crooksandliars--2020-08-17--'Let Them Rot': The Worst Ever U.S. President Retweets Attack On 'Democrat Cities'

Every time you think the idiot manchild Donald Trump could not possibly come up with a way to be less presidential , the tax-dodging rapist sociopath burps up something else .
It never ends , with this guy .
He is incapable of being anything other than the worst person he can be .
What a strange , odd , petty little clod of a man .
One way to approach this would be via the old stand-by : Let 's just imagine , for a moment , what would happen if any Democratic president amplified the public statement `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country .
It would n't happen .
For starters , most if not all prior U.S. presidents generally understood that their oath of office applied to all of the United States , not just part of it , and even the most paranoid of them knew better than to publicly broadcast any private feelings to the contrary .
It was not until we got to this particular moment of fascism that the sociopathic leader decided to just ... not bother .
Trump is so mired in petty revenge and retaliation he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretend to not be an overstuffed sack of garbage .
Then there 's Trump 's willingness to tie himself , still , to a `` WalkAway '' hashtag that was widely reported to be an obsession of Russian bot networks back in 2018 .
Does he … does he not remember that ?
You might be tempted to feel a bit of sympathy towards Trump , theoretically in mourning over his own brother 's death , but there 's no evidence Trump actually is mourning , or in fact is doing anything but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Every time you think the idiot manchild Donald Trump could not possibly come up with a way to be less presidential, the tax-dodging rapist sociopath burps up something else. It never ends, with this guy. He is incapable of being anything other than the worst person he can be.
“Leave Democrat cities. Let them rot.” — a message from the President of the United States pic.twitter.com/OW7venG7hD — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 16, 2020
What a strange, odd, petty little clod of a man. One way to approach this would be via the old stand-by: Let's just imagine, for a moment, what would happen if any Democratic president amplified the public statement "let them rot" about Republican regions of the country.
It wouldn't happen. For starters, most if not all prior U.S. presidents generally understood that their oath of office applied to all of the United States, not just part of it, and even the most paranoid of them knew better than to publicly broadcast any private feelings to the contrary. It was not until we got to this particular moment of fascism that the sociopathic leader decided to just ... not bother. Trump is so mired in petty revenge and retaliation he can't even muster the will to pretend to not be an overstuffed sack of garbage.
Then there's Trump's willingness to tie himself, still, to a "WalkAway" hashtag that was widely reported to be an obsession of Russian bot networks back in 2018. Does he … does he not remember that?
You might be tempted to feel a bit of sympathy towards Trump, theoretically in mourning over his own brother's death, but there's no evidence Trump actually is mourning, or in fact is doing anything but reading tweets and ranting at his television.
Lol dial https://t.co/s33BO1IsdR — David Waldman-1, of Yorktown LLC™ (@KagroX) August 16, 2020
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-08-17--Ben Carson And The MyPillow Guy Lobby Trump On Poisonous Plant For COVID Relief

[ Above : `` Around the Block with Shirley '' warned her viewers in 2018 about the danger of Oleander to people and pets .
Trump is interested in making a buck off of it as a possible COVID cure . ]
To the alarm of some government health officials , President Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the Food and Drug Administration to permit an extract from the oleander plant to be marketed as a dietary supplement or , alternatively , approved as a drug to cure COVID-19 , despite lack of proof that it works .
OLEANDER ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peasants to drink bleach to kill themselves , why not get them to nibble on one of the most common poisonous plants ( and you know Someone In Possum Hollar already has it in the morning smoothie ) … but what ’ s his angle ?
Driving the news : The experimental botanical extract , oleandrin , was promoted to Trump during an Oval Office meeting in July .
It ’ s embraced by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell , a big Trump backer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the company that develops the product .
Oh , so his favorite Xristo-grifter has a financial stake .
Got it .

[Above: "Around the Block with Shirley" warned her viewers in 2018 about the danger of Oleander to people and pets. Trump is interested in making a buck off of it as a possible COVID cure.]
Trump on the use of toxic oleander as a potential coronavirus treatment: "Is it something that people are talking about very strongly? We'll look at it." pic.twitter.com/zxrhAidjkh — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 17, 2020
Axios:
To the alarm of some government health officials, President Trump has expressed enthusiasm for the Food and Drug Administration to permit an extract from the oleander plant to be marketed as a dietary supplement or, alternatively, approved as a drug to cure COVID-19, despite lack of proof that it works.
OLEANDER? I guess if you cannot get the peasants to drink bleach to kill themselves, why not get them to nibble on one of the most common poisonous plants (and you know Someone In Possum Hollar already has it in the morning smoothie)… but what’s his angle?
Driving the news: The experimental botanical extract, oleandrin, was promoted to Trump during an Oval Office meeting in July. It’s embraced by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell, a big Trump backer, who recently took a financial stake in the company that develops the product.
Oh, so his favorite Xristo-grifter has a financial stake. Got it.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors.


crooksandliars--2020-08-17--Trump Invokes White Supremacist Laura Ingraham To Prove How 'Not Racist' He Is

Trump 's propaganda network , a.k.a .
Fox `` news '' has been doing their best to revise history for him ever since he first praised the neo-Nazis at the `` Unite the Right '' rally in Charlottesville last year .
Laura Ingraham , who has a long history herself of making racist remarks , and promoting hatred and white supremacy , has been one of the worst perpetrators of this revisionist history , repeatedly denying that Trump called the white supremacists `` very fine people . ''
This morning , Trump called into his favorite morning show for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by cohost Brian Kilmeade about some remarks by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo about Trump and the uptick in violence across the country , and where Cuomo accused Trump of `` setting the tone for this '' with his remarks about the neo-Nazis Charlottesville .
TRUMP : Oh , he 's bringing up Charlottesville ?
I wish he 'd listen to Laura Ingraham , who is a very , very good and talented person who covered Charlottesville , and she said what Trump did absolutely nothing wrong .
It was perfect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saddle you with things and when Cuomo says that then ugh .
Cuomo , that 's why these people do n't get ... you know when they go to Washington and they want to be friends and then they make statements like that , and then ... we turn our back on them , because they are just bad people .
You know , they make up lies .
They make up stories .
Look at the job he did in the nursing home and the press is trying to sweep it under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a thing like that , he 's just a bad guy .
You know , what can you do ?
Yes , praising neo-Nazis as `` very fine people '' was perfect ... perfect if you 're catering to white supremacists .
He still thinks he can give a wink and a nod to this crap and no one can go watch the tape of him , although he is speaking to the one group where it 's safe to assume that ... brain-dead Fox viewers .

Trump's propaganda network, a.k.a. Fox "news" has been doing their best to revise history for him ever since he first praised the neo-Nazis at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville last year. Laura Ingraham, who has a long history herself of making racist remarks, and promoting hatred and white supremacy, has been one of the worst perpetrators of this revisionist history, repeatedly denying that Trump called the white supremacists "very fine people."
This morning, Trump called into his favorite morning show for an hour long sh*tshow, and was asked by cohost Brian Kilmeade about some remarks by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo about Trump and the uptick in violence across the country, and where Cuomo accused Trump of "setting the tone for this" with his remarks about the neo-Nazis Charlottesville.
In response, Trump invoked... guess who?
TRUMP: Oh, he's bringing up Charlottesville? I wish he'd listen to Laura Ingraham, who is a very, very good and talented person who covered Charlottesville, and she said what Trump did absolutely nothing wrong. It was perfect. He got saddled... you know they saddle you with things and when Cuomo says that then ugh. Cuomo, that's why these people don't get... you know when they go to Washington and they want to be friends and then they make statements like that, and then... we turn our back on them, because they are just bad people. You know, they make up lies. They make up stories. Look at the job he did in the nursing home and the press is trying to sweep it under the table. But if he said a thing like that, he's just a bad guy. You know, what can you do?
Yes, praising neo-Nazis as "very fine people" was perfect... perfect if you're catering to white supremacists. He still thinks he can give a wink and a nod to this crap and no one can go watch the tape of him, although he is speaking to the one group where it's safe to assume that... brain-dead Fox viewers.


crooksandliars--2020-08-17--Democratic National Convention Kicks Off Tonight With Michelle Obama

Via the Washington Post , speakers scheduled for tonight to make the case for Joe Biden : The list is not yet complete , but here ’ s what we know : MONDAY Bernie Sanders , the independent senator from Vermont who ran against Clinton in 2016 and was the last opponent to drop out against Biden this year .
Sanders is a not a Democrat — he ’ s a political independent who caucuses with the Democrats — but his liberal ideas have been influential .
Michelle Obama , the former first lady and a popular figure in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michigan whose name was in the mix for Biden ’ s running mate .
Her state is another one that Democrats lost in 2016 , and Whitmer has been praised for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Catherine Cortez Masto , the Nevada senator who became the first Latina leader of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
Andrew M. Cuomo , the New York governor .
James E. Clyburn , the House majority whip who endorsed Biden in his home state of South Carolina .
Biden ’ s win in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary calendar with a substantial Black population , set him on a road to the nomination .
Bennie Thompson , the Mississippi congressman and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee .
Gwen Moore , a congresswoman from Wisconsin .
John Kasich , the former governor of Ohio who ran against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016 and became an outspoken opponent of the president .
Doug Jones , the senator from Alabama who is the most endangered Democrat up for reelection this year .
Amy Klobuchar , the senator from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also ran in the Democratic presidential primaries .

