Migrant caravan leaders call for ‘safe and dignified’ transportation in Mexico
How Hysteria And Hatred About Migrants Spread From Fox To Trump — And Pittsburgh
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
The Duce starting a slomo coup?
President Trump says he plans to end birthright citizenship with an executive order
President Donald Trump said in an interview that he plans to sign an executive order ending "birthright citizenship" for the children of non-American citizens who are born on U.S. soil, a move that would likely be challenged immediately in the courts over its constitutionality.
"It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't," Trump told "Axios on HBO" in an interview set to air Sunday, just two days before the midterm election.
"You can definitely do it with an act of Congress. But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."
"We're the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States, with all of those benefits," Trump said.
(Per WorldAtlas, about 30 nations grant birthright citizenship.)
Several lies there.
The 14th Amendment says in pertinent part "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Numerous Supreme Court decisions since then have affirmed that the language of the Amendment covers persons born in the US to non-citizens, whether here legally or illegally.
The constitution nowhere says nobody else is a citizen, and the Congress in the early 20th Century extended citizenship to Native Americans.
So, two hypotheses apply, whether or not Trump believes his own garbage and sincerely thinks he can constitutionally deny the application of birthright citizenship to children of non-citizens.
First, his voters will believe his claim and, when the courts stop him, he and they will howl and scream but beyond increasing the hatred of his base for the actually existing constitution and government, that will be an end to it.
Or, second, when the courts stop him he will order the AG and all executive branch agencies and persons to act in a manner consistent with his EO.
That will precipitate a crisis first within the executive branch and, if successful there, amounting to successful defiance of the authority of the Supremes and the authority of the constitution, ending subjection of the presidency to either and to actual law.
That's the first big step in a slomo coup to get rid of the legitimate and lawful republican government he and his deplorables hate and replace it with something more, uh, Venezuelan.
Yep.
I said that.
The Democrats would certainly impeach him in the house.
What would happen in the senate?
President Donald Trump said in an interview that he plans to sign an executive order ending "birthright citizenship" for the children of non-American citizens who are born on U.S. soil, a move that would likely be challenged immediately in the courts over its constitutionality.
"It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't," Trump told "Axios on HBO" in an interview set to air Sunday, just two days before the midterm election.
"You can definitely do it with an act of Congress. But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."
"We're the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States, with all of those benefits," Trump said.
(Per WorldAtlas, about 30 nations grant birthright citizenship.)
Several lies there.
The 14th Amendment says in pertinent part "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Numerous Supreme Court decisions since then have affirmed that the language of the Amendment covers persons born in the US to non-citizens, whether here legally or illegally.
The constitution nowhere says nobody else is a citizen, and the Congress in the early 20th Century extended citizenship to Native Americans.
So, two hypotheses apply, whether or not Trump believes his own garbage and sincerely thinks he can constitutionally deny the application of birthright citizenship to children of non-citizens.
First, his voters will believe his claim and, when the courts stop him, he and they will howl and scream but beyond increasing the hatred of his base for the actually existing constitution and government, that will be an end to it.
Or, second, when the courts stop him he will order the AG and all executive branch agencies and persons to act in a manner consistent with his EO.
That will precipitate a crisis first within the executive branch and, if successful there, amounting to successful defiance of the authority of the Supremes and the authority of the constitution, ending subjection of the presidency to either and to actual law.
That's the first big step in a slomo coup to get rid of the legitimate and lawful republican government he and his deplorables hate and replace it with something more, uh, Venezuelan.
Yep.
I said that.
The Democrats would certainly impeach him in the house.
What would happen in the senate?
Sunday, October 28, 2018
GOP candidates lie about pre-existing conditions
GOP candidates who have spent every waking moment since it passed trying to repeal the ACA's requirement for coverage for pre-existing conditions and are now parties to a federal lawsuit aimed at getting that requirement thrown out as unconstitutional are now claiming in their election campaigns that they want to protect that requirement.
They are silent about their giant tax cut and lying they support something they want to destroy.
They are silent about their giant tax cut and lying they support something they want to destroy.
Election hysteria builds
Lou Dobbs Promotes 'Protocols Of Zion' Anti-Semitism Just Days Before Pittsburgh Shooting
Trumps says for the billionth time since he became a candidate that he's an anti-globalist nationalist and suddenly, after the Tree of Life synagogue shootings, the left wing noise machine discovers that it's an anti-Semitic blurt.
But this is really a thing and they are right to highlight it:
Why Did Synagogue Suspect Believe Migrant Caravan Is Jewish Conspiracy? Maybe He Watched Fox News.
On Thursday, merely two days before Bowers reportedly opened fire at the Pittsburgh synagogue, Lou Dobbs had a guest on the show who directly made the connection between Soros and the caravan.
“A lot of these folks have affiliates that are getting money from the Soros-occupied state department,” Chris Farrell, Judicial Watch’s director of investigations and research, said.
As Josh Marshall from Talking Points Memo pointed out on Twitter “‘ZOG’ is a staple of white supremacist/neo-Nazi websites/literature etc. Stands for ‘Zionist occupied government,’… This guy knows exactly what lever he’s pulling when he uses this phrase,” Marshall wrote.
A screengrab of an apparent Bowers repost on Gab appears to confirm he was well acquainted with the term.
Farrell was hardly the first to make the connection on Fox News. Earlier in the month, Fox & Friends also mentioned the connection, this time citing a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz that openly questioned whether Soros was funding the caravan.
“Mr. Gaetz yesterday called for an investigation whether U.S. backed NGO’s, or George Soros were behind the caravan,” Fox News’ Steve Doocy said.
Rep. Louie Gohmert also mentioned the possibility that Soros was funding the caravan earlier this week.
“Well, I can’t help but think the Democrats — perhaps Soros — may be funding this thinking it’s going to help them,” Gohmert said.
Beyond what he could have heard on Fox News though, Bowers also seemed to be fond of a theory that has become viral on far-right websites and forums.
That theory involves a photo that appears to show migrants getting onto a truck that has an apparent Star of David visible on the side.
To the surprise of no one, Infowars’ Alex Jones also got in on the conspiracy theory, saying the caravan was an example of how Soros and others are trying to open up “large migration routes from the third-world into the first-world as part of a neo-colonialism system.”
Trumps says for the billionth time since he became a candidate that he's an anti-globalist nationalist and suddenly, after the Tree of Life synagogue shootings, the left wing noise machine discovers that it's an anti-Semitic blurt.
But this is really a thing and they are right to highlight it:
Why Did Synagogue Suspect Believe Migrant Caravan Is Jewish Conspiracy? Maybe He Watched Fox News.
On Thursday, merely two days before Bowers reportedly opened fire at the Pittsburgh synagogue, Lou Dobbs had a guest on the show who directly made the connection between Soros and the caravan.
“A lot of these folks have affiliates that are getting money from the Soros-occupied state department,” Chris Farrell, Judicial Watch’s director of investigations and research, said.
As Josh Marshall from Talking Points Memo pointed out on Twitter “‘ZOG’ is a staple of white supremacist/neo-Nazi websites/literature etc. Stands for ‘Zionist occupied government,’… This guy knows exactly what lever he’s pulling when he uses this phrase,” Marshall wrote.
A screengrab of an apparent Bowers repost on Gab appears to confirm he was well acquainted with the term.
Farrell was hardly the first to make the connection on Fox News. Earlier in the month, Fox & Friends also mentioned the connection, this time citing a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz that openly questioned whether Soros was funding the caravan.
“Mr. Gaetz yesterday called for an investigation whether U.S. backed NGO’s, or George Soros were behind the caravan,” Fox News’ Steve Doocy said.
Rep. Louie Gohmert also mentioned the possibility that Soros was funding the caravan earlier this week.
“Well, I can’t help but think the Democrats — perhaps Soros — may be funding this thinking it’s going to help them,” Gohmert said.
Beyond what he could have heard on Fox News though, Bowers also seemed to be fond of a theory that has become viral on far-right websites and forums.
That theory involves a photo that appears to show migrants getting onto a truck that has an apparent Star of David visible on the side.
To the surprise of no one, Infowars’ Alex Jones also got in on the conspiracy theory, saying the caravan was an example of how Soros and others are trying to open up “large migration routes from the third-world into the first-world as part of a neo-colonialism system.”
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Game three went 18 innings in 7 hours
Longest World Series game, ever.
Dodgers Stun Red Sox In Longest World Series Game Ever
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the 18th to cap an all-time classic.
. . . .
The Dodgers’ dramatic, draining, dizzying 3-2 victory Friday night cut their World Series deficit to 2-1.
Dodgers Stun Red Sox In Longest World Series Game Ever
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy homered in the bottom of the 18th to cap an all-time classic.
. . . .
The Dodgers’ dramatic, draining, dizzying 3-2 victory Friday night cut their World Series deficit to 2-1.
Hate crime in Pittsburgh
Shooter Opens Fire At Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue In Pittsburgh
Active shooter with hostages at the Tree of Life Congregation in Squirrel Hill at the corner of Wilkins and Shady Avenues.
One or more shooters right now, with shotguns, reportedly.
At least four people dead - some reports said eight or more - and two officers wounded.
Update, a shooter has surrendered to police.
His talk confirms anti-Semitic outlook.
Reportedly he was shouting "All these Jews need to die" while doing his murdering.
City cops were the first responders, city SWAT got there quickly, county police sent a bomb squad to check out the place.
FBI there, too.
I saw two guys walk by on the street wearing ATF jackets.
The mayor and other officials are there in the street with the police and local newsies.
News outlet KDKA reported that multiple people were dead after a gunman began shooting inside the synagogue, which was crowded for a Saturday service.
Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Safety said in a tweet that an “active shooter” was still in the general area.
NBC is still saying eight or more dead at 1138 EDT.
Update, Howard Fineman was just on saying he is from Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh is still his home town, he knows the area and the city well and grew up going to Tree of Life.
He said he is not sure but if 8 or 10 were killed that could be the most devastating attack on a synagogue in the US, ever.
He is expressing great shock, particularly in light of the neighborliness of people in Pittsburgh and their respect for its many ethnicities.
Pittsburgh, he points out, is an especially peaceful city, and Squirrel Hill one of its more peaceful neighborhoods.
A city, he says, that is centered on education and research nowadays rather than heavy industry.
Reportedly, NYPD has sent more than usual police presence to synagogues and other Jewish centers in the city.
Other cities are likely doing that sort of thing, too.
Update 1218 EDT, Governor Wolf and Senator Casey are waiting on the street with locals and others, waiting for word.
Robert Bowers is the shooter.
Update 1245 or so.
Asked about gun laws the Duce said to newsies there should have been guns inside so the shooter could have been stopped.
