crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Judge Esther Salas Speaks Out After Son Killed, Husband Shot

Judge Salas released this statement via YouTube .
For obvious reasons , Judge Salas is very emotional recounting her family @ @ @ @ @ is dificult to watch .
A federal judge in New Jersey is speaking out for @ @ @ @ @ son was killed and husband hurt in an apparently targeted shooting .
Federal Judge Esther @ @ @ @ @ video message recounting that tragic day on July 19 .
`` While my husband is @ @ @ @ @ from his multiple surgeries , we are living every parent 's worst nightmare , '' @ @ @ @ @ `` Making preparations to bury , bury our only child , Daniel . ''
... @ @ @ @ @ action to address the lack of privacy afforded to federal judges .
`` I am @ @ @ @ @ power to do something , '' she said .
`` For my family , the @ @ @ @ @ free flow of information from the Internet allowed this sick and depraved human being to @ @ @ @ @ and target us . ''

Judge Salas released this statement via YouTube. For obvious reasons, Judge Salas is very emotional recounting her family's ordeal and the video is dificult to watch.
Source: ABC7NY
A federal judge in New Jersey is speaking out for the first time since her son was killed and husband hurt in an apparently targeted shooting.
Federal Judge Esther Salas released an emotional YouTube video message recounting that tragic day on July 19.
"While my husband is still in the hospital recovering from his multiple surgeries, we are living every parent's worst nightmare," Judge Esther Salas said. "Making preparations to bury, bury our only child, Daniel."
...
Judge Salas is calling for action to address the lack of privacy afforded to federal judges.
"I am begging those who are in power to do something," she said. "For my family, the threat was real and the free flow of information from the Internet allowed this sick and depraved human being to find all our personal information and target us."


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--President Cheater Admits Nevada Has Made It 'Impossible' For GOP To Win

In a Monday morning tweet attacking Nevada 's proposed expansion of mail-in voting as `` an illegal late night coup , '' President Donald Trump once again openly admitted that increasing access to the ballot amid the Covid-19 pandemic poses a dire threat to the Republican Party 's ability to win elections .
`` Nevada 's clubhouse governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state , '' Trump wrote , referring to the Nevada State Senate 's passage Sunday of legislation that would send every active registered voter a mail-in ballot ahead of the November elections .
Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is expected to sign the bill .
`` Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation , '' continued Trump , whose administration , critics warn , is currently attempting to sabotage and undermine the U.S .
Postal Service .
`` Using Covid to steal the state , '' the president added .
`` See you in Court ! ''
As Common Dreams reported in May , the Republican National Committee and right-wing advocacy groups are spending millions on lawsuits combating state efforts to expand mail-in ballot access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` It 's incredible that the president of the United States keeps openly saying that the only way that he and his political allies can keep their grip on power is by making it harder for large swaths of the population to vote , '' said Robert Maguire , research director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington .
Trump 's tweet Monday was just his latest baseless attack on vote-by-mail expansion , which the president has repeatedly claimed—without evidence—will lead to a surge in voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contradicting the narrative pushed by the president and the GOP , Nevada 's Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske told state lawmakers last week that her office is not aware of any voter fraud from the state 's June primary , which was conducted largely by mail .
William McCurdy II , chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party , said in a statement Sunday that Trump 's `` protestations against mail-in voting represent an utterly hypocritical attempt to deny Nevadans the same rights '' he and members of his administration have exercised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his allies have always been motivated by partisanship , even at the expense of American lives , '' said McCurdy .
`` That he would threaten Nevada Democrats ' work to protect voting access through a crisis of his own making is both despicable and par for the course .
But Democrats will not be intimidated .
We stand with Nevadans and will do the necessary work to ensure every eligible voter can participate easily and safely in what will surely be the most important election in a lifetime . ''

In a Monday morning tweet attacking Nevada's proposed expansion of mail-in voting as "an illegal late night coup," President Donald Trump once again openly admitted that increasing access to the ballot amid the Covid-19 pandemic poses a dire threat to the Republican Party's ability to win elections.
"Nevada's clubhouse governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state," Trump wrote, referring to the Nevada State Senate's passage Sunday of legislation that would send every active registered voter a mail-in ballot ahead of the November elections. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, is expected to sign the bill.
"Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation," continued Trump, whose administration, critics warn, is currently attempting to sabotage and undermine the U.S. Postal Service.
"Using Covid to steal the state," the president added. "See you in Court!"
As Common Dreams reported in May, the Republican National Committee and right-wing advocacy groups are spending millions on lawsuits combating state efforts to expand mail-in ballot access as a safe alternative to in-person voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
In an illegal late night coup, Nevada’s clubhouse Governor made it impossible for Republicans to win the state. Post Office could never handle the Traffic of Mail-In Votes without preparation. Using Covid to steal the state. See you in Court! https://t.co/cNSPINgCY7 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 3, 2020
"It's incredible that the president of the United States keeps openly saying that the only way that he and his political allies can keep their grip on power is by making it harder for large swaths of the population to vote," said Robert Maguire, research director at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Trump's tweet Monday was just his latest baseless attack on vote-by-mail expansion, which the president has repeatedly claimed—without evidence—will lead to a surge in voter fraud and cost him the presidential race.
Contradicting the narrative pushed by the president and the GOP, Nevada's Republican Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske told state lawmakers last week that her office is not aware of any voter fraud from the state's June primary, which was conducted largely by mail.
William McCurdy II, chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party, said in a statement Sunday that Trump's "protestations against mail-in voting represent an utterly hypocritical attempt to deny Nevadans the same rights" he and members of his administration have exercised repeatedly in past elections.
"Trump and his allies have always been motivated by partisanship, even at the expense of American lives," said McCurdy. "That he would threaten Nevada Democrats' work to protect voting access through a crisis of his own making is both despicable and par for the course. But Democrats will not be intimidated. We stand with Nevadans and will do the necessary work to ensure every eligible voter can participate easily and safely in what will surely be the most important election in a lifetime."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jake Johnson, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--The Republican Convention Will Nominate Trump In Secret Shame

[ Above , Trump arrives at the 2016 RNC .
Apparently the Republican Party does n't want to go through THAT again .
-- eds . ]
The vote to renominate Prznint Stupid is going to be conducted in private this month , without members of the media present , a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention said , citing the coronavirus .
“ No witnesses , ” Lord Damp Nut didn ’ t say , as he affixed the mask and entered the bank .
Our pals over at Electoral Vote : It ’ s hard to understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in secret .
Normally , he wants as much publicity as possible .
We could ( sort of ) understand him limiting media coverage to only friendly outlets , but banning them all ?
How does that help him ?
In fact , if reporters are forbidden from watching , the story then shifts from “ Trump is renominated ” to “ What ’ s he hiding ?
” It doesn ’ t make any political sense , but so much of what Trump does doesn ’ t actually help him .
Nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts in 2016 and won anyway , he is convinced that everything he thinks of is genius and he doesn ’ t have to pay attention to his own campaign staff .
Campaign manager Bill Stepien could tell him that if he lets in reporters and at least one TV crew , he will get the highest ratings in the history of the known universe , so he might relent .
OK , I really don ’ t understand this strategy .
The only thing I can come up with is that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting the nomination in an empty room , like a LOSER .
So better that there are no witnesses than a humiliating few hundred .

[Above, Trump arrives at the 2016 RNC. Apparently the Republican Party doesn't want to go through THAT again. -- eds.]
The vote to renominate Prznint Stupid is going to be conducted in private this month, without members of the media present, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Convention said, citing the coronavirus.
“No witnesses,” Lord Damp Nut didn’t say, as he affixed the mask and entered the bank.
Our pals over at Electoral Vote:
It’s hard to understand what Trump has to gain by being renominated in secret. Normally, he wants as much publicity as possible. We could (sort of) understand him limiting media coverage to only friendly outlets, but banning them all? How does that help him? In fact, if reporters are forbidden from watching, the story then shifts from “Trump is renominated” to “What’s he hiding?” It doesn’t make any political sense, but so much of what Trump does doesn’t actually help him. Nonetheless, because he ignored all his own experts in 2016 and won anyway, he is convinced that everything he thinks of is genius and he doesn’t have to pay attention to his own campaign staff. Campaign manager Bill Stepien could tell him that if he lets in reporters and at least one TV crew, he will get the highest ratings in the history of the known universe, so he might relent.
OK, I really don’t understand this strategy. The only thing I can come up with is that he doesn’t want the optics of accepting the nomination in an empty room, like a LOSER. So better that there are no witnesses than a humiliating few hundred.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Stirring New Ad From Meidas Touch: 'Dear Michigan'

Using a speech from Joe Biden as its frame , Meidas Touch comes up with a great new ad asking @ @ @ @ @ and take our country back from the Orange Mango .
This viral videos are such @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voters focused and engaged .
Meidas Touch is doing good work !

Using a speech from Joe Biden as its frame, Meidas Touch comes up with a great new ad asking Michigan to support him -- and take our country back from the Orange Mango.
This viral videos are such a good way to keep Democratic voters focused and engaged. Meidas Touch is doing good work!


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Where's The Beautiful New Health Care Plan Trump Promised Us?

