would chant that this is the way it is from now on because otherwise Hillary Clinton might be President, and we can’t have that.
Those last two paragraphs belong farther up in the text, but arrange however you like.
https://www.livescience.com/48639-dodo-bird-images.html
Since rats and pigs ate the last Dodo bird 400 or so years ago, there are occasional sightings of the goofy-looking fowl from time to time by squinting wishful thinkers.
Alas, the rats and pigs in the republican/conservative sociopathic catastrophe fall upon any endangered sane species for target practice and kill it.
What do (R)’s want:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/why-true-conservatism-means-anarchy/
I’ll be wading into that comment thread, against my better judgement, now impaired by Achilles-like rage, to remind the overpaid elitist Koch-financed filth who puked up that article that the death of government he pines for will suit my intentions just fine as there will be nothing protecting him from me.
In other laughable bloviations, Victor David Hanson, the Moe-slapped Larry Fine of what passes for classical scholarship in this ridiculous civilization, extrudes great holding ponds of liquid human waste comparing our ape p to Achilles, with I suppose Stormy Daniels in the role of Helen, the racist Tucker Carlson as Paris, and Ann Coulter now temporarily spurned as p’s consigliere Athena, but hovering nearby in anticipation of landing near his tin ear in the near future for further civilization-ending counsel.
I see p as Hector dragged behind my horse up and down the length of Washington D.C. Mall, his eyes gouged out and his pudenda missing.
Con man or Crook? One of the less interesting questions as we approach a savage end.
Mussolini, florist or man-eating flowering bouquet?
If a passenger pigeon, or a gay individual, or a black kid, or an immigrant, or a liberal Jew, or one of Tucker Carlson’s cunts, or any old poor person of indeterminate otherness and identity identified as such by conservative republican vermin landed on 5th Avenue, our subhuman, murderous President would have his thug driver swerve, run them over, and then stop and back over them just to make sure.
His cackling hordes would chant that this is the way it is from now on because otherwise Hillary Clinton might be President, and we can’t have that.
Those last two paragraphs belong farther up in the text, but arrange however you like.
Achilles? Hector? Nah. Ozymandias.
Alternatively, Admiral Baby.
–TP
Achilles? Hector? Nah. Ozymandias.
Alternatively, Admiral Baby.
–TP
The guy at TAC has a very odd understanding of history.
The guy at TAC has a very odd understanding of history.
The guy at TAC has a very odd understanding of history.
Nah, he’s just a libertarian indulging in a very Trumpian bit of “accuse your enemies of doing what you are really the one doing.” Libertarianism is far, far likelier to lead to anarchy than conservatism.
The guy at TAC has a very odd understanding of history.
Nah, he’s just a libertarian indulging in a very Trumpian bit of “accuse your enemies of doing what you are really the one doing.” Libertarianism is far, far likelier to lead to anarchy than conservatism.
“folkways” always seems to carry a lot of water.
“folkways” always seems to carry a lot of water.
Republicans want to force strangers to pay them. Just like Democrats want to force strangers to pay them. Both sides are the same.
Republicans want to force strangers to pay them. Just like Democrats want to force strangers to pay them. Both sides are the same.
Both sides are the same.
Nah, what you get for your money is pretty different.
Meanwhile, I found this fairy remarkable.
House vote 420-0. Unanimous. I can’t remember that ever happening before.
Both sides are the same.
Nah, what you get for your money is pretty different.
Meanwhile, I found this fairy remarkable.
House vote 420-0. Unanimous. I can’t remember that ever happening before.
Imagine, if you will, two people standing on each side of a line in the sand. They spend hours debating important issues, occasionally reaching across the line to note an agreement. Then on to another subject.
Then, at some random time, one of them becomes angry and raises their voice. The other person is clearly taken aback and takes a step back from the line. The moment passes, and they go on discussing the next issue, only to revisit the sensitive issue later. A few more agreements with a half step, lean forward to shake hands.
Then the issue comes up again and this time both people raise their voice and instinctively take a step backward. Still in talking distance they try, really try, to go back to a measured discussion. But now, there are a few issues they simply canât get past without a bit of acrimony, finally in an attempt to be understood one of them raises their voice and both step back. Now it is lots of steps to get to the handshake, even if they agree. So fewer deals are completed
Soon they are far enough apart that they canât talk without talking loudly. The difficulty is in determining how much is just required to be heard and how much is acrimony. But an occasional strident moment creates another step back, and now there are no handshakes. It is just too far to get to the line. Maybe a mutual nod, a potential concurrence but nothing that resembles a deal.
And now, just to be heard by the other side each must yell, loudly, in hopes the other person can even hear what they say. And, discounting the kibitzers and others that all this yelling has attracted, they simply never get to the line, never grasp when the other person is trying to accommodate. It is just too many steps to even trust that a handshake will be there.
So, they turn around and start talking to the people around them that can hear them. Those people tell them that, of course, they are correct and that person yelling over there is the problem.
And we have reached today. No hope, because we canât talk. Only yell.
Imagine, if you will, two people standing on each side of a line in the sand. They spend hours debating important issues, occasionally reaching across the line to note an agreement. Then on to another subject.
Then, at some random time, one of them becomes angry and raises their voice. The other person is clearly taken aback and takes a step back from the line. The moment passes, and they go on discussing the next issue, only to revisit the sensitive issue later. A few more agreements with a half step, lean forward to shake hands.
Then the issue comes up again and this time both people raise their voice and instinctively take a step backward. Still in talking distance they try, really try, to go back to a measured discussion. But now, there are a few issues they simply canât get past without a bit of acrimony, finally in an attempt to be understood one of them raises their voice and both step back. Now it is lots of steps to get to the handshake, even if they agree. So fewer deals are completed
Soon they are far enough apart that they canât talk without talking loudly. The difficulty is in determining how much is just required to be heard and how much is acrimony. But an occasional strident moment creates another step back, and now there are no handshakes. It is just too far to get to the line. Maybe a mutual nod, a potential concurrence but nothing that resembles a deal.
And now, just to be heard by the other side each must yell, loudly, in hopes the other person can even hear what they say. And, discounting the kibitzers and others that all this yelling has attracted, they simply never get to the line, never grasp when the other person is trying to accommodate. It is just too many steps to even trust that a handshake will be there.
So, they turn around and start talking to the people around them that can hear them. Those people tell them that, of course, they are correct and that person yelling over there is the problem.
And we have reached today. No hope, because we canât talk. Only yell.
Marty:
both sides are trying to decide where to go for dinner. One side suggests “chinese? or italian?” the other holds out for “tire rims and anthrax”.
Yeah, it’s because they’re shouting.
Marty:
both sides are trying to decide where to go for dinner. One side suggests “chinese? or italian?” the other holds out for “tire rims and anthrax”.
Yeah, it’s because they’re shouting.
Marty, I think that story makes sense if applied to ordinary people arguing about politics. More listening, less screaming.
In DC occasionally people do reach across the aisle. On my pet topic of Yemen, a few Republicans have always been against the war. There are some anti interventionists on the conservative side and lefty anti interventionists should work with them. And in fact they have.
On most issues from where most of us here stand Republican politicians act in bad faith. Obama wanted to cooperate in his first term ( going a lot further than lefties wanted) but he got no takers,
Marty, I think that story makes sense if applied to ordinary people arguing about politics. More listening, less screaming.
In DC occasionally people do reach across the aisle. On my pet topic of Yemen, a few Republicans have always been against the war. There are some anti interventionists on the conservative side and lefty anti interventionists should work with them. And in fact they have.
On most issues from where most of us here stand Republican politicians act in bad faith. Obama wanted to cooperate in his first term ( going a lot further than lefties wanted) but he got no takers,
Fascist thug.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434110-trump-suggests-that-things-could-get-very-bad-if-military-police
Fascist thug.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/434110-trump-suggests-that-things-could-get-very-bad-if-military-police
On most issues from where I stand Democratic politicians act in bad faith. Obama pretended to cooperate in his first term (going a lot further than lefties wanted) but he then pulled out the elections have consequences chestnut while chastising Congress and even the Supremes in his SOTU and other national speeches destroying any hope of cooperation.
But we shouldn’t pretend that people were standing at the line when he got elected. The shouting from long distance was well underway.
On most issues from where I stand Democratic politicians act in bad faith. Obama pretended to cooperate in his first term (going a lot further than lefties wanted) but he then pulled out the elections have consequences chestnut while chastising Congress and even the Supremes in his SOTU and other national speeches destroying any hope of cooperation.
But we shouldn’t pretend that people were standing at the line when he got elected. The shouting from long distance was well underway.
I’m not sure when it was when we were all standing one foot away from each other, speaking respectfully at a moderate conversational volume.
Maybe it was it when Tip and Ronnie got together for martinis?
A fat lotta good that did.
You begin with a kind of wistful remembrance of some time in the past when all was civility, and follow with “from where I stand Democratic politicians act in bad faith”.
So, whatever.
Democratic politicians advocate for stuff you don’t like. Republic politicians advocate for stuff I don’t like. Sometimes one side dominates, and they win the day for a while. Sometimes neither side can dominate, so nothing gets done.
And, we have reached today.
What makes the situation really FUBAR is that one side is able to bring things to a grinding halt without actually representing a majority of the people who live here. Sadly, those are the political institutions we inherited and are obliged to live with.
I’m not sure when it was when we were all standing one foot away from each other, speaking respectfully at a moderate conversational volume.
Maybe it was it when Tip and Ronnie got together for martinis?
A fat lotta good that did.
You begin with a kind of wistful remembrance of some time in the past when all was civility, and follow with “from where I stand Democratic politicians act in bad faith”.
So, whatever.
Democratic politicians advocate for stuff you don’t like. Republic politicians advocate for stuff I don’t like. Sometimes one side dominates, and they win the day for a while. Sometimes neither side can dominate, so nothing gets done.
And, we have reached today.
What makes the situation really FUBAR is that one side is able to bring things to a grinding halt without actually representing a majority of the people who live here. Sadly, those are the political institutions we inherited and are obliged to live with.
What were you hoping he would cooperate on, Marty?
What were you hoping he would cooperate on, Marty?
Somebody’s yelling pretty loud.
Who voted for that guy? Not me. I’m just obliged to listen.
Somebody’s yelling pretty loud.
Who voted for that guy? Not me. I’m just obliged to listen.
I’m sure it seems like I’m just giving you a load of crap, but really I’m not. I actually appreciate that you’re willing to hang out here on what has become an overwhelmingly liberal blog.
And I actually appreciate what I take to be your interest in lowering the volume of the conversation and returning to a place where things could be sorted out amicably.
But unfortunately I see two obstacles to that:
1. I don’t know when that time was. It seems like nostalgia for a past that never really existed. When I was a kid people were getting shot and cities were on fire, so maybe my point of view is skewed. Then I look at the history of civil rights, and labor rights, and all of the stuff that was involved in making any expansion of basic civil liberties happen, and I think that maybe my point of view is kind of accurate.
2. We have a POTUS at the moment who opened his campaign with a laundry list of slanderous claims, who ran on a promise to incarcerate his opponent, whose general MO was to mock and insult anyone opposed to him, and who continues all of that to this day. There will be no – absolutely no – moderate and mutually respectful conversation while he is in office and setting the tone for his party. Because he is incapable of moderate and mutually respectful conversation.
It is simply not going to happen. It’s not on offer.
Can’t do anything about (1), but (2) is certainly a solvable problem. But not by me, I didn’t vote for the guy.
I’m sure it seems like I’m just giving you a load of crap, but really I’m not. I actually appreciate that you’re willing to hang out here on what has become an overwhelmingly liberal blog.
And I actually appreciate what I take to be your interest in lowering the volume of the conversation and returning to a place where things could be sorted out amicably.
But unfortunately I see two obstacles to that:
1. I don’t know when that time was. It seems like nostalgia for a past that never really existed. When I was a kid people were getting shot and cities were on fire, so maybe my point of view is skewed. Then I look at the history of civil rights, and labor rights, and all of the stuff that was involved in making any expansion of basic civil liberties happen, and I think that maybe my point of view is kind of accurate.
2. We have a POTUS at the moment who opened his campaign with a laundry list of slanderous claims, who ran on a promise to incarcerate his opponent, whose general MO was to mock and insult anyone opposed to him, and who continues all of that to this day. There will be no – absolutely no – moderate and mutually respectful conversation while he is in office and setting the tone for his party. Because he is incapable of moderate and mutually respectful conversation.
It is simply not going to happen. It’s not on offer.
Can’t do anything about (1), but (2) is certainly a solvable problem. But not by me, I didn’t vote for the guy.
Merrick Garland would like a quiet word:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqbk9cDX0l0&feature=youtu.be
p’s and mcconell’s now private military, police, and biker gangs will be slaughtered and butchered in the smoke-filled hallways, elevator shafts, and on the grounds of Mar-a-Lago as they defend tyranny and fascism.
Merrick Garland would like a quiet word:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqbk9cDX0l0&feature=youtu.be
p’s and mcconell’s now private military, police, and biker gangs will be slaughtered and butchered in the smoke-filled hallways, elevator shafts, and on the grounds of Mar-a-Lago as they defend tyranny and fascism.
“A line in the sand” is an interesting metaphor.
Imagine if you will a gang that draws a line right in front of itself, and yells to the gang many yards away on the other side: “Hey, youse guys, come over here so we can politely shake hands. What? You want us to come over there and shake hands across your line? Screw you! We have the military, the cops, and the bikers on our side!!”
Americans of Marty’s ilk may have to pick a side in a gang war one of these days, however piously they proclaim they only favor He, Trump’s “(Republican) policies” and not the gang boss Himself, or however devoted they may be to the notion of an objectively fair “line in the sand”.
–TP
“A line in the sand” is an interesting metaphor.
Imagine if you will a gang that draws a line right in front of itself, and yells to the gang many yards away on the other side: “Hey, youse guys, come over here so we can politely shake hands. What? You want us to come over there and shake hands across your line? Screw you! We have the military, the cops, and the bikers on our side!!”
Americans of Marty’s ilk may have to pick a side in a gang war one of these days, however piously they proclaim they only favor He, Trump’s “(Republican) policies” and not the gang boss Himself, or however devoted they may be to the notion of an objectively fair “line in the sand”.
–TP
destroying any hope of cooperation.
oh STFU
“One of my proudest moments was when I told Obama, ‘You will not fill this Supreme Court vacancy,'”
-Mitch McConnell.
âWe’re going to do everything â and I mean everything we can do â to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can.â
-John Boehner
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president”
-Mitch McConnell.
for fuck’s sake, don’t you even pay a lick of attention to what your fucking party leaders are up to?
destroying any hope of cooperation.
oh STFU
“One of my proudest moments was when I told Obama, ‘You will not fill this Supreme Court vacancy,'”
-Mitch McConnell.
âWe’re going to do everything â and I mean everything we can do â to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can.â
-John Boehner
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president”
-Mitch McConnell.
for fuck’s sake, don’t you even pay a lick of attention to what your fucking party leaders are up to?
ok… lowering the volume, yadayadayada. but seriously. the fact that the congressional GOP publicaly declared, before Obama took office, that it was dead-set against any cooperation with him blows a giant hole in the idea that Obama is to blame for the lack of cooperation.
they said those things.
really.
Obama didn’t make them say it. for two of them, he wasn’t even in office yet.
we were all there. we heard it. we know what happened.
ok… lowering the volume, yadayadayada. but seriously. the fact that the congressional GOP publicaly declared, before Obama took office, that it was dead-set against any cooperation with him blows a giant hole in the idea that Obama is to blame for the lack of cooperation.
they said those things.
really.
Obama didn’t make them say it. for two of them, he wasn’t even in office yet.
we were all there. we heard it. we know what happened.
for fuck’s sake, don’t you even pay a lick of attention to what your fucking party leaders are up to?
Ummm, yes. Is Marty being disingenuous? Yes.
Right. I’m supposed to pretend that Marty is a good-faith actor who disagrees on some policies.
for fuck’s sake, don’t you even pay a lick of attention to what your fucking party leaders are up to?
Ummm, yes. Is Marty being disingenuous? Yes.
Right. I’m supposed to pretend that Marty is a good-faith actor who disagrees on some policies.
we were all there. we heard it. we know what happened.
Just like we also know that, however nasty partisanship had gotten (thanks, Newt!), the critical driver was Obama’s permanent suntan. Sad, but not really arguable by anyone with two brain cells to rub together.
You can argue about whether that was truly the belief of the individual Republicans in Congress, or just pandering to their constituents — I’d guess some of both, depending on the individual. But it made the difference.
we were all there. we heard it. we know what happened.
Just like we also know that, however nasty partisanship had gotten (thanks, Newt!), the critical driver was Obama’s permanent suntan. Sad, but not really arguable by anyone with two brain cells to rub together.
You can argue about whether that was truly the belief of the individual Republicans in Congress, or just pandering to their constituents — I’d guess some of both, depending on the individual. But it made the difference.
Yes wj, because they would have liked Hilary or anyone else any better. You add this to every thread about Obama, or Republiczns for that matter. Its bullshit as a generalization.
As far as McConnell making Obama a one term President, people completely ignore the campaign, and the two years before that, of Dems beating the crap out of McCain. Fior better or worse, they were yelling to lock up Bush, just not as loud.
Now you get your but but torture. FFS yall act like Dems never yelled ever.. and I get to say but 9/11 and……
The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true.
Yes wj, because they would have liked Hilary or anyone else any better. You add this to every thread about Obama, or Republiczns for that matter. Its bullshit as a generalization.
As far as McConnell making Obama a one term President, people completely ignore the campaign, and the two years before that, of Dems beating the crap out of McCain. Fior better or worse, they were yelling to lock up Bush, just not as loud.
Now you get your but but torture. FFS yall act like Dems never yelled ever.. and I get to say but 9/11 and……
The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true.
The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true.
Not sure what language you are attempting.
Obama’s economy has steamed forward, but seems to be failing lately, despite the economic stimulus of the giant deficit 50% increasing tax cut. Trade deficit looks kind of sickly as well. Sad, Marty. Not sure who’s feeding you what puree you eat, but it’s making you sick.
The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true.
Not sure what language you are attempting.
Obama’s economy has steamed forward, but seems to be failing lately, despite the economic stimulus of the giant deficit 50% increasing tax cut. Trade deficit looks kind of sickly as well. Sad, Marty. Not sure who’s feeding you what puree you eat, but it’s making you sick.
Yes wj, because they would have liked Hilary or anyone else any better.
Yes, Marty, they absolutely would have. They might not have liked them much; partisanship is pretty toxic these days. But they would have like anyone else better, and been far more willing to work with them occasionally. Even Hilary (or any other woman). I can’t even see that there’s any room for doubt.
Yes wj, because they would have liked Hilary or anyone else any better.
Yes, Marty, they absolutely would have. They might not have liked them much; partisanship is pretty toxic these days. But they would have like anyone else better, and been far more willing to work with them occasionally. Even Hilary (or any other woman). I can’t even see that there’s any room for doubt.
At least it was not GOP office holders that publicly discussed whether Obama or Hillary are the Antichrist and came to the conclusion that neither could be because even He Satan would not go so low as showing up as a n-word or c-word. Just parts of their base.
At least it was not GOP office holders that publicly discussed whether Obama or Hillary are the Antichrist and came to the conclusion that neither could be because even He Satan would not go so low as showing up as a n-word or c-word. Just parts of their base.
The stock markets up 40%
That’s great if you have stock.
FWIW, Trump inherited a Dow of about 20,000, now it’s bumping around between 25 and 26.
So I’m not seeing 40%.
If you want to measure success by how the Dow did, Obama wins. The bar was lower for him, of course, due to what he started with. Which he, of course, inherited from the last (R) financial genius.
It’s nice that the market is doing well. About half of Americans don’t own equities. Of those that do, most do so via something like a 401k, which below the top 10% or so generally don’t amount to much. Median across all ages is about $25k.
A strong Dow is great news if you already got money.
The stock markets up 40%
That’s great if you have stock.
FWIW, Trump inherited a Dow of about 20,000, now it’s bumping around between 25 and 26.
So I’m not seeing 40%.
If you want to measure success by how the Dow did, Obama wins. The bar was lower for him, of course, due to what he started with. Which he, of course, inherited from the last (R) financial genius.
It’s nice that the market is doing well. About half of Americans don’t own equities. Of those that do, most do so via something like a 401k, which below the top 10% or so generally don’t amount to much. Median across all ages is about $25k.
A strong Dow is great news if you already got money.
The stock markets up 40%
Anything sensible a president can do has little short-term effect on the economy. It’s easier to move the stock market, for example by tax changes which make shares more or less valuable.
Stupid things, starting pointless trade wars for example, can have a fairly rapid effect.
The financial crisis was an exception. Bush’s negligence was disastrous. Obama did a fair job, and would have done better with a more co-operative congress.
It’s understandable but unfortunate that the electorate gives politicians the wrong incentives in their management of the economy. The best things a president can do for the economy – improving educational standards, improving labour mobility – will have long-term effects which their successors take the credit for.
The stock markets up 40%
Anything sensible a president can do has little short-term effect on the economy. It’s easier to move the stock market, for example by tax changes which make shares more or less valuable.
Stupid things, starting pointless trade wars for example, can have a fairly rapid effect.
The financial crisis was an exception. Bush’s negligence was disastrous. Obama did a fair job, and would have done better with a more co-operative congress.
It’s understandable but unfortunate that the electorate gives politicians the wrong incentives in their management of the economy. The best things a president can do for the economy – improving educational standards, improving labour mobility – will have long-term effects which their successors take the credit for.
The best things a president can do for the economy
Not to dispute your point – which I do not – but your comment makes assumptions about what makes an economy good and healthy. I most likely share your assumptions, but not everyone does.
Over the last 40 or so years our theoretical, social, legal, and institutional understanding of the purpose of productive enterprise has changed. We now consider the highest goal to be maximizing return to investors. We did not always embrace that as the primary purpose, now we do.
If that’s your main goal, “the stock markets up 40%” equals success. The rest – education, mobility – is peripheral.
The best things a president can do for the economy
Not to dispute your point – which I do not – but your comment makes assumptions about what makes an economy good and healthy. I most likely share your assumptions, but not everyone does.
Over the last 40 or so years our theoretical, social, legal, and institutional understanding of the purpose of productive enterprise has changed. We now consider the highest goal to be maximizing return to investors. We did not always embrace that as the primary purpose, now we do.
If that’s your main goal, “the stock markets up 40%” equals success. The rest – education, mobility – is peripheral.
The point of the 40% was that you can make lots of claims if you get to decide where the starting point is, it was an unclear analogy to pretending all political yelling started the day Obsma got elected.
And, wj, it isnt true simply because you assert it, ad nauseam. And I can assure you I have more than two brain cells.
The point of the 40% was that you can make lots of claims if you get to decide where the starting point is, it was an unclear analogy to pretending all political yelling started the day Obsma got elected.
And, wj, it isnt true simply because you assert it, ad nauseam. And I can assure you I have more than two brain cells.
pretending all political yelling started the day Obsma got elected.
Yelling goes way way back.
But, lots of yelling when Obama got elected.
I’m sure the yelling will continue. We don’t want the same things, so there are arguments.
Not saying it wouldn’t be nice if folks could be pleasant about everything, but also not avoiding the real differences. They can be consequential, so strong feelings ensue.
pretending all political yelling started the day Obsma got elected.
Yelling goes way way back.
But, lots of yelling when Obama got elected.
I’m sure the yelling will continue. We don’t want the same things, so there are arguments.
Not saying it wouldn’t be nice if folks could be pleasant about everything, but also not avoiding the real differences. They can be consequential, so strong feelings ensue.
“In general, the most politically intolerant Americans, according to the analysis, tend to be whiter, more highly educated, older, more urban, and more partisan themselves. This finding aligns in some ways with previous research by the University of Pennsylvania professor Diana Mutz, who has found that white, highly educated people are relatively isolated from political diversity. They donât routinely talk with people who disagree with them; this isolation makes it easier for them to caricature their ideological opponents. (In fact, people who went to graduate school have the least amount of political disagreement in their lives, as Mutz describes in her book Hearing the Other Side.) By contrast, many nonwhite Americans routinely encounter political disagreement. They have more diverse social networks, politically speaking, and therefore tend to have more complicated views of the other side, whatever side that may be.”
The Geography of Partisan Prejudice: A guide to the mostâand leastâpolitically open-minded counties in America
“In general, the most politically intolerant Americans, according to the analysis, tend to be whiter, more highly educated, older, more urban, and more partisan themselves. This finding aligns in some ways with previous research by the University of Pennsylvania professor Diana Mutz, who has found that white, highly educated people are relatively isolated from political diversity. They donât routinely talk with people who disagree with them; this isolation makes it easier for them to caricature their ideological opponents. (In fact, people who went to graduate school have the least amount of political disagreement in their lives, as Mutz describes in her book Hearing the Other Side.) By contrast, many nonwhite Americans routinely encounter political disagreement. They have more diverse social networks, politically speaking, and therefore tend to have more complicated views of the other side, whatever side that may be.”
The Geography of Partisan Prejudice: A guide to the mostâand leastâpolitically open-minded counties in America
House vote 420-0. Unanimous. I can’t remember that ever happening before.
It’s surprising only because the topic was potentially contentious. The House routinely passes non-controversial stuff by unanimous vote. Eg, last year the Music Modernization Act that provides increased royalty payments for digital reproductions passed 415-0. It’s common enough that there’s a special mechanism set up for it — the unanimous consent calendar. (Spending three years on a legislative staff was enormously educational.)
Perhaps not even surprising. Every single member of the House wants to read the report, or at least have their staff read it.
House vote 420-0. Unanimous. I can’t remember that ever happening before.
It’s surprising only because the topic was potentially contentious. The House routinely passes non-controversial stuff by unanimous vote. Eg, last year the Music Modernization Act that provides increased royalty payments for digital reproductions passed 415-0. It’s common enough that there’s a special mechanism set up for it — the unanimous consent calendar. (Spending three years on a legislative staff was enormously educational.)
Perhaps not even surprising. Every single member of the House wants to read the report, or at least have their staff read it.
whiter, more highly educated, older, more urban
you are talking about, basically, my personal cohort. I do not dispute the findings of the report.
The only exception I might take to it is the divide between upper middle class white urban-ish folks who are reflexively liberal, and upper middle class white urban-ish folks are are mostly reflexively liberal except when they think about their investment portfolio.
The reflexive liberality tends to diminish as you ascend the wealth and income scale.
There’s a similar phenomenon, but with a different political valence, among upper middle class white non-urban folks.
People are often creatures of their milieu.
The House routinely passes non-controversial stuff by unanimous vote.
Cool! I didn’t know all of that. Thank you Michael.
whiter, more highly educated, older, more urban
you are talking about, basically, my personal cohort. I do not dispute the findings of the report.
The only exception I might take to it is the divide between upper middle class white urban-ish folks who are reflexively liberal, and upper middle class white urban-ish folks are are mostly reflexively liberal except when they think about their investment portfolio.
The reflexive liberality tends to diminish as you ascend the wealth and income scale.
There’s a similar phenomenon, but with a different political valence, among upper middle class white non-urban folks.
People are often creatures of their milieu.
The House routinely passes non-controversial stuff by unanimous vote.
Cool! I didn’t know all of that. Thank you Michael.
Being politically intolerant covers a lot of territory, some of which is more dangerous than the rest. Some people dismiss others’ ideas without giving it much thought. Other people do stuff like this (of which everyone has probably already heard):
https://www.yahoo.com/news/mosque-shooter-white-nationalist-seeking-revenge-133524283.html
Being politically intolerant covers a lot of territory, some of which is more dangerous than the rest. Some people dismiss others’ ideas without giving it much thought. Other people do stuff like this (of which everyone has probably already heard):
https://www.yahoo.com/news/mosque-shooter-white-nationalist-seeking-revenge-133524283.html
Here’s what one open-minded non-shouter who talks soberly across the line in the sand had to say:
Now there’s a shining example of how to respect Both Sides and avoid being “caricatured” by isolated, in-bred coastal elite libruls.
–TP
Here’s what one open-minded non-shouter who talks soberly across the line in the sand had to say:
Now there’s a shining example of how to respect Both Sides and avoid being “caricatured” by isolated, in-bred coastal elite libruls.
–TP
Understandable, understandable
Yes it’s perfectly understandable
Comprehensible, Comprehensible
Not a bit reprehensible
It’s so defensible
Understandable, understandable
Yes it’s perfectly understandable
Comprehensible, Comprehensible
Not a bit reprehensible
It’s so defensible
We’re way beyond mutual yelling:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rush-limbaugh-response-new-zealand-mosque-attacks
Only worldwide Civil War to wipe the entire so called conservative edifice off the face of the Earth will suffice.
