http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/03/republicans-anti-protest-bills-map
"Republicans across the country are quietly introducing legislation aimed at limiting and even criminalizing peaceful demonstrations."
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Donald Trump spends 31 percent of time on vacation, plays golf 8 times in 6 weeks—on taxpayer dime
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/3/6/1640646/-Donald-Trump-spends-31-of-time-on-vacation-plays-golf-8-times-in-6-weeks-on-taxpayer-dime
"Over the last five weekends, the president has visited his luxury resort four times – each trip costs American taxpayers about $3 million – and as of last night, Trump had spent 31% of his presidency at Mar-a-Lago. He’s now played golf eight times since taking office six weeks ago. Despite being president on 9/11 and starting the two longest-running wars in American history, George W. Bush found time to break the record for the amount of vacation time taken by a president. Even so, Republican mythology insists that President Obama was a golf-obsessed loafer whose jaunts around the world cost taxpayers a fortune. In truth, Obama was never close to matching the lazy days of W and both of them were nose-to-the-grindstone compared to Trump. Told that Donald Trump is actually spending more on travel and enjoying more downtime, conservatives were incredulous. The facts “can’t possibly be right,” one said. “That absolutely can’t be right.” Oh, it’s right. And it’s one of the clearest signs of just how blatantly Donald Trump is willing to lie not just to America, but specifically to the people who supported him."
"Over the last five weekends, the president has visited his luxury resort four times – each trip costs American taxpayers about $3 million – and as of last night, Trump had spent 31% of his presidency at Mar-a-Lago. He’s now played golf eight times since taking office six weeks ago. Despite being president on 9/11 and starting the two longest-running wars in American history, George W. Bush found time to break the record for the amount of vacation time taken by a president. Even so, Republican mythology insists that President Obama was a golf-obsessed loafer whose jaunts around the world cost taxpayers a fortune. In truth, Obama was never close to matching the lazy days of W and both of them were nose-to-the-grindstone compared to Trump. Told that Donald Trump is actually spending more on travel and enjoying more downtime, conservatives were incredulous. The facts “can’t possibly be right,” one said. “That absolutely can’t be right.” Oh, it’s right. And it’s one of the clearest signs of just how blatantly Donald Trump is willing to lie not just to America, but specifically to the people who supported him."
Progressive Caucus: Sessions Must Go
http://progressive.org/dispatches/pocan-sessions-must-go/
"Controversy around Attorney General Jeff Sessions's denial at his confirmation hearing that he had contact with Russian officials, and the subsequent revelations that he had, in fact, met on more than one occasion with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 campaign, led Sessions to recuse himself from investigations concerning Russia and the 2016 presidential campaigns. But that’s not enough for members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “The recusal is very narrow and only affects investigations looking into the Administration's ties with Russia before Election Day,” Progressive Caucus members said in a statement. "This is not enough. Sessions lied to Congress under oath.” “Lying under oath about contacts with Russian officials supersedes recusal,” said Representative Mark Pocan, the caucus’s vice chair."
"Controversy around Attorney General Jeff Sessions's denial at his confirmation hearing that he had contact with Russian officials, and the subsequent revelations that he had, in fact, met on more than one occasion with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 campaign, led Sessions to recuse himself from investigations concerning Russia and the 2016 presidential campaigns. But that’s not enough for members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. “The recusal is very narrow and only affects investigations looking into the Administration's ties with Russia before Election Day,” Progressive Caucus members said in a statement. "This is not enough. Sessions lied to Congress under oath.” “Lying under oath about contacts with Russian officials supersedes recusal,” said Representative Mark Pocan, the caucus’s vice chair."
Bernie Sanders blisters Trump: All the president does is ‘lie, lie lie’
Bernie Sanders blisters Trump: All the president does is ‘lie, lie lie’
"Senator Bernie Sanders hammered President Donald Trump on Twitter Monday afternoon, telling him to knock off the lying because he is hurting America’s “standing in the world"."
"Senator Bernie Sanders hammered President Donald Trump on Twitter Monday afternoon, telling him to knock off the lying because he is hurting America’s “standing in the world"."
You Mean That 'Buy American' Promise Wasn't Honest?
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a53624/what-is-keystone-pipeline-made-of/
"In other words, the president* knew when he delivered his presidentialing speech last Tuesday that he'd already signed a directive that made what he told Congress and the nation a lie."
"In other words, the president* knew when he delivered his presidentialing speech last Tuesday that he'd already signed a directive that made what he told Congress and the nation a lie."
Ex-Bush administration officials fear how ‘erratic, vindictive’ Trump will react during a major crisis
Ex-Bush administration officials fear how ‘erratic, vindictive’ Trump will react during a major crisis
"Speaking with the Washington Post, a former policy strategist lambasted Trump for being out of control. “We have as president a man who is erratic, vindictive, volatile, obsessive, a chronic liar, and prone to believe in conspiracy theories,” conservative commentator Peter Wehner remarked. “And you can count on the fact that there will be more to come, since when people like Donald Trump gain power they become less, not more, restrained"."
"Speaking with the Washington Post, a former policy strategist lambasted Trump for being out of control. “We have as president a man who is erratic, vindictive, volatile, obsessive, a chronic liar, and prone to believe in conspiracy theories,” conservative commentator Peter Wehner remarked. “And you can count on the fact that there will be more to come, since when people like Donald Trump gain power they become less, not more, restrained"."
Bombshell report links Trump hotel to corrupt Azerbaijan oligarchs and Iranian terror group
Bombshell report links Trump hotel to corrupt Azerbaijan oligarchs and Iranian terror group
"President Donald Trump and his eldest daughter developed a hotel in Azerbaijan that appears to be a corrupt operation run by a family known as “the Corleones of the Caspian” with links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku — conceived in 2008 as a luxury apartment building but converted in 2014 into a hotel — has never opened, and both local observers and international experts are baffled by the building’s existence, reported The New Yorker."
"President Donald Trump and his eldest daughter developed a hotel in Azerbaijan that appears to be a corrupt operation run by a family known as “the Corleones of the Caspian” with links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Baku — conceived in 2008 as a luxury apartment building but converted in 2014 into a hotel — has never opened, and both local observers and international experts are baffled by the building’s existence, reported The New Yorker."
Donald Trump’s Worst Deal
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/13/donald-trumps-worst-deal
"The best way to determine if a crime was committed in the Baku deal would be a federal investigation, which could use the power of subpoena and international legal tools to obtain access to the contracts, the due diligence, internal e-mails, and financial documents. The Department of Justice routinely sends investigators to other countries to pursue possible F.C.P.A. and sanctions violations."
"The best way to determine if a crime was committed in the Baku deal would be a federal investigation, which could use the power of subpoena and international legal tools to obtain access to the contracts, the due diligence, internal e-mails, and financial documents. The Department of Justice routinely sends investigators to other countries to pursue possible F.C.P.A. and sanctions violations."
