Saturday, November 10, 2018
We aren’t alarmed enough about Jeff Sessions’s firing
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/8/18073006/jeff-sessions-firing-democracy-erosion?fbclid=IwAR1U8f9SNNeg3NWhySESq0P_ZrNAgECkXzm7sKQRq_HfjReczXuSDEDYFYY
"The slow degradation of institutions, the normalization of an authoritarian approach to politics, makes any warning about a particular development seem out of proportion to the immediate threat. But we need to be honest about the big picture: Donald Trump’s approach to politics, including his public flagellation and eventual firing of Jeff Sessions, really is damaging the foundations of American democracy."
"The slow degradation of institutions, the normalization of an authoritarian approach to politics, makes any warning about a particular development seem out of proportion to the immediate threat. But we need to be honest about the big picture: Donald Trump’s approach to politics, including his public flagellation and eventual firing of Jeff Sessions, really is damaging the foundations of American democracy."
The Youngest Woman Elected to Congress—and 20 Other Midterm Results that Broke the Mold
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/2018-midterm-election-firsts-records/?fbclid=IwAR2yH4uEyfbNSnYmdVC8JaevfO3D-vEsZzZ2FHybsRD2WHI0gpwiMElyXOU
"Tuesday’s midterm election results are full of firsts. More than 100 women, an unprecedented number, were elected to the House and Senat as first-time female candidates swept one race after another. In 18 races (some remain to be called), Democratic women flipped formerly Republican House seats, often by beating out male challengers. The night also ushered in a flock of diverse victors, from the first Native American women to be elected to congress, to Texas’s first Latina congresswomen, to the country’s very first female-majority legislature, on the island of Guam."
"Tuesday’s midterm election results are full of firsts. More than 100 women, an unprecedented number, were elected to the House and Senat as first-time female candidates swept one race after another. In 18 races (some remain to be called), Democratic women flipped formerly Republican House seats, often by beating out male challengers. The night also ushered in a flock of diverse victors, from the first Native American women to be elected to congress, to Texas’s first Latina congresswomen, to the country’s very first female-majority legislature, on the island of Guam."
Trump Has Found His Roy Cohn in Matt Whitaker
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/matt-whitaker-is-trumps-corrupt-partisan-attorney-general.html?fbclid=IwAR3q8kbaWDlJelX643uMNyPXsqJi8wHeblsLan30HRwhL-du6KyDC4g2HjQ
"There is simply no doubt that Trump’s entire rationale for firing Sessions is his refusal to quash the Russia investigation, because he has not even bothered to conceal his motive. Trump has repeatedly lambasted Sessions for failing to “stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now.” Sessions is an original Trump loyalist, an unusually committed believer in and effective implementer of the president’s ethnonationalist agenda on immigration and crime. Sessions’s sole failure (in Trump’s eyes) was having to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, and refusing Trump’s demands to reverse the decision. Corruption is literally Trump’s only motive for turning against him."
"There is simply no doubt that Trump’s entire rationale for firing Sessions is his refusal to quash the Russia investigation, because he has not even bothered to conceal his motive. Trump has repeatedly lambasted Sessions for failing to “stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now.” Sessions is an original Trump loyalist, an unusually committed believer in and effective implementer of the president’s ethnonationalist agenda on immigration and crime. Sessions’s sole failure (in Trump’s eyes) was having to recuse himself from the Russia investigation, and refusing Trump’s demands to reverse the decision. Corruption is literally Trump’s only motive for turning against him."
Sanders Warns Trump Any Move to Interfere With Mueller Probe Would Be Considered "Impeachable Offense"
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/07/sanders-warns-trump-any-move-interfere-mueller-probe-would-be-considered-impeachable?fbclid=IwAR2dXC3tXFB45Cud6hkW-8BxeCRd4knyoeLsx1Iw01LauK1xvOYA4NjmTlk
"Sanders' colleague in the Senate, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, warned that the firing of Sessions could be "how the cover-up begins," and should be considered a threat to the independence of the Justice Department. "This is a precarious moment, and Congress must immediately pass legislation to protect the work of the #MuellerInvestigation," tweeted Merkley. "The rule of law is at stake"."
"Sanders' colleague in the Senate, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, warned that the firing of Sessions could be "how the cover-up begins," and should be considered a threat to the independence of the Justice Department. "This is a precarious moment, and Congress must immediately pass legislation to protect the work of the #MuellerInvestigation," tweeted Merkley. "The rule of law is at stake"."
12 Republicans who helped write the tax bill won’t be back next year
https://www.salon.com/2018/11/07/12-republicans-who-helped-write-the-tax-bill-wont-be-back-next-year/?fbclid=IwAR0AglCBDfb1yiAZNFcqUkEi2H1LZ3VPn0-x2eWn0pJVoJHSzzw5oKtJKnc
"Half the Republicans on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that produced the party's signature tax cuts last year will not be returning to Congress in 2019. At least 12 of the 24 Republicans who sit on the committee – which oversees taxes as well as health care – will not be coming back despite pushing through the highly-touted tax bill that President Donald Trump predicted would be a boon for his party in Congress. Four of the members lost their races on Tuesday while eight others retired or chose not to seek re-election."
"Half the Republicans on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that produced the party's signature tax cuts last year will not be returning to Congress in 2019. At least 12 of the 24 Republicans who sit on the committee – which oversees taxes as well as health care – will not be coming back despite pushing through the highly-touted tax bill that President Donald Trump predicted would be a boon for his party in Congress. Four of the members lost their races on Tuesday while eight others retired or chose not to seek re-election."
A Democrat Just Snagged the Seat Darrell Issa Held for Almost Two Decades
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/mike-levin-diane-harkey-election-results/?fbclid=IwAR314bd7eyZ6JOMdsdJZdKOpC-aVbC0rVmkrX0iFIkJH9ptU5YG-tAqF9mg
"On Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported that Democratic candidate Mike Levin won his bid for Congress in California’s 49th District with 53.5 percent of the vote. His defeat of Republican Diane Harkey marks a major turning point for the district, which has been represented by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) for the past 18 years."
"On Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported that Democratic candidate Mike Levin won his bid for Congress in California’s 49th District with 53.5 percent of the vote. His defeat of Republican Diane Harkey marks a major turning point for the district, which has been represented by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) for the past 18 years."
Arkansas and Missouri Approve Minimum Wage Increases
https://truthout.org/articles/arkansas-and-missouri-approve-minimum-wage-increases/?fbclid=IwAR0-4SY3HFa3gtaRkQ0vWmWBLsnsS0xqWNo2LUXGW-fMDhjr4Acee4IPT_8
"In two deep-red states, voters approved substantial raises for nearly 1 million of their fellow workers on Tuesday."
"In two deep-red states, voters approved substantial raises for nearly 1 million of their fellow workers on Tuesday."
Of Course Trump’s Election Press Conference Went Off the Rails
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-press-conference-clips-753033/?fbclid=IwAR2ZO-WkGcGSMgsqnCSK8166Lv60UEP5NoYJLwMRIjgzwlrhuS8Q39L4Fss
"Outside of attacks against the “hostile” media, Trump spouted his usually litany of lies and deflections, while continuing to threaten the Democrats should they use their new majority in the House of Representatives to investigate the president."
"Outside of attacks against the “hostile” media, Trump spouted his usually litany of lies and deflections, while continuing to threaten the Democrats should they use their new majority in the House of Representatives to investigate the president."
After claiming victory in election, an angry Trump attacks the media as the ‘enemy of the people’
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-election-press-conference-attacks-media-7568a96a80eb/?fbclid=IwAR3OPlAtMq2CYd3-_2-gsIctXEFvfb9aw3BGreXAaAf87UCRGZ4UFNolG0o
"Trump appeared quite angry throughout the conference, lashing out at journalists for trying to get answers from him."
"Trump appeared quite angry throughout the conference, lashing out at journalists for trying to get answers from him."
Utah votes to legalize medical marijuana with Proposition 2
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/7/18052950/utah-proposition-2-medical-marijuana-legalization-results?fbclid=IwAR0yzLANEBPeAr9UV1nYF68PAfC8HXkKTzw2PKFiT6Ebm5OKy7qTcHZHAzA
"The measure also sets up a system through which state officials will license and regulate medical marijuana businesses, from growers to dispensaries."
"The measure also sets up a system through which state officials will license and regulate medical marijuana businesses, from growers to dispensaries."
Science Returns to the House
https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2018/11/eddie-bernice-johnson-science-returns-to-the-house/?fbclid=IwAR3v72UFEMFy604IgyV8XpzTWsEqI_m3CuoiIhlcLn2v_4ES87P6Hn_idnI
"The Democratic control of the House means science will get higher billing in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which, despite its name, has been run by Republican science deniers since 2011."
"The Democratic control of the House means science will get higher billing in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which, despite its name, has been run by Republican science deniers since 2011."
Seven Democrats flipped key governor seats
https://thinkprogress.org/these-democrats-just-flipped-key-governor-seats-ade8fc3f3505/?fbclid=IwAR3CZEGYRHxDmv4aA41aPIGVPchrc8VwQHI5GwPXw9gP9R_Jn78RfBzoWAE
"Democrats flipped at least seven gubernatorial seats Tuesday, a significant achievement that could help undo years of harmful Republican policy — particularly when it comes to the gerrymandering efforts that help keep GOP politicians in control. Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, Maine, Wisconsin, and Nevada will have Democratic governors come January 2019. When redistricting begins in 2021, Democratic governors can play an important role in reversing Republican gerrymandering, paving the way for a more fairer balance of power in Congress for years to come."
"Democrats flipped at least seven gubernatorial seats Tuesday, a significant achievement that could help undo years of harmful Republican policy — particularly when it comes to the gerrymandering efforts that help keep GOP politicians in control. Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, Maine, Wisconsin, and Nevada will have Democratic governors come January 2019. When redistricting begins in 2021, Democratic governors can play an important role in reversing Republican gerrymandering, paving the way for a more fairer balance of power in Congress for years to come."
The Senate is so rigged that Democrats may never control it ever again
https://thinkprogress.org/the-senate-is-so-rigged-that-democrats-may-never-control-it-ever-again-14ede9ac5f01/?fbclid=IwAR1DCNSVTmjdKA-_scykn-BK8hIBtPidd5IlQYAQgJuJ4pHDeg1v_SAC4do
"In the outgoing Senate — the Senate that placed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court — the 49 senators in the Democratic “minority” represent almost 40 million more people than the Republican “majority.” In the incoming Senate, the Democratic “minority” will still represent millions more people — despite the fact that Republicans grew their “majority” last night. And this malapportionment is only going to get worse. By 2040, according to Baruch College’s David Birdsell, about 70 percent of Americans are expected to live in just 15 states. That means that the vast majority of Americans will control just 30 percent of the Senate, while the remaining 70 senators are elected by just 30 percent of the nation. America’s endgame, in other words, is a nation that can no longer meaningfully be described as a democracy — and we are already very far along to that destination. The state of Wyoming has only 573,720 people, according to U.S. Census estimates. That’s 1/68th of the population of California. And yet the 39,776,830 Californians are represented by just two senators — the same number as Wyoming. Indeed, to put the case against Wyoming into fuller context, Wyoming has fewer people than Milwaukee, Baltimore, or Louisville. The fourth largest city in California, San Francisco, has more than 300,000 more residents than the entire state of Wyoming. In total, there are 31 U.S. cities with a greater population than Wyoming. One of them, the nation’s capital, has no representation whatsoever in the Senate."
"In the outgoing Senate — the Senate that placed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court — the 49 senators in the Democratic “minority” represent almost 40 million more people than the Republican “majority.” In the incoming Senate, the Democratic “minority” will still represent millions more people — despite the fact that Republicans grew their “majority” last night. And this malapportionment is only going to get worse. By 2040, according to Baruch College’s David Birdsell, about 70 percent of Americans are expected to live in just 15 states. That means that the vast majority of Americans will control just 30 percent of the Senate, while the remaining 70 senators are elected by just 30 percent of the nation. America’s endgame, in other words, is a nation that can no longer meaningfully be described as a democracy — and we are already very far along to that destination. The state of Wyoming has only 573,720 people, according to U.S. Census estimates. That’s 1/68th of the population of California. And yet the 39,776,830 Californians are represented by just two senators — the same number as Wyoming. Indeed, to put the case against Wyoming into fuller context, Wyoming has fewer people than Milwaukee, Baltimore, or Louisville. The fourth largest city in California, San Francisco, has more than 300,000 more residents than the entire state of Wyoming. In total, there are 31 U.S. cities with a greater population than Wyoming. One of them, the nation’s capital, has no representation whatsoever in the Senate."
N. Carolina elections are a huge win for democracy, paving the way to strike down GOP gerrymandering
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/6/1810593/-N-Carolina-elections-are-a-huge-win-for-democracy-paving-the-way-to-strike-down-GOP-gerrymandering?utm_campaign=trending&fbclid=IwAR2St4WkRr6ZbK9qXtW8ifocqeOlEMBuD4rUffAEgwSr9WOJlga4zz-m6Ho
"In a critical victory for fair elections and the rule of law, North Carolina voters have elected civil rights crusader Anita Earls as the next Democratic justice of the state Supreme Court. Just as importantly, voters rejected two deceptively written constitutional amendments that Republicans had put on the ballot so they could pack that very same court to stop it from curtailing their worst-in-the-nation gerrymandering and voter suppression. Furthermore, voters rejected Republican legislators' ploy to usurp Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's power to appoint the state Board of Elections in their quest to prevent Democrats from expanding early voting. Indeed, Earls' victory over GOP Justice Barbara Jackson, which was astonishingly aided by a GOP election-rigging scheme blowing up in their faces, expands the Democratic majority to five seats over just two Republicans. And because voters rejected an amendment that would have effectively gerrymandered the judicial branch by letting the GOP-gerrymandered legislature assume Cooper’s authority to fill judicial vacancies, Republicans can’t use their unconstitutionally gerrymandered supermajorities to pack the state Supreme Court in a December lame-duck legislative session and return it to a Republican majority like they had planned. Now that Earls, a civil rights lawyer who has fought and won cases against out-of-control North Carolina Republicans on gerrymandering and voting rights, will soon sit on the bench, the end of this decade’s GOP stranglehold on state government may finally be in sight."
