crooksandliars--2020-08-21--UPDATED: Last Night We Learned Joe Biden Inspires Kids Instead Of Ridiculing Them

Imagine having a fundamentally decent president who meets a kid with the same disability he has , and instead of mimicking and ridiculing him , talks to him and encourages him .
That was Brayden Harrington 's story , and he thought it was so important , he had to tell the whole nation last night .
Imagine the courage that took -- because , like Joe Biden , Brayden has a severe stutter .
Thirteen-year-old Brayden Harrington spoke on the final night of the Democratic National Convention about how the party 's presidential nominee , Joe Biden , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stutter .
`` He told me that we were members of the same club : We stutter .
It was really amazing to hear that someone like me became vice president , '' Brayden said Thursday night in the video recorded for the convention .
Via CNN : Biden , who has said he still occasionally catches himself stuttering , showed Brayden a copy of the campaign speech he had just delivered in New Hampshire with markings showing where he could take breaks between words .
`` He showed me how he marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say out loud .
So I did the same thing today , '' Brayden said , flipping around the piece of paper he was reading to show the markings on his speech .
`` I 'm just a regular kid , and in a short amount of time , Joe Biden made me feel more confident about something that 's bothered me my whole life .
Joe Biden cared .
Imagine what he could do for all of us .
Kids like me are counting on you to elect someone we can all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Someone who will make our country and the world feel better .
We 're counting on you to elect Joe Biden , '' Brayden said .
The reactions were so touching .
Steve Schmidt revealed his own speech impediment : Remember , there have always been people who remind us why we love America .
But when you watch story after story about vicious crackpot politicians and violent nutjobs who attack people for wearing masks , well , sometimes you forget .
Thanks , Brayden , for reminding us .
UPDATE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from February when Biden first met Brayden .
This is the guy I want to inspire the kids , not the jerk in the White House now .

Imagine having a fundamentally decent president who meets a kid with the same disability he has, and instead of mimicking and ridiculing him, talks to him and encourages him.
That was Brayden Harrington's story, and he thought it was so important, he had to tell the whole nation last night. Imagine the courage that took -- because, like Joe Biden, Brayden has a severe stutter.
Thirteen-year-old Brayden Harrington spoke on the final night of the Democratic National Convention about how the party's presidential nominee, Joe Biden, has made him feel more confident about his stutter.
"He told me that we were members of the same club: We stutter. It was really amazing to hear that someone like me became vice president," Brayden said Thursday night in the video recorded for the convention. Via CNN:
Biden, who has said he still occasionally catches himself stuttering, showed Brayden a copy of the campaign speech he had just delivered in New Hampshire with markings showing where he could take breaks between words. "He showed me how he marks his addresses to make them easier to say out loud. So I did the same thing today," Brayden said, flipping around the piece of paper he was reading to show the markings on his speech. "I'm just a regular kid, and in a short amount of time, Joe Biden made me feel more confident about something that's bothered me my whole life. Joe Biden cared. Imagine what he could do for all of us. Kids like me are counting on you to elect someone we can all look up to. Someone who cares. Someone who will make our country and the world feel better. We're counting on you to elect Joe Biden," Brayden said.
The reactions were so touching. Steve Schmidt revealed his own speech impediment:
What a courageous young man https://t.co/LmPJa5XoQ6 — Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) August 21, 2020
I'm an ER doctor and I stutter. When I was young I picked up a book about a doctor that stuttered - it gave me hope. I always knew I could be a doctor. @JoeBiden gives people hope. He's an amazing human being! — Cleavon MD (@Cleavon_MD) August 21, 2020
I'm still floored by the Brayden thing. My mom is a speech pathologist. She was like *coaching* him through his amazing moment.
And, so, it just wasn't lost on me that Biden was, even in his greatest moment, also showing Brayden that everything in life is possible for him. — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) August 21, 2020
Further: Public speaking has always come super easy for me. But because of my mom's work, I've always been attuned to those for whom it does not. And to see a guy like Biden, for whom it is hard, reach these heights tonight....
So many kids, man. SO MANY KIDS are gonna see that. — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) August 21, 2020
AND THEN, when you think about how Donald Trump has spent his whole life denigrating those who are different. MOCKING people with disabilities. Making jokes at their expense like the punk bully he is
To cut all of that with the humanity and decency of Biden. It's something y'all — Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) August 21, 2020
Speaking is hard for me too, Brayden. But as you know, practice and purpose help. Thank you for your courage and for the great speech! https://t.co/lAkk8tPRXw — Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) August 21, 2020
Remember, there have always been people who remind us why we love America. But when you watch story after story about vicious crackpot politicians and violent nutjobs who attack people for wearing masks, well, sometimes you forget.
Thanks, Brayden, for reminding us.
UPDATE: (Karoli) Here's the clip from February when Biden first met Brayden. This is the guy I want to inspire the kids, not the jerk in the White House now.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Rick Wilson's 'Running Against The Devil' Is A Must-Read For The General Election

Lincoln Project founder Rick Wilson 's book is out in paperback this week , and every American needs to buy it .
Wilson 's best-seller 'Running Against The Devil : A Plot to Save America from Trump -- and Democrats from Themselves ' is a roadmap on how to beat Trump in 2020 .
Anyone interested in defeating Trump and the toxic GOP agenda on November 3rd needs to read this book .
Full stop .
Running Against The Devil is a must-read for all Democratic candidates , as well as Americans who want Trump out of the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough to read at times but there 's just enough snark to help the medicine go down .
We all knew that post-impeachment Donald Trump would be even worse .
As the President begins to punish anyone who “ rats him out ” , Americans must focus on getting Trump out of the White House .
Running Against The Devil is a great read that will make you laugh .
But the end of the book chilled me to the bone : Do not come to this fight believing that the Trump team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as off-limits .
This is a battle that decides whether they have an unlimited runway to create a dynastic kleptocracy based on an authoritarian personality cult that makes North Korea look like Sweden , or whether the immune system of the republic kicks in and purges them from the body politic .
If I was facing Trump , knowing what I ’ ve learned about him in the past four , long , dark , shitty years , I ’ d work based off that knowledge .
I ’ d know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no shame .
There are no limits .
He ’ ll push beyond all norms and boundaries , because losing this race most likely ends up with a trip to prison .
Winning means a century of Trumps .
I ’ d know that politics triumphs over policy , and passion triumphs over ideology .
I ’ d lie , and cheat , and fight so dirty that it would barely be on this side of the law .
Well ?
How about it ?
You ’ re in a bar fight with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
Buy the book TODAY and read it .
Then buy a copy for everyone you know .
You might not agree with Rick Wilson on policies but he speaks the truth about Trump -- -Americans need to listen .

Lincoln Project founder Rick Wilson's book is out in paperback this week, and every American needs to buy it. Wilson's best-seller 'Running Against The Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump--and Democrats from Themselves' is a roadmap on how to beat Trump in 2020. Anyone interested in defeating Trump and the toxic GOP agenda on November 3rd needs to read this book. Full stop.
Running Against The Devil is a must-read for all Democratic candidates, as well as Americans who want Trump out of the White House in 2020.
Wilson's book is tough to read at times but there's just enough snark to help the medicine go down.
We all knew that post-impeachment Donald Trump would be even worse. As the President begins to punish anyone who “rats him out” , Americans must focus on getting Trump out of the White House.
Watch Wilson's Daily Show interview to promote the book:
Running Against The Devil is a great read that will make you laugh. But the end of the book chilled me to the bone:
Do not come to this fight believing that the Trump team views any action, including outright criminality, as off-limits. This is a battle that decides whether they have an unlimited runway to create a dynastic kleptocracy based on an authoritarian personality cult that makes North Korea look like Sweden, or whether the immune system of the republic kicks in and purges them from the body politic. If I was facing Trump, knowing what I’ve learned about him in the past four, long, dark, shitty years, I’d work based off that knowledge. I’d know that there is no bottom. There is no shame. There are no limits. He’ll push beyond all norms and boundaries, because losing this race most likely ends up with a trip to prison. Winning means a century of Trumps. I’d know that politics triumphs over policy, and passion triumphs over ideology. I’d lie, and cheat, and fight so dirty that it would barely be on this side of the law. Well? How about it? You’re in a bar fight with bikers, not a fucking Princeton debating society.
Buy the book TODAY and read it. Then buy a copy for everyone you know. You might not agree with Rick Wilson on policies but he speaks the truth about Trump---Americans need to listen.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Tacky Melania Desecrates White House Rose Garden

Remember Melania Trump 's all red Christmas decorations that was basically a ripoff of the Handmaid 's Tale ?
Well , the Tacky First Lady has struck again , this time utterly desecrating the White House Rose Garden , leaving her tasteless , vengeful , ugly stink on everything she touches .
Twitter was aghast at the truly awful design .
What is used to look like : A nice side by side , showing the original glory of trees and tulips , lush from decades of love and attention .
Now ?
Cold and sterile with no love or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself .
She is so proud of the ugliness .
The lack of self-reflection is truly something to behold with this family .
Another angle from outside the White House .
It 's not a minor thing , really .
It 's yet another example of the Trumps ' seeming need to stamp out every good and decent American legacy ; every spec of grace , and replacing it with ideas and iconography that reflects only themselves .
As if history begins and ends with them .
https : //t.co/a5EYCZksjR MITH just about @ @ @ @

