Saturday, February 25, 2017
Lies and pollution: Trump loyalists are willing to poison their bodies as well as their minds
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/21/lies-and-pollution-trump-loyalists-are-willing-to-poison-their-bodies-as-well-as-their-minds/
"It’s not clear whether Trump voters in deeply red states like West Virginia and Kentucky are aware of the fact that coal mining and Trump’s terrible bill will surely add copious amounts of selenium, mercury and arsenic to the water supplies in those states — in addition to the variety of toxins present in coal slurry, ash and other waste materials."
"It’s not clear whether Trump voters in deeply red states like West Virginia and Kentucky are aware of the fact that coal mining and Trump’s terrible bill will surely add copious amounts of selenium, mercury and arsenic to the water supplies in those states — in addition to the variety of toxins present in coal slurry, ash and other waste materials."
Stephen Colbert Roasts 'Dictator Tot' Trump's Deranged War on the Press @alternet
Stephen Colbert Roasts 'Dictator Tot' Trump's Deranged War on the Press @alternet:
"Trump had spent the 72 hours prior to Colbert's taping battling the group he has labeled an enemy of the state: America's press corps."
"Trump had spent the 72 hours prior to Colbert's taping battling the group he has labeled an enemy of the state: America's press corps."
National Security Council spokesman quits CIA, writes scathing editorial in Washington Post
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/21/national-security-council-spokesman-quits-cia-writes-scathing-editorial-in-washington-post/
"Edward Price, who has worked for the CIA since 2006 and until recently served as spokesman for the National Security Council, is leaving because he was deeply troubled by President Donald Trump."
"Edward Price, who has worked for the CIA since 2006 and until recently served as spokesman for the National Security Council, is leaving because he was deeply troubled by President Donald Trump."
Trump’s first month of travel expenses cost taxpayers just less than what Obama spent in a year
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-first-month-travel-expenses-11-million-a1feb6cd829b#.ttt655gqj
"The three Mar-a-Lago getaways, combined with the hundreds of thousands of public dollars spent on Secret Service protection during two international trips Trump’s adult sons have taken to promote their father’s business, cost taxpayers about $11.3 million over the first month’s of Trump’s presidency, according to the UK-based Independent."
"The three Mar-a-Lago getaways, combined with the hundreds of thousands of public dollars spent on Secret Service protection during two international trips Trump’s adult sons have taken to promote their father’s business, cost taxpayers about $11.3 million over the first month’s of Trump’s presidency, according to the UK-based Independent."
Heads Up, Republicans Want Wall St. Investment Advisers to Lie and Pick Your Pocket @alternet
Heads Up, Republicans Want Wall St. Investment Advisers to Lie and Pick Your Pocket @alternet:
"While the headlines are dominated by White House leaks and personnel scandals, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have been quietly helping the financial industry siphon off your retirement savings."
"While the headlines are dominated by White House leaks and personnel scandals, the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have been quietly helping the financial industry siphon off your retirement savings."
Eric Trump Openly Admits Pay To Play Access To 'Southern White House' | Crooks and Liars
Eric Trump Openly Admits Pay To Play Access To 'Southern White House' | Crooks and Liars
"Republicans and their Trump 'president' are damned corrupt and in this for their own wealth-enrichment, humans and the environment be damned! His voters think that's just fine. After all, he loves the poorly educated, right? He'll keep making more uneducated fools, thanks to DeVos and the rest of the swamp cabinet. That is, of course, until the day he is sent packing, along with the rest of his treasonous party of criminals."
"Republicans and their Trump 'president' are damned corrupt and in this for their own wealth-enrichment, humans and the environment be damned! His voters think that's just fine. After all, he loves the poorly educated, right? He'll keep making more uneducated fools, thanks to DeVos and the rest of the swamp cabinet. That is, of course, until the day he is sent packing, along with the rest of his treasonous party of criminals."
The GOP and ALEC's Brazen Plan to Sell Off America's Public Lands to the Fossil Fuel Industry @alternet
The GOP and ALEC's Brazen Plan to Sell Off America's Public Lands to the Fossil Fuel Industry @alternet:
"Not surprisingly, the effort to privatize public lands is driven in part by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that relies heavily on financing by extractive industry leaders to distribute cookie-cutter legislation to state legislatures in hopes that they will enact bills to roll back fundamental conservation laws. Many of the people pushing for the takeover of America’s public lands are also tied to radical fringe groups who don’t represent mainstream views. By mid-January, a House bill (H.R. 621) was introduced by Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz identifying 3.3 million acres of America’s public lands across 10 states to be 'disposed of' and sold off. “What’s worthless to allies of the fossil fuel industry for all except oil and gas extraction has irreplaceable value to the American people for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and countless other pastimes that Teddy Roosevelt first acknowledged were central to the strength and well-being of this nation,” the Wilderness Society said in a statement responding to the bill. “Today, those outdoor pastimes have a $646 billion value and contribute millions of American jobs to rural communities without harming the lands and waters themselves.” Miraculously, a little over a week after proposing his land disposal bill, Rep. Chaffetz announced in a midnight Instagram post that his bill would "die." Congressional offices had reportedly been overwhelmed by calls from people who want to keep our wild lands public, including many of Chaffetz's own constituents, who were concerned about the possibility of losing access for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Rep. Chaffetz did the right thing in listening to an overwhelming tide of constituents who castigated him for such an un-American piece of legislation. But this is just one victory in a broader defense of public lands at large."