I read today in the Wall Street that world leaders are now completely bypassing the entire U.S. diplomatic apparatus and talking only to p. His own staff are clueless as to what he is promising, on his fucking personal phone, or not promising, nor are they clear whether even he can remember what passes for conversation among he and his despotic vermin buddies.
There will be no record of what has gone down. There will be no transition from this dogshit of an administration, a single beclowned piece of shit, to the next administration, just as Obama’s, who just a fucking nigger to the Republican Party cuck base and to p, detailed transition was totally ignored and slapped down by republican filth.
Leaders of Israel, Russia, Turkey, the Philippines, North Korea, the fascist right wing vermin who are taking power in European countries will present to the next President, should there ever be another honest election in conservative fucking America, bills of lading to our future leaders demanding we uphold the shit this rube has “negotiated”.
No written record, no notes, all computers wiped clean, only whatever p pulled out of his despotic ass on behalf of Marty’s fellow League of Sentimental Confederate Nostalgia Victims.
In a few years, the same ilk will be waxing nostalgiic over the innocent world of mutual yelling compared to the violent horror that is coming, I expect, from p’s private military, his police forces, and his faggot biker gangs.
Remember when we used to just yell at each other?
Dem was the days.
This world of yelling Marty
We’re way beyond mutual yelling:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/rush-limbaugh-response-new-zealand-mosque-attacks
Only worldwide Civil War to wipe the entire so called conservative edifice off the face of the Earth will suffice.
I read today in the Wall Street that world leaders are now completely bypassing the entire U.S. diplomatic apparatus and talking only to p. His own staff are clueless as to what he is promising, on his fucking personal phone, or not promising, nor are they clear whether even he can remember what passes for conversation among he and his despotic vermin buddies.
There will be no record of what has gone down. There will be no transition from this dogshit of an administration, a single beclowned piece of shit, to the next administration, just as Obama’s, who just a fucking nigger to the Republican Party cuck base and to p, detailed transition was totally ignored and slapped down by republican filth.
Leaders of Israel, Russia, Turkey, the Philippines, North Korea, the fascist right wing vermin who are taking power in European countries will present to the next President, should there ever be another honest election in conservative fucking America, bills of lading to our future leaders demanding we uphold the shit this rube has “negotiated”.
No written record, no notes, all computers wiped clean, only whatever p pulled out of his despotic ass on behalf of Marty’s fellow League of Sentimental Confederate Nostalgia Victims.
In a few years, the same ilk will be waxing nostalgiic over the innocent world of mutual yelling compared to the violent horror that is coming, I expect, from p’s private military, his police forces, and his faggot biker gangs.
Remember when we used to just yell at each other?
Dem was the days.
This world of yelling Marty
That last is multiple choice finish this phrase kind of test.
That last is multiple choice finish this phrase kind of test.
And, wj, it isnt true simply because you assert it, ad nauseam. And I can assure you I have more than two brain cells.
Care to share any evidence for your position? I note that Clinton was a scumbag as a human being, but they worked with him even while impeaching him.
And Obamacare was originally dreamed up by conservatives, and had been demonstrated by a Republican governor. But they acted like Obama was creating a piece of socialism, while he was holding off those in his party who wanted single payer.
And, wj, it isnt true simply because you assert it, ad nauseam. And I can assure you I have more than two brain cells.
Care to share any evidence for your position? I note that Clinton was a scumbag as a human being, but they worked with him even while impeaching him.
And Obamacare was originally dreamed up by conservatives, and had been demonstrated by a Republican governor. But they acted like Obama was creating a piece of socialism, while he was holding off those in his party who wanted single payer.
I will note Boehner made more than one attempt at a deal, scuttled by the extremes on both sides. The whole Republican thing about Massachusetts health care is daft. There is nothing Republican about Mass, even the Republican governors. Mass had less than 5 % unemployment and one of the highest average wages. That meant lots of people to spread the cost over that wouldnt miss the money. And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
As examples go it was pretty limited.
And what btw does either of those examples have to do with Obama’s color except your mind reading 40 or 50 million people.
I will note Boehner made more than one attempt at a deal, scuttled by the extremes on both sides. The whole Republican thing about Massachusetts health care is daft. There is nothing Republican about Mass, even the Republican governors. Mass had less than 5 % unemployment and one of the highest average wages. That meant lots of people to spread the cost over that wouldnt miss the money. And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
As examples go it was pretty limited.
And what btw does either of those examples have to do with Obama’s color except your mind reading 40 or 50 million people.
In addition, important point, less than 5% of the people were uninsured.
In addition, important point, less than 5% of the people were uninsured.
And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
I used it – MA health care – and it was no nightmare.
And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
I used it – MA health care – and it was no nightmare.
In addition, important point, less than 5% of the people were uninsured.
Ummm, y’all can’t tell the truth for the life of ya.
In addition, important point, less than 5% of the people were uninsured.
Ummm, y’all can’t tell the truth for the life of ya.
I was referring to Marty, of course. Or maybe he was just talking about Massachusetts prior to its health care law? Here’s that stat. Marty, please do better.
I was referring to Marty, of course. Or maybe he was just talking about Massachusetts prior to its health care law? Here’s that stat. Marty, please do better.
From this side of the Atlantic, it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor. This president decided in the interests of unity not to pursue charges against the outgoing executive for its cruel, illegal, shameful and damaging torture policy.
And the Republican party went defcon 1. It was hard to see any explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president and be so obviously good at the job.
From this side of the Atlantic, it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor. This president decided in the interests of unity not to pursue charges against the outgoing executive for its cruel, illegal, shameful and damaging torture policy.
And the Republican party went defcon 1. It was hard to see any explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president and be so obviously good at the job.
“less than 5% of the people were uninsured”
Well, you did note that there is nothing republican about Mass.
For conservative milestones, you could try Florida and Texas, 13.3% and 17.1% uninsured rates respectively, but not respectfully noted. Oklahoma be some sick shit too.
In other news, my Presidency will enact efficiency measures, for example, I will consolidate meetings with shady massage parlor magnates with my meetings with conservative religious conservatives for prayer sessions and bible signings.
They can share their human trafficking entrepreneurial pursuits as well, as conservative religious leaders spirit away immigrant kids kidnapped from their parents for their perverse delectation and as training for forced massage parlor labor.
We’ll serve those Arby’s shaved meat deals with the gloppy yellow cheese substance. None of that elitist McDonalds and Burger King extravagance.
I know my people’s tastes.
Not so much outreach as a White House reach around.
Two happy endings for the price of one as hands busy working over time are layed on the body politic.
My staff won’t know whether they are coming or going.
“less than 5% of the people were uninsured”
Well, you did note that there is nothing republican about Mass.
For conservative milestones, you could try Florida and Texas, 13.3% and 17.1% uninsured rates respectively, but not respectfully noted. Oklahoma be some sick shit too.
In other news, my Presidency will enact efficiency measures, for example, I will consolidate meetings with shady massage parlor magnates with my meetings with conservative religious conservatives for prayer sessions and bible signings.
They can share their human trafficking entrepreneurial pursuits as well, as conservative religious leaders spirit away immigrant kids kidnapped from their parents for their perverse delectation and as training for forced massage parlor labor.
We’ll serve those Arby’s shaved meat deals with the gloppy yellow cheese substance. None of that elitist McDonalds and Burger King extravagance.
I know my people’s tastes.
Not so much outreach as a White House reach around.
Two happy endings for the price of one as hands busy working over time are layed on the body politic.
My staff won’t know whether they are coming or going.
Marty: The whole Republican thing about Massachusetts health care is daft. There is nothing Republican about Mass, even the Republican governors.
Fair enough. But the ACA remains an approach which was designed by conservatives. And which had been thru a trial at the state level.
Pro Bono: From this side of the Atlantic, it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor.
This is quite true, except for one thing. “Conservative”, in current American usage, has nothing much to do with actual conservatism. Perhaps this false flag effort will result in a change to the language. In which case, we will be in need of a new term which means something which is neither liberal nor reactionary.
Marty: The whole Republican thing about Massachusetts health care is daft. There is nothing Republican about Mass, even the Republican governors.
Fair enough. But the ACA remains an approach which was designed by conservatives. And which had been thru a trial at the state level.
Pro Bono: From this side of the Atlantic, it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor.
This is quite true, except for one thing. “Conservative”, in current American usage, has nothing much to do with actual conservatism. Perhaps this false flag effort will result in a change to the language. In which case, we will be in need of a new term which means something which is neither liberal nor reactionary.
Pro Bono: It was hard to see any explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president …
Now, now, Pro Bono. The Martys of the world stand ever ready to explain that there was an “explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president”, namely outrage that he was a Democrat. By definition, Democrats are un-American socialist fascists. Jesus only approves of Republicans in the White House, as far as good Christian white folks (who are the Real Murkins) are concerned.
The US is not doomed because it has tolerated He, Trump. It is doomed because it’s full to overflowing with Martys. And because we libruls are so closed-minded that we refuse to acknowledge that Martys are not educable.
–TP
Pro Bono: It was hard to see any explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president …
Now, now, Pro Bono. The Martys of the world stand ever ready to explain that there was an “explanation beyond outrage that an African-American should become president”, namely outrage that he was a Democrat. By definition, Democrats are un-American socialist fascists. Jesus only approves of Republicans in the White House, as far as good Christian white folks (who are the Real Murkins) are concerned.
The US is not doomed because it has tolerated He, Trump. It is doomed because it’s full to overflowing with Martys. And because we libruls are so closed-minded that we refuse to acknowledge that Martys are not educable.
–TP
No its doomed because it is overflowing with closed minded self righteous Tony’s that have convinced themselves that they somehow can read minds.And that any dissent is punishable by mockery and bullying, Trumpism at its worst. Yall couldnt be more alike.
No its doomed because it is overflowing with closed minded self righteous Tony’s that have convinced themselves that they somehow can read minds.And that any dissent is punishable by mockery and bullying, Trumpism at its worst. Yall couldnt be more alike.
The 5% was s little low, from memory, but my sourtaste was this from wikipedia:
The 2006 Massachusetts law successfully covered approximately two-thirds of the state’s then-uninsured residents, half via federal-government-paid-for Medicaid expansion (administered by MassHealth) and half via the Connector’s free and subsidized network-tiered health care insurance for those not eligible for expanded Medicaid. Relatively few Massachusetts residents used the Connector to buy full-priced insurance.
After implementation of the law, 98% of Massachusetts residents had health coverage. Despite the hopes of legislators, the program did not decrease total spending on healthcare or utilization of emergency medical services for primary care issues.
So they covered 2/3 of the uninsured to achieve 98%. I didnt labor over the nath but came up with 6%.
The 5% was s little low, from memory, but my sourtaste was this from wikipedia:
The 2006 Massachusetts law successfully covered approximately two-thirds of the state’s then-uninsured residents, half via federal-government-paid-for Medicaid expansion (administered by MassHealth) and half via the Connector’s free and subsidized network-tiered health care insurance for those not eligible for expanded Medicaid. Relatively few Massachusetts residents used the Connector to buy full-priced insurance.
After implementation of the law, 98% of Massachusetts residents had health coverage. Despite the hopes of legislators, the program did not decrease total spending on healthcare or utilization of emergency medical services for primary care issues.
So they covered 2/3 of the uninsured to achieve 98%. I didnt labor over the nath but came up with 6%.
it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor
Obama was the Eisenhower of his generation.
It was a pretty good ride, all things considered.
And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
Horseshit.
it seemed that the USA in 2008 elected a moderate conservative president, vastly more competent than his predecessor
Obama was the Eisenhower of his generation.
It was a pretty good ride, all things considered.
And it was still a nightmare for those who used it.
Horseshit.
The man just can’t shut his damned trap.
Yes, statistically speaking, white supremacists are a small percent of the population. Unfortunately, they’re a small percentage of the population that wants to kill everyone else.
The man just can’t shut his damned trap.
Yes, statistically speaking, white supremacists are a small percent of the population. Unfortunately, they’re a small percentage of the population that wants to kill everyone else.
Marty,
I don’t read your mind, I read your comments. And your comments are almost always in defense of He, Trump. At the very most, they are critical of He, Trump only as long as they are equally critical of Democrats too.
I admit that sometimes I don’t get your “jokes” like the knee-slapper about Obama having “killed a Supreme”. And sometimes I can’t quite parse your grammar, as in “The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true”. (You might notice that I did NOT jump on you for that one, because without reading your mind I could not understand your string of words.)
Back during the 2016 Republican primaries, when we were discussing your preferences among the GOP candidates, you wrote (but it may have been another of your little jokes) that you could not imagine voting for any Democrat in the general election. IIRC, you wrote that before He, Trump became the clear GOP nominee. Maybe your answer would have been different afterwards, but I can’t read your mind well enough to know whether it’s as closed as those words of yours made it appear.
–TP
Marty,
I don’t read your mind, I read your comments. And your comments are almost always in defense of He, Trump. At the very most, they are critical of He, Trump only as long as they are equally critical of Democrats too.
I admit that sometimes I don’t get your “jokes” like the knee-slapper about Obama having “killed a Supreme”. And sometimes I can’t quite parse your grammar, as in “The stock markets up 40% just go find the starting point where that’s true”. (You might notice that I did NOT jump on you for that one, because without reading your mind I could not understand your string of words.)
Back during the 2016 Republican primaries, when we were discussing your preferences among the GOP candidates, you wrote (but it may have been another of your little jokes) that you could not imagine voting for any Democrat in the general election. IIRC, you wrote that before He, Trump became the clear GOP nominee. Maybe your answer would have been different afterwards, but I can’t read your mind well enough to know whether it’s as closed as those words of yours made it appear.
–TP
I voted for Johnson, made it clear at the time. I do occasionally defend something Trump did I never defend him as a human being or even a President.
I dont want him to be my President, but he will sign things a Democrst wouldnt.
As far as my grammar, i do apologize. I write mostly on my phone which is difficult so I do not really reread and edit much.
I voted for Johnson, made it clear at the time. I do occasionally defend something Trump did I never defend him as a human being or even a President.
I dont want him to be my President, but he will sign things a Democrst wouldnt.
As far as my grammar, i do apologize. I write mostly on my phone which is difficult so I do not really reread and edit much.
I’ve noticed that the current defense of the Republican party is “You are being haters for criticizing us.” Or words to that effect.
True white supremists probably are not real common. However our problem as a nation isn’t really them. Its the conservative supremists. We have a political party that, through their politicians, their donors and their propaganda network deliberately cynically and dishonestly seeks to label themselves as the only real Americans with real American values and seeks to label everyone else as a threat to the real Americans. WHite nationalists are a subset of that. But everyone who is not a conservative is a target of the demeaning, marginalizing hate messages.
Democrats support infanticide.
Democrats hate Jews.
The real pockets of America in all white rural areas
Turning Point’s Candace Owens praising Hitler’s nationalization policies within Germany Turning Point’s role in the rightwing ecosystem is to harass university professors for not toeing their rightwing party line. They also provoke violence so they can claim victimhood
Limbaugh Tucker and others complaining that America will not be recognizable if immigrants join us
Illegals are voting!
Trans people are using bathrooms!
Illegals are using welfare!
We are being invaded!
They are trying to take your guns away!
Black lives matter are the real racists
Coastal elites!
And on and on and on.
Relentless attacks on everyone in America. Attacks based on an entirely unearned self-aggrandizing claim to be the real holders of real American values.
According to the ADL league, politically motivated violence in America is almost entirely rightwing.
There is a direct line from those politicians, spokespersons and media personalities who spout the conservative supremist hate, the people who listen and believe, and the people who act.
It isn’t Trump. Its the Republicans. The whole fucking party.
And if the targets of their abuse tell them what shits they are–oh! The pity party! People are being mean to the poor widdle conservatives who are only trying to be real true Americans! How dare other people say mean things about them!
It is very disheartening to realize that neighbors who are in many aspects of their lives fine warm kind decent people, are when it comes to their political lives partners with the New Zealand killer.
I’ve noticed that the current defense of the Republican party is “You are being haters for criticizing us.” Or words to that effect.
True white supremists probably are not real common. However our problem as a nation isn’t really them. Its the conservative supremists. We have a political party that, through their politicians, their donors and their propaganda network deliberately cynically and dishonestly seeks to label themselves as the only real Americans with real American values and seeks to label everyone else as a threat to the real Americans. WHite nationalists are a subset of that. But everyone who is not a conservative is a target of the demeaning, marginalizing hate messages.
Democrats support infanticide.
Democrats hate Jews.
The real pockets of America in all white rural areas
Turning Point’s Candace Owens praising Hitler’s nationalization policies within Germany Turning Point’s role in the rightwing ecosystem is to harass university professors for not toeing their rightwing party line. They also provoke violence so they can claim victimhood
Limbaugh Tucker and others complaining that America will not be recognizable if immigrants join us
Illegals are voting!
Trans people are using bathrooms!
Illegals are using welfare!
We are being invaded!
They are trying to take your guns away!
Black lives matter are the real racists
Coastal elites!
And on and on and on.
Relentless attacks on everyone in America. Attacks based on an entirely unearned self-aggrandizing claim to be the real holders of real American values.
According to the ADL league, politically motivated violence in America is almost entirely rightwing.
There is a direct line from those politicians, spokespersons and media personalities who spout the conservative supremist hate, the people who listen and believe, and the people who act.
It isn’t Trump. Its the Republicans. The whole fucking party.
And if the targets of their abuse tell them what shits they are–oh! The pity party! People are being mean to the poor widdle conservatives who are only trying to be real true Americans! How dare other people say mean things about them!
It is very disheartening to realize that neighbors who are in many aspects of their lives fine warm kind decent people, are when it comes to their political lives partners with the New Zealand killer.
Marty,
I don’t doubt that you voted for Johnson. Now here’s an honest, straight-up question:
If the 2020 presidential election comes down to
o He, Trump (R-NY)
o Joe Biden (D-DE)
o Gary Johnson (I-NM)
would you express your distaste for He, Trump by voting for Biden in the hope of actually defeating Him, or for Johnson again in order to make like Pilate and wash your hands of re-electing Him?
How about if the (R) nominee were Steve King (R-IA)?
How about if the (R) nominee were John Kasich (R-OH)?
Please don’t make like a SCOTUS nominee and say you can’t answer hypotheticals. Straight-up refusing to answer would be infinitely less mockable.
–TP
Marty,
I don’t doubt that you voted for Johnson. Now here’s an honest, straight-up question:
If the 2020 presidential election comes down to
o He, Trump (R-NY)
o Joe Biden (D-DE)
o Gary Johnson (I-NM)
would you express your distaste for He, Trump by voting for Biden in the hope of actually defeating Him, or for Johnson again in order to make like Pilate and wash your hands of re-electing Him?
How about if the (R) nominee were Steve King (R-IA)?
How about if the (R) nominee were John Kasich (R-OH)?
Please don’t make like a SCOTUS nominee and say you can’t answer hypotheticals. Straight-up refusing to answer would be infinitely less mockable.
–TP
I realize Tony’s question wasn’t addressed to me, but I’d like to offer an answer (for myself, not for Marty).
On your first option, Biden in a heartbeat. Exactly to, as you say, defeat Trump.
If King has replaced Trump, same answer. I’d say King is less disgusting than Trump, but that’s a really, really low bar. I don’t think he would be as insistent on total ignorance in making decisions. But still, not a President I’d want.
As for Kasich vs Biden, I would want to think on that a bit. But likely I would just be over the moon at Trump had been replaced by someone sane and competent. I know that Kasich isn’t to the taste of most here. But, if you’re honest, you’d all leap at the chance to upgrade from Trump to him. To the point that some of you might even (temporarily!) re-register as Republicans to vote for him, just for the chance to get rid of Trump in the primaries.
I realize Tony’s question wasn’t addressed to me, but I’d like to offer an answer (for myself, not for Marty).
On your first option, Biden in a heartbeat. Exactly to, as you say, defeat Trump.
If King has replaced Trump, same answer. I’d say King is less disgusting than Trump, but that’s a really, really low bar. I don’t think he would be as insistent on total ignorance in making decisions. But still, not a President I’d want.
As for Kasich vs Biden, I would want to think on that a bit. But likely I would just be over the moon at Trump had been replaced by someone sane and competent. I know that Kasich isn’t to the taste of most here. But, if you’re honest, you’d all leap at the chance to upgrade from Trump to him. To the point that some of you might even (temporarily!) re-register as Republicans to vote for him, just for the chance to get rid of Trump in the primaries.
So, wj,
What I read you to say is that we Dems could secure your vote for Biden by voting in the GOP primaries for … He, Trump đ
And we might lose your vote if we help rescue the GOP from He, Trump’s clutches.
Such a deal!
In all seriousness: I do take your point that yours is not the only vote Dems need, and since the overall American electorate has a long habit of re-electing incumbent presidents we might be wise to help you oust Him in “your” primaries, even at the risk of foisting a Kasich on the country.
–TP
So, wj,
What I read you to say is that we Dems could secure your vote for Biden by voting in the GOP primaries for … He, Trump đ
And we might lose your vote if we help rescue the GOP from He, Trump’s clutches.
Such a deal!
In all seriousness: I do take your point that yours is not the only vote Dems need, and since the overall American electorate has a long habit of re-electing incumbent presidents we might be wise to help you oust Him in “your” primaries, even at the risk of foisting a Kasich on the country.
–TP
I would not vote for Biden, King or Trump. Ever. Nor any of the other Dem candidates.
The Democratic policies will destroy our country, the Republicans won’t change it much for the better. Tough choice. Cultural change is going to happen regardless of who is elected, so it rarely sways my vote.
Maybe Kasich. Not a huge fan anymore.
I would not vote for Biden, King or Trump. Ever. Nor any of the other Dem candidates.
The Democratic policies will destroy our country, the Republicans won’t change it much for the better. Tough choice. Cultural change is going to happen regardless of who is elected, so it rarely sways my vote.
Maybe Kasich. Not a huge fan anymore.
The Democratic policies will destroy our country
No.
They may change it, just like the (R) policies of the last 40 years have done.
The Democratic policies will destroy our country
No.
They may change it, just like the (R) policies of the last 40 years have done.
The question is: what do we want our country to be?
The problem is your answer and mine are quite different.
Whether we yell about it or not, that problem remains.
The problem I face at this particular moment is that the folks with whom I am obliged to have a ‘civil conversation’ are folks who decided the solution to all of their problems was electing Trump as POTUS. Folks for whom the fact of his belligerent rudeness is a feature, not a bug, and for whom his manifest and obvious corruption either doesn’t register, or is of no concern. Folks for whom the basic truthfulness or falsity of information is irrelevant.
I fundamentally don’t have the time to engage with all of that. I avoid it, because it’s a bottomless pit of willful ignorance and bile. I’m sure many of these people are the salt of the earth and love their families and are kind to their pets, but they also appear to identify deeply and profoundly with their own personal sense of grievance, victimhood, and entitlement.
So I have no idea how to get into it with them, and to be honest not a lot of interest in doing so. There are just too many layers of hostility and resentment to plow through in order to get to whatever it is that they actually want, in a positive sense.
Mostly they seem to want to blame every fncking thing in the world on somebody else.
A civil conversation *is not on offer*. So I’ve stopped assuming that one is, and stopped looking for one. I’ve no desire to be uncivil, so I simply avoid the conversation. Other than hanging out here, I really do not spend much time talking politics or anything politics-ish with anybody, left right or center.
So that’s my take on civil conversations. I’ve been pegging away at it for almost 20 years now, amazingly enough, in venues like ObWi, and I doubt that either I or my counterparties have budged as much as one inch from whatever point of view we held going into it. For me personally, if anything I’ve become more confirmed in my view of the world, and more surprised and amazed in a not-good way at the stuff that people who I share a nation with think, believe, and embrace.
There’s a whole world of weird out there.
What looks like common sense to me, looks like “destroying the nation” to you. We’re not going to agree about this stuff, because we don’t want the same things. We do not think the same things are good. We don’t agree on what this country is about and should be about.
The plain fact is that we really are not one nation, in any sense other than the legal and political ones. Our histories are different, our values are different. I think we continue as one nation mostly because our constitution offers no path to changing that and we don’t actually want to kill each other over this stuff.
so instead we limp along, like some kind of Frankenstein monster made up of all kinds of social and historical spare parts.
It’d be great if it were otherwise, but I honestly don’t think it is otherwise. what I take away from years and years and years of daily conversations with people who think like me, and people who don’t, is that *we don’t want the same things*.
so there is probably going to be some yelling.
The question is: what do we want our country to be?
The problem is your answer and mine are quite different.
Whether we yell about it or not, that problem remains.
The problem I face at this particular moment is that the folks with whom I am obliged to have a ‘civil conversation’ are folks who decided the solution to all of their problems was electing Trump as POTUS. Folks for whom the fact of his belligerent rudeness is a feature, not a bug, and for whom his manifest and obvious corruption either doesn’t register, or is of no concern. Folks for whom the basic truthfulness or falsity of information is irrelevant.
I fundamentally don’t have the time to engage with all of that. I avoid it, because it’s a bottomless pit of willful ignorance and bile. I’m sure many of these people are the salt of the earth and love their families and are kind to their pets, but they also appear to identify deeply and profoundly with their own personal sense of grievance, victimhood, and entitlement.
So I have no idea how to get into it with them, and to be honest not a lot of interest in doing so. There are just too many layers of hostility and resentment to plow through in order to get to whatever it is that they actually want, in a positive sense.
Mostly they seem to want to blame every fncking thing in the world on somebody else.
A civil conversation *is not on offer*. So I’ve stopped assuming that one is, and stopped looking for one. I’ve no desire to be uncivil, so I simply avoid the conversation. Other than hanging out here, I really do not spend much time talking politics or anything politics-ish with anybody, left right or center.
So that’s my take on civil conversations. I’ve been pegging away at it for almost 20 years now, amazingly enough, in venues like ObWi, and I doubt that either I or my counterparties have budged as much as one inch from whatever point of view we held going into it. For me personally, if anything I’ve become more confirmed in my view of the world, and more surprised and amazed in a not-good way at the stuff that people who I share a nation with think, believe, and embrace.
There’s a whole world of weird out there.
What looks like common sense to me, looks like “destroying the nation” to you. We’re not going to agree about this stuff, because we don’t want the same things. We do not think the same things are good. We don’t agree on what this country is about and should be about.
The plain fact is that we really are not one nation, in any sense other than the legal and political ones. Our histories are different, our values are different. I think we continue as one nation mostly because our constitution offers no path to changing that and we don’t actually want to kill each other over this stuff.
so instead we limp along, like some kind of Frankenstein monster made up of all kinds of social and historical spare parts.
It’d be great if it were otherwise, but I honestly don’t think it is otherwise. what I take away from years and years and years of daily conversations with people who think like me, and people who don’t, is that *we don’t want the same things*.
so there is probably going to be some yelling.
“The Democratic policies will destroy our country.”
I’m sorry, I can’t quite hear you. Could you yell that one?
“The Democratic policies will destroy our country.”
I’m sorry, I can’t quite hear you. Could you yell that one?
“I would not vote for Biden, King or Trump.”
Bingo!
Me neither, unless it’s Biden, or that green-looking fuzzy thing at the back of my fridge, against p.
But still, let’s savor this moment of bipartisan civility.
If it’s Johnson again, I’ll be moving to Aleppo because then he won’t be able to find me or his ass with the one hand he has free from holding a big bogarted blunt.
Though after p’s Soviet demolishing of the diplomatic corps, which will serve us so very well next time the missiles fly, none of the golf caddies, cabana boys and FOX blonds remaining at the State Department will be able to help that Johnson find Aleppo or his ass.
I’m a DONALD Johnson sort of guy.
I’m also with sapient.
Mostly I’m what Russell said, with an attitude.
Kinda right in the middle of the circular firing squad blindfolded and cracking wise (Go ahead, shoot me) is where I sit.
Carry on.
“I would not vote for Biden, King or Trump.”
Bingo!
Me neither, unless it’s Biden, or that green-looking fuzzy thing at the back of my fridge, against p.
But still, let’s savor this moment of bipartisan civility.
If it’s Johnson again, I’ll be moving to Aleppo because then he won’t be able to find me or his ass with the one hand he has free from holding a big bogarted blunt.
Though after p’s Soviet demolishing of the diplomatic corps, which will serve us so very well next time the missiles fly, none of the golf caddies, cabana boys and FOX blonds remaining at the State Department will be able to help that Johnson find Aleppo or his ass.
I’m a DONALD Johnson sort of guy.
I’m also with sapient.
Mostly I’m what Russell said, with an attitude.
Kinda right in the middle of the circular firing squad blindfolded and cracking wise (Go ahead, shoot me) is where I sit.