Via the Washington Post, speakers scheduled for tonight to make the case for Joe Biden:
The list is not yet complete, but here’s what we know:
MONDAY
Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont who ran against Clinton in 2016 and was the last opponent to drop out against Biden this year. Sanders is a not a Democrat — he’s a political independent who caucuses with the Democrats — but his liberal ideas have been influential.
Michelle Obama, the former first lady and a popular figure in the party.
Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan whose name was in the mix for Biden’s running mate. Her state is another one that Democrats lost in 2016, and Whitmer has been praised for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Catherine Cortez Masto, the Nevada senator who became the first Latina leader of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Andrew M. Cuomo, the New York governor.
James E. Clyburn, the House majority whip who endorsed Biden in his home state of South Carolina. Biden’s win in South Carolina, the first state on the primary calendar with a substantial Black population, set him on a road to the nomination.
Bennie Thompson, the Mississippi congressman and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Gwen Moore, a congresswoman from Wisconsin.
John Kasich, the former governor of Ohio who ran against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016 and became an outspoken opponent of the president.
Doug Jones, the senator from Alabama who is the most endangered Democrat up for reelection this year.
Amy Klobuchar, the senator from Minnesota, another swing state, who also ran in the Democratic presidential primaries.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--UH OH: Fox News' Chris Wallace Praises Michelle Obama's Speech

Chris Wallace praised Michelle Obama ’ s DNC speech last night , saying “ she really flayed , sliced and diced Donald Trump.
” Dana Perino , who was also on the panel , gave the former first lady props .
She called her message `` direct and authentic . ''
“ You got the sense when you talk about authenticity , she has it in spades .
She has that voice , she has clarity , and she knows what she is out there wanting to do , ” she said .
“ She was trying to get everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a call to action : 'Ask for your ballot tonight . '
I think that the DNC , if they look over the course of the night , the first virtual convention of our history , I think they would say that Michelle Obama stuck the landing.
” Chris Wallace pointed out that because Obama is not a fan of politics , this was her main contribution to the Biden campaign .
“ It was a heck of a contribution , ” he noted .
“ She really flayed , sliced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos and confusion and lack of empathy , especially coming from this president and this White House , spoke more about the deficits of Donald Trump than the pluses of Joe Biden , but did talk about especially , not so much policies , but especially his empathy and what he has been through and his care for average Americans.
” Well , yes .
She did .
And it rang like a bell throughout America .

Chris Wallace praised Michelle Obama’s DNC speech last night, saying “she really flayed, sliced and diced Donald Trump.”
(Oh, Chris. You really know how to hurt a giant Mango's feelings.)
Dana Perino, who was also on the panel, gave the former first lady props. She called her message "direct and authentic."
“You got the sense when you talk about authenticity, she has it in spades. She has that voice, she has clarity, and she knows what she is out there wanting to do,” she said.
“She was trying to get everybody to really focus, and then she had a call to action: 'Ask for your ballot tonight.' I think that the DNC, if they look over the course of the night, the first virtual convention of our history, I think they would say that Michelle Obama stuck the landing.”
Chris Wallace pointed out that because Obama is not a fan of politics, this was her main contribution to the Biden campaign.
“It was a heck of a contribution,” he noted.
“She really flayed, sliced and diced Donald Trump, talking about the chaos and confusion and lack of empathy, especially coming from this president and this White House, spoke more about the deficits of Donald Trump than the pluses of Joe Biden, but did talk about especially, not so much policies, but especially his empathy and what he has been through and his care for average Americans.”
Well, yes. She did. And it rang like a bell throughout America.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--'Enough Is Enough': Daughter Blasts Trump For His COVID-19 Response

Earlier this summer , Kristin Urquiza 's scathing obituary for her father , Mark , went viral .
In it she wrote , “ His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership , refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis , and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk.
” She elaborated on those remarks in her speech at the 2020 DNC .
PHOENIX –Kristin Urquiza , whose father died in June after a weeks-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed President Donald Trump and a failure of leadership for his death during her national , prime-time remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention on Monday .
Urquiza , 39 , who lives in San Francisco and studied public policy , also has blamed Republican Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey for the loss of her father .
In a brief but powerful straight-to-camera appearance , with family photos interspersed throughout , Urquiza spoke for fewer than three minutes , offering a searing rebuke of the Trump administration .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two Americas , the America that Donald Trump lives in , and the America that my father died in , '' she said .
`` Enough is enough .
Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus , but his dishonesty and irresponsible actions made it so much worse . ''
Part of her remarks .
She mentioned that her father voted for Trump .
He had faith in Donald Trump .
He voted for him , listened to him , believed him and his mouthpieces when they said that coronavirus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So in late May , after Arizona 's stay-at-home order ended , she said , her father went to a karaoke bar with his friends .
A day after falling ill June 11 , he tested positive for COVID-19 .
His condition declined even after spending days on a high-oxygen treatment .
He was put on a ventilator .
The effects of the virus sapped from him his boundless energy for his family and zest for life .
He died on June 30 at the age of 65 .
He died alone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding his hand .
My dad was a healthy 65-year-old .
His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump and for that , he paid with his life .
One of the last things my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump .
And so , when I cast my vote for Joe Biden , I will do it for my dad .

Earlier this summer, Kristin Urquiza's scathing obituary for her father, Mark, went viral. In it she wrote, “His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians who continue to jeopardize the health of brown bodies through a clear lack of leadership, refusal to acknowledge the severity of this crisis, and inability and unwillingness to give clear and decisive direction on how to minimize risk.” She elaborated on those remarks in her speech at the 2020 DNC.
Source: USA Today
PHOENIX –Kristin Urquiza, whose father died in June after a weeks-long battle against complications caused by COVID-19, blamed President Donald Trump and a failure of leadership for his death during her national, prime-time remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention on Monday. Urquiza, 39, who lives in San Francisco and studied public policy, also has blamed Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey for the loss of her father. In a brief but powerful straight-to-camera appearance, with family photos interspersed throughout, Urquiza spoke for fewer than three minutes, offering a searing rebuke of the Trump administration. "The coronavirus has made it clear that there are two Americas, the America that Donald Trump lives in, and the America that my father died in," she said. "Enough is enough. Donald Trump may not have caused the coronavirus, but his dishonesty and irresponsible actions made it so much worse."
Part of her remarks. She mentioned that her father voted for Trump.
He had faith in Donald Trump.
He voted for him, listened to him, believed him and his mouthpieces when they said that coronavirus was under control and going to disappear.
So in late May, after Arizona's stay-at-home order ended, she said, her father went to a karaoke bar with his friends.
A day after falling ill June 11, he tested positive for COVID-19. His condition declined even after spending days on a high-oxygen treatment. He was put on a ventilator. The effects of the virus sapped from him his boundless energy for his family and zest for life. He died on June 30 at the age of 65.
He died alone, in the ICU, with a nurse holding his hand. My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump and for that, he paid with his life.
One of the last things my father said to me was that he felt betrayed by the likes of Donald Trump. And so, when I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my dad.
And her appearance on CNN this morning with John Berman and Alisyn Camerota.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Michelle Obama Slays Trump At The Dem Convention: 'It Is What It Is'

