Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Pro Tip: Lying to the FBI Is Never a Good Idea
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a13118817/papadopoulos-pled-guilty-lie-fbi-russia/
"Pro Tip: Lying to the FBI is never a good idea. Pro Tip II: It would seem to be a very good bet that Papadopoulous already has flipped. (The plea deal’s sentence recommendation begins at “zero” months, which is a tell.) Releasing the Papadopolous plea deal was a remarkably deft play by Mueller, whose political savvy is mysteriously under-discussed. The initial White House reaction to the news about Paul Manafort was that everything happened years ago, and what the hell is Mueller doing? Now, we have a completed legal proceeding containing the words “Trump campaign,” “Russia,” and “disparaging information on Hillary Clinton.” Alibis are dropping like the autumn leaves."
"Pro Tip: Lying to the FBI is never a good idea. Pro Tip II: It would seem to be a very good bet that Papadopoulous already has flipped. (The plea deal’s sentence recommendation begins at “zero” months, which is a tell.) Releasing the Papadopolous plea deal was a remarkably deft play by Mueller, whose political savvy is mysteriously under-discussed. The initial White House reaction to the news about Paul Manafort was that everything happened years ago, and what the hell is Mueller doing? Now, we have a completed legal proceeding containing the words “Trump campaign,” “Russia,” and “disparaging information on Hillary Clinton.” Alibis are dropping like the autumn leaves."
Former Trump adviser pleads guilty to lying to Mueller’s team
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/former-trump-adviser-pleads-guilty-lying-muellers-team
"In March 2016, Donald Trump sat down with the editorial board of the Washington Post, and was asked about the team of foreign policy advisers his campaign had assembled. The then-candidate volunteered a handful of names, including Carter Page, who’s now a key figure in the Russia scandal, and whom Trump later claimed not to know. But after mentioning Page, Trump quickly added to his list of advisers, “George Papadopoulos, he’s an energy and oil consultant, excellent guy.” Even at the time, this seemed odd. Papadopoulos had only graduated from college seven years earlier, and he listed participation with the “Model United Nations” as one of his credentials. And yet, in March 2016, the then-frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination identified Papadopoulos as one of only a handful of people advising him on foreign policy."
"In March 2016, Donald Trump sat down with the editorial board of the Washington Post, and was asked about the team of foreign policy advisers his campaign had assembled. The then-candidate volunteered a handful of names, including Carter Page, who’s now a key figure in the Russia scandal, and whom Trump later claimed not to know. But after mentioning Page, Trump quickly added to his list of advisers, “George Papadopoulos, he’s an energy and oil consultant, excellent guy.” Even at the time, this seemed odd. Papadopoulos had only graduated from college seven years earlier, and he listed participation with the “Model United Nations” as one of his credentials. And yet, in March 2016, the then-frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination identified Papadopoulos as one of only a handful of people advising him on foreign policy."
Why the lesser-known Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos could be the biggest news of the day
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/30/1711006/-Why-the-lesser-known-Trump-campaign-aide-George-Papadopolous-could-be-the-biggest-news-of-the-day
"Remember, Papadopoulos tried multiple times to set up meetings between Team Trump and the Kremlin. His repeated contacts with the Russians is perhaps most notable for the suggestion that Moscow was looking for multiple entry points into Trump's campaign."
"Remember, Papadopoulos tried multiple times to set up meetings between Team Trump and the Kremlin. His repeated contacts with the Russians is perhaps most notable for the suggestion that Moscow was looking for multiple entry points into Trump's campaign."
George Papadopoulos lied to FBI agents the same day Trump asked Comey for loyalty pledge
George Papadopoulos lied to FBI agents the same day Trump asked Comey for loyalty pledge
"A former Trump campaign advisor lied to FBI agents about his contacts with Russia less than a week after Inauguration Day. George Papadopoulos, a volunteer foreign policy advisor, pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to lying to federal authorities in exchange for his testimony, although the agreement wasn’t announced until after indictments were unsealed against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates."
"A former Trump campaign advisor lied to FBI agents about his contacts with Russia less than a week after Inauguration Day. George Papadopoulos, a volunteer foreign policy advisor, pleaded guilty Oct. 5 to lying to federal authorities in exchange for his testimony, although the agreement wasn’t announced until after indictments were unsealed against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates."
Fox & Friends barely covers Manafort indictment
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/10/30/fox-friends-barely-covers-manafort-indictment/218381
"This is hardly the first time Fox News has attempted to downplay or mislead about the Russia probe."
"This is hardly the first time Fox News has attempted to downplay or mislead about the Russia probe."
Manafort Is Mueller's Opening Salvo
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a13118388/manafort-charges-russia-investigation/
"Ten months is all it took for the president*’s former campaign manager, a guy who ran the president*’s campaign for almost twice as long as evil genius Steve Bannon did, and his principal aide, who was still hanging around the White House as recently as last June, to get hauled into FBI headquarters early Monday morning to begin what may be several years worth of similar perp walks. Ten months. This is impressive."
"Ten months is all it took for the president*’s former campaign manager, a guy who ran the president*’s campaign for almost twice as long as evil genius Steve Bannon did, and his principal aide, who was still hanging around the White House as recently as last June, to get hauled into FBI headquarters early Monday morning to begin what may be several years worth of similar perp walks. Ten months. This is impressive."
Manafort could face decades in prison
https://thinkprogress.org/manafort-gates-charges-03ef2584b883/
"Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort surrendered to the FBI Monday morning, and he could face up to 40 years in prison if he is found guilty on all charges. Manafort was charged along with a former business associate, Rick Gates. Last year, Reuters reported that Gates acted as an unpaid, de facto campaign manager for then-candidate Donald Trump for two months and worked for a super PAC supporting Trump during the campaign. The pair was charged with 12 counts, according to the indictment unsealed Monday morning: conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts."
"Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort surrendered to the FBI Monday morning, and he could face up to 40 years in prison if he is found guilty on all charges. Manafort was charged along with a former business associate, Rick Gates. Last year, Reuters reported that Gates acted as an unpaid, de facto campaign manager for then-candidate Donald Trump for two months and worked for a super PAC supporting Trump during the campaign. The pair was charged with 12 counts, according to the indictment unsealed Monday morning: conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading FARA statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts."
Papadopoulos is the singing canary. Named Trump. WH can't say it's not related now.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/30/1710963/-Papadopoulos-is-the-singing-canary-Named-Trump-WH-can-t-say-it-s-not-related-now
"George Papadopoulos, the foreign policy advisor for the Trump campaign, secretly pleaded guilty to charges listed in a document that’s just been unsealed. Basically, when the FBI came asking questions about Russia and the Trump campaign colluding, he lied through his teeth."
"George Papadopoulos, the foreign policy advisor for the Trump campaign, secretly pleaded guilty to charges listed in a document that’s just been unsealed. Basically, when the FBI came asking questions about Russia and the Trump campaign colluding, he lied through his teeth."
Trump adviser George Papadopolous pleads guilty to lying to the FBI about Trump–Russia contacts
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/30/1710960/-Trump-adviser-George-Papadopolous-pleads-guilty-to-lying-to-the-FBI-about-Trump-Russia-contacts
"George Papadopolous, one of Donald Trump’s early foreign policy advisers, has pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI directly related to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election."
"George Papadopolous, one of Donald Trump’s early foreign policy advisers, has pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI directly related to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election."
WATCH: Joy Reid destroys conservative reporter’s talking points on bogus Uranium One ‘scandal’
WATCH: Joy Reid destroys conservative reporter’s talking points on bogus Uranium One ‘scandal’
"Jen Kerns from the right-wing Washington Times tried pushing the conspiracy theory, but Reid was having none of it."
"Jen Kerns from the right-wing Washington Times tried pushing the conspiracy theory, but Reid was having none of it."
Internet hilariously mocks Fox News for covering cheeseburger emoji while Russia scandal blows up on Trump
Internet hilariously mocks Fox News for covering cheeseburger emoji while Russia scandal blows up on Trump
"The news network decided to highlight a number of stories that didn’t revolve around President Donald Trump’s former campaign chief, including a story about a cheeseburger emoji."
"The news network decided to highlight a number of stories that didn’t revolve around President Donald Trump’s former campaign chief, including a story about a cheeseburger emoji."
Trump’s Nightmare Worsens As His Former Adviser Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements To FBI
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/10/30/trumps-nightmare-worsens-adviser-pleads-guilty-making-false-statements-fbi.html
"It is all falling apart for Trump as one of his foreign policy advisers has pled guilty to a charge of making false statements to the FBI related to efforts to set up meetings between Russians and Trump."
"It is all falling apart for Trump as one of his foreign policy advisers has pled guilty to a charge of making false statements to the FBI related to efforts to set up meetings between Russians and Trump."
Abramson: The Impeachable Crime from which the cover-up flows
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/24/1709425/-Abramson-The-Impeachable-Crime-from-which-the-cover-up-flows
"Law professor Seth Abramson has been following Trump/Russia closely from the start, and once again he lays it all out for you, showing exactly how Donald J. Trump is personally responsible for each and every element of a crime against the United States of America."
"Law professor Seth Abramson has been following Trump/Russia closely from the start, and once again he lays it all out for you, showing exactly how Donald J. Trump is personally responsible for each and every element of a crime against the United States of America."
Manafort indictment unsealed: 'Conspiracy Against the U.S.' and money laundering included
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/30/1710931/-Manafort-indictment-unsealed-conspiracy-against-U-S-and-money-laundering-loom-large
"Remember, Manafort was not being paid by the Trump campaign when he was running it. He was being paid by a foreign power linked to Russia. Okay, then. Another note to keep in mind, the indictment charges that Manafort and Gates “together with others knowingly and intentionally conspired to defraud the United States.” So, those “others” are still coming."
"Remember, Manafort was not being paid by the Trump campaign when he was running it. He was being paid by a foreign power linked to Russia. Okay, then. Another note to keep in mind, the indictment charges that Manafort and Gates “together with others knowingly and intentionally conspired to defraud the United States.” So, those “others” are still coming."
Manafort indictment shows why conservatives have an alternative media bubble
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/10/30/manafort-indictment-shows-why-conservatives-have-alternative-media-bubble/218380
"Co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, and Brian Kilmeade spent the last hour of their broadcast alternatively downplaying the news and looking for potential outs for the president."
"Co-hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, and Brian Kilmeade spent the last hour of their broadcast alternatively downplaying the news and looking for potential outs for the president."
Russian-linked Trump campaign aide pleads guilty to making false statements to FBI
Russian-linked Trump campaign aide pleads guilty to making false statements to FBI
"George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign aide who repeatedly tried to set up meetings with Russian government officials, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents."
"George Papadopoulos, the former Trump campaign aide who repeatedly tried to set up meetings with Russian government officials, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI agents."
Trump adviser pleads guilty to lying about talks with Russian intermediary about stolen emails
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-adviser-pleads-guilty-to-lying-about-talks-with-russian-intermediary-about-stolen-emails-0a54d3fd4e6c/
"George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser for Donald Trump’s during the 2016 presidential campaign, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russians and Russian intermediaries during the 2016 campaign."
"George Papadopoulos, a foreign policy adviser for Donald Trump’s during the 2016 presidential campaign, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his contacts with Russians and Russian intermediaries during the 2016 campaign."
Trump Looks Awfully 'Compromised' In This July 2016 Interview
Trump Looks Awfully 'Compromised' In This July 2016 Interview:
"If it weren't for the fact that we have a corrupt, party-before-country Republican Congress, this wouldn't be taking so damn long to come to justice."
"If it weren't for the fact that we have a corrupt, party-before-country Republican Congress, this wouldn't be taking so damn long to come to justice."
Olbermann explains how Mueller kept Papadopoulos ‘singing like a bird’ without White House aides knowing
Olbermann explains how Mueller kept Papadopoulos ‘singing like a bird’ without White House aides knowing
"Mueller scooped up Papadopoulos months ago and has been pumping him for information while working out a deal with for a lesser sentence for lying to FBI investigators."
"Mueller scooped up Papadopoulos months ago and has been pumping him for information while working out a deal with for a lesser sentence for lying to FBI investigators."
Friday, October 27, 2017
A Timeline: Everything We Know About Paul Manafort’s Ties to Russia
http://billmoyers.com/story/manafort-russia-timeline/
"A look at the business dealings, influence and federal investigation into Trump's former campaign manager."
"A look at the business dealings, influence and federal investigation into Trump's former campaign manager."
Cambridge Analytica was 'instrumental' in Trump's campaign—until yesterday
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/26/1710058/-Cambridge-Analytica-was-instrumental-in-Trump-s-campaign-until-yesterday
"Donald Trump believes in a special kind of Peter Principle: The kind that says when someone gets in trouble, Trump denies he ever knew them."
"Donald Trump believes in a special kind of Peter Principle: The kind that says when someone gets in trouble, Trump denies he ever knew them."
Kushner Adds Charles Harder to Legal Team As Pressure Mounts
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/jared-kushner-adds-charles-harder-to-legal-team-as-west-wing-pressure-mounts
"According to sources familiar with the matter, the person in Trump’s orbit who may have the most to be worried about in Priebus’s testimony is Jared Kushner."
"According to sources familiar with the matter, the person in Trump’s orbit who may have the most to be worried about in Priebus’s testimony is Jared Kushner."
On taxes, Americans aren’t buying what Republicans are selling
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/taxes-americans-arent-buying-what-republicans-are-selling
"if there’s one consistency in recent public-opinion surveys, it’s the fact that the American mainstream doesn’t want Congress to pass massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. This has been bolstered by poll after poll after poll after poll – and yet, it’s precisely what GOP policymakers are eager to do. Indeed, Republicans have convinced themselves that the key to their success – not just as a matter of policy, but in purely electoral terms – is passing massive tax breaks. They’ve come to believe this with absolute certainty, insisting publicly that they believe their party will be politically “dead” unless they pass the still-unwritten tax plan. It’s become “an existential issue” for GOP leaders. This is a bizarre dynamic because Republicans are trying to become popular by doing something unpopular. GOP officials are working from the assumption that if they ignore popular will, they’ll be rewarded by the voters whose wishes they’re ignoring."
"if there’s one consistency in recent public-opinion surveys, it’s the fact that the American mainstream doesn’t want Congress to pass massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. This has been bolstered by poll after poll after poll after poll – and yet, it’s precisely what GOP policymakers are eager to do. Indeed, Republicans have convinced themselves that the key to their success – not just as a matter of policy, but in purely electoral terms – is passing massive tax breaks. They’ve come to believe this with absolute certainty, insisting publicly that they believe their party will be politically “dead” unless they pass the still-unwritten tax plan. It’s become “an existential issue” for GOP leaders. This is a bizarre dynamic because Republicans are trying to become popular by doing something unpopular. GOP officials are working from the assumption that if they ignore popular will, they’ll be rewarded by the voters whose wishes they’re ignoring."
