US Politics, December 2019: Profound procedural deficiencies

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If the Dems can't muster the votes for impeachment, they are well and truly fucked

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 20:33 (four years ago) link

um

House Democrats can push their sham impeachment all they want.

President Trump's re-election is 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. pic.twitter.com/O7o02S26nS

— Trump War Room (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TrumpWarRoom) December 10, 2019

Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 22:42 (four years ago) link

If the Dems can't muster the votes for impeachment, they are well and truly fucked

they overwhelmingly have the votes, only 2 Dems are on the record as opposing it. The "moderates" referenced above don't even have the 18 necessary to pass the procedural blocks they would need to throw up.

Οὖτις, Tuesday, 10 December 2019 22:48 (four years ago) link

TBF, there's nothing stopping them from throwing up anyway.

Scorsese runs afoul of the Irishman (Leee), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 22:59 (four years ago) link

*VLTF*

Peaceful Warrior I Poser (Karl Malone), Tuesday, 10 December 2019 23:06 (four years ago) link

Lemieux thinks the trade vote after the articles of impeachment announcement was the right thing to do:

Politically, the passage of USMCA will almost certainly have the same material impact most of the other political events that have happened since Trump was elected have had — i.e. none. Trump’s approval ratings are incredibly stable and a trade deal coverage of which will be quickly drowned our by impeachment is not going to change that. If the deal is good for labor on the merits, and labor groups themselves at least think it is, then passing it is the right thing. And I really don’t understand how so many people who understand how inane the Halperin/Cillizza school of punditry is will turn around and assess everything House Dems do through a lens of completely baseless speculation about MESSAGING.

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:14 (four years ago) link

Also:

Among the biggest victories was an agreement to remove intellectual property protections for the pharmaceutical industry, which Democrats warned could undermine efforts to make health care more affordable. Democrats also persuaded the White House to strengthen the deal’s enforcement provisions, and obtained commitments to ensure Mexico is adhering to labor reforms.

Those changes were critical to winning the support of labor unions, including the influential AFL-CIO, which endorsed the revised pact just moments before Ms. Pelosi’s announcement.

In fact, the deal addressed so many of the Democrats’ concerns that some Republicans appeared skeptical of the final agreement and suggested that Mr. Lighthizer had given away too much.

Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, voiced concern that Mr. Lighthizer had potentially spent more time talking with House Democrats than Republicans on the final product. And Senator Patrick J. Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania and one of the most ardent critics of the deal, railed against both the original deal and the new changes, including the removal of the pharmaceutical provision.

“It’s clearly moved way to the left,” Mr. Toomey told reporters. “It seemed to be just a one-way direction in the direction of Democrats.”

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:17 (four years ago) link

just a one-way direction in the direction of Democrats... whose votes will be absolutely vital to passing the implementing legislation. But, of course, crafting the agreement in a way that allows it to pass and take effect instead of being thrown in the trash is a small consideration compared to bitching about the Democrats.

A is for (Aimless), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:22 (four years ago) link

It has to get through the Senate first, right? And idiot might still not sign it.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:33 (four years ago) link

Sure. My point is I didn't get the complaints earlier today about the announcement of this trade deal. I said to a friend on his FB page that this was exactly the kind of "optics" twaddle that my most anti-Dem friends crow denounce. Of course it may not go anywhere -- so what? If the deal's good for American workers, why the hell wouldn't you promote it?

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:37 (four years ago) link

xp i agree with perlstein

treeship., Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:39 (four years ago) link

the democrats should have presented a calvalcade of charges. it can all be connected anyway, in some kind of RICO way. he is essentially corrupt and is using the office for personal gain.

treeship., Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:40 (four years ago) link

It has to get through the Senate first, right? And idiot might still not sign it.

OK, now explain how THAT will look bad for Democrats...they take the one thing King Asshole really, really wants and turn it into a poison pill he rejects, in an election year.

shared unit of analysis (unperson), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 03:59 (four years ago) link

the naming of the FBI investigation Crossfire Hurricane seems really corny. Were the FBI trying to make themselves look cool by naming things after 47 year old Rolling Stones songs?

Stevolende, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 12:30 (four years ago) link

Special guest investigation namer: Martin Scorsese

"Third of the Storms" Jazz (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 12:39 (four years ago) link

Xpost sounds like a Stevie Ray Vaughn song

master of nuggets (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 12:56 (four years ago) link

President Trump will sign an executive order defining Judaism as a nationality, not just a religion, thus bolstering the Education Department's efforts to stamp out "Boycott Israel" movements on college campuses https://t.co/0avw7eseMc

— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) December 10, 2019

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:07 (four years ago) link

OK, now explain how THAT will look bad for Democrats...they take the one thing King Asshole really, really wants and turn it into a poison pill he rejects, in an election year.