Remember Melania Trump's all red Christmas decorations that was basically a ripoff of the Handmaid's Tale? Well, the Tacky First Lady has struck again, this time utterly desecrating the White House Rose Garden, leaving her tasteless, vengeful, ugly stink on everything she touches.
Twitter was aghast at the truly awful design.
What is used to look like:
What Melania Trump has done to the Rose Garden can never be forgiven. She literally gutted Jackie Kennedys garden tribute to her husband, JFK. That Rose Garden was part of our history and she destroyed it. pic.twitter.com/zMuv4tILtC — J-Molls #BlackLivesMatter (@MamaMolly2018) August 22, 2020
A nice side by side, showing the original glory of trees and tulips, lush from decades of love and attention. Now? Cold and sterile with no love or thought - a nice description of Melania herself.
Before and after photographs of newly renovated White House Rose Garden:
courtesy #Getty and @marycjordan pic.twitter.com/w6bzoNHMjC — Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) August 22, 2020
She is so proud of the ugliness. The lack of self-reflection is truly something to behold with this family.
Excited to honor history & celebrate the future in our beautiful @WhiteHouse Rose Garden this evening. Thank you to all who helped renew this iconic & truly gorgeous space. pic.twitter.com/ggiqLkdGbw — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 22, 2020
Simpler times.
Wow. Looks so different. I once played catch with Obama in the Rose Garden ... when its had roses. https://t.co/ZTz7Lgt6Pv pic.twitter.com/zcy3rRvm6L — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) August 22, 2020
Good point, Tony.
HOW DO YOU FUCK UP A ROSE GARDEN THAT LITERALLY ALREADY HAS FUCKING ROSES IN IT?????!!!????? — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) August 22, 2020
Another angle from outside the White House.
The renovations that @FLOTUS spearheaded for the Rose Garden just look amazing! pic.twitter.com/nBM67uxJHx — Ron Sullivan (@CornerPubRon) August 22, 2020
With Joy Reid reminding us.
It's not a minor thing, really. It's yet another example of the Trumps' seeming need to stamp out every good and decent American legacy; every spec of grace, and replacing it with ideas and iconography that reflects only themselves. As if history begins and ends with them. https://t.co/a5EYCZksjR — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) August 22, 2020
So Jackie Kennedy's beautiful garden must be ripped out, along with Michelle Obama's garden that celebrated good health and thrift. 30 million Americans must lose healthcare "because Obama," and 100 years of global alliances must be discarded and replaced with Trump's autocrats. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) August 22, 2020
MITH just about summed it up.
trump took the post boxes out of the post office, the roses out of the rose garden, and the united out of the united states — m i t h (@ManlnTheHoody) August 22, 2020
ETTD.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Will Steve Bannon Rat On Trump Or Get Pardoned?

If Steve Bannon doesn ’ t want to exchange life on a $ 28 million yacht for a jail cell , that probably comes down to two possibilities : Either he rolls over or Trump steps in to rescue his latest criminal crony .
Even Fox News acknowledges that Bannon is in a heap of legal trouble after he was yanked off a Chinese billionaire ’ s superyacht and arrested for allegedly defrauding donors to “ We Build The Wall ” ( that Mexico was supposed to pay for ) and lining his pockets to the tune of $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distance himself from Bannon , his former campaign manager and adviser , Trump , his family and his pals look very much enmeshed .
On AM Joy this morning , former federal prosecutor Cynthia Alksne weighed in on the future prospects of this latest addition to Trump ’ s circle of criminality .
ALKSNE : Look at the people who gave this money .
… Many of these people genuinely thought they were building a wall .
And Steve Bannon has been spouting off that he became this populist hero because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and he was gon na help these people and blah , blah , blah .
And none of it ’ s true .
He loves the yachting life and he ripped off the very people he claimed he was representing because corruption and his money mattered more to him than any ideology .
And I would agree with Barbara [ McQuade , former federal prosecutor ] , we 're going to end up seeing pleas in this case and people are going to roll .
Guys like Steve Bannon , they like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to go to jail .
And he ’ s gon na have to go to jail if he doesn ’ t roll .
But Trump may pardon Bannon before it gets to that .
Despite some bad blood between them , McQuade thought it likely Bannon would get a pardon , probably at the “ absolute last minute , ” if Trump thinks it necessary to protect himself .
Alksne pointed out that Trump could pardon Bannon at any point , even before he is found guilty .
But if that happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right not to answer questions to a grand jury .
So Trump might choose to commute sentences , like he did with Roger Stone , so that Bannon et al .
will remain silent , Alksne added .
Whatever happens , the optics of this will probably be terrible for Trump , Or worse .

If Steve Bannon doesn’t want to exchange life on a $28 million yacht for a jail cell, that probably comes down to two possibilities: Either he rolls over or Trump steps in to rescue his latest criminal crony.
Even Fox News acknowledges that Bannon is in a heap of legal trouble after he was yanked off a Chinese billionaire’s superyacht and arrested for allegedly defrauding donors to “We Build The Wall” (that Mexico was supposed to pay for) and lining his pockets to the tune of $1 million.
Despite Donald Trump's efforts to distance himself from Bannon, his former campaign manager and adviser, Trump, his family and his pals look very much enmeshed.
On AM Joy this morning, former federal prosecutor Cynthia Alksne weighed in on the future prospects of this latest addition to Trump’s circle of criminality.
ALKSNE: Look at the people who gave this money. … Many of these people genuinely thought they were building a wall. And Steve Bannon has been spouting off that he became this populist hero because of the way his father was treated in life and he was gonna help these people and blah, blah, blah. And none of it’s true. He loves the yachting life and he ripped off the very people he claimed he was representing because corruption and his money mattered more to him than any ideology. And I would agree with Barbara [McQuade, former federal prosecutor], we're going to end up seeing pleas in this case and people are going to roll. Guys like Steve Bannon, they like the yachting life. They don't want to go to jail. And he’s gonna have to go to jail if he doesn’t roll.
But Trump may pardon Bannon before it gets to that. Despite some bad blood between them, McQuade thought it likely Bannon would get a pardon, probably at the “absolute last minute,” if Trump thinks it necessary to protect himself.
Alksne pointed out that Trump could pardon Bannon at any point, even before he is found guilty. But if that happens, Bannon would lose his Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions to a grand jury. So Trump might choose to commute sentences, like he did with Roger Stone, so that Bannon et al. will remain silent, Alksne added.
Whatever happens, the optics of this will probably be terrible for Trump, Or worse.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Kellyanne Conway Remembers At The Last Minute To Be Racist In Bonkers Fox Interview

Well , SOMEONE who works at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is feeling testy about keeping the medical experts out of the spotlight .
On Friday , Kellyanne Conway joined John Roberts of Fox News , but it seems the White House is still adjusting to getting questions of substance , and perhaps actual pushback from that particular network .
Roberts asked her about Biden 's promise to enact a national mask mandate upon election , and also about his vow not to `` muzzle his experts . ''
Roberts then asserted , `` I think it 's fair to point out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Redfield , Dr. Hahn , or Dr. Fauci , who I know just had polyp surgery ... '' '' I HAVE , '' interrupted Conway , which sort of is the point of what Roberts is saying , no ?
He said WE have not seen them .
He corrected her , `` IN PUBLIC , we have not seen them at the coronavirus briefing for some weeks now , why is that ? ''
CONWAY : Well , if YOU have n't seen Dr. Fauci in public , you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You 've got to be kidding me .
He 's a member of the task force who 's out there almost daily , giving interviews to many diverse outlets , and none of us has ever said , `` Please do n't do that . ''
My seat in the Coronavirus Task Force briefing , I 'm just a staffer , is right behind Drs .
Birx and Fauci , so we certainly see them , they 're reporting directly to the vice president of the United States .
Roberts interrupted her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't been at the briefing that the president has every day . ''
To which she responded , `` So ?
And ? ''
As if that was n't evidence that Trump wants nothing to do with science or truth or anything having to do with getting the virus under control , 8 months after it has hit our shores , and after at least 170,000 people here have died .
CONWAY : You mean the press has n't ben able to ask them rude questions , like was asked by a colleague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Fauci , `` Are you here on your own volition ? ''
I mean , is he Patty Hearst ?
I mean , what is this ?
When it was clear she was going to continue being unserious and untruthful in her answer , Roberts tried to move on , but she insisted on staying with the topic , saying , `` Well , hold on , this is important . ''
CONWAY : Joe Biden saying he would n't muzzle the experts , when our experts are on the Coronavirus Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , like Joe Biden , we were working around the clock , here , since March on the Coronavirus Task Force , you know , in less time than it takes to have a baby , we have developed six different vaccines .
And at least three of them are in the final phases of clinical trials in people .
All of this is still a six-month effort that we 've been doing , and we 've got therapeutics , vaccines , money to the strategic national stockpile , so a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and by the way , if you have the audacity to say the president did n't protect Americans and you do n't mention the violence in Democratically-controlled cities , you 're just lying to the public .
WOAH .
She 's all , `` Lem me just stick a complete non-sequitur/false equivalence/racist trope in here as I see my time is running out for projection and lying ! ''
At least she did say `` Democratically-led '' instead of `` Democrat-led , '' but that does not make up for ignoring her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , Democrats , and school kids so that the rich white folks could get back to padding their coffers .

