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

[godisawesome]

It looks like either Harris or Duckworth are the best bets for Biden. Each brings their own strong points and weaknesses - the issue is going to be what set wins out. Personally I like Duckworth with Harris as AG to root out Trumpism from the government - that's a monumental task in and of itself.

Any complaints about Harris being “too ambitious” need to not be given any credit within Biden’s camp or outside of it - that’s a bullshit reason to disqualify her. Her past as an attorney general might give some pause, though, in terms of trying to best harness rage at the injustice of the system right now.

Duckworth, I’ll be honest, feels like the only reason I would doubt her would be if she herself doesn’t feel up to that role just yet, or if their strategists dig up something about her that is damaging. Considering her personal courage and trailblazing nature as the wounded decorated vet not afraid to be a political leader and a mom at the same time... she could be a heavy hitter.

[4saken1]

Enthusiasm is nice. Didn't help Bernie win the primary tho. So I'm not sure why everyone talks about not having it like enthusiasm automatically wins votes.

Didn't you hear? The DNC rigged the Primaries. I mean, duh!!!

[PwrdOn]

So now Castro is a icon of human rights? Sorry, that is ridiculous.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...of-two-worlds/

The US backed Baptista government was horrible, and there are good things in healthcare and education the Castro government did.
But he was still a ruthless dictator.

Of course Castro's government has its faults, but it's interesting that "human rights" only ever gets brought up when talking about enemies of the United States. And there's been ZERO discussion as to why people like Karen Bass would show affection toward Castro, but if you step back for a second it's pretty easy to understand why she and many other black Americans admired him. While post-revolutionary Cuba is hardly free of racism, Castro was instrumental in ending the system of racial apartheid and slavery in all but name that had been in place ever since the island was colonized by the Spanish. Beyond that Castro formed many alliances with left wing revolutionaries in Africa and the rest of the third world, most notably sending thousands of the country's renowned doctors abroad to some of the poorest nations in the world. But more than all of that, the fact that Cuba managed to exist right on America's doorstep and survive even as it faced unprecedented economic pressure and geopolitical isolation is pretty much just a gigantic **** you to Western imperialism and it's pretty easy to see how that would be seen as inspirational by oppressed peoples everywhere, even if the Cuban regime itself has plenty of its own flaws.

[BeastieRunner]

Duckworth will get me out campaigning for Biden.

[Tendrin]

Duckworth will get me out campaigning for Biden.

Love Duckworth. It's probably gonna be Harris and I think it's a good pick for him but I worry about the impact of misogynoir.

[Kuro no Shinigami]

Given her popularity with the American people, Kim Kardashian would make a swell running mate for Biden

[Wildling]

Given her popularity with the American people, Kim Kardashian would make a swell running mate for Biden

And given reports of her concerns about COVID, Melania's Don't Care jacket will win over Trumpanzees still on the fence due to viral death concerns. Re-election's in the bag.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

White House Not Optimistic On Near-Term Deal For Coronavirus Relief Bill

Lawmakers and the White House have been unable to reach an accord for a next round of economic relief from the pandemic. Meanwhile, people suffer, starve and worry about ending up on the street. Does Trump and the Republican Party care? NOPE!

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Clock Is Ticking On Trump Comeback As Early Voting Nears

Trump’s aides are worried that the president’s 2020 re-election campaign is starting to run out of time. To which I say----GOOD!

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Top Democrat Warns: Trump Will Invoke ‘Some Kind Of Emergency’ Action To Stay In Office

Republicans, including White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, have downplayed the president’s suggestion that the election be delayed. If Republicans are downplaying what Trump said, it was because they're afraid of pissing him off if they were to balk.

====================

In coronavirus news:

Nancy Pelosi Says She Does Not Have Confidence In Dr. Deborah Birx

The House speaker reportedly called the White House coronavirus task force member “the worst” in a closed-door meeting. Well, I stopped trusting Birx after her glaring silence during Trump's "Inject disinfectants" presser.

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Top Health Official: Time To ‘Move On’ From Hydroxychloroquine Efficacy Claims

There’s “no evidence” to show the anti-malarial drug is effective in treating COVID-19, Adm. Brett Giroir said. Trump sure won't like that, neither will Louie Gohmert who's said to be taking the stuff after he tested positive. Speaking of Loopy Louie....

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Lawmaker With COVID: My Health Choices Are Up To Me. Critics: That’s What Women Assert.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, who believes women should be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term, is suddenly all about (his) freedom of choice. Yeah, freedom for him and only him.

[numberthirty]

...

**********

Clock Is Ticking On Trump Comeback As Early Voting Nears

Trump’s aides are worried that the president’s 2020 re-election campaign is starting to run out of time. To which I say----GOOD!

**********

Starting to run out of time?

