It will take everything good and decent that we’ve got in us to go from this to what seems to be coming next… And let’s do our dangedest to make sure we remember that every single time we witness fear, anger, scorn, prejudice, and cruelty – in others and in ourselves. That’s what we’ve been shown for the past eight years; we must never forget!
Listen at our FLOTUS in that speech and tell me she couldn’t be our President 2020. Yes she can. But she has no interest in politics. And I can’t blame her.
They still look very much in love after being married for so long. They are a lovely, classy couple. I hope you all went and saw “Southside With You” about their first date. Very proud of how they conducted themselves in the White House and will miss them like hell when they’re gone. Sigh.
being in Ohio, there is a chance that you will meet candidates & their surrogates as they search for votes.
– met SoS when he was candidate and his running mate … will not say his name;
;
not to make you jealousy or anything in this administration alone I have:
=> met and shaken PBO’s hand multiple times and worked his events as a volunteer.
—– the first time was when he first came to Columbus during the primary. the event was organized by us ordinary people who were his supporters. the staff came in close to the end and made it more professional.
—– that first time I was so spellbound but I managed to thank him for running.
—– at the end of the event, we went to the back and took a number of group photos with him having his arms around the group. at the last minute one person managed to push his way between us but I was just next. those are some of my most prized photos;
—– he autographed his books for me and I gave a copy of each to my parents back home. they have read them multiple times;
—- I and my close friends have perfected the best position to meet him and shake his hand after the events.
=> met FLOTUS, First Grandma, & the kids when they were with PBO. shook FLOTUS’s hand but the kids did not do the rope-line;
=> special alert : met VP Biden (no glasses but smiling) and shook his hand just a few seconds after shaking hands with PBO at a joint appearance. I took a photo of my friend with VP … but she messed up her chance and didn’t get mine;
=> met Senator astronaut John Glenn and his dear wife;
— celebrities including Mr. Bruce Springsten & Mr. James Taylor when they accompanied PBO … but just missed Jay-Z when him and the Boss accompanied PBO;
… other actors, singers, celebrities on the stump.
–Of course talked to a number of Secret Service agents to thank them for doing a good job … they mainly just shook their heads and promptly ignored us so they could concentrate on their jobs. yes, most are as imposing as they look on video/TV
I bow in your presence, lucky you. Not jealous – much – just so very happy for you!!!! You could write a book on “how to work a rope line”!!! What memories you have to cherish. ā¤
there has always been a call to get involved in conducting the election as staff, poll workers etc.
most of us do not heed that call and leave it to a few workers who are often overwhelmed;
tactics that suppress people’s right to vote must be challenged more vigorously.
protecting the right to vote should also focus on getting updated machines for all precincts, a verifiable paper trail of each electronic vote, minimizing the number of ballots that are routinely thrown out for one reason or another.
Just saw this. I guess the fact that Michigan has some apparent problems with ballot integrity is a moot point, since the Michigan recount was halted today.
Since the election it’s been like living through an endless Twilight Zone episode, where up is down and down is up.
I had dystopian vision for this country and the world on election night, and it hasn’t gotten any better — in fact, the consequences could be unspeakably horrifying for so many people in this country, our precious landscape and in terms of global chaos. And all because of GOP greed and un-American cowardice — elected GOP officials are motivated in their quest to pay no taxes and dismantle every health safeguard (aka regulations) and snatch away any benefit to those in need.
Speaking as a Japanese-American, this Newt Gingrich tweet makes no sense at all. Trumpaloons want to strip all Muslims of all worldly possessions (except for what they can carry) and ship them to internment camps like the US did to Japanese-Americans after Dec 7, 1941. But now Gingrich is praising the Japanese attacks? Will he be praising the Sept 11 murderers next?
I saw this earlier today. I sent him a tweet in response. I suspect that he promptly blocked me after that … was my first time ever communicating with him
The Framers intended for you to protect America from a a demagogue, a scam artist, a person deeply conflicted by their relations with ANY Foreign power – be it governmental, business, or/and political.
Their concern was that such a person would win the POPULAR VOTE. In other words, even if the cornerstone of our democracy – One Person, One Vote – happened to result in such a person being the victor in the National Election, YOUR responsibility would be to NOT Elect that individual President. That is precisely why they created the Electoral College.
They certainly NEVER conceived of the LOSER of the popular, vote who also met their stringent criteria for rejection, being the person the Electoral College would actually Elect President.Secretary Clinton WON the Vote.
She is vastly qualified.
She is not indebted to even one Foreign governmental, commercial, political entity, nor to any individual.
She is not a demagogue.
Thus, it is inconceivable that even one of you would consider Electing the type of person that the Framers sought to have the Electoral College prevent from being President – especially when that person LOST the Vote.
You are responsible for the fate of our democracy, our civilization & humanity itself.
Please put aside any partisan objectives or biases and preserve the American Promise of Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness for EVERY US citizen.
Yes. A strong message must be sent to Trump. He has no mandate to push Republican Rightwing extremist dogma on the American people — most of whom did not vote for him.
Despite @LOLGOP’s Twitter handle, he is able to dig deeply in only 10 words.
Haven’t read this article (because of WaPo paywall limits, rarely click through to read their articles š¦ ), but this a real, tangible consequence of 2016 election:
MSM management/corporate sponsors continue to prop up DJT/Bannon/Flynn authoritarian kleptocracy, delivering news as if this powerful group of white supremacist madmen have any agenda at all beyond dismantling all regulations, privatizing functions of government that provide public service to its citizens (including selling off our beloved, irreplaceable natural wonders) trampling on the First Amendment and self-enrichment.
#VigilanteAuthoritarianKleptocracy for the next four years.
And Jones should have told them if you step one foot toward me or my family I will blow your head off. Speak to those bigots the only way they understand.
