https://thinkprogress.org/trump-retweets-story-blaming-his-policies-for-obamacare-price-increases/
"the story, published Tuesday, makes clear that the Trump administration’s attempts to sabotage Obamacare are the primary culprit."
News And Opinion About The Republican War On Women And Issues Important To Women
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Somebody in the White House Thought We Needed to Know This Stuff. Remember That.
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a56799/trump-phone-call-transcripts-leak/
"Before we go into how doomed we are as a species because of this guy, let's ponder the fact of what a blessed sieve this White House is."
"Before we go into how doomed we are as a species because of this guy, let's ponder the fact of what a blessed sieve this White House is."
A Chilling Theory on Trump’s Nonstop Lies
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/08/trump-nonstop-lies/
"Trump’s chronic duplicity may be pathological, as some experts have suggested. But what else might be going on here? In fact, the 45th president’s stream of lies echoes a contemporary form of Russian propaganda known as the “Firehose of Falsehood"."
"Trump’s chronic duplicity may be pathological, as some experts have suggested. But what else might be going on here? In fact, the 45th president’s stream of lies echoes a contemporary form of Russian propaganda known as the “Firehose of Falsehood"."
‘U need 2 work on your begging skills’: Internet rips Trump’s pathetic wall plea to Mexican president
‘U need 2 work on your begging skills’: Internet rips Trump’s pathetic wall plea to Mexican president:
"After leaked transcripts revealed that President Donald Trump begged Mexican President Peña Nieto to stop saying that Mexico won’t pay for Trump’s border wall, Twitter exploded in mockery and disgust."
"After leaked transcripts revealed that President Donald Trump begged Mexican President Peña Nieto to stop saying that Mexico won’t pay for Trump’s border wall, Twitter exploded in mockery and disgust."
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be White Supremacists | Crooks and Liars
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be White Supremacists | Crooks and Liars
"The last two days should be recorded for historical purposes to teach future generations what happens when we don't learn our history and we allow white supremacists to grow in the dark."
"The last two days should be recorded for historical purposes to teach future generations what happens when we don't learn our history and we allow white supremacists to grow in the dark."
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Tangled web connects Russian oligarch money to GOP campaigns
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/08/03/tangled-web-connects-russian-oligarch-money-gop-campaigns
"Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have their own links to the Russian oligarchy that they would prefer go unnoticed."
"Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have their own links to the Russian oligarchy that they would prefer go unnoticed."
Why the Scariest Nuclear Threat May Be Coming from Inside the White House
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/department-of-energy-risks-michael-lewis?mbid=nl_th_5977c39b7c67a060584ba939&CNDID=36849623&spMailingID=11559140&spUserID=MTMzMTgyOTAzNDE4S0&spJobID=1202330385&spReportId=MTIwMjMzMDM4NQS2
"Donald Trump’s secretary of energy, Rick Perry, once campaigned to abolish the $30 billion agency that he now runs, which oversees everything from our nuclear arsenal to the electrical grid. The department’s budget is now on the chopping block. But does anyone in the White House really understand what the Department of Energy actually does? And what a horrible risk it would be to ignore its extraordinary, life-or-death responsibilities?"
"Donald Trump’s secretary of energy, Rick Perry, once campaigned to abolish the $30 billion agency that he now runs, which oversees everything from our nuclear arsenal to the electrical grid. The department’s budget is now on the chopping block. But does anyone in the White House really understand what the Department of Energy actually does? And what a horrible risk it would be to ignore its extraordinary, life-or-death responsibilities?"
As the Russia scandal intensifies, Trump moves the goalposts
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-russia-scandal-intensifies-trump-moves-the-goalposts
"The original line from Trump World was that Russia didn’t intervene in the American election. When that position was no longer sustainable, Trump and his team said Russia may have intervened, but no one from the Republican campaign was in communications with Russia during the foreign adversary’s espionage operation. When that line was discredited, Trump World changed gears again, saying members of Trump’s team may have connected with Putin’s government during the attack, but there was no collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign. After this was also proven to be wrong – top members of Trump’s inner circle met with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in order to receive campaign assistance from Putin’s government – the president delivered a new line to a supportive West Virginia audience last night."
"The original line from Trump World was that Russia didn’t intervene in the American election. When that position was no longer sustainable, Trump and his team said Russia may have intervened, but no one from the Republican campaign was in communications with Russia during the foreign adversary’s espionage operation. When that line was discredited, Trump World changed gears again, saying members of Trump’s team may have connected with Putin’s government during the attack, but there was no collusion between Russia and Trump’s campaign. After this was also proven to be wrong – top members of Trump’s inner circle met with a Kremlin-linked lawyer in order to receive campaign assistance from Putin’s government – the president delivered a new line to a supportive West Virginia audience last night."