American Legion to Trump: Veto the bill making it harder to sue big banks
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/27/1710283/-American-Legion-to-Trump-Veto-the-bill-making-it-harder-to-sue-big-banks
"The American Legion has joined the opposition to the recent Republican move to make it harder for consumers to sue the banks. The veterans organization is calling on Donald Trump to veto the bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week"
"The American Legion has joined the opposition to the recent Republican move to make it harder for consumers to sue the banks. The veterans organization is calling on Donald Trump to veto the bill passed by the Senate earlier in the week"
216 GOP House Members Just Voted to Destroy the Safety Net and Deliver a Trillion-Dollar Tax Cut to the Rich
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/26/216-gop-house-members-just-voted-destroy-safety-net-and-deliver-trillion-dollar-tax
"The GOP-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly passed a Senate-approved budget resolution that moves Republicans one step closer to their ultimate goal of delivering massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and imposing "grotesque" and "heartless" cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other life-saving safety net programs. The final vote tally was 216-212, with 20 Republicans defecting from their party. No Democrats backed the measure. Despite insistence from President Donald Trump and the GOP that their budget is pro-working class, analysis after analysis has shown that their proposals would in fact raise taxes on many middle class families while sending an enormous windfall—$1.5 trillion over the next decade—to the top one percent."
"The GOP-controlled House of Representatives on Thursday narrowly passed a Senate-approved budget resolution that moves Republicans one step closer to their ultimate goal of delivering massive tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and imposing "grotesque" and "heartless" cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other life-saving safety net programs. The final vote tally was 216-212, with 20 Republicans defecting from their party. No Democrats backed the measure. Despite insistence from President Donald Trump and the GOP that their budget is pro-working class, analysis after analysis has shown that their proposals would in fact raise taxes on many middle class families while sending an enormous windfall—$1.5 trillion over the next decade—to the top one percent."
These wealthy institutions are quietly financing white nationalism
https://thinkprogress.org/these-wealthy-institutions-are-quietly-financing-white-nationalism-5313db89b185/
The Public Schools Employee Retirement System of Missouri, Columbia University, Michigan State University, The Employee Retirement System of the City of Providence, Los Angeles Water & Power Employees Retirement Plan, National Academy of Sciences, Baltimore Fire and Police Employees’ Retirement System, The William Penn Foundation, American Physical Society, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Public Schools Employee Retirement System of Missouri, Columbia University, Michigan State University, The Employee Retirement System of the City of Providence, Los Angeles Water & Power Employees Retirement Plan, National Academy of Sciences, Baltimore Fire and Police Employees’ Retirement System, The William Penn Foundation, American Physical Society, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
51 GOP Senators Just Voted To Cut $1.5 Trillion from Medicare and Medicaid To Give Super-Rich and Corporations a Tax Cut
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/19/51-gop-senators-just-voted-cut-15-trillion-medicare-and-medicaid-give-super-rich-and
"Along strict party lines, the Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday night voted to pass a sweeping budget measure—one criticized as both "despicable" and "horrific" for providing massive giveaways to corporations and the super-rich while eviscerating funding for social programs, healthcare, education, and affordable housing."
"Along strict party lines, the Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday night voted to pass a sweeping budget measure—one criticized as both "despicable" and "horrific" for providing massive giveaways to corporations and the super-rich while eviscerating funding for social programs, healthcare, education, and affordable housing."
Army Vet: Why Trump Disrespects the Military
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/army-vet-why-trump-disrespects-the-military-w509814
"there's the Trump who repeatedly claimed on the campaign trail he would be "so good at the military, it will make your head spin," that no one loved the troops more than himself, and that the feeling was mutual. But then there's the Trump who, just this week, engaged in a protracted back and forth over how he told the pregnant widow of a fallen Green Beret her late husband "knew what he signed up for." His administration also banned non-citizen legal permanent residents from joining the Army Reserve, a practice dating back to the Revolutionary War. And thanks to a report in The Washington Post, we learned the president promised a Gold Star father $25,000 from his personal account in June, but hadn't delivered on that promise. (The White House now says that check is in the mail.) Looking back over the past two years, there's more: disrespecting the wartime POW service of John McCain, fantasizing about shooting an Army sergeant held captive by the Taliban for five years, repeated instances of military charities not receiving promised donations, smearing another Gold Star family of color, insulting uniformed leaders and pledging to fire them all, ridiculing combat veterans with PTSD, kicking uniformed personnel off the National Security Council, abdicating responsibility for troop strength in combat theaters, disrespecting the retired four-star general and Gold Star father who runs his White House, shaming the National Security Council on live television, pledging to kick transgender troops out of the armed services, blocking a prominent veterans' group on Twitter, attacking John McCain again, waiting nearly two weeks to remark on the death of four Special Forces soldiers in combat. Going back further still, we could note Trump's Vietnam draft-dodging, how he referred to sleeping with models as his "personal Vietnam" and his attempt to kick homeless veterans off 5th Avenue out of disgust."
"there's the Trump who repeatedly claimed on the campaign trail he would be "so good at the military, it will make your head spin," that no one loved the troops more than himself, and that the feeling was mutual. But then there's the Trump who, just this week, engaged in a protracted back and forth over how he told the pregnant widow of a fallen Green Beret her late husband "knew what he signed up for." His administration also banned non-citizen legal permanent residents from joining the Army Reserve, a practice dating back to the Revolutionary War. And thanks to a report in The Washington Post, we learned the president promised a Gold Star father $25,000 from his personal account in June, but hadn't delivered on that promise. (The White House now says that check is in the mail.) Looking back over the past two years, there's more: disrespecting the wartime POW service of John McCain, fantasizing about shooting an Army sergeant held captive by the Taliban for five years, repeated instances of military charities not receiving promised donations, smearing another Gold Star family of color, insulting uniformed leaders and pledging to fire them all, ridiculing combat veterans with PTSD, kicking uniformed personnel off the National Security Council, abdicating responsibility for troop strength in combat theaters, disrespecting the retired four-star general and Gold Star father who runs his White House, shaming the National Security Council on live television, pledging to kick transgender troops out of the armed services, blocking a prominent veterans' group on Twitter, attacking John McCain again, waiting nearly two weeks to remark on the death of four Special Forces soldiers in combat. Going back further still, we could note Trump's Vietnam draft-dodging, how he referred to sleeping with models as his "personal Vietnam" and his attempt to kick homeless veterans off 5th Avenue out of disgust."
Painful Truth: The Unhealthiest County in America Voted Overwhelmingly for Trump, Who Will Only Make Things Worse @alternet
Painful Truth: The Unhealthiest County in America Voted Overwhelmingly for Trump, Who Will Only Make Things Worse @alternet:
"With its soaring death rates, widespread illness, out-of-control drug abuse, and high rates of unemployment, Union County is in desperate need of a turnaround, including more social services, funding, and development—a longshot with any administration in power. The county is also 74 percent white. And perhaps unsurprisingly, in the 2016 presidential election, its citizens voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump by a staggering 80.2 percent. To be clear, Trump won every faction of white voters, from the uneducated to the college educated, rich and poor, across gender lines. Those voting patterns say less about Trump than about white receptivity to a sales pitch steeped in racism and xenophobia. Despite Trump’s pan-white socioeconomic appeal, Union County is the kind of place news editors persist in falsely pinpointing as the loci for Trump support. It’s a power move, really; a way of punching down to avoid holding their own class accountable for voting with white supremacy as a primary, though more quietly spoken, motivator. The difference between Trump votes cast by residents of Union County and those from white America’s upper classes is that for the former, the decision will be far more consequential. Nine months in, there is already proof the result is an even greater imbalance of life and death."
"With its soaring death rates, widespread illness, out-of-control drug abuse, and high rates of unemployment, Union County is in desperate need of a turnaround, including more social services, funding, and development—a longshot with any administration in power. The county is also 74 percent white. And perhaps unsurprisingly, in the 2016 presidential election, its citizens voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump by a staggering 80.2 percent. To be clear, Trump won every faction of white voters, from the uneducated to the college educated, rich and poor, across gender lines. Those voting patterns say less about Trump than about white receptivity to a sales pitch steeped in racism and xenophobia. Despite Trump’s pan-white socioeconomic appeal, Union County is the kind of place news editors persist in falsely pinpointing as the loci for Trump support. It’s a power move, really; a way of punching down to avoid holding their own class accountable for voting with white supremacy as a primary, though more quietly spoken, motivator. The difference between Trump votes cast by residents of Union County and those from white America’s upper classes is that for the former, the decision will be far more consequential. Nine months in, there is already proof the result is an even greater imbalance of life and death."
'Death Sentence for Local Media': Warnings as FCC Pushes Change to Benefit Right-Wing Media Giant
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/26/death-sentence-local-media-warnings-fcc-pushes-change-benefit-right-wing-media-giant
"In a series of moves this week that have alarmed free speech advocates and critics of media consolidation, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) voted to abolish a rule requiring radio and television broadcasters to maintain studios near the communities they serve, and FCC chairman Ajit Pai announced further plans to end certain media ownership rules. The policy shifts are expected to significantly benefit the right-wing Sinclair Broadcast Group—whose reported close ties to Pai have raised concerns as the federal government reviews Sinclair's proposed $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media, which would expand the broadcaster's reach to 72 percent of the country."
"In a series of moves this week that have alarmed free speech advocates and critics of media consolidation, the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) voted to abolish a rule requiring radio and television broadcasters to maintain studios near the communities they serve, and FCC chairman Ajit Pai announced further plans to end certain media ownership rules. The policy shifts are expected to significantly benefit the right-wing Sinclair Broadcast Group—whose reported close ties to Pai have raised concerns as the federal government reviews Sinclair's proposed $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media, which would expand the broadcaster's reach to 72 percent of the country."
Georgia election server wiped after voting rights advocates file suit against GOP Secretary of State
Georgia election server wiped after voting rights advocates file suit against GOP Secretary of State
"A computer server that was used to store key elections data in the state of Georgia was completely wiped earlier this year after voting rights advocates filed a suit against Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp. The Associated Press reports that the server’s data was destroyed this past July by unnamed technicians at the Center for Elections Systems at Kennesaw State University, which is responsible for running Georgia’s entire elections system. What’s more, two backup servers were also wiped completely clean in August, which was right around the time when a lawsuit against Kemp moved to federal court. The lawsuit, which the AP says was filed shortly before the data server was wiped, was filed to end the state’s current voting infrastructure, which the plaintiffs claim is far too vulnerable to fraud and tampering. Among other things, the lawsuit notes that the state’s 27,000 AccuVote touchscreen voting machines do not offer paper receipts and are vulnerable to hacking. “The server data could have revealed whether Georgia’s most recent elections were compromised by malicious hackers,” the AP notes. “The plaintiffs contend that the results of both last November’s election and a special June 20 congressional runoff— won by Kemp’s predecessor, Karen Handel — cannot be trusted.” Kemp’s office claims that it had nothing to do with the center’s decision to wipe the server, despite the fact that center answers directly to Kemp."
"A computer server that was used to store key elections data in the state of Georgia was completely wiped earlier this year after voting rights advocates filed a suit against Republican Secretary of State Brian Kemp. The Associated Press reports that the server’s data was destroyed this past July by unnamed technicians at the Center for Elections Systems at Kennesaw State University, which is responsible for running Georgia’s entire elections system. What’s more, two backup servers were also wiped completely clean in August, which was right around the time when a lawsuit against Kemp moved to federal court. The lawsuit, which the AP says was filed shortly before the data server was wiped, was filed to end the state’s current voting infrastructure, which the plaintiffs claim is far too vulnerable to fraud and tampering. Among other things, the lawsuit notes that the state’s 27,000 AccuVote touchscreen voting machines do not offer paper receipts and are vulnerable to hacking. “The server data could have revealed whether Georgia’s most recent elections were compromised by malicious hackers,” the AP notes. “The plaintiffs contend that the results of both last November’s election and a special June 20 congressional runoff— won by Kemp’s predecessor, Karen Handel — cannot be trusted.” Kemp’s office claims that it had nothing to do with the center’s decision to wipe the server, despite the fact that center answers directly to Kemp."
Scott Pruitt denies he meets with ‘polluters’ as his agency dismantles environmental safeguards
https://thinkprogress.org/scott-pruitt-meets-with-polluters-431f63887058/
"As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt also maintained a close relationship with polluting industries, particularly the oil and gas industry. In 2014, the New York Times broke a story showing that Pruitt had taken a letter written by Devon Energy lawyers and sent it to the EPA on state letterhead, essentially acting as an official voice for one of his state’s biggest polluters. Devon Energy is a major natural gas producer based in Oklahoma City."
"As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt also maintained a close relationship with polluting industries, particularly the oil and gas industry. In 2014, the New York Times broke a story showing that Pruitt had taken a letter written by Devon Energy lawyers and sent it to the EPA on state letterhead, essentially acting as an official voice for one of his state’s biggest polluters. Devon Energy is a major natural gas producer based in Oklahoma City."
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Cutting corporate taxes will not boost American wages
Cutting corporate taxes will not boost American wages:
"The Trump administration is marketing its plan to give huge tax cuts to the richest U.S. households with a bold but fanciful claim: that these tax cuts will trickle down to help American workers by boosting economy-wide productivity and hence wages."
"The Trump administration is marketing its plan to give huge tax cuts to the richest U.S. households with a bold but fanciful claim: that these tax cuts will trickle down to help American workers by boosting economy-wide productivity and hence wages."
U.S. Is Officially The Only Country Besides Syria Not To Support Paris Climate Deal
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nicaragua-paris-climate_us_59eeeb1ce4b07cf8380c1bc3?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
"Nicaragua has officially joined the Paris climate accord, leaving just two countries to not support the deal ― the United States and Syria."
"Nicaragua has officially joined the Paris climate accord, leaving just two countries to not support the deal ― the United States and Syria."
Senator Corker eviscerates Trump: The debasement of our nation is what he’ll be remembered for
Senator Corker eviscerates Trump: The debasement of our nation is what he’ll be remembered for
"U.S. Senator Bob Corker eviscerated President Donald Trump on Tuesday after the two Republicans exchanged insults on Twitter, saying the president is consistently untruthful and has debased the United States and undermined its relationships around the world."
"U.S. Senator Bob Corker eviscerated President Donald Trump on Tuesday after the two Republicans exchanged insults on Twitter, saying the president is consistently untruthful and has debased the United States and undermined its relationships around the world."
On climate, the United States and Syria now stand alone
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/climate-the-united-states-and-syria-now-stand-alone
"We’ve isolated ourselves internationally in a way that hardly seemed possible a year ago, and Nicaragua’s announcement yesterday made this dynamic slightly more embarrassing for the United States."
"We’ve isolated ourselves internationally in a way that hardly seemed possible a year ago, and Nicaragua’s announcement yesterday made this dynamic slightly more embarrassing for the United States."
