Weekend Open Thread
]guest post by Dana]
Let’s go!
First news item
Expelled from Congress on a bipartisan vote, and reportedly left the scene in a Jaguar. Heh.
The final tally, 311-114-2, surpassed that mark, with 105 Republicans joining almost all Democrats to remove the scandal-plagued Santos after just 11 months in office… 112 Republicans backed Santos on Friday despite the growing controversy swirling around him. Those voices warned that removing an elected lawmaker from office without a criminal conviction sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to unwarranted, politically motivated expulsions in the future.
There goes a key Republican vote.
Second news item
Manic tirade in all caps coming in 3, 2, 1…
Former President Donald Trump can be sued in civil lawsuits related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot in a long-awaited, consequential decision from the federal appeals court in Washington, DC.
The decision will have significant implications for several cases against Trump in the Washington, DC, federal court related to the 2020 election. The decision arises out of lawsuits brought by Capitol Police officers and Democrats in Congress.
The opinion, written by Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan, states that not everything a president does or says while in office is protected from liability.
Third news item
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, has died.
O’Connor was 93 years old.
She died in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday “of complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.
O’Connor was appointed to the court in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and served nearly a quarter-century, retiring in 2006.
RIP
Fourth news item
Elon’s uh, winning business model??:
ANDREW ROSS SORKIN, NY TIMES: Obviously know that there’s a public perception that — and you are clarifying this now, but there’s a public perception that that was part of a apology tour, if you will. That this had been said online there was all of the criticism, there was advertisers leaving, we talked to Bob Iger today.
ELON MUSK: I hope they stop.
SORKIN: You hope —
MUSK: Don’t advertise.
SORKIN: You don’t want them to advertise?
MUSK: No.
SORKIN: What do you mean?
MUSK: If somebody’s going to try to blackmail me with advertising? Go fuck yourself.
SORKIN: But —
MUSK: Go fuck yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is. Hey, Bob, if you’re in the audience.
SORKIN: Let me ask you then —
MUSK: That’s how I feel. Don’t advertise.
Fifth news item
The “first partner” comes to Newsom’s rescue:
According to four sources in the DeSantis camp — one who witnessed the moment in the room and three others who were standing backstage (where there was no press or live studio audience) — Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, came into the debate room on at least two occasions to raise some objections. She also made her way to the stage during the break after the candidates agreed to extend the debate and put an end to it. A fifth source on the ground, unaffiliated with either campaign, confirmed that Siebel Newsom ended the debate on her husband’s behalf, saying, “We’re done.”
Sixth news item
A determined yet frustrated President Zelensky:
Asked if he was satisfied by the results of the counteroffensive, he gave a complex answer.
“Look, we are not backing down, I am satisfied. We are fighting with the second (best) army in the world, I am satisfied,” he said, referring to the Russian military. But he added: “We are losing people, I’m not satisfied. We didn’t get all the weapons we wanted, I can’t be satisfied, but I also can’t complain too much.”
Zelenskyy also said he fears the Israel-Hamas war threatens to overshadow the conflict in Ukraine, as competing political agendas and limited resources put the flow of Western military aid to Kyiv at risk.
And those concerns are amplified by the tumult that inevitably arises during a U.S. election year and its potential implications for his country, which has seen the international community largely rally around it following Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion.
From a historical perspective, US aid to Ukraine is relatively small compared to the cost of some past wars. This includes foreign military aid during World War II and the Spanish Civil War, as well as US military expenditures in the Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars. When measured in percent of donor GDP, the support of Eastern European countries to Ukraine has been particularly generous, especially when considering the cost of hosting Ukrainian refugees. The Baltic states, Poland, and Bulgaria, but also the United States, are among the top ten donors as a share of donor GDP. Although smaller than some past wars and smaller than overall European commitments, US aid to Ukraine is nevertheless substantial in both absolute and relative terms, indicating the Biden administration’s deep commitment to Ukraine so far.
Seventh news item
The U.N., after 7 weeks of silence on the rape and sexual abuse and torture of Israeli women by Hamas, finally called for an investigation into the reports, and now wants you to know:
⚠️Catcalling her is violence.
⚠️Stalking her is violence.
⚠️Forbidding her from going to work is violence.Violence against women comes in many forms.
Now that you know, you have #NoExcuse.
Learn more: https://t.co/tHbZxl0Vcw#16Days pic.twitter.com/UyLDqZ373V
— UN Women (@UN_Women) November 30, 2023
Just shut the fuck up, you disgusting and moribund entity. You’ve made it clear that Israeli women’s horrific trauma doesn’t matter to you.
Eighth news item
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson wrote the foreword and publicly promoted a 2022 book that spread baseless and discredited conspiracy theories and used derogatory homophobic insults.
Written by Scott McKay, a local Louisiana politics blogger, the book, “The Revivalist Manifesto,” gives credence to unfounded conspiracy theories often embraced by the far-right – including the “Pizzagate” hoax, which falsely claimed top Democratic officials were involved in a pedophile ring, among other conspiracies.
The book also propagates baseless and inaccurate claims, implying that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was subjected to blackmail and connected to the disgraced underage sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein…
“Scott McKay presents a valuable and timely contribution with The Revivalist Manifesto because he has managed here to articulate well what millions of conscientious, freedom-loving Americans are sensing,” Johnson writes in his 300-word foreword.
Ninth news item
NYT caught sneakily replacing headline which relied on information from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health:
A newspaper can hide substantial reporting failures by describing a story as “updated” rather than admitting to malpractice by printing a correction. A headline on the front page of the Sunday New York Times told readers “Israel has killed more women and children than have been killed in Ukraine.” Could it be true that the Israeli military, with its professed concern for protecting civilians, has actually perpetrated greater savagery than Russian president Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine?.
Alas, the story was too good (or bad) to be true. By noon on Sunday, the headline in question disappeared from the digital version of the Times’s story. By late afternoon, the Times added substantial information that contradicted its initial claim and suggested the death toll in Ukraine has been an order of magnitude greater than in Gaza. The only indication of these changes was a small note beneath the author’s byline indicating the story had been “updated.”
The Times built its initial story around a pair of data points that, when stripped of context, suggest Israel is conducting itself in a manner befitting Putin. For Gaza, the Times employed information from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, which says 14,000 Palestinians have been killed, of whom 10,000 are women and children.
MISCELLANEOUS
It’s the season.. 😂 pic.twitter.com/JmstRtxE2M
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) November 30, 2023
Have a great weekend!
—Dana
Hello.
Dana (932d71) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:29 amThe 2/3 majority requirement is a big preventative all by itself so we’re not really headed down a slippery slope very fast.
I think good reasons for expulsion could be:
1) When the member in question disrupts proceedings or worse when that can be expected to continue.
2) When the member took bribes to vote a certain way or do something else as part of his duties in Congress.
These two things cannot be tolerated.
It doesn’t matter whether the bribery, if that’s the issue, was ratified by a jury. I don’t think whether the member has been convicted or indicted matters. What matters is what the member voting on whether to expel believes, and the member should not rely on someone else but be convinced of that fact independently.
Another good reason could be:
3) When the member did something illegal to get elected. (Santos did not, as his stealing from his campaign didn’t help him and he got elected as a standard Republican and mostly acted that way in Congress.)
Stealing votes could be one good grounds or making a serious effort to cause people inclined to vote for someone else to lose their votes by telling them something about the voting procedures that is not true.
And maybe, although this is close, paying off someone else not to run, although this should be done, if done, consistently.
Getting “ringers”(people with similar sounding names to other people to run is a better example.
These things are related to qualifications for Congress.
On the other hand, I don’t agree that merely being convicted of some felony should not be grounds for expulsion from Congress. It depends on what the felony was.
After all, a majority of the country probably does not believe that being convicted of a felony should disqualify anyone from the office of president.
They really do not believe that. Donald Trump being convicted of something will not affect very many votes.
Of course the way it is now, in practical terms, the standards for being a member of Congress are higher than that for being president, and the standard for vice president is the highest of all.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:51 amBy some people, words are violence but real violence and threats are not,
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:56 amRe: Fourth News Item-Taking Musk at his word:
Rip Murdock (b88d19) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:12 amAmerican workers – are YOU happy to pay $1,800 EACH to wipe the student debt of the privileged elite who’ll earn $52,000 a year?
When you rob from Peter to give to Paul, you can always count on Paul’s support.
NJRob (411e10) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:20 amThanks for the far left perspective on Musk. Could’ve never gotten it without you Rip.
NJRob (411e10) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:21 amhttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12810373/biden-student-loan-debt-election-bribe-brad-polumbo.html#article-12810373
For the broken link.
NJRob (411e10) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:22 amF
The problem wasn’t that the death tolls for Gaza were too high, although they were somewhat,
as that the death toll of civilians killed in Ukraine was too low.
The civilian death toll in Ukraine was mostly hard figures which included little in territory conquered by Russia.
(Hamas allies in Qatar were claiming during the truce that Hamas had had 40,000 troops(better estimates were 20,000 to 30,000) and that only 2,000had been killed, leaving 11,000 of the figure of 13,000 people in all that think that they started using – previously they had said 11,000 or so -to be civilians, half of them of course being children. I heard that they raised the total death toll by about 2,000,
The biggest reason the death toll in Gaza is so high is that almost nobody is allowed out of Gaza, something that, amazingly, Bill O’Reilly did not know last night. The excuse given by Egypt is that they don’t want to create a second “nakba.” So rather than Palestinians possibly get exiled, depending on what happens in the future in Gaza, they’d rather have them die, and this is so taken for granted by the U.S. government that they are not even asking Egypt and the other Arab states to let them out!! (Hamas and UN connected people can get out to some degree)
Israel proposed a sanctuary along the Mediterranean but that was not accepted, so mow they’re talking about using U.N. facilities and meanwhile Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is warning Israel that they should not go ahead with their offensive until safe havens have been arranged.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/blinken-said-to-warn-war-cabinet-it-may-not-have-months-to-topple-hamas
Meanwhile, Hamas’ allies are doing their best to make safe havens impossible.
Another reason for the relatively high death toll in Gaza is that this time Israel is bombing the tunnels, which requires bigger bombs than in the past.
A little stupid as the Hamas leadership may come to be written off as dead while in reality they secretly escaped.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:24 amOf course, this claim that money will be paid (it will add to federal debt) as well this averaging by person is an obvious lie.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:27 amExcerted from a post (and added to) from the November 24 open thread thread:(About Israel being warned)
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html
The New York Times specifically says it had no knowledge of whether or not any of that made it up to Netanyahu’s level.
But the approximately 40 page document, which the Israelis code named “Jericho Wall” (with them being Jericho?!) circulated widely among Israel’s top military and intelligence officials.
It did not contain any date, indicating that this was not an operational plan yet, and dealt only with the part about penetrating the border, and overrunning military bases and cities (they did get into Sderot) but not for what they would do once they were there, and had, and no indication of its purpose but one analyst said this had to be a plan to start a war.
Many elements were carried out: The rocket attacks at the start, the drones to knock out the cameras and the automated machine guns triggered by a breach, and for gunmen to pour in en masse on motorcycles, on foot and on paragliders.
It was dismissed as beyond Hamas’s capabilities and on the grounds that Hamas had shown no signs of having accepted it. In July, about three months before the attack, an analyst noticed that Hamas had begun doing training that matched the plan, but even she did not state that it was so close in time.
Hamas (or Iran, or Russia) probably had spies with access to Israeli military information because the plan had information about the location and size of Israeli military forces and communication hubs and more.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:42 amAbout Google and Instagram: Google is too quick on the trigger to disable accounts(and it required a NYT reporter to get a woman back her account after her 7-year old son had posted a photo of his behind) while Instagram allows bad things to flourish.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:45 am@Dana:
Dana… word.
It’s well past time to kick the UN out of the US and seek better relationships with our allies.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:46 amNetanyahu’s war aims:
1) To eliminate the command structure of Hamas from top to bottom.
2) To free the hostages.
3) To establish a new government in Gaza. Not the PA.
Also constrained by:
1) Limiting the number of Israeli soldiers killed or wounded
2) Limiting the number of Gaza noncombatant casualties
3) Avoiding a wider war.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:05 pm“The opinion, written by Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan, states that not everything a president does or says while in office is protected from liability.“
I look forward to this being exploited to the hilt, with endless examples to draw on. Those injured by an illegal immigrant should be able to sue the president who let them in or refused to deport them. Those harmed by the Afghanistan debacle should be able to sue Biden. Precedents like this get set by judges who can’t process anything beyond “Whatever hurts Trump is good”
lloyd (f2da21) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:10 pmhttps://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/2023-11-27/live-updates-775291
He presumably planned to release those particular people.
The safest people in Gaza are the top 15 Hamas leaders and the hostages from Israel..
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:12 pmIt’s one thing to sue – it’s another thing to have a winnable case. Trump doesn’t have liability for the riot simply because he created a false narrative.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:15 pmAnd an unnecessary controversy
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:16 pmMusk knows that his departing advertisers know that they have no viable market in his post-Twitter membership. Not one that’s worth the cost of advertising to. So he’s putting out the best face-saving “I don’t want you, anyway” bluster he can for his white elephant.
nk (711b40) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:20 pmI didn’t have a strong opinion about the vote on Santos (because the usual tipping point was a conviction), until this.
Paul Montagu (4a5eeb) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:38 pmWhen Santos is busted for stealing money from a House member and the House member’s mom, a line was definitely crossed. At that point, the guy is beyond redemption. Seriously, the audacity.
Do you think the NYT writer has been terminated? In times past, embarrassing the Grey Lady with careless lies would have meant termination. Unless, of course, your lies got a Pulitzer.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:44 pmIt’s one thing to sue – it’s another thing to have a winnable case. Trump doesn’t have liability for the riot simply because he created a false narrative.
I would think that some of his followers, who suffered greatly as a result of said following, might have a claim. Civil fraud?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:45 pmTwitter had the most scurrilous posts, but they were never outed by the media since the media by and large agreed with them. Didn’t start to bother advertisers until the media started combining their trademarks with asserted posting transgressions.
For example, the post that Musk “liked”, that 10,000 news articles called antisemitic, wasn’t. It was simple shädenfreude regarding political liberal Jews being backstabbed by their liberal compatriots. Mentioning Jews being upset at people dissing Israel is not, in itself, antisemitic.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 12:51 pmSecond news item-this is not the last word on the subject:
So rather than definitively saying that Trump didn’t have immunity for his speech or actions, each allegation will now need a be litigated to determine whether Trump was immune or not, or protected by the First Amendment.
Assuming this is upheld by the Supreme Court, and applies to his election interference indictment, it will stretch out that case well beyond the primary election campaign.
For those who think litigating these determinations can be a quick process, arguments in this case were held In December 2022.
Rip Murdock (fd7522) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:01 pmThe only question before the court was whether the allegations of the complaint, on its face, show that Trump was acting in an official capacity. Nothing more. They still have to prove that his BAC was above .08 (in a manner of speaking).
And Biden was acting in an official capacity when he ordered the troops out of Afghanistan and let the illegals in on the Southern border, same as Trump was acting in an official capacity when he sold out the Kurds to Erdogan and invited the Taliban to Camp David.
nk (711b40) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:05 pmthe privileged elite who’ll earn $52,000 a year?
I bet they all drive Porsches with that high income.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:10 pmMusk is upset that those advertisers believed lies, or pretended to believe lies. The truth is more that the Left has it in for Musk for reasons other than Twitter.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:12 pmFor example, here’s an Engadget article on the Tesla EV truck:
Tesla’s Cybertruck is a dystopian, masturbatory fantasy
Then it gets nasty.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:17 pm“We are losing people, I’m not satisfied. We didn’t get all the weapons we wanted, I can’t be satisfied, but I also can’t complain too much.”
I respect that perspective. I’ve said from the beginning that the Biden Administration needs to
keepstop dithering on what weapons we’re willing to send to Ukraine and drop the stupid and self-defeating prohibition on weapons that will “escalate” the war. Russia has already been happy to escalate it on their own.Zelenskyy also said he fears the Israel-Hamas war threatens to overshadow the conflict in Ukraine, as competing political agendas and limited resources put the flow of Western military aid to Kyiv at risk.
A huge part of me wonders to what degree Russia might have been conspiring with Hamas behind the scenes to attack when they did, knowing that it would distract the West. Maybe even China had some thing to do with it, given that the summit was announced just two days before the attack and given that both China and the U.S. are trying to claim that the summit strengthened the Sino-American partnership. Xi realized that the more items are piled up on the State Department desk, the more motivation they would have to deescalate tensions with China.
But maybe I have just become paranoid in my old age.
JVW (1ad43e) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:19 pmJust shut the f*** up, you disgusting and moribund entity.
You made me laugh hard with this line, Dana. You win the internet today.
norcal (881137) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:21 pmSantos just left, without turning in his keys and such. Hopefully they don’t need to re-key the entire Capitol.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:21 pmIt’s well past time to kick the UN out of the US and seek better relationships with our allies.
I would just surround the UN Plaza with homeless encampments and illegal immigrant holding and processing centers.
