The FBI Has Been Watching Former Trump Adviser Carter Page Since Last Summer

“Probable cause to believe Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power”
Politics • Views: 42,120

Tick tock. The latest piece of news linking the Trump campaign to Russia involves Trump’s former foreign policy adviser Carter Page, as the Washington Post reveals that the FBI got a FISA warrant to monitor his communications last summer during the presidential campaign.

The FBI and the Justice Department obtained the warrant targeting Carter Page’s communications after convincing a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge that there was probable cause to believe Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power, in this case Russia, according to the officials.

This is the clearest evidence so far that the FBI had reason to believe during the 2016 presidential campaign that a Trump campaign adviser was in touch with Russian agents. Such contacts are now at the center of an investigation into whether the campaign coordinated with the Russian government to swing the election in Trump’s favor.

But amazingly enough, here’s a propagandist for Breitbart “News” who actually seems to think this is fantastic, because it proves there was “surveillance.”

Yes, boom indeed. Surveillance, because the FBI believed Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power while advising Donald Trump on foreign policy. Boom.

The right wing media lives in a strange backwards dimension now, where everything bad becomes good and vice versa.

Jump to bottom

664 comments
1
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:42:22pm
2
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:44:41pm
3
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:44:47pm

I think I’ll just repost this here in case the West Coast disappears tomorrow.

North Korea threatens US with nuclear strike as American warships approach

aol.com

I can’t wait to hear Ivanka’s advice to her dad about this. She may suggest giving up Hawaii, CA, OR, and WA since those states didn’t vote for him.

“Teach them a lesson daddy!”

4
(alpuz)  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:47:58pm

Hello?

5
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:48:05pm

😭

6
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:48:21pm
7
(alpuz)  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:49:22pm

I guess it’s me, but I keep getting bumped from LGF.

8
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:52:25pm
9
Varek Raith  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:52:28pm

Uh, Carney?
Yeah, that’s a BAD thing.

10
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:52:39pm

Def go to the link & watch the video

11
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:52:40pm

re: #7 (alpuz)

I guess it’s me, but I keep getting bumped from LGF.

We had a problem earlier with a bot that was misbehaving and maxing out our server, but I don’t see anything in the logs that would cause this now.

Most likely it’s an issue with your local Internet connection.

12
Single-handed sailor  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:53:09pm

re: #5 teleskiguy

😭

[Embedded content]

Shit. My first concert was Slade and J Geils Band at Winterland.

13
(alpuz)  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:54:19pm

OK. Every other site comes up fine. I’ll check it out. I don’t mean to be a PITA. Thanks.

Edit: Yikes… things are squirrely on my end. Sorry about the hassle.

14
Varek Raith  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:54:28pm

Hooray!
We’re being monitored by the FBI via a FISA warrant!
Said no one ever.

15
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:54:45pm
16
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:55:25pm

If you don’t recognize the name, think “Godwin’s Law”…

17
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:56:20pm

LOLOLOLOL The freudian slips just keep on coming.

Wow: While apologizing for Hitler gaffe, Spicer literally says he doesn’t want to distract from Trump’s attempts “to destabilize the region”

18
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:57:31pm

re: #16 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

If you don’t recognize the name, think “Godwin’s Law”…

Heh, I mentioned earlier Spicer may have gone Godwin today.

19
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 5:58:49pm
20
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:00:44pm
21
Unshaken Defiance  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:01:04pm

re: #17 goddamnedfrank

LOLOLOLOL The freudian slips just keep on coming.

[Embedded content]

Fraudian perhaps.

22
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:01:05pm
The sky actually was falling! @Daledemi19 was live-streaming in San Diego when a #meteor streaked across the sky behind her 🎥Faye Heddings
23
Shiplord Kirel  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:01:33pm

re: #19 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

“Dammit, I got the ungrateful bastard elected and now he does this!”

24
Varek Raith  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:02:09pm

re: #20 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

Hehehehahahahaha.

25
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:02:33pm

re: #20 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

You’re a dumbass Carter.

26
Varek Raith  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:03:32pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

You’re a dumbass Carter.

IT’S YOUR FAULT I SPOKE TO SHADY AGENTS OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

27
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:04:20pm
28
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:04:47pm

re: #18 ObserverArt

Heh, I mentioned earlier Spicer may have gone Godwin today.

29
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:05:16pm

re: #17 goddamnedfrank

LOLOLOLOL The freudian slips just keep on coming.

[Embedded content]

Not Freudian. Here’s said that same phrase twice in the last two days.

30
Shiplord Kirel  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:05:43pm

I wonder if anyone in Russia is scandalized that Putin is conniving with a low-life like Trump?

31
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:06:06pm

re: #29 MsJ

Kansas link for you tonight:
twitter.com

32
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:06:24pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

You’re a dumbass Carter.

He’s just covering his butt the best way he can. And, that is sell the already existing story that Obama spied on Trump’s people.

I bet once you get past the tweets and the bluster of the wacko web sites ol’ Carter is somewhere sweating bullets.

Carter is in deep shit.

33
Mike Lamb  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:07:12pm

re: #20 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

Carter needs to shut the fuck up.

34
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:07:21pm

re: #29 MsJ

Not Freudian. Here’s said that same phrase twice in the last two days.

Maybe it’s like the ‘strong dollar/weak dollar’ thing, where Trump didn’t know which one was better*. So, stabilizing/destabilizing - six of one/half a dozen of the other?

* So he calls Mike Flynn in the wee hours to ask.

35
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:07:40pm
36
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:08:45pm

re: #28 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

Hahahaha.

And when I mentioned Godwin earlier, I was thinking it would be fun to ask Sean Spicer what it was.

Man this shit is easy to figure. Just go low. Pick the dirt off the ground examine it and there you have the Trump administration.

Buncha’ sad-sack fools.

37
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:09:21pm

re: #31 Backwoods_Sleuth

Kansas link for you tonight:
twitter.com

Thanks! Can’t get to their website but their Twitter feed looks really good for the dem. Like trouncing good.

38
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:09:38pm

re: #35 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

I gotta say, though - Holocaust Centers doesn’t sound nearly as scary as Concentration Camps.
//

39
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:09:46pm
40
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:10:11pm

JFC

41
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:11:41pm

re: #40 Charles Johnson

JFC

[Embedded content]

Those “filth” are human fucking beings, Mr. Attorney General but I get it, you’re a racist piece of shit who cries himself to sleep over the CSA losing the war.

42
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:11:56pm

43
Patricia Kayden  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:12:07pm

re: #32 ObserverArt

Yep. The FBI under President Obama spied on Trump people who were collaborating with foreign agents which is illegal. So glad this is coming out sooner rather than later. Hope this brings down Pence along with Trump.

44
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:12:21pm

re: #39 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

I may be right yet! I said he would be gone on Friday and it would be announced in the Friday news dump. Lookin’ good so far.

45
Patricia Kayden  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:13:39pm

re: #40 Charles Johnson

So Christ-like.

46
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:14:39pm

re: #37 MsJ

Thanks! Can’t get to their website but their Twitter feed looks really good for the dem. Like trouncing good.

Their website just now came back up.

47
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:14:45pm

re: #20 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

I feel kind of sorry for Page’s lawyer. Shit like this won’t play well in federal court.

48
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:15:00pm

Rachel is making a big deal about how unique it is that the FISA request for Carter Page was leaked.

Something is up…big lea…

49
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:15:06pm
50
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:15:59pm

re: #44 ObserverArt

I may be right yet! I said he would be gone on Friday and it would be announced in the Friday news dump. Lookin’ good so far.

Speaking of “looking good” (or not), I can’t bring myself to watch this video because hearing cheeto benito defenders (especially when they’re female) makes me want to smash things. Or have they come to what few senses they had?

Donald Trump: Ohio women give their verdict

51
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:15:59pm
52
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:16:03pm

53
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:17:10pm

re: #46 Backwoods_Sleuth

Their website just now came back up.

54
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:17:38pm

re: #53 MsJ

[Embedded content]

Early but that’s very good to see.

55
majii  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:19:20pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

“You’re a dumbass Carter.”

Yes, he is, but he also knows how many on the Right he can get to defend him if he blames his own problems on Democrats and the Clintons. It works every time because many in the GOP don’t care whether reporting is accurate or not as long as they can absolve themselves of having played any role in this mess [electing Trump, supporting party over nation, throwing love kisses at Putin, and hating on others] by blaming Democrats.

56
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:21:50pm

Jeff Sessions: Maybe she’d still be alive if she obeyed her husband.

57
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:22:05pm

good grief…

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a top aide to Florida’s attorney general, Carlos G. Muniz helped defend the office’s decision to sit out legal action against Trump University. Now the president is naming him to be the top lawyer in the U.S. Education Department.

President Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate Muniz to serve as general counsel to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The Senate would then consider the nomination of the Republican lawyer.

Emails reviewed by The Associated Press show that in 2013 Muniz, who served as Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s chief of staff for three years, was included in discussions about student complaints alleging fraud with Trump’s namesake real-estate seminars.

Muniz, now in private practice, has also been the lead attorney defending Florida State University in a lawsuit by a former student who said the school failed to investigate after she said she was sexually assaulted by the star quarterback of the Seminoles’ 2013 national championship football team. The player was never charged with a crime by police in Tallahassee, and the state attorney’s office declined to pursue a criminal case against him.

An investigation by the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights is still underway, presenting a potential conflict of interest if Muniz is confirmed.

Both Muniz and the White House declined to comment Tuesday, referring all questions to the Education Department.

The Education Department said in a statement to The Associated Press late Tuesday that its ethics officer will work with Muniz on identifying any potential conflict of interest “so that Mr. Muniz may recuse himself as appropriate if confirmed.”

“This effort will include a review of Mr. Muniz’s representation of Florida State University in any Title IX complaint or investigation,” the statement said.

58
majii  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:22:08pm

re: #32 ObserverArt

“Carter is in deep shit.”

And, I don’t suppose he’s the only one of Trump & Co. who is ‘sweating bullets.’

59
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:22:37pm

Thread:

Now……..

60
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:24:02pm

I’m telling you guys. I think we could seriously get a 2010 like situation in 2018. I know our voters suck at off elections but people really seem woke up.

61
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:24:23pm

re: #59 MsJ

Sedgwick County election returns page:
sedgwickcounty.org

62
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:25:38pm
Update: 4/11/2017 8:13PM
Initial votes out of Sedgwick give Thompson 61% of the vote. These are EARLY ballots. Wow.

Thompson lead down to 53/45%.

63
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:26:27pm

Chickens, counting, hatched and all that…

Sorry, but after the debacle that was Nov 8th, my faith in American voters is still lower than Spicer’s historical knowledge :/

64
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:26:34pm

re: #61 Backwoods_Sleuth

Sedgwick County election returns page:
sedgwickcounty.org

Apparently the entire internet is hitting these sites. That one isn’t loading either (the other one is up and down).

65
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:29:46pm

re: #64 MsJ

Apparently the entire internet is hitting these sites. That one isn’t loading either (the other one is up and down).

as of 8:05 pm Kansas time.

66
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:29:56pm
67
bratwurst  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:30:14pm

re: #60 HappyWarrior

I’m telling you guys. I think we could seriously get a 2010 like situation in 2018. I know our voters suck at off elections but people really seem woke up.

I hope you are right, but there are some ENORMOUS obstacles in the way.

1) Gerrymandering, first and foremost.

2) The lay of the land. There were dozens of unlikely House seats taken by Democrats in the wave elections of 2006 and 2008 that were ALWAYS going to be difficult or impossible to defend. There is nothing comparable going the other way for 2018.

3) The intransigence of the Bernie wing of the party.

68
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:30:28pm

re: #50 Interesting Times

Speaking of “looking good” (or not), I can’t bring myself to watch this video because hearing cheeto benito defenders (especially when they’re female) makes me want to smash things. Or have they come to what few senses they had?

Donald Trump: Ohio women give their verdict

Yuk. Reality hasn’t hit them all enough yet.

One said she made a mistake. One said the Democrats are playing dirty. The rest were in different areas in between. I did see some hesitation in their replies. It appears they had to think hard how they were going to say what they said. So, no immediate “he’s great.”

Give them another month.

Funny thing…the women are all from Lima Ohio. Very conservative mid-size town, still home to a big tank plant, so they are military backers.

The mayor is a former school classmate of mine. I knew he served as mayor, but I didn’t realize he is still the mayor. Been at it a long time, says since 1989. He left our Catholic school system to go into Seminary studies to become a Catholic priest. That didn’t work out. I used to go play with him at his house back in like 6th grade. Small world.

He is a Democrat. Can’t be a Catholic boy that wanted to be a priest and be a conservative.

69
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:31:50pm
70
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:33:14pm

re: #69 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

In other words, it’s a BFD

71
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:33:27pm
72
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:34:17pm

re: #71 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

He’ll get replaced with another racist, sexist asshole.

73
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:35:30pm

*angry face emoji goes here*

74
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:35:42pm

re: #72 HappyWarrior

He’ll get replaced with another racist, sexist asshole.

And his name is Lou Dobbs. The best part? He already works for Fox.

75
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:35:44pm
76
Joe Bacon  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:35:58pm

Listening to Rachel just tear into Spicey’s inability to pronounce names correctly.

77
Jenner7  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:37:16pm

lol Rachel.

78
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:37:20pm

79
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:38:07pm

re: #71 teleskiguy

But Bill O’ is one of their biggest draws, having one of the most watched cable programs (of any genre.)

80
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:38:38pm

James:Rupert::Ivanka:Donald.

81
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:38:48pm
82
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:39:03pm

It’s Kansas. Don’t expect a miracle.

83
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:39:27pm

re: #72 HappyWarrior

He’ll get replaced with another racist, sexist asshole.

Hurts Fox regardless. O’Really has been building a Fox following for a long time. There will be a lot of sheep without a herder so there will be a scattering, and some may get pissed at Fox for booting him.

That is a good thing. Helps break that crap up with all the turmoil. They’ve lost Greta, they lost Megyn, several women have left due to the sex scandal issues. Hopefully it puts a hurt to their viewership.

84
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:39:31pm
85
FormerDirtDart  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:40:17pm
86
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:40:34pm

re: #82 Charles Johnson

It’s Kansas. Don’t expect a miracle.

But it still vindicates the complaint Anymouse voices regularly - maybe a miracle *would* have happened if the DCCC/DNC actually bothered to invest in this race earlier.

87
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:41:36pm

re: #86 Interesting Times

88
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:41:38pm

re: #82 Charles Johnson

It’s Kansas. Don’t expect a miracle.

Yep, but it is nice to see that the run is close. That is different for Kansas.

89
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:41:55pm

re: #78 MsJ

[Embedded content]

Still holding on in Sedgwick County (and remember, that’s where most of the votes are).
As of 8:32 pm:

90
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:42:17pm

re: #85 FormerDirtDart

The “14th” week is going as well as the first 13. MAGA!

91
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:43:53pm

re: #85 FormerDirtDart

Schooley ✔ @Rschooley
Good day for the administration.
8:15 PM - 11 Apr 2017
511 511 Retweets 995 995 likes

All that winning.

Hahahahahahahaaaa.

“You will get sick of all that winning!”

I’m feeling pretty good about it myself. I like this kind of winning.

92
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:44:30pm

re: #87 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

*flips desk*

I don’t remember which LGF’er suggested NEVER giving money to the DCCC, but they’re absolutely right. Guess it’s up to us to figure out who’s running where/when and donate to them directly.

93
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:44:56pm
94
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:45:12pm

re: #89 Backwoods_Sleuth

Still holding on in Sedgwick County (and remember, that’s where most of the votes are).
As of 8:32 pm:

[Embedded content]

Is Sedgwick the county that is the home of the Koch brothers?

95
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:46:09pm

re: #92 Interesting Times

*flips desk*

I don’t remember which LGF’er suggested NEVER giving money to the DCCC, but they’re absolutely right. Guess it’s up to us to figure out who’s running where/when and donate to them directly.

BeachDem. She had some not-so-good experiences with them.

96
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:46:16pm

re: #94 ObserverArt

Is Sedgwick the county that is the home of the Koch brothers?

Yes.

97
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:46:26pm

re: #94 ObserverArt

Is Sedgwick the county that is the home of the Koch brothers?

yep

98
Single-handed sailor  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:47:46pm

getting close.

99
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:47:52pm

re: #96 MsJ

Yes.

re: #97 Backwoods_Sleuth

yep

Come on Sedgwick County!!! Send the Kochs a message.

(Actually I think this is already sending a big message, but a win would leave a mark.)

100
Joe Bacon  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:48:02pm

Uh, Rachel keeps saying that this race in Kansas is the first Congressional election since Trump was sworn in.

She’s forgetting about the elction I voted in last Tuesday to replace Becerra!

101
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:48:06pm

re: #92 Interesting Times

My take on this is that the problem faced is simply one of where to put the limited resources.

Are we to believe the DCCC is actually conspiring against Kansas (or Nebraska or North Dakota or any other state in which the Republicans strongly dominate)?

Also, people at the top in any field in which popularity plays a roll will gravitate to whatever is “hot”. Entertainment works that way. And so does politics.

102
CongoJack  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:48:29pm

I was born and raised in KS… A lot of family in KS…. I drove through KS last week to see my Granny and I’ll be damned if CNN not Fox was on in the gas stations and the McDs. It gave me hope.

Ot: new tablet is a pain to type with

103
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:48:47pm

Damn.

104
Belafon  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:49:04pm

re: #73 Interesting Times

Here’s the story on this race (Daily Kos link):

he political landscape doesn’t get a whole lot redder than Kansas’s 4th Congressional District, but somehow, Republicans are sweating the April 11 (that’s today!) special election there to replace Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump’s CIA director.

How red is this district? It’s so red that when the executive director of a Republican Super PAC tries to show confidence by saying that “We’ll win the Kansas election by double digits,” he might actually be trying to lower expectations. Trump won this district by 27 points, after all. But Republicans are clearly freaking out. In addition to a six-figure ad buy by the National Republican Congressional Committee, Donald Trump recorded a call for the Republican candidate, state treasurer Ron Estes. So did Mike Pence. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz flew in to campaign for Estes.

Republicans are ready to make excuses:

If Republicans do try to use not having engaged until the end as an excuse, though, they should be laughed out of town. Here’s how little support the Democrat, civil rights lawyer James Thompson, got until Republican panic alerted Democrats to the possibility that there was a real race here:

When his campaign asked the state Democratic Party to fund a mailer, it was turned down, later investing just $3,000.

Now, Daily Kos readers have given Thompson a late surge of money, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is making 25,000 live calls into the district. It’s still the longest of the long shots, but the scare Thompson is putting into Republicans shows just how much the political landscape may be shifting.

105
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:49:15pm

It’s hard to compete with Je$u$, and if Je$u$ says vote for the Republican then that will be so.

106
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:49:33pm

re: #99 ObserverArt

Come on Sedgwick County!!! Send the Kochs a message.

(Actually I think this is already sending a big message, but a win would leave a mark.)

Unfortunately, a win by one vote is considered a mandate by Republicans.

107
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:49:39pm
108
FormerDirtDart  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:50:23pm

I am at a loss for words…

“…With one offhand remark, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson left European diplomats befuddled at a gathering in Italy.

“Why should U.S. taxpayers be interested in Ukraine?” Tillerson asked foreign ministers discussing Russia’s intervention there at a Group of Seven gathering Tuesday in Lucca, Italy.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who later recounted the exchange to reporters, said he responded that American taxpayers ought to want a European Union that’s “strong politically, strong from a security point of view, and strong economically.”

But the provocative remark suggested Tillerson, the former chief of Exxon Mobil Corp., is still finding his footing in a world of diplomacy where even passing remarks are parsed for deeper meaning….”

109
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:52:42pm

re: #108 FormerDirtDart

I am at a loss for words…

[Embedded content]

It’s all about money.

110
Belafon  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:52:56pm

If Thompson wins, we celebrate. If it’s close, we celebrate. Our celebration is to scare Republicans, who shouldn’t even have to worry about this seat. And our celebration is to get Democrats fired up about next year.

111
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:53:50pm

Probably worth reminding folks that Jeff Sessions is the one who brought in Carter Page to the Trump campaign.

112
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:54:36pm

The republican is now up 500 votes. 😢

113
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:55:50pm
114
CongoJack  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:56:13pm

re: #111 Backwoods_Sleuth

Probably worth reminding folks that Jeff Sessions is the one who brought in Carter Page to the Trump campaign.

I did not know… That thickens things a bit.

115
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:56:33pm

re: #112 MsJ

The republican is now up 500 votes. 😢

most of Sedgwick still not counted

116
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:57:11pm

re: #106 MsJ

Unfortunately, a win by one vote is considered a mandate by Republicans.

The Kochs are smarter than the average GOP voter. They know this is not good.

117
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:57:20pm
118
CongoJack  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:58:18pm

re: #115 Backwoods_Sleuth

Those tiny rural areas don’t need many fingers and toes to count on to tally their votes.

119
ObserverArt  Apr 11, 2017 • 6:59:34pm

re: #111 Backwoods_Sleuth

Probably worth reminding folks that Jeff Sessions is the one who brought in Carter Page to the Trump campaign.

And Sessions and Bannon are tight. Sure would be fun if somehow Sessions got tied to the Russians. It may not be a direct connection as much as Sessions got played.

120
Joe Bacon  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:00:17pm

re: #117 Stanley Sea

Stanley, thanks for finding that because I remember the BBC talking about that big swing in my district last week.

121
Belafon  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:00:21pm

When we first started countering the Trump surprise, one of the things we were warned about was that we wouldn’t win everything, and at the beginning, we would win very few. But, we’re getting close in places we shouldn’t be. We can build on this.

If it holds, there are a lot of thinly gerrymandered Republican districts in serious trouble.

Sadly, I live in a very strong Republican district, so the only way the Democrat wins is if half of the Republicans in the the district suddenly die. Even if Ratcliffe was caught with a dead girl or a live boy, another Republican would just win his spot.

122
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:01:52pm

Sedgwick County as of 8:56 pm:

123
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:03:00pm
124
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:03:05pm
125
FormerDirtDart  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:03:53pm

Word is that both Sean Spicer and United CEO Oscar Munoz have both put in calls to the Dog, seeking advice…
//

126
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:04:12pm
127
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:04:56pm
128
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:05:47pm
129
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:07:24pm

re: #101 freetoken

My take on this is that the problem faced is simply one of where to put the limited resources.