The Christian Right's Origins of Fake News and 'Alternative Facts' @alternet
The Christian Right's Origins of Fake News and 'Alternative Facts' @alternet:
"As we’ve moved from an election dominated by fake news to a new Trump administration run on the principle of “alternative facts,” it’s worth taking some time to ponder what seems to be contemporary conservative credulity. We should certainly be reminded of the term “truthiness” that Stephen Colbert invented in October 2005 to capture some of the pronouncements of the George W. Bush administration. As he explained then, truthiness was the truth that “comes from the gut,” not from actual facts—“the truth we want to exist,” that feels right. Truthiness is certainly an ancestor of fake news and alternative facts. And the way fake news tends to get better reception among conservatives than liberals, even by a two-to-one margin, has also been recognized. (When one fake news creator was interviewed, he explained, “We’ve tried to do similar things to liberals. It just has never worked, it never takes off. You’ll get debunked within the first two comments, and then the whole thing just kind of fizzles out.”) What is it about Republicans that seems to make them more credulous to fake news than Democrats?"
"As we’ve moved from an election dominated by fake news to a new Trump administration run on the principle of “alternative facts,” it’s worth taking some time to ponder what seems to be contemporary conservative credulity. We should certainly be reminded of the term “truthiness” that Stephen Colbert invented in October 2005 to capture some of the pronouncements of the George W. Bush administration. As he explained then, truthiness was the truth that “comes from the gut,” not from actual facts—“the truth we want to exist,” that feels right. Truthiness is certainly an ancestor of fake news and alternative facts. And the way fake news tends to get better reception among conservatives than liberals, even by a two-to-one margin, has also been recognized. (When one fake news creator was interviewed, he explained, “We’ve tried to do similar things to liberals. It just has never worked, it never takes off. You’ll get debunked within the first two comments, and then the whole thing just kind of fizzles out.”) What is it about Republicans that seems to make them more credulous to fake news than Democrats?"
Fukushima 6 years later: radioactive boars and $188 billion in clean-up costs
https://thinkprogress.org/fukushima-has-radioactive-boars-8a1583b21856#.hrc1b05o7
"Perhaps more shocking is that six years after the meltdowns, Fukushima is still generating and dealing with unimaginable amounts of contaminated waste. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is still “pumping water nonstop through the three reactors to cool melted fuel that remains too hot and radioactive to remove,” as the New York Times explained Saturday. That generates some 400 tons of contaminated water each day. With more than 962,000 tons now stored on site, storage space is running out. Some officials have contemplated whether they could dilute the waste and dump it in the ocean. Unsurprisingly, “local fishermen are vehemently opposed.” There are also more than 3,500 shipping containers holding radioactive sludge left over from the initial efforts to decontaminate all that water. On top of that, every day, some 6,000 cleanup workers dispose of their protective hazmat suits and other gear, so far generating nearly 65,000 cubic meters of gear — enough to fill 17 million one-gallon containers. TEPCO plans to burn it all at some point."
"Perhaps more shocking is that six years after the meltdowns, Fukushima is still generating and dealing with unimaginable amounts of contaminated waste. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is still “pumping water nonstop through the three reactors to cool melted fuel that remains too hot and radioactive to remove,” as the New York Times explained Saturday. That generates some 400 tons of contaminated water each day. With more than 962,000 tons now stored on site, storage space is running out. Some officials have contemplated whether they could dilute the waste and dump it in the ocean. Unsurprisingly, “local fishermen are vehemently opposed.” There are also more than 3,500 shipping containers holding radioactive sludge left over from the initial efforts to decontaminate all that water. On top of that, every day, some 6,000 cleanup workers dispose of their protective hazmat suits and other gear, so far generating nearly 65,000 cubic meters of gear — enough to fill 17 million one-gallon containers. TEPCO plans to burn it all at some point."
Friday, March 10, 2017
Fukushima’s high nuclear reactor radiation a problem for melted fuel
Fukushima’s high nuclear reactor radiation a problem for melted fuel
"During recent investigations conducted using cameras and robots at the site of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, after six years of the triple meltdown, it has likely identified melted fuel rods for the first time underneath the damaged reactor 2, Japan Times reported. Following a major earthquake on March 11, 2011, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident."
"During recent investigations conducted using cameras and robots at the site of Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, after six years of the triple meltdown, it has likely identified melted fuel rods for the first time underneath the damaged reactor 2, Japan Times reported. Following a major earthquake on March 11, 2011, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident."
All the ways Trumpcare would devastate women’s health care
https://thinkprogress.org/gop-lawmakers-women-health-care-7f929f58a098#.v1t1vlpc1
"Republicans in Congress are celebrating International Women’s Day this year by pushing forward a health care bill that could be disastrous for America’s women."
"Republicans in Congress are celebrating International Women’s Day this year by pushing forward a health care bill that could be disastrous for America’s women."
Gutting Obamacare: Opening Salvo in the Republican War on Seniors, Middle-Aged and Poor Americans @alternet
Gutting Obamacare: Opening Salvo in the Republican War on Seniors, Middle-Aged and Poor Americans @alternet: Seriously undermining Medicare and Medicaid, shifting thousands in unaffordable annual costs to families. If Republican elites in Congress were honest about their agenda, no senior would ever vote Republican.The current fight over repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not generally couched in terms of its impact on seniors, but it should be. It is a thinly veiled — and serious — opening attack on the economic and health security of those who have spent a lifetime contributing to our nation.
5 Ways President Trump’s Agenda Is a Disaster for People with Disabilities
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2017/03/08/427629/5-ways-president-trumps-agenda-disaster-people-disabilities/
"Donald Trump made his disregard for the 1 in 5 Americans with disabilities abundantly clear when he mocked a disabled New York Times reporter to a crowd of thousands at a campaign rally. But now that he’s in the White House, that disregard is no longer restricted to hateful words. Now, President Trump’s administration—together with his Republican colleagues in Congress—are pursuing policies that would put the health, education, and economic security of people with disabilities and their families at grave risk while further enriching both the wealthy and corporations through massive tax cuts."
"Donald Trump made his disregard for the 1 in 5 Americans with disabilities abundantly clear when he mocked a disabled New York Times reporter to a crowd of thousands at a campaign rally. But now that he’s in the White House, that disregard is no longer restricted to hateful words. Now, President Trump’s administration—together with his Republican colleagues in Congress—are pursuing policies that would put the health, education, and economic security of people with disabilities and their families at grave risk while further enriching both the wealthy and corporations through massive tax cuts."