JVW (1ad43e) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:25 pmThe UN should be replaced by an association of democratic nations, with a robust foreign policy and common defense. The UN has become a place for despots to lie.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:26 pmNYT caught reporting Israel new a year in advance that Hamas was going to attack yet netanyahu did nothing. (to busy trying to stay out of jail) 3 days before netanyahu gets date of attack from egyptian intelligence minister. (ignores call) Fears sending reinforcements from west bank to gaza will cause settlers parties to with draw from coalition.
asset (f25910) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:27 pmI would just surround the UN Plaza with homeless encampments and illegal immigrant holding and processing centers.
And turning the UN building’s walls into open urinals.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:27 pm@24 Civil claims against a president for actions and decisions made while president don’t have to win in court to achieve their purpose. Causing a president to weigh every decision as to whether it will be one he will be held personally responsible for is one objective of this nonsense. Another is simply endless punishment via the process. It’s just another weapon and power grab by the courts.
lloyd (f2da21) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:30 pm@10 Israeli military refuses to say if what netanyahu knew and when did he know it ;however 3 days before attack Egyptian intelligence chief called netanyahu who refused to talk to him and had a subordinate (fall guy) take the call instead.
asset (f25910) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:34 pmThe English kings had absolute immunity. Parliament got around it by issuing writs of attainder against their ministers.
Neither practice came to America. Who did come to America were some of the Puritan judges who sentenced King Charles I to be beheaded.
nk (711b40) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:52 pmCivil claims against a president for actions and decisions made while president don’t have to win in court to achieve their purpose. Causing a president to weigh every decision as to whether it will be one he will be held personally responsible for is one objective of this nonsense. Another is simply endless punishment via the process. It’s just another weapon and power grab by the courts.
lloyd (f2da21) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:30 pm
Trump weaponized a mob in an attempted power grab. Future Presidents would have to try really hard to reach Trump’s level of liability. His behavior was egregious, and far beyond what any other President has done.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
norcal (881137) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:52 pm@37 Kings were also immune to elections, as are most judges.
lloyd (f2da21) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:09 pmCivil claims against a president for actions and decisions made while president don’t have to win in court to achieve their purpose.
Claims against actions taken AS president have no merit. However, claims against actions taken merely while President (e.g. a forgery) have no such protection.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:16 pmThe other thing to remember is that the Federal Tort Claims Act does not really grant immunity. It grants indemnity. If the court finds that the government official committed a tort while acting within the scope of his official duties, it does not mean the plaintiff gets nothing. It means that he is compensated by the United States, and not the federal employee personally.
nk (711b40) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:19 pmMedian income in the USA is ~75k/year.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:24 pmA lot of people likely had forewarning of the October 7 atrocity. People like Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and AOC, and all the others of similar ilk needed to organize and lead the propaganda war afterwards.
nk (711b40) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:33 pmThe direct evidence is what?
Rip Murdock (fd7522) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:37 pmEvidence of communications between those members and Hamas would be a good start.
Rip Murdock (fd7522) — 12/1/2023 @ 2:40 pmMontana TikTok ban blocked:
Rip Murdock (fd7522) — 12/1/2023 @ 3:00 pmIndiana state judge dismisses lawsuit against TikTok
Rip Murdock (fd7522) — 12/1/2023 @ 3:18 pmHamas announces it will no longer post messages on X.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 3:27 pmThe stories of how Hamas’ hostages are coming out, and they’re not good stories.
The Red Cross still has not been allowed access to any of the hostages. I don’t hold out a lot of hope for the rest still in captivity.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/1/2023 @ 5:04 pmI’ve been thinking, Paul, about the hostages stories are disbelieved by any number of protesters, who still insist that Hamas didn’t do this but that the IDF did it to its people. And the extreme level of denial is despite Hamas’s own videos of their atrocities. What a strange place we are at. I believe that the next level of extremity will be a begrudging admittance that, well, okay Hamas did that but they had no choice. They are a necessary weaponized arm of Palestinians trying to break free and their only option for freedom is via gross violence and murder. Gross, but you know, deserved…
Terrifying justification for evil.
Dana (932d71) — 12/1/2023 @ 5:36 pmI believe that the next level of extremity will be a begrudging admittance that, well, okay Hamas did that but they had no choice.
Next? That’s where a lot of these people started. It’s moving the other way.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 6:04 pmJuliana Margulies being attacked for standing for Israel.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-12-01/julianna-margulies-faces-backlash-over-podcast-discussion-of-israel-hamas-conflict
She discussed rising antisemitism, the irony of non-binary folks supporting radical Islam, and how Blacks and Jews once stood together, but now stand apart.
It didn’t go well in some quarters:
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 6:13 pm“You voted to expel a person who appears to have broken many laws and many ethical standards, so next thing you know, you’ll be expelling someone for jay-walking.” This is not how that works.
Trump, believes in the Louis XIV standard of running a country (L’etat c’est moi). Of course he has trouble with the idea that there are personal actions and official duties and they are not the same thing.
RIP Sandra Day.
I’m glad Elon has, er, identified his customer? so well? (or not at all. He has not identified his customer at all.)
Catcalling is annoying and in some circumstances threatening. Stalking is violence. Preventing someone from working is financial abuse.
We’ll see how Mike does as speaker. AFAICT everyone extremish who takes that position becomes more prudent once they discover that their mouths have been writing checks that the leadership can’t cash and now they are leadership.
The dailymail seems to be having trouble with their currency conversion if they think that 52,000 means you are a privileged elite. Also, willingness to donate 1800 for someone else’s college really probably depends on how it’s set up. I have not, frex, donated a lump 1800 sum, however I donate to my local college scholarship fund every month and over the course of my career I’ve donated way more than 1800 (and paid off my own loans along the way) so, er maybe?
@JVW@28 Just because the best modern manipulator of RealPolitik just died doesn’t mean there aren’t other skilled practitioners out there.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/1/2023 @ 6:38 pmThose FBA/ADOS bozos glommed onto my Twitter feed like moths to flame in the past couple of days more so for the migrant camps in Chicago than for this Margilies thing but it has been mentioned. The the former clean yer own damn house, Reggie!
urbanleftbehind (ef6809) — 12/1/2023 @ 6:38 pmSecond news Item-
Donald Trump’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day* Continues:
*With apologies to Judith Viorst.
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/1/2023 @ 8:27 pmCongrats to my beloved Washington Huskies for…
1. Beating #5 Oregon in a nailbiter, for the 2nd time this year.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/1/2023 @ 9:26 pm2. Going undefeated at 13-0.
3. Ending the season ranked at #3, at the worst.
4. Making the 4-team playoff. If the rankings hold, our next game is Michigan at the Rose Bowl.
5. Um, I don’t know, I’m just basking in this historic win and historic season in the final game of the Pac-12 as we know it.
@43 If bezos get on an elevator with 5 other people their median income is in the billions.
asset (231258) — 12/1/2023 @ 9:58 pm@45 Egyptian intelligence chief called netanyahu 3 days before attack to warn of coming attack. Netanyahu to cover his a.. had underling take the call so he could throw him under the bus instead of himself.
asset (231258) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:04 pmI’m glad Elon has, er, identified his customer? so well? (or not at all. He has not identified his customer at all.)
Musk has cooties and all the kids are avoiding him because they don’t want to have people say they have cooties too. It’s really not much more than that.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:14 pmWhat is your problem with netanyahu, asset? He’s Zombie PM. It’s not necessary to find more fault. I’m guessing you go after him because it’s allowed.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:15 pm@61 I have been going after this crook since the 1990’s when he threatened to bring down the government if he was prosecuted for corruption. Bibi does not care about Israel only himself as all now can see. Patriotism the last refuge of a scoundrel. Dr. Samuel Johnson as chronicled by Boswell. Netanyahu and his wife were caught selling over 100,000 Israel govt. bottles for their deposits. He is now trying to change the Israeli court system to avoid prosecution for his criminal activity. Its all on the internet if you want to look it up.
asset (231258) — 12/1/2023 @ 10:52 pm@Kevin@60 There’s also the fact that his customers are companies that want to display ads and he’s selling eyeballs on ads to them. However what he’s created is an environment where fewer and fewer customers can even see the ads the more he locks down who can access x-twitter and that the content the ads are more and more often being displayed next to isn’t inviting to the eyeballs who would otherwise be seeing the ads. And now he’s mad because companies don’t want to pay for their decreasing ad penetration. It’s less to do with him having cooties than him creating an environment that has less and less of what companies are willing to pay for.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/1/2023 @ 11:34 pmIt’s a conundrum for sure. Musk is rich. Disney is rich. Could they both be right?
nk (bb1548) — 12/2/2023 @ 3:45 amIf you talk about Netanyahu, other people don’t hear about subhumans who behead babies.
nk (54ab2a) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:11 amI agree with your analysis, nic – until:
What those advertisers wish to buy is virtue-signaling opportunities, and you are quite correct that Musk has created an environment where those opportunities have diminished. But, wait! This situation is an opportunity to virtue-signal for free, by announcing that they are not advertising on X because “musk has cooties.”
Once this opportunity evaporates (will it ever?*) advertisers will return to X. Money is still money, after all.
* I remember when Alec Baldwin left a scandalous message on a machine directed at his daughter, and became a pariah among his own people. That is, until Trump came along and Alec portrayed him on SNL.
felipe (79693d) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:34 amhttps://freebeacon.com/campus/terrorist-group-sponsored-princeton-anti-israel-rally/
Things not reported by the WaPo or NY Slimes for 100 Alex.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:09 amI totally agree about the virtue-signaling, felipe.
The way I see it, Musk’s X has fewer “eyeballs” than Dorsey’s Twitter did who enjoy seeing Copycat take a strap-on to Deadpool. (That’s a Marvel franchise reference to both the comic series and the Disney movies.)
But why should Bob Iger say that when he can virtue signal? Disney is not leaving X because they no longer share the same target market, oh no, it’s because Disney is oh so good and X is oh so bad.
nk (54ab2a) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:10 amhttps://twitter.com/theblaze/status/1730660477087138127
Wow. Lurch is being more honest than most of his political brethren and says what others are silent upon because it doesn’t suit their politics.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:18 am@43, that is incorrect. In that elevator scenario the average would be in the billions.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/2/2023 @ 6:00 amMarge’s poor book sales explained.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/2/2023 @ 6:45 amI should have said @58 in #70. SMH.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/2/2023 @ 6:59 amThere’s also the fact that his customers are companies that want to display ads and he’s selling eyeballs on ads to them.
They had no problem with their ads running on actual jihadi posts, but they DO have a problem with their ads running on posts that the media say were antisemitic, but weren’t.
Did you investigate those “antisemitic” posts? I did. They were, at best, poorly written posts suggesting that American Jews had allied with the wrong people, particularly on the subject of open borders (which was the poster’s real beef).
The reason that Musk says they should go F themselves is that, if they are going to react to every lie a media outlet posts, then they probably should go elsewhere for advertising.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:00 amIf you talk about Netanyahu, other people don’t hear about subhumans who behead babies.
Also, it’s not seen as antisemitic.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:02 amLastly, the whole “X is antisemitic” meme is cover for the left-leaning press which is busily denigrating Israel and carrying water for Hamas.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:08 amShould Venezuela invade its oil-rich neighbor? Maduro will put it to a vote Sunday
WWRRD? What will Biden do?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:21 amDonald Trump has plans:
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:52 amWhat that sad sack tells his cultists has about as much affinity to what he will actually do as his hair has to his scalp.
But there is a whale of a push from the Democrats to have him for Biden’s opponent. It will not surprise me if many cross over to vote for him in the Republican primaries.
nk (43adf8) — 12/2/2023 @ 8:48 amIf you’re looking for a dire analysis,
https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/theres-a-storm-coming-we-all-know
The quote that jumps out is: “What happens to the rule of law when it is confronted by democracy and The People side against it?” I would echo: what legal nicety will constrain Trump in the future? What won’t he try when he controls the military and has instituted loyalty oaths for key positions? Why exactly will congressional Republicans suddenly grow a spine if they are promised the spoils of loyalty? How many of his lieutenants will feel emboldened to break the law if pardons are anticipated?
The piece falls short of what to do. We all possess just one vote and sorting has made most states less than competitive.
At some point big money will need to saturate the media outlets with Trump’s own words. When Trump suggests that Mark Milley should be executed for treason, shouldn’t primary voters be told this daily? Evangelicals should have to confront “grab them by the p*ss*” as they head to the polls. Maybe it’s coming. I hope it’s coming.
AJ_Liberty (e76992) — 12/2/2023 @ 8:48 amWhen we narrowly skirt a break down in the Rule of Law by giving Biden four more years, I really hope those here illegally have time to get their affairs in order before they get deported.
If you’re north of the age of 10, you have fours years of an actual Trump presidency to draw on. Just about every metric other than NeverTrumper sad face stats was better.
lloyd (f2da21) — 12/2/2023 @ 9:35 amFrom the original district court ruling:
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 11:39 am@felipe@66 companies can be sensitive to content but it’s lots of different kinds and sometimes the public memory can be short, but each time Musk loses a bunch of advertisers s good number are lost permanently, As for blackmailing a website to clean itself up, has he not paid attention to the internet over the last 20 years? A whole bunch of websites have had to implement changes in order to keep and/or attract ads.
@nk@68 My understanding is that Disney is one of the more active companies with takedown orders against people who use their characters in, er, overly sexualized, art.
@Kevin@73 If people yelled at them about it, they would’ve had a problem with it. My interpretation of the posts were that the Jews deserve what happens because many of them vote democrat. I wouldn’t say that blaming them for the attacks against them because they voted wrong is hard core anti-semetism, but I can see where some people could reasonably think it was. (I already think Musk is a jerk, ever since he reacted so poorly to those rescuers who didn’t think the tech he sent was helpful so I don’t pay that much attention to “musk is a jerk” stories because “dog bites man” isn’t news. :P) As for blackmailing a website to clean itself up, has he not paid attention to the internet over the last 20 years? A whole bunch of websites have had to implement changes in order to keep and/or attract ads.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/2/2023 @ 12:41 pmHook ’em horns!
Dustin (894cc7) — 12/2/2023 @ 12:45 pm@77 that was then free trade economic libertarian milton friedman creative destruction. The destroyed who are populists took over the party from a few rich conservatives and their running dogs in their think tanks. As for netanyahu over half of Israel must be anti-semites because they loathe him too!
asset (9fcaf3) — 12/2/2023 @ 1:17 pm@nk@68 My understanding is that Disney is one of the more active companies with takedown orders against people who use their characters in, er, overly sexualized, art.
What I referred to is in the movie Deadpool 3. Acted out and talked about.
nk (8dee56) — 12/2/2023 @ 1:36 pmSecond Amendment News
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 2:18 pmAppeals court majority opinion.
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 2:30 pm@nk@86 Ah, sorry, I didn’t see that movie. nvmd then.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/2/2023 @ 2:58 pmMore on the September 2023 decision lifting some restrictions where a firearm can be carried in Maryland:
The list of areas and facilities where firearms may be banned is still way to broad. It should be limited to government facilities, and shouldn’t include places like stadiums, parks, museums, etc just because large crowds may congregate there. These restrictions limit the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 3:06 pmI can see the Federal Courts soon having to deal with whether Texas can move migrants to other states, then ordering ICE to prevent the transport of migrants out of Texas. Maybe razor wire on all the other borders.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:16 pmIt will not surprise me if many cross over to vote for him in the Republican primaries.
This is just about the only thing that would get me to vote for Trump in the general election.
“Good and hard.” Maybe they’ll think twice next time, if they ever get out of the camps.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:18 pmNeither Biden nor Trump gives a rat’s ass about the Rule of Law. Biden confines himself to the outer margin, while Trump doesn’t care where the lines are at all.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:20 pmI wouldn’t say that blaming them for the attacks against them because they voted wrong is hard core anti-semetism, but I can see where some people could reasonably think it was.
It’s not antisemitism at all, really. The poster was anti-open-borders. And it wasn’t a reasonable mistake, but a calculated lie.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:23 pm@90: Then California passes, and Newsom signed, a law that was MORE restrictive, and also responded to demands that they liberalize their carry laws with something far less liberal in previously shall-issue counties.
I would not want to be a peace officer enforcing that law; qualified immunity may not apply.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:27 pmBTW, how many people do you suppose go into the polling booth thinking about “The Rule of Law”?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:10 pmThe only way Christie or Haley can win in NH is with Democrats and independents votes. Iowa is a closed caucus-Republicans only.
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:18 pmI doubt any candidate, based on current polling, can beat Trump in primaries without non-Republican voters, which of course will not be available in closed primaries.
Rip Murdock (9a8dc3) — 12/2/2023 @ 5:25 pmFortunately California’s gun laws will come tumbling down soon enough.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 12/2/2023 @ 6:33 pmLOL!
Why would Democrats want to help Nikki? It’s like asking the House Democrats to bail out the Republicans during the Speaker fight. Who the Republicans nominate is not their problem, and they shouldn’t interfere in who Republicans select as their presidential candidate. Any nominee selected with Democratic support would be rejected by the Republican base in the general election.
Rip Murdock (84f29f) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:05 pm@97 it has happened in new hampshire before.
asset (ee6cdb) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:11 pm@100 a majority of democrats think Biden is to old and might scare the establishment democrats to do some arm twisting such as during republican impeachment democrats vote present.
asset (ee6cdb) — 12/2/2023 @ 7:15 pm“Who the Republicans nominate is not their problem, and they shouldn’t interfere in who Republicans select as their presidential candidate. Any nominee selected with Democratic support would be rejected by the Republican base in the general election.”
