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

[Tazirai]

Another Justice Democrat Sarah Smith has won her Election and another Progressive heads to the general.
So all in all Bernie, and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez had a pretty good night, along with the rest of us Progressives.

55-60% win rate so far 8 out of 13 races won.
But according to Politico and Dave Weigel, Progressives had a bad night lol.

Challenger Sarah Smith advances to November election to face fellow Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith

[worstblogever]

Trump does so many terrible things that Mets will likely have to break it down into categories.

Potentially treasonous things Trump has done - from refusing to even criticize Putin to trying to destroy alliances, and the closing ring of the Mueller probe.

Bigoted things Trump has done.

Assaults upon democracy and the rule of law not connected to foreign dictators.

Corrupt things Trump has done not covered under the earlier categories.

- Times where he incoherently rambled about topics without understanding how incorrect he is
- Times where he flat out incoherently spewed out word salad so bad experts were left wondering what he was talking about or if he was just sundowning.
- Times where he told obvious lies, in particular, deflecting by accusing a perceived enemy of doing exactly of what he is guilty of.

I literally have to take breaks every 15 minutes to Wiki search a random movie, actor, or musician just to decompress for my own sanity's sake.

[catbellysqueezer]

You can see a full list of Donald Trump's lies here:

http://projects.thestar.com/donald-trump-fact-check/

[Gray Lensman]

- Times where he incoherently rambled about topics without understanding how incorrect he is
- Times where he flat out incoherently spewed out word salad so bad experts were left wondering what he was talking about or if he was just sundowning.
- Times where he told obvious lies, in particular, deflecting by accusing a perceived enemy of doing exactly of what he is guilty of.

I literally have to take breaks every 15 minutes to Wiki search a random movie, actor, or musician just to decompress for my own sanity's sake.

7 categories, and I bet each one is over the word limit per post.

[Mister Mets]

Trump does so many terrible things that Mets will likely have to break it down into categories.

Potentially treasonous things Trump has done - from refusing to even criticize Putin to trying to destroy alliances, and the closing ring of the Mueller probe.

Bigoted things Trump has done.

Assaults upon democracy and the rule of law not connected to foreign dictators.

Corrupt things Trump has done not covered under the earlier categories.

The claim was about clear (not potential) treason and madness.

[numberthirty]

I never said it would be easy. Read the last part of my last sentence. It has been done in Maine and Vermont. So it can be done. We're just going to have to realize that some states (like New York, unfortunately) put up roadblocks to third parties. And just bitching about it whenever it doesn't work the first time (or the second or third) doesn't really accomplish much.

What will actually accomplish something is a different discussion that pointing out that it is happening.

If this was Republicans doing it to Democrats, I have a feeling that we would be having a different discussion. Since it is not the big two, seems like it's not such a big deal.

[Gray Lensman]

The claim was about clear (not potential) treason and madness.

Are you going with the legal definition? - because that requires more proof than the general public has.

Personally, I would count every time Trump has attacked Americans in order to excuse Putin, every time he has undermined longstanding alliances to the benefit of an avowed enemy, and every attempt to undermine the rule of law and general democratic principles to be treason. That's just my opinion, but if you attempt to undermine democracy in a country founded upon it, then you are a traitor.

[Tami]

Rain pouring, Trump rages on Twitter and hangs with bikers

BEDMINSTER, N.J. (AP) — As rain dumped on his New Jersey golf club, President Donald Trump raged on Saturday, lashing out at his Justice Department on Twitter before welcoming members of a "Bikers for Trump" fan group to the manicured grounds.

Dozens and dozens of gleaming Harleys, Hondas and other motorcycles descended on the central New Jersey property for what had been billed as an outdoor photo-op with Trump. But pouring rain and flash-flood warnings scrambled the plan, sending soggy bikers inside a crystal-chandeliered club house ballroom, where Trump signed autographs and posed for selfies and his guests booed reporters.

It was a classic, chaotic Trump scene reminiscent of his ramshackle early campaign. The president was continuing an extended working vacation away from Washington.

The day began on Twitter at 8:36 a.m. with a broadside against the FBI, which Trump accused of stonewalling a public records request for former Deputy Attorney General Andrew McCabe's text messages.

"What are they hiding?" the president asked, threatening that he "may have to get involved" personally in internal FBI business and warning, "DO NOT DESTROY."

