1
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:38:27pm

I think it’s fair to say quite a few people in this mess have tapes.

I wonder which one will leak first?

2
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:53:31pm

re: #1 Eclectic Cyborg

It’s not *tapes* these days! It’s a seemingly endless string of ones and zeroes.

3
jaunte  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:55:02pm

I did NOT see that one coming.

4
jaunte  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:57:02pm

Bin Salman, 31, has been his country’s defense minister and deputy crown prince, and was credited with a “huge success” for President Donald Trump’s recent decision to stop in Saudi Arabia.
…………..
In March, Bin Salman met Trump in the White House, and agreed that Iran represents a regional security threat.
cnbc.com

5
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:58:23pm

Honestly I think it was a Trump bullshit bluff, and what happens when a subpoena asks for the non existent? Nothing much outside court.

6
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:58:38pm

This fucking malevolent tub of lard. This fucking guy.

7
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 8:59:14pm

From the previous thread:

re: #255 Interesting Times

That’s part of the problem inherent in the Democratic Party: We don’t really have “fear” messages to run on (Gay Marriage will turn your cat gay!! FEMA camps!!! Obummercare is sochulizm!!!!)

That and we aren’t willing to lie about things to scare people into voting.

However, with the massive corruption/potential Russian interference, we do have a scare tactic and it appears to be all true.

Tonight’s special elections in Georgia and South Carolina were a massive swing for two districts that should have been easy pickups for the GOP. They spent historic amounts of money to defend those: That can’t be sustainable unless the GOP is printing its own money. The Montana and Kansas elections were also a lot closer than they should have been for the GOP.

It sucks not to pull out a win - a win certainly would boost people’s egos. But those four wins for the GOP came at an incredible cost and were a lot closer than they should have been.

I suspect while publicly the GOP is making their victory laps, privately their number crunchers and such are looking at what went wrong in such easy districts.

A much closer district like NE-2 could be flipped (it only recently had a Democratic rep and the current Republican rep isn’t well-liked). NE-1 is close enough to be flipped. Other districts like that around the country exist and the GOP knows it.

8
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:10:22pm

re: #2 teleskiguy

It’s not *tapes* these days! It’s a seemingly endless string of ones and zeroes.

Well we do still call them “films” even if there never was a single frame of Kodak involved.
But yeah digital is less trustworthy than analog physical media

9
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:11:26pm

re: #8 Unshaken Defiance

Well we do still call them “films” even if there never was a single frame of Kodak involved.
But yeah digital is less trustworthy than analog physical media

Stereopticon or GTFO.

10
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:12:08pm

This goes back to a discussion about growing up in the 70s I had the other day…

11
Ace-o-aces  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:12:47pm
12
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:13:17pm

re: #10 darthstar

This goes back to a discussion about growing up in the 70s I had the other day…

[Embedded content]

I know…Iowa Gun Owners…probably a bunch of Trump circle jerkers…but still, it was the toy of choice for me growing up….shot thousands of rounds in the acreage behind our house.

13
Decatur Deb  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:14:03pm

re: #8 Unshaken Defiance

Well we do still call them “films” even if there never was a single frame of Kodak involved.
But yeah digital is less trustworthy than analog physical media

Saw a digital restoration of Casablanca in an art deco movie palace a couple years ago. The image quality was mind-blowing.

14
Ace-o-aces  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:15:56pm
15
freetoken  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:16:11pm

re: #8 Unshaken Defiance

Photographic film is still used by some people.

E.g.: fujifilm.com

16
retired cynic  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:17:30pm

re: #14 Ace-o-aces

Sure they can. They don’t give a hoot if it is a total contradiction. They call things what they want, and the terms mean what they want. Just like Humpty Trumpty.

17
freetoken  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:17:44pm

Also see:

kodak.com

18
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:17:44pm

re: #9 Anymouse

Stereopticon or GTFO.

So try to imagine I get my credentials to photograph our president (in jail some day) and I roll up with this camera. A Lumiere

(By Victorgrigas - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org)

19
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:18:54pm

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, commenting on how to attract high-school educated people to low-paying factory jobs, suggests booze and snacks.

washingtonpost.com

“What some of the companies have been doing is literally having an open session with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for the high school students and their parents,” Ross said at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington. “So they can actually see that a factory is not a dank, dark, dangerous place where people do a lot of physical work — that the modern factory is actually a very attractive workforce environment.”

He added, “And then when they hear that, they’ve had a few drinks and they find out it’s actually a much better paying job than they thought, it starts to change the attitude.”

So Mr. Ross is suggesting getting under-age people drunk so they can see what a great job they’d get?

20
retired cynic  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:19:05pm

re: #18 Unshaken Defiance

So try to imagine I get my credentials to photograph our president (in jail some day) and I roll up with this camera. A Lumiere

[Embedded content]

(By Victorgrigas - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org)

They’ll think it’s a deadly weapon!

21
Decatur Deb  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:20:59pm

re: #20 retired cynic

They’ll think it’s a deadly weapon!

That’s not a deadly weapon. This is a deadly weapon:

22
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:21:00pm

re: #15 freetoken

Photographic film is still used by some people.

E.g.: fujifilm.com

Heck yeah, and hallelujah. Thanks to 65mm it’s back literally as big as ever. Kodak gives away film with processing and a medium res transfer to promote smaller films and film makers as a part of promoting 16mm and 35mm. They just built a whole new processing facility.

23
retired cynic  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:22:00pm

re: #22 Unshaken Defiance

Heck yeah, and hallelujah. Thanks to 65mm it’s back literally as big as ever. Kodak gives away film with processing and a medium res transfer to promote smaller films and film makers. me a magazine of 250D as a part of promoting 16mm and 35mm. They just built a whole new processing facility.

I don’t understand it, except size of frame, but my husband would be cheering!

24
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:23:13pm

re: #15 freetoken

Photographic film is still used by some people.

E.g.: fujifilm.com

I still buy film for my Polaroid. (Polaroid still sells it, but it’s kind of expensive.) My sister still gets film for her Brownie camera from a firm that gets it from Kodak in bulk, but that’s not really cheap either.

25
Kragar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:24:15pm
26
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:26:33pm

re: #11 Ace-o-aces

[Embedded content]

We ain’t dead. We’re just not smart about winning elections.

We just came very close in districts that went GOP by >20%. The GOP won, because Republicans always vote, and they always vote Republican.

Democrats? We say stupid shit like “If one more Clinton supporter tells me I have to vote for Clinton or Trump gets elected, I’m voting for STEIN!!”, or “My vote can’t be taken for granted. My vote has to be EARNED!”

You know who DOESN’T say “My vote has to be earned!”

Republicans. They may HATE the Republican on the ticket, but they’ll crawl naked through a pile of cactus and porcupines to vote for that guy. They don’t pout, they don’t sigh and dream of the guy who lost the primary, they don’t insist they wuz robbed. They vote for him. Even if they hated him in September, or even late October, by election day, they’re all enthusiasm.

27
Blind Frog Belly White  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:29:22pm

Hey, Donny? How much did the GOP spend to not lose what should have been a completely safe seat?

28
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:29:44pm

First World Problems solved: Artisanal Photoshop Brushes:

google.com

29
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:32:49pm

re: #23 retired cynic

To fill in a bit-Film from a movie set gets developed or “processed” then scanned into a computer for editing and post production assembly, effects, color adjustments. That’s the DI or digital intermediate. That can become digital files for movie projection or projected onto real film for film projectors from 16mm up through Imax.

30
A hollow voice says, Covfefe.  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:33:28pm

re: #27 Blind Frog Belly White

[Embedded content]

Hey, Donny? How much did the GOP spend to not lose what should have been a completely safe seat?

When your enemy becomes overconfident, do not correct him.

31
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:33:36pm

re: #26 Blind Frog Belly White

We ain’t dead. We’re just not smart about winning elections.

We just came very close in districts that went GOP by >20%. The GOP won, because Republicans always vote, and they always vote Republican.

Democrats? We say stupid shit like “If one more Clinton supporter tells me I have to vote for Clinton or Trump gets elected, I’m voting for STEIN!!”, or “My vote can’t be taken for granted. My vote has to be EARNED!”

You know who DOESN’T say “My vote has to be earned!”

Republicans. They may HATE the Republican on the ticket, but they’ll crawl naked through a pile of cactus and porcupines to vote for that guy. They don’t pout, they don’t sigh and dream of the guy who lost the primary, they don’t insist they wuz robbed. They vote for him. Even if they hated him in September, or even late October, by election day, they’re all enthusiasm.

See attacks on Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Democrats dump on him all the time, because a lot of things he stands for are not things Democrats agree with.

Nevertheless, Joe Manchin usually votes along with the rest of the Democrats. If he were replaced, it would be with a Republican.

See also our recent Omaha election. Lies spread about Heath Mello’s record in the Unicameral caused lefties to stay away from the polls, while Republicans crawled over broken glass to vote for Jean Stothert. (Scott Walker came to Omaha to campaign for her.)

It isn’t the righties that are causing Omaha’s downtown streets to be ground up and turned to gravel (as someone suggested earlier, we deserve it for electing Republicans), it was lefties staying away from the polls in Omaha.

32
freetoken  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:33:44pm

Repeating myself from downstairs: At least out here in the West, we are winning the culture war. Bit by bit, and it’s not monotonic, but modernity is slowly pushing out old ideas.

Even this:

Most GOP education board members split with Abbott over vouchers

The Texas State Board of Education is known for its conservative ideals, but a majority of its Republican members said Tuesday they oppose GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s demand that lawmakers pass a school voucher program and a bathroom law in next month’s special session.

[…]

And stupid eventually fails. Ask Kansas.

Even the NFL is now hinting that if TX goes ahead with their bathroom bill then the Superbowl may be affected. This has Dallas on edge.

Keep chipping away.

33
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:34:17pm

There was one good win in Georgia tonight…Go Giants! It’s about fucking time you won a game.

34
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:36:33pm

re: #32 freetoken

That school voucher idea is a non-starter here. The overwhelming majority of voters are rural. Rural voters aren’t going to go for a voucher they can’t use (even if voucher programmes were worthwhile, which they’re not).

That said, my Representative is a good GOP apparatchik; I presume he’ll go along with whatever ZEGS tells him to do in Congress.

35
Charles Johnson  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:40:51pm

Yeesh. We’re having a real invasion of spammers from India tonight.

36
freetoken  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:41:19pm

PZ Meyers just put up a video, of someone who has deconverted from fundamentalism. Anyway, I don’t expect most Americans to go this direction, but I am hoping as a nation we will inch our way from fundamentalism to a more eccumenical view of humanity:

Conversation with an ex-creationist

37
Unshaken Defiance  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:41:57pm

re: #35 Charles Johnson

Thought I saw something weird in Pages. AOL? LOL.

38
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:42:56pm

So maybe the hashtag should have been #FuckThe6th instead of flip…

39
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:44:19pm

NASA Eclipse Test Balloon Launched in Mitchell, Nebr. (Goes to the Scottsbluff Star-Herald)

NASA scientists and students descended on the City of Mitchell (population 1702) to launch a test balloon for the upcoming total solar eclipse.

NASA and other organisations are planning observation and launches all over Nebraska because the state lacks trees or other obstacles that would interfere with viewing or launches.

MITCHELL — A grassy meadow that once served as an airfield south of Mitchell is an unlikely place for the launch of a NASA mission. But a dozen or so scientists and students gathered there Tuesday morning to test a balloon that will carry tracking equipment high into the western Nebraska skies during August’s solar eclipse.

The team, which worked feverishly to hit a 10:45 a.m. launch time, included college students from South Dakota and a few high school students, including one from Alliance. Their aim was to send up the balloon in time to reach the path of totality — the long band of momentary darkness created by the moon’s shadow — in time to encounter it as it passes over Alliance, more than 60 miles and 100,000 vertical feet away.

(more at the Star-Herald)

Mitchell is about ninety miles from here. I wonder if we’ll see NASA folk here in my village?

40
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:46:39pm

re: #39 Anymouse 🌹

Mitchell is about ninety miles from here. I wonder if we’ll see NASA folk here in my village?

They should be easy to spot.

41
freetoken  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:47:55pm

That discussion with the former fundamentalist is very applicable to our discussion tonight about politics in America.

42
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:49:37pm

re: #40 darthstar

They should be easy to spot.

LOL.

For those of you who are not blessed to live along the line and cannot see the eclipse, there will be a live-streaming Website running (currently not active):

eclipse.stream.live

43
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:49:50pm
44
DodgerFan1988  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:50:11pm

Just watched an interesting program called America’s War on Drugs on the National Geographic Channel. It talked about the mid 1980’s when the CIA and some members of the Reagan Administration collaborated with Anti-Castro Rebels and Nicaragua’s Contras to traffick cocaine into the United States, and use the profits to fund Anti-Communist causes, while purposely direct the drugs into America’s black communities. But hey, “they’re animals anyway, so let them lose their souls.”

45
Citizen K  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:51:03pm

I know we made inroads in districts we should have been close in. I know the steps are there, and it shows that we’re moving in a good direction. I know we should be taking this to heart and looking toward the next fight.

It’s goddamn hard when everyone else seems to be taking this toward See! See! Dems always lose because everyone hates them and they have nothing to offer! Losers! Losers, eternal losers, America hates you!! from both sides of the spectrum now. No one else seems to care that we got close, because lets face it: ‘close’ doesn’t really matter in politics, not in a winner-take-all system we have. And it’s getting draining without some kind of victory to hang our hats on and at least give the lefter-than-thou crowd something to chew on other than reflexive Hillary hate.

Moral victories can sustain only so much, especially knowing how powerless we are vote-wise in Congress, especially when the media seems so goddamn intent on shutting us out of the narrative wholesale.

46
retired cynic  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:51:16pm

re: #44 DodgerFan1988

I’m so old, I remember protesting that.

47
DodgerFan1988  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:56:40pm

re: #46 retired cynic

I’m so old, I remember protesting that.

It’s pathetic that conservatives calls Oliver North a hero today. That thug trafficked drugs and sold weapons to America’s arch enemy Iran.

48
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:56:51pm

Wherever NJDHockeyFan is, I hope he saw this.

49
retired cynic  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:59:03pm

re: #47 DodgerFan1988

It’s pathetic that conservatives calls Oliver North a hero today. That thug trafficked drugs and sold weapons to America’s arch enemy Iran.

Remember the blasted cake?

50
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 9:59:30pm

Other local news - some people are calling for the resignation of the superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

starherald.com

The issue regards a high-speed chase that ended near Gordon (a bit NE of me). The chase ended in the driver rolling his car and being ejected from it, killing him.

The problem is not the high-speed chase, but the fact the State Patrol issued statements that appear now to contradict each other to avoid further questioning of the incident by the public.

The state patrol said that three times it used a “TVI” (tactical vehicle intervention, which Nebraska classes as a use-of-force), then it said that the driver swerved into the police car, causing his own wreck.

Then dashcam video came out, showing the police officer initiating the TVI, not the driver swerving into the police car.

51
darthstar  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:02:46pm
52
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:06:48pm

More on that high-speed chase: Some of the things that a police officer is supposed to consider here is if there are passengers in the vehicle, conditions of the road, whether the driver is recklessly driving at other people, &c.

There were three passengers in the car, but the original reports said zero. The chase was eighty miles an hour down a narrow gravel road with ditches on both sides. (The passengers were not killed.)

53
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:07:59pm

re: #52 Anymouse 🌹

54
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:12:38pm

State Senator Ernie Chambers (I-sued God) called for firing the State Patrol superintendent.
starherald.com

The reason is officials apparently lied to the grand jury investigating the case that returned a no-bill, despite internal investigators telling the patrol that the truth about the incident wasn’t being told.

starherald.com

55
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:21:44pm

I think this is a very powerful photo:

56
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:24:00pm

The lawyer Jeff Session’s hired is one who fought a losing battle for a private school that banned interracial dating.

rawstory.com

I’m guessing Sessions is just going back to his roots here.

57
Apocalypse  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:25:39pm

re: #56 Anymouse 🌹

They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps; Equally one can judge a man by the people they hire.

58
Kragar  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:30:29pm
59
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:30:53pm

re: #3 jaunte

[Embedded content]

I did NOT see that one coming.

The most dangerous man in the world?

60
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:33:36pm

re: #57 Apocalypse

They say you can judge a man by the company he keeps; Equally one can judge a man by the people they hire.