Carry on.
what if…. the economy really isn’t booming?
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/opinion/us-economy-stagnation-growth.html
what if it’s just fine, but not the best ever?
what if…. the economy really isn’t booming?
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/opinion/us-economy-stagnation-growth.html
what if it’s just fine, but not the best ever?
Annual GDP growth rates since 1930.
http://www.multpl.com/us-gdp-growth-rate/table/by-year
Annual GDP growth rates since 1930.
http://www.multpl.com/us-gdp-growth-rate/table/by-year
“Democratic policies will destroy our country” is standard Republican hate speech.
It is hate speech because there isn’t any way to back it up, not even an illogical argument. Nothing the Dems are proposing would change American enough to use a word like “destroy”. So it is just the nyaa hyaa nyaa name-calling that is the mainstay of Republican discourse.
The purpose of hate speech is to raise the emotional temperature. Republicans use hate speech because they want a base of voters who think that America will be destroyed if they don’t vote Republican–voters brainwashed to that perspective will vote for almost any Republican no matter how awful an individual candidate might be is and they will vote Republican even though the party does not address real problems with practical solutions and will turn out to vote reliably. Atwood, Rove and others were quite open and cynical about the need to raise the temperature and promote partisanship.
But a side affect of the OH MY GOD DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA hate speech is that someone out there will decide that it is not just rhetoric.
And you get pipe bombs sent to Democratic politicians. YOu get a guy planning to kill a hit list of Democrats.
Because Democrats are so evil. It must be true because Faux says so, Republican politicians says so, the whole rightwing propaganda network has been chanting variations on that slogan for decades.
OF course none of the people who believe it can say HOW or WHAT the democrats are going to do that constitutes destroying America in terms of actual policies.
Instead, the destroying America meme has two major components:
Fear that people who “don’t look American” might actually get to live here. And shop. And work. And live normal lives. That’s the “We are being invaded, America won’t look like America!” mentality.
But mostly people who believe rightwing hate propaganda do it because they like feeling superior to everyone else. It’s not a racial thing necessarily. But it is an ego thing. Labeling other people as bad makes them feel good. They like feeling membership in the team that is superior morally and patriotically and religiously etc. The real true Americans with rea true American values.
That means the rest of us are going to destroy America just by not being on their team. That’s all the rest of us have to do: just exist. Vote. shop. Go to school. Participate. Exist.
So logically the way to prevent us from destroying America is to get rid of us.
Voter suppression. Gerrymandering. Courtpacking. Media consolidation under rightwing ownership.
End net neutrality. Use money to suppress research and promote pseudo science. Flood the elections with billionaire cash and corporate cash. Bully universities. In other words, dismantle the essential elements of representative government so that those evil other people can’t be heard.
Democratic policies are not going to destroy America but there is the strong possibility that people who use rightwing hate speech will transform us in specific ways that have the effect of making us less small d democratic and more of a theocratic kleptocracy.
And kill some of us along the way.
But of course if I point this out, that makes me a hater too, right? That’s the usual comeback from people who participate in hatemongering. Because there’s nothing the haters hate more than someone who stands up to them.
“Democratic policies will destroy our country” is standard Republican hate speech.
It is hate speech because there isn’t any way to back it up, not even an illogical argument. Nothing the Dems are proposing would change American enough to use a word like “destroy”. So it is just the nyaa hyaa nyaa name-calling that is the mainstay of Republican discourse.
The purpose of hate speech is to raise the emotional temperature. Republicans use hate speech because they want a base of voters who think that America will be destroyed if they don’t vote Republican–voters brainwashed to that perspective will vote for almost any Republican no matter how awful an individual candidate might be is and they will vote Republican even though the party does not address real problems with practical solutions and will turn out to vote reliably. Atwood, Rove and others were quite open and cynical about the need to raise the temperature and promote partisanship.
But a side affect of the OH MY GOD DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA hate speech is that someone out there will decide that it is not just rhetoric.
And you get pipe bombs sent to Democratic politicians. YOu get a guy planning to kill a hit list of Democrats.
Because Democrats are so evil. It must be true because Faux says so, Republican politicians says so, the whole rightwing propaganda network has been chanting variations on that slogan for decades.
OF course none of the people who believe it can say HOW or WHAT the democrats are going to do that constitutes destroying America in terms of actual policies.
Instead, the destroying America meme has two major components:
Fear that people who “don’t look American” might actually get to live here. And shop. And work. And live normal lives. That’s the “We are being invaded, America won’t look like America!” mentality.
But mostly people who believe rightwing hate propaganda do it because they like feeling superior to everyone else. It’s not a racial thing necessarily. But it is an ego thing. Labeling other people as bad makes them feel good. They like feeling membership in the team that is superior morally and patriotically and religiously etc. The real true Americans with rea true American values.
That means the rest of us are going to destroy America just by not being on their team. That’s all the rest of us have to do: just exist. Vote. shop. Go to school. Participate. Exist.
So logically the way to prevent us from destroying America is to get rid of us.
Voter suppression. Gerrymandering. Courtpacking. Media consolidation under rightwing ownership.
End net neutrality. Use money to suppress research and promote pseudo science. Flood the elections with billionaire cash and corporate cash. Bully universities. In other words, dismantle the essential elements of representative government so that those evil other people can’t be heard.
Democratic policies are not going to destroy America but there is the strong possibility that people who use rightwing hate speech will transform us in specific ways that have the effect of making us less small d democratic and more of a theocratic kleptocracy.
And kill some of us along the way.
But of course if I point this out, that makes me a hater too, right? That’s the usual comeback from people who participate in hatemongering. Because there’s nothing the haters hate more than someone who stands up to them.
Marty :
I can no longer hear the words of Republicans, even you. Their actions (and votes) speak so loudly that their words no longer matter.
Be well.
Marty :
I can no longer hear the words of Republicans, even you. Their actions (and votes) speak so loudly that their words no longer matter.
Be well.
Democratic policies will destroy our country
I wonder if it might be useful to look at some specific policies that the Democrats propose. Lay out how they would change the country for the worse. (Why it is worse might be useful as well.) And which of them rise to the level of “destroy”. I’d even bet the some of them (albeit, perhaps merely those reversing aspects of Trump that you abhor) are even things you could support.
Personally, I consider some of the things that the various Democrats propose to be sub-optimal, and others definite improvements — some long overdue improvements. But overall a long way from “destroy”. Trump’s actions (not to mention rhetoric), on numerous fronts, on the other hand….
Democratic policies will destroy our country
I wonder if it might be useful to look at some specific policies that the Democrats propose. Lay out how they would change the country for the worse. (Why it is worse might be useful as well.) And which of them rise to the level of “destroy”. I’d even bet the some of them (albeit, perhaps merely those reversing aspects of Trump that you abhor) are even things you could support.
Personally, I consider some of the things that the various Democrats propose to be sub-optimal, and others definite improvements — some long overdue improvements. But overall a long way from “destroy”. Trump’s actions (not to mention rhetoric), on numerous fronts, on the other hand….
“Democratic policies will destroy our country” is standard Republican hate speech.
I’m not sure I agree with this. It depends, I think, on the speakers intent and state of mind.
A lot of people sincerely think that (D) policies will destroy the country. Not reduce it to rubble and ashes, but change it into something other than what they believe the country should be. Saying so might be hyperbole, but not really hate speech.
I can tell you that, by the definition above, I think a lot of (R) policies will “destroy the nation”. And it’s not really hate speech for me to say so.
There are folks who make statements like that simply to stoke other people’s anger and fear, for various instrumental purposes of their own. I’d call that hate speech, because it is intended to inflame animosity and division. It’s intended to make one set of people angry with another specific set of people.
I don’t see Marty in the latter category. I think he just wants different stuff from, for example, me.
I bring all of this up because it can be useful to not look for ill will where it does not actually exist. God knows there’s enough around anyway.
“Democratic policies will destroy our country” is standard Republican hate speech.
I’m not sure I agree with this. It depends, I think, on the speakers intent and state of mind.
A lot of people sincerely think that (D) policies will destroy the country. Not reduce it to rubble and ashes, but change it into something other than what they believe the country should be. Saying so might be hyperbole, but not really hate speech.
I can tell you that, by the definition above, I think a lot of (R) policies will “destroy the nation”. And it’s not really hate speech for me to say so.
There are folks who make statements like that simply to stoke other people’s anger and fear, for various instrumental purposes of their own. I’d call that hate speech, because it is intended to inflame animosity and division. It’s intended to make one set of people angry with another specific set of people.
I don’t see Marty in the latter category. I think he just wants different stuff from, for example, me.
I bring all of this up because it can be useful to not look for ill will where it does not actually exist. God knows there’s enough around anyway.
wj: Personally, I consider some of the things that the various Democrats propose to be sub-optimal, and others definite improvements — some long overdue improvements.
In a non-partisan spirit, I am trying to think of any Republican proposals, this millennium, which I could call “definite improvements”.
Recognizing that people like Marty (who resolutely refuse to vote for any Democrat for POTUS) would call people like me (who refuse to vote for any Republican for POTUS) “closed-minded”, and wanting to avoid being thought “closed-minded” by sane people, I ask in all sincerity: please help me identify any “definite improvements” the GOP has proposed in the last 20 years.
–TP
wj: Personally, I consider some of the things that the various Democrats propose to be sub-optimal, and others definite improvements — some long overdue improvements.
In a non-partisan spirit, I am trying to think of any Republican proposals, this millennium, which I could call “definite improvements”.
Recognizing that people like Marty (who resolutely refuse to vote for any Democrat for POTUS) would call people like me (who refuse to vote for any Republican for POTUS) “closed-minded”, and wanting to avoid being thought “closed-minded” by sane people, I ask in all sincerity: please help me identify any “definite improvements” the GOP has proposed in the last 20 years.
–TP
in the past few years, Republicans in NC have raised teacher pay from 47th in the nation to 29th. it took years of pressure, including a teachers’ strike to get them to do it, but they did it.
so, i’ll give them that.
of course, the Dems would have done it years ago, and with little fuss. but, the NC Dems have the misfortune of not being in a position to choose their own voters and so they have a hard time getting legislation passed.
in the past few years, Republicans in NC have raised teacher pay from 47th in the nation to 29th. it took years of pressure, including a teachers’ strike to get them to do it, but they did it.
so, i’ll give them that.
of course, the Dems would have done it years ago, and with little fuss. but, the NC Dems have the misfortune of not being in a position to choose their own voters and so they have a hard time getting legislation passed.
Yelling is how we divide up the stuff. We have always yelled about this. So whatâs the big deal?
Yelling is how we divide up the stuff. We have always yelled about this. So whatâs the big deal?
A lot of people sincerely think that (D) policies will destroy the country. Not reduce it to rubble and ashes, but change it into something other than what they believe the country should be. Saying so might be hyperbole, but not really hate speech.
I understand that forcefully expressed opinions are not necessarily hate speech. But what change is it that is seem by so many Republicans as destroying America?
1. demographic change: more Spanish speakers
2. Participation in public life of people who are not real true Americans like they are.
That’s what lies behind Republican speech about how OH MY GOD YOU BETTER VOE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA!!!!
It’s not an exaggerated way of expression opposition to using droves and personnel rather than a wall. It is not an inflated way of expressing doubts about green technology, support of unions, the ACA, Warren’s tax the rich plan, or the need for fundining for infrastructure.
Its; not an exaggerated way of opposing Wall Street regulation or draining of the lobbyist swamp.
Issue by issue when it comes to policy Republican voters aren’t that different from Democratic voters.
The reason for the polarization isn’t issues. Its the Republican insistence in demeaning our political discourse with namecalling initended to dived and cause partisan arguments.
So yeah the recurrent theme of DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA is hate speech because it is a dog whislt to items one and two above and because it is intentionally rude and devisive.
A lot of people sincerely think that (D) policies will destroy the country. Not reduce it to rubble and ashes, but change it into something other than what they believe the country should be. Saying so might be hyperbole, but not really hate speech.
I understand that forcefully expressed opinions are not necessarily hate speech. But what change is it that is seem by so many Republicans as destroying America?
1. demographic change: more Spanish speakers
2. Participation in public life of people who are not real true Americans like they are.
That’s what lies behind Republican speech about how OH MY GOD YOU BETTER VOE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA!!!!
It’s not an exaggerated way of expression opposition to using droves and personnel rather than a wall. It is not an inflated way of expressing doubts about green technology, support of unions, the ACA, Warren’s tax the rich plan, or the need for fundining for infrastructure.
Its; not an exaggerated way of opposing Wall Street regulation or draining of the lobbyist swamp.
Issue by issue when it comes to policy Republican voters aren’t that different from Democratic voters.
The reason for the polarization isn’t issues. Its the Republican insistence in demeaning our political discourse with namecalling initended to dived and cause partisan arguments.
So yeah the recurrent theme of DEMOCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA is hate speech because it is a dog whislt to items one and two above and because it is intentionally rude and devisive.
In a non-partisan spirit, I am trying to think of any Republican proposals, this millennium, which I could call “definite improvements”.
Medicare Part D? There’s lots of room to argue about details, but there was a huge policy hole because contemporary medical care had moved past docs-plus-hospitals.
In my state, they have asked the conservative questions that the Dems occasionally brushed off, like “Given our peculiar tax situation, how are you going to pay for this when the next recession hits?” As recently as 15 years ago the state was overwhelmingly red (in terms of who won the elections). There’s been a dramatic blue shift, largely because the Republicans managed to piss off the suburbs.
In a non-partisan spirit, I am trying to think of any Republican proposals, this millennium, which I could call “definite improvements”.
Medicare Part D? There’s lots of room to argue about details, but there was a huge policy hole because contemporary medical care had moved past docs-plus-hospitals.
In my state, they have asked the conservative questions that the Dems occasionally brushed off, like “Given our peculiar tax situation, how are you going to pay for this when the next recession hits?” As recently as 15 years ago the state was overwhelmingly red (in terms of who won the elections). There’s been a dramatic blue shift, largely because the Republicans managed to piss off the suburbs.
https://2020campaignteam.wearegreatagainpac.com/green-deal-petition-tw?&utm_source=GM&utm_campaign=TW-GreenPetition&utm_content=2
This is a DEOMCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA petition that pretends to be about an issue. .But it isn’t since it contains the false statements that the Green New Deal would ban livestock and air travel. So it is dishonest, deliverately divisive and designed to scare with lies–and that is hate mongering,
https://2020campaignteam.wearegreatagainpac.com/green-deal-petition-tw?&utm_source=GM&utm_campaign=TW-GreenPetition&utm_content=2
This is a DEOMCRATS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA petition that pretends to be about an issue. .But it isn’t since it contains the false statements that the Green New Deal would ban livestock and air travel. So it is dishonest, deliverately divisive and designed to scare with lies–and that is hate mongering,
Medicare Part D?
Except they forgot to fund it.
It’s kind of a (R) habit. They are the party of the free lunch.
Medicare Part D?
Except they forgot to fund it.
It’s kind of a (R) habit. They are the party of the free lunch.
First Step Act
First Step Act
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind
Props on the First Step Act. Notably, the opponents were also (R), but I am happy to recognize that as a (R) initiative.
We’ll differ on the goodness of No Child Left Behind. To me, it’s the “beatings will continue until morale improves” approach of education reform. But that was kind of a bi-partisan thing, so I’m not gonna lay that at the feet of the (R)’s, at least not exclusively.
As an aside, it always strikes me as odd that stuff like No Child, with its coercive and punitive approach to “making schools better”, is somehow not seen as an example of the nanny state.
It’s the nasty nanny state – nanny with a rule in her hand, telling you to bend over and take your punishment because it’s for your own good – but nanny state nonetheless.
See also, work requirements for things like money for food. Be virtuous or starve!! How that is not nanny-statism is beyond me.
Different people think different things are good.
Props on the First Step Act. Notably, the opponents were also (R), but I am happy to recognize that as a (R) initiative.
We’ll differ on the goodness of No Child Left Behind. To me, it’s the “beatings will continue until morale improves” approach of education reform. But that was kind of a bi-partisan thing, so I’m not gonna lay that at the feet of the (R)’s, at least not exclusively.
As an aside, it always strikes me as odd that stuff like No Child, with its coercive and punitive approach to “making schools better”, is somehow not seen as an example of the nanny state.
It’s the nasty nanny state – nanny with a rule in her hand, telling you to bend over and take your punishment because it’s for your own good – but nanny state nonetheless.
See also, work requirements for things like money for food. Be virtuous or starve!! How that is not nanny-statism is beyond me.
Different people think different things are good.
There are bad parts of it,the attempt was an overall good.
There are bad parts of it,the attempt was an overall good.
SUPPORT for Patients and Communities ActÂ
SUPPORT for Patients and Communities ActÂ
Conway is the kind of a Republican I like:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/is-america-becoming-trumps-banana-republic
âYes,â Conway responded. âIt would make it a banana republic.â But he went on to offer an important caveat to the remarks he made at Georgetown. âIf it were not for the inherent checks and balances of the U.S. Constitution,â Conway said, âwe would have a banana republic. But that also makes him an inherently weak President, because the office requires you to have the power to persuade. Ultimately, you become a powerful President only if you are able to persuade others to go along with you. His narcissism means he has to retreat to the people who worship him. He cannot reach out and persuade, like every other President tries to do. His narcissism causes him to be a weak President, and the checks and balances mean he is a weak President. And thatâs why we donât have a banana republic.â
Conway is the kind of a Republican I like:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-trumps-washington/is-america-becoming-trumps-banana-republic
âYes,â Conway responded. âIt would make it a banana republic.â But he went on to offer an important caveat to the remarks he made at Georgetown. âIf it were not for the inherent checks and balances of the U.S. Constitution,â Conway said, âwe would have a banana republic. But that also makes him an inherently weak President, because the office requires you to have the power to persuade. Ultimately, you become a powerful President only if you are able to persuade others to go along with you. His narcissism means he has to retreat to the people who worship him. He cannot reach out and persuade, like every other President tries to do. His narcissism causes him to be a weak President, and the checks and balances mean he is a weak President. And thatâs why we donât have a banana republic.â
Support for Patients and Communities Act, also good.
The House vote on that was 396-14, with 13 of the “nay” votes coming from (R)’s. The Senate vote was 98-1, with Lee (R)-UT the only “nay”.
So, kind of a bipartisan thing, I would say. Although it was brought to the floor by Walden R-OR, so points for that.
Support for Patients and Communities Act, also good.
The House vote on that was 396-14, with 13 of the “nay” votes coming from (R)’s. The Senate vote was 98-1, with Lee (R)-UT the only “nay”.
So, kind of a bipartisan thing, I would say. Although it was brought to the floor by Walden R-OR, so points for that.
No Child Left Behind was a corporate cash grab for the educational testing industry that did not a single thing for the quality of education in America. Both it and the Race to the Top were serious steps backwards that made it harder to actually teach our children to think. There is not a single thing tested in any of those tests that is not some form of calculation or memory recall performed more quickly and accurately by a computer.
All high stakes testing has done is shunt all of that confusing thinking and conceptual work into some form of enrichment exercise to be put away when the hard job of justifying a budget with higher scores comes around.
Horrible policy.
No Child Left Behind was a corporate cash grab for the educational testing industry that did not a single thing for the quality of education in America. Both it and the Race to the Top were serious steps backwards that made it harder to actually teach our children to think. There is not a single thing tested in any of those tests that is not some form of calculation or memory recall performed more quickly and accurately by a computer.
All high stakes testing has done is shunt all of that confusing thinking and conceptual work into some form of enrichment exercise to be put away when the hard job of justifying a budget with higher scores comes around.
Horrible policy.
SCHIP It was bipartisan but started by Orin Hatch, I think. It has been under attacks from Republicans but survived with both R and D support.
But it was made into law a while back I don’t think the current Repubicans in Congress would propose anything like it now and would not support it if propose by Democrats.
SCHIP It was bipartisan but started by Orin Hatch, I think. It has been under attacks from Republicans but survived with both R and D support.
But it was made into law a while back I don’t think the current Repubicans in Congress would propose anything like it now and would not support it if propose by Democrats.
@russell
How do you feel about Yucca Mountain? The Republicans didn’t quite get it up and running before Harry Reid got in the way, but were certainly working on it. There are many people from Omaha east to the Atlantic who would have dearly loved to see all that spent nuclear fuel leaving their state and going far away.
@russell
How do you feel about Yucca Mountain? The Republicans didn’t quite get it up and running before Harry Reid got in the way, but were certainly working on it. There are many people from Omaha east to the Atlantic who would have dearly loved to see all that spent nuclear fuel leaving their state and going far away.
President’s Malaria Initiative
President’s Malaria Initiative
How do you feel about Yucca Mountain?
The first thing I should say is that what I know about Yucca is fairly limited, likewise for what I’m qualified to say regarding any of the technical or engineering issues around the site.
All of that said, Yucca seems, to me, to be more or less pick of the litter as far as safe places to store nuclear waste. And, a safe place to store nuclear waste is a very good thing to have, especially if we want to include nuclear power generation as an alternative to fossil fuel.
My understanding is that Yucca has basically been mothballed, and primarily for political reasons rather than technical. All of which is unfortunate, and none of which is especially surprising. I believe folks in NV were not crazy about it, if only because they didn’t like the idea of being stuck with everyone else’s toxic trash. And I guess they should have some kind of voice in the duscussion, since they’d be living with it.
And that’s everything I know, and probably more than I actually know, about yucca mountain.
How do you feel about Yucca Mountain?
The first thing I should say is that what I know about Yucca is fairly limited, likewise for what I’m qualified to say regarding any of the technical or engineering issues around the site.
All of that said, Yucca seems, to me, to be more or less pick of the litter as far as safe places to store nuclear waste. And, a safe place to store nuclear waste is a very good thing to have, especially if we want to include nuclear power generation as an alternative to fossil fuel.
My understanding is that Yucca has basically been mothballed, and primarily for political reasons rather than technical. All of which is unfortunate, and none of which is especially surprising. I believe folks in NV were not crazy about it, if only because they didn’t like the idea of being stuck with everyone else’s toxic trash. And I guess they should have some kind of voice in the duscussion, since they’d be living with it.
And that’s everything I know, and probably more than I actually know, about yucca mountain.
President’s Malaria Initiative
Agreed, well done. Started under W, it’s saved millions of lives. Continues to do so, with bipartisan support in Congress, in spite of Trump’s efforts to starve the agencies that are responsible for it.
President’s Malaria Initiative
Agreed, well done. Started under W, it’s saved millions of lives. Continues to do so, with bipartisan support in Congress, in spite of Trump’s efforts to starve the agencies that are responsible for it.
laura: what change is it that is seem by so many Republicans as destroying America?
1. demographic change: more Spanish speakers
2. Participation in public life of people who are not real true Americans like they are.
There’s a reason I asked the question originally. Most folks here may agree, but I’m pretty sure that Marty wouldn’t. So I ask, what (prospective, if the Democrats are in charge) changes does he see as “destroying America.” Which, be it noted, he said they would.
There’s no point in others saying what worries him, no matter how sure you are you’ve read him right. What we need is what he sees as worrying.
laura: what change is it that is seem by so many Republicans as destroying America?
1. demographic change: more Spanish speakers
2. Participation in public life of people who are not real true Americans like they are.
There’s a reason I asked the question originally. Most folks here may agree, but I’m pretty sure that Marty wouldn’t. So I ask, what (prospective, if the Democrats are in charge) changes does he see as “destroying America.” Which, be it noted, he said they would.
There’s no point in others saying what worries him, no matter how sure you are you’ve read him right. What we need is what he sees as worrying.
My understanding is that Yucca has basically been mothballed…
More problematic is that the last few hundred miles of transportation hasn’t been solved. There are two proposed rail spurs, either 300+ miles long, that haven’t been started. One crosses tribal land and the tribe is opposed; the other crosses an existing federal wilderness area. Both will be tied up in court for years. Truck transport has to go through Las Vegas.
My understanding is that Yucca has basically been mothballed…
More problematic is that the last few hundred miles of transportation hasn’t been solved. There are two proposed rail spurs, either 300+ miles long, that haven’t been started. One crosses tribal land and the tribe is opposed; the other crosses an existing federal wilderness area. Both will be tied up in court for years. Truck transport has to go through Las Vegas.
From a libertarian point of view:
Yes: First Step Act
No: Medicare Part D
No: No Child Left Behind
No: Patients and Communities Act
No: SCHIP
From a libertarian point of view:
Yes: First Step Act
No: Medicare Part D
No: No Child Left Behind
No: Patients and Communities Act
No: SCHIP
I just watched Mayor Pete get interviewed by Chris Wallace, I think this show reinforces my statement. As a potentially moderate Democrat he was asked what he would tell the Trump supporters about jobs etc.
His answer was that we need to have universal health care, portable benefits and higher minimum wage.
The typical Dem answer, no policy to expand jobs or grow the economy, to expand opportunity. The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.
The Green New Deal is a jobs program, because we will upgrade every building in the country was another answer, that’s a frightening justification for incredibly unnecessary spending. Again, terrifying lack of understanding of the consequence of those proposals.
Expand the SC to 15 justices with 5 not being picked by the President.
Just a few of a long list. The way we become a banana republic is to destroy our economy a and borrow ourselves into oblivion. I dont support the Trump spending plan either so just dont go there.
I just watched Mayor Pete get interviewed by Chris Wallace, I think this show reinforces my statement. As a potentially moderate Democrat he was asked what he would tell the Trump supporters about jobs etc.
His answer was that we need to have universal health care, portable benefits and higher minimum wage.
The typical Dem answer, no policy to expand jobs or grow the economy, to expand opportunity. The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.
The Green New Deal is a jobs program, because we will upgrade every building in the country was another answer, that’s a frightening justification for incredibly unnecessary spending. Again, terrifying lack of understanding of the consequence of those proposals.
Expand the SC to 15 justices with 5 not being picked by the President.
Just a few of a long list. The way we become a banana republic is to destroy our economy a and borrow ourselves into oblivion. I dont support the Trump spending plan either so just dont go there.
Re: Yucca Mountain
The original political compromise was one waste repository in SC one in NV.
But SC is too damn wet, and too damn well connected in DC, so they shut that down.
I hear that there are tribes in UT that actually want the nuclear waste repository, for jobs. No idea if it’s suitable.
Better to do reprocessing, but that’s even more politically radioactive. Oh well.
Re: Yucca Mountain
The original political compromise was one waste repository in SC one in NV.
But SC is too damn wet, and too damn well connected in DC, so they shut that down.
I hear that there are tribes in UT that actually want the nuclear waste repository, for jobs. No idea if it’s suitable.
Better to do reprocessing, but that’s even more politically radioactive. Oh well.
The typical Dem answer, no policy to expand jobs or grow the economy, to expand opportunity. The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.
For the last 40 years we’ve been listening to (R)’s, libertarians, and conservatives generally telling us that what we really need to do is get government out of the way of the private sector and let the economy grow, grow, grow. Because that would create opportunity and wealth for everybody.
And that has turned out to be a crock of shit.
I am apparently a lefty, which amuses me because by any sane measure I’m nothing in particular. I have very little by way of political ideology. My political ideology consists of affirming self-government by free people under law as an ideal. And by “free people” I mean Locke’s concept of liberty – all subject to the same laws limits and restrctions, and entitled to the same privileges and liberties, as agreed to via a self-governing political structure. Not this “don’t tread on me”, “molon labe”, I’m gonna do whatever the hell I want bullshit.
That’s not liberty, it’s license, and it’s license in the most childish and selfish form.
I want universal access to health care so my friends in the “gig economy” can stop having to crowd fund their medical care. Like, for cancer, or massive strokes. Or the guy who is an A-list trumpet player whose ability to work is at risk because he has untreated diabetes which is making his teeth fall out. Or, my buddy who spent most of this last winter living in his freaking van and trading his labor for food and needs to go to the dentist to get his bridgework replaced so he can eat his damned food. Or, those folks who have been going without insurance all their lives and are basically fucked at this point, and simply want to help their families get over the financial hardship that is gonna come when they fucking die.
All real cases, from my life, over the last year or two.
I want universal access to health care because there is no freaking reason why it should not be available. And people suffer and die for the lack of it. And if you have any impulse to dismiss that last claim, I’ll thank you to keep it to yourself, so we can keep things mostly civil around here.
From a purely “make the economy grow” point of view, access to healthcare means people can actually take entrepreneurial risks that are unavailable to them now, because they don’t want to put themselves or their families at risk of turning out like any of the folks I just mentioned.
And I can’t imagine what anybody’s issue with portable benefits might be.
If we’re going to have a minimum wage, it ought to have some resemblance to what it actually costs to live. Because a lot of jobs pay close to minimum, and the people who work those jobs have a hard time making it. They are working people, not “takers” or “moochers” or lazy bums. They are working, creating value, putting money into the bottom line of their employers.
