TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

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

Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#239576: Apr 21st 2018 at 5:45:09 PM

Well, that's nothing new. FOX still parades around Oliver North, and Trump pardoned Scooter Libby.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239577: Apr 21st 2018 at 5:49:12 PM

Unrelated to anything, but look at the socks George W. Bush wore to his wife's funeral. It's really adorable, and a nice way to remember her.

edited 21st Apr '18 5:54:10 PM by megaeliz

Raptorslash Since: Oct, 2010
#239578: Apr 21st 2018 at 5:52:59 PM

What kind of changes can we expect when net neutrality is gone?

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#239579: Apr 21st 2018 at 5:56:08 PM

One thing to be done is that internet should be considered a utility, which I'm pretty sure hasn't changed since the last time I read about it. Like, we use it every day to communicate the same way landlines are used. And hell, we even use it on our phones now!

So yeah, it does in fact have the same use to us as health insurance, consider that we use phones and computers to do things like pay for our health insurance, make sure our employers can contact us, that we can get in contact with our employers or potential employers, that a lot people use to conduct their business through setting up webstores and various other things now that make the internet their place of business.

So yeah, De Marquis, the internet pretty much is just as financially valuable to us as health insurance. I'm not sure why you wouldn't think that it is, since so much of our lives are now conducted through internet services.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239580: Apr 21st 2018 at 5:57:12 PM

[up][up] Well, I imagine the lawsuits will be able to hold it back for a little bit at least.

This this got buried on the last page, and it's really cute, look at the socks GWB wore to his wife's funeral today.

edited 21st Apr '18 6:04:29 PM by megaeliz

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#239581: Apr 21st 2018 at 6:03:43 PM

"What kind of changes can we expect when net neutrality is gone?"

Slower service, more limited choices, and higher prices to access certain sites.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239582: Apr 21st 2018 at 6:52:17 PM

[up]. I wouldn't rule out the lawsuits just yet. The repeal process was highly legally questionable, with Pai refusing to delay a vote, despite evidence of thousands of fake comments on favor of the repeal, with some using real names.

edited 21st Apr '18 7:04:28 PM by megaeliz

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239583: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:09:00 PM

Double post but new topic.

Senate panel will vote on bill to protect Mueller despite McConnell's opposition [1]

WASHINGTON — Despite opposition from Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc Connell, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley confirmed Thursday that his committee will vote next week on a bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired in the midst of the Russia investigation.

"Some have raised the question of why the committee plans on proceeding with the markup despite the fact that the majority leader has indicated that he will not take this bill up on the floor," said Grassley, R-Iowa., at a committee meeting. "The views of the majority leader are obviously important to consider, but they do not govern what happens here on the Judiciary Committee."

Mc Connell said Tuesday on Fox News that he would not bring the bipartisan bill to the Senate floor for a vote, even if it is approved by the Judiciary Committee. The committee is scheduled to vote next Thursday, after debating amendments.

"We'll not be having this on the floor of the Senate," Mc Connell, R-Ky., said during an interview on Fox News.

Grassley said he promised the bill's main sponsors — Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Thom Tillis and Democrats Chris Coons and Cory Booker — that he would schedule a committee vote if they worked together to merge two bills to protect Mueller into one.

The senators have done that, introducing the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act last week. The bill says that Mueller or any future special counsel can only be fired "for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause." A special counsel who is fired could appeal to the courts to be reinstated.

"Where there are issues of national importance, such as the appointment of special counsels and the investigation of a sitting president, Congress must consider its constitutional role and act to make sure that it can avail itself of its traditional checks against the executive branch," Grassley said...

President Trump has repeatedly referred to the investigation as a "witch hunt" and insists that there was no collusion between his campaign and the Russians. On Wednesday night, Trump wouldn't say whether he would ever fire Mueller or Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general overseeing the probe.

"They've been saying I'm going to get rid of them for the last three months, four months, five months, and they’re still here," Trump said at a news conference. "So we want to get the investigation over with, done with. Put it behind us."

However, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said she believes "that the possibility that he (Mueller) may be fired is very real."

"His authority must not be undermined in any way, shape or form," she said at Thursday's meeting. "I urge my colleagues to pass (the bill) immediately."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the committee's senior Democrat, said she hopes Mc Connell will drop his opposition to the bill.

"I support this legislation and hope Leader Mc Connell will reconsider giving it floor time," she said.

Tillis, R-N.C., said it's up to him and the other senators on the committee to rally support for the legislation.

"The reality is it's on us to get the votes to get it passed," Tillis said. He said he doesn't think Trump will fire Mueller but he "can't say the same for future presidents."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., noted that Grassley has said publicly that "it would be suicidal" for Trump to fire Mueller. Members of Congress from both parties have warned that it would spark a constitutional crisis.

"We have to remember that this is about the rule of law, no matter who the president is," she said. "We cannot allow anyone to obstruct justice."

Grassley is offering an amendment to the bipartisan bill that would require the Department of Justice to report to Congress when it makes any major decisions about the special counsel, including firing him or her. The chairman said he would provide the exact language of his amendment to committee members by the end of Thursday.

Grassley said he is upset by speculation that his amendment is some kind of "conspiracy to ruin the bill."

"I don't even know how to conspire," he declared, prompting laughter from committee members.

It doesn't change anything, but by doing the right thing, he's putting the blame squarely on Mc Connell's shoulders, and shows that the GOP may be starting to break ranks a bit.

edited 21st Apr '18 7:11:40 PM by megaeliz

fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#239584: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:14:36 PM

Of course McConnell's against it. He's probably as guilty as trump.

MorningStar1337 The Encounter that ended the Dogma from 🤔 Since: Nov, 2012
The Encounter that ended the Dogma
#239585: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:24:49 PM

[up][up][up] On top of that, certain states either made NN a statewide thing (see: California) or in the process to doing it. The IS Ps are lobbying to undermine it, but I'm a little optimistic that their attempt will fail (especially with the aformentioned lawsuits).

Of course, that still leaves out European IS Ps and local IS Ps in starts where Net Neutrality is dead...

edited 21st Apr '18 7:27:27 PM by MorningStar1337

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#239586: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:37:09 PM

Meanwhile I have yet to hear of Maryland enacting such a program. I'll be making to sure to vote out whoever's getting in the way of that when the time comes.

edited 21st Apr '18 7:37:35 PM by PhysicalStamina

i'm tired, my friend
Wariolander Since: Nov, 2017
#239588: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:46:55 PM

[up][up][up] Europe isn't effected by this, it's specifically a US repeal, other countries have their own net neutrality laws. Most European countries aren't dumb enough to do this, don't have the monopoly issue with their IS Ps the US does, and the EU gives net neutrality to it's members.

[up] They were the second to do it after Montana, in fact.

edited 21st Apr '18 7:49:06 PM by Wariolander

Ingonyama Since: Jan, 2001
#239589: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:55:32 PM

A few pages back, megaeliz's quoting of Trump tweets:

Just heard the Campaign was sued by the Obstructionist Democrats. This can be good news in that we will now counter for the DNC Server that they refused to give to the FBI, the Debbie Wasserman Schultz Servers and Documents held by the Pakistani mystery man and Clinton Emails.

"Pakistani mystery man"? What fresh (or stale) conspiracy theory is this?

James Comey illegally leaked classified documents to the press in order to generate a Special Council? Therefore, the Special Council was established based on an illegal act? Really, does everybody know what that means?

More proof he intends to fire Rosenstein (this time for having established the Special Counsel on false premises), then Mueller. Which makes what the Senate is doing right now even more imperative.

The New York Times and a third rate reporter named Maggie Haberman, known as a Crooked H flunkie...

