All-purpose news and politics thread: Two Steps Beyond!(Part II)

[Tami]

Prosecutors’ Narrative Is Clear: Trump Defrauded Voters. But What Does It Mean?

ASHINGTON — The latest revelations by prosecutors investigating President Trump and his team draw a portrait of a candidate who personally directed an illegal scheme to manipulate the 2016 election and whose advisers had more contact with Russia than Mr. Trump has ever acknowledged.

In the narrative that the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, and New York prosecutors are building, Mr. Trump continued to secretly seek to do business in Russia deep into his presidential campaign even as Russian agents made more efforts to influence him. At the same time, in this account he ordered hush payments to two women to suppress stories of impropriety in violation of campaign finance law.

The prosecutors made clear in a sentencing memo filed on Friday that they viewed efforts by Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, to squelch the stories as nothing less than a perversion of a democratic election — and by extension they effectively accused the president of defrauding voters, questioning the legitimacy of his victory.

On Saturday, Mr. Trump dismissed the filings, and his lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, minimized the importance of any potential campaign finance violations. Democrats, however, said they could lead to impeachment.

[Tami]

A month after election, new GOP senator already faces investigation

In one of this year’s most closely watched U.S. Senate races, Missouri’s Josh Hawley (R) stood out for a candidacy chased by dark clouds. The Republican promised voters, for example, not to use his office as a springboard to a higher office, but then broke that commitment within months of becoming state attorney general. Hawley also lied repeatedly about the anti-health care lawsuit he helped file.

Both the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the New York Times took separate looks at Hawley’s tenure as state attorney general, and both painted deeply unflattering portraits, including criticisms from state judges over his office’s work.

But he’s a Republican in a red state, so voters last month elected Hawley to the U.S. Senate anyway. A month after the election, however, Hawley’s most serious controversy is already coming back to haunt him. Usually, senators have to wait a while before they find themselves under investigation, but as the Kansas City Star reported, the Missouri Republican is already facing a probe – and he won’t even be sworn in for several weeks.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has launched an investigation into a complaint that Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley used public resources in his successful bid for the U.S. Senate.

The American Democracy Legal Fund on Nov. 2 filed a complaint with Ashcroft, claiming that Hawley used out-of-state political consultants to direct the activities of public employees in the attorney general’s office to raise Hawley’s political profile as he prepared to mount a campaign for U.S. Senate.

“Josh Hawley’s flagrant abuse of his taxpayer funded office for his own political gain deserves immediate investigation,” said Brad Woodhouse, ADLF president, in a statement. “We’re heartened to see Secretary of State Ashcroft give this racket further scrutiny.”

[Tami]

Your Tax Dollars Help Starve Children

ADEN, Yemen — He is an 8-year-old boy who is starving and has limbs like sticks, but Yaqoob Walid doesn’t cry or complain. He gazes stolidly ahead, tuning out everything, for in late stages of starvation the human body focuses every calorie simply on keeping the organs functioning.

Yaqoob arrived unconscious at Al Sadaqa Hospital here, weighing just over 30 pounds. He has suffered complications, and doctors say that it is unclear he will survive and that if he does he may suffer permanent brain damage.

Some 85,000 children may have already died here in Yemen, and 12 million more people may be on the brink of starvation, casualties in part of the three-year-old American-backed Saudi war in Yemen. United Nations officials and aid experts warn that this could become the worst famine the world has seen in a generation.

“The risk of a major catastrophe is very high,” Mark Lowcock, the United Nations humanitarian chief, told me. “In the worst case, what we have in Yemen now has the potential to be worse than anything any professional in this field has seen during their working lives.”

[Malvolio]

Cool! I like it! Thanks for sharing!

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Republicans Around The Country Are Working To Declare Democrats Unconstitutional

The lame-duck power grabs in Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina are part of a larger effort by Republicans to delegitimize any opponent. This bullshit scheme from the GOP is beyond revolting and needs to be stopped!

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Feds Investigating Millions Of Fake Messages Opposing Net Neutrality: Report

FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai conceded that 500,000 fake comments urging the death of the popular system came from Russian emails. How is it Idjit Pai still has his job?

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Trump Scorched Over Tweet Bashing Obama For Burning Through ‘Chief Of Staffs’

That’s why Obama couldn’t get his agenda passed, Trump scolded. And what's YOUR excuse, Donnie Dumbass?