The Raw Story article has a clip from the “Rachel Maddow Show” on that particular attorney that Mr. Sessions hired.

61
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:33:45pm

Good video game music.

62
Citizen K  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:38:46pm

re: #61 teleskiguy

Good video game music.

[Embedded content]

Composed by Nobuo Uematsu, of Final Fantasy fame. Not what he’s known for since FF is more known for stuff more in the orchestral vein, but even then he dabbled in ragtime, swing, and straight up rock and metal (he had a hard rock band called The Black Mages that did rock covers of a lot of his Final Fantasy standards). So the fact that he composed something progressive-styled like this isn’t much a surprise to me I guess.

63
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:40:06pm

I took a 5 hour nap this afternoon.

Am awake, but feel I could go right back to bed.

afraid to, worried I’ll be up at 5am and dragging all day.

how are you this morning?

64
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:42:17pm

re: #63 Birth Control Works

I took a 5 hour nap this afternoon.

Am awake, but feel I could go right back to bed.

afraid to, worried I’ll be up at 5am and dragging all day.

how are you this morning?

I slept for the better part of twenty hours. I was supposed to go to the village chairwoman’s house to collect a water sample for required coliform tests, but she is involved today in a surprise bank audit (she’s still at work) at another bank. (That branch a few years ago would up with a clerk embezzling from the bank.) Now the bank does surprise audits on its branches.

65
Apocalypse  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:51:42pm

re: #60 Anymouse 🌹

Watched a bit of the clip, Cooper is shite lawyer as well it seems.

66
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:53:12pm

It’s almost 11 o’clock at night in Phoenix. Current temperature is 109° F.

Giphy

67
DodgerFan1988  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:54:44pm

re: #49 retired cynic

Remember the blasted cake?

To quote Reagan
“I don’t recall.”

68
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 10:58:38pm

cbc.ca

Patron drinks the toe of the famous Sourtoe Cocktail at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Yukon.

The hotel is furious, because toes are hard to come by.

The objective of the cocktail is have the toe touch your lips while you drink the cocktail, not drink the toe.

The hotel’s posted fine for swallowing or stealing the toe is $2,500. It had been $500 until August 2013, when a patron gulped back the entire cocktail — toe and all — and slapped $500 on the table.

According to a news release on Monday, the hotel intends to fine and charge the thief “unless the Toe is returned safe.”

“Stunts like this adversely affect the whole community, not just the Downtown Hotel. We fortunately have a couple of back up toes, but we really need this one back,” Lee says in the release.

(more at the CBC)

69
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:02:44pm

re: #65 Apocalypse

Watched a bit of the clip, Cooper is shite lawyer as well it seems.

Well, good for Jeff Sessions then. If it comes to him needing to answer anything in court, I certainly want him to hire the worst lawyer he can find.

70
danarchy  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:04:23pm

re: #68 Anymouse 🌹

cbc.ca

Patron drinks the toe of the famous Sourtoe Cocktail at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Yukon.

The hotel is furious, because toes are hard to come by.

The objective of the cocktail is have the toe touch your lips while you drink the cocktail, not drink the toe.

(more at the CBC)

Uh… WTF?

71
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:04:30pm

re: #62 Citizen K

That’s fucking fascinating. I stopped playing video games around 2002, and never got into the details and niceties. My younger sister, however, is Mrs. VideoGames. She’s the keeper of all the video game systems my family has had since the mid 70s. Always fun to visit her place, you have your choice from Atari 2600 up to whatever the XBox/Playstation is at these days, and a huge variety in between. Her collection of old *cartridges* is nothing short of amazing (mostly NES titles).

72
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:08:57pm

re: #70 danarchy

Uh… WTF?

Apparently there is little to do in Dawson City.

Here we fry bull testicles and serve them up in the village restaurant.

73
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:09:52pm

re: #64 Anymouse 🌹

I slept for the better part of twenty hours. I was supposed to go to the village chairwoman’s house to collect a water sample for required coliform tests, but she is involved today in a surprise bank audit (she’s still at work) at another bank. (That branch a few years ago would up with a clerk embezzling from the bank.) Now the bank does surprise audits on its branches.

I’m blaming climate change and ensuing 24/7/365 allergies.

74
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:14:12pm

The hotel in Dawson City points out they just got that toe. They describe it as “a good one.”

A person in town had a toe amputated, and they pickled it in salt for six months before it went to the hotel (the article doesn’t say whether the former owner of the toe gave it to the Downtown Hotel or sold it). Apparently that was the first time that toe had been used in a Sourtoe Cocktail.

75
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:20:10pm

My wife just told me “she cooked my goose.” (That is, she made Vindaloo Canada Goose for dinner.)

76
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:25:40pm
77
teleskiguy  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:35:56pm

I can imagine the board meetings.

“You’re a fuckin’ Nazi piece of shit!”

78
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:46:43pm

My wife is watching “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on Hulu, and all the adverts she gets are still in Spanish.

79
Birth Control Works  Jun 20, 2017 • 11:50:05pm

bbl

80
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 12:03:55am

Tropical Storm Cindy is now moving toward the Texas coast. Wind speeds are up to sixty miles per hour.

My brother-in-law just wrote to tell me maybe he should pay attention to this. (Duh, since you live on the Texas coast… .)

81
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 12:25:04am

I posted this for all my friends and relatives in Phoenix:

The Fast Show: Nimbo Cumulos

82
goddamnedfrank  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:01:56am
83
goddamnedfrank  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:10:44am

re: #77 teleskiguy

I can imagine the board meetings.

“You’re a fuckin’ Nazi piece of shit!”

[Embedded content]

LOL they don’t care that he’s a Nazi. They care that his neo-fascist bullshit has become widely known and may undermine Uber’s eventual IPO performance.

84
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:14:33am

re: #83 goddamnedfrank

LOL they don’t care that he’s a Nazi. They care that his neo-fascist bullshit has become widely known and may undermine Uber’s eventual IPO performance.

Just like corporations only pretend to care about social issues, health or environment when they see marketing & sales potential in it.

85
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:36:52am

Nevada Recreational Marijuana law on hold after judge issues a stay.
ktnv.com

The crux of the law says that starting July 1, liquor stores could sell cannabis. After eighteen months, the state’s tax commission could open up sales to other organisations.

Liquor stores sued, complaining that medical marijuana dispensaries would put them out of the business.

Essentially, Nevada liquor stores are fine with monopoly control of the market, as long as its their monopoly.

86
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:42:26am

Dr. Jill Stein says she is still not sorry Trump was elected.

politico.com

Some Democrats want to haul her up in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee to explain what she was doing at the same table as Michael Flynn and Vladimir Putin.

Moreover, her party’s position on the environment seems at odds with Donald Trump in the White House.

Stein has also hit back at “fake news” claiming she has praised Putin. For the record, Stein says, “Putin is an authoritarian and has a very troubled, disturbing record.” But, she adds, “It’s important to look at where Putin comes from. … It was Larry Summers and the guys from Harvard who basically privatized the public domain [in post-Soviet Russia] and created the oligarchs” (the culpability of American economic advice for the collapse of the Russian economy in the 1990s remains hotly debated).

That’s cold comfort for Democrats who still blame Stein for helping install Trump in the White House. In Michigan, Stein garnered more than 51,000 votes, while Clinton lost by fewer than 11,000. In Wisconsin, Trump’s margin was 23,000 votes while Stein attracted 31,000. And in Pennsylvania she attracted 50,000 votes, while Trump won by 44,000.

87
Teukka  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:45:27am
88
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:50:18am

re: #87 Teukka

It appears there’s been a copycat to Sundays attack. A poor one. Regents Park Mosque ‘attack’: Man ‘holding weapon and threatening Muslim worshippers’ tasered and detained by police

I wonder how these people became radicalized…

89
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:53:00am

More from that Politico article: Sherry Wells is an idiot.

“In some ways, Trump is one of the best things to happen to this country because look at how many people are getting off their posteriors,” says Sherry Wells, the Green Party’s Michigan chairwoman. “So part of me is giggling.”

90
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:54:04am

re: #88 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

I wonder how these people became radicalized…

Another attack which will go undenounced by the moderate whites and Christians of London.

91
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:55:12am

In addition to questionable Russian rodent copulation with the greens, the Libertarians were also apparently involved in promoting the Green Party candidate:

A POLITICO review of the party’s finances turned up $40,000 in contributions pledged in late 2015 to the Pennsylvania Green Party’s federal account from Philadelphia-based libertarian donor Howard Rich and three of his family members. Rich, who sits on the boards of the Cato Institute and the Club for Growth and did not respond to requests for comment, is an opponent of green energy subsidies.

92
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 1:59:52am

re: #90 Timothy Watson

Another attack which will go undenounced by the moderate whites and Christians of London.

Yes, last week’s attacker was Welsh, I wrote to ask why the Welsh were not out en masse protesting againt intolerance…

93
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:09:20am

re: #91 Anymouse 🌹

In addition to questionable Russian rodent copulation with the greens, the Libertarians were also apparently involved in promoting the Green Party candidate:

Anything to weaken Clinton…

I can see that by electing Trump, we have a chance to learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately, I see little or no sign of that happening aside from his abysmally low approval ratings. But that has little relevance to the constellation of political power in this country.

I hold little hope for the mid-term elections, if the Democrats can hold ground, that will be a success in itself.

94
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:14:50am

re: #93 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Anything to weaken Clinton…

I can see that by electing Trump, we have a chance to learn from our mistakes. Unfortunately, I see little or no sign of that happening aside from his abysmally low approval ratings. But that has little relevance to the constellation of political power in this country.

I hold little hope for the mid-term elections, if the Democrats can hold ground, that will be a success in itself.

I don’t like that in the last four special elections, the Democrats lost all four.

On the other hand, they were seats that were overwhelmingly Republican to begin with, and they were all close elections. The Republicans had to spend a phenomenal amount of money to defend seats that should have been cakewalks. I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet. There are a lot of districts closer than the one’s recently decided.

95
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:16:51am

re: #94 Anymouse 🌹

I don’t like that in the last four special elections, the Democrats lost all four.

On the other hand, they were seats that were overwhelmingly Republican to begin with, and they were all close elections. The Republicans had to spend a phenomenal amount of money to defend seats that should have been cakewalks. I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet. There are a lot of districts closer than the one’s recently decided.

I am talking about how Democrats perform in the midterms overall: low turnout and general apathy. Unless the Democrats can figure out a viable strategy to get out the vote and get their message across, they will do nothing but tread water.

96
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:21:04am

re: #95 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

I am talking about how Democrats perform in the midterms overall: low turnout and general apathy. Unless the Democrats can figure out a viable strategy to get out the vote and get their message across, they will do nothing but tread water.

Unfortunately for the Senate, the Dems are defending far more seats than the Republicans.

On the other hand, the Republicans really don’t look so good right now.

More Democrats are motivated to vote; that’s part one.

If enough Republicans become disillusioned with their own party, even if they don’t vote for Democrats, that’s part two.

Plus, the Libertarians have had a couple people jump ship from the GOP and join their party (state senators from Iowa and Nebraska). While the LP is hardly an ally of the Dems, they aren’t big on things like corruption either. (What would be nice would be to see a bunch of GOP elected officials head for the exits and join the LP.)

97
goddamnedfrank  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:26:33am

I’m not exactly sure what to say here beyond that my interest has officially been piqued.

98
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:27:53am

re: #97 goddamnedfrank

I’m not exactly sure what to say here beyond that my interest has officially been piqued.

Lysistrata

99
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:30:31am

There are other features: The Democrats have a real pair of fear issues to run on (historic levels of corruption, Russian meddling). The GOP’s base is upset with its establishment politicians (Trump slew every establishment candidate in the primaries).

The party out of the White House typically gains in mid-term elections.

As always GOTV is important. Competing everywhere is important. Tea Party candidates lost an election, then came back and won the next one. Folk like Quist and Ossoff have a reasonable shot the next time round.

100
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 2:39:34am

re: #99 Anymouse 🌹

There are other features: The Democrats have a real pair of fear issues to run on (historic levels of corruption, Russian meddling). The GOP’s base is upset with its establishment politicians (Trump slew every establishment candidate in the primaries).

The party out of the White House typically gains in mid-term elections.

As always GOTV is important. Competing everywhere is important. Tea Party candidates lost an election, then came back and won the next one. Folk like Quist and Ossoff have a reasonable shot the next time round.

Devil’s advocacy here:

The GOP will counter with “Crooked Hillary” and point out that Russia is buzzing our reconnaissance flights and threatening to shoot down our jets over Syria, both of which are factually irrelevant but rhetorically effective, and the mass media show no sign of doing their job at all, which means that the GOP will control the narrative.

101
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:05:35am

re: #100 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Devil’s advocacy here:

The GOP will counter with “Crooked Hillary” and point out that Russia is buzzing our reconnaissance flights and threatening to shoot down our jets over Syria, both of which are factually irrelevant but rhetorically effective, and the mass media show no sign of doing their job at all, which means that the GOP will control the narrative.

That’s where messaging and other such things come in of which I claim little knowledge on how to present.

That’s why they pay the folk at the top of the party the big bucks.

Our jets being threatened over Syria is on the Republicans. Dems had no part of that.

There’s a lot of time between now and the next general election. I assume people far-better educated than me are working on this now.

As I noted, the spending the GOP put in on those four House races is unsustainable. While the GOP spends money on local races, if they want to try to save House and Senate seats with that kind of spending they will have to abandon state and local parties.

102
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:13:28am

re: #101 Anymouse 🌹

That’s where messaging and other such things come in of which I claim little knowledge on how to present.

Our jets being threatened over Syria is on the Republicans. Dems had no part of that.

There’s a lot of time between now and the next general election. I assume people far-better educated than me are working on this now.

The GOP will go to great lengths to show that Trump is not Putin’s bitch; although the situation in Syria certainly demonstrates more than disproves it, most of the GOP constituency have no fucking idea what is going on there or why we maintain a military presence. Something about fighting terrorism…

I have developed a great faith in the Democrats’ ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Especially as long as misinformation and chaos are easier to create and spread than truth and order.

103
William Lewis  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:16:08am

re: #98 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Lysistrata

Yep.

104
Weaselone  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:22:33am

re: #100 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Devil’s advocacy here:

The GOP will counter with “Crooked Hillary” and point out that Russia is buzzing our reconnaissance flights and threatening to shoot down our jets over Syria, both of which are factually irrelevant but rhetorically effective, and the mass media show no sign of doing their job at all, which means that the GOP will control the narrative.

That’s not a good cover. Russia doing that stuff without consequences while Trump blows kisses at Putin makes Republicans look weak.

105
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:25:17am

re: #104 Weaselone

That’s not a good cover. Russia doing that stuff without consequences while Trump blows kisses at Putin makes Republicans look weak.

It is not a good cover for anyone who is aware of the situation and the background. But it makes for good talking points and tweets, and that is what modern political discourse is all about these days.

106
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:29:12am

Over at Wonkette, one of the commentators was surprised they didn’t try to tie Ossoff to General Sherman in an advert.

Fear sells. Conservatives are afraid.

107
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:31:36am

[radio advert]

With complete control of the House and Senate, the GOP allowed Russia to dictate our military deployments.

Are they complicit, or merely incompetent? Vote Dem.[/radio advert]

108
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:37:59am

Citing their influence, China invites Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner to visit.

rawstory.com

Who elected those two? On the other hand, I presume that China knows how graft works.

109
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:42:38am

[bumper sticker]
What does the GOP know and when did they know it?
[/bumper sticker]

110
Weaselone  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:44:12am

re: #105 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

It is not a good cover for anyone who is aware of the situation and the background. But it makes for good talking points and tweets, and that is what modern political discourse is all about these days.

It’s not effective because the counter talking point/tweet is even more effective and devastating from the point of view of Trump’s base of support. They don’t give a crap that he’s corrupt and they personally like Putin. What hurts him with his base is when he looks weak and to a lesser extent incompetent.

111
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:46:36am

re: #110 Weaselone

It’s not effective because the counter talking point/tweet is even more effective and devastating from the point of view of Trump’s base of support. They don’t give a crap that he’s corrupt and they personally like Putin. What hurts him with his base is when he looks weak and to a lesser extent incompetent.

If the rules and conventions of traditional politics and diplomacy applied to Trump, that would be true, but up to now, he has been somehow immune to any of the consequences of his (in)actions.