Former First Lady Michelle Obama came to the first night of the Democratic National Convention with a message : Vote .
She also showed her spine of steel when she tossed Donald Trump 's words back in his face over the way he 's handled the racial strife , economy , and response to COVID-19 .
`` So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can .
Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country .
He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job , but he is clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us , '' she stated plainly .
`` It is what it is . ''
Way to toss his words right back at him , Mrs .
Forever First Lady .
But there 's more .
`` Now , I understand that my message won ’ t be heard by some people .
We live in a nation that is deeply divided , and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know me by now .
You know that I tell you exactly what I ’ m feeling .
You know I hate politics .
But you also know that I care about this nation .
You know how much I care about all of our children . ''
I saw her speak live in 2012 and 2016 .
I was moved both times .
But nothing compared to this speech .
She laid her heart and her love for all of us on the table .
The text of her remarks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , everyone .
It ’ s a hard time , and everyone ’ s feeling it in different ways .
And I know a lot of folks are reluctant to tune into a political convention right now or to politics in general .
Believe me , I get that .
But I am here tonight because I love this country with all my heart , and it pains me to see so many people hurting .
I ’ ve met so many of you .
I ’ ve heard your stories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country ’ s promise .
And thanks to so many who came before me , thanks to their toil and sweat and blood , I ’ ve been able to live that promise myself .
That ’ s the story of America .
All those folks who sacrificed and overcame so much in their own times because they wanted something more , something better for their kids .
There ’ s a lot of beauty in that story .
There ’ s a lot of pain in it , too , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left to do .
And who we choose as our president in this election will determine whether or not we honor that struggle and chip away at that injustice and keep alive the very possibility of finishing that work .
I am one of a handful of people living today who have seen firsthand the immense weight and awesome power of the presidency .
And let me once again tell you this : the job is hard .
It requires clear-headed judgment , a mastery of complex and competing issues , a devotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compass , and an ability to listen—and an abiding belief that each of the 330,000,000 lives in this country has meaning and worth .
A president ’ s words have the power to move markets .
They can start wars or broker peace .
They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts .
You simply can not fake your way through this job .
As I ’ ve said before , being president doesn ’ t change who you are ; it reveals who you are .
Well , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
And four years ago , too many people chose to believe that their votes didn ’ t matter .
Maybe they were fed up .
Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn ’ t be close .
Maybe the barriers felt too steep .
Whatever the reason , in the end , those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3,000,000 votes .
In one of the states that determined the outcome , the winning margin averaged out to just two votes per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all been living with the consequences .
When my husband left office with Joe Biden at his side , we had a record-breaking stretch of job creation .
We ’ d secured the right to health care for 20,000,000 people .
We were respected around the world , rallying our allies to confront climate change .
And our leaders had worked hand-in-hand with scientists to help prevent an Ebola outbreak from becoming a global pandemic .
Four years later , the state of this nation is very different .
More than 150,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long .
It has left millions of people jobless .
Too many have lost their health care ; too many are struggling to take care of basic necessities like food and rent ; too many communities have been left in the lurch to grapple with whether and how to open our schools safely .
Internationally , we ’ ve turned our back , not just on agreements forged by my husband , but on alliances championed by presidents like Reagan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered , stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation ’ s highest office .
Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness , what we get instead is chaos , division , and a total and utter lack of empathy .
Empathy : that ’ s something I ’ ve been thinking a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in someone else ’ s shoes ; the recognition that someone else ’ s experience has value , too .
Most of us practice this without a second thought .
If we see someone suffering or struggling , we don ’ t stand in judgment .
We reach out because , “ There , but for the grace of God , go I.
” It is not a hard concept to grasp .
It ’ s what we teach our children .
And like so many of you , Barack and I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us .
But right now , kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another .
They ’ re looking around wondering if we ’ ve been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value .
They see people shouting in grocery stores , unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe .
They see people calling the police on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the color of their skin .
They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here , that greed is good , and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top , it doesn ’ t matter what happens to everyone else .
And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain .
They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists .
They watch in horror as children are torn from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protestors for a photo-op .
Sadly , this is the America that is on display for the next generation .
A nation that ’ s underperforming not simply on matters of policy but on matters of character .
And that ’ s not just disappointing ; it ’ s downright infuriating , because I know the goodness and the grace that is out there in households and neighborhoods all across this nation .
And I know that regardless of our race , age , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close out the noise and the fear and truly open our hearts , we know that what ’ s going on in this country is just not right .
This is not who we want to be .
So what do we do now ?
What ’ s our strategy ?
Over the past four years , a lot of people have asked me , “ When others are going so low , does going high still really work ?
” My answer : going high is the only thing that works , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we use those same tactics of degrading and dehumanizing others , we just become part of the ugly noise that ’ s drowning out everything else .
We degrade ourselves .
We degrade the very causes for which we fight .
But let ’ s be clear : going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty .
Going high means taking the harder path .
It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top .
Going high means standing fierce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one nation under God , and if we want to survive , we ’ ve got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences .
And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies and mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free : the cold hard truth .
So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can .
Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country .
He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in over his head .
He can not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us .
It is what it is .
Now , I understand that my message won ’ t be heard by some people .
We live in a nation that is deeply divided , and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention .
But enough of you know me by now .
You know that I tell you exactly what I ’ m feeling .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also know that I care about this nation .
You know how much I care about all of our children .
So if you take one thing from my words tonight , it is this : if you think things can not possibly get worse , trust me , they can ; and they will if we don ’ t make a change in this election .
If we have any hope of ending this chaos , we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decent man , guided by faith .
He was a terrific vice president .
He knows what it takes to rescue an economy , beat back a pandemic , and lead our country .
And he listens .
He will tell the truth and trust science .
He will make smart plans and manage a good team .
And he will govern as someone who ’ s lived a life that the rest of us can recognize .
When he was a kid , Joe ’ s father lost his job .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost his wife and his baby daughter .
And when he was vice president , he lost his beloved son .
So Joe knows the anguish of sitting at a table with an empty chair , which is why he gives his time so freely to grieving parents .
Joe knows what it ’ s like to struggle , which is why he gives his personal phone number to kids overcoming a stutter of their own .
His life is a testament to getting back up , and he is going to channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us all up , to help us heal and guide us forward .
Now , Joe is not perfect .
And he ’ d be the first to tell you that .
But there is no perfect candidate , no perfect president .
And his ability to learn and grow—we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for right now .
Because Joe Biden has served this nation his entire life without ever losing sight of who he is ; but more than that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are , all of us .
Joe Biden wants all of our kids to go to a good school , see a doctor when they ’ re sick , live on a healthy planet .
And he ’ s got plans to make all of that happen .
Joe Biden wants all of our kids , no matter what they look like , to be able to walk out the door without worrying about being harassed or arrested or killed .
He wants all of our kids to be able to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without being afraid of getting shot .
He wants all our kids to grow up with leaders who won ’ t just serve themselves and their wealthy peers but will provide a safety net for people facing hard times .
And if we want a chance to pursue any of these goals , any of these most basic requirements for a functioning society , we have to vote for Joe Biden in numbers that can not be ignored .
Because right now , folks who know they can not win fair and square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can to stop us from voting .
They ’ re closing down polling places in minority neighborhoods .
They ’ re purging voter rolls .
They ’ re sending people out to intimidate voters , and they ’ re lying about the security of our ballots .
These tactics are not new .
But this is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning .
We have got to vote like we did in 2008 and 2012 .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same level of passion and hope for Joe Biden .
We ’ ve got to vote early , in person if we can .
We ’ ve got to request our mail-in ballots right now , tonight , and send them back immediately and follow-up to make sure they ’ re received .
And then , make sure our friends and families do the same .
We have got to grab our comfortable shoes , put on our masks , pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast too , because we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line all night if we have to .
Look , we have already sacrificed so much this year .
So many of you are already going that extra mile .
Even when you ’ re exhausted , you ’ re mustering up unimaginable courage to put on those scrubs and give our loved ones a fighting chance .
Even when you ’ re anxious , you ’ re delivering those packages , stocking those shelves , and doing all that essential work so that all of us can keep moving forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working parents are somehow piecing it all together without child care .
Teachers are getting creative so that our kids can still learn and grow .
Our young people are desperately fighting to pursue their dreams .
And when the horrors of systemic racism shook our country and our consciences , millions of Americans of every age , every background rose up to march for each other , crying out for justice and progress .
This is who we still are : compassionate , resilient , decent people whose fortunes are bound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is well past time for our leaders to once again reflect our truth .
So , it is up to us to add our voices and our votes to the course of history , echoing heroes like John Lewis who said , “ When you see something that is not right , you must say something .
You must do something.
” That is the truest form of empathy : not just feeling , but doing ; not just for ourselves or our kids , but for everyone , for all our kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of progress alive in our time , if we want to be able to look our children in the eye after this election , we have got to reassert our place in American history .
And we have got to do everything we can to elect my friend , Joe Biden , as the next president of the United States .
Thank you all .
God bless .