A last-minute fight over a āBuy Americaā provision has erupted in the final negotiations over a waterways bill.
At issue is language included in the Senate-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would require American iron and steel products be used in projects assisted by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is actively pushing to strip the provision from the bill.
Good morning TOD folks. Have a beautiful day. I am enjoying these last few days with such pride and sadness inmy heart . The contrast between incoming and outgoing is too stark. Thanks Nerdy for all you do
Weāre going to see how the Republican Party can create a death spiral in the individual market in sixty days or less. They have a few choices:
First Philip Klein in the Washington Examiner wants to create one the old fashion way:
In contrast, Republicans could immediately freeze enrollment ā allowing those who already have insurance through Obamacare to continue receiving subsidies, but preventing new enrollees from receiving any (though theyād still be free to purchase insurance on their own if they arenāt seeking subsidies). The current open enrollment period for privately-administered insurance ends on Jan. 31, so that would be a natural cutoff point.
Do you know who is extremely likely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance with a subsidy? People who are very sick.
Do you know who is extremely unlikely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance without a subsidy? People who have reason to believe they are very healthy.
This proposal will get the individual insurance market to look like the individual markets from the mid-90s in the non-subsidized, non-mandated guarantee issue states. Super high premiums and very sick risk pools. And since insurers set their 2017 rates with the assumption that subsidies are available for Special Enrollment Members, they will lose a lot of money.
Means #2 is just pulling the Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies. Insurers will flee the market. The American Academy of Actuaries have their hair on fire as they look at the impact of Congress not funding Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies after January 20th.
Of course the Republicans are going to launch a new assault on unions, and itās going to be devastating. Unions are a key pillar on the left, especially among progressives. It took me a little while to learn this. I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey in a family filled with professors. My progressive values stemmed not from firsthand knowledge of the plight of the coal miner or steel worker or government bureaucrat, nor from any personal experience of being a racial or religious minority, or even a woman. The scientific ethos of academia was my point of entry to opposition to the right-wing in this country. Everyone starts from some place.
When I left my hometown, I moved to Los Angeles where I found an even more diverse community than the one I had grown up in, and one with a wider chasm between the rich and poor. I went on to work for ACORN and expand my knowledge about what the urban poor and minorities face in terms of our criminal justice system, local governance, education, and employment opportunities.
Working with labor was my last stop along the way. I didnāt originally see unions as necessarily my natural allies or see their causes as my causes. There was overlap in many areas, but maybe we didnāt see eye to eye on the importance of the environment, for example. It was only when I realized how essential they were to getting political power that I began to understand that I needed them to be strong and motivated and effective.
It was then that I understood that academic progressives donāt have the option of picking and choosing which labor issues to support, but we need to have their backs so that theyāll have our backs.
When I wrote yesterday about the chaos among Republicans on the particulars of their ārepeal and delayā strategy on Obamacare, it was before top Senate Republicans met with Pence to hash things out. Apparently meeting with the vice president elect didnāt help much.
After meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Tuesday to hash out plans to repeal Obamacare, top Senate Republicans are no closer to resolving an issue thatās splintering the GOP heading into the start of Donald Trumpās presidency: how long to give themselves to replace the lawā¦
āThe view on that probably is in a constant state of evolution, based on who you talk to,ā said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader. āThe question is: Whatās that duration? Structurally, itās at this point an open question. Weāre hoping to get some direction.āā¦
The length of the transition is pitting hard-line conservatives such as Sen. Ted Cruz and members of the House Freedom Caucus, who favor a relatively speedy replacement, against Senate leaders who are pushing the three-year option.
āIt took six years to get into this mess; itās going to take us a while to get out of it,ā said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas). āOne thing I know for sure is we canāt fail to deliver on the promise to repeal Obamacare.āā¦
āThe sooner we can get rid of it, the better,ā said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the outgoing leader of the Freedom Caucus.
Donald Trump should be incredibly busy. The transition period is limited, as we talked about the other day, presidents-elect are expected to maintain a rather grueling schedule, choosing a cabinet, attending security briefings, staffing a White House, speaking to international leaders, shaping a policy agenda, and even preparing for his inauguration. Every hour of every day counts.
Trump, however, hasnāt yet learned the value of focusing his attention on what matters most. He instead likes to take time complaining about Broadway productions, sketch-comedy shows, and as of last night, local union leaders.
President-elect Donald Trump pledged to be āso presidential you will be boredā during the election, but he continues to keep Americans on their toes after again taking to Twitter to battle his most recent critic.
Chuck Jones, president of United Steelworkers 1999, told NBC News that he had been harassed and threatened in the wake of Trumpās latest attack ā a broadside against Jones leadership of union workers at a Carrier manufacturing plant in Indiana that took center stage last week.
It shouldāve been a relatively minor story. Trump made claims about the Carrier deal that were demonstrably untrue, and Chuck Jones spoke up about it ā as American citizens are still free to do. Last night, the labor leader appeared on CNN to ācorrect some of [Trumpās] math,ā and soon after, the president-elect who lacks impulse control decided itād be a good idea to go after Jones directly.
Trump had better get used to criticism. It’s just starting. He’s had a free ride so far, and thinks he is perfect. He is soon going to have to deal with the reality of constant criticism, and it will be fierce. He is not emotionally or psychologically equipped to deal with it, except to strike back like a nine year old. This is disgusting and pathetic to watch, and will, eventually bring him down I think. He is not an adult.
Good Morning TOD family, lurkers, Nerdy Wonka thank you so much for maintaining our place of sanity and all that is PBO š
I noticed I have not seen posts from Dudette…….has anyone heard from her lately or can get in touch with her? Hope you are well Dudette and any other TOD’ers who are just lurking but can’t or have not posted lately. I love you ALL!