And I’m sick of every public effort being labeled as “socialism”. Socialism is public ownership of the means of production. People deciding to make things available to themselves through public effort is not socialism. Roads, schools, water, electricity, gas, cops, firemen, libraries, postal delivery, social insurance programs like Medicare and SS. The government is partially or completely responsible for making all of that available. Why access to health care and/or upgrading housing stock to reduce our need for fossil fuels is any different than any of that escapes me.
it escapes me because it isn’t so.
i don’t give a crap if the SCOTUS is 9 or 15 or 3 or 121 justices. 121 is probably not practical, 3 is probably too few. 9 or 11 or 15 is all the same to me. Having SCOTUS justices not nominated by the POTUS may run afoul of some Constitutional requirement, I don’t actually know, I’d have to look it up. But absent that, I don’t see what the issue is.
Banana republics are not examples of socialism. They are examples of government being captive by a small number of private actors, and being run in the interest of those private actors. Like, when public agencies responsible for oversight of industries are headed up by people from those industries, and who have spent their careers fighting against oversight by the agencies they now head.
That is what banana republics are.
An economy that makes a few people absurdly, insanely wealthy – wealthy beyond any real benefit to themselves, their families, or anybody else – while reducing working people to living in their cars and crowd-sourcing their cancer treatment is *already destroyed*. It’s already toxic and dysfunctional.
Fuck the Dow. Make the people whole. If the Dow comes along for the ride, fine, but make the people whole first.
If this kind of thing is all you got, I’m not on board.
The typical Dem answer, no policy to expand jobs or grow the economy, to expand opportunity. The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.
For the last 40 years we’ve been listening to (R)’s, libertarians, and conservatives generally telling us that what we really need to do is get government out of the way of the private sector and let the economy grow, grow, grow. Because that would create opportunity and wealth for everybody.
And that has turned out to be a crock of shit.
I am apparently a lefty, which amuses me because by any sane measure I’m nothing in particular. I have very little by way of political ideology. My political ideology consists of affirming self-government by free people under law as an ideal. And by “free people” I mean Locke’s concept of liberty – all subject to the same laws limits and restrctions, and entitled to the same privileges and liberties, as agreed to via a self-governing political structure. Not this “don’t tread on me”, “molon labe”, I’m gonna do whatever the hell I want bullshit.
That’s not liberty, it’s license, and it’s license in the most childish and selfish form.
I want universal access to health care so my friends in the “gig economy” can stop having to crowd fund their medical care. Like, for cancer, or massive strokes. Or the guy who is an A-list trumpet player whose ability to work is at risk because he has untreated diabetes which is making his teeth fall out. Or, my buddy who spent most of this last winter living in his freaking van and trading his labor for food and needs to go to the dentist to get his bridgework replaced so he can eat his damned food. Or, those folks who have been going without insurance all their lives and are basically fucked at this point, and simply want to help their families get over the financial hardship that is gonna come when they fucking die.
All real cases, from my life, over the last year or two.
I want universal access to health care because there is no freaking reason why it should not be available. And people suffer and die for the lack of it. And if you have any impulse to dismiss that last claim, I’ll thank you to keep it to yourself, so we can keep things mostly civil around here.
From a purely “make the economy grow” point of view, access to healthcare means people can actually take entrepreneurial risks that are unavailable to them now, because they don’t want to put themselves or their families at risk of turning out like any of the folks I just mentioned.
And I can’t imagine what anybody’s issue with portable benefits might be.
If we’re going to have a minimum wage, it ought to have some resemblance to what it actually costs to live. Because a lot of jobs pay close to minimum, and the people who work those jobs have a hard time making it. They are working people, not “takers” or “moochers” or lazy bums. They are working, creating value, putting money into the bottom line of their employers.
And I’m sick of every public effort being labeled as “socialism”. Socialism is public ownership of the means of production. People deciding to make things available to themselves through public effort is not socialism. Roads, schools, water, electricity, gas, cops, firemen, libraries, postal delivery, social insurance programs like Medicare and SS. The government is partially or completely responsible for making all of that available. Why access to health care and/or upgrading housing stock to reduce our need for fossil fuels is any different than any of that escapes me.
it escapes me because it isn’t so.
i don’t give a crap if the SCOTUS is 9 or 15 or 3 or 121 justices. 121 is probably not practical, 3 is probably too few. 9 or 11 or 15 is all the same to me. Having SCOTUS justices not nominated by the POTUS may run afoul of some Constitutional requirement, I don’t actually know, I’d have to look it up. But absent that, I don’t see what the issue is.
Banana republics are not examples of socialism. They are examples of government being captive by a small number of private actors, and being run in the interest of those private actors. Like, when public agencies responsible for oversight of industries are headed up by people from those industries, and who have spent their careers fighting against oversight by the agencies they now head.
That is what banana republics are.
An economy that makes a few people absurdly, insanely wealthy – wealthy beyond any real benefit to themselves, their families, or anybody else – while reducing working people to living in their cars and crowd-sourcing their cancer treatment is *already destroyed*. It’s already toxic and dysfunctional.
Fuck the Dow. Make the people whole. If the Dow comes along for the ride, fine, but make the people whole first.
If this kind of thing is all you got, I’m not on board.
wrs
But, also, how any R can claim that D’s destroy the economy would be laughable if I weren’t so tired of listening to their lies.
wrs
But, also, how any R can claim that D’s destroy the economy would be laughable if I weren’t so tired of listening to their lies.
“His answer was that we need to have universal health care, portable benefits and higher minimum wage.”
“The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.”
Which of any of those three proposals is socialism, let alone “destroying” America?
“Portable benefits” are socialist!? Not even Ayn Rand surreptitiously signing up for Medicare on her husband’s account (after cheating on HIM with Nathaniel Brandon, yet another Medicare beneficiary) had the chops to go on Phil Donahue and let that cat outta the bag.
Putting aside all other objections universal (single payer) healthcare (mine is that Americans, as a class of people, are incompetent at running anything that doesn’t benefit Mr. and Mrs. Top Dog … in other words, the 300-plus million “Me’s” in the country who have constructed their own walled-off kingdoms ….. to the neglect of everyone else), corporate America and small businessmen (those below five feet tall and less than 120 pounds) will save many tens of billions of shareholder dollars once responsibility for their employees’ healthcare funding is removed from their balance sheets.
It’ll be like an enormous .. tax cut .. for corporations, though taxes of one kind or another will and should rise to fund universality.
I suspect when Marty signs up for Medicare, which he will, if he hasn’t already, THAT will be the death of America or at least political discourse without snickering.
“President’s Malaria Initiative.”
If only we had malaria endemic to America instead of colon cancer, we’d be in the money. Though the regulatory apparatus put a big dent in mosquito productivity and bloodsucking incentives. Mosquitos in Africa hardly bother to get up and go to work in the morning anymore.
“Is America becoming a banana republic”
“Sir, what have you wrought?”
Ben Franklin, who counted my German forbears as among the swarthy as well: “A shit ton of bananas, Madam, if you can peel them yourself, since slavery will only last another 75 years with another 100 years or so of loopholes and then endless foot dragging to follow! Now, good day to you!”
“His answer was that we need to have universal health care, portable benefits and higher minimum wage.”
“The first reaction is socialism, that is destroying and will destroy America.”
Which of any of those three proposals is socialism, let alone “destroying” America?
“Portable benefits” are socialist!? Not even Ayn Rand surreptitiously signing up for Medicare on her husband’s account (after cheating on HIM with Nathaniel Brandon, yet another Medicare beneficiary) had the chops to go on Phil Donahue and let that cat outta the bag.
Putting aside all other objections universal (single payer) healthcare (mine is that Americans, as a class of people, are incompetent at running anything that doesn’t benefit Mr. and Mrs. Top Dog … in other words, the 300-plus million “Me’s” in the country who have constructed their own walled-off kingdoms ….. to the neglect of everyone else), corporate America and small businessmen (those below five feet tall and less than 120 pounds) will save many tens of billions of shareholder dollars once responsibility for their employees’ healthcare funding is removed from their balance sheets.
It’ll be like an enormous .. tax cut .. for corporations, though taxes of one kind or another will and should rise to fund universality.
I suspect when Marty signs up for Medicare, which he will, if he hasn’t already, THAT will be the death of America or at least political discourse without snickering.
“President’s Malaria Initiative.”
If only we had malaria endemic to America instead of colon cancer, we’d be in the money. Though the regulatory apparatus put a big dent in mosquito productivity and bloodsucking incentives. Mosquitos in Africa hardly bother to get up and go to work in the morning anymore.
“Is America becoming a banana republic”
“Sir, what have you wrought?”
Ben Franklin, who counted my German forbears as among the swarthy as well: “A shit ton of bananas, Madam, if you can peel them yourself, since slavery will only last another 75 years with another 100 years or so of loopholes and then endless foot dragging to follow! Now, good day to you!”
I did not expect you to be on board. But I didnt expect you to have any way to pay for it except raise taxes, just on the rich. Which doesnt pay for all that. Ever.
The last 50 years of economic policy have created the strongest and most resilient economy in the world, The economy has absorbed over 60 million new workers, since 1960’s doubled the workforce, while maintaining the average salary and substantially increasing total comp.
Before the ACA pretty much anyone could buy insurance through places like the SBA.
People inb the gig economy had the opportunity to have insurance, they chose not to in lots of cases, and still do depending on age.
I dont care what term you want to use,eventually you have to pay for it by taxing pretty much everyone, in your spending world probably 75%. Not many people besides you think that would be a good solution, so Dems dont admit to it.
The question I was answering was what policies I believed would destroy America. I wasnt trying to get anyone to agree.
I did not expect you to be on board. But I didnt expect you to have any way to pay for it except raise taxes, just on the rich. Which doesnt pay for all that. Ever.
The last 50 years of economic policy have created the strongest and most resilient economy in the world, The economy has absorbed over 60 million new workers, since 1960’s doubled the workforce, while maintaining the average salary and substantially increasing total comp.
Before the ACA pretty much anyone could buy insurance through places like the SBA.
People inb the gig economy had the opportunity to have insurance, they chose not to in lots of cases, and still do depending on age.
I dont care what term you want to use,eventually you have to pay for it by taxing pretty much everyone, in your spending world probably 75%. Not many people besides you think that would be a good solution, so Dems dont admit to it.
The question I was answering was what policies I believed would destroy America. I wasnt trying to get anyone to agree.
Health care and a living wage are going to destroy America. Right.
Those ideas are not what is dividing America. Polling shows that most Republicans like those ideas. What divides America is THEY ARE DESTROYING AMERICA BY LOOKING DIFFERENT THAN ME AND BY TAKING MY GUNS AND KILLING BABIESAND EBOLA TRANSPEOPLE IN BATHROOMS AND HAVING OPEN BORDERS ETC ETC ETc!!!1!
The rightwing perception that American is being destroyed in not based on consideration of options to solve real problems. It is not based on good faith discussions of policy differences.
It isn’t based on good faith at all.
The polarization of our political lives into Republicans screaming abuse at everyone else and everyone else getting increasingly angry back is the result of cynical tactical decisions made by leaders ot the Republican party: Rove, Atwood etc The decision was to use lies and hyperbole on cultural issues to create polarization.
Deliberate cynical creation of polarization around cultural issues by lying and exaggerating in the discussion of those issues. And all of that is summed up by the claim that Democrats are destroying America.
The only difference between Trump and other Republican politicians is his blatancy. The others used dog whistles.
And now one of the repeated themes from the rightwing propaganda machine is that conservatives have to defend themselves with violence from leftwing violence.
Trump eluded to that recently. One of my rightwing facebook friends posted a thing from Tucker Carlson about that with my friends added comment about how conservatives had to fight attacks from the left–and he meant it literally. The drum beat of warnings of how leftwingers won’t allow Republicans to win elections. Turning Point members provoking people with taunts to get fights started, videotaping the fights, and posting the fights as examples of how conservatives a re under physical assault by leftists on college campuses.
Those people are not motivated by fear of an increase in the minimum wage or existential angst over the ACA.
They are motivate by their sense that their America is indeed being destroyed by another vision of America. So what is their vision, the one they consider the real America? According to Candace Owen, Hitler provided a model for how “nationalism” could be promoted within a nation.
The claim that American is being destroyed is not based on different thoughts about policy. Its a belief of people who have been listening to rightwing propaganda and have formed a vision n of themselves as the only real Americans and who from that stand point seek to reject marginalize demean and abuse the rest of the population. Mostly they want to do this by cheerleading for righwing politicians but some what to do more and kill people.
Health care and a living wage are going to destroy America. Right.
Those ideas are not what is dividing America. Polling shows that most Republicans like those ideas. What divides America is THEY ARE DESTROYING AMERICA BY LOOKING DIFFERENT THAN ME AND BY TAKING MY GUNS AND KILLING BABIESAND EBOLA TRANSPEOPLE IN BATHROOMS AND HAVING OPEN BORDERS ETC ETC ETc!!!1!
The rightwing perception that American is being destroyed in not based on consideration of options to solve real problems. It is not based on good faith discussions of policy differences.
It isn’t based on good faith at all.
The polarization of our political lives into Republicans screaming abuse at everyone else and everyone else getting increasingly angry back is the result of cynical tactical decisions made by leaders ot the Republican party: Rove, Atwood etc The decision was to use lies and hyperbole on cultural issues to create polarization.
Deliberate cynical creation of polarization around cultural issues by lying and exaggerating in the discussion of those issues. And all of that is summed up by the claim that Democrats are destroying America.
The only difference between Trump and other Republican politicians is his blatancy. The others used dog whistles.
And now one of the repeated themes from the rightwing propaganda machine is that conservatives have to defend themselves with violence from leftwing violence.
Trump eluded to that recently. One of my rightwing facebook friends posted a thing from Tucker Carlson about that with my friends added comment about how conservatives had to fight attacks from the left–and he meant it literally. The drum beat of warnings of how leftwingers won’t allow Republicans to win elections. Turning Point members provoking people with taunts to get fights started, videotaping the fights, and posting the fights as examples of how conservatives a re under physical assault by leftists on college campuses.
Those people are not motivated by fear of an increase in the minimum wage or existential angst over the ACA.
They are motivate by their sense that their America is indeed being destroyed by another vision of America. So what is their vision, the one they consider the real America? According to Candace Owen, Hitler provided a model for how “nationalism” could be promoted within a nation.
The claim that American is being destroyed is not based on different thoughts about policy. Its a belief of people who have been listening to rightwing propaganda and have formed a vision n of themselves as the only real Americans and who from that stand point seek to reject marginalize demean and abuse the rest of the population. Mostly they want to do this by cheerleading for righwing politicians but some what to do more and kill people.
Ben Franklin, who counted my German forbears as among the swarthy as well
Wave after wave, with each wave eventually getting to be counted among the white and worthy. Eventually.
A worthwhile thought, for St Patricks Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.
Sometimes I think the history of America is an extended exercise in having the idea of “white” finally fade away, to be replaced by the idea of “human”.
If not America, then someone else, and we’ll be swept into the dustbin of history, having played our part. It’s not like we have a monopoly on virtue.
Soon come, one way or another.
Ben Franklin, who counted my German forbears as among the swarthy as well
Wave after wave, with each wave eventually getting to be counted among the white and worthy. Eventually.
A worthwhile thought, for St Patricks Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.
Sometimes I think the history of America is an extended exercise in having the idea of “white” finally fade away, to be replaced by the idea of “human”.
If not America, then someone else, and we’ll be swept into the dustbin of history, having played our part. It’s not like we have a monopoly on virtue.
Soon come, one way or another.
The original political compromise was one waste repository in SC one in NV.
Yeah, the DOE’s original plan was one large repository in the East, near all those reactors, and a much smaller one in the West. Upstate New York and western Maine have some nearly ideal sites with straightforward access to geologically stable basement rock far below any water tables. None of the proposed sites were eliminated for engineering reasons, they were eliminated as political favors before the serious studies got started. The act that limited the choice to Yucca Mountain was generally referred to in Congress as the “Screw Nevada Bill”, and was done in a way that precluded any committee or floor debate.
The Utah tribe — and a couple of other rural places — are offering temporary above-ground storage of spent fuel casks. The tribe is actually pursuing the necessary licenses. None of the companies that actually own the spent fuel seem interested, largely because of the liability risk of moving the casks themselves. DOE has never been actually authorized to do anything about interim storage.
I still have family in Nebraska. The state seems to be going from a strong supporter of Yucca Mountain to an opponent. They were a supporter when they saw it only as a way to get rid of the casks at their two reactors. They started changing their mind when they found that DOE’s plans for waste from farther east involved unloading >300 barges filled with casks in Omaha per year, putting them on UP trains, and running them the length of the state. Every year for 25 or more years.
The original political compromise was one waste repository in SC one in NV.
Yeah, the DOE’s original plan was one large repository in the East, near all those reactors, and a much smaller one in the West. Upstate New York and western Maine have some nearly ideal sites with straightforward access to geologically stable basement rock far below any water tables. None of the proposed sites were eliminated for engineering reasons, they were eliminated as political favors before the serious studies got started. The act that limited the choice to Yucca Mountain was generally referred to in Congress as the “Screw Nevada Bill”, and was done in a way that precluded any committee or floor debate.
The Utah tribe — and a couple of other rural places — are offering temporary above-ground storage of spent fuel casks. The tribe is actually pursuing the necessary licenses. None of the companies that actually own the spent fuel seem interested, largely because of the liability risk of moving the casks themselves. DOE has never been actually authorized to do anything about interim storage.
I still have family in Nebraska. The state seems to be going from a strong supporter of Yucca Mountain to an opponent. They were a supporter when they saw it only as a way to get rid of the casks at their two reactors. They started changing their mind when they found that DOE’s plans for waste from farther east involved unloading >300 barges filled with casks in Omaha per year, putting them on UP trains, and running them the length of the state. Every year for 25 or more years.
The only difference between Trump and other Republican politicians is his blatancy. The others used dog whistles.
It occurs to me to wonder. Having become accustomed to blatancy, will dog whistles still be effective going forward? Or will everyone appealing to bigotry be forced to be out front with it? (With predictable negative effects among those parts of the electorate which is growing, rather than shrinking….)
The only difference between Trump and other Republican politicians is his blatancy. The others used dog whistles.
It occurs to me to wonder. Having become accustomed to blatancy, will dog whistles still be effective going forward? Or will everyone appealing to bigotry be forced to be out front with it? (With predictable negative effects among those parts of the electorate which is growing, rather than shrinking….)
The question I was answering was what policies I believed would destroy America. I wasnt trying to get anyone to agree.
Thank you, Marty. I appreciate the response.
The question I was answering was what policies I believed would destroy America. I wasnt trying to get anyone to agree.
Thank you, Marty. I appreciate the response.
The last 50 years of economic policy have created the strongest and most resilient economy in the world
What were we before 1969, chopped liver? I thought those were the days we were going to return to when we Make America Great Again?
The economy has absorbed over 60 million new workers, since 1960’s doubled the workforce, while maintaining the average salary and substantially increasing total comp.
The US population is almost twice what it was in 1960, so I would expect the workforce to keep pace. As far as total comp, I know my old man could buy a house for about twice his salary when I was a kid. It cost me nothing to go to college.
Good times.
As an aside, the St Louis Fed weighs in on historical rates of personal bankruptcy for the last 100 years. Look at 1969 to now, compared to before then.
Before the ACA pretty much anyone could buy insurance through places like the SBA.
People can still buy insurance any time they like, ACA or no ACA. If they can afford it.
People inb the gig economy had the opportunity to have insurance, they chose not to in lots of cases, and still do depending on age
Stupid dumb asses, not buying insurance!! See my comment immediately above.
eventually you have to pay for it by taxing pretty much everyone, in your spending world probably 75%.
For what, health care? What do we spend on health care now?
“How you gonna pay for it?!? We can’t tax the rich people, they’ll take their money and run away!?!??”.
We already pay for it, all of the things under discussion. We just pay for it in stupid and inefficient ways. Health care, housing, transportation, all of it. Pick anything on the list. We already pay for it, or else pay for the lack of it.
I’d like better bang for the buck.
The last 50 years of economic policy have created the strongest and most resilient economy in the world
What were we before 1969, chopped liver? I thought those were the days we were going to return to when we Make America Great Again?
The economy has absorbed over 60 million new workers, since 1960’s doubled the workforce, while maintaining the average salary and substantially increasing total comp.
The US population is almost twice what it was in 1960, so I would expect the workforce to keep pace. As far as total comp, I know my old man could buy a house for about twice his salary when I was a kid. It cost me nothing to go to college.
Good times.
As an aside, the St Louis Fed weighs in on historical rates of personal bankruptcy for the last 100 years. Look at 1969 to now, compared to before then.
Before the ACA pretty much anyone could buy insurance through places like the SBA.
People can still buy insurance any time they like, ACA or no ACA. If they can afford it.
People inb the gig economy had the opportunity to have insurance, they chose not to in lots of cases, and still do depending on age
Stupid dumb asses, not buying insurance!! See my comment immediately above.
eventually you have to pay for it by taxing pretty much everyone, in your spending world probably 75%.
For what, health care? What do we spend on health care now?
“How you gonna pay for it?!? We can’t tax the rich people, they’ll take their money and run away!?!??”.
We already pay for it, all of the things under discussion. We just pay for it in stupid and inefficient ways. Health care, housing, transportation, all of it. Pick anything on the list. We already pay for it, or else pay for the lack of it.
I’d like better bang for the buck.
Wave after wave, with each wave eventually getting to be counted among the white and worthy. Eventually.
A worthwhile thought, for St Patricks Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.
Heck, even East Asians are considered “white” now. And wouldn’t that astonish (not to mention appall) folks from the era of fretting over the “yellow peril”?
Wave after wave, with each wave eventually getting to be counted among the white and worthy. Eventually.
A worthwhile thought, for St Patricks Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.
Heck, even East Asians are considered “white” now. And wouldn’t that astonish (not to mention appall) folks from the era of fretting over the “yellow peril”?
I guess it will always be ‘necessary’ to mix both, one as the drone and one as the tune.
I guess it will always be ‘necessary’ to mix both, one as the drone and one as the tune.
I was referring to wj’s blatancy/dog whistle question.
I was referring to wj’s blatancy/dog whistle question.
Heck, even East Asians are considered “white” now. And wouldn’t that astonish (not to mention appall) folks from the era of fretting over the “yellow peril”?
Not so sure that this is firmly established. Since it has been decreed that the US need a new big enemy for the 21st century and China is the main candidate, the ‘yellow peril’ might get a mighty revival.
Heck, even East Asians are considered “white” now. And wouldn’t that astonish (not to mention appall) folks from the era of fretting over the “yellow peril”?
Not so sure that this is firmly established. Since it has been decreed that the US need a new big enemy for the 21st century and China is the main candidate, the ‘yellow peril’ might get a mighty revival.
“Just on the rich:
No, everyone. The Medicare tax, or whatever replaces it, will rise for everyone.
It won’t happen. Too many sunk costs in the bullshit and small print we have now.
“they chose not to in lots of cases”
Nonsense, most of them can’t even afford the employee share of the insurance premiums and thus are forced (by circumstance, the free market enforcer, whose devastations conservatives worship because it’s cheaper that way) to forgo insurance.
I’m dating a 45-year old woman right now who can’t afford the employee insurance for herself, though she pays for her daughter’s insurance thru her company for whom she works full time, so she does without.
I broach the subject.
It’s either that or no car or no apartment.
That’s not a choice. It’s fucking bullshit.
And it will get worse as progress progresses:
âWe should not be haunted by the specter of being automated out of work,â she says. âWe should not feel nervous about the tollbooth collector not having to collect tolls. We should be excited by that. But the reason weâre not excited about it is because we live in a society where if you donât have a job, you are left to die.â
Observed by Karla Marx, that former bartender from the Bronx.
Russell wrote: “Sometimes I think the history of America is an extended exercise in having the idea of “white” finally fade away, to be replaced by the idea of “human”.
Read Ibram Kendi’s “Stamped from The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” in which it is documented (the book has its shortfalls, to be sure) even abolitionists held the opposite point of view: that in fact becoming white, via education, christianization, and force, WAS becoming fully human and to be accorded full humanity by the white race, who were born right.
Of course, not necessarily fully enfranchised even then, certainly not for women. One wonders if Abigail Adams, had the opportunity been available, would have transitioned to male surgically and via hormonal therapy, to assume the “identity” required to merely enter a voting booth.
Cotton Mather, Ben Franklin, the lot. Not John Brown, since only lunatics had the foresight to be sane.
America was built on a foundation of Identity Politics.
The present campus silliness, your mileage may vary, is a logical development from those roots.
Change your identity and you too will be accorded full humanity.
“Just on the rich:
No, everyone. The Medicare tax, or whatever replaces it, will rise for everyone.
It won’t happen. Too many sunk costs in the bullshit and small print we have now.
“they chose not to in lots of cases”
Nonsense, most of them can’t even afford the employee share of the insurance premiums and thus are forced (by circumstance, the free market enforcer, whose devastations conservatives worship because it’s cheaper that way) to forgo insurance.
I’m dating a 45-year old woman right now who can’t afford the employee insurance for herself, though she pays for her daughter’s insurance thru her company for whom she works full time, so she does without.
I broach the subject.
It’s either that or no car or no apartment.
That’s not a choice. It’s fucking bullshit.
And it will get worse as progress progresses:
âWe should not be haunted by the specter of being automated out of work,â she says. âWe should not feel nervous about the tollbooth collector not having to collect tolls. We should be excited by that. But the reason weâre not excited about it is because we live in a society where if you donât have a job, you are left to die.â
Observed by Karla Marx, that former bartender from the Bronx.
Russell wrote: “Sometimes I think the history of America is an extended exercise in having the idea of “white” finally fade away, to be replaced by the idea of “human”.
Read Ibram Kendi’s “Stamped from The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” in which it is documented (the book has its shortfalls, to be sure) even abolitionists held the opposite point of view: that in fact becoming white, via education, christianization, and force, WAS becoming fully human and to be accorded full humanity by the white race, who were born right.
Of course, not necessarily fully enfranchised even then, certainly not for women. One wonders if Abigail Adams, had the opportunity been available, would have transitioned to male surgically and via hormonal therapy, to assume the “identity” required to merely enter a voting booth.
Cotton Mather, Ben Franklin, the lot. Not John Brown, since only lunatics had the foresight to be sane.
America was built on a foundation of Identity Politics.
The present campus silliness, your mileage may vary, is a logical development from those roots.
Change your identity and you too will be accorded full humanity.
I must ask.
If this private insurance we speak of is available and affordable to everyone merely as a matter of choice, WHY, Marty, did you put us through years of endless kvetching about your participation in the ACA?
I must ask.
If this private insurance we speak of is available and affordable to everyone merely as a matter of choice, WHY, Marty, did you put us through years of endless kvetching about your participation in the ACA?
“the ‘yellow peril’ might get a mighty revival.”
As long as we exempt the massage therapists.
Why cut off our slausons before we get to the Slauson Cutoff?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twqa9AppfeE
“the ‘yellow peril’ might get a mighty revival.”
As long as we exempt the massage therapists.
Why cut off our slausons before we get to the Slauson Cutoff?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twqa9AppfeE
John, Did you read what I wrote? Prior to the ACA…
John, Did you read what I wrote? Prior to the ACA…
I priced private insurance, with no employer intermediary, as I was unemployed, before and after the ACA was law, and it was out of sight both ways for a completely healthy 60-year old man.
Happily, I was able to remain on the FEHB, at full cost without the employer contribution, but still cheaper and most of all free of the crap regarding pre-existing conditions (I was 60; THAT was the pre-existing condition), but it was still unaffordable, as in I had to pay via my savings, unless I made the non-choice choice of realizing that my age indeed could have turned into a post-existence financial catastrophe without it.
But, clarify for me the pre and post ACA differences in purchasing health insurance in the private market without the resources.
I’m listening.
And I get that your assets placed you in 20-plus percentage of those ACA participants who didn’t qualify for subsidies, which was just a stupid American principle that even Obama and company felt compelled to adhere to.
I priced private insurance, with no employer intermediary, as I was unemployed, before and after the ACA was law, and it was out of sight both ways for a completely healthy 60-year old man.
Happily, I was able to remain on the FEHB, at full cost without the employer contribution, but still cheaper and most of all free of the crap regarding pre-existing conditions (I was 60; THAT was the pre-existing condition), but it was still unaffordable, as in I had to pay via my savings, unless I made the non-choice choice of realizing that my age indeed could have turned into a post-existence financial catastrophe without it.