“The opposite of Teddy Roosevelt”: Donald Trump’s leaked transcripts have made him an international laughingstock
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/04/the-opposite-of-teddy-roosevelt-donald-trumps-leaked-transcripts-have-made-him-an-international-laughingstock/
"The fallout from leaked transcripts of Donald Trump’s phone calls from two world leaders — Australia and Mexico — hasn’t just been limited to New Hampshire, which the president described as a “drug-infested den.” Internationally, diplomats saw the transcripts. And they laughed."
"The fallout from leaked transcripts of Donald Trump’s phone calls from two world leaders — Australia and Mexico — hasn’t just been limited to New Hampshire, which the president described as a “drug-infested den.” Internationally, diplomats saw the transcripts. And they laughed."
Trump’s State Deptartment finds new ways to make Russia happy
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trumps-state-deptartment-finds-new-ways-make-russia-happy
"The article added that R.C. Hammond, a Tillerson aide, “suggested the money is unwelcome because any extra funding for programs to counter Russian media influence would anger Moscow, according to a former senior State Department official.” By this reasoning, the U.S. Secretary of State has made a conscious decision not to counter Russian disinformation because he believes Russia wouldn’t like it."
"The article added that R.C. Hammond, a Tillerson aide, “suggested the money is unwelcome because any extra funding for programs to counter Russian media influence would anger Moscow, according to a former senior State Department official.” By this reasoning, the U.S. Secretary of State has made a conscious decision not to counter Russian disinformation because he believes Russia wouldn’t like it."
Donald Trump’s Pick For Key Bank Regulator Is A Foreclosure Kingpin, Of Course
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/joseph-otting-foreclosure-donald-trump_us_5980b189e4b0d6e28a10fb05?3lc&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
"President Donald Trump’s choice to lead a key bank regulation agency spent the first half of this decade running a bank that illegally foreclosed on hundreds of thousands of Americans, often using forged and fraudulent documents."
"President Donald Trump’s choice to lead a key bank regulation agency spent the first half of this decade running a bank that illegally foreclosed on hundreds of thousands of Americans, often using forged and fraudulent documents."
Does a Serial Liar Become Truthful Under Oath?
http://billmoyers.com/story/donald-trump-lies-under-oath/
"does a serial liar become truthful when placed under oath? Perhaps Trump’s previously sworn answers to questions about Felix Sater offer a clue. As special counsel Robert Mueller “follows the money” from Russia to Trump and his associates, Sater could be someone to watch."
"does a serial liar become truthful when placed under oath? Perhaps Trump’s previously sworn answers to questions about Felix Sater offer a clue. As special counsel Robert Mueller “follows the money” from Russia to Trump and his associates, Sater could be someone to watch."
The Triumph of the Idiocracy: How Narcissism, Stupidity and the Internet Got Us Donald Trump, an Accidental President @alternet
The Triumph of the Idiocracy: How Narcissism, Stupidity and the Internet Got Us Donald Trump, an Accidental President @alternet:
"Trump is America’s fool-king, proudly ignorant and a living example of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Trump’s supporters appear to be in love with him. They worship him as though he were their personal road to salvation and happiness. Trump’s voters were seduced by "fake news" and all too easily manipulated by Russian agents operating on the internet. Trump’s idiocracy did not blossom overnight. The seeds were planted over decades. They grew and flourished in the right-wing echo chamber provided by Fox News and other media outlets. Researchers have shown that people who consume Fox News programming actually know less about current events than people who do not watch any news programs at all. Shorter version: Fox actually makes its audience stupider. This points to a broader phenomenon. In America, today’s conservatives (as a group and an ideological movement) hold science, empirical reality, intelligence, education and expertise in disdain."
"Trump is America’s fool-king, proudly ignorant and a living example of the Dunning-Kruger effect. Trump’s supporters appear to be in love with him. They worship him as though he were their personal road to salvation and happiness. Trump’s voters were seduced by "fake news" and all too easily manipulated by Russian agents operating on the internet. Trump’s idiocracy did not blossom overnight. The seeds were planted over decades. They grew and flourished in the right-wing echo chamber provided by Fox News and other media outlets. Researchers have shown that people who consume Fox News programming actually know less about current events than people who do not watch any news programs at all. Shorter version: Fox actually makes its audience stupider. This points to a broader phenomenon. In America, today’s conservatives (as a group and an ideological movement) hold science, empirical reality, intelligence, education and expertise in disdain."
Five Lies That Are Ricocheting Around the Right-Wing Media Bubble
http://billmoyers.com/story/five-lies-that-are-ricocheting-around-the-right-wing-media-bubble/
"Spend enough time on the comments sections of the right-wing internet, and the significant number of people who hold beliefs based on completely false premises will become all too apparent. In this world, fact checks and hard evidence are all too easily flicked away with accusations of liberal bias, making civil discourse increasingly hostile and polarized at the expense of truth. That’s because these audiences have been trapped under a tight bubble right-wing media has built, an ecosystem that makes it hard for truth to seep in, while lies ricochet endlessly inside. The bubble holds strong because it’s sustained on the tired trope that the mainstream media is hiding liberal biases under a mask of objectivity. President Donald Trump has taken this worn-out concept to dangerous levels by constantly undermining and antagonizing media outlets that he deems critical of him. Trump’s war on the press has invigorated unscrupulous smear merchants and power-hungry zealots in control of messaging within the bubble to suggest they are an honest alternative to mainstream media — honest in that they openly acknowledge their right-wing bias — and present themselves as a solution to a fabricated problem. And the bubble becomes increasingly impenetrable by design; the tighter its grip grows over audiences, the more power its purveyors can trade to a political establishment that both needs the bubble for its survival and fears its influence."