"Not surprisingly, the effort to privatize public lands is driven in part by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization that relies heavily on financing by extractive industry leaders to distribute cookie-cutter legislation to state legislatures in hopes that they will enact bills to roll back fundamental conservation laws. Many of the people pushing for the takeover of America’s public lands are also tied to radical fringe groups who don’t represent mainstream views. By mid-January, a House bill (H.R. 621) was introduced by Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz identifying 3.3 million acres of America’s public lands across 10 states to be 'disposed of' and sold off. “What’s worthless to allies of the fossil fuel industry for all except oil and gas extraction has irreplaceable value to the American people for hiking, hunting, camping, fishing and countless other pastimes that Teddy Roosevelt first acknowledged were central to the strength and well-being of this nation,” the Wilderness Society said in a statement responding to the bill. “Today, those outdoor pastimes have a $646 billion value and contribute millions of American jobs to rural communities without harming the lands and waters themselves.” Miraculously, a little over a week after proposing his land disposal bill, Rep. Chaffetz announced in a midnight Instagram post that his bill would "die." Congressional offices had reportedly been overwhelmed by calls from people who want to keep our wild lands public, including many of Chaffetz's own constituents, who were concerned about the possibility of losing access for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. Rep. Chaffetz did the right thing in listening to an overwhelming tide of constituents who castigated him for such an un-American piece of legislation. But this is just one victory in a broader defense of public lands at large."
Trump’s lies are not the problem. It’s the millions who swallow them who really matter
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/feb/05/donald-trump-lies-belief-totalitarianism?CMP=share_btn_fb
"Compulsive liars shouldn’t frighten you. They can harm no one, if no one listens to them. Compulsive believers, on the other hand: they should terrify you. Believers are the liars’ enablers. Their votes give the demagogue his power. Their trust turns the charlatan into the president. Their credulity ensures that the propaganda of half-calculating and half-mad fanatics has the power to change the world."
"Compulsive liars shouldn’t frighten you. They can harm no one, if no one listens to them. Compulsive believers, on the other hand: they should terrify you. Believers are the liars’ enablers. Their votes give the demagogue his power. Their trust turns the charlatan into the president. Their credulity ensures that the propaganda of half-calculating and half-mad fanatics has the power to change the world."
Trump May Get Most Federal Judicial Appointments Since 1950s, Including 55 Stolen from Obama @alternet
Trump May Get Most Federal Judicial Appointments Since 1950s, Including 55 Stolen from Obama @alternet:
"right now, the president most openly hostile to federal courts in decades is poised to appoint more judges than any president in a half-century—including the dozens of seats the GOP stole from his predecessor."
"right now, the president most openly hostile to federal courts in decades is poised to appoint more judges than any president in a half-century—including the dozens of seats the GOP stole from his predecessor."
More Republican Handouts to the Rich
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/39543-more-republican-handouts-to-the-rich
"The Republicans are rigging the system to transfer tens of billions of dollars a year from ordinary workers to their rich friends. The only principle here is giving more money to the rich."
"The Republicans are rigging the system to transfer tens of billions of dollars a year from ordinary workers to their rich friends. The only principle here is giving more money to the rich."
Leaked tape shows Trump offering members of his club a new feature — watching him select an administration
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/20/leaked-tape-shows-trump-offering-members-of-his-club-a-new-feature-watching-him-select-an-administration/
"A leaked tape reveals President Trump offered his club members a new feature: Being able to watch him form a government for his new presidency. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told members of his Bedminister, New Jersey golf club in November, shortly after winning the 2016 presidential election. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government.” In the leaked audio tape, which was published by Politico, Trump also said: “We’re going to be interviewing everybody — Treasury, we’re going to be interviewing secretary of state. We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable . . . so you might want to come along.” This isn’t the first time that Trump’s casual attitude toward national security, particularly in his own clubs, has raised eyebrows."
"A leaked tape reveals President Trump offered his club members a new feature: Being able to watch him form a government for his new presidency. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told members of his Bedminister, New Jersey golf club in November, shortly after winning the 2016 presidential election. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government.” In the leaked audio tape, which was published by Politico, Trump also said: “We’re going to be interviewing everybody — Treasury, we’re going to be interviewing secretary of state. We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable . . . so you might want to come along.” This isn’t the first time that Trump’s casual attitude toward national security, particularly in his own clubs, has raised eyebrows."
WATCH: John Oliver examines the roots of Donald Trump’s lies, because “Trump’s reality can change within a single sentence”
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/20/watch-john-oliver-examines-the-roots-of-donald-trumps-lies-because-trumps-reality-can-change-within-a-single-sentence/
"The media, and the rest of the United States, shouldn’t be surprised to hear that Trump has lied, Oliver noted, considering that he’s essentially lied about everything for his entire adult life, from who he was to the size of his signature Trump Tower. His political life was also punctuated by lies: from Obama’s birth certificate to the murder rate to saying that the U.S. gross domestic product was “below zero"."
"The media, and the rest of the United States, shouldn’t be surprised to hear that Trump has lied, Oliver noted, considering that he’s essentially lied about everything for his entire adult life, from who he was to the size of his signature Trump Tower. His political life was also punctuated by lies: from Obama’s birth certificate to the murder rate to saying that the U.S. gross domestic product was “below zero"."
Seven key signs that Donald Trump knows nothing about economics: His vaunted expertise, like most of what he says, is BS
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/20/seven-key-signs-that-donald-trump-knows-nothing-about-economics-his-vaunted-expertise-like-most-of-what-he-says-is-bs/
"From "zero GDP" to "42 percent unemployment," Trump's economic claims suggest profound and dangerous ignorance"
"From "zero GDP" to "42 percent unemployment," Trump's economic claims suggest profound and dangerous ignorance"
GOP Strategist Steve Schmidt: Trump's Constant Lies and 'Endless Self-Pity' Are Unlike Any Other American President @alternet
GOP Strategist Steve Schmidt: Trump's Constant Lies and 'Endless Self-Pity' Are Unlike Any Other American President @alternet:
"Steve Schmidt, campaign director for John McCain’s 2008 presidential run, had some choice words for Pres. Donald Trump after the president’s wild and unhinged press conference on Thursday."