But, clarify for me the pre and post ACA differences in purchasing health insurance in the private market without the resources.
I’m listening.
And I get that your assets placed you in 20-plus percentage of those ACA participants who didn’t qualify for subsidies, which was just a stupid American principle that even Obama and company felt compelled to adhere to.
I simply couldnt get the SBA group insurance I had for years off and on as a contractor. So the way I found somewhat affordable ins was to find group insurance, I had found a few but I dont remember all of them, but the group through the SBA was the most affordable and pretty easy to get.
I dont know for sure it went away with the ACA because I didnt use them for a few years before the ACA but I suspect it replaced it because it’s not on offer anymore.
I simply couldnt get the SBA group insurance I had for years off and on as a contractor. So the way I found somewhat affordable ins was to find group insurance, I had found a few but I dont remember all of them, but the group through the SBA was the most affordable and pretty easy to get.
I dont know for sure it went away with the ACA because I didnt use them for a few years before the ACA but I suspect it replaced it because it’s not on offer anymore.
Group insurance was indeed a blessing.
When I was contracting, I and a couple friends (all, be it noted, with pre-existing conditions which made us uninsurable as individuals), created a group. Which allowed us to purchase insurance . . . with no questions asked about possible pre-existing conditions.
But, no offense intended, it is not a ploy that I would expect the average Joe to come up with. And note that neither was it cheap — “cheap” as in affordable by those with merely average incomes. But at least it was possible.
Group insurance was indeed a blessing.
When I was contracting, I and a couple friends (all, be it noted, with pre-existing conditions which made us uninsurable as individuals), created a group. Which allowed us to purchase insurance . . . with no questions asked about possible pre-existing conditions.
But, no offense intended, it is not a ploy that I would expect the average Joe to come up with. And note that neither was it cheap — “cheap” as in affordable by those with merely average incomes. But at least it was possible.
There comes a point in these discussions where the reality of the difficulties that many people – millions of people – face gets waved away, either as being not real, or of no consequence, or as simply being their own damned fault.
That’s the point at which my ability to participate, and interest in participating in, congenial conversation across the line in the sand from a foot away ends.
A vibrant economy that does provide the means to a basic level of economic security to millions of people is not a vibrant economy. I don’t care what the Dow is, or how many million and billionaires it spins off.
It’s nice that you guys found a way to get health insurance. Good for you.
Maybe you want to consider the circumstances of people other than yourself. Just as a starting point, for that civil conversation.
There comes a point in these discussions where the reality of the difficulties that many people – millions of people – face gets waved away, either as being not real, or of no consequence, or as simply being their own damned fault.
That’s the point at which my ability to participate, and interest in participating in, congenial conversation across the line in the sand from a foot away ends.
A vibrant economy that does provide the means to a basic level of economic security to millions of people is not a vibrant economy. I don’t care what the Dow is, or how many million and billionaires it spins off.
It’s nice that you guys found a way to get health insurance. Good for you.
Maybe you want to consider the circumstances of people other than yourself. Just as a starting point, for that civil conversation.
Russell, nothing gets waved away. People have issues, we have a safety net, it didnt cover everyone, so now we should just do away with the insurance that covers 80% of the people, dismantle the insurance companies, raise taxes on everyone for some system that right now is less good than what the 80% have.
Somewhere in this conversation the potential negative impacts just get waved away and any discussion beyond that point is useless.
Multiple times I’ve suggested means tested Medicare as a way to cover the rest, but then no because means testing is somehow bad. Which I still dont understand, if it’s a safety net why wouldnt you means test it?. And at that point I quit discussing it because the point is clearly not focused on solving the problem.
So the point, and the difference, is it isn’t a safety net, it’s a right that everyone should have equally, no matter what they di. The new Demicratic platform is equal outcomes. Guaranteed living wage, guaranteed health insurance, guaranteed child care, guaranteed everything. By the time you tax everyone enough to pay for that then everyone is equal.
So no, I dont believe in guaranteed equal outcomes. That’s your difference.
Russell, nothing gets waved away. People have issues, we have a safety net, it didnt cover everyone, so now we should just do away with the insurance that covers 80% of the people, dismantle the insurance companies, raise taxes on everyone for some system that right now is less good than what the 80% have.
Somewhere in this conversation the potential negative impacts just get waved away and any discussion beyond that point is useless.
Multiple times I’ve suggested means tested Medicare as a way to cover the rest, but then no because means testing is somehow bad. Which I still dont understand, if it’s a safety net why wouldnt you means test it?. And at that point I quit discussing it because the point is clearly not focused on solving the problem.
So the point, and the difference, is it isn’t a safety net, it’s a right that everyone should have equally, no matter what they di. The new Demicratic platform is equal outcomes. Guaranteed living wage, guaranteed health insurance, guaranteed child care, guaranteed everything. By the time you tax everyone enough to pay for that then everyone is equal.
So no, I dont believe in guaranteed equal outcomes. That’s your difference.
By the time you tax everyone enough to pay for that then everyone is equal.
I.e. no one will live in poverty even if everyone has to be taxed into poverty to do it.
By the time you tax everyone enough to pay for that then everyone is equal.
I.e. no one will live in poverty even if everyone has to be taxed into poverty to do it.
I dont believe in guaranteed equal outcomes.
The existence of a some kind of minimal economic baseline does not, remotely, equal guaranteed equal outcomes.
And in general people would prefer getting paid enough to live on for their work, in circumstances that were reasonably stable and reliable, to a safety net.
The argument against means testing Medicare, and SS for that matter, is less about “everybody should have everything”, and more about maintaining a political constituency for the programs.
Because if you think people b*tch about the entitlements now, imagine how they will howl if they have to pay in, and then get nothing in return, because they make too much money and they already have more than enough.
SS is funded by a regressive tax, but is actually progressive in payout. You get less of a proportion of what you made when working, the more you make.
Medicare is no longer funded by a regressive tax, it’s basically a flat tax. So the more you make, the more you pay. But, you get the same benefits, regardless of how much you paid in.
And all of that is probably about as much redistribution as those programs can stand. If we start shutting rich folks off, they’ll make sure the programs go away.
Enough of them want the programs to go away as it is.
And I’m sorry, but responding to a discussion about people crowd-sourcing their cancer care with something like “they should have just bought insurance from the SBA” is kind of hand-wavy.
They couldn’t afford to buy insurance from the SBA, or anywhere else, and also pay for everything else they needed to pay for. They didn’t have enough money, even though they work their asses off.
That’s the issue.
I dont believe in guaranteed equal outcomes.
The existence of a some kind of minimal economic baseline does not, remotely, equal guaranteed equal outcomes.
And in general people would prefer getting paid enough to live on for their work, in circumstances that were reasonably stable and reliable, to a safety net.
The argument against means testing Medicare, and SS for that matter, is less about “everybody should have everything”, and more about maintaining a political constituency for the programs.
Because if you think people b*tch about the entitlements now, imagine how they will howl if they have to pay in, and then get nothing in return, because they make too much money and they already have more than enough.
SS is funded by a regressive tax, but is actually progressive in payout. You get less of a proportion of what you made when working, the more you make.
Medicare is no longer funded by a regressive tax, it’s basically a flat tax. So the more you make, the more you pay. But, you get the same benefits, regardless of how much you paid in.
And all of that is probably about as much redistribution as those programs can stand. If we start shutting rich folks off, they’ll make sure the programs go away.
Enough of them want the programs to go away as it is.
And I’m sorry, but responding to a discussion about people crowd-sourcing their cancer care with something like “they should have just bought insurance from the SBA” is kind of hand-wavy.
They couldn’t afford to buy insurance from the SBA, or anywhere else, and also pay for everything else they needed to pay for. They didn’t have enough money, even though they work their asses off.
That’s the issue.
A vibrant economy that does provide the means to a basic level of economic security to millions of people is not a vibrant economy.
I find it impossible to disagree with anything russell says in this thread, except the quotation above, and that’s presumably only because he left out a “not” after “does”.
A vibrant economy that does provide the means to a basic level of economic security to millions of people is not a vibrant economy.
I find it impossible to disagree with anything russell says in this thread, except the quotation above, and that’s presumably only because he left out a “not” after “does”.
russell, it’s not hand waving, I’ve helped a few friends and family in similar ways. But I cant discuss policy with you when you personalize every issue down to people you know,because any objection is offending you, petsonally.
I’ve never said, ever, we shouldnt have a safety net.
russell, it’s not hand waving, I’ve helped a few friends and family in similar ways. But I cant discuss policy with you when you personalize every issue down to people you know,because any objection is offending you, petsonally.
I’ve never said, ever, we shouldnt have a safety net.
There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.
There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.
Thanks for the response, Marty.
_______________________________
Russell: “A worthwhile thought, for St Patrick’s Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.”
And right on cue, the discriminating vermin in the Republican Party hand us more of their fucking identity politics.
https://www.balloon-juice.com/2019/03/17/gop-stupidity-open-thread-erin-go-bragh-to-you-too-ronna/
Dammit, I’ll have you know I could once drink any Irishman under the table.
I want to means test by political registration.
Republicans get no Medicare. They set foot on a public road and I’ll shoot them for theft of services.
“There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.”
On which side of 65 would you means test?
I’d say they are the same in this respect. Means-testing would be a ready made political hit ad run every political cycle by the conservative movement, asking why all of these poor and dusky people are getting full medical care paid for by the hardworking less poor and less dusky taxpayers, who have been discriminated against because of their wealth.
Just like now.
Why, photos of allegedly drunk Irishman with their darkened photo shopped mugs buried in the public trough would be peddled far and wide.
Paddy Horton glowering criminally after a welfare colonoscopy.
No, as long as the Republican Party is a legally going concern, NOTHING will permitted to work in this country.
Thanks for the response, Marty.
_______________________________
Russell: “A worthwhile thought, for St Patrick’s Day. Hell, even Italians and Jews are white now.”
And right on cue, the discriminating vermin in the Republican Party hand us more of their fucking identity politics.
https://www.balloon-juice.com/2019/03/17/gop-stupidity-open-thread-erin-go-bragh-to-you-too-ronna/
Dammit, I’ll have you know I could once drink any Irishman under the table.
I want to means test by political registration.
Republicans get no Medicare. They set foot on a public road and I’ll shoot them for theft of services.
“There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.”
On which side of 65 would you means test?
I’d say they are the same in this respect. Means-testing would be a ready made political hit ad run every political cycle by the conservative movement, asking why all of these poor and dusky people are getting full medical care paid for by the hardworking less poor and less dusky taxpayers, who have been discriminated against because of their wealth.
Just like now.
Why, photos of allegedly drunk Irishman with their darkened photo shopped mugs buried in the public trough would be peddled far and wide.
Paddy Horton glowering criminally after a welfare colonoscopy.
No, as long as the Republican Party is a legally going concern, NOTHING will permitted to work in this country.
“But I cant discuss policy with you when you personalize every issue down to people you know,because any objection is offending you, petsonally.”
Wait just a galdurned second here, Roy.
Russell and others here showed great understanding and empathy for your own personalized story, related over the course of several years by you, of being dragooned into the 20 percent of the ACA population not provided premium subsidies because of …… MEANS TESTING, (those last two words were yelled, I confess).
I threw something too.
“But I cant discuss policy with you when you personalize every issue down to people you know,because any objection is offending you, petsonally.”
Wait just a galdurned second here, Roy.
Russell and others here showed great understanding and empathy for your own personalized story, related over the course of several years by you, of being dragooned into the 20 percent of the ACA population not provided premium subsidies because of …… MEANS TESTING, (those last two words were yelled, I confess).
I threw something too.
There goes another pair of glasses.
There goes another pair of glasses.
presumably only because he left out a “not” after “does”.
oops.
yes, there should be a “not” after “does”.
đ
you personalize every issue down to people you know
Sometimes I discuss this stuff in terms of people I know, and sometimes I don’t. I’ve made a number of points in this thread that refer not at all to people I know, if you’d like to address those that’s fine.
None of the things we’re discussing are limited to people I know. I’m not offended by points of view. I am, not offended but angered by, arguments that fail, or refuse, to account for the real difficulty that people live with.
I appreciate that you support the safety net, and I have no doubt that you are a decent person who helps people out when you can. But as a simple example, there are something like 20 million households – 45 million people – in the US that participate in the SNAP program. The majority of those households have at least one person working. It’s absolutely great that the program exists, but that’s like 15% of the population.
A wonderful vibrant economy with a <4% unemployment rate and a historically high market valuation of the corporations that participate in it should not have ~15% of the population on food stamps. It should not have some of its largest employers coaching their employees on how to apply for federal aid.
All while spawning something like 15 million millionaires.
All of that points to a dysfunctional, toxic, and unbalanced economy. Not a vibrant and healthy one.
presumably only because he left out a “not” after “does”.
oops.
yes, there should be a “not” after “does”.
đ
you personalize every issue down to people you know
Sometimes I discuss this stuff in terms of people I know, and sometimes I don’t. I’ve made a number of points in this thread that refer not at all to people I know, if you’d like to address those that’s fine.
None of the things we’re discussing are limited to people I know. I’m not offended by points of view. I am, not offended but angered by, arguments that fail, or refuse, to account for the real difficulty that people live with.
I appreciate that you support the safety net, and I have no doubt that you are a decent person who helps people out when you can. But as a simple example, there are something like 20 million households – 45 million people – in the US that participate in the SNAP program. The majority of those households have at least one person working. It’s absolutely great that the program exists, but that’s like 15% of the population.
A wonderful vibrant economy with a <4% unemployment rate and a historically high market valuation of the corporations that participate in it should not have ~15% of the population on food stamps. It should not have some of its largest employers coaching their employees on how to apply for federal aid.
All while spawning something like 15 million millionaires.
All of that points to a dysfunctional, toxic, and unbalanced economy. Not a vibrant and healthy one.
There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.
As Mr. Thullen has pointed out, there would likely be little difference in the response.
Ask wealthier people to pay more into a program that’s available to everyone, and get less in return, and you’re basically hanging a great big target on the back of that program.
There are only about 20 different ways to slice and dice the health care thing, each of which has been demonstrated to be pretty workable and effective, in societies not too different from our own. Some of them are 100% public funded and run, most are some kind of combination of public and private, or highly regulated private.
And all of them are cheaper than what we do, when full cost of both public and private expenditure are considered. Most of them MUCH cheaper.
If “Medicare for all” is a stumbling block, do one of the other things. “Medicare for all” is basically just shorthand for “make it possible for people to go to the doctor without going broke”. I don’t think it matters all that much what form that takes.
I have a friend, a co-worker, whose Irish. Not American “St Patricks Day” Irish, but born in Dublin. He sometimes listens to the radio from back home on a streaming service. He was telling me about someone he heard on a call-in show, ranting about how she had to pay for supplemental health insurance, because whatever the public program was didn’t do everything she needed.
It was going to cost her $2000. A year. She was livid.
We had a good laugh about it. He’s the guy I’ve talked about before, the guy who’s going back to Ireland after he makes enough of a pile, because his son’s profoundly autistic and he’s afraid of what would happen to his boy if anything should happen to him (my friend, not the boy).
A good place to make a lot of money. Not a place to trust with your kids. That’s America to the rest of the world, now.
There’s a difference between means testing Medicare prior to 65 for a safety net and means testing ss and Medicare after retirement.
As Mr. Thullen has pointed out, there would likely be little difference in the response.
Ask wealthier people to pay more into a program that’s available to everyone, and get less in return, and you’re basically hanging a great big target on the back of that program.
There are only about 20 different ways to slice and dice the health care thing, each of which has been demonstrated to be pretty workable and effective, in societies not too different from our own. Some of them are 100% public funded and run, most are some kind of combination of public and private, or highly regulated private.
And all of them are cheaper than what we do, when full cost of both public and private expenditure are considered. Most of them MUCH cheaper.
If “Medicare for all” is a stumbling block, do one of the other things. “Medicare for all” is basically just shorthand for “make it possible for people to go to the doctor without going broke”. I don’t think it matters all that much what form that takes.
I have a friend, a co-worker, whose Irish. Not American “St Patricks Day” Irish, but born in Dublin. He sometimes listens to the radio from back home on a streaming service. He was telling me about someone he heard on a call-in show, ranting about how she had to pay for supplemental health insurance, because whatever the public program was didn’t do everything she needed.
It was going to cost her $2000. A year. She was livid.
We had a good laugh about it. He’s the guy I’ve talked about before, the guy who’s going back to Ireland after he makes enough of a pile, because his son’s profoundly autistic and he’s afraid of what would happen to his boy if anything should happen to him (my friend, not the boy).
A good place to make a lot of money. Not a place to trust with your kids. That’s America to the rest of the world, now.
This is Trump’s latest tweet: …must stay strong and fight back with vigor. Stop working soooo hard on being politically correct, which will only bring you down, and continue to fight for our Country. The losers all want what you have, donât give it to them. Be strong & prosper, be weak & die! Stay true….
Ironically he has nothing to say about the flooding in Nebraska and Kansas. Among other things Republican bas voters are chumps.
This is Trump’s latest tweet: …must stay strong and fight back with vigor. Stop working soooo hard on being politically correct, which will only bring you down, and continue to fight for our Country. The losers all want what you have, donât give it to them. Be strong & prosper, be weak & die! Stay true….
Ironically he has nothing to say about the flooding in Nebraska and Kansas. Among other things Republican bas voters are chumps.
The chair of the Republican party just posed that Democratic “obstructionism” wil take the form of “howling mobs” “sabotage” and “slanderous libel”.
The chair of the Republican party just posed that Democratic “obstructionism” wil take the form of “howling mobs” “sabotage” and “slanderous libel”.
At this point it is hard not to conclude that trumpl his base, the rightwing media, with the complicity of most elected Republicans are inciting violence against people outside their base. So yeah Democrats are destroying AMerican is fucking hate speech.
At this point it is hard not to conclude that trumpl his base, the rightwing media, with the complicity of most elected Republicans are inciting violence against people outside their base. So yeah Democrats are destroying AMerican is fucking hate speech.
Sounds preparatory to martial law and the canceling of elections with the requisite disappearances of just about anyone these vermin hate.
Ronna Romney McDaniel is this cuck’s name, though p requested she drop the “Romney” when he nominated her to be a piece of shit in his service because that name personally aggrieved the fucking dog.
Direct all yer obstruction, howling mobs, sabotage, and slanderous libel and libelous slander at her personally.
Sounds preparatory to martial law and the canceling of elections with the requisite disappearances of just about anyone these vermin hate.
Ronna Romney McDaniel is this cuck’s name, though p requested she drop the “Romney” when he nominated her to be a piece of shit in his service because that name personally aggrieved the fucking dog.
Direct all yer obstruction, howling mobs, sabotage, and slanderous libel and libelous slander at her personally.
CharlesWT: From a libertarian point of view:
Yes: First Step Act
No: Medicare Part D
No: No Child Left Behind
No: Patients and Communities Act
No: SCHIP
The “yes” and “no” presumably refer to the original request: “identify any ‘definite improvements’ the GOP has proposed in the last 20 years”.
Libertarians are individually entitled, like everybody else, to judge what counts as a “definite improvement”. My problem is not with anybody’s judgement of each proposal. My problem is with the characterization of all these things as Republican proposals.
It is over-generous, IMHO, to credit the GOP for proposing some Good Thing when support for it is nearly unanimous.
I don’t know the legislative maneuvering behind any of the above “Republican proposals”, but I doubt that every one of them was opposed by the Democrats in the way that ACA was opposed by Republicans. However you judge Obamacare, even Republicans will tell you (loudly) that it was a Democratic proposal.
During her “Hockey Mom = Pitbull With Lipstick” nomination acceptance speech at the 2008 GOP convention, Sarah Palin drew great applause by boldly promising to “fight for” special-needs kids as VP. My question at the time was: “Fight against WHO? Liberal Dems??”
I hope that illustrates my point.
–TP
CharlesWT: From a libertarian point of view:
Yes: First Step Act
No: Medicare Part D
No: No Child Left Behind
No: Patients and Communities Act
No: SCHIP
The “yes” and “no” presumably refer to the original request: “identify any ‘definite improvements’ the GOP has proposed in the last 20 years”.
Libertarians are individually entitled, like everybody else, to judge what counts as a “definite improvement”. My problem is not with anybody’s judgement of each proposal. My problem is with the characterization of all these things as Republican proposals.
It is over-generous, IMHO, to credit the GOP for proposing some Good Thing when support for it is nearly unanimous.
I don’t know the legislative maneuvering behind any of the above “Republican proposals”, but I doubt that every one of them was opposed by the Democrats in the way that ACA was opposed by Republicans. However you judge Obamacare, even Republicans will tell you (loudly) that it was a Democratic proposal.
During her “Hockey Mom = Pitbull With Lipstick” nomination acceptance speech at the 2008 GOP convention, Sarah Palin drew great applause by boldly promising to “fight for” special-needs kids as VP. My question at the time was: “Fight against WHO? Liberal Dems??”
I hope that illustrates my point.
–TP
However you judge Obamacare, even Republicans will tell you (loudly) that it was a Democratic proposal.
Not this Republican. I’ll tell you it was a Republican proposal. Which they abruptly opposed after Obama’s name got associated with it. Because, you know, “no wins of any kind for Obama” necessarily meant opposing anything he seemed to favor. Heck, if he’d proposed cutting top tax rates to 20%, they’d have opposed it. Probably on the grounds that it wasn’t enough of a cut, but opposed nonetheless.
However you judge Obamacare, even Republicans will tell you (loudly) that it was a Democratic proposal.
Not this Republican. I’ll tell you it was a Republican proposal. Which they abruptly opposed after Obama’s name got associated with it. Because, you know, “no wins of any kind for Obama” necessarily meant opposing anything he seemed to favor. Heck, if he’d proposed cutting top tax rates to 20%, they’d have opposed it. Probably on the grounds that it wasn’t enough of a cut, but opposed nonetheless.
wj: Not this Republican. I’ll tell you it was a Republican proposal.
Take it up with Marty. Best of luck đ
–TP
wj: Not this Republican. I’ll tell you it was a Republican proposal.
Take it up with Marty. Best of luck đ
–TP
Facts remain facts, however inconvenient.
Now I suppose one could make the argument that it was only proposed because they considered the alternatives to be worse. (And didn’t realize there was a way to use the information bubble to rally lots of those who lacked access to insurance to oppose making it available.) Not sure I’d buy that, but it’s got a lot more going for it than claiming it was the Democrat’s idea in the first place.
Facts remain facts, however inconvenient.
Now I suppose one could make the argument that it was only proposed because they considered the alternatives to be worse. (And didn’t realize there was a way to use the information bubble to rally lots of those who lacked access to insurance to oppose making it available.) Not sure I’d buy that, but it’s got a lot more going for it than claiming it was the Democrat’s idea in the first place.
I have no idea where Marty gets his healthcare ideas from.
Every country in the developed world apart from the USA has universal healthcare, with individual costs not dependent on health status.
Germany is not socialist. It has a thriving entrepreneurial economy. The biggest single thing the US government could do to grow the economy would be to bring in universal healthcare. Except for in the health insurance sector.
I have no idea where Marty gets his healthcare ideas from.
Every country in the developed world apart from the USA has universal healthcare, with individual costs not dependent on health status.
Germany is not socialist. It has a thriving entrepreneurial economy. The biggest single thing the US government could do to grow the economy would be to bring in universal healthcare. Except for in the health insurance sector.
wj: I suppose one could make the argument that it was only proposed because they considered the alternatives to be worse.
“They” being “Republicans”, right? I have heard it both asserted and disputed that Romneycare/ACA/Obamacare started life as a Heritage Foundation proposal, meant more as a poison pill against “Hillarycare” than as a sincere policy prescription.
I recognize that the GOP is not married to the Heritage Foundation; they’re more like friends with benefits. So the HF and the GOP may have differed on what the actual purpose of the HF proposal was. That the GOP had no further use for it after defeating Hillarycare says something about that.
Facts do remain facts, and the legislative fact is that the GOP fought tooth and nail against ACA. Then voted dozens of times to “repeal and replace” it. Then tried “skinny repeal” and failed. Still, through its Dear Leader, keeps trying to subvert it.
And Real Republicans(TM) still caterwaul that it was “rammed through” by … wait for it … the Democrats.
–TP
wj: I suppose one could make the argument that it was only proposed because they considered the alternatives to be worse.
“They” being “Republicans”, right? I have heard it both asserted and disputed that Romneycare/ACA/Obamacare started life as a Heritage Foundation proposal, meant more as a poison pill against “Hillarycare” than as a sincere policy prescription.
I recognize that the GOP is not married to the Heritage Foundation; they’re more like friends with benefits. So the HF and the GOP may have differed on what the actual purpose of the HF proposal was. That the GOP had no further use for it after defeating Hillarycare says something about that.
Facts do remain facts, and the legislative fact is that the GOP fought tooth and nail against ACA. Then voted dozens of times to “repeal and replace” it. Then tried “skinny repeal” and failed. Still, through its Dear Leader, keeps trying to subvert it.
And Real Republicans(TM) still caterwaul that it was “rammed through” by … wait for it … the Democrats.
–TP
Farhaj Ahsan
Farhaj Ahsan
Except for in the health insurance sector.
There are countries – many – that provide affordable, universally available health care, and which also have a robust private health insurance sector.
Germany among them, if I’m not mistaken.
If public single payer is going to make everyone break out in socialism hives, then do one of the other eleventy-seven things that have been demonstrated to work.
If the ACA isn’t getting it done, fix it. If the ACA is getting it mostly done, adjust it. If we need to throw the ACA out and start over, fine, do that.
And, if the most effective way to make health care available to everyone actually is going to be public single-payer, then do that, and we’ll figure out the private health insurance thing.
It wouldn’t be the first private industry that was obsoleted by public efforts.
The goal is for people to go to the doctor so they don’t suffer and die unnecessarily. If that’s not the goal, then make it the goal.
And then align the rest of the mess to support that goal.
Except for in the health insurance sector.
There are countries – many – that provide affordable, universally available health care, and which also have a robust private health insurance sector.
Germany among them, if I’m not mistaken.
If public single payer is going to make everyone break out in socialism hives, then do one of the other eleventy-seven things that have been demonstrated to work.
If the ACA isn’t getting it done, fix it. If the ACA is getting it mostly done, adjust it. If we need to throw the ACA out and start over, fine, do that.
And, if the most effective way to make health care available to everyone actually is going to be public single-payer, then do that, and we’ll figure out the private health insurance thing.
It wouldn’t be the first private industry that was obsoleted by public efforts.
The goal is for people to go to the doctor so they don’t suffer and die unnecessarily. If that’s not the goal, then make it the goal.
And then align the rest of the mess to support that goal.
Scott Lemieux doesn’t really like the argument that Obamacare had any basis in any Republican ideas.
https://prospect.org/article/no-obamacare-wasnt-republican-proposal
Scott Lemieux doesn’t really like the argument that Obamacare had any basis in any Republican ideas.
https://prospect.org/article/no-obamacare-wasnt-republican-proposal
From cleek’s link, on “Romneycare”:
Romneycare…
From cleek’s link, on “Romneycare”:
Romneycare…
We already pay for it, all of the things under discussion. We just pay for it in stupid and inefficient ways. Health care, housing, transportation, all of it. Pick anything on the list. We already pay for it, or else pay for the lack of it.
I’d like better bang for the buck.
Bingo!
We already pay for it, all of the things under discussion. We just pay for it in stupid and inefficient ways. Health care, housing, transportation, all of it. Pick anything on the list. We already pay for it, or else pay for the lack of it.
I’d like better bang for the buck.
Bingo!
Retrospectively described? “My plan for Massachusetts health insurance reform by Mitt Romney.”
__
Regarding health insurance costs, and repeating myself: the important thing is not single payer. The important thing is that health insurance be provided in which individual payments are independent of health status (and dependent on individual income). Like in Germany. That way, everyone can afford it.
Over 20% of US healthcare costs aren’t spent on actual healthcare – they go to insurance companies. If you eliminate half of that, you can cover the uninsured (about 9%, thanks to Obamacare) for no extra cost. That’s without even considering admin savings for healthcare providers.
The US healthcare system is insane.
Retrospectively described? “My plan for Massachusetts health insurance reform by Mitt Romney.”
__
Regarding health insurance costs, and repeating myself: the important thing is not single payer. The important thing is that health insurance be provided in which individual payments are independent of health status (and dependent on individual income). Like in Germany. That way, everyone can afford it.
Over 20% of US healthcare costs aren’t spent on actual healthcare – they go to insurance companies. If you eliminate half of that, you can cover the uninsured (about 9%, thanks to Obamacare) for no extra cost. That’s without even considering admin savings for healthcare providers.
The US healthcare system is insane.
“The US healthcare system is insane”
Because mental-health coverage is so bad?