Shortly after Donald Trump chose Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as his choice for Attorney General, the president-electās team put together talking points for Senate Republicans, urging them to sing the senatorās praises. In particular, Team Trump asked GOP lawmakers to say Sessions has a āstrong civil rights record.ā
Given the senatorās actual civil rights record, itās a tough sell.
But as Politico reported., the talking points were also more specific in some cases, noting that Sessions also āled desegregation lawsuits in his home state.ā Trumpās spokesperson pushed the same line with reporters recently, claiming the Alabama Republican āfiled a number of desegregation lawsuits in Alabamaā during his tenure as a U.S. Attorney.
But did that actually happen? The Atlanticās Adam Serwer did some interesting digging into Sessionsā record.
The Atlantic could not find evidence Sessions filed any new school desegregation lawsuits. Searches of the legal databases Westlaw and PACER found no evidence that any new school-desegregation lawsuits were filed in Alabamaās Southern District by Sessions between 1981, when Sessions became U.S. attorney in Alabama, and 1995, when he became Alabama attorney general, though it is possible that the records exist but are not in those databases. The Atlantic could find no reference to the claim in the transcripts of his 1986 confirmation hearing.
Former Justice Department officials and civil-rights experts expressed puzzlement when asked about the claim, in part because nearly every school in Alabama was under desegregation orders by the 1970s, years before Sessions became U.S. attorney.
The first peek at what the incoming Trump administration has planned can be found in HHS nominee Rep. Tom Priceās budget plan, and what the new administration is signaling is nothing less than a war on the nationās seniors.
The report by the Senate Budget Committee Minority Staff provided a great deal of insight into four areas of Pricesās budget that equal a war on seniors:
Sneaking massive benefit cuts through the back door ā The Price proposal includes a devious plan that would likely trigger deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other priorities, while avoiding the need for members of Congress to vote directly for the cuts. The Price plan does this by automatically triggering a process to establish caps on spending and debt levels upon approval of a budget resolution, with the threat of sequestration cuts to enforce those limits. This, for the first time, would allow the Republican majority to ram through cuts to Social Security (among other programs) using a special fast-track process that denies Senate Democrats their normal rights to defend these programs and ensure an adequate opportunity for public input. If Republicans were to pass President-Elect Trumpās tax plan, the resulting increase to the deficit, under this plan, could require cuts to Social Security and Medicare of 13.5 percent, meaning the average Social Security beneficiary would lose more than $2,000 a year. [CAP,10/18/16]ā
Rigging the budget process to cut earned benefitsā Currently, if Congress fails to offset the cost of mandatory spending or new tax breaks, this can trigger across-the-board cuts, or sequestration. However, Social Security is exempt from these cuts, and Medicare is subject to only limited cuts (of 2 or 4 percent, depending on the type of sequestration). Meanwhile, consistent with a previously long-standing bipartisan consensus, most assistance to Americans with the greatest needs is completely protected. By contrast, the Price plan would subject āall programsā to sequestration, āwith limited exceptions such as interest payments, Article I judgesā salaries, and intragovernmental payments.ā On its face, this could mean that in the future, seniors, the disabled, and others in need could be forced to pay the price, with deep cuts to promised benefits that many earned through a lifetime of hard work.
Unraveling longstanding guarantees to those who rely on Medicare, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and other Benefits ā Priceās proposal calls for a non-amendable fast track process to end longstanding guarantees to our nationās middle-class workers, seniors, children, the disabled and millions of others who rely on Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and other benefits. Instead, these Americans would have to fight annually for these benefits in the uncertain appropriations process, with no assurance their hard-earned benefits will be there at the end. Given the Republican Congressās long record of failure to even consider appropriations bills on time, this could threaten the security of millions who rely on promised benefits. Meanwhile, Price proposes no similar process to eliminate wasteful special interest tax loopholes.
Rigging the budget with a fast-track for billionaire tax breaks ā The Price proposal would repeal the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, which imposes fiscal discipline by restricting Congressās ability to enact deficit-financed tax breaks and direct spending. This would free Congress to hand out massive new breaks for billionaires and large corporations, while driving up the deficit and laying the groundwork for future Republican demands for additional cuts to middle class benefits.
Painting insults with a broad brush sometimes makes that person on the level with the original abuser.
I am seventy years old, a White/ Native American woman proud to live in and own my first home (mobile home) since my husband died. Some might call me trailer trash since I live in a mobile home on an Indian Reservation. Oh, I am a night mouth breather too (at least that is what my dental hygienist says) that likes fruitcake which also seem to be current insults. I suppose being liberal and obese are two other insults and I drank Obama’s Kool-aid. I need to think about not getting dandruff, keeping fresh breath, avoiding double chins, saggy skin, and having Kleenex white teeth. Woe is me as I cannot even keep up with knowing what I need to worry about!
Pres Obama considering a farewell address before leaving office next month, says @PressSec. "So stay tuned," he tells reporters. pic.twitter.com/m8FLfMM0EO
The Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN, āVoluntary Militia for National Securityā), commonly called the Blackshirts (Italian: Camicie Nere, CCNN, singular: Camicia Nera) or squadristi (singular: squadrista), was originally the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party and, after 1923, an all-volunteer militia of the Kingdom of Italy. Its members were distinguished by their black uniforms (modelled on those of the Arditi, Italyās elite troops of World War I) and their loyalty to Benito Mussolini, the Duce (leader) of Fascism, to whom they swore an oath. The founders of the paramilitary groups were nationalist intellectuals, former army officers and young landowners opposing peasantsā and country labourersā unions. Their methods became harsher as Mussoliniās power grew, and they used violence and intimidation against Mussoliniās opponents.
So, these folks were nationalists who volunteered to intimidate and use violence against their leaderās opponents, with a particular view toward smashing labor unions. That doesnāt seem too hard to understand. These were the first fascists.
Letās fast-forward to yesterday.