Trump is polling well enough against Biden to be a threat. Why not get Haley in there and then turn the base against her. Biden wins. Having watched Trump accidentally win once…I’m not sure Democrats want to risk lightning striking twice. People are waking up to the lasting damage that an unrestrained Trump could cause internationally and domestically. There’s a risk with Haley with moderates but if you are right, MAGA would never support her.
AJ_Liberty (5b725f) — 12/2/2023 @ 8:09 pmWomen protester in atlanta sets herself on fire in ultimate extreme protest against what Israel is doing in gaza. Most here will say who cares or LOL! The buddhist monks did this in south vietnam in 1963. At first diem didn’t care ;but on dec.3 1963 he did care. Because it means nothing to you doesn’t mean it has no meaning to her side. As a lefty who is supporting Israel’s neutralization of Hamas it has meaning to me because this is only the start. The fact that netanyahu knew and did nothing will upset the majority in Israel who loathes him and undermines the war effort. It is very hard to kill an Idea with bullets. As the boss sings their still their he’s all gone. Where have the palestinians to go unless egypt can be paid enough to control gaza.
asset (ee6cdb) — 12/2/2023 @ 8:34 pm@asset@104 Or it could have the opposite effect of convincing people who might otherwise have been her allies that Palestinians are crazy and will do anything to get their way, no wonder Israel can’t deal with them and just wants them to go away.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/2/2023 @ 9:44 pm@105 don’t bet the rent money on that. As sun tzu says if you know your enemy and yourself you need not fear the out come of a hundred battles if you know neither you will always lose. America never lost a battle in vietnam war or afganistan yet saigon is now called ho chi minh city and kabul will soon be called mullah omar or bin ladin city. Except for 2004 fighting hezbollah Israel has never lost a battle. They call them wars to make them feel better. A cartoon shows netanyahu standing on a high wall with a group of Israeli children pointing down at palestinian children and saying one day this will be yours! The orphans Israel is making will be turned into new Hamas fighters and yet Hamas has to be destroyed.
asset (ee6cdb) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:18 amAssertion is not evidence. Show your work.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:59 amKevin M (ed969f) — 12/2/2023 @ 4:23 pm
Not antisemitism per se
And he used a kind of antisemitic trope to argue. He also used a number of other intentional lies to make his point.
It was intentional but not very well calculated. (except to hook careless readers like Elon Musk)
It was based on the false claims that:
1) Jews in general are responsible for policy.
2) People who are for “open borders” are for it because they want to harm white people.
3) Jews were surprised to discover that people who hate whites also hate them.
4) All “minorities” whether black, Hispanic, Arab or Asian are alike in their feelings, and these attitudes are permanent.
5) That the upsurge in antisemitism has something to do with recent border crossers and legal immigrants.
6) This proves he is right about everything.
It’s lies piled upon lies.
Sammy Finkelman (b434ee) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:18 am>> violated the Naturalization Clause……..
What does naturalization have to do with immigration??
Texas would more logically rest its case on the Tenth amendment and on this clause:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
Article I, Section. 9 Clause 1.
This makes even clearer than the tenth amendment that regulation of immigration is astate power, \Congress has the special power of naturalization (and we can consider permanent residence a species of naturalization) and without that states are free to pass discriminatory laws, like on land tenure. Congress also has the power to regulate foreign commerce and lay taxes at the border and to provide for the national defense.
Texas has the power to admit or expel, or order non citizens to leave the state (on pain of arrest or harassment?) but maybe not to itself transport non citizens to a foreign country as this involves foreign policy and a state cannot appoint ambassadors or make treaties.
I don’t know if Texas will like that division of power but that’s my reading of the original constittion.
Sammy Finkelman (b434ee) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:45 amFortunately California’s gun laws will come tumbling down soon enough.
But, as we’ve seen, they will just pass new terrible laws.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:08 amWhy would Democrats want to help Nikki?
Sane Democrats want a GOP candidate other than Trump. Biden could lose, and right now he’s losing to Trump. Sure, the election is a year away, but few incumbents trailing like this have recovered. Maybe Truman, but Biden is no Truman.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:10 amIn my neighborhood, people are burning gasoline in their Harleys taking toys to the Marine Corps Reserve Center for Toys For Tots.
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:12 amAnd he used a kind of antisemitic trope to argue.
Is it antisemitic to say that most Jews are on the Left? Given Jewish history, “community” has been far more of a survival trait than “rugged individualism.”
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:14 amThis is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:12 am
You live in a great neighborhood, nk!
felipe (79693d) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:16 amAs for the rich Afrikaner-Canadian-naturalized U.S. citizen, playing with his $44 billion white elephant, taking snakes into our bosoms is probably a subject he should avoid altogether.
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:18 am@108:
Most of those numbered points are untrue, save #3, which was his main point.
Points #1, 4 and 5 were not asserted in the post, although the poster may well have believed them. As I said, he was mostly asserting #2, with #3 as a follow-on. And #6, of course, but everyone here has that problem.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:19 am@115: Yes. Also, he should avoid thinking that his talents extend to areas where he has no more clue than Cliff Clavin, given the depth of response he will get when he’s wrong.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:21 amKevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:14 am
Yes, it absolutely is – if you are not a member of the left. Don’t forget the rule applied to those who oppose them. Everything their opposition does is…
felipe (79693d) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:22 amI don’t know if Texas will like that division of power but that’s my reading of the original constitution.
The slave-trade clause? It was only effective until Congress gained the power, in 1808, to override state decisions of that nature. The state immigration carve-out ended in 1808 with the federal abolition of slave importation.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:25 amThanks for the heads up traffic wise nk. I’ll carry some pseudo collectables to toss in if I see one of the TFTers.
urbanleftbehind (7d7f44) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:26 amAny nominee selected with Democratic support would be rejected by the Republican base in the general election.
Many in MAGA were Democrats in 2015.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:28 amAssumedly, those performing self-immolation in protest only have an effect when that occurs in the country of relevance.
E.g., if it was happening in Israel by those living there then there’d be a response. Somebody in Atlanta doing it has no effect at all.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:28 amBTW, I know several “New Deal” Democrats who would easily choose Haley over Biden or the Democrat Left.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:30 ambased on current polling
Once Trump starts to lose primaries, many of his supporters will try to find a winner.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:33 amUnless millions of Democrats re-register as Republicans to vote in Republican primaries, its not gonna happen.
If 50 days can be an eternity in politics, 8 years is a lifetime. I’m sure the last 3 years of the Biden administration (and the idea of 4 more) has made that change permanent.
I wouldn’t vote for a Republican presidential nominee who receives substantial Democratic backing in a Republican primary. Sounds like Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos in reverse.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:57 amWe’ll see.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:59 amThat’s what DeSantis is counting on.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:05 am“I wouldn’t vote for a Republican presidential nominee who receives substantial Democratic backing in a Republican primary.”
You must not see the existential problem with Trump. Haley is not even in the zip code of Trump.
“Assertion is not evidence. Show your work.”
Which part?
AJ_Liberty (aec8d5) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:09 amDelusional:
Related:
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:22 amI do see Trump’s existential threat, but I don’t believe in the end that millions of Democrats will re-register as Republicans to vote for Haley in the primaries. It didn’t work for Rush Limbaugh (who wanted to bloody Hillary Clinton, believing Obama was the weaker candidate-how did that work out?) and it won’t work now.
So my statement is really a moot point.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:30 amThere is a lot of pressure now on Chris Christie to drop out.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:54 amSuicide is against the tenets of Buddhism but could it, in the end, not be considered a harmful act if it helped prevent us from imposing our political system on the Vietnamese?
Look, comrades, when the cow pees in the milk, you can strain it and strain it but you will never make the milk pure again.
Just admit that Trump has left us with nobody worth voting for. Republican or Democrat.
The only question is whether one year is enough time to dump the whole bucket — Biden, Harris, Trump, Haley, DeSantis, Christie, and the miscellaneous — and get two fresh buckets of milk. One you would be proud to vote for, and one you could live with as the consolation prize.
And the answer saddens me.
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 9:00 amThe only question is whether one year is enough time to dump the whole bucket — Biden, Harris, Trump, Haley, DeSantis, Christie, and the miscellaneous — and get two fresh buckets of milk
We did that in late 2015, and got Trump.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 9:18 amThe Houthis have escalated their sea lane attacks, the latest including a US warship. The Houthis are backed by the Iranian de facto theocracy.
It almost goes without saying that Iran supports the Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist organizations as well as Assad in his civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands as well as the Putin terrorist state by supplying him drones and such.
Iran deserves a much more serious military response than what we’ve given. The regime was one of the nations in Bush’s “Axis of Evil” and they’re still on that axis. The regrettable part is that Biden is following Obama’s dumb playbook, pussyfooting and soft-pedaling our dealings with Iran for the sake of a nuclear deal, because trading money for hostages and such only emboldens the Mullahs.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/3/2023 @ 9:47 amIn my neighborhood, people are burning gasoline in their Harleys taking toys to the Marine Corps Reserve Center for Toys For Tots.
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:12 am
Anybody who rides a Harley in Chicago during December is a masochist.
norcal (00d02f) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:16 amI am friends with my college Chinese teacher. She attended Taiwan University, the most prestigious university in Taiwan, and majored in history. She has lived in the U.S. since the 80s.
We got to talking politics recently. She shares my concerns about both Biden (lefty policies) and Trump (authoritarianism), but she is more against Biden than Trump.
I told her I would vote for Biden due to Trump wanting to terminate the Constitution. She is of the opinion that there are enough influential and powerful people in high circles to restrain Trump from doing anything dangerous. I am not so sure.
norcal (00d02f) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:31 amAnybody who rides a Harley in Chicago during December is a masochist.
41F, light rain, wind from the West at 12mph. Perfectly fine Sunday morning. Families were walking to church.
nk (a21ea3) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:51 am“The Houthis have escalated their sea lane attacks”
I say give them their 72 virgins…stat.
I tend to agree that a clear message needs to be sent to Iran. I also agree that I’m not sure if Biden and his team are up for sending it. It’s obviously unknowable what is going on back channel. If Iran is stoking events in Gaza, Syria, and off of Yemen, then there needs to be a response.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:52 amSome here have said the same thing. They’re delusional.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:03 am“I do see Trump’s existential threat, but I don’t believe in the end that millions of Democrats will re-register as Republicans to vote for Haley in the primaries.”
But that’s not what you wrote, you wrote
“I wouldn’t vote for a Republican presidential nominee who receives substantial Democratic backing in a Republican primary.”
Which says even if such a vote in-flux could happen, you wouldn’t support that non-Trump Republican candidate. I find that interesting. I’m not sure we share the same understanding of existential.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:04 am……..because trading
moneyPalestinian prisoners for hostages and such only emboldens theMullahsPalestinian terrorists.FIFY
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:07 amSource?
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:09 am“She is of the opinion that there are enough influential and powerful people in high circles to restrain Trump from doing anything dangerous”
Most of the people who tried to restrain Trump when he was President have written books saying he’s not fit for the office and cannot support his re-election. I would be interested if she supports Trump’s push to take us out of NATO, stop supporting Ukraine, and to reduce our footprint in S. Korea and Africa? Do we want the military on our southern border pointing weapons southward? Do we want loyalty oaths for our federal employees? Do we want to test how far Trump will go with revenge against people like Mark Milley and those in the DoJ who are prosecuting him? I’m just not sure who will step up and say “no”. Trump’s learned to not keep those type of people around him….he just want’s “yes” men who will give loyalty uber alles. The fact that people want to gamble on what he’s plainly saying is discouraging.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:13 amI think Republicans should decide which candidates represent the party, not anyone else. The idea that Democrats can decide who the Republican presidential nominee is wishcasting anyway.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:19 amMaine’s primary is on March 15, 2024-Super Tuesday.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:30 amIran deserves a much more serious military response than what we’ve given. The regime was one of the nations in Bush’s “Axis of Evil” and they’re still on that axis. The regrettable part is that Biden is following Obama’s dumb playbook
It’s the Democrat playbook: measured and appropriate response. As opposed the GOP playbook, which is disproportionate and sudden. The 1986 raid on Libya for example.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:30 amAnybody who lives in Chicago during December is a masochist.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:31 am“I wouldn’t vote for a Republican presidential nominee who receives substantial Democratic backing in a Republican primary.”
I believe him, but he’d also not vote for a GOP presidential nominee who doesn’t get Democrat backing. He’s stated that he doesn’t vote.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:34 am“The campaign collected and submitted over 6,000 signatures. This is simply a procedural issue with the way they reviewed signatures and is under appeal,” a spokesperson for Christie’s campaign told CBS News.
I wonder if Trump supporters intentionally signed with phony names. It’s a frequent tactic in CA initiatives, particularly when the initiative is opposed by organized groups, like SEIU.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:37 am“I think Republicans should decide which candidates represent the party, not anyone else.
As a principle, I agree with that. However, right now we have a cult that needs to lose…preferably in the primary. And outside of Ramaswamy, any non-trump candidate will work. I agree that crossover votes don’t generally materialize in significant enough of numbers. Still, in existential times….with my litany of probable horribles enumerated one more time above…an opposition should be will to drop rank partisanship and encourage voters to do what’s best for the country. What’s best…as conveyed by many preference polls as well….is not Trump v. Biden 2. Haley has actual crossover appeal because of her framing of some culture issues. Some Democrats want a genuine change in tone as do some Republicans. Voting for that over the awfulness of Trump v. Biden says patriot in my book.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:41 amKevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 7:25 am
The prohibiton of Congress pohibiting theb slave trade ended in 1808 (and before that South Carolina had stopped it (to raise the price of slaves) and started ipt again in 1807, but the language is general. Combining that with the 10th amendment and the fact that immigration is not an enumerated power of Congress and is different from naturalization just like bankruptcy law is different from the right to write a commercial code and the fact that “Free Negroes” were not coonsidered the citizens even before Dred Scott (which said thaat blacks could not be made citizens I think) and the fact that many free states passed (often unenforced) law against Free Negroes residing in a state (Ohio for example) nor did the anti-immigrant American or “Know Nothing” party propose that Congress pass any immigration laws but only restrictive naturalization laws, I would say the residual power to admit or not resides with a state except that Congress can create a special limited citizenship status.
In 1820 Congress began recording of passengers – because that was regulation of commerce and because they didn’t agree on more and because they didn’t hit on the penalty of forcing ships to take back passengers not admitted, in the late 1840s there was some port case or two, and in 1876 the Supreme Court upheld something in a New York case, but really immigration law (as opposed to transportation law) rests on nothing – it’s just a halllucination
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:43 amClimate conference president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels
Cue the Spanish Inquisition.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:43 ambut the language is general.
No, it isn’t.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:44 amfederal immigration law,
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:45 amI have never said “I don’t vote.” I vote for candidates I believe in, but unfortunately there have been few recent presidential candidates that deserve my support.
Trump’s allies in the California Republican Party have rigged the 2024 primary in his favor, which makes it even less likely I will vote for a Republican in the general election. My vote in November 2024 is not going to change anything, given the mortal lock Democrats have had on presidential general elections in California the last 29 years.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:50 am@assett@106 That’s a different thing than saying what that woman did will benefit the cause.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:51 amand certainly no basis for setting targets, And electric cars make the least sense of all except that they are simpler and gasoline burning cars can affect local pollution
And conserving water has nothing to do with climate at all.
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/high-efficiency-dishwasher-washing-machine-slow-hacks-water-a7d6b780
Some people add more water by hand, aad some run two cycles
I got aa new one that was a top loader that does a cycle in 51 minutes – I guess before the changeover,
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:55 amCorrection: Democrats have had a mortal lock on California’s presidential elections for past 32 years.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:56 amAlaskan Air buys Hawaiian Air
Pretty good deal for HA holders.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:58 amI would guess the immolation suicide was directed at US policy, not Hamas or Israel; but she should have done it in front of the White House or State Department to be more effective as it would have received more media coverage.
But asset is right, it meant nothing to me. She was mentally unstable.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:06 pmMajor scandal brewing for the Florida Republican Party chair and his wife (Moms for Liberty founder).
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:11 pmRIP Chad Allan (80); singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of The Guess Who. Also co-founded the predecessor band (Brave Belt) that became Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:21 pmRip, your first answer does come with an asterisk in your favor… California was a lower-than-50+1 state for Clinton over Bush +Perot in 1992 (in fact only NY, MD, AR and HI met this threshold).
urbanleftbehind (7d7f44) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:28 pmThere are no asterisks in elections.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:40 pmEither you win or you don’t.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:41 pmAt most US policy change would be the setting of conditions or outright removal of military aid to Israel – which is ~15% of their defense budget.
They’ve a $500b economy, and are advanced arms exporters: they would continue to prosecute the war and the US would lose any ability to influence their actions.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 12:54 pmEither you win or you don’t.
Just ask Al Gore.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 1:03 pmThey’ve a $500b economy, and are advanced arms exporters: they would continue to prosecute the war and the US would lose any ability to influence their actions.