"In a critical victory for fair elections and the rule of law, North Carolina voters have elected civil rights crusader Anita Earls as the next Democratic justice of the state Supreme Court. Just as importantly, voters rejected two deceptively written constitutional amendments that Republicans had put on the ballot so they could pack that very same court to stop it from curtailing their worst-in-the-nation gerrymandering and voter suppression. Furthermore, voters rejected Republican legislators' ploy to usurp Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's power to appoint the state Board of Elections in their quest to prevent Democrats from expanding early voting. Indeed, Earls' victory over GOP Justice Barbara Jackson, which was astonishingly aided by a GOP election-rigging scheme blowing up in their faces, expands the Democratic majority to five seats over just two Republicans. And because voters rejected an amendment that would have effectively gerrymandered the judicial branch by letting the GOP-gerrymandered legislature assume Cooper’s authority to fill judicial vacancies, Republicans can’t use their unconstitutionally gerrymandered supermajorities to pack the state Supreme Court in a December lame-duck legislative session and return it to a Republican majority like they had planned. Now that Earls, a civil rights lawyer who has fought and won cases against out-of-control North Carolina Republicans on gerrymandering and voting rights, will soon sit on the bench, the end of this decade’s GOP stranglehold on state government may finally be in sight."
Four Ways for Democrats to Root out Republican Corruption
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/07/four-ways-democrats-root-out-republican-corruption?fbclid=IwAR1ReUIGzbwwFs25dlNuRPs7_oaqEb4uQC__uwJjWATZ-YTt013ehatj1NM
"Tuesday’s elections brought a major shift to the U.S. House, and handed Democrats the opportunity to investigate the rampant corruption of the Trump Administration"
"Tuesday’s elections brought a major shift to the U.S. House, and handed Democrats the opportunity to investigate the rampant corruption of the Trump Administration"
Donald Trump Jr. Expecting to Be Indicted by Mueller Soon
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/donald-trump-jr-expecting-to-be-indicted-by-mueller-soon.html?fbclid=IwAR19SnbvhJLHPOsOImneiPNGv_d129o8PEF52O3Jjqgp47Oy1AyU0tA-jnE
"Last year, Donald Trump Jr. testified that he never informed his father of a meeting with Russian officials promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. It seemed hard to believe that the ne’er-do-well son would neglect to seek credit for his expected campaign coup from the father whose approval he so obviously craves. And now it seems that Robert Mueller has obtained proof that it is not in fact true. The Trump family lies all the time, of course, but doing it under oath is a crime."
"Last year, Donald Trump Jr. testified that he never informed his father of a meeting with Russian officials promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. It seemed hard to believe that the ne’er-do-well son would neglect to seek credit for his expected campaign coup from the father whose approval he so obviously craves. And now it seems that Robert Mueller has obtained proof that it is not in fact true. The Trump family lies all the time, of course, but doing it under oath is a crime."
A list of the states that legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use
https://thinkprogress.org/election-wins-marijuana-reform-michigan-utah-missouri-ohio-831a86dfcad7/?fbclid=IwAR02pbf9-dGl22LZAD3kDjpXdAcn1q-QY0qaiAOTmW4cZw8V_jgGYs_nYEI
"On Tuesday, 36 separate marijuana referendums made it onto the ballots across seven states. Amendments and proposals ranged from outright legalization, like in Michigan and North Dakota, to ironing out the definition of hemp in Colorado. Voters in three states voted to legalize marijuana, and one voted to decriminalize it outright."
"On Tuesday, 36 separate marijuana referendums made it onto the ballots across seven states. Amendments and proposals ranged from outright legalization, like in Michigan and North Dakota, to ironing out the definition of hemp in Colorado. Voters in three states voted to legalize marijuana, and one voted to decriminalize it outright."
Minimum wage increases pass in Arkansas and Missouri
https://thinkprogress.org/minimum-wage-increases-pass-in-arkansas-and-missouri-ed29827a9364/?fbclid=IwAR3jddRFfPGvSQXi_4sRBbEVkMWzr8ZdOj1VL0bgTTyuTsfRm3sAAf2S604
"Voters in Arkansas and Missouri have approved a ballot initiative that would significantly raise the minimum wage in their states, affecting nearly 1 million workers."
"Voters in Arkansas and Missouri have approved a ballot initiative that would significantly raise the minimum wage in their states, affecting nearly 1 million workers."
Big Oil Kills Carbon Initiative in Washington State
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/washington-state-carbon-initiative-vote-752961/?fbclid=IwAR2wVVKrRo97y_LJC5TLTHOztDAb9SO8Dl5V9OuuEexAUjF4gFdTLZ_DphY
"Last night in Washington state, Big Oil bought another election and pushed the world a little deeper into climate chaos. What else is new? Big Oil’s victory came on Initiative 1631, which sought to put a small fee on carbon pollution in the state. It lost by a significant margin, 56 percent to 44 percent. The Initiative was hardly a fossil-fuel killer. In fact, it was distressingly modest: It would put a price on carbon pollution that starts at $15 per ton in 2020 and rises $2 a year until 2035, where it would reach around $55. If state carbon targets are being reached, it would stay there; if not, it would continue upward. This modest fee (don’t call it a tax!) is far below what most economists believe is necessary to really have a transformative impact on our energy system, especially in a state like Washington, which has a lot of clean hydro power, but it was a start."
"Last night in Washington state, Big Oil bought another election and pushed the world a little deeper into climate chaos. What else is new? Big Oil’s victory came on Initiative 1631, which sought to put a small fee on carbon pollution in the state. It lost by a significant margin, 56 percent to 44 percent. The Initiative was hardly a fossil-fuel killer. In fact, it was distressingly modest: It would put a price on carbon pollution that starts at $15 per ton in 2020 and rises $2 a year until 2035, where it would reach around $55. If state carbon targets are being reached, it would stay there; if not, it would continue upward. This modest fee (don’t call it a tax!) is far below what most economists believe is necessary to really have a transformative impact on our energy system, especially in a state like Washington, which has a lot of clean hydro power, but it was a start."
Scott Walker, who rose to prominence attacking teachers unions, toppled by a former teacher
https://thinkprogress.org/scott-walker-loses-wisconsin-governor-race-former-teacher-tony-evers-bb503fabac1e/?fbclid=IwAR1B3b-aLTdpXWYXhwVsyrLMykgkGZzSAlYYC_pl34tvKCXEHdFqzJvjiFM
"Tony Evers (D), Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public education and a former teacher, won the governor’s race against incumbent Scott Walker (R). Walker, who has undermined teachers unions and supported the underfunding of public education in the state throughout this career as governor, recently tried to recast himself as a champion for public schools. Voters didn’t buy it."
"Tony Evers (D), Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public education and a former teacher, won the governor’s race against incumbent Scott Walker (R). Walker, who has undermined teachers unions and supported the underfunding of public education in the state throughout this career as governor, recently tried to recast himself as a champion for public schools. Voters didn’t buy it."
Progressives Win on Medicaid Expansion, Public Education, and Voting Rights Through Ballot Initiatives
https://theintercept.com/2018/11/07/ballot-measures-2018-midterms/?fbclid=IwAR2Nj2CwQbV-IZD5a6bXk-8iKKW756bW7xx_4mE3dMUPb-LnAwqOedmYqrU
"FROM STATE LEGISLATIVE races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it’s not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On Tuesday night, progressives walked away with some wins and some losses on that front. They made gains for Medicaid expansion, public education, and voting rights. But they lost other battles, like on criminal justice reform, nurse-to-patient ratios, and universal home care."
"FROM STATE LEGISLATIVE races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it’s not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On Tuesday night, progressives walked away with some wins and some losses on that front. They made gains for Medicaid expansion, public education, and voting rights. But they lost other battles, like on criminal justice reform, nurse-to-patient ratios, and universal home care."
Democrat Jacky Rosen Just Won Dean Heller’s Nevada Senate Seat
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/democrat-jacky-rosen-just-won-dean-hellers-nevada-senate-seat-results/?fbclid=IwAR22AvSKijFSLgvoPllw__VxzfvqTC5yWmUBfDGRZz1H5Ogf-SMMJpdEU3M
"Republican Sen. Dean Heller conceded to Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen in Nevada’s US Senate race. It was the only seat in the chamber Democrats picked up Tuesday after a string of other losses."
"Republican Sen. Dean Heller conceded to Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen in Nevada’s US Senate race. It was the only seat in the chamber Democrats picked up Tuesday after a string of other losses."
6 Women of Color Who Campaigned for Congress on Inequality and Won
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/07/6-women-color-who-campaigned-congress-inequality-and-won?fbclid=IwAR0-u4WtyWsj8mNe_ZIufbujv1J-7f8ot1UNTA4qK9doX9xwyvxVZI0Q9Mc
"The Democratic Party has regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and with this shift will come a new cadre of forceful female leaders committed to narrowing the gaps that so divide us."
"The Democratic Party has regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and with this shift will come a new cadre of forceful female leaders committed to narrowing the gaps that so divide us."
Minnesota Republican, who pined for the days when women could be called 'sluts,' loses to woman
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/6/1810707/-Minnesota-Republican-who-pined-for-the-days-when-women-could-be-called-sluts-loses-to-woman?fbclid=IwAR0oHi1bg9bp8xachcrL1IlPUo6AOYhKhhp49OMCAxTcyxKsavjBI2dEM88
"The shock jock Republican rep. from Minnesota’s second district has lost his seat to Democrat Angie Craig."
"The shock jock Republican rep. from Minnesota’s second district has lost his seat to Democrat Angie Craig."
Red-State Voters Expanded Medicaid, Legalized Marijuana, and Increased the Minimum Wage on Tuesday Night
https://slate.com/business/2018/11/red-state-voters-medicaid-expansion-legalized-marijuana-increased-minimum-wage.html?fbclid=IwAR2qCxSa8LD99Ij8steM74EsnwyMSKMsFEQhF-_7Bmj8OvlM9LVRJ06yTUQ
"progressive ballot initiatives on marijuana, the minimum wage, voting rights, and Medicaid passed in red and blue states alike—a reminder that even in parts of the country where Democratic politicians aren’t popular, many of their issues very much still are."
"progressive ballot initiatives on marijuana, the minimum wage, voting rights, and Medicaid passed in red and blue states alike—a reminder that even in parts of the country where Democratic politicians aren’t popular, many of their issues very much still are."
Republican Congressman Chris Collins Was Indicted for Insider Trading. He Was Reelected Anyway.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/republican-congressman-chris-collins-was-indicted-for-insider-trading-he-was-reelected-anyway/?fbclid=IwAR3dNGur1vyt6TiWd7DurHOy9suYRI0lNU-b674vctljhqGCxYKoUq3iIz4
"Less than three months after FBI agents arrested him on charges of insider trading, Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) was reelected for a fourth term in Congress."
"Less than three months after FBI agents arrested him on charges of insider trading, Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) was reelected for a fourth term in Congress."
Abigail Spanberger Just Beat Tea Party Darling Dave Brat in Virginia
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/abigail-spanberger-just-beat-tea-party-darling-dave-brat-in-virginia/?fbclid=IwAR3XPeglkh1txpG2o32rMOn_acYE1m8DDhrRWDzfuAHTBt-W4JQ6MACNCeE
"Four years ago, Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) dethroned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as part of the Tea Party revolution that would eventually topple Speaker of the House John Boehner and pave the way for Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Now former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger has defeated Brat and will be the first Democratic representative from Virginia’s 7th District in more than four decades, NBC News and the Cook Political Report confirmed Tuesday night. Brat, once the darling of Breitbart and the insurgent conservative movement, aligns with the far-right House Freedom Caucus."
"Four years ago, Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) dethroned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as part of the Tea Party revolution that would eventually topple Speaker of the House John Boehner and pave the way for Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Now former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger has defeated Brat and will be the first Democratic representative from Virginia’s 7th District in more than four decades, NBC News and the Cook Political Report confirmed Tuesday night. Brat, once the darling of Breitbart and the insurgent conservative movement, aligns with the far-right House Freedom Caucus."
Big Oil spent big and won big in Washington and Colorado
https://thinkprogress.org/washington-colorado-big-oil-spending-ballot-initiatives-1b0620a1cc16/?fbclid=IwAR0Ed-rVNNWkuL0ij_Sty38DZOduuTgShXi_uNIsGFqMg-pW6uNPxRCXEQU
"Sweeping climate initiatives failed to pass in both Washington and Colorado on Tuesday following a record-breaking multi-million dollar opposition effort from the oil industry, which poured a staggering amount of money into campaigns opposing the initiatives."
"Sweeping climate initiatives failed to pass in both Washington and Colorado on Tuesday following a record-breaking multi-million dollar opposition effort from the oil industry, which poured a staggering amount of money into campaigns opposing the initiatives."
Duncan Hunter, Facing a Federal Indictment, Wins Reelection Bid
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/duncan-hunter-ammar-campa-najjar-election-results/?fbclid=IwAR1qYe2c59n6ws8qnRt79utz4Iu6r_51TYeBCUJPPjJHjDoL1i8OSucZR9E
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-Calif.), a five-term incumbent facing a 60-count federal indictment for a laundry list of campaign finance violations, has held onto his Southern California seat with 54 percent of the vote."