Yeah, but…

130
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:07:37pm

Fuckface Von Clownstick won KS-04 by 70 points. The fact that this special election is this close is encouraging.

131
calochortus  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:09:13pm

My internet was having some issues earlier, so I may have missed someone else bringing this up, but is there any chance Spicer was drunk, on some sort of medication, having a medical issue, or whatever? “Ashad,” “Holocaust camps,” general rambling. It seemed odd.

132
CongoJack  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:10:50pm

re: #131 calochortus

Just normal and horrible diction issues.

133
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:11:44pm

Update: 4/11/2017 10:04PM
Estes now at a 3100 vote lead and 4.2% edge as Butler fully reports.

134
The Ghost of Senator Incitatus  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:13:03pm

re: #126 Backwoods_Sleuth

Split the difference in the dumbest way possible, and you probably get the closest to the truth you can.

135
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:13:26pm

re: #125 FormerDirtDart

Word is that both Sean Spicer and United CEO Oscar Munoz have both put in calls to the Dog, seeking advice…
//

[Embedded content]

The other dog is like HEY!

136
FormerDirtDart  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:13:38pm

I’ll pass…

137
MsJ  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:13:47pm

I’m going back to giraffe watching. I need an April fix.

138
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:13:51pm

Keep in mind, folks, that Sean Spicer isn’t some mindless apparatchik. He’s a true believer in the cause of American white supremacy under the tutelage of Fuckface Von Clownstick. He’s not just trying to please his boss, he actually believes the sludge that spews from his mouth. He’s antisemitic, historically ignorant, and damn proud of it.

139
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:14:37pm
140
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:15:27pm

More of this in Dem messaging, please. It goes beyond trump. Pull this rug out from under the entire GOP ideology:

141
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:15:39pm
142
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:15:39pm

re: #131 calochortus

My internet was having some issues earlier, so I may have missed someone else bringing this up, but is there any chance Spicer was drunk, on some sort of medication, having a medical issue, or whatever? “Ashad,” “Holocaust camps,” general rambling. It seemed odd.

That affliction known as the Peter Principle.

143
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:17:41pm
144
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:17:49pm

Ha:

145
stpaulbear  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:18:25pm

re: #136 FormerDirtDart

I’ll pass…

[Embedded content]

How do those even get insured? Are they going to make customers sign a responsibility waiver as part of their terms of use?

146
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:20:42pm
147
whitebeach  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:20:57pm

re: #106 MsJ

Unfortunately, a win by one vote is considered a mandate by Republicans.

Actually, a loss by three million votes is considered a mandate by Republicans.

148
Interesting Times  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:24:14pm

re: #143 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

I wonder if this theory might help explain it:

A lot of folks have wondered why the DCCC or other DC groups didn’t get involved here earlier. My take: Had the D-Trip started spending money here, it would have instantly nationalized this race and turned it into Ron Estes vs. Nancy Pelosi. That’s a recipe for a guaranteed loss in a district like this one. The only way this race was ever going to be close was via sneak attack.

149
stpaulbear  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:24:51pm

re: #143 Backwoods_Sleuth

I just made a donation to the MN DFL (The dems are called the Democratic Farm and Labor Party in MN). This legislative session has been brutal and it seemed like a good time to give some support. The republicans in MN would turn this into WI or KS if they had the governorship.

150
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:27:10pm

Estes may have won the seat, but the GOP powers that be have got to be worried about how well Thompson is doing in the Koch brother’s home county:

as of 9:20 pm
151
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:28:48pm

re: #148 Interesting Times

I wonder if this theory might help explain it:

could be true, but those sneak attacks still take a huge amount of grassroots effort, and that’s really hard to do without some major funds.

152
EmmaAnne  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:29:23pm

This is still really good news for Democrats. The spread on this seat was 27% towards the Republicans. If the Dem ends up losing by 7%, that’s a 20% swing. A 10% swing in favor of the Dems nationwide would be a wave election, since I believe gerrymandering gives the Repubs about a 6% advantage.

We’ve got 18 months to get candidates in place, get everyone registered, and figure out how to overcome vote supression.

153
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:30:03pm

I’m glass half full and definitely not going to bash the Democratic party for a loss in this district in KS.

Like that poll I posted earlier:

Dems show again and again that they are those who have a conscience, possess morals & empathy. Going up against a party totally lacking in same is not fucking easy.

154
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:30:34pm
155
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:31:56pm

meanwhile in Kentucky:

156
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:34:32pm

also, meanwhile in Kentucky:

157
stpaulbear  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:36:05pm

re: #153 Stanley Sea

I’m glass half full and definitely not going to bash the Democratic party for a loss in this district in KS.

Like that poll I posted earlier:

[Embedded content]

Dems show again and again that they are those who have a conscience, possess morals & empathy. Going up against a party totally lacking in same is not fucking easy.

I posted that on my Facebook page tonight. I got two likes right away from two of my friends who post a lot of politics at Facebook. I’m to the point where I only post once or twice a week - almost always about politics - because I’m so disinterested in Facebook in general.

158
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:36:39pm
159
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:42:06pm

re: #158 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

He can’t, and here’s why:

There are 295,294 registered voters in Sedgwick County.
Only 57,985 of those bothered to cast a ballot.
Not even 20% turnout.

160
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:45:16pm

re: #159 Backwoods_Sleuth

oh, wait…voter turnout is going to be higher. The total “ballots” cast are only what have been counted so far. It’s now up to 66,123, with 71 precincts still to report as of 9:33 pm.

But still…

161
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:47:06pm
162
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:48:27pm

B2/1NBQL8nEfPrrmOW+c18szN8BZf6MnAqv2AP+Ftk1D6cOy55XCzCcv6Ru4wsOGJ3K8nWdscy0cyxjlwaco27xoxvLszmQNR0rHoBbpQ/QxyCo82dmlEQ==

163
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:48:53pm

re: #153 Stanley Sea

I’m glass half full and definitely not going to bash the Democratic party for a loss in this district in KS.

Like that poll I posted earlier:

[Embedded content]

Dems show again and again that they are those who have a conscience, possess morals & empathy. Going up against a party totally lacking in same is not fucking easy.

It’s a bright red district in a bright red state. Would I have wanted to win? Hell yeah but I’m not going to gloom and doom over this either.

164
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:50:49pm

I feel very good about the gubernatorial election here in VA. I hope the GOP is stupid and nominates Gillespie who their base will little to no enthusiasm for.

165
retired cynic  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:51:01pm

re: #163 HappyWarrior

It looks excellent for districts that aren’t 70% R…

166
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:52:06pm
167
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:53:05pm
168
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:53:10pm

re: #165 retired cynic

It looks excellent for districts that aren’t 70% R…

Price’s seat should be interesting. But yeah I really do think we could have a good year in 2018. Use that and build on it for 2020. I honestly have no idea who I want to be the nominee in 2020 but that’s okay. We still got time.

169
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:53:42pm

re: #167 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Why, he looks like Gen Eric Republican.

170
retired cynic  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:53:48pm

re: #167 Charles Johnson

What a beaut….

171
Barefoot Grin  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:53:49pm

re: #85 FormerDirtDart

[Embedded content]

achieved more in 3 months than the Obama administration…..

172
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:54:37pm

As of 9:43 pm, Thompson still has a significant lead over Estes in Sedgwick County:

Even with low voter turnout, this still has got to scare the crap out of the GOP and Koch brothers.

173
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:56:15pm

Bummer: just read that J Geils died today. Aged 71 at home in Groton MA. RIP

174
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:58:15pm

re: #172 Backwoods_Sleuth

As of 9:43 pm, Thompson still has a significant lead over Estes in Sedgwick County:

[Embedded content]

Even with low voter turnout, this still has got to scare the crap out of the GOP and Koch brothers.

It should. But knowing the GOP, they’ll double down.

175
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:59:13pm

re: #174 HappyWarrior

It should. But knowing the GOP, they’ll double down.

Get those churches to bus in the voters…

176
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:59:24pm

Berners can go fuck themselves. And Bernie Sanders can shut the fuck up in perpetuity, fuckin’ intransigent privileged old white man, fuckin’ political-party-ruining scum sucker.

177
Barefoot Grin  Apr 11, 2017 • 7:59:43pm

re: #167 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Lemme guess. He’s saying “Jeezus.”

178
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:00:54pm
179
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:02:37pm

re: #178 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

The Republicans worst nightmare came true. People like ACA. That’s not a reason to leave it simply as is without improvements of course but it is is something that the far left needs to consider when they think we should just go to single payer. Improve on what we have rather than that for now.

180
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:03:14pm

re: #172 Backwoods_Sleuth

As of 9:43 pm, Thompson still has a significant lead over Estes in Sedgwick County:

[Embedded content]

Even with low voter turnout, this still has got to scare the crap out of the GOP and Koch brothers.

True, but I just read that AP has called the race for Estes: the last breakdown I saw was 52-46-2, which will probably be close to the final figures. Good showing, of course, but it still means another (R) vote in Congress.

And FWIW, I disagree with the notion that more DCCC money would have “nationalized” the election: The local GOP would have been doing that in any case, running against whatever Democratic Big Bad Boogeyman they figure would scare the rubes into voting. More bucks for the challenger (subtly applied) might have made the race a real nailbiter, maybe recount territory, rather than just “close”. THAT would have given the GOP shitfits…..

181
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:04:23pm

re: #176 teleskiguy

[Embedded content]

Berners can go fuck themselves. And Bernie Sanders can shut the fuck up in perpetuity, fuckin’ intransigent privileged old white man, fuckin’ political-party-ruining scum sucker.

?
Let me guess, they’re saying Thompson lost because he wasn’t lefty enough for them and he didn’t seek Bernie’s blessing. I feel mixed honestly about Bernie. I do feel at times his heart is in the right place but I really really wish he would shut up on internal party politics while refusing to actually join the party. He’s entitled to his opinions. He’s an elected official after all but I really don’t like his using the DNC and Democratic Party to retain his influence and then running away from them when it’s convenient.

182
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:05:13pm

re: #181 HappyWarrior

Bernie Sanders can suck my dick.

183
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:05:38pm

re: #180 Jay C

True, but I just read that AP has called the race for Estes: the last breakdown I saw was 52-46-2, which will probably be close to the final figures. Good showing, of course, but it still means another (R) vote in Congress.

And FWIW, I disagree with the notion that more DCCC money would have “nationalized” the election: The local GOP would have been doing that in any case, running against whatever Democratic Big Bad Boogeyman they figure would scare the rubes into voting. More bucks for the challenger (subtly applied) might have made the race a real nailbiter, maybe recount territory, rather than just “close”. THAT would have given the GOP shitfits…..

Honestly more DSCC money may have made it harder in a way. I’ve been making the argument that red state and or red district Dems need to make their case to their constituents as individuals who happen to be Democrats.

184
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:06:17pm

re: #182 teleskiguy

Bernie Sanders can suck my dick.

I hear ya. I am peeved he’s entered our gubernatorial election even though he’s supporting my candidate of choice.

185
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:06:35pm

re: #180 Jay C

True, but I just read that AP has called the race for Estes: the last breakdown I saw was 52-46-2, which will probably be close to the final figures. Good showing, of course, but it still means another (R) vote in Congress.

And FWIW, I disagree with the notion that more DCCC money would have “nationalized” the election: The local GOP would have been doing that in any case, running against whatever Democratic Big Bad Boogeyman they figure would scare the rubes into voting. More bucks for the challenger (subtly applied) might have made the race a real nailbiter, maybe recount territory, rather than just “close”. THAT would have given the GOP shitfits…..

Oh yes, I knew the race had already been called for Estes, but I was looking at the returns still coming in from Sedgwick County, which is Koch brothers’ home county. For Thompson to be still leading there is huge.

Matter of fact, here’s the final for Sedgwick County:

186
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:08:31pm

It does bode well for the election in Georgia next week.

187
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:08:43pm
188
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:09:22pm

Mike Bayer is one of the parents behind the newly-formed group Religion Out of Public Schools (Roops).

Roops cites concerns with allowing Muslim students to pray in schools, stating it allows for segregation of students and creates an environment where there is unsolicited exposure to religion.

“The separation of church and state is fundamental,” says Bayer.

With gender segregation a point of concern, the school board says it is not condoned but sometimes preferred by students. Even when students are separated by sex, they are encouraged to sit in rows along the left and right of the prayer room rather than with girls praying at the back of the room.

Roops created a petition that called for “immediate discontinuation of religious congregation and faith clubs in PDSB public schools”. The petitions received over 6,300 signatures. When presented at the March meeting, the meeting grew heated.

189
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:10:40pm
190
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:12:13pm

re: #189 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Sucks we lost but I had this written off completely given it’s a bright red district in a bright red state. On to Price’s district now.

191
Charles Johnson  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:12:29pm
192
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:13:42pm

re: #95 ObserverArt

BeachDem. She had some not-so-good experiences with them.

Yep—I only give money directly to candidates. Here’s what totally turned me off about the DCCC

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

193
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:17:20pm
194
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:18:43pm

re: #193 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

It really does give one reason for optimism. We still got a long way until 2018 though.

195
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:28:23pm

re: #193 Stanley Sea

We can only hope that the swing is big enough to remove our local Car Thief.

196
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:29:06pm

re: #195 freetoken

We can only hope that the swing is big enough to remove our local Car Thief.

I feel the same way about Comstock. She’s far from the most wingnutty out there but she’s one more vote for Ryan as Speaker.

197
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:29:37pm

re: #181 HappyWarrior

?
Let me guess, they’re saying Thompson lost because he wasn’t lefty enough for them and he didn’t seek Bernie’s blessing. I feel mixed honestly about Bernie. I do feel at times his heart is in the right place but I really really wish he would shut up on internal party politics while refusing to actually join the party. He’s entitled to his opinions. He’s an elected official after all but I really don’t like his using the DNC and Democratic Party to retain his influence and then running away from them when it’s convenient.

And now I hear he’s going to be spreading the gospel according to Bernie on a podcast.

rawstory.com
Just what we need…
Sigh.

198
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:30:20pm

re: #195 freetoken

We can only hope that the swing is big enough to remove our local Car Thief.

And the 1st class rabbit smuggler.

199
JordanRules  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:30:30pm

re: #193 Stanley Sea

I’m stoked! I like being competitive in as many races as we can. It’s energizing and puts the fear of dog into the GOPers.

On to the next one!

Also too, fuck off Bernard. We got this.

200
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:32:45pm

re: #197 BeachDem

And now I hear he’s going to be spreading the gospel according to Bernie on a podcast.

rawstory.com
Just what we need…
Sigh.

This kind of shit really grates me in particular:
“We need a Democratic Party which is not the party of the liberal elite but a party of the working class of this country,”
If well off liberal people want to be in our party, they should and do have a place. And I’m tired of Sanders acting like he has a monopoly on speaking for the working class too. He doesn’t. And he certainly doesn’t understand minority working class voters.

201
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:34:20pm

re: #199 JordanRules

I’m stoked! I like being competitive in as many races as we can. It’s energizing and puts the fear of dog into the GOPers.

On to the next one!

Also too, fuck off Bernard. We got this.

Yeah, I did some canvassing last weekend for Perriello and this weekend I’m going to do some for him and a candidate for delegate in my district who I’ve met. HOnestly, I just wish Sanders would put up or shut up but he wants it both ways. It’d be one thing I guess if he didn’t try to sell himself as a purer than thou politician but that’s how he acts and it drives me insane.

202
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:36:56pm

As much as I want us to stand up for the rights of working class people and I think we should and I will add that despite what Sanders says, we do. I’d much rather us be a party of middle class people who care about the rights of all than working class people who who want us to listen to their concerns but want to dismiss concerns of immigrants, racial minorities, LGBT people, and other groups. And it really frustrates me that Sanders doesn’t realize that. I mean I got no problem with trying to appeal to the working class. I love what Perriello is doing here in Virginia. He’s being populist but without suggesting or implying that the concerns of the WWC override those of the communities I mentioed.

203
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:37:03pm

I would love to have the Democratic party here in Kentucky put up a decent candidate to take on Thomas Massie for his seat for the 4th District, but last election it was some weird guy who had absolutely no campaign funds…literally, he had zero campaign dollars, and he did no campaigning at all.

Mind you, anyone running against Massie has to be prepared to deal with Rand Paul’s political money machine. That’s what bought Massie his seat in the first place, and that’s why he is still there in all his Freedom Caucus glory.

204
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:40:38pm

re: #197 BeachDem

And now I hear he’s going to be spreading the gospel according to Bernie on a podcast.

rawstory.com
Just what we need…
Sigh.

Bernie is coming to Kentucky.
I cringe to think of who he might think is a better Democrat to run against Massie or any of the other GOP congresscritters here.

And if Bernie goes after John Yarmuth (our only Dem congressman in Kentucky and I wish he was mine), he’s gonna have a real fight on his hands.

205
Flying Squirrel Girl  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:40:41pm

re: #193 Stanley Sea

In KANSAS. I’ll take whatever victories I can. No way Kansas and national GOP are not taking this as a harbinger of things to come.

From someone who lives in the “Texas Riviera,” AKA the “Coastal Bend,” deep red (albeit so-gerrymandered-my-district-got-cancelled-recently-by-a federal court, so…), the POSSIBILITY of going blue, if not now maybe sometime in the near future, is amazing to contemplate.

206
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:40:42pm

re: #203 Backwoods_Sleuth

I would love to have the Democratic party here in Kentucky put up a decent candidate to take on Thomas Massie for his seat for the 4th District, but last election it was some weird guy who had absolutely no campaign funds…literally, he had zero campaign dollars, and he did no campaigning at all.

Mind you, anyone running against Massie has to be prepared to deal with Rand Paul’s political money machine. That’s what bought Massie his seat in the first place, and that’s why he is still there in all his Freedom Caucus glory.

I don’t get why someone would run if they planned to do no campaigning or had no funds. That sucks though. You deserve better than Massie.

207
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:40:53pm
208
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:43:08pm

hahahahaha

209
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:44:33pm

re: #207 electrotek

[Embedded content]

Does that woman look like an Islamist to anyone? Then again, these are the same geniuses that gave us terrorist fist bump.

210
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:44:35pm

re: #207 electrotek

Good, you’re back. I’ve been saving these for you.
Royal Jordan also responded to United:

211
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:47:43pm

he’s wandering around the WH in his bathrobe again…

212
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:47:45pm

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

Bernie is coming to Kentucky.
I cringe to think of who he might think is a better Democrat to run against Massie or any of the other GOP congresscritters here.

And if Bernie goes after John Yarmuth (our only Dem congressman in Kentucky and I wish he was mine), he’s gonna have a real fight on his hands.

I wonder if his constituents are tired of his constant Red State America tours. Honestly, I find them very self serving. He likes to disguise them as him trying to understand their concerns but it’s really just him trying to jump start another presidential campaign which is his right of course but don’t tell me that Bernie Sanders is “different” from other politicians but when he very much is a typical politician.

213
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:49:05pm

re: #209 HappyWarrior

Does that woman look like an Islamist to anyone? Then again, these are the same geniuses that gave us terrorist fist bump.

Let alone her shirt, which is The Specials shirt. A well-renowned and highly respected ska act out of the UK from the early 80s.

214
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:49:20pm

re: #212 HappyWarrior

I wonder if his constituents are tired of his constant Red State America tours. Honestly, I find them very self serving. He likes to disguise them as him trying to understand their concerns but it’s really just him trying to jump start another presidential campaign which is his right of course but don’t tell me that Bernie Sanders is “different” from other politicians but when he very much is a typical politician.

To be honest, I really do not know a single Bernie supporter here in Appalachia.

215
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:50:17pm

LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Jim gets the best pathetic trolls.

216
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:50:22pm

re: #213 electrotek

Let alone her shirt, which is The Specials shirt. A well-renowned and highly respected ska act out of the UK from the early 80s.

Everyone knows Islamists love Ska. // Islam and Ska!

217
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:51:01pm

oh my, Officer Edith!

218
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:51:54pm

re: #214 Backwoods_Sleuth

To be honest, I really do not know a single Bernie supporter here in Appalachia.

A lot of people I’m working with on the Perriello campaign are former Sanders supporters but they’re definitely not the WWC he romanticizes. Good people, don’t get me wrong but definitely not WWC.

219
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:52:20pm

re: #216 HappyWarrior

Everyone knows Islamists love Ska. // Islam and Ska!

Interesting tidbit: ska would never have been this prominent if it wasn’t for a certain Jamaican immigrant named Prince Buster.

Who converted to Islam after meeting Muhammad Ali in 1965 and continued to produce ska well into his death last September.

So ska’s immense contributions were made by a Muslim.

#themoreyouknow

220
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:53:12pm

re: #219 electrotek

Interesting tidbit: ska would never have been this prominent if it wasn’t for a certain Jamaican immigrant named Prince Buster.

Who converted to Islam after meeting Muhammad Ali in 1965 and continued to produce ska well into his death last September.

So ska’s immense contributions were made by a Muslim.

#themoreyouknow

Did not know that. But speaking of a similar genre, I’m a big Jimmy Cliff fan. He’s a Muslim convert

221
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:55:20pm

re: #217 Backwoods_Sleuth

oh my, Officer Edith!

[Embedded content]

Oh, here’s the Pence pet tweet pic:

222
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:56:11pm

re: #220 HappyWarrior

Did not know that. But speaking of a similar genre, I’m a big Jimmy Cliff fan. He’s a Muslim convert

The first Jamaican solo hit in the British top 20 was Millie Small’s My Boy Lollipop, in 1964. Buster’s Al Capone in 1967 was the second: he toured the country regularly to sell-out crowds, and in 1964 appeared on Ready Steady Go. It was also in Britain that he converted to Islam and changed his name to Mohammed Yusef Ali after a meeting with the boxer Muhammad Ali.

As the 60s drew to a close, Buster moved with the times to produce records for some of the new breed of Jamaican DJs, including Big Youth, and continued to work with well-known artists such as Dennis Brown. He even ventured into early dub music.

But by the early 1970s, when rock steady was transmogrifying into roots reggae, Buster’s influence and interest began to wane - partly because as a Muslim he found it difficult to move along with the Rasta-influenced tide. He moved to Miami to pursue various business interests, including the running of a jukebox company he had set up.

