crooksandliars--2020-09-17--Reality Check: Trump Wants Us To Ignore The Evidence On Climate Change

CNN 's New Day has a John Avlon `` reality check '' on climate change and Trump .
`` If you 're still in denial about whether climate change is real , you ought to have your head examined , '' Avlon said .
`` Or you might be President Trump .
There are at least 87 wildfires burning across the western United States , consuming more than 4.7 million acres to date .
Phoenix has seen a record 50 consecutive days over 110 degrees , while the skies over San Francisco have been choked with orange smoke , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it 's all too real .
With the Northwest now containing three cities with the worst air quality on earth , which shows you why comments like this -- I believe in clean air , immaculate air , I believe in clean water .
All of those things .
I am not a believer in climate change .
`` ... are dangerous nonsense .
But of course , President Trump doubled down while visiting fire-ravaged California this week . ''
`` Science does know , Mr. President .
So does any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at the same time .
That 's only happened once before in recorded history .
There are two major glaciers breaking apart in Antarctica , one the size of Florida .
Scientists warn it could lead to runaway ice melt , lifting sea levels as much as 4 feet .
And this comes on the heels of a chunk of ice about twice the size of Manhattan breaking off Greenland .
`` This is happening right here , right now .
And President Trump does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not believe in climate change .
His administration censored official government reports and withdrew us from the Paris climate accords .
His administration has erased or obscured the term `` climate change '' from government websites , scrubbed it from a list of national security threats , and he 's continued to appoint climate change deniers to senior scientific positions .
`` But despite all of this , President Trump declared himself the number one environmental president last week .
He 's hoping that you wo n't remember his move to repeal dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on toxic air pollution and rolling back clean water protections .
So it 's perhaps no surprise that Scientific American just made its first presidential endorsement in 175 years .
They 've endorsed Joe Biden , because unlike President Trump , he 's actually proposed a plan to deal with climate change .
`` Here 's the thing .
Environmental policies and even climate change did n't used to be a choice between denial and doing something .
The conservation movement was basically started by Republican president Teddy Roosevelt .
Nixon created the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the first major climate change legislation , the Global Climate Protection Act of 1987 became law .
And it was sponsored by , you guessed it , Joe Biden .
But now , while America burns , storms get worse and sea levels rise , the official position of the Trump administration on climate change can be summed up by this infamous quote .
What you 're seeing and what you 're reading is not what 's happening .
`` And that 's your reality check , '' Avlon concluded .

CNN's New Day has a John Avlon "reality check" on climate change and Trump.
"If you're still in denial about whether climate change is real, you ought to have your head examined," Avlon said.
"Or you might be President Trump. There are at least 87 wildfires burning across the western United States, consuming more than 4.7 million acres to date. Phoenix has seen a record 50 consecutive days over 110 degrees, while the skies over San Francisco have been choked with orange smoke, making it look like a dystopian sci-fi film. But it's all too real. With the Northwest now containing three cities with the worst air quality on earth, which shows you why comments like this --
I believe in clean air, immaculate air, I believe in clean water. All of those things. I am not a believer in climate change.
"...are dangerous nonsense. But of course, President Trump doubled down while visiting fire-ravaged California this week."
TRUMP: It will start getting cooler. NEWSOME: I wish -- TRUMP: You just watch. NEWSOME: I wish science agreed with you. TRUMP: Well, I don't think science knows, actually.
"Science does know, Mr. President. So does any sentient being. Right now, there are five tropical cyclones in the Atlantic at the same time. That's only happened once before in recorded history. There are two major glaciers breaking apart in Antarctica, one the size of Florida. Scientists warn it could lead to runaway ice melt, lifting sea levels as much as 4 feet. And this comes on the heels of a chunk of ice about twice the size of Manhattan breaking off Greenland.
"This is happening right here, right now. And President Trump doesn't have a plan, because he does not believe in climate change. His administration censored official government reports and withdrew us from the Paris climate accords. His administration has erased or obscured the term "climate change" from government websites, scrubbed it from a list of national security threats, and he's continued to appoint climate change deniers to senior scientific positions.
"But despite all of this, President Trump declared himself the number one environmental president last week. He's hoping that you won't remember his move to repeal dozens of environmental regulations, including loosening restrictions on toxic air pollution and rolling back clean water protections. So it's perhaps no surprise that Scientific American just made its first presidential endorsement in 175 years. They've endorsed Joe Biden, because unlike President Trump, he's actually proposed a plan to deal with climate change.
"Here's the thing. Environmental policies and even climate change didn't used to be a choice between denial and doing something. The conservation movement was basically started by Republican president Teddy Roosevelt. Nixon created the EPA. And Ronald Reagan was president when the first major climate change legislation, the Global Climate Protection Act of 1987 became law. And it was sponsored by, you guessed it, Joe Biden. But now, while America burns, storms get worse and sea levels rise, the official position of the Trump administration on climate change can be summed up by this infamous quote.
What you're seeing and what you're reading is not what's happening.
"And that's your reality check," Avlon concluded.


crooksandliars--2020-09-17--NYT: Bill Barr Tells Prosecutors To Consider Charging Protesters With Sedition

Mika Brzezinski covered the latest outrage from Bill Barr , Trump 's AG and fixer .
According to the New York Times , he attacked his own prosecutors and claimed the right to be the final word on federal cases .
Prosecutors , of course , do not take an oath to the executive branch .
They swear an oath to uphold the Constitution .
BARR : Name one successful organization or institution where the lowest level employees ' decisions are deemed sacrosanct .
There are n't any .
Letting the most junior members set the agenda may be good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's no way to run a federal agency .
Good leaders at the Department of Justice , as any organization , need to trust and support their subordinates , but that does not mean blindly deferring to whatever those subordinates want to do .
`` And the New York Times reports that Bill Barr recommended charging some of those arrested in violent demonstrations with sedition , '' Brzezinski said .
`` According to sources who were on the call , Barr warned that violence in some demonstrations could worsen as the election approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority Mr. Barr has given to prosecuting crimes of violence leading to major property damage as President Trump has made a broader crackdown on the violence and property destruction a key campaign issue .
`` Barr even raised the issue of examining whether Seattle 's mayor could be charged for allowing a weeks ' long autonomous protest zone in her city .
Mike Barnicle , Joe tweeted this : 'Barr considers jailing Seattle 's mayor for sedition after Trump attacks him on Twitter .
Be prepared for the most dangerous attorney general in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uses to illegally upend election results . '
What 's your take ? ''
`` My take is , the FBI has a list of the most dangerous elements in this country , and at the top of the list are white supremacist organizations and neo-Nazi organizations and organizations like the Boogaloo boys , who are out in cities around America , '' Barnicle said .
`` You never hear Bill Barr talking about them , you never hear Bill Barr talking about charging them with sedition .
You hear Bill Barr involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mika , these two stories that we 've covered since the top of the hour , Donald Trump versus Dr. Redfield and Bill Barr backing up Donald Trump and attacking career employees in the Department of Justice , deserve to be joined together and played over and over and over again .
`` Because if you do a forensic autopsy of the failures of this administration with regard to covid-19 , its handling of it , it 's all encompassed right here in the last 10 or 12 minutes that we just saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are approaching 200,000 deaths from covid-19 in this country .
There is going to be no wall with the names of the casualties , the victims , the killed in action victims to covid-19 .
There 's going to be no wall for them .
Yellow ribbons at the end of the driveway on your mailbox are n't going to cut it .
`` This is a complete breakdown and failure in incompetence and immorality , I would submit , of this administration and people like Donald Trump 's enablers -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr , the attorney general of the United States . ''

Mika Brzezinski covered the latest outrage from Bill Barr, Trump's AG and fixer. According to the New York Times, he attacked his own prosecutors and claimed the right to be the final word on federal cases. Prosecutors, of course, do not take an oath to the executive branch. They swear an oath to uphold the Constitution.
BARR: Name one successful organization or institution where the lowest level employees' decisions are deemed sacrosanct. There aren't any. Letting the most junior members set the agenda may be good for a Montessori pre-school, but it's no way to run a federal agency. Good leaders at the Department of Justice, as any organization, need to trust and support their subordinates, but that does not mean blindly deferring to whatever those subordinates want to do.
"And the New York Times reports that Bill Barr recommended charging some of those arrested in violent demonstrations with sedition," Brzezinski said.
"According to sources who were on the call, Barr warned that violence in some demonstrations could worsen as the election approaches. The Wall Street Journal underscores the priority Mr. Barr has given to prosecuting crimes of violence leading to major property damage as President Trump has made a broader crackdown on the violence and property destruction a key campaign issue.
"Barr even raised the issue of examining whether Seattle's mayor could be charged for allowing a weeks' long autonomous protest zone in her city. Mike Barnicle, Joe tweeted this: 'Barr considers jailing Seattle's mayor for sedition after Trump attacks him on Twitter. Be prepared for the most dangerous attorney general in American history to be the tool Trump uses to illegally upend election results.' What's your take?"
"My take is, the FBI has a list of the most dangerous elements in this country, and at the top of the list are white supremacist organizations and neo-Nazi organizations and organizations like the Boogaloo boys, who are out in cities around America," Barnicle said.
"You never hear Bill Barr talking about them, you never hear Bill Barr talking about charging them with sedition. You hear Bill Barr involving himself in politics. You know, Mika, these two stories that we've covered since the top of the hour, Donald Trump versus Dr. Redfield and Bill Barr backing up Donald Trump and attacking career employees in the Department of Justice, deserve to be joined together and played over and over and over again.
"Because if you do a forensic autopsy of the failures of this administration with regard to covid-19, its handling of it, it's all encompassed right here in the last 10 or 12 minutes that we just saw or listened to. It is horrendous. We are approaching 200,000 deaths from covid-19 in this country. There is going to be no wall with the names of the casualties, the victims, the killed in action victims to covid-19. There's going to be no wall for them. Yellow ribbons at the end of the driveway on your mailbox aren't going to cut it.
"This is a complete breakdown and failure in incompetence and immorality, I would submit, of this administration and people like Donald Trump's enablers -- in person, just now, Bill Barr, the attorney general of the United States."


