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Nov 2023 Mod notice:


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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

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#260826: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:14:07 AM

[up]I'm not sure that Trump even shouts. It's more like a slightly strangled bellow. Sort of like a bull with chronic heartburn, or something.

Edited by Euodiachloris on Nov 7th 2018 at 7:16:18 PM

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#260827: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:19:42 AM

All 19 Black Women Running for Judge in a Texas Race Won Last Night

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/amp24787624/black-women-harris-county-judicial-race-midterms-2018/

While a record number of women are projected to win House seats in Tuesday's midterm elections, a local judicial race in Houston, Texas brings even more great news: All 19 black women who ran for various judicial seats in Harris County won their races last night, marking the single biggest victory for black women in the county's history.

Many are highlighting this win as a bright spot amid Democrat Beto O'Rourke's loss to Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race. The victory of the #Houston 19, as the group of women are called, has obvious local impact: Harris County, which encompasses most of Houston, is the third-largest county in the country, and one of the most diverse. Adding 19 women of color to judicial seats builds a bench that's more reflective of the population it serves, which, as with all elected offices, is a good thing.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#260828: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:51:13 AM

Sessions just resigned.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#260830: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:53:25 AM

Well, somebody's read the writing on the wall...

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#260831: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:56:00 AM

Oh my fuck.

I had seen analyses that the next couple months would be extremely volatile and see Republicans taking drastic action. But we're getting into it right out of the gate.

Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#260832: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:57:46 AM

[up]European: cannot access. Synopsis, please?

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#260833: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:58:56 AM

Think the Republicans might try to blitzkrieg Mueller before the new Congress is sworn in?

That said, CNN is reporting that while Trump effectively fired Sessions (he asked for his resignation), Rosenstein is apparently safe for now.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/politics/sessions-resign/index.html

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Nov 7th 2018 at 3:59:48 PM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#260834: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:59:17 AM

Basically, it means that Mueller's investigation is in danger now.

[up]We can't put anything past them. They aren't just the party of Trump, they're the party of Mitch Mc Connell, aka "as long as power is mine, what I have to do to get it doesn't matter".

Edited by Draghinazzo on Nov 7th 2018 at 4:00:31 PM

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#260835: Nov 7th 2018 at 11:59:30 AM

[up][up][up]LA Times article on Session's resignation and some of the background on his controversial tenure.

Edited by Eschaton on Nov 7th 2018 at 11:59:47 AM

LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#260836: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:01:13 PM

Mueller's investigation is perfectly safe, we have the House so we can just rehire him under House authority rather than a "Special Investigator"

In fact our options for further investigations and unavoidable subpoenas has just opened up immensely.

Edited by LeGarcon on Nov 7th 2018 at 3:01:35 PM

Oh really when?
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#260837: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:01:36 PM

[up][up]Thanks, Captain Obvious. Doesn't clue me in on what it said, since, you know, I can't open the page. <_<

Mod note: snippy.

Edited by nombretomado on Nov 7th 2018 at 12:03:21 PM

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#260838: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:04:38 PM

Does this article link work for you?

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#260839: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:06:33 PM

Here, now that I've worked around the ads embedded in the page.

    LA Times 

Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has resigned, ending a tortured relationship with President Trump and opening what could be historic fight over the sprawling criminal investigation that has clouded his White House tenure.

In a letter delivered to the White House, Sessions wrote that he was submitting his resignation at the request of President Trump, who has been highly critical of his attorney general since he recused himself last year from overseeing investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

With Sessions out, Trump may attempt to limit or end the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign and whether the president himself obstructed justice.

A new attorney general could take control of the criminal probe, which has already led to guilty pleas from several of Trump’s former top aides, and restrict its budget or scope.

During his time in office, Sessions had sought to carry out the president’s agenda despite their toxic relationship, steering the Justice Department to tougher policies on violent crime, drug trafficking and immigration.

Sessions endured months of humiliating criticism from the president, who publicly accused his attorney general of disloyalty and weakness, and privately mocked him.

On Aug. 23, for example, Trump complained on Fox News that Sessions “never took control of the Justice Department” and said he only nominated him as the nation’s top lawman because “he was an original supporter” of Trump’s insurgent campaign. “What kind of man is this?” he asked angrily.

Sessions signaled he had no intention of stepping down voluntarily, however, and pushed back at Trump with public statements that asserted the traditional independence of the Justice Department.