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Rep. Joaquín Castro: If Trump Weren’t President, ‘He’d Be In Court Right Now’

The Texas Democrat also said Congress has to be willing to consider impeachment. And that option SHOULD be on the table.

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Democratic Women Are About To Lead Michigan. Republican Men Are Freaking Out.

“It’s literally women saying, ‘Here is what we want,’ and men walking over and saying, ‘Shhhhh,’” an advocate said. Republican men need to shut the **** up, grow up and deal with it.

I know what Nancy Pelosi would say, that impeachment is a waste of time because we can't get enough Republican Senators to flip in order to get a conviction, but I say, impeach Trump anyway! Give the Republicans a taste of their own medicine for a change! And an impeachment hearing would be very entertaining on C-SPAN.

[Tami]

I know what Nancy Pelosi would say, that impeachment is a waste of time because we can't get enough Republican Senators to flip in order to get a conviction, but I say, impeach Trump anyway! Give the Republicans a taste of their own medicine for a change! And an impeachment hearing would be very entertaining on C-SPAN.

They are walking a tightrope. While half of their constuents who voted for them want to see Trump Impeached, the other half want them to focus on issues like Healthcare, Climate Change, Education, Foreign Policy, etc.

So, before they jump on the impeachment bandwagon, they first must have an air-tight case against Trump. One that he and his Lawyers and the republicans can't wiggle out of.

[Iron Maiden]

Personally I'd rather Trump get defeated while seeking re-election so that he becomes... A LOSER, which he loathes. As for impeachment, I can see why some Democrats want to take it under consideration. It could end up backfiring the 2020 campaign if they're not careful.

[Tami]

Personally I'd rather Trump get defeated while seeking re-election so that he becomes... A LOSER, which he loathes. As for impeachment, I can see why some Democrats want to take it under consideration. It could end up backfiring the 2020 campaign if they're not careful.

Most are smart enough to realize this. Question is, will they succumb to political pressures from the Impeach Trump Crowds?

[Mister Mets]

Your Tax Dollars Help Starve Children

Are we sure the other side (the Houthi) should be in control?

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44466574

The Saudi-led coalition feared that continued success of the Houthis would give their rival regional power and Shia-majority state, Iran, a foothold in Yemen, Saudi Arabia's southern neighbour. Saudi Arabia says Iran is backing the Houthis with weapons and logistical support - a charge Iran denies.

Both sides have since been beset by infighting. The Houthis broke with Saleh and he was killed by Houthi fighters in December 2017. On the anti-Houthi side, militias include separatists seeking independence for south Yemen and factions who oppose the idea.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29319423

https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/09/08/...ilian-victims#

(Beirut) – The use of landmines by Houthi forces and their allies in Yemen’s third-largest city of Taizz has caused numerous civilian casualties and hinders the return of families displaced by the fighting. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh should immediately cease using these weapons and all parties to Yemen’s conflict should observe the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which Yemen joined in 1998.

On August 9, 2016, 11 civilians, including seven children, were killed by an antivehicle mine in al-Waziyah, a western part of Taizz, a local activist told Human Rights Watch. Two of the children were 4 years old.

“Houthi and allied forces are showing cold-hearted cruelty toward civilians by using landmines,” said Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch. “Yemen’s warring parties should immediately stop laying mines, destroy mines in their possession and ensure that demining teams can work unimpeded so that families can safely return home.”

https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/05/12/...hildren-battle

(Beirut) – The Houthi armed group in Yemen has intensified its recruitment, training, and deployment of children in violation of international law. Since September 2014, when the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, they have increasingly used children as scouts, guards, runners, and fighters, with some children being wounded and killed.

The Houthis and other armed groups using child soldiers in Yemen should immediately stop recruiting children, including “volunteers,” and release all children in their ranks, Human Rights Watch said.

“As fighting rages in Yemen, the Houthis have ramped up their recruitment of children,” said Fred Abrahams, special adviser. “Commanders from the Houthis and other armed groups should stop using children or risk prosecution for war crimes.”

In addition to the Houthis, Islamist and tribal militias and armed groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) are deploying child soldiers, Human Rights Watch said.