112
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:46:59am

re: #110 Weaselone

It’s not effective because the counter talking point/tweet is even more effective and devastating from the point of view of Trump’s base of support. They don’t give a crap that he’s corrupt and they personally like Putin. What hurts him with his base is when he looks weak and to a lesser extent incompetent.

And making him look weak largely depends upon defeating his initiatives and proposals, whether that be in the courts or in the legislature. Hell, half his base already feels that we should pull out of Syria entirely, so Russia bullying him there just convinces them that full retreat is the right idea.

113
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:52:00am

re: #112 Targetpractice

And making him look weak largely depends upon defeating his initiatives and proposals, whether that be in the courts or in the legislature. Hell, half his base already feels that we should pull out of Syria entirely, so Russia bullying him there just convinces them that full retreat is the right idea.

as long as he can maintain that we are there to fight ISIS, he will have support, even if his base has no real idea what is going on or if we are at all effective at it…

114
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:53:21am

re: #113 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

as long as he can maintain that we are there to fight ISIS, he will have support, even if his base has no real idea what is going on or if we are at all effective at it…

I hate to say it, but that might change if a US fighter jet is shot down.

115
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 3:54:41am

It’s not so much that the GOP base wanted Trump: They wanted non-establishment. Trump ate up all the GOP establishment candidates.

Another potentially effective message is to tie Trump to the establishment politicians.

Then there’s all that potentially criminal stuff.

116
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:04:24am

re: #114 Anymouse 🌹

I hate to say it, but that might change if a US fighter jet is shot down.

If a fighter’s shot down, that will just firm in their minds the idea that getting involved with Syria was a mistake. Much like their sudden turnaround on Ukraine, they’ll suddenly find that they don’t want to bring down Assad. After all, he’s fighting ISIS, he’s buddies with Vlad, obviously he should be our buddy or at least left alone to run his little kingdom. They’ll just damn Obama for ever getting them involved when they didn’t support it in the first place.

117
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:06:22am

re: #116 Targetpractice

If a fighter’s shot down, that will just firm in their minds the idea that getting involved with Syria was a mistake. Much like their sudden turnaround on Ukraine, they’ll suddenly find that they don’t want to bring down Assad. After all, he’s fighting ISIS, he’s buddies with Vlad, obviously he should be our buddy or at least left alone to run his little kingdom. They’ll just damn Obama for ever getting them involved when they didn’t support it in the first place.

Exactly. Blame it on someone else and walk away.

118
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:06:45am

re: #116 Targetpractice

If a fighter’s shot down, that will just firm in their minds the idea that getting involved with Syria was a mistake. Much like their sudden turnaround on Ukraine, they’ll suddenly find that they don’t want to bring down Assad. After all, he’s fighting ISIS, he’s buddies with Vlad, obviously he should be our buddy or at least left alone to run his little kingdom. They’ll just damn Obama for ever getting them involved when they didn’t support it in the first place.

Nope. Obama is no longer President. If we have a fighter shot down, the Dems better hang that squarely on the GOP. The Russians weren’t threatening us when Obama was President.

[bumper sticker]
Russia didn’t threaten the USA under Obama
[/bumper sticker]

119
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:09:59am

re: #118 Anymouse 🌹

Nope. Obama is no longer President. If we have a fighter shot down, the Dems better hang that squarely on the GOP. The Russians weren’t threatening us when Obama was President.

[bumper sticker]
Russia didn’t threaten the USA under Obama
[/bumper sticker]

counter bumper sticker:

Obama got us into Syria

120
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:10:15am

re: #118 Anymouse 🌹

Nope. Obama is no longer President. If we have a fighter shot down, the Dems better hang that squarely on the GOP. The Russians weren’t threatening us when Obama was President.

[bumper sticker]
Russia didn’t threaten the USA under Obama
[/bumper sticker]

Come on, you know better than that, they’ll be blaming him long into 2020. Their goldfish-like memories ensure that they’ll remember Syria as “Obama’s war,” that Trump never supported it and they voted for him to end it. Telling themselves that we should have been supporting Assad from the beginning, it was a mistake to promote regime change. Shit, I had “serious” conservatives years ago who went from “Qaddafi has to go!” to “Qaddafi’s keeping ISIS out of Libya!” virtually overnight.

121
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:12:27am

re: #120 Targetpractice

yes, we are trying to apply consistent logic to a situation that is all about outrage and tweets.

122
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:13:43am

re: #87 Teukka

It appears there’s been a copycat to Sundays attack. A poor one. Regents Park Mosque ‘attack’: Man ‘holding weapon and threatening Muslim worshippers’ tasered and detained by police

There were reports the suspect was waving a weapon - police said this later turned out to be a shoehorn taken from inside the mosque.

This is reaching Lubbock Baptist levels of absurdity.

123
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:17:49am

re: #122 Shiplord Kirel

This is reaching Lubbock Baptist levels of absurdity.

and again proves that chaos and misinformation can be halfway around the globe while the truth is still pulling its pants up…

124
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:19:31am

We have to remember that Trump blew up an airfield in the middle of fucking nowhere as his own “wag the dog” moment and his base were practically orgasmic. Combine that with the media throwing the words “strength” and “presidential” around and they saw him as the second-coming of St. Ron.

125
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:21:30am

Well, as I noted, I am not one of those persons who gets paid the big bucks to write messages for the Democrats. (I have to do my own here.)

We still have a long way until the next midterm election, and none of the crap going on now can be blamed on the Dems. That’s all on them, and the Dems better use it.

In the mid-term election that saw our NE-2 Democratic representative ousted, it was because he ran away from Obama’s legacy up to that point. It depressed the Dem turnout, which caused him to lose his seat.

As I noted a few days ago, amongst active duty personnel in exit polling, Clinton ran away with it. Amongst senior citizens, taking Social Security or medical benefits would be a big deal. Those groups are normally the most reliable GOP constituencies, and can be picked off.

Moreover, it doesn’t take winning over a significant portion of GOP voters (though that would be nice). It only takes GOP voters to become disillusioned enough with their party to decide voting isn’t worth it.

Adrian “I don’t think people deserve to eat” Smith (R-NE3) has a challenger this time round, someone widely liked throughout Nebraska (Jane Kleeb). Does she have a chance? Probably not, this is the most red-leaning district in the nation.

But for Adrian Smith, that means he actually has to put up a fight; he usually runs unopposed.

That’s what the Dems need to do, just as the Tea Party did (but not as crazy as they are). No seat goes unchallenged. Run and lose, then run and win was the strategy. We can use that too.

Those four lost special elections were lost by tiny margins. GOP districts with slimmer advantages are already in danger. The GOP cannot sustain that level of spending they used on four House districts.

The Dems need to target every race from Senate to school board.

126
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:22:22am

re: #68 Anymouse 🌹

cbc.ca

Patron drinks the toe of the famous Sourtoe Cocktail at the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City, Yukon.

The hotel is furious, because toes are hard to come by.

The objective of the cocktail is have the toe touch your lips while you drink the cocktail, not drink the toe.

(more at the CBC)

They’ll get another toe.

I can get you a toe by 3 o’clock

127
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:25:04am

nationallawjournal.com

Mueller Recruits another Lawyer from the Solicitor General’s Office: One Who Speaks Russian.

128
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:30:22am

re: #126 The Vicious Babushka

Ewww. That’s a signal it’s time for bed.

(If we get our Yukon trip off the ground, my wife wants to go to Dawson City. I suggested the Sourtoe cocktail, and she said no thanks. I can’t imagine why she would pass on that… .)

129
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:31:23am

re: #128 Anymouse 🌹

Ewww. That’s a signal it’s time for bed.

(If we get our Yukon trip off the ground, my wife wants to go to Dawson City. I suggested the Sourtoe cocktail, and she said no thanks. I can’t imagine why she would pass on that… .)

Sounds like it would be hell on someone’s sodium levels.

130
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:33:49am

One of the problems with figuring out how well either party will do next November is planning for the unplannable. There’s a better chance of some major event happening in the next 12 months that will totally upend the entire board than there is that current trends will continue. Right now, with the media looking for some escape hatch from the Russia scandal, I put my money on a major event that strengthens rather than weakens Trump’s control.

131
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:34:54am

New Jersey and Virginia elections are coming up in November. Those should be a whale of a lot easier for Democrats than four extremely red House districts (including the one that sent Newt Gingrich to the House).

132
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:35:26am

re: #130 Targetpractice

One of the problems with figuring out how well either party will do next November is planning for the unplannable. There’s a better chance of some major event happening in the next 12 months that will totally upend the entire board than there is that current trends will continue. Right now, with the media looking for some escape hatch from the Russia scandal, I put my money on a major event that strengthens rather than weakens Trump’s control.

and again, chaos and disinformation are so easy to disseminate and exploit in our current media and political climate that Trump and the GOP have a distinct advantage

133
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:39:48am

re: #130 Targetpractice

One of the problems with figuring out how well either party will do next November is planning for the unplannable. There’s a better chance of some major event happening in the next 12 months that will totally upend the entire board than there is that current trends will continue. Right now, with the media looking for some escape hatch from the Russia scandal, I put my money on a major event that strengthens rather than weakens Trump’s control.

That could also go the other way, as you note, the “unplannable” (I would have gone with “unforeseeable” myself, but that’s just me.)

A botched hurricane or earthquake response, a ton of criminal indictments/convictions, a bad downturn in the economy, the GOP can get burned by unforeseeable events as well.

Screwing up the education system with vouchers will not play well with either red or blue state voters. That is a point that can be driven home.

We’ll have to see what happens. Throwing in the towel eighteen months before the election doesn’t seem like the wisest strategy, though running some candidates in every election might.

The folk that ran in Montana, Kansas, Georgia, and South Carolina all stepped up to the plate in essentially unwinnable districts and made all four races close. A win would have been a nice ego stroke, but that has to be making closer district GOP reps a bit nervous (even if they aren’t talking about it now).

134
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:45:21am

re: #133 Anymouse 🌹

Screwing up the education system with vouchers will not play well with either red or blue state voters. That is a point that can be driven home.

The GOP knows that their voters look on teachers as lazy government union parasites and thugs who are part of a nefarious common core plan to secularize our students’ belief systems by exposing them to Evolution.

They should all be replaced with pious Christians who nonetheless who live in fear of being fired at any time for any arbitrary reason…

that plays well with their base.

135
Weaselone  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:45:27am

re: #111 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

If the rules and conventions of traditional politics and diplomacy applied to Trump, that would be true, but up to now, he has been somehow immune to any of the consequences of his (in)actions.

He’s not immune to the consequences, nor are other Republicans. Trump just recognized that the actual rules for Republicans are different than the rules everyone was playing by. We need to recognize that, figure out what those rules are and plan accordingly.

136
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:47:29am

re: #130 Targetpractice

(cut) Right now, with the media looking for some escape hatch from the Russia scandal, I put my money on a major event that strengthens rather than weakens Trump’s control.

Like the Bergen County Record on the so-called Bridgegate scandal, or the reporters on a minor (at the time) insignificant break-in at a famous Washington hotel, I’m guessing there is more than one reporter that is looking at every angle of the Russia story and the corruption story and thinking “There’s a Pulitzer Prize in this for me.”

I’m not ready to give up on the press just yet. Perhaps it will be Lauren Duca of Teen Vogue. (That would also have the knock-off effect of embarrassing the crap out of the media into doing its job, perhaps.)

137
ObserverArt  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:50:38am

Morning.

Wendell and Target Practice have convinced me there is no real route to ever win against a Republican again. The media also weighs in…no hope Democrats blew it last night. No reason to go on.

So, I quit.

138
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:50:43am

re: #136 Anymouse 🌹

Like the Bergen County Record on the so-called Bridgegate scandal, or the reporters on a minor (at the time) insignificant break-in at a famous Washington hotel, I’m guessing there is more than one reporter that is looking at every angle of the Russia story and the corruption story and thinking “There’s a Pulitzer Prize in this for me.”

I’m not ready to give up on the press just yet. Perhaps it will be Lauren Duca of Teen Vogue. (That would also have the knock-off effect of embarrassing the crap out of the media into doing its job, perhaps.)

I seriously question whether investigative journalism can survive in the modern era where any coverage is immediately overtaken by the status of Beyonce’s children or what a Kardashian said on Twitter.

139
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:53:08am

re: #138 Timothy Watson

I seriously question whether investigative journalism can survive in the modern era where any coverage is immediately overtaken by the status of Beyonce’s children or what a Kardashian said on Twitter.

Hey, even our own uber-conservative regional newspaper has been writing scathing op-eds against the Trump administration and his cronies.

Investigative journalism is doing fine. For those who watch cable television, that might explain why it’s Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell who are #1 and 2 respectively across all cable shows, not FOX News’s presenters.

140
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:53:25am

re: #137 ObserverArt

Morning.

Wendell and Target Practice have convinced me there is no real route to ever win against a Republican again. The media also weighs in…no hope Democrats blew it last night. No reason to go on.

So, I quit.

The cards are terribly stacked against the Democrats right now. Part of it is their flawed approach, part of it is the media and political climate in general.

I fear that it will take a major catastrophe to finally make people aware of what we have just elected to power in Congress and the White House, one that will cost lives and take years/decades to recover from, before things can significantly change.

141
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:54:43am

re: #140 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

The cards are terribly stacked against the Democrats right now. Part of it is their flawed approach, part of it is the media and political climate in general.

I fear that it will take a major catastrophe to finally make people aware of what we have just elected to power in Congress and the White House, one that will cost lives and take years/decades to recover from, before things can significantly change.

See also the Great Depression.

I am willing to fight to avert such a catastrophe before it happens. I really don’t want

[bumper sticker]
We told you so
[/bumper sticker]

for a campaign slogan.

142
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:55:04am

re: #137 ObserverArt

Morning.

Wendell and Target Practice have convinced me there is no real route to ever win against a Republican again. The media also weighs in…no hope Democrats blew it last night. No reason to go on.

So, I quit.

Would like your political realities detailed now or get a harsh lesson in them election night?

143
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:56:26am

re: #140 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

The cards are terribly stacked against the Democrats right now. Part of it is their flawed approach, part of it is the media and political climate in general.

I fear that it will take a major catastrophe to finally make people aware of what we have just elected to power in Congress and the White House, one that will cost lives and take years/decades to recover from, before things can significantly change.

It might take decades. That only means we are late starting.

144
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:57:33am

I dunno. Maybe I’m way too glass half full but I see us competing in low turnout special elections that are reliably Republican and the fact that midterms are usually unfavorable to the in power party. What does suck is the Republicans start out with a big ceiling. I see them getting at least 45% in Va and NJ’s governor races. OTOH, these are two states Clinton won.

145
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:58:21am

re: #137 ObserverArt

Morning.

Wendell and Target Practice have convinced me there is no real route to ever win against a Republican again. The media also weighs in…no hope Democrats blew it last night. No reason to go on.

So, I quit.

tnJuJme1b0zpy8ENGqntObReCgejy5WkSPnlG3JfjCMoPLB4bZtCONRhYA0G1dgYv6C1v68u2hWiWrmKqiG5mtadnJqlLQgt1Km8AbtGsvgGajZY7FMUYIc26mZaZHPUoHYeVUPdX6YjVfkWZ+4sk1G9zYZ55z78bXsFCI2xmBYDznjAuJlZWmuIMq9fJnBfzKZxdWYSniMT7nBuhJvZNnF2wzTS9jizAr0X6/uevLIVYvcOxDY9fRPlLvdVdQiuUOejdxiD6CY=

146
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 4:59:58am

What we also have to realize is many Trump supporters are quite simply delusional and many GOP voters have no principles at all- see the rise in support for military strikes in Syria since Trump took over or their opinions of Putin.

147
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:01:14am

“It’s cold and the troops are hungry. Fuck Trenton, burn the boats for firewood.”

148
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:03:09am

re: #143 Decatur Deb

It might take decades. That only means we are late starting.

Yup. All my adult life I have repeatedly affirmed to uphold and defend the Constitution, one hand in the air (and the other on a copy of the Constitution in my two elections), and I’ll be damned if I roll over and die without fighting (politically) for the nation. I refuse to roll over.

Standing for my principles is the only show of strength I can make. I’ll keep doing it as long as I can; there are others who will follow me.

I thought about bowing out in the next election I am up for (2018), having done at that point nearly seven years of unpaid political office. I’m pretty sure now I will either run again for my village board, or run for the county commission.

Damn it, someone has to do it, and it appears I’m the someone. So I’ll wade in again.

