Friday, May 29, 2020

Politics related links 052920



Letters From the May 5/11, 2020, Issue

Can Biden Go Left?  The Sanders movement won’t be won over with empty gestures.

The Next Voter Suppression: Wisconsin’s elections gave us a preview of the lengths to which Republicans and their judicial allies will go to disenfranchise voters in November.

Anti-Abortion Opportunism: There is no good time to restrict access to abortion.

Describing Trump Strains the Imagination: Accurately reporting on the White House requires the kind of language that journalists do not generally allow themselves.

Why a Liberal Democrat Supports Vladimir Putin

Best News I Read Today: There will be Criminal Prosecutions

How Will History Judge Barack Obama?  The president succeeded in repairing our institutions—but millions of Americans wanted to blow them up instead.

The Deferred Dream of Barack Obama: His presidency remains symbolic—but it has become an emblem of America’s refusal to truly change.

What Happened to the Change We Once Believed In: After two terms, Obama leaves behind a legacy of promises kept—and broken.

Barack Obama Was Too Cool for the Press Room: The president’s insistence on thinking before acting drove the media around the bend... and toward Donald Trump.

I Miss Our Sane, Calm, Empathetic, Funny President Already: Before Trump’s election, we on the left didn’t give President Obama enough credit. Why?

Obama Was Not an Economic Radical. Trump Will Be.: President Obama’s economic reforms were modest—but they’re definitely worth fighting for.

A Proof, a Test, an Instruction: Obama is ours, in the deep sense that Lincoln is ours.

The Strange Career of American Exceptionalism: …and Barack Obama’s curious role as its most ardent recent champion and prominent victim.

Barack Obama’s Crash Course in Foreign Policy: After eight years on the job and many mistakes, he has gone from callow rookie to seasoned veteran.

Obama’s Civil Rights Legacy—and Ours: Today’s turmoil in race relations may be a testament to the progress his administration made.

Was Barack Obama a Transformational President?  Despite his bold promises, the president put more energy into rescuing, rather than changing, the old system.

Which Way Does the Arc of Obama’s Moral Universe Bend?  Liberals once thought Obama would transcend race—but even his moderate views ended up provoking a whitelash.

Obama Did Not Fail Us—We Failed Each Other: On Barack Obama’s presidency, Trayvon Martin’s death, and the storm clouds of 2016.

Michelle Obama, Between Respectability and Radicalism: While we took pride in the first lady, activists changed what she could do.

The Mysterious Magnetism of Michelle Obama: How did the first lady, a model of intelligence and grace, manage to keep her composure?

The Education of Barack Obama: Only recently has the president focused on progressive issues like school funding and desegregation. Don’t expect Trump to do the same.

Obama’s Record on Climate Change Provides Lessons for Taking on President Trump: The past eight years have proven that pressure from ordinary people can counterbalance elite interests.

Was Obama Silicon Valley’s President?  The industry pinned its hopes on him early on.

American Radicals and the Change We Could Believe In: The Obama era reminded us all that popular movements play an essential role as catalysts for political action.

Let's talk about passion, rhetoric, and public assemblies...

Barack Obama will headline a televised prime-time commencement address for the Class of 2020

Top Republican fundraiser and Trump ally named postmaster general

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to stop release of Mueller material

Justice Department drops prosecution of Michael Flynn

Trump ignores Barr, asks Supreme Court to destroy the entire ACA: With an ACA case pending at the Supreme Court, Barr wanted Trump to choose a more responsible course. Trump decided not to care.

False claim: Ronald Reagan quote on firearms and ammunition

Trump sounds off on 'no talent' late-night hosts; Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert fire back

Secular Marriages Now Legal In Mich.
https://www.au.org/church-state/may-2020-church-state-magazine/au-bulletin/secular-marriages-now-legal-in-mich

Court Upholds N.J. Medical Aid-In-Dying Law
https://www.au.org/church-state/may-2020-church-state-magazine/au-bulletin/court-upholds-nj-medical-aid-in-dying-law

Utah Woman Can’t Sue LDS Church For Fraud, Court Says

Tenn. Parents Say Public School Promoted Religion

Up And Coming -- And Eager To Lead: Americans United New Youth Organizing Fellowship Will Train The Next Generation Of Activists To Defend Separation Of Church And State

War Mania

To Have a People's Government, We the People Must Build It: This is not just a one-time, resist-and-dump Trump campaign we're undertaking but the mobilization of a long-term grassroots movement to reject the systemic corporate takeover of our elections and government at every level.

