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

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262376: Nov 20th 2018 at 3:45:07 PM

[up] Worse, the US is basically considering bribing Turkey into shutting up about the murder of its own citizens by giving them one of their citizens to kill. You can't make that up! The US should be the most offended party there.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#262377: Nov 20th 2018 at 3:47:48 PM

[up][up] I wonder if any of this has to do with Jared Kushner getting bailed out by Saudi investors?

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 20th 2018 at 6:50:13 AM

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262378: Nov 20th 2018 at 3:50:35 PM

Wow...the race in Utah is really neck on neck...now the democrat is leading slightly again...

SciFiSlasher from Absolutely none of your business. Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#262379: Nov 20th 2018 at 4:00:12 PM

Judge dismisses female genital mutilation charges in historic case.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman concluded that "as despicable as this practice may be," Congress did not have the authority to pass the 22-year-old federal law that criminalizes female genital mutilation, and that it's a matter for the state's to regulate. FGM is banned worldwide and has been outlawed in more than 30- countries, though the U.S. statute had never been tested before this case.

"Somehow the hated have to walk a tightrope, while those who hate do not."
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#262380: Nov 20th 2018 at 4:02:37 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/11/20/day-670/

    Day 670: Steadfast. 

1/ Trump won't take action against Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the death of Jamal Khashoggi, issuing an exclamation-point laden statement that defended the Kingdom and effectively closed the door on the issue. Trump questioned the CIA's assessment that Mohammed ordered Khashoggi's assassination, saying: "It could very well be that the crown prince had knowledge of this tragic event — maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Regardless, Trump said, the U.S. "intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia" despite calling the "crime" against Khashoggi "terrible" and "one that our country does not condone." The statement was subtitled "America First!" (New York Times / Washington Post / CNN / NPR / NBC News)

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/20/669666348/trump-says-u-s-will-remain-steadfast-partner-of-saudis-despite-khashoggi-killing

READ: Trump's statement on the Saudi crown prince and the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. (White House)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-standing-saudi-arabia/

2/ Ivanka Trump repeatedly used a private email account to conduct government business in 2017. A White House review found her personal email use included exchanges with cabinet secretaries and forwards of her schedule to her assistant, with hundreds of messages being in violation of federal records rules. Ivanka claimed she didn't know the rules about using a personal email account for government business. (Washignton Post / New York Times / NBC News)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ivanka-trump-used-a-personal-email-account-to-send-hundreds-of-emails-about-government-business-last-year/2018/11/19/6515d1e0-e7a1-11e8-a939-9469f1166f9d_story.html

Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee plan to investigate Ivanka's use of a personal email account to determine whether she violated federal law. (The Hill / Washington Post)

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/417603-house-oversight-dems-to-investigate-ivanka-trumps-personal-email-use

3/ A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from refusing asylum to immigrants crossing the U.S. border illegally. U.S. District Court Judge Jon Tigar rejected Trump's Nov. 9 proclamation that said anyone who failed to cross into the U.S. at a designated port of entry would not be granted asylum. "Whatever the scope of the President’s authority," Judge Tigar wrote, "he may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden." The ruling will remain in effect for one month barring any further appeals. (Associated Press / CNN / NBC News / Washington Post / New York Times)

https://apnews.com/9ba57ad1383f41c3afe1baa5b2d9c3bf

4/ Trump submitted his written answers to Robert Mueller's questions "regarding the Russia-related topics of the inquiry," according to Trump's attorney, Jay Sekulow. Mueller has not ruled out trying to compel Trump to sit for an interview after reviewing the written answers. (Bloomberg / CNBC / New York Times / Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/fa8c322f9179496ab2ba1665b9330592

poll/ 70% of Americans think Trump should allow the Russia investigation to continue. 52% of Americans think Congress should pass legislation to protect Mueller from being fired, while 67% of Republicans disagree. 51% of Americans think the Russia investigation is politically motivated. (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-divide-along-partisan-lines-over-protecting-special-counsel-cbs-news-poll/

Notables.