149
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:03:27am

We also have to acknowledge we’re not going to win them all but we owe to the people who live in these places to run competitive races. It just sucks because running for office is a full time job. A lot of people myself included want to get rid of money in politics but it’s impossible to do that in a post Citizens United world.

150
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:05:13am

re: #137 ObserverArt

Morning.

Wendell and Target Practice have convinced me there is no real route to ever win against a Republican again. The media also weighs in…no hope Democrats blew it last night. No reason to go on.

So, I quit.

I’m a cynic by nature, which means I’m inclined to plan for the worst while hoping for the best. I’m not saying these things to discourage people, but to be realistic about the present political environment. I tried to be overly optimistic eight months ago and I got my heart ripped out on Election Night.

151
Amory Blaine  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:05:33am

Woohoo, my new banjo is on the truck to be delivered today. Hope it comes in one piece.
/fingers crossed.

152
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:05:57am

re: #150 Targetpractice

I’m a cynic by nature, which means I’m inclined to plan for the worst while hoping for the best. I’m not saying these things to discourage people, but to be realistic about the present political environment. I tried to be overly optimistic eight months ago and I got my heart ripped out on Election Night.

I was less optimistic than most for election night, but I still thought Clinton would win. Ugh.

153
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:07:53am

re: #152 Timothy Watson

I was less optimistic than most for election night, but I still thought Clinton would win. Ugh.

I was very optimistic. I really thought Trump was going down and we might gain the Senate.

154
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:08:09am

re: #152 Timothy Watson

I was less optimistic than most for election night, but I still thought McGovern would win. Ugh.

155
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:08:28am

re: #149 HappyWarrior

We also have to acknowledge we’re not going to win them all but we owe to the people who live in these places to run competitive races. It just sucks because running for office is a full time job. A lot of people myself included want to get rid of money in politics but it’s impossible to do that in a post Citizens United world.

The trickiest part is finding people willing to run. That takes local infrastructure which is sorely lacking in many places. (Good luck finding a Democratic office in Wyoming, for example.)

One thing the national party could do is help state and local parties build up their infrastructure. Another is find ways to set aside people running local parties who are warming seats. (My county party has two men as co-chairs, 88 and 89, who only seem to care about maintaining their chairmanships, not the county party, which is why I am the only elected Democrat here - and they won’t talk to me.)

If it comes to it, for such people the only choice might be a revolt of local Democrats to oust people warming seats for half-a-century and still running on ideas that are fifty years old. (We’re working on that here now.)

156
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:12:26am

re: #152 Timothy Watson

I was less optimistic than most for election night, but I still thought Clinton would win. Ugh.

Well, you don’t win all of them. I was mightily disappointed at our county party watch party.

What we have going for us now is the GOP can’t seem to get anything done. After spending eight years opposing Obama, they now have internal factions that don’t agree with each other.

Probably the most important thing for our national elected officials to do is not fall in the same trap. Oppose the GOP agenda where it should be opposed, but don’t fall into the position of the “party of no.” Let them fight with each other.

157
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:13:03am

Honestly we’re stuck in that age old question- Do we become an ideological left party or a center left one that competes every where? And that’s what I see on Facebook all the time. You’ve got those like myself who want us obviously to have a set of principles but realize someone running in suburban Atlanta has to appeal to something different than San Francisco. And you’ve got those who just think we’d win more if we always nominated the most progressive candidate. That’s what’s going on and it’s a good debate to have but the problem is Clinton’s defeat weakened the pragmatic faction who has accomplished a lot and emboldened the progressive purists who want to ignore that.

158
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:13:50am

Case in point, this is the sort of political situation that exists when people think that the GOP will take it in the ass for passing the AHCA:

And you know what, he’s probably got the right idea. When you’ve a chamber than enjoys a 90%+ reelection rate, cynical moves such as these seem workable.

159
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:14:42am

re: #155 Anymouse 🌹

The trickiest part is finding people willing to run. That takes local infrastructure which is sorely lacking in many places. (Good luck finding a Democratic office in Wyoming, for example.)

One thing the national party could do is help state and local parties build up their infrastructure. Another is find ways to set aside people running local parties who are warming seats. (My county party has two men as co-chairs, 88 and 89, who only seem to care about maintaining their chairmanships, not the county party, which is why I am the only elected Democrat here - and they won’t talk to me.)

If it comes to it, for such people the only choice might be a revolt of local Democrats to oust people warming seats for half-a-century and still running on ideas that are fifty years old. (We’re working on that here now.)

Absolutely. Recruiting is tough because as we know, it’s a busy job. And for our state legislatures, it’s even tougher because the pay at those jobs isn’t the incentive.

160
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:16:01am

re: #158 Targetpractice

Case in point, this is the sort of political situation that exists when people think that the GOP will take it in the ass for passing the AHCA:

[Embedded content]

And you know what, he’s probably got the right idea. When you’ve a chamber than enjoys a 90%+ reelection rate, cynical moves such as these seem workable.

He might well be right sigh. I really hate that bastard and his party.

161
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:16:26am

re: #159 HappyWarrior

Absolutely. Recruiting is tough because as we know, it’s a busy job. And for our state legislatures, it’s even tougher because the pay at those jobs isn’t the incentive.

Even worse for part-time legislatures where you have to have a job where you can take a couple months off every year.

162
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:18:23am

re: #161 Timothy Watson

Even worse for part-time legislatures where you have to have a job where you can take a couple months off every year.

Exactly. Which is why I think our state legislatures do end being dominated by elites.

163
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:18:48am

re: #157 HappyWarrior

I don’t know the answer to that question, it’s way above my paygrade.

I guess you could call me an “ideological left” sort of person, because I push for things like subsidised water and trash bills for folk in the village, or a 20% increase in the library budget. (Those won.) But I am also pragmatic: I don’t push for things that will go down in flames unless I can get the town behind them.

After the last election, we wound up with a left-leaning village board. (Two Rs, two independent liberals, and me.) Suddenly trying to grab the brass unicorn of everything leftie would wind us up with a reactionary board in the next election.

Fortunately I don’t have to deal with leftie purity ponies in my town so pragmatic will work here. The gradual improvement of things such as reductions in water bills or improved gravel streets are something people see every day.

164
Amory Blaine  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:18:57am

I don’t know what to think. I’ve been striving to take a wait and see attitude as most of my thoughts on the subject aren’t rosy. I will say this, Democrats got spoiled by the leadership of Obama and when he exited, they show that the game they have left is thin gruel.

165
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:20:10am

re: #159 HappyWarrior

Absolutely. Recruiting is tough because as we know, it’s a busy job. And for our state legislatures, it’s even tougher because the pay at those jobs isn’t the incentive.

I once thought of running against our (unopposed) state senator. Most of the people in our district already know me.

But $12000 pay and have to live four hundred miles away during the legislative session simply isn’t feasible on disability.

166
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:20:13am

Honestly I’m tired of hearing from mostly white progressives how we’re not FDR’s party anymore. Really FDR? Great president imo but the purity ponies should know he refused to sign a bill vetoing lynching because of political fears.

167
Amory Blaine  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:20:44am

Our coalition is more diverse and less affluent. Sticking up for rich owners pays way better than sticking up for poor single mothers.

168
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:22:02am

re: #163 Anymouse 🌹

I don’t know the answer to that question, it’s way above my paygrade.

I guess you could call me an “ideological left” sort of person, because I push for things like subsidised water and trash bills for folk in the village, or a 20% increase in the library budget. (Those won.) But I am also pragmatic: I don’t push for things that will go down in flames unless I can get the town behind them.

After the last election, we wound up with a left-leaning village board. (Two Rs, two independent liberals, and me.) Suddenly trying to grab the brass unicorn of everything leftie would wind us up with a reactionary board in the next election.

Fortunately I don’t have to deal with leftie purity ponies in my town so pragmatic will work here. The gradual improvement of things such as reductions in water bills or improved gravel streets are something people see every day.

Well I’d say you’re pragmatic. My own beliefs are considerably left of center but part of being a pragmatist is realizing not everyone shares those views and you acknowledge that.

169
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:22:53am

re: #166 HappyWarrior

Honestly I’m tired of hearing from mostly white progressives how we’re not FDR’s party anymore. Really FDR? Great president imo but the purity ponies should know he refused to sign a bill vetoing lynching because of political fears.

FDR was pragmatic, but also a man of his times. He caved to pressure by rounding up Japanese-Americans (and some German and Italian-Americans) and put them in concentration camps. Not exactly a leftie move.

170
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:23:56am

re: #165 Anymouse 🌹

I once thought of running against our (unopposed) state senator. Most of the people in our district already know me.

But $12000 pay and have to live four hundred miles away during the legislative session simply isn’t feasible on disability.

Exactly. It becomes a rich man’s game but at the same time, you’ll never be able to increase the salary to make it worthwhile for someone like yourself and man I hate that.

171
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:24:47am

re: #169 Anymouse 🌹

FDR was pragmatic, but also a man of his times. He caved to pressure by rounding up Japanese-Americans (and some German and Italian-Americans) and put them in concentration camps. Not exactly a leftie move.

He was a lot more pragmatic than the lefties who hold him up as an example of what the party ought to be.

172
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:25:07am

re: #168 HappyWarrior

Well I’d say you’re pragmatic. My own beliefs are considerably left of center but part of being a pragmatist is realizing not everyone shares those views and you acknowledge that.

I do live in a township where only eight people voted for Hillary Clinton. (I want to know who the two Jill Stein voters here were.) A couple hundred voted for Donald Trump.

Going immediately for a “socialist utopia” would probably get me burned at the stake.

173
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:25:42am

re: #164 Amory Blaine

I don’t know what to think. I’ve been striving to take a wait and see attitude as most of my thoughts on the subject aren’t rosy. I will say this, Democrats got spoiled by the leadership of Obama and when he exited, they show that the game they have left is thin gruel.

Agree about Obama. We definitely do need new leaders in the age of Trump. Hopefully some good ones emerge.

174
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:26:34am

re: #171 HappyWarrior

He was a lot more pragmatic than the lefties who hold him up as an example of what the party ought to be.

Incrementalism works best. You are not going to change minds overnight to a radical new position.

When did incrementalism become a dirty word?

175
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:26:43am

re: #172 Anymouse 🌹

I do live in a township where only eight people voted for Hillary Clinton. (I want to know who the two Jill Stein voters here were.) A couple hundred voted for Donald Trump.

Going immediately for a “socialist utopia” would probably get me burned at the stake.

Exactly. As I said, a pragmatist works within his limits.

176
Amory Blaine  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:26:44am

Going out in the field to check up on my trainees. :) brb

177
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:27:48am

re: #176 Amory Blaine

Going out in the field to check up on my trainees. :) brb

“Why are you guys on a train?”

178
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:28:55am

re: #174 Anymouse 🌹

Incrementalism works best. You are not going to change minds overnight to a radical new position.

When did incrementalism become a dirty word?

Around the time that instant gratification became a virtue. We live in a country where you can order a pizza on your phone and get the news from your watch within seconds of it happening.

179
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:29:06am

re: #174 Anymouse 🌹

Incrementalism works best. You are not going to change minds overnight to a radical new position.

When did incrementalism become a dirty word?

When Revolution became sexy. The thing is for every revolution that succeeds, there are many more that fail and people are stuck at square one or even behind where they were before. Instead of being proud of ACA, we had lefties that bitched it wasn’t good enough. Ignoring that Social Security was far from the beginning in 1935.

180
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:34:57am

There was a time when it was considered radical to let women vote. That was a real leftie position in the day. (Interestingly, all the western states minus mine and North Dakota had approved full women’s suffrage before the XIX Amendment passed. At one time these were liberal states.)

It was the eastern states that opposed universal women’s suffrage.
en.wikipedia.org

Montana sent the first woman to Congress.

When the suffragette movement failed to advance an amendment for universal suffrage, they went for incrementalism. They went after state legislatures, building on a string of successes until they had the majority opinion they needed in the nation. It took thirty years to do. (Anything worth doing, &c &c).

There are still people today who think interracial marriage laws are inappropriate, and the last ban was only struck down in 2012 (section of the Alabama constitution).

181
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:36:15am

That’s always been the struggle of the left though. Revolution or incrementalism and the former sells big time especially with younger voters while the latter becomes seen as selling out. I hate that because I’m old enough to remember when same sex marriage seemed a bridge too far but through smart, legal pragmatism we got it legalized. I’ve argued before that center left liberals can and do accomplish more long lasting progressive change than left ones because they’re more pragmatic by nature which means they get what they need done in a way that ensures lasting change and that is why I think the left needs to appreciate Obama more.

182
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:38:43am

The other thing is this and this is unpopular with purists but sometimes the most lefty position isn’t the most correct one.

183
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:40:59am

re: #160 HappyWarrior

He might well be right sigh. I really hate that bastard and his party.

They have rewritten the political rules of engagement and are riding high on it.

184
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:42:16am

re: #174 Anymouse 🌹

Incrementalism works best. You are not going to change minds overnight to a radical new position.

When did incrementalism become a dirty word?

ever since Ideological Purity became an unimpeachable virtue.

185
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:42:44am

re: #181 HappyWarrior

That’s always been the struggle of the left though. Revolution or incrementalism and the former sells big time especially with younger voters while the latter becomes seen as selling out. I hate that because I’m old enough to remember when same sex marriage seemed a bridge too far but through smart, legal pragmatism we got it legalized. I’ve argued before that center left liberals can and do accomplish more long lasting progressive change than left ones because they’re more pragmatic by nature which means they get what they need done in a way that ensures lasting change and that is why I think the left needs to appreciate Obama more.

“Youth is wasted on the young.” (::

I’m old enough I went to segregated schools (though only in K and first grade). That was a bridge too far then, and the solution was pragmatism then too: Build up a series of court cases, or legislation where it could be achieved, and push through a bit at a time until Pace v Alabama was struck down by Brown v Board of Education.

Probably the best thing older voters can do in any party is educate new voters on the necessity of building a strong foundation on which to build your case or legislation. Same-sex marriage didn’t just come about because Americans suddenly woke up and said “you know, we’ve been treating that group wrong and we’ll fix that now.”

It took years of careful construction of both court cases and legislation. At one point, being gay was a bloody crime in a lot of places. You can’t change opinions overnight, even with a revolution (whether political or actual). It takes work. Sometimes generations of work.

186
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:45:31am

re: #185 Anymouse 🌹

“Youth is wasted on the young.” (::

I’m old enough I went to segregated schools (though only in K and first grade). That was a bridge too far then, and the solution was pragmatism then too: Build up a series of court cases, or legislation where it could be achieved, and push through a bit at a time until Pace v Alabama was struck down by Brown v Board of Education.

Probably the best thing older voters can do in any party is educate new voters on the necessity of building a strong foundation on which to build your case or legislation. Same-sex marriage didn’t just come about because Americans suddenly woke up and said “you know, we’ve been treating that group wrong and we’ll fix that now.”

It took years of careful construction of both court cases and legislation. At one point, being gay was a bloody crime in a lot of places. You can’t change opinions overnight, even with a revolution (whether political or actual). It takes work. Sometimes generations of work.

That’s part of the irony of the current situation: The people who actually have the stomach for incrementalism are the older members of the party, who are constantly berated as standing in the way of “progress.” The younger members of the party don’t want to hear that we’ll eventually have universal healthcare, they want it now and think those elder statesmen of the DNC are standing in the way.

187
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:46:50am

In the case of Roe v Wade, I would love to see an amendment to the Constitution that enshrines that in law. The Supreme Court case could be overturned by another, given the right series of cases and legislation, and the right is doing just that: Building a foundation on which they can ultimately (they hope anyway) bring a case to have that struck down.

An amendment protecting abortion rights (“The bodily autonomy amendment” or something similar) would not come about overnight. It would take years, maybe decades, just like the suffragette movement to bring about.

188
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:48:23am

re: #89 Anymouse 🌹

More from that Politico article: Sherry Wells is an idiot.

“In some ways, setting fire to the country was the best thing that could happen. Look at all the people who got up off their asses and ran outside to get engaged. Part of me is giggling.” ///

189
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:49:24am

re: #186 Targetpractice

That goes back to the education part. I don’t know how to achieve that. Maybe short lessons on women’s voting rights and how they were achieved, or abortion rights, or minimum wages. None of those things happened overnight. They all took work, and any leftie proposal for anything (say universal healthcare however that is defined) would take just as much work.