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-Calif.), a five-term incumbent facing a 60-count federal indictment for a laundry list of campaign finance violations, has held onto his Southern California seat with 54 percent of the vote."
Nevada Just Elected a Democratic Governor for the First Time Since 1994
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/nevada-just-elected-a-democratic-governor-for-the-first-time-since-1994-steve-sisolak-adam-laxalt/?fbclid=IwAR0bmtQw6L1GWx1Uy5hP_Ui7SsrhKf-nHr3OOURrGceee34VqrEy0LSNEWg
"In a race that had been a toss-up in the polls leading up to the election, Steve Sisolak defeated Republican Adam Laxalt to become Nevada’s first Democratic governor in more than 20 years."
"In a race that had been a toss-up in the polls leading up to the election, Steve Sisolak defeated Republican Adam Laxalt to become Nevada’s first Democratic governor in more than 20 years."
'Absolute Fraud': After Billions in Taxpayer Subsidies Championed by Trump, Ryan, and Walker, Foxconn to Import Chinese Workers for Wisconsin Jobs
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/06/absolute-fraud-after-billions-taxpayer-subsidies-championed-trump-ryan-and-walker?fbclid=IwAR18XdzCdgnFv-ERNvLGsA9ffweDi6twXv7uBgynC_FnW5pbg1dGoGV7QWk
"Wisconsin's Koch-funded Republican Gov. Scott Walker lavished the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn with over four billion in taxpayer subsidies last year in a deal that he claimed would create 13,000 jobs in the state, but that agreement is increasingly looking like a massive con-job amid new reports on Tuesday that Foxconn is planning to bring in Chinese workers to fill spots that the governor insisted would be filled by Wisconsinites."
"Wisconsin's Koch-funded Republican Gov. Scott Walker lavished the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn with over four billion in taxpayer subsidies last year in a deal that he claimed would create 13,000 jobs in the state, but that agreement is increasingly looking like a massive con-job amid new reports on Tuesday that Foxconn is planning to bring in Chinese workers to fill spots that the governor insisted would be filled by Wisconsinites."
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Reminder: Republicans Want to Take Your Health Care
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/republican-health-care-plan-750976/?fbclid=IwAR3H_vaeua43oU84lWQqhPoXdi-E09qnEBzob8dCFoq2GWIzW6o4ytZ2ns8
"Despite what they may claim in the final days before the midterms, Trump and the GOP are doing all they can to strip protections for pre-existing conditions"
"Despite what they may claim in the final days before the midterms, Trump and the GOP are doing all they can to strip protections for pre-existing conditions"
In 649 days, President Trump has made 6,420 false or misleading claims
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/?fbclid=IwAR2VIvbs_FaclrjAahz7RJ_ms6cwyXXS6MQ6066bPw_vgcjgKdWlhZKs4LA&utm_term=.aef1d1d90c84
"The Fact Checker’s ongoing database of the false or misleading claims made by President Trump since assuming office."
"The Fact Checker’s ongoing database of the false or misleading claims made by President Trump since assuming office."
In historic move, the Arizona Republic endorses a Democrat for Senate for the first time in 18 years
https://www.salon.com/2018/10/23/in-historic-move-the-arizona-republic-endorses-a-democrat-for-senate-for-the-first-time-in-18-years/?fbclid=IwAR2yWQZF8ez6px7gsJgsC9qPA0XvACNrvb_65yx8tctmvNXCZPwKtkFtlk4
"For the first time in 18 years, the Arizona Republic endorsed a Democratic candidate for election to the U.S. Senate. In an op-ed published on Monday, the Grand Canyon State’s largest newspaper endorsed U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema over her Republican challenger, Martha McSally. The decision marks a stark departure for the historically-conservative publication."
"For the first time in 18 years, the Arizona Republic endorsed a Democratic candidate for election to the U.S. Senate. In an op-ed published on Monday, the Grand Canyon State’s largest newspaper endorsed U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema over her Republican challenger, Martha McSally. The decision marks a stark departure for the historically-conservative publication."
GOP author of the amendment that pushed Trumpcare through the House faces the music
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/10/31/1808848/-GOP-author-of-the-amendment-that-pushed-Trumpcare-through-the-House-faces-the-music?fbclid=IwAR1OFc_1YLBo31ebSwbNXMd-rKmITMTmBYaaMI51FBJdGYyS11ks6QUd3JU
"Rep. Tom MacArthur was the only New Jersey Republican in the House to vote for both Trumpcare and the tax bill. For those reasons, he is in a very tight race right now against Democrat Andy Kim. That made a recent telephone town hall he did with 1,200 AARP members challenging for him."
"Rep. Tom MacArthur was the only New Jersey Republican in the House to vote for both Trumpcare and the tax bill. For those reasons, he is in a very tight race right now against Democrat Andy Kim. That made a recent telephone town hall he did with 1,200 AARP members challenging for him."
Barack Obama Deals With Hecklers In A Respectful, Un-Trumpian Way
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/barack-obama-hecklers-florida-trump_us_5bdd9c0de4b01ffb1d029a29?fbclid=IwAR0VFOhKPRuW4wbjk1MBBAW80htkgshssmTZ-XsXSsxyRdtvRuczAyyRS9Y
"Trump has infamously encouraged supporters to “knock the crap” out of people who protest him at rallies. Obama showed how it should be done Friday, however, when he was heckled while stumping for Democratic candidates Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum in Miami, Florida, ahead of Tuesday’s midterms. “Sir, sir, don’t curse in front of kids, come on. Don’t do that in front of them, come on,” Obama calmly told one heckler."
"Trump has infamously encouraged supporters to “knock the crap” out of people who protest him at rallies. Obama showed how it should be done Friday, however, when he was heckled while stumping for Democratic candidates Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum in Miami, Florida, ahead of Tuesday’s midterms. “Sir, sir, don’t curse in front of kids, come on. Don’t do that in front of them, come on,” Obama calmly told one heckler."
The Cowboy Democrat Running For South Dakota Governor Could Win On An Anti-Corruption Message
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/billie-sutton-south-dakota-anti-corruption_us_5bdcc4ebe4b04367a87c9abd?fbclid=IwAR2-tM9INepdCspkqU62kE_z-rSh6I2Nq_94ejKdjBT88B2G_Hwc7CV9IaE
"After years of reports about corrupt state officials defrauding the government, South Dakota’s Republican lawmakers in 2017 called an emergency session of the Legislature. The goal? To squash a referendum the state’s voters had passed just months earlier to impose stringent new ethics and campaign finance rules. Now, the Democrat who led the fight against the Republicans’ brazen move is using an anti-corruption message to mount a surprisingly competitive campaign to become the state’s next governor. Billie Sutton, a 34-year-old rancher, former rodeo competitor and state senator, is promising his first order of business as governor will be to make South Dakota’s government more transparent and reform its campaign finance laws. It’s a nonpartisan policy, embraced by Democratic, Republican and independent voters across the state, and it could help push Sutton over the top in a state that leans heavily Republican."
"After years of reports about corrupt state officials defrauding the government, South Dakota’s Republican lawmakers in 2017 called an emergency session of the Legislature. The goal? To squash a referendum the state’s voters had passed just months earlier to impose stringent new ethics and campaign finance rules. Now, the Democrat who led the fight against the Republicans’ brazen move is using an anti-corruption message to mount a surprisingly competitive campaign to become the state’s next governor. Billie Sutton, a 34-year-old rancher, former rodeo competitor and state senator, is promising his first order of business as governor will be to make South Dakota’s government more transparent and reform its campaign finance laws. It’s a nonpartisan policy, embraced by Democratic, Republican and independent voters across the state, and it could help push Sutton over the top in a state that leans heavily Republican."
President Trump has made 6,420 false or misleading claims over 649 days
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/11/02/president-trump-has-made-false-or-misleading-claims-over-days/?fbclid=IwAR10luwfVF98QbcNDCno-b49RBTinEOiZdf6Sfly6oU1tau92tw2h_mfdrQ&utm_term=.885b414b457c
"in the seven weeks leading up the midterm elections, the president made 1,419 false or misleading claims — an average of 30 a day. Combined with the rest of his presidency, that adds up to a total of 6,420 claims through Oct. 30, the 649th day of his presidency, according to The Fact Checker’s database that analyzes, categorizes and tracks every suspect statement uttered by the president. The flood of presidential misinformation has picked up dramatically as the president has barnstormed across the country, holding rallies with his supporters. Each of those rallies usually yields 35 to 45 suspect claims."
"in the seven weeks leading up the midterm elections, the president made 1,419 false or misleading claims — an average of 30 a day. Combined with the rest of his presidency, that adds up to a total of 6,420 claims through Oct. 30, the 649th day of his presidency, according to The Fact Checker’s database that analyzes, categorizes and tracks every suspect statement uttered by the president. The flood of presidential misinformation has picked up dramatically as the president has barnstormed across the country, holding rallies with his supporters. Each of those rallies usually yields 35 to 45 suspect claims."
Schimel, Walker Went to Bat for Koch Brothers in Fight for Donor Secrecy
https://prwatch.org/news/2018/11/13412/schimel-walker-went-bat-koch-brothers-fight-donor-secrecy?fbclid=IwAR3xnxorTjVsoyJq7NzbfN0364-JiihQ1jANQZXHkXy5j1bKx9N_Qczilg4
"Attorney General Brad Schimel filed a friend-of-the-court brief last year in support of the Koch network's legal challenge to a California law requiring disclosure of large donors to state regulators. The action came with Governor Scott Walker's approval, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The action put Wisconsin on the side of the Koch brothers in their aggressive campaign to limit disclosure of the IRS form that requires nonprofits to list donors of $5,000 or more, and to eliminate the filing requirement in the first place. Those "Schedule B" filings are not available to the public, but California and a handful of other states require nonprofits to provide state regulators with a copy. The Koch's American for Prosperity (AFP) Foundation joined a Thomas More Law Center court challenge to California's requirement. After three years of litigation, a three-judge panel in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state. "The court of appeals was ultimately not persuaded that the Foundation should be entitled to sidestep a general law regulating tax-exempt groups based on the minute possibility that a confidential regulatory disclosure requirement would expose its donors to a 'substantial probability' of threats, harassment, or reprisals," said the Campaign Legal Center, which filed a brief in support of California in the case. Schimel joined with attorneys general from Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, and Texas to file an amicus brief in support of AFP's foundation in the appeal."
"Attorney General Brad Schimel filed a friend-of-the-court brief last year in support of the Koch network's legal challenge to a California law requiring disclosure of large donors to state regulators. The action came with Governor Scott Walker's approval, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The action put Wisconsin on the side of the Koch brothers in their aggressive campaign to limit disclosure of the IRS form that requires nonprofits to list donors of $5,000 or more, and to eliminate the filing requirement in the first place. Those "Schedule B" filings are not available to the public, but California and a handful of other states require nonprofits to provide state regulators with a copy. The Koch's American for Prosperity (AFP) Foundation joined a Thomas More Law Center court challenge to California's requirement. After three years of litigation, a three-judge panel in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state. "The court of appeals was ultimately not persuaded that the Foundation should be entitled to sidestep a general law regulating tax-exempt groups based on the minute possibility that a confidential regulatory disclosure requirement would expose its donors to a 'substantial probability' of threats, harassment, or reprisals," said the Campaign Legal Center, which filed a brief in support of California in the case. Schimel joined with attorneys general from Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, and Texas to file an amicus brief in support of AFP's foundation in the appeal."
Pre-existing positions come back to haunt key Republican candidates
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/pre-existing-positions-come-back-haunt-key-republican-candidates?fbclid=IwAR3OgMjavyo9cNwAMhyhETL6XsnMHQeap5-Z723_vHfibWzOYjUvyuELnYI
"Obviously, it’s an election season, and it’s to be expected that assorted politicians are going to engage in spin, exaggerations, and hyperbole. But McSally’s claims are more offensive than the usual campaign palaver. For one thing, there is no “fight” to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. That fight ended when Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act – which McSally voted to repeal and replace with legislation that would’ve gutted those safeguards."
"Obviously, it’s an election season, and it’s to be expected that assorted politicians are going to engage in spin, exaggerations, and hyperbole. But McSally’s claims are more offensive than the usual campaign palaver. For one thing, there is no “fight” to protect Americans with pre-existing conditions. That fight ended when Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act – which McSally voted to repeal and replace with legislation that would’ve gutted those safeguards."
Leading Newspapers in Texas' Largest Three Cities All Endorse Beto O'Rourke over Ted Cruz
https://www.alternet.org/election-03918/dallas-morning-news-endorses-beto-orourke?fbclid=IwAR2MwtwO_HdI212WEPtYkHKr6Les05Fo0u1ehgLBemcweSLFCz_kBTEZOOk
"On Thursday, the Dallas Morning News became the latest paper in Texas to endorse Democratic El Paso Rep. Beto O'Rourke for Senate, choosing him over incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. "In conducting his campaign, he has displayed a demeanor that offers respect for each person and a humbleness that will allow him to open the door to working with those who hold political views different from his," wrote the editorial board. "We believe O'Rourke is right in calling for rejoining the Paris climate accord, supporting the vast potential of renewable energy in Texas, and calling for universal background checks on guns. He is also right to reject the call for construction of a border wall and to call for comprehensive and fair immigration reform." The editorial board faulted Cruz for his divisiveness and rhetoric. "Lincoln, echoing the Gospel of Mark, cautioned us long ago that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And we believe that at this moment, we cannot afford such an approach"."