"Steve Schmidt, campaign director for John McCain’s 2008 presidential run, had some choice words for Pres. Donald Trump after the president’s wild and unhinged press conference on Thursday."
Trump Offers Cabinet Interview Access To Club Members-AUDIO | Crooks and Liars
Trump Offers Cabinet Interview Access To Club Members-AUDIO | Crooks and Liars
"Deep into the process of meeting potential Cabinet nominees, the president-elect invited partygoers to stop by the next day to join the excitement. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told the crowd, according to an audio tape of his closed-press remarks obtained by POLITICO from a source in the room. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government." "We’re going to be interviewing everybody — Treasury, we’re going to be interviewing Secretary of State,” he continued. “We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable….so you might want to come along"."
"Deep into the process of meeting potential Cabinet nominees, the president-elect invited partygoers to stop by the next day to join the excitement. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told the crowd, according to an audio tape of his closed-press remarks obtained by POLITICO from a source in the room. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government." "We’re going to be interviewing everybody — Treasury, we’re going to be interviewing Secretary of State,” he continued. “We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable….so you might want to come along"."
Trump Adviser Stephen Miller Championed Big Tobacco's Alarming Lies @alternet
Trump Adviser Stephen Miller Championed Big Tobacco's Alarming Lies @alternet: Miller and Mike Pence both had a history of spreading lies about the dangers of smoking. The alarming past of President Donald Trump’s senior policy adviser has come under increased scrutiny lately after the 31-year-old archconservative repeatedly lied to the American public on several Sunday morning talk shows. Since his early teens, Stephen Miller has espoused hateful views on immigrants, people of color and liberals.
21 Facts That Explain Exactly Who Stephen Miller Is @alternet
21 Facts That Explain Exactly Who Stephen Miller Is @alternet:
"Even among the right-wing ideologues doing the actual presidenting in this administration, Stephen Miller stands out for the copious amounts of Kool-Aid he mainlines. Speaking to the New York Times, a Trump team colleague described Miller as “fiercely loyal” to the president, “a true believer in every sense of the word.” Though he joined the campaign in its early days, penning many of the apocalyptic speeches that won fear-drunk Republican hearts and minds, Miller recently got a lot more visibility after a string of television appearances in defense of the Muslim ban. At each stop, Miller showed a flair for the dramatic: he lied, he dodged, he put on his best tyrant’s voice and proclaimed the executive branch above the law. It seemed contrived and forced, like a politically precocious, weasley teenager’s idea of how to command a crowd. According to those who know Miller’s history, that’s not so far off the mark."
"Even among the right-wing ideologues doing the actual presidenting in this administration, Stephen Miller stands out for the copious amounts of Kool-Aid he mainlines. Speaking to the New York Times, a Trump team colleague described Miller as “fiercely loyal” to the president, “a true believer in every sense of the word.” Though he joined the campaign in its early days, penning many of the apocalyptic speeches that won fear-drunk Republican hearts and minds, Miller recently got a lot more visibility after a string of television appearances in defense of the Muslim ban. At each stop, Miller showed a flair for the dramatic: he lied, he dodged, he put on his best tyrant’s voice and proclaimed the executive branch above the law. It seemed contrived and forced, like a politically precocious, weasley teenager’s idea of how to command a crowd. According to those who know Miller’s history, that’s not so far off the mark."
Woman Hatred, Fueled by Presidential Campaign, on the Rise @alternet
Woman Hatred, Fueled by Presidential Campaign, on the Rise @alternet:
"Stephen Bannon, now a top advisor to Donald Trump, is one of those who led the resurgence in verbal attacks on women and feminists that has afflicted the nation in recent years."
"Stephen Bannon, now a top advisor to Donald Trump, is one of those who led the resurgence in verbal attacks on women and feminists that has afflicted the nation in recent years."
How Alex Jones' Wild Conspiracies Breed Potentially Deadly Plots @alternet
How Alex Jones' Wild Conspiracies Breed Potentially Deadly Plots @alternet:
"Jones, who has been spreading fake news and ginning up antigovernment hysteria for well over a decade, has recently gained new prominence through his connection to the Trump campaign. As a candidate, Donald Trump appeared on Jones’ show in December 2015, where he told Jones, “Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down.” Jones claims to have personally advised Trump in the run-up to the election, and also asserted that a grateful Trump called him after his victory and promised to appear on the show again."
"Jones, who has been spreading fake news and ginning up antigovernment hysteria for well over a decade, has recently gained new prominence through his connection to the Trump campaign. As a candidate, Donald Trump appeared on Jones’ show in December 2015, where he told Jones, “Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down.” Jones claims to have personally advised Trump in the run-up to the election, and also asserted that a grateful Trump called him after his victory and promised to appear on the show again."