Half an hour after Trump tweeted about [president of the United Steelworkers Local 1999, Chuck] Jones on Wednesday, the union leaderās phone began to ring and kept ringing, he said. One voice asked: What kind of car do you drive? Another said: Weāre coming for you.
He wasnāt sure how these people found his number.
āNothing that says theyāre gonna kill me, but, you know, you better keep your eye on your kids,ā Jones said later on MSNBC. āWe know what car you drive. Things along those lines.ā
āIāve been doing this job for 30 years, and Iāve heard everything from people who want to burn my house down or shoot me,ā he added. āSo I take it with a grain of salt and I donāt put a lot of faith in that, and Iām not concerned about it and Iām not getting anybody involved. I can deal with people that make stupid statements and move on.ā
In my local union there were plenty of members that went out and voted for Trump. Its bad enough that we as union members have to fight for everything we get, but what kills me is that we have to beg and plead with our own members not to cut off their nose. Its sickening and deflating that this has to happen.
If I had a nickel for every time a union member would come in our office and talk shit about President Obama I’d be a tax evading millionaire, there were many times that fist were about to start flying. It does something to you, their stupidity is staggering.
So Trump wants to get rid of the EPA, the FDA, and the Department of Education thereby turning America into a dystopian wasteland straight of a Madmax movie. I’m not even sure that a recount will make any difference and I hope I’m wrong, but it seems to me that too many people that could ill afford to vote for Trump went out and voted for Trump.
Add to the list the DOL, SBA, DOJ and HHS. I suspect that four years from now, we will not recognize America as the country we loved. We have never seen a cabinet like this, where every department head is anti the agency he will be responsible for governing. Each day is more horrifying the one before it. I am watching/reading less news every day because it is all so depressing. When I think of hard PBO worked to make things better for all Americans and the fact he left the next administration a country that could succeed for generations to come, watching DT blow it all up is just too painful. I sure hope those Trump voters will be happy when everything they have known is gone.
If you're going to be a "rubber stamp", we could just as well have used goldfish or frogs as Electors. People were chosen for a reason. https://t.co/gy3JKOG8iq
If I read one fucking more thinkpiece, blog post, semi-literate tweet, or facebook forward blaming whatever the fuck āidentity politicsā is for Democrats losing the election I am going to lose completely and totally lose my shit and climb a fucking bell tower. I donāt even know what people mean when they say identity politics anymore. So let me ask you:
Is it identity politics when you cater to white supremacists, the Klan, and neo-nazis to win an election?
Is it identity politics when you say white lives matter or blue lives matter?
Is it identity politics when you cheer building a wall to keep out rapey Mexicans?
Is it identity politics when you intentionally close voting districts in minority areas to suppress the vote?
Is it identity politics when you pass bills saying you can legally discriminate against the LGBT community?
Is it identity politics when you threaten a cop for wearing a hijab or try to rip the hijab off people in public?
Is it identity politics when you call for a ban on Muslims and claim that a government list of Muslims is a good idea?
Is it identity politics when your healthcare bills do nothing for womenās health but hand out Viagra like skittles?
Is it identity politics when children of color are disciplined more frequently and severely than white schoolchildren?
Is it identity politics when your #1 priority is passing bills telling what women can and canāt do regarding their reproductive health decisions?
Is it identity politics when the justice system systematically incarcerates minorities or when cities set up nuisance policing policies in minority communities?
Is it identity politics to insist that everyone say Merry Christmas?
Is it identity politics when you cheer stop and frisk in minority communities?
Is it identity politics when you claim ācoastal elitesā arenāt real Americans and that the heartland is where the āreal peopleā live?
Is it identity politics to pay women less than men (and women of color even less)?
Is it identity politics to totally lose your fucking shit over a black Santa Claus or a black Jedi or boycott Rogue One because WHO FUCKING KNOWS THESE PEOPLE ARE FUCKING NUTS?
***
No. Of course not. What you mean when you say āidentity politicsā is you mean all those groups you want to systematically oppress try to stand up and defend themselves and it hurts your feelings because you canāt have your way. In politics, itās called COALITION BUILDING.
Good to hear. We’re fine – thanks – and, yes, looks as though the last procedure held (and he doesn’t have to see the surgeon again until February – yeehaw!). GN.
Good evening, Nerdy!
Good evening, the divine Ms. J’OB!
Lovely to see you as first! š š
Thank you, darlin’. ā¤
It will take everything good and decent that we’ve got in us to go from this to what seems to be coming next… And let’s do our dangedest to make sure we remember that every single time we witness fear, anger, scorn, prejudice, and cruelty – in others and in ourselves. That’s what we’ve been shown for the past eight years; we must never forget!
We will never forget!
Listen at our FLOTUS in that speech and tell me she couldn’t be our President 2020. Yes she can. But she has no interest in politics. And I can’t blame her.
A lovely speech by our FLOTUS.
They still look very much in love after being married for so long. They are a lovely, classy couple. I hope you all went and saw “Southside With You” about their first date. Very proud of how they conducted themselves in the White House and will miss them like hell when they’re gone. Sigh.
Thanks Obama!!
ā¤ļøš¹šš»š¹ā¤ļø Yes, We Do!!
I certainly hope Fareed’s documentary is a fine tribute to President Obama! Not sure how it could be anything less, from my POV.
wondering what Mr. Dylan will say on the occasion.
remembering when he was at the White House, performed his portion, then he left the stage and shook PBO’s hand
He looked quite choked up, being there with PBO! Can’t say I blame him.
being in Ohio, there is a chance that you will meet candidates & their surrogates as they search for votes.
– met SoS when he was candidate and his running mate … will not say his name;
;
not to make you jealousy or anything in this administration alone I have:
=> met and shaken PBO’s hand multiple times and worked his events as a volunteer.