Letters to the Editor: Combine Socialism with Capitalism, etc.

Trump Goes Anti-Postal

Dispatches: TOP DEMS URGE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WATCHDOG TO PROBE AG, etc.

On the 'information superhighway,' stupid travels fast as smart

Our FDR Figure is a Governor with a Mask

How to beat Trump's vote-trolling: Virginia and Wisconsin show the way. Trump’s assault on the Postal Service and voting by mail is a threat to democracy. Democrats are pushing back

Oh for a Genuine Fifth-Grader in the White House

Death in the Kennedy Family: A Graceful Goodbye in Tragic Times

Donald Trump and John Prine: If you want to understand why America’s rural poor are taken in by Trump, take a close listen to John Prine.

The Week We Should Not Forget for Our Own Sake

No One Can Predict How This Election Will Go: Traditional voting models won't be much use during an unprecedented pandemic.

Watch Rachel Maddow Highlights: May 7 | MSNBC

Russian Dirt on Clinton? ‘I Love It,’ Donald Trump Jr. Said
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/11/us/politics/trump-russia-email-clinton.html?fbclid=IwAR3WphUMIt6jB69M9QpJADYsE0Qd_6uXwiwByrXifrwY3TKGG-eyoQgP7SY

Trump campaign planned for WikiLeaks dump, tried to acquire Clinton emails, Mueller report finds
Mueller also found that members of Trump’s campaign repeatedly sought to acquire Hillary Clinton’s deleted emails at the direction of Donald Trump
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-campaign-planned-wikileaks-dump-tried-acquire-clinton-emails-mueller-n996081?fbclid=IwAR0ztQVD_zr6AevUuGGKKLlAC8dQAangSNksfR6Kfn86GbNDJRQ6dkwsUfk

Roger Stone sentenced to over 3 years in prison as judge slams him for ‘covering up for’ Trump
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/20/trump-friend-roger-stone-sentenced-to-prison-for-wikileaks-lies.html?fbclid=IwAR0SAJGscsxy48BMUur1QqfIB1_wdLKQzZU9utRAbWKB-Qy3mIlmNrNaAsI

ERIK PRINCE OFFERED LETHAL SERVICES TO SANCTIONED RUSSIAN MERCENARY FIRM WAGNER

Michael Flynn: What we know about Trump's former national security adviser

Donald Trump and Bill Barr are running smack into Judge Emmet Sullivan

US withdraws support for UN Security Council global ceasefire resolution

DOJ drops Flynn's criminal case — or at least Barr wants to. And cronyism is the only reason.
There is absolutely no legitimate basis in law or in fact to dismiss Flynn’s guilty plea.

We Can’t Afford to Lose the Postal Service: Republican leaders have long tried to kill the U.S.P.S. Now the coronavirus is helping.

The FBI Didn’t Frame Michael Flynn. That’s Just Trump’s Excuse for a Prospective Pardon.  Flynn’s lawyer says new documents show that Flynn was “set up” by the FBI. In fact, they show no such thing. But they may provide a flimsy excuse for a pardon.

Rantin' Randy's Rant 5-9-20 Pandemic response from the Dictator

Here’s How We’d Really Know That Trump Is the Antichrist

Let's talk with Trae Crowder the liberal redneck....

Let's talk about why people believe certain theories....

Trump Says Asking Congress For Permission Is "Insulting"

Will America Wake Up Before It Is Too Late?

Let's talk about signals, secrets, videos, and the future....

