Theo Katzman - the Death of Us [Official Video]

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Theo Katzman’s new album is so impressive. Great tunes, great lyrics, great changes, great playing, great production. Did I mention it’s great?

From the album “Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of Vibe” OUT NOW
Pre-order here: bit.ly

ON TOUR THIS WINTER: bit.ly

Bandcamp: bit.ly
Spotify: spoti.fi
Apple Music: apple.co
Amazon Music: amzn.to

Theo Katzman: Vocals, Electric Guitar, Talkbox, Drums, Organ
Lee Pardini: Piano
Joe Dart: MusicMan Bass

Music & Lyrics by Theo Katzman
Recorded by Tyler Duncan
Produced by Tyler Duncan and Theo Katzman
Mixed by Jake Birch
Mix Feedback by Tyler Duncan
Mix Assisted by Sam Antonioli
Mastered by Devin Kerr

Video Edited by Marcus Lindberg
Typeset by Rob Stenson
Video Shot by Joshua Skinner

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359 comments
1
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:53:13pm

Right now, Ben Sasse is still polling above water, though he’s sunk a whole lot since the last election. I wonder if he thinks the same about Nebraska’s all-mail elections?

2
Charles Johnson  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:53:44pm

And also he clearly appreciates a good font.

3
Charles Johnson  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:56:02pm
4
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:57:01pm

Former President of Estonia btw, a country that Putin would love to get his hands on. I really feel we lost a lot of moral authority today. Why? Because Republicans are too afraid to say no to a shitty reality TV host who favors autocrats over democrats everyday.

5
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:58:12pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

Someone will come up with a better name for it than me though Black Friday seems apt.

6
Dave In Austin  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:59:08pm
7
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 5:59:20pm

re: #5 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Someone will come up with a better name for it than me though Black Friday seems apt.

We can repurpose it from the day after Thanksgiving.

If Nov 3 doesn’t change this, there won’t be a whole lot to be thankful about.

8
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:00:30pm

re: #7 Anymouse 🌹🎃

We can repurpose it from the day after Thanksgiving.

If Nov 3 doesn’t change this, there won’t be a whole lot to be thankful about.

It’s a dark day. I need a fucking drink.

9
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:01:47pm

My wife’s ex-hub just called to rant about his craven senator Lamar Alexander. He said he needed someone to talk to who understands what’s going on, and that’s no one he knows in Tennessee.

His wife is Canadian. They are strongly considering moving to Canada now.

When I pointed out Canada won’t have me due to poor and disabled, she said “asylum, I’ll vouch for you.”

10
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:03:11pm
11
William Lewis  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:03:31pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Jan 31 is now Putin Day- All his plans are coming to fruition…

12
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:09:03pm
13
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:11:38pm

re: #12 Chrysicat

And those sorts of maps aren’t particularly accurate, except in the sense of “winner take all.”

Most places aren’t really deep red or blue.

14
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:11:49pm

re: #12 Chrysicat

I was flyin’ back from Lubbock
I saw Jesus on the plane…or maybe it was Elvis
You know, they kinda look the same
Hey, look out, Junior, you’re steppin’ on my bed”
I said, “I don’t see nothin”
He just glared at me and said,
If dirt were voters
If dirt were voters
If dirt were voters
I wouldn’t worry anymore

15
Charles Johnson  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:12:25pm
16
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:14:09pm
17
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:14:31pm

re: #15 Charles Johnson

Harlon Ellison left out “and I’m not sure about the hydrogen.” /s

18
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:17:37pm
19
gocart mozart  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:18:06pm

Roger Waters: “Both my mother and Syd’s mother had students as lodgers because there was a girls’ college up the road. So there was constantly great lines of bras and knickers on our washing lines, and ‘Arnold’ or whoever he was, had bits and pieces off our washing lines. They never caught him. He stopped doing it after a bit — when things got too hot for him. Maybe he’s moved to Cherry Hinton or Newnham possibly.”

Syd Barrett: “I just wrote it. I thought ‘Arnold Layne’ was a nice name and it fitted very well into the music I had already composed. I was at Cambridge at the time I started to write the song. I pinched the line about ‘moonshine washing line’ from Rog, our bass guitarist — because he has an enormous washing line in the back garden of his house. Then I thought ‘Arnold must have a hobby’ and it went on from there.”

21
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:29:00pm

If Trump isn’t explicitly paying his lawyers in future pardons it’s at least implicitly understood. His entire goddamned administration operates as a crime syndicate

22
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:41:50pm
23
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:43:40pm
24
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:46:53pm

re: #22 jaunte

25
Charles Johnson  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:47:00pm
26
garzooma  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:48:40pm

re: #4 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

[Embedded content]

Former President of Estonia btw, a country that Putin would love to get his hands on. I really feel we lost a lot of moral authority today. Why? Because Republicans are too afraid to say no to a shitty reality TV host who favors autocrats over democrats everyday.

So my attitude towards today’s handwringing is “what took everyone so long?” The march towards Putinism was clear when Comey was fired. At least now the Democrats are fighting back. And it’s working — Trump is ~10% underwater and around half the country want to see him removed now, rather than wait for the election.

Mon centre cède, ma droite recule, situation excellente, j’attaque.

27
BigPapa  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:50:47pm

I knew they were gonna do this, but it’s still really depressing. And the DNC Rigged shit from Politico I just can’t deal with right now.

28
stpaulbear  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:52:06pm

re: #25 Charles Johnson

MR PEANUT IS A PLANT!!

29
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:54:13pm

re: #25 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

30
stpaulbear  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:56:38pm

re: #29 Chrysicat

Random Voter
@Randomvoter99
* 6h
Replying to @alan_smithee_jr and 2 others
I blame this all on Ronald Reagan. He’s the one that closed the mental institutions and said the mentally ill should be free. And here we are today…

I blame it on Al Gore for inventing the internets.

31
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 6:59:27pm

re: #25 Charles Johnson

Qanon is very similar to E-mail scams in one way.

Those with even the dimmest amount of intelligence can look at it and say, “okay, this is bullshit.”

The point of E-mail scams is to weed those people out. Since E-mail costs nothing to send, you can target hundreds of millions of people. (The same scam existed before the Internet, but regular mail cost postage so such scams were limited in scope.)

Qanon works the same way, but they’re a bunch more dangerous.

32
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:03:35pm

re: #31 Anymouse 🌹🎃

Qanon is very similar to E-mail scams in one way.

Those with even the dimmest amount of intelligence can look at it and say, “okay, this is bullshit.”

The point of E-mail scams is to weed those people out. Since E-mail costs nothing to send, you can target hundreds of millions of people. (The same scam existed before the Internet, but regular mail cost postage so such scams were limited in scope.)

Qanon works the same way, but they’re a bunch more dangerous.

The problem is, that central part of your statement, the Rs have a “solution” to: start charging postage for email. And since it would be paid to the web provider and not the recipient, it’s just another way to make merely existing cost tens to hundreds of dollars a day until one is actively making money by passively sitting there thanks to the fortune they went into the day with.

(well, for values of “until” that mean “unless”, anyway.)

33
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:10:57pm

re: #32 Chrysicat

The problem is, that central part of your statement, the Rs have a “solution” to: start charging postage for email. And since it would be paid to the web provider and not the recipient, it’s just another way to make merely existing cost tens to hundreds of dollars a day until one is actively making money by passively sitting there thanks to the fortune they went into the day with.

(well, for values of “until” that mean “unless”, anyway.)

The only way it would work if they charged to open E-mail rather than send it.

Lots of people have E-mail accounts outside the USA.

They are working on simply charging for data transferred over the Internet though. (That will do things like kill off science research projects like BOINC—I would quit participating if I had to pay to get and send data blocks to work on for research scientists).

34
dog philosopher ஐஒஔ௸  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:14:53pm

john Bolt-On will have you know he is Not A Tool!

35
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:16:32pm
36
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:17:18pm

re: #35 Chrysicat

He could write a letter. They don’t have to give him a platform.

37
dog philosopher ஐஒஔ௸  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:18:10pm

re: #29 Chrysicat

Who isn’t in the cabal in their minds?

crank magnetism demands that eventually everybody but me is in the cabal

38
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:19:16pm

re: #35 Chrysicat

Tuesday is going to be a great campaign ad for Democrats.

39
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:27:00pm
40
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:30:07pm
41
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:33:36pm

They’re already whinging about it over at ZeroHedge, “ZeroHedge Suspended on Twitter.”

(not linking, because I cited the source)

First it was Facebook, then all of New Zealand; now Twitter has decided to suspend Zero Hedge.

Just as in the prior bans, which were eventually overturned, so in this case it is unclear what prompted Twitter’s abrupt censorship: the only notification we received from twitter was the following:

It is news to us that this website has (ever) “engaged in the targeted harassment of someone.”

What appears to have happened is that twitter received a complaint from the website best known for publishing the discredited Steele dossier when no other media outlet would touch it, and making cat slideshows of course, Buzzfeed, in which someone called Ryan Broderick writes that Zero Hedge “has released the personal information of a scientist from Wuhan, China, falsely accusing them of creating the coronavirus as a bioweapon, in a plot it said is the real-life version of the video game Resident Evil.”

(more)

42
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:35:33pm

re: #41 Anymouse 🌹🎃

“discredited” Steele dossier

Sure, Zerohedge.

43
stpaulbear  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:36:38pm

re: #35 Chrysicat

I hope the democrats sit stone faced with their hands in their laps and don’t give Trump any feedback at all. He’s not going to be able to get thru it without insulting them like he’s in one of his campaign rallies, and democrats shouldn’t give him the pleasure of any negative reaction. I hope that they’re disciplined as fuck.

44
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:37:21pm
45
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:39:34pm

re: #43 stpaulbear

I hope the democrats sit stone faced with their hands in their laps and don’t give Trump any feedback at all. He’s not going to be able to get thru it without insulting them like he’s in one of his campaign rallies, and democrats shouldn’t give him the pleasure of any negative reaction. I hope that they’re disciplined as fuck.

p8LP2zTAvJDT8tGcB3IMmHl4YR2q6VWcGlPe7s3TGWz12gWTU+mQ6K/dSzbTFN55npIzuFr/T/6eG9TqMGzIYPZInH0mulgge/zpCRMMleA9+L8P1mGH2WPa1USBW4EiUB2sr1/7sqLIQ9Gs/WmDX+yHAIo/oQLZ34TnJ1F1pfVcwM7pXV8m6w==

46
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:39:44pm
On January 23, 2019, the 2019 State of the Union speech by Donald Trump, originally planned for January 29, 2019, was canceled after an exchange of letters with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in which she stated she would not proceed with a vote on a resolution to permit him to deliver the speech in the House chamber until the end of 2018-19 United States federal government shutdown.[17] This decision rescinded an earlier invitation from the Speaker, reportedly the first time in American history that a Speaker had “disinvited” the President from delivering the address.[18] They later agreed to hold the speech on February 5, 2019.[19]
en.wikipedia.org

Pelosi can just continue to disinvite him.

47
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:40:41pm

Raw politics deserve raw politics in return.

48
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:43:58pm
49
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:45:12pm
50
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:49:16pm

re: #49 Dread Pirate

And that tweet from Paul Krugman is being flooded with the Derpocracy.

51
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:50:24pm

re: #48 Anymouse 🌹🎃

[Embedded content]

52
dog philosopher ஐஒஔ௸  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:54:40pm

re: #49 Dread Pirate

If the virus seriously disrupts Chinese production, its impact on the U.S. economy will be like an extreme version of Trump’s trade war

they used to say when the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches cold

now when china sneezes, it’s the US that gets sick

53
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:54:47pm
54
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 7:58:03pm

re: #53 Anymouse 🌹🎃

[Embedded content]

55
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:00:35pm

re: #54 Chrysicat

If I wore that “End of an Error” t-shirt around here, I’d probably get shot.

56
retired cynic  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:02:04pm

re: #55 Anymouse 🌹🎃

If I wore that “End of an Error” t-shirt around here, I’d probably get shot.

Me, too.

57
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:02:37pm

re: #55 Anymouse 🌹🎃

If I wore that “End of an Error” t-shirt around here, I’d probably get shot.

What would be interesting would be to see how long it would take for people to get it.

58
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:04:26pm

[audio, 2:12]

59
Joe Bacon 🌹  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:06:18pm

Family celebrating the Senate not calling witnesses. Plenty of “Praise God” BS showing…

60
stpaulbear  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:07:42pm

re: #55 Anymouse 🌹🎃

If I wore that “End of an Error” t-shirt around here, I’d probably get shot.

I bought one of those Ts of ‘The History Of US Presidents’ that has a row of about half a dozen white men, then a picture of a black man and then a hideous clown face. I can get by with wearing that in the Twin Cities, with at least one positive comment per wearing.

