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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.

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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

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#244601: Jun 6th 2018 at 8:02:42 AM

[up][up] And Charlie Baker would probably be kicked out of the Republican Party anywhere else, at this point. (he's not a Trump-publican)

edited 6th Jun '18 8:46:08 AM by megaeliz

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#244602: Jun 6th 2018 at 9:41:50 AM

A few stories from today's still developing WTF Just Happened Today feed:

More than 118,000 California primary voters were left off the voter rolls due to a random printing error. Those voters can still cast provisional ballots, but the process of counting and verifying a large number of provisional ballots could delay the vote tally in some local races. "We apologize for the inconvenience and concern this has caused," said the Los Angeles County Clerk in a statement. "Voters should be assured their vote will be counted." (CNN / Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/05/los-angeles-voters-error-627994

Jeff Sessions defended the Trump administration policy of separating migrant children from their families when they arrive at the U.S. southern border. "If people don’t want to be separated from their children, they should not bring them with them," Sessions told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "We’ve got to get this message out. You’re not given immunity." (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/06/05/sessions-defends-separating-immigrant-parents-and-children-weve-got-to-get-this-message-out/?utm_term=.f3239c3e0a65

The Trump communications aide who mocked John Mc Cain's deteriorating health has left the White House. The White House said Kelly Sadler is "no longer employed within the executive office of the president," but two people familiar with Sadler's departure said she was not ousted because of her comments about Mc Cain. They suggested that Sadler was pushed out due to tensions between her and White House strategic communications director Mercedes Schlapp, who were reportedly unable to be in the same room with each other. (New York Times / CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/05/politics/kelly-sadler-white-house/index.html


Also

DOJ watchdog finds James Comey defied authority as FBI director, sources say

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/doj-watchdog-finds-comey-defied-authority-fbi-director/story?id=55670834

The Justice Department's internal watchdog has concluded that James Comey defied authority at times during his tenure as FBI director, according to sources familiar with a draft report on the matter.

One source told ABC News that the draft report explicitly used the word "insubordinate" to describe Comey's behavior. Another source agreed with that characterization but could not confirm the use of the term.

In the draft report, Inspector General Michael Horowitz also rebuked former Attorney General Loretta Lynch for her handling of the federal investigation into Hillary Clinton's personal email server, the sources said.

On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump complained of "numerous delays" in the release of Horowitz's final report, which is expected to run several hundred pages long and be released in the coming days. The sources who spoke to ABC News were willing or able to address only a portion of the draft report's complete findings.

"What is taking so long with the Inspector General's Report on Crooked Hillary and Slippery James Comey," Trump said on Twitter. "Hope report is not being changed and made weaker!"

edited 6th Jun '18 9:44:32 AM by sgamer82

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#244603: Jun 6th 2018 at 9:43:51 AM

[up]That makes no sense. "If you don't want to be separated from your kids, leave them at home while you try to jump the border yourself, thus separating you from your kids." It's the kind of ass-backwards logic I've come to expect from Republicans.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#244604: Jun 6th 2018 at 9:45:26 AM

[up]I think the idea is more "If you don't want to be separated from your kids, don't try to jump the border in the first place."

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244605: Jun 6th 2018 at 9:55:28 AM

[up][up][up]Those missing votes could swing things either way in that County, particularly in District 39's Rep race. We might yet have a race where Democratic candidates are locked out.

edited 6th Jun '18 10:04:44 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#244606: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:14:29 AM

[up][up]That's pretty much it. They're basically taking the kids hostage. "Don't cross the border or else we'll take your kids." It's sickening , but it still makes a twisted sort of sense.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244607: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:19:51 AM

So Trump just invoked the War of 1812 and the burning of Washington D.C. in a quip to Trudeau when the latter pressed him on justifying Canada being a national security threat on trade. While the blame for that war can be divided on the basis of British trade interdiction and press ganging, and American expansionism; the attack on Washington was conducted by British troops in line with the customs of war at the time and in retaliation for the razing of York in British North America. The conditions of such events obvious do not exist nowadays.

