All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[BeastieRunner]

That would have to be built on any of the media who would be in a position to ask actually caring enough about the folks you mentioned to ask the question.

Which is not the safest assumption.

Running a clip of folks yelling "Vote Him Out!!..." apparently warrants being run every hour on some channels.

A piece of folks who are between a rock and a hard place in a tough economy?

Haven't really seen that in the hourly rotation.

It is outside of conservative media.

[Tami]

There is something absurdly funny about this

Cutting N.J. mandatory minimum sentences stalled by quiet move to include misconduct by public officials

Legislation that would eliminate or reduce mandatory minimum sentences in New Jersey for non-violent drug offenses and property crimes stalled in the state Legislature on Thursday after a controversial amendment was recently added to the proposal.

The bill failed to clear its last hurdle before it could be sent to the governor after lawmakers in the state Assembly didn’t vote on it during a regular session in Trenton.

The pause comes after revisions were quietly made that added official misconduct to the list of crimes eligible for reduced sentences.

Official misconduct is sometimes used to prosecute politicians, police officers and other public workers.

It’s unclear who added the language to the bill (A4369/S2586). Its sponsors — state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, D-Middlesex — didn’t immediately respond for comment.

But Lopez told Politico NJ, which first reported the amendment, she didn’t know of the changes.

“I was not aware of this amendment until recently, and I’m taking it under careful review with leadership,” Lopez told the political news website last week. “Any change we make to this legislation needs to reflect the intention of the bill, which is to eliminate racial disparities in prison.”

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said Thursday lawmakers are still reviewing the changes to the bill.

“We’re still evaluating that one,” Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said. “I want to understand what the change was in the Senate and how that would practically impact it before we make a call on it,”

Gov. Phil Murphy, meanwhile, all but shut the door on signing a final bill that included official misconduct.

[Tami]

Louisville police major on antifa and BLM: 'They will be the ones washing our cars'

The Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Department is looking into a derogatory email a police major sent to her colleagues in August that said people who are part of antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement are "punks" who are not important, a spokesman said.

The email was written by Maj. Bridget Hallahan, who commands the police department's Fifth Division.

Hallahan, 47, confirmed to NBC News on Thursday that she sent the email and said fellow officers have been supportive. She also said she retires in six days.

Phillip Bailey, a journalist in Louisville, tweeted screenshots of the email Tuesday evening. He said it had been provided to him by an unnamed law enforcement source.

[Tami]

COVID-DENIER Conspiracy theorist Trump supporter Tony Tenpenny who dismissed coronavirus as ‘socialist’ hoax is killed by disease

[WestPhillyPunisher]

COVID-DENIER Conspiracy theorist Trump supporter Tony Tenpenny who dismissed coronavirus as ‘socialist’ hoax is killed by disease

Karma continues making fools of people like this guy, Herman Cain and scores of other deniers, and yet, the lesson STILL isn't sinking in. I can't help but wonder if in his last days, or even hours if Tenpenny, isolated, alone and probably afraid, regretted calling COVID a hoax as the virus stole his life away like so many others who refused to believe it's a deadly menace. It's both sad, and pathetic when this happens, over and over and over, especially since taking simple steps doctors preached about since day one of the pandemic would keep people safe and alive.

[PaulBullion]

Just how ugly will the debates get?

Trump will be barely coherent and hint at naming himself dictator for life.

The media will say Biden was almost over-prepared and failed to connect with male Hispanics between the ages of 38 and 43.

[PaulBullion]

There really should be a rule that says if you say, "Throw out the ballets" and you're immediately removed from office by the secret service. Do not pass go, do not collect another term.

They could call it the Baryshnikov Rule.

[Tami]

Trump administration rescinded ‘Courage Award’ for woman who criticized Trump, then gave false explanation for its decision, watchdog finds

The Trump administration rescinded an award recognizing the work of a journalist from Finland last year after discovering she had criticized President Trump in social media posts, then gave a false explanation for withdrawing the honor, according to a report by the State Department’s internal watchdog.

