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.
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
Nancy otm
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:14 (four years ago) link
'whatever that is in the White House' indeed
― Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:15 (four years ago) link
Next thread title?
― Mazzy Tsar (PBKR), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:21 (four years ago) link
Incredible pic.twitter.com/n8Wh2Cbrqe— Andrew Perez (@andrewperezdc) December 11, 2019
― mookieproof, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:26 (four years ago) link
ah olivia wilde, who gives what appears to be an actually libelous portrayal of the news media in the new eastwood film, exactly who i would like to see asking the tough questions about the media.
― 𝔠𝔞𝔢𝔨 (caek), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:26 (four years ago) link
it's almost as if GOP voters' opinions have no basis in fact
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:28 (four years ago) link
xps
I don't really blame Wilde for that but yeah, I did a bit of an eyebrow raise myself
― Simon H., Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:29 (four years ago) link
as a guy who has been on calls all day trying to figure out how his insurance has just increased by $130 a month in 2020 and how he can get financial assistance to help with his physical therapy post surgery, I'd like to say that 43% of republicans can use my toilet bowl as a water cooler
― Fuck the NRA (ulysses), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:32 (four years ago) link
I dunno, I can totally see why GOP voters would be satisfied with the cost of health care, now that Obamacare has been repealed and Trump fixed all the problems, lowered costs of medicine, deported all the immigrants and cut everyone off from welfare, and so on. Like, what else is there to complain about? Problem solved. Asshole Again in 2020, etc.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:34 (four years ago) link
Calling it Locomotive Breath would have been pretty bitchin, tho
― Hereward the Woke (Ye Mad Puffin), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 19:45 (four years ago) link
Trump: Pardons Multiple War Criminals
Bevin: Hold My Beer.
https://www.kentuckynewera.com/news/article_c1a31eec-1c5f-11ea-b560-f7ed0ba79bdf.html
As one of his final acts in office, former Gov. Matt Bevin commuted the sentence of Dayton Jones to time served by executive order. The executive order gives no reason for the commutation....According to New Era archives, Jones pleaded guilty Aug. 22, 2016, to first-degree sodomy, first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. In November 2016, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison with no possibility of probation and a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender upon release.
...
According to New Era archives, Jones pleaded guilty Aug. 22, 2016, to first-degree sodomy, first-degree wanton endangerment and first-degree distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. In November 2016, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison with no possibility of probation and a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender upon release.
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 23:46 (four years ago) link
chill greta, chill
― Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 12 December 2019 12:36 (four years ago) link
i hope his mouth caves in on itself
― american bradass (BradNelson), Thursday, 12 December 2019 13:06 (four years ago) link
At least he didn’t make a pun equating her name to a place in nobility. That would have been horrific!
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Thursday, 12 December 2019 13:25 (four years ago) link
Do it https://t.co/WgntNWG1ca— Preet Bharara (@PreetBharara) December 12, 2019
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Thursday, 12 December 2019 14:51 (four years ago) link
this is hardly the most important thing here, but I do wish pundits would settle on some appropriate descriptors for Greta. she can be a teenage girl or a minor but Trump's behavior is sufficiently monstrous without having to label her as a "young child" or something that makes it sound like she's 8 years old. she's 16.
― Evans on Hammond (evol j), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:45 (four years ago) link
Older Than Barron!
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:47 (four years ago) link
I do still think that's a legit equivalency after right-wing media had a collective meltdown over a witness having the temerity to even invoke the young princeling's name.
― Evans on Hammond (evol j), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:49 (four years ago) link
yeah but barron hasn't CHOSEN to be in the public eye &c &c blah blah fart noise
― Receive Your Simulated Fluids Before The End of The Year! (bizarro gazzara), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:50 (four years ago) link
I'm just surprised Barron is younger. I had thought he was 15 or 16 by now.
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:51 (four years ago) link
Mitch McConnell could flog Barron in the street and it wouldn't be as objectionable as a libruhl uttering his name.
― Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:52 (four years ago) link
good morning!
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:52 (four years ago) link
16 is young. Maybe a more vulnerable age than a younger child—she shouldn’t be harassed by the President of the United States that’s for sure.
― treeship., Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:53 (four years ago) link
Did i mention on ilx before that i hate Trump
― treeship., Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:54 (four years ago) link
It's not just her chronological age. She's also autistic.
― shared unit of analysis (unperson), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:54 (four years ago) link
The President shouldn't really be harassing anyone who isn't an enemy of the state.