—– the first time was when he first came to Columbus during the primary. the event was organized by us ordinary people who were his supporters. the staff came in close to the end and made it more professional.
—– that first time I was so spellbound but I managed to thank him for running.
—– at the end of the event, we went to the back and took a number of group photos with him having his arms around the group. at the last minute one person managed to push his way between us but I was just next. those are some of my most prized photos;
—– he autographed his books for me and I gave a copy of each to my parents back home. they have read them multiple times;
—- I and my close friends have perfected the best position to meet him and shake his hand after the events.
=> met FLOTUS, First Grandma, & the kids when they were with PBO. shook FLOTUS’s hand but the kids did not do the rope-line;
=> special alert : met VP Biden (no glasses but smiling) and shook his hand just a few seconds after shaking hands with PBO at a joint appearance. I took a photo of my friend with VP … but she messed up her chance and didn’t get mine;
=> met Senator astronaut John Glenn and his dear wife;
— celebrities including Mr. Bruce Springsten & Mr. James Taylor when they accompanied PBO … but just missed Jay-Z when him and the Boss accompanied PBO;
… other actors, singers, celebrities on the stump.
–Of course talked to a number of Secret Service agents to thank them for doing a good job … they mainly just shook their heads and promptly ignored us so they could concentrate on their jobs. yes, most are as imposing as they look on video/TV
I bow in your presence, lucky you. Not jealous – much – just so very happy for you!!!! You could write a book on “how to work a rope line”!!! What memories you have to cherish. ā¤
“I took a photo of my friend with VP ⦠but she messed up her chance and didnāt get mine”
End of that friendship.
But seriously, you’ve met a lot of great people. Jealous that you’ve met PBO and FLOTUS and our VP. Good for you!!
GE GCL.
Awards ceremony is this Saturday, and it looks like Bob Dylan won’t be present to accept the award:
too bad. I was looking forward to this.
Fuck Bob Dylan, he’s a self-important prick.
Or perhaps he’s just not up to performing. Love him regardless and glad to see him still winning awards.
I thought I heard Dylan said he was not going to attend the Nobel Prize presentation.
Joan Walsh has had it, like the rest of us.
Awww. I’m there. I’ll be bawling by inauguration day 2017.
Where is everyone? I’m watching the CNN special. What a man! What a President?! Love Him! šš
I just started watching it.
Looks like I missed something good.
GE TODville.
This year’s election has been an embarrassment to the United States, and it’s not getting any better.
Report from Michigan recount:
“Across the state, scores of precincts can’t be recounted because the number of ballots in the box doesn’t match the number of voters in the pollbook.
In those cases, the certified vote tally from the canvass stands.”
From @mattdpearce’s Twitter timeline.
there has always been a call to get involved in conducting the election as staff, poll workers etc.
most of us do not heed that call and leave it to a few workers who are often overwhelmed;
tactics that suppress people’s right to vote must be challenged more vigorously.
protecting the right to vote should also focus on getting updated machines for all precincts, a verifiable paper trail of each electronic vote, minimizing the number of ballots that are routinely thrown out for one reason or another.
Just saw this. I guess the fact that Michigan has some apparent problems with ballot integrity is a moot point, since the Michigan recount was halted today.
Just saw this:
Were the precincts that were miscounted or not matching ballots and numbers of voters in the book minority or likely Dem districts?
Which party is in charge of the voting in MI?
One more.
Since the election it’s been like living through an endless Twilight Zone episode, where up is down and down is up.
I had dystopian vision for this country and the world on election night, and it hasn’t gotten any better — in fact, the consequences could be unspeakably horrifying for so many people in this country, our precious landscape and in terms of global chaos. And all because of GOP greed and un-American cowardice — elected GOP officials are motivated in their quest to pay no taxes and dismantle every health safeguard (aka regulations) and snatch away any benefit to those in need.
Speaking as a Japanese-American, this Newt Gingrich tweet makes no sense at all. Trumpaloons want to strip all Muslims of all worldly possessions (except for what they can carry) and ship them to internment camps like the US did to Japanese-Americans after Dec 7, 1941. But now Gingrich is praising the Japanese attacks? Will he be praising the Sept 11 murderers next?
Hang in there – the good part is we are not alone in our thinking on these topics! Goodnight, Arapaho – and TODville.
I saw this earlier today. I sent him a tweet in response. I suspect that he promptly blocked me after that … was my first time ever communicating with him
This is very odd. Why is he praising the Japanese attack which led to American’s involvement in WWII? Strange indeed.
Goodnight TOD …
My letter:
Dear Elector,
The Framers intended for you to protect America from a a demagogue, a scam artist, a person deeply conflicted by their relations with ANY Foreign power – be it governmental, business, or/and political.
Their concern was that such a person would win the POPULAR VOTE. In other words, even if the cornerstone of our democracy – One Person, One Vote – happened to result in such a person being the victor in the National Election, YOUR responsibility would be to NOT Elect that individual President. That is precisely why they created the Electoral College.
They certainly NEVER conceived of the LOSER of the popular, vote who also met their stringent criteria for rejection, being the person the Electoral College would actually Elect President.Secretary Clinton WON the Vote.
She is vastly qualified.
She is not indebted to even one Foreign governmental, commercial, political entity, nor to any individual.
She is not a demagogue.
Thus, it is inconceivable that even one of you would consider Electing the type of person that the Framers sought to have the Electoral College prevent from being President – especially when that person LOST the Vote.
You are responsible for the fate of our democracy, our civilization & humanity itself.
Please put aside any partisan objectives or biases and preserve the American Promise of Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness for EVERY US citizen.
Sincerely,
Bob
Yes. A strong message must be sent to Trump. He has no mandate to push Republican Rightwing extremist dogma on the American people — most of whom did not vote for him.
Good Morning Everyone!
Have a fantastic day
Morning everyone.