"On Thursday, the Dallas Morning News became the latest paper in Texas to endorse Democratic El Paso Rep. Beto O'Rourke for Senate, choosing him over incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz. "In conducting his campaign, he has displayed a demeanor that offers respect for each person and a humbleness that will allow him to open the door to working with those who hold political views different from his," wrote the editorial board. "We believe O'Rourke is right in calling for rejoining the Paris climate accord, supporting the vast potential of renewable energy in Texas, and calling for universal background checks on guns. He is also right to reject the call for construction of a border wall and to call for comprehensive and fair immigration reform." The editorial board faulted Cruz for his divisiveness and rhetoric. "Lincoln, echoing the Gospel of Mark, cautioned us long ago that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And we believe that at this moment, we cannot afford such an approach"."
Republicans Are Still Rewriting History On Pre-Existing Conditions
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mcsally-republican-pre-existing-conditions_us_5bc62785e4b055bc947ade8a?fbclid=IwAR1ZSVl6LRj4Xr0zpAAjb_anh7KDaOVwPmu6PkDYgCibDY3fqjxknJOV7yI
"Now it’s Senate candidate Martha McSally telling whoppers about her record on health care."
"Now it’s Senate candidate Martha McSally telling whoppers about her record on health care."
Editorial: No, Republicans are not the party of pre-existing condition protection. Never have been.
https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-no-republicans-are-not-the-party-of-pre-existing/article_b6622234-f1b3-5bdf-8f4f-7a3441270567.html?fbclid=IwAR0OPd49kXly8x3yJg61Y1H3NrHS8jPdVWuwk55xnQtbwZivaor7rFjlyGM
"With Election Day looming, Republicans around the country, at every ballot level, are engaged in a party-wide effort to pull the proverbial wool over voters’ eyes on health care. It’s best summed up in a recent tweet from President Donald Trump, which is, even by his mendacious standards, astonishing: “Republicans will totally protect people with Pre-Existing Conditions, Democrats will not!” This isn’t just an attempt by Republicans to jump on a popular train; it’s an attempt to jump on a train they have been trying to derail for years, and will finally dynamite if they maintain control of Congress."
"With Election Day looming, Republicans around the country, at every ballot level, are engaged in a party-wide effort to pull the proverbial wool over voters’ eyes on health care. It’s best summed up in a recent tweet from President Donald Trump, which is, even by his mendacious standards, astonishing: “Republicans will totally protect people with Pre-Existing Conditions, Democrats will not!” This isn’t just an attempt by Republicans to jump on a popular train; it’s an attempt to jump on a train they have been trying to derail for years, and will finally dynamite if they maintain control of Congress."
Monday, November 5, 2018
Criminal justice, marijuana, and the shape of the judiciary itself are on the ballot in these states
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/1/1808856/-Criminal-justice-marijuana-and-the-shape-of-the-judiciary-itself-are-on-the-ballot-in-these-states?fbclid=IwAR3a4S0pcHya-tC0ng4O3lxL8Fd8irU_qhICtOW656Kjj-Qx4a_LFOsu6Og
"Four states are also deciding whether to loosen restrictions on marijuana usage, with Michigan and North Dakota voting on whether to fully legalize the drug, including for recreational usage. Polling has consistently shown Michigan's Proposal 1 passing, but it's unclear if North Dakota’s far more conservative electorate is on board with full legalization yet. Meanwhile, Missouri and Utah will vote on legalizing medical marijuana. Missouri voters have to choose between three competing measures: The two that are constitutional amendments would take precedence over the one that’s only a statute, but if both amendments pass, the one with more votes wins out."
"Four states are also deciding whether to loosen restrictions on marijuana usage, with Michigan and North Dakota voting on whether to fully legalize the drug, including for recreational usage. Polling has consistently shown Michigan's Proposal 1 passing, but it's unclear if North Dakota’s far more conservative electorate is on board with full legalization yet. Meanwhile, Missouri and Utah will vote on legalizing medical marijuana. Missouri voters have to choose between three competing measures: The two that are constitutional amendments would take precedence over the one that’s only a statute, but if both amendments pass, the one with more votes wins out."
Donald Trump didn't tell the truth 83 times in 1 day
https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/02/politics/donald-trump-lies/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0-SOmyAtM_qYVdoe2b07C0YB5oh8eBTsrrH8Oip9EBPpN0Gxo9ckiGQ4k
"Trump is averaging -- AVERAGING -- 30 false or misleading claims a day in the last seven weeks. And, per the Fact Checker, he often of late soars far above that average. As one example: On October 22, when he traveled to Houston to hold a rally for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R), Trump, said 83 untrue things in a single day. 83!"
"Trump is averaging -- AVERAGING -- 30 false or misleading claims a day in the last seven weeks. And, per the Fact Checker, he often of late soars far above that average. As one example: On October 22, when he traveled to Houston to hold a rally for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R), Trump, said 83 untrue things in a single day. 83!"
8 lessons from psychology that explain Trump’s caravan fearmongering
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/11/2/18055812/trump-midterms-caravan-fear-psychology?fbclid=IwAR2OJ0FYT9PF74uKZa17uh7uAiQl0Bvr_Sg6cDjXwTYHegBiuUBKg_YHAAI
"Fear is a deeply encoded emotion that can easily be stoked by politicians, with hugely damaging consequences."
"Fear is a deeply encoded emotion that can easily be stoked by politicians, with hugely damaging consequences."
Former high-ranking VA GOP senator endorses Democrats for Congress: ‘It goes beyond politics now’
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/2/1809389/-Former-high-ranking-VA-GOP-Senator-endorses-Democrats-for-Congress-It-goes-beyond-politics-now?utm_campaign=trending&fbclid=IwAR0ahBObex189r7LZtJM3gGrB2Um6WoDgAgBIedS0iDcTwl3SBFw1AFQt0Y
"Warner says he’s been “impressed” with Abigail Spanberger. He’s also endorsing Senator Tim Kaine and Leslie Cockburn in VA-05."
"Warner says he’s been “impressed” with Abigail Spanberger. He’s also endorsing Senator Tim Kaine and Leslie Cockburn in VA-05."
Texas Democrat MJ Hegar to Her Opponent: ‘You Don’t Know Sh-t About War’
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mj-hegar-texas-ad-751202/?fbclid=IwAR2dPe97mWQON8TbnGq_NceiJQdMAA8GNMQ7Y5yauKHu2BLogth2wT7O2_o
"The final ad features Hegar riding her motorcycle down a solitary road in her district. The clip is unlike her previous videos, which highlighted elements of her backstory such as her struggles with domestic violence, a health crisis during childbirth and her service as a Purple Heart combat veteran. In this final clip, Hegar speaks directly to her opponent, Republican incumbent Congressman John Carter. “I’m MJ Hegar — the ‘lady’ you’re ‘at war with?'” Hegar says, citing how Carter described her in interviews. “Respectfully, Congressman, you don’t know sh*t about war. I did three tours in Afghanistan and I’m here to tell you that a campaign is a discussion about issues.” Those issues, for Hegar, come down to better health care coverage, veteran’s services and jobs. But because Hegar and Carter have never met in-person, the race has devolved into a he-said, she-said back and forth. Hegar argues that her district needs a representative who is more accessible than Carter has been to District 31, where he has not held a public town hall in five years (though Carter has, more recently, hosted public halls on Facebook Live.) According to Hegar, Carter has not responded to multiple inquiries to engage with her in a public debate in the district. A spokesperson for the Carter campaign tells Rolling Stone that scheduling differences prevented a debate from occurring."
"The final ad features Hegar riding her motorcycle down a solitary road in her district. The clip is unlike her previous videos, which highlighted elements of her backstory such as her struggles with domestic violence, a health crisis during childbirth and her service as a Purple Heart combat veteran. In this final clip, Hegar speaks directly to her opponent, Republican incumbent Congressman John Carter. “I’m MJ Hegar — the ‘lady’ you’re ‘at war with?'” Hegar says, citing how Carter described her in interviews. “Respectfully, Congressman, you don’t know sh*t about war. I did three tours in Afghanistan and I’m here to tell you that a campaign is a discussion about issues.” Those issues, for Hegar, come down to better health care coverage, veteran’s services and jobs. But because Hegar and Carter have never met in-person, the race has devolved into a he-said, she-said back and forth. Hegar argues that her district needs a representative who is more accessible than Carter has been to District 31, where he has not held a public town hall in five years (though Carter has, more recently, hosted public halls on Facebook Live.) According to Hegar, Carter has not responded to multiple inquiries to engage with her in a public debate in the district. A spokesperson for the Carter campaign tells Rolling Stone that scheduling differences prevented a debate from occurring."
In racist video, Trump can’t even try to scare people without lying
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/racist-video-trump-cant-even-try-scare-people-without-lying?fbclid=IwAR3QyH8u2gCPXO_eDQFyPCsWfvJa8skxx5p9bf2Y6k6hE6O86w4VlMTOGkE
"The president seems to think the Republican base will mindlessly swallow any nonsensical red meat he throws its way, especially with only a few days remaining before Election Day. Because Trump doesn’t appear to fully respect these voters, he assumes they won’t know or care about the truth. GOP voters shouldn’t be motivated by this nonsense; they should be insulted by it."
"The president seems to think the Republican base will mindlessly swallow any nonsensical red meat he throws its way, especially with only a few days remaining before Election Day. Because Trump doesn’t appear to fully respect these voters, he assumes they won’t know or care about the truth. GOP voters shouldn’t be motivated by this nonsense; they should be insulted by it."
State Rep’s Outline For Killing Non-Believers In Holy War Is Referred To FBI
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/washington-state-legislator-circulates-proposal-on-exterminating-liberals?fbclid=IwAR10I6rNrL9IcK1F-dFeuo5ucrb1WBubA2Xm1nthQ7ibBTdbehl2Uh0KMjI
"A Washington state lawmaker who moonlights as a wannabe theocrat has stumbled into FBI scrutiny over a how-to guide he wrote on killing non-believers and establishing a Christian theocracy."
"A Washington state lawmaker who moonlights as a wannabe theocrat has stumbled into FBI scrutiny over a how-to guide he wrote on killing non-believers and establishing a Christian theocracy."
A Party Defined by Its Lies
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/opinion/republican-party-lies.html?fbclid=IwAR0reUMlzogPlnOY0mKpEWpp11TZtY6SNZ70gYsYt4Wn5sMy_ej5ianyNV0
"a Republican campaign built entirely on lies should itself be a political issue — a reason to vote Democratic even if you want tax cuts. For we’re not just talking about a party selling bad ideas on false pretenses. The addiction to lies has also — let’s be blunt — turned it into a party of bad people."
"a Republican campaign built entirely on lies should itself be a political issue — a reason to vote Democratic even if you want tax cuts. For we’re not just talking about a party selling bad ideas on false pretenses. The addiction to lies has also — let’s be blunt — turned it into a party of bad people."
The desperate demagogue
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/11/2/18051420/trump-closing-argument-ugly-immigration-speech?fbclid=IwAR21pRoXM_OWFSvfij0tyXpvMpsgXjgfmOullIkVK8T8zkApMpKy_45H5Lc
"President Donald Trump’s closing argument for the 2018 midterm elections represents a dangerous escalation of demagogic rhetoric. If it works, things are only going to get worse."
"President Donald Trump’s closing argument for the 2018 midterm elections represents a dangerous escalation of demagogic rhetoric. If it works, things are only going to get worse."
Challenges to Corporate Power Are on the Ballot
Challenges to Corporate Power Are on the Ballot:
"Voters use the ballot initiative process as a way to reclaim democracy from corporate chieftains determined to curb the power of everyday people. It also provides an opportunity for greater engagement of citizens in state and local government. While individual candidates and high profile races dominate the headlines, ballot initiative results deserve close attention Election Day. They are an important tool for advancing local concerns and beating back the excesses of plutocrats who have little concern for human welfare."
"Voters use the ballot initiative process as a way to reclaim democracy from corporate chieftains determined to curb the power of everyday people. It also provides an opportunity for greater engagement of citizens in state and local government. While individual candidates and high profile races dominate the headlines, ballot initiative results deserve close attention Election Day. They are an important tool for advancing local concerns and beating back the excesses of plutocrats who have little concern for human welfare."
Trump administration decides to stop funding efforts to counter far-right extremism
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-administration-guts-homeland-security-efforts-to-counter-domestic-terror-40d8e10b4b6a/?fbclid=IwAR2NbiAfFdjH5pDFbINBlrLsEEKwSkz2cqLrkzPEhbhnfats1gtZGL8grN8
"One of those groups affected is Life After Hate, a group dedicated specifically to working with white supremacists to leave their ideology behind. Other recipients included academic projects aimed at deterring younger Americans from gravitating toward white supremacy."
"One of those groups affected is Life After Hate, a group dedicated specifically to working with white supremacists to leave their ideology behind. Other recipients included academic projects aimed at deterring younger Americans from gravitating toward white supremacy."
On health care, some Republicans ‘are stealing Obama’s rhetoric’
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/health-care-some-republicans-are-stealing-obamas-rhetoric?fbclid=IwAR0TVXfqzZHR1GnTgM5qfiZxCVlTwzmTYulDgDPmAr-teODqObNOEX8NlTM
"On health care, however, the GOP is lying about the details and the broader sentiment behind them. The party is, for all intents and purposes, pretending to be Democrats, despite everything they said and did up until a few months ago. The fact that Republicans are parroting Obama’s rhetoric from a decade ago is extraordinary, but the fact that they expect voters to believe it is laughable."
"On health care, however, the GOP is lying about the details and the broader sentiment behind them. The party is, for all intents and purposes, pretending to be Democrats, despite everything they said and did up until a few months ago. The fact that Republicans are parroting Obama’s rhetoric from a decade ago is extraordinary, but the fact that they expect voters to believe it is laughable."
