TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

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

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#252876: Aug 23rd 2018 at 11:12:50 AM

I lost much respect for the Enquirer when Trump paid them to bury his story.

Shame!

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#252877: Aug 23rd 2018 at 11:13:54 AM

[up] you had any in the first place?

Personally, that seems right on brand.

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:17:05 PM

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#252878: Aug 23rd 2018 at 11:15:04 AM

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but David Pecker, Trump Ally and head of American Media Inc., has been granted immunity in exchange for information on violation of Federal Election Laws Trump and Cohen violated. Specifically, he helped pay for the Silence Money Stormy Daniels and another Woman were given to not reveal their affairs during the Election. His Immunity means he has to give every detail he can about said Silence Money, including his roll in it, in order to avoid prison time.

It feels like the Dam is rearing to burst; please let it happen before November!

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#252879: Aug 23rd 2018 at 11:21:44 AM

Yes, I can't believe those sleazy reporters and gossips didn't have the integrity to stand by their sleazy stories!

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#252880: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:19:52 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/08/23/day-581/

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/08/23/day-581/

1/ Trump "would consider" pardoning Paul Manafort, according to Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt, who interviewed Trump. "I think he feels bad for Manafort," Ainsley said. "They were friends." Manafort was convicted on eight counts bank and tax fraud. The White House maintains that Trump is not currently looking to pardon Manafort. (Reuters / Mediaite / Politico)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-manafort/trump-says-hes-considering-pardon-for-manafort-fox-news-reporter-idUSKCN1L806F

One holdout juror prevented Manafort from being convicted on all 18 counts, according to one of the jurors. Paula Duncan, who identifies as a Trump supporter, said the single holdout juror could not come to a guilty verdict on 10 of the charges, leading the judge to declare a mistrial on those 10 counts. (Fox News / The Hill / Newsweek)

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/403197-manafort-juror-one-holdout-prevented-ruling-on-all-18-counts

Top Republicans in the Senate are warning Trump that it would be a mistake to pardon Manafort. "It would be an enormous mistake and misuse of his power to pardon," said Sen. Susan Collins. The second-ranking Republican senator, GOP Whip John Cornyn also said that a pardon "would be a mistake." Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker said that a pardon "would be very damaging to the presidency and to his position as president." (The Hill)

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/403062-republicans-warn-trump-against-manafort-pardon

2/ Trump claimed that "flipping" and cooperating with prosecutors is "not fair" and should "almost be outlawed." Trump complained during an interview with Fox News about former confidants who testified against him to mitigate their own legal troubles. "It's called flipping and it almost ought to be illegal." Trump continued: "It almost ought to be outlawed. It's not fair." Trump also attacked Jeff Sessions, questioning his character for recusing himself in the Russia investigation, and asking "What kind of man is this?" and that the "only reason I gave him the job" was because he felt "loyalty" to Sessions for signing on to the campaign. "I put in an attorney general who never took control of the Justice Department." (CNN / Wall Street Journal)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/politics/trump-flipping-outlawed/index.html

Jeff Sessions pushed back against Trump's latest criticism, saying that the Department of Justice would not be "improperly influenced by political considerations." Sessions said in his statement: "I took control of the Department of Justice the day I was sworn in, which is why we have had unprecedented success at effectuating the President's agenda—one that protects the safety and security and rights of the American people, reduces violent crime, enforces our immigration laws, promotes economic growth, and advances religious liberty." (Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / CNBC)

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/23/jeff-sessions-pushes-back-against-trump-actions-of-doj-will-not-be-improperly-influenced-by-political-considerations.html

3/ David Pecker was granted immunity by federal prosecutors for providing information about Cohen and Trump in their criminal investigation into hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen Mc Dougal during the 2016 presidential campaign. In exchange for immunity, the CEO of American Media, Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, met with prosecutors and shared details about payments Cohen arranged to Daniels and Mc Dougal, including Trump's knowledge of the deals. Late last night, Trump tweeted: "NO COLLUSION - RIGGED WITCH HUNT!" It's unclear what prompted the tweet. (Wall Street Journal / NBC News)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/david-pecker-ceo-national-enquirer-publisher-trump-friend-granted-immunity-n903206

4/ Betsy De Vos is considering a plan to allow school districts to use federal funding to buy guns for teachers, according to multiple people with knowledge of the plan. The plan, if enacted, would be unprecedented and would reverse a longstanding position of the federal government that federal funding should not be used to outfit schools with weapons. Congress passed a $50 million-a-year school safety bill in March that specifically prohibited using the money to buy firearms, but De Vos is apparently looking to a program in federal education law that doesn't mention a specific prohibition on purchasing weapons with federal education funding. (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/betsy-devos-guns.html

Notables.