Prince Buster obituary

I still regret not picking up a few of his records at a record shop in Osaka a couple of years back :(

223
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:58:02pm

I mean, she’s is heir. She’s a greedy piece of shit who is addicted to high society living. Do the fucking math. She hasn’t been able to budge her Dad an inch on his abject racism & religious intolerance but I’m supposed to believe she’s really the one true voice giving him the unvarnished truth. Bullshit. Her and Jared might be the most cancerous fuckers in the entire Administration simply by virtue of the fact they’ve enabled all of his evil shit despite being just high functioning enough to know how intrinsically counter productive and wrong it is.

224
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:59:10pm

Ouachita Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested a West Monroe man on suspicion of disturbing the peace through language after a senior citizen complained the suspect used an expletive in her presence.

Deputies responded to a disorderly conduct call off Oak Street in West Monroe. The incident involved Jared Dylan Smith, 20, of 345 G.B. Cooley Road, West Monroe.

“While standing next to my 75-year-old complainant, Jared yelled the word ‘f—k’ and clearly disturbed her peace,” stated the April 8 arrest report.

No one else was around him when this occurred, according to the arrest report.

Smith denied using an expletive in the presence of the woman.

He was booked at Ouachita Correctional Center.

OK then…

225
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 8:59:40pm

re: #223 goddamnedfrank

[Embedded content]

I mean, she’s is heir. She’s a greedy piece of shit addicting to high society living. Do the fucking math. She hasn’t been able to budge her Dad an inch on his abject racism & religious intolerance but I’m supposed to believe she’s really the one true voice giving him the unvarnished truth. Bullshit. Her and Jared might be the most cancerous fuckers in the entire Administration simply by virtue of the fact they’ve enabled all of his evil shit despite being just high functioning enough to know how intrinsically counter productive and wrong it is.

Indeed Ivanka claims to be supportive of choice, LGBT rights, etc but she enables the worst of Trump’s right wing shit.

226
HappyWarrior  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:00:17pm

re: #224 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

OK then…

Fucking bullshit. But hey there’s small government conservatism in action again. //

227
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:01:06pm

re: #221 Backwoods_Sleuth

No, not even a cat can make Pence likeable.

228
freetoken  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:05:14pm

Speaking of which, here are Gaia’s kittens, now old enough to start playing:

Gaia’s Kittens (fosters for Purrfect Pals)

229
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:08:21pm
230
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:08:32pm

re: #223 goddamnedfrank

Her and Jared might be the most cancerous fuckers in the entire Administration simply by virtue of the fact they’ve enabled all of his evil shit despite being just high functioning enough to know how intrinsically counter productive and wrong it is.

I’m not sure what’s a scarier though: that Ivanka and Jared are the most cancerous fuckers in the Trump White House or the least.

re: #227 freetoken

No, not even a cat can make Pence likeable.

True: but on a list of Mike Pence’s shortcomings as a national political figure, “lame cat names” comes fairly far down the list.

231
Shiplord Kirel  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:09:51pm

re: #221 Backwoods_Sleuth

Oh, here’s the Pence pet tweet pic:

[Embedded content]

Pence does rather remind me of Boris Karloff in The Mummy

:

232
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:10:05pm

The best part about being a Bernie Bro is never having to take responsibility for anything, it’s always someone else’s fault.

233
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:10:06pm
234
Varek Raith  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:10:32pm

235
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:11:43pm

They are the fakest of the fakers.

236
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:13:40pm

re: #235 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

They are the fakest of the fakers.

And really…which seder dinner table would any of us choose to sit at?
I mean…really… the difference in vibes alone is just astonishing.

237
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:13:51pm
238
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:16:05pm
239
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:16:53pm

jeebus…

240
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:17:57pm

re: #239 Backwoods_Sleuth

These Republican pols must be on some really good drugs, I want some.

241
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:18:18pm

re: #236 Backwoods_Sleuth

And really…which seder dinner table would any of us choose to sit at?
I mean…really… the difference in vibes alone is just astonishing.

I did notice that the Trump-era seder table at left had a lot more wine out that the Obama one. I guess they figure they need it….

242
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:22:05pm

re: #241 Jay C

I did notice that the Trump-era seder table at left had a lot more wine out that the Obama one. I guess they figure they need it….

Trump seder table looks like any inexpensive church dinner with the wrinkled disposable tablecloth and people grinning because the person behind the camera said “Say Cheese!”.
The Obama seder table looks like a real dinner table, with real food and just everything more real.

243
electrotek  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:23:33pm
244
Skip Intro  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:26:02pm

re: #235 Stanley Sea

The Trump’s don’t eat with the help. It might give them ideas above their station.

245
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:26:18pm

Trump, a former real estate executive who claims a passion for building, is looking for enticements that might bring his party on board.

His National Economic Council is currently crafting changes to the law to speed up the regulatory process, so that construction could start sooner and builders would find it easier to finance projects.

Trump and his Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao have played up the problem of regulatory hurdles for infrastructure.

“We’re going to try and take that process from a minimum of 10 years down to one year,” the president said at an event earlier this month. On Tuesday, the president hosted a gathering of business leaders to discuss infrastructure and regulations, among other subjects.

But the measures being considered for Trump’s infrastructure package would follow a series of streamlining efforts that began under President Barack Obama.

At the end of 2015, Obama signed a measure called the FAST Act. Its title stands for “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation.” In addition to providing funds for infrastructure through 2020, the law established the steering council that reviews the permitting process to ensure projects were reviewed in a timely manner. The law also put limits on the environmental reviews which in theory should shorten a process that could cause permitting to drag on well beyond five years.

Some business groups say the Obama-era law is working and see little reason for an aggressive overhaul.

“You’ve got it down to a process that is two and a half years,” said Bill Kovacs, a senior vice president for environment, technology and regulatory affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

246
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:27:12pm

re: #239 Backwoods_Sleuth

Hey! He’s a typical Republican. He could have won by ONE f—-ing vote in a contested recount, and would probably still crow about it as TEH BIGLIEST VICTORY EVAH!!!!!!

247
Jay C  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:28:33pm

re: #242 Backwoods_Sleuth

The Obama seder table looks like a real dinner table, with real food and just everything more real.

Especially a real President….

248
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:28:50pm

re: #245 Backwoods_Sleuth

Fuckface Von Clownstick is so dumb. He really thinks he can just magic-wand shit to happen through sheer will. A dangerous man to have as president.

249
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:29:01pm

re: #202 HappyWarrior

As much as I want us to stand up for the rights of working class people and I think we should and I will add that despite what Sanders says, we do. I’d much rather us be a party of middle class people who care about the rights of all than working class people who who want us to listen to their concerns but want to dismiss concerns of immigrants, racial minorities, LGBT people, and other groups. And it really frustrates me that Sanders doesn’t realize that. I mean I got no problem with trying to appeal to the working class. I love what Perriello is doing here in Virginia. He’s being populist but without suggesting or implying that the concerns of the WWC override those of the communities I mentioed.

Just found out that Tom Perez is going to be the keynote at our big state party shindig this month. Can’t wait to hear what he says (and how the berners in the crowd diss him.)

250
retired cynic  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:29:07pm

re: #245 Backwoods_Sleuth

Typical. Piggyback on President Obama, and toot your own horn.

251
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:32:33pm

re: #203 Backwoods_Sleuth

I would love to have the Democratic party here in Kentucky put up a decent candidate to take on Thomas Massie for his seat for the 4th District, but last election it was some weird guy who had absolutely no campaign funds…literally, he had zero campaign dollars, and he did no campaigning at all.

Mind you, anyone running against Massie has to be prepared to deal with Rand Paul’s political money machine. That’s what bought Massie his seat in the first place, and that’s why he is still there in all his Freedom Caucus glory.

And the same guy who lost “bigly” to my invisible rep, Tom Rice, is going to run again (and lose again.) Honestly, I give the guy some credit for going for it, but he is a terrible candidate, a terrible speaker, and his stump speech could put sleeping pills out of business. (He kind of does each line of the pledge of allegiance and then riffs off of it with some super boring crap and thinks he’s really hitting it out of the park.)

Of all the many candidates I gave money to in 2016, knowing full well they’d probably lose, I couldn’t bring myself to give him a dime.

252
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:34:35pm

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

Bernie is coming to Kentucky.
I cringe to think of who he might think is a better Democrat to run against Massie or any of the other GOP congresscritters here.

And if Bernie goes after John Yarmuth (our only Dem congressman in Kentucky and I wish he was mine), he’s gonna have a real fight on his hands.

Hey—I’ve heard after-Berners diss Jim Clyburn! Jim fucking Clyburn, the only elected Democrat anywhere in south by dog carolina. Good luck with that. (I still have hopes that when Clyburn retires, Bakari will run for his seat—there have been rumors…)

253
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:36:20pm

Started playing Nier: Automata. Whoever decided to put the first save point forty minutes into the game and after the first fairly difficult stage boss can eat a bottomless bag of dicks.

254
Unshaken Defiance  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:36:28pm

Nap cat time.
Cat in High Key Monochrome

255
Stanley Sea  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:37:15pm

And another night ends with me saying FUCK THIS SHIT

Take care, sweet dreams.

256
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:37:36pm

re: #215 Backwoods_Sleuth

LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Jim gets the best pathetic trolls.

[Embedded content]

And probably not even Jewish.

257
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:40:12pm

something you don’t see every day…if ever…

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Police say they cracked an Austin prostitution ring they were led to by a drainage pipe clogged with condoms.

A police affidavit filed Tuesday said investigators learned that a massage parlor was operating in a shopping strip in northwestern Austin after the realty company that had just taken control of the property. The company grew suspicious of the activities of a tenant when they found hundreds of condoms clogging a waste disposal unit connecting the strip to the city sewer system.

Police say they found a massage parlor operating in the strip where female workers offered sexual services for pay. A woman and her husband have been arrested and charged with organized criminal activity and money laundering.

258
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:41:27pm

re: #257 Backwoods_Sleuth

KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!

259
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:41:29pm

re: #224 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

OK then…

So wait—I’m an old and I say fuck constantly—do I have to make a citizen’s arrest of myself for disturbing my peace? (Or is that all too meta?)

260
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:42:16pm
261
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:42:39pm

re: #259 BeachDem

So wait—I’m an old and I say fuck constantly—do I have to make a citizen’s arrest of myself for disturbing my peace? (Or is that all too meta?)

I’ll have to share a jail cell with you…

262
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:42:50pm

re: #225 HappyWarrior

Indeed Ivanka claims to be supportive of choice, LGBT rights, etc but she enables the worst of Trump’s right wing shit.

Ivanka Trump is supportive of Ivanka Trump. Period. Paragraph.

She is just as awful as her father and her brothers, but she has a more “refined” voice.

263
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:44:06pm

I know a couple of folks that work at a shit plant (municipal water waste), and they’ve told me to tell everybody I know when the opportunity presents itself to *not flush used condoms down the toilet. They belong in the trash!*

Clogged up drain pipe leads to prostitution bust in Austin? Ayup.

264
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:45:36pm

re: #236 Backwoods_Sleuth

And really…which seder dinner table would any of us choose to sit at?
I mean…really… the difference in vibes alone is just astonishing.

Oh come on—who doesn’t want to go a seder with office chairs and plastic tablecloths?

265
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:46:44pm
GOAT PARKOUR IS LIT
266
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:50:09pm

I saw this moment of sublime ClickHole bizarre this morning, still cracking me up.

267
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:53:08pm

omg…this is too funny sad: “United’s new pre-flight checklist”

268
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:56:24pm
269
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 9:57:13pm
270
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:00:04pm

niters lizardz….

271
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:01:15pm

So I’m taking this LLI course on “Bad Girls” and today the instructor (who is a standup comic and a hoot) brings up Deborah Sampson and says, “I’ll bet nobody’s ever heard of her.” I say, “Oh yeah—she was a woman who fought in the Revolutionary War, but she had to dress up as a man, and she’s buried in Sharon, Massachusetts.”

She said nobody has ever known who she was when she’s taught the class before. (I pointed out that it helps that Sharon is my hometown.)

272
petesh  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:08:47pm

re: #259 BeachDem

So wait—I’m an old and I say fuck constantly—do I have to make a citizen’s arrest of myself for disturbing my peace? (Or is that all too meta?)

Fuck, no! (Fuck, yes!)

273
FormerDirtDart  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:26:04pm

I wonder who has to hand that front page to Pres. Trump…

274
teleskiguy  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:28:06pm

re: #273 FormerDirtDart

Won’t matter. Fuckface Von Clownstick, with the company that he keeps, probably is a dyed-in-the-wool Holocaust denier.

275
wheat-dogg  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:33:29pm

I’m busy with teacher stuff again today, but I’d thought I’d drop this by.

From downstairs:
re: #41 Skip Intro

North Korea threatens US with nuclear strike as American warships approach

aol.com

I can’t wait to hear Ivanka’s advice to her dad about this. She may suggest giving up Hawaii, CA, OR, and WA since those states didn’t vote for him.

“Teach them a lesson daddy!”

In light of this report, here’s a bulletin from the South China Morning Post: Xi Jinping is telling Il Trumpino to back off, cowboy.

China wants peaceful resolution, Xi Jinping tells Trump as tensions heat up over North Korea

President Xi Jinping urged peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis in a phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to a report by China’s state television.

“Xi Jinping has stressed that China insists on denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula to firmly safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula and calls for peaceful means to solve problems,” according to the CCTV report, summarising the call between Xi and Trump.

276
BeachDem  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:35:41pm

A perfect description of Yam Jr. from the Root:

“political sensibilities of a racist Twitter egg and the charm of a spider bite.”

277
wheat-dogg  Apr 11, 2017 • 10:53:31pm

re: #156 Backwoods_Sleuth

also, meanwhile in Kentucky:

[Embedded content]

Well, I have to link to a similar video, also coming from Kentucky. My friend, Mehr Hassan, produced this one for The Diversity Challenge.

I Am The Face Diversity Challenge

Her channel is at this link youtube.com

278
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 11, 2017 • 11:27:18pm

re: #28 Interesting Times

Sean Spicer Googling @spicergoogling
what is godwin’s law

It’s a Holocaust Center thing…

279
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 11, 2017 • 11:31:05pm

re: #43 Patricia Kayden

Yep. The FBI under President Obama spied on Trump people who were collaborating with foreign agents which is illegal.

Unfortunately, that is all that is getting through the RWNJ filter…

280
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 11, 2017 • 11:33:52pm

re: #126 Backwoods_Sleuth

Bullllll shit. Bannon told me at CPAC 2016 he was jetting off for meetings with Trump. So either Bannon is lying or Trump is.

or fake news

/

281
goddamnedfrank  Apr 11, 2017 • 11:49:08pm

Well this is fucking terrifying.

282
fern01  Apr 11, 2017 • 11:51:08pm

re: #212 HappyWarrior

I wonder if his constituents are tired of his constant Red State America tours. Honestly, I find them very self serving. He likes to disguise them as him trying to understand their concerns but it’s really just him trying to jump start another presidential campaign which is his right of course but don’t tell me that Bernie Sanders is “different” from other politicians but when he very much is a typical politician.

Wanting to stand in front of fans & be applauded - starting an election campaign when the last one was just over - reminds me of another current politician who things he has the divine right to rule.

Bernie was elected to represent his state - nothing more, nothing less.

283
wheat-dogg  Apr 12, 2017 • 12:17:19am

re: #281 goddamnedfrank

Well this is fucking terrifying.

[Embedded content]

Are we sure it’s a mask?

Poor guy.
//

284
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 12:23:50am

re: #281 goddamnedfrank

Hornet nest formed around a mask in a shed

Imagine finding that in your shed…

285
teleskiguy  Apr 12, 2017 • 12:53:41am
286
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 12:57:18am

re: #285 teleskiguy

Navy SEAL drug use “staggering,” investigation finds

Somehow not surprising, these guys are the rocks stars of the US military.

287
teleskiguy  Apr 12, 2017 • 1:27:32am

Rock ‘N’ Roll!

Instagram

This tree 🤘🏼

288
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 3:35:41am

re: #281 goddamnedfrank

Well this is fucking terrifying.

[Embedded content]

Coming soon to the next Silent Hill video game…

289
Targetpractice  Apr 12, 2017 • 3:47:21am

A check through the usual media suspects shows that last night’s performance in Kansas was not the blockbuster win that the GOP expected. Even FNC is acknowledging it as a close win for Estes, when in a purple district an 8% victory would have been hailed as a sign that none of the energy from six months ago had ebbed. And conservatives are crediting the win to an 11th hour push by the RCCC, but not acknowledging that the GOP pumped a lot of money in and still lost almost 19% of Trump’s victory margin in the district.

That last fact is (IMHO) the big takeaway from last night, that Trump’s growing unpopularity is dragging down congressional races. If the DNC wins GA-06 next week, it’s going to throw the GOP into a tailspin because they’re going to have to thread the needle of not tossing their own figurehead over the gunwale while still distancing their congressional candidates from him.

290
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 4:06:28am

In addition to Page, it looks as if they’ve pretty much got Manafort up a tree, too.

Last August, a handwritten ledger surfaced in Ukraine with dollar amounts and dates next to the name of Paul Manafort, who was then Donald Trump’s campaign chairman.

Ukrainian investigators called it evidence of off-the-books payments from a pro-Russian political party — and part of a larger pattern of corruption under the country’s former president. Manafort, who worked for the party as an international political consultant, has publicly questioned the ledger’s authenticity.

Now, financial records newly obtained by The Associated Press confirm that at least $1.2 million in payments listed in the ledger next to Manafort’s name were actually received by his consulting firm in the United States. They include payments in 2007 and 2009, providing the first evidence that Manafort’s firm received at least some money listed in the so-called Black Ledger.

The two payments came years before Manafort became involved in Trump’s campaign, but for the first time bolster the credibility of the ledger. They also put the ledger in a new light, as federal prosecutors in the U.S. have been investigating Manafort’s work in Eastern Europe as part of a larger anti-corruption probe.

Separately, Manafort is also under scrutiny as part of congressional and FBI investigations into possible contacts between Trump associates and Russia’s government under President Vladimir Putin during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. The payments detailed in the ledger and confirmed by the documents obtained by the AP are unrelated to the 2016 presidential campaign and came years before Manafort worked as Trump’s unpaid campaign chairman.

291
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 4:13:35am

Trump to Bannon: ‘There’s a bus due in five minutes. Be under it.’

We don’t yet know what Stephen K. Bannon’s fate in the Trump White House is. But judging by President Trump’s own words, it doesn’t sound particularly good.

In a brief exchange with the New York Post’s Michael Goodwin on Tuesday, Trump seemed to deliberately place Bannon at arm’s length, suggesting that his role as an adviser has been oversold and even appearing to threaten Bannon’s job.

Goodwin says he asked Trump if he still has confidence in Bannon, who is reportedly feuding with Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner. And Trump didn’t exactly disabuse Goodwin of the idea that Bannon is embattled. In fact, he did quite the opposite.

“I like Steve, but you have to remember he was not involved in my campaign until very late,” Trump said. “I had already beaten all the senators and all the governors, and I didn’t know Steve. I’m my own strategist, and it wasn’t like I was going to change strategies because I was facing crooked Hillary.”

292
Nyet  Apr 12, 2017 • 4:31:06am

“Make a wish.”

independent.co.uk

293
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 4:55:47am
294
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 4:57:12am

re: #293 freetoken

Giraffes are back:

when did they go out of fashion?

295
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:00:32am

re: #294 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Image: 2c487280-45f8-4fcd-bf99-90da3a86447f-1.jpg

297
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:20:13am

re: #296 The Crusher

We been Gunhild rolled!

298
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:22:23am

re: #296 The Crusher

[Embedded content]

Video

A lot of the PMJ stuff gets on my nerves - seems like camp for camp’s sake in a lot of instances - but that was pretty impressive.

299
wheat-dogg  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:24:16am

re: #296 The Crusher

I found her my chance on YouTube just by smoozing around. She did a TEDx talk/performance about her love of trombone, especially Dixeland jazz trombone. She can really play!

300
jeffreyw  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:39:17am

Imgur
Good morning!

301
The Crusher  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:44:06am

re: #297 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

One of my favorites, although I don’t know who to watch, the singer, or the tambourine guy.

Really Don’t Care - Vintage Motown - Style Demi Lovato Cover ft. Morgan James

302
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:45:56am

re: #204 Backwoods_Sleuth

Bernie is coming to Kentucky.
I cringe to think of who he might think is a better Democrat to run against Massie or any of the other GOP congresscritters here.

And if Bernie goes after John Yarmuth (our only Dem congressman in Kentucky and I wish he was mine), he’s gonna have a real fight on his hands.

Yarmuth is pretty progressive. Hard to imagine what beef Sanders might have with him.

303
Barefoot Grin  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:51:53am

Saw on Sarah Kendzior’s TL that reporters got the wrong “Dr. Dao” when they reported on legal problems. Not the guy on United flight. If true, that’s a pretty big oops.

304
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:57:14am

re: #303 Barefoot Grin

I have no idea on whether the troubled-past Dao of whom so much attention was given, was the man in the United video.

However, this is why I have 24 hour rules, or 48 hour rules, before really commenting on so many topics.

I work the internet hard, but my time is limited and I’d rather spend it researching or learning than having to run down rumours.

305
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:57:40am

It’s April 12th.

Do you know where your taxes are?

306
Barefoot Grin  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:58:55am

re: #305 freetoken

It’s April 12th.

Do you know where your taxes are?

That’s a 3AM question for me.

307
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 5:59:16am

re: #305 freetoken

It’s April 12th.

Do you know where your taxes are?

Bought a tailfin for a new Tomahawk.

308
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:01:46am

re: #304 freetoken

I have no idea on whether the troubled-past Dao of whom so much attention was given, was the man in the United video.

However, this is why I have 24 hour rules, or 48 hour rules, before really commenting on so many topics.

I work the internet hard, but my time is limited and I’d rather spend it researching or learning than having to run down rumours.

Think about the broadcasting companies that either do business with United as an advertiser or own stock in UAL…

309
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:03:03am

re: #302 Big Beautiful Door

Yarmuth is pretty progressive. Hard to imagine what beef Sanders might have with him.

