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

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#251776: Aug 10th 2018 at 3:35:16 PM

[up] At least the smoke seems to have cleared up here today.

Edited by CookingCat on Aug 10th 2018 at 9:07:07 AM

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#251777: Aug 10th 2018 at 5:51:27 PM

It wouldn't take a miracle to take Tennessee, the Dems have a good chance there. However it would take a miracle to hold all current seats, North Dakota is looking especially had Florida isn’t looking much better. There are predictions out there seeing a zero swing result with a six seat change, the Democrats are hugely at risk in Nortg Dakota, Florida and Indiana, while they have a chance at picking up Nevada, Arizona and Tennessee.

While not as liking as Nevada, Arizona, or Tennessee, it seems that at this point Texas shouldn't be written off either.

Edited by LSBK on Aug 10th 2018 at 7:51:16 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#251778: Aug 10th 2018 at 5:55:34 PM

[up]Yeah, it looks like things are far closer in Texas then they have any right to be.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#251779: Aug 10th 2018 at 6:30:00 PM

[up] It helps that nearly half of texas's population is made up of minorities.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#251780: Aug 10th 2018 at 6:32:26 PM

[up]Not nearly half; Texas is a majority-minority state.

[down]How so?

Edited by LSBK on Aug 10th 2018 at 8:33:37 AM

fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#251781: Aug 10th 2018 at 6:32:44 PM

[up], [up][up] In this context marginalized people would probably be the better term.

Edited by fruitpork on Aug 10th 2018 at 9:32:23 AM

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#251782: Aug 10th 2018 at 7:58:28 PM

I read a report a few days ago that Cruz is actually pretty scared and is taking the race very seriously. It's not at all implausible that O'Rourke can win.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#251783: Aug 10th 2018 at 8:42:23 PM

Some local news. There's this crazy, trump loving, gay hating trump-publican, Scott Lively, who's challenging Charley Baker for Massachusetts Governorship. Luckily, he will get crushed by Charley Baker, but it's sort of funny that anyone would even try running a trump style campaign in Massachusetts, of all places. (He did win 30 percent of the vote in the Republican state convention, enough to get on the ballot, but like 50 percent of voters are registered as unaffiliated, so that really doesn't mean as much as you'd think.)

Here's Steven Colbert's take on him,

I knew he was a nut, but I didn't realize how plain out evil he was. (From The Other Wiki)

Scott Douglas Lively (born December 14, 1957) is an American activist, author, attorney, and Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate. He is the president of Abiding Truth Ministries, a conservative Christian organization based in Temecula, California[1] which is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-gay hate group.[2][3][4] He is a cofounder of Watchmen on the Walls, an international evangelical ministry based in Riga, Latvia that describes itself as "the international Christian movement that unites Christian leaders, Christian and social organizations and aims to protect Christian morals and values in society."[5] He was the state director of the California branch of the American Family Association and a spokesman for the Oregon Citizens Alliance.[6]

Lively has called for the criminalization of "the public advocacy of homosexuality" as far back as 2007.[7][8] He gave "a series of talks" to Ugandans and met with Ugandan lawmakers immediately before anti-gay legislation in Uganda was drafted,[9] and he allegedly helped engineer the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda.[10][11][12] He appeared in Russian television channel Russia-1's documentary titled Sodom in September 2014.[13]

In 2013, he even wrote an open letter to Vladimir Putin, praising Russia's new Anti-Gay legislation.

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 10th 2018 at 2:38:35 PM

pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#251784: Aug 11th 2018 at 1:19:47 AM

[up]Yakov Smirnoff:

In Soviet Russia, homosexuality is a crime. The punishment is to be locked up in prison with other men, who are guilty of the same crime. There's a three-year waiting list to get in.

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#251785: Aug 11th 2018 at 1:48:15 AM

Some good news on the Democratic efforts to take control of the Senate, A vicious Senate primary is hurting Republicans in Wisconsin.

I hope they tear each other to pieces (metaphorically) and that this is repeated elsewhere, if the Democrats can take the Senate and the House... well one couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Aug 11th 2018 at 4:56:55 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#251786: Aug 11th 2018 at 6:19:29 AM

I think as part of the blue wave we need to make sure to fight hard to keep the seats we have, not just capture new ones. I've seen some people (luckily not as much around here) focus mostly on the latter when the former is arguably even more important.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#251787: Aug 11th 2018 at 6:30:11 AM

Particularly for the Senate since taking it requires we hold our current seats, iirc

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#251788: Aug 11th 2018 at 7:34:34 AM

So... this weekend is the first anniversary of the deaths in Charlottesville.