"Spend enough time on the comments sections of the right-wing internet, and the significant number of people who hold beliefs based on completely false premises will become all too apparent. In this world, fact checks and hard evidence are all too easily flicked away with accusations of liberal bias, making civil discourse increasingly hostile and polarized at the expense of truth. That’s because these audiences have been trapped under a tight bubble right-wing media has built, an ecosystem that makes it hard for truth to seep in, while lies ricochet endlessly inside. The bubble holds strong because it’s sustained on the tired trope that the mainstream media is hiding liberal biases under a mask of objectivity. President Donald Trump has taken this worn-out concept to dangerous levels by constantly undermining and antagonizing media outlets that he deems critical of him. Trump’s war on the press has invigorated unscrupulous smear merchants and power-hungry zealots in control of messaging within the bubble to suggest they are an honest alternative to mainstream media — honest in that they openly acknowledge their right-wing bias — and present themselves as a solution to a fabricated problem. And the bubble becomes increasingly impenetrable by design; the tighter its grip grows over audiences, the more power its purveyors can trade to a political establishment that both needs the bubble for its survival and fears its influence."
Trump can't be left alone, so his generals hatched a plan to keep tabs on him: report
http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-cant-be-left-alone-john-kelly-james-mattis-military-war-decisions-645082
"President Donald Trump can’t be left alone to make decisions regarding matters of national security—at least, that is reportedly the view of his new chief of staff, John Kelly, and of his defense secretary, James Mattis. The two military men, who Trump affectionately refers to as "my generals," hatched a plan during the initial months of his presidency to ensure he wasn’t left alone while in the U.S., the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Kelly and Mattis agreed to schedule their travel arrangements so at least one of them could be physically accessible to the new president at all times, an official with knowledge of the pact said."
"President Donald Trump can’t be left alone to make decisions regarding matters of national security—at least, that is reportedly the view of his new chief of staff, John Kelly, and of his defense secretary, James Mattis. The two military men, who Trump affectionately refers to as "my generals," hatched a plan during the initial months of his presidency to ensure he wasn’t left alone while in the U.S., the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Kelly and Mattis agreed to schedule their travel arrangements so at least one of them could be physically accessible to the new president at all times, an official with knowledge of the pact said."
The Latest Sneaky Attempt to Increase Corporate Political Power
http://billmoyers.com/story/latest-sneaky-attempt-increase-corporate-political-power/
"It’s a tried and true strategy of the wealthy and their legislative allies, and, while Donald Trump’s destructive antics continue to hold America’s attention with the same unyielding grip he uses on foreign dignitaries’ hands, there are a lot of boring things ambling through Congress with corporate favors crammed deep inside. And so it is with the House’s appropriations bill, which includes riders that would further pare back campaign finance rules that have already been decimated over the last decade, in large part through Supreme Court decisions such as Citizens United and McCutcheon v. FEC. These rulings and a Congress hell-bent on deregulating the campaign finance system has lead to increasingly expensive elections, with the money that helps candidates win often pouring in from anonymous interests. Watchdog groups and journalists call these billions from shadowy sources “dark money.” The riders attached to the appropriations bill take aim at how the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforce campaign finance law. In the case of the two aimed at the IRS and the SEC, Republicans are seeking to keep the agency from increasing transparency. The politicians behind these measures want to make sure the IRS never cracks down on the wealthy interest that are anonymously passing money through tax exempt non profit groups — groups that are only allowed to hide the names of their donors under the assumption that they won’t get involved in politics. This is a clear flouting of tax law, but the IRS has been slow to act — and one of these riders aims to ensure that it never will. The SEC-related rider would make sure that that agency — Washington’s top cop on the financial beat — never forces corporations to disclose to their shareholders when they are using their money to fund political candidates or causes."
