Politics

New York Times releases explosive report on Russia-linked bank Employee says ‘nothing happened’ after she raised concerns https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/19/deutsche-bank-trump-kushner-russia-new-york-times

OK, so this article in WaPo implies that Trump was actually telling the truth for once when he said last week that he was restraining Bolton's war lust. I've long since gotten to the point that I just can't bring myself to pay a whole lot of attention to the Donald's antics, but, much as I want to ignore him, war with Iran is enough to catch my eye. WaPo's sources basically say that the European's don't see much evidence that Iran is moving toward attacking U.S. assets (a really high risk stratagy for them) and our own military, intelligence and diplomatic people are divided in how certain intelligence should be interpeted. Some Europeans hint they think Bolton…

'I have a plan for that': Elizabeth Warren leads the Democratic 'ideas primary https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/11/i-have-a-plan-for-that-elizabeth-warren-democratic-policy-primary

CONGRESS Pelosi hints at contempt charges against multiple Trump associates House Democrats may wait to hold William Barr in contempt until they’re ready to target other Trump officials for obstruction. https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/09/pelosi-trump-officials-contempt-votes-1313614

Trump is talking about having the military on his side, along with the police and the Bikers for Trump. He seems to forget that police and military generally stand for law and order. Now we have this whacknut Congressman Steve King proclaiming that the red states have EIGHT TRILLION BULLETS in the event of civil war. So folks are stoking the possibility. Steve King and Donald Trump, who couldn't even express sympathy for the dead in New Zealand. But he will lead a civil war from Mar A Lago, feeding those bikers all the fast food they can eat. And I'll bet it's a lot! https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/03/18/steve-king-posts-meme-warning-that-red-states-have…

His Attorney General thinks so. The Mueller report left it to Congress to pursue, but that's a surprisingly chicken shit decision. Mueller was appointed to investigate and make findings. He punted instead. Just my opinion as of today.

Clinton-era politics refuses to die. Joe Biden is its zombie that staggers on https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/30/clinton-era-politics-joe-biden

How wide is Bernie Sanders' appeal? This cheering Fox News audience is a clue https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2019/apr/16/bernie-sanders-appeal-cheering-fox-news

The latest Washington Post rankings of the Democratic Presidential Wannabees: The Ranking Position Challenger Change Over Last Ranking 1. Joe Biden — 2. Bernie Sanders UP 1 3. Kamala D. Harris DOWN 1 4. Pete Buttigieg UP 4 5. Beto O’Rourke DOWN 1 6. Elizabeth Warren UP 1 7. Cory Booker DOWN 2 8. Amy Klobuchar DOWN 3 9. …

The NY Times Magazine today has a lengthy piece on Rupert Murdoch, his family, and his empire. Fox News, of course, is only a small part of that. Murdoch's power, combined with Trump's, is working only in the direction of right-wing politics and white racism. It's all very scary, but one reason Trump is giving huge gifts of tax cuts and other bonuses to the rich is an attempt to buy them off and favor him. It's working, which makes removal of Trump all the harder. Murdoch had his more conservative son take over what is left of his empire- the political and media. Right-wing will soon be synonymous with Murdoch and Trump. Racism too. https://www.nytimes.com/…

...is not over. We still have a President Trump, and with his virtual exoneration by the Special Counsel he may swell up even more. I find myself strangely comforted by the lack of findings. Did we really relish years of fighting over topics like collusion? The GOP is gleeful, the Democrats hopeful. Hopeful that the US Attorney in New York will find some stuff on Trump. If and when they release Muller's report, then we might know the whys and wherefores. Until then, things might actually calm down for a brief period. Yeah, right.

Skimpy Barr letter sets up constitutional battle royal to force full Mueller report release https://www.yahoo.com/news/skimpy-barr-letter-sets-constitutional-002903777.html

“I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump – I have the tough people, but they don’t play it tough – until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad.” Donald J. Trump,alleged president.

