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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#251551: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:05:38 PM

[up]Classic goalpost moving.

Disgusted, but not surprised
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#251552: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:21:48 PM

Right to work is nothing more and nothing less than a way to strip unions of any power over time. It's easily prettied up as being about worker choice because "Look, you get all the same benefits and get to keep all your wage, and only your employer gets to decide who's employed". But by letting people totally bypass joining unions, they lose all the ability to fight back that comes with controlling an employer's entire workforce.

So it sounds like it's about worker rights, but really it's about putting all power back in the employer's hands.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#251553: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:29:56 PM

Right to work is the Ministry of Truth and Peace is War. -How I explained it to my wife

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
MarqFJA The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer from Deserts of the Middle East (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
The Cosmopolitan Fictioneer
#251554: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:35:12 PM

@Tobias Drake: ... That should be an impeachable crime and more than sufficient grounds for redoing the election.

Fiat iustitia, et pereat mundus.
RJ-19-CLOVIS-93 from New Zealand (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#251555: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:41:35 PM

How long do you think it will be until we two presidents in a row that's not some level of a clown?

  • 1993-2009: Clinton is the center of countless sex jokes, Bush the center of countless jokes about his intellect and the disaster that was the War on Terror
  • 2009-2017: Obama comes off as sensible
  • 2017-202?: Trump is living the saying "there's no such thing as bad publicity"

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#251556: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:44:11 PM

The President is always a figure of mockery.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#251557: Aug 8th 2018 at 6:55:35 PM

[up] Personally, I think it's kind of hilarious when center right people are like, I always disagreed with Obama, but I would give anything to have him back right about now.

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 8th 2018 at 9:59:23 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#251558: Aug 8th 2018 at 7:27:01 PM

Given that latest news about Russia, it seems that their strategy is to get people angrier and more partisan about Trump while making sure it doesn't translate to any win for the democrats in 2018. Recipe for divisiveness.

Sounds plausible, still I am not convinced that they'll have a major impact. Part of the reason their efforts in 2016 were noteworthy was because of how close it was, considering all the good signs we're seeing I am fairly certain the Russians can't stop a wave no matter how much they would want to.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#251559: Aug 8th 2018 at 7:30:40 PM

[up]Unless they literally hack the voting booths. I still haven't seen anyone say how that can't possibly happen.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#251560: Aug 8th 2018 at 7:40:54 PM

So Rachel maddow managed to get ahold of a recording of Devin Nunes speaking at a closed door fundraiser, where I'm pretty sure he admits to (a really dumb) Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice. I'm going to put the transcripts here, because they speak for themselves.

Clip one:

REP. NUNES (R-CA): "So therein lies, so it's like your classic Catch-22 situation where we were at a — this puts us in such a tough spot. If Sessions won't unrecuse and Mueller won't clear the president, we're the only ones. Which is really the danger. That's why I keep, and thank you for saying it by the way, I mean we have to keep all these seats. We have to keep the majority. If we do not keep the majority, all of this goes away."

Clip 2

REP. NUNES (R-CA): "They know it's ridiculous to go after the president for obstruction of justice. But if they tell a lie often enough and they put it out there and they say, 'Oh, we're looking at the tweets,' cause you know you've got a mixed bag on the tweets, right? Like sometimes you love the president's tweets, sometimes we cringe on the president's tweets. But they're trying to make a political, this is all political as to why that story ran in the New York Times on the tweets."

Clip 3

REP. NUNES (R-CA): "Now if somebody thinks that my campaign or Cathy's campaign is colluding with the Chinese, or you name the country, hey, could happen, it would be a very bad thing if Cathy was getting secrets from the Portuguese, let's say, just because I'm Portuguese, my family was. So Cathy was getting secret information from the Portuguese. You know, may or may not be unusual. But ultimately let's say the Portuguese came and brought her some stolen emails. And she decided to release those. Okay, now we have a problem, right? Because somebody stole the emails, gave 'em to Cathy, Cathy released 'em. Well, if that's the case, then that's criminal."