crooksandliars--2020-09-17--Stunned Dana Bash On Trump's CDC Rebuttal: What We Just Heard Was Propaganda

The talking heads on CNN were at a loss after Trump contradicted Dr. Robert Redfield 's congressional testimony yesterday that a vaccine wo n't be widely distributed until sometime next spring or summer , and that wearing masks was the most effective tool we have against coronavirus .
Trump said last night that Redfield was `` confused '' and `` misunderstood '' the question .
`` Dana , it was a pretty extraordinary moment and I am being polite right now to hear the president of the United States suggest on these two very critical , important issues that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Wolf Blitzer .
`` Wolf , what we just saw and heard from the president of the United States was propaganda , '' Dana Bash said .
`` There is really no other way to say it .
It was propaganda , plain and simple .
He wants things to be a certain way for his own political agenda and he is saying science be damned .
And on both of those issues , it was remarkable to see him throw his CDC director under the bus , the CDC director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
He clearly was n't happy with him .
He admitted that he called and chastised Dr. Redfield .
But it is really remarkable . ''
She said Redfield had two options : Fall on his sword , or defend science .
`` I do n't know what he is going to do .
Maybe he 'll come out and say , you know , I misspoke .
But it is hard to imagine that because if you watch him like we did today and you just played the clips again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he knew what he was doing holding up that mask .
He knew that he was intentionally trying to fact check and correct the president of the United States after last night he made some misleading comments , very misleading comments about masks which the president again repeated today .
`` He is out there saying that he does n't believe that masks are effective .
Well , he is not a doctor .
Why do n't you listen to the scientists who say so ?
If he does believe that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that podium , use your bully pulpit to explain how to do that .
Do n't touch your face , things like that .
And it is -- we 've seen so many of these events now unfortunately , Wolf , and had to comment on them afterwards .
and this was something that really took my breath away .
I know you probably feel the same way . ''
Looks like the CDC director is trying to placate Trump while still speaking the truth :

The talking heads on CNN were at a loss after Trump contradicted Dr. Robert Redfield's congressional testimony yesterday that a vaccine won't be widely distributed until sometime next spring or summer, and that wearing masks was the most effective tool we have against coronavirus. Trump said last night that Redfield was "confused" and "misunderstood" the question.
"Dana, it was a pretty extraordinary moment and I am being polite right now to hear the president of the United States suggest on these two very critical, important issues that the head of the CDC effectively is wrong," Wolf Blitzer.
"Wolf, what we just saw and heard from the president of the United States was propaganda," Dana Bash said.
"There is really no other way to say it. It was propaganda, plain and simple. He wants things to be a certain way for his own political agenda and he is saying science be damned. And on both of those issues, it was remarkable to see him throw his CDC director under the bus, the CDC director who was testifying under oath earlier in the day. He clearly wasn't happy with him. He admitted that he called and chastised Dr. Redfield. But it is really remarkable."
She said Redfield had two options: Fall on his sword, or defend science.
"I don't know what he is going to do. Maybe he'll come out and say, you know, I misspoke. But it is hard to imagine that because if you watch him like we did today and you just played the clips again, he really understood the questions. And he knew what he was doing holding up that mask. He knew that he was intentionally trying to fact check and correct the president of the United States after last night he made some misleading comments, very misleading comments about masks which the president again repeated today.
"He is out there saying that he doesn't believe that masks are effective. Well, he is not a doctor. Why don't you listen to the scientists who say so? If he does believe that people aren't using masks well, use that podium, use your bully pulpit to explain how to do that. Don't touch your face, things like that. And it is -- we've seen so many of these events now unfortunately, Wolf, and had to comment on them afterwards. and this was something that really took my breath away. I know you probably feel the same way."
Looks like the CDC director is trying to placate Trump while still speaking the truth:


crooksandliars--2020-09-17--‘It’s Verboten?’ Newt Gingrich Whines When Fox News Cuts Him Off For Blaming Violence On George Soro

‘It’s Verboten?’ Newt Gingrich Whines When Fox News Cuts Him Off For Blaming Violence On George Soros

A Fox News panel shut down former House Speaker Newt Gingrich ( R-GA ) on Wednesday after he tried to blame George Soros for violent protests in America .
Gingrich brought up the liberal billionaire ’ s name during a discussion about the cost of violence linked to anti-police protests .
“ Look , the number one problem in almost all these cities is George Soros-elected , left-wing , anti-police , pro-criminal district attorneys who refuse to keep people locked up , ” Gingrich opined .
“ Progressive district attorney are anti-police , pro-criminal and overwhelmingly elected with George Soros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of the violence we ’ re seeing because they keep putting the violent criminals back on the streets.
” “ I ’ m not sure we need to bring George Soros into this , ” co-host Melissa Francis cautioned .
“ He paid for it !
” Gingrich shot back .
“ I mean , why can ’ t we discuss the fact that millions of dollars he spends.
” “ No he didn ’ t , ” co-host Marie Harf chimed in .
“ I agree George Soros doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” After several seconds of awkward silence , co-host Harris Faulkner decided to go to commercial .
“ Okay , we ’ re going to move on , ” she announced .

A Fox News panel shut down former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) on Wednesday after he tried to blame George Soros for violent protests in America.
Gingrich brought up the liberal billionaire’s name during a discussion about the cost of violence linked to anti-police protests.
“Look, the number one problem in almost all these cities is George Soros-elected, left-wing, anti-police, pro-criminal district attorneys who refuse to keep people locked up,” Gingrich opined. “Progressive district attorney are anti-police, pro-criminal and overwhelmingly elected with George Soros’ money and they are a major cause of the violence we’re seeing because they keep putting the violent criminals back on the streets.”
“I’m not sure we need to bring George Soros into this,” co-host Melissa Francis cautioned.
“He paid for it!” Gingrich shot back. “I mean, why can’t we discuss the fact that millions of dollars he spends.”
“No he didn’t,” co-host Marie Harf chimed in. “I agree George Soros doesn’t need to be part of this conversation.”
“Okay,” Gingrich replied. “So it’s verboten?”
After several seconds of awkward silence, co-host Harris Faulkner decided to go to commercial.
“Okay, we’re going to move on,” she announced.


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Washington Post: Treasury Department Attempted Arguably ‘Illegal’ Takeover Of USPS

After a FOIA request , watchdog group American Oversight got over 10,000 communications records Thursday which revealed that , as the U.S .
Postal Service struggled amid mounting debt and the pandemic earlier this year , Steve Mnuchin and the Treasury Department tried to get the USPS to surrender its autonomy by making a needed loan contingent on giving up control -- which puts Louis DeJoy 's appointment in a whole new light , does n't it ?
Via the Washington Post : The document trove also includes three separate email chains referencing calls with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early April .
Two people familiar with the matter say Treasury drove a hard line , demanding operating control over the agency in exchange for the $ 10 billion congressionally approved loan .
Such a demand was unprecedented , postal experts said , and appeared to lead the USPS to hire another law firm in the spring to study the legality of the issue .
That firm , Mayer Brown , concluded that Treasury ’ s request was illegal .
“ Any agreement by the Postal Service to surrender its authority to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Federal Financing Bank ] therefore would be illegal , ” lawyers concluded in an unreleased April 24 memo , referring to a federal borrowing entity .
The Treasury Department ultimately backed away from the idea of assuming control of USPS operations , amid swelling opposition from congressional Democrats and Postal Service leaders .
During an April 9 meeting between Kipp Kranbuhl , a Treasury assistant secretary ; Gary Grippo , a career Treasury official ; and Postal Service executives , Grippo said Treasury would not seek to take operating control as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the meeting .
But the agency continued to press the idea for weeks , insisting that any loan to the USPS should result in it assuming operational control of the mail agency , three people familiar with the talks said .

After a FOIA request, watchdog group American Oversight got over 10,000 communications records Thursday which revealed that, as the U.S. Postal Service struggled amid mounting debt and the pandemic earlier this year, Steve Mnuchin and the Treasury Department tried to get the USPS to surrender its autonomy by making a needed loan contingent on giving up control -- which puts Louis DeJoy's appointment in a whole new light, doesn't it? Via the Washington Post:
The document trove also includes three separate email chains referencing calls with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other agency officials over nine days in early April. Two people familiar with the matter say Treasury drove a hard line, demanding operating control over the agency in exchange for the $10 billion congressionally approved loan. Such a demand was unprecedented, postal experts said, and appeared to lead the USPS to hire another law firm in the spring to study the legality of the issue. That firm, Mayer Brown, concluded that Treasury’s request was illegal.
“Any agreement by the Postal Service to surrender its authority to the Secretary of the Treasury or to the [Federal Financing Bank] therefore would be illegal,” lawyers concluded in an unreleased April 24 memo, referring to a federal borrowing entity.
The Treasury Department ultimately backed away from the idea of assuming control of USPS operations, amid swelling opposition from congressional Democrats and Postal Service leaders. During an April 9 meeting between Kipp Kranbuhl, a Treasury assistant secretary; Gary Grippo, a career Treasury official; and Postal Service executives, Grippo said Treasury would not seek to take operating control as part of the terms, according to notes from the meeting. But the agency continued to press the idea for weeks, insisting that any loan to the USPS should result in it assuming operational control of the mail agency, three people familiar with the talks said.