61
uriel  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:08:07pm

re: #41 Anymouse 🌹🎃

They’re already whinging about it over at ZeroHedge, “ZeroHedge Suspended on Twitter.”

(not linking, because I cited the source)

(more)

Good. Took way too long.

62
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:10:53pm
63
sagehen  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:12:50pm

re: #60 stpaulbear

I bought one of those Ts of ‘The History Of US Presidents’ that has a row of about half a dozen white men, then a picture of a black man and then a hideous clown face. I can get by with wearing that in the Twin Cities, with at least one positive comment per wearing.

I liked that one from during the Bush admin, re-released for this admin, that says “sorry for our president, I didn’t vote for him” in a dozen different languages (4 different alphabets)

64
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:13:18pm

She has a plan for that.

Restoring Integrity and Competence to Government After Trump (Goes to Elizabeth Warren’s campaign Website)

65
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:21:33pm
66
retired cynic  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:22:39pm

re: #65 Dread Pirate

Those two b*st*rds in the photo make me want to hurl.

67
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:29:42pm

Coronavirus Myth Busters (goes to WHO)

WHO is tackling rumours spreading on social media, such as: Can pets spread the virus?

I notice they haven’t addressed the MMS nonsense from the Qnuts.

68
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:30:25pm

Alaska would vote conservative and the west coast would split mostly as Liberal or NDP, Conservatives would only get about 20% of the seats and California would acount for almost half (~44%) of the MPs.

69
Citizen K  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:32:01pm

re: #66 retired cynic

Those two b*st*rds in the photo make me want to hurl.

It’s the smile of right and left hand of the newly minted King of America after successfully making the coup official. They know they basically have unfettered power.

70
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:33:56pm

re: #65 Dread Pirate

This country survived Andrew Johnson and Woodrow Wilson. I’m not saying it’s easy, but some people need to stop writing things off so quickly. Pelosi is still in charge of the House. We are still alive.

71
stpaulbear  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:34:26pm

I’m listening to Wire’s brand new album ‘Hive Mind’ on Amazon Music on random play with 3 other Wire albums. They’re a band that kind of slides off my radar, but when I listen to them again I realize how much I like them. Their first three 70’s albums were classic, then they picked it up again in the early 1990’s and have been incredibly consistent since then.

Hung

72
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:36:26pm

re: #70 Belafon

This country survived Andrew Johnson and Woodrow Wilson. I’m not saying it’s easy, but some people need to stop writing things off so quickly. Pelosi is still in charge of the House. We are still alive.

I have a bias, I’m Canadian.

73
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:40:10pm

White House dramatically scales up U.S. response to ‘unprecedented’ coronavirus (Politico)

Citizens returning from Hubei province in China will undergo mandatory two-week quarantine.
A public health emergency was declared today for the USA.
The borders are closed to foreigners who have recently been to China.

“I want to emphasize the risk to the American public is low,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield at a White House press briefing. “Our goal is to do all we can do to keep it that way.”

and …

Officials have confirmed nearly 11,800 cases of the coronavirus in China linked to almost 260 deaths. The virus also has spread to 23 other countries, and the number of U.S. cases increased to seven Friday evening after a California man tested positive following a trip to Wuhan. Scientists have identified 12 individuals around the globe who have contracted the virus but did not travel to China. Public health officials said they have confirmed that the virus can be spread by people who do not show symptoms.

(more)

74
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:40:26pm

re: #72 Dread Pirate

I have a bias, I’m Canadian.

I should have mentioned that I’m talking to Steve.

75
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:45:04pm

re: #70 Belafon

This country survived Andrew Johnson and Woodrow Wilson. I’m not saying it’s easy, but some people need to stop writing things off so quickly. Pelosi is still in charge of the House. We are still alive.

I really think there’s gonna be a huge backlash. I think the Democrats made their case in a splendid way. There will be ads of these. And that photo of McConnell shaking Barr’s hand. You’ll see that again I bet.

76
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:48:57pm
77
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:49:08pm

re: #75 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I really think there’s gonna be a huge backlash. I think the Democrats made their case in a splendid way. There will be ads of these. And that photo of McConnell shaking Barr’s hand. You’ll see that again I bet.

We can hope the radical centrists of “both sides are just the same fame” have been paying attention.

78
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:52:03pm
79
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:53:18pm
80
jaunte  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:54:08pm

Please pay for the sushi, otherwise, fine.

81
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:55:27pm

I don’t know, it’s seriously fucking depressing to see a guy like Murphy working so goddamned hard to contextualize and humanize the proponents of an obvious cover story, as if it’s a genuinely held belief, instead just another cynical tactic by the most two-faced motherfuckers on the planet.

82
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 8:56:37pm

re: #77 Anymouse 🌹🎃

The dailykos.com diary highlights some of Jennifer Rubin’s article about demolishing the GOP, where she says this:

The necessity of dislodging, and yes, leveling the Trump Republican Party might require ex-Republicans to re-register to participate in primaries and caucuses. It might require them to vote for a progressive Democratic nominee with whom they have many policy disagreements. (Don’t worry: The ability of a president to enact his or her legislative objectives without both houses of Congress is highly constricted.) There is simply no comparison between any Democratic contender and Trump, whose damage to civil society and politics has been immense.

And then? If we are lucky enough to wake up on Nov. 4 to find a Democratic Senate majority and Democratic president, there are robust discussions to be had about what a modern, sane economic policy should look like, the powers of the executive branch, the deployment of hard power and reform of our immigration laws. But first, the impeachment non-trial has made clear, the job of all patriotic and democratic-loving Americans requires we throw the constitutional arsonists out. All of them..

83
Hecuba's daughter  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:00:37pm

Not that this means anything at this point in the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, but of the 157 cases outside China, there have been no reported deaths. (Numbers current as of time of this posting)

84
Targetpractice  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:01:57pm

re: #78 goddamnedfrank

[Embedded content]

Yeah, I remember when it wasn’t the “deep state” that was constraining them from being human beings, but instead their adherence to “fiscal conservatism.” As well as 8 years of “NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW!!!” as they dug into every pile of shit they came across in the hopes that somewhere in there would be the final “proof” they needed of a grand conspiracy by the Obamas/Clintons to bring America down.

85
garzooma  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:02:28pm

re: #81 goddamnedfrank

I don’t know, it’s seriously fucking depressing to see a guy like Murphy working so goddamned hard to an obvious cover story as the genuinely held belief of the most cynical, two-faced motherfuckers on the planet.

I agree. Republicans have a vested interest to believe in the Deep State nonsense, since it allows them to keep cheating. This needs to be the message.

86
sagehen  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:02:37pm

re: #70 Belafon

This country survived Andrew Johnson and Woodrow Wilson. I’m not saying it’s easy, but some people need to stop writing things off so quickly. Pelosi is still in charge of the House. We are still alive.

We survived James Buchanan too… it only cost us 2% of the population killed, twice that many maimed, and a $ cost of a full year’s GDP.

87
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:04:13pm
88
retired cynic  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:06:26pm

If Trump is Acquitted, the House Democrats Should Press Ahead
This result cannot be allowed to stand since it eviscerates Congress’s power to hold a president accountable.
by Martin Longman January 31, 2020, Washington Monthly

…For this purpose, they could set up a special committee to basically compile a full investigation unencumbered by time constraints. You could think of it as their own special investigator or prosecutor. Their mission would be to document everything for history in a final report, which could make recommendations for people who should be charged. It could also propose new impeachment articles to be passed.

This report might not be complete before the November election, especially given the legal delays in getting a resolution on witnesses and documents, but Trump could be impeached even in a second term, or if he is defeated. If he’s guilty, he should not be able to run for or hold high office again.

As time goes by, more information will come out through Freedom of Information Requests and people deciding to talk about what they know, as well as through victories in court. Trump’s acquittal will likely look worse and worse with each passing month and year. The Senate, as an institution, will suffer a similar fate due to the GOP behavior….

89
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:10:27pm

re: #88 retired cynic

If Trump is Acquitted, the House Democrats Should Press Ahead
This result cannot be allowed to stand since it eviscerates Congress’s power to hold a president accountable.
by Martin Longman January 31, 2020, Washington Monthly

It’s not a bad idea. McConnell has been blocking passed bills anyhow. Investigate and document Trump and his cronies’ crimes. Let the people know what McConnell coordinated with Trump to ignore.

90
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:18:46pm

YouTube

91
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:18:50pm

re: #82 Belafon

The dailykos.com diary highlights some of Jennifer Rubin’s article about demolishing the GOP, where she says this:

Amazing how a blogger and writer for such outlets as Human Events (which also publishes such people as Pat Buchannan, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Newt Gingrich) still gets a pass on not apologising and condemning her part in this.

Like the rest of the so-called never-Trumpers, she won’t take responsibility for what she’s done.

She treats Trump like he’s some sort of aberration of conservative religion.

As far as her saying Trump and his enablers need to be ousted, I agree, but she’s not our friend.

92
Targetpractice  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:23:34pm

You could probably create an hour-long special from video clips showing Repubs saying one thing in 2016 about Hillary and the exact opposite about Trump in 2020. Start with all the times they said some variation of “You can’t have two sets of laws!” and go from there.

93
William Lewis  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:23:56pm

re: #91 Anymouse 🌹🎃

Maxim 29: The enemy of my enemy is my enemy’s enemy. No more. No less.

That said, we gave lend lease to the Soviets too.

A parable.

94
Hecuba's daughter  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:24:39pm

re: #91 Anymouse 🌹🎃

Amazing how a blogger and writer for such outlets as Human Events (which also publishes such people as Pat Buchannan, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Newt Gingrich) still gets a pass on not apologising and condemning her part in this.

Like the rest of the so-called never-Trumpers, she won’t take responsibility for what she’s done.

She treats Trump like he’s some sort of aberration of conservative religion.

As far as her saying Trump and his enablers need to be ousted, I agree, but she’s not our friend.

She may not be a friend but she is an ally — and anyone who is telling listeners “Democrat for President” should be applauded. Too many never Trumpers are basically — no we don’t want Trump but Warren and Bernie are too liberal and we cannot support them.

95
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:26:14pm

re: #91 Anymouse 🌹🎃

From the diary writer:

Additional note to respond to the various comments denouncing Rubin because she’s a once and possibly future opponent:

Obama said not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. That applies here.

You want perfection? You’re part of the wrong species. Human beings make mistakes, sometimes many mistakes. And sometimes after they’ve admitted them (which Rubin sort of did and sort of didn’t), they go back and do them again. That doesn’t mean you have to reject and dismiss them when they are doing the right thing.

You want purity? Purity is a cult thing, just what (as Rubin said) what the GOP has become, the cult of Trump. Purity is for religious fanatics, the ones who sentence you to hell for making the sign of the cross left to right instead of right to left. The ones who scream “traitor!” because you voted with them 99% of the time and not 100%. I study the history of religion; I see this all the time. I don’t like seeing it here.

Note that there was no mention of her being a friend. Also, though, I’m going to go with this: Her actions since she dropped out of the GOP have been what we wanted: She backed and voted for Clinton, and is still writing about getting the GOP out of power.

96
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:28:34pm

re: #94 Hecuba’s daughter

She may not be a friend but she is an ally — and anyone who is telling listeners “Democrat for President” should be applauded. Too many never Trumpers are basically — no we don’t want Trump but Warren and Bernie are too liberal and we cannot support them.

In that same article, she notes Republicans who are fed up with this should register as Democrats, presumably to vote in primaries. If necessary, they should hold their nose and vote for whoever the nominee is, even a progressive.

I guarantee if we had a flood of ex-Republicans in our primaries, there would be no progressive.

And would they really vote for a Warren or a Sanders if that was our nominee?

They could stay in their own party and force change there, and vote for a Democrat on Nov. 3 without changing parties.

97
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:29:13pm

re: #93 William Lewis

Maxim 29: The enemy of my enemy is my enemy’s enemy. No more. No less.

That said, we gave lend lease to the Soviets too.

A parable.

It’s also not like we’re inviting her to shape our ideology either. You need allies. I can’t stand that Justin Amash voted against help for first responders but he is an ally against Trump. Rubin is too.

98
Yeah Sure WhatEVs  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:30:32pm

re: #91 Anymouse 🌹🎃

Amazing how a blogger and writer for such outlets as Human Events (which also publishes such people as Pat Buchannan, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Newt Gingrich) still gets a pass on not apologising and condemning her part in this.

Like the rest of the so-called never-Trumpers, she won’t take responsibility for what she’s done.

She treats Trump like he’s some sort of aberration of conservative religion.

As far as her saying Trump and his enablers need to be ousted, I agree, but she’s not our friend.

F’IN THIS. 👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿👆🏿

99
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:34:09pm

re: #77 Anymouse 🌹🎃

We can hope the radical centrists of “both sides are just the same fame” have been paying attention.