Trump wanted to order the Justice Department in April to prosecute Hillary Clinton and James Comey. The White House counsel at the time, Don Mc Gahn, pushed back, saying Trump had no authority to order a prosecution, and that while he could request an investigation, that could prompt accusations of abuse of power. (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/20/us/politics/president-trump-justice-department.html

The acting attorney general received more than $1.2 million as the leader of a charity that reported having no other employees. Matthew Whitaker worked for a charity called the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust for three years, starting in 2014. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/conservative-nonprofit-with-obscure-roots-and-undisclosed-funders-paid-matthew-whitaker-12-million/2018/11/20/25ff987e-e9db-11e8-bd89-eecf3b178206_story.html

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requested that the Justice Department inspector general investigate communications between Whitaker and the White House beginning in 2017, when Whitaker was appointed chief of staff to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions. (ABC News / Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/20/schumer-demands-probe-whitaker-trump-1005771

The FBI now classifies the far-right organization known as the Proud Boys as an extremist group. The group has be designated as an "extremist group with ties to white nationalism," according to documents produced by Washington state law enforcement. The document also warns that the Proud Boys are "actively recruiting in the Pacific north-west" and that they have "contributed to the recent escalation of violence at political rallies held on college campuses, and in cities like Charlottesville, Virginia, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington." (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/proud-boys-fbi-classification-extremist-group-white-nationalism-report

Edited by sgamer82 on Nov 20th 2018 at 5:09:50 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#262381: Nov 20th 2018 at 4:06:30 PM

The FBI now classifies the far-right organization known as the Proud Boys as an extremist group. The group has be designated as an "extremist group with ties to white nationalism," according to documents produced by Washington state law enforcement. The document also warns that the Proud Boys are "actively recruiting in the Pacific north-west" and that they have "contributed to the recent escalation of violence at political rallies held on college campuses, and in cities like Charlottesville, Virginia, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington." (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/proud-boys-fbi-classification-extremist-group-white-nationalism-report

The fact that we’re finally starting to treat White Nationalism as the threat that it really is, is great.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 20th 2018 at 7:07:07 AM

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#262382: Nov 20th 2018 at 4:13:52 PM

@Swanpride, thankfully US courts are unlikely to deport Gulen, unless he commits a crime. And since he has residence, its hard to deport him legally.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#262383: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:06:03 PM

So Ohio's trying to make abortion punishable by death.

I'm not even kidding.

After passing a bill through the Ohio House of Representatives that would ban abortion at six weeks, Republicans are considering legislation that would ban abortion completely in the state and make the procedure punishable by life in prison or even the death penalty.

House Bill 565 allows for no exceptions for abortion in cases of rape, incest, or danger to a woman's life. Under the law, foetuses would be classified as "unborn humans," making abortion punishable under the Ohio criminal code. This means that a woman who receives an abortion and doctors who perform the procedure could face criminal penalties, ranging from a prison sentence to capital punishment.

State radio station WOSU notes that the bill is being considered by the Ohio House's health committee and that it is unlikely to be voted on this year. HB 565 is just the latest in a string of anti-choice bills drafted by Ohio Republicans. Republicans' "heartbeat" bill — which passed the House last week — was previously vetoed by Gov. John Kasich, who instead signed a 20-week ban into law.

"Ohio just took us one step closer to becoming a forced-birth nation," #VOTERPROCHOICE cofounder Heidi Sieck said in a statement to Refinery 29 on Monday. "Legislators in Ohio are banning abortion before women even know they're pregnant — and we must stand up and speak out against this dangerous bill." After Brett Kavanaugh 's contentious confirmation, the Supreme Court now has a conservative majority, meaning it is possible for Roe v. Wade to be overturned.

Ohio is far from the only state attacking women's reproductive rights: Alabama and West Virginia have added language into their state constitutions that curtails public funds for abortion and gives foetuses the same rights as people.

Despite the assault on abortion from Republican legislatures, polls show most Americans are in favour of keeping Roe v. Wade. “This November, voters overwhelmingly saw the important role lawmakers serve in stopping attacks on their health and rights," Dr. Leana Wen, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said in a statement to Refinery 29.

"People in states like Ohio that do not have this critical backstop face a heightened threat to abortion access. We must fight harder than ever to protect every woman’s right to control her own body, life, and future. We know the majority of Americans want access to safe, legal abortion. It’s time politicians listen to us — access to safe, legal abortion is a human right.”