He had spoken to people from the NRA before speaking to the press about all this, so that's where he got his unbelievably stupid talking points.
Asked whether he was saying there should be armed guards in all churches and synagogues he shrugged and said he hated to say it but it's a violent world so maybe that's the answer.
If there had been a guard maybe only one person would be dead, the shooter himself, he said.
And he heaped praise on the city police, etc.
He ranted about bringing the death penalty into vogue for church or temple or school shootings and that killers should not wait 10 years or more on death row before being killed.
He angrily complained about lawyers and appeals just gumming up everything.
He and his sort don't even bother to lie that they want law and order.
Law and order are due process, and all that due process stuff is just bullshit, to them
Recall how hugely angry and frustrated he was at the suggestion from Republicans that if he wanted to be able to deport every new illegal at the border he would have to hire thousands of judges.
He insisted he wanted to hire thousands of guards, and no judges.
Judges? We don't need no stinking judges.
Active shooter with hostages at the Tree of Life Congregation in Squirrel Hill at the corner of Wilkins and Shady Avenues.
One or more shooters right now, with shotguns, reportedly.
At least four people dead - some reports said eight or more - and two officers wounded.
Update, a shooter has surrendered to police.
His talk confirms anti-Semitic outlook.
Reportedly he was shouting "All these Jews need to die" while doing his murdering.
City cops were the first responders, city SWAT got there quickly, county police sent a bomb squad to check out the place.
FBI there, too.
I saw two guys walk by on the street wearing ATF jackets.
The mayor and other officials are there in the street with the police and local newsies.
News outlet KDKA reported that multiple people were dead after a gunman began shooting inside the synagogue, which was crowded for a Saturday service.
Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Safety said in a tweet that an “active shooter” was still in the general area.
NBC is still saying eight or more dead at 1138 EDT.
Update, Howard Fineman was just on saying he is from Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh is still his home town, he knows the area and the city well and grew up going to Tree of Life.
He said he is not sure but if 8 or 10 were killed that could be the most devastating attack on a synagogue in the US, ever.
He is expressing great shock, particularly in light of the neighborliness of people in Pittsburgh and their respect for its many ethnicities.
Pittsburgh, he points out, is an especially peaceful city, and Squirrel Hill one of its more peaceful neighborhoods.
A city, he says, that is centered on education and research nowadays rather than heavy industry.
Reportedly, NYPD has sent more than usual police presence to synagogues and other Jewish centers in the city.
Other cities are likely doing that sort of thing, too.
Update 1218 EDT, Governor Wolf and Senator Casey are waiting on the street with locals and others, waiting for word.
Robert Bowers is the shooter.
Update 1245 or so.
Asked about gun laws the Duce said to newsies there should have been guns inside so the shooter could have been stopped.
He had spoken to people from the NRA before speaking to the press about all this, so that's where he got his unbelievably stupid talking points.
Asked whether he was saying there should be armed guards in all churches and synagogues he shrugged and said he hated to say it but it's a violent world so maybe that's the answer.
If there had been a guard maybe only one person would be dead, the shooter himself, he said.
And he heaped praise on the city police, etc.
He ranted about bringing the death penalty into vogue for church or temple or school shootings and that killers should not wait 10 years or more on death row before being killed.
He angrily complained about lawyers and appeals just gumming up everything.
He and his sort don't even bother to lie that they want law and order.
Law and order are due process, and all that due process stuff is just bullshit, to them
Recall how hugely angry and frustrated he was at the suggestion from Republicans that if he wanted to be able to deport every new illegal at the border he would have to hire thousands of judges.
He insisted he wanted to hire thousands of guards, and no judges.
Judges? We don't need no stinking judges.
If what they say is true, it's not unfair for them to say it
The Trumpists right down to the people who show up at the rallies are committed to idiotic conspiracy theories of the mail bomber, encouraged openly by the Duce himself and the Trumpist leadership of the Republican Party.
And to make those claims they have to double down on their attacks on the media and their denunciations of "fake news", denouncing the press for hating America, hating Trump, horribly unfair coverage of the administration, and so on.
But if you are a pathological liar, a moron, a racist, a misogynist, and a thug unfit to be president and the press calls you a pathological liar, a moron, a racist, a misogynist, and a thug unfit to be president, that is not unfair.
It is hostile, and it is hostile to the vicious and stupid, racist bastards who voted for you and still love you precisely for being the horror you are, but that does not make it unfair.
So fuck Trump, and fuck you if you voted for him.
And there could be a red wave rather than a blue one, and he could win in 2020.
So I do hate Trump's America.
What the hell, their whole thing is about hate.
What defines them is their hate.
And to make those claims they have to double down on their attacks on the media and their denunciations of "fake news", denouncing the press for hating America, hating Trump, horribly unfair coverage of the administration, and so on.
But if you are a pathological liar, a moron, a racist, a misogynist, and a thug unfit to be president and the press calls you a pathological liar, a moron, a racist, a misogynist, and a thug unfit to be president, that is not unfair.
It is hostile, and it is hostile to the vicious and stupid, racist bastards who voted for you and still love you precisely for being the horror you are, but that does not make it unfair.
So fuck Trump, and fuck you if you voted for him.
And there could be a red wave rather than a blue one, and he could win in 2020.
So I do hate Trump's America.
What the hell, their whole thing is about hate.
What defines them is their hate.
Friday, October 26, 2018
What were his intentions?
Not a single one of the bombs went off.
Some are now saying that perhaps not all of them - perhaps not any of them? - even could actually have exploded, though they all contained the right ingredients.
And what if that was intentional?
What if he intended neither to kill nor even to harm, nor to actually frighten anyone at all, but only to register an unmistakable protest?
Whether this was terrorism depends on his intentions.
And if he did not intend death or even harm to anyone, and did not intend to frighten anyone, but only intended a very high profile gesture of protest, that is not terrorism.
He needs a really good lawyer.
Next point:
It is a smear to impute the qualities or beliefs of voters or politically active folks to the politicians or parties they vote for or support, whatever the voters or politically active folks may themselves believe.
And that sort of smear makes up a very high percentage of the propaganda of both sides, directed against their opponents.
Democrats are smeared with anarchists and antifa thugs while Republicans are smeared with Klansmen, neo-Nazis, and gang-rapists.
And now the Duce is getting smeared with this guy.
Some are now saying that perhaps not all of them - perhaps not any of them? - even could actually have exploded, though they all contained the right ingredients.
And what if that was intentional?
What if he intended neither to kill nor even to harm, nor to actually frighten anyone at all, but only to register an unmistakable protest?
Whether this was terrorism depends on his intentions.
And if he did not intend death or even harm to anyone, and did not intend to frighten anyone, but only intended a very high profile gesture of protest, that is not terrorism.
He needs a really good lawyer.
Next point:
It is a smear to impute the qualities or beliefs of voters or politically active folks to the politicians or parties they vote for or support, whatever the voters or politically active folks may themselves believe.
And that sort of smear makes up a very high percentage of the propaganda of both sides, directed against their opponents.
Democrats are smeared with anarchists and antifa thugs while Republicans are smeared with Klansmen, neo-Nazis, and gang-rapists.
And now the Duce is getting smeared with this guy.
Lemmings going crazy
All of the DOW and S & P gains for the year have been wiped out.
Nasdaq plunges, dragged down by Amazon
The Nasdaq plunged 2.5% on Friday -- and Amazon is leading the way lower.
Amazon (AMZN) shares plummeted 8% and briefly entered a bear market after reporting disappointing sales and guidance.
Google owner Alphabet also fell sharply on weaker-than-expected revenue.
Amazon and the others are making money hand over fist, but revenue growth, while substantial, has been less than expected.
The tech selling spread to the Dow, which fell as many as 539 points.
The index was recently down about 350 points, or 1.5%.
The S&P 500 declined 2% and at one point joined the Nasdaq in a correction.
The S&P 500 has since climbed out of correction territory, which means a 10% decline from previous highs.
Friday's slide is just the latest in a series of wild moves on Wall Street.
The Dow soared 401 points on Thursday, after plunging more than 600 points the day before.
A variety of fears have sent stocks into a tailspin this month.
All of the Dow and S&P 500's gains for the year have been wiped out.
And the Nasdaq is on track for its worst month since November 2008.
. . . .
New numbers released on Friday show the US economy grew at a healthy 3.5% pace in the third quarter.
The GDP growth, largely in line with expectations, represents a modest deceleration from the brisk 4.2% growth in the fourth quarter.
Colas said he's confident the bull market isn't over. Investors are merely anticipating a deceleration in profit and economic growth.
"I strongly believe this is a correction. Underlying economic fundamentals are still very good," said Colas.
Nasdaq plunges, dragged down by Amazon
The Nasdaq plunged 2.5% on Friday -- and Amazon is leading the way lower.
Amazon (AMZN) shares plummeted 8% and briefly entered a bear market after reporting disappointing sales and guidance.
Google owner Alphabet also fell sharply on weaker-than-expected revenue.
Amazon and the others are making money hand over fist, but revenue growth, while substantial, has been less than expected.
The tech selling spread to the Dow, which fell as many as 539 points.
The index was recently down about 350 points, or 1.5%.
The S&P 500 declined 2% and at one point joined the Nasdaq in a correction.
The S&P 500 has since climbed out of correction territory, which means a 10% decline from previous highs.
Friday's slide is just the latest in a series of wild moves on Wall Street.
The Dow soared 401 points on Thursday, after plunging more than 600 points the day before.
A variety of fears have sent stocks into a tailspin this month.
All of the Dow and S&P 500's gains for the year have been wiped out.
And the Nasdaq is on track for its worst month since November 2008.
. . . .
New numbers released on Friday show the US economy grew at a healthy 3.5% pace in the third quarter.
The GDP growth, largely in line with expectations, represents a modest deceleration from the brisk 4.2% growth in the fourth quarter.
Colas said he's confident the bull market isn't over. Investors are merely anticipating a deceleration in profit and economic growth.
"I strongly believe this is a correction. Underlying economic fundamentals are still very good," said Colas.
Suspect arrested for the mailing of bombs
Florida man to be charged over mail bombs; Booker, Clapper latest to be sent packages
A Trumpist crackpot, exactly as expected.
But the lunatic right that Trump has far too effectively mainstreamed into dominance of the Republican Party is certain it's a deep state frameup arranged by Democrats.
And it's not just the nuts who write comments on blogs.
High profile conservatives claim its a Democratic hoax.
Not a word from the Duce telling his folks to chill or expressing regret for his habitual incendiary, lunatic rhetoric.