Consistently one of the lowest age voter blocs to turn out to vote are 18-29, and it took a long time and a lot of work to get the right to vote for eighteen year olds. (Maybe use that as a lesson too.)

190
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:49:32am

re: #188 Barefoot Grin

“In some ways, setting fire to the country was the best thing that could happen. Look at all the people who got up off their asses and ran outside to get engaged. Part of me is giggling.” ///

That’s the JillShill who is thrilled Trump won. Fuck her & the truck she rode in on.

191
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:50:11am

re: #190 The Vicious Babushka

That’s the JillShill who is thrilled Trump won. Fuck her & the truck she rode in on.

She just needs her cloward pivened.

192
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:52:21am

Too many people took the advances we have made in personal freedoms, minority, women’s and LGBT rights for granted. I am afraid that we are going to have to lose several of these before we wake up and find ourselves forced to work hard to restore them.

What the Left needs are more Heroes of the Resistance, people like the Forest and Weather Service who are not going to be intimidated by idiots imposing an agenda on their work.

193
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:53:33am

re: #188 Barefoot Grin

“In some ways, setting fire to the country was the best thing that could happen. Look at all the people who got up off their asses and ran outside to get engaged. Part of me is giggling.” ///

Moreover, Sherry Wells holds herself out as the Michigan Green Party chair.

That is a lie. The chair is Fred Vitale.

Sherry Wells ran for the state board of education in 2014. That’s her contribution to the Green Party.

194
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:54:41am

re: #191 Decatur Deb

She just needs her cloward pivened.

Upding for that.

195
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:57:40am

re: #192 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Too many people took the advances we have made in personal freedoms, minority, women’s and LGBT rights for granted. I am afraid that we are going to have to lose several of these before we wake up and find ourselves forced to work hard to restore them.

What the Left needs are more Heroes of the Resistance, people like the Forest and Weather Service who are not going to be intimidated by idiots imposing an agenda on their work.

I think a more accurate argument to make would be that the parties have each been defining themselves by the nostalgia-ridden visions of a particular period in time. The GOP is often seen as the party that wants to drag America back to the 1950s, but the DNC has the problem that too much of the party thinks the 1960s were a template rather than an aberration. The Bush years didn’t dissuade them from that and I doubt the Trump years will either.

196
Patricia Kayden  Jun 21, 2017 • 5:59:16am

re: #6 teleskiguy

This fucking malevolent tub of lard. This fucking guy.

[Embedded content]

Unfortunately that’s exactly how Republicans will view these wins — as encouragement to pass Trump Care and dismantle any programs which help the poor. We’re in for a world of hurt. But I’m encouraged that resistance is not futile. Something has got to give.

197
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:01:27am

re: #196 Patricia Kayden

Unfortunately that’s exactly how Republicans will view these wins — as encouragement to pass Trump Care and dismantle any programs which help the poor. We’re in for a world of hurt. But I’m encouraged that resistance is not futile. Something has got to give.

Republicans who can count know that they got screwed last night. They’ll do an end-zone dance for morale purposes, but they’re going to start building a firebreak between themselves and Trump. We shouldn’t let them.

198
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:01:37am

re: #193 Anymouse 🌹

Moreover, Sherry Wells holds herself out as the Michigan Green Party chair.

That is a lie. The chair is Fred Vitale.

Sherry Wells ran for the state board of education in 2014. That’s her contribution to the Green Party.

Michigan Green Party holds responsibility for Trump winning MI.

Jill Stein received 50K votes in MI.
Trump won by 10K

199
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:01:38am

Z6rO3kX+KV3V5y09br5c3/rPGxiaL2Be/jEEoQaHD+iWN+6+EvfXOUbuwuRNqfqK7+ozyihLUKl+GUk0Umj2QnxJ6MmeR0+x0vKz9Kyxl5CnYr6XRz5VI0NP189OxUpXJ65cgwu5VR3rgTPPyY+r/1MIqO7F6JyH8Z/z2XyCZ453QEchEToDg72tj/5hToc3CTJqDChX8N9pw2F/VgZOybhmTVu3FPPappmy96fLNE9m/32EEX1B7MdNOl7Iu61iw2FMc2QGlj7My9xOvSr2vPjYZDonKrpU8BUQiJxoLnT8cGH2US5GN8jlNqBpysd3/aV0SPm4L5qqITYTrjNWkCoXXCDelmjROQC2HH5TXkFu651AtEC2YmyuqtCShhS9cJnjv4xp4p975y6PFXZCUE+ra8LePljyWeANGjnQQnk=

200
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:01:49am

re: #196 Patricia Kayden

Unfortunately that’s exactly how Republicans will view these wins — as encouragement to pass Trump Care and dismantle any programs which help the poor. We’re in for a world of hurt. But I’m encouraged that resistance is not futile. Something has got to give.

Two state seats that should have been easy R wins (NY and NH) went to the D candidate. The total wasn’t 4-0 in recent special elections, it was 4-2.

While state legislature seats rarely get national attention, I’d like to see the DNC call more attention to those state victories, because they were victories, and hard-fought ones.

201
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:02:40am

re: #199 Timothy Watson

[Embedded content]

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202
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:03:17am

re: #199 Timothy Watson

[Embedded content]

aZtQHLCt73pYmS4g06QF/g9N2oCJdvqBUNDVok7JUUebfZdhl4IuRQ==

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Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:05:06am

re: #198 The Vicious Babushka

Michigan Green Party holds responsibility for Trump winning MI.

Jill Stein received 50K votes in MI.
Trump won by 10K

My Green Party voting cousin in Michigan got an earful out of me over that. (She called me to brag about casting her vote for Jill Stein.)

It’s a shame in more than one way: Trump won the state, and she hasn’t spoken to me since. (She faithfully calls me on my birthday, and did not do so a few weeks ago.) Not responding to my letters or returning my telephone calls.

At least she didn’t call me a neoliberal imperialst warmongering shill. /s

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Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:06:16am

re: #201 Anymouse 🌹

[Embedded content]

Hp1DwObQUb9ZShPHS4PJ8n2O2J5Hc1y9dHuEpM9teu7lTKM8RuUa/f+P6jvpo22ip5nkvtzFHfy2QiLakGNv6j2QE2i8fGzAuDifNqKQGIQ2cRoe4I1OHoPl2dkvxf83

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Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:07:04am

re: #202 Decatur Deb

[Embedded content]

vbQPbE1jnW22oQ7Ykfra/5QAF1OQAPvQOFZCorXfaPmteGx/eckN5p5rbwfWBcgx

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Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:07:16am

re: #198 The Vicious Babushka

Michigan Green Party holds responsibility for Trump winning MI.

Jill Stein received 50K votes in MI.
Trump won by 10K

Absolutely agree that Stein needs to be investigated. I doubt she’s a witting collaborator, but she was in Moscow with Misha Kelly.

207
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:11:05am

re: #206 Barefoot Grin

Absolutely agree that Stein needs to be investigated. I doubt she’s a witting collaborator, but she was in Moscow with Misha Kelly.

The election was ripe for ratfucking and meddling, and that was delivered in spades.

208
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:13:14am

re: #197 Decatur Deb

Republicans who can count know that they got screwed last night. They’ll do an end-zone dance for morale purposes, but they’re going to start building a firebreak between themselves and Trump. We shouldn’t let them.

Nope. Trump needs to be an aircraft carrier-sized necklace around every R candidate going forward.

The GOP can count votes and turnout as well, and they know that they did far worse in SC-5 and GA-6 than they should have.

In 2010 the Tea Party folks made the election a referendum on President Obama. I don’t see why we shouldn’t do the same with Trump.

209
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:13:39am
210
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:13:56am

re: #205 Anymouse 🌹

[Embedded content]

C+7Gj+yAl4wSHOq9bIXofZHcQ8jD8+JkQ/99MqQv7tpF1Q3MBL3lJdfRi2So7fuQoeh1SIB6QjGYelsGf1j/2g==

211
jeffreyw  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:15:10am

Imgur
Good morning!

212
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:15:38am

Well, I’m off to bed. I have to drive to Scottsbluff later and I need at least a couple hours sleep … try to keep Donald away from the big red nuke button whilst I’m gone, okay?

213
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:17:43am

Leaving on a good note, from Wonkette:
wonkette.com

A Minnesota nurses charity is buying $2.6 million of patient debt, so they can forgive it.

214
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:18:26am

Greets and saluts from the Resistance in the NYC metro area. I’m disappointed with the results out of GA-6, but considering that the district was safe in GOP hands for 40 years, to get this close is infuriatingly frustrating. At some point moral victories have to translate to actual seats gained. Are we at that tipping point? I’m not so sure, and the GOP efforts to suppress turnout and dirty tricks generally has helped them accumulate safe districts across the country.

The GOP has to worry despite their boastfulness this morning that safe districts that they won by double digits ended up in their win column by single digits. That’s not good any way you slice it. It shows something is happening, but lame turnout is again a problem for Democrats.

Then there’s the issue of statements versus actions. We know what Trump and GOP says versus what they’re doing. We know that Trump says that he’s concerned about the opioid epidemic and that the Trumpcare bill is mean, and yet he supports gutting Medicaid that funds medical treatments for those who have overdosed and Trumpcare will slash and burn the safety net so millionaires like Trump get bigger tax cuts.

215
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:18:42am

re: #158 Targetpractice

Case in point, this is the sort of political situation that exists when people think that the GOP will take it in the ass for passing the AHCA:

And you know what, he’s probably got the right idea. When you’ve a chamber than enjoys a 90%+ reelection rate, cynical moves such as these seem workable.

The difference is that most people like their congresscritter. That could change with the vote.

216
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:20:09am

re: #215 Belafon

The difference is that most people like their congresscritter. That could change with the vote.

They often do not know or like the people they vote for, they just sort of recognize the names from ads and posters and vote for the party of their choice.

217
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:21:28am

re: #215 Belafon

I hate Congress, but like my Congressmember. That’s as old as the nation itself.

218
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:21:35am

re: #209 Belafon

[Embedded content]

But they’re in disarray.//

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HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:23:43am

re: #217 lawhawk

I hate Congress, but like my Congressmember. That’s as old as the nation itself.

Yep Americans hate Congress but usually think their guy or gal is great. Hence why you see a lot of Republicans who claim to hate Washington returning year after year.

220
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:23:59am

re: #217 lawhawk

I hate Congress, but like my Congressmember. That’s as old as the nation itself.

Mine doesn’t think people have a right to eat, and says he only represents Republicans. I really hope the DNC gets behind Jane Kleeb in the next election and hammers those two statements from Adrian Smith home.

221
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:25:09am

TBH I’m more half full than half empty. I understand the frustration and the hunger for wins but I think we retain Va here in 2017 and flip NJ and get some momentum for 2018.

222
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:25:19am

re: #219 HappyWarrior

Yep Americans hate Congress but usually think their guy or gal is great. Hence why you see a lot of Republicans who claim to hate Washington returning year after year.

Trump campaigned as the anti-politician, which made him magically exempt from almost all of the rules and conventions of politics and campaigning.

And that cachet has also rubbed off on the GOP, which is why they are not going to turn against him unless he does something truly heinous.

223
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:25:42am

re: #215 Belafon

The difference is that most people like their congresscritter. That could change with the vote.

I sincerely doubt it will change enough minds to make a difference.

224
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:26:15am

re: #220 Anymouse 🌹

It’s not the DNC; the state Democratic party is the one to leverage here, plus the DCCC.

225
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:26:18am

re: #222 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Trump campaigned as the anti-politician, which made him magically exempt from almost all of the rules and conventions of politics and campaigning.

And that cachet has also rubbed off on the GOP, which is why they are not going to turn against him unless he does something truly heinous.

Thing is this existed long before Trump.

226
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:27:58am

re: #225 HappyWarrior

Thing is this existed long before Trump.

It was the stock-in-trade of the Tea Party, which DT tapped like no other politician could.

227
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:29:01am

re: #224 lawhawk

It’s not the DNC; the state Democratic party is the one to leverage here, plus the DCCC.

The state party here is on life support. It needs outside help. The DCCC would also be helpful, but I stand by my assertion the DNC needs to help struggling state parties.

228
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:30:32am

re: #226 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

It was the stock-in-trade of the Tea Party, which DT tapped like no other politician could.

The whole Congress sucks but my individual Congressman is fine is much older than that. The TP actually did challenge sitting Congress people in their own party.

229
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:31:38am

A thought on the idea that Democrats all need to run like the generic liberal (or worse, like Bernie): The things the Republican Governor of Massachusetts says and does would get him shunned from the party here in Texas.

230
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:32:10am

re: #228 HappyWarrior

The whole Congress sucks but my individual Congressman is fine is much older than that. The TP actually did challenge sitting Congress people in their own party.

Yes, and often lost, which is one of the things that helped the Democrats gain a majority in 2008…

231
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:32:34am

McCain says no American has seen the wealthcare bill in the Senate, but he’s sure the Russians have.

thehill.com

He’ll be all concerned, then vote the party line. I have no doubt he could give a diddly damn.

232
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:33:10am

re: #230 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Yes, and often lost, which is one of the things that helped the Democrats gain a majority in 2008…

But it’s the reason the party, as a whole, is way more ideologically conservative than it was 20 years ago.

233
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:33:22am

re: #230 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Yes, and often lost, which is one of the things that helped the Democrats gain a majority in 2008…

Uh the TP was 2010 not 2008.

234
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:33:52am

re: #231 Anymouse 🌹

McCain says no American has seen the wealthcare bill in the Senate, but he’s sure the Russians have.

thehill.com

He’ll be all concerned, then vote the party line. I have no doubt he could give a diddly damn.

McCain is a hack.

235
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:34:29am

re: #229 Belafon

A thought on the idea that Democrats all need to run like the generic liberal (or worse, like Bernie): The things the Republican Governor of Massachusetts says and does would get him shunned from the party here in Texas.

Hogan I think has ran away from a lot of Trump’s shit in MD.

236
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:34:41am

re: #234 HappyWarrior

Has been since the days of the Keating 5.

237
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:35:34am

We gained a majority in 2006/08 because we ran smart campaigns and thankfully this was before Roberts gutted VRA.

238
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:36:11am

re: #236 lawhawk

Has been since the days of the Keating 5.

Yeah in hindsight, I honestly like Bush more than McCain.

239
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:36:30am

re: #233 HappyWarrior

Uh the TP was 2010 not 2008.

I am thinking of Harry Reid in Nevada, who likely would have been defeated if the TP had not helped nominate such a nutcase to run against him, and Delaware, where the TP was behind Christine “I am not a witch” O’Donnel…gosh, was that 2010?

And Alaska, where we got a moderate Republican on a write-in ballot

240
makeitstop  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:36:50am

re: #151 Amory Blaine

Woohoo, my new banjo is on the truck to be delivered today. Hope it comes in one piece.
/fingers crossed.

When I know that there’s a piece of gear out for delivery, I immediately start acting just like my dog - running to the window every five minutes looking for the big truck. :)

Enjoy the banjo! And post pics when you get it unwrapped, I wanna see!

241
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:38:39am

re: #240 makeitstop

When I know that there’s a piece of gear out for delivery, I immediately start acting just like my dog - running to the window every five minutes looking for the big truck. :)

Enjoy the banjo! And post pics when you get it unwrapped, I wanna see!

I don’t know why all the banjo jokes. I think they sound great. In the right setting and arrangement.

242
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:38:41am

re: #239 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

I am thinking of Harry Reid in Nevada, who likely would have been defeated if the TP had not helped nominate such a nutcase to run against him, and Delaware, where the TP was behind Christine “I am not a witch” O’Donnel…gosh, was that 2010?

And Alaska, where we got a moderate Republican on a write-in ballot

Ah yeah true but then they did win the Senate in 2014 anyhow.

243
Anymouse 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:38:56am

theonion.com
Panicking Mitch McConnell Shoves Entire Healthcare Bill into Mouth as Democrats Walk Past

244
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:39:36am

re: #241 Barefoot Grin

I don’t know why all the banjo jokes. I think they sound great. In the right setting and arrangement.

you just summed up the reason right there…

PS: I have been playing banjo since 1978

245
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:41:21am

re: #242 HappyWarrior

Ah yeah true but then they did win the Senate in 2014 anyhow.

so long ago things are getting muddy in my memory. I just recall Obama’s ACA-passing majority that “rammed that legislation down our throats without bipartisan support”…

246
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:42:09am

Anyhow I have no idea what the solution is. It’s just frustrating because the R’s are growing more nuts and it’s more apparent every day Trump doesn’t belong in the WH but GOP voters just don’t care. They hate liberals, he hates liberals and that’s good enough for them.