What about the radical leftists of “the Dems and the Repubs are the same side because they support someone other than the government employing more than about 10 people”? We kind of need to get them accepting centrists, I think.

100
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:34:57pm

re: #97 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

It’s also not like we’re inviting her to shape our ideology either. You need allies. I can’t stand that Justin Amash voted against help for first responders but he is an ally against Trump. Rubin is too.

And both of them are now RINOs. No conservative is listening to either of them.

They failed conservatism, because it cannot be failed.

The argument goes something like “we need someone who understands the logical processes and thoughts of conservative voters, so you can talk to them in their language.”

The reality is it works like any other religious faith: When you question the faith, you become a heretic. That’s why John Bolton, noted liberal, is now a RINO. It’s why Matt Schlap immediately disinvited Sen. Mitt Romney from CPAC after his vote.

101
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:38:22pm

I don’t mind at all if people like Bill Kristol, Jennifer Rubin, Rep. Justin Amash or others make the case on why people should vote for Democrats or not vote at all.

They may pick off a few dozens of voters.

There is no reason for the Democratic Party to do anything other than lay out our case.

That’s why I disliked former VP Biden’s idea of comity between the two parties from his days in the Senate.

102
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:47:19pm

I think the best ticket this time will be Biden/Klobuchar.

103
Chrysicat  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:47:40pm

re: #90 Dread Pirate

[Embedded content]

Larger

So that’s very much what Dante says that Satan Himself is permanently trapped in?

104
Sherlock Hound  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:47:58pm

Closing arguments resume Monday & Tuesday. State Of The Union address on Tuesday.

Money quote from the article:

Trial won’t cloud Trump’s address, White House says
Eric Ueland, the White House legislative affairs director, said while the president has advocated for a swift acquittal in his impeachment trial, the delayed vote on Wednesday won’t cloud his State of the Union address scheduled the day before.

“It’s a strong one-two punch to have the State of the Union with a clear vision, clear agenda and clear focus for 2020 followed immediately by an acquittal on these fake articles of impeachment,” Ueland said.

Ueland argued having the president’s address on Tuesday will help divert attention from impeachment. The timing of the final vote a day later is a “happy coincidence,” he said.

“There will be a significant public focus on the successes of the president and the invalidation of these fake charges,” he added.

Ueland wouldn’t say whether the president might discuss impeachment in his address.

MSN News: Final Vote Wednesday

105
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:51:46pm

re: #100 Anymouse 🌹🎃

And both of them are now RINOs. No conservative is listening to either of them.

They failed conservatism, because it cannot be failed.

The argument goes something like “we need someone who understands the logical processes and thoughts of conservative voters, so you can talk to them in their language.”

The reality is it works like any other religious faith: When you question the faith, you become a heretic. That’s why John Bolton, noted liberal, is now a RINO. It’s why Matt Schlap immediately disinvited Sen. Mitt Romney from CPAC after his vote.

Okay, first off. How the hell do you know that no conservative is listening to them? They’re a big minority among conservatives, I’ll give you that but to act like no conservative is listening to them really is absurd. Secondly, once again I’m not asking them to shape my ideology. I don’t want Rubin in my party and I think her basic worldview is different from mine but when you’re in a situation like this where the Senate voted against allowing any witnesses for this madness, yeah maybe I appreciate someone who is going against their own former party here as they still. I don’t give a shit at this point that Jennifer Rubin is naive about conservatism and what it is. People have found common cause over much bigger differences than that over smaller matters than what we face with Trump.

106
Eclectic Cyborg  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:51:58pm

Nirvana - Lake Of Fire (Live On MTV Unplugged, 1993 / Unedited)

107
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:52:43pm

re: #102 Dread Pirate

I think the best ticket this time will be Biden/Klobuchar.

I’d pair Biden with someone younger and with more of a liberal reputation.

108
mmmirele  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:53:41pm

The Google Doodle for February 1, 2020 is a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Greensboro sit in.

en.wikipedia.org

Hard to imagine this was going on the year I was born. We must not forget.

109
plansbandc  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:55:46pm

re: #108 mmmirele

Very soon it will be legal to discriminate against LGBTQs. So I think this has been forgotten.

110
Belafon  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:57:13pm

re: #102 Dread Pirate

I think the best ticket this time will be Biden/Klobuchar.

I think either Harris or Abrams as his running mate.

111
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:57:58pm

re: #108 mmmirele

The Google Doodle for February 1, 2020 is a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Greensboro sit in.

[Embedded content]

en.wikipedia.org

Hard to imagine this was going on the year I was born. We must not forget.

I was at the African American Civil War Memorial/Museum in the part of D.C. near Howard U recently. Anyhow, they had a little video of Emmett Till’s mother talking. I know I’m young but it just astounded me thinking that when that happened, my Dad was alive and my grandparents were all adults. We really have a long way to go on race in this country if we can’t be honest about history.

112
vgranucci  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:58:45pm

re: #107 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I’d pair Biden with someone younger and with more of a liberal reputation.

For any of our older candidates (Biden, Bernie, Warren, or Bloomberg), the VP candidate has to be considerably younger.

113
mmmirele  Jan 31, 2020 • 9:58:54pm

re: #109 plansbandc

Very soon it will be legal to discriminate against LGBTQs. So I think this has been forgotten.

Again. And in some ways it never stopped. When I was in my 20s [1980s], the gay community (yeah, the L, B and T weren’t really part of it) had “This Week in Texas,” which was the bible of the club and bar scene and the gay community in general. In some ways, it played the role of the “Green Book” in the Black community by pointing out places where gay men could congregate without being harassed. Although my college buddies complained that after gay men made a place cool to go dancing, the frat boys would show up and pretty much force the gay men out, who then had to find a new place to go, wash, rinse, repeat.

114
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:00:27pm

re: #105 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Okay, first off. How the hell do you know that no conservative is listening to them? They’re a big minority among conservatives, I’ll give you that but to act like no conservative is listening to them really is absurd. Secondly, once again I’m not asking them to shape my ideology. I don’t want Rubin in my party and I think her basic worldview is different from mine but when you’re in a situation like this where the Senate voted against allowing any witnesses for this madness, yeah maybe I appreciate someone who is going against their own former party here as they still. I don’t give a shit at this point that Jennifer Rubin is naive about conservatism and what it is. People have found common cause over much bigger differences than that over smaller matters than what we face with Trump.

#notallconservatives
I don’t know that absolutely no conservatives are voting for her. I apologise for using the shorthand of “a very small number.”

I do know she’s under attack from the right, from The Federalist to Mike Huckabee to FOX News as not being a conservative.

115
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:01:28pm

re: #112 vgranucci

For any of our older candidates (Biden, Bernie, Warren, or Bloomberg), the VP candidate has to be considerably younger.

Yes absolutely. TBH I think the VP will be someone who wasn’t a candidate. The precedent is pretty much with the exception of Edwards and Biden, the running mate since 2000 has not been a former primary rival.

116
Targetpractice  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:02:33pm

I think of the “NeverTrumpers” like I think of the German aristocracy that attempted to remove Hitler from power through various assassination plots. Both groups despise the little turd in power and want him gone in the worst way, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to surrender power or change their goals. Had one of those plots succeeded and the aristocrats managed to seize power in Nazi Germany, the result would not have been immediate and total surrender to the Allies. It would have been a negotiated peace where they would have insisted upon retaining much of Germany’s power and wartime spoils. In much the same way, the “NeverTrumpers” are not going to suddenly support universal healthcare or free college or even higher minimum wages once Trump is gone.

tl;dr, I’m not going to stand in the way of the Rubins, Frums, or Wilsons of the conservative world in boosting Dem votes among voters. But they’re not my allies and I’m not going to avoid hurting their fee-fees because they might decide to vote for Trump in “protest.”

117
Grunthos the Flatulent  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:05:27pm

re: #28 stpaulbear

MR PEANUT IS A PLANT!!

It’s a goddam shell game, sheeple!

118
Citizen K  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:07:01pm
119
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:08:36pm

re: #114 Anymouse 🌹🎃

#notallconservatives
I don’t know that absolutely no conservatives are voting for her. I apologise for using the shorthand of “a very small number.”

I do know she’s under attack from the right, from The Federalist to Mike Huckabee to FOX News as not being a conservative.

Voting for her? She’s a pundit. Yeah she’s under attack from the right. All the more reason that your holding a grudge against her for her ideology is silly. Listen, I know these people aren’t our friends and I hope that Trump has given them a lot of time to think about the ideology they’ve worked hard for whether in the press like Rubin has, in office, or behind the scenes but I’m not going to deny someone their voice is legitimate. These past three years have been surreal as hell. Do you think we like finding ourselves agreeing with the likes of an old Romney advocate like her? No but here we are. The Senate literally just agreed that witnesses in an impeachment removal trial shouldn’t be a thing. If you’re bothered by that, I’m willing to set aside some ideological differences if you agree to committing to my party’s nominee against Trump. It’s not like Rubin continued to support the GOP Congress either. I dunno. I just think it’s foolish to act like these people have nothing to offer. You’re not their target reader and neither am I but maybe they can cast some doubt to cause some conservatives to either stay home, write someone else in, or maybe even vote for the Dem nominee. The next President I do not think can afford to come off as an ideologue in the wake of Trump.

120
Targetpractice  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:09:04pm

re: #104 Sherlock Hound

Closing arguments resume Monday & Tuesday. State Of The Union address on Tuesday.

Money quote from the article:

MSN News: Final Vote Wednesday

“We can’t spare time to hear from witnesses or see documents, but we can drag out the final vote for another week.”

Bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see how it works for them.//////

121
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:10:51pm

re: #116 Targetpractice

I think of the “NeverTrumpers” like I think of the German aristocracy that attempted to remove Hitler from power through various assassination plots. Both groups despise the little turd in power and want him gone in the worst way, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to surrender power or change their goals. Had one of those plots succeeded and the aristocrats managed to seize power in Nazi Germany, the result would not have been immediate and total surrender to the Allies. It would have been a negotiated peace where they would have insisted upon retaining much of Germany’s power and wartime spoils. In much the same way, the “NeverTrumpers” are not going to suddenly support universal healthcare or free college or even higher minimum wages once Trump is gone.

tl;dr, I’m not going to stand in the way of the Rubins, Frums, or Wilsons of the conservative world in boosting Dem votes among voters. But they’re not my allies and I’m not going to avoid hurting their fee-fees because they might decide to vote for Trump in “protest.”

I’m not asking them to vote in our primaries. I’m asking them to do what those old German conservatives did to Hitler and sow up discontent in right wing ranks against Trump. They’re fundamentally wrong about everything . I don’t dispute that. But at the same time, you let them give a hand. I mean for god sake, we’re wanting Lev Parnas and John Bolton to testify against Trump, these aren’t good guys but they can help sink Trump’s ship.

122
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:12:00pm

re: #110 Belafon

I think either Harris or Abrams as his running mate.

You can’t have my Senator! She’s important where she is.

123
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:12:35pm

I’m going to let this go though. I’m tired. I feel sick as hell about what happened tonight in the Senate.

124
Anymouse 🌹🎃  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:14:34pm

re: #123 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I’m going to let this go though. I’m tired. I feel sick as hell about what happened tonight in the Senate.

Same here. Perhaps it’s time for me to go watch cat videos. /s

125
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:26:48pm

re: #49 Dread Pirate

I’ve been pondering that myself over the last few days; if the Wuhan Coronavirus is severe enough that it causes China’s economy to tip into a recession, these days, China is economically vital enough to the global economy that it could well tip everyone else into a recession (most likely, a relatively minor industrial recession, but a recession nonetheless).

126
Dread Pirate  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:29:05pm

re: #125 Dr Lizardo

Just look at today’s stock market. The Shanghai Exchange has been closed since January 23, it will reopen Monday.

127
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:30:19pm

re: #79 jaunte

Heh, love the little reference to Repo Man.

128
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:37:49pm

re: #116 Targetpractice

If we look at the July 20th Plot (the one they came genuinely closest to bumping Hitler off had it not been for a particularly well-built table leg), the overarching goal of the plotters was to get rid of Hitler, arrest Himmler, Goebbels, Göring and other members of the Nazi leadership, negotiate a ceasefire/separate peace with the USA, Britain and France, and continue the war against the USSR.

129
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:39:11pm

re: #126 Dread Pirate

Just look at today’s stock market. The Shanghai Exchange has been closed since January 23, it will reopen Monday.

That’s gonna be interesting, to say the very least.

130
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:45:27pm

re: #128 Dr Lizardo

If we look at the July 20th Plot (the one they came genuinely closest to bumping Hitler off had it not been for a particularly well-built table leg), the overarching goal of the plotters was to get rid of Hitler, arrest Himmler, Goebbels, Göring and other members of the Nazi leadership, negotiate a ceasefire/separate peace with the USA, Britain and France, and continue the war against the USSR.