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--James Clyburn Rips Barr’s ‘Human Bondage’ Remarks: ‘Slavery Was Not About Saving Human Lives’

House Majority Whip James Clyburn ( D-SC ) on Thursday blasted Attorney General William Barr who recently suggested that COVID-19 restrictions are as bad as slavery .
Barr made the remarks on Wednesday at an event hosted by Hillsdale College .
“ You know , putting a national lockdown , stay-at-home orders , is like house arrest .
It ’ s — you know , other than slavery , which was a different kind of restraint , this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history , ” Barr said .
Clyburn was asked about Barr ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berman on Thursday .
“ I think that statement by Mr. Barr was one of the most ridiculous , tone-deaf , god-awful things I have ever heard , ” Clyburn observed .
“ It is incredible the chief law enforcement officer in this country would equate human bondage to expert advice to save lives.
” “ Slavery was not about saving lives , it was about devaluing lives , ” he added .
“ This pandemic is a threat to human life and the experts , the medical experts , the scientists are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successfully to this pandemic.
” According to Clyburn , President Donald Trump and the attorney general have teamed up to be a “ god-awful duo.
” “ It would have been great if we had a national lockdown so that people ’ s lives would be saved , ” he explained .
“ But that is just what we ’ re up against here .
Two people in charge of running the law enforcement of this country are absolutely tone deaf to what it takes to be great leaders .
”

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) on Thursday blasted Attorney General William Barr who recently suggested that COVID-19 restrictions are as bad as slavery.
Barr made the remarks on Wednesday at an event hosted by Hillsdale College.
“You know, putting a national lockdown, stay-at-home orders, is like house arrest. It’s — you know, other than slavery, which was a different kind of restraint, this is the greatest intrusion on civil liberties in American history,” Barr said.
Clyburn was asked about Barr’s comments while speaking to CNN anchor John Berman on Thursday.
“I think that statement by Mr. Barr was one of the most ridiculous, tone-deaf, god-awful things I have ever heard,” Clyburn observed. “It is incredible the chief law enforcement officer in this country would equate human bondage to expert advice to save lives.”
“Slavery was not about saving lives, it was about devaluing lives,” he added. “This pandemic is a threat to human life and the experts, the medical experts, the scientists are telling us what it takes to respond successfully to this pandemic.”
According to Clyburn, President Donald Trump and the attorney general have teamed up to be a “god-awful duo.”
“It would have been great if we had a national lockdown so that people’s lives would be saved,” he explained. “But that is just what we’re up against here. Two people in charge of running the law enforcement of this country are absolutely tone deaf to what it takes to be great leaders.”


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Sen. Johnson’s Denials About Russian Disinfo Look More And More Bogus

A very damning report in The Daily Beast reveals that U.S. intelligence has warned for more than a year that Andriy Derkach – recently cited as an “ active Russian agent ” by the U.S. Treasury Department – was suspected of election interference .
The blacklisting [ of Derkach ] has caused problems for one legislator in particular : Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) , who is nearing the end of a probe into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s activities in Ukraine—specifically , the discredited notion that the then-vice president halted a corruption probe that might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business interests there .
It ’ s a would-be controversy that ’ s been fueled by a nexus of Trump allies and pro-Russian Ukrainians .
A few days ago , I wrote about Johnson ’ s admission that his taxpayer-funded investigation into Biden is politically driven .
Now we know that Johnson ’ s investigation relied on a Derkach-associated source .
Last weekend , I wrote about Politico reporter Natasha Bertrand 's contention that Russian disinformation has been mainstreamed and legitimized by Johnson 's probe .
Now there 's this : Asked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned , or specifically briefed , about the threat posed by pro-Russian Ukrainian figures , a spokesperson for Johnson did not provide comment as of press time .
But by the early months of 2020 , those observing the course of the Johnson investigation up close clearly saw Derkach ’ s links to a Ukrainian self-described source of the investigation , the Giuliani associate and former Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko .
At that point , said the source , it should have been clear to all involved that Russian disinformation underpinned the Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ d sent materials related to Biden to members of Congress , including to Johnson and Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) , his partner in the probe .
Johnson denies any dealing with Derkach and claims not to know who he is .
But did Johnson accept information from someone who got it from Derkach , like , say , Rudy Giuliani or some other U.S. source ?
Johnson , who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ’ s panel for Europe and has frequently traveled to the region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to amplify claims and theories known to have been fueled by pro-Russia actors like Derkach .
Johnson has endorsed the narrative that the government of Ukraine tried to undermine Trump during the last election—a story that Derkach has also been pushing since 2017 .
In an Aug. 10 letter describing his current investigation , Johnson explained that its origins date to 2017 , when his committee focused on Ukraine as the alleged source of the real foreign collusion in the prior year ’ s presidential race .
… “ Our investigation relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persons—there is no Russian disinformation in our record , ” said Johnson during a meeting of his committee on Wednesday morning .

A very damning report in The Daily Beast reveals that U.S. intelligence has warned for more than a year that Andriy Derkach – recently cited as an “active Russian agent” by the U.S. Treasury Department – was suspected of election interference.
The blacklisting [of Derkach] has caused problems for one legislator in particular: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who is nearing the end of a probe into Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s activities in Ukraine—specifically, the discredited notion that the then-vice president halted a corruption probe that might have interfered with his son Hunter’s business interests there. It’s a would-be controversy that’s been fueled by a nexus of Trump allies and pro-Russian Ukrainians.
A few days ago, I wrote about Johnson’s admission that his taxpayer-funded investigation into Biden is politically driven. Now we know that Johnson’s investigation relied on a Derkach-associated source. Last weekend, I wrote about Politico reporter Natasha Bertrand's contention that Russian disinformation has been mainstreamed and legitimized by Johnson's probe. Now there's this:
Asked by The Daily Beast if Johnson had been warned, or specifically briefed, about the threat posed by pro-Russian Ukrainian figures, a spokesperson for Johnson did not provide comment as of press time. But by the early months of 2020, those observing the course of the Johnson investigation up close clearly saw Derkach’s links to a Ukrainian self-described source of the investigation, the Giuliani associate and former Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Telizhenko. At that point, said the source, it should have been clear to all involved that Russian disinformation underpinned the Johnson inquiry. Derkach told Politico in July that he’d sent materials related to Biden to members of Congress, including to Johnson and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), his partner in the probe.
Johnson denies any dealing with Derkach and claims not to know who he is.
“We did not accept any information from Mr. Derkach whatsoever,” said Johnson. “I don’t know who Derkach is.”
But did Johnson accept information from someone who got it from Derkach, like, say, Rudy Giuliani or some other U.S. source?


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--The Press Is Desperate For A Horse Race, And Voters Are The Ones Who Lose

Published with permission of PRESS RUN , Eric Boehlert ’ s new must-read media newsletter .
Subscribe here .
On Sunday , The New York Times released fresh polling data from four swing states .
The results were so good for Democrat Joe Biden that his campaign may have allowed itself a cautious smile or two — Biden had huge lead in Minnesota , and was ahead in Wisconsin , Nevada , and New Hampshire .
Accompanying the polling article , the Times published a political snapshot from each of those four states .
But the snapshots read much differently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times seemed to lean hard into the idea that Biden was slumping .
“ MINNESOTA : Some See an Edge for Trump , ” read one headline .
The Times interviewed just two people for the article and both thought Biden was facing trouble in Minnesota .
Trump “ looks stronger politically in the state than he did in 2016 , ” and Biden was “ hardly a lock to carry the state , ” the Times reported , even though the daily just found Biden 's lead to be nine points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Michigan , the Times marveled at how the crowds for Trump were so much larger than Biden ’ s , even though Biden has led in 29 of the last 30 Michigan polls taken this year .
And in Florida , the Times stressed that Biden “ has been slipping among Hispanic voters , ” but made no mention of Biden ’ s historic advantage with seniors .
This year ’ s not-so-dirty secret : The campaign press desperately wants to tell an exciting election season story .
Journalists like to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and relay wild plot twists .
More excitement means a larger audience —the press wants a horse race because it ’ s way more entertaining .
And for most campaigns over the last 25 years , the media have been blessed with lots of nail-biting and historic battles .
Not so much in 2020 , where the contest has remained locked in a stubborn holding pattern , and shows no signs of budging soon .
`` For all of this year ’ s upheaval , the race has stayed relatively stable , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Politico recently conceded .
“ The fact is the presidential race is kind of boring from a polling standpoint right now , ” added Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight .
The problem with that scenario is it produces relatively boring content .
How often can news outlets report , `` Biden Maintains Comfortable Lead '' ?
The temptation for the press is to put their thumbs on the scale for Trump in the hopes of marketing a closer race .
It 's an outgrowth of Both Sides journalism , which suggests if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly is , that means Biden 's run must be facing big obstacles , too .
Which , of course , makes no sense since a two-person campaign is , by definition , a zero sum event .
Both campaigns ca n't be struggling at the same time .
`` Why Biden could still lose the suburbs to Trump , '' Politico announced last week , leaning hard on provoking Democratic anxieties with a click-bait headline .
It 's true that Biden `` could '' lose the suburbs , but it 's also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Black Lives Matters protests erupted in Kenosha , Wisconsin , after the police shot an unarmed black man , Jacob Blake , lots of journalists rushed in to declare that a law-and-order campaign game changer could propel Trump to a second term .
( “ This is How Biden Loses , ” The Atlantic announced . )
But polling shows the event did nothing to change the national race and that Biden received higher marks for dealing with the crisis .
Polling continues to be a huge hurdle in the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storyline .
But news outlets keep trying : `` According to the latest CBS News Battleground Tracker poll , Joe Biden leads Pres .
Trump by a slim 6 points in Wisconsin . ''
Fact : Trump won Wisconsin in 2016 , albeit by a very narrow margin .
For his Democratic rival to be ahead in that state by six points in mid-September does not qualify as a `` slim '' lead , it qualifies as a major shift in the polarized state and a huge setback for the Republican .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 points today , there 's not a single news outlet that would refer to that as a `` slim '' advantage . )
NBC News took the unusual angle of suggesting that even though Trump trails in virtually every national poll taken this year , there ’ s still bad news for Biden because on the single issue of the economy Trump still leads , slightly .
( Dems are “ nervous ” ! )
It ’ s hard to watch and read coverage like that and not assume the press is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
This has been going on for months .
`` Trump has a real shot of winning , '' announced a CNN piece in May .
After acknowledging that Biden led in virtually every poll taken this year , and most key swing state polls , CNN stressed , `` Biden may be favored , but this race is far from over . ''
It 's curious that the last time a Democratic incumbent president ran for re-election , in 2012 , the common media narrative was , 'He might lose .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-election and the common media narrative is , 'He might win . '
Both play off Democratic fears , which also drives traffic for news outlets .
Twelve months ago , major news organizations made plans to turn the 2020 race into an entertainment extravaganza .
It ’ s okay for them to admit now that a thrilling horse race might never materialize .