If you're not speaking rhetorically, Asshole has done this more than once, iirc: cheerlead certain developments, but by the time it gets to his desk changes his mind (or has his mind changed), campaigns against it, and rejects it, usually while crossing his arms like an angry toddler. He doesn't give a shit.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:11 (four years ago) link

I know...but it's hard to see how that's bad for Democrats, unless you're Chris Cilizza.

shared unit of analysis (unperson), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:15 (four years ago) link

This whole Judaism as a nationality thing is really disturbing. What if I don't want to be considered a different nationality other than American? Do I have a choice? I don't personally want to be associated with Israel at all.

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:19 (four years ago) link

Can he just declare anything a nationality at will?

xpost Everything is bad for the Democrats, always.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:23 (four years ago) link

it's very odd. israeli and jewish are not the same thing.

treeship., Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:24 (four years ago) link

if students were saying they wanted to boycott jewish businesses i would have an enormous problem with that. but boycotting israel, while still in my view not so great, is really different.

treeship., Wednesday, 11 December 2019 13:28 (four years ago) link

There are other places to debate this, and other people better at debating it, but while I agree with you, the BDS movement specifically is as I understand it tied to certain more extreme anti-Israel ideas than divestment, not to mention the conspicuousness of Israel getting more or less uniquely singled out for boycott, as opposed to any of the many human rights violating, international law flouting countries.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:12 (four years ago) link

The bullshit of course is not in that debate, but in Asshole changing the terms of the debate exclusively so that he and his fellow assholes can push their wrongheaded, vindictive policies.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:13 (four years ago) link

I don't think it's just about that debate though. Feels like a step towards revoking American citizenship.

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:28 (four years ago) link

luv2live in this glorious gilded age

eema Verma who, as a senior figure in the Trump administration, has made it more difficult for poor Americans to access health coverage, has filed a claim of $47,000 for the loss of her luggage while on a three-day work trip.

According to Politico, Verma filed the claim on 28 August 2018 after having her luggage stolen while giving a speech in San Francisco. Her expenses included 20 pieces of jewellery, which sounds reasonable for a three day-work trip – if you are Snoop Dogg.

She had originally estimated the cost of those pieces at $20,000, but came back with the higher $43,065 price tag after visiting a jeweler three weeks after the theft. Because sometimes you’re just that rich that you forget about that extra 20 grand you dropped at the jewelers.

Verma is the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is responsible for Medicare, the US health insurance program for seniors and Medicaid, the program for low-income Americans.

The jewellery claim included 11 pairs of earrings, five necklaces and three pendants. In evidence that shows money does not equal class, one of those pendants was this Ivanka Trump gold, prasiolite and diamond pendant, which looks like it was picked by the claw machine in an arcade.

The government spends approximately $5,700 per Medicaid patient. That means that the bill she tried to get the taxpayer to foot (the CMS only granted a $2,852.40 reimbursement) is roughly equivalent to what the government spends on eight Medicaid patients yearly.

You may be wondering what she was doing with all that jewellery. Swapping out weights in the gym for travel-friendly lifting? Not quite – according to a CMS spokesperson, Verma takes a large collection of jewelry when she travels, because she “travels to Washington DC from Indiana each week to work at CMS.”

Receive Your Simulated Fluids Before The End of The Year! (bizarro gazzara), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:31 (four years ago) link

It really feels like we're finally encroaching on that moment when we collectively realize that there's a whole lot more of us than there are of them.

Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:36 (four years ago) link

let's fucking hope so

Receive Your Simulated Fluids Before The End of The Year! (bizarro gazzara), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:37 (four years ago) link

Does it? I'd say there are way more apathetic people than those who give a shit.

xp

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:38 (four years ago) link

Yeah, I fantasize about that happening all the time, but probably nothing more than a fantasy given all the technology that enables the police state.

Would certainly welcome a Get Out/The Purge style film except about class where lower classes leading The Purge are the heroes. NB: I have never seen The Purge.

Mazzy Tsar (PBKR), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:44 (four years ago) link

They could all wear Bernie masks. Chilling.

Mazzy Tsar (PBKR), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:44 (four years ago) link

not to mention the conspicuousness of Israel getting more or less uniquely singled out for boycott, as opposed to any of the many human rights violating, international law flouting countries.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:12 AM (thirty-five minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

c'mon, you know this kind of whatabout-ism is extremely dumb. the logical endpoint here is that you either have to protest every single terrible human rights-violating country simultaneously or somehow we all have to collectively decide which one is the absolute worst and focus on that one exclusively.