Makes you wonder what would have happened because I think at that point, the allies wanted unconditional surrender with Germany.

131
JC1  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:47:13pm

re: #39 Dread Pirate

[Embedded content]

Frankly, good. I’ve read ZeroHedge over the past decade or so. They predicted 50 of the past 2 market downturns; perpetual doom and gloom. On rare occasions they had a broken clock moment like being on the forefront of reporting the LIBOR price fixing scandal, but they mostly seem like a Putin mouthpiece. No idea if the editor has ties to the FSB, but the site presents stories in a way that would suggest it.

132
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:52:14pm

re: #130 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Makes you wonder what would have happened because I think at that point, the allies wanted unconditional surrender with Germany.

Even if the July 20th Plot had succeeded as Stauffenberg and his comrades hoped, I think they would’ve been disappointed when the Allies told them, “Cool that you got rid of Hitler and his cronies, but yeah, you’re still gonna have to surrender unconditionally.”

Who knows? Maybe they would’ve done it….after all, an unconditional surrender at that point would’ve stopped the Soviet advance dead in its tracks, before they would’ve had the opportunity to threaten Germany’s territorial integrity. Granted, they would’ve had to give up Austria and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, and almost certainly their conquered territories in Poland, France and elsewhere, but the map of Europe today might well look a bit different….not to mention the subsequent development of European history if they’d accepted an unconditional surrender in, let’s say, September of 1944.

133
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:53:48pm

re: #131 JC1

Frankly, good. I’ve read ZeroHedge over the past decade or so. They predicted 50 of the past 2 market downturns; perpetual doom and gloom. On rare occasions they had a broken clock moment like being on the forefront of reporting the LIBOR price fixing scandal, but they mostly seem like a Putin mouthpiece. No idea if the editor has ties to the FSB, but the site presents stories in a way that would suggest it.

ZeroHedge is largely a Russian propaganda mouthpiece. Like you said, there are are occasions when they’re on top of things, but for the most part, it’s really just InfoWars without the quack medicine for sale.

134
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:58:04pm

re: #132 Dr Lizardo

Even if the July 20th Plot had succeeded as Stauffenberg and his comrades hoped, I think they would’ve been disappointed when the Allies told them, “Cool that you got rid of Hitler and his cronies, but yeah, you’re still gonna have to surrender unconditionally.”

Who knows? Maybe they would’ve done it….after all, an unconditional surrender at that point would’ve stopped the Soviet advance dead in its tracks, before they would’ve had the opportunity to threaten Germany’s territorial integrity. Granted, they would’ve had to give up Austria and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, and almost certainly their conquered territories in Poland, France and elsewhere, but the map of Europe today might well look a bit different….not to mention the subsequent development of European history if they’d accepted an unconditional surrender in, let’s say, September of 1944.

It is interesting to wonder about. There are so many little things like the table leg that impact the course of history. I find myself wondering what that is for our era. I continue to stay optimistic because I really think a lot of people are furious with the Senate tonight and will resent any Trump victory lap that I surely expect him to do.

135
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 10:59:58pm

re: #133 Dr Lizardo

ZeroHedge is largely a Russian propaganda mouthpiece. Like you said, there are are occasions when they’re on top of things, but for the most part, it’s really just InfoWars without the quack medicine for sale.

The new age of tabloid journalism is going to need to be understood to prevent this from happening again. It also shows the perils of acting like everything is free speech. We have had so many false realities created by this crap.

136
Targetpractice  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:00:48pm

re: #130 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Makes you wonder what would have happened because I think at that point, the allies wanted unconditional surrender with Germany.

Long and short of it? WWII would have ended and WWIII begun. Stalin’s alliance with the West would have immediately crumbled as he accused them of betraying him in order to make a separate peace with his enemies. The Red Army would have steamrolled through what remained of the Wehrmacht as they tried desperately to reorganize in the wake of the military coup, then pressed onward until they crashed into the Western forces somewhere in France.

Stalin had nursed not only a grudge, but an unhealthy level of paranoia over the West’s hesitation to open a second front in Europe, convinced that Lend/Lease and other indirect assistance was a plot to bleed the Soviets dry before betraying him at some future date. Such a negotiated peace would have been (in his mind) the confirmation he’d been waiting for that the West was plotting an anti-Soviet alliance with the Nazis behind his back.

137
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:05:55pm

Bits re: #136 Targetpractice

Long and short of it? WWII would have ended and WWIII begun. Stalin’s alliance with the West would have immediately crumbled as he accused them of betraying him in order to make a separate peace with his enemies. The Red Army would have steamrolled through what remained of the Wehrmacht as they tried desperately to reorganize in the wake of the military coup, then pressed onward until they crashed into the Western forces somewhere in France.

Stalin had nursed not only a grudge, but an unhealthy level of paranoia over the West’s hesitation to open a second front in Europe, convinced that Lend/Lease and other indirect assistance was a plot to bleed the Soviets dry before betraying him at some future date. Such a negotiated peace would have been (in his mind) the confirmation he’d been waiting for that the West was plotting an anti-Soviet alliance with the Nazis behind his back.

It’s really amazing that the Allies stayed united as they did. There were groups I know, the AK in Poland who actively opposed both the Nazis and Soviets. I look at Putin and I see a man defined by the collapse of the USSR. I think it informs his entire decision process.

138
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:17:10pm

This is potentially major news, if it’s confirmed. Unfortunately, it’s behind a paywall, so I’ll just post the free summary.

Eight North Korean government officials have escaped over the border into China, including a typist who handled important documents for the ruling party and a number of communications experts.

A Radio Free Asia report claims that a further seven officials from Pyongyang were caught by state security officers in a village close to the border before they could defect.

It appears that the officials took advantage of the New Year holiday period to leave Pyongyang in groups of three or four and head north towards the border. The report suggested that the government employees may have been carrying secret information, perhaps to barter for their passage to South Korea.

A source in the North told RFA that the State Security Department realised that 15 government employees had gone missing on January 2 and immediately launched “an emergency operation” to arrest…

telegraph.co.uk

Here’s a bit from that story from Radio Free Asia that The Telegraph is referencing:

“Most of them are senior officials. They are believed to have lived in the Ryomyong Street and Mirae Scientists Street area in the central area of Pyongyang,” the source said, referring to a newly developed area of the capital with expensive high-rise apartments.

The source said that the agents were not able to arrest the entire group of 15.

“Seven of them were arrested just before crossing the border.” the source said, adding, “State Security used a plane to track them down, but eight of them had already crossed.”

“It was found that some of the defector officials in the group worked on the state’s major telecommunications systems,” the source said.

Another source, a law enforcement official in Ryanggan told RFA on the 26th that the operation “was belatedly reported.”

“The State Security Department and the Provincial Security Department launched a desperate arrest operation to prevent them from defecting,” said the second source.

rfa.org

Like I said, if this is confirmed, yeah, it’s a pretty major news story - high-ranking North Korean defectors are not all that common.

139
Ace-o-aces  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:19:44pm

Because CPAC isn’t fascist enough, apparently.

140
Dr Lizardo  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:23:26pm

Here’s a bit of good news to help lift everyone’s mood:

More venues have cancelled planned appearances by anti-LGBT preacher Franklin Graham, leaving his plans to tour the UK up in the air.

The Trump-supporting preacher, who is known for praising Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay laws and blaming gay people for a “moral 9/11”, is set to visit the UK at the start of Pride Month in June as part of an evangelist tour.

However, the plans are now coming apart at the seems, after a number of venues booked for his rallies opted to cancel his appearances.

Following decisions from arenas in Liverpool, Glasgow and Sheffield earlier this week, his appearances in Birmingham and Newport have now been dropped - while another in Milton Keynes is also set to be axed.

pinknews.co.uk

You know what? I genuinely hope this hateful little prick is positively seething right now.

141
Dave In Austin  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:29:33pm
142
goddamnedfrank  Jan 31, 2020 • 11:30:49pm
143
Dread Pirate  Feb 1, 2020 • 12:06:33am

Stupid fucks.

144
Ace-o-aces  Feb 1, 2020 • 12:07:07am
145
Dr Lizardo  Feb 1, 2020 • 12:12:24am

re: #144 Ace-o-aces

We all know what Trumpism’s real game is.

It’s about ensuring and perpetuating white minority rule as demographic changes in the US play out over the course of the next few decades. And people like Miller, Bannon and Trump are just more open and upfront about it then the rest of the Republicans - those guys are simply saying the quiet parts out loud - but I’d venture that the rest of the GOP agrees wholeheartedly with their goals and methods.

146
Targetpractice  Feb 1, 2020 • 12:41:23am

re: #143 Dread Pirate

Stupid fucks.

[Embedded content]

And again, we see what ultimately killed his candidacy last go around, namely his surrogates burning bridges with the very party that he needs desperately to have any chance of actually winning the nomination.

They’d have saved themselves time if they’d just taken the stage and declared “If you supported Hillary in 2016, we don’t want your vote!”

147
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 1:44:35am

It’s also stupid. Bernie lost by 4 million votes in the primary back in 2016. Most African-Americans are #StillWithHer for about the same reason we are #RidenWithBiden, her loyal support for Obama during his terms. Also, a second-time arounder needs the votes of those who didn’t vote for him the last time. Ill will and childish booing alienates those people greatly, and right before the first votes? Like the stunt at the Nevada caucus back in 2016, these stunts alienate voters even further.

That’s why I call them “Bernie Brats”. Too immature to hand a nation to..Yes, I will vote blue, but if he’s the nominee, that’s it. He’s on his own. Any funds I might have to give will be going to down-ballot races.

148
FFL (GOP Delenda Est)  Feb 1, 2020 • 2:37:55am

re: #130 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Makes you wonder what would have happened because I think at that point, the allies wanted unconditional surrender with Germany.

Assuming it’d be a week or so until they could get the western allies to even take such an offer as serious; e.g. accepting that that there had been a coup in Nazi Germany and that there was something of a leadership change going on I could see them telling Germany to surrender unconditionally still.

In part due to the following:
1. Operation Bagration was underway with the Russians headed into Poland - they’d reach the Vistula near Warsaw by mid-August.
2. Operation Cobra had kicked off on July 25th - so the Normandy break-out was starting to roll along with the German position in France collapsing.
3. Operation Dragoon (invasion of Southern France) had been approved, but would not take place until August.

So the German position on both fronts was rapidly collapsing and thus provided no impetus for a negotiated truce with Germany that wasn’t following the “unconditional surrender” policy. And on top of that, how are the German troops on the various fronts reacting with Hitler removed? Plus I assume there would be some continuous on-going issues within Germany as well.

149
Chrysicat  Feb 1, 2020 • 2:39:21am
150
FFL (GOP Delenda Est)  Feb 1, 2020 • 2:41:55am

Maybe Nancy will go really old school and schedule the SOTU for the Ides of February.
////

151
Dave In Austin  Feb 1, 2020 • 2:47:28am

Youtube Video

152
Chrysicat  Feb 1, 2020 • 3:05:51am

re: #151 Dave In Austin

[Embedded content]

Video

Ummm. You know that you just embedded a private video?

Which I wasn’t even aware YouTube has, but either way I have no idea what you were trying to post.

153
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Feb 1, 2020 • 3:27:22am

re: #32 Chrysicat

The problem is, that central part of your statement, the Rs have a “solution” to: start charging postage for email. And since it would be paid to the web provider and not the recipient, it’s just another way to make merely existing cost tens to hundreds of dollars a day until one is actively making money by passively sitting there thanks to the fortune they went into the day with.

(well, for values of “until” that mean “unless”, anyway.)

There was another more practical solution, namely that if a computer is sending a long list of new e-mails (e.g., a spambot) that the system builds in a five-second delay between each mail.

This does not cost money, but it costs the spambots a lot of time when they are literally sending out millions of mails.

154
Dave In Austin  Feb 1, 2020 • 3:30:37am

re: #152 Chrysicat

No…. It was Bill Mahar’s show from last night

155
Dr Lizardo  Feb 1, 2020 • 3:31:35am

re: #148 FFL (GOP Delenda Est)

I’d think in such a situation that the German objective of men like von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators would’ve been to freeze the battlefronts where they were - to prevent the Allies from actually invading or occupying Germany proper. And particularly the Eastern Front, which was going disastrously for the Wehrmacht.

156
FFL (GOP Delenda Est)  Feb 1, 2020 • 4:17:37am

re: #155 Dr Lizardo

I’d think in such a situation that the German objective of men like von Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators would’ve been to freeze the battlefronts where they were - to prevent the Allies from actually invading or occupying Germany proper. And particularly the Eastern Front, which was going disastrously for the Wehrmacht.