I am going to take care of everybody .
Far less expensive and far better .
We are going to be submitting in a couple of weeks a great health care plan .
`` That was candidate and freshly minted President Trump , vowing to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a miracle health care plan . ''
`` Here we are more than three years into the Trump presidency , six weeks into a pandemic , and here 's the plan -- [ crickets ] .
`` But in fairness to the president , he has managed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare in the courts , namely the individual mandate .
Now he 's marshaling his Justice Department to try to kill the whole thing , just as America is suffering through a pandemic that 's killed more than 150,000 of our fellow Americans and infected millions more , all while the second quarter GDP number was the worst on record , nearly 33 % in the red if it were extended to the whole year .
So no wonder the president keeps promising that his mission to kill the Affordable Care Act wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people really like about it . ''
`` That claim received the coveted Bottomless Pinocchio rating from the Washington Post , because it 's something that only Obamacare does right now .
It turns out that having a pre-existing health condition occurs across partisan lines .
Not to mention that President Trump has no answer for the fact that since the Affordable Care Act has passed , upwards of 20 million Americans who were n't insured before now are .
This is the old arsonist as a firefighter routine , with possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait , now we 're in an election year , so you might have heard something like this . ''
KELLYANNE CONWAY : This health care president the the one that is governing .
This health care president started out with transparency .
and that 's what we 're focused on , that the health care continues to deliver for America .
`` But remember that Kellyanne Conway is the person who famously said , you do n't take an oath to tell the truth before you go on TV .
But where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care president told Chris Wallace would be released again within those magical -- '' We 've heard all of this before , and even if there were a plan , there 's virtually no chance it would get put into place before Election Day .
Look , good people can disagree over the details of health care .
It 's complicated .
Whether it 's the ACA , the public option , Medicare for all , or a more free market plan that has some evidence that it might lower costs .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade after Obamacare 's package and endless demonization by the GOP , there still is n't a plan for replacement .
It 's all repeal , all the time , even in a pandemic .
No matter how many people might get hurt , all for short-term political gain , all bolstered by apparent ignorance . ''
Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated .
`` Yes , Mr. President , we pretty much all did .
But in a time when so many people are suffering , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath : 'first , do no harm . '
`` And that 's your reality check . ''

CNN's John Avlon did a reality check about Trump's promised health care plan.
"Remember this?"
Universal.
I am going to take care of everybody.
Far less expensive and far better. We are going to be submitting in a couple of weeks a great health care plan.
"That was candidate and freshly minted President Trump, vowing to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a miracle health care plan."
In a couple weeks.
"Here we are more than three years into the Trump presidency, six weeks into a pandemic, and here's the plan -- [ crickets ].
"But in fairness to the president, he has managed to get something done, dismantling key provisions of Obamacare in the courts, namely the individual mandate. Now he's marshaling his Justice Department to try to kill the whole thing, just as America is suffering through a pandemic that's killed more than 150,000 of our fellow Americans and infected millions more, all while the second quarter GDP number was the worst on record, nearly 33% in the red if it were extended to the whole year. So no wonder the president keeps promising that his mission to kill the Affordable Care Act won't actually remove one of the things that people really like about it."
Pre-existing conditions will be totally protected. Pre-existing conditions.
"That claim received the coveted Bottomless Pinocchio rating from the Washington Post, because it's something that only Obamacare does right now. It turns out that having a pre-existing health condition occurs across partisan lines. Not to mention that President Trump has no answer for the fact that since the Affordable Care Act has passed, upwards of 20 million Americans who weren't insured before now are. This is the old arsonist as a firefighter routine, with possibly your life on the line. But wait, now we're in an election year, so you might have heard something like this."
KELLYANNE CONWAY: This health care president the the one that is governing. This health care president started out with transparency. and that's what we're focused on, that the health care continues to deliver for America.
"But remember that Kellyanne Conway is the person who famously said, you don't take an oath to tell the truth before you go on TV. But where's the plan that this alleged health care president told Chris Wallace would be released again within those magical --
Two weeks, a full and complete health care plan.
"We've heard all of this before, and even if there were a plan, there's virtually no chance it would get put into place before Election Day. Look, good people can disagree over the details of health care. It's complicated. Whether it's the ACA, the public option, Medicare for all, or a more free market plan that has some evidence that it might lower costs. But we can't ignore the fact that a decade after Obamacare's package and endless demonization by the GOP, there still isn't a plan for replacement. It's all repeal, all the time, even in a pandemic. No matter how many people might get hurt, all for short-term political gain, all bolstered by apparent ignorance."
Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated.
"Yes, Mr. President, we pretty much all did. But in a time when so many people are suffering, it would be nice if you remembered the Hippocratic oath: 'first, do no harm.'
"And that's your reality check."


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Trump Team Refuses To Say Whether Trump Wants Foreign Help Or Election Delay

It was another typical day on the Sunday shows , the place where America 's most powerful people congregate to , for the most part , brazenly lie to us .
Today 's version came with one thing that the Trump team Very Much wants to talk about—banning social media app TikTok—and several they very much did not .
The two things they did n't want to talk about : Whether Donald Trump has asked his staff about delaying the November elections , and whether Trump 's White House and/or campaign will accept foreign `` assistance '' in defeating former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign creature and deadbeat dad Jason Miller was so aggressively unwilling to answer straight-up whether the Trump team would be willing to accept foreign election assistance to beat Biden , on Fox News Sunday , is probably not surprising .
Miller instead called it a `` silly question , '' which to his credit is true : Trump himself faced impeachment for extorting a foreign government to provide such help , using the tools of his office , so pretending there is some remaining doubt about whether Trump and his team of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a thing is indeed `` silly . ''
This one is on Fox host Chris Wallace .
If you book the oozing gastropod Miller on your show , you know what you 're going to get : Lying .
Gaslighting .
Dear Leader-isms a-plenty .
And you would still talk to him ... why ?
The point of bringing on a spokesperson who you can be absolutely sure will lie about anything and everything pertinent is what , exactly ?
Newest Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows , plucked from his House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump from both the thing Trump was impeached over and every last thing he was n't , had his own moment of not- gon na -answer-that when asked on Face the Nation whether Trump , after suggesting in a tweet that the presidential election be delayed , asked `` you or anybody else in the administration to look into '' delaying it .
Meadows could n't answer that one .
Or rather , would n't answer that one , instead swerving to attacks on pandemic vote-by-mail efforts with the usual aplomb of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seeing those elections happen .
He ca n't answer whether Trump administration members were specifically asked , by Trump , if there was a way to delay the elections ?
Really now ?
It was another typical day on the Sunday shows , the place where America 's most powerful people congregate , and for the most part , brazenly lie to us .
Today 's version came with one thing that the Trump team Very Much wants to talk about—banning social media app TikTok—and several they very much did not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about : Whether Donald Trump has asked his staff about delaying the November elections , and whether Trump 's White House and/or campaign will accept foreign `` assistance '' in defeating former Vice President Joe Biden .
That Trump campaign creature and deadbeat dad Jason Miller was so aggressively unwilling to answer straight-up whether the Trump team would be willing to accept foreign election assistance to beat Biden , on Fox News Sunday , is probably not surprising .
Miller instead called it a `` silly question , '' which to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced impeachment for extorting a foreign government to provide such help , using the tools of his office , so pretending there is some remaining doubt about whether Trump and his team of people who did such a thing would do such a thing is indeed `` silly . ''
This one is on Fox host Chris Wallace .
If you book the oozing gastropod Miller on your show , you know what you 're going to get : Lying .
Gaslighting .
Dear Leader-isms a-plenty .
And you would still talk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing on a spokesperson who you can be absolutely sure will lie about anything and everything pertinent is what , exactly ?
Newest Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows , plucked from his House seat after a campaign of vigorously defending Trump from both the thing Trump was impeached over and every last thing he was n't , had his own moment of not- gon na -answer-that when asked on Face the Nation whether Trump , after suggesting in a tweet that the presidential election be delayed , asked `` you or anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' delaying it .
Meadows could n't answer that one .
Or rather , would n't answer that one , instead swerving to attacks on pandemic vote-by-mail efforts with the usual aplomb of a treasonous dirtbag man with no particular attachment to seeing those elections happen .
He ca n't answer whether Trump administration members were specifically asked , by Trump , if there was a way to delay the elections ?
Really now ?
If you ca n't give an emphatic no to that one , we can all read between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's come up .
None of this bodes very well for the elections , of course .
Meadows was among the House Republicans most willing to be crooked on Trump 's behalf back in Congress ; presumed foreign agent Rep. Devin Nunes has been getting anti-Biden packets from pro-Russian Ukrainians while ex-House Republican Mike Pompeo , of the same vintage , uses his State Department perch to distribute anti-Biden materials to House Republicans while hiding it from Democrats .
There 's a coordinated Republican strategy to manufacture foreign dirt , using pro-Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories in the final months of the election so that the best American pal foreign autocrats ever had can cling to power for another four years .
From Pompeo to Barr , from Nunes to Meadows to Giuliani to Miller , they 're sifting through disinformation to see what they can plausibly use before the press , the American people , intelligence services and federal investigators catch wind of it .
It 'll probably be very stupid things , given what Giuliani has presented so far , but that does n't mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort .
If Trump and his team can not be bothered to form even a mediocre plan for combatting the pandemic that has now killed 150,000 Americans and which may kill 250,000 before November—and they clearly can ’ t—then arguing that whoever Trump ’ s running against would be even worse is the only remaining play .

