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

KZN02 The Master of Tediousness (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
The Master of Tediousness
#344251: Dec 20th 2020 at 2:03:50 PM

US Senate fails to pass Hong Kong refugee bill

    Preview 
In a final attempt before Congress enters recess for the upcoming holidays, U.S. lawmakers failed to advance a bill through the Senate on Friday (Dec. 18) that would grant Hong Kong activists special refugee status.

Blocked by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, the Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020 aims to provide temporary protected status (TPS) and refugee status for qualified Hong Kong residents. The bill mandates Hong Kong should be treated as a TPS-designated country for at least 18 months, along with countries like Sudan and Yemen, where nationals might face immediate threat after being evicted from the U.S.

With a '0', not an 'O'
Altris from the Vortex Since: Aug, 2019 Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#344252: Dec 20th 2020 at 3:02:59 PM

Gosh Darn It to Heck!.

Also, isn't the federal government under threat of shutdown? I thought I heard something about that on Friday.

So, let's hang an anchor from the sun... also my Tumblr
fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#344253: Dec 20th 2020 at 3:03:23 PM

Until this midnight.

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
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
#344254: Dec 20th 2020 at 3:22:40 PM

The shutdown threat keeps getting pushed back, initially it was September and they passed something delaying it till the 12th of December, then on the 12th they passed something delaying it till the 18th (this Friday just gone), then on Friday with 2 hours left they passed something delaying it till midnight tonight.

If they’re willing to keep kicking it down the road they can, but everyone on both sides has to play ball.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Redmess Redmess from Netherlands Since: Feb, 2014
Redmess
#344255: Dec 20th 2020 at 4:00:40 PM

Yeah, especially when said fantasies concern politicians. Making death threats in public (and online IS public) against those can and will get you in serious trouble with the law.

Hope shines brightest in the darkest times
Ayasugi Since: Oct, 2010
#344256: Dec 20th 2020 at 5:41:47 PM

...I'm not sure if them calling the Biden transition a coup is irony and they just don't realize that they're calling for a coup, or a deliberate attempt to sow confusion by saying "we're not attempting a coup, you are!" before prominent Democrats have a chance to call it what it is.

In any case it's fucking disturbing how many Republicans with elected or leadership positions are outright calling for a coup. And saying that it's needed to protect the integrity of the government or help the country heal.

ScubaWolf from South Carolina Since: Feb, 2020
#344257: Dec 20th 2020 at 6:42:56 PM

[up] It's really telling how stupid they are. You'd think the clue light would kick in that if the top brass of the Pentagon decide that enough is enough, their careers, and possibly their lives (depending on how bad it gets) are over.

"In a move surprising absolutely no one"
Lazlo74 from A tropical hell-hole Since: May, 2018
#344258: Dec 20th 2020 at 6:50:17 PM

These are the people appeasing the same crowd who's been slinging death threats against the Democrats, the Chinese, every Republican who doesn't kiss Trump's ass while also calling for martial law in the name of the US Constitution. How fucked up is that?

Scaled seeker
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#344259: Dec 20th 2020 at 6:55:11 PM

The GOP, like the Democratic Party, is a big tent party. Specifically, it covers:

  • Racists

  • Kleptocrats

  • Corporatists

  • Classists

  • Sexists

  • Homophobes

  • Transphobes

  • Fascists

  • Nationalists

Basically, if your entire identity revolves around punching down and having someone to hate, the GOP is the party for you!

Edited by M84 on Dec 20th 2020 at 10:55:53 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#344260: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:03:00 PM

That and/or you're a single issue voter, likely having to do with "gun rights" or abortion.

Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#344261: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:20:09 PM

Still, they house most of the hateful, senselessly angry people, and the last four years just emboldened to a level unheard of. Kicking them back to the box is going to be really hard.

Wake me up at your own risk.
Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#344262: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:21:48 PM

I wouldn't exactly call being a Nationalist a bad thing. Not that it's a good thing either, but it doesn't really fit with the list there.

Course, the hilarity of the definition of that word means any "Nationalists" in the GOP are doing the exact opposite of it. I mean, it literally says "Vigorously supporting the COUNTRY'S interests," And that's something the Trump Administration HASN'T done.

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#344263: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:23:52 PM

Nationalism by its very definition involves punching down and hating others. It basically means thinking one's country is the best and that everyone else can get fucked.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Resileafs I actually wanted to be Resileaf Since: Jan, 2019
I actually wanted to be Resileaf
#344264: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:36:32 PM

[up][up]You're confusing nationalism for patriotism.

There's a difference between "My country is awesome and I want to improve it even more to keep it that way" and "My country is awesome and there's nothing wrong with it and fuck you for saying otherwise".

Pendrake That Guy from "Sweet Something of.... Someplace!" (Canada) Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Betrayed by Delilah
That Guy
#344265: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:43:36 PM

True.

I more meant that it seemed out of place compared to some other stuff on the list.

My point stands about the GOP "Nationalists" though.