Former First Lady Michelle Obama came to the first night of the Democratic National Convention with a message: Vote. She also showed her spine of steel when she tossed Donald Trump's words back in his face over the way he's handled the racial strife, economy, and response to COVID-19.
"So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us," she stated plainly. "It is what it is."
Way to toss his words right back at him, Mrs. Forever First Lady. But there's more.
"Now, I understand that my message won’t be heard by some people. We live in a nation that is deeply divided, and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention," she said. "But enough of you know me by now. You know that I tell you exactly what I’m feeling. You know I hate politics. But you also know that I care about this nation. You know how much I care about all of our children."
I saw her speak live in 2012 and 2016. I was moved both times. But nothing compared to this speech. She laid her heart and her love for all of us on the table.
The text of her remarks as prepared for delivery is below:
Good evening, everyone. It’s a hard time, and everyone’s feeling it in different ways. And I know a lot of folks are reluctant to tune into a political convention right now or to politics in general. Believe me, I get that. But I am here tonight because I love this country with all my heart, and it pains me to see so many people hurting.
I’ve met so many of you. I’ve heard your stories. And through you, I have seen this country’s promise. And thanks to so many who came before me, thanks to their toil and sweat and blood, I’ve been able to live that promise myself.
That’s the story of America. All those folks who sacrificed and overcame so much in their own times because they wanted something more, something better for their kids.
There’s a lot of beauty in that story. There’s a lot of pain in it, too, a lot of struggle and injustice and work left to do. And who we choose as our president in this election will determine whether or not we honor that struggle and chip away at that injustice and keep alive the very possibility of finishing that work.
I am one of a handful of people living today who have seen firsthand the immense weight and awesome power of the presidency. And let me once again tell you this: the job is hard. It requires clear-headed judgment, a mastery of complex and competing issues, a devotion to facts and history, a moral compass, and an ability to listen—and an abiding belief that each of the 330,000,000 lives in this country has meaning and worth.
A president’s words have the power to move markets. They can start wars or broker peace. They can summon our better angels or awaken our worst instincts. You simply cannot fake your way through this job.
As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are. Well, a presidential election can reveal who we are, too. And four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn’t matter. Maybe they were fed up. Maybe they thought the outcome wouldn’t be close. Maybe the barriers felt too steep. Whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly 3,000,000 votes.
In one of the states that determined the outcome, the winning margin averaged out to just two votes per precinct—two votes. And we’ve all been living with the consequences.
When my husband left office with Joe Biden at his side, we had a record-breaking stretch of job creation. We’d secured the right to health care for 20,000,000 people. We were respected around the world, rallying our allies to confront climate change. And our leaders had worked hand-in-hand with scientists to help prevent an Ebola outbreak from becoming a global pandemic.
Four years later, the state of this nation is very different. More than 150,000 people have died, and our economy is in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long. It has left millions of people jobless. Too many have lost their health care; too many are struggling to take care of basic necessities like food and rent; too many communities have been left in the lurch to grapple with whether and how to open our schools safely. Internationally, we’ve turned our back, not just on agreements forged by my husband, but on alliances championed by presidents like Reagan and Eisenhower.
And here at home, as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered, stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office.
Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy.
Empathy: that’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. The ability to walk in someone else’s shoes; the recognition that someone else’s experience has value, too. Most of us practice this without a second thought. If we see someone suffering or struggling, we don’t stand in judgment. We reach out because, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” It is not a hard concept to grasp. It’s what we teach our children.
And like so many of you, Barack and I have tried our best to instill in our girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us. But right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. They’re looking around wondering if we’ve been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value.
They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn’t matter what happens to everyone else. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain.
They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages, and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protestors for a photo-op.
Sadly, this is the America that is on display for the next generation. A nation that’s underperforming not simply on matters of policy but on matters of character. And that’s not just disappointing; it’s downright infuriating, because I know the goodness and the grace that is out there in households and neighborhoods all across this nation.
And I know that regardless of our race, age, religion, or politics, when we close out the noise and the fear and truly open our hearts, we know that what’s going on in this country is just not right. This is not who we want to be.
So what do we do now? What’s our strategy? Over the past four years, a lot of people have asked me, “When others are going so low, does going high still really work?” My answer: going high is the only thing that works, because when we go low, when we use those same tactics of degrading and dehumanizing others, we just become part of the ugly noise that’s drowning out everything else. We degrade ourselves. We degrade the very causes for which we fight.
But let’s be clear: going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty. Going high means taking the harder path. It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top. Going high means standing fierce against hatred while remembering that we are one nation under God, and if we want to survive, we’ve got to find a way to live together and work together across our differences.
And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies and mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free: the cold hard truth.
So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.
Now, I understand that my message won’t be heard by some people. We live in a nation that is deeply divided, and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention. But enough of you know me by now. You know that I tell you exactly what I’m feeling. You know I hate politics. But you also know that I care about this nation. You know how much I care about all of our children.
So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: if you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.
I know Joe. He is a profoundly decent man, guided by faith. He was a terrific vice president. He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic, and lead our country. And he listens. He will tell the truth and trust science. He will make smart plans and manage a good team. And he will govern as someone who’s lived a life that the rest of us can recognize.
When he was a kid, Joe’s father lost his job. When he was a young senator, Joe lost his wife and his baby daughter. And when he was vice president, he lost his beloved son. So Joe knows the anguish of sitting at a table with an empty chair, which is why he gives his time so freely to grieving parents. Joe knows what it’s like to struggle, which is why he gives his personal phone number to kids overcoming a stutter of their own.
His life is a testament to getting back up, and he is going to channel that same grit and passion to pick us all up, to help us heal and guide us forward.
Now, Joe is not perfect. And he’d be the first to tell you that. But there is no perfect candidate, no perfect president. And his ability to learn and grow—we find in that the kind of humility and maturity that so many of us yearn for right now. Because Joe Biden has served this nation his entire life without ever losing sight of who he is; but more than that, he has never lost sight of who we are, all of us.
Joe Biden wants all of our kids to go to a good school, see a doctor when they’re sick, live on a healthy planet. And he’s got plans to make all of that happen. Joe Biden wants all of our kids, no matter what they look like, to be able to walk out the door without worrying about being harassed or arrested or killed. He wants all of our kids to be able to go to a movie or a math class without being afraid of getting shot. He wants all our kids to grow up with leaders who won’t just serve themselves and their wealthy peers but will provide a safety net for people facing hard times.
And if we want a chance to pursue any of these goals, any of these most basic requirements for a functioning society, we have to vote for Joe Biden in numbers that cannot be ignored. Because right now, folks who know they cannot win fair and square at the ballot box are doing everything they can to stop us from voting. They’re closing down polling places in minority neighborhoods. They’re purging voter rolls. They’re sending people out to intimidate voters, and they’re lying about the security of our ballots. These tactics are not new.
But this is not the time to withhold our votes in protest or play games with candidates who have no chance of winning. We have got to vote like we did in 2008 and 2012. We’ve got to show up with the same level of passion and hope for Joe Biden. We’ve got to vote early, in person if we can. We’ve got to request our mail-in ballots right now, tonight, and send them back immediately and follow-up to make sure they’re received. And then, make sure our friends and families do the same.
We have got to grab our comfortable shoes, put on our masks, pack a brown bag dinner and maybe breakfast too, because we’ve got to be willing to stand in line all night if we have to.
Look, we have already sacrificed so much this year. So many of you are already going that extra mile. Even when you’re exhausted, you’re mustering up unimaginable courage to put on those scrubs and give our loved ones a fighting chance. Even when you’re anxious, you’re delivering those packages, stocking those shelves, and doing all that essential work so that all of us can keep moving forward.
Even when it all feels so overwhelming, working parents are somehow piecing it all together without child care. Teachers are getting creative so that our kids can still learn and grow. Our young people are desperately fighting to pursue their dreams.
And when the horrors of systemic racism shook our country and our consciences, millions of Americans of every age, every background rose up to march for each other, crying out for justice and progress.
This is who we still are: compassionate, resilient, decent people whose fortunes are bound up with one another. And it is well past time for our leaders to once again reflect our truth.
So, it is up to us to add our voices and our votes to the course of history, echoing heroes like John Lewis who said, “When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something.” That is the truest form of empathy: not just feeling, but doing; not just for ourselves or our kids, but for everyone, for all our kids.
And if we want to keep the possibility of progress alive in our time, if we want to be able to look our children in the eye after this election, we have got to reassert our place in American history. And we have got to do everything we can to elect my friend, Joe Biden, as the next president of the United States.
Thank you all. God bless.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Democratic National Convention For Monday

The DNC website has the details , Michelle Obama is the headliner for tonight .
The theme of Monday ’ s program is “ We the People.
” America is facing a series of monumental challenges—as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage , tens of millions of people are out of work , and our nation confronts a legacy of racial injustice that has marginalized too many .
But as we have learned throughout our history , when we stand united , we can overcome anything .
Tonight the nation will hear from the many Americans who are rising up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who will join Joe Biden in building back better and moving this country forward .
With Joe Biden as president , ‘ we the people ’ will mean all the people .
Highlights from tonight ’ s program are listed below , with additional special guests slated to join throughout the evening : Everyday Americans will read the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution , before Convention Chair and The Honorable Bennie Thompson officially gavels in the 2020 Democratic National Convention .
Call to Order The Honorable Bennie Thompson Permanent Chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. House of Representatives , Mississippi National Anthem A multicultural choir performing virtually with singers representing all 50 states , the District of Columbia , the Cherokee Nation and five territories , including Puerto Rico , Guam , American Samoa , the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands .
Invocation Reverend Gabriel Salguero President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition Co-lead pastor of The Lamb ’ s Church in New York , New York Remarks The Honorable Gwen Moore Sergeant-at-Arms of the 2020 Democratic National Convention Member of the U.S. House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forward ” : A Conversation with Vice President Biden on Racial Justice Vice President Biden engages with , and listens to , social justice activist Jamira Burley , Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot , Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo , NAACP President Derrick Johnson , and author Gwen Carr , mother of Eric Garner , about how America can move forward towards equality , fairness , and justice for all .
Remarks The Honorable James Clyburn House Democratic Whip Member of the U.S. House of Representatives , South Carolina WE THE PEOPLE HELPING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo Governor of the State of New York Remarks Kristin Urquiza A woman whose father lost his life to COVID-19 .
A Conversation with Healthcare Workers on the Front Lines A conversation with a doctor , paramedic , and two nurses on the front lines of this pandemic about what they ’ ve endured , and what ’ s at stake in this election for America ’ s essential medical workers .
Introduction of Performer The Honorable Sara Gideon Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Remarks The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PEOPLE PUTTING COUNTRY OVER PARTY Remarks The Honorable Christine Whitman Former Governor of New Jersey The Honorable Susan Molinari Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives , New York Remarks The Honorable John Kasich Former Governor of the State of Ohio “ United We Stand ” Former 2020 Democratic candidates for president of the United States will come together once again to talk about why they ran , what they ’ re fighting for , and why they believe Joe Biden will bring the nation together , move the nation out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward —featuring Vice Presidential Nominee and Senator Kamala Harris , Senator Cory Booker , Senator Kirsten Gillibrand , Governor Jay Inslee , Senator Amy Klobuchar , U.S. Representative Seth Moulton , Former U.S. Representative Beto O ’ Rourke , Tom Steyer , and Andrew Yang .
Remarks The Honorable Cedric Richmond Member of the U.S. House of Representatives , Louisiana Keynote Remarks Michelle Obama Former First Lady of the United States The live stream will begin at 9 Eastern .
Get a drink and some snacks and join us !