Nearly 2000 former DOJ officials call for AG Barr to resign over Flynn case: It's not clear how the judge in Flynn's case will react to DOJ's reversal.

British Writer Pens The Best Description Of Trump I’ve Read

The Trump Administration Is Made of Swiss Cheese

A post-Trump world will be like Mad Max, says Republican strategist, Rick Wilson

Letters From the May 18/25, 2020, Issue: Neither snow nor rain nor Covid-19… On holding your nose… Progress v. progressive values… Essential tributes… No more neoliberalism…

The Most Consequential Decision of Biden’s 2020 Campaign: Democrats really can’t waste the VP slot this time.

It’s Time to Bring the Supreme Court Into the Modern Era—and the Light: Justice means making the Supreme Court as transparent as possible—and that means turning on the cameras.

One Damn Thing After Another: The long roots of liberal democracy’s crisis.

Congratulations President Trump: You’re the Worst. Even worse that George W. Bush

Howard Stern to Trump supporters: He hates you and so do I

Mitch McConnell, the Most Dangerous Politician in America
https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/political-scene/mitch-mcconnell-the-most-dangerous-politician-in-america?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR356pOPx194WDZZ1upS8oeqhXqqLtZldxhg6YacDjGK1lHq_ip5mnY5968

GOP Stunt To Smear Counter-Intel Expert Peter Strzok Ripe For Backfire | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Justin Amash: a study in vanity.  This preening egotist is the anti-Ron Paul

Justin Amash Can Only Cause Trouble: Unless we radically change how we conduct elections, third-party candidates can’t win. But they can certainly affect the outcome —

Trump bows to Big Meat: The president’s outrageous use of the Defense Production Act to shield slaughterhouses

Mitch McConnell should not use this crisis to advance his 'tort reform’ agenda

Opinion: Bill Barr Twisted My Words in Dropping the Flynn Case. Here’s the Truth.  The F.B.I.’s interview of Mr. Flynn was constitutional, lawful and for a legitimate counterintelligence purpose.

FBI serves search warrant on Sen. Richard Burr amid stock trading controversy: report

We don’t have a president, or a plan: 60 days into the coronavirus crisis, the White House does not have a plan, a framework, a philosophy, or a goal.

USPS: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Rant Randy's Rant 5-14-20

CREW STATEMENT ON EMOLUMENTS RULING

Why Bernie Sanders will win in 2020, no matter who gets elected

Let's talk about the fates and freedom of movement....

Let's talk about social progress and optimism....

Let's talk about why you should be a good person....

Let's talk about following the money and taking Sen McConnell's advice....

Democracy is Broken: Why 51% of Sanders Supporters are Considering a 3rd Party

“MARLA WAS UNDER DURESS”: REVEALED IN HIS MARLA MAPLES PRENUP, DONALD TRUMP’S DRACONIAN ART OF THE MARRIAGE DEAL.  She only got $1 million. Trump called himself a billionaire, but likely wasn’t. Child support would cease if Tiffany joined the Army or the Peace Corps. And other secrets of the Trump-Marla prenup.

Trump Spent Years Posing As His Own Spokesman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdgP7GLEG_g&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0mX-_hlYwZUZbHnCwtZAVoDzYrELmWHK8gZ6JCEfQI6jewqirUD38fHHE

Let's talk about what Trump can learn from John F. Kennedy and the Dunning-Kruger effect....

State Department watchdog ousted: Inspector general Steve Linick is to be replaced by Amb. Stephen Akard, an ally of Vice President Mike Pence.

Our Family, Our Lives. Vaccine or no vaccine. Where I stand. Friday baby. B&B suggested.

Criminal group that hacked law firm threatens to release Trump documents: A known criminal enterprise released a large set of stolen files, at least some of which appeared legitimate.

Full Disclosure: An Interview with Noel Casler: The former "Celebrity Apprentice" talent handler on what he saw behind the scenes.

Pulitzer winner Chris Hedges: These "are the good times — compared to what's coming next"
Author of "America: The Farewell Tour": We're heading for a steep decline; Biden and the Democrats have no answers

Trump products: Made in America?