House Leadership Obamacare Repeal Bill Is Republican Declaration of Class Warfare on Average Americans @alternet
House Leadership Obamacare Repeal Bill Is Republican Declaration of Class Warfare on Average Americans @alternet:
"On Tuesday, AARP, the lobby for people over age 50 and retirees, came out against it. By Wednesday, the American Medical Association and American Hospital Association weighed in, joining Democrats in opposing the House bill. But other businesses and interests that would see tax cuts benefiting them announced their support. "This legislation as currently drafted is...likely to result in a substantial reduction in the number of Americans able to buy affordable health insurance or maintain coverage," a letter to Congress from hospital and health care organizations said. "Currently, 21 million Americans have gained health care through the marketplaces and through expansion of the Medicaid program. We are very concerned that the draft legislative proposal being considered by the House committees could lead to tremendous instability for those seeking affordable coverage." What is unfolding in American politics and health care is unambiguously dire. Republicans clamoring for repeal are in an ideological bubble where they are blind to its real-life implications, from individual hardship to wreaking chaos in the health care system. But beyond the bill's specifics and the growing political fray is the larger reality that the repeal legislation is really the first salvo in a Republican-led class war on ordinary Americans."
"On Tuesday, AARP, the lobby for people over age 50 and retirees, came out against it. By Wednesday, the American Medical Association and American Hospital Association weighed in, joining Democrats in opposing the House bill. But other businesses and interests that would see tax cuts benefiting them announced their support. "This legislation as currently drafted is...likely to result in a substantial reduction in the number of Americans able to buy affordable health insurance or maintain coverage," a letter to Congress from hospital and health care organizations said. "Currently, 21 million Americans have gained health care through the marketplaces and through expansion of the Medicaid program. We are very concerned that the draft legislative proposal being considered by the House committees could lead to tremendous instability for those seeking affordable coverage." What is unfolding in American politics and health care is unambiguously dire. Republicans clamoring for repeal are in an ideological bubble where they are blind to its real-life implications, from individual hardship to wreaking chaos in the health care system. But beyond the bill's specifics and the growing political fray is the larger reality that the repeal legislation is really the first salvo in a Republican-led class war on ordinary Americans."
The GOP's Obamacare repeal plan is out — and it's even worse than anyone expected
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ct-hiltzik-gop-obamacare-replacement-20170307-story.html
"The truth is that the GOP measure would destroy the ability of millions of Americans to access any health care worth the name. The Congressional Budget Office reportedly warned the Republicans that their proposals would lead to lost coverage for millions and higher costs for millions more, but the GOP is pushing ahead anyway."
"The truth is that the GOP measure would destroy the ability of millions of Americans to access any health care worth the name. The Congressional Budget Office reportedly warned the Republicans that their proposals would lead to lost coverage for millions and higher costs for millions more, but the GOP is pushing ahead anyway."
GOP Plan Targets Poor, Sick, Elderly While Providing Tax Cuts for Wealthy
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/03/07/gop-plan-targets-poor-sick-elderly-while-providing-tax-cuts-wealthy
"The Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) "will do active harm to millions of people, particularly low-income people and seniors;" includes tax breaks for wealthy insurance CEOs; and is generally "a nastier, more consumer-unfriendly proposal than even close followers could have expected"."
"The Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) "will do active harm to millions of people, particularly low-income people and seniors;" includes tax breaks for wealthy insurance CEOs; and is generally "a nastier, more consumer-unfriendly proposal than even close followers could have expected"."
These are the people who will suffer under Trumpcare
https://thinkprogress.org/people-who-will-suffer-under-trumpcare-407a254cea1#.f5qkcm2mh
"Americans most affected by this plan are women, low-income people, the elderly, and people with mental illnesses — but it’s likely that all Americans will lose out under this plan."
"Americans most affected by this plan are women, low-income people, the elderly, and people with mental illnesses — but it’s likely that all Americans will lose out under this plan."
Campaign adviser changes story and now contradicts Trump, says Donald ordered Ukraine change at RNC
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/3/3/1639775/-Campaign-advisor-changes-story-and-now-contradicts-Trump-says-Donald-ordered-Ukraine-change-at-RNC
"Members of the Trump campaign interfered with an RNC delegate proposal to attach language to the official Republican Party platform that would back Ukraine, militarily and otherwise, if Russia tried to invade. You can read the backstory here. It was the only issue the Trump campaign intervened on while delegates were voting on the party’s platform."
"Members of the Trump campaign interfered with an RNC delegate proposal to attach language to the official Republican Party platform that would back Ukraine, militarily and otherwise, if Russia tried to invade. You can read the backstory here. It was the only issue the Trump campaign intervened on while delegates were voting on the party’s platform."
Oops Nevermind: Keystone XL Doesn't Have To Buy American | Crooks and Liars
Oops Nevermind: Keystone XL Doesn't Have To Buy American | Crooks and Liars
"The Keystone XL Pipeline will not be subject to President Donald Trump's executive order requiring infrastructure projects to be built with American steel, a White House spokeswoman said today."
"The Keystone XL Pipeline will not be subject to President Donald Trump's executive order requiring infrastructure projects to be built with American steel, a White House spokeswoman said today."
Crime Isn’t Out of Control. But the White House Wants You to Think It Is.
http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/crime-isn’t-out-control-white-house-wants-you-think-it
"The president continues to dish out alternative facts on crime to justify a reactionary agenda."
"The president continues to dish out alternative facts on crime to justify a reactionary agenda."
‘Keep up the good fight for Truth’: Tom Hanks surprises White House press corps with gift of encouragement
‘Keep up the good fight for Truth’: Tom Hanks surprises White House press corps with gift of encouragement
"The White House is in a very public war against the media and journalists, so Tom Hanks sent a gift of encouragement."
"The White House is in a very public war against the media and journalists, so Tom Hanks sent a gift of encouragement."
Arkansas Republican pushes bill to ban Howard Zinn books from public schools
Arkansas Republican pushes bill to ban Howard Zinn books from public schools
"Republican Arkansas state Sen. Kim Hendren introduced a bill to the state legislature that will ban the works of historian Howard Zinn from any schools that receive public funds. The Arkansas Times reported Thursday that House Bill 1834 would ban all public schools and open enrollment charter schools from “including in its curriculum or course materials for a program of study books or any other material authored by or concerning Howard Zinn.” Zinn is the author of “A People’s History of the United States,” the groundbreaking re-examination of U.S. history in terms of its effects on the poor, people of color and women."
"Republican Arkansas state Sen. Kim Hendren introduced a bill to the state legislature that will ban the works of historian Howard Zinn from any schools that receive public funds. The Arkansas Times reported Thursday that House Bill 1834 would ban all public schools and open enrollment charter schools from “including in its curriculum or course materials for a program of study books or any other material authored by or concerning Howard Zinn.” Zinn is the author of “A People’s History of the United States,” the groundbreaking re-examination of U.S. history in terms of its effects on the poor, people of color and women."
Crony Capitalism at Work? Trump Adviser Carl Icahn Strong-Arms Ethanol Lobby to Save His Company Millions
https://theintercept.com/2017/03/02/crony-capitalism-at-work-trump-adviser-carl-icahn-strong-arms-ethanol-lobby-to-save-his-company-millions/
"Icahn also was reportedly involved in vetting Trump’s choice of Scott Pruitt as Environmental Protection Agency administrator. Pruitt would have the ultimate authority to make the new rules Icahn seeks."