I think that was beyond their capability of actually doing. The Russians were in the middle of moving westward without the Germans being able to stop them - logistics was essentially what stopped the Russian advance.

And in the West the UK and USA were about to start running rampant over western France. Now, a German strategy there to withdraw and try to hold a new line (along the Seine?) was probably more logical than the futile counterattacks that Hitler ordered. However, you also might have people like Rundstedt and Rommel double-thinking things and deciding to facilitate the advance of the western allies to preclude the Russians capturing more. (Probably a bit premature for this.) However, you also probably don’t get them removed from command either, which Hitler did.

157
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 4:25:58am

re: #143 Dread Pirate

Stupid fucks.

[Embedded content]

And then when they inevitably lose, they’ll cry that the DNC was against them.

158
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 4:30:38am

re: #156 FFL (GOP Delenda Est)

And all of it assumes that the troops would accept the new leadership instead of rebelling against it, or another general taking command instead in order to continue to fight. And how long would it take to get the new leadership up and running? A week just might be too optimistic.

And remember the cult-like devotion to Hitler. Would they even believe he was dead? Even after the war a few people insisted he was alive and just ran away. Others keep looking for his return.

159
Florida Panhandler  Feb 1, 2020 • 5:12:03am

re: #139 Ace-o-aces

Because CPAC isn’t fascist enough, apparently.

[Embedded content]

Cockroaches love to live in the dark.

160
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:15:25am
161
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:17:40am

I normally wouldn’t paste ads, but the subtitles are in Bostonian:

162
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:20:32am

re: #160 Belafon

I really think there’s gonna be a bigger backlash than we think about this. Totally ignoring evidence and witnesses is going to have consequences at the polls for em.

163
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:23:05am

re: #158 CarolJ

And all of it assumes that the troops would accept the new leadership instead of rebelling against it, or another general taking command instead in order to continue to fight. And how long would it take to get the new leadership up and running? A week just might be too optimistic.

And remember the cult-like devotion to Hitler. Would they even believe he was dead? Even after the war a few people insisted he was alive and just ran away. Others keep looking for his return.

This is Bannon’s wanting a Leninist. They want a party centered around a person not ideas.

164
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:23:51am
165
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:34:13am

I went and looked at the new DNC requirements, that Politico is claiming will allow Bloomberg on the stage:

Candidates will need to earn at least 10 percent in four polls released from Jan. 15 to Feb. 18, or 12 percent in two polls conducted in Nevada or South Carolina, in order to participate in the Feb. 19 debate in Las Vegas. Any candidate who earns at least one delegate to the national convention in either the Iowa caucuses or New Hampshire primary will also qualify for the Nevada debate.

google.com

Sorry, I don’t see Bloomberg clearing them, and even if he gets one delegate, he’s going to be at a big disadvantage.

166
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:36:18am

re: #162 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I really think there’s gonna be a bigger backlash than we think about this. Totally ignoring evidence and witnesses is going to have consequences at the polls for em.

I wonder if he should have to apologize to people here before he’s allowed to vote, though. ///

167
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:38:49am

Party over country:

168
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:39:34am

re: #166 Belafon

I wonder if he should have to apologize to people here before he’s allowed to vote, though. ///

Ha!

169
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:41:00am

re: #167 Belafon

Party over country:

It gets more surreal. Diamond and Silk are going to be headliners at CPAC this year. I don’t like Romney at all. I think he’s a protoTrump in alot of ways but way to show how your ideology totally isn’t a cult by inviting two morons to headline that. Making the GOP a cult of Trump’s personality is going to backfire on them bigly.

170
jeffreyw  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:41:29am

Woodpeckers can be judgemental.

Good morning!

171
Weaselone  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:42:14am

re: #167 Belafon

Romney is probably thinking, “Wait, this is all I needed to do to get out of going to CPAC. I should have done this year’s ago.”

172
BlueSpotinAL  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:43:47am

re: #116 Targetpractice

I think of the “NeverTrumpers” like I think of the German aristocracy that attempted to remove Hitler from power through various assassination plots. Both groups despise the little turd in power and want him gone in the worst way, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to surrender power or change their goals. Had one of those plots succeeded and the aristocrats managed to seize power in Nazi Germany, the result would not have been immediate and total surrender to the Allies. It would have been a negotiated peace where they would have insisted upon retaining much of Germany’s power and wartime spoils. In much the same way, the “NeverTrumpers” are not going to suddenly support universal healthcare or free college or even higher minimum wages once Trump is gone.

tl;dr, I’m not going to stand in the way of the Rubins, Frums, or Wilsons of the conservative world in boosting Dem votes among voters. But they’re not my allies and I’m not going to avoid hurting their fee-fees because they might decide to vote for Trump in “protest.”

True, but we should not go out of our way to insult them, either. For strategic reasons.

People will only listen to others when they have an affinity of some sort.

173
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:44:25am
174
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:44:54am

So why is Bernie Bots so upset? He’ll qualify either way. And yes, I think Bloomberg will get his delegate-but he’s starting behind in the polls and would need to catch up.

Maybe they are afraid that if Biden somehow falters, Bloomberg would scoop of the rest of the moderate vote somehow and win that way. And also, a lot of people would probably settle for Bloomberg if worst came to worst. At least: he wouldn’t be worse than Trump, is probably sane, and has proven he could self-fund. Not my first, second, or even third choice. I consider he and Steyer as my in a pinch choice.

But part of the anger is that Biden shows no signs of faltering-and if they are hoping Biden stumbles literally, he hasn’t and probably won’t.

175
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:45:21am

I hope he doesn’t.

176
sagehen  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:48:24am

re: #111 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I was at the African American Civil War Memorial/Museum in the part of D.C. near Howard U recently. Anyhow, they had a little video of Emmett Till’s mother talking. I know I’m young but it just astounded me thinking that when that happened, my Dad was alive and my grandparents were all adults. We really have a long way to go on race in this country if we can’t be honest about history.

If Emmett Till were still alive, he’d be four years younger than Morgan Freeman.

177
sagehen  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:50:35am

re: #114 Anymouse 🌹🎃

#notallconservatives
I don’t know that absolutely no conservatives are voting for her. I apologise for using the shorthand of “a very small number.”

I do know she’s under attack from the right, from The Federalist to Mike Huckabee to FOX News as not being a conservative.

5% of Republicans are anti-Trump. Another 5% of used-to-be-Republicans aren’t Republican anymore. That’s more than enough to swing any it-was-close-last-time State.

178
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:51:08am

re: #176 sagehen

If Emmett Till were still alive, he’d be four years younger than Morgan Freeman.

Yeah turning 80 next year. It was such a barbaric murder and then the equally sick cover up.

179
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:52:25am
180
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:52:49am

re: #174 CarolJ

So why is Bernie Bots so upset? He’ll qualify either way. And yes, I think Bloomberg will get his delegate-but he’s starting behind in the polls and would need to catch up.

Maybe they are afraid that if Biden somehow falters, Bloomberg would scoop of the rest of the moderate vote somehow and win that way. And also, a lot of people would probably settle for Bloomberg if worst came to worst. At least: he wouldn’t be worse than Trump, is probably sane, and has proven he could self-fund. Not my first, second, or even third choice. I consider he and Steyer as my in a pinch choice.

But part of the anger is that Biden shows no signs of faltering-and if they are hoping Biden stumbles literally, he hasn’t and probably won’t.

Biden’s been impressing me lately. I was in the Harris-O’Rourke-Castro-Booker camp but I think Joe could be it right now.

181
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:53:44am

re: #179 Belafon

In a way as frustrated as I am, my civic resolve is stronger than ever.

182
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:53:47am

re: #180 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Biden’s been impressing me lately. I was in the Harris-O’Rourke-Castro-Booker camp but I think Joe could be it right now.

Biden is being the slow and steady candidate.

183
Eventual Carrion  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:54:19am

re: #170 jeffreyw

[Embedded content]

Good morning!

At the bird bar.
Woodpecker insults cardinal’s wife.
Fight ensues.

184
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:56:13am

If the AA community is seeing it this way, that’s not good for Bernie:

185
sagehen  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:57:18am

re: #116 Targetpractice

In much the same way, the “NeverTrumpers” are not going to suddenly support universal healthcare or free college or even higher minimum wages once Trump is gone.

tl;dr, I’m not going to stand in the way of the Rubins, Frums, or Wilsons of the conservative world in boosting Dem votes among voters. But they’re not my allies and I’m not going to avoid hurting their fee-fees because they might decide to vote for Trump in “protest.”

Why this Never Trump ex-Republican will vote for almost any 2020 Democratic nominee
I’m good with anyone who is mentally stable and in no way sympathetic or beholden to a hostile foreign power. That’s it. Policy just doesn’t matter
Tom Nichols
usatoday.com

I don’t care if Sen. Elizabeth Warren is a mendacious Massachusetts liberal. She could tell me that she’s going to make me wear waffles as underpants and I’ll vote for her. I don’t care if Sen. Kamala Harris is an opportunistic California prosecutor who wants to relitigate busing. She could tell me that I have to drive to work in a go-cart covered with Barbie decals and I’ll vote for her. I don’t care if Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is a muddle-headed socialist from a rural class-warfare state (where I once lived as one of his constituents). He could tell me he’s going to tax used kitty litter and I’ll vote for him.

All of the policy “what about” hypotheticals from my conservative friends are diversions. They’re trying to move the argument to policy to blind us to the reality that President Donald Trump is both unstable and compromised.

(snip)

It is a sign of how low we have fallen as a nation that “rational” and “not compromised by an enemy” are now my only two requirements for the office of the president of the United States. Perhaps years of peace and prosperity have made us forget the terrifying responsibilities that attend the presidency, including the stewardship of enough nuclear weapons to blow the Northern Hemisphere to smithereens.

As long as the Democrats can provide someone who can pass these simple tests, their nominee has my vote.

Pass the waffles.

186
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 6:57:51am

The irony.

187
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:00:01am

re: #182 Belafon

Biden is being the slow and steady candidate.

He’s acting like a President.

188
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:01:09am

re: #186 BigPapa

The irony.

[Embedded content]

Psst Bernie fans, you need us too. But go ahead act like the only hope is a 79 year old with few legislative accomplishments who can’t take any criticism.

189
jeffreyw  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:03:35am

re: #183 Eventual Carrion

At the bird bar.
Woodpecker insults cardinal’s wife.
Fight ensues.

QFT And I’m so stealing that.

190
Mescalero09  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:10:29am

re: #170 jeffreyw

[Embedded content]

Good morning!

“BACK OFF!”

191
jeffreyw  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:10:46am
192
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:11:51am

Charlie Pierce does a subscription only essay on Saturdays, and this one was about impeachment and Benjamin Curtis, who wrote “a scathing dissent” to Dred Scott, left the Supremes to go back to private practice, and then defended Andrew Johnson. Apparently Dershowitz used some of Curtis’s points, but ignored the main one, which was that an impeachment was a judicial matter, and you got all the evidence you could gather. That trial had a ton of witnesses, and probably documents, too. Today the argument was that an impeachment was a political matter, and evidence was irrelevant to who had the votes. Pierce closed:

It was the defense that wanted to ignore Benjamin Curtis’s mandate that impeachment was a judicial proceeding, and chose to frame the trial as a political act. Now it was a political act with bells on, and the president*’s defenders found themselves hung up on what Sophocles had written millennia ago.

“Whoever does business with a tyrant is
That man’s slave, even if he starts out free.”

Benjamin Curtis could teach them a lesson about being slaves, too.

193
Hecuba's daughter  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:20:02am

It certainly appears that Trump acquired the ring of power from Sauron.

And on the discussions above regarding a successful outcome to the plot against Hitler: What happens in the war against Japan? We would have continued working on developing a nuclear weapon but would the Japanese have negotiated a surrender before it was completed? And what would they have bargained as part of their surrender?

194
Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:23:09am
195
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:24:43am

re: #184 Belafon

If the AA community is seeing it this way, that’s not good for Bernie:

[Embedded content]

I really worry we may have a left wing tea party brewing. Why the hell go after Clinton this close to the Iowa caucuses?

196
Chrysicat  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:24:52am

re: #143 Dread Pirate

Stupid fucks.

[Embedded content]

197
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:25:31am

re: #193 Hecuba’s daughter

It certainly appears that Trump acquired the ring of power from Sauron.

And on the discussions above regarding a successful outcome to the plot against Hitler: What happens in the war against Japan? We would have continued working on developing a nuclear weapon but would the Japanese have negotiated a surrender before it was completed? And what would they have bargained as part of their surrender?

No the Japanese were unprepared for surrender.

198
Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:26:52am

re: #188 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Psst Bernie fans, you need us too. But go ahead act like the only hope is a 79 year old with few legislative accomplishments who can’t take any criticism.

…..and who will be gutted, skinned, and hung out to dry by the Russo-publican propaganda machine.