The department’s actions “will not be improperly influenced by political considerations,” Sessions responded after Trump’s Fox News interview. He repeatedly resisted the president’s calls to launch prosecutions of Hillary Clinton and other political opponents.

But the former four-term U.S. senator from Alabama saw his support soften among key Republicans on Capitol Hill in recent months. That gave Trump an opening to remove him and potentially assert more control over the Russia investigation that he has condemned as a “witch hunt.”

The president has repeatedly insisted there was “no collusion” between his 2016 campaign and Moscow’s effort to steer the election in his favor through computer hacking, social media posts and other tactics.

Although no Americans have been charged with conspiring with the Russian intelligence operation, the criminal probe has dug deep into Trump’s inner circle.

Among others, Trump’s former national security advisor pleaded guilty to lying to investigators, his former campaign chairman was convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud, his former deputy campaign manager pleaded guilty to conspiracy and lying to the FBI, and his former lawyer pleaded guilty to tax evasion and campaign law violations in a case that grew out of the Mueller probe.

Firing Sessions could create even greater jeopardy for the president, however. Mueller has sought to determine if Trump improperly tried to obstruct the investigation, an offense that was included in impeachment proceedings for presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.

One episode already under scrutiny is Trump’s dismissal of FBI Director James B. Comey in May 2017, a decision the president himself attributed to frustration over the Russia probe. Removing Sessions could fall into the same category.

The long-expected firing of the attorney general is a remarkable end to a key political alliance.

An arch-conservative, Sessions was the first member of the U.S. Senate to throw his support behind Trump’s unlikely presidential bid, and he helped shape the anti-immigration, tough-on-crime message that helped propel the reality TV star into the White House. Trump named him to lead the Justice Department after the election.

But their relationship evaporated after Sessions, on advice from Justice Department ethics lawyers, recused himself from the Russia probe shortly after he was confirmed by the Senate in March 2016. Sessions had failed to tell his confirmation hearing about his own meetings with a Russian diplomat during the campaign, sparking concerns about his candor.

In response to a question by then-Sen. Al Franken, Sessions said he “did not have communications” with Russians. He later admitted that he spoke at least three times with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador, during the campaign.

In two other congressional hearings, Sessions tried to explain himself but fumbled as he gave answers that some lawmakers considered misleading. The FBI reportedly investigated him for making false statements to Congress, but his personal lawyer said the probe was dropped after Sessions was interviewed by the special counsel’s office.

Once Sessions recused himself, the investigation was put under Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general and a career Justice Department official. After Trump fired Comey, Rosenstein appointed Mueller as special counsel in an effort to guarantee his independence.

Trump has publicly blasted Sessions ever since, apparently viewing Sessions’ recusal as a personal betrayal.

The invective reached a crescendo in mid-2017 when Trump criticized Sessions in a New York Times interview and series of tweets, calling him “beleaguered” and “very weak,” and harping on him to go after Clinton. Sessions endured the abuse and stayed in his job.

Sessions pushed back when Trump renewed the pressure in February.

“As long as I am the attorney general, I will continue to discharge my duties with integrity and honor, and this department will continue to do its work in a fair and impartial manner according to the law and Constitution,” he said in a statement.

But as Trump continued to rail against the Mueller probe, Sessions’ position seemed ever more tenuous. Trump even mocked Sessions’ claims of political independence at the Justice Department.

“Jeff Sessions said he wouldn’t allow politics to influence him only because he doesn’t understand what is happening underneath his command position,” Trump tweeted on Aug. 25.

The president repeatedly showed no compunction about urging Sessions to take politics into account when making criminal justice decisions, notably when he grumbled about cases against two Republican congressmen, Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of Alpine.

“Two easy wins now in doubt because there is not enough time [before the midterm elections,]” Trump tweeted on Sept. 2. He added sarcastically, “Good job Jeff.”

Some Republican senators signaled they were open to considering a replacement as Trump ramped up his invective.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who said last year there would be "holy hell to pay" if Sessions were fired, recently said he “is not the only man in the country who can be attorney general.”

“We need an attorney general that can work with the president,” Graham told NBC News.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell (R-Ky.) remained a staunch supporter of Sessions, telling reporters “he ought to stay exactly where he is."