Trump Doesn't Get to Decide if the Russia Story Is 'Fake News'
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/trump-doesnt-get-to-decide-if-the-russia-story-is-fake-news-w467685
"Once again, the president is acting like he gets to decide what the law is"
"Once again, the president is acting like he gets to decide what the law is"
Our President* Spent His Saturday Lying to Our Faces
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a53269/trump-florida-rally-lies/
"How many more of these whackadoo performance pieces does he have to present before somebody throws sand in the gears? If four Republican senators—say, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Ben Sasse, and Susan Collins—would agree to caucus with the Democrats under Chuck Schumer, the whole thing would grind to a halt until we could catch our breath and see if we really want to live in the madhouse of this president*'s mind for the next four years. Bold speeches in Munich and chest-thumping on Twitter won't cut it. It's put up or shut up time. And, please, for the love of god, ye editors and news directors throughout the land, enough with the expeditions into the heartland to talk to people who helped bring this down upon themselves and on us. These folks have nothing new to say. They voted their id and their spleen and they're still on a high from that. Some guy in a café in Dubuque wants to say that he voted for this president* because he "tells it like it is," or because he thinks the steel mills are coming back? Can you watch that rally in Florida and believe that these opinions have any real merit?"
"How many more of these whackadoo performance pieces does he have to present before somebody throws sand in the gears? If four Republican senators—say, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Ben Sasse, and Susan Collins—would agree to caucus with the Democrats under Chuck Schumer, the whole thing would grind to a halt until we could catch our breath and see if we really want to live in the madhouse of this president*'s mind for the next four years. Bold speeches in Munich and chest-thumping on Twitter won't cut it. It's put up or shut up time. And, please, for the love of god, ye editors and news directors throughout the land, enough with the expeditions into the heartland to talk to people who helped bring this down upon themselves and on us. These folks have nothing new to say. They voted their id and their spleen and they're still on a high from that. Some guy in a café in Dubuque wants to say that he voted for this president* because he "tells it like it is," or because he thinks the steel mills are coming back? Can you watch that rally in Florida and believe that these opinions have any real merit?"
See John Oliver's Warning to Trump About Vladimir Putin, Russia
http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/see-john-olivers-warning-to-trump-about-vladimir-putin-w467846
"a Last Week Tonight exposé that examines Vladimir Putin's misdeeds and the president's obsession with the Russian autocrat."
"a Last Week Tonight exposé that examines Vladimir Putin's misdeeds and the president's obsession with the Russian autocrat."
Trump allies deliver plan to lift Russian sanctions—by helping to topple the Ukrainian government
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/19/1635623/-Trump-allies-deliver-plan-to-lift-Russian-sanctions-by-helping-to-topple-the-Ukrainian-government
"The players involved are a who’s who of Trump-connected pro-Russian figures. Mr. Flynn is gone, having been caught lying about his own discussion of sanctions with the Russian ambassador. But the proposal, a peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, remains, along with those pushing it: Michael D. Cohen, the president’s personal lawyer, who delivered the document; Felix H. Sater, a business associate who helped Mr. Trump scout deals in Russia; and a Ukrainian lawmaker trying to rise in a political opposition movement shaped in part by Mr. Trump’s former campaign manager Paul D. Manafort. Cohen is under investigation by the FBI as part of the query into Russian influence in Trump's election; Sater is Mafia-linked. A key part of the plan, led by pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker, Andrii Artemenko, would be releasing alleged evidence of corruption by the current not-pro-Russian-enough Ukrainian leader, thus allowing fine men like Andrii Artemenko to take over the government and negotiate a long term Russian "lease" of Crimea, and so forth. (Artemenko even offered up that he had “received encouragement for his plans from top aides to Mr. Putin”, which is apparently something would-be government topplers are willing to brag about these days.) The end result: If the current Ukrainian government was disposed of and a more Russia-tolerant faction took its place, thus achieving a peace with Russia that may or may not absolve Russia of their military invasion and capture of Crimea, than the way would be clear for the Trump administration to lift the sanctions on Russia that resulted."
"The players involved are a who’s who of Trump-connected pro-Russian figures. Mr. Flynn is gone, having been caught lying about his own discussion of sanctions with the Russian ambassador. But the proposal, a peace plan for Ukraine and Russia, remains, along with those pushing it: Michael D. Cohen, the president’s personal lawyer, who delivered the document; Felix H. Sater, a business associate who helped Mr. Trump scout deals in Russia; and a Ukrainian lawmaker trying to rise in a political opposition movement shaped in part by Mr. Trump’s former campaign manager Paul D. Manafort. Cohen is under investigation by the FBI as part of the query into Russian influence in Trump's election; Sater is Mafia-linked. A key part of the plan, led by pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmaker, Andrii Artemenko, would be releasing alleged evidence of corruption by the current not-pro-Russian-enough Ukrainian leader, thus allowing fine men like Andrii Artemenko to take over the government and negotiate a long term Russian "lease" of Crimea, and so forth. (Artemenko even offered up that he had “received encouragement for his plans from top aides to Mr. Putin”, which is apparently something would-be government topplers are willing to brag about these days.) The end result: If the current Ukrainian government was disposed of and a more Russia-tolerant faction took its place, thus achieving a peace with Russia that may or may not absolve Russia of their military invasion and capture of Crimea, than the way would be clear for the Trump administration to lift the sanctions on Russia that resulted."
Russia’s psychological dossier on Trump reveals they’re already ‘nervous’ he’ll be ousted
Russia’s psychological dossier on Trump reveals they’re already ‘nervous’ he’ll be ousted
"President Donald Trump’s behavior isn’t just unnerving American allies, as a former Russian diplomat tells NBC News that the Kremlin is becoming concerned as well. In an interview with the network, former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Fedorov said that Russia believes that Trump’s constant feuds with both the media and with his own intelligence agencies have left him “dancing on thin ice,” and susceptible to a possible coup. Echoing Fedorov, former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov tells NBC that the Kremlin doesn’t view Trump’s struggles as amusing in the slightest."
