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

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#287501: Aug 12th 2019 at 2:58:16 PM

Let's hope this and the internet thing get dragged out till the end of 2020.

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#287502: Aug 12th 2019 at 3:10:29 PM

No it doesn't. Once an office has been established by Congress, it's largely under Presidential control and can do just about anything related to its enabling legislation.

singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#287503: Aug 12th 2019 at 3:35:32 PM

Yeah, I think the only thing Congress can do is haul executive staff up to testify (assuming they respect the subpoena) or refuse their budget... which one imagines the Trump Administration would see as a win if the budget for protecting endangered species was withheld.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#287504: Aug 12th 2019 at 3:52:52 PM

More than one Trump official has had to resign after being hauled before a Congressional committee and their dubious ethical actions were exposed.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#287505: Aug 12th 2019 at 3:59:35 PM

Technically, one could also add provisions to the spending bills to disallow the enforcement of such proposals.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#287506: Aug 12th 2019 at 7:58:11 PM

If they can get it past a veto.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#287507: Aug 12th 2019 at 9:20:40 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/08/12/day-935/

    Day 935: Irregularities 
1/ The Trump administration made it harder for legal immigrants who rely on government benefit programs to obtain permanent legal status as part of a new policy aimed cutting the number of legal immigration and reducing the number of poor immigrants. The new regulation makes it easier for federal officials to deny green cards and visa applications to legal immigrants who have received public benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps, or housing vouchers, have low incomes, or little education, deeming them more likely to need government assistance in the future. Wealth, education, age and English-language skills will take on greater importance for obtaining a green card, as the change seeks to redefine what it means to be a "public charge." (CNN / NBC News / Politico / Washington Post / New York Times)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-administration-make-it-harder-low-income-immigrants-stay-n1041316

2/ The White House has ordered ICE officials to conduct more "workplace enforcement operations" this year. After the recent raids in Mississippi led to the arrest of at least 680 undocumented workers, ICE field offices across the country were told to identify at least two locations in their respective regions as potential targets for additional raids. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/09/politics/white-house-expanding-ice-raids/index.html

"If you’re a good worker, papers don't matter": How a Trump construction crew has relied on immigrants without legal status. For nearly two decades, the Trump Organization has relied on a roving crew of Latin American employees at the company’s winery and its golf courses from New York to Florida. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/if-youre-a-good-worker-papers-dont-matter-how-a-trump-construction-crew-has-relied-on-immigrants-without-legal-status/2019/08/09/cf59014a-b3ab-11e9-8e94-71a35969e4d8_story.html

3/ The Trump administration weakened the Endangered Species Act, allowing the government to put an economic cost on saving a species. The changes will also make it harder to consider the effects of climate change on wildlife. Critics argue that the change will accelerate the extinction for some plants and animals and clear the way for new mining, oil and gas drilling, and development in areas where protected species live. (New York Times / Associated Press / NBC News / Washington Post)

https://apnews.com/9bf4541d89e6444783814e53302ce479

The EPA dropped salmon protections after Trump met with with Alaska's governor. EPA scientists were planning to oppose a controversial Alaska mining project on environmental grounds that could devastate one of the most important wild salmon fisheries. In 2014, the project was halted because an EPA study found that it would cause "complete loss of fish habitat due to elimination, dewatering, and fragmentation of streams, wetlands, and other aquatic resources" in some areas of Bristol Bay. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/09/us/epa-alaska-pebble-mine-salmon-invs/index.html

4/ Attorney General William Barr and several members of Congress called for an investigation following the apparent suicide of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who faced federal sex trafficking charges before his death this weekend. Barr said Epstein's death while in federal custody "raises serious questions that must be answered." The FBI and the Justice Department inspector general both opened investigations. Epstein had been briefly placed on suicide watch leading up to his death, but was taken off six days later. Epstein had reportedly been alone in his cell and was not monitored by guards, who were supposed to check on him every 30 minutes. (NBC News / The Hill / CNN / CBS News / New York Times)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ocasio-cortez-demands-answers-after-epstein-found-dead-apparent-suicide-n1041101