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Trump goes to war against his own country’s health care system
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-goes-war-against-his-own-countrys-health-care-system
"It’s not as if the president can say he wasn’t warned about the adverse consequences of this ridiculous gambit. In fact, it was around this time that Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Republican chairman of the Senate committee that oversees health care policy, added that if the CSR payments end, “Americans will be hurt.” Trump is doing it anyway, indifferent to the real-world consequences. The president is making a conscious decision to undermine his own country’s health care system on purpose. All of this, of course, comes on top of the series of related steps the Republican has already taken to make it more difficult for Americans – which is to say, his ostensible constituents – to get the coverage and health security they’re entitled to under the law. If Trump thinks this will force Democrats to accept a GOP repeal plan, he’s mistaken. If Trump thinks he can blame “Obamacare” for the damage he’s doing to the system, he’s misguided – because he’s taking ownership of American health care right now, forcing consumers to pay more while he sabotages the system as part of a bizarre political vendetta. The president is taking a sledgehammer to our health care system, and he’s making no effort to hide his actions. As conditions deteriorate, there will be no one else to blame."
"It’s not as if the president can say he wasn’t warned about the adverse consequences of this ridiculous gambit. In fact, it was around this time that Sen. Lamar Alexander, the Republican chairman of the Senate committee that oversees health care policy, added that if the CSR payments end, “Americans will be hurt.” Trump is doing it anyway, indifferent to the real-world consequences. The president is making a conscious decision to undermine his own country’s health care system on purpose. All of this, of course, comes on top of the series of related steps the Republican has already taken to make it more difficult for Americans – which is to say, his ostensible constituents – to get the coverage and health security they’re entitled to under the law. If Trump thinks this will force Democrats to accept a GOP repeal plan, he’s mistaken. If Trump thinks he can blame “Obamacare” for the damage he’s doing to the system, he’s misguided – because he’s taking ownership of American health care right now, forcing consumers to pay more while he sabotages the system as part of a bizarre political vendetta. The president is taking a sledgehammer to our health care system, and he’s making no effort to hide his actions. As conditions deteriorate, there will be no one else to blame."
Obamacare sabotage in Florida: they had the most signups, and now they have the most to lose
https://thinkprogress.org/florida-saw-the-most-obamacare-signups-now-groups-who-helped-people-enroll-are-being-penalized-c225e1430aab/
"The Trump administration has repeatedly undercut the current health law, and most encapsulating of this was yesterday’s decision to end promised subsidy payments to insurance companies. For Florida, this is especially troublesome because more residents there than any other state depend on the ACA marketplace for insurance. Florida has had the highest number of ACA signups in the country. Approximately 1.7 million people in the state enrolled in private plans offered on the ACA marketplace last open enrollment period. And the uninsured rate dropped from around 20 percent in 2013 to 12.6 percent in 2016. The ACA has worked in Florida even without much cooperation from the state government. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), one of the staunchest opponents of the current health law, refused federal funds to establish its own state exchange. Instead, residents enroll for coverage on the federally-facilitated marketplace, healthcare.gov. Additionally, the state has not expanded Medicaid. Florida outperformed California’s enrollment numbers by about 200,000 last enrollment period, even though Sacramento agreed to operate its own state-run exchange and is widely supported by local officials. Texas, the second-highest enrollment state that operates on heathcare.gov, had more than half a million less enrollees than Florida last enrollment period. There are many people who qualify for insurance on the Florida marketplace but are not enrolled. Of the 2,500,000 remaining uninsured, 614,000 qualify for subsidized insurance on the marketplace and 246,000 qualify for Medicaid — insurance largely for low-income people — according to a 2016 estimate by the Kaiser Family Foundation."
"The Trump administration has repeatedly undercut the current health law, and most encapsulating of this was yesterday’s decision to end promised subsidy payments to insurance companies. For Florida, this is especially troublesome because more residents there than any other state depend on the ACA marketplace for insurance. Florida has had the highest number of ACA signups in the country. Approximately 1.7 million people in the state enrolled in private plans offered on the ACA marketplace last open enrollment period. And the uninsured rate dropped from around 20 percent in 2013 to 12.6 percent in 2016. The ACA has worked in Florida even without much cooperation from the state government. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), one of the staunchest opponents of the current health law, refused federal funds to establish its own state exchange. Instead, residents enroll for coverage on the federally-facilitated marketplace, healthcare.gov. Additionally, the state has not expanded Medicaid. Florida outperformed California’s enrollment numbers by about 200,000 last enrollment period, even though Sacramento agreed to operate its own state-run exchange and is widely supported by local officials. Texas, the second-highest enrollment state that operates on heathcare.gov, had more than half a million less enrollees than Florida last enrollment period. There are many people who qualify for insurance on the Florida marketplace but are not enrolled. Of the 2,500,000 remaining uninsured, 614,000 qualify for subsidized insurance on the marketplace and 246,000 qualify for Medicaid — insurance largely for low-income people — according to a 2016 estimate by the Kaiser Family Foundation."
CNN’s Erin Burnett Shreds ‘Hypocrite-In-Chief’ Trump After He Signs His 50th Executive Order
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/10/12/cnns-erin-burnett-shreds-hypocrite-in-chief-trump-signs-50th-executive-order.html
"President Obama signed 26 executive orders by the 12th of October of his first year in office. Trump’s running a double."
"President Obama signed 26 executive orders by the 12th of October of his first year in office. Trump’s running a double."
The Atlantic Confirms It: We Are Living In A Kakistocracy
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/10/1705723/-The-Atlantic-Confirms-It-We-Are-Living-In-A-Kakistocracy
"Kakistocracy is back, and we are experiencing it firsthand in America. The unscrupulous element has come into sharp focus in recent weeks as a string of Trump Cabinet members and White House staffers have been caught spending staggering sums of taxpayer dollars to charter jets, at times to go small distances where cheap commercial transportation was readily available, at times to conveniently visit home areas or have lunch with family members. While Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was forced to resign after his serial abuse, others—including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, remain in place. There's a reason this word has been out of vogue so long. The reason is that a kakistocracy requires two things that until this point in American history have been quite rare. First you need an Executive with a blatant, wholesale disregard for the country, the welfare of its citizens and the importance of its institutions. Second (unless such a person manages to be elected by trickery), you need a constituency willing to elect such a person. To find a bloc of voters with such an abominable disregard and low opinion of themselves and their country that they would knowingly put their futures in the hands of thoroughly venal leader is a real rarity. The primary process usually winnows out such garbage. In this case, however Republican voters were already inured to Trump's personal style because he was a TV personality. So an institutional hurdle that exists for most candidates was immediately mooted. But the fact is that millions of Americans chose—with eyes wide open—to elect someone who clearly from his conduct and speeches during the campaign exemplified the absolute worst America had to offer."
"Kakistocracy is back, and we are experiencing it firsthand in America. The unscrupulous element has come into sharp focus in recent weeks as a string of Trump Cabinet members and White House staffers have been caught spending staggering sums of taxpayer dollars to charter jets, at times to go small distances where cheap commercial transportation was readily available, at times to conveniently visit home areas or have lunch with family members. While Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price was forced to resign after his serial abuse, others—including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, and Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, remain in place. There's a reason this word has been out of vogue so long. The reason is that a kakistocracy requires two things that until this point in American history have been quite rare. First you need an Executive with a blatant, wholesale disregard for the country, the welfare of its citizens and the importance of its institutions. Second (unless such a person manages to be elected by trickery), you need a constituency willing to elect such a person. To find a bloc of voters with such an abominable disregard and low opinion of themselves and their country that they would knowingly put their futures in the hands of thoroughly venal leader is a real rarity. The primary process usually winnows out such garbage. In this case, however Republican voters were already inured to Trump's personal style because he was a TV personality. So an institutional hurdle that exists for most candidates was immediately mooted. But the fact is that millions of Americans chose—with eyes wide open—to elect someone who clearly from his conduct and speeches during the campaign exemplified the absolute worst America had to offer."
After Day of Feuding, Jeff Flake and Bob Corker Join Trump to Upend a Major Consumer Protection
https://theintercept.com/2017/10/24/after-day-of-feuding-jeff-flake-and-bob-corker-join-trump-to-upend-a-major-consumer-protection/
"With a razor-thin margin, the Senate passed a resolution to nullify a signature regulation from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which banned forced arbitration provisions. Such clauses, tucked into the fine print of contracts that nobody reads, deny consumers the ability to contest claims through a class-action lawsuit, and can allow banks and other financial institutions to rip off their customers with virtual impunity."
"With a razor-thin margin, the Senate passed a resolution to nullify a signature regulation from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which banned forced arbitration provisions. Such clauses, tucked into the fine print of contracts that nobody reads, deny consumers the ability to contest claims through a class-action lawsuit, and can allow banks and other financial institutions to rip off their customers with virtual impunity."
“None of this is normal”: read the full transcript of Sen. Jeff Flake’s blistering retirement speech
https://www.vox.com/2017/10/24/16537284/full-transcript-flake-retirement-speech
"On Tuesday, Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who had just announced his retirement, delivered a stunning indictment of President Trump and blasted members of his own party for failing to speak out against the president."
"On Tuesday, Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who had just announced his retirement, delivered a stunning indictment of President Trump and blasted members of his own party for failing to speak out against the president."
Evidence contradicts Trump claims on calls to soldiers’ families
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/evidence-contradicts-trump-claims-calls-soldiers-families
"Donald Trump’s timing could’ve been better. When Sgt. La David Johnson’s remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, the president was golfing. On Saturday, Johnson was laid to rest, and Trump spent part of Saturday morning tweeting not about the fallen hero ahead of his funeral, but taking juvenile shots at Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who mentored Johnson and is close with his family. And then the president went golfing again. Complicating matters is Trump’s demonstrable dishonesty on his interactions with the families of American soldiers killed in action. As part of his self-aggrandizing boasts last week, the president told Fox News Radio, “I have called, I believe, everybody – but certainly I’ll use the word virtually everybody.” The Associated Press found soon after that of the 20 families who lost loved ones since Trump took office, half had not heard from the president. Roll Call reported late last week that the White House apparently knew that Trump’s boast wasn’t true. In the hours after President Donald Trump said on an Oct. 17 radio broadcast that he had contacted nearly every family that had lost a military servicemember this year, the White House was hustling to learn from the Pentagon the identities and contact information for those families, according to an internal Defense Department email. The email exchange, which has not been previously reported, shows that senior White House aides were aware on the day the president made the statement that it was not accurate – but that they should try to make it accurate as soon as possible, given the gathering controversy. Not only had the president not contacted virtually all the families of military personnel killed this year, the White House did not even have an up-to-date list of those who had been killed. What’s more, The Atlantic reported over the weekend that, in a mad dash to deal with the president’s false claim, the Trump administration has begun “rush-delivering letters from the president to the families of servicemembers killed months ago"."
"Donald Trump’s timing could’ve been better. When Sgt. La David Johnson’s remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base, the president was golfing. On Saturday, Johnson was laid to rest, and Trump spent part of Saturday morning tweeting not about the fallen hero ahead of his funeral, but taking juvenile shots at Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who mentored Johnson and is close with his family. And then the president went golfing again. Complicating matters is Trump’s demonstrable dishonesty on his interactions with the families of American soldiers killed in action. As part of his self-aggrandizing boasts last week, the president told Fox News Radio, “I have called, I believe, everybody – but certainly I’ll use the word virtually everybody.” The Associated Press found soon after that of the 20 families who lost loved ones since Trump took office, half had not heard from the president. Roll Call reported late last week that the White House apparently knew that Trump’s boast wasn’t true. In the hours after President Donald Trump said on an Oct. 17 radio broadcast that he had contacted nearly every family that had lost a military servicemember this year, the White House was hustling to learn from the Pentagon the identities and contact information for those families, according to an internal Defense Department email. The email exchange, which has not been previously reported, shows that senior White House aides were aware on the day the president made the statement that it was not accurate – but that they should try to make it accurate as soon as possible, given the gathering controversy. Not only had the president not contacted virtually all the families of military personnel killed this year, the White House did not even have an up-to-date list of those who had been killed. What’s more, The Atlantic reported over the weekend that, in a mad dash to deal with the president’s false claim, the Trump administration has begun “rush-delivering letters from the president to the families of servicemembers killed months ago"."
Trump signs executive order to draft retired pilots back into military service
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/20/trump-signs-executive-order-to-draft-retired-pilots-back-into-military-service/
"Citing emergency powers, President Donald Trump signed an executive order late in the day on Friday that would allow retired military pilots to be recalled to active duty. But the broad wording of the executive order seemed to imply that the executive branch would have the power to call up retired military officers and force them back into service for any reason, as the “emergency” Trump used to justify the executive order was extremely vague: “the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States.” This executive order is officially an amendment to Executive Order 13223, signed by George W. Bush in September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Trump’s executive order claimed to be “in furtherance of the objectives of Proclamation 7463… which declared a national emergency by reason of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.” Stay with me, because this gets confusing. So Trump basically wrote an amendment to Bush’s 2001 executive order. All Bush’s executive order really said, though, was that an emergency existed and the president had authorization to use a variety of statutes in the federal code. It then listed those statutes, of which there are many; let’s just say they mostly involve the executive abilities to send the military around the world and limit troops’ ability to retire. In any case, Trump’s executive order specifically invoked two of the sections of the United States Code."
"Citing emergency powers, President Donald Trump signed an executive order late in the day on Friday that would allow retired military pilots to be recalled to active duty. But the broad wording of the executive order seemed to imply that the executive branch would have the power to call up retired military officers and force them back into service for any reason, as the “emergency” Trump used to justify the executive order was extremely vague: “the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the United States.” This executive order is officially an amendment to Executive Order 13223, signed by George W. Bush in September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Trump’s executive order claimed to be “in furtherance of the objectives of Proclamation 7463… which declared a national emergency by reason of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.” Stay with me, because this gets confusing. So Trump basically wrote an amendment to Bush’s 2001 executive order. All Bush’s executive order really said, though, was that an emergency existed and the president had authorization to use a variety of statutes in the federal code. It then listed those statutes, of which there are many; let’s just say they mostly involve the executive abilities to send the military around the world and limit troops’ ability to retire. In any case, Trump’s executive order specifically invoked two of the sections of the United States Code."
Gold Star Widow Myeshia Johnson Confirms Rep. Frederica Wilson's Account of Her Call with Trump to the Word @alternet
Gold Star Widow Myeshia Johnson Confirms Rep. Frederica Wilson's Account of Her Call with Trump to the Word @alternet:
"Myeshia Johnson, the widow of slain U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson, confirmed Rep. Frederica Wilson’s account of her phone call with President Donald Trump on Monday. During an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, Johnson said that Trump didn’t seem to know her husband’s name when he talked with her on the phone."
"Myeshia Johnson, the widow of slain U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson, confirmed Rep. Frederica Wilson’s account of her phone call with President Donald Trump on Monday. During an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, Johnson said that Trump didn’t seem to know her husband’s name when he talked with her on the phone."
‘That is wrong’: McCain whacks Trump over ‘bone spur’ excuse to dodge the Vietnam draft
‘That is wrong’: McCain whacks Trump over ‘bone spur’ excuse to dodge the Vietnam draft
"Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) swatted President Donald Trump during an interview about the Vietnam War on Sunday — without ever mentioning the former reality TV game show host by name."
"Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) swatted President Donald Trump during an interview about the Vietnam War on Sunday — without ever mentioning the former reality TV game show host by name."
John McCain Dings Trump's Vietnam Draft Deferment Without Using His Name @alternet
John McCain Dings Trump's Vietnam Draft Deferment Without Using His Name @alternet:
"Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) attacked President Donald Trump without mentioning his name during an interview for C-SPAN3’s American History TV. The senator was discussing the Vietnam War, in which he served as a Navy pilot and became a POW after being shot down, when he raised the issue of classist draft procedures in the United States. McCain used Trump's widely-publicized reason for a medical deferment as a specific example of rich Americans buying their way out of military service."
"Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) attacked President Donald Trump without mentioning his name during an interview for C-SPAN3’s American History TV. The senator was discussing the Vietnam War, in which he served as a Navy pilot and became a POW after being shot down, when he raised the issue of classist draft procedures in the United States. McCain used Trump's widely-publicized reason for a medical deferment as a specific example of rich Americans buying their way out of military service."
John Kelly and the Dangerous Moral Calculus of Working for Trump
https://www.newyorker.com/news/ryan-lizza/john-kelly-and-the-dangerous-moral-calculus-of-working-for-trump
"Kelly is the chief of staff and a political operative. He held a press conference and told a lie that smeared one of Trump’s political opponents."
"Kelly is the chief of staff and a political operative. He held a press conference and told a lie that smeared one of Trump’s political opponents."
John McCain Rips ‘Bone Spur’ Vietnam Deferments, in Apparent Trump Jab
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/john-mccain-rips-bone-spur-vietnam-deferments-apparent-trump-jab-n813171
"Sen. John McCain seemed to hit President Donald Trump during an interview about the Vietnam War on Sunday, criticizing Americans from "the highest income level" who were able to obtain draft deferments for ailments like a “bone spur"."
"Sen. John McCain seemed to hit President Donald Trump during an interview about the Vietnam War on Sunday, criticizing Americans from "the highest income level" who were able to obtain draft deferments for ailments like a “bone spur"."
Here’s an Appalling List of All the Times Trump’s Disrespected Our Military and Veterans
https://forwardprogressives.com/heres-an-appalling-list-of-all-the-times-trumps-disrespected-our-military-and-veterans/
"Let’s run down all of the things Trump has said and done to display a total lack of respect for our brave men and women in uniform and those who’ve previously served: He said Senator John McCain wasn’t a war hero because he “likes people who weren’t captured.” Once claimed that he knew more about terrorism than our generals. After skipping a GOP presidential debate because Fox News refused to pull Megyn Kelly as a moderator, he staged an event where he used “raising money for veterans” as a shield from criticism for cowardly refusing to participate in the debate prior to the Iowa Caucus. After spending four months bragging about giving $1 million to veterans groups, and his campaign manager insisting that the money had already been paid, it wasn’t until after The Washington Post discovered that he hadn’t fulfilled his promise that he finally wrote them a check. He repeatedly attacked Gold Star parents of an American hero who died fighting in Iraq. When a veteran allegedly gave him his Purple Heart medal, Trump bragged about telling the retired lieutenant colonel, “I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier.” For the record, the Purple Heart is awarded to those who’ve been wounded or killed in combat — while Trump used multiple deferments to avoid fighting in Vietnam. He’s repeatedly tried to undermine the credibility of U.S. intelligence agencies, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force."
"Let’s run down all of the things Trump has said and done to display a total lack of respect for our brave men and women in uniform and those who’ve previously served: He said Senator John McCain wasn’t a war hero because he “likes people who weren’t captured.” Once claimed that he knew more about terrorism than our generals. After skipping a GOP presidential debate because Fox News refused to pull Megyn Kelly as a moderator, he staged an event where he used “raising money for veterans” as a shield from criticism for cowardly refusing to participate in the debate prior to the Iowa Caucus. After spending four months bragging about giving $1 million to veterans groups, and his campaign manager insisting that the money had already been paid, it wasn’t until after The Washington Post discovered that he hadn’t fulfilled his promise that he finally wrote them a check. He repeatedly attacked Gold Star parents of an American hero who died fighting in Iraq. When a veteran allegedly gave him his Purple Heart medal, Trump bragged about telling the retired lieutenant colonel, “I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier.” For the record, the Purple Heart is awarded to those who’ve been wounded or killed in combat — while Trump used multiple deferments to avoid fighting in Vietnam. He’s repeatedly tried to undermine the credibility of U.S. intelligence agencies, which includes the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force."
Donald Trump pushes back against fallen soldier’s widow
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/donald-trump-pushes-back-against-fallen-soldiers-widow#break
"The president and his team have, over the course of just seven days, lied about other presidents’ interactions with fallen soldiers’ loved ones, lied about the number of families Trump has personally contacted, lied (more than once) about a Democratic congresswoman who’s close to the Johnson family, repeatedly insulted the Democratic congresswoman, and failed to acknowledge any of the White House’s collective missteps. It’s against this backdrop that Donald Trump thought it’d be a good idea to question the word of Sgt. La David Johnson’s widow – two days after the fallen soldier’s funeral."
"The president and his team have, over the course of just seven days, lied about other presidents’ interactions with fallen soldiers’ loved ones, lied about the number of families Trump has personally contacted, lied (more than once) about a Democratic congresswoman who’s close to the Johnson family, repeatedly insulted the Democratic congresswoman, and failed to acknowledge any of the White House’s collective missteps. It’s against this backdrop that Donald Trump thought it’d be a good idea to question the word of Sgt. La David Johnson’s widow – two days after the fallen soldier’s funeral."
Republican ex-congressman Joe Walsh: We Have a ‘Right to Attack’ Widow of Sgt. La David Johnson
https://forwardprogressives.com/republican-ex-congressman-joe-walsh-we-have-a-right-to-attack-widow-of-sgt-la-david-johnson/
"We’re living in very sad times in this country. A former Republican congressmen, empowered by millions of people who’ve made it clear that there really isn’t a level to which they will not stoop to defend Trump, didn’t hesitate to say publicly that a pregnant widow who recently lost her husband just a couple of weeks ago fighting for this country is fair game to be “attacked” simply because the current “president” is a soulless b*stard who disrespected the sacrifices made by him and his family. Don’t criticize Trump for what he said, the fact he’s since tried to lie about Rep. Wilson since she told the truth about him, or the fact that he’s continued to disrespect Sgt. Johnson and his family by calling them liars — just attack her for telling the truth about him. It’s absolutely disgusting."
"We’re living in very sad times in this country. A former Republican congressmen, empowered by millions of people who’ve made it clear that there really isn’t a level to which they will not stoop to defend Trump, didn’t hesitate to say publicly that a pregnant widow who recently lost her husband just a couple of weeks ago fighting for this country is fair game to be “attacked” simply because the current “president” is a soulless b*stard who disrespected the sacrifices made by him and his family. Don’t criticize Trump for what he said, the fact he’s since tried to lie about Rep. Wilson since she told the truth about him, or the fact that he’s continued to disrespect Sgt. Johnson and his family by calling them liars — just attack her for telling the truth about him. It’s absolutely disgusting."
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
In the dead of night, Republicans vote to give lawsuit immunity to banks
https://thinkprogress.org/in-the-dead-of-night-republicans-vote-to-give-lawsuit-immunity-to-banks-d6504eab6b86/
"Tuesday night, as many Americans were preparing to go to bed, an evenly divided Senate voted to give broad lawsuit immunity to credit card companies, auto lenders, credit reporting companies like Equifax, and many other financial firms. The 50-50 tie in the Senate was broken by Vice President Mike Pence (R), and the House approved the lawsuit immunity measure. President Trump is expected to sign it."
"Tuesday night, as many Americans were preparing to go to bed, an evenly divided Senate voted to give broad lawsuit immunity to credit card companies, auto lenders, credit reporting companies like Equifax, and many other financial firms. The 50-50 tie in the Senate was broken by Vice President Mike Pence (R), and the House approved the lawsuit immunity measure. President Trump is expected to sign it."
VP Mike Pence Swings into Senate to Deliver 'Wet-Kiss-to-Wall-Street' Tie Breaker
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/24/vp-mike-pence-swings-senate-deliver-wet-kiss-wall-street-tie-breaker
"Vice President Mike Pence was summoned to the Senate chamber on Tuesday night where he cast the tie-breaking vote in order to scrap a federal rule designed to protect consumers from so-called "rip-off clauses" used by Wall Street and other corporations."
"Vice President Mike Pence was summoned to the Senate chamber on Tuesday night where he cast the tie-breaking vote in order to scrap a federal rule designed to protect consumers from so-called "rip-off clauses" used by Wall Street and other corporations."
Jeff Flake Denounces Trump as a Danger to Democracy in Stunning Speech on Senate Floor @alternet
Jeff Flake Denounces Trump as a Danger to Democracy in Stunning Speech on Senate Floor @alternet: “Mr. President, I rise today to say, 'enough.'' Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), shortly after announcing his retirement, gave a stunning speech on the Senate floor in which he condemned President Donald Trump’s behavior while in office — and said he represented a threat to the republic.Flake, who faced the possibility of a primary challenge from the right over his criticism of Trump, once again called out Trump — as well as his fellow Republicans for trying to paper over their concerns with his behavior.
Scott Pruitt’s back-to-basics agenda includes 30 personal security guards
https://thinkprogress.org/scott-pruitt-expands-security-detail-93012a4cb4c8/
"The Environmental Protection Agency is expanding the number of security personnel dedicated to protecting agency chief Scott Pruitt by 12, raising the administrator’s total security detail to 30 guards. Prior to the latest boost in protection, the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division was providing an 18-member security team that worked in shifts to guard the administrator around the clock. The millions of dollars spent on guarding Pruitt is coming at a time when the Trump administration wants to cut the EPA’s budget by 30 percent, including major cuts to the agency’s environmental enforcement program. The salaries for Pruitt’s security detail will cost at least $2 million per year, CNN reported Monday. That cost does not include funding to cover training, equipment, or travel. No previous EPA administrator has ever received a 24/7 security detail. Two prior administrators were guarded when getting transported to meetings or on trips. During the first three months of Pruitt’s tenure at the EPA, the government spent more than $800,000 on security for him, almost twice the cost of security for each of his two predecessors — Gina McCarthy and Lisa Jackson — over similar time periods."
"The Environmental Protection Agency is expanding the number of security personnel dedicated to protecting agency chief Scott Pruitt by 12, raising the administrator’s total security detail to 30 guards. Prior to the latest boost in protection, the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division was providing an 18-member security team that worked in shifts to guard the administrator around the clock. The millions of dollars spent on guarding Pruitt is coming at a time when the Trump administration wants to cut the EPA’s budget by 30 percent, including major cuts to the agency’s environmental enforcement program. The salaries for Pruitt’s security detail will cost at least $2 million per year, CNN reported Monday. That cost does not include funding to cover training, equipment, or travel. No previous EPA administrator has ever received a 24/7 security detail. Two prior administrators were guarded when getting transported to meetings or on trips. During the first three months of Pruitt’s tenure at the EPA, the government spent more than $800,000 on security for him, almost twice the cost of security for each of his two predecessors — Gina McCarthy and Lisa Jackson — over similar time periods."
Trump gives chemical industry insider power on regulating chemicals
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-gives-chemical-industry-insider-power-regulating-chemicals
"Voters who supported Donald Trump because they hoped he’d “drain the swamp,” preventing corporate insiders from helping call the shots in government agencies, are getting the exact opposite of what they wanted."
"Voters who supported Donald Trump because they hoped he’d “drain the swamp,” preventing corporate insiders from helping call the shots in government agencies, are getting the exact opposite of what they wanted."
Trump talks through solemn military ceremony: “Are they playing that for you or me?”
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/12/trump-talks-through-solemn-military-ceremony-are-they-playing-that-for-you-or-me/
"As the president spoke to Hannity at an Air National Guard hangar in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the tune of "Retreat" was heard over the loudspeakers. The song is "part of a firmly rooted tradition that predates the American Revolutionary War; the US military tune signals the start and end of the official duty day," Task and Purpose reported. "When the American flag is lowered and raised on US military installations, a bugle blares on loudspeakers as service members and civilians pay their respects to the flag." The tune "Retreat" is played at 5 p.m. every day and "is traditionally a time to secure the flag and pay respect to what it stands for," according to the Defense Logistics Agency. Trump heard the song on Wednesday, and instead — like everything else — made it about himself. "What a nice sound that is," he said, before asking Hannity, "Are they playing that for you or for me?" But before Hannity could answer, Trump added, "They’re playing that in honor of his ratings. He’s beating everybody"."
"As the president spoke to Hannity at an Air National Guard hangar in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the tune of "Retreat" was heard over the loudspeakers. The song is "part of a firmly rooted tradition that predates the American Revolutionary War; the US military tune signals the start and end of the official duty day," Task and Purpose reported. "When the American flag is lowered and raised on US military installations, a bugle blares on loudspeakers as service members and civilians pay their respects to the flag." The tune "Retreat" is played at 5 p.m. every day and "is traditionally a time to secure the flag and pay respect to what it stands for," according to the Defense Logistics Agency. Trump heard the song on Wednesday, and instead — like everything else — made it about himself. "What a nice sound that is," he said, before asking Hannity, "Are they playing that for you or for me?" But before Hannity could answer, Trump added, "They’re playing that in honor of his ratings. He’s beating everybody"."
CNN’s Jake Tapper calls out Trump for trying to ‘make as much money as possible off the government’
CNN’s Jake Tapper calls out Trump for trying to ‘make as much money as possible off the government’
"CNN Money uncovered that the U.S. Secret Service has been forced to pay over $63,000 to stay at Mar-a-Lago while protecting President Donald Trump for just a few months. This is the “rack rate,” according to reporter Cristina Alesci, who spoke to Tapper Thursday. The agents weren’t given a government rate or any kind of “deal” since they were forced to be there to do their job. As a result, Trump is directly profiting off of his position and those tax dollars are flowing directly into his pocket. Tapper noted to his political panel that it “boggles the mind,” how it’s been able to happen. The report revealed that the majority of the money spent was between February and April, and classified as hotel costs on government expense forms. An August report from USA Today cited the budget of the Secret Service and sources claimed that they were “tapped out” because of the lavish costs of the Trump administration."
"CNN Money uncovered that the U.S. Secret Service has been forced to pay over $63,000 to stay at Mar-a-Lago while protecting President Donald Trump for just a few months. This is the “rack rate,” according to reporter Cristina Alesci, who spoke to Tapper Thursday. The agents weren’t given a government rate or any kind of “deal” since they were forced to be there to do their job. As a result, Trump is directly profiting off of his position and those tax dollars are flowing directly into his pocket. Tapper noted to his political panel that it “boggles the mind,” how it’s been able to happen. The report revealed that the majority of the money spent was between February and April, and classified as hotel costs on government expense forms. An August report from USA Today cited the budget of the Secret Service and sources claimed that they were “tapped out” because of the lavish costs of the Trump administration."