It was another typical day on the Sunday shows, the place where America's most powerful people congregate to, for the most part, brazenly lie to us. Today's version came with one thing that the Trump team Very Much wants to talk about—banning social media app TikTok—and several they very much did not.
The two things they didn't want to talk about: Whether Donald Trump has asked his staff about delaying the November elections, and whether Trump's White House and/or campaign will accept foreign "assistance" in defeating former Vice President Joe Biden.
WATCH: Trump adviser Jason Miller is asked three (3) times whether the Trump administration or campaign would accept foreign assistance in this election.
Three (3) times, he refuses to say no. pic.twitter.com/Kcgm021pHP — DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) August 2, 2020
That Trump campaign creature and deadbeat dad Jason Miller was so aggressively unwilling to answer straight-up whether the Trump team would be willing to accept foreign election assistance to beat Biden, on Fox News Sunday, is probably not surprising. Miller instead called it a "silly question," which to his credit is true: Trump himself faced impeachment for extorting a foreign government to provide such help, using the tools of his office, so pretending there is some remaining doubt about whether Trump and his team of people who did such a thing would do such a thing is indeed "silly."
This one is on Fox host Chris Wallace. If you book the oozing gastropod Miller on your show, you know what you're going to get: Lying. Gaslighting. Dear Leader-isms a-plenty. And you would still talk to him ... why? The point of bringing on a spokesperson who you can be absolutely sure will lie about anything and everything pertinent is what, exactly?
Newest Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, plucked from his House seat after a campaign of vigorously defending Trump from both the thing Trump was impeached over and every last thing he wasn't, had his own moment of not-gonna-answer-that when asked on Face the Nation whether Trump, after suggesting in a tweet that the presidential election be delayed, asked "you or anybody else in the administration to look into" delaying it.
Meadows couldn't answer that one. Or rather, wouldn't answer that one, instead swerving to attacks on pandemic vote-by-mail efforts with the usual aplomb of a treasonous dirtbag man with no particular attachment to seeing those elections happen. He can't answer whether Trump administration members were specifically asked, by Trump, if there was a way to delay the elections? Really now?
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows doesn't answer John Dickerson's question about "did the president ask you or anybody else in the administration to look into the idea of delaying the election day?" pic.twitter.com/dclXhW8ZcE — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2020
It was another typical day on the Sunday shows, the place where America's most powerful people congregate, and for the most part, brazenly lie to us. Today's version came with one thing that the Trump team Very Much wants to talk about—banning social media app TikTok—and several they very much did not.
The two things they didn't want to talk about: Whether Donald Trump has asked his staff about delaying the November elections, and whether Trump's White House and/or campaign will accept foreign "assistance" in defeating former Vice President Joe Biden.
That Trump campaign creature and deadbeat dad Jason Miller was so aggressively unwilling to answer straight-up whether the Trump team would be willing to accept foreign election assistance to beat Biden, on Fox News Sunday, is probably not surprising. Miller instead called it a "silly question," which to his credit is true: Trump himself faced impeachment for extorting a foreign government to provide such help, using the tools of his office, so pretending there is some remaining doubt about whether Trump and his team of people who did such a thing would do such a thing is indeed "silly."
This one is on Fox host Chris Wallace. If you book the oozing gastropod Miller on your show, you know what you're going to get: Lying. Gaslighting. Dear Leader-isms a-plenty. And you would still talk to him ... why? The point of bringing on a spokesperson who you can be absolutely sure will lie about anything and everything pertinent is what, exactly?
Newest Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows, plucked from his House seat after a campaign of vigorously defending Trump from both the thing Trump was impeached over and every last thing he wasn't, had his own moment of not-gonna-answer-that when asked on Face the Nation whether Trump, after suggesting in a tweet that the presidential election be delayed, asked "you or anybody else in the administration to look into" delaying it.
Meadows couldn't answer that one. Or rather, wouldn't answer that one, instead swerving to attacks on pandemic vote-by-mail efforts with the usual aplomb of a treasonous dirtbag man with no particular attachment to seeing those elections happen. He can't answer whether Trump administration members were specifically asked, by Trump, if there was a way to delay the elections? Really now?
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows doesn't answer John Dickerson's question about "did the president ask you or anybody else in the administration to look into the idea of delaying the election day?" pic.twitter.com/dclXhW8ZcE — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 2, 2020
If you can't give an emphatic no to that one, we can all read between the lines. All right then, so it's come up.
None of this bodes very well for the elections, of course. Meadows was among the House Republicans most willing to be crooked on Trump's behalf back in Congress; presumed foreign agent Rep. Devin Nunes has been getting anti-Biden packets from pro-Russian Ukrainians while ex-House Republican Mike Pompeo, of the same vintage, uses his State Department perch to distribute anti-Biden materials to House Republicans while hiding it from Democrats.
There's a coordinated Republican strategy to manufacture foreign dirt, using pro-Russian foreign forces, to attack Biden with conspiracy theories in the final months of the election so that the best American pal foreign autocrats ever had can cling to power for another four years. From Pompeo to Barr, from Nunes to Meadows to Giuliani to Miller, they're sifting through disinformation to see what they can plausibly use before the press, the American people, intelligence services and federal investigators catch wind of it.
It'll probably be very stupid things, given what Giuliani has presented so far, but that doesn't mean they won't go all-in on the effort. If Trump and his team cannot be bothered to form even a mediocre plan for combatting the pandemic that has now killed 150,000 Americans and which may kill 250,000 before November—and they clearly can’t—then arguing that whoever Trump’s running against would be even worse is the only remaining play.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-08-03--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Balloon Juice : There may be another dimension in which Arizona Governor Doug Ducey can safely reopen schools in his @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s not the one we ’ re living in .
No More @ @ @ @ @ may well be infinite timelines , but in none of them is Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ more COVID cases because we test more ” anything other than completely f*cking stupid .
@ @ @ @ @ In the Republican timeline , time is running out for millions of Americans .
Mahablog @ @ @ @ @ multiverse in which Donald Trump ’ s repeatedly promised health care plan exists , but @ @ @ @ @ one .
Speaking of which , your quote of the day : `` We 're @ @ @ @ @ everybody . ''
( President-Elect Donald Trump , January 14 , 2017 . )
Guest @ @ @ @ @ Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips , recommendations , @ @ @ @ @ AT crooksandliars DOT com .

Balloon Juice: There may be another dimension in which Arizona Governor Doug Ducey can safely reopen schools in his state on August 17, but it’s not the one we’re living in.
No More Mister Nice Blog: There may well be infinite timelines, but in none of them is Trump’s statement that “we have more COVID cases because we test more” anything other than completely f*cking stupid.
Zandar Versus the Stupid: In the Republican timeline, time is running out for millions of Americans.
Mahablog: There may be a multiverse in which Donald Trump’s repeatedly promised health care plan exists, but it’s not this one.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"We're going to have insurance for everybody." (President-Elect Donald Trump, January 14, 2017.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Trump Brings The Narcissistic Crazy In Lengthy Interview With Jonathan Swan

It 's long , but you really should watch this to see just how nuts Trump is as Axios reporter Jonathan Swan pins him down in a way few reporters do for this HBO interview .
Like when Trump says U.S. coronavirus deaths were `` lower than the world '' when Swan asked about the pandemic .
`` I 'm talking about deaths as a proportion of the population .
That 's where the U.S. is really bad , '' Swan said .
Watch him use his bullshit handouts to try to intimidate Swan into agreeing with him .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan , '' he says .
He tells him `` you ca n't '' measure coronavirus deaths as a percentage of the population , insisting they had to be measured as a percentage of cases .
( Watch Swan 's reaction . )
He tried to claim that the U.S. had coronavirus `` under control , '' but Swan kept asking if 1,000 American deaths a day was `` under control . ''
`` They are dying , that 's true .
It is what it is , '' Trump said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't doing everything that we can .
It 's under control as much as you can control it . ''
There you go : It is what it is .
Who , me ?
I do n't have anything to do with all those bodies piling up !
Watch as he repeats right wing conspiracy theories about mail-in voting .
Or insists there was nothing wrong with wishing accused child rapist and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell well .
I only wish Swan had pinned him down on destroying the post office in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is . ''

It's long, but you really should watch this to see just how nuts Trump is as Axios reporter Jonathan Swan pins him down in a way few reporters do for this HBO interview.
Like when Trump says U.S. coronavirus deaths were "lower than the world" when Swan asked about the pandemic.
"I'm talking about deaths as a proportion of the population. That's where the U.S. is really bad," Swan said.
Watch him use his bullshit handouts to try to intimidate Swan into agreeing with him. "You're not reporting it correctly, Jonathan," he says. He tells him "you can't" measure coronavirus deaths as a percentage of the population, insisting they had to be measured as a percentage of cases. (Watch Swan's reaction.)
He tried to claim that the U.S. had coronavirus "under control," but Swan kept asking if 1,000 American deaths a day was "under control."
"They are dying, that's true. It is what it is," Trump said. "But that doesn't mean we aren't doing everything that we can. It's under control as much as you can control it."
There you go: It is what it is. Who, me? I don't have anything to do with all those bodies piling up!
Watch as he repeats right wing conspiracy theories about mail-in voting. Or insists there was nothing wrong with wishing accused child rapist and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell well.
I only wish Swan had pinned him down on destroying the post office in order to win.
"It is what it is."
Trump on AXIOS on HBO:
"they are dying, that's true. it is what it is."
this man is repulsive. pic.twitter.com/YGNLydS3zT — mauro (@mauro_txt) August 4, 2020
.@jonathanvswan: “Oh, you’re doing death as a proportion of cases. I’m talking about death as a proportion of population. That’s where the U.S. is really bad. Much worse than South Korea, Germany, etc.”@realdonaldtrump: “You can’t do that.”
Swan: “Why can’t I do that?” pic.twitter.com/MStySfkV39 — Axios (@axios) August 4, 2020
“It’s so shameful, but it is also classic Donald Trump,” @davidchalian says on President Trump’s interview with Axios, where he declines to praise John Lewis, citing the late congressman’s absence at his inauguration.
“It’s petulance,” @JohnBerman adds.https://t.co/w4r3zXBubd pic.twitter.com/W7j7remVEf — New Day (@NewDay) August 4, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Project Veritas' James O'Keefe Leads 2020 Voter Suppression Efforts For GOP