He’s had issues with Barney Frank too. The problem I have with Sanders is he seems to want to paint himself as a lone voice and everyone else is a corporate or establishment lackey but him.

310
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:04:14am

re: #303 Barefoot Grin

Saw on Sarah Kendzior’s TL that reporters got the wrong “Dr. Dao” when they reported on legal problems. Not the guy on United flight. If true, that’s a pretty big oops.

Damn, that’s pretty bad.

311
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:05:33am

re: #303 Barefoot Grin

Saw on Sarah Kendzior’s TL that reporters got the wrong “Dr. Dao” when they reported on legal problems. Not the guy on United flight. If true, that’s a pretty big oops.

Hey, they’re no angels…

312
Amory Blaine  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:05:35am

re: #305 freetoken

It’s April 12th.

Do you know where your taxes are?

Yeah. Sitting on my desk, undone until the 18th.

313
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:07:44am

re: #305 freetoken

It’s April 12th.

Do you know where your taxes are?

Filed and refund received the end of January.

314
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:14:14am
315
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:17:06am

re: #303 Barefoot Grin

Saw on Sarah Kendzior’s TL that reporters got the wrong “Dr. Dao” when they reported on legal problems. Not the guy on United flight. If true, that’s a pretty big oops.

Can you imagine how much money is going to be rewarded to this man?

No wonder he hired two high-powered legal firms. They’re gonna be real busy in the coming year.

316
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:17:45am

re: #281 goddamnedfrank

Well this is fucking terrifying.

[Embedded content]

Go home Groot, you’re drunk.

317
freetoken  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:23:06am

iTunes has to be the worst Apple software that the company has produced.

318
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:24:17am

re: #317 freetoken

iTunes has to be the worst Apple software that the company has produced.

I always enjoy its massive memory leaks myself.

///

319
wheat-dogg  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:24:38am

re: #306 Barefoot Grin

That’s a 3AM question for me.

You got till the 18th, y’know.

320
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:25:57am

Maybe he fell asleep on the ‘door open’ button…

All’s well that ends well, though.

(But what the hell is ‘Zo doing there, anyway?)

321
wheat-dogg  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:26:15am

re: #317 freetoken

iTunes has to be the worst Apple software that the company has produced.

I only boot it up when I absolutely have to. I get an upgrade nag every so often for yet another 100MB+ download. Nope. Sorry.

322
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:28:29am

re: #321 wheat-dogg

I only boot it up when I absolutely have to. I get an upgrade nag every so often for yet another 100MB+ download. Nope. Sorry.

I run the oldest version possible for whatever features I need. :)

323
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:29:00am

re: #320 makeitstop

Maybe he fell asleep on the ‘door open’ button…

[Embedded content]

(But what the hell is ‘Zo doing there, anyway?)

Exactly. It’s almost like a party game. Here, take these words and make a story!

wait
elevator
department
stuck
fire
Ben Carson
Courtside Family Apartments
Alonzo Mourning
police

324
(alpuz)  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:30:11am

re: #317 freetoken

Especially on a PC. And I’m a lifelong Mac guy - learned on a Power Computing clone tower way back in ‘99(?).

325
Barefoot Grin  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:36:20am

re: #319 wheat-dogg

You got till the 18th, y’know.

So, several more 3AM nights. (Not that my insomnia will end when I get my taxes done; I can find other things like kids’ college savings that barely exists, etc., etc.)

326
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:40:36am

Yeah, I’m pretty sick of all the winning

The White House will lift President Trump’s federal hiring freeze on Wednesday, following fire from critics who said it hampered the government from carrying out core functions.

The end of the freeze is part of guidance ordering federal departments and agencies to submit restructuring plans to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by the fall.

Trump signed an executive order on his first full work day in the White House that temporarily halted all non-military federal hiring, an attempt to fulfill his campaign promise to “drain the swamp” and reduce the size of government.

But the freeze resulted in an increased backlog of benefits claims at the Veterans Affairs (VA) department, which Trump pledged to strengthen during the campaign.

It also created delays in the processing of Social Security checks, staff shortages at federal prisons, the closure of childcare facilities at military bases and fewer workers at the Food and Drug Administration to work on drug approvals.

327
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:41:14am

re: #235 Stanley Sea

They are the fakest of the fakers.

The contrast in the setting and the overall demeanor is shocking. The fact the none of the WH principals (observant or not) did not show up reflects the actual thought and effort put into 45*’s Sader. As someone noted in a follow up tweet, the chairs, folding tables, and paper tablecloths is reminiscent of a b-day party for a 9 year old.

It reeks of no effort, last minute put together, and (IMNSHO) pure insult because of the previous two issues.

328
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:44:51am
329
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:44:53am

re: #327 Colère Tueur de Lapin

The contrast in the setting and the overall demeanor is shocking. The fact the none of the WH principals (observant or not) did not show up reflects the actual thought and effort put into 45*’s Sader. As someone noted in a follow up tweet, the chairs, folding tables, and paper tablecloths is reminiscent of a b-day party for a 9 year old.

It reeks of no effort, last minute put together, and (IMNSHO) pure insult because of the previous two issues.

This years’ photo sure looks like the OEOB and not the White House.

330
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 6:57:09am

I thought this was an interesting tweet about last nights election:

According to Markos, Daily Kos readers have donated $1.5M to Ossoff’s campaign (some of that has bee my money). As much as that site drove me nuts during the primaries, it probably is truly representative of the Democratic party as a whole (think herding cats), and represents a decent amount of energy.

331
Skip Intro  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:00:13am

re: #317 freetoken

iTunes has to be the worst Apple software that the company has produced.

And it keeps getting worse with every update.

332
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:00:35am

re: #326 makeitstop

The memorandum requires all agencies to “begin taking immediate actions” to reduce the size of their workforces over the long term and achieve the savings called for in Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget.

Agency heads must develop a plan to “maximize employee performance” by June 30 and submit a final version of that plan to the White House budget office by September.

Mulvaney said that could involve the elimination or consolidation of duplicative offices and agencies.

Those changes would be adopted in Trump’s fiscal 2019 budget.

“This is a big part of draining the swamp,” Mulvaney said Tuesday. “Really, what you’re talking about doing is restructuring Washington, D.C. That is how you drain the swamp.”

LOL

333
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:02:14am

re: #281 goddamnedfrank

Well this is fucking terrifying.

That is amazing. I wish I had those wasps and that nest. It is step one is some great art project.

334
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:02:37am

re: #332 Sir John Barron

“This is a big part of draining the swamp,” Mulvaney said Tuesday. “Really, what you’re talking about doing is restructuring Washington, D.C. That is how you drain the swamp.”

That has nothing to do with draining the swamp, the more appropriate metaphor would be throwing out the baby and keeping the filthy bathwater…

335
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:02:38am

re: #330 Belafon

I thought this was an interesting tweet about last nights election:

[Embedded content]

According to Markos, Daily Kos readers have donated $1.5M to Ossoff’s campaign (some of that has bee my money). As much as that site drove me nuts during the primaries, it probably is truly representative of the Democratic party as a whole (think herding cats), and represents a decent amount of energy.

He’s gotten $1.8 million through ActBlue too.
secure.actblue.com

336
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:03:28am

re: #291 makeitstop

Trump to Bannon: ‘There’s a bus due in five minutes. Be under it.’

He never heard of Bannon or Dead Breitbart.

/

337
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:05:19am

re: #126 Backwoods_Sleuth

Bullllll shit. Bannon told me at CPAC 2016 he was jetting off for meetings with Trump. So either Bannon is lying or Trump is.

— Erin 🎶Gloria🎶 Ryan

Not mutually exclusive. I assume both are lying, all the time, about everything.

338
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:06:33am

re: #337 Sir John Barron

Not mutually exclusive. I assume both are lying, all the time, about everything.

It is all fake news: they are both telling alternate versions of the same larger Truth!

339
Skip Intro  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:06:56am

re: #332 Sir John Barron

So how much is Trump’s personal travel/vacation/24 hour security budget for all of the members of the Trumpshit family being cut? We’re heading into record territory with that if nothing’s done.

Maybe one of the fiscally conservative attendees at Spicy’s amateur hour should ask that.

340
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:07:38am

re: #215 Backwoods_Sleuth

LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Jim gets the best pathetic trolls.

Troll didn’t capitalize PLANS or AMERICA. Fail.

341
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:07:42am

re: #339 Skip Intro

So how much is Trump’s personal travel/vacation/24 hour security budget for all of the members of the Trumpshit family being cut? We’re heading into record territory with that if nothing’s done.

Maybe one of the fiscally conservative attendees at Spicy’s amateur hour should ask that.

A Republican is President again so debt doesn’t matter anymore.

342
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:08:48am

re: #341 Timothy Watson

A Republican is President again so debt doesn’t matter anymore.

More tax cuts will solve everything…

343
Joe Bacon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:10:17am

re: #342 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

More tax cuts will solve everything…

…and the band played on…

344
Joe Bacon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:14:16am

re: #341 Timothy Watson

A Republican is President again so debt doesn’t matter anymore.

I always find it amazing that those Republicans endlessly BS about “Tax and Spend” Democrats but Democrats NEVER turn the tables and attack “Borrow and Spend” Republicans

345
EmmaAnne  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:15:20am

re: #324 (alpuz)

Especially on a PC. And I’m a lifelong Mac guy - learned on a Power Computing clone tower way back in ‘99(?).

Me too, AND I own Apple stock. iTunes suuuuucks.

346
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:18:41am

re: #329 Timothy Watson

This years’ photo sure looks like the OEOB and not the White House.

It definitely doesn’t look like the WH. I hadn’t thought that 45* would shuffle it off to the OEOB, but you may be correct. Another insult for what should have been a more personal and close dinner in concordance with what the Seder dinner should represent.

347
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:19:04am

re: #344 Joe Bacon

I always find it amazing that those Republicans endlessly BS about “Tax and Spend” Democrats but Democrats NEVER turn the tables and attack “Borrow and Spend” Republicans

348
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:19:55am

re: #345 EmmaAnne

Me too, AND I own Apple stock. iTunes suuuuucks.

I use it once a year (or every two years depending). I only use it to make an encrypted backup (to preserve saved passwords/wifi/etc) when switching to a new phone. Thats. It.

349
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:26:06am

re: #348 Franklin

I use it once a year (or every two years depending). I only use it to make an encrypted backup (to preserve saved passwords/wifi/etc) when switching to a new phone. Thats. It.

Question: Is iTunes the result of Apple not having any direct competition for iWhatever music support?

350
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:28:46am

re: #349 Belafon

Question: Is iTunes the result of Apple not having any direct competition for iWhatever music support?

iTunes supports device management, iTunes store access, local media management for video/audio and the new Apple Music. So it’s a Swiss army knife type of application. That is, if the Swiss Army Knife was horrible at every thing it was built to do.

351
lawhawk  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:29:14am

Greets and saluts from the Resistance.

The last 24 hours would be illuminating for a lot of people had they been paying attention.

Carter Page was under ongoing FISA surveillance because he was suspected of talking with foreign sources - and the FISA warrant was renewed multiple times, which highly suggests that there’s a significant case building against the former Trump adviser.

Another Trump confidante, friend, and former campaign chair, Paul Manafort’s name is conclusively linked to a pro-Russian group in Ukraine as per a ledger showing payments (making Manafort yet another foreign agent operating in Trump’s inner circle after Flynn, who lied about those contacts too).

That’s three of Trump’s foreign policy and inner circle cabal who have conclusive links to foreign countries that hid those details.

Spicer’s gaffes are as a matter of course with this regime. They lie. They project. All their promises come with expiration dates. Trump’s saying he’s still on about pushing a tax plan and Obamacare repeal - he needs to gut health coverage to pay for the tax cuts. That’s the same as it’s always been with the GOP.

DeVos is busy gutting borrower protections on student loans that were put in place by Obama. Yeah, that’s really going to help folks who voted for Trump (or anyone else). Trump’s busy rolling back all kinds of protections and rights, because ultimately the GOP goal is to sabotage functioning government.

It’s all they do.

They aren’t coming up with a positive/affirmative plan for the nation. Trump only speaks in reactionary platitudes - all of which have an expiration date.

Trump’s actions in Syria are reactionary; and the latest nonsense suggests he has no problem conflating ISIS with Assad. The Islamophobes he’s surrounded himself with are pushing hard in this direction.

Trump’s ignorance plays in to their hands:

Trump is the one that will fulfill their insane worldview and hopes for a clash of civilizations.

352
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:29:55am

re: #349 Belafon

But to answer your question, you are right that it has no direct competition because of the tie in the device management and iTunes store/Apple Music access.

353
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:30:05am

Interesting article on the economics of the airline industry. Flying is terrible because the mass of consumers prefer lower ticket prices to a quality flying experience. Airlines that try to provide a quality experience to all flyers and not just first class inevitably go broke because they are out-competed on price. That being said, United probably could’ve avoided the brutality and pr disaster simply by offering volunteers the maximum compensation allowed for bumping, a couple of thousand bucks more.

354
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:32:20am

re: #351 lawhawk

Trump is the one that will fulfill their insane worldview and hopes for a clash of civilizations.

Those were the only Trump supporters whose motivations I could at least understand (although I obviously do not agree)

355
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:33:06am

re: #351 lawhawk

Trump’s ignorance plays in to their hands:

Trump is the one that will fulfill their insane worldview and hopes for a clash of civilizations.

I’m so disappointed in Maria Bartaromo.

To think Joey Ramone wrote a song about her…

356
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:33:54am

re: #353 Big Beautiful Door

Interesting article on the economics of the airline industry. Flying is terrible because the mass of consumers prefer lower ticket prices to a quality flying experience. Airlines that try to provide a quality experience to all flyers and not just first class inevitably go broke because they are out-competed on price. That being said, United probably could’ve avoided the brutality and pr disaster simply by offering volunteers the maximum compensation allowed for bumping, a couple of thousand bucks more.

Southwest Airlines at least makes an effort to properly train and empower their staff to make reasonable decisions. The UAL debacle simply highlights the inevitable outcome a totally toxic culture of service and management.

357
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:36:30am

The first real news report about the ‘two Dr. Daos’ story comes from The Independent. It’s in the opinion section, but it’s a start:

Everyone knows that if your client is centre-stage during a particularly bad case of negative PR, the most tempting solution is to move the spotlight. But even public relations crisis teams now advise against giving in to temptation. The consensus has been for a while that the best solution is to own up, apologise, take responsibility and move on (preferably with a well-timed positive announcement a month or so later) rather than scapegoating one person, especially when that one person is a victim. United seems to have only just got that memo.

And what if right-wing media appoints itself your light technician and moves the spotlight for you? Then it’s your responsibility to make sure it doesn’t look like you’re orchestrating a smear campaign behind the scenes. Questions have inevitably started to be asked: who dug up those details about David Dao’s apparent medical misdemeanour or the gay sex he supposedly had with a younger man, and why? Did they even check that those details related to the David Dao who was dragged off Flight 3411 in Chicago? There is presently confusion about whether the man on the United flight was actually David Thanh Duc Dao, quite possibly another person entirely to David Anh Duy Dao, the man with the criminal records.

It’s unclear who did that digging and whether serious mistakes in accuracy were made, but there’s one thing any decent human being should be able to agree on: it doesn’t matter what David Dao did or didn’t do in his past, because none of it is relevant to whether or not he should have been left in hospital after boarding a flight home. Acting like his history might make it “less bad” to beat him up is a dangerous position to take with serious consequences. Where, indeed, is the dirt-digging being done on the United staff who handled everything so badly, the security team who caused Dao serious damage, or the CEO who acted so dismissively about the entire episode?

If this turns out to be true, there are going to be defamation suits delivered far and wide.

358
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:37:45am

re: #356 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Southwest Airlines at least makes an effort to properly train and empower their staff to make reasonable decisions. The UAL debacle simply highlights the inevitable outcome a totally toxic culture of service and management.

What you highlighted could also be applied to the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats promise a much better living experience with only a little increase in price. Republicans promise cheap.

359
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:42:00am

re: #351 lawhawk

Trump: Over dessert “I said we’ve just launched 59 missiles heading to Iraq”

Maria: “Headed to Syria”

Trump: “Yes” pic.twitter.com

— Bradd Jaffy

Trump: No, I meant Iraq. I mean Iran. Didn’t I just bomb Iran?

Person: Syria is another name for Iran.

Trump: OK, great. I’m so winning.

360
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:42:09am

re: #358 Belafon

What you highlighted could also be applied to the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats promise a much better living experience with only a little increase in price. Republicans promise cheap.

In the Good Old Days, the job of a politician was to ensure lots of well-paid jobs with benefits for people with little training or education.

That is what DT promised; a return to the good old days that so many of us long for, when hard-working white folks had a secure future.

And people, especially in the South and Midwest, voted for him over a woman who said that it is going to take a lot of effort and initiative to realign industry and retrain workers to recover reasonable levels of pay and benefits.

361
Dr Lizardo  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:43:33am

re: #357 makeitstop

The first real news report about the ‘two Dr. Daos’ story comes from The Independent. It’s in the opinion section, but it’s a start:

If this turns out to be true, there are going to be defamation suits delivered far and wide.

Ten to one whoever did it just looked up “Dr. David Dao”. Sloppy journalism at its worst if that’s the case.

362
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:45:20am

re: #356 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Southwest Airlines at least makes an effort to properly train and empower their staff to make reasonable decisions. The UAL debacle simply highlights the inevitable outcome a totally toxic culture of service and management.

The good news for United flyers is that from now on, in order to avoid future debacles like this, if United asks for volunteers to be bumped all they have to do is sit back and wait for the cash offer to go up to the federal maximum of $1,350.

363
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:47:29am

re: #361 Dr Lizardo

Ten to one whoever did it just looked up “Dr. David Dao”. Sloppy journalism at its worst if that’s the case.

We had someone here do it.

364
weave  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:48:13am

I have a question about this because this is not at all how I read this federal regulation:

Redstate: Don’t Ask The Government To “Fix” United Airlines - Government Caused The Problem

For those who don’t want to click through, the relevant section…:

Fine, it is legal for them to do so. However, as many have suggested, this fiasco could have been remedied by granting the passengers more offers to accept being bumped. Why didn’t United dangle higher incentives to get people to comply?

Because they are limited from doing so — by the government. Another DOT statute places restrictions on how much compensation is allowable to be granted for passengers involuntarily denied boarding. It is a complex matrix (shocking for government policy, I know) based on ticket pricing, and other contributing factors.

So government policies allow overbookings, and they limit the compensatory parameters to encourage passenger cooperation. Not hard at all to see how this problem arises; it is extremely hard to grasp why anyone thinks involving the government is a solution.

Now I’ve read that law, and all it talks about is compensation for passengers denied boarding INVOLUNTARILY. It has NOTHING in there about VOLUNTARY compensation. So the limit is how much the airlines HAVE to pay in the case of INVOLUNTARY denied boarding.

Am I reading this wrong? I’ve heard this over and over from RWNJs about this issue. That United was prevented from going higher than $800 on their offer by law. I don’t think that’s the case at all.

365
lawhawk  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:48:50am

So, about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

It’s a total mess right now. WH is scrambling to do this event, which has been held regularly by the President for decades. Turns out, having a businessman in the WH doesn’t make anything run smoother. The event is run by the First Lady, and she’s got issues too since she hasn’t hired all the people she needs to run the event.

So it’s a mad scramble, which is taken to obscene levels when you realize that the WH reached out to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Sesame Street to send characters to entertain the kids.

Yeah, two of the groups Trump’s budget was looking to gut.

Everywhere you turn, incompetence, ignorance, and compromised people are running things they have no business even being near. That’s from the top down.

Jared and Ivanka are in the administration, despite having no experience running anything nearly as complicated. Only things they have run are things that their privileged parents bought for them (or inherited - as Donny did himself). They have no business anywhere near the WH, but here we are.

And Trump’s showing the world what a con man can do when he’s got a little bit of power.

366
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:50:34am

re: #365 lawhawk

So, about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

It’s a total mess right now. WH is scrambling to do this event, which has been held regularly by the President for decades. Turns out, having a businessman in the WH doesn’t make anything run smoother. The event is run by the First Lady, and she’s got issues too since she hasn’t hired all the people she needs to run the event.

So it’s a mad scramble, which is taken to obscene levels when you realize that the WH reached out to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Sesame Street to send characters to entertain the kids.

Yeah, two of the groups Trump’s budget was looking to gut.

Everywhere you turn, incompetence, ignorance, and compromised people are running things they have no business even being near. That’s from the top down.

Jared and Ivanka are in the administration, despite having no experience running anything nearly as complicated. Only things they have run are things that their privileged parents bought for them (or inherited - as Donny did himself). They have no business anywhere near the WH, but here we are.

And Trump’s showing the world what a con man can do when he’s got a little bit of power.

Only this administration would mess up the Easter Egg Roll.

367
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:52:23am

re: #362 Big Beautiful Door

The good news for United flyers is that from now on, in order to avoid future debacles like this, if United asks for volunteers to be bumped all they have to do is sit back and wait for the cash offer to go up to the federal maximum of $1,350.

from an article in www.slate.com:

United’s original mistake came when airline staff let the passengers board and then tried to deal with the overbooking problem. Typically, Hobart told me, United does try to avoid boarding in such situations, though he characterized this as a standard procedure, “not a policy.” In the terminal, the airline wouldn’t have enjoyed the same degree of autocratic license, and it wouldn’t have been necessary to physically remove the passenger from the plane.

So I can well imagine disciplinary measures for the ground crew that let them board a plane that was overbooked.

Because, as the article points out “Airlines are authoritarian in structure”. I understand that when it comes to passenger safety in flight and transit, but not to commercial considerations (the need to ferry flight crew to another destination)

368
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:52:33am
369
(alpuz)  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:53:42am

re: #365 lawhawk

So, about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

It’s a total mess right now. WH is scrambling to do this event, which has been held regularly by the President for decades. Turns out, having a businessman in the WH doesn’t make anything run smoother. The event is run by the First Lady, and she’s got issues too since she hasn’t hired all the people she needs to run the event.

So it’s a mad scramble, which is taken to obscene levels when you realize that the WH reached out to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Sesame Street to send characters to entertain the kids.

Yeah, two of the groups Trump’s budget was looking to gut.