"It’s a tried and true strategy of the wealthy and their legislative allies, and, while Donald Trump’s destructive antics continue to hold America’s attention with the same unyielding grip he uses on foreign dignitaries’ hands, there are a lot of boring things ambling through Congress with corporate favors crammed deep inside. And so it is with the House’s appropriations bill, which includes riders that would further pare back campaign finance rules that have already been decimated over the last decade, in large part through Supreme Court decisions such as Citizens United and McCutcheon v. FEC. These rulings and a Congress hell-bent on deregulating the campaign finance system has lead to increasingly expensive elections, with the money that helps candidates win often pouring in from anonymous interests. Watchdog groups and journalists call these billions from shadowy sources “dark money.” The riders attached to the appropriations bill take aim at how the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforce campaign finance law. In the case of the two aimed at the IRS and the SEC, Republicans are seeking to keep the agency from increasing transparency. The politicians behind these measures want to make sure the IRS never cracks down on the wealthy interest that are anonymously passing money through tax exempt non profit groups — groups that are only allowed to hide the names of their donors under the assumption that they won’t get involved in politics. This is a clear flouting of tax law, but the IRS has been slow to act — and one of these riders aims to ensure that it never will. The SEC-related rider would make sure that that agency — Washington’s top cop on the financial beat — never forces corporations to disclose to their shareholders when they are using their money to fund political candidates or causes."
In 'Latest Attempt to Distort Democracy,' Koch Brothers Bolster GOP Tax Cut Efforts
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/31/latest-attempt-distort-democracy-koch-brothers-bolster-gop-tax-cut-efforts
"The GOP is attempting to "slash our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, and other vital services American families depend on—all to put more money into the already substantial tax breaks enjoyed by profitable corporations, millionaires, and billionaires," said Susan Harley, deputy director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division."
"The GOP is attempting to "slash our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, and other vital services American families depend on—all to put more money into the already substantial tax breaks enjoyed by profitable corporations, millionaires, and billionaires," said Susan Harley, deputy director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch division."
Senior EPA official resigns with scathing message for Trump and Pruitt
https://thinkprogress.org/epa-southerland-resignation-letter-ca62895b0c47/
"Southerland noted that Pruitt has already begun repealing 30 existing environmental regulations, like the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule, and a rule requiring stricter emissions monitoring for oil and gas operations on federal lands."
"Southerland noted that Pruitt has already begun repealing 30 existing environmental regulations, like the Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule, and a rule requiring stricter emissions monitoring for oil and gas operations on federal lands."
Trump isn’t letting Obamacare die; he’s trying to kill it
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/01/trump-is-not-letting-obamacare-die-he-is-trying-to-kill-it_partner/
"From the get-go, the Trump Administration quickly sought to impair the success of the Affordable Care Act. In one of its first moves, the Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of Secretary Tom Price pulled advertising for the federal government’s enrollment entity, healthcare.gov. The advertising has proven important to reach 18 to 34-years-olds. Enrolling these “young invincibles” is crucial for stabilizing risk pools because they are generally healthier and seek less medical care. States running independent campaigns, like California and its insurance marketplace Covered California, have been very successful in recruiting young people. In an ironic twist, the Trump Administration used advertising funding intended for the promotion of the Affordable Care Act for a series of social media promotions attacking the law. Also, in mid-July, the Administration moved to end contracts for enrollment assistance in 18 major cities. Contractors helped individuals navigate the often challenging enrollment process in such places as libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in these cities which had been identified by the Obama Administration as high priority. Finally, the window for the next open enrollment period has been cut in half compared to previous years, thus making it difficult for time-pressed people and those who need enrollment help to enroll. Many of these actions have triggered calls for inquiries into potential malfeasance by Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Trump Administration officials have been actively traveling the country and pushing talking points that are often false, or, at the very least, highly misleading and incomplete."
"From the get-go, the Trump Administration quickly sought to impair the success of the Affordable Care Act. In one of its first moves, the Department of Health and Human Services under the direction of Secretary Tom Price pulled advertising for the federal government’s enrollment entity, healthcare.gov. The advertising has proven important to reach 18 to 34-years-olds. Enrolling these “young invincibles” is crucial for stabilizing risk pools because they are generally healthier and seek less medical care. States running independent campaigns, like California and its insurance marketplace Covered California, have been very successful in recruiting young people. In an ironic twist, the Trump Administration used advertising funding intended for the promotion of the Affordable Care Act for a series of social media promotions attacking the law. Also, in mid-July, the Administration moved to end contracts for enrollment assistance in 18 major cities. Contractors helped individuals navigate the often challenging enrollment process in such places as libraries, businesses and urban neighborhoods in these cities which had been identified by the Obama Administration as high priority. Finally, the window for the next open enrollment period has been cut in half compared to previous years, thus making it difficult for time-pressed people and those who need enrollment help to enroll. Many of these actions have triggered calls for inquiries into potential malfeasance by Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Trump Administration officials have been actively traveling the country and pushing talking points that are often false, or, at the very least, highly misleading and incomplete."
On Iran, Trump wants to start with the answer, then work backwards
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/iran-trump-wants-start-the-answer-then-work-backwards
"It’s important to understand that Trump, presented with evidence of a successful American policy, is furious – because he wants and expects the policy to fail. Last week, when it came time to recertify the provisions of the deal, Trump reportedly wanted his team to present him with a rationale for abandoning the international agreement. When reality interfered, and that wasn’t one of his options, the president reportedly “had a bit of a meltdown.” It’s a fascinating peek into how the amateur president’s mind works. He desperately wants to believe the agreement isn’t working, and when the facts point in a direction that makes him uncomfortable, Trump assumes the facts must be wrong – because his assumptions must be right."