In the wake of Epstein's death, Trump retweeted several unsubstantiated conspiracy theories suggesting that the Clintons were involved in his death. (Business Insider / NBC News / Politico / Axios)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-retweets-epstein-conspiracy-theory-claiming-clinton-connection-n1041146

The day before Epstein's death, thousands of pages of court documents related to his activities were unsealed and released. The documents detail how hundreds of girls and young women were allegedly trafficked for sex to a range of wealthy business, political and world leaders by Epstein and his madam, Ghislaine Maxwell. (New York Magazine / Miami Herald)

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article233704797.html

Barr accused the Manhattan federal prison of "serious irregularities" and a "failure to adequately secure" Epstein. Barr did not provide details about the irregularities, but questioned why Epstein had been taken off suicide watch and left in a cell alone without supervision. Epstein was found hanging in his cell over the weekend. (New York Times / Washington Post / NBC News / CNBC / Wall Street Journal)

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jail-where-jeffrey-epstein-died-had-serious-irregularities-ag-barr-n1041421

5/ Trump told advisers that he thinks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should bar Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering Israel because the two congresswomen support a boycott of Israel over the country's continued occupation of Palestine. Israel passed a law in 2017 that requires the interior minister to block foreign nationals from entering Israel if they have supported boycotting the Jewish state. Trump's reaction came days after the House passed a resolution condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which Omar and Tlaib supported. (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/trump-tells-advisers-israel-should-bar-entry-omar-tlaib-a5a1977b-9862-420c-bf01-fa1936b0eec4.html

6/ The U.S. fiscal deficit has already exceeded last year's total. The deficit grew to $866.8 billion in the first 10 months of the fiscal year, up 27% from the same period a year earlier. At this point last year, the deficit was $684 billion. (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-12/u-s-budget-deficit-already-exceeds-last-year-s-total-figure

7/ U.S. intelligence officials believe Russia tested a new type of nuclear-propelled cruise missile following an explosion that killed at least seven people, including scientists, and released radiation off the coast of northern Russia last week. Russian officials said "a small nuclear reactor had exploded during an experiment." (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/world/europe/russia-nuclear-accident-putin.html

8/ Trump has made 12,019 false or misleading claims over 928 days and is average about 13 false or misleading claims a day. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/08/12/president-trump-has-made-false-or-misleading-claims-over-days/

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#287508: Aug 12th 2019 at 9:32:30 PM

Wait they already did it?! I thought this was a proposal!?

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#287509: Aug 12th 2019 at 9:48:56 PM

[up] Trump just sent out the orders early Monday on the slashing the Endangered Species Act.

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#287510: Aug 13th 2019 at 5:46:46 AM

[up] Doesn't this have to go through someone first?

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#287511: Aug 13th 2019 at 9:14:21 AM

The new rules are supposed to go into effect in a month, and both are likely to go to court in the meantime which means there might be a delay on implementation while the court makes a decision.

Basically, stand by and wait to see what happens in the next month on these two issues.

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#287512: Aug 13th 2019 at 9:38:28 AM

Don't hold your breath, though. The courts have a spotty record when it comes to stopping Trump.

It's important to remember that the court isn't there to rule on the ethical or moral implications of Trump's decision. Their primary focus isn't "Should the President do this?" It's "Legally, can the President do this? Is this an actual power of his office?"

That's why "Travel Ban against Muslim Countries" was blocked but "Travel Ban against the same countries JUST 'CAUSE!" was okay.

"Should the President do this?" falls under the purview of Congress, and since Trump's already impeachment-proof, that's out the window. There are no other tools in Congress's toolbox to actually punish a cruel dipshit President. Even if they pass a purely symbolic bill telling Trump to eat shit, he can veto it. It's kind of ridiculous.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Aug 13th 2019 at 10:41:42 AM

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#287513: Aug 13th 2019 at 10:26:04 AM

Would be funny if they then got a veto-proof majority to pass the eat shit bill.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#287514: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:02:57 AM

U.S. to Delay Some China Tariffs Until Stores Stock Up for Holiday Shoppers – The office of the United States trade representative said it would push off imposing new tariffs on cellphones, laptop computers, toys and other goods until Dec. 15.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/business/economy/china-tariffs.html

This feels like it should be telling of something. Am I the only one?