The New Republic published an exhaustive piece on James O'Keefe and his group , `` Project Veritas '' — who have been an integral part of the GOP 's plan to steal the 2020 presidential election for well over a year , now .
These efforts fall under the code name `` Diamond Dog , '' and they predate the pandemic by half-a-year , at least .
The sole purpose of `` Diamond Dog '' is to re-elect Donald Trump .
According to The New Republic : Talk about failing up .
O'Keefe is the guy who could n't pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead singer of the Police himself was involved .
His pathetic attempts to `` expose '' liberal politicians and media organizations for wrong-doing and bias are legendary in their incompetence — bordering on comical — and here he is at the center of the metastasizing Republican movement to de-legitimize the vote .
When mainstream Americans think about James O ’ Keefe , if they think about James O ’ Keefe at all , it ’ s usually in reference to his most hilarious failures : ruining his own sting on George Soros ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-incriminating voicemail ; failing to lure a CNN reporter onto his yacht for a detailed “ faux seducing ” prank ; revealing his unseemly ties to the billionaire mercenary Erik Prince by posting his own vanity spy training photos on social media .
If Diamond Dog follows the Project Veritas playbook , it will likely focus on goosing a few unguarded comments out of canvassers and other volunteers in the hope of netting an inflammatory sound bite or two .
A modest , practically harmless October Surprise .
But it ’ s typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video tends to have its most pernicious effects .
Less well known than O ’ Keefe ’ s blunders on the national stage are the numerous documented instances in which his stings have been cited to justify new and more onerous voter I.D .
laws or other election integrity legislation in state legislatures across the country .
O'Keefe 's projects and poorly edited `` exposés '' have infected local Republican politics of many states , leading to actual policy changes and laws passed to `` fight '' non-existent voter fraud .
None more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been teetering on the brink of battleground status for a while , now .
Trump has n't exactly endeared himself to the Latinx voters in that state during his tenure , and Gov .
Greg Abbott 's disastrous response to COVID-19 has the GOP nervous there , leading their Attorney General Ken Paxton to clamp down on anything resembling voting rights for minorities .
All signs point toward Paxton getting even more aggressive in 2020 , thanks to a wrecked-up and paralyzed response to the pandemic by both Trump and Texas Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even blood-red Texas might be in play come November .
Last April , Paxton threatened felony charges for anyone who requests or advocates for mail-in ballots “ based solely on fear of contracting Covid-19 ” —a move that was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in May , then by the Trump-stacked U.S. Supreme Court in June .
It ’ s now sure to set the stage for many of the alleged mail-in schemes that Project Veritas will purport to expose later this year .
Project Veritas is raking in hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and donors connected to the Kochs , the DeVos family , and possibly Donald Trump 's network itself .
Thank you , Citizens United .
Many additional hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of contributions to Project Veritas were attributed solely to “ DT ” on the group ’ s quarterly financial meeting documents .
The initials may refer to Donors Trust or to the constellation of corporate and ( ostensibly ) philanthropic organizations tied to President Donald Trump himself .
While Trump is a well-known past donor to Project Veritas—a framed photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominently on a bookshelf at Project Veritas headquarters in Mamaroneck , New York—many other donors were evidently so secret that they were listed simply as “ anonymous ” even on the group ’ s own internal documents .
The New Republic lists this vast network of O'Keefe 's as just one of many components to the massive voter suppression efforts the GOP is unleashing in their dying gasps to cling to power at all costs .
These f*ckers may be down , but they 're not out by any stretch of the imagination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of their success stories is reflective of the fact that clearly stupidity and incompetence is rewarded .
Trump is in the White House , after all .

The New Republic published an exhaustive piece on James O'Keefe and his group, "Project Veritas" — who have been an integral part of the GOP's plan to steal the 2020 presidential election for well over a year, now.
These efforts fall under the code name "Diamond Dog," and they predate the pandemic by half-a-year, at least. The sole purpose of "Diamond Dog" is to re-elect Donald Trump.
According to The New Republic:
Well before the pandemic drew national attention to mail-in voting, these documents show a discernible focus on “ballot harvesting” as part of the larger Republican effort to paint voting by mail as a threat to democracy. The concern stems from the party’s entrenched belief that, as Trump has tweeted, vote-by-mail “doesn’t work out well for Republicans,” since it often helps low-income people and minorities.
Talk about failing up. O'Keefe is the guy who couldn't pull off a sting operation even if the lead singer of the Police himself was involved. His pathetic attempts to "expose" liberal politicians and media organizations for wrong-doing and bias are legendary in their incompetence — bordering on comical — and here he is at the center of the metastasizing Republican movement to de-legitimize the vote.
When mainstream Americans think about James O’Keefe, if they think about James O’Keefe at all, it’s usually in reference to his most hilarious failures: ruining his own sting on George Soros’s Open Society Foundation by leaving a self-incriminating voicemail; failing to lure a CNN reporter onto his yacht for a detailed “faux seducing” prank; revealing his unseemly ties to the billionaire mercenary Erik Prince by posting his own vanity spy training photos on social media. If Diamond Dog follows the Project Veritas playbook, it will likely focus on goosing a few unguarded comments out of canvassers and other volunteers in the hope of netting an inflammatory sound bite or two. A modest, practically harmless October Surprise. But it’s typically down ballot where the average Project Veritas video tends to have its most pernicious effects. Less well known than O’Keefe’s blunders on the national stage are the numerous documented instances in which his stings have been cited to justify new and more onerous voter I.D. laws or other election integrity legislation in state legislatures across the country.
O'Keefe's projects and poorly edited "exposés" have infected local Republican politics of many states, leading to actual policy changes and laws passed to "fight" non-existent voter fraud. None more grotesquely than Texas, though, which has been teetering on the brink of battleground status for a while, now. Trump hasn't exactly endeared himself to the Latinx voters in that state during his tenure, and Gov. Greg Abbott's disastrous response to COVID-19 has the GOP nervous there, leading their Attorney General Ken Paxton to clamp down on anything resembling voting rights for minorities.
All signs point toward Paxton getting even more aggressive in 2020, thanks to a wrecked-up and paralyzed response to the pandemic by both Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Republicans are nervous that even blood-red Texas might be in play come November. Last April, Paxton threatened felony charges for anyone who requests or advocates for mail-in ballots “based solely on fear of contracting Covid-19”—a move that was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in May, then by the Trump-stacked U.S. Supreme Court in June. It’s now sure to set the stage for many of the alleged mail-in schemes that Project Veritas will purport to expose later this year.
Project Veritas is raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars in dark money from organizations and donors connected to the Kochs, the DeVos family, and possibly Donald Trump's network itself. Thank you, Citizens United.
Many additional hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of contributions to Project Veritas were attributed solely to “DT” on the group’s quarterly financial meeting documents. The initials may refer to Donors Trust or to the constellation of corporate and (ostensibly) philanthropic organizations tied to President Donald Trump himself. While Trump is a well-known past donor to Project Veritas—a framed photo of him and O’Keefe rests prominently on a bookshelf at Project Veritas headquarters in Mamaroneck, New York—many other donors were evidently so secret that they were listed simply as “anonymous” even on the group’s own internal documents.
The New Republic lists this vast network of O'Keefe's as just one of many components to the massive voter suppression efforts the GOP is unleashing in their dying gasps to cling to power at all costs. These f*ckers may be down, but they're not out by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that Project Veritas is one of their success stories is reflective of the fact that clearly stupidity and incompetence is rewarded.
Trump is in the White House, after all.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Peter Navarro Shamelessly Shills For Unproven Drug: 'Doctors' Opinions Are A Dime A Dozen'

CNN host Jim Sciutto took on White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday about his evangelism of the drug hydroxychloroquine .
During an interview with Navarro , Sciutto noted that Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary Brett Giroir had recently said that there is no benefit in taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19 .
“ Given your past public support for it , ” Sciutto said , “ is it time for the administration to focus on proven treatments for COVID rather than one that has not been proven ?
” “ I take exception to Giroir ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He hasn ’ t looked at the data.
” “ It ’ s his job to look at the data , ” the CNN host noted .
Navarro replied by encouraging Sciutto to interview several doctors who support the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 .
“ Doctors opinions are a dime a dozen , ” the trade adviser continued .
“ And you ’ ve got some doctors who say it doesn ’ t work , you ’ ve got some doctors who say it does.
” “ But it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sciutto observed .
“ There ’ s a process for approving drugs in this country .
There ’ s a reason the FDA hasn ’ t approved it .
And this hasn ’ t passed muster so why all the focus on that drug ?
Why not focus on things that work like remdesivir ?
” “ Actually , a study that came out just last week showed that hydroxychloroquine works better than remdesivir , ” Navarro remarked .
“ Look , my views on this are well known .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a difference of opinion on this.
” “ The science on this is pretty simple , ” he continued .
“ If you administer this drug in early treatment under the advice of a physician , number one , it ’ s unlikely to hurt you at all .
It ’ s a drug that ’ s been used for over 60 years .
And , two , it ’ s likely to help you.
” “ Well , let ’ s move on then , ” the CNN host relented .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader studies.
” Before ending the interview , Sciutto wondered why President Donald Trump could not agree with Democrats on a COVID-19 relief bill to extend unemployment benefits .
“ We ’ ve got a great negotiating team , ” Navarro insisted .
“ I think what ’ s important to understand is President Donald Trump is a working class president and cares deeply about the people of America , particularly who work with their hands who are now on the unemployment lines .
”