― a bevy of supermodels, musicians and Lena Dunham (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:55 (four years ago) link
― treeship., Thursday, December 12, 2019 10:54 AM
you know my hatred for the these ridiculous fucking ashole in congress is by far greater than anything i feel for that idiot blob.
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Thursday, 12 December 2019 15:57 (four years ago) link
My ire is definitely becoming more diffuse to include those who have enabled and continued to enable his slow devolution into the worst human on earth. I mean people don't become this awful in a bubble but rather because they're rewarded and praised for their flagrantly antisocial behavior instead of getting put in the hospital every time they open their fetid cakehole.
― Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Thursday, 12 December 2019 16:13 (four years ago) link
I thought he started at about the worst person ever and hasnow devolved to the same position.THough I guess McConnell may be running him some competition.BUt yeah it's the enablers I could do without.Couldn't somebody just create a safe space, some little pocket universe somewhere where they could go off and be utterly deplorable without having a direct effect on the rest of the planet.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 12 December 2019 16:17 (four years ago) link
I mean the deck was certainly stacked against him ever developing any conscience or character, but a lifetime of sycophants responding with starry-eyed enthusiasm when he shits on their loafers has served only to transform him into a being composed of pure id.
― Welcome to the Sandwich Trough (Old Lunch), Thursday, 12 December 2019 16:31 (four years ago) link
So the republicans are basically on a repeat loop then?Or is what they're saying today any different to what they've tried to say before.
NOt really watched hearings like this before so I'm new to this strike the last word thing. & not sure what it exactly refers to beyond Republicans wanting to talk even more BS and Dems trying to explain what should be obvious.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:38 (four years ago) link
They've been on a repeat loop for 39 years
― master of nuggets (Neanderthal), Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:39 (four years ago) link
Holder going after Barr directly in the WaPo opinion pages. Seems kind of unprecedented (also meaningless outside of beltway punditry)
― Οὖτις, Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:42 (four years ago) link
Couldn't somebody just create a safe space, some little pocket universe somewhere where they could go off and be utterly deplorable without having a direct effect on the rest of the planet.
That would be grand but unfortunately they clearly enjoy being able to affect the rest of the planet in monstrous ways. It's how they get their jollies.
Back in the Mesozoic era when I was a student of philosophy, there was a concept called the pleasure-monster: an evil sadistic being who got astronomical levels of happiness out of torturing innocent puppies, fluffy bunnies, precocious children, etc. If you like, you can imagine the pleasure-monster as simultaneously very deluded: he's actually on an otherwise uninhabited planet. He only IMAGINES that he's torturing innocent children, fluffy puppies, precocious bunnies, etc. Either way. You get the idea.
IIRC this was intended as a critique of consequentialism and, by extension, utilitarianism: if you're using "pleasure vs. pain" as a measure of moral worth, simply construct a thought experiment in which doing clearly horrible things creates tremendous levels of pleasure for someone, and see if the consequentialist still endorses consequences as the only measure of moral value.
In college it seemed a hyperbolic, potentially silly hypothetical.
Now? Not so much.
― Hereward the Woke (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:44 (four years ago) link
I've been thinking of the scenario where Trump loses the election and then... refuses to fade into the background, continues to serve as leader of the GOP (cuz who else do they have, really?), and then just runs again in 2024. The odds that he will just fade into the background and not be a huge media figure/shit-stirrer seem p low.
― Οὖτις, Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:51 (four years ago) link
Otm. He'll be on Fox News as a consultant
― master of nuggets (Neanderthal), Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:54 (four years ago) link
I fear the Obi Wan scenario
holy shit -- Rep. Hank Johnson just went there in response to Rep. Gaetz poking at Hunter Biden's reported drug use: “I don't know what members, if any, have had problems with substance abuse, been busted in DUIs... If i did, I wouldn't raise it against anyone on this committee." pic.twitter.com/6kixChgvvF— j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) December 12, 2019
― (•̪●) (carne asada), Thursday, 12 December 2019 17:56 (four years ago) link
― master of nuggets (Neanderthal),
his family had plans to start trumpTV after he lost the 2016 election, but unfortunately for the universe, he "won". i assume after he's out of office he'll take the worst 1/10th of Fox and use that as his foundation for nu-TrumpTV
― Peaceful Warrior I Poser (Karl Malone), Thursday, 12 December 2019 18:02 (four years ago) link