The report tracks how the discovery of the journalist’s remarks worried senior U.S. officials and prompted a decision to withdraw the honor to avoid a possible public relations debacle.

The report’s release is likely to worsen tensions between the department’s leadership and the inspector general’s office, which has undergone several shake-ups following the firing of Inspector General Steve Linick in the spring at the request of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

According to the report, the journalist, Jessikka Aro, was selected for the State Department’s International Women of Courage Awards for her reporting on Russian propaganda activities dating back to 2014. Aro endured death threats and cyber attacks for her work, which helped expose Russian troll factories.

After she was informed of her selection and offered flight options, State Department interns discovered her Facebook and Twitter posts, including one from September 2018 in which she noted that “Trump constantly labels journalists as ‘enemy’ and ‘fake news,’” said the report. In another tweet she noted that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet in Helsinki where “Finnish people can protest them both. Sweet.”

According to meeting notes obtained by the IG, senior U.S. officials argued that Aro’s invitation should be withdrawn, including the acting director of the Office of Global Women’s Issues. The director’s concerns included the possibility that the “media could highlight the tweets and Facebook posts during the ceremony,” which could cause “potential embarrassment to the Department, particularly given the involvement of the Secretary and the First Lady [Melania Trump].”

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Trump administration rescinded ‘Courage Award’ for woman who criticized Trump, then gave false explanation for its decision, watchdog finds

In short, the administration was worried about Trump throwing a hissy fit if he learned about that reporter's criticism. Someone remind me again how we liberals are supposed to be the snowflakes.

[Malvolio]

Trump will be barely coherent and hint at naming himself dictator for life.

The media will say Biden was almost over-prepared and failed to connect with male Hispanics between the ages of 38 and 43.

It's interesting how some of the pundits still talk like this is a normal election and as if Trump is playing by the rules. Maybe they should get Jim Ross or Michael Cole to join the panel.

[Ragged Maw]

Trump administration rescinded ‘Courage Award’ for woman who criticized Trump, then gave false explanation for its decision, watchdog finds

If I were Trump, I’d let her keep the award. Because by taking it back, I’d be implicitly stating that taking the piss at me in spite of my power/influence is hardly a daunting undertaking that requires courage. In other words, I’m not imposing enough to even be feared, let alone respected......Or at least, that’s what other professional smart-asses would go with.

[Tami]

It's interesting how some of the pundits still talk like this is a normal election and as if Trump is playing by the rules. Maybe they should get Jim Ross or Michael Cole to join the panel.

I think it's good to make this seem like a normal election, at least as far as the debates are concerned, in that it emphasizes just how abnormal Trump is.

[BeastieRunner]

There really should be a rule that says if you say, "Throw out the ballets" and you're immediately removed from office by the secret service. Do not pass go, do not collect another term.

I'm not surprised Trump hates the arts so much.

(I know you meant ballots but this makes it so much more funny).

They could call it the Baryshnikov Rule.

Glad I wasn't the only one to notice that! Excellent joke my friend.

[worstblogever]

It's interesting how some of the pundits still talk like this is a normal election and as if Trump is playing by the rules. Maybe they should get Jim Ross or Michael Cole to join the panel.

There's enough talk about deteriorating mental faculties without including Jim Ross in the mix. (He was the greatest in his prime, but good ol' JR has been kind of sad to listen to on AEW. He's a shadow of himself).

[babyblob]

There's enough talk about deteriorating mental faculties without including Jim Ross in the mix. (He was the greatest in his prime, but good ol' JR has been kind of sad to listen to on AEW. He's a shadow of himself).

That is true but how great would it be to hear him say Biden is going to stomp a Texas sized mud hole in Trump at the debate

The debate will be interesting to watch. Trump is better at thinking off the cuff then Biden and he is a bit more fired up. But you know that will also hurt Trump as he will say some dumbass things.