According to UNICEF, children with the Houthis and other armed groups comprise up to a third of all fighters in Yemen. Armed groups recruited at least 140 children between March 26 and April 24, 2015, alone, the UN agency said.

[Powerboy]

Personally I'd rather Trump get defeated while seeking re-election so that he becomes... A LOSER, which he loathes. As for impeachment, I can see why some Democrats want to take it under consideration. It could end up backfiring the 2020 campaign if they're not careful.

It will be equivalent to when the Republicans impeached Clinton. As in that case, the Senate won't ratify it and it makes it look like they used such a tactic for fear they couldn't beat him at the voting booth.

I'd rather see Trump lose fair and square even at the risk that he won't lose. Unless, of course, the evidence is so overwhelming that it's almost impossible to not impeach regardless that Trump's stupid followers will cry fake news and alternate facts no matter what.

[Mister Mets]

And of course, they will harp to no end on her one mistake, not knowing the three branches of government, the same way they harped on Obama's "57 States" gaffe for years after he made it. Meanwhile, their President makes enough gaffes in one week to fill a page-a-day calendar.

She's made other mistakes.

She claimed the US spent 21 trillion dollars on accounting errors in the defense department between 1998 and 2015, when total defense since 1940 is under 18 trillion dollars (she misunderstood a study about how the Pentagon has exxagerated levels of spending.)

https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...pentagon-acco/

She confused the defense spending in the military budget with the increase, and claimed a 700 billion dollar increase in defense spending for 2018.

https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...efense-budget/

She falsely claimed unemployment was low because of people holding two jobs, when that wouldn't affect the unemployment rate.

https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...l-counts-abou/

She claimed Israel was occupying Palestine, and then admit she had no idea what the hell she was talking about.

https://www.newsweek.com/ocasio-cort...expert-1029386

There are many younger and newer members of Congress who will make significant errors, especially when they get to office for the first time. She's under a lot of scrutiny because the media and national Democrats decided to highlight her, with the implication that others are less impressive and more prone to gaffes.

They are walking a tightrope. While half of their constuents who voted for them want to see Trump Impeached, the other half want them to focus on issues like Healthcare, Climate Change, Education, Foreign Policy, etc.

So, before they jump on the impeachment bandwagon, they first must have an air-tight case against Trump. One that he and his Lawyers and the republicans can't wiggle out of.

One big potential problem is that the rush for impeachment might hinder other investigations.

For example, Mueller is limited should Democrats hold hearings on key witnesses because those public statements will box in witnesses.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...r-trip-him-up/

Remember the Democrats’ newfound subpoena power? Turns out, it’s actually a double-edged sword. If Democrats begin summoning people to testify who are witnesses in or targets of the special counsel investigation, they could derail key parts of Mueller’s strategy. The most disruptive step Democrats could take would be to offer immunity to people Mueller is still in the process of questioning or prosecuting. And it has happened before: As part of its Iran-Contra investigation, Congress offered immunity to two former Reagan administration officials — John Poindexter and Oliver North — in exchange for their testimony about secret arms sales to Iran. The decision, which was strenuously opposed by the Iran-Contra independent counsel, ultimately resulted in both convictions being thrown out.

But let’s say immunity isn’t on the table. Holding public hearings with people who are in Mueller’s orbit could still cause problems for the special counsel, according to Katy Harriger, a political science professor at Wake Forest University who studies the history of independent counsel investigations. “There’s this perennial tension between congressional investigations and special prosecutors because Congress’s goal is to shed light on everything, while it’s much better for Mueller to keep what he’s doing secret until he issues his indictments,” she said.

So far, Mueller has been extremely successful at keeping the details of his investigation quiet. Reporters track the comings and goings of witnesses at his grand jury, but the details of what Mueller has learned and his overall strategy remain a mystery to observers, including the people who may be implicated. But public hearings could change this dynamic completely, allowing witnesses to coordinate with each other about the story they’re telling investigators. Congressional hearings could also produce testimony that conflicts with Mueller’s findings.

Communication with Mueller’s team could help the Democrats avoid some of these problems, but Barrett said that it might be better for them to avoid bringing in high-profile witnesses until Mueller’s investigation is complete. Instead, Democrats could start by subpoenaing documents and financial data that shed light on the events of 2016 without requiring someone like Roger Stone — the former Trump campaign official who claimed to be a pipeline to WikiLeaks — to testify publicly.