GM DF.
Despite @LOLGOP’s Twitter handle, he is able to dig deeply in only 10 words.
Haven’t read this article (because of WaPo paywall limits, rarely click through to read their articles š¦ ), but this a real, tangible consequence of 2016 election:
MSM management/corporate sponsors continue to prop up DJT/Bannon/Flynn authoritarian kleptocracy, delivering news as if this powerful group of white supremacist madmen have any agenda at all beyond dismantling all regulations, privatizing functions of government that provide public service to its citizens (including selling off our beloved, irreplaceable natural wonders) trampling on the First Amendment and self-enrichment.
#VigilanteAuthoritarianKleptocracy for the next four years.
And Jones should have told them if you step one foot toward me or my family I will blow your head off. Speak to those bigots the only way they understand.
I TOTALLY would love to see this happen!
http://crooksandliars.com/2016/12/heres-another-way-get-merrick-garland
Hi DF. I like this O’lot!
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/308358-last-minute-fight-over-buy-america-provision-emerges-in-water-bill
A last-minute fight over a āBuy Americaā provision has erupted in the final negotiations over a waterways bill.
At issue is language included in the Senate-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that would require American iron and steel products be used in projects assisted by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is actively pushing to strip the provision from the bill.
Paul Ryan is a schmuck. How I wish he would have been voted out.
The message…and Jennifer Hudson:) That woman sure can sing…
Smile…a little diversion:)
Good morning TOD folks. Have a beautiful day. I am enjoying these last few days with such pride and sadness inmy heart . The contrast between incoming and outgoing is too stark. Thanks Nerdy for all you do
From BJ’s Richard Mayhew:
Death spirals all around
by Richard Mayhew
at 6:04 am on December 8, 2016.
Weāre going to see how the Republican Party can create a death spiral in the individual market in sixty days or less. They have a few choices:
First Philip Klein in the Washington Examiner wants to create one the old fashion way:
Do you know who is extremely likely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance with a subsidy? People who are very sick.
Do you know who is extremely unlikely to buy community rated, guaranteed issue insurance without a subsidy? People who have reason to believe they are very healthy.
This proposal will get the individual insurance market to look like the individual markets from the mid-90s in the non-subsidized, non-mandated guarantee issue states. Super high premiums and very sick risk pools. And since insurers set their 2017 rates with the assumption that subsidies are available for Special Enrollment Members, they will lose a lot of money.
Means #2 is just pulling the Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies. Insurers will flee the market. The American Academy of Actuaries have their hair on fire as they look at the impact of Congress not funding Cost Sharing Reduction subsidies after January 20th.
Uh huh
Uh huh
The Rightās War on Unions Will Finish Us Off
by Martin Longman
December 7, 2016 4:25 PM
Of course the Republicans are going to launch a new assault on unions, and itās going to be devastating. Unions are a key pillar on the left, especially among progressives. It took me a little while to learn this. I grew up in Princeton, New Jersey in a family filled with professors. My progressive values stemmed not from firsthand knowledge of the plight of the coal miner or steel worker or government bureaucrat, nor from any personal experience of being a racial or religious minority, or even a woman. The scientific ethos of academia was my point of entry to opposition to the right-wing in this country. Everyone starts from some place.
When I left my hometown, I moved to Los Angeles where I found an even more diverse community than the one I had grown up in, and one with a wider chasm between the rich and poor. I went on to work for ACORN and expand my knowledge about what the urban poor and minorities face in terms of our criminal justice system, local governance, education, and employment opportunities.
Working with labor was my last stop along the way. I didnāt originally see unions as necessarily my natural allies or see their causes as my causes. There was overlap in many areas, but maybe we didnāt see eye to eye on the importance of the environment, for example. It was only when I realized how essential they were to getting political power that I began to understand that I needed them to be strong and motivated and effective.
It was then that I understood that academic progressives donāt have the option of picking and choosing which labor issues to support, but we need to have their backs so that theyāll have our backs.
To anyone who watch it ,how was the CNN special about President Obama Legacy?
LIVE STREAM HERE: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nyu-brademas-center-events
Thanks so much! Joe Biden is loose!
ā¤
Quick Takes: Republicans Still Canāt Agree on a Plan to Repeal Obamacare
by Nancy LeTourneau
December 7, 2016 5:27 PM
When I wrote yesterday about the chaos among Republicans on the particulars of their ārepeal and delayā strategy on Obamacare, it was before top Senate Republicans met with Pence to hash things out. Apparently meeting with the vice president elect didnāt help much.
After meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Tuesday to hash out plans to repeal Obamacare, top Senate Republicans are no closer to resolving an issue thatās splintering the GOP heading into the start of Donald Trumpās presidency: how long to give themselves to replace the lawā¦
āThe view on that probably is in a constant state of evolution, based on who you talk to,ā said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 3 GOP leader. āThe question is: Whatās that duration? Structurally, itās at this point an open question. Weāre hoping to get some direction.āā¦
The length of the transition is pitting hard-line conservatives such as Sen. Ted Cruz and members of the House Freedom Caucus, who favor a relatively speedy replacement, against Senate leaders who are pushing the three-year option.
āIt took six years to get into this mess; itās going to take us a while to get out of it,ā said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas). āOne thing I know for sure is we canāt fail to deliver on the promise to repeal Obamacare.āā¦
āThe sooner we can get rid of it, the better,ā said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the outgoing leader of the Freedom Caucus.
You cold hearted bastards can’t fail to deliver on the promise to take 20 million American health insurance away.
Stung by criticism, Trump goes after local union leader
12/08/16 08:00 AM
By Steve Benen
Donald Trump should be incredibly busy. The transition period is limited, as we talked about the other day, presidents-elect are expected to maintain a rather grueling schedule, choosing a cabinet, attending security briefings, staffing a White House, speaking to international leaders, shaping a policy agenda, and even preparing for his inauguration. Every hour of every day counts.
