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AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#262301: Nov 19th 2018 at 4:09:30 PM

Wow, so not only did they do basically nothing, they were also placed in the wrong area and are leaving before the migrants arrive. Good lord this whole kerfluffle was stupid.

Here's to hoping they don't then re-assign any of them to California where the migrants are expected to arrive in... two months? I dunno.

TechPriest90 Servant of the Omnissiah from Collegia Titanica, Mars, Sol System Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Servant of the Omnissiah
#262302: Nov 19th 2018 at 4:44:56 PM

That bit on Mercer though - never thought I'd hear of someone who was an even bigger piece of trash than Ayn Rand, but I guess I was thinking without considering her deluded acolytes.

"Negative Value" for people on Welfare, "Nuclear Accidents aren't a big deal" and "Civil Rights were a mistake" - you'd think he's deliberately trying to infuriate everyone with a brain. Shit, I don't know.

I hold the secrets of the machine.
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#262303: Nov 19th 2018 at 4:52:15 PM

Now I really want the news of the troops leaving before the migrants have even arrived to reach the Trumpists just so that I could see their outrage at this act of "treason".

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
AngelusNox The law in the night from somewhere around nothing Since: Dec, 2014 Relationship Status: Married to the job
The law in the night
#262304: Nov 19th 2018 at 5:22:07 PM

Not surprising, after the midterms elections, there is no reason to keep the whole border force in place.

It was a political stunt to give the idea the Go P was doing something and once Trump realized there wouldn't be any ratings or positive news over his painfully stupid and wasteful move, he'd let that thing die out quickly.

Still, I am amazed how Jim Mattis managed to handle the situation. If Trump got his way, we would be probably be seeing more grunts armed to the teeth to meet tired women, men and children, but thankfully the whole thing died out before they could even reach the border.

Inter arma enim silent leges
StarOutlaw Since: Nov, 2010
#262305: Nov 19th 2018 at 6:58:41 PM

I'm curious how the midterms might have changed if the caravan and/or the pipe bomber hadn't been an issue. My gut tells me that not much would have changed either way though.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#262306: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:15:06 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/11/19/day-669/

    Day 669: A failure to abide 

1/ The CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, contradicting the Saudi government's claims that he was not involved in the killing. The evidence included an intercept showing a member of the 15-person team calling an aide to Prince Mohammed and saying "tell your boss" that the mission was accomplished. Trump called Saudi Arabia a "truly spectacular ally," telling senior White House officials that he wants Prince Mohammed to remain in power as a check on Iran. Trump also claimed that the CIA "haven't assessed anything yet," but "as of this moment we were told that [Prince Mohammed] did not play a role." (Washington Post / New York Times / CNN / Politico)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/16/politics/cia-assessment-khashoggi-assassination-saudi-arabia/index.html

Trump won't listen to what he called the "suffering tape" of Khashoggi's murder inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Trump also maintained that the crown prince told him "maybe five different times" and "as recently as a few days ago" that he had nothing to do with the killing. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-says-he-wont-listen-to-khashoggi-suffering-tape/2018/11/18/445cc5c0-eb53-11e8-96d4-0d23f2aaad09_story.html

The White House official responsible for U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia resigned. Kirsten Fontenrose had pushed for tough sanctions against the Saudi government in the response to the killing of Khashoggi. (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/17/us/politics/trump-khashoggi-saudi-arabia.html

2/ Trump probably won't sit down for an in-person interview with Robert Mueller, saying "we've wasted enough time on this witch hunt and the answer is, probably, we're finished." Trump also claimed he didn't know that his Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker opposed the Mueller investigation, but said Whitaker is "right" about his criticism of the special counsel's investigation. The two have had multiple conversations about the probe over the last year. (Fox News / New York Times / NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-says-whitaker-right-about-russia-probe-won-t-sit-n937671

Kellyanne Conway said Trump is "not afraid" to sit down with Mueller, because "it just doesn’t seem necessary." (The Hill)

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/417429-conway-trump-is-not-afraid-to-sit-down-with-mueller