Trump's latest round of tariffs kicked in today, which were followed immediately by retaliatory tariffs from China. The U.S. imposed 25 percent tariffs on another $16 billion in Chinese goods, affecting 279 Chinese products. China immediately responded with 25 percent tariffs of their own on an equal amount of American goods, such as chemical products and diesel fuel. Both countries have now imposed tariffs on $50 billion worth of each other's goods — and more tariffs are reportedly on the way. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/23/politics/china-us-tariffs/index.html

After claiming on Wednesday that it experienced an attack on its voter database, the DNC now says the apparent phishing attempts were a "test." The DNC released a statement late Wednesday night claiming that it believes the phishing attempt was part of an unauthorized test of its Vote Builder system by a third party. "We, along with the partners who reported the site," the DNC statement reads, "now believe it was built by a third party as part of a simulated phishing test on Vote Builder." The statement continues: "The test, which mimicked several attributes of actual attacks on the Democratic party's voter file, was not authorized by the DNC, Vote Builder nor any of our vendors." (ABC News)

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dnc-now-earlier-attempt-hack-voter-database-unauthorized/story?id=57338192

Trump asked Sec. of State Mike Pompeo to study the "seizing land from white farmers" and the "large scale killing of farmers" in South Africa. The BBC found in November that there was "no reliable data to suggest farmers were at greater risk of being murdered than the average South African." South Africa responded and accused Trump of seeking to sow division in the country. The redistribution of land in South Africa was a fundamental principle of the African National Congress (ANC) after the fall of apartheid. Now, 24 years after apartheid ended, government figures show that white people (who make up 9 percent of the population) own 72 percent of the farmland held by individuals. (BBC / Reuters)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-asked-pompeo-look-south-african-land-032314925.html

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#252881: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:25:55 PM

Here something for some really needed levity: What would happen if Trump shot Michael Cohen in broad daylight:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/23/trump-michael-cohen-broad-daylight

NoName999 Since: May, 2011
#252882: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:28:04 PM

A little preview of today's What The Fuck Just Happened Today:

One of the jurors in Paul Manfort's trial claims just one holdout juror prevented Manafort from being convicted on all 18 counts. Paula Duncan, who identifies as a Trump supporter, said the single holdout juror could not come to a guilty verdict on 10 of the charges, leading Judge T.S. Ellis III to declare a mistrial on those 10 counts.

Her logic is that of a cultist. "Yes he's obviously guilty, but this is nothing more than a witch hunt"

And she can claim she kept "politics seperate" all she wants. She seems to be lying about that.

Also:

"I as a voter, when I went out to check my boxes I didn't see any Russian holding a gun to my head, so how could Russia have affected the campaign results," said Duncan, who first spoke to Fox News.

How can someone be this stupid?

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#252883: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:34:03 PM

Wait...she is the Trump supporter right? It was the not Trump supporter who told the press about the hold-out jury member? Or was that another Trump supporter?

One thing for sure, they did a really good job if they convinced her to convict.

Edited by Swanpride on Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:35:22 PM

Blueeyedrat Since: Oct, 2010
#252884: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:36:33 PM

[up] The juror making the claim is a Trump supporter, but says that she was not the holdout. We don't know the holdout's political leanings, as far as I know.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#252885: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:37:00 PM

The was a point I found interesting, that the Trump supporter wasn't the holdout.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#252886: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:37:10 PM

Yeah, that woman in the article isn't the hold out. She's saying she voted to convict despite her political leanings.