"It’s important to understand that Trump, presented with evidence of a successful American policy, is furious – because he wants and expects the policy to fail. Last week, when it came time to recertify the provisions of the deal, Trump reportedly wanted his team to present him with a rationale for abandoning the international agreement. When reality interfered, and that wasn’t one of his options, the president reportedly “had a bit of a meltdown.” It’s a fascinating peek into how the amateur president’s mind works. He desperately wants to believe the agreement isn’t working, and when the facts point in a direction that makes him uncomfortable, Trump assumes the facts must be wrong – because his assumptions must be right."
Fascism and the Denial of Truth: What Henry Wallace Can Teach Us About Trump
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/41423-fascism-and-the-denial-of-truth-what-henry-wallace-can-teach-us-about-trump
"In response, Wallace wrote "The Danger of American Fascism," an essay in which he suggested that the number of American fascists and the threat they posed were directly connected to how fascism was defined. Wallace pointed out that several personality traits characterized fascist belief, arguing that a fascist is "one whose lust for money and power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends." Wallace also claimed that fascists "always and everywhere can be identified by their appeal to prejudice and by the desire to play upon the fears and vanities of different groups in order to gain power." Fascists are "easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact" (my italics), he contended. Moreover, Wallace noted that fascists "pay lip service to democracy and the common welfare" and they "surreptitiously evade the laws designed to safeguard the public from monopolistic extortion." Finally, Wallace identified that fascists' primary objective was to "capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they keep the common man in eternal subjection." Wallace was writing in the context of an existential threat to democracy posed by Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan. However, his essay is prescient in that he identified the existence of a domestic form of American fascism that emerged from the political context of enlightened thought, rule of law and limited government. Wallace drew a clear distinction between European fascism and the kind of fascism found in the United States. Rather than resort to overt violence, American fascists would "poison the channels of public information," Wallace reasoned."
"In response, Wallace wrote "The Danger of American Fascism," an essay in which he suggested that the number of American fascists and the threat they posed were directly connected to how fascism was defined. Wallace pointed out that several personality traits characterized fascist belief, arguing that a fascist is "one whose lust for money and power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends." Wallace also claimed that fascists "always and everywhere can be identified by their appeal to prejudice and by the desire to play upon the fears and vanities of different groups in order to gain power." Fascists are "easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact" (my italics), he contended. Moreover, Wallace noted that fascists "pay lip service to democracy and the common welfare" and they "surreptitiously evade the laws designed to safeguard the public from monopolistic extortion." Finally, Wallace identified that fascists' primary objective was to "capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they keep the common man in eternal subjection." Wallace was writing in the context of an existential threat to democracy posed by Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan. However, his essay is prescient in that he identified the existence of a domestic form of American fascism that emerged from the political context of enlightened thought, rule of law and limited government. Wallace drew a clear distinction between European fascism and the kind of fascism found in the United States. Rather than resort to overt violence, American fascists would "poison the channels of public information," Wallace reasoned."
An email prankster pretending to be Reince Priebus got a very real rise out of Anthony Scaramucci
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/1/16075340/email-prankster-white-house-officials-scaramucci-priebus
"On Monday, CNN reported that several White House officials including former communications director Anthony Scaramucci and Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert were tricked into corresponding with a UK-based, self-described "email prankster." This report comes just days after it was revealed that US Energy Secretary Rick Perry unwittingly spoke to Russian jokesters about energy policy."
"On Monday, CNN reported that several White House officials including former communications director Anthony Scaramucci and Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert were tricked into corresponding with a UK-based, self-described "email prankster." This report comes just days after it was revealed that US Energy Secretary Rick Perry unwittingly spoke to Russian jokesters about energy policy."
WATCH: President Trump’s lawyer caught lying about Trump’s involvement in Russia meeting coverup
https://thinkprogress.org/watch-president-trumps-lawyer-caught-lying-about-trump-s-involvement-in-russia-meeting-coverup-5f97f050191f/
"Sekulow’s Meet the Press comments may have been intended to insulate the president from involvement in Trump Jr.’s efforts to collude with Russia."
"Sekulow’s Meet the Press comments may have been intended to insulate the president from involvement in Trump Jr.’s efforts to collude with Russia."
Trump's cover-up of the cover-up underlines both obstruction and collusion
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/8/1/1685988/-Trump-personally-conducted-cover-up-of-his-campaign-staff-s-collusion-with-Russian-government
"The statement was a lie. The contention that Trump wasn’t involved in creating the statement was a lie. What does that say about Trump’s description of his own meeting with Putin? The evidence leaves no doubt: Donald Trump directed a cover-up intended to disguise the nature of contacts between his campaign staff and the Russian government. That’s now the baseline. Not only that, but Trump’s legal representative engaged in denial that Trump had been involved in the cover-up. Quite literally a cover-up of the cover-up. Watergate is now somewhere very far in the rear-view mirror. The level of interference and obstruction this generated is difficult to fathom—but it should be very easy to charge. After all, these weren’t statements made by accident or out of ignorance. They were blatant, deliberate attempts to confuse the public and evade blame for actions that, on close examination, are revealed as the very definition of collusion. They were told they were being offered information from the Russian government. They expressed a desire for that information. They acted on that information. They protected their sources. That’s collusion."