With a hostile USA, Israel is one bomb wide.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 1:05 pmFlorida GOP Chair defies DeSantis, refuses to resign.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 2:03 pmMoms For Threesomes!
nk (31f7cc) — 12/3/2023 @ 2:15 pm@146 As vietnam vet chuck hegal told cheney why don’t you be on the first helicopter into tehran if you want to attack them so bad.
asset (9f7ee9) — 12/3/2023 @ 3:27 pmThe USA has been, if not hostile, less-than-supportive in the past: we had an arms embargo on Israel early on. Stalin smuggled in surplus Nazi weapons to arm them.
Back when US aid was a decent part of their overall budget they had to listen to us: now they’re not, and don’t.
Israel isn’t strong because they’re allies of the USA: Israel is an ally because they are strong.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 3:45 pm60° F: Arizonians shiver uncontrollably; people in Chicago are still sunbathing.
50° F: Californians try to turn on the heat; people in Chicago plant gardens.
40° F: Italian sports cars won’t start; people in Chicago drive with the windows down.
32° F: Distilled water freezes; Lake Michigan water gets thicker.
20° F: Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves and wool hats; people in Chicago throw on a light jacket.
15° F: People in Chicago have the last cookout before it gets cold.
0° F: All the people in Phoenix die. Chicagoans close the windows.
10° F below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico. The Girl Scouts in Chicago are selling cookies door to door.
25° F below zero: Hollywood disintegrates; people in Chicago get out their winter coats.
40°F below zero: Washington, DC runs out of hot air; people in Chicago let the dogs sleep indoors.
100°F below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. Chicagoans get frustrated because they can’t start ‘DA car.’
460° F below zero: All atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale); people in Chicago start saying, ‘cold ’nuff for ya?’
500°F below zero: Hell freezes over. The Cubs win the World Series.
nk (31f7cc) — 12/3/2023 @ 3:58 pm@160 As I said act was not aimed at you. It was aimed at those who support cease fire telling them this is what I am doing to protest what are you doing? The amount aid we give Israel is significant and would cause economic hardship. Other financial sanctions would cripple their economy and would be joined by other countries. Israel is a major arms merchant around the world. If killing 16,000 palestinan innocent women and children doesn’t bother you how about the women and children killed by weapons sold to regimes oppressing their people around the world. America has some limits on its arm sales ;but not enough. Some of the prisoners swapped by Israel are children held for years and beaten and other wise badly treated for throwing rocks at soldiers taking their homes to give to Israeli settlers.
asset (9f7ee9) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:17 pmAs vietnam vet chuck hegal told cheney why don’t you be on the first helicopter into tehran if you want to attack them so bad.
Chickenhawk crap is just crap. Where did you serve asset?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:19 pmPeople who tried that on Kissinger found out that HE had been at Bastogne, which was not a particularly healthy place, least of all for a German Jew.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:21 pmIsrael isn’t strong because they’re allies of the USA: Israel is an ally because they are strong.
How many countries do you suppose we would tolerate stealing weapons-grade uranium from us?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:22 pmnk (31f7cc) — 12/3/2023 @ 3:58 pm
HA! That never gets old.
“10° F below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico. The Girl Scouts in Chicago are selling cookies door to door.”
My favorite.
felipe (79693d) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:37 pmIsrael wouldn’t exist without the US. The US supported its creation in 1948 (being the first nation to recognize the state of Israel); it supported Israel during the 1967 War; and provided crucial military assistance during the Yom Kippur War (Operation Nickel Grass).
Footnotes omitted.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/3/2023 @ 4:53 pmSo it was an FBI informant that stabbed Chauvin 22 times and tried to murder him.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/3/2023 @ 5:23 pm@180 that doesn’t change that we had an arms embargo on them, or that among those first nations was also the USSR. 1967 was a change in policy, and it led to far more support being given than ever before.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 5:33 pm@174 US aid is currently around 0.9% of the Israeli budget.
In the early 80’s it was around 9%.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 5:34 pmAddendum to 182: it should also be noted that recognition of the state does not equal an alliance.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 5:35 pm“10° F below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico. The Girl Scouts in Chicago are selling cookies door to door.”
If it got to 10 below in CA, they’d vote Republican.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:10 pm@nk@173 We were living in the midwest during part of the time I was a teenager. One weekend in January we went to the mall. We got out of the car and thought it was a nice day and we could leave our coats in the car (winter coats being a royal pain in the neck in the mall) and then, when we were done, we walked all the way across the really huge mall parking lot to the Barnes and Noble, did our shopping there, got back in the car, agreed that it was a good thing we left our coats, since we hadn’t needed them, and went home. We watched the news that night. The high was 0.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:34 pmwe walked all the way across the really huge mall parking lot
Another thing never done in California. Californians have a constitutional right to a parking space near the door.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:37 pm“US aid is currently around 0.9% of the Israeli budget.”
US aid is about 16% of Israel’s military budget, not including $10 billion given for its missile defense including the Iron Dome. Israel is also granted first access to US military technology in the region. If Israel thinks they can survive without that, nothing should stop them from trying. The peace accord with Egypt was bought with US aid to both. I don’t think having another large hostile neighbor would’ve worked out to their benefit the past 45 years.
lloyd (02e40a) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:44 pmnk (31f7cc) — 12/3/2023 @ 3:58 pm
Okay, I’ll admit it. I can’t take cold weather, not even the winters in Reno–which are mild compared to Chicago. However, I bask in heat. I could live in Phoenix, and spend time outdoors in the summer. I am seriously considering moving to a warmer place, be it Arizona, New Mexico, the South, or Hawaii.
Texas is out because of its high property taxes, which fund the schools, but since I don’t have children I’m not keen on subjecting myself to that.
California is not on my list of desirable places for reasons that I’ve discussed ad nauseam.
norcal (9c356e) — 12/3/2023 @ 6:56 pmLloyd, I said it was ~15% of their military budget previously. That equates to ~0.9% of their overall budget.
Iron Dome is likely the only thing that would be an issue, but then they’d just level Gaza and call it a day.
SamG (4e6c22) — 12/3/2023 @ 8:12 pm@177 where did cheney serve? Thanks to my bronchitis (my parents smoked around me when I was a baby) I failed tear gas drill and was reclassified from 1A to 1Y and didn’t get killed in vietnam. So being a gung ho chicken hawk wanting to send others to fight when I didn’t is repugnant to me and always has been.
asset (9f7ee9) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:16 pm@178 desatan talks like a failed serial killer being questioned by law enforcement. He has to at least be able to fake sincerity. The slimyness just oozes from him. All haley has to do is show the picture of the drinking party with underage girls while he was their teacher that trump has shown and ask him what he was doing getting young girls drunk.
asset (9f7ee9) — 12/3/2023 @ 10:27 pmIt’s not just Brits who see it this way…
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:15 pm@193 But other then that what do you really think of trump. He is ignorant southern white trash with money that owns a new car dealership and is on TV. (he is also a sociopath) Being non-ignorant southern white trash and part native american I understand these people and have lived around them all my life.
asset (9f7ee9) — 12/3/2023 @ 11:39 pmhttps://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/mark-finkelstein/2023/12/03/msnbcs-message-msm-forget-polls-focus-danger-electing-trump
Well at least now I know where these “end democracy ” talking points are coming from.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/4/2023 @ 4:33 am@193, That essay sure captures the essence of Trump, especially the humorlessness and nastiness.
Now the question is though, why are so many otherwise good Americans attracted to it? Certainly most are circumspect enough to not want Trump as a role model for their children. The lying, the brutishness, and the hubris should also be enough to not want him as a national spokesman or leader of the free world…but here we are.
Somehow we’ve been programmed to not be embarrassed by it all. Shame is dead. We’ve been conditioned to think nasty is not just acceptable but needed and desirable. We hate the other side so much that we need a cartoonish character to give voice to our worst selves. Acting out used to be punished, now it’s regularly upvoted on the internet.
Some of this is just not thinking this through. It’s staying blithely ignorant and not wanting to admit bad personal judgment. There’s no excuse for not wanting better. We should be proud of our Republican nominee and not view the process as a perverse reality TV drama that we can’t miss.
AJ_Liberty (d8ae6a) — 12/4/2023 @ 5:13 amHe lost me when he said Obama had class. Not that he’s wrong about Trump, but I’ve seen these Brit “tw@ts” sticking their noses in our previous elections. They don’t like anybody who hasn’t copped a feel on the rugby fields of Eton.
nk (6039be) — 12/4/2023 @ 5:48 am@193 Also from Brit Nate White: “She’s sharp as a pin, that one. You’ve got to love AOC or you’re wrong in the head.” A Remainer, and a “Rawlsian Liberal”, aka Socialist. Liking what a Brit version of asset has to say about American politics is a pretty good summary of the NeverTrumper psychosis. Do you think he was a fan of Thatcher, or even the pathetic Sunak?
lloyd (ad8113) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:02 amI remain confounded, AJ.
Chances are excellent that Trump is a convicted felon at the time of the GOP convention (but probably won’t be sentenced before Election Day because of appeals and such). For the first time in our history, we’ll have a candidate who is unable to vote for himself.
In this DeSantis is right…a convicted felon is unlikely to be elected president, especially after all the details of the trials come out.
In an ordinary world, he’d be disqualified from working in a school district, or most corporate jobs, or any position that requires a security clearance, but 61.2% of my party chose to join The Cult of Orange Jesus and I don’t see how this train will stop, where enough Republicans come to their senses and go with DeSantis or Haley.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:09 amAgreeing with one commentary doesn’t connote agreement with the guy’s political affiliations or ideology.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:13 amHow much coal? I think everyone here — well, almost everyone here — agrees that the Loser deserves coal in his stocking this Christmas, but how much? I think just a little, but would be interested in other opinions.
Jim Miller (192368) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:15 am@198, “Liking what a Brit version of asset has to say about American politics is a pretty good summary of the NeverTrumper psychosis.”
So, there’s nothing about Trump that gives you any pause? You see no problem with a GOP nominee being a likely felon by election day? You see no problem in knee-capping NATO, getting out of South Korea, requiring loyalty oaths for federal service, and now using military to police cities? How about executing Mark Milley for treason? Maybe imprisoning Jack Smith? At what point should we be concerned…or is this just about blindly rooting for your team?
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:53 amWhen I was younger — to my shame not very much younger — for most of my life, actually — I was fully imbued with the literacy superstition. That words on paper had worth.
Now I have gone to the opposite extreme. There’s a lot of crap put into words, on paper and in pixels, and it takes a lot of convincing to get me to treat them as more than some other person’s babbling conceit (or conceited babble).
So even though this guy’s views of Trump are very similar to mine, his article means little to me. It does not reinforce my views, it does not make me feel better that somebody out there agrees with me, and I do not feel any the richer for having read it.
At best, the five-letter words he uses might help me solve Wordle faster.
nk (6039be) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:11 amBTW, my Wordle starter word today was TRUMP. You’ll laugh when you see the solution.
nk (6039be) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:23 amTexas is out because of its high property taxes, which fund the schools, but since I don’t have children I’m not keen on subjecting myself to that.
New Mexico has a Prop-13 style law. 1% of purchase price, with slight adjustments. ABQ housing prices are cheap compared to California. It is difficult to spend more than $1 million on a home here, and many quality homes are in the $400K-$600K range. Santa Fe is somewhat more.
There is an income tax, but it’s about half that of CA, with 4.9% on most income. Social Security is not taxed as of 2022.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:58 amSo being a gung ho chicken hawk wanting to send others to fight when I didn’t is repugnant to me and always has been.
Well, being a socialist and wanting to spend money other people earned, but you didn’t, is repugnant to me and always has been.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:18 amA few things spring to mind. Trump lacks certain qualities which the British traditionally esteem. For instance, he has no class, no charm, no coolness, no credibility, no compassion, no wit, no warmth, no wisdom, no subtlety, no sensitivity, no self-awareness, no humility, no honour and no grace – all qualities, funnily enough, with which his predecessor Mr. Obama was generously blessed. So for us, the stark contrast does rather throw Trump’s limitations into embarrassingly sharp relief.
Luckily his vast education, intellectual vigor and deep knowledge of the issues are a saving grace. He is nothing if not well-read.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:21 amThis last point is what especially confuses and dismays British people, and many other people too; his faults seem pretty bloody hard to miss.
They ignore Trump’s faults because our political class if filled with people like him. Not all of them, of course, but there are plenty. If there is anything worse than a bully, it’s a smug bully and you’ve never seen smug like an upper-middle-class Progressive.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:25 amyou’ve never seen smug like an upper-middle-class Progressive.
Like, now that you mention it, Obama.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:26 amSo, nk, Trump outscores Andrew Johnson, James Buchanan and Warren Harding on most rankings. He’s nose-to-nose with Franklin Pierce.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:35 amDoug Burgum has suspended his presidential campaign. Where does his 0% go?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:44 am@196
The answer my good friend, is some GOP voters views the current crop of Democrats much, much worse for this country than Trump’s inherent chaos.
I’m in that bucket.
If Trump’s the nominee, I’m voting for him. I’ll gladly take another 4 years of Trump’s chaos, impeachment hearings and Special Counsel madness than what we’ve seen from this Biden Administration.
I’m more interested which administration’s policies are going to be advanced.
Policies, is what matters me. Not, an American Got Talent vote.
But, shame on GOP primary/caucus voters who nominates him, as there are FAR better alternatives than Trump.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:52 am@197
We stopped caring what the redcoats thinks of us since 1776.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:53 amDoug Burgum has suspended his presidential campaign. Where does his 0% go?
Endorsing someone might have a greater effect. Some voters are momentum followers.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:59 amLOL! Burgum is a non-entity. Outside of political junkies, most people have no idea who he is.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:05 amNever one to show self-awareness, Donald Trump asks the question that he’d not like the answer to:
Trump’s campaign seems centered now on inevitability. “Vote for me because I’m gonna win!” Later it will be “Vote for the Felon! It’s Important!”
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:08 amThe Texas Republican Party stands up for freedom of association.
The exact language that was voted down stated: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas have no association whatsoever with any individual or organization that is known to espouse anti-Semitism, pro-Nazi sympathies, or Holocaust denial.”
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:09 amLOL! Burgum is a non-entity. Outside of political junkies, most people have no idea who he is.
But in endorsing Haley, he’d get those 15 minutes of fame he’s missed out on so far and it would help Haley.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:09 amBurgum has no influence beyond North Dakota, which is reliably Trump territory.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:29 amDoug Burgum is a spectacularly successful businessman, and the successful governor of a small state.
Unlike the Loser, there are good reasons to think he would be a very good president. That too few know these basic facts about him reflects badly on our news organizations, not Burgum.
Jim Miller (aec6ae) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:40 amI disagree. As you say, he is the governor of a small state with no large media center. He was never prominent in Republican politics prior to this year. Since he is a billionaire, he could have saturated the airwaves with commercials introducing himself to the country and hire an army of staff to organize a campaign, but he chose not to spend the money to do so. His withdrawal is more of an indication he considers running for President as a losing proposition.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:50 amWay more evidence to impeach Joe Biden than the 2 Trump impeachment:
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:59 amhttps://www.nationalreview.com/news/bank-records-show-direct-monthly-payment-from-hunter-bidens-corporation-to-joe-biden/
Which are?
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:03 am@223, remind me: was Joe Biden a government employee or elected official in 2018?
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:04 am@225 @223,
Remind me, is accepting payment from the CCP for nothing, then becoming the President of the United States a cause for concern or nah?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:32 amIf committing questionable financial transactions previous to becoming President is the new standard for impeachment, I am sure the previous President could not meet that standard, and will be impeachment fodder if the Democrats re-take the House in 2024.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:40 amNever trust a sentence that starts “The Committee says…..” unless they release the actual records.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:41 amBurgum has no influence beyond North Dakota, which is reliably Trump territory.
Any failed candidate endorsing the person with momentum increases the perceived momentum. It’s not one of those quantitative things.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:08 am@226 private citizens receiving what is ultimately a small amount of money for private investment in companies is fine, to my knowledge. But then, if we’re going to play the game of “who’s getting money from the CCP, at all?” then we have far bigger targets to deal with.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:10 amwhembly: “The answer my good friend, is some GOP voters views the current crop of Democrats much, much worse for this country than Trump’s inherent chaos. I’m in that bucket. If Trump’s the nominee, I’m voting for him.”
Effectively pulling us out of NATO, abandoning Ukraine, leaving S. Korea, loyalty oaths for federal employment? Punishing the DoJ? This is what Trump talks about at his rallies. These are things Trump can start doing day #1 and will have horrible implications.
What do you fear that Democrats are going to do? Biden hasn’t been perfect on Ukraine but he’s not dropped the ball. His support of Israel was clear. Trump can’t get past his grievances with Netanyahu. You are suggesting that you will vote for someone who might be a convicted felon. What impact does that have on criminal justice…and how Trump’s lieutenants will view the law. Electing Trump will tear the country apart. Why play with fire?
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:16 amApparently, those payments were reimbursements for truck payments that Joe made on Hunter’s behalf.
Yet another nothingburger.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:28 amComer didn’t ask for an explanation.
There are two problems with the idea this was corrupt money intended for Joe Biden from China.
$1380 a month is not all that much money for someone in a financial position like what Joe Biden was in.
And by September 2018 probably no more money was coming in from China for Hunter because his patron had disappeared into the Chinese gulag.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:43 am@231
Trump is also “all hat and no cattle” kind of politician.