ROTFL! I'd thought I'd gotten used to his bald-faced lies, but that really takes the cake. Since when is Maggie Haberman, who's had it in for the Clintons for years as part of her/the Times' desperation to appear "balanced" and appealing to "both sides", a "Crooked H flunkie"?

Re: Grassley: As funny as his comment is that he doesn't know how to conspire (and I admit I did genuinely laugh), we're talking about the guy who recommended Christopher Steele be investigated. If he doesn't know how to conspire, he's certainly good at supporting the agendas of those who do and are.

That said, I am frankly astounded he's doing and saying what he is. I mean even if there is no way to force the vote without McConnell's approval (is there?), he's still going through with the committee voting. Is that because he knows there's no way it'll ever make it the floor, so this is just more going through the motions to make it seem Republicans still care about rule of law? Or does he think giving the appearance this will go through will be enough to make Trump back off of Rosenstein and Mueller? Is this connected to Sessions saying he'd quit if Rosenstein is fired (i.e. Grassley is supporting Sessions, or thinks him saying that means he needs to get more serious about the bill)?

And all of this notwithstanding, and even if nothing happens, there's the fact he was willing to say that about what McConnell said not mattering in what the committee is doing. Is this sort of talk toward the Majority Leader usual for Grassley? I'd assume not. Is this just a way to show the Senate no longer approves of McConnell as Majority Leader, or does it speak to that larger GOP split megaeliz mentioned above?

edited 21st Apr '18 7:58:40 PM by Ingonyama

Imca (Veteran)
#239590: Apr 21st 2018 at 7:55:36 PM

[up][up]Well thats a bit of a relief, I thought Washington was first though.

edited 21st Apr '18 8:00:03 PM by Imca

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#239591: Apr 21st 2018 at 8:08:15 PM

At Republican State Convention in Utah, State Lawman Mike Kennedy took 51% of the Party Delegates against Mitt Romney's 49%, forcing Mitt Romney into a Primary against Kennedy.

So, not only do both Kennedy and Romney now have to spend time and resources into this Primary, but Utah Republicans could easily pick Kennedy (who is a Far-Right Politician) over Romney (who is only a Right-Wing Politician), which could make Utah more competitive then just having Romney run immediately.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#239592: Apr 21st 2018 at 8:08:24 PM

[up][up][up] good thing AG Schneiderman and the "Assistant Special Cousels" (who have authority to pursue the cases they are heading no matter what), Mueller appointed are ready to jump in at any moment.

edited 21st Apr '18 8:10:17 PM by megaeliz

TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#239593: Apr 21st 2018 at 8:34:24 PM

So funny, the Democrats have sued the Republicans for Winning. Now he R’s counter and force them to turn over a treasure trove of material, including Servers and Emails! James Comey’s Memos are Classified, I did not Declassify them. They belong to our Government! Therefore, he broke the law! Additionally, he totally made up many of the things he said I said, and he is already a proven liar and leaker. Where are Memos on Clinton, Lynch & others?

I don't really know what he's referring to here, honestly.

Didn't hear about that one, huh?

Democrats file suit alleging Russia, Trump campaign, WikiLeaks conspired to interfere in 2016 campaign

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#239594: Apr 21st 2018 at 9:46:48 PM

IANAL, but on the face of it, that lawsuit looks kinda dumb. What the Democrats are alleging is criminal activity, and the proper thing for them to do is to sit back and wait for Mueller Time.

Proving specific damages from unlawful electoral conduct would be a hard sell.

GameGuruGG Vampire Hunter from Castlevania (Before Recorded History)
Vampire Hunter
#239595: Apr 21st 2018 at 11:13:47 PM

[up] Not really... Civil suits can be brought up for criminal actions which actually happened with O.J. Simpson where he had both a criminal suit for murder that he won and a civil suit for wrongful death that he lost. In addition, a lawsuit like this has precedent as the Democrats actually filed a civil suit against the Nixon Campaign for Watergate which ended in a settlement after Nixon was impeached.