WHY IS DONALD J. TRUMP ENCOURAGING FOOLS WITH GUNS TO THREATEN AMERICA?

Words of Encouragement - President Abraham Lincoln

Trump's sexual assault allegations: The full list of women who have accused the President: The president has been accused by dozens of women of sexual misconduct. Mr Trump has denied those allegations

President Donald Trump Finally Succeeds In Corrupting DOJ, U.S. Intelligence | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Deadly pandemics usually feature denial from leaders, often prioritizing money, historians say
May 7, 2020

Will Trump Attack the US In Revenge for Not Re-Electing Him? A Psychologist Says Yes, in Catastrophic Form.  Trump is engaged in "democide" -- death by government. We haven't seen the worst of it yet.

Why Joe Biden Should Reach Out to “McCain Republicans”: He might not get their votes but he’ll drive a wedge right through the GOP.

Let's talk about what the founders would do and the Constitution....

Right-wing extremists are planning for a new civil war — and what happens this year will be a ‘key turning point’

Pompeo says he asked for inspector general to be fired because he was 'undermining' the State Department

Trump says Pompeo asked him to fire State Department Watchdog

Sanders Delegates Join Fight To Keep NY Presidential Primary

Trump is refusing to unveil Obama's portrait at the White House, breaking a 40-year tradition

Georgia Republicans cancel election for state Supreme Court, meaning governor can appoint a Republican: Republicans will control a seat on the state Supreme Court for an extra two years.

Opinion: We Are Republicans, and We Want Trump Defeated.  The president and his enablers have replaced conservatism with an empty faith led by a bogus prophet.

DISTRACTION! - A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

The woman behind ‘Roe vs. Wade’ did’nt change her mind; she was paid

Livid Trump Says He’s Done With Fox News: ‘Looking For A New Outlet!’  Trump flips out after being criticized on the network for taking the drug hydroxychloroquine, which has not been approved for the coronavirus.

Trump family dealt a legal blow as ‘pyramid scheme’ lawsuit is set to play out in public

Donald Trump: A Study in Leadership

Trump says if Pompeo's 'wife isn't there' a staffer should do the dishes so he can work

Rantin' Randy's Rant 5-19-20 No accountability from Donnie 's Federal G'ment

TRUMP’S OBSESSION ON BEING REELECTED WILL PROVE TO BE HIS DOWNFALL

We need to prepare for the possibility of Trump rejecting election results

Pompeo's elite taxpayer-funded dinners raise new concerns: The secretary of state's exclusive "Madison Dinners" have featured guest lists heavy on influencers but light on diplomatic invitees.

Supreme Court blocks release of full Mueller Report for now

Trump’s company has received at least $970,000 from U.S. taxpayers for room rentals

The Supreme Court, the Mueller Report & the DOJ's Dangerous Game of Hide and Seek with the Truth.

Transportation Dept's inspector general is latest to be removed: Since early April, four Trump administration inspectors general have been fired. And now there are questions about a fifth IG who was "abruptly" replaced.

Judge allows fraud suit against Trump, family and company to proceed
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/19/politics/fraud-suit-trump-family-company/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_content=2020-05-19T22%3A16%3A05&utm_source=fbCNNp&fbclid=IwAR1Q8GUQRNazWotAg25GCIj01lHGISOTqd8B9dC_TeZJ66NJwmFGR0jFF8U

Ignoring concerns, Republicans confirm new National Intel director: Last year, John Ratcliffe was widely seen as the punch-line to an unfortunate joke. Today, the GOP confirmed him as the director of National Intelligence.

Trump's Lawyers Just Told the Supreme Court That He’s Completely Above Criminal Law: “The president is not to be treated as an ordinary citizen,” Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow said.

Fundamentalist pandemics: Whether in America or Iran, fundamentalist religion often made for dismally bad public policy during the first wave of COVID-19.

‘All time low’: Rep. Schiff on DOJ move to drop Flynn charges: Rep. Adam Schiff: “This puts us back in the category of almost an emerging democracy, where the rule of law is not yet firmly established, where prosecutor decisions are made on the basis of politics.”