"Icahn also was reportedly involved in vetting Trump’s choice of Scott Pruitt as Environmental Protection Agency administrator. Pruitt would have the ultimate authority to make the new rules Icahn seeks."
Intelligence experts: Trump’s adherence to ‘alternative facts’ could spark another Iraq — or worse
Intelligence experts: Trump’s adherence to ‘alternative facts’ could spark another Iraq — or worse
"Intelligence experts are warning that Pres. Donald Trump and his administration’s refusal to acknowledge truths that don’t align with their worldview could have serious geopolitical consequences — a situation that is made even more complicated by the “fundamental ignorance and inexperience of Trump’s inner circle"."
"Intelligence experts are warning that Pres. Donald Trump and his administration’s refusal to acknowledge truths that don’t align with their worldview could have serious geopolitical consequences — a situation that is made even more complicated by the “fundamental ignorance and inexperience of Trump’s inner circle"."
For Congressional Republicans, Wall Street Trumps Main Street
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2017/03/01/427165/for-congressional-republicans-wall-street-trumps-main-street/
"The GOP’s systematic dismantling of financial regulations by any means necessary—no matter how unprecedented or problematic—shows who is driving its agenda: Wall Street. If this agenda is successfully implemented, a return to Wall Street’s excessive risk taking and predatory practices is inevitable—and another financial crisis will be just around the corner. These efforts show a total disregard for lessons learned during the financial crisis and should scare everyone that suffered through hardships as a result—a lost job, foreclosed home, or lost savings. Now is not the time to wipe rules off the books. Now is the time to hone our protections; enforce our rules; and avoid the deregulatory mindset that caused the last financial crisis, which will almost certainly—unless unchecked—lead to another catastrophe."
"The GOP’s systematic dismantling of financial regulations by any means necessary—no matter how unprecedented or problematic—shows who is driving its agenda: Wall Street. If this agenda is successfully implemented, a return to Wall Street’s excessive risk taking and predatory practices is inevitable—and another financial crisis will be just around the corner. These efforts show a total disregard for lessons learned during the financial crisis and should scare everyone that suffered through hardships as a result—a lost job, foreclosed home, or lost savings. Now is not the time to wipe rules off the books. Now is the time to hone our protections; enforce our rules; and avoid the deregulatory mindset that caused the last financial crisis, which will almost certainly—unless unchecked—lead to another catastrophe."
FBI corruption probe just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for Trump’s scandal-plagued Border Patrol nominee
FBI corruption probe just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for Trump’s scandal-plagued Border Patrol nominee
"the corruption investigation is “just the tip of the iceberg” of charges leveled against Paul Babeu, the right-wing former sheriff of Arizona’s rural Pinal County."
"the corruption investigation is “just the tip of the iceberg” of charges leveled against Paul Babeu, the right-wing former sheriff of Arizona’s rural Pinal County."
Study Shows Massive Global Permafrost Melt Underway While Trump Mentions Climate Not Once
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/03/01/study-shows-massive-global-permafrost-melt-underway-while-trump-mentions-climate-not
"A new study has discovered that tens of thousands of miles of permafrost in northwest Canada are rapidly melting, adding weight to recent research that shows an accelerating decline in permafrost in Alaska, Siberia, and Scandinavia. The disintegration of permafrost throughout the Arctic Circle portends a massive release of carbon, both into the surrounding environment in the form of sediment and into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. An unprecedented Arctic heat wave is accelerating its decay."
"A new study has discovered that tens of thousands of miles of permafrost in northwest Canada are rapidly melting, adding weight to recent research that shows an accelerating decline in permafrost in Alaska, Siberia, and Scandinavia. The disintegration of permafrost throughout the Arctic Circle portends a massive release of carbon, both into the surrounding environment in the form of sediment and into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. An unprecedented Arctic heat wave is accelerating its decay."
Fox News Hires David Bossie, Former Head Of Citizens United And Trump Deputy Campaign Manager
https://mediamatters.org/research/2017/02/28/fox-news-hires-david-bossie-former-head-citizens-united-and-trump-deputy-campaign-manager/215497
"Fox News has hired Citizens United President David Bossie, who served as President Donald Trump’s deputy campaign manager, as a contributor. Bossie has made a career out of smearing political opponents, lying, defending Trump from sexual assault allegations, and, like his former boss, attacking the mainstream media."
"Fox News has hired Citizens United President David Bossie, who served as President Donald Trump’s deputy campaign manager, as a contributor. Bossie has made a career out of smearing political opponents, lying, defending Trump from sexual assault allegations, and, like his former boss, attacking the mainstream media."
Republicans Take Aim at Public Lands
Republicans Take Aim at Public Lands:
"One reason for the sudden onslaught is that Republicans in Congress are rushing to take advantage of an obscure law, the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to expedite the repeal of any federal regulations by eliminating the possibility of a filibuster. Any agencies whose regulations are repealed using this act are then prohibited from putting forth any “substantially similar” rules in the future. That means no revisions, no going back to the drawing table. Congressional Republicans are in a hurry to wield this power to maximum effect against environmental regulations and other measures passed in the final six months of the Obama Administration. One of the first targets was the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, which seeks to curb the nearly 3.3 million metric tons of methane released by oil and gas production each year — nearly half emitted from operations on federally managed lands. Methane is an exceptionally potent greenhouse gas, and when released through venting and flaring at drilling sites it’s often accompanied by an assortment of even more toxic chemicals. (In addition, the amount of natural gas “vented” into the atmosphere by operations on federally managed land has been estimated to be worth roughly $330 million at current prices, were these facilities operated more efficiently.) The bill to repeal easily passed the House, with only three Democrats voting in favor, and now waits for the Senate. Another target is the National Park Service’s update to its thirty-seven-year-old regulations on oil and gas drilling operations inside our National Parks."
"One reason for the sudden onslaught is that Republicans in Congress are rushing to take advantage of an obscure law, the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to expedite the repeal of any federal regulations by eliminating the possibility of a filibuster. Any agencies whose regulations are repealed using this act are then prohibited from putting forth any “substantially similar” rules in the future. That means no revisions, no going back to the drawing table. Congressional Republicans are in a hurry to wield this power to maximum effect against environmental regulations and other measures passed in the final six months of the Obama Administration. One of the first targets was the Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, which seeks to curb the nearly 3.3 million metric tons of methane released by oil and gas production each year — nearly half emitted from operations on federally managed lands. Methane is an exceptionally potent greenhouse gas, and when released through venting and flaring at drilling sites it’s often accompanied by an assortment of even more toxic chemicals. (In addition, the amount of natural gas “vented” into the atmosphere by operations on federally managed land has been estimated to be worth roughly $330 million at current prices, were these facilities operated more efficiently.) The bill to repeal easily passed the House, with only three Democrats voting in favor, and now waits for the Senate. Another target is the National Park Service’s update to its thirty-seven-year-old regulations on oil and gas drilling operations inside our National Parks."