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#287515: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:09:16 AM

Following on from yesterday, the acting director of US Immigration decided to give The New Colossus a bit of a rewrite during an interview.

"Would you also agree that Emma Lazarus's words etched on the Statue of Liberty, 'Give me your tired, give me your poor,' are also a part of the American ethos?" NPR's Rachel Martin asked Cuccinelli on "Morning Edition" in an interview published Tuesday.

"They certainly are: 'Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge,'" he replied. "That plaque was put on the Statue of Liberty at almost the same time as the first public charge was passed — very interesting timing."

For those unaware, this is the actual text of the poem.

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Because fuck humility and openness, right? That's old hat! Now it's all about "FUCK YOU, GOT MINE!"

Edited by ironballs16 on Aug 13th 2019 at 2:09:50 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#287516: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:15:29 AM

That director better hope Emma Lazarus doesn't follow the example of the Biblical Lazarus.

Disgusted, but not surprised
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#287517: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:17:54 AM

Some irony to report: my work cafeteria has Fox News on and the current headline until just a moment ago was "Sanders Complaining About Biased Media Coverage"

[down] Sorry, forgot there was two of them. It's for Bernie.

Edited by sgamer82 on Aug 13th 2019 at 12:20:22 PM

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#287518: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:19:37 AM

Is this Senator Sanders, or the former Mouth of Sauron?

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#287519: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:20:14 AM

[up][up][up]

Even worse, he'd better hope B.J. Blazkowicz doesn't emerge from his game to start killin' Nazis and Les Collaborateurs.

[up]

No, apparently Bernie's complaining about the Washington Post, but seeing as it's Fox saying it, I can't help but think that some Quote Mining is being done.

Edited by ironballs16 on Aug 13th 2019 at 2:23:08 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#287520: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:22:45 AM

Bernie Sanders is claiming that the Washington Post is biased due to their coverage of his criticism of Amazon.

This is what he said:

"I talk about that all of the time, and then I wonder why The Washington Post, which is owned by Jeff Bezos, who owns Amazon, doesn't write particularly good articles about me. I don't know why, but I guess maybe there's a connection," said Sanders, to laughter from the audience.

Edited by M84 on Aug 14th 2019 at 2:24:18 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#287521: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:24:05 AM

I couldn't find a specific article. My irony was more the Republicans' propaganda network covering it, however legitimate a story it is.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#287522: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:26:17 AM

Basically, Sanders insinuated that the Washington Post isn't writing favorable articles about him because he criticizes Amazon.

Here's a USA Today article on the matter:

Washington Post editor says Bernie Sanders favoring 'conspiracy theory' by linking coverage to Amazon, Jeff Bezos

Edited by M84 on Aug 14th 2019 at 2:27:08 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#287523: Aug 13th 2019 at 11:27:07 AM

Because fuck humility and openness, right? That's old hat! Now it's all about "FUCK YOU, GOT MINE!"
When I read that quote today I read up on this guy's political positions. Surprise surprise, it's all the usual far right wing garbage: Anti-choice, thinks homosexuality is evil, thinks climate change is a hoax, wants open carry gun laws, and is anti-immigrant for all means and purposes. Oh, and he also dabbled in the "Obama wasn't born in America" theory briefly.

In other words, the perfect fit for the Trump administration.

Edited by speedyboris on Aug 13th 2019 at 11:29:31 AM

TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#287524: Aug 13th 2019 at 2:11:31 PM

How very Trump of Sanders.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
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
#287525: Aug 13th 2019 at 2:42:34 PM

It’s interesting seeing this from the UK, where our national newspaper are heavily influenced by their owners and a number act as our equivalents of Fox News because of it.

In other news, Colorado recently joined the movement to end the Electoral College and enough people in the state are upset about it that they’re looking to force the issue be to voted on in a referendum in 2020.[1]

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran

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