Clip 4

AUDIENCE MEMBER: "But also, on things that came up in the House on Rosenstein impeachment thing. And it appears from an outsider that the Republicans were not supported."

REP. NUNES (R-CA): "Yeah, well, so it's a bit complicated, right? And I say that because you have to, so we only have so many months left, right? So if we actually vote to impeach, okay, what that does is that triggers the Senate then has to take it up. Well, and you have to decide what you want right now because the Senate only has so much time. Do you want them to drop everything and not confirm the Supreme Court justice, the new Supreme Court justice? So that's part of why, I don't think you have, you're not getting from, and I've said publicly Rosenstein deserves to be impeached. I mean, so, I don't think you're gonna get any argument from most of our colleagues. The question is the timing of it right before the election."

REP. MCMORRIS RODGERS (R-WA): "Also, the Senate has to start —"

REP. NUNES (R-CA): "The Senate would have to start, the Senate would have to drop everything they're doing and start to, and start with impeachment on Rosenstein. And then take the risk of not getting Kavanaugh confirmed. So it's not a matter that any of us like Rosenstein. It's a matter of, it's a matter of timing."

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 8th 2018 at 10:46:15 AM

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#251561: Aug 8th 2018 at 8:46:23 PM

How does someone get away with speaking like that whilst being a Senator? I highly doubt he was elected because he couldn't string a coherent sentence together, unlike Trump.

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#251562: Aug 8th 2018 at 8:51:36 PM

He’s a congressman, not a senator. And to answer your question, he’s a toady. Toadies are generally able to get lots of big money donors, because that’s who they care about and cater to.

vandro Shop Owner from The little shop that wasn't Since: Jul, 2009
Shop Owner
#251563: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:00:04 PM

I still don't get how he survived politically the white house lawn stunt from back last year, I am not sure on the date.

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#251564: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:02:54 PM

[up][up] Most of the security stuff came out of the Senate committees, I got confused. [lol]

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#251565: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:13:58 PM

While definately a really stupid plan that has no real chance of working, does anyone have any thoughts on whether this would count as an admission to Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice?

For an Obstruction of justice charge, you need to prove corrupt intent.

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 8th 2018 at 12:20:22 PM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#251566: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:16:02 PM

He survives because he's from a very Republican district in California. They really don't care what he does in support of Trump.

vandro Shop Owner from The little shop that wasn't Since: Jul, 2009
Shop Owner
#251567: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:18:44 PM

His seat is then safe from dem challenge, gotcha.

Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#251568: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:20:47 PM

Don't know if this is really true.

Got some cousins who are born legally in America and raised by some of my relatives who moved to America during the Cold War.

Edited by Ominae on Aug 8th 2018 at 9:32:28 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#251569: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:26:27 PM

[up] generally the Daily Show knows what it's talking about. (It's really not that bad a way to stay up to date, honestly.)

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 8th 2018 at 12:33:51 PM

Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#251570: Aug 8th 2018 at 9:32:29 PM

True. I've followed his show.

My older brother moved to America in the 90s and has no intentions of moving back to the Philippines and stuff... Don't know if he'll be affected potentially.

IIRC, he didn't use any benefits according to the proposal.

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#251571: Aug 8th 2018 at 11:02:18 PM

[up]

It's true - I linked to the NBC report first covering this prior to the spirit animal derailment.

This statement from the Department of Homeland Security was the giveaway, to me:

A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said: "The administration is committed to enforcing existing immigration law, which is clearly intended to protect the American taxpayer by ensuring that foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the U.S are self-sufficient. Any proposed changes would ensure that the government takes the responsibility of being good stewards of taxpayer funds seriously and adjudicates immigration benefit requests in accordance with the law."

That's not just a non-denial, that's laying the groundwork for their defense of the policy if/when it comes to fruition.