199
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:27:33am

re: #196 Chrysicat

[Embedded content]

They’re pushing me to the center. The left is supposed to be about being democratic and building a coalition. This just seems more and more a cult of personality surrounding Sanders and I don’t like it one bit.

200
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:28:50am

re: #198 Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel

…..and who will be gutted, skinned, and hung out to dry by the Russo-publican propaganda machine.

His supporters, the bloc I was until four years ago are terribly unreliable voters. Yet they want to take over the party from the men and women who have been participating in the Democratic primaries for years.

201
Backwoods_Sleuth  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:28:51am
202
A hollow voice says, Guilty, guilty, guilty!  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:29:32am

re: #195 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I really worry we may have a left wing tea party brewing. Why the hell go after Clinton this close to the Iowa caucuses?

They’re berniebros, and they’re already as large as they’re going to be. Which is to say, much shrunken since 2016. Don’t mistake a huge twitter presence for real-world numbers.

203
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:33:09am

re: #202 A hollow voice says, Guilty, guilty, guilty!

They’re berniebros, and they’re already as large as they’re going to be. Which is to say, much shrunken since 2016. Don’t mistake a huge twitter presence for real-world numbers.

True. A lot of this on Twitter seems to be bots and trolls stirring up shit.

204
Backwoods_Sleuth  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:33:48am

“FUN”????

“Greatest Show on Earth”

good fucking grief

205
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:35:37am
206
Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:36:56am

Ok, Bernie-folk, you’ve convinced me not to vote for Hillary Clinton this year, just as republicans have convinced me not to vote for George Soros, Jussie Smollet or Hunter Biden.

207
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:37:57am

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

“FUN”????

“Greatest Show on Earth”

good fucking grief

This really is Mark Burnett’s The American Presidency isn’t it?

208
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:39:02am

re: #197 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

No the Japanese were unprepared for surrender.

The Japanese were societally incapable of surrender.

209
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:39:25am

re: #208 Colère Tueur de Lapin

The Japanese were societally incapable of surrender.

Correct. It’s why the Pacific campaign was hell.

210
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:39:36am
211
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:40:05am

re: #197 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

America was fighting two separate wars. The Japanese would have had worse luck because we would have been able to free up troops and assets to go East, with devastating results.

212
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:42:06am

re: #211 CarolJ

America was fighting two separate wars. The Japanese would have had worse luck because we would have been able to free up troops and assets to go East, with devastating results.

True, true. I’m just glad I didn’t have to live through it. I got done reading about Iwo Jima recently. That battle was so awful. I might read about the Korean War next- my mom’s father was a Korean War vet.

213
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:44:43am

However, it might have created another “betrayal” narrative for the Germans. The German narrative of the “Lost Cause”. We didn’t lose the war, we were betrayed. A lesson that was learned from both the Civil War and the aftermath of World War II.

214
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:44:49am

As Shevek, the hero of Ursula K. Le Guin’s anarchist novel The Dispossessed puts it, solidarity “begins in shared pain.” Solidarity means taking on another’s pain and responding to it as though it were your own. Or, as the Industrial Workers of the World had it, “An injury to one is an injury to all.” Solidarity is at the heart of socialism, but Bernie Sanders’s decision to embrace the backing of someone like Rogan is the opposite of sharing the pain of all. It is the opposite of “the union makes us strong.” In particular, his campaign’s decision to double down on the Rogan ad and not even to acknowledge the pain of trans, African American, Latinx, gay, and female critics is a disturbing signal that for Sanders adherents, cisgender straight white men are the only people whose suffering seems to matter.

215
mmmirele  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:50:12am

re: #176 sagehen

If Emmett Till were still alive, he’d be four years younger than Morgan Freeman.

If Emmett Till were still alive, he’d be a year and a half younger than my mother, who recently turned 80. That’s how close in time these things are.

216
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:52:38am

re: #215 mmmirele

If Emmett Till were still alive, he’d be a year and a half younger than my mother, who recently turned 80. That’s how close in time these things are.

Emmett Till would be younger than my father’s two sisters. History is close to us.

217
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:54:30am

re: #214 Belafon

What bothers me about the Bernie model and I see it in how people who support him talk about him is that it’s wrapped up in him and based on how you feel about him. They seem willing to alienate lifelong Democrats in order to appease Joe Rogan types. I’m sorry but when I was as a teenager supporting same sex marriage, I was taking inspiration from people like John Lewis not Joe Rogan who at that time was hosting a show where peopel ate beetles. I’m not saying that Rogan isn’t entitled to his opinions. I’m saying who the fuck made him a kingmaker.

218
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:55:12am

Hmmm…

219
Barefoot Grin  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:58:24am

As I recall, the Japanese cabinet was equally split on surrender between hardliners and moderates. That’s what allowed the emperor to finally step in. It also would have tipped the balance more quickly had we guaranteed the security of the emperor in the summer of 1945.

220
mmmirele  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:58:31am

re: #217 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

What bothers me about the Bernie model and I see it in how people who support him talk about him is that it’s wrapped up in him and based on how you feel about him. They seem willing to alienate lifelong Democrats in order to appease Joe Rogan types. I’m sorry but when I was as a teenager supporting same sex marriage, I was taking inspiration from people like John Lewis not Joe Rogan who at that time was hosting a show where peopel ate beetles. I’m not saying that Rogan isn’t entitled to his opinions. I’m saying who the fuck made him a kingmaker.

Bernie Sanders is the left’s Trump. Some people are looking for a savior and I am going to tell you, folks, there isn’t one. We’re all in this together, there is nobody, NOBODY who is going to magically pull us out of this mess. We have to work together, not put someone on a pedestal and expect them to wave their hand and everything is better.

221
steve_davis  Feb 1, 2020 • 7:59:31am

re: #43 stpaulbear

I hope the democrats sit stone faced with their hands in their laps and don’t give Trump any feedback at all. He’s not going to be able to get thru it without insulting them like he’s in one of his campaign rallies, and democrats shouldn’t give him the pleasure of any negative reaction. I hope that they’re disciplined as fuck.

i hope nancy sits behind him with a travel chess set open, flipping through a copy of New in Chess.

222
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:00:32am

One more and I’ll looking for people who say things better than I do for a while:

223
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:02:49am

OK, one more:

224
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:03:02am

re: #220 mmmirele

Bernie Sanders is the left’s Trump. Some people are looking for a savior and I am going to tell you, folks, there isn’t one. We’re all in this together, there is nobody, NOBODY who is going to magically pull us out of this mess. We have to work together, not put someone on a pedestal and expect them to wave their hand and everything is better.

Exactly. TBH I’m getting closer to Biden because he doesn’t sell himself as a savior and I think Biden unlike Bernie actually has a sense of humor. I know some of us think that Biden pledging to serve one term possibly might be a fool’s errand but it might be just what we need just like Pelosi setting the table nicely for her possible successor and I think he’s made a great impression the past couple months. I’m talking about Schiff of course.

225
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:04:40am

re: #219 Barefoot Grin

As I recall, the Japanese cabinet was equally split on surrender between hardliners and moderates. That’s what allowed the emperor to finally step in. It also would have tipped the balance more quickly had we guaranteed the security of the emperor in the summer of 1945.

I am not a great admirer of Douglas MacArthur but Japan at the end of WWII and its immediate aftermath was actually something he handled well. The Korean War, less so.

226
stpaulbear  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:07:33am

re: #162 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I really think there’s gonna be a bigger backlash than we think about this. Totally ignoring evidence and witnesses is going to have consequences at the polls for em.

227
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:07:44am

I can’t stop. My wife found this one:

228
steve_davis  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:08:47am

re: #58 Anymouse 🌹🎃

[audio, 2:12]

[Embedded content]

Bolton is a grade-A asshat. He could have, on his own motivation, come before the congressional hearings in the House. Would it have made any difference? Possibly.

229
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:08:56am

re: #226 stpaulbear

[Embedded content]

Yeah I just can’t see Trump winning this battle in the court of public opinion. It’s not over yet but I think a lot of people see the Senate’s actions for the shit show it was.

230
Chrysicat  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:19:37am
231
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:23:54am

Where does St Bernard get the $?

The corporatists?

232
NO SMOCKING GUN!  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:26:23am

re: #231 BigPapa

Where does St Bernard get the $?

The corporatists?

Lots of small donors.

233
Rightwingconspirator  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:26:27am

Love to say good morning but this ain’t it is it?

234
CarolJ  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:26:36am

re: #231 BigPapa

And if he somehow wins the Primary, he’s going to have to beg for funds from all the people he called “Corporatists” and who he insulted. Lots a luck, Bernie. Senate candidates will be well-financed, and extra funds will go to local races, but he’s on his own. Yes we will vote blue, but that’s going to be it.

235
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:26:44am

re: #231 BigPapa

Where does St Bernard get the $?

The corporatists?

I don’t know but I have seen a lot of evidence that shows he’s nowhere near as pure as he sells himself to be and that’s what bothers the hell out of me. It’s the selling Sanders as a savior and everyone else as a “neo-liberal sell out” that endangers any good will I might have. Sanders is correct to point out the wealth disparities that have grown in our country. Where he loses me is acting like he can fix it and the way to do that is to treat more moderate Democrats who have been workign to fix that as the enemy. I really feel he’s misleading a lot of idealistic young people.

236
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:28:05am

re: #234 CarolJ

And if he somehow wins the Primary, he’s going to have to beg for funds from all the people he called “Corporatists” and who he insulted. Lots a luck, Bernie. Senate candidates will be well-financed, and extra funds will go to local races, but he’s on his own. Yes we will vote blue, but that’s going to be it.

They compare him to FDR. FDR built a coalition that lasted 36 years. I’d like to see Sanders and the JDs actually flip a CD before they act like they should be given the keys to the car.

237
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:30:23am

For me what’s hilarious is seeing Trumpers deal with the same shit that benefited their guy in 2016. But tell us some more about how we should like Putin.

238
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:38:39am

This is so fucking dumb.

239
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:41:45am

re: #238 goddamnedfrank

This is so fucking dumb.

What frustrates me Frank is they seem completely uninterested in actually building a coalition and just shitting on anyone who isn’t Bernie. If that’s teh future that Tlaib, Omar, AOC, and Jayapal want for our party, then I have to say, I will actively advocate for their failure, I haven’t opposed Trumpism the past four years only to get it repackaged in a left wing flavor.

240
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:42:31am

In 20 minutes kicking the Talibern hornet’s next I’ve been called racist and retarded.

Trump of the Left? The truth hurts.

241
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:44:38am

re: #240 BigPapa

In 20 minutes kicking the Talibern hornet’s next I’ve been called racist and retarded.

Trump of the Left? The truth hurts.

They are the Trumpers of the left. Completely uninterested in actually working to improve our country but instead acting like if you don’t see things their way, you’re a traitor. And dismissing your critics as “haters.” God, I really hate what a lot of my generation is bringing to American discussion and I blame Bernie for a lot of that because he’s fostered a me or no one mentality. Clinton and I’ll be the first to acknowledge was not my first choice in 2016 was interested in building a strong Democratic majority throughout the country that reflected where we are as a party.

242
Joe Bacon 🌹  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:45:22am

re: #188 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Psst Bernie fans, you need us too. But go ahead act like the only hope is a 79 year old with few legislative accomplishments who can’t take any criticism.

Yeah, the 79 year old who already had one heart attack that we know of…

243
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:53:50am

h/t Juanita Jean

244
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:54:18am

re: #240 BigPapa

In 20 minutes kicking the Talibern hornet’s next I’ve been called racist and retarded.

Trump of the Left? The truth hurts.

Upding for Talibern.

245
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:58:20am

The Senate impeachment trial was rigged! Dana Milbank WaPo

“There is no need for more evidence to conclude that the president withheld United States aid, at least in part, to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens; the House managers have proved this,” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) declared late Thursday. But the choice of “what to do about what he did,” Alexander said, should be “in the presidential election.”
What an elegant solution! He accepts that Trump is guilty of cheating in the election — and, therefore, his fate should be determined by the very election in which he has cheated.
It’s like a sprinter, caught doping before a competition, being told his fate would be determined by having him run the race.
…
At the start of Friday’s session, Senate Chaplain Barry Black reminded the senators that “we reap what we sow.”
In their cowardly, 51-to-49 vote Friday evening to speed a guilty president on his way to a hasty acquittal while suppressing the evidence, Trump’s protectors planted the seeds of a poisonous harvest in November.

246
Freedom Turnip  Feb 1, 2020 • 8:58:31am

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

“FUN”????

[Embedded content]

“Greatest Show on Earth”

good fucking grief

“There’s a sucker born every minute.”