He’s a BS artist.
He says a lot of things and ends up… not doing or either someone from his admin talks him out of or the courts smacks him down.
Granted, not a great way to run a presidential administration, but you have to recognize that Trump is first, and foremost a bloviator who says things that never comes to fruition.
For “pulling us out of NATO”, I don’t think he ever wanted us to pull out and simply using that rhetoric to force the rest of the alliance to contribute more to the alliance as agreed to treaty agreements. It’s a negotiating ploy that many hates, but can be at times effective.
For “abandoning Ukraine”, I’m not sure how you can square that during his tenure, he released more lethal aid than Obama to full abandon Ukraine. Frankly, at best, you can say “we don’t know what he’s going to do with Ukraine” should he get a 2nd election. That’s fair, but again, why trust everything that comes out of his mouth?
For “leaving S. Korea”…See NATO.
For “loyalty oaths for federal employment”, frankly, this goes to how the adminstrative state tried to undermine his 1st administration and wouldn’t be surprised he’d “go there”. But, alas, won’t pass judicial muster. He needs to go DeSantis here, just fire anyone who’s not willing to “put wins on the board”. Really, it all goes to the Unitary Executive philosophy in that POTUS sets the policies and admins must execute. If the admins object and after making their arguments, they can quit.
For ” Punishing the DoJ?.
Absolutely. Next question?
Seriously, Trump is the wrong avatar, but the DOJ needs massive rehaul.
Are you f’n with me with this?
Let me count the ways:
1) border immigration polices
2) pandemic policies
3) Afghan withdrawal
4) playing footies with Iran
5) wokified armed forces
6) horrible spending bills with Democrats
7) horrible Supreme Court pick
Biden’s administration is an absolute disaster, on par, if now worst than Carter’s administration.
Remains to be seen. But on the whole, he’d been alright.
Not really. It’s been as clear as mud.
Don’t care.
Over the current crop of Democrats? You betcha. You asked why voters may be supporting Trump. I think for the most part, it’s the pre-covid nostalgia of Trump 1st Term.
It’s the topic discuss at the kitchen table. Folks remember that pre-covid, Trump’s economy was MUCH better than at any point during Biden.
Grocery was cheaper.
Gas was cheap.
Housing was affordable.
Employment was great and pay raises felt more meaningful.
It’s why James Carville popularized “Its the economy stupid” and people are willing to accept Trump’s claims that his court cases are politically motivated, rather than strong merited case.
I’d like to think out country and its laws is far more resilient if Trump is re-elected.
A 2nd Trump administration is simply going to be a repeat of the 1st. Some GOP/Conservative wins, but mostly chaos that only feeds the DC/political beast.
Far more preferable than the absolute disaster head by Joe F’n Biden.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:33 pm@227
Why is that a bad thing?
@230
Since you seem to be in the know here…
What were the deliverables to the CCP?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:48 pmWhy voters may be supporting Trump:
I think it’s mostly not being aware of all the accusations against Trump – plus maybe believing some things that are not so. You shouldn’t think that all the Trump voters are aware of all the objections to Trump. And Most people want to think it’s an easy choice.
There can be more informed persons as well who would vote for Trump, although they might also believe things about he Democrats that are not so.
If the American political system were working well, we’d have a serious and acceptable third arty candidate.
Or maybe my proposal – the one likeliest to work – different candidates in different states who poll at lest second there (with one candidate for vice president maybe Doug Burgum or Lisa Murkowski.)
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:50 pm@232
So, lemme get this straight.
Hunter Biden has an agreement with an organization owned/funded by the CCP for some investment “deals”.
Let’s skip the part where I’d ask “what was the deal? what was the deliverable?” and go to the next question.
Hunters gets some money from the CCP as determined by said “deal” and pays his father back for paying a few Truck payments.
Lets stipulate that this is all true (which I seriously doubt):
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:51 pmYou still okay with that?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:48 pm
Lies. It was a swindle by Jim and Hunter Biden. In the end Hunter extorted money.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:52 pmhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/11/what-happened-when-the-us-failed-to-prosecute-an-ex-president
Of the Confederate States of America.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:54 pm@228
Here’s the actual record:
https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Redacted-doc.pdf
Source:
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:56 pmhttps://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-releases-direct-monthly-payments-to-joe-biden-from-hunter-bidens-business-entity%EF%BF%BC/
@238
Joe Biden was the deliverable, Sammy.
The easiest way to look at this is this:
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:58 pmHad Job Biden NEVER been VP for 8 years and NEVER been a likely presidential candidate for 2015, would Jim and Hunter Biden have the same business opportunity?
Here’s the other publicly available info showing it was for truck payment reimbursement.
https://twitter.com/BradMossEsq/status/1731739717014856029
F-150 Raptor sure is expensive, eh?
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:59 pmOriginal source of the images in the post above were the NY Post, taken from the Hunter email archives.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:00 pmI think a general rule can be made about CHAT GPT
It’s reasonably good at fiction, although it makes some simple errors in syntax
It’s pretty good at essays, and gives opinions on both sides except in matters medical and scientific. It can make simple errors here too.
When asked about facts it gets all sorts of things wrong.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:01 pmIf Burgum did endorse Haley 99% of the country would say “Who?”
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:05 pmI don’t really care about Hunter Biden, or if he decided to do business in China. It’s not illegal, though if you want to make it so that’s a discussion that can be had.
The important question: did Joe Biden alter policy as an elected official, or illegally receive funds? The answer thus far is “no”. That James Comer has to show zero percent loan repayments as somehow being an issue shows that they have nothing on Joe Biden.
Shall we start digging in to the ways foreign entities moved money to Trump through his businesses while he was president? ’cause that’s actually something that has happened, and is far more important.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:08 pmGiven the outrage by Republicans to Trump’s actual impeachments, they would really go off if he was impeached for (hypothetical) payoffs to the Mafia in the 1980s.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:09 pmGiven how it is heavily redacted, it is close to useless.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:11 pm@246 If you cared about this:
Then this is also you need to care about:
Because if you don’t care about the latter, then you’re either a partisan or hopelessly myopic.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:13 pm@248
Ah.
So we’re back to needing to see a check with “bribe” on the check memo.
Cool, cool.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:14 pm@206 Even Bernie and AOC does not advocate the government own the means of production so being against traditional socialism means nothing. If you are trying to imply the social welfare state’s social security and medicare/medicade is repugnant. Most people disagree with you.
asset (943478) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:17 pmIs an elected official responsible for their family members, or for themselves?
I care about what elected officials do: so either show that said official did something wrong, or move on.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:18 pmNo, we’re back to actual evidence, including public testimony, which the Oversight Committee is apparently afraid of.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:18 pm@217 Texas gopigs: we like neo-NAZIS ;but not yet trump hasn’t been re-elected.
asset (943478) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:21 pmwhembly (5f7596) — 12/4/2023 @ 12:58 pm
Nothing was delivered except a threat by Hunter to harm them.
Of course not. But they weren’t being honest. It was a swindle.
Including Hunter’s claim to have an informant in the FBI who could warn of arrest.
There was possibly some real things being sold. Like maybe to create the appearance of corruption in Ukraine to protect Burisma from Ukrainian >/i> investigation. Or connections to U.S. lawyers who could tell them of ideas for loopholes no longer available in the USA.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:25 pm252, Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:18 pm
Joe Biden did his bit, from time to time, to give Hunter’s lies (which he may not even have known the details of) some verisimilitude.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:30 pmOf the Confederate States of America.
Besides granting amnesty to all Confederates, Andrew Johnson crippled Reconstruction, too. Had his impeachment succeeded, race relations in America might be much different today.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:31 pmIf Burgum did endorse Haley 99% of the country would say “Who?”
No, they’d say “Another endorsement for Haley”
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:31 pmRCP Republican polling averages 12/5/23:
Election betting odds (top three only):
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:32 pmIt’s reasonably good at fiction, although it makes some simple errors in syntax
Try: it’s automated plagiarism, but it hides it well.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:33 pmSource for betting odds.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:33 pmBecause if you don’t care about the latter, then you’re either a partisan or hopelessly myopic.
It’s more that my Give-a-F-meter is overloaded.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:34 pmasset (f25910) — 12/1/2023 @ 1:34 pm
You think they’re on his side?
Netanyahu’s allies are trying to use the NYT report to defend him.
The USA was not told of this intelligence either.
Where did you hear of this and how do you know what he intended to say =?
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:34 pm@259: More “Give up now” blowing in from Vichy.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:35 pm(Rip in gold)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYX-NSZMqt0
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:36 pmKevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:33 pm
It’s not plagiarism. Original text is much modified,
I heard another thing: AI Software designed to tell males from females misidentifies older women, especially women with dark skin, as male.
Explained by being trained mostly on celebrities.
I would explain it by deducing it was trained on more males than females, so male is a better guess if sex is unknown, and then it got trained to identify women as a corrective, but that was mostly young white women. The default is still male. It has no idea what it is doing.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:40 pm257/ Andrew Johnson got replaced within a year by U.S. Grant. He destroyed the original Ku Klux Klan.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:42 pm“For “pulling us out of NATO”, I don’t think he ever wanted us to pull out and simply using that rhetoric to force the rest of the alliance to contribute more to the alliance as agreed to treaty agreements. It’s a negotiating ploy that many hates, but can be at times effective”
So you don’t believe Bolton, Mattis, Tillerson, Pompeo, Pence, and Kelley when they said he wanted to pull out? None of those people will be around in Term 2. Who will talk him out of it….the Pillow Guy? You reap what you sow.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:44 pmNow that it looks like that there won’t be any hostage releases by Hamas for some time, the v=survivors of Oct 7 and the released hostages are talking more.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:45 pmEndorsements are overrated, especially by non-entity candidates. If Tim Scott, who has a national profile, had endorsed Haley (an unlikely event given their politics are different), that is one thing. But not a candidate that polled 0%.
The endorsements by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Bob Vander Plaats haven’t lit a fire in Iowa for DeSantis. In fact, the Vander Plaats endorsement is the kiss of death for a presidential campaign.
Do you think that Haley’s position would improve, and take away voters from Trump, if Chris Christie, the one candidate hated by most Republican voters in just about every poll (including in New Hampshire) endorsed her? Probably not, since Trump voters are not Haley voters.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:51 pmThe polls are what they are. The more time passes the more the polls remain the same.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:54 pmMike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Ted Cruz in 2016
Yet another reason to fly over Iowa.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:54 pmThe only male Israeli hostage released was released because he was Russian as a favor to Putin. He was not included in any exchange with Israel.
He has initially escaped after the place he was held was bombed, ad hid for four days (not knowing where to go) until he was discovered and turned over to Hamas.
Thailand may not have paid ransom, but whether it did or not it used all kinds of connections. The Philippine hostage released was probably mistaken for Thai, or lied.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:54 pmNot posting polls doesn’t change anything, no matter how much you wish it was so.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 1:55 pmIsrael needs to treat the remaining hostages as dead, and prosecute the war accordingly. Their deaths are the responsibility of Hamas. Besides, Israel has already released 240 future terrorists for 105 hostages. Not a fair trade.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 2:02 pmNew Mexico has a Prop-13 style law. 1% of purchase price, with slight adjustments. ABQ housing prices are cheap compared to California. It is difficult to spend more than $1 million on a home here, and many quality homes are in the $400K-$600K range. Santa Fe is somewhat more.
There is an income tax, but it’s about half that of CA, with 4.9% on most income. Social Security is not taxed as of 2022.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:58 am
My home here in Reno is worth about 550K, and my property tax is just over $1400 a year. In New Mexico I would be paying $5500 a year in property tax, according to your explanation. Maybe it’s worth it for better weather. Not Albuquerque, but say, Las Cruces. I’ve seen palm trees in Las Cruces. Never saw them in Albuquerque.
norcal (e22ea5) — 12/4/2023 @ 2:11 pmOn a completely unrelated note: John Fetterman purchased a Cameo for Bob Menendez from George Santos.
Excellent trolling. A+.
https://twitter.com/JohnFetterman/status/1731786514512671228
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/4/2023 @ 2:13 pmWe’ll see.
Rip Murdock (363127) — 12/4/2023 @ 2:23 pmAnd Then There Were Four……
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/4/2023 @ 5:50 pmNot posting polls doesn’t change anything, no matter how much you wish it was so.
Posting them is often intended to influence. Trump tells people they should vote for him BECAUSE he’s leading in the polls, and it’s remarkable how many people vote on that basis. They want to belong.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:20 pmIsrael has already released 240 future terrorists for 105 hostages. Not a fair trade.
Israel should leak that they’ve all been injected with tracking chips.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:21 pm@Jim@220 The conservative movement isn’t in the mood for decentralization at the moment.
@whembly@248 according to The Hill’s article, there are contemporaneous records of the truck payments from Joe and the repayments from Hunter.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:23 pmNot Albuquerque, but say, Las Cruces. I’ve seen palm trees in Las Cruces. Never saw them in Albuquerque.
They have trees in ABQ. Near the river it’s actually pretty lush. I don’t know about palm trees; they aren’t native of course.
The thing about the weather is that it gets hot (but cooler than PHX), but it doesn’t get humid. I’ve been in the South in the summer. OMG.
BTW, a $550K house bought today in Reno would have a tax of about $3K. That’s a problem with all Prop 13-style freezes.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:27 pmI really should short those Trump nomination odds though. He won’t be the nominee.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:28 pmJoe lent money to his son to buy a truck and the son paid his dad back, in three monthly $1,380 payments, and then the truck went back to the dealer a year after purchase. The source of the funding for repayment is a Hunter problem, not a Joe problem, and during a time when both lender and debtor were private citizens.
It’s not even red meat for the Trump crowd, it’s a Nothing Impossible Burger, plant-based nonsense.
Comer is grasping. He’s a grasping dumbass. The only interesting thing going forward is whether Hunter will testify under oath before Comer’s committee.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:34 pmThis guy took a deep dive into the numbers that Hamas has reported on casualties, and he found a whole lot of discrepancies.
For the last two weeks, the casualty numbers aren’t from the Gazan Health Ministry, they’re from the Hamas Propaganda Department. Incredible. Historically, combatant casualties have been around one-third of total casualties, but Hamas’ fake accounting could mean that the percentage of combatant casualties is even higher. More from AG.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:55 pmhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/30/trump-dictator-2024-election-robert-kagan/
Oh look,
another leftist who says we need to destroy the country to save it. And must do so by any means necessary. Assassination is on the table. Trumped up charges to jail him is another.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:01 pm@263 It was on the news. First reports Egypt and Jordan warned Israel 3 days before attack. Later reports when news was investigated Egypt’s intelligence chief called netanyahu to warn of attack ;but refused to take the call and had underling take call to avoid blame. Sending troops from west bank protecting settlers killing palestinians and taking their land would cause his coalition to crumble. Its on the internet with major news sources both here and Israel.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:20 pm@281 Many of the hostages (no trial) are children as young as 10 years old who have been held for years as bargaining chips. Most children arrested for throwing rocks at soldiers and settlers stealing their land. How many rockets have been fired at Israel from the west bank and they have cause as hundreds a palestinians on the west bank have been killed by armed settlers and soldiers. (NYT) Why wouldn’t they hate netanyahu and Israel? As for the children of Gaza unless Israel plans to kill most of them why wouldn’t they be terrorists?
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:33 pm“It’s not even red meat for the Trump crowd, it’s a Nothing Impossible Burger, plant-based nonsense”
The people calling it a nothingburger were the same ones who called Trump Russia Collusion a somethingburger long after it was a nothingburger.
The question is not whether the allegations are true. The question, as established by the precedent set by Nevertrumpers, is whether it justifies an Independent Counsel investigation and it passed that threshold months ago.
lloyd (87e43a) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:44 pm“You are suggesting that you will vote for someone who might be a convicted felon. What impact does that have on criminal justice…and how Trump’s lieutenants will view the law.”
The impact of the electorate voting of its own free will to elect a felon is minuscule compared to the impact of governor officials using the justice system as a campaign tool against an opposition candidate. This shouldn’t need to be explained to a genuine conservative.
lloyd (87e43a) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:49 pmIsrael is slowly losing the propaganda war. Strong netanyahu supporters are irrelevant in the propaganda war unless they antagonize moderate Israel supporters who like me are holding their nose and supporting Israel destroying Hamas as a necessary evil. Like calling people who ask for a ceasefire not just wrong ;but supporters of Hamas terrorists. 200 children killed by Hamas (that number better be accurate) Is fading in most of the worlds memory and thousands of palestinian children killed and hundreds more each day is fresh daily. The pictures of the palestinian premature babies huddled together for warmth slowly dying nearly cost Israel the propaganda war right their. Biden telling netanyahu to show restraint is becoming a sad joke. The propaganda war is important as it allows Israel to prosecute the war against Hamas if done carefully.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:51 pmThere was evidence of a conspiracy between Trump people and Putin people to help Trump win, per the Mueller and Senate Intelligence Committee reports.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 7:53 pm@287 he is a establishment liberal or never trumper not a lefty like me. They have power to make things happen. We leftys can only protest. As sun tzu says know your enemy I know mine. We on the left can’t arrange something to happen. They can as they work for the deep state corporate establishment.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:01 pmI think you’re over estimating the influence of this forum, and I’m sure posters here can think for themselves.