"The statement was a lie. The contention that Trump wasn’t involved in creating the statement was a lie. What does that say about Trump’s description of his own meeting with Putin? The evidence leaves no doubt: Donald Trump directed a cover-up intended to disguise the nature of contacts between his campaign staff and the Russian government. That’s now the baseline. Not only that, but Trump’s legal representative engaged in denial that Trump had been involved in the cover-up. Quite literally a cover-up of the cover-up. Watergate is now somewhere very far in the rear-view mirror. The level of interference and obstruction this generated is difficult to fathom—but it should be very easy to charge. After all, these weren’t statements made by accident or out of ignorance. They were blatant, deliberate attempts to confuse the public and evade blame for actions that, on close examination, are revealed as the very definition of collusion. They were told they were being offered information from the Russian government. They expressed a desire for that information. They acted on that information. They protected their sources. That’s collusion."
‘Everything he touches dies’: GOP analyst Rick Wilson mocks Trump for dictating Jr’s Russia lies
‘Everything he touches dies’: GOP analyst Rick Wilson mocks Trump for dictating Jr’s Russia lies:
"Speaking with host Chris Hayes, the acerbic Wilson took Trump to task over a bombshell report that he personally dictated Donald Trump Jr.’s statement about the meeting with Kremlin insiders that was later found to be false."
"Speaking with host Chris Hayes, the acerbic Wilson took Trump to task over a bombshell report that he personally dictated Donald Trump Jr.’s statement about the meeting with Kremlin insiders that was later found to be false."
Trump's lies are the Republican playbook
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/31/1685661/-Trump-s-lies-are-the-Republican-playbook
"Even today, it’s impossible to find a Republican officeholder (thus I exclude Mitt Romney’s criticism of Trump as a “phony,” which is a hilarious irony, as well as “conservative” media figures Shepard Smith, Chris Wallace and Ana Navarro, who might as well be bleeding-heart liberals by today’s standards) whose criticism of Trump includes the fact that he lies. Constantly. Compulsively. Endlessly. About everything."
"Even today, it’s impossible to find a Republican officeholder (thus I exclude Mitt Romney’s criticism of Trump as a “phony,” which is a hilarious irony, as well as “conservative” media figures Shepard Smith, Chris Wallace and Ana Navarro, who might as well be bleeding-heart liberals by today’s standards) whose criticism of Trump includes the fact that he lies. Constantly. Compulsively. Endlessly. About everything."
Clean water advocates tell Trump administration to ‘stop pandering to polluters’
https://thinkprogress.org/clean-water-advocates-tell-trump-administration-to-stop-pandering-to-polluters-5716f3bb24b/
"Environmental leaders testified at the Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters on Monday in opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed delay of an Obama-era rule that limits the amount of toxic pollution power plant operators can discharge into stream, rivers, and lakes."
"Environmental leaders testified at the Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters on Monday in opposition to the Trump administration’s proposed delay of an Obama-era rule that limits the amount of toxic pollution power plant operators can discharge into stream, rivers, and lakes."
Kris ‘king of voter suppression’ Kobach scared of answering ACLU’s questions under oath
Kris ‘king of voter suppression’ Kobach scared of answering ACLU’s questions under oath:
"The lead voter fraud conspiracy theorist is seeking to avoid answering questions under oath about attempts to change US election law. The Republican Secretary of State in Kansas, Kris Kobach, filed the notice with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports."
"The lead voter fraud conspiracy theorist is seeking to avoid answering questions under oath about attempts to change US election law. The Republican Secretary of State in Kansas, Kris Kobach, filed the notice with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports."
Robert Reich: House Republicans Are Convinced Trump Is out of His Gourd @alternet
Robert Reich: House Republicans Are Convinced Trump Is out of His Gourd @alternet: 'He’s losing it fast. My bet is he’s out of office before the midterms.' This morning I phoned my friend, a former Republican member of Congress.Me: What’s going on? Seems like the White House is imploding and Republicans are going down with the ship.Him (chuckling): We’re officially a banana republic.Me: Seriously, what are you hearing from your former colleagues on the Hill?Him: They’re convinced Trump is out of his gourd.Me: So what are they gonna do about it?