No surprise, historical ignorance is a virtue among Trump's kind (ie; Republicans). There is no security justification for slapping such tariffs on a NATO ally, but the US has a long history of ignoring trade law whenever they feel like it, so ignoring their own laws on the subjects isn't that big of a step.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/06/politics/war-of-1812-donald-trump-justin-trudeau-tariff/index.html

edited 6th Jun '18 10:21:24 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#244608: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:23:03 AM

Trump has commuted the Life Imprisonment of Alice Maria Johnson, who was arrested in 1996 due to aiding a cocaine ring, due to Kim Kardashian asking Trump to do so. Yes, that Kim Kardashian.

As someone who's against the War on Drugs, I'm fine with this Pardon, it's just odd that it's coming from Trump, who wants to allow legal murder for Drug Dealers and arrests on Pharmacists and Doctors for their part in the current opioid epidemic.

edited 6th Jun '18 10:23:52 AM by DingoWalley1

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#244609: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:28:56 AM

So Trump just invoked the War of 1812 and the burning of Washington D.C.
is it weird I find the fact he even knew about this to invoke it in the first place the most surprising part?

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244610: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:29:57 AM

[up][up]Trump doing something because a celebrity asked him to is not that surprising. And no, I'm not even that disgusted by this. It's not worth it.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#244611: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:36:17 AM

I see no reason to be disgusted by this.

But it is the moment that, officially, this is Prince Joffrey and Sansa on display.

Also, I'm really rooting for our first Native American Congresswoman.

She's doing well

edited 6th Jun '18 10:36:58 AM by CharlesPhipps

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244612: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:39:12 AM

It's mildly disgusting that the President can be this easily swayed just because a celebrity asked him to do something. He's obviously just doing it for the photo-op.

edited 6th Jun '18 10:41:46 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#244613: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:43:17 AM

It's the nature of unchecked unlimited power.

At some point, your whims become law.

So someone begging is as likely to get justice as condemn. I'm reminded of the fact Henry VIII pardoned the rape and murder committed by his groom because, I'm assuming, he really liked the guy (who was later accused of sleeping with his 4th wife).

Weirdly, HBO's Tudors left that out, I assume because they didn't realize Henry was QUITE that much of a shitheel.

edited 6th Jun '18 10:43:41 AM by CharlesPhipps

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
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
#244614: Jun 6th 2018 at 10:47:50 AM

the attack on Washington was conducted by British troops in line with the customs of war at the time and in retaliation for the razing of York in British North America.
I never knew this; I always assumed it was just an unfortunate consequence of the war.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244615: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:01:01 AM

And even then, it was mostly limited to government buildings. It was a raid that happened to damage and destroy some iconic buildings (the Americans had evacuated everything and everyone of practical value), its military importance was next to nil.

Point is, Trump has been spending the last few weeks pissing away any support or goodwill among the G7. Shinzo Abe is the only one with any reason to make nice with him.

Bob Corker (R-TN) is trying to push ahead a law in the Senate that would curtail Trump's tariff powers. However, the other GOP enablers in Congress for the most part aren't willing to take Trump on for fear of pissing off the base.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/06/politics/bob-corker-trump-call-trade-fight/index.html

Any state with significant Republican representation in Congress just got an even bigger target painted on it.

edited 6th Jun '18 11:10:19 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#244616: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:13:40 AM

[up] I'm still of the opinion that other countries should make life difficult for the rest of the Trump family and their businesses.

edited 6th Jun '18 11:14:02 AM by megaeliz

Kaiseror Since: Jul, 2016
#244617: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:13:41 AM

Once the orange faced bastard is out it'll take years for this country to repair it's international relationships.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244618: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:15:50 AM

I've been saying from day one of this shitshow administration that the next President is going to have to order a lot of fruit baskets as a start.