“The US healthcare system is insane”
Because mental-health coverage is so bad?
what Mass got isn’t exactly what Romney proposed.
he wouldn’t veto eight provisions of his own proposal, obviously.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_health_care_reform#Reform_coalitions
what Mass got isn’t exactly what Romney proposed.
he wouldn’t veto eight provisions of his own proposal, obviously.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_health_care_reform#Reform_coalitions
It [health care] wouldn’t be the first private industry that was obsoleted by public efforts.
Privately built, owned, and run toll roads leap immediately to mind.
It [health care] wouldn’t be the first private industry that was obsoleted by public efforts.
Privately built, owned, and run toll roads leap immediately to mind.
An essential part of the German system is a compensation system between the different health insurance companies based on the healthcare costs shouldered by each. That way it does not make much sense to try to keep out the expensive customers while it incentivizes the individual company to be more efficient. Plus there is an insurer of last resort that (as I undertstand it) fulfills the role that the ‘public option’ was supposed to in the original ACA proposal.
It’s by no means perfect but it seems to work reasonably well.
An essential part of the German system is a compensation system between the different health insurance companies based on the healthcare costs shouldered by each. That way it does not make much sense to try to keep out the expensive customers while it incentivizes the individual company to be more efficient. Plus there is an insurer of last resort that (as I undertstand it) fulfills the role that the ‘public option’ was supposed to in the original ACA proposal.
It’s by no means perfect but it seems to work reasonably well.
I’d like better bang for the buck.
WE. ALREADY. FUCKING. DO.
Yep. My head hits the desk when folks trot out the old “we can’t afford it” chestnut. Please read the following
threefour words carefully:I’d like better bang for the buck.
WE. ALREADY. FUCKING. DO.
Yep. My head hits the desk when folks trot out the old “we can’t afford it” chestnut. Please read the following
threefour words carefully:I saw this headline and thought, ok, I need to add this to Marty’s list.
Fair is fair.
Then I realized it was a Canadian paper.
đ
I saw this headline and thought, ok, I need to add this to Marty’s list.
Fair is fair.
Then I realized it was a Canadian paper.
đ
Glen Beck was on Hannity talking a bout how we won’t be able to recognize America if Trump isn’t re-elected. Rep King had a whole buch of stuff on his FB page about how conservatives would win a civil awr.
yes, saying that Deomcrats are destroying America is hate speech.
Glen Beck was on Hannity talking a bout how we won’t be able to recognize America if Trump isn’t re-elected. Rep King had a whole buch of stuff on his FB page about how conservatives would win a civil awr.
yes, saying that Deomcrats are destroying America is hate speech.
hating Americans is good business for the conservative industry.
if a few excitables kill some people now and then, no problem. there’s always people around to excuse it – the killing, the people who did the killing, their motivation, their inspiration, their leaders, and the industry that keeps it all going.
hating Americans is good business for the conservative industry.
if a few excitables kill some people now and then, no problem. there’s always people around to excuse it – the killing, the people who did the killing, their motivation, their inspiration, their leaders, and the industry that keeps it all going.
But russell, Canada is also a place that actually seeks immigrants (because they are so good for the economy). They even encourage foreign students who want to stay to do so.
Obviously nothing like “real [recognizable] America.” Just a socialist hellhole; an example of how we would become like Venezuela if we aren’t careful. Oh, wait….
But russell, Canada is also a place that actually seeks immigrants (because they are so good for the economy). They even encourage foreign students who want to stay to do so.
Obviously nothing like “real [recognizable] America.” Just a socialist hellhole; an example of how we would become like Venezuela if we aren’t careful. Oh, wait….
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article228096429.html
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article228096429.html
Cucks all the way up and down:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-doubles-down-george-conway-bashing-stone-cold-loser-husband-from-hell
Fuck America.
Cucks all the way up and down:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-doubles-down-george-conway-bashing-stone-cold-loser-husband-from-hell
Fuck America.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1107702161864093698
video of a woman at a Bannon rally saying that she would like Trump to be dictator–and everyone cheers.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1107702161864093698
video of a woman at a Bannon rally saying that she would like Trump to be dictator–and everyone cheers.
But Democrats are the ones ruining the country. Jeez…
But Democrats are the ones ruining the country. Jeez…
And also, apparently, to gut the 6th Amendment:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/03/democratic-presidential-candidates-judges-supreme-court.html
I must admit, this came as a bit of surprise to me:
the Supreme Court hasnât had a justice with significant experience representing indigent criminal defendants since Thurgood Marshall, who founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, retired in 1991…
And also, apparently, to gut the 6th Amendment:
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/03/democratic-presidential-candidates-judges-supreme-court.html
I must admit, this came as a bit of surprise to me:
the Supreme Court hasnât had a justice with significant experience representing indigent criminal defendants since Thurgood Marshall, who founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, retired in 1991…
Mssrs Gorsuch and Thomas, and whomever wants to join them, will have no right to counsel either when their death penalty cases come up for review.
I want to get rid of reviews as well for conservatives.
Mssrs Gorsuch and Thomas, and whomever wants to join them, will have no right to counsel either when their death penalty cases come up for review.
I want to get rid of reviews as well for conservatives.
“to gut the 6th Amendment”
Yeah, well what else would one expect from John “lawless” Roberts, Strip Search Sammy, Token, Kav, and Squi?
“to gut the 6th Amendment”
Yeah, well what else would one expect from John “lawless” Roberts, Strip Search Sammy, Token, Kav, and Squi?
But Nigel, the article also notes that Trump “has yet to appoint a single public defender to the federal bench.” They act like that’s a bad thing. But when you consider the kind of people he would likely find, even if they did have that experience? I mean, look at who he has appointed to head the various regulatory agencies.
But Nigel, the article also notes that Trump “has yet to appoint a single public defender to the federal bench.” They act like that’s a bad thing. But when you consider the kind of people he would likely find, even if they did have that experience? I mean, look at who he has appointed to head the various regulatory agencies.
What do Republicans want?Well some want to eliminate the rest of us.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/steve-king-civil-war-meme-bullets-iowa-republican-a8830206.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR01R88YKYWzqwJoOwxyu7oXQG7m43L7QBVkC3h9_UdW6bGkpn12m7-Z_V4#Echobox=1553126861
What do Republicans want?Well some want to eliminate the rest of us.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/steve-king-civil-war-meme-bullets-iowa-republican-a8830206.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR01R88YKYWzqwJoOwxyu7oXQG7m43L7QBVkC3h9_UdW6bGkpn12m7-Z_V4#Echobox=1553126861
This appears a pretty well exact description of Trumpâs manner of discourse, too:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/03/mosque-shooter-troll-like-original-nazis/585415/
This appears a pretty well exact description of Trumpâs manner of discourse, too:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/03/mosque-shooter-troll-like-original-nazis/585415/
Oh, for fuck sakes:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-considering-stephen-moore-herman-cain-for-fed-board-report-2019-03-21?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
The death purge of the next Democratic Administration is going to be quite something.
Oh, for fuck sakes:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-considering-stephen-moore-herman-cain-for-fed-board-report-2019-03-21?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
The death purge of the next Democratic Administration is going to be quite something.
Some conservative ideas are ripe for consideration and implementation:
https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2019/03/21/foxs-mark-levin-democrats-would-have-sniper-towers-all-over-place-if-undocumented-immigrants-could/223211
Let it never be said that I am completely partisan.
On the first day of my administration, I would strip Rupert Murdoch of his American citizenship and deport him to, well, not back to Australia.
His entire family as well.
Then I would strip FOX News of their broadcasting licenses and nationalize all of their property on national security grounds.
Some conservative ideas are ripe for consideration and implementation:
https://www.mediamatters.org/video/2019/03/21/foxs-mark-levin-democrats-would-have-sniper-towers-all-over-place-if-undocumented-immigrants-could/223211
Let it never be said that I am completely partisan.
On the first day of my administration, I would strip Rupert Murdoch of his American citizenship and deport him to, well, not back to Australia.
His entire family as well.
Then I would strip FOX News of their broadcasting licenses and nationalize all of their property on national security grounds.
Perhaps Somalia for Murdoch? On the grounds that he could hardly make matters worse there. We really wouldn’t want to do harm to some place which isn’t an existing disaster.
Perhaps Somalia for Murdoch? On the grounds that he could hardly make matters worse there. We really wouldn’t want to do harm to some place which isn’t an existing disaster.
Somaliland doesn’t welcome pirates like Murdoch:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/somaliland-a-success-story-without-the-billions-and-bombs/
Somaliland doesn’t welcome pirates like Murdoch:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/somaliland-a-success-story-without-the-billions-and-bombs/
Send Murdoch to North Sentinel Island.
They’ll call him “lunch”.
Send Murdoch to North Sentinel Island.
They’ll call him “lunch”.
It seems we have a choice between creeping socialism, as it was once called, and anti-social creeps:
Harry Truman, hat tip to Hullabaloo:
“Creeping socialization”–or “creeping socialism”–those are the words that give the game away. Socialism–sometimes “creeping” and sometimes “galloping”–is the slogan and patented trademark of the special interest lobbies. Socialism is the epithet they have hurled at every advance the people have made in the last 20 years. Now listen to this:
“Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called farm price supports.
Socialism is what they called bank deposit insurance.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for anything that helps all the people.”
It seems we have a choice between creeping socialism, as it was once called, and anti-social creeps:
Harry Truman, hat tip to Hullabaloo:
“Creeping socialization”–or “creeping socialism”–those are the words that give the game away. Socialism–sometimes “creeping” and sometimes “galloping”–is the slogan and patented trademark of the special interest lobbies. Socialism is the epithet they have hurled at every advance the people have made in the last 20 years. Now listen to this:
“Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called farm price supports.
Socialism is what they called bank deposit insurance.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for anything that helps all the people.”
p is guilty of collusion, deliberately sows confusion, and tells his base to cause contusions among his mortal enemies, who include every spouse of his employees, including Pence’s wife.
As Muhammad Ali showed, history is more fun when it rhymes.
Have a great weekend.
p is guilty of collusion, deliberately sows confusion, and tells his base to cause contusions among his mortal enemies, who include every spouse of his employees, including Pence’s wife.
As Muhammad Ali showed, history is more fun when it rhymes.
Have a great weekend.
The hate is what TRump supporters like about him: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/03/22/trumps-rhetoric-does-inspire-more-hate-crimes/?utm_term=.78d2b5892821
The hate is what TRump supporters like about him: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/03/22/trumps-rhetoric-does-inspire-more-hate-crimes/?utm_term=.78d2b5892821
Somaliland doesn’t welcome pirates like Murdoch:
Somaliland is a relatively well-governed piece of what used to be Somalia. For reasons which make no real sense, we haven’t recognized it. Instead, we recognize a supposed government of Somali — which barely exercises authority over the capital city. Nuts!
So agreed, Somaliland doesn’t deserve Murdoch. Somalia, on the other hand….
Somaliland doesn’t welcome pirates like Murdoch:
Somaliland is a relatively well-governed piece of what used to be Somalia. For reasons which make no real sense, we haven’t recognized it. Instead, we recognize a supposed government of Somali — which barely exercises authority over the capital city. Nuts!
So agreed, Somaliland doesn’t deserve Murdoch. Somalia, on the other hand….
From the Washington Post link:
“Whatâs more, according to the FBIâs Universal Crime report in 2017, reported hate crimes increased 17 percent over 2016.”
Also, the number of police departments reporting increased by about 1,000 over 2016. So, how much was an increase and how much was due to the FBI getting more reports? The reports are voluntary.
From the Washington Post link:
“Whatâs more, according to the FBIâs Universal Crime report in 2017, reported hate crimes increased 17 percent over 2016.”
Also, the number of police departments reporting increased by about 1,000 over 2016. So, how much was an increase and how much was due to the FBI getting more reports? The reports are voluntary.
So, how much was an increase and how much was due to the FBI getting more reports?
If the latter, the indication is that hate crimes were probably already at 2017 levels, just not reported.
I’m not sure if that is supposed to be reassuring.
So, how much was an increase and how much was due to the FBI getting more reports?
If the latter, the indication is that hate crimes were probably already at 2017 levels, just not reported.
I’m not sure if that is supposed to be reassuring.
What’s not reassuring is the detail that, in counties where Trump held rallies, hate crimes jumped over 200%. Compared to under 20% overall.
Certainly correlation is not proof of causation. But worrying (if unsurprising) nonetheless.
What’s not reassuring is the detail that, in counties where Trump held rallies, hate crimes jumped over 200%. Compared to under 20% overall.
Certainly correlation is not proof of causation. But worrying (if unsurprising) nonetheless.
There is almost certainly some causation,I couldnt find numbers though. Did they go from 1 to 3 or 20 to 60? I can see Trump firing up a few people. Or 300 to 900? The difference in those numbers actually woul matter, I think.
There is almost certainly some causation,I couldnt find numbers though. Did they go from 1 to 3 or 20 to 60? I can see Trump firing up a few people. Or 300 to 900? The difference in those numbers actually woul matter, I think.
Mueller has delivered his final report to the Attorney General.
Mueller has delivered his final report to the Attorney General.
Not for nothing, but you gave me a ration of shit for calling attention to this a day or after the election.
Trump’s base has a disproportionate number of belligerent bigots, and they see his presidency as a free pass to let their freak flag fly.
Glad you’re seeing the f**ing light.
Not for nothing, but you gave me a ration of shit for calling attention to this a day or after the election.
Trump’s base has a disproportionate number of belligerent bigots, and they see his presidency as a free pass to let their freak flag fly.
Glad you’re seeing the f**ing light.
My point st the time, completely lost, was that he wasnt the cause of every hate crime. Never doubted he could cause some. But hate crimes existed before Trump. Still sorry that discussion became personalized.
My point st the time, completely lost, was that he wasnt the cause of every hate crime. Never doubted he could cause some. But hate crimes existed before Trump. Still sorry that discussion became personalized.
This is so massive that words fail me:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/how-kleptocracy-came-to-america/580471/
America has enabled the theft of everything in the world.
This is a non-partisan statement.
There is no amount of executions of the guilty filth that could suffice as justice.
But I will tell you this.
Those, and they are legion, who saddled us with Citizens United will be slaughtered and butchered.
The Rule of Law is a puny piece of dog shit compared to the monstrosity of this massive solar-system sized corruption.
America is merely the corrupt fence for all of the world’s stolen wealth.
I am complicit for allowing it. The peoples of the world should kill me and then get to work on the rest of us.
This is so massive that words fail me:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/how-kleptocracy-came-to-america/580471/
America has enabled the theft of everything in the world.
This is a non-partisan statement.
There is no amount of executions of the guilty filth that could suffice as justice.
But I will tell you this.
Those, and they are legion, who saddled us with Citizens United will be slaughtered and butchered.
The Rule of Law is a puny piece of dog shit compared to the monstrosity of this massive solar-system sized corruption.
America is merely the corrupt fence for all of the world’s stolen wealth.
I am complicit for allowing it. The peoples of the world should kill me and then get to work on the rest of us.
Talia Levin needs to secure an interview on Ingraham’s shitshow and carry a weapon on her person:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2019/03/22/talia-lavin-could-teach-laura-ingraham-lot-about-journalism/223221
Talia Levin needs to secure an interview on Ingraham’s shitshow and carry a weapon on her person:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2019/03/22/talia-lavin-could-teach-laura-ingraham-lot-about-journalism/223221
Still sorry that discussion became personalized.
“Your friends suck”
“You’re unhinged”
It didn’t ‘become personalized’, you personalized it. The party with agency here is not “it”, it’s you.
It’s neither here nor there, really, it just is what it is. I’m glad it’s finally freaking dawning on you that the POTUS is a freaking bigot and that he enables and encourages bigotry.
Still sorry that discussion became personalized.
“Your friends suck”
“You’re unhinged”
It didn’t ‘become personalized’, you personalized it. The party with agency here is not “it”, it’s you.
It’s neither here nor there, really, it just is what it is. I’m glad it’s finally freaking dawning on you that the POTUS is a freaking bigot and that he enables and encourages bigotry.
This is so massive that words fail me:
I was talking with my wife about this this evening while she was making dinner. The United States has become profoundly corrupt. Neither of us has any confidence that that is going to be turned around in our lifetimes.
Frankly, in many ways we would probably prefer to live somewhere else, but our lives are here.
I love what we claim to stand for. I am ashamed of what we are.
This is so massive that words fail me:
I was talking with my wife about this this evening while she was making dinner. The United States has become profoundly corrupt. Neither of us has any confidence that that is going to be turned around in our lifetimes.
Frankly, in many ways we would probably prefer to live somewhere else, but our lives are here.
I love what we claim to stand for. I am ashamed of what we are.
What I will add to the above is this:
There is not one thing in the world more obvious to me than the palpable corruption of the president of the United States and his family. Equally obvious to me is that, at a minimum, principals of his campaign, including members of his immediate family, did not “collude” but conspired with Russian nationals including people with quite close connections to the Russian government to fnck with the 2016 election.
Mueller has delivered his findings to the DOJ. His work is done, and I’m sure it is well done.
Now it is up to the rest of us – the DOJ, Congress, the courts, and plain old us – to do something about this bullshit.
Best of luck to all.
What I will add to the above is this:
There is not one thing in the world more obvious to me than the palpable corruption of the president of the United States and his family. Equally obvious to me is that, at a minimum, principals of his campaign, including members of his immediate family, did not “collude” but conspired with Russian nationals including people with quite close connections to the Russian government to fnck with the 2016 election.
Mueller has delivered his findings to the DOJ. His work is done, and I’m sure it is well done.
Now it is up to the rest of us – the DOJ, Congress, the courts, and plain old us – to do something about this bullshit.
Best of luck to all.
The United States has become profoundly corrupt. Neither of us has any confidence that that is going to be turned around in our lifetimes.
Here’s a little something to buoy you up. Not for nothing is today compared to the Gilded Age of a century ago. Think about how quickly that got turned around by the Progressives. (Of course, whether it will happen in your lifetimes depends a lot on how you see your life expectancy. But it’s probably not hopeless.)
The United States has become profoundly corrupt. Neither of us has any confidence that that is going to be turned around in our lifetimes.
Here’s a little something to buoy you up. Not for nothing is today compared to the Gilded Age of a century ago. Think about how quickly that got turned around by the Progressives. (Of course, whether it will happen in your lifetimes depends a lot on how you see your life expectancy. But it’s probably not hopeless.)
I would love to see where I wrote your friends suck, I did say you were unhinged I’ve been called worse.
I would love to see where I wrote your friends suck, I did say you were unhinged I’ve been called worse.
Mueller has delivered his findings to the DOJ. His work is done, and I’m sure it is well done.
The question that leaps to mind is: how many sealed indictments are there, waiting to be unsealed? I’ll be surprised if the number is zero. But how many? Not to mention who?
Mueller has delivered his findings to the DOJ. His work is done, and I’m sure it is well done.
The question that leaps to mind is: how many sealed indictments are there, waiting to be unsealed? I’ll be surprised if the number is zero. But how many? Not to mention who?
“There no need to ask if we’ll see Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report about his investigation of Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. We almost certainly will. The real questions are when we’ll get it, how much we’ll see of it, and who’s going to leak it.
Because these days, sieves are jealous of the federal government. If the report claims any sort of direct connection between President Donald Trump and Russian election interference, some folks are going to want to get that into the public’s hands. And if the report does not show any connections, a different group of people is going want to leak that information out.”
Unnamed Justice Department officials are telling reporters Mueller has recommended no further indictments.
As the Mueller Report Drops, a Transparency Fight Begins: How much will we see of the special counsel’s report? And when?
“There no need to ask if we’ll see Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report about his investigation of Russian attempts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. We almost certainly will. The real questions are when we’ll get it, how much we’ll see of it, and who’s going to leak it.
Because these days, sieves are jealous of the federal government. If the report claims any sort of direct connection between President Donald Trump and Russian election interference, some folks are going to want to get that into the public’s hands. And if the report does not show any connections, a different group of people is going want to leak that information out.”
Unnamed Justice Department officials are telling reporters Mueller has recommended no further indictments.
As the Mueller Report Drops, a Transparency Fight Begins: How much will we see of the special counsel’s report? And when?
I would love to see where I wrote your friends suck
Seek and ye shall find.
I would love to see where I wrote your friends suck
Seek and ye shall find.
The question that leaps to mind is: how many sealed indictments are there
Per Josh Marshall at TPM, CNN’s Laura Jarrett asked exactly that. DOJ says zero.
The question that leaps to mind is: how many sealed indictments are there
Per Josh Marshall at TPM, CNN’s Laura Jarrett asked exactly that. DOJ says zero.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/03/ken-starr-muellers-report-shouldnt-go-congress/585577/
I have several unfriendly remarks in mind concerning this disingenious wish-wash and the bufonid that authored it but in the spirit of civility I’ll leave that to the fertile imagination of the audience.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/03/ken-starr-muellers-report-shouldnt-go-congress/585577/
I have several unfriendly remarks in mind concerning this disingenious wish-wash and the bufonid that authored it but in the spirit of civility I’ll leave that to the fertile imagination of the audience.
I learn so much from you, Hartmut, but you’re being so mean to the family Bufonidae.
I learn so much from you, Hartmut, but you’re being so mean to the family Bufonidae.
Two views of conservatives regarding cookies in recent books, which I plan to read:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/fdr-herbert-hoover-big-government/580456/
One takeaway, among many:
“Meanwhile, the financial structure of the United States was approaching collapse. At the start of Hooverâs presidency, 24,000 banks had been open for business throughout the country. By 1933, 10,000 of these had shut their doors. One state after anotherâNevada, Iowa, Californiaâwas suspending normal bank operations in order to keep frightened depositors from withdrawing their cash. Publicly, Hoover insisted that the solution to the panic was a recommitment to the gold standard by nations that had recently abandoned it, such as Great Britain; he blamed the impending Roosevelt administration for sowing fear and discord. But privately, only a day before Michigan declared a bank holiday to protect its faltering financial system, he told Edgar Rickard, an old friend from Hooverâs days as a mining engineer and executive, to withdraw â$10,000 in billsâ for emergencies.
The story of an angst-filled Hoover quietly squirreling away funds while lecturing the country about the moral necessity of keeping the banks open is one of the pleasures of Eric Rauchwayâs Winter War, a crisp narrative of the four-month interregnum between Franklin D. Rooseveltâs victory in November 1932 and his assumption of the presidency in March 1933.”
To the country: “Don’t touch those cookies. Leave them in the cookie jar.”
To the elite: “Umm, you might want to score those cookies while the going is good. Bob’s yer uncle.”
And now John Roberts: “Boys, don’t think all of those cookies are yours because of your privilege, which is suspect and probably just dumb luck.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/john-roberts-biography-review/580453/
One takeaway, among many:
“Two years ago, Chief Justice John Roberts gave the commencement address at the Cardigan Mountain School, in New Hampshire. The ninth-grade graduates of the all-boys school included his son, Jack. Parting with custom, Roberts declined to wish the boys luck. Instead he said that, from time to time, âI hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice.â He went on, âI hope youâll be ignored, so you know the importance of listening to others.â He urged the boys to âunderstand that your success is not completely deserved, and that the failure of others is not completely deserved, either.â And in the speechâs most topical passage, he reminded them that, while they were good boys, âyou are also privileged young men. And if you werenât privileged when you came here, youâre privileged now because you have been here. My advice is: Donât act like it.â
He has a little AOC sitting on one shoulder, or is maybe channeling his inner Russell values, perhaps ready, alas, on too few occasions, to leap over the bar and cut Kavanaugh, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Alito off from their constitutionally mandated alcoholism. Remind conservatives of that when they scoff at the notion of disparately distributed privilege.
Too bad about most of his rulings, however, since privilege seems to be viewed as protected by immutable law enshrined in the Constitution.
Of course, once p nominates another federalist society cuck, Roberts is of no use whatsoever and the American bet is off.
Two views of conservatives regarding cookies in recent books, which I plan to read:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/fdr-herbert-hoover-big-government/580456/
One takeaway, among many:
“Meanwhile, the financial structure of the United States was approaching collapse. At the start of Hooverâs presidency, 24,000 banks had been open for business throughout the country. By 1933, 10,000 of these had shut their doors. One state after anotherâNevada, Iowa, Californiaâwas suspending normal bank operations in order to keep frightened depositors from withdrawing their cash. Publicly, Hoover insisted that the solution to the panic was a recommitment to the gold standard by nations that had recently abandoned it, such as Great Britain; he blamed the impending Roosevelt administration for sowing fear and discord. But privately, only a day before Michigan declared a bank holiday to protect its faltering financial system, he told Edgar Rickard, an old friend from Hooverâs days as a mining engineer and executive, to withdraw â$10,000 in billsâ for emergencies.
The story of an angst-filled Hoover quietly squirreling away funds while lecturing the country about the moral necessity of keeping the banks open is one of the pleasures of Eric Rauchwayâs Winter War, a crisp narrative of the four-month interregnum between Franklin D. Rooseveltâs victory in November 1932 and his assumption of the presidency in March 1933.”
To the country: “Don’t touch those cookies. Leave them in the cookie jar.”
To the elite: “Umm, you might want to score those cookies while the going is good. Bob’s yer uncle.”
And now John Roberts: “Boys, don’t think all of those cookies are yours because of your privilege, which is suspect and probably just dumb luck.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/john-roberts-biography-review/580453/
One takeaway, among many:
“Two years ago, Chief Justice John Roberts gave the commencement address at the Cardigan Mountain School, in New Hampshire. The ninth-grade graduates of the all-boys school included his son, Jack. Parting with custom, Roberts declined to wish the boys luck. Instead he said that, from time to time, âI hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice.â He went on, âI hope youâll be ignored, so you know the importance of listening to others.â He urged the boys to âunderstand that your success is not completely deserved, and that the failure of others is not completely deserved, either.â And in the speechâs most topical passage, he reminded them that, while they were good boys, âyou are also privileged young men. And if you werenât privileged when you came here, youâre privileged now because you have been here. My advice is: Donât act like it.â
He has a little AOC sitting on one shoulder, or is maybe channeling his inner Russell values, perhaps ready, alas, on too few occasions, to leap over the bar and cut Kavanaugh, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Alito off from their constitutionally mandated alcoholism. Remind conservatives of that when they scoff at the notion of disparately distributed privilege.
Too bad about most of his rulings, however, since privilege seems to be viewed as protected by immutable law enshrined in the Constitution.
Of course, once p nominates another federalist society cuck, Roberts is of no use whatsoever and the American bet is off.
I usually don’t bother doing other people’s homework for them, but personal shit gets under my skin.
Marty, November 7 2016, 1:21 PM. In reponse to my account of a friend’s kid who found Trump frightening:
If your friends 12 year old is afraid of Trump then their parents suck.
And:
Her parents are teaching her to hate, just different people.
“Their parents” and “her parents” here being my friends. And the kid being someone who has friends who are Latin and Muslim, who goes to school every day with kids who are Latin and Muslim, and who at this point probably knows a handful of people whose lives have been fncked up by Trump.
Because even though we live in airy-fairy coastal elite land, many of our friends, neighbors, co-workers, what have you, are Latin, or Muslim, or are some other category of person who Trump has decided needs to have their lives fncked with in order to make America great again.
I will also note that this was at a time when Marty’s SO was phone-banking for Trump. About which no-one, including me, had a negative word to say. Then, or now, frankly. People should believe what they want to believe, and should support what they want to support. If anything folks at the time inquired about it respectfully and with genuine interest.
You know nothing about my friends, what they do, who they are, what they think or believe, what they teach their kids and how they raise their kids. Nothing. You know damned little about me, all you know about me and mine is what I share here. Which is the tip of the iceberg of who I am. Just like everyone else here.
All of this is neither here nor there, people say shit on blogs. But no more whining about how things get “personalized”. You personalized it. Not me, not anyone else. You did that. You own it.
People can differ about issues. The election of Trump to the office of POTUS is not about issues. It’s about corruption and resentment and malice, and the establishment of those things as political and social norms in this country. That is the danger he presents to us.
At some point we all have to decide which side of that line we want to be on.
I usually don’t bother doing other people’s homework for them, but personal shit gets under my skin.
Marty, November 7 2016, 1:21 PM. In reponse to my account of a friend’s kid who found Trump frightening:
If your friends 12 year old is afraid of Trump then their parents suck.
And:
Her parents are teaching her to hate, just different people.
“Their parents” and “her parents” here being my friends. And the kid being someone who has friends who are Latin and Muslim, who goes to school every day with kids who are Latin and Muslim, and who at this point probably knows a handful of people whose lives have been fncked up by Trump.