Here’s The Explosive Russia Testimony You Missed Whilst Distracted By ‘The Mooch’
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/bill-browders-senate-judiciary-committee-hearing_uk_597ee55ce4b02a4ebb7675a6
"Browder’s testimony, which received relatively little coverage, is extraordinary with a senator calling it one of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s “most important” hearings. In it he describes a Russian system of government that operates in the shadows using corruption, blackmail, torture and murder - all led by Vladimir Putin. Browder said: “Effectively the moment that you enter into their world, you become theirs.” Browder was a very successful businessman operating in Russia and was on friendly terms with Putin but this all changed when he and his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, uncovered evidence of a huge $230 million corruption scandal. The pair reported it to the Russian authorities: “And we waited for the good guys to get the bad guys. “It turned out that in Putin’s Russia, there are no good guys.” Instead of investigating the allegations Browder was himself accused of tax evasion and was barred from reentering Russia after travelling abroad on business. Magnitsky was jailed and is believed to have been beaten to death in 2009."
"Browder’s testimony, which received relatively little coverage, is extraordinary with a senator calling it one of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s “most important” hearings. In it he describes a Russian system of government that operates in the shadows using corruption, blackmail, torture and murder - all led by Vladimir Putin. Browder said: “Effectively the moment that you enter into their world, you become theirs.” Browder was a very successful businessman operating in Russia and was on friendly terms with Putin but this all changed when he and his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, uncovered evidence of a huge $230 million corruption scandal. The pair reported it to the Russian authorities: “And we waited for the good guys to get the bad guys. “It turned out that in Putin’s Russia, there are no good guys.” Instead of investigating the allegations Browder was himself accused of tax evasion and was barred from reentering Russia after travelling abroad on business. Magnitsky was jailed and is believed to have been beaten to death in 2009."
How Donald Trump’s kleptocracy is undermining American democracy
https://www.vox.com/world/2017/7/31/15959970/donald-trump-authoritarian-children-corruption
"The early months of the Trump presidency don’t look like what you normally see in a democracy. But they’re everyday occurrences in corrupt, undemocratic countries like Azerbaijan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or even Vladimir Putin’s Russia. And academics who study such countries increasingly worry that President Donald Trump is governing like the leader of the kind of nation Washington has long condemned — not like a president of the United States."
"The early months of the Trump presidency don’t look like what you normally see in a democracy. But they’re everyday occurrences in corrupt, undemocratic countries like Azerbaijan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or even Vladimir Putin’s Russia. And academics who study such countries increasingly worry that President Donald Trump is governing like the leader of the kind of nation Washington has long condemned — not like a president of the United States."
Trump faces pushback after endorsing police abuses
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-faces-pushback-after-endorsing-police-abuses
"Not to put too fine a point on this, but the president has shown he often doesn’t know how to behave himself in public settings. The Boy Scouts, of all organizations, had to apologize for Trump’s antics last week, which came on the heels of a controversial event in which the president tried to recruit active-duty troops into a White House lobbying campaign. This keeps happening. Trump’s remarks at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service were obviously inappropriate, as was his speech to graduating cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Now it’s police departments nationwide scrambling to make clear they’re not comfortable with the president’s advice on police brutality."
"Not to put too fine a point on this, but the president has shown he often doesn’t know how to behave himself in public settings. The Boy Scouts, of all organizations, had to apologize for Trump’s antics last week, which came on the heels of a controversial event in which the president tried to recruit active-duty troops into a White House lobbying campaign. This keeps happening. Trump’s remarks at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service were obviously inappropriate, as was his speech to graduating cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Now it’s police departments nationwide scrambling to make clear they’re not comfortable with the president’s advice on police brutality."
Trump’s respect for military valor is, at best, haphazard
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trumps-respect-military-valor-best-haphazard
"On the surface, Trump tends to honor military service the way a child might: he seems to think it’s cool to be around those who served. The more impressive the service record, and the higher the military rank, the more Trump wants to be associated with the bravery others have shown. But below the surface, the picture turns darker. Far from venerating military valor, Trump is on record mocking prisoners of war, saying he likes those “who weren’t captured.” Trump, who avoided military service during the Vietnam War, also said he “felt” like he’d served in the military because his parents sent him to a military-themed boarding school as a teenager. The Republican went so far as to boast that his expensive prep school gave him “more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.” Trump was caught lying about his financial support for veterans’ charities. He’s claimed more than once that he understands counter-terrorism better than American generals. He’s one of the few politicians in modern American life to publicly mock a Gold Star family. To be sure, the president occasionally likes to pretend to have some kinship with those who wear the uniform – except for transgender troops, whom he said via Twitter are no longer welcome in the military, despite their honorable service – but the posturing is ultimately hollow. Trump likes to use words like “tough” and “fight” as applause lines in speeches, without any deeper sense of their meaning or importance. To believe he’s “venerated military valor” throughout his life is to buy into a cheap p.r. campaign."