It shouldāve been a relatively minor story. Trump made claims about the Carrier deal that were demonstrably untrue, and Chuck Jones spoke up about it ā as American citizens are still free to do. Last night, the labor leader appeared on CNN to ācorrect some of [Trumpās] math,ā and soon after, the president-elect who lacks impulse control decided itād be a good idea to go after Jones directly.
I am so ashame of this country, that it would elect something like Trump.
I am really angry and disgusted at this country.
That too sherijr
Trump had better get used to criticism. It’s just starting. He’s had a free ride so far, and thinks he is perfect. He is soon going to have to deal with the reality of constant criticism, and it will be fierce. He is not emotionally or psychologically equipped to deal with it, except to strike back like a nine year old. This is disgusting and pathetic to watch, and will, eventually bring him down I think. He is not an adult.
It has begun.
Bret is the narrator of the video explaining the role of the Electors, as envisioned by the Framers of the Constitution ….
Thanks, Bob.
Good Morning TOD family, lurkers, Nerdy Wonka thank you so much for maintaining our place of sanity and all that is PBO š
I noticed I have not seen posts from Dudette…….has anyone heard from her lately or can get in touch with her? Hope you are well Dudette and any other TOD’ers who are just lurking but can’t or have not posted lately. I love you ALL!
jojo you’re right, I can’t recall when the last time I seen a TOD post or a Tweet from Dudette. I will send a Tweet and DM out to her.
Thank you, please let us know.
Jojo, I heard from Dudette. She’s been sick. She sends her ⤠Love to TOD’ville. Please keep her in your prayers.
Thank you ranman11, let her know we are all praying she has a quick recovery and will see her post again when she is well.
Hi, everybody!
Meet one of Canada’s ‘civil rights’ icon.
Wow!! As a former Canadian with many family and friends still up there, this is really great news.
*former* ??!!!
You’re right. I probably hold dual citizenship. Never checked.
Jeff Sessionsā record on desegregation draws fresh scrutiny
12/08/16 10:42 AM
By Steve Benen
Shortly after Donald Trump chose Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as his choice for Attorney General, the president-electās team put together talking points for Senate Republicans, urging them to sing the senatorās praises. In particular, Team Trump asked GOP lawmakers to say Sessions has a āstrong civil rights record.ā
Given the senatorās actual civil rights record, itās a tough sell.
But as Politico reported., the talking points were also more specific in some cases, noting that Sessions also āled desegregation lawsuits in his home state.ā Trumpās spokesperson pushed the same line with reporters recently, claiming the Alabama Republican āfiled a number of desegregation lawsuits in Alabamaā during his tenure as a U.S. Attorney.
But did that actually happen? The Atlanticās Adam Serwer did some interesting digging into Sessionsā record.
Democrats Drop A Bombshell Report That Exposes Trumpās Planned Devious War On Seniors
By Jason Easley on Mon, Dec 5th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
The first peek at what the incoming Trump administration has planned can be found in HHS nominee Rep. Tom Priceās budget plan, and what the new administration is signaling is nothing less than a war on the nationās seniors.
The report by the Senate Budget Committee Minority Staff provided a great deal of insight into four areas of Pricesās budget that equal a war on seniors:
Sneaking massive benefit cuts through the back door ā The Price proposal includes a devious plan that would likely trigger deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other priorities, while avoiding the need for members of Congress to vote directly for the cuts. The Price plan does this by automatically triggering a process to establish caps on spending and debt levels upon approval of a budget resolution, with the threat of sequestration cuts to enforce those limits. This, for the first time, would allow the Republican majority to ram through cuts to Social Security (among other programs) using a special fast-track process that denies Senate Democrats their normal rights to defend these programs and ensure an adequate opportunity for public input. If Republicans were to pass President-Elect Trumpās tax plan, the resulting increase to the deficit, under this plan, could require cuts to Social Security and Medicare of 13.5 percent, meaning the average Social Security beneficiary would lose more than $2,000 a year. [CAP,10/18/16]ā
Rigging the budget process to cut earned benefitsā Currently, if Congress fails to offset the cost of mandatory spending or new tax breaks, this can trigger across-the-board cuts, or sequestration. However, Social Security is exempt from these cuts, and Medicare is subject to only limited cuts (of 2 or 4 percent, depending on the type of sequestration). Meanwhile, consistent with a previously long-standing bipartisan consensus, most assistance to Americans with the greatest needs is completely protected. By contrast, the Price plan would subject āall programsā to sequestration, āwith limited exceptions such as interest payments, Article I judgesā salaries, and intragovernmental payments.ā On its face, this could mean that in the future, seniors, the disabled, and others in need could be forced to pay the price, with deep cuts to promised benefits that many earned through a lifetime of hard work.
Unraveling longstanding guarantees to those who rely on Medicare, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance and other Benefits ā Priceās proposal calls for a non-amendable fast track process to end longstanding guarantees to our nationās middle-class workers, seniors, children, the disabled and millions of others who rely on Medicare, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and other benefits. Instead, these Americans would have to fight annually for these benefits in the uncertain appropriations process, with no assurance their hard-earned benefits will be there at the end. Given the Republican Congressās long record of failure to even consider appropriations bills on time, this could threaten the security of millions who rely on promised benefits. Meanwhile, Price proposes no similar process to eliminate wasteful special interest tax loopholes.
Rigging the budget with a fast-track for billionaire tax breaks ā The Price proposal would repeal the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, which imposes fiscal discipline by restricting Congressās ability to enact deficit-financed tax breaks and direct spending. This would free Congress to hand out massive new breaks for billionaires and large corporations, while driving up the deficit and laying the groundwork for future Republican demands for additional cuts to middle class benefits.