Rip Murdock (7c2aa7) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:04 pmHere’s your chance.
Rip Murdock (7c2aa7) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:07 pm@293 the “evidence” of collusion was insignificant. If you disagree show evidence how it effected the vote in michhigan, pennsylvania and wisconsin as those states made trump president. (I got banned from liberal sites like DU for asking that question of them) As for russian meddling a few internet ads nobody saw and wickileaks revealed nothing that wasn’t already known about clinton and thats not collusion ‘but meddling and any complaining is the pot calling the kettle black! Putin didn’t send in his marines to wisconsin as we did in the dominican republic or fund contras as we did in central america and columbia. Ever here what happened to mosadek in Iran or allende in chile?
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:14 pm@Paul@293 The difficulty for the Republican party is that the problems people have with Biden are policy problems while the problems people have with Trump are both policy and legal. It’s much easier to make the argument (even to yourself) that you can’t vote for Biden because he colludes with China even if Trump is a convicted fraudster who attempted Election interference and attempted to foment an insurrection; instead of the argument that you have to vote for a convicted fraudster who attempted election interference and attempted to foment an insurrection because you don’t like Biden’s border/energy/Ukraine policy.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:15 pmThe title in post 299 should not have been blockquoted.
Rip Murdock (7c2aa7) — 12/4/2023 @ 8:42 pmNic, I’m pretty well disgusted with the favored candidates from both parties. My NeverBiden and NeverTrump stances haven’t changed, so it’ll the third presidential election in a row where it’ll be a protest vote for someone else.
I’ve said since 2016 that I won’t vote for a Democrat for policy reasons and that I won’t vote for the GOP nominee for character reasons, but it’s more than just character at issue, it’s that this likely GOP nominee is a f-cking psychopath.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:04 pmRemember when it was fascist that Trump was the only candidate in state primaries four years ago?
‘No conspiracy.’ Florida Democrats explain cancellation of state presidential primary
lloyd (22dd2c) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:08 pm@Paul@301 Which, you know, fair.
@lloyd@302 I don’t actually. Do you remember where/who said that? There usually aren’t (significant) primary competitors when one of the candidates is the incumbent.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:22 pmYou should try Google. Oh, but you’re right, they didn’t actually use the word fascist. That’s for other things Trump does. It’s hard to keep straight.
lloyd (22dd2c) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:45 pm@lloyd@304 I did in fact google it and didn’t come up with anything that said they were fascist and mostly what I found was the complaints were from his (non-significant) Republican competitors. Which is why I asked.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:55 pm(also fortune is pay, so I can only see the first part of the article which didn’t include the Dems saying anything.)
Nic (896fdf) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:56 pmTrump canceled three primaries in 2020 (SC, KS and NV) and the Dems canceled the one in FL. I don’t know why that’s a reason to support Trump. Or Biden.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 9:57 pm@299 probably netanyahu associates got inside information.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:08 pm@307 Its a reason to vote third party as hillary clinton well knows.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:12 pmAnd now for something completely…no, wait, that’s Monty Python, this is a Second City Christmas special, starring Liberace, Canadian adult film star Ray Harley, Elton John, Orson Welles and of course Ethel Merman. I miss that old troupe.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/4/2023 @ 10:31 pmAt least five Republican primaries were canceled in 2020: Kansas, Alaska, South Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada.
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:23 pmShorter 286:
“Hamas said…”
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:26 pmIt’s not necessarily uncommon for primaries to be canceled by the incumbent President’s party:
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:33 pmIn 1992 the Republican Iowa caucus was canceled; while in 2004 Republican primaries or caucuses were canceled in Washington; Nevada; Arizona; Utah; Wyoming; Colorado; South Dakota; Iowa; Connecticut; New York; Florida; Mississippi; Pennsylvania; and Kansas.
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/4/2023 @ 11:54 pmIn 1996 the Democrats canceled primaries or caucuses in Nevada; Utah; Wyoming; South Dakota; Minnesota; Iowa; Missouri; Alaska; Hawaii; Florida; South Carolina; Virginia; Puerto Rico; New York; Vermont; and Connecticut.
In 2012 Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Virginia canceled their primaries.
So based on the above the Florida Democratic Party’s cancellation of their primary is a big nothingburger.
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:10 am@315 I take my primary voting seriously and so do others. Those of us upset the most are the least likely not to vote third party. Biden won az, ga. and wi. by less votes then jill stein got in 2016. Green party kicked off ballot by democrats in 2020.
asset (f9dc64) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:44 amThe question is not whether the allegations are true. The question, as established by the precedent set by Nevertrumpers, is whether it justifies an Independent Counsel investigation and it passed that threshold months ago.
The precedent was set by the Alabama Cottonmouth who, suspected of being part of the Putin Plot or at least a material witness, recused himself as Attorney General, leaving Trump’s favorite (yes, Rosenstein was, he fired Comey for him) DAG to appoint an Independent Counsel. We don’t have that problem with Merrick Garland.
nk (bb1548) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:00 amThe latest addition to Vatnik Soup is John Mearsheimer, who’s objectively pro-Russian under a thin veneer of “realpolitik” and “Great Powers” foreign policy doctrine.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:04 amhttps://hotair.com/karen-townsend/2023/12/04/biden-needed-help-leaving-the-stage-during-wh-reception-with-kennedy-center-honorees-n596536
Weekend at Biden’s happened again with Kennedy Center Honorees. Biden fumbled, lost himself and needed to be helped off the stage again.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:25 amhttps://hotair.com/david-strom/2023/12/04/public-school-puts-boy-and-girl-in-same-bed-on-field-trip-n596599
The type of twisted indoctrination and behavior taught in our schools all throughout the nation.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:46 am@282
And yet, no one is able to point out WHERE and for what DELIVERABLE the money Hunter got in order to pay his dad…
Let me rephrased this: Are you okay with the CCP giving money to Hunter for “x” to pay back Joe? Given that we do not know what “x” is, and given that we’ve all known that the CCP has often engaged with setting up awfully lucrative “deals” to families of the politically connected?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 7:43 amProve it was illicit or illegal, or move on.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 7:51 amTo whom did Ivanka give the money she made from her Chinese trademarks and Uighur slave labor? When her daddykins was President.
Comer is a sad sack, whom Trump told “Biden is the man, find the crime”, but he cannot find a tree to pee against let alone bark up at.
nk (5ff54c) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:12 am@322
F-ck off with that.
Trump is a walking manifestation chaos and imo, doesn’t deserve to be anywhere close to the Whitehouse.
Yet, ever since he road the escalator down from Trump Tower, any and all accusation foisted on Trump and his supporters were taken as gospel and written down on granite without any sense of this defense “Prove it was illicit or illegal, or move on.”
So, stuff it.
We need to give Comer and the GOP time to pull this string, as they’re the ONLY bloody entity who’s interested in investigating this.
Here’s why this is important: there is more than enough smoke here to suspect that we’ll be seeing fire. Comer and company have more than adequately proven that Joe Biden repeatedly lied when he said he kept “a wall” between himself and his family’s foreign business dealings.
Hunter’s business associates stated that for Hunter’s business, his dad was the brand.
The Bidens has an unusual amount of shell companies to move their money to muddy the any transparency surveillance.
If you had issues with foreign entities spending money at Trump’s resorts, you should certainly give Comer and his committee the time they need to pull these Biden strings.
If you don’t, just accept being a partisan hack.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:19 am@323
Those were valid concerns.
Why aren’t you concerns about the Bidens then?
Aren’t you tired carry Biden’s water yet?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:22 amAren’t you tired carry Biden’s water yet?
No. But I do wonder what kind of American wants the President of his country presumed guilty unless he proves himself innocent.
Actually, it’s even worse than that. Trump and his running dogs [Hello, Congressman Comer!] want Biden to be guilty.
Conservative! Bah! Conservative to Trumpsters is Trump committing adultery in the missionary position.
nk (5ff54c) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:50 amI agree. Whatever Hunter’s business associates say is self-serving and not evidence of criminality on President Biden’s part. There is no evidence that President Biden made any policy decisions in response to payments from foreign entities. The Committee just assumes facts that are not in evidence.
If “lying” by a president was an impeachable offense just about every president would be guilty.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:57 amFormer Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry, who did an excellent job in herding the cats of the House Republican Conference during the Speaker debacle, has had enough.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:00 amasset, you’d probably be interested in Ballot Access News. They guy who runs it is a Libertarian, but it covers all ballot-access struggles in detail.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:02 amThe GOP has been investigating Joe Biden since 2020 in the Senate and 2022 in the House. The Senate found nothing, and said so in their report. The House has thus far found nothing, and instead has been flooding the zone with sh-t because that’s all they have.
Again: prove that Joe Biden was intimately involved. Prove that he benefited monetarily in an illegal fashion. If and when that occurs, then we can talk about impeachment. Until then, all I’ve seen is zero-interest loan repayments – and those occurred while Joe was not an elected official.
See, it’s pretty easy to have the right attitude on most matters if you get down to it: wait until evidence proves what has/has not occurred. Just as we saw with the car crash at the Rainbow Bridge: jumping to accusations of terrorism instead of waiting for more information results in being wrong and dumb.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:05 amThe right attitude. Which former President, ever before in the history of the United States, ordered his acolytes to find something to impeach his successor with? And they jumped to obey?
nk (5ff54c) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:14 amWe don’t have that problem with Merrick Garland.
But we do have others.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:22 amConservative! Bah! Conservative to Trumpsters is Trump committing adultery in the missionary position.
Trump is a radical authoritarian. Kind of like Hugo Chavez.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:25 am“See, it’s pretty easy to have the right attitude on most matters if you get down to it: wait until evidence proves what has/has not occurred.”
This attitude was missing during four years of Trump. It’s not a good look to be whining about it now.
“Which former President, ever before in the history of the United States, ordered his acolytes to find something to impeach his successor with? And they jumped to obey?”
Soon to be former president Biden and his Logan Act brainstorm. And, do you know which “senior Obama official” committed the felony of leaking the classified Flynn story to the Washington Post?
lloyd (b80ca0) — 12/5/2023 @ 9:35 amUnhinged:
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:21 amA requiem for a certain piece of men’s formal fashion:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/12/05/patrick-mcchenry-not-seeking-reelection/
urbanleftbehind (a921b1) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:36 amThe newest allegations about Joe getting paid by Hunter don’t seem to add much new.
-we know that Hunter was selling his ability to get access in DC, either to Joe or other officials that would take his call based on family relationship.
-we know that Joe got money from Hunter/other family , but that it’s appeared (as it does here) to be related to repayment of loans.
Looks like Hunter violated FARA among other laws.
Looks like hunter was corrupt and Joe did little to nothing to reduce that corruption.
I couldn’t care less if Joe is impeached for a valid reason. Also, I would love to see a new norm where this type of corruption is ruthlessly pursued and punished. It’s far from unusual. In this case Hunter dropped the pretense of having value to add. Has he been less of a crack head he’s have surrounded himself with some lawyers to make his firms actions look legitimate. But he is a crack head and didn’t bother with that.
Maybe his blatant corruption will get us some normative changes to make the whole thing slightly less scummy.
I think im like 80% in agreement with Whembly on this one.
Time123 (d57dfa) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:52 amTo clarify; if there’s a valid reason to impeach Joe I support doing that. I don’t personally care if Joe is impeached or not. He’s bad at his job and has done nothing to earn my support beyond being less of a wreck than Trump….but that’s a low bar to clear.
Time123 (d57dfa) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:55 am@338
I just want any scrutiny, any ‘precedent’ applied equally to everyone regardless of political ideologies.
I’m not saying Biden is automatically guilty.
But, I want the same zeal and fervor we’ve seen against Trump be applied to the Bidens.
There’s not a whole lot James Comer and the GOP committee can do here as they’re NOT an investigative agency. All they can do is expose any malfeasances from the Biden. Impeachment may or may not happen from these committee hearings. But, at the very least more information can be derived from these sort of hearings, such that the voting electorate has more information.
That’s not, nothing.
Frankly, imo, I still say Biden’s polices over the border and Afghanistan is impeachment worthy. Those were beyond the pale than mere policy differences. There were, and still ongoing, human tragedies perpetuated by such myopic policies.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 11:42 amI’m totally good with committee investigations. Question for you, to what extent do you feel that corruption by Hunter (or Joe) prior to him being sworn forms a valid basis for impeachment?
Time123 (77f5a2) — 12/5/2023 @ 11:49 amBTW, a $550K house bought today in Reno would have a tax of about $3K. That’s a problem with all Prop 13-style freezes.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/4/2023 @ 6:27 pm
I believe that’s true if one buys a brand-new house in Reno. Otherwise, my understanding is that a buyer of a “used” house inherits the property tax rate of the previous owner. Yes, property taxes go up over time, but very slowly. I’ve gone from $1100 in 2009 to just over $1400 now.
Regarding palm trees in Las Cruces, it’s not whether they are native or not. It’s whether they can grow there. If they can, then it’s my kind of climate. 😛
As for humid weather, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been in southern Georgia in July/August, and it felt just fine. It’s a mindset. If one feels that sweat is icky and gross (Procter and Gamble just loves people like this) then humid weather will be bothersome. I embrace the sweat. It’s a natural function to cool off the body. Besides, heat sweat doesn’t smell. It’s nervous sweat that has an odor.
With all due respect to nk and ULB, I’ll take Phoenix or Miami over Chicago any day.
And don’t even get me started on places where the weather is neither fish nor fowl, like San Francisco or Seattle, where the weather rarely gets hot or cold, but it’s frequently chilly. In that case, give me Chicago!
norcal (469f1a) — 12/5/2023 @ 11:49 amNewsNation/Decision Desk Republican Primary Pre-Debate Poll:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 11:53 amwhembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 8:19 am
I don’t think he ever said that. What he said was that he didn’t discuss foreign business dealings with his son or his brother. Which might be very close to the truth. Hunter Biden said some years ago (to the Atlantic I think) that his father told him “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/5/2023 @ 11:54 amTime123 (d57dfa) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:55 am
He’s probably also less of a wreck than Kamala Harris would be – or almost any other likely Democrat.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:00 pm343. Most people really do not believe that people should be disqualified from jobs merely because they have a criminal record.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:02 pmPropaganda has an effect, especially if it usually goes unrebutted. Maybe only Donald Trump heard all the rebuttals.
It should be noted that not winning the election legitimately could also mean changing the rules, which has been an accusation.Especially since the question asks what point of view is closer to that of the respondent.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:07 pm@341 why would Hunter’s actions be grounds for Joe’s impeachment, except in the case that Joe also did something wrong?
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:09 pmWhembly,
I think you are overlooking or minimizing the unique danger that Trump poses. Like you, I prefer right-leaning policy to left-leaning policy, but some things are more important than policy.
You see, bad policies can be revoked via future elections, but not if election results are denied, civil war is fomented, and the Constitution is terminated. Trump has pushed all of these insidious ideas, and his cult members are all-too-willing to be a flash mob at his command.
Next time around, we can’t count on good people in Trump’s circle stopping him, because all he’ll have will be yes-men. Even worse, do you think Trump will appoint Supreme Court justices recommended by the Federalist Society? You know, the kind that overruled him with all of his claims of a “rigged” election? Or will he nominate Justices based on their personal loyalty to him?
We can’t afford to focus on traditional left versus right policy when bigger things are going on.
I voted for Trump in 2016, hoping he would get better when in office. He didn’t. He got worse. In 2020 I voted for the Libertarian candidate because of my aversion to Biden’s policies. In 2024, if it’s Biden versus Trump, I will vote for the Democratic nominee for the first time in my life, for the reasons mentioned above.
norcal (469f1a) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:12 pmReally-I wouldn’t hire one. What polling shows that people shouldn’t be disqualified from a job if they have served time?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:13 pmEven if President Biden “lied” about how far removed he was from Hunter Biden’s business affairs, is that criminal, and does that show he profited from them?
No-there needs to be specific evidence (paper trails, testimony, etc.) that shows a quid pro quo by the President.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:16 pm@349 indeed: we are in a moment of liberalism vs illiberalism, where the first order policy of democracy vs authoritarianism is at hand. Policies like tax levels are secondary.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 12:21 pmImpeaching President Biden is probably the only way to improve his poll numbers.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:00 pm@341
They don’t have enough imo, and if everyone’s honest, a House Committee is a poor venue to conduct this sort of investigation. But, Biden’s DOJ isn’t going to do it, so we’re left with House GOP.
Arguably, you can make a case that Hunter on Burisma’s board whilst Joe was VP could potentially be enough to start an impeachment. Or even the classified document mishandling during his Senate years. But, I don’t think these would garner enough support.
I do think, the Biden’s financial influence peddling prior/during Biden’s Presidency has legs. But in order to REALLY put a bit of a “bite” in their subpoena power, they must initiate the impeachment committee NOW. Because if they wait too long, the Bidens and allies will simply stall for time till the election.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:02 pmLOL!
GOP presidential hopeful and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling for former President Donald Trump to debate him one-on-one as the Republican National Committee is reportedly lifting the rules prohibiting unsanctioned debates between candidates.
……….
“Maybe that’s the reason we should have a debate on your show, Laura. Stop being a keyboard warrior and let’s step up and debate one-on-one. He’s had a lot to say about me over the last year,” DeSantis said. “Say it to my face. I’m game.”