Rantin' Randy's Rant 5-21-20 The didtator determine how e vote ?

Will Bunch: Was fired State Department IG about to blow open the defining scandal of Trump's presidency?

New ad makes the case against Lindsey Graham with Graham doing all the talking

Pompeo admits to answering questions in investigation as reporters ask him about IG firing

Behind Trump’s demand to reopen churches: Slipping poll numbers and alarm inside his campaign

6 months on, Trump hasn't completed his physical. The White House won't say why.  Six months after saying he started the process, Trump hasn’t completed his annual 2020 physical.

Trump Condemned for Ditching Treaty That Has 'Helped Prevent Nuclear War for Nearly Three Decades'
"Once again, Donald Trump's belligerent approach to foreign policy has put us all at risk."

Federal Judge Rules Texas Must Allow Residents to Vote by Mail

Europe is abandoning Trump on the world stage as it turns away from the US toward China

Pompeo declined interview request from inspector general about Saudi ams sales

Conservativism is, at its root, all about being selfish

Donald Trump lashes out at Fox News AGAIN demanding network 'fire their fake pollster' after poll showing him losing by EIGHT POINTS to Joe Biden

Let's talk about a Trump and voting by mail theory....

Let's talk about what happens after and force multiplication....

Let's talk about the news you watch and a message from your family....

Rantin' Randy's Rant 5-23-20

Deer In The Headlights | Joe Biden For President

WATCH: Cohen says if Trump loses 2020 election, there won't be a 'peaceful transition of power'

Cory Gardner’s marijuana problem: A win for the influential industry could help the Colorado Republican on Election Day, but he's been striking out.

Bachelor Nation: Coping with the reality TV version of reality

Toward a More Perfect Union: A case for compulsory voting in the age of Trump

Republicans Are Planning to Spend $20 Million So You Won’t Vote: The party is recruiting 50,000 volunteers in 15 states to “monitor polling places and challenge ballots and voters deemed suspicious.”

The Democratic Party’s Cynical, Anti-Democratic Maneuvers Against Bernie Sanders

Fox News Poll Shows Americans Have a Much More Favorable View of Obama Than Biden And Trump

It's now become clear exactly how Republicans might try to overturn a Biden victory in November: 'It's party over country, and they will do whatever they can to hold on to power'

Why Does Donald Trump Sniff So Much? (w/ Dr. Justin A. Frank)

Joe Biden might not be perfect, but he’s far better than Trump

Trump retweets Hillary Clinton is a 'skank' message and spreads sexist insults about other prominent female Democrats

Comedian Roasts Mitch McConnell for Suggesting NY File for Bankruptcy | NowThis

A Trump election conspiracy collapses

New Biden ad claims 'Trump doesn't understand' that his coronavirus missteps 'destroyed' the economy

Let's talk about a poll and debunk a theory....

The Appalling Damage of Dropping the Michael Flynn Case: It embeds into official U.S. policy a shockingly extremist view of law enforcement as the enemy of the American people.

Trump can only win the 2020 election if he ‘cheats’, says Michael Moore

The Justice Department’s lawless reversal on Michael Flynn

If Michael Flynn did nothing wrong, why didn’t he tell the truth?

Why Michael Flynn is walking free: The former National Security Advisor figured out that loyalty to Trump is now a better bet than loyalty to the rule of law

The secrets Flynn was so desperate to conceal: The former National Security Advisor’s lies protected himself.  But the also protected Trump.

Trump's 'Obamagate' comments and Barr's Flynn meddling suggest troubling new pivot: Trump can't pull off this ruse by himself, of course, but he has a partner. Barr is riding shotgun during this scorched-earth joyride against justice.

Obama Warns “Rule of Law Is at Risk” After DOJ Drops Michael Flynn Case

Russian City Removes Plaques Memorializing Polish POWs Massacred By Stalin

Why no one is calling on Trump to resign

The Supreme Court’s “Bridgegate” decision leaves a big hole in America’s anti-corruption laws: The Court’s decision opens the door to a distressing form of government corruption.