The Obamacare Repeal Back-Up Plan
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a12838399/trump-undermine-obamacare-markets/
"The sheer meanness of the calculations behind the effort to deprive millions of people of their health insurance, including the millions of people who found relief from this nightmare only in the past eight years, is hard for the decent mind to comprehend. On Thursday, the president* signed an order guaranteed to corrupt health insurance marketplaces all across the country, and that corruption will not be an unintended consequence. It will be a deliberate act of vandalism, like cutting a gas line into a house and waiting for the explosion that inevitably will occur. Trump and that pack o'bastards applauding him are the perps, giggling and sweating into their palms across the street, waiting for the detonation that will shatter so many lives."
"The sheer meanness of the calculations behind the effort to deprive millions of people of their health insurance, including the millions of people who found relief from this nightmare only in the past eight years, is hard for the decent mind to comprehend. On Thursday, the president* signed an order guaranteed to corrupt health insurance marketplaces all across the country, and that corruption will not be an unintended consequence. It will be a deliberate act of vandalism, like cutting a gas line into a house and waiting for the explosion that inevitably will occur. Trump and that pack o'bastards applauding him are the perps, giggling and sweating into their palms across the street, waiting for the detonation that will shatter so many lives."
After NFL kneeling controversy, Trump talks through Retreat bugle that honors military
http://www.newsweek.com/after-nfl-kneeling-controversy-trump-talks-through-retreat-bugle-honors-683058
"President Donald Trump is embroiled in a long-running verbal spat with NFL players over their kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice toward African-Americans. He has taken objection to their perceived disparagement of the star-and-striped flag, the national anthem and the military. But on Wednesday night, the president talked through the “Retreat” bugle, a military tradition that serves to honor soldiers and veterans. The president was speaking to one of his strongest supporters in the American media, Fox News’ Sean Hannity, at the Air National Guard in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Mid-interview the “Retreat’ anthem started to play, and while others have stopped in their tracks to salute, stand to attention or pay their respects for the bugle, Trump sat with Hannity and continued to speak throughout it. "What a nice sound that is," Trump said. "Are they playing that for you or for me?" "They're playing that in honor of his ratings,” he said, referring to Hannity. "He's beating everybody.” When it plays, soldiers stop and salute, and civilians place their hands on their hearts in a patriotic act observed by the military. But the president did neither for the sound that has served as a tradition since before the American Revolutionary War, in spite of his criticism of NFL players for protesting during the national anthem"
"President Donald Trump is embroiled in a long-running verbal spat with NFL players over their kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice toward African-Americans. He has taken objection to their perceived disparagement of the star-and-striped flag, the national anthem and the military. But on Wednesday night, the president talked through the “Retreat” bugle, a military tradition that serves to honor soldiers and veterans. The president was speaking to one of his strongest supporters in the American media, Fox News’ Sean Hannity, at the Air National Guard in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Mid-interview the “Retreat’ anthem started to play, and while others have stopped in their tracks to salute, stand to attention or pay their respects for the bugle, Trump sat with Hannity and continued to speak throughout it. "What a nice sound that is," Trump said. "Are they playing that for you or for me?" "They're playing that in honor of his ratings,” he said, referring to Hannity. "He's beating everybody.” When it plays, soldiers stop and salute, and civilians place their hands on their hearts in a patriotic act observed by the military. But the president did neither for the sound that has served as a tradition since before the American Revolutionary War, in spite of his criticism of NFL players for protesting during the national anthem"
Top Trump congressional ally being investigated for insider trading
Top Trump congressional ally being investigated for insider trading
"Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), who is one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress, is under investigation for insider trading. The Buffalo News reports that the Office of Congressional Ethics released a report on Thursday that concluded there was “substantial reason to believe” that Collins had broken federal law regarding insider trading."
"Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), who is one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress, is under investigation for insider trading. The Buffalo News reports that the Office of Congressional Ethics released a report on Thursday that concluded there was “substantial reason to believe” that Collins had broken federal law regarding insider trading."
Twitter Bots Distorted the 2016 Election—Including Many Likely From Russia
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/twitter-bots-distorted-the-2016-election-including-many-controlled-by-russia/
"The day Donald Trump was elected president, nearly 2,000 Twitter accounts that had pumped out pro-Trump messages in the run-up to the vote suddenly went dark. Then, in spring 2017, these bot-controlled accounts reemerged to campaign en français for Marine Le Pen in the French election, and then once again this fall, to tweet auf Deutsch on behalf of the far-right party in Germany’s election. The bots were part of a larger group tracked over a month-long period before the US election by University of Southern California researchers, who discovered that bots were deeply entwined in political conversation on Twitter—accounting for 1 in 5 election-related tweets."
"The day Donald Trump was elected president, nearly 2,000 Twitter accounts that had pumped out pro-Trump messages in the run-up to the vote suddenly went dark. Then, in spring 2017, these bot-controlled accounts reemerged to campaign en français for Marine Le Pen in the French election, and then once again this fall, to tweet auf Deutsch on behalf of the far-right party in Germany’s election. The bots were part of a larger group tracked over a month-long period before the US election by University of Southern California researchers, who discovered that bots were deeply entwined in political conversation on Twitter—accounting for 1 in 5 election-related tweets."
False Facebook groups created by Russia generated 340 Million views and shares
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/12/1706407/-False-Facebook-groups-created-by-Russia-generated-340-Million-views-and-shares
"Similarly the Facebook Group “Heart of Texas” was also a front group for Russia which was used to stoke anti-Muslim propaganda and foment a seccessionist anti-Clinton frenzy."
"Similarly the Facebook Group “Heart of Texas” was also a front group for Russia which was used to stoke anti-Muslim propaganda and foment a seccessionist anti-Clinton frenzy."
Deregulating AIG Was a Mistake
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2017/10/11/440570/deregulating-aig-mistake/
"The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury and FSOC Chairman Steven Mnuchin, recently voted to deregulate American International Group (AIG) by removing its designation as a systemically important financial institution (SIFI)—basically declaring that the mega-insurer no longer warrants heightened scrutiny from regulators. The $500 billion international insurance giant received a $182 billion federal bailout during the global financial crisis of 2007 through 2008. While significantly smaller and less complex than it was at the height of the crisis, it is not fundamentally different than it was in 2013 when the FSOC determined that it was systemically important. That is why removing AIG’s SIFI designation—which comes with enhanced oversight and regulation by the Federal Reserve Board—is a serious mistake. The 6-3 vote to deregulate AIG pitted the Obama-era regulators on the FSOC representing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)—all of whom opposed this decision—against four President Donald Trump-appointed FSOC members who were joined by Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen and an independent FSOC member with insurance expertise. The vote to deregulate AIG was even more disturbing, given remarks made by AIG’s new CEO, Brian Duperreault, who said in May, “I didn’t come here to break the company up. I came here to grow it.” One of the many wake-up calls coming out of the global financial crisis was that systemic risks in the financial sector can build up outside of traditional banks. The failure or potential failure of massive, interconnected financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers and AIG demonstrated the need for enhanced regulations and oversight for systemically important, nonbank financial institutions."
"The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury and FSOC Chairman Steven Mnuchin, recently voted to deregulate American International Group (AIG) by removing its designation as a systemically important financial institution (SIFI)—basically declaring that the mega-insurer no longer warrants heightened scrutiny from regulators. The $500 billion international insurance giant received a $182 billion federal bailout during the global financial crisis of 2007 through 2008. While significantly smaller and less complex than it was at the height of the crisis, it is not fundamentally different than it was in 2013 when the FSOC determined that it was systemically important. That is why removing AIG’s SIFI designation—which comes with enhanced oversight and regulation by the Federal Reserve Board—is a serious mistake. The 6-3 vote to deregulate AIG pitted the Obama-era regulators on the FSOC representing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)—all of whom opposed this decision—against four President Donald Trump-appointed FSOC members who were joined by Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen and an independent FSOC member with insurance expertise. The vote to deregulate AIG was even more disturbing, given remarks made by AIG’s new CEO, Brian Duperreault, who said in May, “I didn’t come here to break the company up. I came here to grow it.” One of the many wake-up calls coming out of the global financial crisis was that systemic risks in the financial sector can build up outside of traditional banks. The failure or potential failure of massive, interconnected financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers and AIG demonstrated the need for enhanced regulations and oversight for systemically important, nonbank financial institutions."
Conflicts of Interest? NOAA’s Nominees AccuWeather CEO Barry Myers, and Dr. Neil Jacobs of Panasonic
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/10/12/conflicts-interest-noaas-nominees-accuweather-ceo-barry-myers-and-dr-neil-jacobs
"Simply put, NOAA does a wide range of basic and applied scientific research to better understand our oceans and atmosphere, from deep sea exploration to space weather. (If you can’t imagine why we care about weather in space, you can find out how it can affect everything from satellites to cellphones!) NOAA’s research provides information to the public, policy makers, and other scientists in the US and around the world. NOAA scientists partner with a huge number of scientists in academia, industry, and private institutions in collaborative research in addition to providing critical long-term data series that no one else has the resources nor the mandate to collect and share with the public. So NOAA is a science agency, but its science is applied to create weather forecasts, manage fisheries, protect whales and other marine mammals, help states manage coastal areas, create charts, inform international negotiations on addressing the challenges of management of shared resources in the oceans and atmosphere, forecast tsunami risks, measure and monitor the ongoing process of climate change, and more. The leadership of the agency can impact all of us in one way or another. Care about severe weather and risks to your life and property? Better thank NOAA. Care about your favorite beach and whether it is eroding or will it be clean and safe? Better thank NOAA. Care about your farm and the coming growing season’s weather? Better thank NOAA. Or the fish you enjoy to catch or eat? Better thank NOAA."
"Simply put, NOAA does a wide range of basic and applied scientific research to better understand our oceans and atmosphere, from deep sea exploration to space weather. (If you can’t imagine why we care about weather in space, you can find out how it can affect everything from satellites to cellphones!) NOAA’s research provides information to the public, policy makers, and other scientists in the US and around the world. NOAA scientists partner with a huge number of scientists in academia, industry, and private institutions in collaborative research in addition to providing critical long-term data series that no one else has the resources nor the mandate to collect and share with the public. So NOAA is a science agency, but its science is applied to create weather forecasts, manage fisheries, protect whales and other marine mammals, help states manage coastal areas, create charts, inform international negotiations on addressing the challenges of management of shared resources in the oceans and atmosphere, forecast tsunami risks, measure and monitor the ongoing process of climate change, and more. The leadership of the agency can impact all of us in one way or another. Care about severe weather and risks to your life and property? Better thank NOAA. Care about your favorite beach and whether it is eroding or will it be clean and safe? Better thank NOAA. Care about your farm and the coming growing season’s weather? Better thank NOAA. Or the fish you enjoy to catch or eat? Better thank NOAA."
In embarrassing display, Trump flubs test on how money works
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/embarrassing-display-trump-flubs-test-how-money-works
"Before launching his presidential campaign, Donald Trump struggled throughout his adult life in his private-sector ventures. The New York Republican was often over-leveraged, faced multiple bankruptcies, and routinely tried to cut costs by refusing to pay contractors what they were owed. He’s one of those rare people who managed to lose money running a casino. With Trump now in the White House, we’re starting to get a better sense of why he had so many difficulties in the business world. As The Daily Beast noted, the president tried to argue last night that he’s already managed to shave off a huge chunk of the national debt. “The country – we took it over and owed over $20 trillion. As you know the last eight years, they borrowed more than it did in the whole history of our country. So they borrowed more than $10 trillion, right? And yet, we picked up $5.2 trillion just in the stock market,” Trump told Sean Hannity. “So you could say, in one sense, we’re really increasing values. And maybe in a sense, we’re reducing debt. But we’re very honored by it.” This wasn’t just some verbal gaffe. Yesterday afternoon in Harrisburg, during a speech on taxes, he pushed a related point: “Very proudly, just in the stock market alone, we have increased our economic worth by $5.2 trillion, that’s right, since Election Day. $5.2 trillion. Think about that, that’s a quarter of the $20 trillion that we owe.” This is gibberish. They’re the remarks of someone who doesn’t know what the national debt is. Or how the nation’s finances work. Or even how money works. Let’s try to make this plain. When the government spends more than it takes in over the course of a year, it runs an annual budget deficit. When this happens repeatedly over the course of several years, the cumulative totals of these deficits serves as the basis for the national debt. Currently, the national debt is, as Trump noted, about $20 trillion. This was, however, pretty much the only thing he got right."
"Before launching his presidential campaign, Donald Trump struggled throughout his adult life in his private-sector ventures. The New York Republican was often over-leveraged, faced multiple bankruptcies, and routinely tried to cut costs by refusing to pay contractors what they were owed. He’s one of those rare people who managed to lose money running a casino. With Trump now in the White House, we’re starting to get a better sense of why he had so many difficulties in the business world. As The Daily Beast noted, the president tried to argue last night that he’s already managed to shave off a huge chunk of the national debt. “The country – we took it over and owed over $20 trillion. As you know the last eight years, they borrowed more than it did in the whole history of our country. So they borrowed more than $10 trillion, right? And yet, we picked up $5.2 trillion just in the stock market,” Trump told Sean Hannity. “So you could say, in one sense, we’re really increasing values. And maybe in a sense, we’re reducing debt. But we’re very honored by it.” This wasn’t just some verbal gaffe. Yesterday afternoon in Harrisburg, during a speech on taxes, he pushed a related point: “Very proudly, just in the stock market alone, we have increased our economic worth by $5.2 trillion, that’s right, since Election Day. $5.2 trillion. Think about that, that’s a quarter of the $20 trillion that we owe.” This is gibberish. They’re the remarks of someone who doesn’t know what the national debt is. Or how the nation’s finances work. Or even how money works. Let’s try to make this plain. When the government spends more than it takes in over the course of a year, it runs an annual budget deficit. When this happens repeatedly over the course of several years, the cumulative totals of these deficits serves as the basis for the national debt. Currently, the national debt is, as Trump noted, about $20 trillion. This was, however, pretty much the only thing he got right."
Is Trump dragging his feet on Russian sanctions?
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-dragging-his-feet-russian-sanctions
"It was one of the more embarrassing failures of Trump’s presidency to date. As lawmakers prepared new sanctions against Russia in response to its attack on the American election, the president opposed the move and tried to shield Moscow from punishment. This, naturally, made Trump look pretty bad. Congressional Republicans proceeded to ignore the White House’s appeal and approved the sanctions anyway – the Senate vote was 98 to 2. This, naturally, made Trump look quite a bit worse. Left with limited choices, the president ultimately signed the legislation he opposed, but not before whining and blaming the Republican-led Congress for undermining relations with Putin’s government. At that point, it was widely assumed the administration would honor the law and implement the sanctions. As Foreign Policy noted yesterday, that hasn’t happened just yet."
