Politics US Edition Volume II

[Gorth]

Too many links to chose from, but it seems to be official now. Electors cast their votes and no "Faithless" electors this year. Of course, that isn't the end of the process, but I guess the only thing left for Trump is to wring as much money as possible out of his cultists now (edit: I know, pretty much continue with business as usual since he lost the election). It will be interesting to see how much time the congress will use when it comes to that day in January where they have to accept or contest the electoral college votes for individual states.

[Chairchucker]

Hmmm well I think Trump said he'd concede if the Electoral College voted for Biden so obviously we can all expect a smooth transition from this point forward, with no controversy whatsoever.

 

As an aside, I remember hearing recently that the Proud Boys had a change of leadership because the former leader wasn't quite white supremacist enough for their liking. Weird how BLM, which is more a decentralised political movement like vegetarianism or whatever, than an actual definable group, is the terrorist organisation; would've thought that would be a label that would more closely fit the white supremacist hate group.

 

Anyway, looking forward to the concession speech that Trump said he'd give.

[Skarpen]

1 hour ago, Chairchucker said:

As an aside, I remember hearing recently that the Proud Boys had a change of leadership because the former leader wasn't quite white supremacist enough for their liking.

Nope, seems to be the same latino guy since 2019.

[Gromnir]

1 hour ago, Chairchucker said:

Hmmm well I think Trump said he'd concede if the Electoral College voted for Biden...

not exactly.

forgive our sense o' whimsy if we choose a tmz link.

didn't say he would concede. said he will leave the wh and is looking at a january 20 timeline, which is kinda significant as a day after the 'bove linked comments from trump, the soon to be ex-prez said he would leave the wh once biden proved that his near 80 million votes were not fraudulent. 

"trump said," is meaningless 'cause he reverses self almost daily and "honorable" is not an adjective anybody in their right mind would use to describe him in any event. the current status quo has trump ginning up legal defense funds, 75% which go direct to his pac. am suspecting that after today fewer folks will be donating, but trump supporters has proven over and over the reasonable course o' action is not a particular useful method for anticipating their collective behaviour. a sizeable number o' folks barely scraping by 'cause o' the covid-19 ravaged economy will nevertheless donate more money than they can afford to part with in an attempt to prevent the radical liberal apocalypse they has been told by alt-right radio and fox news a joe biden presidency represents.

trump is a highly erratic but ultimately transactional actor. "trump said," may be meaningless, but he will burn down everything if doing so generates more money for his pac. don't expect a concession, but he sure as hell don't wanna be humiliated, and being escorted against his will out o' the wh by the secret service would be embarrassing. 

HA! Good Fun!

ps am suspecting the frivolous law suits won't complete stop even after january 20, 2021. brave new world.

 

[Guard Dog]

US Rep Paul Mitchell from Michigan has resigned from the Republican Party. I thought the letter he sent was worth sharing:

Quote

Mr. Kevin McCarthy

Republican Leader

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman McDaniel and Leader McCarthy:

The weeks since the 2020 General Election have been traumatic for many in our nation, both voters and those of us who took an oath to serve this nation.

As you well know, my voting record in Congress over the past two terms has been in line with President Trump and the administration's policies more than 95 percent of the time. Further, I voted for President Trump in the 2020 General Election despite some reservations about four more years under his leadership. I felt that many policies achieved during the Trump administration had been positive for our nation, whereas the policies espoused by the Democratic Party were too radical and did not reflect my principles.

I have also worked hard to support each of you and your efforts. Ronna, you may recall that I spoke with you several times as you considered undertaking the role of RNC Chair. It was my strong belief that you could help lead our party and support its core principles, and I encouraged you to undertake the position. Kevin, I worked diligently with you as part of the Republican Leadership Team for both the 115th and 116th Congresses. I fervently whipped votes for our policies during both terms on some tough issues.