Jewish Woman Passes Emotional Letter to Airline Passenger in MAGA Cap: ‘Your Hat Sanctions Our Death'
https://www.alternet.org/jewish-woman-passes-emotional-letter-airline-passenger-maga-cap-your-hat-sanctions-our-death?fbclid=IwAR1aE8ZJBxdTnuf5PDU0fKzCrsSPeCi1t_KxqKQOi2n7Tshm4t69rqpUJOM
"Merissa wondered if the Trump supporter meant “to scare black people, Jews [and] immigrants.” “To us, your hat sanctions our death, our murder, our evisceration,” she added. “Because you’re hat supports a man who does little to help us and so much to fuel hatred, violence and cruelty.” Merissa ended the note by telling the man that she feels “love” for him. “I hope your good America doesn’t include flushing me and my people out,” she concluded."
"Merissa wondered if the Trump supporter meant “to scare black people, Jews [and] immigrants.” “To us, your hat sanctions our death, our murder, our evisceration,” she added. “Because you’re hat supports a man who does little to help us and so much to fuel hatred, violence and cruelty.” Merissa ended the note by telling the man that she feels “love” for him. “I hope your good America doesn’t include flushing me and my people out,” she concluded."
Racist-In-Chief
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-racist-ad-750415/?fbclid=IwAR3bpf3AvMUFy1KXDBaQNI6Scdb6ivRSppDUd-V5Q7fl2xHU2yjV9pIRi1M
"President Trump has provided America with yet another reminder to never underestimate how deep into the gutter he will crawl to win an election."
"President Trump has provided America with yet another reminder to never underestimate how deep into the gutter he will crawl to win an election."
Fox Business looks to paper over its promotion of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
https://thinkprogress.org/fox-business-looks-to-paper-over-its-promotion-of-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-4fa6ada761e4/?fbclid=IwAR3szUw3kOiOocweC3PcoxSzyE_W63GQ-tjReJzqnce_fl_eoSO4JJbzVUE
"Fox Business senior VP Gary Scheier yanked the Dobbs segment in question from the station’s re-airing pool. Media reporters Oliver Darcy and Brian Stelter relayed a statement from Scheier saying the network condemns Farrell’s rhetoric. Farrell used the same ZOG-adjacent phrase in a May appearance, too, Darcy noted. The truth is that Fox loves the Soros-is-the-devil framework, and is only crow-hopping backward on Farrell because he had the ingenious idea to ape the phraseology of out-and-out neo-Nazis. Fox News and Fox Business are each deeply bought into the Soros narrative. Judicial Watch, Farrell’s organization, has long been a useful ally in that smear campaign, routinely firing out incomplete information swaddled in the kind of batty handwaving paranoia about Soros that had once been restricted to places like Breitbart, Alex Jones’ Infowars, and other places that have been legitimized and laundered into the mainstream by Fox’s powerful messaging machine for decades."
"Fox Business senior VP Gary Scheier yanked the Dobbs segment in question from the station’s re-airing pool. Media reporters Oliver Darcy and Brian Stelter relayed a statement from Scheier saying the network condemns Farrell’s rhetoric. Farrell used the same ZOG-adjacent phrase in a May appearance, too, Darcy noted. The truth is that Fox loves the Soros-is-the-devil framework, and is only crow-hopping backward on Farrell because he had the ingenious idea to ape the phraseology of out-and-out neo-Nazis. Fox News and Fox Business are each deeply bought into the Soros narrative. Judicial Watch, Farrell’s organization, has long been a useful ally in that smear campaign, routinely firing out incomplete information swaddled in the kind of batty handwaving paranoia about Soros that had once been restricted to places like Breitbart, Alex Jones’ Infowars, and other places that have been legitimized and laundered into the mainstream by Fox’s powerful messaging machine for decades."
Why Did Synagogue Suspect Believe Migrant Caravan Is Jewish Conspiracy? Maybe He Watched Fox News.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/robert-bowers-suspected-synagogue-shooter-believes-migrant-caravan-is-jewish-conspiracy.html?fbclid=IwAR3SKW7orDEVqw-vKkuqBK1Qmt4vhGYQEe6zpQnO6KEbwtIeNbDFacs07BQ
"Fox News has often talked about a connection between the caravan and George Soros, who is often described by anti-Semites as the head of a “globalist” effort that is “seeking to undermine a white, Christian social order,” as Talia Levin wrote in the Washington Post recently. On Thursday, merely two days before Bowers reportedly opened fire at the Pittsburgh synagogue, Lou Dobbs had a guest on the show who directly made the connection between Soros and the caravan. “A lot of these folks have affiliates that are getting money from the Soros-occupied state department,” Chris Farrell, Judicial Watch’s director of investigations and research, said. As Josh Marshall from Talking Points Memo pointed out on Twitter “‘ZOG’ is a staple of white supremacist/neo-Nazi websites/literature etc. Stands for ‘Zionist occupied government,’… This guy knows exactly what lever he’s pulling when he uses this phrase,” Marshall wrote. A screengrab of an apparent Bowers repost on Gab appears to confirm he was well acquainted with the term. Farrell was hardly the first to make the connection on Fox News. Earlier in the month, Fox & Friends also mentioned the connection, this time citing a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz that openly questioned whether Soros was funding the caravan. “Mr. Gaetz yesterday called for an investigation whether U.S. backed NGO’s, or George Soros were behind the caravan,” Fox News’ Steve Doocy said. Rep. Louie Gohmert also mentioned the possibility that Soros was funding the caravan earlier this week. “Well, I can’t help but think the Democrats — perhaps Soros — may be funding this thinking it’s going to help them,” Gohmert said. Beyond what he could have heard on Fox News though, Bowers also seemed to be fond of a theory that has become viral on far-right websites and forums. That theory involves a photo that appears to show migrants getting onto a truck that has an apparent Star of David visible on the side."
"Fox News has often talked about a connection between the caravan and George Soros, who is often described by anti-Semites as the head of a “globalist” effort that is “seeking to undermine a white, Christian social order,” as Talia Levin wrote in the Washington Post recently. On Thursday, merely two days before Bowers reportedly opened fire at the Pittsburgh synagogue, Lou Dobbs had a guest on the show who directly made the connection between Soros and the caravan. “A lot of these folks have affiliates that are getting money from the Soros-occupied state department,” Chris Farrell, Judicial Watch’s director of investigations and research, said. As Josh Marshall from Talking Points Memo pointed out on Twitter “‘ZOG’ is a staple of white supremacist/neo-Nazi websites/literature etc. Stands for ‘Zionist occupied government,’… This guy knows exactly what lever he’s pulling when he uses this phrase,” Marshall wrote. A screengrab of an apparent Bowers repost on Gab appears to confirm he was well acquainted with the term. Farrell was hardly the first to make the connection on Fox News. Earlier in the month, Fox & Friends also mentioned the connection, this time citing a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz that openly questioned whether Soros was funding the caravan. “Mr. Gaetz yesterday called for an investigation whether U.S. backed NGO’s, or George Soros were behind the caravan,” Fox News’ Steve Doocy said. Rep. Louie Gohmert also mentioned the possibility that Soros was funding the caravan earlier this week. “Well, I can’t help but think the Democrats — perhaps Soros — may be funding this thinking it’s going to help them,” Gohmert said. Beyond what he could have heard on Fox News though, Bowers also seemed to be fond of a theory that has become viral on far-right websites and forums. That theory involves a photo that appears to show migrants getting onto a truck that has an apparent Star of David visible on the side."
Hate Unbound
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/30/hate-unbound?fbclid=IwAR3UV6PsHUcTOGM3mh446d_46lFZke8QyCKMMO6YVAiapGW4TKAA1AiGK5w
"Fox News has magnified the fear and hate exactly as its founder would have wanted. A guest on Lou Dobbs’ show claimed the caravan was being funded by the “Soros-occupied State Department.” That same week, Soros was among the targets of pipe bombs sent to prominent Democrats and members of the media. A Florida man who identifies himself as a Trump supporter was arrested in connection with the attempted bombings. Hours before a gunman entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed eleven worshipers, he reportedly wrote that a Jewish organization for refugees “likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” Bombs mailed to political leaders. Threats against the media. A shooting in a place of worship. None were directly ordered by Trump or his propaganda affiliate. They didn’t have to be. Trump’s demagoguery inspired it. Fox News magnified it. The hatefulness is unconstrained. Having fired the few “adults” in his Cabinet, Trump is now loose in the White House, except for a few advisors who reportedly are trying to protect the nation from him. House and Senate Republicans are not holding him back. To the contrary, they have morphed into his sycophants. An increasing number are sounding just like him. Atwater and Ailes are gone from this world, but their descendants – Fox News’s Sean Hannity and Bill Shine, formerly Roger Ailes’s deputy – have direct pipelines to Trump (Shine is now formally installed in the West Wing). The upcoming election is not really a choice between Republicans and Democrats. Those traditional labels have lost most of their meaning, if not much of their value. It is really a choice about the moral compass of America."
"Fox News has magnified the fear and hate exactly as its founder would have wanted. A guest on Lou Dobbs’ show claimed the caravan was being funded by the “Soros-occupied State Department.” That same week, Soros was among the targets of pipe bombs sent to prominent Democrats and members of the media. A Florida man who identifies himself as a Trump supporter was arrested in connection with the attempted bombings. Hours before a gunman entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed eleven worshipers, he reportedly wrote that a Jewish organization for refugees “likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” Bombs mailed to political leaders. Threats against the media. A shooting in a place of worship. None were directly ordered by Trump or his propaganda affiliate. They didn’t have to be. Trump’s demagoguery inspired it. Fox News magnified it. The hatefulness is unconstrained. Having fired the few “adults” in his Cabinet, Trump is now loose in the White House, except for a few advisors who reportedly are trying to protect the nation from him. House and Senate Republicans are not holding him back. To the contrary, they have morphed into his sycophants. An increasing number are sounding just like him. Atwater and Ailes are gone from this world, but their descendants – Fox News’s Sean Hannity and Bill Shine, formerly Roger Ailes’s deputy – have direct pipelines to Trump (Shine is now formally installed in the West Wing). The upcoming election is not really a choice between Republicans and Democrats. Those traditional labels have lost most of their meaning, if not much of their value. It is really a choice about the moral compass of America."
Breaking down Gab: What you need to know about the social media platform that is a "haven for white nationalists"
https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/10/28/breaking-down-gab-what-you-need-know-about-social-media-platform-haven-white-nationalists/221890?fbclid=IwAR3M_D7TPMKb1FOyrTrrsMFqqtDkTFH3K9ng6wsg7gQSk9bAL9NJImcYWe8
"Extremists embraced the platform as an opportunity, and white nationalist darling Tucker Carlson hosted Torba during his prime-time show on Fox to promote Gab, failing to mention the extremism that had already festered on the site."
"Extremists embraced the platform as an opportunity, and white nationalist darling Tucker Carlson hosted Torba during his prime-time show on Fox to promote Gab, failing to mention the extremism that had already festered on the site."
Trump Declares Himself A Nationalist. What Would Orwell Say?
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/10/24/1806837/-Trump-Declares-Himself-A-Nationalist-What-Would-Orwell-Say?utm_campaign=spotlight&fbclid=IwAR2bXx-oLc5C0ZHTo-thSMdmYdV0zpBW045oP1W1UxDg6r9qLoEcGpRQzoA
"2. Instability By this, Orwell refers to how prior values and views will be subordinated to new values of the culture and personality of nationalism. Old truths will be abandoned and prior lies will be accepted as true. “A country or other unit which has been worshipped for years may suddenly become detestable, and some other object of affection may take its place with almost no interval.” We certainly see this today as Trump attacks formerly respected allies, from Canada to NATO, in harsh terms. Trump does this while boosting those who were previously, and deservedly, the most disrespected in the world. A few years ago it would have been inconceivable that Americans would accept an American President saying he fell in love with the despotic leader of North Korea. Now Americans take that in stride, without batting an eye, his followers cheer it! There are many more examples of this, many quite disturbing, as the President seems to favor the most aggressive and evil nationalists he desires to emulate, while insulting our closest historical democratic allies. 3. Indifference to Reality “Nationalism is power-hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also — since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself — unshakeably certain of being in the right . . . [Every nationalist] spends part of his time in a fantasy world in which things happen as they should . . . One has no way of verifying the facts, one is not even fully certain that they have happened, and one is always presented with totally different interpretations from different sources . . . The general uncertainty as to what is really happening makes it easier to cling to lunatic beliefs. Since nothing is ever quite proved or disproved, the most unmistakable fact can be impudently denied. Moreover, although endlessly brooding on power, victory, defeat, revenge, the nationalist is often somewhat uninterested in what happens in the real world."
"2. Instability By this, Orwell refers to how prior values and views will be subordinated to new values of the culture and personality of nationalism. Old truths will be abandoned and prior lies will be accepted as true. “A country or other unit which has been worshipped for years may suddenly become detestable, and some other object of affection may take its place with almost no interval.” We certainly see this today as Trump attacks formerly respected allies, from Canada to NATO, in harsh terms. Trump does this while boosting those who were previously, and deservedly, the most disrespected in the world. A few years ago it would have been inconceivable that Americans would accept an American President saying he fell in love with the despotic leader of North Korea. Now Americans take that in stride, without batting an eye, his followers cheer it! There are many more examples of this, many quite disturbing, as the President seems to favor the most aggressive and evil nationalists he desires to emulate, while insulting our closest historical democratic allies. 3. Indifference to Reality “Nationalism is power-hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also — since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself — unshakeably certain of being in the right . . . [Every nationalist] spends part of his time in a fantasy world in which things happen as they should . . . One has no way of verifying the facts, one is not even fully certain that they have happened, and one is always presented with totally different interpretations from different sources . . . The general uncertainty as to what is really happening makes it easier to cling to lunatic beliefs. Since nothing is ever quite proved or disproved, the most unmistakable fact can be impudently denied. Moreover, although endlessly brooding on power, victory, defeat, revenge, the nationalist is often somewhat uninterested in what happens in the real world."