Trump says media coverage of explosive devices slowing GOP momentum ahead of elections
President Trump in 3 a.m. tweet: CNN is 'blaming me' for suspicious packages
Gingrich: Media Has [sic]‘Earned’ Label Of Enemy Of The People
GOP sees new bomb scare victim: Trump
Many Trump allies say a terroristic attack on Democratic leaders has become a media conspiracy to undermine the president ahead of the November midterms.
A day after several leading Democrats were found to have been targeted by package bombs, Republicans have identified one of their own as a victim: President Donald Trump.
As of Thursday afternoon, less than 36 hours after the first packages were discovered, White House officials and outside advisers bitterly protested the notion that Trump’s vitriolic rhetoric might have inspired whoever sent the packages.
. . . .
“Look, it’s the media’s doing what the media does, which is any narrative that they can twist against Trump, they will do so,” Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
In an interview with POLITICO, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who traveled Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence on Air Force Two, said past incidents in which Republican politicians were threatened drew far less coverage than this week’s attempted bombings, which have dominated news coverage for two days running.
“I don’t think the same level of media scrutiny was received as we are seeing today,” Lewandowski said, citing incidents in which letters with white powder (later found to be harmless) were sent to the president’s sons, as well as threats against Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Maine) during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fight.
"I think it is absolutely disgraceful that one of the first public statements we heard from CNN yesterday was to put the blame and responsibility of this despicable act on the president and on me personally,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News on Thursday.
A Trumpist crackpot, exactly as expected.
But the lunatic right that Trump has far too effectively mainstreamed into dominance of the Republican Party is certain it's a deep state frameup arranged by Democrats.
And it's not just the nuts who write comments on blogs.
High profile conservatives claim its a Democratic hoax.
Not a word from the Duce telling his folks to chill or expressing regret for his habitual incendiary, lunatic rhetoric.
Trump says media coverage of explosive devices slowing GOP momentum ahead of elections
President Trump in 3 a.m. tweet: CNN is 'blaming me' for suspicious packages
Gingrich: Media Has [sic]‘Earned’ Label Of Enemy Of The People
GOP sees new bomb scare victim: Trump
Many Trump allies say a terroristic attack on Democratic leaders has become a media conspiracy to undermine the president ahead of the November midterms.
A day after several leading Democrats were found to have been targeted by package bombs, Republicans have identified one of their own as a victim: President Donald Trump.
As of Thursday afternoon, less than 36 hours after the first packages were discovered, White House officials and outside advisers bitterly protested the notion that Trump’s vitriolic rhetoric might have inspired whoever sent the packages.
. . . .
“Look, it’s the media’s doing what the media does, which is any narrative that they can twist against Trump, they will do so,” Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt.
In an interview with POLITICO, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who traveled Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence on Air Force Two, said past incidents in which Republican politicians were threatened drew far less coverage than this week’s attempted bombings, which have dominated news coverage for two days running.
“I don’t think the same level of media scrutiny was received as we are seeing today,” Lewandowski said, citing incidents in which letters with white powder (later found to be harmless) were sent to the president’s sons, as well as threats against Sen. Susan Collins’ (R-Maine) during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fight.
"I think it is absolutely disgraceful that one of the first public statements we heard from CNN yesterday was to put the blame and responsibility of this despicable act on the president and on me personally,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told Fox News on Thursday.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Blackface
Olivier played the title role in a film of Othello in which they painted him black, stuffed up his butt, and had him walk in a manner somebody must have told him looked black.
Interestingly, a theme of the play is the racism of the whites around him, including Desdemona's father, and how the sense of social isolation it produces in him makes him all the more vulnerable to Iago's campaign to make him believe Desdemona has been unfaithful.
Olivier's Mahdi in Khartoum was of the same ilk.
Of course, he was brilliant in both.
I was advised ages ago that in Japanese theater if a Japanese actor played a white character he commonly did it in whiteface.
Theatrical conventions just are what they are.
The PC police who denounce these conventions as racist are the same sort of folks who not long ago denounced a white girl for "cultural appropriation" and racism, both, for wearing a beautiful dress of a traditional Chinese type.
Paul Simon got the same treatment for some of the cuts on Graceland.
Interestingly, a theme of the play is the racism of the whites around him, including Desdemona's father, and how the sense of social isolation it produces in him makes him all the more vulnerable to Iago's campaign to make him believe Desdemona has been unfaithful.
Olivier's Mahdi in Khartoum was of the same ilk.
Of course, he was brilliant in both.
I was advised ages ago that in Japanese theater if a Japanese actor played a white character he commonly did it in whiteface.
Theatrical conventions just are what they are.
The PC police who denounce these conventions as racist are the same sort of folks who not long ago denounced a white girl for "cultural appropriation" and racism, both, for wearing a beautiful dress of a traditional Chinese type.
Paul Simon got the same treatment for some of the cuts on Graceland.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
It won't last
Leading Republicans, including Trump, are playing the responsible leaders, unequivocally and firmly condemning the bomb attacks today on the Clintons and Obamas, the CNN office in NYC and Debbie Wasserman Schultz's office in Florida, and the Soros residence yesterday.
Tomorrow or the day after, Bozo and others will be suggesting the devices were sent by Democrats to put an end to talk of the Dems as violent mobs in right wing discourse and media.
Particularly since Dems and Dem media are not being shy about blaming the Republicans and the Duce, in particular, for his demonization of Dem media, Democrats, and these specific individuals, as well as his encouragement of political thuggery.
Suspicious packages
Update: a similar package sent to Eric Holder, Obama's AG, has been intercepted.
The authorities say all the packages are of the same design, likely from the same source, and none has actually exploded.
It is not yet certain they are genuinely dangerous and not faux bombs.
Update 10252018, 1213 hrs EDT.
Joe Biden and Robert De Niro have got packages, along with Maxine Waters.
Yes, it's Trumps enemies list.
Police now say the bombs are rudimentary but quite real and functional.
Various right wing blowhards are peddling the conspiracy theory about all the bombs that they were already peddling when the only bomb known was the one sent to Soros.
It's a Democrat plot.
Tomorrow or the day after, Bozo and others will be suggesting the devices were sent by Democrats to put an end to talk of the Dems as violent mobs in right wing discourse and media.
Particularly since Dems and Dem media are not being shy about blaming the Republicans and the Duce, in particular, for his demonization of Dem media, Democrats, and these specific individuals, as well as his encouragement of political thuggery.
Suspicious packages
Update: a similar package sent to Eric Holder, Obama's AG, has been intercepted.
The authorities say all the packages are of the same design, likely from the same source, and none has actually exploded.
It is not yet certain they are genuinely dangerous and not faux bombs.
Update 10252018, 1213 hrs EDT.
Joe Biden and Robert De Niro have got packages, along with Maxine Waters.
Yes, it's Trumps enemies list.
Police now say the bombs are rudimentary but quite real and functional.
Various right wing blowhards are peddling the conspiracy theory about all the bombs that they were already peddling when the only bomb known was the one sent to Soros.
It's a Democrat plot.
Progress
18th Century intellectuals thought progress in the sciences meant a better life, a more democratic life, for all.
Who believes that now, in the age of the Terminator movies?
When the "smartest man in the world" has told us to hide from aliens and desperately fear AI?
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
The terrifying fool in the White House means ill, and breaks things
And he may actually produce a red wave of support from the fools who mean ill, themselves, and laugh when he breaks things.
Friday, October 19, 2018
An epic liar whose followers believe half and laugh at the other half
Eugene Robinson: Trump's lies threaten our democracy
President Trump's constant, relentless, remorseless lying is a central feature of his presidency, an unprecedented threat to our democracy and — in my view — an impeachable offense.
. . . .
When Trump insists on his own invented "facts," he makes reality-based political dialogue impossible.
His utter disregard for truth is a subversion of our democracy and a dereliction of his duty as president.
The Founders considered themselves men of honor whose word was their bond.
They left us the vague, encompassing phrase "high crimes and misdemeanors" for just such an emergency.
President Trump's constant, relentless, remorseless lying is a central feature of his presidency, an unprecedented threat to our democracy and — in my view — an impeachable offense.
. . . .
When Trump insists on his own invented "facts," he makes reality-based political dialogue impossible.
His utter disregard for truth is a subversion of our democracy and a dereliction of his duty as president.
The Founders considered themselves men of honor whose word was their bond.
They left us the vague, encompassing phrase "high crimes and misdemeanors" for just such an emergency.
This is our country, today
Trump praises assault on journalist in midst of Khashoggi cover-up
And the shiny-faced white crowds just LOVE him.
And the shiny-faced white crowds just LOVE him.
Can't walk and chew gum?
Too stupid to multi-task?
Joe Biden Is Right, Democrats Must Not Impeach Trump If They Win The House
President Trump will not let them undo the damage done by him and the GOP over the last two years.
The Dems might as well run out the clock on his term with investigations of corruption, abuse of power, crimes, and failures to "see that the laws are faithfully executed" by him and others in his administration, as well as hearings aimed at drafting articles of impeachment.
The point would be to maximally dirty up both Bozo, personally, and Republicans generally, heading into the presidentials of 2020.
Joe Biden Is Right, Democrats Must Not Impeach Trump If They Win The House
President Trump will not let them undo the damage done by him and the GOP over the last two years.
The Dems might as well run out the clock on his term with investigations of corruption, abuse of power, crimes, and failures to "see that the laws are faithfully executed" by him and others in his administration, as well as hearings aimed at drafting articles of impeachment.
The point would be to maximally dirty up both Bozo, personally, and Republicans generally, heading into the presidentials of 2020.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
No writer of the first rank does that
Say "yes" when she means "no".
He laughed good naturedly at the rebuke.
"Do you mind if we take a detour?"
"Sure," she said, finding the Tupperware under a pillow.
Reading Indelible, by Karin Slaughter.
Trying his best to convince us? Or to convince the Believers?
ISIS and al-Qaeda theological authorities - the kind who validate the idea that Islam is the preeminent religion of war - , are you reading this guy?
The essence of the Qur'an is compassionate love
The essence of the Qur'an is compassionate love
Now that McCain is gone . . . .
Republicans Will Repeal Obamacare If They Get The Chance, Mitch McConnell Says
Republicans could make another run at repealing the Affordable Care Act if they retain control of Congress next year, the Senate’s GOP leader said on Wednesday.
The statement, which Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made in an interview with Reuters, came in response to a question about what the GOP had accomplished since President Donald Trump took office ― and what business McConnell felt was unfinished.
He called the failure to repeal the law known as Obamacare his singular disappointment but promised that Republicans haven’t given up.
“If we had the votes to completely start over, we’d do it,” McConnell said.
“But that depends on what happens in a couple weeks. ... We’re not satisfied with the way Obamacare is working.”
I guess it looks a little too much like Venezuela.
Republicans could make another run at repealing the Affordable Care Act if they retain control of Congress next year, the Senate’s GOP leader said on Wednesday.