Published with permission of PRESS RUN, Eric Boehlert’s new must-read media newsletter. Subscribe here.
On Sunday, The New York Times released fresh polling data from four swing states. The results were so good for Democrat Joe Biden that his campaign may have allowed itself a cautious smile or two — Biden had huge lead in Minnesota, and was ahead in Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Hampshire. Accompanying the polling article, the Times published a political snapshot from each of those four states. But the snapshots read much differently than the polling results, as the Times seemed to lean hard into the idea that Biden was slumping.
“MINNESOTA: Some See an Edge for Trump,” read one headline. The Times interviewed just two people for the article and both thought Biden was facing trouble in Minnesota. Trump “looks stronger politically in the state than he did in 2016,” and Biden was “hardly a lock to carry the state,” the Times reported, even though the daily just found Biden's lead to be nine points, seven weeks from Election Day.
Looking at Michigan, the Times marveled at how the crowds for Trump were so much larger than Biden’s, even though Biden has led in 29 of the last 30 Michigan polls taken this year. And in Florida, the Times stressed that Biden “has been slipping among Hispanic voters,” but made no mention of Biden’s historic advantage with seniors.
This year’s not-so-dirty secret: The campaign press desperately wants to tell an exciting election season story. Journalists like to create storylines, tension, compelling characters, and relay wild plot twists. More excitement means a larger audience —the press wants a horse race because it’s way more entertaining. And for most campaigns over the last 25 years, the media have been blessed with lots of nail-biting and historic battles. Not so much in 2020, where the contest has remained locked in a stubborn holding pattern, and shows no signs of budging soon.
"For all of this year’s upheaval, the race has stayed relatively stable, with Biden comfortably ahead in national polls," Politico recently conceded. “The fact is the presidential race is kind of boring from a polling standpoint right now,” added Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.
The problem with that scenario is it produces relatively boring content. How often can news outlets report, "Biden Maintains Comfortable Lead"? The temptation for the press is to put their thumbs on the scale for Trump in the hopes of marketing a closer race.
It's an outgrowth of Both Sides journalism, which suggests if the Trump campaign is lagging, which it clearly is, that means Biden's run must be facing big obstacles, too. Which, of course, makes no sense since a two-person campaign is, by definition, a zero sum event. Both campaigns can't be struggling at the same time.
"Why Biden could still lose the suburbs to Trump," Politico announced last week, leaning hard on provoking Democratic anxieties with a click-bait headline. It's true that Biden "could" lose the suburbs, but it's also much more likely he'll win them.
When Black Lives Matters protests erupted in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after the police shot an unarmed black man, Jacob Blake, lots of journalists rushed in to declare that a law-and-order campaign game changer could propel Trump to a second term. (“This is How Biden Loses,” The Atlantic announced.) But polling shows the event did nothing to change the national race and that Biden received higher marks for dealing with the crisis.
Polling continues to be a huge hurdle in the media’s pursuit of a more compelling storyline. But news outlets keep trying: "According to the latest CBS News Battleground Tracker poll, Joe Biden leads Pres. Trump by a slim 6 points in Wisconsin."
Fact: Trump won Wisconsin in 2016, albeit by a very narrow margin. For his Democratic rival to be ahead in that state by six points in mid-September does not qualify as a "slim" lead, it qualifies as a major shift in the polarized state and a huge setback for the Republican. (If Trump were leading in Wisconsin by 6 points today, there's not a single news outlet that would refer to that as a "slim" advantage.)
NBC News took the unusual angle of suggesting that even though Trump trails in virtually every national poll taken this year, there’s still bad news for Biden because on the single issue of the economy Trump still leads, slightly. (Dems are “nervous”!) It’s hard to watch and read coverage like that and not assume the press is working overtime to create a better horse race.
This has been going on for months. "Trump has a real shot of winning," announced a CNN piece in May. After acknowledging that Biden led in virtually every poll taken this year, and most key swing state polls, CNN stressed, "Biden may be favored, but this race is far from over."
It's curious that the last time a Democratic incumbent president ran for re-election, in 2012, the common media narrative was, 'He might lose.' Today, Trump's running for re-election and the common media narrative is, 'He might win.' Both play off Democratic fears, which also drives traffic for news outlets.
Twelve months ago, major news organizations made plans to turn the 2020 race into an entertainment extravaganza. It’s okay for them to admit now that a thrilling horse race might never materialize.


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Right Wing Talkers Have A Problem With Math

Here 's how Rush Limbaugh was scaring your right-wing relatives on the radio today : If the Democrats win , ... that ’ s the end of democracy .
It ’ s the end of the two-party system .
We ’ re gon na have a one-party government that is going to devote itself to eliminating all opposition .
That ’ s what ’ s at stake .
If they win , I think the Republican Party essentially ceases to exist .
One of the first things they will do is grant statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They will never lose control of the Senate .
Okay , let 's imagine that Democrats succeed in obtaining statehood for D.C and Puerto Rico .
Let 's say those new states reliably elect two Democratic senators each .
Does that mean that Democrats `` will never lose control of the Senate '' ?
No -- in fact , if you were to add four Democratic senators to the Senate right now , Republicans would still be in control .
The current makeup of the Senate is 53 Republicans , 45 Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Vermont and Angus King of Maine ) who caucus with the Democrats .
So the Democratic caucus is 47 senators ; 47 + 4 = 51 .
Which is less than 53 .
The Senate after the 2016 elections had 54 Republicans , 44 Democrats , and the same two independents caucusing with the Democrats .
Add four Democratic senators and you would have had a Senate with a 50-member Democratic caucus and ... 54 Republicans .
You were saying , Rush ?
Okay , let 's talk about the House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ argument ( even though it 's highly unlikely ) that Democrats could rapidly win statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C. , and that all their subsequent House members were Democrats .
To simplify matters , let 's imagine that this change did n't come with a plan to thoroughly overhaul the makeup of the House .
Let 's assume that we 'd just add a few extra House seats for the two new states .
The Census Bureau estimated that Puerto Rico 's population in 2019 was 3,193,694 .
That 's a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,205,958 ) .
Utah has four House members .
D.C. 's population in 2019 was 705,749 -- a bit less than the population of Alaska ( 731,545 ) .
Alaska has one House member .
So imagine this change adding a whopping five Democrats to the House .
Will Democrats `` never lose control of the House '' ?
Let me remind you that the House elected in 2016 had 241 Republicans and 194 Democrats .
The House elected in 2014 had 247 Republicans and 188 Democrats .
Do I need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats would not have tipped the balance in those years .
But what about the Supreme Court ?
It now has five members appointed by Republican presidents and four members appointed by Democrats .
A recent proposal by a coalition of progressive groups recommended that the Court be expanded `` by at least two seats . ''
Two seats ?
If a Democratic president could add two seats right now , that would tip the balance from Republican by 1 to ... Democratic by 1 .
Or as Danielle Pletka calls it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase in the number of Supreme Court seats to ensure a liberal supermajority . ''
A `` supermajority '' !
Of one !
And by the way , Joe Biden does n't even support the idea of packing the Supreme Court .
The United States will be a one-party government ... .
Everybody thought that the election in 2016 was the election of a lifetime .
This one is too , maybe even bigger .
The Democrat Party has become full-fledged Marxist radical left .
They do not believe in opposition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They don ’ t believe they should have to win minds and hearts .
They don ’ t believe they should have to persuade anybody .
They don ’ t believe that there is legitimate opposition .
So they ’ re not going to have debates , they ’ re not going to have any circumstance where they could lose politically .
They believe in a one-party-dominating government .
And it ’ s what they ’ re going to set up as quickly as they can .
You 'll hear this from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a few `` respectable '' pundits , including some moderates .
Many people will believe this scaremongering -- because math is hard .
Published with permission of No More Mister Nice Blog