"It was one of the more embarrassing failures of Trump’s presidency to date. As lawmakers prepared new sanctions against Russia in response to its attack on the American election, the president opposed the move and tried to shield Moscow from punishment. This, naturally, made Trump look pretty bad. Congressional Republicans proceeded to ignore the White House’s appeal and approved the sanctions anyway – the Senate vote was 98 to 2. This, naturally, made Trump look quite a bit worse. Left with limited choices, the president ultimately signed the legislation he opposed, but not before whining and blaming the Republican-led Congress for undermining relations with Putin’s government. At that point, it was widely assumed the administration would honor the law and implement the sanctions. As Foreign Policy noted yesterday, that hasn’t happened just yet."
Billionaire Trump backer's data firm under investigation for Russia connections
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/12/1706365/-Data-firm-owned-by-Robert-Mercer-under-investigation-for-Russia-connections
"the detailed data that drove the design of the Russian campaigns—information that included personal information on individual voters—may have come from elsewhere, such as a firm whose specialty is providing exactly this information. And the ties between Cambridge Analytica and the Trump campaign go beyond just Mercer: Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, had holdings in Cambridge Analytica worth between $1 million and $5 million as recently as April of this year, Bloomberg reported. Bannon, now back as the chairman of the pro-Trump media outlet Breitbart, hasn’t been publicly mentioned as a potential witness for or target of Russia investigators. He previously sat on the board of Cambridge Analytica. Cambridge Analytica is an outgrowth of a British company, SCL Group, a behavioral research company that uses massive consumer databases to shape opinions for multiple purposes. … SCL Group, which provides governments, political groups and companies around the world with services ranging from military disinformation campaigns to social media branding and voter targeting. The micro-targeted information from Cambridge helped Ted Cruz win the Iowa caucuses, but when Trump became the nominee, Mercer put both his funds and his data firm behind efforts to promote Trump. Jared Kushner took the controls of Trump’s data operations, and used Cambridge Analytica to mimick what they did in other countries."
"the detailed data that drove the design of the Russian campaigns—information that included personal information on individual voters—may have come from elsewhere, such as a firm whose specialty is providing exactly this information. And the ties between Cambridge Analytica and the Trump campaign go beyond just Mercer: Steve Bannon, the former White House chief strategist, had holdings in Cambridge Analytica worth between $1 million and $5 million as recently as April of this year, Bloomberg reported. Bannon, now back as the chairman of the pro-Trump media outlet Breitbart, hasn’t been publicly mentioned as a potential witness for or target of Russia investigators. He previously sat on the board of Cambridge Analytica. Cambridge Analytica is an outgrowth of a British company, SCL Group, a behavioral research company that uses massive consumer databases to shape opinions for multiple purposes. … SCL Group, which provides governments, political groups and companies around the world with services ranging from military disinformation campaigns to social media branding and voter targeting. The micro-targeted information from Cambridge helped Ted Cruz win the Iowa caucuses, but when Trump became the nominee, Mercer put both his funds and his data firm behind efforts to promote Trump. Jared Kushner took the controls of Trump’s data operations, and used Cambridge Analytica to mimick what they did in other countries."
GOP senator asks whether Trump is ‘recanting’ his oath of office
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-senator-asks-whether-trump-recanting-his-oath-office
"Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), an occasional Trump critic who nevertheless votes with the White House’s position in nearly every instance, responded by asking whether the president is “recanting” his oath of office – since it was nine months ago when Trump swore to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, which includes the First Amendment."
"Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), an occasional Trump critic who nevertheless votes with the White House’s position in nearly every instance, responded by asking whether the president is “recanting” his oath of office – since it was nine months ago when Trump swore to “preserve, protect, and defend” the Constitution, which includes the First Amendment."
Science proves that the Trump administration is lying to deny women access to birth control
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/11/1706185/-Science-proves-that-the-Trump-administration-is-lying-to-deny-women-access-to-birth-control
"Basically, under Trump’s Health and Human Services Department, lies about contraception and birth control are being used to justify taking contraception away from women. Of course, this is linked to the Republicans’ obsession with controlling women’s bodies and our right to decide whether or not to procreate. But it’s also reflective of the fact that they know absolutely nothing (and don’t care) about women’s bodies, health, or well-being. Women use birth control for a variety of reasons—some of which have nothing to do with sex."
"Basically, under Trump’s Health and Human Services Department, lies about contraception and birth control are being used to justify taking contraception away from women. Of course, this is linked to the Republicans’ obsession with controlling women’s bodies and our right to decide whether or not to procreate. But it’s also reflective of the fact that they know absolutely nothing (and don’t care) about women’s bodies, health, or well-being. Women use birth control for a variety of reasons—some of which have nothing to do with sex."
Trump’s nonsensical comments to Hannity reveal he has no idea how the national debt works
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-national-debt-works-8ac0421a2aa3/
"But it just doesn’t work like that. As CNBC details, to see why this doesn’t make sense, consider the relationship (or lack thereof) between the stock market and debt during the Obama administration. “For evidence that the two metrics have little to no bearing on one another, look no further than the eight years of the Obama presidency: Between 2009 and 2017, the S&P 500 returned 235 percent while the national debt soared,” CNBC’s Christina Wilkie writes. The national debt is a tough topic for Trump these days. Though candidate Trump repeatedly promised to pay down the national debt before the end of his term, it has actually expanded under his watch. And the tax cuts for corporations and the ultra wealthy he’s currently pushing would only make the debt bigger. As Reuters explains: The Republican tax plan unveiled last week calls for as much as $6 trillion in tax cuts that would sharply reduce federal revenues. No commensurate spending cuts have been proposed. So, on their own, the tax cuts being sought by Trump would hugely expand the deficit and add to the debt. Trump’s comments to Hannity were not the first time he’s revealed deep confusion about how the economy works. While he was pushing Obamacare repeal over the summer, Trump did an interview where he indicated he thinks it’s possible to purchase health insurance for $12 annually."
"But it just doesn’t work like that. As CNBC details, to see why this doesn’t make sense, consider the relationship (or lack thereof) between the stock market and debt during the Obama administration. “For evidence that the two metrics have little to no bearing on one another, look no further than the eight years of the Obama presidency: Between 2009 and 2017, the S&P 500 returned 235 percent while the national debt soared,” CNBC’s Christina Wilkie writes. The national debt is a tough topic for Trump these days. Though candidate Trump repeatedly promised to pay down the national debt before the end of his term, it has actually expanded under his watch. And the tax cuts for corporations and the ultra wealthy he’s currently pushing would only make the debt bigger. As Reuters explains: The Republican tax plan unveiled last week calls for as much as $6 trillion in tax cuts that would sharply reduce federal revenues. No commensurate spending cuts have been proposed. So, on their own, the tax cuts being sought by Trump would hugely expand the deficit and add to the debt. Trump’s comments to Hannity were not the first time he’s revealed deep confusion about how the economy works. While he was pushing Obamacare repeal over the summer, Trump did an interview where he indicated he thinks it’s possible to purchase health insurance for $12 annually."
“I Hate Everyone”: Trump Seethes as Advisers Fear He Is “Unraveling”
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/donald-trump-is-unraveling-white-house-advisers
"Even before Corker’s remarks, some West Wing advisers were worried that Trump’s behavior could cause the Cabinet to take extraordinary Constitutional measures to remove him from office. Several months ago, according to two sources with knowledge of the conversation, former chief strategist Steve Bannon told Trump that the risk to his presidency wasn’t impeachment, but the 25th Amendment—the provision by which a majority of the Cabinet can vote to remove the president. When Bannon mentioned the 25th Amendment, Trump said, “What’s that?” According to a source, Bannon has told people he thinks Trump has only a 30 percent chance of making it the full term."
"Even before Corker’s remarks, some West Wing advisers were worried that Trump’s behavior could cause the Cabinet to take extraordinary Constitutional measures to remove him from office. Several months ago, according to two sources with knowledge of the conversation, former chief strategist Steve Bannon told Trump that the risk to his presidency wasn’t impeachment, but the 25th Amendment—the provision by which a majority of the Cabinet can vote to remove the president. When Bannon mentioned the 25th Amendment, Trump said, “What’s that?” According to a source, Bannon has told people he thinks Trump has only a 30 percent chance of making it the full term."
Trump is falling apart, and nobody knows what to do about it
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/12/trump-is-falling-apart-and-nobody-knows-what-to-do-about-it/
"For the most part, elected GOP officials remain craven, cowering before the throne and hoping to get their precious tax cuts passed and their right-wing judges seated before Trump hits the nuclear button. But even Trump's close friends are worried enough that they are going public, and dozens of others are speaking to reporters off the record."
"For the most part, elected GOP officials remain craven, cowering before the throne and hoping to get their precious tax cuts passed and their right-wing judges seated before Trump hits the nuclear button. But even Trump's close friends are worried enough that they are going public, and dozens of others are speaking to reporters off the record."
Trump would rather destroy American credibility than admit that something Obama did is working
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/12/1706337/-Trump-would-rather-destroy-American-credibility-than-admit-that-something-Obama-did-is-working
"When Trump’s own advisors are coming forward to inform that the Iran deal is providing stability and blocking Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the State Department certified that Iran was in compliance with the deal … what was causing Trump to throw a no-deal fit? It’s not really a surprise. “He doesn’t want to certify the Iran deal for more domestic reasons than international ones,” said Vali Nasr, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. “He doesn’t want to certify that any piece of the Obama strategy is working.” Trump’s refusal to listen to reason made White House staff come up with a plan that would let Donald Trump stomp his foot and scream about the plan, but actually throw in a roadblock to eliminating the deal. Coming up with elaborate ways to soothe the fury of Trump while desperately working behind the scenes to stop the world from blowing up fits in with a series of actions where staff has attempted to keep Trump from either exploding, or blowing up the rest of us. That’s how things work at the White House daycare. The occasion during which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Donald Trump a f#$%ing moron, was a meeting where Trump looked at a graph showing the number of US nuclear weapons, and declared that he wanted to put the US back at the top by building 68,000 new warheads—ten times what we currently have. Not because we need the weapons. Because Trump didn’t like being at “the bottom of the curve” on the graph. Clearly, Tillerson’s declaration was well-earned. But handling Donald Trump with kid gloves and scrambling to find ways to work around his temper tantrums is putting the nation, and the world, at constant risk."
"When Trump’s own advisors are coming forward to inform that the Iran deal is providing stability and blocking Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and the State Department certified that Iran was in compliance with the deal … what was causing Trump to throw a no-deal fit? It’s not really a surprise. “He doesn’t want to certify the Iran deal for more domestic reasons than international ones,” said Vali Nasr, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. “He doesn’t want to certify that any piece of the Obama strategy is working.” Trump’s refusal to listen to reason made White House staff come up with a plan that would let Donald Trump stomp his foot and scream about the plan, but actually throw in a roadblock to eliminating the deal. Coming up with elaborate ways to soothe the fury of Trump while desperately working behind the scenes to stop the world from blowing up fits in with a series of actions where staff has attempted to keep Trump from either exploding, or blowing up the rest of us. That’s how things work at the White House daycare. The occasion during which Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Donald Trump a f#$%ing moron, was a meeting where Trump looked at a graph showing the number of US nuclear weapons, and declared that he wanted to put the US back at the top by building 68,000 new warheads—ten times what we currently have. Not because we need the weapons. Because Trump didn’t like being at “the bottom of the curve” on the graph. Clearly, Tillerson’s declaration was well-earned. But handling Donald Trump with kid gloves and scrambling to find ways to work around his temper tantrums is putting the nation, and the world, at constant risk."
This is the pro-Trump propaganda being quietly broadcast on local stations across the country
https://thinkprogress.org/sinclair-trump-propaganda-caa27f5146db/
"Hyman’s segment, which runs daily between a minute and a half and two minutes long, is one of several must-run “news” segments that spread misinformation, echo Trump administration talking points, and function as nationalist and right-wing propaganda. Sinclair often defends the must-run segments by arguing that they don’t take up much time, but the short packaging is part of what makes the programming so insidious. They’re slotted into local newscasts easily and not clearly marked as opinion or required programming. The segments run on 174 stations currently owned by Sinclair, which is aggressively expanding. Approval of Sinclair’s acquisition of Tribune Media Company is currently pending. Should the deal be approved, it would add 42 stations to Sinclair’s empire, and the broadcasting company would reach 87.3 million homes. Nielsen estimates 119.6 million households in the U.S. own a TV. And the massive expansion, which would reach 72 percent of U.S. households, wouldn’t have been possible without the Trump administration. Congress has imposed a 39 percent cap — and Sinclair already reaches about 38 percent of households. Last spring, Trump’s FCC Chairman Ajit Pai reinstituted a loophole that allows broadcasting networks to cover more than the Congressionally-instituted cap. Pai says he never discussed the Sinclair deal with Trump and said in a letter to House Democrats that the FCC has “not been fueled by a desire to help any particular company.” But the deal, should it be approved, could be a boon for Trump. One of the must-run segments is anchored by a former Trump adviser, Boris Epshteyn, who consistently shares misleading talking points and echoes misinformation from the Trump administration under the guise of “political analysis.” Epshteyn is a central figure in the Trump universe. He served as a senior adviser to Trump during the campaign and made the rounds on cable news for the then-candidate. After Trump won, Epshteyn took a role in the White House, where he worked for three months."
"Hyman’s segment, which runs daily between a minute and a half and two minutes long, is one of several must-run “news” segments that spread misinformation, echo Trump administration talking points, and function as nationalist and right-wing propaganda. Sinclair often defends the must-run segments by arguing that they don’t take up much time, but the short packaging is part of what makes the programming so insidious. They’re slotted into local newscasts easily and not clearly marked as opinion or required programming. The segments run on 174 stations currently owned by Sinclair, which is aggressively expanding. Approval of Sinclair’s acquisition of Tribune Media Company is currently pending. Should the deal be approved, it would add 42 stations to Sinclair’s empire, and the broadcasting company would reach 87.3 million homes. Nielsen estimates 119.6 million households in the U.S. own a TV. And the massive expansion, which would reach 72 percent of U.S. households, wouldn’t have been possible without the Trump administration. Congress has imposed a 39 percent cap — and Sinclair already reaches about 38 percent of households. Last spring, Trump’s FCC Chairman Ajit Pai reinstituted a loophole that allows broadcasting networks to cover more than the Congressionally-instituted cap. Pai says he never discussed the Sinclair deal with Trump and said in a letter to House Democrats that the FCC has “not been fueled by a desire to help any particular company.” But the deal, should it be approved, could be a boon for Trump. One of the must-run segments is anchored by a former Trump adviser, Boris Epshteyn, who consistently shares misleading talking points and echoes misinformation from the Trump administration under the guise of “political analysis.” Epshteyn is a central figure in the Trump universe. He served as a senior adviser to Trump during the campaign and made the rounds on cable news for the then-candidate. After Trump won, Epshteyn took a role in the White House, where he worked for three months."