The statement, which Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made in an interview with Reuters, came in response to a question about what the GOP had accomplished since President Donald Trump took office ― and what business McConnell felt was unfinished.
He called the failure to repeal the law known as Obamacare his singular disappointment but promised that Republicans haven’t given up.
“If we had the votes to completely start over, we’d do it,” McConnell said.
“But that depends on what happens in a couple weeks. ... We’re not satisfied with the way Obamacare is working.”
I guess it looks a little too much like Venezuela.
Trump - OK, his man Pence - asks the Saudis to investigate a crime they are accused of?
Why not?
He asked Putin whether the Russians messed with the 2016 elections, and took their word over the word of "the deep state" and the lying media.
He asked Kavanaugh whether he sexually assaulted Ms. Ford and took his word over that of his accuser.
He expects us to take his word ("No collusion!") over that of Mueller, if the latter ever accuses him.
He asked Putin whether the Russians messed with the 2016 elections, and took their word over the word of "the deep state" and the lying media.
He asked Kavanaugh whether he sexually assaulted Ms. Ford and took his word over that of his accuser.
He expects us to take his word ("No collusion!") over that of Mueller, if the latter ever accuses him.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
With enough money you can get away with anything
and sell the biggest lies.
Arabie Saoudite. Le vrai visage de Mohammed ben Salmane
Riyad dépense des millions de dollars dans des campagnes de communication présentant le prince héritier saoudien comme “progressiste”.
Mais pour l’hebdomadaire américain Newsweek, Mohammed ben Salmane, qui mène une répression brutale tout en ménageant Al-Qaida, incarne plutôt la contre-révolution.
Wahhabism, al-Qaeda, abject despotism, and a family fortune of a TRILLION dollars.
This is a part of the world where the most insane corruption born of the most insane wealth masquerades - successfully and with Western encouragement - as commitment to Western values.
Selon une enquête de l’agence Associated Press, l’Arabie Saoudite et les Émirats arabes unis ont conclu une alliance tacite avec des combattants d’Al- Qaida au Yémen, autorisant ces derniers à quitter les lieux avec des armes, du matériel et près de 100 millions de dollars en argent liquide provenant de pillages.
Beaucoup d’entre eux ont même été intégrés aux forces de coalition saoudiennes, ce qui a contribué à renforcer la branche la plus dangereuse du réseau extrémiste à l’origine des attentats du 11 Septembre.
Selon des estimations du gouvernement américain, le nombre de membres d’Al-Qaida au Yémen s’élève à 8 000 et ne cesse d’augmenter.
En mars dernier, sous la houlette du [leader démocrate américain] Bernie Sanders, seuls 44 sénateurs américains sur 100 ont approuvé une résolution visant à faire cesser immédiatement le soutien apporté par les États-Unis à l’effort de guerre saoudien.
Mais ils se sont promis de ne pas abandonner.
Arabie Saoudite. Le vrai visage de Mohammed ben Salmane
Riyad dépense des millions de dollars dans des campagnes de communication présentant le prince héritier saoudien comme “progressiste”.
Mais pour l’hebdomadaire américain Newsweek, Mohammed ben Salmane, qui mène une répression brutale tout en ménageant Al-Qaida, incarne plutôt la contre-révolution.
Wahhabism, al-Qaeda, abject despotism, and a family fortune of a TRILLION dollars.
This is a part of the world where the most insane corruption born of the most insane wealth masquerades - successfully and with Western encouragement - as commitment to Western values.
Selon une enquête de l’agence Associated Press, l’Arabie Saoudite et les Émirats arabes unis ont conclu une alliance tacite avec des combattants d’Al- Qaida au Yémen, autorisant ces derniers à quitter les lieux avec des armes, du matériel et près de 100 millions de dollars en argent liquide provenant de pillages.
Beaucoup d’entre eux ont même été intégrés aux forces de coalition saoudiennes, ce qui a contribué à renforcer la branche la plus dangereuse du réseau extrémiste à l’origine des attentats du 11 Septembre.
Selon des estimations du gouvernement américain, le nombre de membres d’Al-Qaida au Yémen s’élève à 8 000 et ne cesse d’augmenter.
En mars dernier, sous la houlette du [leader démocrate américain] Bernie Sanders, seuls 44 sénateurs américains sur 100 ont approuvé une résolution visant à faire cesser immédiatement le soutien apporté par les États-Unis à l’effort de guerre saoudien.
Mais ils se sont promis de ne pas abandonner.
The other shoe
Oh, are we surprised.
McConnell demands Social Security cuts to pay for failed GOP tax scam
Less than a year after Republicans passed their scam to give massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy — adding more than $1 trillion to the deficit — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is now pushing for cuts to Medicare and Social Security to make up the difference.
Republicans, who rammed their bill through the Senate without a single Democratic vote, were warned last year that their tax bill would explode the deficit, but they didn’t care, even though they routinely claimed concern about it when Barack Obama was president.
“I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is probably unattainable,” McConnell said in 2011.
Now he’s telling a different story.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s not a Republican problem,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg. Instead, he says, it’s a “bipartisan problem,” and the solution is for Democrats to help him gut America’s safety net.
It would be “very difficult to do entitlement reform, and we’re talking about Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid,” McConnell said.
Rather than admit what a disaster his party’s tax scam has been, he claims the programs that millions of Americans rely on is “the real driver of the debt.”
In a statement responding to McConnell, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Under the GOP’s twisted agenda, we can afford tax cuts for billionaires, but not the benefits our seniors have earned.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also slammed McConnell’s proposal.
“To now suggest cutting earned middle-class programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid as the only fiscally responsible solution to solve the debt problem is nothing short of gaslighting,” he said.
McConnell demands Social Security cuts to pay for failed GOP tax scam
Less than a year after Republicans passed their scam to give massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy — adding more than $1 trillion to the deficit — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is now pushing for cuts to Medicare and Social Security to make up the difference.
Republicans, who rammed their bill through the Senate without a single Democratic vote, were warned last year that their tax bill would explode the deficit, but they didn’t care, even though they routinely claimed concern about it when Barack Obama was president.
“I have little question that as long as this president is in the Oval Office, a real solution is probably unattainable,” McConnell said in 2011.
Now he’s telling a different story.
“It’s disappointing, but it’s not a Republican problem,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg. Instead, he says, it’s a “bipartisan problem,” and the solution is for Democrats to help him gut America’s safety net.
It would be “very difficult to do entitlement reform, and we’re talking about Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid,” McConnell said.
Rather than admit what a disaster his party’s tax scam has been, he claims the programs that millions of Americans rely on is “the real driver of the debt.”
In a statement responding to McConnell, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Under the GOP’s twisted agenda, we can afford tax cuts for billionaires, but not the benefits our seniors have earned.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also slammed McConnell’s proposal.
“To now suggest cutting earned middle-class programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid as the only fiscally responsible solution to solve the debt problem is nothing short of gaslighting,” he said.
Ah, well put
Trump aptly likens accusations of Saudis to accusations of Kavanaugh, both being guilty and the guilt of both being denied by him.
Donald Trump has defended Saudi Arabia against mounting international condemnation of the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, warning against a rush to judgment as his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, headed to Turkey to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The US president in an interview with the Associated Press, compared the case of Khashoggi – whom Turkish officials say was murdered in the Saudis’ Istanbul consulate – to allegations of sexual assault levelled against the supreme court justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.
“I think we have to find out what happened first,” Trump said.
“Here we go again with, you know, you’re guilty until proven innocent. I don’t like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I’m concerned,” Trump said.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Well OK, then
Democrats Must Expand The Supreme Court
Why Democrats Should Pack the Supreme Court
Despite Democrats’ having won the popular vote in six of the last seven presidential elections, the Supreme Court has not had a liberal majority since 1969.
Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell straight-out stole the seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia early in 2016, a seat that should have been filled by President Barack Obama’s nominee (Merrick Garland), liberals are unlikely to control the Court for at least another couple of decades.
As has been frequently noted, recently appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were nominated to the Court by a president who lost the popular vote by nearly three million votes, and were then confirmed by a majority of senators who represented minorities of the American population.
Even before the appointment of Justice Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court—which has always been a political institution—had become an adjunct of the Republican Party.
. . . .
However, on this occasion, there is an obvious response to the concern that if Democrats pack the Court, Republicans will just pack in further in their favor at the next opportunity: Republicans are already packing the courts.
As already noted, Senator McConnell stole the seat that should have gone to Merrick Garland.
Over the last two years of the Obama presidency, Senator McConnell blocked every presidential nominee to the federal appellate courts but one; in the first two years of Trump’s presidency, McConnell has secured the confirmation of nearly thirty federal appellate judges.
As noted, Republicans in North Carolina and Florida are openly announcing plans to pack those states’ supreme courts after the 2018 elections.
In that political context, for Democrats not to respond in kind is to commit political suicide.
Why Democrats Should Pack the Supreme Court
Despite Democrats’ having won the popular vote in six of the last seven presidential elections, the Supreme Court has not had a liberal majority since 1969.
Because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell straight-out stole the seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia early in 2016, a seat that should have been filled by President Barack Obama’s nominee (Merrick Garland), liberals are unlikely to control the Court for at least another couple of decades.
As has been frequently noted, recently appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were nominated to the Court by a president who lost the popular vote by nearly three million votes, and were then confirmed by a majority of senators who represented minorities of the American population.
Even before the appointment of Justice Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court—which has always been a political institution—had become an adjunct of the Republican Party.
. . . .
However, on this occasion, there is an obvious response to the concern that if Democrats pack the Court, Republicans will just pack in further in their favor at the next opportunity: Republicans are already packing the courts.
As already noted, Senator McConnell stole the seat that should have gone to Merrick Garland.
Over the last two years of the Obama presidency, Senator McConnell blocked every presidential nominee to the federal appellate courts but one; in the first two years of Trump’s presidency, McConnell has secured the confirmation of nearly thirty federal appellate judges.
As noted, Republicans in North Carolina and Florida are openly announcing plans to pack those states’ supreme courts after the 2018 elections.
In that political context, for Democrats not to respond in kind is to commit political suicide.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Karin Slaughter
Her books are wonderful, but her command of English is wanting.
"Instead of a building, there was a house . . . "
Also, data is a plural noun of which datum is the singular.
It might be said that these points are aesthetic rather than crucial for meaning and reflective of literary learning, as is so much of schoolhouse grammar.
Exactly.
The Kept Woman.
What's up with these angry redskins?
I would never have thought having a single Indian ancestor, and one so remote, would enable anyone to call himself an Indian or seek official membership in some actual tribe.
Nor has it been reported she or anyone in her family has done that.
So what's up with this?