The DNC website has the details, Michelle Obama is the headliner for tonight.
The theme of Monday’s program is “We the People.” America is facing a series of monumental challenges—as the COVID-19 pandemic continues its rampage, tens of millions of people are out of work, and our nation confronts a legacy of racial injustice that has marginalized too many. But as we have learned throughout our history, when we stand united, we can overcome anything.
Tonight the nation will hear from the many Americans who are rising up to take on these three crises, and who will join Joe Biden in building back better and moving this country forward. With Joe Biden as president, ‘we the people’ will mean all the people.
Highlights from tonight’s program are listed below, with additional special guests slated to join throughout the evening:
WE THE PEOPLE
Introduction
Eva Longoria
American actress
“We the People” Gavel In
Everyday Americans will read the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, before Convention Chair and The Honorable Bennie Thompson officially gavels in the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Call to Order
The Honorable Bennie Thompson
Permanent Chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mississippi
Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem
A multicultural choir performing virtually with singers representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Cherokee Nation and five territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Invocation
Reverend Gabriel Salguero
President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Co-lead pastor of The Lamb’s Church in New York, New York
Remarks
The Honorable Gwen Moore
Sergeant-at-Arms of the 2020 Democratic National Convention
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin
WE THE PEOPLE DEMANDING RACIAL JUSTICE
Remarks
The Honorable Muriel Bowser
Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Performance
Leon Bridges
American singer
“The Path Forward”: A Conversation with Vice President Biden on Racial Justice
Vice President Biden engages with, and listens to, social justice activist Jamira Burley, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and author Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, about how America can move forward towards equality, fairness, and justice for all.
Remarks
The Honorable James Clyburn
House Democratic Whip
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, South Carolina
WE THE PEOPLE HELPING EACH OTHER THROUGH COVID-19
Remarks
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Governor of the State of New York
Remarks
Kristin Urquiza
A woman whose father lost his life to COVID-19.
A Conversation with Healthcare Workers on the Front Lines
A conversation with a doctor, paramedic, and two nurses on the front lines of this pandemic about what they’ve endured, and what’s at stake in this election for America’s essential medical workers.
Introduction of Performer
The Honorable Sara Gideon
Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives
Performance
Maggie Rogers
American singer-songwriter
Remarks
The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of the State of Michigan
WE THE PEOPLE PUTTING COUNTRY OVER PARTY
Remarks
The Honorable Christine Whitman
Former Governor of New Jersey
Meg Whitman
Former CEO of Hewlett Packard
The Honorable Susan Molinari
Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, New York
Remarks
The Honorable John Kasich
Former Governor of the State of Ohio
Remarks
The Honorable Doug Jones
United States Senator, Alabama
Remarks
The Honorable Catherine Cortez Masto
United States Senator, Nevada
Remarks
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator, Minnesota
“United We Stand”
Former 2020 Democratic candidates for president of the United States will come together once again to talk about why they ran, what they’re fighting for, and why they believe Joe Biden will bring the nation together, move the nation out of crisis and chaos, and move us forward —featuring Vice Presidential Nominee and Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Representative Seth Moulton, Former U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke, Tom Steyer, and Andrew Yang.
WE THE PEOPLE RECOVERING
Remarks
The Honorable Cedric Richmond
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Louisiana
Remarks
The Honorable Bernie Sanders
United States Senator, Vermont
WE THE PEOPLE RISE
Keynote Remarks
Michelle Obama
Former First Lady of the United States
Performance
Billy Porter and Steven Stills
American singer-songwriters
Benediction
Reverend Dr. Jerry Young
18th President of the National Baptist Convention, USA
The live stream will begin at 9 Eastern. Get a drink and some snacks and join us!


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--WATCH LIVE:  Democratic National Convention For Tuesday

Join us on Tuesday , August 18 from 9-11 pm ET for the second night of the 2020 Democratic National @ @ @ @ @ ll hear from the leaders and the experts , the veterans and the activists , @ @ @ @ @ unite and not divide , and who step up — not back down — from @ @ @ @ @ s right .
Featuring : Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates , Minority Leader @ @ @ @ @ of State John Kerry , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester , Former @ @ @ @ @ Former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden .

From the DNC website:
Join us on Tuesday, August 18 from 9-11 pm ET for the second night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, where we’ll hear from the leaders and the experts, the veterans and the activists, all those who seek to unite and not divide, and who step up — not back down — from a fight over what’s right.
Featuring: Former Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Former Secretary of State John Kerry, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Former President Bill Clinton, and Former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Mike Huckabee Slams Kasich For Speaking At DNC: Not A 'True Republican'

Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee lashed out at Gov .
John Kasich for his expected endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Huckabee was asked during an appearance on Fox News about Kasich ’ s upcoming appearance at the Democratic National Convention .
The Fox News contributor asserted that Kasich had signed documents pledging to support the Republican nominee when both men were running for president in 2016 .
“ John Kasich lied to the Republican Party , ” Huckabee said .
“ And he like everyone else on that stage , including me , raised our hands and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He did not.
” “ Now , we didn ’ t just raise our hands , ” he continued .
“ We actually signed documents .
Most people don ’ t know that .
But every candidate signed documents saying that we would support the nominee.
” Huckabee accused Kasich of not being a “ true ” Republican .
“ You can not be a true Republican , ” he opined .
“ You ’ re supposed to be pro-life , you should be against high taxes and for security and law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
” The conservative pundit attributed Kasich ’ s endorsement of Biden to “ a lot of anxiety about Donald Trump.
” “ And it ’ s a real shame that he has taken his personal feelings and set aside all the principles that he once claimed he really , really adhered to , ” Huckabee concluded .
“ He was dishonest in 2016 and I don ’ t think [ his speech ] is going to be honest tonight and I don ’ t think it will @ @ @ @ @

Fox News contributor Mike Huckabee lashed out at Gov. John Kasich for his expected endorsement of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Huckabee was asked during an appearance on Fox News about Kasich’s upcoming appearance at the Democratic National Convention.
The Fox News contributor asserted that Kasich had signed documents pledging to support the Republican nominee when both men were running for president in 2016.
“John Kasich lied to the Republican Party,” Huckabee said. “And he like everyone else on that stage, including me, raised our hands and we said we would support the nominee. He did not.”
“Now, we didn’t just raise our hands,” he continued. “We actually signed documents. Most people don’t know that. But every candidate signed documents saying that we would support the nominee.”
Huckabee accused Kasich of not being a “true” Republican.
“You cannot be a true Republican,” he opined. “You’re supposed to be pro-life, you should be against high taxes and for security and law and order — and go out and support Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
The conservative pundit attributed Kasich’s endorsement of Biden to “a lot of anxiety about Donald Trump.”
“And it’s a real shame that he has taken his personal feelings and set aside all the principles that he once claimed he really, really adhered to,” Huckabee concluded. “He was dishonest in 2016 and I don’t think [his speech] is going to be honest tonight and I don’t think it will move one voter.”