"President Donald Trump’s behavior isn’t just unnerving American allies, as a former Russian diplomat tells NBC News that the Kremlin is becoming concerned as well. In an interview with the network, former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Fedorov said that Russia believes that Trump’s constant feuds with both the media and with his own intelligence agencies have left him “dancing on thin ice,” and susceptible to a possible coup. Echoing Fedorov, former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov tells NBC that the Kremlin doesn’t view Trump’s struggles as amusing in the slightest."
Trump compares himself to Lincoln. But Lincoln warned us about demagogues like him.
https://thinkprogress.org/abraham-lincolns-warning-about-american-demagogues-like-trump-a5ba8a5765f6#.5mxq7uqp8
"Indeed, he is not just the demagogue Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton warned us about. He is exactly the demagogue Lincoln himself warned us about."
"Indeed, he is not just the demagogue Founding Fathers like Alexander Hamilton warned us about. He is exactly the demagogue Lincoln himself warned us about."
Leaked tapes reveal Trump's offer to his 'real group'
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/20/1635849/-Leaked-tapes-reveal-Trump-s-offer-to-his-real-group
"All those everyday working stiffs who think they have a friend in Trump need to spend a minute listening to him talk to the $200k a seat members of his club. “So, this is my real group,” Trump said at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, on November 18, according to the audiotape. “These are the people that came here in the beginning, when nobody knew what this monster was gonna turn out to be, right?” And for his “real group” Trump makes some special invitations that he wasn't handing out to the small crowd he gathered at a Florida airport. "We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told the crowd, according to an audiotape of his closed-to-the-press remarks, obtained by POLITICO from a source in the room. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government." Come on down! Watch us play National Security Advisor Apprentice! It’ll be fun! But dictators? Why is Trump interviewing dictators? Is he seeking entry level dictators to boss around people like the “aides” now shoving around experienced diplomats at State, or is he after mentor-grade dictators for their keen insight in how to be a better autarch?"
"All those everyday working stiffs who think they have a friend in Trump need to spend a minute listening to him talk to the $200k a seat members of his club. “So, this is my real group,” Trump said at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, on November 18, according to the audiotape. “These are the people that came here in the beginning, when nobody knew what this monster was gonna turn out to be, right?” And for his “real group” Trump makes some special invitations that he wasn't handing out to the small crowd he gathered at a Florida airport. "We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” Trump told the crowd, according to an audiotape of his closed-to-the-press remarks, obtained by POLITICO from a source in the room. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government." Come on down! Watch us play National Security Advisor Apprentice! It’ll be fun! But dictators? Why is Trump interviewing dictators? Is he seeking entry level dictators to boss around people like the “aides” now shoving around experienced diplomats at State, or is he after mentor-grade dictators for their keen insight in how to be a better autarch?"
Secret Tape Reveals Trump Hyping Presidency To Club Members
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-audio-tape-golf_us_58a94a3ae4b045cd34c27316
"An audiotape of Donald Trump shortly after he won the presidency shows him hyping the upcoming drama of a new kind of reality show. On the tape, which Politico obtained from someone on the scene, Trump exhorts the “special people” at one of his golf clubs to be his audience and enjoy the drama of watching him interview potential candidates for his Cabinet. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” says Trump on the tape, taken at a cocktail party last November at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government,” adds Trump, who once displayed his showman skills as star of “The Apprentice” reality show. “We’re going to be interviewing everybody — treasury, we’re going to be interviewing secretary of state,” he says. “We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable … so you might want to come along.” Trump sounds joyful talking about his victory at the party, which honored longtime members of the club. It’s the kind of milieu he seems to thrive in; this is his third week conducting the business of his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago golf resort in Palm Beach, Florida."
"An audiotape of Donald Trump shortly after he won the presidency shows him hyping the upcoming drama of a new kind of reality show. On the tape, which Politico obtained from someone on the scene, Trump exhorts the “special people” at one of his golf clubs to be his audience and enjoy the drama of watching him interview potential candidates for his Cabinet. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow — generals, dictators, we have everything,” says Trump on the tape, taken at a cocktail party last November at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. “You may wanna come around. It’ll be fun. We’re really working tomorrow. We have meetings every 15, 20 minutes with different people that will form our government,” adds Trump, who once displayed his showman skills as star of “The Apprentice” reality show. “We’re going to be interviewing everybody — treasury, we’re going to be interviewing secretary of state,” he says. “We have everybody coming in — if you want to come around, it’s going to be unbelievable … so you might want to come along.” Trump sounds joyful talking about his victory at the party, which honored longtime members of the club. It’s the kind of milieu he seems to thrive in; this is his third week conducting the business of his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago golf resort in Palm Beach, Florida."
Trump Is An International Laughing Stock After Referring To Imaginary Sweden Terror Attack
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/02/19/trump-international-laughing-stock-referring-imaginary-sweden-terror-attack.html
"This is what happens when a president gets his news from Fox. President Donald Trump is being mocked all around the world after he referred to a terrorist attack in Sweden that never happened."
"This is what happens when a president gets his news from Fox. President Donald Trump is being mocked all around the world after he referred to a terrorist attack in Sweden that never happened."
Trump's amazing and dangerous world of alternative facts—and alternative truth
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/19/1634381/-Trump-s-amazing-and-dangerous-world-of-alternative-facts-and-alternative-truth
"As ridiculous as Trump may be, he has brought together a team of pathological ideologues starting with Bannon, but also with Stephen Miller, Reince Priebus, and others who are hellbent on ripping up the foundations of the Great Society, the New Deal—in fact most of the advances of the 20th Century—and letting the entire thing crumble to the ground."
"As ridiculous as Trump may be, he has brought together a team of pathological ideologues starting with Bannon, but also with Stephen Miller, Reince Priebus, and others who are hellbent on ripping up the foundations of the Great Society, the New Deal—in fact most of the advances of the 20th Century—and letting the entire thing crumble to the ground."