That sentiment could mean a tough road ahead as Trump tries to find a nominee who can survive the Senate confirmation process. Many Republicans are unhappy with Trump’s harsh treatment of their former colleagues, and Democrats — who are sharply critical of Sessions’ policies — are likely to stick up for his integrity.

During his tenure, Sessions pushed the Justice Department to adopt tougher policies on violent crime, drug trafficking and immigration enforcement, issues he previously had championed in the Senate.

Bucking a bipartisan trend to support less harsh tactics for drug offenders, Sessions instructed federal prosecutors to file the most serious charges possible, and to seek the death penalty when appropriate. He moved to pull back on the department’s work on reforming abusive police departments.

And while not exactly declaring war on states with legal marijuana — still an illegal drug under federal law — Sessions made clear he was eager to roll back the growth of the cannabis industry.

A longtime Senate hardliner on immigration, Sessions also was an enthusiastic backer of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, supporting workplace raids deep in the country to arrest and deport people without proper documentation.

Sessions denounced sanctuary cities that refused to cooperate with immigration agents. He pushed to strip the communities of federal law enforcement grants, threatened to investigate recalcitrant city officials for crimes, and filed a suit to overturn California’s sanctuary policies.

Edited by Eschaton on Nov 7th 2018 at 12:07:38 PM

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#260840: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:16:13 PM

Mueller doesn't matter. His findings are what matter.

The concern here isn't that the new Acting Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker, will promptly fire Mueller. it's that Whitaker, who has not recused himself from the investigation, will promptly turn over every piece of evidence they have to Trump's White House, allowing it to be destroyed or reinterpreted at Trump's leisure.

Sessions's recusal was the only thing that even made investigating Trump possible. It put a chink in the chain of command, creating a vital gap to stop the flow of information upwards. This gap was necessary for giving the Justice Department the flexibility they needed to investigate the wrongdoings of the man at the top of the Justice Department.

That gap is gone now, which means the floodgates are open. Every secret discovery that Mueller has fought hard for the last two years to keep Trump from knowing he'd found will be hand-delivered to Trump's office shortly.

It doesn't matter if, six months from now, a House Investigation headed by a re-hired Mueller scrapes that information together. Trump will already have had ample time to bury the tracks. For all intents and purposes, Mueller needs to act now or throw in the towel.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#260841: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:18:44 PM

Couldn't have Sessions waited until the congress is sworn in? also, they had to rain on our parade, right? They couldn't allow the democrats this small moment of a win without pulling out the next crisis.

Also p... that the Democrats lost in Minnesota. +27 just looks so much better than +26.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#260842: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:21:41 PM

Sessions was effectively fired, John Kelly asked him to resign.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#260843: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:23:33 PM

Muller knew this was coming, I’m not convinced that he will hand over original copies of his evidence to the acting AG.

Also shouldn’t Rosenstein be the acting AG? He’s next in line at the department.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#260844: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:24:30 PM

[up] Yeah, It would shock me if he and Rosenstein didn't have a contingency plan.

Both are very intelligent and dedicated long-time Public Servants, who have an interest in seeing this case through. They probably know better than anyone what's at stake here, and probably have planned for this.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 7th 2018 at 3:25:19 PM

TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#260845: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:24:39 PM

Rosenstein no longer matters, he was only important because Sessions had to recuse himself and couldn’t interfere with the investigation due to conflicts of interest. New guy being appointed has been a critic of the investigation and last year wrote an op-ed saying it has gone too far and needs to be reined in.

Resigning probably wasn’t Sessions’ idea either, the letter says he’s resigning as per Trump’s request. Trump had this ready to go.

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#260846: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:25:05 PM

But did even they expect sessions to get the boot less than a day after midterms?

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#260847: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:26:08 PM

Does Trump have the authority to appoint an interim AG? Should Rosenstein be Acting AG until the Senate rubber stamps Sessions' replacement?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#260848: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:26:39 PM

[up][up] I mean, they've probably been planning for this from literally day one. They know what's at stake here.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 7th 2018 at 3:27:28 PM

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#260849: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:27:22 PM

I'm calling it now, Trump is gonna replace Sessions with Kobach, and the Republicans are gonna vote him in. And not only is Kobach gonna try his hardest to limit Mueller's powers, he's also going to try his hardest to attack Hispanics of all legalities.

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#260850: Nov 7th 2018 at 12:27:44 PM

It seems like this firing was a fit of rage because of the Democrats getting the house more than anything Trump or the GOP planned.


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