Everywhere you turn, incompetence, ignorance, and compromised people are running things they have no business even being near. That’s from the top down.

Jared and Ivanka are in the administration, despite having no experience running anything nearly as complicated. Only things they have run are things that their privileged parents bought for them (or inherited - as Donny did himself). They have no business anywhere near the WH, but here we are.

And Trump’s showing the world what a con man can do when he’s got a little bit of power.

Exactly.

370
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:54:09am

re: #365 lawhawk

So, about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

The event is run by the First Lady, and she’s got issues too since she hasn’t hired all the people she needs to run the event who doesn’t even fucking live in the White House.

371
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:54:17am
372
(alpuz)  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:54:40am
373
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:54:50am

re: #364 weave

Any so called limit is a lie made up by the airlines to have their employees tell customers to get them to not try for more money: dailykos.com.

374
Mattand  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:54:58am

re: #356 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Southwest Airlines at least makes an effort to properly train and empower their staff to make reasonable decisions. The UAL debacle simply highlights the inevitable outcome a totally toxic culture of service and management.

That’s interesting. I’d always heard the Southwest pays their employees shit and treats them like dirt, hence the low fares.

Given the overall airline market in the US, though, you’re probably hard pressed to find one that is a decent company.

375
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:56:39am
376
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:56:46am

re: #365 lawhawk

“It reflects on the competence, the organization, the ability to organize. If you can’t pull off an egg roll, what are you competent to do?” said Melinda Bates, who as director of the White House Visitors Office ran eight years of Easter Egg Rolls during the Clinton administration.

377
Mattand  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:57:37am

re: #365 lawhawk

So it’s a mad scramble, which is taken to obscene levels when you realize that the WH reached out to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Sesame Street to send characters to entertain the kids.

Yeah, two of the groups Trump’s budget was looking to gut.

I just have this image of Oscar popping out of his can and screaming at Trump, “I’VE GOT YOUR DEPLORABLES, RIGHT HERE!!!!”

378
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:57:46am

Well, one huge difference there was that Martha Coakley (Brown’s opponent) was an utterly horrible candidate, and while GOPers will vote for a literal pile of turds that has an (R) next to its name, Dems tend to be more fussy.

Nonetheless, this has got to hurt:

379
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:57:51am

re: #375 Backwoods_Sleuth

Germany scolds Sean Spicer over Holocaust gaffes: ‘Nothing good’ comes from Hitler comparisons

No other civilized or educated society would put up with such bullshit at such a high level.

380
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:58:48am

re: #374 Mattand

Quick google search: Southwest pilots are the highest paid pilots in the US: airwaysmag.com.

I don’t know about the rest of the employees, but I suspect it’s probably similar. And considering the way the employees act on the planes, joking when getting people ready to fly, it sounds like they’re pretty happy.

381
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 7:59:54am
382
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:00:30am

re: #378 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

Exactly. And honestly I think if the DCCC and DNC had been more involved, it might have made things worse for Thompson. He seems to have done well running on his own merits. If he had a big DNC/DCCC trail behind him, the RNC pounces on that. Lee’s just being his usual troling self just like his boss Greenwald.

383
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:00:44am

re: #378 Interesting Times

Except what people were saying was that there are places where being an abortion/immigrant/black supporting party is so toxic that it’s better to stay out of the way.

Edit: I also saw that the state party didn’t help him much. The DCCC made like 25K robocalls near the end.

We have to watch thinking that we could have won this had we just put in a little more effort. Trump won the area by 27 points, and the Republican last night only won by 7. A 20 point shift across the country would completely restructure Congress. We should be celebrating and Republicans should be shitting bricks.

384
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:01:42am

re: #380 Belafon

Quick google search: Southwest pilots are the highest paid pilots in the US: airwaysmag.com.

I don’t know about the rest of the employees, but I suspect it’s probably similar. And considering the way the employees act on the planes, joking when getting people ready to fly, it sounds like they’re pretty happy.

And it is not all about pay: it is about training, the management environment and giving employees a sense of agency and initiative in their company.

Ryanair, the Irish discount carrier, on the other hand, is full of temp agency workers who have no interest in doing anything other than following rules and guidelines to the extent that their limited training and experience allows them…

385
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:01:59am

re: #367 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

from an article in www.slate.com:

United’s original mistake came when airline staff let the passengers board and then tried to deal with the overbooking problem. Typically, Hobart told me, United does try to avoid boarding in such situations, though he characterized this as a standard procedure, “not a policy.” In the terminal, the airline wouldn’t have enjoyed the same degree of autocratic license, and it wouldn’t have been necessary to physically remove the passenger from the plane.

So I can well imagine disciplinary measures for the ground crew that let them board a plane that was overbooked.

But, the issue here was not overbooking. Four UA employees appeared at the last moment needing a flight to Louisville so they could man another flight. This was the statement from the CEO. Are they backtracking that now?

The Dr. who was hauled off the plane needs to be a major stockholder in UA and get a good cash settlement out of it.

386
Dr Lizardo  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:02:46am

re: #381 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

LOL the last time there were “manned missiles” it was WWII, with these babies:

en.wikipedia.org

387
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:03:09am

re: #378 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

You are 100% correct (do you live in MA?)

That said, there is absolutely no comparison between a special in 2017 and one in 2010. Partisan makeup be damned, we are in a whole new political era.

388
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:04:23am

re: #383 Belafon

Except what people were saying was that there are places where being an abortion/immigrant/black supporting party is so toxic that it’s better to stay out of the way.

Then, as Backwoods_Sleuth suggests above, the solution is to fund the grassroots and GOTV efforts behind the scenes. And campaign on a message that resonates with locals in that particular district (which, from what I gather, is exactly what Thompson did - running against Brownback’s craptastic economic policies as opposed to trump’s personality)

389
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:05:12am
390
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:07:04am

re: #388 Interesting Times

Then, as Backwoods_Sleuth suggests above, the solution is to fund the grassroots and GOTV efforts behind the scenes. And campaign on a message that resonates with locals in that particular district (which, from what I gather, is exactly what Thompson did - running against Brownback’s craptastic economic policies as opposed to trump’s personality)

In Kansas last night, it ultimately came down to turnout:

391
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:09:46am

re: #390 Backwoods_Sleuth

In Kansas last night, it ultimately came down to turnout:

[Embedded content]

It’s all about turnout.

392
Mattand  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:09:59am

re: #379 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

No other civilized or educated society would put up with such bullshit at such a high level.

The problem is that a small, angry minority was empowered by a flaw in our Constitituion to elect a dimwit who promised to exact vengeance, for lack of a better word, on their behalf.

This occurred to me a few months after the election, and I’ve seen it elsewhere as well. There’s a huge undercurrent of “We’ll teach you motherfuckers to elect a ni-CLANG President!” The only agenda for the GOP over the next four years is to burn down every aspect of Obama’s work, which is pretty much what Steve Bannon has a hard-on for.

You factor in the low-info “OMG Hillary is as bad as Trump”, and the people who are so desperate that honestly believe Trump cares about them, and you’ve got a shit storm of malice and straight-up evil that we haven’t seen since Jeff Davis founded his own startup in 1861.

393
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:10:07am

re: #389 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Oh, they’re taking him to a farm upstate.

394
KingKenrod  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:10:54am

Trump says “Iraq” instead of “Syria” at one point in that cake story, which sounds entirely made up. Like it came from a movie reel playing in his head, be he believes it because he can’t tell fantasy from reality.

Besides, didn’t we see pictures of him in the situation room when the decision to attack was made?

395
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:11:18am
396
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:12:29am

re: #395 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

I have confidence in this guy but it’s not too late for him to step down. Oh and he’s still complaining about Hillary. Fucking whiner.

397
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:13:02am

re: #365 lawhawk

One more clip from the Easter egg roll article.

It remains unclear whether the White House will be ready for tens of thousands of guests — and that could reflect poorly on its new tenants.

“I’d imagine Mrs. Trump wants this to be perfect like her predecessors did,” said Anita McBride, who as chief of staff for First Lady Laura Bush helped oversee events.

Let’s pretend and give them the bit about being unclear if the WH is ready. I would infer from everything else that the admin. has done and the reports on this event that the answer is a resounding, NOT A CHANCE IN HELL.

Onto the bit about the FLOTUS caring. Why would she give a shit at all, except that 45* wouldn’t like the embarrassment and that will cascade onto her head? She doesn’t live there, she only shows up at certain events as arm candy, I really doubt that she could care less about the history of the event, and she has stated she didn’t want 45* to run (admittedly, hearsay)

I call BS on that second paragraph.

398
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:14:07am

re: #396 HappyWarrior

I have confidence in this guy but it’s not too late for him to step down. Oh and he’s still complaining about Hillary. Fucking whiner.

He’s the specialist snowflake.

399
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:15:18am

re: #398 Timothy Watson

He’s the specialist snowflake.

I really do love how all the old bastards that love him think our generation does nothing but complain think this guy is a macho man. He makes Mitt Romney look humble and well grounded.

400
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:16:51am

re: #371 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Yeah—the detail about the most beautiful chocolate cake you’ve ever seen was crucial to telling the story.

Two things are running through my head (neither of them good):

Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don’t think that I can take it…

and, more appropriately:

The cake is a lie

401
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:19:40am

re: #365 lawhawk

So, about the Easter Egg Roll at the White House.

It’s a total mess right now. WH is scrambling to do this event, which has been held regularly by the President for decades. Turns out, having a businessman in the WH doesn’t make anything run smoother. The event is run by the First Lady, and she’s got issues too since she hasn’t hired all the people she needs to run the event.

So it’s a mad scramble, which is taken to obscene levels when you realize that the WH reached out to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Sesame Street to send characters to entertain the kids.

So much like his mad scramble to find A-listers for his fabulous inaugural. We know how well that worked out. He’ll now go with the “this is exactly how we wanted it to be” bullshit as the walls come tumbling down.

402
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:19:44am

re: #396 HappyWarrior

I have confidence in this guy but it’s not too late for him to step down. Oh and he’s still complaining about Hillary. Fucking whiner.

He still complaining about Obama spying on him, too?

403
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:20:18am

Kellyanne Conway has a problem with people live-tweeting Sean Spicer’s press conferences

404
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:20:50am

re: #402 Sir John Barron

He still complaining about Obama spying on him, too?

“Comey was very good to Clinton” or some crap there of.

405
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:21:19am

re: #371 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Except that all the missiles didn’t hit as Trump claims. One landed in the Mediterranean Sea after launch and one apparently didn’t hit its target.

But anything Trump does has to have the most superlative adjectives attached to it.

406
bratwurst  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:22:34am

This man is a pathological liar. I take that both seriously and literally.

407
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:23:07am

So O’Malley made a comment about how he doesn’t think Sanders would have beaten Trump and the Berners are all over him. Can we just not make our party’s future about a man who will be 80 in 2021, who represents a lily white state, and who isn’t even in our party? I’m sorry but enough of Bernie Sanders. He had his chance and he’s free to run again but he’s not the party’s future and he’s not a leader.

408
Mattand  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:23:31am

re: #396 HappyWarrior

I have confidence in this guy but it’s not too late for him to step down. Oh and he’s still complaining about Hillary. Fucking whiner.

The fact that he’s still calling her “Crooked Hillary” is just batshit insane. You fucking won. Move on.

409
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:24:05am

re: #406 bratwurst

This man is a pathological liar. I take that both seriously and literally.

[Embedded content]

He lies so easily.

410
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:24:56am

re: #408 Mattand

The fact that he’s still calling her “Crooked Hillary” is just batshit insane. You fucking won. Move on.

His supporters always bring her up in the comments too when his administration is shown for the corrupt piece of shit it is too. They’re still running against her. I’m hoping htat will be his undoing if he’s still there in 2020.

411
(alpuz)  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:25:05am

re: #409 HappyWarrior

He lies so easily.

Well yeah, it’s all he does.

412
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:26:24am

re: #387 Franklin

You are 100% correct (do you live in MA?)

That said, there is absolutely no comparison between a special in 2017 and one in 2010. Partisan makeup be damned, we are in a whole new political era.

I remember it well. I remember calling my niece nightly to tell her to vote for Coakley, even though she was terrible. That Brown was a totally empty suit. My powers of persuasion were such that she voted for Brown to “give him a chance” (and then voted for him again the next time because “he hadn’t really screwed up that badly.”) I was extremely disappointed in her thought process.

413
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:26:57am

re: #392 Mattand

The problem is that a small, angry minority was empowered by a flaw in our Constitituion to elect a dimwit who promised to exact vengeance, for lack of a better word, on their behalf.

This occurred to me a few months after the election, and I’ve seen it elsewhere as well. There’s a huge undercurrent of “We’ll teach you motherfuckers to elect a ni-CLANG President!” The only agenda for the GOP over the next four years is to burn down every aspect of Obama’s work, which is pretty much what Steve Bannon has a hard-on for.

You factor in the low-info “OMG Hillary is as bad as Trump”, and the people who are so desperate that honestly believe Trump cares about them, and you’ve got a shit storm of malice and straight-up evil that we haven’t seen since Jeff Davis founded his own startup in 1861.

Trump actually got a lower percentage of the popular vote than Romney did, so he didn’t exactly run a brilliant campaign. What happened was that with the help of the Benghazi Committee, Russia, the FBI and the mainstream media, they convinced just barely enough people not to vote for Clinton to squeak out an electoral victory despite a solid majority of voters being convinced that Trump was unqualified. And Trump doesn’t get to run against Clinton again in 2020, if he even runs for reelection.

414
Mattand  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:27:59am

re: #407 HappyWarrior

So O’Malley made a comment about how he doesn’t think Sanders would have beaten Trump and the Berners are all over him. Can we just not make our party’s future about a man who will be 80 in 2021, who represents a lily white state, and who isn’t even in our party? I’m sorry but enough of Bernie Sanders. He had his chance and he’s free to run again but he’s not the party’s future and he’s not a leader.

So much this.

We have a friend from a suburb of Indianapolis who visited about a month after the election. She and her husband are some of the few, few Democrats in her area.

She was saying she was stunned that the party nominated Clinton, as the absolute hate for her in IN was borderline psychotic. I asked her straight up: “Do you honestly believe your neighbors would have considered voting for a Jewish man from NYC, who is an avowed Socialist and honeymooned in Castro’s Cuba?”

She laughed and said, “Probably not.”

415
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:28:13am

re: #413 Big Beautiful Door

Trump actually got a lower percentage of the popular vote than Romney did, so he didn’t exactly run a brilliant campaign. What happened was that with the help of the Benghazi Committee, Russia, the FBI and the mainstream media, they convinced just barely enough people not to vote for Clinton to squeak out an electoral victory despite a solid majority of voters being convinced that Trump was unqualified. And Trump doesn’t get to run against Clinton again in 2020, if he even runs for reelection.

He’s going to have a real problem in 2020 running as an incumbent.

416
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:30:09am

re: #409 HappyWarrior

He lies so easily.

and without consequences

417
(alpuz)  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:30:42am

I was just blocked for the first time on the Twitter! I really feel as though I’m finally getting a grasp on this whole social media thing.

418
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:03am
419
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:09am

re: #387 Franklin

You are 100% correct (do you live in MA?)

Ha, no, I’m a bit further north ;) (as in, over the other border, which I highly doubt I’ll be crossing anytime soon…)

420
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:12am

re: #415 HappyWarrior

He’s going to have a real problem in 2020 running as an incumbent.

Unless our press steps up and starts doing its job, he still has more than a decent chance…

421
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:14am

re: #417 (alpuz)

I was just blocked for the first time on the Twitter! I really feel as though I’m finally getting a grasp on this whole social media thing.

I got blocked by my Congressman years ago. :)

422
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:14am

re: #414 Mattand

So much this.

We have a friend from a suburb of Indianapolis who visited about a month after the election. She and her husband are some of the few, few Democrats in her area.

She was saying she was stunned that the party nominated Clinton, as the absolute hate for her in IN was borderline psychotic. I asked her straight up: “Do you honestly believe your neighbors would have considered voting for a Jewish man from NYC, who is an avowed Socialist and honeymooned in Castro’s Cuba?”

She laughed and said, “Probably not.”

His supporters just think he can talk about the working class’s plight and that will get them to vote for him. RNC opps research would have had a field day with Sanders. It was the USSR by the way where he honeymooned and I know the reasons why and they’re innocent enough but RNC opps research would have had a field day with that. Just as Trump i think will struggle in 2020 not running against Clinton, Sanders will too. He’s a known commodity now.

423
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:44am

re: #420 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Unless our press steps up and starts doing its job, he still has more than a decent chance…

I know.

424
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:31:51am

re: #415 HappyWarrior

He’s going to have a real problem in 2020 running as an incumbent.

He can still count on the votes of ~45% of people.

425
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:33:19am

re: #422 HappyWarrior

His supporters just think he can talk about the working class’s plight and that will get them to vote for him. RNC opps research would have had a field day with Sanders. It was the USSR by the way where he honeymooned and I know the reasons why and they’re innocent enough but RNC opps research would have had a field day with that. Just as Trump i think will struggle in 2020 not running against Clinton, Sanders will too. He’s a known commodity now.

Yes, colluding with Russia to influence an election is irrelevant, but honeymooning in the USSR decades ago? SCANDALOUS!!!

426
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:33:25am

re: #424 Timothy Watson

He can still count on the votes of ~45% of people.

Yeah, I call that the 45% rule where in post 2000 America, either party’s nominee is pretty much guaranteed that. At the same time, people profess to hate both parties.

427
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:34:13am

re: #426 HappyWarrior

Yeah, I call that the 45% rule where in post 2000 America, either party’s nominee is pretty much guaranteed that. At the same time, people profess to hate both parties.

And those evil incumbents unless they’re Republicans.

428
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:34:43am

re: #420 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Unless our press steps up and starts doing its job, he still has more than a decent chance…

I think that the Democrats would have to nominate a spectacularly bad candidate. Its hard to imagine Trump could win again with 46% of the vote, and I don’t see him doing much to broaden his base.

429
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:35:24am

re: #425 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Yes, colluding with Russia to influence an election is irrelevant, but honeymooning in the USSR decades ago? SCANDALOUS!!!

I maen I just they think they discount how easily you can red bait certain voters. As I said, I know why Sanders honeymooned in the USSR in the 80’s and I have no problem with it, but other voters who don’t see nuance? Nope. I don’t know for sure whether Sanders would have won or not but the hypothetical polls they pushed don’t mean shit.

430
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:35:51am

re: #303 Barefoot Grin

Saw on Sarah Kendzior’s TL that reporters got the wrong “Dr. Dao” when they reported on legal problems. Not the guy on United flight. If true, that’s a pretty big oops.

If true, that guy is going to own more than United.

431
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:35:58am

re: #415 HappyWarrior

He’s going to have a real problem in 2020 running as an incumbent.

I would like to think so, but there are two problematic things to consider: 1) The presidency has sort of normalized him in that he was a flat out crazy, awful candidate who people decided to take a chance on and the degree that the country doesn’t go spiraling off a cliff will make some people more trusting of him and 2) the Democrats will have to actually nominate someone to oppose him and whoever this candidate is, he or she will made to look worse than a Kenyan Muslim in a pantsuit.

432
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:36:14am

re: #427 Timothy Watson

And those evil incumbents unless they’re Republicans.

Yep, I hate “politics as usual in Washington” so let me send back my Republican congresscritter.

433
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:37:19am

re: #431 Sir John Barron

I would like to think so, but there are two problematic things to consider: 1) The presidency has sort of normalized him in that he was a flat out crazy, awful candidate who people decided to take a chance on and the degree that the country doesn’t go spiraling off a cliff will make some people more trusting of him and 2) the Democrats will have to actually nominate someone to oppose him and whoever this candidate is, he or she will made to look worse than a Kenyan Muslim in a pantsuit.

True , I’m sure Dinesh D’Sousa is already hard at work on Booker’s America or whoever.

434
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:37:25am

re: #428 Big Beautiful Door

I think that the Democrats would have to nominate a spectacularly bad candidate. Its hard to imagine Trump could win again with 46% of the vote, and I don’t see him doing much to broaden his base.

Trump still has the press in his thrall, and he is good at creating the impression of wealth and success where none exist. I can imagine he and the GOP Congress will be able pull off some serious economic sleight-of-hand to convince enough gullible people that he job on the economy and will be able to maintain that illusion until at least November of 2020…

435
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:37:42am

re: #422 HappyWarrior

His supporters just think he can talk about the working class’s plight and that will get them to vote for him. RNC opps research would have had a field day with Sanders. It was the USSR by the way where he honeymooned and I know the reasons why and they’re innocent enough but RNC opps research would have had a field day with that. Just as Trump i think will struggle in 2020 not running against Clinton, Sanders will too. He’s a known commodity now.

Soshulist Socialist Soshulist Socialist Socialist Soshulist!!!!!

On an endless loop

436
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:37:54am

re: #428 Big Beautiful Door

I think that the Democrats would have to nominate a spectacularly bad candidate. Its hard to imagine Trump could win again with 46% of the vote, and I don’t see him doing much to broaden his base.

IT’ll be interesting to see who they nominate.

437
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:38:58am

re: #342 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

More tax cuts will solve everything…

Kansas begs to disagree.

438
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:39:00am

re: #435 Sir John Barron

Soshulist Socialist Soshulist Socialist Socialist Soshulist!!!!!

On an endless loop

Yeah. I mean I’m sorry but I just don’t see how they ignore that. To me the Dem Socialist identifying label is the least of Sanders problems but I’m more left leaning than the nation as a whole is.

439
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:43:26am

re: #419 Interesting Times

Ha, no, I’m a bit further north ;) (as in, over the other border, which I highly doubt I’ll be crossing anytime soon…)

Lucky you :)

re: #412 BeachDem

I remember it well. I remember calling my niece nightly to tell her to vote for Coakley, even though she was terrible. That Brown was a totally empty suit. My powers of persuasion were such that she voted for Brown to “give him a chance” (and then voted for him again the next time because “he hadn’t really screwed up that badly.”) I was extremely disappointed in her thought process.

I voted for him as well, so you can lay some of the blame at my feet (ACA issues being a major factor in Brown winning in 2010). Came to my senses second time around.

Even though I have voted for presidential candidates of both parties, there was a clear delineation of when I switched. I will never understand swing voters.