Wizard Needs Food Badly
Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#239596: Apr 22nd 2018 at 12:50:50 AM

Civil suits are brought up for criminal activity constantly. It's not unusual at all. The standard of evidence for a civil case is lower than a criminal case ("preponderance of the evidence" versus "beyond reasonable doubt").

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#239598: Apr 22nd 2018 at 2:14:21 AM

but attack fleets? Just saying, but that seems a wee bit excessive to me.
The USS Truman and accompanying strike group are on the way to the Arabian Sea, but that's a normal, planned deployment, not any kind of sudden escalation.
notice how they've tried to sabotage the ACA and it's doing fine.
It's not doing that fine.
A Montana Republican candidate for Senate is openly campaigning with everyone's favorite convicted felon/Russian intel asset/Turkish agent: Michael Flynn.
$5 says he still gets elected. Montana's not that purple.
Utah Republicans could easily pick Kennedy (who is a Far-Right Politician) over Romney (who is only a Right-Wing Politician), which could make Utah more competitive then just having Romney run immediately.
Is this bad for the RNC? I'm sensing 'yes' ...
Trump is considering a posthumous pardon for Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world boxing champion who was convicted under the Mann Act after taking his white girlfriend across state lines, after being asked by Sylvester Stallone.
This sounds like a good thing, but I love how Trump's reason for doing so is "Rocky Balboa asked me" and not "it's the right thing to do."

The DNC is pushing low-polling Dems to exit races before the midterms, in hopes of uniting voters behind a single candidate, and push Republicans out of California races. Full article text 

FULLERTON, Calif. — The Democrats’ message to Mai Khanh Tran was polite but unsparing.

With half a dozen Democrats running for Congress in her Orange County district, they showed her a discouraging poll and argued that she could not win — and risked fracturing the party in the June primary election. Tran pointedly replied that she was “the only qualified woman, the only immigrant and the only physician in the race.”

“I said to them, frankly, let the voters decide,” recalled Tran, a pediatrician.

The national Democratic Party was not chastened: On Wednesday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took sides in that House race and backed Gil Cisneros, a Navy veteran and former Republican. With their forceful intervention in Orange County, national Democrats have lunged into an impatient new phase of the 2018 primary season — one in which they are clashing more openly with candidates and local political chieftains in their drive to assemble a slate of recruits for the midterms.

In districts from Southern California to Little Rock, Ark., and upstate New York, the party has begun interceding to help the Democrats it sees as best equipped to battle Republicans in the fall. The approach is laced with peril for a party divided over matters of ideology and political strategy, and dominated by activists who tend to resent what they see as meddling from Washington.

In California, state law requires all candidates to compete in the same preliminary election, with the top two finishers advancing to November. If Democrats spread their votes across too many candidates, two Republicans could come out on top and advance to the general election. There are at least four races in California where Democrats fear such a lockout.

Rep. Judy Chu, a Los Angeles-area Democrat, said the open primaries had led Democrats to take unusual steps to prevent Republicans from dominating the first round of voting. “That would stop our goal of taking the House back,” she said.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
3of4 Just a harmless giant from a foreign land. from Five Seconds in the Future. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: GAR for Archer
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
#239599: Apr 22nd 2018 at 3:30:05 AM

....*reads up on the Mann Act* Well this is a textbook case of abusing a law as 'necessary'.

And the fact that Jack Johnson got arrested thrice under it and convicted while Charles Fucking Manson got his charges dropped (granted, 50 years in between but still) is really a thing that should anyone just consider scrapping and replacing it with a new and better written version.

"You can reply to this Message!"
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#239600: Apr 22nd 2018 at 6:07:06 AM

“the only qualified woman, the only immigrant and the only physician in the race.”

It staggers me that she thinks that's really going to help if it causes enough vote splitting to get the Republicans a seat.

Or that being a doctor is relevant. Unless it's trying to justify an absurd ego in an unrelated field.

edited 22nd Apr '18 6:14:51 AM by RainehDaze


Total posts: 417,856
Top