Well, SOMEONE who works at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is feeling testy about keeping the medical experts out of the spotlight.
On Friday, Kellyanne Conway joined John Roberts of Fox News, but it seems the White House is still adjusting to getting questions of substance, and perhaps actual pushback from that particular network. Roberts asked her about Biden's promise to enact a national mask mandate upon election, and also about his vow not to "muzzle his experts."
Roberts then asserted, "I think it's fair to point out that we have not seen Dr. Birx, Dr. Redfield, Dr. Hahn, or Dr. Fauci, who I know just had polyp surgery..."
"I HAVE," interrupted Conway, which sort of is the point of what Roberts is saying, no? He said WE have not seen them.
He corrected her, "IN PUBLIC, we have not seen them at the coronavirus briefing for some weeks now, why is that?"
CONWAY: Well, if YOU haven't seen Dr. Fauci in public, you don't own a TV or a computer. You've got to be kidding me. He's a member of the task force who's out there almost daily, giving interviews to many diverse outlets, and none of us has ever said, "Please don't do that." My seat in the Coronavirus Task Force briefing, I'm just a staffer, is right behind Drs. Birx and Fauci, so we certainly see them, they're reporting directly to the vice president of the United States.
Roberts interrupted her to point out, "They haven't been at the briefing that the president has every day." To which she responded, "So? And?" As if that wasn't evidence that Trump wants nothing to do with science or truth or anything having to do with getting the virus under control, 8 months after it has hit our shores, and after at least 170,000 people here have died.
CONWAY: You mean the press hasn't ben able to ask them rude questions, like was asked by a colleague of yours from a different network of Dr. Fauci, "Are you here on your own volition?" I mean, is he Patty Hearst? I mean, what is this?
When it was clear she was going to continue being unserious and untruthful in her answer, Roberts tried to move on, but she insisted on staying with the topic, saying, "Well, hold on, this is important."
CONWAY: Joe Biden saying he wouldn't muzzle the experts, when our experts are on the Coronavirus Task Force, and unlike a lot of people, like Joe Biden, we were working around the clock, here, since March on the Coronavirus Task Force, you know, in less time than it takes to have a baby, we have developed six different vaccines. And at least three of them are in the final phases of clinical trials in people. All of this is still a six-month effort that we've been doing, and we've got therapeutics, vaccines, money to the strategic national stockpile, so a lot of what Joe Biden said was false, and by the way, if you have the audacity to say the president didn't protect Americans and you don't mention the violence in Democratically-controlled cities, you're just lying to the public.
WOAH. She's all, "Lemme just stick a complete non-sequitur/false equivalence/racist trope in here as I see my time is running out for projection and lying!" At least she did say "Democratically-led" instead of "Democrat-led," but that does not make up for ignoring her administration's wishing COVID death on old people, Democrats, and school kids so that the rich white folks could get back to padding their coffers.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Rep. Clyburn Deflates Trump's Threats Of Sheriffs Intimidating Voters At The Polls

Donald Trump continues to play into fears about non-existent voter fraud .
Scary Post Office propaganda has been in heavy rotation lately , but on Thursday , he returned to trying to frighten people away from voting in person , too .
Because , why not both , right ?
On Thursday , Trump phoned into his bedtime buddy Sean Hannity , who asked him how he is going to make sure people do n't wear Groucho Marx glasses and mustaches into polling places , pretending to be someone else while they vote .
If THIS lady tries to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Image from : Flickr/portland_mike MY GOD HOW WILL WE KNOOOWWWWW REAL PEOPLE ARE VOTING ?
?
?
TRUMP : We 're gon na have everything .
We 're gon na have sheriffs , we 're gon na have law enforcement , and we 're going to have hopefully U.S .
Attorneys , and we 're going to have -- everybody and hopefully attorney generals .
But it 's very hard .
Jonathan Capehart , guest anchoring the AM Joy show , played that clip for Majority Whip Jim Clyburn , and he noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the 1960s .
Rep. Clyburn said , `` Even before ! ''
But then he lay down why he felt confident those law enforcement people were not going to jump to do what Trump was fantasizing about .
REP. CLYBURN : And the fact of the matter is , he can not do a thing to these sheriff departments .
These sheriffs are not crazy .
Many of them are on the ballots themselves .
They are not going to participate in his charade .
He can not order the Richland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the Orangeburg County Sheriff to do anything .
Those people know who elects them .
They are responsible to the people of those counties and they 're not going to be listening to this president who seems to be beyond the pale .
And , thank you for the perspective , as always , Rep. Clyburn .

Donald Trump continues to play into fears about non-existent voter fraud. Scary Post Office propaganda has been in heavy rotation lately, but on Thursday, he returned to trying to frighten people away from voting in person, too. Because, why not both, right?
On Thursday, Trump phoned into his bedtime buddy Sean Hannity, who asked him how he is going to make sure people don't wear Groucho Marx glasses and mustaches into polling places, pretending to be someone else while they vote.
If THIS lady tries to vote, we might be in trouble. Credit: Flickr/portland_mike
MY GOD HOW WILL WE KNOOOWWWWW REAL PEOPLE ARE VOTING???
Here was Trump's practically giddy response:
TRUMP: We're gonna have everything. We're gonna have sheriffs, we're gonna have law enforcement, and we're going to have hopefully U.S. Attorneys, and we're going to have -- everybody and hopefully attorney generals. But it's very hard.
Jonathan Capehart, guest anchoring the AM Joy show, played that clip for Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and he noted that Trump described a scene very much out of the 1960s. Rep. Clyburn said, "Even before!" But then he lay down why he felt confident those law enforcement people were not going to jump to do what Trump was fantasizing about.
REP. CLYBURN: And the fact of the matter is, he cannot do a thing to these sheriff departments. These sheriffs are not crazy. Many of them are on the ballots themselves. They are not going to participate in his charade. He cannot order the Richland County Sheriff that I know very well, or the Orangeburg County Sheriff to do anything. Those people know who elects them. They are responsible to the people of those counties and they're not going to be listening to this president who seems to be beyond the pale.
OOPS.
And, thank you for the perspective, as always, Rep. Clyburn.


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Bible Belt Meets Persian Gulf