Intel Withdraws Funding For White Supremacist GOP Congressman Steve King
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/steve-king-intel_us_5bd7120ee4b055bc948e433e?fbclid=IwAR1lLILGxMgNY4gq3lmaqempDjgq_C4mv3gKij8xCxq0_Li76Ha3FdjzYhU
"King has long promoted white nationalist views without any consequence from the GOP."
"King has long promoted white nationalist views without any consequence from the GOP."
The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Is the Inevitable Result of Trump’s Vile Nationalism
https://www.thenation.com/article/pittsburgh-shooting-result-trump-nationalism/?fbclid=IwAR25oqPDkY61ffteb9nvJ46xtOkw_D7-S0Q8KI-DHLTjbZV9hihSGVVHP-E
"The viciously nationalist rhetoric Trump now uses at his rallies, his onslaught against “globalists”—the word itself, along with “cosmopolitan” has always been anti-Semitic code for “Jewish”—his demonizing of immigrants, of refugees, of asylum seekers, his accusation that George Soros is somehow behind the caravan of Hondurans and Guatemalans, this is quite simply fodder for anti-Semites. “Soros” to anti-Semites in 2018 is a similar slur to “Rothschild” in the previous century. Most American Jews are all too aware of what Trump’s rhetoric and actions can lead to. While much of the Orthodox community supported him in 2016, the overwhelming majority of Jewish voters did not. An American Jewish Committee poll last year found that 77 percent of US Jews opposed Trump. In solidarity with other immigrants’ rights organizations, groups like HIAS have continually sounded the alarm on the toxic nature of Trumpism. And the rabbi of the synagogue that was attacked today himself penned an article earlier this year warning of the dangers of both the gun culture and the anti-immigrant moment. “Our school students deserve better. Immigrant families deserve better. We deserve better,” he wrote. And yet, two years into his violent, nationalist presidency, a number of high-profile Jewish political and business figures continue to support and enable his presidency. Despite the fact that Trump has repeatedly dallied with the far right of US politics; despite the fact that the KKK supports him and that fascist websites such as The Daily Stormer routinely cheer him on; despite the fact that he found it impossible to unequivocally condemn neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville last summer; despite the fact he retweets tweets from virulent, conspiracy-minded organizations and individuals; despite the fact that several of his speeches over the past two years eerily echo language from speeches given by Mussolini and Hitler"
"The viciously nationalist rhetoric Trump now uses at his rallies, his onslaught against “globalists”—the word itself, along with “cosmopolitan” has always been anti-Semitic code for “Jewish”—his demonizing of immigrants, of refugees, of asylum seekers, his accusation that George Soros is somehow behind the caravan of Hondurans and Guatemalans, this is quite simply fodder for anti-Semites. “Soros” to anti-Semites in 2018 is a similar slur to “Rothschild” in the previous century. Most American Jews are all too aware of what Trump’s rhetoric and actions can lead to. While much of the Orthodox community supported him in 2016, the overwhelming majority of Jewish voters did not. An American Jewish Committee poll last year found that 77 percent of US Jews opposed Trump. In solidarity with other immigrants’ rights organizations, groups like HIAS have continually sounded the alarm on the toxic nature of Trumpism. And the rabbi of the synagogue that was attacked today himself penned an article earlier this year warning of the dangers of both the gun culture and the anti-immigrant moment. “Our school students deserve better. Immigrant families deserve better. We deserve better,” he wrote. And yet, two years into his violent, nationalist presidency, a number of high-profile Jewish political and business figures continue to support and enable his presidency. Despite the fact that Trump has repeatedly dallied with the far right of US politics; despite the fact that the KKK supports him and that fascist websites such as The Daily Stormer routinely cheer him on; despite the fact that he found it impossible to unequivocally condemn neo-Nazi violence in Charlottesville last summer; despite the fact he retweets tweets from virulent, conspiracy-minded organizations and individuals; despite the fact that several of his speeches over the past two years eerily echo language from speeches given by Mussolini and Hitler"
Even After Synagogue Shooting, GOP Congressman Spread Caravan Conspiracy Theory
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/even-after-synagogue-shooting-gop-congressman-spread-caravan-conspiracy-theory/?fbclid=IwAR3Px8itEf59gLKkTXqr1BByxZSUXm5_LKOyCWI0cfXwluWqqISGemJ-0n4
"This isn’t the first conspiracy theory that Rohrabacher, 15-term congressman facing a tough reelection fight, has adopted. Following the deadly white nationalist protest that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year, he said he believed a “Hillary and Bernie supporter” had gathered Civil War re-enactors under the pretense of protecting the city’s Robert E. Lee statue—a “setup” by “left-wingers” who were trying to “put our president on the spot"."
"This isn’t the first conspiracy theory that Rohrabacher, 15-term congressman facing a tough reelection fight, has adopted. Following the deadly white nationalist protest that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year, he said he believed a “Hillary and Bernie supporter” had gathered Civil War re-enactors under the pretense of protecting the city’s Robert E. Lee statue—a “setup” by “left-wingers” who were trying to “put our president on the spot"."
"I Am a Nationalist": Donald Trump Apes Mussolini in Drive to Destroy America
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/24/i-am-nationalist-donald-trump-apes-mussolini-drive-destroy-america?fbclid=IwAR1xwgeDQw0Chy8IVdjrcRgK5xZWrn8ADzy3gwjuZ22Ox0xfzvEvQXFpg1k
"It is important that everyone understand how dangerous what Trump said is. He intends to destroy the United States as it has existed in modern history, as a country of the rule of law, a country of laws and not of men, a country with a free press. He intends to mobilize his supporters in the far rightwing gangs, in the police and the armed forces as Black Shirts if he can, to break heads. He intends to move the country to Fascism. That is what he means when he says, “I am a nationalist"."
"It is important that everyone understand how dangerous what Trump said is. He intends to destroy the United States as it has existed in modern history, as a country of the rule of law, a country of laws and not of men, a country with a free press. He intends to mobilize his supporters in the far rightwing gangs, in the police and the armed forces as Black Shirts if he can, to break heads. He intends to move the country to Fascism. That is what he means when he says, “I am a nationalist"."
Fox News pushing conspiracy theory that motivated Pittsburgh synagogue shooter
https://thinkprogress.org/fox-news-invasion-migrant-caravan-robert-bowers-4850831b6bd4/?fbclid=IwAR3n5TqeX80yCjSvjEVt3IdCimoY1BJ1WJd1MHo4v-vOBdVXT1y8smBf0-U
"If you thought that the murder of 11 Jewish people in their place of worship would be enough to stop Fox News personalities from pushing this “invasion” narrative, think again."
"If you thought that the murder of 11 Jewish people in their place of worship would be enough to stop Fox News personalities from pushing this “invasion” narrative, think again."
It’s a Right-Wing Cover-Up: Trump Was a Big Inspiration for the Synagogue Slaughter in Pittsburgh
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/30/its-right-wing-cover-trump-was-big-inspiration-synagogue-slaughter-pittsburgh?fbclid=IwAR3DiF_kJY3KjeT7P3DQGJ5K040RyzoEvWG89z_RDxuaWsT2kbk8P3hqyCw
"It’s a straight line—through Fox and right-wing hate radio—from Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants to the terrorist himself."
"It’s a straight line—through Fox and right-wing hate radio—from Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants to the terrorist himself."
What Has Trump Done To Us, America?
https://forward.com/opinion/412816/what-has-trump-done-to-us-america/?attribution=home-hero-item-text-2&fbclid=IwAR0JhE6oxRNjN4grOWlNFzKSKVxTh3L7hs0iUem3BqFmT4_MbE53TQJzeEQ
"We have become the nation of immigrants that is turning its back on immigrants, throwing them away from the border, separating families, locking up their children, and portraying them as satanic creatures ready to invade rather than ordinary people fleeing untenable circumstances. So is it any wonder that Robert Bowers, the man arrested for shooting eight people dead this morning at Etz Chaim synagogue in the heavily Jewish Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, was obsessed with HIAS, the legendary immigrant aid society that has helped Jews and non-Jews for more than a century? “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people,” he wrote on a social media post that has since been deleted. “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” We have become a nation where even the sacred space of worship no longer offers protection against raging white men with guns. (And they are almost always white men with guns.) Etz Chaim in Pittsburgh will now join the ignoble list of religious sanctuaries splattered with blood. Southerland Springs, Texas in 2017 (26 people dead.) Antioch, Tennessee in 2017 (one dead, many wounded.) Charleston, South Carolina in 2015 (nine dead.) The list really can go on. But very worst of all, we are a nation with a president who stokes this anger — against immigrants, against minorities, against anyone who disagrees with him at any moment — and then, when violence and death stain the landscape, blames the victims for not protecting themselves enough, as if that were the reason for the bloodshed. It’s time for the Jewish community in all its many facets to confront the complicity of the man in the White House, and all who support him — with money, votes, political expertise and moral cover. Because if you excuse the radical divisiveness spawned by this man, you are part of the problem. If you ignore his hateful tweets because you like his policies on Israel, you are part of the problem."
"We have become the nation of immigrants that is turning its back on immigrants, throwing them away from the border, separating families, locking up their children, and portraying them as satanic creatures ready to invade rather than ordinary people fleeing untenable circumstances. So is it any wonder that Robert Bowers, the man arrested for shooting eight people dead this morning at Etz Chaim synagogue in the heavily Jewish Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, was obsessed with HIAS, the legendary immigrant aid society that has helped Jews and non-Jews for more than a century? “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people,” he wrote on a social media post that has since been deleted. “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” We have become a nation where even the sacred space of worship no longer offers protection against raging white men with guns. (And they are almost always white men with guns.) Etz Chaim in Pittsburgh will now join the ignoble list of religious sanctuaries splattered with blood. Southerland Springs, Texas in 2017 (26 people dead.) Antioch, Tennessee in 2017 (one dead, many wounded.) Charleston, South Carolina in 2015 (nine dead.) The list really can go on. But very worst of all, we are a nation with a president who stokes this anger — against immigrants, against minorities, against anyone who disagrees with him at any moment — and then, when violence and death stain the landscape, blames the victims for not protecting themselves enough, as if that were the reason for the bloodshed. It’s time for the Jewish community in all its many facets to confront the complicity of the man in the White House, and all who support him — with money, votes, political expertise and moral cover. Because if you excuse the radical divisiveness spawned by this man, you are part of the problem. If you ignore his hateful tweets because you like his policies on Israel, you are part of the problem."
The President Refuses to Take a Shred of Responsibility. His Propagandists Are Working Overtime.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a24397525/president-trump-pittsburgh-shooting-democrats-bombings-cnn/?fbclid=IwAR2RWQq_MkpPxjDVVH1w7Ut_DOjMPDXlPXPrMYBQN5UVIcSjigAAlD2Gxb0
"These shameless liars will say anything. And Fox's programming in general has gone on as if the spasm of violent bloodshed last week never happened. Remember that the Pittsburgh shooter specifically cited unfounded conspiracies about The Caravan? Here's Fox and Friends' coverage this morning. The immigrants are bringing disease now? This is fascist propaganda. There is not a shred of evidence to support it—not unlike Brian Kilmeade's earlier statement that many migrant children will become MS-13 members in his neighborhood. But it's yet another attempt to dehumanize the supposed invaders coming for the southern border. In reality, the people in "The Caravan" are a thousand miles away, and those that make it to the border will present themselves to American immigration authorities in the hopes of getting an asylum hearing, as is their right under international law and treaties to which the United States is a signatory. In saner times, we might call them "refugees." But not in these times. The idea the migrants in The Caravan are vermin carrying disease is now apparently one of the stock tropes at Fox"
"These shameless liars will say anything. And Fox's programming in general has gone on as if the spasm of violent bloodshed last week never happened. Remember that the Pittsburgh shooter specifically cited unfounded conspiracies about The Caravan? Here's Fox and Friends' coverage this morning. The immigrants are bringing disease now? This is fascist propaganda. There is not a shred of evidence to support it—not unlike Brian Kilmeade's earlier statement that many migrant children will become MS-13 members in his neighborhood. But it's yet another attempt to dehumanize the supposed invaders coming for the southern border. In reality, the people in "The Caravan" are a thousand miles away, and those that make it to the border will present themselves to American immigration authorities in the hopes of getting an asylum hearing, as is their right under international law and treaties to which the United States is a signatory. In saner times, we might call them "refugees." But not in these times. The idea the migrants in The Caravan are vermin carrying disease is now apparently one of the stock tropes at Fox"
This is Trump’s America: Slaughter in Pittsburgh, racist killings at Kroger and the MAGAbomber
https://www.salon.com/2018/10/29/this-is-trumps-america-slaughter-in-pittsburgh-racist-killings-at-kroger-and-the-magabomber/?fbclid=IwAR0eVJSKLG67t3oZzlJjJVQ8ReoU9yKtKehrYCXXpKeMdmZdZZrYiJj2M-4
"Trump and his administration have defunded programs targeting right-wing domestic terrorists. He and other Republican leaders have chosen to overlook the dire threat to public safety posed by members of the white-supremacist right, a threat senior American law enforcement officials have described as being greater than that posed by radical Islam."
"Trump and his administration have defunded programs targeting right-wing domestic terrorists. He and other Republican leaders have chosen to overlook the dire threat to public safety posed by members of the white-supremacist right, a threat senior American law enforcement officials have described as being greater than that posed by radical Islam."