The last thing the GOP's shown is giving a f*** about the Country's interests. They're very much "What do I get out of being in office."

Semper Fi. Semper Paratus. Vigilo Confido.
unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#344266: Dec 20th 2020 at 7:52:28 PM

[up][up]I will said the different between and the other is very thin.

I will always differ to orwell in his note about nationalism that nationalism have a problem is that it become a power game that is itself base in deception and doublethinking: you will ignore everything bad to a level you wont see it as lying.

In short a form of own gaslighting.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#344267: Dec 20th 2020 at 8:04:35 PM

It's a thin line, but the line is there.

Disgusted, but not surprised
TheRoguePenguin Since: Jul, 2009
#344268: Dec 20th 2020 at 9:47:48 PM

Trump has filed a new petition with the Supreme Court to overturn the results in Pennsylvania. This is pointless for a number of reasons, but the most hilarious one is that the Supreme Court will not convene again until January 8, after Biden's win is certified in Congress. Pure copium.

rmctagg09 The Wanderer from Brooklyn, NY (Before Recorded History) Relationship Status: I won't say I'm in love
The Wanderer
#344269: Dec 20th 2020 at 10:48:06 PM

Hill leaders reach $900 billion Covid relief deal in breakthrough following partisan disputes:

Congressional leaders announced Sunday night that they have secured a deal for a sweeping $900 billion rescue package to deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, unemployed Americans and health care workers while bolstering vaccine distribution.

After days of tense negotiations and months of partisan stalemate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday evening that leadership from both chambers had "finalized an agreement," saying, "It is packed with targeted policies that help struggling Americans who have already waited entirely too long."

The announcement follows policy disputes and partisan finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans that fueled uncertainty over whether lawmakers would manage to close out a deal or whether talks would collapse with lawmakers soon set to leave Washington for the holidays and the end of the 116th Congress in sight.

In a joint statement on the deal, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "We are going to crush the virus and put money in the pockets of the American people."

The full details of what will be in the relief package have yet to be released, however, the package is expected to include $600 direct stimulus payment for Americans under a certain income level, among many other programs aimed at helping the economic fallout of the pandemic.

...

The legislative text of the deal has not yet been released, but here are key provisions that will be included as part of the agreement, according to a release Sunday evening from House and Senate Democratic leaders:

  • Direct payment checks of up to $600 per adult and child
  • Aid for struggling small businesses, including more than $284 billion for forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans and $15 billion "in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions"
  • $300 per week for enhanced unemployment insurance benefits
  • $25 billion for rental assistance and an eviction moratorium extension
  • $82 billion for education providers like schools and colleges, including aid to help reopen classrooms safely
  • $10 billion to help with child care assistance
  • $13 billion in increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and child nutrition benefits
  • $7 billion to bolster broadband access to help Americans connect remotely during the pandemic
  • Funding totaling in the billions of dollars to support coronavirus vaccine distribution, testing and contract tracing efforts and health care workers
  • A tax credit "to support employers offering paid sick leave"

Edited by rmctagg09 on Dec 20th 2020 at 1:48:33 PM

Hugging a Vanillite will give you frostbite.
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#344270: Dec 20th 2020 at 11:51:27 PM

The Washington Post reported last week that White House aides talked Trump out of issuing a public statement demanding stimulus checks as big as $2,000, telling the president such a move could derail negotiations on the broader relief package. His tweet early Sunday signals the president may not have given up on his demand.

...wait, wait. Trump is advocating for spreading more wealth around than Congress wants, and is actually making a bit of sense doing so.

Can anyone please check for tunnels to an alternate universe? I may have fallen through one in my sleep.

Ayasugi Since: Oct, 2010
#344271: Dec 20th 2020 at 11:57:18 PM

It's not new, he's been wanting more stimulus checks, but his own party in Congress doesn't want them. Presumably he wants to give people checks with his name on them so they'll think "Trump is a great guy, giving us money for nothing!"

Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#344272: Dec 21st 2020 at 12:03:26 AM

Apparently, that's basically what Bolsonaro did in Brazil, and it has kept him popular despite the pandemic and everything else going on around him, so it could be argued that Republicans' endless greed is directly responsible for Trump's loss in the election.

Edited by Eschaton on Dec 21st 2020 at 12:05:36 PM

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
#344273: Dec 21st 2020 at 12:14:41 AM

Trump doesn't have an ideological commitment to starving the poor, he’s more than happy to use public money in an attempt to win public support. He’d probably demand the money say it was from him (like he did last time), but as long as he can claim credit (and forgets that minorities get it) he will support a fair amount of money being spent.

Mitch however is a true believer in making people pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#344274: Dec 21st 2020 at 12:18:51 AM

Trump has no compunctions giving away money when it's not his money.

Disgusted, but not surprised
Forenperser Foreign Troper from Germany Since: Mar, 2012
Foreign Troper
#344275: Dec 21st 2020 at 2:05:54 AM

Even Trump denied invoking Martial Law by now

https://mobile.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1340523944680583169

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