440
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:43:37am

re: #434 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Trump still has the press in his thrall, and he is good at creating the impression of wealth and success where none exist. I can imagine he and the GOP Congress will be able pull off some serious economic sleight-of-hand to convince enough gullible people that he job on the economy and will be able to maintain that illusion until at least November of 2020…

So far the polls don’t show the people being fooled. It looks like he got a two point bump for the Syrian missile strike, but he’s still ten points underwater. A democratic presidential candidate without Clinton’s baggage ought to be able to defeat him.

realclearpolitics.com

441
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:44:32am

Along with the degradation of Glass-Steagall, it seems we’ve unwittingly created a Robber Baron’s Paradise in our country.

Shameless Pages Post

scroll thru the whole thing.

442
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:45:34am

re: #439 Franklin

Lucky you :)

I voted for him as well, so you can lay some of the blame at my feet (ACA issues being a major factor in Brown winning in 2010). Came to my senses second time around.

Even though I have voted for presidential candidates of both parties, there was a clear delineation of when I switched. I will never understand swing voters.

Swing voters I could understand when there was more common ground between the two parties. Like when my Dad was my age, we still had plenty of liberal Republicans left in office.

443
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:46:14am

re: #436 HappyWarrior

IT’ll be interesting to see who they nominate.

It better be a female.

444
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:47:15am

re: #437 MsJ

Kansas begs to disagree.

they still voted GOP

445
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:48:32am
446
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:48:44am

re: #443 Birth Control Works

It better be a female.

A good majority of the women in the Demcoratic party here in my area don’t think we’re ready for one yet, that the misogyny will still overcome any strengths the candidate might have.

447
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:48:45am

re: #440 Big Beautiful Door

So far the polls don’t show the people being fooled. It looks like he got a two point bump for the Syrian missile strike, but he’s still ten points underwater. A democratic presidential candidate without Clinton’s baggage ought to be able to defeat him.

Any Democratic candidate will be saddled with enough baggage to sink a container ship, and the Press will go along out of sense of Fairness and Balance.

448
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:49:01am

re: #443 Birth Control Works

It better be a female.

We have a good canddiate pool of men and women. The name I’m most intrigued by at the moment is a woman though, I really like Gillbrand.

449
Eclectic Cyborg  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:49:29am

re: #443 Birth Control Works

It better be a female.

I am not sure they would go down that road again so soon. Maybe someone like Julian Castro.

450
electrotek  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:49:55am

Douche

451
Teukka  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:50:11am
452
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:50:18am

re: #446 Belafon

A good majority of the women in the Demcoratic party here in my area don’t think we’re ready for one yet, that the misogyny will still overcome any strengths the candidate might have.

We should nominate the best candidate we have and if it happens to be a woman, I’m good with that. I do think it should be a racial minority and or a woman though and someone fairly young.

453
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:51:03am

re: #449 Eclectic Cyborg

I am not sure they would go down that road again so soon. Maybe someone like Julian Castro.

Booker is good. It’s early though. I’m focused on local elections till then.

454
retired cynic  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:51:25am

It appears that Charlie Pierce is putting his opinion about the BBros on the same side of the scales as we are.

“What happened in Kansas should be an occasion for unalloyed celebration. There are good arguments to be made that had the Democratic National Committee come tromping into that district with both feet, it would have done more harm than good. Leaving things to local activists, augmented by boots on the phone from all around the country, was a very sensible strategy. And it almost worked in a district so ridiculously conservative that one of the Koch brothers actually lives there. The impulse within some progressives to skunk up the garden party is a wonder to behold. Truly, it is.”

455
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:51:28am

re: #440 Big Beautiful Door

So far the polls don’t show the people being fooled. It looks like he got a two point bump for the Syrian missile strike, but he’s still ten points underwater. A democratic presidential candidate without Clinton’s baggage ought to be able to defeat him.

realclearpolitics.com

That whole ‘baggage” thing infuriates me because that “baggage” is all GOP lies going back 25 years.

If we don’t learn to get around the GOP lies, we’re going to be in this state forever.

456
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:51:53am

re: #381 Backwoods_Sleuth

Trump is always amazed by things he shouldn’t be amazed by. We’ve been able launch missiles from miles away for decades. This is new to him.

And note how he completely contradicts himself in the space of two sentences.

We’re both ‘genius’ and ‘better’ while simultaneously being ‘depleted.’

God, he’s fucking stupid.

457
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:51:54am

“You respect the office of the presidency and its current occupant” says Kellyanne Conway, who works for America’s leading birther.

458
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:52:23am

re: #447 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

Any Democratic candidate will be saddled with enough baggage to sink a container ship, and the Press will go along out of sense of Fairness and Balance.

I think you’re ignoring that it took Clinton decades for that to accumulate. I get why you’re cynical but at the same time, I think you’re being too cynical too.

459
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:52:40am

re: #452 HappyWarrior

We should nominate the best candidate we have and if it happens to be a woman, I’m good with that. I do think it should be a racial minority and or a woman though and someone fairly young.

I agree. I think a lot of the women, a number of whom are Clinton’s age and older, we’re really hit hard by Trump’s win.

460
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:53:25am

re: #454 retired cynic

It appears that Charlie Pierce is putting his opinion about the BBros on the same side of the scales as we are.

“What happened in Kansas should be an occasion for unalloyed celebration. There are good arguments to be made that had the Democratic National Committee come tromping into that district with both feet, it would have done more harm than good. Leaving things to local activists, augmented by boots on the phone from all around the country, was a very sensible strategy. And it almost worked in a district so ridiculously conservative that one of the Koch brothers actually lives there. The impulse within some progressives to skunk up the garden party is a wonder to behold. Truly, it is.”

Sometimes it really is good if the national party stays out especially in an area where the national Democratic Party struggles.

461
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:54:04am

The Time Muslim Countries Had Female Presidents And The US Did Not

The misogyny, xenopobia and racism in the this country is shameful.

462
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:54:16am

re: #459 Belafon

I agree. I think a lot of the women, a number of whom are Clinton’s age and older, we’re really hit hard by Trump’s win.

I know, I feel awful for my grandmother who now may never see a woman president in her lifetime. She turns 90 this year and has heart problems.

463
Eclectic Cyborg  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:56:29am

re: #461 Birth Control Works

The Time Muslim Countries Had Female Presidents And The US Did Not

The misogyny, xenopobia and racism in the this country is shameful.

And now at fever pitch thanks to our President.

464
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:57:03am

re: #458 HappyWarrior

I think you’re ignoring that it took Clinton decades for that to accumulate. I get why you’re cynical but at the same time, I think you’re being too cynical too.

It is hard to compete in the baggage department with Trump, who markets himself as the anti-politician. No amount of background baggage was enough to derail him, heck, people voted for him because of it.

465
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:57:20am

re: #403 Backwoods_Sleuth

That woman does not look well.

466
BlueSpotinAL  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:57:25am

re: #386 Dr Lizardo

LOL the last time there were “manned missiles” it was WWII, with these babies:

[Embedded content]

en.wikipedia.org

Au contraire, there were manned missiles during the cold war!

467
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:58:03am
468
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:58:17am

HuffPo continues with great main headers:

DEATH BY CHOCOLATE

469
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:58:58am

re: #458 HappyWarrior

I think you’re ignoring that it took Clinton decades for that to accumulate. I get why you’re cynical but at the same time, I think you’re being too cynical too.

too cynical —seriously.

Electing a women to the Oval Office should not be difficult.

Remember a Black Man got elected and a white woman did not.

The white woman was more qualified than, I don’t know, how many of the past candidates in the last 100 years?

470
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:59:02am

re: #466 BlueSpotinAL

Au contraire, there were manned missiles during the cold war!

[Embedded content]

That’s a bomb.

/pedantic

471
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 8:59:10am

re: #464 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

It is hard to compete against Trump, who markets himself as the anti-politician. No amount of background baggage was enough to derail him, heck, people voted for him because of it.

And I’m saying that the stuff that worked for Trump as a challenger may not exactly work as an incumbent. What got Reagan elected in 1980 was NOT the same of what got Reagan re-elected in 1984 for example. I’m not saying victory is a foregone conclusion but I am saying that the things that helped Trump last fall aren’t necessarily going ot be able to be used in 2020.

472
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:00:43am

re: #469 Birth Control Works

too cynical —seriously.

Electing a women to the Oval Office should not be difficult.

Remember a Black Man got elected and a white woman did not.

The white woman was more qualified than, I don’t know, how many of the past candidates in the last 100 years?

One problem is that white women overwhelmingly voted for Trump instead of Clinton.

How do we fix that?

473
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:00:54am

re: #460 HappyWarrior

Sometimes it really is good if the national party stays out especially in an area where the national Democratic Party struggles.

What bothers me about this is, WHY does the national party need to stay out? Are they repellent for the right reasons (i.e. a district’s voters are bigoted and would be put off by so-called “identity politics”), or because they never bothered to fully push back against GOP propaganda and lies? Think of all the voters who thought the ACA and Obamacare were two separate things - whose fault was that? Yes, low-info voters can be bigoted dumbfucks, but even bigoted dumbfucks can vote for a Democrat if they’re angry enough about the economy.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the national Dems need a coherent populist message that appeals to salvageable non-liberal white voters without throwing minorities under the bus. Why do so many act like that’s impossible? It’s not. Heck, you can even marry the two (e.g. “Look at all the money NC lost due to bigoted GOP policies. Being good to LGBT folk makes economic sense and creates jobs” - you won’t win the talibangelicals with such a message, but you might win enough low-info WWC types to tilt close elections in your favor)

474
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:01:10am

re: #448 HappyWarrior

re: #453 HappyWarrior

Al Franken - smart, funny, thinks on his feet very well. Also if the GOP go after him for being on TV or being a comedian all we have to do is point at Trump.

475
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:02:54am

re: #469 Birth Control Works

too cynical —seriously.

Electing a women to the Oval Office should not be difficult.

Remember a Black Man got elected and a white woman did not.

The white woman was more qualified than, I don’t know, how many of the past candidates in the last 100 years?

Well suffrage at least in some parts of the country was given to African American males first before women so it’s not really too surprising and Obama did run a much better campaign than Clinton did in 2008. That’s part of it too. Bill Richardson was very qualified in 2008 and went nowhere. You need to convince people to vote for you and not just your resume.

476
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:03:48am

re: #475 HappyWarrior

Well suffrage at least in some parts of the country was given to African American males first before women so it’s not really too surprising and Obama did run a much better campaign than Clinton did in 2008. That’s part of it too. Bill Richardson was very qualified in 2008 and went nowhere. You need to convince people to vote for you and not just your resume.

Richardson had a lot of baggage.

477
makeitstop  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:04:20am

re: #450 electrotek

Douche

[Embedded content]

Oakenfold is still a thing? I thought he’d be off at the Old DJs home by now.

478
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:05:19am

re: #473 Interesting Times

What bothers me about this is, WHY does the national party need to stay out? Are they repellent for the right reasons (i.e. a district’s voters are bigoted and would be put off by so-called “identity politics”), or because they never bothered to fully push back against GOP propaganda and lies? Think of all the voters who thought the ACA and Obamacare were two separate things - whose fault was that? Yes, low-info voters can be bigoted dumbfucks, but even bigoted dumbfucks can vote for a Democrat if they’re angry enough about the economy.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the national Dems need a coherent populist message that appeals to salvageable non-liberal white voters without throwing minorities under the bus. Why do so many act like that’s impossible? It’s not. Heck, you can even marry the two (e.g. “Look at all the money NC lost due to bigoted GOP policies. Being good to LGBT folk makes economic sense and creates jobs” - you won’t win the talibangelicals with such a message, but you might win enough low-info WWC types to tilt close elections in your favor)

I don’t disagree with your analysis at all there. And I think what you’re describing is why I’m so postiviely drawn to the Perriello campaign here in Va.

479
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:05:57am

re: #476 Timothy Watson

Richardson had a lot of baggage.

Yeah he did.

480
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:06:25am

re: #465 makeitstop

That woman does not look well.

Being a lying witch apparently takes its toll. That said, she is still, by far, a better mouthpiece for trump. She lies much more smoothly than Spicer. Which is why I want Spicer to stay.

481
electrotek  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:06:36am

re: #477 makeitstop

Oakenfold is still a thing? I thought he’d be off at the Old DJs home by now.

He’s still playing worldwide. Not going to lie, I still love his old sets from the 90s and consider him a major influence in curating my tastes.

But his stunt at Mt Everest was a douchey move. Period. Mt Everest already has problems with entitled and pompous Westerners polluting and trashing the site after they finish with their climb (aided by Sherpas of course). It doesn’t help with people like him perpetuating the ever-growing problem there.

482
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:06:36am

re: #472 Timothy Watson

One problem is that white women overwhelmingly voted for Trump instead of Clinton.

How do we fix that?

Exactly.

483
electrotek  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:06:53am

Update on the Kate Bush-Coachella booking saga:

484
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:07:13am

re: #472 Timothy Watson

One problem is that white women overwhelmingly voted for Trump instead of Clinton.

How do we fix that?

Comprehensive Scientifically Correct Sex Ed and Cost-Free Birth Control

485
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:08:24am

re: #484 Birth Control Works

Comprehensive Scientifically Correct Sex Ed and Cost-Free Birth Control

It’s really not that simple. Some of the biggest opponents of that are in fact women.

486
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:08:51am

re: #475 HappyWarrior

Well suffrage at least in some parts of the country was given to African American males first before women so it’s not really too surprising and Obama did run a much better campaign than Clinton did in 2008. That’s part of it too. Bill Richardson was very qualified in 2008 and went nowhere. You need to convince people to vote for you and not just your resume.

She convinced quite a few voters —gerrymandering cost her the election.

487
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:09:04am

re: #474 CongoJack

Al Franken - smart, funny, thinks on his feet very well. Also if the GOP go after him for being on TV or being a comedian all we have to do is point at Trump.

Yeah I like Franken. Could be an interesting candidate.

488
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:09:16am

re: #472 Timothy Watson

One problem is that white women overwhelmingly voted for Trump instead of Clinton.

How do we fix that?

Oprah. It is quite apparent that skills and abilities are not required for POTUS. Celebrity is. We just need a bigger “personality” than Trump. You cannot argue with Oprah’s success. She is a million times more successful than Trump.

I really believe that we are not going to see politican’s as presidents going forward. There is too much “personality” required.

489
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:11:47am

re: #473 Interesting Times

What bothers me about this is, WHY does the national party need to stay out? Are they repellent for the right reasons (i.e. a district’s voters are bigoted and would be put off by so-called “identity politics”), or because they never bothered to fully push back against GOP propaganda and lies? Think of all the voters who thought the ACA and Obamacare were two separate things - whose fault was that? Yes, low-info voters can be bigoted dumbfucks, but even bigoted dumbfucks can vote for a Democrat if they’re angry enough about the economy.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the national Dems need a coherent populist message that appeals to salvageable non-liberal white voters without throwing minorities under the bus. Why do so many act like that’s impossible? It’s not. Heck, you can even marry the two (e.g. “Look at all the money NC lost due to bigoted GOP policies. Being good to LGBT folk makes economic sense and creates jobs” - you won’t win the talibangelicals with such a message, but you might win enough low-info WWC types to tilt close elections in your favor)

We can’t even manage to rid ourselves of the Tax and Spend icky liberal label. We do not have the right messages (someone above said Borrow and Spend republicans…do we ever see that? No.) and we do not have a multitude of propaganda outlets at our beck and call (Bush the Elder “our man Ailles) and until that is changed, the national party is really fucked.

490
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:13:00am

re: #486 Birth Control Works

She convinced quite a few voters —gerrymandering cost her the election.

Gerrymandering? I don’t follow. The same rules that caused her to lose the nomination in 2008 are the same ones she won with eight years later. Personally, I found her 2008 campaign very off putting. Her surrogates including Bill didn’t talk her up enough and instead focused on slinging mud Obama’s way. She ran a much better campaign in 2016. I just think you need to acknowledge that Obama ran a hell of a campaign to beat her in 2008. The message I got in 2008 from her campaign was more so vote for my resume than vote for me. I got the total opposite in 2016. You know how you have to still come in for an interview after they reveiw your resume? She struggled with that in 2008. Now part of that I blame on poor advisers. Mark Penn was awful but Robby Mock was great.

491
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:13:55am

re: #486 Birth Control Works

She convinced quite a few voters —gerrymandering cost her the election.

The critical states were so close that almost anything could be said to have cost her the election. Do you think Piss Christ helped in the Rust Belt?

Beginning September 27, 2012, Piss Christ was on display at the Edward Tyler Nahem gallery in New York, at the Serrano show Body and Spirit.[19] Religious groups and some lawmakers called for President Barack Obama to denounce the artwork, comparing it to the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims that the White House had condemned earlier that month.

en.wikipedia.org

492
Interesting Times  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:14:08am

re: #472 Timothy Watson

One problem is that white women overwhelmingly voted for Trump instead of Clinton.

How do we fix that?

Well, some of them were so dirt-dumb they thought trump would protect Planned Parenthood -_-

And then there are those who did their own version of identity politics, with racism “trumping” sexism, like

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

493
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:15:13am

re: #492 Interesting Times

Well, some of them were so dirt-dumb they thought trump would protect Planned Parenthood -_-

And then there are those who did their own version of identity politics, with racism “trumping” sexism, like

[Embedded content]

true dat!

494
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:15:32am
495
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:15:37am

re: #488 MsJ

Oprah. It is quite apparent that skills and abilities are not required for POTUS. Celebrity is. We just need a bigger “personality” than Trump. You cannot argue with Oprah’s success. She is a million times more successful than Trump.

I really believe that we are not going to see politican’s as presidents going forward. There is too much “personality” required.

Oprah is successful but I’m really uncomfortable with raising the GOP and nation, Oprah after Trump. OI know that’s not fair to Oprah for the reasons you describe but damn I want someone who understands politics. Someone who has enough attention span to read a long paper about health care policy or international trade. That’s why I liked Obama and Clinton. And thy both surrounded themselves with capable people too. I don’t want Oprah to be just a figurehead.

496
Stanley Sea  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:16:17am
497
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:17:43am
498
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:18:58am

re: #490 HappyWarrior

Gerrymandering? I don’t follow. The same rules that caused her to lose the nomination in 2008 are the same ones she won with eight years later. Personally, I found her 2008 campaign very off putting. Her surrogates including Bill didn’t talk her up enough and instead focused on slinging mud Obama’s way. She ran a much better campaign in 2016. I just think you need to acknowledge that Obama ran a hell of a campaign to beat her in 2008. The message I got in 2008 from her campaign was more so vote for my resume than vote for me. I got the total opposite in 2016. You know how you have to still come in for an interview after they reveiw your resume? She struggled with that in 2008. Now part of that I blame on poor advisers. Mark Penn was awful but Robby Mock was great.

Ah Mark Penn - the reason I resisted voting Hillary in 2008 (and I was a big Obama fan) - he was just as bad as Jeff Weaver for Bernie. Mark Penn was more racist in some of the tones he used where Jeff Weaver was just a tone deaf jackass.

499
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:19:48am

re: #492 Interesting Times

Well, some of them were so dirt-dumb they thought trump would protect Planned Parenthood -_-

And then there are those who did their own version of identity politics, with racism “trumping” sexism, like

[Embedded content]

jGAnGjPiFwEVmsrhtm/e793GldJvEm9xh3qHhOX31z3M7LFmRQRzccej17iP/51zKdk+l4Evb/Z94CY+NU0WPJBHpL5LRvjMtv8CW1afUpHIFkGtjKCWvzNwjlaskT+flxewbDcwgNjdu+lbcPAIJct426ohNR2VZ4ejcZvfP+buOZpGXwczvGs2n0Z7k2MmFEHdsqc3TbQ=

500
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:21:19am

WE need more female candidates in EVERY election. If women were not the “odd” candidate, it would be easier for people to imagine a woman in the Oval Office —a necessary step to the highest office.

501
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:21:39am

re: #498 CongoJack

Ah Mark Penn - the reason I resisted voting Hillary in 2008 (and I was a big Obama fan) - he was just as bad as Jeff Weaver for Bernie. Mark Penn was more racist in some of the tones he used where Jeff Weaver was just a tone deaf jackass.

Yeah, he really was terrible for Clinton. I sincerely think losing to Obama in 2008 made HRC a better SOS And would have made her a better President had she won this past fall. Make no mistake, she was qualified in 2008 but I really think serving in the Obama administration made her a better leader.

502
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:22:58am
503
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:24:27am

re: #501 HappyWarrior

Yeah, he really was terrible for Clinton. I sincerely think losing to Obama in 2008 made HRC a better SOS And would have made her a better President had she won this past fall. Make no mistake, she was qualified in 2000 but I really think serving in the Obama administration made her a better leader.

1000% agree. I thought Hillary was a fantastic SoS and a supreme public servant.

504
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:24:33am

re: #502 Birth Control Works

Trump picks lawyer involved in Florida Trump University decision for top education job

when you think of draining swamps, then Florida comes to mind…

505
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:24:52am

re: #495 HappyWarrior

Oprah is successful but I’m really uncomfortable with raising the GOP and nation, Oprah after Trump. OI know that’s not fair to Oprah for the reasons you describe but damn I want someone who understands politics. Someone who has enough attention span to read a long paper about health care policy or international trade. That’s why I liked Obama and Clinton. And thy both surrounded themselves with capable people too. I don’t want Oprah to be just a figurehead.

I am not disagreeing. Actually, I agree with you 100%. The nation as a whole, however, does not.

506
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:25:38am

human beings!

gah

507
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:26:00am

re: #505 MsJ

I am not disagreeing. Actually, I agree with you 100%. The nation as a whole, however, does not.

Yeah true.

508
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:26:49am

re: #495 HappyWarrior

Oprah is successful but I’m really uncomfortable with raising the GOP and nation, Oprah after Trump. OI know that’s not fair to Oprah for the reasons you describe but damn I want someone who understands politics. Someone who has enough attention span to read a long paper about health care policy or international trade. That’s why I liked Obama and Clinton. And thy both surrounded themselves with capable people too. I don’t want Oprah to be just a figurehead.

And given the amount of quackery that Oprah has promoted over the years…

509
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:27:13am

re: #505 MsJ

I am not disagreeing. Actually, I agree with you 100%. The nation as a whole, however, does not.