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Hey This Zoom Democratic Convention Isn't Half Bad

Long-time readers know I am not a fan of awards shows , often comparing them unfavorable to trade shows , and generally the worst trade shows of them all are our two political parties national conventions .
The DNC and the RNC are traditionally a hold-over from another era where conventions really did matter and often did chose the standard bearer .
It ’ s been a lifetime since then , and a format that had no function .
Anyway , now in the age of the Trump Virus , the assorted national conventions have finally evolved into a rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that entails .
This is a good thing ; the Kabuki Theater aspect of the conventions lives on ( everyone knows the outcome , it ’ s the performance that matters ) , but format and delivery finally leaves the old tropes behind .
( Well , not all tropes : the little moppets from all the states and territories singing the national anthem and morphing into stars on the flag was right out of the playbook . )
What we were presented last night was an infomercial .
A really well-done infomercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eva Longoria Bastón ) and testimonials about the product and complaints about the other product .
It is an improvement , and I ’ m going to tell you why : Last night ’ s effort featured not-slick testimonials from actual rank and file people who in previous DNCs would never , ever have been given screen time .
Their messages were often presented live over Zoom , and they were definitely not staged or scripted ; from doors opening ( and slamming ) to blurry phone cameras it covered the waterfront .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when early in the program , George Floyd ’ s brothers were introduced , spoke about their brother and asked for a moment of silence .
I ’ ve never seen anything like that at any convention .
Some testimonials were raw emotional appeals ( Kristin Urquiza , a voter from Arizona ) , something we would never have seen in the old format : …and others were slickly produced and beautifully scripted and presented , probably none better than Michelle Obama ’ s speech , above .
“ Let me be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country .
He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job , but he is clearly in over his head .
He can not meet this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us .
It is what it is.
” Sure , there were the other politicians pontificating to an empty room , well-rehearsed , pre-recorded speeches designed to build to a crescendo .
They fell flat compared to Urquiza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please .
So I ’ m here to plead may the conventional conventions be dead and buried , and may the new format conventions have a long run .

Long-time readers know I am not a fan of awards shows, often comparing them unfavorable to trade shows, and generally the worst trade shows of them all are our two political parties national conventions. The DNC and the RNC are traditionally a hold-over from another era where conventions really did matter and often did chose the standard bearer. It’s been a lifetime since then, and a format that had no function.
Anyway, now in the age of the Trump Virus, the assorted national conventions have finally evolved into a rather elaborate Zoom meeting, with all that that entails. This is a good thing; the Kabuki Theater aspect of the conventions lives on (everyone knows the outcome, it’s the performance that matters), but format and delivery finally leaves the old tropes behind. (Well, not all tropes: the little moppets from all the states and territories singing the national anthem and morphing into stars on the flag was right out of the playbook.)
What we were presented last night was an infomercial. A really well-done infomercial, complete with a comely narrator (Eva Longoria Bastón) and testimonials about the product and complaints about the other product. It is an improvement, and I’m going to tell you why:
We the people.
Last night’s effort featured not-slick testimonials from actual rank and file people who in previous DNCs would never, ever have been given screen time. Their messages were often presented live over Zoom, and they were definitely not staged or scripted; from doors opening (and slamming) to blurry phone cameras it covered the waterfront.
We knew that something different was happening when early in the program, George Floyd’s brothers were introduced, spoke about their brother and asked for a moment of silence. I’ve never seen anything like that at any convention.
Some testimonials were raw emotional appeals (Kristin Urquiza, a voter from Arizona), something we would never have seen in the old format:
…and others were slickly produced and beautifully scripted and presented, probably none better than Michelle Obama’s speech, above.
“Let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”
It’s the denouement we wanted.
Sure, there were the other politicians pontificating to an empty room, well-rehearsed, pre-recorded speeches designed to build to a crescendo. They fell flat compared to Urquiza’s genuine words. More, please.
So I’m here to plead may the conventional conventions be dead and buried, and may the new format conventions have a long run.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Anderson Cooper Reduces My Pillow Guy To The Failed 'Snake-Oil Salesman' That He Is

Under normal circumstances , someone indignantly asking the creator of My Pillow , `` How do you sleep at night ?
!
? ''
would be have lots of comedic possibilities .
As you may have heard , though — from perhaps every single commercial for insurance , health care , pharma , real estate , educational software , kitty litter , the list is endless — these are not normal times .
Mike Lindell , guy with the `` F '' rating from the Better Business Bureau and multiple state lawsuits against him for fraudulent medical claims about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ derived from a poisonous plant , to prevent and treat COVID-19 .
Anderson Cooper spent a good twenty minutes of his show calmly debunking every piece of bullsh*t Lindell shout-croaked .
Lindell swore he was praying , wanted to help people , was acting with integrity , and cared about truth , and every time Cooper came back at him with reminders of the lawsuits , the BBB rating , and his glorious eyerolls .
But it was when Lindell tried to talk science that Anderson truly disemboweled him .
LINDELL : This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he had an answer to the virus and I reached out to my friend Secretary Carson who 's on the task force and he is a doctor and he looked into it , got everything from the company and he said this is the real deal .
It 's been tested by over 1,000 people to be safe .
Medical -- COOPER : Wait a minute , sir .
Stop , stop .
There 's no public peer reviewed studies about this .
There 's no LINDELL : -- yeah , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LINDELL : Yeah , there 's a safety test that 's been done in 2016 for over 1,000 people that it 's safe to take and if it 's safe to take -- COOPER : Excuse me .
So where 's the study ?
The only study or report out is one report from the University of Texas that was a pre-print study , and that was only involving cells in a test tube .
LINDELL : No .
There 's been human studies , absolutely human studies .
COOPER : Stop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human -- COOPER : Where are the studies ?
LINDELL : The FDA 's got them all .
COOPER : Why are n't they publicly out there ?
Why are n't they peer reviewed ?
You get the idea .
Cooper kept asking him questions about this study Lindell insisted existed , but in reality is completely imaginary , and Cooper had allllll the receipts .
Lindell said Ben Carson said the supplement was fine ?
Cooper answered that Carson got in trouble for pushing supplements in 2016 .
Lindell said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was .
Lindell said he 's seen it , Cooper said , where is it ?
COOPER : Name where it 's from .
Who did the test ?
What university ?
What doctors ?
LINDELL : You have to talk to -- I guess you have to have Dr. Carson and the company that all the tests -- COOPER : You said you read the tests , so tell me about the test .
Where was it done ?
LINDELL : It was done on over 1,000 people .
COOPER : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the procedures for the test ?
You read it .
Let 's hear it .
That was when Cooper just sliced and diced him .
COOPER : You have no medical background .
You are not a scientist .
A guy called you in April saying he had this product .
You are now on the board and going to make money from the sale of this product .
COOPER : The reason he reached out to you is because you have the ear of the president , and he gets a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make money from it .
How do you sleep at night ?
LINDELL : Anderson , that is your narrative .
This is -- COOPER : You 're not going to make money from this ?
How are you different than a snake oil salesman ?
No medical background .
No research .
Not tested in animals or humans .
Okay .
You run a company of My Pillow .
Ran ads to help with snoring and migraines and prosecutors in nine counties in California sued you and you settled for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make scientific claims without any proof about your pillows .
You were given -- your rating from the Better Business Bureau in Minnesota lowered to an `` F '' for misleading customers on a Buy-One-Get-One offer .
That 's not a great track record for honesty , sir .
But really , what else would you expect from a guy who tries to subliminally suggest that if you buy his pillows , you 'll suddenly become Christian , too ?
Oh , and by the way : the ACTUAL medical doctor that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chilling information .
Oleander is more deadly than COVID-19 .
Mr. Christian praise Jesus might also be interested to know that the supplement he is pimping is used to induce abortion .
But hey !
You do you , My Pillow Guy !