#########
DeSantis would need boot lifts ten feet high to be within spitting distance of Trump (+47). Not gonna happen. DeSantis needs to worry about Haley nipping at his heels (DeSantis +2.5).
Comedy Gold!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:14 pmThe House Judiciary Committee has routinely conducted impeachments investigations. Per long standing (1973) policy, as President, Biden is immune from DOJ investigation and prosecution.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:22 pmAfter all the caterwauling about how corrupt Joe and Hunter Biden, and how definitive the evidence is, you’re now conceding that they don’t have enough? Jeez.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:31 pmAs for humid weather, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been in southern Georgia in July/August, and it felt just fine
I lived in SoCal for 60+ years. Humidity is for other people.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:35 pmSpeaking of new allegations….
Special counsel alleges Trump ‘sent’ supporters on path to Jan. 6 violence
It’s getting really close to seditious conspiracy.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:38 pmThat’s the lie every socialist supporter ever said.
Name 1 socialist policy that’s been revoked? Name 1 nation that’s adopted socialism that hasn’t collapsed under it.
Leftism is a clear and present danger far beyond any imaginary risk you think Trump creates.
NJRob (49c9a4) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:42 pmNo it’s not. Smith would need to prove Trump directly and actively conspired with specific individuals, of which there is no evidence. Public statements of electoral fraud are insufficient. In the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys seditious conspiracy cases, the government had reams of text messages, emails, and informants to establish the conspiracies. If there was such a record implicating Trump, it would have turned up during the January 6 Committee hearings. None of the testimony provided by White House staff said that Trump was in contact with the Oath Keepers/Proud Boys. The imprisoned Oath Keepers/Proud Boys are waiting for their Trump pardons. They are not rats.
Not gonna happen. Even if Trump was indicted for seditious conspiracy, any trial would not be months but years away.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 1:57 pmNo it’s not. Smith would need to prove Trump directly and actively conspired with specific individuals, of which there is no evidence.
How the F do you know what evidence Smith has? He may well have testimony from some of the Proud Boys or such, asserting that Trump conspired directly. Some of them might not be willing to rot in prison for 20 years.
Of course, if you’re privy to the evidence, I’ll stand corrected.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:04 pmThe imprisoned Oath Keepers/Proud Boys are waiting for their Trump pardons. They are not rats.
Pardoning them would risk Trump’s impeachment, so — being a threat to Trump — it’s something Trump won’t do.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:06 pm@349
I believe you’re overstating this “unique danger” Trump poses.
Care to point to me where Obamacare was repealed?
You cannot “revoke” the illegal immigrations that has already occured.
Please do grow up. Plenty of other losing politicians denied their election results (see Stacy Abrams and Hillary Rodham Clinton).
Jesus wept.
When the world’s most heavily armed demographic shows up but doesn’t bring any guns it sure as f-ck wasn’t an insurrection. Anybody who doesn’t have their head entirely shoved up their ass recognizes that.
It was a protest, and even then it was ten thousand percent quieter than the great Fiery But Peaceful Temper Tantrum of 2020.
At this protest, some folks did some stupid crap and some small subset were absolutely violent against the police. The violent ones should definitely be prosecuted.
If you want to know how most normal American feels about J6, look at Liz Cheney’s reelection. There’s your answer.
lol wtf. Please show where Trump unilaterally terminated the Constitution w/o any pushback from other government branches.
He says a lot of bull caca. Really obnoxious too.
You see, I have faith in our system of government that will stop any illegal actions Trump wants to do.
Like they always do.
THe idea that Trump is going to turn into this maniacal fascist leader is laughable.
But, the sheer amount of work it would take.
Do you ever see Trump do the hard work?
I think he’ll nominate the same sorts he did in his 1st term.
Why? Because it’s probably the only thing most people recognize as something that worked out extremely well.
Yeah, F. that.
The only battlespace IS the traditional left vs the right policy.
I’m not electing a President to be the class king at prom. I’m electing a person who’d would advance more of my preferred polices vs the the other candidate.
Right now, I cannot think of a Democrat who shares my values.
I’ll take a chaotic mf’er in Trump, where once in a blue moon he’ll push a policy I prefer, over getting NOTHING WHAT SO EVER from a Democrat like Biden.
So you’re a Democrat? Ok.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:12 pmRob, if a social program isn’t revoked then that means it’s popular and people don’t want to revoke it.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:14 pmHence why, I’ve been so adamant that GOP primary/caucus voters rally behind a not-Trump candidate.
Right now, that’s Haley and DeSantis.
If I had my druthers, I’d want DeSantis to be the nominee. He’s not perfect policy-wise, but he’s definitely the mold I’m looking for in a politician. If ya’ll haven’t seen DeSantis v. Newsome debate, you really should as you can see how formidable he’s going to be.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:15 pmThe ACA hasn’t been revoked because it’s popular, whembly. That was pretty much always the case: ask about the components or the ACA and people would say they loved it; call it Obamacare and then they’d say they didn’t.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:15 pm@357
I’m not conceding anything.
YOU want to put it to rest as YOU don’t have any interest in this.
You seem to WANT to believe that Joe Biden couldn’t possible be compromised, so you keep demanding evidence NOW, and if there’s none that satisfies you, the GOP should stop.
I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but your posting behavior belies this.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:18 pm@367
Pure, laughable spin.
Saying “ask about the components or the ACA and people would say they loved it; call it Obamacare and then they’d say they didn’t.”
Is not the argument that supports your case.
People don’t like Obamacare because their rates went up at a faster rate.
Because many lost their doctors.
Because many workers lost HOURS at their employment because their employer didn’t want to reach higher cost thresholds, which cause the same workers to find 2nd/3rd part-time job.
So. No. That doesn’t support your arguments.
The fact is, that any entitlement, once granted is frankly impossible to face real, meaningful overhaul or even repeal in a divided government.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:28 pmTrump will remain Trump. A five-year old with tertiary syphilis. He’ll never get past “I want/I hate” to form a coherent governing philosophy like fascism.
His hangers-on are a different matter. They are perfectly capable of systematic evil to amass power, privilege and wealth, and to put their policies into effect, and all they will have to do is stroke his ahem ego.
nk (eda111) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:42 pm> You see, I have faith in our system of government that will stop any illegal actions Trump wants to do.
There’s almost nobody left in the Republican party who will do that, Trump’s team will ensure that there are no such people in policy making positions in the executive, and there’s a plan to gut and replace large chunks of the civil service with partisan activists.
Your faith is misguided.
aphrael (b2aea2) — 12/5/2023 @ 2:55 pmAll of “evidence” released by the Committee so far is at best selective, as Comer continues to concede they have no direct proof of anything close to criminality by President Biden. At best the Committee is ascribing the crimes of the son to the father.
Let’s be honest-if Trump hadn’t been impeached none of this would be happening.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:08 pmIf Smith had evidence of a seditious conspiracy, don’t you think we would have seen an indictment by now? If Smith does indict Trump, as I said before, a trial would not take place until long after the November 2024 election. If Smith did have such evidence, wouldn’t indicting him now make it easier for states to disqualify Trump from the ballot sooner rather than later?
Additionally:
My emphasis.
Nothing in Smith’s statement says he conspired with anyone. “Sending supporters to achieve the criminal objective of obstructing the congressional certification” and Trump’s “public endorsement and encouragement of violence” through his rhetoric is not the same as conspiring with others “to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, ……. or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States.” As your quote states, Smith intends to prove Trump’s motive and intent, nothing more. There is a wide chasm between seditious conspiracy and demonstrating Trump’s motive and intent.
In fact, Smith may not be able to introduce this evidence. From your original article:
You are as privy to Smith’s evidence as I am-which is to say not at all. The difference is that your speculations are just that, and my comments are based on what the government filing actually says.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:35 pmThe ACA hasn’t been revoked because it’s popular, whembly.
There are two groups it is popular with, and one it is not popular with.
1. It is unpopular with those who need private insurance, but do not get a subsidy. All of the stranded costs are visited upon them. A 60yo couple who make just over the maximum income (i.e. the welfare-trap amount) will pay $20,000/year for a policy that pays NOTHING until the patient in question has paid another $7K out of pocket. This is approximately 3-4 times the cost of a pre-ACA plan.
This group is about 5% of the population.
2. It is popular with those who do get a subsidy, particularly those who have large medical needs. Some of these folks signed up just this year to cover planned expenses. This is the group the system was designed to help.
This group is about 5% of the population.
3. It is popular with people who are NOT involved with ACA, getting their medical benefits from Medicare or an employer plan. It’s popular because they believe that it helps Group 2, making them feel generous, and they have no real understanding of how Group 1 is screwed.
This group is about 90% of the population. The system was designed to affect as few people as possible, while allowing the vast majority to think they were being kind.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:38 pmIf Smith had evidence of a seditious conspiracy, don’t you think we would have seen an indictment by now?
No. Adding to the indictment would delay the trial.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:40 pmYou are as privy to Smith’s evidence as I am-which is to say not at all. The difference is that your speculations are just that, and my comments are based on what the government filing actually says.
So, you speculate that the indictment contains all the evidence, and I speculate that they are getting some that widens the conspiracy and brings Trump closer to the 14th Amendment.
I guess we’ll find out.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:43 pmRegarding Trump and Biden:
I repeat my call for a national board to examine all presidential candidates’ physical and mental health, with omissions, lies and other malfeasance by the board members subject to federal prison terms.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:46 pmNo, I don’t believe the indictment includes all the evidence, I believe it contains all the charges.
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:47 pmRIP singer-songwriter and guitarist Denny Laine (79). Co-founder of The Moody Blues and Wings.
Rip Murdock (e64c8b) — 12/5/2023 @ 3:50 pmIn order to bring Trump closer to the 14th Amendment Section 3, he would need to be convicted of insurrection or rebellion (18 U.S. Code § 2383); seditious conspiracy isn’t included in Section 3.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:05 pmToo bad that would take a constitutional amendment.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:07 pmSo, the Supremes heard Moore v. United States today, about when Congress can tax a stockholder for income that, while realized by the corporation has not resulted in income to the stockholder.
https://www.scotusblog.com/2023/12/oral-argument-suggests-narrow-ruling-to-uphold-disputed-tax/
On the liberal side, the argument revolved around the corporate income and its “realization”
The conservatives tended to worry about taxation of all paper profits as income.
On the third hand ….
So, given all this, if Congress can tax increased value that is “realized” but not received as income, can they tax an appreciated property if the increase in its value is collateral for a loan? Like, for example, a home equity loan?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:09 pmToo bad that would take a constitutional amendment.
No, why would it? It’s not actually a requirement. The board says “This guy is senile”, or nuts, or in very poor health but he’s perfectly able to run nonetheless. Also, he can refuse to participate. The voters can take it all in and decide.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:11 pmIn order to bring Trump closer to the 14th Amendment Section 3, he would need to be convicted of insurrection or rebellion (18 U.S. Code § 2383); seditious conspiracy isn’t included in Section 3.
Your cramped reading does not seem to be influencing the scholars. Such as Ilya Somin.
https://www.cato.org/commentary/yes-trump-disqualified-office#
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:17 pmThere were those who wanted the Supreme Court t reverse its 1894 decision – including I think President (later Chief Justice) Taft.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:24 pmIf you also can’t tax income never received by the taxpayer, then you must allow unlimited SALT deductions, at least for state income tax.. tax
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:26 pmThe difference is that Ivanka got her trademark income from the ChiComs and then went to work for her dad in the White House as an advisor, as did her husband, who then went on to a $25 million a year payday from Bonesaw Salman.
Hunter’s role in the Biden White House is Visitor, and it’s a “scandal” that he paid $4,140 back to his dad in three monthly installments? There’s a serious lack of perspective here.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:34 pm<blockquote>Your cramped reading does not seem to be influencing the scholars. Such as Ilya Somin.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:17 pm
The legal scholars apparently aren’t influencing the courts, see the attempts in Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, etc. all of which have failed (for the time being). The Supreme Court has already declined to take up one challenge to Trump’s eligibility under the 14th Amendment.
My “cramped reading” is the plain language of Section 3:
18 U.S. Code § 2383 – Rebellion or insurrection:
Still, Jack Smith has not alleged any seditious conspiracy or insurrection charges against Trump. If he had the evidence, I am certain it would have been included in the election interference indictment. If that indictment is amended include 18 U.S. Code § 2383 or 18 U.S. Code § 2384, the trial won’t start until 2025, when it will be a moot issue; either a Democrat will be elected President, or Trump will, at which point he will order the DOJ to cease prosecution.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 4:52 pmTommy Tuberville surrenders:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:02 pmComedy Gold!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:10 pm@371
Who’s currently in multiple litigation as we speak?
Point to me a court case whereby Trump’s election lawyers were successful.
Point to me a significant Trump/Congressional achievement beyond anything that Paul Ryan wanted.
Are you going to ignore the nation-wide injunctions we’ve seen from the courts during his tenure?
Yes, I have faith in our system. It’s not perfect… but, a 2nd Trump administration he’d be just as handcuffed, if not more than his 1st term.
But, guess my homie… we can avoid this situation in the first place!
All it takes is for you to convince the people in your circle that a not-Trump candidate (ie, Haley or DeSantist) to achieve that!
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:32 pm@372
Blame Democrats for weakening that standard and precedent.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:34 pm@386
Those are two completely different things Sammy.
SALT is a means to deduct some of your high state taxes from your federal income tax.
Moore is about imputed profit whereby no actualize income materialized.
A better argument for/against this challenged tax law, is if the government is allowed to tax non-actualized income at a given year, then the law ought to support imputed losses and allow the taxpayor deductions.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:39 pm@390
It’s insanity to think we’re on the verge of Civil War: The Electric Bugaloo.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:41 pm@387
Ivanka’s ordeal is just as problematic as Hunter’s ordeal.
Stop focusing on the bits & bob (ie, the Raptor payment) and take in the totality of what we know so far.
As McCarthy pointed out in the below story, it’s about:
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/house-republicans-accept-democrats-premise-get-burned/
McCarthy isn’t wrong imo.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:50 pmI don’t know how you come to that conclusion. I don’t think we are on the verge of Civil War, I just think between sycophantic appointees and a compliant Congress and courts, Trump can commit many illegal actions and get away with it.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:53 pm@whembly@392 Did Trump get impeached for lying about sex? No, wait…. Different scumbag 2 decades earlier.
Nic (896fdf) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:57 pm@396
President certainly has a lot of power and can be abusive.
But, the idea that he’s going to get (waves hands all over) ALL of sycophantic appointees, a compliant Congress (Comedy Gold!) and courts (giggle-snort) is pure fantasy.
Yes the system of checks and balances will be hard pressed, but you can’t say it hasn’t pumped the breaks of a runaway political freight train.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 5:59 pm@397
True, true.
Still blame Democrats though.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:00 pmI expect the Republicans to win a substantial majority in the House and Senate, so hand waving will be necessary. Trump already has 5 votes on the Supreme Court.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:04 pmCorrection:
I expect the Republicans to win a substantial majority in the House and Senate, so no hand waving will be necessary.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:05 pm@329 thanks for the info.
asset (5a4218) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:10 pm@401
Why do you think that?
I can sorta see the Senate, as there are way more Democrats seats defending than GOP ones.
But, the House? Man… that’s ripe to flip back to Democrats next year. We needed that “red wave” to transpire in 2022 to give the GOP some room to fluctuate. Since that hasn’t happened, control of Congress is going to go down the wire ESPECIALLY if Trump’s the nominee as he’s a drag down-ticket.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:11 pmHere’s another link at NRO (paywalled tho):
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/impeachment-inquiry-vote-would-be-an-improvement-but-many-problems-remain/
I want to point out this:
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:15 pmYou are probably right, given how close the generic Congressional ballot is today, but it doesn’t really matter since it is only the Senate that approves judges and Cabinet officers. That is where the sycophancy comes in. The new Senate will be rubber stamp.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:16 pmOooof… looks like DeSantis is taking a big swing here…
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:20 pm@400 If they couldn’t do it in 2022 because of abortion what makes you think it wont be an issue when states like az will have it on the ballot. Electorate will only be 66% white. In 2016 71% were white. Only half of generation Z has turned voting age and vote democrat more then any other group and millennials are next and now out number boomers. Every day more democrats less republicans its called demographics. In all polling AOC is the role model for young latina girls and squad members for other young girls. Bobert and mtg don’t make the list.
asset (5a4218) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:21 pmI see that Chris Christie made Wednesday’s debate on the last day, based on a Trafalgar Group poll, conducted over the weekend, that had him at 6 percent. This is the first time that Christie has ever received 6% and the first time in a month he’s been over 3%. The last time was also a Trafalgar Group poll.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:23 pm@405
I’d say that it couldn’t be any worse than is 1st term. Maybe more incompetent appointees, but the whole damn federal government is infested with incompetence.
That’s why I’m hoping for DeSantis to success (long shot, I know Rip, no need to regurgitate the polls). I believe he’s the only candidate who’d be willing to take on the general incompetences of the federal government.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:23 pm@408
I hope the crosstab will be made available. This seems a wee bit hinky…
whembly (5f7596) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:25 pm@360 we think the same on the left that the right is a clear and present danger. Biden and the democrat party establishment are put in place by the corporate deep state to control AOC and the left base of the party along with hacks to control the minorities.
asset (5a4218) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:29 pmI expect the Republicans to win a substantial majority in the House and Senate, so no hand waving will be necessary.