If it takes a liberal TV celebrity and successful businesswoman to defeat a conservative reality show star and failed entrepreneur, then that is what if takes…

We cant get much more fucked than we are now.

510
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:27:21am

re: #503 CongoJack

1000% agree. I thought Hillary was a fantastic SoS and a supreme public servant.

Yeah, it’s a pity she likely won’t ever be President.

511
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:28:11am

re: #508 Timothy Watson

And given the amount of quackery that Oprah has promoted over the years…

Trump really has changed everything.

512
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:28:16am

re: #508 Timothy Watson

And given the amount of quackery that Oprah has promoted over the years…

Kinda like birtherism in a weird way. And that sold like hotfuckingcakes.

513
electrotek  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:29:27am

re: #506 Birth Control Works

human beings!

gah

A boycott of Tunisia is in order. I am so fucking done with that country now.

514
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:30:20am
515
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:30:31am

It’s moot anyhow. According ot Wiki, Oprah already declined.

516
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:32:19am
Tillerson in Moscow: United States Secretary of State’s motorcade did not fit in the parking lot near the “Ritz Carlton”
517
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:35:16am

re: #508 Timothy Watson

And given the amount of quackery that Oprah has promoted over the years…

what Quackery?

518
Dr. Matt  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:35:56am

Now we know what it’s like to have Sarah ‘Word Salad’ Palin as POTUS:

519
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:36:02am

re: #510 HappyWarrior

Yeah, it’s a pity she likely won’t ever be President.

My wife is not very political (she slowly has gotten more political since we started dating a couple years ago) and even she laments that Hillary was screwed and will never be President. Every time she sees tRump on TV she just sighs and changes the channel.

Side note: my wife is also a teacher. She has had 4 kids’ families leave because they are afraid of what orange shit gibbon will do. There are only a few white kids in her classroom and one family is outwardly pro-trump. The kid from that trump family readily beats the hell out of the other kids as he yells, “Trump, Trump, Trump.”

As my lady says - “I’d rather have a whole bunch of immigrant families’ kids in the classroom who may have issues with the English language who WANT their kids to learn and help them in that process rather than the white trash families who raise their kids to be bullies, believe they are entitled, and believe that their child can do no wrong.”

520
BlueSpotinAL  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:38:02am

An anecdote about someone who would never vote Hilary:
My wife is a life-long Republican. We do not watch Fox News, but many in her circle of acquaintances get their news from there, and she is inclined to believe most things that have been implied about both Clintons from the very beginning (we were in Arkansas when Bill Clinton was governor, back then most negative “news” was about affairs).
My wife was not going to vote for Trump.
Never, ever did she consider voting Hilary because of the years of bullshit lies from
Fox News. I am pretty sure she voted Johnson though I did not explicitly ask.
Maybe she could have voted for a different democrat, maybe she couldn’t.

521
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:38:37am
522
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:39:03am

I don’t think we have to go so far as to select an entertainer. Trump promised a lot of people they’d get to go back to the old days of working with no skills, beating up on minorities, and not having to deal with icky people. They’re not going to get that back.

We just need to keep finding the best person from our side for the job. Part of that in 2020 will be telling people they need to understand that the future is not scary, but it will roll over you. And we can do that without undermining our base.

523
BlueSpotinAL  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:39:22am

Now that both sides of the political divide inhabit their own news bubbles, we have to get people to learn facts that even they can’t deny. Keep at it!

524
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:39:35am

re: #520 BlueSpotinAL

Never, ever did she consider voting Hilary because of the years of bullshit lies from Fox News. I am pretty sure she voted Johnson though I did not explicitly ask.
Maybe she could have voted for a different democrat, maybe she couldn’t.

It took me a couple years to deprogram myself from all the RWNJ stuff I heard about the Clintons while I was a teenager/young adult.

525
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:40:05am

re: #522 Belafon

I don’t think we have to go so far as to select an entertainer. Trump promised a lot of people they’d get to go back to the old days of working with no skills, beating up on minorities, and not having to deal with icky people. They’re not going to get that back.

And he will blame that on the Democrats, not his own inability to deliver.

526
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:40:32am

re: #524 Timothy Watson

It took me a couple years to deprogram myself from all the RWNJ stuff I heard about the Clintons while I was a teenager/young adult.

It really does work. I think the Clinton stuff worked well on my younger brothers unfortunately. I mean they weren’t Trumpers by any means but at the same time, they did the false equivalency bullshit.

527
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:40:44am

re: #521 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Might be referring to the Ohio-class SSGNs which have loads of Tomahawks, which he apparently loves now.

528
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:41:07am

re: #525 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

And he will blame that on the Democrats, not his own inability to deliver.

Of course he will but will enough of the electorate is teh question you should be asking.

529
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:41:07am

re: #509 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

If it takes a liberal TV celebrity and successful businesswoman to defeat a conservative reality show star and failed entrepreneur, then that is what if takes…

We cant get much more fucked than we are now.

Honestly, that is exactly where I am at right now. As absolutely ridiculous as that is.

530
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:42:23am
531
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:43:37am

re: #524 Timothy Watson

It took me a couple years to deprogram myself from all the RWNJ stuff I heard about the Clintons while I was a teenager/young adult.

Ditto - at one time I thought the name Kennedy was a curse word.

FYI - grew up in the middle of no where Kansas.

532
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:44:03am

re: #530 Backwoods_Sleuth

I’m going to be marching in the science march here in Dallas on the 22nd. I’m thinking of making as sign that says “If it takes a god to make you do the right thing, you’re doing it wrong.”

533
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:44:51am

re: #526 HappyWarrior

It really does work. I think the Clinton stuff worked well on my younger brothers unfortunately. I mean they weren’t Trumpers by any means but at the same time, they did the false equivalency bullshit.

Even a kid not interested in politics, who grew up in the ’90s, probably has a negative opinion of the Clintons.

For the record, personally, I still think Bill is a rake and that’s putting it politely.

534
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:45:32am

re: #530 Backwoods_Sleuth

No word yet on whether the Lord wants to be associated with anything produced by the Ky Leg

Who cares what He thinks. When we want His opinion we’ll give it to Him.

535
BlueSpotinAL  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:46:20am

re: #532 Belafon

I advise against it. Make it nonsectarian, and apparently nonpartisan.

536
Eclectic Cyborg  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:47:43am

re: #530 Backwoods_Sleuth

What a waste of perfectly good money.

537
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:47:54am

re: #532 Belafon

I’m going to be marching in the science march here in Dallas on the 22nd. I’m thinking of making as sign that says “If it takes a god to make you do the right thing, you’re doing it wrong.”

If it takes fear of eternal damnation to make you behave, then you are a pretty fucked-up individual

538
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:49:29am
539
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:49:32am

re: #533 Timothy Watson

Even a kid not interested in politics, who grew up in the ’90s, probably has a negative opinion of the Clintons.

For the record, personally, I still think Bill is a rake and that’s putting it politely.

I did but I came from a strongly Democratic family and was politically interested. My brothers weren’t or got into politics later.

540
IngisKahn  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:49:55am
541
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:50:27am
542
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:50:47am

re: #531 CongoJack

Ditto - at one time I thought the name Kennedy was a curse word.

FYI - grew up in the middle of no where Kansas.

Now in my family, that’s the total opposite. In fact, when my Dad watched Jackie, he had a sense of deja vu watching the funeral procession so much that he called one of his older brothers to confirm whether they were there or not. And sure enough.

543
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:52:22am
544
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:52:57am

re: #542 HappyWarrior

Let me alter what I said…. my parents loved Kennedy. But the culture outside of my childhood home was anti-Kennedy or at best anti-Democratic - even in my Catholic school (which you would think would be in good standing with a Catholic President).

545
Birth Control Works  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:53:31am

Independent small-town journalism win’s Pulitzer —there is hope

Shameless Pages Post

546
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:54:40am
547
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:58:41am

re: #543 MsJ

[Embedded content]

Excellent read, this stood out ot me:
Anti-Semitism in America declined after World War II. But as Leo Ribuffo points out, the underlying narrative — of a diabolical transnational cabal of aliens plotting to undermine the very foundations of Christian civilization — survived in the anti-Communist diatribes of Joseph McCarthy. The alien narrative continues today in the work of National Review writers like Andrew McCarthy (“How Obama Embraces Islam’s Sharia Agenda”) and Lisa Schiffren (who argued that Obama’s parents could be secret Communists because “for a white woman to marry a black man in 1958, or ‘60, there was almost inevitably a connection to explicit Communist politics”). And it found its most potent expression in Donald Trump’s stubborn insistence that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

548
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 9:59:06am

re: #544 CongoJack

Let me alter what I said…. my parents loved Kennedy. But the culture outside of my childhood home was anti-Kennedy or at best anti-Democratic - even in my Catholic school (which you would think would be in good standing with a Catholic President).

Oh, oh I see what you mean.

549
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:00:45am
550
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:00:47am

I think Professor Ribuffo made the same observations I did that old right wing antisemitism influences modern right wing anti Islam rhetoric and ideology. Perlstein is very good by the way. I read Nixonland last spring.

551
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:01:11am

re: #527 Timothy Watson

Might be referring to the Ohio-class SSGNs which have loads of Tomahawks, which he apparently loves now.

There is only one way a submarine might possibly be more powerful than an aircraft carrier.

552
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:01:14am

From the We Are So Fucked file, example 30 zillion.

553
Skip Intro  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:01:22am

re: #371 Backwoods_Sleuth

These are the rantings of an idiot. Of course, they’d have to be, given who was making them.

554
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:01:50am
555
Nyet  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:02:54am

re: #359 Sir John Barron

Trump: No, I meant Iraq. I mean Iran. Didn’t I just bomb Iran?

Person: Syria is another name for Iran.

Trump: OK, great. I’m so winning.

Person: Syria is a part of Greater Israel.

Trump: Oh shit, I bombed Israel?!?!

556
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:02:56am

re: #393 HappyWarrior

Oh, they’re taking him to a farm upstate.

557
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:04:37am

re: #471 HappyWarrior

And I’m saying that the stuff that worked for Trump as a challenger may not exactly work as an incumbent. What got Reagan elected in 1980 was NOT the same of what got Reagan re-elected in 1984 for example. I’m not saying victory is a foregone conclusion but I am saying that the things that helped Trump last fall aren’t necessarily going ot be able to be used in 2020.

And I will say again that it wasn’t really Trump’s great campaign that got him elected; it was third party intervenors such as the FBI and the Russians and a healthy dose of good luck. Trump remains very unpopular, and he’s unlikely to be able to thread the needle with only 46% of the vote two elections in a row.

558
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:05:53am
559
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:06:16am

re: #474 CongoJack

Al Franken - smart, funny, thinks on his feet very well. Also if the GOP go after him for being on TV or being a comedian all we have to do is point at Trump.

We need someone younger and less white, I think.

560
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:08:09am

re: #549 Backwoods_Sleuth

He installs his statue without permission, and complains that he’s somehow been violated? BWAHAHAHAHA!.

561
KerFuFFler  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:10:09am

re: #400 BeachDem

The cake is a lie

Another Portal fan?

562
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:10:52am

re: #556 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

DAmn it Cox, great minds though! She’s more funnier than I am.

563
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:11:51am

re: #549 Backwoods_Sleuth

He installed his charging bull statue without a permit in a public area. What rights exactly are being violated? His fee fees are hurt because she is so much stronger than the bull. I think the display should stay as is in perpetuity.

564
Teukka  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:12:22am

re: #506 Birth Control Works

[Embedded content]

human beings!

gah

Brings back memories of RAD… Which was discredited some 30 years ago.

565
Skip Intro  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:14:30am

re: #530 Backwoods_Sleuth

Well, he looks like a complete idiot.

566
Bubblehead II  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:15:59am

re: #551 Decatur Deb

There is only one way a submarine might possibly be more powerful than an aircraft carrier.

We call surface ships (military/civilian) targets for a reason. MK48 ADCAPS are awesome.

MK-48 Torpedo takes out a destroyer

MK48 ADCAP Heavyweight Torpedo

567
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:16:51am

re: #558 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Dodged another boycott!

568
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:19:21am

re: #530 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Glad they’re dealing with the important issues.

569
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:20:31am

Oh, man, this epic pwn of a Breitbart reporter is EVERYTHING. Jim Acosta just destroys him. “Why can’t we just have the truth?”

570
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:20:35am

re: #566 Bubblehead II

We call surface ships (military/civilian) targets for a reason. MK48 ADCAPS are awesome.

[Embedded content]

Trump was talking about throw weight. That’s only arguable if the carrier isn’t itself carrying nukes.

571
Colère Tueur de Lapin  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:22:20am

re: #570 Decatur Deb

Trump was talking about throw weight. That’s only arguable if the carrier isn’t itself carrying nukes.

You’re giving a lot of credit to 45* by implying there was a specific meaning behind his words.

572
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:22:51am

re: #568 BeachDem

Glad they’re dealing with the important issues.

They passed an ambitious rightwing agenda in a short session: 20 week abortion ban, mandatory sonograms before an abortion, right to work, tort reform and charter schools. It was the first legislative session since the GOP won supermajorities in the Kentucky General Assembly.

573
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:23:05am

re: #571 Colère Tueur de Lapin

You’re giving a lot of credit to 45* by implying there was a specific meaning behind his words.

Yeah—old habits. I often lapse back into reality.

574
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:25:33am

re: #559 Big Beautiful Door

We need someone younger and less white, I think.

If the young people voted at the rate of 100% I would agree. They don’t. Besides I dont go by someone’s skin color or age - I go by how well they handle themselves in stressful situations. Al Fraken has been amazing on his committees asking great questions and doing the people’s work. He is articulate, smart, witty, and has a command of knowledge (and learning of that knowledge) to the point I believe he can debate any topic.

575
Jay C  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:25:49am

re: #558 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Well, it probably won’t be a total loss for this inane bill’s sponsors: I’m sure they will be able to parlay their butthurt at being shot down into a significant fundraising campaign. Which was likely to have been the idea all along.

576
Joe Bacon  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:25:59am

re: #521 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

I can just imagine Trump ordering Richard Basehart to send The Seaview to North Korea…

577
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:26:29am

re: #561 KerFuFFler

Another Portal fan?

Nope—just intrigued by the cake is a lie bit—kept seeing it and didn’t understand the reference until I looked up the backstory. It certainly seems appropriate when discussing the yam administration.

578
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:26:43am

re: #549 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

Well, you know, an artist intends his work to convey certain things. Modifying that work makes it mean other things. In this case, putting the Fearless Girl in front of the Charging Bull changes the meaning of the Bull. So, I can understand the artist being upset. Suppose someone put a big bronze rodeo rider on the bull’s back, or a matador next to it, with a cape?

The thing is, once the piece of art leaves the artist’s studio, the public decides what it means to them.

579
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:27:54am

re: #471 HappyWarrior

And I’m saying that the stuff that worked for Trump as a challenger may not exactly work as an incumbent. What got Reagan elected in 1980 was NOT the same of what got Reagan re-elected in 1984 for example. I’m not saying victory is a foregone conclusion but I am saying that the things that helped Trump last fall aren’t necessarily going ot be able to be used in 2020.

Heh, I’m still trying to figure out what the hell got Ronnie Reagan reelected, and it’s only been 33 years. I think millions of voters woke up the day after the election and said WTF???

580
BeachDem  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:30:11am

re: #572 Big Beautiful Door

They passed an ambitious rightwing agenda in a short session: 20 week abortion ban, mandatory sonograms before an abortion, right to work, tort reform and charter schools. It was the first legislative session since the GOP won supermajorities in the Kentucky General Assembly.

I guess our state leg, having been overwhelmingly GOP since forever, are a bunch of slackers—they’ve been pretty quiet of late (but I’m sure they’re plotting major devious legislation behind closed doors, especially with a total yam lackey now installed as governor.)

581
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:30:17am

Ask Nixon how well that worked for him. Note also that by saying this publicly, he’s essentially threatening Comey.

582
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:30:30am

re: #578 Blind Frog Belly White

Well, you know, an artist intends his work to convey certain things. Modifying that work makes it mean other things. In this case, putting the Fearless Girl in front of the Charging Bull changes the meaning of the Bull. So, I can understand the artist being upset. Suppose someone put a big bronze rodeo rider on the bull’s back, or a matador next to it, with a cape?

The thing is, once the piece of art leaves the artist’s studio, the public decides what it means to them.

I was thinking they should make a version of the girl that is on the bull’s back. Then we can really find out who the delicate people are.

583
Bubblehead II  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:31:33am

re: #570 Decatur Deb

Trump was talking about throw weight. That’s only arguable if the carrier isn’t itself carrying nukes.

And I can neither confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board any U.S. Naval vessel. Even after 24 years of separation I am still required to respond that way when asked about nuclear weapons aboard U.S. Naval vessels.

584
Amory Blaine  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:31:37am

I don’t know the answer, but chasing working class whites around is a fools errand. I would rather try for voter who would never vote for either candidate than try and flip a swing voter or a gooper. There are millions of non voters that can be flipped to vote. The strategy to get them? IDK

585
retired cynic  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:32:35am

re: #518 Dr. Matt

Now we know what it’s like to have Sarah ‘Word Salad’ Palin as POTUS:

[Embedded content]

What the heck are they doing using that sickening photo art? That’s not their job!!!

586
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:32:47am

re: #583 Bubblehead II

And I can neither confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board any U.S. Naval vessel. Even after 24 years of separation I am still required to respond that way when asked about nuclear weapons aboard U.S. Naval vessels.

heh, my brother-in-law says the same thing.

587
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:33:01am

re: #583 Bubblehead II

And I can neither confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board any U.S. Naval vessel. Even after 24 years of separation I am still required to respond that way when asked about nuclear weapons aboard U.S. Naval vessels.

Especially if the Kiwis ask? :)

588
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:34:12am

re: #582 Belafon

I was thinking they should make a version of the girl that is on the bull’s back. Then we can really find out who the delicate people are.

Or, you know, that Picasso in Chicago - why don’t we paint it so it looks more like a real bird? Maybe add some color to Guernica - it’s so stark in black and white! Maybe tweak Mona Lisa’s smile, so it finally is either a smile or a frown?

Seriously, though - if another artist wants to do a take on an original, to change its meaning, I kind of feel like that second artist should make the whole thing, not just dick around with someone else’s work.

589
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:34:21am

re: #574 CongoJack

If the young people voted at the rate of 100% I would agree. They don’t. Besides I dont go by someone’s skin color or age - I go by how well they handle themselves in stressful situations. Al Fraken has been amazing on his committees asking great questions and doing the people’s work. He is articulate, smart, witty, and has a command of knowledge (and learning of that knowledge) to the point I believe he can debate any topic.

I understand, and that is a good trait in you. However, how are the Democrats going to energize their voting base, which is young and diverse? As much as I like Franken, I don’t think he’ll inspire a lot of young African-Americans and Hispanics to go vote the way President Obama did.

590
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:36:37am

re: #584 Amory Blaine

I don’t know the answer, but chasing working class whites around is a fools errand. I would rather try for voter who would never vote for either candidate than try and flip a swing voter or a gooper. There are millions of non voters that can be flipped to vote. The strategy to get them? IDK

Heavily funded registration drives and proactive efforts to make sure as many voters as possible have acceptable IDs in states that have tried to suppress the vote?

591
Alephnaught  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:37:14am

OT: I did a DJ set on Saturday, and here it is! (Well, kinda. I explain in the description at the link.)

592
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:39:00am

re: #581 Blind Frog Belly White

[Embedded content]

Ask Nixon how well that worked for him. Note also that by saying this publicly, he’s essentially threatening Comey.

That is how I read it. It would make headlines if any other President under investigation made an open threat to fire the FBI Director, but since its Trump, it will barely make a ripple before the next breaking news scandal. I thought that Sessions speech calling unauthorized immigrants “filth” would make a big splash, but it was buried by Spicer engaging in Holocaust Denial.

593
Bubblehead II  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:39:08am

re: #587 Timothy Watson

Especially if the Kiwis ask? :)

Anybody. Same goes for operational characteristics of a sub.

Speed: Capable of speeds greater than 20 knots.
Depth: Capable of depths greater the 400 feet.

594
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:40:07am

re: #588 Blind Frog Belly White

Or, you know, that Picasso in Chicago - why don’t we paint it so it looks more like a real bird? Maybe add some color to Guernica - it’s so stark in black and white! Maybe tweak Mona Lisa’s smile, so it finally is either a smile or a frown?

Seriously, though - if another artist wants to do a take on an original, to change its meaning, I kind of feel like that second artist should make the whole thing, not just dick around with someone else’s work.

You talked about the public having a different interpretation. I don’t think very many people who see pictures of the bull think it represents the resilience of the market. I didn’t even know that was what it was for. It has always represented the aggressive nature of the market, and that you should be wary of being in front of it. So, to me, the girl actually fits.

595
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:41:12am

re: #584 Amory Blaine

I don’t know the answer, but chasing working class whites around is a fools errand. I would rather try for voter who would never vote for either candidate than try and flip a swing voter or a gooper. There are millions of non voters that can be flipped to vote. The strategy to get them? IDK

Run Obama again (if only), or at least our nearest semblance to him. Someone smart, charismatic, optimistic and preferably a minority.

596
KerFuFFler  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:41:20am

re: #577 BeachDem

Nope—just intrigued by the cake is a lie bit—kept seeing it and didn’t understand the reference until I looked up the backstory. It certainly seems appropriate when discussing the yam administration.

If you like games, you might want to check out Portal———-it’s old but good. Both Portal 1 and 2 have interesting puzzles and a lot of off-beat humor.

597
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:42:25am

re: #486 Birth Control Works

She convinced quite a few voters —gerrymandering cost her the election.

I still think Clinton’s loss was a perfect storm 100 year flood kind of thing.

Not one thing cost her, a bunch of little things did. They all had to come together at the right time and they did. A million little cuts and she bled out the last week of the election.

A few (in no particular order):
The media portrayal of Clinton.
The media coverage of everything Trump.
The emails and Benghazi drumbeat.
The FBI late announcement.
Ignorant Voters not familiarizing themselves with Trump.
The Bernie Sanders Clan and Bernie Himself.
Sexism/Misogyny.
Gerrymandering.
A disjointed DNC.