Having grown up a Catholic, I swallowed hook, line and sinker all of the indoctrination against sex, and gay sex in particular. It caused me no shortage of problems. To learn later in life that priests themselves were avidly engaging in sex and gay sex was a shock. My disillusionment with the Church grew and I finally gave it up. But many gay men have not, and they each have their own reasons. For some, it is no doubt hard to disavow something you have belonged to since birth. Gay sex is a sin, the Church says, even though so many priests delight in it, preferably with a little kid. The NY Times today has an article about a gay man in San Diego who has not only tried…

Yes! Warren flexes muscles with campaign kickoff tour https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/02/elizabeth-warren-2020-campaign-1144279

Dan Rather Serves Up Delicious Viral Tweet Mocking Donald Trump’s Wall Emergency https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c6bc4ade4b01cea6b88cd08/amp

Bret Stephens is another conservative writer whose work I enjoy reading. His controversial opinion piece in the NY Times this week is titled, Why Ralph Northam Should Not Resign. "…we believe that our worst moments and dumbest utterances shouldn’t define us. That our youthful behavior is more of a reflection of what is around us than a representation of what’s inside. That we deserve to be judged by the decency of our intentions and the totality of our deeds. That we are entitled to a presumption of innocence, a measure of forgiveness, a sense for our times, and multiple opportunities for redemption." It is a miracle that Ed Gillespie, with all his Republican do…

I am curious to see the drama unfold if there is any. But, I'll be passing on the address. Others watching?

Truly, hours worth of laughter. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/08/spy-vs-trump

Top-flight article on McCain and, I think, why his views & attitude offer hope for (and continue to contribute to the hope for )the future, & survival, of American democracy. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/18/john-mccains-last-fight-218404

It doesn't have to make any sense or even exist. Once he declares one, our freedoms, such as they are, go down the tubes. An earlier Congress, assuming any POTUS would be rational, a big mistake, gave the Oval Office at least 100 new powers. And all bets are off if it happens. Politically all that's left is a veto-proof override of two thirds in each house to declare it null, and/or a successful impeachment of both Trump and Pence. But most likely prepare for lots of mass mobilizations, mass strikes, progressive organizing among vets and troops. Don't kid yourself. It can happen here. Hope for the best, work for it, but also prepare for the worst. 1939 GermanyAll ove…

On Saturday, Twitter users were both angry and appalled with President Donald Trump for attempting to pin the blame on the deaths of two immigrant children at the border on Democrats, despite the fact they were being held by ICE agents at his administration’s directions. “Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally,” he claimed. Trump translation: I will do nothing to stop children from dying unless you give me what I want. It’s really painful to have a President who truly has no c…

At least that's what one would think from this article in the Washington Post. The bigot was US Attorney for the Southern District of Idaho from 2004-2009. An openly gay local politician lost over $100,000 defending himself against charges brought by the evangelical Christian. He won the case, but he lost the money. Such is the power of a US Attorney. Now he is "acting" Attorney General despite never having been confirmed by Congress at any level. With all of the crap being revealed about him, I'd say he's toast, even in Trump's world. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whitakers-term-as-us-attorney-in-iowa-draws-scrutiny/2018/11/09/7eaee04c-e472-11e8-8f5f-…

ONE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA AND TRUMP... My guess is Trump's list would only include a few TV shows, like Hannity... and, of course, his own tweets but he might not be able to differentiate them from fiction or non-. http://www.openculture.com/2018/12/president-obama-names-his-favorite-books-movies-songs-of-2018.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OpenCulture+(Open+Culture)&fbclid=IwAR2WoR1kqR9lgH28SnIfp97Ezp32VGGUA6RGKRYQsYvaIt7DWrwavRuQ8Hk

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has resigned in light of Trump's decision to give Putin a Christmas present and withdraw US troops from Syria. Mattis told Trump in his letter of resignation: " “My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of immersion in these issues,” Mattis wrote. “We must do everything possible to advance an international order that is most conducive to our security, prosperity and values, and we are strengthened in this effort by the solidarity of our alliances.” Lying, as is his wont, Trump said Mattis was retiring, rather th…