All-purpose news and politics thread: Two Steps Beyond!

[Malvolio]

...

Hey guys, I think we should drain the swamp behind Bats' house, if you know what I mean.

Will we find a car with Janet Leigh's corpse in the trunk?

[Kevinroc]

Trump’s secret plan to scrap Obamacare
The document, revealed for the first time by POLITICO, shows that despite the chaos surrounding repeal, the administration had an elaborate plan to take apart the law using executive authority.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...278145?cid=apn

Early last year as an Obamacare repeal bill was flailing in the House, top Trump administration officials showed select House conservatives a secret road map of how they planned to gut the health law using executive authority.

The March 23 document, which had not been public until now, reveals that while the effort to scrap Obamacare often looked chaotic, top officials had actually developed an elaborate plan to undermine the law — regardless of whether Congress repealed it.

[TheInvisibleMan]

House Republicans are blocking a 10 year extension of CHIP that the CBO says will cost near zero

this is their legacy, right here

[Kirby101]

House Republicans are blocking a 10 year extension of CHIP that the CBO says will cost near zero

this is their legacy, right here

But Mets assured us that his Party was fully supportive of CHIP, and would fully fund it.

[numberthirty]

There is a wave of Republicans leaving Congress

The Republican exodus is striking when presented like this.

I'm not sure about "Striking". Seems like it makes perfect sense.

[Tazirai]

Clever idea. I wish we could crowdfund a reward for finding Amelia Earhart's sunken Lockheed Electra around Howland Island (in the Pacific midway between Hawaii and Australia).


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-m...-idUSKBN1EZ0OA

I'd be down with that. After reading about her and being an Air Traffic Controller, and all around Aviation nerd I'd love it.

[Mister Mets]

But Mets assured us that his Party was fully supportive of CHIP, and would fully fund it.

Here are my past comments on CHIP...

He seemed to be referring to his overall political philosophy rather than CHIP in that portion of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=M_GoY7liUf8

He says earlier that CHIP has done a great job for those who needed the help (0:57 in) and says later that it's a good program that's going to go through.

https://www.vox.com/2017/12/3/167304...-chip-tax-bill

Anyone suggesting otherwise seemed to be careless, or willfully misinterpreting what he said, a poor source of political information.

I hope I'll always look at what's literally said, and note any widespread false interpretations. It shouldn't be about who you're defending, but what the evidence is regarding a particular topic or particular instance.

The idea that it's okay to be wrong on the particulars (IE- Was Orrin Hatch maligning CHIP in his comments?), if you're right in the larger scheme of things (IE- the view that a larger safety net is a good and necessary thing) is one of the major defenses for Trump's lies.

http://blog.dilbert.com/2016/11/30/t...ly-to-believe/

Two interesting points on the Wolff book.

The Trump people are eager to point out that there have been past controversies about the accuracy in material in Michael Wolff's books, and that he has a reputation for playing fast and loose with facts.

There's some support from this from people who would otherwise not be friendly to Trump, like Judd Legum of Thinkprogress.



On the other hand, they did let him get a lot of access during the campaign/ the early days of the administration. As Meghan McCain noted "It is NEXT LEVEL, beyond my comprehension stupidity letting someone like Michael Wolff have unfettered access to the White House, the president and his family. Who exactly on the White House communications team thought this was a good idea? And why do they still have a job?"

The excerpt in New York magazine details Wolff's level of access.

[Kevinroc]

Republicans. Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires. No Health Insurance for Millions of Children.

The "Party of Life," everybody!

[Kirby101]

Sure Mets, sure. Keep denying your Party is letting kids die.

[Mister Mets]

Sure Mets, sure. Keep denying your Party is letting kids die.

Please quote the statement I made about CHIP and Republicans that you disagree with. You seem to be calling me out for your impressions of what I've said rather than the specific comment.

[Tendrin]

http://www.kmov.com/story/37240190/g...A61xYY.twitter

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- Governor Eric Greitens on Wednesday night confirmed to News 4 he had an extramarital affair, an admission a months-long News 4 investigation prompted.
In a recording obtained by News 4, a woman says she had a sexual encounter with Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and that he tried to blackmail her to keep the encounter quiet.
The details were provided to News 4 by the woman’s ex-husband, claiming the sexual relationship happened between his now ex-wife and Greitens in March 2015. News 4 is not naming the woman and she has not made an on-the-record comment about the story.
According to the ex-husband, the recording was made just days after Greitens’ and the woman’s first sexual encounter. And also that Greitens took a photograph during the encounter to use as “blackmail” according to the ex-husband.

Blackmail. Cheery.

[numberthirty]

Watching Jay Berman explain how folks are essentially talking nonsense when they start saying "25th Amendment!" was something that the nightly news needs to be more often.

Round of applause to that guy.

[Iron Maiden]

They still pushing those things? Damn!

Bah!..... a Doomy bear can beat the stuffing out of a Trumpy bear.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Republicans Have 4 Convicted Criminals Running For Congress In 2018

Three of them are bragging about it. Now, if the Dems had convicted criminals running for Congress, the GOP would be screaming bloody murder.

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Shepard Smith Hits Trump With A Brutal Fact Check On Russia Investigation

The Fox News host has a news flash for the president. How long before Pissy POTUS takes to Twitter and demand that Smith be fired for not kissing his bulbous orange ass like the rest of the Faux News sycophants?

**********

Trump Suggests Republicans Scuttle Russia Investigations

The president continues to insist the probes into his campaign are “a witch hunt.” Insist? How about "whine"? Mango Mussolini needs to STFU about the investigation and focus on governing. Unless, of course, that's too hard for him. Once again, why bitch about the probes if he's innocent?

**********

Trump’s EPA Could Allow Teenage Workers To Handle Dangerous Pesticides

Officials have signaled they may eliminate the age requirements for working with toxic chemicals on farms and other worksites. Cheer up, kids! Not only will your lives be put at risk, but probably at minimum wage to boot! Aren't you lucky?

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Most Americans Oppose Federal Crackdown On State-Legal Marijuana

A new poll suggests U.S. prosecutors should proceed cautiously following recent Justice Department guidance on marijuana. A pity the Hateful Hobbit's DOJ isn't listening to the will of the people.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Bah!..... a Doomy bear can beat the stuffing out of a Trumpy bear.

HA! That's hilarious!