Here's how Rush Limbaugh was scaring your right-wing relatives on the radio today:
If the Democrats win, ... that’s the end of democracy. It’s the end of the two-party system. We’re gonna have a one-party government that is going to devote itself to eliminating all opposition. That’s what’s at stake. If they win, I think the Republican Party essentially ceases to exist. One of the first things they will do is grant statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico, and that will give them four Democrat senators. They will never lose control of the Senate.
Okay, let's imagine that Democrats succeed in obtaining statehood for D.C and Puerto Rico. Let's say those new states reliably elect two Democratic senators each. Does that mean that Democrats "will never lose control of the Senate"?
No -- in fact, if you were to add four Democratic senators to the Senate right now, Republicans would still be in control. The current makeup of the Senate is 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and two independents (Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine) who caucus with the Democrats. So the Democratic caucus is 47 senators; 47 + 4 = 51.
Which is less than 53.
The Senate after the 2016 elections had 54 Republicans, 44 Democrats, and the same two independents caucusing with the Democrats. Add four Democratic senators and you would have had a Senate with a 50-member Democratic caucus and ... 54 Republicans.
You were saying, Rush?
They will never lose control of the House. They will pack the Supreme Court with who knows how many new justices, and they’ll all be left-leaning justices. And it won’t be take them long to do any of this. And after they’ve done it, there will be a one-party state.
Okay, let's talk about the House. Let's assume for the sake of argument (even though it's highly unlikely) that Democrats could rapidly win statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C., and that all their subsequent House members were Democrats.
To simplify matters, let's imagine that this change didn't come with a plan to thoroughly overhaul the makeup of the House. Let's assume that we'd just add a few extra House seats for the two new states.
The Census Bureau estimated that Puerto Rico's population in 2019 was 3,193,694. That's a little less than the population of Utah (3,205,958). Utah has four House members.
D.C.'s population in 2019 was 705,749 -- a bit less than the population of Alaska (731,545). Alaska has one House member.
So imagine this change adding a whopping five Democrats to the House. Will Democrats "never lose control of the House"? Let me remind you that the House elected in 2016 had 241 Republicans and 194 Democrats. The House elected in 2014 had 247 Republicans and 188 Democrats. Do I need to do the math for you? Five additional Democrats would not have tipped the balance in those years.
But what about the Supreme Court? It now has five members appointed by Republican presidents and four members appointed by Democrats. A recent proposal by a coalition of progressive groups recommended that the Court be expanded "by at least two seats." Two seats? If a Democratic president could add two seats right now, that would tip the balance from Republican by 1 to ... Democratic by 1.
Or as Danielle Pletka calls it in a much-talked-about Washington Post op-ed, "an increase in the number of Supreme Court seats to ensure a liberal supermajority." A "supermajority"! Of one!
And by the way, Joe Biden doesn't even support the idea of packing the Supreme Court.
Limbaugh continues:
The United States will be a one-party government.... Everybody thought that the election in 2016 was the election of a lifetime. This one is too, maybe even bigger. The Democrat Party has become full-fledged Marxist radical left. They do not believe in opposition. They don’t believe in debate. They don’t believe they should have to win minds and hearts. They don’t believe they should have to persuade anybody. They don’t believe that there is legitimate opposition. So they’re not going to have debates, they’re not going to have any circumstance where they could lose politically. They believe in a one-party-dominating government. And it’s what they’re going to set up as quickly as they can.
You'll hear this from your right-wing relatives, and probably from quite a few "respectable" pundits, including some moderates. Many people will believe this scaremongering -- because math is hard.
Published with permission of No More Mister Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--With Eye On Biden Victory, Warren And Schumer Unveil Plan To Cancel Up To $50,000 For Federal Studen

With Eye On Biden Victory, Warren And Schumer Unveil Plan To Cancel Up To $50,000 For Federal Student Loan Borrowers

As Americans face the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and prepare for an incredibly consequential presidential election , over a dozen Democrats—led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—came together Thursday to unveil a `` visionary '' student loan cancellation plan for the next administration .
The introduced resolution urges the next president to use existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $ 50,000 in federal student loan debt and ensure there is no resulting tax liability for borrowers .
Neither the resolution nor the joint statement announcing it directly mentioned Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate , Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. ) , but their campaign is clearly the intended target .
The statement calls out President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for refusing `` to provide any immediate student debt cancellation for tens of millions of Americans '' while vowing that `` Democrats will be ready to act starting in 2021 . ''
Warren ( D-Mass . )
repeated that promise on Twitter Thursday , also taking aim at Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , who has been widely condemned for everything from her privatization plans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions on school reopenings and tax return seizures for student loan payments during the pandemic .
In addition to Warren , two other former Biden rivals—Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) and Cory Booker ( D-N.J. ) —are backing the plan , along with Sens .
Sherrod Brown ( D-Ohio ) , Dick Durbin ( D-Ill. ) , Tammy Duckworth ( D-Ill. ) , Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn. ) , Chris Van Hollen ( D-Md . )
, Jeff Merkley ( D-Ore. ) , Ed Markey ( D-Mass . )
, Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wyden ( D-Ore. ) .
`` Even before the coronavirus pandemic plunged our economy into chaos , student loan borrowers were already in crisis , '' said Warren .
`` The president of the United States has the power to broadly cancel student loan debt , help close the racial wealth gap , and give a big boost to families and our economy .
It 's time to use this existing authority and permanently improve the lives of tens of millions of Americans . ''
A former law professor and bankruptcy expert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health , Education , Labor , and Pensions ( HELP ) Committee .
She became known nationally during the primary race for her detailed progressive plans , including a `` really exciting proposal '' to overhaul education that included canceling part or all student loan debt for 95 % of Americans and making public college free for everyone .
The debt cancellation resolution differs from the higher education plan outlined on Biden 's campaign website .
In addition to cracking down on private lenders , offering $ 10,000 of relief for every year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , and reforming the existing Public Service Loan Forgiveness program , Biden proposes an income-based federal repayment program that would fully forgive the remainder of the loans for borrowers who have made payments for 20 years .
`` Education is supposed to be a ladder up , but for too many the burden of student debt has become an anchor holding them down , '' Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) declared Thursday .
`` Massive student loan debt is exacerbating the historic and overlapping crises our country is facing , especially for communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest by the health and economic consequences of Covid-19 , '' the Senate minority leader said .
`` Our resolution lays out a way for the president to change that .
Canceling student loan debt would help boost our struggling economy and close the racial wealth gap that has persisted for far too long . ''
Economist Stephanie Kelton—who served as chief economist on the Senate Budget Committee in 2015 then advised Sanders ' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns—has conducted research on the impact of canceling student loan debt , which she highlighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scocial media Thursday afternoon .
Kelton was part of a team that modeled ( pdf ) the macroeconomic effects of canceling all student loan debt in the United States .
It is `` amazing to see how much traction the idea has gained since then , '' she said .
`` It should go without saying , but obviously the more you cancel , the bigger the stimulus . ''
The Democratic resolution was also welcomed by leaders of the two largest education unions in the country—American Federation of Teachers ( AFT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( NEA ) president Becky Pringle .
The country 's economic crisis has left `` many choosing between paying their student loan payment or putting food on the table for their family , '' said Pringle .
`` Canceling student debt will provide some much-needed relief to millions of people who desperately need this lifeline from this massive burden . ''
Echoing that message , Weingarten noted that `` before the Covid-19 pandemic , millions of Americans were already confronting burdensome student loans , with the national student loan debt at a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country confronts sky-high unemployment , and crippling state , school , and local budget cuts have further depressed employment prospects , that debt burden is an economic death sentence . ''
`` As the country grapples with unprecedented health , economic , and racial crises , our government must do everything it can to ease that burden , '' added the AFT leader .
`` Broadly canceling student loan debt would be a game-changer for millions of people in this country and a lifeline when they desperately need it . ''