The President Is Pushing the Exact Conspiracies Cited by the Pittsburgh Shooter 5 Days After the Attack
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a24509738/president-trump-conspiracy-theories-pittsburgh-shooter/?fbclid=IwAR2en7c6gjcrvH_sLPpPfKO6v2Vdp6qml-jLN1ARnUoENQ6_Y_BOA0CowPo
"This is a quintessential example of outright propaganda, directly from the president."
"This is a quintessential example of outright propaganda, directly from the president."
Trump’s Amorality Is Spreading Throughout the GOP
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-shooting-response-748320/?fbclid=IwAR1wPmsE4anv6lLCUH31iPFvMVSCc8LgtL31j7sxe-LbvrakP7hazJ-kta0
"The man who shot up the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh had railed against the “invaders” in the migrant caravan the president has propped up as his key talking point leading into the midterms. The shooter criticized the president for not being harsh enough on the Jewish people, although it’s hard to argue that Trump’s actions since taking office — from praising the “fine people” protesting the presence of Jews in America last year in Charlottesville, to his repeated denigrations of “globalists,” to his laughing last Friday at the idea of George Soros being jailed — hasn’t emboldened anyone with antisemitic views. White nationalist Rep. Steve King (R-IA) is so confident he will win reelection next week that he’s been in eastern Europe rubbing elbows with far-right groups like the anti-immigrant, Nazi-founded Freedom Party in Austria. “If they were in America pushing the platform that they push, they would be Republicans,” Kind said, according to the Washington Post. On Monday morning, the president echoed the shooter’s language by referring to the migrant caravan as an “invasion.” But Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders doesn’t see the president as having anything to do with any of this, implying that the attack on Saturday was carried out despite the president’s love of the Jewish people. The Jewish community in Pittsburgh disagrees. Jewish leaders in the city on Sunday penned an open letter to the president, writing that he is not welcome in Pittsburgh until he denounced white nationalism. “For the past three years your words and your policies have emboldened a growing white nationalist movement,” they wrote. “You yourself called the murderer evil, but yesterday’s violence is the direct culmination of your influence.” They added that Trump has “also deliberately undermined the safety of people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities” and that Saturday’s “massacre is not the first act of terror you incited against a minority group in our country"."
"The man who shot up the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh had railed against the “invaders” in the migrant caravan the president has propped up as his key talking point leading into the midterms. The shooter criticized the president for not being harsh enough on the Jewish people, although it’s hard to argue that Trump’s actions since taking office — from praising the “fine people” protesting the presence of Jews in America last year in Charlottesville, to his repeated denigrations of “globalists,” to his laughing last Friday at the idea of George Soros being jailed — hasn’t emboldened anyone with antisemitic views. White nationalist Rep. Steve King (R-IA) is so confident he will win reelection next week that he’s been in eastern Europe rubbing elbows with far-right groups like the anti-immigrant, Nazi-founded Freedom Party in Austria. “If they were in America pushing the platform that they push, they would be Republicans,” Kind said, according to the Washington Post. On Monday morning, the president echoed the shooter’s language by referring to the migrant caravan as an “invasion.” But Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders doesn’t see the president as having anything to do with any of this, implying that the attack on Saturday was carried out despite the president’s love of the Jewish people. The Jewish community in Pittsburgh disagrees. Jewish leaders in the city on Sunday penned an open letter to the president, writing that he is not welcome in Pittsburgh until he denounced white nationalism. “For the past three years your words and your policies have emboldened a growing white nationalist movement,” they wrote. “You yourself called the murderer evil, but yesterday’s violence is the direct culmination of your influence.” They added that Trump has “also deliberately undermined the safety of people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities” and that Saturday’s “massacre is not the first act of terror you incited against a minority group in our country"."
Sully: 'As A Former Republican, I've Already Voted. And I Voted For Democrats.
https://crooksandliars.com/2018/11/sully-former-republican-ive-already-voted?fbclid=IwAR2wm7G23eaxNU0RLMJwqnLpi33yuFcSHntqVmBQaXN4p8dTc07PhigtN-I
"Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who has been a registered Republican for decades. But this election cycle, he sees things not in red vs. blue but in terms of American vs. Un-American"
"Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who has been a registered Republican for decades. But this election cycle, he sees things not in red vs. blue but in terms of American vs. Un-American"
Trump’s Judges Imperil Our Rights for Decades
https://truthout.org/articles/trumps-judges-imperil-our-rights-for-decades/?fbclid=IwAR18Hw1SwHi6yj_8PW1HsIoovxHp1NIvNih3MmtvcXKRBgDMxSmhoNN--U4
"Trump has been systematically packing the federal circuit courts of appeals with conservative judges who are already slashing the rights of workers, immigrants, women, LGBTQ people, consumers, voters, the environment, people accused of crime and whistleblowers."
"Trump has been systematically packing the federal circuit courts of appeals with conservative judges who are already slashing the rights of workers, immigrants, women, LGBTQ people, consumers, voters, the environment, people accused of crime and whistleblowers."
The Constitution Is on the Ballot
The Constitution Is on the Ballot:
"This is a tipping-point election. The choice is between representational democracy and neo-fascism."
"This is a tipping-point election. The choice is between representational democracy and neo-fascism."
Believe Republicans When They Say They’re Coming After Your Health Care
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-health-care-obamacare-medicare-medicaid_us_5bd72b78e4b055bc948eb3d9?fbclid=IwAR2uPTYrkTOZzlTRJmZHzSb3sTKGzg2ZdKN4coofLkCYO0oglALg5FjZQE8
"It’s not just the lies about pre-existing conditions. The GOP still wants to go after Obamacare, Medicaid and Medicare."
"It’s not just the lies about pre-existing conditions. The GOP still wants to go after Obamacare, Medicaid and Medicare."
Republicans Are Afraid Of Democracy, So They’re Dismantling It
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-trump-gop-voter-suppression-georgia_us_5bd88ba6e4b017e5bfd694a1?fbclid=IwAR2rFvLd-OJXcBHXrl4rVfEm4_ey0WaIauheDgWEfO4Tq4lypOEL6N9DLtg
"Today, in the midst of another election fight, the unearthly fear of democracy is once again terrorizing conservative politicians. And the state, led by President Donald Trump, is once again embracing white nationalism. As early as 2012, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that his party was “not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term,” and an “autopsy” of the GOP’s performance in that year’s elections confirmed the prognosis. The problem for Republicans is that as the party became increasingly racially and ideologically homogeneous, the electorate grew more and more diverse and comprised an ever larger share of potential voters. Even more chilling for the GOP, despite rampant voter suppression, which it has applied with “almost surgical precision,” black voter turnout has skyrocketed. Fueled in large measure by the work of civil society and African Americans’ disdain for Trump, black turnout in the 2017 Alabama Senate special election was 25 percent higher than it was in the 2016 election. The hard-core demographic facts of the GOP have tied the party into a Gordian knot: Republicans must advocate for democracy, but because of the party’s right-wing policies, their only path to victory requires undermining that very democracy. For example, Brian Kemp, the Georgia secretary of state and Republican candidate for governor, recently voiced concerns that his Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams’ formidable voter registration efforts posed a considerable risk to his election ― “especially,” he remarked, “if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote.” He has done what he can ― purging voter rolls, putting tens of thousands of registrations in electoral limbo, shutting down polling places and opting not to update voting machines that are changing ballots cast for Abrams to votes for himself ― but he and Abrams are still in a statistical tie."
"Today, in the midst of another election fight, the unearthly fear of democracy is once again terrorizing conservative politicians. And the state, led by President Donald Trump, is once again embracing white nationalism. As early as 2012, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that his party was “not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term,” and an “autopsy” of the GOP’s performance in that year’s elections confirmed the prognosis. The problem for Republicans is that as the party became increasingly racially and ideologically homogeneous, the electorate grew more and more diverse and comprised an ever larger share of potential voters. Even more chilling for the GOP, despite rampant voter suppression, which it has applied with “almost surgical precision,” black voter turnout has skyrocketed. Fueled in large measure by the work of civil society and African Americans’ disdain for Trump, black turnout in the 2017 Alabama Senate special election was 25 percent higher than it was in the 2016 election. The hard-core demographic facts of the GOP have tied the party into a Gordian knot: Republicans must advocate for democracy, but because of the party’s right-wing policies, their only path to victory requires undermining that very democracy. For example, Brian Kemp, the Georgia secretary of state and Republican candidate for governor, recently voiced concerns that his Democratic opponent Stacey Abrams’ formidable voter registration efforts posed a considerable risk to his election ― “especially,” he remarked, “if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote.” He has done what he can ― purging voter rolls, putting tens of thousands of registrations in electoral limbo, shutting down polling places and opting not to update voting machines that are changing ballots cast for Abrams to votes for himself ― but he and Abrams are still in a statistical tie."
Local Paper and Interfaith Leaders Blast Iowa Rep. Steve King: “Those Were Not Easy Words for Us to Write”
https://theintercept.com/2018/10/30/steve-king-tree-of-life/?fbclid=IwAR14yuEFS08zm5plHaQ_nbjJjl8F5GtfkXb_XfOzQ6vcSSFAiO8HiIPrKxk
"IOWA FAITH LEADERS are demanding that backers of white nationalist Rep. Steve King pull their financial support of his re-election bid, as his history of racist rhetoric faces heightened scrutiny following a massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and a wave of pipe bombs mailed to prominent critics of President Donald Trump. King’s Republican colleagues have long shrugged off his promotion of white supremacist ideology, but the recent attacks have renewed national outrage. Under intense pressure, at least three of his donors — dairy company Land O’Lakes, tech giant Intel, and Purina — have withdrawn their support."
"IOWA FAITH LEADERS are demanding that backers of white nationalist Rep. Steve King pull their financial support of his re-election bid, as his history of racist rhetoric faces heightened scrutiny following a massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, and a wave of pipe bombs mailed to prominent critics of President Donald Trump. King’s Republican colleagues have long shrugged off his promotion of white supremacist ideology, but the recent attacks have renewed national outrage. Under intense pressure, at least three of his donors — dairy company Land O’Lakes, tech giant Intel, and Purina — have withdrawn their support."
Trump’s Love Affair With Violence in the Age of Fascist Nihilism
https://truthout.org/articles/trumps-love-affair-with-violence-in-the-age-of-fascist-nihilism/?fbclid=IwAR11OOmSgOlz4MT99oXPVvTd0yF1Hmk17FkhzQGIho6HwSDJt4XwraM0StU
"Fascism first begins with linguistic violence and then gains momentum as an organizing force for shaping a culture that legitimates indiscriminate violence against entire groups — Black people, immigrants, Jews, Muslims and others considered “disposable.” In this vein, Trump portrays his critics as “villains” and “enemies,” describes immigrants as “losers” and “criminals,” and has become a national mouthpiece for violent nationalists and a myriad of extremists who trade in hate and violence. Using a rhetoric of hate as a performance strategy to whip up his base, Trump employs endless rhetorical tropes of hate and demonization that set the tone for real violence."
"Fascism first begins with linguistic violence and then gains momentum as an organizing force for shaping a culture that legitimates indiscriminate violence against entire groups — Black people, immigrants, Jews, Muslims and others considered “disposable.” In this vein, Trump portrays his critics as “villains” and “enemies,” describes immigrants as “losers” and “criminals,” and has become a national mouthpiece for violent nationalists and a myriad of extremists who trade in hate and violence. Using a rhetoric of hate as a performance strategy to whip up his base, Trump employs endless rhetorical tropes of hate and demonization that set the tone for real violence."
How Fox & Friends Warps the News for Its Most Powerful Viewer
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/fox-and-friends-synagogue-shooting-trump.html?fbclid=IwAR3Icv3PC4CNLDSZwDExfexMxi1pqbRgVYx_eUP8e8SUrAk3dzcqkryEI-8
"Fox & Friends isn’t so much a news program as it is a daily televised support group for early-rising xenophobes. Foremost among these is, of course, Trump himself. Fox & Friends enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the president, who watches the show regularly and often tweets in response to its segments. The Fox & Friends hosts know very well that Trump is tuning in, and it is clear that they are often speaking to him directly, praising his actions and belittling his critics, like courtiers flattering a patron or indulgent parents coddling an insecure child."
"Fox & Friends isn’t so much a news program as it is a daily televised support group for early-rising xenophobes. Foremost among these is, of course, Trump himself. Fox & Friends enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the president, who watches the show regularly and often tweets in response to its segments. The Fox & Friends hosts know very well that Trump is tuning in, and it is clear that they are often speaking to him directly, praising his actions and belittling his critics, like courtiers flattering a patron or indulgent parents coddling an insecure child."
Minnesota GOP Senate Candidate Says People With Pre-Existing Conditions Are ‘Wealthier’
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/karin-housley-pre-existing-conditions_us_5bd8e577e4b01abe6a192135?fbclid=IwAR3u1M0Ck6LObsNtA3cNdom2WQT3_b6ZmN0Nw7n8cvCsAP0kA-3rpybDF-E
"Housley’s claim that she supports coverage for people with pre-existing conditions is dubious."
"Housley’s claim that she supports coverage for people with pre-existing conditions is dubious."
Taylor Swift announces vote for Democrat Phil Bredesen in Tennessee Senate race
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/taylor-swift-announces-vote-democrat-phil-bredesen-tennessee-senate-race-n926321?fbclid=IwAR2c1l9s62hbv_JN8nLspp_cs-wM7CfhQbD0hwwzVtgcdiNyW29busajoGE
"Taylor Swift announced on Instagram Tuesday that she cast an early vote for Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen in Tennessee, and urged others in the state to do the same."
"Taylor Swift announced on Instagram Tuesday that she cast an early vote for Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen in Tennessee, and urged others in the state to do the same."