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#252887: Aug 23rd 2018 at 12:40:23 PM

4/ Betsy De Vos is considering a plan to allow school districts to use federal funding to buy guns for teachers, according to multiple people with knowledge of the plan. The plan, if enacted, would be unprecedented and would reverse a longstanding position of the federal government that federal funding should not be used to outfit schools with weapons. Congress passed a $50 million-a-year school safety bill in March that specifically prohibited using the money to buy firearms, but De Vos is apparently looking to a program in federal education law that doesn't mention a specific prohibition on purchasing weapons with federal education funding. (New York Times)

So now DeVos is trying to break the law too. Sure, she's a terrible person with terrible ideas for schooling and really terrible relations with seedy and shady organizations (like her Brother's Private Militia), but I wasn't expecting her to actively break the law in her office. Guess I shouldn't be expecting anyone still in Trump's circles to not be actively trying to break the law.

Also, I've heard, but I can't confirm, that Michael Cohen was told to make payments to Russian Hackers by Trump himself. Like I said, I can't find anything to 100% confirm this yet, but if that's true, then Trump absolutely needs to be kicked out of the White House.

Edited by DingoWalley1 on Aug 23rd 2018 at 3:40:13 PM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#252889: Aug 23rd 2018 at 1:11:27 PM

It's times like this I feel like watching the Scott Tucker episode of Dirty Money to feel good about the world.

He's at least serving 20 years.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Aug 23rd 2018 at 1:25:18 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#252890: Aug 23rd 2018 at 1:20:33 PM

Late last night, Trump tweeted: "NO COLLUSION - RIGGED WITCH HUNT!" It's unclear what prompted the tweet.
That has resulted in some memes. Basically, because it reads like a Catapult Nightmare.

Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#252891: Aug 23rd 2018 at 1:35:25 PM

Trump concluded with witches hence why he's scared of a witch hunt (sorry I had to!)

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#252892: Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:01:07 PM

Re: the Manafort jury, all we really know is that this particular Trump supporter wasn't the hold-out; without knowing the political leaning of the jurynote  there's no actual way to know if was a Trump cultist, Libertarian, or Brogressive. tongue So clearly we can blame all of this on *checks magic 8-ball* Julian Assange!

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#252893: Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:07:06 PM

[up]From a certain perspective we can. If we imagine a world where WikiLeaks actually had a moral compass and acted in an ethical manner, that might have swung the election in Hillary's favor, making the shitshow of the last two years not have happened.

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#252894: Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:33:51 PM

[up][up][up] I'd consort with witches just to get us out of this nightmare.

tsstevens Reading tropes such as You Know What You Did from Reading tropes such as Righting Great Wrongs Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: She's holding a very large knife
Reading tropes such as You Know What You Did
#252895: Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:53:20 PM

Trump's culture police and the defense force of the GREAT AND GLORIOUS FOREVER LEADER PRESIDENT FOR LIFE PERFECT IN EVERY WAY CAN SAY OR DO NO WRONG JUST ASK THEM THEY'LL TELL YOU keep asking for evidence of his wrongdoing. Would the president admitting to the crime suffice?

As Farron Cousins explains here Faux & Fiends gave the opportunity to have their most favorite person in the whole wide world on the show to try and evade accountability. Instead he admitted to paying money for his affairs. And I can just see the Trump News Network acting as some embassy or legal representative or bodyguards to shield their boyfriend from the nasty law enforcement officials.

Currently reading up My Rule Fu Is Stronger than Yours
LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#252896: Aug 23rd 2018 at 2:54:37 PM

Still, even if that woman wanted to convict, you have to be a bit at awe at the logic of "Just because the investigation actually turned something up, doesn't mean there's anything to it."

Especially when admitting there was some actual shady business doesn't even necessarily mean that Trump himself was directly involved (although that's still certainly possible/likely).

unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#252897: Aug 23rd 2018 at 4:29:49 PM

I want to answer tobias coment here:

"f the President commits a crime, people expect to see an immediate response. Because these scraps just add to the general investigation and don't, say, result in an immediate Impeachment hearing and/or Trump being walked out of the White House in handcuffs, people may lose confidence that there was anything really there at all."