3/ Trump won't stop Whitaker from curtailing Mueller's investigation into possible collusion by Trump campaign officials with Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump said he would "not get involved" if Whitaker moved to restrict it. (Bloomberg / Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia/trump-would-not-intervene-if-whitaker-moves-to-curtail-mueller-probe-idUSKCN1NN0LN

4/ A group of Senate Democrats are suing to block Whitaker from serving as acting attorney general, saying the appointment is unconstitutional. They're asking a federal judge to remove him because the appointment violates the Constitution since Whitaker has not been confirmed by the Senate. Adam Schiff added that not only is Whitaker's appointment "flawed," but "that he was chosen for the purpose of interfering with the Mueller investigation. He auditioned for the part by going on TV and saying he could hobble the investigation." (Associated Press / Daily Beast / The Guardian)

https://apnews.com/fb0d046e52494591b5e2bef3e485493f

5/ Trump called the incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman "little Adam Schitt" after the administration spent a week complaining about the need for decorum as part of its tiff with CNN and Jim Acosta, whose press credentials Trump revoked earlier this month. The White House did not comment on whether Trump misspelled Schiff's name intentionally. Melania Trump's office, who has spearheaded anti-cyberbullying efforts through her "Be Best" initiative, also did not comment. (Vox / CNN / Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/18/trump-adam-schiff-schitt-twitter-1002708

6/ After first threatening to suspend Acosta's press pass again after the current restraining order expires, the White House reversed course and "fully restored" Acosta's credentials. On Friday, Judge Timothy J. Kelly ruled that Acosta's right to due process had been violated when the White House suspended his pass. After the ruling, the White House sent Acosta a formal letter outlining a "preliminary decision" to again suspend his pass once the temporary order expires, citing a "fail[ure] to abide" by "basic, widely understood practices" when asking follow-up questions and not giving up the microphone right away. CNN and Acosta asked a federal judge for an emergency hearing to allow the judge to enter a more permanent preliminary injunction. The White House instead told CNN they would restore Acosta's press credentials as long as he follows new rules at presidential news conferences, which include asking just one question at a time and "physically surrendering the microphone." (Washington Post / NBC News / Axios / CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/19/media/cnn-acosta-emergency-hearing/index.html

Notables.

Trump criticized the retired Navy SEAL who led the raid on Osama bin Laden, saying that he should've caught bin Laden sooner. Adm. Bill Mc Raven called Trump's attack on the news media "the greatest threat to democracy in my lifetime." Trump responded by calling the now-retired four-star admiral a "Hillary Clinton fan" and scoffing that it would "have been nice if we got Osama Bin Laden a lot sooner." (Fox News / NBC News / CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/18/politics/donald-trump-william-mcraven/index.html

Trump revived his threat to shut down the federal government next month if Congress fails to give him the $20 billion needed to build his border wall. Trump asked lawmakers for $5 billion for new wall construction in fiscal 2019, which Democrats opposed. The Senate compromised with $1.6 billion for the wall. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/this-would-be-a-very-good-time-to-do-a-shutdown-trump-says/2018/11/17/2cd70754-ea8f-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html

The 5,800 troops Trump sent to the Southwest border will start coming home just as some members of the refugee caravan arrive at the border. All the troops should be home by Christmas. (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/19/troops-us-mexico-border-come-home-1005510

Trump claimed Finland's president told him they rarely have forest fires because they "spend a lot of time raking." Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said he never discussed that with Trump. During his visit to California, Trump declined to blame the deadliest and most devastating wildfire in the state's history on climate change, instead declaring: "I have a strong opinion: I want great climate." (Politico / CNN / Associated Press / The Guardian)

https://apnews.com/3179a22c09714899aace1c8b6265e9c5

kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
#262307: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:22:47 PM

[up]

The White House instead told CNN they would restore Acosta's press credentials as long as he follows new rules at presidential news conferences, which include asking just one question at a time and "physically surrendering the microphone."

So basically blackmail.

No way CNN's giving in.

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#262308: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:23:51 PM

Oh, so it's Finnish raking that prevents forest fires. Must be some sort of ancient Sami secret technique or something.