Trump appeared in a better mood when he greeted the bikers, who chanted "Four more years!" and "USA!" as he entered the ballroom. Rain streamed down the windows and pools formed on the empty golf greens outside.

He quickly pointed out the sopping-wet media, which sparked jeers and calls to "tell the truth." And he thanked the group, saying they'd been with him since the beginning and calling their motorcycles "the most beautiful bikes anyone's ever seen."

He later walked into the crowd of supporters, shaking hands, posing for selfies and signing autograph.

At one point, Trump returned to the podium to poll those in the crowd on their views of the press, prompting more jeers. One joked that the press pool should be thrown out in the rain.

The president largely ignored reporters' shouted questions, except for one about former White House adviser and reality star Omarosa Manigault Newman and her new book, which includes scandalous — and often unsupported — accusations against Trump.

The president leaned over and cupped his hand around his mouth as if to whisper.

"Lowlife. She's a lowlife," Trump said.

[Tami]

Election officials vote to rein in independent watchdog

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state's Board of Elections voted to weaken the powers of an independent elections law watchdog Wednesday in a move widely criticized by good-government groups, elected officials and candidates.

On a vote of 3-1, the board decided to require the state's independent enforcement counsel to justify in writing each subpoena they want to issue when investigating alleged campaign finance and election law cases.

The board already had control over whether subpoenas could be issued in any particular case, but the new rule means the counsel must get approval on a subpoena-by-subpoena basis.

The Board of Elections is comprised of two Republicans and two Democrats picked by legislative and party leaders and appointed by the governor. Board members who supported the change on Wednesday said it was intended to give them more information and oversight over important investigations.

Critics including state Attorney General Barbara Underwood, a Democrat, blasted the new rule.

"Gutting the enforcement counsel's authority and independence will only serve to encourage more corruption in New York," Underwood said in a statement.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office opposed the change, calling it unnecessary, according to spokesman Tyrone Stevens. Current counsel Risa Sugarman also had warned against the rule when it was proposed.

[numberthirty]

Well, is he really wrong about Omarosa?

Factor the whole thing in. What is the case for that she isn't? As big of a lowlife as Trump? Probably not? A Lowlife? Could be.

[Tami]

Well, is he really wrong about Omarosa?

Factor the whole thing in. What is the case for that she isn't? As big of a lowlife as Trump? Probably not? A Lowlife? Could be.

It's like Trump yelling into a mirror. No one doubts that Omarosa is a complete package of questionable behaviors, but Trump is just as bad if not worse.

[numberthirty]

No argument there.

[aja_christopher]

Are you going with the legal definition? - because that requires more proof than the general public has.

Personally, I would count every time Trump has attacked Americans in order to excuse Putin, every time he has undermined longstanding alliances to the benefit of an avowed enemy, and every attempt to undermine the rule of law and general democratic principles to be treason. That's just my opinion, but if you attempt to undermine democracy in a country founded upon it, then you are a traitor.

According to one of his previous posts "clarifying" yet another covertly racist Republican comment, "plausible deniability" is apparently all that's needed to keep the deception going -- even if everyone knows the truth (such as that Trump used illegal means via Russian intelligence to steal the presidency) he still seems to think people think it's "plausible" that Trump might not have sold America out to the Russians for his own benefit.

Polling seems to show that the voters know better... as does Mueller and the rest of the FBI, the CIA, and the vast majority of our international allies as well, some of whom sent us the intelligence that confirmed his treachery.

If Mets wants to pretend that he -- and the rest of the Republican party -- don't know that said party is defending a criminal, then let him play those games as he will.

The voters won't and Mueller won't and that's all that matters.

-----
"This is how we know we're a real family here." -- Paul Ryan

[heretic]

They had a super majority and because too many damn blue dogs and center right Democrats were part of that super majority they had to give up on universal healthcare. Don’t know why that’s so damn hard to understand. No I don’t want to vote for the same pieces of trash that put that anchor on us before just because of the D next to the name

So is the solution:
A) Let the people running to the right of said Blue Dogs and Center Right sorts win?
B) Primary the crap out of those who do not measure up and back the party as damage control even if your chosen candidate loses?

[heretic]

Ugh. Tony Perkins...between him, James Dobson of Focus on the Family, and televangelists in general, they have dkne more damage to the faith they claim to love and represent than any number of gay parents, gay teens, trans people wanting to use the bathroom in peace, or abortions.

To be honest... that is not a terribly high bar.