American confidence in the country's world standing is at the lowest level in a decade
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/17/1634198/-American-confidence-in-the-country-s-world-standing-is-at-the-lowest-level-in-a-decade
"Trump is only 2% away from beating Dubya in an all-time low in American confidence on the national stage. Considering that he’s only been in office for a few weeks, I think he’ll have time to beat the low record. Woohoo.
"Trump is only 2% away from beating Dubya in an all-time low in American confidence on the national stage. Considering that he’s only been in office for a few weeks, I think he’ll have time to beat the low record. Woohoo.
Trump Declares Free Media 'Enemies Of The People' After Approval Ratings Tank | Crooks and Liars
Trump Declares Free Media 'Enemies Of The People' After Approval Ratings Tank | Crooks and Liars
"Another way to read his tweet is that he's trying to carve out Fox News as the only media broadcast outlet his True Believers should believe, since they are the official State Media outlet of the Trump administration, after all. But whatever the spark was, whatever he intended by it, the reality is that we have a paranoid, angry man-baby as our president now."
"Another way to read his tweet is that he's trying to carve out Fox News as the only media broadcast outlet his True Believers should believe, since they are the official State Media outlet of the Trump administration, after all. But whatever the spark was, whatever he intended by it, the reality is that we have a paranoid, angry man-baby as our president now."
Major outdoor retailers boycott Utah over threats to sell off public lands
https://thinkprogress.org/outdoor-retailers-boycott-utah-over-public-lands-threats-9cac78dcdeac#.t843uuwjh
"After 20 years of hosting the bi-annual outdoor retailer show in Salt Lake City, organizers of the show finalized their decision to move the $45 million event after a “disappointing” call Thursday with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R). A spokesman for Herbert said OIA’s move perpetuated a “false narrative” about Utah, despite the fact that the governor has been pouring $4.5 million of Utah taxpayer dollars into a lawsuit to seize national public lands in the state each year; an effort that is opposed by Utah residents, and has very little chance of success."
"After 20 years of hosting the bi-annual outdoor retailer show in Salt Lake City, organizers of the show finalized their decision to move the $45 million event after a “disappointing” call Thursday with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R). A spokesman for Herbert said OIA’s move perpetuated a “false narrative” about Utah, despite the fact that the governor has been pouring $4.5 million of Utah taxpayer dollars into a lawsuit to seize national public lands in the state each year; an effort that is opposed by Utah residents, and has very little chance of success."
After Advancing Scott Pruitt Confirmation, Senator Heads Over to Energy Lobbyist Fundraiser
https://theintercept.com/2017/02/17/after-advancing-scott-pruitt-confirmation-senator-heads-right-over-to-energy-lobbyist-fundraiser/
"JUST MOMENTS AFTER leading the floor debate on Thursday in support of Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left the Senate chamber to attend a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by energy lobbyists at a Capitol Hill steakhouse. The Senate voted 54-46 around 11:15 a.m. to invoke cloture, a mechanism that limits debate and allow an up-or-down confirmation vote Friday at 1 p.m. Barrasso, who has worked to shepherd Pruitt through the confirmation process, gave a brief floor statement, then left the chamber to relax with influence peddlers at Charlie Palmer Steak. The event, which asked for checks as high as $5,000 to Barrasso’s campaign committee, was hosted by lobbyists for energy firms that have cheered Pruitt’s battles with regulators. As the Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt worked closely with energy lobbyists to file lawsuits against a wide range of environmental regulations. Pruitt challenged EPA rules on fracking, controls on pollution from power plants, limits on mercury emissions, and enhancing clean water regulations. Several of Pruitt’s lawsuits and letters to regulators, a New York Times investigation found, were drafted with language provided to him by industry lobbyists."
"JUST MOMENTS AFTER leading the floor debate on Thursday in support of Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left the Senate chamber to attend a high-dollar fundraiser hosted by energy lobbyists at a Capitol Hill steakhouse. The Senate voted 54-46 around 11:15 a.m. to invoke cloture, a mechanism that limits debate and allow an up-or-down confirmation vote Friday at 1 p.m. Barrasso, who has worked to shepherd Pruitt through the confirmation process, gave a brief floor statement, then left the chamber to relax with influence peddlers at Charlie Palmer Steak. The event, which asked for checks as high as $5,000 to Barrasso’s campaign committee, was hosted by lobbyists for energy firms that have cheered Pruitt’s battles with regulators. As the Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt worked closely with energy lobbyists to file lawsuits against a wide range of environmental regulations. Pruitt challenged EPA rules on fracking, controls on pollution from power plants, limits on mercury emissions, and enhancing clean water regulations. Several of Pruitt’s lawsuits and letters to regulators, a New York Times investigation found, were drafted with language provided to him by industry lobbyists."
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
The Trump Administration’s First Gifts to Wall Street
http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-administrations-first-gifts-wall-street/
"What’s clear is that as the deregulatory process moves forward, the fox is guarding the henhouse. Despite his populist campaign rhetoric, President Trump is listening to Wall Street titans. His Cabinet is stocked with Goldman Sachs alumni who likely remember their former employer fondly. (Gary Cohn received a $285 million bonus when he graduated from bank COO to presidential adviser.) When it comes to regulating the banks, Trump believes there is “nobody better” to consult than the bankers themselves."
"What’s clear is that as the deregulatory process moves forward, the fox is guarding the henhouse. Despite his populist campaign rhetoric, President Trump is listening to Wall Street titans. His Cabinet is stocked with Goldman Sachs alumni who likely remember their former employer fondly. (Gary Cohn received a $285 million bonus when he graduated from bank COO to presidential adviser.) When it comes to regulating the banks, Trump believes there is “nobody better” to consult than the bankers themselves."