Can we have zero deaths this time? Please?

vicarious vicarious from NC, USA Since: Feb, 2013
vicarious
#251789: Aug 11th 2018 at 11:30:32 AM

The city and state is taking this very seriously apparently

Security out the wazoo

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#251790: Aug 11th 2018 at 11:34:36 AM

Trump is as intensely disliked as Nixon was when he resigned, and more so than Obama, Clinton and Reagan were during their first midterm (when their parties all took substantial losses).

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/11/politics/poll-of-the-week-trump-nixon/index.html

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#251791: Aug 11th 2018 at 11:41:09 AM

Interesting thread by Paul Krugman regarding how Pelosi has been treated by politics and the press:

The GOP's success in demonizing Nancy Pelosi is remarkable and depressing. By any standard I can think of she's been the most effective legislative leader in decades, instrumental in defending Social Security and expanding health care 1/

There's been no breath of personal scandal, which is amazing given the GOP machine's ability to manufacture such things out of thin air. And compare her with recent Republican leaders! 2/

Newt Gingrich was a blowhard who shut down the government in a fit of pique; Dennis Hastert molested teenage boys; Paul Ryan is a poseur whose only achievement is a budget-busting tax cut that isn't even popular 3/

Yet Pelosi is " controversial". Why? Two obvious things: she's a Democrat, and she's a woman. Oh, and for whatever reason the media have never liked her. But I repeat myself. 4/

He's also spotted this:

The news article Krugman has linked to in the 'note' is as follows:

Steel Giants With Ties to Trump Officials Block Tariff Relief for Hundreds of Firms

WASHINGTON — Two of America’s biggest steel manufacturers — both with deep ties to administration officials — have successfully objected to hundreds of requests by American companies that buy foreign steel to exempt themselves from President Trump’s stiff metal tariffs. They have argued that the imported products are readily available from American steel manufacturers.

Charlotte-based Nucor, which financed a documentary film made by a top trade adviser to Mr. Trump, and Pittsburgh-based United States Steel, which has previously employed several top administration officials, have objected to 1,600 exemption requests filed with the Commerce Department over the past several months.

To date, their efforts have never failed, resulting in denials for companies that are based in the United States but rely on imported pipes, screws, wire and other foreign steel products for their supply chains.

The ability of a single industry to exert so much influence over the exclusions process is striking even in Mr. Trump’s business-friendly White House, given the high stakes for thousands of American companies that depend on foreign metals. But the boundaries of trade policy are being tested by the scope of Mr. Trump’s multifront trade war with allies and adversaries alike, which includes tariffs on up to $200 billion worth of goods from China and possible tariffs on automobiles and auto parts.


Yesterday, Trump called for the NFL players to be suspended without pay, and announced tariff increases on Turkey:

The NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their “outrage” at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love......

.....Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!

I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey as their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar! Aluminum will now be 20% and Steel 50%. Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!

And he's today been all over the shop. Charlottesville did make it into his tweets eventually.

Democrats, please do not distance yourselves from Nancy Pelosi. She is a wonderful person whose ideas & policies may be bad, but who should definitely be given a 4th chance. She is trying very hard & has every right to take down the Democrat Party if she has veered too far left!

Had a very good phone call with @Emmanuel Macron, President of France. Discussed various subjects, in particular Security and Trade. Many other calls and conversations today. Looking forward to dinner tonight with Tim Cook of Apple. He is investing big dollars in U.S.A.

Thank you to Kanye West and the fact that he is willing to tell the TRUTH. One new and great FACT - African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in the history of our Country. So honored by this. Thank you Kanye for your support. It is making a big difference!

Deal with Mexico is coming along nicely. Autoworkers and farmers must be taken care of or there will be no deal. New President of Mexico has been an absolute gentleman. Canada must wait. Their Tariffs and Trade Barriers are far too high. Will tax cars if we can’t make a deal!