It is August, and his one real shot at a safe chance of winning this one was someone else making serious progress in containing this so that he could coast off of it.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

"Do as I say, not as I do":

Barron Trump’s Private School Barred From In-Person Learning Until Oct. 1

President Trump insists that schools reopen, but the Maryland school where his son is enrolled is among those under county orders to stay closed.

[JCAll]

Biden has been running/winning on the fact that he’s not Trump. He doesn’t have the charisma of Obama (or even 1990s Bill Clinton), but thus far he hasn’t had to. His campaign has been playing things quite well by limiting Biden’s interviews and public appearances while Trump continues to say one horrible thing after another and the COVID death toll keeps climbing. Biden has been making simplistic Presidential sounding statements in response. It hasn’t been creating huge excitement but it’s been a good strategy thus far.

It would be great if he chooses a VP who brings some energy and excitement to the ticket, but as he’s currently in a good position he really shouldn’t pick anyone who could give Trump ammo. Elizabeth Warren would bring some excitement from the left leaning side of the Democratic voters but you can imagine Trump’s team running “socialists Pocahontas” attack ads nonstop. Bass is out after her past statements surfaced. Really can’t have someone praise Castro when you’re trying to win Florida. I like Stacey Abrams but she is very low key. Even describing herself as an “introvert”.

Harris is probably the safest bet but she seems to be criticized by people in Biden’s camp for being too ambitious. I think a lot of his team just hasn’t gotten over the debate.



Trump is going to use every underhanded trick in the book and probably invent some new ones. They really need to prepare for as many crazy scenarios as possible.

Honestly, I think I've had enough excitement. Right now boring is what I'm looking for.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Honestly, I think I've had enough excitement. Right now boring is what I'm looking for.

My thoughts exactly. I'm tired of the presidency being treated like some stupid reality show where the office holder is obsessed with ratings instead of being concerned about the people he's sworn to serve.

[numberthirty]

Honestly, I think I've had enough excitement. Right now boring is what I'm looking for.

Honestly?

I would be fine with some excitement.

A Democratic administration that actually gets something done on a public option(Heck, actual movement towards single payer...)?

Gimme some of that excitement.

A Democratic administration that actually makes some progress on sensible treatment of minorities or anything like logical drug laws?

Seriously, gimme some of that excitement.

Even just squaring away that medical supplies were in short order because there wasn't really anything in the way of North American production capacity is even some excitement that would be worth dealing with.

[numberthirty]

And none of that is even talking about Democrats moving away from being a "Functionally 'Center-Right'..." business-friendly party.

Moving in that direction is some excitement that would be more than welcome.

[worstblogever]

White House Not Optimistic On Near-Term Deal For Coronavirus Relief Bill

Lawmakers and the White House have been unable to reach an accord for a next round of economic relief from the pandemic. Meanwhile, people suffer, starve and worry about ending up on the street. Does Trump and the Republican Party care? NOPE!

**********

Clock Is Ticking On Trump Comeback As Early Voting Nears

Trump’s aides are worried that the president’s 2020 re-election campaign is starting to run out of time. To which I say----GOOD!

**********

Top Democrat Warns: Trump Will Invoke ‘Some Kind Of Emergency’ Action To Stay In Office

Republicans, including White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, have downplayed the president’s suggestion that the election be delayed. If Republicans are downplaying what Trump said, it was because they're afraid of pissing him off if they were to balk.

What has been freaking me out is three things...

1. William Barr out and out perjuring himself even over trivial things during his hearing in front of the House Judiciary last week. Barr already didn't need added incentive to be in the bag for Trump, but now his ass will end up going to jail if he's not the sitting AG come January. So he's got even more incentive to keep Trump in power. He will pull some f***ery between now and January and let the rule of law be dragged further in the gutter more than he has to prevent the normal transition of power.
2. Trump putting DHS goons in Portland, and wanting them in other "out of control" cities to quell protests there. Which, honestly, if he hadn't sent them, the protests would have remained peaceful, but the motherf***er cannot stand dissent, because he's an authoritarian loon.
3. Just the simple visual of the physical White House right now.

They keep putting up more fences to keep anyone away from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and they're getting higher walls. Mexico ain't paying for any of this s***, either. But the paranoia about keeping people back is telling...

What I'm seeing is, if Trump is planning some last ditch manic freakout to cling to power, he's put goons in place to quell protests in major Democratic cities where they would spring up (New York, Seattle, Chicago, Portland, DC), and he's so carried away about putting a border fence around his own White House that it looks like he's expecting citizens to try storming the gates to lead him off to a guillotine or something. This administration doesn't plan ANYTHING well... and yet, it seems like they're either expecting violence, or going to be inciting the populace into a confrontation. They are gearing for a physical confrontation, and some last gasp "emergency" that Trump will call, and that Barr might try to justify as valid would provoke it.

I want to be wrong, but there are signs.