Bible Belt Meets Persian Gulf

Religious proselytizing , which threatens unit cohesion , morale and discipline , is a recurrent threat in America ’ s military today , which the Military Religious Freedom Foundation deals with on almost daily basis .
But it ’ s arguably the most threatening where confrontation with potential enemies Is most imminent .
Which is why alarm bells went off on August 13 , when an email from a US Navy member with a special operations unit in Qatar ( under the U.S. Special Operations Command Central , aka “ SOCCENT ” ) raised these sadly all-to-common concerns to MRFF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To be straightforward , I am deeply concerned about the recent preferential advertisement of Christian-oriented religious services by the Chaplain , [ LCDR ] Terry L. Moran and his Religious Affairs NCOIC [ RP1 ] Thomas Keble , ” the email stated , going on to explain : The chaplaincy exists within the military to minister to the troops spiritual needs , not to proselytize , a distinction that goes all the way back to the Continental Army under Washington .
It has its own channels of communication , distinct from the chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lines between the two key religious clauses in the First Amendment—the ‘ no establishment ’ clause ( “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ” ) and the ‘ free expression ’ clause .
( “ or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ” ) .
So when a chaplain uses a general information email , sent out under command authority , to promote religious activities , it ’ s a clear-cut violation of the First Amendment— which all members of the military , incluing chaplains are sworn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military regulations spelling out how the First Amendment applies in the specific context of military service .
But it also undermines the very function that the chaplaincy is supposed to serve , as the author of the email so clearly understood : As I ’ m sure you know , being deployed adds significant stressors to the lives of those who serve .
The Chaplaincy is supposed to function as relief and respite for servicemembers .
It can not perform that function if it demonstrates through word and action that it serves some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not naive — I know some will say that in reaching out to you , I ’ m trying to tear down the Chaplaincy , but that ’ s not what I want at all .
I want it to succeed .
I want it to be a source of support and peace far from home for all servicemembers , not merely a select few .
As usually happens in such cases , the initial complainant was not alone—MRFF quickly gained a total of 11 clients ( 6 self-identified as Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote the SOCCENT commander , Rear Admiral Frank M. Bradley on August 15 , alerting him to the situation and requesting immediate action : Weinstein quickly established the distinction between appropriate and inappropriate behavior at issue : Chaplains have every right to communicate with their fellow armed forces members via E-mail but , if they wish to frequently blanket EVERYONE in their respective units , they must keep their communications secular .
If Chaplain ( LCDR ) Moran wishes to send out E-mails which are targeting a Christian-only SOCCENT audience , that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sending such sectarian , Christian-ONLY messages to those SOCCENT personnel who have either asked to be so included on them or are otherwise part of his regular Chaplain-serving constituency such as those he has established a close pastoral relationship with or those who might regularly attend his services etc .
In contrast , Weinstein emphasized what was being wrongly done instead : And Weinstein requested the immediate cessation of such proselytizing emails , followed by a clear summary of harmful threat at stake : Although MRFF has not heard back from Admiral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Qatar appears to have changed dramatically as a result , according to the most recent email from their initial client : Last week I emailed you , letting you know that at SOCCENT there was a Navy chaplain who was emailing ( ie .
proselytizing ) the entire org-box with invitations to Christian Bible studies .
I passed along that I felt this was harmful to the good order , morale , discipline and unit cohesion of the many servicemembers at SOCCENT whose religious tradition is other-than-Christian… .
I can tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have stopped being distributed to our official , military inboxes .
From myself and the other SOCCENT servicemembers ( many who are actually practicing Christians themselves but yet clearly saw how wrong this was ) who felt second-class for our form of belief , thank you for your help !
That was the good news .
But it still left something to be desired , as the client went on to note : I am somewhat disappointed that there was a silent cessation of emails , and not the extension of an olive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the oath we swore to the U.S. Constitution and many regulations to offer sectarian Christian services to the exclusion of others , but I am still disappointed that Chaplain ( LCDR ) Moran seems to have taken his ball and gone home , rather than used this as an opportunity to offer the Chaplaincy to all of SOCCENT , no matter their belief or even lack thereof .
Without the recognition of wrong-doing , and efforts to make amends , there is evidence of learning , no assurance that similar , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Which leaves MRFF ’ s clients in a potentially precarious state—albeit , much less so , knowing that MRFF is looking out for them .
As the client explained : More needed to be done , Weinstein said : At the very least—because the silent resolution of this matter remains both passive and tacit , rather than active and explicit—it ’ s important that this quasi-resolution be publicly known , to further guard against the possibility of it proving only to be ephemeral .
As has oft been repeated , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Religious proselytizing, which threatens unit cohesion, morale and discipline, is a recurrent threat in America’s military today, which the Military Religious Freedom Foundation deals with on almost daily basis. But it’s arguably the most threatening where confrontation with potential enemies Is most imminent. Which is why alarm bells went off on August 13, when an email from a US Navy member with a special operations unit in Qatar (under the U.S. Special Operations Command Central, aka “SOCCENT”) raised these sadly all-to-common concerns to MRFF founder and President Mikey Weinstein.
“To be straightforward, I am deeply concerned about the recent preferential advertisement of Christian-oriented religious services by the Chaplain, [LCDR] Terry L. Moran and his Religious Affairs NCOIC [RP1] Thomas Keble,” the email stated, going on to explain:
Since the beginning of July, emails which previously only included information about on-base events such as Dining Facility menus, theater times and special events have begun to include notifications of Bible study meetings with topics like “Know Your Enemy,” two or three times per week. These emails are exclusively for Christian religious studies. I have not, to date, seen any form of religious outreach to non-Christian troops.
The chaplaincy exists within the military to minister to the troops spiritual needs, not to proselytize, a distinction that goes all the way back to the Continental Army under Washington. It has its own channels of communication, distinct from the chain of command, precisely to avoid blurring the lines between the two key religious clauses in the First Amendment—the ‘no establishment’ clause (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion”) and the ‘free expression’ clause. (“or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”).
So when a chaplain uses a general information email, sent out under command authority, to promote religious activities, it’s a clear-cut violation of the First Amendment— which all members of the military, incluing chaplains are sworn to defend—as well as a violation of specific military regulations spelling out how the First Amendment applies in the specific context of military service. But it also undermines the very function that the chaplaincy is supposed to serve, as the author of the email so clearly understood:
As I’m sure you know, being deployed adds significant stressors to the lives of those who serve. The Chaplaincy is supposed to function as relief and respite for servicemembers. It cannot perform that function if it demonstrates through word and action that it serves some troops more fully than others. I’m not naive — I know some will say that in reaching out to you, I’m trying to tear down the Chaplaincy, but that’s not what I want at all. I want it to succeed. I want it to be a source of support and peace far from home for all servicemembers, not merely a select few.
As usually happens in such cases, the initial complainant was not alone—MRFF quickly gained a total of 11 clients (6 self-identified as Christians) seeking help in gaining protection—and Weinstein wrote the SOCCENT commander, Rear Admiral Frank M. Bradley on August 15, alerting him to the situation and requesting immediate action:
In short, Admiral, one of your chaplains downrange, Lt. Commander Terry L. Moran, has clearly overstepped the Rules of Engagement, re: his official duties, by repeatedly proselytizing his ENTIRE unit with a bevy of clearly sectarian Christian-only E-mails. We at MRFF have faced these exact same situations many times but never before in your command, sir.
Weinstein quickly established the distinction between appropriate and inappropriate behavior at issue:
Chaplains have every right to communicate with their fellow armed forces members via E-mail but, if they wish to frequently blanket EVERYONE in their respective units, they must keep their communications secular. If Chaplain (LCDR) Moran wishes to send out E-mails which are targeting a Christian-only SOCCENT audience, that is also quite fine as long as he is sending such sectarian, Christian-ONLY messages to those SOCCENT personnel who have either asked to be so included on them or are otherwise part of his regular Chaplain-serving constituency such as those he has established a close pastoral relationship with or those who might regularly attend his services etc.
In contrast, Weinstein emphasized what was being wrongly done instead:
Unfortunately, Chaplain (LCDR) Moran and his Religious Affairs NCOIC, RP1 Thomas Keble are doing the exact opposite of what is permitted. Their persistent sending out of these obviously Christian-only, unsolicited E-mails to ALL SOCCENT personnel is totally violative of the No Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, all germane, construing Federal caselaw on same, a plethora of DoD and Military Branch-specifc Directives, Instructions and Regulations, the Core Values of the several Military Branches and the UCMJ.
And Weinstein requested the immediate cessation of such proselytizing emails, followed by a clear summary of harmful threat at stake:
Our terrific U.S. military is a VERY diverse workplace. One of DoD’s greatest strengths IS its diversity. By sending out his Christian-ONLY E-mails to ALL SOCCENT personnel, Chaplain (LCDR) Moran is seriously and most deleteriously degrading the good order, morale, discipline and unit cohesion of his SOCCENT comrades.
Although MRFF has not heard back from Admiral Bradley or his staff, the situation in Qatar appears to have changed dramatically as a result, according to the most recent email from their initial client:
Last week I emailed you, letting you know that at SOCCENT there was a Navy chaplain who was emailing (ie. proselytizing) the entire org-box with invitations to Christian Bible studies. I passed along that I felt this was harmful to the good order, morale, discipline and unit cohesion of the many servicemembers at SOCCENT whose religious tradition is other-than-Christian…. I can tell you now, that those Christian proselytizing messages have stopped being distributed to our official, military inboxes. From myself and the other SOCCENT servicemembers (many who are actually practicing Christians themselves but yet clearly saw how wrong this was) who felt second-class for our form of belief, thank you for your help!
That was the good news. But it still left something to be desired, as the client went on to note:
I am somewhat disappointed that there was a silent cessation of emails, and not the extension of an olive branch for non-Christian members. It is against the oath we swore to the U.S. Constitution and many regulations to offer sectarian Christian services to the exclusion of others, but I am still disappointed that Chaplain (LCDR) Moran seems to have taken his ball and gone home, rather than used this as an opportunity to offer the Chaplaincy to all of SOCCENT, no matter their belief or even lack thereof.
Without the recognition of wrong-doing, and efforts to make amends, there is evidence of learning, no assurance that similar, or even worse violations will not happen again. Which leaves MRFF’s clients in a potentially precarious state—albeit, much less so, knowing that MRFF is looking out for them. As the client explained:
I'm sorry that I had to reach out to you, but SOCCENT is a tight-knit community, and as they say in the military, "if you stick out, prepare to be hammered." This was what drove me and my fellow SOCCENT Spartans to reach out to you all at the MRFF, fear of reprisal from the official SOCCENT chain of command. I know you understand, and we all appreciate that MRFF is willing to take the heat for servicemembers.
In response, Weinstein told Crooks and Liars:
When the SPEC OPS command climate is THIS toxic that it forces these TRULY elite American warriors (most of whom are Christians) to reach out and ask MRFF to fight for them to protect the sworn oaths they all took to support and defend the United States Constitution, it’s a truly repulsive and critically dangerous state of affairs indeed.”
More needed to be done, Weinstein said:
Navy Chaplain (Lt. Commander) Terry Moran should be justly, visibly and swiftly punished by the United States Navy for his savaging of the U.S. Constitution and his clearly illicit attempts to subordinate his sworn oath to same for the greater glory of his personal fundamentalist Chrisitian proselytizing and missionary efforts to SOCCENT personnel, the majority of whom he militarily outranks."
At the very least—because the silent resolution of this matter remains both passive and tacit, rather than active and explicit—it’s important that this quasi-resolution be publicly known, to further guard against the possibility of it proving only to be ephemeral. As has oft been repeated, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Martha McSally Asks Her Supporters To 'Fast A Meal' So That They Can Donate

Arizona 's ridiculous ( temporary ) senator turns to more unconventional fundraising .
But I suppose desperate times require desperate measures or something .
McSally keeps slipping further and further behind in the polls to Democrat Mark Kelly .
Down in the polls and behind in fundraising , Arizona Sen. Martha McSally is telling her supporters to `` fast a meal '' and donate the money to her campaign instead .
The Republican senator made the request at a recent event in northern Arizona , where she told the audience that she needs more money to keep pace with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're doing our part to catch up , you know , to get our message out .
But it takes resources .
So , anybody can give , I 'm not ashamed to ask , to invest .
If you can give a dollar , five dollars , if you can fast a meal and give what that would be , '' McSally told her audience on an audio recording obtained by Arizona 's Family .
[ ... ] In a statement , a spokeswoman for the campaign said in part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate making a joke on the stump . ''

Arizona's ridiculous (temporary) senator turns to more unconventional fundraising. But I suppose desperate times require desperate measures or something. McSally keeps slipping further and further behind in the polls to Democrat Mark Kelly.
Source: KPHO
Down in the polls and behind in fundraising, Arizona Sen. Martha McSally is telling her supporters to "fast a meal" and donate the money to her campaign instead.
The Republican senator made the request at a recent event in northern Arizona, where she told the audience that she needs more money to keep pace with her Democratic opponent, Mark Kelly.
"We're doing our part to catch up, you know, to get our message out. But it takes resources. So, anybody can give, I'm not ashamed to ask, to invest. If you can give a dollar, five dollars, if you can fast a meal and give what that would be," McSally told her audience on an audio recording obtained by Arizona's Family.
[...]
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the campaign said in part, "This is a dumb non-story about a candidate making a joke on the stump."