Trump's tax plan would do to America what disastrous Republican plan did to Kansas
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/11/1706070/-Trump-s-tax-plan-would-do-to-America-what-disastrous-Republican-plan-did-to-Kansas
"Not only does Trump’s plan operate on the same Laffer-Curve, Supply Side, Trickle-Down theory that has failed to work since the time when George H. W. Bush dubbed it “voodoo economics,” Trump has recreated the worst feature of Brownback’s catastrophe—a system designed to allow the wealthy to avoid income tax by masquerading as “small businesses."
"Not only does Trump’s plan operate on the same Laffer-Curve, Supply Side, Trickle-Down theory that has failed to work since the time when George H. W. Bush dubbed it “voodoo economics,” Trump has recreated the worst feature of Brownback’s catastrophe—a system designed to allow the wealthy to avoid income tax by masquerading as “small businesses."
As Trump Pushes Massive Deregulatory Agenda, One Key Beneficiary: Donald Trump
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/10/11/trump-pushes-massive-deregulatory-agenda-one-key-beneficiary-donald-trump
"As President Donald Trump and his cabinet move aggressively to implement their far-reaching and "potentially devastating" deregulatory agenda—slashing everything from environmental rules protecting the public water supply to labor standards shielding workers from harmful chemicals—many have begun to loudly raise the all-important question: who benefits? According to a Public Citizen report unveiled Wednesday, the answer in many cases is Trump himself."
"As President Donald Trump and his cabinet move aggressively to implement their far-reaching and "potentially devastating" deregulatory agenda—slashing everything from environmental rules protecting the public water supply to labor standards shielding workers from harmful chemicals—many have begun to loudly raise the all-important question: who benefits? According to a Public Citizen report unveiled Wednesday, the answer in many cases is Trump himself."
The lies Donald Trump likes a little too much
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-lies-donald-trump-likes-little-too-much
"It’s not exactly a secret that Donald Trump tells a staggering number of lies on a nearly daily basis, but I’m especially interested in the ones he returns to, over and over again, even after being told he’s wrong. In this week’s interview with Forbes, for example, the president boasted, “I’ve had just about the most legislation passed of any president, in a nine-month period, that’s ever served. We had over 50 bills passed. I’m not talking about executive orders only, which are very important. I’m talking about bills.” This is, of course, demonstrably ridiculous, as Trump surely knows. But there’s a rationale behind the lie: the president is embarrassed by his failures, and he can’t explain his lack of accomplishments, so he’s made up a legislative record that exists only in his imagination. Similarly, Trump needs a rationale to sell his plan for massive tax cuts. The truth won’t do, so as Politico noted, the president is clinging to a specific lie."
"It’s not exactly a secret that Donald Trump tells a staggering number of lies on a nearly daily basis, but I’m especially interested in the ones he returns to, over and over again, even after being told he’s wrong. In this week’s interview with Forbes, for example, the president boasted, “I’ve had just about the most legislation passed of any president, in a nine-month period, that’s ever served. We had over 50 bills passed. I’m not talking about executive orders only, which are very important. I’m talking about bills.” This is, of course, demonstrably ridiculous, as Trump surely knows. But there’s a rationale behind the lie: the president is embarrassed by his failures, and he can’t explain his lack of accomplishments, so he’s made up a legislative record that exists only in his imagination. Similarly, Trump needs a rationale to sell his plan for massive tax cuts. The truth won’t do, so as Politico noted, the president is clinging to a specific lie."
Why You Really Should Be Terrified About Trump and Nuclear Weapons
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/why-you-should-be-scared-about-trump-and-nuclear-weapons/
"So for decades, it seems, Trump has been haunted by the feeling that nuclear war may be inescapable. Now he is in a position to do something about the matter. But instead of taking steps to reduce the number of nuclear weapons, he has repeatedly discussed increasing the number of nukes within the US arsenal and abroad. (At the July 20 meeting, Trump essentially said he wanted the US nuclear stockpile to expand from about 4,000 to about 32,0000 weapons.) And the threats Trump has hurled at North Korea— it will face “fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before”—imply that he has considered the use of nuclear weapons against Kim Jong Un. (By the way, should Trump order a nuclear strike, it would be damn hard for anyone around him to stop it.) There is much that is alarming about Trump’s nuclear posture. His attitude toward nuclear policy is cavalier. (Hey, this stuff is easy!) He lacks basic knowledge of nuclear matters. And he is reckless in issuing nuclear-ish threats. (During the 2016 campaign, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough reported that Trump had thrice asked a national security adviser why a president couldn’t use nuclear weapons.) But what renders this terrifying trifecta even more frightening is the nuclear fatalism Trump has voiced throughout the years. If he thinks nuclear war is inevitable, might he feel less restrained when it comes to unleashing weaponry that can destroy human civilization? Tillerson’s use of the m-word has received much media attention, justifiably. But the bigger story by far is that Tillerson’s “moron” is in command of the nuclear arsenal and years’ worth of evidence indicates that Trump wants it to grow, that he’s interested in putting it to use, and that he believes a nuclear catastrophe is bound to happen. That’s a prophecy his own actions and ignorance could well end up bringing about."
"So for decades, it seems, Trump has been haunted by the feeling that nuclear war may be inescapable. Now he is in a position to do something about the matter. But instead of taking steps to reduce the number of nuclear weapons, he has repeatedly discussed increasing the number of nukes within the US arsenal and abroad. (At the July 20 meeting, Trump essentially said he wanted the US nuclear stockpile to expand from about 4,000 to about 32,0000 weapons.) And the threats Trump has hurled at North Korea— it will face “fire, fury and frankly power, the likes of which this world has never seen before”—imply that he has considered the use of nuclear weapons against Kim Jong Un. (By the way, should Trump order a nuclear strike, it would be damn hard for anyone around him to stop it.) There is much that is alarming about Trump’s nuclear posture. His attitude toward nuclear policy is cavalier. (Hey, this stuff is easy!) He lacks basic knowledge of nuclear matters. And he is reckless in issuing nuclear-ish threats. (During the 2016 campaign, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough reported that Trump had thrice asked a national security adviser why a president couldn’t use nuclear weapons.) But what renders this terrifying trifecta even more frightening is the nuclear fatalism Trump has voiced throughout the years. If he thinks nuclear war is inevitable, might he feel less restrained when it comes to unleashing weaponry that can destroy human civilization? Tillerson’s use of the m-word has received much media attention, justifiably. But the bigger story by far is that Tillerson’s “moron” is in command of the nuclear arsenal and years’ worth of evidence indicates that Trump wants it to grow, that he’s interested in putting it to use, and that he believes a nuclear catastrophe is bound to happen. That’s a prophecy his own actions and ignorance could well end up bringing about."
Rick Perry's Department of Energy Is Worse Than You Could Even Imagine
Rick Perry's Department of Energy Is Worse Than You Could Even Imagine:
"It appears that the Trump administration's budget-cutting, its search of short-term solutions to long-term problems, and its "willful ignorance," as Michael Lewis termed it, is being writ large over how the DOE is proceeding. Given current indicators, Rick Perry's greatest "Oops" moment is yet to come."
"It appears that the Trump administration's budget-cutting, its search of short-term solutions to long-term problems, and its "willful ignorance," as Michael Lewis termed it, is being writ large over how the DOE is proceeding. Given current indicators, Rick Perry's greatest "Oops" moment is yet to come."
“Insanity and folly”: experts on Trump’s proposal to build tens of thousands of nukes
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/11/16458104/trump-nukes-nbc-thousands
"President Donald Trump asked his top national security officials to build tens of thousands of new nuclear weapons during a July 20 meeting, according to an NBC News report published on Wednesday morning. The president’s request, experts say, is simultaneously impossible and terrifying."
"President Donald Trump asked his top national security officials to build tens of thousands of new nuclear weapons during a July 20 meeting, according to an NBC News report published on Wednesday morning. The president’s request, experts say, is simultaneously impossible and terrifying."
Republicans entirely ignore election security—practically inviting Russia to interfere in 2018
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/11/1706051/-Republicans-entirely-ignore-election-security-practically-inviting-Russia-to-interfere-in-2018
"The negligence of Republican lawmakers in trying to protect the integrity of our elections systems in advance of 2018 is stunning, though perhaps not surprising. From declining to get briefings from the Department of Homeland Security to stifling election security measures, Republicans show no interest in combatting what GOP Sen. Richard Burr, Senate Intelligence Chair, called a near certainty—that Russia is actively "trying to create chaos in our election process." Politico writes: Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, complained in a letter to DHS last month that his call for a briefing on election security concerns had been rejected because Republicans weren't planning to attend. Senate Democrats sought to attach a package of election security measures to a recently passed defense bill — and were turned down by Republicans who lead the chamber. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently said it asked its Republican counterpart to work together on cybersecurity issues but never heard back. “We absolutely need to get ahead of this,” [Sen. Heidi] Heitkamp, one of the GOP’s top targets in the midterm elections, told POLITICO. “We need to understand the threat. But more importantly, states need to understand this is real"."
"The negligence of Republican lawmakers in trying to protect the integrity of our elections systems in advance of 2018 is stunning, though perhaps not surprising. From declining to get briefings from the Department of Homeland Security to stifling election security measures, Republicans show no interest in combatting what GOP Sen. Richard Burr, Senate Intelligence Chair, called a near certainty—that Russia is actively "trying to create chaos in our election process." Politico writes: Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, complained in a letter to DHS last month that his call for a briefing on election security concerns had been rejected because Republicans weren't planning to attend. Senate Democrats sought to attach a package of election security measures to a recently passed defense bill — and were turned down by Republicans who lead the chamber. And the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently said it asked its Republican counterpart to work together on cybersecurity issues but never heard back. “We absolutely need to get ahead of this,” [Sen. Heidi] Heitkamp, one of the GOP’s top targets in the midterm elections, told POLITICO. “We need to understand the threat. But more importantly, states need to understand this is real"."
5 Things Trump Lied About Inventing @alternet
5 Things Trump Lied About Inventing @alternet:
"For Donald Trump, lying comes as easily as breathing, and perhaps it's even more effortless. He makes up falsehoods about not only big political issues or even sensitive personal matters, but everything. That includes the small stuff, especially if he thinks the lie will make him look good. If he were smarter, he might choose not to lie about things that can be disproven with a Google search. As it stands, Trump’s claims about his achievements are pretty easy to discredit. That includes his lies about things he’s invented, a list that includes words, ideas, even nicknames."
"For Donald Trump, lying comes as easily as breathing, and perhaps it's even more effortless. He makes up falsehoods about not only big political issues or even sensitive personal matters, but everything. That includes the small stuff, especially if he thinks the lie will make him look good. If he were smarter, he might choose not to lie about things that can be disproven with a Google search. As it stands, Trump’s claims about his achievements are pretty easy to discredit. That includes his lies about things he’s invented, a list that includes words, ideas, even nicknames."
Trump Just Blew Off a Deadline for Implementing Russian Sanctions He Approved
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/10/trump-just-blew-off-a-deadline-for-implementing-russian-sanctions-he-approved/
"The bill required the Trump administration to issue by October 1 “regulations or other guidance to specify the persons that are a part of, or operate for or on behalf of, the defense and intelligence sectors of the Government of the Russian Federation.” The administration has yet to do so. The Treasury and State departments also have not issued guidance on their plans for imposing the measure, a Senate aide said. The aide said that members of the White House’s National Security Council have assured senators that they are “getting to” the sanctions and “it’s gonna happen.” But lawmakers are wary. Cardin and McCain said the White House has also ignored a September 28 letter they sent asking for information on implementation plans. “In addition to the administration’s lack of responsiveness on this deadline, there does not appear to be a significant diplomatic effort to engage our allies in Europe and lead an effort to increase pressure on Moscow,” they said in their joint statement. “Congressional intent was clear, reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan majority in favor of the legislation.” The legislation’s primary thrust was to prevent the president from removing sanctions without congressional approval. Trump has mulled unilaterally rescinding earlier US sanctions imposed on Russia after its incursion into Ukraine. The new sanctions bill passed both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly amid bipartisan concern about Trump’s frequent praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and congressional and Justice Department investigations into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during last year’s presidential race. Trump opposed the new legislation, agreeing to sign it only after it became clear Congress could override his veto."
"The bill required the Trump administration to issue by October 1 “regulations or other guidance to specify the persons that are a part of, or operate for or on behalf of, the defense and intelligence sectors of the Government of the Russian Federation.” The administration has yet to do so. The Treasury and State departments also have not issued guidance on their plans for imposing the measure, a Senate aide said. The aide said that members of the White House’s National Security Council have assured senators that they are “getting to” the sanctions and “it’s gonna happen.” But lawmakers are wary. Cardin and McCain said the White House has also ignored a September 28 letter they sent asking for information on implementation plans. “In addition to the administration’s lack of responsiveness on this deadline, there does not appear to be a significant diplomatic effort to engage our allies in Europe and lead an effort to increase pressure on Moscow,” they said in their joint statement. “Congressional intent was clear, reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan majority in favor of the legislation.” The legislation’s primary thrust was to prevent the president from removing sanctions without congressional approval. Trump has mulled unilaterally rescinding earlier US sanctions imposed on Russia after its incursion into Ukraine. The new sanctions bill passed both chambers of Congress overwhelmingly amid bipartisan concern about Trump’s frequent praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and congressional and Justice Department investigations into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia during last year’s presidential race. Trump opposed the new legislation, agreeing to sign it only after it became clear Congress could override his veto."
Marsha Blackburn forces Twitter to change policy, allowing her to promote lies in her campaign ad
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/11/1706081/-Marsha-Blackburn-forces-Twitter-to-change-policy-allowing-her-to-promote-lies-in-her-campaign-ad
"While Twitter may believe there is room to refine policies around language, it might be worth asking them where they stand on outright lies. Blackburn’s line about Planned Parenthood selling “baby body parts” is simply untrue. She was behind the congressional investigation into the video that alleged that Planned Parenthood doctors were selling fetal tissue. Not only did that turn out to be untrue, the anti-abortion activists behind it were eventually charged with 15 felony counts of unlawfully recording people without permission and conspiracy."
"While Twitter may believe there is room to refine policies around language, it might be worth asking them where they stand on outright lies. Blackburn’s line about Planned Parenthood selling “baby body parts” is simply untrue. She was behind the congressional investigation into the video that alleged that Planned Parenthood doctors were selling fetal tissue. Not only did that turn out to be untrue, the anti-abortion activists behind it were eventually charged with 15 felony counts of unlawfully recording people without permission and conspiracy."
Google: Russians bought U.S. political ads on our sites, too
https://www.salon.com/2017/10/09/google-russians-bought-u-s-political-ads-on-our-sites-too/
"Google has become the latest American technology company to disclose that it allowed user accounts apparently operated by Russians to purchase advertisements targeting last year's presidential election."
"Google has become the latest American technology company to disclose that it allowed user accounts apparently operated by Russians to purchase advertisements targeting last year's presidential election."
House Intel Committee targets shady RNC-aligned data firm Cambridge Analytica in Russia probe: report
House Intel Committee targets shady RNC-aligned data firm Cambridge Analytica in Russia probe: report
"One of the major investors in Cambridge Analytica is Robert Mercer, the billionaire Trump backer who also helped bankroll Breitbart."