And if the coverage presented by The Daily Show is any indication, if your brother ever filed for taxes in which he was granted a tax break or (my own conjecture) got a Federal PELL Grant, he might still be up shit creek under that proposal. That's just how vile this thing seems to be.

And on that note, fuck this administration and every vile, vindictive action they've taken. And especially fuck Stephen Miller, that Vampire Vannabe looking prick.

Edited by ironballs16 on Aug 8th 2018 at 11:09:30 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#251572: Aug 8th 2018 at 11:07:29 PM

It seems to be true or at least under proposal by Stephen Miller.

    Article 
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is expected to issue a proposal in coming weeks that would make it harder for legal immigrants to become citizens or get green cards if they have ever used a range of popular public welfare programs, including Obamacare, four sources with knowledge of the plan told NBC News.

The move, which would not need congressional approval, is part of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller's plan to limit the number of migrants who obtain legal status in the U.S. each year.

Details of the rulemaking proposal are still being finalized, but based on a recent draft seen last week and described to NBC News, immigrants living legally in the U.S. who have ever used or whose household members have ever used Obamacare, children's health insurance, food stamps and other benefits could be hindered from obtaining legal status in the U.S.

Immigration lawyers and advocates and public health researchers say it would be the biggest change to the legal immigration system in decades and estimate that more than 20 million immigrants could be affected. They say it would fall particularly hard on immigrants working jobs that don't pay enough to support their families.

Many are like Louis Charles, a Haitian green-card holder seeking citizenship who, despite working up to 80 hours a week as a nursing assistant, has had to use public programs to support his disabled adult daughter.

Using some public benefits like Social Security Insurance has already hindered immigrants from obtaining legal status in the past, but the programs included in the recent draft plan could mean that immigrant households earning as much as 250 percent of the poverty level could be rejected.

A version of the plan has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the sources said, the final step before publishing a rule in the federal register. Reuters first reported that the White House was considering such a plan in February.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said: "The administration is committed to enforcing existing immigration law, which is clearly intended to protect the American taxpayer by ensuring that foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the U.S are self-sufficient. Any proposed changes would ensure that the government takes the responsibility of being good stewards of taxpayer funds seriously and adjudicates immigration benefit requests in accordance with the law."

Miller, along with several of his former congressional colleagues who now hold prominent positions in the Trump administration, have long sought to decrease the number of immigrants who obtain legal status in the U.S. each year. And even before the rule is in place, the administration has made it more difficult for immigrants to gain green cards and for green-card holders to gain citizenship.

In fiscal year 2016, the last full fiscal year under the Obama administration, 1.2 million immigrants became lawful permanent residents, or green-card holders, and 753,060 became naturalized U.S. citizens, according to data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Data from the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 indicates that the administration is on track for a decline in immigrants granted green cards by 20 percent. Data for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2018 for immigrants obtaining naturalized citizenship shows little change compared to the same period of 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says they expect naturalization numbers to rise in the latter half of the year based on previous trends.

Four immigration lawyers practicing in Massachusetts, Virginia, Tennessee and California told NBC News they have noticed a spike in the number of their clients being rejected when seeking green cards and naturalized citizenship.

In a statement, agency spokesperson Michael Bars said, "USCIS evaluates all applications fairly, efficiently and effectively on a case-by-case basis."

“Contrary to open borders advocates, immigration attorneys and activists," said Bars, "USCIS has not changed the manner in which applications for naturalization have been adjudicated, as the law generally requires that an eligible applicant must have been properly admitted for permanent residence in order to become a U.S. citizen. ... We reject the false and inaccurate claims of those who would rather the U.S. turn a blind eye to cases of illegal immigration, fraud, human trafficking, gang activity and drug proliferation at the expense of public safety, the integrity of our laws and their faithful execution." "I did everything they asked me"

Charles, the Haitian green-card holder who works as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital near Boston, said he was stunned to learn his application for citizenship had been denied. He had used a fake passport given to him by smugglers when he entered the U.S. from Haiti in 1989, but confessed to border officers and received a waiver from USCIS absolving him of his wrongdoing and allowing him to obtain a green card in 2011.