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Right Wing Scammers Aren't In It Just For The Money

Stephen K. Bannon , President Trump ’ s former adviser and an architect of his 2016 general election campaign , was charged on Thursday with defrauding donors to a private fund-raising effort called We Build the Wall , which was intended to bolster one of the president ’ s signature initiatives : erecting a barrier on the Mexican border .
With a wounded Air Force veteran and a Florida venture capitalist , Mr. Bannon conspired to cheat hundreds of thousands of donors by falsely promising that their money had been set aside exclusively toward building a new section of border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsealed in Manhattan .
Prosecutors said that after siphoning money from the project , Mr. Bannon plowed nearly $ 1 million into paying off his personal expenses .
As Paul Waldman notes , there 's a lot of this kind of thing on the right : ... the scheme that Bannon has just been criminally charged with is indeed a species of penny-ante grift .
Yet it ’ s the sort of grift the American right has been running on its own voters for decades ... .
Its roots go all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , out of which grew a nationwide grass-roots network of conservative activists and supporters .
Innovators such as direct-mail king Richard Viguerie realized that these people — or more specifically , lists of these people and their addresses — could be a powerful tool to collect money , a few dollars at a time ... .
You could raid that trove to aid conservative causes , but you could also use it to get rich .
It wasn ’ t hard to figure out which buttons to push — the liberals are destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save America !
— and the donations would pour in .
... this system was awash in scammers , people who pleaded for donations but never actually used them to aid the causes they claimed .
When they aren ’ t hawking political products , they ’ re peddling miracle biblical cancer cures or erectile dysfunction cures or “ glyconutrients ” and all other manner of snake oil , certain of the gullibility of the conservative masses ready to type in their credit card numbers .
Whatever the cause of the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tea party , help Trump , build the wall , stop antifa — it will become a vehicle for these scams .
But let 's not frame this as `` conservatism is just a big , fraudulent cash grab . ''
Many people use conservatism to separate people from their money , but scamming on the right is n't always strictly about money .
For years , the NRA has bilked conservatives by making assertions that are every bit as fraudulent as the claims made by Bannon and his associates .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to construct Trump 's border barrier ; the folks at the NRA said that the money it received was going to prevent gun-averse politicians from seizing the guns of every armed citizen in America .
They said this even though no politician actually wants to do that .
( Some may want to confiscate all assault weapons , but no one is talking about preventing Americans from buying other kinds of firearms , or keeping the pistols , shotguns , and traditional rifles they already have . )
It 's now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a tidy profit from this deceit -- but it also served to keep voters loyal to the Republican Party .
It was , to a large extent , a scam for votes .
Republicans tell their voters a lot of lies to win votes .
They say full-fledged Marxism is imminent in America .
They say American cities and towns will soon be subject to Sharia law or antifa-driven anarchy .
They say Christianity will be outlawed .
And they lie about legitimate threats , insisting that they 're nothing to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Russiagate was a witch hunt !
COVID-19 is no worse than an annoying bout of the flu !
Anthony Fauci wants to make millions for his Big Pharma buddies from a COVID vaccine !
Bill Gates wants to use the vaccine to implant microchips in every American !
And now there 's the biggest scam of all -- QAnon .
Many of the people spreading these scams are n't following them up with a direct request for money .
But scamming is an ethos on the right .
The conservative media uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The GOP , which has no broadly popular policy ideas , uses these scams to continue winning votes .
Ultimately , the real scammers are the conservative plutocrats who want voters to continue sending Republicans to office , but who also want Republican officeholders to do nothing on those voters ' behalf after they 're elected , because Republicans ' only task when in office is to cut taxes and regulations on the rich , and to fill all judicial vacancies with judges who 'll do the same .
When you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that 's who ultimate scammers are .
They 're not directly scamming people for cash .
GOP politicians and right-wing media figures are doing the scamming , selling conspiracy theories for Republican votes .
The plutocrats are getting the cash .
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog

Biggest story on Thursday morning:
Stephen K. Bannon, President Trump’s former adviser and an architect of his 2016 general election campaign, was charged on Thursday with defrauding donors to a private fund-raising effort called We Build the Wall, which was intended to bolster one of the president’s signature initiatives: erecting a barrier on the Mexican border. With a wounded Air Force veteran and a Florida venture capitalist, Mr. Bannon conspired to cheat hundreds of thousands of donors by falsely promising that their money had been set aside exclusively toward building a new section of border wall, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Manhattan. Prosecutors said that after siphoning money from the project, Mr. Bannon plowed nearly $1 million into paying off his personal expenses.
As Paul Waldman notes, there's a lot of this kind of thing on the right:
... the scheme that Bannon has just been criminally charged with is indeed a species of penny-ante grift. Yet it’s the sort of grift the American right has been running on its own voters for decades.... Its roots go all the way back to the 1964 Barry Goldwater campaign, out of which grew a nationwide grass-roots network of conservative activists and supporters. Innovators such as direct-mail king Richard Viguerie realized that these people — or more specifically, lists of these people and their addresses — could be a powerful tool to collect money, a few dollars at a time.... You could raid that trove to aid conservative causes, but you could also use it to get rich. It wasn’t hard to figure out which buttons to push — the liberals are destroying the country, please send a check to save America! — and the donations would pour in. ... this system was awash in scammers, people who pleaded for donations but never actually used them to aid the causes they claimed. When they aren’t hawking political products, they’re peddling miracle biblical cancer cures or erectile dysfunction cures or “glyconutrients” and all other manner of snake oil, certain of the gullibility of the conservative masses ready to type in their credit card numbers. Whatever the cause of the moment is — defeat Barack Obama, support the tea party, help Trump, build the wall, stop antifa — it will become a vehicle for these scams.
But let's not frame this as "conservatism is just a big, fraudulent cash grab." Many people use conservatism to separate people from their money, but scamming on the right isn't always strictly about money.
For years, the NRA has bilked conservatives by making assertions that are every bit as fraudulent as the claims made by Bannon and his associates. We Build the Wall said all the money was going to construct Trump's border barrier; the folks at the NRA said that the money it received was going to prevent gun-averse politicians from seizing the guns of every armed citizen in America. They said this even though no politician actually wants to do that. (Some may want to confiscate all assault weapons, but no one is talking about preventing Americans from buying other kinds of firearms, or keeping the pistols, shotguns, and traditional rifles they already have.) It's now clear that officers of the NRA were making a tidy profit from this deceit -- but it also served to keep voters loyal to the Republican Party. It was, to a large extent, a scam for votes.
Republicans tell their voters a lot of lies to win votes. They say full-fledged Marxism is imminent in America. They say American cities and towns will soon be subject to Sharia law or antifa-driven anarchy. They say Christianity will be outlawed.
And they lie about legitimate threats, insisting that they're nothing to worry about. Climate change is a hoax! Russiagate was a witch hunt! COVID-19 is no worse than an annoying bout of the flu! Anthony Fauci wants to make millions for his Big Pharma buddies from a COVID vaccine! Bill Gates wants to use the vaccine to implant microchips in every American!
And now there's the biggest scam of all -- QAnon.
Many of the people spreading these scams aren't following them up with a direct request for money. But scamming is an ethos on the right. The conservative media uses these scams to sustain readership and ratings. The GOP, which has no broadly popular policy ideas, uses these scams to continue winning votes.
Ultimately, the real scammers are the conservative plutocrats who want voters to continue sending Republicans to office, but who also want Republican officeholders to do nothing on those voters' behalf after they're elected, because Republicans' only task when in office is to cut taxes and regulations on the rich, and to fill all judicial vacancies with judges who'll do the same.
When you see a successful non-monetary scam on the right, that's who ultimate scammers are. They're not directly scamming people for cash. GOP politicians and right-wing media figures are doing the scamming, selling conspiracy theories for Republican votes. The plutocrats are getting the cash.
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Harry Reid Predicts Busted Filibuster, Biden And Schumer Agree