As Americans face the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and prepare for an incredibly consequential presidential election, over a dozen Democrats—led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer—came together Thursday to unveil a "visionary" student loan cancellation plan for the next administration.
The introduced resolution urges the next president to use existing authority under the Higher Education Act to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student loan debt and ensure there is no resulting tax liability for borrowers.
Neither the resolution nor the joint statement announcing it directly mentioned Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), but their campaign is clearly the intended target. The statement calls out President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans for refusing "to provide any immediate student debt cancellation for tens of millions of Americans" while vowing that "Democrats will be ready to act starting in 2021."
Warren (D-Mass.) repeated that promise on Twitter Thursday, also taking aim at Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who has been widely condemned for everything from her privatization plans and revisions to Title IX rules to her positions on school reopenings and tax return seizures for student loan payments during the pandemic.
Trump & DeVos have blocked debt cancellation at every chance for public servants, defrauded students, & disabled veterans. Here’s how I see it: if Trump won’t cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt now, Dems are ready to act in 2021. #CancelStudentDebt https://t.co/xHaKmwBw6C — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 17, 2020
In addition to Warren, two other former Biden rivals—Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.)—are backing the plan, along with Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
"Even before the coronavirus pandemic plunged our economy into chaos, student loan borrowers were already in crisis," said Warren. "The president of the United States has the power to broadly cancel student loan debt, help close the racial wealth gap, and give a big boost to families and our economy. It's time to use this existing authority and permanently improve the lives of tens of millions of Americans."
A former law professor and bankruptcy expert, Warren is a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. She became known nationally during the primary race for her detailed progressive plans, including a "really exciting proposal" to overhaul education that included canceling part or all student loan debt for 95% of Americans and making public college free for everyone.
Canceling student loan debt will provide immediate relief to millions struggling during this pandemic. It will increase Black & Latinx families’ wealth & help close the racial wealth gap. And it will deliver a much-needed boost to our economy. #CancelStudentDebt — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 17, 2020
The debt cancellation resolution differs from the higher education plan outlined on Biden's campaign website. In addition to cracking down on private lenders, offering $10,000 of relief for every year of community service for up to five years, and reforming the existing Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, Biden proposes an income-based federal repayment program that would fully forgive the remainder of the loans for borrowers who have made payments for 20 years.
"Education is supposed to be a ladder up, but for too many the burden of student debt has become an anchor holding them down," Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared Thursday.
"Massive student loan debt is exacerbating the historic and overlapping crises our country is facing, especially for communities of color, which have been hit hardest by the health and economic consequences of Covid-19," the Senate minority leader said. "Our resolution lays out a way for the president to change that. Canceling student loan debt would help boost our struggling economy and close the racial wealth gap that has persisted for far too long."
AFR applauds @SenSchumer & @SenWarren for their visionary Resolution today It is an important, urgent call to use the tools of government to provide immediate relief to millions, and to tackle the student debt crisis head-on. #CancelStudentDebthttps://t.co/fqS35Xf6nv https://t.co/vO7uoyU61b — AFR (@RealBankReform) September 17, 2020
Economist Stephanie Kelton—who served as chief economist on the Senate Budget Committee in 2015 then advised Sanders' 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns—has conducted research on the impact of canceling student loan debt, which she highlighted in response to the new plan on scocial media Thursday afternoon.
Kelton was part of a team that modeled (pdf) the macroeconomic effects of canceling all student loan debt in the United States. It is "amazing to see how much traction the idea has gained since then," she said. "It should go without saying, but obviously the more you cancel, the bigger the stimulus."
A few years ago, I was part of a research team that modeled the macroeconomic effects of cancelling *all* student loan debt. Amazing to see how much traction the idea has gained since then. cc: @Free_To_Prosper https://t.co/DZBb0J1PGq pic.twitter.com/UdOvNJdD7z — Stephanie Kelton ステファニー・ケルトン (@StephanieKelton) September 17, 2020
The Democratic resolution was also welcomed by leaders of the two largest education unions in the country—American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten and National Education Association (NEA) president Becky Pringle.
The country's economic crisis has left "many choosing between paying their student loan payment or putting food on the table for their family," said Pringle. "Canceling student debt will provide some much-needed relief to millions of people who desperately need this lifeline from this massive burden."
Echoing that message, Weingarten noted that "before the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of Americans were already confronting burdensome student loans, with the national student loan debt at a record $1.5 trillion. Now, as the country confronts sky-high unemployment, and crippling state, school, and local budget cuts have further depressed employment prospects, that debt burden is an economic death sentence."
"As the country grapples with unprecedented health, economic, and racial crises, our government must do everything it can to ease that burden," added the AFT leader. "Broadly canceling student loan debt would be a game-changer for millions of people in this country and a lifeline when they desperately need it."
Republished from Common Dreams (Jessica Corbett, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Top Covid Task Force Staffer: Trump Constantly 'Ranting And Raving About Fox News' Being Mean To Him

We 've reported earlier that former Pence staffer Olivia Troye has come out for Biden , based on Trump 's `` disregard for human life '' re the Coronavirus .
Susan Glasser of The New Yorker interviewed Troye and told CNN about the interview .
Troye reports that Trump would rant and rave about Fox News being mean to him during coronavirus task force meetings instead of focusing on the pandemic .
Olivia Troye spoke out for the first time this week in an ad supporting the election of Joe Biden after being a pivotal staffer for VP Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus Task force .
Glasser told host Alisyn Camerota that Troye said she was speaking out now `` because of the continued lies and misrepresentations from President Trump about the coronavirus '' and the politicization of the pandemic .
Glasser said , `` There were several times when Trump would come into the coronavirus task force they would try to get them to focus on the business at hand and he would be ranting and raving about Fox News and how they were n't being nice enough to him . ''
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said no ... That was exactly what you would imagine he was like is what he was like privately . ''
Listening to Troye 's courageous words , they sound exactly like what we seen and heard from Donald Trump for these last four years .
Instead of rising to the challenge of a highly infectious virus , Trump 's only thought was about his reelection chances and media coverage .
Trump put the health and well-being of the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans on the back burner and hid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has caused countless more illnesses and deaths .
Have you had enough yet ?

We've reported earlier that former Pence staffer Olivia Troye has come out for Biden, based on Trump's "disregard for human life" re the Coronavirus.
Susan Glasser of The New Yorker interviewed Troye and told CNN about the interview.
Troye reports that Trump would rant and rave about Fox News being mean to him during coronavirus task force meetings instead of focusing on the pandemic.
Olivia Troye spoke out for the first time this week in an ad supporting the election of Joe Biden after being a pivotal staffer for VP Mike Pence on Homeland Security and then on the Coronavirus Task force.
Glasser told host Alisyn Camerota that Troye said she was speaking out now "because of the continued lies and misrepresentations from President Trump about the coronavirus" and the politicization of the pandemic.
Glasser said, "There were several times when Trump would come into the coronavirus task force they would try to get them to focus on the business at hand and he would be ranting and raving about Fox News and how they weren't being nice enough to him."
"I asked were you surprised by that and she said no...That was exactly what you would imagine he was like is what he was like privately."
Listening to Troye's courageous words, they sound exactly like what we seen and heard from Donald Trump for these last four years. Instead of rising to the challenge of a highly infectious virus, Trump's only thought was about his reelection chances and media coverage.
Trump put the health and well-being of the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans on the back burner and hid the truth from the American people which has caused countless more illnesses and deaths.
Have you had enough yet?


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--U.S. Admits Rohrabacher Offered Pardon To Cover Up Russian Hack

The U.S. admits that Rohrabacher offered pardon to Assange if he covered up Russia hacking of the DNC in 2016 .
In 2017 , Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Charles Johnson met with Julian Assange in London , offering a presidential pardon if he ’ d cover up Russia ’ s involvement in the DNC hacking .
According to The Daily Beast , '' Lawyers representing the United States at Julian Assange ’ s extradition trial in Britain have accepted the claim that a Congressman offered the WikiLeaks founder a presidential pardon on the condition that he would help cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emails from the Democratic National Committee . ''
Attorney Jennifer Robinson testified in London that she had attended a meeting between Assange , then-Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher , and Trump ally Charles Johnson at the Ecuadorian embassy in London August 15 , 2017 .
According to Robinson 's testimony , President Trump approved the trip to meet with Assange to discuss a potential deal and presidential pardon .
The information about July 2017 meeting is not new , but the first-time testimony from the American attorney has been heard in full .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting or that the president knew about the meeting .
However I agree with Eric Garland , who tweeted about the news this morning :

The U.S. admits that Rohrabacher offered pardon to Assange if he covered up Russia hacking of the DNC in 2016.
In 2017, Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Charles Johnson met with Julian Assange in London, offering a presidential pardon if he’d cover up Russia’s involvement in the DNC hacking. According to The Daily Beast,
"Lawyers representing the United States at Julian Assange’s extradition trial in Britain have accepted the claim that a Congressman offered the WikiLeaks founder a presidential pardon on the condition that he would help cover up Russia’s involvement in hacking emails from the Democratic National Committee."
Attorney Jennifer Robinson testified in London that she had attended a meeting between Assange, then-Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and Trump ally Charles Johnson at the Ecuadorian embassy in London August 15, 2017.
According to Robinson's testimony, President Trump approved the trip to meet with Assange to discuss a potential deal and presidential pardon. The information about July 2017 meeting is not new, but the first-time testimony from the American attorney has been heard in full.
The White House denies that Trump approved the meeting or that the president knew about the meeting. However I agree with Eric Garland, who tweeted about the news this morning:


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Sleepy Wilbur Ross 'Bans' Tik Tok For Trump

My kids were n't going to vote for Trump anyway , obviously , but their less politically obsessed friends now have a reason to GOTV .
NBC News : Commerce said in a news release that U.S. mobile platforms will be prohibited from distributing the apps , meaning new downloads will be blocked .
But TikTok will not disappear entirely on Sunday .
The app will still work for at least a few more weeks .
Commerce said that crucial services that TikTok relies on , such as internet hosting and transit services , will not be prohibited until Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
This decision is more than just politically stupid .
Several tech-types have pointed out that by banning updates , the so-called administration is simply banning security patches that make the existing app safer .
As my colleague Jamie noted in an email : I got a feeling Google and Apple will be heading to court today to get this blocked .
Here ’ s the thing about banning app store downloads – it actually makes users LESS safe .
If one of those apps find a security hole , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they put out a patch for it , there will be no way for U.S. consumers to update .
All updates come through the app stores , which will be banned from allowing downloads .
So yeah , unpatched , insecure apps will be forced to remain running because of Trump .
TikTok will still be allowed to run until November 12th ( imagine that ! )
.
Just no new downloads .
WeChat , apparently they are ordering all servers shut down .
Of course nothing says they have to us U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block people from accessing servers overseas .
We don ’ t have a government ran firewall like China or Iran .
So Trump and Wilbur Ross are flipped out about data collection from a Chinese video app , but data collection from FACEBOOK ?
Not so much .