CNN host Jim Sciutto took on White House trade adviser Peter Navarro on Monday about his evangelism of the drug hydroxychloroquine.
During an interview with Navarro, Sciutto noted that Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary Brett Giroir had recently said that there is no benefit in taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent or treat COVID-19.
“Given your past public support for it,” Sciutto said, “is it time for the administration to focus on proven treatments for COVID rather than one that has not been proven?”
“I take exception to Giroir’s analysis,” Navarro objected. “He hasn’t looked at the data.”
“It’s his job to look at the data,” the CNN host noted.
Navarro replied by encouraging Sciutto to interview several doctors who support the use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.
“Doctors opinions are a dime a dozen,” the trade adviser continued. “And you’ve got some doctors who say it doesn’t work, you’ve got some doctors who say it does.”
“But it’s not a both sides thing,” Sciutto observed. “There’s a process for approving drugs in this country. There’s a reason the FDA hasn’t approved it. And this hasn’t passed muster so why all the focus on that drug? Why not focus on things that work like remdesivir?”
“Actually, a study that came out just last week showed that hydroxychloroquine works better than remdesivir,” Navarro remarked. “Look, my views on this are well known. I think it’s well known that there’s a difference of opinion on this.”
“The science on this is pretty simple,” he continued. “If you administer this drug in early treatment under the advice of a physician, number one, it’s unlikely to hurt you at all. It’s a drug that’s been used for over 60 years. And, two, it’s likely to help you.”
“Well, let’s move on then,” the CNN host relented. “I’ll rely on the broader studies.”
Before ending the interview, Sciutto wondered why President Donald Trump could not agree with Democrats on a COVID-19 relief bill to extend unemployment benefits.
“We’ve got a great negotiating team,” Navarro insisted. “I think what’s important to understand is President Donald Trump is a working class president and cares deeply about the people of America, particularly who work with their hands who are now on the unemployment lines.”


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

EPI Blog : State and local governments have slashed 1.5 million jobs since February .
Blue NC : It ’ @ @ @ @ @ K12 classes online in North Carolina when 30 percent of students and 10 percent of @ @ @ @ @ adequate internet connections .
Blue Mass Group : Who wants to be a Massachusetts Senator @ @ @ @ @ Money : Nice Supreme Court you have there , Republicans .
Shame if anything happened @ @ @ @ @ which , your quote of the day : `` There is certainly long historical precedent @ @ @ @ @ fewer justices . ''
( Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz , October 26 , 2016 @ @ @ @ @ 's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips @ @ @ @ @ angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com .

EPI Blog: State and local governments have slashed 1.5 million jobs since February.
Blue NC: It’s awfully hard to conduct K12 classes online in North Carolina when 30 percent of students and 10 percent of teachers don’t have adequate internet connections.
Blue Mass Group: Who wants to be a Massachusetts Senator?
Lawyers, Guns and Money: Nice Supreme Court you have there, Republicans. Shame if anything happened to it.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"There is certainly long historical precedent for a Supreme Court with fewer justices." (Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz, October 26, 2016.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--CNN Host Cuts Off Trump Flack's Lies: 'You're Saying A Bunch Of Crap'

Trump lackey Mercedes Schlapp was in cleanup mode after Donald Trump reversed his current vote-by-mail vendetta to encourage Floridians to ... vote by mail .
They start out the day with a set of talking points , and even after Donald blows them up , they keep on with them , because they know if they repeat the lie often enough unchallenged , it 'll magically turn into fact .
This was why Schlapp found herself facing down CNN 's Brianna Keilar over the issue of mail-in voting .
As usual , Schlapp filibustered and interrupted with nonsensical rhetorical questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump is fine with mail-in voting in Florida but not Nevada , whose state legislature just approved mail-in voting for the General Election .
Since Nevada is a blue state , it 's unacceptable .
But for Florida , it 's just fine .
This is the hypocrisy that Republicans are trying to use to cheat their way into a second term for Trump .
Despite Schlapp 's nonsense , Keilar remained measured for the most part , reminding Schlapp that we are in the midst of a pandemic , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schlapp kept trying to make a distinction between mail-in voting and absentee voting .
Keilar finally asked , `` Explain to our viewers what the difference is between absentee voting and mail-in voting . ''
Schlapp 's answer was nonsense : `` There are some that are interchangeable and then absentee voting is you 're absent from your home state and you request a ballot and you send it back and it is verified and in mail-in voting you 're mailing in these across the board unverified and that is where it produces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not unverified , '' Keilar shot back .
`` You know there are safety precautions in place such as bar codes .
there are some people who even worry about they do n't necessarily want to use snail mail .
There are places that they could drop off ballots . ''
Ever quick on her feet , Schlapp countered , `` If you 're over 65 and you hand over a ballot to a person with ballot harvesting , do n't you think that could be prone to taking advantage of our elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be aware of whether Republican or Democrat . ''
The only one who has `` taken advantage of our elderly '' was a Republican candidate for Congress who tossed Democratic votes and kept the Republican ones , of course .
It was at this point that Keilar just called bullshit on the whole set of excuses .
She pointed out that there is no fraud with mail-in voting , and tried to ask another question over Schlapp 's frantic attempts to interrupt and distract .
This back and forth went on for awhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disenfranchise or suppress voters and Schlapp would counter with a meaningless distraction , asking stupid questions , like this : `` Do you think it is okay after November 3rd to be able to cast a ballot three days after or seven days after the election ? ''
Keilar , speaking as though she was speaking to a small child , replied , `` Mercedes , you 're saying that voter fraud is a thing and I 'm telling you that it is not , and you 're muddying the waters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keilar once again took control .
Mercedes .
Mercedes .
Mercedes .
This is just pointless , okay , '' she admonished her .
This is pointless .
I get it , you 're just saying a bunch of crap .
Okay .
You 're saying a bunch of crap . ''
There were two ways this conversation could go .
This way , where the host kept putting the facts on the table while refusing to let the garbage talking points stand , or they could have opted not to put Schlapp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would prefer that she did n't get the air , but if they 're going to put her on , at least have someone like Keilar who wo n't allow herself to be steamrolled .

Trump lackey Mercedes Schlapp was in cleanup mode after Donald Trump reversed his current vote-by-mail vendetta to encourage Floridians to...vote by mail.
They start out the day with a set of talking points, and even after Donald blows them up, they keep on with them, because they know if they repeat the lie often enough unchallenged, it'll magically turn into fact. This was why Schlapp found herself facing down CNN's Brianna Keilar over the issue of mail-in voting.
As usual, Schlapp filibustered and interrupted with nonsensical rhetorical questions intended to distract everyone from the fact that Trump is fine with mail-in voting in Florida but not Nevada, whose state legislature just approved mail-in voting for the General Election. Since Nevada is a blue state, it's unacceptable. But for Florida, it's just fine. This is the hypocrisy that Republicans are trying to use to cheat their way into a second term for Trump.
Despite Schlapp's nonsense, Keilar remained measured for the most part, reminding Schlapp that we are in the midst of a pandemic, and so perhaps another approach is called for.
Schlapp kept trying to make a distinction between mail-in voting and absentee voting. Keilar finally asked, "Explain to our viewers what the difference is between absentee voting and mail-in voting."
Schlapp's answer was nonsense: "There are some that are interchangeable and then absentee voting is you're absent from your home state and you request a ballot and you send it back and it is verified and in mail-in voting you're mailing in these across the board unverified and that is where it produces a problem."
"They're not unverified," Keilar shot back. "You know there are safety precautions in place such as bar codes. there are some people who even worry about they don't necessarily want to use snail mail. There are places that they could drop off ballots."
Ever quick on her feet, Schlapp countered, "If you're over 65 and you hand over a ballot to a person with ballot harvesting, don't you think that could be prone to taking advantage of our elderly? Those are concerns we need to be aware of whether Republican or Democrat."
The only one who has "taken advantage of our elderly" was a Republican candidate for Congress who tossed Democratic votes and kept the Republican ones, of course.
It was at this point that Keilar just called bullshit on the whole set of excuses. She pointed out that there is no fraud with mail-in voting, and tried to ask another question over Schlapp's frantic attempts to interrupt and distract. This back and forth went on for awhile. Keilar would ask why she wants to disenfranchise or suppress voters and Schlapp would counter with a meaningless distraction, asking stupid questions, like this: "Do you think it is okay after November 3rd to be able to cast a ballot three days after or seven days after the election?"
Keilar, speaking as though she was speaking to a small child, replied, "Mercedes, you're saying that voter fraud is a thing and I'm telling you that it is not, and you're muddying the waters."
More back and forth nonsense until Keilar once again took control.
Mercedes. Mercedes. Mercedes. This is just pointless, okay," she admonished her. This is pointless. I get it, you're just saying a bunch of crap. Okay. You're saying a bunch of crap."
There were two ways this conversation could go. This way, where the host kept putting the facts on the table while refusing to let the garbage talking points stand, or they could have opted not to put Schlapp on the air at all. I would prefer that she didn't get the air, but if they're going to put her on, at least have someone like Keilar who won't allow herself to be steamrolled.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--South Dakota Annual Sturgis Rally Will Go On, Despite Concerns Over Pandemic