While the Democratic National Convention that nominated Joe Biden this week featured an awful lot of Republicans , and Democrats are out there shopping a story line that Biden will `` revive bipartisanship , '' former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is telling it like it is , as usual .
“ The filibuster is gone , ” said Reid , friend of Biden .
“ It ’ s not a question of if , it ’ s a question of when it ’ s going to go .
[ … ] Next year at this time , it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed Biden 's mind on this , Reid said , “ I don ’ t know .
I talked to him and [ advisor Steve ] Ricchetti about it .
Maybe that helped a little bit .
I think , just basically , pragmatism—if he ’ s going to get anything done as president , [ the filibuster ] has got to go.
” It absolutely does .
Particularly if Mitch McConnell remains as the Republican leader , hopefully in the minority .
Which means , winning the Senate back is as critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
Reid could be saying this to nudge all his former colleagues along to acceptance of reality , but it 's not going too much pressure to get current Democratic leader Chuck Schumer there , it appears .
He 's absolutely ready to make that move , though still couching it in `` if necessary '' terms .
“ We have a moral imperative to the people of America to get a whole lot done if we get the majority , which , God willing , we will , and keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes president , and nothing is off the table , ” he said Thursday .
“ We will do what it takes to get this done .
I ’ m hopeful , maybe if [ President Donald ] Trump goes and [ Mitch ] McConnell is no longer leader , some Republicans might work with us .
But we ’ re going to have to get it done , whether they work with us or not , ” he added .
Some Republicans might work with Democrats , but it 's not worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to take a full-on tsunami to dislodge McConnell in November .
As much has Kentucky may dislike him personally , they like his power and just ca n't break that destructive habit .
Democrats need to plan for McConnell to still be in office , and to still be leading his Republicans to continue to resist and destroy what they 'll probably consider the third term of President Barack Obama .
Who , by the way , has also endorsed nuking the filibuster and also might have been the one to tip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomparable John Lewis last month , Obama said `` Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act , we should keep marching to make it even better . ''
And he listed that agenda : automatic voter registration , including for felons ; making voting easier for everyone ; statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico ; and ending partisan gerrymandering .
`` And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster—another Jim Crow relic—in order to secure the God-given rights of every American , '' he said , `` then that 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as McConnell draws breath from the Senate chamber , it will take that .

While the Democratic National Convention that nominated Joe Biden this week featured an awful lot of Republicans, and Democrats are out there shopping a story line that Biden will "revive bipartisanship," former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is telling it like it is, as usual.
“The filibuster is gone,” said Reid, friend of Biden. “It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when it’s going to go. […] Next year at this time, it will be gone.” Asked what he thought changed Biden's mind on this, Reid said, “I don’t know. I talked to him and [advisor Steve] Ricchetti about it. Maybe that helped a little bit. I think, just basically, pragmatism—if he’s going to get anything done as president, [the filibuster] has got to go.” It absolutely does. Particularly if Mitch McConnell remains as the Republican leader, hopefully in the minority. Which means, winning the Senate back is as critical to saving the nation as winning the White House.
Reid could be saying this to nudge all his former colleagues along to acceptance of reality, but it's not going too much pressure to get current Democratic leader Chuck Schumer there, it appears. He's absolutely ready to make that move, though still couching it in "if necessary" terms.
“We have a moral imperative to the people of America to get a whole lot done if we get the majority, which, God willing, we will, and keep it in the House, and Biden becomes president, and nothing is off the table,” he said Thursday. “We will do what it takes to get this done. I’m hopeful, maybe if [President Donald] Trump goes and [Mitch] McConnell is no longer leader, some Republicans might work with us. But we’re going to have to get it done, whether they work with us or not,” he added.
Some Republicans might work with Democrats, but it's not worth holding your breath over. It's going to take a full-on tsunami to dislodge McConnell in November. As much has Kentucky may dislike him personally, they like his power and just can't break that destructive habit. Democrats need to plan for McConnell to still be in office, and to still be leading his Republicans to continue to resist and destroy what they'll probably consider the third term of President Barack Obama. Who, by the way, has also endorsed nuking the filibuster and also might have been the one to tip Biden.
In his eulogy for the incomparable John Lewis last month, Obama said "Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, we should keep marching to make it even better." And he listed that agenda: automatic voter registration, including for felons; making voting easier for everyone; statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico; and ending partisan gerrymandering. "And if all this takes eliminating the filibuster—another Jim Crow relic—in order to secure the God-given rights of every American," he said, "then that's what we should do."
As long as McConnell draws breath from the Senate chamber, it will take that.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-08-22--Pence Denies Trump Embraced QAnon, Refuses To Denounce The Cult

Appearing on CNN 's New Day , Pence was asked about Trump ’ s near endorsement of the group at the White House Thursday .
At the time , Trump claimed to know nothing about the group , other than the fact that they like him , which is pretty much all the Narcissist in Chief cares about .
Friday , the vice president of the United States played dumb on QAnon , too .
During his interview with Pence , host John Berman asked about Trump ’ s embrace of the group , while also providing a taste of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet Pence could n't muster up the courage to denounce them : BERMAN : I want to ask , at the White House , the president seemed to embrace QAnon , which is a group that the FBI has warned very likely motivates some domestic extremists to commit criminal , sometimes violent activity .
This is a group that peddles theories that say that some politicians and high-profile Hollywood celebrities are member of a satanic cult , they are also cannibals , they say that coronavirus is being disseminated by George Soros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 5G networks .
The president said they love America .
So , how do those beliefs embody a love of America ?
PENCE : Well , you said the president seemed to embrace it .
I -- I did n't hear that .
… I do n't know anything -- I heard the president talk about he appreciates those that support him .
… I do n't know anything about that conspiracy theory , John .
Berman continued pressing .
Pence continued to play dumb , though this time he offered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can you not know about it , given it 's so much in the news ?
How can you not about it -- PENCE : Well , honestly , John , I just -- I do n't know anything about that .
I have heard about it .
We dismiss conspiracy theories around here out of hand .
BERMAN : Well , will you dismiss it ?
Will you dismiss it ?
PENCE : We dismiss conspiracy theorists out of hand .
Pence was suddenly eager to change the subject .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is going to continue to take our case all across this country .
We -- the choice in this election has never been clearer .
… [ Democrats ] never mentioned the violence that 's tearing apart and claiming lives in cities around the country .
And remarkably , Joe Biden last night never mentioned China.
” Berman was not diverted .
“ You didn ’ t answer my question , ” he said , as Pence went on about Democrats ’ “ economic surrender to China.
” But Berman continued pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ espouse conspiracy theories ?
” PENCE : I just did , John , I called it a conspiracy theory .
I said I do n't have any time for it , and I do n't know anything about it .
And frankly , honestly , John , I get it .
I mean , I get that the media , particularly , CNN chases after shiny objects .
BERMAN : This is not a shiny object .
The FBI -- the FBI -- Pence was once again very eager to change the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picture of America that was grim and negative … ”

Appearing on CNN's New Day, Pence was asked about Trump’s near endorsement of the group at the White House Thursday. At the time, Trump claimed to know nothing about the group, other than the fact that they like him, which is pretty much all the Narcissist in Chief cares about.
Friday, the vice president of the United States played dumb on QAnon, too.
During his interview with Pence, host John Berman asked about Trump’s embrace of the group, while also providing a taste of just what kind of folks they are. Yet Pence couldn't muster up the courage to denounce them:
BERMAN: I want to ask, at the White House, the president seemed to embrace QAnon, which is a group that the FBI has warned very likely motivates some domestic extremists to commit criminal, sometimes violent activity. This is a group that peddles theories that say that some politicians and high-profile Hollywood celebrities are member of a satanic cult, they are also cannibals, they say that coronavirus is being disseminated by George Soros, and Bill Gates with the help of 5G networks. The president said they love America. So, how do those beliefs embody a love of America? PENCE: Well, you said the president seemed to embrace it. I -- I didn't hear that. … I don't know anything -- I heard the president talk about he appreciates those that support him. … I don't know anything about that conspiracy theory, John.
Berman continued pressing. Pence continued to play dumb, though this time he offered the weakest of weak-kneed criticism:
BERMAN: How can you not know about it, given it's so much in the news? How can you not about it -- PENCE: Well, honestly, John, I just -- I don't know anything about that. I have heard about it. We dismiss conspiracy theories around here out of hand. BERMAN: Well, will you dismiss it? Will you dismiss it? PENCE: I just did, John. BERMAN: No, you didn't. PENCE: We dismiss conspiracy theorists out of hand.
Pence was suddenly eager to change the subject. He said, “The point is this president is going to continue to take our case all across this country. We -- the choice in this election has never been clearer. … [Democrats] never mentioned the violence that's tearing apart and claiming lives in cities around the country. And remarkably, Joe Biden last night never mentioned China.”
Berman was not diverted. “You didn’t answer my question,” he said, as Pence went on about Democrats’ “economic surrender to China.” But Berman continued pressing: “Will you call what they espouse conspiracy theories?”
PENCE: I just did, John, I called it a conspiracy theory. I said I don't have any time for it, and I don't know anything about it. And frankly, honestly, John, I get it. I mean, I get that the media, particularly, CNN chases after shiny objects. BERMAN: This is not a shiny object. The FBI -- the FBI --
Pence was once again very eager to change the subject. “The Democrats have painted a picture of America that was grim and negative …”
Berman moved on.


crooksandliars--2020-08-23--Nancy Pelosi: 'Trump Gives Bread And Circuses, Without The Bread'