~some old circus dude

247
Joe Bacon 🌹  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:02:52am

I just finished preparing my vote using the new Los Angeles County voting system. I went on line, looked at the ballot pamphlet, marked my primary ballot online and generated a Poll Pass that I can take to an Early Vote center starting Feb 29th.

Yes I marked my ballot for Elizabeth Warren and can’t wait to get to the Center to vote on the 29th!

248
Joe Bacon 🌹  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:06:26am

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

“FUN”????

[Embedded content]

“Greatest Show on Earth”

good fucking grief

Only a matter of time before the white sheets and burning crosses become parts of Trump rallies.

249
PhillyPretzel  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:09:19am

re: #247 Joe Bacon 🌹

That sounds like a good system. Please keep me updated as to how it works.

250
Semper Fi  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:09:57am

re: #248 Joe Bacon 🌹

Only a matter of time before the white sheets and burning crosses become parts of Trump rallies.

If they do…this thing could snow-ball.

251
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:13:04am

I hope a bird shits on his head.

252
Rightwingconspirator  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:17:52am

So what country can we recruit to help us with the election back for the rule of law and rights? Since that’s the new rules, play them with absolute, resolute vigor and motivation.

253
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:18:33am

re: #252 Rightwingconspirator

So what country can we recruit to help us with the election back for the rule of law and rights? Since that’s the new rules, play them with absolute, resolute vigor and motivation.

Justin, if you’re listening.

254
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:18:51am

re: #252 Rightwingconspirator

What country will assume we’re worth the effort?

255
Ace Rothstein  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:19:19am

re: #251 Eclectic Cyborg

Lol. That fat fuck drives his cart onto the green because he can’t walk five feet without running out of breath.

256
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:20:38am

As for Trump, I’m going to assume any information not sources by a few media outlets, pretty much the Washington Post and Maddow, against Democrats is propaganda put out by the GOP and Russia.

257
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:21:04am

re: #254 BigPapa

What country will assume we’re worth the effort?

I’m sure Canada and Mexico don’t like seeing their number one trading partner acting like this.

258
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:21:05am

re: #254 BigPapa

What country will assume we’re worth the effort?

Canada, because we share a border.

259
Hecuba's daughter  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:21:25am

re: #241 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

They are the Trumpers of the left. Completely uninterested in actually working to improve our country but instead acting like if you don’t see things their way, you’re a traitor. And dismissing your critics as “haters.” God, I really hate what a lot of my generation is bringing to American discussion and I blame Bernie for a lot of that because he’s fostered a me or no one mentality. Clinton and I’ll be the first to acknowledge was not my first choice in 2016 was interested in building a strong Democratic majority throughout the country that reflected where we are as a party.

As I’ve always said, Bernie is as owned by Putin as Trump. His votes on FP issues demonstrate that allegiance.

And much of Trump’s economic policy resonates with Berners. Think I mentioned this before but an acquaintance of mine who is an economics professor at a Chicago area university and who supports Bernie also supports Trump’s tariffs (though he may have preferred a somewhat different implementation).

260
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:21:27am

re: #256 Belafon

As for Trump, I’m going to assume any information not sources by a few media outlets, pretty much the Washington Post and Maddow, against Democrats is propaganda put out by the GOP and Russia.

There’s definitely a lot of ratfucking going on.

261
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:22:17am

re: #259 Hecuba’s daughter

As I’ve always said, Bernie is as owned by Putin as Trump. His votes on FP issues demonstrate that allegiance.

And much of Trump’s economic policy resonates with Berners. Think I mentioned this before but an acquaintance of mine who is an economics professor at a Chicago area university and who supports Bernie also supports Trump’s tariffs (though he may have preferred a somewhat different implementation).

It’s the old political cicular spectrum. Lest we forget that the USSR once made common cause with the Nazis. Poland remembers that.

262
Rightwingconspirator  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:24:25am

re: #254 BigPapa

Start with the free world. Whom we aspire to return to with all our resources.

263
Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:26:16am

re: #259 Hecuba’s daughter

As I’ve always said, Bernie is as owned by Putin as Trump. His votes on FP issues demonstrate that allegiance.

And much of Trump’s economic policy resonates with Berners. Think I mentioned this before but an acquaintance of mine who is an economics professor at a Chicago area university and who supports Bernie also supports Trump’s tariffs (though he may have preferred a somewhat different implementation).

Like any good commander, Putin has to keep his left flank covered.

264
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:29:02am

re: #263 Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel

Like any good commander, Putin has to keep his left flank covered.

One thing that struck me watching that documentary on Khodorkovsky but Putin likes to convince people he’s on their side so I can totally see how he’s played a lot of easily fooled Western left wingers like Oliver Stone, Jill Stein, among others to think he’s simpatico with them. All I can say is anyone who trusts a man whose reoccurring theme is that he finds the collapse of the USSR to be the most tragic event of his life is a fool. I’ll say it again. Democracy not a rigid economic agenda matters here whether it be in America or in Kyiv or anywhere around the world.

265
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:31:08am

LOL! This is good.

266
Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:32:32am

Repugs like Lubbock’s “Mr. Conservative,” Dr. Donald May, are positively giddy at the prospect of a Sanders nomination.

Facebook Post

267
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:32:40am
268
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:33:10am

re: #265 goddamnedfrank

LOL! This is good.

That’s Joe.

269
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:34:03am

re: #266 Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel

Repugs like Lubbock’s “Mr. Conservative,” Dr. Donald May, are positively giddy at the prospect of a Sanders nomination.

[Embedded content]

They really want Sanders to be their boogeyman. And you know what? He’ll make it easy. Biden or Klobucahr or Bloomberg or Warren less so but Bernie absolutely.

270
Dave In Austin  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:34:23am
271
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:37:05am

re: #270 Dave In Austin

All men and women who have dedicated their adult lives to progressive causes. Rogan was hosting a show where people ate bugs when they were making their mark. Joe Rogan isn’t why I believe in democracy but John Lewis who literally bled for Civil Rights and then went to the same Congress that was full of men that blocked banning lynching is.

272
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:39:46am
273
Barefoot Grin  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:39:48am

re: #267 jaunte

[Embedded content]

That’s good. I like how the ultra-wealthy go right to “if we have a wealth tax it’s just a short step to gulags.”

274
Teddy's Person  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:41:16am

If Bernie is the nominee (hope not cause I’ve completely over shouty old white men), I’ll vote for him. Luckily, we vote by mail here in Washington. So, I’ll be seconds away from a silkwood shower.

Shorter Tlaib clarification: I’m passionate, but the bitch had it coming.

275
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:42:00am

re: #273 Barefoot Grin

They want every crumb, even if others have to die.

276
Citizen K  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:42:31am

The Tlaib/Crew video is just…man, I use this word a lot, but it’s exhausting, it really is.

And I keep swinging from rage to utter listless helplessness, because shit like this always seems to work and work wildly. Sanders surging, most of the people outside of here that I interact with on politics jumping even more on the “BERNIE OR BUST” bandwagon, any mention of Clinton resulting in multiple two-minute-hates, and even more calls to burn the Dem party down because of course, they’re the real villain, they’re the real roadblock, they have to be torn down with beating Trump such an easy task it’s an afterthought to them, but no, Dems are the goddamn super-Satan that must be purged.

This is why I’m so fucking terrified of 2020 at this point, 60% of the country can’t suffer a Dem to live, and the very mention of Clinton sends more and more people into “BURN THE DEM PARTY DOWN NOW!!!!” mode. I just see ratfucking upon ratfucking with Trump never being held accountable because, of course, anything he does is Hillary’s fault, anything he does is because Dems are in secret cahoots.

EDIT: Not to mention that, it’s clear from mock caucuses leading up to Iowa and the rhetoric coming out of supporters and advocates that “Bernie or Bust’ has only grown larger and they’re willing to hold the nom hostage if they don’t get their way. If someone other than Bernie wins, they’ll take their ball and go home, denting any potential vote we have, and if the do win, they’re deadset on purging any remnant of anything Clinton even dared touch out of the party for the sake of purity, all the while raging how much the Dem party hates them and how it proves how much the Dem party needs to be destroyed.

278
Hecuba's daughter  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:48:49am

Trump vs Bernie is reminiscent of Alien vs Predator — and its tagline: “Whoever wins, we lose”.

279
Barefoot Grin  Feb 1, 2020 • 9:49:16am

re: #275 jaunte

They want every crumb, even if others have to die.

They actually believe that wealth distribution follows some immutable natural laws and nothing can or should be done about it.

280
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:00:11am

I really wish Bernie had never run for President in the first place. Ever. He’s just a divider and an annoyance and a wannabe Democrat making it that much fucking harder for more other candidates to get serious momentum.

Hate the GOP all you want, but they are miles ahead of Dems when it comes to their ability to mobilize behind a candidate.

281
Dave In Austin  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:01:00am

Sigh……

He should go to prison for life for this alone in my book

282
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:01:52am

re: #281 Dave In Austin

They just want to destroy every good thing we have.

283
Dave In Austin  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:06:12am
284
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:07:08am

I’ve seen the trolls and bots in actions and it just makes me disgusted what passes for political discourse. That’s why I only really talk politics here.

285
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:07:39am

Chris Murphy’s email report from the impeachment:

For today’s impeachment behind-the-scenes, something different:

I want to tell you my theory about why Democrats and Republicans are on different planets during this trial. I want to tell you why we could only get two Republican votes today against a rigged trial. This is important.

Democrats, like the majority of Americans, view Trump as a threat to democracy, and this trial put on evidence of the most serious example of this threat—his use of his official powers to destroy his political rivals and cheat in an election.

Many (most?) Republicans, as shown in Sen. Alexander’s statement, also think Trump is reckless and dangerous. But what you need to understand is that they think there exists a MUCH bigger threat to democracy than Trump — the deep state/media elite conspiracy.

For them, this trial is ALSO about evidence of the most serious threat to democracy — an anti-Trump whistleblower, working with secret Republican-hating Democratic civil servants, backed by the liberal media, attempting to take down a conservative, Republican president.

You see, many Republicans don’t think any self-respecting conservative would EVER work for the government or the mainstream media, so all these people testifying and breaking stories MUST be Democrats, and they must have political agendas.

Republicans don’t love Trump, but they do believe that if they don’t stand up to this deep state/media cabal RIGHT NOW, then they set a precedent that will allow this same conspiracy to take down every future Republican president.

This is a CRAZY view of the world (I’m just explaining, not excusing), but I think it’s important for everyone to see the prism through which many Republicans (not all) view impeachment.

For both Democratic and Republican senators, the trial is about threats to democracy. We just see different threats.

286
Teddy's Person  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:08:44am

re: #282 Eclectic Cyborg

They just want to destroy monetize every good thing we have.

Your water supply is unsafe, buy bottled water, or better yet, we’ll install a filtration system for ya. Profits for the install. Profits for the filters.

287
Backwoods_Sleuth  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:09:06am

re: #191 jeffreyw

[Embedded content]

knocked the mitre right off MrCardinal’s head

288
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:11:41am

Email from the Southern Policy Law Center on the start of Black History Month (not all of the email):

It is fitting, then, that this year’s theme for Black History Month - from Dr. Woodson’s Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) - is African Americans and the Vote. As ASALH notes, this year marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and the sesquicentennial of the 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the ballot.

Those amendments made sure that Black men and Black women had the constitutional right to vote. But that wasn’t enough. For many, those rights existed on paper only. Beginning in the 1890s, the Jim Crow era brought a wave of new state statutes in the South, including poll taxes and literacy tests, that were specifically designed to disenfranchise Black voters.

Amazingly, some Jim Crow-era laws remain in place to this day - like those that bar voting by people who have been convicted of certain crimes - effectively silencing the voices of millions of Black men and women in the Deep South.

And that’s just one part of the challenges we’re facing today.

Since 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court gutted a key provision in the Voting Rights Act, numerous states have systematically and aggressively enacted laws aimed at suppressing the votes of Black people.

Nearly 1,200 polling places have been closed since then. States have purged voter lists. Even earlier, we’ve seen heavily gerrymandered congressional and legislative districts that dilute the voting power of communities of color.

That’s why the Southern Poverty Law Center made a commitment to fight for voting rights by forming a new legal and advocacy team to focus solely on protecting the right to vote.

In Alabama, we’ve helped more than 2,000 returning citizens navigate the state’s convoluted process to restore their voting rights. Last March, we celebrated in Louisiana as many returning citizens became eligible to vote for the first time under a law that we helped pass in the state legislature.

And, in Mississippi, we’re fighting in court to end that state’s lifetime voting ban for people with disqualifying offenses.

As we reflect on Black history this month and the accomplishments of notable African Americans, let us not forget those who fought and died for our right to vote.

289
Citizen K  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:12:21am

re: #282 Eclectic Cyborg

They just want to destroy every good thing we have.

And as with almost everything else the Maladministration has done in the past 3 years, it’ll take a generation at minimum to properly address much less fix. And that’s a more optimistic scenario.