247
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:42:45am

re: #245 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

so long ago things are getting muddy in my memory. I just recall Obama’s ACA-passing majority that “rammed that legislation down our throats without bipartisan support”…

Yep even though they actually are doing the same with AHCA.

248
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:44:11am

re: #246 HappyWarrior

Anyhow I have no idea what the solution is. It’s just frustrating because the R’s are growing more nuts and it’s more apparent every day Trump doesn’t belong in the WH but GOP voters just don’t care. They hate liberals, he hates liberals and that’s good enough for them.

There is no single magic thing we can do to solve this. We have to get more Democrats out to vote. If there are people whose minds we can change, we have to do that. But, sadly, it’s going to also take Trump and Co doing some real damage in order to get some people to take off their blinders. We have to just keep fighting.

249
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:48:24am

Trump’s autocracy and fear of media shines through:

These fuckers want to deprive Americans of the right to question the WH, seek information, and gather news. Why? Because they’re threatened by the fact that every bit of news streaming from the WH is bad. Scandals. Incompetence. Failed policies. Inability to pass legislation despite controlling Congress. Inability to even nominate 100s of key positions across government, including key natsec positions and federal attorneys.

It’s a shitshow, and Trump’s response to this is to consider limiting his exposure even further.

He’ll get away with it too, because the media wants to preserve whatever limited access they have.

250
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:49:39am

re: #249 lawhawk

Trump’s autocracy and fear of media shines through:

[Embedded content]

These fuckers want to deprive Americans of the right to question the WH, seek information, and gather news. Why? Because they’re threatened by the fact that every bit of news streaming from the WH is bad. Scandals. Incompetence. Failed policies. Inability to pass legislation despite controlling Congress. Inability to even nominate 100s of key positions across government, including key natsec positions and federal attorneys.

It’s a shitshow, and Trump’s response to this is to consider limiting his exposure even further.

He’ll get away with it too, because the media wants to preserve whatever limited access they have.

So typical of him.

251
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:50:44am

re: #249 lawhawk

These fuckers want to deprive Americans of the right to question the WH, seek information, and gather news. Why?

“Because the Press is America’s enemy and they broadcast fake news and persecute the President.”

And guess what? They will still be fawning idiots about it.

252
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:52:22am

Trump has made it acceptable to see a free press as the enemy. We saw it as Gianforte’s supporters applauded what he did.

253
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:52:33am

re: #248 Belafon

There is no single magic thing we can do to solve this. We have to get more Democrats out to vote. If there are people whose minds we can change, we have to do that. But, sadly, it’s going to also take Trump and Co doing some real damage in order to get some people to take off their blinders. We have to just keep fighting.

You cannot get more D’s to vote if the R legislature has passed voting restrictions. Do we know if any of the reason for Ossoff’s loss was that people could not vote? And how much of Clinton’s loss was due to voter disenfranchisement laws?

254
makeitstop  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:54:59am

re: #241 Barefoot Grin

I don’t know why all the banjo jokes. I think they sound great. In the right setting and arrangement.

I posted some banjo jokes last week - and I heard them all from a banjo player!

I thought they were pretty funny, although some of them were just recycled accordion jokes.

255
sagehen  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:56:59am

re: #44 DodgerFan1988

Just watched an interesting program called America’s War on Drugs on the National Geographic Channel. It talked about the mid 1980’s when the CIA and some members of the Reagan Administration collaborated with Anti-Castro Rebels and Nicaragua’s Contras to traffick cocaine into the United States, and use the profits to fund Anti-Communist causes, while purposely direct the drugs into America’s black communities. But hey, “they’re animals anyway, so let them lose their souls.”

An investigative reporter named Gary Webb broke that story 20 years ago in the San Jose Mercury.

Huge pushback by the gov’t, of course. Webb lost his job. He later “committed suicide”, by shooting himself in the head twice.

Starting July 5, FX will have a series about this called “Snowfall”.

256
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:57:52am

re: #252 HappyWarrior

Trump has made it acceptable to see a free press as the enemy. We saw it as Gianforte’s supporters applauded what he did.

That is some of his “I could shoot a person on Fifth Avenue and get away with it” charm rubbing off on the GOP, which is why they are not likely to move against him, no matter what he does.

257
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 6:58:58am

re: #254 makeitstop

I posted some banjo jokes last week - and I heard them all from a banjo player!

I thought they were pretty funny, although some of them were just recycled accordion jokes.

Banjo player has his son turned over his knee, is about to spank him. Guitarist asks him why.

“He de-tuned one of my strings and won’t tell me which one!”

258
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:00:00am

re: #256 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

That is some of his “I could shoot a person on Fifth Avenue and get away with it” charm rubbing off on the GOP, which is why they are not likely to move against him, no matter what he does.

Right and it’s not going away anytime soon. Trump awoke the inner fascist in many conservative.

259
Hecuba's daughter  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:01:42am

re: #258 HappyWarrior

Right and it’s not going away anytime soon. Trump awoke the inner fascist in many conservative.

And about 63 million of our fellow citizens are fine with that.

260
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:02:22am

re: #258 HappyWarrior

Right and it’s not going away anytime soon. Trump awoke the inner fascist in many conservative.

Most of the inner fascists were awakened in 2008, Trump brought them out into clear view.

261
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:02:44am

re: #260 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Most of the inner fascists were awakened in 2008, Trump brought them out into clear view.

That’s true too.

262
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:02:55am

re: #259 Hecuba’s daughter

And about 63 million of our fellow citizens are fine with that.

Yeah sigh.

263
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:05:07am

re: #249 lawhawk

He’ll get away with it too, because the media wants to preserve whatever limited access they have.

We can go to no briefings, which means that we’ll have no direct access anyway. Then again, if the Washington Post has 30 contacts inside, maybe they’re less necessary.
The press can’t force the executive to have press briefings. I doubt, actually, that Congress can force them to.

264
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:07:27am

re: #263 Belafon

We can go to no briefings, which means that we’ll have no direct access anyway. Then again, if the Washington Post has 30 contacts inside, maybe they’re less necessary.
The press can’t force the executive to have press briefings. I doubt, actually, that Congress can force them to.

It’s probably all of the backroom access that news groups have that is causing these briefings to be minimized. That, plus the fact that can’t find a competent sycophant. A lot of times, all we were getting out of Spicer was material for SNL.

265
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:10:50am

re: #264 Belafon

It’s probably all of the backroom access that news groups have that is causing these briefings to be minimized. That, plus the fact that can’t find a competent sycophant. A lot of times, all we were getting out of Spicer was material for SNL.

How can you find someone to “competent” to do the impossible, namely to make DT’s words and actions seem anything other than ludicrous, contradictory and inept?

266
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:13:03am

re: #265 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

How can you find someone to “competent” to do the impossible, which is to make DT’s words and actions seem anything other than ludicrous, contradictory and inept?

I think competent sycophant, especially with regards to Trump, is an oxymoron.

267
lawhawk  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:13:31am

The Emoluments Clause has gotten a lot of press and coverage, but the fact that the President is supposed to obtain consent from Congress has gotten much less.

Trump violates the Clause and ignores the consent clause. The GOP controlled Congress is ignoring the consent requirement as well. That is further enabling Trump’s constitutional violations on a daily basis.

268
wheat-dogg  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:14:54am

re: #265 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

How can you find someone to “competent” to do the impossible, which is to make DT’s words and actions seem anything other than ludicrous, contradictory and inept?

Not just that. This admin is collection of circus clowns, each doing his or her own thing. There is no coordination, no unified message, no obvious organization. So Press Spokesmouth comes out, says one thing, is told that statement contradicts another uttered by Trump or some other flunky. Spokesmouth has no answer, because he/she doesn’t know shit from Shinola.

It’s amateur hour.

269
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:15:40am

re: #267 lawhawk

Trump violates the Clause and ignores the consent clause. The GOP controlled Congress is ignoring the consent requirement as well. That is further enabling Trump’s constitutional violations on a daily basis.

It is simply implied consent…like a girl passed out at a frat party.

270
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:16:51am

re: #267 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

The Emoluments Clause has gotten a lot of press and coverage, but the fact that the President is supposed to obtain consent from Congress has gotten much less.

Trump violates the Clause and ignores the consent clause. The GOP controlled Congress is ignoring the consent requirement as well. That is further enabling Trump’s constitutional violations on a daily basis.

Does anyone think, if push came to shove with that constitutional argument, that a GOP congress wouldn’t grant him a total exemption?

271
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:17:40am

re: #270 Timothy Watson

Does anyone think, if push came to shove with that constitutional argument, that a GOP congress wouldn’t grant him a total exemption?

especially if he cuts them in on a share…

272
sagehen  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:20:58am

re: #237 HappyWarrior

We gained a majority in 2006/08 because we ran smart campaigns and thankfully this was before Roberts gutted VRA.

Because Howard Dean was party chair, devoted to the 50-state strategy.

273
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:23:42am

re: #272 sagehen

Because Howard Dean was party chair, devoted to the 50-state strategy.

Yeah Dean was a good party chair.

274
jeffreyw  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:26:06am

re: #240 makeitstop

When I know that there’s a piece of gear out for delivery, I immediately start acting just like my dog - running to the window every five minutes looking for the big truck. :)

Enjoy the banjo! And post pics when you get it unwrapped, I wanna see!

Our dog, Gabe, loves loves loves it when the UPS guy comes down the drive because he knows he’ll get some doggie treats. He goes bonkers. The UPS guy loves to deliver to our house because we give him cookies. Who’s a good UPS guy? You’re a good UPS guy, yes you are!
win/win

275
Lupin  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:29:56am

While I grant some of you that 49% of not-nazis is a glass half-full, two sobering and depressing thoughts are:

1) right now this means 51% of nazis, hardly a reason to feel good,

and

2) even if we inch closer & reverse the totals, while I’ll celebrate us reaching the magical 51% of not-nazis, is the fact that 49% is still nazis, stewing and hateful, a happy thought? I think not.

The real problem is the critical mass of nazis in this country, taking into the much-too-large % of dont-give-a-f*cks. Until there is a genuine, massive and radical realignment of the political consensus à la FDR (which could only be triggered by a massive sh*tstorm), the US will continue its descent into collective dementia.

My only prayer is that it doesn’t start WWIII. The rest is lost already.

276
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:38:54am

re: #275 Lupin

remember, you don’t need a majority to seize power…and once checks and balances have been undermined, it is a long road back.

277
Stanley Sea  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:44:05am
278
Mattand  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:46:01am

re: #274 jeffreyw

Our dog, Gabe, loves loves loves it when the UPS guy comes down the drive because he knows he’ll get some doggie treats. He goes bonkers. The UPS guy loves to deliver to our house because we give him cookies. Who’s a good UPS guy? You’re a good UPS guy, yes you are!
win/win

When we got our first dog, the mailman immediately started plying him treats (it also helped that he was 8 weeks old). After a while, Remy would go nuts not just when he saw the mail truck, but any large delivery truck. We had a FedEx truck making a delivery, and Remy happily jumped on board, tail wagging and searching in vain for cookies.

Fortunately, the FedEx guy was cool with it.

279
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:49:43am

re: #254 makeitstop

I posted some banjo jokes last week - and I heard them all from a banjo player!

I thought they were pretty funny, although some of them were just recycled accordion jokes.

I liked the F-150 pickup one!

280
Mattand  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:50:59am

re: #275 Lupin

It’s the much-too-large % of dont-give-a-f*cks who are as big as a threat to the US, if not more so.

Prime example is if Pence takes over. While not a Nazi, he doesn’t come off as a mentally incompetent loon like Trump. So while he’s gleefully turning the country into a Christian theocracy, the don’t-give-a-f*cks will be telling everyone “Stop complaining! This doesn’t affect me and Pence seems like a nice guy!”

Unless the Dems run the table in 2018, we’ll be stuck with these assholes until 2024. Maybe this SCOTUS review of gerrymandering will change things. Given that the majority of the court is comprised of people who are, at best, sympathetic to GOP radicalism, I’m not holding my breath.

281
sagehen  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:51:56am

bloomberg.com

Bloomberg’s Timothy O’Brien has a big article out today about Trump’s involvement with Felix Sater, Bayrock, and money laundering for Russians.
(this is the story Rachel did 20 minutes on last night)

282
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:54:16am

re: #279 Barefoot Grin

I liked the F-150 pickup one!

A guy introduces his family:

“Here are my daughters, Portia, Alexis and Mercedes”
“And this is my son F-150”

283
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:55:24am

re: #277 Stanley Sea

Not entirely sure what comparing different industries is trying to say. They should do car companies at the different times.

284
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:55:36am

re: #279 Barefoot Grin

I liked the F-150 pickup one!

do retell

285
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:57:18am

re: #254 makeitstop

I posted some banjo jokes last week - and I heard them all from a banjo player!

I thought they were pretty funny, although some of them were just recycled accordion jokes.

Every branch of the military tells nearly the same jokes, with the branches just shuffled around.

286
makeitstop  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:57:20am

re: #284 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

do retell

What kind of pickup do you put on a banjo?

A Ford F-150!

287
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 7:58:24am
288
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:00:35am

re: #285 Belafon

Every branch of the military tells nearly the same jokes, with the branches just shuffled around.

How can you tell when there’s a banjo player at the front door?

-The knocking keeps getting faster and he never knows when to come in!

I also have some banjo jokes that are visual and can only be told in person…

289
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:02:32am

re: #287 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

What Newt isn’t telling his readers is that those four districts were won overwhelmingly by the previous Congressmen who held the seat.Woopity fucking doo, you won GA-6. You should have won it without this run off. In other states and districts, they’re going to be a lot more diverse and you can;t just take advantage of the fact that they’re filled with people who vote for a Republican if he said he would date his daughter.

290
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:03:30am

The fact is the GOP had to fight their ass off to preserve GA-06. Am I disappointed Jon lost? Of course, I am but there are these things called pyrrhic victories and that’s what the GOP seems to me to be having so far.

291
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:04:57am

re: #287 Backwoods_Sleuth

As was pointed out by Anymouse, the GOP is 4-2 in special elections. The 4 the Democrats lost shouldn’t have even been close.

I am an optimist, because otherwise my life would really suck. I’m not one to dwell too much on the past because it’s already gone: Take what lessons you can, and move on. So, I’ll just keep fighting.

292
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:08:10am

re: #291 Belafon

As was pointed out by Anymouse, the GOP is 4-2 in special elections. The 4 the Democrats lost shouldn’t have even been close.

I am an optimist, because otherwise my life would really suck. I’m not one to dwell too much on the past because it’s already gone: Take what lessons you can, and move on. So, I’ll just keep fighting.

Indeed, let’s see how the VA and NJ governor elections go and let’s see if Newt and Trump are so smug then. The fact is these have all been historically Republican seats (I realize that GA-06 was close in the previous general election for Clinton and Trump) but all four have been reliably Republican Congressional districts for a while. Ossoff, Quist, and the other two guys put up great fights.

293
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:09:09am

The GOP bragging after these wins reminds me of how in sports you beat someone you should have beat but because the win was harder than you expect, you brag like you just won the championship nonetheless.

294
jeffreyw  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:13:46am

re: #293 HappyWarrior

The GOP bragging after these wins reminds me of how in sports you beat someone you should have beat but because the win was harder than you expect, you brag like you just won the championship nonetheless.

“In other news: the NY Yankees took 10 innings to beat Mercy High’s JV team.”

295
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:14:13am

The flip side is I’m tired after everyone of these losses, the pathetic hacks on the far left bitching about the Democratic Party. Really guys? The Dems give their most competitive performance in these districts in years and you want to complain? I mean, I get being disappointed that these guys didn’t win but goddamn if I’m going to let you portray a narrative of a failed Democratic Party that made Newt Gingrich’s old district competitive. And it’s hilarious for me to see Newt Gingrich say that money created Ossoff. Dude you support Citizens United, shut the fuck up.

296
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:14:45am

re: #294 jeffreyw

“In other news: the NY Yankees took 10 innings to beat Mercy High’s JV team.”

Hahhaha exactly. Maybe not quite that but still you get what I’m saying.

297
LastYearsMan  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:16:21am

Fyi for Charles, … While the comment section at LGF begins to drag on my iPhone6 when it gets longer than 200 comments, your site flies on my LG G6 no matter how long the comment section. Kind of amazing the difference.