Despite the fact that South Dakota has seen an uptick of coronavirus cases in recent weeks , a positive of 6.5 % as of this Monday , along with concerns from local residents , the annual biker rally at Sturgis is still on for 2020 : More than 250,000 people are expected to rumble through western South Dakota , seeking the freedom of cruising the boundless landscapes in a state that has skipped lockdowns .
The Aug. 7 to 16 event , which could be the biggest anywhere so far during the pandemic , will offer businesses that depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for losses caused by the coronavirus .
But for many in Sturgis , a city of about 7,000 , the brimming bars and bacchanalia will not be welcome during a pandemic .
Though only about half the usual number of people are expected at this year ’ s event , residents were split as the city weighed its options .
Many worried that the rally would cause an unmanageable outbreak of COVID-19 .
“ This is a huge , foolish mistake to make to host the rally this year , ” Sturgis resident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June meeting .
“ The government of Sturgis needs to care most for its citizens.
” In a survey of residents conducted by the city , more than 60 % said the rally should be postponed .
But businesses pressured the City Council to proceed .
The owner of the largest campground outside the city was determined to hold the event come hell or high water , regardless of how the City Council voted : Meanwhile , the Buffalo Chip , which is the largest campground and concert venue that lies outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would hold some version of the rally .
Rod Woodruff , who operates the Buffalo Chip , said he felt he had little choice but to proceed with the rally .
He employs hundreds of people in August and a smaller full-time staff .
“ We spend money for 355 days of the year without any return on it , hoping people show up for nine days , ” he said .
“ We ’ re a nine-day business.
” Apparently Woodruff felt emboldened after they dodged a bullet following Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not see a huge uptick in cases .
That event was one day with around 7,500 , not 9 days with a quarter of a million people .
We 'll find out in about a month how well hosting this event works out for them .

Despite the fact that South Dakota has seen an uptick of coronavirus cases in recent weeks, a positive of 6.5% as of this Monday, along with concerns from local residents, the annual biker rally at Sturgis is still on for 2020:
More than 250,000 people are expected to rumble through western South Dakota, seeking the freedom of cruising the boundless landscapes in a state that has skipped lockdowns. The Aug. 7 to 16 event, which could be the biggest anywhere so far during the pandemic, will offer businesses that depend on the rally a chance to make up for losses caused by the coronavirus. But for many in Sturgis, a city of about 7,000, the brimming bars and bacchanalia will not be welcome during a pandemic. Though only about half the usual number of people are expected at this year’s event, residents were split as the city weighed its options. Many worried that the rally would cause an unmanageable outbreak of COVID-19. “This is a huge, foolish mistake to make to host the rally this year,” Sturgis resident Lynelle Chapman told city counselors at a June meeting. “The government of Sturgis needs to care most for its citizens.” In a survey of residents conducted by the city, more than 60% said the rally should be postponed. But businesses pressured the City Council to proceed.
The owner of the largest campground outside the city was determined to hold the event come hell or high water, regardless of how the City Council voted:
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Chip, which is the largest campground and concert venue that lies outside the bounds of the city, made clear that it would hold some version of the rally. Rod Woodruff, who operates the Buffalo Chip, said he felt he had little choice but to proceed with the rally. He employs hundreds of people in August and a smaller full-time staff. “We spend money for 355 days of the year without any return on it, hoping people show up for nine days,” he said. “We’re a nine-day business.”
Apparently Woodruff felt emboldened after they dodged a bullet following Trump's event at Mt. Rushmore and did not see a huge uptick in cases. That event was one day with around 7,500, not 9 days with a quarter of a million people. We'll find out in about a month how well hosting this event works out for them.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Today's Kansas Republican Primary: Dems Wish For KKKris Kobach On November Ballot

Politico , AKA `` Tiger Beat on the Potomac '' ( thanks Charlie Pierce ! )
breathlessly tells us what to look for TODAY : Republicans are about to learn if they have a serious problem in Kansas — and another major threat to their teetering Senate majority .
In Tuesday ’ s primary , GOP voters will decide between hard-line conservative Kris Kobach and Rep. Roger Marshall as their nominee for an open Senate seat .
Democrats haven ’ t won a Senate race in Kansas in nearly a century .
But both parties think Kobach as the nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map , stretching Republican resources thinner as they ’ re already spending to protect a half-dozen vulnerable incumbents .
Kobach , as you know , is as anti-immigrant as Hair Füror ’ s pocket Nazi Stephen Miller .
The thinking here is that Possum Hollar ’ s forces in Kansas will overwhelmingly support Kobach in the primary but that he is easily defeated in the general , even in blood red Kansas .
Kobach lost his race for gubnor to a Democrat in a similar matchup .
I ’ ve read stories that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this primary running pro-Kobach ads to catapult this ( allegedly ) easy-to-defeat racist buffoon into winning the primary , but of course it is all on Murdoch-owned media ( W $ J , Fox , Breitbart [ I know , not Murdoch-owned , but definitely affiliated ] ) , so who knows what is really happening on the ol ’ greased rat front .
Anyway , this is the race to watch tonight , methinks , as it really does push the gavel away from amply be-chinned Mitch McConnell if all the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all accurate .

Politico, AKA "Tiger Beat on the Potomac" (thanks Charlie Pierce!) breathlessly tells us what to look for TODAY:
Republicans are about to learn if they have a serious problem in Kansas — and another major threat to their teetering Senate majority. In Tuesday’s primary, GOP voters will decide between hard-line conservative Kris Kobach and Rep. Roger Marshall as their nominee for an open Senate seat. Democrats haven’t won a Senate race in Kansas in nearly a century. But both parties think Kobach as the nominee would put the race squarely on the map, stretching Republican resources thinner as they’re already spending to protect a half-dozen vulnerable incumbents.
Kobach, as you know, is as anti-immigrant as Hair Füror’s pocket Nazi Stephen Miller. The thinking here is that Possum Hollar’s White Power forces in Kansas will overwhelmingly support Kobach in the primary but that he is easily defeated in the general, even in blood red Kansas. Kobach lost his race for gubnor to a Democrat in a similar matchup.
I’ve read stories that the Dems are even rat-eff’ing this primary running pro-Kobach ads to catapult this (allegedly) easy-to-defeat racist buffoon into winning the primary, but of course it is all on Murdoch-owned media (W$J, Fox, Breitbart [I know, not Murdoch-owned, but definitely affiliated]), so who knows what is really happening on the ol’ greased rat front.
Anyway, this is the race to watch tonight, methinks, as it really does push the gavel away from amply be-chinned Mitch McConnell if all the rest of the Senate horse-race reporting is at all accurate.
Republished with permission from Mock Paper Scissors.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--SDNY Going After Trump:  'That's How They Got Capone'

Court filings by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. on Monday led to renewed speculation that prosecutors in New York have targeted President Donald Trump with a wider probe into possible fraud or other financial crimes than was previously known—demanding eight years of personal as well as business tax documents just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a subpoena for such material must be honored .
According to the New York Times , the first news outlet to report the new developments : The prosecutors did not directly identify the focus of their inquiry but said that `` undisputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's business practices make it clear that the office had a legal basis for the subpoena .
The reports , including investigations into the president 's wealth and an article on the congressional testimony of his former lawyer and fixer , Michael D. Cohen , said that the president may have illegally inflated his net worth and the value of his properties to lenders and insurers .
Lawyers for Mr. Trump have said he did nothing wrong .
The clash over the subpoena comes less than a month after the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits of presidential power , cleared the way for Mr. Vance 's prosecutors to seek Mr. Trump 's financial records .
It was reporting about Trump 's financial maneuvers in the past—including indications of a vast effort to mislead both banks and the government over the value of certain assets or earnings—that formed the basis of an explosive Times exposé published in October of 2018 .
At the center of that reporting were documents provided to the newspaper by Trump 's niece , Mary Trump , who recently published a tell-all book about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which both he and she grew up .
Much of [ his inherited ] money came to Mr. Trump because he helped his parents dodge taxes .
He and his siblings set up a sham corporation to disguise millions of dollars in gifts from their parents , records and interviews show .
Records indicate that Mr. Trump helped his father take improper tax deductions worth millions more .
He also helped formulate a strategy to undervalue his parents ' real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties were transferred to him and his siblings .
Monday 's filings in Manhattan , notes Axios , `` suggests that Vance 's investigation , which was believed to be examining hush money payments made by Trump 's former fixer Michael Cohen during the 2016 election , is much broader in scope . ''
Responding to the developments on social media , veteran political journalist Dan Froomkin said : `` This has to be how the story ends , right ?
With Trump going down for 'illegally inflating his net worth ' ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Writers . ''
To which Eric Gelman , editor of Bloomberg 's Businessweek , retorted : Other observers noted that it was the demand by Trump 's own lawyers , in addition to aspects of how the Supreme Court ruled on the previous challenge , that likely compelled the District Attorney 's office in New York to make it more clear that their ongoing investigation is much broader in scope and potentially must more serious .
`` No citizen , not even the president , is categorically above the common duty to produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceeding , '' Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court 's majority opinion last month .
Shanlon Wu , a legal analyst for CNN , noted it was a `` great example of Trump strategy back-firing—by forcing Manhattan DA 's office to further detail/justify reasons for their subpoena they also forced disclosure of fact that Trump and his company under a live criminal investigation .
Oops . ''