Saturday, October 27, 2018
After the arrest in Florida, Trump’s guilt is clearer than ever: But will anything change?
https://www.salon.com/2018/10/26/after-the-arrest-in-florida-trumps-guilt-is-clearer-than-ever-but-will-anything-change/?fbclid=IwAR1djFqNVNH5zY9tP17oucPkBiIZYR4LT93QsliCCSTgmMsPKpWGiLbDGoQ
"Donald Trump presents a unique problem. He has repeatedly and publicly chosen to ally himself with a foreign adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, against the safety and security of the United States and the American people. He has encouraged violence and usurped America's democratic norms and institutions, as well as the rule of law. He has evident contempt for the U.S. Constitution and offers aid and comfort to white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and others who reject America's multiracial democracy and are willing to use violence to overthrow it. In total, this makes Donald Trump a domestic enemy, and makes the entire Republican Party complicit. Its leaders have chosen power over patriotism."
"Donald Trump presents a unique problem. He has repeatedly and publicly chosen to ally himself with a foreign adversary, Russian President Vladimir Putin, against the safety and security of the United States and the American people. He has encouraged violence and usurped America's democratic norms and institutions, as well as the rule of law. He has evident contempt for the U.S. Constitution and offers aid and comfort to white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and others who reject America's multiracial democracy and are willing to use violence to overthrow it. In total, this makes Donald Trump a domestic enemy, and makes the entire Republican Party complicit. Its leaders have chosen power over patriotism."
Mail Bombings Suspect Appeared To Promote Trump, Conspiracies On Social Media
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/florida-bomb-suspect-social-media-pro-trump-far-right-conspiracies?fbclid=IwAR2PN3Tki528-oT5WbEjigNoJk0cSviMV0TKP8UBaIPPJhKUQM3NlJHbtaM
"The posts are full of misspellings, run-on sentences, and bizarre stream-of-consciousness word vomit."
"The posts are full of misspellings, run-on sentences, and bizarre stream-of-consciousness word vomit."
Cesar Sayoc Jr., Alleged Mail Bomber, Threatened Democrats on Twitter
https://www.thedailybeast.com/cesar-sayoc-jr-alleged-mail-bomber-threatened-democrats-on-twitter?source=twitter&via=desktop&fbclid=IwAR0ZSgRK7f-zZkwoCGXLGVu2i44PuP01uLKudKlFElW1mvTOSjiyVgJcAbg
"He appears to have repeatedly tweeted about George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist who has long been the target of far-right, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. At one point, Sayoc purportedly wrote “you will vanish” in a tweet aimed at the billionaire. Soros received a suspicious package at his Westchester County home on Monday—the first of at least 12 mailed to liberal public figures this week. Other tweets falsely claimed the February 2018 mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was a false-flag operation orchestrated by Soros and his liberal allies. The account also frequently posted angry messages about Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose name was listed as the return address on the mailed pipe bombs. Other prominent liberal activists—including Parkland survivor David Hogg and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick—are targeted in his tweets."
"He appears to have repeatedly tweeted about George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist who has long been the target of far-right, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. At one point, Sayoc purportedly wrote “you will vanish” in a tweet aimed at the billionaire. Soros received a suspicious package at his Westchester County home on Monday—the first of at least 12 mailed to liberal public figures this week. Other tweets falsely claimed the February 2018 mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was a false-flag operation orchestrated by Soros and his liberal allies. The account also frequently posted angry messages about Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose name was listed as the return address on the mailed pipe bombs. Other prominent liberal activists—including Parkland survivor David Hogg and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick—are targeted in his tweets."
Far Right Urging of Jailing of Political Rivals Linked in History With Bombings
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/10/26/far-right-urging-jailing-political-rivals-linked-history-bombings?fbclid=IwAR3xzSz7ZoSxDg8Lftml2a-qWAV3CiK1-nOULFkxN8xQBKufaBGadsRnTgk
"The mass right wing parties of Europe in the 1920s and 1930s were led by charismatic leaders who whipped up the hatreds of mobs by denouncing immigrants and ethnic and religious groups as threats to the nation and as terrorists and saboteurs. Somehow when politicians set such a tone, in which alternative political leaders and movements are not just seen as a legitimate loyal opposition, but are depicted as criminal traitors who must be locked up, one thing that happens is that bombs start to go off, planted by members of the far Right parties. If you don’t believe me about the connection, consider a few news articles from the 1920s and early 1930s, as the Fascists came to power in Italy and increasingly agitated in Germany"
"The mass right wing parties of Europe in the 1920s and 1930s were led by charismatic leaders who whipped up the hatreds of mobs by denouncing immigrants and ethnic and religious groups as threats to the nation and as terrorists and saboteurs. Somehow when politicians set such a tone, in which alternative political leaders and movements are not just seen as a legitimate loyal opposition, but are depicted as criminal traitors who must be locked up, one thing that happens is that bombs start to go off, planted by members of the far Right parties. If you don’t believe me about the connection, consider a few news articles from the 1920s and early 1930s, as the Fascists came to power in Italy and increasingly agitated in Germany"
As Trump continues attack on CNN, network receives another ‘suspicious package’
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-attacks-cnn-mail-bomb-james-clapper-aef423e14580/?fbclid=IwAR1hwmUOEFPTaJbsDtpLwqpl58xzuv5I-6mMrXrNy-mktfjm9s4XZQxUNdQ
"Hours after President Trump posted a tweet at 3:14 a.m. on Friday lambasting CNN, the network was targeted by another “suspicious package.” NBC reports that the package — which was sent to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper but addressed to the network where he serves as a contributor — is believed to be a bomb. The Clapper package marks the second time this week that CNN has received an explosive device in the mail."
"Hours after President Trump posted a tweet at 3:14 a.m. on Friday lambasting CNN, the network was targeted by another “suspicious package.” NBC reports that the package — which was sent to former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper but addressed to the network where he serves as a contributor — is believed to be a bomb. The Clapper package marks the second time this week that CNN has received an explosive device in the mail."
Fox News Didn’t Know How to Politicize the Pipe Bomb Story
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/10/fox-news-pipe-bombs-caravan-coverage.html?fbclid=IwAR1GPEp536gN_GzYWwfCPqovKCSg31Tu7Wa1o074EzkrteuZisjL-qCWH0U
"The network was set for a day of fear-stoking caravan coverage—until breaking news disrupted its efficient propaganda machine."
"The network was set for a day of fear-stoking caravan coverage—until breaking news disrupted its efficient propaganda machine."
Supreme Leader Trump Brushes Off Terrorist Plot to Murder His Political Adversaries
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-pipe-bombs-746945/?fbclid=IwAR1mVT6At8K9UL6if1L4hdYsn4tbE52-xqjW9bby1q_eajvX7SXWnUVvJJQ
"These are the people Republican politicians fear will vote them out of office, which is why they have mostly refrained from acknowledging Trump’s role in dividing the nation and inciting violence. To them, both sides are to blame, and the bombing attempts are no different from a restaurant refusing to serve Sarah Huckabee Sanders. As a result, a terrorist plot to murder two ex-presidents, other current and former Democratic politicians, a billionaire philanthropist and employees of a news network will be conveniently flushed out of the news cycle in a matter of days."
"These are the people Republican politicians fear will vote them out of office, which is why they have mostly refrained from acknowledging Trump’s role in dividing the nation and inciting violence. To them, both sides are to blame, and the bombing attempts are no different from a restaurant refusing to serve Sarah Huckabee Sanders. As a result, a terrorist plot to murder two ex-presidents, other current and former Democratic politicians, a billionaire philanthropist and employees of a news network will be conveniently flushed out of the news cycle in a matter of days."
The Problem Isn’t Incivility. It’s Trump’s Belief the Media Can’t Criticize Him.
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/10/trumps-pipe-bombs-mainstream-media-clean-up-act.html?fbclid=IwAR36N6fIHwD7AAB25Yky-ALByPn3AVMiN5A1fZSau0ULLdoahbbGxsQv8DU
"Trump persisted in manipulating the media to build his image as a brilliant deal maker by publishing lies so wild the reporters he used couldn’t fathom them. (Reporter Jonathan Greenberg later recounted one such episode, in which Trump lied his way onto the Forbes 400.) Eventually almost all of Trump’s deals collapsed, and his one remaining marketable asset was the media-created perception that he was a brilliant businessman. The corollary to Trump’s expectation that the news media unquestioningly transmit his lies is his demand that it refrain from criticism of any kind. He was fanatical about intimidating reporters with legal threats. He would wring apologies out of any skeptics, or even get them fired — not despite the fact the criticism was true but because it was true. In his incarnation as a political candidate, Trump has mostly lost his ability to intimidate the media with legal threats. (Politicians have a prohibitively high standard for libel in the United States.) But his expectation and worldview are the same. Any news outlet not controlled by his loyalists is “fake news” and an “enemy of the people.” It must “clean up its act” — or else. Trump can’t literally attack reporters, though he can praise allies who do. The mail-bomb threats are the leverage he craves. They are the threat that can make good on his demand, the consequence facing the media for failing to submit to his orders. It is a supreme irony that Trump used his speech last night to delegitimize criticism. “No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains.” But the issue is that Trump, in his psychological makeup and aspirations, is precisely such a historical villain."
"Trump persisted in manipulating the media to build his image as a brilliant deal maker by publishing lies so wild the reporters he used couldn’t fathom them. (Reporter Jonathan Greenberg later recounted one such episode, in which Trump lied his way onto the Forbes 400.) Eventually almost all of Trump’s deals collapsed, and his one remaining marketable asset was the media-created perception that he was a brilliant businessman. The corollary to Trump’s expectation that the news media unquestioningly transmit his lies is his demand that it refrain from criticism of any kind. He was fanatical about intimidating reporters with legal threats. He would wring apologies out of any skeptics, or even get them fired — not despite the fact the criticism was true but because it was true. In his incarnation as a political candidate, Trump has mostly lost his ability to intimidate the media with legal threats. (Politicians have a prohibitively high standard for libel in the United States.) But his expectation and worldview are the same. Any news outlet not controlled by his loyalists is “fake news” and an “enemy of the people.” It must “clean up its act” — or else. Trump can’t literally attack reporters, though he can praise allies who do. The mail-bomb threats are the leverage he craves. They are the threat that can make good on his demand, the consequence facing the media for failing to submit to his orders. It is a supreme irony that Trump used his speech last night to delegitimize criticism. “No one should carelessly compare political opponents to historical villains.” But the issue is that Trump, in his psychological makeup and aspirations, is precisely such a historical villain."
Someone Sent CNN a Bomb. The President Called for Civility—Then Attacked the Media.
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a24213739/cnn-bomb-president-trump-attack-media/?fbclid=IwAR0NoUsS6w8azkvXhlLNMsjIXwAAV9ouWUgtU5FHivhQvce8zNzkC2TMAmg
"Again, someone tried to bomb CNN earlier that day. And now the person who unleashes more invective against the media in general and CNN in particular than anyone else in public life is demanding civility from those who were just physically attacked. The number one dispenser of false information in our society is demanding others stop their "false attacks." It's enough to make you wonder whether Donald Trump, American president, is capable of taking responsibility for anything at all. After all, the president is not merely the most "uncivil" figure in our politics, whose viciousness and blatant disregard for the truth have trickled down to permeate all of our discourse. In this homestretch of the 2018 midterms in particular, it is Donald Trump who is ratcheting up the rhetoric to dangerous new levels This is reality. This is what's happening. The president is banging on about how his political opponents want to allow hordes of faceless criminal brown people to pour into the country through the southern border, and continually suggests the Mainstream Media is aiding and abetting that effort. He has categorized not just CNN and other media outlets, but Democrats, too, as enemies of the state. He has been doing so for some time, but as the election approaches and Republicans' prospects—particularly in the House—have not improved, the president and his allies have turned to a loud and sprawling campaign of outright propaganda. And all the while, he pretends that continually casting his political opponents and the free press as enemies of the American people who are endangering you and your family has no effect on his supporters or the wider political system. He pretends he is not contributing to this "atmosphere" of increasingly violent hostility, even as he embraces political violence from the podium, praising an ally for physically assaulting a reporter. A proto-brownshirt group supporting him went on a violent spree in the streets of New York less than two weeks ago."
"Again, someone tried to bomb CNN earlier that day. And now the person who unleashes more invective against the media in general and CNN in particular than anyone else in public life is demanding civility from those who were just physically attacked. The number one dispenser of false information in our society is demanding others stop their "false attacks." It's enough to make you wonder whether Donald Trump, American president, is capable of taking responsibility for anything at all. After all, the president is not merely the most "uncivil" figure in our politics, whose viciousness and blatant disregard for the truth have trickled down to permeate all of our discourse. In this homestretch of the 2018 midterms in particular, it is Donald Trump who is ratcheting up the rhetoric to dangerous new levels This is reality. This is what's happening. The president is banging on about how his political opponents want to allow hordes of faceless criminal brown people to pour into the country through the southern border, and continually suggests the Mainstream Media is aiding and abetting that effort. He has categorized not just CNN and other media outlets, but Democrats, too, as enemies of the state. He has been doing so for some time, but as the election approaches and Republicans' prospects—particularly in the House—have not improved, the president and his allies have turned to a loud and sprawling campaign of outright propaganda. And all the while, he pretends that continually casting his political opponents and the free press as enemies of the American people who are endangering you and your family has no effect on his supporters or the wider political system. He pretends he is not contributing to this "atmosphere" of increasingly violent hostility, even as he embraces political violence from the podium, praising an ally for physically assaulting a reporter. A proto-brownshirt group supporting him went on a violent spree in the streets of New York less than two weeks ago."
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