Cherokee Nation Criticizes Elizabeth Warren Over DNA Test: ‘Undermining Tribal Interests’ With Heritage Claims
No idea what his problem is.
And there's this.
Most tribes use their membership rolls dating back decades, requiring a direct descendant or blood quantum.
Warren claims Cherokee and Delaware heritage -- both of which use membership rolls to determine who qualifies for tribal citizenship, which Warren has never claimed.
Cherokee Nation principal chief Bill John Baker is 1/32 Cherokee by blood.
Nor has it been reported she or anyone in her family has done that.
So what's up with this?
Cherokee Nation Criticizes Elizabeth Warren Over DNA Test: ‘Undermining Tribal Interests’ With Heritage Claims
No idea what his problem is.
And there's this.
Most tribes use their membership rolls dating back decades, requiring a direct descendant or blood quantum.
Warren claims Cherokee and Delaware heritage -- both of which use membership rolls to determine who qualifies for tribal citizenship, which Warren has never claimed.
Cherokee Nation principal chief Bill John Baker is 1/32 Cherokee by blood.
Trump stiffs another one
The tycoon who regularly gypped tradespeople who were foolish enough to do work for him is welching, again.
Trump says 'who cares' after Warren takes DNA test, denies $1 million offer
The Boston Globe investigated claims she had exploited her ancestry for affirmative action in her career, somehow, and found nothing to confirm them at all.
And it turns out the supposed family tradition of her having remote Native American ancestry are accurate.
President Donald Trump claims he "didn't say" that he would pay $1 million to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren for taking DNA test to review her Native American heritage, after she released the results of one on Monday morning.
"Who cares?" Trump said when asked about the DNA test.
In fact, Trump did promise $1 million, during a July rally, but only if the test showed she was "an Indian."
At a rally in July, Trump said: "And we will say, 'I will give you a million dollars, paid for by Trump, to your favorite charity if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian ... we'll see what she does. I have a feeling she will say no but we will hold it for the debates."
Later Monday, Trump said he did not owe Warren the money, saying that was contingent on her winning the nomination.
Well, no, I guess that one Native American ancestor, that far back, doesn't show she's "an Indian."
Or are we supposed to be following some sort of "one drop" rule?
But apparently that's not his reason for refusing to pay up.
That is, he accepts that his challenge was for her to show her family lore of a remote Indian ancestor was true.
And she did that.
Trump says 'who cares' after Warren takes DNA test, denies $1 million offer
The Boston Globe investigated claims she had exploited her ancestry for affirmative action in her career, somehow, and found nothing to confirm them at all.
And it turns out the supposed family tradition of her having remote Native American ancestry are accurate.
President Donald Trump claims he "didn't say" that he would pay $1 million to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren for taking DNA test to review her Native American heritage, after she released the results of one on Monday morning.
"Who cares?" Trump said when asked about the DNA test.
When pressed on the once-promised $1 million payment, Trump responded: "I didn't say that. You better read it again."
In fact, Trump did promise $1 million, during a July rally, but only if the test showed she was "an Indian."
At a rally in July, Trump said: "And we will say, 'I will give you a million dollars, paid for by Trump, to your favorite charity if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian ... we'll see what she does. I have a feeling she will say no but we will hold it for the debates."
Later Monday, Trump said he did not owe Warren the money, saying that was contingent on her winning the nomination.
Well, no, I guess that one Native American ancestor, that far back, doesn't show she's "an Indian."
Or are we supposed to be following some sort of "one drop" rule?
But apparently that's not his reason for refusing to pay up.
That is, he accepts that his challenge was for her to show her family lore of a remote Indian ancestor was true.
And she did that.
Got a phone scam call, today
It's a robo-call, and the recording begins asking "Will you participate in a one-question survey?"
Sure.
"President Trump has called CNN reporters 'enemies of the people', the Mueller investigation a 'witch-hunt', and news critical of him 'fake news'.
"If you agree with these statements press 1. If you disagree press 2."
I press 2.
A guy comes on sounding like an exceptionally angry Democratic activist and vents for a moment or two.
Then he asks for financial support.
Then I hang up.
Had I pressed 1, a guy would have come on sounding like Trump in a really raging mood.
And then he would have asked for my credit card information.
Sure.
"President Trump has called CNN reporters 'enemies of the people', the Mueller investigation a 'witch-hunt', and news critical of him 'fake news'.
"If you agree with these statements press 1. If you disagree press 2."
I press 2.
A guy comes on sounding like an exceptionally angry Democratic activist and vents for a moment or two.
Then he asks for financial support.
Then I hang up.
Had I pressed 1, a guy would have come on sounding like Trump in a really raging mood.
And then he would have asked for my credit card information.
Fear of death is a phobia
Like fear of heights or enclosed spaces.
And how would that make sense, evolutionarily?
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Clash of the uglies
Will the oafish admirer of autocrats who calls his adversaries in the press "enemies of the people" and has abused his power in seeking to do some of them harm really pursue "severe punishment" of the reformist autocrat who has apparently ordered the murder of an annoying critic in the press?
He is very clear he won't cancel the arms deal.
But what if they do, in response to something he does by way of "punishment"?
Saudi Arabia Rejects Trump Comments, Threatens Retaliation For Any Punishment
Turkish officials say they fear Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi after he entered the consulate, saying they have audio and video recordings of it that they have not released.
The kingdom has called the allegations “baseless,” but has offered no evidence the writer ever left the consulate.
Hmm. A pattern emerges.
He can't say there was Russian interference because Putin and the other Russians deny it.
He rejects charges against Kavanaugh because Kavanaugh denies them.
He saying the claims the Saudis killed that fellow might well be false because the Saudis deny them.
This from a man whose own vehement denials are so often so egregiously lies.
By the way, one of his and other Republicans' current campaign charges is that Democrats want to turn America into Venezuela.
That, of course, is just another lie.
Democrats want to turn America into Denmark. Or maybe Norway. Or Sweden.
Well, at least Canada.
Medicare for all, you know.
Right up until Kavanaugh and the conservative majority of the Supremes tell us that not only Medicare but Social Security and every other progressive creation all the way back to the New Deal, or even McKinley, is unconstitutional.
He is very clear he won't cancel the arms deal.
But what if they do, in response to something he does by way of "punishment"?
Saudi Arabia Rejects Trump Comments, Threatens Retaliation For Any Punishment
Turkish officials say they fear Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi after he entered the consulate, saying they have audio and video recordings of it that they have not released.
The kingdom has called the allegations “baseless,” but has offered no evidence the writer ever left the consulate.
Hmm. A pattern emerges.
He can't say there was Russian interference because Putin and the other Russians deny it.
He rejects charges against Kavanaugh because Kavanaugh denies them.
He saying the claims the Saudis killed that fellow might well be false because the Saudis deny them.
This from a man whose own vehement denials are so often so egregiously lies.
By the way, one of his and other Republicans' current campaign charges is that Democrats want to turn America into Venezuela.
That, of course, is just another lie.
Democrats want to turn America into Denmark. Or maybe Norway. Or Sweden.
Well, at least Canada.
Medicare for all, you know.
Right up until Kavanaugh and the conservative majority of the Supremes tell us that not only Medicare but Social Security and every other progressive creation all the way back to the New Deal, or even McKinley, is unconstitutional.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
The burden of proof
Personally, I think it is such obvious gibberish even at first blush that the burden of proof is entirely on them to show it is not utter nonsense.
The moral vocabulary in moral use.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Pope Francis accepts Wuerl's resignation
Pope Francis accepts resignation of Cardinal Wuerl in wake of sex-abuse scandals
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl after he became entangled in two major sexual abuse and cover-up scandals and lost the support of many in his flock.
Wuerl, who turns 78 in November, becomes the most prominent head to roll in the scandal roiling the Catholic Church after his predecessor as Washington archbishop, Theodore McCarrick, was forced to resign as cardinal over allegations he sexually abused at least two minors and adult seminarians.
A Vatican statement Friday said Francis had accepted Wuerl’s resignation, but named no replacement; Wuerl’s office said he had been asked to stay on in a temporary capacity until a new archbishop is found.
The Latest: Pennsylvania prosecutor critical of Wuerl deal
The prosecutor who released a grand jury report in August on rampant sex abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses says it is unacceptable that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl is retiring with no apparent consequences.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said Friday the grand jury report and diocesan records documented Wuerl oversaw and participated in a systematic cover up of child sexual abuse by clergymen while leading the Pittsburgh diocese.
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl after he became entangled in two major sexual abuse and cover-up scandals and lost the support of many in his flock.
Wuerl, who turns 78 in November, becomes the most prominent head to roll in the scandal roiling the Catholic Church after his predecessor as Washington archbishop, Theodore McCarrick, was forced to resign as cardinal over allegations he sexually abused at least two minors and adult seminarians.
A Vatican statement Friday said Francis had accepted Wuerl’s resignation, but named no replacement; Wuerl’s office said he had been asked to stay on in a temporary capacity until a new archbishop is found.
The Latest: Pennsylvania prosecutor critical of Wuerl deal
The prosecutor who released a grand jury report in August on rampant sex abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses says it is unacceptable that Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl is retiring with no apparent consequences.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania said Friday the grand jury report and diocesan records documented Wuerl oversaw and participated in a systematic cover up of child sexual abuse by clergymen while leading the Pittsburgh diocese.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
The new devil's dictionary
Patriotism. n. Willing support for every or participation in any war or military action urged or supported by Republicans.
Damn, girl
"So if this was like Midsomer Murders and you were asking if Dale had any enemies, the answer is that he went out of his way to make enemies."
Karin Slaughter, The Kept Woman.
Some sights you can't un-see
Kanye West in the Oval Office explaining the necessity of protectionist trade and industrial policies in a near tirade to an occasionally nodding, silent, and attentive Bozo.
Surrounded by newsies firing off their cameras.
Surrounded by newsies firing off their cameras.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
A surprising number of people believe this Big Lie
The Republicans and Donald Trump are the true friends of the American (white) working class, and want to protect them from the Democrats who are not their friends but their enemies.
Ditto seniors, Social Security, and Medicare.
His fans believe this.
And they believe that absurd nonsense about Venezuela.
Donald Trump: Democrats 'Medicare for All' plan will demolish promises to seniors
I also made a solemn promise to our great seniors to protect Medicare.
That is why I am fighting so hard against the Democrats' plan that would eviscerate Medicare.
Democrats have already harmed seniors by slashing Medicare by more than $800 billion over 10 years to pay for Obamacare.
Likewise, Democrats would gut Medicare with their planned government takeover of American health care.
The Democrats' plan means that after a life of hard work and sacrifice, seniors would no longer be able to depend on the benefits they were promised.
