All Purpose News and Politics Thread Part IV: The Center Cannot Hold

[Tami]

Election Warnings Blare, But Action Stalls In Congress

Sen. Chuck Schumer called inaction by Congress a “disgrace” and pledged to keep pushing for votes. Well, Republicans know that Russian meddling would help them, so why should they impede the work of the Ivans?

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N.J. School Board Member: ‘My Life Would Be Complete’ If Rep. Rashida Tlaib Died

Daniel Leonard is refusing to resign despite backlash from community members and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Yo, Tami! Have you heard about this shitstain and what he said?

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Democrats Just Blew Up A Top Trump Argument For Keeping His Taxes Secret

Contrary to the Trump administration, Congress actually HAS grabbed a sitting president’s confidential tax info before. Well now, isn't THAT interesting!

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Ilhan Omar Condemns Donald Trump’s Racism In Scathing New York Times Op-Ed

The Minnesota lawmaker said Trump’s campaign rally in which his supporters chanted to “send her back” will be “a defining moment” in U.S. history.

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Trump Introduces New Defense Secretary Mark Esper With New Word: ‘Infantroopen’

Is this the new “covfefe”? Probably.

I haven't before, but I have now and probably will hear more soon enough. If I get any news I'll share it.

As far as 'Infantrooper' it sounds about right for a member of an Administration that cages children.

[JackDaw]

Also not a Brit, but I try to follow along (and I have some friends who follow British politics closely).

Apart from what Mister Mets and Kusanagi mentioned, Britain runs on a strict FPTP system, and there are strong local differences in party support, causing an election map that is heavily gerrymandered in favour of Labour and Tories. The support for the LibDems is however much more diffusely distributed.

This effect can also be seen in seen in that the only parties with consistent representantion (keeping hold of their constituencies over several elections) in the UK parliament outside of Labour and Tories are regional ones: SNP of Scotland, Plaid Cymru of Wales, and the DUP, UUP, SDLP, and Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland (and the FPTP logic and other factors have now reduced that to just the DUP and Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland).

Meanwhile, neither the UKIP nor the LibDem (or their earlier versions the Liberals and the Social Democrats) has ever managed to gain any lasting strength in the UK parliament, while having some success in the European elections (which must be run proportionally).



Exactly. The LibDems bet hard on being able to change the UK election system to a more proportional one. If they had achieved that, they'd have managed a strategic win. But they failed in that, and the way they made themselves into a doormat for the Tories meant they came across as utterly spineless and ineffectual.

I could nitpick a bit (for example the Liberals were one of the two main UK parties for a couple of hundred years and often formed government, only losing influence in early 20th century. And Libdems were in full coalition government with Tories in last 10 years)...but essentially it's true: the first past post system makes it difficult for any minority party (i.e. any party other than Labour or Conservatives) unless the support is concentrated in a few geographical areas.

However, UK politics is a real state of flux now...arguments could be put forward for both main parties imploding in next 10 years.

Probably only substantial area I disagree with you is that I think you are harsh in your view of Libdems ("utterly spineless and ineffectual")… they were minority partners when they formed coalition government with Tories...there was always going to be limited in what influence they could wield. But I think they did a good job overall, particularly in making tax policy a bit fairer, and slowing down rate of economic cuts Tories wanted to make.

But...your view is the one most Brits agree with...my view is definitely a minority one in UK.

[SquirrelMan]

Antifa violently attacking anyone that doesn't agree with the extreme left. If it was just Neo Nazi's that would be one thing but now Nazi has become anyone who isn't fringe left. You also see Antifa violently attacking reporters for the crime of just being present during confrontations and recording them.

Black Lives matter supporters murdering cops. Two officers assassinated in New York City, 5 in Dallas by a BLM supporter, 3 in Lousiana not long after. Many others shot or killed since. All by those radicalized by of the lies of the left that would have you believe that cops are gunning down unarmed black men on a daily basis when in reality nationwide it was a total of 20 in 2017 and 15 in 2018. And most of them were clearly justified when facts came out - for instance here are a couple of the 2017 cases: 1) The unarmed black man was violently beating the cop to death including repeatedly smashing the cop's head over and over into the concrete ground, 2) A black man with a bomb strapped to his chest who had taken hostages and was threatening to blow himself and the hostages up. A sniper shot him before he could but later they found the bomb was a fake so he got labelled an "unarmed" black man. Most end up being like this.