298
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:16:36am

I’m beginning to find the far left as against my political goals as the far right because frankly the far left would rather screw the center left just so they could claim to remain pure. You don’t want to be a Democrat, that’s your right but I’ll be goddamned if I’m going to let you use my party as a vehicle for your ideology and then abandon it when you don’t get your way. That’s not how building change works, that’s how childish tantrums happen.

299
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:18:16am

re: #298 HappyWarrior

Hillary was facing a two-front struggle: remember that Bernie was not a fellow Democrat but an independent attempting to use the Democratic party as a vehicle.

And that left the situation over for some weapons-grade meddling and ratfucking.

300
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:19:36am

re: #299 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Hillary was facing a two-front struggle: remember that Bernie was not a fellow Democrat but an independent attempting to use the Democratic party as a vehicle.

And that left the situation over for some weapons-grade meddling and ratfucking.

Honestly, I wish Sanders would just retire at this point and fade away. I think he hurts more than he helps at this point. You can be a staunch progressive without being a dick like he is.

301
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:21:49am

re: #300 HappyWarrior

Honestly, I wish Sanders would just retire at this point and fade away. I think he hurts more than he helps at this point. You can be a staunch progressive without being a dick like he is.

The biggest dicks were the Bernie-or-bust supporters. Many of whom, I am sure, were paid trolls or ratfuckers.

302
EPR-radar  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:22:01am

re: #164 Amory Blaine

I don’t know what to think. I’ve been striving to take a wait and see attitude as most of my thoughts on the subject aren’t rosy. I will say this, Democrats got spoiled by the leadership of Obama and when he exited, they show that the game they have left is thin gruel.

To be blunt, we appear to have 8 years of absolutely no (D) party-building during the Obama years.

303
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:22:38am

re: #301 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

The biggest dicks were the Bernie-or-bust supporters. Many of whom, I am sure, were paid trolls or ratfuckers.

I wish I could believe that most were paid trolls or ratfucks but I think a lot of them were sincere in their assholishness and didn’t need a dime to be so.

304
LastYearsMan  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:23:22am

As depressing as these special elections have been, I am a little cheered to read several GOP strategists saying that what they’re really scared of, in terms of creating a wave election in 2018, isn’t Trump but the AHCA. They seem to think Trump won’t much effect the outcome, but effing up healthcare is something that could really fire up the electorate. It’s something real that affects lives. It’s also something that the GOP is truly guilty of. Not a hijack or an aberration, like Trump.

305
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:23:28am

re: #303 HappyWarrior

I wish I could believe that most were paid trolls or ratfucks but I think a lot of them were sincere in their assholishness and didn’t need a dime to be so.

which was highly exploited by the trolls and ratfuckers..win-win situation for them…

306
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:24:29am

re: #305 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

which was highly exploited by the trolls and ratfuckers..win-win situation for them…

Of that I have no doubt. A lot of people did fall for that shit.

307
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:25:19am

re: #304 LastYearsMan

As depressing as these special elections have been, I am a little cheered to read several GOP strategists saying that what they’re really scared of, in terms of creating a wave election in 2018, isn’t Trump but the AHCA. They seem to think Trump won’t much effect the outcome, but effing up healthcare is something that could really fire up the electorate. It’s something real that affects lives. It’s also something that the GOP is truly guilty of. Not a hijack or an aberration, like Trump.

Hey we saw what happened in 2010. I think it would be karma if the GOP lost its majority due to health care after the lies they spread about ACA in 2010.

308
Big Beautiful Door  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:27:46am

re: #304 LastYearsMan

As depressing as these special elections have been, I am a little cheered to read several GOP strategists saying that what they’re really scared of, in terms of creating a wave election in 2018, isn’t Trump but the AHCA. They seem to think Trump won’t much effect the outcome, but effing up healthcare is something that could really fire up the electorate. It’s something real that affects lives. It’s also something that the GOP is truly guilty of. Not a hijack or an aberration, like Trump.

I think best case for the GOP is if McConnell can’t get to 50 votes so they give up. He wants a vote next week.

309
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:29:57am

re: #282 The Vicious Babushka

A guy introduces his family:

“Here are my daughters, Portia, Alexis and Mercedes”
“And this is my son F-150”

LOL.

310
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:30:35am

re: #306 HappyWarrior

Of that I have no doubt. A lot of people did fall for that shit.

head-in-the-clouds idealism is often easily exploited

311
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:32:45am

re: #281 sagehen

bloomberg.com

Bloomberg’s Timothy O’Brien has a big article out today about Trump’s involvement with Felix Sater, Bayrock, and money laundering for Russians.
(this is the story Rachel did 20 minutes on last night)

What’s frustrating is that this information was out there before the election, but the media—as we all know too well—simply failed: “oh, Trump just tweeted something outrageous about ‘Crooked Hillary’; we’d better go ask her how she plans to defend herself….”

312
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:33:58am

re: #311 Barefoot Grin

What’s frustrating is that this information was out there before the election, but the media—as we all know too well—simply failed: “oh, Trump just tweeted something outrageous about ‘Crooked Hillary’; we’d better go ask her how she plans to defend herself….”

I hate to say this because I do respect Hillary but hopefully the next Dem candidate won’t have as much baggage to distract the media from Trump. Plus, I’d hope that Trump if he’s running won’t be given the kiddie gloves treatment.

313
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:35:33am

11:30 a.m.

Authorities say the police officer injured at a Flint, Michigan, airport is in critical condition.

Michigan State Police said the officer was critically hurt Wednesday morning at Bishop International Airport. Airport officials posted on Facebook that the officer was hurt but offered no further details about the incident.

A witness tells The Flint Journal he saw the officer bleeding form his neck. He also saw a man detained by police and a knife on the ground.

The FBI is leading the investigation.

Airport and police officials didn’t immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

314
EPR-radar  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:36:43am

re: #308 Big Beautiful Door

I think best case for the GOP is if McConnell can’t get to 50 votes so they give up. He wants a vote next week.

I see no chance of McConnell not getting his votes in the Senate. This is a giant tax cut put right in front of a group of GOP tax-cut pigs. They are going to stampede to that trough.

315
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:37:06am

re: #312 HappyWarrior

… I’d hope that Trump if he’s running won’t be given the kiddie gloves treatment.

No way. Modern media is all about ratings numbers, and Trump is ratings gold.

These people are simply doing their job - which is not, as we somehow still delude ourselves into thinking, providing balanced information, but rather selling advertising time.

Higher ratings = more money they can ask from advertisers.

Content is secondary, as long as it guarantees more viewers/readers.

316
Lupin  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:38:27am

re: #276 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

remember, you don’t need a majority to seize power…and once checks and balances have been undermined, it is a long road back.

Couldn’t agree more. I hate comparisons with Nazi Germany but if I learned anything from Shirer’s book, it’s how a critical (yet in the minority) mass of fascists can take over a country, with the passive complicity of many who knew better (or should have). To a large extent this has already happened in the US; it’s just that the (current) consequences aren’t as bad (yet). And as you rightly say, the road back is long and cruel.

317
Stanley Sea  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:39:21am

re: #304 LastYearsMan

As depressing as these special elections have been, I am a little cheered to read several GOP strategists saying that what they’re really scared of, in terms of creating a wave election in 2018, isn’t Trump but the AHCA. They seem to think Trump won’t much effect the outcome, but effing up healthcare is something that could really fire up the electorate. It’s something real that affects lives. It’s also something that the GOP is truly guilty of. Not a hijack or an aberration, like Trump.

318
LastYearsMan  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:46:02am

Lots of wisdom about yesterday’s election and why liberals shouldn’t freak out here: steveschale.com

320
Birth Control Works  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:53:22am

re: #318 LastYearsMan

Lots of wisdom about yesterday’s election and why liberals shouldn’t freak out here: steveschale.com

When folks ask me what the national and state party should be doing, my answer is simple: Two things, recruit high quality candidates, and register voters. And if Democrats expect to have success in November 2018, that is the work that must be done between now and then.

We HAD the best candidate. Only she wasn’t a man.

321
BeachDem  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:55:10am

re: #149 HappyWarrior

We also have to acknowledge we’re not going to win them all but we owe to the people who live in these places to run competitive races. It just sucks because running for office is a full time job. A lot of people myself included want to get rid of money in politics but it’s impossible to do that in a post Citizens United world.

First you lose big, then you lose close. Then you win close, and finally you win big.

So we’re at stage 2—losing close in “unwinnable” districts. I say—onward!

Jeez—the gloom and doom sounds so afterberner to me—we want it and we want it NOW. (Not from you, HappyWarrior—you’re a fighter.) Give some credit to people like Jon and Archie for fighting their asses off in what was always a no-win situation.

If we’re going to say we have to run in every race, we have to accept that we’re going to lose a lot of them first time out (and maybe second time as well) but let’s take something positive from closing a 21 point gap to 3 and get ready for the next round.

SCDP has announced two Dem candidates already for 2018 races—one against Mark Sanford and one against Jeff Duncan. We have two already who have announced to run against our local asshole, Tom Rice. And I really hope Archie takes another shot at it.

Will any of them win? It will be an uphill battle for sure, but let’s give them some credit for getting in the game.

322
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:57:10am

re: #321 BeachDem

First you lose big, then you lose close. Then you win close, and finally you win big.

So we’re at stage 2—losing close in “unwinnable” districts. I say—onward!

Jeez—the gloom and doom sounds so afterberner to me—we want it and we want it NOW. (Not from you, HappyWarrior—you’re a fighter.) Give some credit to people like Jon and Archie for fighting their asses off in what was always a no-win situation.

If we’re going to say we have to run in every race, we have to accept that we’re going to lose a lot of them first time out (and maybe second time as well) but let’s take something positive from closing a 21 point gap to 3 and get ready for the next round.

SCDP has announced two Dem candidates already for 2018 races—one against Mark Sanford and one against Jeff Duncan. We have two already who have announced to run against our local asshole, Tom Rice. And I really hope Archie takes another shot at it.

Will any of them win? It will be an uphill battle for sure, but let’s give them some credit for getting in the game.

Absolutely, people like Archie and Jon deserve our thanks and respect. Running for office isn’t easy nor is it for everyone. We’re going to have a competitive primary here in my district and hopefully a competitive general election. I personally think the Dems’ favorite, State Senator Jennifer Wexton is a great choice. She understands the district and knows how to get stuff done. She’ll be a formidable foe for Barbara Comstock.

323
Birth Control Works  Jun 21, 2017 • 8:57:54am
324
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:00:45am

re: #319 Birth Control Works

City Denies Donated Sick Time For Officer Fighting Cancer

Ahh, Texas. Ahh, Waco. Who would have ever guessed that their words about supporting the police only go to when the police subjugate blacks. Oh, and the cop’s a woman? What did she expect? ////////////////////////////////////////////////////

My son’s gifted program teacher discovered she has breast cancer right at the end of the school year. So all of her students are creating stuff for her over the summer.

325
Teukka  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:01:41am

So, there is a lot of spam offering membership in Illuminati going around… Image: 19396877_686677264876747_7365207461629971707_n.jpg

326
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:01:51am

re: #319 Birth Control Works

City Denies Donated Sick Time For Officer Fighting Cancer

If we let that go then everybody will be getting cancer just for the extra time off…

327
JordanRules  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:10:52am

re: #323 Birth Control Works

That was a super read, thanks!

328
scottslemmons  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:14:19am

re: #325 Teukka

So, there is a lot of spam offering membership in Illuminati going around… Image: 19396877_686677264876747_7365207461629971707_n.jpg

Bah, who needs ‘em. Everyone’s already a Discordian pope.

329
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:16:02am

re: #325 Teukka

So, there is a lot of spam offering membership in Illuminati going around… Image: 19396877_686677264876747_7365207461629971707_n.jpg

I am already a member of the Church of Bob

330
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:19:06am

O_o

331
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:19:48am
332
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:19:51am

re: #326 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

If we let that go then everybody will be getting cancer just for the extra time off…

Another one for the “sad but true” file.

333
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:20:51am

re: #331 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Yeah you must be laughing so hard that the RCCC had to spend tons of money to keep Newt Gingrich’s seat in your wacko party’s hands.

334
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:21:38am

re: #332 Eclectic Cyborg

Another one for the “sad but true” file.

Once I got away from the US, I was astounded to see how primitive and inhumane our labor laws are compared to anything outside the Third World.

335
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:23:21am

heh

336
Eclectic Cyborg  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:25:46am

re: #334 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Once I got away from the US, I was astounded to see how primitive and inhumane our labor laws are compared to anything outside the Third World.

Having come from Canada, I know what you mean. The “dog eat dog”edness of American culture amazes me.

337
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:26:11am
338
Birth Control Works  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:27:09am

re: #335 Backwoods_Sleuth

339
Birth Control Works  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:27:47am

I have make myself presentable for the outside world.

then go outside.

bbl

340
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:28:21am

LOL WHUT

341
makeitstop  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:28:34am

re: #330 Backwoods_Sleuth

Angry over Warmbier treatment, US presses China to rein in NKorea, flies two B-1B bombers over Korean Peninsula

Re pressure: didn’t Trump admit this didn’t work just yesterday?

Re bombers: someone’s gonna call this punk’s bluff and it won’t end well.

342
SteveMcGriftFlynnComey... ...corruptemoligate RN  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:29:06am

re: #335 Backwoods_Sleuth

Sometimes, a hat is just a hat.

343
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:29:35am

re: #235 HappyWarrior

Hogan I think has ran away from a lot of Trump’s shit in MD.

Hogan still sucks hard.

344
Decatur Deb  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:30:24am

re: #342 SteveMcGriftFlynnComey… …corruptemoligate RN

Sometimes, a hat is just a hat.

This lady’s purpose in life is to wear hats.

345
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:31:40am

re: #337 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

She’s the first GOP rep Georgia has elected. But go ahead Dumbo Jr , pat yourself on the back for that.

346
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:31:57am

re: #343 Colère Tueur de Lapin

Hogan still sucks hard.

I don’t doubt that.

347
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:32:28am

re: #335 Backwoods_Sleuth

Some people say the hat Queen Elizabeth II wore to her Parliament speech bore striking similarities to the EU flag

That is no coincidence, especially given the number of hats she must own…

In 1991, Thatcher introduced a tax on local services, which was very unpopular because it was the same rate for everyone regardless of income. The queen quietly paid it for all her domestic staff. Another moral equivalent of wearing an EU hat…

348
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:32:58am

re: #340 The Vicious Babushka

LOL WHUT

[Embedded content]

Fuck off Fox. Your candidate who literally believes that LGBT parents aren’t as fit parents as straight ones just won an election. You don’t get to call anyone extreme.

349
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:35:39am

re: #348 HappyWarrior

Fuck off Fox. Your candidate who literally believes that LGBT parents aren’t as fit parents as straight ones just won an election. You don’t get to call anyone extreme.

TEH DEMOCRAPS THINKS WIMMENS SHUD BE PAYED TEH SAME AS MENS FOR TEH SAME WORKS EVEN THO WWE ALL KNOWS WIMENS DON’TS WORKS AS HARD AS MENS BECAUSE THEY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF THERE BABBIES & HOUSE WORK!!!!1!!!!

350
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:36:14am

re: #337 Backwoods_Sleuth

Considering how many women the rest of the country has sent to congress, GA is just catching up.

351
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:36:57am

WHY SHUD A WIMMENS GETS PAYED TEH SAME AS A MAN WHEN SHE TAKE OFF ALL THE TIME FOR BABY HAVING & BREST CANCERS!!!! EXPLAIN THAT LIBTARD!!!!!

352
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:41:27am

re: #348 HappyWarrior

Fuck off Fox. Your candidate who literally believes that LGBT parents aren’t as fit parents as straight ones just won an election. You don’t get to call anyone extreme.

“too extreme” is so subjective as to be entirely meaningless except to appeal the preconceived notions of their bigoted viewership

353
Targetpractice  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:41:47am

That’s the GOP for you, always bragging about how they’ve caught up with everybody else.

354
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:43:05am

re: #353 Targetpractice

That’s the GOP for you, always bragging about how they’ve caught up with everybody else.

In 2032, they’ll finally run their first viable woman candidate for president.

355
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:43:10am

re: #353 Targetpractice

That’s the GOP for you, always bragging about how they’ve caught up with everybody else.