By eliminating Medicare as a program for seniors, and outlawing the ability of Americans to enroll in private and employer-based plans, the Democratic plan would inevitably lead to the massive rationing of health care.
Doctors and hospitals would be put out of business.
Seniors would lose access to their favorite doctors.
There would be long wait lines for appointments and procedures.
Previously covered care would effectively be denied.
In practice, the Democratic Party’s so-called Medicare for All would really be Medicare for None. Under the Democrats' plan, today’s Medicare would be forced to die.
The Democrats' plan also would mean the end of choice for seniors over their own health care decisions.
Instead, Democrats would give total power and control over seniors’ health care decisions to the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.
The first thing the Democratic plan will do to end choice for seniors is eliminate Medicare Advantage plans for about 20 million seniors as well as eliminate other private health plans that seniors currently use to supplement their Medicare coverage.
Next, the Democrats would eliminate every American’s private and employer-based health plan.
It is right there in their proposed legislation:
Democrats outlaw private health plans that offer the same benefits as the government plan.
Americans might think that such an extreme, anti-senior, anti-choice and anti-consumer proposal for government-run health care would find little support among Democrats in Congress.
Unfortunately, they would be wrong: 123 Democrats in the House of Representatives — 64 percent of House Democrats — as well as 15 Democrats in the Senate have already formally co-sponsored this legislation.
Democratic nominees for governor in Florida, California and Maryland are all campaigning in support of it, as are many Democratic congressional candidates.
The truth is that the centrist Democratic Party is dead.
The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela.
If Democrats win control of Congress this November, we will come dangerously closer to socialism in America.
Government-run health care is just the beginning.
Democrats are also pushing massive government control of education, private-sector businesses and other major sectors of the U.S. economy.
. . . .
Today’s Democratic Party is for open-borders socialism.
This radical agenda would destroy American prosperity. Under its vision, costs will spiral out of control.
Taxes will skyrocket.
And Democrats will seek to slash budgets for seniors’ Medicare, Social Security and defense.
Republicans believe that a Medicare program that was created for seniors and paid for by seniors their entire lives should always be protected and preserved.
I am committed to resolutely defending Medicare and Social Security from the radical socialist plans of the Democrats.
For the sake of our country, our prosperity, our seniors and all Americans — this is a fight we must win.
Well, what the heck.
Many do and others will believe that utter horseshit about civil war, too.
Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, beloved paragons of movement conservatism, both denounced Medicare before its creation as Communism's nose under the American tent, guaranteed to destroy American liberty in short order.
(Much as their elders had said of Social Security in 1935.)
Because Democrats want to destroy American capitalism and are determined to replace it with total - and totalitarian - socialism.
Between the bareknuckle capitalism of the McKinley era and out-and-out Stalinism there is no real stopping point.
The Dems want to go the whole way.
Ditto seniors, Social Security, and Medicare.
His fans believe this.
And they believe that absurd nonsense about Venezuela.
Donald Trump: Democrats 'Medicare for All' plan will demolish promises to seniors
I also made a solemn promise to our great seniors to protect Medicare.
That is why I am fighting so hard against the Democrats' plan that would eviscerate Medicare.
Democrats have already harmed seniors by slashing Medicare by more than $800 billion over 10 years to pay for Obamacare.
Likewise, Democrats would gut Medicare with their planned government takeover of American health care.
The Democrats' plan means that after a life of hard work and sacrifice, seniors would no longer be able to depend on the benefits they were promised.
By eliminating Medicare as a program for seniors, and outlawing the ability of Americans to enroll in private and employer-based plans, the Democratic plan would inevitably lead to the massive rationing of health care.
Doctors and hospitals would be put out of business.
Seniors would lose access to their favorite doctors.
There would be long wait lines for appointments and procedures.
Previously covered care would effectively be denied.
In practice, the Democratic Party’s so-called Medicare for All would really be Medicare for None. Under the Democrats' plan, today’s Medicare would be forced to die.
The Democrats' plan also would mean the end of choice for seniors over their own health care decisions.
Instead, Democrats would give total power and control over seniors’ health care decisions to the bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.
The first thing the Democratic plan will do to end choice for seniors is eliminate Medicare Advantage plans for about 20 million seniors as well as eliminate other private health plans that seniors currently use to supplement their Medicare coverage.
Next, the Democrats would eliminate every American’s private and employer-based health plan.
It is right there in their proposed legislation:
Democrats outlaw private health plans that offer the same benefits as the government plan.
Americans might think that such an extreme, anti-senior, anti-choice and anti-consumer proposal for government-run health care would find little support among Democrats in Congress.
Unfortunately, they would be wrong: 123 Democrats in the House of Representatives — 64 percent of House Democrats — as well as 15 Democrats in the Senate have already formally co-sponsored this legislation.
Democratic nominees for governor in Florida, California and Maryland are all campaigning in support of it, as are many Democratic congressional candidates.
The truth is that the centrist Democratic Party is dead.
The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America’s economy after Venezuela.
If Democrats win control of Congress this November, we will come dangerously closer to socialism in America.
Government-run health care is just the beginning.
Democrats are also pushing massive government control of education, private-sector businesses and other major sectors of the U.S. economy.
. . . .
Today’s Democratic Party is for open-borders socialism.
This radical agenda would destroy American prosperity. Under its vision, costs will spiral out of control.
Taxes will skyrocket.
And Democrats will seek to slash budgets for seniors’ Medicare, Social Security and defense.
Republicans believe that a Medicare program that was created for seniors and paid for by seniors their entire lives should always be protected and preserved.
I am committed to resolutely defending Medicare and Social Security from the radical socialist plans of the Democrats.
For the sake of our country, our prosperity, our seniors and all Americans — this is a fight we must win.
Well, what the heck.
Many do and others will believe that utter horseshit about civil war, too.
Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, beloved paragons of movement conservatism, both denounced Medicare before its creation as Communism's nose under the American tent, guaranteed to destroy American liberty in short order.
(Much as their elders had said of Social Security in 1935.)
Because Democrats want to destroy American capitalism and are determined to replace it with total - and totalitarian - socialism.
Between the bareknuckle capitalism of the McKinley era and out-and-out Stalinism there is no real stopping point.
The Dems want to go the whole way.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
A clearly necessary reform
Particularly in view of how long it takes to get to trial.
California Becomes First State To End Cash Bail After 40-Year Fight
The case against cash bail
Bernie Sanders' cash bail bill seeks to end 'modern day debtors' prisons'
Sanders’ No Money Bail Act is a companion to a measure introduced in the House by the California congressman Ted Lieu last year.
The proposal would forbid the “payment of money as a condition of pre-trial release with respect to a criminal case”.
The proposal would strip federal anti-crime funding from states that fail to replace their money bail system with risk-assessment alternatives.
The House bill currently has 33 co-sponsors.
Sanders’ plan was introduced on Wednesday and does not yet have any co-sponsors.
A growing national movement to eliminate cash bail from the criminal justice system has attracted support from a wide range of political power brokers, including Google, Facebook and even the Koch brothers, the billionaire Republican donors whom Sanders routinely bashes on the campaign trail.
The push for pre-trial release has gained traction at the state level.
New Jersey has almost entirely abandoned cash bail while states like Maine and Maryland have taken significant steps to rein in the practice.
In June, the New York state assembly voted to eliminate it in most cases though it faces uncertain prospects in the state senate.
Meanwhile, four states – Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wisconsin – have long forbidden the practice.
California Becomes First State To End Cash Bail After 40-Year Fight
The case against cash bail
Bernie Sanders' cash bail bill seeks to end 'modern day debtors' prisons'
Sanders’ No Money Bail Act is a companion to a measure introduced in the House by the California congressman Ted Lieu last year.
The proposal would forbid the “payment of money as a condition of pre-trial release with respect to a criminal case”.
The proposal would strip federal anti-crime funding from states that fail to replace their money bail system with risk-assessment alternatives.
The House bill currently has 33 co-sponsors.
Sanders’ plan was introduced on Wednesday and does not yet have any co-sponsors.
A growing national movement to eliminate cash bail from the criminal justice system has attracted support from a wide range of political power brokers, including Google, Facebook and even the Koch brothers, the billionaire Republican donors whom Sanders routinely bashes on the campaign trail.
The push for pre-trial release has gained traction at the state level.
New Jersey has almost entirely abandoned cash bail while states like Maine and Maryland have taken significant steps to rein in the practice.
In June, the New York state assembly voted to eliminate it in most cases though it faces uncertain prospects in the state senate.
Meanwhile, four states – Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon and Wisconsin – have long forbidden the practice.
Not the Islam that spreads by the sword
And that is more the historical norm than the peaceable Islam he writes of.
Net result: whitewash.
Or gaslight, depending on your generation.
Top 5 Reasons for Americans to Admire the Prophet Muhammad
Net result: whitewash.
Or gaslight, depending on your generation.
Top 5 Reasons for Americans to Admire the Prophet Muhammad
Screaming furies from hell
If you saw the clips of the two bracing Flake in the elevator, you know what I mean.
These people were not roaming the halls to practise the politics of civility and mutual respect.
Mitch McConnell Lashes Out At Peaceful Women Who Used 'Mob-like Tactics' To Oppose Kavanaugh
I saw a gaggle of raging women yelling in his face, so I'm pretty sure he's speaking from the heart and everyone who saw or heard knows he's telling the truth.
The point was to rattle the GOP senators with terrorizing verbal onslaughts.
There is a lot of hatred in our politics, especially among the activists.
These people were not roaming the halls to practise the politics of civility and mutual respect.
Mitch McConnell Lashes Out At Peaceful Women Who Used 'Mob-like Tactics' To Oppose Kavanaugh
I saw a gaggle of raging women yelling in his face, so I'm pretty sure he's speaking from the heart and everyone who saw or heard knows he's telling the truth.
The point was to rattle the GOP senators with terrorizing verbal onslaughts.
There is a lot of hatred in our politics, especially among the activists.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Surprise! Kavanaugh is in, 50 to 48
He will rule for Trump on everything.
They just got to 50 with Joe Manchin voting for, Lisa Murkowski not voting.
No Republican voted against.
Sue Collins and Jeff Flake voted for him.
How they voted.
Sue Collins means she hopes the Dems won't hit back. Ever.
They just got to 50 with Joe Manchin voting for, Lisa Murkowski not voting.
No Republican voted against.
Sue Collins and Jeff Flake voted for him.
How they voted.
Sue Collins means she hopes the Dems won't hit back. Ever.
Friday, October 5, 2018
What is greater than ourselves
Humans follow reason, but are readily deceived into thinking there are valid and compelling reasons requiring the sacrifice of all we hold near and dear, as understood by empirical egoism.
Hence morality.