"On the surface, Trump tends to honor military service the way a child might: he seems to think it’s cool to be around those who served. The more impressive the service record, and the higher the military rank, the more Trump wants to be associated with the bravery others have shown. But below the surface, the picture turns darker. Far from venerating military valor, Trump is on record mocking prisoners of war, saying he likes those “who weren’t captured.” Trump, who avoided military service during the Vietnam War, also said he “felt” like he’d served in the military because his parents sent him to a military-themed boarding school as a teenager. The Republican went so far as to boast that his expensive prep school gave him “more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.” Trump was caught lying about his financial support for veterans’ charities. He’s claimed more than once that he understands counter-terrorism better than American generals. He’s one of the few politicians in modern American life to publicly mock a Gold Star family. To be sure, the president occasionally likes to pretend to have some kinship with those who wear the uniform – except for transgender troops, whom he said via Twitter are no longer welcome in the military, despite their honorable service – but the posturing is ultimately hollow. Trump likes to use words like “tough” and “fight” as applause lines in speeches, without any deeper sense of their meaning or importance. To believe he’s “venerated military valor” throughout his life is to buy into a cheap p.r. campaign."
Here’s the Sad Reality of Trump’s Presidency Which His Supporters Refuse to Believe
https://forwardprogressives.com/heres-the-sad-reality-of-trumps-presidency-which-his-supporters-refuse-to-believe/
"This is the humiliating reality in which we’re all currently living. The United States currently has a “president” who: Mocked a disabled reporter. Attacked the Gold Star parents of a fallen American hero. Belittled POWs and John McCain’s war record. Is a draft dodger who used blatant bigotry to tell thousands of transgender members of our military that he doesn’t believe they should have the right to serve and defend their country — something he was too much of a coward to do. Used a “textbook definition” of racism (Paul Ryan’s own words) in trying to slander a federal judge. Mocked the looks of Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, accusing her of having a face-lift. Once said the “bright side” of horrific terrorist attacks is his poll numbers will increase. Was caught on video admitting to trying to cheat on his current wife with another married woman, while also bragging about being a sexual predator. Said women should have expected to be sexually assaulted when they mixed males and females in the military. Has continuously criticized U.S. intelligence agencies while undermining their credibility, all while avoiding saying anything negative about an enemy who attacked us. Praised the reputation of InfoWars’ Alex Jones, someone who claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Continues to lie about why he won’t release his tax returns."
"This is the humiliating reality in which we’re all currently living. The United States currently has a “president” who: Mocked a disabled reporter. Attacked the Gold Star parents of a fallen American hero. Belittled POWs and John McCain’s war record. Is a draft dodger who used blatant bigotry to tell thousands of transgender members of our military that he doesn’t believe they should have the right to serve and defend their country — something he was too much of a coward to do. Used a “textbook definition” of racism (Paul Ryan’s own words) in trying to slander a federal judge. Mocked the looks of Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, accusing her of having a face-lift. Once said the “bright side” of horrific terrorist attacks is his poll numbers will increase. Was caught on video admitting to trying to cheat on his current wife with another married woman, while also bragging about being a sexual predator. Said women should have expected to be sexually assaulted when they mixed males and females in the military. Has continuously criticized U.S. intelligence agencies while undermining their credibility, all while avoiding saying anything negative about an enemy who attacked us. Praised the reputation of InfoWars’ Alex Jones, someone who claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Continues to lie about why he won’t release his tax returns."
This October, Trump Will Try to Start a War with Iran @alternet
This October, Trump Will Try to Start a War with Iran @alternet: Trump plans to sabotage the nuclear deal. Something extraordinary has happened in Washington. President Donald Trump has made it clear, in no uncertain terms and with no effort to disguise his duplicity, that he will claim that Tehran is cheating on the nuclear deal by October—the facts be damned. In short, the fix is in. Trump will refuse to accept that Iran is in compliance and thereby set the stage for a military confrontation. His advisors have even been kind enough to explain how they will go about this.
Lies, damn lies, and fake news
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/30/1684401/-Lies-damn-lies-and-fake-news
"with the Trump White House elevating “alternative facts” over supposed “fake news,” slandering the press as an “enemy of the people,” brushing off allegations of collusion and business conflicts with Russian interests as a “Democratic hoax,” and so much more, the Trump faithful are getting their talking points straight from the elephant’s mouth. But while the frequency and magnitude of Trump’s lies far exceed any American major party politician, his strategic deceptions and tactical duplicity are nothing new under the Republican sun. On matters of war and peace, health care and taxes, the economy and the environment, the GOP has been a myth-making machine for years. And when the government’s own experts and nonpartisan watchdogs debunked the Republicans’ fact-free frauds, the GOP directed its fire at them."
"with the Trump White House elevating “alternative facts” over supposed “fake news,” slandering the press as an “enemy of the people,” brushing off allegations of collusion and business conflicts with Russian interests as a “Democratic hoax,” and so much more, the Trump faithful are getting their talking points straight from the elephant’s mouth. But while the frequency and magnitude of Trump’s lies far exceed any American major party politician, his strategic deceptions and tactical duplicity are nothing new under the Republican sun. On matters of war and peace, health care and taxes, the economy and the environment, the GOP has been a myth-making machine for years. And when the government’s own experts and nonpartisan watchdogs debunked the Republicans’ fact-free frauds, the GOP directed its fire at them."
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