Evans on Hammond (evol j), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:54 (four years ago) link

It really feels like we're finally encroaching on that moment when we collectively realize that there's a whole lot more of us than there are of them.

― Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Wednesday, December 11, 2019 9:36 AM (twenty-seven minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

Dunno I think coprophilia is still pretty niche

badg, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:06 (four years ago) link

collectively lol

the 1% with their wagon-circling 40%

Suggest Banshee (Hadrian VIII), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:11 (four years ago) link

Shhh, shhhhhh, a dream is a wish your heart makes

Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:16 (four years ago) link

What most people don’t understand is the Evangelical extremist right wing as well as white supremecists and other nationalists have always been simultaneously non-critically pro-Israel and virulently anti-semetic. It remains hidden because no one can get their head around that. https://t.co/0eVrh54kHs

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) December 11, 2019

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:25 (four years ago) link

Little Stevie otm

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:38 (four years ago) link

xpost Given I know of no other prominent divestment drive, people *have* decided which is the worst and to focus on that one exclusively. I am no fan of Israel, but they are nowhere near the top of the list for horrible countries. Imo. Anyway, I am not terribly invested in the debate so I'll just say too much focus is placed on Israel and that entire region of bad actors and stop there.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:39 (four years ago) link

Given I know of no other prominent divestment drive

I hear 10x more about attempts to get universities to divest from fossil fuel investments than I do about BDS. And i guess you can say "yeah but I meant COUNTRIES" but the point is that the movement to push colleges to steer their investments away from politically disapproved sectors is not predominantly about Israel. For what it's worth, and as you might know from my other posts, i am Jewish and a big old Zionist, go to Israel and spend money in Israell plenty, think BDS is bad and wrong, BUT I also think 1. it's pretty small and marginal 2. Republicans have a strong incentive to make it seem bigger and less marginal, and to some extent even to make it BE bigger and less marginal, as a cynical ploy to get American Jews on their side.

Guayaquil (eephus!), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:49 (four years ago) link

perhaps activists think they have more leverage to *change* Israel than they do Saudi Arabia?

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:51 (four years ago) link

I only skimmed the two Articles in the NYT today but only saw Biden mentioned as a "political opponent," not by name, just like NPR frequently does it. Is his name in there?

Funny how Biden is named in the articles of impeachment. Makes the Dems’ priorities clear.

— Doug Henwood (@DougHenwood) December 11, 2019

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:52 (four years ago) link

So the EO doesn't say anything about establishing Judaism as a nationality? An I missing something or was this heinously misreported?

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:03 (four years ago) link

"(A) a political opponent, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden,;"

10,000 mani-gecs (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:06 (four years ago) link

Doesn't it kind of have to name Biden? It was all about digging up dirt on him.

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:08 (four years ago) link

makes the dems' priorities clear

american bradass (BradNelson), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:15 (four years ago) link

I'm not following Henwood's logic.

TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:15 (four years ago) link

yeah it'd be one thing if the articles said something like "digging up dirt on our next presidential nominee, the Wise and Exalted Joseph R. Biden"

(I haven't read the articles but I'm assuming they don't say that).

Evans on Hammond (evol j), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:20 (four years ago) link

the naming of the FBI investigation Crossfire Hurricane seems really corny

The protocol for naming sensitive military operations has long been to assign randomly chosen names from a list prepared in advance, so that any intercepted communications about it would not reveal its nature or its target. The FBI probably has a similar protocol. I don't know if it applied here or not, because the protocol has been obviously ignored by the military whenever they think an operation needs a PR boost, e.g. Operation Desert Storm. However, this name was internal, so the chances are higher that the name was coincidental and the corniness was baked in when the name was put on the list.

A is for (Aimless), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:32 (four years ago) link

Olivia Wilde interviewed Nancy Pelosi for The Hollywood Reporter.

What of Hollywood's role in making Donald Trump a reality TV star? Do you blame the industry for the current state of U.S. politics as it relates to Trump?

Well, let me say I've never seen his reality show, so I don't know if it was any good or what. I do think that he was assisted by the communications industry, not just Hollywood, but the press as well, because all they do is enable him, and that is really a sad thing.

I've said to many of my friends in the press, "You're accomplices, whether you want to be or not," [and they say,] "If he's saying it, then it's news." I don't think it's news, but it monopolizes the airwaves. So there is a lot of responsibility to go around in terms of the creation of whatever that is in the White House.

But he has a tactic, one that is used by autocrats, which is, "Just as long as they're talking about me, no matter if it's bad, then you're not talking about my opponent." When [the press was] talking about him, they weren't saying what Hillary was going to do about health care, to make our economy fair.

shared unit of analysis (unperson), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:12 (four years ago) link


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