290
Teddy's Person  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:13:12am

re: #285 retired cynic

Chris Murphy’s email report from the impeachment:

Orwell said it better.

“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” ~ 1984

291
Citizen K  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:14:52am

The priority given to each group is pretty fucking stark.

292
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:16:00am
293
PhillyPretzel  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:17:36am

I just got done signing a bunch of petitions to get people on the ballot in May. My ward leader is still saying that we are concentrating on local elections. He gave me one petition to circulate so it is not too bad. What he had a lot of questions about was my Ring Doorbell. I showed him all of the equipment and he was surprised that I did it myself. He looked at me and said, Then I can do it too.” If he decides to get one it will be up to him.

294
Teukka  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:23:46am

And Sweden’s administration just classified 2019-nCoV as dangerous to society and the public, meaning that certain measures such as forced care or quarantine can be taken. Also, intentionally spreading 2019-nCoV is now an aggravated offense.

295
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:24:40am

OMFG, this is good. All they did was make her think she was among friends and all of her absolute worst, most racist filth came pouring out.

296
Backwoods_Sleuth  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:29:02am

I just realized that Cipollone’s name is pronounced very much like “cheap baloney”.

297
FormerDirtDart 🍕🐀 No Capt'n😷Trips  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:31:08am
298
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:35:19am

re: #292 goddamnedfrank

[Embedded content]

So he’s putting the state in charge of producing dishwashers? I don’t know Frank. Sounds like Communism to me. That thing hte MAGA cult sees in everyone who isn’t Dear Leader but Trump bizarrely sometimes seems to express some support for. I don’t think he knows what the hell he’s blabbering about sometimes. Isn’t it documented that his mother or father had dementia? Dementia runs in families.

299
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:35:32am

From a WaPo comment thread: Barney Frank was correct: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.

300
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:38:00am

re: #299 retired cynic

From a WaPo comment thread: Barney Frank was correct: If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.

In the past four years, we’ve seen longtime liberal champions reduced to sell outs becaue they don’t think a certain Senator is all that. It’s heartbreaking. I don’t mind that Sanders ideas resonate with people. As I said, I agree completely with him that wealth disparities are a problem but he ignores other things and he also seems to have no interest in actually doing this in a way to build an actual coalition. But another thing is I don’t trust him to be the face of a presidency that inspires confidence. He shows to me that he’s just as into bullying those who don’t share his way as Trump.

301
William Lewis  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:38:29am

re: #291 Citizen K

The priority given to each group is pretty fucking stark.

Time to set up a charity program to provide an AK to each of the poor folks in the nation and tell them to show up armed next time.

302
Chrysicat  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:40:40am
303
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:43:35am

re: #297 FormerDirtDart 🍕🐀 No Capt’n😷Trips

Interesting. For some reason I’m blocked by Jason Leopold.

304
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:43:45am

re: #301 William Lewis

Time to set up a charity program to provide an AK to each of the poor folks in the nation and tell them to show up armed next time.

Unless it’s just poor white folks, that won’t end well.

305
Charles Johnson  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:44:30am
306
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:45:04am

re: #305 Charles Johnson

AGREE!

307
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:45:06am

re: #302 Chrysicat

[Embedded content]

If Trump was so anti “new world order”, he wouldn’t have the AG of the man who used that phrase that made the paranoid shitzoids go crazy but I see you’ve met Vlad. I’ve only been active on Twitter a couple weeks now and it’s absurdly easy for me to find the bots.

308
retired cynic  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:45:42am

Chris Coons: Trump’s expanded travel ban is a grave foreign policy mistake WaPo Opinion piece and Good!

309
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:46:04am

re: #305 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

I like beets.

310
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:46:46am

Beets, the cold climate sugar source.

311
goddamnedfrank  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:47:06am
312
William Lewis  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:47:15am

re: #304 Eclectic Cyborg

Unless it’s just poor white folks, that won’t end well.

It would be interesting to find out just how far you could push it by propagandizing the white recipients while being quiet about the native american, asian, black and hispanic recipients wouldn’t it?

313
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:48:06am

re: #310 jaunte

Beets, the cold climate sugar source.

Da :).

314
William Lewis  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:48:40am

re: #305 Charles Johnson

Thank you, that leaves more for me :D Pickled are glorious but even a freshly picked beet roasted in butter is nom central.

315
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:48:43am

Not that I like chewing on sugar cane either.

316
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:50:29am

re: #311 goddamnedfrank

[Embedded content]

His campaign team and surrogates are exactly why I’m not voting for. him. He hasn’t shown any evidence that he would have a competent team advising him. I can totally see him making someone like Weaver his Chief of Staff, Nina Turner a top aide, etc. Bernie doesn’t know or want to work with people who aren’t always on board with Bernie. One of my favorite history books is as Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, I think Obama liked it too because he too was willing to include people with presidential aspirations of their own like Clinton and Biden into his circle because he wanted the best team he could have.

317
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:51:33am

I always felt cabbage gets a bad deal. I prefer stuffed cabbage to stuffed peppers.

318
Charles Johnson  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:52:39am
319
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:53:24am

Beets beet turnips.

320
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:53:32am

I mean of course I will vote for Bernie against Trump. Trump to me is the biggest threat against democracy this country has seen in the Presidency so I’d vote for the best choice against that but I do get tired of being told that I have to love Bernie Sanders and accept him as a political savior and that if I don’t, I must be a corporatist. And I really resent the cult of personality he’s creating for himself.

321
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:53:54am

re: #318 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Other: radish.

322
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:54:29am

Now the best vegetable is of course the potato and I will fight anyone who differs on that.

323
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:54:57am

Grilled brussels sprouts are the top of the vegetable pyramid.

324
PhillyPretzel  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:55:09am

re: #322 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I love potatoes. Yukon Golds are yummy. :)

325
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:55:48am

re: #322 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Potatoes deserve their own food group.

326
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:56:49am

re: #324 PhillyPretzel

I love potatoes. Yukon Golds are yummy. :)

Their beauty is in their versatility. So, thank you Incas.

327
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:57:24am

re: #325 jaunte

Potatoes deserve their own food group.

Oh hell yes.

328
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Feb 1, 2020 • 10:58:59am

re: #305 Charles Johnson

Roast them and serve them with goat cheese. Then they are edible. Good, actually.

329
makeitstop  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:00:31am

re: #318 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

You just posted my personal 4 way tie. Can’t get with any of ‘em.

In other news - the new Drive By Truckers is out, a chronicle of America in the Age of Trump.

21st Century USA

330
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:00:54am

re: #322 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Now the best vegetable is of course the potato and I will fight anyone who differs on that.

Challenge accepted. Rotten tomatoes at 10 meters.

331
makeitstop  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:01:23am

re: #321 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Other: radish.

Nah, I dig a nice spicy radish.

332
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:02:55am

re: #331 makeitstop

Nah, I dig a nice spicy radish.

Maybe I should reconsider. Honest? I just don’t like raw veggies.

333
makeitstop  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:02:56am

re: #323 jaunte

Grilled brussels sprouts are the top of the vegetable pyramid.

My wife has been on a campaign to bring me around to brussels sprouts. Some days I like ‘em, some days it’s like eating burned hair.

Also - what do they call them in Brussels?

334
Ace Rothstein  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:04:31am

re: #333 makeitstop

Spruitjes.

335
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:04:37am

re: #333 makeitstop

My wife has been on a campaign to bring me around to brussels sprouts. Some days I like ‘em, some days it’s like eating burned hair.

Also - what do they call them in Brussels?

Possibly just sprouts?

336
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:05:18am

re: #333 makeitstop

Verbrand Haar

337
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:05:45am

Feb 1, 2020. The Great Vegetable Flounce.

338
The Ghost of a Flea  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:06:05am

Bitter melon is worse than everything everyone’s mentioned.

339
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:07:34am

re: #333 makeitstop

Also - what do they call them in Brussels?

Le Petite Cabbage

340
jaunte  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:09:16am

Raw cassava can give you cyanide poisoning, so there’s another one for the bad column.

341
Belafon  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:10:44am

re: #305 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

I don’t think roots evolved for us to like them.

342
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:13:06am

re: #340 jaunte

Raw cassava can give you cyanide poisoning, so there’s another one for the bad column.

Back in my ‘How Many Ways to Get High’ days, I read, in more than one page, iceberg lettuce can get you high. You have to boil 2 heads of lettuce, the reduce, to get an oil, to smoke, and it tastes like shit. But it will get you high.

3 heads of lettuce has enough of that stuff to kill you. Yes, lettuce can kill you.

Lettuce pray.

343
Eclectic Cyborg  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:13:33am

re: #338 The Ghost of a Flea

Bitter melon is worse than everything everyone’s mentioned.

Blind Melon on the other hand…

/

344
makeitstop  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:14:12am

re: #332 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

Maybe I should reconsider. Honest? I just don’t like raw veggies.

Cut ‘em in half and sprinkle a little salt on. Tasty.

345
Teddy's Person  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:15:10am

re: #342 BigPapa

Back in my ‘How Many Ways to Get High’ days, I read, in more than one page, iceberg lettuce can get you high. You have to boil 2 heads of lettuce, the reduce, to get an oil, to smoke, and it tastes like shit. But it will get you high.

3 heads of lettuce has enough of that stuff to kill you. Yes, lettuce can kill you.

Lettuce pray.

LGF, come for the politics; stay to discover the dangers of leafy greens.

346
LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:15:21am

re: #344 makeitstop

Cut ‘em in half and sprinkle a little salt on. Tasty.

Cool deal, I’ll give it a try.

347
Rightwingconspirator  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:15:52am
348
makeitstop  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:16:54am

My wife advocates for all four of Charles’ veggies. ‘They’re all good,’ she says.

349
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:17:03am

re: #338 The Ghost of a Flea

Bitter melon is worse than everything everyone’s mentioned.

My mother in law, maker of a kick ass pinakbet, is disappoint. Do not eat straight or by itself. But in other stuff (like pork fat and fish sauce), done right, sublime.

Of course, anything in pork fat and fish sauce will taste amazing. But shaddup.

350
I Would Prefer Not To  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:17:45am

re: #342 BigPapa

Back in my ‘How Many Ways to Get High’ days, I read, in more than one page, iceberg lettuce can get you high. You have to boil 2 heads of lettuce, the reduce, to get an oil, to smoke, and it tastes like shit. But it will get you high.

3 heads of lettuce has enough of that stuff to kill you. Yes, lettuce can kill you.

Lettuce pray.

I prefer the Devil’s Lettuce.

351
BigPapa  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:18:48am

re: #350 I Would Prefer Not To

I prefer the Devil’s Lettuce.

#ALLTHELETTUCES

352
Teddy's Person  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:19:03am

re: #331 makeitstop

Nah, I dig a nice spicy radish.

Me too. Growing up, we’d always have a raw veggie tray at family gatherings. My mom would get mad because I’d usually eat all the radishes before she could assemble the tray (she mostly put them on the tray for color). As I’ve gotten older, radishes give me terrible stomach pains and heartburn. But every once in a while, I eat some any way.

353
mmmirele  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:21:26am

re: #333 makeitstop

My wife has been on a campaign to bring me around to brussels sprouts. Some days I like ‘em, some days it’s like eating burned hair.

Also - what do they call them in Brussels?

Just a reminder, we have Brussels sprouts because people monkeyed with the various cultivars of cabbage. We also have broccoli, collard greens, kale and kohlrabi and I think some other vegetable grown in China, but all descended from cabbage.

354
PhillyPretzel  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:28:22am

re: #333 makeitstop

Smother them in butter. They taste very good. :)

355
plansbandc  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:39:38am

re: #318 Charles Johnson

I like all of them. :D :D

356
jeffreyw  Feb 1, 2020 • 11:59:54am

re: #318 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

My mom and dad were both depression era kids. My dad would grow nostalgic for turnips and insist that mom make him some. She would do so, but grudgingly.
“You raised turnips back in the day, don’t go all snooty,” he said.
“Yeah, and fed them to the hogs,” she replied.

357
Barefoot Grin  Feb 1, 2020 • 12:20:01pm

re: #341 Belafon

I don’t think roots evolved for us to like them.

I dig roots.

358
ericblair  Feb 1, 2020 • 1:09:21pm

re: #333 makeitstop

My wife has been on a campaign to bring me around to brussels sprouts. Some days I like ‘em, some days it’s like eating burned hair.

Also - what do they call them in Brussels?

They call them choux de Bruxelles (Brussels cabbages). Close enough.

You can get a good hamburger in Hamburg, by the way.

359
stpaulbear  Feb 1, 2020 • 2:12:13pm

re: #309 LeftyRambles2413 (HappyWarrior)

I like beets.

Me also. Beets with some butter.


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