Another reason is the sensacionalism about this stuff, people expect a big new that shock them to the core, so if it dosent that means is not that bad.

This of course create the idea that unless a news dosent ove you it means is not important, we are judging news the same way with are deal fiction.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#252898: Aug 23rd 2018 at 4:48:54 PM

[up]Doesn't help that to Trump supporters any news disparaging him may as well be fiction.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Aug 23rd 2018 at 8:08:08 AM

i'm tired, my friend
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#252899: Aug 23rd 2018 at 5:43:50 PM

Good to see DeVos is finally letting teachers use federal funds for much-needed school supp- oh.

Fuck off, DeVos.

It's been fun.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#252900: Aug 23rd 2018 at 6:19:46 PM

It’s kind of surreal (but not at all suprising), whenever I remember how Massachusetts still has a sensible, genuinely Center-Right (well relative to Massachusetts, anyway) Republican Party. Like this editorial I found really shows that.

‘’’EDITORIAL: Gov. Baker is clear choice for GOP’’’

Massachusetts voters have a clear choice in the Sept. 4 primary to elect our Republican candidate for governor. Incumbent Charlie Baker and his challenger, ultra-conservative pastor Scott Lively, are polar opposites, both politically and socially.

Lively, who somehow managed to convince enough delegates at the Republican State Convention to put him on the ballot, makes no bones about his wholehearted support of President Trump, vocal anti-gay activism, and vehement opposition to LGBT rights.

Lively would be considered a far-right fringe candidate just about anywhere, never mind in liberal-leaning Massachusetts. He simply serves as an unavoidable inconvenience who'll disappear on Sept. 5.

In his four years as the chief executive officer of the commonwealth, Baker has lived up to his fiscally conservative, socially conscious label.

He's conducted himself in the best interests of all citizens, not just a particular political party or point of view. He's demanded accountability and transparency from every government office and agency.

Baker's also demonstrated, like previous holders of this office, that a Republican governor and Democrat-dominated Legislature can have a productive working relationship, based on collegiality and respect.

This dynamic has allowed the governor and lawmakers to help turn "Taxachusetts" into an inviting environment for business. As a result, Massachusetts took in $1.1 billion more in tax revenue than projected in fiscal 2018, and has maintained that higher-than-anticipated pace in fiscal 2019. The state's jobless rate in June remained steady at 3.5 percent, compared to the 4 percent national unemployment figure.

The team of Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Kayrn Polito also inherited a dysfunctional MBTA, beset with financial, personnel and mechanical problems that had been allowed to fester over several years. Since taking charge, the "T," under the oversight of the Baker-designated Management and Financial Control Board, has made strides by reducing its massive deficit and improving its on-time performance.

The Baker administration also took aim at this state's opioid-abuse epidemic. Anti-drug initiatives supported by Baker, the Legislature and medical community — including prescription monitoring, educational outreach, and funding for 1,100 more treatment beds — has made a positive impact.

The governor also proved to be a staunch backer of law enforcement and legal immigration, by assisting in the defeat of a bid by the more-liberal Senate to turn Massachusetts into an illegal-alien friendly, sanctuary state.....

.....In gearing up this campaign, Baker asked voters for another four years to complete unfinished business, including keeping a fragile transit system on track, strengthening the tools needed to control the opioid epidemic, ensuring a more efficient Registry of Motor Vehicles, and addressing the high cost of residential real estate by loosening zoning restrictions that limit construction of new housing.

We believe Gov. Baker has earned the right to finish what his administration set out to do. Baker's popularity rating is the highest of any sitting governor in the nation, a sign that his balanced, open approach to government is working wonderfully for Massachusetts' 6.6 million residents.

The state is headed in the right direction and we see no need to change things.

On Sept. 4, say no to bigotry and yes to fiscal and social responsibility by voting for Charlie Baker in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

http://www.lowellsun.com/editorials/ci_32082280/gov-baker-is-clear-choice-gop

I mean, were this not Massachusetts, this crazy might actually have a chance of winning. As it is, it’s just a race to see who gets crushed by Governor Baker.

Edited by megaeliz on Aug 23rd 2018 at 9:22:44 AM


Total posts: 417,856
Top