As an active supporter of the national GOP, the state GOP, the NRCC and individual candidates, I raised almost $800k in just 2 1/2 years for the NRCC to support Republican candidates supported by leadership. I have contributed personal funds, not simply PAC funds, to innumerable candidates at the Federal and state levels.

I agree that there have been some disconcerting aspects to this election. With more than 155 million people voting, both administrative errors and even some fraudulent voting likely occurred. Steps must be taken, by each state, to audit election results, validate ballots and process and report findings to ensure that every legal vote counts. Michigan clearly needs to do that, not just Wayne County. However, the president and his legal team have failed to provide substantive evidence of fraud or administrative failure on a scale large enough to impact the outcome of the election.

Ronna, you know Michigan politics well. President Trump did not lose Michigan because of Wayne County, but rather he lost because of dwindling support in areas including Kent and Oakland County, both previous Republican strongholds. In the 2020 election, President Trump lost Michigan by 154,000 votes, compared to 2016 when his margin of victory was slightly more than 10,700 votes.

I have stated publicly numerous times that when entering the political arena, a person must be willing to accept winning and losing with grace and maturity. Having personally experienced both winning and losing, the latter can be brutal.

Any candidate, including the president, is entitled to request recounts and pursue legal challenges they believe are appropriate if they possess evidence of wrongdoing. President Trump has undertaken or supported both of these options. Recounts have failed to significantly alter the vote outcome in any state and dozens of court cases have been summarily dismissed in both state and Federal courts across our nation.

It is unacceptable for political candidates to treat our election system as though we are a third- world nation and incite distrust of something so basic as the sanctity of our vote. Further, it is unacceptable for the president to attack the Supreme Court of the United States because its judges, both liberal and conservative, did not rule with his side or that "the Court failed him." It was our Founding Fathers' objective to insulate the Supreme Court from such blatant political motivations.

If Republican leaders collectively sit back and tolerate unfounded conspiracy theories and "stop the steal" rallies without speaking out for our electoral process, which the Department of Homeland Security said was "the most secure in American history," our nation will be damaged. I have spoken out clearly and forcefully in opposition to these messages. However, with the leadership of the Republican Party and our Republican Conference in the House actively participating in at least some of those efforts, I fear long-term harm to our democracy.

The stability and strength of our democracy has been an ongoing concern for me. I expressed strong concerns about the president's response to Charlottesville, the anti-immigrant "send them back" rhetoric, and even the racist comments of my own colleagues in the House.

I believe that raw political considerations, not constitutional or voting integrity concerns, motivate many in party leadership to support the "stop the steal" efforts, which is extremely disappointing to me. As elected members of Congress, we take an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States," not to preserve and protect the political interests of any individual, be it the president or anyone else, to the detriment of our cherished nation.

As a result, I am writing to advise you both that I am withdrawing from my engagement and association with the Republican Party at both the national and state level. I will support,

contribute to, and fundraise for individual candidates who reflect the principles I hold dear. Further, by copy of this letter I am also advising Ms. Laura Cox, Chair of the Michigan GOP of this decision.

I am also requesting that the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives change my party affiliation to Independent for the remainder of my term in office. While admittedly symbolic, we all know that symbols matter.

Sincerely,

Paul Mitchell

Member of Congress

—

CC Laura Cox, Chair, Michigan Republican Party

Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

 

[Guard Dog]

OMG! 

 

US politics 2021 explained in 30 seconds

Edited December 15, 2020 by Guard Dog

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Guard Dog said:

US Rep Paul Mitchell from Michigan has resigned from the Republican Party. I thought the letter he sent was worth sharing:

 

Profiles in Courage

[Malcador]

3 hours ago, Guard Dog said:

OMG! 

 

US politics 2021 explained in 30 seconds

Well, or MAGA rallies.

[Guard Dog]

33 minutes ago, Achilles said:

Profiles in Courage

Perhaps Gromnir is right. Perhaps they are not all utter scoundrels and villains, lacking integrity or moral character and engaging only in transactional relationships. Perhaps they are not all arrogant  moral busybodies who seek to torment us endlessly with the smug approval of their own conscience and sense of superiority. Perhaps Justin Amash and Paul Mitchell can show us there is still some decency and courage and conviction to principle to be found in the halls of the US Government. 