Edited by kkhohoho on Nov 20th 2018 at 7:08:22 AM

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#262384: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:07:07 PM

The Pro-Life Party.

Edited by PhysicalStamina on Nov 20th 2018 at 8:07:17 AM

i'm tired, my friend
smokeycut Since: Mar, 2013
#262385: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:09:42 PM

They obviously don't expect this to go unchallenged. But like... They WANT it to be challenged. They want to take abortion back to the SCOTUS, so that the new lineup can overturn Roe v Wade.

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#262386: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:16:12 PM

How high are the chances of it going to the SCOTUS?

Do not obey in advance.
FluffyMcChicken My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare from where the floating lights gleam Since: Jun, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare
#262387: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:18:31 PM

[up][up][up] or more specifically, the party of "we want you to give birth to infants so we can call you a welfare queen".

Edited by FluffyMcChicken on Nov 20th 2018 at 5:19:08 AM

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262388: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:21:05 PM

Why should someone think that you kid? This is not a laughing matter. One of my great-aunts died from an illegal abortion during the third reich and my grandmother was extremely lucky that the hospital in which she eventually died faked the death certificate, because otherwise she would most likely would have been killed too, for going with her for emotional support. There are at least six people in my family who wouldn't be alive today because of a law like this if not for this hospital covering it up. And that includes me.

So much for being worried about protecting lives. As usual, it turns out to be BS.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#262389: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:37:40 PM

And you know who this will most affect?

Poor (and especially poor Black) women.

Although, they may consider that a feature, not a bug.

Edited by megaeliz on Nov 20th 2018 at 8:38:18 AM

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#262390: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:41:30 PM

It was never about the babies. It was always about targeting the women.

Do not obey in advance.
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#262391: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:42:29 PM

@Beary Scary: At this point, probably not very far? I mean at this point it's only a proposed law so it has to actually be passed first before anyone could take a case involving this to court. It's specifically not being voted on before January. There's no guarantee that it will pass, so the first step is obviously for Ohio constituents to organize and protest this thing so that it never has to go to court.

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#262392: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:42:36 PM

That's absolutely a feature. You kneecap sexual education, then make abortions illegal, and bam, you have women either overburdened with children they weren't ready for (and possibly without a supportive home or partner) or dead or sterilized from botched abortions. Or if they survive, alive and in jail.

It's been fun.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#262393: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:46:23 PM

Would it need enough votes in the House to go anywhere? Because if that's the case, now that we have a Democratic House, this thing is pretty much DOA.

i'm tired, my friend
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
#262394: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:49:49 PM

The law is an Ohio state law, not a national law.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#262395: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:50:34 PM

Does Ohio have a Democrat house? Because right now this is still on state level, right?

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262396: Nov 20th 2018 at 5:59:49 PM

[up] Thanks to careful gerrymandering, out of 16 Ohio seats, only 4 are Democratic. One of the Senate seats were flipped to the Democrats, though.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#262397: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:01:37 PM

I think that the Republicans dominate the Ohio state government.

Yeah, I looked at the other wiki. Despite only winning the popular vote by about 4%, they retained a super majority, probably due to Gerrymandering. Fuck, Ohio looks about as democratic as North Carolina, maybe worse.

Ohio's probably shifting towards a write off red state, given that it swung towards Trump really hard and the GOP did comfortably this year.

Short answer; yes Republicans can pass this law (unless the Governor steps in again, but Kasich is gone now). Whether it stands up in court in another thing.

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Nov 20th 2018 at 10:05:38 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#262398: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:02:46 PM

Ohio Republicans clearly want to defictionalize Gilead.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#262399: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:03:27 PM

Good news...remember the tight race in Utah I mentioned just a few posts back? Well, the race has been called and Ben Mc Adams has edged out Mia Love 50.1 to 49.9.

Isn't Utah usually deep red?

Edited by Swanpride on Nov 20th 2018 at 6:04:21 AM

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#262400: Nov 20th 2018 at 6:06:02 PM

Yeah, Utah is pretty deep red.

This guy is a centrist Democrat (which is the best that could be expected) but that's still better than any Republican who would hold the seat.


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