Hence religion.
Humans believe too readily.
The Elf on the Shelf.
Trotskyism.
Nazism.
Islam.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Fake Background Investigation
Very limited investigation, "Witch hunt! No corroboration! Innocent until proven guilty! Disgraceful Democrats!"
Mitch McConnell doing the faux rage and outrage, again.
"Politics of personal destruction!"
Lisa M and Jeff F are echoing the "No corroboration" line.
Not clear whether that's good enough for them.
Not good enough for me.
How much corroboration would you expect for an event nearly forty years in the past?
On each side of the aisle some are now saying this controversy, whatever the outcome, will so excite the GOP base that they will turn out in such numbers as to nullify the blue wave, or even create a red one.
And as to the outcome, there is little - though some - doubt now that a mean drunk and entitled frat boy who bullied women and is credibly accused of sexual assault will be appointed to the Supreme Court, where he will, energized by rage, spend decades helping to inscribe radical right wing constitutional dogmas into law.
Mitch McConnell doing the faux rage and outrage, again.
"Politics of personal destruction!"
Lisa M and Jeff F are echoing the "No corroboration" line.
Not clear whether that's good enough for them.
Not good enough for me.
How much corroboration would you expect for an event nearly forty years in the past?
On each side of the aisle some are now saying this controversy, whatever the outcome, will so excite the GOP base that they will turn out in such numbers as to nullify the blue wave, or even create a red one.
And as to the outcome, there is little - though some - doubt now that a mean drunk and entitled frat boy who bullied women and is credibly accused of sexual assault will be appointed to the Supreme Court, where he will, energized by rage, spend decades helping to inscribe radical right wing constitutional dogmas into law.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
The continuing displacement of education by white collar Voc-Ed
Dans les facs américaines, les humanités sont passées de mode
Les matières littéraires telles que l’histoire, la philosophie ou la littérature sont délaissées par les étudiants.
Un mouvement que regrettent les commentateurs outre-Atlantique.
“L’histoire est en recul. La philosophie à bout de souffle. La littérature comparée ? Allons. C’est comme un bijou de famille intellectuel : précieux pour ceux qui peuvent se payer ce genre de babioles – sans valeur pour les autres.”
À l’instar de ce chroniqueur du New York Times, plusieurs commentateurs américains ont constaté ces derniers mois – et souvent déploré – le déclin des humanités au sein des universités américaines.
Notamment comme major (matière principale).
“L’an dernier, l’Université du Wisconsin à Superior a annoncé qu’elle suspendait neuf majors, dont la sociologie et la science politique […], rapporte ainsi Frank Bruni, le chroniqueur cité ci-dessus.
L’université du Wisconsin à Stevens Point a récemment proposé d’abandonner treize majors, notamment la philosophie et l’anglais, pour faire place à des cursus avec ‘de clairs débouchés professionnels’.”
. . . .
Si des facteurs économiques peuvent jouer sur le choix des étudiants, surtout à une époque de précarité accrue, la tendance tient plus profondément à des facteurs culturels, estime le chroniqueur.
Dans une culture “avide de ‘savoir utile’ et de maîtrise technique, de plus en plus indifférente à la mémoire et allergique à la tradition”, les humanités sont sur la défensive.
Elles se tourneraient vers le radicalisme politique ou la théorie abstraite – ce qu’on leur reproche souvent – pour justifier leur propre existence.
Certes, poursuit Frank Bruni, les universités doivent être attentives aux débouchés de leurs formations et à la bonne utilisation de leurs ressources.
Néanmoins, l’idée que l’université réponde instantanément aux besoins des employeurs est illusoire.
Et pour le chroniqueur,
Les matières littéraires telles que l’histoire, la philosophie ou la littérature sont délaissées par les étudiants.
Un mouvement que regrettent les commentateurs outre-Atlantique.
“L’histoire est en recul. La philosophie à bout de souffle. La littérature comparée ? Allons. C’est comme un bijou de famille intellectuel : précieux pour ceux qui peuvent se payer ce genre de babioles – sans valeur pour les autres.”
À l’instar de ce chroniqueur du New York Times, plusieurs commentateurs américains ont constaté ces derniers mois – et souvent déploré – le déclin des humanités au sein des universités américaines.
Notamment comme major (matière principale).
“L’an dernier, l’Université du Wisconsin à Superior a annoncé qu’elle suspendait neuf majors, dont la sociologie et la science politique […], rapporte ainsi Frank Bruni, le chroniqueur cité ci-dessus.
L’université du Wisconsin à Stevens Point a récemment proposé d’abandonner treize majors, notamment la philosophie et l’anglais, pour faire place à des cursus avec ‘de clairs débouchés professionnels’.”
. . . .
Si des facteurs économiques peuvent jouer sur le choix des étudiants, surtout à une époque de précarité accrue, la tendance tient plus profondément à des facteurs culturels, estime le chroniqueur.
Dans une culture “avide de ‘savoir utile’ et de maîtrise technique, de plus en plus indifférente à la mémoire et allergique à la tradition”, les humanités sont sur la défensive.
Elles se tourneraient vers le radicalisme politique ou la théorie abstraite – ce qu’on leur reproche souvent – pour justifier leur propre existence.
Certes, poursuit Frank Bruni, les universités doivent être attentives aux débouchés de leurs formations et à la bonne utilisation de leurs ressources.
Néanmoins, l’idée que l’université réponde instantanément aux besoins des employeurs est illusoire.
Et pour le chroniqueur,
"les universités ne doivent pas rabaisser la mission non professionnelle de l’enseignement supérieur : cultiver les esprits, préparer de jeunes adultes à être des citoyens éclairés, leur donner une meilleure idée de leur place dans l’Histoire et les mettre en contact avec des traditions qui dépassent le moment présent.
L’histoire, la philosophie et la littérature comparée sont forcément meilleures pour cela que l’ergothérapie.”
Electric cars still suck. Will they be better by 2030?
They cost too much, they have too short a range, and they take too long to recharge.
No ordinary person could even buy one, absent huge subsidies.
And yet, this.
Le Danemark veut mettre fin aux voitures essence et diesel d’ici à 2030
Le Premier ministre danois, Lars Lokke Rasmussen (Parti libéral), veut interdire la vente de voitures à moteur thermique d’ici à 2030.
En outre, le gouvernement désire faire en sorte que 1 million de voitures électriques soient en circulation dans le royaume à cette date – ce qui correspond à un tiers des véhicules personnels des Danois.
L’idée semble “fortement optimiste, sachant que le nombre de voitures électriques vendues cette année se limite à 1 200”, estime le quotidien libéral Politiken, qui consacre sa une du jour à ce sujet.
D’après le journal, trois obstacles risquent en effet d’entraver le projet du gouvernement du royaume.
Tout d’abord, les voitures électriques sont plus chères que les voitures traditionnelles.
Ensuite, la technologie n’est pas encore au point – par exemple, il n’y a pas suffisamment de stations de recharge.
Enfin, les Danois gardent en moyenne leur voiture pendant quinze ans. Il faut donc agir très vite si on veut qu’un tiers du parc automobile soit changé d’ici douze ans, souligne Politiken.
And how are they going to produce all the needed additional electricity?
Nukes are too dangerous for humans to play with, but is anything safer economically practical?
No ordinary person could even buy one, absent huge subsidies.
And yet, this.
Le Danemark veut mettre fin aux voitures essence et diesel d’ici à 2030
Le Premier ministre danois, Lars Lokke Rasmussen (Parti libéral), veut interdire la vente de voitures à moteur thermique d’ici à 2030.
En outre, le gouvernement désire faire en sorte que 1 million de voitures électriques soient en circulation dans le royaume à cette date – ce qui correspond à un tiers des véhicules personnels des Danois.
L’idée semble “fortement optimiste, sachant que le nombre de voitures électriques vendues cette année se limite à 1 200”, estime le quotidien libéral Politiken, qui consacre sa une du jour à ce sujet.
D’après le journal, trois obstacles risquent en effet d’entraver le projet du gouvernement du royaume.
Tout d’abord, les voitures électriques sont plus chères que les voitures traditionnelles.
Ensuite, la technologie n’est pas encore au point – par exemple, il n’y a pas suffisamment de stations de recharge.
Enfin, les Danois gardent en moyenne leur voiture pendant quinze ans. Il faut donc agir très vite si on veut qu’un tiers du parc automobile soit changé d’ici douze ans, souligne Politiken.
And how are they going to produce all the needed additional electricity?
Nukes are too dangerous for humans to play with, but is anything safer economically practical?
Do the math?
Suppose three Republicans vote against Bart O'Kavanaugh.
How many red state Democrats are going to vote for him?
Enough to put him on the court?
How many red state Democrats are going to vote for him?
Enough to put him on the court?
A crook from a family of crooks
A family of tax cheats
The creation myth of the billionaire businessman Donald Trump just imploded
His own business ventures were losers, frauds, or both.
His riches came from daddy, with whom he colluded for decades in tens of millions in tax frauds.
The creation myth of the billionaire businessman Donald Trump just imploded
His own business ventures were losers, frauds, or both.
His riches came from daddy, with whom he colluded for decades in tens of millions in tax frauds.
Which do I want?
We can have comity in the senate and let the newly emboldened right wing court not only take away the constitutional privacy right on which rests a woman's right to choose but start disassembling Obamacare, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and other bits of Big Government, while they gleefully chip away at the apparatus of law and regulation resting on a robust understanding of the 14th Amendment.
Or we can keep all those achievements of progressive government by impeaching Kavanaugh or his rubber-stamp replacement and packing the court.
We can have comity, but the wife and I will be eating cat food in a dark, cold house in winter and a dark, hot one in summer, she will be going short on insulin and I will be taking half-doses with my inhalers, and we will eventually have to move out of our house and into Section 8 housing with the addicts and gangsters - until the GOP drops public housing altogether and my wife's one kid takes us in or we become homeless.
Do I value comity that highly?
Tell me why the leaders of the Democratic Party should?
Or we can keep all those achievements of progressive government by impeaching Kavanaugh or his rubber-stamp replacement and packing the court.
We can have comity, but the wife and I will be eating cat food in a dark, cold house in winter and a dark, hot one in summer, she will be going short on insulin and I will be taking half-doses with my inhalers, and we will eventually have to move out of our house and into Section 8 housing with the addicts and gangsters - until the GOP drops public housing altogether and my wife's one kid takes us in or we become homeless.
Do I value comity that highly?
Tell me why the leaders of the Democratic Party should?
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
What the sex criminal in the White House is concerned about
Trump says it's 'a very scary time for young men in America'
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes the reaction to the allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh makes it "a very scary time for young men in America."
"It is a very scary time for young men in America, where you can be guilty of something you may not be guilty of," Trump said.