Good morning TOD …
#NEOCONSTERS are rejoicing …. weapons profiteers already ordering their 4th super yacht …
In case anyone is wondering what life in America will be like if Trump becomes President ….
Or this.
Painting insults with a broad brush sometimes makes that person on the level with the original abuser.
I am seventy years old, a White/ Native American woman proud to live in and own my first home (mobile home) since my husband died. Some might call me trailer trash since I live in a mobile home on an Indian Reservation. Oh, I am a night mouth breather too (at least that is what my dental hygienist says) that likes fruitcake which also seem to be current insults. I suppose being liberal and obese are two other insults and I drank Obama’s Kool-aid. I need to think about not getting dandruff, keeping fresh breath, avoiding double chins, saggy skin, and having Kleenex white teeth. Woe is me as I cannot even keep up with knowing what I need to worry about!
thank you for expressing this. point well taken.
your comment has made me think of those times when I fall in the trap of generalizing about what I have automatically stereotyped about others.
I know that in the scheme of things, this may not be enough but : I am very sorry for those times when I have caused pain to others.
I will remind myself of trying to be better to others and avoid causing pain
President and Mrs. Obama will host a holiday “Congressional Ball” this evening.
A Voluntary Army of Union Intimidators
by Martin Longman
December 8, 2016 11:57 AM
Letās look up Blackshirts on Wikipedia:
So, these folks were nationalists who volunteered to intimidate and use violence against their leaderās opponents, with a particular view toward smashing labor unions. That doesnāt seem too hard to understand. These were the first fascists.
Letās fast-forward to yesterday.
In my local union there were plenty of members that went out and voted for Trump. Its bad enough that we as union members have to fight for everything we get, but what kills me is that we have to beg and plead with our own members not to cut off their nose. Its sickening and deflating that this has to happen.
If I had a nickel for every time a union member would come in our office and talk shit about President Obama I’d be a tax evading millionaire, there were many times that fist were about to start flying. It does something to you, their stupidity is staggering.
So Trump wants to get rid of the EPA, the FDA, and the Department of Education thereby turning America into a dystopian wasteland straight of a Madmax movie. I’m not even sure that a recount will make any difference and I hope I’m wrong, but it seems to me that too many people that could ill afford to vote for Trump went out and voted for Trump.
Add to the list the DOL, SBA, DOJ and HHS. I suspect that four years from now, we will not recognize America as the country we loved. We have never seen a cabinet like this, where every department head is anti the agency he will be responsible for governing. Each day is more horrifying the one before it. I am watching/reading less news every day because it is all so depressing. When I think of hard PBO worked to make things better for all Americans and the fact he left the next administration a country that could succeed for generations to come, watching DT blow it all up is just too painful. I sure hope those Trump voters will be happy when everything they have known is gone.
back to work …
SOON: Vice President Biden Delivers Remarks – Sen. Harry Reid’s Official Portrait Unveiling – http://abcnews.go.com/live?stream=2
So next year, we’ll be missing VP Biden, POTUS, FLOTUS and Senator Reid.
Tears everywhere.
Damn! We have really lost Senator John Glenn
Fuck You and Your āDemocrats Have to End Identity Politics to Winā Bullshit
by John Cole
at 2:57 pm on December 8, 2016.
If I read one fucking more thinkpiece, blog post, semi-literate tweet, or facebook forward blaming whatever the fuck āidentity politicsā is for Democrats losing the election I am going to lose completely and totally lose my shit and climb a fucking bell tower. I donāt even know what people mean when they say identity politics anymore. So let me ask you:
Is it identity politics when you cater to white supremacists, the Klan, and neo-nazis to win an election?
Is it identity politics when you say white lives matter or blue lives matter?
Is it identity politics when you cheer building a wall to keep out rapey Mexicans?
Is it identity politics when you intentionally close voting districts in minority areas to suppress the vote?
Is it identity politics when you pass bills saying you can legally discriminate against the LGBT community?
Is it identity politics when you threaten a cop for wearing a hijab or try to rip the hijab off people in public?
Is it identity politics when you call for a ban on Muslims and claim that a government list of Muslims is a good idea?
Is it identity politics when your healthcare bills do nothing for womenās health but hand out Viagra like skittles?
Is it identity politics when children of color are disciplined more frequently and severely than white schoolchildren?
Is it identity politics when your #1 priority is passing bills telling what women can and canāt do regarding their reproductive health decisions?
Is it identity politics when the justice system systematically incarcerates minorities or when cities set up nuisance policing policies in minority communities?
Is it identity politics to insist that everyone say Merry Christmas?
Is it identity politics when you cheer stop and frisk in minority communities?
Is it identity politics when you claim ācoastal elitesā arenāt real Americans and that the heartland is where the āreal peopleā live?
Is it identity politics to pay women less than men (and women of color even less)?
Is it identity politics to totally lose your fucking shit over a black Santa Claus or a black Jedi or boycott Rogue One because WHO FUCKING KNOWS THESE PEOPLE ARE FUCKING NUTS?
***
No. Of course not. What you mean when you say āidentity politicsā is you mean all those groups you want to systematically oppress try to stand up and defend themselves and it hurts your feelings because you canāt have your way. In politics, itās called COALITION BUILDING.
No one does righteous anger like John Cole.
abc link quit on me…
https://www.c-span.org/video/?419752-1/vice-president-hillary-clinton-lawmakers-honor-harry-reid&live
Hi, Alycee! How are you doing this evening?
Hanging in there… How are you and Steve? Did the last procedure work?
Good to hear. We’re fine – thanks – and, yes, looks as though the last procedure held (and he doesn’t have to see the surgeon again until February – yeehaw!). GN.
POTUS and FLOTUS I want my White House Christmas card. PLEASE.
How do you get a White House Christmas card?
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/12/08/electrified/