Trump Used To Tee Off On Obama For Golfing During Ebola Outbreak That Killed 2 In America: Obama should give up golf while president to “really focus on the job,” Trump scolded.

Let's talk about whether or not you should vote....

Jared Kushner & Co. Just Got a $160 Billion Tax Windfall | Robert Reich

Tom Nichols weighs in on 'The Most Unmanly President': 'Why don't the president's supporters hold him to their own standard of masculinity?,' Tom Nichols asks in his new piece for The Atlantic. Nichols joins Morning Joe to discuss.

Reich at Home: Trump Golfing as the U.S. Mourns 100,000 Dead

Federal appeals court upholds California's ban on in-person church services

The Worst-Case Scenario is Continuing to Accept a Fascist America

The Jeffrey Epstein Case: A Prosecutor's Perspective Part 1

Mitch McConnell Enjoys Making Poor People Suffer

Trump Bashes Marine Vet Congressman As An 'American Fraud' On Memorial Day

Trump Adds New Falsehood to Pelosi/Chinatown Claims

Does Trump's Corruption have a Silver Lining?

Let's talk about taking over the Democratic party and thermostats....

Let's talk about juries, freezing, and being into it....

Let's talk about the Trump, Twitter, and the First Amendment....

Justice Department drops insider trading investigations of three senators
The Republican and Democratic senators were being investigated after they sold off stocks following early briefings on the coronavirus.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Exposes Trump’s ‘Colossal’ Lie About Obama: The newspaper’s editorial board just wiped out Trump’s favorite talking point.

Disapproval of Donald Trump Climbs Higher As Coronavirus Death Toll Nears 100,000 in U.S.

The White House is getting *very* worried about the Senate majority

American Politics Is Now Democrats Versus Authoritarians

Rantin' Randy's Rant 5-26-20 The dictator tried to ruin our honoring the fallen on Memorial Day

Sanders champions Biden in new role of team player

Trump threatens to shut down social media companies

California DA launches investigation into Tara Reade testimony: ‘We are investigating whether Ms. McCabe gave false testimony under oath,’ said a Monterey County prosecutor.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/26/california-tara-reade-investigation-283592?fbclid=IwAR3Xh0XlKT-EjaaB3KdSadxuoXkWKhkbXV742wv38JwUxfXDH8Aw7_tWsJk

Trump moves to shore up support with key voters as economy staggers

Wallace: Pompeo 'lying in front of the world' about ignorance of investigations into his actions
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denied that the firing of State Department Inspector General Steven Linick firing was retaliatory. Nicolle Wallace says, “Mike Pompeo lying right there, I just want to let our viewers know. Mike Pompeo did know exactly what the Inspector General was investigating because he was asked to respond to written inquiries from the Inspector General.”
https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/watch/-mike-pompeo-lying-there-pompeo-denies-state-dept-ig-was-fired-for-investigations-83703877628?fbclid=IwAR0StpZrAxLLR72rDExUZ2tmRrUEb42ChAT6I1d_S6nrEXjLvtFU_Fd8lpA

Steve Bannon wins battle to set up right-wing political academy in Italy: "We stood by the monastery, the community and Italy during this pandemic when it would have been easy to walk way," Bannon said in a statement.

House chairman slams Pompeo for suggesting US could 'disconnect' from Australia over China deal

New Lincoln Project Ad Targets Mitch McConnell

Zuckerberg Says Twitter Is Wrong to Fact-Check Trump

Trump Says ‘Thank You’ To Video Declaring ‘The Only Good Democrat Is A Dead Democrat’
The president shared a tweet from Cowboys for Trump in which the group’s founder told rallygoers that they should protest stay-at-home orders.

Rank-And-File Republicans Turn On Trump In New Effort To Block His Reelection: “I’d vote for a tuna fish sandwich before I’d vote for Donald Trump again,” says one voter in the video testimonials.

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