Why isn’t the FBI giving Andrew Mc Cabe text messages to Judicial Watch or appropriate governmental authorities. FBI said they won’t give up even one (I may have to get involved, DO NOT DESTROY). What are they hiding? Mc Cabe wife took big campaign dollars from Hillary people.....

.....Will the FBI ever recover it’s once stellar reputation, so badly damaged by Comey, Mc Cabe, Peter S and his lover, the lovely Lisa Page, and other top officials now dismissed or fired? So many of the great men and women of the FBI have been hurt by these clowns and losers!

The riots in Charlottesville a year ago resulted in senseless death and division. We must come together as a nation. I condemn all types of racism and acts of violence. Peace to ALL Americans!

I am proud to have fought for and secured the LOWEST African American and Hispanic unemployment rates in history. Now I’m pushing for prison reform to give people who have paid their debt to society a second chance. I will never stop fighting for ALL Americans!

The big story that the Fake News Media refuses to report is lowlife Christopher Steele’s many meetings with Deputy A.G. Bruce Ohr and his beautiful wife, Nelly. It was Fusion GPS that hired Steele to write the phony & discredited Dossier, paid for by Crooked Hillary & the DNC....

Edited by Wyldchyld on Aug 11th 2018 at 7:55:28 PM

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
SciFiSlasher from Absolutely none of your business. Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#251792: Aug 11th 2018 at 12:14:58 PM

Corey Stewart called Michigan gubernatorial candidate 'ISIS commie' in since-deleted tweet.

Virginia Senate candidate Corey Stewart (R) attacked Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D) this week, calling El-Sayed an "ISIS commie" in a since-deleted tweet.

"Michigan almost elected a far left ISIS commie," Stewart said in a Wednesday tweet, according to a screenshot taken by progressive website, Blue Virginia.

"Somehow the hated have to walk a tightrope, while those who hate do not."
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#251794: Aug 11th 2018 at 12:24:13 PM

Well they're reactionary authoritarians which tends to have at-least some overlap with fascism, so that's a definite maybe.

Still we're likely putting far more thought into it then he did, he was an ignorant bigoted moron who likely views ISIS as any Muslim and Commie as anyone who isn't a insipid free market fundamentalist.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
Mario1995 The Dishonorable from Atlanta Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
The Dishonorable
#251795: Aug 11th 2018 at 2:32:47 PM

If Tim Kaine lets complacency get the better of him...fuck.

"The devil's got all the good gear. What's God got? The Inspiral Carpets and nuns. Fuck that." - Liam Gallagher
DeathorCake Since: Mar, 2016
#251796: Aug 11th 2018 at 2:36:26 PM

[up][up]

Speaking of free market fundamentalists, apparently Britain became Marxist while I was at work today. Alternate-universe DailyMail!Corbyn has evidently been busy.

Conservatives call for constitutional intervention last seen 230 years ago

"We're in a battle for the future of our country," Coburn told the assembly of mostly conservative state lawmakers meeting in New Orleans. "We're either going to become a socialist, Marxist country like western Europe, or we're going to be free. As far as me and my family and my guns, I'm going to be free. "

Convention of States, with Alec's support, is one of three prominent conservative groups pushing for a new constitutional convention. Under article V, if two-thirds of state legislatures so choose, they can force congress to convene such a meeting. On the agenda for Convention of States: an amendment to require a balanced budget, term limits for congress, repealing the federal income tax and giving states the power to veto any federal law, supreme court decision or executive order with a three-fifths vote from the states.

Edited by DeathorCake on Aug 11th 2018 at 9:35:57 AM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#251797: Aug 11th 2018 at 2:40:00 PM

Because the Articles of Confederation worked so well the first time.

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#251798: Aug 11th 2018 at 2:48:00 PM

[up][up] That agenda sounds like it could backfire horribly on the Conservatives.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#251799: Aug 11th 2018 at 3:01:50 PM

[up]x3 The Problem is, the Constitutional Convention of States would only get to propose these Amendments, and they would have to then be approved by 2/3rds of both Houses of Congress and the President (the reverse of the normal procedure). Even if they got 2/3rds of the States right now, they don't have 2/3rds of either Chamber to get the Amendments passed. So almost none of it would pass.

Edited by DingoWalley1 on Aug 11th 2018 at 6:03:12 AM

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#251800: Aug 11th 2018 at 3:19:03 PM

I'm curious where these conservatives get the idea that 2/3 of the states will support them.


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