Under normal circumstances, someone indignantly asking the creator of My Pillow, "How do you sleep at night?!?" would be have lots of comedic possibilities. As you may have heard, though — from perhaps every single commercial for insurance, health care, pharma, real estate, educational software, kitty litter, the list is endless — these are not normal times.
Mike Lindell, guy with the "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau and multiple state lawsuits against him for fraudulent medical claims about his frikkin' pillow is touting Oleandrin, derived from a poisonous plant, to prevent and treat COVID-19. Anderson Cooper spent a good twenty minutes of his show calmly debunking every piece of bullsh*t Lindell shout-croaked.
Lindell swore he was praying, wanted to help people, was acting with integrity, and cared about truth, and every time Cooper came back at him with reminders of the lawsuits, the BBB rating, and his glorious eyerolls. But it was when Lindell tried to talk science that Anderson truly disemboweled him.
LINDELL: This guy called me on Easter Sunday and said he had an answer to the virus and I reached out to my friend Secretary Carson who's on the task force and he is a doctor and he looked into it, got everything from the company and he said this is the real deal. It's been tested by over 1,000 people to be safe. Medical -- COOPER: Wait a minute, sir. Stop, stop. There's no public peer reviewed studies about this. There's no LINDELL: -- yeah, there is. Yeah, there is. COOPER: -- human trials published anywhere. LINDELL: Yeah, there's a safety test that's been done in 2016 for over 1,000 people that it's safe to take and if it's safe to take -- COOPER: Excuse me. So where's the study? The only study or report out is one report from the University of Texas that was a pre-print study, and that was only involving cells in a test tube. LINDELL: No. There's been human studies, absolutely human studies. COOPER: Stop, sir. Where? Where are these human -- LINDELL: The FDA -- COOPER: Where are the studies? LINDELL: The FDA's got them all. COOPER: Why aren't they publicly out there? Why aren't they peer reviewed?
You get the idea.
Cooper kept asking him questions about this study Lindell insisted existed, but in reality is completely imaginary, and Cooper had allllll the receipts.
Lindell said Ben Carson said the supplement was fine? Cooper answered that Carson got in trouble for pushing supplements in 2016.
Lindell said he had his own study? Cooper asked where it was. Lindell said he's seen it, Cooper said, where is it?
Repeat ad nauseum.
COOPER: Name where it's from. Who did the test? What university? What doctors? LINDELL: You have to talk to -- I guess you have to have Dr. Carson and the company that all the tests -- COOPER: You said you read the tests, so tell me about the test. Where was it done? LINDELL: It was done on over 1,000 people. COOPER: Where was it done and what were the procedures for the test? You read it. Let's hear it. LINDELL: hmna-hmna-hmna
That was when Cooper just sliced and diced him.
COOPER: You have no medical background. You are not a scientist. A guy called you in April saying he had this product. You are now on the board and going to make money from the sale of this product. LINDELL: No, no, no. COOPER: The reason he reached out to you is because you have the ear of the president, and he gets a meeting with the president, and you stand to make money from it. How do you sleep at night? LINDELL: Anderson, that is your narrative. This is -- COOPER: You're not going to make money from this? LINDELL: I don't care about the money. COOPER: Really? [...] How are you different than a snake oil salesman? No medical background. No research. Not tested in animals or humans. [...] Okay. You run a company of My Pillow. Ran ads to help with snoring and migraines and prosecutors in nine counties in California sued you and you settled for a million dollars, and are not allowed to make scientific claims without any proof about your pillows. You were given -- your rating from the Better Business Bureau in Minnesota lowered to an "F" for misleading customers on a Buy-One-Get-One offer. That's not a great track record for honesty, sir.
But really, what else would you expect from a guy who tries to subliminally suggest that if you buy his pillows, you'll suddenly become Christian, too?
I am watching Anderson Cooper win a pillow fight. — (((Josh Malina))) (@JoshMalina) August 18, 2020
Oh, and by the way: the ACTUAL medical doctor that Cooper interviewed directly after Lindell had some chilling information. Oleander is more deadly than COVID-19.
Mr. Christian praise Jesus might also be interested to know that the supplement he is pimping is used to induce abortion. But hey! You do you, My Pillow Guy!


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Trump Whines About Michelle Obama's Well-Received Convention Speech

Tuesday morning , Trump showed irritation that Michelle Obama 's speech was so well-received by many outlets including Fox News pundits .
During a press event this morning ( `` pardoning '' Susan B. Anthony ) , he whined , bitched and complained as usual .
Trump said , “ If you gave a real review , it wouldn ’ t be so fawning .
I thought it was a very divisive speech , extremely divisive . ''
Trump is the most the divisive president in modern history , whose entire political strategy is to mock and humiliate every person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Trump then made remarks that explain why QAnon conspiracy theorists , white supremacists , Neo-Nazis , and xenophobes have taken over the Republican Party .
“ I thought her speech was very divisive and , frankly , I wouldn ’ t even be here if it weren ’ t for Barack Obama .
See , we ’ re standing in the White House .
I wouldn ’ t be in the White House except for Barack Obama , because they did a bad job — Biden and Obama .
And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t be here .
I ’ d be building buildings someplace and having a good time.
” After America elected the first Black president twice , Trump used Russian interference and the Electoral College to `` win '' election .
Also , his true peeps came out in force to vote for him , which include support from former KKK members .
Apart from evangelicals , his racist base are the only demographic that are truly enthusiastic about his campaign .
We see this reflected in almost every national poll -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
On the other hand , Michelle Obama has massive approval ratings , light years ahead of Trump .
And as Michelle reminded America , Trump lost the popular vote by almost three million votes , a fact which always gets under Donald 's skin .

Tuesday morning, Trump showed irritation that Michelle Obama's speech was so well-received by many outlets including Fox News pundits.
During a press event this morning ("pardoning" Susan B. Anthony), he whined, bitched and complained as usual.
Trump said, “If you gave a real review, it wouldn’t be so fawning. I thought it was a very divisive speech, extremely divisive."
Poor baby, whaaaaaah!
Trump is the most the divisive president in modern history, whose entire political strategy is to mock and humiliate every person who dares voice a negative thought against him.
Trump then made remarks that explain why QAnon conspiracy theorists, white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and xenophobes have taken over the Republican Party.
“I thought her speech was very divisive and, frankly, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for Barack Obama. See, we’re standing in the White House. I wouldn’t be in the White House except for Barack Obama, because they did a bad job — Biden and Obama. And if they did a good job, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be building buildings someplace and having a good time.”
After America elected the first Black president twice, Trump used Russian interference and the Electoral College to "win" election.
Also, his true peeps came out in force to vote for him, which include support from former KKK members.
Apart from evangelicals, his racist base are the only demographic that are truly enthusiastic about his campaign. We see this reflected in almost every national poll -- the latest one shows him at 39%.
On the other hand, Michelle Obama has massive approval ratings, light years ahead of Trump.
And as Michelle reminded America, Trump lost the popular vote by almost three million votes, a fact which always gets under Donald's skin.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Cardi B Meets Joe Biden And It's Everything

How Cooper stays calm and measured while Mike Lindell shouts lies at and over him is beyond comprehension , but @ @ @ @ @ 's amazing .

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crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Susan B. Anthony's Face When She Heard Trump 'Pardoned' Her For Voting

As one writer put it , Trump `` pardoning '' Susan B. Anthony for her `` crime '' of `` @ @ @ @ @ `` definition of a token gesture : ' I 've spent years threatening to lock @ @ @ @ @ I get off on trashing the female VP nominee , & I 'm openly seeking @ @ @ @ @ voters but - hey !
- watch me pardon Susan B .
Anthony ! '
@ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask at the signing ceremony .
If Donald had been alive back then @ @ @ @ @ taken out a full page ad in the NYT declaring all women ’ s rights @ @ @ @ @ .
Susan was also against slavery , something else he would have hated .
And @ @ @ @ @

As one writer put it, Trump "pardoning" Susan B. Anthony for her "crime" of "illegal voting" is the "definition of a token gesture: 'I've spent years threatening to lock up my female opponent, I get off on trashing the female VP nominee, & I'm openly seeking to disenfranchise millions of women voters but - hey! - watch me pardon Susan B. Anthony!'
PS. No one was wearing a mask at the signing ceremony.
Trump's announcement that he's pardoning Susan B. Anthony is met with laughter pic.twitter.com/ycIFtFtQOQ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 18, 2020
BREAKING: President Trump just announced that he will pardon #SusanBAnthony, arrested for voting in 1872 in violation of laws permitting only men to vote. #2NewsAM #19thAmendment #WomensVote100 pic.twitter.com/uTnIe54OxL — Jade Elliott (@JadeElliottTV) August 18, 2020
If Donald had been alive back then, he’d have taken out a full page ad in the NYT declaring all women’s rights activists be arrested and jailed. Susan was also against slavery, something else he would have hated. — Leigh Crosby (@teaandmagnolias) August 18, 2020
So glad he's focusing on essential issues Americans face right now (she said from a derecho-ravaged state with ongoing unrest over racial oppression & increasing COVID cases & in-person k-12 school mandates & preparing for reduced functionality of the USPS which delivers my Rx) — Cara (@stonca01) August 18, 2020
Susan B. Anthony to Trump: Fuck your pardon. pic.twitter.com/XouX95ltOZ — V. Stanhope 🌿 (@stanhope_v) August 18, 2020
Whew, this was weighing heavily on me while I worrying about our constitution being shredded and the post office disappearing oh during a pan-fucking-demic — Pro Nasty Women (@clwaldo) August 18, 2020
Will she be able to vote by mail now? — Barbara Glickstein (@BGlickstein) August 18, 2020
Waiting for the tweet where he says he spoke to Susan B. Anthony and she was thankful. — Jenny (@JennyMillan7) August 18, 2020
And then there's this:


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Gretchen Whitmer: It's Shark Week, (Motherf*ckers)

Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan , just before she went live last night at the Democratic National Convention , @ @ @ @


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Reality Check: How The Postal Service Turned Into A Political Football Under Trump