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined Jake Tapper Sunday morning to discuss the stalled HEROES Act , which has been sitting for over 100 days , a lack of funding for the United States Postal Service , COVID deaths and who exactly can and should take the blame .
She did not pull any punches .
The White House is to blame for the stalled talks about funding the USPS , Mitch McConnell is to blame for not taking the HEROES Act to the floor of the GOP controlled Senate for over 100 days and Donald Trump owns the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his disastrous handling of the COVID pandemic .
TAPPER : As you know , the White House has already rejected this $ 25 billion in this Postal Service bill approved by the House yesterday .
In a tweet , White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tied it to the stalled coronavirus negotiations on the Hill .
He wrote -- quote -- `` If you really want to help Americans , how about passing relief for small businesses and unemployment assistance , along with postal funding ?
We agree on these .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for Americans right now '' -- unquote .
And I know you called his list very deficient .
But there are some areas of common ground between Democrats and Republicans .
If you 're willing to vote on a solo post office bill , why not reach a deal on some of these other issues where there is agreement ?
Surely , passing something to provide relief for struggling Americans is better than nothing .
PELOSI : Appreciate your question .
What he put forth was bare leaves .
He did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our country are food-insecure , that millions of people on the verge of eviction , that he did nothing to address the actual coronavirus , from testing , tracing , treatment , et cetera , that they are ignoring the needs of state and local government .
And all of this comes down to the education of our children .
They do n't want to do enough for that .
And what they want to do is not the right path .
So , again , he 's putting out that to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what the president has said , if you give me this , I 'm not doing anything else .
We can not accept that , not when kids are hungry , kids want to go to school , people need housing .
The list goes on .
Of course , they do n't want to do anything about the election , the $ 25 billion that would go to the Postal Service .
And that 's not about the elections only .
It 's about the coronavirus .
It 's about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go through the mail from VA for our veterans are affected by this and delayed by the actions of the Postal Service .
So , this is an emergency immediately .
And it 's something that should be bipartisan .
And it was yesterday .
The public is demanding action on this now .
I ca n't see how the Senate can avoid it , unless they do so to their peril .
PELOSI : But do n't be misled by bare crumbs -- and I do n't say crumbs , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put out .
All of the president wants is this one thing .
He wants his name on a letter to go out with a check in it .
And he does n't care about the rest of it , about the coronavirus funding , about the state and local , which really fund our schools .
TAPPER : Right .
So , a couple things .
First , I think the White House is signaling that they 'd be willing to go along with $ 10 billion in post office funding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 billion you passed last night , but that 's something .
And , also , you say that House Democrats are on the same page with regards to the coronavirus negotiations .
But almost half of the Democratic Caucus signed a letter this week calling on you to pass a stand-alone unemployment insurance bill .
And a number of the most vulnerable Democrats are urging you to restart negotiations .
In a letter , they wrote -- quote -- `` The reality is that only bipartisan solutions will deliver much-needed support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both parties .
We must keep negotiating , no matter how difficult .
Inaction is not an option . ''
How much longer do you think your caucus is going to stand together on this if a stalemate continues ?
PELOSI : My caucus is standing together on this .
I invite any ideas that they have .
I welcome them .
And there are a number of letters for one aspect or another .
And I welcome that .
But they want -- of course , we all want the negotiations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration wants , but what the country needs .
Today marks the 100th day since we passed the HEROES Act , so-called , to support our health care workers , our teachers , our first responders , our transportation , our sanitation , our food workers .
And the White House says -- what they say to us is , why should one state help another state that may have needs ?
Well , we welcome them to the United States of America .
It has a strategic plan to crush the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we passed our bill , over four million more people have been added to the infection list because they paused .
But over 70,000 -- what -- over 80,000 more people have died because they paused .
Could we have saved all of those lives and those diagnoses ?
Not all , but many .
So , again , when we go to putting money into people 's pockets , as the president wants to do with that letter , we have to do so , not in a bread and circuses way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , but I 'm not giving you anything else .
This is like ancient Rome .
Trump fiddles while Rome burns , while America burns , and Trump gives bread and circuses , without the bread .
So , we will see the circus this week with his convention , well- introduced by the words of his own family as to his lack of character and integrity .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined Jake Tapper Sunday morning to discuss the stalled HEROES Act, which has been sitting for over 100 days, a lack of funding for the United States Postal Service, COVID deaths and who exactly can and should take the blame.
She did not pull any punches. The White House is to blame for the stalled talks about funding the USPS, Mitch McConnell is to blame for not taking the HEROES Act to the floor of the GOP controlled Senate for over 100 days and Donald Trump owns the tens of thousands of preventable deaths due to his disastrous handling of the COVID pandemic.
TAPPER: As you know, the White House has already rejected this $25 billion in this Postal Service bill approved by the House yesterday. In a tweet, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tied it to the stalled coronavirus negotiations on the Hill. He wrote -- quote -- "If you really want to help Americans, how about passing relief for small businesses and unemployment assistance, along with postal funding? We agree on these. There's no reason not to deliver relief for Americans right now" -- unquote.
And I know you called his list very deficient. But there are some areas of common ground between Democrats and Republicans. If you're willing to vote on a solo post office bill, why not reach a deal on some of these other issues where there is agreement? Surely, passing something to provide relief for struggling Americans is better than nothing.
PELOSI: Appreciate your question. What he put forth was bare leaves. He didn't mention the fact that millions of children in our country are food-insecure, that millions of people on the verge of eviction, that he did nothing to address the actual coronavirus, from testing, tracing, treatment, et cetera, that they are ignoring the needs of state and local government.
And all of this comes down to the education of our children. They don't want to do enough for that. And what they want to do is not the right path. So, again, he's putting out that to say -- and, by the way, what the president has said, if you give me this, I'm not doing anything else. We cannot accept that, not when kids are hungry, kids want to go to school, people need housing. The list goes on.
Of course, they don't want to do anything about the election, the $25 billion that would go to the Postal Service. And that's not about the elections only. It's about the coronavirus. It's about the nearly 100 percent of the prescriptions that go through the mail from VA for our veterans are affected by this and delayed by the actions of the Postal Service. So, this is an emergency immediately. And it's something that should be bipartisan. And it was yesterday. The public is demanding action on this now. I can't see how the Senate can avoid it, unless they do so to their peril.
TAPPER: Well...
PELOSI: But don't be misled by bare crumbs -- and I don't say crumbs, but the bare leaves that this administration wants to put out. All of the president wants is this one thing. He wants his name on a letter to go out with a check in it. And he doesn't care about the rest of it, about the coronavirus funding, about the state and local, which really fund our schools.
TAPPER: Right. So, a couple things. First, I think the White House is signaling that they'd be willing to go along with $10 billion in post office funding. I know that's less than the $25 billion you passed last night, but that's something. And, also, you say that House Democrats are on the same page with regards to the coronavirus negotiations.
But almost half of the Democratic Caucus signed a letter this week calling on you to pass a stand-alone unemployment insurance bill. And a number of the most vulnerable Democrats are urging you to restart negotiations. In a letter, they wrote -- quote -- "The reality is that only bipartisan solutions will deliver much-needed support. And that requires principled comprise by both parties. We must keep negotiating, no matter how difficult. Inaction is not an option." How much longer do you think your caucus is going to stand together on this if a stalemate continues?
PELOSI: My caucus is standing together on this. I invite any ideas that they have. I welcome them. And there are a number of letters for one aspect or another. And I welcome that. But they want -- of course, we all want the negotiations to continue, but not just what the administration wants, but what the country needs.
Today marks the 100th day since we passed the HEROES Act, so-called, to support our health care workers, our teachers, our first responders, our transportation, our sanitation, our food workers. And the White House says -- what they say to us is, why should one state help another state that may have needs? Well, we welcome them to the United States of America. It has a strategic plan to crush the virus, which they have ignored. Since we passed our bill, over four million more people have been added to the infection list because they paused. But over 70,000 -- what -- over 80,000 more people have died because they paused.
Could we have saved all of those lives and those diagnoses? Not all, but many. So, again, when we go to putting money into people's pockets, as the president wants to do with that letter, we have to do so, not in a bread and circuses way, I'm going to give you this, but I'm not giving you anything else.
This is like ancient Rome. Trump fiddles while Rome burns, while America burns, and Trump gives bread and circuses, without the bread.
So, we will see the circus this week with his convention, well- introduced by the words of his own family as to his lack of character and integrity.


crooksandliars--2020-08-23--Kellyanne Conway Pushes Myth Of Victimized 'Hidden, Undercover Trump Voters'

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway insisted over the weekend that President Donald Trump ’ s poor poll numbers do not reflect the support of “ hidden ” voters .
Conway made the remarks while speaking to TV host Greta Van Susteren .
“ I don ’ t want anyone to interfere in our election , ” the president ’ s adviser said when asked about Russian election interference .
“ Any foreign government , any foreign actor .
And I don ’ t want the domestic media to do it either , through some of their phony polls and through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t win.
” “ They said that last time , they were wrong , ” she continued .
“ They shouldn ’ t be putting their thumb on the scales .
Let ’ s let democracy flourish .
Let voters make up their own mind.
” Van Susteren wondered if voters might be “ reluctant ” to express support for Trump because he uses “ nicknames ” and is “ rough on people.
” “ It ’ s called the hidden , undercover Trump voter , ” Conway said .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nicknames for political opponents who are first terrible to him .
It ’ s because people get shouted down and worse in their everyday circle of life if they dare say that they support President Trump ’ s agenda or Vice President Pence.
” “ In 2016 , there wasn ’ t a single hidden Hillary voter in the country , they were all out and about , ” she added .
“ That was true .
There are plenty of hidden Trump voters , but it ’ s not because they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are shouted down and ridiculed and belittled and argued with constantly .
Every night it feels like Thanksgiving with the in-laws and extended family for these folks .
So why take the chance of every arguing with people in places of work , places of worship , places of learning .
That ’ s why your vote is private.
” Watch the video above from Full Court Press .