Now 55, Charles is a homeowner and a taxpayer and thought obtaining citizenship would be a smooth process. "I thought in this country everything was square and fair," Charles said.

But when he went for his citizenship interview in August 2017, the USCIS officers told him they were going to revisit the decision to waive the fake passport incident, meaning he could potentially lose his green card as well. Image: Louis Charles Louis Charles, a Haitian green-card holder seeking citizenship, works up to 80 hours a week as a nursing assistant, but has had to use public programs to support his disabled adult daughter.Facebook

Then he received a letter in September telling him his request for citizenship had been denied. Recommended Urban Meyer acknowledges he knew about sexual assault allegations against assistant coach The most incredible meteor shower of the year is about to light up the night sky

"I was devastated. And I'm not sure exactly why they did it. I did everything they asked me to."

He appealed the decision, but as he waits for a final verdict, his lawyer says his green-card status may also now be in question.

In late November, the Trump administration announced they would end temporary protected status for Haitians who came to the U.S. after the deadly 2010 earthquake. Charles's wife was a recipient of that protection and without him becoming a citizen, he would be unable to vouch for her.

But Charles's biggest concern is his daughter. Although she is in her 20s and a U.S. citizen, she has severe disabilities that make it impossible for her to live by herself.

Charles is unaware of Miller's new plan to limit citizenship for immigrants who have used public assistance. But it is likely to affect him because he has used public assistance to help care for his daughter, so she could end up further hurting his chances for citizenship.

Though its effects could be far-reaching, the proposal to limit citizenship to immigrants who have not used public assistance does not appear to need congressional approval. As the Clinton administration did in 1999, the Trump administration would be redefining the term "public charge," which first emerged in immigration law in the 1800s in order to shield the U.S. from burdening too many immigrants who could not contribute to society.

Rosemary Jenks, executive vice president of Numbers USA, which promotes limited immigration, said the new rule and the increased scrutiny around green card and citizenship applications are all part of a new focus at DHS on enforcing the law and preventing fraud.

"Applications for renewal or adjustment of status that have been filed with the government before are being re-examined to look for fraud," Jenks said.

In light of this, immigration attorneys are cautioning their clients before moving from green-card status to citizenship.

Rose Hernandez is the supervising attorney at the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition's naturalization clinic. She said the clinic's model has completely changed in light of the crackdown. She now sends six information requests to government agencies to check on green-card holders' backgrounds before she advises them to file for citizenship. If the government finds something she doesn't, the fear is the applicants could lose their green cards and be sent home.

And other immigration attorneys are preparing to push back fiercely against the public charge rule.

"Any policy forcing millions of families to choose between the denial of status and food or health care would exacerbate serious problems such as hunger, unmet health needs, child poverty and homelessness, with lasting consequences for families' wellbeing and long-term success and community prosperity," said the National Immigration Law Center in a statement.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#251573: Aug 8th 2018 at 11:07:31 PM

As long as this administration is in power, your brother has no chance of becoming a US citizen. Even if he did somehow avoid everything this administration listed as an excuse to keep him from becoming a citizen...they'll find a reason to prevent it. Or delay it for years and years and years.

Your brother's best bet is to weather the storm until a less blatantly xenophobic administration takes charge.

Disgusted, but not surprised
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#251574: Aug 8th 2018 at 11:10:42 PM

Which hopefully will happen in a two years or so years.

Ominae Since: Jul, 2010
#251575: Aug 8th 2018 at 11:37:18 PM

He became an American in the early 2000s. Way before Trump was in the picture.

That’s when shit started that my father is pissed that he didn’t try to get his Filipino passport renewed, but that’s for another time.

Though if it can be still possible to get his revoked, I don’t know.

Edited by Ominae on Aug 8th 2018 at 11:38:23 AM


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