"This is a very, very -- this is a very difficult time. What's happening here has much more to do than even the appointment of a Supreme Court justice."
"You could be somebody that was perfect your entire life and somebody could accuse you of something," he added.
"That's one of the very, very bad things that's taking place right now."
The basket of deplorables starts with him.
And if that's your reaction you really are a misogynist.
And a paid up member and supporter of the rape culture.
What's scary is that people who do things like that pay no price, but their victims do.
I was sexually assaulted and thought it was my fault. It's past time for a 1980s reckoning.
By the way.
Some of us remember how Democratic Party operatives defended Clinton.
"It's just sex, so what?"
"Hey, everybody lies about sex."
The slime got pretty bad.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he believes the reaction to the allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh makes it "a very scary time for young men in America."
"It is a very scary time for young men in America, where you can be guilty of something you may not be guilty of," Trump said.
"This is a very, very -- this is a very difficult time. What's happening here has much more to do than even the appointment of a Supreme Court justice."
"You could be somebody that was perfect your entire life and somebody could accuse you of something," he added.
"That's one of the very, very bad things that's taking place right now."
The basket of deplorables starts with him.
And if that's your reaction you really are a misogynist.
And a paid up member and supporter of the rape culture.
What's scary is that people who do things like that pay no price, but their victims do.
I was sexually assaulted and thought it was my fault. It's past time for a 1980s reckoning.
By the way.
Some of us remember how Democratic Party operatives defended Clinton.
"It's just sex, so what?"
"Hey, everybody lies about sex."
The slime got pretty bad.
Pelosi must go
So I guess court packing is out, too.
So how exactly does she plan to defend over a century of progressive achievements imperiled by a conservative court?
Pelosi won't impeach Kavanaugh.
Time for somebody with some balls to take over.
So how exactly does she plan to defend over a century of progressive achievements imperiled by a conservative court?
Pelosi won't impeach Kavanaugh.
Time for somebody with some balls to take over.
Monday, October 1, 2018
He really has it coming
The press should get over their inhibitions and out that son of a bitch "single white male", after his performance this week.
Fuck him.
Fake Background Investigation
Trump, when he said the FBI was free to do what the Republicans in the Senate wanted, wasn't lying.
What they wanted was for the FBI to talk only to four people, and the four did not even include all currently known accusers.
He lied when he said they could interview whomever they wanted.
Fake Background Investigation.
Supposedly, today the White House told the feebs to talk to whomever they need to.
Reportedly, they are moving fast and talking to many more people.
And yet, Mitch McConnell today whined the Democrats are "moving the goal posts" and promised the president a floor vote this week.
News reports indicate Kavanaugh lied to the Senate about several things.
What will Flake, Collins, and Milkowski do?
And will it ultimately matter?
If they have to, the Republican Senate will confirm somebody else on the list without examining one document or one witness, without even an hour in a hearing room.
Because they aren't sure they will have a chance after the midterms.
They fear a blue wave, though every day Bozo's promise of a red wave seems less absurd.
The bright side?
The more disgraceful their behavior the less inhibited future Democrats.
I hope.
Impeach Kavanaugh or any rubber-stamped successor.
And Trump.
And, at the first opportunity, pack the court.
The rapist in the White House
Is it rape if the only reason she doesn't say no is that she knows it won't do any good?
So, what about Jefferson and Sally Hemming?
Guaranteed loser
And I DON'T want four more years of Bozo!
Elizabeth Warren To Consider A 2020 Presidential Run After Midterms
“It’s time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government, and that includes a woman at the top,” she said.
Oh, please, no.
Not another jackass who thinks she can beat Trump running against men.
She is a foolish and often absurd extremist who is more hostile to the actually existing political and economic system, the actually existing America, than Trump and the shitheels who love him.
Elizabeth Warren Calls For Use Of 25th Amendment To Remove Trump
A clown of a different ilk.
Her supporters remind me of the boneheads who thought Jesse Jackson would make a good candidate.
Elizabeth Warren To Consider A 2020 Presidential Run After Midterms
“It’s time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government, and that includes a woman at the top,” she said.
Oh, please, no.
Not another jackass who thinks she can beat Trump running against men.
She is a foolish and often absurd extremist who is more hostile to the actually existing political and economic system, the actually existing America, than Trump and the shitheels who love him.
Elizabeth Warren Calls For Use Of 25th Amendment To Remove Trump
A clown of a different ilk.
Her supporters remind me of the boneheads who thought Jesse Jackson would make a good candidate.
Specifically about the accusations of sexual misconduct?
What did Flake mean?
Flake says if FBI investigation finds Kavanaugh lied, nomination is over
Sens. Jeff Flake and Chris Coons said in an interview that aired Sunday that if the FBI investigation into sexual assault and misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh finds that the judge lied to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his testimony on Thursday, his nomination likely would not move forward.
"If Kavanaugh is shown to have lied to the committee, nomination's over?"
Scott Pelley of CBS's "60 Minutes" asked Flake, an Arizona Republican, and Coons, a Delaware Democrat, who are friends.
"Oh yes," Flake said, nodding.
Coons added, "I would think so."
What if there is lots of evidence he lied about his drinking and his behavior at parties, but nothing to corroborate the women's claims?
And what realistic expectation can there be for that?
Is Mark Judge supposed to have a moral epiphany, burst into tears, and confess?
Flake says if FBI investigation finds Kavanaugh lied, nomination is over
Sens. Jeff Flake and Chris Coons said in an interview that aired Sunday that if the FBI investigation into sexual assault and misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh finds that the judge lied to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his testimony on Thursday, his nomination likely would not move forward.
"If Kavanaugh is shown to have lied to the committee, nomination's over?"
Scott Pelley of CBS's "60 Minutes" asked Flake, an Arizona Republican, and Coons, a Delaware Democrat, who are friends.
"Oh yes," Flake said, nodding.
Coons added, "I would think so."
What if there is lots of evidence he lied about his drinking and his behavior at parties, but nothing to corroborate the women's claims?
And what realistic expectation can there be for that?
Is Mark Judge supposed to have a moral epiphany, burst into tears, and confess?
John Oliver is hilarious and harsh
Kavanaugh
Oliver gets the Republicans, but goes a bridge too far.
He calls Kavanaugh an entitled monster.
He says there were 20 or so others on the Federalist Society's list whom the Society's boss said publicly were all equally rock solid in every way that mattered to them.
Any of them would be just as certain to vote to repeal Roe, and none of them would have Kavanaugh's baggage, O said.
So why not drop him and pick one of them?
It's Trump's way, and the Republican senators' way, to say "Fuck you" to the Democrats and "Fuck you" to Dr. Ford and "Fuck you" to women, says O.
"We believe you. We just don't care."
But it seems there really isn't time to go through the process with somebody else before everybody hits the campaign trail for the election.
And that's really why they will die on this particular hill.
They are figuring this is probably their last chance to get another hard-core conservative onto the court during Trump's (first?) term.
So however much this disgrace harms them in elections they are likely already going to lose, getting rid of Roe will cement them into the hearts of abortion-opponents for whom that trumps everything else forever.
And a sold conservative majority on the court will be a gift to the right that keeps on giving just as long as the Dems are too chicken to impeach Kavanaugh or pack the court - which probably means forever.
Everything progressives have built over more than a century will be at risk.
They figure that's worth it, to their side.
And they are right.
Oliver gets the Republicans, but goes a bridge too far.
He calls Kavanaugh an entitled monster.
He says there were 20 or so others on the Federalist Society's list whom the Society's boss said publicly were all equally rock solid in every way that mattered to them.
Any of them would be just as certain to vote to repeal Roe, and none of them would have Kavanaugh's baggage, O said.
So why not drop him and pick one of them?
It's Trump's way, and the Republican senators' way, to say "Fuck you" to the Democrats and "Fuck you" to Dr. Ford and "Fuck you" to women, says O.
"We believe you. We just don't care."
But it seems there really isn't time to go through the process with somebody else before everybody hits the campaign trail for the election.
And that's really why they will die on this particular hill.
They are figuring this is probably their last chance to get another hard-core conservative onto the court during Trump's (first?) term.
So however much this disgrace harms them in elections they are likely already going to lose, getting rid of Roe will cement them into the hearts of abortion-opponents for whom that trumps everything else forever.
And a sold conservative majority on the court will be a gift to the right that keeps on giving just as long as the Dems are too chicken to impeach Kavanaugh or pack the court - which probably means forever.
Everything progressives have built over more than a century will be at risk.
They figure that's worth it, to their side.
And they are right.
Trump again insists they can do what they want
On MSNBC, taking questions after maybe more than a half hour's ludicrous droning on about how great is the new trade deal with Mexico and Canada and how disastrous have been all previous trade deals with anybody and everybody, Trump after much surly abuse of two or three female reporters present finally talked to a man or two about the FBI investigation of Kavanaugh.
For the umpteenth through the umpity-umpteenth times he said they can interview anyone and do whatever they want (yes, he said that) and whatever the senate wants.
Nothing to see here, move along.
Oh, this.
CNBC's John Harwood: New Canadian Trade Deal Is Mostly 'Relabeling' Of Obama's
After the U.S. agreed to a trade deal with Canada, CNBC's John Harwood told MSNBC that most of the improvements on the deal were on Trump's desk, "the day he walked into office" as they were negotiated by President Obama.
For the umpteenth through the umpity-umpteenth times he said they can interview anyone and do whatever they want (yes, he said that) and whatever the senate wants.
Nothing to see here, move along.
Oh, this.
CNBC's John Harwood: New Canadian Trade Deal Is Mostly 'Relabeling' Of Obama's
After the U.S. agreed to a trade deal with Canada, CNBC's John Harwood told MSNBC that most of the improvements on the deal were on Trump's desk, "the day he walked into office" as they were negotiated by President Obama.
SNL: Pick someone else
SNL's 'Weekend Update' Actually Made Serious And Best Case Against Kavanaugh
Michael Che said this:
Pick someone else.
Michael Che said this:
I just want to remind everybody that all this yelling and crying happened at this dude’s job interview.
I mean, typically when you’re asked about a sexual assault and your drinking problem at a job interview, you don’t get the damn job!
I don’t know if Mr. Kavanaugh actually has a history of assault or if he actually has a drinking problem.
But I know that he might.
And you shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court if you might.
You shouldn’t be on The People’s Court if you might.
Sometimes ‘might’ is enough.
I don’t want to pet your dog if he might bite me.
I don’t want to leave you in my house if you might be a crackhead.
I don’t want to have sex with you if you might have dated Charlie Sheen.It's a shame the Senate can only interview one candidate at a time, but that's the deal.
Pick someone else.
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