Or perhaps they are aberrations at best and at worst the exceptions that prove the rule and my previous description fits 95% of them to a T. I am leaning towards the latter explanation but I am still hopeful I will be surprised.

Edited December 15, 2020 by Guard Dog
Speech to text screwed me

[Guard Dog]

Just now, Malcador said:

Well, or MAGA rallies.

There wouldn’t be a donkey there

[Malcador]

23 minutes ago, Guard Dog said:

There wouldn’t be a donkey there

They're following a jackass, right ?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Guard Dog said:

Perhaps Gromnir is right. Perhaps they are not all utter scoundrels and villains, lacking integrity or moral character and engaging only in transactional relationships. Perhaps they are not all arrogant  moral busybodies who seek to torment us endlessly with the smug approval of their own conscience and sense of superiority. Perhaps Justin Amash and Paul Mitchell can show us there is still some decency and courage and conviction to principle to be found in the halls of the US Government. 

Or perhaps they are aberrations at best and at worst the exceptions that prove the rule and my previous description fits 95% of them to a T. I am leaning towards the latter explanation but I am still hopeful I will be surprised.

I don’t think Paul Mitchell risked much by writing this letter now, especially since he’s already said that he won’t be seeking re-election. I think it’s a mistake to confuse this with bravery.

Regarding the other point in your post, I guess I’m curious why you think it matters or what you would do with such information. If Amash was the one good man in Gomorrah, what would your next step be? 
 

[Gromnir]

1 hour ago, Guard Dog said:

Perhaps Gromnir is right. Perhaps they are not all utter scoundrels and villains, lacking integrity or moral character and engaging only in transactional relationships. Perhaps they are not all arrogant  moral busybodies who seek to torment us endlessly with the smug approval of their own conscience and sense of superiority.

one of these days gd is gonna recognize that there is nothing fundamental different 'bout the dna o' politicians. nor is there a kinda secret test politicians must take before running for office to prove they is sociopaths. like it or not, politicians is people. got same human qualities, admirable and malign, as everybody else. is no they. 

paul mitchell, to his credit, criticized trump's charlottesville comments and for his "go back where you came from," vitriol. however, were dozens o' other instances when mitchell remained silent. when impeachment were before the house, mitchell did not come forward to condemn trump. when mueller testified before committee stating trump were evasive and untruthful in his responses to interrogatories, where were mitchell's criticism?  we musta' missed where mitchell criticized trump for attempting to bury the inspector general report related to trump's ukraine call. when barr and trump sent federal troops to portland, mitchell's courage were mia. am also gonna observe how mitchell is not running for reelection, so he no longer needs trump or republican support. 

paul mitchell does deserve credit for speaking out when so few republicans failed to do so. however, mitchell's belated courage woulda' appeared comical during the nixon debacle. wait to retire before condemning nixon woulda' been ridiculed and mitchell woulda' been unflattering compared to all the republicans who stood up for democracy when it genuine mattered. justified ridicule. is only in comparison to the near ubiquitous cowardice o' 2020 Congressional republicans that paul mitchell's actions appear admirable.

2020 Congressional republicans were not born pimps. unfortunately, being a politician is increasing less 'bout public service and these guys is looking out for their livelihood. citizens united  and campaign funding cases and legislation didn't transform politicians from good to bad, but it exposed xposed the humanity o' politicians.

HA! Good Fun!

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Gromnir

[Guard Dog]

56 minutes ago, Achilles said:

I don’t think Paul Mitchell risked much by writing this letter now, especially since he’s already said that he won’t be seeking re-election. I think it’s a mistake to confuse this with bravery.

Regarding the other point in your post, I guess I’m curious why you think it matters or what you would do with such information. If Amash was the one good man in Gomorrah, what would your next step be? 
 