My kids weren't going to vote for Trump anyway, obviously, but their less politically obsessed friends now have a reason to GOTV. NBC News:
Commerce said in a news release that U.S. mobile platforms will be prohibited from distributing the apps, meaning new downloads will be blocked. But TikTok will not disappear entirely on Sunday. The app will still work for at least a few more weeks. Commerce said that crucial services that TikTok relies on, such as internet hosting and transit services, will not be prohibited until Nov. 12 — pushing the deadline to after the election. WeChat, however, faces a full ban on Sunday.
This decision is more than just politically stupid. Several tech-types have pointed out that by banning updates, the so-called administration is simply banning security patches that make the existing app safer.
I don't think Tik Tok will be banned in the US. Just a lot of immediate app patches for security fixes. pic.twitter.com/CX3RFeJV7z — Charlie Schneider (@AwesomEmergency) July 13, 2020
As my colleague Jamie noted in an email:
I got a feeling Google and Apple will be heading to court today to get this blocked. Here’s the thing about banning app store downloads – it actually makes users LESS safe. If one of those apps find a security hole, which is very, VERY common, and they put out a patch for it, there will be no way for U.S. consumers to update. All updates come through the app stores, which will be banned from allowing downloads. So yeah, unpatched, insecure apps will be forced to remain running because of Trump.
TikTok will still be allowed to run until November 12th (imagine that!). Just no new downloads. WeChat, apparently they are ordering all servers shut down. Of course nothing says they have to us U.S. servers and the U.S. has no way to block people from accessing servers overseas. We don’t have a government ran firewall like China or Iran.
So Trump and Wilbur Ross are flipped out about data collection from a Chinese video app, but data collection from FACEBOOK? Not so much.
Also the US government banning an app because Chinese surveillance laws can request data while the EU invalidated data transfers to the US because of US surveillance laws is just a big ole chef's kiss https://t.co/yA48107VnP https://t.co/SQiNV9qJIQ — alfred 🆖 (@alfredwkng) September 18, 2020
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross took a very different tone in July when a ruling potentially meant Facebook can't transfer data from the EU to the US: pic.twitter.com/YfOGDkGUu7 — alfred 🆖 (@alfredwkng) September 18, 2020
PS. Never forget!


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--MUST WATCH: Councilwoman Takes Down Anti-Gay Bigot Over Pride Flag

The city of Minot raised their Pride flag last week as part of declaring June Pride Month .
COVID delayed that until September .
At least one bigot made his displeasure known at a recent city council meeting .
Councilwoman Evans was n't having it .
`` I am proudly the first openly elected lesbian in North Dakota .
So that is why I am not paying any heed to your crap ! ''
Carrie Evans said .
The Dickinson Press reported that Evans ’ sexual orientation was not previously known to the public .
During a heated meeting over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minot , N.D. , Councilwoman Carrie Evans declared that she is the first “ openly elected lesbian ” in the state while responding to a citizen demanding the flag be pulled down .
At that point , Evans had been listening to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric for days when the speaker , Walker , called her out for appearing irritated , according to The Dickinson Press .
“ We the people .
I ’ m the people .
I live in Minot .
I am a taxpayer .
I am a person .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flagpole just as much as the people who got the Juneteenth flag last month , as much as the POW/MIA will get later this month , ” Evans said .
To which the bigot replied , “ Thank you for exposing yourself and your anger.
” Yeah , they do n't get it and never will .
Luckily they 're dying off .
CARRIE EVANS : “ Every single person is entitled to see themselves represented .
We are not some group of people who live in San Francisco or Seattle .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
We are your brothers .
We are your sisters , and don ’ t tell me you ’ re not [ feeling ] or anger .
That ’ s all I feel .
I ’ ve had to listen to it for days now , as has the mayor and many of my colleagues .
It is unacceptable !
“ This city is big enough for all of us .
Me having a flag flying does not take away anything from your rights .
But you know what it does for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a city that appreciates and embraces me and my community .
And I can live here and feel safe .
That ’ s what it does .
I ’ m sorry that it doesn ’ t make you feel comfortable , but we ’ re here , we ’ re queer , and we ’ re not going away !
”

The city of Minot raised their Pride flag last week as part of declaring June Pride Month. COVID delayed that until September. At least one bigot made his displeasure known at a recent city council meeting. Councilwoman Evans wasn't having it.
"I am proudly the first openly elected lesbian in North Dakota. So that is why I am not paying any heed to your crap!" Carrie Evans said.
The Dickinson Press reported that Evans’ sexual orientation was not previously known to the public.
Source: The Advocate
During a heated meeting over the official flying of a Pride flag in Minot, N.D., Councilwoman Carrie Evans declared that she is the first “openly elected lesbian” in the state while responding to a citizen demanding the flag be pulled down. At that point, Evans had been listening to anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric for days when the speaker, Walker, called her out for appearing irritated, according to The Dickinson Press. “We the people. I’m the people. I live in Minot. I am a taxpayer. I am a person. I get to see myself represented on that flagpole just as much as the people who got the Juneteenth flag last month, as much as the POW/MIA will get later this month,” Evans said.
To which the bigot replied, “Thank you for exposing yourself and your anger.” Yeah, they don't get it and never will. Luckily they're dying off.
Transcript:
CARRIE EVANS: “Every single person is entitled to see themselves represented. We are not some group of people who live in San Francisco or Seattle. We are here. We are your elected officials. We are your brothers. We are your sisters, and don’t tell me you’re not [feeling] or anger. That’s all I feel. I’ve had to listen to it for days now, as has the mayor and many of my colleagues. It is unacceptable! “This city is big enough for all of us. Me having a flag flying does not take away anything from your rights. But you know what it does for me? It shows me I live in a city that appreciates and embraces me and my community. And I can live here and feel safe. That’s what it does. I’m sorry that it doesn’t make you feel comfortable, but we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going away!”


crooksandliars--2020-09-18--Friday News Dump: FBI Director Testifies To Russia Election Meddling, And Other News

FBI Dir .
Chris Wray just confirmed that Russia is currently meddling in the election to ‘ denigrate Vice President Biden ’ pic.twitter.com/BkEs8dfOKG Anyone on social media knows that moment when you share something about which you have real expertise , and some know-nothing troll responds with `` well , actually ... . ''
This was just like that .
From FBI Director Chris Wray 's testimony yesterday to Congress : Wray also talked about antifa , and white supremacists : '' I do n't have to shake hands with these disgusting people . ''
And now , onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEPT .
OF ALL THE WONDERS AND FEELZ This song pretty much sums up my life right now .
My working-class neighborhood 's getting gentrified , it 's driving up the rents ( an ART GALLERY just opened down the street ! )
, I 've outgrown my tiny apartment , the lot next to my building has been sold and they 're going to rip down the trees and throw up five ugly modern boxes starting in the spring , instead of birds I 'll be listening to jackhammers , and after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no , I really do n't want to spend another fall in Philadelphia .
I want to move so bad , I can taste it .
I just ca n't afford it .
I guess I have to face the fact as real I think I feel my back up against the wall I 'm gon na spend another Fall In Philadelphia .
But on the bright side : Have a nice weekend , wear your masks , and be kind to each other !