Miss. GOP lawmaker kills domestic violence divorce bill in case abusers have a ‘change of heart’
Miss. GOP lawmaker kills domestic violence divorce bill in case abusers have a ‘change of heart’
"The Republican chair of the Mississippi House Judiciary B Committee this week killed a bill that would have made domestic violence grounds for divorce. According to Mississippi Today, Republican Chairman Andy Gipson said that he would not take up Senate Bill 2703 before a Tuesday deadline, effectively allowing the bill to die. The bill would have amended Mississippi law “to create domestic violence as additional grounds for fault divorce.” Current law allows divorced to be granted for impotency, adultery, desertion, drunkenness, opium addiction, mental illness and “pregnancy of the wife by another person.” Gipson, who is a Baptist pastor, has said that laws should encourage people to stay married."
"The Republican chair of the Mississippi House Judiciary B Committee this week killed a bill that would have made domestic violence grounds for divorce. According to Mississippi Today, Republican Chairman Andy Gipson said that he would not take up Senate Bill 2703 before a Tuesday deadline, effectively allowing the bill to die. The bill would have amended Mississippi law “to create domestic violence as additional grounds for fault divorce.” Current law allows divorced to be granted for impotency, adultery, desertion, drunkenness, opium addiction, mental illness and “pregnancy of the wife by another person.” Gipson, who is a Baptist pastor, has said that laws should encourage people to stay married."
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Demands Feds Butt Out of Legal Marijuana States @alternet
Congressional Cannabis Caucus Demands Feds Butt Out of Legal Marijuana States @alternet:
"National polls show that 60 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, but recent history shows that a majority of public opinion or even a majoity of registered voters at the polls does not mean that the will of the people will be followed by government bureaucrats."
"National polls show that 60 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana, but recent history shows that a majority of public opinion or even a majoity of registered voters at the polls does not mean that the will of the people will be followed by government bureaucrats."
11 Senators Call on Trump Team to Not Mess With Legal Marijuana @alternet
11 Senators Call on Trump Team to Not Mess With Legal Marijuana @alternet:
"Eleven senators asked the Trump administration Thursday to allow states to tax and sell recreational marijuana."
"Eleven senators asked the Trump administration Thursday to allow states to tax and sell recreational marijuana."
Jeff Sessions Is an Alternative Facts Guy When It Comes to Marijuana @alternet
Jeff Sessions Is an Alternative Facts Guy When It Comes to Marijuana @alternet:
"Attorney General Jeff Sessions became the second member of the Trump administration in less than a week to provide “alternative facts” and backward analysis when it comes to marijuana."
"Attorney General Jeff Sessions became the second member of the Trump administration in less than a week to provide “alternative facts” and backward analysis when it comes to marijuana."
China smashes solar energy records, as coal use and CO2 emissions fall once again
https://thinkprogress.org/with-millions-of-jobs-up-for-grabs-china-seizes-clean-tech-leadership-from-u-s-a37154d02d0#.brxochc5n
"We are witnessing a historic passing of the baton of global leadership on technology and climate from the United States to China. The new U.S. administration has said it will abandon climate action, gut clean energy funding, and embrace coal and oil — the dirty energy sources of the past that experts say can’t create a large number of sustainable new jobs. At the same time, China is slashing coal use and betting heavily on clean energy, which is clearly going to be the biggest new source of permanent high-wage jobs in the coming years."
"We are witnessing a historic passing of the baton of global leadership on technology and climate from the United States to China. The new U.S. administration has said it will abandon climate action, gut clean energy funding, and embrace coal and oil — the dirty energy sources of the past that experts say can’t create a large number of sustainable new jobs. At the same time, China is slashing coal use and betting heavily on clean energy, which is clearly going to be the biggest new source of permanent high-wage jobs in the coming years."
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Sessions: Legal pot drives violent crime, statistics be damned
https://thinkprogress.org/sessions-legal-pot-violent-crime-8640413ca090#.ivpvgumpi
"In reality, violent crime rates tend to decrease where marijuana is legalized."
"In reality, violent crime rates tend to decrease where marijuana is legalized."
Paul Ryan, Trump staff say Trump didn't mean it when he said no Social Security, Medicare cuts
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/2/28/1638638/-Paul-Ryan-Trump-staff-say-Trump-didn-t-mean-it-when-he-said-no-Social-Security-Medicare-cuts
"Ryan has long pushed for reforming Medicare to keep that system solvent, but he also argues strongly changing the big ticket entitlement is the only way to really rein in deficit spending. "I've been a big time entitlement reformer for a long time because if you don't start bending the curve in the out years, we are hosed," Ryan said bluntly Tuesday morning. By the way, this is one of Ryan's very favorite lies, one which this CNN story fails to debunk. Medicare isn't facing an insolvency crisis and one of the reasons why is because of Obamacare. But Ryan isn't going to give up on this goal anytime soon, and he clearly believes he's got a president he can hoodwink or arm-twist into doing his will."
"Ryan has long pushed for reforming Medicare to keep that system solvent, but he also argues strongly changing the big ticket entitlement is the only way to really rein in deficit spending. "I've been a big time entitlement reformer for a long time because if you don't start bending the curve in the out years, we are hosed," Ryan said bluntly Tuesday morning. By the way, this is one of Ryan's very favorite lies, one which this CNN story fails to debunk. Medicare isn't facing an insolvency crisis and one of the reasons why is because of Obamacare. But Ryan isn't going to give up on this goal anytime soon, and he clearly believes he's got a president he can hoodwink or arm-twist into doing his will."
Shell Knew, Too: Investigation Reveals Big Oil Co.'s Decades-Long Climate Lies
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/02/28/shell-knew-too-investigation-reveals-big-oil-cos-decades-long-climate-lies
"Oil giant Shell also knew of the dangers of climate change decades ago, while it continued to lobby against climate legislation and push for fossil fuel development, a joint investigation by the Guardian and the Dutch newspaper The Correspondent revealed Tuesday."
"Oil giant Shell also knew of the dangers of climate change decades ago, while it continued to lobby against climate legislation and push for fossil fuel development, a joint investigation by the Guardian and the Dutch newspaper The Correspondent revealed Tuesday."