Because even though we live in airy-fairy coastal elite land, many of our friends, neighbors, co-workers, what have you, are Latin, or Muslim, or are some other category of person who Trump has decided needs to have their lives fncked with in order to make America great again.
I will also note that this was at a time when Marty’s SO was phone-banking for Trump. About which no-one, including me, had a negative word to say. Then, or now, frankly. People should believe what they want to believe, and should support what they want to support. If anything folks at the time inquired about it respectfully and with genuine interest.
You know nothing about my friends, what they do, who they are, what they think or believe, what they teach their kids and how they raise their kids. Nothing. You know damned little about me, all you know about me and mine is what I share here. Which is the tip of the iceberg of who I am. Just like everyone else here.
All of this is neither here nor there, people say shit on blogs. But no more whining about how things get “personalized”. You personalized it. Not me, not anyone else. You did that. You own it.
People can differ about issues. The election of Trump to the office of POTUS is not about issues. It’s about corruption and resentment and malice, and the establishment of those things as political and social norms in this country. That is the danger he presents to us.
At some point we all have to decide which side of that line we want to be on.
Of course, once p nominates another federalist society cuck, Roberts is of no use whatsoever and the American bet is off.
You seem to be assuming that his next nominee will be replacing, for example, Ginsburg. If he (and with Trump, I’d bet it would be he) was a replacement for Thomas, that would be a different story. (Hey, you might get lucky, and he would be replacing Kavanaugh. Stranger things have happened.)
Of course, once p nominates another federalist society cuck, Roberts is of no use whatsoever and the American bet is off.
You seem to be assuming that his next nominee will be replacing, for example, Ginsburg. If he (and with Trump, I’d bet it would be he) was a replacement for Thomas, that would be a different story. (Hey, you might get lucky, and he would be replacing Kavanaugh. Stranger things have happened.)
Trump: keeping Americans safe from . . . flight attendants!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2019/03/23/how-flight-attendant-texas-ended-up-an-ice-detention-center-six-weeks/
Trump: keeping Americans safe from . . . flight attendants!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2019/03/23/how-flight-attendant-texas-ended-up-an-ice-detention-center-six-weeks/
It’s going to be interesting, in the Chinese sense, to compare the wording of leaks from the Justice Department, nabob natterings from the White House, Pox News, and the latter’s sister stations in Russian state media over the next whatever amount of amount time passes before we get to read the Mueller report.
It’s going to be interesting, in the Chinese sense, to compare the wording of leaks from the Justice Department, nabob natterings from the White House, Pox News, and the latter’s sister stations in Russian state media over the next whatever amount of amount time passes before we get to read the Mueller report.
If there were anything good for Trump in the report, wouldn’t we have heard about it already?
If there were anything good for Trump in the report, wouldn’t we have heard about it already?
If tidbits from the Mueller Report make it to Russia before they make it to the House, that will be quite…informative.
If tidbits from the Mueller Report make it to Russia before they make it to the House, that will be quite…informative.
“Trump: keeping Americans safe from . . . flight attendants!”
Thank goodness it wasn’t the dire threat of flight attendants wielding snow globes!
The horror. The horror.
“Trump: keeping Americans safe from . . . flight attendants!”
Thank goodness it wasn’t the dire threat of flight attendants wielding snow globes!
The horror. The horror.
On releasing the “Mueller Report”:
1) We The People did not hire a couple of dozen lawyers for a couple of years merely for Bob Mueller’s personal enlightenment.
2) We The People may not have “security clearance”, but it would be absurd to keep secret from us any “intelligence” that is already known to the Russian spy services.
I am not opposed in principle to our elected officials knowing stuff we don’t know. And I don’t care whether we learn the nitty-gritty details through official announcements or leaks. I just want the “Mueller Report” on the best-seller list this year.
–TP
On releasing the “Mueller Report”:
1) We The People did not hire a couple of dozen lawyers for a couple of years merely for Bob Mueller’s personal enlightenment.
2) We The People may not have “security clearance”, but it would be absurd to keep secret from us any “intelligence” that is already known to the Russian spy services.
I am not opposed in principle to our elected officials knowing stuff we don’t know. And I don’t care whether we learn the nitty-gritty details through official announcements or leaks. I just want the “Mueller Report” on the best-seller list this year.
–TP
Here we go:
https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/whats-next-trench-warfare.html
Kompromat
Soviet oligarchs living on the upper floors of Mar-a-Lago toasted vermin Lindsay Graham with rounds of vodka after his threatening anti-American pig shit.
Here we go:
https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/whats-next-trench-warfare.html
Kompromat
Soviet oligarchs living on the upper floors of Mar-a-Lago toasted vermin Lindsay Graham with rounds of vodka after his threatening anti-American pig shit.
“The investigators working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not find evidence that President Donald Trump or anybody connected with him directly conspired or coordinated with Russian nationals or entities attempting to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
That’s according to a long-awaited summary of the outcome of Mueller’s investigation, which was delivered today to the heads of Congress’ judiciary committees and then almost immediately released to the public.”
Mueller’s Conclusion: No Coordination Between Trump Campaign and Russia: As for obstruction evidence, he punts the matter to Congress.
“The investigators working for Special Counsel Robert Mueller did not find evidence that President Donald Trump or anybody connected with him directly conspired or coordinated with Russian nationals or entities attempting to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in 2016.
That’s according to a long-awaited summary of the outcome of Mueller’s investigation, which was delivered today to the heads of Congress’ judiciary committees and then almost immediately released to the public.”
Mueller’s Conclusion: No Coordination Between Trump Campaign and Russia: As for obstruction evidence, he punts the matter to Congress.
i am disappointed, but not a bit surprised.
i am disappointed, but not a bit surprised.
He, Trump is the OJ Simpson of rich old white men.
So yeah, no surprise.
–TP
He, Trump is the OJ Simpson of rich old white men.
So yeah, no surprise.
–TP
Right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b71f2eYdTc
Right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b71f2eYdTc
Goldstone to Trump Jr.
Trump Jr’s reply:
And, the meeting was taken. Trump Jr, Kushner, Manafort.
Barr:
Note that the crime of conspiracy does not require that an illegal act actually occur, merely that the parties agreed to do it.
I have no idea what possible sense to make of this. I am completely at a loss.
Goldstone to Trump Jr.
Trump Jr’s reply:
And, the meeting was taken. Trump Jr, Kushner, Manafort.
Barr:
Note that the crime of conspiracy does not require that an illegal act actually occur, merely that the parties agreed to do it.
I have no idea what possible sense to make of this. I am completely at a loss.
I am completely at a loss.
Me too.
I’m going to assume that Barr has mischaracterized Mueller’s report until I know otherwise. I have a hard time reconciling the rigorous prosecution of Manafort, etc., with what you’ve quoted, russell.
It makes me believe that Mueller wasn’t done.
I am completely at a loss.
Me too.
I’m going to assume that Barr has mischaracterized Mueller’s report until I know otherwise. I have a hard time reconciling the rigorous prosecution of Manafort, etc., with what you’ve quoted, russell.
It makes me believe that Mueller wasn’t done.
Worst. Witch hunt. Evar.
Worst. Witch hunt. Evar.
did Barr really pull a “since M didn’t find sufficient evidence of this narrowly-defined crime, there’s no way Trump could have obstructed anything?”
did Barr really pull a “since M didn’t find sufficient evidence of this narrowly-defined crime, there’s no way Trump could have obstructed anything?”
Leave p and the traitors/witches alone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSTXuJeTks&t=186s
Putin will be appearing on the campaign trail in person with p as they romp to a win in 2020.
Buy lots of military-grade weaponry and ammo.
Better yet, steal them from conservatives.
Leave p and the traitors/witches alone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqSTXuJeTks&t=186s
Putin will be appearing on the campaign trail in person with p as they romp to a win in 2020.
Buy lots of military-grade weaponry and ammo.
Better yet, steal them from conservatives.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/graham-wants-a-new-special-counsel-to-probe-doj-handling-of-dossier-clinton-emails
I agree.
It is well past time to advance to the bloody, and savagely violent phase of Civil War II the filthy subhuman republican party declared long ago and has been trying to get off the ground these many decades.
Bring it the fuck on.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/graham-wants-a-new-special-counsel-to-probe-doj-handling-of-dossier-clinton-emails
I agree.
It is well past time to advance to the bloody, and savagely violent phase of Civil War II the filthy subhuman republican party declared long ago and has been trying to get off the ground these many decades.
Bring it the fuck on.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a26931832/william-barr-letter-russia-interference-2016-trump/
It’s obvious that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama colluded and conspired with the Kremlin to throw the election to p and the Republicans.
Clever boots they are.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a26931832/william-barr-letter-russia-interference-2016-trump/
It’s obvious that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama colluded and conspired with the Kremlin to throw the election to p and the Republicans.
Clever boots they are.
Slow, deep breaths, Mr Thullen, slow, deep breaths. Irritating as they are, they aren’t worth driving your blood pressure up.
Slow, deep breaths, Mr Thullen, slow, deep breaths. Irritating as they are, they aren’t worth driving your blood pressure up.
My blood pressure is in the excellent category, ’bout 118 over 75, for a guy with my accumulation of tree rings.
Except for the eyelid twitch, I’m perfectly fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXLYf0E2KWU
My blood pressure is in the excellent category, ’bout 118 over 75, for a guy with my accumulation of tree rings.
Except for the eyelid twitch, I’m perfectly fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXLYf0E2KWU
Like the KKK, McConnell likes to leave them niggers hanging by the neck in the hot sun for a good long while to tamp down any residual uppityness:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/mcconnell-uses-mueller-report-to-place-blame-on-obama
Lying, subhuman dog shit IS the Republican conservative DNA.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/24/580171396/biden-mcconnell-refused-to-sign-bipartisan-statement-on-russian-interference
Never turn your back on them. Always keep the safety in the off position. Count your change.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/denis-mcdonough-mcconnell-watered-down-russia-warning-2016-n853016
Like the KKK, McConnell likes to leave them niggers hanging by the neck in the hot sun for a good long while to tamp down any residual uppityness:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/mcconnell-uses-mueller-report-to-place-blame-on-obama
Lying, subhuman dog shit IS the Republican conservative DNA.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/24/580171396/biden-mcconnell-refused-to-sign-bipartisan-statement-on-russian-interference
Never turn your back on them. Always keep the safety in the off position. Count your change.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/denis-mcdonough-mcconnell-watered-down-russia-warning-2016-n853016
Mueller probably concluded that He, Trump did not “collude” with Putin because “collusion” requires a meeting of at least two minds, and he could not find enough evidence for more than one.
McConnell, OTOH, possesses all the cunning required to be a collaborator instead of a puppet. Of course, Mueller was not mandated to investigate him.
–TP
Mueller probably concluded that He, Trump did not “collude” with Putin because “collusion” requires a meeting of at least two minds, and he could not find enough evidence for more than one.
McConnell, OTOH, possesses all the cunning required to be a collaborator instead of a puppet. Of course, Mueller was not mandated to investigate him.
–TP
Russian Republican Party FOX state media celebrates Mueller’s conclusions that a foreign power interfered in an American presidential election, vows to re-elect their boy vermin again in 2020.
https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-celebration-in-moscow.html
Popov is the name of one of the principals, as Stanley Kubrick strikes again.
Russian Republican Party FOX state media celebrates Mueller’s conclusions that a foreign power interfered in an American presidential election, vows to re-elect their boy vermin again in 2020.
https://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-celebration-in-moscow.html
Popov is the name of one of the principals, as Stanley Kubrick strikes again.
Look on the bright side. McConnell is underwater in Kentucky. And not just a little bit underwater. Roughly twice as many people there want to replace him as support him.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431002-poll-33-of-kentucky-voters-approve-of-mcconnell
One could be forgiven for thinking we might get shut of him in 2020. And wouldn’t it be a lovely piece of karma if that cost his party control of the Senate?
Look on the bright side. McConnell is underwater in Kentucky. And not just a little bit underwater. Roughly twice as many people there want to replace him as support him.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/431002-poll-33-of-kentucky-voters-approve-of-mcconnell
One could be forgiven for thinking we might get shut of him in 2020. And wouldn’t it be a lovely piece of karma if that cost his party control of the Senate?
McConnell:
“I never colluded with the foreign enemy Obama in his effort to minimize the Russian theft of a presidential election.”
They’d kill US if they could.
McConnell:
“I never colluded with the foreign enemy Obama in his effort to minimize the Russian theft of a presidential election.”
They’d kill US if they could.
vows to re-elect their boy vermin again in 2020.
Vermin takes umbrage at these slanderous claims.
One could be forgiven for thinking we might get shut of him in 2020
Squad goals!
vows to re-elect their boy vermin again in 2020.
Vermin takes umbrage at these slanderous claims.
One could be forgiven for thinking we might get shut of him in 2020
Squad goals!
Now this … cold-blooded murder:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/entire-aca-is-unconstitutional-justice-department-says-agreeing-with-texas-court-ruling-2019-03-25?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
Now this … cold-blooded murder:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/entire-aca-is-unconstitutional-justice-department-says-agreeing-with-texas-court-ruling-2019-03-25?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
William Barr is nothing but a hired genocidal hit man.
William Barr is nothing but a hired genocidal hit man.
Squad goals!
Think of it as an own goal.
Squad goals!
Think of it as an own goal.
This country is seriously f’d up. We have our good times and our bad times. This is one of the bad ones.
We’ll turn it atound, or we wont. I’d say it could go either way.
We will all do our best, I’m sure, but this is a pretty steep hill.
Trump is the symptom. We got the disease.
This country is seriously f’d up. We have our good times and our bad times. This is one of the bad ones.
We’ll turn it atound, or we wont. I’d say it could go either way.
We will all do our best, I’m sure, but this is a pretty steep hill.
Trump is the symptom. We got the disease.
I’m incredibly pleased that we, on a bipartisan basis, protected the Mueller investigation so, at the end, we could trust the result and have confidence that the facts were fairly reviewed. Aman of high integrity, with a team of the best of the best caught pretty much no one doing anything in the campaign.
I’m stunned.
I’m incredibly pleased that we, on a bipartisan basis, protected the Mueller investigation so, at the end, we could trust the result and have confidence that the facts were fairly reviewed. Aman of high integrity, with a team of the best of the best caught pretty much no one doing anything in the campaign.
I’m stunned.
You read the report, Marty? Cool! I wish I had that kind of inside track!
You read the report, Marty? Cool! I wish I had that kind of inside track!
Regarding what R’s want, among the many incomprehensibles is this:
I just don’t get it.
Regarding what R’s want, among the many incomprehensibles is this:
I just don’t get it.
What’s not to get?
“I’m stunned” (phonetically in Russian:
ĐŻ ĐžŃоНОПНон
YA oshelomlen)
You and the kit fox and the sparrow by the seaside.
I’m incredibly pleased, that we, on a bipartisan basis, protected Hillary Clinton’s right to have a cough and a cold without calling her a lying c&nt and repeating Russian lies that she was dying of consumption and female menopause.
I wonder if we, on a bipartisan, coated bullets in malathion and chlorpyrifoes whether we’d find fatal pesticide traces in subhuman lobbyists and citizen united jurists.
What’s not to get?
“I’m stunned” (phonetically in Russian:
ĐŻ ĐžŃоНОПНон
YA oshelomlen)
You and the kit fox and the sparrow by the seaside.
I’m incredibly pleased, that we, on a bipartisan basis, protected Hillary Clinton’s right to have a cough and a cold without calling her a lying c&nt and repeating Russian lies that she was dying of consumption and female menopause.
I wonder if we, on a bipartisan, coated bullets in malathion and chlorpyrifoes whether we’d find fatal pesticide traces in subhuman lobbyists and citizen united jurists.
“basis”
“basis”
I just read my un-redacted copy of the full Mueller memo, released only to me and William FlunkedhisBarr, and it concluded that we, on a bipartisan basis, can now declare the ACA unconstitutional in full and proceed with the God-given unconditional preexisting malathion-related deaths of single mothers, their uninsured human children, and elegiacal opioid-addicted hillbillies in Middletown, Ohio who were thrown to the tender mercies of Obamacare because they were fired and laid-off and later laid as prostitutes by conservative corporate filth.
Blood pressure: a sultry 112 over 71 this morning.
I don’t like a jumpy trigger finger at the gun range.
I just read my un-redacted copy of the full Mueller memo, released only to me and William FlunkedhisBarr, and it concluded that we, on a bipartisan basis, can now declare the ACA unconstitutional in full and proceed with the God-given unconditional preexisting malathion-related deaths of single mothers, their uninsured human children, and elegiacal opioid-addicted hillbillies in Middletown, Ohio who were thrown to the tender mercies of Obamacare because they were fired and laid-off and later laid as prostitutes by conservative corporate filth.
Blood pressure: a sultry 112 over 71 this morning.
I don’t like a jumpy trigger finger at the gun range.
A man of high integrity, with a team of the best of the best caught pretty much no one doing anything in the campaign.
Given what is in the public record regarding contacts between principals in Trump’s campaign and Russian nationals with varying degrees of association with Putin and/or the Russian government, I’m stunned too.
And, of course, Trump, the (R)’s, and the various organs of conservative agit-prop are immediately on the job with accusations of treason and calling for counter-investigations and criminal prosecution.
A friend of mine says, time to move on. Move on to what? You seem to think it’s all good. It’s not all good.
Enjoy your tax cut.
A man of high integrity, with a team of the best of the best caught pretty much no one doing anything in the campaign.
Given what is in the public record regarding contacts between principals in Trump’s campaign and Russian nationals with varying degrees of association with Putin and/or the Russian government, I’m stunned too.
And, of course, Trump, the (R)’s, and the various organs of conservative agit-prop are immediately on the job with accusations of treason and calling for counter-investigations and criminal prosecution.
A friend of mine says, time to move on. Move on to what? You seem to think it’s all good. It’s not all good.
Enjoy your tax cut.
Obstruction is a tough nut. That the conclusion was ambiguous suggests to me that, at the very least, there was plenty of unethical behavior on Trump’s part – but that’s not exactly news, is it? Short of anything glaring, you pretty much have to be inside someone’s head to eliminate any ambiguity about their motives.
As russell has already pointed out, it’s strange that the emails and meetings between Russian nationals and Donny, Jr., Manafort, and Kushner don’t constitute collusion in and of themselves. I chalk it up to a judgment that they ultimately didn’t do anything as a result, at least nothing there was any evidence of, and that they were just being the dumbasses that they are. On the other hand, that meeting, among any number of other things, makes the Mueller investigation anything but a witch hunt, regardless of its findings. (Or maybe the fact that they didn’t find anything actionable means that it wasn’t a (Democratic?) witch hunt. If it were, I don’t think it would have been hard to drum something up.)
But William Barr is not Robert Mueller, and William Barr’s letter is not Robert Mueller’s report.
We also have yet to see what comes of the other investigations that were spun off of Mueller’s. It’s not over by a long shot.
Obstruction is a tough nut. That the conclusion was ambiguous suggests to me that, at the very least, there was plenty of unethical behavior on Trump’s part – but that’s not exactly news, is it? Short of anything glaring, you pretty much have to be inside someone’s head to eliminate any ambiguity about their motives.
As russell has already pointed out, it’s strange that the emails and meetings between Russian nationals and Donny, Jr., Manafort, and Kushner don’t constitute collusion in and of themselves. I chalk it up to a judgment that they ultimately didn’t do anything as a result, at least nothing there was any evidence of, and that they were just being the dumbasses that they are. On the other hand, that meeting, among any number of other things, makes the Mueller investigation anything but a witch hunt, regardless of its findings. (Or maybe the fact that they didn’t find anything actionable means that it wasn’t a (Democratic?) witch hunt. If it were, I don’t think it would have been hard to drum something up.)
But William Barr is not Robert Mueller, and William Barr’s letter is not Robert Mueller’s report.
We also have yet to see what comes of the other investigations that were spun off of Mueller’s. It’s not over by a long shot.
OF COURSE Marty has read the full report!
Using his amazing conservative Mind-Reading talent, that he demonstrates here, ever now and then, when he slips and forgets to conceal his super-powers.
Able to leap to stunning conclusions in a single bound? That also, too.
OF COURSE Marty has read the full report!
Using his amazing conservative Mind-Reading talent, that he demonstrates here, ever now and then, when he slips and forgets to conceal his super-powers.
Able to leap to stunning conclusions in a single bound? That also, too.
This is an excellent write-up on the end of the Mueller investigation, written before Barr presented (his version of) the main conclusions.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/how-understand-end-mueller-investigation-hint-you-cant-yet
An excerpt – just one of several I could have chosen:
This is an excellent write-up on the end of the Mueller investigation, written before Barr presented (his version of) the main conclusions.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/how-understand-end-mueller-investigation-hint-you-cant-yet
An excerpt – just one of several I could have chosen:
You can campaign against her on the basis of the unindicted conduct.
Especially when DoJ guidelines say she couldn’t be indicted.
You can campaign against her on the basis of the unindicted conduct.
Especially when DoJ guidelines say she couldn’t be indicted.
This one was written after Barr’s letter:
https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-make-bill-barrs-letter
On “collusion”:
On obstruction:
This one was written after Barr’s letter:
https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-make-bill-barrs-letter
On “collusion”:
On obstruction:
Marty just wants to crow that the wicked libs didn’t get a pony.
Marty just wants to crow that the wicked libs didn’t get a pony.
Off-topic, but some here wondered what was going on:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-reckoning-of-morris-dees-and-the-southern-poverty-law-center
You could read this hysteric’s pronouncements:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/southern-poverty-law-center-poverty-palace/
Or, you could consider the New Yorker piece to be more nuanced than Dreher cares to present, to wit, that the author points out that Dees joined the “let’s run this joint like an everything-is-presentation business, in other words, lie, cheat, and grift, like any good Milton Friedman MBA program would counsel, in the service of maximizing shareholder returns by separating people’s money from them” plague that is ruining every fucking institution, private, public, non-profit in this cul-de-sac of a suicide pact of a country.
All that matters is the bottom line to those at the top of any institution, no matter the ideals of the mission statement.
Also, just as we are counseled to generalize about black men in hoodies hailing cabs under urban street lights, Dees is a white male, and it seems from the evidence, should we wish to conservatively generalize about white men, of which I am a member, that even when white men, regardless of their partisan druthers, are fighting the KKK and antisemitism, we are, we white men, and what the hell, Bill Cosby too, I would venture, looking out for the main chance at all times, which is attempting to fuck everything that moves, and if not fuck it, then making sure we discriminate against it in the job market and in institutional hierarchies, and should that latter gambit fail, which it rarely does, resume trying to fuck it or at least expose our dicks to it, which is why Thomas Jefferson may have had other cards up his sleeve when he unzipped to water the tree of liberty.
Of course, there are exceptions among us men, unless you are a male running the Family Research Counsel, the Vatican, the p Administration, or just about any bullshit grift that suffers the little children to stand still while we come all over them.
All exceptions, please raise your hands.
Easier to count the exceptions.
Off-topic, but some here wondered what was going on:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-reckoning-of-morris-dees-and-the-southern-poverty-law-center
You could read this hysteric’s pronouncements:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/southern-poverty-law-center-poverty-palace/
Or, you could consider the New Yorker piece to be more nuanced than Dreher cares to present, to wit, that the author points out that Dees joined the “let’s run this joint like an everything-is-presentation business, in other words, lie, cheat, and grift, like any good Milton Friedman MBA program would counsel, in the service of maximizing shareholder returns by separating people’s money from them” plague that is ruining every fucking institution, private, public, non-profit in this cul-de-sac of a suicide pact of a country.
All that matters is the bottom line to those at the top of any institution, no matter the ideals of the mission statement.
Also, just as we are counseled to generalize about black men in hoodies hailing cabs under urban street lights, Dees is a white male, and it seems from the evidence, should we wish to conservatively generalize about white men, of which I am a member, that even when white men, regardless of their partisan druthers, are fighting the KKK and antisemitism, we are, we white men, and what the hell, Bill Cosby too, I would venture, looking out for the main chance at all times, which is attempting to fuck everything that moves, and if not fuck it, then making sure we discriminate against it in the job market and in institutional hierarchies, and should that latter gambit fail, which it rarely does, resume trying to fuck it or at least expose our dicks to it, which is why Thomas Jefferson may have had other cards up his sleeve when he unzipped to water the tree of liberty.
Of course, there are exceptions among us men, unless you are a male running the Family Research Counsel, the Vatican, the p Administration, or just about any bullshit grift that suffers the little children to stand still while we come all over them.
All exceptions, please raise your hands.
Easier to count the exceptions.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/alabama-congressman-quotes-hitler-in-slamming-the-left-for-pushing-big-lie-2019-03-26?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
There will be Civil War.
Bring it on, Mo.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/alabama-congressman-quotes-hitler-in-slamming-the-left-for-pushing-big-lie-2019-03-26?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
There will be Civil War.
Bring it on, Mo.
Marty just wants to crow that the wicked libs didn’t get a pony.
Not yet, anyway. Whether more comes out of the report that congress acts on, whether anything comes from the other spin-off investigations, or whether Rump does something sufficiently stupid in the meantime are all yet to be determined.
It’s been 3 days since the Mueller investigation officially concluded.
Marty just wants to crow that the wicked libs didn’t get a pony.
Not yet, anyway. Whether more comes out of the report that congress acts on, whether anything comes from the other spin-off investigations, or whether Rump does something sufficiently stupid in the meantime are all yet to be determined.
It’s been 3 days since the Mueller investigation officially concluded.
Mueller, if you’re listening, I hope you can leak your raw data to the American public. You will be rewarded mightily by our press.
–TP
Mueller, if you’re listening, I hope you can leak your raw data to the American public. You will be rewarded mightily by our press.
–TP
If p was a stock like this sketchy, illiquid, international grifting outfit, I’d be taking my ill-gotten profits or even shorting by word of mouth:
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=HUNT&insttype=Stock&freq=1&show=&time=4
If p was a stock like this sketchy, illiquid, international grifting outfit, I’d be taking my ill-gotten profits or even shorting by word of mouth:
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=HUNT&insttype=Stock&freq=1&show=&time=4
More on lying republican cucks:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/gop-hack-says-obama-should-apologize-for-russian-hacking/
More on lying republican cucks:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/gop-hack-says-obama-should-apologize-for-russian-hacking/
This is interesting, too:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/03/barrs-summary-omits-key-aspect-muellers-report/585703/
Excerpt:
This is interesting, too:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/03/barrs-summary-omits-key-aspect-muellers-report/585703/
Excerpt:
Mueller, if you’re listening, I hope you can leak your raw data to the American public. You will be rewarded mightily by our press.
Like.
Mueller, if you’re listening, I hope you can leak your raw data to the American public. You will be rewarded mightily by our press.
Like.
On whether or not Rump does something sufficiently stupid to hand the libs a pony, he’s already overreacting to the end of the investigation without further indictments. He’s attacking (not literally) just about everyone, and his administration is going after the ACA again. An emboldened Rump is his own worst enemy.
On whether or not Rump does something sufficiently stupid to hand the libs a pony, he’s already overreacting to the end of the investigation without further indictments. He’s attacking (not literally) just about everyone, and his administration is going after the ACA again. An emboldened Rump is his own worst enemy.
That “not literally” applies to “just about everyone” rather than “attacking.”
That “not literally” applies to “just about everyone” rather than “attacking.”
“An emboldened Rump is his own worst enemy.”
What, he gets to be EVERYTHING?
No, he’s MY worst enemy.
He’s a worst enemy like melanoma is to a woman about to lose her ACA coverage.
He’s not just skin deep. He spreads to the brain and the liver.
He’s systemic malignity and left unchecked, fatal.
“An emboldened Rump is his own worst enemy.”
What, he gets to be EVERYTHING?
No, he’s MY worst enemy.
He’s a worst enemy like melanoma is to a woman about to lose her ACA coverage.
He’s not just skin deep. He spreads to the brain and the liver.
He’s systemic malignity and left unchecked, fatal.
It doesnât means one cannot conclude, based on the factual record, that people behaved recklessly, unpatriotically or stupidly.
Yes, and if they did so, the factual record discussing the various ways in which they did so should be made publicly available.
Because we – the people who have to live with the consequences of folks behaving recklessly, unpatriotically, and stupidly – deserve to know wtf is going on.
It doesnât means one cannot conclude, based on the factual record, that people behaved recklessly, unpatriotically or stupidly.
Yes, and if they did so, the factual record discussing the various ways in which they did so should be made publicly available.
Because we – the people who have to live with the consequences of folks behaving recklessly, unpatriotically, and stupidly – deserve to know wtf is going on.
Why did the administration attempt to lift the sanctions on Russia early on in Trumpâs tenure, even after it had been revealed that Russia had attacked the 2016 election?