"One of the major investors in Cambridge Analytica is Robert Mercer, the billionaire Trump backer who also helped bankroll Breitbart."
Trump officials ignored ethics rules, creating 'ethical crises' that are still going on
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/11/1706058/-Trump-officials-ignored-ethics-rules-creating-ethical-crises-that-are-still-going-on
"In fact, Trump is still ignoring ethics rules. Trump has ignored rules laid down by previous administrations, analysis of the GAO, and advice from the Office of Government Ethics. He’s failed to resolve clear conflicts of interest, provide adequate information, or provide information to nonpartisan auditors. And why not? No one is doing anything about it. Overall, the GAO findings show a lack of attention to ethics and that precedents from previous Administrations were frequently broken - with little recourse from Congress. Trump has taken this position as blanket permission to do what he wants, take what he wants, and answer to no one. In theory, it shouldn’t work that way. In practice, the Republican Congress has done nothing to check Trump’s constant ethical violations and reign in the misuse of government resources."
"In fact, Trump is still ignoring ethics rules. Trump has ignored rules laid down by previous administrations, analysis of the GAO, and advice from the Office of Government Ethics. He’s failed to resolve clear conflicts of interest, provide adequate information, or provide information to nonpartisan auditors. And why not? No one is doing anything about it. Overall, the GAO findings show a lack of attention to ethics and that precedents from previous Administrations were frequently broken - with little recourse from Congress. Trump has taken this position as blanket permission to do what he wants, take what he wants, and answer to no one. In theory, it shouldn’t work that way. In practice, the Republican Congress has done nothing to check Trump’s constant ethical violations and reign in the misuse of government resources."
Here’s The Mugshot Of Rep. Greg Gianforte That He Really, Really Didn’t Want You To See
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/greg-gianforte-mug-shot_us_59de7fb3e4b0fdad73b1cd4a?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
"A Montana judge on Wednesday released the mugshot of Rep. Greg Gianforte (Mont.), the millionaire Republican who was convicted in June of assaulting a reporter and fought the court to avoid being fingerprinted and photographed."
"A Montana judge on Wednesday released the mugshot of Rep. Greg Gianforte (Mont.), the millionaire Republican who was convicted in June of assaulting a reporter and fought the court to avoid being fingerprinted and photographed."
Trump asked for tenfold increase in US nukes in meeting that prompted Tillerson’s ‘moron’ remark: report
Trump asked for tenfold increase in US nukes in meeting that prompted Tillerson’s ‘moron’ remark: report
"Trump’s advisers, including the joint chiefs of staff and Tillerson, were surprised by the comments and briefly explained the legal and practical hurdles to a nuclear buildup, according to NBC News. They informed the president that current U.S. military posture is stronger than it was in the late 1960s, when the American nuclear arsenal was largest. Trump also complained that his advisors had not yet presented a plan to help U.S. companies obtain mineral rights in Afghanistan, as China had a decade ago. He compared the Afghanistan policy review to the renovation of Manhattan’s 21 Club, which closed for a year in the 1980s and hired a consultant whose only suggestion was to enlarge the kitchen. As the meeting broke up, according to NBC News, Tillerson told officials remaining in the room that the president was a “f*cking moron"."
"Trump’s advisers, including the joint chiefs of staff and Tillerson, were surprised by the comments and briefly explained the legal and practical hurdles to a nuclear buildup, according to NBC News. They informed the president that current U.S. military posture is stronger than it was in the late 1960s, when the American nuclear arsenal was largest. Trump also complained that his advisors had not yet presented a plan to help U.S. companies obtain mineral rights in Afghanistan, as China had a decade ago. He compared the Afghanistan policy review to the renovation of Manhattan’s 21 Club, which closed for a year in the 1980s and hired a consultant whose only suggestion was to enlarge the kitchen. As the meeting broke up, according to NBC News, Tillerson told officials remaining in the room that the president was a “f*cking moron"."
The bizarre situation where only retiring Republicans will talk about Trump’s fitness for office
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/10/16447276/bob-corker-trump-world-war-iii
"Sen. Bob Corker’s warning that President Donald Trump’s recklessness could set the country “on the path to World War III,” issued in a New York Times interview on Sunday, is notable for a few reasons. For one, this is a critique that many Democrats and even some Republicans have made for some time — and that even more Republicans are said to make regularly in private. For another, this is coming publicly from a Republican senator in a conservative state who chairs a major committee, has worked closely with the administration, and has had strong relationships with several of its officials. So when he says he knows “for a fact” that there’s no “good cop, bad cop” act underway, we should take him seriously. But perhaps most noteworthy of all is that Corker only felt empowered to make such a bold critique after he had decided to retire rather than run for reelection in 2018 (as he announced at the end of last month). Only Corker’s liberation from the concerns of electoral politics, it seems, has motivated him to say what he truly thinks. His GOP colleagues in the Senate, though, are not so liberated. So though Corker has also asserted that “the vast majority” of his fellow Republican senators understand “what we’re dealing with here” — that they share his concerns about Trump’s temperament — most of them remain hesitant to publicly discuss the issue in public. Because of that reticence, the discussion about what potentially to do about a president who according to some is dangerously unstable has been choked off. So the seriousness of the dangers Corker is warning about — World War III! — doesn’t seem matched by a similarly serious proposed remedy. Corker’s plan A, it seems, is to hope that Trump will continue to rely on aides and administration officials who Corker thinks will keep his worst impulses in check. There doesn’t seem to be a plan B."
"Sen. Bob Corker’s warning that President Donald Trump’s recklessness could set the country “on the path to World War III,” issued in a New York Times interview on Sunday, is notable for a few reasons. For one, this is a critique that many Democrats and even some Republicans have made for some time — and that even more Republicans are said to make regularly in private. For another, this is coming publicly from a Republican senator in a conservative state who chairs a major committee, has worked closely with the administration, and has had strong relationships with several of its officials. So when he says he knows “for a fact” that there’s no “good cop, bad cop” act underway, we should take him seriously. But perhaps most noteworthy of all is that Corker only felt empowered to make such a bold critique after he had decided to retire rather than run for reelection in 2018 (as he announced at the end of last month). Only Corker’s liberation from the concerns of electoral politics, it seems, has motivated him to say what he truly thinks. His GOP colleagues in the Senate, though, are not so liberated. So though Corker has also asserted that “the vast majority” of his fellow Republican senators understand “what we’re dealing with here” — that they share his concerns about Trump’s temperament — most of them remain hesitant to publicly discuss the issue in public. Because of that reticence, the discussion about what potentially to do about a president who according to some is dangerously unstable has been choked off. So the seriousness of the dangers Corker is warning about — World War III! — doesn’t seem matched by a similarly serious proposed remedy. Corker’s plan A, it seems, is to hope that Trump will continue to rely on aides and administration officials who Corker thinks will keep his worst impulses in check. There doesn’t seem to be a plan B."
Even red states feel the brunt of Trump’s ACA sabotage campaign
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/even-red-states-feel-the-brunt-trumps-aca-sabotage-campaign
"Trump and his team are going out of their way to sabotage the nation’s health care system, motivated entirely by partisan spite. It is no exaggeration to characterize this as a “scorched-earth campaign to destroy Obamacare,” the consequences of which may be severe."
"Trump and his team are going out of their way to sabotage the nation’s health care system, motivated entirely by partisan spite. It is no exaggeration to characterize this as a “scorched-earth campaign to destroy Obamacare,” the consequences of which may be severe."
Kochs spend millions to tell Democrats to vote for a tax cut for the Kochs
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/5/1704376/-Kochs-spend-millions-to-tell-Democrats-to-vote-for-a-tax-cut-for-the-Kochs
"Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers' group that would be better named Americans for the Prosperity of the Kochs, is not at all surprisingly lining up behind Republicans' massive tax cuts for the wealthy."
"Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers' group that would be better named Americans for the Prosperity of the Kochs, is not at all surprisingly lining up behind Republicans' massive tax cuts for the wealthy."
The not-at-all-subtle partisanship of Chief Justice Roberts
https://thinkprogress.org/the-not-at-all-subtle-partisanship-of-chief-justice-roberts-a17ebecc3180/
"it is somewhat odd that he has suddenly grown fearful that the Court’s reputation might suffer if it strikes down election laws that benefit one party over the other. Here is a short list of cases where Chief Justice Roberts has voted to strike down such a law. Citizens United v. FEC: The Court’s Citizens United decision, which Roberts joined, permitted unlimited corporate spending on elections, so long as that money was not given to ostensibly independent groups and not to candidates. Citizens United had two effects — it massively increased the amount of outside spending on elections, and it gave Republicans a significant money advantage over Democrats. Shelby County v. Holder: Shelby County, which Roberts authored, struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevents race discrimination in elections. This decision benefited the Republican Party, as voters of color overwhelmingly prefer Democratic candidates. Davis v. FEC, Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett, and McCutcheon v. FEC: All three of these decisions, which Roberts joined, advantaged wealthy candidates and donors over the less fortunate. Davis struck down the so-called “Millionaire’s Amendment” which allowed the opponents of self-financed candidates to raise additional money in order to compete against their opponent’s wealth. Arizona Free Enterprise Club struck down a law enabling publicly financed candidates to compete with candidates who raise significantly more money in private donations. McCutcheon struck down limits on donations to parties and candidates. All three decisions benefit Republicans, because wealthy individuals who are capable of making substantial political donations are much more likely to prefer Republicans to Democrats. In 2016, for example, exit polls found that 57 percent of individuals earning $250,000 a year or more voted for a Republican congressional candidate, while only 41 percent voted for a Democrat."
"it is somewhat odd that he has suddenly grown fearful that the Court’s reputation might suffer if it strikes down election laws that benefit one party over the other. Here is a short list of cases where Chief Justice Roberts has voted to strike down such a law. Citizens United v. FEC: The Court’s Citizens United decision, which Roberts joined, permitted unlimited corporate spending on elections, so long as that money was not given to ostensibly independent groups and not to candidates. Citizens United had two effects — it massively increased the amount of outside spending on elections, and it gave Republicans a significant money advantage over Democrats. Shelby County v. Holder: Shelby County, which Roberts authored, struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevents race discrimination in elections. This decision benefited the Republican Party, as voters of color overwhelmingly prefer Democratic candidates. Davis v. FEC, Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett, and McCutcheon v. FEC: All three of these decisions, which Roberts joined, advantaged wealthy candidates and donors over the less fortunate. Davis struck down the so-called “Millionaire’s Amendment” which allowed the opponents of self-financed candidates to raise additional money in order to compete against their opponent’s wealth. Arizona Free Enterprise Club struck down a law enabling publicly financed candidates to compete with candidates who raise significantly more money in private donations. McCutcheon struck down limits on donations to parties and candidates. All three decisions benefit Republicans, because wealthy individuals who are capable of making substantial political donations are much more likely to prefer Republicans to Democrats. In 2016, for example, exit polls found that 57 percent of individuals earning $250,000 a year or more voted for a Republican congressional candidate, while only 41 percent voted for a Democrat."
America Held Hostage
http://billmoyers.com/story/america-held-hostage-minority-rule/
"For the first few months of his presidency, Donald Trump delighted in showing guests an electoral map of the country in which huge splotches from the South through the Midwest and into the far West were red, indicating Trump’s support. He was right, of course. Those were areas that voted for Trump. Except that those splotches were sparsely populated. The dark blue dots in urban America were the densely populated Democratic areas — areas with more votes. In most nations, geographical advantages don’t mean much. In our system, however, geography plays an outsized role. It’s not how many votes; it’s where they are cast. A lot of this, as we all know, is the result of gerrymandering — a point that New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg made in her debut op-ed about the “tyranny of the minority.” If you want some sense of how badly gerrymandering hurts Democrats, consider this: In 2012, 224 congressional districts voted for Romney, 221 for Obama, though Obama easily won the overall popular vote by nearly 4 percent. This Republican reward has been referred to as a “seat bonus” — the degree to which Republicans get more seats than their popular vote would warrant. According to the Brookings Institution, Republicans received just under 50 percent of the congressional vote, but wound up with 55 percent of the seats. They also got bonuses in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 congressional elections — again, 5 percent more House seats in the last election than their overall vote count would have entitled them to. But the worst gerrymandering isn’t just politics and it isn’t just in the House; it is constitutional and it is in the Senate, where of course, seats are apportioned by state. Since rural and sparsely populated states are far more likely to vote Republican, and since all states, regardless of population, get the same two Senate seats, the GOP gets a much larger bonus in the Senate than in the House."
"For the first few months of his presidency, Donald Trump delighted in showing guests an electoral map of the country in which huge splotches from the South through the Midwest and into the far West were red, indicating Trump’s support. He was right, of course. Those were areas that voted for Trump. Except that those splotches were sparsely populated. The dark blue dots in urban America were the densely populated Democratic areas — areas with more votes. In most nations, geographical advantages don’t mean much. In our system, however, geography plays an outsized role. It’s not how many votes; it’s where they are cast. A lot of this, as we all know, is the result of gerrymandering — a point that New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg made in her debut op-ed about the “tyranny of the minority.” If you want some sense of how badly gerrymandering hurts Democrats, consider this: In 2012, 224 congressional districts voted for Romney, 221 for Obama, though Obama easily won the overall popular vote by nearly 4 percent. This Republican reward has been referred to as a “seat bonus” — the degree to which Republicans get more seats than their popular vote would warrant. According to the Brookings Institution, Republicans received just under 50 percent of the congressional vote, but wound up with 55 percent of the seats. They also got bonuses in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 congressional elections — again, 5 percent more House seats in the last election than their overall vote count would have entitled them to. But the worst gerrymandering isn’t just politics and it isn’t just in the House; it is constitutional and it is in the Senate, where of course, seats are apportioned by state. Since rural and sparsely populated states are far more likely to vote Republican, and since all states, regardless of population, get the same two Senate seats, the GOP gets a much larger bonus in the Senate than in the House."
Ex-HHS head Price delayed rule fining Big Pharma for price gouging before resigning: report
Ex-HHS head Price delayed rule fining Big Pharma for price gouging before resigning: report
"Less than a day before Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned from his cabinet position amid a week of controversy about his expensive travel habits, his department quietly moved to delay an Obamacare rule that would punish drug companies for knowingly price-gouging."
"Less than a day before Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned from his cabinet position amid a week of controversy about his expensive travel habits, his department quietly moved to delay an Obamacare rule that would punish drug companies for knowingly price-gouging."
The study on corporate tax cuts the Trump administration is desperate to cover up
https://thinkprogress.org/the-study-on-corporate-tax-cuts-the-trump-administration-doesnt-want-you-to-know-about-acec0d59fd33/
"The Treasury Department has removed from its website an economic study that directly undermines a key part of the GOP tax plan that Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been peddling on almost every morning show since before the plan was even announced."
"The Treasury Department has removed from its website an economic study that directly undermines a key part of the GOP tax plan that Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been peddling on almost every morning show since before the plan was even announced."
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