Court filings by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. on Monday led to renewed speculation that prosecutors in New York have targeted President Donald Trump with a wider probe into possible fraud or other financial crimes than was previously known—demanding eight years of personal as well as business tax documents just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a subpoena for such material must be honored.
According to the New York Times, the first news outlet to report the new developments:
The prosecutors did not directly identify the focus of their inquiry but said that "undisputed" news reports last year about Mr. Trump's business practices make it clear that the office had a legal basis for the subpoena. The reports, including investigations into the president's wealth and an article on the congressional testimony of his former lawyer and fixer, Michael D. Cohen, said that the president may have illegally inflated his net worth and the value of his properties to lenders and insurers. Lawyers for Mr. Trump have said he did nothing wrong. The clash over the subpoena comes less than a month after the Supreme Court, in a major ruling on the limits of presidential power, cleared the way for Mr. Vance's prosecutors to seek Mr. Trump's financial records.
It was reporting about Trump's financial maneuvers in the past—including indications of a vast effort to mislead both banks and the government over the value of certain assets or earnings—that formed the basis of an explosive Times exposé published in October of 2018. At the center of that reporting were documents provided to the newspaper by Trump's niece, Mary Trump, who recently published a tell-all book about her powerful uncle and the family dynamics in which both he and she grew up.
As the 2018 Times exposé alleges:
Much of [his inherited] money came to Mr. Trump because he helped his parents dodge taxes. He and his siblings set up a sham corporation to disguise millions of dollars in gifts from their parents, records and interviews show. Records indicate that Mr. Trump helped his father take improper tax deductions worth millions more. He also helped formulate a strategy to undervalue his parents' real estate holdings by hundreds of millions of dollars on tax returns, sharply reducing the tax bill when those properties were transferred to him and his siblings.
Monday's filings in Manhattan, notes Axios, "suggests that Vance's investigation, which was believed to be examining hush money payments made by Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen during the 2016 election, is much broader in scope."
Responding to the developments on social media, veteran political journalist Dan Froomkin said: "This has to be how the story ends, right? With Trump going down for 'illegally inflating his net worth'? Otherwise it's just sadism by the Writers." To which Eric Gelman, editor of Bloomberg's Businessweek, retorted:
That's how they got Capone https://t.co/gpqbqadfa2 — Eric Gelman (@eag111) August 3, 2020
Other observers noted that it was the demand by Trump's own lawyers, in addition to aspects of how the Supreme Court ruled on the previous challenge, that likely compelled the District Attorney's office in New York to make it more clear that their ongoing investigation is much broader in scope and potentially must more serious.
"No citizen, not even the president, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court's majority opinion last month.
Shanlon Wu, a legal analyst for CNN, noted it was a "great example of Trump strategy back-firing—by forcing Manhattan DA's office to further detail/justify reasons for their subpoena they also forced disclosure of fact that Trump and his company under a live criminal investigation. Oops."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jon Queally, Staff Writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Trump Bypasses Senate To Put 'Racist Nutball' At Defense Dept

Anthony Tata was NEVER going to get Senate approval for a Department of Defense job .
But why would Trump let THAT stop him ?
Wapo reports : MINUTES BEFORE Anthony J. Tata was set to testify last week before the Senate Armed Services Committee , the hearing on his nomination to a top policy position in the Pentagon was canceled .
Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe ( R-Okla. ) claimed the committee hadn ’ t received all the necessary documents , but it was clear that enough members of the committee — Republican and Democratic — knew enough about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize he was completely unsuitable for this critical job .
President Trump ’ s response ?
Doubling down on bigotry while showing total contempt for the U.S. Senate .
On Sunday , the Pentagon announced Mr. Tata ’ s appointment to an acting position that doesn ’ t require Senate confirmation , with identical duties to the position for which the Senate did not deem him qualified .
The New York Times has juicier bits : Mr. Tata endeared himself to the president using a tried-and-true method : praising Mr. Trump on Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Tata promoted conspiracy theories that John O. Brennan , the C.I.A .
director under President Barack Obama , wanted to oust Mr. Trump from office , even through assassination if necessary .
Mr. Tata also said Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama , the first lady , engaged in “ borderline treasonous ” behavior by expressing their dismay over a Trump presidency during the transition period .
Mr. Tata ’ s views , expressed in a series of tweets , struck a jarring note .
He called Islam “ the most oppressive violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ terrorist leader.
” He has since apologized for the remarks , which were first reported by CNN .
Yep , he 's extra special .
Chris Hayes asked Senator Brian Schatz about all of this on Monday night 's `` All In '' : CHRIS HAYES : A man who was nominated to be the number three at the Pentagon by the Trump administration , [ has made ] tons of wild and offensive statements .
He called President Obama a terrorist senator , accused John Brennan of treason , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the votes in the Republican committee to actually be confirmed , so his nomination was pulled .
And then they just named him to the job anyway in a position they basically said like the guy doing the stuff that would be the stuff that he was nominated to do , essentially , and gave you and Mitch McConnell and everyone in the Senate an enormous middle finger .
What do you think about this ?
SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ ( D-HI ) : I think you have got it exactly right .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , we 're not sure what he did in terms of putting Tata in , despite not having the votes and despite already having been nominated , is legal .
So that will get litigated .
But the bottom line is this : Mitch McConnell has decided that the Senate does n't matter .
Mitch McConnell will not move in contradiction of Donald Trump under any circumstances .
And one of the most disappointing things for me is Mark Esper , the Secretary of the Department of Defense .
There was some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would try to uphold the institution of the DOD .
And keep it from becoming partisanized and polluted by Donald Trump 's racism , and he failed on that count .
You now have the number three person in the DOD who is a racist nut ball .
CHRIS HAYES : Well , note to future Democratic president , advice and consent for all intents and purposes does n't mean anything .
So do n't let it stop you .
Senator , thank you for your time tonight .

Anthony Tata was NEVER going to get Senate approval for a Department of Defense job. But why would Trump let THAT stop him? Wapo reports:
MINUTES BEFORE Anthony J. Tata was set to testify last week before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the hearing on his nomination to a top policy position in the Pentagon was canceled. Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) claimed the committee hadn’t received all the necessary documents, but it was clear that enough members of the committee — Republican and Democratic — knew enough about Mr. Tata and his bigoted views to realize he was completely unsuitable for this critical job. President Trump’s response? Doubling down on bigotry while showing total contempt for the U.S. Senate. On Sunday, the Pentagon announced Mr. Tata’s appointment to an acting position that doesn’t require Senate confirmation, with identical duties to the position for which the Senate did not deem him qualified.
The New York Times has juicier bits:
Mr. Tata endeared himself to the president using a tried-and-true method: praising Mr. Trump on Fox News and bashing his political opponents. Mr. Tata promoted conspiracy theories that John O. Brennan, the C.I.A. director under President Barack Obama, wanted to oust Mr. Trump from office, even through assassination if necessary. Mr. Tata also said Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama, the first lady, engaged in “borderline treasonous” behavior by expressing their dismay over a Trump presidency during the transition period. Mr. Tata’s views, expressed in a series of tweets, struck a jarring note. He called Islam “the most oppressive violent religion” and referred to Mr. Obama as a “terrorist leader.” He has since apologized for the remarks, which were first reported by CNN.
Yep, he's extra special. Chris Hayes asked Senator Brian Schatz about all of this on Monday night's "All In":
CHRIS HAYES: A man who was nominated to be the number three at the Pentagon by the Trump administration, [has made] tons of wild and offensive statements. He called President Obama a terrorist senator, accused John Brennan of treason, he was so bad he didn't have the votes in the Republican committee to actually be confirmed, so his nomination was pulled. And then they just named him to the job anyway in a position they basically said like the guy doing the stuff that would be the stuff that he was nominated to do, essentially, and gave you and Mitch McConnell and everyone in the Senate an enormous middle finger. What do you think about this?
SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ (D-HI): I think you have got it exactly right. I think two things. First of all, we're not sure what he did in terms of putting Tata in, despite not having the votes and despite already having been nominated, is legal. So that will get litigated. But the bottom line is this: Mitch McConnell has decided that the Senate doesn't matter. Mitch McConnell will not move in contradiction of Donald Trump under any circumstances. And one of the most disappointing things for me is Mark Esper, the Secretary of the Department of Defense. There was some hope that, although a Republican, that he would try to uphold the institution of the DOD. And keep it from becoming partisanized and polluted by Donald Trump's racism, and he failed on that count. You now have the number three person in the DOD who is a racist nut ball.
CHRIS HAYES: Well, note to future Democratic president, advice and consent for all intents and purposes doesn't mean anything. So don't let it stop you. Senator, thank you for your time tonight.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--House Democrats Call Postmaster General To Testify As Trump Continues Attacks On Mail Voting