For every instance of violence you can cite on the right I can cite one back at you from Antifa or unhinged BLM supporters. Its disappointing that Trump won't wholly disavow the Neo Nazi groups on the right but its equally disappointing that the left wont disavow Antifa or the BLM elements that are inciting the attacks and murder of police officers. Just this week there have been numerous attacks against NYPD where people are throwing water on officers just trying to do their job. Some will go "its just water" but mark my words this is going to end badly because its going to escalate into more than water and will soon end up being bleach or something else caustic or deadly. Where's AOC condeming this kind of attack or behavior seeing as its happening right there in her town?

Are you ok?

[SquirrelMan]

Like there isn't anything else he could be doing right now.

It's a talking point for the fake #walkaway Internet troll movement.
I am not quite sure if Trump is feeding them the story, if they are feeding it to him (via Twitter) or if a third party like Miller is feeding it to both.

[kjn]

I could nitpick a bit (for example the Liberals were one of the two main UK parties for a couple of hundred years and often formed government, only losing influence in early 20th century. And Libdems were in full coalition government with Tories in last 10 years)...but essentially it's true: the first past post system makes it difficult for any minority party (i.e. any party other than Labour or Conservatives) unless the support is concentrated in a few geographical areas.

Yeah, I was mainly talking about the post-1945 period.

However, UK politics is a real state of flux now...arguments could be put forward for both main parties imploding in next 10 years.

Agreed, mainly over Brexit. In a way, the longer things go on, the greater the risk that Labour or Tories split. Even a no-deal Brexit is likely to stop the risk of splits within the main UK parties, I think, but no-one wants to take the blame for that one.

Probably only substantial area I disagree with you is that I think you are harsh in your view of Libdems ("utterly spineless and ineffectual")… they were minority partners when they formed coalition government with Tories...there was always going to be limited in what influence they could wield. But I think they did a good job overall, particularly in making tax policy a bit fairer, and slowing down rate of economic cuts Tories wanted to make.

But...your view is the one most Brits agree with...my view is definitely a minority one in UK.

Oh, I'm sure they managed to make the Tory government a little nicer, but they didn't gain a single big success, and more importantly weren't seen doing a single big success. What happened to the LibDems is largely similar to what happened to the Greens in Sweden during the last election here, as they had joined the Social Democrats in government. They managed some things (especially where they aligned with the more progressive elements of the Social Democrats or the Left Party), but they were utterly unused at power politics and had to publically give in on some of their more valued policy positions. They were not punished as hard as the LibDems, but still suffered very badly.

[Tuck]

I'm at work and can't look up the others, but the Dallas shooter was NOT part of BLM. The guy was part of the Sovereign Citizen movement, which coincidentally is the group most dangerous to police officers.

Unless I'm confusing it with a similar movement, I believe the Sovereign Citizen movement believes only white people can be sovereign citizens.

So, it couldn't really be further away from BLM.

[Gray Lensman]

Unless I'm confusing it with a similar movement, I believe the Sovereign Citizen movement believes only white people can be sovereign citizens.

So, it couldn't really be further away from BLM.

There is a black splinter group that follows many of the same tenets - the Dallas shooter was part of that. While he wasn't part of say...the Bundy group, he was part of the overall movement, which by the nature of what they believe isn't very unified.

If the white nationalists are the extreme fringe of the right, and antifa is the extreme fringe of the left, sov cits are the extreme fringe of libertarian beliefs. While mostly white, it isn't exclusive.

[Tuck]

There is a black splinter group that follows many of the same tenets - the Dallas shooter was part of that. While he wasn't part of say...the Bundy group, he was part of the overall movement, which by the nature of what they believe isn't very unified.

Aren't they the ones who are obsessed with whether or not your name is spelled in capital letters on your Social Security Card?

Some nonsense about people being tricked into contracting away their sovereignty.

I'd have to go research it at this point. It's hard to retain information that is essentially gibberish.

If the white nationalists are the extreme fringe of the right, and antifa is the extreme fringe of the left, sov cits are the extreme fringe of libertarian beliefs. While mostly white, it isn't exclusive.

Where does that put the LaRouche people?

[JackDaw]

Yeah, I was mainly talking about the post-1945 period.



Agreed, mainly over Brexit. In a way, the longer things go on, the greater the risk that Labour or Tories split. Even a no-deal Brexit is likely to stop the risk of splits within the main UK parties, I think, but no-one wants to take the blame for that one.



Oh, I'm sure they managed to make the Tory government a little nicer, but they didn't gain a single big success, and more importantly weren't seen doing a single big success. What happened to the LibDems is largely similar to what happened to the Greens in Sweden during the last election here, as they had joined the Social Democrats in government. They managed some things (especially where they aligned with the more progressive elements of the Social Democrats or the Left Party), but they were utterly unused at power politics and had to publically give in on some of their more valued policy positions. They were not punished as hard as the LibDems, but still suffered very badly.