But if history is any indication, Mueller might want to brace himself for unwanted interference. “The Democrats will want to tread carefully, because we’ve had a long history of congressional investigations that were at cross-purposes with independent counsel investigations,” said Rosenzweig. However, legal experts like Rosenzweig say that there are many avenues that House Democrats can pursue that won’t step on Mueller’s toes, like investigating whether Russia has leverage over Trump’s financial interests.

In the end, if Democrats don’t want to disturb or undermine Mueller’s work, the best course of action might be the simplest (and one they’ve advised Trump to take many times over the past 18 months): Leave Mueller alone.

Personally I'd rather Trump get defeated while seeking re-election so that he becomes... A LOSER, which he loathes. As for impeachment, I can see why some Democrats want to take it under consideration. It could end up backfiring the 2020 campaign if they're not careful.

They have to thread the needle carefully. If they go too far, it makes the credible allegations against Trump seem suspect. If they don't do enough, Trump and Republicans can use the lack of pushback as an endorsement of legality.

[Mister Mets]

Time for an explanation of federal land that actually makes sense.

Thanks, that was excellent.

Senate Republican warns of civil war if Democrats continue supporting the Federal government

This seems to be a weeks-old story largely based on a Senator saying he's concerned about how people might react to a disparity in the law between the Western states and the rest of the country.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics...ee-says-toxic/

One of these days, somebody really needs to explain to me why private land ownership remains this kind of sacred cow that nobody dare challenge lest they undermine the very foundation of Western civilization. From a purely free market perspective, property belongs in the hands of the people that will use it best and generate the most value, and thus dispossessing and redistributing land is perfectly fair game, especially if most of those land titles came about through suspect methods, which applies to literally all of America.

How would you determine the people who use it best and generate the most value?

And why would people make investments in property if there is a significant possibility that it will be dispossessed and redistributed?

The thing is, if rent-seeking were not exploitative as a rule, then there would be no difference between renting and owning. Since landlords are rarely able to add value to their properties simply by virtue of owning them, in a free market it would be practically impossible to turn a profit simply by buying up real estate and renting it out. The fact that this is clearly not the case in reality implies that, to some degree or another, landlords are taking advantage of their ownership of a scarce resource to squeeze tenants against what anyone would consider fair market principles.

It doesn't necessarily follow that we need exploitation for renting to be a thing.

Some people will want to temporarily live in an area without committing to being responsible for the property forever. College students don't want to buy houses in areas they might not live in after graduation (this assumes they don't transfer at any point.) There are many careers where people change residences often, or don't assume they'll stay forever where they currently work. This is especially true of students and individuals who are starting their careers, and less likely to have saved up significant capital.

Others might not want to make the financial sacrifices to earn enough money to buy a property. They would rather pay more in the long term in order to have more spending money at any given time.

[wjowski]

Per 538, public support for impeachment is in the range of 30-38%. Not worth it IMO, better to use him to keep the base energized for 2020.

[Mecegirl]

Per 538, public support for impeachment is in the range of 30-38%. Not worth it IMO, better to use him to keep the base energized for 2020.

I think most people recognize thats its gonna start more drama than its worth. Better to just investigate what we need to and then vote accordingly in 2020.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

They are walking a tightrope. While half of their constuents who voted for them want to see Trump Impeached, the other half want them to focus on issues like Healthcare, Climate Change, Education, Foreign Policy, etc.

So, before they jump on the impeachment bandwagon, they first must have an air-tight case against Trump. One that he and his Lawyers and the republicans can't wiggle out of.

Agreed. Dems should focus on the issues and ONLY the issues. The impeachment talk is just the sort of red meat Trump has spent two years throwing to his lemmings every time he calls for Hillary Clinton to be investigated and locked up. Without an air tight, mortal lock case, Trump can skate free because Republicans won’t support impeachment like Bill Clinton did when Democrats looked the other way. In other words, it’s a nothingburger, hell, that talk might even get in the way of the Mueller investigation, so Dems should just cool it and focus on undoing Trump’s crapstorm.

[JCAll]

A month after election, new GOP senator already faces investigation

So the guy that ran the dirtiest, most dishonest, flame baiting campaign of the year might have done crimes? Not surprised.