Because the GOP House leadership has been stellar. LOL. With any justice they should lose 50 seats for their malodorous performance.
They will probably win the Senate (although they were supposed to last time, too). Assuming that Trump doesn’t pick the candidates again.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:30 pmBiden say he probably wouldn’t run for re-election if trump wasn’t the gop candidate to donors tonight.
asset (5a4218) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:32 pmBiden say he probably wouldn’t run for re-election if trump wasn’t the gop candidate to donors tonight.
Says the man with a 39% approval rating.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/5/2023 @ 6:37 pm@414 Democrats response YIKES! (CNN)
asset (5a4218) — 12/5/2023 @ 7:03 pmFar as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as a Hall Pass or exemption from defending and upholding the Constitution, where it’s somehow okay to be a dictator on Day One and then claim to be a real democratic president from Day Two forward.
After all, who’s to say there won’t be other days where he wants to be Dictator For The Day. Or the Week. Or the Month. It’s not like Trump’s word is golden here, given that his Organization and his Foundation and his University were all found liable for fraud, the latter two of which were shut down and the former hanging by a thread.
If he does win, it’s likely that he’ll have Jeffrey Clark on board, who was in favor of invoking the Insurrection Act, and pardoned fraudster Steve Bannon.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/5/2023 @ 10:13 pm@416 1776 to 2024 was a good run.
asset (5a4218) — 12/6/2023 @ 1:49 amSays the man with a 39% approval rating.It only shows that he is not a delusional narcissist. He knows that only Trump could have gotten him elected, and suspects that only Trump can get him reelected.
nk (6c45b4) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:21 amJust for the record, Rip believes Trump and the GOP will notch a significant win in November. This is true despite the dysfunction in the House GOP, redistricting that is unfavorable to the GOP, and Trump’s far more open embrace of authoritarianism. And, of course, the chance of conviction in at least two trials that will begin and end before the election.
Appalled (262485) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:38 amI don’t get a lot of opportunities to applaud Elise Stefanik, but she made an important point in a recent panel of ivy league Presidents. None of these administrators would insist on an unqualified objection to calling for the genocide of Jews. They all required context…as if some context would excuse it. As if context would be required to decry the call for the genocide of blacks, illegal immigrants, or homosexuals. I understand that these administrators don’t like to be bullied, but they failed critical reasoning 101. I’m sure they will hear about it from their donors and sponsors. This is tone deafness in its worst form.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stefanik-grills-harvard-president-students-calling-intifada-rampant-antisemitism-campus
AJ_Liberty (796a54) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:59 am“I’m sure they will hear about it from their donors and sponsors. This is tone deafness in its worst form.”
You mean like the companies fleeing X? I don’t think so.
Speaking of which, Musk tweeted: ‘Let me help them out here: “Calling for the genocide [death] of anyone obviously constitutes harassment.”‘
Donors and sponsors include taxpayers, through billions in grants and student loan forgiveness, and their Democrat representatives sat on their hands. Hakeem Jeffries voted “present” on a resolution condemning antisemitism.
lloyd (e040a2) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:04 amRIP Norman Lear (101).
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:13 amDon’t put words in my mouth. I’ve said nothing about Trump’s prospects in November.
With 21 Democrats (and counting) not running for reelection you would expect the Republicans to be able to pick up some seats (and retain the seats of the 12 Republicans leaving the House.)
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:22 amTo see if there’s a double standard, the pointy heads in the hearing should’ve been asked if it violated campus policy for students to call for the extermination of Palestinians from the river to the sea. I would’ve like to hear their answer.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:23 amSee post 423.
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:25 amThe question is how do universities punish students and professors for expressing support for the Palestinians without violating the First Amendment (at least for public universities)?
Should they be expelled/fired for mere speech? Should antisemitic speech be considered “criminal threat speech”without 1A protection, with criminal penalties? Assuming no violence, should protesters be arrested for supporting Hamas or the Palestinian cause?
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:39 amIn general, I’ve considered campus speech codes as First Amendment violations.
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:40 amGood reply, Rip
Narrow Trump victory or Biden victory coupled with resounding R majorities in both levels of Congress could be an indicator of “cope”. That was my read of the 2020 results when the Dem + margin in the House got sheared by several seats. The composition of this current Congress was actually set in stone by the 2020 Census and the NY map correction.
Trump partisans saw the 2020 R congressional clawback as indication of voting fraud, I saw it as significant blocs of voters saying I’m getting rid of trump no matter what but we’ll leave in the guardrail of a Republican Congress. Which would have worked, Senate wise, but for Georgia.
urbanleftbehind (a921b1) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:44 amAs I understand it, public universities are governed by the 1st Amendment, but private universities are not. (In the past, private universities often defended free speech, and some still do. I haven’t seen any numbers on tha subject.)
Jim Miller (6782ce) — 12/6/2023 @ 7:26 amWhat if the speech promotes genocide against the Jews? What if the speech includes demonstrations on campus? At what point does chanting intifada and “from the river to the sea” become harassment and create a hostile environment? I think a campus poses a different concern here then protests in other public forums. Students can have a difficult time avoiding the protests given most walk everywhere.
AJ_Liberty (ec7f74) — 12/6/2023 @ 7:45 am@430
Treat those protesting the same as if a bunch of KKK bungholes in full Klan regalia chanting white supremacy.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:14 amI understand that these administrators don’t like to be bullied, but they failed critical reasoning 101
They can’t fail a course their universities no longer offer.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:27 amWhat if the speech promotes genocide against the Jews?
If it was a workplace, people could be fired for their speech. “Creating a hostile workplace.” Can’t even have a swimsuit calendar on your wall.
Most of these universities are private colleges and 1A protections do not apply. There are laws that provide protections to certain groups, generally in opposition to 1A, and religious minorities are typically covered by them.
whembly points out what should be the standard response: suppose these were
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:35 amKlansmenKlanspeople.Make that 13 Republicans-Rep. Kevin McCarthy has announced his retirement.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:36 amWhich would be protected by the First Amendment.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:38 amShould Congress pass a law declaring antisemitism or promoting genocide hate speech and make it illegal?
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:42 amWhich would be protected by the First Amendment.
At Harvard? They can turf the whole lot of them and the 1st doesn’t apply.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:42 amShould Congress pass a law declaring antisemitism or promoting genocide hate speech and make it illegal?
That they cannot do. They also can’t pass a law against pr0n in the workplace, but just try it.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:43 am@435
So long as they’re respectfully protesting.
But, if they’re chasing blacks so that the blacks has to lock themselves in a library for safety, then no, that’s not protected by the First Amendment.
What we’re really talking about is intimidation and threats of violence.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:50 amKevin McCarthy retiring at the end of the year.
Sam G (8d2ed1) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:51 amMaybe not at Harvard, but if Harvard has regulations regarding student speech, they should be viewpoint and content neutral. Otherwise the school can be sued for selective punishment. Harvard’s free speech environment is pretty poor.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 8:56 amMaybe not at Harvard, but if Harvard has regulations regarding student speech, they should be viewpoint and content neutral
I can’t see regulations that protect against minority racial harassment, but not minority religious harassment.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:02 amhttps://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/the-advice-desantis-and-haley-dont-want-to-hear/
Thoughts on this?
I think DeSantis can handle the lighting rod aspect of the presidency better than Haley, but I could vote for either Haley/DeSantis or DeSantis/Haley just fine.
Curious… could an empowered VP be a desirable thing? Empowered meaning, of course the POTUS authorizes everything.
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:03 amwhembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:03 am
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:09 amSource
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:09 amJewish students are suing the University of California and Penn State over “unchecked” antisemitism.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:10 amThis is woefully premature and grasping at straws. DeSantis or Haley would still need to win the nomination, and right now Republican voters don’t want either of them to be the nominee.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:14 amSoa statement supporting lynching of African Americans may be deemed to be a threat, or at least make students feel unsafe, but a rally during which eople say “globalize the intifada” may not,
The truth is, it depends on whether the haters are many or few, or if there is pushback from the haters .
The rule in colleges is: The more serious the hate is, the less it is condemned. by the college.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:16 amAcknowledging the obvious:
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:49 amOuch!
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 9:55 amhttps://unherd.com/2023/12/why-all-this-trump-hysteria/
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 10:55 amright now Republican voters don’t want either of them to be the nominee.
Apparently they want the guy who talks about being a dictator and getting hsi revenge. Because they WANT a little revenge. Not camps or anything, but maybe a little jail time until those liberals stop resisting.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:06 amBecause if Trump really took power and wielded it like that, what’s to stop AOC from doing the same when it’s her turn?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:09 amSo why not skip the mutually assured destruction-like dynamic, the fight to be the last non-Trump candidate standing, and work out a unity ticket?
Because the window will have closed. The only way to beat Trump (short of a self-inflicted wound) is for someone to ride a groundswell of momentum, right the heck now, to the point where they start beating Trump in polls and in primaries. If his inevitability can be dented, those of his supporters that simply back the favorite can be peeled away.
A Haley-DeSantis ticket approach could work, but it would have to happen now, not next May.
The fallback is to hope that a Trump facing 40 years in prison might lose favor or decide to cut a deal with Biden or a GOP successor and drop out. But that’s a weak hope.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:16 amThe only way to beat Trump is to run as a third party candidate.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:22 amKevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:06 am
Trump says he would only be a dictator for one day.
He’ll just do two things on Inauguration Day, one of which will be to close the Mexican border, and the other being to authorize more drilling for oil and natural gas on federal land. (both of which may be perfectly legal, although unilateral)
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-raises-new-alarms-dictator-except-day/story?id=105416124
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:30 amTrump says he would only be a dictator for one day.
Yeah, and I used to say I’d just have one drink.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:36 amActually Trump has plans to staff the federal government with MAGA people using mainly the Heritage Foundation (and not use the Federalist Society for lawyers) and to attempt to convert many civil service positions to political appointments.
Even though the Senate is likely to flip Republican, he’ll have trouble with confirmations on positions that need confirmation, and he’ll be tied up in court on executive orders.
New York Times Op-ed:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/27/opinion/trump-deep-state-schedule-f.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:54 amThe Op-ed article contains a link to a NYT story abut Trump’s would be lawyer appointees.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/us/politics/trump-2025-lawyers.html
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:54 am@whembly.The Jan 6 committee (falsely) accused Trump of telling the mob to do what it did, while their evidence really proved the opposite – it was not consistent with him wanting to go to the Capitol in person.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 11:58 amThe House ad Senate are likely to flip in opposite directios.
Sammy Finkelman (1d215a) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:00 pm@461
Whatever gave you the idea that I articulated that?
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:16 pmI believe the opposite is true-it split the opposition to Trump, with Trump winning plurality of votes and/or sending the election into the House which majority of state delegations voting for Trump.
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:48 pmThat is absolutely correct.
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:54 pm@ALL: Highly encourage you to watch this documentary of the Derek Chauvin trial:
https://www.thefallofminneapolis.com/
…and watch these 2 gentlemen reactions to it:
whembly (5f7596) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:54 pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA2GUStM9dQ
I’m surprised that it’s so hard to understand that Trump’s retribution is his voters retribution.
Rip Murdock (5ad73d) — 12/6/2023 @ 12:57 pm@427 I agree. Campus censorship used to get rid of leftists now rightests. What goes around comes around. My professor morris starsky was fired from ASU for marching in a anti-vietnam march. Alfredo guiterrez was kicked out of ASU for supporting chicano rights. Later became house minority leader. Remember ward churchill and many others. Pay backs a b….
asset (d66c9e) — 12/6/2023 @ 2:29 pmTime’s Person of the Year.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 2:40 pmHow did trump lose in 2020? He lost az. 10,000 ga. 13,000 wi. 20,000 The 7 million more votes biden got meant nothing. Democrats using ballot access laws put in by republicans to keep libertarian party off ballot to kick green party off ballot. For those who post republicans will get a large majority in house have no evidence for this and their is plenty of evidence against red wave. Remember 2022 red blow out that didn’t occur? 4 ny districts flipped to give gop majority. NY state is redistricting again for 2024 and four democrat corporate stooges who lost won’t be running this time. In south courts have reinstated black districts gerrymandered out by republicans in 2022. Presidential years more democrats come out to vote. Look it up. Whites will only be 66% of vote in 2020 whites 68% 2016 71% Should have been 70% but democrat didn’t come out for clinton. Only half of generation Z has turned voting age and they vote democrat more then any other group Millennials next highest democrat votes and they out number boomers. How is trumps nazi talk helping republicans? It is certainly scaring democrats and moderates.
asset (d66c9e) — 12/6/2023 @ 2:55 pm@469 that should sell out the magazine. Did you see the SNL nfl today skit on swifties?
asset (d66c9e) — 12/6/2023 @ 2:57 pmRegarding Taylor Swift being named TIME Person of the Year, I can’t top this.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 3:38 pmTime’s Person of the Year.
What a silly country we are.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:27 pmIf Joe Biden got the same crowds and adoration, he’d be Man of the Year instead,
And tax rates would be at 97%, so maybe it’s a good thing that Taylor is the draw.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:31 pmI wouldn’t know a Taylor Swift song if I heard it, but I don’t think she’s a bad choice. She was a cultural force this past year, generating billions of dollars in economic impact not just for herself but for the cities where she performed. The Eras tour started in Glendale, AZ, where her concerts generated more impact than the 2023 Super Bowl. She apparently was very generous even to her roadies, giving her truck drivers $100,000 bonuses. Not everything in life needs to be serious and depressing.
As an alternative, Time could have chosen Hamas.
Rip Murdock (d2a2a8) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:51 pm@whembly I was responding to what you quoted from unherd at #451
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:53 pmCome to think of it, unherd didn’t say that either. zeven that Trump sent them to wreak havoc.
Sammy Finkelman (f1a67c) — 12/6/2023 @ 4:58 pmAbout this barn-burner debate on Channel 239, Ramaswamy and DeSantis went after Haley, and Ramaswamy is stinking it up with his personal attacks and his finger-wagging and interrupting.
The only person who brought up Trump’s unfitness for office (so far) is Christie.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:37 pm@475: Please explain why a provision should be construed in a way that is, at best, stupid. Why should the only office that wields plenary power should be excluded from a provision intended to protect the government from traitors?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:39 pmMegyn seems intent on airing everyone’s dirty laundry.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:40 pmThe only person who brought up Trump’s unfitness for office (so far) is Christie.
There’s really no point. Either you know this, or you refuse to know it. Why beat the horse? If he forgot to mention Trump’s terribleness, would you think less of him? If Nikki went after Trump, would you forget that she’s late to the party?
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:44 pmDeSantis is a bit of a bully here, stepping all over everyone’s speaking times.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:50 pmDeSantis is obnoxious, too, but Vivek took it to a new level (but he quieted down a little after the commercial break).
The mediators are bringing up Trump. It’s funny that DeSantis and Vivek are trying to shout down Christie.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:12 pmDeSantis cannot bring himself to say that Trump is unfit for office.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:12 pmI should think that the other three would WANT Christie trashing Trump. He’s doing it for them. Maybe Vivek has marching orders from his master, but I can’t see DeSantis wanting to be Trump’s VP.
Haley is quite willing to let Christie be Christie.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:17 pmBut this is a bit of a sh1tshow. It doesn’t help that DeSantis and Haley are getting into “inside baseball” snits, reminiscent of the Cruz-Rubio fights over who voted for what bill when. It’s a giant turn off.
Kevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:18 pmVivek just went off the rails, spouting multiple bogus conspiracy theories but, like DeSantis, would not say that Trump is unfit.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:20 pmDesatan sounds like a serial killer trying to talk you into his car. If trump was on the debate he would show the picture of desatan getting underage girls drunk at drucken orgy when he was their teacher and then point to the students desatan had underage sex with in the audience.
asset (eddd0a) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:29 pmNikki, to Vivek: “No, it’s not worth my time to respond to him.”
Good grief, a Trumpist hack like Tom Fitton (a non-lawyer who gave Trump horrendous legal advice) is asking a question.
Paul Montagu (d52d7d) — 12/6/2023 @ 6:30 pmHunter Biden charged with multiple felonies for obvious tax fraud which Biden’s DOJ tried to grant him immunity from just a few months ago.
NJRob (eb56c3) — 12/8/2023 @ 6:20 amKevin M (ed969f) — 12/6/2023 @ 5:39 pm
Because it was unnecessary.
They were concerned in 1866 about the possibility of pre-Civil War members of Congress returning to their old seats or cadets who resigned from West Point rejoining the military, or people who were elected officials before the war who were ex-Confederates taking part in state governments.
There was no prospect of anyone who fought for or supported the Confederacy from being elected to national office – or if there was some special case, that man would not need to be forgiven by a 2/3 vote. There would be a different electorate in the case of president and vice president.
It would be okay for someone like General James Longstreet to become vice president, if he had moved to another state other than Louisiana. (Longstreet was refused a pardon by President Andrew Johnson but later received amnesty from Congress in 1868)
Sammy Finkelman (c2c77e) — 12/10/2023 @ 10:36 am