Donald Trump’s Alternative-Reality Press Conference
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/donald-trumps-alternative-reality-press-conference
"What Trump has actually done, of course, is demonstrate his manifest unsuitability for the job he now holds."
"What Trump has actually done, of course, is demonstrate his manifest unsuitability for the job he now holds."
Plans for Nationwide Anti-Trump Tax Day Protests Gain Momentum
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/16/plans-nationwide-anti-trump-tax-day-protests-gain-momentum
"From New York to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. to Little Rock, Arkansas, protesters will take to the streets on Saturday, April 15"
"From New York to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. to Little Rock, Arkansas, protesters will take to the streets on Saturday, April 15"
Trump wants you to believe 2 contradictory things about the Russia scandal
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-russia-fake-news-media-low-life-leakers-9e298956ecad#.323dghpqj
"Although it’s unclear how the president can reconcile those two logically incoherent positions, Trump has been pushing this contradictory narrative on Twitter for the past several days."
"Although it’s unclear how the president can reconcile those two logically incoherent positions, Trump has been pushing this contradictory narrative on Twitter for the past several days."
A United States of Hate Has Exploded Under Trump @alternet
A United States of Hate Has Exploded Under Trump @alternet:
"the emergence of the so-called alt-right was nothing but a “rebranding” of white supremacist ideology aimed at luring younger adherents."
"the emergence of the so-called alt-right was nothing but a “rebranding” of white supremacist ideology aimed at luring younger adherents."
‘Welcome to my nightmare’: Disaster expert says Trump admin will make any real crisis a catastrophe
‘Welcome to my nightmare’: Disaster expert says Trump admin will make any real crisis a catastrophe
"Pres. Donald Trump’s White House has been in a constant state of siege since the day he was sworn in. High-profile leaks, resignations, lies and a series of dramatic unforced errors have kept the Trump White House in a state of roiling chaos, say insiders."
"Pres. Donald Trump’s White House has been in a constant state of siege since the day he was sworn in. High-profile leaks, resignations, lies and a series of dramatic unforced errors have kept the Trump White House in a state of roiling chaos, say insiders."
President Trump’s family is living large — and American taxpayers are paying for it
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/17/president-trumps-family-is-living-large-and-american-taxpayers-are-paying-for-it/
"From the president’s frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and his sons’ upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates to open a golf course in Dubai to the First Lady’s decision to reside at Trump Tower in New York City, the lifestyle choices of Trump and family are running up taxpayers’ tab in an unprecedented manner, according to a report from The Washington Post. Although the agencies which handle most of these expenses did not reply to the Post’s request for specific figures, the newspaper was able to estimate that the president’s three trips to Mar-a-Lago probably cost roughly $10 million, that New York City spends $500,000 every day to guard Trump Tower (which could reach over $730 million by the end of Trump’s first term), and that Eric Trump’s trip to Uruguay for a Trump-brand condo tower cost nearly $100,000 in hotel bills."
"From the president’s frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and his sons’ upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates to open a golf course in Dubai to the First Lady’s decision to reside at Trump Tower in New York City, the lifestyle choices of Trump and family are running up taxpayers’ tab in an unprecedented manner, according to a report from The Washington Post. Although the agencies which handle most of these expenses did not reply to the Post’s request for specific figures, the newspaper was able to estimate that the president’s three trips to Mar-a-Lago probably cost roughly $10 million, that New York City spends $500,000 every day to guard Trump Tower (which could reach over $730 million by the end of Trump’s first term), and that Eric Trump’s trip to Uruguay for a Trump-brand condo tower cost nearly $100,000 in hotel bills."
Republicans are creating legislation that would weaken Endangered Species Act
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/17/the-gops-war-on-the-planet-continues/
"The Republican Party’s war on nature rolls on."
"The Republican Party’s war on nature rolls on."
“We elected a mess”: President Trump’s press conference is the top topic of late-night comedy
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/17/we-elected-a-mess-president-trumps-press-conference-is-the-top-topic-of-late-night-comedy/
"Stephen Colbert, other late-night hosts all try to unravel Trump's crazy press conference"
"Stephen Colbert, other late-night hosts all try to unravel Trump's crazy press conference"
Trump’s blatant cronyism turns to national security: The president taps billionaire investor to overhaul the spy agencies
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/17/trumps-blatant-cronyism-turns-to-national-security-president-taps-billionaire-investor-to-overhaul-the-spy-agencies/
"The Trump administration is already lousy with billionaires and Wall Street tycoons, so it might as well toss one more onto the pile. Feinberg’s case is noteworthy, however, in that he doesn’t appear to have any real experience or qualification for the important national security position for which he’s being appointed."
"The Trump administration is already lousy with billionaires and Wall Street tycoons, so it might as well toss one more onto the pile. Feinberg’s case is noteworthy, however, in that he doesn’t appear to have any real experience or qualification for the important national security position for which he’s being appointed."
Trump can't come clean on Russia, because the cover-up is all that keeps him in office
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/17/1634777/-Trump-can-t-come-clean-on-Russia-because-the-cover-up-is-all-that-keeps-him-in-office
"Donald Trump can’t halt the cover up on Russia. Because the cover up is his only hope."
"Donald Trump can’t halt the cover up on Russia. Because the cover up is his only hope."