Here's How Republicans Plan To Purge More Voters In 2018 And 2020 | Crooks and Liars
Here's How Republicans Plan To Purge More Voters In 2018 And 2020 | Crooks and Liars
"After 9/11, the Bush administration began working on the implementation of a national ID. Its stated purpose was to assist national security agencies in better enabling them to identify terrorists. Though I fail to see how an ID will help them identify terrorists when many attacks in the U.S. are committed by Americans. Nonetheless, the result was a project supported by the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, called the REAL ID Act. Though the deadline for states to comply has been extended in the past, there is no reason to believe that it will be extended again. About half of the states are already in compliance, and they just happen to be red states. As of January 22, 2018, you will have to have one of these IDs. To obtain this new federal ID, you will need: a valid photo ID or non-photo ID that shows your full legal name and birth date your social security card your birth certificate proof of citizenship (it does not say what this means or why it is needed) two forms of proof of residence such as a utility bill and phone bill Your state is then required by law to digitally photocopy all of the above documents and attach them to your file. This file is then legally required to be shared with all other states and the federal government to include all government agencies. Anything that requires a photo ID will require this federal ID. That means you will need one to drive, to fly, obtain a marriage license, to fish, hunt, buy a gun, to rent a car, a hotel room, to buy a cell phone, open a bank account, to apply for a job, buy cold medicine and other prescriptions, go to the hospital, adopt, enroll your kid in school, visit a military base and to visit your representative’s office in D.C. You will also be unable to apply for welfare, food stamps, unemployment, medicaid, medicare or social security without obtaining this new ID. The REAL ID Act is an unfunded law. This means that states will be required to foot the bill for changing all IDs to federal IDs."
"After 9/11, the Bush administration began working on the implementation of a national ID. Its stated purpose was to assist national security agencies in better enabling them to identify terrorists. Though I fail to see how an ID will help them identify terrorists when many attacks in the U.S. are committed by Americans. Nonetheless, the result was a project supported by the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, called the REAL ID Act. Though the deadline for states to comply has been extended in the past, there is no reason to believe that it will be extended again. About half of the states are already in compliance, and they just happen to be red states. As of January 22, 2018, you will have to have one of these IDs. To obtain this new federal ID, you will need: a valid photo ID or non-photo ID that shows your full legal name and birth date your social security card your birth certificate proof of citizenship (it does not say what this means or why it is needed) two forms of proof of residence such as a utility bill and phone bill Your state is then required by law to digitally photocopy all of the above documents and attach them to your file. This file is then legally required to be shared with all other states and the federal government to include all government agencies. Anything that requires a photo ID will require this federal ID. That means you will need one to drive, to fly, obtain a marriage license, to fish, hunt, buy a gun, to rent a car, a hotel room, to buy a cell phone, open a bank account, to apply for a job, buy cold medicine and other prescriptions, go to the hospital, adopt, enroll your kid in school, visit a military base and to visit your representative’s office in D.C. You will also be unable to apply for welfare, food stamps, unemployment, medicaid, medicare or social security without obtaining this new ID. The REAL ID Act is an unfunded law. This means that states will be required to foot the bill for changing all IDs to federal IDs."
229 House Republicans just voted to keep Trump’s tax returns secret
https://thinkprogress.org/229-house-republicans-just-voted-to-keep-trumps-tax-returns-secret-a6843e9a6260#.tn98w3eh9
"House Republicans voted en masse to block a resolution that would have forced Trump to turn his tax returns over to Congress on Monday night"
"House Republicans voted en masse to block a resolution that would have forced Trump to turn his tax returns over to Congress on Monday night"
Who Says It Can’t Happen Here?
http://billmoyers.com/story/says-cant-happen/
"We must resist the future now taking shape in the fevered imagination of those like chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, who once openly admitted to emulating Lenin in wanting to “destroy the state” and wants to push us further and further to the right. The die is cast. To secure American democratic life, we must resist and overcome not only the initiatives of the greedy, corrupt, bigoted and narcissistic bully who currently occupies the White House, but also the anti-democratic ambitions and schemes of corporate capital and the right. If our parents and grandparents’ lives tell us anything, it is that it’s not just a matter of rejecting authoritarianism but of acting in solidarity to radically enhance freedom, equality and democracy."
"We must resist the future now taking shape in the fevered imagination of those like chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, who once openly admitted to emulating Lenin in wanting to “destroy the state” and wants to push us further and further to the right. The die is cast. To secure American democratic life, we must resist and overcome not only the initiatives of the greedy, corrupt, bigoted and narcissistic bully who currently occupies the White House, but also the anti-democratic ambitions and schemes of corporate capital and the right. If our parents and grandparents’ lives tell us anything, it is that it’s not just a matter of rejecting authoritarianism but of acting in solidarity to radically enhance freedom, equality and democracy."
Trump’s ‘public safety and national security’ budget damages public safety and national security
https://thinkprogress.org/trumps-budget-would-slash-diplomacy-and-boost-militarism-3f774418c13f#.ck37d0f0c
"The White House is pushing a budget that sacrifices global diplomacy for American militarism and may actually undermine national security, according to experts."
"The White House is pushing a budget that sacrifices global diplomacy for American militarism and may actually undermine national security, according to experts."
Before Trump Was a Racist Commander-in-Chief, He Was a Racist Real Estate Executive
http://inthesetimes.com/article/19915/trump-real-estate-racism-housing-discrimination-fbi
"This week the FBI released to the public nearly 400 pages of documents associated with the bureau’s 1970s investigation of racial discrimination in the Trump family’s real estate company, Trump Management, Incorporated. Donald Trump was at the time the president of the company, while his father Fred Trump was chairman. While related documents had already been obtained and reported on by the Washington Post and other outlets via the Freedom of Information Act, this new release is significant because it provides the public immediate access to material from the investigation. The documents offer an unmediated view into Trump’s long record of racism, a personal history that sheds light on a watershed moment in civil rights history."
"This week the FBI released to the public nearly 400 pages of documents associated with the bureau’s 1970s investigation of racial discrimination in the Trump family’s real estate company, Trump Management, Incorporated. Donald Trump was at the time the president of the company, while his father Fred Trump was chairman. While related documents had already been obtained and reported on by the Washington Post and other outlets via the Freedom of Information Act, this new release is significant because it provides the public immediate access to material from the investigation. The documents offer an unmediated view into Trump’s long record of racism, a personal history that sheds light on a watershed moment in civil rights history."
Ohio bill to outlaw marital rape gets zero support from GOP lawmakers
Ohio bill to outlaw marital rape gets zero support from GOP lawmakers
"Republican state lawmakers in Ohio are refusing to back a bill that would repeal the state’s “spousal exemption” for marital rape. Democratic state Rep. Greta Johnson told the Akron Beacon Journal that she first introduced HB 234 in 2015 because marital rape is legal in Ohio as long as the rapist uses no force or threat of force, meaning a husband could legally drug and rape his wife. “As a former prosecutor, I would argue that you could still try to prosecute under the forced rape statute, but unfortunately drugging and raping your spouse in Ohio is not illegal,” Johnson explained. The 2015 bill died in committee with no Republican support. Johnson blamed the failure on partisanship and opposition to a provision that dropped the 20-year statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault. Johnson filed the bill again on Friday, this time dropping the provision that removes the statute of limitations. But no Republican lawmaker has stepped forward to co-sponsor the bill."
