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
https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2019/08/12/day-935/
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.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?
Following on from yesterday, the acting director of US Immigration decided to give The New Colossus a bit of a rewrite
during an interview.
"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?"Is this Senator Sanders, or the former Mouth of Sauron?
Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.![]()
![]()
Even worse, he'd better hope B.J. Blazkowicz doesn't emerge from his game to start killin' Nazis and Les Collaborateurs.
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?"Bernie Sanders is claiming that the Washington Post is biased due to their coverage of his criticism of Amazon.
This is what he said:
Edited by M84 on Aug 14th 2019 at 2:24:18 AM
Disgusted, but not surprisedBasically, 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:
Edited by M84 on Aug 14th 2019 at 2:27:08 AM
Disgusted, but not surprisedIn other words, the perfect fit for the Trump administration.
Edited by speedyboris on Aug 13th 2019 at 11:29:31 AM
How very Trump of Sanders.
My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.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]

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