In reality it does not have anything to do with me really. There is very little the federal government can do to me or for me. Providing I don’t break the law or anything crazy like that and excepting any major domestic policy change. Not planning to break the law so... So it boils down to politics just being something interesting to talk about. As Grom pointed out (as you did too) its one thing to tell them off on your way out the door. It’s quite another to do it while you still have a career in front of you. Amash did that so he ranks higher on the respectable scale but now he’s out of Congress so not much that I can do fo him. If he ever runs for office again I’ll write him a check. What the hell. I make political campaign donations very infrequently. There are a couple of charities I favor and would rather write checks to them. 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Guard Dog
Speech to text screwed me

[Gromnir]

the trump org just lost a case. not election related but one o' those cases which exposes trump to possible criminal charges related to tax evasion and bank fraud. trump co inflated the value o' an easement related to trump's seven springs estate-- took a $21 million tax deduction. the ny ag  now gets access and use o' an engineer's report which undercuts trump valuation by a significant degree.

didn't think the ny ag were gonna win this one. is our understanding the evidentiary issue had previous been litigated. 

regardless, is more bad news for trump and while such sounds less significant than the electoral vote yesterday, from trump's pov, it may be more noteworthy. the ny ag is clear building a case 'gainst trump and they is already finding success in court.

HA! Good Fun!

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Guard Dog said:

In reality it does not have anything to do with me really. There is very little the federal government can do to me or for me.

Have you read any of Michael Lewis' work? If so, do you tend to enjoy his books?

[Guard Dog]

4 minutes ago, Achilles said:

Have you read any of Michael Lewis' work? If so, do you tend to enjoy his books?

Just Moneyball. None of his others

Edited December 15, 2020 by Guard Dog

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Guard Dog said:

Just Moneyball. None of his others

I really enjoyed The Fifth Risk. It's a short read that you could probably crank out in an afternoon.

I know that our taste in books often align, so I'd be interested to hear your take on it.

[Guard Dog]

15 minutes ago, Achilles said:

I really enjoyed The Fifth Risk. It's a short read that you could probably crank out in an afternoon.

I know that our taste in books often align, so I'd be interested to hear your take on it.

OK cool I added it to my to do list. The last one you recommended to me was pretty good. I came to completely different conclusions than  McMillan did but there you go.

[Gromnir]

Trump attorney Jenna Ellis reportedly lied about being fired from DA's office

Ellis was fired from her position as deputy district attorney at the Weld County District Attorney’s Office in 2013. Ellis claimed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that she was fired for refusing to bring a case to trial, believing it to be unethical prosecution.

Records from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment obtained by the newspaper showed that Ellis “made mistakes on cases the employer believes she should not have made,” and “failed to meet the employer’s expectations.”

...

Records stated that Ellis was fired for “unsatisfactory performance.”

HA! Good Fun!

[Guard Dog]

I wonder how long the hoary old greybeards of the DNC (the ones who control the money) will put up with AOC and "the squad". 

Ocasio-Cortez takes direct shot at Pelosi and Schumer - POLITICO 

[Skarpen]

6 minutes ago, Guard Dog said:

I wonder how long the hoary old greybeards of the DNC (the ones who control the money) will put up with AOC and "the squad". 

Ocasio-Cortez takes direct shot at Pelosi and Schumer - POLITICO 

Probably till the next election when they will see if AOC is to stay in politics or is she a one term blip.

[Guard Dog]

55 minutes ago, Skarpen said:

Probably till the next election when they will see if AOC is to stay in politics or is she a one term blip.

She’s already won a second term and defeated a challenger in the process. Kind of doubt she’s going away. However, the DNC can see that she faces primary challengers and then the road will get much rockier.

[HoonDing]

AOC is awesome

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

1 hour ago, Guard Dog said:

I wonder how long the hoary old greybeards of the DNC (the ones who control the money) will put up with AOC and "the squad". 

Ocasio-Cortez takes direct shot at Pelosi and Schumer - POLITICO 

-2 years.