"Republican state lawmakers in Ohio are refusing to back a bill that would repeal the state’s “spousal exemption” for marital rape. Democratic state Rep. Greta Johnson told the Akron Beacon Journal that she first introduced HB 234 in 2015 because marital rape is legal in Ohio as long as the rapist uses no force or threat of force, meaning a husband could legally drug and rape his wife. “As a former prosecutor, I would argue that you could still try to prosecute under the forced rape statute, but unfortunately drugging and raping your spouse in Ohio is not illegal,” Johnson explained. The 2015 bill died in committee with no Republican support. Johnson blamed the failure on partisanship and opposition to a provision that dropped the 20-year statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault. Johnson filed the bill again on Friday, this time dropping the provision that removes the statute of limitations. But no Republican lawmaker has stepped forward to co-sponsor the bill."
House Passes NRA-Backed Bill Legalizing the Killing of Bear Cubs in Wildlife Refuges
House Passes NRA-Backed Bill Legalizing the Killing of Bear Cubs in Wildlife Refuges:
"Environmental and animal rights groups have strongly condemned the bill. "Killing hibernating bears, shooting wolf pups in their dens, and chasing down grizzlies by aircraft and then shooting them on the ground is not the stuff of some depraved video game," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society. "It is exactly what Don Young is trying to restore on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. No decent person should support this appalling, despicable treatment of wildlife"."
"Environmental and animal rights groups have strongly condemned the bill. "Killing hibernating bears, shooting wolf pups in their dens, and chasing down grizzlies by aircraft and then shooting them on the ground is not the stuff of some depraved video game," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society. "It is exactly what Don Young is trying to restore on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. No decent person should support this appalling, despicable treatment of wildlife"."
How Congress Could Allow More Toxic Pesticides Into America's Waterways @alternet
How Congress Could Allow More Toxic Pesticides Into America's Waterways @alternet:
"Nearly 2,000 U.S. waterways are already impaired by pesticide contamination. A new bill would make it even worse."
"Nearly 2,000 U.S. waterways are already impaired by pesticide contamination. A new bill would make it even worse."
Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/26/robert-mercer-breitbart-war-on-media-steve-bannon-donald-trump-nigel-farage?CMP=share_btn_fb
"Hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and Trump strategist Steve Bannon have been working with Cambridge Analytica to change the way Americans think. Their strategy includes: 1. A database of almost the entire US voting population, showing, on the basis of their Twitter and Facebook accounts, what motivates each person. 2. Automated “bots” programmed on Twitter to act like people, to change the conversation, and to make topics trend. Before the U.S. election, such bots were five-to-one in favor of Trump. 3. Artificial intelligence that can measure every reaction to every word uttered, and hone messages to maximize their impact. 4. Eventually replacing existing media with sites such as Breitbart and with websites that displace mainstream sources of news and information, like CNSnews.com. Rightwing sites are already dominating sites like YouTube and Google, bound tightly together by millions of links. 5. Using supercomputers to dig up source material Google can’t find. This, Bannon explained, is how they “weaponise” the narrative they want, launching it straight on to the front page of the mainstream media, and diverting the attention of the news cycle."
"Hedge fund billionaire Robert Mercer and Trump strategist Steve Bannon have been working with Cambridge Analytica to change the way Americans think. Their strategy includes: 1. A database of almost the entire US voting population, showing, on the basis of their Twitter and Facebook accounts, what motivates each person. 2. Automated “bots” programmed on Twitter to act like people, to change the conversation, and to make topics trend. Before the U.S. election, such bots were five-to-one in favor of Trump. 3. Artificial intelligence that can measure every reaction to every word uttered, and hone messages to maximize their impact. 4. Eventually replacing existing media with sites such as Breitbart and with websites that displace mainstream sources of news and information, like CNSnews.com. Rightwing sites are already dominating sites like YouTube and Google, bound tightly together by millions of links. 5. Using supercomputers to dig up source material Google can’t find. This, Bannon explained, is how they “weaponise” the narrative they want, launching it straight on to the front page of the mainstream media, and diverting the attention of the news cycle."
The 3 investigations into Trump and Russia are all hopelessly compromised
https://thinkprogress.org/the-three-investigations-into-trump-and-russia-are-all-hopelessly-compromised-3f277465f601#.2xvwjni2h
"The lawmakers in charge of investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives are also helping the Trump campaign counter negative news stories, according to reporting by The Washington Post and Axios. The news — confirmed by the White House and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), one of the lawmakers — is a strong blow to the credibility of the congressional investigation and any appearance that the investigation is being conducted free from political influence. According to the reports, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer asked Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Nunes to speak to reporters and dispute stories alleging frequent contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. Burr picked up the phone at Spicer’s request and told reporters the story was false, Axios reports, but didn’t provide any evidence to back it up, and wasn’t quoted on the record. Nunes reportedly volunteered. He told The Post that he was already making similar calls, but made an additional one at the White House’s request. Burr and Nunes are, respectively, the heads of the House and Senate Intelligence committees. Both committees are currently leading the ongoing investigation into the alleged links."
"The lawmakers in charge of investigating possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives are also helping the Trump campaign counter negative news stories, according to reporting by The Washington Post and Axios. The news — confirmed by the White House and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), one of the lawmakers — is a strong blow to the credibility of the congressional investigation and any appearance that the investigation is being conducted free from political influence. According to the reports, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer asked Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Nunes to speak to reporters and dispute stories alleging frequent contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. Burr picked up the phone at Spicer’s request and told reporters the story was false, Axios reports, but didn’t provide any evidence to back it up, and wasn’t quoted on the record. Nunes reportedly volunteered. He told The Post that he was already making similar calls, but made an additional one at the White House’s request. Burr and Nunes are, respectively, the heads of the House and Senate Intelligence committees. Both committees are currently leading the ongoing investigation into the alleged links."
Donald Trump tells a lot of lies — but he’s just building on a long Republican tradition
http://www.salon.com/2017/02/27/donald-trump-tells-a-lot-of-lies-but-hes-just-building-on-a-long-republican-tradition/
"It’s an established fact: President Donald Trump is a shameless, relentless liar. He rarely makes it through a public appearance without uttering deliberate, outrageous falsehoods. Lies defined his campaign, creating a cottage industry of journalists listing and even cataloguing his lies. Now that he’s in office, the relentless lying has continued and may have even increased, creating a real crisis for publications that want to keep track of them all, since the sheer volume of his lies tests the capacities of even the most well-funded news organizations."
"It’s an established fact: President Donald Trump is a shameless, relentless liar. He rarely makes it through a public appearance without uttering deliberate, outrageous falsehoods. Lies defined his campaign, creating a cottage industry of journalists listing and even cataloguing his lies. Now that he’s in office, the relentless lying has continued and may have even increased, creating a real crisis for publications that want to keep track of them all, since the sheer volume of his lies tests the capacities of even the most well-funded news organizations."