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway insisted over the weekend that President Donald Trump’s poor poll numbers do not reflect the support of “hidden” voters.
Conway made the remarks while speaking to TV host Greta Van Susteren.
“I don’t want anyone to interfere in our election,” the president’s adviser said when asked about Russian election interference. “Any foreign government, any foreign actor. And I don’t want the domestic media to do it either, through some of their phony polls and through them insisting that Donald Trump can’t win.”
“They said that last time, they were wrong,” she continued. “They shouldn’t be putting their thumb on the scales. Let’s let democracy flourish. Let voters make up their own mind.”
Van Susteren wondered if voters might be “reluctant” to express support for Trump because he uses “nicknames” and is “rough on people.”
“It’s called the hidden, undercover Trump voter,” Conway said. “It’s not because the president’s nicknames for political opponents who are first terrible to him. It’s because people get shouted down and worse in their everyday circle of life if they dare say that they support President Trump’s agenda or Vice President Pence.”
“In 2016, there wasn’t a single hidden Hillary voter in the country, they were all out and about,” she added. “That was true. There are plenty of hidden Trump voters, but it’s not because they’re embarrassed… It’s because they are shouted down and ridiculed and belittled and argued with constantly. Every night it feels like Thanksgiving with the in-laws and extended family for these folks. So why take the chance of every arguing with people in places of work, places of worship, places of learning. That’s why your vote is private.”
Watch the video above from Full Court Press.


crooksandliars--2020-08-23--Mark Meadows Smears Trump's Sister After Audio Leaks: 'She Didn't Show Up For Her Brother's Funeral'

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Sunday sought to smear the President Donald Trump 's sister , retired federal Judge Maryanne Trump Barry , after she was heard on audio calling him a liar .
`` His goddamned tweet and lying , oh my God , '' Barry can be heard saying in audio recorded by the president 's niece .
`` It 's the phoniness and this cruelty . ''
On Sunday , Meadows slammed Barry during an interview on ABC 's This Week .
`` Just another day and another attack , '' Meadows lamented .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was at the funeral , I was hoping to meet her there .
She did n't show up for her brother 's funeral .
And the president that I have the privilege of serving is not the one that is being described on a 15 hour secret tape . ''
`` I mean , what family member tapes another family member for 15 hours secretly ? ''
he asked .
`` I can tell you this .
The president is committed to this country , loves this country . ''
Meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump had someone take his entrance exams before attending the University of Pennsylvania .
`` The President of the United States -- one of only 45 people that have been elected , '' Meadows said .
`` I can tell you a number of other things that supposedly have been alleged , that the president does n't read much .
You may see it when he goes to Marine One , there 's a cardboard box that is brought on Marine One .
What 's in there are clippings and clippings . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads probably more than anybody I know , '' the chief of staff promised , `` which causes me to have to read more because every morning he 's given me a to-do list , every evening he 's given me a to-do list . ''

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Sunday sought to smear the President Donald Trump's sister, retired federal Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, after she was heard on audio calling him a liar.
"His goddamned tweet and lying, oh my God," Barry can be heard saying in audio recorded by the president's niece. "It's the phoniness and this cruelty."
On Sunday, Meadows slammed Barry during an interview on ABC's This Week.
"Just another day and another attack," Meadows lamented. "I've never met the judge. I was at the funeral, I was hoping to meet her there. She didn't show up for her brother's funeral. And the president that I have the privilege of serving is not the one that is being described on a 15 hour secret tape."
"I mean, what family member tapes another family member for 15 hours secretly?" he asked. "I can tell you this. The president is committed to this country, loves this country."
Meadows also responded to Barry's allegation claiming Trump had someone take his entrance exams before attending the University of Pennsylvania.
"The President of the United States -- one of only 45 people that have been elected," Meadows said. "I can tell you a number of other things that supposedly have been alleged, that the president doesn't read much. You may see it when he goes to Marine One, there's a cardboard box that is brought on Marine One. What's in there are clippings and clippings."
"Each and every day, he reads probably more than anybody I know," the chief of staff promised, "which causes me to have to read more because every morning he's given me a to-do list, every evening he's given me a to-do list."


crooksandliars--2020-08-23--Acting DHS Chief Admits Trump Can't Send Agents To Harass Voters At Polling Places

How long before Trump gives his ( illegally ) acting head of the DHS the boot if he defies him on the threat he just made to have his Brownshirts out there harassing people at the polls ?
Chad Wolf was asked by CNN 's Jake Tapper whether Trump discussed deploying any of his law enforcement agents to serve as poll watchers , and Wolf admitted what we heard from Rep. Jim Clyburn this Saturday ... they know better than to try it : TAPPER : Has the president discussed with you , deploying any of your law enforcement agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : No , absolutely he has not .
Again , that 's not what we do at the Department of Homeland Security .
We have law enforcement authorities and law enforcement officers at the department .
We have express authorities given to us by Congress , and this is not one of them .
We do a lot of protection across the country for a lot of different circumstances including Portland and a number of other cities around the country , but this is not a mission for the Department of the Homeland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president told you to send armed agents from DHS to polling stations on election day , you would say , no , sir , that 's not in our bailiwick ?
WOLF : Jake , we do n't have any authority to do that at the department .
Will this be the kiss of death for Wolf if he actually defies Trump ?
We can only hope , but sadly with Trump 's track record , he 'll just find someone even worse to install in his place .

How long before Trump gives his (illegally) acting head of the DHS the boot if he defies him on the threat he just made to have his Brownshirts out there harassing people at the polls?
Chad Wolf was asked by CNN's Jake Tapper whether Trump discussed deploying any of his law enforcement agents to serve as poll watchers, and Wolf admitted what we heard from Rep. Jim Clyburn this Saturday... they know better than to try it:
TAPPER: Has the president discussed with you, deploying any of your law enforcement agents to serve as poll watchers? WOLF: No, absolutely he has not. Again, that's not what we do at the Department of Homeland Security. We have law enforcement authorities and law enforcement officers at the department. We have express authorities given to us by Congress, and this is not one of them. We do a lot of protection across the country for a lot of different circumstances including Portland and a number of other cities around the country, but this is not a mission for the Department of the Homeland Security. TAPPER: So if the president told you to send armed agents from DHS to polling stations on election day, you would say, no, sir, that's not in our bailiwick? WOLF: Jake, we don't have any authority to do that at the department.
Will this be the kiss of death for Wolf if he actually defies Trump? We can only hope, but sadly with Trump's track record, he'll just find someone even worse to install in his place.


crooksandliars--2020-08-23--Twitter Mocks Trump Press Secretary's Promise Of 'Major Therapeutic Breakthrough' On COVID

If the Trump administration actually had something major to announce in regard to the treatment of the coronavirus , why @ @ @ @ @ medical experts attending this press conference ?
And why wait ?
Why not announce it @ @ @ @ @ , the responses were deservedly less than kind , given this gaslighting administration 's horrid @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic :

If the Trump administration actually had something major to announce in regard to the treatment of the coronavirus, why aren't any of the medical experts attending this press conference? And why wait? Why not announce it immediately?
Here's Trump Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany hyping their latest distraction on Twitter:
News conference with President @realDonaldTrump at 6 pm tomorrow concerning a major therapeutic breakthrough on the China Virus. Secretary Azar and Dr. Hahn will be in attendance. — Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) August 23, 2020
Needless to say, the responses were deservedly less than kind, given this gaslighting administration's horrid track record in response to the pandemic:
If Donald had something truly major to announce, he would wait 24 hours and announce it at his otherwise dreary RNC. God knows, that sad spectacle can use all the surprises it can get. — Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) August 23, 2020
It's the #TrumpVirus.
The pathological lying from #TraitorTrump means we won't believe any 'breakthrough' he claims there is. pic.twitter.com/mynRRB8jE7 — D Villella ❄ (@dvillella) August 23, 2020
remember when you got a cnn gig as a commentator because you were someone willing to defend Trump literally no matter what? — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) August 23, 2020
Trump’s press conference tomorrow must be to pimp the Oleander crap. That way he can say the FDA approved his poisoning of political opponents. — Karoli #BidenHarris2020 (@Karoli) August 23, 2020
Baloney! I listen to Dr. Faucci, the CDC and the WHO. Sick of all these quaks #DoLittleDonnie presents. — BennieBoy (@BenArbyLA) August 23, 2020
Not Birx? Not Fauci?
I read the medical literature daily. I’d know, as would the medical establishment, if there were a promising therapeutic or vaccine candidate.
Unfounded medical claims to give Americans false hope is ghastly, but I expect nothing less from @POTUS trump pic.twitter.com/uqgifxRvDz — Pete 🇺🇸🆘 (@peteginsd) August 23, 2020
Sure, Jan. pic.twitter.com/eVVJNpZQnR — trump makes fun of disabled americans...like me (@CUinNov) August 23, 2020