I don’t think Brexit is main danger for Labour..in fact I think the chaos Brexit is inflicting on the Tories is the only thing that gives Labour a chance of survival. The party’s handling of complaints from its own Jewish members has been abysmal, the Deputy Leader (Tom Watson) is in open rebellion against the leader (Jeremy Corbyn), and many of the party’s own MP’s hold their leader in comtempt. I say all that as a long term Labour supporter.

The Lib Dem’s demanded..and got..a referendum on Proportional Representation (to replace first past the post system). I don’t see what more they could have done..the system could not be changed without permission of UK electorate (no party had gone into the preceding general election on that basis).

The referendum on proportional representation was held in 2011, and motion for change was heavily defeated. (I actually voted for proportional representation..but was in minority, as often happens.)

[BeastieRunner]

Beastie's Cartoons of the Week:

[Robotman]

If republicans and Fox News are going to continue to call Democrats Communist then the left needs to start labeling Trump, McConnell and co. as fascists. It’s far closer to the truth.

[Kirby101]

If republicans and Fox News are going to continue to call Democrats Communist then the left needs to start labeling Trump, McConnell and co. as fascists. It’s far closer to the truth.

No Democrat is a Communist. Some are Social Democrats, whch is different than Socialists. Trump and many Republicans are actual facscist.
But the Media will continue to broadcast everytime a Dem is called a Socialist or Communist, and keep silent about the GOP fascism.

[BeastieRunner]

Nadler has requested Grand Jury documents for review. This includes witness testimony, evidence, and items referred to other body's of investigation. This will be a larger scope than the Mueller Report covered and give them the full Mueller report.

"In a significant escalation, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, the Democratic chairman of the committee, said at a news conference that the application to the court would declare that the panel needs access to Mr. Mueller’s grand-jury evidence — such as witness testimony — to decide whether to recommend articles of impeachment against the president.

Because Department of Justice policies will not allow prosecution of a sitting president, the United States House of Representatives is the only institution of the federal government that can now hold President Trump accountable for these actions.”

The HJC plans to represent to the court that it is considering bringing forth articles of impeachment against the POTUS. It is couching the request in purely constitutional terms (say hello to the Article I powers to recommend and to act upon such proposed measures in good faith).

Once this is done, if the HJC gets the evidence it seeks, the committee at least will have to launch an impeachment inquiry to test that evidence. If it doesn't, the committee will be guilty of misrepresenting itself to the courts, which the courts do not like at all. Meaning both the Rs and Ds on the HJC will be facing impeachment or at least censure themselves. This is a big roll of the dice.

Nadler also roped in Barr and the DOJ by telling the court that the DOJ and WH stonewalling left the HJC no other choice than to ask formally for the Grand Jury material.

Pelosi also said separately:

"Democrats are seeking to enforce subpoenas in court for certain documents in their investigation, as well as testimony from witnesses, all of which the administration has not complied with. This includes requests for six years of the president's tax returns. “Everybody has the liberty and the luxury to espouse their own position and to criticize me for trying to go down the path in the most determined, positive way,” she said. “Again, their advocacy for impeachment only gives me leverage.”

Nadler's motion and Pelosi's remarks strike me as the result of serious re-negotiations within the Democratic House caucus. Pelosi seems to have freed up Nadler to move on the Grand Jury material. Also, several prominent Rs left the D's caucus meeting, signaling that the GOP is beginning to schism.

I guess the question will finally be answered is Trump a calculating genius or a crooked fraud?

https://www.newsweek.com/have-democr...-waver-1451372
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...shion-n1035051
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/...idence-1436846
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/26/polit...ury/index.html

[InformationGeek]

Hmmmmmm, I thought Mexico was paying for this?

BREAKING: Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to tap Pentagon funds for border wall construction

[Iron Maiden]

If republicans and Fox News are going to continue to call Democrats Communist then the left needs to start labeling Trump, McConnell and co. as fascists. It’s far closer to the truth.

Where's that like button when you need it?

On another note, has anyone been watching former Trump friend and frequent MSNBC guest Donny Deutsch's Saturday Night Politics show? I find it better sometimes to watch his show to get a sort of summary of the week's shenanigans. Last's week's panel was very interesting. The theme was people that were either Trump friends or those who worked closely with him over a period of years. The guests included Barbara Res, who worked for Trump for 18 years, Anthony Scaramucci, Sam Nunberg, Omarosa and one other long time friend whose name escapes me. I just found it funny to see Omarosa's claws come out when one of the topics of the night was "Where's Ivanka"? She does have a knack for laying low when Daddy is at his worst. All the older acquiantances of Trump repeated that Trump had no part in raising the children he had with Ivana.