Richard Nixon’s Authoritarian Loathing of the Media Lives On in Donald Trump
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/02/26/richard-nixons-authoritarian-loathing-media-lives-donald-trump
"Addressing the media and the nation at-large Monday morning, President Donald Trump explained the complications behind his plan to “repeal and replace Obamacare” by declaring a shocking statement, “Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated.” If this were a sitcom in the hey-day of family-friendly television, President Trump’s statement on healthcare would be followed by a motherly figure saying, “oh, you!” as Trump raised his hands in the air in a devil-may-care expression. But this is the real world. And the president of the United States just revealed that he had no idea the scope and breadth of the healthcare debate, nor the mechanics of instituting a nationwide healthcare plan. Because the truth is that when President Trump says, “nobody knew,” he is really saying, “I had no idea"."
"Addressing the media and the nation at-large Monday morning, President Donald Trump explained the complications behind his plan to “repeal and replace Obamacare” by declaring a shocking statement, “Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated.” If this were a sitcom in the hey-day of family-friendly television, President Trump’s statement on healthcare would be followed by a motherly figure saying, “oh, you!” as Trump raised his hands in the air in a devil-may-care expression. But this is the real world. And the president of the United States just revealed that he had no idea the scope and breadth of the healthcare debate, nor the mechanics of instituting a nationwide healthcare plan. Because the truth is that when President Trump says, “nobody knew,” he is really saying, “I had no idea"."
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Trump’s second-rate Reagan impression: Supply-side economics will work — for the ultra-rich
http://www.salon.com/2017/03/04/trumps-second-rate-reagan-impression-supply-side-economics-will-work-for-the-ultra-rich/
"While supply-side dogma claims that massive tax cuts will spur growth and cause wealth at the top to “trickle down,” this has never panned out in reality. Economic inequality has returned to pre-Great Depression heights in America since the Reagan Revolution. One of Reagan’s most prominent economic advisors, Arthur Laffer — who more recently advised Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback — has predictably cheered Trump’s intention to emulate Reagan’s supply-side experiment, predicting that his tax cuts will lead to economic “nirvana.” But Laffer was similarly bullish on Kansas when he advised Brownback to sign radical tax cuts five years ago, and economic nirvana has yet to arrive in the Sunflower State. Duane Goossen, the former budget director of Kansas, observed last October that the Brownback experiment “broke the state budget and imperiled education, highways, and key services without delivering the promised economic jolt,” and has unflatteringly called Trump’s economic plan “Brownback Economics for America.” Trump has proven time and again to have a shallow and limited understanding of the economy — but his economic council of billionaires and Wall Street executives doubtless know what they’re doing. Ultimately, supply-side economics is a dogma that was developed by corporate America and the business class to further their own class interests (see the “Powell Memo”), and viewed through that prism it has been a tremendous success. While supply-side policies have been disastrous for the majority of Americans (and for the overall health of the economy), the wealthiest Americans have seen their wealth surge, which explains why the dogma stubbornly persists."
"While supply-side dogma claims that massive tax cuts will spur growth and cause wealth at the top to “trickle down,” this has never panned out in reality. Economic inequality has returned to pre-Great Depression heights in America since the Reagan Revolution. One of Reagan’s most prominent economic advisors, Arthur Laffer — who more recently advised Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback — has predictably cheered Trump’s intention to emulate Reagan’s supply-side experiment, predicting that his tax cuts will lead to economic “nirvana.” But Laffer was similarly bullish on Kansas when he advised Brownback to sign radical tax cuts five years ago, and economic nirvana has yet to arrive in the Sunflower State. Duane Goossen, the former budget director of Kansas, observed last October that the Brownback experiment “broke the state budget and imperiled education, highways, and key services without delivering the promised economic jolt,” and has unflatteringly called Trump’s economic plan “Brownback Economics for America.” Trump has proven time and again to have a shallow and limited understanding of the economy — but his economic council of billionaires and Wall Street executives doubtless know what they’re doing. Ultimately, supply-side economics is a dogma that was developed by corporate America and the business class to further their own class interests (see the “Powell Memo”), and viewed through that prism it has been a tremendous success. While supply-side policies have been disastrous for the majority of Americans (and for the overall health of the economy), the wealthiest Americans have seen their wealth surge, which explains why the dogma stubbornly persists."
The truth about Obama’s economic legacy and Trump’s inheritance
The truth about Obama’s economic legacy and Trump’s inheritance
"The current economic expansion that started in June 2009 has lasted more than seven and a half years, making it now about the third-longest the U.S. has ever experienced."
"The current economic expansion that started in June 2009 has lasted more than seven and a half years, making it now about the third-longest the U.S. has ever experienced."
Fact-checking President Trump’s address to Congress
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/02/28/fact-checking-president-trumps-address-to-congress/?utm_term=.ca5e2427d404
"President Trump’s maiden address to Congress was notable because it was filled with numerous inaccuracies. In fact, many of the president’s false claims are old favorites that he trots out on a regular, almost daily basis."
"President Trump’s maiden address to Congress was notable because it was filled with numerous inaccuracies. In fact, many of the president’s false claims are old favorites that he trots out on a regular, almost daily basis."
Fact-checking Trump’s speech to Congress: Trump takes credit he hasn’t earned
http://www.salon.com/2017/03/01/ap-fact-check-trump-takes-credit-he-hasnt-earned/
"President Trump’s maiden address to Congress was notable because it was filled with numerous inaccuracies. In fact, many of the president’s false claims are old favorites that he trots out on a regular, almost daily basis."
"President Trump’s maiden address to Congress was notable because it was filled with numerous inaccuracies. In fact, many of the president’s false claims are old favorites that he trots out on a regular, almost daily basis."
Mr. Trump visits the Capitol: Same old lies in a terrifying new context
http://www.salon.com/2017/03/01/mr-trump-visits-the-capitol-same-old-lies-in-a-terrifying-new-context/
"Flat-out lying about the nation’s problems, locked into the hard-right dogma that persists in his administration despite being knocked down by reality time and time again, with a smirk on his face and his chin upturned in such a way that he resembles no one so much as Toad from the Frog and Toad children’s books, gaslighting this nation of suckers one more time."
"Flat-out lying about the nation’s problems, locked into the hard-right dogma that persists in his administration despite being knocked down by reality time and time again, with a smirk on his face and his chin upturned in such a way that he resembles no one so much as Toad from the Frog and Toad children’s books, gaslighting this nation of suckers one more time."
Robert Reich: Trump Has a Devious 10-Step Plan to Manipulate the American Public @alternet
Robert Reich: Trump Has a Devious 10-Step Plan to Manipulate the American Public @alternet:
"Don’t let Trump’s lies become near truths. Be vigilant. Know the truth, and spread it. The media should stop mincing words. Report Trump’s lies as lies."
"Don’t let Trump’s lies become near truths. Be vigilant. Know the truth, and spread it. The media should stop mincing words. Report Trump’s lies as lies."
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