Trevor Noah Hilariously Nails Trump's Clear Fear of Easily Google-able Facts @alternet
Trevor Noah Hilariously Nails Trump's Clear Fear of Easily Google-able Facts @alternet: '
"After lamenting over the "mess" he'd inherited, Trump continued his crusade against "fake news", which consisted of dodging questions while repeating his long held lies."
"After lamenting over the "mess" he'd inherited, Trump continued his crusade against "fake news", which consisted of dodging questions while repeating his long held lies."
Krugman Floats a Far Scarier Possibility Than a Trump-Putin Axis @alternet
Krugman Floats a Far Scarier Possibility Than a Trump-Putin Axis @alternet:
"The hard-liners in the Republican party are not going to let the little whiff of the possibilty that Americans are being governed by a man taking his cues from Moscow get in the way of depriving millions of healthcare, demolishing the safety net and letting polluters pollute freely again."
"The hard-liners in the Republican party are not going to let the little whiff of the possibilty that Americans are being governed by a man taking his cues from Moscow get in the way of depriving millions of healthcare, demolishing the safety net and letting polluters pollute freely again."
Net neutrality foe John Thune starts work on legislation to weaken it
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/15/1633791/-Net-neutrality-foe-John-Thune-starts-work-on-legislation-to-weaken-it
"Sen. John Tune (R-SD) doesn't want to wait around for the new FCC to kill net neutrality, or perhaps it’s that his big telecom overlords don't want to wait. So he's moving forward with trying to craft legislation."
"Sen. John Tune (R-SD) doesn't want to wait around for the new FCC to kill net neutrality, or perhaps it’s that his big telecom overlords don't want to wait. So he's moving forward with trying to craft legislation."
Trump got caught in a lie. Instead of owning it, he blamed somebody else.
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-electoral-college-vote-lie-8d72fe28d3fe#.n909anys4
"These numbers aren’t hard to find, but Trump lied about them anyway."
"These numbers aren’t hard to find, but Trump lied about them anyway."
Trump's Repeal of Bipartisan Anti-Corruption Measure Proves He's a Fake
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/trumps-repeal-of-anti-corruption-measure-proves-hes-a-fake-w467240
"Ask Trump supporters about this episode, and many would say they won't weep for the loss of any government regulation. But they should ask themselves if, when they were whooping and hollering for the man who promised to end special interest and lobbyist rules in Washington, they imagined the ExxonMobil chief in charge of the State Department cheering as the new president wiped out anti-bribery laws. The "establishment" sure is on the run, isn't it? "
"Ask Trump supporters about this episode, and many would say they won't weep for the loss of any government regulation. But they should ask themselves if, when they were whooping and hollering for the man who promised to end special interest and lobbyist rules in Washington, they imagined the ExxonMobil chief in charge of the State Department cheering as the new president wiped out anti-bribery laws. The "establishment" sure is on the run, isn't it? "
18 WTF Moments From Trump's Unhinged Press Conference
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/18-wtf-moments-from-trumps-unhinged-press-conference-w467518
"the event had little to do with Acosta, and quickly devolved into one of the most remarkably incoherent spectacles in recent memory."
"the event had little to do with Acosta, and quickly devolved into one of the most remarkably incoherent spectacles in recent memory."
Republicans Hustle to Shield Trump as Demands for Russia Inquiry Grow
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/16/republicans-hustle-shield-trump-demands-russia-inquiry-grow
"Republicans are dismissing the mounting call to thoroughly investigate the Trump campaign's connection with Russian intelligence, and party leadership is seemingly pushing for members to fall in line behind the president amid growing outrage."
"Republicans are dismissing the mounting call to thoroughly investigate the Trump campaign's connection with Russian intelligence, and party leadership is seemingly pushing for members to fall in line behind the president amid growing outrage."
The NRA has persuaded Congress to legalize the killing of bear cubs in wildlife refuges
https://thinkprogress.org/congress-legalized-killing-bear-cubs-in-refuges-9ca5d3ae3929#.cmoopmkxc
"The hunting practices the House voted to legalize on Thursday are considered cruel by many Alaska residents. Recent polling shows that by a two-to-one margin, Alaskans don’t support baiting or trapping in national wildlife refuges. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation. The system is made up of 566 national wildlife refuges, including 16 in Alaska."
"The hunting practices the House voted to legalize on Thursday are considered cruel by many Alaska residents. Recent polling shows that by a two-to-one margin, Alaskans don’t support baiting or trapping in national wildlife refuges. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only network of federal lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation. The system is made up of 566 national wildlife refuges, including 16 in Alaska."
House Republicans launch special investigation to protect Donald Trump from Russia scandal
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/16/1634344/-The-House-launches-a-special-investigation-but-not-into-Trump-s-Russia-connection
"Chaffetz has unleashed the committee over the Trump regime’s Russia connections — but not against Trump. They want to know who is telling the American public the truth about Trump. So they can stop it."
"Chaffetz has unleashed the committee over the Trump regime’s Russia connections — but not against Trump. They want to know who is telling the American public the truth about Trump. So they can stop it."
Mitch McConnell joins Jason Chaffetz in refusing to provide a check on Trump
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/16/1634379/-Mitch-McConnell-joins-Jason-Chaffetz-in-refusing-to-provide-a-check-on-Trump
"In other words, just keep giving all those big gifts to the polluters and the banksters, and Trump can do whatever he likes."
"In other words, just keep giving all those big gifts to the polluters and the banksters, and Trump can do whatever he likes."
Trump's Unhinged Tweetstorm | Crooks and Liars
Trump's Unhinged Tweetstorm | Crooks and Liars
"I guess the breaking news from the New York Times about his campaign being in *constant* communication with the Russians set him off."
"I guess the breaking news from the New York Times about his campaign being in *constant* communication with the Russians set him off."
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