Anyone on social media knows that moment when you share something about which you have real expertise, and some know-nothing troll responds with "well, actually...." This was just like that. From FBI Director Chris Wray's testimony yesterday to Congress:
But Chris, you don’t see any activity from China, even though it is a FAR greater threat than Russia, Russia, Russia. They will both, plus others, be able to interfere in our 2020 Election with our totally vulnerable Unsolicited (Counterfeit?) Ballot Scam. Check it out! https://t.co/mH3vrHWvS8 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2020
Wray also talked about antifa, and white supremacists:
FBI Director Chris Wray testified before Congress that antifa is an ideology, not an organization. That puts him at odds with President Trump who has said he would designate antifa — an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militants — a terror group. https://t.co/4jMx9oeFmh — The Associated Press (@AP) September 17, 2020
Rep. Elissa Slotkin: "There are these homegrown terrorists ... how many of them of white supremacists?"
FBI Dir. Chris Wray: "Within the domestic terrorism bucket, category as a whole, racially motivated violent extremism is I think the biggest bucket within that larger group." — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 17, 2020
Uh, who runs the FBI? A guy named Chris Wray. Wait until you find out who appointed him!! https://t.co/eQSlyVfNrR — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) September 18, 2020
***********************************
"I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people."
.@OliviaTroye was Pence's lead staffer on COVID. She just quit due to Trump's handling of the virus.
She claims Trump said, "Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing. I don't have to shake hands with these disgusting people."
She's voting for Biden.pic.twitter.com/jAvY8Ncsrl — Mark Elliott (@markmobility) September 18, 2020
At a lunch in the West Wing of the White House @VP Mike Pence once told me Olivia Troye was doing an “incredible job” as his Homeland Security Advisor and thanked DHS for referring her to his Office. https://t.co/6lZ9b4UDpf — Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) September 17, 2020
Asked Trump about former VP aide Olivia Troye who criticized his handling of virus today. His response was a familiar one: “I have no idea who she is, she doesn’t know me.” — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) September 17, 2020
And now, onto the rest of the week's news...
Note this when Trump, Barr downplay Russian election interference: “..NSA & CIA have classified evidence the Russians had placed malware in the election registration systems of at least two Florida counties” which “could erase voters in specific districts” https://t.co/Htd7AM3nfw — Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) September 9, 2020
Breaking: Jerry Falwell Jr's wife smashed down door to find Trump's leading evangelical enabler in a pool of his own blood after he drunkenly fell down stairs just days after he resigned from Liberty University, 911 call transcript reveals. — Frank Schaeffer (@Frank_Schaeffer) September 18, 2020
In which I write about election security, election legitimacy, voting machine hacking, and Trump's desperation:https://t.co/lEVJnH5ZAR — Greg Olear (@gregolear) September 18, 2020
BREAKING: Trump to block U.S downloads of TikTok and WeChat on Sunday. https://t.co/eNzS4d5Yyd — JΞSŦΞR ✪ ΔCŦUΔL³³°¹ (@th3j35t3r) September 18, 2020
BREAKING: TikTok will be banned from U.S. app stores starting Sunday.
Trump has bungled the spin-off deal.
Sets a very dangerous precedent that Trump plans to personally involve himself in private business dealings of international companies where the Trump Org. also operates. — Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) September 18, 2020
BREAKING:
Federal judge ordered the illegal changes by Postmaster DeJoy must be reversed until litigation is over. The Postal Service will be protected and Americans can have confidence that ballots will be delivered, collected and that every eligible vote will count. — AG Josh Shapiro (@PAAttorneyGen) September 17, 2020
Signature matching will not be an issue, but EVERY applicable FIELD on the envelope should be filled as instructed. The witness requirements are spelled out in 3 places in the packet, IIRC, 2 in the instructions and on the envelope as well. https://t.co/xUcI3u2jGf — Tom Sullivan (@BloggersRUs) September 17, 2020
The fact that every household in the US almost got 5 masks in the mail in April, until the WH killed it, ought to be a screamer headline everywhere. What other story hits home like that? https://t.co/vhDwUltGrQ — Dan Froomkin/PressWatchers.org (@froomkin) September 17, 2020
"The people I like the best are the people that are less successful because it makes you feel so powerful. I always say it. Never go out with a successful person."
This guy is so broken inside.pic.twitter.com/fWFtcxu9yW — Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) September 18, 2020
Lawyers representing the U.S. at Julian Assange's extradition trial have accepted the claim that the WikiLeaks founder was offered a presidential pardon by a Congressman on the condition he would help cover up Russia’s involvement in hacking DNC emails. https://t.co/3gZPlQLnVa — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 18, 2020
The number that leaps out is Maine. If it's really that big, Biden has shifted significant white votes. https://t.co/bGwTdxXzP2 — Tom Watson (@tomwatson) September 18, 2020
I had to stop reading the Vanity Fair Kushner story halfway through. It made me physically ill. https://t.co/bfOLMrmhWe — Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) September 18, 2020
As social media companies crack down and media scrutiny intensifies, it makes sense to kill the keywords. What happens when Q is unspoken, its followers signaling to each other without utilizing the key phrases? Kind of more frightening in a way. https://t.co/TWJwMvJEL2 — Justin Hendrix (@justinhendrix) September 18, 2020
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that ballots that arrive after Election Day can be counted and gave voters the option to use satellite drop boxes. But a change counties say is critical to a smooth election remains unresolved. https://t.co/C2mtrsvefd — The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) September 18, 2020
.@esglaude: "William Barr is searching so desperately to find a way to describe white Americans who refuse to wear a mask as victims that he's reaching for comparisons that not only don't make any sense, but reveal a kind of moral tone deafness."https://t.co/oBCWnjrVih — MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 18, 2020
Tucker's confusion when hearing the *actual* principles of Dem Socialism, and Bill O'Reilly's shock that Biden could actually answer policy questions, are part of the same problem for the Right:
they've spent so long beating up antifa/conspiracy straw men they've lost the plot. https://t.co/A8GwMypMqQ — David Atkins (@DavidOAtkins) September 18, 2020
“...young Latino men born in the United States seem to be inching toward Trump, intrigued perhaps by the president’s business persona. No single group has posted a larger statistical bump for Trump than Latino men under the age of 50, according to Equis.” https://t.co/S9VVQ9Kf8u — Bill Scher (@billscher) September 18, 2020
I’ll never forget the comfort that @JoeBiden brought Corey after he lost his dad in the Parkland shooting. This powerful new ad from @Your_Americans illustrates Joe’s character. He has the compassion and leadership to bring this country together. pic.twitter.com/40Uy6mXyDd — Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) September 16, 2020
“Trump has never seen himself as president of the United States,’ said Stuart Stevens, a top strategist to Mitt Romney...’He’s a gang leader, and you are either in his gang or you are the enemy.” https://t.co/l9FXrm7Z4j — John Sipher (@john_sipher) September 18, 2020
A pastor in Idaho who called himself a "no-masker" during a service and repeatedly questioned the veracity of coronavirus case reporting is in the ICU after contracting Covid-19 https://t.co/9lf7vb1nJC — CNN (@CNN) September 18, 2020
Oh, that makes sense, "patriotic education" is what they call it in Russia. https://t.co/5r95ENXAjT — Richard Stengel (@stengel) September 18, 2020
The headline here is “Republicans Killed the Obamacare Mandate. New Data Shows It Didn’t Really Matter.”
But read the story and you find the original mandate didn’t matter because it was too weak with a light penalty, not that a real mandate can’t work. https://t.co/WyrIMzZAiF — Bill Scher (@billscher) September 18, 2020
Well, there was a good reason that the guidance was altered for political reasons: the White House didn't want the CDC policy to highlight the complete and utter failure of the Trump administration to create a national testing policy. https://t.co/lzO3WRAQ7P — Richard Stengel (@stengel) September 18, 2020
why is it up to him? https://t.co/TNVgvzedHi — David Atkins (@DavidOAtkins) September 18, 2020
Joe Rogan repeats debunked claim that "left-wing people" are starting Oregon wildfires https://t.co/eGhEDFR11W — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 18, 2020
A Dallas school district apologizes after a teacher suggests the 17-year-old charged with killing 2 during the Kenosha, Wisconsin, protests was a possible “modern hero” alongside Gandhi and Malcolm X in an essay assignment. https://t.co/NvTGUOU4kE — MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 18, 2020
JUST IN: Israel to revert back to full lockdown as coronavirus cases climb https://t.co/ubPPmIya36 pic.twitter.com/Riz5GBtXsM — The Hill (@thehill) September 18, 2020
Live coverage of Sally: At least $29M in damage in Florida county; 320K still without power; bridge may be closed for monthhttps://t.co/QPs7JVtYzm — Ted Corcoran (Red T Raccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) September 18, 2020
A Republican witness testified today that federal aid to states wouldn’t produce much economic growth. This is what happened next. pic.twitter.com/Hslx9NS2lN — Bharat Ramamurti (@BharatRamamurti) September 17, 2020
Bad news for Louis DeJoy. New data cited in a complaint by @CampaignLegal shows activities forming the basis for the allegation that he engaged in an illegal straw donor scheme continued *after* he sold his company to XPO. That means the statute of limitations hasn’t expired. https://t.co/i0IQQmq0k0 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) September 18, 2020
In the past 4 years the Trump administration has weakened or repealed at least 100 environmental regulations. New analysis finds that these rollbacks will result in 1.8 billion metric tons more of greenhouse gases by 2035. We cannot afford 4 more years. https://t.co/jmhOfxX8Ue — 350 Action (@350action) September 18, 2020
During the Holocaust, the Nazis performed inhumane surgeries and medical tests on the Jews. In the year 2020, the United States is REMOVING IMMIGRANT UTERUSES without consent. I am so disturbed and upset. I cannot believe this is the country I live in. https://t.co/GL0Hic34MI — Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) September 18, 2020
DEPT. OF ALL THE WONDERS AND FEELZ
Cleansing the timeline with this one.
Army dad comes home... pic.twitter.com/w9JYCjwBVH — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 17, 2020
You won't believe your eyes when you see this giant sea worm pic.twitter.com/nE4uYMUXPG — Mashable (@mashable) September 17, 2020
What would you name these two..
🐇🤔🐰 pic.twitter.com/Zir472m48y — 💙Zig Here💙No Tag's Please 8645⚡💀🌹🐢 (@Ziggiezaggie) September 15, 2020
Can we agree this panda eating a carrot is so cute. https://t.co/rtEn3e6KGA — Nelba Márquez-Greene (@Nelba_MG) September 18, 2020
Marvin Gaye’s isolated vocals for “I Heard It Through The Grapevine." Simply incredible. https://t.co/ztG6l3lM2U pic.twitter.com/9tdb9xHCX0 — Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) April 3, 2018
This song pretty much sums up my life right now. My working-class neighborhood's getting gentrified, it's driving up the rents (an ART GALLERY just opened down the street!), I've outgrown my tiny apartment, the lot next to my building has been sold and they're going to rip down the trees and throw up five ugly modern boxes starting in the spring, instead of birds I'll be listening to jackhammers, and after almost 20 years back in the city, no, I really don't want to spend another fall in Philadelphia.
I want to move so bad, I can taste it. I just can't afford it.
I guess I have to face the fact as real
I think I feel my back up against the wall
I'm gonna spend another Fall In Philadelphia.
But on the bright side:
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Have a nice weekend, wear your masks, and be kind to each other!