Trump’s all about easing sanctions on countries who flatter him. ask NK.
he’s just a stupid shallow narcissist. he’s pre-compromised.
Why did the administration attempt to lift the sanctions on Russia early on in Trumpâs tenure, even after it had been revealed that Russia had attacked the 2016 election?
Trump’s all about easing sanctions on countries who flatter him. ask NK.
he’s just a stupid shallow narcissist. he’s pre-compromised.
he’s pre-compromised.
Or self-compromised. Or both, I guess. But he has a cult!
he’s pre-compromised.
Or self-compromised. Or both, I guess. But he has a cult!
Make of the conservative firmament an abattoir:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2019/03/26/alex-jones-pushing-conspiracy-theories-about-death-sandy-hook-father-who-was-suing-him/223246
Make of the conservative firmament an abattoir:
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2019/03/26/alex-jones-pushing-conspiracy-theories-about-death-sandy-hook-father-who-was-suing-him/223246
Make of the worldwide conservative firmament an abattoir:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/saudi-coalition-bombs-save-the-children-hospital-in-yemen/
Make of the worldwide conservative firmament an abattoir:
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/saudi-coalition-bombs-save-the-children-hospital-in-yemen/
The murderous velociraptured cult:
https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1110591692778950656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1110591692778950656&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftalkingpointsmemo.com%2F
He’s right though, we need machine guns and rocket launchers, Russian made since conservatives are importing them willy-nilly to murder Democrats and liberals, in every real American’s hands.
The murderous velociraptured cult:
https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1110591692778950656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1110591692778950656&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftalkingpointsmemo.com%2F
He’s right though, we need machine guns and rocket launchers, Russian made since conservatives are importing them willy-nilly to murder Democrats and liberals, in every real American’s hands.
But he has a cult!
Well, he’s not personally religious, so he’s no Nehemiah Scudder in that sense.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_This_Goes_Onâ
But otherwise the parallels are a bit scary. Including the exaltation of ignorance rather than expertise.
But he has a cult!
Well, he’s not personally religious, so he’s no Nehemiah Scudder in that sense.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_This_Goes_Onâ
But otherwise the parallels are a bit scary. Including the exaltation of ignorance rather than expertise.
America exists to facilitate the fucking over of our fellow Americans:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-eviction-crisis-is-starting-to-look-a-lot-like-the-subprime-crisis-2019-03-26?mod=mw_theo_homepage
America exists to facilitate the fucking over of our fellow Americans:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-eviction-crisis-is-starting-to-look-a-lot-like-the-subprime-crisis-2019-03-26?mod=mw_theo_homepage
I, Tony P, am calling for a complete and total ban on supporters of He, Trump from Our Country until civilized people can figure out what the hell is going on.
–TP
I, Tony P, am calling for a complete and total ban on supporters of He, Trump from Our Country until civilized people can figure out what the hell is going on.
–TP
This is all.
This is all.
Barr will let p redact the Mueller report before we lessers are permitted to read it, it is being reported.
The Rosemary Woods cleaners spring into action.
I propose that p’s and Pence’s, and company’s ashes be on this lunar landing craft for burial at the lunar pole.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/26/1845382/-A-major-course-correction-for-NASA-as-Trump-sets-2024-deadline-for-trip-to-lunar-south-pole
One small step in it by man, one wiping of the dog shit off the shoe for mankind.
Barr will let p redact the Mueller report before we lessers are permitted to read it, it is being reported.
The Rosemary Woods cleaners spring into action.
I propose that p’s and Pence’s, and company’s ashes be on this lunar landing craft for burial at the lunar pole.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/26/1845382/-A-major-course-correction-for-NASA-as-Trump-sets-2024-deadline-for-trip-to-lunar-south-pole
One small step in it by man, one wiping of the dog shit off the shoe for mankind.
https://deadspin.com/trump-department-of-education-wants-to-defund-the-speci-1833588986
Theyâre a parody of mean-spirited Republicans. Do you think Trump thought Burgermeister Meisterburger was the protagonist in âSanta Claus Is Comin’ to Townâ?
https://deadspin.com/trump-department-of-education-wants-to-defund-the-speci-1833588986
Theyâre a parody of mean-spirited Republicans. Do you think Trump thought Burgermeister Meisterburger was the protagonist in âSanta Claus Is Comin’ to Townâ?
Remember when Marty expressed disbelief bipartisanly right here that Mueller and Rosenstein were not Democrats?
Ah, yes, the defunding of the Special Olympics. p is known to have a visceral disgust for spastics, as he calls them when mimicking them for laughs while fluffing the Mar-a-Lago crowd, showing themselves in public.
Besides, Republicans remember when the schwartza showed up Hitler at the 1936 Olympics, even in the goose-stepping event.
His Minister of Lies, KellyAnne Goebbels, spun that debacle to the delight of American Jew-burning Nazis assembled at Madison Square Garden.
Remember when Marty expressed disbelief bipartisanly right here that Mueller and Rosenstein were not Democrats?
Ah, yes, the defunding of the Special Olympics. p is known to have a visceral disgust for spastics, as he calls them when mimicking them for laughs while fluffing the Mar-a-Lago crowd, showing themselves in public.
Besides, Republicans remember when the schwartza showed up Hitler at the 1936 Olympics, even in the goose-stepping event.
His Minister of Lies, KellyAnne Goebbels, spun that debacle to the delight of American Jew-burning Nazis assembled at Madison Square Garden.
Typical corrupt thieving lying FOX Republican mouthshit:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/investors-say-ex-fox-and-friends-host-turned-them-into-unwitting-slumlords/ar-BBVf7jF
Typical corrupt thieving lying FOX Republican mouthshit:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/investors-say-ex-fox-and-friends-host-turned-them-into-unwitting-slumlords/ar-BBVf7jF
Jesus!:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/25/1845116/-Freshman-PA-GOP-state-rep-ruins-swearing-in-of-state-s-first-Muslim-American-woman-legislator
Watch the embedded video.
Jesus!:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/3/25/1845116/-Freshman-PA-GOP-state-rep-ruins-swearing-in-of-state-s-first-Muslim-American-woman-legislator
Watch the embedded video.
Speaking of ministers of propaganda, look who is crawling back into the Trump fold:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/27/frank-luntz-trump-white-house-1238283
Speaking of ministers of propaganda, look who is crawling back into the Trump fold:
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/27/frank-luntz-trump-white-house-1238283
Jesus!
It’s hard for me to imagine the sense of privilege that allows someone to act that way.
Jesus!
It’s hard for me to imagine the sense of privilege that allows someone to act that way.
Of course.
The Ministry of Words:
https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt–politics/gingrich-language-set-new-course/O5bgK6lY2wQ3KwEZsYTBlO/
p’s list of profane labels for his enemies fits hand in glove with the Lunzt/Gingrich list of their now mutual enemies, both of which include, bipartisanly, at any particular time, EVERYONE not sucking their political power cocks at any particular time.
I’ve embraced the list, fully becoming all 133 defamations on the list, by sheer force of will, because what Gingrich/Luntz/p don’t seem to realize, nor do most of their enemies, that becoming those defamations, wearing them like a uniform, is how these vermin who ruined America (it’s not on its way to ruin; it’s gone) will be wiped off the face of the Earth along with the entire edifice and infrastructure of their political party and their malign base.
They are going run out of words to call me as they get to their last ones before their final breaths.
As for them, “DEAD” is the only word we will require to describe THEM.
It’s a well-known word with little that is ambiguous in its meaning. It doesn’t “evoke” their EVIL; it says it in real American, though liberal me will allow the Spanish “Muerto” as well, in the news crawls reporting their demise and on the multilingual signage designating their graves sites.
They could still win elections from their graves because before their demise their Supreme Court could rule on the constitutionality of gerrymandering conservative cemeteries across the country as the only legally-recognized voting entities in the land for purposes of the Electoral College, so pouring salt in their mouths, cutting out their hearts, and sewing their orifices shut to imprison their republican demons for eternity may require some adjunct actions as well to be fully shut of them.
What happens policy-wise after they are gone is of little import.
I don’t care.
This will be a humanitarian service solely in the interests of vengeance.
It will be yet a historical marker to punctuate the end of of yet another epoch of worldwide malignity, like the torching of Atlanta, the disemboweling of Mussolini, Pol Pot’s unstabbed (an oversight) heart giving out in his sleep, the planet of the Alien nuked from orbit, Jurassic Park converted to smoldering bare rock with not a single piece of lizard jerky left for some fucking conservative a-hole to gather and recombine for future sequels.
Of course.
The Ministry of Words:
https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt–politics/gingrich-language-set-new-course/O5bgK6lY2wQ3KwEZsYTBlO/
p’s list of profane labels for his enemies fits hand in glove with the Lunzt/Gingrich list of their now mutual enemies, both of which include, bipartisanly, at any particular time, EVERYONE not sucking their political power cocks at any particular time.
I’ve embraced the list, fully becoming all 133 defamations on the list, by sheer force of will, because what Gingrich/Luntz/p don’t seem to realize, nor do most of their enemies, that becoming those defamations, wearing them like a uniform, is how these vermin who ruined America (it’s not on its way to ruin; it’s gone) will be wiped off the face of the Earth along with the entire edifice and infrastructure of their political party and their malign base.
They are going run out of words to call me as they get to their last ones before their final breaths.
As for them, “DEAD” is the only word we will require to describe THEM.
It’s a well-known word with little that is ambiguous in its meaning. It doesn’t “evoke” their EVIL; it says it in real American, though liberal me will allow the Spanish “Muerto” as well, in the news crawls reporting their demise and on the multilingual signage designating their graves sites.
They could still win elections from their graves because before their demise their Supreme Court could rule on the constitutionality of gerrymandering conservative cemeteries across the country as the only legally-recognized voting entities in the land for purposes of the Electoral College, so pouring salt in their mouths, cutting out their hearts, and sewing their orifices shut to imprison their republican demons for eternity may require some adjunct actions as well to be fully shut of them.
What happens policy-wise after they are gone is of little import.
I don’t care.
This will be a humanitarian service solely in the interests of vengeance.
It will be yet a historical marker to punctuate the end of of yet another epoch of worldwide malignity, like the torching of Atlanta, the disemboweling of Mussolini, Pol Pot’s unstabbed (an oversight) heart giving out in his sleep, the planet of the Alien nuked from orbit, Jurassic Park converted to smoldering bare rock with not a single piece of lizard jerky left for some fucking conservative a-hole to gather and recombine for future sequels.
We’ll never see the Mueller report:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/donald-trumps-schedule-to-release-the-mueller-report-is-never/
OK, there are other eulogies to read at their funerals.
We’ll never see the Mueller report:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/donald-trumps-schedule-to-release-the-mueller-report-is-never/
OK, there are other eulogies to read at their funerals.
I’ve been meaning to post this cite regarding Brexit:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/25/the-chaotic-triumph-of-arron-banks-the-bad-boy-of-brexit
A long read, but worth it IMHO, heh.
The very real grievances on both sides of the Atlantic regarding “globalism” and “immigration” aside, there is something I want to point out about the main character, Arron Banks.
Place the issues aside for a moment and pay attention to their “presentation”.
With his peers among the p-ers on this side of the pond, Banks shares a manner that is hard to describe. It’s this loosy-goosy, shameless jocularity about their methods, the origins and legality of the dirty money flows despite ample evidence of the dirtiness and its skirting of the laws, and their contacts, despite numerous pieces of evidence regarding who they hang with and for whom they might be doing their bidding that seems to be a worldwide phenomenon among the conservative filth.
Think Bolsanaro in Brazil, the thug in the Philippines, the antisemites in Poland and Hungary, the prosemite in Israel, the butcher Assad in Syria, name yer poison.
Wrapped into their presentation is this thing they have about “political correctness”, whatever that phrase has come to mean, ya know, let’s call women “c*nts”, a fag is a fag, Soros (wink wink) and his Jew dollars, immigrants are murdering invaders, you know the drill, and their saying of these things, moving their mouths closer to the mic to make sure tender ears get the full effect, is accomplished with this kind of bravura whaddaya gonna do about it, hefting one gonad, in a sort of low-level mafioso fonzi machismo presentation.
It’s this catch me if you can, you gooks, I wouldn’t say we exactly broke the law, but we have our methods of, how you say, ignoring the spirit of the thing, and then laughter and a sort of stepping back from the mic, and giving the Mussolini my-people-know-what-I’m-talking-about-here nodding of the head with the arms crossed in defiance. Hanh?
And underlying all of it, which is a little hard to grasp for those nerds like me who THINK the argument is about issues is the profit motive, I’ve-got-irons-in-the-fire-that-could-set-me-up over-heah-so-keep-yer-grubby-legality-nitpicking-hands-off if you know I’m saying sort of challenge, and by the way, even IF there wasn’t bags of cash on the line, fucking you politically correct fags would be worth the damage we’re doing.
p and Banks are all over this approach.
Putin too.
McConnell and his face, which will be removed, convey this too.
I hate them.
I’ve been meaning to post this cite regarding Brexit:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/03/25/the-chaotic-triumph-of-arron-banks-the-bad-boy-of-brexit
A long read, but worth it IMHO, heh.
The very real grievances on both sides of the Atlantic regarding “globalism” and “immigration” aside, there is something I want to point out about the main character, Arron Banks.
Place the issues aside for a moment and pay attention to their “presentation”.
With his peers among the p-ers on this side of the pond, Banks shares a manner that is hard to describe. It’s this loosy-goosy, shameless jocularity about their methods, the origins and legality of the dirty money flows despite ample evidence of the dirtiness and its skirting of the laws, and their contacts, despite numerous pieces of evidence regarding who they hang with and for whom they might be doing their bidding that seems to be a worldwide phenomenon among the conservative filth.
Think Bolsanaro in Brazil, the thug in the Philippines, the antisemites in Poland and Hungary, the prosemite in Israel, the butcher Assad in Syria, name yer poison.
Wrapped into their presentation is this thing they have about “political correctness”, whatever that phrase has come to mean, ya know, let’s call women “c*nts”, a fag is a fag, Soros (wink wink) and his Jew dollars, immigrants are murdering invaders, you know the drill, and their saying of these things, moving their mouths closer to the mic to make sure tender ears get the full effect, is accomplished with this kind of bravura whaddaya gonna do about it, hefting one gonad, in a sort of low-level mafioso fonzi machismo presentation.
It’s this catch me if you can, you gooks, I wouldn’t say we exactly broke the law, but we have our methods of, how you say, ignoring the spirit of the thing, and then laughter and a sort of stepping back from the mic, and giving the Mussolini my-people-know-what-I’m-talking-about-here nodding of the head with the arms crossed in defiance. Hanh?
And underlying all of it, which is a little hard to grasp for those nerds like me who THINK the argument is about issues is the profit motive, I’ve-got-irons-in-the-fire-that-could-set-me-up over-heah-so-keep-yer-grubby-legality-nitpicking-hands-off if you know I’m saying sort of challenge, and by the way, even IF there wasn’t bags of cash on the line, fucking you politically correct fags would be worth the damage we’re doing.
p and Banks are all over this approach.
Putin too.
McConnell and his face, which will be removed, convey this too.
I hate them.
Leaving town tomorrow.
No posting for me for two weeks, you hope.
That’s OK.
Leaving town tomorrow.
No posting for me for two weeks, you hope.
That’s OK.
The stabbing and shooting murder of “Remainer” Jo Cox by the platoons of crazy people conservative nationalist mover and shakers worldwide keep on retainer came up in the interviews:
Banks: Shame that. I don’t know who would do such a thing, unless of course it was a Sandy Hook sort of set up by the deep state. Condolences to her family. But fuck her.
The stabbing and shooting murder of “Remainer” Jo Cox by the platoons of crazy people conservative nationalist mover and shakers worldwide keep on retainer came up in the interviews:
Banks: Shame that. I don’t know who would do such a thing, unless of course it was a Sandy Hook sort of set up by the deep state. Condolences to her family. But fuck her.
I’m still here today, alas:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/world-news/australia-prime-minister-accuses-one-nation-party-us-gun-lobby-donations
Australia should revoke all visas to American and Russian NRA filth, but should they try to disembark on Aussie tarmac, have snipers on hand.
I’m still here today, alas:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/world-news/australia-prime-minister-accuses-one-nation-party-us-gun-lobby-donations
Australia should revoke all visas to American and Russian NRA filth, but should they try to disembark on Aussie tarmac, have snipers on hand.
The Fed revises its economic growth forecasts for the next couple of years.
2.4% GDP growth in 2019, +/- .2%
1.95% GDP growth in 2020, +/- .15%
1.9% long term, +/- .1%
Not Trump’s 6%. Not even Marty’s 3%.
The tax cut sugar high is wearing off.
The Fed revises its economic growth forecasts for the next couple of years.
2.4% GDP growth in 2019, +/- .2%
1.95% GDP growth in 2020, +/- .15%
1.9% long term, +/- .1%
Not Trump’s 6%. Not even Marty’s 3%.
The tax cut sugar high is wearing off.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/russias-take-on-mueller-report-trumps-victory-is-our-victory-2019-03-27?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
Vlad helps the worldwide conservative nationalist cause.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/russias-take-on-mueller-report-trumps-victory-is-our-victory-2019-03-27?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts
Vlad helps the worldwide conservative nationalist cause.
2.4% GDP growth in 2019, +/- .2%
1.95% GDP growth in 2020, +/- .15%
1.9% long term, +/- .1%
You would think that a near trillion dollars per year deficit would buy better growth rates than that.
2.4% GDP growth in 2019, +/- .2%
1.95% GDP growth in 2020, +/- .15%
1.9% long term, +/- .1%
You would think that a near trillion dollars per year deficit would buy better growth rates than that.
Well, obviously, we need more and bigger tax cuts and the gutting of Social Security and Medicare, as I channel Larry Kudlow’s next approach to the microphone.
Apropos of everything and nothing in particular as pigfuckery rules all American values, this:
“While gold was first discovered in Alaska during the 1870s, the 1890s have come to be known as the Yukon-Klondike Gold Rush days, as thousands of rugged individuals swarmed to the northern climes to find fortune and glory. Unsurprisingly, during the winter of 1896-97 the Alaskan ports were frozen solid and therefore closed to all shipping traffic. Food became very scarce and very expensive since new supplies had to be brought in over land at great hardship. Reportedly, a can of sardines that had cost $0.10 in New York could be priced at 10 times that amount by the time it reached the gold miners in Alaska. Still, there was great demand even at such inflated prices. For instance, in one remote mining town the price of a can of sardines was sold at rapidly escalating prices from $10.00, to $30.00, then $50.00. Finally, one desperately hungry miner paid $100.00 for a can of the highly sought after sardines. He took it back to his room to eat. He opened it. To his amazement he discovered the sardines were rotten. Angered, he found the person who sold him the tin and confronted him with the rotten evidence. The seller was amazed and shouted, ‘You mean you actually opened that can of sardines? You fool; those were trading sardines, NOT eating sardines!’â
… Anonymous
Take what the pigfuckers have done with, I don’t know, the price of insulin. Diabetics, like my dead diabetic father and sister, didn’t live to be fools who thought insulin was a medicinal sardine, not a trading sardine.
Well, obviously, we need more and bigger tax cuts and the gutting of Social Security and Medicare, as I channel Larry Kudlow’s next approach to the microphone.
Apropos of everything and nothing in particular as pigfuckery rules all American values, this:
“While gold was first discovered in Alaska during the 1870s, the 1890s have come to be known as the Yukon-Klondike Gold Rush days, as thousands of rugged individuals swarmed to the northern climes to find fortune and glory. Unsurprisingly, during the winter of 1896-97 the Alaskan ports were frozen solid and therefore closed to all shipping traffic. Food became very scarce and very expensive since new supplies had to be brought in over land at great hardship. Reportedly, a can of sardines that had cost $0.10 in New York could be priced at 10 times that amount by the time it reached the gold miners in Alaska. Still, there was great demand even at such inflated prices. For instance, in one remote mining town the price of a can of sardines was sold at rapidly escalating prices from $10.00, to $30.00, then $50.00. Finally, one desperately hungry miner paid $100.00 for a can of the highly sought after sardines. He took it back to his room to eat. He opened it. To his amazement he discovered the sardines were rotten. Angered, he found the person who sold him the tin and confronted him with the rotten evidence. The seller was amazed and shouted, ‘You mean you actually opened that can of sardines? You fool; those were trading sardines, NOT eating sardines!’â
… Anonymous
Take what the pigfuckers have done with, I don’t know, the price of insulin. Diabetics, like my dead diabetic father and sister, didn’t live to be fools who thought insulin was a medicinal sardine, not a trading sardine.
I’m going to start a fledgling commercial airline once the dead hand of the FAA is privatized and out of the way.
Instead of taking off from a runway, my algorithms, no actual physical aircraft will be employed, which will cut overheard, will flap their virtual wings tentatively and fall straight downwards from a nest.
Vulture investors will flock.
Airline Brand: LookMaNoHands Air.
Stock Symbol: OOPS
Advertising slogan: Getting you nowhere in the shortest amount of time.
Alternative: We say a little prayer for you.
Second Alternative: Reservations? You’d be smart to have them.
Third Alternative: Two bags free via truck. Alert your survivors for pickup.
I’m going to start a fledgling commercial airline once the dead hand of the FAA is privatized and out of the way.
Instead of taking off from a runway, my algorithms, no actual physical aircraft will be employed, which will cut overheard, will flap their virtual wings tentatively and fall straight downwards from a nest.
Vulture investors will flock.
Airline Brand: LookMaNoHands Air.
Stock Symbol: OOPS
Advertising slogan: Getting you nowhere in the shortest amount of time.
Alternative: We say a little prayer for you.
Second Alternative: Reservations? You’d be smart to have them.
Third Alternative: Two bags free via truck. Alert your survivors for pickup.
“I’m going to start a fledgling commercial airline once the dead hand of the FAA is privatized and out of the way.
Instead of taking off from a runway, my algorithms, no actual physical aircraft will be employed”
So, operating out of post-Brexit UK?
I heard that they have a shipping/ferry company organized on that model.
“I’m going to start a fledgling commercial airline once the dead hand of the FAA is privatized and out of the way.
Instead of taking off from a runway, my algorithms, no actual physical aircraft will be employed”
So, operating out of post-Brexit UK?
I heard that they have a shipping/ferry company organized on that model.
i’m going to be in Scotland on April 12th, and i must admit, i was a little morbidly curious to see what the crash out looked like first hand. looks like i’m going to miss it, now.
i’m going to be in Scotland on April 12th, and i must admit, i was a little morbidly curious to see what the crash out looked like first hand. looks like i’m going to miss it, now.
The hoax continues according to plan:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/the-earth-is-melting/
With a few adjustments (larger pockets, larger getaway cars, murdering those on Obamacare, smaller portion sizes during medicare meals), this one will continue as well:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/republicans-screwed-up-their-tax-cut-and-big-companies-are-unhappy/
The hoax continues according to plan:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/the-earth-is-melting/
With a few adjustments (larger pockets, larger getaway cars, murdering those on Obamacare, smaller portion sizes during medicare meals), this one will continue as well:
https://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2019/03/republicans-screwed-up-their-tax-cut-and-big-companies-are-unhappy/
One dollar a day will suffice:
http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2019/03/2-00-day
One dollar a day will suffice:
http://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2019/03/2-00-day
Time for a break from political crap. Here are some birds dancing to Bob Marley
https://mobile.twitter.com/welcomet0nature/status/1110942385129820161
Time for a break from political crap. Here are some birds dancing to Bob Marley
https://mobile.twitter.com/welcomet0nature/status/1110942385129820161
Spent the afternoon with the House of Commons running in a window up in the corner of the screen while I fixed a piece of code. At least this week, they’re making Congress look moderately competent. The only party that isn’t fragmented and is staying firmly on point is the Scottish National Party: repeal Article 50, or if not, Scotland will find a way to be an EU member on its own.
Spent the afternoon with the House of Commons running in a window up in the corner of the screen while I fixed a piece of code. At least this week, they’re making Congress look moderately competent. The only party that isn’t fragmented and is staying firmly on point is the Scottish National Party: repeal Article 50, or if not, Scotland will find a way to be an EU member on its own.
Thank you Donald!
Thank you Donald!
wrs!
wrs!
For those who aren’t old enough to remember, there was a time when the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public schools. The response in Alabama featured, among other things, just shutting down schools to avoid desegregating them. Apparently, the tradition lives on:
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/03/state-drops-marriage-licenses-to-protect-homophobic-judges.html
For those who aren’t old enough to remember, there was a time when the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public schools. The response in Alabama featured, among other things, just shutting down schools to avoid desegregating them. Apparently, the tradition lives on:
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/03/state-drops-marriage-licenses-to-protect-homophobic-judges.html
I’m just trying to imagine what the reaction would have been, had Obama, or Clinton (either Clinton), or the local (D) dogcatcher for that matter, had sent a memo to TV producers with a list of people to ban from their programming.
We now consider it a relief and a victory if the POTUS is not indicted for criminally conspiring with foreign governments to throw elections. Abuse of office in violation of the 1st Amendment hardly raises an eyebrow. It’s just Trump being Trump.
Good times.
I’m just trying to imagine what the reaction would have been, had Obama, or Clinton (either Clinton), or the local (D) dogcatcher for that matter, had sent a memo to TV producers with a list of people to ban from their programming.
We now consider it a relief and a victory if the POTUS is not indicted for criminally conspiring with foreign governments to throw elections. Abuse of office in violation of the 1st Amendment hardly raises an eyebrow. It’s just Trump being Trump.
Good times.
Yeah. Imagine if Obama suggested banning people who pushed the claim that he wasn’t born in the United States. I’m thinking someone rather prominent would be on that list, but I can’t quite remember who that would be.
Yeah. Imagine if Obama suggested banning people who pushed the claim that he wasn’t born in the United States. I’m thinking someone rather prominent would be on that list, but I can’t quite remember who that would be.
but at least Trump isn’t a Democrat! herpy derpy derp!
but at least Trump isn’t a Democrat! herpy derpy derp!
Nothing we know (not that much) about the Mueller report changes the known facts presented in this piece from last year. Nothing we will come to learn about the Mueller report (who knows how much?) will change them, either.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/russia-hacking-trump-mueller/565157/
Nothing we know (not that much) about the Mueller report changes the known facts presented in this piece from last year. Nothing we will come to learn about the Mueller report (who knows how much?) will change them, either.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/russia-hacking-trump-mueller/565157/
Steven Moore, the nominee for the Fed, is definitely a Trump kind of guy:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/27/stephen-moore-trump-federal-reserve-pick-owes-taxes-us-government-alleges
I’m trying, with total lack of success, to remember the last time an administration was this inept at vetting its nominees. Although I suppose the standard they are using could be “anything Trump did himself is not disqualifying.”
Steven Moore, the nominee for the Fed, is definitely a Trump kind of guy:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/27/stephen-moore-trump-federal-reserve-pick-owes-taxes-us-government-alleges
I’m trying, with total lack of success, to remember the last time an administration was this inept at vetting its nominees. Although I suppose the standard they are using could be “anything Trump did himself is not disqualifying.”
the standard they are using
Is he on TV? He must be an expert.
the standard they are using
Is he on TV? He must be an expert.
Is he on TV? He must be an expert.
Not quite that simple. It depends on which channel he is on! đ
Is he on TV? He must be an expert.
Not quite that simple. It depends on which channel he is on! đ
has to be dumb enough to make Trump feel smart, too.
has to be dumb enough to make Trump feel smart, too.
gotta say… i was mighty deflated by Barr’s summary.
but, after wondering about it for a bit … did Barr actually quote a single full sentence of Mueller’s report?
gotta say… i was mighty deflated by Barr’s summary.
but, after wondering about it for a bit … did Barr actually quote a single full sentence of Mueller’s report?
This is the only full sentence quoted in Barr’s summary:
In the footnotes:
I don’t know how “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing” isn’t express, let alone tacit, agreement.
Or how all the emails described here: https://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536670194/donald-trump-jr-s-emails-about-meeting-with-russian-lawyer-annotated aren’t express, let alone tacit, agreement.
I guess it’s just old news, so it doesn’t matter.
This is the only full sentence quoted in Barr’s summary:
In the footnotes:
I don’t know how “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing” isn’t express, let alone tacit, agreement.
Or how all the emails described here: https://www.npr.org/2017/07/11/536670194/donald-trump-jr-s-emails-about-meeting-with-russian-lawyer-annotated aren’t express, let alone tacit, agreement.
I guess it’s just old news, so it doesn’t matter.
Or does the “[T]” mean that the quoted sentence was part of a larger sentence and edited to read as a sentence unto itself?
Or does the “[T]” mean that the quoted sentence was part of a larger sentence and edited to read as a sentence unto itself?