Indeed, they bragged about Mia Love. Woopity fucking doo. You elected a black woman in 2014? Gee aren’t you the same guys who insist that you’re the reason why we have Civil Rights. Meanwhile in 1972 before Mia Love was even born, the Dems had a black lady who sought their presidential nomination.

356
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:46:11am

The GOP’s against diversity until they want to show they’re more than just a bunch of pasty white guys.

357
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:46:52am

re: #356 HappyWarrior

The GOP’s against diversity until they want to show they’re more than just a bunch of pasty white guys.

you mean like when they form a committee to discuss women#s issues?

358
retired cynic  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:47:06am

re: #267 lawhawk

[Embedded content]

The Emoluments Clause has gotten a lot of press and coverage, but the fact that the President is supposed to obtain consent from Congress has gotten much less.

Trump violates the Clause and ignores the consent clause. The GOP controlled Congress is ignoring the consent requirement as well. That is further enabling Trump’s constitutional violations on a daily basis.

What percentage would be required to “consent”? Is Congress (both houses?) required to take it up?

359
KingKenrod  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:48:29am

re: #340 The Vicious Babushka

LOL WHUT

[Embedded content]

The same poll showed the GOP “too extreme” at 54%, almost 10pts higher.

360
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:48:51am

re: #358 retired cynic

What percentage would be required to “consent”? Is Congress (both houses?) required to take it up?

It is simply implied consent, you know, like when a girl passes out at a frat party consent…

361
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:52:09am

re: #359 KingKenrod

The same poll showed the GOP “too extreme” at 54%, almost 10pts higher.

Yep but they won’t show their drooling morons that because that would get in the way of the bullshit propaganda they need to sell.

362
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:52:53am
363
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:53:38am

re: #362 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

So even Ivanka has Little Marco by the balls?

364
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:54:19am

re: #362 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

But the Trumps aren’t elites. //

365
Sionainn, the Nasty Devilbitch  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:54:38am

re: #349 The Vicious Babushka

It’s scary. You are getting way too good at that!

366
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:54:54am

How about a tax credit for a majority of American parents? Nah Princess Ivanka cant’ have that.

367
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:56:29am

re: #366 HappyWarrior

How about a tax credit for a majority of American parents? Nah Princess Ivanka cant’ have that.

how about improved accessibility to low-cost daycare for parents who need it?

368
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:56:55am

re: #367 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

how about improved accessibility to low-cost daycare for parents who need it?

That too.

369
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:57:19am

Ivanka may be an even bigger fraud than her Dad.

370
I Would Prefer Not To  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:57:47am

re: #369 HappyWarrior

Ivanka may be an even bigger fraud than her Dad.

May?

371
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:58:04am

re: #369 HappyWarrior

Ivanka may be an even bigger fraud than her Dad.

But she’s a progressive who cares about the working moms and the environment!

///

372
freetoken  Jun 21, 2017 • 9:58:37am

re: #335 Backwoods_Sleuth

Queen to Royal milliner: Make me a hat like the EU flag.
Rm: You want to wear a flag on your head?
Q: (laments no one goes to the Tower of London anymore.)

373
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:03:16am

re: #372 freetoken

Queen to Royal milliner: Make me a hat like the EU flag.
Rm: You want to wear a flag on your head?
Q: (laments no one goes to the Tower of London anymore.)

She might well have commissioned that hat to commemorate joining the EU…

374
gocart mozart  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:07:47am
375
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:09:32am

re: #370 I Would Prefer Not To

May?

Touche.

376
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:11:49am
377
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:12:02am

re: #369 HappyWarrior

Ivanka may be an even bigger fraud than her Dad.

wait ‘til she gets into politics herself

378
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:12:43am

re: #377 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

wait ‘til she gets into politics herself

Shiver.

379
allegro  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:13:41am

Well my hatches are battened and edibles replenished (great excuse to buy ice cream nom). Not worried, being at Cindy’s far west edge, the “clean” side, but expect it will be a trifle breezy and sloppy wet here for a while. Hoping the other coasters taking her full force come through it with minimal harm.

Now we wait.

380
allegro  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:14:29am

re: #376 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Oh boy. Let me contain my excitement.

381
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:15:13am

re: #376 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

It’s going to be great. BElieve me. //

382
BeachDem  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:18:18am

If this isn’t the most representative screen grab of Trey Gowdy, I’ll eat my the queen’s hat.

383
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:18:19am

The Senator’s name is a clue as to what healthcare coverage will be like for most Americans.

384
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:21:18am

re: #376 Backwoods_Sleuth

Section 1: This bill does not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not cancel Medicaid.
Section 2: This bill does not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not end Medicare.
Section 3: This bill does not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not require everyone over the age of 75 to be euthanized.
Section 4: This bill does not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not all tax credits and subsidies for health care.

385
sagehen  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:21:37am

re: #347 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

That is no coincidence, especially given the number of hats she must own…

In 1991, Thatcher introduced a tax on local services, which was very unpopular because it was the same rate for everyone regardless of income. The queen quietly paid it for all her domestic staff. Another moral equivalent of wearing an EU hat…

Oh, the poll tax was even worse than that, it was utterly repulsive. It was 500 pounds per person household tax. If you let your elderly parents move in with you, your tax goes up 1000. If you threw your 16-year-old out of the house it went down 500. If you have a new baby, the hospital tells the tax authorities and it goes up pro-rated for the year. If your boyfriend stayed over on a regular basis, they’d investigate how many days exactly and whether he should count as a resident.

This was a replacement for property tax; it didn’t matter how much your home is worth, whether you own or rent.

386
retired cynic  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:21:45am
387
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:23:53am
388
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:23:57am

re: #386 retired cynic

Charlie Pierce analyzes GA6!


But she won. Know why? Because there was an ‘R’ next to her name, that’s why, and because that’s all that matters to Republicans, who get out and vote for anyone with an ‘R’ next to their name, and who know how to keep their internecine knife fights largely on the down low and, in any case, even while those are going on, they know how to keep their eyes on the prize. They come out. They vote their party, even in what apparently were godawful weather conditions.

389
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:24:57am

re: #387 Belafon

[Embedded content]

That’s absolutely right. And yet it doesn’t stop the far left from going around calling hte Dems failures and demanding they disband so their mythical third party can form.

390
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:25:22am
391
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:26:08am

re: #385 sagehen

Oh, the poll tax was even worse than that, it was utterly repulsive. It was 500 pounds per person household tax. If you let your elderly parents move in with you, your tax goes up 1000. If you threw your 16-year-old out of the house it went down 500. If you have a new baby, the hospital tells the tax authorities and it goes up pro-rated for the year. If your boyfriend stayed over on a regular basis, they’d investigate how many days exactly and whether he should count as a resident.

It was actually a council services tax, but people were simply de-registering at the polling stations to avoid paying it. And yes, it was the same amount if you were a working-class family in a tenement or the Duke and Duchess of Frontblotching-on-Snudley.

The UK has a wine tax of one Pound eleven Pence per bottle, again, the same if it is a cheap table wine from France or a 200-Pound claret.

That is the sort of taxation that the GOP dreams of…

392
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:26:46am

re: #390 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

We don’t need no stinking scientific advisers.

393
wrenchwench  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:27:31am

re: #390 Backwoods_Sleuth

[EPA accelerates purge of scientists]

Well, if we can’t have a particle accelerator, at least we can have a purge accelerator.

394
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:27:50am

You know what I saw working on primary campaigns here in Va? I saw people energized. People have every right to be disappointed by last night’s results but don’t you dare tell me that the Democratic Party isn’t trying its damndest.

395
sagehen  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:28:19am

re: #367 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

how about improved accessibility to low-cost daycare for parents who need it?

We had that in WWII, back when both parties really did care that mothers of small children should be able to work at a job.

396
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:29:26am

re: #389 HappyWarrior

That’s absolutely right. And yet it doesn’t stop the far left from going around calling hte Dems failures and demanding they disband so their mythical third party can form.

The thing about looking for a savior is why it’s good that the Obama’s are staying away from politics. When we stop looking for one, things will be better for the party.

Betty Cracker makes a good point: In 2008, Democrats won 7 special elections, and then got hammered in 2010.

397
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:29:42am

re: #395 sagehen

We had that in WWII, back when both parties really did care that mothers of small children should be able to work at a job.

The GOP hadn’t drank the Reagan koolaid then thankfully.

398
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:29:45am

re: #395 sagehen

We had that in WWII, back when both parties really did care that mothers of small children should be able to work at a job.

building stuff to kill people with…

399
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:30:47am

re: #396 Belafon

The thing about looking for a savior is why it’s good that the Obama’s are staying away from politics. When we stop looking for one, things will be better for the party.

Betty Cracker makes a good point: In 2008, Democrats won 7 special elections, and then got hammered in 2010.

That’s a good point too. Honestly, I think we should be encouraged not discouraged by these results.

400
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:34:13am

re: #376 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Senate healthcare bill reveal: it’s like a legislative Aristocrats joke.

401
Shiplord Kirel  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:34:26am

A reptile dysfunction?

Houston resident calls animal control to remove ‘alligator’ that turns out to be lizard

A small lizard has been safely relocated after a concerned Houston-area residency called Texas wildlife officials about an alligator above their door.
Christy Kroboth, a member of “Gator Squad,” a business that removes nuisance alligators from residential areas, was dispatched by Texas Parks and Wildlife to examine the agile gator.
Upon arriving at the scene Kroboth instead discovered a lizard perched above the caller’s door and relocated it to the neighbor’s yard. The nearby residents informed Kroboth that their reptile-squeamish neighbors had “freaked out” about a garden snake the previous week.

402
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:35:27am

403
mmmirele  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:35:42am

re: #385 sagehen

Oh, the poll tax was even worse than that, it was utterly repulsive. It was 500 pounds per person household tax. If you let your elderly parents move in with you, your tax goes up 1000. If you threw your 16-year-old out of the house it went down 500. If you have a new baby, the hospital tells the tax authorities and it goes up pro-rated for the year. If your boyfriend stayed over on a regular basis, they’d investigate how many days exactly and whether he should count as a resident.

This was a replacement for property tax; it didn’t matter how much your home is worth, whether you own or rent.

Really, how on earth were people expected to come up with 500 pounds per person? It didn’t depend on what the average income was in the town? *shakes head* Holy crap, no wonder people rioted.

404
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:36:16am
405
gocart mozart  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:36:31am
406
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:38:43am

re: #402 darthstar

Related:

407
allegro  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:40:07am

re: #401 Shiplord Kirel

A reptile dysfunction?

Houston resident calls animal control to remove ‘alligator’ that turns out to be lizard

[Embedded content]

We always know the newcomers to Texas. In my baby USFWS days I got hysterical calls a lot - almost always from Yankees new here. My favorites were the ones who lived along a bayou and would call freaked about the giant rats. I had mucho fun with those.

408
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:42:13am
409
danarchy  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:43:12am

re: #402 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Missed one(well, at least one)

Kate Beckinsale
410
Timothy Watson  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:43:27am

Fake news, WaPo: The Daily 202: Democrats despondent, Trump emboldened after GOP victory in Georgia special election

Really, how many people here are “despondent”?

411
retired cynic  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:43:59am

The whole column is good, this struck me as excellent. However, you know what this will change? Nothing. They will still lie about ACA. esquire.com

“Chuck Schumer had a nice moment on the Senate floor on Wednesday, and he had it at the expense of my new BFF Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, who was presiding at the time. The topic under discussion was the bootleg tax cut disguised as a healthcare bill that the Republicans are trying to enact from deep within the Phantom Zone. One of the chief non-facts that’s been cited in support of this unprecedented legislative smuggling is that, back in 2009, the Democrats did the same thing with the Affordable Care Act. This is demonstrable nonsense, but it’s good for a soundbite or three.

“Anyway, Schumer asked Ernst to tell the Senate how many days of hearings, and how many hours of consideration, the ACA got back then, and Ernst, who sounded like she had a mouthful of angry salamanders, had to announce that the ACA had been subject to 25 days of hearings and 169 hours of consideration and debate. In effect, Schumer forced Ernst to admit, acting as president of the Senate, that this most helpful of talking points has been a lie for eight years now.”

412
Barefoot Grin  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:44:06am

re: #410 Timothy Watson

Fake news, WaPo: The Daily 202: Democrats despondent, Trump emboldened after GOP victory in Georgia special election

Really, how many people here are “despondent”?

No more than I was on January 21.

413
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:48:40am

re: #409 danarchy

Missed one(well, at least one)

[Embedded content]

There are a few missing - but I just copy-pasted it. I enjoy the zombie series - Resident Evil…haven’t seen the Underworld ones.

414
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:48:55am

re: #410 Timothy Watson

Fake news, WaPo: The Daily 202: Democrats despondent, Trump emboldened after GOP victory in Georgia special election

Really, how many people here are “despondent”?

Disappointed? Sure. Despondent over a special election in a district I’ve never been to? Hardly. Let Trump be emboldened. He’ll do something stupid and cause a wave in 2018.

415
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:49:46am
416
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:50:01am

re: #409 danarchy

Missed one(well, at least one)

[Embedded content]

River Tam
Gamora (Unless we’re sticking to human)
Katniss Everdeen

417
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:50:08am

The replies to this Tweet show that Deplorables are not only in the U.S.

418
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:50:33am

The fact is this race should not have been close. Yes, Clinton was competitive there but Congressionally this is a heavy GOP seat.

419
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:50:34am

re: #410 Timothy Watson

Fake news, WaPo: The Daily 202: Democrats despondent, Trump emboldened after GOP victory in Georgia special election

Really, how many people here are “despondent”?

Time to go cheer up watching Trump get murdered in Central Park…

420
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:51:21am
421
allegro  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:51:49am

re: #416 Belafon

River Tam
Gamora (Unless we’re sticking to human)
Katniss Everdeen

One of my favorites: Root

422
HappyWarrior  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:52:14am

re: #420 The Vicious Babushka

[Embedded content]

That’s conservatism in a nutshell for you. Resentment and no empathy.

423
Belafon  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:52:53am

Oh, and Katherine G. Johnson (yeah, this one doesn’t count as physically bad ass).

424
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:54:41am

re: #416 Belafon

River Tam
Gamora (Unless we’re sticking to human)
Katniss Everdeen

Eowyn of Rohan

425
Stanley Sea  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:55:28am

re: #417 The Vicious Babushka

The replies to this Tweet show that Deplorables are not only in the U.S.

[Embedded content]

They deserve it.

Yesterday.

426
darthstar  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:55:38am

This is so cool. I have a bunch of these at home…going to try it this weekend.

427
The Vicious Babushka  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:56:44am

re: #424 The Vicious Babushka

Eowyn of Rohan

Natasha Romanov

428
garzooma  Jun 21, 2017 • 10:56:58am

re: #409 danarchy

Missed one(well, at least one)

[Embedded content]

Also this one, a personal favorite. She’s even got a sword:

429
FormerDirtDart  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:00:47am

re: #402 darthstar
re: #409 danarchy

Missed one(well, at least one)

More than one…

430
Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:03:32am

re: #409 danarchy

No Trinity from the Matrix?

431
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:04:48am

re: #407 allegro

Capybaras are the cutest things.

432
makeitstop  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:05:35am

re: #430 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

No Trinity from the Matrix?

No Pris from Blade Runner?

433
FormerDirtDart  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:12:47am

re: #430 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

No Trinity from the Matrix?

re: #432 makeitstop

No Pris from Blade Runner?

Trinity was a video game avatar.
Pris was a robot

434
Joe Bacon 🌹  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:18:28am
435
BigBadDemocrat  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:36:46am

What are the most important financial things about Illinois and California at this time?

436
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:39:00am

*YAWN*

437
BigBadDemocrat  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:39:06am

What are the most important things we Democrats can learn from these last four losses in U. S. House races?

438
Backwoods_Sleuth  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:39:35am

*YAWN*

439
BigBadDemocrat  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:41:22am

YAWNING IS NOT A WINNING STRATEGY

440
Aucun pays pour les vieux ennemis  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:42:55am

re: #435 BigBadDemocrat

What is the most important financial things about Illinois and California at this time?

What’s your disorder that makes you post questions here? This is not Quora.

441
Jebediah, RBG  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:45:40am

re: #437 BigBadDemocrat

What are the most important things we Democrats can learn from these last four losses in U. S. House races?

That we are eating away at R advantages even in formerly safe districts.

442
Jebediah, RBG  Jun 21, 2017 • 11:46:08am

re: #435 BigBadDemocrat

What are the most important financial things about Illinois and California at this time?

Potato!


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