John Avlon did one of his Reality Check segments about the USPS this morning .
`` Now , you might ask yourself how the post office became a political battleground with the election now just 78 days out , '' Avlon said .
`` Well , buckle up for a quick ride , how the Post Office got into a cash crisis , started slowing down delivery and removing hundreds of sorting machines , both under the new postmaster general , a Trump mega donor , culminating in the Post Office warning that voters could be disenfranchised by delayed mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump admitted his end game . ''
They need to money to make the Post Office work .
That means you ca n't have universal mail-in voting because they 're not equipped to have it .
`` Trump 's saying the quiet part out loud again , sabotaging the Post Office to suppress mail-in voting , despite requesting one himself .
Facts first : The Founders put the Post Office in the Constitution .
It 's a public service , not a business , and it trounces other federal agencies with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that 's more than twice President Trump 's job approval and five times as popular as Congress .
`` But the Postal Service has been in financial trouble for more than a decade , and it 's not just because of email .
But a 2006 act of Congress which required that the postal service to fully fund its retiree health benefits 50 years into the future ( editor 's note : actually , it 's 75 years ) , something no other business or government entity has to do .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but his new postmaster general is n't helping .
`` Louis DeJoy was put in place this summer after donating millions to Trump and the Republicans , keeping a $ 30 to $ 75 million stake in his former company , a postal service contractor , and a major conflict of interest to many , except the Postal Service ethics officials who cleared him .
But the real controversy came when DeJoy started making his money-saving reforms , which caused delays in delivery , reduced operating hours , cut overtime , removed mailboxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind that process mail-in ballots .
An outcry and an IG investigation followed , but Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows tried to clean it up here on CNN . ''
There 's no sorting machines that are going offline between now and the election .
`` He 's saying that it 's not going to happen anymore , not that it has n't been done .
There have been reports of sorting machines taken offline in Pennsylvania , Iowa , Missouri , and Michigan , to name a few .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to move 671 machines offline by the end of September in dozens of other states .
CNN also obtained photos from a source claiming this used to be a sorting machine .
not only removed , but in pieces , in crates , which gets us back to the original question .
`` Given the expected massive increase in mail-in voting , why would Trump 's new postmaster hamstring the ability to handle mail before the election ?
We may get answers as DeJoy comes before Congress as Pelosi brings lawmakers back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Post Office .
`` But it seems clear that President Trump is trying to reduce confidence in our elections and suppress the vote , even before a single ballot has been cast .
And that 's your reality check , '' Avlon concluded .

John Avlon did one of his Reality Check segments about the USPS this morning.
"Now, you might ask yourself how the post office became a political battleground with the election now just 78 days out," Avlon said.
"Well, buckle up for a quick ride, how the Post Office got into a cash crisis, started slowing down delivery and removing hundreds of sorting machines, both under the new postmaster general, a Trump mega donor, culminating in the Post Office warning that voters could be disenfranchised by delayed mail-in ballots during a pandemic -- all while President Trump admitted his end game."
They need to money to make the Post Office work. That means you can't have universal mail-in voting because they're not equipped to have it.
"Trump's saying the quiet part out loud again, sabotaging the Post Office to suppress mail-in voting, despite requesting one himself. Facts first: The Founders put the Post Office in the Constitution. It's a public service, not a business, and it trounces other federal agencies with a stunning 91% approval rating. So, that's more than twice President Trump's job approval and five times as popular as Congress.
"But the Postal Service has been in financial trouble for more than a decade, and it's not just because of email. But a 2006 act of Congress which required that the postal service to fully fund its retiree health benefits 50 years into the future (editor's note: actually, it's 75 years), something no other business or government entity has to do. So, this problem predates President Trump, but his new postmaster general isn't helping.
"Louis DeJoy was put in place this summer after donating millions to Trump and the Republicans, keeping a $30 to $75 million stake in his former company, a postal service contractor, and a major conflict of interest to many, except the Postal Service ethics officials who cleared him. But the real controversy came when DeJoy started making his money-saving reforms, which caused delays in delivery, reduced operating hours, cut overtime, removed mailboxes, and high-speed letter sorting machines, the kind that process mail-in ballots. An outcry and an IG investigation followed, but Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows tried to clean it up here on CNN."
There's no sorting machines that are going offline between now and the election.
"He's saying that it's not going to happen anymore, not that it hasn't been done. There have been reports of sorting machines taken offline in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Missouri, and Michigan, to name a few. And CNN obtained documents showing a more detailed plan to move 671 machines offline by the end of September in dozens of other states. CNN also obtained photos from a source claiming this used to be a sorting machine. not only removed, but in pieces, in crates, which gets us back to the original question.
"Given the expected massive increase in mail-in voting, why would Trump's new postmaster hamstring the ability to handle mail before the election? We may get answers as DeJoy comes before Congress as Pelosi brings lawmakers back to approve funding and block changes for the Post Office.
"But it seems clear that President Trump is trying to reduce confidence in our elections and suppress the vote, even before a single ballot has been cast. And that's your reality check," Avlon concluded.


crooksandliars--2020-08-18--Maybe Don Jr. Should Switch To Decaf

Maybe Don Jr. Should Switch To Decaf

We 've all heard the stories about the Orange Mango snorting lines of Adderall all day , so after watching @ @ @ @ @ be forgiven for wondering if Jr. 's apple did n't fall far from the tree @ @ @ @ @ ... overstimulated .
But let 's be charitable .
Maybe he just needs to switch @ @ @ @ @ reason , he seems very , very worked up about the fact that Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ holding any press conferences .
Oh dear !
And his father 's numbers get worse @ @ @ @ @ looks like your ride on the gravy train may be coming to an end , @ @ @ @ @ upset .

We've all heard the stories about the Orange Mango snorting lines of Adderall all day, so after watching this mini-rant, you could be forgiven for wondering if Jr.'s apple didn't fall far from the tree.
He seems a little... overstimulated. But let's be charitable.
Maybe he just needs to switch to decaf.
Whatever the reason, he seems very, very worked up about the fact that Joe Biden is outpolling his father without holding any press conferences. Oh dear!
And his father's numbers get worse by the day. Sure looks like your ride on the gravy train may be coming to an end, Jr. No wonder you're upset.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--Here's The John Legend Performance You Probably Didn't See Last Night

John Legend closed out last night with his song `` Never Break : We Know How The Story Ends .
@ @ @ @ @ Democrats chose John Legend , one of the most outspoken advocates for social justice in @ @ @ @ @ the second night of their 2020 convention .
But it wasn ’ t the fiery @ @ @ @ @ in interviews and on social media he was showing — it was Legend as healer @ @ @ @ @ Never Break , ” the gospel-infused closing song from his latest album , “ Bigger @ @ @ @ @ song on the stage of one of downtown L.A. ’ s venerable movie palaces , @ @ @ @ @ empty auditorium rather than the rear of the stage , with Legend appearing to be @ @ @ @ @ first before he was joined by a chorale of singers with their backs to the @ @ @ @ @ m not worried about us / And I ’ ve never been / We know @ @ @ @ @ ” he sang .

John Legend closed out last night with his song "Never Break: We Know How The Story Ends." Via Variety:
The Democrats chose John Legend, one of the most outspoken advocates for social justice in pop, to close out the second night of their 2020 convention. But it wasn’t the fiery side that sometimes turns up in interviews and on social media he was showing — it was Legend as healer and romantic, singing “Never Break,” the gospel-infused closing song from his latest album, “Bigger Love.”
Legend filmed the song on the stage of one of downtown L.A.’s venerable movie palaces, but the camera faced the empty auditorium rather than the rear of the stage, with Legend appearing to be alone at his piano at first before he was joined by a chorale of singers with their backs to the non-audience. “I’m not worried about us / And I’ve never been / We know how the story ends,” he sang.


crooksandliars--2020-08-19--'Done With Malice': NY Lt. Gov. Smacks Donald For Susan B. Anthony Pardon

New York Lt. Gov .
Kathy Hochul ( D ) on Tuesday slammed President Donald Trump for treating Susan B. Anthony “ like a criminal.
” Hochul made the remarks after Trump held an event at the White House to announce his plans to pardon Anthony for the crime of voting as a woman in 1872 .
“ I was deeply troubled to learn that Trump went ahead and treated her like a criminal , ” Hochul said , according to WROC .
“ Susan B. Anthony was guilty of nothing.
” “ I stopped long ago trying to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does , ” she added , “ other than I believe this was done with malice .
This was not done to honor the legacy of Susan B. Anthony or the countless other individuals who led the long march for civil rights for women and civil rights for all.
” “ I don ’ t know why he did what he did but I assure you it ’ s not with the best interests of Americans at heart , ” Hochul concluded .
In a tweet , the lt. governor explained why Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon .
“ She was proud of her arrest to draw attention to the cause for women ’ s rights , and never paid her fine , ” she noted .
“ Let her Rest In Peace .
”

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Tuesday slammed President Donald Trump for treating Susan B. Anthony “like a criminal.”
Hochul made the remarks after Trump held an event at the White House to announce his plans to pardon Anthony for the crime of voting as a woman in 1872.
“I was deeply troubled to learn that Trump went ahead and treated her like a criminal,” Hochul said, according to WROC. “Susan B. Anthony was guilty of nothing.”
“I stopped long ago trying to figure out why the president does what he does,” she added, “other than I believe this was done with malice. This was not done to honor the legacy of Susan B. Anthony or the countless other individuals who led the long march for civil rights for women and civil rights for all.”
“I don’t know why he did what he did but I assure you it’s not with the best interests of Americans at heart,” Hochul concluded.
In a tweet, the lt. governor explained why Trump should “rescind” Anthony’s pardon.
“She was proud of her arrest to draw attention to the cause for women’s rights, and never paid her fine,” she noted. “Let her Rest In Peace.”