I think there’s a global conspiracy to see who can get the most clicks on the worst lies
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#262309: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:31:18 PM

Also:

Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails about government business on personal account

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/417532-ivanka-trump-sent-hundreds-of-emails-about-government-business-on

Who wants to say it?

kkhohoho Since: May, 2011
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#262311: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:35:26 PM

I for one will take the high road and not insist that Ivanka immediately go to jail for email treason.

I would like a public apology, though.

I think there’s a global conspiracy to see who can get the most clicks on the worst lies
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#262313: Nov 19th 2018 at 7:47:35 PM

[up][up]We can respect due process and gloat at their hypocrisy at the same time.cool

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262314: Nov 19th 2018 at 8:35:41 PM

I kind of doubt that the president of Finland discussed fire prevention with him…

Finnland has its share of forest fires btw, but raking is not a prevention tactic. And naturally their woods aren't half as dry as the ones in California.

TechPriest90 Servant of the Omnissiah from Collegia Titanica, Mars, Sol System Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#262316: Nov 19th 2018 at 9:48:47 PM

[up][up]They actually did discuss forest management and fire prevention. No mention of raking whatsoever though. The Finns are loving it, if Twitter is any indication. They are mercilessly tearing a strip off Trump for his stupidity. #RakeAmericaGreatAgain indeed.

Robrecht Your friendly neighbourhood Regent from The Netherlands Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Your friendly neighbourhood Regent
#262317: Nov 19th 2018 at 9:52:47 PM

Is there a particular reason we're all spelling Fins and Finland with an incorrect number of 'n's?

I know spelling mistakes happen, not trying to ridicule anyone for it. Just kinda want this to stop before it negatively affects my quality of life (which it legitimately can).

Edit: Ok so apparently 'Finn' is a correct alternative spelling for people from Finland. The country's name is still with one n though.

Edited by Robrecht on Nov 19th 2018 at 6:55:30 PM

Angry gets shit done.
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#262318: Nov 19th 2018 at 10:00:36 PM

"Finnland" is how it's spelled in German, and Swanpride is German IIRC.

It's been fun.
Alycus Since: Apr, 2018
#262319: Nov 19th 2018 at 10:14:35 PM

[up][up] Different spelling in different languages. To be frank, though, claiming that a minor spelling issue can somehow "negatively affect your quality of life" is only going to make people roll their eyes.

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262320: Nov 20th 2018 at 2:40:50 AM

Yes. Finnland is the German way of spelling it...the name of the country in its own language is Suomi, though.

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262321: Nov 20th 2018 at 3:32:15 AM

A good reminder how much the Republicans have rigged the US democracy

That's the source Rachel is referring to

https://isthmus.com/news/news/dems-sweep-statewide-offices-in-midterms-but-remain-underrepresented-in-assembly/

This is why it is so important that the Democrats now do everything the can to level the playing field again.

Wildcard Since: Jun, 2012
#262322: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:59:28 AM

Hopefully one day the Republican party can die, and get replaced with a better right-wing party. Because, not a single Republican ideal even matches up with conservatism and there is literally nothing they offer to anyone who isn't rich, white, or hateful but harm.

Reflextion from a post-sanity world (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
#262323: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:08:02 AM

Because, not a single Republican ideal even matches up with conservatism and there is literally nothing they offer to anyone who isn't rich, white, or and hateful but harm

Fixed. Because, to not put too fine a point on it, they consider the people who are just white and hateful to be Useful Idiots (and the second half of that phrase is entirely accurate), and rich non-whites to be the enemy of Real America (TM).

Edited by Reflextion on Nov 20th 2018 at 9:08:19 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#262324: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:18:52 AM

Mitch Mc Connell's genocide in Kentucky is aimed at poor whites so at least he's not completely discriminatory.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#262325: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:48:41 AM

Looks like the prison reform bill wont get a vote before the new Congress takes over, which could be a good thing if the House Dems push for more reforms to be added to the bill.

I think there’s a global conspiracy to see who can get the most clicks on the worst lies

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