Disgusted, but not surprised
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#244619: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:22:00 AM

Even if we do somehow undo the damage done to the country, the damage done in terms of society will be the work of generations. The bigots, the racists, the entitled and privileged scum of the dark corners of the Internet have become emboldened and started showing their true colors. That isn't going to go away in a mere 5, 10 years.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244620: Jun 6th 2018 at 11:23:40 AM

[up][up][up][up]Attacking the Trump organization or individuals in peanuts compared the American economy, and Trump has never backed off in the face of such attacks. While it might be justified or a good idea, it has to be secondary to economic pressure on GOP Congressional members, and anyone else who might not play nice (the maple syrup tariffs aimed at Vermont might be aimed at Sanders mobilizing to stop Trump, or at least stay silent on protectionism). Plus those tariffs minimize damage to the other countries as it keeps the prices of American goods high.

[up]I'd say you'd have to elect two good Presidents in a row (assuming 8 year terms) before the legacies of Trump and Bush 2 begin to fade. And that means the GOP coming to sanity or being shut out of power for an unprecedented amount of time...

edited 6th Jun '18 11:24:43 AM by Rationalinsanity

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#244621: Jun 6th 2018 at 12:17:54 PM

If trump loses the 2020 election I expect the republicans to get even more law-breaking and insane.

TroperOnAStickV2 Call me Stick from Redneck country Since: Dec, 2009 Relationship Status: is commanded to— WANK!
Call me Stick
#244622: Jun 6th 2018 at 12:19:54 PM

It appears as though Ryan and McConnell don't support Trump's claim that the FBI had a spy in his campaign.

Hopefully I'll feel confident to change my avatar off this scumbag soon. Apologies to any scumbags I insulted.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#244623: Jun 6th 2018 at 12:44:44 PM

Welp, Giuliani had an Open Mouth, Insert Foot moment bigger than Bolton's -

"Well, somehow North Korea, after he cancelled the summit because they insulted the vice-president, they insulted his national security advisor and they also said that they would go to nuclear war against us, they were going to defeat us in a nuclear war. We said, well we're not gonna have a summit under those circumstances. What Kim Jong Un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it, which is exactly the position you wanna put him in,
Courtesy of CBS by way of the Wall Street Journal.

In other news, the Mesa, Arizona police department suspended 4 officers due to Police Brutality against an unarmed, non-violent suspect. And he's still getting charged with Disorderly Conduct.

As a result of the incident, the Mesa Police Department has changed its use-of-force policy so that officers can only hit people in the head or face if they become physically violent, officials said. Previously, the policy could be interpreted that it was acceptable for an officer punch someone even before they turned violent.

This is, notably, the same Department in which an officer shot a man begging for his life, yet was found Not Guilty because he mistook the man reaching for his waistband to pull up his shorts as his reaching for a gun.

And in Immigration news, ICE arrested 114 employees at two Ohio properties belonging to Corso's Flower & Garden Center - and yet no charges have been filed against the company that hired so many illegal immigrants. Yay double-standards!

edited 6th Jun '18 12:50:08 PM by ironballs16

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#244624: Jun 6th 2018 at 12:53:27 PM

[up]x4 But no one has actually tried specifically targeting his family before.

The entire Trump organization is basically one big, stupid, Mafia, complete with the obsession with loyalty, and "keep it in the family" business model, and can be treated as such. The best way to get at the big fish, is by picking off the little fish. That's what Mueller's doing.

edited 6th Jun '18 12:58:12 PM by megaeliz

Wariolander Since: Nov, 2017
#244625: Jun 6th 2018 at 1:34:45 PM

The War of 1812 was 200 years ago, long before Trump's ancestors even moved to the US from Germany, and Canada was a different beast back then than it is now. If you are really going to Tariff an ally for something they did 200 years ago, why are you not going after the UK?


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