Donald Trump continues to both demonize the idea of vote by mail and dismantle the U.S .
Postal Service , and it ’ s making a predictable mess .
The House Oversight and Reform Committee is calling new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to testify about changes to the Postal Service , but they ’ re letting that testimony wait until September 17 , because apparently this isn ’ t super urgent , even though “ While these changes in a normal year would be drastic , in a presidential election year when many states are relying heavily on absentee mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would impair the ability of ballots to be received and counted in a timely manner—an unacceptable outcome for a free and fair election , ” as committee Chair Carolyn Maloney wrote to DeJoy .
But while the concrete damage Trump is doing to the on-time delivery of mail in this country is a disaster , the effects of his constant ranting against mail voting on his fellow Republicans are kind of hilarious .
Because the thing is , more Republicans than Democrats traditionally mail in their ballots … or did , until Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations and officials are desperately trying to reassure their voters that it ’ s okay to vote by mail .
“ Please don ’ t confuse North Carolina ’ s absentee system with other states ’ all-mail elections , ” the Johnston County , North Carolina , Republican Party told supporters on Facebook .
“ NCGOP and JoCo GOP agrees with the President that our current absentee ballot request system is safe and secure.
” But a vocal fraction of commenters were not having it , because it is now no longer The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even in a pandemic .
At a recent meeting with Republicans , Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill found confusion that can be directly traced to Trump ’ s efforts to distinguish voting by mail , which is bad , from absentee voting by mail , which he does and is therefore good .
“ They were confused about two different kinds of mail-in balloting , ” Merrill told The Washington Post , “ where one is ‘ good ’ and one is not.
” But don ’ t look for the concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has something more important in mind : his own interests .
“ Some advisers acknowledged privately that the president may be laying the groundwork to claim the election was rigged if he loses in November , ” the Post reports .
Both polls and early ballot requests show that Democrats are eager to mail in their ballots while Republicans are opposed .
Will the determination to vote in person no matter what because Trump said so be enough to put Republican voters in long lines on Election Day , an experience more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-income voters ?
Will it reduce overall Republican turnout ?
If we weren ’ t worried about the Postal Service having the resources and management needed to get ballots to election officials on schedule , the Republican dilemma might almost be funny , given that it ’ s so fully self-created .
As it is , though , Trump is every day laying waste to the legitimacy of this election and of U.S. democracy more generally .

Donald Trump continues to both demonize the idea of vote by mail and dismantle the U.S. Postal Service, and it’s making a predictable mess. The House Oversight and Reform Committee is calling new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to testify about changes to the Postal Service, but they’re letting that testimony wait until September 17, because apparently this isn’t super urgent, even though “While these changes in a normal year would be drastic, in a presidential election year when many states are relying heavily on absentee mail-in ballots, increases in mail delivery timing would impair the ability of ballots to be received and counted in a timely manner—an unacceptable outcome for a free and fair election,” as committee Chair Carolyn Maloney wrote to DeJoy.
But while the concrete damage Trump is doing to the on-time delivery of mail in this country is a disaster, the effects of his constant ranting against mail voting on his fellow Republicans are kind of hilarious. Because the thing is, more Republicans than Democrats traditionally mail in their ballots … or did, until Trump went to work.
Local Republican Party organizations and officials are desperately trying to reassure their voters that it’s okay to vote by mail.
“Please don’t confuse North Carolina’s absentee system with other states’ all-mail elections,” the Johnston County, North Carolina, Republican Party told supporters on Facebook. “NCGOP and JoCo GOP agrees with the President that our current absentee ballot request system is safe and secure.” But a vocal fraction of commenters were not having it, because it is now no longer The Republican Way to vote by mail, even in a pandemic.
At a recent meeting with Republicans, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill found confusion that can be directly traced to Trump’s efforts to distinguish voting by mail, which is bad, from absentee voting by mail, which he does and is therefore good. “They were confused about two different kinds of mail-in balloting,” Merrill told The Washington Post, “where one is ‘good’ and one is not.”
But don’t look for the concerns of local Republicans to sway Trump. He has something more important in mind: his own interests. “Some advisers acknowledged privately that the president may be laying the groundwork to claim the election was rigged if he loses in November,” the Post reports.
Both polls and early ballot requests show that Democrats are eager to mail in their ballots while Republicans are opposed. Will the determination to vote in person no matter what because Trump said so be enough to put Republican voters in long lines on Election Day, an experience more typically reserved for voters of color and low-income voters? Will it reduce overall Republican turnout? If we weren’t worried about the Postal Service having the resources and management needed to get ballots to election officials on schedule, the Republican dilemma might almost be funny, given that it’s so fully self-created. As it is, though, Trump is every day laying waste to the legitimacy of this election and of U.S. democracy more generally.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--New Ad Aimed At Republican Christians: 'He's Using Us'

A group called Republican Voters Against Trump is urging Christians and Republicans to not re-elect the Cheeto .
Via Beliefnet @ @ @ @ @ Research Center survey in July , white evangelical approval of Trump has slipped , but @ @ @ @ @ would still vote for him .
The recent release ad , entitled “ Trump is @ @ @ @ @ six Republican voters who talk about how Trump uses and manipulates Christians .
In the @ @ @ @ @ Republican Voters Against Trump YouTube channel , the group explains that the president doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ based on his words and actions .
One major highlight of the video was the @ @ @ @ @ violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , in 2017 .
At the time @ @ @ @ @ “ very fine people on both sides ” when talking about protesters and rally-goers .
@ @ @ @ @ retweeting a man shouting “ white power !
” on his Twitter page .

A group called Republican Voters Against Trump is urging Christians and Republicans to not re-elect the Cheeto. Via Beliefnet:
According to the Pew Research Center survey in July, white evangelical approval of Trump has slipped, but 8 in 10 say they would still vote for him.
The recent release ad, entitled “Trump is Using Us,” features six Republican voters who talk about how Trump uses and manipulates Christians.
In the minute-long video posted on the Republican Voters Against Trump YouTube channel, the group explains that the president doesn’t reflect Christianity or values based on his words and actions.
One major highlight of the video was the comments Trump made following a violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. At the time, he said there were “very fine people on both sides” when talking about protesters and rally-goers.
They also brought up Trump retweeting a man shouting “white power!” on his Twitter page.


crooksandliars--2020-08-04--Secret Service Rams Into Parked Car With Young Moms And Their Babies. Why?

Imagine .
It 's a hot summer day , you decide to take your kids to splash in the fountains , and suddenly you 're in the middle of this .
A car drives into yours , you 're handcuffed and told your car was reported stolen ( it was n't ) and all this happens in front of your little ones .
Via the Washington Post : It was a hot Thursday afternoon , so India Johnson , 26 , and Yasmeen Winston , 25 , decided to take their babies to splash in the fountains at the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best friends since seventh grade , parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House and prepared to walk to the Mall .
Their babies were in the back seat , Mother Goose Club was singing through the car speakers , and the mothers were digging around in diaper bags when they heard the crash and felt the jolt .
Johnson and Winston looked up .
A Secret Service cruiser had driven into their front left bumper , Winston told The Washington Post .
Within seconds , Winston recalled , a uniformed Secret Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yelling “ Get out !
” and “ Put your hands in the air !
” More officers surrounded them with guns pulled , the women said .
Over the next hour , Winston and Johnson said , they were handcuffed without reason , separated from their crying babies , and handled by police who , at first , did not wear masks to protect against the novel coronavirus .
There 's so much wrong with this story .
Imagine the trauma these ladies and their kids suffered : Winston said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mode ” in the parked Ford Focus when , based on the angle of the collision , they believe the Secret Service car drove across the centerline of Constitution Avenue near 17th Street and plowed into the front bumper on the driver ’ s side .
The babies — scared from the crash — were wailing , and the officers were yelling with guns drawn , Winston said .
“ It felt like a dream .
It was so unreal , ” she said .
“ We ’ re trying to understand what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we didn ’ t want to make the wrong move and accidentally get shot up.
” Johnson , barefoot , got out of the car first and immediately asked why they were being detained , according to Winston ’ s account to The Post and Maloney ’ s letter .
Johnson told the officer where to find her documents .
Winston , still in the passenger seat , held her hands to the roof of the car , she said .
The officer with the rifle pointed it at her head .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shoot her baby .
`` Do n't shoot my baby . ''
What the hell kind of country do we have ?

Imagine. It's a hot summer day, you decide to take your kids to splash in the fountains, and suddenly you're in the middle of this. A car drives into yours, you're handcuffed and told your car was reported stolen (it wasn't) and all this happens in front of your little ones. Via the Washington Post:
It was a hot Thursday afternoon, so India Johnson, 26, and Yasmeen Winston, 25, decided to take their babies to splash in the fountains at the World War II Memorial. The women, best friends since seventh grade, parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House and prepared to walk to the Mall. Their babies were in the back seat, Mother Goose Club was singing through the car speakers, and the mothers were digging around in diaper bags when they heard the crash and felt the jolt. Johnson and Winston looked up. A Secret Service cruiser had driven into their front left bumper, Winston told The Washington Post. Within seconds, Winston recalled, a uniformed Secret Service officer was pointing a rifle at them, yelling “Get out!” and “Put your hands in the air!” More officers surrounded them with guns pulled, the women said. Over the next hour, Winston and Johnson said, they were handcuffed without reason, separated from their crying babies, and handled by police who, at first, did not wear masks to protect against the novel coronavirus.
There's so much wrong with this story. Imagine the trauma these ladies and their kids suffered:
Winston said she and Johnson were in “full mommy mode” in the parked Ford Focus when, based on the angle of the collision, they believe the Secret Service car drove across the centerline of Constitution Avenue near 17th Street and plowed into the front bumper on the driver’s side. The babies — scared from the crash — were wailing, and the officers were yelling with guns drawn, Winston said. “It felt like a dream. It was so unreal,” she said. “We’re trying to understand what [the officer] was saying, because we didn’t want to make the wrong move and accidentally get shot up.” Johnson, barefoot, got out of the car first and immediately asked why they were being detained, according to Winston’s account to The Post and Maloney’s letter. Johnson told the officer where to find her documents. Winston, still in the passenger seat, held her hands to the roof of the car, she said. The officer with the rifle pointed it at her head. She said she pleaded with him not to shoot her baby.
"Don't shoot my baby." What the hell kind of country do we have?