598
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:42:33am

re: #592 Big Beautiful Door

That is how I read it. It would make headlines if any other President under investigation made an open threat to fire the FBI Director, but since its Trump, it will barely make a ripple before the next breaking news scandal. I thought that Sessions speech calling unauthorized immigrants “filth” would make a big splash, but it was buried by Spicer engaging in Holocaust Denial.

After watching Maddow last night, I’m thinking that A) Spicer is too dumb for his job, and 2) he might have some form of aphasia.

After watching O’Donnell, though, I think this makes Spicey the perfect Press Secretary for Trump - not very bright, not very good at his job, inarticulate, reactive, not at all honest.

599
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:44:16am

re: #595 Big Beautiful Door

Run Obama again (if only), or at least our nearest semblance to him. Someone smart, charismatic, optimistic and preferably a minority.

Or, you know, a majority, if you catch my drift. Somebody without a Y Chromosome.

Mind you, being a member of that majority doesn’t preclude being a member of a minority.

600
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:44:22am

re: #598 Blind Frog Belly White

After watching Maddow last night, I’m thinking that A) Spicer is too dumb for his job, and 2) he might have some form of aphasia.

After watching O’Donnell, though, I think this makes Spicey the perfect Press Secretary for Trump - not very bright, not very good at his job, inarticulate, reactive, not at all honest.

Someone was joking that Pelosi came out and said Spice should be fired just so Trump wouldn’t fire him because Spice is such a boon for Democrats.

601
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:45:14am

re: #598 Blind Frog Belly White

After watching Maddow last night, I’m thinking that A) Spicer is too dumb for his job, and 2) he might have some form of aphasia.

After watching O’Donnell, though, I think this makes Spicey the perfect Press Secretary for Trump - not very bright, not very good at his job, inarticulate, reactive, not at all honest.

I will find the press derelict in its duty if it does not hang the whole Holocaust Center gaffe around his neck like an albatross. Such a level of stupidity at an official level should not be tolerated in any civilized nation.

602
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:45:14am
603
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:45:33am

re: #598 Blind Frog Belly White

After watching Maddow last night, I’m thinking that A) Spicer is too dumb for his job, and 2) he might have some form of aphasia.

After watching O’Donnell, though, I think this makes Spicey the perfect Press Secretary for Trump - not very bright, not very good at his job, inarticulate, reactive, not at all honest.

When the prerequisite for the job is the willingness to tell outrageous lies and to try to make some sense out of Trump’s brain farts, it makes it almost impossible for anyone to do a good job.

604
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:46:24am

re: #495 HappyWarrior

Oprah is successful but I’m really uncomfortable with raising the GOP and nation, Oprah after Trump. OI know that’s not fair to Oprah for the reasons you describe but damn I want someone who understands politics. Someone who has enough attention span to read a long paper about health care policy or international trade. That’s why I liked Obama and Clinton. And thy both surrounded themselves with capable people too. I don’t want Oprah to be just a figurehead.

I too hope we get back to professional politicians. There are reasons why people are good politicians and personalities are not.

Yeah, I know we are now a personality driven populace, but we need to get over that.

I wouldn’t want Oprah or Trump to rebuild the engine in my car. There are reasons why!

605
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:46:35am

re: #587 Timothy Watson

Especially if the Kiwis ask? :)

Or the Japanese, or San Franciscans.

606
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:47:27am

re: #600 Timothy Watson

Someone was joking that Pelosi came out and said Spice should be fired just so Trump wouldn’t fire him because Spice is such a boon for Democrats.

Honest to god, every day I’m just boggled by how badly Trump et al. are mangling the job. I mean, I knew it would be bad, that Trump was in over his head, etc. But I never imagined that not only would HE be so bad, but that everyone around him would be at least as bad, and furthermore that the GOP Congress would be so colossally inept.

607
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:47:47am

re: #605 Decatur Deb

Or the Japanese, or San Franciscans.

Or Russian time travelers? :)

The Nuclear Wessels?

608
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:48:28am

re: #602 darthstar

[Embedded content]

Hence, why I pronounce it YOUR-uh-nous

609
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:49:21am

re: #606 Blind Frog Belly White

Honest to god, every day I’m just boggled by how badly Trump et al. are mangling the job. I mean, I knew it would be bad, that Trump was in over his head, etc. But I never imagined that not only would HE be so bad, but that everyone around him would be at least as bad, and furthermore that the GOP Congress would be so colossally inept.

Thank dog for that. The GOP’s problem is that their agenda of massive tax cuts for billionaires to be paid for by screwing everybody else isn’t exactly popular with anybody but billionaires.

610
Nyet  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:50:05am

re: #602 darthstar

An inset from there: “Has Uranus been probed?”.

611
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:50:13am

re: #608 Blind Frog Belly White

Hence, why I pronounce it YOUR-uh-nous

It’s still a big movement….Hubble-hubble!

612
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:50:49am

re: #610 Nyet

An inset from there: “Has Uranus been probed?”.

We agreed not to talk about band camp.

613
Decatur Deb  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:51:14am

re: #588 Blind Frog Belly White

Or, you know, that Picasso in Chicago - why don’t we paint it so it looks more like a real bird? Maybe add some color to Guernica - it’s so stark in black and white! Maybe tweak Mona Lisa’s smile, so it finally is either a smile or a frown?

Seriously, though - if another artist wants to do a take on an original, to change its meaning, I kind of feel like that second artist should make the whole thing, not just dick around with someone else’s work.

614
Timothy Watson  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:51:22am

re: #610 Nyet

An inset from there: “Has Uranus been probed?”.

Sorry, had to:

Mass Effect 2: Probing Uranus

615
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:52:29am

re: #610 Nyet

An inset from there: “Has Uranus been probed?”.

Got my annual prostate exam already, yes.

616
electrotek  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:53:19am

re: #591 Alephnaught

OT: I did a DJ set on Saturday, and here it is! (Well, kinda. I explain in the description at the link.)

Bookmarked because of this description:

There’s bit of an 80s soul and RnB vibe to this one, as you’ll see from the track listing.

Sold.

617
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:53:27am

re: #609 Big Beautiful Door

Thank dog for that. The GOP’s problem is that their agenda of massive tax cuts for billionaires to be paid for by screwing everybody else isn’t exactly popular with anybody but billionaires.

Tax cuts for billionaires are easier to sell after decades of broadly shared prosperity (see 1981), but far less so after decades of increasing inequality, climaxed by a global financial crash and 90% of the recovery going to 1% of the population.

It’s real hard to tell a guy who effectively hasn’t had a raise in a decade that the problem is not that HE doesn’t have enough money, but that the richest people in the history of history don’t have enough money yet.

And yet, you’ll find a fair number of Americans who think that.

618
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:53:34am

re: #608 Blind Frog Belly White

Hence, why I pronounce it YOUR-uh-nous

I went through that phase, and then decided if someone is going to laugh at the regular pronunciation, I’ll just mentally mark them down as a kid.

619
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:55:04am

re: #618 Belafon

I went through that phase, and decided if someone is going to laugh at the regular pronunciation, I’ll just mentally mark them down as a kid.

Yeah, but my problem is that I’M the one who laughs.

620
Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:55:06am

re: #607 Timothy Watson

Or Russian time travelers? :)

Horst Wessels?

621
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:56:28am

re: #615 Big Beautiful Door

Got my annual prostate exam already, yes.

My dad, now retired, was a small town doc and he had a lot of ranchers as patients. He always prefaced a prostate exam with, no need to feel nervous unless you feel both of my hands on your shoulders. Yes, he sometimes got paid with a side of beef. Always fun when that happened because we’d spend a day grinding up burger and wrapping steaks to put in the freezer…

622
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:57:58am

re: #589 Big Beautiful Door

I understand, and that is a good trait in you. However, how are the Democrats going to energize their voting base, which is young and diverse? As much as I like Franken, I don’t think he’ll inspire a lot of young African-Americans and Hispanics to go vote the way President Obama did.

If you say an old white man cannot incite young people to vote I will point you towards Bernie. Its not necessarily the candidate that needs to energize people - its the people that need to energize themselves by being knowledgeable and understanding the topics at hand. The dog (people) wags the tail (candidate) - the tail cannot wag the dog.

623
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 10:58:38am

re: #621 darthstar

My dad, now retired, was a small town doc and he had a lot of ranchers as patients. He always prefaced a prostate exam with, no need to feel nervous unless you feel both of my hands on your shoulders. Yes, he sometimes got paid with a side of beef. Always fun when that happened because we’d spend a day grinding up burger and wrapping steaks to put in the freezer…

Something a little disturbing about a small town doctor with butchering skills and a freezer full of meat…..

624
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:00:56am

re: #552 MsJ

From the We Are So Fucked file, example 30 zillion.

[Embedded content]

Gosh Ms. Bartiromo…can you possibly gush over Donny any more?

625
Big Beautiful Door  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:01:41am

re: #622 CongoJack

If you say an old white man cannot incite young people to vote I will point you towards Bernie. Its not necessarily the candidate that needs to energize people - its the people that need to energize themselves by being knowledgeable and understanding the topics at hand. The dog (people) wags the tail (candidate) - the tail cannot wag the dog.

And I will point out that Bernie couldn’t inspire enough people to defeat Clinton, but Obama did. If you expect a majority of voters to inspire themselves to vote for a grumpy old white man, I think you’re going to be disappointed. Just look at Obama and Trudeau.

626
Joe Bacon  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:01:42am

re: #624 ObserverArt

Gosh Ms. Bartiromo…can you possibly gush over Donny any more?

Yes. Endlessly…

627
darthstar  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:01:46am

re: #623 Blind Frog Belly White

Something a little disturbing about a small town doctor with butchering skills and a freezer full of meat…..

He taught us well. Always explained which muscles were which when pulling them off the bone and which were better ground versus sliced. When I was in my early 20s I butchered an entire deer on my own in a day while my parents were at work. I just decided they didn’t need to deal with it and did it myself. That was actually a lot of fun.

628
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:02:05am

re: #622 CongoJack

If you say an old white man cannot incite young people to vote I will point you towards Bernie. Its not necessarily the candidate that needs to energize people - its the people that need to energize themselves by being knowledgeable and understanding the topics at hand. The dog (people) wags the tail (candidate) - the tail cannot wag the dog.

Bernie energized young white people. He didn’t do much to energize nonwhites. Clinton suffered somewhat from reduced enthusiasm, relative to Obama with nonwhites, sadly. And to be honest, the number of young women who wondered what was so damn historical about a woman nominee for President was disheartening.

Basically most Democrats seem stupid - unless you compare them to everyone else.
//

629
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:02:11am

re: #555 Nyet

Person: Syria is a part of Greater Israel.

Trump: Oh shit, I bombed Israel?!?!

Hell, it’s all over there somewhere.

630
mmmirele  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:04:27am

re: #541 MsJ

Good. I stopped picketing Mark Driscoll’s attempt to return to megachurch megapastor status after the election, because it was clear that if these people (white, evangelical Christians) would vote for a proven liar and pervert in overwhelming numbers (80+ percent), they wouldn’t believe any truth I was trying to give them about their obnoxious, run ‘em over with the bus pastor.

631
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:05:56am

This thread’s getting a bit long in the tooth. HEY, BOSS!!!

632
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:07:17am

re: #573 Decatur Deb

Yeah—old habits. I often lapse back into reality.

It’s tough to shake it, isn’t it?

No matter what you think, BOOM, reality has a way of changing things.

633
weave  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:08:20am

re: #373 Belafon

Any so called limit is a lie made up by the airlines to have their employees tell customers to get them to not try for more money: dailykos.com.

Thanks. I thought so. That lie about the mean federal government is preventing the airlines from offering more compensation is all over the wingnutsphere right now.

I’ve also read accounts on reddit from some who have been involuntarily bumped that when they quoted the regs and demanded cash instead of vouchers, they suddenly were reseated and another passenger was randomly selected.

634
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:08:57am

.@MichaelWolffNYC: “Democracy dies in darkness. You’re the darkness.” @KellyannePolls: “I’m not the darkness.” cnn.it

635
CongoJack  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:08:58am

re: #625 Big Beautiful Door

And I will point out that Bernie couldn’t inspire enough people to defeat Clinton, but Obama did. If you expect a majority of voters to inspire themselves to vote for a grumpy old white man, I think you’re going to be disappointed. Just look at Obama and Trudeau.

But of the young people Bernie did attract which was the crux of your prior thought. Grumpy is in the eye of the beholder - and I am not one to say that Al Fraken is a grumpy old man. If you have an older white male that can endear young people, women, and people of color I am not sold that the candidate must be young, female, or a PoC (not that any of those things are bad). And if Fraken can do these things and have the normal base of Ds then the issue is moot.

In this last election it was the young people going to Bernie. The older people to Clinton. In 2008 it was the young people for Obama and the older people for Clinton. The young people didn’t win both - we need a candidate that crosses the lines of those divides - not picking the candidate that can just check a box labeled younger voter, or minority voter, or woman voter - we need all voters.

636
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:11:20am
637
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:11:36am

re: #634 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

She’s not the darkness. She’s the curtains that cause the darkness, or the hand that switches off the light, or the breath that blows out the candle.

638
Jay C  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:11:40am

re: #578 Blind Frog Belly White

Well, you know, an artist intends his work to convey certain things. Modifying that work makes it mean other things. In this case, putting the Fearless Girl in front of the Charging Bull changes the meaning of the Bull. So, I can understand the artist being upset. Suppose someone put a big bronze rodeo rider on the bull’s back, or a matador next to it, with a cape?

The thing is, once the piece of art leaves the artist’s studio, the public decides what it means to them.

re: #582 Belafon

re: #588 Blind Frog Belly White

re: #613 Decatur Deb

Well, yes and no*. The laws regarding public art (which the bronzes down on Wall Street definitely are) are pretty clear-cut. Artworks installed in public places (i.e. on public ground) are there at the sufferance of the owners of said ground: usually a municipality, state or other government agency. That is the case here (it’s NYC); and the City has the right to remove or relocate the pieces as desired. Usually without consultation or input from the artist.
That said, artists have been held to have *some* inherent rights to the “integrity” of their works: frex, re the Wall Street bronzes: if someone actually did “put a rodeo rider” on the Bull’s back, Antonio de Modica (the sculptor) would have actionable cause for damages and/or removal/return of the piece. However, merely installing another, unconnected sculpture nearby, whatever its visual “meaning” doesn’t come up to that standard: the best response de Modica is likely to get is probably a polite demurral from the City - i.e., “get a grip, Snowflake!”

* Argument From Authority: RL experience with public art

639
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:14:51am

re: #638 Jay C

Excellent points. My point was never that the original artist had anything actionable, but has a right to be upset. Just not a right to any legal recourse because of it.

640
Joe Bacon  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:14:53am

re: #634 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

She’s a third rate Circe leading the ship of state to destruction!

641
ObserverArt  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:15:52am

re: #610 Nyet

An inset from there: “Has Uranus been probed?”.

We’re sending a rocket up there right now.

4…3…2…1…Yeow!

642
Shiplord Kirel  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:20:50am

The naming of the planet now known as Uranus was a complicated and lengthy process. Credited discoverer William Herschel initially wanted to name it Georgius Sidus (“George’s Star”), in honor of then King George III. Needless to say, this choice was not popular outside Great Britain and many alternatives were proposed. French astronomer Jerome Lalande used flattery to influence Herschel, by proposing that the planet be named for Herschel himself. Finally, Johann Elert Bode proposed Uranus, the mythical father of Saturn (just as Saturn was the father of Jupiter) . This was widely accepted in short order, but HM Nautical Almanac Office persisted with Georgium Sidus until 1850.
The element uranium, discovered in 1789, was named for the newly discovered planet.

643
Alephnaught  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:21:25am
644
451_Montag  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:23:54am

Quick science question. Is it true haemmaroids are simply asteroids that orbit Uranus? Millions of young boys want to know.

645
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:25:56am
646
Nyet  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:26:43am

re: #642 Shiplord Kirel

In German “Ur-” means original, initial, ancient. I suppose German schoolboys have their own reasons to laugh at Uranus.

647
Blind Frog Belly White  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:27:03am

Thinking about the O’Reilly thing, apparently Rupert Murdoch’s son wants him out, but Rupert doesn’t. I understand it was similar with Ailes. I think this reflects a broader, generational change in the understanding of sexual harrassment. Rupert Murdoch, Trump, and a lot of guys my age and older grew up with sexual harrassment as the norm. Shocking as Trump’s ‘Pussygrabbing’ statement was, it was not that surprising, coming from a guy his age.

When it became a big thing, after the Clarence Thomas hearings, generally the response to ‘Sexual Harrassment Training’ by a lot of my male peers was dismissive, even resentful. A lot of them felt like this was just stuff they had to sit through, but it wouldn’t require them to change THEIR behavior, because after all, all the women they knew laughed at that kind of joke.

This informs the reaction. Rupert sees it as something that will blow over. Trump doesn’t think O’Reilly did anything wrong. Younger folks? They’re appalled, and younger businessmen realize something like this - the knowledge that Fox paid REPEATEDLY to cover up O’Reilly’s behavior - can be catastrophic to business.

648
Shiplord Kirel  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:27:27am

re: #644 451_Montag

Quick science question. Is it true haemmaroids are simply asteroids that orbit Uranus? Millions of young boys want to know.

Don’t know, but recent research confirms that Preparation A will shrink asteroids.

649
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:31:21am

re: #645 Backwoods_Sleuth

Has he read Wikileaks tweets?

650
Jack Burton  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:32:04am

re: #642 Shiplord Kirel

The naming of the planet now known as Uranus was a complicated and lengthy process. Credited discoverer William Herschel initially wanted to name it Georgius Sidus (“George’s Star”), in honor of then King George III. Needless to say, this choice was not popular outside Great Britain and many alternatives were proposed. French astronomer Jerome Lalande used flattery to influence Herschel, by proposing that the planet be named for Herschel himself. Finally, Johann Elert Bode proposed Uranus, the mythical father of Saturn (just as Saturn was the father of Jupiter) . This was widely accepted in short order, but HM Nautical Almanac Office persisted with Georgium Sidus until 1850.
The element uranium, discovered in 1789, was named for the newly discovered planet.

Uranus is the only planet that is named after a Greek God/Mythological character rather than a Roman or the Roman equivalent of a Greek God. The Roman version of Ouranos (which is how Uranus should actually be spelled) is Caelus.

Sticking with the Roman motif, or at least spelling the damn word right in Ancient Greek, would have saved us centuries of ass jokes.

651
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:33:00am

re: #624 ObserverArt

Gosh Ms. Bartiromo…can you possibly gush over Donny any more?

At least we don’t have that Constitutional Lawyer dude in the WH anymore.

///

652
Wile E. Coyote's mom  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:33:43am

Don’t know if you have heard but Charlie Murphy is dead google.com

653
Backwoods_Sleuth  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:34:58am
654
Sir John Barron  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:35:00am

re: #652 Wile E. Coyote’s mom

Don’t know if you have heard but Charlie Murphy is dead google.com

I remember him mostly from Eddie’s routines.

655
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:36:36am

re: #652 Wile E. Coyote’s mom

Don’t know if you have heard but Charlie Murphy is dead google.com

Yeah I heard. Damn shame. He was great on Chappelle. Was just thinking about him the other day in fact since Dave’s doing stand up specials.

656
HappyWarrior  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:37:19am

re: #653 Backwoods_Sleuth

[Embedded content]

They’re dramatically cutting the SBA and screwing over small business under the guise of “reducing duplicate programs.”

657
BlueSpotinAL  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:40:53am

re: #653 Backwoods_Sleuth

“The exec branch will be dramatically different, Mulvaney said, w/ agencies operating more like private businesses.”

You know, like United Airlines.

658
Belafon  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:41:10am

re: #645 Backwoods_Sleuth

As if it matters what they say.

659
Franklin  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:43:12am

re: #646 Nyet

In German “Ur-” means original, initial, ancient. I suppose German schoolboys have their own reasons to laugh at Uranus.

*** New band name alert ***

Ancient Anus

660
MsJ  Apr 12, 2017 • 11:58:29am

re: #594 Belafon

You talked about the public having a different interpretation. I don’t think very many people who see pictures of the bull think it represents the resilience of the market. I didn’t even know that was what it was for. It has always represented the aggressive nature of the market, and that you should be wary of being in front of it. So, to me, the girl actually fits.

I thought it represented the assholeness of Wall Street myself. Not something I ever saw in a positive light.

661
Bass Reeves  Apr 12, 2017 • 12:57:24pm

re: #589 Big Beautiful Door

I understand, and that is a good trait in you. However, how are the Democrats going to energize their voting base, which is young and diverse? As much as I like Franken, I don’t think he’ll inspire a lot of young African-Americans and Hispanics to go vote the way President Obama did.

Yeah, I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that minorities aren’t going to entirely jump into bed with someone just because they’re a minority. Obama got a bump because he was black, but he had an edge because of the D and the policies. Hillary and Bernie are about the same age, and Hillary didn’t beat Bernie anywhere near because she was a woman. She beat him because she was a much better candidate for President.

Running a less capable minority just because they are a minority will 1) not gain enthusiasm from minorities, and 2) will absolutely justify the RWNJ attacks that we only vote based on skin color or gender. Al Franken would do well because he’s good enough, smart enough, and…well you know the rest. I wouldn’t put a Castro brother against him right now, because Al is doing the business publicly. I’d vote Al over Warren at the moment, because Al seems to have the ability to talk about multiple different topics. I’m not saying I want Al to run for President, I’m saying whoever runs in the next election has to have qualifications, because we’re going to be running on competence, not ‘assuaging white people’.

662
Jebediah, RBG  Apr 12, 2017 • 1:53:01pm

re: #355 makeitstop

To think Joey Ramone wrote a song about her…

That still bothers me.

663
Jebediah, RBG  Apr 12, 2017 • 2:13:12pm

re: #407 HappyWarrior

I’m sorry but enough of Bernie Sanders. He had his chance and he’s free to run again but he’s not the party’s future and he’s not a leader.

AFAIC he is free to fuck off, keep on fucking off, and to not come back form all that fucking off.

664
Jebediah, RBG  Apr 13, 2017 • 10:23:49am

re: #301 The Crusher

OK, that guy is happily rocking the fuck out of that tambourine…


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